Author: Press Room
Dunedin businesses are gathering for a showcase to share practical advice on how to reduce energy bills amid a “real shakeup” in the electrical industry. The free one-day showcase of solutions to rising energy costs and climate change, “Electrify Dunedin”, will be held at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum tomorrow. It would include two workshops aimed at local businesses looking to cut costs and future-proof their operations, and households wanting to save money on energy bills. It is part of the nationwide Rewiring Aotearoa tour, organised locally by a volunteer-run community group. Organiser Louis Brown said prices were forecast to be…
Work is about to begin on a new organic facility being built by Ecogas in Christchurch to turn food and garden waste into biogas and fertiliser. The waste-to-organics processing company, owned 85% by Alexandra-based Pioneer Energy Group and 15% by Ecostock managing director Andrew Fisher, is building the factory on a 3ha site in Hornby. The facility is due to begin operating in early 2027, and up to 100,000 tonnes of organic waste is expected to be turned into renewable energy, biofertiliser and biomass fuel each year to support local farms and industry. Ecogas chief executive Peter McClean said in…
ANALYSIS: Recent measles cases are a stark reminder of the pending danger of a measles outbreak. Focusing on the immunity of children and closing the “immunity gap” is essential, say medical experts Anna Howe, Emma Best and Rachel Webb.The recent confirmation of new measles cases unconnected to international travel suggests the highly contagious disease has likely started spreading through communities, according to Health New Zealand.This is a stark reminder of the pending danger of a larger measles outbreak. To prevent transmission once the measles virus has been introduced, a population immunity of around 95%, evenly distributed throughout communities, is necessary.New…
The former operator of a Balclutha health store has been put into liquidation owing $220,000. The director of Ibbotson 2020 Ltd, which formerly operated Health 2000 Balclutha, attributed the insolvency to competition with online sales and the effects of Covid-19. The liquidators’ first report said the company had operated the franchise natural health store for nearly five years, retailing health products and supplements from a leased premises in Balclutha. The company’s sole director, listed as Stacey Hill, cited several factors as contributing to the insolvency, “including the ongoing effects of Covid on retail operations, competition from discount outlets/online sales, as…
By Euronews with AP Published on 26/10/2025 – 9:57 GMT+1 •Updated 9:58 Left-wing independent candidate Catherine Connolly will become the 10th president of Ireland after winning elections by a landslide victory. Official results showed strong voter support for Connolly as president, a largely ceremonial role in Ireland. She won 63% of first-preference votes once spoiled votes were excluded, compared to 29% of her rival Heather Humphreys, of the centre-right party Fine Gael. Connolly, 68, said Saturday evening at Dublin Castle that she would champion diversity and be a voice for peace and one that “builds on our policy of neutrality.” “I would be…
Survivors of abuse in state care who have been sent to prison as adults are devastated by a proposed redress law change which could exclude some from getting abuse compensation.The Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill, which passed its first reading this week, would introduce a presumption against financial redress for survivors if they have been sentenced to more than five years in jail for serious violent or sexual offending, and filed their redress claim on May 9 2025, onward.It’s estimated 5% of survivors have become serious offenders later in life, with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse…
Following border disputes last year, Thailand and Cambodia have signed a ceasefire agreement presided by US president Donald Trump, who has called the event ‘historic.’ Thailand will release Cambodian prisoners and Cambodia will begin withdrawing heavy artillery as part of the first phase of the deal. Regional observers will monitor the situation to ensure fighting doesn’t restart. “We did something that a lot of people said couldn’t be done,” Trump said. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called it a “historic day,” and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the agreement creates “the building blocks for a lasting peace.” The ceremony…
A person has died and another has been seriously injured after a motorbike crash on Waiheke Island in Auckland this afternoon.Emergency services were called to Ocean View Road, Oneroa just before 2pm after a report a three-wheeled bike had hit a tree.It said one person died at the scene, while another was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.The Serious Crash Unit had been advised.Ocean View Road near Goodwin Avenue would be closed while police attended the scene.
Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell and Environment Southland gave an update on Southland and Clutha this afternoon.On Thursday, strong winds caused widespread damage to parts of the country. Southland and Clutha District remain under states of local emergency as communications, power and water are still limited in some areas.Farming communities have also been isolated amid the damage.Today, officials said the states of local emergency are likely to stretch into next week as thousands of residents remain without power or water.
An 18-year-old Dunedin man has been arrested in connection with an online bomb threat targeting a Wellington mosque earlier this week.Detective Sergeant Dean Pearce said the man was arrested last night and has now been charged with causing harm by posting digital communication.He was scheduled to appear in Dunedin District Court on October 27.”Enquiries into this matter are continuing and police cannot rule out further charges,” he said.The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) said the threat included the exact address of the Wellington Islamic Centre (Kilbirnie Masjid).”As a necessary precaution, all community activities have been stopped at…