Author: Press Room

Waitangi Mountain Bike Park has just undergone its biggest expansion since the first trails opened a decade ago with the opening of a new, adrenaline-inducing jump zone.Pekenui Jump and Skills Park, which covers an entire hillside at the bike park’s entrance, features three jump lines, two climbs, a scenic ridge descent, and an area for honing bike handling skills.It is hoped the new facility will further boost mountain biking’s popularity in the Bay of Islands, and help attract visitors to Northland outside the busy summer months.Park manager Tiffany Holland, the driving force behind the project, said Sunday’s opening was the…

Tonight’s Good Sort is Dave Cattermole and his partner Gill Kane, who run free gyms across the South Island for those who’ve faced cancer. The idea began after Cattermole’s own kidney cancer diagnosis, when he struggled to find connection with other men in a similar situation to him. What started as a small support group had since grown to five gyms across the South Island. Cattermole died last year, but his legacy continued in the Blue Brothers gyms. “We owe him so much,” Kane told 1News. Members said the classes offered more than just strength, and helped them cope mentally…

Confidence among New Zealand investors dropped to its lowest levels since the Covid-19 pandemic during the last quarter, according to new numbers from ASB. ASB’s Investor Confidence Survey found net investor confidence, which was the difference between those who think investment returns will improve versus worsen in the coming year, had dropped from 9% in Q1 to just 1% in the June quarter. The drop in numbers, released after it was revealed New Zealand’s GDP had slumped 0.9% in the June quarter, was driven by the “flat” housing market, share market volatility, and global economic uncertainty. “It’s been a challenging…

It’s election time again. Ballot papers are arriving in mailboxes across the country, reminding us that democracy doesn’t just live in Parliament. It thrives in school boards and council chambers too. This always gets me thinking about what it takes to step up into these important roles. Whether you are on a local council, a regional council or a school board, the effectiveness of the new team you have joined depends not only on your individual expertise, but also on how well that collective energy is directed. Based on my work as a mediator, I have seen two qualities that…

When the brothers behind a Dunedin shoe business hand over the keys to someone new, it will end five generations of family ownership. McKinlays Footwear was established in 1879 and has stayed in the same family since the first McKinlay came to the city from Scotland. Co-owner Graeme McKinlay said the decision to sell came because he would be “hitting 65” soon, and his brother, co-owner David McKinlay, would not be far behind. “We’re at the stage that we need to start making a plan, and obviously we need to find someone to take the business over.” All of the…

Extreme winds have hit exposed parts of Canterbury this morning, MetService says.A rare red level strong wind warning is in effect for much of Canterbury, while orange level wind and rain warnings are in effect for much of the rest of the South Island.Power is out to pockets of the central and lower South Island.Alpine Energy in South Canterbury says power is out in Temuka, Makikihi, Geraldine and surrounding areas of the settlements due to the extreme wind buffeting the region this morning.Network Waitaki is also reporting power has been cut in Teaneraki and Enfield due to the weather.Downed lines…

A man has been charged after two planes near Wellington Airport were allegedly targeted by a laser last night.The 35-year-old was set to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court tomorrow, charged with endangering transport after the incident in the capital last night. At about 6.45pm last night, air traffic controllers reported to police that a plane preparing to land at “was targeted by a laser.” Within five minutes, another plane reported a laser being pointed in its direction, police said.”The information provided to police suggested the laser came from Stokes Valley.”An officer already in Stokes Valley on unrelated matters…

The Nelson-Tasman region is reeling from devastating floods, the closure of its largest sawmill and the potential loss of more than 100 additional jobs across the manufacturing sector.In August, Carter Holt Harvey told staff it would shut the Eves Valley Sawmill and consolidating operations to Kawerau, resulting in the loss of 142 jobs. The following day, Sealord announced it was proposing to cut 79 permanent jobs and close its coated fish factory in Nelson.Griffin’s Snacks has since told staff about a plan to close its Nelson factory that produces Proper Crisps, and move operations to Auckland from late 2027 and…

Clouds are set to spoil the show for more Kiwis hoping to catch tomorrow’s rare partial solar eclipse at dawn — but one city might just get lucky.The eclipse would begin before sunrise and reach its peak around 7am, with the moon covering up to 70% of the sun in parts of the lower South Island. In Auckland, the coverage will be closer to 60%.However, MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley told 1News that the same weather system responsible for strong wind warnings from Stewart Island to Wellington would make it “difficult” to catch a glimpse of the celestial event.”We have high…

A man has been charged with arson after two building fires were reported within a half-hour of each other around Auckland’s Newmarket this morning.No injuries were reported at either of the fires, and police said a 36-year-old man was arrested a short time later in relation to the incidents.The first fire was at a property on Manukau Rd, Epsom at 5.26am, with firefighters called to the scene by a “fire alarm evacuation”.”On arrival, crews found a fire on the ground floor of the building. At the height of the fire a second alarm was transmitted, with six appliances attending.”Crews attended…