Veges, hard work key: centenarian
Mataura woman Elma MacRae still loves to get out in her garden with a fork, despite celebrating her 100th birthday recently. PHOTO: RICHARD DAVISONHard work, homegrown veges and a little woolly magic are the recipe for longevity for a freshly-minted Mataura centenarian. Born and bred in Mataura, Mrs MacRae put her longevity down to a time-honoured formula. "There’s something about being outside and good, honest hard work that I enjoy, and there’s nothing to beat the taste of your own, homegrown produce." I have a special wool for socks, and so often I’ll give the young ones socks for gifts.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 11:00 UTC
Renton to make long-awaited comeback for Highlanders
Hugh Renton will make his comeback after a long injury layoff. Photo: Peter McIntoshThe Highlanders have a Hugh-ge addition to their team this week. Star No 8 and co-captain Hugh Renton will make his long-awaited comeback from injury when he starts against the Hurricanes at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday night. Renton played just seven games for the Highlanders across the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to ankle and groin injuries, and his last Super Rugby appearance was against the Chiefs in Hamilton on April 19 last year. Canterbury first five/fullback Andrew Knewstubb makes his first appearance on the bench and will make his Super Rugby debut at the age of 30 after a long career in sevens.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 10:09 UTC
Chris Hipkins and Jade Paul: How the personal became public and political
Sunday♦ Jade Paul makes claims about her relationship with ex-husband Chris Hipkins on her private Facebook page. ♦ Hipkins calls a media conference for 4.45pm on Parliament’s familiar black and white tiles. “You won’t find them anywhere on social media, you won’t find me talking about them, beyond generic references to being a parent, anywhere in public. Hipkins goes on to say that he denies the claims Paul has made. He chokes up as he says, “My kids are with her, so I don’t know.”The media conference is over in five minutes.
Source:Stuff
March 18, 2026 09:14 UTC
Breakfast briefing: Middle East attrition going nowhere
Their 1-5 curve is flatter at +15 bps (-4 bps) and the 3 mth-10yr curve is now at +50 bps (-3 bps). The Australian 10 year bond yield starts today at 4.90%, down -6 bps from yesterday. And the NZ Government 10 year bond rate starts today also down -6 bps at 4.71%. That all means our TWI-5 starts today little-changed at just on 62.2. The bitcoin price starts today at US$74,160 and up +0.5% from this time yesterday.
Source:Stuff
March 18, 2026 08:34 UTC
US judge questions Trump aides’ ‘brazen’ claims on White House ballroom
“This is an iconic symbol of this nation.” The judge added that Trump was a “steward” of the White House, not its owner. “It does not benefit the [National] Trust, it does not benefit the public, to have this [White House] site dormant,” Roth said. Judge Leon has been sceptical of the Administration’s arguments in hearings, saying that past White House renovation projects are not comparable to Trump’s expansive ballroom. The White House subsequently submitted plans to the Commission of Fine Arts, a federal review panel that advises on major design projects. Judge Leon, an appointee of President George W. Bush, echoed that criticism in a January hearing and again on Tuesday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 06:25 UTC
NZ firm Core Aviation to represent Texas-based Bell helicopters of Airwolf and police Eagle fame
A Bell 505, typically used for business travel, military training, policing or as a utility helicopter. NZ firm Core Aviation to represent Texas-based Bell helicopters of Airwolf and police Eagle fameA Bell 505, typically used for business travel, military training, policing or as a utility helicopter. Auckland aviation company Core Aviation says a new deal with Texas-based Bell Textron should boost competition in the local helicopter market. Core Aviation says usually eight to 10 new helicopters are sold each year in New Zealand for tourism, emergency services, agriculture, and to private owners. Now it says Bell wants to expand and has made Core Aviation its representative.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 18, 2026 05:56 UTC
Apology but no idea where frozen embryos are
Photo: Melanie OldsAn Auckland fertility clinic has apologised after frozen embryos went missing and it still does not know what happened to them. In a letter today, Fertility Associates chief medical officer Dr Andrew Murray said a review was sparked after frozen embryos belonging to an Auckland patient went missing in 2025. "We understand the anxiety and concern a missing embryo would create. But all frozen embryos in Auckland would now be stored in a new, larger, dedicated area in a building in Greenlane, and the company would be "enhancing senior laboratory oversight and reinforcing training, quality assurance, and internal reporting mechanisms". The letter did not address whether the missing embryos had been located, but in response to further questions by RNZ, Murray confirmed that despite the investigation, the clinic had been unable to locate the patient's embryos or confirm how they went missing.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 18, 2026 04:42 UTC
