Ikea gets ready to open NZ stores in Chch, Auckland, Wellington
Photo: NZHInternational homeware giant Ikea will open three physical and digital customer "meeting points" across the country as the retailer prepares to open one of its first NZ stores in Christchurch. Last year Ikea announced it would open its first New Zealand-based stores after gaining franchise rights. But they include a full-sized Ikea store in the greater Auckland area, a planning studio in Wellington and a second smaller-format store in Christchurch. Jan Gardberg, country retail manager for Ikea New Zealand, said the company was looking forward to giving access to people across the entire nation. "While planning has been under way, we have also been getting to know more about life at home in New Zealand."
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 21:22 UTC
Jacinda on cover of Time: 'A big day for a little NZ made thing'
Photo: TIMEThe NZ designers of the top Jacinda Ardern wore for the cover story of Time magazine are "thrilled" the prime minister chose something made almost three years ago. Pound told First Up Ardern is a big supporter of New Zealand fashion labels and wears a range of designers' pieces on big media occasions to showcase the local industry. But it was a "total surprise" to see Ardern wearing the top on the magazine cover. It's quite a rare thing to have someone have a cover of such a big magazine and just kind of get something from their wardrobe. "It's a big day for a little New Zealand-made thing, to see the top there," he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 21:00 UTC
International garden project given permission to use red zone
The Eden Project in the United Kingdom. Photo: Unsplash/Jack YoungA group wanting to create a local version of the United Kingdom's Eden Project in Christchurch's red zone has made a big leap forward with permission to use the land, for now. The UK Eden Project has huge geodesic domes, which attract thousands of visitors each year, and the group wants to also create an attraction in New Zealand. The chief executive of the Eden Project International, David Harland, says it has now been granted permission by Land Information New Zealand to use some of the red zoned land for the next two years. The Eden Project is also working on projects in China and Australia.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 20:37 UTC
NZ's first modular hotel finally opens, two years late
New Zealand's first modular hotel was to be a speedy eight-month build, but consenting problems meant it finally opened more than two years late. JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF Christchurch's five-storey Arden Hotel on the corner of Salisbury and Colombo Sts is New Zealand's first modular hotel. JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF Hotel manager Kiran Rokade said bookings at the modular hotel had been heavy. JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF Each floor in Christchurch's Arden hotel features historic images of the surrounding area.This one shows one of Christchurch's first petrol stations built in 1927 on what is now the hotel site. Fahrensohn said that interest in modular construction was growing and the council had been working with developers of a 14-storey modular apartment building.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 20:26 UTC
Small win for residents fighting toxic waste plant expansion
Photo: Geoff SloanEnvironment Canterbury will review a decision to only consult a small number of neighbours over the expansion of a toxic waste plant on the outskirts of Christchurch. Waste Management New Zealand wants to extend its plant in Hornby and discharge contaminants into the air. He said the consultation period for the application closes on March 9, and will go ahead as planned. The Waste Management Ltd site on Marshs Rd. "The quality of the argument is what will make the difference when we go to hearing on this matter," said Bayfield,"Not so much the number of submissions.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 20:15 UTC
Tall Blacks overcome brave Guam challenge
Photo: Getty ImagesGuam put up a brave challenge, but ultimately the Tall Blacks were too good. The New Zealanders claimed a 113-94 win in Guam last night to go 2-0 in their Asia Cup qualifying matches for the weekend. It was a vastly under-strength Tall Blacks roster, but it got the job done. Guam rode that passion and the excitement of a noisy home crowd to a 24-22 first quarter lead. The Tall Blacks went on a seven-point run to extend back out to double figures.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 19:52 UTC
Realising women's rights an 'unmissable opportunity' to achieve gender equality
Society is stronger when everyone is valued the same, regardless of their gender. "I am Generation Equality: Realising Women's Rights" is this year's theme for International Women's Day on March 8. "The year represents an unmissable opportunity to mobilise global action to achieve gender equality and human rights for all women and girls. "To embark this opportunity, Nelson NCW is celebrating women's contribution to the economy – nationally and internationally. The Nelson community is asked to wear Common Good wristbands made by the Women at Common Good in Kolkata, India, Guy says.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 19:41 UTC
Fixing slow start Gatland's priority
Warren Gatland walks on the field before the Chiefs slow start against the Brumbies on Saturday night. Photo: Getty ImagesChiefs coach Warren Gatland has made it a priority to find out why his side have started all four of their games so slowly this season. While they got away with a sluggish start in wins over the Crusaders and Blues, and convincingly putting away the Sunwolves, the Chiefs could not escape the clutches of the Brumbies in Hamilton. I wish we could try and work on getting that from the first whistle, so that we had a focus. In Brisbane, the Queensland Reds notched their biggest Super Rugby total, scoring 10 tries to thump Japan's Sunwolves 64-5.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 19:18 UTC
