All EB Games stores will close on January 31. Photo: SuppliedEB Games is shutting down its New Zealand business and closing all its stores at the end of the month. In a letter sent to employees last week, EB Games Australia & New Zealand managing director Shane Stockwell said the company was proposing to close all remaining EB Games New Zealand stores and the New Zealand Distribution Centre. Another letter sent on Wednesday confirmed that EB Games will close its New Zealand operation on 31 January. EB Games is an Australian-based video game and pop culture merchandise retailer, owned by GameStop since 2005.

Police are asking the public to help identify three men who they believe are able to assist with an investigation into a number of serious assaults in Churton Park. Photo: NZ PoliceWellington police are hunting three men in connection with a violent, unprovoked assault on seven young people in a Wellington park. They then went on to conduct a "planned, violent, unprovoked assault on seven young people in attendance of the gathering before fleeing the area." Police are asking for help to identify this man in relation to an assault in Churton Park. Photo: NZ PolicePolice are now asking the public to help identify three people who they believe could assist in enquiries into the assault.

Two candidates — Gina Adcock and Neil Sinclair — have put their hands up to run in the Mataura Community Board by-election, hoping to fill the remaining seat. The by-election was triggered after only four candidates stood for the five seats at the table. Nominations opened late last year. Voting officially opens on January 30 and closes on March 3.gerrit.doppenberg@alliedmedia.co.nz

PHOTO: ALLIED MEDIA FILESLingering debris from October’s dramatic storm is fuelling a busier than usual fire season in Southland. Group manager Jodi McHugh said crews had been called out to more vegetation fires than it would normally expect. Ms McHugh cautioned people still disposing of downed vegetation to ensure it was well away from hedgerows as some burn piles had ignited hedges. "Keep checking the burn piles — don’t be complacent. Southland’s summer had provided some regular rain which had limited vegetation fires, but she expected the fire caution would soon change.

The deep south has had a dry start for 2026, Metservice says. Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said last week’s rain could be "very important". Some parts of Southland already had dry soil moisture. There had been a weak La Nina event in the past two months but the forecast expected it would return to normal in February. "Current models have February looking pretty typical La Nina — low pressure systems in the north and Tasman Sea, high pressure draped across the South Island.

Silvester said the person who made the report had been advised of the outcome and police had offered them support. In response to claims of “excessive” alcohol consumption at the event, Shaw said the department’s alcohol policy was clear. “The consumption of alcohol on MSD premises at any time requires the prior approval of a manager,” she said. “For social gatherings at our national office site, guidance is that alcohol cannot be consumed before 4pm and people need to leave by 7.30pm. “The minister expects all matters of this nature to be taken seriously,” the spokeswoman said.

PHOTO: SUPPLIEDThe Wānaka man who died after being crushed by his car in his own driveway had just finished jump-starting a visitor’s car for her. Retired Waikoikoi sheep and beef farmer, David Simmers, 85, died last Monday at his Wānaka home in Roche St.Mr Simmers had parked his car to help jump-start the person’s car. Speaking from the family farm in Waikoikoi, now fifth generation, son Jeff Simmers said the accident came as a great shock to the family. The family took heart from the fact their father would have been proud of himself to have helped someone, he said. The Waikoikoi farm having been in the family name for five generations was a strong point of pride for him.

The alleged offenders were masked and one was armed with a weapon.”“They then conducted a planned, violent, unprovoked assault on seven young people before fleeing the area,” Murdoch said. One of the men police want to speak to was wearing a black hoodie with "Lakers" printed on the front, dark-coloured shorts, white sneakers and had a diamante stud. The second man wore a black hoodie with “Lakers” printed on the front, dark-coloured shorts, white sneakers and had a diamante stud earring in their left ear. A third person cannot be seen in the images, however, they have been described as wearing a grey hoodie, beige/grey shorts and black sneakers. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

The Exxon Valdez, named after the town of Valdez, caused an ecological disaster which devastated Alaska. Katie Harris in Valdez Alaska. Haines, Alaska. ChecklistAlaskaGETTING THEREFly from Auckland to Alaska with one stopover in San Francisco with United and Alaska Airlines. DETAILSThe writer took the Seward to Vancouver route, stopping in Valdez, Haines, Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan, staying in a deluxe stateroom.

Emily Marshall, a senior director at Afterpay, said this might be signalling a shift in the habits of New Zealanders. “Kiwis are investing more in everyday tools that support better routines, wellbeing and organisation,” Marshall said. Izzy Forde, a 24-year-old healthcare professional, said she has turned to paper planners in an attempt to bring structure and calm to her week. Outdoor and recreational products saw sales up about 67%, while fitness footwear and activewear increased by about 45%. Skincare and personal care products also saw sales increase by about 38%.

What makes this election truly unusual is not only who the reformers are, but the nature of the Opposition. The Australian Labor Party is the most successful Labour party in the world. New Zealand Labour is clearly trying to emulate that approach. A Labour Party with little policy is running against one of the most reforming governments ever. Voters can only support Labour if they believe the party can control both.

Ardie Savea is understood to be exploring options to play in Europe. Photo / PhotosportWorld-class loose forward Savea, who captained the All Blacks several times in Scott Barrett’s injury absence last year, is among those believed to be seriously unhappy. Unless major coaching changes are made, Savea may not return to the All Blacks. At this stage, though, he remains contracted through to 2027 and NZ Rugby expects he will return from Japan. Savea is believed to have delivered strong feedback to NZR chairman David Kirk on last year’s Grand Slam tour.

A fierce blaze in a Dunedin scout hall which prompted emergency smoke danger alerts across the city has been contained by firefighters after a five-hour battle. An update at 8.50pm said the fire which ripped through the Roslyn scout hall was under control and a warning to stay inside amid "significant smoke" had been lifted. Firefighters were still at the scene and a heavy digger had started to demolish the front of the building and expose remaining areas of fire. This work will continue into the night," Fenz said. The building in School St was "fully involved" and burning on both levels..Smokes pours into the sky from the Roslyn scout hall.

He told RNZ that making it the highest of the three meant there was technically no limit to the potential cost power companies may be required to pay. There have been calls to split the generation and retail arms of the large power companies, with the aim of increasing competition and lowering prices. Watts said the new penalties will match what the Commerce Commission can do and allow better monitoring of the electricity market. The Government is moving quickly to fix this by strengthening the Electricity Authority, which oversees the electricity market and makes sure power companies play by the rules.”The changes will require amendments to the Electricity Industry Act. “The timing of Ms Kominik’s decision was linked to another professional opportunity, and because the time is right following the Frontier Economics Review of Electricity Market Performance,” Watts said at the time.

Young fell to Kuldeep Yadav in the 38th over but Mitchell stood firm to bring up his hundred. But Mitchell, who was dropped on 80, and Young struck regular boundaries as New Zealand completed their highest-ever ODI chase in India. India captain Shubman Gill rued the team’s fielding lapses, saying, “Even in the last match, we let down a couple of chances. India started strongly courtesy of Gill and Rohit Sharma, who scored 24, as the opening pair put on 70 runs. Rohit failed to capitalise on his start and fell to Kristian Clarke, before pace spearhead Jamieson sent back Gill.