Balloons over Waikato Nightglow chaos: Traffic, buses and parking fury
The Balloons Over Waikato Nightglow went back to the University of Waikato this year. The annual hot air balloon festival is owned and governed by the Balloons Over Waikato Trust, which contracts Wellington-based Lightning Events to deliver the event. Balloons Over Waikato chairman Steve Gow said they were aware of the “frustration” and apologised on behalf of the event. Regarding the bus and park-and-ride services, Gow said Balloons Over Waikato partnered with Waikato Regional Council, which co-ordinated and delivered the free services through its providers. Those affected will be offered a full refund on parking and are asked to contact Balloons Over Waikato directly.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 26, 2026 00:39 UTC
Stadium scale-down aimed at securing more shows
File photoDunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) has unveiled plans for a Capacity Reduction System at Forsyth Barr Stadium. The proposed curtains will increase the variety of ways the stadium can be configured to capitalise on an increasing market for ‘arena’ sized music and sporting events. The mid-tier ‘Arena Mode’ will enable the stadium to host between 8000 and 12,000 - perfect for the mid-sized touring shows that promoters across New Zealand are increasingly seeking. Our vision for the Capacity Reduction System is a solution that positions Dunedin to secure events we are currently missing out on. Rather than waiting for content to return, we are investing in our ability to attract it.” Mr Doorn said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 26, 2026 00:19 UTC
Electricity Authority launches power comparison site Billy
“Heading into winter, many households will face an increase to their power bill. It then funded Powerswitch with about $1.4 million a year, but announced last year that was coming to an end. The authority said the upfront investment for Billy was $2.5m. The site does not receive a payment from companies when users switch to them, as Powerswitch does. Consumers need advice from a truly independent source that doesn’t have a dog in the race.”
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 26, 2026 00:17 UTC
Man with knife arrested in garage of student flat
The man was found in a garage in Queen St. Photo: Google MapsA knife-carrying man allegedly tried to break into a north Dunedin flat in the middle of the night to wake up a woman he had briefly met. Residents of the Queen St property were startled at about 2.20am yesterday to see a 23-year-old man trying to open once of their windows, Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said. He failed in trying to open the window, and fell asleep below the window. When he woke a short time later, he left a knife he was carrying lying below the window and broke into the flat’s garage. Police arrested the man and he was charged with being unlawfully in a building and possession of a knife in a public place.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 23:12 UTC
Drenching, buffeting on way for parts of Otago
MetService has issued a slew of severe weather advisories for the country. Image: MetServiceParts of coastal Otago, including Dunedin, are set to be hit by some wild weather leading into the weekend. While the worst of the severe weather lashing the country is in the North Island, some heavy rain and strong winds are forecast for parts of the South. The forecaster said northeast winds could approach severe gale in exposed places, especially on Otago Peninsula. There is also an orange heavy rain warning for North Otago and Canterbury south of Timaru and east of Otematata, for 13 hours from 5pm today.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 22:18 UTC
Southern driver racks up 117 speeding offences in rental car
Photo: Getty ImagesA woman driving a rental car hit speeds of 170kmh while racking up 117 speeding offences all over Otago and Southland in a week. The rental car company reported her to police after their systems recorded her reaching speeds of 170kmh and 157kmh yesterday morning, Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said. The vehicle had recorded 117 instances of speeding since the car was rented on March 19. ‘‘The rental company requested the immediate cancellation of the hire of the agreement,’’ Sgt Lee said. The rental company collected the car, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 22:18 UTC
Entertainment centre to be rebuilt on existing site
The former Roxburgh Town Hall and Entertainment Centre was destroyed in a fire last year. Photo: Andrew Gordon/filesThe Roxburgh Entertainment Centre will be rebuilt on its existing site. Last week the Teviot Valley Community board passeda resolution to recommend the council proceed with the design and construction of the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre on the existing site as planned. Neighbour of the existing site Anne-Marie Gardiner suggested the council buy 1406sq m of her property to enlarge the existing site. Mr Jessop said he favoured going ahead on the existing site while investigating creating a stage two for further expansion.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 22:02 UTC
