Akaroa water incident leaves one person dead
Akaroa on Banks Peninsula. File photo: Stephen JaquieryA person has died today following a water incident in Akaroa, on Banks Peninsula. A police spokesperson said they were notified at about 1.15pm that a person had been pulled from the water by the harbourmaster. CPR was reportedly administered but they were unable to be revived. Drummonds Jetty was closed while emergency services worked in the area.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 10, 2026 14:39 UTC
Trump says US must 'own' Greenland 'whether they like it or not'
Donald Trump is flanked by vice president JD Vance (left) and secretary of state Marco Rubio during a press conference at the White House today. Photo: ReutersThe US needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future, President Donald Trump says. Trump said the US must acquire Greenland, even though it already has a military presence on the island under a 1951 agreement, because such deals are not enough to guarantee Greenland's defense. Trump and White House officials have been discussing various plans to bring Greenland under US control, including potential use of the US military and lump sum payments to Greenlanders as part of a bid to convince them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the USLeaders in Copenhagen and throughout Europe have reacted with disdain in recent days to comments by Trump and other White House officials asserting their right to Greenland. Trump added the ongoing discussions with oil companies are aimed at securing commitments.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 10, 2026 13:12 UTC
ICE killing: Agent's cellphone video shared by White House
The newly released shows Renee Good moments before her fatal shooting in Minneapolis. Becca Good, who was filming the ICE agent with her own phone, then adds: "You want to come at us? At that point, another ICE agent approaches the Honda from the driver's side, to the left of Renee Good, and orders her to get out of the car. As the car moves forward, Ross, who at that point has returned to the front left of her car, shouts "Whoa!" The video then shows the car careening down the street, while someone can be heard muttering, "Fucking bitch."
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 10, 2026 12:52 UTC
Extreme heat, heavy rain and strong wind all in mix for South
Photo: MetService screenshotParts of the South Island are set to swelter today, but some regions are also bracing for heavy wind and rain throughout the weekend. An orange strong wind warning has been issued for Canterbury about the High Country and the foothills from 10pm today. Heavy rain and strong wind watches are also in place for the headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers in the Arthur's Pass area. Heavy rain watches and strong wind watches have also been issued for the weekend for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers, Fiordland, Otago, Southland and Stewart Island. Fenz Southern district commander Craig Gold said galeforce northwesterly winds, high temperatures and low relative humidity added up to high fire danger.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 10, 2026 12:05 UTC
Manage My Health breach victims warned to beware bank account theft
Photo: RNZ / Finn BlackwellAn information technology expert warns the Manage My Health data breach may make victims vulnerable to bank account theft. About 125,000 Manage My Health users have been affected by a massive data breach, with hackers stealing hundreds of thousands of medical files. Cybersecurity and operational technology expert Dr Abhinav Chopra told RNZ the information contained in the breach, like health and personally identifiable data, could be used to access bank accounts. On Friday, Manage My Health said it encrypted health data in its database and user passwords. "[Manage My Health] is an ISO 9001 and ISO 27001-certified organisation," it said.
Source:Stuff
January 10, 2026 10:37 UTC
Dunedin woman's battle to quit antidepressants
A Dunedin woman is calling for greater education on antidepressant withdrawal as she continues a years-long battle to get off one of the drugs. In September 2021, two days after her sister’s death, Miss Hildyard was prescribed antidepressants for the first time. Nor did Miss Hildyard report any need for the medication before she was prescribed it. In four years, she has been prescribed four different antidepressants from different doctors. University of Otago student Tabitha Hildyard is raising awareness of the difficulties of getting off antidepressants.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 10, 2026 10:27 UTC
Water-related incident in Piha after a day of water tragedies
Day of water tragediesThe incidents today occurred in Canterbury, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Mahurangi East, north of Auckland. A person died after a water incident at a popular Canterbury tourist spot this afternoon. Police were notified about 1.15pm that a person had been pulled from the water by the harbourmaster at Akaroa on Banks Peninsula. The death will be referred to the coroner.”A man is also missing after a water-related incident in the Waikato River this afternoon. Water safety adviceWater Safety New Zealand chief executive, Glen Scanlon, urged people to keep in mind the key messages around water safety at this busy time.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 10, 2026 09:37 UTC
2 dead, 1 missing after water tragedies in Canterbury, Bay of Plenty and Waikato
A person died after a water incident at a popular Canterbury tourist spot this afternoon. Police were notified about 1.15pm that a person had been pulled from the water by the harbourmaster at Akaroa on Banks Peninsula. The death will be referred to the coroner.”A man is also missing after a water-related incident in the Waikato River this afternoon. Martin’s Bay Holiday Park provided beach access to the ambulance, which transported the victim to hospital. “Emergency services were called about 3.50pm to Riwaka Valley Rd after a person was pulled from the water.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 10, 2026 09:03 UTC
