Tough year ahead for retailers: 'It's going to be a really long 2024'
Photo: 123RFRetailers are looking at another tough year ahead, with a continuing drop in consumer spending and commercial activity indicated in recent data. ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner said the latest spending data was in line with activity on the roads. Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young said retailers were finding it difficult to turn a profit, with razor thin profit margins. Retailers are telling us that they're still getting some foot traffic through the stores, but conversion to sale is really difficult. "It feels like it's going to be a really long 2024."
Source:Stuff
March 12, 2024 21:01 UTC
Water restrictions in Tasman district impact apple growers
In the Tasman district's Lower Moutere, apple orchardists are facing significant challenges due to stage 4 water rationing, particularly in the Moutere Eastern Groundwater zone. Stephan Clark, a third-generation grower, highlighted the dire situation, noting the rationing does not meet the water needs of his 85-hectare orchard. The discrepancy in water restrictions between neighboring zones has raised concerns among growers, with Clark pointing out that the Moutere western zone, around Motueka, is subject to less severe restrictions. However, growers like Clark question the council's assessment of water levels and allocation policies, suggesting that the restrictions are disproportionate. Ashton Wood, another affected grower, shared that the reduced water supply has led to a smaller apple crop, potentially impacting marketability and revenue.
Source:Stuff
March 12, 2024 16:20 UTC
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Dunedin sex offender who hid child abuse images in Bible jailed for over three years
Video / NZ Herald / APWARNING: Distressing contentA recidivist sex offender likened child abuse material to “alcohol for alcoholics” after police found his phone full of objectionable material in a hollowed-out bible. With prior convictions for raping a child, Gray was placed under the scrutiny of authorities for 10 years when he was issued with an extended supervision order in January 2018. Police found 452 images and 188 videos depicting varying degrees of child exploitation on the devices. Zacariha Gray, pictured in the Dunedin District Court in 2022, was jailed for more than three years last week over more charges of possessing child exploitation material. Last week, Judge Turner received an apology letter from the defendant, who expressed a desire to be rehabilitated.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2024 13:04 UTC
Daily review 12/03/2024
Written By: notices and features - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 12th, 2024 - 6 commentsCategories: Daily review - Tags:Daily review is also your post. This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Don’t forget to be kind to each other …Share this: FacebookLinkedInRedditPinterestMastodonTwitterPrintEmail
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2024 10:40 UTC
What is happening with the cuts and closures in NZ media?
It is well known that legacy media outlets have been struggling to survive in a digital world. People are spending more time on social media and streaming services and less time tuning in to older types of news media. Even big, digital media companies, once thought to be the future of post-print news, were dying. In New Zealand, Google has done its own deals with local outlets, under its Google News Showcase programme, launched in 2022. There were several problems with the bill, wrote Peter Thompson, associate professor of media studies at Victoria University of Wellington.
Source:Stuff
March 12, 2024 10:09 UTC
Police officers resoundingly reject 'kick in the guts' government pay offer
Police officers have labelled their latest pay offer a "kick in the guts", "farcical" and an "absolute joke". The 4 percent pay increase is still below inflation, which is currently 4.7 percent, while in September last year, inflation was 5.6 percent. The rejected pay offer has also led to fears of a brain drain across the ditch, with Cahill saying Australian recruitment lines would've been "red hot since our members heard of this offer last Friday". This includes "work to rule", which would see officers refuse to work overtime and ensure they take all mandated breaks. "Yet they insult these very officers by intentionally failing to backdate the pay offer that has been delayed by politics and government processes, not officers."
Source:Stuff
March 12, 2024 08:41 UTC
Fisherman pulls body wrapped in bags from Auckland’s Gulf Harbour
Retiree Paul Middleton, who has been travelling around the country in a camper van fishing, made the gruesome discovery by the Gulf Harbour ferry terminal on Tuesday afternoon. "I saw a big lump out in the water that I thought might be a cow or something, so thought some kahawai might be hanging around nearby. "As I got closer I realised it was a big black plastic bag," Middleton told Stuff. "There was plastic bag inside of plastic bag inside of plastic bag. Middleton estimated what he thought was a body was wrapped in "at least" three plastic bags.
