Neighbourly data breach: User names, emails and messages accessed
The investigation showed unauthorised access to certain categories of data held by the platform, the spokesperson said. This included registered users’ names, email addresses, GPS coordinates, public forum posts and private member communications. Some publicly advertised events and business addresses were also included in the data that was accessed. Neighbourly said it had addressed the issue that led to the breach and was satisfied the platform is secure for members to use. Neighbourly thanked members who contacted the company during the outage and said it appreciated their patience while the “complex issues associated with cyber theft” were addressed.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 03, 2026 02:16 UTC
Donald Trump says he ‘aced’ cognitive test again as health concerns grow
US President Donald Trump blamed aspirin for large bruises on his hand and has denied falling asleep while attending public meetings. Photo / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFPUS President Donald Trump blamed aspirin for large bruises on his hand and has denied falling asleep while attending public meetings. Photo / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds, AFPUS President Donald Trump has touted his “perfect health” and cognitive skills, one day after publication of an interview in which the 79-year-old defended his fitness for office amid scrutiny over his wellbeing. ), for the third straight time, my Cognitive Examination, something which no other President, or previous Vice President, was willing to take,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Trump also changed his previous statement about receiving an MRI scan in October, saying it was instead a quicker CT scan.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 03, 2026 01:59 UTC
Woman killed in rare suspected mountain lion attack
Photo: Getty ImagesA hiker in Colorado has died in the state's first suspected fatal mountain lion attack in more than 25 years, authorities say. “There were signs that this was consistent with a mountain lion attack,” Van Hoose told a news conference. Mountain lion attacks on humans in Colorado are rare, with 28 reported to CPW since 1990. CPW policy mandates the killing of any mountain lion involved in an attack on a human so as to prevent repeat incidents. Colorado has a healthy mountain lion population, estimated by CPW to be between 3800 and 4400 adults.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 03, 2026 01:10 UTC
Devonport unexplained death: Police appeal for CCTV and dashcam footage
Police are investigating an unexplained death in the suburb of Devonport on Auckland’s North Shore. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Police are appealing for information from the public after an unexplained death in Devonport. Emergency services were called to a Kerr St address about 11pm on January 1, where a person was found dead. Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting said a scene examination at the property is ongoing and residents can expect to see a continued police presence on Kerr St throughout the weekend.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 03, 2026 00:57 UTC
Serious crash closes State Highway 1 near Brynderwyns
NZ Herald Morning News Update | Indoor pyrotechnics blamed for Swiss fire, quake in Mexico City, serious crash involving ambulance in Waipu Cove. A serious crash involving two vehicles has closed State Highway 1 on the south side of the Brynderwyns in Northland. SH1 BRYNDERWYN, NORTHLAND - CRASH - 1:20PM, SAT 3 JANState Highway 1 is closed between State Highway 12 and Waipu Gorge Rd due to a crash. ^KF pic.twitter.com/rpRuOM8umJ — NZ Transport Agency - Auckland & Northland (@nztaaklnth) January 3, 2026Motorists are advised to expect delays as emergency services work at the scene. Southbound traffic is being diverted through Waipū, while northbound traffic is being diverted down SH12 towards Dargaville.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 03, 2026 00:57 UTC
Severe weather: Thunderstorms forecast to bring torrential rain and hail
Hail in Auckland's North Shore. Hail in Auckland's North Shore. A 22-hour heavy rain warning for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti began at noon today with 110 to 170mm of rain forecast to fall, especially in the ranges. Hail in Auckland's North Shore. Pictures sent to the Herald show hailstones the size of small coins that dropped upon Albany in Auckland’s North Shore around 5.20pm.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 03, 2026 00:57 UTC
NZ’s top economists pick the big issues for New Zealand in 2026
So brace yourself, here is a compilation of the big economic issues that are likely to trouble the headlines in 2026. It’s a frustrating thing to be worrying about in 2026 because the upside of a recession ought to be lower inflation. Interest rates have risen in recent weeks. But hopefully interest rates stabilise and entice investors.”The extent of renewed inflation pressure may depend on how businesses are coping, says independent economist Cameron Bagrie. “The big question is whether New Zealand is becoming more productive and attractive to capital, or just larger?” Hartwich says.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 02, 2026 23:31 UTC
