Is the stablecoin economy structurally sound?
We generally put the same degree of faith in our financial infrastructure. The current financial infrastructure is based on money rails that haven’t changed much in decades. The traditional financial infrastructure, rooted in ledgers provided by central and commercial banks, operates on well-understood centralised technology. If stablecoins and tokenised assets become systemically important, blockchains will become systemically important infrastructure. Used thoughtfully, they offer genuine opportunities to modernise the financial infrastructure and broaden access to markets.
Source:Stuff
March 14, 2026 20:51 UTC
Crusaders overcome 3 yellow cards, Havili injury to beat Highlanders
Crusaders overcome 3 yellow cards, Havili injury to beat HighlandersCrusaders overcome 3 yellow cards, Havili injury to beat HighlandersJohnny Lee scored a double in his first Super Rugby appearance as the Crusaders beat the Highlanders. Photo / PhotosportThe Crusaders beat the Highlanders 29-18 to emerge triumphant at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch, and it was fitting that the last southern derby at the old joint in front of around 15,000 fans was memorable. For the Crusaders, this was a welcome return to form after their lacklustre effort when they were defeated by the Blues in Auckland last weekend. But it came at a price, with captain David Havili trudging off with what appeared to be a painful ankle injury. There were yellow cards to Crusaders players Codie Taylor, Finlay Brewis and Chay Fihaki - and the latter was fortunate not to be red-carded.
Source:Stuff
March 14, 2026 20:11 UTC
Shock after 3 young South African sisters found murdered in their New Zealand home
Graham Dickason, a doctor from Pretoria, found the bodies of his twin daughters, Maya and Karla Dickason, 3, and their older sister, Liane, 7 on Friday. Picture: FacebookDurban - New Zealand police are investigating the murder of three young South African children who were found dead at a home in Timaru in the Canterbury region. Graham Dickason, a doctor from Pretoria, found the bodies of his twin daughters, Maya and Karla, 3, and their older sister, Liane, 7 on Friday. According to various news outlets in New Zealand, Dickason arrived home to find his daughters dead. “We would like to thank the staff of Timaru Hospital for their support at this difficult time... and the New Zealand police for their attention to this matter.”IOL
Source:Stuff
March 14, 2026 19:33 UTC
Highlanders undone in disappointing second half
Many will be reluctant to throw too many barbs at the Highlanders, given the Crusaders — even in average form — were warm favourites at home. The story of the first half for the Highlanders could be broken down into three parts. The Highlanders’ second try was a treat. Cameron Millar restored the lead with a penalty and the Highlanders finished the half strongly with two late opportunities for Tangitau. Tavatavanawai started the second half by bouncing off half a dozen tacklers and Millar added another penalty, but the Crusaders took the lead when Johnny Lee marked his debut with a try off a lineout move.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 17:41 UTC
Whanganui mum’s natural surrogacy twins for Auckland dads hailed as first
Just one month after initial conversations with Peter and Patrick, Emma came to Auckland to meet them for the first time. Emma with Peter, Patrick and the twins. In New Zealand, surrogate parents have no legal rights until adoption is finalised. When it is, Peter and Patrick will officially become the twins’ parents. For Emma, Peter and Patrick, legalities are secondary to the joy the twins’ arrival has brought.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 17:37 UTC
West Coast Waitaha hydro plan wins draft fast-track approval
Together with its partner Poutini Ngāi Tahu, Westpower said it welcomed the panel’s draft decision to approve the project. It said the scheme was an important step towards improving the resilience of electricity supply on the West Coast and contributing to Aotearoa New Zealand’s climate change commitments. “We are encouraged to see the Waitaha Hydro project move forward. We are committed to progressing responsibly, in partnership with Poutini Ngāi Tahu and our local communities,” Westpower chief executive Peter Armstrong said. The FMC was also unhappy that it and other parties were stopped from making a submission to the fast-track expert panel on the proposal.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 17:14 UTC
More than 120 families saved from domestic violence by Pet Refuge last year as harm levels spike
“By stepping in when I needed it most, Pet Refuge didn’t just give my dog shelter. Photo / Kathryn Nobbs“Research shows more than half of victims have delayed leaving violent situations because they were afraid for their pet’s safety. “I’m just so grateful for Pet Refuge, what a beautiful place to have in the world. “I reached out to Pet Refuge early one morning when I was completely overwhelmed,” she said. “Pet Refuge stepped into a situation that no one else could or would touch and handled it all with care, dignity and compassion….
