Pensioners living in museum carpark face uncertain future
Tags:
To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following:
See terms of use.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
19 hours ago
- RNZ News
'Is three-minutes worth your safety?': Drivers urged to slow down this winter
Photo: 123rf The Rental Vehicle Association has urged motorists to be cautious on the roads, as cold winter days are making conditions challenging. The association is reminding people that the country's highways are not like the big expressways in Europe, meaning conditions can be hazardous at times. "Kiwis think they're used to New Zealand's roads, so they tend to drive fast - too fast", said Ben McFadgen, chief executive of the Rental Vehicle Association of New Zealand. "Whether it's people driving their own car, or a rental vehicle, the speed which many people are driving at is not just reckless - it's flat out dangerous. This is not Le Mans. One distraction and a nice family holiday rapidly becomes a nightmare. "Is three-minutes worth your safety? Really? Because driving at 105km/h instead of 100km/h for one hour only saves you three minutes and 4 seconds, which is pointless. We urge everyone to slow down, drive to the conditions, and take some time to enjoy the journey. There's plenty to look at." McFadgen said international tourists may also find the roads quite challenging to navigate, especially in areas that have experienced heavy rain and flooding , like Nelson-Tasman. McFadgen wanted people to plan ahead and recommended all travellers have an alternative route they can use, just in case. He said ski access roads also presented their own unique challenges, especially when drivers were coming back down at the end of the day. Brakes could be a problem. "Drivers tend to ride them all the way down, leading to very high temperatures and a distinct possibility of brake fade. We recommend people descend these steep, hazardous roads slowly and carefully. "In short, drive defensively. Be considerate, stick to the conditions."
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
'It's all go, everyone's really buzzing' on Mt Ruapehu
October at Whakapapa ski field, Mt Ruapehu, 2023. Photo: Supplied/ Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ruapehu's mayor is happy with how this years ski season is shaping up, under new operators . Whakapapapa Holdings now manages Whakapapa ski field on Mount Ruapehu while Pure Tūroa manages Tūora field. Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) which oversaw both ski fields, went into insolvency in 2022. Mayor Weston Kirton said while the start of the 2025 season was slow due to low snowfall, things are looking better now. "June was a bit spasmodic but kicked in a bit more with July. So from my understanding is that they're good to go, they've got enough snow to allow people to go up there and enjoy both at the beginning level, if not in the intermediate level. "I think it's all go, everyone's really buzzing, everyone's excited and both sides of the mountain with new ownership, but they got new ideas and I think they've had a huge number of people over the school holidays for example, both visiting and also skiing. "So from the point of view of ski season, we're off to a pretty good start," Kirton said. The Delta Chair is likely to open on Saturday, and Tūora ski field is also opening its upper mountain facilities. Kirton also reflected on the journey to secure government funding that enabled the continued operation of both Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields following the collapse of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL). "The snow industry is critical to our economy and regional tourism. It's fantastic to see Whakapapa and Tūroa up and running again, but we must keep building on this success." Kirton said he was hopeful for a few more snowfalls to help extend the season and encouraged people to visit the maunga [mountain] and enjoy all the experiences Ruapehu has to offer - on and off the slopes. He also stressed the need to keep building on the economic momentum generated by the ski areas. "Council is committed to working with government and others to complete our cycle and hiking trail networks which are turning Ruapehu into a true year-round destination while providing much-needed economic resilience." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Tramper rescued from Tongariro Crossing 'knows he had a close call'
Police said the man realised he would not be able to make it through the Tongariro Alpine Crossing alone. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police A tramper rescued from Tongariro Alpine Crossing 'knows he had a close call', police say. The man called police at about 7.30pm on Saturday, after getting into difficulty on the crossing and realising he would not be able to make it out alone. Senior Constable Barry Shepherd of Taupo Police Search and Rescue said it was an example of how things could go wrong quickly. "He realised that he was not dressed or equipped at all for the harsh reality of the landscape in winter," he said. "There had been recent heavy snowfall with freezing conditions. "He didn't have food with him or any extra gear for warmth or shelter. "Luckily, he realised his error pretty quickly and called us." Police Search and Rescue responded with a helicopter, alongside LandSAR. Despite being extremely cold, the man was not injured and was able to walk out. "I think he knows he had a close call," Shepherd said. "If conditions had worsened or he had been unable to make a phone call, he'd have been in real trouble." Anyone heading out into the back-country - even experienced trampers - needed to prepare for harsh conditions through winter, he said, as they could "change on a dime". "Particularly anyone heading out into the alpine environment should take and know how to use ice axes and crampons, and wear suitable footwear. "Take adequate supplies, clothing and shelter, and do your planning - know what the forecast holds and if you're at all in doubt about what conditions might be like, don't go." Department of Conservation Tongariro operations manager Libby O'Brien said the national park was a place "that demands respect". "Temperatures are often freezing, and drop even lower at night and at elevation," she said. "If you don't have alpine experience and the right gear, you need to think long and hard about whether you're going to be able to survive in these conditions. "We all love being out there, but ensure you know what you're doing so you don't put yourself and others at risk by being ill prepared." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
