WorkSafe says explosion that seriously burned a forklift driver was avoidable
WorkSafe says explosion that seriously burned a forklift driver was avoidableBy Penny Smith of RNZWorkSafe says an explosion that put a forklift driver in hospital for nine weeks could have been avoided with basic safety controls. The worker was seriously burned when several condemned, 9kg gas bottles exploded and the forklift the worker was driving caught fire in March 2024 at Tank Test in Papatoetoe, Auckland. The company was fined more than $300,000, including reparations of $5000, in a reserved decision of the Manukau District Court. In sentencing Tank Test, Judge Gus Andrée Wiltens described the hazard as “clear and obvious”. He noted the company could have eliminated the risk at no cost by ensuring forklift and degassing operations never happened at the same time.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 04:14 UTC
Hopes big chair will bring a little cheer
Ian Maxwell (left) and Allan Harvey are part of the Wānaka Community Workshop which built a giant chair for the whole community to enjoy. This week the Wānaka Community Workshop completed a giant chair, 3m by 3m, which will sit proudly on the Lake Hāwea waterfront outside The Camp — Lake Hawea Holiday Park. He said the community workshop group was exactly what he needed to give him that little bit of purpose after a successful career "pen pushing". It was Mr Maxwell who floated the idea of the giant chair after he saw a similar one overseas. "You just need a positive attitude," Mr Maxwell said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 07, 2026 03:35 UTC
Political tensions surface at opening of Winter Games
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics at the San Siro Stadium in Milan. The announcement of the Israeli team prompted some booing in Milan over the loud soundtrack, but there were cheers in Cortina. TWIN CAULDRONS LIT IN MILAN AND CORTINAInternational Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said the Games should bring people together. "This is the magic of the Olympic Games: inspiring us all to be the best that we can be – together," she added. Athletes also paraded in the mountain venues of Livigno and Predazzo, in a Games spread over 22,000 square kilometres.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 07, 2026 03:13 UTC
Geraldine man John Isaac Moore extradited to face sex charges in Northern Ireland
A South Canterbury pensioner extradited to Northern Ireland over alleged historical sex crimes was someone who kept to himself and didn’t cause trouble, a neighbour says. “He’s a single man, and that’s all I really know. But he’s always come across as a reasonable, good-living individual,” John Jensen said of John Isaac Moore, his long-time neighbour in the small town of Geraldine. Moore caused no trouble as a neighbour, Jensen said. “There’s no reason that I’m aware of that he could be anything but a regular citizen.”
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 07, 2026 01:30 UTC
Fireworks to return for Dunedin's New Year's Eve?
Photo: Gerard O'BrienStinging public feedback about "anticlimactic" Dunedin New Year’s Eve celebrations has been presented to city councillors set to debate bringing back fireworks. Council staff said feedback from the public was clear — fireworks were an expected part of New Year’s Eve celebrations. They are set to discuss two options — persisting with the status quo or having a fireworks display at Robin Hood Park. One key piece of feedback from the 2025 New Year’s Eve event was it being repeatedly described as anticlimactic, unclear or "ending with nothing". "Public feedback consistently mentioned the lack of fireworks in years where light and laser shows were a feature of celebrations," the council report said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 07, 2026 01:29 UTC
Tuapeka Mouth Ferry celebrates 130 years
Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country LifeNear where the muddy green of the Tuapeka meets the turquoise blue of the Clutha River there once stood a "bustling settlement". With no bridge, those looking to cross from one side of the river to the other had only one option - the Tuapeka Mouth Ferry. This is the southern hemisphere's only operational river ferry. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country LifeThough this is not the 1896 original, not much has changed in terms of how it functions, he explained. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life"There's very little else here in Tuapeka Mouth itself.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 06, 2026 23:23 UTC
Inside the exit of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson: New details of how and why a dream role unravelled in one of the world’s most storied sports teams
Two sources have confirmed the All Blacks coach was asked to attend a meeting in Christchurch the following day, and advised to bring with him legal representation. David Kirk fronts up to the media following the departure of Scott Robertson as All Blacks coach. He’s totally different to the Scott Robertson that we worked with in the Crusaders’. Scott Robertson and Ardie Savea both believed they had a good relationship, according to sources. Sir Wayne Smith’s initial stint as All Blacks coach did not end well after 2000-2001.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 06, 2026 21:53 UTC
Electric ferry hoped to ease congestion
