Photo: RNZThe new year has started with a bang across the country. In Auckland, more than half a tonne of fireworks launched high up the Sky Tower. Photo: RNZHe had only seen Auckland's New Year fireworks on YouTube and said before they were let off that they looked "amazing". Photo: RNZTourists were among them, a pair in the country from the UK had come from New Plymouth to see the fireworks. There was also a group from Las Vegas armed with celebratory horns who took to dancing in the street.
But inside the country, fatigue and resentment are festering beneath the suppression of dissent. “If Russia doesn’t change how it works with young people, it faces a dead end,” he said. A former senior Kremlin official told the Post that he was “very worried” about the “dark picture inside Russia”. Despite the suffering and mass destruction taking place just across the border, Belgorod regards itself as the main victim of this war. The city illustrates the widening gap in Russian society between the indifferent, metropolitan majority and the “warring” few.
Police are appealing for information after a person was found dead on Kaipara Coast Highway at Makarau, north of Auckland, this morning. Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting, Waitematā CIB said police believe the person was struck by a car and are asking the public for footage of the incident. Police were called to the scene between Tuhirangi Rd and Makarau Rd at around 5.20am where a person was found deceased on the road. Police are responding to a serious incident north of Auckland this morning and have closed the Kaipara Coast Highway. Image / Google MapsBunting said police want to hear from anyone who was travelling in the area between midnight and 5.30am, who observed a pedestrian walking on Kaipara Coast Highway, Makarau, or who has dashcam footage of the area during that time.
Speaking to the Herald, Vincent says the changes have helped him become a half-glass-full person these days rather than half-empty. “I always can’t wait to get home,” he says. “I can’t wait to change another dirty nappy. I can’t wait to put the rubbish out. I can’t wait to get to bed at like 7.30 p.m. Just to catch up on some sleep.
“You have to stop what you’re doing and turn the bow into the seas and just go at a fairly slow speed and try to ride the waves,” he said. There is also sea ice and bergs to look out for, which can hole a ship, Brook said, adding at least one vessel is lost in Antarctica every year, according to statistics. “We suspect they do some illegal activities such as discharging the effluent after they’ve processed the krill. We’re trying to get evidence of them doing illegal activities down there.”The 54m Allankay is set to leave Auckland within weeks for a three-month Antarctic mission. Allankay is also home to media for documenting and filming the fishing and to record any illegal activities the crew might see.
About $18 million later and several reports culminating in the MOP’s business case in mid-2024, what’s there to show for it? A much-lower fee, feeding a much-smaller fund for Milford Sound upgrades, has sown some doubts about the level of infrastructure improvements in the coming years. An overview of attractions in the MOP business case plan. Mitigation measures in the meantime include a communication plan, so people heading to Milford Sound are aware of the potential disaster that awaits. Image / SuppliedThe MOP business case also recommended shifting the local workforce out of the inundation zone.
Photo: ReutersThe Racing Bulls boss has some encouraging words for New Zealand driver Liam Lawson. Lawson is on a break after completing his first full season in Formula 1 which presented him with many challenges. Lawson was demoted from Red Bull to junior team Racing Bulls after just two rounds of the 2025 championship. His team-mate Isack Hadjar has been promoted to Red Bull for 2026, while Arvid Lindblad will join him at Racing Bulls. Lawson now has another year to prove himself and Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane is encouraged.
Photo: Getty ImagesConsumer NZ is hopeful that electricity prices will improve in 2026, but does not expect much of a change. The consumer advocacy group says investments in generating electricity and recent rain and snowfall bolstering hydro supply could keep prices down. I don't think [prices] will decrease by much," he said. Fuge hoped politicans would see electricity prices as a priority issue for the upcoming election. "[The electricity market is] clearly not producing good results for businesses and households.
Photo: Supplied via RNZThe personal health portal ManageMyHealth has identified a cyber security breach. The service connects patients with clinicians and allows people to access their medical records. In a statement on its website, ManageMyHealth said the breach involved "unauthorised access to our systems". It said the matter was under active investigation and containment steps had been taken. "We are working with our partners and relevant authorities and will provide further updates through formal statements as information is confirmed."
Displaced Palestinians trying to carry on with their daily lives under harsh conditions amid the rubble left by Israeli attacks in Gaza City. Photo: Getty ImagesNew Zealand has not joined an international statement warning the humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating. The statement, published overnight by the UK Foreign Office, describes conditions for civilians as "appalling" as winter approaches. A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had already put New Zealand's views on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza on the record "on a number of occasions". "We continue to call on the parties to exercise restraint, to fulfil their commitments, and to focus on the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid," they said.
Fireworks ignite from the Sky Tower in Auckland on New Year's Eve 2021. Photo: Getty ImagesWith less than two hours left of 2025, New Year's celebrations are well underway - despite the dreary weather in many regions. Half a tonne of fireworks set to launch from the Sky Tower for New Year's Eve in Auckland are being put through their final paces. "So we're going to be well and truly within that limit and we will fire at midnight," McDermott said. 'Courtenay Carnival'Further south, New Year celebrations in Wellington are also set to go off with a bang, despite the dreary weather.
The American couple, who hail from Vashon Island, "just outside of Seattle", have been passengers on the Seabourn Quest. The luxury cruise ship is known for its intimate size (about 460 guests), all-suite accommodations and inclusive fine-dining from Michelin-star chefs. The ship stopped in Dunedin yesterday and the couple were "really impressed" by what they saw. It had been a huge pleasure travelling with the Seabourn Quest, which was bound for Lyttelton today, they said. Seabourn Quest was one of two cruise ships which arrived in Dunedin yesterday, the other being the larger Discovery Princess, which hosts up to 3650 guests.
Blustery conditions and consistent drizzling rain pervaded throughout the morning and afternoon — only for the weather to slowly clear in time for the celebrations, even if temperatures were not particularly summery. There was early entertainment for the younger audience in George St, and the more traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Octagon. Children form a train as they dance during New Year's Eve celebrations at George St. Photo: Gerard O'BrienThis is the first time the council has utilised the George St space for New Year's Eve activities since the upgrades were completed about two years ago. Ms MacLennan said they would definitely consider doing something similar for the next New Year’s Eve celebrations. "It’s great to utilise George St. It’s such a lovely space, and it’s able to be closed off [for vehicles] and be used for open events such as this."
One person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Waikato early today. The police were called to the intersection of Orini and McConnell Rds in Orini about 12:30am. The sole occupant of the car was found dead at the scene. Orini Rd was closed overnight between Rutherford Rd and Tenfoot Rd while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination. Police inquiries are ongoing.
After hearing about the festival last minute, Jazzy Pearl and Rory Weeding, from Calgary, Canada, worked as volunteers prior to the festival and earned free tickets. Jazzy Pearl (25) and Rory Weeding (25) from Canada, volunteered prior to the festival to gain free entry. Paris Kerr who attended the festival with a group of friends for two nights said she was most excited to see Dizzee Rascal. ‘‘We came to see Dizzee Rascal, that’s our man. Elsa Rosanowski (24), Celia Petrie (24) and Paris Kerr (23) preparing to see ‘their man’ Dizzee Rascal.
