Motorcyclist dead after crash at Dairy Flat north of central Auckland
One person has died after an early morning motorcycle crash north of Auckland. Motorcyclist dead after crash at Dairy Flat north of central AucklandOne person has died after an early morning motorcycle crash north of Auckland. Image / Google MapsOne person has died after an early morning motorcycle crash north of central Auckland. Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash on Horseshoe Bush Road at Dairy Flat at around 1.30am. The scene has been examined by the Serious Crash Unit and the road has now reopened.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 20:24 UTC
Australian schoolgirl Lilly Wal’s family demand justice after drowning death in Fiji
She claimed Lilly’s passing was “due to a complete failure in duty of care”. “On top of this mess, the tour guide company involved were clearly more focused on money than safety, overcharging my aunty and pushing the experience through despite the risks,” Ms Subek wrote. “There was also a complete lack of action from the police when the incident happened.”Ms Subek claimed the police blamed Lilly’s family for the young girl’s passing. “We want accountability, awareness, and change, so no other family ever has to experience this pain. We need justice for our sweet Lilly.”The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to the family.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 20:14 UTC
Winter Olympics: Kiwi trio miss the medals in men’s snowboard big air final
“I’m super stoked, but pretty bummed at the same time just to not land that last one. Farrell finished the competition in eighth place with a 124.25 two-run total, while Jamieson was a spot further back with a 112.25 total. The three will be back in action later in the competition, with the slopestyle event scheduled for the second week of the Games. Earlier on Sunday, Ben Barclay and Luca Harrington qualified seventh and ninth respectively for the final in the men’s freeski slopestyle event, while Luca Ball finished 20th in qualifying in the event. In the women’s freeski slopestyle qualification runs, Kiwi duo Ruby Star Andrews and Sylvia Trotter finished 17th and 20th, missing out on the final.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 20:03 UTC
Sir Edmund Hillary’s portrait among treasures cleaned of asbestos at Auckland Museum
The portrait of Sir Edmund Hillary has been cleaned of asbestos at Auckland Museum. Photo / Auckland Museum“We’ve got the vast majority of the building open to the public and cleared and safe for occupation. The space where the asbestos is is incredibly narrow, and we can’t get a person in there,” Reeves said. Photo / Auckland MuseumReeves said cleaning objects can be quite quick because the asbestos is largely inert and doesn’t chemically react with surfaces. It will return to Auckland Museum sometime before its centennial in 2029.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 20:01 UTC
Smell from massive Wellington sewage spill could get worse
Wastewater, which includes raw sewage, has been leaking on to the capital's south coast beaches due to the Moa Point Treatment Plant flooding. Photo: RNZThe smell from the massive Moa Point raw sewage discharge in Wellington could be about to get worse, while Wellington Water is battling a new sewage overflow, this time in Porirua. Wellington Water said it was now racing against the clock to get the inundation of sewage out of its Moa Point Treatment Plant before it went septic and became anaerobic. Wellington Water says the sewage becoming septic and anaerobic means it would cause a noticeable smell, and pose a significant health and safety risk to workers onsite. Initial investigations suggested the overflow might be related to a pump running sequence at Pump Station eight, Wellington Water said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 07, 2026 19:36 UTC
Ongoing export boom highlights just how broken the economy is – Liam Dann
But if we can’t manage sustainable economic growth with the booming export sector we already have, then what is the point of endlessly boosting the raw volume of primary sector commodities? Let’s look at our miserable track record through what has been a remarkable period of growth for New Zealand export earnings. Or that the grim predictions of the 1980s and 90s about the ever-dwindling value of food commodity exports had come true. The ANZ Commodity Price Index for January, out last week, showed beef and lamb still at historic highs. But even when the debt is dealt with, it’s not clear how the export money is flowing through the economy.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 19:05 UTC
Mt Albert Aquatic Centre hydroslide accident leaves boy facing lifelong dental damage
Tanya Rusher has had to fork out almost $300 for dental bills for her son Mason. “But if that’s the case, at least have some dignity and have somewhere you can take the patient, calm them down and offer support.”Rusher said she reported the incident to pool staff. Mason Rusher was told he would have lifelong dental problems after smashing his teeth on a hydroslide at Mt Albert Aquatic Centre. “The fact they rang me that night asking for their ice pack back enraged me, not even a ‘Hello, is your son doing okay?’”Tanya Rusher said Mt Albert Aquatic Centre staff lacked care in their response to her son's accident. Mt Albert Aquatic Centre operator Community Leisure Company said it was improving signage around the slide after Mason Rusher smashed his teeth while riding it.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 19:03 UTC
