Dunedin parents look to Europe after toddler given wrong operation
They plan to take her to Europe for further treatment, saying they no longer have trust in the New Zealand health system. Her father, Marvin Weyland, said the doctor consulted a specialist at Dunedin Hospital's orthopaedics department in April 2023. Lubomira Weyland after a hip operation that, according to overseas experts, was the wrong kind. Scans showed surgery had failedThe report, which Mira's parents have shared with RNZ, includes comments by two orthopaedic surgeons who reviewed the post-operative scans of Mira's hip and could see the hip was not properly aligned. The review found the GP had not made a formal referral regarding Mira's hip creases, but just sought advice.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 18:54 UTC
Labour of love to restore late father’s 1931 MG
Pat and Lynette Widdup, of Palmerston North, prepare to drive their 1931 MG M-Type at the 2026 MG National Rally in Dunedin’s Octagon yesterday. It was the marketing slogan for the 1931 MG M-Type, and while it had four-wheel brakes for safety, it was by no means fast for its time. He bought the car in 1955, in good working order, initially as a cheap runabout for work and trips to town. The car was one of more than 60 in Dunedin’s Octagon yesterday, as part of the 2026 MG National Rally. Hosted by the MG Car Club Otago-Southland centre, the week-long celebration of the British brand will now tour to Invercargill, before finishing in Cromwell this Saturday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 18:54 UTC
Court to consider Christchurch mosque shooter's appeal application
By Tim Brown of RNZThe Court of Appeal will this week consider an application by the white supremacist who murdered 51 people in the Christchurch terror attacks to vacate his guilty pleas and stand trial. In March 2020 he pleaded guilty at the High Court to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one terrorism charge. If the court grants the application to vacate the pleas, the case will be sent back to the High Court for the terrorist to stand trial. If the court declines the application then a further hearing will consider the sentence appeal later this year. The application will be heard by Court of Appeal president Justice Christine French, Justice Susan Thomas and Justice David Collins.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 18:23 UTC
Small but mighty: model tank excites exhibition attendees
Melbourne man Gerard Dean displays his model Wimmera Tiger tank he built from scratch. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHAfter making its way around the globe, a special World War 2 model tank rumbled into Dunedin at the weekend. A Wimmera Tiger war tank was the star attraction at the Otago Model Engineering Society’s annual exhibition, albeit a slightly smaller model than the one in action in World War 2. The real-life Tiger 141 tank was part of the Arbteilung 504 Heavy Panzer Division in World War 2 that was first in action on the Eastern Front in 1943. Mr Dean said he started building his tank in 2003 as a way to combine his electrical skills and passion for model building.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 17:54 UTC
Coroner calls for clearer guidance after Southland man dies detonating old explosives
In the lead-up to his death, Woodford and his wife discussed plans to move the shed and use it to store firewood. “As a child, Mr Woodford had helped his father build a hut at Waterloo Station. “He immediately travelled to the hut to look for Mr Woodford, where he came across Mr Woodford’s ute with its door open,” Coroner Cunninghame said. “Mr Woodford was lying dead nearby, about a metre and a half away from a large hole in the ground. “Neither line of inquiry was helpful, so Mr Woodford decided to destroy it by detonating it in a remote area.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 08, 2026 17:36 UTC
Colder January for much of the South
ESNZ meteorologist Chester Lampkin said the only places in the South where January temperatures were above average were coastal areas of Fiordland, and Westland. The only temperature record to break in the South was at Waipounamu, near Riversdale, in Southland, which had a January record coldest daily minimum air temperature of 0.0°C on January 30. Only four locations observed near-record high mean temperatures. The country’s warmest location relative to normal was Kawerau, where the mean temperature of 22.1°C was 2.3°C above normal. Strong winds on January 11 helped South West Cape record its highest-equal January extreme wind gust, when it reached 180kmh.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 17:32 UTC
Enough evidence given for investigation to proceed: Ong
Engaging her in debate about whether she needed to ask such questions was not helpful, she told Cr Ong. Cr Ong had complained about what he claimed were "discriminatory remarks" by Cr Chambers last year about the South Asian community. Cr Ong suggested there was none, other than that they happened at a workshop and in a conversation afterwards. Cr Ong noted the investigation was preliminary and said "it should proceed beyond that". Just before their discussion ended, Ms Dyhrberg asked Cr Ong if he had anything else he thought was relevant at this point.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 17:23 UTC
Treaty obligations clause could scupper mine
