Election season heating up as firefighter stands
Joseph Mooney. Photos: suppliedElection season has started in Southland with incumbent Joseph Mooney once again putting his hat in the ring — but an unlikely Labour candidate may prove a formidable challenge. The election will be held on November 7 and National MP Joseph Mooney is running for a third term. Facing Mr Mooney is a new face to the Labour Party, Dipton farmer Peter McDonald, who has plenty of experience serving his community. It’s good to have multiple points of engagement for Southland — the more the better — and another advocate for Southland with Labour," he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 05:55 UTC
New Zealand is expensive - here's what we can do about it
Image: RNZNew Zealand is an expensive country, Reserve Bank chief economist Paul Conway says, with many products priced well above the OECD average. The price of housing services and utilities in New Zealand is also assessed as being the most expensive in the OECD." Real per capita income in New Zealand was below the OECD average, he noted. Further, productivity growth in the New Zealand economy fell significantly following the global financial crisis and has been negative in the wake of the pandemic. "Improving the purchasing power of New Zealand households requires improved productivity.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 05:55 UTC
Father of meningitis victim renews vaccine plea
Put simply, meningococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria. People who survive meningococcal disease often have serious long-term effects, including amputation of limbs, hearing loss, seizures, brain injury, and permanent skin scarring. File photoHe wants universal access to the vaccine before students leave school, saying the current system is "not good enough". The outbreak has reinforced fears about how quickly meningococcal disease can spread in close-living environments such as university halls. His only daughter, Courtenay, a "normal, healthy 16-year-old", had received a standard meningitis vaccine as a youngster, but her family later learned she wasn't fully protected against "all of the different strains".
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 03:40 UTC
How two faulty vehicles sparked $1.4m Tongariro fires a month apart
Investigators managed to locate a vehicle about 400m from the site of the fire’s origin, on the opposite side of the road, hidden from sight. The November fire was likely ignited by a vehicle losing a wheel and causing the undercarriage to scrape along the road producing sparks. Photo / SuppliedWhen found, the vehicle did have four wheels fitted; however, the left-hand rear wheel was not correctly attached. There was damage to the underside of the vehicle “and evidence of metal components being subjected to high temperature”. Photo / SuppliedAs the trailer was dragged along the road, sparks landed in roadside grasses.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 25, 2026 01:56 UTC
Jetstar axes some NZ flights amid fuel price surges
Photo: ODT filesJetstar has axed a number of New Zealand flights as the war in the Middle East drives up the price of jet fuel. A Jetstar NZ spokesperson said 12 percent of scheduled services had been affected, including some services between Auckland and Christchurch as well as Auckland and Wellington, and some international flights between Auckland and Sydney and Auckland and Brisbane. The changes were temporary, the spokesperson said, due to the rise in jet fuel prices and other rising costs. It said like other airlines it was dealing with unprecedented volatility with jet fuel prices due to the conflict in the Middle East and was adjusting schedules to manage the impact. Reuters reports jet fuel prices have soared from $US85-90 per barrel to $US150-200 per barrel in recent days leading to a number of airlines including Air New Zealand increasing fuel surcharges.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 01:53 UTC
$10k for dinner with Luxon
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during a cooking demonstration at Fonterra's headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, last year. Photo: RNZ / Giles DexterAnyone with a spare $10,000 can buy a chance to eat dinner with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the Christchurch Town Hall next month. That is how much it will cost for a seat at the most expensive "platinum" table where Luxon will be sitting during the National Party's 'Mainland Dinner' fundraiser. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and Women’s Minister Nicola Grigg will also be there. A National Party spokesperson told the Herald: "National is holding a campaign fundraising dinner with MPs in their capacity as leader and spokespeople.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 25, 2026 01:27 UTC
Pair sought as Queenstown shop worker left 'extremely shaken'
Photo: NZ PoliceQueenstown police are hunting for two men over disorder in a shop which left a worker distressed. "Nobody was physically injured, however the store worker is understandably extremely shaken," police said in a statement. It was believed the men pictured could help with inquiries, police said. The incident hapepend at a store on Eleventh Avenue, Queenstown on January 24. If this is you, or you can help us identify those pictured, please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, referencing file number 260128/1485, police said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 21:57 UTC
Farm takes a new direction
