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1News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- 1News
Matariki celebrated across NZ with ceremony and reflection
New Zealanders right around the country have been celebrating Matariki, with many of them up well before dawn to watch the rising of the star cluster which heralds the start of the Māori New Year. It became an official public holiday only in 2022, but it's already become one of our most meaningful days and the first holiday to recognise Te Ao Māori. It was the first new public holiday since Waitangi Day became a public holiday in 1974. The date of Matariki changes from year to year, but it will always fall in June or July. A public holiday is held for Matariki on June 20, 2025. (Source: Ngāti Rangi hosted this year's national Matariki ceremony at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Mount Ruapehu. ADVERTISEMENT Iwi spokesperson Che Wilson told 1News it was a "huge honour" to be the first marae to host the national holiday ceremony. "It's truly a privilege to welcome everyone here," he said. "It means a great deal to us." Wilson explained that the Matariki celebrations would include offering karakia to specific stars in alignment with their Puanga traditions. "In our Puanga narrative, we'll offer them to four atua – Tāne, Rongo, Tangaroa, and Maru [the gods of forest, cultivated food, the sea, and war]." The Māori Queen, politicians, and dignitaries attended the national ceremony. Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said having events across the country was a "real kotahitanga moment". "To bring it to national presence and international presence is something that connects us to the universe, and that's really important for us, that we see our tikanga as a way of life, as a daily platform for kotahitanga. And for me, it also connects to many, many other people from throughout the world." ADVERTISEMENT It was also a poignant moment for European Union ambassador to New Zealand Lawrence Meredith, who lost his father when he was young. "This whole transition for the ancestors is a really powerful message, the idea that ancestors become stars," he said. Hautapu ceremony at Auckland's Bastion Point this morning. (Source: 1News) Hundreds gathered at Auckland's Bastion Point to ring in the Māori New Year this morning with a hautapu ceremony. Food and steam were offered to the stars of Matariki as an offering of thanks from the umu or hāngī. The kai that is prepared for the hautapu connects to four different whetū (stars) in the Matariki cluster: Seafood with the star Waitā; freshwater kai with the star Waitī; kai from above the ground with the star Tupuārangi; and kai from the earth with the star Tupuānuku. Many were up well before dawn to watch the rising of the star cluster. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Kingi Makoare (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) said it was awesome to see the eagerness from people to learn about Māori culture. "It's heartwarming to see people really interested in us." Fiona Smith (Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) added that it was a "great reflection of what New Zealand really should be". "Together, collaborative right from the beginning, standing shoulder to shoulder, doing things together, holding hands together." A maumaharatanga ceremony on Mauao/Mount Maunganui. (Source: 1News) In Tauranga, people of all ages summitted Mauao / Mount Maunganui before dawn for a remembrance of loved ones who had died in the past year. Te Puna I Rangiriri trust chairman Jack Thatcher led the maumaharatanga ceremony and said it was a "very emotional" morning. ADVERTISEMENT Maumaharatanga translates to memorial, memory or recollection. Grieving families and friends were invited to place their hands on the monument Te Tapuātea o Mauao and call out the names of their loved ones. "We have people bringing a lot of hurt. To call out the names of the loved ones that they're missing gives them a chance to heal and carry on," Thatcher said.
