Coromandel locals party in the streets as holidaymakers return, Nicola Willis holds the former finance minister accountable and disposable vapes go up in smoke under new regulations in the latest NZ Herald headlines.
Video / NZ Herald
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Locals party over 25A
Locals in the Coromandel are overjoyed by the reopening of State Highway 25A.
A 124 metre bridge, reconnecting a section of the road which collapsed in January, openedto traffic on Wednesday - three months early and under budget.
Paradise Gym owner Gabrielle Deane says they’re excited to have holidaygoers back.
Coromandel residents in Tairua party on the streets as they welcome tourists back travelling on the reopened SH25A bridge washed away in January storms. Photo / Cheree Kinnear
Nicola Willis lays the blame
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has laid the blame for the deteriorating fiscal position squarely in the lap of the previous Government.
But Willis says yesterday’s mini-Budget was just the first step of her Government’s plan to refocus spending priorities.
Willis has so far found $7.5 billion worth of reprioritisation but says that figure will rise, as she goes through the Government books with a fine tooth comb.
She was highly critical of Grant Robertson yesterday, holding him accountable for the significantly slimmed-down surplus projections.
Disposable vapes can’t be sold, unless they have removable batteries, maximum nicotine limits, child safety features and follow new labelling requirements.
All vapes will have to meet those specifications by March when they’ll also be limited to generic flavours, and banned from using images of toys or cartoons.
The new regulations are designed to discourage young people from taking up vaping.
Vaping is becoming an increasing problem in intermediate and primary schools. Photo / 123 rf
