ManageMyHealth data breach: No impact on Health NZ systems
A cyber data breach on the ManageMyHealth app, used to connect patients with clinicians, was revealed on New Year's Eve. A cyber data breach on the ManageMyHealth app, used to connect patients with clinicians, was revealed on New Year's Eve. Photo / 123RFHealth officials have confirmed that a major cyber data breach on a patient portal app has not impacted Health New Zealand systems. As a result, it had activated its own incident management team after more than 108,000 ManageMyHealth app users were affected in a cyber data breach confirmed on New Year’s Eve. The app - said to be the country’s largest patient information portal - connects patients with clinicians and gives them access to medical records.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 02, 2026 04:04 UTC
What will 2026 bring for the housing market?
BNZ chief economist Mike Jones said house prices might rise 4 percent over 2026, about the same as the Reserve Bank's forecast. "We've had three years in which house prices basically went sideways - we think the trend will bend upwards." "We still have house prices going sideways or potentially drifting slightly down through the next year. Rental marketJones said what happened with the rental market would depend on population growth. Kiernan agreed the rental market was likely to be flat too.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 02, 2026 02:17 UTC
Severe thunderstorm warnings lifted for Auckland and Northland but weather watches remain
A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect for Northland and Auckland, extending to a line roughly corresponding to the boundary with Waikato, south of Pukekohe. Severe thunderstorm warnings on Northland and Auckland have been lifted but watches remain in place for both regions. “We’ve got our ingredients y’all!” MetService wrote on X about the severe weather watches issued for Auckland and Northland. The severe thunderstorm warning for Auckland affected those in Auckland City, Waitākere, Rodney, Gulf and Albany. ⛈️🟡Northland and Auckland: Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued🟡⛈️🧑🍳We've got our ingredients y'all!
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 02, 2026 01:02 UTC
Whangamatā police officer hit by bottle as 1000 youths ignore orders
Henwood said repeated instructions given over a loudhailer to leave the park were ignored by those gathered, forcing officers to intervene and move the crowd on. In nearby Pāuanui, police encountered another large group of about 300 youth near the Surf Club Reserve. While officers were arresting a person for lighting fireworks in a dangerous manner, a number of those present became physically obstructive, further escalating the situation. Seven youths were arrested in Whangamatā and one in Pāuanui. “Not only does this behaviour put my team at risk – it also puts other attending youth at risk.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 02, 2026 00:58 UTC
'The system can’t get much worse'
"The number of referrals we are receiving is greater than the number of clinical appointments we can make available. Mr Van Kempen, a tractor driver from Kurow who works in Oamaru, said that was not good enough. Or just carry on and wait till I can’t walk any more. "Altogether the system can’t get much worse for me. Have you been affected by excessive surgery wait times?
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 02, 2026 00:46 UTC
Three injured, one critically, in Levin crash shortly after police pursuit
Acting Area Commander Manawatū, Ashley Gurney, said officers spotted the Holden Captiva about 7.15pm – about five minutes before the crash with the van – on Queen St.“But when signalled to stop, the driver failed to do so. A section of the highway was closed until shortly after 11pm. Police investigating if alcohol a factor“We want to thank the first responders to what was a challenging scene, with three injured people and two extensively damaged vehicles. Police are appealing for members of the public who may have witnessed the Holden Captiva driving south through Levin prior to the crash. Anyone who has dashcam footage or any other video that may help investigators is being asked to contact police.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 02, 2026 00:17 UTC
Two seriously injured after fall at Christchurch festival
Two people were seriously injured after falling from a Ferris wheel at the Rolling Meadows music festival in Christchurch last night, the New Zealand Herald is reporting. The Herald reported Hato Hone St John as saying two men were taken to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition, after falling at about 2.10am on one of the final rides of the night. It had been reported the incident involved three men who were swinging the bucket they were in, and were told to stop immediately. As the operator began stopping the ride to unload occupants, the bucket the men had made swing tipped, and they fell out, Event Hire director Phil Anderson was quoted as saying. It was reported WorkSafe had been notified of the incident and a full technical review of the equipment would be carried out by an independent engineer.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 01, 2026 23:59 UTC
What the ‘Aotearoa’ backlash says about national identity – Editorial
Its use alongside New Zealand does not rewrite history. “Aotearoa” signals something different: whakapapa, prior authority and an unresolved Treaty relationship. The argument centres on recognition: recognition of a name rooted in place, recognition of a culture foundational to the nation. Aotearoa does not compete with New Zealand. The sharper question remains unasked: why does a word older than the state still trigger outrage among people who call this place home?
