Tararua shrinks rates rise from 11.84 percent to 4.83 percent
Photo: Warwick Smith / LDRTararua residents can expect a far lesser rates increase than predicted from their council's 2026/27 Annual Budget. Bringing the average rates increase down from 11.84 percent to 4.83 percent hadn't "happened by accident", Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore said. Council did not undergo formal consultation on this year's budget, with Gilmore saying such an approach reflected a "conscious decision" from council to focus on financial discipline. The 4.83 percent figure was an average increase and individual rates and property factors meant some ratepayers would see their total higher or lower than this figure. The community was encouraged to engage early in the council's upcoming talks on its Long Term Plan (LTP).
Source:Stuff
April 01, 2026 02:50 UTC
Fears new subdivision could 'fragment' township
An illustration of what the 800-home Bangor Village subdivision on the outskirts of Darfield could look like. Hughes Developments is using the government’s fast-track process to get consent for Bangor Village, a 700-800 home subdivision on 126ha of farmland between Bangor Rd and State Highway 73 in Darfield. The fast-track process also does not allow for public feedback. The application comes after the Darfield Estates subdivision received consent to go ahead on the other side of the township. Grigg defended the fast-track process.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 02:27 UTC
Failed Wellington mayoral candidate trespassed from Upper Hutt council offices
Photo: David Unwin/The PostThe Upper Hutt City Council has trespassed failed Wellington mayoral candidate and controversial social media figure Graham Bloxham from its offices. Bloxham endorsed Guppy, posting a video interview with the eight-term mayor, but said he did so on his own volition. Bloxham live-posted details from a private Wellington City Council media training session last November, when councillor Ray Chung left an open phone line to him for 40 minutes. He has claimed to have sold Wellington Live, but remained the forefront of its social media posts. The next Upper Hutt council meeting is today at 3.30pm.
Source:Stuff
April 01, 2026 01:47 UTC
'Justice served': Life sentence for brutal Gurjit Singh murder
Outside court, Mr Singh's father Nishan said he felt justice had been served and paid tribute to police, prosecutors and those who had supported the family during their ordeal. Mr Singh’s parents said the weight of losing their only son in such a callous attack was devastating. They had sold everything to enable Mr Singh to travel to New Zealand in 2016, study and establish a business for himself. Mr Singh’s body was found on his front lawn partially decapitated; at least 46 stab wounds were later identified by a pathologist. Gurjit Singh's father, Nishan Singh, told media outside the Dunedin court today he feels justice had been served.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 23:36 UTC
Teen accused of stealing Caversham cars
A teenager has been arrested after three cars were allegedly stolen from a Dunedin suburb. Acting Senior Sergeant Iain Notman, of Dunedin, said two Mazda Demios and a Toyota Aqua were taken from the Caversham area last night. Police found a 15-year-old boy in one of them. He was arrested, charged with multiple vehicle thefts and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle, and was scheduled to appear in the Youth Court today. It was at this stage suspected the boy had stolen all three vehicles, but inquiries were continuing into possible further offences in the area, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 22:44 UTC
Easter alcohol sale restrictions could be gone by weekend
Photo: RNZSome restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday alcohol sales could be gone as soon as this long weekend. A member's bill from Labour MP Kieran McAnulty would amend the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow premises that are already open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day morning and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under normal licence conditions. Currently, bars or restaurants can only sell alcohol if the patron is "residing or lodging" on the premises, or "present on the premises to dine". Parliament treats alcohol legislation as a conscience matter, meaning MPs vote according to their personal view or what they think is best for their electorate or community, rather than as a party bloc. Luxton's own member's bill to repeal alcohol restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday was voted down at first reading in 2024.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 22:44 UTC
Couch fire in Castle St investigated
The remains of the couch in Castle St today. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHPolice are making inquiries after a couch was set alight in Dunedin’s student quarter. Acting Senior Sergeant Iain Notman, of Dunedin, said officers and firefighters were called to Castle St about 1am today after reports of a couch alight. The Campus Cop would be making further inquiries this morning, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said. Police say they have been pleased with the apparent lack of couch fires recently, with none reported during the St Patrick’s Day partying last month.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 22:44 UTC
Online auction worth a go despite slim demand
