Kiwi cyclist banned for punching rival
Kiaan Watts has been banned for 25 days. Photo: Getty ImagesNew Zealand cyclist Kiaan Watts has been banned for 25 days by cycling's global governing body after he punched a fellow rider in the head during a race last month. Watts, 24, was caught on camera striking out at a fellow rider during a race in the Netherlands. Race officials disqualified Watts and he was also suspended by his NSN Development Team. In a statement, the UCI said Watts acknowledged the "closed fist punch" was in violation of the rules and has accepted his punishment.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 09, 2026 23:58 UTC
Conservationists alarmed by new report into New Zealand's freshwater
Forest and Bird spokesperson Nicky Snoyink said the environment needed action, not another report tracking declining water quality. "We've seen report after report that highlights this stuff - this one sheets home that our freshwater is at breaking point." It was entirely possible to turn things around, and other countries who had experienced similar declines were making huge gains in their freshwater quality, he said. While not everyone was as concerned as they should be at the rate of indigenous freshwater fish threatened with extinction - 89 percent, among the highest in the world - freshwater quality affected everyone, Ling said. She said the figures on the country's unsafe rivers, or groundwater that was unsafe to drink were "entirely unacceptable."
Source:Stuff
April 09, 2026 23:53 UTC
Ong warned he could be sued for defamation
‘‘I strongly advise you not to make public statements alleging illegality by the mayor or any public official, because you risk being personally sued for defamation,’’ Ms Graham said. Cr Ong has since continued to make contentious statements, such as that the mayor was blocking him from meeting staff. Benedict OngIn the minutes before yesterday’s Te Pae Māori committee began, Cr Ong arrived and noted his name plate was not set out. Cr Ong objected to a lack of speaking rights, saying he did not want to be seen sitting there and saying nothing. In a Facebook post 30 minutes later, Cr Ong said economic development and financial welfare of Māori in Dunedin was a priority for him.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 09, 2026 23:33 UTC
Nitrous oxide abuse: Rising hospital cases and police action
Of the exposures reported since 2019, 70% of patients were aged 20-54, 23% were 13-19, and 7% were 2-12. Some people reported losing the ability to walk, psychosis, numbness and slurred speech, and some reported inhaling hundreds of nangs – up to 10 litres of nitrous oxide – in a single day. Bottles containing nitrous oxide up to 3.3 litres in size are available for sale, the equivalent of 300 small canisters. Depleting the vitamin could cause people to stagger, lose sensation in their hands and feet and lose control of their bladders. She said the sale of nangs could also be contributing to retail crime.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 09, 2026 23:04 UTC
Two seriously injured in Portobello Rd crash
Emergency services attend a car accident on Portobello Rd near Glenfalloch late this afternoon. Photo: Gerard O'BrienTwo people have been taken to hospital in a serious condition from a two-vehicle crash which blocked Portobello Road for a period this afternoon. A Hato Hone St John spokesman said two ambulances and two rapid response units responded to the crash near Glenfalloch Gardens. "Three patients were assessed at the scene, with two transported to Dunedin Hospital by ambulance in a serious condition, and one transported to hospital in a moderate condition." Traffic management is in place and the road is blocked near Glenfalloch.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 09, 2026 22:06 UTC
Frozen veg in New Zealand: The data behind McCain and Wattie’s cuts
Breaking that down with data from the Fresh Facts 2025 report by industry organisation United Fresh, fresh vegetable exports equated to roughly $275m with $469m of processed/prepared vegetable exports. In comparison, New Zealand imported $32m of fresh vegetables in the financial year ended June 30, 2025. However, data from Stats NZ gives some insight into frozen vegetable demand in New Zealand, although the figures are only as recent as 2023. The average weekly spend per household on frozen vegetables and other preserved or processed vegetables equated to just $3.10 a week, up 19.2% between 2019 and 2023. A spokesperson for Woolworths confirmed that sales of frozen vegetables (including Woolworths’ own brand) have been declining, and that about 45% of its brand frozen vegetables is grown in New Zealand.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 09, 2026 21:43 UTC
'Lies': Melania Trump denies any Epstein connection
Melania Trump delivers remarks regarding the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein from the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington. Photo: ReutersFirst lady Melania Trump has denied ever having ties to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reviving a highly volatile issue that her husband has repeatedly sought to downplay. "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today," Melania Trump said, reading a statement and declining to take questions from reporters. Melania Trump did not say why she chose to speak out today, as the Epstein saga had largely receded from the headlines amid the US-Israeli war against Iran. But Marc Beckman, her senior adviser, told Reuters in a statement: “First Lady Melania Trump spoke out now because enough is enough.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 09, 2026 21:37 UTC
Home bought for $365k sells for $1.47 million
Now Sue and Roy have sold it – for $1.47 million. Harcourts listing agent John Fulton told OneRoof selling the three-bedroom, one-bathroom property at 47 Holmwood Rd, Merivale, had been a really big decision for the couple who are now in their 70s. Emotions were high, but they were just overwhelmed with the result, and I’m thrilled for them now,” Fulton told OneRoof. 47 Holmwood Rd, Merivale. Photo: SuppliedThe Holmwood Rd auction follows some significant sales in Merivale and neighbouring Fendalton.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 09, 2026 21:37 UTC
Masters 2026: Ryan Fox off pace after poor start to first round at Augusta
Fox missed a birdie chance at three before three dropped shots at five, six and seven saw him five-over through nine. That was followed by another three-putt bogey at the par four seventh, including a miss for par from close range. Ryan Fox during the first round of the US Masters at Augusta National. Eventually, his first birdie of the day came at the par four 17th after his approach from 146m out landed within 3.5m. -1 Haotong Li (CHN), Nick Taylor (CAN), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Brian Campbell (USA), Aaron Rai (ENG), Jacob Bridgeman (USA), Gary Woodland (USA).
