Otago Daily Times Online News

Police seek more info after fire near Waitaki Boys'

Updated 1.30 pm

Police are seeking help from the public following a large "unexplained" vegetation fire near Waitaki Boys' High School this morning.
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Simulated supermarkets to help youth

At Woolworths’ new mini supermarkets, you can buy stuff, but it can never leave the store.
Sing it with flair

The Nautilus Chorale from Otago Girls’ High School perform at the 2026 Otago and South Canterbury Big Sing regional concert at the Dunedin Town Hall yesterday.

Mould, broken windows: Dunedin flats still not up to standard

Mould, broken windows: Dunedin flats still not up to standard

Living in poor quality housing shouldn't be part of Dunedin student life, the Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team says.
Dunedin man accused of murdering 'all around good bugger' keeps identity secret

Dunedin man accused of murdering 'all around good bugger' keeps identity secret

A Dunedin man charged with murder has appeared in court this morning and will be assessed by mental-health professionals while his identity remains under wraps.
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Dunedin businessman claims rape allegations false

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Dunedin businessman claims rape allegations false

A Dunedin businessman who has held shares in Scott’s Auto Sales and the Dunedin Casino denies multiple rape allegations against him.

ODT quiz: June 9
Ex-Warriors prop 'free' after coming out as gay
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'Waste of our time': Police slammed by Caversham bottle store owner
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Couple clash with council over container

dunedin

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Visitors already booking for 2028 eclipse

Astronomy enthusiasts are getting their accommodation sorted two years in advance as excitement grows for Dunedin’s once-in-a-millennium celestial event.

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Brooking rises in Labour’s list rankings

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Brooking rises in Labour’s list rankings

Labour’s hierarchy has cast a vote in favour of its Dunedin MP Rachel Brooking, giving her a substantial promotion on its party list.
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Lack of evidence ends penguin inquiry

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Lack of evidence ends penguin inquiry

Doc staff have closed their investigation into the deaths of little blue penguins, believed to have been killed by a dog at Long Beach due to lack of evidence.
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Trinity students get school back in tune with choir

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Trinity students get school back in tune with choir

When a group of Trinity Catholic College students found out there was no choir at their school, they decided that must be changed.

regions

Aspiring Medical Centre GP Dr Fiona MacLean. Photo: Supplied

Fears after-hours care may be cut

Wānaka could be left in the ‘‘scary’’ position of having no after-hours treatment if massive cuts to funding go ahead, a GP says.

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Wallaby status being reviewed by ORC

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Wallaby status being reviewed by ORC

The eradication status for wallabies is under review, both in Otago and nationally, as stronger evidence continues to emerge of the Australian invader in the outskirts of Dunedin.
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Federated Farmers ‘very disappointed’ with Waitaki rates hike

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Federated Farmers ‘very disappointed’ with Waitaki rates hike

Rural ratepayers will bear the brunt of the Waitaki district’s 22% rates hike, Federated Farmers says.
Alleged running of red light leads to ute-truck collision

Alleged running of red light leads to ute-truck collision

A ute collided with a truck after allegedly running a red light in Oamaru yesterday.

National

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey. Photo: RNZ

Funding boost for mental health

The government is putting $100 million of Health NZ's frontline service funding into mental health support workers, training and inpatient beds.

Evacuation orders extended as capital pummelled

Evacuation orders extended as capital pummelled

Updated 2.40 pm

Hundreds of evacuated seafront residents in Wellington won't be able to return home tonight as 11 metre waves and strong winds pummel the capital.
Lawyer who smuggled contraband to notorious killer fails appeal

Lawyer who smuggled contraband to notorious killer fails appeal

Struck-off lawyer Davina Reid has failed to satisfy authorities that she is fit to practise law after a sustained campaign to clear her name.
Homeowners call for Ashburton builder to be barred

Homeowners call for Ashburton builder to be barred

People in Ashburton are calling for a builder to be barred from future work, saying they have lost tens of thousands of dollars on unfinished jobs.

sport

Kane Evans played one season for the Warriors. Photo: Getty Images

Ex-Warriors prop 'free' after coming out as gay

Former prop forward Kane Evans says a weight has lifted from his shoulders after he became only the second male NRL player to come out as gay.

