Waiheke Island blaze: Firefighters contain Ōmiha house fire
A home has been engulfed in flames on Waiheke Island. A home has been engulfed in flames on Waiheke Island. Photo / SuppliedA home has been engulfed in flames on Waiheke Island, with thick black smoke visible across the water. Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it received multiple calls about the blaze just before 3.30pm. Residents on a local Facebook page said they saw “big flames and a lot of black smoke”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 21, 2026 16:34 UTC
Technical fault sees five Bluebridge Cook Strait sailings cancelled
8:15amPicton-Wellington2:30amPicton-Wellington2:00pmSunday 22 MarchWellington- Picton8:15amPicton-Wellington2:00pmThe operator said all affected customers will be notified by email and text. “Due to limited re-booking options, standby lists across subsequent sailings will be operating from each port for affected customers to be added to. “You can change your booking online or contact our Customer Service team on 0800 844 844 (8:30am-8:00pm)." People who booked through a third-part travel agent have been asked to contact them directly to reschedule. “We apologise for the disruptions this has caused to our customers’ travel plans and appreciate your understanding as we work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”The website warns availability in March is extremely limited.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 21, 2026 16:16 UTC
Macetown road permit system starts
Shotover 4WD Club member Pete Bersani, left, prepares to open the Macetown road gate this week as mountain bikers go through its squeeze barrier. PHOTO: KEVIN MARLOWMacetown road’s managed access system goes live on Monday. The main misconception has been that the track’s a legal road, but that’s never been the case, Marlow says. The need for a fee-based permit system was prompted by a Queens-town council decision in 2024 to stop funding maintenance and repairs to the road, which it’s been doing for years despite having no legal obligation. All revenue from the fees will pay for an annual programme of road maintenance and improvements, using the same experienced contractor, Jones Contracting, the council was using.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 15:36 UTC
MS fundraiser a moving event
Organised by the Multiple Sclerosis Society Otago (MS Otago), the Move for MS event will be held next Sunday, March 29, from 9am-2pm at the Caledonian Ground, Logan Park. Organised by a committee including MS Otago community connector Katie Burns and volunteer Tillie Lassman, the Move for MS event will invite people to "Move for MS" in whatever way works best for them. Ms Burns said the Move for MS event would be an opportunity for MS Otago to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis and its impact on people and families in the city. "Our dedicated team and wonderful MS Otago volunteers continue to work hard to help people living with MS to live well." To pre-register and buy tickets for the Move for MS event, visit the link https://events.humanitix.com/move-for-ms-2026, or the Facebook event page.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 15:36 UTC
Trust hosts Samoan health leaders
The delegation includes Minister of Health Va’aaoao Alofipo, the minister also responsible for the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) of Samoa, Ms Fanene-Taiti said. ‘‘We have the pleasure to host the honourable minister who provides national leadership across Samoa’s health system, with a strong focus on strengthening public health, workforce development, and ensuring the wellbeing of communities across Samoa,’’ Ms Fanene-Taiti said. The Ministry of Health Samoa delegation included director-general Samoa June Scanlan Lui, deputy director-general for public health Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen, nurse consultant Fauatea Henry Taylor and principal nurse Falelua Maua, and human resources assistant chief executive officer Lily Vaiotu-Leauga. It was ‘‘a fantastic opportunity’’ for ‘‘relationship building’’ and for international visitors to come to the region, Ms Fanene-Taiti said. ‘‘We feel very humbled and honoured they chose Waitaki for this visit, and the Oamaru Pacific Island Trust was proud to be hosting the delegates this week.’’
