Golf centre partially reopens
Queenstown Lakes District Council sport and recreation manager and acting community services manager Simon Battrick outside the gutted remains of the council’s Frankton Golf Centre, following this month’s fire. PHOTO: TRACEY ROXBURGHFrankton Golf Centre is back operating close to normal after a fire on December 13 closed the driving range, club house and pro shop. The centre is owned and managed by Queenstown Lakes District Council on behalf of the community. Council acting general manager community services Simon Battrick said in a statement the chipping/putting green and eight of the 10 driving range bays reopened last week, the Inspire Golf Pro Shop had also reopened in a temporary portacom next to the original building. "We’ve temporarily closed holes eight and nine of the course to allow safe use of the driving range bays, but we expect to reopen them in mid-January after reinstating netting on the range that was affected by strong winds earlier this month."
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 29, 2025 16:05 UTC
Aim to slow deterioration as we age
Members of the University of Otago (Christchurch) Canterbury Health and Ageing Life Course (Chalice) study research team, in front of Christchurch’s Chalice. University of Otago researchers raised concerns about the future of New Zealand’s elderly population in a New Zealand Medical Journal article more than a decade ago. These would allow clinicians to step in earlier with treatments or lifestyle advice which could slow deterioration and reduce disease burden. Cardioendocrinology senior research fellow Dr Tim Prickett has been particularly interested in monitoring changes in the heart health of Chalice participants. "The result is a rising risk of age-related conditions, from heart disease to blood cancers such as myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukaemia."
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 29, 2025 16:05 UTC
Proof arguing can be productive
University of Otago mooting team members Campbell Kidd and Abby Bowmar after winning the New Zealand Bell Gully Open Mooting Competition, in Auckland. While it may seem excessive, the duo have taken on two researchers — Oliver Thorns and Flynn Struckmann — with the primary focus of helping them to strengthen their debates for the international competition. However, the moot for the international court would be more challenging, so she and Mr Kidd would spend much of their holidays with their researchers preparing for it. The topic of the moot involved international law and their submissions would be heard in the mock International Court of Justice, she said. "The moot concerns human rights, the rights of indigenous people and some criminal law as well.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 29, 2025 15:37 UTC
Best weather set for South, rain to dampen festivities
The forecast shows showery and rainy weather will hit much of New Zealand at some stage during New Year’s Eve. "And I guess the circulation around those low pressure systems mean that it's mostly the North Island and most of the South Island that gets the bulk of that weather. "The far south seems to miss out on it and Invercargill is likely to get some of the better weather, maybe drier weather. "It's mostly due to where that low pressure system is moving and the circulation around it. The rainband will sink further south, affecting eastern areas of the South Island from today until the end of the year.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 29, 2025 15:37 UTC
Festival-goers hit Wanaka for 15th Rhythm & Alps
Among the first campers to arrive at the Rhythm & Alps festival in the Cardrona Valley are (from left) Sophie Gilchrist, Tomasina Martin and Brooke McMahon, of Blenheim. PHOTO: EVIE SINCLAIRThe first group of campers have set up their tents at the Rhythm & Alps festival in the Cardrona Valley as Otago’s biggest New Year festival gets set to celebrate its 15th anniversary. Yesterday afternoon the first of thousands of festival-goers — 500 campers from across the country — arrived to secure the perfect camping spot and enjoy "campers’ night" at Rhythm & Alps. A drone image of the Rhythm & Alps setup on "campers’ night" before 10,000 attendees arrive for the event today and tomorrow. Rhythm & Alps was founded in 2011 by Alex Turnbull and the website describes the festival as the South Island’s sister to Gisborne’s Rhythm & Vines.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 29, 2025 15:35 UTC
Five new reserves greenlit
PHOTO: DOCConservationists are celebrating five new coastal Otago marine reserves being given the green light — a milestone they say has been three decades in the making. Following a judicial review, the High Court at Wellington this month resolved to proceed with the creation of five out of six proposed marine reserves between Oamaru and the Catlins. However, the Otago Rock Lobster Industry Association took the matter to court over the decision-making for the new reserves. The marine reserves and associated marine protected area network were announced by then Conservation Minister Willow-Jean Prime and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Rachel Brooking. The Department of Conservation said the gazettal process for the five marine reserves was likely to be completed in the first half of next year.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 29, 2025 15:35 UTC
Teenagers tried to carjack taxi: officer
Two teenagers who allegedly punched and hit a Port Chalmers taxi driver with a glass bottle on Christmas Day were trying to bring open alcohol into the vehicle, police say. The taxi driver told the pair they could not bring the opened drinks into the vehicle, and in response the pair allegedly began their assault. While doing this, both teenagers continued to kick and threaten the man, Snr Sgt Bond said. However, the boy then kicked in one of the rear taillights, Snr Sgt Bond said. Snr Sgt Bond said yesterday charges were still being considered for the pair.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 29, 2025 15:32 UTC
Pair injured after another brawl in Auckland
