FPH Appoints New Director and Future Director
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare appoints Anna Curzon to the Board as a non-executive director; appoints Margie Apa as new Future Director participantAuckland, New Zealand, 19 January 2026 - Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited announced today it has appointed Anna Curzon to the Board to fill the vacancy following the retirement of Pip Greenwood. Ms Curzon will join the Board as a non-executive director with effect from 1 February 2026. Ms Curzon brings a wealth of knowledge in the technology and financial services industries and is a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council. Margie Apa appointed Future DirectorFisher & Paykel Healthcare has selected Margie Apa to participate in its Future Directors programme with effect from 1 February 2026. I look forward to contributing to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.”About Fisher & Paykel HealthcareFisher & Paykel Healthcare is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of products and systems for use in acute and chronic respiratory care, surgery and the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Source:Stuff
January 19, 2026 09:06 UTC
Man dies in drowning at Coromandel beach
Despite best efforts by emergency services, the man died at the scene. Surf Life Saving New Zealand confirmed its teams attempted to save the man and the Hot Water Beach Search and Rescue squad and lifeguards from the paid lifeguard service responded. A spokesperson for Surf Lifesaving said the man was found face down in the water unresponsive. The man was taken to shore but could not be resuscitated, the spokesperson said. The drowning had happened at an unpatrolled beach, the spokesperson said, with the nearest surf lifeguards 8km away.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 08:38 UTC
Fatal water incident reported at Rotorua geothermal site
A man has died after a water-related incident at a geothermal area in Rotorua late on Sunday night. According to a report by Stuff, Emergency services were alerted to the incident at Tukiterangi St in Whakarewarewa at around 9.40 pm after the man was pulled from the water unconscious. Paramedics and other responders attempted to revive him at the scene. “Despite efforts to revive him, he was unable to be saved,” as quoted by Stuff. Authorities confirmed the death will be referred to the Coroner for further investigation.
Source:Stuff
January 19, 2026 08:12 UTC
Man dies in geothermal area in Rotorua in ‘water-related incident’
On December 21, a local mother died after being pulled unresponsive from the water near the Waiotapu geothermal area. Police later confirmed Rotorua woman Briar Stockley, 42, died near the Lady Knox Geyser in Waiotapu. The Waiotapu area, a 25-minute drive south of Rotorua, is home to a famous geothermal attraction in the Taupō volcanic zone. In February two years ago, a man was believed to have fallen into a fenced-off hot pool in the Fenton Park area of Rotorua. A person contacted police concerned they had heard someone fall into a scorching hot pool.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 19, 2026 07:44 UTC
Lake Waikaremoana Track Day 4
Day 4 was a fairly short 7 kms to the water taxi pick up. This is where the water taxi picks us up. This is the view from the water taxi of the climb on Day 1. The original plan was to get the water taxi at 4 pm and stay overnight in Wairoa. Next summer is Great Walk No 10 – the Routeburn!
Source:Stuff
January 19, 2026 06:40 UTC
High-speed trains derail in horror crash
"The Iryo 6189 Málaga - (to Madrid) train has derailed from the track at Adamuz, crashing onto the adjacent track. Adif said the accident happened about 10 minutes after the Iryo train left Malaga heading towards Madrid at 6.40pm. The Iryo train had more than 300 passengers on board, while the Renfe train had around 100. I am still trembling," Maria San José, 33, a passenger in coach 6 on the train travelling from Malaga to Madrid, told El Pais. A woman named Carmen posted on X that she had been on board the Iryo train to Madrid.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 04:00 UTC
Luxon vows nothing 'extravagant' in State of the Nation
Luxon used his State of the Nation speech last year to proclaim 2025 would be the year the country would "go for growth". Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivering his State of the Nation address. That's why there will be more savings in this year's Budget and no room for extravagant election promises," he said. As it was a National Party event, Luxon did not mention his coalition partners ACT or New Zealand First. There were also no policy announcements during the speech, though Luxon repeated National's pledge to raise the default KiwiSaver contribution rate if re-elected.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 01:03 UTC
Finding missing tramper involved 'huge amount of luck'
Graham Garnett. Photo: Supplied/NZ PoliceTwo people who stumbled upon a tramper missing for almost three weeks in the upper South Island were in the right place at the right time. "We are thrilled with the great news and while being immensely proud of our staff, there was a huge amount of luck involved. A West Coast Regional Council environmental sciences group manager Shanti Morgan said two staff members were involved in the rescue of the missing tramper from Venus Hut on Sunday along with helicopter staff and others. Four specialist canyon teams, as well as a Defence Force NH90 helicopter, were involved in the search.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 00:15 UTC
Luxon invited to join Trump's Gaza 'board of peace'
US President Donald Trump and New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon in South Korea last year. Photo: Getty ImagesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has been invited to join US President Donald Trump's 'board of peace' for Gaza as the White House tries to push beyond the ceasefire. A spokesperson for the prime minister said he welcomed the beginning of the next phase of the peace plan for Gaza. He was invited to join the board and will give it "due consideration". If a country wanted to stay on, Bloomberg said, it would have to make a cash contribution to its efforts of $US1 billion ($NZ1.7 billion).
