Author: Press Room
By Craig McCulloch of RNZ Finance Minister Nicola Willis is pinning the blame for the economy’s slump on “international turmoil and uncertainty” driven by the United States’ tariff roll-out. But Labour says other countries – like Australia – have fared the storm better, accusing the coalition of taking New Zealand backwards. New data released on Thursday showed a sharp drop in GDP for the June quarter – down 0.9% – much worse than had been expected. In a statement, Willis said the US announcement – right at the start of the second quarter – had caused firms and households to put off…
An Oamaru teenager missing for more than two weeks may have travelled south to Dunedin or Invercargill, police say.Manaia, 15, was last seen on Tern St in the north Otago town at around 9.30pm on August 31.Police said she was last seen wearing a white hoodie and grey pants but acknowledged her clothing may have changed since.She also had a small red piercing on the left side of her nose, a spokesperson said.”Police believe Manaia has links in Dunedin and Invercargill, and may have travelled there.”Anyone who has seen Manaia or has relevant information should contact police on 105.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal seeking to suppress the identity of a man who has twice been found insane after killing two people more than 20 years apart.However, his lawyer has indicated he has been instructed to file an appeal to the Supreme Court, meaning his identity remains secret for now.RNZ earlier revealed the man, who was made a special patient under the Mental Health Act after his first killing, was recently found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity for a second time after killing someone he believed was possessed.RNZ has been unable to publish…
By Gyles Beckford of RNZ The economy had a worse than expected slump in the middle of the year as weaker manufacturing, construction, and agriculture activity fell sharply, backing the case for further interest rate cuts. Stats NZ data shows gross domestic product (GDP) – the broad measure of economic growth – fell 0.9 percent in the three months ended June, to be 1.1 percent lower than a year ago. Expectations had been for a quarterly contraction of about 0.4 percent, although growth for the previous quarter was revised marginally higher to 0.9 percent. “GDP has now fallen in three of the…
ABC has suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely following comments he made about Charlie Kirk’s killing.The network’s decision came after Nexstar announced its ABC affiliates would pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely over his comments.“Mr Kimmel’s comments about the death of Mr Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located,” said Andrew Alford, President of Nexstar’s broadcasting division.During his monologue, Kimmel said: “We hit some new lows over the weekend with the…
The Chinese Embassy in Wellington has accused New Zealand’s spies of harassing Chinese citizens at its airports, claiming one traveller was recently interrogated without cause and had devices seized by security agencies.In a statement published late on Tuesday, the embassy said it had lodged a “serious representation” with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and reserved the right to take further action.It said a Chinese citizen was “subjected to harassment and interrogation without cause by NZ security and intelligence agency personnel” during transit.”His personal digital devices were confiscated, and some of them have not been returned to date.”The…
Pop superstar Chappell Roan has been announced as the headline act for next year’s Laneway festival in Auckland. This year’s festival will take place on Thursday, February 5 at Western Springs.Chappell Roan’s music has exploded over the last couple of years, having won best new artist at this year’s Grammys. Laneway’s lineup of artists for 2026. (Source: Laneway)The announcement is the second major headline in a row for the festival, which hosted Charlie XCX last year.Other international artists featured on the lineup included Pinkpantheress, Alex G, Cavetown, Geese, The Dare, Gigi Perez, Jensen McRae, Lucy Dacus, Malcolm Todd, Wet Leg…
Canterbury Regional Council, known as Environment Canterbury (ECan), has carried a motion to declare a nitrate emergency at its final meeting today.The vote was nine for, seven against.Some councillors and government ministers said the council calling the motion in the last meeting before local elections was grandstanding and a political stunt.Dozens of protesters had gathered outside the building demanding action.The motion from Councillor Vicky Southworth recognises that, as the regional council for Canterbury, ECan “should take a leadership role to urgently address the issue of groundwater pollution impacting drinking water sources and supplies”.It comes after the ECan’s recent annual groundwater…
Strong winds across Canterbury have fanned eight vegetation fires this afternoon.The largest, covering 30 hectares in size near Southbridge, has claimed a shed, and is still not contained. Eleven ground crews and two helicopters are battling the blaze, which is still not contained.Fire and Emergency New Zealand services said they were called to the scene around 3.06pm.Another large blaze is covering 10 hectares in a valley near Springfield. Nine fire trucks and two helicopters “supported by heavy machinery” have responded, Fire and Emergency said. “Crews are working to contain the fire and bring it under control.”Fear of burn-offs reigniting Fire…
Kāinga Ora’s chief executive Matt Crockett says that he wants to dispel the myth that the Crown agency is being gutted.Housing Minister Chris Bishop revealed in written Parliamentary questions that Kāinga Ora’s housing stock is forecast to decrease over the coming year.In the 2024-25 financial year the agency had 78,204 houses in its managed stock, but that number is set to decline to 78,027 for this coming year – a net loss of 177 homes.That’s despite Bishop setting Kāinga Ora a goal of delivering 420 net social housing places within the same time frame in his letter of expectations to…