Author: Press Room

The Prime Minister denies coalition partner New Zealand First is holding up progress on the Gene Technology Bill, saying the Government is simply taking its time to get the “complicated” piece of legislation right.Parliament’s health committee was supposed to report back on the legislation on July 31. That was then extended to August 22, and then again to October 10.During its first reading, New Zealand First supported the bill but said there were questions over where to draw the line.It since said it would closely scrutinise the select committee report before revealing whether it would support it further.The bill would…

Two officers have reported they were bitten and another nearly hit by a vehicle following an incident in Lower Hutt this morning.Police were conducting a checkpoint on Gracefield St at around 11.20am when a vehicle failed to stop.”The vehicle has narrowly missed a police officer while attempting to avoid the checkpoint,” said Inspector Wade Jennings.Police did not pursue but kept observations on the vehicle, locating it and the man on Randwick Rd sometime later.Jennings said police attempted to speak to the man but he continued to act in a threatening way.”While arresting the man, two police officers have been bitten…

The Reserve Bank have cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points this week — but have borrowers got the benefit?After the reduction was announced on Wednesday, there were a flurry of rate changes.Westpac, ANZ and Kiwibank cut their variable home loan rates by 20 basis points. BNZ cut by 15.Westpac also dropped its fixed home loan rates. The one-year and 18-month rates dropped by four basis points, to 4.75%.The two-year rate dropped by 20bps, to the same rate, the three-year rate by 4 basis points to 4.95% and the four-year rate by 30bps to 5.09%.ANZ, Kiwibank and Westpac…

US Correspondent Logan Church spoke with Finance Minister Nicola Willis in New York about the impact of tariffs on NZ’s economy.Many Kiwis were likely first exposed to Donald Trump through his hit TV Show The Apprentice, which was first broadcast in 2004. I remember watching it on TVNZ back in the day.At the end of the title sequence (over the song For the Love of Money by the O’Jays) was one of the show’s taglines – “It’s not personal, it’s just business.” Just over two decades later, that is precisely what Donald Trump’s officials have told New Zealand after the…

As a rare ‘black moon’ graces the sky this week, University of Sydney researcher Laura Nicole Driessen explains what you need to know about the lunar phenomenon. There’s been a lot of buzz online about the August “black moon”, happening this week.While you’ve probably heard of a “blue moon” before, this might be the first time you’ve encountered its ominous-sounding counterpart.You’re not alone. In fact, neither “blue moon” nor “black moon” are astronomical terms. They describe the moments when the lunar calendar and our calendar year fall out of alignment.So what is a black moon? The current definition has nothing…

Auckland DJ duo the Katayanagi Twins have reportedly been denied entry into the United States.The duo consists of Rain and China Katayanagi, twins from Auckland who performed at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival earlier this year.In a post to social media, Rain Katayanagi said they had been “flying to LA to chase Summer”, with a video showing various clips of a flight.She followed this up and said, “country doesn’t let us in, and puts us on a one-way flight back to NZ”.It was followed by footage of the plane taking off and one of the twins could be seen crying.Stills from…

A Canadian woman who attempted to smuggle gift-wrapped methamphetamine through Auckland Airport has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.The 30-year-old arrived at Auckland International Airport on a flight from Vancouver, Canada, on December 8.She was arrested after Customs officers carrying out a baggage search identified the Class A drugs wrapped as Christmas gifts inside a duffel bag.The total approximate weight was 9.9 kilograms, with a purity of 80%.If sold in retail amounts, the drugs would be worth approximately NZ$2.9 million. Methamphetamine disguised as a wrapped present. (Source: NZ Customs)She appeared in the Manukau District Court today charged…

Police are seeking the public’s help in locating a woman missing from Auckland’s Three Kings for a week.Ingrid Nason, 33, was last seen on August 15.Nason is described as having blonde hair, green eyes, and 1.65-1.70m tall.”Police and Ingrid’s family have concerns for her welfare and would like to find her as soon as possible,” a police spokesperson said. Anyone who had seen Nason or had information that might help police locate her was asked to call 111.

A bill opening the way for driver’s licences, warrants of fitness and certificates of fitness to live on motorists’ phones has started its journey through Parliament.Kiwis would have the option of carrying their licence in their wallets or on their phones under the new regime. Under current laws, drivers must carry their physical licence when behind the wheel. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday digital driver’s licences are a “common sense thing”. “We’re all using digital wallets to buy products and services across the country,” he said.Transport Minister Chris Bishop told 1News the option for Kiwis to have a digital…

She has worked with military personnel, athletes, lifeguards, bodybuilders and private clients from all walks of life. Now Central Otago’s Shannon MacLachlan has used her extensive skills as a strength and conditioning coach to help prevent injuries among the growing numbers of women in the construction industry. BCITO — the largest provider of construction trade apprenticeships in New Zealand — recently launched the Actions Speak Louder programme, a range of initiatives to ensure women who enter the trades feel comfortable and supported to stay. It partners with a variety of organisations to offer free period products, discounted Portaloos and free…