Another drenching on way for upper North Island
Wild weather is on the way for the top of the North Island from Monday overnight and into Tuesday. Heavy rain watches are also in place for Auckland, the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty. Northland is set to expect 90 to 120mm of rain, especially in the north and east. The region experienced heavy rains and flooding at the end of March and some parts are still recovering from the deluge. The result is a lot more showers and wet weather for the eastern seaboard of the country.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 06, 2026 01:22 UTC
'You'll be living in hell': Trump makes fresh threat to Iran
Trump said in a Truth Social post, referencing the vital shipping lane that Tehran has effectively closed since the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran more than a month ago. "Open the Fuckin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell - JUST WATCH!" The White House did not respond to a question on whether Trump was indicating a time when the US would attack Iran. Trump's threats follow an intense 48-hour rescue operation for two US pilots inside Iran. In at least seven Sunday interviews, Trump continued his threats against Iran as he pushed for concessions.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 23:36 UTC
Winston Peters to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as Middle East war continues
Trump sends fresh warning to Iran, US fighter pilot rescued from mountains, NZ Police call for crack down on boy racers. Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Winston Peters to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as Middle East war continuesForeign Minister Winston Peters will meet with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the war in Iran continues. Peters will travel to Washington DC today, where he will meet with Rubio, among others. “The current global context is the most challenging New Zealand has faced in the past 80 years, Peters said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 23:27 UTC
Leger-Walker claims historic college basketball title
Charlisse Leger-Walker helps cut down the net to celebrate UCLA's national college basketball title after beating South Carolina in the final today. Photo: Getty ImagesCharlisse Leger-Walker has become the first woman from New Zealand to win an NCAA division one national basketball title in the United States. Tomorrow Taranaki's Oscar Goodman will aim to make it a historic double for Kiwis in college. The freshman forward is on the favoured Michigan team that will face Connecticut for the men's national title. If they are able to emerge winners, Goodman will become the third New Zealander to win a national division one basketball title, following Leger-Walker and Jack Salt — who was one of three captains when Virginia won the championship in 2019.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 23:27 UTC
Mick On Monday: Dreary derby for Kiwis but some Easter bonuses today
“She is ready for a 2000m race now and we’d love to get some Australian black type with her,” says James. RUAKAKA RETURNHarness racing returns to the far north today with a grass track meeting at Ruakaka. It has been over 11 years since a harness racing meeting was last held at the track and the all-weather harness racing track is no longer in use. Grass track harness racing is rare in the northern half of the North Island, although Taupo did host its first meeting in January. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 23:02 UTC
Letters: The meaning of religion in a time of faith and war
Religion fused with worldly notions of holiness and power ceases to be faith at all; it becomes its violent brother, belief in the self. This is a warning taken up by the theologian-philosopher Jacques Derrida in his call for what he described as “religion without religion”. It is difficult to get over-excited about the space voyage of four astronauts riding the monster Artemis II in a four-person capsule no bigger than “a minibus”. If New Zealand were reliant on that terminal, Qatar’s shutdown would have meant our insurance premium would have soared overnight as global gas prices surged. Australia’s success in driving prices down through aggressive renewable investment shows that harvesting our own wind and sun is the only way to achieve price stability.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 23:01 UTC
Super Rugby Pacific playoffs picture: Hurricanes lead race after Easter round
After the horrific 2011 Christchurch earthquake made Lancaster Park’s stands too dangerous to use, there was something almost symbolic about the city’s Super Rugby champions, like so many Cantabrians, being displaced from the place that was their home. Crusaders' players celebrate Chay Fihaki's try against the Fijian Drua. Taylor, who has just turned 35, is still as industrious as he was when he first played Super Rugby in 2013. Codie Taylor scores one of his four tries for the Crusaders against the Fijian Drua. Will Jordan, of the Crusaders, is brought down by Manasa Mataele, of the Fijian Drua.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 22:33 UTC
Missing in action
Donald Trump has taken to try and resolve the war by insulting Iran by 5 am truths. In terms of insane behaviour Israel and the US have repeatedly hit the Nuclear Power Station at Bushehr in Iran. Matters will slowly get worse and to improve things will take sustained action and a great deal of commitment. Compare this with other nations, taken from this Herald article:Australia has a leader who has taken a leadership role. This, and a hatred of collective action, is why they are not doing anything.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 22:20 UTC
Ukraine, Syria to co-operate on security, Zelenskyy says
