Tauranga man imprisoned for rape, violence, and threats against partner
The man was sentenced in the Tauranga District Court. The man was sentenced by Judge Thomas Ingram in the Tauranga District Court this week. Judge Ingram applied a 20% discount for the man’s guilty plea and a 15% discount for his difficult background. He determined that a five-year prison sentence was appropriate. “You need to be doing something worthwhile whilst you are in prison,” Judge Ingram said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 09, 2026 18:17 UTC
Weather: Fire risk with temperatures set to soar amid strong wind, scorching heat
MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley told the Herald a heat alert warns people of more than a “typical hot summer’s day”. Gusts of up to 130km/h are expected in exposed parts of the Canterbury high country and the surrounding foothills. Heavy rain warnings are in place for parts of Westland and Fiordland, with a burst of rain expected on Saturday and Sunday. Pawley advised people in affected areas to prepare their properties and drive cautiously in anticipation of the heavy rain and wind. The Earth Sciences seasonal climate outlook for January to March also indicated above-average rainfall for the north and east of the North Island, and below-average rainfall for the west of the South Island.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 09, 2026 18:14 UTC
Divorce coach Fran Young: How to spot a cheating husband and enjoy life after marriage
Most Chinese went to Auckland or Otago to become doctors, dentists and accountants, but I broke the norm. Fran Young says her mother Susan wasn't happy she was marrying into a marriage of "hardship". Divorce coach Fran Young had been married to her husband for 30 years; she noticed he changed towards her when he turned 50. Fran Young told her husband she wanted out of their marriage when she discovered he was living with another woman. Divorce coach Fran Young says she kept asking herself, "Shall I stay or shall I go?"
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 09, 2026 17:58 UTC
Herald morning quiz: January 10
Which element is named after the Greek word for lazy? Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Which element is named after the Greek word for lazy? Test your general knowledge with the Herald’s morning quiz. Be sure to check back on nzherald.co.nz for tomorrow’s morning quiz.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 09, 2026 17:32 UTC
Police officer living with gang member and caught with cannabis in drug bust one of 10 investigations into links between police and organised crime
The case is one of a growing number of investigations into links between police staff and members of gangs or organised criminal figures in recent years. But besides that nothing else just always keeping a look out for him.”The Comancheros motorcycle gang has featured regularly in corruption investigations involving police staff. One was a police employee who was associating with an organised criminal group and allegedly trading information for drugs. “Recent investigations into leaks of sensitive information to gang members and organised criminal groups highlight the reality of insider threats,” Schaare said. He was charged with importing methamphetamine, supplying the Class A drug and participating in an organised criminal group, and laundering more than $1 million cash.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 09, 2026 17:31 UTC
Sir Tim Shadbolt's Invercargill funeral service details revealed
Photo: Stephen Jaquiery/ODTA public funeral service to celebrate the life of Sir Tim Shadbolt will be held in Invercargill next Friday. Lifelong friend Gary McCormick said Sir Tim had a landmark smile and a personality to match it. The funeral service would be held at Invercargill's Civic Theatre from 2pm Friday, 16 January. It would be livestreamed on the Invercargill City Council YouTube account and his tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes. A private celebration of Sir Tim and interment at Invercargill's Eastern Cemetery would be held after the service.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 09, 2026 16:04 UTC
Overgrown roundabout seen as crash risk and fire hazard
The overgrown roundabout obscures this Holden Captiva (inset) before it rounds the bend. But many motorists say the overgrown vegetation in the middle of the Halswell Junction Rd and Springs Rd roundabout is a danger – and a potential fire risk. Dozens have complained to Halswell Ward city councillor Andrei Moore. “It’s an overgrown roundabout. Is the maintenance about safety or is it aesthetic?”The overgrown roundabout is a key junction between Wigram, Hornby, Halswell and Prebbleton.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 09, 2026 16:03 UTC
Fugitive still at large after vehicle thefts
