Kiwis: spending, spending…selling!

Christchurch - Shoppers spent more on long-lasting goods such as cell phones and laptops in November than last year, but almost a third more Kiwis sold their houses last month compared with 2019. Total retail card spending rose 1.4 percent in November 2020, up $85 million, compared with November 2019. Some sectors, like

Some of NZ’s rarest old cars go under the hammer

Auckland – One of the biggest ever auctions of New Zealand’s coolest old cars goes under the hammer in Auckland on Sunday. Webb’s auction house is putting up 83 lots which are expecting to fetch more than $3.5 million which could be a New Zealand record for the Auckland auctioneers. Among the

First exercise day of 2021 just weeks away

Christchurch - The first days of 2021 are just weeks away, raising the spectre of the annual tradition of resolutions, such as getting fitter. Healthier behaviours are valued more since covid arrived so 2021 promises to be a more active year for Kiwis, ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie says. A recent American survey

NZ border exemptions needed for skilled tech people

Auckland - A review of New Zealand’s immigration settings is imperative, NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says. There is a major covid bottleneck within Immigration NZ and he wants an immediate border exemption for key tech people, he says. “We have asked cabinet ministers to urgently consider allowing more rapid entry of

Vaccines for the UK; NZ summer holiday safety…

Christchurch - The UK has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine for widespread use; but it will be some time before New Zealanders get their shots. The vaccine is up to 95 percent effective and the  UK is due to get 40 million doses.

NZ urgently needs greater debate and action on gene editing

Auckland - New Zealand urgently needs to debate and action on gene editing, with the aim of boosting New Zealand’s bioeconomy, a BioTechNZ survey report says. There is global interest in biotechnology as a means of altering biological processes to improve human health, food production and environmental sustainability, the new report says. Increasing demand

NZ a world leader in many biotech areas – nationwide report

Auckland - New Zealand, with its world leading bioeconomy, has huge advantages in growing its massive potential in biotechnology, a new report says. The significant BioTechNZ study analysed the state of biotechnology and its impact and benefits for the New Zealand economy and society. What New Zealand has over most other countries includes

Kiwi expert backs WHO’s new weekly health activity guidelines

Christchurch - A New Zealander who has been working with the World Health Organisation (WHO) on physical activity says he supports their new global guidelines on substantially increasing weekly exercise. ExerciseNZ chief executive Richard Beddie says the key changes to the new guidelines just released are doubling up on recommended weekly exercise to 150