Outgoing chief exec brought business back to profitability
Dawn Meats group chief executive Niall Browne has been appointed the acting chief executive at Alliance Group, following the resignation of Willie Wiese. PHOTOS: SUPPLIEDAlliance Group chief executive Willie Wiese is stepping down from the role. Willie Wiese. "Willie’s decision to step down follows an intensive two-year reset of the entire business, a pleasing return to profitability and the completion of a successful capital raise with Dawn Meats. Dawn Meats group chief executive Niall Browne has been appointed the acting chief executive at Alliance Group.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 15, 2026 15:03 UTC
Honouring service
James Meager. "It’s about the tireless work of volunteers, trainers, co-ordinators, and support teams who make a difference every day," Mr Meager said in a statement. The NZSAR Awards honour outstanding contributions across two categories:● Operational activity: exceptional performance in specific search and rescue missions during the year. ● Support activity: significant impact through training, prevention, long service, or other vital support roles. "Whether it’s a rescue in challenging conditions or years of dedicated service, these awards honour those who go above and beyond," Mr Meager said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 15, 2026 15:03 UTC
Students can now claim $12,000 but is it money well spent?
Photo: 123RFEligible students can now apply for funds to help with the cost of their final year of study. Payments are only available once the year is complete, so the first students are eligible under the new criteria this year. The total savings for final-year fees free versus first-year fees free for the financial years 2023/2024 - 2027/2028 were estimated at Budget 2024 to be $879 million. "You have people that struggle still, be it fees free or not, to pay their living costs week to week. Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.
Source:Stuff
January 15, 2026 13:20 UTC
Quote of the Day by Sergey Brin: 'We do lots of stuff…'—Inspiring quotes by the co-founder of Google
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Source:Stuff
January 15, 2026 11:55 UTC
SH8 closed as truck rolls near Lawrence
The crash has closed SH8 near Lawrence. Image: NZTASpecial Fire and Emergency New Zealand appliances from Dunedin have been dispatched to State Highway 8 near Lawrence, where a truck and trailer carrying an excavator has rolled and is leaking diesel. Crews from Lawrence, Waitahuna and Milton responded initially, and "a support vehicle" was sent from Dunedin with "some extra absorbent material" to help clean up the spills. A police spokeswoman said the excavator was down a bank, and the truck and trailer were partially blocking SH8, and the road is now closed between Clarks Flat Rd and Waitahuna West Rd. A detour is available for southbound traffic by turning right onto Clarks Flat Road, then left onto Waitahuna West Road, and back onto SH8.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 15, 2026 07:58 UTC
Shut hey: what’s going on over the dutch?
This past AB season saw approximately 23 assistant AB coaches jump ship, they lost a heap of games, played some shite rugby (by their standards) and had a number of player discipline issues. Overall you could say it was a poor season on and off the field for the AB’s, the NZR and their fans. From an Aussie rugby point of view, it’s a shame to see Razor go. But in potentially worse news, what if the incoming AB coach is a shite dancer, but a better rugby coach and just who might that be? For more details on the story, check out Nathan Williamson’s report on rugby.com.au (currently on his round Australia caravan holiday and visiting Dunedoo).
