Middle East conflict live updates: Trump rules out ceasefire in Iran as Israel strikes Syria
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Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 21:54 UTC
Fitch puts New Zealand AA+ rating on negative outlook over rising debt
But the AA+ rating reflected New Zealand’s “advanced and wealthy economy, high governance standards, and robust policy framework”. Photo / Mark MitchellFitch’s decision to put New Zealand’s AA+ long-term credit rating on negative outlook was a reminder why fiscal discipline was so important, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said. Global economic volatility made the Government’s programme of fiscal consolidation more important than ever, Willis said in a statement this morning. “Energy market disruption adds real uncertainty, and that is precisely why careless spending is off the table.”New Zealand's debt levels influenced Fitch's latest rating and outlook. One of its key rating drivers for New Zealand was delayed debt decline, Fitch wrote.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 21:38 UTC
Man vital link in drug distribution, court told
PHOTO: ROB KIDDA Dunedin man caught as part of a nationwide police drug sting on the Comancheros gang has been jailed for more than six years. The High Court at Dunedin this week heard 37-year-old Luke James Ruaine Maloney was not a member of the motorcycle gang, but provided a vital link in the distribution of narcotics in the South. The outlaw group has become synonymous with weapons and large-scale drug trafficking, which prompted police’s Operation Avon. As investigations progressed, officers discovered a commercial enterprise centred in Christchurch with tentacles in the South, and Operation Leith was launched. Analysis of Maloney’s phone showed he had been involved in the drug enterprise for the preceding five months.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 21:34 UTC
New aerial photos reveal scale of Helena Bay hill slip damage
Landslide clearance work is expected to be completed by June, when Whangārei District Council will look at what sort of roading repairs may be required. Ōakura community members at the Civil Defence recovery workshop next Thursday will also hear about the Kāiikanui Rd southern detour and their community’s storm-damaged hall. Specialist Whangārei District Council Civil Defence recovery team staff will be at the workshop to update the community on larger-scale issues, including the Helena Bay hill slip, which is expected to take 15,000 truckloads to clear. Ōakura community hall was badly damaged by a slip on Sunday, January 18. Photo / Susan BottingThe workshop focuses solely on Whangārei District Council Civil Defence recovery.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 20:05 UTC
Tauranga boy in Starship Children’s Hospital after suffering seizures and brain bleed
”They told us he had a brain bleed, but we didn’t know until the day after that how major it was,” Marshall said. After a few days in the intensive care unit, they were told the brain bleed still was not under control. Tauranga boy Maverick Marshall, 9, is in Starship Hospital after suffering a seizure at school on March 5. Marshall said she had been told a possible cause of the brain bleed had “something to do with his birth”. Domino's Bureta organised a fundaiser for Tauranga boy Maverick Marshall after he suffered several seizures on March 5 and remains in hospital.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 20:03 UTC
Northland corridor toll proposal: Businesses fear higher freight costs
The northern toll point would charge $1.50, and the southern toll point $3 for light vehicles, totalling $4.50. For heavy vehicles, it would cost $3 for the northern toll point and $6 for the southern, totalling $9. “We are very mindful that tolls mean extra costs for motorists, and we recognise there is already a toll road between Auckland and Whangārei. The other toll between Northland and Auckland is on the Northern Gateway road, which opened in 2009. Light vehicles travelling the 7.5km between Ōrewa and Pūhoi through the Johnstone’s Hill Tunnels pay $2.60 ($5.20 return), and heavy vehicles pay $5.20 ($10.40 return).
