Although he didn’t reach a milestone before the close of play, Campbell’s innings was impressive for its determination. Devon Conway celebrates reaching 200 on day two of the third test between the Black Caps and the West Indies. After threatening a big score all summer, with starts in the white-ball series against the West Indies, Conway Bay treated the Bay Oval crowd to a masterclass. The Black Caps huddle on day two of the third test against the West Indies. Perhaps following the template of Latham and Conway’s first-wicket stand of 323, the West Indies’ openers added their century in 116 balls and made sure both have the chance to keep building on Saturday.

Business and rural editor Sally Rae pays a visit to Wenita Forest Products’ Akatore Forest, near the Otago coast, south of Dunedin and views the salvage operation. Fortunately, there was not a history in Otago-Southland of such events; most weather-related events involved rainfall or snow so the wind storm was "pretty unusual" and an occurrence Mr Cormack hoped was a one-in-one-hundred year event. "Everyone would have been anxious and it would have been slow, dangerous work," Mr Cormack said. Mr Cormack said the crews were fully mechanised and it was more productive and more safe. It had been an intense year, and staff and contractors all needed a holiday, Mr Cormack said.

REPORT: LAINE PRIESTLEY / PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONCareer firefighters from all over Dunedin stopped work from noon until 1pm yesterday and took to the street to strike outside the Dunedin Central Fire Station. New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union Dunedin secretary and Senior Firefighter Mike Taylor said the strikes would continue throughout the holiday period, with walk-offs planned for Boxing Day and January 2. "They're going to go on holiday shortly ... in the same situation with our trucks, with our training and with the staffing levels — nothing's changed for us." After multiple failures to come to an agreement, the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union began nationwide industrial action in August. Fire and Emergency New Zealand deputy national commander Megan Stiffler said Fenz had repeatedly urged the NZPFU to call off the strikes, saying they were still in negotiations.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGESUnpaid and overdue fines in Otago have risen in the past year as the amount of debt owed nears $10 million. In data released to the Otago Daily Times by the Ministry of Justice, the total value of overdue fines in Otago as of November 30, 2025 was $9.6m. In the period between November 30, 2024 and January 1, 2025, the number of unpaid fines rose by $1.2m. The total amount of fines overdue in Otago was 46,930, a 13% increase from 2024. Ashburton also recently moved to the Otago Justice Service Area, meaning the numbers from that area came off Canterbury’s total and on to Otago’s.

PHOTO: ODT FILEA Dunedin man who beat his mother to death with a dumbbell will no longer be subject to life imprisonment after winning an appeal. He appeared in the High Court at Dunedin 10 months later, where he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years. It makes Taylor one of the few killers in the country not to be subject to a life term. In an update, he said the defendant had found stability in a youth unit in prison and was engaged in activities and courses. Justice Mallon accepted that for a person with Taylor’s vulnerabilities, the effects of life imprisonment would likely "weigh very heavily on him".

The Wānaka Golf Club has plans to replace its ageing clubhouse. IMAGES: SUPPLIED/ODT GRAPHICA Wānaka golf club is taking the first swing at improving its historic clubhouse after a 38-year need for upgraded premises. The Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board this week recommended the Queenstown Lakes District Council grant minister’s approval to the Wānaka Golf Club for a new clubhouse building. "The Wanaka Golf Club is averaging one new member a day and that number is to keep continuing. "The age and ad hoc nature of the development of the clubhouse building is causing ongoing issues with functionality and maintenance.

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PHOTO: ODT FILESNew Zealand forestry export revenue is forecast to rise 2% to $6.3 billion in the year to June 30, 2026, a report from the Ministry for Primary Industries says. Log export volumes fell 3% in 2024-25, but a 4% rise in export prices, supported by lower shipping costs and a weaker New Zealand dollar, resulted in a slight increase in export revenue. Over the forecast period, steady domestic supply was expected to sustain volumes but prices were expected to remain low as China’s construction sector remained weak. That gain reflected reduced imports from Germany, where bark beetle damage and rising domestic demand had reduced available export volumes. About 70% of sawn timber production was for the domestic market so increased residential construction demand would be helpful.

Preparing for the Poniworks Summer Olympics fundraising event in Palmerston today, are (from left) organiser Susan Falconer, Casper the pony, Olivia McEwan, 14, and Jade Miller, 12. Earlier this year, after putting it off for years, Susan Falconer learned a valuable lesson when she finally got a breast screening done and found she had cancer. And today, she is celebrating by holding a public event to share that lesson. She said she would share her story with the more than 200 people that were expected to attend the event today. She hoped the event would become an annual fundraiser and an opportunity for people to learn from her lesson.

Auckland Airport on Friday, its busiest day of the year for domestic departures. A passenger at Auckland Airport today said it was already busy. Saturday, December 20 and Saturday, January 3 are the busiest international travel days, with up to 20,000 passengers travelling each day. The busiest day for international departures from Auckland is expected to be January 4, while January 15 is forecast to be its busiest day for international arrivals. In terms of domestic departures from Auckland, December 19 is tipped to be the busiest day, while January 16 is the busiest for domestic arrivals.

Beach Rd from the air just as the council began its rubbish cleanup in August. Poor communication was criticised amidst a debate about how to approach the future of Beach Rd after an environmental cleanup that started three months ago resulted in the discovery of 58% more old rubbish than anticipated. Beach Rd was temporarily closed in August to facilitate stage two of the council’s $12.5 million-plus environmental cleanup of vulnerable coastal dump sites, Project Reclaim. Beach Rd is one of the most scenic stretches of highway on the South Island east coast. They options were:• $720,000 to realign the road around the edge of the two holes on the current path;• $353,000 to completely realign the road inland from the intersection of Beach Rd with Awamoa Rd.

Court rules mother insane in children's murder caseToday at 12:15Police at the scene where the two children died in Ruakākā. Photo: NZME A mother who was gripped by delusional fears for her children's safety made the psychotic decision to kill them and has now been deemed legally insane, avoiding a murder trial.

A health practitioner treating Olivia Podmore has forcefully denied claims he shared confidential medical information within an "old boys" network of Cycling NZ coaches and support staff at an inquest into the death of the elite cyclist. During the opening week of the inquest held by Coroner Louella Dunn, the court heard evidence from two witnesses that information Podmore disclosed about her mental health "went further than it should". She described Podmore's openness with the health practitioner as a "double-edged sword". The practitioner said he was "shocked" to read evidence that he had been alleged to have fed private information about Podmore back to coaching staff. The practitioner told the court his approach is to encourage the athlete themselves to share their own information with their coaches.

Murder accused told police missing real estate agent was 'beautiful'Today at 11:52Tingjun Cao is accused of murdering Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao. Photo: Iain McGregor The man accused of murdering Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao has told police that he had been driving around looking for a job the day she went missing, and had decided to leave the country because he had given up the job hunt.

There were tears and anger when Hutt Valley residents found out that a terrible smell from a wastewater treatment plant won't be fixed for another four years. Residents said deodoriser cannons that were supposed to be masking the stench of poo, were not helping. Hutt City mayor Campbell Barry told the audience fixing the plant and getting rid of the stench was the council's number one priority. He admitted the pungent smell residents lived with was completely unacceptable. "But ultimately we are responsible and that's why we'll continue to make ourselves accountable and front up to the community," Barry said.