Middle East conflict: Kharg Island bombed, Trump says US to escort ships through Hormuz soon
Iran's Kharg Island hosts the country's main crude export terminal and is responsible for the majority of its oil shipments to the world. Photo / European Space Agency via AFPHe said he had chosen not to target oil infrastructure on the island for now. With oil prices spiking, Trump was asked when the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Gulf’s critical Strait of Hormuz. Iranian strikes have all but halted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally pass. The conflict has sparked chaos in global markets and sent oil prices soaring.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 22:43 UTC
Inside Auckland’s morning ‘wake-up’ patrol for homeless rough sleepers
He is a new face for the council compliance wardens – not a member of the usual street whānau. Auckland Council compliance wardens Roimata Farrington (left) and Ansh Parmar begin the morning "wake-up" patrol of rough sleepers on Queen St. Photo / Michael CraigThis is the central city wake-up call. Ten community compliance wardens, part of the council’s Community Safety Team, are discussing the challenges ahead, starting with the “wake-up”. Many of the rough sleepers are known to the team and, thanks to the cameras, so are their behaviours. The wake-up call is the first part of a compliance warden’s shift.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 22:33 UTC
Cold front to bring cooler, fresher air and weekend rain to parts of country
Kiwis can expect a break from the mugginess over the weekend as a cold front brings cooler air to the country. Image / MetServiceCold front to bring cooler, fresher air and weekend rain to parts of countryKiwis can expect a break from the mugginess over the weekend as a cold front brings cooler air to the country. Image / MetServiceThe weekend’s weather will bring some relief from recent humidity, with a cold front set to spread much cooler air over the country. MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane told the Herald that after “a warm and muggy” few nights, Kiwis can expect a “much cooler and fresher” night’s sleep in the coming days. Most parts of the North Island will be a bit wet this afternoon, with showers forecast all the way from the top of the country down to the lower parts of the island.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 22:01 UTC
DoC tags a record 31 kea at Aoraki Mt Cook, logging young birds’ alpine travels
There are 13 readers installed at huts and other sites within the adjacent Westland Tai Poutini and Aoraki Mount Cook national parks and nearby conservation areas. A kea flock at Red Tarns, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Early trial results confirm young kea are travelling from lowland forests on the West Coast to alpine areas and across the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o Te Moana. A kea at Red Tarns, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Photo / Department of Conservation“As we see kea numbers increase in places like Aoraki, we ask people to help keep kea wild and safe,” she said.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 22:01 UTC
Lack of tools to discipline councillors slated by candidates
Photo: Derek MorrisonDunedin is witnessing how "toothless" the city council’s code of conduct can be for managing councillor behaviour, one by-election candidate says. In his short time as a Dunedin city councillor, Cr Ong has been both a complainant and respondent in code of conduct matters. Councillors will decide on March 25 what to do about independent investigator Steph Dyhrberg’s report, which identified very serious breaches by Cr Ong. Photo: supplied"It needs to be through a government entity that is independent from council," Mr Acklin said. "[Cr Ong] obviously has his own style, but it must be adapted."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 21:54 UTC
5-year-old found with scurvy
Photo: NZ Medical JournalA 5-year-old boy who lived on a diet of chicken and biscuits has been diagnosed with the rare disease scurvy. Scurvy is a disease caused by severe, prolonged vitamin C deficiency, and is historically associated with sailors who lacked fruit and vegetables at sea hundreds of years ago. Treatment involves daily vitamin C supplementation, which usually reverses symptoms quickly. "A presumed diagnosis of scurvy was made secondary to this restricted diet." Scurvy is often thought of as a historical disease, particularly in in relation to the 15th to 18th centuries.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 21:37 UTC
Punishment for Ong yet to be determined: mayor
Cr Benedict Ong. On February 20, Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker wrote to Cr Ong to advise she was stripping from him privileges about attending informal meetings, as well as deputy leadership of the technology portfolio. She added that: "I will be requesting council to approve removing you from your role as council representative on the Otago Settlers Association and the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum board." Ms Barker’s letter last month pointed to "extremely disrespectful behaviour" by Cr Ong to her and his refusal to remove disparaging comments online about chief executive Sandy Graham. Asked about the code breach and her previous communication with Cr Ong, the mayor said they were separate matters — she would be following up on her letter.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 21:09 UTC
