Much of Central Otago will be fireworks-free this holiday season as it enters into a temporary ban from Christmas Eve. The Queenstown Lakes District will be moving into a restricted fire season at the same time. No private fireworks would be allowed to be lit in the Central Otago, Queenstown Lakes and Upper Waitaki areas. In a restricted fire season most types of outdoor fires, including bonfires and campfires, require a fire permit. Central Otago and Upper Waitaki are also currently in a restricted fire season.

December 22, 2025 20:36 UTC

“We placed all the affected cheese in black plastic bags and took them to the dump. “Before we did this, we consulted with MPI, who supported our actions.”The cheese was taken from the landfill and resold on the roadside. “Selling dumped cheese is illegal and a food safety risk to public health. New Zealand Food Safety is investigating,” said Arbuckle. Over the Moon registered farmers’ marketsHamilton Farmers’ Market at ClaudelandsWedge Mobile Fromagerie – Hokowhitu Farmers’ Market (first and third Sunday of he month)Wedge Mobile Fromagerie – Feilding Farmers’ Market (every Friday)Over the Moon registered Waikato retail stockists

December 22, 2025 20:35 UTC

Every word and action they said and made should be reviewed under our hate speech laws, and prosecutions made if deemed appropriate. ‘Children mourned’Under a two-word heading, “Children mourned”, in the Herald’s World section (Dec 22) are 115 words on children killed in Gaza due to recent shelling by Israel. Unicef reports two children are killed in Gaza every day due to the fragile ceasefire signed in October. The vast majority of goods, from inputs such as petrol and diesel to cars and farm tractors to T-shirts and ballpoint pens, are imports whose prices are inflated by a weak NZ dollar. I’m not aware that existing law prevents us from demonstrating humanity in treating others as we would ourselves be treated.

December 22, 2025 20:27 UTC

So to run a story on this subject, two months later, we simply need to do more.”She continued: “And this is 60 Minutes. “Government silence is a statement, not a VETO,” Alfonsi wrote. “Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical manoeuvre designed to kill the story.”“The 60 Minutes report on Inside CECOT will air in a future broadcast,” a CBS News spokeswoman said in a statement. The segment, titled Inside CECOT, was set to cover the Trump administration’s deportations of Venezuelan migrants to Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), one of El Salvador’s most notorious prisons. We go from an investigative powerhouse to a stenographer for the state,” Alfonsi wrote.

December 22, 2025 19:35 UTC

PHOTO: MELANOMA NZA spot check of South Islanders has turned up some alarming statistics around skin cancer-related symptoms. Melanoma New Zealand has been travelling the country in its spot check vehicle since 2021. The organisation carried out spot checks at 44 rural locations around the country, about half of them in the South Island. Skin cancer was by far the most common cancer in New Zealand, with eight out of every ten cancers being diagnosed as skin cancer. In June this year Melanoma New Zealand launched its second mobile spot check van, which was made possible thanks to funding from partner FMG and the Lion Foundation.

December 22, 2025 16:27 UTC





The Merino Downs subdivision near Twizel, in the early stages of its development. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDA wealthy United States entrepreneur has cut links with a residential subdivision in Twizel after going to court. On the Merino Downs website, Mr Crow explained why he liked the Twizel area. Mr White said there had been little activity the past two years because of rising building costs and higher interest rates than overseas. The show home owned by Mr Crow was unsold when placed on the market last year.

December 22, 2025 15:34 UTC

A concept image of the new Cromwell community facility. IMAGE: FILESCentral Otago residents are being urged to help come up with a name for the district’s new community facility on the shores of the Kawarau River in Cromwell. The Cromwell Community Board had recommended the $45 million venue have dual names — one English and a gifted te reo Māori one, Central Otago district councillor Sarah Browne said. Deputy mayor Tracy Paterson said it was important to remember the decision was for the whole district. Cr Browne urged anyone around Central Otago with an idea to contact their councillor or community board member and let them know about it.

December 22, 2025 15:33 UTC

Judy Muir works the tote at the Hawea Picnic Races in 2012. PHOTO: ODT FILESAfter 57 years as a volunteer at the Hawea Picnic Races, 80-year-old Judy Muir jokes her parents might not have approved of this achievement. It is said tongue in cheek, but it was through marriage that Mrs Muir found herself every year after Christmas stuck inside the hot aluminum totalisator building. Mrs Muir’s late husband Fred first attended as a child and his father had been there from the very start. The picnic races feature pony gymkhana events (jumping, pole bending), family fun sports races (sack races, lolly scramble, tug-of-war), and equalisator horse racing (harness racing, a locals’ hack race, human runner v horse).