Source:Stuff
March 12, 2024 07:49 UTC
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Focus: Hammer-wielding robbers target G.A.S Māngere
Kea Kids: Police Minister is outlawing gang patches, but these bikers are exemptMark Mitchell wants to pass new rules to stop criminal gangs from displaying their allegiance, but there’s one biker club that can hoon around loud and proud. Kea Kids News reporter Jaden rides with the Auckland HOGS and we find out what their patches mean to them. Video / Kea Kids
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 12, 2024 07:03 UTC
Public figure's Grindr encounter leads to blackmail accusation
Photo: NZ HeraldA blackmail trial in Christchurch has heard a dispute arose after a paid sexual encounter between a Canterbury based public figure and the accused. The trial started in the Christchurch District Court today of a person accused of trying to blackmail a Canterbury based public figure. Crown lawyer Sean Mallett said the two made contact on dating app Grindr, and had a sexual encounter. Sean Mallett said that prior to the sexual encounter the defendant had mentioned being rewarded for the encounter, but they had not agreed on an amount or method of payment. Later that day the complainant paid the other man $250.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 12, 2024 06:58 UTC
'People flew through cabin': 50 treated on Auckland-bound plane
Photo: NZ HeraldPeople "flew through the cabin" after an incident on a flight to Auckland that left one person seriously injured and 50 others needing treatment. They received immediate assistance and were evaluated or treated by medical staff at the airport as needed." Another passenger, Valentina, told RNZ the plane "just stopped" about 50 minutes out of Auckland. Its next flight - LA800 to Santiago - has been cancelled. "The immediate response was handled by Auckland Airport alongside emergency services.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2024 05:48 UTC
Highlanders happy to be home reconnecting
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONThe Highlanders are happy to be home. "I was just really happy that we’d found a way to do that in an away trip like that. "It was different to the Blues game, but really glad that we could get that result." The Highlanders have set themselves up nicely attack-wise so far, stringing together some nice phases to get things humming. "They’re helping direct the team ... and they’ve also made some good plays between themselves, so that’s been really good."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2024 05:17 UTC
‘Gauges Went Blank’ Before 787’s Sudden Loss Of Altitude
Brian Jokat, a passenger onboard a LATAM Airlines 787-9 that had a sudden loss of altitude on Monday, says the captain told him the “gauges went blank” and he was briefly unable to control the airliner. CNN interviewed an American passenger on the plane who said the captain appeared shaken as he surveyed the aftermath of the violent maneuver. He said the captain told him the panel quickly came back on and the systems resumed normal operation. The “sudden drop” sent a dozen people to a hospital in New Zealand after they were flung about the cabin. The flight from Auckland to Santiago was canceled and rescheduled for Tuesday.
Source:Stuff
March 12, 2024 00:59 UTC
Shout Media acquires Adz Up
Shout Media has announced the acquisition of Shopping Centre media specialist, Adz Up from 1 April 2024. Adz Up has digital and classic media assets spanning 50 shopping centres and 30 cinemas throughout New Zealand, bringing new opportunities to Shout Media’s expanding portfolio. Paul Kenny, Shout Media’s MD, says, “ We have a lot of admiration for Adz Up’s innovative business model and strong landowner relationships. Shout Media has all the right experience and capability to take it to the next level and I will be cheering them on from the side-lines.”Kenny continues, “We see Adz Up as a natural fit with Shout Media, which will provide enhanced capability to reach audiences ‘everywhere’. By incorporating malls and cinemas into Shout’s portfolio, we can provide existing and new clients with extended options, amplifying Shout’s reach across multiple venues and demographics.”Effective April 1st, the three full-time staff members at Adz Up will transition to Shout Media, ensuring continuity and expertise within the team.
Source:Stuff
March 12, 2024 00:17 UTC
Average residential property's values are flattening out says QV
Average dwelling values remained almost flat in February, although it's a mixed picture in different parts of the country. QV's figures are a rolling three month average, meaning each month's average value depicts market conditions over the previous three month period. Of the 16 main urban areas covered by the QV HPI, exactly half showed property value declines between January and February and half showed property value increases. Significantly, the country's two largest residential property markets, Auckland and Christchurch, both showed declines in average values between January and February, while Wellington and Dunedin both showed increases. The first table below shows the average value changes between January and February, while the second table shows the quarterly value changes.
Source:Stuff
March 12, 2024 00:05 UTC
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon defends police pay offer despite Police Association slamming it as 'insulting'
Luxon joined AM on Tuesday morning for his weekly interview and defended his Government's approach to police. The Prime Minister disagreed and claimed the offer is not the same as the previous offer. "It's not appropriate as Prime Minister that I am in the middle of all that. "I disagree, there is an enhanced offer that has been put together by the police, again it's an issue for them to work through with the police association," Luxon replied. "All I'm responsible for is making sure those negotiations take place in good faith and importantly we back our police with giving them stronger tools."
Source:Stuff
March 11, 2024 23:00 UTC