Warmer weather coming this week
The sun has been starting to make an appearance this week after a historically lousy summer. Photo: Stephen JaquieryIf you thought summer was lousy — don’t despair, there might be some respite over the next few days. The last couple of days have brought sunnier conditions, but not the attendant warm temperatures, but MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said warm weather — for Dunedin, at least — would arrive before the weekend. "There may be some cloud, and there may be a few showers through the weekend as that ridge starts to move on. The news would be cold comfort for some after a historically lousy Dunedin summer, which had only five "warm" days (defined as 4°C or more above average) during the "Meteorological Summer", which runs from December to February.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 03, 2026 15:39 UTC
Thousands sign 'Commissioner for Animals' petition
More than 31,000 New Zealanders want an independent 'Commissioner for Animals' to improve welfare for companion and farmed animals. At present, the Ministry for Primary Industries enforced animal welfare laws - particularly with production animals - and could pursue prosecutions for offenders. Photo: MPI/suppliedIn addition, there was the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) which advised the Agriculture Minister responsible for animal welfare, Andrew Hoggard, and also the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC). Welfare regulation for production animals was being shaped by farming industries that profited from using animals, she said. Photo: SuppliedThe case for an Animals Commissioner was explored in depth by the Animal Law Association in its December report.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 03, 2026 15:19 UTC
Air New Zealand forecast to lose $125m this financial year as costs surge, analyst warns
Air New Zealand last week said costs from engine issues were a drag on near-term earnings. “Air New Zealand is a smaller airline than it was pre-Covid, but its cost base is bigger,” he added. Air New Zealand last week said cost inflation was outpacing the Consumers Price Index, with domestic aviation system costs a major culprit. Dreamliner, 777 refit projected costsAn Air New Zealand Boeing 777 at Victorville in the Mojave Desert during the Covid-19 pandemic. Air New Zealand shares are trading at 55c and are down 12% over the past year.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 03, 2026 15:04 UTC
Deadliest Catch star Todd Meadows, 25, dies while filming new series
Captain Rick Shelford confirmed Meadows' death, praising his work ethic and love for his family. A spokesperson also issued the following statement to the publication:“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Todd Meadows. Filming for the current series has paused and a GoFundMe has been set up for Todd’s wife and children. Todd’s death isn’t the first for the series, whose 21st series aired in August 2025. Other stars who have gone before him, devastating the fishing world, include Nick McGlashan, Nick Mavar, Mahlon Reyes and Blake Painter.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 03, 2026 14:32 UTC
Man jailed for baked bean attack on sister
Photo: Getty ImagesA 60-year-old man "violently" bashed his older sister over the head multiple times with a bag full of baked beans cans after the pair began arguing. "It's all a package deal," Jepson said. But Judge Crayton wasn't convinced. A psychologist's report detailed the repeated victim-blaming and shifting of responsibility, along with head injuries and a diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury. Judge Crayton jailed Newton for two years, three months, and three weeks.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 03, 2026 14:26 UTC
Hamilton drug addicted shoplifter Anne Dickson brandishes knife after stealing socket set, fragrances
Instead, on March 19, she went to Hamilton’s Super Cheap Auto on Mill St, in a vehicle with false plates. She entered the store with another person and was spotted by staff removing the packaging from car seat covers. They were approached by staff, and had the seat covers and a tyre iron taken off them and asked to leave. Then, nearly three hours later, Dickson and a co-defendant went to the Chemist Warehouse and stole fragrances before she pulled out the knife again. Dickson also targeted a retail outlet and stole items which could then be used to trade for money or drugs.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 03, 2026 14:04 UTC
Tankers stranded and damaged in Middle East
Insurance companies are cancelling war risk coverage for vessels in the Middle East Gulf as the widening Iran conflict disrupts shipping, leaving tankers damaged or stranded and at least two people dead. One tanker in the region was ablaze on Monday, at least four others were damaged and about 150 ships were stranded. On Sunday there was an attack on a Palau-flagged oil tanker called Skylight. The US-flagged product tanker Stena Imperative was damaged by "aerial impacts" while berthed in the Middle East Gulf, the vessel's owner Stena Bulk and its US manager Crowley said in a statement on Monday. Photo: ReutersAs a result of the incidents, marine insurers are cancelling war risk coverage for vessels, and oil shipping rates are set to surge further.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 03, 2026 13:53 UTC
Judge warns Anaru Yardley jail doors will ‘keep swinging’ without change after New Plymouth stabbing
