Three airlifted to hospital after crash
Four people have been transported to hospital, three with serious injuries, after a four-vehicle crash west of Tekapo last night. A police spokesman said the crash between Tekapo Powerhouse Rd and Braemar Rd happened about 7pm on Sunday. "Three people are reported to have serious injuries, while another has moderate injuries," the spokesman said. Three rescue helicopters responded to the crash and the highway was expected to be closed for some time. A Hato Hone St John spokesman said those with serious injuries had been airlifted to Christchurch Hospital.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 22:48 UTC
'Beyond relieved': Missing dogs found in good condition
PHOTOS: SUPPLIEDTwo dogs taken away in a stolen ute in Central Otago have been found — their owner saying she is "beyond relieved". The dogs, 9-year-old huntaway-cross Jock and 5-year-old blue heeler Nala, had been missing since 1pm Saturday after the ute they were still in was stolen from Omakau. She and her partner, Jacob Nolan, received the good news from police about 6.30am this morning. They were walking and were in good condition "considering what they've been through." Ms Jackson said a member of the public came across the offender "on a push bike with the two dogs".
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 22:28 UTC
Man 'caused a scene' at Octagon bar and punched officer in face: police
A drunk man who "caused a scene" after being refused entry to a Dunedin bar ended his night by allegedly punching a police officer in the face. Police were called to the Octagon about 10.30pm last Thursday after a 42-year-old man attempted to enter one of the licenced premises. The man was refused entry as he was intoxicated and had been previously trespassed, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said. "He's caused a scene and harassed another member of the public nearby and tried to enter a parked vehicle." When the man was being arrested, he allegedly resisted police and punched an officer in the face, Snr Sgt Bond said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 22:22 UTC
Fight over alleged stolen bottle of milk leads to 'severe injuries'
A man received "severe injuries" to his face after a dispute in Dunedin over a stolen bottle of milk escalated into violence, police say. The fight appeared to have been over a bottle of milk. The younger man allegedly stole a bottle of milk from a milk truck that had stopped to make a delivery in front of the nearby Night ‘n Day. "An argument has taken place and then it's escalated into a fight." The victim sustained "severe injuries to his face", Snr Sgt Bond said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 22:22 UTC
Praise, appreciation for Radich
Former Dunedin mayor Jules Radich speaks last year outside the new inpatient building. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHShocked colleagues of former Dunedin mayor Jules Radich have paid tribute to his dedication for the city and collegial approach. Mr Radich died yesterday afternoon in Dunedin Hospital after he had suffered a heart attack on Saturday. Mr Radich was the 59th mayor of Dunedin, leading the city from 2022 until the election in October last year. Cr John Chambers said Mr Radich was keen to help new councillors understand the issues and how the council functioned.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 21:51 UTC
‘Be very, very suspicious’: Neighbourly breach makes users vulnerable – expert
Source: Radio New ZealandScreenshotPeople who have had their personal information stolen from the Stuff-owned Neighbourly platform could be vulnerable to online threats, a cyber security expert says. Neighbourly has told members it will look to get a court injunction, but it is satisfied the breach was quickly contained. “Bear in mind as well that the people who are impacted by the ManageMyHealth breach and the Neighbourly breach are potentially people who are quite vulnerable and don’t understand how to protect themselves. Lives could be put at riskGorilla Technology chief executive Paul Spain said the Neighbourly data breach was “really significant”. “But it’s still available unfortunately to anyone that chooses to pay for it or retrieve the portions of it that might be leaked for free.”Spain described the Neighbourly breach as a wake-up call.
