Scholarship winner ready to get scientific

The decision on new public toilets in Ashburton Cemetery is on hold after a tied vote between councillors. Options included building a new facility in the cemetery center for $288,345 or on both sides for $598,944, with Mayor Brown initially suggesting no toilet at all. Councillors voted 5-5 on the center option, but the decision was postponed pending more information on usage and funding, to be presented at the next council meeting. Full Article

Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasizes New Zealand's commitment to free trade amidst the announcement of a 10% tariff on goods entering the United States. Despite the potential impact on consumers, McClay asserts that New Zealand remains competitive in the U.S. market and will continue to pursue new trade opportunities while advocating for a rules-based trading system. He highlights the importance of understanding the consequences of tariffs on the global economy and plans to...

The 2025 Cleveland National Art Awards in Dunedin feature 220 selected works by artists from New Zealand, with a prize pool of $18,000 awarded across four categories. Dean Raybould's gHosttrunk won the supreme award, and other winners include Mark Graver, Innocenza Toritto, Samantha Sutherland, and Joel Potter. The exhibition runs until April 26, with free entry and works available for purchase, along with a People's Choice Award with a $1000 prize. Full Article

Heavy rain in the Marlborough region prompted precautionary evacuations in Spring Creek last year, with the Marlborough District Council now expecting more rain but not at a level requiring evacuations. MetService issued orange heavy rain warnings for several districts as a low pressure system moves in, with a precautionary evacuation trigger level of 4000 cumecs for Spring Creek due to compromised stopbanks along the Wairau River. Despite the forecasted rain, current models suggest no major...

Auckland Central Police conducted Operation Rocket, resulting in the recovery of 13 electric scooters and numerous stolen items from two apartments, leading to four arrests. Inspector Grant Tetzlaff stated that the investigation into recent burglaries in the city led to the discovery of a significant amount of stolen property. Charges include burglary, receiving stolen property, and aggravated robbery, with further investigations ongoing to potentially uncover additional charges. Full Article

As night owls, individuals like Gabi Lardies, Bec Murphy, and Tina Tiller find joy in staying up late to engage in activities such as late-night admin, midnight baking, or indulging in personal hobbies. By taking advantage of off-peak hours for chores and activities, they can save money, be more sustainable, and enjoy a sense of freedom from societal rules and expectations. Despite the benefits of late-night productivity, the drawback of feeling irritable the next day...