Otago Daily Times Online News

Vegetation fire near Waitaki Boys' contained

Updated 10.20 am

A large vegetation fire near Waitaki Boys' High School has been contained.
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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.

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

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

9.31 am

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.
Fears after-hours care may be cut

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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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
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Police, HNZ scolded for licence conduct
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Couple clash with council over container
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Visitors already booking for 2028 eclipse

dunedin

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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

Department of Conservation staff have closed their investigation into the deaths of eight little blue penguins, believed to have been killed by a dog at Long Beach, near Dunedin, due to a lack of...
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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.
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Photographer rapt to have sighted hawk

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Photographer rapt to have sighted hawk

A Dunedin photographer had a ‘‘once-in-a-lifetime’’ experience when he spotted a majestic hawk whose feathers had turned stark white with age.

regions

A Bennetts Wallaby pictured on the outskirts of Dunedin. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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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’

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Federated Farmers ‘very disappointed’

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.
$170,000 bridge upgrades to help prevent repeat of floods

$170,000 bridge upgrades to help prevent repeat of floods

The Omarama Stream Bridge has been strengthened to give the community ‘‘peace of mind’’ in the wake of significant flooding which struck several years ago.

National

Shoplifter with sweet tooth 'stole $3000 worth of chocolate'

A thief with a sweet tooth has been charged with stealing hundreds of bars of chocolate worth thousands of dollars.

Massive waves force hundreds to evacuate in Wellington

Massive waves force hundreds to evacuate in Wellington

Residents on Wellington's south coast have been told to evacuate as the region braces against massive forecast swells in the Cook Strait.
Mother-of-five named as Christchurch crash victim

Mother-of-five named as Christchurch crash victim

A mother-of-five who died in a single-car crash in Christchurch has been named by police.
Uni's sexual assault investigation leaves academic 'sick to the stomach'

Uni's sexual assault investigation leaves academic 'sick to the stomach'

An investigation into sexual assault, bullying and harassment claims against a university professor left a colleague "sick to the stomach" over the alleged inadequacy of the process.

sport

England captain Ben Stokes (left) celebrates with Jacob Bethell and fellow night-clubber Gus...

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.

Brown joining ABs once Boks job over

Brown joining ABs once Boks job over

Tony Brown has always been a singular character but the latest development in his rugby coaching career might make him unique in world sport.
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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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Farquhar calmly caps off schools final win

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Farquhar calmly caps off schools final win

Charlee Farquhar had the final say.

Food & Wine

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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
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Richer chardonnays pair well with autumn food

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

PGG Wrightson South Island wool auctioneer Dave Burridge with the company's general manager of...

'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.
Drive to get whole country on energy ‘right track’

Drive to get whole country on energy ‘right track’

Central Otago cherry grower Mike Casey has 21 electric vehicles on his solar-powered orchard but that is not enough.

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

Red Cross workers wearing personal protective equipment walk in a formation as they disinfect the...

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", though Tehran said it would resume strikes if Israel...
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.
Deadly quake hits Philippines

Deadly quake hits Philippines

At least 15 people are feared dead in the southern Philippines after a powerful magnitude 7.8 quake struck off the island of Mindanao.

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.