Fuel costs, household expenses on the rise as economy heads into ‘choppy waters’

Source: Radio New Zealand ANZ spending data showed a large drop in grocery spending and a spike in fuel spending. RNZ / Quin Tauetau The fuel crisis has brought with it a spike to many household expenses and one economist says we could be headed into “choppy waters”. Prime Minister Christoper Luxon recently said even … Read more

TrendAI™ and Anthropic Advance AI-Powered Vulnerability Detection and Risk Mitigation with Claude Opus 4.7

Source: Media Outreach Collaboration bridges gap between vulnerability discovery and real-world risk reduction HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 May 2026 – TrendAI , the enterprise AI security leader from Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), today announced a collaboration with Anthropic to support the expanded deployment of Claude Opus 4.7 … Read more

‘Big concern’: Tongan journalist threatened at gunpoint after gang-related report

Source: Radio New Zealand Tonga Police is investigating the incident on 23 April. Facebook / Tonga Police A female journalist in Tonga has been threatened at gunpoint following the broadcast of a news story about an Australian criminal deportee serving a life sentence in Tonga for methamphetamine importation. The incident, in which an unknown individual … Read more

Southland councils call for united response to govt’s amalgamation plans

Source: Radio New Zealand Environment Southland chair Jeremy McPhail said the region had a limited window to determine its future. ODT/Supplied Southland’s regional council is calling for a united response after the government announced councils have three months to come up with plans to amalgamate or it will be done for them. The news comes … Read more

Abbey Caves inquest: Trip leader entered water without discussion, instructor says

Source: Radio New Zealand 15-year-old Karnin Petera died during a Whangārei Boys’ High School trip to Abbey Caves in May 2023. SUPPLIED An instructor on a fatal Whangārei Boys’ High caving trip has described how the group faced a stark, life-or-death choice as a flash flood swept through the cave – stay put on top … Read more

Review of the Biosecurity (Ruminant Protein) Regulations 1999

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries Have your say The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has reviewed the Biosecurity (Ruminant Protein) Regulations 1999 under the Biosecurity Act 1993. The regulations set rules to prevent outbreaks of prion diseases (such as mad cow disease) in animals and to prevent and manage the risk of the diseases … Read more

Shellfish biotoxin warning for Marlborough

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from Port Underwood in the Marlborough area due to the presence of toxins. Shellfish biotoxin alert with map “Routine tests on mussels from Port Underwood have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxin over the … Read more

Shellfish biotoxin warning for Eastern Bay of Plenty

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from the Eastern Bay of Plenty region due to the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins. “Routine tests on mussels from Te Kaha have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins over the safe limit,” says … Read more

Hawkes Bay farmer placed on home detention, disqualified from being in charge of sheep and cattle, after more than 200 sheep euthanised

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries A Hawke’s Bay farmer has been put on seven-and-a-half months home detention and disqualified from being in charge of or owning sheep and cattle for 12 months for serious animal welfare offending.  Following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), David Fraser Beck (46) pleaded guilty … Read more

New Travelodge Osaka Shinsaibashi to Open in August 2026

Source: Media Outreach OSAKA, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 May 2026 – Travelodge Hotels Asia continues its expansion in Japan with the upcoming opening of Travelodge Osaka Shinsaibashi, set to welcome its first guests in August 2026. Located in Minamisenba, Chuo Ward, the hotel sits in the heart of Osaka’s vibrant Shinsaibashi district—one … Read more

Unemployment set to stay at near-decade high, economists say

Source: Radio New Zealand Major bank economists expect the unemployment rate to stay unchanged at 5.4 percent or nudge slightly higher for the three months ended March. 123rf Unemployment expected to remain steady at 5.4 pct – data due 6 May, 10.45am Middle East conflict likely to dampen previous tentative recovery signs Labour market recovery … Read more

Consumers tipped to see price increases due to fuel surcharges in about a month

Source: Radio New Zealand Interislander is hiking its fuel surcharge to 54 percent on commercial vehicles and trucks crossing the Cook Strait. Wikimedia Commons Crossing the Cook Strait is about to get a whole lot more expensive for commercial operators and likely consumers. The Interislander is hiking its fuel surcharge to 54 percent on commercial … Read more

New Appointment to Tertiary Education Commission Board

Source: New Zealand Government Tertiary Education Minister Penny Simmonds has announced the appointment of Michelle Findlater to the Board of the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).  Michelle began her career as an auto-electrician and now manages a large car dealership. She has been a member of advisory and governance groups in the automotive industry at regional … Read more

Gloriavale man Vigilant Standtrue sentenced to home detention on assault charges

Source: Radio New Zealand Vigilant Standtrue was the boys’ teacher and supervisor at the time of the assaults. Jean Edwards A Gloriavale man has been sentenced to 10 months’ home detention for assaulting four boys he was supposed to be supervising with weapons including pipes and sticks. Vigilant Standtrue, 43, was convicted of seven assault … Read more