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left) meets Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus. Photo: ReutersUkraine and Syria pledged greater security co-operation in talks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said as Kyiv seeks to promote its military expertise across the region following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran. "We agreed to work together to provide more security and opportunities for development for our societies," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram. He said his talks with the Syrian and Turkish foreign ministers covered security and maritime trade among other topics. In Turkey on Saturday, Zelenskyy said he had agreed to new security cooperationsteps with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and discussed joint gas infrastructure projects and gas field development.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 22:13 UTC
Social worker censured, loses registration over sex chats with teenage student
The Social Workers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal has now censured the woman, in her 40s, cancelled her registration and ordered her to pay more than $10,000 in costs. The tribunal’s recently released decision suppressed her and the student’s names, and the name and location of the school. She was not involved in counselling the male student but knew of him from within the school. The student told the principal what had happened and the school launched an investigation before the social worker resigned. She was ordered to pays costs of $8077 to the professional conduct committee and $2597 to the tribunal.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 22:06 UTC
Emergency vaccination campaign as measles outbreak hits Bangladesh
Bangladesh has launched an emergency vaccination campaign targeting more than a million children as a fast‑spreading measles outbreak sweeps across the country. The campaign, led by the health ministry with support from UNICEF, the World Health Organization and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, began in 18 high-risk districts, according to a joint press release. The World Health Organization told Reuters that the outbreak, which now spans 56 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, would continue to spread in the coming days, but would likely be curtailed soon after the vaccination campaign is rolled out. "This campaign will help prevent further tragic loss of young lives,” said Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, the group's representative to Bangladesh. Officials said the emergency vaccination drive will complement routine immunisation efforts as authorities work to contain the outbreak.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 22:03 UTC
Quality work, fewer candidates: Inside Tauranga’s legal recruitment problem
All three law firms reported a common misconception of Tauranga legal work: a lack of quality projects. However, employees said Tauranga law firms offer a standard rivalling projects available in big cities or overseas. Photo / SuppliedCooney Lees Morgan associate Jasmine Daroch, 33, said the firm’s quality of work attracted clients from Auckland and overseas. She said people assumed leaving Auckland meant taking a pay cut, but in her experience, Tauranga law firms were willing to match Auckland salaries. She said Tauranga law firms encouraged a work-life balance, compared to the longer hours she worked in Sydney.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 05, 2026 21:10 UTC
Army rescues 31 civilian hostages
Nigeria's army said it had rescued 31 civilians who were taken hostage during an attack on a church in northwest Kaduna state, while five people were found dead at the scene. The army said the attack had taken place during an Easter church service in Ariko village in the Kachia local government Area. The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria for Kaduna state, Caleb Maaji, said that two churches were attacked in Ariko village on Sunday. He said that seven people were killed and an unknown number taken hostage. Northwest Nigeria has struggled for years with violence, including mass kidnappings for ransom and village raids, with armed groups operating from vast forest hideouts across the region.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 20:56 UTC
Leeds through to semifinals after shootout heroics
Leeds United goalkeeper Lucas Perri (centre left) celebrates with team-mates after winning the penalty shoot-out during their FA Cup quarterfinal against West Ham at London Stadium this morning. Photo: Getty ImagesLeeds United keeper Lucas Perri was their shootout hero as they edged hosts West Ham United 4-2 on penalties to reach the FA Cup semifinals for the first time since 1987 after surrendering a commanding 2-0 lead in a dramatic finale. West Ham scored twice within four minutes in second-half stoppage time to wipe out Leeds' comfortable advantage before the contest finished 2-2 after extra time and went to penalties. West Ham were in control going into extra time and found the net twice early on, but both efforts were ruled out for offside. In the shootout, Herrick dived to his right to deny Piroe, but West Ham's celebrations were halted swiftly as Perri kept out Bowen's shot to keep the teams level.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 20:56 UTC
Easter road toll rises after pair of fatal crashes
File photo: NZMEThe Easter holiday road toll has risen to three, after the death of a motorcyclist in Northland. Police said the single vehicle crash occurred on State Highway 1 in Waipu on Sunday morning about 9.40am, near the intersection with Waipu Gorge Road. Emergency services were called to that crash near the intersection of North Road and Farrimond Place at 10.30pm on Saturday. One person died at the scene, while a second person was moderately injured. The Easter road toll period ends at 6am on Tuesday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 05, 2026 20:44 UTC