Australian activewear brand Aroha changes name following cultural appropriation controversy
It’s a reflection of who we are now.”The brand came under fire when Māori creators called them out on social media. Bourke posted a video addressing the controversy, claiming to have never identified as a Māori brand, and saying she had been transparent about this. “We’ve always advised them that we are not a Māori brand, but we are inspired by the meaning of love.”However, as the controversy progressed, it emerged that the brand had previously claimed to be Māori-owned. We did want to use aroha cause it was different and unique.”Māori creator Holly May-Neho, who led the push for the name change on social media, was pleased to see it had happened. “What a cool thing to wake up to”, she posted to social media yesterday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 11, 2026 23:55 UTC
People 'left shaken' after stolen vehicle rampage
Photo: Getty ImagesA 28-year-old Christchurch man has been arrested after stealing a vehicle he hit in a crash. Police were called to Queen Elizabeth II Drive after reports the man stole a vehicle following a three-vehicle crash about 9.35pm on Wednesday. Senior Sergeant Hamish Keer-Keer said the 28-year-old man had forced a driver he crashed into from their car before leaving the area. "Following an initial search of the man's first vehicle located on Queen Elizabeth II Drive, cannabis and items indicating supply were located. "While there were no serious injuries, a number of people have been left shaken by this incident and Police are providing them with support."
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 11, 2026 23:53 UTC
Extra police on duty as parties ramp up
Police have urged students to buy cans and not throw bottles to avoid injury and glass littering the street. Photo: ODT FilesPolice will be out in force in Dunedin’s student quarter as the tail end of Flo-Week approaches. Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said police were expecting Friday and Saturday nights to ramp up as the week of parties reaches a peak. Several people had to be transported to Dunedin Hospital's emergency department after suffering dislocations at student quarter parties. Snr Sgt Dinnissen reiterated his message urging students drinking to avoid climbing buildings and to purchase cans and not throw bottles.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 11, 2026 23:37 UTC
Granny flat red tape changes shifts risk from councils onto homeowners
Sometimes it meant a small “granny flat” out the back, built without drama. Karel Boakes, president of the Building Officials Institute of New Zealand, recently explained how enduring red tape could hamstring the initiative. Even if your granny flat qualifies for an exemption from the usual consent hurdles, every part of the build must still meet the Building Code. But if you give up on a granny flat, what happens to granny? Granny flats were common.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 11, 2026 23:04 UTC
Invercargill residents warned not to approach wanted man
Scott Southwood. Photo: NZ PolcieA wanted man on the run from police may be in Invercargill and police are warning he should not be approached. Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of Scott James Southwood, who has a warrant to arrest and is wanted by police. "It is believed he may have links in the Invercargill, Greymouth and Nelson areas," police said in a statement. "If you see Southwood please do not approach him and instead call police on 111 immediately with as much information as safely possible."
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 11, 2026 23:01 UTC
James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek star, dead at 48
Actor James Van Der Beek and his family in Hollywood in 2019. But then another part of my brain was like, ‘You don’t know enough yet’.”He is survived by his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah Van Der Beek. Katie Holmes and James Van Der Beek during their Dawson's Creek days. James Van Der Beek starred as Diplo in Viceland's What Would Diplo Do? James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 11, 2026 22:59 UTC
Wheelie hard work
Competitors take part in the tractor pull during the Southern Field Days in Waimumu, Southland, yesterday. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYThis year, the two-yearly event has attracted more than 700 stallholders and will host about 40,000 visitors over three days.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 11, 2026 21:34 UTC
Queenstown teen's eye socket shattered in assault
Queenstown District Court. Photo: suppliedA Fijian teenager who shattered the eye socket of a Queenstown high school student with multiple punches could be deported. Seci Vakacegu, 19, was sentenced in the Queenstown District Court court this week to community detention for his assault of the 17-year-old boy on June 2 last year. The complainant suffered concussion and multiple fractures of the bones around his right eye socket. Judge Walker said the assault was aggravated by the targeting of the complainant’s head, the repeated strikes and the severe facial injuries caused.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 11, 2026 21:34 UTC
