Photo: ODT filesPolice are advising motorists to not expect a warning if they are caught driving irresponsibly, as the country’s holiday road toll reached five yesterday. Police said one person died yesterday morning after crashing on the Methven Highway (State Highway 77) in the suburb of Allenton. It marked the fifth person to have died on New Zealand roads since the start of the official road toll period on December 22, which will run until January 5. A car also rolled on to its roof on the Crown Range Rd yesterday morning, but no-one was injured. Last year, the Christmas-New Year road toll was 17.laine.priestley@odt.co.nz

The search for a diver missing at Ahipara was still under way at edition time. The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene and inquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing. Emergency services responded to a serious crash on SH1 in Oakleigh, Whangārei around 12.20am on Christmas morning involving a truck and two cars. Police are seeking any information or sightings in relation to the missing diver. Emergency services responded to reports of a missing diver off Waihihi Bay around 6.40pm on Thursday.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, could be questioned about the alleged "royal racists" during a libel lawsuit. Photo / APMeghan, Duchess of Sussex, could be questioned about the alleged "royal racists" during a libel lawsuit. The Sun has reported Meghan Markle could now be questioned under oath about the identity of the alleged racists in the royal family as part of her half-sister, Samantha Markle’s, libel action suit. The suit claims Samantha has faced “worldwide hatred, contempt, and ridicule” as a result of accusations the couple made in the docuseries and interview. The royal family are understood to be “considering all options” including legal action.

In which year did Xena: Warrior Princess first air? Try our Herald Morning Quiz. Photo / Getty ImagesIn which year did Xena: Warrior Princess first air? Try our Herald Morning Quiz. Test your brains with the Herald’s morning quiz.

Aspiring Highways foreman Travis Bingham informs drivers the Kawarau Gorge is closed due to a truck crash. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSONKawarau Gorge has reopened after a large truck jack-knifed on State Highway 6 in Central Otago this morning. Police were called to the crash on a bend in Kawarau Gorge Rd, near Cromwell, about 7.55am today. However, the truck was resting on the side of the gorge in a "precarious position", police told an ODT reporter at the scene. the road reopened about 12.30pm.

Photo: ODT filesA motorist has died after a crash in Ashburton early on Christmas morning, bringing the holiday road toll to five. Police said the person died after crashing in Methven Highway (State Highway 77) in the suburb of Allenton. Five people have died since the start of the official road toll period on December 22 that runs until January 5. One person died after fleeing a police checkpoint in Whangārei on Friday evening. Last year, the Christmas-New Year road toll was 17.

Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-KingThere were 10,805 transactions processed in New Zealand's peak shopping minute this year, which fell on Friday at 12.28pm. Wordline has released its data showing the payments made through its network in the shopping days leading up to Christmas. The peak shopping hour was between 12pm and 1pm on Friday, when 626,692 transactions were processed. In 2019, 2020, and 2021, the busiest shopping day was Christmas Eve, but 2022 and 2023 have seen the Friday before Christmas (with Christmas on a Sunday in 2022 and on Monday in 2023) be the busiest shopping day. The 2023 peak minute was at 12.28pm, later than the 12.09-12.13pm times in 2020-2022, and the peak second occurred around 12:24pm, later than the 12:06-12:16pm timeframes in 2019-2022."

Gael Monfils has dealt with many injuries in the past year, but he's keen on keeping his career alive despite the struggles. Monfils, like many others, is pretty aware that his best days are long gone. In a talk with Stuff.co.nz, Monfils revealed how he plans to extend his career for a bit more. Monfils will start his 2024 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, where his agent Lamperin works as a tournament director. He's pretty content with his career, so he's not doing this to better his legacy or anything.

Title: Exploring GE’s Military Endeavors: A Comprehensive OverviewIntroduction:General Electric (GE), a renowned multinational conglomerate, is widely recognized for its diverse range of products and services. GE’s Military Offerings:1. GE’s propulsion systems are designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern naval operations, enhancing the effectiveness of maritime defense forces. A1: No, GE primarily focuses on providing advanced technologies, systems, and components to support military operations. A3: No, GE’s military solutions are utilized by armed forces worldwide.

Passengers at Wellington Airport were told to return home following multiple flight cancellations this morning. A flight on Christmas Day, from Auckland to Wellington, has been cancelled. A Nelson Airport spokesperson confirmed fog was to blame for the disruptions. According to Wellington Airport’s website, a flight into Wellington from Nelson was cancelled earlier today. A flight from Gisborne to Wellington has been delayed, as has a flight from Blenheim to Wellington.

'Most one-sided heavyweight fight I've seen' – Eddie Hearn'Most one-sided heavyweight fight I've seen' – Eddie HearnPhoto: Stuff.co.nzOne of world boxing’s leading promoters has called Deontay Wilder’s upset loss Joseph Parker as the most one-sided heavyweight fight they have ever seen. Eddie Hearn, Anthony Joshua’s promoter, as good as admitted Parker’s unanimous points victory in Saudi Arabia had thrown a spanner in the works for Joshua’s proposed fight with Wilder in March. Respected boxing writer Donald McRae suggested in The Guardian that Parker could be Joshua’s next opponent. EDDIE HEARN WAS NOT MINCING HIS WORDS ON DEONTAY WILDER'S PERFORMANCE! 🫣Watch #DayOfReckoning LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office ▶️ https://t.co/xn85V5NLHU pic.twitter.com/lWBi2XwoGZ — Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) December 23, 2023Source: Stuff.co

Disarray has been a major theme of global politics in 2023, Prof Robert Patman says. "The [United Nations security council] veto has effectively stymied [the resolution of] two major global events — the Russian invasion of Ukraine . which has spilled over to this year, and the Gaza conflict," Prof Patman said. New Zealand’s worldview has been challenged." At the same time, this disarray offered some hope, Prof Patman said.

Summer reissue: None of New Zealand’s commercial French vanilla ice creams contain the crucial ingredient. Dylan Jones busts the case wide open. Like any good investigation, this one started as an innocuous Thursday night question among flatmates: what isFrench vanilla ice cream, and

Photo: NZ HeraldPolice have now charged two people in relation to the stabbing death of a man in Christchurch two days ago. Emergency services were called on Friday about 2am to an incident at Wycola Park, where they found Mr Williams dead from stab wounds. Police today said a 31-year-old woman had been charged with wounding with intent to GHB. She is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on December 26. A youth has also been referred to Youth Aid, and police are not ruling out further charges.

Rain is in the forecast for Auckland on Christmas Day. Photo: NZ HeraldDreaming of a Christmas Day with barbecues alight and sipping cold drinks in the sunshine? The clouds that have been rolling in over New Zealand will open up today and will keep many parts of the country drenched on Christmas Day. “Waterways could rise rapidly and surface flooding and slips are possible. Although the thunderstorms should ease this evening, further thunderstorms are likely on Christmas Day tomorrow.