The new $15million Port Otago tug Otepoti arrived in the Otago Harbour yesterday morning after a 6070 nautical mile trip from inland China. Port Otago vessels in a spin after greeting latest tug Otepoti yesterday. Boats are (from left) dredge New Era, tug Taiaroa, tug Arihi (bottom), tug Otepoti and pilot boat Te Rauone. Port Otago’s latest tug, Otepoti, arrives in the harbour basin yesterday. Mr Bicknell said everything went well and the new tug arrived on the day it was supposed to.
Chang YuA lack of accessible and affordable rental properties is leaving many disabled people stuck in emergency accommodation that is unsuited to their needs. He said they were being forced into emergency housing more often because they were unable to find, or afford, private rentals suited to their needs. ‘‘Their average income was $22,519 a year, including social benefits — significantly lower than the overall emergency housing population’s average income of $28,193. Emergency housing special needs grants were introduced by the Ministry of Social Development in 2016 to fund emergency accommodation, typically in motels, for no more than seven days, he said. ‘‘But setting an example through state housing will not address the lack of appropriate housing for people with disabilities, given public housing makes up only 4% of the overall housing stock in New Zealand.
Throughout the interview, opposition to the Bendigo project was repeatedly described as coming from ‘‘luminaries’’, a shorthand that aligns neatly with the language of ‘‘elites’’ so often used by Resources Minister Shane Jones. Sir Ian TaylorIt was against that backdrop that the question was put to me: why don’t you just trust the fast-track process? These are people who come to the fast-track process with one arm firmly tied behind their backs. Not long after that interview, a fast-track panel released its draft decision declining Trans-Tasman Resources’ proposal to mine the South Taranaki seabed. The Minerals Council’s chief executive described the decision as ‘‘embarrassing’’ and urged people to trust the process, expressing hope that facts, evidence and science would prevail.
The start of the Milford Track, PHOTO: ODT FILESThree long-term tourism concessions at key South Island destinations have been announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. They are a 38-year concession for The Remarkables Ski Area, a 30-year guided walking concession on the Milford Track and a 25-year concession for Te Ana-au Caves in Fiordland/Te Rua o te Moko. ‘‘Long-term concessions give operators the certainty they need to invest, train staff and plan ahead,’’ Mr Potaka said in a statement. Southland MP Joseph Mooney said the concessions would support jobs, strengthen the Southland and Otago economies and keep visitor access open at key South Island destinations. ‘‘These attractions are incredibly well-managed, and it is a massive confidence boost for the South to know their future is certain.’’The concessions include enforceable environmental and safety conditions, the Department of Conservation retaining full regulatory oversight.
PHOTOS: NZ RUGBY/SMARTFRAME Hayden Meikle considers five big questions ahead of the Highlanders’ season opener tonight. Every rugby team gets injuries. The Highlanders have a few other niggles, and are waiting for star No 8 Hugh Renton to get up to speed. Timoci Tavatavanawai is a wrecking ball, and remarkably led Super Rugby with 26 turnovers won last season. It’s a tough position at Super Rugby level.
Photo: RNZThe government is tweaking its legislation removing the right for contractors to challenge their employment status to make clear that it will not be applied retrospectively. It followed a case by four Uber drivers who took the ride-sharing company to the Employment Court in 2022 over their employment status. The Employment Court ruled in favour of the drivers, which Uber appealed unsuccessfully at the Court of Appeal in 2024. ACT campaigned on amending the Employment Relations Act, so those who signed up to be independent contractors could not then challenge that status in court. The coalition agreement between National and ACT stated they would, "maintain the status quo that contractors who have explicitly signed up for a contracting arrangement can't challenge their employment status in the Employment Court".
Young people want New Zealand politicians to show leadership on the world stage, Prof Robert Patman says. Prof Patman is urging the New Zealand government to combat that by showing leadership internationally. "Many New Zealanders see their country as a brave little country that stands up for what's right," Prof Patman says. Photo: Getty ImagesProf Patman was speaking on the eve of the most important annual global security gathering, the Munich Security Conference. In this episode of Global Insight, Prof Patman also details evidence the world order is under strain and points to international signs of hope.
