'Champion for the underdog': Sir Tim Shadbolt dead at 78
Sir Tim Shadbolt. Photo: ODT FilesFormer Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt has died at the age of 78. His partner Asha Dutt described Sir Tim as "a kind-hearted man who cared deeply about the people around him". “Sir Tim served an incredible eight terms as mayor of Invercargill, and he leaves an enormous legacy within our community. Sir Tim Shadbolt stands beside his portrait by Deidre Copeland.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 08, 2026 04:19 UTC
Toddler taken to hospital after drowning in pool at Wairarapa home
“Her mum remains by her side, while the rest of the family is distraught and urgently needs tautoko [support]. “Layla-Mae is a beloved daughter, sister, mokopuna, and niece, deeply cherished by her whānau and wider whānau. “Their precious Laylah-Mae was involved in a serious drowning incident and is now fighting for her life in hospital. A police spokeswoman confirmed officers were called to the Wairarapa address about 2.30pm on Wednesday to reports of a drowning. “One person was injured and taken to hospital, but is now stable,” she said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 08, 2026 04:12 UTC
2025 climate summary: Hottest places around NZ revealed
Photo: Supplied / Earth Sciences NZ2025 was the country's fourth-hottest year on record, according to Earth Sciences New Zealand's (ESNZ) annual climate report. The highest air temperature of the year was 35.6 degrees recorded at Kawerau on 7 December. The organisation has recorded the annual temperature at seven weather stations across the country since 1909. The crown for the region with the highest annual sunshine went to Taranaki with 2743 hours recorded at New Plymouth. Photo: Supplied / Earth Sciences NZSea temperatures were also on the rise.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 08, 2026 04:04 UTC
American Airlines brings new Dreamliner for summer Auckland-Texas route
The suite seats were first rolled out in 2023 on Dreamliners and Airbus A321XLR twinjets. The airline says 51 Flagship Suite seats will have more personal storage space. The aircraft’s economy seats had new headrest wings for added privacy and new calf and foot rests. It had 32 premium economy seats with new trim and finish, wireless charging, water bottle storage and USB-C and AC power. Premium economy seats in the cabin.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 08, 2026 02:45 UTC
Billionaire's superyacht makes stop in Dunedin
The superyacht Pangaea Ocean Explorer off Roseneath yesterday. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYAn Australian billionaire’s $69 million superyacht, which doubles as a marine research vessel, has cruised into Dunedin. The Pangaea Ocean Explorer arrived in Port Otago yesterday from Port Lyttelton, sailing under the Jamaican flag. It is not the first superyacht to appear in Dunedin this season. In December, the 49.1m superyacht Teleost, owned by former Microsoft chief technology officer Nathan Myhrvold, docked in the harbour.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 23:20 UTC
Hot weather: Extreme fire danger for Canterbury, 37C Hawke’s Bay heat and beach safety warnings
The Sunday scorcher in Hawke’s Bay would follow 30C+ temperatures tomorrow and Saturday for both cities, and on varying days across a swathe of locations from Northland to Canterbury. They were issued just before noon for hot weather expected tomorrow in Whakatāne, Napier, Hastings, Blenheim and Kaikōura. 🌡️ Hot temperatures will be arriving later this week, especially in parts of the North Island. 🥵 Particularly hot temperatures at least in the mid-30s are signalled for Hawke's Bay this weekend. The hot weather is expected to make for a busy weekend at beaches, including the popular Piha on Auckland's West Coast.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 23:17 UTC
Person rescued after being trapped under vehicle in Westmere, Auckland
Police on Chester Ave in Westmere, where a person was seriously injured after being crushed by a vehicle. Person rescued after being trapped under vehicle in Westmere, AucklandPolice on Chester Ave in Westmere, where a person was seriously injured after being crushed by a vehicle. Photo / Michael CraigA person is seriously injured after being trapped under a vehicle in a central Auckland suburb. Fire and Emergency said its staff had to lift the vehicle to free the person at Westmere. Hato Hone St John said the person was seriously injured and had been taken to Auckland City Hospital.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 23:04 UTC
Young woman serious after St Clair Beach incident
A young woman has been taken to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition after an incident at St Clair Beach this morning. A Hato Hone St John spokesman said they were notified of the incident at 10.48am. One patient was assessed at the scene and was being transported to Dunedin Hospital by ambulance in ‘‘a serious condition’’, the spokesman said. Saint Clair Surf Life Saving Club paid lifeguard supervisor Mereana Martin said life guards responded to a first aid incident on the beach. Beachgoers Elsa Gordon and Braveheart Simmons told the ODT they saw a young woman being treated and carried on a stretcher to an ambulance.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 22:49 UTC