Lotto results: Two First Division winners, Powerball jackpot hits $10m
Three lucky Lotto players from Auckland, Matamata and Timaru were in for a treat after last Wednesday’s draw, after each won $333,333 with Lotto First Division. This comes after $1m was won last week, which brought “tears and laughter” to a Hamilton couple just two weeks after a shocking cancer diagnosis. “My hands were shaking and neither of us could sleep.”A life-changing $8 million is up for grabs in tonight’s lotto Powerball draw. Winners with physical tickets must still visit a Lotto retailer to claim their prize. For the Powerball jackpot to be claimed, a ticket holder must get all six Lotto numbers correct as well as the added Powerball number.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 10, 2026 08:37 UTC
Auckland landlord compensated for ‘pungent’ smell of dog urine in North Shore house
The tenancy at the Northcote house began on April 30, 2022, and ended on April 21, 2024, by mutual agreement. Dogs ‘ventured throughout’ the houseThe landlord claims the tenants kept 10 dogs inside the premises, which urinated all over the floor. The tenants denied the house smelled like dog urine and claimed they protected the flooring by placing vinyl over the carpet. The tenants claimed the puppies were sold at 8 weeks old and not kept inside the house for very long. The landlord claimed the tenants were using the house for an “unlawful purpose” as the puppies weren’t registered.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 10, 2026 08:31 UTC
Nomadic plans for new year
Former Waikouaiti woman Judy Robertson and her dogs Bella and Gromit have started a nomadic lifestyle in her self-built trailer home. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYWhile many people start the new year with a resolution to improve their health or manage money better, a former Waikouaiti woman has ditched home comforts to start a nomadic life. With no former carpentry experience, Judy Robertson has built a trailer home from scratch using a jigsaw, hammer, nails and screws, along with a little help from family. The bed doubles as a sofa during the day and she will have a working sink once the plumbing is re-glued. Cooking is done on a portable gas cooker — future plans include a small pot belly stove.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 10, 2026 08:25 UTC
Australian bushfire smoke nears South Island, may redden evening skies
Thick smoke drifting from the Australian bushfires is making its way to New Zealand. Photo / MetServiceThick smoke drifting from the Australian bushfires is making its way to New Zealand. Photo / MetServiceThick smoke drifting from the Australian bushfires is making its way to New Zealand, which may cause our skies to change colour. Satellite imagery from MetService showed the smoke moving towards the west coast of the South Island. MetService meteorologist Samkelo Magwala told the Herald some South Island residents may see a reddish colour in the clouds around the sun this evening.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 10, 2026 07:37 UTC
Madrid building explosion kills 1 person, injures nine
An explosion has gutted a residential building in Madrid, killing an elderly woman and injuring nine other people, according to authorities. An explosion has gutted a residential building in Madrid, killing an elderly woman and injuring nine other people, authorities said. Emergency services posted footage on social media showing firefighters crawling through rubble to rescue survivors from the top floor of a four-storey building in the Spanish capital’s Carabanchel neighbourhood. An explosion in Madrid killed an elderly woman and injured nine others. Inmaculada Sanz, a councillor responsible for security and emergencies at Madrid town hall, told reporters at the scene that an elderly woman had died and there were no further victims beyond those reported.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 10, 2026 06:42 UTC
Christopher Luxon releases summer playlist mixing Kiwi classics and Gen Z hits
The Prime Minister has shared his summer 2026 playlist. Photo / Christopher LuxonChristopher Luxon has given Kiwis a peek into his recent listening, dropping his summer playlist just in time for this weekend’s warm weather. The Prime Minister took to X today to share the 27 tracks that have been on his heavy rotation, asking his followers to share their own summer suggestions. “No matter where you are in NZ today, BBQing, at the beach, or just in the backyard, I’m sure you’re listening to some great music in the background.”Ranging from Kiwi classics to TikTok viral trends, the playlist showcases Luxon’s eclectic taste, spanning the genres of country, soul and pop.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 10, 2026 06:37 UTC
Weather: Temperatures set to soar as heat alerts issued, drowning and fire concerns rise
MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr said heat alerts are issued a day out from hot weather, and are based on each centre’s usual summer highs and/or how many days of hot weather are forecast. The heat, combined with severe northwesterlies forecast for the lower North Island and much of the South Island tomorrow, has raised wildfire risks to extreme. Multiple dead in water incidentsTwo people died in separate water tragedies in Canterbury and the Bay of Plenty this afternoon. Strong wind watches are also in place for eastern Canterbury and the lower South Island. Further north, there are heavy rain watches across the Grey and Buller districts in the upper South Island tomorrow afternoon and evening.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 10, 2026 06:31 UTC