A digger demolishes and uncovers smouldering timber in the remains of the Roslyn Scout Hall as firefighters battle the last remaining spots of fire yesterday. The large multi-storey blaze kept firefighters at the old Roslyn Scout hall overnight and well into yesterday morning after the building was gutted by flames. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHBefore it was a scout hall, the building was the Roslyn Baptist Church. The scout hall, which was over 100 years old, was basically empty and had no power connected. Firefighters were first alerted to the blaze after a Roslyn crew returning from another callout noticed billowing smoke on about 3.35pm on Wednesday.

A medical issue among crewmembers aboard the International Space Station prompted their mission to be cut a month short - a first for the orbiting laboratory. Photo / 123RFAstronauts leave ISS in first-ever medical evacuation and are due to splash down off California tonightA medical issue among crewmembers aboard the International Space Station prompted their mission to be cut a month short - a first for the orbiting laboratory. Photo / 123RFFour crewmembers departed the International Space Station today after a medical issue prompted their mission to be cut a month short - a first for the orbiting laboratory. A video feed from Nasa showed American astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui undocking from the ISS at 11.20am NZT, after five months in space. The four are scheduled to splash down off the California coast at around 9.40pm aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

‘‘This guy!’’ Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph (left) is one of those named as a possible replacement for former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson who was sacked yesterday. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENHighlanders fans need to brace for the bittersweet possibility of coach Jamie Joseph becoming the next man to coach the All Blacks. Joseph shapes as the leading contender to replace All Blacks coach Scott Robertson following the bombshell confirmation of Robertson’s dumping yesterday. While Joseph could not be reached for comment, and chairman Peter Kean said it was too soon to speculate if the Highlanders might need a new coach, it is clear Joseph has the strongest case to become All Blacks coach. The contendersJamie Joseph: Highlanders and All Blacks XV coach widely seen as the No 1 option for the top job.

PHOTO: ODT FILESCutting red tape around granny flat builds is a welcome move for Otago’s construction industry but not without its pitfalls, local operators say. Small standalone dwellings up to 70sqm, dubbed granny flats, no longer require a building or resource consent under government changes in place from yesterday. BuildSmart co-director Glen Williamson, of Dunedin, said reducing "red tape" and cost to build was welcome. The consent exemption applied only to simple designs meeting the Building Code, where work was carried out by authorised professionals. "Inside that cost is maybe $5000 of building consent, and that's the only cost you're going to save."

Associate Transport Minister James Meager is calling on New Zealanders to do their part to celebrate those who risk their lives to bring people home safely, by nominating them for the 2025 New...

Dawn Meats group chief executive Niall Browne has been appointed the acting chief executive at Alliance Group, following the resignation of Willie Wiese. PHOTOS: SUPPLIEDAlliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is stepping down from the role. Willie Wiese. "Willie’s decision to step down follows an intensive two-year reset of the entire business, a pleasing return to profitability and the completion of a successful capital raise with Dawn Meats. Dawn Meats group chief executive Niall Browne has been appointed the acting chief executive at Alliance Group.

James Meager. "It’s about the tireless work of volunteers, trainers, co-ordinators, and support teams who make a difference every day," Mr Meager said in a statement. The NZSAR Awards honour outstanding contributions across two categories:● Operational activity: exceptional performance in specific search and rescue missions during the year. ● Support activity: significant impact through training, prevention, long service, or other vital support roles. "Whether it’s a rescue in challenging conditions or years of dedicated service, these awards honour those who go above and beyond," Mr Meager said.

Photo: 123RFEligible students can now apply for funds to help with the cost of their final year of study. Payments are only available once the year is complete, so the first students are eligible under the new criteria this year. The total savings for final-year fees free versus first-year fees free for the financial years 2023/2024 - 2027/2028 were estimated at Budget 2024 to be $879 million. "You have people that struggle still, be it fees free or not, to pay their living costs week to week. Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

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The crash has closed SH8 near Lawrence. Image: NZTASpecial Fire and Emergency New Zealand appliances from Dunedin have been dispatched to State Highway 8 near Lawrence, where a truck and trailer carrying an excavator has rolled and is leaking diesel. Crews from Lawrence, Waitahuna and Milton responded initially, and "a support vehicle" was sent from Dunedin with "some extra absorbent material" to help clean up the spills. A police spokeswoman said the excavator was down a bank, and the truck and trailer were partially blocking SH8, and the road is now closed between Clarks Flat Rd and Waitahuna West Rd. A detour is available for southbound traffic by turning right onto Clarks Flat Road, then left onto Waitahuna West Road, and back onto SH8.

This past AB season saw approximately 23 assistant AB coaches jump ship, they lost a heap of games, played some shite rugby (by their standards) and had a number of player discipline issues. Overall you could say it was a poor season on and off the field for the AB’s, the NZR and their fans. From an Aussie rugby point of view, it’s a shame to see Razor go. But in potentially worse news, what if the incoming AB coach is a shite dancer, but a better rugby coach and just who might that be? For more details on the story, check out Nathan Williamson’s report on rugby.com.au (currently on his round Australia caravan holiday and visiting Dunedoo).

“On behalf of New Zealand Rugby I would like to thank Scott for his contribution to the All Blacks. Former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has departed the role after a troubled reign. Robertson’s contract was scheduled to run through until the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Highlanders and All Blacks XV coach Jamie Joseph would be favourite to replace Robertson as head coach. In Chicago, in October, Kirk told the Herald the All Blacks coaching unit was still “finding their feet a bit”.

Photo: RNZ / Finn BlackwellA cyber-security consultant has launched a petition to Parliament urging harsher penalties in the wake of the major Manage My Health data breach. Katja Feldtmann, of Whanganui, said the penalties available now were not enough. That is how much the Office of the Privacy Commissioner is able to issue fines for, for select offences. Feldtmann, like the Deputy Privacy Commissioner, pointed to penalties in Australia which were significantly increased in late 2022. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Veteran scout leader Shaun Adie, on School St ,with the Roslyn Scout Hall blowing pools of smoke behind him. Scout leaders Shaun Adie and Glen Ford were emotional watching the hall burn yesterday, thinking of all the time they had spent inside. The Roslyn Scout Hall (circled) in School St, Kaikorai. Mr Adie said they had been trying to get on top of vandalism which had been occurring at the hall. Firefighters battle a large fire at the Roslyn Scout Hall yesterday.