Photo: Getty ImagesBlack Caps captain Michael Bracewell says he didn't expect to play one game for New Zealand, let alone bring up his 100th wearing the silver fern. Bracewell leads a depleted touring side hoping to seal its first-ever one-day series in India in the third and final match at Indore on Sunday NZT. Bracewell, now 34, admitted his international career had unfolded unexpectedly, especially the extent to which he has become a regular bowling option for New Zealand. New Zealand has visited India on 16 different tours for ODI cricket, including four World Cups, but a series triumph has so far eluded them. Bracewell said the team was aware of the opportunity ahead of them to create more cricketing history.

PHOTO: ODT FILESA business owed money by a North Otago organic farm has lost hope of ever being paid as the liquidated company’s debt balloons to more than $1.8 million. Organic Solutions Ltd, which traded as Oamaru Organics, was placed into liquidation in May last year. The Alexandra-based transport company, listed as an unsecured creditor, had carted produce for Oamaru Organics from Oamaru into Queenstown and Cromwell. Oamaru Organics’ Totara property has also been sold to a neighbouring farming family. Liquidator Brenton Hunt said all secured creditors had been paid, one receiving $114,725, and a preferential creditor was paid $29,522 in staff holiday pay.

Heritage stonemason Keith Hinds mixes up another batch of lime mortar on Saturday to help stabilise the stonework of the old St Bathans School. PHOTOS: STEPHEN JAQUIERYWhile most people were dressed to the nines, celebrating the local architecture and ye olde activities at the St Bathans Village Fete, Keith Hinds was busy getting his hands dirty. The 74-year-old put on a display on Saturday, showing visitors to the two-yearly fete how he was restoring the ruins of the old stone St Bathans School. Oamaru friends (from left) Peter Page, Yvonne Johnston-Page, Lea Campbell and Jono Milne dressed up for their visit to the 2026 St Bathans Village Fete on Saturday. It was also an important fundraiser for the St Bathans Community Association, which helps maintain the historic buildings and public spaces in the settlement.

The sign at Wanaka’s Allenby Pl carpark where a temporary prohibition of freedom camping has been approved from January 23 to April 30. PHOTO: EVIE SINCLAIRAt least one Wanaka resident is "over the moon" a temporary ban has been placed on freedom camping in her neighbourhood. The freedom camping bylaw was designed to direct visitors to 15 pre-determined sites and keep campervans off most residential streets. But Allenby Pl had experienced access and health and safety issues due to increased traffic "that are unique to the layout of this area", he said. The temporary ban at Allenby Pl would give the council time to determine the long-term suitability of the site.

FENZ GRAPHICDry conditions have prompted Fire and Emergency New Zealand to implement a restricted fire season in the coastal Waitaki zone. Fenz Waitaki district commander Craig Gold said outdoor fires would need a permit from today until further notice. Inland Otago, including Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago and northern parts of the Waitaki district, was already in a restricted fire season. Mr Gold said the latest change in fire season reflected the increasing levels of fire risk around Otago. He urged residents to visit www.checkitsalright.nz to find out the fire season status for any location in the country and get advice on how to use fire safely.

Miss Elliott’s father, Gil Elliott, told the Otago Daily Times he sent a written submission to the parole board about six weeks ago, having gone back over everything that happened at the time. While he did not think the parole board would let Weatherston out on the first occasion, "theoretically, they could". He hoped members of the parole board were "well and truly aware" of what narcissists were and what they were capable of. "If they let him out, then it’s a risk that the parole board takes that he will not react to some perceived insult. The parole board needed to understand there was no cure for NPD — "once a narcissist, always a narcissist".

"Motorists are advised to take extra and avoid travel due to flooding and slips between Whangaruru and Helena Bay." MetService forecasters issued a heavy rain warning for Northland through to midday Sunday, with a warning the rain was expected to continue to accumulate after flooding overnight. Whangārei District Council said heavy rain and surface flooding had closed roads, isolating some communities. A slip in Helena Bay had washed on to the road to Rawhiti, and flooding had also hit Whakapara and Punaruku. Northpower said there were power outages for Helena Bay, Ōakura, Punaruku, and the Whangaruru Peninsula, and about 750 households appeared to be affected.

“One orca checked me out, looked me right in the eyes, scanned me, and fully interacted with me.”Video footage posted to social media shows the incredible moment the orca swam up within arm’s reach of the divers. Henderson, who has only worked with the diving tour operator for a few weeks, described the one-minute encounter as “epic”. She said the orca had been hunting stingray and playing with the bubbles left by the divers as they descended 30m toward Castle Rock. Henderson said the divers did not reach out or attempt to touch the orca, despite being within touching distance. Divers from the Cathedral Cove Dive and Snorkel had a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a pod of orca last Friday.

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However today contractors working in the area discovered Garnett sheltering in Venus Hut at around 2.30pm. The New Zealand Defence Force was enlisted to aid in the search for tramper Graham Garnett, who went missing in a South Island national park in late December. The New Zealand Defence Force was enlisted to aid in the search for a tramper who went missing in a South Island national park more than a week ago. Two specialist canyon teams searched the “steep” terrain with special equipment, while a field team looked across the search area. Search and Rescue Nelson said in a Facebook post it was delighted to learn that Garnett had been located safely.

Donald Trump is asking countries that want a spot on his new “Board of Peace” for Gaza to pay $1bn (£747m) which he will control, according to a report. The White House has started to unveil administrators who will supervise Gaza as part of the second phase of the US president’s peace deal. They include Sir Tony Blair, Steve Witkoff, the White House envoy, and Jared Kushner, Mr Trump’s son-in-law. An “Executive Board” will oversee the postwar management of the enclave for the Board of Peace, and will include other world leaders who are expected to be announced at Davos next week. White House officials are yet to comment.

And as 2026 gets underway in this New Zealand election year, the economy is likely to be an important factor in determining the outcome. We saw some notable economic data this week, some of which suggested signs of life in the economy. At the same time, a political poll, very early in election year, suggested a tight election outcome is on the cards. Secondly, will stronger/improving economic data flow through to voters actually feeling and believing things are getting better? “The success of manufacturing is central to the health of the New Zealand economy.

Minto is probably suffering from an overindulgent Christmas and New Year just like the rest of us. Finally, students are perhaps silent as they prepare diligently for the next semester as they now realise protesting is not a course requirement. I guess that is the problem when one is trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear? O’Sullivan also covers many other trade missions organised to diversify our export destinations. Labour’s previous foreign minister was in comparison afraid of flying and rarely engaged internationally, although their current trade spokesman Damien O’Connor is good value.

The idea of crossing from east to west was conceived in a pub the night before the flight. We’re going to Coronet Peak, I’ll pick you up at 8 o’clock – let’s just try’.”The mid-December feat began at Coronet Peak above Queenstown. Kellett eventually landed at Whataroa, 230km from his takeoff point, while Chelle touched down near Fox Glacier. The route taken by Kellet, taking off from Coronet Peak and landing in Whataroa. On the second flight, fellow pilot Kinga Masztalerz accompanied Kellett, following him through the passes and over remote wilderness about 20km behind.

NZ Herald Morning News Update | Flooding in Northland, Trump applies Greenland tariff pressure, Tamaki denied access to Harbour Bridge for Destiny Church march. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Police are investigating a suspicious early morning house fire that left one person hospitalised. Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called to the address on Potter Ave in the central Auckland suburb of Wesley about 4am today. Investigations are underway after a suspicious fire was lit in the doorway of a home on Potter Ave in Wesley, Auckland.