How much are public Christmas tree displays costing us?

Source: Radio New Zealand Standing outside Commercial Bay and Britomart, Auckland’s 18.5-metre tree is hard to miss: 10,000 LEDs, 200 stainless-steel baubles and thousands of flowers. Last year, Auckland Council supported the co-owners of the tree, Heart of the City and Precinct Properties, with a one-off $800,000 contribution – half went towards purchasing it and … Read more

Hong Kong: Independent committee to conduct comprehensive and in-depth review following major fire

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government is going all out to support victims and investigate the cause of a massive fire that engulfed seven out of eight high-rise residential blocks at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Hong … Read more

How many of the government’s 9 key targets has it achieved?

Source: Radio New Zealand Made with Flourish • Create your own Correction: The figure 309 mt in the final paragraph of this article has been updated to 305 mt. For a full explanation of each target and how it has changed, see RNZ’s target-by-target breakdown below. Four of the government’s nine key targets risk not being met, … Read more

30 with Guyon Espiner: How New Zealand can combat the rise of kleptocracy

Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand and other liberal democracies need to band together against the rise of modern kleptocracy, a top American journalist and historian says. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anne Applebaum told Guyon Espiner on 30 with Guyon Espiner how today’s dictators aren’t just seizing power, they’re stealing unimaginable wealth and hiding it in … Read more

Green MPs, councillors launch campaign against second Mt Vic tunnel in Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand Critics of a second Mt Victoria tunnel in the capital have launched a campaign against the plans. RNZ / Ellen O’Dwyer Critics of a second Mt Victoria tunnel in the capital have launched a campaign against the plans, saying the project is too expensive, too disruptive and too focused on cars. … Read more

Bitcoin treasury business Locate Technologies moves shares to ‘forward-thinking’ NZX

Source: Radio New Zealand Locate Technologies is the first company to quit the ASX in favour of the NZX RNZ / Angus Dreaver ASX-listed Bitcoin treasury business is moving to the NZX in pursuit of a faster pathway to growth than that offered by the Australian stock market. Locate Technologies is the first company to … Read more

Inside Police Commissioner Richard Chambers’ first year and how he plans to rebuild trust

Source: Radio New Zealand A year on from taking the reins as the country’s top cop, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers sat down with National Crime Correspondent Sam Sherwood to discuss his first fraught year in the job and how he plans to rebuild trust and confidence in police. Sitting in an office on the 8th … Read more

Family of child who died in ice-skating accident angry coroner will not open inquiry

Source: Radio New Zealand The parents of a 13-year-old Christchurch girl who died after hitting her head while ice skating are angry the coroner will not open an inquiry into her death, saying they fear the same thing could happen again unless legislation changes to make helmets compulsory at rinks. Kymani Hiley-Hetaraka was not wearing … Read more

Principal says Food Safety officers saw video proof mouldy meals weren’t last week’s leftovers

Source: Radio New Zealand One of the meals that was served up to students on Monday. Supplied / Haeata Community Campus A Christchurch principal says Food Safety officers saw video proof that mouldy meals served to students weren’t left at her school from the previous week. Students at Haeata Community Campus were served mouldy mince … Read more

Independent Assessment Identifies Infrastructure Opportunities for New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission Twenty-five new infrastructure proposals have been endorsed in the second round of the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission’s Infrastructure Priorities Programme (IPP), bringing the total to 42 independently assessed priorities. “New Zealand needs an approach to infrastructure investment that provides certainty that projects are solving the right problems, are affordable and can … Read more

Africa Finance Corporation Raises Record US$524m in Dual-Currency Samurai Loan Facility

Source: Media Outreach The transaction marks AFC’s largest Samurai loan to date and reinforces the Corporation’s growing footprint in Japan’s capital markets LAGOS, NIGERIA – EQS – 2 December 2025 – Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org), the continent’s leading infrastructure solutions provider, has closed a landmark US$524 million equivalent dual-currency Samurai term loan facility. The … Read more

Hang Lung Opens Application for Transitional Accommodation Program from HK$11 Million Relief Fund for Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Residents

Source: Media Outreach Hang Lung Group Limited (SEHK stock code: 00010) has been engaged in real estate development since 1960. Through its subsidiary Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK stock code: 00101), the Group manages a portfolio of over 3.5 million square meters of retail, office, residential, and hotel properties across Hong Kong and mainland China. … Read more

International trade: September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand International trade: September 2025 quarter – information release 2 December 2025 International trade statistics provide information on imports and exports of goods and services between New Zealand and our trading partners. Key facts Quarterly goods and services by country Total exports of goods and services for the September 2025 quarter were $25.0 … Read more

Serious injury outcome indicators: 2000–2024 – Correction to work-related fatalities 2024 error

Source: Statistics New Zealand Serious injury outcome indicators: 2000–2024 – Correction to work-related fatalities 2024 error 2 December 2025 We have made a correction to Serious injury outcome indicators: 2000–2024 which was published on 26 November 2025. The provisional number for work-related fatalities 2024 has been updated in table 13 of the ‘Serious injury outcome … Read more