Reality hits Wellington over Queenstown growth
The government department has committed to create a ‘‘one-off scenario’’ factoring in actual growth in Queenstown-Lakes. Patterson called out the woefully-lacking population projections Stats NZ has historically published for the Queenstown-Lakes area — for example, in 2012, the department projected the district’s population would be 47,200 in 2031. Patterson projects, if current growth patterns continue, by 2031 it’ll be home to at least 69,500 people. That’s 22,000 more than Stats NZ expected. ‘‘And not just slightly wrong, but wrong by an order of magnitude of 50%.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 21:03 UTC
Defaced drive-thru screen
A masked protester defaced a drive-thru screen at a Dunedin fast-food restaurant over the chain’s decision to use AI. The offender ran into the Burger King drive-thru in Andersons Bay Rd wearing a white mask and carrying two cans of white spray-paint at 9.10pm on Thursday, Sergeant Matt Lee said. She then used the paint to write "No AI, hire humans" before fleeing. She was arrested after police found the cans of spray paint and the white mask in her possession. She was charged with wilful damage and will appear in Dunedin District Court at a later date.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 19:43 UTC
Water polo bullying claims: Who knew what and when, and the PR tips for NZ women’s team as allegations hit headlines
The Herald’s water polo investigation continues - please email Shayne Currie in confidence: shayne.currie@nzme.co.nzWho knew what, when? The New Zealand women's water polo team - the White Caps - finished 10th at the World Aquatic Champs in Singapore last year but the tour has been beset by allegations of bullying and mistreatment. It was titled “Complaint over recent senior women’s water polo trip”. She stated that the commission had not spoken to her about any concerns about water polo. Water Polo NZ chief executive Jan Shearer.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 18:49 UTC
Remembering Isabella: A mother’s journey – Jane Broughton on the death of her daughter and life without her only child
On that day, the life of Isabella Skye Bolton, my 21-year-old daughter, was tragically taken in an avalanche on Mt Yotei in Hokkaido, Japan. When Isabella died, the academy at Banff wrote:“It is with profound sadness that we say goodbye to our dear friend and alumni Isabella Bolton. Isabella celebrating her 21st birthday in Banff, Canada, with her mother, father and friends, the day before her graduation. Jane and Isabella in Zermatt, Switzerland, when Isabella was around 6 months old and visiting snow for the first time. It means burying my only child and then rebuilding a life, a new chapter, I did not ask for.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 13, 2026 18:08 UTC
Track completed in time for 3 Peaks events
The new track at Mt Cargill is ready for walkers and runners in today’s 3 Peaks Mountain Race. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDOrganisers of the 3 Peaks Mountain Race are thrilled a new section of track at Mt Cargill has been completed in time for tomorrow’s annual trail running event. There were concerns the track would not be completed by telecommunications company Kordia, who had blocked the previous track by erecting fences around the transmission tower. The three peaks in question were Flagstaff (668m), Swampy Summit (739m) and Mt Cargill (676m). Most will be taking on the classic 26km course, climbing the three peaks starting in Woodhaugh St, North Dunedin.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 16:03 UTC
Another centenarian in the family
Gladys McKenzie (middle) celebrated her 100th birthday last week with her four daughters (back, from left) Sharyn Walker, Lyn Wilkie, Marilyn Velenski and Adriane Marshall. Photo: Nic DuffBecoming a centenarian runs in Gladys McKenzie’s family. She used to be an avid baker and also enjoyed an illustrious bowls career in North Otago. She picked up the sport while in her 30s and kept playing until she was nearly 90, winning 12 North Otago centre titles. Mrs McKenzie celebrated her 100th birthday at a lunch with her four daughters and was expecting extended family and friends today for a larger party.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 16:02 UTC
Resisting, fleeing, shoplifting thirsty work
Shaun Symon, 40, appeared in the Dunedin District Court this week a changed man — three months sober, counsel Emma Cocrane said. It was a far cry from the mayhem of October when his alcoholism led him on a shoplifting tour of the city. It meant on a single thirsty day, Symon had stolen 40 RTDs, four bottles of cider and a box of beer. He even kicked on the following day, shoplifting two more bottles of Scrumpy before police tracked him down to the Dunedin Botanic Garden. Symon tried to pull away again but was handcuffed and arrested.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 13, 2026 15:43 UTC