An allegedly drunk Dunedin woman assaulted officers after crashing at a roundabout while on a morning drive, police say. She recorded a breath alcohol level of 841mcg — more than three times the legal limit of 250mcg. The woman then started becoming "aggressive", Sgt Reay said. She assaulted officers and damaged the inside of the patrol car once she was loaded in, Sgt Reay said. The woman was arrested and charged with excess breath alcohol, resisting police and wilful damage.
A slip on State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge. Photo: Supplied/NZTAState Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge is expected to remain closed for several weeks. A slip on State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge. People are urged to delay travel where possible, or to allow time for the long detour via State Highway 35 or State Highway 5. The detour is five hours longer than driving from Mātāwai and Ōpōtiki on State Highway 2.
Today's speech is Christopher Luxon's first public appearance following the summer break. Photo: RNZPrime Minister Christopher Luxon will outline his plan for the year ahead and New Zealand's future in a State of the Nation speech in Auckland today. NZ First immediately signalled its disapproval of the deal, and Luxon will likely speak today about maintaining a stable coalition with a focus on domestic affairs. There are no major policy announcements expected in the annual scene-setting speech, and the election date will not be revealed today. Later in the week, political parties will gather at Rātana, near Whanganui, to celebrate the birthday of Rātana Church founder Tahupotiki Wiremu Rātana and engage with Māori leaders.
More than 70% of New Zealand schools surveyed in 2017 required a uniform. But it doesn’t necessarily get any easier for parents whose children don’t have to wear one, as this creates more wear and tear on their normal clothes. Although two of Sarah Ostergaard’s children wear mufti to attend Stanley Bay School, she said spending $400 to $500 on her oldest daughter’s uniform for Takapuna Grammar School just seemed fairer. “They’ve got an incredibly simple explanation about what the uniform is, what the minimum viable product is”, Reidy said. Laing said this is why Royal Oak Intermediate encouraged Year 8 leavers to donate their uniforms on their last day of school.
Photo: Andris ApseThe remote community of Ōkārito on the South Island's West Coast, 30km north of Franz Josef, is home to just 30 people. But this beautiful settlement situated in one of New Zealand's most significant ecosystems has a thriving campground, a restored community centre and attracts visitors from around the world. The kayaking business, there's a boat tour business here, there's a Kiwi tour business. All of them are really simple, small businesses that are focused on nature in what's essentially a very simple town that hasn't changed much over generations. Ōkārito lagoon.
By John Gerritsen of RNZA Ministry of Education error nearly cut the 2027 school year short by a single day. An Education Ministry document supplied to RNZ under the Official Information Act said schools were supposed to be open for at least 380 "half-days" each year. "An error has been identified in the 2027 Term 2 half-day counts, caused by the 2027 Matariki holiday being excluded from the calculations. It said the ministry would alert schools through its School Bulletin and publish a new notice setting the 2027 and 2028 school term dates in the official government journal, the New Zealand Gazette. The New Zealand Gazette published the revised term dates on October 16, 2025 and the ministry updated the term dates listed on its website.
However, 93 were closed without prosecution with 47 (42.7%) not meeting the test for prosecution under Solicitor-General’s prosecution guidelines. Cooper Legal principal partner Sonja Cooper, whose firm had acted for hundreds of abuse survivors and victims, said she was not surprised by the statistic. Cooper said she could see historic claims failing both tests in the eyes of prosecutors. The prosecution guidelines should be reviewed, Clearwater said. The guidelines provide a detailed process for reviewing decisions in cases involving sexual violation,” Crown Law told RNZ.
A summer tourism campaign costing ratepayers $24,485 has had pleasing results, the Ashburton District Council says. Further campaigns are planned, to build awareness of Mid Canterbury as a district worth visiting. Council group manager of compliance and development Ian Hyde said Nowhere, Worth Going, ran from December 14 to January 18. Additionally, the Experience Mid Canterbury website attracted 50,000 views over the last four weeks, representing an 259 per cent increase compared to the previous four weeks. “It’s really a play on the common misconception that Mid Canterbury is in the middle of nowhere,’’ Hydes said.
