Fuel crisis: The next NZ shortage could be electric and hybrid vehicles, as customers flock to them
“Rising fuel prices have clearly become a much more prominent part of the conversation,” Simpson said. On the Lexus side of the yard, Simpson said it had been the “strongest month yet” for the brand’s plug-in hybrid models. Now, Enticott said customers could be forced to wait two to three months to receive their vehicles. Bayswater Hastings Hyundai, Isuzu and MG branch manager Paul Kerr said EV and hybrid sales had “absolutely” increased since fuel prices soared. But he too was steadily running out of cars despite having a good range of EVs and hybrids available.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 23, 2026 11:20 UTC
Collision between plane and vehicle halts flights at New York’s LaGuardia Airport
AFP has contacted the port authority and Air Canada for comment. Emergency personnel respond to an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 sitting on the runway after colliding with a Port Authority fire truck at LaGuardia Airport in New York, on March 23, 2026. Photo / Angela Weiss, AFPFlight tracking platform FlightRadar24 said an Air Canada Express plane had “collided with an airport rescue and firefighting vehicle” while landing. New York’s emergency management authority warned people to “expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays & emergency personnel” near the major transport hub in the borough of Queens. AFP has also contacted the airport and the port authority police department for comment.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 23, 2026 10:14 UTC
General Debate 23 March 2026
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Source:Stuff
March 23, 2026 10:05 UTC
Pilots killed as plane crashes into fire engine at New York airport
Emergency crews work around an Air Canada Express jet that had collided with a ground vehicle at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. Photo: ReutersThe pilot and co-pilot of an Air Canada Express regional jet were killed after it collided with a fire truck while landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, in an incident that closed the airport, authorities and US media said. The Air Canada Express CRJ-900 plane, operated by its partner Jazz Aviation, was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members from Montreal, based on a preliminary passenger list that remained subject to confirmation. Air Canada referred Reuters to Jazz's statement and said it was aware of the incident. New York City's emergency notification system said people could expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays and emergency personnel near the airport.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 08:21 UTC
Debt Awareness Week: Four in five New Zealanders ashamed to admit they are struggling
DebtManagers general manager of commercial Issac Manase said Debt Awareness Week was about creating a healthier, more open and supportive conversation about debt in New Zealand. “But our research also shows debt stress is widespread and too many people are struggling alone. Manase said even though 85% of New Zealanders say debt stress is something most people experience, many people still feel embarrassed to admit they are struggling. “What stands out is just how common debt stress is. “Let’s recognise the good things debt can enable in our lives but seek help when it is needed.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 23, 2026 07:04 UTC
Labour leader Chris Hipkins not offering policy ideas to help Kiwis amid fuel price rises
Yet he was unable to offer any alternative policy ideas of his own to highlight how Labour would address the issue if it was in power currently. Asked by the Herald what actions should be taken to help households, Hipkins responded, “the Government needs to come up with a plan”. The Labour leader said the onus was on the Government to offer ideas. Photo / Michael CraigAsked again to provide an alternative or any ideas, Hipkins said: “We will have plenty of ideas and we will be talking about them on the election campaign. “The onus rests on the current Government.”Generally, Hipkins said his principle for support was that it should help anyone on a low, fixed income.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 23, 2026 06:52 UTC
Air Canada plane crashes into fire engine at New York airport
Emergency crews work around an Air Canada Express jet that had collided with a ground vehicle at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York. Photo: ReutersAn Air Canada Express regional jet collided with a ground vehicle upon landing at New York's LaGuardia airport late on Sunday, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24, in an incident that closed the airport. The plane involved in the accident was operated by Air Canada's regional partner Jazz, which is owned by Chorus Aviation. Air Canada, Chorus Aviation, the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. New York City's emergency notification system said people could expect cancellations, road closures, traffic delays and emergency personnel near the airport.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 06:33 UTC
Human remains found at Ōwhiro Bay, Wellington property are centuries old
