Picnic races stalwart to hand over reins
Judy Muir works the tote at the Hawea Picnic Races in 2012. PHOTO: ODT FILESAfter 57 years as a volunteer at the Hawea Picnic Races, 80-year-old Judy Muir jokes her parents might not have approved of this achievement. It is said tongue in cheek, but it was through marriage that Mrs Muir found herself every year after Christmas stuck inside the hot aluminum totalisator building. Mrs Muir’s late husband Fred first attended as a child and his father had been there from the very start. The picnic races feature pony gymkhana events (jumping, pole bending), family fun sports races (sack races, lolly scramble, tug-of-war), and equalisator horse racing (harness racing, a locals’ hack race, human runner v horse).
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 15:33 UTC
Two avoid prison for family violence
Two offenders narrowly avoided prison after taking rehabilitative steps, amid warnings from a southern judge that family violence is at almost epidemic levels nationally. Judge Harvey said unfortunately, because family violence was at "almost epidemic proportions", the courts were sending serious offenders to prison. Te Aonui was looking after two of his victim’s children in Wellington when she came to visit. The judge also accepted Te Aonui had no previous convictions for violence "of this nature" and it was out of character. The positive report helped him narrowly avoid prison and for assault with intent to injure and threatening to kill, Te Aonui was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 15:33 UTC
NZ confirms free trade deal with India
Photo: supplied/ Prime Minister's OfficeNew Zealand and India have struck a free trade agreement, both governments say, making it easier for Kiwi exporters to reach the world's biggest population. NZ First to vote against dealThe deal makes good on a 2022 election promise from governing National Party that, if elected, it would finalise a New Zealand-India free trade agreement in its first term. The trade deal creates a new employment visa for Indian citizens, and according to the party will likely generate greater interest in Indian migration to New Zealand during a tight labour market. Dairy access to Indian markets was always going to be the holy grail for a free trade agreement with India - highly valuable but difficult to obtain, RNZ reports. McClay said dairy access would be future-proofed with a clause automatically triggering consultation for renegotiation of dairy access if India negotiated better terms with other comparable countries.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 11:24 UTC
America’s Cup: Alinghi, Luna Rossa, K-Challenge confirm entry for Naples regatta
After hints they would not return for the next edition of the Cup, Swiss representative Alinghi will be among the action, returning as Tudor Team Alinghi. They did, however, announce the sale of Red Bull’s shareholding and removed the energy drink giant’s name from their own. American group Riptide Racing are among those teams working towards launching a viable challenge by that date. It also sees teams in agreement on the America’s Cup moving to a two-year cycle, continued commitment to the women’s and Youth America’s Cup pathways, as well as shared revenues and cost-control measures. “This is about preserving what makes the America’s Cup extraordinary while building a sustainable model that benefits everyone who shares our passion for this great competition,” Dalton said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 09:31 UTC
Cheese at landfill retrieved and sold: authority
The recalled cheese includes camembert. Photo: Getty ImagesCheese previously dumped in a landfill has been taken and re-sold in the Waikato, New Zealand Food Safety says. The authority said the Over The Moon branded cheese was taken from Putaruru Landfill and was reportedly being re-sold yesterday, despite it being unsafe to eat. "Also, eating cheese that has been in a landfill for a period of time and out of the food supply chain carries very obvious food safety risks of contamination," NZFS deputy-director general Vincent Arbuckle said. They include:• Camembert• OMG• Black Truffle Brie• Galactic Gold• Halloumi• Gee's Spread (Black Truffle & Garlic Chilli flavours)• Smoked Chilli Camembert• Goat Camembert• Double DelightOver the Moon reported the issue to NZFS.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 06:42 UTC
Nelson mechanic Marie Hearn pleads guilty to shooting colleague’s cars
Diesel mechanic Marie Hearn has admitted charges linked to shooting eight rounds of bullets into two cars owned by a work colleague. Diesel mechanic Marie Hearn has admitted charges linked to shooting eight rounds of bullets into two cars owned by a work colleague. Photo / 123rfA diesel mechanic shot eight rounds of bullets into two cars owned by a colleague amid allegations of workplace bullying. Today, Marie Hearn, 62, admitted in the Nelson District Court to discharging a firearm in a public place, possessing a firearm after her licence had been revoked and two charges of possessing ammunition unlawfully. The mechanic, who described herself on social media as a former firefighter, worked for a Nelson industrial firm and drove to the workplace premises about 8.30pm on June 6.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 06:33 UTC
Queenstown restaurant loses bid over name
The Bathhouse restaurant in Queenstown. PHOTO: OTAGO DAILY TIMESA Queenstown restaurant has failed to secure an interim injunction to stop an Australian company opening a spa in the resort town with the same name. The restaurant argued by using a similar name, the spa company was taking advantage of its reputation. The Bathhouse restaurant on the lake front of Lake Wakatipu was originally a bathhouse built to commemorate King George V in 1911. The spa company said reasonable consumers, particularly tourists, would not be confused and there was no potential for damage to the restaurant.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 06:28 UTC
Stolen Bentley investigation leads police to Glen Eden gun and cars
