Blustery conditions and consistent drizzling rain pervaded throughout the morning and afternoon — only for the weather to slowly clear in time for the celebrations, even if temperatures were not particularly summery. There was early entertainment for the younger audience in George St, and the more traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Octagon. Children form a train as they dance during New Year's Eve celebrations at George St. Photo: Gerard O'BrienThis is the first time the council has utilised the George St space for New Year's Eve activities since the upgrades were completed about two years ago. Ms MacLennan said they would definitely consider doing something similar for the next New Year’s Eve celebrations. "It’s great to utilise George St. It’s such a lovely space, and it’s able to be closed off [for vehicles] and be used for open events such as this."

One person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Waikato early today. The police were called to the intersection of Orini and McConnell Rds in Orini about 12:30am. The sole occupant of the car was found dead at the scene. Orini Rd was closed overnight between Rutherford Rd and Tenfoot Rd while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination. Police inquiries are ongoing.

After hearing about the festival last minute, Jazzy Pearl and Rory Weeding, from Calgary, Canada, worked as volunteers prior to the festival and earned free tickets. Jazzy Pearl (25) and Rory Weeding (25) from Canada, volunteered prior to the festival to gain free entry. Paris Kerr who attended the festival with a group of friends for two nights said she was most excited to see Dizzee Rascal. ‘‘We came to see Dizzee Rascal, that’s our man. Elsa Rosanowski (24), Celia Petrie (24) and Paris Kerr (23) preparing to see ‘their man’ Dizzee Rascal.

An actor's mislaid suitcase travelled from Waiheke Island to Brisbane International Airport. Photo / New Zealand Herald compositeAn actor's mislaid suitcase travelled from Waiheke Island to Brisbane International Airport. Photo / New Zealand Herald compositeA Kiwi woman who accidentally took the wrong suitcase home after a Waiheke Island ferry trip has tracked her missing bag – to another country. “Please help me find my bag and give this bloke his bag back! Browne, who has appeared in Shortland Street and Outrageous Fortune, worked out the suitcase belonged to a man based on its contents.

A income-boosting family tax credit scheme wasn’t entirely new; the main tax credits already existed. In April 2006, the Child Tax Credit, a Jim Bolger Government tax credit that topped up the income of families that worked, was scrapped and replaced with the In-Work Tax Credit (IWTC). A new abatement rate of 20% was introduced, meaning that for every dollar earned above the abatement threshold, the tax credit was reduced by 20 cents. Family Tax Credit rates were increased by $10 a week. National and Labour Governments have both increased abatement rates too, meaning families lose their tax credits much faster.

ChatGPT judged eight predictions, such as my calls that the economy would recover and that the next election would be a toss-up, to be unresolved. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spent political capital in pursuit of what commentators dismissed as an implausible goal – a free-trade agreement with India. I predict 2026 will be a difficult year for President Trump. While there are legal ways to reimpose tariffs, a ruling that the Trump tariffs are unlawful would be a severe blow. In 2026 it will be obvious that China, through its control of rare earths, has won the trade war.

In 1994, the couple’s marriage ended, and Malcolm promised Heather he would pay her for half of the house, the court decision said. Brian, a chartered accountant with decades of experience, helped Malcolm with the litigation, as well as another court case Malcolm took against a family trust. The trust proceeding ended in 2016, with Malcolm receiving $935,000, paying $200,000 to Heather and loaning $300,000 to Brian in 2017. The unsuccessful court case left Malcolm on the hook for $230,000 of his father’s executors’ legal costs. Knowing of the loss and subsequent costs, Brian helped him draft a document transferring the $300,000 debt Brian owed over to Heather at the end of September.

Waihī Beach. At around 8pm, off-duty lifeguards noticed five swimmers caught in a rip directly off the surf club. While on the beach, the team also directed another 20 swimmers from the water at various points along the shoreline. There was a big swell and rips right along the beach.”IRB at Waihī Beach. Gibbons‑Campbell reiterated Surf Life Saving’s core safety message:“Swim between the flags, swim during patrol hours, and if in doubt, stay out.”

The road has re-opened after a crash that blocked State Highway 1 on the Rakaia Bridge this afternoon. In an update just after 3pm today police confirmed the road had re-opened, although said traffic remained heavy in the area and delays were to be expected. Police earlier said they were called to a two-vehicle crash, involving a car and truck, about 12.40pm. There were no injuries reported. In an update at 1.45pm NZTA said traffic was moving using a Stop/Go system.

The ABC reported that some travellers were angry at the cruise company over a lack of communication following the crash. German tourist Ursula Daus said she would “never, ever again” travel with Coral Expeditions. She told the ABC that passengers were still able to travel to the mainland for day trips while the vessel remained grounded. Marilyn Walter, who had travelled from Wagga Wagga in New South Wales to join the cruise, had a different view. The Coral Adventurer was involved in another incident just two months ago, when an 80-year-old passenger died after being left behind on a remote Great Barrier Reef island.

Australian cricket great Damien Martyn rushed to hospital and placed in induced coma with meningitisA former Australian cricket star is in an induced coma after being diagnosed with meningitis. Damien Martyn was rushed to a Brisbane hospital from his Gold Coast home after becoming unwell after lying down to rest on Boxing Day, Code Sports reported. Close friend and former Australian cricket Adam Gilchrist said on behalf of the family that Martyn was receiving treatment for meningitis. “He is getting the best of treatment and Amanda [Martyn’s partner] and his family know that a lot of people are sending their prayers and best wishes,” Gilchrist said. It is thought he could be brought out of his coma in the next few days.

The road has re-opened after a crash that blocked State Highway 1 on the Rakaia Bridge this afternoon. In an update just after 3pm today police confirmed the road had re-opened, although said traffic remained heavy in the area and delays were to be expected. Police earlier said they were called to a two-vehicle crash, involving a car and truck, about 12.40pm. There were no injuries reported. In an update at 1.45pm NZTA said traffic was moving using a Stop/Go system.

Police are continuing their investigation into the killing of Teishallia Te Paea. Photo: Supplied / NZ PolicePolice say there are four people they want to speak to as they investigate the killing of Hastings woman Teishallia Te Paea. Detective Inspector Martin James said police wanted to speak to three males who, together, visited the victim's Kotuku St house in August or September. A profiler from the police Behavioural Science Unit analysed the murder, which police said was committed in a unique way. They also believed the offender had knowledge of the Kotuku St property and attempts to conceal the crime were to create distance between them and Te Paea.

Coastguard National Operations Centre confirmed it received reports from members of the public about the capsized yacht. A spokesperson said the person on board was assisted by a nearby vessel, so Coastguard Tutukākā was not required to launch. “My mum was looking out at the sea and said the yacht shouldn’t be out there – it was too windy,” he said. Moments later, the yacht appeared to strike the reef and come to an abrupt stop. However, about five minutes later, Baragwanath said the boat began pitching heavily before capsizing in rough seas.

You notice these things because the farmer and the city kid were vastly different animals. And he became legendary when I took stories of The Hat cussing and kicking, and eating, back to the uninitiated in the suburbs. He was probably doing the same – taking stories of the uselessness and incompetence of city kids to the saleyards and the local Federated Farmers meetings. ”A man needed that.”I would feed off the sight of another man feeding. By one o’clock, what a man needed was viscera, innards, guts, offal.