Family’s human heat circle saves life of lost tramper Kauaeranga Valley, Coromandel
A helicopter was deployed and reached the area, but was unable to land due to deteriorating weather conditions. A second helicopter was sent in, but it too was unable to land as weather conditions worsened. They formed a human heat circle to help warm him before returning with him to the hut to await rescue. At first light, with the assistance of Land Search and Rescue teams, police were able to extract the man from the area. “Emergency Locator Beacons are cheap to hire and are capable of saving your life, even when there’s no cell phone reception.”
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 22:29 UTC
New Year weather: Widespread rain, 120 km/h gales to hit New Zealand holiday hotspots
MetService described conditions for today and tomorrow as “wet and wild” with heavy rain and gale southeasterlies. A heavy rain watch is currently in place for the Coromandel Peninsula until 7pm, with 90 to 130mm of rain expected today. Heavy rain warnings are forecast to begin from this morning until early tomorrow morning for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay. 🌧️Rain Band Moving South🌧️📡Heavy Rain Warnings are still in their early days, so accumulations are just starting to climb. A heavy rain watch is also in place this morning for Bay of Plenty, including Rotorua.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 22:26 UTC
Elderly hiker saved by mother, teens after collapsing
Photo: Supplied/DOC via RNZAn elderly hiker who got lost and collapsed wearing only shorts and a singlet was saved by a mother and her two teenagers who huddled around him to keep him warm, police say. The lost man had made the call. But the mother and her two children, who were also on the trail, were about to come to his rescue. Emergency crews managed to contact them to get to them to help find the lost man. He said the elderly man was grateful to see the rescuers when they arrived, but it was an uncomfortably "close call".
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 22:21 UTC
Air New Zealand reveals top movies, TV shows and music on flights in 2025
Air New Zealand passengers enjoyed listening to pop star Taylor Swift more than any other artist. Gladiator II was Air NZ passengers’ most-watched movie of 2025, with films like Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (fifth most popular) and The Amateur (seventh) adding to the genre’s prominence. Kiwi content also found a strong audience, with home-grown film Tinā ranking among the airline’s top 10 most-watched movies. Air New Zealand is now in its busiest time of the year, with more than 2.7 million travellers flying with the airline in December and January. “Further afield, Los Angeles sees 56,000 passengers connecting to and from New Zealand these holidays.”Some domestic destinations also remained popular.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 22:05 UTC
'You owe us': Families of Bondi victims write to PM
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has resisted calls for a national royal commission in the wake of the mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach. Photo: ReutersThe Jewish families of the Bondi Beach terror attack victims are demanding the Prime Minister set up a national royal commission, saying he owes Australians "the truth". But with a well-led Commonwealth Royal Commission and strong action, you may be able to save many more," the families said. Opposition frontbencher James McGrath said it was not just the coalition that was demanding a royal commission. The organisation had been in contact with NSW Police weeks before the Bondi attack over heightened risks to Hanukkah celebrations, the premier confirmed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 21:59 UTC
Flood-damaged luxury cars face de-registration deadline
Owners of 66 luxury vehicles damaged in Auckland’s 2023 Anniversary Weekend flooding have been given three months to have their cars inspected and re-certified or face de-registration, following an administrative error that left the vehicles improperly registered. Administrative error discoveredStar Insure, which specialises in insurance for high-performance, luxury and classic vehicles, notified NZTA of the issue in late August after discovering the error internally. Star Insure chief executive Roger Wallace says the company acted immediately upon discovering the problem. “On discovering the error, Star Insure was immediately concerned about the potential safety of these vehicles. Dealership involvementSome of the affected vehicles were sold by Star Insure to the Tristram Auckland dealership group.
Source:Stuff
December 28, 2025 21:38 UTC
Russia-Ukraine war: Trump says Zelenskyy, Putin ‘serious’ in peace-talk sprint
Trump, who had promised to finish the war on day one of his presidency, said he had no deadline but is embarking on a year-end diplomatic sprint. US President Donald Trump welcomes Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 28, 2025. Photo / Jim Watson, AFPBefore the talks began, Trump posted on social media that his conversation with Putin was “very productive”. At their October meeting, Trump refused Zelenskyy’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles as Trump again said that Putin was showing positive signs. Trump and Putin are also set to hold another phone call later Sunday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 21:36 UTC
Why 10 millimetres of MCG grass made batting a nightmare in the Boxing Day Test
Page explained his decision was based on weather conditions, and knowledge that MCG pitches typically don’t deteriorate a lot over the course of a match. The 2017 Boxing Day Ashes Test ended in a deathly dull draw and prompted the MCC to replace its drop-in pitches and the base they sit in. Australia coach Andrew McDonald inspects the MCG pitch on Christmas Eve. Credit: Getty Images“So the longer the grass, the more chance as [the ball] pitches, something will interact with the seam, and it will be more likely to deviate. “The thickness of the grass, the ball was sitting in the grass, if that makes sense to you.