The victim told Yardley that he was not welcome and asked him to leave. Then, without warning, Yardley produced a knife and thrust it at the victim, stabbing him in the shoulder. ‘You could have been up on a murder charge’Speaking directly to Yardley, Judge Turitea Bolstad asked if he was fed up with being in and out of prison. She accepted that in the recent attack, Yardley had acted impulsively and no premeditation was involved. The victim’s injuries were not of a serious nature and the attack did not involve extreme violence, the judge found.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 03, 2026 13:34 UTC
Copper comes a cropper in fender bender
An unmarked Dunedin police car did not have to go very far to get to the scene of a crash in Dunedin this afternoon. The police vehicle was involved in a fender bender with another car at the intersection of Queens Gardens and Crawford St. Emergency services responded to the scene at about 12pm. Emergency services at the scene of the crash. Photo: Craig BaxterThe crash blocked Crawford St for some time and no injuries were reported, a police spokeswoman said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 03, 2026 13:10 UTC
Wellington economy struggles as rest of country starts to bounce back, figures show
But the employment figures are worse, with warnings the labour market shows “no sign of picking up”. Brunsdon warned while signs of the long promised green shoots are starting to emerge, Wellington’s economy is not expected to bounce back quickly. “We would expect it’s going to take a few quarters for that to flow through,” he said of the employment and business figures. Last year’s four quarters measured together have the Wellington economy contracting by 0.4% last year, the new figures show. It comes off the back of Stats NZ data showing there are nearly 10,000 fewer jobs in Wellington than at the last general election.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 03, 2026 13:02 UTC
Second young offender bootcamp pilot to begin as proposed law delayed
The Government's military-style bootcamp pilot is nearing an end and Oranga Tamariki executives are defending not releasing the level of re-offending. Video / Mark MitchellOranga Tamariki is about to begin another bootcamp pilot, also known as a military-style academy, with legislation intended to establish ongoing bootcamps yet to reach Parliament. The Government, informed by National and Act Party 2023 election policy, initiated a 12-month bootcamp in 2024 with the intention to rehabilitate recidivist young offenders. Six of the 10 participants reoffended while in the programme. It had been expected new legislation, which created a young serious offender category empowering judges to recommend a bootcamp programme for an offending youth, would be passed to enable a permanent bootcamp programme instead of a second pilot.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 03, 2026 12:23 UTC
New Zealand needs regime change
While New Zealand no longer imports crude oil directly from the Middle East, a surge in the global oil prices would still push the price of fuel and inflation higher. The instability in world sharemarkets now underway is caused by the United States attacking Iran. The United States attacks on Iran are likely to be an economic disaster for New Zealand, in both its public finances and in household budgets. A Prime Minister who cannot understand the economic consequences of this Middle Eastern war on New Zealand is a leader acting against the interests of New Zealand. New Zealand needs regime change.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 03, 2026 11:42 UTC
Hotel rooms during affair paid for by Police
The allegations arose from an affair between McSkimming and a woman who was a non-sworn police employee at the time. "On those occasions, his executive assistant would book accommodation at a Wellington hotel, paid for by Police. There was now an updated sensitive expenditure policy, which sets out the principles to be applied when spending taxpayers' money. This showed a disregard for taxpayers' money and Police expenditure policy. "I intend to write to Mr McSkimming seeking reimbursement of the costs of these hotel stays."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 03, 2026 11:40 UTC
The best moments from SAG’s 2026 Actor Awards
Sunday night was the 32nd Screen Actors Guild Awards, but the first one under its new name, “the Actor Awards.” Before the ceremony, there were two looming questions: Would Timothée Chalamet propose to Kylie Jenner? The other big winner of the night was “The Studio.” The cast won for best ensemble in a comedy series, Seth Rogen for best actor in a comedy series and Catherine O’Hara for best supporting actress in a comedy series. It’s partly why SAG said it decided to change the name to the Actor Awards. Moments such as these hinted at the power that this awards show could have if it leaned into the looseness. Instead, the Actor Awards emphasized the “started from the bottom, now we’re here” vibes.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 03, 2026 11:35 UTC
Cat Honey reunited with Hamilton family after five years missing
Honey went missing for five years after running off in a Christchurch park. While waiting to pick up the car, the family went to Warren Park and decided to let Honey out of her cage to get some fresh air. “I already felt like really isolated.”Honey was reunited with her family five years after going missing. It had been five years, it was truly a miracle.”Diane Walters and her daughter, Anahera Crawford the day they got Honey back. In their years away from Honey, the family kept a picture of her hung on the wall and even tried getting a dog, “but nothing could compare to our cat”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 03, 2026 11:35 UTC