A woman climber sustaining severe head injuries on Christmas Day, and a motor boat stuck on a sandbar off Foxton Beach, were among the more than 450 rescue beacon incidents for 2016. The Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand received 146 beacon alerts north of Taupo last year, and 107 in the lower half of the North Island.
Category: New Zealand
NZ’s luckiest Lotto town revealed
Kiwi punters may wish to buy their next Lotto ticket in Otorohanga, after the Waikato district was named the country’s “luckiest” area for 2016. On average Otorohanga District residents won about $1526 per capita, almost $600 more than the second most prosperous area .
Under-19 champions to tour S/AfricaJan. 8, 2017, 9:47 PM Ast
Young West Indies will tour South Africa later this year as they prepare for their title defence of the International Cricket Council’s Under-19 World Cup in early 2018. The Caribbean side will play five 50-overs games against the South Africa Under-19s and two warm-up matches against local opposition, in a tour set to run from June 30 to July 27. Rawl Lewis, the WICB’s project officer who oversees the Under-19 programme, said the series, which will be played in Durban, would be key preparation for next January’s showpiece in New Zealand.
West Coast rains supreme as wettest spot in NZ
The West Coast has held on to its dubious record as the wettest place in New Zealand, albeit in the Southern Alps.
Summer calendar highlight set to shine
One of the highlights on Wellington’s summer calendar kicks-off tomorrow, with Meridian Gardens Magic showcasing a host of great Kiwi talent over three weeks on the Botanic Garden’s Soundshell stage. The annual free concert series presented by Wellington City Council, and supported by Meridian Energy, includes performances by local legends The Warratahs, the always popular The MA ori SideSteps, soulful tunes from Christchurch’s August Fields, and rising star Jesse Sheehan touring with his debut album.
Editorial: What slogan for a city you cannot afford?
Taranaki, for example, is ‘like no other’, Whanganui is ‘all you need – and then some’, and Bulls is, as you would expect, ‘unforgettabull’. But Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’, ‘the place desired by many’, is probably in need of a complete branding rethink as we wind our way into 2017.
‘I want to break the teen dad stigma’
New Zealand’s most famous teen dad is helping other young parents find their feet by raising cash to send them on leadership courses. Noa Woolloff, 18, hit the headlines a year ago after being made head boy at his high school following the birth of his daughter Kyla.
Ovation of the Seas visit puts Hawke’s Bay cruise season on track to pass $20ma
Ovation of the Seas passengers flooded Napier this afternoon, exploring the best of what Hawke’s Bay has to offer. Photo / Paul Taylor The cruise ship industry is expected to generate more money for the local economy this year, thanks in part to yesterday’s Ovation of the Seas visit.
Smacking Law Rejected, Widely Flouted – Poll
Almost a decade on from the passing of the controversial anti-smacking law, a poll has found continued widespread rejection of the law and an admission that 2 out of 3 NZ’ers would flout the law if they believed it reasonable to correct the behaviour of their child. “Despite having almost 10 years to prove the doubters wrong, the law has failed to convince anybody of its benefits or its effectiveness.
Cold Southerly Blast Today
A cold southerly blast spreads up the country today, bringing a few thunderstorms and even hail to some areas in the east of the country. The cold change is expected to continue up the Kaikoura coast this afternoon, and the rest of the North Island this evening.
Hail and ‘decent gusts’ for Christchurch
In the middle of New Zealand’s summer, hail could whiten the ground in Christchurch this afternoon as a cold snap moves up the island. Enough hail to blanket the ground is expected in the late afternoon, and Cantabrians with vegetable gardens are warned to cover them or expect damage from hailstones up to 1.5cm.
Being your own boss the key reason for starting a new business – Xero
The biggest reason for Kiwis starting their own business is to be in charge, even if they are the only employee. Being their own boss is the reason more than half the Kiwi business owners in a recent survey left their day jobs.
Holden shines in Sparks’ win
Otago Sparks all-rounder Victoria Holden helped her side seal a six-wicket win against Northern Districts with an impressive performance in a twenty20 match at the University Oval yesterday. Otago coach Rob Walter will have one eye on the future when his team completes its twenty20 campaign with a match against Wellington at the Basin Reserve today.
