Careers expo appeals to all ages

Watercare has incurred nearly $11 million in consulting fees for the Huia water treatment plant, which has faced significant delays and cost overruns. Initially estimated at $420 million in 2018, the project's cost has ballooned to $1.12 billion, with construction now slated to begin in 2028 and completion pushed to 2033. Originally expected to be finished by 2023, this plant is crucial as it provides approximately 20% of Auckland's water from the Waitākere Ranges dams....

ANZ economist Miles Workman criticized the previous Labour Government for engaging in a "debt-funded spending spree," which he described as an "inflation-fuelling fiscal expansion" that the current Government is still addressing. He indicated that while future Budgets may involve repurposing existing spending, significant portions of Labour's additional spending remain unwound, resulting in a fiscal challenge. Workman cautioned that the government could face high debt levels during future fiscal shocks, such as a pandemic or earthquake,...

SummaryPolice Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming resigned following the discovery of alleged pornography on his work computer, which is being evaluated as potentially objectionable material. He had been suspended with full pay since December during a separate criminal investigation by the police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA). Police Commissioner Richard Chambers acknowledged that McSkimming's resignation raises important questions about trust and accountability within the police force. Full Article

The Schick family is fundraising for emergency services following the tragic death of their 10-year-old son, Jimmy, in an off-road accident on a Waikato property on May 11. A Givealittle page has been set up to support the Cambridge Fire Brigade, Hato Hone St John Ambulance, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust, who assisted during the incident. Jimmy's father, Rodney, is in intensive care due to serious injuries, while his 12-year-old brother, Oli, is hospitalized,...

A Northland man, Paul Smith, known as “Gandalf” in the cannabis community, faces up to 14 years in prison for allegedly supplying cannabis products intended to alleviate pain for those suffering from long-term illnesses. He appeared in the Whangārei District Court for a case review hearing, supported by a crowd of at least 20 people, including nurses, who argued that his actions provided affordable access to cannabis for those unable to obtain legal prescriptions. His...

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has accused Labour of "outright lies" regarding claims about changes to the pay equity regime, calling it a shame that they resorted to misinformation. In response, Labour leader Chris Hipkins denied scaremongering and countered that the Government has misled New Zealanders about pay equity issues over the past year. The controversy revolves around Labour's allegations that the Government's recent legislation, which raised the threshold for pay equity claims, makes it harder...