Latest news with #Wellington
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Firefighters investigating cause of 'pretty bad' blaze on Mansfield St, Newtown
Smoke from the blaze drifts across the suburb. Photo: Supplied / Shay Vaseneva Firefighters are investigating the cause of a massive house fire in the Wellington suburb of Newtown overnight. The fire on Mansfield Street broke at about 11.40pm on Thursday and wasn't contained until about 2.30am on Friday. It was initially unclear whether anyone was inside the two-storied property. Once firefighters were able to enter the building, Fire and Emergency (FENZ) assistant commander Steve Hudson said a primary search did not reveal anyone inside. Three neighbouring properties were evacuated and Mansfield Street remained closed. Six fire trucks, an aerial appliance, a command unit and a breathing apparatus tender for decontamination attended the blaze. Some crews were being released at about 3am, as operations began to scale back. Hudson said an investigation would be carried out to establish the origin and cause of the fire. On social media, some users reported smelling smoke inside Wellington Hospital and as far away as Te Aro. FENZ advised anyone affected by the smoke to keep their doors and windows closed, and stay inside. Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at a Newtown house. Photo: Supplied / Shay Vaseneva Earlier, at 1am, shift manager Chris Dalton said the fire was "pretty bad" and still had not been contained. Firefighters were working to stop the flames from spreading when RNZ spoke to him. "That's what we're working on now," he said, noting many of the houses in the area were older structures. "It's an area where lots of houses are all built next to each other." It was not immediately clear at that time whether anyone was inside the building, Dalton said. Newtown resident Shay Vaseneva said she could see firefighters putting up caution tape around Mansfield Street at about 12.30am. "The house is in flames, there's no doubt, with quite a few fire trucks and police cars. It looked like they were making sure the fire doesn't spread to the neighbours, obviously it must be unsafe inside," they said. The smoke and smell were "pretty bad down the street from the house". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Newtown fire: Unclear whether anyone hurt or trapped in 'pretty bad' Mansfield St blaze
Smoke from the blaze drifts across the suburb. Photo: Supplied / Shay Vaseneva Firefighters battling a massive blaze in the Wellington suburb of Newtown are unsure if anyone is inside the building. Fire and Emergency (FENZ) shift manager Chris Dalton said emergency services received multiple calls about a house fire on Mansfield Street at 11.40pm on Thursday. The "pretty bad" fire had still not been contained at 1am, and was at "third alarm" level. Dalton said firefighters were currently working to stop the flames from spreading. "That's what we're working on now," he said, noting many of the houses in the area were older structures. "It's an area where lots of houses are all built next to each other." It was not immediately clear whether anyone was inside the building, Dalton said. Firefighters are battling a massive blaze at a Newtown house. Photo: Supplied / Shay Vaseneva Six fire appliances, a BA (breathing apparatus) tender and a ladder truck were at the scene. The house in question is a "few doors down" from the Newtown fire station. Newtown resident Shay Vaseneva said firefighters were putting up caution tape around the area on Mansfield Street at about 12.30am. "The house is in flames, there's no doubt, with quite a few fire trucks and police cars. It looked like they were making sure the fire doesn't spread to the neighbours, obviously it must be unsafe inside," they said. The smoke and smell were "pretty bad down the street from the house", they said. FENZ said Mansfield Street was closed and asked people to stay away from the area. "If you are affected by the smoke, keep your doors and windows closed and stay inside" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Dairy giant New Zealand endures butter price shock
Butter prices leapt 46.5% in the year to June to an average of US$5.09 for a 500g block. (YouTube pic) WELLINGTON : Butter prices have soared in dairy export giant New Zealand, latest figures showed today, with local supplies cut short as the industry chases fatter profits overseas. The dairy price shock spreads as far as cheese and milk, leading one economist to suggest locals face the grim prospect of cereal without milk if they want to save money. Butter prices leapt 46.5% in the year to June to an average of NZ$8.60 (US$5.09) for a 500g block, according to official data from Stats New Zealand. Milk prices surged 14.3% over the same period, while cheese shot up 30%. High dairy prices have hit the headlines in New Zealand, with media outlet Stuff reporting that 'exorbitant' prices are unlikely to 'melt away' any time soon. Wholesale and retail store Costco restricted butter sales to a maximum of 30 blocks per customer in June, but still sold out, according to the New Zealand Herald. The prices are hurting consumers, said independent economist Brad Olsen, chief executive of Infometrics. 'At the moment, I'm going with any other alternative I can find,' Olsen said of butter prices. 'I'd also say, the cheap option for breakfast at the moment seems to be to try cereal without the milk.' 'The phenomenon was driven by international prices and demand,' Olsen said. Creaming off profits 'Butter supplies had failed to keep up with rising demand over the past two years,' he said. 'New Zealand exports the vast majority of our dairy products. So if you're a company that's exporting butter, you've got to make a decision. 'Do you sell it at the international price overseas, or do you sell it cheaper in New Zealand?' the economist said. 'No business is going to sell it cheaper… if they can get a better price overseas,' he added. However, while New Zealand consumers were feeling the price pinch, the overall economy was benefiting as exporters creamed off larger profits from sales overseas. 'The sort of returns that our farmers and the primary sector more broadly are getting, and the economic benefit that brings, is actually far more substantial,' Olsen said. 'It's an extra NZ$4.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) that has been flowing into the economy from the higher dairy payout. That's a significant boost,' he added. 'New Zealand butter lovers are actually faring better than some,' he said, adding they still pay 46% less than Americans.