Fewer downing beersies before jumping behind the wheel
The days of getting pissed at the pub and driving home seem to be receding into the rear-view mirror. The number of people convicted for driving under the influence has plummeted almost 40 percent in the past five years, Ministry of Justice figures released under the Official Information Act show.
One critical in Waikato crash
A two-vehicle crash has closed the road at the intersection of Tahuna-Morrinsville Highway and Cameron Road in the Waikato. Five people have been injured, including one who is in a critical condition and one in serious condition near Mangateparu.
Hamstring injury rules Guptill out of Bangladesh T20s
Wellington [New Zealand], Dec.31 : New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has been ruled out of the upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh due to a hamstring strain. [NK Cricket] The 30-year-old sustained the injury while running between the wickets during their crushing eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in the third ODI in Nelson on Saturday.
High speed drivers endangering lives along post-quake route
New Zealand drivers are warned to stick to speed limits on South Island roads as motorists continue to break the law. Police have clocked a driver speeding at 152 kmh through the new post-quake highway in St Arnaud just days after three teens died in a high-speed crash in Canterbury.
Sheep milking venture Neudorf Dairy restarts in Nelson
A young Nelson couple has taken over the lease of the former Neudorf Dairy to continue making products out of sheep milk. In April, 24-year-old Julie Brownlee and her partner, Nathan Edwards jumped at the opportunity to lease the farm.
Most-watched Clean Cuts, UTubers of 2016
An adorable 3-year-old Latter-day Saint who shared her testimony of Jesus Christ through song, a haka that reduced a New Zealand bride to tears and several local contestants who auditioned for the final season of “American Idol” were at the top of this year’s most popular Clean Cuts and UTubers. In 2016, Deseret News readers were introduced to 3-year-old Claire Crosby.
Cricket: Neil Broom makes the most of his second chance
Neil Broom needed to shine against Bangladesh in the one-day international absence of regular New Zealand No.4 Ross Taylor. Broom anchored the Black Caps innings with 109 runs off 107 balls, surpassing his best of 71 batting at No.6 against the same opposition at Napier in 2010.
Cricket: Neil Broom makes the most of his second chance
Neil Broom needed to shine against Bangladesh in the one-day international absence of regular New Zealand No.4 Ross Taylor. Broom anchored the Black Caps innings with 109 runs off 107 balls, surpassing his best of 71 batting at No.6 against the same opposition at Napier in 2010.
Live: ‘Severe’ 5.5 earthquake in central New Zealand
More than 7000 people have reported feeling the earthquake, according to GeoNet, with reports coming from as far away as Christchurch and the central North Island. A couple of aftershocks have hit the Seddon region since the quake struck at 3.34pm, including a 3.7 magnitude and a 4.7 magnitude, according to GeoNet.
Northland cooking school closure linked to fraud probe
The closure of the Culinary Institute of New Zealand, in Kerikeri, came as a shock to staff and students. Photo / Peter de Graaf A Northland culinary school which closed down suddenly last month, putting tutors out of work and students in limbo, was owned by a company caught up in a Serious Fraud Office probe.
Man flown to hospital after injuring his hand in planer accident
A man suffered a critical injury when his hand went through a planer in Thames this morning. The man, in his 30s, was flown by the Auckland and Coromandel Westpac Rescue Helicopter, based at Whitianga for the summer, to Waikato Hospital just after 7am.
Gisborne bus crash survivors settle in at Auckland church
Dozens of students aged between 11 and 17 from Tonga’s Mailefihi Siu’ilikutapu College, in Vava’u, have started settling in at a church in the city, having been flown to Auckland free by Air New Zealand . The youngsters, most of them teenage boys, spoke quietly but continued to smile and joke with each other, while others slept inside.
Panic alarms to be installed after 115 assaults at Bay hospitals
Bay of Plenty District Health Board acting chief executive Pete Chandler said panic alarms will be installed in standalone buildings after at least 115 assaults on hospital staff this year. Photo/file Panic alarms are to be installed at Tauranga and Whakatane hospitals after more than 100 assaults on staff were recorded this year.