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 15:36 UTC
Young shearers given a hand up via taskforce
Nine young Waitaki district shearers have received top›tier training in their field with support from the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ), the council says. Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale said local business owners Willy McSkimming and Phil Cleland worked with MTFJ ‘‘to help these young people’’. Mr Pestell said MTFJ’s role was to help young people into employment, support sustainable employment for young people and support local employers to develop and retain staff in the district. Each of the nine young shearers wrote an introductory letter about their ambitions for future employment as shearers, a statement from the Waitaki District Council this week said. ‘‘Backing initiatives like this and helping young people get a start in an industry like ours makes a real difference.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 15:36 UTC
How a Dunedin drapery fortune left a lasting legacy
The Haynes Buildings on the corner of Moray Pl and Princes St are an enduring reminder of a drapery fortune. Photo: Sam HendersonThis week The Star reporter Sam Henderson uncovers how a drapery fortune left a lasting legacy on the city’s built heritage. Photo: Sam HendersonMr Hay left the merchant and drapers firm after a few years and Mr Herbert retired in 1872, leaving Mr Haynes as sole proprietor, although he continued with the name Herbert, Haynes & Co. The business was one of many affected by the massive Princes St fire of 1867 that destroyed their original wooden building. A witness, William Abbott, said he was behind Mr Haynes when he suddenly fell violently on his face.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 15:36 UTC
Buddy Programme seeks volunteers
Presbyterian Support Otago Buddy Programme co-ordinators Steph Finney (left) and Sam Robinson are keen to encourage local adults to "join the Buddy crew". At present the Buddy Programme has 30 active pairings of adult-child buddies, but there are also 40 children on the waiting list hoping for a buddy of their very own. The PSO Buddy Programme covers North Otago, Oamaru, East Otago, Central Otago, Dunedin and Clutha, and currently has about 200 active pairs of buddies across the region. "The children in the Buddy Programme are beautiful kids, they just need a bit of support," she said. For more information, contact the Buddy Programme co-ordinators by emailing buddy@psotago.org.nzbrenda.harwood@thestar.co.nz
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 15:36 UTC
A pathway to success
In their first season in the league the team experienced a steep learning curve, finishing 8th out of 10 teams. ‘‘If you look at how we progressed in a competition that’s quite tough, it was a very successful season,’’ van Hees said. Historically, Wānaka Football Club had punched well above its weight thanks to the steady flow of international players from Europe and South America who passed through the town. ‘‘That’s been quite challenging for a small town like us,’’ van Hees said. ‘‘This is where the community is super important,’’ van Hees said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 15:36 UTC
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Taylor Frankie Paul loses custody of child after domestic assault video
Since a video of the assault surfaced, filming has shut down for season five of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and ABC has cancelled Season 22 of Bachelorette, starring Paul. On March 19, TMZ posted a video from 2023 of Paul attacking Mortensen in front of her daughter. “This is called physical abuse,” Mortensen said in the footage. In the video Paul attacked her ex, punched him, pulled his hair and threw a chair at him. She was charged with aggravated assault, domestic violence in the presence of a child causing injury, child abuse and criminal mischief, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 21, 2026 15:04 UTC
Arrest over critical injury assault in Amberley
A man has been charged over an assault that left another person critically injured in Canterbury on Thursday night. Police were called to an address on Racecourse Rd in Amberley, Hurunui, about 10.25pm after receiving a report a person had been seriously assaulted. "The victim was transported to hospital with critical injuries and is currently undergoing surgery," police said yesterday morning. In an update today Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Luke Vaughan said they had charged a man over the incident. The 24-year-old man is due to appear in Christchurch District Court on March 26, charged with wounding with intent.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 13:07 UTC
US woman charged with murder after taking abortion pill
A 31-year-old Georgia woman has been charged with murder after she took abortion medication and gave birth to a premature infant who died within hours, according to court documents and arrest records. Since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion, many states have adopted abortion bans. While other states have sought to prosecute women who had abortions, it is rare they are charged with murder as Moore was. A friend later told police that Moore took the abortion pill because she did not want another child. Georgia's abortion law "does not contemplate murder charges for someone who has an abortion, and self-managing an abortion is not a criminal act in Georgia.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 12:44 UTC
US President Donald Trump says he is considering ‘winding down’ Iran war but rules out ceasefire
Middle East war latest: Trump eyes end to Iran campaign as blasts hit Tehran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States was “getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East”. The social media post was the strongest indication yet from the US President that he may be prepared to soon end hostilities. Oil jumped to US$112.19 a barrel as blasts hit Tehran and Gulf energy sites. Photo / Getty Images“The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it – The United States does not!” he said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 21, 2026 12:25 UTC
Iran oil crisis: why NZ's car dependence is now a strategic liability
Since Marsden Point stopped refining oil in 2022, New Zealand has imported all its refined fuel, mostly from South Korea and Singapore. The latest official fuel stocks update suggests roughly 52 days of total cover, with less than 33 days of petrol in the country. Yet transport, which consumes nearly 40 percent of all energy in the country, remains almost entirely chained to imported oil. For all its imperfections, the Clean Car Discount scheme, which started in 2021, was shifting the needle. The question now is whether New Zealanders begin to treat their car dependence not as a lifestyle choice but as a strategic liability.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 21, 2026 10:43 UTC