Oil price fall unlikely to bring motorists quick relief
AA's petrol price spokesperson said there would need to be a more sustained move to end the conflict before prices came down for New Zealand motorists. Immediately after the announcement on Wednesday morning, the price of Brent crude oil fell about 16 percent to US$92. The Brent oil price that is quoted as having fallen is effectively the futures price for oil in June, but prices for oil physically delivered today have been much higher. "Beyond the Brent oil price, I'd be keeping a close eye on how Dubai or other Middle East oil prices are tracking, because they had been considerably higher than the Brent price, as well as how refining margins or the crack spread across Asia are evolving. He said at US$90 to US$95 a barrel, oil prices were still well above their pre-conflict levels.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 08, 2026 03:50 UTC
Alleged fuel thief caught with battery-operated siphoning pump
A man is due to appear in court after he was caught attempting to steal fuel from vehicles in Christchurch. "Officers have immediately attended and made enquiries in the area, before stopping a vehicle," police said in a statement. "A search of the vehicle saw it contained five 60 litre containers, a battery-operated siphoning pump, and a small amount of methamphetamine." "The 35-year-old man was expected in Hamilton District Court today – charges were yet to be confirmed." Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny said police are continuing to monitor fuel thefts, "and we have started to see an increase in diesel thefts".
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 08, 2026 03:20 UTC
Police investigate digger crash that closed motorway
Both north and south bound lanes of the Southern Motorway were blocked after a digger fell from a truck and straddled the concrete medium barrier. Photo: Stephen JaquieryPolice are appealing for dashcam footage as they investigate how a digger came off the back of a truck and blocked Dunedin's Southern Motorway for three hours today. Officers were called to the incident about 10.40am and found the digger blocking multiple lanes. The digger was removed and the motorway reopened around 1.40pm. About 2pm NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advised that the motorway had reopened in both directions, but urged motorists to take care as congestion eased.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 08, 2026 02:34 UTC
'Once-in-a-lifetime' flight emotional
PHOTO: EVIE SINCLAIRA retired doctor on the verge of losing his vision was almost in tears before taking to the skies above Wānaka for an emotional flight in a fighter jet. Dr Paul Glover, of Wanaka, a retired anaesthetist diagnosed with Usher syndrome, celebrated a once-in-a-lifetime flight with friends, family and Champagne yesterday. Dr Glover was one of many to pay $4200 for a 30-minute flight through the Clutha Valley aboard the Aero L-39 Albatros, which was in town for Warbirds Over Wanaka at the weekend. ‘‘It’s one of the most reckless things I’ve ever done, and absolutely the most financially reckless,’’ he said. Yesterday, he was flying at about 240 knots (444kmh), but the fighter jet had a top speed of 300 knots (555kmh).
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 08, 2026 01:28 UTC
Collector couple give important art collection to city
Art collectors Mary Barr and Jim Barr (right), of Wellington, have enjoyed a long relationship with the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSONA well-curated relationship between a gallery and two art collectors has resulted one of New Zealand’s most significant private collections of contemporary art being bestowed on Dunedin. Wellington collectors Jim Barr and Mary Barr have given their 435-item collection to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, much to the delight of its director. The collection had been on long-term loan to the gallery since 1997 — a decision which proved to be a ‘‘total win-win’’, Mr Barr said. ‘‘The main reason to have it in a public art gallery was so people could see it,’’ Mr Barr said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 08, 2026 00:01 UTC
PM Luxon’s reshuffle marks historic first but cuts number of National Māori MPs in Cabinet to 1
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Social Development and Employment Louise Upston during an announcement on Jobseeker in Ellerslie in October last year. Speaking at Tuesday’s post-Cabinet press conference, Luxon said he was okay his party only had one Māori MP in Cabinet, again pointing to the wider Cabinet make-up. “We have got tremendous Māori representation in our coalition Government and Cabinet,” Luxon said. I have said that consistently and that is at the forefront of my considerations.”Overall, there are six Māori MPs in Luxon’s Cabinet (one National MP, two Act MPs and three from New Zealand First). When asked how many Māori MPs he had in his Cabinet, Luxon initially said James Meager – a Māori minister outside Cabinet – before being reminded of Tama Potaka.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 07, 2026 23:35 UTC
Southland meatworks evacuated over gas risk after fire
Photo: Toni McDonaldA Southland meatworks has been evacuated due to elevated levels of a toxic gas after a fire this morning. The gas is highly toxic, flammable and has a rotten-egg odour. The plant was filled with smoke and all people were evacuated and accounted for. In total, six trucks responded as well as a tanker and a Hazmat command unit. The fire was contained by about 7am but the spokesman could not advise what the specific cause of the fire was.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 07, 2026 23:24 UTC
Nasa releases picture of ‘Earthset’ shot by Artemis crew
Nasa has released a historic photograph of Earth dipping below the lunar horizon, more than 57 years after an iconic “Earthrise” image was captured by an Apollo 8 astronaut. Members of the Artemis II crew captured the shot from their Orion capsule during the mission’s record-setting lunar flyby, echoing the legendary “Earthrise” photograph taken by US astronaut Bill Anders in December 1968 during the first space mission to carry humans around the Moon. The US space agency posted its “Earthset” photo on X, as did the White House. The White House also posted a Nasa photograph of the eclipse, revealing what it said is “a view few in human history have ever witnessed”. “Earthrise” often appears in selections of the most iconic images, and was included in 2003 in Life magazine’s book entitled 100 Photographs That Changed the World.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 07, 2026 22:27 UTC
Trainer 'pulled over' by horse knocked unconscious
Bruce Negus. Photo: HRNZA veteran Canterbury horse trainer is facing six weeks of light duties after being seriously injured at Addington Raceway. Burnham trainer Bruce Negus was taking horses off a ramp at the Christchurch raceway on Easter Saturday when one of them "took fright and pulled me over". Though he has no recollection of the accident, it was clear from his injuries that his head, knee and hand took the impact. "I was knocked unconscious, cracked some ribs, got stitches in my head and I broke a finger."
