Author: Press Room

ADVERTISEMENT In a summer when radio failed to deliver a single memorable hit, one subject managed to keep everyone talking: Europe’s troubled relationship with air conditioning. It’s not a new debate. Every few years, as temperatures climb, the transatlantic divide on cooling habits resurfaces. But this year, it grew unusually fierce, straining cultural ties between Europeans and Americans almost as much as Trump’s tariffs or disagreements over Ukraine’s future. Americans, baffled that Europeans can live without constant cooling, defended their beloved AC with the same bitterness Italians judge other cultures’ pizza toppings or the French bristle at foreigners mangling ‘la…

A Dunedin gin distillery is “thrilled” to have been named best in class at a national awards – for the fourth time in a row. Sandymount Distillery was awarded a trophy and named the best in the “Navy Strength” gin category at the 2025 New Zealand Spirit Awards for its Ladybird Navy Strength Gin. More than 400 entries in total were received at this year’s awards. Sandymount Distillery owner Richard Wilson said they were “thrilled” to take home the award. It showed that their momentum was building. “The whole business has snowballed considerably since I started it. “It was just…

One person has died following a crash involving a truck and car on State Highway 1 in Otago this morning.Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on Allanton-Waihola Rd/ SH1 southwest of Allanton, in Otago about 1am.A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson earlier confirmed the crash involved a truck and car.They sent three fire trucks from Outram, Lookout Point, Willowbank and assisted police and ambulance. St John was sent one ambulance and one rapid response vehicle to the scene. One patient was assessed and treated at the scene in a minor condition. The serious crash unit was in…

Fletcher Building has reported another full year loss, with a number of large one-time costs as well as a drop in revenue.Chief executive Officer Andrew Reding said the year just ended had been one of the most demanding in recent memory, with tough market conditions as well as costly measures to address legacy issues.Key numbers for the 12 months ended June compared with a year ago:Net loss $419m vs $227mRevenue $7.0b vs $7.683bUnderlying profit $384m vs $509mNet debt $999m vs $1.77bFull year dividend nil vs nilReding said the outlook was more positive with a strategy to focus on manufacturing and…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including teachers walking off the job, explosion at vet clinic caught on camera, and a diamond heist doesn’t pay off. Teachers are striking for a day today, as they reject a 1% pay offer from the Government. US President Donald Trump has confirmed American troops won’t be on the ground in Ukraine as part of any security guarantee. A dramatic explosion at a North Carolina vet clinic has been caught on camera. The upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup final is already setting records. Dubai police foiled an elaborate heist, as three thieves attempted to…

The New Plymouth Power Station chimney has dominated the city’s skyline since 1972, but it has not been used for about two decades.For many locals, the 198m stack — which was for many years New Zealand’s tallest structure — was a symbol of home, while for others it’s a blight on the landscape.The Power Station chimney was actually five brick flues surrounded by a 27.5m in diameter concrete windshield.It took 16,400 tonnes of concrete, 1200 tonnes of reinforcing steel, and almost one million bricks to build. The bricks were laid at a rate of 10,000 a day.Craig Cardie trained as…

Beneath the waves off New Zealand’s east coast, scientists have uncovered a hidden network of ancient faults that may hold the key to understanding mysterious slow-motion earthquakes.A new international study, published in Science Advances, identified hidden fault structures called polygonal fault systems (PFS) as a major influence on the behaviour of the north Hikurangi subduction zone.Earth Sciences NZ marine geologist Philip Barnes said the discovery would help explain why slow earthquakes occurred where they did.”It also shows that these events may be influenced by the reactivation of old fault structures that formed much closer to the surface than the present…

One of the largest planes in the United States Air Force is due at Auckland’s Whenuapai air base today. A C-5M Super Galaxy was set to touch down at the Auckland base, delivering components for a new C-130J Hercules simulator. The aircraft were among the largest military planes in the world, with a wingspan of 67.89m and a length of 75.3m. It stood at 19.84m tall. The C-5M Super Galaxy’s primary mission was to transport cargo and military personnel, and was capable of carrying 127.5 tonnes of cargo. The aircraft’s nose was used as a door, and could be lifted…

A national kitchen appliance chain has gone into receivership because of weak consumer demand and tough competition.The directors of the Kitchen Things group asked its bankers to call in the receivers as the business made continuing losses despite cost cutting and restructuring.Receiver Stephen Keen of Grant Thornton said efforts to keep the chain going have not countered the drop in sales and shrinking margins.”Over the past two years, the group has faced sustained pressure from weaker consumer demand and increased competition on pricing, leading to ongoing trading losses.””Despite efforts to restructure and reduce costs, including exploring possible sales avenues, these…

The Reserve Bank has cut its benchmark cash rate by 25 basis points to a three year low of 3-percent, as expected. While the question remains if any more drops are on the horizon, there was an overwhelming expectation the central bank’s monetary policy committee would cut on Wednesday, after pausing in July. The central bank on Wednesday said it was watching economic numbers and the global outlook which will influence whether a further rate cut is needed. The RBNZ aggressively cut the Official Cash Rate by 225 basis points from 5.5 percent to the current 3.25 percent from August last year.…