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☆ A rare feather just sold for $28,000, making it worth 40 times as much as gold by weight
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewA single feather of an extinct bird was auctioned off in New Zealand on Monday for about $28,000, making it the most expensive feather ever sold worldwide. The huia feather sold at Webb's Auction House in Auckland was initially estimated to be worth around $1,830, but its sale price ballooned after 59 bids. Gold costs around $77 per gram in New Zealand, and the 9-gram huia feather is worth $3,153 per gram. Related storiesThe feather sold on Monday is framed under protective glass and is classified by the New Zealand government as a Y-registered object. The huia feather sale comes as auctions draw attention largely from sports and celebrity memorabilia sold at once-seemingly outlandish prices.

Persons: —, huia, Diego Maradona Organizations: Service, Zealand Geographic, Business, The Guardian, New, New Zealand Geographic Locations: New Zealand, New, Auckland

☆ US and Philippine Marines train in seizing and defending key terrain near Taiwan's south coast in a show of force against China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Drew F. Lawrence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

They were operating in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands, Philippine territory north of the mainland — key terrain for a potential conflict with China. The mission, known as maritime key terrain security operations, or MKTSO, was practice for that conflict, but had real-world implications. It was a show of force headed by elements of the Marine Corps ' newest Pacific-oriented unit: the Marine littoral regiment, or MLR. AdvertisementUS Marines prepare to load onto a UH-60 Black Hawk for the maritime key terrain security operations event at Paredes Air Station, Philippines. Malia SparksThose units were joined by a rifle company, also a joint-nation element, with the ability to seize and defend key terrain in the event of conflict.

Persons: —, Army Chinooks, Cpl, Malia Sparks, Maj, Robert Patterson, Military.com, Mark Lenzi, Lenzi, Patterson, Marine corporals Organizations: Service, Marine Corps, Business, Philippine Marines, Army, UH, Paredes Air, US Marine Corps, Philippine Marine, US Army UH, 3rd, Combat, Marines, Enhanced, US Army CH, Marine, United Locations: Taiwan, Northern Luzon, Philippine, China, Philippines, Itbayat, United States

☆ North Island chairman Glenn Hutchins on state of the economy, Fed's rate path and sports streaming
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailNorth Island chairman Glenn Hutchins on state of the economy, Fed's rate path and sports streamingGlenn Hutchins, North Island co-founder and chairman, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the state of the economy, impact of elevated interest rates, the Fed's inflation fight, interest rate outlook, latest market trends, state of sports streaming wars, and more.

Persons: Glenn Hutchins Organizations: North

☆ After my brother tragically died, I knew I wanted to pursue adventure. Now my family and I live on a catamaran.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

We're pretty sure Kerry was executed there exactly two months later, in October 1978. So we had a memorial for Kerry, and then a few months later, John took his life. Rob Hamill rowing. Rob Hamill with Phil Stubbs, his teammate in the inaugural Atlantic rowing race in 1997. We got married about six months later, in 2001.

Persons: —, Rob Hamill, Pol Pot, Kerry, Kerry Hamill, Rob Hamill Kerry, Stuart Glass, Stuart, John Dewhirst, John, Hamill, who'd, Phil Stubbs, Phil, Comrade Duch, Pot, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan, Rob Hamill's, Renee Whitaker, Hamill's, Finn didn't, We've Organizations: Service, Business, Navy, Atlantic, New Zealand, Pacific Locations: New Zealand, Khmer Rouge, Communist, Cambodia, Australia, Darwin, Khmer, Malaysia's, Kerry, Phnom Penh, Asia, Tenerife, Barbados, Ireland, New, Thailand, Angkor Wat

☆ I was starved for adult connection while raising my daughter as a single mom. Moving back to the family farm was exactly what I needed.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Cat Jones | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Cat Jones eagerly left the family home at 17 and later bought a house 230 miles away with her husband. After having a baby and leaving her husband, she was determined to make things work living on her own. Fiercely independent and proud, I was determined to make things work on my own. Farm life is notoriously stressful and persistent. I have become closer with everyone in my family, and we're showing my daughter how to cohabit peacefully.