Injured Bangladesh keeper Mushfiqur Rahim misses remaining ODIs in New Zealand
Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim is helped from the field after injuring his leg during the one-day international cricket match between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Hagley Park in Christchurch on December 26, 2016. AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville The first-choice stumper, also a key middle order batsman, suffered the injury during his team’s defeat by 77 runs in the Boxing Day match at Christchurch.
Petrol price tops $2 a litre
The national price of 91 petrol has topped $2 per litre, but with some stations still charging lower prices it pays to shop around. The price of 91 octane has continued to climb since the end of November after oil-producing nations decided to slash production for the start of 2017.
Child hospitalised after dog bite
The boy was flown at 2am this morning from Wairoa to Napier in the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter before being put on an aircraft to Wellington. Photo / Supplied A child was airlifted from Wairoa Hospital by the Hawke’s Bay Rescue helicopter early this morning with serious facial injuries after being bitten by a dog.
Greens petition to change KiwiRail’s mind
The Government-owned rail operator has announced decided to change trains running between Hamilton and Palmerston North from electric to diesel. With more than 2000 signatures so far, the petition was rolling full steam ahead and has gained support from Rail and Maritime Transport Union.
Latham shines as NZ makes record score
New Zealand set a record total of 341 for seven to start their one-day international series against Bangladesh in Christchurch. It was the highest score against their opponents in 26 ODI meetings, and equalled the format record at the ground – 341 for nine by Scotland against Canada in a World Cup qualifier.
Faith-filled New Zealanders still keep Christ at the centre of Christmas
It was a full house at St Mary’s Peace Hall in New Plymouth with parishioners flocking to celebrate Christmas with their church community. It was the first Christmas service following the closure of the cathedral earlier this year, which stands as the oldest stone church in New Zealand but requires an extensive amount of earthquake strengthening.
LDS missionary dies in South Africa
A full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from New Zealand, serving in the South Africa Johannesburg Mission, died on Dec. 23. Elder Nofo-I-Lelenga Latu, 19, from the Auckland New Zealand Tamaki Stake, Clover Park Ward, died of injuries sustained in a car accident. He was traveling with three other missionaries, who are being treated for minor injuries.
Outdoor programmes no longer the only option for kids
From left, Nico Bolli, 10, Nisha Hardman, 9, Jaden Collie, 11, and Ravi Jatania, 11, were up for a day of caving at the Kaniwhaniwha Reserve in Pirongia. Kids today have many more options than kids who grew up in the 1980s, says University of Waikato sport sociology associate professor Dr Holly Thorpe.
KiwiRail switching to all-diesel trains on North Island main trunk line
KiwiRail KiwiRail will improve its reliability and efficiency for customers by employing an all-diesel fleet on the North Island Main Trunk line, KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy says. The small fleet of almost 30 year old electric trains that operate between Hamilton and Palmerston North will be phased out over the next two years and replaced with diesel locomotives.
Man wanted by Bay of Plenty police in relation to drug charges
Police are looking for him in relation to supplying methamphetamine, conspiring to supply methamphetamine and participating in an organised criminal group.
KiwiRail cans electric trains, goes with diesel
KiwiRail, the state-owned rail and freight operator, said a small fleet of electric trains on New Zealand’s North Island would be phased out over the next two years and replaced with diesel locomotives. The North Island Main Trunk, or NIMT, runs from Auckland to Wellington but is only electrified between Hamilton and Palmerston North with a fleet of 16 almost 30-year old electric trains, Wellington-based KiwiRail said in a statement.
Kiwi Company Targets US Renovations Market
An award winning New Zealand company has launched a major export push into the US, offering consumers sustainable home renovations. Wanaka based Dream Doors which last year turned over $18m throughout Australasia, says they expect to open 100 US franchises within the next five years, which will lift their annual revenue to over $150m.
Liquidation of company ordered to pay former employee more than $20,000 stalls
People owed money by a failed freight and logistics services company ordered to pay a former employee $20,000 won’t see a cent unless they bankroll further legal action. Palmerston North-based company Goshen Holdings folded in 2013 after it lost its only contract, significantly hampering its ability to pay its tax bill.
England collapse to humiliating defeat vs India
” England lost six wickets for 40 runs in the post-tea session to plunge to a humiliating innings and 75-run loss to India on day five of the fifth test on Tuesday. India has won the five-match series 4-0.