NZ Herald Morning Headlines | Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iranian energy facilities, Nicola Willis says 7 weeks worth of fuel in NZ. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Human remains found at Ōwhiro Bay, Wellington property are centuries oldHuman remains discovered in a Wellington man’s garden have been found to be hundreds of years old. Police launched an investigation after a homeowner on Happy Valley Rd in Ōwhiro Bay found the remains while gardening one weekend in June last year. At the time of the discovery, neighbours spotted police forensics team at the South Coast property, with police later confirming the “partial remains” were human.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 23, 2026 06:29 UTC
Human remains 300-400 years old found in backyard
Human remains found in a garden on Wellington's south coast are centuries old, according to police. RNZ understands an Ōwhiro Bay homeowner was gardening when they made the discovery in June last year. At the time, police said the resident was under no suspicion and a forensic anthropologist and pathologist determined the remains were human. On Monday, detective constable Sarah Steed said radiocarbon dating showed the remains were possibly pre-European from the 1600s-1700s. "Consultation will take place with local iwi to arrange a suitable burial site, once the remains are release by the Coroner."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 06:03 UTC
Restaurant owner says death threat delivered after he placed US, Israel flags on floor of Lower Hutt’s Banoo eatery
On March 18, a group of six Iranians who support the Pahlavi Iran movement came to Aragon’s restaurant, which had the US and Israeli flags on the floor. Alex Aragon, owner of Persian restaurant Banoo in Lower Hutt, was filmed by members of the public after he placed the US and Israeli flags on the floor. Security footage seen by the Herald showed the group approaching the establishment and peering into the entrance. Images of the restaurant from the Wednesday incident showed Aragon also displayed a picture of Khamenei in the restaurant. During his interview with the Herald, Aragon’s phone rang more than 10 times with calls from unknown numbers.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 23, 2026 05:52 UTC
Govt plans change to fuel imports, 'targeted and temporary' support on way
Photo: RNZThe finance minister will reveal "targeted and temporary" support for hard-hit families on Tuesday, as fuel costs continue to rise. Jones also announced plans to align New Zealand's fuel standards with that of Australia, allowing the import of fuel destined for Australia to New Zealand instead. Motorists should fuel up as and when they needed to, she said, with the government's solution set to target income rather than fuel prices. 'No concerns' about fuel supplyFor now, there were no concerns about fuel supplies in New Zealand, she said. The government would not follow Australia's lead in relaxing standards to allow higher-sulphur fuel, he said, at least not yet.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 05:03 UTC
Weapons not part of any future NZDF contracts: Uni
University of Otago deputy vice-chancellor Greg CookThe University of Otago is not planning to build weapons as part of any partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), it says. Deputy vice-chancellor for research and information Prof Greg Cook said weapons were not the plan. "It is important to be clear that as part of the RFI (request for information), the university is not proposing to build defence weapons. However, Prof Cook said weapons would not be a focus of any partnership with the NZDF. Asked about concerns from staff who might have objections to working with the NZDF, Prof Cook said there was no requirement for anyone to work on these projects.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 04:40 UTC
Data shows 2025 among hottest years on record
Photo: Getty ImagesLast year was among the hottest on record, as the world's "addiction" to fossil fuels continues to drive global warming, new data shows. 2024 remains the hottest year on record, but 2025 was the second- or third-hottest, across the nine major global datasets. The organisation said the global climate was more out of balance than at any other time in observed history, as greenhouse gas concentrations reached their highest levels in at least 800,000 years. The WMO's State of the Climate report said increasingly severe weather, driven by climate change, was already affecting agricultural production and displacing people from their homes. Victoria University professor of climate science James Renwick said the science of climate change had been understood for a century or more now.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 04:40 UTC
Bill slammed as 'beginning of the end for our fish stocks'
The bill, which is scheduled to have it's first reading on Tuesday, has been welcomed by the commercial sector but condemned by recreational fishing groups. It's beginning of the end for our fish stocks, and that' not over dramatising it." He said it wouldn't encourage commercial fishers to avoid undersized fish and would decrease overall fish stocks. The current recreational size limit for snapper is between 25cm and 30cm depending on location, while the commercial size limit is 25cm. Seafood New Zealand's Inshore Policy Manager Tamar Wells said the commercial sector was trying to make the industry more sustainable.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 23, 2026 04:40 UTC