Swayzee goes back to back
Swayzee upstaged younger brother Leap To Fame on Saturday night to win back-back Hunter Cups at Melton and deny Leap To Fame a $A1 million ($NZ1.7m) bonus. Despite being headed off by Leap To Fame on the home turn, Swayzee’s driver, Cam Hart, said he never lost faith as his horse kicked back to win by a neck. New Zealander Republican Party, who used barrier 1 to lead early before handing up to Swayzee, finished third, a nose further back. Australian trotting queen Keayang Zahara made it 25 wins from 26 starts when she won her heat and final of the Great Southern Star. — Allied Media
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 16:04 UTC
South Africa hand NZ first defeat of cup
Black Caps top-scorer Mark Chapman in action against South Africa in their T20 World Cup match in Ahmedabad yesterday. Chasing 176, South Africa got off to a fast start with Markram hitting three sixes and five boundaries to steer his team to 62 without loss in four overs. By the time Rickelton (21) fell in the eighth over, South Africa had already crossed the 100-run mark. South Africa will conclude their group campaign against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, a day after New Zealand play Canada. Result: South Africa won by seven wickets.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 16:04 UTC
Mixed progress for looted treasure
One of the 116 objects Cambridge University has transferred to Nigeria. An employee looks at examples of Benin bronzes displayed at the British Museum in London. British soldiers and sailors took more than 5000 brass and bronze castings and ivory carvings — known collectively as the Benin bronzes. Thomas said the Labour government has "disappointed people across the cultural sector" by not trying to amend the British Museum Act, and similar laws. • Barnaby Phillips is the author of Loot: Britain and the Benin Bronzes and The African Kingdom of Gold: Britain and the Asante Treasure.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 16:02 UTC
New TV show pits local chefs in cook-off
PHOTO: SUPPLIEDTake 10 chefs, let them go wild with their creations and you have the ingredients for a Queenstown-based TV reality cooking competition that starts screening this week. The series was filmed last year in just over 14 days at Frankton’s Remarkable Studios, the former H&J Smith’s department store. "It just shows the breadth of what we can achieve here." Taste of Art begins on Thursday, at 7.30pm, on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+. "If it performs well, I really hope we get to do it again and bring new talent to the table and see what other chefs can do," Ms De Lacey says.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 16:02 UTC
Surviving the population crash as the global birthrate plunges
The global average birth rate has halved since 1960 and is now just above the "replacement" rate of 2.1 children per woman. Only sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East still have the old, high birth rates. In the Americas, Europe, Oceania and above all in Asia birth rates have fallen at an astonishing rate. Such a migration has already been going on for decades at a smaller scale in the rich countries of the West. Probably mostly from Africa and the Middle East, because that’s where the remaining high birth rates are.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 16:02 UTC
Dominant win for Yang
South Korean Yunseo Yang yesterday claimed a commanding victory in the Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific Championship in Wellington. Yang, 18, shot a 3-under 69 yesterday to finish at 16-under, eight shots ahead of fellow South Korean Soomin Oh. Australian Jazy Roberts and Rianne Malixin of the Philippines tied for third at 6-under. Darae Chung emerged as the leading New Zealander, finishing tied for 22nd at 5-over. Chung was closely followed by New Zealand’s top-ranked amateur Eunseo Choi, who finished one shot back at 6-over.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:42 UTC
48 wind turbines planned for Ohai
Kākāriki Renewables is to hold an information session in Winton this Friday, outlining its plans for a new wind farm in central Southland, near Ohai. The wind farm would be on 2900ha of land near Ohai, about 50km north of Invercargill. At its peak the wind farm would be able to produce 346MW of power, which could power up to 160,000 homes. A proposed second stage would have 44 turbines, producing up to 190MW and an annual generation of about 550GWh. That wind farm is expected to have up to eight turbines and would be in the Jericho area in Southland.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:42 UTC
Takeover could lead to instability: Powell