A geothermal area in Rotorua. Photo: RNZA man has died after being pulled out of the water in a geothermal area in Rotorua. Emergency services were called to the geothermal valley on Tukiterangi St just before 9.45pm yesterday. The man had been pulled out of the water unconscious and could not be revived. Police said the death would be referred to the coroner.
Walz, Frey and other Democrats have said the move is an act of authoritarianism intended to silence critics of the administration’s actions. On Saturday, Walz also mobilised the Minnesota National Guard to support local authorities, but he has not deployed those troops. Minnesota officials have sued the Trump administration over the operation, alleging the surge in law enforcement there is a politically motivated violation of the Constitution. At issue in those jurisdictions was whether the deployments violated the Posse Comitatus Act, a federal law that prohibits US troops from carrying out civilian law enforcement actions. While that deployment remains legally contested, the President has more authority to deploy National Guard members there because it is a federal jurisdiction.
Police have prosecuted fewer than one in 10 of the cases referred from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. However, 93 were closed without prosecution with 47 (42.7%) not meeting the test for prosecution under Solicitor-General's prosecution guidelines. Photo: RNZCooper Legal principal partner Sonja Cooper, whose firm had acted for hundreds of abuse survivors and victims, said she was not surprised by the statistic. The prosecution guidelines should be reviewed, Clearwater said. "Decisions to prosecute should be made in accordance with agency's prosecution policies and the test for prosecution as set out in the guidelines.
According to MetService’s severe weather outlook, heavy rain is likely in Northland, with a low confidence that a heavy rainfall warning will be required. However, there is a moderate chance of MetService issuing a heavy rain warning for the north and east of Northland. “The chances for heavy rain warnings increase, including those for severe gales,” he said. According to MetService’s severe weather outlook, there is a moderate chance for severe north easterly gales for Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel. There is also a moderate chance of heavy rain for Northland.
Indeed, both sides have described the free trade agreement (FTA) as a shot in the arm for their respective economies. What's the current status of the New Zealand-India free trade agreement? New Zealand Herald business commentator Fran O'Sullivan said the free trade agreement "could reshape our exports - and our politics". According to the Indian government, the free trade agreement boosts India's pharmaceuticals and medical devices sector by making provision for faster regulatory access. Photo: 123rf.comOn immigration, what has been included in the free trade agreement?
Glenn Phillips scored a century in the win over India. Kohli reached a record-extending 54th ODI century and Rana hit a whirlwind 52 off 43 balls, before a decisive over from Zak Foulkes broke India's resistance. The way we built partnerships, with (Will) Young and GP (Phillips)," said Mitchell, who was named Player of the Series. New Zealand had lost their seven previous ODI series in India. First time a NZ team has won an ODI series here, that's special," New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell said.
In Copenhagen, design-savant Danes pedal bicycles wearing socks and Mary Janes. In November, the Skims founder was photographed in Rio de Janeiro wearing a sporty red, white and black Balenciaga outfit finished with white Havaianas and black socks. Shock-jock Kim went the whole hog with toe socks. A few years ago, joyful designer Stine Goya sent models down the runway at Copenhagen Fashion Week wearing patterned pantyhose and platform flip flops. Try theseMckinlays x Commonplace Boundary Sandal, $189The Row Ginza Flip Flops, $2628Havaianas x Zara sandals, $30 (on sale)Bronwyn heeled jandals, $309H&H jandal, $4, from The WarehouseMaggie Marilyn cashmere socks, $95Tabi socks, $20, from KimonoMoLaceflower hiking socks, $95Injinji toe socks, $25Zambesi merino socks, $60Tabi socks, $25, from Karen WalkerElle & Riley cashmere socks, $100More on styleBecause what we wear is personal.
