Allegedly kidnapped, assaulted woman
The winner would get what they wanted, the defendant allegedly said. The woman told the court she repeatedly told the man she was married and her husband was waiting at home. The driver allegedly continued slowly towards her home as the compliments continued. A month later, the driver allegedly obtained her personal details from the Dunedin City Council rates database and repeatedly contacted her through social media. When they reached the destination, the man allegedly asked for payment.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 22:39 UTC
Knife-wielding teen sparks armed police callout
Armed police swarmed a Dunedin street last night when a teenager began allegedly chasing members of the public with a knife. Photo: Craig BaxterPolice arrived and found a 19-year-old man who ran back inside a house in the street, closing the door behind him, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said. Additional officers arrived, including the police negotiating team, who successfully spoke to the man. Neither the 19-year-old nor any other members of the public were injured, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said. Photo: Gregor RichardsonUp to eight police units were visible at the scene yesterday and there were several armed officers present.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 21:40 UTC
Search on after person goes overboard from Interislander
Kaiārahi ferry. File photo: SuppliedA search is underway for a person that went overboard from an Interislander ferry on the Cook Strait overnight. A KiwiRail spokesperson said the incident happened from its Kaiārahi ferry. Police said they were alerted to the incident about 2.20am on Tuesday. They said while they are trying to locate the person, they're are not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 20:47 UTC
Vaping likely causes cancer, Australian review finds
The review, led by the University of NSW and released on Tuesday, has found these kinds of vapes are likely to cause lung or oral cancer. "Objectively and from the totality of available literature ... e-cigarettes are likely to cause lung cancer and oral cancer," lead researcher Bernard Stewart told reporters. "Not only are we concerned about cancer development, but we cannot definitively say these things are safer than smoking." As vapes have only been available for sale in Australian since about 2008, it will take decades for scientists to gather enough long-term information from people who have only vaped to definitively prove e-cigarettes cause cancer. But this study has enough data for its authors to urge regulators to act, comparing the situation to early studies on cigarettes.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 20:42 UTC
Fuel response: Seymour on lessons learned from Covid
He referenced current fuel stocks as being robust, and said: "If, and only if, there is a risk of running out, would we go to demand-side restrictions". To date during the current global situation, he said the financial support announced by the government in response to the current crisis was targeted, timely, temporary and funded. Remember we're all human, all New ZealandersWhen it came to democracy, the Covid response was a lesson in "what not to do", Seymour said. Learn from the world - and don't reinvent the wheelNew Zealand's isolation was a big factor in the current fuel situation, similar to Covid, he believed. The government could see what was coming, it could take time to prepare, and watch what others did to plan New Zealand's response.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 19:48 UTC
All Whites make history with thumping win over Chile
New Zealand's Ben Waine shoots and scores his side's fourth goal against Chile at Eden Park last night. Photo: Getty ImagesIf the All Whites did not have bigger challenges on the horizon a history making win over Chile might have been more than a footnote in the broader plan. While Chile failed to qualify for the World Cup, a win over the world number 55 side is a scalp that Darren Bazeley's side can take confidence from as they look ahead to a group at the World Cup that includes Iran, Egypt and Belgium. We know these games are what they are and we still know we've got a lot of work to do before the World Cup." Bazeley said all players were getting the same message when it came to World Cup selections.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 19:07 UTC
Industry worried about price spikes
Waitomo fuel chief executive Simon Parham. Photo: SuppliedFuel industry leaders are welcoming the government's moves to increase fuel capacity - but say while it will help with long-term concerns, price spikes are a bigger worry. "While fuel importers do continue to indicate confidence in near-future orders and while they are already exploring alternatives to Asia as a source of fuel supply, we believe that some residual risk remains," Finance Minister Nicola Willis said. Waitomo fuel chief executive Simon Parham told RNZ more storage would help in the long-term, but would not bring prices down. Waitomo's Simon Parham said suppliers were doing their best.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 18:57 UTC
Man in custody after armed police callout on Helensburgh Rd
A man is in custody after armed police were called out to a Dunedin hill suburb this evening. Police said they were alerted to a man behaving erratically on Helensburgh Rd, near the intersection with Taieri Rd, about 6pm. Part of the street was cordoned off while officers spoke with the man. Photo: Craig BaxterAn Otago Daily Times photographer at the scene earlier said up to eight police units were visible and there were several armed officers present. Police said they thanked the community for their understanding while the incident was resolved.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 17:22 UTC
