Stranded ferry travellers left with thousands in costs
Multiple sailings on the Connemara ferry were cancelled due to a problem with the winch that controls the stern door. Photo: RNZBy Krystal Gibbens of RNZBluebridge passengers have been left stranded or out of pocket after several cancelled sailings due to a ramp fault on the ferry Connemara. Greg said the cancellation had effectively left him "stranded" in the South Island and that came with a lot of knock-on costs, from accommodation to activities he had already paid for. "In addition to getting a refund or being rebooked on a later sailing, consumers are also entitled to claim compensation for reasonably foreseeable costs (such as car hire, accommodation, flights etc). In a statement, StraitNZ Bluebridge spokesperson Will Dady said the company was working with passengers to reschedule, refund or recompense where appropriate.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 12, 2026 05:52 UTC
Yoyoso, Miniso and Acecco stores go into liquidation owing millions
Yoyoso Queen St, Auckland CBD. (Image: Google)A large group of Asian supermarkets and retail stores has gone into liquidation across Auckland owing millions. The Yoyoso group of companies, which includes Acecco supermarkets and Miniso stores, is led by Auckland-based Lin Liu. The companies have been put in liquidation owing China Construction Bank $2.9m, unsecured creditors at least $2.1m, and $940,000 to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD). '0% in the dollar'ANCZ Limited (formerly Yoyoso NZ) was placed into liquidation by the High Court on Dec 17, 2025, on the...
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 12, 2026 05:43 UTC
Canopy Healthcare alerts patients to a data breach that occurred six months ago
In a post to its website, dated “January 2026″, the company said a “small” amount of data was copied. “There continues to be some uncertainty as to the precise data and individuals that may have been affected,” Canopy said. “At this stage, we are not aware of there being any evidence that any of the potentially affected information has been shared or posted online,” the company said. “On July 18, 2025, Canopy Healthcare identified that an unknown person temporarily obtained unauthorised access to a part of our systems used by our administration team. Health Minister Simeon Brown told the Herald in a statement:“The Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code set out requirements that Canopy Healthcare is obligated to comply with.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 12, 2026 04:52 UTC
Police seek answers after two RSE workers found dead on same Pukehina site
Police were notified of a woman who had died at an address on Old Coach Rd, Pukehina. Photo / Paul TaylorPolice seek answers after two RSE workers found dead on same Pukehina sitePolice were notified of a woman who had died at an address on Old Coach Rd, Pukehina. Photo / Paul TaylorPolice continue to investigate the deaths of two people at an address on Old Coach Road in Pukehina. About 3pm on January 1, police were notified of a woman who had died at an address on Old Coach Road, Pukehina. Stuff reported last week the two people who died were RSE workers from Vanuatu.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 12, 2026 04:39 UTC
Manage My Health: Why the Manage My Health hacker set a low ransom and what it says about NZ’s cyber risk
“I contacted the person claiming to be the hacker and interviewed them via Telegram, the social messaging app. “We do know that they have been involved in other hacks or that they have been the recipient of hacked information in the past. “Don’t worry, this will be over soon, and everyone will be satisfied,” the person identifying as the hacker Kazu told Fisher. The Front Page is a daily news podcast from the New Zealand Herald, available to listen to every weekday from 5am. You can follow the podcast at iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 12, 2026 04:24 UTC
More than $3m put into bank accounts of illegal migrant in alleged kiwifruit tax evasion scam, police investigate alleged kidnapping of ‘money mule’
An illegal overstayer working in the kiwifruit industry in the Bay of Plenty alleges he was exploited as a ‘money mule’ in a tax evasion scam. The ‘money mule’ alleged he was kidnapped and assaulted when he threatened to cooperate with law enforcement. IRD and police are investigating the allegations made by the ‘money mule’ and Cabinet Minister Casey Costello says agencies must work together to stop organised crime. But when he threatened to blow the whistle on the tax evasion scam, the ‘money mule’ claimed he was kidnapped, assaulted and told to keep quiet or he would be killed. “This will require bold initiatives as well as better public awareness of the reality of exploitation in New Zealand.”The ‘money mule’, Singh, now faces an uncertain future.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 12, 2026 02:32 UTC
Man sought to help Arrowtown assault investigation
Police are looking to identify a man in the hope he can help enquires into an Arrowtown assault. The assault happened on December 21, at Arrowtown's Fork and Tap bar, police said. The man, who police released pictures of captured from CCTV footage, was believed to have been part of a wedding party that had been at the Arrowtown Bowls Club earlier in the day, police said. Anyone who recognised the man was asked to contact police on 105, quoting the file number 251224/4386. Information could also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 12, 2026 02:20 UTC
New Zealanders in Iran 'should leave now': Govt
Photo: Screengrab/ReutersForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has expressed grave concern at reports protesters have been killed in Iran, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has urged any New Zealanders still in Iran to leave now. A spokesperson said MFAT had been in contact with the 39 New Zealanders currently registered in Iran to reiterate SafeTravel advice. "New Zealanders in Iran are advised to avoid all demonstrations, rallies and large public gatherings as they could turn violent with little warning." MFAT said the ability for the government to provide consular assistance to New Zealanders in Iran was extremely limited. As Iran does not recognise dual citizenship, Iranian dual-nationals must enter and leave on their Iranian passport.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 12, 2026 02:19 UTC
