Cannabis shows 'little benefit' for most mental disorders
Photo: Getty ImagesCannabis-based medicines have shown little evidence of effectiveness for treating most mental health and substance-use disorders, a large review of past studies shows. The studies assessed cannabinoids as a primary treatment for mental disorders or substance-use disorders. Overall, the review found no significant benefit for several conditions commonly cited as reasons for medical cannabis use, including anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and opioid-use disorder. Researchers also found a reduction in some autistic traits in those with autism spectrum disorder, and increased sleep time in patients with insomnia among those treated with cannabis medicines. "We clearly need to do more research on medical cannabis, particularly for those conditions that have limited alternative treatments," Wilson said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 14:13 UTC
Dave Letele says ‘wave of crime coming’ if Kiwis don’t receive support amid soaring fuel prices
Increasing fuel costs and inflation will push people already doing it tough over the edge, Letele said. “These people are going to be trying to siphon petrol to then sell it. There is more of this wave of crime coming, I’m telling you right now.”Community activist and former boxer David Letele. The price increase has even caused auto stores across Auckland to sell out of petrol containers as some Kiwis look to stock up on fuel. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said on Sunday there was about 50 days of petrol and diesel in the country, or on its way here.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 17, 2026 13:34 UTC
Why has the price of mince risen 23% in a year?
The average price of a kilogram of beef mince was now $4.60 more than the same time in 2025. Sirloin steak was up 21.5 percent annually and even beef mince was up 23.2 percent, to an average $24.46 a kilogram. Stats NZ's price and deflators spokesperson Nicola Growden said the average price of a kilogram of beef mince was now $4.60 more than the same time in 2025. "This is the largest annual price increase in beef mince prices since the series began in June 2006." Westpac senior economist Satish Ranchhod said export beef prices were up, which was being reflected in local prices.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 11:21 UTC
Two brutal killings decades apart: How the mental system failed
Photo: SuppliedRNZ has obtained court documents including statements from those who knew him best that lift the lid on Parr's life, his mental health battles and his family's anger with the mental health system. He was admitted to a psychiatric unit under the Mental Health Act in August that year after attempting suicide. Justice Grau said the case occurred "against a backdrop of apparent significant failures in the mental health system". When RNZ first revealed the case she called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into forensic mental health facilities. "Given that unbelievably this is not the only recent case where someone in forensic mental health 'care' has gone on to kill twice.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 09:13 UTC
Bondi attack: Gunman's family fearful, court told
Angry, misguided individuals keen to be vigilantes could target Akram's mother and siblings, Mr Wilson said. The family had received death threats and had been intimidated by groups of men turning up at their western Sydney home late at night, Mr Wilson told the court. "We're going to kill you," someone else told Akram's brother on WhatsApp. The suppression order was needed because there was a catastrophic risk that one of Akram's family members could be killed, Mr Wilson said. "The court could have sympathy with Akram's mother and siblings, finding they were three further people impacted by the Bondi attack," Mr Lewis said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 08:53 UTC
Health funding for winter a drop in the bucket: unions
Photo: Getty ImagesMillions in new government funding to meet winter demand is a drop in the bucket, healthcare unions say. Photo: RNZ"We know that demand will still be high and hospitals will face record levels of patients this winter. There aren't 567 short-term care beds just sitting empty right now in New Zealand." "It's a pretty standard winter plan, the sort that was rolled out under Labour governments. Sarah Dalton from the senior doctor's union, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, called it a drop in the bucket.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 05:55 UTC
Chris Hipkins arrives back in New Zealand amid questions over ex-wife’s allegations
Facing questions from reporters waiting at Wellington International Airport, he said he’d hold a media stand-up to comment on the allegations. Labour leader Chris Hipkins was greeted by members of the media eager for answers as he arrived at Wellington International Airport on Tuesday. You won’t find me talking about them, beyond generic references to being a parent, anywhere in public,” said Hipkins. He said he rejected the allegations Paul made and “the characterisation of those events”. Hipkins said he had not spoken with his former partner, who is currently overseas, since she made the allegations.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 17, 2026 05:05 UTC
Four arrested after police chase across Auckland following alleged home invasion
