Source: Press Release Service
Headline: EV.nz Charges onto the Kiwi EV Scene – A Fresh Spark in Aotearoa’s Electric Future
EV.nz has launched as New Zealand’s go-to hub for electric vehicles, helping Kiwis compare models, understand charging, and stay updated as EV adoption tops 120,000 nationwide.
The post EV.nz Charges onto the Kiwi EV Scene – A Fresh Spark in Aotearoa’s Electric Future first appeared on PR.co.nz.
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Ash Matthews of Auckland City District Police:
A woman is assisting Police with enquiries after the discovery of the body of a newborn baby in Albert Park early this morning.
Police were called to the scene about 7am after a park worker discovered the infant.
Sadly, when examined, there were no signs of life.
A scene examination is now underway, and Police are speaking to a woman believed to be the baby’s mother.
A post-mortem examination will also be carried out in the coming days.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are asking for the public’s help after an assault on the roadside on Friday in Tokoroa.
About 4.15am near the intersection of Old Taupo Road and Baird Road, a man stopped his vehicle to assist another motorist.
During this interaction he was allegedly assaulted, causing a head injury.
He is now recovering at home.
Police are now working to establish the full circumstances of what has occurred, and to locate the other party believed to be involved.
We would like to hear from anyone who saw one or two cars pulled over to the side of the road in that area on Friday between 4.15am and 4.35am.
If you saw something, or have any dashcam footage of that area around that time, please get in touch.
You can do so by calling 105, quoting file number 250823/7697.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a crash in Te Mata yesterday evening.
At around 5.50pm, Police were alerted to a single-vehicle crash on Kawhia Road.
Despite best efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene.
One other person was transported to hospital in a moderate condition.
The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene, and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: BNZ Statements
New Zealand homeowners could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table each year, with a new BNZ survey suggesting a significant knowledge gap about offset mortgages – a product that helped BNZ customers save over $200 million in home loan interest last year alone.
While most respondents have heard of offset mortgages, nearly half (46%) admitted they either don’t know much about them or have never heard of them at all. In addition, 29% of those who know about them also believe you need to keep large balances in your account all year for offset mortgages to be effective.
“There’s a real disconnect between awareness and understanding when it comes to this type of home loan,” says BNZ General Manager Home Lending James Leydon.
“This suggests many could be missing out on a straightforward way to reduce their interest, too often because they think it’s only for wealthy people or that it’s too complex to manage.”
Offset mortgages allow homeowners to link their everyday transaction and savings accounts to their home loan, so the money in those accounts reduces the balance on which interest is calculated. Borrowers can split their home loan between offset and fixed rate portions, combining the benefits of interest savings with rate certainty.
The $200 million question
The scale of potential savings is significant.
BNZ’s own data shows that in 2024 alone, customers using its TotalMoney offset home loan saved $200 million in interest payments.
More than 13,000 customers paid zero interest on their TotalMoney loans for periods throughout the year, while the average effective interest rate across all TotalMoney loans was just 1.71% p.a.
“These aren’t just wealthy people – these are everyday New Zealanders who’ve learned how to make their money work smarter,” says Leydon.
“People from all walks of life are using their regular savings and their transaction account balances to offset their home loan interest.”
Busting the myths
Among those who responded to the survey, misconceptions emerged that may be preventing homeowners from exploring offset options:
“The beauty of offset home loans is they work with whatever money you have,” explains Leydon.
“Whether it’s your pay sitting in your account for a few weeks, holiday savings building up over months, or your emergency fund, every dollar reduces the interest you pay, even if it’s only there temporarily.”
Unlike traditional savings accounts that generally earn minimal interest, money in offset accounts can effectively “earn” the equivalent of your home loan rate – currently around 5-6% for most borrowers.
Despite the benefits, only 27% of respondents indicated they have an offset loan and are using the money in their savings and their transaction accounts to offset their mortgage interest.
“We know many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their costs in the current economic environment, and I would really encourage them to explore offset options. Especially when you consider that in many cases, it’s simply about restructuring existing money rather than finding additional funds.”
Making home loan dollars work harder
BNZ allows customers to connect up to 50 TotalMoney transaction and savings accounts – including family members’ accounts – with balances automatically offsetting home loan interest daily.
The bank has been refining the product since its launch, responding to customer feedback about making home loan management simpler and more effective.
