A UK-based energy company has been given approval to build a solar farm in the Waikato. Harmony Energy says its planned farm will generate enough electricity to power 30,000 homes. The project will consist of 330,000 solar panels, which will be installed on a 182-hectare block in Te Aroha West. “We are thrilled this important […]

The pīwauwau / rock wren has won the Bird of the Year competition for 2022. The small alpine bird gained nearly 3000 votes, putting it just ahead of the kororā / little blue penguin. The Bird of the Year is an annual election-based competition organised by Forest & Bird. More than 52,000 people voted in […]

It is now possible to walk the full length of the Abel Tasman Coast Track after significant work was done to repair damage caused by heavy rain in August. Department of Conservation (DOC) said the first section of the track from Mārahau to Anchorage has reopened, along with the section from Tonga Quarry to Onetahuti. […]

Two new Sumatran tigers will soon be introduced to Auckland Zoo. The animals arrived in Auckland earlier this week from the United States and will be paired together in the zoo to encourage breeding. Four-year-old Zayana came from Topeka Zoo and Conservation Centre in Kansas and five-year-old Ramah came from Oklahoma City Zoo. Auckland Zoo’s […]

Auckland Council is asking locals to stop releasing goldfish and aquarium plants into waterways. Goldfish and aquarium plants make their way into lakes and streams where they destroy the natural environment and water quality. Peter Wilcox, who has been helping Auckland Council remove invasive fish from waterways, says goldfish that have been released into the […]

Guy Fawkes Day is on Saturday 5 November. With many people following the tradition of lighting their own fireworks, the New Zealand Fire Service has released rules for safe the use of fireworks. High winds are forecast across the country, so people should take extreme caution this year, the service said. Even better, leave the […]

Data released this week show that house prices are continuing to fall and interest rates are rising. However, unemployment remains low. A report released by CoreLogic shows that national house prices fell 1.3 percent in October, following a 1.5 percent drop in September. Rising interest rates could mean that more homeowners face the risk of […]

A chef from South Korea has been appointed as head chef at an iconic Hawke’s Bay Hotel. Seonwang Kim will take the lead in the kitchen of the Mangapapa Hotel. Kim has been in New Zealand since 2011 and has worked at some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s top restaurants. Speaking to Hawke’s Bay Today, […]

South Korea has recorded the world’s lowest fertility rate. Recently released government data show the nation’s fertility rate has dropped to 0.81 babies per woman. It is the sixth year in a row the rate has declined. It fell to less than one child per woman in 2018. Countries generally need a fertility rate of […]

The chief instructor of the Japan Karate Association visited Timaru last week. Shuseki Shihan (chief instructor) Ueki Masaaki was hosted by the Timaru Karate Club. During his stay, he provided instruction to the club students. Timaru karate club sensei (instructor) Lizelle​ Pelser said the club was “honoured and privileged” to host Masaaki. “It’s absolutely a […]