Couple discovered dead in Hamilton after child not picked up from school
A man has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder after a couple were found dead at a property in Hamilton East on Thursday. According to a report by Stuff, the bodies were reportedly discovered by a family member after a child was not picked up from school, according to information understood by Stuff. Emergency services responded to the scene on York St, with one nearby resident saying between eight and 12 police officers attended following the discovery. Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler said police were alerted after the two people were found dead at the address around 4 pm. “Later in the evening, an injured man presented himself at the hospital, and officers connected the man to the deaths,” said Ambler, Stuff has quoted.
Source:Stuff
April 03, 2026 13:32 UTC
World anxious to open shipping waterway
According to Iran's state media, eight people were killed and 95 others were wounded in the US attack. "Striking civilian structures, including unfinished bridges, will not compel Iranians to surrender," Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement. An Iranian military spokesperson said the strait would remain closed "long term" to the US and Israel. Trump in Wednesday's speech told countries that rely on fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to "just grab it". Iran's Fars news agency later listed several bridges in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Jordan, which host US military bases, as potential targets for Iran's military in response to the US attack on the B1 bridge.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 11:33 UTC
Warbirds welcome 1 millionth guest
Alicia Peebles, of Christchurch, was the millionth attendee of Warbirds Over Wānaka after entering town's airport just after 10am today. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYWarbirds Over Wānaka has welcomed its one millionth guest on the opening day of this year's event. The milestone attendee was Alicia Peebles, 38, of Christchurch, who was met at the gate by outgoing Warbirds Over Wānaka general manager Ed Taylor. It's the first time Ms Peebles has been to Warbirds Over Wānaka, and was delighted on hearing the news she was the popular event's million attendee. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYFor Mr Taylor, overseeing his fifth and final Warbirds Over Wānaka, the acknowledgement of the millionth guest was representative of the magnitude of the popular three-day event held at Easter.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 10:25 UTC
Flooding damaged sewage treatment plant's 'heart and nervous system'
Photo: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneThe flooding of the Moa Point sewage treatment plant damaged its ''heart and nervous system", Wellington Water says. The catastrophic failure of the plant led to the significant, months-long discharge of untreated wastewater off Wellington's South Coast. In its latest update about the breakdown, Wellington Water said the February flooding of the plant damaged critical mechanical equipment, ''...including the odour treatment, sludge pumping and aeration equipment. Electrical damage included the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), MCC (Motor Control Centre) systems, control instruments and cabling — essentially the heart and nervous system of the treatment plant.'' The plant's failure continues to see untreated sewage discharged into the sea, almost two months since its breakdown.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 09:23 UTC
Fuel price rises hitting regions differently
Eaqub said the data some areas would be more exposed to fuel price rises than others. "What I was trying to get at is who are the essential workers, and how far did they travel, where are those people based? Rural essential sectors have double burden, economist saysOtago University economist Murat Ungor agreed rising fuel prices did not affect regions equally. He said essential workers in many areas had no practical alternative to driving so they were not able to avoid being subject to fuel price volatility. In Hamilton City, 83% of manufacturing workers drive, and in Tauranga City, 81% of transport workers drive.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 08:23 UTC
General Debate 03 April 2026
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Source:Stuff
April 03, 2026 05:40 UTC
Green light for Southland wind farm
A projected view of the Slopedown wind farm near Wyndham in Southland. Photo: Contact EnergyContact Energy has gained approval to build New Zealand's biggest wind farm in Eastern Southland. The wind farm, which situated on hills about 30km southeast of Gore, would consist of 55 turbines and has the potential to generate up to 380MW and provide power for up to 150,000 households. Once commissioned, it would employ about 10 to 14 full-time equivalent staff to operate the wind farm. It was the country’s biggest wind farm.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 03:04 UTC
Arrest after two found dead at Hamilton property
Photo: RNZPolice investigating two deaths in Hamilton East have arrested a 34-year-old man. Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler said police were notified about 4pm yesterday that two people had been found dead at a property in York St.An injured man arrived at a hospital and "officers connected the man to the deaths", Ambler said. The man was due to appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow and was facing two charges of murder. Cordons remained in place at the street and police would examine the scene today. "Police would like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter," Ambler said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 03, 2026 00:38 UTC
