Man accused of young girl abduction found dead in prison
A man arrested and charged with abducting a young girl in Christchurch last weekend has been found dead in prison. The man was on remand after appearing in the Christchurch District Court on Monday accused of abducting the 9-year-old. Corrections told The Press the man was remanded in a prison health unit and was not in a double-bunked cell. Corrections' officers and health staff gave him first aid and called an ambulance, but he was not able to be revived. Prison acting general manager Claire Walls said an independent Corrections Inspectorate investigation was under way into the death.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 22:26 UTC
Man arrested for indecent act at Dunedin student flat
The incident happened in Duke St, north Dunedin. Photo: Google MapsA man allegedly performed an indecent act outside the window of a Dunedin student flat before fleeing into the night. The students in the flat told police the man knocked on their flat window before exposing himself. Police were called to the property in Duke St, north Dunedin, shortly after the incident at 2.45am, Acting Senior Sergeant Iain Notman, of Dunedin, said. He was arrested, charged with unlawfully in an enclosed yard and doing an indecent act, and would appear in Dunedin District Court at a later date.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 22:26 UTC
Hostility and courtesy: How drivers are reacting to pressure at the petrol pumps
In New Zealand petrol prices are already climbing rapidly, with forecasts that they could push toward $4 a litre. Global petrol prices have surged past US$100 a barrel as the Middle East conflict fighting disrupts supply routes. In New Zealand petrol prices are already climbing rapidly, with forecasts that they could push toward $4 a litre - or higher - if the conflict escalates. Others on social media weighed in with stories of being hostility and rudeness at the city's petrol stations. "Got abused at the petrol station last week because I didn’t go to the first pump.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 20:54 UTC
Another recession looming, economists warn
What started as a distant geopolitical conflict has quickly landed squarely on our country's economy, driving up fuel costs, squeezing household budgets, and threatening to slow growth. If it continues, New Zealand could be staring down the barrel of another recession. "So this sort of shock, if it gets worse, will definitely increase the risk of a recession here," Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr said. "And we have only just gotten out of recession, so to fall back in would be horrendous for households and businesses." And when fuel costs rise, everything that relies on transport follows - from groceries to clothing to construction materials.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 20:26 UTC
Govt exploring package to help struggling families, Willis says
Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the price increases are extremely tough and affecting all New Zealanders, but said some are feeling it more than others. Willis wouldn't say what the income thresholds would be, but said the package would take into account household income and number of children. Willis also defended the government's LNG plans, despite the attacks on Iran's South Pars gas field and Qatar's Ras Laffan. Not our conflictWillis said the fighting in the Middle East was "not our conflict", and reiterated calls for a humanitarian end.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 19:52 UTC
No rates relief via Aurora
Andrew SimmsA Dunedin city councillor has looked to Aurora Energy for a dividend to offset rates rises, as he warns a double-digit increase poses an ‘‘existential threat’’ to the council. Following questions from Cr Russell Lund, Cr Andrew Simms asked if Aurora could feasibly pay a $5million dividend this year without impacting operations. ‘‘In the next financial year, we are intending and planning to have dividends resume from Aurora Energy,’’ Mr Loan said. ‘‘If we roll out ... a double-digit rate rise, that's an existential threat to this mayoralty and this council,’’ Cr Simms said. The Commerce Commission was ‘‘all over Aurora’’, Cr Lund said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 19:49 UTC
Auckland roadworks noise leaves man sleep-deprived for six nights
An Auckland Transport (AT) spokesperson said the roadworks were clearly communicated to residents. AT said letters regarding the street lighting work plans were delivered by the contractor to the immediate neighbourhood on March 2. It advised residents of the hours, excavation works, traffic management activities and the potential for construction noise. “The fourth night, I think I lost my rag.”An Auckland Transport spokesperson says the roadworks began on March 8 and had been “clearly communicated” to residents. An Auckland Transport spokesperson says there are times when roadworks need to be carried out at night.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 19, 2026 17:33 UTC
The strains of political widowhood are not our business
PHOTO: ODT FILES‘‘Welcome to political widowhood’’ my husband and I heard when I was first elected as an MP way back in 2002. But there is also the public scrutiny of MPs’ spouses and their families that others do not have to endure. Strangers comment on their driving, on what is in their shopping trolley, complain about what the MP partner did, or said or — if the MP partner is a woman — wore on TV. Worse, someone will take that deeply personal and very real experience and turn it into a public political attack. When the strains on a family from political widowhood spill out into the public realm, for whatever reason and through whatever channel, these are deeply personal, tightly held matters.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 17:03 UTC
