Current Events 2024

Which attraction was threatened by the Christchurch hills fire last week?

• Christchurch Adventure Park

• Christchurch Gondola

• Christchurch Antarctic Centre

Answer explanation

Christchurch Adventure Park - The fire, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, had burnt through around 650 hectares by Friday.

The Adventure Park, with mountain biking tracks and a chairlift, was previously devastated in 2017 by fire. The park then had to pay out $14m to homeowners whose houses were damaged after the park's chairlift was left running - spreading the flames.

Why is the Department of Conservation concerned about the SailGP race series returning to Christchurch?

• That the competing boats could spread marine pests

• That increased activity could stress nesting little penguins

• That collisions could occur between the boats and rare dolphins

Answer explanation

They are concerned about possible collisions with rare dolphins - DoC holds concerns about the safety of the

nationally vulnerable Hector’s dolphin following last year’s race when dolphins appeared on the race course.

Why were Tauranga residents told to stay off the roads at the beginning of last week?

• Police were trying to locate a fleeing vehicle

• Protestors were marching through key areas of the city

• A hole had opened up under a key road

Answer explanation

A hole had opened up under a key road - The hole was described as 4 metres deep and 4 metres wide stretching at least 11 metres across the highway. Congestion in the city has

been ongoing in the past year due to ongoing roadworks

Which political party has suspended one of its MPs after allegations of migrant exploitation at a business owned by her husband?

• a. ACT

• b. National

• c. Green Party

Answer explanation

Green Party - A worker complained to the Employment Relation Authority about $25,000 in unpaid wages and holiday pay from E Cycles NZ - owned by MP Darleen Tana’s husband. It is also understood a second worker had also complained. Last week’s revelation comes in the same week former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman pleaded guilty to shoplifting.

Which of the following is a major candidate in the 2024 election?

• Mickey Mouse

• A well-known political leader

• A fictional character from a book

The US House of Representatives have voted to pass a measure that could lead to the forced sale or ban of which video-sharing app?

• a. TikTok

• b. Instagram

• c. Youtube

Answer explanation

TikTok - If the legislation is passed by the Senate it will give TikTok’s owner, the Beijing-based ByteDance, half a year to sell the short-video platform or face a ban on the Apple and Google app stores and web-hosting services in the United States. The move reflects growing fears over China’s influence in the United States,

especially in an election year.

Statistics New Zealand have said the number of migrant arrivals went up last year by...?

• a. 12 percent

• b. 50 percent

• c. 91 percent

Answer explanation

91% - Annual net migration to New Zealand hit a record 133,800 in the past year (ending in January). It also said migrant departures were up 30 percent. The majority of immigration was by citizens of India, with a 51,000 arrival and citizens of the Philippines made up the second biggest proportion of arrivals with 36,500.

What will pharmacies be able to do from the start of next month?

• a. Vaccinate babies and preschoolers

• b. Conduct eye tests

• c. Sell asthma inhalers without a prescription

Answer explanation

Vaccinate babies and preschoolers - Approval has been granted by Pharmac after Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ sought the change to try to boost lagging immunisation rates. The pharmacists will have to undergo training first, but will then be able to vaccinate babies from

six weeks of age for all the free childhood immunisations on the New Zealand vaccination schedule.

What major international event is scheduled to take place in Paris in 2024?

• A) The Summer Olympics

• B) The FIFA World Cup

• C) The World Expo

• D) The G7 Summit

Which country is hosting the 2024 G20 summit?

• A) India

• B) Brazil

• C) Italy

• D) South Africa