Bev Priestman leads Wellington Phoenix women to success after Canada scandal
As soon as the former England assistant coach left the country, she felt the weight lift off her shoulders. Bev and Jack at a Phoenix game. But when Emma landed a role as director of the Wellington Phoenix Academy, Bev couldn’t ignore how it felt to be back with her people. Bev chose to face the music as the Phoenix women’s team coach. Photo / Getty ImagesSo when the opportunity to coach the Phoenix women’s team arose, Bev chose to face the music rather than walk away for good.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 04, 2026 04:31 UTC
Walk of the Cross marks Good Friday
Johan Becker and Martine Smith lead the Walk of the Cross yesterday morning. The procession, which acknowledged Jesus Christ’s journey to crucifixion, departed from St Luke’s in Mosgiel. Organiser and Taieri Christian Association member Elaine Merrett said participants covered five ‘‘stations’’ of the cross before finally returning to St Luke’s for the Good Friday service. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIEN
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 23:58 UTC
Volunteers to carry out grid search for bait
Dunedin Land Search and Rescue team members (from left) Greg Fagg, Jamie Hughes and Wayne Miller will be among 35 members who will complete a grid search of John Wilson Ocean Dr on Tuesday night, looking for any remnants of rat bait which poisoned several dogs last weekend. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYFollowing the poisoning of several dogs in John Wilson Ocean Dr with rat bait last weekend, the Dunedin Land Search and Rescue team plans to search the area for remnants of the poison. Dunedin Land Search and Rescue chairman Jamie Hughes said a team of about 35 members would do a grid search for the baits on Tuesday night, as part of its training, and remove them if any were found. They were also encouraged to keep an eye out for ‘‘greeny-blue’’ matchbox-sized rat bait cubes along the picturesque public walkway. The Dunedin City Council confirmed the bait came from one of its bait stations, which had been vandalised.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 23:02 UTC
General Debate 04 April 2026
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Source:New Zealand Herald
April 03, 2026 22:54 UTC
Kumeū Easter Festival slammed over ‘rip-off’ prices, allegedly mouldy rides
The eventgoer said the unlimited ride passes were inconsistently priced. The Kumeū Easter Festival, running from April 3 to 7, was marketed as a Budget-friendly event at the Kumeū Showgrounds. An Easter event in West Auckland has turned sour, amid complaints from attendees of the Kumeū Easter Festival that it was not worth the prices being charged. Another woman described the Easter event as “such a scam” in a post to its Facebook page. Reviews planned - organiserA Bites & Beats spokesperson told the Herald the event operated with multiple rounds of pre-sale offers for tickets, and these were “clearly advertised online”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 03, 2026 22:05 UTC
Four-day OCD treatment offers new hope in New Zealand
The hug came moments after Isabella had completed an intensive treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder, the Bergen 4-day Treatment (B4DT). The gold-standard treatment, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is difficult to access in New Zealand, and the treatment period is much longer. Emma Chapman, clinical lead for the New Zealand B4DT trial, said district health services are beginning to integrate the B4DT model into their own offerings, with broader rollout anticipated later this year. “I don’t care if I get sick,” she told Gray before the Bergen treatment. Before the Bergen trial, Isabella had tried multiple treatments, specialists and medications - nothing had lasting success.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 03, 2026 22:03 UTC
Smiths City owner declared bankrupt at High Court
The owner of collapsed large retailer Smiths City has been declared bankrupt. His plight follows Smiths City going under, owing many unpaid creditors more than $26million. Mr Neal’s company Polar Capital LP is the sole shareholder of Smiths City Holdings (2020) Ltd which bought Smiths City in 2020. Mr Neal had taken no steps after being served with a summary judgement application on October 21. Smiths City ceased trading and vacated the premises.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 21:35 UTC
Fuel crisis: How New Zealand’s response compares with other countries – from free public transport to work from home days
