Author: Press Room

Two people were taken to hospital with critical injuries after a car collided with a power pole in Auckland this morning. Police were notified about the crash on Gilbert Road in Ōtara at around 5.35am. “Two people were transported to hospital with critical injuries,” police said. Traffic is being diverted at the intersections of Gilbert Road and Lappington Road, as well as Gilbert Road and Franich Street.

Police have named the man who died after his vehicle crashed into a house in New Plymouth on Christmas Eve. He was 60-year-old Darcy Wilfred Brewer of Merrilands, New Plymouth.”Police extend our condolences to his family and loved ones at this difficult time.”Police were called to Riversdale Dr, Merrilands, at around 9.15am on December 24. “Sadly, the single occupant of the vehicle died at the scene,” a spokesperson said at the time.An occupant of the address was taken to hospital in a moderate condition following the crash. In it’s statement today, police said: “Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash…

2024 was a “massive” year for the zoo with the birth of two baby gorillas and three Asiatic lion cubs. ADVERTISEMENTFrom alpacas to zebras – and lots of birds, reptiles and invertebrates – London Zoo on Friday is taking stock of its residents.The annual census of the zoo’s 10,000-plus occupants is a requirement of its license, and the information gleaned will be shared with zoos around the world to help manage breeding programmes of endangered species.Glynn Hennessy, the zoo’s lead primate keeper, said that zoos are “really good now” at sharing information.“We can sort of see the genetic pathway of…

A new bar blending Kiwi pub culture with sophisticated wine drinking, and an authentic artisan gelato shop are the latest offerings coming soon to St Clair. The two new hospitality outlets, opening soon on the ground floor at 246 Forbury Rd, are part of a three-storey apartment and retail complex due to be completed within the first quarter of this year. No 7 Balmac and The Esplanade owner Katrina Toovey said she was “really excited” to develop the Esplanade precinct as a destination, with the addition of her two new businesses. Piccolo, a wine bar with a “relaxed bar feel”,…

Alex Gilbert is using his own experience of being adopted to help connect thousands of people worldwide.Born in Russia and placed into an orphanage, Gilbert was adopted at two years old by a family in New Zealand. He eventually found his birth parents through social media in 2013.In 2015, Gilbert founded the charity I’m Adopted, which helps adoptees connect with their birth families.Gilbert, who has over 38,000 Facebook followers and 6 million YouTube views, said he has easily helped a hundred families to reunite.”I was in the same boat all these years ago and I want to be able to…

This article was originally published in French The new government’s priorities under François Bayrou are to adopt the 2025 budget and reduce the public deficit. ADVERTISEMENTFrench President Emmanuel Marcon called for boldness and stability at the first Council of Ministers meeting held by François Bayrou’s new government.As is the tradition at the start of the new year, the ministers first met at the Ministry of the Interior for a breakfast.The 35 ministers then crossed the street in close ranks to join Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace.”This government was born in the turmoil of a major political crisis. You know the…

Inside our wallets and pockets lays a piece of Rotorua and Te Arawa history. For the past 20 years, revered ancestor Pūkaki has ventured across the motu on the 20 cent coin. Local Democracy Reporting’s Laura Smith explores his story.The image of Pūkaki is etched onto the silver coin in intricate detail.In the renowned Ngāti Whakaue rangatira’s arms are his sons, Wharengaro and Rangitākuku. His wife Ngāpuia (Tūhourangi) can be glimpsed between his legs.The depiction is based on a well-loved and well-travelled carving of Pūkaki.In storage since 2016, a decision is expected this year about Pūkaki’s next home.In his temporary…

On the eve of the inauguration gala for the Polish Presidency of the EU, Polish farmers descended on the capital Warsaw to protest against European policies affecting the farming sector. ADVERTISEMENTAs Poland enters the first days of its presidency of the Council of the European Union, farmers have taken to the streets of Warsaw in protest.  Protesting on the same day as the Polish presidency’s opening gala, the demonstrators marched under the slogan “5 x STOP” in reference to what the demonstrators point to as five areas that affect Poland as a result of policies introduced by Brussels: the Mercosur…

Dunedin’s median home value rose 1% over 2024, and could be just the beginning of growth in the market, realtors in the city say. According to CoreLogic NZ’s latest hedonic Home Value Index (HVI), property values in New Zealand fell 0.2% in December — the ninth drop in the past 10 months. The national median property value now stood at $803,624, which was 3.9% lower than a year ago and equal to a drop of about $32,200. New Zealand home values were still 17.6% below the post-pandemic peak, but 16.2% higher than the pre-pandemic level from March 2020. The median…

Germany’s boisterous New Year’s Eve celebrations saw five people killed across Germany and 400 arrested in Berlin alone, with officials questioning how they can reign in the chaos. ADVERTISEMENTGerman officials have called for restrictions on illegal fireworks as well as harsher sentences for rioters attacking emergency workers after five people were killed, and dozens of civilians and police officers were injured across Germany on New Year’s Eve. Officials have pointed particularly to the use of “kugelbomben” or bullet bombs — explosives that are legally restricted to professional firework displays — for the multiple injuries from fireworks across the country, including…