One dead in Lindis Pass crash
A serious two-vehicle crash on the Lindis Pass has left one person dead and three others injured. A police spokeswoman said the incident happened between Old Faithful Rd and Omarama, near the Lindis Pass scenic lookout, about 12.20pm yesterday. She said three others were injured in the crash. The police spokeswoman said the crash blocked the road and the pass was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination. Inquiries intro the crash were ongoing.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 00:38 UTC
IRD warning to employers not passing on PAYE tax
The department has issued a "revenue alert" over the failure of some employers to pass on PAYE deductions. Employers must pay PAYE, as well as any other deductions from employees' salaries, by the due dates. Robyn Walker, tax partner at Deloitte, said it was a timely reminder that not paying PAYE was a really bad thing to do and the consequences could be serious. This is conceptually different to if a business is having trouble paying its own company tax bill, because it is other people's money. "Rightly or wrongly, during the Covid years there was more leniency applied to PAYE payments, and so some employers may have begun taking a more casual approach to paying PAYE.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 16, 2026 00:38 UTC
Breakfast briefing: A week of global central bank updates
And there will be key releases from the US for PPI and industrial production, the Eurozone trade balance, and the Canadian inflation rate. The Australian 10 year bond yield starts today at 4.95%, down -4 bps from Saturday, up +6 bps for the week. The price of gold will start today down another -US$40 from Saturday at US$5018/oz, down -US$138 from a week ago. Silver is down -50 USc at US$80.50/oz to start today, down -US$3 from a week ago. The bitcoin price starts today at US$71,356 and down -0.9% from this time Saturday, although up more than +5% from a week ago.
Source:Stuff
March 16, 2026 00:23 UTC
Prince of Wales shares unseen Diana photograph for Mother’s Day
The Prince of Wales has shared a previously unseen photograph of his mother holding his hand in the garden at Highgrove, saying he remembers her on Mother’s Day and “every day”. The Prince, who now has three children of his own, posted on social media an image of Diana, Princess of Wales, as a young mother, taken from the private family collection, to mark the annual day. In a personal note signed “W” for William, the Kensington Palace shorthand taken to mean he wrote the message himself, the Prince said: “Remembering my mother, today and every day. W”It shows the two-year-old Prince in a striped T-shirt and red shorts with a blond mop of hair, holding his mother by the fingers. The Royal social media accounts also shared photographs of family matriarchs who are no longer with us: Queen Elizabeth II; Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother; and Rosalind Shand, the mother of Queen Camilla.
Source:Stuff
March 15, 2026 23:22 UTC
Looking with fresh eyes: This new retinol-powered eye cream is rewriting the rules
A game-changing new release from Elizabeth Arden is proving that rules are made to be broken. And in major news for those of us struggling with puffiness, crow’s feet and fine lines, this one is for us: The new Elizabeth Arden Rapid Skin Renewing Eye Cream (RRP $135). This new release works in synergy with the other products in the Elizabeth Arden Retinol + HPR collection – the Elizabeth Arden Rapid Skin Renewing Capsules and Elizabeth Arden Rapid Skin Renewing Water Cream – to deliver transformation rather than irritation. The Rapid Skin Renewing Eye Cream brings that same wrinkle-softening prowess to the delicate eye area in a gentler formula, designed to brighten, smooth and de-puff. The new release is the final piece of the puzzle in the Retinol + HPR Ceramide Collection, of which I’m a long-time fan.
Source:Stuff
March 15, 2026 23:14 UTC
Formula 1: Is there an English media bias against Liam Lawson? – Alex Powell
Liam Lawson prepares for the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. Photo / Red BullDid Red Bull get it wrong? In Shanghai, Hadjar found himself in unnecessary contact with Kimi Antonelli in the sprint, and Ollie Bearman in the grand prix. Red Bull have no wingsIn pre-season, Red Bull and Racing Bulls’ new Ford power units looked to be immediately up to standard in their maiden campaign. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has yet to even start a grand prix race thanks to his problems in and out of the cockpit.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 23:03 UTC
Police officer stole $68k after helping vulnerable pensioner
A police officer tasked with helping a vulnerable pensioner who had $14,000 stolen from her bank cards went on to steal a further $68,000 from her. Victim told to contact policeIn July last year, the then-officer was stationed in a small Waikato town as its community liaison officer. The officer went to the woman’s house eight more times, and, without her knowledge, used her mobile phone to access her online banking. On October 20, the victim went to her bank in a distressed state, advising that a substantial sum had gone from her account. The next day, the officer went to the victim’s house twice.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 22:40 UTC
Hall wins silver in slalom
Otago skier Adam Hall has finished second in the slalom on the final day of the Winter Paralympics in Italy. The 38-year-old improved from fourth after the first run to the silver medal position thanks to an impressive second run that produced a combined time of 1min 31.38sec. It is Hall's sixth Olympic medal from six games taking him level Patrick Cooper as the most decorated New Zealand Winter Paralympian. Dunedin Paralympian Adam Hall with his slalom silver medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics. Photo: Getty ImagesHall has now claimed four Paralympic medals in the Men's Slalom Standing (two gold, one silver, one bronze).
