Member of the public disarms teen after stabbing over Pokemon cards in Newmarket
Morning Headlines | More heavy rain on the way and Canadian PM's warning at World Economic Forum | Wednesday, January 21, 2026Already a subscriber? Member of the public disarms teen after stabbing over Pokemon cards in NewmarketA member of the public helped save a shop worker after they were allegedly stabbed following a pursuit of three teens who attempted to steal Pokemon cards. The victim of the attack has also sent a warning to other youths looking to try a similar heist. Police responded to reports of shoplifting at Hobby Lords on Broadway, Newmarket, where a staff member allegedly suffered a stab wound. The employee chased after the alleged offenders, stopping one on Nuffield St before a knife was produced and the alleged stabbing occurred, Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Bunce said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 21, 2026 18:24 UTC
One hurt, two missing after slip smashes home; Rooftop rescue as water rises
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeart app. Scan the QR code to download now. Download from the app storesStream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeart is easy to use and all FREE
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 21, 2026 18:13 UTC
Prince Harry accuses tabloids of making wife’s life ‘absolute misery’
The ANL joint lawsuit is the third and final case brought against a British newspaper publisher by Harry, who has called it his “mission” to take on the tabloids “for the greater good”. ‘Greed’Dressed in a dark suit and striped tie, Harry took the stand, swearing an oath on the Bible before facing questions from ANL’s legal team. “There is also a social element concerning all the thousands of people whose lives were invaded because of greed,” the prince argued. While on the stand, Harry described the tabloid’s coverage as “a recurring traumatic experience”. “I’ve never believed that my life is open season to be commercialised by these people,” he added.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 21, 2026 17:53 UTC
Harry Brook fined $69k after Wellington nightclub incident before ODI
Brook had been close to being sacked as white-ball captain after admitting to management he had been punched. The England captain described how he reported himself to the management midway through the third ODI at the Sky Stadium in Wellington. “Obviously I made a terrible mistake, not only as a player, but as a captain,” Brook said. “But he tried to help me through it and he knows exactly what it feels like to be in this situation,” the England white-ball captain said. “He’s the best head coach I’ve had by a million miles,” the white-ball captain said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 21, 2026 17:45 UTC
'Lost control': Man threw trolley at alleged sex abuser
Photo: Getty ImagesA Gore man who threw a supermarket trolley at a man accused of sexually violating his niece is ashamed of taking justice into his own hands. The man told the Gore District Court yesterday he was embarrassed by his violent threats and vigilante justice last November, as he works with troubled youth. The defendant approached the man, telling him was going to smash his head in and threatening to kill him. The victim alerted court staff to the violent threats and was escorted out the back of the court by police. When his client saw the man again at the supermarket he became emotional and threw the trolley, counsel said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 21, 2026 17:41 UTC
Property market busy
The latest property values are good news for Gore homeowners — but it’s a different story for the district’s rural sector. The residential market showed Gore homes have increased in value by 10-15%, driven by first home buyers and investors, with strong value for entry level homes and modern buildings. Property Brokers sales manager and consultant Tara Maxwell said it was a good time to get into the property market in Gore, and encouraged people to go out and get a home. Commercial and industrial properties sit at 9.4% of the district’s value with an uptick of 9.6% and 14.3% respectively. Mr Bell said the improvements in the confidence of the economy and the central nature of the Gore district were key strengths.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 21, 2026 16:22 UTC
Brooklyn Beckham’s feud with his parents escalated. Here’s what happened.
