Otago Daily Times Online News

'Devastated' gas worker comes forward

9.28 am

A gas contractor who worked on a Christchurch house just one day before it exploded arrived at the chaotic scene yesterday and made himself known to police officers.
'Scarfies' 20 years on

Two decades have passed since the release of the film Scarfies gave the rest of the world a glimpse of Dunedin student culture, writes Elena McPhee.
One giant leap for Kiwi TV

When American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon on July 21, 1969, New Zealanders listened transfixed to the radio as a series of crackly words signified a gargantuan achievement.

First gun collection nets 129 firearms

First gun collection nets 129 firearms

The South's first gun collection event ran smoothly and was a success, netting at least 129 now-illegal firearms from 87 owners, police say.
Drink-driver caught in the act at wheel

Drink-driver caught in the act at wheel

While fielding questions from his car, a 33-year-old man swigged from a bottle of beer - then reached over to his passenger seat and opened another one.
$1m IRD fraudster jailed for 3 years

$1m IRD fraudster jailed for 3 years

A former commercial diver who pretended his partner had died to avoid paying tax has been sent to prison for three years.

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Holding a bull’s jaw are (from left) researcher Jithendra Ratnayake, student Shay Taylor,...

Bulls' teeth key to human dental product

A mineral found in bulls' teeth could soon be used in bone and dental grafts, according to Otago University researchers.

Flu cases down overall in NZ, but not in South

Flu cases down overall in NZ, but not in South

The rate of reported flu-like diseases has sharply dropped nationally in the past week, but that trend has seemingly not reached the South.
Concerns for missing Dunedin teen

Concerns for missing Dunedin teen

Dunedin police are searching for a 13-year-old girl who has been missing for five days.
Prof aims to promote Chinese Garden

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Dunedin Chinese Garden honorary curator James Beattie hopes his appointment will help boost the garden's reputation in international scholarly circles.

regions

Judge Neill Harrison, of Winton, assesses a white wyandotte bantam at the 135th Oamaru Poultry,...

Geese no longer fall fowl of bird show

What is good for the goose is good for the gander and, in this case, other flocks too.

Vehicle hits sheep; another veers off road, clips pole

Vehicle hits sheep; another veers off road, clips pole

Two early-morning crashes kept Oamaru police busy yesterday.
Teacher's house build to start

Teacher's house build to start

Construction of the first of two Wanaka Primary School teacher's residences is expected to start in the next couple of weeks after the demolition of the former teacher's residence yesterday.
GP visit urged for 'less serious conditions'

GP visit urged for 'less serious conditions'

Queenstown visitors and residents with "less serious medical conditions" are being encouraged to see a GP before going to Lakes District Hospital.

National

The burning remains of the Marble Court house. PHOTO: JAMES LOOYER

'Devastated' gas worker comes forward

9.28 am

A gas contractor who worked on a Christchurch house just one day before it exploded arrived at the chaotic scene yesterday and made himself known to police officers.

$1m IRD fraudster jailed for 3 years

$1m IRD fraudster jailed for 3 years

A former commercial diver who pretended his partner had died to avoid paying tax has been sent to prison for three years.
Explosion reduces Chch house to 'matchsticks'

Explosion reduces Chch house to 'matchsticks'

Victims of a massive house explosion in Christchurch caused by a gas leak might have survived because they were close to the source of the blast.
Massive blast blows house into 'matchsticks', leaves six hurt

Massive blast blows house into 'matchsticks', leaves six hurt

Six people are hurt, dozens have been evacuated and more than 20 homes damaged, including one left "totally blown apart", after a massive gas explosion left a Christchurch street looking like a war zone this morning.

Business

Oceana Gold employees gather with the gold bar containing the five-millionth ounce of gold, which...

Going for gold and loving it

On Thursday, Oceana Gold’s Macraes site produced its five-millionth ounce of gold. The milestone was celebrated very much as a team effort.

Govt says new food safety tools will save businesses money

Govt says new food safety tools will save businesses money

The government has launched a set of new online tools it said could save small food businesses hundreds of dollars in compliance costs.
SFO inquiry: Deloitte seeking answers

Serious Fraud Office inquiry: Deloitte seeking answers

Authorities are trying to establish whether all funds placed with under-investigation Dunedin financial adviser Barry Kloogh were properly passed on to a managed fund.
Oceana Gold delivers 5-millionth ounce

Oceana Gold delivers 5-millionth ounce

It had all the trappings of a Royal birth.

queenstown

The Roxburgh Medical Centre is to lose its two doctors and is on the hunt for a replacement....

GP visit urged for 'less serious conditions'

Queenstown visitors and residents with "less serious medical conditions" are being encouraged to see a GP before going to Lakes District Hospital.

Wanted: new lessee for campground

Wanted: new lessee for campground

A new lessee is wanted to run the redeveloped Frankton Campground, expected to open by November next year.
Mixed results so far this winter for resort businesses

Mixed results so far this winter for resort businesses

It has been a mixed bag on Queenstown's skifields so far, so it is hardly surprising the same is holding true for some resort businesses.
Man-made snow keeping skiers happy

Man-made snow keeping skiers happy

More snow would be more than welcome, but visitor numbers at Queenstown's ski areas are holding their own, NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson says.