“And one of them, and probably the best and fastest, is public transport. And the best way to get people to use that is to lower the cost, the barriers to using public transport, for those that can and are able to use it.”Two states in Australia have implemented free public transport to combat the fuel crisis – should New Zealand follow suit? “Even one of our biggest suppliers of fuel, South Korea, is reducing the cost of public transport, reducing sales of fuel, reducing the amount people can purchase. Victoria says public transport would be free for one month from March 31 to April 30, while Tasmania plans free buses and ferries for three months until July 1. Most countries in South America have been slower to adopt measures, but Chile has frozen public transport fares for the rest of the year.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 03, 2026 21:21 UTC
Adelaide United v Auckland FC: Stunning goal earns visitors draw in fiery A-League clash
But the key was the defensive effort – with Dan Hall and Nando Pijnaker prominent – while Callan Elliott and Jake Girdwood-Reich did well on the flanks. They were sharp in the pass and hungry in the tackle but couldn’t make the most of several promising situations. The opening goal came against the run of play, as Adelaide won the ball near halfway. It was a special moment for the Chilean, just his second goal in 49 A-League appearances. A two-footed Sakai tackle sparked an all-in melee, before May was booked for grabbing the throat of an opponent.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 03, 2026 21:07 UTC
Cuba pardons 2010 prisoners amid United States pressure
The Cuban presidency announced that the individuals being freed include young people, women and prisoners over 60 years old who are scheduled for early release within the next six months to a year. The announcement comes weeks after the communist Government said it would free 51 prisoners as a sign of “goodwill” toward the Vatican. The Cuban presidency said it was the fifth time since 2011 that it had pardoned prisoners, amounting to more than 11,000 people. The pardons come as Russia announced on Thursday (US time) that it would send a second oil tanker to Cuba. “It seems not far-fetched to think that this is a sign that some of the conversation between both Governments is advancing.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 03, 2026 21:03 UTC
Surfer bitten by sea lion at Brighton Beach
The surfer was bitten at Brighton Beach. File Photo: Gregor RichardsonA surfer at Brighton Beach in Dunedin got more than he bargained for when he was bitten by a sea lion this afternoon. Hato Hone St John was notified of an incident at Brighton Beach about 1.30pm and responded with one ambulance and one first response unit. The incident involved a sea lion biting the leg of the unsuspecting surfer. "In the sea, seals and sea lions are more curious and will sometimes investigate people.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 21:02 UTC
Two US warplanes shot down, frantic search for pilot
The Iranian state media said to show fragments of a downed US jet in this picture said to be taken in central Iran. The first plane, a two-seat US F-15E jet, was shot down by Iranian fire, officials in both countries said. The second plane, an A-10 Warthog fighter aircraft, was hit by Iranian fire and crashed over Kuwait, with the pilot ejecting, two US officials said. Two Blackhawk helicopters involved in the search effort for the missing pilot were hit by Iranian fire but made it out of Iranian airspace, the two US officials told Reuters. Trump has been in the White House receiving updates on the search-and-rescue operation, a senior administration official told Reuters.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 20:12 UTC
Warriors: The key factors behind Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s exit to Super League – Michael Burgess
The cumulative effect meant the Warriors didn’t have the resources to offer Tuivasa-Sheck what he would demand on the open market. Especially off the back of his brilliant 2025 season, where he rolled back the years with a series of vintage performances and scored 12 tries, his biggest haul in a decade. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck had a brilliant 2025 NRL season. Though discussions were held with other NRL clubs – including the Roosters – the Super League option probably made more sense, for several reasons. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 03, 2026 20:03 UTC
What other shortages could NZ face if war continues?
Food supply is one area that could hit New Zealand if the war in the Middle East continues. "If fuel prices continue to rise or supply is disrupted, that feeds through into almost every stage of the supply chain. "We can see you can be held to ransom maybe by someone who's very critical in that supply chain." This often gets amplified as that surge in demand moves through the supply chain, so panic buying can make things worse." In truth, the list of things that could end being affected by a prolonged war and supply chain constrictions is close to endless.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 19:56 UTC