Publicans still more than happy to sell you a drink
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONMark Twain declared the reports of his death were greatly exaggerated — and the owners of the Lauder Hotel can relate after rumours spread their business was closing. It turned out a radio host had incorrectly announced the closure of the hotel. While the hotel was still on the market after failing to sell at tender, it was still business as usual, Ms Valentine said. Since the closure of the nearby Commercial Hotel in Omakau, the Lauder Hotel had become even more of a focal point for the community, Ms Valentine said. The Matakanui Rugby Club enjoyed a free meal once a fortnight and farmers met up for a drink and a yarn.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 17:02 UTC
Ukraine consul keen to deepen ties with NZ
Ukraine honorary consul Olena Grubb is looking forward to strengthening academic and social ties between Ukraine and New Zealand. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONThe Ukraine’s new honorary consul to the South Island says she has been impressed by New Zealanders’ knowledge and support of her country. Olena Grubb assumed the role at a special ceremony at the Dunedin Club on Thursday, which was attended by several Ukrainian dignitaries. As honorary consul in Dunedin, Mrs Grubb will focus on strengthening cultural, academic, and economic ties between Ukraine and New Zealand, supporting the Ukrainian community, and promoting awareness of Ukraine during the ongoing Russian war against the country. We share family values, we share hard work.’’Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the war has dominated every part of Ukrainians’ lives since, she said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 17:02 UTC
Mt Iron housing development welcomed
An artist’s impression of the Mt Iron Junction development from the entrance of the park ing bay on State Highway 84. IMAGES: SUPPLIEDA major housing development seeking fast-track approval at the base of Mt Iron is an ‘‘exciting new project that’s meeting the changing demands’’ of Wanaka, a community housing chief executive says. Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust chief executive Julie Scott said the planned Mt Iron Junction development, which lodged its fast-track consent application last month, was a good example of development close to the heart of the town. Mr Schikker said the Mt Iron Junction development aimed to meet this area of demand, providing attainable housing by delivering ‘‘smaller, smarter, simpler dwellings ... to singles, couples and smaller families’’. Inclusionary housing contributions are helpful, but not a ‘‘silver bullet’’ for fixing the housing problems in the Queenstown Lakes District, with over 250 Wānaka-based households on the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust’s waiting list.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 16:54 UTC
Liquidation of hotel company
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. 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. Staff were paid wages and holiday pay was paid along with as many creditors that could be paid. 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 16:54 UTC
Region top in use of ketamine
Otago is leading the country in ketamine use as new data reveals the region is a particular hotbed for the increasingly popular party drug. The latest New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey (NZDTS) showed ketamine had become a popular ‘‘party drug’’ option, and had been carving a ‘‘niche’’ for itself in the affordable drug market. That meant people were spoiled for choice — 25% of people from Otago who took part in the survey reported using ketamine within the past six months. Many people who took part in the survey who said they took ketamine also reported they were students, and tended to be of a younger age. Ketamine is a class C controlled drug in New Zealand and has a legitimate medical use as an anaesthetic.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 16:54 UTC
Otago prof to co-lead brain health partnership
University of Otago brain researcher Prof Louise Parr-Brownlie will co-lead a new international brain research project. So a new international partnership has been established with the aim of improving brain health research and treatment, which is to be co-led by University of Otago brain researcher Prof Louise Parr-Brownlie. In conjunction with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the European Commission, the University of Otago has been named as the New Zealand host of the Horizon Europe Brain Health Partnership. Prof Parr-Brownlie said teamwork was key to finding real-world solutions, such as new ways to deliver health services, detect brain changes or develop new treatments to improve brain health. ‘‘New Zealand health researchers are world leaders at delivering equitable, person-centric research that improves people’s lives.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 16:34 UTC
War skills all part of being medic
New Zealand Army medic Corporal Amanda Voice during Exercise Nui Dat at Waiouru recently, where soldiers from 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment recently honed their skills across both mounted and unmounted weapons systems. PHOTO: NZDFDigging trenches and setting up ambushes is just as much a part of the job as providing trauma aid to casualties for former Maniototo resident, now New Zealand Army medic and ‘‘marksman’’ shooter, Corporal Amanda Voice. Her first post was with the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (1 RNZIR), Whiskey Company. War-fighting skills were part of the job of being a medic. ‘‘I operate alongside infantry soldiers — digging trenches, setting up ambushes and in the middle of the noise and smoke — treating casualties,’’ she said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 19, 2026 15:47 UTC