On The Up: Wedding bells ring at Whangārei rest home
Angela Beer, owner of Pets and Pats, was sentenced today for repeated breaches of RMA at doggy daycare which was operating at Dairy Flat. Video / Sylvie Whinray, supplied
World's most famous rugby player, Ilona Maher, touches down in Tāmaki Makaurau to play the Black Ferns. Video / Sylvie Whinray
Debt Deal of the Year was one of 15 awards presented at the annual finance industry awards held in Auckland on May 13.
'He was always very polite,' says Mum of intrepid cinematographer Jacob Bryant. 'Which, I guess, is what saved his life.'
Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning is in cinemas now
Young New Zealanders give their thoughts on the Government's Budget 2025 and how it will impact them. Video \ Jason Dorday
Chris Hipkins wants to reverse the changes, but won't commit to a dollar figure.
Charlie Davies-Carr is now 19 years old and studies law at university. Video / ZM
KiwiSaver cut, Best Start means-tested, $6.6b for business. Nicola Willis' Budget aims for growth but she warns of slow wages and high unemployment. Video / Mark Mitchell
Debt is projected to increase by $60 to $70 billion over the next five years. Video \ Mark Mitchell
Ryan Bridge and an expert panel break down Budget 2025
A serious crash has happened on Dansey Rd near Rotorua. Video / Ben Fraser
Finance Minister unveils NZ Budget 2025, the end of an era as Smith & Caughey closes and Trump, Ramaphosa in heated Oval Office exchange.
Donald Trump ambushes South Africa's president during a White House meeting by playing a video alleging 'genocide' of white people in South Africa. Video / The White House
The Halberg Games isn't just a fun event for kids Gemma and Jemma, it's also an exciting reunion! Reporter Zoe catches up with the besties as they compete for their 3rd year.
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Scoop
5 hours ago
- Scoop
Don't Steal The Super South's Last Govt Head Office
Press Release – Dr Colin Meurk ONZM Unless the South Island leaders stand up to be heard on this issue now, the govt will get away with further undermining balanced and shared regional development that is resilient and supports meaningful, respectful nationhood, says Dr Colin Meurk … 'Time is running out.' That from one of Aotearoa's leading ecologists and environmental academics, Dr Colin Meurk ONZM. Dr Meurk has written to MPs, iwi contacts, academics, and local Councillors, highlighting dire consequences of losing the last Government head offices to the North Island. 'In mid-March, Government announced that the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) will be amalgamated into three new Public Research Organisations (PROs) by early October. It's clear that there's lobbying to get the head offices located in the 'golden triangle' (Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton). This seems to be confirmed by an evasive answer to a recent question at Parliament during Scrutiny Week, related to where the headquarters will be,' he says. The amalgamation of Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Plant & Food, Scion and AgResearch into the so-called Bioeconomy PRO, officially commences on July 1st. Currently, the head offices of Manaaki Whenua and AgResearch are located in Lincoln near Christchurch, but the CEOs of those organisations and other Government science advisors all reside in the North Island. 'Removing our last head offices is just not on and would be a symbolic kick in the guts for the South Island,' says Dr Meurk. 'Te Waipounamu is thriving and a key part of the national representation of bioscience and agriculture. Not having a head office here in the South will negatively affect our status, voice, career pathways, and importance as well as the strength and resilience of the overall sector, nationally, not to mention the administrative funding into the local economy which will be shredded from local offices of the new PRO.' Dr Meurk says that it's misguided for a Minister of Science and Innovation, Dr Shane Reti, to state that the amalgamation is designed to 'maximise the value of Government funding and drive economic growth'. Business as usual is almost certainly unfit for looming crises that will demand critical, multi-lensed, outside-the-square science and innovation. 'I see this as continued hollowing out of the South Island,' he says. 'The south is experiencing unprecedented growth and popularity, yet government is failing to grasp the opportunities in our unique public research sector and leadership that is already well-established at Lincoln and the wider region. Climate and geo-tectonic risk, especially up north, demands government infrastructure be regionally spread; we must not put all our governance eggs in one basket.' 'Our Prime Minister is in China right now promoting Aotearoa as a place for students including agricultural students, to study. It seems totally counter-intuitive that the last head office here should be disconnected from the centre of New Zealand's agricultural and tourism enterprise, and our affordable living,' says Meurk. 