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
New push to drill for oil off Otago coast
CBX Energy has applied to drill in the Canterbury Basin. Photo: New Zealand Petroleum and MineralsA newly-formed company is launching a fresh bid to find oil and gas off the coast of Otago. CBX Energy's prospecting plans follow a number of numerous failed searches for oil and gas in the Canterbury Basin and neighbouring Great South Basin. Oil Free Otago protesters outside a hearing on OMV's plans to drill in the Great South basin in 2019. The proposal outlines a programme of technical and economic studies, including work on a Canterbury Basin development strategy.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 22:33 UTC
Jones says govt seeking advice on how to cut fuel use
Photo: RNZThe government will be hearing from officials later this week on possible steps towards "demand restraint", Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says. On RNZ's Morning Report programme today, Jones said New Zealand consumed 24 million litres a day - nearly half of which was diesel, a third petrol and the rest aviation fuel. Channel Infrastructure chief executive Rob Buchanan and Shane Jones atop a 30-million-litre jet fuel tank. "If we are to increase and store more diesel fuel in New Zealand, we need to increase the storage. Following Jones, Labour leader Chris Hipkins told Morning Report it was a "private decision made by the fuel industry" that would not have hindered New Zealand's fuel security.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 22:24 UTC
Otago lining up with Israel-linked company
It is the largest publicly traded company on the Tel Aviv stock exchange and maintains a large R&D facility in Tel Aviv. Given events in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, the timing of this proposed partnership could not be worse for Otago. As a public institution tasked with the education and development of people, the University of Otago has a responsibility to respect human rights in all aspects of its operations. Our partnership with PANW disregards these commitments, prioritising financial opportunity over our role as ‘‘critic and conscience’’. • Olivier Jutel, David Jenkins, Richard Jackson and Fairleigh Gilmour are members of Otago Staff for Palestine.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 20:31 UTC
Banks are paying customers to stay
Photo: RNZHome loan borrowers are taking cashback incentives to stay with their current banks, as competition continues in the mortgage market. That prompted other lenders to match it, and in some cases offer borrowers incentives to stay, too. Helen Stuart, a mortgage adviser at Compass Mortgages, said she had seen "retention payments" offered by several banks lately, especially when someone had all their lending come off a fixed term. "The number of retention payments we organised was probably higher than the number of refinance deals we concluded. We'll always endeavour to give our customers the most competitive offer - our bankers can sometimes offer cash contributions to existing customers."
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 23, 2026 19:11 UTC
Private health insurance costs rise for ageing New Zealanders
Managing cover through life stagesAccording to Southern Cross data, members in their 50s typically maintain their cover while still employed, with some benefiting from employer-subsidised group health insurance schemes. By their 60s, members begin claiming more frequently, often to avoid lengthy public hospital waiting lists. Savage said this is also the decade when members start reviewing how to keep premiums manageable while retaining meaningful cover, particularly for those who have left the workforce and lost access to employer-subsidised plans.
Source:Stuff
March 23, 2026 17:58 UTC
Ong nominates himself for NZME board
However, board chairman Steven Joyce has noted a lack of information on Cr Ong and said the board felt its current membership was appropriate, public documents released last week show. Cr Ong said he was happy to contribute his oft-referenced banking background to the company. In the annual shareholders’ meeting agenda, Mr Joyce noted the board did not have ‘‘sufficient information regarding Mr Ong to form a view regarding the specific relevant skills and expertise that he would bring to the NZME board’’. Cr Ong said, given this, he was pleased to allocate his time to ‘‘serve our community in other great, board ways’’ such as with NZME. Last year, Cr Ong lodged a complaint against Cr John Chambers for ‘‘discriminatory remarks’’, but this was found to be without substance.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 17:54 UTC