Price of meth drops over 50% since 2017
The latest New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey (NZDTS) shows the price of the class A drug had fallen from $563 per gram in 2017 to $334/g in 2025; after adjusting for inflation, the price dropped even further to $253/g, which represented a 55% drop since 2017. "The percentage of high frequency users in the survey, who use meth weekly or more often, has almost doubled, increasing from 27% in 2018 to 57% in 2025. He said the growing consumption and lower prices were the result of a massive increase in meth supply to New Zealand. The annual survey provides a snapshot of drug trends via an anonymous online survey of more than 8800 people. It asks respondents about drug use patterns, market prices, views on drug policy, help services and barriers to seeking help and harm reduction initiatives.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 16:54 UTC
Shed fire quickly extinguished
PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHFirefighters remove corrugated sheets after a shed fire in the Brighton Domain yesterday. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said they received multiple calls about the fire and the first crew from Brighton arrived about 1pm. The shed was fully involved, but firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. After 50 minutes, firefighters left the scene. The shed was left in the hands of the Dunedin City Council for the remaining clean-up.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 16:54 UTC
Ed Sheeran concert Auckland: Moment police officers caught dancing to Celestial
“Ed asked everyone to jump on a song and it was really nice to see them also jumping and enjoying the music.”Footage of the moment shows two uniformed officers among the crowd on the stadium floor, caught up in the moment. “Ed Sheeran is a vibe, I can’t blame them,” wrote one. !”Ed Sheeran fan Sagar Makkar and his wife have passed their love for the singer to their 18-month-old daughter. A guitarist himself, Makkar said he has serenaded his wife with Sheeran’s hit Perfect on “multiple special occasions”. “I just filmed a normal moment and I didn’t really expect that it’ll reach so many people.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 19, 2026 16:49 UTC
War plane retires to life in Waikouaiti
Angus Murray, 13, of Waikouaiti, stands beside a Royal New Zealand Air Force Douglas DC-3 cockpit in his family’s backyard. Taking pride of place in Waikouaiti man Athol Murray’s backyard is the cockpit of a Douglas DC-3 Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) plane that was used in the war. Mr Murray’s father was also a pilot, as is Mr Murray. The Royal New Zealand Air Force DC-3 plane at the Taieri Aerodrome in November 1947. Now, it is in Waikouaiti and was a favourite toy of Mr Murray’s son, Angus, when he was growing up.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 16:43 UTC
Auckland Black Power member Tipene Kiel-Pirini jailed for Middlemore Hospital carpark shooting
Court documents state Kiel-Pirini first showed up at Middlemore Hospital with a hand injury on the afternoon of January 4 last year. Menacing drive-by, then gunfireThe victim, on crutches, was walking towards the hospital when Kiel-Pirini’s vehicle drove slowly past. Tipene Kiel-Pirini fired a gun during a confrontation in the Middlemore Hospital carpark. Photo / Doug SherringAnother associate of the Mongrel Mob member, who had initially remained in the Holden, then emerged wearing a balaclava. Of course, that doesn’t excuse having returned to the hospital with a loaded gun, both lawyers and the judge agreed.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 19, 2026 16:39 UTC
Young adults lacking awareness about sunburn: survey
A National Skin Cancer Survey — released today by the New Zealand Cancer Society and the University of Otago — has found sunburn rates are highest among young adults aged 18-24, and more than one-third of them reported more than three sunburns over a summer. "Despite long-standing awareness that skin cancer is largely preventable, these findings show that sunburn remains very common, particularly among young adults. "This seems to coincide with a significant drop in government funding for sun safety campaigns over recent years, which may be contributing to the lack of progress in reducing sunburn rates. She said 50% of respondents reported they liked to get a suntan, and 43% agreed that a tanned person looked healthier, particularly among young adults. "The high level of public support provides a clear mandate for increased, sustained and co-ordinated investment in skin cancer prevention," she said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 16:23 UTC
Everything is awesome. Or not.
