Otago Daily Times Online News

'Queenstown's earthquake'

Covid-19 is being described as Queenstown’s "economic earthquake".
Sinkhole on West Coast a 'wake-up call'

The emergence of a sinkhole on a West Coast street is a wake-up call for the rest of the country.

Brockville crash driver does a runner

Brockville crash driver does a runner

6.50 pm

Police are searching for a person who crashed a car into a hedge and ran from the scene in Dunedin this evening.
Australia extends travel bubble suspension

Australia extends travel bubble suspension

Updated 5.40 pm

Australia won't allow quarantine-free travel from New Zealand for at least another three days after two more community cases of Covid-19 were discovered across the Tasman.
Lockdown finger-licker cops fine

Lockdown finger-licker fined for 'astonishing lapse of judgement'

A Southland man has been fined after he breached the Covid-19 lockdown and licked his fingers and wiped them down at his workplace reception window.

dunedin

Faced with draft budgets that could lead to significant rates rises and a huge increase in debt,...

$1.5 billion spend plan hoists debt

Dunedin city councillors have passed up the opportunity to trim from an ambitious $1.5 billion capital spending programme before their draft 10-year plan goes out to public consultation.

Man sentenced for assaulting partner

Man sentenced for assaulting partner

When interviewed by the police after beating up his partner, a Dunedin man claimed he was "not a woman basher".
Low borrowing costs assumed

Low borrowing costs assumed

A low interest rate on borrowing has been assumed by the Dunedin City Council in preparing draft budgets for the 10-year plan.
OU Press books long-listed

OU Press books long-listed

Three Otago University Press titles have made the long list for this year’s national book awards.

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regions

The sinkhole which opened on the West Coast. Photo: Supplied

Sinkhole on West Coast a 'wake-up call'

The emergence of a sinkhole on a West Coast street is a wake-up call for the rest of the country.

Stark change in temperatures, strong winds for South

Stark change in temperatures, strong winds for South

It has been a cooler start to the day than most South Islanders have experienced all week.
I must go down to the seas again

I must go down to the seas again

Don (Bigsy) Byers, of Oamaru, hopes an elephant fish will be tempted to take his bait as he fishes with his dog Ziggy, under mammatocumulus clouds below Beach Rd near Oamaru.
Apology for use of email account

Apology for use of email account

An Environment Southland councillor has apologised after an "error of judgement" led to a complaint being made against him.

National

Australia extends travel bubble suspension

Updated 5.40 pm

Australia won't allow quarantine-free travel from New Zealand for at least another three days after two more community cases of Covid-19 were discovered across the Tasman.

Aon employee leaves job after online death threat

Aon employee leaves job after online death threat

Major insurance broker Aon NZ has confirmed one of its employees no longer works for the company after a Wellington City councillor received an online death threat.
Breastfeeding mum asked to move away from pool

Breastfeeding mum asked to move away from pool

A mother of two was left "shocked" after she was told by a lifeguard to move while breastfeeding her child on the side of a pool.
Sinkhole on West Coast a 'wake-up call'

Sinkhole on West Coast a 'wake-up call'

The emergence of a sinkhole on a West Coast street is a wake-up call for the rest of the country.

Business

New and old technology encapsulates the northern end of Dunedin Railway Station during...

Scaffold-wraps keep building projects on timeline

Temporary roof systems and shrink-wrapped scaffolding on commercial building sites are carving months off major projects.

Millennium Hotel on ice

Millennium Hotel on ice

Unsustainable occupancy levels have forced a prominent Queenstown hotel to be mothballed while the borders remain closed.
Timely tips for lowering back-to-work stress levels

Timely tips for lowering back-to-work stress levels

Cardiologist and author of the book Is It Worth Dying For? Robert Eliot said: "Rule No1 is, don't sweat the small stuff. Rule No2 is, it's all small stuff. And if you can't fight and you can't flee...
Services sector expansion welcome

Services sector expansion welcome

A move into expansion for Otago and Southland’s services sector in December was "pleasing" after what had been a very challenging year, Otago Southland Employers Association chief executive...

Food & Wine

queenstown

'Queenstown's earthquake'

Covid-19 is being described as Queenstown’s "economic earthquake".

Council likely to change its spelling of Wakatipu

Council likely to change its spelling of Wakatipu

The name "Wakatipu" is likely to be updated on signs, buildings and open spaces around the Queenstown area to reflect traditional Māori spelling and pronunciation.
Millennium Hotel on ice

Millennium Hotel on ice

Unsustainable occupancy levels have forced a prominent Queenstown hotel to be mothballed while the borders remain closed.
New chamber chief executive sees opportunities

New chamber chief executive sees opportunities

Despite the challenges Covid-19 has presented for Wakatipu there are also opportunities, Queenstown’s new business leader says.

