He expected the long-haired lurcher would eventually accompany him there until a job at Rotorua Airport changed his career path. But having only just adopted Charlie, Alton arranged with his new manager to bring the pup along. In his new job, Alton realised how significant the airport’s bird problem was. Rotorua Airport’s Ben Alton with his dog Charlie, the only canine currently employed for wildlife management at any New Zealand airport. Charlie, Rotorua Airport’s “Head of Dog Ops”, has become a model for other airports looking to improve wildlife control.

The school said it is working with police to prevent similar incidents in the future. Boards are in place after the school was vandalised. Photo / Melville Primary SchoolThe post expressed the school’s gratitude to the wider community after the incident. “We were truly so blessed by your generosity, responsiveness and care for our kura.”The school is working with police to try to prevent any repeat incidents. Photo / Melville Primary School“Melville Primary is more than buildings and glass – it is our people, our tamariki and our community.

Gibbons‑Campbell said Whangamatā lifeguards also completed two rescues during this time, and on November 8 and 9, lifeguards at Pāpāmoa Beach performed three rescues. Surf Life Saving NZ eastern region lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell. Surf Lifesaving Eastern Region manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell. Photo / Alex CairnsLifeguard patrols and hoursGibbons‑Campbell said this summer patrol season, there would be 147 paid (council-funded) lifeguards working across the Eastern region on weekdays until the end of March. Surf conditions for the Eastern regionGibbons-Campbell said the forecast surf conditions for the Eastern region over the coming few days would include small swells.

The April “tariff tantrum” saw global markets sell off sharply as fears of renewed protectionism took hold. The result was a striking disconnect between nervous sentiment and resilient fundamentals, which ultimately pushed the market higher. Diversification had its moment – againAnother important lesson from 2025 was the value of diversification. However, the experts got it wrong – and after more than a decade of dominance, the US lost its grip on global market leadership. A potential turning point for New ZealandFor Kiwi investors, 2026 could mark the early stages of a recovery.

An Australian man, Martin Thomas Glynn, was charged after allegedly posting a message on social media supporting the Bondi Beach mass shooting. 25 Dec, 2025 01:17 AM 2 mins to readAn Australian man, Martin Thomas Glynn, was charged after allegedly posting a message on social media supporting the Bondi Beach mass shooting. Photo / Getty ImagesAn Australian man has been charged and detained after allegedly posting a message on social media backing the mass shooting on Bondi Beach. He was charged with intent to racially harass, carrying or possessing a prohibited weapon, and failing to properly store a firearm or related material. The suspect, named in local media as 39-year-old Perth man Martin Thomas Glynn, appeared in Fremantle Magistrates Court yesterday.

Photo: ODT filesDunedin residents attempting to enjoy their morning were forced to call police after a man started hurling verbal abuse at them for drinking their coffees. The 45-year-old man was walking along Great King St at 8.30am on Tuesday ‘‘screaming’’ at the people walking by for ‘‘simply drinking their coffees’’, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond said. Many people walking along the street called police, and he was soon located and arrested. He was charged with disorderly behaviour and was bailed to appear in Dunedin District Court at a later date. laine.priestley@odt.co.nz

The 240 Gull and NPD sites throughout the country would maintain their original distinctive brand if the merger goes ahead. Photo: Supplied/ NPDFuel companies NPD and Gull have announced plans to merge national operations. While still subject to Commerce Commission approval, the move would combine NPD and Gull sites, teams and supply chains to form the largest independent, majority Kiwi-owned fuel company. The companies said the move should drive down pump prices, with Sheridan saying both companies were focused on making it easy for customers to pay less. "NPD started doing so more than 55 years ago and Gull started shaking up the market 25 years ago," he said.

The 17-year-old allegedly fled police after speeding down Kaikorai Valley Rd. Photo: GoogleA Dunedin teenager driving almost double the speed limit on a city road fled police and was later busted unlawfully possessing ammunition, police say. Police spotted the 17-year-old speeding along at 89kmh in the 50kmh zone in Kaikorai Valley Rd at 4.30pm on Tuesday, Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said. Over on nearby Brockville Rd, they quickly found the teenager sitting in the passenger seat of his friend's car, Snr Sgt Bond said. Snr Sgt Bond said the man was ‘‘initially uncooperative’’, however eventually provided his details.

