Author: Press Room

Published on 20/10/2025 – 13:37 GMT+2 German social media users have been widely sharing a picture that they say shows supporters of Russia flying in a hot air balloon emblazoned with the face of President Vladimir Putin in Berlin. In the photo, we can see Putin against the colours of the Russian flag, with the balloon flying over the Brandenburg Gate and the Fernsehturm, or TV Tower. One of the users sharing the picture appears to affiliate themselves with the far-right AfD party, adding captions that say that “political sympathisers” of Putin were responsible for the balloon, which was flying…

ASB has cut a number of its fixed-term home loan rates.Its six-month rate will drop by 10 basis points, from 4.95% to 4.85%. Its 18-month rate will drop by four basis points, to 4.45%.The two-year rate drops to 4.49% and the three-year to 5.79%. The four-year rate falls to 5.09% and the give-year to 5.15%.The latest consumer price index update showed inflation was hitting the top of the Reserve Bank’s target band, with a 3% year-on-year rise.But economists did not expect it to alter the direction of interest rates, at least in the near term.Kiwibank’s economists said the result was…

Key diary dates Monday 20 October : European Parliament — debate on the decision to impose a fine on Google: defending press and media freedom in the EU. Tuesday 21 October : 2026 Commission work programme Communication on the generational renewal in agriculture 2025 annual overview report on simplification, implementation, and enforcement Thursday 23 October : EU leaders meeting in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, European defence and security, competitiveness and twin transition, housing and migration. In spotlight ADVERTISEMENT The European Commission is set to unveil its 2026 work programme on Tuesday, outlining the new initiatives planned for…

New Zealand households are wasting an average $1300 each per year on unused food, and a misunderstanding of best before dates may be part of the reason.Love Food Hate Waste has released research that shows that confusion over food date labels could mean millions of dollars’ worth of food is binned unnecessarily each year. It is estimated that New Zealanders collectively waste about $3 billion worth of food every year.Love Food Hate Waste’s research showed one in 12 people incorrectly thought food should not be eaten after its best before date.A third thought, “use by” was only a quality guide.…

An Upper Hutt academy will become New Zealand’s first sports school when it opens as the latest charter school early next year.The New Zealand Performance Academy Aotearoa (NZPAA) would open its doors in term 1 2026 with the aim to support students with sporting ambitions with skills for a professional career alongside academic education.The NZPAA joins Aotearoa Infinite Academy, which is based online, Te Aratika High School in Hawke’s Bay, and Altum Academy in Wellington as new charter schools opening in Term 1 next year.It would be based at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport, which is where…

Annual electricity price increases are at their highest since the late 1980s, as Stats NZ reveals inflation has risen to 3.0% — now sitting at the top of the target band.The latest consumer price index figures show inflation to the September quarter sitting at the top of the Reserve Bank’s target band after four quarters comfortably within it. The household essential that’s helped push inflation to 15-month high, watch on TVNZ+It’s the biggest jump in 15 months, with electricity prices spiking in a way not seen for decades. Economists had picked the 3.0% figure in their forecasts for today’s release.Stats…

An Auckland plasterer who defrauded the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy scheme of more than $125,000 has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.Deva Brown Phuhathakarn, a plasterer from Avondale, was sentenced in the Waitākere District Court on October 15 after pleading guilty to two representative charges of using a document for pecuniary advantage.The charges related to 23 applications Phuhathakarn submitted between March 2020 and March 2021 under his own name and thorugh his company Complete Plastering Solutions Limited.Nine of the applications were successful, resulting in $125,103.20 paid into his bank accounts. The remaining 14 claims, worth $33,976.40, were…

One person has been taken to Waikato Hospital in serious condition and police are investigating following an assault in Hamilton. Police were called to the scene on Waimarie St in the suburb of Nawton just before 1pm on Monday.St John responded at 12.39pm with an ambulance and a rapid response unit, with an operations manager also attending. A police spokesperson said the public may see an increased police presence in the area as officers made enquiries to identify and locate those believed to be responsible.

Several flights have been either delayed or cancelled, hundreds of homes are without power, and a major state highway has reopened after being blocked by a rolled truck trailer as heavy rain and gale-force winds sweep up the country.Almost the entire South Island and part of the lower North Island were under severe weather warnings and watches while a front, preceded by a strong and humid northwest flow, moves over New Zealand during Monday and Tuesday.Several bands of ‘very strong winds’ set to batter the country – Watch on TVNZ+MetService called today’s conditions a precursor for a “potentially more impactful”…

Small airline Originair is operating new weekday and Sunday flights connecting Blenheim and Christchurch. The Nelson-based carrier began the service yesterday to restore a regional air link after Sounds Air cancelled flights on the route. Originair’s 18-seat British Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft, crewed by two pilots, will operate return flights to support business, tourism, and patient travel to specialist healthcare. The timetable gives travellers about seven hours in Christchurch to fit in medical appointments, business meetings, or sight-seeing. Christchurch International Airport aeronautical development general manager Gordon Bevan said the team effort with Originair and Marlborough Airport was keeping the South…