-
More
Weather Forecast
Channel 39 - Freeview|HD - Streaming - On Demand - Monday, November 25, 2024
- Home
- National
Friday 26th February, 2016
Thumb not available yet
Fewer prisoners are using drugs in jail, as shown in the latest data released by the government.
Corrections Minister Judith Collins says positive drug tests among prisoners are at an all-time low.
There were more than 4500 random drug tests on inmates last year.
Just 3% returned positive results, down from 10% five years ago.
At the start of the millennium almost a quarter of random drug tests in jail were positive.
Since then corrections officers have been given more legal power to search inmates and their property.
Friday 26th February, 2016
International visitor spending has increased by almost a third in the last year.
The government's latest figures show just under $10b was spent by foreign tourists in 2015.
Significant growth is being seen in the China market, which is up 63%.
United States residents are also making their mark on New Zealand soil, with a 40% jump in spending to $1b.
Australia remains New Zealand's largest international visitor market, and is also up with 19% growth.
Tuesday 16th February, 2016
Thumb not available yet
It's been a difficult pre-season for the Highlanders, with last year's winning team yet to record a victory.
The Super Rugby side is preparing to play the New South Wales Waratahs in Queenstown this Friday.
That'll be the Highlanders' third and final pre-season game and players are hoping to finish triumphant.
They lost to French team Racing 92 in Hong Kong, and drew against the Crusaders in Southland last week.
The reigning champions are set to formally start their Super Rugby campaign at the end of the month, when they'll face the Blues in Auckland.
Thursday 04th February, 2016
Thumb not available yet
Health professionals are sharing their concerns about potential risks associated with the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
The controversial trade deal was signed in Auckland today, despite ongoing public opposition.
But a local academic says it's not too late to address perceived issues.
Thursday 04th February, 2016
Unemployment is at its lowest level in seven years.
Thousands of people secured work in the later part of last year, lowering the unemployment rate to 5.3%.
The government's welcoming the news, saying more jobs are becoming available in many regions of the country.
Construction is leading the way as an industry, adding more than 20,000 jobs in the last year.
In that time the national average weekly wage has risen 3%.
Monday 01st February, 2016
New data is revealing the extent of the latest tourism boom, with record numbers of visitors into the country.
Almost half a million foreign tourists arrived in December alone.
That's the highest ever monthly intake according to Statistics New Zealand.
The biggest increase was in visitors from China, up 43% from the previous December.
Last year more than three million international holidaymakers visited New Zealand, a yearly jump of 10%.
About a third of them were from Australia, with China and the United States also contributing big numbers.
Monday 25th January, 2016
Falling oil prices are having a marked impact on local exports.
The shipping rate to China is 26% lower than a year ago, and 7% lower than last month.
Some exporters are reporting the lowest rates in over 20 years.
That's as the New Zealand dollar is declining, making goods more attractive to overseas buyers.
The kiwi has slid more than 5% against the greenback so far this year.
Friday 22nd January, 2016
The electricity retail industry is at its most competitive, with record numbers switching providers.
Almost half a million kiwis changed power companies in 2015.
The government estimates that's resulted in savings of around $24m for consumers.
It's keeping an eye on the industry, with a large increase in the number of retailers entering the market.
About two dozen independent companies are supplying electricity through more than 30 different brands.
Friday 22nd January, 2016
Thumb not available yet
A first of its kind national environmental monitoring project is being co-ordinated in Dunedin.
It's aimed at better informing the public about the quality of waterways and outdoor recreational areas.
And a new phase of the initiative is about to be launched.
Thursday 21st January, 2016
Thumb not available yet
Highlanders head coach Jamie Joseph is leaving Dunedin at the end of this year's Super Rugby season to work in Japan.
Joseph confirmed the move during a media conference at the Highlanders headquarters early this afternoon.
He says making the decision to leave the Highlanders wasn't easy, but it's the necessary progression in his career.
Joseph is in his sixth season with the Highlanders, last year leading the side to its first ever Super Rugby victory.
The 46 year old once played for Japan, including in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.