Shop worker calls cops on customer smelling of booze
Photo: ODT FilesA woman who ‘‘smelt of alcohol’’ was caught driving over the legal limit after being spotted by a Dunedin shop worker, police say. Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said police were called to the South Dunedin area about 11am yesterday. She was forbidden to drive for 12 hours and issued an infringement notice for excess breath alcohol, Sgt Lee said. A vehicle being driven by a 30-year-old man was travelling north when he ‘‘missed his intended exit’’, Sgt Lee said. One lane was blocked for some time until both vehicles could be towed from the scene, Sgt Lee said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 23:06 UTC
Kiwi in Dubai: 'It's absolutely not business as usual'
Smoke rises from an area near the Dubai International Airport after a drone attack hit a fuel tank, according to authorities. Photo: Reuters/StringerA New Zealand citizen living in Dubai has described constant missile activity, shortages and a lack of clear information. It's absolutely not business as usual," they said. The New Zealander described waking to "waves of bombs" and ongoing air defence activity in residential areas. "We encourage you to monitor local media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:59 UTC
Wattie's plan to quit frozen vegetables 'kick in the guts'
Photo: Nathan McKinnon / RNZWattie's New Zealand's proposal to stop producing frozen vegetables is expected to impact the country's already-hurting vegetable growers and seed producers. A well-known packet of Wattie's frozen mixed vegetables of peas, carrots and corn for example, perhaps no more under new proposals. Heinz Wattie's previously said the decision was not taken lightly, but was a necessary step to position the company for the future. Clark said the decision was "probably a kick in the guts" for growers after such a tough season marred by wet weather, causing root disease. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Kate Scott said growers supplying Wattie's now faced a great deal of uncertainty.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:46 UTC
Porch sleeper prompts plea from police
Flats on Forth St and Harbour Tce. Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said police were called to an address in Forth St, North Dunedin, just after midnight yesterday. The occupants of the address discovered an unknown man sleeping on a couch in their front porch. Police found the 46-year-old man still sleeping on the couch when they arrived, Sgt Lee said. Sgt Lee said it was important for students to lock their flats.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:23 UTC
Student's drug stash found as cops overhear call to lost phone
Ther phone was handed in to police during St Patrick's Day festivities. Photo: Stephen JaquieryAn out-of-town student unwittingly dobbed himself in when his phone containing hidden drugs was handed to Dunedin police during St Patrick’s Day partying. A friend of the phone’s owner later called the phone and made arrangements with police for its return. However, the friend ‘‘failed to hang up the phone’’, Sgt Lee said. ‘‘He eventually came to police to collect his phone and received a formal warning.’’The ketamine was seized and destroyed, Sgt Lee said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:18 UTC
Robbie Williams to play new Christchurch stadium
Robbie Williams on stage at the The BRIT Awards in Manchester last month. Photo: Getty ImagesGlobal popstar Robbie Williams will play at Christchurch's new stadium later this year. Williams will be one of the first international acts at the One New Zealand Stadium when he brings his BRITPOP World Tour to the city on 28 November - the singer's first concert in Christchurch in 25 years. The government said Williams was bringing his BRITPOP World Tour to Aotearoa with the support of its $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package. In 2023, Netflix released a four-part documentary series, Robbie Williams, and in 2024 his Oscar-nominated film, Better Man, was released globally to critical acclaim.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:16 UTC
Grads pay tribute to late classmate
The late Jock Davies’ family, (from left) brother Tom, mother Sarah, father Peter and brother George with Jock’s Otago Polytechnic bachelor of applied science degree, presented at a pre-graduation ceremony at the Sargood Centre on Friday. Photo: Gerard O'BrienWearing sandals, jandals or gumboots with a suit and tie or a formal dress may not seem appropriate footwear for an Otago Polytechnic graduation. But many graduands and staff wore the "unusual fashion" accessories on Friday as a tribute to their fellow student, the late Jock Davies, who was tragically killed in a hunting accident on Stewart Island in July last year. Many attending the posthumous presentation of Jock Davies’ Otago Polytechnic bachelor of applied science degree on Friday, wore sandals, jandals and gumboots as a tribute to the much loved student. The late Jock Davies, 21, who was tragically killed in a hunting accident on Stewart Island in July.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:03 UTC