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 01, 2026 23:31 UTC
Website Neighbourly taken down after claims of data breach
Neighbourly has been taken offline while claims of a data breach are investigated. Website Neighbourly taken down after claims of data breachNeighbourly has been taken offline while claims of a data breach are investigated. Photo / ScreenshotWebsite Neighbourly has been temporarily taken down following claims of a data breach. A Neighbourly spokesperson said on Thursday it became aware of claims of a breach of its members’ data. The spokesperson said Neighbourly and an external data security team are investigating the claims.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 01, 2026 23:27 UTC
General Debate 02 January 2026
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 01, 2026 22:54 UTC
Neighbourly taken down after claims of data breach
Photo: ScreenshotWebsite Neighbourly has been temporarily taken down following claims of a data breach. A Neighbourly spokesperson said on Thursday it became aware of claims of a breach of its members' data. The spokesperson said Neighbourly and an external data security team are investigating the claims. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have taken the site (Neighbourly.co.nz) down while we investigate," the spokesperson said. Neighbourly said it could not confirm if a breach had occurred, but no demands had been made to Stuff Group directly.
Source:Stuff
January 01, 2026 22:23 UTC
Men warned to stop swinging seat before fall from ferris wheel
The men fell from a ferris wheel after being warned to stop swinging the bucket. File photo: Facebook / Event Hire ChristchurchThe operator of a ferris wheel in Christchurch says three men were warned to stop swinging their bucket, just before they fell. "During the ride, the operator observed the three men swinging the bucket they were sitting in and immediately told them to stop as it was against the safety rules and dangerous," the company said. Event Hire owner Phil Anderson said the safety of riders and the public was their "absolute priority". A WorkSafe spokesperson said they had issued a prohibition notice, which prevents use of the ferris wheel until the department is satisfied an engineering expert has fully investigated and reported back to Event Hire.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 01, 2026 22:23 UTC
Firefighters walking off job for an hour today
Photo: RNZMembers of the NZ Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) will walk off the job for an hour at midday on Friday. The union says pay talks with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) have broken down. Fenz deputy national commander Megan Stiffler said 111 calls would be answered during the hour, but responses would be delayed. Fenz previously applied for independent facilitation to put an end to its long running dispute with the firefighters union. NZPFU began pay talks with Fenz in July 2024.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 01, 2026 22:23 UTC
Damien Martyn meningitis: Cricket great Adam Gilchrist sees ‘positive signs’
Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn has been placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis. Photo / XFormer Australian cricketer Damien Martyn has been placed in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis. Photo / XThere are “positive signs” around the health of meningitis-stricken former Aussie cricketer Damien Martyn, close friend Adam Gilchrist says. Martyn was put in an induced coma in a Brisbane hospital after being diagnosed with the deadly disease when he became unwell on Boxing Day. Yesterday, Gilchrist – a former Australian cricket team captain and great of the game – told Fox Cricket his friend was still in hospital but tests had shown “positive signs”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 01, 2026 22:21 UTC
Bay of Plenty deaths: Police investigate two bodies found at same property
Police were notified of a woman who had died at an address on Old Coach Rd, Pukehina. Photo / Paul TaylorBay of Plenty deaths: Police investigate two bodies found at same propertyPolice were notified of a woman who had died at an address on Old Coach Rd, Pukehina. Photo / Paul TaylorPolice are investigating the deaths of two people found in separate houses on the same Bay of Plenty property this week. Eastern Bay of Plenty area investigations manager Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson said police were notified at about 3pm yesterday of a woman who had died at an address on Old Coach Rd, Pukehina. Police have arrested and charged a man in relation to the woman’s death.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 01, 2026 22:14 UTC