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 09, 2026 19:23 UTC
Mother left newborn in hospital to join partner in robbery
A young mum was picked up from hospital a week after giving birth, leaving her baby in the neonatal unit, so she could join her partner in an aggravated robbery. Knight elbowed a wheelchair-bound woman in the face before stealing $100 cash and cigarettes, while Gray accosted the victim’s partner in the kitchen. About 11am on February 3, 2024, the female victim‘s partner was out on his driveway when the pair drove up. Given the drawn-out prosecution, Judge Clark said she still wasn’t clear if Knight accepted her involvement. Judge Clark jailed Knight for 22 months, but granted her leave to apply for home detention.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 09, 2026 18:58 UTC
Digital scams are getting smarter with AI’s help
In turn, AI has enabled scammers to operate faster, at scale and with more convincing outputs, with voice-cloning technology, deepfake videos and deceptive advertising slowly coming to the fore. It’s about having that security awareness,” Alcock said. Experts warn AI-powered deepfakes and voice-cloning technology are now being used to mimic businesses, government agencies and prominent figures. Simple reporting measures, such as flagging phishing texts or emails, also help improve detection systems that telco providers and businesses use. “Scams evolve in terms of how they might do something, and then we evolve in terms of how we detect and protect against those.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 09, 2026 18:01 UTC
MetService upgrades Cyclone Vaianu warnings, one rare red wind alert, 22 orange warnings
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told media this morning local and central government have “sadly” got better at dealing with events together. Auckland Emergency Management is in Alert Mode 'Orange' ahead of Cyclone Vaianu. “We’ve kind of got this window of better weather just before it hits, so you could use this time wisely to prepare yourself. At least one cruise ship is altering its itinerary, docking in Auckland tomorrow instead of heading to Tauranga due to the cyclone. The cyclone is still on track to bring heavy rain, strong winds, & big waves to NZ this weekend.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 09, 2026 17:52 UTC
Dunedin man destroys family-harm alarm in violent rampage
A Dunedin man attacked his partner and ripped a family-harm alarm from the wall during his rampage, a court has heard. In a statement, the defendant’s partner said the family had been ‘‘walking on eggshells’’ around the man because of his erratic behaviour. ‘‘She speaks of fear, frustration, stress, exhaustion, and ultimately that’s down to you,’’ Judge David Robinson told Sinclair. Judge Robinson said the defendant had acknowledged some of the blame but raised substance abuse and other issues which had contributed to his state. ‘‘I get really worried, really concerned for victims, when I see family harm alarms damaged and phones broken,’’ Judge Robinson said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 09, 2026 17:38 UTC
Two taken to hospital in serious condition
PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENTwo people were yesterday taken to hospital in a serious condition after a two-vehicle crash blocked Portobello Rd. A Hato Hone St John spokesman said two ambulances and two rapid response units responded to the crash near Glenfalloch Gardens. ‘‘Three patients were assessed at the scene, with two transported to Dunedin Hospital by ambulance in a serious condition, and one transported to hospital in a moderate condition.’’The road reopened about 6pm.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 09, 2026 17:34 UTC
US visa holder spared conviction over crash
The ‘‘vulnerability’’ of United States visa holders was a key factor in a judge deciding not to convict a Chinese software engineer. She said Huang held a visa to work in the the US for a large software corporation. She submitted a conviction could either result in delays in processing future visas, which could jeopardise his employment, or his visa being declined. Judge Harvey said it appeared as though there were ‘‘very real risks for anybody with any conviction of any sort’’ in the US at present. ‘‘It is for the reasons given I have determined a conviction would, in this case, be unjust,’’ he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 09, 2026 17:34 UTC