An electric hydrofoil passenger vessel, Vessev VS-9, is trialled on Lake Wakatipu. Photo: suppliedAn electric hydrofoil ferrying passengers on Lake Wakatipu could take pressure off congested Queenstown roads, the backers of a new trial say. Led by Kingston Village Ltd in partnership with marine technology company Vessev, the first trial of an electric hydrofoil took place on Tuesday. A wider feasibility study into an electric foiling ferry between the southern end of Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown Bay was planned for later this year, the company said. Electric hydrofoils reduced emissions, and produced "very little wake", meaning people could move quickly across Lake Wakatipu more sustainably, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 06, 2026 21:35 UTC
Winter Olympics 2026: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Ben Barclay named Olympic flag bearers
“It’s an honour to wear the kākahu and be chosen as a flag bearer alongside such a good friend as Zoi. Kiwis in action: Winter Olympics schedule and resultsBoth Sadowski-Synnott and Barclay can recall moments that have shaped their own Olympic experience. “Both Zoi and Ben embody the leadership qualities we value in the New Zealand team. “Having Zoi and Ben lead this team into Milano Cortina 2026 is something we can all be proud of. New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Nicki Nicol congratulated both Sadowski‑Synnott and Barclay on the honour.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 06, 2026 20:33 UTC
Country Life: A Bit of Route 66 on State Highway 8
Photo: Kirsty Burrows/Kris GallagherFor as long as I've been around, the township of Burkes Pass has had a prominent place in my life. My father Dave Leishman grew up there as his parents were publicans at the Burkes Pass Hotel. The pub was a very popular place for the local young farmers to come in after a hard day on the land. "The fashion is really quite, quite timeless, we think, anyway, so you could wear it till you're 80. West of Burkes Pass you'll find the bullock wagon trail heading up the pass, and the cemetery.
Source:Stuff
February 06, 2026 20:09 UTC
Weather: Heat alert in Whakatāne amid high North Island temperatures, light rain for South Island
High temperatures are expected across the North Island. High temperatures are expected across the North Island. Photo / Sylvie WhinrayParts of the North Island are expected to keep sizzling, while other areas of the South Island can expect light rain and wind as the Waitangi weekend continues. MetService said a ridge of high pressure will continue to bring sweltering temperatures to the North Island, with a heat alert set for Whakatāne this weekend. According to MetService, Auckland will reach a high of 25C today, while Hamilton will be 26C.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 06, 2026 19:06 UTC
What’s behind Peeni Henare’s decision to quit, and the Government’s plan to welcome a very powerful visitor – Thomas Coughlan
It also appears there’s been a bit of tension, perhaps even a falling out, between Henare and Willie Jackson, co-chair of the Māori caucus. It’s a line Hipkins trod well at Waitangi, in no small part because he’s well advised. The Indian Government is not shy about signalling to the diaspora its pleasure or displeasure with a political party. Added to the mix of complications is the plan, currently being laid, for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit in the middle of this year – all going well. Modi doesn’t do ordinary visits, popping in on a leader for a dry bilateral at some grand government building.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 06, 2026 19:01 UTC
Emotions remain high one year on from fire
Waitangi Day 2025 will be etched in the minds of many Teviot Valley residents as the day the town hall and cinema burned down. The weed-covered site now sits empty, its fate to be decided at next month’s Central Otago District Council and community board meetings. Community board member, district councillor and steering committee representative Cr Curtis Pannett said the steering group members were a deliberately diverse bunch. Recent planning work, including a draft Teviot Valley community plan, would be included in the investigation, expected to cost between $20,000 and $30,000. A high-level report will be presented to the community board and council next month.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 06, 2026 16:50 UTC
Student hopes expedition inspires others to explore local wilderness
John McGlashan student Adam Ludgate completed a tramp in the Olivine Wilderness of Mt Aspiring National Park last month. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONA Dunedin secondary student wants to inspire his peers to explore their backyard after an expedition into some untouched parts of Fiordland National Park. John McGlashan College student Adam Ludgate, 16, was award $1000 by the Federated Mountain Clubs Youth Expedition Scholarship programme to organise a tramp off the beaten track into the Olivine Wilderness area of Mt Aspiring National Park last month. The trip got a little dicey when a bad weather system from the north forced the group to cut their tramp short. Adam knew about the Olivine Wilderness because his father went tramping there about 20 years ago and he decided to put an expedition plan together for his group to explore it.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 06, 2026 16:22 UTC
Poor housing issue for some Syrian families
They were among the first refugees brought to Dunedin, where they were given a shabby, two-bedroom Kāinga Ora house. Yara*, 19, and Karam*, 21, are raising Ali in one room in South Dunedin, after being removed from the housing waiting list. Yara and Karam went on the waiting list for a Kāinga Ora house last May and were offered a house last October. A media release dated January 22, 2016 about the programme says a client who declines a "suitable" property without good reason "may" now be removed from the housing waiting list. There were more than 24,000 people on New Zealand’s housing waiting list, many with complex needs.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 06, 2026 16:22 UTC