Hurricanes sweating on injury to All Blacks star Ruben Love
Hurricanes sweating on injury to All Blacks star Ruben LoveHurricanes sweating on injury to All Blacks star Ruben LovePhoto: RNZThe Hurricanes are crossing their fingers star playmaker Ruben Love won’t miss a significant amount of playing time. Love sustained an ankle injury during training in Palmerston North this week, the Hurricanes said in a statement on Saturday. Love was expected to be a key player in the No 10 jersey this season. The New Zealand teams are already carrying a stack of injuries, with the Blues, Crusaders and Highlanders all having seven players out for round one. The Chiefs are without five players for Saturday night’s game against the Blues in Auckland, including All Blacks hooker Brodie McAlister.
Source:Stuff
February 14, 2026 00:52 UTC
Johnson & Johnson liable for cancer in latest talc trial
Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the US in 2020 and globally in 2023, switching to cornstarch-based alternatives. Photo: ReutersA jury in the United States has awarded a hefty sum to the family of a woman who sued Johnson & Johnson alleging its talc-based baby powder was to blame for her ovarian cancer. Her son and daughter took over as the plaintiffs after she died of metastatic ovarian cancer, according to the lawsuit. The majority of lawsuits involve ovarian cancer claims. Cases alleging talc caused a rare and deadly cancer called mesothelioma make up a smaller portion of the claims J&J is facing.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 23:41 UTC
Dramatic rescue from flooding, man dies in submerged car
The warning comes after a man was found dead in a submerged car on State Highway 39 at Puketotara. Meanwhile, a group of campers were evacuated from a campground amid the flooding, slips and heavy rain in Ōtorohanga. Photo: RNZMan dies in floodwatersA man died after his vehicle became submerged in floodwaters while travelling on State Highway 39 last night. The car was submerged near the intersection of SH39 and Kiwi Rd at Puketotara, and the man was found deceased inside the vehicle, police said. Flooding in Waikato has closed State Highway 39 between Pirongia and Ōtorohanga.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 22:46 UTC
Dramatic rescue from floodwaters in King Country
Photo: Supplied / Colin PayneA State of Emergency declared at 1am in Ōtorohanga, in the King Country, where people have been forced to evacuate by rising floodwaters, and buildings have been flooded. By Soumya Bhamidipati of RNZAn Ōtorohanga resident has described his dramatic and unexpected rescue early this morning, after he awoke to find himself waist-deep in floodwater. Kio Kio Station Rd resident Colin Payne said waters close to three metres high had come through his Ōtorohanga property in the King Country overnight. Man dies in floodwatersA man died after his vehicle became submerged in floodwaters while travelling on State Highway 39 last night. Flooding in Waikato has closed State Highway 39 between Pirongia and Ōtorohanga.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 22:43 UTC
Trio injured after serious crash involving truck and trailer
Two people in a serious condition have been airlifted to Dunedin Hospital after a crash involving a car and a truck and trailer in Southland. Police said the crash happened in Old Coach Rd between Kaiwera Downs Rd and Isla Rd, on State Highway 93 about 6am today. Two patients were seriously hurt and flown to Dunedin, while another patient was in a moderate condition and transported to Invercargill Hospital by road, he said. SH93 was closed between the intersections of SH1 Mataura and SH1 Clinton for most of the morning, with a detour via SH1 in place. However, people were still asked to drive with care on the section of road between Clinton and Mataura.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 22:35 UTC
Unease over Collins' rival-free appointment to top job
Judith Collins will remain an MP and continue to hold her portfolios until she moves to her new position as Law Commission president in the middle of the year. Photo: RNZJudith Collins was the only person considered for the role of Law Commission president - with no recruitment process, no selection panel and no rival candidates. The responsible minister Paul Goldsmith told RNZ he was certain he had followed due process and rejected any suggestion of cronyism. A spokesperson told RNZ Collins recused herself from the Cabinet decision. The Law Commission is not there to play political games."