Second health provider targeted in cyber attack took months to tell some patients about data breach
A leading private provider doing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment took six months to notify some patients or the public of a major cyber attack on its systems. "Following a thorough forensic review by our cybersecurity experts, we have been advised that unauthorised access to one of our servers likely occurred, and some data may have been copied." Second health data incidentIn late December, ManageMyHealth confirmed it had identified a security incident involving "unauthorised access" to its platform. More than 80,000 of the 125,000 patients affected by the ransomware attack are based in Northland - the only region where Health NZ itself uses Manage My Health to share information with patients, including hospital discharge summaries, outpatient clinic letters and referral notifications. The operators of compromised patient data app ManageMyHealth say they have received "independent confirmation" from IT experts the flaws in its code have been fixed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 12, 2026 02:19 UTC
'Nothing really like us that's been done before'
The co-owners of a new supermarket in Christchurch say shoppers have been turning out in their droves since the store opened last week. Shane and Ethan Vickery opened Kai Co to give shoppers an alternative to the Woolworths and Foodstuffs supermarket duopoly. "No one really took us too seriously cause there's nothing really like us that's been done before. "But now they've seen what we are and they've come in - they think it's a really nice store - they've all been approaching us," Ethan said. "We don't have loyalty cards or anything like that it's just simple, good quality food at a good price," Ethan said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 12, 2026 01:57 UTC
Arrowtown assault: Police seek man from wedding party over Fork and Tap incident
Police are urging anyone who recognises him to come forward. Photo / NZ PoliceImages of the man have been released as part of the investigation, and police are urging anyone who recognises him to come forward. In one photo he is seen socialising in a group seated at an outside table. The man is believed to have been part of a wedding group that had earlier been at the Arrowtown Bowls Club. Photo / NZ PoliceAnyone with information is asked to contact police on 105 and quote file number 251224/4386.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 12, 2026 01:33 UTC
Venezuelans demand political prisoners’ release, Maduro ‘doing well’
Relatives of prisoners demonstrate during the release of political prisoners. ‘Trust blindly’Maduro claimed he was “doing well” in jail in New York, his son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, said in a video released Saturday by his party. Experts say Venezuela’s oil infrastructure is creaky after years of mismanagement and sanctions. Trump on Sunday pressured Caracas’ leftist ally Cuba, which has survived in recent years under a US embargo thanks to cheap Venezuelan oil imports. He urged Cuba to “make a deal” or face unspecified consequences, warning that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money to Havana would now stop.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 12, 2026 01:08 UTC
Inside Auckland’s hidden monasteries and retreats offering quiet refuge
The nuns don’t eat meat as a rule but it is allowed when necessary for health. Beyond the gates is the Karma Kagyu Thigsun Chokhorling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery, known as Karma Choeling (the mandala of Karma). While Vajrayāna (Thunderbolt) Buddhism in Tibet dates back to the 7th century, today’s Karma Choeling monks come and go every few years. People come to Karma Choeling for stillness and quiet contemplation during regular and sometimes very long meditation sessions. “They’re very much part of the community.”Kate Raynor-Brown with a giant Buddha statue at Karma Choeling in Auckland.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 12, 2026 01:01 UTC
Second health provider hit by cyber attack
A leading private provider doing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment took six months to notify some patients or the public of a major cyber attack on its systems. "Following a thorough forensic review by our cybersecurity experts, we have been advised that unauthorised access to one of our servers likely occurred, and some data may have been copied." Second health data incidentIn late December ManageMyHealth confirmed it had identified a security incident involving "unauthorised access" to its platform. More than 80,000 of the 125,000 patients affected by the ransomware attack are based in Northland - the only region where Health NZ itself uses Manage My Health to share information with patients, including hospital discharge summaries, outpatient clinic letters and referral notifications. The operators of compromised patient data app ManageMyHealth say they have received "independent confirmation" from IT experts the flaws in its code have been fixed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 12, 2026 00:57 UTC
Firearms seizures in 2025: What they tell us about gun trends in NZ
The guns are part of 6760 firearms seized in 2025 and are indicative of the “evolving landscape of firearms in New Zealand”. She said 3D firearms were being printed in people’s houses and garages, and there was a “definite increase” in what police were seeing and seizing. “This is work being carried out on multiple fronts, which includes our Firearms Investigation Teams and the work of the Firearms Safety Authority.”What the Firearms Investigation Team doesDetective Senior Sergeant Anderson works in the National Organised Crime Group (NOCG), where she oversees the Firearms Investigation Team, and she communicates across agencies, including Customs. One of the early focuses of the Firearms Investigation Team, when it was first established a few years back, was straw-buying. At the end of the week, 43 arrests had been made and 96 firearms seized.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 12, 2026 00:32 UTC