TV glitch: Pixelation and audio issues leave shows unwatchable, technicians work through the night
Television viewers from throughout NZ posted videos of glitching screens, with one broadcast of the 6pm news severely disrupted by picture issues. The problem affected Three, Bravo, Eden, Rush and their plus-1 channels,Nearly 70 commenters on one post said they, too, were having glitches in their broadcast. TV3 really bad tonight, thought the TV was on its way out,” one said. However, the issues seemed to be resolved overnight, with Three Now channels working normally this morning. Some who contacted the Herald thought the problem was caused by wind affecting aerials.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 20:01 UTC
NZTA orders investigation into full scale of breath testing scandal
Photo: ODT FilesThe New Zealand Transport Agency has commissioned an independent analysis of breath testing data to try and identify the full scale of falsely recorded tests. RNZ earlier revealed about 130 Police staff were under investigation throughout the country after 30,000 alcohol breath tests were "falsely or erroneously recorded". "This independent analysis will identify whether any further irregularities (over and above any detected by NZ Police) are discernible." Johnson earlier said in a statement that NZTA had notified Police that delivery-dependent road policing funding for the first quarter of the financial year had been paused, while Police's investigation into irregularities in breath testing data was ongoing. Police continued to deliver "very high levels of breath testing activity", Johnson said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 23, 2025 19:08 UTC
Liam Lawson draws big crowd for 'bittersweet' day at Highlands
Scott Hodges watches as his son Fraser (12), both of Invercargill, gets his karting helmet signed by F1 star Liam Lawson as Highlands chief executive Josie Spillane looks on. Photo: Gregor RichardsonAll eyes were on the sky at Highlands Motorsport Park this morning as Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson literally dropped in. To have Liam racing here today and raising so much money for the Breast Cancer Foundation is so impressive." Before he suited up Lawson, signed autographs for some of the hundreds of fans who began lining up several hours before the event began. Helmets, photographs, caps and cans of Red Bull were all offered to the racing star for his signature.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 23, 2025 18:45 UTC
Racing’s Christmas miracle: From intensive care to home in 10 days
“It means so much to be able to come home before Christmas but we weren’t sure it was going to be possible,” says Williamson. “I remember right up until it happened, thinking we were going to win and then nothing. The Williamsons just won the most important battle of Nathan’s life and he is back where he belongs in time for Christmas with a battle scar to tell the kids about. Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 18:27 UTC
Hawke's Bay scrub fire destroys buildings
Photo: SUPPLIEDHomes in rural Hastings are being evacuated due to a scrub fire which has destroyed buildings. Hawke's Bay Fire and Emergency said conditions were too windy for air operations, but five trucks, three tankers and support vehicles were working to contain the fire. Havelock North blazeMeanwhile, crews were also working on another scrub fire threatening houses near Havelock North, but it was contained at this stage. A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the blaze was threatening houses, but there were no formal evacuations at this stage. Multiple fire restrictions were in place in Hawke's Bay, with crews warning of high fire danger levels.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 23, 2025 18:04 UTC
New Epstein files dump contains multiple Trump references
A rebellion inside Trump’s Republican Party forced him to sign off on a law mandating the release of all the documents. A first batch was made public last Friday amid fierce criticism that the Justice Department was deliberately slow-walking the release and excluding any references to Trump. The latest slew of documents contains 8000 files, including hundreds of videos or audio recordings. He has said they fell out when Epstein “stole” young women working in the spa at his Florida golf club. Some of the references to Trump in the documents are impossible to verify and there are no indications of criminal behaviour.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 17:59 UTC
New Zealand racing’s toughest record could be broken today
The fact they have horses racing at all those venues sums up not only the size of their operation but its importance to harness racing up and down the country. But by the weight of numbers and talent of those involved, the record could be an early Christmas present for the Telfers, their staff and the big boss of parent company Stonewall Stud, Steve Stockman today. Telfer is a numbers man, smart enough to know the record is probably theirs but not looking for chickens to count. “She is a really well mannered mare and although she might be better right-handed, she can win,” admits Telfer. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 17:36 UTC
UN looking down the barrel of bankruptcy
Winston Peters addresses the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2025. Photo / United NationsThe United States, which was responsible for 22% of the 2025 Budget, is the largest Member State yet to provide this funding - which was due in February. Foreign Minister Winston Peters meets UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in September 2025. Photo / UNForeign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand, along with the likes of Australia and Canada, consistently calls on all members of the UN to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time. “It clearly sets a bad example because the United States is such a predominant economic and military power in the world,” he said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 17:33 UTC
