Online auction worth a go despite slim demand
Mr Bennett, of Tuatapere, offered 31 Jersey empty cows on the online auction platform Bidr earlier this month. He sold six cows, born in 2020, and another six cows, born in 2023, featuring high breeding worth data. Mr Bennett wondered if demand at the auction was soft because they were Jerseys, rather than Holstein Friesians or crossbreds. He decided to sell the cows due to the higher prices being paid for dairy cows and his offering having sound udders, capable of producing milk over winter. ‘‘They are nice dairy cows and good to milk from for years.’’Usually he sent his empty cows to the works.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 22:37 UTC
Grounded for forseeable future
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONAn Air New Zealand Airbus A320-232 sits on the tarmac at Dunedin Airport yesterday, after it was grounded following its arrival from Auckland on Monday morning. An airline spokeswoman said the aircraft experienced bird-strike and required additional engineering checks. A return flight to Auckland on Monday was cancelled and the aircraft’s schedule has been cleared for the foreseeable future.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 21:49 UTC
Media Insider: Broadcasting Standards Authority v Sean Plunket and The Platform
Making this a probably futile exercise, but one the [Broadcasting Standards] Authority requires. We aren’t subject to the Broadcasting Standards Authority.”Fanselow then took the matter to the authority, asking it if Plunket was correct. “Taking a purposive approach to the act, which is designed to provide for the maintenance of programme standards in New Zealand broadcasting, the act is appropriately seen as capturing such modern forms of broadcasting. “We have no intention of acting outside the act – our view is that online broadcasting that resembles a traditional TV or radio station falls within our existing jurisdiction. “The Broadcasting Standards Authority, or BSA, handles complaints that TV or radio programmes breached broadcasting standards.
Source:Stuff
March 31, 2026 21:09 UTC
Family elated drug for daughter funded
A Dunedin family say they are over the moon that a potentially ‘‘life-saving’’ drug treating cystic fibrosis (CF) has got full government funding. Pharmac yesterday removed the requirement for CF patients needing to be at least 6 years old in order to receive subsidised Trikafta. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHThe announcement came as great news for one Dunedin family who were planning to move to Australia if they were unable to access the drug in New Zealand. ‘‘This decision is life-changing for our family - we can stay in New Zealand with our village and Maya has the chance at a healthier, happier life,’’ Mrs Palmer said. Maya - a regular at hospitals - was a ‘‘very happy’’ child, Mrs Palmer said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 20:10 UTC
New biography reveals Queen Elizabeth’s anger over Prince Philip’s death
The book also details the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which the couple entered strict isolation together at Windsor, overseen by a reduced household staff. The book by Hugo Vickers details Elizabeth and Phillip's private life, health struggles and isolation during the pandemic. Photo / Getty ImagesHugo wrote: “The Queen let the Duke do exactly as he pleased. In a sense, they had separated.”During the pandemic, Elizabeth and Philip were brought together at Windsor Castle, living in what staff referred to as “HMS Bubble”, a restricted environment with limited personnel. “The following morning, he got up, had a bath, said he did not feel well and quietly slipped away.”The biography also describes Elizabeth’s reaction to his death.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 31, 2026 20:02 UTC
Missing Frenchman: 'Devastated' family appeal for help
Antoine Richard was last seen in Cromwell late on March 21. Photo: NZ PoliceThe family of French national Antoine Richard is appealing for more help in the search for the 21-year-old reported missing in Cromwell. Richard was last seen on March 21, about 11.45pm at the Victoria Arms Hotel on the corner of Achil St and Melmore Tce. "We have been devastated with worry since we heard the news," the family said. Richard was last seen also wearing light-coloured knee-length shorts and a black t-shirt, police said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 19:58 UTC
Harnessing the feel-good factor
A few decades on he is winning awards for his dairy-free chocolate bon bons. Mind Your Temper then uses that raw product to create its specialty chocolates, bon bons and dipped pralines. For the bon bon, different shapes would mean different fillings. In 2022 he won the best bon bon in the Vegan Chocolate Awards. In the past, many of his alcohol-flavoured bon bons have won medals, such as his maple, bourbon and pecan and Cointreau and hazelnut bon bons.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 19:32 UTC
Mammoth effort finds Molly
A mammoth helicopter rescue operation to find a beloved border collie in remote back country near Hokitika had a heart-warming ending yesterday when the pooch was found alive and well. Over $11,000 was raised in less than a day by people hoping to see Molly reunited with her owner. Border collie Molly looks at the view from her rescue helicopter. Last week the West Coast Rescue Helicopter flew to the Campbell Range to rescue Molly’s owner, who was badly injured after tumbling 55m over a waterfall. She was picked up from Campbell Bivouac and flown back to hospital in Greymouth, but Molly was lost in the accident.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 19:27 UTC
Western Springs Bowl given green light in Auckland
