Waikato Police appeal for witnesses to motorcycle crash

Source: New Zealand Police (National News) Waikato Police are appealing for witnesses to a motorcycle crash on Tauranga Road (State Highway 24) on 28 January. The crash, involving a red Triumph Rocket III (registration 78ZNH), occurred at around 7.50pm that day, just north of State Highway 29, Te Poi. The motorcyclist was transported to hospital … Read more

Release: Rate cuts highlight Willis’ economic blunders

Source: New Zealand Labour Party Today’s Official Cash Rate cut is good news for borrowers, but also a symptom of rising unemployment and an economy in recession. “Nicola Willis loves to take credit for the decisions of the Reserve Bank, which is an independent agency outside of her control, but if she wants to own … Read more

Resealing planned for stretch of SH3 heading south into Bulls

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency A stretch of State Highway 3 (SH3) heading south into Bulls will be closed for 5 days while one lane is resealed. The southbound lane of SH3, near Dudding Lake, will close from Monday 3 March, with work expected to be complete by 6pm, on Friday 7 March. The lane … Read more

Finance – The RBNZ cuts 50bp, as telegraphed. And they have lowered the OCR track – 3% here they come – Kiwibank

Source: Kiwibank Yes, the RBNZ cut 50bps today, as expected.  RBNZ officials have proven to be nibble, again, and thankfully.  The economy needs help. But the main message from today’s MPS is the lowering (again) of the OCR track. The RBNZ are signalling more cuts, sooner. The RBNZ has effectively matched market pricing, and moved closer … Read more

Real Estate – Ark for sale in New Zealand – NZSIR

Source: New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR) Noah’s Ark is now up for sale in Christchurch, New Zealand. The distinctive property – believed to be the only ark for sale in the world – is expected to attract international interest. Listed by leading real estate agency New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR), the (approximate) 860 … Read more

Detour for Greymouth drivers next Wednesday – overnight

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 19 February 2025 2:58 pm | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Greymouth’s High St (SH6) will be closed between Shakespeare St and Morice St next Wednesday night, 26 February, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). The highway will be resurfaced between 8 pm and 6 am, weather permitting. NZTA … Read more

NZers didn’t need this much pain to reduce OCR

Source: Green Party Today’s OCR cut will fail to soothe the long-term pain Christopher Luxon’s Government is inflicting upon our communities.  “Luxon’s Government had options to cool demand in the economy. Instead of sharing resources around so everyone could get through the hard times, they threw jobs, public services and livelihoods on the scrapheap,” says … Read more

UPDATE: Crash closes State Highway 6 near Murchison (SH6 is now OPEN)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 19 February 2025 2:29 pm | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi UPDATE: 2:25 pm:The crash site has been cleared and State Highway 6 has reopened in both directions. Some delays are possible as queued traffic clears.  1:25 pm: Drivers travelling on the inland route between Nelson and Springs Junction can … Read more

UPDATE: Wellington drivers, expect delays following crash in the Terrace Tunnel (Tunnel now fully OPEN)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency 19 February 2025 2:11 pm | NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi UPDATE: 2:10 pmThe Terrace Tunnel is now open in both directions. NZTA/Waka Kotahi and the Wellington Transport Alliance thank drivers for their patience and cooperation while this incident was resolved. UPDATE 1:55 pm: The Terrace Tunnel is now open … Read more

Government must keep cutting to keep interest rate relief coming

Source: ACT Party The Government must keep cutting to keep the interest rate relief coming, says ACT Leader David Seymour in response to a 0.5 point cut in the Official Cash Rate. “Households who’ve done it tough through a cost-of-living crisis are seeing their sacrifices pay off. Today’s good news can be credited in part … Read more

Growing economy good for jobs and opportunities

Source: New Zealand Government The Reserve Bank’s positive outlook indicates the economy is growing and people can look forward to more jobs and opportunities, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Bank today reduced the Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points.  It said it expected further reductions this year and employment to pick up in … Read more

Finance – ASB lowers variable rates for personal, business and rural customers

Source: ASB ASB is dropping variable interest rates across personal, business and rural lending by 0.50%, passing on today’s Official Cash Rate (OCR) cut in full. ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says, “In the past six months, we’ve reduced our variable rates by nearly 2%, and we’re pleased to be passing on … Read more

Health Crisis – New crisis working group a sign of desperation by Health Minister – PSA

Source: PSA The Government’s setting up of a crisis health working group won’t help a failing health system unless increased investment is urgently made. The so-called health assurance unit will operate within Te Kawa Mataao Public Service Commission. “This is a crisis of the Government’s own making and the unit is another sign of desperation,” said … Read more

The Collective Officially Opens Inaugural Flagship in Tokyo to Reimagine Luxury Coworking

