Potato chips manufacturer Bluebird, based in New Zealand, says its parent company PepsiCo has invested over $66 million into the development of its Auckland factory, with a $26m-plus packing machine under construction. As Aimee Shaw reports for Stuff.co.nz, the Wiri potato chips manufacturer says snacking, and therefore its sales, have increased since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. The most recent accounts on the Company’s Office show Bluebird made just over $4m profit after tax in 2021, on sales revenue of $174.6m. Bluebird says it spends $34m a year on New Zealand potatoes and corn, and uses about 33,000 tonnes of potatoes. Read the full story herePhoto: It takes just 20 minutes to make potato chips from washing the whole potato to bagging the seasoned chips.

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High fees and opaque exchange rates are hitting New Zealanders who send money overseas. (Image: Tina Tiller)Tristan Dakin says this is a problem for many New Zealand migrants trying to send money back home. All charge more if you attempt to send money in person. There may also be currency conversion fees associated with the transaction, and the bank receiving the money may also charge a fee. Stuff recently reported the top four banks were making about $16 million in after-tax profit – including from international transaction fees – every single day.

The 2023 Census for the first time included questions about sexual identity and orientation. Deputy government statistician Simon Mason said in that advisory that, from May 9, people who had not completed all their census forms would receive a “final notice”. “We had more boots on the ground, more paper forms and more community engagement.”Whatever the final completion rate, the 2023 Census would be an improvement on the results obtained in 2018 Census, she noted. “The overall response rate for the 2018 Census was 81.6% excluding partial responses. “Stats NZ has asked Cabinet for another $37 million to try and finish the Census and get accurate and fulsome data.

Police work at the scene of an unexplained death at a house on the corner of Mull and Birsa Sts, in Palmerston, yesterday afternoon. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIENPolice are investigating an unexplained death in Palmerston at the weekend. Officers were called to a Mull St property in the East Otago town early on Saturday. A police spokesman said officers were called to the Mull St address about 12.15am. Another Mull St resident contacted the ODT and said apart from noisy parties at weekends, the house was occupied by a "quiet and normal family" with four children.

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Photo: LDR / SuppliedA new medical study says up to one in 50 young Pasifika adults living in South Auckland may have rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease is the condition that results from the heart valves being permanently damaged by rheumatic fever. The study found up to one in 50 young Pasifika adults living in South Auckland may have rheumatic heart disease (RHD). It said prevention of both acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease must target both young adults and children. People with severe rheumatic heart disease often require surgery to replace or repair the damaged heart valves.

Local officials and the FBI also chipped in reward money, bringing the total to US$80,000 (NZ$129,000) for any information about Oropeza’s whereabouts. Garcia, who survived a mass shooting, lost his son and wife in the shooting Friday night. “We’re looking for closure for this family,” Capers said. In the neighbourhood, an FBI agent, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and other officers were seen going door to door. FBI spokeswoman Christina Garza said investigators do not believe those at the home were members of a single family.

Photo: NZ HeraldFrustrated Wellingtonians have unleashed on protesters who blocked a central city this morning, with one person even trying to drive past the blockade via the footpath. Restore Passenger Rail protesters have been removed from the road by police this morning after they blocked traffic near Parliament. Members of the public had gathered to watch the spectacle and heckle protesters, calling them idiots and swearing at them. It’s the sixth protest within six weeks in which the Restore Passenger Rail protesters have blocked or attempted to block traffic. He said the protest action presents a huge risk to the general public – and the protesters themselves.

HYPER, New Zealand’s leading provider of DOOH retail media channels, has announced a new media partnership with Briscoe Group. The partnership will see HYPER deploy custom designed 65” digital screens across Rebel Sport and Briscoes Homeware’s 90 store network reaching more than 10 million shoppers annually. HYPER CEO Ben Partington says the organisation is excited to partner with the two respected retail brands. The development of retail media networks has traditionally been a space that only large grocery companies have played in in New Zealand. The exciting news for agencies and brands is that these new networks are open to non-endemic advertisers, an activity that grocery based retail media networks are yet to cater for.

"I think the Drua are going to knock some teams over on the final run home, so we're glad it's not us. The crowd was naturally behind the home team but also showed their appreciation for the Blues during the game. Captain and flanker Dalton Papali'i said it had been a tough game in the conditions. He said using their scrum to contain the improving Drua scrum was good for the Blues. Papali'i said there was a connection between the sides because of Fijian players' role in developing the Blues culture through the years.

Manuel, who has post-traumatic stress disorder, said she has not ventured into the forest since last year after three negative encounters with dog owners who allowed their dogs to be off-lead, against Rotorua Lakes Council bylaws.

nzherald.co.nz published this video item, entitled “Storm lashes North, Auckland school robbed three times & Coronation crowds build | nzherald.co.nz” – below is their description. Wild weather batters the North Island, principal speaks out after thieves strike three times and crowds descend on London for the King’s upcoming coronation in the latest New Zealand Herald headlines. Full story: https://bit.ly/3VfZyPzSubscribe and be notified of breaking news: https://goo.gl/LP45jXCheck out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249Like NZ Herald on Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4oqFollow NZ Herald on Instagram: https://goo.gl/oLicXeFollow NZ Herald on Twitter: https://goo.gl/Wi6mbvnzherald.co.nz YouTube Channel

Papakura High School is calling for public support to identify men believed to be responsible for breaking into the school, stealing items and damaging property. A South Auckland principal has spoken out over the “violation” of thieves targeting the school in three separate attacks within the last month. Papakura High School principal Simon Craggs told the Herald the first break-in occurred over Easter and thieves stole more than 20 Chromebooks and iPads from their art department. Papakura High School was previously the subject of the Herald’s Under the Bridge documentary, which recorded the Decile 1 school’s turnaround from tough times. Last month another Auckland school was targeted by thieves, who broke in and stole $1500 raised during the school fun run.

In an historical first, Invercargill police and firefighters have physically battled each other — but all for a good cause. The two organisations squared off against each other on Friday as part of a 24-hour bike-a-thon fundraiser for the annual Westpac Chopper Rescue Appeal. This was the inaugural event, but they aimed to make it an annual event, as it was all about raising funds for the Westpac rescue chopper. As they dealt with incidents every day, the rescue chopper was the lifeline, he said. A team of firefighters will take part in the 12th annual Westpac Chopper Bike Rides event on May 12.