Air trap likely behind Wellington’s Moa Point sewage plant failure
No one was in the plant the night of the failure, he said, but noted it was not standard practice for wastewater treatments to be manned overnight, and the Moa Point plant is monitored remotely. Wellington Water had previously said a duty manager was alerted to the incident following an alarm activation and Fire and Emergency New Zealand alert. Raw sewage continues to be pumped out to the Cook Strait from the Moa Point plant’s long outfall pipe near the mouth of Lyall Bay following the total plant failure in early February. The “catastrophic failure” happened while remedial work was being carried out, Wellington Water said at the time. Raw sewage from the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant washed ashore at Tarakena Bay in early February.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 02:08 UTC
Former sports star charged after alleged festival confrontation
A former international sports star has been charged with obstructing police after an alleged confrontation following a music festival. It is understood the man allegedly tried to interfere with police as they dealt with a matter in Hamilton city in the early hours of Sunday morning. The man was understood to have attended the Homegrown music festival on Saturday. This morning, his case was dealt with administratively in the Hamilton District Court by his out-of-town lawyer. Meanwhile, a police spokesperson said they were "pleased to report" there were no major issues at the music festival over the weekend.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 01:57 UTC
Media Insider: Will John Campbell help RNZ rise again?; RNZ reporter’s sweary blooper; Katie Bradford’s new role; Questions over Facebook, Google ad data
The role reports to the executive editor of news programmes, Sarah de Croy, a former Newshub and NZME news leader. TVNZ executive editor – news Phil O’Sullivan said Heron brought a depth of journalism experience that was crucial for the role. Questions are being raised about the accuracy of Google, Facebook and TikTok advertising revenue data in New Zealand. That total of $444m in 2025 represented 10.8% of the total advertising revenue market, down from 12.8% the previous year. IAB Australia’s Internet Advertising Revenue Report, also released this month, confirmed the Australian market grew 11.5% year on year to reach A$18.4b.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 01:54 UTC
Former international sports star charged with obstructing police after Homegrown festival
Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Former international sports star charged with obstructing police after Homegrown festivalA former international sports star has been charged with obstructing police after an alleged confrontation following a music festival. NZME understands the man allegedly tried to interfere with police as they dealt with a matter in Hamilton city in the early hours of Sunday morning. The man was understood to have attended the Homegrown music festival on Saturday. This morning, his case was dealt with administratively in the Hamilton District Court by his out-of-town lawyer.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 01:38 UTC
General Debate 20 March 2026
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Source:New Zealand Herald
March 20, 2026 01:00 UTC
From operating NZ's best country hotel to liquidation
The Commercial Hotel in Omakau. The company which was operating the Commercial Hotel in Omakau when it closed its doors in late 2023 has been placed in liquidation. Sole shareholder and director Jared Miller had taken over the lease of the complex — once voted best country hotel in New Zealand — just over a year prior to its closure. In his initial report, liquidator Brenton Hunt, of Insolvency Matters, said the company Accidental Publicans Ltd had been placed in liquidation by special resolution of the shareholder. Plant and equipment were surrendered to the landlord and initial investigations did not indicate an overdrawn shareholder current account.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 00:51 UTC
82-year-old confronts teen after early morning antics
His wife, of a similar age and wearing a dressing gown, had also gone outside to see what was going on. I jumped out of bed and had a look outside,” the 82-year-old said. His wife went to the kitchen and looked out the window while he put his slippers on. Replied the teenager: “Please don't do that.”The 82-year-old said he had “a talk” to the teenager, who told him he was 14. And that was it.”The teenager told him they had done the same thing to other houses on Southfield Dr that night.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 00:13 UTC
Loud boom as hybrid vehicle 'explodes' in central Dunedin
