It's the celestial highlight of the year: a total lunar eclipse - and sky watchers in the South were out to capture it. Ian Griffin, of Tūhura Otago Museum, and The Mix's columnist said New Zealand was perfectly placed to see the event. The Moon slipped into Earth's shadow just before 10pm yesterday and re-emerged early this morning. Sunlight, filtered and reddened by the atmosphere, lit up the lunar surface. There won't be another total lunar eclipse from here until December 2028.
Sir Ian Taylor in Cromwell after his visit to the Santana mine site at Bendigo. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYProminent Dunedin businessman Sir Ian Taylor has visited Santana Minerals’ offices, but remains concerned about the fast-track process that could decide the outcome of the proposed Bendigo mine. This was important to Sir Ian, because "once everything is put there, it’s there forever". Previous examples of dams not working properly were dismissed, Sir Ian said, because "they aren’t the same as this place". Sir Ian said he would still be prepared to debate the Minister for Resources and Minister for Regional Development.
High pressure (🔴) will then become favoured for most of the remainder of the week, with mostly dry weather and gradually increasing temperatures. pic.twitter.com/ytuW1p7jzB — NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) March 2, 2026However Martino said a few places were still colder than normal. Dunedin is set to reach a high of 19C today, then rising to 21C on Thursday and a toasty 27C on Friday. In the North Island, Auckland is forecast to reach a high of 21C, 23C tomorrow and 24C on Friday. Whangārei will reach 21C today and 23C tomorrow and Friday.
Two people were flown to hospital, one in a serious condition, after strong winds and significant swells capsized a group of rafters off the Catlins coast. Race co-director Andy Magness said the incident occurred as wind came up "quite severely" during the afternoon while competitors in pack rafts were travelling north up the coast. Race competitors had to have passed a swim test and were required to be wearing a wetsuit or dry suit and a lifejacket. Photo: screengrabAll capsized racers got themselves to shore, where they were assessed. The rest of the afternoon’s paddling section was called off due to high winds and drained resources following the rescue.
Photo: RNZThe government is brushing off accusations of naivety from the opposition over plans to pursue a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal as prices spike worldwide. QatarEnergy has suspended production of LNG, prompting prices to rise by around 50 percent in Europe, and nearly 40 percent in Asia. The New Zealand government is proceeding with plans to build a billion dollar LNG import facility in Taranaki, as a back-up to address dry year risk. Labour's energy spokesperson Megan Woods said the global spike in LNG prices was the concern Labour had been warning the government about all along. Asked later about Woods' comments around naivety, Watts said future energy prices in 2027, 2028, and 2029 were all down following the government's announcement.
Construction of an amenities block is under way in Otautau. Photo: SuppliedPack up your tent and dust off your air mattress, a new camping ground is coming to Southland. Construction is under way in Otautau, about 40 minutes from Invercargill, on a project which still holds some uncertainty around what it will include. The cabins remain something of a mystery, however, as the council opted to discuss construction behind closed doors at a January meeting. The new camping ground will be located at the same place as its predecessor, Holt Park, and will be operated by the council.
The late Neville Peat, of Dunedin, with the Antarctic Society Conservation Trophy he received in January last year. Mr Peat died on Sunday. Photo: Linda RobertsonDunedin author and photographer Neville Peat has died, aged 78. Under the fellowship, Mr Peat wrote The Tasman: Biography of an Ocean. Mr Peat died in Dunedin Hospital on Sunday morning, following a short illness.
These properties were “downzoned”, making new developments on them harder or not permitted at all. Of the properties, 2000 were in flood plains, and 10,000 were subject to coastal erosion. The new density rules will provide capacity for 1.6 million new homes over the coming decades. Councillor Mike Lee said what people want to see is what their street and neighbourhood will look like with the new adjusted 1.6 million figure, and when. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Two people have been flown to hospital, one in a serious condition, following a water rescue in the Caitlins this afternoon. Emergency services were called to Papatowai, about 20km south of Owaka, about 3.15pm today. A helicopter flies over emergency services near Papatowai. Acting Senior Sergeant Nathan White said emergency services received reports of four people struggling in the water near the Tahakopa River outlet. "The four people made their way to shore and two have since been flown by rescue helicopter to hospital for follow up medical treatment."