Since then, the family had launched a free-range hen farm, selling produce under the brand Old Road Eggs. He had been feeding the milking herd baleage and fodder beet but the silage supply had not been needed, he said. The boundaries of the more than 190ha dairy farm includes State Highway 1 and Taieri River. A swollen river puts the entire dairy farm underwater at least once a year, he said. Nearly 40 people attend a Taieri Discussion Group event, run by DairyNZ, hosted by Josh and Ellie-May Adam’s dairy farm in Allanton, near Mosgiel.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 21:38 UTC
And now for something completely different: the Adam Thomson phenomenon
Highlanders flanker Adam Thomson throws himself at the Waratahs defence during a Super Rugby game in Dunedin in 2012. Photo: Peter McIntoshAdam Thomson was always a bit different. Difference can be a good thing — and Thomson was one mighty good rugby player. Thomson went on to play 29 tests and was part of the World Cup-winning side in 2011. He had stints in Japan, returned to Super Rugby with the Reds and Rebels, and played for both the Chiefs and Waikato in his final season, 2020.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 21:38 UTC
War softening sheep prices, farmers say
PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUEStrong demand for sheep is pleasing but the war in the Middle East is softening prices, Taieri farmers say. Romdale wether lambs fetched between $169 and $180 each, Romdale ewe lambs between $158 and $166 each and terminal cross lambs between $154 and $170 each. The conflict in the Middle East was softening sheep prices. Romney wether lambs fetched between $169 and $207 each, Romney ram lambs $180 each, Romney ewe lambs between $161 and $168 each, Blackface mixed sex lambs between $173 and $200 each, Texel cross male lambs between $169 and $185, Texel cross ewe lambs $164 each and Texel ewe lambs $140 each. The prices were good and on par with expectations, as sheep prices had softened due to shipping challenges as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 21:37 UTC
Kim lauds nuclear deterrent
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends an event celebrating the first session of the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang yesterday. PHOTO: VIA REUTERSNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would permanently strengthen its nuclear forces and treat South Korea as its most hostile state, as he set out policy priorities in a speech to parliament, state media KCNA reported yesterday. Kim said Pyongyang’s status as a nuclear-armed state was irreversible and expanding a "self-defensive nuclear deterrent" was essential to national security, regional stability and economic development. He rejected the idea nuclear disarmament could be exchanged for economic benefits or security guarantees, saying North Korea had already proven maintaining nuclear forces while pursuing development was the correct strategic choice. Nuclear weapons had deterred war and allowed the state to focus resources on economic growth, construction and living standards, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 21:37 UTC
Warnings issued: 33 hours of rain in store for Northland
Some heavy rain watches forecasted for the upper North Island have been upgraded to an orange heavy rain warning. The heavy rain watch which was in place for Northland is now an orange warning from 7pm Wednesday until 9am Friday. The chance of wet weather due to a deep subtropical low has now also spread with a heavy rain watch issued for other parts of the Upper North Island including Auckland. An orange heavy rain warning is in place for Northland. In the South Island Tasman west of Motueka is under a heavy rain watch from Thursday until Friday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 21:23 UTC
Celebrated composer retires from academia but music will continue
Prominent composer and University of Otago music Emeritus Professor Anthony Ritchie will retire from academia next week. The 65-year-old emeritus professor of composition, conducting, New Zealand music, contemporary music and music theory, will retire next week after 23 years in the music department. For a man who had spent most of his life immersed in music, a life without it was inconceivable. One of the greatest things about working at the university was that it surrounded him with musical inspiration for his compositions, he said. "The expectation is that you’ll still be involved with the university and its activities when you’re an emeritus professor, and I’m more than happy to do that."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 21:02 UTC
Fuel prices keep drivers off roads
Photo: ODT FilesRising fuel prices appear to be keeping some travellers off the roads in the main centres. Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub helped RNZ compile NZ Transport Agency data showing traffic at sites throughout the country. "I think prices have risen even more since then and high prices discourage people from driving, so it's not surprising." "Some people will still be burning through the remaining fuel they might have purchased beforehand. But he said the drop in crude oil prices in recent days should help to stop prices from increasing as quickly.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 19:56 UTC
Price of fuel keeps drivers off roads
Photo: ODT FilesRising fuel prices appear to be keeping some travellers off the roads in the main centres. Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub helped RNZ compile NZ Transport Agency data showing traffic at sites throughout the country. "I think prices have risen even more since then and high prices discourage people from driving, so it's not surprising." "But I think probably too early to make it definitive that you're seeing an absolute switch in activity." But he said the drop in crude oil prices in recent days should help to stop prices from increasing as quickly.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 24, 2026 19:56 UTC