Seventh anniversary of Christchurch mosque attacks marked
Photo: RNZCommemorations are underway in Christchurch to mark the seventh anniversary of the mosque attacks. '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. "Today we remember the 51 people who were killed in the Christchurch attacks, and we think of the families, friends, and communities who still live with that loss. "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 00:26 UTC
Lindis Pass closed following serious crash
State Highway 8 at Lindis Pass is closed following a serious crash this afternoon. In a statement, police said they were called to the two-vehicle crash, near the Lindis Pass viewpoint, at about 12.20pm. Initial indications suggest there are injures, police said. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and expect delays.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 00:19 UTC
Auckland fuel can sell out: Motorists stock up as petrol prices surge
It comes after Gull service stations across Auckland ran out of petrol this week as motorists took advantage of discount-day deals. Motorists took to social media to vent frustration over fuel pumps running dry. Fears of soaring global oil prices have rocked markets since the start of the Iran war two weeks ago. This has seen prices at the pump for Kiwi motorists surge past the $3-a-litre mark in many areas around the country. “Nobody wants to see fuel companies using the situation in the Middle East as an excuse to unjustifiably increase prices at the pump.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 00:12 UTC
Arrowtown assault highlights drunken violence in resort
Braden Jane was captured on CCTV footage walking through the Fork and Tap pub in Arrowtown, where he assaulted a teenager. The incident has come with a warning from the judge that there was too much alcohol-related violence in the tourist town. "There needs to be a message that violence in Queenstown will not be tolerated," the judge said at the hearing. A conviction would likely end in him losing his job, Judge Williams said. Because of his clean record, the risk to his job and the unlikelihood Jane would reoffend, Judge Williams granted the discharge without conviction application.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 00:04 UTC
Another bump in the road for our GDP figures?
Stats NZ will be releasing GDP figures for the December quarter on Thursday, March 19. Our recent pattern with the GDP figures has been very up and down, with large swings from plus to minus growth between quarters. Economists have their views about what might be behind this pattern, and it is clear that our GDP figures have for whatever reason become a lot more 'seasonal' - when of course they are not meant to be. Okay, if we assume the December quarter GDP figures do show slight growth, but slower than the September quarter, what of the current March quarter?. And if the December quarter GDP outcome turns out to be not particularly good, will that cause a knock to confidence and hesitancy with spending?
Source:Stuff
March 15, 2026 00:03 UTC
Some Iranians in Dubai say they celebrated ayatollah’s death, but the war could leave Iran worse off
The Iranian Mosque in Bur Dubai, built in 1979 for Dubai’s Iranian community, reflects the long history of trade and migration between Dubai and Persia across the Gulf. There is an Iranian hospital, mosque and even community clubs in Dubai, where Persian is often heard on the streets. The extent of ties is partly why Iranians living in the UAE say the last two weeks have been so nightmarish. “It is my dream country being hit by my home country,” said Maryam, 53, who has lived in Dubai since 1984. No one can say this will be different.”Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 23:51 UTC
Northland teacher shortage forecast to persist despite national gains
Education leaders in Northland say the numbers reflect a reality many schools in the region have been dealing with for years. NZ Rural Schools Leadership Association president Andrew King said recruiting new teachers was hard across the board, but particularly difficult for small, rural and isolated schools. “Because you do not necessarily have the same teacher for the whole year and likewise you might constantly have changing teachers. Children need consistency and a professional relationship with a teacher that they have known for a while to optimise learning. “Northland schools and kura, like all schools in New Zealand, are responsible for recruitment of the staff they need.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 23:48 UTC
Carless days are no solution to an oil shock – Liam Dann
But even discussing carless days will be triggering for anyone over the age of 55. For the record, the carless days policy was a disaster. The Government eventually claimed fuel consumption was reduced by 3% during the carless days period. “Oil shock from Iran war grips global economy,” said the banner headline on the New York Times website on Friday. The Iranian revolution, in that year, caused the second oil supply shock of the 1970s.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 23:33 UTC
Auckland fraudster Thomas Davies loses High Court sentence appeal
