Thousands cross the FreshChoice City2Surf finish line
Thousands of people hit the pavement in Christchurch on Sunday for the FreshChoice City2Surf fun run. One runner thought they had taken the long route after crossing the finish line. "Not entirely sure how I managed to run 13.5km in a 12km event… but hey, we’ll count it as bonus training." What a great day, great effort, and great vibes all the way to the finish," she said. "It's a great way to get active and enjoy our great city."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 03:27 UTC
Spectacular aurora captured over Lake Ruataniwha
Twizel photographer Jeff Ng took took the photo at Lake Ruataniwha. Photo: Jeff NgTwizel astrophotography enthusiast Jeff Ng says the region has seen a few auroras lately, after he captured a magnificent view on Saturday night. The Airbnb owner with a passion for photography took the colourful photo at Lake Ruataniwha about 10.30pm. Twizel is located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of two reserves in the country, with the other being in Wairarapa. The reserve spans 4367 square kilometres, with other parts of the South Island certified as dark sky sanctuaries, including the more recent Tāhuna Glenorchy Sanctuary.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 03:27 UTC
One dead, three injured in serious crash on Lindis Pass
Police have confirmed one person has died following a serious two-vehicle crash on the Lindis Pass, which also left three others injured this afternoon. A Police spokeswoman said the incident happened between Old Faithful Rd and Omarama, near the Lindis Pass scenic lookout, about 12.20pm. "Sadly, despite best efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene." She said three other people were injured in the two-car crash. The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 03:27 UTC
Wrestling ref kicked out of the way by performers while convulsing in the ring
NZ Herald Morning News Update | US Marines moved to Middle East, Israel strikes kill 800 in Lebanon, one dead in crash near Whanganui Airport. Video / NZ HeraldWrestling ref kicked out of the way by performers while convulsing in the ringA wrestling referee was kicked aside by performers while having a seizure in the ring at an event in Louisville, Kentucky. Edwards lay motionless on the mat and was checked on by one of the performers, but other performers soon entered the ring and the match continued. The referee began to convulse in the ring with one of the wrestlers trying to pull him away in to the corner and then moving him away with his foot. “Referee Dallas Edwards is in some trouble here, guys,” one of the commentators said as the camera panned away from his body.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 03:01 UTC
Gull petrol stations run out of fuel as petrol hits the $3-a-litre mark
Gull has 113 petrol stations, mostly in the North Island and it said it was very busy on Sunday. Locals said the self-serve Gull petrol station at Rosebank roundabout in West Auckland ran out of fuel on Saturday night and the Gull at Rosebank East had a sign up saying “no fuel”. Photo / RNZ, Pretoria GordonMeanwhile, the Tasman petrol station in Epsom was offering unleaded petrol at $2.72 on Saturday and had a sign on the pumps saying “no petrol containers”. The Tasman petrol station in Epsom, which was offering unleaded petrol at $2.72 on Saturday, also had a sign on the pumps saying “no petrol containers”. Gull respondsIn response, Gull told RNZ that customers continued to “flock to our stations in search of fair fuel prices”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 02:19 UTC
NZ Herald expert speculates on future All Blacks coaching assistant picks
An impasse could be brewing between Dave Rennie and New Zealand Rugby as the new All Blacks coach seeks to finalise his coaching team next week. No contracts at this stage have been offered to any All Blacks assistants, but speculation indicates an announcement will be made soon. NZ Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul joined D'Arcy to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 02:13 UTC
Minor injuries but major damage in Southland truck racing crash
Damage to the truck following the crash at Teretonga Park this morning. Photo: Mark Gargiulo via FacebookA driver had to be cut from his truck this morning, after it crashed during a racing event at Teretonga Park raceway, near Invercargill. "Crews extricated the patient using hydraulic cutting equipment, and left the patient in the care of ambulance." Emergency services attend to the driver following the crash. Photo: Mark Gargiulo via FacebookThe driver’s injuries were minor, but the racing truck was badly damaged in the incident.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 01:51 UTC
Trump calls on other countries to send warships to Strait of Hormuz
Photo: ReutersUS President Donald Trump urged other nations to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, after Iran threatened escalation across the Middle East to retaliate for Washington's bombing of its main Gulf island energy hub. "The Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!" In an earlier post on his Truth Social platform, he anticipated that many countries would send warships to allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for 20% of the world's oil. Trump had threatened to strike the oil infrastructure of Kharg Island unless Tehran stopped attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who replaced his slain father, has said the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 01:45 UTC
