Too early for a victory lap, but hope is on its way

Source: ACT Party Responding to new data confirming inflation is sitting at 2.2 per cent, within the official target range, ACT Leader David Seymour says: “At the height of Labour’s lock-down and spend-up reign, inflation hit 7.2 per cent. When our Government was elected it was still 5.6 per cent. Getting spending under control is … Read more

Government spin won’t pay the rent

Source: Green Party The latest Consumer Price Index figures show rents rising almost twice as fast as general inflation.  “Christopher Luxon tells New Zealanders one thing while doing another,” says Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for Finance Chlöe Swarbrick.   “He says he is rebuilding the economy, when in reality, his Government’s decisions have helped create … Read more

Proposed bylaw changes won’t affect how cemeteries run

Source: Auckland Council You can now have your say on proposed updates to Auckland Council’s Cemetery and Crematoria Bylaw. These changes follow a statutory review of the bylaw and will not impact the day-to-day running of Auckland’s public cemeteries.   Auckland Council looks after more than 50 cemeteries in Tāmaki Makaurau, including North Shore Memorial Park, … Read more

Annual inflation at 2.2 percent in December 2024 – Stats NZ media and information release – Consumers price index: December 2024 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand Annual inflation at 2.2 percent in December 2024 – 22 January 2025 – New Zealand’s consumers price index (CPI) increased 2.2 percent in the December 2024 quarter, compared with the December 2023 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. The 2.2 percent annual increase follows a 2.2 percent annual … Read more

Working people will pay for static inflation

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed that inflation remains unchanged at 2.2%, defying expectations of further declines, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “While inflation holding steady might sound like good news, the reality is that prices for the basics—like rent, energy, and insurance—are … Read more

Drop in domestic inflation hailed  

Source: New Zealand Government Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hailed a drop in the domestic component of inflation, saying it increases the prospect of mortgage rate reductions and a lower cost of living for Kiwi households. Stats NZ reported today that inflation was 2.2 per cent in the year to December, the second consecutive quarter … Read more

Cyanobacteria health warning lifted from Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake)

Source: Waikato District Health Board The public health warning issued for Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake) in February 2024 has been lifted today by National Public Health Service (NPHS), after subsequent tests showed that cyanobacterial levels are below the warning level. Lakes Waikare, and Whangape continue to have cyanobacterial health warnings in place, with an ‘extreme … Read more

Property Market – A deep and prolonged downturn is still helping buyers – CoreLogic

Source: CoreLogic The downturn in New Zealand’s property values has generally been deep and prolonged since 2021, giving buyers increased pricing power. CoreLogic NZ’s January Housing Chart Pack shows property values nationally have fallen by nearly 18% from their post-COVID peak. Roughly three years on from the post-COVID peak, the largest declines in values among … Read more

Fire Safety – Smoke alarm saves a life in Christchurch

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand A smoke alarm has saved a person’s life in a house fire in Christchurch in the early hours of Monday morning. Fire and Emergency Specialist Fire Investigator Bruce Irvine says, “If that smoke alarm hadn’t been there, then it is very likely I would have been investigating a fatal fire.” … Read more

Property Market – $115 billion in property listed: NZ property market sees $18 billion surge and nearly 19,000 more homes in 2024 – RealEstate.co.nz

Source: RealEstate.co.nz 22 January 2024 – Kiwis listed over $115 billion worth of residential property for sale in 20241, an $18.86 billion (19.4%) increase compared to 2023, according to the latest data from realestate.co.nz. The year saw more than 110,000 new residential property listings go onto the market, an increase of nearly 19,000 on the … Read more

New appointments bring business expertise to the Employment Relations Authority

Source: New Zealand Government Two new appointed members and one reappointed member of the Employment Relations Authority have been announced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today.“I’m pleased to announce the new appointed members Helen van Druten and Matthew Piper to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and welcome them to their roles,” … Read more

Teens before the court for Thames offending

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Attributable to Inspector Mike Henwood, Eastern Waikato Area Commander: Two people are before the courts following several incidents of dishonesty offending in Thames across the last three weeks.  About 7pm last night, Thames Police responded to reports of people breaking into cars. With the assistance of a Police dog … Read more

World-Renowned Pianist Lang Lang Debuts at Galaxy International Convention Center with the Macao Orchestra for a Night of Romantic Classics

Source: Media Outreach MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – On Sunday, January 19, the internationally acclaimed piano virtuoso Lang Lang, alongside the Macao Orchestra, captivated audiences at the Galaxy International Convention Center (“GICC”), one of Asia’s most iconic and advanced MICE destinations, with a grand symphony of romantic classical music. … Read more

CommerceDotCom (CDC) Supports UiTM’s Hydrogen-Powered Urban Concept Vehicle for Shell Eco-Marathon 2025

