Author: Press Room

The New Plymouth mayor has labelled plans to close State Highway 3 in North Taranaki in January “unacceptable”, warning it will seriously impact businesses and disrupt visitors and residents travelling at a critical time of year.New Zealand Transport Agency plans to close the road between Okau Rd in Ahititi and the Uruti Community Hall between January 16 and 20, so crews can replace ageing bridges and culverts.Mayor Max Brough questioned the timing of the work.”This road is a lifeline for local businesses who are doing it tough currently and the holiday season is crucial to them.”This planned closure on top…

The graves of Kiwi motorsport legend Bruce McLaren and his family have been vandalised repeatedly – with an attempt to glue toy cars to a headstone and remove protective wrappings.McLaren – who died in a crash aged 32 during testing in 1970 – was buried at Waikumete Cemetery in Auckland. His wife Patricia was also buried there when she died in 2016, alongside the motorsport legend’s parents, sister, and brother-in-law.”We are lost for words as to why anyone would do this,” the Bruce McLaren Trust said in a social media post. “A very kind offer has been made by The…

Police have seized nets, waders and other equipment after catching two men illegally whitebaiting last night in western Southland.Along with the Department of Conservation, police had been running the joint Operation Īnaka, focused on catching illegal whitebaiters in the area.The men were located near the Waiau River mouth, as police ran a third enforcement night to target those whitebaiting outside the legal season, which ended on October 31.Western Southland area response manager Senior Sergeant Pete Graham said it is “disappointing” the men were fishing illegally.Graham said police would be referring the incident to the Department of Conservation to consider prosecution…

Te Pāti Māori’s co-leaders are presenting a unified front in defending John Tamihere after the party president called for two of his MPs to throw in the towel.Crisis and infighting within the party deepened yesterday afternoon after Tamihere publicly fired back at his rebel MPs, Tākuta Ferris and Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. A petition calling for Tamihere to resign was posted online on Monday morning.Te Pāti Māori co-leaders break their silence as tensions escalate – Watch on TVNZ+Speaking to 1News, co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer both showed support for their president and defended reconciliation efforts with the “rogue MPs”. “You either…

Two men were taken into custody in Dunedin’s student quarter last night after fireworks-related disorder, including officers nearly being hit by fireworks intentionally shot in their direction.Emergency services were called to Castle St following reports of around 50 people shooting fireworks at each other at around 9.50pm.Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said multiple calls were received and officers verbally warned everyone involved upon arrival.”A 20-year-old man was arrested for being disorderly and was released with a verbal warning, but as police were returning to the patrol vehicle, a group of males intentionally shot fireworks in their direction, causing a near miss.”Bond…

Unemployment is expected to nudge up to a near nine-year high with jobs few and far between in the weak economy, further dampening wage growth, but allowing another interest rate cut in three weeks.Stats NZ’s quarterly labour market numbers are due on November 5, with the headline unemployment rate expected to increase to 5.3% from 5.2% in the three months ended September, the highest since the December quarter 2016.Economists said the data would reflect some steadying of the labour market after the recession, which usually lags other sectors.”While there are some early indications that the job market is stabilising, we…

Two men have been arrested and multiple vehicles seized after up to seven vehicles performed burnouts during a funeral at Auckland’s Waikumete Cemetery on Monday afternoon.Police were called to the cemetery around 2pm following multiple reports of dangerous driving.Waitematā West area commander Inspector Simon Walker said one attendee began doing burnouts directly in front of the crematorium.”The first police unit on scene was surrounded by some attendees, including individuals who jumped on the patrol vehicle,” Walker said. No officers or bystanders were injured.Auckland Council said at one stage, up to seven vehicles were doing burnouts in front of a large…

The remaining seven elderly big cats at Whangārei’s Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary will be euthanised this week, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has confirmed.The sanctuary officially closed over the weekend, marking its final days of public operation. Facility operator Janette Vallance said the decision was heartbreaking.”There were no real options left. The staff and I are devastated,” she said in a statement. “The property is for sale and could potentially continue as a lion park, but this would require both purchase and significant capital investment.”She thanked supporters and said the legacy of the animals would endure. “The memories and legacy…

By Gyles Beckford of RNZ  Unemployment has edged up to a near nine-year high as businesses halt hiring, but slack in the jobs market increased and wage growth slowed further. Stats NZ numbers today show the unemployment rate rising to 5.3% in the three months ended September, from 5.2% in the previous quarter. The data was largely in line with expectations. Unemployment has been steadily rising as business either sacked staff or stopped hiring because of the weak economy, while the workforce has increased despite a slowdown in migration. The actual number of unemployed was 160,000 – the highest since early…

An Auckland man has been jailed after trying to fraudulently claim more than $2 million through various Covid-19 support schemes, forging documents and signatures for fake companies. Hun Min Im was sentenced to four years and 4.5 months in prison for his role in orchestrating the scheme. Financial authorities described Im’s offending as a “large-scale” targeting of the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Small Business Cashflow Scheme, Covid-19 Support Payments, and Resurgence Support Payments. He was convicted after an investigation led by the Serious Fraud Office, with support from Inland Revenue, police, and the Companies Office. Over the course of his offending, Im submitted 42 Wage Subsidy Scheme…