But Justice Downs noted that the district court judge had already allowed a 10% discount for Davies’ rehabilitation efforts and another 10% for his addiction to methamphetamine, before adding five months for his extensive criminal history. Those discounts were “careful and considered”, Justice Downs determined at the end of the short hearing, declining to declare the sentence manifestly excessive. Thomas Davies' appeal was heard in the High Court at Auckland. But Justice Downs was not persuaded he had the authority to address the issue. “I apprehend that none of this money is recoverable,” Justice Downs said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 23:30 UTC
F1 calls off April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Grand Prix. File photo: ReutersFormula One's Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will not take place in April due to the conflict in the Middle East, the sport announced on Saturday. The deadline for freight for the race to be sent to Bahrain was March 20, according to informed sources. Formula Two, Formula Three and the all-female F1 Academy rounds scheduled for the Middle Eastern races will also not go ahead. "Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are incredibly important to the ecosystem of our racing season and I look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 23:29 UTC
France win Six Nations with last-gasp win over England
England played superbly against France, however, scoring tries through Tom Roebuck, Cadan Murley, Ollie Chessum (2), Alex Coles, Tommy Freeman and Marcus Smith. The match got off to a pulsating start and remained frantic throughout, until Ramos' clinical penalty won it for France. Les Bleus stretched their lead with a Ramos penalty, yet England refused to take the easy points when awarded a penalty inside France’s 22. France gifted England another try just before Genge’s sin-bin time was over as Chessum intercepted a Jalibert pass to race to the line. France have now won eight Six Nations titles, one more than England, and two more than Ireland and Wales.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 23:29 UTC
Inside the revival of Auckland’s inner-city heritage shopping arcades
A $5 million refurbishment project is planned for Queens Arcade, which connects Customs St (the frontage pictured here) with Queen St. There are also renewed signs of life at the Strand Arcade on Queen St, which has emerged from an unloved, almost derelict state. Barbara Holloway says innovative projects in heritage arcades like the Strand can fill a growing demand for "experiential shopping". Since it opened, Queens Arcade has been owned by the Davis family, who have strong generational links to the city. According to what he’s gleaned, the lineage of the modern shopping arcade dates back to early 19th-century London, where Lord George Cavendish commissioned Burlington Arcade in Piccadilly in 1819.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 23:00 UTC
Meal service calls for help
Claire GlassVolunteers are needed for the Soup or Salad (SoS) monthly community meal and fortnightly morning teas held at Reach Church. SoS organiser Claire Glass said the ‘‘very popular’’ monthly lunch required more volunteers as the programme grew to ensure consistent service. ‘‘We have several volunteer roles available and would require a commitment for one shift per month, particularly for the morning teas. ‘‘This is a voluntary and non-profit service to cater and create a social space in a warm, welcoming environment,’’ Mrs Glass said. An extension of the church’s monthly free community lunch — the morning teas — are at the heart of what pastor Brendon Perumal says is the church’s spirit.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 22:49 UTC
Alice Robinson clams another podium finish
Alice Robinson in action in Sweden. Photo: Getty ImagesNew Zealand skier Alice Robinson has continued her excellent season, finishing third in the Giant Slalom at the latest round in Are, Sweden. She posted a time of 1:12.46 in her first run, and then 1:10.70 in her second run, to finished a combined 0.75 of a second behind the winner, Austrian Julia Scheib. Scheib is the first Austrian woman to win a World Cup giant slalom title since Eva-Maria Brem in 2016. Overall, Robinson is sixth in the Giant Slalom standings with 372 points.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 22:40 UTC
Relationship break-ups and frozen joint account: who gets frozen out – Nadine Higgins
She alleges her ex freezing joint bank accounts, cancelling credit cards, removing joint funds and redirecting business income amounted to financial abuse. Photo / SuppliedBut Women’s Refuge says abuse through joint accounts is common. “There’s inconsistency in the level of support and what can be done”, she says - not helped by the fact that financial abuse is seldom recognised as abuse in its own right. But coercive control itself is not a specific criminal offence, while in countries we like to compare ourselves to, that is changing - in the UK, coercive control is a criminal offence, and in Australia, Queensland and New South Wales have introduced similar laws. Your bank is, of course, meant to be the neutral party; they can hardly take sides in a relationship breakdown.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 22:32 UTC