Huge aurora lights up Invercargill sky
Photo: Taichi NakamuraThe forecast aurora australis lived up to its billing in the deep South. Keen aurora watcher Taichi Nakamura, who shared images of a spectacular display in the sky near Invercargill, said the "huge display" lasted most of the night. "The aurora kept pulsing and covered the entire sky, making it an exciting night being with the dancing light." Photo: Taichi NakamuraDr Griffin said the storm meant more aurora may be visible across southern skies for the next few days. Sometimes, it will remove South Island electricity transmission lines from service to prevent damage to critical equipment.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 20, 2026 22:58 UTC
Israel begins demolitions at UNRWA headquarters in east Jerusalem
‘No immunity’An Israeli foreign ministry statement defended the demolitions and said “the State of Israel owns the Jerusalem compound”. “UNRWA-Hamas had already ceased its operations at this site and no longer had any UN personnel or UN activity there,” the foreign ministry said. Although the UNRWA ban applies in east Jerusalem because of its annexation by Israel, the agency still operates in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The Saudi foreign ministry also voiced its “strongest condemnation”. The UNRWA compound was a prison during the time of the Ottoman Empire, and later became property of the Jordanian Government, which subsequently transferred it to UNRWA.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 20, 2026 22:07 UTC
Dunedin campervan attack earns woman night in cells
Dunedin Central Police Station. Photo: ODT FilesA woman denied a ride to Balclutha by police ended up spending the night in the cells instead after allegedly attacking a nearby campervan. The 45-year-old showed up at the Dunedin Central Police Station at 12.30am this morning to ask for a lift back home in Balclutha, Sergeant Simon Reay, of Dunedin, said. Officers denied her request, and in response, the woman headed over to the nearby Woolworths carpark and began punching and kicking a campervan. She was held in police custody overnight and was charged with breaching bail, disorderly behaviour and resisting police.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 20, 2026 21:39 UTC
Mayor disputes claim Central Otago 'largely empty'
Tamah Alley said Mr Jones, who also told the Otago Daily Times Central Otago was "pregnant with mining potential", had possibly misrepresented what the region was, and what it entailed. Mr Jones yesterday said he was "quite familiar with the Otago area" and would take up any invitation he received, subject to logistics. Mr Jones described Central Otago as "largely empty", while criticising a celebrity-backed fundraiser to oppose Santana Minerals’ Bendigo-Ophir gold project. Mrs Alley said Mr Jones had not acknowledged the "thriving industries" in Central Otago, which not only supported the local economy but GDP on a national scale. Cromwell Community Board chairwoman Anna Harrison said Central Otago was bustling, vibrant and full of growing communities who valued open spaces.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 20, 2026 21:36 UTC
Attacks in Australia prompt shark warning for NZ
The advice comes amid high alert across the Tasman, following four shark attacks across New South Wales in less than 48 hours. New Zealand shark scientist and conservationist Dr Riley 'Shark Man' Elliott has run a long-standing, tag-and-trace programme across the country. Although shark attacks were not as common in New Zealand, compared to the warmer climes of Australia, other environmental factors heightened risk. The conservationist had spotted three Australian-tagged great white sharks during his Fiordland expedition. Elliott said shark attacks were tragic reminders that the ocean wasn't a playground.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 20, 2026 21:24 UTC
EU vows ‘unflinching’ response to Trump’s Greenland gambit
France’s Emmanuel Macron warned against US attempts to “subordinate Europe”, and blasted as “unacceptable” Trump’s threats to impose tariffs of up to 25% on countries opposed to his Greenland plans. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 20. Photo / Elodie Le Maou, AFPTrump had earlier insisted Greenland was “imperative” for security. “So our response will be unflinching, united and proportional,” she said. EU leaders will hold an emergency summit on Greenland in Brussels on Thursday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 20, 2026 21:15 UTC
Music industry rocked by the death of Rob Hirst, the powerful engine behind Midnight Oil
After knocking around in high school bands, he co-founded Midnight Oil, originally known as Farm, with his mate Jim Moginie in 1972. Hirst was known for his powerful drumming and activism, co-founding the band in 1972. Hirst and Moginie began as the band’s songwriting core, before Garrett later joined them in the creative engine room. We found this place, you know, almost 40 years ago.”Hirst was proud to have made music with all three daughters. Hirst was diagnosed with stage three pancreatic cancer in April 2023, just six months after Midnight Oil played their final gig at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion in October 2022.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 20, 2026 21:15 UTC
Global Dairy Prices Extend 2026 Rally At GDT Auction
