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Taranaki highway closure to affect Ed Sheeran fans, holidaymakers and businesses

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ed Sheeran fans travelling to Auckland for his concert on the weekend are having to add extra travel time to their journey as a result of the highway closure. Paras Griffin / Getty Images via AFP

Ed Sheeran fans, holidaymakers, sports competitors and businesses are being hit in the back pocket and facing lengthy detours as Waka Kotahi shuts down State Highway 3 north of Mt Messenger in Taranaki for five days from 12:01 Friday morning to replace two end-of-life culverts.

Thousands of motorists wanting to use the only route into and out of Taranaki from the north are instead being asked to head south and use State Highway 4 or State Highway 1.

Solo mother of three Lisa Corrigan bought Ed Sheeran tickets for herself and her eldest daughter Rebecca back in August – long before the road closure was announced in October – and is heading to Saturday’s Auckland show.

She will be travelling from New Plymouth with two younger children and couldn’t face the lengthy detour.

“It’s actually just too long driving for one person to do on their own, so we’ve had to add on an additional two days of accommodation, one on each end to avoid travelling the longer route.”

Corrigan had to find extra money for accommodation, but wasn’t about to disappoint Rebecca and try and offload the tickets.

The detour route. Supplied / NZTA

“It was part of a birthday present for my 12-year-old daughter, so yeah, I wasn’t going to let her down.”

Adele Donghi and husband Ronald were having to take two days extra off work to catch the British pop sensation.

“We’re actually leaving to go as far as Hamilton on Thursday night, because it’s actually midnight Thursday that it closes, and we’re staying in Hamilton for two nights and then driving up to Auckland,” Adele Donghi said.

“And when we come back we’re coming as far as Hamilton on the Sunday, staying a night, and then we have to drive the long way home because the road will still be closed.”

The New Plymouth locals said they were lucky to have family they could stay with in Hamilton.

Donghi wasn’t too critical of NZTA, pointing out their own planning hadn’t been too flash either.

“We had sort of held off getting the tickets and then when we finally got the tickets we thought s*** that’s when the road’s going to be closed, so we didn’t really pre-think it at all. Yeah, if we’d thought about it we maybe wouldn’t have done it.”

Music fans were not the only ones put out.

Competitors heading home from the National Waka Ama champs at Lake Karapiro, and those travelling to the Taranaki Men’s Open Fours in New Plymouth – the country’s largest lawn bowls tournament – will also be affected – plus fans of American comedian Matt Rife who willl be performing at Spark Arena.

Businesses hit too

And spare a thought for businesses reliant on the highway.

General manager at New Plymouth-based haulage firm JD Hickman Nikola Selby was having to perform a juggling act with its 65 trucks.

“It’s extremely disruptive; it’s the main arterial route into and out of Taranaki, so what we can effectively do in a day or in a week we cannot do now because we are having to add an extra sort of 250-300 kilometres on our trips, so it has a significant financial implication for the business.”

Selby, however, appreciated the early heads up given about the road closure.

Meanwhile, Mōkau butcher Bryan Lester was expecting business to dry up.

Bryan Lester. RNZ / Robin Martin

“At least 80 percent of my trade would be passing through word-of-mouth travellers who’ve heard about the shop and the products that I sell here. I’ll be opening for just a few hours each day just to help out people who are here, holidaymakers and stuff like that, but there’s no point in opening all day.”

Lester said NZTA should’ve done the work in February.

Waka Kotahi project manager Kendra Ludeke said there was no good time to do a five-day road closure and acknowledged it would be disruptive.

“We needed water levels to be really low because we’re working in waterways, so summer time is the best time for us to do that replacement.

“We stayed well away from the Christmas/New Year period, so that our holiday travellers could enjoy the Taranaki community coming in and out without and disruptions and we also needed to make sure we stayed away from the kids going back to school.”

Ludeke said due to the limited space available and the use of heavy equipment necessary to do the job, a complete road closure was considered the best option.

State Highway 3 was due to reopen to one-lane traffic under stop-go management at 11.59pm on Tuesday.

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Why are teeth left out of public healthcare?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dental grants of up to $1000 are available to people on low incomes and with limited assets each year. 123RF

Tens of millions of dollars are being paid out in dental grants each quarter – and advocates say the total cost of excluding dental care from the public health system is more than the government would have to pay to fund it.

Dental care is generally only publicly funded for people who are under 18.

Ministry of Social Development data shows that in the March quarter of last year, just under 30,000 dental grants were issued, worth a total of $22.2 million.

Of those, 9330 were recoverable.

The quarter before, there were 28,398 worth $21.098m. In the three months before that, there were 33,045 worth $24,853.