Apparently, although some Kiwis may be struggling to see them, the green shoots of economic recovery were clearly visible, Mr Luxon claimed. Mr Luxon also claimed credit for the drop in mortgage interest rates — although not mentioning that several banks recently increased them. He spent more time extolling the virtues of the trade agreements the government has signed, and well Mr Luxon might. Interestingly, Mr Luxon was keen to highlight government progress on superannuation reform — a long-time focus for coalition partner New Zealand First. More of a concern to Mr Luxon would be that some people in his audience yesterday may well hold similar sentiments.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 15:41 UTC
Run of Paper
PHOTO: MICHAEL ROOKEOkarito wood artist Cliff Goodwin stands beside his "signature sculpture" for Hokitika’s Driftwood and Sand Festival. As rain was expected to mar the first few days of the four-day event, Ms Asplin encouraged people to start creating early. The Driftwood and Sand Festival has been running for 24 years. "Over the years it has grown into a much-loved annual tradition, drawing locals and visitors alike," Ms Asplin said. "Many longtime participants return year after year, making driftwood and sand a living part of Hokitika’s exciting summer story.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 15:41 UTC
Engineering company liquidated, $1.8m owed
A Canterbury civil engineering and construction company is in liquidation owing creditors more than $1.8 million. In the first liquidators’ report, their total estimated shortfall follows Inland Revenue filing a preferential claim of just over $807,000 and nine unsecured creditors owed nearly $1.08m. Civil Land Construction registered as a company in 2007 with a website showing it was based in Amberley. They had been advised the company became insolvent because of previous disputes about the purchase of the business and associated legal costs. Sole shareholder and director Jacobus Brand had responded to a request to provide company books and records, they said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 15:41 UTC
Otago well-represented on Potts podiums
While Sam Ruthe and Sam Tanner stole the show at the Potts Classic at the weekend, Otago athletes celebrated their own success. Seven Otago athletes picked up 10 medals at the inaugural New Zealand short-track championships in Hastings, run in conjunction with the national summer circuit event. McDonald was crowned the champion with a best jump of 7.47m, while Veitch won silver with his leap of 7.43m. Jorja Gibbons came home strongly to win bronze in the women’s 60m in 7.67sec, and Ryan Young won bronze in the men’s triple jump in 14.28m. Athletics Otago will host its own Otago track mile championships, Otago 10,000m championships and Otago combined event championships at the Caledonian this weekend.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 15:41 UTC
Taken out of their comfort zones and into the wild
At first, Ava Maree thought life in the wilderness would be unsurvivable without social media or online games — even if it was only for five days. The 8-year-old Mosgiel Brownie is at Berwick Lodge this week, for the 2026 Ignite GirlGuiding camp, where cellphone reception is patchy at best. But she is learning that life is actually more interesting without a connection to the outside world. Leaders of the future gather on the confidence course at Berwick Lodge yesterday as part of the 2026 Ignite GirlGuiding camp. The main aim was to encourage the girls to step out of their comfort zones and give them confidence, by being away from home and doing new things with new people.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 15:41 UTC
Boundary-hitting debut cut short by rain
Hugo Bogue, left, and Mason Clarke are both taking part in the U19 Cricket World Cup. PHOTO: PHILIP CHANDLEROtago youngster Hugo Bogue had limited time to impress with the bat in his debut at the Under-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe yesterday. Bogue faced just two balls, hitting the first for six and the second for four, before rain came down and forced the game in Bulawayo to be abandoned. New Zealand were 12 without loss after one over in pursuit of 254 for victory against the United States. Otago bowler Mason Clarke took three for 55 for the Baby Black Caps and Flynn Morey grabbed four for 40.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 15:31 UTC
Police investigate unexplained death after body found on rocks in Torbay, Auckland
Police are investigating after a body was found on the rocks at Auckland's Torbay. Police are investigating after a body was found on the rocks at Auckland's Torbay. Police are investigating after a body was found on the rocks in the Auckland suburb of Torbay this afternoon. “An investigation into the circumstances of the death is underway, and at this stage it is being treated as unexplained,” a spokesperson said. “A scene examination was underway this afternoon and further information will be provided when we are in a position to do so.”
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 19, 2026 14:30 UTC
‘She’s new in the job’ – Prime Minister and Finance Minister weigh in on Winston Peters’ rebuke of RBNZ Governor
This has been interpreted by many in the financial community as an attack on the independence of the US central bank. The statement was signed by a number of major central banks, including the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Bank of England, the Bank of Canada and all ECB central banks. In a statement on social media, Peters told Breman to ”stay in her New Zealand lane". Willis said she had subsequently spoken to the Governor about the issue and had asked why she wasn’t informed earlier. But as an independent Reserve Bank Governor, we respect the independence of our Reserve Bank,” he said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 19, 2026 11:05 UTC
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Source:Stuff
January 19, 2026 09:32 UTC