Firefighters attend what is believed to have been a battery explosion in a Toyota Corolla hybrid in Princes St on Friday morning. Photo: Gregor RichardsonWitnesses reported hearing a loud boom when a hybrid vehicle "exploded" at a central Dunedin intersection today. The incident happened at the intersection of Princes St and Moray Place. He said it looked as though it could have potentially been an issue with the battery in the vehicle. ‘‘Because of the unpredictable nature of batteries, we've got to check it over carefully.’’The scene was made safe and the vehicle was moved from the scene shortly afterwards.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 20, 2026 00:07 UTC
One airlifted in serious condition from highway crash
One person has been airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition following a crash on State Highway 1 this morning. Two people had to be freed from a truck, which brought down powerlines when it hit a pole on the Waihola Highway, south of Dunedin. One person was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition, and the other was transported by ambulance in a moderate condition, the spokesman said. Emergency services on site where a van crashed into a power pole on Waihola Highway this morning. Photo: Jo JagoPolice were called to the crash on the Waihola Highway (State Highway 1) near Milburn at 7.50am.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 23:55 UTC
Tolling will not touch the sides of Warkworth to Te Hana
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) will be seeking public feedback on the proposal to toll Warkworth to Te Hana, the first Road of National Significance (RoNS) to be delivered as part of the Northland Corridor project. Warkworth to Te Hana will connect to the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and is the second stage of the Ara Tūhono project, which opened in 2023. The new 26 kilometre, four-lane route will start at the northern end of the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway and continue north to rejoin State Highway 1 near Waimanu Road in Te Hana. Any tolling revenue will contribute to the annual amount we need to pay the PPP following the opening of the motorway. Given how expensive the Warkworth to Te Hana project is, it’s quite possible we could see annual repayments well north of $300 million per year.
Source:Stuff
March 19, 2026 23:25 UTC
Sailor joins Gaza-bound flotilla
Swiss-kiwi sailor Julien Blondel is enjoying his stay in Riverton after sailing his yacht there. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDA Swiss sailor who has been living on his yacht in Riverton for the past month will join an international flotilla sailing to Palestine. The flotilla will attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade of the area which has been in effect since 2007, limiting supplies to the area and causing hardship. Julien Blondel, 47, has been sailing around New Zealand on his yacht for the past year. The flotilla, including a hospital ship and another with building supplies, will leave from different ports in Europe next month.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 23:21 UTC
Graham tight-lipped as hunt starts for DCC boss
Sandy Graham. Photo: suppliedAdvertising for the Dunedin City Council’s chief executive position is expected to start next week. Incumbent Sandy Graham has not said if she will apply and could not be reached for comment last night. Ms Graham was appointed chief executive in 2020 and had an initial five-year contract. ‘‘The role of chief executive is central to this work.’’grant.miller@odt.co.nz
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 23:11 UTC
Otago hotel goes from 'best in country' to liquidation
The Commercial Hotel in Omakau. The company which was operating the Commercial Hotel in Omakau when it closed its doors in late 2023 has been placed in liquidation. Sole shareholder and director Jared Miller had taken over the lease of the complex — once voted best country hotel in New Zealand — just over a year prior to its closure. In his initial report, liquidator Brenton Hunt, of Insolvency Matters, said the company Accidental Publicans Ltd had been placed in liquidation by special resolution of the shareholder. Plant and equipment were surrendered to the landlord and initial investigations did not indicate an overdrawn shareholder current account.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 23:03 UTC
Sir Rod Drury named New Zealander of the Year
Sir Rod Drury, of Queenstown, was last night named the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa. The comment was made by the judging panel of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards after Sir Rod (Ngai Tahu), of Queenstown, was last night named New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa at a gala dinner in Auckland. The judges said Sir Rod, a pioneer entrepreneur and founder of Xero, continued to shape New Zealand’s technology landscape through innovation, investment and mentorship. Most recently, he established Southern Infrastructure Ltd to support Queenstown public infrastructure projects, including the proposed cable car. Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich said Sir Rod had a track record for turning ‘‘ambition into action’’.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 22:56 UTC