Sealord boss warns more NZ factory closures likely as manufacturing costs soar
“Globally high inflation and various industry challenges have all placed ongoing pressure on the commercial performance of the business,” Donegan said. “Pressures in manufacturing – particularly rising energy, labour and freight costs – have continued to intensify, and at certain sites those costs now exceed what the business can sustainably absorb over time. “Our vessels at sea are slightly different, and fuel is about a third of our costs at the moment. He said that when considering those factors alongside an inability to raise prices for consumers, making money had become more difficult. As to whether he thinks other companies may face similar decisions to Wattie’s, Paulin believed it depends on their ability to pass on costs in price rises.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 05:24 UTC
Formula 1: Liam Lawson qualifies 13th for China sprint race as power woes return in Shanghai
Racing Bulls' Kiwi driver sat down with the Herald before the season opener in Melbourne. Liam Lawson will start Formula One’s China sprint race in 13th, after being eliminated in the second stage of qualifying in Shanghai. A year on from qualifying last in both the sprint and grand prix at the same race weekend, the Kiwi has shown considerable improvement - admittedly in a more driver-friendly car. The 24-year-old missed out on a top 10 start for the shorter, 19 lap race by just 0.094s, but managed to outqualify rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad (15th) for the second time in succession. Both Lawson and Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said before the race weekend that the issue had been identified and fixed.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 05:14 UTC
One NZ defends cutting services to vulnerable Auckland household over staff ‘harassment’
The dispute began in May 2025 when the woman contacted One NZ to query a monthly broadband price increase from $70 to $96. One NZ moved to cut a vulnerable household's services after a prolonged dispute over billing, discounts and account credits. The 111 Contact Code was created to ensure vulnerable customers can still access emergency services if their broadband or mobile services fail. She said the company had upheld “all aspects of the 111 Contact Code” after the woman registered as a vulnerable customer. Introduced by the Commerce Commission, the 111 Contact Code requires telco providers to ensure vulnerable customers can still contact emergency services if their landline or broadband service fails.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 02:31 UTC
Helmet saved cyclist from more serious injury: police
A Dunedin cyclist who crashed and flew into the windscreen of a car avoided a traumatic head injury thanks to the helmet he was wearing, police say. The 19-year-old was riding his bike very fast while ‘‘hugging’’ the centre line of Mount Cargill Rd, Upper Junction, at 5pm yesterday when he clipped the side of a truck towing a woodchipper, Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said. He then flew into the air and crashed into the windscreen of the car travelling behind the truck. ‘‘The helmet he was wearing cracked in two places, but it has saved him from what could have been a lot more serious head injuries,’’ Sgt Lee said. A Hato Hone St John spokeswoman said they treated one patient at the scene and transported them to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 23:42 UTC
The Players Championship: Ryan Fox withdraws due to illness; Collin Morikawa out with injury
Through four events, Fox has made four cuts and four top-25 finishes, including finishing in a tie for seventh at the Genesis Invitational last month. He has already earned $1.7 million (US$1m) in 2026, and sits at No 34 on the FedEx Cup leaderboard. “In terms of just a single thing, it would be qualifying for that Presidents Cup team,” Fox told the Herald of his goals for the season earlier this month. Missing out on the Tour Championship hurt a little bit last year, so I’d like to get there this year as well. “I played some really good golf last year but that would require some better golf, and probably some better golf at the back end of the year.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 12, 2026 23:14 UTC
Finn Allen attracts top price for a New Zealander at The Hundred
Photo: www.photosport.nzBlack Caps opener Finn Allen has received the top price for a New Zealand player in the men's auction for The Hundred cricket competition in Britain. Allen, who had the top strike rate at the recent T20 World Cup, was bought by the Trent Rockets for $364,000. Spinner Abrar Ahmed was bought by Sunrisers Leeds to allay concerns that Pakistan players would be ignored by franchises affiliated to the Indian Premier League. Abrar was bought for $432,000 by Leeds, the franchise entirely controlled by the owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad and based at Headingley. Uncapped English 21-year-old spinner James Coles pipped more established names to fetch $888,000, the biggest price of the auction.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 12, 2026 23:00 UTC
Far from home and fearing for her family's safety
Using only her first name out of fear for her family’s safety, she says the calls have become even more precious as war and unrest grip the country. My family is okay but three civilians have been hurt unfortunately.”Her family’s calls carry risks for them, so Farah carefully avoids any political discussion on the phone in case authorities are monitoring. “Sometimes my parents call me at 1am and I just want to make sure I am able to pick the phone. The PKK is a controversial guerrilla group fighting for an independent Kurdistan and is considered a terrorist organisation by Iran, Turkey, Australia, the European Union, the United States, and New Zealand. Photo: Getty ImagesLike many other Kurds in Iran, Turkey, Syria and Iraq, Farah dreams of an independent, democratic Kurdish state.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 22:50 UTC
