OCA backs T20 private ownership model in principle
Russell MawhinneyThe Otago Cricket Association backs the proposed private-ownership model for the domestic T20 competition. New Zealand Cricket voted to pursue NZ20 as its preferred option. If it proceeds, it will usher in a significant change to the New Zealand cricket landscape. Former Black Caps all-rounder Dion Nash resigned from the board of NZC just hours after it announced it would pursue NZ20. ‘‘Our board met on Wednesday night and talked about a lot of things that we think need to be considered.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 16:40 UTC
Potential disciplinary action after f-bomb
Invercargill deputy mayor Grant Dermody faces potential disciplinary action after being found to have called a council staff member a ‘‘f...... d... . But Cr Dermody disagreed with that version of events, explaining he said ‘‘that’s ridiculous’’ in an aggressive tone to someone at a nearby table. Asked if it was ‘‘you f...... d...’’, Cr Bond confirmed it was, the staffer said. Following the presentation, Cr Bond said she joined a conversation between Cr Ludlow and the affected party where he said: ‘‘Apparently I have a new name. Cr Ludlow was confident he had heard an ‘‘f-bomb’’, but was not certain if it was ‘‘f...wit’’ or ‘‘f...... d...’’, evidence showed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 16:40 UTC
Invercargill deputy mayor Grant Dermody in hot water for swearing at staffer
Photo: Supplied / Invercargill City CouncilInvercargill deputy mayor Grant Dermody faces potential disciplinary action after being found to have called a council staff member a "f...ing d..k". On 3 February, Dermody attended a Rugby Park stakeholders event where an independent lawyer determined he said "you f…ing d..k" or "you're a d…head" to a council staffer. "I did not attend the Rugby Park meeting personally, but was made aware of Cr Dermody's 'Dickhead' comment during a conversation with Cr Ria Bond the following morning," Pottinger wrote. Asked if it was "you f…ing d..k", Bond confirmed it was, the staffer said. Ludlow was confident he had heard an "f-bomb" but was not certain if it was "f…wit" or "f…ing d..k", evidence showed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 16:07 UTC
Fools ready to rush in against horses
Only Fools and Horses pits four legs against two in the Maniototo hills. The Central Otago race Only Fools and Horses is back for round two on April 11. But in a race between Only Fool and Horses, why did she choose the Fools' side? Long distance runner Julia Chamberlain would love to see a runner pip the horses to the finish line. Only Fools and Horses co-organiser Steve Tripp says there is a jackpot prize if a runner finishes first.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 10:42 UTC
‘Your job is the prime minister’: Tova O’Brien’s first Breakfast goes off with a bang
“Welcome to the first day at the new school,” a cheery Christopher Luxon told Tova O’Brien this morning. It was just one hour into O’Brien’s first shift on TVNZ’s early morning news and current affairs show, and the prime minister was her first big interview at the Breakfast desk. Chris Chang and Tova O’Brien (Photo: TVNZ)Despite O’Brien’s wealth of news and political experience, this morning’s Breakfast remained a typically random mix of topics. O’Brien’s interview with Luxon showed the potential Breakfast has to go beyond cruise ship promos and deliver morning news with depth and rigour. O’Brien cheerily pushed back: “Your job is the prime minister.”CEO, prime minister, Ken, it’s all the same.
