“We have been working over several years to improve financial performance at these sites, including increasing production and exploring new markets. “We are taking the mills to market to assess whether there is interest from potential buyers.”Juken is one of Kaitāia’s biggest employers, with the two mills employing more than 200 people. Northland MP Grant McCallum says he has spoken to an investment group interested in buying the timber mills. He said councils would be seeking support from central government, “given the scale of the potential economic impact”. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.

PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONRoyal assent has been given to an amendment of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act today, allowing premises already open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday to now sell alcohol under normal licence conditions. A member’s Bill from Labour MP Kieran McAnulty, amending the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow premises that are already open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day morning and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under normal licence conditions, passed its third reading yesterday. Brew Bar manager Jasmine Ngatai said she had been ‘‘waiting very patiently’’ for the verdict and was excited to see the Act was being amended. ‘‘Literally, it will give all the hospitality venues a choice whether you want to open on these public holidays or not. At present, bars and restaurants can only sell alcohol if the patron is ‘‘residing or lodging’’ on the premises, or ‘‘present on the premises to dine’’.

Photo: RNZLegislation to ease alcohol restrictions over Easter, Anzac Day, and Christmas has passed its third and final reading at Parliament. It means McAnulty's Labour colleagues were free to vote against his bill, as Taieri MP Ingrid Leary did. Act voted as a bloc in support, while all New Zealand First and Green MPs opposed the bill. "The Green Party is united in our position that we cannot support this bill," she said. However, in support of the bill, National's Greg Fleming said he did not believe the legislation affected the sanctity of those days.

Jacquie CoplandWānaka residents will no longer have to travel to Dunedin or Queenstown for MRI scans, following confirmation a local service will start in September. The scanner will be operated by Pacific Radiology at a location that is yet to be determined. ‘‘The existing Queenstown MRI scanner is one of the busiest in the country, with almost half its patients travelling from Wanaka,’’ she said. ‘‘Local residents currently travel to Dunedin to access publicly funded MRIs, and to Queenstown for ACC-funded and privately funded MRIs. ‘‘We urge Health New Zealand to work with Pacific Radiology Group to deliver locally available, publicly funded MRI services in Wānaka.

Among the works to be displayed in the ‘‘Memento Vivere’’ exhibition will be these pieces created by Jane Siddall (left) and Timothy Peter Armstrong and James Sutherland. IMAGE: SUPPLIEDA trio of Dunedin artists have come together to celebrate the power of creativity with a new exhibition, ‘‘Memento Vivere’’, this month at Dunedin Community Gallery. The exhibition will run April 11-17 and open 10am-4pm daily at 126 Princes St.Armstrong said, in a statement, ‘‘Memento Vivere’’ was a testament to the power of creative kinship. ‘‘This reflects the conversations we had as we worked in parallel to create shared sinews of meaning. Sutherland studied drawing and painting at Edinburgh College of Art.

Photo: ODT filesWith New Zealand’s ageing population growing fast, and falls affecting a third of adults over 65, Hato Hone St John is stepping up to help people live strong and independent for longer. This week, Hato Hone St John launched its inaugural month-long April Falls campaign, aimed at working alongside partners like ACC, Osteoporosis New Zealand and communities to reduce the incidence and severity of falls and help New Zealanders age with strength, safety and dignity. Hato Hone St John Clinical Services deputy chief executive Jon Moores said, in a statement, ‘‘for many older people, a single fall can be the moment that changes their daily life, affecting their mobility, confidence, independence, and overall wellbeing”. Hato Hone St John is encouraging New Zealanders to take three practical steps: enrol a loved one in a strength and balance class, download ACC’s free Nymbl app for people aged 50 and over, and reduce hazards in the home using Hato Hone St John’s falls prevention booklet. Within ambulance data, most falls occur in older age groups, with a median age of 81 and over two-thirds involving people aged 75 and older.

(The Artist’s Room)The Artist’s Room is showing a joint exhibition by a well-known artist and an artist welcoming her maiden Dunedin exhibition. The well-known artist is Tyler Kennedy Stent, who has again produced a series of fine candid portraiture studies. Stent’s attention to detail and use of what initially seem unlikely colours make for captivating art, as does his use of watercolour painted in near-impasto opacity. Nacey presents a series of attractive oils in muted tones focusing on the play of light within a room. In her latest exhibition, the artist presents several of these works, but the exhibition is dominated by three installation pieces.

