War has put 'bazooka' through govt's LNG plan - gentailer CEO
Energy bosses express mixed viewsAppearing at the energy sector conference Downstream in Wellington on Tuesday morning, gentailer chief executives were asked what the crisis meant for the LNG terminal. I think LNG stands for 'likely no gas' to be honest," Genesis chief executive Malcolm Johns said. Fifty percent of our overall footprint is imported, so we have a highly exposed energy system to the rest of the world. Watts said the government was proceeding with the procurement process "as planned", but like any procurement process the government wanted to get "a good deal". "First and foremost, we're doing a procurement process to build a strategic LNG importation terminal.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 05:58 UTC
Rising diesel prices hitting construction costs
Rising diesel prices are starting to have an impact on construction costs. Photo: RNZRising fuel prices are starting to push construction costs higher, according to property valuer Quotable Value (QV). But QV says rapidly rising diesel prices have begun flowing through into fuel-intensive parts of the sector. Excavation costs jumped 7.8 percent, piling rose 1.4 percent, and demolition increased 1.3 percent - largely due to the surge in diesel prices. Site preparation and substructure costs also rose by 2 percent and 1.8 percent respectively as fuel costs pushed higher.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 05:46 UTC
Police staffer claimed nearly $30K overtime they didn't work
File photo: Getty ImagesA police staffer claimed nearly $30,000 for overtime hours they did not work, the police watchdog has revealed. The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) released a summary of the investigation into the staffer on Tuesday. "Police investigated and found sufficient evidence that the authorised officer had not worked the hours claimed in approximately 40 submitted timesheets." "Police also investigated the process for approving timesheets and identified general process issues with how timesheets were reviewed and approved. "The investigation found sufficient evidence that the authorised officer had not worked the hours claimed in approximately 40 submitted timesheets.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 05:38 UTC
Councillors reject findings on deputy mayor's alleged 'd...khead' slur
Dermody maintained he had said "that's ridiculous" to someone he did not know at another table, albeit in an aggressive manner. Councillor Steve Broad said he had been sitting no more than 2.5 - 3 metres away from Dermody on the day and had also heard "that's ridiculous" in a frustrated tone. Bond's evidence included that Dermody had said "bull…t" and "that's ridiculous" during the presentation and later aimed "you're a d…head" at the staffer. When Garbett asked Dermody if he had called the staffer a "d…head", the deputy mayor responded: "I never said d…head". Dermody maintained he had said "that's ridiculous" in an aggressive tone, but not loudly, when someone at a nearby indicated Franklin was in Southland.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 05:24 UTC
Tamihere's convictions for murdering Swedish tourists quashed
Photo: NZMEDavid Tamihere’s convictions for murdering the two Swedish tourists have been quashed, 37 years after the couple disappeared in the Coromandel bush. The upset decision from the Supreme Court today finds that Tamihere’s High Court trial in 1990 was unfair, and based partly on evidence that was "concocted to secure convictions". While the Supreme Court has allowed Tamihere’s appeal, overturning his two murder convictions, it has also ordered a retrial. In doing so, it said that there was a "fundamental error" at Tamihere’s trial, which made the trial unfair. Roberto Conchie Harris was found guilty of perjury after he gave evidence at Tamihere's trial.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 05:20 UTC
Union involved as sale agreement signed
Resthaven Village in Main St is set to transfer ownership in consultation with residents, families and staff members. A workers’ union has become involved as a Gore rest-home prepares to change ownership. There are concerns the proposed sale of Resthaven Village in Main St could change staff contracts. Presbyterian Support Southland (PSS) is in the process of selling Resthaven, and a conditional sale and purchase agreement has already signed with an anonymous buyer. Residents, staff and families were being consulted on the change in ownership, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 04:48 UTC
'Deep sympathy' but no reduction in diesel road user charges
Photo: RNZFinance Minister Nicola Willis has ruled out reducing the cost of road user charges to give some reprieve to diesel users. While the government excise tax is part of the price of petrol, diesel users pay their tax through road user charges (RUCs). Wills told RNZ on Tuesday she had sympathy for diesel users but there were no plans to reduce the price of road user charges. "I have deep sympathy for diesel users because diesel is the fuel globally that has been most disrupted by the Middle East conflict." We have a different mechanism for achieving that for petrol users from diesel users, but if we were to do something for diesel users, petrol users would fairly ask why they're not getting it."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 03:35 UTC
National reshuffle coming Thursday as grumpy selection and Sunday night meeting trigger leadership speculation
It is normal for ministers to meet ahead of a full Cabinet meeting to discuss issues. On her way into caucus, senior Auckland Minister Erica Stanford said she attended a meeting, but was not aware of any controversy around it. That opened up a contest in the safe Auckland seat - a rare opportunity in what is likely to be a difficult year for National. After her selection, Chatterton walked with Stanford and Collins on to Parliament’s black and white tiles. However, Stanford was present at the selection meeting, interpreted as a clear show of support for her staffer.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 31, 2026 02:27 UTC
Jury decision shows tide turning against Meta and YouTube
It took TikTok 21 minutes and 15 seconds, on a brand new account, before it served up the first suicide-related content. Why is their algorithm pushing this content to teenage accounts? These companies know we are biologically wired to pay attention to distressing content and they are weaponising it back at us. Just one day before, Meta was also found guilty of concealing the risks of harm, including child sexual exploitation. The collateral damage of that approach is all too human and finally there is a legal avenue to challenge this.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 31, 2026 02:25 UTC
Where and how does NZ get its fuel?