Auckland councillors have finally decided what to do with Western Springs Stadium after years of debate. Photo: Auckland CouncilPlans to build a Hollywood Bowl-inspired structure for live music events at Western Springs Stadium have been given the green light by Auckland Council. Eccles said with a few tweaks, Western Springs could become a world-class concert venue, attracting overseas artists. The Speedway Association was represented by their lawyer Bronwyn Carruthers KC, who argued the council had not given speedway at Western Springs adequate consideration. That was despite an upcoming legal challenge over the decision to end Speedway at Western Springs.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 18:24 UTC
Bunsen burner, sink, folder mischief not rocket science
PHOTO: TONI MCDONALDThe long-awaited Sir Peter Beck Science and Innovation Centre opened at James Hargest College yesterday. The opening marked the end of a decade-long project and honoured one of the school’s distinguished former students, Rocket Lab founder Sir Peter Beck. Deputy principal Anna McDowall said Sir Peter had immediately accepted the honour of the naming of the centre when asked. Sir Peter said returning to James Hargest felt ‘‘super weird to turn up back to school as an adult’’. ‘‘Never ever combine a Bunsen burner, a stainless steel sink and a manila folder in the science room.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 18:08 UTC
Mt Albert party violence: Councillors condemn ‘unacceptable’ street chaos
Dozens of police officers, ambulance staff and firefighters rushed to the incident, which spread across a number of streets. Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa ward councillor Julie Fairey watched the full video and said the footage gave a sense of the chaos and violence. Photo / SuppliedFairey told the Herald that councillors were shocked by the street violence and thankful that emergency services attended. Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa ward councillor and former Auckland mayor Christine Fletcher told RNZ the situation was completely unacceptable. Photo / Corey FlemingPolice investigations are continuing, with Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill saying the behaviour of some in attendance was clearly unacceptable.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 31, 2026 17:32 UTC
Sepsis admissions up 78% in 20 years
University of Otago (Wellington) researchers found hospital admissions for the condition rose 78% between 2000 and 2019, increasing from 217 admissions per 100,000 people in 2000 to 386 admissions per 100,000 people in 2019. Research leader and public health PhD student Sharla McTavish said Māori were 1.7 times more likely to be admitted to hospital with sepsis than non-Māori, and Pacific peoples were 2.3 times more likely to be admitted to hospital with sepsis. Globally, sepsis is estimated to be responsible for one in three deaths, and more than 166million cases were reported in 2021. Ms McTavish said the Otago study was the first to report long-term epidemiological trends for all public hospital admissions for sepsis in New Zealand. A long-term, comprehensive national sepsis action plan was needed, to address early recognition and treatment, careful use of antibiotics, wider public health surveillance and equitable and effective wraparound support for sepsis survivors.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 17:06 UTC
Last dip
The pool and Port Chalmers Pool both closed for the season yesterday, after opening in October and September, respectively. A Dunedin City Council spokesperson said attendance at the St Clair pool was down slightly compared with the previous season - 37,491 visitors this summer, compared with 40,250 in 2024-25. ‘‘There were fewer ‘bumper’ hot days compared to the previous season, reducing the number of peak visitor days,’’ the spokesperson said. In contrast, Port Chalmers Pool recorded a 19% increase in visitors from the previous season - 4975 visitors this season, compared with 4160 in 2024-25. ‘‘Highlights for the season included a number of school triathlon events at the pool and continued support from regular lane swimmers.’’
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 17:02 UTC
Taxi driver denies assault, kidnapping claims
File photo: ODTA Dunedin taxi driver accused of detaining and sexually assaulting two women says the allegations against him are ‘‘totally, very untrue’’. The defendant, aged in his 30s, is on trial at the Dunedin District Court facing two charges of kidnapping, two of indecent assault and one of harassment. On Monday, the court heard from two victims who were passengers in the defendant’s car only two months apart in 2023. While nothing seemed amiss at first, the complainant told the court she became uncomfortable when the driver began complimenting her on her appearance. That’s totally, very untrue.’’The defendant told police the only kiss came from the complainant at the end of the ride.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 17:02 UTC
Balanced performance wins
PHOTO: SUPPLIEDTapanui dairy farmers Luke and Nicole Kane were last night named the Otago regional supreme winners in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. The couple were recognised for their farming system that balanced performance with environmental stewardship and respect for family legacy, a statement said. For nearly a century the Kane family have farmed their 668ha (580ha effective) property. Smart technology was used across the dairy herd to monitor animal health and performance, improving efficiency while reducing waste. Other award winners: —Ben and Rebecca Trotter (Black Peak Farming, Alpine Fresh and Red Bridge Berries, Luggate): Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award; Hill Labs Agri-Science Award; Beef+Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm Award; FMG Risk Management Award; NZFET Innovation Award.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 17:02 UTC