Persons: Cat Jones, —, Cassie, Cassie didn't, Jones, it's, hadn't, grandma Cat Jones, It's, I'm Organizations: Service, Pew Research Center, Survey Locations: Tauranga —, New Zealand

☆ White lsland: Court orders millions in compensation for survivors of New Zealand’s deadly volcanic eruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Chris Lau | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Survivors scarred by severe burns testified against various companies – including Whakaari Management Ltd, which owned the island – accusing them of failing to warn them about the risks. On Friday, Judge Evangelos Thomas found both Whakaari Management Ltd and the tour operators had failed to conduct adequate risk assessment, breaking health and safety laws with devastating consequences. The owner of the island, meanwhile, failed to make sure the operators had examined the risks properly, the judge added. An image provided by visitor Michael Schade shows White Island (Whakaari) volcano, as it erupts, in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, 09 December 2019. American Matthew Urey is seen in the witness box at the Whakaari or White Island, eruption trial at the Auckland Environment Court, in Auckland, New Zealand, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Persons: WorkSafe, Judge Evangelos Thomas, Michael Schade, Shutterstock, Andrew, Peter, James Buttle, Thomas, “, ”, Annie Lu, Matthew Urey, Jason Oxenham Organizations: CNN, NZ, Whakaari Management, Shutterstock Whakaari Management, country’s, White, Tours, Safaris Ltd, Aerius, Kahu, Ltd, Auckland Environment Court Locations: Zealand, Auckland, WorkSafe ,, White, New, Plenty , New Zealand, Australia, United States, Malaysia, Auckland , New Zealand

☆ Thousands of New Zealand Maori Meet to Discuss Response to Government Plans
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Jan. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Maori King Tuheitia, who hosted the event, told attendees their voices matter but it was not just talk, a solution that was needed. Critics say these vows are the most significant step backward for Maori rights in decades, and some have taken legal action. The Maori king had called on tribes from around the country last month to gather at his traditional meeting grounds, or Marae in Ngaruawahia, south of Auckland, to discuss how Maori respond. “Just be Maori, Maori all day, everyday, we are here, we are strong,” he said. The prime minister met the Maori king earlier this week and said he was supportive of the meeting.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Tuheitia, we've, Christopher Luxon, “, ” Tuheitia, ”, Luxon, Lucy Craymer, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Reuters, New Zealand Maori, reo, awa Locations: North Island, Ngaruawahia, Auckland, Waitangi, New

☆ Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern marries long-term partner at stunning winery on the country's North Island
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Eve Crosbie | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Jacinda Ardern tied the knot with her long-term partner, Clarke Gayford, on Saturday. They planned to marry in 2022 but had to cancel due to COVID-19 restrictions Ardern imposed as PM. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementJacinda Ardern married her long-term partner Clarke Gayford on Saturday, almost five years after they announced their engagement. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers.

Persons: Jacinda Ardern, Clarke Gayford, — Organizations: Service, New York Times, New, Business Locations: New Zealand

☆ New Zealand ex-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern weds longtime partner
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —New Zealand’s former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern married her longtime partner Clarke Gayford in a private ceremony on Saturday, finally tying the knot after canceling ceremonies during strict Covid-19 controls she imposed on the country. She became a global icon for left-leaning politics and women in leadership as prime minister from 2017 to January last year. Ardern, one of just two women to have a baby as national leaders, took her daughter to a United Nations meeting. Among the guests was Ardern’s successor as prime minister, Chris Hipkins, the current opposition leader, the New Zealand Herald said. In her final speech in parliament, Ardern told Gayford, a New Zealand television presenter, “Let’s finally get married.” The couple’s daughter Neve, is five years old.

Persons: Jacinda Ardern, Clarke Gayford, Gayford, Chris Hipkins, Prince William’s Earthshot, Ardern, “ Let’s, ”, Neve Organizations: CNN, New, United, New Zealand Herald, Harvard University Locations: New Zealand, United Nations, Hawke’s, New, Wellington, Christchurch

☆ Now you can visit a real-life ‘Hobbit Hole’ in New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Tolkien’s imagination – and therefore sadly off limits to tourists – the Hobbiton Movie Set provides a pretty good substitute. The Hobbit sets – mostly facades built into landscaped hillsides – have operated as a tourist attraction in some capacity since 2002, but until recently most of the Hobbit Holes have been out of bounds to visitors. The Hobbiton Movie Set formed the backdrop to the "Lord of the Rings" movies and the subsequent Hobbit trilogy and is now a tourist attraction. Shaun JeffersNow, two fully decorated Hobbit Holes have opened to the public for the first time. Shaun JeffersExploring the Hobbit Holes is now included as part of the Hobbiton tour experience.

