Author: Press Room

The protected heritage status of the derelict Gordon Wilson Flats in Wellington will be scrapped through an amendment to the Resource Management Act (RMA) in the coming weeks. The Gordon Wilson Flats were used as social housing until 2012, when a engineer’s report deemed them unsafe. They have been left vacant since.However as they are listed as heritage protected in the Wellington City District Plan, it became nearly impossible for anyone to get a resource consent to demolish them or alter them.RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop said the building has become “more dangerous and more of an eyesore…

The housing market remains mired in a glut of properties, uncertain buyers, static prices and weak sales volumes, according to Quotable Value’s (QV) price report.It showed average housing values rose 0.1% in the three months ended May – the same as April – with the average value staying close to $914,000, down 1.1% on a year ago.QV operations manager James Wilson said prices and sales were not changing much, but there were signs the market’s mood was.”The housing market is still softening, but doing so at a slowing pace with signs of tentative confidence beginning to surface.”With interest rates easing…

Canterbury’s newest and largest supermarket is set to “open two months early”. Foodstuffs South Island retail and property general manager Tim Donaldson told the New Zealand Herald the 8100sq m Pak’nSave Rolleston has cost $50m to build and will be the largest retail outlet in the South Island. The Levy Rd supermarket was set to open at the end of 2025. But Donaldson told the Herald it is now expected to open on October 14.  The supermarket will have 485 car parks and employ about 250 staff. The recruitment process is set to start this month with senior leadership roles coming up in…

A doctor charged with giving Matthew Perry ketamine in the month leading up to the Friends star’s overdose death has agreed to plead guilty, authorities said Tuesday.Dr Salvador Plasencia has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, federal prosecutors said in a statement. They said the plea carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, and Plasencia is expected to enter the plea in the coming weeks.Plasencia and a woman accused of being a ketamine dealer had been the primary targets of the prosecution, after three other defendants, including another doctor, agreed to plead guilty…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is travelling to China today as he prepares for an official meeting with President Xi Jinping later this week.There’ll be plenty to discuss across a range of areas including trade, education and tourism.Two-way trade between our nations was valued at just over $38 billion last year.New Zealand’s major goods exports include dairy – predominantly milk powder, butter and cheese – while fruit such as kiwifruit and apples are also a favourite within the Chinese market. Meat products are also high in demand as are forestry and wood products.“I want to grow everywhere, so it’s China and…

Associate Health Minister Casey Costello says the number of full-time equivalent officers focusing on enforcing vaping rules has increased. A raft of changes to vaping laws took effect today — including the banning of distribution, manufacture, sale and supply of disposable vapes. From today, penalties for breaching the ban were increased to up to $400,000 for a manufacturer, importer or large retailer, and $50,000 for any other person. The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) was passed in December, imposing tougher penalties for selling vapes to minors, further restrictions on where specialist vape stores can open, and…

Two teenagers have been arrested after they allegedly assaulted and pulled a man from his vehicle during a carjacking in the early hours of this morning. Police were called to Waratah Street in Birkenhead at around 1.22am. Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie said a man was parked outside a property when a “stolen vehicle carrying a group of offenders arrived”. “The victim was assaulted and pulled from his vehicle, before it was stolen by these offenders.”The victim did not suffer serious injuries. His now-stolen vehicle was picked up by cameras on the north-western motorway heading west, and was monitored by…

This year’s Matariki celebrations have expanded to include an extra star: Puanga.Puanga (Rigel), or Puaka as Māori in Te Waipounamu-South Island call it, is one of the brightest stars in our sky and is associated with the weather, season and kai.Puanga is located “above” the constellation known as Tautoru, or Orion’s Belt – the three stars that make up the bottom of ‘the Pot’.It marks the new year for many Māori from the west coast of Northland, Taranaki, Whanganui and Rangitīkei, parts of Wellington, and the South Island.According to matatriki.com, Matariki mā Puanga – the theme for 2025’s new year…

The directors of a Frankton international grocery business have blamed staffing issues, online competition and high transport costs for the company’s insolvency. Spice King, which was incorporated in August 2017, was placed in liquidation last month by resolution of its Christchurch-based shareholders, Neeta and Krishna Shetty, who were also the company’s directors. In their first report, liquidators Lynda Smart and Derek Ah Sam, of Rodgers Reidy, said the directors advised the business ceased trading immediately prior to liquidation. Initial review of the company’s financial records indicated trading might have been transferred to an alternative entity some time before liquidation. The…

The revived Three Strikes law has come into force, targeting repeat offenders of serious violent and sexual crimes with progressively harsher penalties.Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said those who committed serious violent or sexual offences should expect to face “increasingly severe consequences”.The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Act 2024 reinstated the regime repealed by the Labour government, with changes to make the legislation “more workable”.McKee described it as a “central pillar” in the Coalition Government’s law and order programme.”New Zealanders have had enough – they want safer streets, safer homes, and a justice system that puts victims first.”The law’s restoration…