Source: Press Release Service
Headline: Demand Grows for Fully Customised Luxury Travel Experiences in New Zealand
Luxury travellers increasingly favour personalised, experience-led itineraries, driving demand for bespoke golf tourism, premium services, and seamless, customised travel journeys.
The post Demand Grows for Fully Customised Luxury Travel Experiences in New Zealand first appeared on PR.co.nz.
Source: New Zealand Police
Gillies Avenue, Epsom is closed between Bracken Avenue and Epsom Avenue following a crash this morning.
Emergency services were called to Gillies Avenue at around 5.05am after a vehicle struck a power pole.
No injuries were reported.
Crews are expected to be onsite for some time while repairs are undertaken.
Motorists are advised to expect delays and avoid the area if possible.
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Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are appealing for information following a public brawl in Kopeopeo, Whakatāne this afternoon.
At around 12.30pm, Police were called to the intersection of James and King Street with reports that a fight had broken out involving several people.
Officers responded immediately, however the majority of the group had already fled in vehicles. There were no reported serious injuries.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Hay, Area Prevention Manager, says this was an alarming incident for the public to witness.
“This incident occurred in the middle of the day, in a well-frequented shopping area, and lasted four to five minutes.
“This sort of public place violence is unacceptable, and Police will not tolerate it and nor should the community,” he says.
“We know there was a large number of people who witnessed this fight, and I’d like to thank all those who called 111 immediately to report the incident.
“Police are investigating and making enquiries into what exactly has occurred today and who was involved, and would like to hear from anyone who saw the fight,” Senior Sergeant Hay says.
If you witnessed this incident, or have any information or video footage that could assist in our enquiries, please get in touch through 105, either online or over the phone, or come in to the Whakatāne Police station, and reference file number 260415/1608.
You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: NZCTU
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi has welcomed today’s Tax Policy Statement from Tax Justice Aotearoa, calling it a timely and important contribution to what must be an honest national conversation about taxation heading into an election year.
The CTU says Aotearoa’s tax system is fundamentally out of balance. Every dollar of labour income is taxed, and almost every purchase of a good or service is taxed – yet gains from capital remain largely untaxed.
“This imbalance is both inequitable and economically counterproductive,” says CTU President Sandra Grey. “The paper makes a compelling case that the current system is not fit for purpose.
“We do need to find sustainable ways to pay for the essential public goods and services that we all rely upon. Our public health, education, and welfare systems all need to be financed through a taxation system that places the costs of that financing fairly. This paper argues convincingly that we haven’t got that balance right.
“We also want to make sure that we have the most efficient taxation system possible, and the paper argues for essential investment in Inland Revenue. Political parties that are promising to cut taxes and tax administration need to comprehensively show how they would be paying for this change,” says Grey.
The CTU’s call for a capital gains tax
As part of its Aotearoa Reimagined policy platform – developed over the past year through engagement with workers, community leaders, and policy experts – the CTU has called for a comprehensive capital gains tax on all assets except the family home.
“Rebalancing the tax system is essential to funding the transformative change New Zealand needs, and to ensuring that the wealthy pay their fair share,” says Grey.
“A well-designed capital gains tax would level the playing field between wage earners and those who derive their income primarily from investment and speculation.”
Source: New Zealand Government
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has today announced Tony Balfour as the new Chair of the New Zealand Lotteries Commission Board.
“Tony Balfour will join the New Zealand Lotteries Commission Board on 1 May, following the retirement of Mark Todd on 30 April,” says Ms van Velden.
“Mr Balfour brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role, with a distinguished career spanning governance, business strategy, and community engagement. He also brings strong commercial acumen and executive level experience.
“His appointment ensures strong and effective leadership within the Commission, which plays a vital role in supporting community initiatives through lottery funding.
“The New Zealand Lotteries Commission is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, and Mr Balfour’s leadership will further enhance its ability to meet these goals.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Todd for his service over the past seven years, and for chairing the Board since 2024. I wish him all the very best.”
Source: New Zealand Police
A woman who allegedly burgled a Manurewa laundromat repeatedly will face court today.
On eight separate occasions between 26 March and 13 April, the offender and several associates allegedly burgled a Jellicoe Road laundromat.
