Finance – ASB lowers fixed mortgage rates for fourth time this year, including a 4.99% offer

Source: ASB ASB has today reduced a number of its fixed home lending rates, marking the fourth round of fixed rate decreases so far in 2025. ASB’s 2-year mortgage rate drops 30 basis points to a joint-market leading 4.99%*, while its 1-year rate drops 24 basis points to 5.25%. ASB’s has also lowered its 3-year … Read more

Retail activity up in the December 2024 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Retail trade survey: December 2024 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand Retail activity up in the December 2024 quarter – 24 February 2025 – The total volume of retail sales in New Zealand increased by 0.9 percent in the December 2024 quarter compared with the September 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Figures are adjusted for price inflation … Read more

Future blooms bright for rare tree daisy

Source: Department of Conservation Date:  24 February 2025 The seedlings are the product of a growing partnership between the Department of Conservation and the Department of Corrections. Commonly known as Gardner’s tree daisy, Olearia gardneri is found in the southern half of the North Island. The small tree is dependent on conservation efforts as its seeds … Read more

76 gang patches seized by Police under new law

Source: New Zealand Government In the three months since the Government’s new gang laws came into effect Police have seized 76 patches, 67 firearms, and laid 337 charges for insignia breaches. Police Minister Mark Mitchell, and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith say that Police have done an outstanding job of enforcing the new laws and holding … Read more

Police put pressure on gangs

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police have filed over 3000 charges against gang members since the introduction of the Gangs Act in late November. Between 21 November 2024 and 19 February 2025, Police filed 337 charges for insignia breaches and 3037 charges for other offending including serious violence, drugs, and firearms. Police Commissioner Richard … Read more

New Zealand stands with Ukraine, three years after illegal Russian invasion

Source: New Zealand Government As the world marks three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced additional sanctions on Russian entities and support for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.  “Russia’s illegal invasion has brought three years of devastation to Ukraine’s people, environment, and infrastructure,” Mr Peters says.  “These additional sanctions target 52 individuals and entities … Read more

Public Service – Oranga Tamariki workers strike over insulting pay offer, unmanageable workloads – PSA

Source: PSA Strike to begin 28 February with two hour full labour withdrawal 7 March PSA members at Oranga Tamariki are taking strike action over an insulting pay offer and a refusal to address the concerns of workers over unsafe and unmanageable workloads. “Enough is enough – Oranga Tamariki is effectively offering a real pay cut … Read more

Housing Market Confidence – ASB Housing Confidence Survey: Optimism persists, but momentum slows

Source: ASB Number of New Zealanders expecting house prices to increase continues to rise – a net 33 percent compared to 24 percent in the previous quarter, with Aucklanders most confident.  Slight drop in proportion of Kiwi expecting interest rates to fall, from net 57 to net 51 percent, reflecting some concerns. Nationwide, a net … Read more

Government Cuts – CPAG urges Government to reverse ‘funded to fail’ school lunch cuts

Source: Child Poverty Action Group The Child Poverty Action Group has today told the Government that reversing cuts to school lunches is an achievable way to address rising child poverty levels in New Zealand. Official statistics released last week showed an extra 36,600 children are likely to be living in material hardship compared to two years … Read more

Serious crash, Ashworths Rd, Hurunui

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on Ashworths Rd (SH1) near Mays Road, Hurunui.  Police were called about 5.30pm.  Initial reports suggest two people have been seriously injured.  Traffic management is in place.  Motorists should avoid the area if possible. ENDS  MIL OSI

Fatal crash, Hadlow, Timaru District

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) One person has died after a single-vehicle crash on Spur Road, Hadlow, in the Timaru District. The crash was discovered about midday today and is thought to have occurred overnight. The Serious Crash Unit is examining the scene, and diversions are in place. Motorists should avoid the area if … Read more

Going for Growth: Overseas investment changes to drive higher wages

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced the Government’s plan to reform the Overseas Investment Act and make it easier for New Zealand businesses to receive new investment, grow and pay higher wages.  “New Zealand is one of the hardest countries in the developed world for overseas people to invest … Read more

BusinessNZ Statement – Overseas investment overhaul: NZ means business

Source: BusinessNZ BusinessNZ says the Government’s announcement to reform the Overseas Investment Act sends a positive signal to the world that New Zealand is ready to do business.  Chief Executive Katherine Rich says existing rules make it difficult and uncertain for overseas investors to consider investing here.  “New Zealand’s settings for overseas investment have been some … Read more