Source: Media Outreach SELANGOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – CommerceDotCom (CDC) is proud to collaborate with researchers from the College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), in their research to develop an innovative hydrogen-powered urban concept vehicle. Earlier today, a formal signing collaboration ceremony was held with the College of … Read more

Business – CH4 Global and Mitsubishi Corporation partner to accelerate adoption of methane-reducing cattle feed supplement in Asia-Pacific markets

Source: CH4 Global Partnership aims to introduce Methane Tamer™ in Japan and expand in Australia while exploring scaled production opportunities across Asia ADELAIDE, South Australia – CH4 Global, Inc. today announced it has entered into a strategic partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation to accelerate the adoption of CH4 Global’s methane-reducing cattle feed supplement across key Asia-Pacific … Read more

Reds Launch Second Official Retail Store in Indonesia

Source: Media Outreach SURABAYA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Liverpool FC continues to strengthen its international presence in Asia with the official opening of its second retail store in Indonesia. LFC legend Emile Heskey led the official opening of the club’s new official retail store in Surabaya and hosted a … Read more

Weeks before New Year, Octa broker helps flood victims in Kelantan, Malaysia

Source: Media Outreach KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – In December 2024, Malaysia suffered devastating floods that affected 10 states and left more than 147,000 without roofs over their heads. Among the areas affected by the disaster, Kelantan was the hardest-hit state, with at least 93,000 people fleeing their … Read more

Hang Lung Signs HK$10 Billion Five-Year Syndicated Loan Facilities

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101) (“the “Company” or “Hang Lung”) announced that it has successfully signed a five-year HK$10 billion loan facilities (“the Facilities”) with a consortium of more than 10 international, Chinese and local banks. The … Read more

Greenpeace – Trump exit from Paris Agreement means NZ must rally with world to save climate

Source: Greenpeace Greenpeace is calling on Christopher Luxon to commit to a strong new climate target in light of Donald Trump’s announcement that he will pull the United States out of the Paris Agreement. Greenpeace spokesperson Amanda Larsson says, “With wildfires raging in Los Angeles, it’s astounding that Trump is immediately weakening American climate ambition. But … Read more

Fire Safety – Manawatū-Whanganui Coastal Zone moves into restricted fire season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand The Manawatū-Whanganui Coastal Zone will be moving to a restricted fire season at 6am on Wednesday, 22 January, until further notice. A restricted fire season means anyone planning on lighting an open-air fire will need a permit. You can apply for a permit at www.checkitsalright.nz. This zone follows SH1/SH3 to the … Read more

Azbil Wins Frost & Sullivan’s 2024 Southeast Asia Company of the Year Award

Source: Media Outreach TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Azbil Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code: 6845) announced that it has won Frost & Sullivan’s 2024 Best Practices Company of the Year Award in the Southeast Asia smart building solutions industry, marking its third consecutive year of recognition. Frost & Sullivan’s … Read more

New Funding to Accelerate Sandbox VR’s Global Franchise Program Set for Explosive Growth, With 200 Projected Stores in 2027

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Sandbox VR, the world’s premier destination for premium location-based virtual reality experiences, expects continued robust growth in its global franchise program in the coming years. To accelerate its growth in North America and Europe, the company has recently raised a … Read more

Fatal crash: State Highway 28, Putaruru

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Putaruru this afternoon. Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash on Whites Road/SH28 at the intersection with Harris Road just before 5pm. One person sadly died at the scene. A further three people were injured, two people … Read more

2025 Gifting Insights From Latest Survey

Source: Media Outreach Birthdays top the occasion for both gift-giving and gift-receiving while natural diamond jewellery remains the most wanted gifts. HONG KONG – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – For most of us, a new year brings fresh opportunities, yearly goals, and professional and personal aspirations. Stepping into 2025, a recent survey … Read more

State Highway 6 closed following crash, Thomsons Crossing

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) State Highway 6/Winton Lorneville Highway is currently closed near Gap Road East following a serious crash. The crash involved two vehicles and was reported at around 5:40pm. Two people have been critically injured, and a further four have sustained minor injuries. The road is currently closed and diversions are … Read more

Investigation continues into baby’s injuries

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Police are continuing to investigate how a five-month-old baby came to sustain serious head injuries in Northland. Enquiries have been underway since the baby was taken to Dargaville Hospital on 28 December 2024. Detective Sergeant Shane Pilmer, of Whangārei CIB, says the baby was being treated at Starship Hospital … Read more

Alibaba Cloud Announced the Latest AI Models, Tools and Infrastructure Available to Drive More Efficient Global AI Community

Source: Media Outreach JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 January 2025 – Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, has unveiled an expanded suite of large language models and AI development tools, upgraded infrastructure offerings, and new support programs for global developers at its annual developer summit today. These … Read more