General Debate 03 January 2026
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 02, 2026 23:18 UTC
Thunderstorm watches and heavy rain warnings: Which North Island regions are affected today
The 18-hour warning ends at 3am tomorrow but heavy rain was expected to ease south of the Wairoa District late tonight. Thunderstorms expected today … will increase the risk of downpours.”🟧Heavy Rain Warnings have been updated for Tairawhiti/Gisborne, and Hawke's Bay north of Napier. Details herehttps://t.co/qHyE5zzql5@hbemergency… pic.twitter.com/it0CbihBWB — MetService NZ (@MetService) January 2, 2026A 22-hour heavy rain warning for Gisborne/Tairāwhiti begins at noon today with 110 to 170mm of rain forecast, especially in the ranges, MetService said. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible,” MetService said of all areas under heavy rainfall warnings. “Unstable conditions are expected during the afternoon as a low crosses the northern North Island and some thunderstorms are expected”, MetService said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 02, 2026 23:08 UTC
Major rescue underway after workers trapped in Curragh Mine collapse
The Curragh Mine in Queensland, where a rescue operation is taking place after a roof collapse. The Curragh Mine in Queensland, where a rescue operation is taking place after a roof collapse. Photo / Coronado Global ResourcesA major rescue is underway after the roof of a coal mine collapsed in Central Queensland, with at least one man unaccounted for. Acting Mines Minister Tony Perrett said three workers had been involved in the incident at Curragh Mine in Blackwater. He said two workers had been “recovered safely”, while work was continuing to rescue a third worker.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 02, 2026 21:52 UTC
Helping local people create global change
Startup Dunedin general manager Rachel Butler believes the next global business can be built from Dunedin. "You can build the next global business from Dunedin, start your trade business or build a side hustle. Ms Butler, 34, who was expecting her second child in February, believed there were definite synergies between parenting and start-ups. There was "something for everyone" at every stage of the start-up pipeline, Ms Butler said. People were also getting better at being advocates and cheerleaders for the city’s business community and start-ups.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 02, 2026 21:42 UTC
Madeleine McCann’s parents hoping for ‘breakthrough’ in case in 2026
The case has remained in the spotlight and nearly 20 years since her disappearance there have been thousands of leads but no sign of the missing girl. Madeleine McCann went missing in Portugal in 2007. Photo / Getty ImagesKate and Gerry McCann have also recently dealt with legal proceedings related to a Polish woman who claimed she was Madeleine. Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday. Sign up for Herald Premium here.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 02, 2026 21:15 UTC
Lightning strike sets fire to Auckland home
Photo: ODT filesA lightning strike set fire to a house in Auckland as thunderstorms hit the region last night. Fire and Emergency NZ said the lightning caused a blaze throughout the roof of the two-storey house in Home St, Grey Lynn about 5.40pm. A St John spokesperson said one ambulance attended and staff treated one person in minor condition at the scene. The New Year's severe weather is forecast to continue elsewhere in the North Island today, with a heavy rain warning in Hawke's Bay, north of Napier, from 7am till tomorrow morning. There is also a heavy rain warning in Gisborne from 11am today till 11am tomorrow.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 02, 2026 21:04 UTC
Multimillion-dollar Tribesmen drug syndicate dismantled
While he was flaunting his wealth and bragging about his status, his minions were kept busy operating the multimillion-dollar meth and cocaine supply network out of Christchurch. He was responsible primarily for sourcing significant quantities of the drugs from organised criminal groups in Auckland and elsewhere. The national vice-president of the Tribesmen Motorcycle gang was in custody as the operation identified 11 members and associates of the Tribesmen operating a meth and cocaine supply network. Sherryn Erikson was sentenced in the High Court at Christchurch for her role in a multimillion-dollar methamphetamine and cocaine supply network based in Christchurch. Associates and prospects are predominantly the workers of the group, completing drug runs and selling drugs at the direction of patched members.
Source:Stuff
January 02, 2026 20:30 UTC
Wet track no worry for racing crowd
The crowd enjoys the Omakau Trots yesterday. PHOTOS: GREGOR RICHARDSONA huge crowd gathered for the first of the year’s race meetings in Central Otago at Omakau. The winner of the first Kidz Kartz race of the day at the Omakau Trots yesterday was Quinn Willmott, 10, of Christchurch and her pony, Nigel. Fashion in the Field winner Poppy Balneaves, of Invercargill. One of the four judges Cara Holland was formerly of St Bathans and now works in the racing industry in Melbourne.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 02, 2026 18:57 UTC