Santana's planned Central Otago gold mine could be declined approval if it fails to meet Treaty of Waitangi obligations, a lawyer for Ngāi Tahu warns. There may be "inconsistencies arising" with regard to meeting Treaty obligations, she said. An accompanying Ngāi Tahu memorandum also said there could be "potential breaches of Treaty settlements". Ngāi Tahu counsel said it was a "very good question", but the "Treaty was the first step of importance here". Technical reports had subsequently been sent to Ngāi Tahu, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 17:03 UTC
Explosives death seen as avoidable
The death of a 79-year-old Southland man, caused by old explosives, was a tragedy that could have been avoided, a coroner says. Mr Woodford had worked with his brother as a fencing contractor for 50 years and used the substance during his work to blow up rocks in the ground. In 2023, Mr Woodford attempted to return the explosives to the store where he purchased them but staff would not accept them. When he did not return, she contacted Mr Woodford’s brother who went to investigate. The coroner recommended police issue a reminder to staff that when a member of the public reported unused explosives, the NZDF explosive ordnance disposal unit be contacted.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 16:41 UTC
Letters to the Editor: voting, Lake Onslow and the Town Belt
Lake Onslow. So, it turns out, they are all avid Otago Daily Times readers. However, that proposal could soon be joined in the fast-track process by another major Central Otago project — the Lake Onslow pumped storage scheme. The Lake Onslow scheme should be judged similarly. Earl BardsleyUniversity of WaikatoAddress Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 15:47 UTC
Volts playing for pride in trophy competition
PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHHopefully the Southland-inspired jersey will help the Volts roar into life against Canterbury in Invercargill tomorrow. Otago remain winless and rooted to the bottom of the Ford Trophy one-day competition after their 56-run loss to Wellington at the University Oval on Saturday. Six losses and a no-result mean the Volts are playing only for pride over the final three rounds of the competition. Canterbury (28 points) lead the Ford Trophy standings from Central (23), Wellington (17), Auckland (14), Northern (12) and Otago (2). Bowling: M Bacon 10-0-43-3 (1w), D Ferns 7-0-59-1, B Lockrose 10-1-41-2 (1w), Z Cumming 8-0-44-2 (3w), T Johnson 7-0-23-0, J McKay 8-0-53-0 (3w).
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 15:47 UTC
Blaze outgun Sparks in doubleheader
The Otago Sparks dropped both games in their doubleheader against the Wellington Blaze in the Hallyburton Johnston Shield at the weekend. The Sparks came agonisingly close, falling by two runs on Saturday and then lost by 35 runs in Wellington yesterday. Jess Kerr was the anchor with 51, but the Blaze lost wickets in clumps through the middle order. Jess McFadyn (43) carried the Blaze through, but the Sparks fought back at the death. But Browning was the real shining light, doing everything she could to get the Sparks home with an unbeaten knock of 53.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 15:47 UTC
Bennett overjoyed to secure second national road title
Dunedin cyclist James Gardner hoists the under-23 trophy in front of rivals Josh Heissenbuttel (second) and Lewis Bower after the New Zealand road race near Cambridge on Saturday. PHOTO: RUSSELL JONESVeteran Nelson professional George Bennett produced an ambitious and stunning solo effort to claim the New Zealand elite road championship on Saturday. The World Tour rider was never threatened from that point as he powered to an emotional victory, after a challenging 2025 season. A tearful Bennett, whose mother died last year, was overwhelmed with the win, his second national title — his first was in Cambridge five years ago — and earning the first victory for his revamped NSN Cycling World Tour team. "I am really proud to win this and take the jersey back to wear on the World Tour.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 15:47 UTC
Tributes fly for outgoing QLDC chief executive Theelen
Queenstown Lakes District Mayor John Glover used those numbers to show the breadth of service of retiring chief executive Mike Theelen at his final council meeting. Deputy mayor Quentin Smith said councillors did not always fully appreciate the work it took for a chief executive to translate their ideas and directions into practice. Cr Cody Tucker told Mr Theelen he admired the "intestinal fortitude" he showed while doing his job. Former three-term councillor Craig Ferguson, who appeared at the meeting’s public forum, said he spoke for many former councillors in thanking Mr Theelen for the "knowledge and guidance" he had given them. The council’s strategy and policy general manager, Michelle Morss, has been appointed interim chief executive while a permanent replacement is recruited.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 15:47 UTC
Do not be fazed or crazed by maze
Instinct might be one way to successfully navigate the Riversdale Maize Maze, one young helper says. The maze, located in a McClintock Farming maize crop, is a fundraiser for the Riversdale Home and School and the Waikaia Trails Trust. Kristin Loferski, of Tapanui, who has previous experience organising a maize maze, agreed with Lachlan. Garth Cleland, of Riversdale, transports his granddaughter Pippa Stewart, 2, while his daughter Greer holds her son Elliot Stewart, 1, as they make their way through the Riversdale Maize Maze yesterday. PHOTO: SANDY EGGLESTONMaze convener Hilary Kelso said about 620 paying explorers, not including free-of-charge pre-schoolers, walked the maze yesterday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 08, 2026 15:47 UTC