Middle East conflict poses threat to NZ economy
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RNZ News
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Noel Leeming criminally charged over alleged breaches of Fair Trading Act
Photo: Noel Leeming Criminal charges have been filed against retailer Noel Leeming for alleged breaches of the Fair Trading Act. The Commerce Commission said it relates to its long-running price promise, which is their commitment to match any competitors' price. But the commission said the claim is misleading and had limitations and conditions which weren't made obvious to customers. It said fine print should not contradict advertising claims. In response, Noel Leeming's owner, the Warehouse Group, said it was baffled by the Commission's decision to press charges and maintains it has not committed any offence. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News
24 minutes ago
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Wapu Sonk stands down from PNG NRL franchise board amid corruption allegations
By Papua New Guinea correspondent Marian Faa , ABC . Wapu Sonk has stood down over allegations of corrupt business dealings linked to a Chinese state-run company. Photo: ABC News / Craig Hansen In short: What's next? A powerful businessman has stood down from the board of Papua New Guinea's new NRL franchise amid corruption concerns relating to business dealings with a Chinese state-owned company. The newly established board has been entrusted with overseeing more than AU$200 million in Australian government funding to set up PNG's new NRL team, which plans to join the rugby league competition in 2028. PNG businessman Wapu Sonk led a successful campaign as chair of the PNG NRL bid in 2024, and was appointed as a director of the franchise board last month. On Friday, PNG Prime Minister James Marape said Sonk had agreed to step aside following corruption concerns reported in the Sydney Morning Herald . The concerns surround business dealings related to Sonk's role as managing director of PNG state-owned oil company Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL), and not the NRL franchise. An official letter seen by the ABC shows KPHL insisted that Chinese state-owned company China Petroleum and Pipeline Engineering Corporation award a subcontract to an Australian company owned by Sonk. China Petroleum and Pipeline Engineering Corporation was awarded a contract to upgrade fuel storage facilities at a major wharf outside PNG's capital. The letter suggests that failure to award the subcontracts could "compromise the project's overall success" and collaborative efforts between the Chinese Company and KPHL. Sonk did not respond to requests for comment and has not yet publicly commented on the allegations. In a statement, Marape said the allegations "raise concerns that cannot be ignored". He said the allegations against Sonk, who is not in PNG presently, were not a presumption of guilt. "Mr Sonk is entitled to due process and the opportunity to clear his name," he said. "Stepping down allows him the space to do so without casting a shadow over the franchise process or compromising the confidence of our partners. "This moment demands clarity, accountability, and the upholding of public confidence. Our national sporting future - and our international reputation - depend on it." To help the PNG franchise join the NRL, the Australian government has committed $600m over 10 years. The money will also fund community outreach programs supported by the new club. -ABC

RNZ News
2 hours ago
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Government's $6b announcement has nothing new, Labour says
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