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 22:16 UTC
Trash-tastrophe: Rubbish truck rollover blocks road
Emergency services at the scene of the accident. Photo: Stephen JaquieryA road in Green Island was blocked by a rubbish truck which rolled onto its side spilling debris this afternoon. Nobody was injured in the accident by the Green island Cemetery. Police and three fire engines were called to the scene on District Rd. District Rd was blocked until the rubbish truck was removed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 20:18 UTC
Behind Health NZ’s backtrack on parking plans: Decision made after hospital staff blast ‘ridiculous’ conditions
Hospital staff reacted with frustration surrounding the proposal to charge for staff parking. Among the topics put up for feedback by Health NZ was parking charges and the idea that they would be linked to market rates, but with free or reduced parking for those in need. In a statement, Health NZ said its focus remains on ensuring patients, visitors and staff can access safe, secure and sufficient parking. “Health New Zealand will not be progressing any changes at this time.”The NZ Nurses Organisation claimed Health NZ had failed to meet consultation requirements, as the union had not been consulted beforehand. At Christchurch Hospital, shift workers have been known to park about 15 minutes’ walk away from the hospital due a lack of car parking spots.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 13, 2026 20:05 UTC
Mount Maunganui landslide: Businesses hit hard call for urgent help
“My expectation is Tauranga City Council should help the businesses around the mountain more. Tauranga Business Chamber chief executive Matt Cowley. Mayoral Relief FundsA Tauranga council spokesman confirmed it was working with several potential relief fund recipients. “However, they do provide an immediate boost to help with expenses through the period the businesses were forced to be closed.”The council’s business support team and councillors were liaising with businesses. The council was advocating for central Government support and helping businesses with the application processes for that support.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 13, 2026 20:03 UTC
Connection one step closer after cycling trail
Coastal Connection project co-ordinator Emily Cooper (centre) with some of the walkers, cyclists and dignitaries who celebrated the opening of the first stage (Waitati and Mopanui Rd) of the Coastal Connection trail yesterday. Now there are more than 500 members and the group has just officially opened the first section of the Coastal Connection trail. Coastal Connection project co-ordinator Emily Cooper was delighted the first stage was now complete and it had given the team "the confidence" to continue. However, it was difficult to say when the whole length of the Coastal Connection trail would be completed, she said. Ultimately, the shared-use path would be part of a much longer trail between Oamaru and Waihola, which would link the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail and the Clutha Gold Cycle Trail.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 20:00 UTC
Formula 1: Liam Lawson improves on day three of pre-season testing, quickest in speed trap
Formula 1: Liam Lawson improves on day three of pre-season testing, quickest in speed trapLiam Lawson has improved on the third and final day of Formula One’s first round of pre-season testing at Bahrain’s Sakhir International circuit. After completing 50 laps during the opening session of day two, the Racing Bulls driver was afforded the entirety of the final day and managed 119 laps all up, 83 in the day and 36 in the evening. Those laps represent more than twice the race distance for the Bahrain Grand Prix. While it is unknown what teams test across the three days, considering different aerodynamic setups and fuel loads, Lawson posted Racing Bulls’ best lap time of the first test, with another to be held next week. Having posted a best lap of 1m 38.017s on day two, Lawson bettered that to record 1m 36.808s on day three, an improvement of 1.209s.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 13, 2026 18:20 UTC
Weather live updates: Man dies in Ōtorohanga floodwaters, more wild weather on the way
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Source:New Zealand Herald
February 13, 2026 18:18 UTC
Antarctic trip success
PHOTO: SUPPLIEDSouthern Lakes helicopter pilot Toby Morris returned yesterday after another successful trip to Antarctica. Mr Morris and Will Humphreys (engineer) arrived safely in Christchurch on Thursday night from Scott Base, on the USAF C-17 aircraft. Mr Morris has been supporting science in transporting research teams and their gear to some of the most remote places on the planet, particularly the McMurdo Dry Valleys area. The McMurdo Dry Valleys are the largest ice-free area in Antarctica, as low humidity and high winds prevent snow from settling, creating the environment of a very cold, dry, barren desert. During the summer months visitors can experience above 0°C temperatures and free-flowing water.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 18:12 UTC
Whiley throws hat back in the ring
Andrew Whiley wants to return to the Dunedin City Council. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYHaving broken his ankle, former Dunedin city councillor Andrew Whiley had some time to think over what he wanted to do next. He was rattled by missing out on a Dunedin City Council seat in October’s election and broke his ankle the next month. Mr Whiley is the latest candidate to announce he is standing in the council’s by-election. Mr Whiley was a city councillor from 2013 until last year.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 18:12 UTC
Assaults rise at Wakari Hospital
It is understood many of those incidents were from Wakari Hospital. The ODT has asked for a more detailed breakdown specific to Wakari Hospital. Public Service Association chairwoman Fleur Fitzsimons said it was time for Wakari Hospital to start treating its staff fairly. "Every health worker at Wakari Hospital should be safe at work and not exposed to assaults, violence and the chronic stress of working in unsafe conditions." "We remain committed to maintaining and strengthening our specialist mental health and addiction workforce at Wakari Hospital."
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 13, 2026 18:12 UTC