Author: Press Room

Several properties have been damaged with some roofing ripped off after a reported tornado near Whakatāne this afternoon.Fire and Emergency NZ said it was called to reports of a tornado going through several properties along State Highway 30 in Awakeri at around 2.45pm on Sunday.”Several properties have been damaged by the tornado. Damage includes some roofs being lifted,” a FENZ spokesperson said.Four crews from Edgecumbe and Whakatāne were in attendance.St John said it responded to the incident with an ambulance and a manager but that its crews were not required.Whakatāne District Council said there were reports of damage to a…

Thousands of young New Zealanders will soon face stricter rules for accessing Jobseeker Support while others could earn a $1000 bonus for staying in work under two new initiatives announced by the Government today.The changes were aimed at reducing long-term benefit dependency among young people and incentivising sustained employment, Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston said.Revealed: The parental income that’ll restrict your access to benefits – Watch on TVNZ+The initiatives formed part of the National-led Government’s Welfare that Works policy and reflect commitments made in the National–NZ First coalition agreement.Stricter eligibility for Jobseeker SupportSocial Development and Employment Minister…

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has confirmed a consular partner has met with the New Zealanders detained in Israel.Last Monday, organisers for a humanitarian flotilla trying to break an Israeli blockade of Gaza said the boats carrying Rana Hamida, Youssef Sammour, and Kiwi teenager Samuel Leason were illegally intercepted.The Global Sumud Flotilla involved dozens of boats carrying 500 people, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.Leason, from Otaki, posted to social media that it appeared his boat had come up to what was believed to be an Israeli military blockade.”It looks like we’re going to be illegally intercepted…

Race Relations Commissioner Melissa Derby says anti-migrant rhetoric is “unhelpful” as tensions around the issue grow in other parts of the world.In her first Q+A interview since being appointed, Derby said public leaders had a duty to think about how they speak and the impact on social cohesion.She said global tensions, seen in the UK and Europe, were of “great concern” to communities and ethnic groups in New Zealand. “A lot of communities are fearful. They’re worried. They’re scared about what this means,” she said. “We have others saying, ‘Look, what is the changing face of New Zealand, ‘we’re one…

Building owners may have spent millions meeting earthquake standards now deemed by the Government to be unnecessary, but the minister in charge has ruled out compensation for any existing work done. Chris Penk, who is also Small Business and Manufacturing Minister, also responded to questions over perceived government inaction on spiking energy prices, which have been blamed for the shutdown of four pulp and paper mills over the past year.Jack Tame, Chris Penk spar over Govt’s ‘underwhelming’ moves on power prices – Watch on TVNZ+Speaking to Q+A this morning, the Building and Construction Minister was relaxed about the increased risks…

The Financial Markets Authority wants consumers to complain more, and for companies to listen.The FMA has found that fewer than than one-third of people were confident that they knew how to complain about their financial service provider.Those who said they would have liked to have complained, said they did not, because they either doubted the outcome, did not know how to complain, or thought it was probably too difficult to complain anyway.FMA executive director, licensing and conduct supervision Clare Bolingford said the authority wanted financial service providers to ensure consumers knew how to complain and how their complaints would be…

The bodies of the two people killed in a house fire in east Auckland have been removed from the property as an investigation continues into what caused the fatal blaze on Thursday morning.Emergency services were called to the Murvale Dr property in the suburb of Bucklands Beach at around 2.30am.Dramatic footage captured by 1News at the scene showed the two-storey building completely engulfed in flames.Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said the police investigation remained in the early stages.”The cause of the fire has not been determined and we are working with fire investigators as part of those inquiries.”Va’aelua said the…

Don’t banish cars from central Blenheim, David Seymour has warned on a visit to Marlborough, weighing in on plans to revitalise the CBD.The deputy prime minister and ACT leader was in town on Thursday to visit businesses, including Murphy’s New Zealand in Grovetown, and give speeches, first at a Marlborough Chamber of Commerce lunch and in the evening at a public meeting, with Local Democracy Reporting invited to attend.When asked about his thoughts on work to revitalise central Blenheim, with Market St’s makeover currently in the design phase, Seymour said Blenheim should avoid the mistakes of Auckland and Queenstown in…

Foodstuffs has recalled a specific batch of its Pams brand mini hash browns due to the possible presence of hard plastic in the product.New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) advised people who had purchased the product to not consume it and return it to the store for a full refund.”There have been no reports of injury, however if you have consumed this product and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.”The affected batch had a best before date of 1/09/2027.It was sold in Four Square, New World, and Pak’nSave supermarkets nationwide.”Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd wishes to apologise to our…

Police and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are appealing for information after a kororā/little penguin was found dead in Oamaru last weekend.Officers received a report of anti-social vehicle activity around the Esplanade in Oamuru at around 9.15pm on September 28.Sergeant Tony Woodbridge said police were appealing to anyone who was part of that group of vehicles to do the right thing.”Come forward to speak to us. We’re also calling on the public to provide any information that could assist our investigation. We’d like to speak to anybody who was on or around the Esplanade between 8:30pm and 9:30pm on Sunday.”Anyone…