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Fruitae brand Lemon Flavour Sorbet recalled due to undeclared allergen (milk)

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Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting ANZ Pharma Wholesalers Ltd to recall Fruitae brand Lemon Flavour Sorbet due to the presence on an undeclared allergen (Milk).

All batches and all dates of Fruitae brand Lemon Sorbet (75g) is affected by this recall.

“The concern with this product is that milk allergies can be life threatening for some people, causing anaphylaxis in severe cases.”

The affected product is imported and sold at supermarkets nationwide. The product has been removed from store shelves. 

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for photographs of the affected product. All batches of this product are included in this recall.

Fruitae brand Lemon Sorbet

“If you have bought any of the affected product and have it at home, do not consume it. It can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Should you be unable to do this, throw it out.

“If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.”

More information for consumers affected by food allergies:

New Zealand Food Safety has received a notification of an associated allergic reaction.  

“As is our usual practice, NZFS will be working with ANZ Pharma Wholesalers Ltd to understand how the issue occurred and prevent its recurrence,” Mr Arbuckle said.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the NZFS food recall page.  

For more information, contact New Zealand Food Safety’s media team on NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz  or call 029 894 0328. 

MIL OSI

RNZ interview dropout cements concerns about rural connectivity – Federated Farmers

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Source: Federated Farmers

A live interview on RNZ’s Nine to Noon this morning has added weight to Federated Farmers’ concerns about poor rural connectivity and Chorus’s phasing out of copper lines.
In a twist of irony, Federated Farmers rural connectivity spokesperson Mark Hooper’s connection from his Taranaki dairy farm began to drop out mid-interview.
“I couldn’t have timed it better if I tried,” Hooper says.
“Just as Bryan Crump was suggesting rural people had plenty of modern alternatives to rely on, he got to see firsthand what those of us who live in rural New Zealand deal with every day.
“Rural connectivity isn’t up to scratch, cellular reception is patchy at best, and Chorus’s withdrawal of the copper network only adds to concerns many rural residents have about connectivity.
“All it’s going to do is widen the connectivity gap between those who live in main centres like Auckland and Wellington, and the rest of us who live in the provinces.”
Federated Farmers is urging decision-makers to ensure rural communities aren’t left behind as technology shifts. 

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UPDATE – PSA files Ombudsman complaint over Minister’s ERA interference

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Source: PSA

Full text of media release, correcting earlier truncated version:
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi has today filed a formal complaint with the Chief Ombudsman over Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden’s political interference in the Employment Relations Authority.
PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says the complaint centres on Van Velden’s public statements suggesting her new ERA appointees should deliver outcomes favourable to employers.
“The Minister stated that she hoped new Employment Relations Authority appointees with private sector backgrounds would lead to smaller awards against businesses, adding that current members ‘believe that money grows on trees.’
“The Minister’s statement also included a reminder about her powers to re-appoint existing ERA members, and that her decisions in this regard will be based on the current members making ‘the right decisions’ and doing so quickly.
“This amounts to a blatant political direction to ERA members to act in a way that is not independent and breaches the law,” Fitzsimons said. “It undermines the impartiality of incoming members and has a chilling effect on the current members she has criticised.”
The PSA’s Ombudsman complaint notes that Van Velden’s statements breach Cabinet Manual requirements for political neutrality and merit-based appointments in the public service.
“When a Minister starts telling judicial officers what kinds of decisions to make, faith in the system breaks down. Workers facing employment issues deserve to know they’ll get a fair hearing based on facts, not the political preferences of the Government of the day.
“This interference is corrosive to the rule of law and has no place in our democracy,” Fitzsimons said.

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Have you seen Ingrid Nason?

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Source: New Zealand Police

Police are asking for the public’s help finding Ingrid Nason, who has been reported missing from the Three Kings area.

The 33-year-old was last seen on 15 August and is described as between 165-170cms tall with green eyes and blonde hair.

Police and Ingrid’s family have concerns for her welfare and would like to find her as soon as possible.

If you have seen her or have information that might help us find her, please call 111 and quote reference number 250817/7487.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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Two officers injured and one nearly hit by vehicle following incident in Lower Hutt

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Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Inspector Wade Jennings, Hutt Valley Area Commander:

Two Police officers have been injured and one officer nearly hit by a vehicle following an incident in Lower Hutt this morning.

At around 11.20am, Police were conducting a checkpoint on Gracefield Street where a vehicle has failed to stop.

The vehicle has narrowly missed a police officer while attempting to avoid the checkpoint.

Police did not initiate a pursuit however kept observations on the vehicle.

Some time later, the man and the vehicle were located on Randwick Road.

Police attempted to speak to the man, however he continued to act in a threatening way.

While arresting the man, two police officers have been bitten and have sustained minor injuries.

A short time later, the man was tasered and taken into custody at the scene.

The two officers and the man are currently being medically assessed.

Charges against the man are being considered.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Rotorua homicide: Name release

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Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now confirm the name of the victim of the homicide on Trigg Avenue on Wednesday (20 August).

He was 41-year-old, Temutu Vincent Ehau, of Rotorua.

Police continue to support Mr Ehau’s whānau during this difficult time.

We continue to ask for anyone that may have seen what happened to please get in touch.

We are also keen to review any CCTV or dashcam footage from the Trigg Ave area around midday Wednesday 20 August.

If you have any information that can assist the investigation, please make a report at 105 online, or by calling 105, using the reference number 250820/8065.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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HKIVALAWYER.com Officially Launched|The First Dedicated Debt Restructuring Legal Platform in Hong Kong

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Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 August 2025 – In today’s economic climate, both businesses and individuals are facing mounting debt pressures and an increasing need for restructuring solutions. To address this growing demand, HKIVALAWYER.com has been officially launched. This new platform is a joint initiative between hkfindlawyer.com and faatgo.com, bringing together a network of legal professionals specializing in debt restructuring. Its mission is to provide comprehensive, professional, and innovative solutions to help debtors navigate financial challenges and regain stability.