Source:Stuff
January 04, 2026 21:46 UTC
Man charged after Hamilton hit-and-run leaves pedestrian seriously hurt, vehicle tracked over Kaimais
A man will appear in the Hamilton District Court today. Photo / Bevan ConleyA man will appear in the Hamilton District Court today. Photo / Bevan ConleyPolice have charged a man for a Hamilton hit-and-run that left a pedestrian in a serious condition after tracing the vehicle’s movements through a series of traffic cameras to a neighbouring city 99km away. The victim was transported to hospital by ambulance and is in a serious but stable condition. A police spokesperson said a 35-year-old man has now been arrested in relation to the incident after officers traced the vehicle’s movements through the Kaimais towards Tauranga.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 21:34 UTC
ASB Classic: Venus Williams adds surprise doubles entry with Elina Svitolina at WTA event
Lamperin was given two names later that day but one was focusing on singles and the other was already in the doubles field. “She hasn’t played doubles for years – since 2021 - and it’s not something she usually does. Williams, who returned to the WTA tour last July after almost two years away, will face eighth seed Magda Linette. Parks (USA) vs E. Cocciaretto (ITA)C. Osorio (COL) vs P. Marcinko (CRO)D. Vekic (CRO) vs [4] A. Eala (PHI)[7] Xin. Wang (CHN) vs C. McNally (USA)[WC] S. Stephens (USA) vs R. Zarazua (MEX)Qualifier vs J. Grabher (AUT)F. Jones (GBR) vs [2] E. Navarro (USA)ASB Classic Women’s Day 1 scheduleCENTRE COURT starts at 11.30am[3] I. Jovic (USA) vs [Q] G. Knutson (CZE)[7] Xin.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 21:31 UTC
Two by Twos: Ex-church members break lifetime of silence over sex-abuse claims
Three meetings are held for church members each week. So when you step out of that, you’re going to hell. “Reading between the lines, people were saying … if you don’t come back to meetings, you’re going to a lost eternity,” they said. She lived in fear for years, even attempting suicide twice to try to get out of going to “horrible” church meetings. Help for church leaversFormer members encourage those leaving the church to visit the website Wings for Truth for information and help.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 21:02 UTC
Optimism for economy in 2026
Kelly Eckhold, chief economist at Westpac, said he was expecting the economy to be much stronger in 2026, with growth in GDP of about 3% over the year compared to a flat 2025. Additionally, if inflation proves sticky, the Reserve Bank may pause or reverse rate cuts, curbing the anticipated lift to consumption and investment." But for the median and for the people in the top end I think things will look a lot better." "But by the second half of the year, all the weight of the rate cuts, the cumulative benefits of all the rate cuts would have come through. "For the last couple of years, they've been reducing spending, reducing spending, reducing spending.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 20:38 UTC
Holiday briefing: China to reprise stimulus, but with shifted focus
China will be releasing CPI and PPI data this week, and the private services PMI will drop sometime too. In India, they still had good factory growth in December, but a notable slowing of new orders has them on edge to end the year. The Australian 10 year bond yield starts today at 4.81%, down -1 bp from Saturday. That all means our TWI-5 starts today just over 61.7, and little-changed from Saturday. The bitcoin price starts today at US$91,343 and up +1.3% from this time Saturday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 20:31 UTC
Venezuela govt remains united behind Maduro
Demonstrators celebrate after US President Trump said the US has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in Washington. "Here, the unity of the revolutionary force is more than guaranteed, and here there is only one president, whose name is Nicolas Maduro Moros. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez — who also serves as oil minister — has taken over as interim leader with the blessing of Venezuela's top court, though she has said Maduro remains president. Trump said Rodriguez may pay a bigger price than Maduro "if she doesn't do what's right," according to an interview with The Atlantic magazine on Sunday. It is unclear how Trump plans to oversee Venezuela and he runs the risk of alienating some supporters who oppose foreign interventions.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 20:24 UTC
The rich aunt, Wimbledon and the inventor husband
Marjorie wrote about the black influenza that swept through New Zealand after the first World War ended. Photo: SuppliedIn 1922 the rich aunt offered to take Marjorie on the trip of a lifetime to England and continental Europe. The aunt's husband had found a nugget on the goldfields but died young while electioneering to be the Premier of Queensland, leaving her rich. Marjorie was granted a year's leave from her teaching job and the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association nominated her for Wimbledon. Wrote Biddy - "At times we were rich, with a nanny and maids all in uniform, other times when the bubble burst there was no money at all.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 04, 2026 20:24 UTC
One dead after single-vehicle crash on Jones Rd near Christchurch
NZ Herald Morning News Update | Trump says US will 'run' Venezuela, search for missing tramper | Monday, January 05. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. One dead after single-vehicle crash on Jones Rd near ChristchurchOne person has died after a serious single-vehicle crash south of Christchurch. Emergency services were called to the crash on Jones Rd and Curraghs Rd shortly after 7.45am. Jones Rd remained closed for much of the morning while a scene examination was carried out.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 20:19 UTC
Australian cricketing great Damien Martyn wakes from coma as family praises ‘miracle’ recovery
Damien Martyn has woken up from an induced coma and recovering well following a bout of meningitis. Photo / Neal Simpson, PA Images via Getty ImagesDamien Martyn has woken up from an induced coma and recovering well following a bout of meningitis. Photo / Neal Simpson, PA Images via Getty ImagesAustralian cricketer Damien Martyn has made a miraculous turnaround following his shock diagnosis with meningitis, with hopes he may soon be discharged from hospital now he has woken from an induced coma. The 54-year-old was admitted to Gold Coast University Hospital after falling sick on Boxing Day, Nine reported, being put into a coma to treat the illness. Former teammate and team captain Adam Gilchrist told Code Sports the sportsman is making an unexpectedly speedy recovery since waking up over the weekend.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 04, 2026 19:55 UTC