Christchurch mother sentenced for assaulting 3-year-old autistic son
Judge Stephen O’Driscoll told a mother appearing in Christchurch District Court she needed to learn different strategies so she didn't take her frustrations out on her son. Photo / 123rfJudge Stephen O’Driscoll told a mother appearing in Christchurch District Court she needed to learn different strategies so she didn't take her frustrations out on her son. Photo / 123rfA mother who pushed and then slapped her 3-year-old autistic son in the head was too drunk to comment when confronted about her actions. And while there were no visible injuries, today the single mother was told she needs to learn different strategies so she doesn’t take her frustrations out on her son, who is still living with her. “It is not easy to bring up children by yourself but the use of violence is inappropriate,” Judge Stephen O’Driscoll told her in the Christchurch District Court.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 15:32 UTC
Seven Sharp host Hilary Barry finds mould growing in coffee cup after return to work
Barry has fronted Seven Sharp since 2018 and co-hosts the 7pm broadcast with Jeremy Wells. Seven Sharp host Hilary Barry finds mould growing in coffee cup after return to workBarry has fronted Seven Sharp since 2018 and co-hosts the 7pm broadcast with Jeremy Wells. Seven Sharp presenter Hilary Barry has made an unwholesome discovery after her return to the TVNZ offices after the summer break. Barry shared a photo on her Facebook page showing a coffee cup with thick mould spots growing in the liquid at the bottom. Seven Sharp host Hilary Barry found mould at the bottom of a coffee cup after her return from a summer break.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 15:29 UTC
Massive centuries-old black coral found in Fiordland
A large black coral believed to be centuries old is one of the largest ever found in the waters of New Zealand, researchers say. "It's by far the largest black coral I've seen in my 25 years as a marine biologist. Despite its name, the black coral was white in colour and only its skeleton was black. Senior biodiversity ranger Richard Kinsey said seeing the large coral looming out of the darkness was "pretty special". Victoria University researchers were working alongside DOC and the Fiordland Marine Guardians to study and map the distribution of protected coral species in the fiords.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 13, 2026 11:21 UTC
Maritime NZ case: Sealord and skipper fined over fatal medical neglect at sea
Judge Snell noted the company’s upfront payment of $65,000 to the whānau, in recognition of the emotional harm done, which negated the need for court-ordered reparation. Judge Snell said the bridge was not well lit, which meant Puata was unable to make basic observations. The person who found him alerted the ship’s medic, but he could not be saved, Judge Snell said. The best he could have offered was palliative care to “make his passing more peaceful”, Judge Snell said. Judge Tony Snell Judge Snell noted the company’s upfront payment of $65,000 to the whānau, in recognition of the emotional harm done.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 10:21 UTC
Popular southern tramping track 'closed indefinitely' after slip
The Department of Conservation says the slip has made the Rees-Dart Track circuit impassable for trampers. Photo: DocA popular southern tramping track is closed indefinitely after a large slip affected the route. The Department of Conservation (Doc) has advised of the slip on the Dart Track, which is often done as a circuit with the Rees Track. Doc said the slip, in the Dart Valley between Daleys Flat Hut and Chinamans Bluff, had made the Rees-Dart circuit "impassable" for trampers. "Rangers have assessed the slip and the Dart Track is closed indefinitely."
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 13, 2026 10:10 UTC
Small businesses offered $15,000 for AI under $765,000 Government pilot
Invitation-only“The pilot is being run through the Regional Business Partner Network for existing customers at present,” a spokeswoman for Penk said. “From next Monday, RPB providers will send out invitations to businesses currently working with growth advisers. “As these businesses have a relationship and history with their RBP provider, for the sake of a pilot this will allow for better benchmarking around digital capability and confidence using AI tools.”Advisers in the network will help small businesses implement their AI plans. The MBIE-funded Regional Business Partner Network worked with 15 organisations nationwide, typically the local chamber of commerce. “It’s positive that they’re going to be measuring productivity gains to evaluate the pilot,” he added.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 06:24 UTC
Donald Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado
Venezuela, meanwhile, announced it had freed 116 more people jailed under Maduro – many for taking part in protests after his disputed 2024 election. Rights groups questioned the numbers, and family members clamoured for speedier releases promised by Caracas under pressure from Washington. Relatives have been camped out at prisons for days, growing increasingly restless as loved ones have failed to appear. On Sunday, Trump said he was open to a meeting with Rodriguez and that his administration was working “really well” with hers. The opposition and much of the international community consider Urrutia the legitimate victor of Venezuela’s last presidential election.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 05:53 UTC
Ed Sheeran Go Media shows: Road closure compromise for businesses who feared big revenue hit
“The main businesses on Station Rd are quite happy with that,” Evans said. Photo / Mike ScottThe road closures for large concerts held at Go Media had long been a bugbear for retailers. The early laying of traffic cones indicated to potential customers the area was a no-go zone, causing them to turn away – meaning even a 3pm road closure impacts business. “But it was a real haphazard way of going about it.”Auckland Stadiums, which runs events at Go Media Stadium, recognised the disruption an event of the scale of an Ed Sheeran concert can cause. Ed Sheeran is performing two shows at Go Media Stadium as part of the New Zealand leg of his tour.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 05:34 UTC