Wine thieves use disguises and tricked-out coat in $63,000 heist – police
In many theft cases, “burglary tools” are items used to break through a door or a window, such as a crowbar. “Virginia code specifies that an outfit can be part of burglarious tools,” Bass said. Clarke County sheriff Travis Sumption said Ray has not co-operated with his investigators. Ray is listed in court records as being represented by the Virginia Public Defender Office. Peter McDermott, the head public defender for the region that includes Clarke County, declined to comment this week.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 18:33 UTC
The Cure musician Perry Bamonte’s death treated as unexplained as police launch inquiry
Police have opened a probe into the death of former The Cure band member Perry Bamonte. Photo / Getty ImagesPolice have opened a probe into the death of former The Cure band member Perry Bamonte. Photo / Getty ImagesPolice are now treating the recent death of Perry Bamonte, former The Cure guitarist and keyboardist, as “unexplained” – a development his widow calls “complete and utter nonsense”. Police have confirmed the death has been recategorised as “unexplained but not suspicious”. A source told the Sun the musician’s death had been unexpected as he was “not widely thought to be at death’s door” despite his illness.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 17:48 UTC
Lotto Powerball: One player wins $1 million as $10m jackpot draw rolls over
How does Lotto make overnight millionaires? Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. 7 Feb, 2026 07:06 AM 2 mins to readLotto Powerball: One player wins $1 million as $10m jackpot draw rolls overOne Lotto player has won $1 million tonight, while the $10m Powerball jackpot rolls over to $12 million for next Wednesday’s draw. Despite the rollover, one lucky MyLotto player from Invercargill is $1m richer after winning tonight’s First Division draw. Elsewhere, 13 Lotto players bagged $22,455 each in tonight’s Second Division draw.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 17:38 UTC
Weather: Incoming wave of humidity as tropics fire up
MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr told the Herald humidity was set to stick around in much of the North Island due to an absence of wind or northward cold fronts to push warm, humid air out. Meanwhile, rain is set to hit parts of the lower South Island tonight before moving further north, Kerr said. Nelson is forecast to reach 24C today, with Christchurch set for 17C and Dunedin 18C. Scorching temperatures in the North Island are set to ease slightly today, with Napier and Hastings expected to reach highs of 28C and 29C respectively. Elsewhere, Auckland is set to reach 25C, Hamilton has a predicted high of 26C, while Wellington is set for a cooler 19C.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 17:33 UTC
Donald Trump deletes racist Obama monkeys video after bipartisan fury
It has been taken down,” a White House official told AFP. Asked if he condemns the racist imagery in the video, Trump replied: “of course I do”. “No one believes this cover-up from the White House, especially since they originally defended this post,” she wrote. In his second term in the White House, Trump has used hyper-realistic but fabricated AI visuals on Truth Social and other platforms, often glorifying himself and rallying his conservative base around social issues. Since returning to the White House, Trump has led a crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 16:39 UTC
Bold ideas meet good company
Te Radar and Ruth Spencer discuss their book Kiwi Country: Rural New Zealand in 100 Objects. This March, Wānaka will be bubbling with conversation, curiosity and connection from the Aspiring Conversations Festival. Aspiring Conversations features more than 30 speakers and performers across 12 events. Aspiring Conversations isn’t just about listening — it’s about connecting, socialising and even a little indulging. So whether you’re after bold ideas, playful debate, or just time for thinking, Aspiring Conversations will be the place for, well ... aspiring conversations.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 07, 2026 15:53 UTC
Petition launched to save post shop
North End Oamaru Post Shop is facing closure. Just a week after NZ Post announced it will close the Oamaru North End Post Shop, a petition is being circulated on Change.org to keep the post office open. This makes the North End Post Shop indispensable,’’ petition creator Lisa Carter said on the Change.org website. ‘‘Our local North End Post Shop contributes a lot for our community. ‘‘However, this may be reviewed in future.’’Oamaru North End Post Shop owners Paul and Jan Denny are appealing NZ Post’s decision.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 07, 2026 15:53 UTC
Fundraiser provides late Christmas present
PHOTO: SUPPLIEDA community organisation is still feeling the Christmas joy in January after Christmas tree sales landed them a healthy donation. Over the Christmas period Food For Love had its latest fundraiser which allowed community members to purchase a locally-grown Christmas tree. Mr Dippie said he and the team from Nichols contact local farms in search of Christmas trees. Mitre 10 Wānaka marketing and communications co-ordinator Karen Wells said Mitre 10 MEGA is very much part of the local community. Ms Wells said the initiative ‘Blues Christmas Trees’ have been sold outside the Mitre 10 MEGA store since it opened in Three Parks.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 07, 2026 15:53 UTC