Kiwi embraced ice-cracking experience
The vessel supports the United States mission Operation Deep Freeze, which enables the resupply of McMurdo Station and New Zealand’s Scott Base. ‘‘The highlight for me aboard Polar Star was the moment we first started breaking ice. He had always had a fascination with Antarctica, and when the opportunity to join the Polar Star crew came up, he jumped at it. However, on board Polar Star, his role was to help with general ship maintenance and work with the ship’s boats. United States charge d’affaires David Gehrenbeck said Royal New Zealand Navy seariders had become an integral part of Polar Star missions.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 17:01 UTC
Cultural legacy permeates life
Thriving Little India. He encouraged me to explore Chinatown, Little India, the Arab Quarter and the Colonial District. Vibrant Chinatown. The vibrancy persisted, but the scenes transformed as I ventured into the Little India district, where, much like mother India, visitors are welcomed by crowds, chaos and cacophony. Eat: Kolkata Beacons (www.kolkatabeckons.com.sg) in Little India for authentic delicacies from different parts of India.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 16:40 UTC
Two roads diverged in a wood
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat looked at the road to peaceful co-existence but did not take it. Clinton’s Camp David summit was the last time Israel and the Palestinians jointly considered taking the road leading to peaceful co-existence. Iran’s nuclear energy programme has been the most contentious issue. Negotiations resulted in an agreement officially titled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly referred to as the Iran nuclear deal of 2015. He denounced the Iran nuclear deal in characteristic hyperbole as the worst deal in American history, withdrew the US from it, and imposed extensive sanctions on Iran.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 16:40 UTC
Mystery surrounds cancelled flight
An Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232 at Dunedin Airport yesterday, after an unknown incident, speculated to be a bird strike, forced the cancellation of its return flight to Auckland. Email: ruby.shaw@odt.co.nzAir New Zealand is refusing to comment after one of its planes was grounded at Dunedin Airport, forcing the cancellation of an Auckland-bound flight. However, the return flight was cancelled. Air NZ declined to answer questions about yesterday morning’s events and any impact on aircraft, operations or passenger travel. Dunedin Airport also did not respond to questions.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 16:40 UTC
Big welcome for latest round of international students
PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHDunedin rolled out the red carpet yesterday to welcome the latest cohort of international students, as the city celebrates year-on-year growth in the international education industry. About 250 Dunedin secondary school students from 22 countries, and representatives from mana whenua, the Dunedin City Council, University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, Otago International Students’ Association and Education New Zealand attended a pōwhiri, facilitated by Enterprise Dunedin, at Puketeraki Marae yesterday. ‘‘Every international student brings a host of cultural perspectives to our city, from more than 20 different countries.’’Recovery in Dunedin’s international education sector has been strong since the Covid-19 pandemic. At present, Dunedin hosts about 4000 international students, contributing an estimated $268m to the local economy. Nationwide, the government is targeting growth from 83,400 to 119,000 international students by 2034, nearly doubling the sector’s value to $7.2billion.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 16:40 UTC
Post Shop saved from closure
The North End Post Shop will stay open but with fewer services. PHOTO: ODT FILESOamaru's ‘‘essential’’ North End Post Shop has been saved from closure, following a U-turn by NZ Post - but some community services could still be lost under revised plans. But she added: ‘‘I think there is some work to go to achieve those outcomes.’’The mayor said she would be supporting the post shop through the process. NZ Post originally said it planned to close more than 140 post offices nationwide. ‘‘In some of these locations, all existing NZ Post services will stay.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 16:40 UTC
Landmark home celebrates its 100th birthday
Art Deco fan Nic Brandsen took the chance to dress up in period costume for the Anderson House 100th birthday celebrations last weekend. PHOTO: TONI MCDONALDTea, cake and a little ragtime jazz entertained a steady stream of visitors to Anderson House on Saturday as the Invercargill landmark celebrated its 100th anniversary. Anderson Park was originally named Victoria Park by the first Pākehā owner of the land, Kenneth McIvor, who arrived from Australia in 1859. The land later passed to the McDougal family, who divided it into 120ha blocks about 1910, one of which was bought by Sir Robert Anderson. The Anderson House Trust, formed in 2019, works with the council to develop the property as a vibrant event and community venue.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 16:40 UTC