In New Zealand it has caused panic buying, huge queues and possibly even inspired sabotage of an Auckland fuel line. Marsden Point. Or in the case of Marsden Point, fuel is sent through a special pipeline from Ruakaka to Auckland - ending up at the Wiri Terminal and Auckland Airport for further distribution. On top of the main and regional fuel terminals there are also smaller tankers that go rurally to farms and mining sites. Since the closure of the Marsden Point refinery in 2022, New Zealand has imported all its refined fuel.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 31, 2026 00:45 UTC
Rare car specialist changing gears
Bruce McIlroy is shutting the doors to his niche restoration business after 31 years. PHOTO: TONI WILLIAMSBruce McIlroy is winding up his niche Canterbury car service business after more than 30 years. His Ashburton-based business, Bruce McIlroy Ltd, was an independent Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist. ‘‘They are the best car in the world, the engineering, history, all the development of the models. And we’ve built parts ourselves when we’ve had to.’’In retirement McIlroy and wife Philomena plan to spend more time together and travel.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 23:41 UTC
Fears poison deliberately left for Dunedin dogs
Dunedin dog owners are being urged to keep an eye out for ‘‘greeny-blue’’ matchbox-sized rat bait cubes in John Wilson Ocean Dr after the poisoning of several dogs at the weekend. The incidents have ‘‘absolutely horrified’’ the dog owners, who believe someone may have done it intentionally. Bailey is one of several dogs treated by vets in Dunedin at the weekend after accidentally eating rat poison left in John Wilson Ocean Dr. Seen here with his owner Jenny Douglas. It turned out to be rat poison, and when she saw him eating it, she was horrified. ‘‘It’s so malicious.’’Several other dog owners responded to Mrs Douglas’ Facebook message, saying their dogs had also been poisoned in the area.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 22:39 UTC
Allegedly kidnapped, assaulted woman
The winner would get what they wanted, the defendant allegedly said. The woman told the court she repeatedly told the man she was married and her husband was waiting at home. The driver allegedly continued slowly towards her home as the compliments continued. A month later, the driver allegedly obtained her personal details from the Dunedin City Council rates database and repeatedly contacted her through social media. When they reached the destination, the man allegedly asked for payment.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 22:39 UTC
Knife-wielding teen sparks armed police callout
Armed police swarmed a Dunedin street last night when a teenager began allegedly chasing members of the public with a knife. Photo: Craig BaxterPolice arrived and found a 19-year-old man who ran back inside a house in the street, closing the door behind him, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said. Additional officers arrived, including the police negotiating team, who successfully spoke to the man. Neither the 19-year-old nor any other members of the public were injured, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said. Photo: Gregor RichardsonUp to eight police units were visible at the scene yesterday and there were several armed officers present.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 21:40 UTC
Search on after person goes overboard from Interislander
Kaiārahi ferry. File photo: SuppliedA search is underway for a person that went overboard from an Interislander ferry on the Cook Strait overnight. A KiwiRail spokesperson said the incident happened from its Kaiārahi ferry. Police said they were alerted to the incident about 2.20am on Tuesday. They said while they are trying to locate the person, they're are not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 30, 2026 20:47 UTC