Arrests after Rānui incidents

Source: New Zealand Police Police have made arrests after two separate incidents resulted in people being wounded in Rānui this afternoon. Just before midday Police were called to a residential housing area on Swanson Road following reports of a disorder involving a group of people. Detective Inspector Callum McNeill says on arrival officers located one … Read more

Gangs, drugs and firearms operation lands nine in court

Source: New Zealand Police Gangs, drugs and firearms across Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa were targeted last week, resulting in nine people appearing in court, with further arrests likely. Operation Tar, an investigation led by the Gang Disruption Unit, saw prevention and enforcement teams working together to target gangs, drugs and firearms while also supporting affected … Read more

Council to examine alternative routes for trucks taking gravel from Waimakariri River

Source: Radio New Zealand Clarkville residents protesting at Baynons Road.  RNZ/Anna Sargent Canterbury’s Waimakariri District Council will examine alternative routes for trucks taking gravel from the Waimakariri River, after Clarkville locals expressed concern about someone being hurt or killed. Residents told RNZ gravel trucks had been pounding their narrow roads since the end of last … Read more

Two people taken to hospital, one in serious condition, after incident in West Auckland

Source: Radio New Zealand St John A person has been take to hospital in a serious condition after a large ambulance call-out in Auckland. Four ambulances and a rapid response unit were deployed to Swanson Road in Rānui just before midday. Crews treated two patients – one was taken to Auckland Hospital in the serious … Read more

Mercury customers mistakenly told they hadn’t paid

Source: Radio New Zealand Mercury has apologised to affected customers. Supplied / Mercury NZ Ltd Some customers of power company Mercury have mistakenly been told they have not kept up with their bills. Customers have received messages telling them Mercury had “noticed you may have had a couple of missed payments over the last few … Read more

Two further police staff having internet usage assessed for potential misuse

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Angus Dreaver Two more police staff’s internet usage is being “assessed” for potential misuse, RNZ can reveal. A rapid review of staff internet usage was sparked by the resignation of former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming after child sexual exploitation and bestiality material were found on his work devices. RNZ … Read more

Missing Hamilton boy found safe and well

Source: Radio New Zealand Police say the 11-year-old was found safe and well. Police say an 11-year-old Hamilton boy who had been missing since last Wednesday has been found safe and well. The boy was last seen in Glenview on 29 April but police say he has now been located. Earlier police had said that … Read more

ACT wants pharmacists to take on more medical services, to help out GPs

Source: Radio New Zealand David Seymour and Simeon Brown announcing the scheme in April. RNZ / Nick Monro The ACT party is proposing to ease pressure on GPs by getting pharmacists to treat more everyday conditions, have them manage long-term medication and conduct skin checks. ACT leader David Seymour announced the party policy at the … Read more

Student pilot’s mishap leaves him ‘shaken up’, damages plane

Source: Radio New Zealand An aerial view of Whanganui Airport where the incident took place. File picture. RNZ / Robin Martin A student pilot “misjudged the landing” and his plane’s propellor struck the ground at Whanganui Airport on Tuesday afternoon, causing some damage and leaving the student shaken up. New Zealand Airline Academy director and … Read more

Commodity prices dragged down by 7.5 percent drop in dairy prices

Source: Radio New Zealand Butter is a hot topic. Margaret Jaszowska for Unsplash Overall commodity prices have been dragged down by a 7.5 percent drop in overall dairy prices with strong global supply keeping the sector under pressure. The ANZ World Commodity Price Index fell 0.8 percent in April over March, with better prices for … Read more

Make Summer Cleaning Effortless with ECOVACS’ All-in-One Solutions at Great Deals

Source: Media Outreach MUMBAI, INDIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 May 2026 – ECOVACS Robotics, a global leader in home service robotics, is raising comfort this season with its Summer Holiday Campaign, bringing smarter, faster, and hands-free cleaning to Indian homes. Convenient, effortless and designed for modern city hustlers, their all-in-one solutions empower consumers … Read more

Councils must work with unions and communities in fast-track reform – PSA

Source: PSA Local government agencies are being urged to consult thoroughly with staff and local communities before being rushed into a plan for reform, the union for local government workers says. “Three months is an incredibly tight window for councils to turn around a comprehensive plan for large-scale reform,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga … Read more

Business – Simplifying local government will make it easier to do business – EMA

Source: EMA Today’s announcement by Local Government Minister Simon Watts and RMA Reform & Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to make it easier for local authorities to voluntarily amalgamate will remove a layer of complexity for businesses. EMA Head of Advocacy and Strategy Alan McDonald says businesses often mention the difficulties of navigating multi-layered local government structures. … Read more