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.

February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC

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.

February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC

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.

February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC

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.

February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC

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.

February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC





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.

February 15, 2026 09:15 UTC

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.

February 15, 2026 09:01 UTC

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.

February 15, 2026 08:41 UTC

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.

February 15, 2026 08:02 UTC

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.

February 15, 2026 07:04 UTC

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.

February 15, 2026 07:01 UTC

⚠️ A deepening low is bringing heavy rain, strong winds & large waves, creating hazardous conditions across parts of the North Island🌧️💨🌊@MetService has issued multiple watches & warnings, incl. Along with Waipā District, it was put into a state of emergency because of the severe weather impacts. Attention is turning now to the North Island’s East Coast, which is blanketed in weather warnings and watches from MetService. Heavy rain and wind warnings cover much of the North Island's east coast for this evening and tomorrow. Photo / MetServiceGisborne, south of Poverty Bay, and Hawke’s Bay about and east of Wairoa has a heavy rain warning starting at 7am tomorrow and lasting for 22 hours.

February 15, 2026 06:04 UTC

Lockie Ferguson is returning home ahead of the birth of his first child. Photo / AFPLockie Ferguson is returning home ahead of the birth of his first child. Photo / AFPThe Black Caps lose star bowler Lockie Ferguson for their final group D World Cup match against Canada on Tuesday after he departed the squad on paternity leave. The 34-year-old is returning home for the birth of his and wife Emma Ferguson’s first child. Black Caps head coach Rob Walter was supportive of Ferguson’s leave.

February 15, 2026 05:58 UTC

The Symonds St office was one of the three, but not the one officials initially favoured. “This option was originally our recommendation, however, the chairman has advised this doesn’t meet his requirements due to the privacy concerns.”The Symonds St office was recommended instead. ‘This isn’t the SIS’This week, the ministry confirmed the Symonds St lease would now end in May, rather than September. Ministry deputy secretary, policy Caroline Greaney said as at December 31, the 389sq m Symonds St office was the usual place of work for three staff members and Kaushal. The documents obtained by the Taxpayers’ Union show the total cost for the Symonds St office in 2025/26 was $131,000, when other expenses such as power were factored in.

February 15, 2026 05:22 UTC

Hipkins also pointed out discrepancies between what the Government was saying about the deal, and what the deal actually said. McClay later clarified the deal does not prohibit New Zealand from creating a cap on all student visas issued to people from all countries, including India. That explanation did not wash with Hipkins who wrote that “any cap on international students would, in practice, breach this provision”. The deal requires New Zealand firms to invest US$20 billion ($33b) in India over 15 years. Hipkins said he wanted key Labour MPs to see unredacted advice from MFAT before agreeing to support the deal.

February 15, 2026 05:15 UTC