Sandy GrahamThe Dunedin City Council has flagged service cuts may be in the pipeline if fuel costs and supply concerns continue to rise. Chief executive Sandy Graham outlined the possibility at last week’s council meeting and a newly released annual plan document has also indicated the potential for cuts. ‘‘But we’re doing what we can to manage costs, but also levels of service — that’s the bigger issue. The document, released Monday, said service levels may temporarily reduce under ‘‘national fuel pressures’’ and the government’s fuel traffic-light settings. Annual plan consultation closes on April 29, ahead of hearings and a decision on adopting the plan next month.

Co-captain and centre Timoci Tavatavanawai has been the main man for the Highlanders this season. The numbersRecord: Played 7, won 3, lost 4, eighth in Super Rugby. He leads all Super Rugby players with 45 defenders beaten — a staggering 15 more than the next man on the list. TK Howden has proven an excellent lineout option and leads Super Rugby with 107 tackles. They are fifth in overall tries, but drop to ninth equal on tries per game.

The column has since been developed into a podcast, plus a live show featuring pop and jazz music, and Wade’s trademark covers a range of things including theatrical productions, TV and live stage performances. Regarding the release of Swift’s album, The Life of a Showgirl, the complaint reads: “They did not do so quietly. It said it was declined because it was confusingly similar to the previous mark, with both names sharing the key “of a Showgirl” phrase. Wade has accused Swift of ignoring the trademark, arguing that consumers believe she has copied the pop star, which has undermined her brand. Swift could end up buying out Wade’s claim to the name or trying to fight the case in court.

One NZ hasn’t gone as far as specific actions as a result of fuel concerns, but said it’s had flexible working policies in place for a long time. Westpac NZ offers hybrid working and some remote work options that help its people manage commuting costs. “Our standard operating model includes hybrid working arrangements, allowing employees to work flexibly between home and our offices. “Extraordinary lets you use pre-tax income to pay for your commute across NZ’s public transport networks,” they said. Genesis subsidises public transport costs by 50% for employees in their Auckland and Hamilton offices, through Auckland Transport (HOP card) and Waikato Transport (Bee Card).

But Silver Ferns Farms is also counting the costs of halting exports into its key Persian Gulf markets. Exports to Persian Gulf halted, for nowBut its agility was being tested by war in the Persian Gulf, as for other primary sector exporters. When the conflict broke out in late February, it had 140 containers in transit destined for the Middle East. Securing livestock supply when margins are tightBoulton said 2025 was a hard-fought year for the company dealing with low livestock volumes. Meanwhile, the Silver Fern Farms Co-operative earned $14.2m in financial year 2025, up from a $10.9m loss the year before.

Chris Dillon is facing the busiest time of year for his farm with an unwelcome guest in the form of gas prices nearly doubling for the farm in the space of three weeks. PHOTO: GERRIT DOPPENBERGArable farmers in Eastern Southland are facing the next few months with doubled fuel costs — inviting the question of whether it is possible, or even worth it, to harvest and plant new crops. The arable farming sector was critical to the livestock sector and what the government had done so far had not helped a single farmer, Riversdale grain farmer Chris Dillon said. Refined oil prices in New Zealand have skyrocketed in the past month following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key logistical route for oil products. All hands and tractors, will be on deck.

“The car was going at speed and when it turned left into Myers Rd, he was flung off.”Allan said he pulled over shortly afterwards and looked in his rear-view mirror, where he believed he saw the man fall from the vehicle. “I saw a shoe and some clothing on the road, so he must have lost his grip.”Allan said he drove back past Myers Rd 15 minutes later and saw police vehicles, an ambulance and a helicopter responding. Hato Hone St John told the Herald they sent an ambulance and critical care unit to the scene at 7pm. Police are carrying out inquiries into what happened and to find anyone else involved. Cordons at the scene have since been removed.