Photo: ODT filesTwo people have been taken to hospital after another brawl in Auckland. One person suffered serious injuries and the other was in a moderate condition. "Two patients, one in moderate condition and one in serious condition, were transported to Middlemore Hospital." In the first assault, a 33-year-old man was seriously injured outside the Crown Bar in Queen St just after 4am. Then 30 minutes after that, a 46-year-old man was also seriously injured at a nearby petrol station.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 29, 2025 11:27 UTC
Tui's Christmas Day pup first of the season
Photo: Department of ConservationTui the sea lion has given birth to the first pup of the Otago/New Zealand breeding season. The Department of Conservation said in a statement today the six-year-old sea lion had the pup (pakake) on Christmas Day, beginning what is hoped to be another successful breeding season for the nationally endangered species. Over the festive season Doc staff, mana whenua, and New Zealand Sea Lion Trust volunteers would be keeping an eye on things, he said. Sea lion breeding season• Pakake are one of the world’s rarest sea lion species and found only in New Zealand. • In Otago, pups are born from late December through to mid-January.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 29, 2025 10:29 UTC
How NZ streaming costs and choices could change after the Netflix-Paramount battle for Warner Bros
For New Zealand audiences, a Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros would result in a bundling of content into a bigger library, and also increased costs specific to the local market. A merger might raise subscription costs and reduce opportunities for New Zealand's screen industry. The sale of Warner Bros could weaken the traditional cinema market, reduce film production and concentrate creative power under one streaming giant. If Netflix controls 43% of the global streaming market, content will be designed for broad appeal rather than for diverse voices and stories. On the other hand, the New Zealand screen industry was built with a “No 8 wire” mentality and has proved resilient, adaptable and innovative.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 29, 2025 09:24 UTC
Vegetation fire breaks out near Ardmore Airport, south of Auckland
A vegetation fire has broken out on Mullins Rd near Ardmore Airport. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Vegetation fire breaks out near Ardmore Airport, south of AucklandA vegetation fire has broken out on Mullins Rd near Ardmore Airport. Fire crews have rushed to the scene of a vegetation fire near Auckland’s Ardmore Airport. A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said the 150m blaze broke out about 6pm and has spread along multiple trees on Mullins Rd.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 29, 2025 08:56 UTC
Mexico train derailment: 13 dead, 98 injured in Oaxaca crash
Mexican Army soldiers and Civil Protection members rescue passengers from the Interoceanic train that derailed in the Asuncion Ixtaltepec area on the route to Oaxaca, Mexico. Mexican Army soldiers and Civil Protection members rescue passengers from the Interoceanic train that derailed in the Asuncion Ixtaltepec area on the route to Oaxaca, Mexico. Photo / Rusvel Rasgado, AFPA train carrying 250 people derailed partially today in Mexico, killing 13 people and injuring 98, officials said. The train’s locomotive left the tracks during a trip in southern Oaxaca state, said the Mexican Navy, which operates this particular rail line. The Navy had initially reported 20 people injured, but hours later announced in a statement that “98 were injured ... and unfortunately, 13 people lost their lives”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 29, 2025 08:39 UTC
Teen Mercedes drink-driver who caused five-car crash fails appeal
Nanedo’s car started rotating, travelling onto the wrong side of the road and crashing head-on into “yet another innocent victim”. Meanwhile, the first car he hit crashed into the car in front of it, which in turn crashed into a parked car. The sentencing judge considered his willingness to attend restorative justice, his clean criminal and traffic history in New Zealand, and the fact he had ADHD. Despite this, the judge said a suggestion the sentencing judge erred by not allowing an adjournment for Nanedo to complete a rehabilitation programme was “misconceived”. I note that he is now 21 years old.”Justice Venning found the sentencing judge was correct in her decision, and dismissed the appeal.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 29, 2025 08:19 UTC
Bondi Beach attack hero says he wanted to protect ‘innocent people’
Ahmed al Ahmed went viral for wresting a gun from one of the assailants. Photo / @ChrisMinnsMP via XAhmed al Ahmed went viral for wresting a gun from one of the assailants. Photo / @ChrisMinnsMP via XBondi Beach shooting hero Ahmed al Ahmed recalled the moment he ran towards one of the attackers and wrestled the gun from him, saying in an interview published on Monday with a US outlet that he wanted to protect “innocent people”. Despite the tragedy, tales of heroism emerged of those who tried to stop the two gunmen during their deadly rampage. Among them was Ahmed al Ahmed, a tobacco shop owner, who went viral for ducking between parked cars as the shooting unfolded and then wresting a gun from one of the assailants.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 29, 2025 07:40 UTC
Woman behind Wendy’s logo reveals father’s regret over naming restaurant after her
Thomas Morse admitted that as a child she felt burdened by the responsibility of being the face of the brand. “There were times I didn’t want people to know because I didn’t want them to have assumptions,” she said. Thomas Morse told People she did not bear any resentment towards her father, acknowledging he could never have predicted the global success of the brand. “I just think of my dad a lot because he’s there in spirit.”Thomas Morse and her siblings now own several Wendy’s franchises. Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 29, 2025 07:31 UTC