Over 200,000 policies caught up in AMP 'zombie deal'
AMP Life policy holders fear they will lose out if a secretive deal to sell their policies to a Bermuda-based 'zombie fund guru' goes ahead. And the most critical one is: Who, if anyone, is looking after the AMP Life customers here? NO CHOICESOne of those AMP policyholders seriously worried about the future of his life insurance cover if Resolution takes over AMP Life is Andrew Body. The head of Resolution Life, Cowdery - now Sir Clive - has 15 years in the business through the three separate Resolution Life companies. However AMP Life's Sydney-based head of corporate affairs Nathalie Kitchen sent a statement:"The separation of AMP Life is on track for completion by June 30.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 18:45 UTC
One person dead in Dunedin house fire
Firefighters at the scene of a fatal house fire in Challis St, Dunedin. One person has died after an early morning house fire in Dunedin. HAMISH MCNEILLY/STUFF Firefighters wear breathing apparatus before they enter a Dunedin house where a person died in an early morning fire. One person died as a result of the fire, a police spokeswoman said. HAMISH MCNEILLY/STUFF Emergency services at the scene of a fatal house fire in the Dunedin suburb of Vauxhall.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 18:32 UTC
England claim comprehensive win over Ireland
Photo: Getty ImagesEngland roared back into the Six Nations mix with another comprehensive demolition of Ireland this morning. A similar scenario unfolded for the second try, Jacob Stockdale fatally hesitating over Ford's kick and Daly reaching it just in time to touch down. Ireland hit back with a Robbie Henshaw try but Sexton, who earlier missed a simple penalty, also screwed the conversion wide. "We go into the Italy game knowing what we've got to do. England next host Wales, before finishing off against Italy in Rome in what is already heading towards being another great "Super Saturday" finale.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 18:11 UTC
Coronavirus travel ban to be reviewed today
Cabinet ministers will decide this morning whether to extend the ban on foreign travellers arriving from mainland China - which is due to expire tonight. An initial two week ban was put in place in early February to try keep the coronavirus out of the country, and it was then extended for a further eight days. READ MORE:* Coronavirus travel ban may cost SIT up to $1.5 million* Coronavirus: Tourism minister rejects Chinese ambassador's criticism of border closures* How coronavirus could cost our universities and polytechs $100m* Travellers from China denied check in, turned away at border, Immigration NZ saysHealth Minister David Clark declined to comment ahead of this morning's Cabinet meeting. "[But] when the travel ban can be lifted, when the evidence supports that, we'd like to see it lifted as soon as possible." The Australian government has extended its ban till at least Saturday, but is allowing some high school pupils from China to enter on a case-by-case basis.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 18:00 UTC
The Squeeze: New plan curbs the subdivide dream in Blenheim
The construction industry had hoped the long-awaited Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan would reinvigorate Blenheim's housing sector. Housing companies and surveyors called for "reduced bureaucracy" during consultation on the plan, suggesting changes to make it easier and less expensive to add to Blenheim's housing supply. SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF The Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan fuses three of the council's management documents into one. That would eventually boost Blenheim's housing supply by hundreds of houses, "although we don't know how long that will take", Hawke said. Any disputes with the final copy of the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan were to be filed with the Environment Court.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 18:00 UTC
Chimney sweeping essential for house insurance cover
A dirty chimney can start a house fire, and potentially render house insurance invalid if homeowners haven't kept up with the amount of suggested cleans in the insurance policy. Home owners with fireplaces were just starting to call in their local chimney sweep at this time of year. Nelson GD Cleaning owner David Reddecliffe had been in the professional chimney sweep business for five years. April was the peak time for people wanting chimneys cleaned, he said, with appointments booking out 10 weeks in advance. They said to ensure your chimney "doesn't have any build-up that may cause loss or damage as a result of poor maintenance, it's best to have your chimney swept regularly".
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 16:52 UTC
Urban farm tour proves popular in New Plymouth
Carl and Kati Freeman opened their urban garden in New Plymouth on Saturday. 09-TDN-CAR01 The Americarna display in New Plymouth CBDCarl Freeman makes a living from urban farming, and fellow gardeners were keen to hear his tips on Saturday. GLENN JEFFREY/STUFF Carl and Kati Freeman with a homemade hoe during a tour of Frankleigh Park garden. READ MORE:* Taranaki backyard vege farmers awarded $100k research grant* Kiwi quarter acre backyard paradise transformed into urban farm* Urban kai growing initiative joins forces with Housing New ZealandThey are part of the Farm Next Door group, which Freeman coordinates. Earlier this year, a partnership between Farm Next Door, Massey University, and Bashford Nicholls Trust was given a $100,000 research grant to promote the urban farm movement.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 16:30 UTC