The oil crisis – What would Jacinda do?
How would Jacinda Ardern have responded to a similar crisis? She advised that the invasion would not affect our fuel supply, that we did not purchase any oil or oil products from Russia and would not be directly affected if Russian oil supply is curtailed. Announced a draft policy statement on land transport which slashed spending on cycling and walking and increased funding on motorways. Overturning the offshore oil and gas exploration ban and changing the Crown Minerals Act to promote oil and gas exploration. Releasing a new energy policy that doubles down on expensive fossil fuels and the importation of Liquefied Natural Gas.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 10:53 UTC
Lakeview project developer unfazed by cost spike fears
The Lakeview Te Taumata site yesterday. The developer of Queens-town’s massive Lakeview Te Taumata project is not worried about construction costs escalating due to the Middle East conflict. The potential for cost increases was ‘‘certainly something we’re conscious of’’, but it is still too early to say. Rzechta says the site has been fenced off and temporary buildings trucked in since the sod-turning ceremony a month ago. Subject to the first building consent being approved, piling work for the three buildings’ foundations is expected to start in July, he says.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 09:49 UTC
Still bowling them over at 76
Queenstown fast bowler John Cushen notched up two top-10 bowling stats at the recent over-70s Cricket World Cup held in Christchurch. The 76-year-old also played in the inaugural over-70s tournament in England two years ago, where New Zealand finished fourth. This time the ‘Grey Caps’ just missed out on the final to England, on countback — England subsequently beat Australia to take the spoils. Cushen says he was thrilled with his bowling — ‘‘we never got one ball pulled or cut in the whole tournament’’. In tournament stats, he was the only Kiwi to make the top-10 list on economy rate — he was ninth — and had the 10th-best wicket average.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 08:47 UTC
New operator puts luxury hotel back on track
Marriott International and PHC Queenstown Ltd expect The St. Regis Queenstown to be open by the end of next year. Image: suppliedA stalled Queenstown hotel development is about to kick back into gear, under a new operator. The company had plans to construct a $70m hotel, to be operated by Radisson Hotel Group, which signed a 15-year agreement to manage the 61-room, five-star hotel. "St. Regis is a globally-revered name in luxury that is sought after by discerning travellers worldwide." PHC managing director Prakash Pandey said the St. Regis Queenstown would set a new benchmark in the hospitality sector.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 08:47 UTC
Anger over hydro scheme's fast-track approval
The Morgan Gorge could be "de-watered" if a planned hydro electric scheme goes ahead on the Waitaha River. Photo: Neil SilverwoodA plan to fast-track a controversial West Coast hydro scheme has been given an initial go-ahead. The West Coast lines company, Westpower, has applied to fast-track its controversial plans to build a run-of-river hydro scheme on the Waitaha River, and in its draft decision the fast-track expert panel has given it approval. Westpower Limited wants to build the $100 million Waitaha Hydro Project on conservation land between Hokitika and Franz Josef Glacier. "We are encouraged to see the Waitaha Hydro Project move forward.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 08:15 UTC
Israel threatens Gaza-scale destruction in Lebanon
People inspect a damaged building, in the aftermath of Israeli strikes in the Zuqaq al-Blat district in central Beirut, Lebanon. Israeli strikes have killed 773 people in Lebanon since March 2, Lebanon's state news agency said on Friday, citing the health ministry. It appeared to be the first time Israel acknowledged attacking civilian infrastructure during its current military campaign in Lebanon. ISRAEL DROPS LEAFLETS OVER BEIRUTIsraeli aircraft dropped flyers over Beirut threatening to inflict damage on Lebanon similar to the devastation the military wrought on Gaza during its two-year war with Hamas. "In light of the great success in Gaza, the newspaper of the new reality arrives to Lebanon," the flyer said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 08:03 UTC
World’s best-smelling airlines, airports and hotels and their signature scents
