Kineta Knight: Luxon survives confidence vote as National caucus backs leadership

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has survived another confidence vote in his leadership, declaring he has the full support of the National Party caucus.

Luxon emerged from this morning’s caucus meeting flanked by some of his most senior ministers, following renewed speculation about his future as National leader.

“There was a confidence vote in my leadership this morning at our caucus meeting. I had the full support of our caucus, and our caucus is united and it is determined to win this election,” Luxon said.

Kineta Knight: High hopes for laser weeding system after successful trials here in Canterbury

Technology that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to hunt weeds and zap them with a laser has won praise from industry leaders after successful trialling.

A prototype of the Map and Zap® system, designed by a group of AgResearch scientists and engineers, led by Dr Kioumars Ghamkhar, was put through its paces at a recent demonstration at a Canterbury vineyard.

Kineta Knight: Chatham Islands ‘run out of fuel’

Chatham Islands’ residents have no access to either petrol or diesel, with plans to bring a barge with fuel falling through, according to locals.

A Chatham Island resident told chrislynchmedia.com that council-owned pumps ran out of petrol in May, along with diesel at the pump two days ago.

Kineta Knight: SailGP will not return to Lyttelton

SailGP has withdrawn its hosting agreement with ChristchurchNZ for the 2025 Season 5 event which was to be held again in Lyttelton.

The event was last held in Lyttelton in March this year when the first day was called off because a dolphin was sighted on the course. Two other dolphins were spotted in the harbour during the final race in 2023 but racing was allowed to continue.

Today’s announcement follows two iterations of the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch, as part of a four-year partnership with ChristchurchNZ, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and New Zealand Major Events.

Kineta Knight: New Zealanders oppose taxpayer-funded bailouts for private media companies

A new poll shows New Zealanders are opposed to taxpayer money being used to fund struggling private media companies.

A Taxpayers’ Union – Curia Poll has revealed that 55 percent of New Zealanders oppose a bailout, with just 29 percent in support.