Latest news with #NorthIsland
RNZ News
20 hours ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Icy roads causing crashes
Photo: 123rf Sub-zero temperatures in southern parts of the country are a reminder to take care on the roads, Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said on Thursday. Southern fire crews attended three crashes related to icy conditions before 6.30am. MetService reported temperatures in the negatives across the South Island and in parts of the lower North Island. Timaru dipped below -4C, while Queenstown was -3C just ahead of 7am. In the North Island, Masterton was reporting temperatures nearing -2 at about 6am. FENZ spokesperson Daryl Ball said crews responded to a light truck that ended up on its side in slippery conditions near Ravensbourne, Christchurch at about 5.30amTwo other crashes attributed to the conditions were also attended. He said ice was widespread on southern roads, and could linger well into the morning. "Don't assume that because it looks good it's safe. There is ice absolutely everywhere this morning," Ball said. A police spokesperson said there were no reports of serious injuries in weather-related incidents. "Please - slow down, watch your following distance and use your headlights. We want everyone to get where they're going safely this morning." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Two MPI beagles need new homes after not making the grade
Beagles Bernard and Ozzy didn't make the grade as sniffer dogs so are now looking for new homes. Photo: Supplied A pair of Auckland sniffer dogs who could not pass their training have had dozens of offers for new homes. The Ministry for Primary Industries says beagles Bernard and Ozzy are better suited for a life of leisure than the high pressure world of border control. But they are in high demand, with 50 households inquiring for adoption in just 24 hours after the ministry said they were available. Biosecurity NZ commissioner for the North Island Mike Inglis said sniffer dogs needed to work fast and be resilient. "From time to time, some dogs just aren't cut out or suitable for that type of work," he explained. "There's a variety of reasons, but sometimes the work is very quick. They need to work in different environments, airport, on the ports. The biggest thing, they do need to be able to work in quite loud environments over a particular period of time." Inglis said the biosecurity training programme had a pass rate of about 85 percent, and the two beagles could not quite make the cut. He said Bernard's cruisy personality did not fit the fast-paced environment. "Bernard's a typical beagle. He loves to take life easy and relaxed, and for a working dog that's not always the best," he said. "He did the job well, but he was too slow and wasn't able to keep up with that nature of it. He also had a little bit of naughtiness, which is a classic beagle trait." Meanwhile, Ozzy's independent streak made him a troublesome employee. "Ozzy is a very independent dog with a lot of personality. He loves a good adventure and is very, very cute, and he's got one of the softest coats around, which will make him a great buddy for particularly families with children." Inglis said that despite their quirks, the dogs were in high demand, with emails from dozens of interested households flooding the Ministry's inbox. "We tend to always be successful with rehoming these dogs, irrespective of whether they made it as working dogs," he said. "We train them very well, obedience-wise, and we also provide support [for their new owners], so we always get a good response. So we've already had 50 enquiries." That was no surprise for dog trainer and animal behaviourist Mark Vette. He said dogs trained by Biosecurity NZ were very well behaved and made for great pets. "You know, most people will take the easy road, and any of those, whether it's guide dogs, MPI or whatever it is, you've normally got a pretty good head start if you've got one of their dogs." But Vette said there were plenty more dogs out there that needed a home. He said training them might take a little bit more work, but they were worth it. "There's a lot of people that do rescue dogs, which is wonderful. But I'd like to see more," Vette said. "There's a lot of dogs out there that need good homes, and cats. It's one of those things that we encourage anyone to grow their skills a little bit more, and anyone can do it, but it does take some effort sometimes." Vette said rescue dogs were among the most loyal and loving pets around. He hoped more people would be willing to put in that extra bit of effort to find a diamond in the "ruff." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Watch live: Govt says billions being spent on infrastrastructure will create thouisands of jobs
The government on Sunday morning has released an infrastructure update showing $6 billion of government-funded construction is due to start between now and Christmas. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis and Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop said in a media release the projects would drive economic activity and create thousands of jobs across the country. "The projects getting underway include new roads, hospitals, schools, high-tech laboratories and other government buildings," Willis said. "That means spades in the ground, jobs throughout the country and a stronger economy. Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii "Improving the quality of New Zealand's infrastructure is critical to growing the economy and helping Kiwis with the cost of living. "Good roads, schools and hospitals help business to move goods and services to market quickly and efficiently, children to learn and doctors and nurses to get patients back on their feet." The projects getting underway would create thousands of employment opportunities for New Zealanders, Bishop said. "Numbers vary according to the nature of projects, but data sourced from the Infrastructure Commission suggests each billion dollars of infrastructure investment per year equates to about 4500 jobs. "In total, workers are expected to start construction on $3.9 billion worth of roading projects in the next few months. They include the Ōtaki to north of Levin expressway, the Melling interchange, the Waihoehoe Road upgrade, and the new Ōmanawa bridge on SH29. All will help to lift productivity by getting people and freight to their destinations quickly and safely. "Health projects kicking off include upgrades to Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore Hospital, and the construction of a new acute mental health unit at Hutt Valley Hospital. Construction work on the new inpatients building at the new Dunedin Hospital has also just begun." Projects focused on improving school properties nearly $800 million in value would also be underway before the end of the year, he said. Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop. Photo: VNP/Louis Collins "Other government infrastructure projects due to start before the end of this year include a massive new state-of-the-art biosecurity facility in Auckland for the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Papakura District Court interim courthouse. "Importantly, this is just the start. The National Infrastructure Pipeline, managed by the Infrastructure Commission, now shows planned future projects totalling $207 billion across central government, local government and the private sector." Alongside the infrastructure update, Nicola Willis today released an update on the government's Infrastructure for Growth work programme. The update is the first refresh of the Going for Growth agenda launched in February to drive economic growth by backing business, improving infrastructure and skills, and removing barriers to innovation. The projects beginning construction include: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
More rain for Auckland, clearer skies down south
There is a heavy rain watch in place for Auckland tomorrow. File photo. Photo: 123RF Heavy rain is heading towards Auckland and the east coast of the North Island, but the most sodden parts of the South Island are set for a reprieve from the downpours, says MetService. There is a heavy rain watch in place for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and Waikato north of Lake Waikare from 4amThursday through to 2pm, with localised downpours possible. Northland, where a suspected tornado hit Tuesday morning , has also been issues a strong wind watch for Thursday afternoon and evening. The wet weather is then expected to head east, with another heavy rain watch for Gisborne/Tairawhiti and Hawke's Bay north of Napier, starting at midday Thursday and lasting until 6am Friday. MetService has warned that streams and rivers may rise rapidly, with possible surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions. The weather agency has also warned that there may be snow on the highest part of the Desert Road on Thursday afternoon. Further south, areas such as Nelson - which are still cleaning up after multiple deluges in the past few weeks - will get a break from the current bad weather, with relatively clear skies for the next few days. After a wet and wild few weeks for the top of the South Island, drier days are finally in store ️ Follow along in real-time with satellite and rain radar imagery on our website: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Supermarket owner faces legal action over alleged cartel conduct
business crime 21 minutes ago The owner of New World and Pak'nSave supermarkets in the North Island is facing legal action over alleged cartel conduct regarding the supply of products to a hospitality customer. Consumer New Zealand chief executive Jon Duffy spoke to Charlotte Cook.
