Author: Press Room

Award-winning Christchurch real estate professional Sam Staite has no plans to stop after selling more than $1 billion of commercial and industrial property. Another award has been added to the mantelpiece after he was named individual commercial and industrial salesperson of the year for the third year in a row at the REINZ Awards for Excellence. Colliers’ Canterbury industrial sales and leasing director has played a part in most of the major industrial properties changing hands in the South Island. Among highlights have been the $75 million Countdown Fresh Distribution Centre, a nearly $54m group of 13 buildings known as…

Two men have been arrested after methamphetamine and more than $67,000 were seized during searches of properties in Christchurch and Dunedin this week.The searches of the three properties were carried out on Monday, as part of a five-week police investigation. During the searches, police found over half a kilogram of methamphetamine, worth around $192,000. Around $67,000 in cash was also seized from the properties.Cash seized by police in Christchurch and Dunedin. (Source: Supplied)A 38-year-old man was remanded in custody to appear in the Christchurch District Court on September 17, charged with supplying methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine for supply, and breach…

The detective in charge of the hunt for Tom Phillips and his three children says negotiations with the fugitive had “always been on the table”. Speaking with Paddy Gower Has Issues last night, Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders said police were open to discussions with Phillips to ensure his children were returned home safely. Phillips and his three children – Jayda, Maverick and Ember – went missing from Marokopa in December 2021. Despite multiple police operations and rewards offered to find them, there has been no success. They are currently in the middle of their fourth winter in hiding. Saunders…

ADVERTISEMENT In a much-watched TikTok video, a French-speaking presenter claims that, as soon as a person boards an aeroplane from France to a country outside the European Union, they are signing up for an automatic tax audit upon their return. It is not clarified who exactly would be affected. “Starting on 1 September 2025, every traveller leaving the EU will be systematically reported to the French tax authorities via a new procedure,” the author of the video states. The system is referred to by the author as the DVAD (Dispositif de vérification automatique des déplacements, or Automatic Travel Verification System).…

A homicide investigation has been launched after a man died following an assault in Rotorua this afternoon.Police said they were still seeking those responsible for the death.Initially, emergency services were called to an assault on Trigg Ave around 12.20pm.Detective Senior Sergeant Mark van Kempen said a man was found in a critical condition but died at the scene.”Police would like to reassure the community that, while an area of Trigg Ave is cordoned off, there is not believed to be any risk to the public.”He said officers were making inquiries to find those responsible.”Police ask anyone who may have seen…

An assault charge has been upgraded to murder following the death of an 84-year-old woman in Auckland’s Papatoetoe earlier this month.Police had been investigating the death of Joan Beale since she was found dead at her home in Ashlynne Ave on August 9 at around 10.30am.A 50-year-old man was initially charged with assault and was due to reappear in the Manukau District Court today.Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said a murder charge was laid following inquiries.”I acknowledge these events will have upset the local Papatoetoe community, but please be assured that this matter is now in the hands of the…

ADVERTISEMENT Brussels and Washington on Thursday released the long-awaited joint statement sealing the trade deal they struck nearly a month ago, confirming that cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals will face a maximum 15% tariffs to enter the US. The statement, which like the deal struck on 27 July in Scotland between European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump, is not legally binding, states that the reduction of tariffs for cars “will apply in tandem with the EU initiating the procedures for tariff reductions vis-à-vis US products”. A customs duty rate of 27.5% currently still applies on…

Nelson Hospital boss Lexie O’Shea has been seconded to a new role at Health New Zealand with a top health leader set to replace her.It follows a series of stories by 1News where nine senior doctors at Nelson Hospital raised concerns about how patient safety was being impacted by low staffing levels, among other issues at the hospital. It also comes after Health New Zealand’s boss for the South Island Martin Keogh stood down last month, choosing to return home to family in Australia. Keogh’s replacement Pete Watson said today in a statement that Lexie O’Shea will be the executive…

A soldier who was convicted of attempted espionage has been sentenced to two years in military detention and dismissed from the army. The soldier handed over sensitive information to a person who he thought was a foreign agent but was really part of an undercover sting. He admitted charges of attempted espionage, dishonestly accessing a computer system and possessing an objectionable publication, at the start of a court martial hearing at Linton Military Camp, near Palmerston North, on Monday. The attempted espionage charge dated to December 2019 when the soldier attempted to hand information to the undercover agent. “This was…

The largest Māori tertiary provider in the country has announced a proposed “organisational redesign” that will cut around 60 roles.The measures were announced today by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in a new strategy, Te Pae Tawhiti 2030, saying it aimed to map out the institution’s future direction to deliver “innovative, values-led education for learners of today” and “generations to come”.”A proposed organisational redesign better aligns our people, structures, and systems with our vision, and responds to the changing needs of our tauira, employers and communities,” the wānanga said in a statement.”Guided by kaupapa Māori values (Te Kaupapa Matua), Te Pae…