Through 2023, there were similar numbers granted and a total of $90.199m issued in grants for the 12 months.

Dental grants of up to $1000 are available to people on low incomes and with limited assets each year. This does not have to be paid back. Grants above this amount may need to be repaid.

In a recent report, Citizens Advice Bureau said its clients were worried about the cost of dental treatment.

“Clients are finding that dental treatment needs to be deemed as immediate and essential treatment to receive an emergency Work and Income grant. People who are struggling with eating or speaking due to long-term dental issues cannot find funds to cover the dentures required after tooth extraction. Dentists are not willing to remove a client’s teeth if there is no possibility of dentures being purchased.

“Clients are looking at different options, such as creating a dental plan with the dental care provider, going to their local hospital emergency department, arranging food parcels while they pay off dental bills, withdrawing KiwiSaver funds, and seeking help from budgeting services. When clients get recoverable assistance, their benefit is reduced to pay it back, which often leaves them without enough money for basic living costs.”

It said one client had been referred to it by Work and Income because he could not pay for dentures.

“They can only offer an advance which he would need to repay, but as he cannot afford the $60 per week that he would require to do this, they have declined his application…Miles has been required to take medicine for many years causing the issues with his teeth. Despite this medical treatment being needed due to an accident, ACC will not help Miles as they do not cover an injury that is a normal side effect of medical treatment. Work and Income policy states that an emergency grant covers only immediate and essential dental treatment and does not include dentures.”

Data from the NZ Dental Association in 2023 showed that the cost of procedures had risen substantially over the previous three years, in some cases by more than 20 percent.

Ricardo Menéndez-March Phil Smith

Green MP Ricardo Menéndez-March said people were getting into debt to get “basic healthcare”. “Leaving people with rotten teeth and pain in their mouth.”

“While the previous government did increase the amount that people could get before they would get into debt, what we are seeing on the list is still a large amount of people requiring ongoing assistance from Work and Income for basic healthcare, which takes us back to our core call, which is that dental care should be put into the public healthcare system, something that the Greens have been campaigning on for several years.”

He said the current system meant the government was effectively subsidising private healthcare.

He said over the years there had been an increase in the need for assistance with dental care.

‘A significant gap’

Hana Pilkington-Ching, spokesperson for the Dental for All campaign, said it was a bigger problem than many people realised.

“It’s a significant gap that leads to a lot of other issues in healthcare but also economically for the country.”

She said the income cutoff for grants was low and they had to be used for urgent and immediate treatments.

“If someone is eligible and they are under the income limit and the savings limit and they’re able to afford the private dental appointments to get the quote because they go to WINZ, once they’re in that position they can only access immediate relief such as extraction. It’s not an effective model to encourage people to access basic preventive care that would prevent them getting into that situation in the first place.”

She said people sometimes ended up in emergency department and inpatient care because of dental infections.

“It’s costing us more as a country for people to not access dental care than it would to make it free for people.”

The New Zealand Health Survey found more than 40 percent of adults had unmet need for dental care because of the cost.

Ministry of Social Development group general manager of client service delivery Graham Allpress said the ministry knew people were finding the cost of living difficult.

“In December 2022, the support eligible people can get for dental treatment through a Special Needs Grant (SNG) was increased significantly from $300 to $1000. At the same time, the requirement for dental need to be considered an emergency was also removed. Instead, the dental treatment would need to be considered immediate and essential to qualify for this support.

“These two changes have meant that thousands more people every year are eligible for financial support to help cover their dental costs. This doesn’t need to be paid back…While treatments such as dentures are not included in this criteria, we may still be able to help pay for it with an advance payment of up to six weeks for a person’s benefit. This is interest-free and needs to be paid back.

“When someone applies for an advance payment of benefit, we are required to consider their existing debt with us and whether they will be able to live with the reduced income as a result of the advance payment. We will also need to consider whether the repayments will allow a person to pay off their debt within 24 months. We set repayments at a manageable level; this is generally no more than $40 per week for a person receiving an advance payment of benefit. When a client is in hardship, we will consider reducing these repayments.”

He said people who were not receiving a benefit might be able to get assistance to help cover essential or emergency costs and this would need to be paid back.

“We have met with the Citizens Advice Bureau and listened to their concerns. We’re happy to look into any example where someone was declined support and explain our decision.”

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Smoke warning lifts for Dunedin after scout hall catches fire

Source: Radio New Zealand

Supplied / Chloe Matthews

Firefighters will continue working into the night to put out a blaze at a scout hall in the Dunedin suburb of Roslyn.

Fire and Emergency said a heavy digger was demolishing the front of the building so firefighters could finish dampening down the interior.

The fire broke out about 3.40pm on Wednesday.

