Author: Press Room

A renowned international travel publisher has singled out two New Zealand locations in its global recommendations of where to visit in 2026.In Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026, the North Island has earned a place among the top places hot list, while Wairarapa’s stargazing, food and wine experiences have been included in the top experiences hot list.The annual best in travel listings highlight places to go and things to experience in the year ahead. The 2026 edition, launching today, has placed Wairarapa on its list of 50 essential picks worldwide.Castlepoint lighthouse and Castle Rock at sunset, Castlepoint, Wairarapa region, North…

A van driver was wrongly blamed by police investigators after four young forestry workers were killed in a 2019 crash with a logging trailer without side lighting that was “invisible” in pre-dawn darkness, a coroner has ruled.Storm Lacy, 22, Steven Pari, 35, Te Tahi Brass, 25, and Johnston Ahuriri, 37, died when their work van collided with a truck and trailer transporting logs blocking their lane on Bonisch Rd in the Kaingaroa Forest, Bay of Plenty. A fifth worker survived with serious injuries.In his report, coroner Michael Robb has urged that mandatory side lighting be legislated for oversize off-highway vehicles…

Auckland’s Tāmaki Dr was expected to remain closed this evening after last night’s horror collision between an electric bus and a car, which killed a bus driver. The head-on crash at 9.20pm caused both vehicles to catch fire near Mechanics Bay. Auckland Transport (AT) public transport director Stacey van der Putten said it had been a “tragic incident that has resulted in the loss of life of a valued bus driver who was providing a service for Aucklanders.”Deputy mayor Desley Simpson also gave her condolences.”Our deepest sympathies go out to them, and their family. Everyone goes to work expecting to…

The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including serious weather warnings for rain and life-threatening winds, more than 100,000 public sector workers on strike, and the tourism hotspots in the global travel spotlight. Red weather warnings are in force for large parts of the South Island and lower North Island, as firefighters continue to battle wildfires. The bad weather has forced some events during today’s ‘mega strike’ to be cancelled or moved online. An electric bus in Auckland has burst into flames after a crash with a car.It’s been revealed the Louvre gallery which was robbed earlier this week didn’t have…

Police say they are appealing two decisions where judges have elected to return gang patches confiscated under the Gangs Act.At least three judges have ruled in favour of returning patches to gang members in the year since the legislation – which criminalises the display of gang insignia in a public place – came into effect in September 2024.Less than a month later, Judge Joanne Wickliffe ruled in favour of returning gang member Xavier Grey-Gill’s patch to him after he pleaded guilty to charges he was facing in the Rotorua District Court.”Mr Gray-Gill, you have pleaded guilty to three charges today.…

One in five adults across OECD and EU countries experiences mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms, according to the OECD’s Mental Health Promotion and Prevention report. The symptoms often go unrecognised and untreated, increasing the risk of progression to more severe conditions and raising overall societal costs. Czechia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Portugal report a higher prevalence of moderate or severe depressive symptoms among native-born individuals. Women are more vulnerable to mental illnesses during turning point events, such as pregnancy and postpartum. The prevalence of postpartum depression was estimated at 16.6% for Central-Eastern Europe, 16.3% for Southern Europe, and 13.8% for Northern…

A 52-year-old Northland man has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for possessing child sex abuse material, saying he had been viewing objectionable content for around 20 years. He had previously admitted in the Whangārei District Court to one representative charge of possessing objectionable material depicting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.It followed an investigation by the Department of Internal Affairs Te Tari Taiwhenua’s Digital Child Exploitation Team. During the investigation, a May 2024 search warrant uncovered multiple electronic devices containing over 3000 objectionable videos and pictures covering victims of a wide range of age —from babies to people under…

Legislation allowing Kiwi homeowners to build granny flats up to a certain size without building consent has been passed. Under the new regulations, which come into effect in Q1 of 2026, Kiwis will be able to construct dwellings of up to 70 square metres in their backyards without a building consent. To be eligible for the exemption, homeowners will need to ensure their granny flats are “simple in design”, meet the building code, and are constructed by professional builders. They will also need to notify their local council both before they begin work and when it is completed. The exemption…

Former prime minister Jim Bolger is being laid to rest at an official funeral service in Paraparaumu.The requiem mass, being held at Our Lady Of Kāpiti Catholic Church, is due to start at 11am and is expected to last for about 90 minutes.Leading political figures from several decades will attend the service alongside friends and family.Bolger, who led the country through significant economic and electoral change during the 1990s, died last week aged 90.He was National Party leader during his term in office from 1990 to 1997, and was the longest-lived former prime minister. He also held the King Country…

Green co-leader Marama Davidson has apologised to supporters of her member’s bill after it was discharged due to her running slightly late to its second reading.The Right to Repair bill – which would have required manufacturers to repair, rather than simply replace, products – was likely to have been voted down anyway by the Government parties.But Davidson did not even get a chance to test support after missing her slot to speak late yesterday afternoon.In a statement, Davidson said she had “made a mistake” by arriving in the debating chamber “20 seconds too late”.”I underestimated the speed at which a…