De Groot, Tavatavanawai pull out late for Highlanders
Timoci Tavatavanawai will play no part in tonight's clash with Moana Pasifika. Photo: Gregor RichardsonThe Highlanders have made two late changes to their team for tonight’s game against Moana Pasifika. Loosehead prop Ethan de Groot is on paternity leave as he is due to become a father for the first time. Co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai has been scratched with a foot injury. Moana Pasifika: William Havili, Solomon Alaimalo, Tevita Latu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Glen Vaihu, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Joel Lam, Dominic Ropeti, Niko Jones, Miracle Fai’ilagi (captain), Allan Craig, Veikoso Poloniati, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Millennium Sanerivi, Abraham Pole.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 07:02 UTC
Search turns to Lake Dunstan after sandal found
Antonie Richard, in the clothes he was last seen wearing. Photo: Supplied / NZ PolicePolice are continuing their search for a missing man in Cromwell after a sandal matching what he was last seen wearing was found on the shore of Lake Dunstan. Antoine was last seen wearing light coloured knee length shorts, a black t-shirt and light grey rubber sandals. Police said search teams had located a grey rubber sandal from the shore of Lake Dunstan. They are urging anyone who may have seen someone matching Antoine's description to get in touch.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 06:34 UTC
Breakfast briefing: Risk aversion rises on more policy corrosion
Their 1-5 curve is steeper at +26 bps (+7 bps) and the 3 mth-10yr curve is now at +72 bps (+9 bps). The Japanese 10 year bond yield is up +2 bps at 2.27%. The Australian 10 year bond yield starts today at 5.07%, up +15 bps from yesterday. The Kiwi dollar is -50 bps lower against the USD from yesterday, now at 57.7 USc. Against the euro we are -30 bps lower at just on 50 euro cents.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 27, 2026 04:49 UTC
Hipkins did receive advice he says he didn’t
The Herald reports:Then-Covid Response Minister Chris Hipkins received advice about the potential risks of a second Covid-19 vaccine dose for teenagers at a time when tens of thousands of them had yet to get a follow-up jab. The Phase Two report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response said the advice was never delivered to ministers, but the Herald has unearthed a Cabinet paper, in Hipkins’ name, from March 2022 that includes the advice in question. It was from the Covid-19 Vaccine Technical Advisory Group (CV TAG), on December 9, 2021, and it covered the possibility of “unnecessary risk” of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) following a second dose of the Covid vaccine for under 18s. It recommended considering changing the requirements of existing vaccine mandates – for the 12-17 age group – from two vaccine doses to one. …Labour’s response to pressure from the Government has leaned on the Royal Commission’s report, which said: “Ministers we interviewed could not recall receiving that advice, nor is there any evidence it was provided to them in the material we obtained from agencies.”But Hipkins’ Cabinet paper indicates he knew of the advice, which was shared with Cabinet colleagues in a Cabinet Social Wellbeing Committee meeting (Hipkins is not listed in the minutes as being present at that March 2022 meeting).
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 27, 2026 04:42 UTC
'Horrible people': Stolen identities used to raid benefit payments
Photo: RNZA scam has been uncovered in Christchurch in which fraudsters allegedly steal beneficiaries’ identities to swindle payments from the Ministry of Social Development. Charges are expected to be laid against two people accused of identity theft and fraud. A single parent, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Star her MSD account was accessed by fraudsters in September. They allegedly used her personal information to trick an MSD call centre operator into transferring $3000 into their account, claiming it was for a rental bond. After speaking with the woman and investigating the matter further, MSD determined that fraud and identity theft had taken place.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 04:07 UTC
Hipkins denies misleading public over Covid vaccine risk
Earlier this month, Hipkins said the Ministry of Health never passed that expert advice on to ministers. However, a newly surfaced Cabinet paper, uncovered by NZ Herald senior writer Derek Cheng, showed that information was provided to ministers. Speaking on Friday, Hipkins said he had forgotten about that particular Cabinet paper, but any suggestions of a cover-up were "just utterly wrong". "I didn't recall the existence of the Cabinet paper in question," he said. Hipkins said there was "absolutely not" an active decision to keep the information from the public, noting that the Cabinet paper was slated for proactive release.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 04:03 UTC
Canadian billionaire becomes NZME's biggest shareholder
Jim Grenon's stake now sits 0.1 percent below the threshold that would trigger a compulsory takeover offer. Photo: Supplied/RNZ: Brad WhiteNew Zealand-based Canadian billionaire Jim Grenon has increased his shareholding in listed media company NZME, owner of the New Zealand Herald and Newstalk ZB. A notice to the NZX shows Grenon spending just under $2 million to acquire almost 1.8 percent of NZME, making him its largest shareholder. His total stake now stands at 19.9 percent, just below the 20 percent threshold that would trigger a compulsory takeover offer under New Zealand law. Separately, NZME director and former cabinet minister Steven Joyce has almost doubled his shareholding to just over 100,000 shares.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 04:01 UTC