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 16:44 UTC
Pasifika taōka made interactive
Tūhura Otago Museum Pasifika engagement manager Leota Meredith shows examples of items people will be able to see up close at the Moana Nui Festival. Photos: Sam HendersonA collection of Pasifika handling taōka will be brought to life beyond museum display cases this month. Tūhura Otago Museum Pasifika engagement manager Leota Meredith said examples of the pieces included musical instruments, coconut scrapers and tapa cloth. "It is a significant piece for many pan-Pacific, different Pacific nations," she said. Ms Meredith said during the recent upgrade of the Pacific Cultures Gallery at the museum, Polynesian artefacts and taōka for the refurbished space were being carefully selected and reviewed by Pasifika communities in Dunedin.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 16:24 UTC
Opening up on cash key
Presbyterian Support Otago financial mentor Michael Allan says communication is key to managing your cash. Presbyterian Support Otago provides a free financial mentor service for people facing money challenges across the region. The fully funded Ministry of Social Development initiative helps clients navigate rising living costs and the pitfalls of buy now, pay later schemes. Financial mentor Michael Allan said the initial step was frequently the most difficult. "If you just don’t pay your rent for a few weeks, the landlord goes, ‘what’s happening?
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 16:24 UTC
Charity steps back from hub site to refocus
Tamariki Together administrator Krystal Ryland says the charity is regrouping back at the "batcave". A Dunedin youth charity has stepped back from ambitious plans to open a large inner-city hub. Last October The Star reported that plans were in full swing for Tamariki Together to move its operations to a two-storey building on St Andrew St. Tamariki Together administrator Krystal Ryland said navigating the complex funding landscape and transforming into a formal charity took a heavy toll. They have now paused the central hub project, although the St Andrew St landlord remains supportive of their long-term vision.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 16:24 UTC
Stormwater solution for Rockabilly
A Wānaka resident surveys the damage in 2021 after heavy rain causes significant erosion in Rockabilly Gully. Rockabilly Gully is on track to receive a new stormwater basin years after the Otago Regional Council (ORC) issued an abatement notice. Department of Conservation (Doc) Central Otago operations manager Charlie Sklenar said QLDC had proactively kept Doc informed of progress on the Rockabilly Gully Erosion Remediation project. ‘‘Currently, the stormwater runs through the Hikuwai Reserve, predominantly through the Rockabilly Gully — an ephemeral watercourse. The notice required QLDC ‘‘to cease the discharge of stormwater from its stormwater network on to the Hikuwai Reserve and into the Clutha River /Mata-Aū’’.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 15:22 UTC
Local SAR branch land new award from national body
Wānaka SAR consists of specialist incident management, alpine, sub-alpine, canyon/swiftwater, drone and search dog teams. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDWānaka Search and Rescue (SAR) has received national recognition for training videos it made for its members. ‘‘As the busiest back-country all-volunteer SAR group in New Zealand, we are constantly seeking ways of advancing our already very high level of skills and were thrilled to get this recognition from the national body. In the award presentation LandSAR said over the past year Wānaka SAR had demonstrated ‘‘exactly what Takina Mai represents — drawing others forward through shared learning’’. ‘‘By creating structured, highquality training videos, Wānaka SAR has enabled volunteers to refresh and build their knowledge in their own time, reinforcing learning outside of scheduled training nights.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 15:22 UTC
Trust on track with wellbeing of community
Upper Clutha tracks trust chairman David Howard (left) and contractor Greg Keen stand in front of the true right track which has recently started construction. It will mark 100km of tracks created by the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT) since its start in 2006. In a statement, the trust said the addition of new tracks was about enhancing community wellbeing. ‘‘The track on the other side of the river is a grade 2 track and has commuters, we need different tracks for different purposes,’’ he said. The UCTT said it was proud of the support provided by Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes and the Hawea Community Association.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 15:22 UTC
Water infrastructure examined
Wastewater and drinking water mains inspections are under way in Oamaru as part of the Waitaki District Council’s amended Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) . Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale said, in a statement, the council’s decision last month to rejoin the Southern Waters regional water group set the direction for the future of water services. ‘‘We are following the direction from the mayor and councillors to rejoin Southern Waters, subject to their approval, and preparing a WSDP with that intent,’’ council chief executive Alex Parmley said. ‘‘Our assets team and contractors have identified locations to gather data for our asset condition assessment, which will feed in to our revised WSDP. ‘‘We are keeping [Crown facilitator for water] Amy Adams and the DIA informed of our progress.’’
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 15:22 UTC