The Big NZ-India Trade Showdown: Is It a Great Deal or Bad Politics?
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the India Free Trade Agreement will have different immigration settings than deals with other countries, because each deal is unique. The Drama: Is the Deal…
Why family’s travel insurance claim was denied after flight cancellation
The Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme is reminding Kiwis heading abroad to read their travel insurance policy after a family’s claim was recently denied after their flight was cancelled. According to…
‘Death by Chicken’ burger recalled in Rangiora over safety concern
Pak’nSave Rangiora has recalled two made in-store chicken products over the possibility the chicken had been undercooked.The products, named the Death by Chicken Burger and Chicken Katsu Garden Salad, have…
No levy on power bills to pay for new LNG import facility – Brown
The Government has said it won’t be using a levy on power bills to help fund its planned liquefied natural gas import facility. It also announced new obligations for power…
Man arrested after theft of thousands of dollars worth of chocolate
An Auckland man has been arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of chocolate over recent months. The man, described by police as a “recidivist shoplifter”, was allegedly responsible…
Rough sleepers, beggars should not be subject to move-on orders – Auckland Council
Auckland councillors want begging and rough sleeping to be taken out of the government’s proposed move-on orders for disorderly behaviour. The Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill has passed its…
Luxon and Willis Target Bureaucracy in Push for Digital-First Government.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has outlined a public sector reform plan aimed at delivering about 2.4 billion dollars in savings over four years by encouraging government agencies to replace portions…
Domino’s franchisee banned from hiring more migrant workers after breach
A company which ran two franchised Domino’s stores has been banned from employing more migrant workers for 12 months after employing a worker in a way which breached their work…
‘We’d like to have our bank back’: Winston Peters on BNZ buyback proposal
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says his party’s proposal to buy back the Bank of New Zealand would return control of the country’s banking system and deliver long-term benefits…
Fuel prices remain high as plans are revised for any shortage
Some transport projects may have to be delayed after soaring fuel prices were projected to drain between $80m and $311m from the national funding pool that pays for New Zealand’s…
Strong ‘buyer’s market’ working against anyone trying to sell an apartment
Almost 20% of Auckland sellers lost money on properties they sold in the first quarter of this year, Cotality says – and more than 40% of people selling apartments. Cotality…
Peters on superannuation: ‘It’s not a bottom line, it’s a top line’
NZ First Leader Winston Peters has described his commitment to hold the retirement age where it is as a “top line, not a bottom line”. His comments, made in an…
Can a citizenship test really measure what it means to be a Kiwi?
New Zealanders like to think of themselves as an uncomplicated lot. So straightforward, in fact, that successful completion of a short test can determine one’s fitness to become a Kiwi.…
The dos and don’ts of picking fruit in your neighbourhood
As the cost of living rises, some people are becoming more creative about where they find food. Foraging has become one option as fruit and vegetable prices increase. But in…
Fees-free university scheme ‘didn’t achieve any goals’, Christopher Luxon says
The fees-free university scheme did not achieve any of its goals, the Prime Minister says, and it is better to direct funding elsewhere. The scheme had given university students their…
Drivers on notice as major change to restricted licences kicks in
An information campaign is warning restricted drivers of a major change to how their licence works – ahead of the overhaul taking effect next week.The changes, which centre on demerits,…
Winston Peters ‘very confused’ over handling of Iran war emails
Winston Peters is “very, very confused” over the handling of official information relating to the Iran war, National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis said. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said it was…
Major change coming to Reserve Bank’s OCR decisions
The individual votes made by members of the Reserve Bank’s monetary policy committee at meetings to decide the official cash rate will be made public, in an effort to boost…
Disgraced immigration adviser Qian Yu faces a further $25k in fines
A disgraced immigration adviser has been fined a further $25,000 for fabricating an official immigration letter, lying to clients and failing to file visa applications. By Gill Bonnett of RNZ…
NZ’s petrol, diesel and jet fuel stocks all up
New Zealand’s in-country fuel reserves have surged to some of their highest levels since the Middle East crisis began, but the pipeline of fuel on the water is thinning.The country’s…
‘Predatory’: Woman charged with stealing patients’ belongings from hospitals
A woman who allegedly stole from the bedsides of hospital patients in a “predatory” spree has been arrested. The 30-year-old woman, who is also waiting to be sentenced for stealing…
Consent-free granny flat rules to be expanded
The Government has announced it will be expanding its consent-free granny flat rules. The new regulations for granny flats came into force in January and allowed for units up to…
Illegal dumping: Auckland Council receives more than 24,000 reports
Auckland Council says it’s received more than 24,000 reports of illegal dumping in the last financial year – with nearly half of them in South Auckland. So, what can be…