Minor injuries but major damage in Southland truck racing crash
Damage to the truck following the crash at Teretonga Park this morning. Photo: Mark Gargiulo via FacebookA driver had to be cut from his truck this morning, after it crashed during a racing event at Teretonga Park raceway, near Invercargill. "Crews extricated the patient using hydraulic cutting equipment, and left the patient in the care of ambulance." Emergency services attend to the driver following the crash. Photo: Mark Gargiulo via FacebookThe driver’s injuries were minor, but the racing truck was badly damaged in the incident.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 01:51 UTC
Trump calls on other countries to send warships to Strait of Hormuz
Photo: ReutersUS President Donald Trump urged other nations to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, after Iran threatened escalation across the Middle East to retaliate for Washington's bombing of its main Gulf island energy hub. "The Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!" In an earlier post on his Truth Social platform, he anticipated that many countries would send warships to allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for 20% of the world's oil. Trump had threatened to strike the oil infrastructure of Kharg Island unless Tehran stopped attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who replaced his slain father, has said the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 01:45 UTC
Two-car crash on Lindis Pass–Tarras Rd brings injuries and diversions
NZ Herald Morning News Update | US Marines moved to Middle East, Israel strikes kill 800 in Lebanon, one dead in crash near Whanganui Airport. Video / NZ HeraldAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. A crash has blocked the Lindis Pass–Tarras Rd this afternoon after two vehicles collided, with early indications people have been injured. Police were called to the crash between Old Faithfull Rd and the Ōmarama–Lindis Pass Rd at about 12.20pm.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 01:33 UTC
Dive squad search Lake Manapouri for missing boatie
Lake Manapouri. File photo: STEPHEN JAQUIERYA search involving the National Dive Squad is ongoing after a person fell overboard from a vessel on Lake Manapouri last night. Sergeant Alun Griffiths, of Southland Search and Rescue, said police were notified at about 6.15pm that a person had fallen from a vessel while about 1km from shore. "An initial search last night was unsuccessful and later paused at around 10pm," Sgt Griffiths said. "The Police National Dive Squad are currently assisting with search efforts."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 01:30 UTC
Lindis Pass closed, three injured in serious crash
A serious two-vehicle crash has closed Lindis Pass and left at least three people injured. A police spokeswoman said the incident happened on State Highway 8 between Old Faithful Rd and Omarama, near the Lindis Pass viewpoint, about 12.20pm today. A Hato Hone St John Ambulance spokeswoman said a first response unit, an operations manager, one ambulance and two rescue helicopters — one from Queenstown and one from Dunedin — were sent to the scene. The crash has blocked the road and the pass is closed until further notice. The Serious Crash Unit will conduct an investigation into the crash.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 01:12 UTC
NZ20 v Big Bash: New Zealand Cricket board poised for crunch Twenty20 league vote
The Herald understands that, if a vote was to eventuate, the board is believed to be 6-2 in favour of the NZ20 competition. Should the board vote be split at 4-4, the casting vote would fall on board chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon. Photo / Photosport“Contrary to suggestions of NZC executive interference or attempts to destabilise the process, there has been no such activity. If the NZC board decided to go with NZ20, six international white-ball fixtures would need to be rescheduled, disrupting NZC’s new broadcast deal with Sky TV. So damaging were those reports, Puketapu-Lyndon, the board chair, was forced to send a letter to the International Cricket Council chair to dismiss claims of a “hostile takeover”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 00:40 UTC
Neil Wallace jailed by Nelson court for child sex abuse after victim breaks silence
Photo / 123rfThe parent described Wallace as “vile” and as insignificant as a “tiny grain of sand in a vast ocean”. “All of this trauma, all of this grief came out and I decided to go to the police,” the victim told NZME. “It was calculated, and it was deliberate,” the victim told the court. It is yours,” the victim told Wallace as he bowed his head in the dock. ‘Limited insight’One alcohol and drug clinician described Wallace as having limited insight into his offending.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 00:34 UTC
‘AI illiterate’: New Zealand at risk of being left behind as data centre plans move forward
It describes a data centre that was built to serve AI technology, through training and inference. AI training involved teaching a model by feeding it datasets to learn patterns, while AI inference was the application of that knowledge. Laurence runs Ten Past Tomorrow, a strategic advisory and AI training company with the aim of increasing AI literacy and capability in New Zealand. Microsoft opened a data centre in Auckland in 2024, while Amazon Web Services (AWS) spent $7.5b building a cluster of data centres in the city. Transpower said it was confident the national grid could meet the energy needs of the new data centre.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 00:29 UTC