Fatal quad bike crash – Purangi, Taranaki

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) A person died after a quad bike crash on Tarata Road, Purangi yesterday afternoon. Police were advised at 2.30pm that a quad bike had rolled on the road, adjacent to paddocks. The person was critically injured and tragically passed away at the scene. Our thoughts are with their family … Read more

Biosecurity New Zealand Birkdale fruit fly update, February 23 2025

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries MPI is providing daily 10am updates for any significant developments regarding the Oriental fruit fly response. There is no significant update at this time. No further fruit flies have been detected. Today, our team continues its work on the ground checking traps, collecting waste from bins in the area for … Read more

Electric Avenue wrap-up

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons, Operation Commander: Christchurch put on a stunning weekend for the more than 35,000 people attending Electric Avenue each day of the two-day festival. The event was well managed and organised, with a large security contingent which proved valuable. Police assisted … Read more

Man arrested – Birkenhead stabbing

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Attribute to Detective Sergeant Matt Bartlett: A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to a stabbing in Birkenhead on 4 February. The man was arrested during a search warrant at a Northcote address yesterday morning and is due to appear in the North Shore District Court … Read more

Rural News – Farmers celebrate more funding for QEII Trust – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers A funding boost for the QEII National Trust is a win for farmers and the environment, Federated Farmers vice president Colin Hurst says. Following strong advocacy from Federated Farmers, the Government have announced an additional $4.5 million for the trust over the next three years. “When it comes to environmental bang for your … Read more

Minister going to Australia for aged care meetings

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Health Minister Hon Casey Costello is traveling to Australia for meetings with the aged care sector in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney next week. “Australia is our closest partner, so as we consider the changes necessary to make our system more effective and sustainable it makes sense to learn from its … Read more

Have you seen Geoffrey?

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police are asking for anyone in the area of Makokomiko Road, Hikumutu, to keep an eye out for missing man Geoffrey Kelly. Geoffrey’s car was located about 10.30am yesterday (Friday) morning in a ditch on Makokomiko Road, however he was not in the vehicle. It is believed he may … Read more

More funding for biodiversity protection

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is boosting investment in the QEII National Trust to reinforce the protection of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biodiversity on private land, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.The Government today announced an additional $4.5 million for conservation body QEII National Trust over three years.QEII Trust works with farmers and landowners who voluntarily … Read more

Homicide investigation launched, Rotongaro

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attribute to Detective Inspector Daryl Smith A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Rotongaro overnight. Police were called to Hetherington Road at about 10:40pm after receiving reports a male had been stabbed following a roadside altercation. He died at the scene. A 25-year-old … Read more

First Responders – Fire and Emergency responds to church fires in Masterton

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews have attended four church fires in Masterton this morning, which started between 4.25am and 4.35am. The churches are: Anglican Church Of The Epiphany, St Patrick’s Catholic Church Masterton, Masterton Baptist Church and Equippers Church Masterton. Damage to the churches ranged from moderate to significant.  … Read more

Biosecurity New Zealand media release – Birkdale fruit fly update

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries The biosecurity response to the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly in Birkdale on Auckland’s North Shore is making good progress, with extra traps in place, stepped-up checks and legal controls introduced, says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand regional Commissioner North. “Special bins have started being delivered for … Read more

Dodgy crane safety inflicts misery for teen worker

Source: Worksafe New Zealand 22 February 2025 Old equipment repurposed by businesses must be safe to use, WorkSafe New Zealand says, following sentencing of a Rotorua company whose modified crane became a weapon that changed the life of a teenage contractor. Harrison Gilbert was struck in the face by an untethered 412-kilogram steel beam being … Read more

Police investigating suspicious church fires in Masterton

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police are investigating after four suspicious fires at churches in Masterton early today. Emergency services were called to the fires from around 4.25am. Police have undertaken checks at other churches in the town this morning and have located evidence to suggest three further churches were targeted but did not … Read more

OPPO Find N5, the World’s Thinnest Book-Style Foldable, Set to Hit the Shelve on February 28

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 February 2025 – OPPO, the world’s leading smart device brand, announced that the OPPO Find N5 will be available for purchase starting February 28, 2025, priced at S$2499 for the 16GB + 512GB configuration. The device will initially launch in Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong … Read more