Source:Stuff
January 15, 2026 02:25 UTC
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson departs his role
“On behalf of New Zealand Rugby I would like to thank Scott for his contribution to the All Blacks. Former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has departed the role after a troubled reign. Robertson’s contract was scheduled to run through until the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Highlanders and All Blacks XV coach Jamie Joseph would be favourite to replace Robertson as head coach. In Chicago, in October, Kirk told the Herald the All Blacks coaching unit was still “finding their feet a bit”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 15, 2026 01:03 UTC
Cyber-security expert launches petition to Parliament calling for harsher penalties for privacy breaches
Photo: RNZ / Finn BlackwellA cyber-security consultant has launched a petition to Parliament urging harsher penalties in the wake of the major Manage My Health data breach. Katja Feldtmann, of Whanganui, said the penalties available now were not enough. That is how much the Office of the Privacy Commissioner is able to issue fines for, for select offences. Feldtmann, like the Deputy Privacy Commissioner, pointed to penalties in Australia which were significantly increased in late 2022. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 15, 2026 00:58 UTC
Scout leaders 'emotional' after hall razed by fire
Veteran scout leader Shaun Adie, on School St ,with the Roslyn Scout Hall blowing pools of smoke behind him. Scout leaders Shaun Adie and Glen Ford were emotional watching the hall burn yesterday, thinking of all the time they had spent inside. The Roslyn Scout Hall (circled) in School St, Kaikorai. Mr Adie said they had been trying to get on top of vandalism which had been occurring at the hall. Firefighters battle a large fire at the Roslyn Scout Hall yesterday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 15, 2026 00:25 UTC
Trump hails ‘great conversation’ with Venezuela’s new leader Delcy Rodriguez
Rodriguez has been walking a diplomatic tightrope, trying to meet Trump’s demands without alienating Maduro loyalists, who still control Venezuela’s security forces and feared paramilitaries. Writing on Telegram, she described her call with Trump as “productive and courteous” and characterised by “mutual respect”. Under pressure from Washington, Venezuela has released dozens of political prisoners in the past week, but hundreds remain behind bars. Rodriguez claimed a total of 406 political prisoners had been freed since December in a process that “has not yet concluded”. Trump has so far sidelined opposition leader Maria Corina Machado from Venezuela’s post-Maduro transition, claiming the Nobel Peace Prize laureate does not have enough “respect” within the country.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 23:40 UTC
Man charged after Auckland bus driver sprayed with fire extinguisher
The attack on the bus driver happened near Mt Eden Village. The attack on the bus driver happened near Mt Eden Village. Photo / Peter MeechamA man will appear in court today after an Auckland bus driver was sprayed with a fire extinguisher. The alleged assault happened aboard the 27H bus south of Mt Eden Rd near Mt Eden Village, about 6pm on Tuesday. Passengers called the police and an ambulance, which transported the bus driver to Auckland Hospital to get checked out.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 23:24 UTC
Trump claims Iran protest killings halted as US scales back Qatar base
Iran targeted the Al Udeid base in June in retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Trump has threatened to intervene militarily in Iran several times since the protest movement that has shaken the country began in late December. Rights monitors say that under cover of a five-day internet blackout, Iranian authorities are carrying out their harshest repression in years against demonstrations openly challenging the theocratic system. Amnesty International accused authorities of committing mass unlawful killings “on an unprecedented scale”, citing verified videos and eyewitness accounts. Iran Human Rights, based in Norway, said security forces had killed at least 3428 protesters and arrested more than 10,000.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 22:58 UTC
'Sober' driver's partner pick-up ends in booze bust
A Dunedin man’s offer to be his partner’s sober driver ended in a drink driving charge after he was caught allegedly drunk while doing the pick-up. The man, who was on a zero-alcohol licence, underwent breath-testing procedures and recorded a breath alcohol level of 510mcg — the legal limit is 250mcg. His licence was suspended for 28 days and he was charged with drink driving and breaching his licence conditions. He underwent breath testing procedures and recorded a breath alcohol level of 710mcg — almost three times over the legal limit. His licence was suspended for 28 days and he was summoned to appear in court at a later date.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 14, 2026 22:39 UTC
From protecting heritage homes to banning oil and gas exploration, we need to be realistic about the cost of our ‘luxury beliefs’
Auckland’s stadium debate offers a variation on the same theme. Every few years, the idea of a world-class waterfront stadium reappears. With any public project, the central question is not whether it would be nice to have, but what we forgo to build it. Grand stadium visions return regularly to Auckland’s waterfront, even as councils struggle with the cost of maintaining what already exists. Film productions bring global attention to New Zealand but the public cost of attracting them is borne far beyond the set.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 14, 2026 22:33 UTC