Two-car crash on Lindis Pass–Tarras Rd brings injuries and diversions
NZ Herald Morning News Update | US Marines moved to Middle East, Israel strikes kill 800 in Lebanon, one dead in crash near Whanganui Airport. Video / NZ HeraldAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. A crash has blocked the Lindis Pass–Tarras Rd this afternoon after two vehicles collided, with early indications people have been injured. Police were called to the crash between Old Faithfull Rd and the Ōmarama–Lindis Pass Rd at about 12.20pm.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 01:33 UTC
Dive squad search Lake Manapouri for missing boatie
Lake Manapouri. File photo: STEPHEN JAQUIERYA search involving the National Dive Squad is ongoing after a person fell overboard from a vessel on Lake Manapouri last night. Sergeant Alun Griffiths, of Southland Search and Rescue, said police were notified at about 6.15pm that a person had fallen from a vessel while about 1km from shore. "An initial search last night was unsuccessful and later paused at around 10pm," Sgt Griffiths said. "The Police National Dive Squad are currently assisting with search efforts."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 01:30 UTC
Lindis Pass closed, three injured in serious crash
A serious two-vehicle crash has closed Lindis Pass and left at least three people injured. A police spokeswoman said the incident happened on State Highway 8 between Old Faithful Rd and Omarama, near the Lindis Pass viewpoint, about 12.20pm today. A Hato Hone St John Ambulance spokeswoman said a first response unit, an operations manager, one ambulance and two rescue helicopters — one from Queenstown and one from Dunedin — were sent to the scene. The crash has blocked the road and the pass is closed until further notice. The Serious Crash Unit will conduct an investigation into the crash.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 01:12 UTC
NZ20 v Big Bash: New Zealand Cricket board poised for crunch Twenty20 league vote
The Herald understands that, if a vote was to eventuate, the board is believed to be 6-2 in favour of the NZ20 competition. Should the board vote be split at 4-4, the casting vote would fall on board chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon. Photo / Photosport“Contrary to suggestions of NZC executive interference or attempts to destabilise the process, there has been no such activity. If the NZC board decided to go with NZ20, six international white-ball fixtures would need to be rescheduled, disrupting NZC’s new broadcast deal with Sky TV. So damaging were those reports, Puketapu-Lyndon, the board chair, was forced to send a letter to the International Cricket Council chair to dismiss claims of a “hostile takeover”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 00:40 UTC
Neil Wallace jailed by Nelson court for child sex abuse after victim breaks silence
Photo / 123rfThe parent described Wallace as “vile” and as insignificant as a “tiny grain of sand in a vast ocean”. “All of this trauma, all of this grief came out and I decided to go to the police,” the victim told NZME. “It was calculated, and it was deliberate,” the victim told the court. It is yours,” the victim told Wallace as he bowed his head in the dock. ‘Limited insight’One alcohol and drug clinician described Wallace as having limited insight into his offending.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 00:34 UTC
‘AI illiterate’: New Zealand at risk of being left behind as data centre plans move forward
It describes a data centre that was built to serve AI technology, through training and inference. AI training involved teaching a model by feeding it datasets to learn patterns, while AI inference was the application of that knowledge. Laurence runs Ten Past Tomorrow, a strategic advisory and AI training company with the aim of increasing AI literacy and capability in New Zealand. Microsoft opened a data centre in Auckland in 2024, while Amazon Web Services (AWS) spent $7.5b building a cluster of data centres in the city. Transpower said it was confident the national grid could meet the energy needs of the new data centre.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 00:29 UTC
Seventh anniversary of mosque murders commemorated
Photo: RNZCommemorations are underway in Christchurch to mark the seventh anniversary of the mosque attacks. A service at the Peace Bell in the botanic gardens started with a minute's silence, followed by the names of the 51 victims. 'Showed the world strength, compassion and unity' - PMIn a post on social media, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to those who lost their lives. "Seven years ago, Christchurch, and New Zealand, showed the world strength, compassion and unity in the face of tragedy. "We honour those who were taken from us by continuing to build a country where everyone can live in peace and safety," the post said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 00:27 UTC