Marathon grant launched
Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon ambassador Mel Aitken is looking forward to mentoring one lucky athlete. PHOTO: SAM HENDERSONReaching the finish line at the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon is set to become easier for one aspiring athlete. Race director Becs Adlam said a new Ambassador’s Grant would enable the recipient to work with Dunedin marathon veteran Mel Aitken. As the ambassador, Ms Aitken will mentor the chosen athlete, providing tailored support and equipment to get them to the start line. Registrations are now open at dunedinmarathon.co.nz for the 2026 Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon, which returns on Sunday, September 13.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 16:02 UTC
Sir Tim statue project slammed
Former Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt died on January 8, aged 78. PHOTO: ODT FILESSir Tim Shadbolt’s partner of many years has criticised a crowd-funded statue project for the late mayor, urging people not to donate. Earlier this month, a Givealittle campaign was set up by Sir Tim Shadbolt Memorial Statue Project (Group) with a lofty goal of raising $367,500 in one year. While at Matakana, they discussed the idea of an interactive bronze statue of Sir Tim sitting at a bench so people could sit next to him and shake his hand. Sir Tim served two terms as Waitematā mayor before relocating to the South and clocking up eight terms in Invercargill.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:55 UTC
Sensory stimulation and wry commentary
Presented by Melbourne’s a2 Company, Motion Sickness — described as "an existential crisis at the rave" — is a mix of theatre, electronic music, dance and visual projections. It dwells on the three leading theories of the end of the world, along with some wry commentary on the current sociopolitical landscape. Because Motion Sickness delivers so much sensory stimulation all at once, I suspect the nuance of its subject matter perhaps went in one ear and out the other for most of the audience — not that that’s the sole point. Moments where the visual, spoken and physical elements were perfectly synchronised made Motion Sickness feel particularly rewarding. The show’s music, from the debut EDM album of one of the show’s creators, was highly enjoyable too.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:41 UTC
Caught sleeping on porch
Police are urging Dunedin’s student population to lock their flats and report suspicious activity after a middle-aged man returned to a flat where he was previously caught sleeping outside. Sergeant Matt Lee said police were called to an address in Forth St, North Dunedin, just after midnight on Tuesday. The occupants of the address discovered a 46-year-old man sleeping on a couch on their front porch. "Police moved the male on and told him not to return to the address." Sgt Lee said students should contact police if they saw suspicious activity or somebody who looked like they did not belong in the area.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:41 UTC
Stadium needs significant upgrade: DVML
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYCouncillors will be asked to back a significant investment in Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium so it can stage a wider range of events. Forsyth Barr Stadium has already been the recipient of a major cash injection this year. "This provides us with the opportunity to make Forsyth Barr Stadium a much more intimate experience." The proposal was revealed in a council report that said, following engagement with promoters and event owners, both DVML and Dunedin Stadium Property Ltd were exploring ways "to make the stadium more attractive to hirers". "This includes exploring ways to adjust the capacity of the stadium for different events," the report said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:41 UTC
Large Otago contingent
A swag of Otago athletes have been named in the the largest New Zealand team to compete at the Oceania championships. Paralympic shot putter Holly Robinson headlines the crew and is joined by Taieri clubmates Felix McDonald (long jump), Zharna Beattie (discus), Josh Chisholm (para shot put) and William Evans (javelin). Aspiring runners Hayato Yoneto (100m) and Phoebe Laker (200m 400m), Hill-City University runners Sadye Kawau (100m) and Alex Walker (400m), and Ariki long jumper Shay Veitch round out the Otago contingent. Dunedin coach Raylene Bates will also serve as the para team manager. The 157-strong team, which includes senior, under-18 and para athletes, will compete in Darwin on May 18-23.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:41 UTC
By-election candidate triggered bomb scare
Photo: suppliedA man whose actions triggered a bomb scare at a council is standing in the Dunedin City Council by-election. This involved him slipping an empty red suitcase into the Whakatāne District Council headquarters foyer and walking away, leaving it unattended. Dickson told the Whakatāne District Court he had not expected the police to get involved and the possibility of triggering a bomb scare had never entered his mind. The Otago Daily Times has been told Dickson, 72, is to be sentenced on April 15, which is five days after voting opens in the by-election. He has previously stood for the Otago Regional Council, Southern District Health Board and in a Port Otago electorate by-election.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:36 UTC
Pretty in green
Photo: ReutersPrincess Catherine, Princess of Wales, presents a shamrock to Irish wolfhound Turlough Mor, also known as Seamus, the 17th Regimental Mascot of the Irish Guards, during the St Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks, in Aldershot, as the western hemisphere celebrated the Christian and cultural holiday yesterday. Photo: ReutersNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani greets people during the city’s 265th St Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo: ReutersA man holds a child dressed in colours of the Ireland flag during the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin. Photo: ReutersA St Patrick impersonator takes part in the Dublin parade.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:32 UTC