Life & style

The Pursuit of Freedom

Political protest and Te Reo has featured strongly in this year’s Robert Burns Poetry Competition entries.

All aboard for beauty, charm

All aboard for beauty, charm

Overseas travel isn't what it was - and won’t be for a while - so it's time to get out and see our own country. And what better way than relaxing on a train? Hayden Meikle jumps aboard the Coastal Pacific.
Getting the best from your BBQ

Getting the best from your BBQ

Barbecue tips from Otago Polytechnic chef Daniel Pfyl.
Encourage saving habit

Encourage saving habit

When it comes to managing money, bailing youngsters out is a very slippery slope, writes Ian Munro.

Rural Life

Pleased with the growth of their sunflowers are (from left) Rosedale farm owners Peter and Sandra...

Summer sunflower crop sows seeds of interest

Popular sunflowers near Weston are in full bloom, and are attracting more than just birds.

Call to back campaign with wool bales

Call to back campaign with wool bales

With only a few days to go, Bales4Blair campaign organisers are encouraging shearers, brokers and farmers to donate wool bales.
Top price of $56,000 for velvet sire

Top price of $56,000 for velvet sire

Netherdale Red Deer’s stag 5/2017 fetched the highest price in the country for a velvet sire, selling for $56,000.
Weather good news for contractors

Weather good news for contractors

The recent rains and warm conditions mean a "second spring" for parts of the region, says contractor Richard Woodhead.

Southland

Lockdown finger-licker cops fine

A Southland man has been fined after he breached the Covid-19 lockdown and licked his fingers and wiped them down at his workplace reception window.

Invercargill by-election candidates

Invercargill by-election candidates

Voting in the Invercargill City Council by-election started this week with nine candidates vying for a seat at the table.
Apology for use of email account

Apology for use of email account

An Environment Southland councillor has apologised after an "error of judgement" led to a complaint being made against him.
Council discusses climate plan

Council discusses climate plan

Southland's regional councillors are looking to next steps after ratifying its choice in crafting a climate action plan.

sport

Mark Ford. Photo: Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Stroke survivor making Coast to Coast comeback

Father-of-two Mark Ford was getting ready to compete in an ultra-marathon when he woke up unable to speak, walk or control his emotions.

Super Rugby teams reveal new away jerseys

Super Rugby teams reveal new away jerseys

Super Rugby teams have taken a 'lighter' approach to their away kit for the 2021 season.
Jensen in doubt for Sparks game

Jensen in doubt for Sparks game

Otago Sparks all-rounder Hayley Jensen is unlikely to suit up for the team’s match against Canterbury this weekend.
Knox returning for new campaign with Otago Nuggets

Knox returning for new campaign with Otago Nuggets

The Otago Nuggets have confirmed the return of a second player from last year’s champion team.

Teen planned to imitate Chch mosque attacks in Singapore

Teen planned to imitate Chch mosque attacks in Singapore

A Singapore youth has been caught after planning to carry out copycat attacks at two mosques on the March 15 anniversary of the Christchurch terrorist attacks.
English lockdown may last until at least March

English lockdown may last until at least March

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has indicated the Covid-19 lockdown in England would last until March 8 when schools could start to reopen as the govt announced new measures to clamp down on travel to and from Britain.
Tanzania leader says 'God will protect' from Covid-19

Tanzania leader says 'God will protect' from Covid-19

Tanzania's leader says the African country doesn't need a Covid lockdown because God would protect his people, and homespun precautions are better than dangerous foreign vaccines.

Opinion

Michael Baker is pleased with Cabinet’s decision but said mass-masking on public transport needed...

Staying ahead of Covid

We must stay vigilant. It looked as though New Zealand had another narrow escape from the clutches of Covid-19 but there was another flutter of fright last night when two more people were urgently...

Capital mark of respect to identity

Capital mark of respect to identity

In addition to a global pandemic, 2020 witnessed an upswell of support for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and other People of Colour) as crowds across the globe gave voice to the myriad injustices they...
Let the Games begin?

Let the Games begin?

It is understandable that some fans of the Olympic Games — perhaps, especially, those who still believe in the event’s Corinthian ideals and have not been left jaded by its long descent into crass...
NZ needs more opportunity to show its class

NZ needs more opportunity to show its class

You have to wonder what more the Black Caps have to do to get a three-test series.

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6.50 pm

Updated 5.40 pm

Updated 5.40 pm

6.50 pm

Updated 5.40 pm

6.50 pm