Life sentence for brutal killer
Outside court, Mr Singh's father Nishan said he felt justice had been served and paid tribute to police, prosecutors and those who had supported the family during their ordeal. Mr Singh’s parents said the weight of losing their only son in such a callous attack was devastating. They had sold everything to enable Mr Singh to travel to New Zealand in 2016, study and establish a business for himself. Mr Singh’s body was found on his front lawn partially decapitated; at least 46 stab wounds were later identified by a pathologist. “It’s yet another lie from you to deflect responsibility for your crime,” she told Rajinder.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 13:42 UTC
Restrictions on Easter, Anzac Day booze sales may disappear soon
By Giles Dexter of RNZSome restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday alcohol sales could be gone as soon as this long weekend. Currently, bars or restaurants can only sell alcohol if the patron is "residing or lodging" on the premises, or "present on the premises to dine". Parliament treats alcohol legislation as a conscience matter, meaning MPs vote according to their personal view or what they think is best for their electorate or community, rather than as a party bloc. Luxton said it would mean punters coming to enjoy the new stadium were not kicked out at midnight for Anzac Day. Luxton's own member's bill to repeal alcohol restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday was voted down at first reading in 2024.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 13:40 UTC
Six-year-old spends Dad's food budget on video game 'gems'
Stock photo: GettyA six-year-old who spent $800 buying "gems" for his video games left his father without enough money to pay for food. It said the man had loaded his credit card details on to his gaming computer, to pay for in-game purchases. But his six-year-old also used the computer and did not realise that he was using his father's credit card to buy gems for his game. He complained to the card provider, saying it should have noticed 100 small withdrawals but the provider argued it was not liable. FSCL ombudsman Susan Taylor said it highlighted how problematic it could be to store credit card details on a device.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 13:13 UTC
Stocks slightly down in latest fuel update
Photo: RNZThere is a slight decrease in national fuel stock across petrol, diesel and jet fuel since the last update, but "supply remains within normal levels". That's according to the latest fuel stocks update, which says the change remains within expectations and shows normal patterns. Data released on Monday showed there was 59.3 days' cover of petrol, 54.5 days' cover of diesel, and 50.4 days' cover of jet fuel. Phase three would see fuel prioritised for life-preserving services and phase four would see stricter intervention in fuel distribution. Moving up or down levels is decided by a ministerial oversight group based on fuel stocks, restrictions and supply chain data.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 12:30 UTC
Body found in search for Frenchman missing near Cromwell
Antoine Richard was last seen in Cromwell late on March 21. Photo: NZ PoliceA body believed to be that of missing 21-year-old French national Antoine Richard has been found in Lake Dunstan, police say. ‘‘While the formal identification process is yet to be completed, it is believed to be the 21-year-old man reported missing from Cromwell. ‘‘The death will be referred to the Coroner.’’Richard was reported missing in Cromwell last weekend. ‘‘Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.’’Earlier, his family appealed for more help in the search.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 11:31 UTC
'Extremely unlikely' man who fell from Cook Strait ferry survived
CCTV camera footage from the ferry confirmed the man went into the water just after 11pm - about two hours after the ship departed Picton. Photo: InterislanderPolice say it is extremely unlikely that a man who went overboard from an Interislander ferry in Cook Strait earlier this week has survived. "Initial enquiries were undertaken, including further searches of the vessel and attempts to contact the man," Gifford said. Gifford said CCTV camera footage from the ferry Kaiārahi confirmed the man went into the water just after 11pm - about two hours after the ship departed Picton. Expert advice received indicated survivability was extremely unlikely," Gifford said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 11:22 UTC
Cattle, driver unhurt after stock truck overturns in Catlins
A load of cattle and a truck driver have managed to walk away unhurt after a stock truck overturned in the Catlins area this afternoon. A police spokesman said the truck and trailer rolled on to its side near the intersection of Catlins Valley Rd and Papatowai Highway about 5.20pm. ‘‘There was an initial call made to a vet, but they got stood down pretty much straight away when it was assessed and realised that the stock were all out and OK.‘‘The driver was also out of the truck and was OK.’’He said the stock were moved into a neighbouring paddock while they waited to be picked up by another stock truck. Police inquiries were continuing. john.lewis@odt.co.nz
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 11:13 UTC
Trucking firm says fuel bill has skyrocketed 110%
Image: RNZ / UnsplashA trucking sector veteran says the soaring price of diesel is the worst he's seen in his 35 years in the industry. The price of diesel has nearly doubled in the space of a month since the conflict in the Middle East. She said they were also seeing a trend of people cancelling due to disruption the fuel crisis was having their travel plans. Finance Minister says tax relief won't workNicola Willis faces questions on the fuel crisis last month. She said officials have also been clear that there may come a time when road users would be asked to conserve fuel.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 09:20 UTC
Tararua shrinks rates rise from 11.84 percent to 4.83 percent
Photo: Warwick Smith / LDRTararua residents can expect a far lesser rates increase than predicted from their council's 2026/27 Annual Budget. Bringing the average rates increase down from 11.84 percent to 4.83 percent hadn't "happened by accident", Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore said. Council did not undergo formal consultation on this year's budget, with Gilmore saying such an approach reflected a "conscious decision" from council to focus on financial discipline. The 4.83 percent figure was an average increase and individual rates and property factors meant some ratepayers would see their total higher or lower than this figure. The community was encouraged to engage early in the council's upcoming talks on its Long Term Plan (LTP).