“Given the risk posed, the Armed Offenders Squad [AOS] was deployed and pursued the vehicle on Queen St,” Gray said. The vehicle was stopped when the AOS carried out a non-compliant vehicle stop on Karangahape Rd. Police take a man into custody after a police chase across the city that ended in a crash on Karangahape Rd. Members of the Armed Offenders Squad carried out a non-compliant vehicle stop on Karangahape Rd. Police were also seen around the Auckland University of Technology and outside a car dealership on Karangahape Rd.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 17, 2026 04:54 UTC
Masseuse says clients lying about alleged groping
Annie Varghese denies two charges of indecently assaulting clients during a massage. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONA Dunedin masseuse accused of groping two clients says the women made up the allegations. Annie Varghese, 51, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday for the third day of her judge-alone trial. In December, the court heard from the two complainants, who both alleged Varghese had touched their breasts and buttocks’ during the treatment, leaving them shaken and uncomfortable. Yesterday, the defendant said the women were lying about what she did to them.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 04:33 UTC
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Teary Hipkins denies ex-wife's claims
Image: RNZLabour leader Chris Hipkins has flatly denied claims made by his former wife on social media, saying he's not going to get into a back-and-forth through the media. On Monday, Hipkins said: "I reject the allegations entirely and don't intend to make any further comment." Arriving back in New Zealand from Australia, Hipkins told media at Parliament late this afternoon that it was ultimately a personal and family matter. He again denied Paul's claims and would not comment on the details of the allegations. The 47-year-old MP for Remutaka said he had always made an effort to his private life private - and that would continue.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 03:42 UTC
How NZ's fuel escalation levels work
Under it, there is the potential for escalating fuel supply disruption to higher levels, but "minimal current impact on fuel distribution". Level 2: Moderate impact on fuel sectorIn this level, "most" customers are still serviced, but there is a risk of shortages to critical fuel customers. "Critical fuel customers will continue to source fuel from, and be supplied by, their regular fuel suppliers until it is no longer possible or practicable to do so." As well as all the actions seen in lower levels, fuel companies will be required to supply only critical fuel customers and these customers can be serviced by any supplier. Public helpAs well as the fuel escalation process, the National Fuel Plan also notes that the public can be encouraged by the government and the fuel sector to voluntarily reduce fuel consumption.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 03:38 UTC
India: 10 Killed in Odisha Hospital Fire
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A deadly fire broke out at a government-run hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha early on Monday, officials have confirmed. "A short circuit caused the fire in the trauma ICU ward where patients were being treated," said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Electrical short circuits, usually caused by badly maintained wiring, are the leading cause of building fires in India. In 2024, a fire at a private hospital in the southern state of Tamil Nadu killed six people and injured dozens. Read: Modi: India Stands with Israel 'With Full Conviction'Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Source:Stuff
March 17, 2026 03:15 UTC
Night 'n Day's NEV dairy plan hits opposition
The location of the new dairy, 27 North Rd. Nearby businesses have lodged their opposition against ‘‘unreasonable and unfair’’ parking changes for a new North Dunedin dairy. The proposal, and other parking changes, will be considered by council’s hearing committee this week. Night ’n Day representatives also backed changes outside stores in Eglinton Rd and Main South Rd, also intended to increase parking turnover. Other proposed changes include creating 30 unrestricted parks in Main South Rd, near the Sunnyvale Community Centre, following a trial last year.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 02:43 UTC
Invercargill mayor stands by comments over AI data centre cable
An early impression of Datagrid's data centre, which would become the country's second highest electricity user. Image: SuppliedInvercargill mayor Tom Campbell is standing by his view that a new cable for a large AI data centre will not impact the environment at Ōreti Beach, despite a report saying otherwise. Last week, Datagrid announced it had gained consent from the region’s councils for a giant 78,000sqm data centre in Makarewa — about 15 minutes north of Invercargill. Leersnyder highlighted a risk of disturbance to marine mammals during underwater cable placement, especially whales and dolphins because of sound and vibration. Work would be suspended if marine mammals were within 500 metres during underwater cable laying, and equipment with emission levels of 210dB would be started gradually.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 01:47 UTC