Stories from New Zealand

Amazon has abandoned plans for a new data center in West Auckland, resulting in a $45 million loss.

The Nelson AI sandbox is relocating to the Halifax Cafe. Co-founder Richard Broderick-Lindner stated the new setting is intended to help locals demystify and embrace artificial intelligence. The move follows a period of operation in its previous location.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has eliminated the only paid position on Aoteaora Great Barrier Island. The role served as a part-time support officer for the island's volunteer fire brigade.

A leaked report prepared for the TAB states the horse racing and breeding industry is unsustainable without additional tax breaks. The report was prepared by a committee that includes two major donors to the New Zealand First party.

The New Zealand government has committed $400 million to develop tools to reduce agricultural methane, including vaccines and low-methane genetics. This follows the decision last year to scrap a plan to tax agricultural methane by 2030 in favor of a technology-led approach.

A new agricultural company has been founded by university graduates. The company aims to innovate within the agricultural sector. In 2017, Chen Gejiang and two university students founded an agricultural company.

The government's chief digital officer acknowledged that there is currently no formal public sector strategy in place.

A large landslide has caused the hillside to change shape significantly. The earth has split into approximately six bridges, creating a chasm hundreds of yards long and about 100 yards wide. Fallen trees and wires are down, and water is running down the street.

A total of 41 people have drowned so far this year in New Zealand. Increased economic pressure to provide food may be causing individuals to take greater risks, such as fishing alone. Water Safety New Zealand reported that the number of drownings occurring across the country this year is tracking higher than the previous year. No specific casualty numbers or locations were provided in the report. The statement was made during a broadcast on RNZ National.

The ACT Party in New Zealand is proposing new immigration policies to identify individuals overstaying visas. Leader David Seymour stated that approximately 20,000 people are currently overstaying their visas. The party plans to test platform companies, such as Uber and DoorDash, to verify the legal residency status of their workers. Other proposed measures include deporting serious offenders and strengthening English language requirements. The proposal aims to test these companies' compliance with immigration standards. Immigration lawyer Alistair McClements stated that the proposed welfare changes are unnecessary because the vast majority of migrants arrive with existing employment. McClements suggested the announcement does not significantly alter the current immigration regime.