Dunedin's new weather camera has finally been unveiled.
The high-definition camera's first images were broadcast live on Television New Zealand's 6pm One News bulletin last night.
The pictures were beamed out months after the camera was installed on top of Radio Otago House in September last year at a cost of $10,500, which came from the Dunedin City Council's city promotion budget.
The camera had been expected to begin beaming enhanced pictures of the city to the rest of New Zealand within days, but a malfunctioning part and other technical glitches meant the camera had remained offline until last night.
Council communications co-ordinator Rodney Bryant said, in addition to shots of the Dunedin Railway Station, Otago Harbour and the Forsyth Barr Stadium, the camera was capable of panning 360deg and zooming to provide alternative views of other parts of the central city.
"We are particularly pleased with that. We think it's an improved view of the city. It gives us so many more options and, in addition to that, we can take a feed for our website and people all over the world will get to see," he said.
The city's old weather camera, on top of the Forsyth Barr building, had previously broadcast unflattering views of the Octagon, although turning the camera to face the Municipal Chambers in recent weeks had improved things, Mr Bryant said.
Asked if he was happy with the delayed launch of the new camera, Mr Bryant said "these things happen".
"It's bloody annoying and maybe we were overzealous in saying it was ready [last year], but that was what we thought we were going to get.
"We've got it now."
