High-sided vehicles urged to take care around Hawke’s Bay

Source: New Zealand Police Eastern District Police are urging drivers of high-sided vehicles to consider delaying travel. Emergency services are currently attending a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 2, Takapau, where a truck has tipped due to high winds. There are further reports from around Hawke’s Bay of several near-misses involving trucks and vans that … Read more

Court backlog slashed as justice system speeds up

Source: New Zealand Government Courts Minister Nicole McKee is pleased to see faster justice for victims, with the backlog of criminal cases in the District Court falling 20% since April 2023, the equivalent of around 1,700 cases. “After five years of continuous growth in the backlog of criminal cases in the District Court, I’m pleased … Read more

Rare snails get respite from being eaten alive

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  21 October 2025 The endangered Powelliphanta marchanti snail species, found only in the lower central North Island ranges of Ruahine, Kaweka and Kaimanawa, is in serious decline mainly due to being eaten by possums, rats and pigs. The Department of Conservation has carried out four aerial 1080 predator control operations … Read more

One to appear in court after fatal crash

Source: New Zealand Police Police have summonsed a 19-year-old man to court in relation to a fatal crash on State Highway 3, Te Mapara on 11 July 2025. At around 11am, emergency services were alerted to a two-vehicle crash involving a vehicle towing a boat on a trailer. Sadly, despite best efforts from emergency services, … Read more

Lane blocked, State Highway 2, Takapau

Source: New Zealand Police One lane is blocked on State Highway 2, Takapau, following a crash this morning. Police were called to the single-vehicle crash, where a truck has tipped on its side, at around 10:10am. At this stage, there are no reports of serious injuries. The lane is expected to be blocked for sometime … Read more

Sisters United Academy gives students new options in Term 1 2026

Source: New Zealand Government Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Sisters United Academy will open in Term 1 2026 as a charter school. “Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. All of the schools announced today demonstrate the innovation enabled by … Read more

E-rudd-icated: Tasman cleared of pest fish

Source: NZ Department of Conservation Date:  21 October 2025 Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) are an invasive pest fish which threaten our freshwater ecosystems by eating the aquatic plants our native fish species rely on. The stocky fish has distinctive bright orange fins, and is thought to have been illegally introduced in the Motueka area in the late … Read more

He Taonga te Taiao: the sacred connection to the land

Source: NZ Department of Conservation By Joe Harawira, Pouwhakahaere Our kaupapa ‘Always Be Naturing‘ is a call to all New Zealanders to take action, but what does that mean to Māori who already embrace the ideas of kaitiakitanga (guardianship): exercising care, responsibility, and stewardship over the environment?   Tawa forest in mist on Kāpiti Island. … Read more

Name release: Fatal crash, SH1, Marlborough

Source: New Zealand Police Police can now name the woman who died after a fatal crash on State Highway 1 in Marlborough on 14 October. She was Phuong Thi Loan Nguyen, 28.  Our condolences are with her family and friends during this difficult time. Police continue to make enquiries into the circumstances of the crash. … Read more

Police lay further charges following Operation Beverly

Source: New Zealand Police Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves, Auckland City CIB: Further charges have been laid following Operation Beverly, the investigation into alleged historical sexual offending at Dilworth School. This week, detectives charged another man as part of our ongoing enquiries into these matters at the Auckland school. A 72-year-old man … Read more

NZ-AU: 4 ULTIMATE HEALTH’s Augmented NAC Featured in World Council for Health Spike Protein Detox Guide

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU) Sydney, NSW, Oct. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 4 ULTIMATE HEALTH, a highly regarded advocate in nutraceutical innovation, proudly announces the inclusion of its flagship product, Augmented NAC, in the World Council for Health (WCH) Spike Protein Detox Guide. This guide is a globally recognized resource dedicated to helping individuals restore and … Read more

NZ-AU: Gridless Empowering Victorian Homes to Cut Bills and Emissions with VEU Rebates

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU) Melbourne, VIC, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gridless is proud to announce an initiative helping Victorian homeowners replace outdated gas heating systems with efficient electric solutions. Australians can leverage the generous Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) rebates on air conditioning, solar energy systems, and hot water systems. This push comes as households’ growing … Read more

Have you seen Maria and Rumetati?

