By RNZ Regulatory feedback is being called for as the Government looks to tackle global fuel uncertainty. The Government has laid out its response plan to...
March 29, 2026 15:07 UTC
By RNZ Regulatory feedback is being called for as the Government looks to tackle global fuel uncertainty. The Government has laid out its response plan to...
New Zealand media unmasks Baltej Singh, nephew of Indira Gandhi’s assassin Satwant Singh as mastermind of Rs 180-crore meth empire, largest in Kiwi history after court ends name suppression on March 29, 2026. New Zealand media on March 29, 2026, publicly named Baltej Singh as the alleged kingpin behind the country’s largest-ever methamphetamine seizure. Singh is the nephew of Satwant Singh, one of the assassins of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADFrom name suppression to global exposureNew Zealand media have identified Baltej Singh as the mastermind behind a ₹180-crore (NZ$36 million) drug operation after he withdrew his bid for permanent name suppression. Legal experts said that name suppression orders in New Zealand apply only domestically and lose effectiveness once identities are widely reported abroad.
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Good Sorts presenter and former Fair Go host Hadyn Jones. “Good Sorts is a commercial segment, and we contract Hadyn to host it,” said a TVNZ spokeswoman. Good Sorts - anecdotally, a popular segment that screens just after the weather and before Country Calendar - started more than 16 years ago. Media Insider analysis: TVNZ’s decision to press pause on Good Sorts is likely to provoke a strong viewer reaction. O’Sullivan told the Herald he had confidence in the TVNZ newsroom going forward.
Singh’s case drew additional attention due to his family history. He is the nephew of Indira Gandhi’s assassin, Satwant Singh, one of the bodyguards responsible for her killing in 1984. Prosecutors argued that Singh’s identity was already known internationally and that public interest in transparency outweighed any risks. The Court of Appeal agreed, stating there was an “appreciable public interest” in revealing his identity given the scale of the offending. By early 2023, Singh and his associate, Himatjit ‘Jimmy’ Singh Khalon, were unpacking thousands of cans and bottles at a rented industrial unit in Auckland.
Photo: RNZPolicy changes and annual adjustments will increase financial support for more than 1 million Kiwis from mid-week, the government says. In a statement this afternoon, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said superannuitants, working families, students and beneficiaries would get a boost from Wednesday, April 1, as the as conflict in the Middle East continued to impact Kiwi wallets. The changes include:• Around 960,000 Kiwis receiving NZ Superannuation and Veteran’s Pension will get increased payments. “We recognise that many Kiwis will not feel able to make that choice right now. “These KiwiSaver changes are all about lifting savings and helping Kiwis become more financially secure in the longer run."
Photo: ODT filesFog restrictions have been lifted at Auckland Airport after many flights were affected this morning. The restriction had been in place since 4.42am. More than 50 flights were affected during the morning including cancellations and delays, RNZ reported. Dunedin, Queenstown and Christchurch flights were affected. Auckland Airport advised passengers to check its website or app for the latest information.
Photo: RNZRegulatory feedback is being called for as the government looks to tackle global fuel uncertainty. The government has laid out its response plan to the rising fuel costs triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. The Ministry for Regulation is now urging businesses, fuel users, freight operators and the wider public to report any barriers that could stand in the way of the government's response. "That's why we want to hear from people affected by edicts from Wellington; what regulatory barriers do you see getting in the way of fuel supply?" If there are regulations that make it harder to import, store, distribute, or use fuel efficiently, they need to be identified now.
The two previous No Kings events attracted millions of participants. In Minnesota, a flashpoint in Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, a massive rally was held outside the state capitol building in Saint Paul. "You're damn right we've been radicalised - radicalised by compassion, radicalised by decency, radicalised by due process, radicalised by democracy, and radicalised to do all we can to oppose authoritarianism." “We’re just doing it again.”On the National Mall in Washington, the crowd chanted pro-democracy slogans and held anti-Trump signs. Trump's policies have galvanised the opposition, Dallas protester Chris Brendel said.
Phyllis St residents say the party house is listed on short-stay accommodation platforms. Photo: RNZPolice say violence at an Auckland party that saw a young person hospitalised is an isolated incident, but neighbours maintain it's an ongoing issue that needs action. Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill said some what unfolded at the party was unacceptable. However, neighbours say problems with out-of-control parties in the small street were ongoing. "It is cheap and easy for teenagers to book this property for one night to have a house party that, as demonstrated last night and many times before, can get quickly out of hand.
Hato Hone St John area operations manager Adrian Gavin says almost every shift has some violent incident towards staff. Hato Hone St John supports the Crimes Amendment Act, which would increase penalties for attacks on paramedics. This is the second attempt at a “ride-along” with Hato Hone St John. In the week between, Hato Hone St John gave an oral submission to a Parliamentary select committee hearing of the Crimes Amendment Act. Hato Hone St John national deputy chief executive of ambulance operations Dan Ohs.
Contact reporters@odt.co.nzThe New Zealand speedway community is mourning the death of a well-known racing driver at Beachlands Speedway near Dunedin. Speedway writer Jody Scott told the Otago Daily Times today he had known the driver for about 30 years. He was a pioneer in streetstocks and a huge loss for Otago, he said. Speedway NZ investigatingSpeedway New Zealand general manager Zoe Irons said in a statement the death of a driver was being investigated. In April 2024, a car racing on the Waldronville track catapulted over a safety fence, almost landing on top of spectators.
Houthis brandish their weapons as they rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, in the Yemeni capital Sana'a. During Israel’s recent war in Gaza, the Houthis, claiming solidarity with Palestinians, attacked shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, forcing companies to take costly detours. Red Sea shippingWith Hormuz all but impassable, many Gulf shipments have been rerouted through Oman’s Salalah port on the Arabian Sea, but Danish shipping giant Maersk said operations there were temporarily suspended after a drone attack. A boy shouts slogans as Houthis rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, in the Yemeni capital Sana'a. In Israel, hundreds of people gathered in Tel Aviv and other cities for protests against the war, which security forces sought to disperse.
MetService Heather Keats with the weekend weather outlook for your region. A burst of heavy rain is set to hit the central North Island overnight with the possibility of thunderstorms. MetService has issued a heavy rain watch for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui and Taupō with heavy downpours expected between 1am and 8am Monday and possible thunderstorms. There is a low risk of localised downpours, with rainfall rates ranging between 25-35mm per hour. Meteorologist Silvia Martino said while there might not be a large accumulation of rain, the central North Island may see very heavy rain in a short span of time.
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