Not since 2020’s “Megxit” has a British family feud sent such shock waves across the pond. Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, the oldest child of David and Victoria Beckham, has lashed out at his superstar parents in a blistering, multipart Instagram Story posted Monday. Rumors and tabloid whispers about a rift between Brooklyn and his parents have circulated for years and escalated in recent weeks. Victoria and David Beckham have yet to publicly respond to their son’s allegations, which made the front page of various British tabloids. I keep seeing everywhere that word, ‘feud, feud, feud!’” Nicola said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 21, 2026 15:44 UTC
Lashed out after no ride
A woman denied a ride to Balclutha by police ended up spending the night in the cells after allegedly attacking a nearby campervan. The 45-year-old arrived at the Dunedin Central Police Station at 12.30am yesterday to ask for a lift home to Balclutha, Sergeant Simon Reay said. Officers denied her request and, in response, the woman went to the nearby Woolworths carpark and allegedly began punching and kicking a campervan. Police headed over and arrested her for disorderly behaviour, Sgt Reay said. She was held in police custody overnight and charged with breaching bail, disorderly behaviour and resisting police.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 21, 2026 15:37 UTC
Mountain bike injuries fall but still high in Otago: ACC
The latest ACC statistics show the region had the third-highest number of mountain biking injuries in 2025 — 578 — costing $3.6 million to help people recover. The region crossed the 2025 finish line just behind Canterbury, which had 598 injuries (costing $2.4m) and the Bay of Plenty, which had 642 injuries (costing $3.2m). Otago’s figures were down considerably on 2024, when 624 mountain bikers claimed for injuries. Nationwide, a total of 3980 people made ACC claims in 2025, costing taxpayers $24.4m, which was also down on the 4239 claims made in 2024, costing $22.3m. ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said mountain biking was one of New Zealand’s favourite summertime activities, but riding full-speed down a mountain came with risks.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 21, 2026 15:37 UTC
Jenee Tibshraeny: Have homeowners missed the perfect time to fix?
Experts have indicated the Reserve Bank could be done cutting the OCR for the moment, and there's questions about what this could mean for homeowners. The window of time borrowers had to lock in longer term fixed rates after the OCR cut and before they started rising was narrow, and reports indicate they could have missed their chance. NZ Herald Wellington business editor Jenee Tibshraeny explained further. LISTEN ABOVE
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 21, 2026 13:11 UTC
Yeah, right: Does anyone care if patient data is safe
References1.108GB of Your Medical Records Stolen: What the ManageMyHealth Breach Reveals About NZ Healthcare Security On line at https://blackveil.co.nz/blog/managemyhealth-breach-analysis-20252.Ministry of Health. National Health IT Plan Update 2013/14. Wellington: Ministry of Health. Published in November 2013 Available online at https://www.mcguinnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/19p.-National-Health-IT-Plan-Update.pdf3.https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/9770678/Patient-portals-have-huge-potential
Source:Stuff
January 21, 2026 13:09 UTC
Multiple states of emergency: Severe thunderstorm threat as deluge hammers North Island
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeart app. Scan the QR code to download now. Download from the app storesStream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeart is easy to use and all FREE
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 21, 2026 10:22 UTC
Black Sticks made to pay for late error
Black Sticks player Emma Rainey (right) controls the ball against Ashley Hoffman, of the United States, during their match in Dunedin tonight. The Americans – who, ironically, have been in camp in Dunedin longer than the Black Sticks – started the stronger team. Ramsey used her power to beat O’Hanlon from a penalty stroke for the equaliser, and a Black Sticks penalty corner fizzled out. A late penalty corner gave the Black Sticks hope but it, like their evening, ended in frustration. The tournament continues tomorrow with Japan v USA in the early game followed by the Black Sticks playing their second-stringers.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 21, 2026 08:11 UTC
Knife-wielding hairdresser likely to be deported
A South Island hairdresser who attacked his flatmate with a knife is likely to be deported. The defendant then grabbed a large kitchen knife and began swinging it at the victim, who was cut on his fingers as he tried to defend himself. Defence counsel Bryony Shackell said the defendant had picked up the knife in the first instance after feeling threatened by the victim. Although his visa was not due to expire until September, he was likely to be deported before then. He convicted Kalutharage and ordered him to perform 150 hours’ community work and pay the victim $500 reparation for emotional harm.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 21, 2026 07:40 UTC
Hipkins takes aim at govt's performance
Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZLabour leader Chris Hipkins has come out swinging at the government in his first speech of election year, saying it is responsible for the situation New Zealand is in. Hipkins took aim at the Prime Minister's State of the Nation speech, saying New Zealanders got "another litany of blame and excuses" from Christopher Luxon on Monday when what they wanted was a "plan for the future." There was no leadership from this government, Hipkins said, and referenced comments Luxon had made in the past about New Zealanders. Hipkins closed his speech by saying Labour was "fired up and excited for election year".
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 21, 2026 07:02 UTC