Photo: RNZ / Marika KhabaziPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has defended reinstating interest deductibility for landlords, saying renters will be grateful costs are not being passed on to them. Luxon said the government had campaigned on it "because we care about renters in New Zealand". We have a major major supply challenge and social housing estate housing in New Zealand." You know, what we're doing on interest deductibility is making sure we lower you know, we we actually put downward pressure on rents for renters. "Our advice is that we're going to get downward pressure on rents, because essentially, the costs are not being passed through to renters."

In a significant development for the agri-food sector in New Zealand, a recent report has highlighted a notable decrease in the prices of fresh produce. According to the latest data, fruit and vegetable prices have seen a decline of 3% in the past month, driven primarily by seasonal adjustments and increased market supply. Significant price reductions were observed in key staples such as tomatoes, which experienced a 49% price drop, and broccoli, which saw prices fall by 24%. This decrease in fresh produce prices is a positive indicator of market dynamics and reflects the efforts of the agricultural sector to balance supply and demand effectively. As stakeholders navigate these complexities, the contrasting trends in fresh produce versus prepared food costs offer a unique lens through which to assess the evolving consumer landscape.

Maserati has announced local pricing for its all-new GranTurismo coupé and drop-top GranCabrio, while we’ve also been given word that the fully electric variant is due here next year. Starting with the coupé, the model will be available in Modena and Trofeo variants, priced from $340,000 and $390,000 respectively. As for the GranCabrio, it’ll only be offered in the Trofeo variant with a detuned version of the ‘Nettuno’ engine that makes 404kW. We’re also due to get the fully electric GranTurismo Folgore in early 2025, but pricing has yet to be announced. Orders are now open for the Maserati Gran Turismo Modena and Trofeo, along with the GranCabrio Trofeo.

Photo: ODT filesThe trial of a man accused of trying to blackmail a Canterbury-based public figure has been aborted. The pair, who both have name suppression, met on dating app Grindr and later had sex. After that, the pair continued to exchange messages, which the complainant said equated to blackmail. In some of the mGrindr blackmail trial aborted essages from the accused, there were references to sexual assault. Hansen said an accusation of blackmail would be an excellent defence to a charge of sexual assault.

Written By: notices and features - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 13th, 2024 - 25 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

Of course Christopher Luxon claimed with uber confidence during the election campaign that National’s figures were rock solid. From Stewart Sowman-Lund at the Spinoff:Reporter: Are you still rock solid on your tax plan? We are Reporter: Are you still rock solid on your tax plan? We are rock solid on our numbers. Rock solid?

Sanzaar’s drive to introduce the 20-minute red card to Test rugby will reportedly go a World Rugby vote in May. In order for the 20-minute red card to be advanced to a global trial, it would need a 75% majority of the council vote. “The [Shape of the Game] workshop made some recommendations, one of which was that the 20-minute red card would go to a global trial,” Morris told Stuff. “But where we ended up is that the recommendation through to World Rugby’s council meeting on 9 May is that we’re looking to go to a global trial. “For that to be accepted, you’ve got to get a 75% majority vote of the voting members of council.”There are, however, concerns over player welfare and whether a 20-minute red card is enough of a deterrent for dangerous play.

A Dunedin woman allegedly drunk behind the wheel caught the attention of police after parking in the middle of the road. Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said police noticed the car in the middle of Dover St, Liberton, at 11pm with the engine running and lights on. A 48-year-old woman in the driver's seat showed signs of alcohol consumption, and when spoken to, was aggressive towards police, Sgt Lee said. She underwent breath testing procedures and recorded a breath alcohol level of 825mcg, over three times the legal limit. The car was moved from the middle of the road and her licence was suspended for 28 days.

Farm profits in the red meat sector are forecast to fall 54% in the 2023 -24 financial year. Average farm profit is put at $62,600 per farm before tax, which brings farmers’ earnings down to the lowest levels since the 1980s, excluding the Global Financial Crisis. It says times are tough, and farmers will have to dig deep to stem the danger of widespread cash losses in the sheep and beef sector. “As a result, the forecasts for lamb and mutton prices for the season have been revised downwards,” the report says. This is especially true for farmers with relatively high debt levels," McIvor says.

But first in the US, their inflation rate unexpectedly edged up to 3.2% in February, compared to 3.1% in January and above forecasts of 3.1%. The closely-watched core inflation rate slipped to 3.8% when it was expected to come in at 3.7%. As expected, the German inflation rate eased to 2.5% in February, down from 2.9% in January and 3.7% in December. Against the euro we have slipped to 56.3 euro cents and -20 bps lower. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just on 70.3 and also -20 bps lower.

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."

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.

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.

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

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.