“We want more people to understand that offset mortgages aren’t just for property investors or high-net-worth individuals,” says Leydon.
“They’re a practical tool for anyone who keeps money in bank accounts and wants to reduce their home loan interest.”
Source: BNZ Voice customer panel survey, 23rd July to 3rd August 2025. Responses applied to this analysis from n=277 respondents with any home loan. The profile of participating customers was not controlled for this survey.
The post Homeowners could be missing out on thousands in potential home loan savings, BNZ survey reveals appeared first on BNZ Debrief.
Source: Media Outreach
FUJIAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 August 2025 – On August 16, 2025, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Chinese maternal and infant brand BB Kitty ushered in a significant moment – the grand opening of the “Strategic Cooperation Signing and Investment Promotion Ceremony” co-hosted with its Vietnamese agent. This event not only marks the official acceleration of BB Kitty’s commercialization process in Southeast Asia, but also represents a key step in Suncare’s global layout.
The on-site proceedings were concise yet highly impactful. First, both parties launched the cooperation ceremony.Next, the strategic signing session clarified core sales targets and the Southeast Asian market layout for 2025. Then, during the award ceremony, BB Kitty’s General Manager awarded plaques to outstanding Vietnamese distributors, with their participation injecting stronger momentum into the expansion of BB Kitty products in regional markets.The moment the agreement was signed symbolized that BB Kitty would bring the concept of “born for baby” to thousands of local families.
BB Kitty has always adhered to the product philosophy of “born for baby”. The core appeal of our brand lies in its commitment to quality. Our products are backed by a high-end manufacturing system, featuring a 50,000-square-meter dust-free workshop and top-tier Japanese and German equipment, which are leading in the industry. We cooperate with nine Fortune 500 raw material suppliers to strictly control product quality, supported by a complete quality monitoring system. Additionally, we hold 68 patents, over 160 intellectual property registrations, and product safety certifications such as CE and the Sensitive Skin Dermatest certification,establishing a robust safety guarantee for our products. We are committed to providing safe, comfortable and reliable products, becoming a trusted choice for families worldwide.
The General Manager of BB Kitty emphasized that Vietnam will be one of BB Kitty’s strategic fulcrums. Our brand will continue to export high-quality Chinese products, allowing Southeast Asian consumers to experience BB Kitty’s brand charm.
Over the next decade, BB Kitty will expand into 45 countries and regions worldwide, establishing branch offices in Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. We will prioritize developing Hong Kong as a trade center, Shenzhen as a brand marketing center, and Quanzhou as a product R&D and supply chain center. We look forward to more partners joining us to spread this love to every corner of the globe.
Hashtag: #BBKitty
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: Media Outreach
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 August 2025 – This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region.
With an average elevation of over 4,000 meters, this region was once described as “the limit of human survival.”
Yet on the “roof of the world,” China carved three “Sky Roads” that reshaped the destiny of this land.
In ancient times, Xizang had only mule and yak trails, with no highways at all. From 1950 to 1954, the Sichuan-Xizang Highway and the Qinghai-Xizang Highway were built, ending Xizang’s millennia-long isolation.
Stretching over 4,300 kilometers in total, the two “Sky Roads” were hailed as “golden bridges that bring happiness.”
With the construction of the Qinghai-Xizang, Sichuan-Xizang, and Ngari power transmission lines, Xizang made a historic shift in electricity supply—from rationing to surplus.
It not only transmits electricity outward, but also provides clean energy through the West-to-East Power Transmission program.
Today, trunk railways crisscross Xizang, with bullet trains in operation. Highways link the region to the rest of the nation and extend all the way to its villages. All towns across Xizang now enjoy full 5G coverage. With its civil aviation system seamlessly integrated, an “Air Silk Road” has also taken shape.
From highways to power lines, from networks to new pathways, a modernization roadmap for “the roof of the world” is unfolding.
Hashtag: #SkyRoads
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: New Zealand Police
One person died in a crash on Pipiwai Road in Ngararatunua, Northland last night.
Police were notified of the single vehicle crash just after 10pm yesterday (22 August).
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a crash on Nukumaru Station Road in Waitōtara, South Taranaki overnight.
Police were notified of the single vehicle crash at 12.10am today (23 August).