Drug dealer loses prized pinball machines
Kim Michael Dozier had a collection of pinball machines, quantities of drugs and cash at his Christchurch home when police arrived. In his garage, police also found his collection of arcade pinball machines, collectively worth between $150,000 and $172,000. In a recently released decision, Justice Jonathan Eaton ordered the restraint of the pinball machines under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act. Justice Eaton was satisfied that both the cash seized during the search and the pinball machines were tainted property and that Dozier had unlawfully benefited from significant criminal activity. Justice Eaton directed the order be served on third parties who may be intended parties by virtue of a sale of a particular pinball machine.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 14:12 UTC
Ukraine rail gives actor Sean Penn an ‘Oscar’ made from train carriage hit by Russia
Sean Penn skipped the Oscars to visit Ukraine and received a symbolic statue made from damaged metal. Photo / Ukrainian railway company Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ), AFPUS actor Sean Penn, who skipped Sunday’s Oscars ceremony to visit Ukraine, has been gifted a symbolic version of the famous statuette made from the damaged metal of a train carriage hit in a Russian strike. Penn, a staunch backer of Kyiv, scooped the best supporting actor award at the glitzy Hollywood ceremony for his role in dystopian dramedy One Battle After Another but chose to visit Ukraine instead of receiving the award in person. Penn is a vocal advocate for Ukraine and has visited the country several times since Russia invaded, including to co-direct a documentary about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he calls a friend. “Sean Penn came to Ukraine and missed the Academy Awards – so Ukrainian railway gave him one of his own,” Ukrainian railways [Ukrzaliznytsia] said on X.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 14:04 UTC
Radio firm's shares tumble after shock jock axed
ARN suspended Kyle Sandilands earlier this month after he berated co-host Jackie "O" Henderson on-air nearly two weeks earlier. Photo: Getty ImagesAn Australian radio giant's value has slid further after it axed a top-rating show and set up a likely lengthy legal battle with shock jock Kyle Sandilands. The colourful host vowed to sue ARN today after it tore up his $A100 million ($NZ121 million) contract and axed the long-running Kyle and Jackie O Show. ARN announced Sandilands' contract termination this morning in a statement to the ASX. The Sydney ratings darlings are in the second year of a decade-long, $A200 million contract which coincided with a poorly received entry into the Melbourne radio market.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 13:53 UTC
Debate continues about the future of domestic cricket, Black Caps stars call for resolution
The players are demanding a revolution. The NZ Herald's Alex Powell wrote an article which included comments from Black Caps mainstays Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra stating that NZ20 is what they are wanting and that they want that resolution quickly. Alex joined Elliott to discuss what is currently going on and what he knows as we wait for the answer of what is going to happen to domestic cricket in New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 13:42 UTC
Christchurch writer 'stunned' after Meghan Markle shoutout
Photo: SuppliedA book of poems about motherhood has been dog-eared and shared by Meghan Markle on her social media. They Bloom Because of You was published two weeks ago by Christchurch-based mother of three, Jessica Urlichs. "I was just completely stunned, I didn't believe that it would be real," Urlichs told RNZ. When Urlichs posted her "shock" at the "huge moment" Markle replied with the message: "My mom friend, Christina, shared it with me. Overseas interest in the book has spiked since Markle, who lives in California with husband Prince Harry and their two children, posted about it.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 13:27 UTC
BNZ joins fixed rate hikes, outflanking Westpac on key terms
Interest.co.nz notes that BNZ’s one‑year rate is now matching Kiwibank and sits below Westpac’s recently increased one‑year offer, giving BNZ a competitive edge at that term. Its 18‑month rate also remains “at a very competitive level among the major banks”, while the two‑year rate, although higher, is still around 30 basis points below Westpac’s new two‑year level and in line with ANZ and Kiwibank. Wholesale funding costs drive latest round of risesBNZ did not provide commentary alongside its rate announcement, but the timing closely mirrors Westpac’s explanation that longer‑dated funding has become more expensive. Sarah Hearn, Westpac NZ’s managing director of product, sustainability and marketing, said this week that longer‑term wholesale rates “have increased significantly in recent weeks, driving up funding costs for lenders”. Those shifts come despite the Reserve Bank holding the official cash rate at 2.25% at its February meeting.
Source:Stuff
March 18, 2026 13:10 UTC
Crime group of alleged US hitman accused of bribing prison officers
Photo: SuppliedPolice allege an organised crime group they've linked to the killing of a New Zealand man corrupted prison officers and bail officials. One of the defendants, a 35-year-old Auckland man, is accused of being one of the senior members with direct reporting back to a more senior member in the US. Police allege this included corrupting prison officers and bail address managers "to facilitate the movement of the syndicate's property". They claim the group rented Airbnbs at multiple addresses throughout Auckland to assist them in their activities. In June 2025, the American syndicate members were arrested.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 12:32 UTC