Author: Press Room
Two Christchurch offenders have had additional prison time added to their sentences after admitting to a large-scale tax fraud targeting income tax refunds, student loan payments, and Working for Families entitlements.Marlanna Harris was sentenced in the Auckland District Court on June 13 to a further 14 months in prison, while Richard Rapana was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court on September 12 to a further nine months in prison.Both were already serving prison terms.Between May 2019 and January 2022, Harris and Rapana together tried to get more than $400,000 that they were not entitled to, receiving just over $115,000. Inland…
A New Plymouth man has been forced to forfeit a property, a Ford Ranger, more than $100,000 in cash, and over $36,000 held in bank accounts to the Crown following drug manufacturing and supply convictions. The money from the seized assets would be used within the Taranaki community for projects including reducing methamphetamine harm. In 2019, police carried out two search warrants as part of an investigation into the manufacturing and distribution of illicit drugs. Eight LSD tablets, 94g of methamphetamine, and 82g of cannabis was located and around $56,000 cash was found hidden around a property.While the investigation continued,…
The Government will launch an investigation into planning rules that restrict the number of concerts and events at Eden Park, as ministers suggest the constraints could be limiting the venue’s economic potential. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Tourism Minister Louise Upston said current restrictions under the Auckland Unitary Plan may be preventing the near-50,000-seat stadium from hosting more concerts, sporting events, and large-scale functions.”Concerts and major sporting events held at Eden Park inject millions of dollars into Auckland’s economy from locals and visitors alike – but current planning rules could be holding Eden Park back from doing more,” Upston…
The Emmy Awards weren’t all about Seth Rogen walking up the aisle in his burnt orange tux to collect yet another award. It just sometimes seemed that way.Rogen’s The Studio won a total of 13 Emmys, breaking the all-time record for most wins for a comedy series. Rogen himself won four, tying the record for most Emmys won by a single individual in one night.“I’m legitimately embarrassed,” Rogen admitted at one point.But behind the undeniable march of The Studio were some other pieces of Emmy history. The youngest male actor ever was crowned for the series Adolescence and Severance star…
New Zealand’s financial watchdog has issued a warning to former clients of David McEwen to scrutinise their bank and credit card statements following complaints of unauthorised charges linked to the ex-financial adviser and his associated entities.McEwen, who operated various entities and was previously based in Auckland, offered subscription services to clients for a share-tipping service and newsletter.The Financial Market Authority (FMA) said it had received reports from individuals who believed payments were made on their accounts without consent, some of them up to 10 years after subscribing.FMA executive director for response and enforcement Louise Unger said former and existing clients…
A group of Christian clergy have staged protests at the electorate offices of two National Party ministers, calling on the Government to impose sanctions on Israel over the war in Gaza.The demonstrations took place at Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ office in Johnsonville, Wellington, and Health Minister Simeon Brown’s office in Pakuranga, Auckland. The priests said they would not leave until the Government provided a timeframe for implementing sanctions.At Willis’ office, five Anglican priests and one Catholic priest chained themselves together and prayed at the entrance. One priest locked himself to the door using what appeared to be a bike lock.Reverend…
Health NZ has been asked to apologise after doctors missed their best opportunity to reattach a 14-year-old’s teeth following a bike accident.The boy was riding his bicycle and crashed into a parked car, which broke five of his teeth and caused internal bleeding in his head.He was taken to hospital and monitored, but the oral surgery department said the damage to his teeth did not need urgent care, as it had already been five hours since the accident, and the ideal timeframe for reattaching the teeth was just 60 minutes.They advised him to visit a dentist the next day.When the…
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to give more details on major events funding at his weekly briefing following today’s Cabinet meeting.The Government yesterday announced a $70 million investment package aimed at supercharging New Zealand’s events and tourism sectors, introducing new money to attract global acts, support existing events, and drive regional visitor growth.Also on the political agenda is the Tom Phillips case with Luxon saying this morning he expects there to be some kind of Government inquiry after the fugitive father was fatally shot by police last week.On the global front, New Zealand said on Friday it will be…
Police are investigating after a man was located with serious “unexplained” injuries west of Queenstown last night.Officers were called to the intersection of Moke Lake Rd and Glenorchy-Queenstown Rd at around 6.15pm on Sunday.A man was located with “unexplained injuries”, a police spokesperson said.He was taken to Dunedin Hospital but had since been transferred to Christchurch.Police inquiries included exploring whether the man had been injured earlier and in a different location to where he was found.St John has been contacted for comment.
Bobby Hart, a key part of the Monkees’ multimedia empire who teamed with Tommy Boyce on such hits as Last Train to Clarksville and I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone, has died. He was 86.Hart died at his home in Los Angeles, according to his friend and co-author, Glenn Ballantyne. He had been in poor health since breaking his hip last year.Boyce and Hart were a prolific and successful team in the mid-1960s, especially for the Monkees, the made-for-television group promoted by Don Kirshner. They wrote the Monkees’ theme song, with its opening shot, Here we come, walkin’ down the street,…