Persons: J.R.R, Peter Jackson, –, Shaun Jeffers, Hobbiton, “, it’s, ”, crouch, Doom, Conor McNish, Lane, Aragorn, Gandalf, King Théoden, Rohan, ’ ”, ” CNN’s Thomas Page Organizations: CNN, Getty, CNN Travel, Mount, Sunday Locations: New Zealand, Matamata, Waikato, “, Auckland, Hobbiton, LOTR, Zealand, South, Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu, London

☆ Kiwi birds born in New Zealand’s capital for first time in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The two new chicks come just a year after the Capital Kiwi Project reintroduced the country’s iconic national bird to the city of around 400,000 people. The brown kiwi is one of New Zealand’s most common kiwi species, but according to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, the birds could be extinct in the wild within two generations without adequate conservation and support. Another 18 brown kiwi chicks are expected to hatch as part of the Capital Kiwi Project, which hopes to restore a large-scale wild population of kiwi to New Zealand’s capital. 95% of wild born kiwi in New Zealand are killed before they reach adulthood, according to Save the Kiwi. Where they get hammered is stoats eating the chicks before they get up to their fighting weight,” Capital Kiwi Project team leader Paul Ward told CNN earlier this year.

Persons: Paul Ward, Ward Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Capital Kiwi Project, New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, Capital Kiwi, Kiwi, New Zealand Department of Conservation, ”, Kiwi Project, CNN Locations: Hong Kong, Wellington, New Zealand, Makara, Wellington’s, Zealand

☆ When people move out, wildlife moves in: 10 abandoned places reclaimed by nature
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Arya Jyothi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

The temple and surrounding forested areas were abandoned three centuries later, when the king moved the capital of the empire away from Angkor. People started moving out in the 1990s and by 2002, the village was completely abandoned. People started moving out in the 1990s and by 2002, the village was completely abandoned. The Whanganui River holds 18 fish species including eels, freshwater crayfish and black flounders. Graham Harries/ShutterstockLocated off the Pembrokeshire coast in west Wales, stands a time capsule in the form of a long-abandoned island fort.

Persons: Prohm, King Jayavarman, Alexander Arndt, Angelina Jolie’s, “ Lara Croft, pileated gibbons, silvered, Johannes Eisele, Leo Francini, Marcio Martins, University of São Paulo, Martins, “, Al Madam, Giuseppe Cacace, Yasuyoshi Chiba, James Beasley, allan wright, Kilda, Graham Harries, Shutterstock, Nicholas Mueller, ”, Mueller Organizations: CNN, Wildlife Alliance, ., Steam, SS, Titanic, Cyclone, University of São, Google Arts & Culture, National Institute of Ecology, Al, Getty, United Arab, Japan Earthquake, University of Georgia, TED, UNESCO Locations: CNN —, Europe, Ta Prohm, Cambodia, Angkor Thom, Khmer, Angkor, Shengshan Island, China, AFP, Houtouwan, Shengshan, Zhoushan, Mangapurua, , New Zealand, Nowhere, Mangapurua Valley, New, Whanganui, North, Australia, Grande, Brazil, Sao Paulo, Marcio, Korea, South Korea, Al Madam Village, UAE, Al, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sharjah, Fukushima, Japan, St Kilda, Scotland, Scotland’s, Kilda, Atlantic, Soay, Boreray, Fort, Wales, Pembrokeshire

☆ The US Air Force is training to take down Chinese warships, but China's military has built a 'wicked' problem for it to overcome
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

That's not a new task for the US Air Force, but it faces a 'wicked' threat from China's air defenses. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US Air Force is working on improving its ability to sink well-defended warships, a reflection of the US military's concern about the growing size and increasing capability of China's navy. US Naval History and Heritage CommandUS pilots have trained to sink warships since the early 1920s, well before the Air Force's founding in 1947. US Air Force A-10s at Naval Air Station North Island in California for Green Flag-West in November 2022. Wilsbach said in September that training by Pacific Air Forces has emphasized "stacking effects" to bring more weapons to bear.