Dan Carter kicks new Christchurch stadium into life
Crusaders legend Dan Carter, Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon were among the crowd that gathered to open the city's new stadium on Friday morning. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha was held before the first event takes place next month. Carter's dad Neville also held the ribbon as Mauger, Luxon and Arahura Araitia-Tau officially opened the stadium. Costing $683 million, the new fully covered stadium is Christchurch City Council’s largest project. I’m so proud of council staff and everyone who has contributed to delivering One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha – on time and within budget no less.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 02:54 UTC
Woolworths fined over South Dunedin rat infestation
The South Dunedin supermarket was closed for 18 days in February last year following numerous sightings and captures of rodents. Supermarket giant Woolworths has been fined $33,000 after admitting it failed to control a rat infestation at one of its Dunedin branches. The company was hauled before the courts in December after Woolworths Dunedin South (formerly Countdown) was closed for 18 days in February 2024, following numerous sightings and captures of rodents. Yesterday, the court heard that between October 2023 and February 2024, at the Dunedin South store, rat sightings were reported to management, recorded in the relevant register and a pest control contractor attended. Between October and December there were approximately 112 rat sightings logged in the register.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 02:37 UTC
Gregg's coffee factory in Dunedin to close
The smell of coffee wafting from the Gregg’s factory in Forth St, Dunedin, could soon be a thing of the past. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYDozens of workers will lose their jobs with the closure of Dunedin's Gregg's coffee factory announced this afternoon. The company has declined to say how many roles will go with the Gregg's closure but the factory is believed to have a staff of around 50. It has been part of the city since 1862, when Irish-born William Gregg established the coffee and spice manufacturing business. "I think we’re all feeling incredibly sad because Gregg’s has been an iconic brand in Dunedin.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 02:37 UTC
Rain hits top of South Island, more on way for Far North
Several roads are already closed across the Tasman district. Photo: Tasman District CouncilThe Tasman District Council is asking people to stay off the roads as the storm battering the country hits the top of the South Island. Mārahau was currently inaccessible as Riwaka-Sandy Bay Road and Kaiteriteri-Sandy Bay Road are closed due to flooding and rockfall. Further north, rain was starting to clear out from Northland this morning after it got a battering overnight. Makgabutlane says the areas most likely to experience downpours from those thunderstorms will be Northland, the central North Island and the west coast of the South Island.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 01:45 UTC
Threatened black-billed gulls found poisoned in Te Anau
The Department of Conservation is appealing for information on the poisoning of black-billed gulls in Te Anau this January. Photo: DOCTen threatened black-billed gulls are dead after being poisoned by a rapid-acting bird control agent on the Te Anau lakefront. Black-billed gulls are Protected Species under the Wildlife Act 1953, and it is an offence to hunt, kill, catch or possess them without authorisation. Te Anau operations manager John Lucas said the deaths were a disappointing blow for the Te Anau population. "They primarily eat invertebrates and fish and are less likely to be found scavenging than other gull species.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 27, 2026 01:33 UTC
Kaitāia flooding: 500 evacuated after Far North town drenched in rain
The Northland and Far North areas were the worst hit by this week’s weather, with 230-280mm of rain hitting the regions. The Whangārei District Council and the Far North District Council remain in states of emergency. Shackleton, who has lived in her house for 20 years, believed the flooding happened after a riverbank failed. The Far North town received more than double its monthly rainfall in two days, said MetService. The Pak’nSave Kaitāia store and fuel site had some flooding.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 27, 2026 01:29 UTC
Coromandel flooding: Hahei darts player takes out the win for frozen chicken, but finds himself stranded by floods
NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Weather conditions have eased in Northland, Trump insists Iran is engaged in negotiations. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Coromandel flooding: Hahei darts player takes out the win for frozen chicken, but finds himself stranded by floodsA keen darts player battled into the night to win a frozen chicken, even as floodwaters rose around him. When Hahei darts enthusiast Tim Stephens prepared to take home his hard-earned winnings, he discovered he was stuck. He put in a strong performance notching a 140 high score and winning the frozen chicken.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 27, 2026 01:21 UTC