Author: Press Room

“Just be keen as beans.” That’s the advice of young South Otago forestry worker Callum Maze, 21, who received the apprentice of the year award at the Southern Wood Council’s recent forestry awards, held in conjunction with Competenz. The acknowledgement recognised a commitment to self-development and skill achievement through the apprenticeship. Lawson Roxburgh, of Roxburgh Logging, said Mr Maze began work straight out of school as an enthusiastic young man who took in everything that was going on. “His natural ability and willingness to learn have seen him constantly involving himself with more experienced members of his team, who recognise…

The University of Auckland has been ordered to pay scientist Siouxsie Wiles $205,059.94.The payout – revealed in an Employment Court decision today – is towards Wiles’ legal costs, after a three-week hearing in the Employment Court last year.In that case, the court found the university breached its contractual obligations to protect Wiles as harassment against her intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic.However, it did not find the university had breached Wiles’ academic freedom, or claims related to Te Tiriti.In her decision today, Judge Joanna Holden said the parties were encouraged to agree to costs, but due to the university’s response Wiles…

ADVERTISEMENTGeopolitical tensions and conflicts, such as those in Ukraine, made the EU realise how vulnerable it is in relying on just one or even a few countries for key resources. As was the case with Russian gas, the same logic applies to these so-called critical materials, natural resources that are essential to the economy.The EU now wants to be more self-sufficient, boosting its domestic raw material capacity and diversifying supply sources. But how and at what price? That’s the focus of this episode of Europeans’ Stories. The European Union needs critical raw materials for its Green Deal climate neutral goals – the Digital transition,…

Eleven bottle shops and stores across Auckland have been caught selling booze to under-18s in the past year.Black Bull Northcote, Simply Fresh in Hillcrest, Glengarry Ellerslie, Brew Royal Oak, Bottle O Mount Smart, Grand Food Mart in Orewa, Kowhai Liquor Centre at Warkworth, Wine and Spirits in Flat Bush, Forrest Hill Liquor Centre, Favona Liquor Wholesale and Unsworth Liquor — had their licences to sell alcohol suspended briefly for breaching the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.The stores were caught during several controlled purchase operations conducted by Auckland Council’s Alcohol Licensing Unit, police and the Auckland Regional Public Health…

ADVERTISEMENTThe European Union will extend the temporary protection granted to Ukrainian refugees until March 2027 as it paves the way for a “gradual return and sustainable reintegration” in the country once Russia’s invasion comes to an end, a prospect that remains distant and precarious as Moscow stalls the negotiations promoted by the United States.It marks the first time that Brussels presents a detailed roadmap for Ukrainians to either go home after the war or stay in the bloc on a long-term basis.An estimated 4.3 million Ukrainians left their country and relocated across the EU in what is considered the largest…

A portable robotic eye-testing device could provide care for people in remote communities who currently face obstacles to treatment.Difficulties with transport, childcare and general costs can all get in the way of people receiving the care they need.A trial of the prototype machine – made from a 3D printer and with a specialised camera – is now underway in Northland. Specialists can hold a consultation with the patient remotely while they are having the test.The trial is being run by iwi health provider Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi. Its chief executive Tia Ashby said eye health is crucial to the…

ADVERTISEMENTThe European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday delayed voting on a report evaluating North Macedonia’s progress towards accession to the EU.The report was set to be voted on alongside files for other countries vying for EU membership. While the reports for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Georgia were adopted, North Macedonia’s was blocked due to a last-minute disagreement among political groups.The MEP responsible for writing the report, Austrian Thomas Waitz from the Greens/EFA group, announced the decision to delay the vote following a request from the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the Parliament.The EPP withdrew its…

Jacinda Ardern singles out David Cunliffe, one of her predecessors as Labour leader, for criticism in her new memoir, describing an incident where he apparently suggested giving her a high position in the party list would be seen as “tokenistic”.The exchange represents a rare public disagreement between two former leaders and amounts to an unusual moment of political candour from Ardern.She also recounts feeling relief when Cunliffe stepped down as leader after a crushing election loss for Labour in 2014, writing: “For the first time in a long while, I felt relieved.”And she also wrote in her book, A Different…

ADVERTISEMENTCompeting narratives have emerged following a series of deadly incidents which reportedly took place in the vicinity of the US-Israeli backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s (GHF) food aid distribution sites in south-west Gaza.According to accounts from local Hamas-run authorities, as well as eyewitnesses and medical professionals, troops from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) shot at and killed a number of Palestinians who were seeking to access the GHF sites in recent days. While shootings were reported near all three GHF hubs in southern Gaza, the heaviest occurred on Sunday and Tuesday at the Flag Roundabout.The UN has called for an independent…

A host of weather warnings have been issued up and down the country as a low over the Tasman Sea moves towards the upper South Island, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. The low and associated fronts, which are expected to bring gale force winds to some areas, will be followed by a blast of cold air. “Its set to be a disruptive and active afternoon and evening, with heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms for a huge portion of the country,” MetService head of weather news Heather Keats said. “We then have a southerly wind shift in the south,…