In response to rising living costs, the government is offering a split payment of $350 to lower-income New Zealanders. Who is eligible? The payment is available to all New Zealand tax residents aged 18 and older who earned less than $70,000 before tax between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022. To be eligible, you […]

Auckland’s iconic landmark the Sky Tower is celebrating its 25th birthday on August 3. The Tower has gone from controversial beginnings – many objecting to a tower of its size dominating the Auckland skyline – to become a much-loved symbol and feature of the City. More than 10 million people have visited the Tower since […]

A government-run on-the-job training program has surpassed its targets. The Mana in Mahi programme, which allows young people to gain formal qualifications while being employed, has reached 5000 participants – 1000 more than the target set by the government. Seventy-five per cent of participants who received an unemployment benefit before joining the programme hadn’t returned […]

A new bill aimed at making New Zealand smoke-free by 2025 had its first reading in parliament earlier this week. The bill proposes three strategies: Reducing the nicotine content in cigarettes so that they are no longer addictive (known as “very low nicotine” (VLNC) cigarettes) Reducing the number of shops than can sell tobacco by […]

A man who was caught drink-driving four times within five months has been warned that next time he will go to jail. The 36-year-old from Napier was sentenced to nine months of home detention earlier this month. In response to his sentencing, he has written a letter of remorse and sold his car. He was […]

Coastal erosion and rising sea levels could force people from their homes in Hawke’s Bay. A recently released report says that over 100 coastal properties could be in danger over the next 20 years. The report, prepared for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, found that if nothing was done over the next 20 years, residents […]

Three meteor showers combining to provide a celestial firework display are expected throughout the night. Otago Museum director and astronomer Ian Griffin said tonight’s show would be beautiful. “These showers have been observed by astronomers over the last decade or more in some cases. They regularly appear this time of year and this year it’s […]

Several multimillion-dollar projects are nearing completion in the Mitre 10 Sports Park complex in Hawkes Bay. One of the projects is the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre, a $32-million venture that is on schedule to open in August. The aquatic centre will house an olympic size 50-metre pool and a learn-to-swim 25-metre pool. Sir Graeme […]

A study has found that the oil of the kānuka tree, a New Zealand native, is an effective treatment for eczema. The clinical trial, led by the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, involved 80 participants across the country. Lead study author, Nick Shortt, said that cream containing 3 per cent kānuka oil was more […]

The Kmart department store will be relocating its North Island distribution centre to Hamilton. The store will lease an approximately nine-hectare site at the Ruakura Superhub, a new development located in the east of the city. The distribution warehouse will cover approximately 40,000 sqm, making it one of Hamilton’s largest buildings. The company’s North Island […]