‘Sinners’ breaks all-time Oscars record with 16 nominations
But its huge tally included a best actor nomination for Michael B. Jordan – who plays twins returning home to the 1930s segregated US South – plus nods for everything from screenplay to score. One Battle After Another came in second place with 13 nods including best picture, best actor for Leonardo DiCaprio and best director for Paul Thomas Anderson. Guillermo del Toro’s monster epic Frankenstein, Timothee Chalamet’s ping-pong drama Marty Supreme and Norwegian arthouse favourite Sentimental Value each bagged nine nominations. While Sinners tops the nominations, One Battle remains the frontrunner to win best picture, having won almost every precursor prize going so far this awards season. International votersWith the Academy’s overseas voter base rapidly expanding, both Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent were nominated for best picture.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 22, 2026 18:27 UTC
Aucklanders lured south by 'big-little city'
Photo: File imageAuckland first-home buyers and other out-of-towners continue to be lured to Christchurch as property values grow at a faster rate than other main centres. The index recorded a modest drop nationally in property values of 0.2% in December and 1% over the year. Overseas arrivals from the likes of India or South Africa are often making new homes near migrant communities. The latest OneRoof house price figures show the average property value in Christchurch is about $805,000. The property market was providing good value for money with a three-bedroom house in a suburb close to the city going for $700,000 to $800,000, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 18:27 UTC
Serial scammer jailed again after cleaning out 91-year-old's bank account
A serial scammer with a lengthy history of targeting vulnerable elderly women has been sent to prison again after “entirely” cleaning out a 91-year-old’s bank account over five weeks. The court heard that in February 2025 McAuley knocked on the victim’s door and claimed to be “doing rounds for gutter cleaning”. Photo / Greg BowkerSarah said her mother was deeply affected by McAuley’s offending. Photo / NZME“I want a sentence that reflects the deliberate targeting of elderly women in vulnerable positions,” she said. McAuley has been jailed repeatedly for ripping off elderly women.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 22, 2026 18:25 UTC
Removal planned for scout hall before blaze
The site of the old Roslyn scout hall, which was destroyed by fire on January 14. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHPlans to remove the Roslyn scout hall were under way a week before a large fire ripped through the more than 100-year-old building. On January 14, passing Roslyn firefighters noticed smoke billowing from the hall in School St, Kaikorai. The fire quickly engulfed the structure and significant efforts were put into extinguishing the blaze. Firefighters fought the blaze for about five hours and smoke from the fire prompted emergency danger alerts across the city.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 18:13 UTC
PM heckled touring flood-hit region, anxious relatives gather at campground
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Source:New Zealand Herald
January 22, 2026 18:12 UTC
Man threw coward punch in pub argument
A man was left with five broken teeth, a broken nose and a concussion after he was coward punched at a Milton pub, a court has heard. Damian Ross Wyber, 36, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to injuring with intent to injure. The court heard that on June 27, the defendant was at a pub in Milton playing pool and drinking alcohol. He stood between the two arguing men drinking a beer and without warning Wyber punched him in the face. The victim suffered a cut to his eye, a broken nose, swelling to both eyes, five chipped teeth and a concussion.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 18:11 UTC
Wet, windy weekend ahead across South
Meteorologist Silvia Martino said wet and windy weather was headed for Otago and Southland today, and was expected to hang around for the entire weekend. Although no weather warnings had yet been issued, she recommended residents prepare for them, to be on the safe side. Overnight Saturday, temperatures were expected to drop and snow may fall at higher levels around the southern regions, she said. The forecast was the same for Sunday, and wind and heavy rain warnings were again possible for Southland, Clutha and Dunedin. She said the weather was expected to ease later on Sunday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 18:02 UTC
Owner fuming as shop shut down
Central Otago artist Bridget Paape’s shop has been closed by the Central Otago District Council due to building consent non-compliance. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONA Central Otago business owner is fuming over a lack of communication after council officers turned up this week and gave her a day to close down. Gone Potty owner Bridget Paape was told by the Central Otago District Council on Monday her shop needed to close the following day. Six months later an email arrived from the council saying she did not have appropriate building consent for a commercial building. A routine resource consent monitoring inspection revealed no building consent was obtained for the change from an unlined shed/garage to a retail space, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 17:02 UTC
Construction of apartment complex to begin
IMAGE: SUPPLIEDThe first sod in Queenstown’s long-awaited, $2 billion Lakeview Te Taumata project — tipped to reshape the town’s urban centre — will be turned in three weeks’ time. The February 12 ceremony comes after Australian developer Ninety-Four Feet last month paid the council $8 million to secure the first parcel of what used to be the 10ha Queenstown Motor Park. In turn, it follows the 2019 signing of a development agreement between Ninety-Four Feet, triggering a council spend of about $70 million on civil works. Five percent of proceeds will also be given to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust to deliver more affordable housing. "We’re seeing unprecedented interest from buyers who recognise the long-term value of Lakeview," local New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty (NZSIR) sales associate Myles Green said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 16:03 UTC
Working holiday cut after drunken crash
PHOTO: ODT FILESA Welshman on a working holiday visa has cut his stay short after crashing his car into a power pole while drink-driving. Gwion Enwyl Emberton, 19, was before the Gore District Court this week on one charge of drink-driving last November. The court heard he was on a working holiday visa, working as a contractor in Heriot and had a full UK driver’s licence. Emberton had already contacted the power company to organise payment for the damaged pole, Ms McCullum said. "He’s just made a bad decision and ... because of that he’s chosen for his working holiday to end."
