Police mental health responses drop by thousands after changes
Police attended 7370 fewer mental health-related requests in the year to June, a result of a deliberate plan to wind back on responding to calls for help.
NSW bans Nazi chants in push to stop 'vile hatred'
NSW bans Nazi chants in push to stop 'vile hatred'
People who chant Nazi slogans could be imprisoned in New South Wales as part of a bid to punish and unmask far-right extremists.
Near-unanimous vote orders release of Epstein files
Near-unanimous vote orders release of Epstein files
The US House of Representatives have voted almost unanimously to force the release of Justice Department files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Superbug found at Christchurch Hospital 'makes one in 10 sick'
Superbug found at Christchurch Hospital 'makes one in 10 sick'
An antibiotic-resistant superbug with two confirmed separate outbreaks at Christchurch Hospital causes one in 10 people to become sick, an infectious diseases researcher says.
Pike River Mine families 'still battling' after 15 years
Pike River Mine families 'still battling' after 15 years
Pike River families are still waiting to hear if police will lay criminal charges as a result of the disaster that left 29 men dead 15 years ago.
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Closure of youth organisation ‘devastating’
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Closure of youth organisation ‘devastating’
The "devastating" closure of a long-running Dunedin youth non-profit reflects successive governments’ failure to invest in the sector, its chairman says.
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'It was scarily close to our house'
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'It was scarily close to our house'
Neighbours have described the intensity of the heat coming from a central Dunedin house - "deliberately" set alight - going up in flames.
Unenforceable parks paid for: DCC
Unenforceable parks paid for: DCC
Parking revenue came in for the Dunedin City Council at Albany St when time restrictions could not be enforced.
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Rescue chopper pilot chases car after laser attack
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Rescue chopper pilot chases car after laser attack
An Otago rescue helicopter pilot pursued a car for about 30km north of Dunedin after two paramedics had lasers shot in their eyes from the ground.
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Fair trading breach fines to be raised
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Fair trading breach fines to be raised
Raising penalties for breaches of fair trading law is a "shot across the bows" of companies that exploit their customers, a University of Otago academic says.
Joint winners’ work ethic, editorial excellence recognised
Joint winners’ work ethic, editorial excellence recognised
Otago Daily Times subeditor Fiona Russell and sports reporter Kayla Hodge have been named joint winners of the 2025 Valpy Rosebowl Trophy.
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Hand-made toys had contaminated sand
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Hand-made toys had contaminated sand
Successful enterprise never came easy. But it has landed something of a cruel blow on Frankie and Quinn Cropper.
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Neonatal unit ‘best’ in country: mother
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Neonatal unit ‘best’ in country: mother
A Dunedin mother says the city’s neonatal intensive care unit is "the best in the country" — and she should know, as her daughter spent nine weeks in the unit.
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Prison time for cray conspiracy duo
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Prison time for cray conspiracy duo
The gang member and "inside woman" behind a massive illegal crayfish distribution network have been sentenced to prison.
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Dunedin man in botched drug deal 'vulnerable to being bullied'
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Dunedin man in botched drug deal 'vulnerable to being bullied'
A Dunedin man involved in a botched methamphetamine deal has been described as being as much a victim as an offender.
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Worker pulled to ground in service station assault
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Worker pulled to ground in service station assault
BP says it is supporting staff at a Dunedin service station after an employee was pulled to the ground during a late-night shift.
Wife had rejected marriage proposal, court told
Wife had rejected marriage proposal, court told
The new wife of a man who was stabbed to death at his Dunedin home had previously turned down a marriage to the alleged killer, a court has heard.
Cultural awareness a ‘vital skill’
Cultural awareness a ‘vital skill’
Several devastating experiences can be prevented with more culturally aware practices in the healthcare system, a Dunedin nurse says.
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Uni drops in sustainability rankings
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Uni drops in sustainability rankings
While the University of Otago has toppled out of the top 100 universities in the QS World University Sustainability Rankings, the institution’s leaders are pleased with their "strong performance".
Pupils take on their own ‘Amazing Race’
Pupils take on their own ‘Amazing Race’
Photo by Gregor Richardson