Fatal crash victim was ‘committed’ and ‘well-loved’ Hāwera businessman
“His contribution to our success cannot be understated,” Fisher said. “He demonstrated and lived our values every day and was well-loved and respected by clients and colleagues alike. “He led by example, with dedication, commitment and humour, and Monkeytoe would not be the company it is today without his influence. “Our thoughts remain with Toby’s family, friends, and all who knew him.”Police also expressed their condolences to Broomhall’s family and friends. The crash is being investigated.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 22:18 UTC
Jailed for terrifying attack on woman
Joseph Wilson brutally attacked a woman a year after serving home detention for another violent incident. PHOTO: ROB KIDDA Dunedin man duct-taped a woman, broke her shoulder and threatened to bury her in the backyard during a harrowing attack, a court has heard. Joseph Rangi Taihaere Wilson, 46, was jailed for three years and eight months when he appeared in the Dunedin District Court last week. The victim told the court she was convinced the defendant would kill her during last year’s incident and remained fearful of violent retribution. While she lay in excruciating pain, Wilson threatened to kill the woman and bury her in the backyard.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 21:53 UTC
Injured person extricated
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONFirefighters use an aerial unit to extricate a person with serious injuries from a two-storey building in Victoria Rd, St Kilda, yesterday. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said two crews were sent to the scene about 9.20amThe lift assist was used to transport the patient down to ground level for treatment via ambulance. A Hato Hone St John spokesman said one patient was assessed at the scene and taken by ambulance to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition. St John was unable to provide specific details about the patient’s injuries, the spokesman said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 21:53 UTC
Barry Manilow reveals lung cancer diagnosis, will undergo surgery
He added: “The doctors do not believe it has spread and I’m taking tests to confirm their diagnosis. He has previously been open about how he became hooked on cigarettes as a child and smoked for decades. In a previous interview with the London Evening Standard newspaper, he said: “Well, I smoked for 30 years. “Then I just started in Las Vegas and the band and I went down to a little club and somebody offered me a cigarette. Not on a pack a day, ‘cause when I was really smoking I was on three packs a day – non filters.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 21:43 UTC
Knife-wielding man allegedly bites officer
A knife-wielding Dunedin man allegedly lashed out at police with his teeth leaving one officer in hospital with bite wounds. CCTV footage revealed the man had driven to the business in an allegedly stolen vehicle, Snr Sgt Bond said. The man was handcuffed and restrained, but while being searched began "kicking and pulling against police", Snr Sgt Bond said. The man allegedly tried to bite a fourth officer while being transferred to the police vehicle. There had been previous interactions and court proceedings between the 30-year-old man and the Bridgman St business, Snr Sgt Bond said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 21:43 UTC
Away Xmas how cookie crumbles
New Zealand Defence Force soldier Corporal Aidan Tamati is spending his first Christmas away from home as he is stationed in South Korea. New Zealand Defence Force corporal Aidan Tamati, originally of Dunedin, is stationed in South Korea, and will be spending his first Christmas on base. Being in South Korea had been an amazing experience, but he was missing home, Cpl Tamati said. Cpl Tamati said he arrived in South Korea in July during one of the hottest summers recorded in the country. Cpl Tamati said their main role was to observe the armistice being applied correctly within the demilitarised zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 21:33 UTC
Black Caps v West Indies: Is New Zealand captain Tom Latham the world’s most underappreciated player?