Queenstown Homestead Bay housing development draft fast-tracked despite backlash
The proposed subdivision plan of Homestead Bay. The panel placed significant weight on the project’s regional benefits, particularly its contribution to housing supply in a district facing persistent shortages. The site has long been identified for growth through the Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan, which earmarks the southern corridor as a priority development area. The panel said benefits tied to future superlot development were less certain and therefore given reduced weight, but still relevant. The proposed subdivision could eventuate in up to 2800 new homes in the Queenstown Lakes District.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 17:33 UTC
Auckland man caught with footage of Isis beheadings, murders, terror group promo material
On his devices, police found a 16-minute video that followed the history of the Isis group, then moved into promotion of the organisation. It featured beheadings and footage of Isis members murdering prisoners and civilians, accompanied by text justifying war crimes. In another video, Isis fighters are seen planting their flag in the desert and fighting, followed by images of dead “martyrs”, the summary of facts said. A different video featured multiple beheadings and extolled Muslims in the West to join Isis and conduct terror attacks. A Pukekohe man found in possession of extremist Islamic State content, including beheadings and terror attacks in Europe, was sentenced in Manukau District Court.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 17:33 UTC
New Zealand Christmas weather: Forecasters reveal where rain and heat most likely
Griffin said Auckland would still experience a few showers on Christmas Day but the worst would have eased off. He said periods of rain were forecast to plague the central and eastern parts of the North Island today, but they should ease off by this evening. Christmas Eve Day will feature some morning rain in the North Island, but much drier by the afternoon. ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/WcCgoTMv73 — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) December 23, 2025Elsewhere in the South Island, wet weather has been forecast to hit western and southern parts this evening. “For Auckland, we are expecting a high of 24C both today and tomorrow,” Griffin said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 17:30 UTC
Formula 1: Max Verstappen explains issue with Red Bull demoting Liam Lawson
Verstappen told Swedish outlet Viaplay that two grands prix were not enough of a chance for Lawson to prove himself. “Because ultimately, someone is giving up their chance ... yes, then you’re ruining [that chance] at a top team,” he said. Red Bull dropped behind McLaren and Mercedes to finish third in the Constructors’ Championship this year. While winners McLaren give equal treatment to both Drivers’ Championship winner Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Red Bull clearly favour Verstappen as their primary driver. The Dutch competitor still believes Red Bull has the right approach.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 17:04 UTC
Gordon Walker exit: Why New Zealand must retain Dame Lisa Carrington’s long time coach
But beyond his role with Carrington, Walker also built a programme that is the envy of the kayaking world. “We have things [now] that no other nation has like the power blade, our GPS tracking system, our monitoring system,” said Walker. “But I am still really passionate about performance in sport and I’m sure that something will emerge and I’m excited for that too.”Dame Lisa Carrington and Gordon Walker. Whatever happens, Walker will never forget the journey of the last 16 years, highlighted by the campaigns in London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris. “Her training sessions are extraordinary,” said Walker.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 23, 2025 16:05 UTC
Lawson fans thrilled to meet their F1 hero
All eyes were on the sky at Highlands Motorsport Park yesterday as Formula One Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson literally dropped in. Photos: Gregor RichardsonAn auction for the Vulcan laps raised more than $30,000 for breast cancer research. Auckland company Shaw and Partners Financial Services paid $10,000 for one of the Vulcan laps and then gave it away on social media. Tony Quinn’s multimillion-dollar Aston Martin Vulcan. Before suiting up, Lawson signed autographs for some of the hundreds of fans who began lining up several hours before the event began.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 23, 2025 15:46 UTC
Prison for covert films of children, customers
Dean Matthew Armstrong, 45, appeared before Judge David Robinson last week via video link at the Dunedin District Court. I didn’t get any inkling you were capable of this," the father told Armstrong. Judge Robinson told Armstrong that "tremendous harm" had been suffered by his victims, which included those of the material he did not create. Judge Robinson set the sentencing at a starting point of six and a-half years, and then offered discounts for an early guilty plea, expressions of remorse and difficult family circumstances. There was "no indication" that Armstrong would have stopped offending had he not been caught, Judge Robinson said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 23, 2025 15:40 UTC