PHOTO: ODT FILESHomeowners in one of New Zealand’s most expensive streets are up in arms over plans for a multimillion-dollar Queenstown film production facility they say will spoil their pristine views. It proposes construction and operation of a film and television production facility, including studios, more than 200 worker accommodation units, and supporting facilities and amenities. The site for the proposed facility between Arrowtown and Lake Hayes has been described by its developer, Chris Meehan, as "the best part of the most expensive street" in New Zealand. Many of the directly neighbouring properties on Speargrass Flat Rd are estimated to be worth more than $5 million. It also noted the proposal was considered "inconsistent" with the intended rural open character and spatial logic for the surrounding area as zoned.

The $75,000 fund follows allegations of sheep mistreatment related to shearing practices which are still under investigation. Photo: RNZ/Sally RoundThe government and the shearing industry have announced a $75,000 programme to improve animal welfare in the industry. Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard said New Zealand had a reputation for high animal welfare standards and it was important these were maintained and improved. "We've worked with industry to establish a $75,000 fund to support targeted training initiatives that build knowledge, skills, and best practice in animal care and welfare compliance in the shearing industry," he said. This followed MPI's $75,000 investment in June in The NZ Merino Company's Cadetship Programme, which expanded cadet training and included a dedicated animal welfare module.

A large oil spill is causing slippery conditions for vehicles on the road towards the West Coast of the South Island. A large oil spill is causing slippery conditions for vehicles on the road towards the West Coast of the South Island. Image / Google MapsA 10km oil spill is causing slippery conditions for vehicles on the main road heading towards the West Coast of the South Island. NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the spillage reportedly extends from the Porter Pass summit along SH73/West Coast Road, to the intersection with Benmore Road, near Springfield. They said the combination of oil and rain had made for “slippery conditions for vehicles to navigate.”Crews have now been sent to the site of the spill to begin the cleanup.

When she is travelling, there are a few things Nabongo loves to do no matter the country she’s in." Investing in travel insurance when travelling solo means you can explore the world with confidence, knowing help is just a call away. As for her least favourite country to visit solo, there’s only one Nabongo is adamant she won’t return to." It’s interesting because I’ve talked to other women who’ve solo travelled in this country and they felt uncomfortable, but they still solo travelled there. Jessica’s story features in the book Lonely Planet: Women Travel Solo, out now.

A man was captured standing on the roof of a moving car as it circles an empty Franklin carpark. It prompts fresh warnings about dangerous “car surfing” trends. Video / FacebookBystanders have captured video of a man standing on the roof of a moving car as it circles an empty car park in the Auckland district of Franklin. It is prompting fresh warnings about dangerous “car surfing” stunts being shared on social media. In the video, a maroon car can be seen slowly driving in circles around the empty car park with a man in a singlet and a blue bucket hat stand on top of the vehicle.

In a joint statement, NPD and Gull said each of their combined 240 sites would retain their distinctive brand. AA principal policy adviser Terry Collins said both companies had a low-cost business model. When Gull first arrived with that model in New Zealand it became known as the Gull effect because it dropped the prices and competitors had to match it,” he said. “We’ve been tracking the price of fuel for the last couple of months and we’re watching as the international landed prices dropped, the retail prices haven’t dropped at the same level,” he said. “The price of oil has been below US$60 at some stages and we want to see those savings passed on to our motorists.”– RNZ

Twisted marked its 10-year anniversary last summer with a strong turnout, selling nearly 3,500 tickets, but Tait said it was not enough to clear its ongoing IRD debt. New Year's festival Twisted Frequency has sold about 1000 fewer tickets than last summer's event. Photo / Twisted Frequency FestivalCompounding operational costs have driven ticket prices to $500 this year, and without a significant turnaround in sales or new funding sources, Tait said the festival’s 2026 event will be its final edition. In interviews published on Twisted Frequency’s website, Tait and the organisers of independent festivals Shipwrecked and Aum criticised the Government’s approach to events funding, arguing it favours large, commercial events over grassroots festivals. “Throughout its life, Twisted has yet to receive a single dime or any kind of funding, and that is not for lack of trying,” Tait said.

The Australian-flagged ship was reportedly undertaking its first voyage since the death of an 80-year-old passenger in October. A spokesperson for the operator, Coral Expeditions, told news.com.au, “All passengers and crew are safe.”“An initial inspection indicates no damage to the vessel,” they said. News.com.au reported that an officer from the PNG Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre had boarded the ship and is providing assistance with the incident,. The luxury cruiser had reached Papua New Guinea waters on December 20 and was navigating the coastline throughout the week before Saturday’s incident occurred. News.com.au understands there is no damage to the vessel, and inspections and work to refloat the vessel are continuing today.

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Dry January participants reported better mood, improved sleep and weight loss, and had healthier blood pressure, blood sugar and liver function. And several of the studies found participants experienced some benefits from simply reducing their drinking, also known as “Damp January,” rather than abstaining entirely. About 54 percent of U.S. adults say they drink alcohol, according to a 2025 Gallup poll, the lowest that number has been since Gallup started tracking drinking behavior in 1939. How to reduce your alcohol consumptionStrowger sees Dry January as a helpful opportunity. There are also digital tools such as the Try Dry app that make tracking your alcohol use simple, Strowger said.

Photo: Getty ImagesCanterbury drivers are being urged to be cautious after an oil spill on State Highway 73, West Coast Rd near Porters Pass. The spillage reportedly extends from the Porter Pass summit to the intersection with Benmore Rd, near Springfield. Combined with rain, it is causing slippery conditions for vehicles. Crews have been sent to the site of the spill to clean up the spill. Road users travelling on this main link between Christchurch and the West Coast should drive with care and follow any directions given at the site.

Traffic backed up on State Highway 8 in the Cromwell Gorge this afternoon. Photo: Julie AsherTraffic was backed up for a couple of hours through the Cromwell Gorge after a four-vehicle crash this afternoon. Emergency services responded to reports of a crash on the Cromwell-Clyde Rd (State Highway 8) about 12.50pm. A police spokesman said four vehicles were involved and local staff had reported that one had left the road and gone down a bank. A Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said two crews from Clyde and Cromwell and additional support vehicles attended.

Karangahape Rd on a quieter day. Photo: The Detail/Tom KitchinPolice are asking for help to identify those involved in a brawl on Auckland's Karangahape Rd early today. Three men were hospitalised after a series of assaults following the "mass disorder", police said, and four arrested. "Around 4.15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen St. A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised. A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.

Photo: Tim Cuff / PoolMore than six months after back-to-back floods caused widespread damage across the Tasman District, the recovery is expected to cost the council $50 million and take up to two years to complete. The total cost of damage to river infrastructure was between $23 and $25m, while the roading damage was just over $20m. The report, by the Office of the Auditor-General, looked specifically at the Tasman District. The final cost was not yet known but it would be funded by Tasman District Council, Doc and NZTA. The Tasman District Council said there were several homes on the other side of the slip site and residents were able to walk out while the road remained closed.

KnowYourStuff will be at the AUM New Years Festival, Northern Bass, Twisted Frequency and Rhythm and Alps in Wānaka, while the Drug Foundation will be at Gisborne's Rhythm and Vines. KnowYourStuff spokesperson Casey Spearin said one in 10 drugs on the black market were not what they were sold as. "We recommend that anyone who is planning on taking drugs this summer tries to get them checked before they do consume if possible. Spearin said there was concern about synthetic cathinones ('bath salts', for example) being sold as MDMA (ecstasy). Often people are buying… ecstasy pills, and we do see these coming through with multiple doses of MDMA, you know, sometimes two to three doses.