Dangerous driver Kevin Bishell, who caused fatal crash, sentenced for driving 190km/h, drugs
On that morning, the ute Bishell was driving ploughed into the teen’s vehicle head-on, leaving her dead at the scene. Keightley-Trigg’s mother, Suzie Keightley, told NZME after Bishell’s sentencing last week that their family hoped no other innocent life would be lost to Bishell’s “dangerous pattern”. Bishell told NZME he accepted responsibility for what happened and spoke of being a drug addict, and how he was working towards becoming clean. Kevin Bishell's life of crime has seen him involved in two deaths. He was also disqualified from driving for one year and an order was made for the destruction of the drugs and utensils.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 16, 2026 21:45 UTC
Miramar refugee homicide: Police urge family and friends of Abdulhassan Nabizadah killers to come forward
Police then arrived at the Darlington Rd property and arrested a 28-year-old man for aggravated burglary. The investigation team previously identified a connection between Nabizadah’s death and the Darlington Rd burglary. A cell phone left behind at the Darlington Rd property by the offender was allegedly used to lure Nabizadah to Camperdown Rd, where the assault took place. John Nabizadah was the first person to see his father in the intensive care unit at Wellington Hospital. People with information are asked to use the reference number 250317/6324, or reference Operation Celtic.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 16, 2026 21:38 UTC
Breakfast briefing: Markets discount war risks
Markets have priced in a two-thirds chance of a +25 bps rate rise. Their 1-5 curve is flatter at +19 bps (+4 bps) and the 3 mth-10yr curve is now at +53 bps (-5 bps). The Australian 10 year bond yield starts today at 4.96%, up +1 bp from yesterday. And the NZ Government 10 year bond rate starts today up a sharp +8 bps at 4.77%. That all means our TWI-5 starts today up +60 bps at just under 62.2.
Source:Stuff
March 16, 2026 20:13 UTC
Israel continues to push into southern Lebanon
The extended operation began days after Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had been ordered to expand its campaign. "Hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite residents of southern Lebanon who have evacuated or are evacuating their homes in southern Lebanon and Beirut will not return to areas south of the Litani line until the safety of northern residents is ensured," he said in a statement. Israeli troops battled Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon throughout the day on Monday, and advanced towards Bint Jbeil, a Lebanese village and Hezbollah stronghold located about 4 km from the border with Israel, the sources said. Under the November 2024 ceasefire, Hezbollah was to pull back from southern Lebanon as the Lebanese military took over. Israel said Lebanon never upheld its part of the deal, continuing near-daily air strikes against what it said were Hezbollah positions and weapons.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 20:06 UTC
Van, driver winched to safety after 'teetering' over 15m bank
Emergency services use a winch to hoist a van up from over the edge of a steep bank near Unity Park yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHA Dunedin driver found inside a van "teetering" over the edge of a steep bank was reluctant to take their foot off the brake for fear of it toppling over. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said a van had accidentally driven about halfway over a small bank and was "teetering" and "tilting" over the edge. While not injured nor trapped, the driver did not want to exit the vehicle, the spokeswoman said. A passing motorist, who declined to be named, said the driver was lucky he and the van did not slide down the steep bank.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 19:48 UTC
Cuba's national grid collapses amid US oil blockade
People are relying on other forms of transport in Cuba as US-imposed oil blockade cripples the country. Photo: ReutersCuba's national electric grid collapsed on Monday, the country's grid operator said, leaving around 10 million people without power amid a US-imposed oil blockade that has crippled the island's already obsolete generation system. US President Donald Trump cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened to slap tariffs on any country that sells oil to Cuba, strangling the Caribbean island's already antiquated grid. Venezuela, once Cuba's main oil supplier, has sent no fuel to the island this year. No large imports have entered this year through Cuba's main hubs of Matanzas or Moa, which typically handle crude for refining and fuel oil for power generation, according to satellite images analyzed by TankerTrackers.com.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 19:44 UTC
Sex trial halted after jury questions underwear, sexual history
File photo: NZMEWhat began as a routine trial quickly veered off course as jurors appeared to fixate on the complainant, her underwear choice and her sexual history. Within hours, their questions seemingly exposed outdated misconceptions about women and sex, forcing the judge to abandon the trial altogether. Two hours later, the jury submitted three further questions that brought the trial to a sudden halt. Crown lawyer Jeremy Cameron applied for a mistrial, submitting the questions indicated the jury was engaging in impermissible reasoning. You are discharged.”A new trial began the following week, where a new jury found the defendant guilty of sexual violation.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 19:30 UTC
'Bandaid': Govt announces winter health funding boost
