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* New Zealand coasts faced tsunami threats after strong earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. * Emergency officials warned of unpredictable surges and strong currents lasting several hours overnight. * Tsunami alerts also issued in Hawaii, Japan, US west coast, Philippines and Indonesia. Emergency Management in New Zealand issued a national advisory

Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds is overseeing huge changes to New Zealand's vocational education system. But after years of reform, could training providers stand alone as Te Pūkenga is dismantled? Related: OPINION: Putting Polytechnics Back in Local HandsBy Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for Vocational Education Vocational education is

* Sir Michael Hill built an international jewellery empire starting with a single Whangarei store. * He founded a prestigious violin competition and created The Hills golf course near Arrowtown. * Tributes praised his creativity, mentorship, philanthropy and inspiration to generations of Kiwi entrepreneurs. Sir Michael Hill, the founder of the iconic Michael

Mayor Nobby Clark has won support for leaving a review of its charter with mana whenua for the incoming council. At today’s council meeting, it was discussed that the review of the charter He Huarahi mō Ngā Uri Whakatupu was already 10 years old, and should be updated every

* Corbin Strong claimed his first 2025 win with an uphill sprint in Belgium. * IPT controlled the race pace, showcasing teamwork that secured Strong’s overall lead position. * The Kiwi now leads the general classification by four seconds ahead of Rasmus Tiller. Corbin Strong began his 2025 cycling season with a

Lower interest rates, stronger dairy and meat prices, and reduced regulations have lifted farmer confidence to its highest level in nearly a decade, according to Federated Farmers’ latest six-monthly Farm Confidence Survey. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford said, “Farming families have been through some really tough years recently and that’

Surcharges on in-store payments will be banned by May 2026 to ease costs for consumers. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson said the change would help New Zealanders save millions annually and make shopping more straightforward. “Surcharges are a hassle and an unwelcome surprise when shoppers get to the

Southland has retained its position as the strongest performing region in KiwiBank’s 2025 “Regional Divide” report, with Invercargill’s construction boom driving the local economy. KiwiBank’s annual heat-map, released on 1 July, again awarded Southland a score of 5/10 — the highest in the country, matched only by