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.

March 12, 2026 23:42 UTC

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.

March 12, 2026 23:14 UTC

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.

March 12, 2026 23:00 UTC

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.

March 12, 2026 22:50 UTC

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.

March 12, 2026 22:32 UTC





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.

March 12, 2026 21:19 UTC

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.

March 12, 2026 21:01 UTC

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.

March 12, 2026 20:53 UTC

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.

March 12, 2026 18:57 UTC

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.

March 12, 2026 18:55 UTC

‘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.

March 12, 2026 17:33 UTC

Davies told police she heard an “almighty bang”, noticed that her side wing mirror was damaged, and stopped further up the road. Davies “unintentionally” hit Tauaika with her car, knocking him to the ground, causing significant damage to his scooter. When Davies stopped up the road, she got out of her car and saw it had been significantly damaged. Mesui Tauaika, 92, was fatally struck on his mobility scooter at this raised crossing on Peachgrove Rd, Hamilton, in June 2024. “While you are not here to answer for being the cause of his death, it must be acknowledged,” he told Davies.

March 12, 2026 17:03 UTC

After failing to stop a young driver for allegedly travelling at excessive speed in a 50kmh zone, police officers went to his house and waited for him to come home. ‘‘Police observed the vehicle coming back into Mosgiel about 20 minutes after the initial call. ‘‘They attempted to stop the vehicle on Gordon Rd, but when they activated their red and blue lights, the vehicle accelerated away. ‘‘The 21-year-old male driver was exhibiting signs of recent alcohol consumption. Sgt Lee said the vehicle was being driven by a 20-year-old man, and his licence was suspended for 28 days.

March 12, 2026 17:02 UTC

PHOTOS: GERARD O’BRIENDunedin support workers who drive across town for their job are worried fuel price increases will eat up a lot of their income. Dunedin residential home care support worker Juliette Young said transport costs for healthcare workers had been hefty. I don't think anyone could really live on the wage we're on [today].’’If nothing was done more support workers would quit the profession and vulnerable people ‘‘would be left alone in their pyjamas all day’’, she said. Drivers line up to make the most of cheaper fuel at the NPD station in Andersons Bay Rd yesterday. Several others said increased fuel prices had left support and home-care workers unable to afford to travel the long distances required.

March 12, 2026 16:34 UTC

The alleged broad daylight theft of money from the pockets of an unconscious woman lying in the Dunedin CBD has landed two men in the Dunedin District Court. Sergeant Matt Lee said police were called to George St about 5pm on Wednesday after receiving reports from members of the public that two males had taken money off an intoxicated woman who had passed out in the street. ‘‘So she couldn’t stop them from taking the money. ‘‘A 42-year-old male and a 54-year-old male have both been charged with theft and possessed cannabis.’’They were held in police custody to appear in court, he said. Police opposed bail because of the men’s previous convictions, and the seriousness of the new charges they were facing, he said.

March 12, 2026 16:32 UTC