The investigation led police to a Glen Eden address last week where four other stolen cars were found. “Concerningly, a loaded shotgun was found hidden underneath a bed where a young boy was sleeping.”A report of a stolen Bentley Bentayga, similar to the one pictured, led police to finding four more stolen cars and a loaded shotgun under a child's bed. Photo / BentleyThe weapon was seized and a 31-year-old man and 27-year-old woman charged with dishonesty charges relating to the alleged use of stolen credit cards, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The Bentley was not found, but after further inquiries, it was recovered in Huia a few days later. “This is a fantastic result with several investigation teams from the North Shore and West Auckland working together, recovering vehicles and a firearm,” Williams said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 06:25 UTC
Investors warned over Christchurch firm
Photo: Getty Image (file)Investors are being warned to "fully inform themselves" before giving businessman Bernard Whimp or anyone associated with Christchurch-based investment firm Chance Voight any more money. It was reported earlier this month the Financial Markets Authority was looking into Chance Voight Investment Corporation, as well as subsidiaries, persons and entities associated with the Chance Voight Group. The High Court in Christchurch appointed PWC as interim liquidators at the request of the FMA. The FMA said it understood Whimp had contacted investors about the interim liquidation and sought payments, which he described as donations to fund legal expenses. Whimp rose to prominence in the 2010s for making off-market offers to buy shares from investors at below their market value.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 06:05 UTC
‘An agreement worth supporting’ Labour may rescue India FTA after NZ First says it will vote against it
“From what I’ve seen this is an agreement worth supporting, while it may not be anything we anted” he said. O’Connor reiterated Peters’ concerns about dairy, but said a deal with the world’s most populous nation was significant, even without dairy access. During the Clark Government, in which Peters also served as foreign minister, Peters opposed Trade Minister Phil Goff’s trade deal with China. India is notoriously protective of its domestic dairy sector and the deal has not managed to significantly increase access to New Zealand dairy exports. “The result is a high-quality trade agreement with a trusted partner that will deliver deep and lasting benefits for New Zealand.”Trade deal highlights:
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 05:58 UTC
Fronx seat belt fails crash test
The Suzuki Fronx during testing. PHOTO: ANCAP / SUPPLIEDSuzuki Fronx owners are being warned not to carry passengers in the back seat after the seat belt failed a lab crash test. The New Zealand Transport Agency warned a similar failure in an on-road crash could cause serious injury or even death for rear seat passengers. The company said it was urgently reviewing the ANCAP testing outcomes "at the highest levels of the organisation" with Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan and Suzuki Australia. The Fronx was certified as meeting Australia and New Zealand safety standards, it said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 05:55 UTC
6 hurt in Glenorchy-Queenstown Rd crash
Six people have been taken to hospital following a head-on crash in Queenstown. A Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said crews were called after reports of a two-car collision on the Queenstown-Glenorchy Rd, in the suburb of Fernhill, about 6.20pm today. Three fire appliances and two ambulances were sent to the scene, as well as police. A Hato Hone St John spokesman said six patients were taken to Lakes District Hospital - three with moderate injuries and three in a minor condition. The road is fully blocked and Queenstown Lakes District Council staff were getting to the scene.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 05:50 UTC
Killer teen stepmum to appeal sentence in Supreme Court
Photo: Composite photo / NZMEA teenage stepmum who inflicted such severe fatal abdominal injuries on a toddler that it split the girl's pancreas, has won a bid to have the Supreme Court reassess her jail sentence. She was also found guilty of injuring with intent to injure after strangling Harlee-Rose five months before she died in April 2022. The Court of Appeal judges said that while another judge may have given slightly more discount for her young age and mental health at the time, they would not. Dutch then turned to the Supreme Court, and in a decision released today, it granted Mulford leave to appeal her sentence on the grounds of "whether the Court of Appeal was correct to dismiss the appeal". The senior court also found that Justice Campbell was cognisant of the limitations of Mulford's mental health report, and ruled that her sentence was not manifestly excessive and dismissed the appeal.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 22, 2025 05:04 UTC
Wellington City councillor Ray Chung under scrutiny for grants that included funding for a relative
Last year Chung posted a news article profiling Cadence to his Facebook page, writing “extremely proud of my nephew’s daughter, Cadence”. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little called Ray Chung to state his expectations, saying Chung will now declare his potential conflict at the next committee meeting. Photo / Mark Mitchell“Cr Chung did not declare a potential conflict of interest when this was discussed by the committee. In my view a declaration should have been made, but I do not think this would’ve warranted him being excluded from the meeting,” Little said in a statement. Grants subcommittee chair Nicola Young says councillors should take potential conflicts seriously.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 04:32 UTC
Global Youth Sevens: Kiwi teams give New Zealand rugby something to smile about
New Zealand Cavaliers girls assisted NZ U18 path to victory by knocking out second seeds Australia U18 33-24 in the quarter-finals. Then in the semis Cavaliers beat a useful Rugby Vault Rugby team, co-captained by Rotorua’s Kaiarihi Puku and Hamilton’s Matilda Chandler, 29-12. New Zealand's Koiatarau Edwards on her way to the tryline in the girls' final. The U18 girls coach Blair Baxter described the title win as “a pretty special performance and special week”. The NZ U18 Girls earlier beat Central Storm 26-10 in a morning quarter-final.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 22, 2025 03:59 UTC