Author: Press Room

Offensive firefighting efforts will resume this morning after a massive blaze in Tongariro National Park burned through more than 2500ha. The large fire on the Central Plateau broke out on Saturday, triggering evacuations of trampers and residents, including Whakapapa Village.As of Sunday night, the fire was estimated to have burnt about 2500 hectares and was 20% contained, FENZ said. Assistant Commander Craig Gold said the evacuation of the Whakapapa Village was complete shortly after 9.30pm last night, with police checking properties to ensure that everyone had left. Firefighting efforts were suspended overnight, but FENZ said offensive firefighting will resume this…

You could say CrestClean cleaned up at the recent Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards in Auckland. The Dunedin-headquartered company — whose franchise network provides about 3million hours of customer service annually — won three of the five major awards including business to business — franchise system of the year for CrestClean (franchisor); business to business — franchisee of the year (Christchurch and South Canterbury franchisee Navjot Kaur); and regional master franchisee of the year (Tim O’Leary, Hawke’s Bay). Co-founder and chief executive Grant McLauchlan said it was particularly meaningful to be recognised with three wins at what was the 30th…

One new measles case has been confirmed in Nelson today, bringing the total number of cases in New Zealand’s current outbreak to 18.Health NZ said the case is not linked to any previous infections, raising concerns about undetected measles circulating in the community.The individual visited several public locations while infectious. These Locations of Interest would be listed on the Health NZ website in the coming days. Anyone who lives in or who visited Nelson between November 1-7 was urged to check the site and follow the health advice provided.The outbreak remained active, and Health NZ continued to lead the response…

New Zealand has suspended two years of aid payments – around $30 million – to the Cook Islands, signalling the political relationship between the two countries has rapidly deteriorated.In June this year Foreign Minister Winston Peters stopped $18.2m in funding being paid after the Cook Islands signed several controversial deals with China without consulting New Zealand which it’s required to do as a realm country. Obtained under the Official Information Act, 1News has received a letter dated October 13 from Peters to Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown confirming the $18.2m will continue to be paused, along with a further…

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has initiated steps to strip disgraced former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming of his medals days after he pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.In an internal memo sent to staff early on Sunday, Chambers said he had initiated steps to rescind McSkimming’s Long Service and Good Conduct medal, along with any associated clasps. He has also requested the return of any police uniform items still in McSkimming’s possession.”I have signed out on a paper to recommend to the Minister of Police that he rescind the Long Service and Conduct medal and clasps…

A police patrol car rushing to the scene of a crash on an Upper Hutt motorway has led to a second collision this evening. Emergency services were called to the scene on State Highway 2 River Rd, between Fergusson Dr and Totara Park Rd in Clouston Park, around 5.50pm after a two-vehicle crash.”Fortunately, there have been only moderate injuries reported,” police said. “While travelling under urgent duty driving to the crash, a police unit was also involved in a three-vehicle crash on River Rd near Gibbons St.”There have been no serious injuries, however a scene examination will be carried out,…

Lotto’s gigantic Powerball jackpot has skyrocketed again to a near-record level of $45 million after no one struck the winning combination last night.Saturday’s numbers were 13, 24, 28, 4, 22 and 2. The bonus ball was 35 and the Powerball was 8.”It’s now the highest it’s been since August last year when an Auckland family scored themselves $44.67 million – the biggest ever Powerball prize won on a single ticket,” said Lotto NZ head of corporate communications Will Hine.The largest prize ever on offer was an eye-watering $50 million Powerball jackpot in 2020, which two players won and split.”High jackpots…

Whakapapa Village is being evacuated as a massive blaze continues to rage through Tongariro National Park this evening.Thirty-six people living in the village, which serves as the main entrance to the park, were warned earlier today that they may need to evacuate, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said in an update this evening. “Those evacuating will make their way to the Central Plateau Emergency Management Centre in National Park and register so that everyone is accounted for. Those who then need assistance with finding accommodation will be supported by Civil Defence.”Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Craig Gold said the decision…

Ria Hall is a chart-topping singer and former TV presenter who was a victim of domestic violence earlier this year. She spoke to Yvonne Tahana for Marae about the horror of the attack and her subsequent shock at then seeing her former partner taking a prominent speaking role at the Koroneihana.The assault happened early on a Tuesday morning when children needed to be sorted for their day.Ria Hall and her former partner Eruera Keepa were at her Bay of Plenty home when a short verbal dispute erupted, ending up with him holding her up off the ground by her neck.Convicted…

Speaker Gerry Brownlee says he’s learned a lot from being Parliament’s neutral man after 27 years as a partisan politician, as he oversaw some of the most intense moments in the house’s recent history.Brownlee, who holds the third-highest office in the country behind the Governor-General and Prime Minister, has overseen two years marked by tensions between parties and the Speaker, unprecedented suspensions, and the deaths of two MPs.The Speaker was in Canberra earlier this week, where he was welcomed to the Australian Parliament floor — the first visiting Speaker in 21 years.”To associate with countries with similar democracies is extremely…