Vanita Prasad (Newsroom) Auckland, November 17, 2018 The Auckland Children’s Christmas Parade T (Published by Newsroom) Auckland’s Santa Parade faces an uncertain future as the City’s event Agency withdraws funding past this year because of a new policy. While next week’s 85th installment of the annual parade will go ahead as planned, it is set to make a $100,000 operating loss without the help…
Read MoreDay: November 16, 2018
Drug Smuggler’s immigration decision delayed
Iain Lees-Galloway and Karel Sroubek (Photo for RNZ by Carmen Bird Photography RNZ, Wellington, November 16, 2018 The review of Czech drug-smuggler Karel Sroubek’s residency case will be delayed further after Immigration New Zealand granted Mr Sroubek an extension. Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has been under intense political pressure over his decision not to deport Sroubek, and ordered a review after conflicting information arose. The…
Read MorePolice seize record 190 kgs of cocaine
RNZ, Auckland, November 16, 2018 190 kgs of cocaine found in a container of bananas. (Photo: RNZ) Police and Customs have seized 190 kgs of cocaine found in a container of bananas – New Zealand’s largest bust of the drug. An Australian investigation into an organised crime group in the country identified the potential shipment of illicit drugs that left Balboa,…
Read MoreImmigration department service quality declines
Eva Corlett RNZ Wellington, November 16, 2018 (Picture from Facebook) The services of Immigration New Zealand (INZ) have become inefficient and substandard after it shut down drop-in centres, immigration lawyers have said. The department said it’s receiving 60 percent more calls than it can handle and that’s meant average wait times on their phone lines are 44 minutes long. Increasing…
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