Author: Press Room

Meal box delivery service HelloFresh has been sentenced at the Auckland District Court for breaches of the Fair Trading Act. The Commerce Commission alleged that in cold calls between February 2022 and July 2023, former HelloFresh customers were offered vouchers without being told that accepting them would reactivate their subscription to the service. The regulator said several customers’ subscriptions were reactivated without their express knowledge or consent. HelloFresh was facing five charges under the Fair Trading Act. In court Thursday afternoon, prosecutor Danielle Houghton said the Commerce Commission was seeking a fine of $1.5-1.6 million. Examples of cold calls that…

A man has been charged with the murder of a six-month-old baby found critically injured at a Foxton Beach property earlier this year. Emergency services were called to a Seabury Ave property on June 29 after a baby was found with critical injuries.The child was airlifted to Starship Hospital in Auckland, where they died on July 5.Police today arrested a 25-year-old man in Tauranga, Detective Inspector Craig Sheridan said. “Police will continue to support the baby’s family through this incredibly distressing time.”Police have undertaken a thorough and diligent investigation, and we are pleased to put someone before the courts to…

Driving fines frozen since 1999 have lost their bite and need inflation adjustments to help improve road safety, the AA says.The motoring organisation, representing 1.1 million personal members, has renewed calls for an overhaul of penalties, arguing their deterrent value has been outpaced by income growth in the past three decades. AA road safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen said the outdated system was failing to change driver behaviour.”Getting stung $30 for a low-level speeding infringement in 1999 was a significant chunk out of your paycheck – but the deterrent value has eroded when you consider the growth in wages,” Thomsen said.Road…

Saturday’s live Lotto draw will be moved to a different television channel for one night as the Powerball jackpot rolls over to $23 million. Powerball was not struck in last night’s draw, once again being offered on Saturday night. Instead of its usual spot on TVNZ 1, the live draw will be aired on TVNZ 2 at 8pm. TVNZ 1 will instead be airing the Black Caps’ first T20 against England, which will also be shown live and free on TVNZ+. Meanwhile, one strike player from Papamoa is $200,000 richer after winning Strike Four in Wednesday’s draw. The winning ticket…

OPINION: Not that she’s ‘faking it’ but Prime Minister, the documentary about Dame Jacinda’s years in office, showcases key strategies of ‘performed’ authenticity. Communications expert Susan Fountaine explains. There’s a telling moment in the documentary film Prime Minister when Jacinda Ardern reflects on her rapid rise from Labour leader to prime minister, saying she had “no time to redesign myself […] I could only be myself”.This reference to her “true” self signals a commitment to political authenticity, a thread that runs through the award-winning documentary about Ardern’s remarkable time in office.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks to media at Parliament on…

The overseas investment offer to rescue red meat processor Alliance Group has got even sweeter. Irish company Dawn Meats has increased its proposed investment from $250 million to $270m, following stronger-than-expected year-end results from Alliance. Dawn Meats’ proposed 65 percent stake in Alliance remained unchanged despite the higher investment. Alliance chair Mark Wynne said as part of negotiations in July, the co-op had to commit to a year-end profit and net debt target. The co-op’s unaudited profit projection of $18m to $24m was above target prompting the extra cash, which would be distributed through a dividend. “So we both agreed on…

Four people have been charged after police found clan lab equipment and firearms during searches at three properties in Northland and West Auckland.Officers, including the armed offenders squad, carried out two warrants simultaneously in Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai Heads and Birdwood Rd, Massey during the early hours of this morning.During the search at Mangawhai Heads, police located two kilograms of ephedrine, along with ingredients and equipment used for manufacturing methamphetamine. Two people were arrested.Inquiries at the Massey location led police to a third location in Kumeū, where police found equipment sufficient for a clan lab, as well as a loaded double-barrel…

Oscar-winning actor Diane Keaton’s cause of death has been revealed. The Godfather star died in California surrounded by her loved ones on October 11. She was 79. In a statement, her family told People magazine the Annie Hall actor died of pneumonia.”The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11,” the statement said. Keaton’s loved ones added that the actor loved her animals and was a passionate advocate for the unhoused community.”Any donations in…

A prominent Mongrel Mob leader in Napier felt trapped in his position in the gang in the months leading up to his death, a Coroner has found.Warning: This story discusses suicide. Helplines are provided in this article. Coroner Mark Wilton ruled former Mongrel Mob Barbarians’ Napier president, Neil Angus Benson – also known as Angus Ratima and ‘Heil Dogg’ — died by suicide on December 8, 2024.Benson was 35 when he died. His tangi in Napier drew hundreds of mourners and extra police.In his report, Coroner Wilton said Benson had mental health difficulties, and had three stints in care between…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including calls for driving fines to go up, how a doorbell leaked politicians’ phone numbers, and a scary moment at a gorilla enclosure. The AA says driving fines should be going up. Several major roads remain closed in the central North Island after flooding and slips. Israel is refusing to reopen the Rafah crossing, while some bodies of Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. ADVERTISEMENTR’n’B singer D’Angelo has died after a long battle with cancer. Australian politicians have had their private phone numbers leaked, after a computer was connected to a digital doorbell. American zoo…