Photo: RNZThe government has announced that hospitals will get hundreds more staff and extra beds as the health system prepares for winter pressure. Health Minister Simeon Brown said Health New Zealand would invest an extra $25 million to boost hospital capacity and staffing across the country ahead of the colder months. The funding would provide up to 378 additional full-time staff across nursing, medical, allied health and support roles and 71 extra winter hospital beds. Brown said emergency department visits continued to rise as the population grows and ages, putting increasing pressure on hospitals during winter. "While hospitals undertake seasonal planning each year as part of normal operations, winter demand still places significant pressure on services and frontline staff.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 19:30 UTC
Inside Sir Peter Beck and Rocket Lab’s sub-$17 million mission to find life above Venus
Rocket Lab founder and boss Sir Peter Beck has spoken of the likely cost and logistics of the Venus Life Finder mission. Photo / SuppliedOnce above Venus’ clouds, time will be of the essence for the probe that will be deployed during the Rocket Lab mission. But Beck said the timeline was delayed while the company got its next-generation Neutron rocket fully operational – a milestone expected later this year. “Although Nasa’s missions are more advanced, Rocket Lab’s Venus mission could strengthen support for low-cost space missions designed to answer specific science questions,” it said. US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (left) with Rocket Lab founder Sir Peter Beck.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 16, 2026 19:03 UTC
Sexual violation trial halted after jury pursues woman’s sexual history and underwear queries
A pre-trial ruling was made that the complainant was not to be cross-examined on her sexual experiences or perceived sexual interest in others. Two hours later, the jury submitted three further questions that brought the trial to a sudden halt. Crown lawyer Jeremy Cameron applied for a mistrial, submitting the questions indicated the jury was engaging in impermissible reasoning. Judge Hastings agreed the jury was “entrenched” in misconceptions that could not be corrected with a simple reminder. You are discharged.”A new trial began the following week, where a new jury found the defendant guilty of sexual violation.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 16, 2026 19:03 UTC
Report shows 'extreme risk' in rapid changes to Health NZ
Health NZ told RNZ on Monday it was working to address the workforce gaps and capability issues identified. 'As quickly as possible'The government two years ago castigated Health NZ for loose financial controls, sacked its board and under a reset the new commissioner Lester Levy embarked on a $2 billion savings plan. Health NZ Te Whatu Ora subsumed all 20 of the old district health boards - DHBs - almost four years ago. Health system commentator Ian Powell had long called for devolution but said that required the right capabilities. Photo: SuppliedBrown in his letter of expectations to the board chair late last year said it was "clear to me that Health NZ is too centralised".
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 18:23 UTC
Iran conflict hits plastic supply chains as NZ manufacturers face 20-30% price spike
Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the Government is mindful of supply chain issues as the Middle East conflict rumbles on. Bennett said Bonson was fortunate that one of its central materials is exported out of Australia and the supplier has indicated there are no issues with supply. Bennett said his business started preparing early after there started to be “whispers” of supply issues, noting that most of the stock the company secured early was probably not available now. A Fletcher Building spokesperson said the business was monitoring the situation and is regularly assessing potential impacts on its supply chain. Should there be significant disruptions, we will take steps to ensure continuity of supply for our customers,” the spokesperson said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 16, 2026 17:22 UTC
Little claims seventh super truck success
Alex Little leads the pack on his way to victory in the New Zealand Super Truck Championship at Teretonga at the weekend. PHOTO: DAVE LOUDON PHOTOGRAPHYLower Hutt driver Alex Little always enjoys a trip to Invercargill. Little continued his long run of success at Teretonga when he piloted his Freightliner Century to win the Mobil Delvac 1 Trophy for the seventh time at the weekend. He claimed overall victory across three races in the New Zealand Super Truck Championship, accumulating 55 points to head off Auckland drivers Troy Etting and Ron Salter. Little, Etting and Salter each won a race at the Teretonga round.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 17:03 UTC
Whingeing about the stadium again solves nothing
A lot has changed since the days of protest against the stadium, when vitriol was thrown about by both sides of the argument for building a new stadium. We got acts that filled the house who would never have come if there was a venue available in Christchurch. With the completion of their new stadium Dunedin’s brief reign as a South Island concert centre is well and truly over. There are other events that the stadium has proved to be an excellent venue for, the craft beer festival being a case in point. We have a stadium the envy of many cities of our size and larger.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 17:03 UTC
Call for help to get project over the line
Holy Family Villa fundraising committee chairman Malcolm Farry outside the new $8million accommodation units, next to the Sacred Heart Home and Hospital in Brockville. Now they are asking the community they have served for more than 120 years to help them complete the transformational housing project. If we can help those most in need live with dignity and security, then we must try. ‘‘I hope this project inspires others to give in whatever way they can, whether that is big or small. Residents can enjoy independence and privacy, while remaining connected to a caring community and having access to Sacred Heart Home’s facilities, gardens and support network close by.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 17:02 UTC