Seventh anniversary of mosque murders commemorated
Photo: RNZCommemorations are underway in Christchurch to mark the seventh anniversary of the mosque attacks. A service at the Peace Bell in the botanic gardens started with a minute's silence, followed by the names of the 51 victims. 'Showed the world strength, compassion and unity' - PMIn a post on social media, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to those who lost their lives. "Seven years ago, Christchurch, and New Zealand, showed the world strength, compassion and unity in the face of tragedy. "We honour those who were taken from us by continuing to build a country where everyone can live in peace and safety," the post said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 00:27 UTC
Seventh anniversary of Christchurch mosque attacks marked
Photo: RNZCommemorations are underway in Christchurch to mark the seventh anniversary of the mosque attacks. 'Showed the world strength, compassion and unity' - PMIn a post on social media, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to those who lost their lives. "Today we remember the 51 people who were killed in the Christchurch attacks, and we think of the families, friends, and communities who still live with that loss. "Seven years ago, Christchurch, and New Zealand, showed the world strength, compassion and unity in the face of tragedy. "We honour those who were taken from us by continuing to build a country where everyone can live in peace and safety," the post said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 00:26 UTC
Lindis Pass closed following serious crash
State Highway 8 at Lindis Pass is closed following a serious crash this afternoon. In a statement, police said they were called to the two-vehicle crash, near the Lindis Pass viewpoint, at about 12.20pm. Initial indications suggest there are injures, police said. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and expect delays.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 00:19 UTC
Auckland fuel can sell out: Motorists stock up as petrol prices surge
It comes after Gull service stations across Auckland ran out of petrol this week as motorists took advantage of discount-day deals. Motorists took to social media to vent frustration over fuel pumps running dry. Fears of soaring global oil prices have rocked markets since the start of the Iran war two weeks ago. This has seen prices at the pump for Kiwi motorists surge past the $3-a-litre mark in many areas around the country. “Nobody wants to see fuel companies using the situation in the Middle East as an excuse to unjustifiably increase prices at the pump.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 15, 2026 00:12 UTC
Arrowtown assault highlights drunken violence in resort
Braden Jane was captured on CCTV footage walking through the Fork and Tap pub in Arrowtown, where he assaulted a teenager. The incident has come with a warning from the judge that there was too much alcohol-related violence in the tourist town. "There needs to be a message that violence in Queenstown will not be tolerated," the judge said at the hearing. A conviction would likely end in him losing his job, Judge Williams said. Because of his clean record, the risk to his job and the unlikelihood Jane would reoffend, Judge Williams granted the discharge without conviction application.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 15, 2026 00:04 UTC
Another bump in the road for our GDP figures?
Stats NZ will be releasing GDP figures for the December quarter on Thursday, March 19. Our recent pattern with the GDP figures has been very up and down, with large swings from plus to minus growth between quarters. Economists have their views about what might be behind this pattern, and it is clear that our GDP figures have for whatever reason become a lot more 'seasonal' - when of course they are not meant to be. Okay, if we assume the December quarter GDP figures do show slight growth, but slower than the September quarter, what of the current March quarter?. And if the December quarter GDP outcome turns out to be not particularly good, will that cause a knock to confidence and hesitancy with spending?
Source:Stuff
March 15, 2026 00:03 UTC
Some Iranians in Dubai say they celebrated ayatollah’s death, but the war could leave Iran worse off
The Iranian Mosque in Bur Dubai, built in 1979 for Dubai’s Iranian community, reflects the long history of trade and migration between Dubai and Persia across the Gulf. There is an Iranian hospital, mosque and even community clubs in Dubai, where Persian is often heard on the streets. The extent of ties is partly why Iranians living in the UAE say the last two weeks have been so nightmarish. “It is my dream country being hit by my home country,” said Maryam, 53, who has lived in Dubai since 1984. No one can say this will be different.”Sign up to Herald Premium Editor’s Picks, delivered straight to your inbox every Friday.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 23:51 UTC