There were no hard feelings from a Dunedin homeowner who offered a ride home to a young woman driver whose car became stuck in their concrete fence. Her car shot backwards and smashed through her friend’s neighbour’s concrete fence before coming to rest against their house. She tried to move her car, but became stuck in an un-smashed part of their concrete fence. She took a right-hand bend in Portobello Rd too quickly and lost traction, Sgt Lee said. Alcohol was not a factor in the crash, Sgt Lee said.

Otago Gold Honey co-owner Tim Sinclair stands guard outside his Waihola stall. Photo: Stephen JaquieryA South Otago honey stall owner is on the hunt for a brazen and chronic sticky-fingered honey thief who has allegedly been helping herself to the stall’s product without paying for years. Otago Gold Honey co-owner Carlee McCaw is appealing to the public to help identify the mystery woman. The alleged honey thief captured by Otago Gold Honey CCTV footage over a two-year period. "Who knows what she’s doing with the money ... certainly not paying for her honey."

During research for a club event last year, Beaumont woman Alison Joyce noted 2026 would be an auspicious anniversary for the New Zealand national anthem, and its link to nearby Lawrence. In 1876, prominent Lawrence citizen John Joseph Woods won a competition to provide music for Thomas Bracken’s poem, God Defend New Zealand. The tune rapidly gained in popularity, first becoming the unofficial national song, before being formally enshrined as the country’s national anthem in 1977. Part of Woods’ brief in writing the tune was to make it suitable for young voices, allowing all New Zealanders to join in singing the anthem. She said no local descendants of Woods were known, but any interested in participating would also be welcomed.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. Photo: RNZThe government has scrapped plans for a referendum on a four-year Parliamentary term. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says the coalition agreements secured getting legislation to select committee and no further. "We won't be progressing with a referendum on a four-year term at this election," he said. "It's something that a future government might do, but our priority is progressing legislation that will help fix the basics in law and order."

Police were at the scene on Hoani St in Christchurch's Northcote. Photo / Sam Sherwood / RNZPolice were at the scene on Hoani St in Christchurch's Northcote. Photo / Sam Sherwood / RNZBy RNZPolice have swarmed a Christchurch street after a reported home invasion where several people were injured. A reporter on the scene at Hoani Street in Northcote said there were multiple police cars and ambulances on the road. The reporter was told by police at the scene there had been reports of shots being fired, however this is yet to be confirmed.

State Highway 87 has reopened near Clarks Junction after a crash left three people injured, including one critically, this afternoon. The two-vehicle crash occurred at 2.15pm on the highway between Rocklands Rd and Johnson Rd, police said. Police initially reported that one person had sustained serious injuries, but in an update late this afternoon St John said three people had been hurt. One was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition, while two others were taken there by ambulance, one in a serious condition, the other with moderate injuries. The highway was closed for several hours, but in an update about 7.35pm NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advised it had reopened.

McCarten and Jackson are former close friends, having worked together as union officials and in the Alliance Party. Deputy chief executive Mike Tukaki will be acting CEO at MUMA during Rangiheuea’s leave period, thought to be three months. The MUMA board statement said that One Union was welcome at MUMA. “It is not a MUMA matter.”A mediation meeting occurred in late January between the union and MUMA management. Jackson hit back against the McCarten allegations in December, after the Herald ran its investigative piece, and accused McCarten of betrayal.

Surgeon Alessandro Littara has confirmed he administered a penis enlargement injection to a skier before the Winter Olympics. Photo / UnsplashSurgeon Alessandro Littara has confirmed he administered a penis enlargement injection to a skier before the Winter Olympics. Photo / UnsplashA plastic surgeon specialising in penis enlargement has sparked speculation that Olympic skiers may have undergone the procedure to improve performance on the slopes. While the claim was dismissed by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) as a “wild rumour”, confirmation by Italian surgeon Alessandro Littara that he had administered the injection to a skier just weeks ago has fuelled further speculation. “Regarding the news in question, I did in fact treat an athlete from that sport, whose name and nationality I will obviously not disclose, nor whether he is participating in these Olympics,” Littara told USA Today.

Afternoon Headlines | Kids cut off at Banks Peninsula, review of powers over aggressive dogs and police probe Tauranga man’s death | Tuesday, February 18, 2026A man has been charged with presenting a firearm after a shot was allegedly fired at occupants of a boat from another vessel on Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour. Armed police officers boarded a boat in the harbour yesterday after reports were received of a firearm being discharged by a boatie in the harbour’s upper reaches, north of Hobsonville Point, about 9.30am. Police said the incident had escalated from an altercation between the two vessels’ occupants on the open water. Having taken the man into custody while seizing “an item of interest” from the vessel, police have now confirmed an air rifle was located onboard.

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Which is where the “eight” comes in. The tally of the Blokesit so far is: former deputy leader Kelvin Davis, Grant Robertson, Andrew Little, David Parker, Duncan Webb, Rino Tirikatene, Adrian Rurawhe and now Henare. That includes, worryingly, four senior Māori MPs against the backdrop of Labour’s ambition to win all seven Māori electorates. Also Greg and Damien O’Connor have no seats, so may both leave also. Labour only had 16 male MPs elected in 2023, and 8 – 10 of them have left or are leaving.

NZ First leader Winston Peters (L) and Labour leader Chris Hipkins. Photo: RNZNZ First leader Winston Peters has been accused of "pure racism" in Parliament by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has called out National ministers for failing to combat or challenge it. The Greens say Peters is scapegoating migrants, while Act's David Seymour - his own Cabinet colleague - says Peters is simply seeking attention. Greens call Peters 'Temu Trump', Peters says he doesn't careAddressing reporters outside Parliament, Tuiono said Peters was using "culture wars" to distract from the real harm he was causing New Zealanders. When told that Tuiono was actually born in New Zealand, Peters said, regardless, the Green MP claimed to be a "Cook Islander".

Jenny Barclay from Recycle South saved the day last week after finding a Christmas gift of $250 cash in the recycling. Thanks to the sharp eyes of Jenny Barclay, who has worked for Recycle South, in Invercargill, for 30 years, the cash was saved from destruction. It was addressed to "Nanny Lord" and was a gift from her grandchildren, prompting an effort to track her down. Within hours, Ms Clark had confirmed the identities of the four children listed in the message. "Nanny Lord was really appreciative that her Christmas gift had been intercepted before hitting the landfill."

File photo: Gregor RichardsonWater has been restored to all consumers in a part of Cromwell hit with an emergency shutdown caused by a leak in the network this morning. The Central Otago District Council advised at 11am that Sandflat Rd was affected by the shutdown. The water supply was turned off while repair work was being undertaken. Late this afternoon the council advised that water supply had been restored.

Photo: NZ PolicePolice are examining waterways in an area near Invercargill in their search for a Southland man missing for more than a month. Kevin Belling, 62, was last seen at his Motu Rimu farm on Friday, January 9 and was reported missing on January 18. In an update today, Detective Sergeant John Kean said search teams had conducted extensive searches, including at Mr Belling's Caeser Rd property in Kapuka. "Southland Police are now proceeding to examine effluent ponds and other waterways on the Motu Rimu farm owned by Kevin," Det Sgt Kean said. "Unfortunately, Kevin has not been found, and police continue to appeal for any information that could help us find him."