Author: Press Room

ADVERTISEMENT The European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) is set to vote today on whether to lift the immunity of five members of Parliament, including Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar and Italian left-wing firebrand Ilaria Salis. The 25 lawmakers on JURI will vote secretly on seven requests to strip immunity, making a recommendation on whether to approve or reject them. The final decision on each case will then be taken by the Parliament in a plenary session, where all MEPs can confirm or reverse the vote of their colleagues in the JURI Committee. If their immunity is waived, national…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including a new name for an Auckland transport hub, Jimmy Kimmel is set to return, and a big boost for the All Blacks. Auckland’s downtown train station has a new name, after a two year transition period. US President Donald Trump is reportedly linking paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism, despite no scientific support. Jimmy Kimmel will return to the airwaves after his suspension over comments about the killing of Charlie Kirk. Four injured All Blacks will return for this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup clash with the Wallabies. Harry Styles has run the Berlin marathon…

A select committee report has called for minor amendments to the Government’s legislation allowing small homes like granny flats to be built without a consent.The Building and Construction (Small Stand-alone Dwellings) Amendment Bill would allow for standalone dwellings of up to 70 square metres to be built without a consent, so long as certain conditions are met.The conditions include a simple design compliant with the building code, that construction is done by authorised professionals, and that councils are notified before and after the work.The changes recommended by the Transport and Infrastructure Committee include that councils should be able to indicate…

By Russell Palmer of RNZ  Part-time workers will get less sick leave under sweeping changes to the Holidays Act the minister says will be fairer. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden says the revamp which – as signalled last June – will see both annual and sick leave accumulate based on hours worked, is a win for workers, businesses and the country. She argues the sick-leave changes for part-time workers is more proportionate and will, in the long run, increase part-time jobs in the economy. Those receiving ACC payments will also no longer gain leave while not at work, in a change…

The founder of popular Wellington coffee brand People’s Coffee says a “brutal” 18 months in the hospitality industry informed his decision to sell the business entirely.Industry experts say still rising coffee prices are making it increasingly difficult for roasters, but new owners of the brand and its former flagship cafe say they are committed to keeping independent coffee culture alive.Matt Lamason sold the People’s Coffee brand to Wellington coffee roastery Karamu Coffee in July after 21 years heading the brand.He also sold the brand’s three cafes in the city at different times over the past six months.Lamason said despite the…

Sir Tumu Te Heuheu, the ariki and paramount chief of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, has died.In a statement, Te Kapua Whakapipi the Office of the Ariki said he passed peacefully with his wife Lady Susan Te Heuheu and whānau by his side.Born at Little Waihi on the shores of Lake Taupō to Sir Hepi and Lady Pauline Te Heuheu, he leaves behind a legacy of service to his iwi and to conservation.Earlier this year, Sir Tumu called for the return of Tongariro National Park to Māori ownership, saying the Crown had not honoured the original gift of the mountains by his ancestor.…

A West Coast weather radar is expected to be out of action for an “extended period” after a massive lightning strike last week caused extensive damage to the site.The radar tower, located north of the Hokitika River, went offline around 1pm on Thursday.A bolt carrying 156,000 amps – around five times the strength of a typical lightning strike – hit the area.The force destroyed the radome, the weatherproof cover protecting the radar, and overwhelmed the site’s robust grounding systems.MetService meteorologist Katie Hillyer told 1News last week the radar stopped transmitting shortly after the strike, which occurred during “very active” weather…

Photos of a backpack and contents carried by a man found dead in Christchurch’s Heathcote Valley have been shared by police, who hope it may lead to his body being identified. Emergency services responded to reports of a sudden death on Horotane Valley Rd on Friday last week. The backpack, found with the body of an unidentified man in Christchurch. (Source: Supplied)Since then, people have come foward with information and investigators have been following leads in the hopes of identifying him. Despite their efforts, the man’s identity remains a mystery. His death was not believed to be suspicious. The gloves…

By Russell Palmer of RNZ  Two new pathways to residence for skilled migrants will kick in from the middle of next year, the government has announced. Under the Skilled Work Experience path, migrants in ANZSCO Level 1-3 roles being paid at least 1.1 times the median wage, with at least five years of relevant job history – at least two of which must be in New Zealand – can apply for a permanent residence visa. The Trades and Technician pathway is for migrants in specific ANZSCO Level 1-3 roles paying at or above median wage, with a Level 4 or…

More wild weather is expected to impact isolated parts of the country today, with MetService warning of significant rainfall as a slow-moving front continues to affect central New Zealand. The front was forecast to gradually shift eastward tomorrow, while another weather system approaches from the south, moving northwards over Fiordland and Westland.Orange heavy rain warnings were issued for some localised areas, with up to 230mm of rain expected at Taranaki Maunga, while the Tararua Ranges might get up to 170mm of rain.Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds were under a heavy rain watch from 9am today.Other regions under a heavy rain…