Author: Press Room

Police are appealing for information on a man driving a silver van after a young girl was allegedly assaulted on Hamilton’s Silverdale Road yesterday.Police detective sergeant Johnathan O’Bryne said police received reports of a young girl’s arm being grabbed by a man who was driving along the road at 8am yesterday.”The girl was shaken but otherwise physically unharmed.”The man is reported to have been driving a silver van, initially parked on the wrong side of the road, facing toward Morrinsville Road.”Members of the public reportedly tooted at the van at the time, police said.“Police would like to hear from these…

Voters are choosing between pro-European incumbent Maia Sandu and challenger Alexandr Stoianoglo, who favours closer ties with Russia. ADVERTISEMENTPolls have opened in Moldova with voters choosing who will head the country in the second round presidential election.During the first round of voting on 20 October, incumbent Maia Sandu led with 42% of the vote but failed to win an outright majority, while Russia-friendly former prosecutor general Alexandr Stoianoglo took 26%.Since no candidate received more than the required 50% plus one vote for an outright win, Moldovans head back to the polls in an election widely seen as a barometer of…

The government wants to speed up house building by allowing builders to sign off their own work.The usual critics seem unusually optimistic, but there are warnings the process needs to be handled properly or New Zealand risks another leaky buildings crisis – which last time around cost the country about $11 billion.Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk’s plan would mean builders and plumbers no longer need to wait for inspections and resource consents from local councils by self-certifying the work themselves, something electricians can already do.With the scheme still out for consultation, final details are not set to be nailed…

MetService has lifted a severe thunderstorm watch for Canterbury and North Otago.It earlier said hailstones with a diameter of 2cm or larger could fall across the region between 1pm and 8pm on Saturday.”Scattered heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and early evening,” it said at the time.”A few of these thunderstorms may become severe, producing hail with diameter in excess of 2cm.”Thunderstorm activity was expected to “gradually ease” from the south, MetService added. “Large hail can cause significant damage to crops, orchards, vines, glasshouses and vehicles, as well as make driving conditions hazardous.”MetService also withdrew strong wind warnings…

Margot Robbie has given birth to a baby boy.The 34-year-old actress has welcomed her first child with her husband Tom Ackerley, PEOPLE reports.Margot and Tom – who tied the knot back in 2016 – have so far remained tight-lipped about the arrival of their baby boy, meaning that his name and birth date have not yet been confirmed.However, the Mail on Sunday newspaper has reported that the blonde beauty went into labour two weeks ago and that “all is well” with the actress and her child.Friends and family of the loved-up couple – who met in 2013 on the set…

Board members of a North Waikato school that fired a teacher for alleged serious misconduct during a trip for its under-15 rugby team say they have been forced to step down in the wake of their decision.In a letter to the school community on Friday, the four parent representatives on the board of Onewhero Area School in Tuakau said they stood by their decision to dismiss the teacher and had resigned, effective immediately.They also said they had been threatened, accused of racism and endured months of scrutiny.”By its nature, serious misconduct must be serious, and based on the information we…

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also asked for support from the European Union to help Spain recover from what he called, “the most serious flooding that our continent has seen so far this century.” ADVERTISEMENTFour days have passed since the tsunami-like wave of water tore through Spanish towns and with at least 60 of the 214 confirmed deaths in Paiporta, local media is calling the town ‘ground zero’ of the catastrophic flooding.As police and emergency workers continue the grim search for bodies, authorities appear overwhelmed by the enormity of the disaster and survivors are relying on the goodwill of volunteers who…

Australia and the United States are slashing the limits on toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water to protect human health, but New Zealand is staying put.Australia is moving to drop one of its key limits by almost 20 times – a move already made by the US.Poly-fluorinated alkyl substances, or PFAS, are virtually indestructible, man-made fluorocarbons widely used in manufactured products.The US Environmental Protection Agency said PFAS exposure over a long period of time “can cause cancer and other serious illnesses that decrease quality of life or result in death”.New Zealand has previously followed Australia’s lead in setting standards or…

A small child has died after being struck by a car on a driveway in Palmerston North this afternoon.Police were called to the incident on Terry Crescent at 1.15pm after the child was taken to hospital by family members.”Tragically the child was unresponsive when they arrived at the hospital and was unable to be revived,” said Detective Senior Sergeant David Thompson.The Serious Crash Unit has completed a scene examination at the property.Thompson said officers were speaking to family members to establish the full circumstances.”We are also working to support them following this tragic incident.”Government figuresAccording to government figures, New Zealand…

Hato Hone St John says it is has assessed 31 patients after a crash in on Broadlands Road, Bay of Plenty this morning.The crash, involving a bus, occurred on Broadlands Road, near Rotorua at 7.30am, police confirmed.”Diversions are currently in place off Broadlands Road at Ohaaki Road and Vaile Road, and are expected to remain in place for some time.”St John said four ambulances, two helicopters, one rapid response unit, one manager, and four clinical support units and one MIST support unit responded to the scene.It noted 19 patients were uninjured, and confirmed patient statuses for twelve patients who have…