PHOTO: ODT FILESA fugitive who led Dunedin police on a city-wide manhunt and who the public has been warned not to approach is still at large. Police have been appealing for information on the whereabouts of Caleb Lynn, wanted over aggravated robbery and other alleged offences, since Tuesday. A police spokeswoman yesterday confirmed Lynn was still outstanding and there was a warrant for his arrest. The manhunt took place after a string of vehicle thefts, including a courier van. A New Zealand Post spokesperson confirmed the courier van — which was stolen from Outram on Thursday morning — was one of their vehicles.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 09, 2026 15:36 UTC
St John facing rise in abuse
The South Island emergency medical dispatcher spoke to the Otago Daily Times amid a rise in hostility aimed at emergency services this summer. Hato Hone St John Southland and Otago District operations manager David Milne said the rise in abuse came as people had been "overindulging" in the holiday period and abusing staff. "It can be quite disheartening and quite deflating really, when all you want to do is help people." Mr Milne said the number of reported incidents of abuse had been increasing. Last year, there were eight physical assaults on frontline staff, two sexual harassment incidents and eight verbal abuse incidents,but abuse incidents were often under-reported, so there were likely more that had happened, Mr Milne said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 09, 2026 15:36 UTC
US dad suddenly fluent in Spanish after waking from surgery
Stephen Chase said he could only count to ten in Spanish before surgery. US dad suddenly fluent in Spanish after waking from surgeryStephen Chase said he could only count to ten in Spanish before surgery. An American father was stunned to discover he could suddenly speak fluent Spanish after waking from surgery. The Utah resident, now 33, said he was shocked to find himself speaking Spanish, given he previously knew only a few phrases and could count to ten. “I don’t really recollect speaking Spanish, just people asking me to speak English and being really confused.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 09, 2026 15:00 UTC
Northland harbourmaster warns ageing boats, poor navigation, and channel anchoring are risking lives
There were many people in vessels 6 metres or less who needed to wear lifejackets, not just carry them, he said. Despite high winds and big swells, some boaties still ventured out, including two catamarans that overturned in separate incidents, Lyle said. The other catamaran, a larger vessel, nearly sank after hitting a rock - again likely due to poor navigation, Lyle said. Small vessels obstructing large ships — a breach of navigation safety bylaws — is also becoming common, Lyle said. Large vessels look slow, but their speed is deceptive,” he said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 09, 2026 14:28 UTC
Tesco: Londoners are officially bananas for bananas
SuperValu is cutting prices on items shoppers buy most, from fresh fruit, veg, dairy and meat to nappies, pet food, firelighters, tea, coffee, orange juice, parma ham, soups, bin bags, biscuits and more. Source: thisismoney.co.ukHurom launches 'Gwachaeroom' brand, showcasing fresh fruits and vegetablesHurom announced the launch of its new brand 'Gwachaeroom', which curates and selects premium fruits and vegetables. At the newly opened Gwachaeroom Naver Smart Store, customers can purchase the Enzyme Juice Kit and fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. Through the launch of the Gwachaeroom brand, we hope customers will experience a diverse range of healthy foods made with fruits and vegetables". While Londoners found bananas most appealing, in every other region in the UK milk was the number one item that Clubcard members put in their shopping baskets".
Source:Stuff
January 09, 2026 12:57 UTC
Signs and letters taken from national war memorial
Letters have been stolen from signage at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park. Photo: SuppliedThe Ministry for Culture and Heritage is "bitterly disappointed" after discovering vandalism at the national war memorial park. It said metal signage including individual letter and full text phrases have been removed from Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington. The signs had been a gift from France to New Zealand representing the friendship forged between the two countries following World War 1. There was also damage and letters taken from the French Memorial.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 09, 2026 12:15 UTC
200 passengers stranded on Bluebridge ferry overnight
Photo: SuppliedA problem with a Bluebridge ferry has left passengers stranded, with some spending the night berthed in Wellington harbour. One passenger told RNZ they had to cancel their trip to the South Island as a result of the disruption. Others were reasonably relaxed and told RNZ the ferry company had given them places to sleep and food and drink. 'Boring' night on vesselPetra Clarke told RNZ it had been a "long and boring" night onboard. StraitNZ Bluebridge later clarified the problem identified ahead of sailing was separate from the issue with the ramp.
Source:Stuff
January 09, 2026 12:00 UTC