Stadium needs significant upgrade: DVML
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYCouncillors will be asked to back a significant investment in Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium so it can stage a wider range of events. Forsyth Barr Stadium has already been the recipient of a major cash injection this year. "This provides us with the opportunity to make Forsyth Barr Stadium a much more intimate experience." The proposal was revealed in a council report that said, following engagement with promoters and event owners, both DVML and Dunedin Stadium Property Ltd were exploring ways "to make the stadium more attractive to hirers". "This includes exploring ways to adjust the capacity of the stadium for different events," the report said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:41 UTC
Large Otago contingent
A swag of Otago athletes have been named in the the largest New Zealand team to compete at the Oceania championships. Paralympic shot putter Holly Robinson headlines the crew and is joined by Taieri clubmates Felix McDonald (long jump), Zharna Beattie (discus), Josh Chisholm (para shot put) and William Evans (javelin). Aspiring runners Hayato Yoneto (100m) and Phoebe Laker (200m 400m), Hill-City University runners Sadye Kawau (100m) and Alex Walker (400m), and Ariki long jumper Shay Veitch round out the Otago contingent. Dunedin coach Raylene Bates will also serve as the para team manager. The 157-strong team, which includes senior, under-18 and para athletes, will compete in Darwin on May 18-23.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:41 UTC
By-election candidate triggered bomb scare
Photo: suppliedA man whose actions triggered a bomb scare at a council is standing in the Dunedin City Council by-election. This involved him slipping an empty red suitcase into the Whakatāne District Council headquarters foyer and walking away, leaving it unattended. Dickson told the Whakatāne District Court he had not expected the police to get involved and the possibility of triggering a bomb scare had never entered his mind. The Otago Daily Times has been told Dickson, 72, is to be sentenced on April 15, which is five days after voting opens in the by-election. He has previously stood for the Otago Regional Council, Southern District Health Board and in a Port Otago electorate by-election.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:36 UTC
Pretty in green
Photo: ReutersPrincess Catherine, Princess of Wales, presents a shamrock to Irish wolfhound Turlough Mor, also known as Seamus, the 17th Regimental Mascot of the Irish Guards, during the St Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks, in Aldershot, as the western hemisphere celebrated the Christian and cultural holiday yesterday. Photo: ReutersNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani greets people during the city’s 265th St Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo: ReutersA man holds a child dressed in colours of the Ireland flag during the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin. Photo: ReutersA St Patrick impersonator takes part in the Dublin parade.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 15:32 UTC
Drug dealer loses prized pinball machines
Kim Michael Dozier had a collection of pinball machines, quantities of drugs and cash at his Christchurch home when police arrived. In his garage, police also found his collection of arcade pinball machines, collectively worth between $150,000 and $172,000. In a recently released decision, Justice Jonathan Eaton ordered the restraint of the pinball machines under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act. Justice Eaton was satisfied that both the cash seized during the search and the pinball machines were tainted property and that Dozier had unlawfully benefited from significant criminal activity. Justice Eaton directed the order be served on third parties who may be intended parties by virtue of a sale of a particular pinball machine.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 14:12 UTC
Ukraine rail gives actor Sean Penn an ‘Oscar’ made from train carriage hit by Russia
Sean Penn skipped the Oscars to visit Ukraine and received a symbolic statue made from damaged metal. Photo / Ukrainian railway company Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ), AFPUS actor Sean Penn, who skipped Sunday’s Oscars ceremony to visit Ukraine, has been gifted a symbolic version of the famous statuette made from the damaged metal of a train carriage hit in a Russian strike. Penn, a staunch backer of Kyiv, scooped the best supporting actor award at the glitzy Hollywood ceremony for his role in dystopian dramedy One Battle After Another but chose to visit Ukraine instead of receiving the award in person. Penn is a vocal advocate for Ukraine and has visited the country several times since Russia invaded, including to co-direct a documentary about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he calls a friend. “Sean Penn came to Ukraine and missed the Academy Awards – so Ukrainian railway gave him one of his own,” Ukrainian railways [Ukrzaliznytsia] said on X.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 14:04 UTC
Radio firm's shares tumble after shock jock axed
ARN suspended Kyle Sandilands earlier this month after he berated co-host Jackie "O" Henderson on-air nearly two weeks earlier. Photo: Getty ImagesAn Australian radio giant's value has slid further after it axed a top-rating show and set up a likely lengthy legal battle with shock jock Kyle Sandilands. The colourful host vowed to sue ARN today after it tore up his $A100 million ($NZ121 million) contract and axed the long-running Kyle and Jackie O Show. ARN announced Sandilands' contract termination this morning in a statement to the ASX. The Sydney ratings darlings are in the second year of a decade-long, $A200 million contract which coincided with a poorly received entry into the Melbourne radio market.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 13:53 UTC
Debate continues about the future of domestic cricket, Black Caps stars call for resolution