Photos shared with RNZ showed a two-storey building engulfed in flames.

The fire had been producing large amounts of smoke, particularly in the Kaikorai Valley north of Stuart Street, prompting FENZ to send out a smoke warning.

Supplied / Olivia Christie Gaiger

That warning that advised people to stay inside with doors and windows close has since lifted.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun.

Cordons remain in place on Stuart Street and drivers are being asked to avoid the area.

The Otago Regional Council earlier set up booms to reduce the amount of contaminated water running off the site of the fire.

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Tennis: Cam Norrie out of ASB Classic after loss to Giovanni Perricard

Source: Radio New Zealand

France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard during his singles match at the ASB Classic Men’s ATP 250 tennis tournament at Manuka Doctor Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. Wednesday 14 January 2026. © Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Local favourite and fifth seed Cam Norrie is out of the ASB Classic after losing 6-4 3-6 7-6 to Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Big serving Perricard is continuing his impressive run at the tournament, with his latest victory featuring 25 aces.

Norrie, who lived in Auckland from when he was three, until he was 16, now represents Great Britain, but gets well supported in his ‘hometown’ tournament.

Norrie took the first set 6-4, before Perricard fought back to take the second set 6-3.

Perricard regularly topped 220km/h with his serve. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Norrie had a match point at 5-4 in the third set, but couldn’t take advantage as he sent a backhand well wide, keeping Perricard alive in the match.

The deciding set was even until the tiebreak, where Perricard quickly found himself up 6-1. Norrie saved three match points, before Perricard fittingly finished the match with a booming ace down the centre.

Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie during his singles match at the ASB Classic Men’s ATP 250 tennis tournament at Manuka Doctor Arena, Auckland, New Zealand. Wednesday 14 January 2026. © Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Perricard said it was a very tough match.

“It was intense at the end. I’m happy to win this one, it was a real fight, he’s [Norrie] a true fighter.”

Perricard will now face the winner of Hamad Medjedovic or Jakub Mensik in Thursday’s quarterfinal.

Earlier, American top seed Ben Shelton impressed in his victory over Argentina’s Francisco Comesana.

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Live: Black Caps v India – second ODI

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action as the Black Caps take on India for the second one-day international in Rajkot.

Virat Kohli hit 93 to help India chase down 301 in a tense four-wicket win over New Zealand in the first ODI on Sunday night (NZT).

First ball at Niranjan Shah Stadium is at 9pm NZT.

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Daryl Mitchell tries to play a shot during the first ODI between India and New Zealand SHAMMI MEHRA

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Waitārere Beach shooting: Police called hours before fatal shooting

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police at the scene of the shooting incident. RNZ/Mark Papalii

Police were called to a Waitārere Beach address hours before arriving a second time to find a man dead and three others with gunshot wounds in the early hours of this morning.

The survivors – a 46-year-old woman and two males aged 17 and 21 – remain critically wounded in Wellington Hospital.

A 60-year-old man that RNZ understands to be Benjamin Harry Timmins was found dead – while a young girl at the scene is being cared for by family.

Police are not looking for anyone else.

On Facebook, Timmins’ sister said he was her rock, her friend, her protector “and above all, my brother”.

“I will miss him.” she said.

She said it was with the “heaviest of broken hearts” that she was sharing that he was dead.

“The last of the good old boys,” she wrote.

“Loved friend, father, and brother. Trickster, funny fella, all round solid gold.”

She added that there would be a private cremation.

A 111 call was made shortly after midnight, but Inspector Ross Grantham said a first call was made by the woman at about 7pm.

He said police took action then, but could not say what that was or what the call was for.

Grantham said officers were at the property within eight minutes of the second call.

“The quick response by police likely saved the three victims’ lives. Our officers were confronted with a harrowing scene that no one should have to witness.”

The body of the dead man is still at the scene and will be removed tomorrow.

Inspector Grantham said a scene examination will continue for the next few days.

“Locals can expect to see a police presence in the area for the time being.

“I would like to commend everyone who was involved in this harrowing ordeal, from those who called emergency services, as well as first responders at the scene.”

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Police appeal for information after serious assault in Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are asking the public to help identify three men who they believe are able to assist with an investigation into a number of serious assaults in Churton Park. NZ Police

Wellington Police are asking the public to help identify three men who they believe are able to assist with an investigation into a number of serious assaults in Churton Park.

Police were called to a gathering at a premises in Churton Park on Saturday 13 December, 2025.

Acting Detective Sergeant Laura Murdoch said about 90 people were in attendance of the supervised gathering, when four people arrived uninvited.

“The alleged offenders were masked, and one was armed with a weapon,” Murdoch said.

They then went on to conduct a “planned, violent, unprovoked assault on seven young people in attendance of the gathering before fleeing the area.”