Whole milk powder (WMP), the most influential product for Fonterra’s farmgate milk price, climbed 1% to US$3,449/MT, consolidating gains after a significant 7.2% rise at the previous event. Skim milk powder (SMP) strengthened further, up 2.2% to US$2,615/MT, following an already robust increase two weeks earlier. Butter rose 2.1% to US$5,314/MT, while anhydrous milk fat (AMF) increased 3.0% to US$6,191/MT, extending strong upward trends seen in the prior auction. Cheddar declined 1.4%, mozzarella recorded the largest fall at -2.3%, and lactose eased 1.8% after returning to the auction roster. Overall volumes traded totaled 27,821 metric tonnes, slightly lower than the previous event, with 114 winning bidders, unchanged from the prior auction.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 20, 2026 21:08 UTC
Global markets slide as Trump tariff threat over Greenland boosts gold
Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB, noted that banks and US tech “are at risk from EU tariffs” in response to Trump’s tariff blitz and warned this would hurt US blue chips. ‘Mistake’The move has raised questions about the outlook for last year’s US-EU trade deal, the ratification of which was frozen on Tuesday by the European Union parliament. “The European Union and the United States have agreed to a trade deal last July. US Treasury chief Scott Bessent on Monday said that any retaliatory EU tariffs would be “unwise”. That body was originally conceived to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza but its charter gives it a much broader, global remit, with Trump in charge.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 20, 2026 20:13 UTC
Newmarket Hobby Lord shop worker stabbed after chasing alleged teen shoplifters
However, the situation escalated when the suspect produced a knife and stabbed the employee, he said. Bunce said Newmarket Security arrived at the scene to restrain the 16-year-old and take the knife from him. The stabbing took place at a hobby store on Broadway, Newmarket, on Tuesday night. “We’re appalled at the unnecessary level of violence that was inflicted on this staff member last night,” Bunce said. “Police acknowledge the quick actions of Newmarket Security staff and members of the public who quickly swung into action as our staff were responding to the scene.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 20, 2026 19:59 UTC
Kiwifruit thrive in Taieri microclimate
A Taieri man has hacked the supposed secret to growing sub-tropical kiwifruit in the South. Through hard graft, he has even managed to get Zespri International, the patent holders of the popular "SunGold Kiwifruit" to run a growing trial from his home. He has multiple kiwifruit plants fruiting at the moment, and it is all possible because of a microclimate that encompasses his property. East Taieri resident Harry Lagocki thins his SunGold kiwifruit, which have had spectacular success growing at his 2ha property. Photo: Stephen JaquieryAll significant kiwifruit growing stops at Nelson and the benefit of growing the fruit here was none of the diseases in the north were present in the soil, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 20, 2026 19:39 UTC
Yoyoso parent Acecco in receivership with $11.6m debts, repayments unlikely
Acecco Holding is also a 51% shareholder of Beautylife Electronics NZ, which has so far not been affected by the company’s receivership or subsidiary liquidations. However, several of the entities in question are now in liquidation, and therefore any recoveries are unlikely. As for unsecured creditors, total claims have amounted to $8.65m. The receivers said it is unlikely that unsecured creditors will be repaid in part or in full. In total, Acecco Holdings has a current deficit of $7.45m.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 20, 2026 19:31 UTC
Sporting CEOs: What’s it like to run a major sports organisation?
Similarly, like any chief executives, those responsible for sporting institutions are expected to balance the books and run their corporate office in line with sound business management practice. Pragnell admits navigating controversial employment matters in the public eye is one of the more difficult aspects of the role. I think Kiwis really appreciate, they can handle mistakes, but just being frank about those things, about the situation, is really, really important.”All Whites captain Chris Wood. I think it’s the strategy for the organisation and what you’ve developed with staff, board and players – these are our goals. That’s how you judge success as an organisation, but naturally, you want to win.”Becker said success on the pitch is a big marker for the performance of an organisation.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 20, 2026 18:47 UTC
‘I was there’: Wedding guest comments on Brooklyn Beckham’s claims
Brooklyn Beckham accused Victoria Beckham of dancing "very inappropriately" at his wedding. Photo / Dimitrios Kambouris, AFPA guest at Brooklyn Beckham’s wedding to Nicola Peltz has backed up his claim that his mother Victoria Beckham danced “very inappropriately” with him at the reception party. In his post, he said: “She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life.”Now, Stavros Agapiou has seemingly confirmed Brooklyn’s recollection of events. Stavros is the husband of DJ Fat Tony, who performed at the wedding reception.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 20, 2026 18:32 UTC