Cromwell man, 21, reported missing
Photo: Supplied / NZ PoliceA 21-year-old man has been reported missing from Cromwell. In a post to social media, police said Antoine was last seen on Saturday March 21 at about 11.45pm on Achil St, walking towards Inniscort St.Police believe he may also have been in the Cromwell Rugby Club area that day. "Police and Antoine's family have concerns for his welfare and would like to see him return home," the post said. If you have seen Antoine or have information regarding his whereabouts, please contact Police through 105 online or by phone. - Police reference number P065853181.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 06:35 UTC
ACT's Brooke van Velden quits politics
Photo: Marika KhabaziACT Party MP and minister Brooke van Velden has announced she won't be seeking re-election in November. Ms van Velden, the party's deputy leader and Workplace Relations Ministersaid in a statement today she had spent nine years in the public sector and it was time for a change. Van Velden said she told Seymour and the party general secretary before Christmas that she was considering leaving, and confirmed her decision with them earlier this year. She will remain a minister for now, and the party will confirm a new deputy leader at its general meeting in June. "I've been serving the people of Tamaki 100 percent until this point and that is what I'll continue to do until the election," van Velden said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 06:07 UTC
Thomas Coughlan: Nicola Willis tells Labour there’s a new sheriff in town
This strategy means that the payment won’t change the Government’s fiscal trajectory, although, unfortunately for Willis, the declining economic conditions almost certainly will. As of Budget 2025, there was only $928m left in Willis’ 2026 allowance (the rest was pre-committed to health and defence). That’s why the Government, more than a decade ago, invented the Independent Earner Tax Credit, a $10-a-week boost to middle-income people who worked but did not get any other income support. The Government pointedly went against using the Family Tax Credit and the IETC to deliver income support. Labour’s press release, potentially fearful of talking too much about beneficiaries, mentioned only “those who aren’t eligible for the in-work tax credit”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 24, 2026 06:07 UTC
Lotto changes will make it harder to win the jackpot
Photo: RNZ/Cole Eastham-FarrellyChanges coming for Lotto will make it less likely that people will win the big prize - but more likely they'll collect a small one. Lotto will also add a "division eight" prize, raise the starting Powerball jackpot from $4 million to $5m, and increase the maximum jackpot from $50m to $60m. We expect its introduction will lift the total number of weekly Powerball winners by 30 percent, from about 47,000 winners to 62,000 winners on average." But what you're selling when you're selling a Lotto ticket is you're selling hope. People are already prioritising Lotto tickets over feeding their kids and these changes will only make it worse."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 04:33 UTC
Teen girls arrested after alleged motorway dash in Auckland
Three females aged 14-18 were arrested following an incident in Manurewa around 2am, where a man’s vehicle was taken. Three teenage girls, the youngest 14, were caught speeding along an Auckland motorway overnight following an altercation with a man in a South Auckland suburb. Police said they are making inquiries into the incident after a vehicle was taken from the Manurewa area early this morning. “They had parked in the Manurewa area, when an altercation has occurred between the group. “Eventually, all three passengers left the area in the man’s vehicle, and police were contacted,” a police spokesperson said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 24, 2026 04:02 UTC
Brooke van Velden exit: what her departure means for David Seymour, Act and Tāmaki
Van Velden has succeeded, however, in putting together the least-worst resolution to the Holidays Act debacle – a problem that plagued many ministers before her. Act Party deputy leader Brooke van Velden has announced she will not stand for re-election in the 2026 general election. Van Velden is a different kind of female politician. That being said, list MP Nicole McKee is considered the strongest contender to replace van Velden as Act deputy. Van Velden has achieved a lot of change in politics in a short time, especially for someone so young.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 24, 2026 03:56 UTC
Death toll from military plane crash leaps to 66
Members of the military gather at the site of a Colombian military plane crash in Puerto Leguizamo, Putumayo, Colombia. Photo: La Voz de Amazonia/Mare Rafue/Handout via REUTERSThe death toll in the crash of a Colombian Air Force plane nearly doubled to 66 by Monday evening, two military sources told Reuters, as authorities continued to pull bodies from the wreckage. The incident was one of the deadliest accidents in recent history for Colombia's Air Force, which also injured dozens. Military vehicles later arrived, though authorities said the crash site was difficult to reach, impeding rescue efforts. Colombia's Air Force had initially reported a total of 121 people on board, comprised of 110 soldiers and 11 crew members.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 03:12 UTC