The players are demanding a revolution. The NZ Herald's Alex Powell wrote an article which included comments from Black Caps mainstays Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra stating that NZ20 is what they are wanting and that they want that resolution quickly. Alex joined Elliott to discuss what is currently going on and what he knows as we wait for the answer of what is going to happen to domestic cricket in New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 13:42 UTC
Christchurch writer 'stunned' after Meghan Markle shoutout
Photo: SuppliedA book of poems about motherhood has been dog-eared and shared by Meghan Markle on her social media. They Bloom Because of You was published two weeks ago by Christchurch-based mother of three, Jessica Urlichs. "I was just completely stunned, I didn't believe that it would be real," Urlichs told RNZ. When Urlichs posted her "shock" at the "huge moment" Markle replied with the message: "My mom friend, Christina, shared it with me. Overseas interest in the book has spiked since Markle, who lives in California with husband Prince Harry and their two children, posted about it.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 13:27 UTC
BNZ joins fixed rate hikes, outflanking Westpac on key terms
Interest.co.nz notes that BNZ’s one‑year rate is now matching Kiwibank and sits below Westpac’s recently increased one‑year offer, giving BNZ a competitive edge at that term. Its 18‑month rate also remains “at a very competitive level among the major banks”, while the two‑year rate, although higher, is still around 30 basis points below Westpac’s new two‑year level and in line with ANZ and Kiwibank. Wholesale funding costs drive latest round of risesBNZ did not provide commentary alongside its rate announcement, but the timing closely mirrors Westpac’s explanation that longer‑dated funding has become more expensive. Sarah Hearn, Westpac NZ’s managing director of product, sustainability and marketing, said this week that longer‑term wholesale rates “have increased significantly in recent weeks, driving up funding costs for lenders”. Those shifts come despite the Reserve Bank holding the official cash rate at 2.25% at its February meeting.
Source:Stuff
March 18, 2026 13:10 UTC
Crime group of alleged US hitman accused of bribing prison officers
Photo: SuppliedPolice allege an organised crime group they've linked to the killing of a New Zealand man corrupted prison officers and bail officials. One of the defendants, a 35-year-old Auckland man, is accused of being one of the senior members with direct reporting back to a more senior member in the US. Police allege this included corrupting prison officers and bail address managers "to facilitate the movement of the syndicate's property". They claim the group rented Airbnbs at multiple addresses throughout Auckland to assist them in their activities. In June 2025, the American syndicate members were arrested.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 12:32 UTC
Lotto Powerball: $17 million up for grabs in latest jackpot draw
Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Lotto Powerball: $17 million up for grabs in latest jackpot drawKiwis have a chance to become the country’s latest Lotto multi-millionaire with this evening’s $17 million Powerball draw. The Bonus Ball is 23 and the Powerball is 6. Tonight’s combined prize pool is $18.4m – $17m in First Division Powerball, $1m in First Division and $400,000 in Strike Four. Last Saturday’s $15m First Division Powerball jackpot was not struck; however, five players split the $1m First Division prize, snagging $200,000 each.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 11:55 UTC
Big promoters accused of holding govt to ransom
Photo: Getty ImagesThere are allegations of corporate concert welfare and promoters holding the government to ransom over funding for big events while home grown talent is left out. The government has announced it will be using the Major Events and Tourism fund to help fund British pop star Robbie Williams' tour to New Zealand. The $70 million fund is aimed at stimulating economic activity around entertainment events, and $40 million of that money is to secure large-scale international events. It has also contributed undisclosed amounts to other gigs including Linkin Park and Wellington's Ultra music festival - that includes major international DJs. Photo: James MinchinSplore Festival producer Fred Kublikowski applied for event funding through the Major Events and Tourism Fund, but was denied.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 11:53 UTC
Grounded: Westport set to lose only air service
Photo: SuppliedWestport will lose its only air service in May unless the government rescues it. Originair today confirmed it could no longer sustain the losses on the Westport to Wellington route, fewer than 18 months after taking over. He was disappointed the government spent substantial sums developing cycling and walking tracks to try and attract tourism, but did not do likewise for regional air services. Originair had applied to the government's Kanoa Regional Investment Fund for support under the Regional Airline Support Package. Sounds Air had replaced Air New Zealand nine years earlier, but found the route was not viable.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 11:26 UTC
Cops want to hear about copper crime
Photo: Getty ImagesAs the value of scrap copper goes up, so are reports of the metal being stolen, and police want help to catch the thieves. Field Intelligence Officer Constable Craig Colyer said these have included copper cylinders, copper wire being burnt off and stripped, and copper being taken from buildings and power companies. "Police are asking anyone with information about copper crimes, or of scrap copper that may come from suspicious origins, to contact police immediately." Police were asking residents to be vigilant around their properties and to secure any items that may include copper. People could also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 11:19 UTC