Otago Daily Times Online News

National MP stood down after claims he bullied flatmate in Dunedin

National MP Sam Uffindell has been stood down from the party's caucus while an investigation is carried out into allegations that he bullied a flatmate while he was a student in Dunedin.
Pilot killed in crash leaves huge hole in family

A South Island pilot who died when the plane he was flying to Rangiora crashed has been remembered as "the best father anyone could wish for".

Oamaru crash victim was mother of eight

Oamaru crash victim was mother of eight

Erin Ross’s daughters knew there had been an accident, but they tried not to think the worst when their mother failed to return home.
NCEA credits made easier after Covid-19 disruption

NCEA credits made easier after Covid-19 disruption

The government is making it easier for teenagers to get NCEA qualifications this year.
Timaru man killed in crash near Tekapo named

Timaru man killed in crash near Tekapo named

Police have released the name of the man who died following a crash involving three trucks near Tekapo yesterday.

dunedin

Car fire causes callout

A Holden that caught fire was extinguished by volunteer firefighters near Portobello.

Out with the old

Out with the old

Demolition of the 85-year-old Mosgiel Pool (right) began this week and will make way for a new car park at the new Mosgiel Pool (left).
Woman drove drunk to ex-partner’s home

Woman drove drunk to ex-partner’s home

A recruitment specialist — and self-confessed wine lover — drove 50km while nearly three times the drink-drive limit, a court has heard.
Stolen ute found burning in Pine Hill

Stolen ute found burning in Pine Hill

Dunedin police are investigating after a stolen ute was set alight in the suburb of Pine Hill early this morning.

regions

The sky over Port Chalmers turned brown in January 2020 when smoke from the Australian wildfires...

Data changes ozone understanding

Data from Niwa’s Lauder atmospheric research station has detected unprecedented chemical changes in the stratosphere, caused by smoke from the devastating Australian wildfires in 2020.

Builder climbing peak 53 times to raise mental health awareness

Builder climbing peak 53 times to raise mental health awareness

Wanaka builder Glen Thurston will be walking the talk this summer, climbing Corner Peak 53 times over December and January to raise awareness about mental health.
Popular Westport restaurant and bar catches fire

Popular Westport restaurant and bar catches fire

Fire crews have been tackling a blaze at Johnny's Bar and Restaurant on the main street of Westport.
‘Seamless handover’ planned for foodbank

‘Seamless handover’ planned for foodbank

Anxiety that Clutha’s main foodbank service might temporarily be halted has been allayed by its outgoing provider.

National

Two injured in New Brighton house fire

Fire and Emergency NZ crews battled a large house fire in east Christchurch on Wednesday afternoon.

Uffindell and the era of boarding school bullies

Uffindell and the era of boarding school bullies

National MP Sam Uffindell says that boarding schools were full of 'rough and tumble' in the 1990s. Was violence and bullying really par for the course? And if it was, has anything changed?
NCEA credits made easier after Covid-19 disruption

NCEA credits made easier after Covid-19 disruption

The government is making it easier for teenagers to get NCEA qualifications this year.
Notorious murderer takes Corrections to court

Notorious murderer takes Corrections to court in bid to wear necklace in prison

An infamous prison escapee and murderer was in the High Court at Christchurch this morning taking legal action against Corrections for refusing to allow him to wear a necklace in prison.

sport

Trent Boult will miss the Black Caps' second test against England. Photo: Getty Images

Trent Boult released from NZ Cricket contract

Paceman Trent Boult has been released from his central contract with New Zealand Cricket, meaning he will play significantly fewer matches for his country.

The highs and lows of the Games

The Kiwi team’s highs were high, the lows were ... few and far between

The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham threw up the usual amount of drama, excitement, heartbreak - and medals. Lots and lots of medals. Otago Daily Times sports reporters reflect on how the NZ team performed.
Confidence key for Nuggets, coach reckons

Confidence key for Nuggets, coach reckons

There is a certain familiarity to the situation facing the Otago Nuggets.
Serena Williams to retire after US Open

Serena Williams to retire after US Open

Serena Williams says she's "evolving away from tennis" and plans to retire from the sport she dominated with 23 Grand Slam titles following the US Open tournament.

Business

Most New Zealanders are making risk-based decisions to safeguard their wealth. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Global market chaos knocks billions off KiwiSaver value

Financial market turbulence has wiped $5 billion from the value of KiwiSaver funds in the past three months.