'I'm somewhat surprised that South Island leaders have not voiced more concern. Unless they stand up to be heard on this issue now, the government will get away with further undermining balanced and shared regional development that is resilient and supports meaningful, respectful nationhood,' he says. Dr Meurk ONZM is standing in the 2025 local body elections for Environment Canterbury in Ōpuna – Christchurch West Additional Over the past 33 years, the South Island had at least two central Government Head Offices (HO) – for Crop & Food and Landcare Research CRIs. A decade or so ago, Crop & Food was amalgamated with Hort Research to form Plant & Food, and their head office was moved to Hamilton/Auckland. Meanwhile, AgResearch's head office was moved to Lincoln. In mid-March the Government announced that the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) will amalgamate four Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) to form three new and more focused Public Research Organisations (PROs) in early October. Legislation to formally establish the PROs will follow in 2026. There are plans underway to locate the head office to Hamilton, likely supported by Plant & Food, the CEO of Landcare Research, the interim chief of the PRO, and Sir Peter Gluckman (key Science advisor to Government) who are all based in the North Island. 'The cards are stacked to further hollow out the South unless concerted joint pressure is exerted by Councils and Iwi of the South.' Colin Meurk Lincoln University This unique University has experienced significant growth in student numbers over the past few years. In 2025, Lincoln is ranked within the top 25% of universities globally in the QS World University Rankings. Specific numbers for qualifications conferred show a 22% increase in 2025, with 1,613 qualifications conferred compared to 1,320 in 2024. In 2024, numbers exceeded 5,000 students for the first time. This was a 21% increase in student headcount in 2024 compared to 2023. The university's strong performance is attributed to a robust portfolio of relevant research. Research Income: External research income has increased, rising by 8% to $35 million. Factors Contributing to Growth: Lincoln University's growth is linked to its focus on land-based and environmental subjects, strong industry connections, and high graduate employment rates, which are currently at 84%, according to The Press. Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards has said that the strong growth signals Lincoln University's increasing influence in shaping the future of the land-based sectors in Aotearoa and globally. Canterbury University In the top 1% of world universities. Student numbers approaching 25 000 and upsurge in overseas students.
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Scoop
Don't Steal The Super South's Last Govt Head Office
'Time is running out.' That from one of Aotearoa's leading ecologists and environmental academics, Dr Colin Meurk ONZM. Dr Meurk has written to MPs, iwi contacts, academics, and local Councillors, highlighting dire consequences of losing the last Government head offices to the North Island. 'In mid-March, Government announced that the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) will be amalgamated into three new Public Research Organisations (PROs) by early October. It's clear that there's lobbying to get the head offices located in the 'golden triangle' (Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton). This seems to be confirmed by an evasive answer to a recent question at Parliament during Scrutiny Week, related to where the headquarters will be,' he says. The amalgamation of Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research, Plant & Food, Scion and AgResearch into the so-called Bioeconomy PRO, officially commences on July 1st. Currently, the head offices of Manaaki Whenua and AgResearch are located in Lincoln near Christchurch, but the CEOs of those organisations and other Government science advisors all reside in the North Island. 'Removing our last head offices is just not on and would be a symbolic kick in the guts for the South Island,' says Dr Meurk. 'Te Waipounamu is thriving and a key part of the national representation of bioscience and agriculture. Not having a head office here in the South will negatively affect our status, voice, career pathways, and importance as well as the strength and resilience of the overall sector, nationally, not to mention the administrative funding into the local economy which will be shredded from local offices of the new PRO.' Dr Meurk says that it's misguided for a Minister of Science and Innovation, Dr Shane Reti, to state that the amalgamation is designed to 'maximise the value of Government funding and drive economic growth'. Business as usual is almost certainly unfit for looming crises that will demand critical, multi-lensed, outside-the-square science and innovation. 'I see this as continued hollowing out of the South Island,' he says. 'The south is experiencing unprecedented growth and popularity, yet government is failing to grasp the opportunities in our unique public research sector and leadership that is already well-established at Lincoln and the wider region. Climate and geo-tectonic risk, especially up north, demands government infrastructure be regionally spread; we must not put all our governance eggs in one basket.' 