An artist’s impression of Contact Energy’s proposed wind farm near Wyndham. IMAGE: SUPPLIEDPreventing a massive billion-dollar wind farm in the Southland District from going ahead will eventually lead to blackouts and reliance on coal, Contact Energy says. The state-owned generator is planning a 250MW to 350MW wind farm in Southland, which is expected to generate sufficient electricity to power 110,000 to 150,000 households. In response, Contact has delivered a 78-page submission addressing concerns, and reiterating New Zealand’s need for more wind power and renewable electricity. Doc has asked for a 30-year concession for the project, while Contact Energy wants a 60-year concession.

PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENPortobello Rd traffic was down to one lane yesterday as arborists felled a large macrocarpa tree in Ivanhoe Rd. An arborist was elevated and hung by an extended ladder to reach the branches of the tall tree in yesterday’s overcast conditions. Traffic patiently waited for their turn to travel past the temporary traffic light.

IMAGE: SUPPLIEDDunedin is set to become the first city in the South Island with a fully accessible $750,000 Changing Places bathroom. A Dunedin City Council spokesman said construction of a new public toilet featuring a Changing Places bathroom will start next week. Changing Places bathrooms are designed for those with complex care needs, who are unable to use standard accessible bathrooms or public toilets. The inside of the Changing Places bathroom will feature a bespoke art wall featuring images inspired by Dunedin’s heritage and environment. As well as the Changing Places bathroom, the facility will feature two other public toilets — one standard and one ambulant.

A campervan had its roof removed after attempting to pass under the height-restricted underpass in Tinwald. Photo: SuppliedThe country's most-struck rail bridge has claimed yet another victim, this time slicing the roof off a campervan driving beneath the low-clearance viaduct in Canterbury. It comes just a month after the Tinwald Viaduct re-opened following repairs from a previous accident. Police were called to the incident around 3.15pm on Wednesday, where the campervan had hit the viaduct as it drove through, with a spokesperson confirming the vehicle lost part of its roof. The Tinwald Viaduct was repaired and upgraded with a steel overhead impact beam, which has been hit several times since it reopened in December.

PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENTourists on a rare two-night stay in Dunedin did not let the wet weather get in the way of their travels. It joined the much larger Norwegian Spirit cruise ship, which has capacity for 1972 passengers and 904 crew, at Port Chalmers. Yesterday’s wet weather did not get in the way of Rick Bennet, 80, of Noosa, Australia, enjoying Dunedin’s tourist offerings. Norwegian Spirit cruise ship passenger Rick Bennet, 80, of Noosa, Australia, braves the Dunedin weather to explore the city. Cruise ship passengers board a bus in the Octagon back to their ships yesterday.

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The high supply of milk worldwide has meant New Zealand dairy farmers have had to lower their expectations regarding future payouts. PHOTO: TIM CRONSHAWSouth Island dairy farmers are waving goodbye to another double-digit milk payout as global supplies remain stubbornly high over the 2025-26 season. The season started with Fonterra sweeping a wide brush in its opening forecast range of $8-$11 a kilogram of milk solids. Unlikely to be repeated now is the double-digit record $10.16/kg midpoint for the 2024-25 season. Federated Farmers Dairy chairman Karl Dean said many farmers would have written off a repeat of last season’s payout.

PHOTOS: BARKER’SSouth Canterbury company Barker’s has completed its new jam, juice and sauce factory near Geraldine in the first stage of a nearly $60 million expansion project. Chief executive Agnes Baekelandt said the factory was ready for processing after the main work was finished only a few weeks ago. French-owned jam, juice and sauce maker Barker’s new factory in South Canterbury is expected to eventually double production. The first stage of an experimental orchard is in place with a tomato and capsicum trial planted just before Christmas. The additional land is being used for an irrigation and wastewater system, the experimental orchard and future-proofing the operation.

A Gore pensioner has been left gutted after his car was destroyed in an act of suspected arson this week, leaving him with no means of transport for medical appointments. PHOTO: NZ POLICEA newly retired Gore man has been left stranded after his uninsured car was torched this week in a suspected arson. However, his burnt-out car was left glued to the road. "[The car] was uninsured too — I ran out of insurance and couldn’t afford to renew it. Police are investigating the fire as a suspected arson, but Mark said he had no idea why anyone would target his vehicle.

Josh Burnett (left) and Matthew Wilson battle to a photo finish on the Bluff Hill stage. When the dust had settled, Josh Burnett had claimed his maiden Bluff Hill stage win and retained the overall lead heading into the final day of the SBS Bank Tour of Southland today. Despite winning the tour in 2022 and 2024, Burnett had never won the Bluff stage, a climb he has trained on more than any other. Tour of SouthlandResults/classificationStage 6: Josh Burnett 3hr 30min 59sec, 1; Matthew Wilson ST, 2; Cameron Beaumont +16sec, 3; Daniel Whitehouse ST, 4; Lindon Milostic ST, 5. General classification: Josh Burnett 17hr 35min 27sec, 1; Matthew Wilson +19sec, 2; Ben Dyball +1min 11sec, 3; Daniel Whitehouse +1min 15sec, 4; Noah Hollamby +1min 50sec, 5.

Kyle Jamieson. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSONAdam Milne has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a torn left hamstring. The Wellington seamer will be replaced by Canterbury quick Kyle Jamieson. Milne suffered the injury while bowling in the SA20 on Sunday, with subsequent scans revealing the extent of the injury. Walter confirmed a replacement travelling reserve for the T20 World Cup would be confirmed in due course.

Noah Berkeley during a physio session at Burwood spinal unit in Christchurch. Noah Berkeley was transported by helicopter to hospital following his accident. She said her family was still reeling from the events but they immediately knew Noah's family would need help. [They] couldn't believe what items were going for and how much people were really there to support Noah. "These people that are willing to give up their time, offer donations, support the auction [even] do some washing for us.

The United States formally withdrew from the World Health Organization on Thursday, one year after President Donald Trump announced plans to pull out of the preeminent global health alliance. “Withdrawing from the World Health Organization is scientifically reckless,” Ronald G. Nahass, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, said in a statement. Public health experts have questioned how the U.S. can continue to be a global public health leader. As part of sweeping HHS staffing cuts last year, the CDC’s Global Health Center lost its director and some other employees. They’ve slashed global health funding around the world.”It’s unclear how the formal withdrawal will affect some key meetings where U.S. officials have historically played a major role.

Public health experts have questioned how the US can continue to be a global public health leader. As part of sweeping HHS staffing cuts last year, the CDC’s Global Health Centre lost its director and some other employees. “It’s almost laughable that the Trump administration thinks they can lead in global health,” said Lawrence Gostin, a law professor at Georgetown University and director of a WHO Collaborating Centre for National and Global Health Law. “They’ve decimated the global health capacities of the CDC. They’ve slashed global health funding around the world.”It’s unclear how the formal withdrawal will affect some key meetings where US officials have historically played a major role.

Morning Headlines | Rescue efforts continue following landslides, politicians descend on Rātana and Trump and Zelensky have a 'good' talk. | Friday, January 23, 2026Beaches on Auckland’s North Shore and in central parts of the city are not safe to swim in because of wastewater and more beaches could be impacted over the long weekend. The Auckland Council’s Safeswim tool has advised locals to not swim at least 15 beaches after wastewater overflow was detected. Colour-coded flags on the tool show black “do not swim” flags concentrated around the North Shore and Central Auckland, while red flags advising against swimming are scattered throughout. This comes a week after most Auckland and outer gulf beaches were deemed unsafe for swimming due to heavy rain triggering wastewater overflow throughout the region.