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 19:12 UTC
Zuru sues US Government over unlawful Trump tariffs, seeks huge refund
Zuru is one of several thousand large importers to have filed claims after the Supreme Court ruling as uncertainty over the process and extent of refund payments drags on. Importers had challenged the legality of last year’s tariffs and in late February those appeals reached the Supreme Court, where Trump’s use of emergency powers to impose the trade taxes was ruled unlawful. US President Donald Trump after signing an executive order last year imposing tariffs worldwide that the Supreme Court later ruled as unlawful. She said she and the NZUSC “didn’t welcome the imposition of these so-called reciprocal tariffs” and the Supreme Court decision had been met “with some relief”. “I think there may be some learnings for New Zealand companies about preparing for this sort of contingency in the future, and maybe putting that into contracts.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 19:04 UTC
GDP is up, so why does the economy still feel flat? – The Front Page
Talking to the Front Page podcast, Herald Business Editor-at-Large Liam Dann says he would have liked to have seen growth around 0.4%. You’ve got really strong dairy export prices and meat export prices, so that brings money into the country. Dann says the Government’s swift shift in focus from the GDP performance to the economic impact of the war was likely a strategic move, but was unsurprising given the weaker-than-expected GDP result. That’s when a technical recovery starts to feel to households like the economy is going backwards. He continues to hold out hope that the economy will get back on track.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 16:03 UTC
Councillors decide future of airport as small-scale
The future direction of the airport was decided at a Queenstown Lakes District Council meeting this week. Councillors unanimously voted to retain the airport’s focus on general aviation while enabling small scheduled flights to Christchurch and potentially Wellington. Egis’s consultation found a strong preference for a "general aviation airport" supported by limited turboprop services (less than 30-seat aircraft) to nearby cities. Then, in 2025, Sounds Air ended its services to the airport, leaving Wānaka with no scheduled regional services, intensifying community interest in the airport’s future. With that future now decided, the council has directed officers to report back with options for implementing a new airport master plan to deliver the scenario chosen by councillors.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 16:03 UTC
Cheating, collusion hits over 100 cases
Photo: ODT filesAcademic misconduct breaches at the University of Otago topped 100 during the past year, as the institution had to grapple with cheating in a law exam and collusion among first-year health sciences students. "All students involved underwent the university’s formal academic misconduct process and appropriate penalties were applied in line with university statues and the academic integrity policy. This led to a number of cases of academic misconduct involving the use of AI in 2023 and 2024. "However, the two specific incidents which led to an increase in cases this year were not related specifically to AI." A new policy is due to be implemented later this year, and the academic integrity policy will be revised accordingly.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 16:02 UTC
West Coast mine paused, 40 jobs lost
It's the second major blow in a week for the West Coast town, which faces losing its only air service from May. "We know this will have a real impact on individuals, their families and the wider West Coast community, and that weighs heavily on all of us." Two rūnanga and Development West Coast are shareholders in the business, and we have worked hard to build strong relationships across the region," his statement said. Development West Coast paid $3 million in 2024 for a 1.84% share in WMS. We remain committed to the West Coast and to building a long-term, inter-generational minerals business in the region and for New Zealand.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 15:55 UTC
BB gun fired at Auckland’s Waiake Medical Centre, glass fragment found on patient bed
The hole was noticed just before 8am yesterday when doctors showed up for work, with frosted film credited for preventing the glass from shattering. These are people with real health concerns.”The bullet went into Dr Scarlett Pulham's clinic window, sending a glass fragment flying. Photo / Waiake Medical CentreBecause the clinic’s cameras only had peripheral street view, those responsible were not captured on security footage, the spokesperson said. Waitemata East area prevention manager Aron McKeown said police are unaware slug-gun crime has escalated in Torbay and surrounding suburbs. Carrying a BB gun in public without a lawful reason is considered a serious offence.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 15:49 UTC
Building company goes bust owing $500,000
Photo: ODT FilesA Christchurch building company has gone into court liquidation owing just over $500,000 in mainly unpaid tax bills. Inland Revenue made the application to wind up the house construction, renovation and repair business owned by sole director and shareholder Jordan Knox. The Official Assignee said the IRD was owed nearly $485,000, as well as $1800 in applicant costs, of the total estimated shortfall. The Official Assignee said it was establishing communication with the director to obtain the company’s financial statements and a statement of affairs. The company was placed into liquidation in the High Court at Christchurch on February 5, also sought after by the IRD.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 15:47 UTC
Highlanders get glass of ice-water to the face
The Highlanders’ Timoci Tavatavanawai is stopped by Hurricanes players Ruben Love (left) and Xavier Numia during the sides’ Super Rugby match at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night. Super Rugby’s table-toppers showed no mercy as they romped to a 10th straight win over the helpless Highlanders. After a Caleb Tangitau burst and a quick recycle, Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens stepped one defender and out-paced two more for his second try of the season. Under advantage, Hurricanes first five Ruben Love sent over an ugly but effective cross kick that was pouched by Fineanganofo, who bullied past Tangitau to score. The Highlanders simply must win when they head north next Friday to play struggling Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 15:41 UTC
Man who died after fall from boat on Lake Manapouri named
A man who died after falling from a boat on Lake Manapouri last weekend has been named. He was Regan Soper, of Gore. Mr Soper’s body was recovered on Thursday morning. He went missing about 6.15pm last Saturday after he fell out of a boat, about 1km offshore. Police search and rescue and the police dive squad, with assistance from the Royal New Zealand Navy, had conducted extensive searches of the lake and surrounding areas before his body was discovered.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 15:41 UTC