Kākāriki Renewables is to hold an information session in Winton this Friday, outlining its plans for a new wind farm in central Southland, near Ohai. The wind farm would be on 2900ha of land near Ohai, about 50km north of Invercargill. At its peak the wind farm would be able to produce 346MW of power, which could power up to 160,000 homes. A proposed second stage would have 44 turbines, producing up to 190MW and an annual generation of about 550GWh. That wind farm is expected to have up to eight turbines and would be in the Jericho area in Southland.

Mercy Hospital. Photo: Gregor RichardsonA private equity takeover of Dunedin’s Mercy Hospital could lead to a period of instability at the top, a health commentator warns. Entrusted to continue the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Hospital’s executive and governance teams provide leadership and expertise. Dr Powell, the former head of the doctors’ union, said a move by private equity investors could lead to instability at the top. 1989: The hospital is renamed Mercy Hospital, aligning with other Mercy hospitals in New Zealand.

New Zealand runner Sam Ruthe posted another rapid mile time at the Sound Running Invite in North Carolina yesterday. Ruthe clocked 3min 52.46sec to finish seventh in the elite field. Olympic and world champion Cole Hocker won the race in a US record of 3min 45.94sec. The rising New Zealander encountered the most competitive field of his career but was not far off the pace. Ruthe next races in New Zealand on March 7 at the Track Stars event.

Black Caps pace-bowler Lockie Ferguson will depart the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to return home on paternity leave. Ferguson’s departure means he will be unavailable for the team's final group D match against Canada tomorrow. — Allied Media

It showed what could happen now and in the future during very heavy rainfall, Dr Payan said. The new mapping identifies areas where debris floods are more likely to occur and assessed the level of risk for people and property." Dr Payan said the fans had helped make the area great for growing produce and were also where some buildings and infrastructure were located. In 2017, debris floods occurred in Pumpstation, Reservoir, Golf Course and Black Jacks Creeks around Roxburgh. Debris floods were a natural part of how alluvial fans evolved, Dr Payan said.

Fan dancers (from left) Saffy Madison-Weatherall, 16, Hannah Hamilton, 16, Hikari Heath, 15, Camille Genobe, 16, and Eleanor Lee, 10. Photos: Gregor RichardsonDragon dancers followed a dragon ball in George St yesterday morning to bring blessings of good fortune for the year, before Chinese New Year celebrations. The dragon ball dancing was accompanied by dragon dancing and lion dancing for what is the Year of the Horse, which officially starts tomorrow. Photo: Gregor RichardsonThe big celebrations are next Saturday, when the Lan Yuan Chinese Garden hosts performances, family activities, food stalls and fireworks. On March 1, a lantern festival will close the New Year events, and will feature lantern workshops, tea ceremonies and dumpling tastings.

But when her latest insurance premium came from Tower Insurance she said there was a $200 extra on the bill because she lived in a flood-prone area. Mrs Gillan said she too was very much surprised when her latest house premiums arrived and it had increased by so much. For flood risk ratings and associated premiums, Tower used the Moody’s New Zealand Inland Flood HD model. "Our risk-based pricing approach means premiums reflect individual risks and customers with higher risks are likely seeing premium increases." He said there were things Tower could do to reduce premiums, so people should get in touch to discuss their insurance.

PHOTO: EVIE SINCLAIRWānaka's ageing lakefront jetty should remain until its replacement is complete, the community board says. Queenstown Lakes District Council staff sought the Wānaka-Upper Clutha community board’s approval to remove the Ardmore St jetty, officially called "Jetty 149 Roys Bay". But the community board voted instead to request that the council maintain the use of the present jetty until the completion of a planned new wharf nearby. The report he presented to the community board said the Ardmore St jetty had reached the "end of its serviceable life". Board chairman Simon Telfer said he was disappointed the report did not acknowledge the "community board pushing hard" for the new jetty.