1News
10-06-2025
- Business
- 1News
Auckland's new property valuations released: Check your CV today
Auckland homeowners checking their latest council valuations, released this morning, might be surprised to see their properties are now valued 9% less on average. The new rating valuations were released on the Auckland Council website while formal notices will be posted or emailed to ratepayers from Friday. Based on property market trends in May 2024, the figures show variations across property types and locations throughout the region, with industrial, lifestyle, and rural properties bucking the downward valuation trend. The valuations are not intended to accurately reflect current market value but are used to determine how the city's rates burden is shared among property owners. It comes as the council prepares to roll out a 5.8% average rates increase from July. Properties whose values decreased by less than the 9% average will likely face higher-than-average rate increases. ADVERTISEMENT Auckland Council building (file image). (Source: 1News) "If your residential property value has reduced more than the average (-9%) change between the two valuations, you can expect a smaller rates increase than the 5.8%," said Auckland Council chief financial officer Ross Tucker. The overall capital value movements between the 2021 and 2024 valuations show industrial properties increased 5%, while commercial properties fell 5%. Lifestyle and rural properties both increased by 4%. Properties closer to Auckland's central business district generally experienced larger value decreases, with Albert-Eden, Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Waitematā, Whau and Puketāpapa areas all seeing drops of 13 to 14%. But, values in areas further from the city centre held up better, with Hibiscus and Bays, Upper Harbour and Franklin experiencing smaller decreases between 1 and 4%. Auckland skyline with harbour bridge visible (file image). (Source: ADVERTISEMENT Auckland Council chief economist Gary Blick explained the context behind the shifts. "At the time of the 2021 rating valuation in June 2021, the official cash rate had been at an all-time low," he said. "We saw exceptionally low mortgage rates and strong upward pressure on property prices. The 2021 rating valuation reflected those higher prices. "In contrast, the 2024 rating valuation in May 2024, occurred when the OCR had been lifted to its recent high of 5.5%. Higher interest rates cooled buyer demand, leading to a decline in property prices. "Despite that fall, the median house price as at May 2024 was still above the level just prior to the OCR cut of March 2020, and that remains the case today. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including new corruption report, California protests, and Justin Baldoni's legal loss. (Source: 1News) "The recent economic cycle – with its unusually steep climb and fall – helps explain why some properties have had swings between the two rating valuations." Tucker said most Auckland ratepayers will see some degree of rates increase from July 1, with the average annual rates for a residential property valued at $1.29 million set to be $4069 – an increase of $223 per year or about $4.30 weekly. The valuations do not change how much the council takes in rates, as this is set annually following community consultation. For the upcoming financial year, Auckland Council has approved an overall average rates increase of 5.8% for residential ratepayers.
1News
09-06-2025
- General
- 1News
What happens to Lotto's unclaimed prizes?
With Lotto's Powerball jackpot hitting $12 million in tonight's draw, what happens if you win and forget to check your ticket? Every year 1% of prizes – or about $10 million – goes unclaimed. And Lotto says it first gives the winner time to come forward – usually around two weeks. This is to allow them time to experience their "winning ticket" moment. However, if after two weeks no winner comes forward Lotto begins to track them down, says Will Hine, Lotto's head of corporate communication. When tracking down a winner, a Lotto spokesperson says they "are very careful in the way we go about finding someone, as keeping anonymity for our winners is key'. ADVERTISEMENT For winning tickets bought in-store, Lotto can access specific details such as the exact date, time and payment method used when purchasing the ticket. "This information helps us investigate, and we can also use CCTV footage in accordance with our Privacy Policy," the spokesperson said. Hine recalled a winner from Christchurch who was completely unaware he had a ticket worth $22 million until the CEO at the time flew to Christchurch and knocked on his door. "He said to this person that potentially he should check his Lotto ticket because there was some money waiting for him." Specific ticket information If a ticket has been lost, assuming no one else has found it and claimed its prize, Lotto may still be able to pay out the prize to the rightful owner if they provide specific information. Under the 2003 Gambling Act, winners have up to 12 months from the draw date to claim their prize. ADVERTISEMENT If the prize goes unclaimed after that time, it gets transferred to the funds for future prizes, ensuring all the money is returned to future players. Lotto can't take it for profit. Online ticket winners who earn more than $1000 receive an email asking them to log in to MyLotto to check the value of their prize and fill out a claim form. Lotto can see when a player last logged into their account and has all their details, and if it needs to reach out and advise the winner to check their ticket. After around three months of the prize going unclaimed, Lotto turns to the media for help. This worked for one couple from Pāpāmoa who unknowingly had a winning ticket worth $500,000 in their drawer for nearly four months. "Within 10 minutes of reading the news article, they realised they were in a pretty good position," Hine said. There are two Lotto draws weekly - on Wednesdays and Saturdays. (Source: Not all prize winners are tracked down, with significant prizes prioritised – First Division winners in particular. ADVERTISEMENT In the last five years, two First Division Lotto wins went unclaimed, with the total for each being $500,000. However, Hine said of the $10 million of prizes left unclaimed, the "majority of these are very, very small prizes". "The reason we can't go out seeking all of our winners is that we are a state-owned organisation and all our profits go back to the lottery grants," he explained. "We need to be quite strategic and purposeful about where we spend resources and money trying to find those winners, but we do think it's worth it putting that extra effort into finding those people who have won life-changing amounts." So the bottom line is - check your tickets and keep them safe. And get in there before the 12 months runs out if you're a winner. The Lotto draw is live on TVNZ1 and TVNZ+ at 8pm tonight.
