Author: Press Room
“Real impact doesn’t always come with grand gestures … it’s often about steady progress behind the scenes.” That is the belief of Central Otago farmer and community leader Kelly Heckler, who is one of four recipients of 2026 Nuffield Scholarships. The scholarships, presented at Parliament, enable the cohort to undertake a Rural Leaders-delivered programme that offered opportunity for travel, study of the latest agriculture innovations and an introduction to decision-makers around the world. Mrs Heckler, who farms with her family at Lauder Creek, a sheep and beef property near Omakau, would explore research in freshwater management with a specific focus…
Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.He appeared in the Wellington District Court on Thursday to enter the pleas.McSkimming pleaded guilty to three representative charges of possessing objectionable publications, namely child sexual exploitation and bestiality material knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the publication is objectionable.Disgraced former top cop admits to child sexual, bestiality material charges – Watch on TVNZ+Jevon McSkimming in Wellington District Court on Monday, August 4, 2025. (Source: 1News)He was initially charged with eight counts of possessing objectionable material, namely bestiality and child exploitation.The 52-year-old…
An Auckland executive has admitted receiving “commercial sexual services” from a person aged under 18.The man, whose name is suppressed, appeared in the Auckland District Court on Thursday afternoon.Judge Belinda Sellars, KC, granted defence lawyer Graeme Newell’s application to suppress the executive’s name temporarily and the name of his employer.”His employer has just been advised about this.”The employer would like to be heard about suppression at sentencing.”If he is named then they are named if one does a quick Google search.”The executive hadn’t yet told his family about the prosecution.Newell said the executive was arrested on Friday and was facing…
Strong global interest is anticipated in the sale of a historic high-country station in Canterbury’s Southern Alps.Mt Algidus Station has been listed on the market and likely to be one of the largest sales in the South Island this year, according to New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty.The property is being marketed internationally and domestically, including a campaign in the New York Times.The 22,120 hectare station dates back to 1861.(Source: Supplied)New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty agent Matt Finnigan said the station is often referred to as an island in the alps, due to its isolated location at the confluence of the…
Unease is building over law changes that could sideline Conservation Boards.However, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says Conservation Boards and the New Zealand Conservation Authority will continue to play an important role in the way conservation land is managed.The 15 boards across New Zealand are made up of local people nominated by their communities or iwi, and appointed by the Minister to monitor DOC’s work in their regions and advise the NZ Conservation Authority ( Te Pou Atawhai o te Taiao).The authority in turn provides DOC and the minister with independent policy advice.The boards have a statutory role in reviewing DOC’s…
A recall has been issued for collectable illuminated cups featuring Marvel superheroes the Fantastic Four sold at Hoyts Cinemas nationwide. The cups containing a battery-powered light – featuring the Invisible Woman (blue) and the Human Torch (red) – were sold from July 1 to 31 during the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps in New Zealand theatres. “The cups do not comply with the Product Safety Policy Statement on button batteries because the screw in the battery covering can be removed, and the products are missing warning information about the dangers of button/coin batteries to children and what to do…
Air New Zealand’s first electric aircraft has taken to the skies in a bid to test the “next generation” of lower-emissions fleet. The BETA ALIA CX300 – the first of its kind to carry the Air NZ logo – will undertake a series of flights across the country over the next four months as part of the airline’s Next Generation Aircraft technical demonstrator programme in partnership with US aerospace company BETA Technologies.The battery-electric aircraft, manufactured by BETA, seats two crew and up to 5.6 cubic metres of cargo on missions for up to approximately 398km. The ALIA CX300 first took…
By Méabh Mc Mahon & Alice Carnevali Published on 06/11/2025 – 11:12 GMT+1 •Updated 11:18 Sometimes European Union (EU) politics can seem incomprehensible, messy and even boring. But don’t worry:Brussels, My Love? is back as a weekly podcast to help you make sense of it all. In each episode, the podcast’s host and Euronews’ chief anchor Méabh Mc Mahon sits down with some of Europe’s brightest minds to unpack the latest developments in the EU. From plans to transform the EU from an economic trading bloc into a military powerhouse, to debates over bans on tofu sausages, you’ll discover how EU laws are…
A jury has found three men guilty of murdering South Canterbury man Anaru Moana.Hayden Burt, Aaron Boden and siblings Cody and Korina Boyes had been on trial at the High Court at Christchurch since late September.Moana, 37, disappeared in December 2021 and his body has never been found, despite extensive police efforts.On Thursday, the jury delivered unanimous guilty verdicts for Burt, Boden and Cody Boyes before Justice Gordon.Burt and Boden were also found guilty of kidnapping and injuring with intent.Korina Boden was found not guilty of murder and the lesser alternative charge of manslaughter, but guilty of injuring with intent.A…
Published on 06/11/2025 – 10:06 GMT+1 A claim is circulating online that France is entering an “era of total traceability”, amid allegations that the country’s digital ID — France Identité — will be directly tied to personal social media accounts. France Identité is an app that enables users to create a digital identity based on the new form of the French ID card, allowing people to prove their identity both online and offline. It’s optional and is not intended to replace the physical ID card. Various other European countries also have digital ID systems, such as Denmark, Estonia and Spain,…