Author: Press Room

From Mexico City to Manila, the United Kingdom to the United States, Taylor Swift fans hooted, sobbed happy tears and danced their way through the pop star’s latest album release, The Life of a Showgirl. Swift’s 12th studio offering dropped Friday, and her Swifties were more than ready for it. Many were dripping in the color orange to usher in her latest era at gatherings around the world. Some closed their eyes to take in the fresh dozen tracks amid the chaotic crowds around them.José María Bastida, a writer, rocked an orange sequin tuxedo jacket at a watch party in…

As an overhaul of earthquake-prone building legislation starts, there’s division in Dunedin and Coastal Otago, the only part of the country, being escalated from a low to medium risk zone.A heritage trust is concerned historic buildings will be demolished, but scientists stress the earthquake risk to Dunedin in particular is much more than previously thought.That’s because part of the Akatore fault is just fifteen kilometres south of the city, although it has been ‘quiet’ in our lifetimes.University of Otago’s Professor Mark Stirling said the latest geological findings suggest: “The main shock would be a lot like the main shock of…

Trade Minister Todd McClay. Photo: RNZ New Zealand and Australia trade ministers have agreed to double down on their countries’ open trade relationship. Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClay met with Australian counterpart Don Farrell in Monarto this weekend to discuss changes in the world economy. New Zealand and Australia agreed to a Single Economic Market in 2009 to increase the flow of open trade between both countries. This included co-operation between customs agencies and a co-ordinated approach to regulation. A spokesperson for McClay said the ministers had agreed to a new heads of agreement between Standards Australia and…

Three new measles cases have been confirmed in Northland, Health NZ said, bringing the total number of cases in the region to nine.It followed a confirmed but unrelated case of measles in Queenstown earlier this week.The National Public Health Services (NPHS) was actively managing the outbreak through contact tracing and public health follow-up.One of the new Northland cases was only identified as a close contact after they became infectious, meaning they may have unknowingly exposed others.Public health teams were currently tracing locations where this may have occurred.Symptoms included an illness that begins with high fever (over 38C); cough; runny nose;…

A boarding house operator must pay more than $27,000 after authorities found its Auckland property dirty, unsafe, and non-compliant with Healthy Homes Standards.The Tenancy Tribunal found Burnley Lodge Limited breached its responsibility under the Residential Tenancies Act.It failed to provide required information on tenancy agreements, mishandled tenant bond payments, and failed to maintain the premises of its Mount Eden boarding house or to comply with Healthy Homes Standards, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said.MBIE’s Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team (TCIT) were alerted to the situation after a referral from Auckland Council.It visited the property and found multiple…

A homicide investigation has been launched two days after a man was found dead in Greymouth.Police were called to a property on Chapel St in Greymouth at around 12.15pm on Tuesday.West Coast area commander Inspector Jacqui Corner said 67-year-old Donald Baikie was found dead on arrival at the scene.”Our condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”A scene examination continues, with the post-mortem examination completed in Christchurch today.Additional officers had travelled from Nelson and Marlborough to assist in the investigation, Corner said.”There will be a visible police presence in the area as we work to establish…

While the government has made changes to encourage competition in the supermarket sector, it’s still uncertain whether a major challenger to the duopoly will emerge, writes Djavlonbek Kadirov.It’s roughly a month since the government announced new supermarkets would qualify for fast-track approval in an effort to inject real competition into the sector. Too soon to see progress, perhaps, but not too soon to question the likely success of that approach.Finance minister Nicola Willis said in August that Costco’s one West Auckland store had already markedly changed competitive dynamics in the area. (Source: 1News)While fast-tracking may address the problems of commercial…

Te Pāti Māori is seeking to reassure members following accusations the party is ego-driven and dictatorial, as a planned “reset” is set to be announced next week.The party emailed its membership addressing the allegations, and held electorate meetings online on Thursday night following queries about the recent media coverage.It came as Toitū Te Tiriti cut ties with the party, with its spokesperson citing leadership concerns, a clash of values, and the need for independence.In an interview with Te Ao Māori News, Eru Kapa-Kingi said the party’s leadership style was “problematic” and “effectively a dictatorship model”.He criticised the party for failing…

A 70-year-old man and 50-year-old woman are facing drug charges after being caught at the Picton ferry terminal allegedly carrying meth intended for distribution. The man disembarked from the ferry and was found with one ounce of methamphetamine, estimated to be worth between $5000 and $7000, on October 1. The 70-year-old was facing 13 charges related to the supply of methamphetamine and cannabis.A 50-year-old woman, described by police as an “associate”, was charged with supplying methamphetamine.”We believe these drugs were intended for distribution in the Marlborough region,” Detective Sergeant Ben Smith said. The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including a…

Two Vietnamese officials accused of sexually attacking two young female servers at a restaurant in New Zealand won’t return to face criminal charges after attempts to extradite them failed, New Zealand authorities said.New Zealand police would not disclose why efforts to return the men had stalled, but the two countries don’t have an extradition treaty so Hanoi would have had to turn over the alleged attackers voluntarily.”It’s disappointing that police requests for extradition have been unsuccessful,” a spokesperson for New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said in a statement. “Clearly it is not the outcome we wanted.”One of the women…