“The seven people received a range of injuries, from minor bruising to a fractured skull which required surgery.”

Police have established the alleged offenders attended the Mobil Gas Station in Johnsonville around 20 minutes prior to the assault

An 18-year-old Tawa man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to injure, and common assault.

Police are asking for help to identify this man in relation to an assault in Churton Park. NZ Police

Police are now asking the public to help identify three people who they believe could assist in enquiries into the assault.

Murdoch said one man is wearing a ’36’ Pittsburgh Steelers NFL jersey, light coloured denim shorts, and blue and white basketball sneakers.

The second man is wearing a black hoodie with ‘Lakers’ printed on the front, dark-coloured shorts, white sneakers, and has a diamante stud earring in their left ear.

A third person cannot be seen in the images, however, has been described as wearing a grey hoodie, beige / grey shorts, and black sneakers.

If you know who these men may be, or attended the gathering, please get in touch with Police at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking ‘Update Report’, using the reference number 251217/8772.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or through 0800 555 111.

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Quick response in Waitārere Beach incident likely saved lives

Source: New Zealand Police

Manawatū Police say quick attendance at the scene of a shooting in Waitārere Beach likely helped save three victims’ lives.

A 111 call was placed around 12:40am today requesting assistance at the Waitārere Beach Road property, where three people – a 46-year-old woman, a 17-year-old boy, and a 21-year-old man – were found in critical condition with gunshot wounds.

A 60-year-old man was found deceased. Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham says officers were at the property within eight minutes.

“The quick response by Police likely saved the three victims’ lives. Our officers were confronted with a harrowing scene that no one should have to witness.”

The woman has been transferred to Wellington Hospital, where she and the two males remain, all in critical condition.

The body of the deceased man remains at the scene. It is intended to be removed tomorrow, ahead of a post-mortem on Friday.

A young girl who was at the scene is being given support and is now in the care of family.

Inspector Grantham says Police remain at the scene conducting a scene examination, which is expected to continue into the next couple of days.

“Locals can expect to see a Police presence in the area for the time being.

“I would like to commend everyone who was involved in this harrowing ordeal, from those who called emergency services, as well as first responders at the scene,” Inspector Grantham says.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre 

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Men found clinging to life jacket, bucket and petrol can after boat capsizes

Source: Radio New Zealand

Supplied / NZDF

Three men who spent six hours in the water after their boat overturned did not have time to grab hold of anything, the Coastguard says.

They were found clinging to a single life jacket, a bucket and a petrol can off Tolaga Bay on Wednesday.

A major search and rescue effort was launched before midday after the commercial crayfishing vessel flipped.

Police, the Coastguard, the Rescue Coordination Centre, Defence Force, Surf Lifesaving and local rescue helicopter were all involved.

Other nearby commercial operators also helped.

Supplied / NZDF

Coastguard Gisborne skipper Aaron Boyle said the 7-metre boat capsized suddenly when it got tangled in a craypot line.

The men were near hypothermic and fatigued when eventually found – with one in a moderate condition and taken to hospital by ambulance.

Boyle said the men were extremely fortunate.

“Their boat overturned quite suddenly. They didn’t have time to grab anything,” he said.

“They are so lucky. Six hours in the water is a long time – especially with all three people holding onto one life jacket.”

Rescue Coordination Centre watch leader Alex Taylor said: “This was a fantastic example of agencies and local operators working together to achieve the best possible outcome. Everyone responded quickly and professionally, and that teamwork made all the difference.”

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Auckland Transport bus crashes into power pole, damages building

Source: Radio New Zealand

Supplied / Green Bay Auctions

An Auckland Transport bus has crashed into a power pole, causing the pole to fall and damage a building.

Police said officers were in attendance at the crash at the intersection of Neville Street and Portage Road in New Lynn.

Photos from the scene show a traffic light pole has also been pulled down from the impact of the crash.

The crash, which has also seen damage to the Green Bay Auctions building, was reported about 4.30pm on Wednesday.

Supplied / Green Bay Auctions

“The bus driver has not been seriously injured, however the pole is currently leaning against a vacant building.

“Traffic is being diverted away from a section of Portage Road as lines contractors are deployed to make the scene safe.”

Police said traffic was being diverted from a section of Portage Road as lines contractors work to make the scene safe.

Supplied / Green Bay Auctions

“Police are at intersections with Clark Street and Hill Crescent.

“Please avoid the area if at all possible while the scene is cleared.”

A spokesperson for Green Bay Auctions said they would be needing a new sign.

They were glad no one had been serious hurt in the incident.

Auckland Transport has been contacted for comment.

Supplied / Green Bay Auctions

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