Food & Wine

Life & style

Iberis gibraltarica. Photo: Gregor Richardson

Candytufts look like starbursts

There are many species of candytuft or Iberis ranging from annuals to shrubby perennials. Flowers vary in colour from white to pale pink through to purple. Interestingly, the common name candytuft...

Your garden: July 19

Your garden: July 19

Seed sowing will not be at its height until next month, but if seedlings can be protected, a start can be made now.
Beastly beauties in our midst

Beastly beauties in our midst

Gillian Vine learns that prickly pear and golden clematis are problem plants in Central Otago.
Living plastic free far from easy

Living plastic free far from easy

Is ditching single-use plastic bags enough? Rebecca Blithe tries eliminating it altogether.

sport

Southland Sharks guard Tinashe Matambanadzo attacks in transition as Otago forwards Tai Porima...

NBL deciders: which side will emerge champion?

As the National Basketball League final four tips off in Christchurch today, Jeff Cheshire looks at how the matches might play out.

Young talent goes on show today at Kittyhawk 2000

Young talent goes on show today at Kittyhawk 2000

Sheldon Bagrie-Howley and Elliot Mason will defend the Kittyhawk Bowls 2000 when play in the optional mixed pairs tournament gets under way today at the Dunedin Lawn Bowls Stadium.
Taking playing seriously, despite being on a break

Taking playing seriously, despite being on a break

Parker Evans-Campbell is glad to have found his touch.
Away ties add to challenge for city sides

Away ties add to challenge for city sides

A tough round of travel is in store for Dunedin sides in the Southern Football League.

Rural Life

Minni Gordon of Haruru with Joey and other surviving chickens after a series of dog attacks....

Two dozen chickens killed in attack

A Bay of Islands woman is distraught after attacks by wandering dogs left at least two dozen of her prized chickens dead.

Rural broadband users need upgrade for Rugby World Cup

Rural broadband users need upgrade for Rugby World Cup

Two months out from the start of the Rugby World Cup, rural fans are being encouraged to sort their internet connection before it is too late.
From dairy farmer to fantasy writer

From dairy farmer to fantasy writer

Korie Massey says milking his cows gives him time to dream and create scenarios for his fantasy novels.
Beekeepers advised to check vigilantly to control foulbrood

Beekeepers advised to check vigilantly to control foulbrood

The best course of action for Southland beekeepers at risk of American foulbrood disease was to be vigilant with checks for the disease, a meeting of beekeepers was told in Invercargill this week.

Southland

Dutchman Wiebe Wakker celebrates the end of his 100,000km low-emission journey in Bluff. PHOTO:...

Long journey finished

Some people will go a long way to prove a point, and Dutchman Wiebe Wakker certainly falls into that category.

Woman injured after car crashes into shop

Woman injured after car crashes into shop

An elderly woman has been taken to hospital after accidentally driving her car into the window of a Four Square shop in Invercargill this afternoon.
$1.7m boost to Southland for airport and growth

$1.7m boost to Southland for airport and growth

The Government's investment in Southland is a "vote of confidence" for the region, Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt says.
Beekeepers advised to check vigilantly to control foulbrood

Beekeepers advised to check vigilantly to control foulbrood

The best course of action for Southland beekeepers at risk of American foulbrood disease was to be vigilant with checks for the disease, a meeting of beekeepers was told in Invercargill this week.

LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

World

A screen grab from video footage from Iran's state-run English language Press TV showing aerial...

'Extreme concern' as Iran seizes two British-linked oil tankers

Updated 10.02 am

Britain said Iran seized two oil tankers in the Gulf on Friday and told Tehran to return the vessels or face consequences in the latest confrontation to ratchet up tension along a vital...

Japan, South Korea row deepens

Japan, South Korea row deepens

Japan has admonished South Korea's ambassador in a deepening diplomatic row over compensation for Korean wartime forced labour that threatens global supply of memory chips and display screens.
Father never to be freed after murdering family

Father never to be freed after murdering family

A man who admitted killing his wife, three children and mother-in-law has become the first person in Western Australia ordered by a judge to never be released from prison.
Death penalty for Morocco tourist murders

Three get death penalty for Morocco tourist murders

Three Moroccan men have been sentenced to death for murdering two Scandinavian women in the Atlas mountains.

Opinion

Jacqui Dean in full flight.PHOTO: PARLIAMENT TV

Being busy is not always being effective

You could forgive Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean for thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence ... or at least the other side of the Alps.

100 years ago: from our archives

100 years ago: from our archives

Peace celebrations draw crowds, flags at half-mast and car conversions
To the moon and beyond

To the moon and beyond

"We choose to go to the moon."
Empowerment and polytechnics

Empowerment and polytechnics

There is a sense of dread about the future strength of the Otago Polytechnic and the Southern Institute of Technology. They are both impressively successful in their own ways and likely to suffer...

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9.28 am

9.28 am

Updated 10.02 am

9.28 am

Updated 10.02 am

9.28 am

Updated 10.02 am