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 22:10 UTC
Who could replace Christopher Luxon as Prime Minister and National Party leader? – Audrey Young
In the interim, Luxon must say he will lead the party into the November 7 election – because to do otherwise would appear defeatist. The pair of them together could have a chance to lead the party in the future, but not this year. He is already playing a leadership role in the party, as Leader of the House and the election chair. Whether or not National wins or loses the election, she has a chance to become its leader next term. The hesitancy about elevating her is whether she has what it takes to be more than just a competent minister, but a competent Prime Minister.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 22:01 UTC
Man 'spat in the face' of officer during George St arrest
"During the arrest process, the male spat in the face of the arresting officer," Acting Snr Sgt Notman said. None of the windows were ultimately smashed, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said. Earlier in the day, about 5.30am, an off-duty police officer witnessed two male youth crashing an allegedly stolen vehicle in Andersons Bay Rd. Police arrested one of the youths at the scene and another at his home address, Acting Snr Sgt Notman said. Both of the arrested youth were scheduled to appear in the Youth Court this week.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 21:42 UTC
Drivers urged to not panic-buy fuel as prices soar
Photo: RNZDrivers are being urged not to panic-buy fuel as motorists worry about rising prices. Petrol stations across the country are seeing a surge of drivers filling up as petrol prices rise. She said she was closely looking at the cost of living impacts the rise in fuel prices has on lower-income working New Zealanders. "I simply don't accept the idea that giving subsudies to millionaires in Remuera would help those afflicted by high petrol prices," Willis said. Howie said students could miss out on school trips if fuel prices keep going up.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 21:36 UTC
Dementia patient died after rest home assault
A 99-year-old dementia patient died after being assaulted in his rest home bedroom by another resident suffering from dementia, a coroner has found. Leonard Ralph Hewgill suffered a head injury in the attack at the Ryman Healthcare-run Hilda Ross Retirement Village in Hamilton and died in hospital three days later. Coroner Dunn said Hewgill was a resident at Hilda Ross Special Care Unit, a 40-bedroom unit offering specialist dementia care. The care provided by Hilda Ross is paid care, residents are often vulnerable, and families place their trust in the residential care provider." "This resulted in changes across all our dementia care units, reinforcing our commitment to providing safe, respectful, high-quality care.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 20:51 UTC
Hurrell resigns from Fonterra chief executive role
Miles Hurrell. Photo: FonterraFonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell has announced he is leaving the dairy co-op after 25 years. Appointed the chief executive officer in 2018, he was tasked with leading a reset of the business to turn around Fonterra's financial performance and rebuild farmers' trust. Hurrell said while it's not an easy decision to step away, the time is right for the co-op and him personally. There's an exceptional team of people who will carry the co-op forward and continue to drive value for farmers," Hurrell said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 20:15 UTC
Govt climate change plans go to court
Simon Watts Photo: RNZA landmark legal case that argues the government's plan to tackle climate change is unlawful and risky will go ahead today. Lawyers for Climate Action and the Environmental Law Initiative (ELI) are jointly taking the case against Climate Change Minister Simon Watts. Under New Zealand's climate laws, the government must produce five-yearly emissions reductions plans, which set out how the country will meet its domestic climate targets. 'Phenomenal' reliance on pine plantingThe latest emissions reduction plan, which kicked in at the start of this year, was not really an emissions reduction plan at all, Prestidge-Oldfield said. "[There have been] two significant cases in the UK where environmental interests have successfully challenged the UK government's emissions reduction plans, or their equivalent," Rive said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 19:56 UTC