Unemployment is at its highest in more than a decade, but an economist says that could actually be an early sign of economic strength. Photo: RNZThere was a feeling of "cautious optimism" at a business breakfast in Auckland this week, after warning signs began flashing in the jobs market. He says the recent spike to 5.4 percent in unemployment is a complicated number. Yes, it's higher than expected, but he says there's also been a bump in the number of people wanting jobs. And in a tough market, anything and everything helps.

Jackson also spoke of how he felt highly offended by Peters’ remark towards Tuiono. He asked Brownlee to request Peters withdraw the comment and apologise, but Brownlee did not. McAnulty, who is the Shadow Leader of the House, rose after Jackson with concerns about an alleged double standard. “The member is going to trifle with the chair if he carries on with that,” Brownlee said to McAnulty. “Winston Peters is able to trifle with [Brownlee], undermine him, make racist comments, make questionable comments, certainly unparliamentary comments and actions in the House, and there is no action against that.

He hopes this could be included in a proposed cycle trail connecting Dunedin to the Clutha Gold cycle trail. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYA "scenic" cycle route along Dunedin’s south coast has been pitched to link the city with a popular regional trail. Simon Noble, of Dunedin, made his proposal to the Saddle Hill Community Board yesterday, suggesting a coastal cycle trail from Green Island to Taieri Mouth. From there it would travel inland on the Millennium Track, joining the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail in Waihola. The Taieri Trails Group has proposed a cycle trail across the Taieri Plains to Waihola — last year, a resource consent was lodged with the Dunedin City Council for the first stage, between Mosgiel and Outram.

Photo: Tara Hills / Cicadas of NZExplainer - Depending on your tolerance, it's the iconic sound of a Kiwi summer or a drill buzzing into your ears. The seasonal serenade of cicadas kicks off as the weather warms and typically peaks sometime in February - but how and why do these insects make such a loud noise? Cicadas are found all around the world, but there are at least 42 distinct species in New Zealand. That means every year peak cicada noise might be at a different time. "It is unlikely but not impossible that cicadas could cause hearing loss," he said, but generally the sound is more irritating to some than dangerous.

Police at the premises in Willis St. Photo: NZ PoliceThree men face drugs and stolen property charges after police targeting "organised crime" raided a Dunedin commercial premises. Officers hit the address in Willis St with a search warrant and arrested the trio after finding a stolen vehicle. The men, aged 28, 32, and 37, all appeared in Dunedin District Court today and were due to reappear on 12 March. They face a range of charges relating to the supply of class C drugs, offering to supply class B drugs, and receiving stolen property. “I am really pleased with this outcome, and it’s great for the community,” Detective Jo McLaughlan, of Dunedin’s Organised Crime Unit, said.

Recently, the High Court ruled MSD was wrong to do this, but the Government disagreed and has introduced legislation to reverse the court decision. Survivors left ‘worse off’Rupert O’Brien, law reform co-ordinator for Community Law Centres Aotearoa, said a portion of the 40,000 people expected to be impacted were survivors of abuse in state care. In 2024, a landmark Royal Commission inquiry revealed “unimaginable” and widespread abuse in state care and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 2019. “This would not result in fair treatment between these groups and isn’t in line with the policy intent.”Upston confirmed the compensation payments to abuse in care survivors were not affected by the debt law change. Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March urged the Government to honour the court case instead of imposing debt on a number of beneficiaries.

Emergency services at St Clair Beach this morning. Photo: Stephen JaquieryA man has died at St Clair Beach after extensive attempts to resuscitate him today. Hato Hone St John watch operations manager Cam Third was at the scene and said CPR was given as soon as he reached the shore. ‘‘A lot of off duty ambulance officers, doctors and firefighters were also on the beach at the time and got stuck in to help before we [St John ambulance crews] arrived. Hato Hone St John was notified of a water incident in Saint Clair at 11:51am today, a spokesperson said.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Photo: RNZAustralia's closest ally has raised alarm at the coalition's leadership turnover, even joking it may not be worth building a relationship with the new shadow foreign minister. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters says he is "aghast" at the "inexcusable" turmoil in Australian political ranks which he attributes to "ego". In contrast, Penny Wong has served as Labor's foreign affairs spokesperson in opposition and then government for almost a decade. Mr Peters is a mainstay of Kiwi politics, first elected to parliament in 1979 and founding the populist New Zealand First party in 1993.