Core Vision: Integrating Legal Expertise for Greater Efficiency and Transparency
HKIVALAWYER.com connects renowned lawyers and law firms in Hong Kong who focus on a wide range of debt restructuring mechanisms, particularly IVA (Individual Voluntary Arrangements) and DRP (Debt Relief Plans). These two options are often the most effective for individuals struggling with multiple creditors or unsustainable repayment schedules, offering legally structured paths to manage or reduce debt.

Through the platform, users can benefit from:

  • Convenient Search and Comparison: A one-stop hub to review different lawyers’ expertise, service focus, and track records in IVA and DRP cases.
  • Professional Matching Services: Automated lawyer recommendations based on users’ financial situations and needs, ensuring that those considering IVA or DRP are connected to specialists with relevant experience.
  • Transparent Information: Access to case studies, FAQs, and detailed comparisons of IVA, DRP, and other restructuring options, empowering debtors to make informed decisions with clarity.


Background: Responding to the Surge in Debt Restructuring Needs
With ongoing pressures from China’s property sector and a rise in corporate defaults, Hong Kong has seen an increase in high-profile debt restructuring cases such as Evergrande. These have exposed limitations in the city’s current legal framework. Experts point out that unlike London, New York, or Singapore, Hong Kong has yet to establish a comprehensive debt restructuring regime that provides temporary protection and streamlined restructuring procedures.

Against this backdrop, HKIVALAWYER.com was established to fill the gap—offering individuals and businesses credible, professional, and practical legal support, especially through IVA and DRP solutions.

Expected Benefits and Future Development
In the short term, the platform aims to achieve several key milestones:

  • Expand its lawyer directory to include more specialists in IVA and DRP.
  • Launch an online appointment and review system to build transparency and trust.
  • Publish real success stories to enhance public understanding of how IVA and DRP can help restructure unmanageable debts.

In the long run, HKIVALAWYER.com seeks to collaborate with legislative bodies and industry associations to advocate for reforms in Hong Kong’s debt restructuring system, alleviating pressure on debtors, supporting businesses in distress, and contributing to economic recovery and social stability.

Hashtag: #HKIVALAWYER

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Lifestyle – Want the secret to staying young? Research Confirms Exercise Slows Ageing

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Source: Exercise New Zealand

“This research confirms what we’ve known anecdotally for years: movement is medicine”,

“But now we’re seeing that exercise doesn’t just help you feel younger, it actually makes you biologically younger, and slows ageing markers.”

“The key is consistency – moderate physical activity that keeps your body moving and strong. Walking, gardening, swimming, group exercise classes – these all count.”

“We have an opportunity to empower people to live longer, healthier lives, not through expensive interventions, but by simply making physical activity a regular part of everyday life”

As the pursuit of healthy ageing gains momentum, the global longevity and wellness market has already surpassed $2.5 trillion. Yet the latest research shows that the foundation of any longevity protocol isn’t found in expensive treatments or futuristic science, it’s already accessible to us all. Exercise offers far more than just short-term fitness gains; it has the power to actively slow the aging process itself, supporting both quality of life and healthy years lived.

A 2025 peer-reviewed review in Aging found that both aerobic and strength-based exercise slow biological aging in key organs such as the heart, liver, and fat tissue. This research, recently summarised in Technology Networks, shows how Olympic-level athletes and everyday exercisers alike exhibit younger biological age markers through regular movement.

“This research confirms what we’ve known anecdotally for years: movement is medicine,” says Richard Beddie, CEO of Exercise New Zealand. “But now we’re seeing that exercise doesn’t just help you feel younger, it actually makes you biologically younger, and slows ageing markers.”

Not Just Cardio, Muscles Matter Too

The study emphasised that both cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength were key to slowing cellular aging. Aerobic fitness, measured through VO₂ max, and grip strength, an indicator of strength/muscular capacity, were both linked to lower biological age markers.

“The key is consistency – moderate physical activity that keeps your body moving and strong. Walking, gardening, swimming, group exercise classes – these all count,” Beddie says.

In one highlighted case, sedentary middle-aged women reduced their epigenetic age by two years after just eight weeks of structured aerobic and resistance training.

A Wake-Up Call for Sedentary Kiwis

Despite the known benefits, less than 50% of New Zealanders meet recommended physical activity guidelines. ExerciseNZ warns this will have long-term health consequences, not just for physical health but also for aging, independence, and quality of life. 

Large-scale data published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle shows that people who engage in moderate-to-vigorous activity may reduce their biological age by up to 1.7 years compared to their inactive peers.

Beyond Quick Fixes

While short-term exercise challenges can spark temporary motivation, their benefits often fade once the challenge

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SH16 closures now lifted

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Source: New Zealand Police

Police can advise earlier closures at both ends of State Highway 16 have now lifted.

Two separate incidents resulted in closures near Whenuapai and Grafton.

The truck driver in this morning’s crash, near Whenuapai, was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Police extend our condolonces to the family of the person who has died near Grafton this afternoon.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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PSA files Ombudsman complaint over Minister’s ERA interference

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Source: PSA

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi has today filed a formal complaint with the Chief Ombudsman over Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden’s political interference in the Employment Relations Authority.
The PSA made the complaint after Van Velden this morning declined to retract her comments and commit to respecting ERA independence. It follows a separate complaint to the Auditor-General by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi.

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