Multiple overseas publications, including the Times of India – the world’s highest-circulation English-language daily in the world, with millions of readers – reported Baltej Singh’s name in relation to the drug arrest in 2023. Baltej Singh appears in Auckland District Court via audio-video feed charged with methamphetamine importation after a man died from accidentally drinking meth-laced beer. That was among the arguments made by the Herald, Stuff and Crown prosecutors in December 2024, when Baltej Singh made an application for permanent name suppression after his guilty pleas. Because of the restrictions placed on the media, the Herald has until now referred to Baltej Singh only as “a well-known businessman” who had garnered respect from some aspects of society “for an unusual reason”. However, none of the social media threats from people who already knew Baltej Singh’s identity had resulted in real-world violence, the Court of Appeal noted.

Residential property values remained flat overall in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, according to valuation company QV's House Price Index for March. The average New Zealand dwelling value was $909,572, almost unchanged (-0.1%) compared to Q4 last year. On an annual basis, the average dwelling value was -0.4% lower compared to Q1 last year. The biggest declines in value in Q1 were in Taupo -3.8% and Greymouth -3.4% for the quarter, while the biggest increases in average values were in Gisborne and Dunedin, both up 3.7%. Wellington City is also the only centre where average values are still below where they were in Q1 2020,when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Faalili Kauri was sentenced at Manukau District Court for reckless driving causing the death of 59-year-old Morlais Davies (inset). An earlier crash, seizure and diagnosisBefore the fatal crash in 2021, Kauri hit a tree while driving in August 2020. He was charged with careless driving and told police he had fallen asleep at the wheel. While driving along the Highbrook Dr exit on Auckland's southern motorway, in East Tāmaki, Kauri began having a seizure. For reckless driving causing death, making a false declaration and driving while his licence was revoked, Kauri was jailed for two-and-a-half years and disqualified from driving for four years.

Police are investigating after puppies were allegedly thrown into the Whakatāne River. Man charged after footage allegedly shows puppies being thrown into Whakatāne RiverPolice are investigating after puppies were allegedly thrown into the Whakatāne River. Photo / SuppliedA 19-year-old man has been charged after footage allegedly showing puppies being thrown into the Whakatāne River sparked a police investigation. The footage, shared to social media last night, appeared to show two people removing the puppies from a pillowcase and throwing them into the water. “Tragically, the puppies drowned in the river,” police said.

A letter from the school board was sent to parents in the afternoon. The Ministry of Education traumatic incident team would be working with the school, the letter said, and the guidance team would be available for students. Deidre Alderson, director of education Tāmaki Makaurau, said, “The ministry’s traumatic incident team is actively supporting the school and will remain available for as long as they are needed.”The traumatic incident team can help schools understand the emotional and psychological impacts of a traumatic incident. “I know three mum friends that I’ve spoken to ... and they’re like, ‘oh no, our kids are not going to school today’. Another mother said the teacher who was injured was “a good teacher too, so a lot of students and parents don’t understand how this even happened”.

Photo: Supplied / Precision HelicoptersPilot Matt Newton said he had flown three missions to the area to see if he could spot Molly and was unsuccessful. It was incredible that (Johnston) survived and she was picked up by a rescue helicopter a few weeks ago. Photo: Supplied / Precision HelicoptersNewton said Johnston was seriously injured and was only recently discharged from hospital. It was incredible that (Johnston) survived and she was picked up by a rescue helicopter a few weeks ago. Photo: Supplied / Precision HelicoptersIn a Facebook post, Johnston said she was "blown away" by the support.

Photo: TikTokA Dunedin "influencer” who livestreamed accusations that her midwife was killing babies left the victim in disbelief, a court has heard. The court heard Robins’ baby died in a late stage of pregnancy and she blamed her midwife for the stillbirth, claims that were being investigated by regulatory bodies. The court heard the victim was “distressed, scared, and in disbelief”, when she heard about the video. “Once something’s on the internet, it tends to be out there forever,” Judge Robinson told Robins. The defendant had written an apology letter to the victim and Judge Robinson believed her remorse was genuine.

Duncan Garner. File photo: NZ HeraldBroadcaster Duncan Garner has been charged with driving a car while his licence was suspended. Garner, who hosts the Editor in Chief podcast, was due to appear in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday. A registrar told RNZ the 52-year-old's appearance had been adjourned to 14 April for disclosure and plea. Court documents seen by RNZ allege Garner drove a car in Auckland on 10 March while his licence was suspended.