Person arrested at protest outside Wellington’s Iranian Embassy
One man climbed up to erect a pre-Revolution Iranian flag, but this was removed by someone from inside the embassy. At least 10 police officers have been keeping access to the road open on the narrow road in the Wellington suburb of Hataitai as the protest continues. The protests began over rampant inflation but have since spread across the country and had become general protests against the regime. The flow of information outside of Iran had been constrained since authorities cut off internet access and telephone lines on Thursday. US President Donald Trump was also briefed on potential military intervention options, including military strikes and sanctions.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 05:33 UTC
Election 2026: Economy, health set to dominate the Beehive this year – The Front Page
“We haven’t seen much growth in the last two years, but we are expecting growth in the next 12 months. The Ipsos Issues Monitor, which records the biggest issues for New Zealand voters, is pretty clear right now that health is the second-biggest issue. It will be interesting to see if, given it’s an election year, he will attend Waitangi celebrations,” he said. Listen to the full episode to hear more about:Coalition tensionsWhere minor parties standPolls, blocs, and leadershipPredictions for politics in 2026. The Front Page is a daily news podcast from the New Zealand Herald, available to listen to every weekday from 5am.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 05:32 UTC
Minnesota sues Trump administration over immigration crackdown
The mayor of Minneapolis says Donald Trump is targeting Minnesota for his immigration crackdown because of its Democratic leadership. Photo / Getty ImagesThe mayor of Minneapolis says Donald Trump is targeting Minnesota for his immigration crackdown because of its Democratic leadership. Photo / Getty ImagesThe US state of Minnesota sued the Trump administration on Monday over the immigration crackdown that saw a woman protester fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis last week. Minnesota Attorney-General Keith Ellison, who announced the lawsuit, said the Department of Homeland Security’s surge of immigration officers into the Democratic-led northern state in recent days has “made us less safe”. “This is, in essence, a federal invasion.”Jacob Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis, where 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on Wednesday, said Republican President Donald Trump was targeting Minnesota for his immigration crackdown because of its Democratic leadership.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 03:32 UTC
Council urged to prioritise Skippers Bridge repairs
Skippers Bridge PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYA Queenstown tourism operator is calling on the council to prioritise reopening the historic Skippers Bridge. Nomad Safaris business manager Harald Ulriksen said Skippers Canyon was "an iconic part of what we do". Mr Ulriksen said the company was "disappointed" to hear about the bridge’s indefinite closure, but encouraged the council to "prioritise repairs". "We welcome any discussions on how businesses and the Queenstown community can support reopening Skippers Bridge," he said. Late last year, "failures of the wires in the cables used to suspend Skippers Bridge in place" were detected, meaning the council had been unable to safely assess what load the bridge could support and its integrity.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 13, 2026 03:12 UTC
Protesters arrested at demonstration outside Wellington’s Iranian Embassy
At least 10 police had been keeping access to the narrow road in Wellington’s Hataitai open as the protest continued. Reza Farhour, who had helped to organise the protest, said he had not heard from his extended family in Iran. Why are they silent?”Basandijeh said the group was waving the former flag as the current flag did not represent them. The flow of information outside Iran had been constrained since authorities cut off internet access and telephone lines on Thursday. Protesters in Wellington moved to the US Embassy, where a dozen police were soon in position to keep an eye on things.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 02:49 UTC
Young Auckland credit card fraudster Aaron Robie fails in bid for discharge without conviction
Judge Ryan observed that Robie’s offending was “only a small part” of the group’s “systemic and substantial” fraud, which fleeced nearly $400,000 from an undisclosed number of victims. A ‘disgrace and a shame’She called Robie’s offending “a disgrace and a shame” for which he needed to be held accountable. Judge Ryan doubted Robie’s explanation that he was wilfully blind to what his co-defendants were doing. Zhao argued that the convictions had a particular weight at the beginning of Robie’s working life, as did their “particular connotations of lack of trust and honesty”. Justice Jagose said the gravity of Robie’s offending was “at least moderate” and he saw nothing in the judge’s decision that made it a miscarriage of justice.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 02:40 UTC
US President Donald Trump announces tariffs on countries doing business with Iran
Demonstrators display placards calling for US President Donald Trump to intervene in Iran during a protest against the Iranian Government in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, on January 12. Photo / John Macdougall, AFPUS President Donald Trump announces tariffs on countries doing business with IranDemonstrators display placards calling for US President Donald Trump to intervene in Iran during a protest against the Iranian Government in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, on January 12. Photo / John Macdougall, AFPUS President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on any country trading with Iran, ramping up pressure on Tehran over its violent crackdown on a wave of protests. “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. The tariffs announcement comes as Trump mulls possible military action against Iran over the protests.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 13, 2026 02:15 UTC