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 19, 2026 00:05 UTC
The big issues facing the new All Black coach
The new All Blacks coach will have plenty of issues facing them when they take the job. Photo: Getty ImagesSo while the All Black conversation turns to who will be named as new coach, it's worth weighing up just what they're getting themselves into. There's also the fact that while Robertson is gone, all of his assistants are still employed. All were disappointing in their own way, but it also sets a marker that whoever takes over will likely be judged by. Legacy and curseMuch was made about the Eden Park record last year and to give credit to Robertson, the defence of it will stand as his most impressive result as All Black coach.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2026 23:52 UTC
Senegal stun hosts Morocco to win Afcon final marred by ugly scenes
They were eventually contained by a large barrier of police and stewards, and their anger turned to delight and disbelief when the penalty was saved. Sadio Mane won possession in midfield and found Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released his namesake Pape Gueye. They could still have forced a penalty shootout, with Nayef Aguerd heading against the crossbar in the second half of extra time. Senegal could have been more comfortable had Cherif Ndiaye not squandered a glorious chance to make it 2-0 late in the extra period, but they held on. Any investigation into the disgraceful scenes during the game will focus on the conduct of the Senegal team and their fans as well as any shortcomings by Moroccan organisers.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 18, 2026 23:38 UTC
How council worker and pilot stumbled across missing tramper, Graham Garnett, who was feared dead
Police said contractors working in the area made the discovery, and Garnett was rushed to Nelson Hospital and reunited with his family. The Herald can reveal that Garnett was found by a Heliventures NZ pilot and a West Coast Regional Council staffer. The pair were installing signs at Venus Hut for the Department of Conservation (DoC) ahead of a predator control operation. A fellow tramper once reviewed Venus Hut saying it was “insulated, double glazed, spacious” and “nestled on a small clearing with bush surrounds”. “Features include a water tank and a well-stocked woodshed, mostly chainsawed to length and reasonably dry, an axe and … a logsplitter also provided.”
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 18, 2026 23:26 UTC
Five things to watch in New Zealand’s economy in 2026
“As households gain a little more breathing room, the improving domestic backdrop is likely to support consumer spending, business confidence and hiring. The 200 basis points (bps) of cuts in 2025 – taking the OCR to 2.25% – was helping to support economic activity, he said. But there was little need for the Reserve Bank (RBNZ) to hurry in its tightening, Smith said. “With our high share of renewable electricity, New Zealand is very well positioned to support AI-linked growth. But energy security remains a major challenge, and we need the right infrastructure to make the most of this opportunity,” Smith said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 18, 2026 23:06 UTC
EU and Britain against taking of Greenland
Photo: ReutersThe European Union and Britain stand firm in their commitment to uphold the sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says. Trump vowed on Saturday to implement a wave of increasing tariffs from February 1 on EU members Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, along with Britain and Norway, until the US is allowed to buy Greenland - a step major EU states decried as blackmail. The shortest route from Europe to North America runs via Greenland, an Arctic territory held by Scandinavian country Denmark. Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press programme, Bessent said taking ownership of Greenland is crucial in a geopolitical chess match with Russia and China. As tensions with the EU escalated on Sunday, Bessent said he believed European leaders would ultimately "come around" to the idea of US control of Greenland.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 18, 2026 23:02 UTC