Where are they now?

Rising country music singer Jody Direen has come a long way since performing in the Otago Daily Times' Big Night In at Forsyth Barr Stadium last year - and come April she will be going even further.

Neil Harrap had just sent documents to his business partners in Turkey before returning home to speak to the Otago Daily Times, the latest of countless steps he has made over the years towards getting his $4 million Fly by Wire invention back off the ground after a damaging court case in 2004.

Former Wanaka resident Andre Prassinos - often referred to as a Queenstown Lakes District Council "watchdog" - has a new title these days, Biobrew director.

Arran Pene has been long gone from Dunedin, but the former Otago and All Black No 8's connection to the city remains as strong as ever.

He hosted smart brains on the box. But, these days, television just makes his head hurt. Nigel Benson catches up with Max Cryer.

Since he left Dunedin to join the navy, Commander Shaun Fogarty has had a varied military career with plenty of travel, but Otago remains his favourite place to unwind.