1News
04-06-2025
- General
- 1News
Patterson says foraged mushrooms may have been in fatal lunch
Triple murder accused Erin Patterson has told a Morwell court she looked up information about death cap mushrooms but believed they didn't grow in her area as she continued testifying in her own defence for a third day. She also became emotional while admitting she misled her former in-laws about having medical tests, including claiming she had a biopsy and was booked for an MRI, despite none of those appointments taking place. Patterson, 50, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. She is accused of deliberately poisoning her former in-laws with a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms in July 2022. Three people died. A fourth, Pastor Ian Wilkinson, survived after weeks in hospital. 'I became aware of death cap mushrooms quite early' Under questioning from her defence lawyer, Colin Mandy SC, Patterson said she began researching mushrooms during Covid lockdowns after developing an interest in foraging. ADVERTISEMENT Erin Patterson. (Source: 1News) 'I became aware of death cap mushrooms quite early through this period,' she said. 'I looked up to see if they grew in South Gippsland and I remember finding out that they didn't, essentially.' She also told the jury she knew of another toxic species — inocybe mushrooms — growing on her property, which she had learned were dangerous to dogs. May have searched death cap sites Three white Amanita phalloides (deathcap), which are one of the most poisonous of all known mushrooms. (Source: The jury was reminded of earlier prosecution evidence that Patterson's computer had accessed webpages discussing mushroom foraging and known locations of death caps. "I don't specifically remember doing it that day," she told the court, "but it's possible it was me… and possible that's part of the process I went through to see if they grew in South Gippsland." ADVERTISEMENT Patterson also denied ever foraging in nearby locations such as Lock or Outtrim where mushroom experts previously testified they had logged death cap sightings on citizen science platforms. She told the court she was unaware of those posts. Breaks down over misleading Don and Gail In one of the day's more emotional moments, Patterson was shown messages she'd exchanged with her former in-laws — Don and Gail Patterson — about a suspected health issue. She told them she had a lump on her arm and claimed she'd undergone a needle biopsy and was scheduled for an MRI. But on the stand, she admitted none of that was true. "Some weeks prior, I had been having an issue with my elbow with pain and I thought there was a lump there," she explained. "They had shown quite a lot of care about that, which felt really nice." ADVERTISEMENT She said the pain resolved itself and she felt embarrassed for raising the alarm. "I didn't want their care of me to stop, so I just kept it going," she said, sniffing and speaking with a halting voice. "I shouldn't have done it." Why Patterson arranged the lunch Woman accused of killing three people with poisonous mushrooms in beef Wellington testifies in her defence. (Source: 1News) Patterson also gave evidence about why she organised the fatal family lunch in July, 2022. She said it was motivated by a desire to spend more time with her former in-laws and their extended family. "Primarily, the kids and I had such a good time seeing nanna and papa… that I wanted to do it again," she said. ADVERTISEMENT She told the court that during a previous visit, Gail had commented on how nice the garden looked and Patterson believed Heather Wilkinson would like to see it too. Patterson then said she put considerable thought into what to serve for the lunch. While shepherd's pie had worked in the past, she said it didn't feel "special enough". Instead, she decided to attempt beef Wellington — a dish her mother used to make on important occasions — using a recipe from her RecipeTin Eats cookbook. It was her first time making it. She told the court she bought most of