From IT to emergency services

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced a $4.5 million funding boost for QEII National Trust to support partnerships with landowners in creating protected areas under covenants. The Trust has a successful track record in safeguarding biodiversity habitats, with a focus on lowland and coastal zones, protecting 187,000ha of land over 50 years. Additional funding of $5.8 million annually for the next three years will benefit the Trust and Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Sanctuary, ensuring continued conservation...

Photo supplied. "The Brutalist," directed by Brady Corbet and starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, and Guy Pearce, is a compelling epic period drama that follows a man's escape from post-World War II Europe to pursue the American dream. Clocking in at 215 minutes, the film's strategic intermission and exceptional quality make it a captivating watch. Standout performances from Pearce and Jones, along with stunning visuals and a poignant epilogue, make "The Brutalist" a must-see cinematic...

Police in central Auckland are searching for a person involved in an altercation where three men were reportedly involved. Emergency services were called to Lower Albert Street after one man was seen with a "handheld weapon," which has been recovered. Two men have been taken into custody, and the public can expect increased Police presence while the search continues for the third individual. Full Article

A new poem by Kim Cope Tait titled "Not Waving But Dying" reflects on the idea of arriving at the place of one's dying, transitioning to a new life, and witnessing tragic events. The speaker experiences a symbolic death in a new house, encounters a fantail bird as a sign of change, and reflects on the tragic death of a boy in Gaza. The poem explores themes of transformation, loss, and mortality in a profound...

New Zealand is participating in the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge to raise funds for predator-eradication work on the Maukahuka/Auckland Island, Rakiura/Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands, with a recent $100,000 donation aiding the cause. The Auckland Island project aims to remove all pigs, cats, and mice over eight years, requiring $78 million, with a donor expressing confidence in the project's sustainability. NZ Nature Fund is leading a fundraising campaign, having raised $700,000 for the Auckland Island...

Prof Robert Patman warns that Donald Trump's cozy relationship with Vladimir Putin poses a threat to New Zealand's security, as Trump's lackluster response to Russia's actions in Ukraine could embolden further aggression. Patman highlights the potential impact on New Zealand's relations with Japan and the risk of Trump not coming to the aid of allies in a crisis. He questions Trump's unusual support for Putin and suggests a crisis in transatlantic relations due to Trump's...