US Marines sail towards the Iran war zone amid speculation US soldiers could be called on to deploy
Tehran has nearly completely shut down a crucial shipping choke point that has sent global energy prices skyrocketing. As part of that deployment, the Pentagon sent an infantry battalion landing team with more than 800 combat troops backed by helicopters, F-35 fighter jets and armoured landing vehicles. Pentagon officials also decided to speed up the forthcoming deployment of a similar unit, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, from San Diego to depart within days, defence officials said. White House officials have downplayed but not ruled out the possibility of US troops in combat in Iran. By Saturday, he had declared that the conflict he started in the Middle East could soon be the responsibility of his allies.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 22, 2026 02:46 UTC
Middle East conflict live updates: US says it may have to ‘escalate to de-escalate’ in war against Iran
Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Channel Infrastructure's Rob Buchanan speak to media from Marsden Point oil refinery. Video / NZ HeraldAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen. Load moreSign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 22, 2026 02:15 UTC
Weather: Deep subtropical low forming northwest of New Zealand threatens heavy rain, strong winds
A developing deep subtropical low west of New Zealand could bring heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country later this week. A developing deep subtropical low west of New Zealand could bring heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country later this week. Photo / Duncan BrownA developing deep subtropical low west of New Zealand could bring heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country next week. “What we’ve got coming up later in the week is a low coming down out of the subtropics and moving towards the northwest of the North Island,” she said. “There is still some variation between the model solutions as to exactly where that low ends up.”
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 22, 2026 01:40 UTC
Cyclone brings fresh flood threat to sodden Aussie towns
Tropical Cyclone Narelle has weakened after crossing the coast in northern Australia for the second time as it barrels towards already sodden Top End communities. The cyclone was downgraded to a category-two system on Sunday morning shortly after passing over Cape Shield in remote eastern Arnhem Land. Cyclone Narelle crossed Cape York in far-north Queensland on Friday as a category-four system - the second-highest classification. There is a moderate chance that Narelle redevelops into a tropical cyclone while in the gulf and near the border with Western Australia. Narelle is the first cyclone to hit the area in more than a year and lessons have been learned from previous experiences.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 23:59 UTC
Tiny extinct bat fossil fragments found at Central Otago site
An artist's impression of a short-tailed New Zealand bat, similar to the new Mystacina nymphe species discovered in Otago. Photo: Gavin Mouldey / suppliedA palaeontologist studying fossil fragments in Central Otago has identified a previously unknown, but now extinct, bat. She says the bat has been named Mystacina nymphe - 'nymphe' after the Greek word for a forest spirit. The new nymphe species are related to the modern short-tailed bat, but much smaller, weighing between eight and 10 grams. But working at the St Bathans site in Otago, Hand has found the country once had at least five different species of short-tailed bat.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 22:24 UTC
Two seriously hurt in Feilding disorder incident
Police say two people have been seriously injured following reports of disorder in Feilding, in the North Island. A spokesperson said police were called to Stafford St shortly after 7pm yesterday. The spokesperson said one person was found at the scene and another was located nearby in a vehicle, both with serious injuries. Police were working to locate all parties involved, and cordons are in place. Motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 21:30 UTC
The HUGELY problematic size of Government in NZ.
The size of the NZ Public Service workforce, as at December 31 2025, has just been released. The Public Service workforce grew by 1.6% over the previous 12 months. As of December 2025, approximately 13.2% of New Zealand’s working-age population (around 427,236 people) was receiving a main benefit, marking a 12-year high. The, also just released, GDP growth for the December 2025 quarter was 0.2%. Who will, with credibility, propose to shrink the size of government in NZ to a level that allows genuine comparison with the best of the OECD?
Source:Stuff
March 21, 2026 20:40 UTC
Auckland public transport hits 7-year high as fuel prices surge
Auckland Transport (AT) told the Herald this uptick was not entirely due to a response to the rising fuel prices. “This is more down to more people using public transport rather than a response to fuel prices,” AT said. AT said it was expecting more Aucklanders to use public transport over the coming weeks as fuel prices rose. Amid soaring fuel prices across New Zealand, Auckland recorded its busiest day on public transport in seven years. Auckland Transport director of public transport and active modes Stacey van der Putten told the Herald before the conflict began last month that the cost of public transport was roughly the same as the cost of driving a vehicle in Auckland, but things have changed.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 21, 2026 19:01 UTC
Addicted to sex: How hypnotherapy stopped a healthcare worker from cheating and sleeping with random strangers
She now helps Kiwis battling the same addictions she has previously, with her clientele also featuring some struggling with sexual addiction. “The most common way sexual addiction manifests in men is through an obsession with pornography and masturbation,” she said. “There has been a lot of research on perceived pornography addiction – ‘the feeling that you’re addicted,’” Taylor says. The mother says her sexual addiction escalated when she was feeling neglected by her partner. Photo / StockThe mother says the Covid-19 pandemic was triggering for her, and her sexual addiction escalated during that time.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 21, 2026 19:01 UTC
Family Court awards son cut from mother’s will 65% of estate originally given to uncle
Judge Moss said Roger’s uncle described him as “always a difficult child” who was “dishonest, unco-operative and very challenging”. Evidence to back his allegations was presented in the form of a claim for damages as a result of abuse in state care. Judge Moss noted his placement in state care happened before the Oranga Tamariki Act, and before a substantial amendment to the level of supervision of time in state care. Reconnection after mother left family homeThe pair later reconnected, and Roger married and achieved some success. Son acknowledged distress causedHe acknowledged his actions had caused her distress, but Judge Moss said criminal offending had “rarely justified a refusal to make provision”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 21, 2026 18:47 UTC
Let’s learn Covid lessons and hold our nerve through this crisis – Liam Dann
And I do share the visceral fears of Kiwi motorists with regards to petrol supply and the possibility of shortages and restrictions. But let’s step back a bit and look at this crisis in the context of what we have just been through with Covid-19. There is a significant gap in the oil supply chain that could see us struggle to import enough petrol to meet normal demand. There’s some serious planning and risk management the Government needs to be doing right now. Nicola Willis is taking a laissez-faire approach to the crisis, Liam Dann writes.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 21, 2026 17:31 UTC
Historic Arrowtown cottage expected to fetch over $3m
Granny Dennison’s Cottage at 11 Wiltshire St, Arrowtown. One of the early cottages contributing to Arrowtown’s historic character is on the market. It’s ‘Granny Dennison’s Cottage’, on the prime, elevated corner of Wiltshire and Hertford Sts, opposite the fire station. She notes the cottage itself is protected as a Heritage New Zealand category 2-listed historic place, though there might be more leeway to alter the 1900s addition. If someone wanted an enlarged residence, ‘‘the existing cottage could be incorporated into some future development’’.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 16:35 UTC
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