New Zealander Will Campbell slipped while rock climbing at Red Rock Canyon, hospitalised with head injury
Kiwi Will Campbell was hospitalised with a serious brain injury after slipping and hitting his head while rock climbing near Las Vegas. Photo / Go Fund MeNew Zealander Will Campbell slipped while rock climbing at Red Rock Canyon, hospitalised with head injuryKiwi Will Campbell was hospitalised with a serious brain injury after slipping and hitting his head while rock climbing near Las Vegas. Photo / Go Fund MeA New Zealander rock climbing near Las Vegas has reportedly suffered a serious head injury after slipping and hitting his head. Local news outlet 8 News Now said Will Campbell was with friends climbing near the Calico Basin in Red Rock Canyon, when his foot got stuck under his rope, causing him to slip and hit his head. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of a New Zealand citizen who was hospitalised in the United States.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 02, 2026 22:59 UTC
Ronald Hills had ‘three drinks’ before he fatally crashed into a speeding motorcyclist in Hamilton
At the same time, Chase was speeding east on his Yamaha and pulling a “wheelstand”, or a wheelie. Effectively, he asked the judge to weigh up his client’s “poor decision making” with Chase’s speeding and wheelstand. Prentice said on the day of the crash, Hills had a “busy day selling items” before going to the pub where he had “about three drinks”. ‘They’re in court to eyeball you’Judge Matenga told Hills that Chase’s whānau and friends were in court today to “eyeball you”. However, Hills had received several speeding tickets in the past, which was an indication of his poor judgment, the judge said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 02, 2026 21:58 UTC
Media Insider: Journalist, NZ on Air board member wins payout over radio dismissal; AM shake-up – BBC World Service dropped; Sam Neill’s tears for Wilderpeople
“At 3.25pm the same day, Mr Gifford received formal notice of termination of his employment from Mr McCarten. “For 35 years, it’s been our privilege to bring the world to Auckland via the BBC World Service,” the Auckland Radio Trust has told listeners. Photos / Sport Nation, 531PI, Michael CraigAn Entain spokesman said its Sport Nation 1476AM frequency in Auckland was also closing. One of the two RNZ radio transmission masts that will soon be dismantled, and replaced with one new tower. Officials have previously floated the idea of one organisation to cover all media, including online content providers.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 02, 2026 20:19 UTC
Iran vows ‘crushing’ attacks as strikes hit regional infrastructure
The country’s two largest steel plants have also been forced offline by repeated US and Israeli strikes, companies said. “This is not my first choice,” said a writer named Jeffrey at a meal in a Tel Aviv bunker. Against that backdrop, Trump has warned that further strikes could target Iran’s energy infrastructure if no deal is reached. Oil prices surged to around US$110 ($192) a barrel on Thursday after Trump warned of further strikes, even as equity markets struggled for direction. Even the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is feeling the strain, with fuel shortages triggering long queues in the capital Thimphu.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 02, 2026 20:08 UTC
Police employee took booked vehicle on camping trip
File photoA police employee misused a police vehicle by taking it to go camping with a friend, despite it being booked for a search and rescue exercise, the police watchdog has revealed. The allegation was that a Christchurch police employee used a police vehicle for "personal use, knowingly impacting a police search and rescue exercise". "The employee signed out an unmarked police van, overriding an earlier booking for a multi-agency search and rescue exercise. He then used the van to take a civilian friend on an overnight fishing and camping trip. "In a no camping, no fishing area after a gas cooker caught fire at the back of the van and caused an explosion.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 02, 2026 19:53 UTC
Nigel Latta's widow finding her way
Clinical psychologist Dr Natalie Flynn is the author of Smart Mothering and the co-creator (with Nigel Latta) of the app Parentland. "I'm having fewer grief attacks, those times where I just feel like it's impossible that he's not here, and I'm moving forward, and I'm having more good days. Clinical psychologist Nigel Latta presented TV specials, including The Politically Incorrect Parenting Show and Kids: An Instruction Manual. Natalie Flynn with Nigel Latta, who died last year aged 58. As a first stop, the GP can be a good source of parenting advice, Flynn says.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 02, 2026 19:09 UTC
Harbour Cone’s history key to hike
Larnach Byre, with Hereweka Harbour Cone behind it, will be an interesting stop for trekkers on next weekend’s Hereweka Harbour Cone Hike, part of the Wild Dunedin Festival. PHOTO: TOBY JONESThe popular annual Hereweka Harbour Cone Hike returns next weekend, giving hundreds of keen walkers of all ages the chance to experience some of Otago Peninsula’s most fascinating historic sites. Hereweka Harbour Cone Trust member Fiona Harrison said the hike, which combined self-guided walking around the Harbour Cone area with interpretive signs and presentations by trustees, had been a popular annual event for the past 10 years. Mrs Harrison said the Hereweka Harbour Cone Trust allocated $3000 each year for restoration of the stone walls and this work was ongoing. The full hike, including a visit to Larnach’s Byre and climbing Harbour Cone, was about 7km.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 02, 2026 18:42 UTC