Author: Press Room

A dozen jobs have been lost in an East Otago town as a sawmill closes after nearly 40 years. At its peak, Palmerston’s privately owned sawmill and timber merchant Hewvan Timber employed 25 people. Proprietor John Millar said he made the difficult decision to wind down the business, with the loss of 12 jobs, because of tough economic times. Mr Millar said the balance tipped while weighing up the substantial upgrade costs he faced to meet WorkSafe requirements. “Things aren’t viable, and I’ve had WorkSafe in here and the amount of money they want us to spend bringing it up…

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office had over 2,000 active fraud-related investigations by the end of 2024, with total estimated damages amounting to €24.8 billion. VAT fraud continues to be the most significant concern. ADVERTISEMENTAt the end of 2024, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) had 2,666 active investigations relating to fraudulent crimes – an increase of 38% from the previous year.This resulted in an estimated damage to the EU budget of €24.8 billion, which was 22,5% more than in 2023, according to the latest annual report of EPPO.EPPO investigates and prosecutes crimes affecting the financial interests of the EU, such…

After weeks of uncertainty for Marybank residents about a speed limit increase through their suburb, the New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed that the community will be consulted.A 1.8km section of State Highway 6/Queen Elizabeth II Drive that encompasses the suburb of Marybank was mandated by the Government to rise back to 80km/h after it lowered to 60km/h at the end of 2020.But on Monday afternoon, NZTA’s director regional relationships for Greater Wellington and the Top of the South, Emma Speight, outlined how residents will be able to have their say on the controversial change in a meeting of the…

The European Commission has proposed new rules aimed at strengthening the security of supply and availability of critical medicines, prioritising EU-based suppliers in public procurement. ADVERTISEMENTThe EU executive included a new ‘Buy Europe’ mechanism with its long-awaited proposal for a Critical Medicines Act, unveiled on Tuesday, a key piece of health legislation for this term. The proposal came just in time to meet Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi’s self-imposed deadline of 100 days in office.This accelerated timeline for the proposal has sparked controversy due to the lack of a comprehensive impact assessment and limited stakeholder feedback, but the Commission said the proposal…

Wānaka-based Mons Royale is celebrating two category wins in the International Sports Business Network (ISPO) global awards for innovation and design in the sports industry. The two garments — the Diversion merino trail pants and the Diversion merino wind jacket — were part of a new clothing line, the Diversion Bike Capsule collection, designed by the high-performance merino apparel business specifically for mountain bikers. The products were both recognised by the ISPO jury for their exceptional design and performance. Co-founder and creative director Hannah Acland said that Mons was “incredibly proud” to receive the award. “The Diversion Bike Capsule was…

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has named Chris Seed as New Zealand’s Acting High Commissioner to London, in the wake of Phil Goff’s removal after remarks he made about Donald Trump.Seed, who previously served as the New Zealand High Commissioner to Canberra and Port Moresby, will travel to London next week. “Mr Seed is one of New Zealand’s most senior and accomplished diplomats,” Peters said. Peters sacked Goff after he made comments about Trump in a question he posed at a live-streamed Q&A event with Finland’s foreign minister, Elina Valtonen, last Tuesday.He asked the speaker: “I was re-reading Churchill’s speech to…

Police say a large blaze at a Hamilton mechanic’s workshop which prompted the callout of dozens of firefighters yesterday is being treated as an arson.Emergency services were called to the building on Ellis St, Frankton at around 11.30am yesterday.Crews from as far as Te Awamutu responded to the fire, Fire and Emergency NZ said.Detective Sergeant Matt Lee said a scene examination involving police and a fire investigator was taking place today.”We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any activity at or around the premises yesterday morning leading up to the fire.”Anyone with relevant information should contact police on…

A homicide investigation has been launched and a person is in custody after a man found with critical injuries after an assault died in Palmerston North this morning. Police were called to Te Awe Awe Street in Hokowhitu just after 8am, where a man was found “critically injured following an assault”.”Despite urgent medical treatment, he died a short time later,” Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson said. One person was taken into custody at the scene. “Those involved were known to each other, and Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this incident,” Thompson said. A scene examination will…

Most councils should have critical water treatment barriers installed by the end of the year, according to an update from the country’s water authority.But far from all, according to information obtained by 1News.The Water Services Authority — Taumata Arowai has been monitoring progress on councils drinking water supplies since the Queenstown cryptosporidium outbreak in 2023 when many people became ill.There were 97 people linked to the outbreak – three of whom required hospital treatment. It was later revealed that “human faecal matter” may have been the likely cause of the outbreak — but was not conclusive.The Authority advised 29 councils…

The French president warned of tough budget decisions ahead as the country struggles with a daunting public deficit. ADVERTISEMENTFrench President Emmanuel Macron is spearheading an accelerating effort to reshape European security. He is taking the initiative just as the European Commission agrees on an €800bn plan to bolster European defence sovereignty in response to the rapprochement between Russia and the US, as well as US President Donald Trump’s increasing scorn towards both Ukraine and NATO. But as France’s debate over military spending intensifies, political divisions mean the chances of finding consensus are increasingly slim.France currently allocates 2% of its GDP to its defence sector.…