Defaced drive-thru screen
A masked protester defaced a drive-thru screen at a Dunedin fast-food restaurant over the chain’s decision to use AI. The offender ran into the Burger King drive-thru in Andersons Bay Rd wearing a white mask and carrying two cans of white spray-paint at 9.10pm on Thursday, Sergeant Matt Lee said. She then used the paint to write "No AI, hire humans" before fleeing. She was arrested after police found the cans of spray paint and the white mask in her possession. She was charged with wilful damage and will appear in Dunedin District Court at a later date.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 19:43 UTC
Water polo bullying claims: Who knew what and when, and the PR tips for NZ women’s team as allegations hit headlines
The Herald’s water polo investigation continues - please email Shayne Currie in confidence: shayne.currie@nzme.co.nzWho knew what, when? The New Zealand women's water polo team - the White Caps - finished 10th at the World Aquatic Champs in Singapore last year but the tour has been beset by allegations of bullying and mistreatment. It was titled “Complaint over recent senior women’s water polo trip”. She stated that the commission had not spoken to her about any concerns about water polo. Water Polo NZ chief executive Jan Shearer.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 18:49 UTC
Remembering Isabella: A mother’s journey – Jane Broughton on the death of her daughter and life without her only child
On that day, the life of Isabella Skye Bolton, my 21-year-old daughter, was tragically taken in an avalanche on Mt Yotei in Hokkaido, Japan. When Isabella died, the academy at Banff wrote:“It is with profound sadness that we say goodbye to our dear friend and alumni Isabella Bolton. Isabella celebrating her 21st birthday in Banff, Canada, with her mother, father and friends, the day before her graduation. Jane and Isabella in Zermatt, Switzerland, when Isabella was around 6 months old and visiting snow for the first time. It means burying my only child and then rebuilding a life, a new chapter, I did not ask for.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 18:08 UTC
Track completed in time for 3 Peaks events
The new track at Mt Cargill is ready for walkers and runners in today’s 3 Peaks Mountain Race. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDOrganisers of the 3 Peaks Mountain Race are thrilled a new section of track at Mt Cargill has been completed in time for tomorrow’s annual trail running event. There were concerns the track would not be completed by telecommunications company Kordia, who had blocked the previous track by erecting fences around the transmission tower. The three peaks in question were Flagstaff (668m), Swampy Summit (739m) and Mt Cargill (676m). Most will be taking on the classic 26km course, climbing the three peaks starting in Woodhaugh St, North Dunedin.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 16:03 UTC
Another centenarian in the family
Gladys McKenzie (middle) celebrated her 100th birthday last week with her four daughters (back, from left) Sharyn Walker, Lyn Wilkie, Marilyn Velenski and Adriane Marshall. Photo: Nic DuffBecoming a centenarian runs in Gladys McKenzie’s family. She used to be an avid baker and also enjoyed an illustrious bowls career in North Otago. She picked up the sport while in her 30s and kept playing until she was nearly 90, winning 12 North Otago centre titles. Mrs McKenzie celebrated her 100th birthday at a lunch with her four daughters and was expecting extended family and friends today for a larger party.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 16:02 UTC
Resisting, fleeing, shoplifting thirsty work
Shaun Symon, 40, appeared in the Dunedin District Court this week a changed man — three months sober, counsel Emma Cocrane said. It was a far cry from the mayhem of October when his alcoholism led him on a shoplifting tour of the city. It meant on a single thirsty day, Symon had stolen 40 RTDs, four bottles of cider and a box of beer. He even kicked on the following day, shoplifting two more bottles of Scrumpy before police tracked him down to the Dunedin Botanic Garden. Symon tried to pull away again but was handcuffed and arrested.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 15:43 UTC
Smuggling by family alleged
The Otago Corrections Facility. PHOTO: ODT FILESThe loved ones of an Otago Corrections Facility inmate may find their visiting rights revoked after being caught trying to smuggle in medication. On Thursday, corrections staff found a prisoner was attempting to conceal two packages of the medication suboxone following a visit from a group of people. Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) general manager Dave Miller said the prisoner would face internal misconduct charges and the visitors may be banned from the prison. OCF, as one of the country’s largest prisons, had a high rate of people attempting smuggling.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 15:37 UTC
Vigilance urged as second case recorded
Photo: suppliedDunedin has recorded its second case of invasive Meningococcal Disease meningitis, but a foundation is concerned not enough is being done to stop the spread. Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service Dr John Eastwood said they had been notified of two cases of meningococcal meningitis in Dunedin. "Close contacts have been identified and offered antibiotic and vaccination protection. "Close contacts in the most recent case have been identified and offered antibiotic and vaccination protection, however the foundation believes it is critical that the student community were aware of the risk." He said it was important to know the symptoms and seek medical help quickly if students felt unwell.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 15:37 UTC
Medical centre picks new portal after hack
Queenstown Medical Centre (QMC) will phase in a new patient portal from next Friday to replace its hacked Manage My Health (MMH) app. CEO Ashley Light says it’s chosen New Zealand-based Vensa Health Ltd, because it best meets QMC’s cyber security requirements. Vensa will begin inviting QMC patients to sign up to its web browser-based portal on March 20. However, it later learned the data flow has continued because the instructions were incorrect. ‘‘But we think it was the right thing to do for our patients, because MMH clearly wasn't meeting our requirements, our patients’ requirements or cyber security requirements.’’