Big softie bikers raise $2000-plus for SPCA
Dunedin SPCA huntaway collie Tanggol with SPCA community support officer Eric Odell and Niflheim Social Motorcycle Club members (from left) Sean Lloyd, Marinus Leppens, Chris Dowson, Matt Rowling and Karl Winton (front right). PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENSome motorcycle clubs have historically had a bad rap for being uncaring and antisocial. But Niflheim Social Motorcycle Club co-founder Karl Winton said he and many of the club’s members were big softies — particularly when it came to animals. Dunedin SPCA community support officer Eric Odell was delighted with donation. "It goes towards feeding, vaccinations, de-sexing, caring for the animals, basically — $2000 goes a long, long way here, for sure.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 21:35 UTC
Dunedin-born broadcaster Catherine Saunders dies
Catherine Saunders. Photo: NZMEDunedin-born-and-raised broadcaster Catherine Saunders has died. Mrs Saunders, nee Dowling, was born in Dunedin and attended St Philomena’s School. She also had her own television show, Tonight with Cathy Saunders. In 2001, she was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to broadcasting and the community.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 21:35 UTC
Christchurch cancer drug campaigner dies aged 45
Vickie Hudson-Craig with her husband Ryan and daughter Ruby. Photo: SuppliedA Christchurch woman who advocated for the public funding of lifesaving cancer drugs has died aged 45. Vickie Hudson-Craig and husband Ryan at the 2024 Heart Surf fundraising event. “To have that hope just wiped away is just devastating.”Vickie Hudson-Craig, her 5 year old daughter Ruby and husband Ryan. Hudson-Craig died on March 13.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 21:31 UTC
Bullying linked to inmate's suicide mismanaged by corrections
A Dunedin-born man died by suicide after being bullied in jail — an issue which was mismanaged by Corrections — a coroner says. Coroner Allie Cunninghame recommended bullying be "proactively" managed in prisons and said greater training for custodial staff needed to occur. Tragically, in 2016, his father, Russell Braddock, died in an avalanche in France, which led to an exacerbation of Nicholls-Braddock’s alcohol issues. Four days before his death, officers found a tattooing needle, ink and tobacco in Nicholls-Braddock’s cell, which resulted in a misconduct charge. In desperate phone calls to family, Nicholls-Braddock suggested the items were not his and said he had been repeatedly assaulted.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 21:14 UTC
General Debate 26 March 2026
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Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 20:58 UTC
Peptide therapy is booming on social media. Here’s everything you need to know
Here’s everything you need to know about what peptides are and why they’re flooding your social media feed. If you’ve scrolled social media lately, you may have heard people talking about GHK-CU, BPC-157, TB-500 and “stacks” on podcasts and TikTok feeds. Who’s taking peptides? A friend told her about trying BPC-157 after an injury, and before long Smith’s social media was flooded with talk of peptides. And what really scares me are these side effects and contra-indications of who should and shouldn’t be taking what peptides,” Smith says.
Source:Stuff
March 25, 2026 20:16 UTC
Expansion won’t encroach on town: miner
Millers Flat. Mr Johnstone said expansion was driven by the gold price and natural progression. Teviot Valley Community Board chairman Mark Jessop, who lives in Millers Flat, said the meeting would be interesting to see who would be affected. It had brought money into the town and Faigan’s Cafe would reopen next week after the mining company bought it. Millers Flat Water Company chairman Tony Dons said the company had 126 connections to residents in the town.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 19:50 UTC
Ong: 'Why would I consider resigning?'
Councillors yesterday accepted the findings of an independent investigator, decided Cr Ong breached the Dunedin City Council’s code of conduct and asked him to consider resigning. Photo: Gerard O'BrienSpeaking to media afterwards, Cr Ong said he had not considered resigning. The council voted 10-2 to invite Cr Ong to consider resigning. Asking Cr Ong to consider resigning did not serve a useful purpose, he said. Calls for Cr Ong to resign have come while a by-election is being held to replace Cr Jules Radich, who died in January.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 17:58 UTC