Trouble flares in North Otago town
A ceiling was set on fire and a car damaged by marine flares in incidents being investigated by Oamaru police. The two incidents in Hampden are believed to be related, Detective Kevin Kirkman said. Officers called to a house on Chelmsford Street at around 11.50pm on Tuesday found the ceiling on fire. "We also believe a second flare has been launched, landing on a vehicle parked on Chelmsford Street causing damage to the vehicle." "We would like to hear from anyone in the wider Chelmsford Street, Derby Street, Nottingham Street, Stafford Street, and Durham Street areas," he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 11, 2026 21:33 UTC
Democratic lawmakers accuse US Attorney-General of Epstein files ‘cover-up’
“You’ve been ordered by subpoena and by Congress to turn over six million documents, photographs and videos in the Epstein files, but you’ve turned over only three million.”The Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress in November, compelled the DOJ to release all documents in its possession related to Epstein within 30 days. It required redaction of names or other personally identifiable information about Epstein’s victims, who numbered more than 1000 according to the FBI. “Even worse, you shockingly failed to redact many of the victims’ names,” he added. She refused a request from a Democratic lawmaker to turn and apologise directly to the Epstein victims in the room but did say she was sorry for their suffering. Raskin and other Democratic lawmakers condemned the prosecutions brought by the DOJ against Trump’s political foes such as former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 11, 2026 20:16 UTC
LPG plan: Govt wants to bypass fast-track process
Photo: RNZA proposed liquefied natural gas terminal will bypass even the fast-track process in order to be built in time for winter next year, documents show. The Cabinet paper, released after the announcement, noted that "timing is very tight" to get the facility up and running in time for winter next year. Photo: suppliedEnvironmental Defence Society chair Gary Taylor said the LNG proposal and the timeframe "sounds like another rushed project, redolent of the [Interislander] ferry fiasco". The Cabinet paper referenced the BCG report several times, including its estimate of a $10/MWh saving on electricity prices. The Cabinet paper underscored the importance of not creating an ongoing dependency on LNG, which it said would risk an overall increase in power bills.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 11, 2026 19:47 UTC
Judge accused of disrupting NZ First event
Photo: RNZA panel investigating the behaviour of a judge accused of disrupting an NZ First event has heard from its first witnesses today, members of the NZ First party. Later in the afternoon, panellists heard evidence from Dorothy Jones, an NZ First board member and the person who organised the event. He asked about a report of the incident made by NZ First to the Northern Club following the incident. Dorothy Jones denied that, to which Jones KC did suggested she hadn't mentioned it because it wasn't important enough to actually say. Dorothy Jones said she had privacy concerns for the donors present at the event.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 11, 2026 18:01 UTC
Water polo investigation: Probe into allegations in senior women’s programme, amid concerns about athlete wellbeing
Water Polo NZ says it has not received “any formal complaints from players in relation to allegations of bullying or favouritism”. That debrief - conducted by performance consultant and former All Blacks manager Darren Shand - was completed in December and is now in the hands of Water Polo NZ. “The name reflects a growing sense of identity, pride, and professionalism within the programme,” said a Water Polo NZ press statement last year. Howieson, an HR professional, said Water Polo NZ had “clear safeguarding policies, codes of conduct and reporting pathways”. Water Polo NZ chief executive Jan Shearer - another Olympic sailing medalist - said she was unaware of a commission investigation.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 11, 2026 17:50 UTC
Salvation Army calls on govt to increase food aid
The Salvation Army is warning that families are starving and it wants the government to urgently increase food aid. Photo: RNZ/Mark PapaliiThe Salvation Army is warning that families are starving and it wants the government to urgently increase food aid. Salvation Army social policy and parliamentary unit director Dr Bonnie Robinson said the statistics were getting worse, rather than better - and it showed on the front line at food banks. "The amount someone can receive for a food grant varies depending on their circumstances," she said. "Any decisions on food grant limits would require legislative change and would be for Ministers to make," said Voight.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 11, 2026 16:48 UTC