Photo: RNZNew Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the India free trade deal has been rushed through for political gain, and more wins could have been secured with longer negotiations. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay announced the deal at the Beehive on Monday. The UK free trade deal has no such conditions. He said in the 1980s we thought the whole world would adopt free trade, but they haven't. RNZ has sought further comment from Trade Minister Todd McClay.
Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in 1997. Photo / Getty ImagesUnited States President Donald Trump says people who “innocently met” Jeffrey Epstein in the past risked having their reputations ruined by the release of the investigative files on the convicted sex offender. Trump, in his first comments since the Justice Department began releasing the files on Friday, also dismissed the furore over Epstein as a distraction from his party’s achievements. “This whole thing with Epstein is a way of trying to deflect from the tremendous success that the Republican Party has,” he told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago home. Former President Bill Clinton featured prominently in the first batch of photos from the Epstein files released by the Justice Department and Trump was asked for his reaction.
Emergency services at the scene of the crash near Raes Junction. Photo: Debbie PorteousTwo people have been taken to hospital with moderate injuries after a truck crashed down a bank near Raes Junction. The truck was believed to be heading towards Millers Flat on State Highway 8 when it had got into difficulty and ended up down a bank. A Hato Hone St John spokesman said two patients were assessed at the scene and both were transported to Dunedin Hospital by ambulance. A police spokeswoman said emergency services were called to the scene at about 11.40am this morning and it was a single vehicle crash.
Fireworks at Nexia Blast in the Park 2025 at Anderson Park, Havelock North on Friday November 7, 2025. Photo / Richard BrimerIn the past fortnight, fires in Pāuanui and Port Jackson were caused by fireworks. Enforced under Section 52 of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act, the moratorium applies to the private use of fireworks. We want to make sure everybody knows to enjoy our public fireworks displays instead of lighting their own” says Trim. The Coromandel Zone, covered by the ban, is already in a restricted fire season which requires a permit approved by Fire and Emergency for most open-air fires.
Dive squad and drone join search for rock fisher missing in Firth of ThamesThe dive squad has been called in to search for a fisherman missing in the water near the Waikawau boat ramp, 24km north of Thames. Police were called to the scene off Thames Coast Rd at 9.45am yesterday after a rock fisher was reported to be in difficulty in the water. One person had made it safely to shore and raised the alarm that a second person was still in the water. Coastguard NZ has been searching for a missing rock fisherman in the water at Waikawau on the Firth of Thames. Photo / SuppliedThe second person has not been found at this stage.
India has been a notoriously challenging country to do FTAs with, and the relationship between governments was quite poor under Labour. I have little doubt that the PM’s personal commitment to the FTA, alongside his trips to India, made a critical difference also. 50 per cent tariff cut for large quota of apples – nearly double recent average exports. Duty-free access for kiwifruit within a quota almost four times our recent average exports, and tariff halved for exports outside of quota. History has shown them to have been 100% wrong on the China FTA, and they will be on this one also.
The single-vehicle crash is still being investigated. Police release name of man who died in Kaitāia motorcycle crashThe single-vehicle crash is still being investigated. Photo / Bevan ConleyPolice have named a man who died in a Kaitāia motorcycle crash earlier this month as Marcus Tepania. The 31-year-old was killed in a motorcycle accident on State Highway 1, near Victoria Valley Rd, at around 8.50pm on December 12. Investigators were still making inquiries into the circumstances of the single-vehicle crash.
“His contribution to our success cannot be understated,” Fisher said. “He demonstrated and lived our values every day and was well-loved and respected by clients and colleagues alike. “He led by example, with dedication, commitment and humour, and Monkeytoe would not be the company it is today without his influence. “Our thoughts remain with Toby’s family, friends, and all who knew him.”Police also expressed their condolences to Broomhall’s family and friends. The crash is being investigated.
Joseph Wilson brutally attacked a woman a year after serving home detention for another violent incident. PHOTO: ROB KIDDA Dunedin man duct-taped a woman, broke her shoulder and threatened to bury her in the backyard during a harrowing attack, a court has heard. Joseph Rangi Taihaere Wilson, 46, was jailed for three years and eight months when he appeared in the Dunedin District Court last week. The victim told the court she was convinced the defendant would kill her during last year’s incident and remained fearful of violent retribution. While she lay in excruciating pain, Wilson threatened to kill the woman and bury her in the backyard.
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONFirefighters use an aerial unit to extricate a person with serious injuries from a two-storey building in Victoria Rd, St Kilda, yesterday. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said two crews were sent to the scene about 9.20amThe lift assist was used to transport the patient down to ground level for treatment via ambulance. A Hato Hone St John spokesman said one patient was assessed at the scene and taken by ambulance to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition. St John was unable to provide specific details about the patient’s injuries, the spokesman said.
He added: “The doctors do not believe it has spread and I’m taking tests to confirm their diagnosis. He has previously been open about how he became hooked on cigarettes as a child and smoked for decades. In a previous interview with the London Evening Standard newspaper, he said: “Well, I smoked for 30 years. “Then I just started in Las Vegas and the band and I went down to a little club and somebody offered me a cigarette. Not on a pack a day, ‘cause when I was really smoking I was on three packs a day – non filters.
A knife-wielding Dunedin man allegedly lashed out at police with his teeth leaving one officer in hospital with bite wounds. CCTV footage revealed the man had driven to the business in an allegedly stolen vehicle, Snr Sgt Bond said. The man was handcuffed and restrained, but while being searched began "kicking and pulling against police", Snr Sgt Bond said. The man allegedly tried to bite a fourth officer while being transferred to the police vehicle. There had been previous interactions and court proceedings between the 30-year-old man and the Bridgman St business, Snr Sgt Bond said.
New Zealand Defence Force soldier Corporal Aidan Tamati is spending his first Christmas away from home as he is stationed in South Korea. New Zealand Defence Force corporal Aidan Tamati, originally of Dunedin, is stationed in South Korea, and will be spending his first Christmas on base. Being in South Korea had been an amazing experience, but he was missing home, Cpl Tamati said. Cpl Tamati said he arrived in South Korea in July during one of the hottest summers recorded in the country. Cpl Tamati said their main role was to observe the armistice being applied correctly within the demilitarised zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea.
Tom Latham celebrates his 15th test century, against the West Indies at Bay Oval. I think he’s probably considered to be a very, very, high-quality opening batsman.”Latham’s importance was on show during New Zealand’s 2-0 test series win over the West Indies this past month. “Your currency as a batter is runs,” Latham began. Photo / PhotosportPleasingly for the Black Caps, 2025 has seen Latham end a lean run with the bat in test cricket. And with the added responsibility of captaincy, Williamson predicts that the Black Caps are still to see the best of their captain.
Peppa, 15, Carter, 4, and Sandy Bayliss enjoy a walk and a skip through the Chain Hills Tunnel trail yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHThe opening of the Chain Hills Tunnel trail has been a long time coming and is just the beginning of something special, its proponent says. A 1.5km section of the Dunedin Tunnels Trail project that goes through the historic Chain Hills Tunnel has had a soft opening over the past week. Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust chairman Brent Irving said he was very pleased with the initial response. Mr Irving said that once the trail was fully complete, he envisaged it would be one of the most widely used trails built.