One person was critically injured and was transported to hospital. Sadly, they subsequently passed away.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: Media Outreach
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 August 2025 – YTL Cement, in partnership with The Edge, successfully concluded its third annual sustainable construction symposium recently, bringing together over 200 industry leaders and players to explore the future of construction under the theme “Building Trends Redefined: The Next Level” which explored urban liveability, sustainable construction ambitions, and smart green technologies.
It opened with an address by Rachel Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Cement who set the stage with a compelling vision for the future of construction, emphasising YTL Cement’s dedication to sustainability and innovation through the launch of Malaysia’s first repurposed concrete aggregate facility (RCA) in collaboration with the Construction Research Institute of Malaysia (CREAM), and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), which can potentially replace up to 30% of natural aggregates in concrete.
She also highlighted how YTL Cement is committed to leveraging digital technologies to enhance its operational efficiencies and strengthening its industry partnerships with CREAM, the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), among others, to drive more sustainable practices within the industry.
The event also featured 10 local and international speakers from the public and private sectors, across four deep dive sessions and two panel discussions. Topics covered included how cities can thrive with sustainable urban intelligence by Ian Ralph from global architecture and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM); how to make sustainable construction a reality in Malaysia by Puan Zainora Zainal, the CEO of CIDB; how to design and create buildings that care for people, planet and performance by Nicolas Medrano, a design principal from SOM; and an overview on SustainBuild Mark, Malaysia’s first standardised industry certification for sustainable building materials by Ir. Ts. Dr Hj Mohd Khairolden Ghani, a representative of CREAM.
A panel discussion on smart-driven green construction was also held between YTL Cement’s technical general manager Lim Tze Liang, Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (REHDA)’s president, Datuk Ho Hon Sang, and Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM)’s president Oliver Wee. During the session, Lim detailed YTL Cement’s comprehensive sustainability efforts, such as the introduction of its ECO product range that are produced in its ISO-certified facilities, YTL Cement’s AI-driven kiln optimisation and groundbreaking R&D collaborations with CREAM and Malaysian universities, including the development of self-healing concrete with an 83% efficacy rate.
Datuk Ho from REHDA emphasised the need for holistic green strategies for the benefit of the environment, industry, and nation while Oliver Wee of MBAM, discussed the challenges of legacy infrastructure and high initial investment costs for green transformation, calling for greater awareness and education for industry players.
The symposium concluded with a fireside chat on rethinking building solutions and mindsets, between Damian Lusty the Head of Sustainability & Digitalisation at specialty chemicals company Sika, Ar. Dexter Koh the deputy president of PAM, and Lee Mun Sam, CEO of Eastern Pretech Solutions Sdn Bhd.
Lee Mun Sam of Eastern Pretech shared his firm’s two-decade experience in prefabrication for Industrialised Building Systems (IBS), noting growing industry receptiveness towards sustainable materials despite cost concerns. He also highlighted recent industry innovations like hollow concrete and recycled by-products, which maintain quality while reducing carbon footprints.
Beyond that, the panel discussed Malaysia’s middling progress in sustainability, and the need for collective action to get ahead. Dexter Koh highlighted the disconnect between various policies and how industry players need to be more collaborative moving forward, while Damian Lusty shared how government incentives like carbon taxes and collaborative design approaches are essential in balancing costs and sustainability. The panellists concluded that long-term value, not upfront expenses, must drive industry transformation.
The Symposium served as a critical platform for dialogue and collaboration, underscoring a unified industry commitment to redefining Malaysia’s built environment. By bridging insights from developers, architects, engineers, and material suppliers, the event charted a clear path forward, balancing innovation, practicality and environmental stewardship with economic growth.
Hashtag: #YTLCement #SustainableConstruction
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
YTL Cement Group is Malaysia’s homegrown integrated building solutions leader, with a growing global footprint across Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Dubai, and Finland. We deliver end-to-end solutions, from cement, concrete, drymix, aggregates, and precast concrete to prefabricated bathroom units, green technology, and environmental services, helping our customers to build better.
For over 70 years, we have been a trusted partner in nation building, contributing to landmark projects in every market we serve. Guided by a customer-first mindset and driven by insights and innovation, we set the benchmark for quality, performance, and reliability.
With sustainability at our core, we provide solutions that endure. Our ECO Product Range provides low-carbon alternatives, including ECOCem™ low-carbon cements, ECOConcrete™ with reduced embodied carbon, ECOSand™ as a sustainable substitute for natural sand, and ECODrymix™ eco-friendly pre-mixes, supporting the industry’s transition to a greener future.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