Persons: That's, —, Nancy Pelosi's, Pelosi, Gen, Kenneth Wilsbach, we've, Wilsbach, Sun, Brendan Mulvaney, Mulvaney, eng.chinamil.com.cn, Yang Yunxiang, that's, Mark Kelly, Kelly, hasn't, Lyle Goldstein, TENGKU BAHAR, Goldstein, they've, John Baum, Baum, Zachary Rufus, Col, Daniel Lehoski, William R, Lewis, Lockheed Martin, Lindsey Heflin Organizations: US Air Force, Service, US Pacific Air Forces, an Air and Space Forces Association, China News Service, Getty, China Aerospace Studies Institute, Department of, Air Force, United, and Space Forces Conference, Air Combat Command, Defense, Heritage Command US, Air, Navy, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Naval Air Station, Green Flag, West, US Army, Air Force Weapons, Weapons, Flag, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada ., Pacific, US Navy, Squadron, Force, Missiles, Ship, Lockheed, Command, Lindsey Heflin Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Army Locations: China, Taiwan, Pacific, United States, Ukraine, Asia, Hong Kong, Liaoning, Shandong, Fujian, Iraq, Afghanistan, California, Nevada

☆ New Zealand Is Becoming a First Choice for Second Homes
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Michael Croley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Jim Rohrstaff moved to New Zealand in 2014 to help Ric Kayne manage and start his private golf club, Tara Iti, he didn’t know what the future held. Te Arai sits on the same stretch of Pacific coastline as Tara Iti, on New Zealand’s North Island, and is home to two public golf courses. Mr. Rohrstaff and Mr. Kayne wanted to replicate the feeling of 17-mile drive there, about 60 miles north of Auckland. New Zealand has long been known for its impressive seaside courses, such as Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers. When it opened in 2015, Tara Iti helped further cement the island nation as a top golf destination.

Persons: Jim Rohrstaff, Ric Kayne, Tara Iti, Rohrstaff, Te Arai, Arai, Kayne, Mike Keiser, “, ” Organizations: Tara, Southern Hemisphere, Tara Iti, Golf Locations: New Zealand, Monterey Peninsula, Coast of California, Tara, New, Auckland . New Zealand, Bandon

☆ Company that managed NZ White Island volcano, where 22 died in eruption, found guilty of safety breaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An aerial view of the Whakaari, also known as White Island volcano, in New Zealand, December 12, 2019. Following the explosion on White Island, also known as Whakaari, the workplace regulator charged 13 parties in November 2020. Whakaari Management Ltd and the other entities, excluding Inflight Charters which had already been sentenced, are expected to be sentenced next year. Lawyers for Whakaari Management Ltd did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication. White Island is an active volcano, which lies around 50 km (31 miles) offshore from the town of Whakatane on the east coast of North Island.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Evangelos Thomas, Thomas, WML, Lucy Craymer, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Whakaari Management Ltd, Whakaari Management, Zealand, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, White, Whakatane, North, Australia, U.S, Malaysia

☆ New Zealand has had dozens of 'slow' earthquakes that can last weeks. A hidden underwater sea may be the cause.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Researchers have simulated slow earthquakes in laboratories. It now lies about 2 miles below sea level and is being pushed into the Hikurangi subduction zone. AdvertisementAdvertisementSlow-slip earthquakesPart of the Hikurangi subduction zone runs along the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island. "It's kind of like a conveyor belt that's pushing this rock underneath New Zealand," Gase said. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe red rectangle shows where on the Hikurangi Plateau the reservoir is located, and the red line shows the Hikurangi subduction zone.

Persons: Andrew Gase, Gase, Demian Saffer Organizations: Service, New Zealand Herald, GPS Locations: New Zealand, Zealand, New, It's, Japan

☆ Watch CNBC's full interview with North Island chairman Glenn Hutchins
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWatch CNBC's full interview with North Island chairman Glenn HutchinsNorth Island chairman Glenn Hutchins joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, the impact on markets and economy, the Fed's inflation fight, latest market trends, and more.

Persons: Glenn Hutchins Organizations: North Locations: Israel

☆ The markets have done the work of the Fed, says North Island chairman Glenn Hutchins
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe markets have done the work of the Fed, says North Island chairman Glenn HutchinsNorth Island chairman Glenn Hutchins joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the Israel-Hamas war, the impact on markets and economy, the Fed's inflation fight, latest market trends, and more.