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 07, 2026 22:22 UTC
Iran defiant on eve of Trump's ceasefire deadline
Iran and Israel traded attacks as Tehran defiantly refused to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept a ceasefire deal on the eve of a deadline set by US President Donald Trump to agree to his demands or get "taken out." On Monday, Trump said "the entire country can be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow night." He vowed to destroy Iranian power plants and infrastructure if Tehran refused to agree before the deadline. Majid Khademi, the Head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' intelligence organisation, speaks during an interview in Tehran, Iran in this handout image. Trump has brushed off questions that his vow to wipe out Iranian power plants would constitute war crimes, saying he was "not at all" concerned about the prospect.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 07, 2026 21:55 UTC
Images from moon 'really amazing'
The moon is seen from a camera outside the Orion spacecraft after the Artemis II astronauts yesterday surpassed the farthest distance ever travelled by humans from Earth. Now the time has finally come for him to put his master plan in place — to study the Artemis II crew’s images of the dark side of the moon. The Dunedin astronomer is ‘‘salivating’’ at the prospect of seeing the images, which will be released over the next few days. ‘‘I’ve been listening between meetings to what was going on and it was really amazing to see. ‘‘The sun has gone behind the moon and the corona is still visible, and it’s bright and creates a halo almost around the entire moon.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 07, 2026 21:45 UTC
Boil water notice continues after E coli found
The notice was put in place for parts of Hillsborough, Mt Roskill, Royal Oak and Three Kings on Monday after routine water sample testing showed traces of E coli. Two public water tankers were set up at 113 Duke Street, Big King Reserve, and Hillsborough Park carpark, Carlton Street. Watercare apologisesWatercare has apologised for the impacts of the boil water notice. Mark Bourne from Watercare told Checkpoint he understands the disruption the boil water notice caused, and he is "truly sorry". He said the sample tap appears to be the smoking gun, but tests on Wednesday will confirm that.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 07, 2026 20:54 UTC
Auckland E. coli alert: Watercare boil-water notice remains in place for several suburbs
Watercare issued the notice for 7800 properties across Hillsborough, Mt Roskill, Royal Oak and Three Kings after a single test showed traces of E. coli. Watercare is operating public water tankers for affected residents until the issue of potential E. coli contamination is resolved. “This work is continuing and will remain underway until the boil water notice can be safely lifted.”Which areas are affected? Watercare has issued a boil water notice for parts of Hillsborough, Mt Roskill, Royal Oak and Three Kings (outlined) until further notice. Image / WatercareWatercare has issued a boil water notice for parts of Hillsborough, Mt Roskill, Royal Oak and Three Kings (outlined) until further notice.
Source:New Zealand Herald
April 07, 2026 20:04 UTC
‘Do-it-yourself’ road safety markings ‘unsafe’
A "home-made" approach to road safety in one Mosgiel street is putting people at risk, a local representative says. Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board chairwoman Rebecca Shepherd said while she understood the sentiment behind the ‘‘do-it-yourself’’ pedestrian crossings and road markings appearing on Murray St in recent weeks, safety interventions were best left to the experts. ‘‘People drawing their own pedestrian crossings on the road is unsafe at the end of the day,’’ Mrs Shepherd said. A painted ‘‘speed hump’’ in Murray St, near the Murrey St Playground. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSHThe unauthorised markings posed their own safety hazards and the council was required to remove them, she said‘‘Installing markings on the road without proper safety precautions is inherently dangerous and can lead to confusion for road users, creating safety risks for pedestrians — especially smaller children.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 07, 2026 19:38 UTC
Pilot had to be held back from ex-prince
From English royalty to Elton John, former RAF pilot Michael Crymble's life has been about flying the rich and famous around the globe. Michael Crymble, who now owns Mandeville Aerodrome in Southland, previously flew VIPs around the world during a career in the Royal Air Force and as a pilot of private jets. ‘‘Since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I was always mad about airplanes,’’ Mr Crymble, 72, said while volunteering at Warbirds Over Wānaka. After three years as a co-pilot, at just 23, Mr Crymble became the RAF’s youngest captain to pilot a Hercules. ‘‘We were the first in and the last out,’’ Mr Crymble said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
April 07, 2026 19:34 UTC