Restored biplane to return to the skies
It was hard to tell it was a de Havilland DH82 Tiger Moth, he said. Mr Thompson said the engine had been overhauled in Australia, and he had spent about 1000 hours putting the frame back together. Despite restoring aircraft for 46 years, Mr Thompson said there was always a mix of ‘‘nervousness and pride’’ when planes went on their first test flights after he had worked on them. Once it is certified, the biplane will be flown to Warbirds Over Wanaka to be put on display. Mr Spencer-Bower said after that the plane might be advertised online, offering flight experiences for aeronautical fans and history buffs.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 22:32 UTC
Pair arrested in Southland drug bust
Cannabis was recovered during the two-day police operation in rural Southland. Photo: NZ PoliceTwo people have been arrested after a drug bust in rural Southland. Over the past two days, police in eastern Southland targeted suppliers, during Operation Nightforce, with help from extra staff in the district and a drug detection dog from Te Waipounamu. Senior Sergeant Gary Iddenten, of Southern Police, said the operation targeted several properties and two people were arrested without incident. "We will continue to target those who supply drugs - no matter where you live.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 21:19 UTC
Looking at the wild stuff inside us
Alexander Wright, Megan Drury, Phil GraingerTheatre show SELENE, a story about the goddess and the dark side of the moon, is coming to town. A radical explosion of ancient myth, it’s about how we grow up defined by our bodies, the light (and dark) sides of us, and all the wild stuff inside of us. Drury says she found a “gorgeous alchemy” in the work that Wight&Grainger do and what she’s now interested in as an artist. Beyond finding oneself it looks at embracing all the different aspects of ourselves, embracing the dark sides of us and the light sides of us – and is there even such a thing as dark and light sides, or are we just not looking at them properly? “It takes all these elements of ancient Greek myth about the moon and pieces them all together in this beautiful interwoven structure.
Source:Stuff
March 12, 2026 21:01 UTC
Health NZ knew risks of IT job cuts, documents reveal
Health NZ said because of the report, it had built targeted mitigations into its plans for change. In April last year, Health NZ confirmed sweeping cuts to a third of IT roles. Health NZ said before the change process began in May last year the total number people employed was 1412. Health NZ and the minister ignored internal warnings about how the impacts of the downsizing, she said. Health NZ was still transitioning to the new ways of working and was still making changes to risk management, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 20:53 UTC
Kidney failure: lifting the lid on a ‘silent condition’
Dunedin resident Dr Paul Trotman with his cat Taylor during World Kidney Day yesterday. PHOTOS: GERARD O’BRIEN & SUPPLIEDKidney failure was simply a hurdle, and not a roadblock, for Dr Paul Trotman. Yesterday, as part of World Kidney Day, Dr Trotman wanted to be transparent about the reality of living with kidney failure, which is often seen as a ‘‘silent condition’’, because many people do not realise they have it until it is at an advanced stage. Dr Trotman, 60, of Dunedin, was diagnosed with kidney failure just as he was about to turn 17, and he went on dialysis while in his final year of secondary school. Despite the odds, Dr Trotman finished his secondary education, and applied for medical school, while still undergoing his weekly treatment.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 18:57 UTC
Case made to stop seismic reclassification
Dunedin city councillor Russell Lund and Southern Heritage Trust spokeswoman Jo Galer present their submissions on proposed seismic strengthening changes to the transport and infrastructure select committee in Wellington yesterday. PHOTO: SCREENGRABDunedin risks the ‘‘perverse outcome’’ of losing its characteristic heritage buildings unless the government relaxes incoming seismic changes, two advocates say. Southern Heritage Trust spokeswoman Jo Galer and Dunedin city councillor Russell Lund spoke in a select committee hearing yesterday, urging the government to abandon plans to reclassify Dunedin and coastal Otago from low-risk to a ‘‘medium seismic zone’’. ‘‘The practical effect of this reclassification is to expose owners to assessments and higher compliance costs that would not apply if Dunedin remained low seismic risk,’’ Ms Galer said. The changes are part of the Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill, broadly intended to make seismic strengthening rules more pragmatic, less onerous and a better fit with earthquake risk.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 12, 2026 18:55 UTC
Operation Moonshine: Police probed Gloriavale force-feeding of children
‘Teaching them to be frightened’The main focus of Operation Moonshine related to allegations of parents smothering their children to prevent them from crying. Photo / NZMEKey to Operation Moonshine, which involved police and Oranga Tamariki (OT) investigators, were allegations that Gloriavale parents thought it was acceptable to block the airways of crying infants and children. “If they are not happy and enthusiastic about the interview but go ahead with it because they should, that by definition is not consent,” the Gloriavale representative told police. The Gloriavale representative also questioned why police were involving those who had left Gloriavale in the investigation. The Gloriavale representative was also worried that if members admitted behaviour which contravened the law, they would be charged.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 12, 2026 17:33 UTC