A serious car accident has taken place on State Highway 1 near Umawera. Police were notified of the crash about 5.40pm and initial indications suggest there are serious injuries. A police spokesperson said the road is expected…
Category Archives: headline
Qantas not meeting 'high expectations', top executive admits
A top Qantas executive has apologised for lost bags and flight troubles in the past few months of airport mayhem.
The issues have not been limited to one airline, with airports around the country struggling to deal with surging demand following years of shutdown.
Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David told 2GB he recognised people had "high expectations" of the national carrier.
READ MORE: The unsuspecting borrowers now facing a mortgage cliff
"Clearly, over the last few months, we have not been delivering what we did pre-COVID," he said.
But he said the situation was improving, even following a chaotic school holiday break that saw passengers – of all airlines – facing immense queues and a plague of lost luggage on their trips.
"Actions speak louder than words," David said.
He said Qantas' call centre times had improved, while the mishandled bag rate was returning to pre-COVID levels.
READ MORE: Adelaide mystery 'solved' as DNA points to Somerton man's identity
Prior to the airline industry's two-year shutdown in 2020, that rate was five bags per 1000, or 0.5 per cent.
This morning, David said, the rate had moved to seven per 1000.
He said Qantas was taking two main steps to smooth out air travel for people.
This month and next, the airline will reduce some of its flights, in response to operational pressured.
READ MORE: Toddler dies from COVID-19 in Brisbane
And it will continue its hiring and training blitz.
David said Qantas had hired more than 1000 people since Easter, and increased its number of ground staff by 15 per cent.
It's hoped those extra numbers will allow Qantas to once again operate at full capacity.
Parliament protest: Police appeal to public for help identifying people pictured at occupation
Police are appealing to the public for help identifying eight people pictured at the occupation at Parliament earlier this year. Seven of the eight images sent out today by police have been previously published. A new photo was…
Man arrested following Gold Coast siege charged over alleged shootings
A Queensland man has been charged over two alleged shootings on the Gold Coast last month.
The 32-year-old was arrested following a siege in Nerang which started on June 8 and continued for 20 hours, shutting down much of the suburb and forcing locked-out residents to sleep in their cars.
Police now claim the man is responsible for firing bullets into a couple's vehicle days earlier on June 4, which grazed a 55-year-old man on the back of the neck, and shooting into a Gold Coast police beat on June 6.
READ MORE: The unsuspecting borrowers now facing a mortgage cliff
The couple had been on the way to dinner with their son around 5pm in Coolangatta when the man felt a sharp graze and then blood running down his neck.
A bullet had been allegedly shot into the vehicle, shattering the window.
The man was treated for a minor injury to his neck.
On June 6 at around 3.45am, officers at an Arundel police beat awoke to the sound of gunshots piercing the front glass door of the property.
READ MORE: Adelaide mystery 'solved' as DNA points to Somerton man's identity
Police allege at least two shots were fired, hitting the police beat and a police vehicle.
No one was injured in the "extremely concerning" shooting but a police officer was present with his family at the time.
The 32-year-old has been charged with dangerous conduct with a weapon and assault causing harm for allegedly shooting at the couple.
He's been charged with an additional offence of dangerous conduct with a weapon and wilful damage to police property for the Arundel incident.
The man will appear at Southport Magistrate's Court on August 9.
READ MORE: Toddler dies from COVID-19 in Brisbane
Hundreds of quakes under Lake Taupō since May
Scientists have detected more than 300 quakes in the centre of Lake Taupō over the past three months – but that doesn’t mean there’s been any big change in the enormous caldera “supervolcano” beneath it. Since May, GeoNet has…
Government seeks advice on changing party donation laws
By Anneke Smith of RNZ The Government is seeking urgent advice on immediate changes to the electoral law on donations to political parties.It follows the New Zealand First Foundation case, which ended in an acquittal that shows…
Herald afternoon quiz: July 27
Test your brains with the Herald’s afternoon quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz for the morning quiz tomorrow. To challenge yourself with more quizzes, CLICK HERE.
University of Otago students attempt to surf flooded Dunedin river
Two University of Otago students had their attempt to surf a fast-flowing Dunedin river cut short after police “firmly recommended” they stop the activity.Both keen surfers, James Hayers and Toby Hille decided to try their skills…
Main Wellington road reopens after slip
The northbound section of State Highway 1 near Hataitai has reopened following a slip this afternoon. Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency posted on Twitter earlier that the road was closed between SH1 and the Wellington Rd…
Registration cost, Covid-19 risk prompting relief teachers to leave
By Samantha Gee of RNZ Rising registration costs and the risk of getting Covid-19 are prompting some relief teachers to look for other work, just when schools need them more than ever.Official figures show there are more teachers,…