Mercy Hospital. Photo: Gregor RichardsonA private equity takeover of Dunedin’s Mercy Hospital could lead to a period of instability at the top, a health commentator warns. Entrusted to continue the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Hospital’s executive and governance teams provide leadership and expertise. Dr Powell, the former head of the doctors’ union, said a move by private equity investors could lead to instability at the top. 1989: The hospital is renamed Mercy Hospital, aligning with other Mercy hospitals in New Zealand.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:42 UTC
Fast seventh for Ruthe
New Zealand runner Sam Ruthe posted another rapid mile time at the Sound Running Invite in North Carolina yesterday. Ruthe clocked 3min 52.46sec to finish seventh in the elite field. Olympic and world champion Cole Hocker won the race in a US record of 3min 45.94sec. The rising New Zealander encountered the most competitive field of his career but was not far off the pace. Ruthe next races in New Zealand on March 7 at the Track Stars event.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:42 UTC
Ferguson returning home
Black Caps pace-bowler Lockie Ferguson will depart the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to return home on paternity leave. Ferguson’s departure means he will be unavailable for the team's final group D match against Canada tomorrow. — Allied Media
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:42 UTC
ORC to share information on flooding, debris threats
It showed what could happen now and in the future during very heavy rainfall, Dr Payan said. The new mapping identifies areas where debris floods are more likely to occur and assessed the level of risk for people and property." Dr Payan said the fans had helped make the area great for growing produce and were also where some buildings and infrastructure were located. In 2017, debris floods occurred in Pumpstation, Reservoir, Golf Course and Black Jacks Creeks around Roxburgh. Debris floods were a natural part of how alluvial fans evolved, Dr Payan said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC
Bringing blessings
Fan dancers (from left) Saffy Madison-Weatherall, 16, Hannah Hamilton, 16, Hikari Heath, 15, Camille Genobe, 16, and Eleanor Lee, 10. Photos: Gregor RichardsonDragon dancers followed a dragon ball in George St yesterday morning to bring blessings of good fortune for the year, before Chinese New Year celebrations. The dragon ball dancing was accompanied by dragon dancing and lion dancing for what is the Year of the Horse, which officially starts tomorrow. Photo: Gregor RichardsonThe big celebrations are next Saturday, when the Lan Yuan Chinese Garden hosts performances, family activities, food stalls and fireworks. On March 1, a lantern festival will close the New Year events, and will feature lantern workshops, tea ceremonies and dumpling tastings.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC
Client calls premium hike revenue gathering
But when her latest insurance premium came from Tower Insurance she said there was a $200 extra on the bill because she lived in a flood-prone area. Mrs Gillan said she too was very much surprised when her latest house premiums arrived and it had increased by so much. For flood risk ratings and associated premiums, Tower used the Moody’s New Zealand Inland Flood HD model. "Our risk-based pricing approach means premiums reflect individual risks and customers with higher risks are likely seeing premium increases." He said there were things Tower could do to reduce premiums, so people should get in touch to discuss their insurance.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC
Build new before demolishing jetty: board
PHOTO: EVIE SINCLAIRWānaka's ageing lakefront jetty should remain until its replacement is complete, the community board says. Queenstown Lakes District Council staff sought the Wānaka-Upper Clutha community board’s approval to remove the Ardmore St jetty, officially called "Jetty 149 Roys Bay". But the community board voted instead to request that the council maintain the use of the present jetty until the completion of a planned new wharf nearby. The report he presented to the community board said the Ardmore St jetty had reached the "end of its serviceable life". Board chairman Simon Telfer said he was disappointed the report did not acknowledge the "community board pushing hard" for the new jetty.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC
Big crowd turns out to enjoy A&P show
Mary Boyd, of Alexandra (left) holds her 60-year-old unworn jacket, which won third place at the handcraft pavilion at the Central Otago A&P Show in Omakau. PHOTOS: JULIE ASHERIt was a day that delivered everything promised at the Central Otago A&P Show, in Omakau on Saturday. Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley said it was wonderful to have town and country coming together for the show. Hannah Hunt, 13, of Gore, with Lilly’s Leaf Motto, the Central Otago A&P Show’s overall champion beef bull, which she led in the grand parade. He is the sixth generation of his Moa Creek family and was last year’s Central Otago A&P Show scholarship winner.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 15, 2026 15:36 UTC