Extreme and illegal online content has reached a scale never seen before, report finds
A historic journey will take to the skies over the Cook Strait tomorrow - with Air New Zealand and Beta Technologies testing out its new electric plane over the Cook Strait.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 27, 2026 06:52 UTC
'Poor decision-making' before woman's death in Oamaru Hospital
Photo: ODT FilesAn elderly woman was given ten times the prescribed saline solution in the hours before her death in Oamaru Hospital. Waitaki District Health Services have been told to apologise to the family of the 93-year-old by the Health and Disability Commissioner. The duty doctor ‘‘B’’ prescribed the 93-year-old a bolus of 100ml of 3% saline at a rate of 200ml per hour with a further check scheduled at 9pm. The situation appears to have been caused by a registered nurse picking up a 1000ml bag of saline solution instead of a 100ml bag. Shortly before the morning handover, Doctor C noticed the woman’s sodium levels had risen rapidly, so he ordered her fluids stopped.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 27, 2026 04:54 UTC
Teen's banner day goes bad after dobbing dad steps in
An alleged teenage porch pirate has been dobbed in by his dad after being caught on camera making off with a Dunedin restaurant's $1600 custom-made banners. Glenfalloch Garden Cafe and Restaurant was the target of Monday’s raid on a recently delivered package, gardener Alan Funnell said. it's a bit silly of them.’’After his face was plastered all over the ODT news website, the teen’s father recognised him and contacted Mr Funnell. We'll just see how it goes at the moment.’’Mr Funnell said he was a bit confused why anyone would want the banners which say "Glenfalloch Restaurant" along the side in bold lettering. A police spokesman said they received a report about the theft at 2pm today and officers would be following up on the matter.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 27, 2026 03:02 UTC
Teen accused of murdering elderly woman, assaulting two female family members granted name suppression
Court orders also prevent the Herald from naming the three women – and their specific relationship to the alleged offender. Police sought time for the family to inform other loved ones about what had happened to the elderly woman and the allegations against the 19-year-old. His lawyer, Phil Shamy, sought a remand in custody without plea. Officers have started a scene examination at the rural property. Specialist teams have now arrived at the property and a scene examination is underway.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 27, 2026 03:00 UTC
Police employee allegedly stalked co-worker - IPCA
File photo: Getty ImagesA police employee allegedly stalked a woman he regularly worked alongside after she rejected his advances. The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a summary of an investigation into the allegations on Tuesday. "The employee and the woman met through the employee's work and developed a friendship, having similar interests and some life experiences in common. "After some time, the employee incorrectly assumed that the woman was interested in more than a friendship and attempted to move the relationship onto a romantic footing. The woman alleged the employee then stalked her and his behaviour also made it difficult to work together when needed."
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 27, 2026 02:04 UTC
East Coast floods: Firefighter recalls rescue efforts amid slips
Members of the Fire and Emergency specialist water rescue team evacuated 25 people from homes and the motor camp during the storm. But it was absolutely a life-threatening situation in those conditions for our team.”The team went back to regroup and returned when it started to get light. Work continues on cutting through debris blocking access to Hicks Bay on State Highway 35 from the Pōtaka side (pictured). NZTA said engineers were onsite today at a large slip cutting off access between Wharekahia/Hicks Bay and Te Araroa. A team of geotechnical engineers were in this area yesterday [Monday] assessing sites but access is very challenging.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 27, 2026 01:56 UTC
Armed police swarm Palmerston North streets after driver flees spiked stolen car
NZ Herald Headlines | Six still missing in Mt Maunganui landslide, and south-east Australia heat wave | Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Video / NZ Herald, AFP, Getty ImagesAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Armed police have swarmed a residential Pamerston North St looking for a driver who fled on foot after their tyres were spiked. A police spokesperson said they were alerted to a report of a stolen vehicle being used on Main St, Roslyn.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 27, 2026 01:53 UTC
General Debate 27 January 2026
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Source:New Zealand Herald
January 27, 2026 01:49 UTC
Changing when we use power could save billions: report
Spreading the power load could help to defer or avoid increasing demand capacity. Upgrades to accommodate growing demand could cost tens of billions of dollars, EECA chief executive Marco Pelenur said. The electricity network is built to handle peak demand, which only occurs a few times a day for short intervals. "This [analysis] shows we could save billions as a country just by moving when we use power." Rooftop solar and batteries could help shift household demand, but much lower-cost measures - that would also save households money - were also available.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 27, 2026 01:10 UTC
Axe falls on Otago post shops
Brockville will no longer have NZ Post services. Photo: ODT FilesNine of Otago’s community post shops - including seven in Dunedin - are to close. NZ Post confirmed the closures today after the move was signalled in October last year. NZ Post General Manager Consumer Sarah Sandoval says the current retail network was bigger than required for today’s mail volumes. They have been replaced by the Octagon Night n' Day and Oamaru's Lotto'n Things.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 27, 2026 00:18 UTC
Prominent Dunedin man has sex charges dismissed
Photo: ODT filesA former Dunedin lawyer and recipient of a Queen’s Birthday honour has had serious sex charges against him dismissed. The allegations stemming from between 1993 and 1996 were dismissed by Judge Emma Parsons who stressed it represented an acquittal on all matters. His links to Knox College and Knox Church have been suppressed for almost the entirety of the court proceedings, following charges being laid in November 2023. While a lawyer for the college initially sought a permanent non-publication order, that was withdrawn a few days ago. Counsel Anne Stevens KC referred to a memorandum she had filed but said she did not want to discuss its contents in open court.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 27, 2026 00:18 UTC
Plank-waving pensioner sows panic in Dunedin street
Police were called to Lock St. Photo: Google MapsAn intoxicated pensioner waving a knife and a plank of wood around in a Dunedin street caused a passing pedestrian to flee into a nearby address. The 65-year-old man was allegedly swinging the knife and wood in Lock St, frightening passersby, one of whom called emergency services yesterday morning from a nearby property, Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said. The man left shortly after but soon returned and began interfering with a vehicle parked on the street. He tried pulling off the hub caps, wing mirrors and number plates, but failed to do so. He was charged and was being held in custody until he appeared in Dunedin District Court at a later date.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 27, 2026 00:18 UTC
Driver 'rammed and punched' in Dunedin road rage
Photo: Getty ImagesAn angry Dunedin motorist allegedly rammed another car and punched the driver in the face after exploding into a fit of sudden road rage. A short time later on the same road the victim spotted the perpetrator behind him. His car was then suddenly rammed from behind, Snr Sgt Dinnissen said. Both parties pulled to the side of the street, and when the perpetrator approached the victim's window, he suddenly punched the man in the face before leaving. Snr Sgt Dinnissen said the victim was ‘‘shaken and traumatised,’’ but physically unharmed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 26, 2026 22:46 UTC
Kanye West is ‘deeply mortified’ by his antisemitic actions
“I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that state, and am committed to accountability, treatment and meaningful change. I love Jewish people ...“In early 2025, I fell into a four-month-long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life. He wrote: “To the black community – which held me down through all of the highs and lows and the darkest of times. The black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. When you go into a manic episode, you are ill at that point.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 26, 2026 21:25 UTC