‘Hopelessness and desperation’: The impact of new emergency housing policies on those at the coalface
Tighter restrictions on emergency housing have been hailed as a game-changer by Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. Photo / Mark MitchellThe Government has challenged whether its emergency housing policies have contributed to rising homelessness. But it concedes it has no information on the living arrangements for about 20% of those who have moved out of emergency housing. Emergency housing is still available for people who meet the criteria and have nowhere else to go. It remains to be seen whether this has had an impact on the acceptance rate for emergency housing applications.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 22:24 UTC
Selfless tramper ‘much-loved’
PHOTO: ODT FILESA young Dunedin tramper found dead on a solo tramping trip has been described as a selfless volunteer and a "fine young man". Mr Purvis, who worked at Dunedin shop Bike House, was a cornet player in the Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass. OBHS rector Richard Hall said Mr Purvis was "a much-loved former student and a fine young man". Mr Hall said Mr Purvis was "defined by his selfless service and leadership". Police were grateful to Mr Purvis’ friends and family for their input and assistance with the search.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 21:59 UTC
Apt punishment to ‘scrub every bloody headstone’
PHOTO: TONI MCDONALDA fitting punishment for stealing plaques from the graves of war veterans would be to "clean and scrub every bloody headstone", an Invercargill RSA member says. Four of them were taken from the graves of returned service personnel who served in World Wars 1 and 2. If found guilty, the man "should be made to go down to the Eastern Cemetery and clean and scrub every bloody headstone there — it’s got a lot more", he said. "Hundred hours worth of community service down there cleaning up graves and headstones, I think, would be a very fitting punishment. The plaques were critical for families of war veterans to find their loved ones and see the physical acknowledgement of their sacrifice, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 21:34 UTC
Man crushed by vehicle in his driveway named
David Simmers. Photo: ODT FilesPolice have named the Wānaka man who died after becoming trapped under a vehicle in his driveway. He was David Simmers, 85. A person close to the man told the Otago Daily Times he was in his late 70s or early 80s, lived alone and had family living locally. PHOTO: EVIE SINCLAIRIt was not known how he became trapped under his vehicle, and no other people were involved.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 07, 2026 21:16 UTC
Man shot dead by police after six-hour siege on NSW Central Coast
A man has been shot dead by police after a siege at Springfield, on the NSW Central Coast. Man shot dead by police after six-hour siege on NSW Central CoastA man has been shot dead by police after a siege at Springfield, on the NSW Central Coast. Photo / Gaye Gerard, NewsWireA man has been fatally shot by police after a six-hour siege at a home on the New South Wales Central Coast. Police say a 49-year-old man armed himself with a screwdriver and other sharp objects after officers tried to speak to him. “Police continued to communicate with the man, who refused to co-operate,” NSW Police said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 21:12 UTC
Court rejects climate protester's hand-drawn $50 note featuring Shane Jones
Photo: Supplied"This storm in a T-shirt" is how a climate activist who tried to pay a court fine using a hand-drawn $50 note has described being trespassed for wearing a shirt saying 'It's a Climate Emergency'. Bruce Mahalski was convicted and discharged in December for trespassing at the Dunedin Airport after wearing the shirt and holding a protest sign. Another trip to Christchurch Airport had been uneventful, but when he returned to Dunedin Airport, he was trespassed. "Last time, I took the $50 note for my offender levy into the court in a bag of coal." As to whether he would return to Dunedin Airport, he did not plan to but expected other activists would.
Source:Stuff
January 07, 2026 21:02 UTC
Wānaka death: Man crushed under vehicle at home identified as David Simmers
Earlier this week a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said two crews attended Simmers’ home after the incident. She said a person was “trapped under a vehicle” and firefighters “extricated” them and assisted St John paramedics at the scene. A Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed two ambulances, one operations manager and one helicopter responded to the scene. Photo / NZMEA neighbour said Simmers had lived at the Roche St property for many years. According to family notices, Simmers’ wife, Jenny, died in 2018.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 07, 2026 20:59 UTC