Mr Bennett, of Tuatapere, offered 31 Jersey empty cows on the online auction platform Bidr earlier this month. He sold six cows, born in 2020, and another six cows, born in 2023, featuring high breeding worth data. Mr Bennett wondered if demand at the auction was soft because they were Jerseys, rather than Holstein Friesians or crossbreds. He decided to sell the cows due to the higher prices being paid for dairy cows and his offering having sound udders, capable of producing milk over winter. ‘‘They are nice dairy cows and good to milk from for years.’’Usually he sent his empty cows to the works.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 22:37 UTC
Grounded for forseeable future
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONAn Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232 sits on the tarmac at Dunedin Airport yesterday, after it was grounded following its arrival from Auckland on Monday morning. An airline spokeswoman said the aircraft experienced bird-strike and required additional engineering checks. A return flight to Auckland on Monday was cancelled and the aircraft’s schedule has been cleared for the foreseeable future.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 21:49 UTC
Media Insider: Broadcasting Standards Authority v Sean Plunket and The Platform
Making this a probably futile exercise, but one the [Broadcasting Standards] Authority requires. We aren’t subject to the Broadcasting Standards Authority.”Fanselow then took the matter to the authority, asking it if Plunket was correct. “Taking a purposive approach to the act, which is designed to provide for the maintenance of programme standards in New Zealand broadcasting, the act is appropriately seen as capturing such modern forms of broadcasting. “We have no intention of acting outside the act – our view is that online broadcasting that resembles a traditional TV or radio station falls within our existing jurisdiction. “The Broadcasting Standards Authority, or BSA, handles complaints that TV or radio programmes breached broadcasting standards.
Source:Stuff
March 31, 2026 21:09 UTC
Family elated drug for daughter funded
A Dunedin family say they are over the moon that a potentially ‘‘life-saving’’ drug treating cystic fibrosis (CF) has got full government funding. Pharmac yesterday removed the requirement for CF patients needing to be at least 6 years old in order to receive subsidised Trikafta. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHThe announcement came as great news for one Dunedin family who were planning to move to Australia if they were unable to access the drug in New Zealand. ‘‘This decision is life-changing for our family - we can stay in New Zealand with our village and Maya has the chance at a healthier, happier life,’’ Mrs Palmer said. Maya - a regular at hospitals - was a ‘‘very happy’’ child, Mrs Palmer said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 20:10 UTC
New biography reveals Queen Elizabeth’s anger over Prince Philip’s death
The book also details the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which the couple entered strict isolation together at Windsor, overseen by a reduced household staff. The book by Hugo Vickers details Elizabeth and Phillip's private life, health struggles and isolation during the pandemic. Photo / Getty ImagesHugo wrote: “The Queen let the Duke do exactly as he pleased. In a sense, they had separated.”During the pandemic, Elizabeth and Philip were brought together at Windsor Castle, living in what staff referred to as “HMS Bubble”, a restricted environment with limited personnel. “The following morning, he got up, had a bath, said he did not feel well and quietly slipped away.”The biography also describes Elizabeth’s reaction to his death.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 31, 2026 20:02 UTC
Missing Frenchman: 'Devastated' family appeal for help
Antoine Richard was last seen in Cromwell late on March 21. Photo: NZ PoliceThe family of French national Antoine Richard is appealing for more help in the search for the 21-year-old reported missing in Cromwell. Richard was last seen on March 21, about 11.45pm at the Victoria Arms Hotel on the corner of Achil St and Melmore Tce. "We have been devastated with worry since we heard the news," the family said. Richard was last seen also wearing light-coloured knee-length shorts and a black t-shirt, police said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 19:58 UTC
Harnessing the feel-good factor
A few decades on he is winning awards for his dairy-free chocolate bon bons. Mind Your Temper then uses that raw product to create its specialty chocolates, bon bons and dipped pralines. For the bon bon, different shapes would mean different fillings. In 2022 he won the best bon bon in the Vegan Chocolate Awards. In the past, many of his alcohol-flavoured bon bons have won medals, such as his maple, bourbon and pecan and Cointreau and hazelnut bon bons.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 19:32 UTC
Mammoth effort finds Molly
A mammoth helicopter rescue operation to find a beloved border collie in remote back country near Hokitika had a heart-warming ending yesterday when the pooch was found alive and well. Over $11,000 was raised in less than a day by people hoping to see Molly reunited with her owner. Border collie Molly looks at the view from her rescue helicopter. Last week the West Coast Rescue Helicopter flew to the Campbell Range to rescue Molly’s owner, who was badly injured after tumbling 55m over a waterfall. She was picked up from Campbell Bivouac and flown back to hospital in Greymouth, but Molly was lost in the accident.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 19:27 UTC