Tom Latham celebrates his 15th test century, against the West Indies at Bay Oval. I think he’s probably considered to be a very, very, high-quality opening batsman.”Latham’s importance was on show during New Zealand’s 2-0 test series win over the West Indies this past month. “Your currency as a batter is runs,” Latham began. Photo / PhotosportPleasingly for the Black Caps, 2025 has seen Latham end a lean run with the bat in test cricket. And with the added responsibility of captaincy, Williamson predicts that the Black Caps are still to see the best of their captain.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 21:32 UTC
Seeing the light at end of tunnel trail
Peppa, 15, Carter, 4, and Sandy Bayliss enjoy a walk and a skip through the Chain Hills Tunnel trail yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHThe opening of the Chain Hills Tunnel trail has been a long time coming and is just the beginning of something special, its proponent says. A 1.5km section of the Dunedin Tunnels Trail project that goes through the historic Chain Hills Tunnel has had a soft opening over the past week. Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust chairman Brent Irving said he was very pleased with the initial response. Mr Irving said that once the trail was fully complete, he envisaged it would be one of the most widely used trails built.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 21:32 UTC
Fireworks ban in place for festive season
Much of Central Otago will be fireworks-free this holiday season as it enters into a temporary ban from Christmas Eve. The Queenstown Lakes District will be moving into a restricted fire season at the same time. No private fireworks would be allowed to be lit in the Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes and Upper Waitaki areas. In a restricted fire season most types of outdoor fires, including bonfires and campfires, require a fire permit. Central Otago and Upper Waitaki are also currently in a restricted fire season.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 20:36 UTC
Over the Moon cheese owners go to police after discovering sub-par dumped products sold on roadside
“We placed all the affected cheese in black plastic bags and took them to the dump. “Before we did this, we consulted with MPI, who supported our actions.”The cheese was taken from the landfill and resold on the roadside. “Selling dumped cheese is illegal and a food safety risk to public health. New Zealand Food Safety is investigating,” said Arbuckle. Over the Moon registered farmers’ marketsHamilton Farmers’ Market at ClaudelandsWedge Mobile Fromagerie – Hokowhitu Farmers’ Market (first and third Sunday of he month)Wedge Mobile Fromagerie – Feilding Farmers’ Market (every Friday)Over the Moon registered Waikato retail stockists
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 20:35 UTC
Letters: Why National supporters are so frustrated with Finance Minister Nicola Willis
Every word and action they said and made should be reviewed under our hate speech laws, and prosecutions made if deemed appropriate. ‘Children mourned’Under a two-word heading, “Children mourned”, in the Herald’s World section (Dec 22) are 115 words on children killed in Gaza due to recent shelling by Israel. Unicef reports two children are killed in Gaza every day due to the fragile ceasefire signed in October. The vast majority of goods, from inputs such as petrol and diesel to cars and farm tractors to T-shirts and ballpoint pens, are imports whose prices are inflated by a weak NZ dollar. I’m not aware that existing law prevents us from demonstrating humanity in treating others as we would ourselves be treated.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 20:27 UTC
‘60 Minutes’ correspondent says CBS’s Bari Weiss abruptly pulled segment on Trump deportations
So to run a story on this subject, two months later, we simply need to do more.”She continued: “And this is 60 Minutes. “Government silence is a statement, not a VETO,” Alfonsi wrote. “Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical manoeuvre designed to kill the story.”“The 60 Minutes report on Inside CECOT will air in a future broadcast,” a CBS News spokeswoman said in a statement. The segment, titled Inside CECOT, was set to cover the Trump administration’s deportations of Venezuelan migrants to Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), one of El Salvador’s most notorious prisons. We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state,” Alfonsi wrote.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 19:35 UTC
Alarming melanoma results from spot checks
PHOTO: MELANOMA NZA spot check of South Islanders has turned up some alarming statistics around skin cancer-related symptoms. Melanoma New Zealand has been travelling the country in its spot check vehicle since 2021. The organisation carried out spot checks at 44 rural locations around the country, about half of them in the South Island. Skin cancer was by far the most common cancer in New Zealand, with eight out of every ten cancers being diagnosed as skin cancer. In June this year Melanoma New Zealand launched its second mobile spot check van, which was made possible thanks to funding from partner FMG and the Lion Foundation.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 16:27 UTC
Entrepreneur cuts ties with subdivison
The Merino Downs subdivision near Twizel, in the early stages of its development. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDA wealthy United States entrepreneur has cut links with a residential subdivision in Twizel after going to court. On the Merino Downs website, Mr Crow explained why he liked the Twizel area. Mr White said there had been little activity the past two years because of rising building costs and higher interest rates than overseas. The show home owned by Mr Crow was unsold when placed on the market last year.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 15:34 UTC
Whole district to decide on name for new community facility
A concept image of the new Cromwell community facility. IMAGE: FILESCentral Otago residents are being urged to help come up with a name for the district’s new community facility on the shores of the Kawarau River in Cromwell. The Cromwell Community Board had recommended the $45 million venue have dual names — one English and a gifted te reo Māori one, Central Otago district councillor Sarah Browne said. Deputy mayor Tracy Paterson said it was important to remember the decision was for the whole district. Cr Browne urged anyone around Central Otago with an idea to contact their councillor or community board member and let them know about it.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 15:33 UTC