The Morgan Gorge could be "de-watered" if a planned hydro electric scheme goes ahead on the Waitaha River. Photo: Neil SilverwoodA plan to fast-track a controversial West Coast hydro scheme has been given an initial go-ahead. The West Coast lines company, Westpower, has applied to fast-track its controversial plans to build a run-of-river hydro scheme on the Waitaha River, and in its draft decision the fast-track expert panel has given it approval. Westpower Limited wants to build the $100 million Waitaha Hydro Project on conservation land between Hokitika and Franz Josef Glacier. "We are encouraged to see the Waitaha Hydro Project move forward.

People inspect a damaged building, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes in the Zuqaq al-Blat district in central Beirut, Lebanon. Israeli strikes have killed 773 people in Lebanon since March 2, Lebanon's state news agency said on Friday, citing the health ministry. It appeared to be the first time Israel acknowledged attacking civilian infrastructure during its current military campaign in Lebanon. ISRAEL DROPS LEAFLETS OVER BEIRUTIsraeli aircraft dropped flyers over Beirut threatening to inflict damage on Lebanon similar to the devastation the military wrought on Gaza during its two-year war with Hamas. "In light of the great success in Gaza, the newspaper of the new reality arrives to Lebanon," the flyer said.

The Westin London, UKThis London hotel’s signature scent, the white tea, cedar and vanilla-based White Tea, proved such a hit in 2024 that the Westin rolled out a range of candles, reed diffusers and room sprays. The Westin London's bestselling White Tea candle, a blend of cedar and vanilla. Aspire Lounges’ scent is a heady blend of bergamot, tea and mandarin, and it was truly a labour of love. “We trialled three scents over three months,” says Graham Allen, global operations director at Aspire Executive Lounges. “For this reason, our scenting machines are fully adjustable to suit each space, ensuring the right intensity for the right space.”Vietnam AirlinesLast November, Vietnam became one of the first airlines to unveil a signature scent, but other airlines are following suit.

Photo: NZ HeraldA Dunedin property manager used tenants’ rent payments to pay his meth bills, a court has heard. In January 2024, a family friend entrusted Strydom with the management of her rental property when she moved overseas. The defendant agreed to transfer rent payments into her account after deducting his fees and the arrangement went smoothly for the first couple of months. The victim and her partner had relied on the rent payments to pay the mortgage and now they were sceptical as to whether Strydom would pay them back. But the judge said unless Strydom learned to control his addiction he remained a threat to the community.

Shane Kereama was abused in state care. Now 56, he is sharing his story because he wants to help others – especially men struggling with the aftermath of abuse. Video / Joe Allison

As the law stands, casinos and other gambling outlets have to return a portion of the profits to the community. She kicked off by probing the issue which has most concerned the various charities which tackle gambling harm: will more outlets for gambling therefore lead to more gambling harm? "We’re delivering faster access to support and more frontline workers: 83% of Kiwis are now accessing primary mental health support within one week; 82% of Kiwis are now accessing specialist mental health support within three weeks. The frontline mental health workforce has grown by 11% since coming into government. The child and adolescent mental health workforce has grown by 19%."

Say no to roaming, dangerous dogs. So it is with roaming and dangerous dogs. Just as the kerfuffle was fading, dangerous dogs were back in the national news this week. Blind Low Vision NZ reported attacks on its dogs and has had to decline guide-dog placements in areas prone to dog attacks. During one of the periodic dog panics, the 1996 Dog Control Act was amended.

An early artist’s impression of Datagrid’s data centre in Makarewa, north of Invercargill. Photo: suppliedSouthern mayors have thrown their support behind a new data centre which is set to become the country’s second-highest electricity user. Southland Mayor Rob Scott said the data centre had been on the cards for a while and was a good opportunity for the region. He said a cable coming onshore at Ōreti Beach meant the city would have the fastest internet in the country, which could attract tech companies. Trenching along the beach could impact cultural and spiritual values, lead to the discovery of cultural artefacts, and disturb toheroa, he wrote.

Irene and Ted McCreath will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends on Monday. The Rangiora couple, who will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends on March 16, still have clear, fond memories of their first meeting at the station. Photo: suppliedIrene planned to travel to Auckland by train, but Ted intervened paying for her to fly to the city instead. The couple married a little over two years later, on March 16 in 1956, at Dunedin’s First Church and spent their honeymoon in Oamaru. Ted left the navy before he and Irene married and the couple originally lived in Milton, where Ted drove trucks for a living.

Almost 1000 Otago Polytechnic students crossed the stage in graduation ceremonies held at the Dunedin Town Hall yesterday. Gerard O’Brien captured the celebrations as students took part in the traditional parade on George St.

Chroma Group’s Queenstown project director Lee Summer. During nine years in Queens-town, Summer has project-managed for the likes of Cook Brothers Construction, Queens-town Airport, The Building Intelligence Group and Octa. He says Chroma Group focuses on hotel/hospitality fit-outs, ‘‘and a little bit of wellbeing as well’’. Chroma Group’s first local project is converting Holiday Inn Express into an upmarket ‘voco’ hotel by the end of June. ‘‘And because Chroma Group originates from Australia, Melbourne and Sydney, we’ve got some existing clients and relationships there.

But many graduands and staff wore the "unusual fashion" accessories yesterday as a tribute to their fellow student, the late Jock Davies, who was tragically killed in a hunting accident on Stewart Island in July last year. At a special pre-graduation ceremony for Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health students at the Sargood Centre yesterday, Mr Davies’ degree was given posthumously to his family. The late Jock Davies’ family, (from left) brother Tom, mother Sarah, father Peter and brother George with Jock’s Otago Polytechnic bachelor of applied science degree, presented at a pre-graduation ceremony at the Sargood Centre yesterday. The late Jock Davies, 21, who was tragically killed in a hunting accident on Stewart Island in July. Many attending the posthumous presentation of Jock Davies’ Otago Polytechnic bachelor of applied science degree yesterday, wore sandals, jandals and gumboots as a tribute to the much loved student.

They come to mind now because March is Slow Fashion Month at Wastebusters, and they are, I think, a decent metaphor for everything this month is about. Now in its seventh year, Wastebusters Slow Fashion Month is an antidote to endless fashion circles and poorly constructed clothing that was never made to find a second life. Meaning the environmental cost of buying new is about 50 times higher than choosing second-hand. As the month comes to a close, we’re continuing your slow fashion journey by showing our clothes some love at our mending club. Dig out your holey jumpers, loose-seamed shirts and patch-worthy pants, and round out your Slow Fashion Month by connecting with others who care about their stuff.

Crusaders host Highlanders for 50th clash in final Addington gameCrusaders host Highlanders for 50th clash in final Addington gameThe Crusaders host the Highlanders for the last time at their temporary stadium in Addington which will also be the 50th match between the South Island neighbours, with the Crusaders winning 34 of the matches. After stuttering to a 1-3 start to their title defence, a response is expected by the Crusaders, already beaten by the Highlanders in Dunedin to start the year, being swept by their neighbours would be a significant blow to their chances of a top-three finish just five weeks into the season.

Willis admits she briefly enjoyed a more comfortable moment when preliminary Budget forecasts arrived early and looked good. Earlier this year, Willis promised her third Budget would focus on supporting the delivery of core public services like healthcare, education, defence and law and order. But the political reality remains: whatever Willis delivers on Budget Day will be read as a confidence test in the Government’s economic management. Willis describes a “Maslow’s hierarchy of needs” for economic security. At the base is fuel security: ensuring New Zealand can secure enough petrol, diesel and jet fuel, and spotting emerging shortages early.