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 15:33 UTC
Trump Administration allows for Russian oil sales as energy prices soar
US President Donald Trump's Administration and the US Treasury have temporarily allowed sales of Russian oil in a bid to cool the global market. Photo / Getty ImagesUS President Donald Trump's Administration and the US Treasury have temporarily allowed sales of Russian oil in a bid to cool the global market. Photo / Getty ImagesThe Trump Administration has temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian oil shipments in an effort to calm markets and stem the economic fallout from its war on Iran, which has sent crude prices spiralling upward. “To increase the global reach of existing supply, @USTreasury is providing a temporary authorisation to permit countries to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent posted on X. The move will provide a huge financial boost to Russia, which experts say has already been receiving about US$150 million per day from increased oil sales since the US attacked Iran two weeks ago.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 15:28 UTC
Auckland Whitford Manor wastewater nightmare: Can consent hearing save troubled housing project?
Robyn Newman-Hall, front centre, and other residents at Whitford Manor Estate pictured in 2024 after waiting four years for a fully-functioning wastewater system. Property listings for Whitford Manor Estate, which went into receivership after failing to provide a wastewater treatment system. The Herald reported in 2024 some had been left gagging at the smell of raw sewage coming from the estate’s wastewater treatment plant. Whitford Manor Estate resident Robyn Newman-Hall said the housing development's future hinges on an upcoming consent hearing. “The consent process is progressing including commissioning of the wastewater treatment plant,” it said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 14:59 UTC
Exclusive: Global DJ Liv Nervo and the inside story of her wealthy Kiwi love Matt Pringle
Liv Nervo and Matt Pringle had photos taken to celebrate her pregnancy. Nervo - ‘I felt violated’Nervo has told the Herald how the close and loving exclusive relationship she believed she had with Pringle turned out to be something else. Liv Nervo said she and Matt Pringle saw each other from late 2016 through to February 2019 when she discovered he had a second family in New Zealand. I want my mum to meet and love you like I do.”DJ Liv Nervo with New Zealand businessman Matt Pringle. Matt Pringle and Liv Nervo were known as a couple among her DJ friends and workmates.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 14:31 UTC
Meeting at Milton station led to 70-year romance
Photo: suppliedAn unforgettable encounter at South Otago’s Milton Railway Station during May 1953 was the beginning of a long romance for Ted and Irene McCreath. The Rangiora couple, who will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends on March 16, still have clear, fond memories of their first meeting at the station. The couple married a little over two years later, on March 16 in 1956, at Dunedin’s First Church and spent their honeymoon in Oamaru. Ted and Irene McCreath have fond memories of meeting at Milton's Railway Station. Ted left the Navy before he and Irene married and the couple originally lived in Milton, where Ted drove trucks for a living.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 14:15 UTC
SH1 crash claims fourth victim
Four people have now died after a crash between a car and a campervan on State Highway 1 south of Blenheim last month. Emergency services were called to the crash about 10.40am on Sunday, February 22. Two people died at the scene, near Redwood Pass, and another died in hospital soon after. The fourth person died on Friday, despite the best efforts of medical professionals, police said. Docx's death notice described her as a “warm-hearted, wise, strong woman with an open view of the world”.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 14:01 UTC
Petrol pumps run dry amid panic buying
Photo: Nick Monro / RNZExtra demand on Gull's discount day has left some of its petrol stations running low on fuel. "Sites that sold through yesterday, have, or are currently being refuelled for Gull's customers by our logistics' provider," a spokesperson said. Meanwhile, in Palmerston North, two pumps ran dry at supermarkets due to high consumer demand. AA spokesperson Terry Collins said the wider fuel network ran on a "just in time" basis and any extra demand from people panic buying would put stress on the system. Have you tried to purchase petrol at a station that's run out?
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 14:01 UTC