December 22, 2025 15:33 UTC

Two offenders narrowly avoided prison after taking rehabilitative steps, amid warnings from a southern judge that family violence is at almost epidemic levels nationally. Judge Harvey said unfortunately, because family violence was at "almost epidemic proportions", the courts were sending serious offenders to prison. Te Aonui was looking after two of his victim’s children in Wellington when she came to visit. The judge also accepted Te Aonui had no previous convictions for violence "of this nature" and it was out of character. The positive report helped him narrowly avoid prison and for assault with intent to injure and threatening to kill, Te Aonui was sentenced to 12 months’ supervision.

December 22, 2025 15:33 UTC

Photo: supplied/ Prime Minister's OfficeNew Zealand and India have struck a free trade agreement, both governments say, making it easier for Kiwi exporters to reach the world's biggest population. NZ First to vote against dealThe deal makes good on a 2022 election promise from governing National Party that, if elected, it would finalise a New Zealand-India free trade agreement in its first term. The trade deal creates a new employment visa for Indian citizens, and according to the party will likely generate greater interest in Indian migration to New Zealand during a tight labour market. Dairy access to Indian markets was always going to be the holy grail for a free trade agreement with India - highly valuable but difficult to obtain, RNZ reports. McClay said dairy access would be future-proofed with a clause automatically triggering consultation for renegotiation of dairy access if India negotiated better terms with other comparable countries.

December 22, 2025 11:24 UTC

After hints they would not return for the next edition of the Cup, Swiss representative Alinghi will be among the action, returning as Tudor Team Alinghi. They did, however, announce the sale of Red Bull’s shareholding and removed the energy drink giant’s name from their own. American group Riptide Racing are among those teams working towards launching a viable challenge by that date. It also sees teams in agreement on the America’s Cup moving to a two-year cycle, continued commitment to the women’s and Youth America’s Cup pathways, as well as shared revenues and cost-control measures. “This is about preserving what makes the America’s Cup extraordinary while building a sustainable model that benefits everyone who shares our passion for this great competition,” Dalton said.

December 22, 2025 09:31 UTC

The recalled cheese includes camembert. Photo: Getty ImagesCheese previously dumped in a landfill has been taken and re-sold in the Waikato, New Zealand Food Safety says. The authority said the Over The Moon branded cheese was taken from Putaruru Landfill and was reportedly being re-sold yesterday, despite it being unsafe to eat. "Also, eating cheese that has been in a landfill for a period of time and out of the food supply chain carries very obvious food safety risks of contamination," NZFS deputy-director general Vincent Arbuckle said. They include:• Camembert• OMG• Black Truffle Brie• Galactic Gold• Halloumi• Gee's Spread (Black Truffle & Garlic Chilli flavours)• Smoked Chilli Camembert• Goat Camembert• Double DelightOver the Moon reported the issue to NZFS.

December 22, 2025 06:42 UTC

Diesel mechanic Marie Hearn has admitted charges linked to shooting eight rounds of bullets into two cars owned by a work colleague. Diesel mechanic Marie Hearn has admitted charges linked to shooting eight rounds of bullets into two cars owned by a work colleague. Photo / 123rfA diesel mechanic shot eight rounds of bullets into two cars owned by a colleague amid allegations of workplace bullying. Today, Marie Hearn, 62, admitted in the Nelson District Court to discharging a firearm in a public place, possessing a firearm after her licence had been revoked and two charges of possessing ammunition unlawfully. The mechanic, who described herself on social media as a former firefighter, worked for a Nelson industrial firm and drove to the workplace premises about 8.30pm on June 6.

December 22, 2025 06:33 UTC

The Bathhouse restaurant in Queenstown. PHOTO: OTAGO DAILY TIMESA Queenstown restaurant has failed to secure an interim injunction to stop an Australian company opening a spa in the resort town with the same name. The restaurant argued by using a similar name, the spa company was taking advantage of its reputation. The Bathhouse restaurant on the lake front of Lake Wakatipu was originally a bathhouse built to commemorate King George V in 1911. The spa company said reasonable consumers, particularly tourists, would not be confused and there was no potential for damage to the restaurant.

December 22, 2025 06:28 UTC

The investigation led police to a Glen Eden address last week where four other stolen cars were found. “Concerningly, a loaded shotgun was found hidden underneath a bed where a young boy was sleeping.”A report of a stolen Bentley Bentayga, similar to the one pictured, led police to finding four more stolen cars and a loaded shotgun under a child's bed. Photo / BentleyThe weapon was seized and a 31-year-old man and 27-year-old woman charged with dishonesty charges relating to the alleged use of stolen credit cards, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The Bentley was not found, but after further inquiries, it was recovered in Huia a few days later. “This is a fantastic result with several investigation teams from the North Shore and West Auckland working together, recovering vehicles and a firearm,” Williams said.

December 22, 2025 06:25 UTC