Source:Stuff
December 28, 2025 21:31 UTC
Israeli Air Force deploys first laser interception system to destroy aerial threats
During the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran in June, the country’s missile defence system failed to intercept all the projectiles fired by Tehran towards Israeli territory. During the 12-day war launched by Israel against Iran in June, the country’s missile defence system failed to intercept all the projectiles fired by Tehran towards Israeli territory. Photo / Getty ImagesIsrael’s Defence Ministry said today that it had deployed a new “Iron Beam” laser system for the Air Force to intercept aerial threats. The laser system’s main developers, the ministry’s research and development department and defence contractor Rafael, delivered it to the Air Force at a ceremony in northern Israel. “For the first time globally, a high-power laser interception system has achieved full operational maturity, successfully executing multiple interceptions,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 21:13 UTC
Kate Bush pays tribute to antiques dealer missing after Christmas Day swim
Kate Bush has paid tribute to a “special” antiques dealer who remains missing after a Christmas Day swim in Devon. The singer said she had been friends with Matthew Upham, 63, for 30 years and that he “lived life to the full”. He was extraordinarily kind, thoughtful and lived life to the full. “His family are heartbroken and, along with many of his friends, so am I. Matthew was a very strong swimmer. Thank you, Matthew, for being one of the best friends anyone could have.”
Source:Stuff
December 28, 2025 21:12 UTC
Vehicle rescues in central Auckland face delays after engine crash, firefighters’ union says
Auckland's central city may face delays in vehicle extractions after a fire engine crash. Photo / SunLiveBy RNZThe Professional Firefighters Union says there will be delays extracting anyone who may become trapped in a vehicle in Auckland’s central city, after a fire engine was damaged in a crash. Police were called at 9.38am on Sunday morning to the intersection of Hobson St and Victoria St West. Fire and Emergency’s northern communications shift manager Ryan Geen told RNZ the crash occurred while a local crew was responding to a fire call under lights and sirens. “While they’re on the way, they’ve had an incident involving another vehicle,” he said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 21:10 UTC
Kyrgios beats Sabalenka in 'Battle of the Sexes'
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka, her goddaughter Nicole, and Australia's Nick Kyrgios celebrate with trophies after the match. PHOTO: REUTERSNick Kyrgios has beat Aryna Sabalenka 6‑3 6‑3 in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match billed as a modern take on Billie Jean King's famous win over Bobby Riggs over 50 years ago, but one that ignited controversy over its relevance and meaning. The match that gave the event its name was the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" when women's tennis pioneer King beat 55-year-old former Grand Slam winner Riggs, who had said that the standard of women's tennis could never match that of the men's game. "I don't think many people would have put their hand up to be in this position, especially in my position," Kyrgios said. 'GREAT OPPORTUNITY'"It was a really tough match," Kyrgios added.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 19:48 UTC
Black Caps' Hobart hero Bracewell retires
Former Black Caps allrounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all cricket. Just three years later he made his ODI, T20 International and test debuts for the Black Caps. Doug Bracewell bowls for Central Districts against the Otago Volts at the University Oval in January 2024. Central Districts Cricket CEO Lance Hamilton thanked Bracewell for his loyalty and service to Central Districts Cricket over his extensive career. Central Districts Cricket will confirm a replacement on its 2025/26 season roster of contracted players in the coming weeks.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 19:48 UTC
Nick Kyrgios beats Aryna Sabalenka in ‘Battle of the Sexes’
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios embrace at the net after the Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo / Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios embrace at the net after the Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo / Getty ImagesNick Kyrgios beat women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the “Battle of the Sexes” today, in a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans. Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match in Dubai that bore little resemblance to the era-defining 1973 encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Each player received only one serve and the dimensions of Sabalenka’s side of the court were 9% smaller, in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios’ power and speed advantage.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 19:20 UTC
Severe weather to hit much of country
A strong wind watch is in place for the upper South Island tonight, although much of the island will escape the severe weather forecast to batter the North Island. "While it has its things going on, it's definitely much better than than the North Island," she said. Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel are currently under a strong wind watch, as will be the central North Island from 10am. A warning of severe gales has been issued for Manawatu, Horowhenua and Kapiti coast from 4pm, while the Tararua district and Wairarapa will be under a heavy rain watch from 6pm. Northland and Whanganui are the places to be in the North Island today for the best weather.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 19:02 UTC