Author: Press Room

A man has been critically injured after a shooting in Hamilton in the early hours of this morning.Emergency services were called to Winstone Ave in Chartwell at around 5am to reports of shots heard.Police said a man arrived at hospital with an “apparent gunshot wound” a short time later where he remains in critical condition.”Police are now working to establish what has occurred and to speak to all those believed to be involved,” a spokesperson said.”A scene examination will take place at the property today, and cordons will be in place on Winstone Ave.”Anyone who witnessed the incident or might…

The Government has launched a new tourism campaign aimed at getting Australians to visit New Zealand.Prime Minister Christoper Luxon, appearing with Tourism Minister Louise Upston, said his first job was in the tourism industry.”Tourism is really important to our economy,” he said, saying the sector had not bounced back since the pandemic.Luxon said there was “spare capacity” in airlines and hotels that could be filled.”Our job… is to make sure we get New Zealand to the top of the bucket list” for Australians, Luxon said.”My message to Australians is it’s time to swap thongs for jandals.”Upston said 2025 was set…

Prominent agribusinessman Rob Hewett has been appointed chairman of AgriZeroNZ. Established in 2023, the joint venture is half owned by the New Zealand government through the Ministry for Primary Industries. The other half is owned by The a2 Milk Company, ANZ Bank New Zealand, ANZCO, ASB Bank, BNZ, Fonterra, Rabobank, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms and Synlait. Mr Hewett, a sixth-generation farmer with a 1050ha sheep, beef, wind and forestry operation in South Otago, replaces Sir Brian Roche who left in November to become Public Service Commissioner. Announcing the appointment, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said Mr Hewett’s experience and strategic…

Farming continues to be the leading cause of workplace deaths in New Zealand, accounting for 40% of all reported fatalities.The sector is now a priority sector for WorkSafe which is sinking a quarter of its resource into changing the statistics.Inspections manager Rob Pope said 14 workers were killed on farms last year.”It’s the highest fatality and risk industry that is reported and that is really unacceptable.”Pope said the leading cause of death of farms was vehicles with the other concern being hazardous chemicals such as fertilisers.”Quite often, it’s just inattention to the simple things that would make a difference between…

ADVERTISEMENTEurope’s defence industry is ready to ramp up production to secure the Old Continent but it needs governments to be faster and smarter with procurement practices to address potential shortages issues, top executives at Kongsberg told Euronews.The EU is in the midst of a deep rethink of its defence strategy with leaders hammering out how to inject the €500 billion the bloc needs over the coming decade to upgrade its military capabilities and plug the gaps in its defence that the conflict in Ukraine has starkly exposed. Neighbouring countries and allies, including the UK and Norway, are doing the same.Among…

Firefighters have contained a vegetation fire burning near Hanmer Springs in Canterbury and are working to extinguish hotspots this afternoon.At its peak, nine helicopters and 45 firefighters were battling the fire which broke out alongside State Highway 7 at around 2.30pm on Saturday.Nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution but residents have since returned, Fire and Emergency NZ assistant commander Dave Key said.”No damage to the homes, and no damage to or no lost stock, we worked with local farmers to move their stock out of the immediate area.”State Highway 7, which was closed during firefighting operations, has reopened with…

The annual three-day gathering in the Bavarian city saw a whole host of leaders offer, at times, competing visions of the world. ADVERTISEMENTGlobal leaders, ministers and other key policymakers descended on Munich over the weekend to discuss the main challenges facing the world, with Ukraine and the possible launch of peace negotiations with Russia topping the agenda.The must-watch speeches, delivered by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and the new US Vice-President JD Vance, starkly exposed how disconnected the two sides of the Atlantic are becoming over their assessments of the threats ahead. Euronews listened…

A fire which broke out in a block of flats in central Wellington this afternoon has been extinguished.Emergency services received reports of the fire at the Pukehinau Flats on Brooklyn Rd at around 2.30pm.Fire and Emergency NZ said it had multiple crews attending a fire in a multi-storey building in Wellington.”We responded swiftly and in numbers, extinguished the fire and conducted a full search of the building. Fortunately, no-one was home in the apartment,” said assistant commander Matt Franklin.He said six fire trucks, one ladder truck, a command unit and operational support vehicles attended.”There is smoke on all levels and…

The 23-year-old singer-songwriter took home the top prize with his song ‘Bittersweet nostalgia’ – and he’ll now automatically qualify for Eurovision. ADVERTISEMENTThe 75th edition of the Sanremo Festival crowned singer-songwriter Olly the winner on Sunday with his song ‘Bittersweet nostalgia.'”It sounds absurd, but it really happened,” the young Genoese artist said on the stage of the Ariston Theatre, before singing again at the end of a very long evening.”I didn’t expect this finale,” Olly added after the win, “it was a leap of faith from the first performance. I am in disbelief. But my life will remain the same, every…

MetService has issued an orange rain warning for the Tairāwhiti Gisborne area north of Tolaga Bay.The warning is valid from 9pm tonight to 9pm Monday, February 17.”Expect 100 to 120mm of rain,” MetService said.”Peak rates of 10 to 15mm/h expected Monday morning and afternoon.”At this stage, MetService added there is “minimal chance” of the orange warning being upgraded to a red warning.”Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.”Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.”Rain watches for Coromandel Peninsula, TasmanAt the same time, MetService has…