‘I’m looking forward to becoming a pharmacist’ – new degree aims to combat staff shortages

University of Waikato pharmacy students Rhea Roy, Teres Siby and Gabby Allerby. Photo: Supplied A new two-year pharmacy degree is offering a fast-track into a profession in dire need of more staff. Waikato University says its Master of Pharmacy Practice provides a quicker pathway for registering overseas trained pharmacists, and a new way into the … Read more

Tribute to late Sir Robert Gillies at 28th Battalion Scholarship ceremony

Sir Robert Gillies was the last surviving member of the Māori Battalion, when he died last November. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Broadcaster Peata Melbourne is among this year’s recipients of the Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarship. The awards ceremony at Parliament on Thursday included a special tribute to the late Sir … Read more

West Auckland police raid results in firearms, ammunition seizure

The haul was discovered during a search for a stolen motorbike. Photo: NZ Police Auckland police have uncovered a cache of firearms and ammunition, while investigating a stolen motorbike. The Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit searched a Glendene property on Wednesday, and found three pistols, three rifles, a modified firearm and parts, and dozens of rounds … Read more

Experts urge drug testing following spate of hospitalisations linked to mystery powder

Photo: Dmitry Volochek / 123rf Experts are urging people to get their drugs checked after four people were hospitalised in Wairarapa after consuming unknown substances. On Saturday three people were hospitalised after taking an unknown white powder they believed was cocaine, and on Wednesday night, police were called to a Masterton home where a person … Read more

Whangārei District Council locked in a battle of wills with Ministry of Health over fluoridation

Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf The agenda for next week’s fluoride-themed Whangārei District Council meeting reveals councillors will be asked to revoke an earlier decision not to fluoridate the city’s water supply. The advice says they should be ready to fluoridate by the end of the month, but also to be on standby to … Read more

Former tax agent sentenced to home detention for sustained fraud

Chafic Georges was sentenced at the Manukau District Court. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly A former tax agent has been sentenced to the maximum length of home detention for sustained tax fraud. Chafic Georges was been sentenced to 12 months’ home detention, after appearing in the Manukau District Court on 19 tax fraud charges. Georges … Read more