Persons: Glenn Hutchins Locations: Israel

Two of Australia’s largest grassroots Indigenous football bodies – Indigenous Football Australia (IFA) and the Australian Indigenous Football Council (AIFC) – say there’s no funding for Indigenous football in Legacy ’23, the 357 million Australian dollar ($228 million) post-tournament fund dedicated to growing soccer in Australia. By contrast, the AIFC oversees state and territory Indigenous football councils and organizes the First Nations Indigenous Football Championships and teams who play as the Indigenous Roos and Koalas. The AIFC recently signed a “Football Treaty” with New Zealand equivalent, Māori Football Aotearoa, and Gilbert wants to create a World Indigenous Football Council and Indigenous World Cup, independently of FIFA. Pickering-Parker seems more hopeful that the World Cup will bring more funding to his small team of volunteers: “Right now. If hosting a Women’s World Cup isn’t going to do it, I don’t know what else is,” she said.

Persons: “, that’s, it’s, ”, Ros Moriarty, James Johnson, Karen Menzies, John Maynard, “ I’ll, I’m, I’ll, Maynard, –, who’ve, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Moriarty Football, John’s, Moriarty, ” Lawrence Gilbert, Gilbert, ” John Moriarty, John Moriarty, Johnson, We’ve, It’s, Jennifer Pickering, Tai Tokerau, “ You’re, ” Pickering, Claudia Bunge, Michaela Foster, Mathias Bergeld, Phillip Pickering, Parker, Pickering, Kyah Simon, who’s, Lydia Williams, Williams, ” Williams, Matt King, Australia’s, That’s, crowdfunding, NIAG, we’ve, Menzies, we’re, … Organizations: Sydney CNN —, Indigenous Football Australia, IFA, Australian Indigenous Football Council, Indigenous, Moriarty Foundation, Football Australia, CNN Sport, FIFA, Indigenous Advisory, CNN, Aboriginal Soccer Tribe, UNICEF Australia First Nations, Aboriginal, Torres Strait, Elders, Commonwealth, First, First Nations, Reuters, Australian, soccer team, ” John Moriarty Football, New South, Nations Indigenous Football, Indigenous Roos, Treaty, Māori Football Aotearoa, Indigenous Football Council, Nations Australian, Nations, . New Zealand, ”, New Zealand Football, AFL, Australian Football League, Sydney Football Stadium Locations: Australia, New Zealand, Brisbane, New South Wales, Koalas, Tai, New, ., Norway, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Perth, “

☆ 4 Americans moved to New Zealand for safety, scenic hikes, and the small-town feel. "I just felt this calm, like, 'I'm home,'" one said.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jordan Pandy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

He moved back to his home base of Irvine, California, in 2003 but always hoped to return to New Zealand. Four Americans who moved to New Zealand told Insider their reasons for departing the US. A Los Angeles resident visited for 20 years before making his move more permanentJon Kroll lived in Los Angeles for 35 years and visited New Zealand on and off for 20 years as a break from the congestion of Los Angeles. He downsized from his four-bedroom home in Los Angeles. Wellington, New Zealand, provides the small-town feel his family was looking forNative Wyomingite Ryan Rogers departed for New Zealand more than a decade ago for work.

Persons: Garvey Daniels, Daniels, Daniels —, —, they've, Garvey Daniels Daniels, he's, Jon Kroll, Kroll, WellingtonNZ Kroll, who's, I've, Heather Gadonniex, Gadonniex, Heather Gadonniex Matakana, she's, Wyomingite Ryan Rogers, Rogers, WellingtonNZ Rogers Organizations: Service, New Zealand, Stats NZ, New, NZ, Los, Auckland —, Zealand, CoreLogic NZ, Kiwis, San, San Francisco Bay Area Locations: New Zealand, LA, Wall, Silicon, Auckland , New Zealand, Irvine , California, California, New, Australia, Colorado, Los Angeles, Wellington, Auckland, Zealand, San Francisco Bay, Northern California, Matakana , New Zealand, Oakland, Bay, San Francisco, Wellington , New Zealand, London, Vancouver, Wyoming

☆ Women’s World Cup Begins With Host Nations in Opening Games
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Andrew Das | The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +9 min

He moved through the building site, discharging the firearm as he went. Clearly, with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland. Image Members of the Philippines Women’s World Cup team in Auckland on Thursday. New Zealand’s prime minister, Chris Hipkins, said the Women’s World Cup would proceed as planned. Even before then, gun ownership was relatively rare in New Zealand, and gun violence is considered unusual.

