Letters to the Editor: alcohol, AI and Manage My Health
The New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council has welcomed the proposed changes to the Bill as this is a common-sense approach to help improve our licensing system. Virginia NichollsDunedin[Virginia Nicholls is executive director of the New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council. On the other handI write in support of the editorial that proposed law changes to New Zealand’s alcohol laws downplays the harm alcohol does to our society. By making it impossible to easily log on to Manage My Health, those supposed to manage their health have no chance whatsoever, thereby dying perhaps prematurely, and decreasing the expenses of keeping people healthy. Richard HutchisonWānakaAddress Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 22, 2026 15:33 UTC
Auckland’s motorway crash response system is so outdated – Deborah Chambers
And increasingly they do it knowing that one crash can bring the entire system to a halt. A crash on Auckland's Northern Motorway, State Highway 1 delays motorists and comes at a substantial cost to the country. Photo / NZTABeginning in the late 1990s and early 2000s, police developed specialist Serious Crash Units trained in forensic crash reconstruction. It would be a nightmare to be wrongly convicted of a serious driving charge when in fact it was the other bugger. Because every time thousands of people sit trapped on a motorway behind a minor crash, it exposes a deeper problem.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 22, 2026 15:30 UTC
Motorcyclists flee South Auckland crash as police head to higher priority job
A group of motorcyclists have fled after crashing into a car in South Auckland today right in front of a patrol car, who did not pursue the bikes as they were on their way to a higher priority crime. Footage shows a Ford Everest stopped in the middle of the road in Ōtara with a badly damaged bike on the ground, and the rider appeared injured and limping. As the rider went to move the bike, he then dropped it in the middle of the road, right in front of the car before hobbling onto the back of another bike, which sped off as a police car with sirens emerged. There were at least six bikes as part of the convoy and two of them appeared to try to box the police car in, while the bike with the injured rider looked to get further away. But according to New Zealand Police, the car wasn’t chasing after the bikers, instead it was off to a higher priority job.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 22, 2026 15:27 UTC
Little’s Triennium Plan
Andrew Little has released his Triennium Plan for WCC. Create a $50,000 per annum External Legal Advice Fund for representatives to test the council organisation’s legal advice by seeking an external legal opinion. Really important governors can access legal advice directly. So rates increases of under 5% from 27/28 would qualify.”Protect the Council’s ownership stake in Wellington International Airport Ltd.Why? As a minority shareholder you have no real say, and it means you are not independent when dealing with the airport.
Source:Stuff
March 22, 2026 14:01 UTC
Trump gives Hormuz deadline, threatens to 'obliterate' Iran's power plants
Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. Iran launched two 4000km-range ballistic missiles at the US-British military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said. "These missiles are not intended to strike Israel. Late on Saturday, Iranian missiles hit the southern Israeli cities of Dimona and Arad, injuring dozens of people, including children, in separate strikes. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said in a post on X that the country's air defences were functioning but did not intercept the strikes.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 22, 2026 08:14 UTC
Latest Model struts her stuff in St Leger
Latest Model pictured on her way to winning the Life Direct NZ St Leger (2500m) at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)Gary Vile is tipping a bright future for Latest Model (NZ) (Vespa) following her win in the Life Direct NZ St Leger (2500m) at Trentham on Saturday. Jockey Elen Nicholas, who rode Latest Model to a dead-heat victory at the Upper Hutt track in her only other ride on the mare, was content to sit off the pace during the early stages of the race. While Nicholas feared she may have gone too soon, Latest Model showed her tenacity with a gritty finish and held off the fast-finishing Freebelle to win by a short half head. “She found the line very well at her last start, her first start in open company, and I knew 2500m wasn’t going to worry her.