England captain Stokes involved in 'nightclub incident'

England captain Stokes involved in 'nightclub incident'

Two England cricketers, including captain Ben Stokes, are being investigated following a nightclub incident after the first test against the Black Caps.
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Obvious choice to secure ‘world-class’ Brown

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Obvious choice to secure ‘world-class’ Brown

Every coach in world rugby would like to have Tony Brown on their team.
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Association had year of ‘honest reflection’

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Association had year of ‘honest reflection’

Basketball Otago was able to ‘‘deliver and reflect’’ in 2025.

Food & Wine

Sweet, spicy and satisfying
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Suet? Dripping? Stuff that
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Students give oats a 21st-century makeover
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Tasty ways to celebrate the longest night

Business

Govt dumps 'gas tax' levy to pay for LNG terminal

The government has backed down on paying for its LNG import terminal through a levy, and is imposing steeper fines on power companies to shore up energy supply.

Concern not enough workers to cope with tourists

Concern not enough workers to cope with tourists

The tourism workforce will not be big enough to cater for growing plane loads of travellers if more work is not done to attract additional staff, an industry leader says.
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Company ordered to make $2m payment

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Company ordered to make $2m payment

A farming company, overseen by a man who has business ventures across multiple sectors, all around the world, has been ordered to make a $2 million-plus payment after a stock food deal went sour.
Record number of power company complaints in past year

Record number of power company complaints in past year

Complaints made to Utilities Disputes about New Zealand's power companies have increased by 500% in the past five years and were up by another 62% in the last year.

Rural Life

Andrew Hoggard, an ACT MP, dairy farmer and former president of Federated Farmers, said he was...

ACT proposes new Rural Workforce Visa

The ACT party is proposing a new Rural Workforce Visa to help with worker shortages on farms.

'World cottoning on to wonderful wool'

'World cottoning on to wonderful wool'

Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
Record bull sale in Teviot Valley

Record bull sale in Teviot Valley

Family traditions are deeply rooted in a Hereford bull sale in Teviot Valley.
$10.45 beef price expected in a year

$10.45 beef price expected in a year

Global AgriTrends co-founder Simon Quilty forecasts the record beef price to be at $10.45 a kilogram for prime steers in a year’s time.

Life & style

Cherry blossom at Kashihara Shrine. PHOTOS: CRAIG MCLACHLAN

Undiscovered gems of Japan

Travel writer Craig McLachlan goes off the beaten track in Nara prefecture in Japan to discover primeval forests, big Buddahs and ancient temples.

In a trailblazer’s wake

In a trailblazer’s wake

A new name for the South’s marine reserves carries a legacy of charting new horizons, Tom McKinlay and Luke Chapman report.
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Don’t push me cos I’m close to the edge

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Don’t push me cos I’m close to the edge

ARGH!!!!! How’s the ol’ nervous system?
Belonging in the universe

Belonging in the universe

There is a letter in my files that I occasionally take out and read.

LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

Why so (not) serious?
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More space, more shows

World

Top African referee denied entry to US for World Cup

The United States denied entry over the weekend to soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match.

Ebola deaths top 100 as armed groups hamper response

Ebola deaths top 100 as armed groups hamper response

The Democratic Republic of Congo says confirmed Ebola deaths have climbed to 101 and that the presence of armed groups is continuing to hinder the response in the hardest-hit province.
Iran and Israel pause strikes as Trump Netanyahu tensions grow

Iran and Israel pause strikes as Trump Netanyahu tensions grow

Iran and Israel say they have halted attacks on each other after an appeal from US President Donald Trump that they immediately "stop shooting".
Roaming bear forces school supensions

Roaming bear forces school supensions

The Japanese city of Utsunomiya suspended all 94 of the primary and middle schools it operates after its first-ever bear sighting, an official says.

Opinion

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) meets with New Zealand's Prime Minister...

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Stay close in times of trouble

For an army which has been ‘‘virtually decapitated”, to quote United States President Donald Trump, Iran’s defence forces still seem to have plenty of life in them.