Photo: RNZThe Prime Minister has admitted he "misspoke" when he said New Zealand supported "any actions" to prevent Iran having nuclear weapons. Referring to the example raised of carpet bombing Iran, Luxon said "clearly that is not what we want to see." Labour leader Chris Hipkins said it was good that the Prime Minister had admitted he misspoke. "Adherence to international law shouldn't be a matter of discretion, it should be something we expect all countries to adhere to." "We have been very clear that we think international law matters, and that all parties to these sorts of conflicts should follow international law.
Jock Davies. Ashburton builder Paul William John Stevens, 39, has avoided jail time and instead been sentenced to five months' home detention for shooting Jock Davies, 21, last July. "I miss Jock every day, I miss the twinkle in his eye, his naughty sense of humour. Davies' oldest brother George Davies told Stevens that he had failed as a firearms licence-holder and the family was facing "lifelong effects" as a result. Davies' brother Tom Davies described the eight months since the death as a "living nightmare".
Sport Headlines | Auckland sports fans will be spoilt for choice and Springboks coach says the All Blacks face a tricky transition | Tuesday, March 3, 2026Former British and Irish Lions player Anthony Watson said he cheated a head injury assessment to return to the field after Sonny Bill Williams’ red card during the 2017 series in New Zealand. Williams became the first All Black to be sent off in a test for 50 years after his shoulder connected with the head of Watson, resulting in a red card in the 25th minute of the second test. Watson left the field for a head injury assessment (HIA), but returned later in the game and played for 72 minutes in the series decider a week after. However, Watson revealed in a new BBC documentary he was able to cheat his way through the HIA by remembering a series of five words, allowing him to pass the recall part of the test. “I knew the impact was big and as I got in to do the protocol I was starting to feel a bit hazy,” Watson said in the documentary.
File photo: Getty ImagesThe All Black Sevens side will head to the New York and Vancouver legs of the World Sevens Series without head coach Tomasi Cama. New Zealand Rugby confirmed on Tuesday that Cama will not fly out with the team who depart today due to visa issues. Cama was appointed head coach of the All Black Sevens in August 2023 after a storied career on the field. He played 128 tournaments for New Zealand, winning the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Award in 2012. NZR said assistant coach Willie Rickards will take on the head coach duties for the two tournaments with Scott Curry as his assistant.
In Gore the Mondays at Maruawai programme will offer a variety of activities around the South Seas Exhibition, Creamoata and Sgt Dan’s 111th birthday. Celebrate 50 years of the Hokonui Pioneer Village Museum by honouring the past and inspiring the future. Join another local legend, Jude Taylor, as we test out recipes created for the South Seas Exhibition 100 years on. Photo: supplied$5 adult entry, cash onlyHokonui Pioneer Village & Museum, 67 Waimea StMake sure you visit the Hokonui Pioneer Village & Museum’s multiple historic buildings, and displays of vintage vehicles and implements and interesting early memorabilia. Hokonui Pioneer Village & Museum: 50 Years CelebrationMarch 7/8Hokonui Pioneer Village & Museum, 67 Waimea StCelebrate 50 years of the Hokonui Pioneer Village Museum by honouring the past and inspiring the future.
He befriended the victim and his parents, and “on the surface” appeared to be helping the victim settle into his new school. He would hang out with Francis at school, including during lunchtime, and Francis would give him lunch money in secret, and send him letters and birthday cards. Judge David Laurenson said the offending against the other victim happened when the child was 11 and had been attending a camp. The judge said he accepted these factors would make prison a more severe sentence for Francis. He was dubious that Francis showed true remorse, saying his letter of apology was “nondescript” and blamed Francis’ upbringing for his offending.