Waitākere District Court bedside hearing after Massey fire arrest
Fire crews were called to a house blaze in the West Auckland suburb of Massey. Photo / Supplied“A witness reported to police seeing a woman walking towards the property with a jerry can prior to the fire starting. The woman fled and was tracked by the dog unit and Police Eagle helicopter before being found nearby and arrested. “A 45-year-old woman will appear in Waitākere District Court today,” Goldie said. A fire broke out on Sunline Ave in Massey in West Auckland.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 24, 2026 03:08 UTC
Governor Anna Breman says Reserve Bank unlikely to lift interest rates directly in response to oil price spikes
“To meet our core mandate of price stability, monetary policy can and should ensure that a near-term inflation spike does not turn into enduring inflationary pressures. “Our target is forward looking, meaning it is the medium-term outlook for inflation that guides our monetary policy decisions,” she said. “This means balancing higher near-term inflation and potentially higher inflation expectations against a weaker growth outlook. “Key to this balance, the duration of the shock is an important factor in considering the appropriate monetary policy response.”Breman’s speech tempered financial markets a little. Indeed, wholesale interest rates had risen sharply, prompting banks to lift some of their mortgage and term deposit rates.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 24, 2026 03:05 UTC
Major night rescue operation after cliff fall on Tāwharanui Peninsula, north of Auckland
Darkness, wind and lively seasKawau Volunteer Coastguard said rescue crews navigated darkness, wind and “lively” seas. The person was not visible from tracks on the ridge, so Coastguard crews guided land-based rescuers. “Our task was not to rescue them but to try to locate them from the water point of view to help the land-based rescue team to find them,” Kawau Volunteer Coastguard said. “It was dark, and so going closer became a bit more challenging,” Kawau Volunteer Coastguard said. Crews located the person halfway down the cliff, on the north side of Elephant Rock, and shone spotlights on them.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 24, 2026 03:04 UTC
Christchurch man linked to religious group charged with rape and assault
NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Nicola Willis is set to announce details of cost relief measures for low-to-middle income households today; Canterbury crowned top regional economy. A 45-year-old man from a “religious organisation” that has a presence in New Zealand, Australia, Samoa and Fiji has been arrested and charged with sexual offending. Police said the man was due to appear in the Christchurch District Court this afternoon, charged with unlawful sexual connection, indecent assault, strangulation and rape. “Today’s arrest follows a number of allegations, and partner agencies are supporting those that have come forward,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Baillie. “It is possible there may be other allegations that we are not yet aware of, and I strongly encourage any survivor to speak with us, should they wish to.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 24, 2026 02:04 UTC
Tana Umaga leaves Moana Pasifika to take All Blacks defence coach job
Tana Umaga will leave Moana Pasifika for the All Blacks at the end of the Super Rugby season. Photo / Photosport“I know what I’m getting myself into and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”Umaga said leaving his role at Moana Pasifika was hard. “It’s going to be hard leaving, but I’m not going to be too far. Debbie Sorensen, CEO of Moana Pasifika, said the club were happy for Umaga. Neil Barnes has been brought in as senior assistant coach, Scotsman Mike Blair is set to join as attack coach and Jason Ryan will remain in his role as forwards coach.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 24, 2026 02:03 UTC
Fuel crisis: $50 a week boost for some families
The relief package targets low- to middle-income working families and will be temporary. Willis said relief would come through a boost to the in-work tax credit - part of the Working for Families scheme. "And I'd also note, working families face the obligation to get to and from work each day. Public transport already subsidised - WillisFree public transport, as the Green Party has asked for, will play a "very important role" over the coming months, Willis said. And our commitment is that we will make sure public transport remains an option for New Zealanders during this crisis."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 00:16 UTC
Samoa flights cancelled as airlines seek assurance
Photo: Air NZAir New Zealand says four return flights to Samoa for April and May have been cancelled due to rising fuel costs. Air New Zealand said it had nine services to Samoa each week and described the change as "minimal". Airlines are seeking assurance from the government, as the supply of jet fuel could be limited. We saw it in 2022 and 2023 when we had insufficient jet fuel imported into the country." Meanwhile, regional airlines are warning key air links are under growing pressure due to the rising fuel prices and operating costs.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 23:20 UTC