An SH130 Hitachi EX3600 electric shovel, unveiled earlier this year, traverses OceanaGold’s Innes Mills pit at its Macraes gold mine — one of three open pits that would be expanded about 200m each as part of the proposed Macraes Phase Four (MP4) Project. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will be closely watching tomorrow’s US election — and says it’s important New Zealand builds close ties with whoever wins, whether it’s Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump.American voters will cast their final votes tomorrow.Luxon said on Breakfast this morning: “I’m like everybody else, I…

Timaru’s Mayor and the region’s economic development agency are hoping a jobs fair being held today will be “instrumental” to connect potential employers directly with workers following the Smithfield meatworks closure.Last month, Alliance Group confirmed the closure of Smithfield meatworks following a two-week consultation period with staff and unions. A…

A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz is on the auction block nearly two decades after a thief stole the iconic shoes, convinced they were adorned with real jewels.Online bidding has started and will continue through December 7, Heritage Auctions in Dallas announced…

A fire sparked by used fireworks in a cardboard recycling truck in Northland yesterday has prompted a warning to dispose of them properly following Guy Fawkes.Whangārei District Council’s parks and recreation department field officer Grant Alsop told 1News that staff first noticed smoke coming from the back of their cardboard…

A Kaipara councillor is wearing Mickey Mouse T-shirts at council meetings over what he says is “the worrying state of democracy” in his political organisation.Councillor Mark Vincent, from Whakapirau, says democracy is fading at Kaipara District Council (KDC) and it is fast becoming the “black sheep” of councils.”I am learning…

A rescue helicopter has winched a paramedic to the aid of an unconscious boatie after a vessel capsized off Gisborne’s Sponge Bay this morrning. A number of emergency service agencies responded at 9.20am to the effort off Tuamotu Island. In a statement, Surf Life Saving New Zealand said the Gisborne…

The number of Christchurch Hospital staff who may have inhaled toxic fumes from a construction site has jumped to 84.It was believed an industrial chemical from painting at the nearby hospital tower block was circulated through the air conditioning earlier this year. Workers in the radiology team suffered headaches, breathing…

The cost of living for the average Kiwi household has increased by 3.8% in the 12 months to the September 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today, with interest payments and insurance the largest contributor. Measured by the household living-costs price indexes (HLPIs), the 3.8% increase follows…

A person has been critically injured in a house fire in Stokes Valley, Lower Hutt.Emergency services, including fire crews from five stations, were called to a property on Hanson Grove just after 3am on Tuesday.One person was taken to hospital in a critical condition.The area was cordoned off, and police…