Tony Haines was sentenced to seven months’ home detention after wrongfully claiming nearly $30,000 of government subsidies. Photo: Felicity DearAn Otago businessman swindled nearly $30,000 from the government by inventing wages to claim subsidies during Covid-19. As well as making legitimate applications, Haines claimed multiple employees had been working when they had not, and claimed cash back for their imaginary wages. He also claimed full-time wages payments for a part-time employee and continued to receive subsidies for staff after they had left the company. While Mr Westgate argued for a sentence of community detention and community work, Judge Retzlaff ruled that was "too lenient".

The incident unfolded in Carlyle St. Photo: Google MapsA man who burst out of a Dunedin property carrying what police thought was a chainsaw was actually wielding an electric hedge trimmer. When officers pointed their Tasers at the man he dropped the trimmer, fled to his car and drove off down Carlyle St at 10.30pm, Sergeant Matt Lee said. The man reversed down the street but was stopped by a second police vehicle further down. Police held the man in custody overnight and he would appear in Dunedin District Court today with his bail opposed. The man was charged with threatening behavior likely to cause violence, failing to stop when required, escaping from police custody and resisting police.

Photo: Dylan SmitsBy Sam Sherwood of RNZAn incident that left four people injured, one critically, in Christchurch is believed to involve rival gangs Black Power and the Mongrel Mob, RNZ understands. "There's always a presence, even when there's nothing going on, there's always police patrolling this area at night." "It is a bit unnerving, especially being a solo grandmother and being at home on my own with my… granddaughter, it's a bit scary," the woman, who did not want to be identified, said. "From what I've heard they haven't got anyone in relation to it yet so that's a bit scary knowing the people are still out there somewhere. Police appealed to anyone in the area who may have witnessed anything to contact them on 105 using file number 260218/3391.

Photo: ODT filesTwo women were chased down in their car in the dark by an ‘‘aggressive’’ man wielding a bike seat, police say. Police found the man still in the George St and Moray Pl area about 4.20am today, Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said. The 26-year-old was earlier wandering around and attempted to steal a bike locked with a chain in George St. When the light turned green, the driver went to turn and the man ‘‘became aggressive’’ and chased the car down on foot, police said. While running, he attempted to hit the car with the bike seat.

RCL Homestead Bay Limited lodged the application in June 2025 to construct 2800 residential homes and a commercial retail precinct. ODT GRAPHICA development of thousands of homes in Homestead Bay near Queenstown has been given the green light. Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has welcomed the fast-track approval of the application by RCL Homestead Bay Ltd. RCL Homestead Bay Limited lodged the application in June 2025 to construct 2800 residential homes and a commercial retail precinct, which has now been approved by an independent panel. The project is estimated to contribute $720.3 million to GDP and support around 4420 jobs during construction, he said.

Lake Forsyth in Banks Peninsula following the bad weather. But residents said opening Lake Forsyth to the sea could have lowered the level of flooding in the town. "Once that lake opened ... it drained away pretty quickly," he said. Lake Forsyth is about a kilometre south of Little River and is fed by the Okana and Okuti Rivers. "I think [Lake Forsyth] played a significant role," he said.

Photo: SuppliedA law expert says it is ironic the coalition appears to have run out of time to put a four-year Parliamentary term to a referendum. New Zealand and Australia are outliers in having three-year parliamentary terms; four- or five-year terms are far more common. "The worry about that was you never actually knew whether you'd have a three-year or four-year parliamentary term until the government made the decision as to whether to let opposition have select committee power. So the select committee said it would be better to have a simple vote on whether to have a three-year term or four-year term with no extra complications put into the legislation." Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith told RNZ's Morning Report programme the government could re-look at four-year terms if it was re-elected in November this year.