the ingredients from Woolworths, including mushrooms, puff pastry and filo pastry, which were already common staples in her household. "I bought mushrooms very regularly. At least weekly, sometimes twice weekly," she said. How Patterson says she prepared the beef Wellington Erin Patterson says she used this receipe to make beef Wellington (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Patterson walked the court through how she planned and prepared the beef Wellington at the centre of the case. She said the recipe came from Dinner by food blogger Nagi Maehashi (known for RecipeTin Eats), but with several changes. The original called for a whole beef tenderloin wrapped in mustard, prosciutto, mushroom duxelles and a thin crepe, all encased in puff pastry. But Patterson said she had to adapt. She didn't use mustard, omitted the prosciutto because her father-in-law didn't eat pork, and replaced the crepe with filo pastry because it seemed "a little bit complicated". She also couldn't find a full beef fillet, so decided to make individual portions using a twin pack of eye fillet steaks. She told the jury she began prepping the day before, salting the steaks on Friday to draw out moisture and reading the recipe carefully, even Googling tips so she wouldn't "stuff it up". On the Saturday morning, she started early by cooking the mushroom duxelles. She chopped Woolworths-bought mushrooms in her Thermomix, added garlic and shallots, and cooked it down "for a very long time" to prevent the pastry from going soggy. Patterson said she asked her Facebook friends for advice on the beef cut and mushroom quantity, sharing a photo of the eye fillet pack with the group. She said individual portions required more mushrooms and pastry than a traditional log-style Wellington. ADVERTISEMENT "You've got the mushroom and pastry on the top and bottom sides rather than the circumference," she explained. "I used a lot more." When asked why she bought more filo pastry in the days following the lunch, Patterson said she couldn't remember. "I'd only bought some a day before, but it looks like I must have forgotten I did that," she told the court. "But I made things with pastry all the time, so it wouldn't have mattered." Patterson says dried mushrooms may have included foraged ones Detective who led the investigation reveals stark new details about Patterson's actions and behaviour following the fatal lunch. (Source: 1News) Patterson said there was a chance the dried mushrooms she added to the dish may have included foraged varieties. She told the jury she initially used Woolworths mushrooms for the duxelles, a mushroom paste base for the beef Wellington, but said the mixture "tasted bland" while cooking. ADVERTISEMENT To enhance the flavour, she decided to mix in dried mushrooms she had stored in her pantry. At the time, she believed they were store-bought. "I thought they were the dried ones I'd bought from Melbourne," she said. "Now I think there's a possibility that some foraged ones were in there as well." Patterson described briefly rinsing the mushrooms to soften them, then chopping and mixing them into the dish. She did not say whether she tasted the filling again after adding the dried mushrooms. Lunch served on mismatched dinner plates, court hears Patterson also detailed the moments leading up to the meal being served. ADVERTISEMENT She said her former in-laws were inside the home and chatting while she prepared the mashed potatoes and plated the food. Gail and Heather, she said, took a look inside her pantry which she recalled feeling "proud" of, even though it was slightly messy. Patterson said she used her regular dinnerware to serve the meal: A mix of black, white and coloured plates, including one hand-painted by her daughter. "I don't have grey dinner plates," she told the court. That detail appeared to contradict testimony from Pastor Ian Wilkinson, the only surviving guest, who recalled the meal being served on four grey plates and one tan-orange one. Erin Patterson's testimony continues.