Source: New Zealand Police Police are seeking the public’s help to locate Maria, 29 and Rumetati, 28. Both were last seen entering the Hākarimata Summit Track at 4:30pm yesterday and have not returned to their homes. If you have been near the Hākarimata Summit Track area around that time and have seen either person, Police … Read more

Road closed, Moutere Highway

Source: New Zealand Police Moutere Highway, between Maisey and Old Coach Road, is closed following a fire. Police received report of the fire around 12.40am today. One person was treated for smoke inhalation. Motorists should avoid the area as emergency services respond. Diversions are in place. ENDS MIL OSI

Property and Construction – Construction costs have surged almost twice as fast as inflation over the past decade

Source: Quality Valuation (QV) New Zealand’s residential construction costs have risen around 61% since 2015, compared with a 33% rise in the Consumers Price Index (CPI) — highlighting how building costs have surged ahead of everyday prices. The data, drawn from QV CostBuilder, New Zealand’s largest subscription-based construction-cost platform, shows that building-cost inflation has run … Read more

Employment – More than 1200 ACC workers join other health workers in striking Thursday

Source: PSA PSA members at ACC have voted overwhelmingly to strike this Thursday, joining more than 100,000 other workers protesting the Government’s under funding of public sector services. More than 1200 workers from across ACC will strike from 6am to 8pm after the failure of the Government to provide a meaningful offer and ongoing concerns over … Read more

Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2025 Convenes for the 2nd Year, Igniting Youth Innovation and Global Leadership

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – The second annual Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2025, organized by the Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy, officially took place today. The Summit has convened over 200 young professionals, government leaders, and corporate executives from Southeast Asia, the Middle East, … Read more

Annual inflation at 3.0 percent in September 2025 – Consumers price index: September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

Annual inflation at 3.0 percent in September 2025 – news story 20 October 2025 Aotearoa New Zealand’s consumers price index (CPI) increased 3.0 percent in the 12 months to the September 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. The 3.0 percent increase follows a 2.7 percent increase in the 12 months to the … Read more

Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2025 Reinforces Thailand’s Position as Asia’s Leading Fashion Event, Elevating Bangkok as a Global Fashion Hub

Source: Media Outreach BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – The grandest fashion event of the year, “Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2025” (BIFW2025), concluded with a resounding success after four spectacular days that ignited the regional fashion scene. Featuring 11 groundbreaking runway shows from Thailand’s top designers and brands, … Read more

Two Hong Kong Free Claim Platforms Unite to Build the Most Comprehensive Legal Info Network for Accident Victims

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – To help workers, drivers, and accident victims better understand their rights and claim procedures, workinjury.hk and caraccident.hk have announced a strategic partnership. Together, they aim to create Hong Kong’s most complete free claim information network covering both work-injury and traffic-accident … Read more

uFinance Empowers Tertiary Students to Overcome Tuition Pressures and Navigate Grant Loan Challenges with Ease

Source: Media Outreach HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 October 2025 – For Hong Kong tertiary students, pursuing dreams often comes with financial pressures. While applying for the government’s Student Financial Assistance Scheme (“Grant Loan”) is a common option, its complex application process and strict deadlines frequently catch students off guard, potentially … Read more

Next steps for Roads of National Significance

Source: New Zealand Government Combined funding of nearly $1.2 billion will see the Government’s Roads of National Significance programme move to the next phase of development, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Government is committed to building a long-term pipeline of transport infrastructure investments to redress New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit and build jobs and growth … Read more

Education – Ara Institute of Canterbury launches ‘Get Set’ campaign ahead of 2026 independence

Source: Ara Institute of Canterbury Ara Institute of Canterbury has launched its first major independent brand campaign since 2020, marking a confident step toward full independence in 2026. Titled ‘Get Set’, the campaign puts the focus on learners who are ready to take the next step – even if they’re still figuring out their options.  It’s … Read more

Banking and Finance – ASB cuts mortgage rates further

Source: ASB ASB has today reduced six of its fixed home lending rates, including a market-leading 18-month term. ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says “These rate reductions will be welcome news to the thousands of households looking to refix their mortgages or begin their home ownership journey.” ASB also reduced its term … Read more

Transporting New Zealand calls for bipartisan commitment on Roads of National Significance programme

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand Transporting New Zealand is welcoming progress on the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) Programme, but says that a bipartisan commitment is needed to avoid the risk of costly cancellations and further disruptions to the infrastructure pipeline. The Minister of Transport announced today that the NZTA Board has now endorsed … Read more

Energy Sector – Rising Power Bills Driving Demand for Hot Water Heat Pumps

Source: Ecobulb Consumers are responding to soaring electricity prices by turning to modern energy-efficient technologies, says energy efficiency expert Dr Chris Mardon, Managing Director of Christchurch-based company Ecobulb. According to Statistics New Zealand, electricity costs rose by 11% in the year to September, the steepest annual increase since 1989. “These increases are significant, and more … Read more

PSA backs plan to stop state asset sales

Source: PSA The Public Service Association is backing Labour’s Future Fund plan, saying it will protect state-owned assets from privatisation and ensure the wealth they generate stays in New Zealand for the benefit of all Kiwis. “This is exactly the kind of long-term thinking New Zealand desperately needs after the many short-sighted decisions by the current … Read more