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 16:03 UTC
Memories alive in display
Former Faigan’s Store manager Jude Omond, is transported back in time with memorabilia from the store now on display at the Millers Flat Bakehouse museum. The former Faigan’s Store has been brought back to life with a display at the Millers Flat Bakehouse and Museum which is just metres down the road from where the store used to be. Ivan Faigan in his Millers Flat store. Much of the memorabilia from the store, which had been converted into a cafe, is now on display next door at the Millers Flat bakehouse. On display was only a small selection of the collection, and there were more treasures to be uncovered and catalogued, she said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 15:03 UTC
Woolworths warned over range review process
The warning comes after the Commission analysed the range review processes of all major supermarkets. Photo: ODT filesThe Commerce Commission has warned Woolworths New Zealand for what it believes is a likely breach of the Grocery Industry Competition Act, following a review of major supermarkets' product delisting processes. The Commission analysed the range review processes of all major supermarkets to assess whether they were meeting their obligations under the Grocery Supply Code. The updated Grocery Supply Code is due to come into force on May 1. The revised code gives suppliers clearer rights to challenge delisting decisions and greater transparency in their dealings with major supermarkets.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 14:41 UTC
Forecasters suggest fixing home loan rates
Photo: Getty ImagesThe big interest rate question this year will probably be when interest rates start to rise materially again, but borrowers might want to fix their home loans soon, forecasters warn. BNZ chief economist Mike Jones said interest rates would likely be on hold for now. ‘‘I think we’re in a position we can probably draw a line under the downtrend in mortgage rates, but we can’t see mortgage rates jumping a whole lot any time soon either. ASB economists said the OCR and mortgage rates were now lower than they had expected in forecasts made early last year. ‘‘Longer-term NZ mortgage rates eased over 2024 to reflect the combination of the global and local outlook.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 22, 2026 13:51 UTC
Tony Brown already turned down an offer to join the All Blacks six months ago - report
Tony Brown, Springboks assistant coach, according to a report declined an offer to join the All Blacks six months ago due to his contract commitments but remains open to future possibilities after his contract is up with South Africa. Picture: BackpagePix Image: BackpagepixSpringboks assistant coach Tony Brown turned down an approach to join the All Blacks six months ago, according to a report. Brown said that he was approached by then-All Blacks coach Scott Robertson to join his coaching staff, stuff.co.nz reports. While Brown said he would like to be involved with the All Blacks, he always planned to honour his contract with the Springboks and therefore had to turn the offer down. He also left the door open to join the All Blacks in the future.
Source:Stuff
January 22, 2026 11:53 UTC
REINZ sales firmer but prices slightly softer overall in December
The housing market returned mixed results in December with stronger sales numbers but slightly softer prices overall. According to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), 6644 residential properties were sold throughout the country in December, up 8.1% compared to December 2024. However, sales activity was more muted in Auckland where 1886 residential properties were sold in December, up 2.2% compared to December 2024. However, while sales activity firmed, prices appeared softer overall. REINZ House Price Index - December 2025
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 22, 2026 11:47 UTC