Boris with SPCA Nelson staff member Carmen Torrance. Photo / Tracy NealBoris the black cat has made it home for Christmas, after 10 months on the loose. Biggs has now decided to adopt Boris, who she describes as “the most chill, laid-back cat”. Boris and SPCA Nelson staff member Carmen Torrance. He released three dogs, Cole, Zoe and Frankie, and then entered the cat complex, where he opened animal food containers, and released multiple kittens, plus Boris.

Nine science-backed ways to prevent overeating this ChristmasOften Christmas seems like a non-stop smorgasbord of cocktails, appetisers and treats. How to rest:Why ‘time off at the beach’ won’t fix your fatigue...… But the tips in this burnout recovery guide might help. Six things that make ADHD worse at Christmas and how to copeExpert tips for avoiding a ‘dopamine sleigh ride’ to regret. Here are her tips for navigating your family Christmas. Here’s a Christmas Day viewing guide to keep everyone happy.

After a trip to Australia, Dominique Healy tells Madeleine Crutchley about the conditions that make NZ fashion unique. Dominque Healy characterises the silhouette for local fashion as being easy and breezy. The designer, whose eponymous label was launched in Naarm Melbourne in 2017, has felt this influence since her return to Aotearoa in 2023. In her personal style, Healy notices she’s mirrored this attitude too: dressing in easier pieces, with soft fabrics and silhouettes. Relaxation has been a long-term signature of Healy but her return to Aotearoa has seen it amplified.

Photo / Jazlyn WhalesAt Christmas, the charity puts together a further 350 Christmas care packages – made extra-special for every parent facing those long, heartbreaking days of the festive season. Apart from comfort items and nourishing treats, Christmas packages include things such as home-made Christmas decorations, festive snacks, earrings, merino beanies and eye masks. “You’ve got a newborn perhaps in the neonatal unit and a toddler at home, and the two of them can’t be together on Christmas Day. Despite the noise of the machines and the activity throughout the hospital, Benson said she felt profoundly alone. Christmas care packages are made extra-special.

The deer feeders are a father and son who have set out food for decades to help the animals survive the harsh Maine winter. The deer turned into internet darlings in recent years through the duo’s YouTube page, Brownville’s Food Pantry For Deer. The troughs feed between 200 and 250 deer each winter, Richard and Randy said. After he built a house in Brownville, Maine, in 2007, Randy placed deer feed in his 2ha backyard – and his father soon joined him. However, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife discourages people from feeding deer, citing risks like disrupting deer migration, increasing the chances of deer spreading contagious diseases and making deer dependent on people for food.

It was crazy.”Deep gashes in the kayak left by the shark. Photo / SuppliedAs his mum began to paddle to the shore, the shark turned around one more time, but after a few more hits from Namioka’s paddle, it began to back off. I just boosted as fast as I could towards the rocks.”The encounter “all happened so fast” as the shark began attacking him within a few seconds of seeing it. Photo / SuppliedNamioka said the orange colour of his kayak may have attracted the shark as it did not attack his mum’s boat, which was a different colour. The encounter has put Namioka off going back out on the water for a few days, he told the Herald.

Photo: suppliedIt's a white Christmas for some Southland residents, with a dusting of snow on mountains in Te Anau this morning. The weather's not looking that flash for the South Island for Christmas Day. Oamaru and Invercargill were also expected to get showers and possibly thundery hail in the afternoon and highs of 21°C and 17°C. Meanwhile, orange heavy rain warnings are in place for the ranges in Buller, Westland and Grey districts (from Arthur's Pass northwards) and the Canterbury Headwaters (also from Arthur's Pass northwards) from early this morning, with thunderstorms possible. Heavy rain watches have been issued for the Tasman District, the ranges of the Westland District (from Mount Cook to Arthur's Pass), and the Canterbury Headwaters (also from Mount Cook to Arthur's Pass).