The fact they have horses racing at all those venues sums up not only the size of their operation but its importance to harness racing up and down the country. But by the weight of numbers and talent of those involved, the record could be an early Christmas present for the Telfers, their staff and the big boss of parent company Stonewall Stud, Steve Stockman today. Telfer is a numbers man, smart enough to know the record is probably theirs but not looking for chickens to count. “She is a really well mannered mare and although she might be better right-handed, she can win,” admits Telfer. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals.

Winston Peters addresses the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2025. Photo / United NationsThe United States, which was responsible for 22% of the 2025 Budget, is the largest Member State yet to provide this funding - which was due in February. Foreign Minister Winston Peters meets UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in September 2025. Photo / UNForeign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand, along with the likes of Australia and Canada, consistently calls on all members of the UN to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time. “It clearly sets a bad example because the United States is such a predominant economic and military power in the world,” he said.

The proposed subdivision plan of Homestead Bay. The panel placed significant weight on the project’s regional benefits, particularly its contribution to housing supply in a district facing persistent shortages. The site has long been identified for growth through the Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan, which earmarks the southern corridor as a priority development area. The panel said benefits tied to future superlot development were less certain and therefore given reduced weight, but still relevant. The proposed subdivision could eventuate in up to 2800 new homes in the Queenstown Lakes District.

On his devices, police found a 16-minute video that followed the history of the Isis group, then moved into promotion of the organisation. It featured beheadings and footage of Isis members murdering prisoners and civilians, accompanied by text justifying war crimes. In another video, Isis fighters are seen planting their flag in the desert and fighting, followed by images of dead “martyrs”, the summary of facts said. A different video featured multiple beheadings and extolled Muslims in the West to join Isis and conduct terror attacks. A Pukekohe man found in possession of extremist Islamic State content, including beheadings and terror attacks in Europe, was sentenced in Manukau District Court.

Griffin said Auckland would still experience a few showers on Christmas Day but the worst would have eased off. He said periods of rain were forecast to plague the central and eastern parts of the North Island today, but they should ease off by this evening. Christmas Eve Day will feature some morning rain in the North Island, but much drier by the afternoon. ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/WcCgoTMv73 — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) December 23, 2025Elsewhere in the South Island, wet weather has been forecast to hit western and southern parts this evening. “For Auckland, we are expecting a high of 24C both today and tomorrow,” Griffin said.

Verstappen told Swedish outlet Viaplay that two grands prix were not enough of a chance for Lawson to prove himself. “Because ultimately, someone is giving up their chance ... yes, then you’re ruining [that chance] at a top team,” he said. Red Bull dropped behind McLaren and Mercedes to finish third in the Constructors’ Championship this year. While winners McLaren give equal treatment to both Drivers’ Championship winner Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Red Bull clearly favour Verstappen as their primary driver. The Dutch competitor still believes Red Bull has the right approach.

But beyond his role with Carrington, Walker also built a programme that is the envy of the kayaking world. “We have things [now] that no other nation has like the power blade, our GPS tracking system, our monitoring system,” said Walker. “But I am still really passionate about performance in sport and I’m sure that something will emerge and I’m excited for that too.”Dame Lisa Carrington and Gordon Walker. Whatever happens, Walker will never forget the journey of the last 16 years, highlighted by the campaigns in London, Rio, Tokyo and Paris. “Her training sessions are extraordinary,” said Walker.

All eyes were on the sky at Highlands Motorsport Park yesterday as Formula One Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson literally dropped in. Photos: Gregor RichardsonAn auction for the Vulcan laps raised more than $30,000 for breast cancer research. Auckland company Shaw and Partners Financial Services paid $10,000 for one of the Vulcan laps and then gave it away on social media. Tony Quinn’s multimillion-dollar Aston Martin Vulcan. Before suiting up, Lawson signed autographs for some of the hundreds of fans who began lining up several hours before the event began.

Dean Matthew Armstrong, 45, appeared before Judge David Robinson last week via video link at the Dunedin District Court. I didn’t get any inkling you were capable of this," the father told Armstrong. Judge Robinson told Armstrong that "tremendous harm" had been suffered by his victims, which included those of the material he did not create. Judge Robinson set the sentencing at a starting point of six and a-half years, and then offered discounts for an early guilty plea, expressions of remorse and difficult family circumstances. There was "no indication" that Armstrong would have stopped offending had he not been caught, Judge Robinson said.

Seeing the teeth on a great white shark are about as rare as seeing hen’s teeth, University of Otago marine scientist Prof Steve Wing says. Photo: Mark EnarsonIn the wake of a Waitati spear fisherman coming face to face with a great white shark at the weekend, a marine scientist is reminding the public there is no need to be concerned about swimming at Otago beaches. That was what Waitati man Tom Brough was doing when a 4-metre great white shark came up behind him, about 50m off Huriawa Peninsula, near Karitane on Sunday. If a great white shark was encountered, he recommended staying calm, maintaining eye contact, and backing away slowly without splashing — they often mistake frantic movement for prey. She said the only time she had come face to face with a great white was while in one if the business’s cages.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand has performed more than twice as many rescues so far this season compared with the same time last year. Between Labour Weekend and the weekend before Christmas, surf lifeguards across New Zealand performed 240 rescues — 127 more than during the same timeframe in 2024. Statistics are up in other areas, surf lifeguards performing 74 more assists, seven more major first aid procedures and eight more searches compared with the same period in 2024. "At the same time, conditions have seen dangerous rips and currents, particularly around sandbanks and channels." He said surf lifeguards would continue to actively engage with beachgoers, taking proactive actions to move people out of danger, and manage risk before it turned into an emergency.

A short-term prohibition on the use of private fireworks in the Central Otago, Lakes and Upper Waitaki areas also comes into force today. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) said the move to a restricted fire season brought the Queenstown Lakes area into line with Central Otago and Upper Waitaki. The restricted fire season and temporary ban on fireworks both reflect Fenz’s efforts to cut the risk of wildfires over the summer. Unfortunately, the same thing happened with outdoor fires — bonfires, campfires and land management fires, he said. In a restricted fire season most types of outdoor fires, including bonfires and campfires, require a fire permit.

Central Districts left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox has earned his maiden call-up for the Black Caps. Lennox has been named in the ODI squad, alongside the uncapped Kristian Clarke, and emerging internationals Adi Ashok, Josh Clarkson, Nick Kelly, and the recent test debutant Michael Rae. Kane Williamson is unavailable for ODI selection due to commitments in the SA20 league. Mitch Hay will keep wicket for the ODI series, whereas Conway will take the gloves for the T20s. This will allow them to feature in the back end of the T20 series in India ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie and Rhys Darby in Flight of The Conchords. With [Flight of the Conchords], it looks like we’re going to try and do something this coming year. I’ve never used one of those, but I think this year I’m going to try one of those. Santa's Little Helper from The Simpsons is one of the new faces of Greyhounds as Pets. And, luckily for me, I’ve done a few things with The Simpsons, and I’ve got friends there.

A concept image of the Lakeview Te Taumata development above Queenstown’s CBD. The Queenstown Lakes District Council said in a statement yesterday that it and company Ninety Four Feet have completed settlement on the first stage of the land to be developed as part of the Lakeview Precinct in Queenstown. The development agreement, signed by both parties in October 2019, contractually binds Ninety Four Feet and council to a range of commercial terms. Settlement occurred yesterday and followed the developer meeting conditions of the agreement including design approval, consenting, funding, equity commitment, and contractor engagement. The Lakeview Precinct is said by the council to be a vibrant and complementary extension of the existing town centre.