Dual-code rugby star Wendell Sailor has spent a night in custody after allegedly being found blocking traffic in the middle of a busy road in a bizarre incident.The 51-year-old former Australian league and union international was arrested after police received reports of a man yelling and standing in the middle…

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane believes Liam Lawson has the potential to become a “very good Formula 1 driver” if he can be more consistent next season.Lawson will line up with 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad in 2026 after his current teammate Isack Hadjar was promoted to join Max Verstappen at…

A mobile health clinic in Central Otago is fighting the ongoing measles outbreak by offering free MMR vaccinations to seasonal workers before the busy summer harvest season.Uruuruwhenua Hauroa in Alexandra is running the programme, travelling to orchards across the district to make the vaccinations accessible for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE)…

Waters are warming in Southland at higher rates than elsewhere, with implications for fisheries and habitats.Details of the issue have been captured in a November report from acting Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips, who referenced the recent state of the environment report.Phillips said sea surface temperatures were increasing about…

IKEA’s long-awaited arrival in New Zealand hit the ground running on Thursday, with more than 18,000 people visiting the new Sylvia Park store on its first day – and shoppers wasted no time filling their trolleys.The most purchased item of the day was the retailer’s iconic FRAKTA blue carrier bag,…

Firefighters were called to a blaze in East Tamaki on Saturday afternoon after pallets and a shipping container went up in flames.The blaze off Lady Ruby Dr in the industrial area of East Tamaki was reported at around 4.54pm on Saturday.”Crews have found pallets and one shipping container on fire…

Charities say they are struggling financially in the lead up to Christmas – with a stark drop off in donations that is being felt across the country.It’s being blamed on the high costs facing households, prompting GiveALittle to create a special “day of giving”.At Diamond Harbour School near Christchurch, a…

Housing Minister Chris Bishop might be encouraging tenants to negotiate a cheaper rent deal as prices drop — but how exactly do you do that?RNZ reported that rents were at their lowest level in two years in September.Bishop said after a select committee hearing on Wednesday that tenants should take…

Rotorua Lakes Council’s trial of moving the city’s Night Market from the central city to Kuirau Park has sparked concern among stallholders and retailers, with some reporting sharp drops in trade and reduced foot traffic in the CBD.The council began the trial in October to save $200,000 in costs, enable…

MetService is forecasting a lovely weekend for most of the country following a week that “had it all” including a tornado, heavy rain and lots of lightning. MetService meteorologist Heather Keats told Breakfast there had been more than 35,000 lightning strikes recorded across the country since Monday. “A very active…