Counties Manukau Central Area Prevention Manager, Inspector MinHo Lee, says the offending followed the same pattern.
“During each burglary, washing machines and dryers were broken into, and coins were stolen from the deposit boxes.”
But just like a short wash cycle, this offender’s time was almost up.
“At around 7.08am on 14 April, Police received a report of machines at the same laundromat being broken into with a hammer and crowbar,” Inspector Lee says.
Within minutes, officers arrived on scene and located a man and a woman damaging property. Both parties were arrested.
“This is a great outcome, with our staff being able to quickly catch a recidivist burglar red-handed,” he says.
A 29-year-old woman will appear in Manukau District Court today, charged with nine counts of burglary and five counts of possession of an instrument for burglary.
A 35-year-old man has been charged with burglary and possession of an instrument for burglary. He will appear in Manukau District Court on 5 May.
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Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 6/Wakapuaka Road, Wakapuaka, Nelson, is closed following a crash this afternoon.
Police were notified of the two-vehicle crash around 2.40pm.
Initial indicators are that there have been injuries.
State Highway 6 is closed in both directions, and the Serious Crash Unit has been advised.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and take alternative routes.
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Source: New Zealand Government
The latest Business of Ageing report shows older people are increasing their contribution to New Zealand’s economy through paid work, running businesses, taxes, spending, and unpaid care, Seniors Minister Casey Costello said today.
“Everyone with parents and grandparents knows about the incredible contribution of our seniors,” Ms Costello says.
“This report quantifies, in economic terms, how big that contribution is. Paid work by people aged 65 and over is now valued at nearly $9 billion a year, with a further $5 billion coming from self-employment.
“Older people are also contributing through taxes, spending and investment, and importantly, through unpaid work that often goes unrecognised. That work is not just economically valuable – it strengthens our social fabric, supporting families and sustaining community organisations and services.”
The report shows:
“While these are significant figures, the Business of Ageing Report also looks ahead and forecasts how these numbers grow as our population ages, reshaping the workforce and the economy over the coming decades,” Ms Costello says.
“A key takeout is that New Zealand needs to think a lot differently about the older workforce and how to utilise its skills and provide opportunities for the increasing numbers of over-65s who will be in work. As more New Zealanders live longer and stay active, the number of older people in work is projected to more than double over the next 50 years.
“Nearly half of those aged between 65 and 69 are currently in the workforce and this participation rate – as well as that for 70–74-year-olds, is forecast to increase.”
The Business of Ageing report was prepared by the New Zealand Institute for Economic Research (NZIER) for the Office for Seniors and is part of a series that has been in place since 2011. It was last updated in 2023.
“This information matters. If we understand how ageing is reshaping our economy and our communities, we can make better decisions about how to support people to continue to contribute and to live well as they age,” Ms Costello says.
“Older people are a vital and growing part of New Zealand’s workforce, economy, and communities and the Government’s policies must reflect that reality.”
The Business of Ageing report is available at: www.officeforseniors.govt.nz/businessofageing
Source: Press Release Service
Headline: More Kiwis eyeing electric transport as EV network grows
Fuel uncertainty is driving EV adoption in New Zealand, with rising charging demand, expanding infrastructure, and lower running costs making electric vehicles a practical, reliable alternative to petrol.
The post More Kiwis eyeing electric transport as EV network grows first appeared on PR.co.nz.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Luke Vaughan, Christchurch CIB:
Police have arrested and charged a young person in relation to two aggravated robberies last week in Christchurch.
On Monday 6 April Police were called to two aggravated robberies of commercial businesses, one around 8.10pm on Briggs Road, Shirley, and another around 8.20pm on McBratneys Road, Dallington.
In both incidents, two offenders entered the stores with weapons and assaulted one of the workers before fleeing in a vehicle.
Police carried out a search warrant in the Hoon Hay area today and have arrested a young person in relation to the robberies.
They will undergo the Youth Court process in due course.
Police are not ruling out further arrests and continue to ask for anyone with information on these incidents to please come forward.
Information can be provided through 105, either online or over the phone, referencing file number: 260407/1737.
You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre