Author: Press Room

It begins with some extra cash to buy clothes and pay phone bills. Then it’s spotting university courses and books. But at what age should the growing children start chipping in? Do things change when they get a job?More adult children than ever are living with their parents in New Zealand. Stats NZ’s household economic survey shows this type of household has grown by more than 100,000 since 2004 – the fastest growth of any household.Motueka-based Lynda Moore, 60, has worked as an accountant since the age of 17 and went back to university to add a psychology degree in…

This article was originally published in French Faced with US disengagement from Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron wants to open the debate on extending France’s nuclear umbrella to its EU partners. ADVERTISEMENTFrench President Emmanuel Macron has opened up a highly strategic debate with his European partners — and he now wants to explore the possibility of extending the protection of France’s nuclear deterrent to the EU.In Europe, two countries have nuclear weapons: France and the United Kingdom. Paris is believed to have 290 warheads and London 225. But the two capitals do not have the same political legitimacy — the UK…

This article was originally published in French Economist, politician and the former Greek finance minister welcomed the easing of the German debt brake but believes that defence spending will not generate growth where it is needed. ADVERTISEMENTAt a time when Europe is trying to regain control of its defence in the face of Russia’s war on its soil and the US’ apparent withdrawal, some dissenting voices are speaking out against the continent’s further armament.Visiting Brussels, Yanis Varoufakis refuses to mince his words yet again. “The rearmament of Europe is the next great folly of the European Union,” declared the co-founder of…

More than 300 people have signed up so far to participate in Whanganui city’s first citizens’ assembly.Whanganui District Council is expecting more registrations over the next week before the cutoff at midnight on Sunday, March 16.Council promos were urging residents: ‘Get paid to join our citizens’ assembly!’“A group of local people will be paid to discuss and debate the future of outdoor swimming in our district,” an online promo says.The council initiative – first proposed by the mayor – would bring together 40 residents randomly selected from those who register.Each person would receive $500 to attend a series of four…

In the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the far-right Alternative for Germany party surged in popularity during the recent snap elections. Euronews examines why. ADVERTISEMENTGermany’s snap elections, which took place just two weeks ago, saw the far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), win its best-ever result. In the north-eastern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the AfD was the strongest party. In Pasewalk, it won 40.4% of the votes.The quaint city, dotted with a mix of traditional houses and prefabricated flats constructed between World War II and German reunification, is some 90 minutes by train from downtown Berlin. It’s quiet and immaculately clean, with a…

Some patients and advocacy groups see Pharmac as “slow to respond”, “highly defensive” and “lacking respect” for them, according to an independent report released by the drug-funding agency today.The report – commissioned by Pharmac’s board and based on workshops held late last year – found there was “a credibility and trust gap”.Pharmac chairwoman Paula Bennett said it was intended to support its “wider reset” to become “more outward focused”.”We’ve heard very clearly that we need to make sure our interactions are respectful and meaningful, and that people’s voices are valued and included throughout our work,” Bennett said.The agency has come…

Amid concerns about foreign interference and demands that Greenlanders must control their own destiny, the island’s PM called an early parliamentary election, set for Tuesday. ADVERTISEMENTUncertainty reigns in Greenland right now, as the world’s largest island prepares for elections that could define its future and sovereignty on Tuesday.Many of the 57,000 Greenlanders in this semi-autonomous territory swing between being concerned and offended by US President Trump’s threats to seize control of their mineral-rich homeland, even by force, over Washington’s alleged need “for national security”. Amid worries about foreign interference and demands that Greenlanders must control their own destiny, the island’s…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will meet with Narendra Modi when he visits India next week.Luxon will be accompanied by “one of the largest delegations a New Zealand Prime Minister has ever travelled with” when he heads to India on March 15.The delegation will be made up of New Zealand business leaders; prominent Kiwi-Indians in the community; and representatives from across Parliament. the Prime Minister’s Office said today in a media release. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston, Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay, and Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell will also be in attendance.Luxon said strengthening Aotearoa’s ties with India “is…

This article was originally published in German Election winner and Chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz is relying on votes from the Greens to push through parliament a special fund for infrastructure and defence. ADVERTISEMENTGermany’s Greens party on Monday declared its opposition to Friedrich Merz’s planned constitutional changes to massively boost defence and infrastructure spending, putting the proposal’s future in parliament in question. During a press conference, the co-chairwomen of the party announced the Greens did not find Merz’s proposals convincing enough and suggested amendments, including earmarking money for climate protection. “From our point of view, these are not things that are appropriate to…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today said he was “relaxed” about National MP Andrew Bayly, who recently resigned from his ministerial portfolios, taking two weeks’ leave from Parliament to trek to Mount Everest base camp in Nepal.Bayly stood down from his portfolios last month after admitting he grabbed the arm of a staffer during a discussion he described as “animated”.Scott Simpson took over as Minister for ACC and Commerce and Consumer Affairs, while Bayly remained in his role as MP for Port Waikato.At the Post-Cabinet press conference today, Luxon said: “It was a pretty significant and big decision that he made…