National News
Health NZ blocks free early access to cancer drug Keytruda
Patient advocates are upset with Health New Zealand for causing delays for cancer patients. These patients must wait two more months for the drug Keytruda, which will be funded starting October 1. Keytruda treats five types of cancer: head and neck, triple negative breast, colorectal, bladder, and Hodgkin lymphoma. Malcolm Mulholland from Patient Voice Aotearoa […]
Police seek suspension of majority of South Island New World liquor licenses
Police want to suspend liquor licenses for New World supermarkets in South Island. They say the stores broke rules about online alcohol advertising. A two-day hearing started on Monday in Christchurch District Court. Inspector Ian Paulin, who prevents alcohol harm, asked the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority to suspend the licenses for 35 New World […]
Pie Rolla’s: Grandma’s recipe the secret to Auckland pie shop craze
New Zealanders love pies so much that they even hold annual pie awards. Recently, a new pie shop called Pie Rolla’s opened in Auckland, causing long lines outside. Lewis Mazza-Carson runs the shop on Karangahape Road, and since opening in June, the pies have been selling out almost every day. Mazza-Carson says their popularity comes […]
Boundary-breaking or classic comforts: Top toasted sandwich finalists named
A great toasted sandwich can be special, according to Kerry Tyack, the head judge of New Zealand’s top toastie competition. The Great NZ Toastie Takeover has revealed the fourteen finalists for this year’s event. Tyack explained that a good toastie is hand-held and must have a toasted top and bottom. He emphasized, “It’s not a […]
Coroner: ‘No suspicious circumstances’ in Raymond Horn’s death
An Invercargill man, 69-year-old Raymond Horn, was found dead five weeks after leaving his rest home, despite having dementia. A coroner’s report was released, with no blame assigned. Horn, a retired truck driver, could only communicate simple messages after a stroke four years before. He was living at Walmsley House rest home when he went […]
Kakī/black stilt released in Mackenzie, more to come
Good news for one of the world’s rarest birds! On Saturday, 80 kakī (black stilt) were released at Lake Takapō/Tekapo. This is part of the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) Kakī Recovery Programme, which aims to help the bird population grow. Over the next week, 160 young kakī will also be released. Claudia Mischler from DOC […]
KiwiRail video shows train smashing into car on rail crossing in North Island
Shocking video showed a train and car crash in New Zealand’s North Island. Released by KiwiRail, the footage shows the car speeding toward the tracks and colliding with an oncoming train. The driver honked and shouted just before the crash but couldn’t stop it. David Gordon from KiwiRail said the video aims to remind people […]
Aurora Australis seen from Wellington’s south coast, Hamilton
Amazing photos of the Aurora Australis have been taken on Wellington’s south coast and in Hamilton. Chris Harrington-Lines took pictures on Sunday from Oku Reserve in Island Bay. He called it an “unbelievable night” and was glad he went out after getting an alert from an app at 9pm. He almost gave up twice but […]
Parents threatening to leave preschool in wealthy Auckland suburb
Parents at Ponsonby Community Preschool are considering pulling their children out due to conflicts with management. They released a statement saying they are upset that long-term staff members are leaving. This issue arose after the board decided to extend the preschool’s hours from 8:30 am-4 pm to 8 am-5:30 pm. Parents claim 40% of the […]
KidsCan charity says its waitlist is at record levels
KidsCan has a record waitlist with 10,000 children in 260 schools and early childhood centers needing help. The charity provides food and clothing but is struggling with funding. Chief executive Julie Chapman said it’s heartbreaking to see kids who now need help when they didn’t before. In Christchurch, over 250 children in 2 schools and […]