UnionPay International Pilot Launches Cross-Border QR Payment Program Between China and Vietnam

Source: Media Outreach HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – In December 2025, UnionPay International (UPI) and the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS) officially launched a pilot program for cross-border QR payments connecting China and Vietnam. This program aims to further enhance the mobile payment experience for Chinese tourists in … Read more

AIA Hong Kong Expands Support for Customers Impacted by the Tai Po Fire with an Additional HKD20 Million to Ease Financial Pressures and Maintain Protection, Bringing Total Assistance to HKD40 Million

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – Following last week’s HKD20 million donation for emergency relief and community recovery efforts, AIA Hong Kong is now allocating an additional HKD20 million to further demonstrate solidarity and provide dedicated support to customers and their families during this challenging time. … Read more

SOZO and KADOKAWA Announce Major Strengthening of Strategic Alliance to Expand Japanese Pop Culture Experiences in Asia

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – SOZO Pte Ltd has announced a major milestone in its strategic alliance with KADOKAWA Corporation (KADOKAWA), as a consolidated subsidiary of KADOKAWA’s global group network. This collaboration will strengthen efforts to bring high-quality Japanese pop culture experiences to fans across Asia, combining … Read more

XTransfer Launches Industry-First Whitepaper on Unified Global B2B Trade Settlement and Risk Control Network

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – XTransfer, World’s Leading B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, announces the publication of the industry’s first Unified Global B2B Trade Settlement Network and Risk Control Platform Whitepaper (the “X-Net Whitepaper”). The whitepaper presents an end-to-end framework designed to resolve long-standing inefficiencies … Read more

Live: Football Ferns v Matildas – women’s international friendly

Source: Radio New Zealand The Football Ferns face the Matildas at Coopers Stadium in Adelaide for the second in their two-match friendly series. The Matildas beat the Ferns comfortably 5-0 in their first match at Gosford on Saturday. Tonight’s match will mark Annalie Longo’s last with the Ferns, as she retires from international football. Kick-off … Read more

Police arrest man after fleeing driver incident in Invercargill

Source: Radio New Zealand SH6 remains closed and diversions are in place while the Serious Crash Unit carries out an investigation. RNZ/ Marika Khabazi Police have arrested a man in Invercargill after he fled when they tried to speak to him about a driving concern. A chase was authorised at about 5pm, but abandoned after … Read more

EPA approves a new weedkiller for wheat and barley crops

Source: Environmental Protection Authority The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved a new herbicide used to control certain broadleaf and grass weeds in wheat and barley crops. Adama New Zealand Limited applied to import or manufacture the herbicide, Tower, which contains the active ingredients chlorotoluron at 250 g/L, pendimethalin at 300 g/L, and diflufenican at 40 … Read more

Thrift shop gets over 520kg in donations this year alone

Source: Radio New Zealand A student run thrift store in Otago sifted through over 520kg of donations this year. Te Oraka, which runs on the principles of the circular economy, employs five local uni students and sells clothes, refurbed bikes and grooming products, with all profits fed back into the business. Maggie Craw has been … Read more

ACES Awards 2025 Day Two Celebrates Asia’s Most Visionary Leaders and Transformational Institutions

Source: Media Outreach Recognising true leadership which is measured not only by results, but by the ability to create lasting value for society. BALI, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – The ACES Awards 2025 concluded its two-day celebration in Bali with Day Two shining a spotlight on Asia’s most inspiring leaders, … Read more

Arrest made after vehicle flees

Source: New Zealand Police A man is in custody after a fleeing driver incident in Invercargill tonight. About 5pm, Police went to speak to the man about a driving matter when the vehicle fled. Southland Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman said a pursuit was authorised, but it was abandoned when the fleeing vehicle’s driving deteriorated. … Read more

OceanX Completes Landmark Timor-Leste Expedition, Delivering One of the Region’s Most Comprehensive Marine Surveys

Source: Media Outreach OceanX has completed its first research mission in Timor-Leste, carrying out fourteen days of integrated science and exploration across the northern coast and Atauro Island region. Dili, Timor-Leste – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – The mission brought together scientists from KAUST, the University of Florida, the University of Western … Read more

German Adventurer Selects Taipei as Her 80th Destination, Praising Safety and Cultural Depth

Source: Media Outreach TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – German explorer Jana Alessa Bittner, currently on a solo mission to visit all 197 countries and become the youngest German woman to achieve this milestone, recently selected Taipei as the 80th stop on her global journey. Her early November visit highlighted … Read more

North American Edge: SIM’s US & Canada Partnerships Explained

Source: Media Outreach SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – In today’s interconnected world, education is more than a credential, it is a passport to global opportunities. Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE) exemplifies this vision through strategic partnerships with two leading North American institutions, the University at Buffalo (UB), … Read more