Source:Stuff
March 22, 2026 07:35 UTC
One person injured after explosion on steam train
The incident happened at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. Photo: supplied/Glenbrook Vintage RailwayOne person has been seriously injured after an explosion in the engine compartment of a steam train at Glenbrook Vintage Railway in Auckland. Fire and Emergency New Zealand sent four trucks to the vintage railway station between Glenbrook and Waiuku in southern Auckland just before 4pm. When firefighters arrived, the blaze was contained inside the engine compartment of the locomotive, a spokesperson said. Hato Hone St John took one person by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 22, 2026 06:19 UTC
One seriously injured after explosion on steam train
The incident happened at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway. Photo: supplied/Glenbrook Vintage RailwayOne person has been seriously injured after an explosion in the engine compartment of a steam train at Glenbrook Vintage Railway in Auckland. Fire and Emergency New Zealand sent four trucks to the vintage railway station between Glenbrook and Waiuku in southern Auckland just before 4pm. When firefighters arrived, the blaze was contained inside the engine compartment of the locomotive, a spokesperson said. Hato Hone St John took one person by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 22, 2026 06:11 UTC
Peters announces proposal to overhaul energy sector
New Zealand First's Winston Peters during his state of the nation speech. Peters also acknowledged the country was "navigating a chaotic environment" and that New Zealand's economy "isn't where it should be". Energy sector overhaulPeters anchored much of his speech on energy, announcing his party would campaign on splitting up the energy gentailers (generators and retailers). Protests outside Winston Peters' State of the Nation speech in Tauranga. Peters said the latest Covid-19 inquiry highlighted failures by the Labour party.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 22, 2026 03:51 UTC
Two dead after separate Southland crashes
Police are seeking witnesses to one of two fatal crashes in Southland overnight. The first crash, involving a single vehicle on Winding Creek Rd near Waikaia, was reported to emergency services about 12.40am. In a statement this afternoon Inspector Mike Bowman said officers signalled for a vehicle to stop on Kelvin St shortly before 3am. A short time later, the vehicle was discovered crashed at the intersection of Leet and Kelvin Sts, Insp Bowman said. "If you witnessed the crash, or have CCTV in the vicinity of Wellesley Avenue, Avenal Street or Kelvin Street, please get in touch with police."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 22, 2026 03:17 UTC
US Marines sail towards the Iran war zone amid speculation US soldiers could be called on to deploy
Tehran has nearly completely shut down a crucial shipping choke point that has sent global energy prices skyrocketing. As part of that deployment, the Pentagon sent an infantry battalion landing team with more than 800 combat troops backed by helicopters, F-35 fighter jets and armoured landing vehicles. Pentagon officials also decided to speed up the forthcoming deployment of a similar unit, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, from San Diego to depart within days, defence officials said. White House officials have downplayed but not ruled out the possibility of US troops in combat in Iran. By Saturday, he had declared that the conflict he started in the Middle East could soon be the responsibility of his allies.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 22, 2026 02:46 UTC
Middle East conflict live updates: US says it may have to ‘escalate to de-escalate’ in war against Iran
Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Channel Infrastructure's Rob Buchanan speak to media from Marsden Point oil refinery. Video / NZ HeraldAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen. Load moreSign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 22, 2026 02:15 UTC
Weather: Deep subtropical low forming northwest of New Zealand threatens heavy rain, strong winds
A developing deep subtropical low west of New Zealand could bring heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country later this week. A developing deep subtropical low west of New Zealand could bring heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country later this week. Photo / Duncan BrownA developing deep subtropical low west of New Zealand could bring heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the country next week. “What we’ve got coming up later in the week is a low coming down out of the subtropics and moving towards the northwest of the North Island,” she said. “There is still some variation between the model solutions as to exactly where that low ends up.”
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 22, 2026 01:40 UTC
Cyclone brings fresh flood threat to sodden Aussie towns
Tropical Cyclone Narelle has weakened after crossing the coast in northern Australia for the second time as it barrels towards already sodden Top End communities. The cyclone was downgraded to a category-two system on Sunday morning shortly after passing over Cape Shield in remote eastern Arnhem Land. Cyclone Narelle crossed Cape York in far-north Queensland on Friday as a category-four system - the second-highest classification. There is a moderate chance that Narelle redevelops into a tropical cyclone while in the gulf and near the border with Western Australia. Narelle is the first cyclone to hit the area in more than a year and lessons have been learned from previous experiences.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 21, 2026 23:59 UTC