Mary Boyd, of Alexandra (left) holds her 60-year-old unworn jacket, which won third place at the handcraft pavilion at the Central Otago A&P Show in Omakau. PHOTOS: JULIE ASHERIt was a day that delivered everything promised at the Central Otago A&P Show, in Omakau on Saturday. Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley said it was wonderful to have town and country coming together for the show. Hannah Hunt, 13, of Gore, with Lilly’s Leaf Motto, the Central Otago A&P Show’s overall champion beef bull, which she led in the grand parade. He is the sixth generation of his Moa Creek family and was last year’s Central Otago A&P Show scholarship winner.

Of Putin, who launched the war in February 2022, Zelenskyy said: “He may see himself as a tsar, but in reality, he is a slave to war.”Russia and Ukraine will hold United States-brokered talks next week, and Zelenskyy said Kyiv was doing “everything” to end the war. Security guaranteesZelenskyy also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich conference. “With Russia, you cannot leave a single loophole Russians can use to start a war,” he said. Zelenskyy again argued that there would be more chance of ending the war if European countries had a seat at the negotiating table - something Russia has opposed. Returning to the question of elections in Ukraine, Zelenskyy said they would be held once Kyiv received security guarantees and a ceasefire had been agreed.

The Australian Collins-class submarines will be replaced by nuclear-powered subs with technology provided by the US under Aukus. Photo / Australian Defence ForceThe Australian Collins-class submarines will be replaced by nuclear-powered subs with technology provided by the US under Aukus. Photo / Australian Defence ForceAustralia unveiled A$3.9 billion ($4.5b) in spending today as a “down payment” on a new facility to build nuclear submarines under the tripartite Aukus security pact with Britain and the United States. The Aukus pact aims to arm Australia with a fleet of cutting-edge submarines from the US and would provide for co-operation in developing an array of warfare technologies. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the facility in Osborne, near Adelaide, would be at the heart of that.

In Ezekiel Emanuel’s “Eat Your Ice Cream,” the health policy expert and oncologist talks about his “six simple rules” for living longer and better. You write that “ice cream improves people’s health.” Say what? I still like ice cream — gelatos, specialty ice creams — and they’re dairy products, which are quite good for you. If you eat ice cream once a week, twice a week, it can be fantastic. My wife’s grandmother, who lived to 101, used to have a scoop of ice cream every day.

These questions are often bundled together under what has become known as industry policy. Around the world, governments are openly discussing where and how they should intervene to support long-term national resilience. It might involve direct subsidies, regulatory change, targeted public investment, procurement preferences, or support for research and development. At other times, industry policy is far less defensible – subsidising unproductive incumbents is a familiar and costly mistake. But over time, it is difficult to imagine any public investment that offers greater long-term benefit.

In a release ahead of the festival, Rainbow Action Tāmaki criticised organiser The Burnett Foundation’s decision to invite Government MPs. “Rainbow Action Tāmaki unequivocally condemns the decision by Big Gay Out to platform right-wing transphobic, racist and Genocide enabling polititions [sic],” the group said on Instagram. Rainbow Action Tāmaki member Mia Crossan (left) said the group stands by protesters' actions today. “Big Gay Out is a wonderful event and I was still happy to be in attendance despite my grievances with the foundation. “I think Pride is for the community, by the community, about the community.

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Wellington Water board chairman steps down, one dead in crash, more serious weather on way for eastern North Island. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Climber airlifted to hospital after falling on Mount Brewster in Mount Aspiring National ParkA climber has been airlifted to hospital after injuring themselves in Mt Aspiring National Park. The Maritime New Zealand Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCCNZ) said a personal locator beacon was activated at 3.25pm on Mt Brewster. “Our team established that two climbers had fallen, with one climber unable to walk due to their injuries.”A Lakes District Air Rescue Trust helicopter based in Queenstown was sent, along with a helicopter from Aspiring Helicopter with the Wānaka Alpine Cliff Rescue (ACR) team on board in case of a technical rescue.