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Spread too thin: Kiwis feel the pinch as butter prices soar nearly 50pc
WELLINGTON, July 17 — Butter prices have soared in dairy export giant New Zealand, latest figures showed today, with local supplies cut short as the industry chases fatter profits overseas. The dairy price shock spreads as far as cheese and milk, leading one economist to suggest locals face the grim prospect of cereal without milk if they want to save money. Butter prices leapt 46.5 per cent in the year to June to an average of NZ$8.60 (RM22) for a 500-gram block, according to official data from Stats New Zealand. Milk prices surged 14.3 per cent over the same period, while cheese shot up 30 per cent. High dairy prices have hit the headlines in New Zealand, with media outlet Stuff reporting that 'exorbitant' prices are unlikely to 'melt away' any time soon. Wholesale and retail store Costco restricted butter sales to a maximum of 30 blocks per customer in June, but still sold out, according to the New Zealand Herald. The prices are hurting consumers, said independent economist Brad Olsen, chief executive of Infometrics. 'At the moment, I'm going with any other alternative I can find,' Olsen said of butter prices. 'I'd also say, the cheap option for breakfast at the moment seems to be to try cereal without the milk.' The phenomenon was driven by international prices and demand, Olsen said. Creaming off profits Butter supplies had failed to keep up with rising demand over the past two years, he said. 'New Zealand exports the vast majority of our dairy products. So if you're a company that's exporting butter, you've got to make a decision. Do you sell it at the international price overseas, or do you sell it cheaper in New Zealand?' the economist said. 'No business is going to sell it cheaper... if they can get a better price overseas.' But while New Zealand consumers were feeling the price pinch, the overall economy was benefiting as exporters creamed off larger profits from sales overseas. 'The sort of returns that our farmers and the primary sector more broadly are getting, and the economic benefit that brings, is actually far more substantial,' Olsen said. 'It's an extra NZ$4.6 billion that has been flowing into the economy from the higher dairy payout. That's a significant boost.' New Zealand butter lovers are actually faring better than some, he said, adding they still pay 46 per cent less than Americans. — AFP
Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Zahid's ‘Beehive Bunker' visit signals new chapter in Malaysia-New Zealand crisis cooperation
WELLINGTON, July 17 — Malaysia and New Zealand have the potential to strengthen cooperation in disaster management through a more holistic approach, following Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's visit to the National Crisis Management Centre here today. The visit to the centre, also known as the Beehive Bunker, is seen as opening a new chapter in emergency and disaster management collaboration between the two countries. Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the visit was not merely symbolic but aimed at expanding strategic cooperation encompassing information sharing, education, and disaster safety training, including rescue simulations and disaster victim logistics management. 'Malaysia and New Zealand have long enjoyed cooperation in various fields, but disaster management remains an area with great potential to be enhanced bilaterally,' he told reporters here. He also welcomed the progress in ongoing negotiations between the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency, which are working towards finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the near future. 'I am confident this effort will serve as a landmark for more coordinated, structured and effective cooperation between the two countries, for the safety of the people and stronger regional preparedness,' he said. Ahmad Zahid's visit to the Beehive Bunker, located within the New Zealand Parliament building, was joined by an official delegation and senior Malaysian government officials. The deputy prime minister will conclude his five-day working visit to New Zealand and depart for Kuala Lumpur on Friday (July 18). — Bernama