Rubbish bag attracting interest

Rubbish bag attracting interest

Need to stash your trash?
Spark refunds 113,000 customers over service charge

Spark refunds 113,000 customers over service charge

Spark has been warned by the Commerce Commission after some customers were charged for a service they didn't need.
Investment report raises concerns

Investment report raises concerns

Research that shows concern about privacy and security of personal information is trending down - despite 88% of Kiwis using online digital tools to manage their finances - is worrying, Financial Services Council's chief executive says.

Food & Wine

queenstown

A skier on the slopes at Coronet Peak. Photo: file

Southern skifields extending season

Two southern skifields are extending their seasons to make the most of good snow conditions.

Owner argues in dog’s defence

Owner argues in dog’s defence

The owner of a Queenstown dog classified as dangerous after it allegedly bit a man has told an appeal hearing he doubts it was responsible for the bite.
Classical music events to become permanent

Classical music events to become permanent

Two classical music events, established as a result of Covid, will permanently sit alongside the Michael Hill International Violin Competition.
Helicopter model faulted in crash

Helicopter model faulted in crash

The crash of a Robinson helicopter near Queenstown that killed two men would not have occurred in any other type of helicopter, a coroner has found.

Life & style

Port Chalmers’ designer Simone Montgomery won the Open Avante Garde section at the Hokonui...

Dunedin designers’ talents showcased

Otago designers shone at the Hokonui Fashion Design Awards, in Gore, particularly in the the Upcycled section, finds Rebecca Fox.

Buried treasure

Buried treasure

Foulden Maar holds globally unique fossil secrets revealing not just our ancient past but our possible future. But the future of the 23-million-year-old site near Middlemarch is far from certain, Associate Prof Daphne Lee says.
Deep dive on plastics

Deep dive on plastics

Last weekend, Wastebusters celebrated the end of Plastic Free July with sold-out movie screenings of For the Blue.
The past is a foreign country

The past is a foreign country

Want to know what success looks like in New Zealand right now?

Rural Life

Fencing Contractors Association New Zealand president Phil Cornelius, of Whangarei, leans on a...

Nailing a work-life balance

The Fencing Contractors New Zealand national conference was held in Dunedin for three days last week.

Course tailored for workers

Course tailored for workers

The rhythms of the seasons have been taken into account in a new Otago Polytechnic education pathway aimed at refining wine-growing and fruit production skills in Central Otago.
Meat-workers win ruling

Meat-workers win ruling

Southern meat-workers have been vindicated by an Employment Tribunal ruling which has given a slap on the wrist to a smallgoods giant for skimping on breaks.
Free health check initiative for farmers

Free health check initiative for farmers

A third of the farmers who visited the launch of a new health check initiative were referred to see a doctor.

Southland

Pania Coote, of Te Runanga o Awarua, and Evelyn Cook, of Waihopai Runaka, are pleased with the...

Positive start to mana whenua roles

Invercargill City Council’s mana whenua representatives hope their first year at the council will be the first of many.

Unprovoked attack could have killed: judge

Unprovoked attack could have killed: judge

A man was lucky he was not being sentenced on a murder or manslaughter charge after he beat up a student in an unprovoked attack, a court has heard.
Man dies in prison; cousins granted bail to attend funeral

Man dies in prison; cousins granted bail to attend funeral

An investigation by the independent Corrections Inspectorate will be carried out after a man died at Invercargill Prison last week.
Upgrades in harbour area to start soon

Upgrades in harbour area to start soon

Starting next month, upgrades to improve the Pearl Harbour area in Manapouri costing more than $2 million will begin.

Blasts rock Russia base in Crimea

Blasts rock Russia base in Crimea

A Russian air base near seaside resorts in the annexed Crimean peninsula has been rocked by blasts Moscow says are detonations of stored ammunition, not any attack.
Actress Anne Heche in coma after fiery crash

Actress Anne Heche in coma after fiery crash

Hollywood actress Anne Heche is in critical condition in hospital after suffering severe injuries in a fiery Los Angeles crash.
Republicans vow probe of FBI raid on Trump home

Republicans vow probe of FBI raid on Trump home

Republicans have moved to turn the FBI's search of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate into a campaign issue, vowing to probe what they alleged was political interference at the Justice Department if they win majorities in Congress.