Persons: Chris Hipkins, Andrew Coster, Coster, ”, David Rowland, Abbie Parr, ” Mr, Hipkins, cordoning, Saeed Khan, Lise Klaveness, ” Halvor Lea, Maren Mjelde, Jacinda Ardern, Juliet Macur, Andrew Das, Yan Zhuang, Tariq Panja Organizations: Armed Offenders Squad, FIFA, New Zealand Herald, Police, ., Eden, United States, Vietnam, Norway, New Zealand Police, Associated Press, New Zealand, Agence France, Norway women’s Locations: New Zealand, Auckland, Queen, Auckland , New Zealand, Norway, Auckland’s, U.S, Australia, Ireland, Philippines, ”, Norwegian, Christchurch, North, Raurimu, Aramoana, Sydney

☆ Whakaari White Island trial: Tourists describe horror of erupting New Zealand volcano
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Tourists on the island said they weren't aware how close the volcano was to erupting. Lu told the court the eruption had changed her “physically and mentally.”Before the disaster, she worked in the fashion industry. He said the tourists were told the volcano’s activity level was elevated, which meant they couldn’t go to some areas of the island. Five organizations have already pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, including Volcanis Air Safaris, Aerius, Kahu NZ and White Island Tours. Luxury charter flight operator Inflite pleaded guilty last year and was fined 227,500 New Zealand dollars ($145,000) plus court costs.

Persons: WorkSafe, Annie Lu, Lu, ” Lu, Geoff Hopkins, “, ”, I’ve, Matthew, Lauren Urey, Matthew Urey, Urey, ” Lauren Urey, Matthew Urey's, Margulies, Alsina, Peter, James Buttle, Kristy McDonald KC, WML, David Neutze, Inflite Organizations: Australia CNN —, Tourists, New Zealand Defence Force, Getty, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Whakaari Management, New Zealand Ltd, Tauranga Tourism Services, Zealand, CNN, Radio New Zealand, White Locations: Brisbane, Australia, White, New, Handout, we’re, Tauranga, ., Zealand

☆ New Zealand begins criminal trial over White Island volcanic eruption that killed 22
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] An aerial view of the Whakaari, also known as White Island volcano, in New Zealand, December 12, 2019. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File PhotoWELLINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - Tour booking agents and the managers of an island in New Zealand where a volcanic eruption killed 22 people, mostly tourists, in 2019 failed to properly prepare and warn visitors of the risks, prosecutors said at the start of a criminal trial on Tuesday. There were 47 people on the island when the volcano erupted, many of whom were badly burnt by searing gas and ash. Defence lawyers said their clients were not responsible for the health and safety of those on the island as that was the responsibility of others. The judge-only trial is scheduled to take 16 weeks with a number of victims from the eruption due to provide evidence.

Persons: Jorge Silva, Kristy McDonald, ” McDonald, “, Lucy Craymer, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, National Emergency Management Agency, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Australia, U.S, Malaysia, White, Whakaari, Whakatane, North

☆ Where Housing Prices Have Crashed and Billions in Wealth Have Vanished
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Natasha Frost | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Michael Wilson was hopeful when he put his three-bedroom house up for sale: Over a dozen would-be buyers came to the initial showing. Offer after offer fell through because the prospective buyers were unable to sell their homes. Over the last 18 months, homeowners and investors have lost billions of dollars in wealth after prices that spiked during the Covid pandemic started plunging as mortgage rates also soared. “If we listed it, say, two months before we originally did, it would have literally sold the next day,” Mr. Wilson said. He and his wife, Jade, might finally have found a buyer for their three-bedroom house in Te Awamutu, a pretty North Island town of 13,000 people.

Persons: Michael Wilson, ” Mr, Wilson, Jade Locations: New Zealand, Te Awamutu

☆ New Zealand pledges $720 mln for cyclone and flood recovery
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

May 14 (Reuters) - The New Zealand government said on Sunday it was allocating NZ$1.1 billion ($720 million) to help communities recover from a cyclone and floods that lashed the country this year. The funds from the 2023 budget are to cover "basics" of rebuilding roads, rail and schools, as well as flood protection, it said in a statement. "The recovery package responds to the immediate recovery needs of today and invests in greater resilience for tomorrow,” said Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Insurance companies in March reported receiving 40,000 claims worth around NZ$890 million for damage from the cyclone. ($1 = 1.5763 New Zealand dollars)Reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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