Source: Media Outreach Owned and operated by JustCo, the 24,000 sqft space blends refined hospitality, experience and design inspired by the rhythm of Tokyo Station SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 February 2025 – The Collective opens its inaugural flagship at GranTokyo South Tower, presenting a new era of inspired workspace for discerning professionals. … Read more

Real change boosts farmer confidence, but Paris commitments still cause concern

Source: ACT Party ACT Agriculture spokesperson Mark Cameron is welcoming Federated Farmers’ latest Farm Confidence Survey, which shows farmer confidence has jumped to a 10-year high, but says there is more work to be done – including resolving challenges posed by our climate commitments. “Finally, we’ve got a Government committed to letting farmers farm, and it’s … Read more

Students get up close with Bugatti classics at EIT | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti 46 seconds ago Aspiring automotive professionals at EIT had a unique opportunity to witness history in motion as three Bugatti classics made their way onto the Hawke’s Bay campus. The three rare vehicles, this year’s featured French marque, travelled from around the country for the Art Deco Festival. … Read more

Ahuwhenua Trophy award finalists

Source: New Zealand Government Agriculture Minister, Todd McClay and Minister for Māori Development, Tama Potaka today congratulated the finalists for this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy, celebrating excellence in Māori sheep and beef farming.  The two finalists for 2025 are Whangaroa Ngaiotonga Trust and Tawapata South Māori Incorporation Onenui Station. “The Ahuwhenua Trophy is a prestigious award celebrating the vital … Read more

Watercare cements foundation for Wellsford Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades

Source: Auckland Council Watercare has finished cementing the concrete foundations and plinths to support the state-of-the-art upgrades at the Wellsford Wastewater Treatment Plant. Made from reinforced concrete, the nine plinths were installed on top of 99,000 litres of concrete that was poured one week earlier. Each of the plinths will support a tank that will … Read more

Fund to better recognise and support survivors

Source: New Zealand Government The Government is continuing to respond to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care by establishing a fund to honour those who died in care and are buried in unmarked graves, and strengthen survivor-led initiatives that support those in need. “The $2 million dual purpose fund will be available … Read more

Health – Patients, clinicians to pay price for Te Whatu Ora digital services cuts – RACS

Source: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Te Whare Piki Ora o Māhutonga – the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) – says proposed cuts to Te Whatu Ora’s digital services were made with reference to financial considerations, not clinical ones. It argues any projected cost savings don’t factor in the potential impact on clinical … Read more

Health and Business – The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Partners with Tribal to Transform Learner Management

Source: Tribal Group Wellington,  February 5, 2025 – Tribal Group, a leading provider of education technology, is delighted to announce its partnership with The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College). Following an extensive evaluation process, the College has selected Tribal’s ebs learner management system to assist the transformation of their learner experience … Read more

Dairy Sector – Fonterra provides update on Consumer divestment process

Source: Fonterra Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today provided an update on the process to divest its global Consumer business and integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Sri Lanka.   Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says the Co-op’s decision to pursue a divestment is grounded in an understanding of where it creates the most value for farmers … Read more

Stats NZ information release: Business price indexes: December 2024 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand Business price indexes: December 2024 quarter – 19 February 2025 – Business price indexes (BPI) includes the producers price index (PPI), capital goods price index (CGPI), and farm expenses price index (FEPI). Key factsIn the December 2024 quarter compared with the September 2024 quarter: the output producers price index (PPI) fell … Read more

Rural News – Farmer confidence jumps to 10-year high – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers Farmer confidence has risen to its highest level in over a decade, rebounding from record lows in recent years. Federated Farmers’ latest Farm Confidence Survey shows falling interest rates, rising incomes and more favourable farming rules have all played a major role in that improvement. “I’ve definitely noticed a significant shift in the mood … Read more

Finance Sector – Comments on RBNZ interest rate decision from Leigh Hodgetts, country manager, Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ)

Source: Finance and Mortgage Advisers Association of New Zealand (FAMNZ) RBNZ interest rate decision – “If as expected, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) reduces the official cash rate, we call on all banks to quickly pass on the full reduction to both new and existing borrowers. “Our message to borrowers who do not … Read more

Safety improvements for busy SH5 intersection

Source: New Zealand Government A busy intersection on SH5 will be made safer with the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of SH28/Harwoods Road, as we deliver on our commitment to help improve road safety through building safer infrastructure, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Safety is one of the Government’s strategic priorities in … Read more

Serious crash in Hunua

Source: New Zealand Police (District News) Police are attending a serious crash in Hunua. At around 9am, two vehicles collided at the intersection of Paparimu and Hunua roads. One person is currently in a critical condition and will be airlifted to Auckland City Hospital. The Serious Crash Unit will examine the scene. Diversions are in … Read more