Source:Stuff
March 30, 2026 07:06 UTC
'Alarming': Fiji's HIV cases climb towards 1 percent of population
Image: RNZThe number of Fijians who are HIV positive has risen to at least 9000 - almost one percent of the population - with infections surging, according to the man who heads the country's HIV outbreak response. The country declared a HIV outbreak in January last year, the government calling it "a national crisis", and regional health experts raising concerns that it could spread across the region. In New Zealand, there are around 3500 people estimated to be HIV positive - less than 0.1 percent of the population. With Fiji having around 9000 cases, it suggests the prevalence of people living with HIV is much higher relative to the population. "In 2025 alone, we recorded 2016 new cases ... a 723 percent increase in three years," he was quoted as saying by The Fiji Times.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 05:50 UTC
Southland tsunami warnings may not have time to trigger
File photoA new Emergency Management plan for Southland has unearthed an unnerving detail about warning systems in the event of a tsunami. The plan said a tsunami was unlikely, but carried high risk, and gave special mention to the Puysegur Trench southwest of Fiordland. A large tsunami from that trench posed a hazard to coastal areas on the south and west of the South Island, Tasmania and southeast Australia, it warned. The plan identified five high-risk hazards - earthquakes, tsunami, flooding, human pandemic, and animal pest or disease. "Both areas are vulnerable to Alpine Fault earthquakes, tsunami, and severe weather, with steep terrain and fragile lifelines increasing the likelihood of prolonged isolation."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 03:53 UTC
Illicit tobacco products 'brazenly sold' across Auckland
However, the price of tobacco products being sold on the black market is typically less than half the excise duty that must be paid. The east Auckland store is one of a number of outlets in the country's largest city that RNZ believes is offering illicit tobacco products for sale. Daljeet Singh Sidhu, a retailer based in Papakura, claimed the black market for tobacco products in Auckland was an open secret. Barnes highlighted the price differential between legitimate and illicit tobacco products. Customs warned retailers to refrain from selling illicit tobacco products.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 02:14 UTC
Pesticides possible cause of 'horrific' disease hitting regional Aussies
Simon Downes was diagnosed with the disease in 2024 after running a dairy farm in NSW's Hunter Valley for more than 30 years. "Our hypothesis is that it's to do with the co-location of the population and agriculture," Prof Rowe said. He is calling for MND to be a notifiable disease, meaning cases must be reported to public health authorities by law. Prof Rowe said. If the causes of the disease could be identified, methods could be developed to help slow or stop its progression, or prevent it entirely, Prof Rowe said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 01:31 UTC
New figures show increase in national fuel stocks
File photo: RNZThere has been an increase in total petrol and diesel stocks, while jet fuel levels remain normal, according to the latest fuel stocks update. Data released on Monday afternoon by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment showed that as of 11:59pm on Wednesday evening, there were 59.3 days' cover of petrol, 54.5 days' cover of diesel, and 50.4 days' cover of jet fuel. There were 29.9 days of petrol, 21.7-day supply of diesel, and 25.3 days' jet fuel in-country. There were five ships on the water within New Zealand's EEZ, containing 12.5 days' petrol, 6.1 days' diesel, and 2.0 days' jet fuel. A further 10 trips were on the water outside the EEZ, carrying 18.9 days' petrol, 26.7 days' diesel, and 23.1 days' jet fuel.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 01:21 UTC
Breakfast briefing: War consequences bite harder
The UST 10yr yield is now just on 4.44%, unchanged from Saturday, up +5 bps from a week ago. The Australian 10 year bond yield starts today at 5.11%, down -2 bps from Saturday. The price of gold will start today down -US$18 from Saturday, now at US$4493/oz, and down -US$80/oz from a week ago. That all means our TWI-5 starts today holding at just on 61.4, but down -70 bps for the week. The bitcoin price starts today at US$66,456 and up +0.4% from this time Saturday, down -4.5% for the week.
Source:Stuff
March 30, 2026 01:12 UTC
Dunedin Uber driver accused of sexual assault, kidnapping
File photo: Getty ImagesA Dunedin Uber driver allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted two of his passengers, a court has heard. When the defendant claimed to be living in Dunedin, the woman told him not to contact her again. The defendant allegedly suggested a game of paper-scissors-rock – the winner would get what they wanted, he said. The driver allegedly rolled his vehicle 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 sent her a friend request on Facebook.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 00:53 UTC
Freight hit by nine days of Bluebridge cancellations
This morning BlueBridge extended cancellations until at least Tuesday evening. Photo: SuppliedIt's been nine days since sailings were halted aboard the embattled BlueBridge ferry, Connemara due to a technical fault. This morning, BlueBridge extended cancellations with the ferry no longer expected to resume services until at least Tuesday evening. "Customers and business will end up waiting longer but freight companies will also have to manage considerations like managing their drivers rest and work break requirements," he said. What road freight companies are good at doing is managing these kinds of challenges," Clemems said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 00:53 UTC