The facility would use 280MW of power, making it the second-largest electricity user behind Tiwai Point aluminum smelter near Bluff. 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. "I note that Te Ao Marama Inc's Cultural Impact Assessment identifies that the cable impacts on Mauri, Mahinga Kai, Kaitiakitanga and Rangatiratanga values, both in the open coast and Ōreti Beach areas." The cable had an expected life span of 25 years, but the applicant had sought a 35-year consent.

Aleh has been with Team NZ since October, confirmed as one of four new local recruits to the main sailing team with Seb Menzies, Josh Armit and Jake Pye. Over the past few months, the team have been sailing their two AC40 scaled-down vessels while also working to bring the prospective women’s team for Naples up to speed. Emirates Team New Zealand took AC75 Taihoro for its first sail of the new campaign on Friday. Jo Aleh will sail for Emirates Team New Zealand in the America's Cup in Naples. Team NZ confirmed they would be entering both boats into the regatta, with one crewed by main America’s Cup sailors and the other by sailors from the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup teams.

A penguin found on the Auckland Harbour Bridge had its right flipper amputated to prevent further injury or infection. The one-hour operation went smoothly, and over the next few weeks, the penguin received antibiotics and pain relief to support healing. The penguin was in the care of Auckland Zoo for a month before he was rehomed at West Coast Wildlife Centre. He was believed to have received his flipper injury from a predatory fish attack, the post said. “Despite the challenges they’ve faced, both boys are resilient, cheeky, and full of personality,” the wildlife centre said.

“He may be unavailable to attend some events for a short period afterwards.”The hip injury was sustained during a match last year. One public event Brown will miss is a March 27 speaking engagement at the Herald’s annual Project Auckland luncheon. Auckland Mayor Wayne faces an operation on March 24 but is expected to resume his mayoral duties the next day remotely. Last week, Brown also acknowledged a 7.9% average household rates increase was higher than he would have liked. It is the largest rates rise since the Auckland Council was formed in 2010.

The former student told the tribunal that his relationship with the teacher began when she kissed him on the lips in front of other students. After that, the relationship became sexual, and the student recalled having oral sex with the woman, including while in her parked car at a beach. He said the teacher told him not to tell anyone, as she did not want anything to happen to her. “I felt she was guilt-tripping me.”“She would say ‘you’ll be nothing without me’.”He told the tribunal he felt guilty about the relationship. The teacher, who did not attend the hearing, was found to have committed serious misconduct.

“Globally high inflation and various industry challenges have all placed ongoing pressure on the commercial performance of the business,” Donegan said. “Pressures in manufacturing – particularly rising energy, labour and freight costs – have continued to intensify, and at certain sites those costs now exceed what the business can sustainably absorb over time. “Our vessels at sea are slightly different, and fuel is about a third of our costs at the moment. He said that when considering those factors alongside an inability to raise prices for consumers, making money had become more difficult. As to whether he thinks other companies may face similar decisions to Wattie’s, Paulin believed it depends on their ability to pass on costs in price rises.

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Racing Bulls' Kiwi driver sat down with the Herald before the season opener in Melbourne. Liam Lawson will start Formula One’s China sprint race in 13th, after being eliminated in the second stage of qualifying in Shanghai. A year on from qualifying last in both the sprint and grand prix at the same race weekend, the Kiwi has shown considerable improvement - admittedly in a more driver-friendly car. The 24-year-old missed out on a top 10 start for the shorter, 19 lap race by just 0.094s, but managed to outqualify rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad (15th) for the second time in succession. Both Lawson and Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said before the race weekend that the issue had been identified and fixed.

The dispute began in May 2025 when the woman contacted One NZ to query a monthly broadband price increase from $70 to $96. One NZ moved to cut a vulnerable household's services after a prolonged dispute over billing, discounts and account credits. The 111 Contact Code was created to ensure vulnerable customers can still access emergency services if their broadband or mobile services fail. She said the company had upheld “all aspects of the 111 Contact Code” after the woman registered as a vulnerable customer. Introduced by the Commerce Commission, the 111 Contact Code requires telco providers to ensure vulnerable customers can still contact emergency services if their landline or broadband service fails.

A Dunedin cyclist who crashed and flew into the windscreen of a car avoided a traumatic head injury thanks to the helmet he was wearing, police say. The 19-year-old was riding his bike very fast while ‘‘hugging’’ the centre line of Mount Cargill Rd, Upper Junction, at 5pm yesterday when he clipped the side of a truck towing a woodchipper, Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said. He then flew into the air and crashed into the windscreen of the car travelling behind the truck. ‘‘The helmet he was wearing cracked in two places, but it has saved him from what could have been a lot more serious head injuries,’’ Sgt Lee said. A Hato Hone St John spokeswoman said they treated one patient at the scene and transported them to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition.

Through four events, Fox has made four cuts and four top-25 finishes, including finishing in a tie for seventh at the Genesis Invitational last month. He has already earned $1.7 million (US$1m) in 2026, and sits at No 34 on the FedEx Cup leaderboard. “In terms of just a single thing, it would be qualifying for that Presidents Cup team,” Fox told the Herald of his goals for the season earlier this month. Missing out on the Tour Championship hurt a little bit last year, so I’d like to get there this year as well. “I played some really good golf last year but that would require some better golf, and probably some better golf at the back end of the year.

Photo: www.photosport.nzBlack Caps opener Finn Allen has received the top price for a New Zealand player in the men's auction for The Hundred cricket competition in Britain. Allen, who had the top strike rate at the recent T20 World Cup, was bought by the Trent Rockets for $364,000. Spinner Abrar Ahmed was bought by Sunrisers Leeds to allay concerns that Pakistan players would be ignored by franchises affiliated to the Indian Premier League. Abrar was bought for $432,000 by Leeds, the franchise entirely controlled by the owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad and based at Headingley. Uncapped English 21-year-old spinner James Coles pipped more established names to fetch $888,000, the biggest price of the auction.

Using only her first name out of fear for her family’s safety, she says the calls have become even more precious as war and unrest grip the country. My family is okay but three civilians have been hurt unfortunately.”Her family’s calls carry risks for them, so Farah carefully avoids any political discussion on the phone in case authorities are monitoring. “Sometimes my parents call me at 1am and I just want to make sure I am able to pick the phone. The PKK is a controversial guerrilla group fighting for an independent Kurdistan and is considered a terrorist organisation by Iran, Turkey, Australia, the European Union, the United States, and New Zealand. Photo: Getty ImagesLike many other Kurds in Iran, Turkey, Syria and Iraq, Farah dreams of an independent, democratic Kurdish state.

It was hard to tell it was a de Havilland DH82 Tiger Moth, he said. Mr Thompson said the engine had been overhauled in Australia, and he had spent about 1000 hours putting the frame back together. Despite restoring aircraft for 46 years, Mr Thompson said there was always a mix of ‘‘nervousness and pride’’ when planes went on their first test flights after he had worked on them. Once it is certified, the biplane will be flown to Warbirds Over Wanaka to be put on display. Mr Spencer-Bower said after that the plane might be advertised online, offering flight experiences for aeronautical fans and history buffs.

Cannabis was recovered during the two-day police operation in rural Southland. Photo: NZ PoliceTwo people have been arrested after a drug bust in rural Southland. Over the past two days, police in eastern Southland targeted suppliers, during Operation Nightforce, with help from extra staff in the district and a drug detection dog from Te Waipounamu. Senior Sergeant Gary Iddenten, of Southern Police, said the operation targeted several properties and two people were arrested without incident. "We will continue to target those who supply drugs - no matter where you live.