'Our Prime Minister is in China right now promoting Aotearoa as a place for students including agricultural students, to study. It seems totally counter-intuitive that the last head office here should be disconnected from the centre of New Zealand's agricultural and tourism enterprise, and our affordable living,' says Meurk. 'I'm somewhat surprised that South Island leaders have not voiced more concern. Unless they stand up to be heard on this issue now, the government will get away with further undermining balanced and shared regional development that is resilient and supports meaningful, respectful nationhood,' he says. Dr Meurk ONZM is standing in the 2025 local body elections for Environment Canterbury in Ōpuna – Christchurch West Additional Over the past 33 years, the South Island had at least two central Government Head Offices (HO) – for Crop & Food and Landcare Research CRIs. A decade or so ago, Crop & Food was amalgamated with Hort Research to form Plant & Food, and their head office was moved to Hamilton/Auckland. Meanwhile, AgResearch's head office was moved to Lincoln. In mid-March the Government announced that the Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) will amalgamate four Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) to form three new and more focused Public Research Organisations (PROs) in early October. Legislation to formally establish the PROs will follow in 2026. There are plans underway to locate the head office to Hamilton, likely supported by Plant & Food, the CEO of Landcare Research, the interim chief of the PRO, and Sir Peter Gluckman (key Science advisor to Government) who are all based in the North Island. 'The cards are stacked to further hollow out the South unless concerted joint pressure is exerted by Councils and Iwi of the South.' Colin Meurk References Lincoln University This unique University has experienced significant growth in student numbers over the past few years. In 2025, Lincoln is ranked within the top 25% of universities globally in the QS World University Rankings. Specific numbers for qualifications conferred show a 22% increase in 2025, with 1,613 qualifications conferred compared to 1,320 in 2024. In 2024, numbers exceeded 5,000 students for the first time. This was a 21% increase in student headcount in 2024 compared to 2023. The university's strong performance is attributed to a robust portfolio of relevant research. Research Income: External research income has increased, rising by 8% to $35 million. Factors Contributing to Growth: Lincoln University's growth is linked to its focus on land-based and environmental subjects, strong industry connections, and high graduate employment rates, which are currently at 84%, according to The Press. Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant Edwards has said that the strong growth signals Lincoln University's increasing influence in shaping the future of the land-based sectors in Aotearoa and globally. Canterbury University In the top 1% of world universities. Student numbers approaching 25 000 and upsurge in overseas students.
RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
Bidders for Northern Expressway public private partnership revealed
Transport and Infrastructure minister Chris Bishop said there was "very strong" interest in the project. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Three bidders have been confirmed for the next section of the Northern Expressway from Warkworth to Te Hana. The government has revealed the shortlist for the public private partnership, with the bids made up of three consortia. The groups are bidding to build a 26km, four-lane expressway connecting to the existing Pūhoi to Warkworth stretch. The indicative design includes a 850m long twin-bore tunnel in the Dome Valley, and three interchanges at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana. The government opened up expressions of interest as part of its Investment Summit in Auckland in March. The summit invited representatives from more than 100 companies from 15 countries, who controlled $6 trillion in assets and funds between them. Some businesses indicated they were keen on the project before the summit had even wrapped up, two of which were included in the shortlist. The shortlist consortia are: The groups must now submit a Request for Proposals, setting out how they intend to finance, design, construct, manage and maintain the section of the expressway. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop said the government received "very strong" interest in the project. "The shortlisted consortia are all well positioned to deliver a high-quality motorway that will boost regional resilience, enhance road safety and travel reliability, and strengthen vital connections for freight, tourism and everyday drivers," he said. The preferred bidder will be chosen in early 2026, with the contract finalised by the middle of the year and construction to begin later in the year. In March, Guido Cacciaguerra from Italian firm Webuild confirmed he would bid. "If the government gets this right, it's the most powerful marketing tool to attract more investors in the future," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