The SH8/8B intersection near Dead Mans Point, where road resurfacing is under way. PHOTO: NZTAWork affecting a major highway in Central Otago is under way and travellers are advised to prepare for delays. Resurfacing work is planned at the intersection of State Highways 8 and 8B, alongside the Clutha River/ Mata-Au, near Dead Mans Point this month. The work was scheduled to happen daily from 9pm to 6am, Sundays to Thursdays. ‘‘During these times it will mean a single-lane closure and road users being asked to stop on demand.’’This work is weather-dependent and if the schedule had to change, notification would be provided.
Despite our differences, it was clear to me at least that we are united — and maybe sometimes even because of — our differences — by the commitment we all have to New Zealand and our desire for it to be the best place for families and communities. By the time those winter crops are all eaten we’ll be knocking on the door of the general election, November 7. This builds on 2025’s record-setting $60.4b — from meat and wool to kiwifruit and cherries, our producers are remarkable. An example of this is the new dialysis unit which opened at Southland Hospital on Monday. Being able to have the treatment closer to home will make a big difference and also reduce pressure on Dunedin.
Photo: Supplied/ Air NZ via RNZAn Air New Zealand customer has been left upset after discovering at the last minute that a cabin crew strike had disrupted her travel plans. "I have a flight tonight with Air NZ from Tonga," the traveller who wanted to be identified only as Lia said. Massey University marketing expert Bodo Lang said the strike could be an issue for Air New Zealand's brand. Profit expectations for Air New Zealand have recently been revised downward, not upward. Explaining the intricacies of Air New Zealand's financial statements to the public in an engaging manner is difficult.
The new Dunedin hospital outpatients building is due to be operational by the end of this year. The Treasury investment report meanwhile showed the Dunedin outpatients building project under cost pressure, by a sum that was blanked out. It also red-flagged Nelson to ministers for not having its business case ready in time for Budget 2026 decisions. The Nelson project was shrunk to under half its former budget and cut into phases by the present government. In Dunedin's new hospital build, the cost risks had since been managed and it was expected to open within budget on time later this year, Trotter said.
Two young people have told how they were held in slavery by an Auckland man for several years. "But sadly, instead, I am one of those girls fighting demons and emotions I don't deserve, every day," she said. "I find it very hard to communicate with others because I was always stopped from speaking with anyone and everyone... "He was funding your lifestyle," she told Tuai, saying that only ended when the man ran away and managed to get a new passport to return to New Zealand. "It is clear that as far as you were concerned, she was in New Zealand only for your benefit," Wilkinson-Smith added.
Photo: Supplied / ODT via LDRA former mayor-turned water specialist has offered some humorous advice on dealing with complaints - just ask people how much contamination they're comfortable with. On Wednesday, water regulator Taumata Arowai specialist Tim Cadogan dialled in from Wellington to share safety insights with Southland district councillors. "So that's 43 times that water supplies in New Zealand were essentially infiltrated by faeces. There were four ways of protecting against unsafe water, he explained - protecting the source, filtration, disinfection and secure distribution. Good source water had benefits because it was cheaper to treat, while disinfection included methods such as chlorine and UV.
Two people got into trouble in a small boat on Lake Wakatipu last night. The incident happened about 6pm. Details were scant, but members of the public came to the aid of the two people and helped them get back to shore. — Allied Media
Photo: Supplied/Rocket Lab via RNZA physics professor says he does not trust the New Zealand Space Agency to make good decisions about a likely host of new space launches. Space Minister Judith Collins said the 100 cap was likely to be hit this year. The environmental impact from more debris from space vehicle launches had been newly determined to be low. The rules would have required a special marine consent for every launch over the 100 cap. "Firstly, we need to look at whether we trust the New Zealand Space Agency to do the right thing in private."