A free laundry service will offer a new point of connection for people experiencing hardship across Dunedin, an organiser says. Not-for-profit Orange Sky has announced its expansion into Dunedin with a volunteer-run laundry pod at the Salvation Army’s Crawford St site, which will begin operation late this month. Orange Sky national co-ordinator Emah Butler said for users, the pod’s impact extended beyond free washing and drying facilities. Orange Sky national co-ordinator Emah Butler at a new Dunedin laundry pod at the Salvation Army’s Crawford St site, which will launch later this month and operate for free twice a week. If the need was there, the organisation could look to expand services, Mrs Butler said.

The public have been urged to show caution while driving this holiday period. PHOTO: APNZPeople switching into holiday mode this long weekend are being urged not switch off on the roads as major events generate higher traffic volumes and risk of crashes. The Warbirds over Wanaka event attracts tens of thousands of visitors over the Easter weekend and this makes Central Otago a hotspot for travel and holidaymakers even more than usual. ‘‘It means busy roads leading in and out of Wanaka for the event, but also around Queenstown and other popular tourist regional attractions that people want to take in over the long weekend. ‘‘There’s no secret about the things people can do to keep themselves safe on the roads — it’s just about putting them into action.

Photo: RNZWinston Peters has accused the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) of "bordering on fascist" after it concluded it has jurisdiction over online media service The Platform. Peters told Plunket the move was one of "breathtaking audacity". Plunket - who disagrees with the BSA decision - told his audience he was frustrated by the lack of action from the government. The Act Party has a private member's bill to abolish the BSA, which Peters hinted his party would support. Act leader David Seymour told reporters at Parliament on Wednesday afternoon that it was time for the BSA to go.

Process Vegetables New Zealand chair David Hadfield said there has been a significant drop in the demand for frozen vegetables. Photo: GettyAt a time when both Wattie's and McCain have announced factory closures, supermarket retailer Woolworths says sales of frozen vegetables have been declining. Process Vegetables New Zealand chairman David Hadfield said there has been a significant drop in the demand for frozen vegetables, noting that diets and demographics were changing in New Zealand. "With Uber Eats etc, there's not a lot of vegetables in the package that you get to eat. He said with the current cost-of-living pressures they expect demand for cheaper frozen vegetables will increase, but added supermarket profit margins were not helping the situation.

Outside court, Mr Singh's father Nishan said he felt justice had been served and paid tribute to police, prosecutors and those who had supported the family during their ordeal. Mr Singh’s parents said the weight of losing their only son in such a callous attack was devastating. They had sold everything to enable Mr Singh to travel to New Zealand in 2016, study and establish a business for himself. Mr Singh’s body was found on his front lawn partially decapitated; at least 46 stab wounds were later identified by a pathologist. “It’s yet another lie from you to deflect responsibility for your crime,” she told Rajinder.

By Giles Dexter of RNZSome restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday alcohol sales could be gone as soon as this long weekend. Currently, bars or restaurants can only sell alcohol if the patron is "residing or lodging" on the premises, or "present on the premises to dine". Parliament treats alcohol legislation as a conscience matter, meaning MPs vote according to their personal view or what they think is best for their electorate or community, rather than as a party bloc. Luxton said it would mean punters coming to enjoy the new stadium were not kicked out at midnight for Anzac Day. Luxton's own member's bill to repeal alcohol restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday was voted down at first reading in 2024.

Stock photo: GettyA six-year-old who spent $800 buying "gems" for his video games left his father without enough money to pay for food. It said the man had loaded his credit card details on to his gaming computer, to pay for in-game purchases. But his six-year-old also used the computer and did not realise that he was using his father's credit card to buy gems for his game. He complained to the card provider, saying it should have noticed 100 small withdrawals but the provider argued it was not liable. FSCL ombudsman Susan Taylor said it highlighted how problematic it could be to store credit card details on a device.

Photo: RNZThere is a slight decrease in national fuel stock across petrol, diesel and jet fuel since the last update, but "supply remains within normal levels". That's according to the latest fuel stocks update, which says the change remains within expectations and shows normal patterns. Data released on Monday showed there was 59.3 days' cover of petrol, 54.5 days' cover of diesel, and 50.4 days' cover of jet fuel. Phase three would see fuel prioritised for life-preserving services and phase four would see stricter intervention in fuel distribution. Moving up or down levels is decided by a ministerial oversight group based on fuel stocks, restrictions and supply chain data.