Source:Stuff
April 01, 2026 02:50 UTC
Fears new subdivision could 'fragment' township
An illustration of what the 800-home Bangor Village subdivision on the outskirts of Darfield could look like. Hughes Developments is using the government’s fast-track process to get consent for Bangor Village, a 700-800 home subdivision on 126ha of farmland between Bangor Rd and State Highway 73 in Darfield. The fast-track process also does not allow for public feedback. The application comes after the Darfield Estates subdivision received consent to go ahead on the other side of the township. Grigg defended the fast-track process.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 01, 2026 02:27 UTC
Failed Wellington mayoral candidate trespassed from Upper Hutt council offices
Photo: David Unwin/The PostThe Upper Hutt City Council has trespassed failed Wellington mayoral candidate and controversial social media figure Graham Bloxham from its offices. Bloxham endorsed Guppy, posting a video interview with the eight-term mayor, but said he did so on his own volition. Bloxham live-posted details from a private Wellington City Council media training session last November, when councillor Ray Chung left an open phone line to him for 40 minutes. He has claimed to have sold Wellington Live, but remained the forefront of its social media posts. The next Upper Hutt council meeting is today at 3.30pm.
Source:Stuff
April 01, 2026 01:47 UTC
'Justice served': Life sentence for brutal Gurjit Singh murder
Outside court, Mr Singh's father Nishan said he felt justice had been served and paid tribute to police, prosecutors and those who had supported the family during their ordeal. Mr Singh’s parents said the weight of losing their only son in such a callous attack was devastating. They had sold everything to enable Mr Singh to travel to New Zealand in 2016, study and establish a business for himself. Mr Singh’s body was found on his front lawn partially decapitated; at least 46 stab wounds were later identified by a pathologist. Gurjit Singh's father, Nishan Singh, told media outside the Dunedin court today he feels justice had been served.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 23:36 UTC
Teen accused of stealing Caversham cars
A teenager has been arrested after three cars were allegedly stolen from a Dunedin suburb. Acting Senior Sergeant Iain Notman, of Dunedin, said two Mazda Demios and a Toyota Aqua were taken from the Caversham area last night. Police found a 15-year-old boy in one of them. He was arrested, charged with multiple vehicle thefts and unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle, and was scheduled to appear in the Youth Court today. It was at this stage suspected the boy had stolen all three vehicles, but inquiries were continuing into possible further offences in the area, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 22:44 UTC
Easter alcohol sale restrictions could be gone by weekend
Photo: RNZSome restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday alcohol sales could be gone as soon as this long weekend. A member's bill from Labour MP Kieran McAnulty would amend the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to allow premises that are already open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day morning and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under normal licence conditions. Currently, bars or restaurants can only sell alcohol if the patron is "residing or lodging" on the premises, or "present on the premises to dine". Parliament treats alcohol legislation as a conscience matter, meaning MPs vote according to their personal view or what they think is best for their electorate or community, rather than as a party bloc. Luxton's own member's bill to repeal alcohol restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday was voted down at first reading in 2024.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 22:44 UTC
Couch fire in Castle St investigated
The remains of the couch in Castle St today. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHPolice are making inquiries after a couch was set alight in Dunedin’s student quarter. Acting Senior Sergeant Iain Notman, of Dunedin, said officers and firefighters were called to Castle St about 1am today after reports of a couch alight. The Campus Cop would be making further inquiries this morning, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said. Police say they have been pleased with the apparent lack of couch fires recently, with none reported during the St Patrick’s Day partying last month.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 22:44 UTC