The Westin London, UKThis London hotel’s signature scent, the white tea, cedar and vanilla-based White Tea, proved such a hit in 2024 that the Westin rolled out a range of candles, reed diffusers and room sprays. The Westin London's bestselling White Tea candle, a blend of cedar and vanilla. Aspire Lounges’ scent is a heady blend of bergamot, tea and mandarin, and it was truly a labour of love. “We trialled three scents over three months,” says Graham Allen, global operations director at Aspire Executive Lounges. “For this reason, our scenting machines are fully adjustable to suit each space, ensuring the right intensity for the right space.”Vietnam AirlinesLast November, Vietnam became one of the first airlines to unveil a signature scent, but other airlines are following suit.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 14, 2026 07:01 UTC
Property manager took $11K in rent to feed meth addiction
Photo: NZ HeraldA Dunedin property manager used tenants’ rent payments to pay his meth bills, a court has heard. In January 2024, a family friend entrusted Strydom with the management of her rental property when she moved overseas. The defendant agreed to transfer rent payments into her account after deducting his fees and the arrangement went smoothly for the first couple of months. The victim and her partner had relied on the rent payments to pay the mortgage and now they were sceptical as to whether Strydom would pay them back. But the judge said unless Strydom learned to control his addiction he remained a threat to the community.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 04:34 UTC
Taking a gamble and the law of unintended consequences
As the law stands, casinos and other gambling outlets have to return a portion of the profits to the community. She kicked off by probing the issue which has most concerned the various charities which tackle gambling harm: will more outlets for gambling therefore lead to more gambling harm? "We’re delivering faster access to support and more frontline workers: 83% of Kiwis are now accessing primary mental health support within one week; 82% of Kiwis are now accessing specialist mental health support within three weeks. The frontline mental health workforce has grown by 11% since coming into government. The child and adolescent mental health workforce has grown by 19%."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 04:03 UTC
Dog of an Act needs replacing
Say no to roaming, dangerous dogs. So it is with roaming and dangerous dogs. Just as the kerfuffle was fading, dangerous dogs were back in the national news this week. Blind Low Vision NZ reported attacks on its dogs and has had to decline guide-dog placements in areas prone to dog attacks. During one of the periodic dog panics, the 1996 Dog Control Act was amended.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 04:03 UTC
Mayors hail proposed AI factory
An early artist’s impression of Datagrid’s data centre in Makarewa, north of Invercargill. Photo: suppliedSouthern mayors have thrown their support behind a new data centre which is set to become the country’s second-highest electricity user. Southland Mayor Rob Scott said the data centre had been on the cards for a while and was a good opportunity for the region. He said a cable coming onshore at Ōreti Beach meant the city would have the fastest internet in the country, which could attract tech companies. Trenching along the beach could impact cultural and spiritual values, lead to the discovery of cultural artefacts, and disturb toheroa, he wrote.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 04:02 UTC
Marriage still on track after 70 years
Irene and Ted McCreath will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends on Monday. The Rangiora couple, who will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends on March 16, still have clear, fond memories of their first meeting at the station. Photo: suppliedIrene planned to travel to Auckland by train, but Ted intervened paying for her to fly to the city instead. The couple married a little over two years later, on March 16 in 1956, at Dunedin’s First Church and spent their honeymoon in Oamaru. Ted left the navy before he and Irene married and the couple originally lived in Milton, where Ted drove trucks for a living.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 03:37 UTC
Special day for hundreds
Almost 1000 Otago Polytechnic students crossed the stage in graduation ceremonies held at the Dunedin Town Hall yesterday. Gerard O’Brien captured the celebrations as students took part in the traditional parade on George St.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 03:37 UTC
Eyeing further hotel fit-outs
Chroma Group’s Queenstown project director Lee Summer. During nine years in Queens-town, Summer has project-managed for the likes of Cook Brothers Construction, Queens-town Airport, The Building Intelligence Group and Octa. He says Chroma Group focuses on hotel/hospitality fit-outs, ‘‘and a little bit of wellbeing as well’’. Chroma Group’s first local project is converting Holiday Inn Express into an upmarket ‘voco’ hotel by the end of June. ‘‘And because Chroma Group originates from Australia, Melbourne and Sydney, we’ve got some existing clients and relationships there.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 14, 2026 03:03 UTC