Marjorie Cook

A single-car crash outside the Lone Star Restaurant on Cardrona Valley Rd yesterday caused minor injuries to the tourist occupants.

Circus Aotearoa opened its summer tour of Otago at Wanaka's showgrounds recreational reserve on Friday, unveiling the talents of former Circo Arts students from Christchurch Polytechnic.

What were you doing at 12.30pm yesterday? Chances are you were like hundreds of others throughout the region, out and about enjoying a brilliant Otago summer's day. On the dot of 12.30pm, Otago Daily Times reporters spoke to a handful of people about what brought them to their particular location. Here are their stories.

New Zealand barrel racing champion Angie Perkins, of Wanaka, was thrilled to win her event in front of a large and supportive home crowd at Wanaka Rodeo's new arena yesterday.

Wanaka and Lake Hawea turned on a scorcher of a weekend for New Year's Eve revellers.

WANAKA: The shakes, rattles and rolls of Christchurch earthquakes proved too much for many Cantabrians this year, who arrived in the Upper Clutha district in droves to enjoy a calm and sunny New Year's Eve holiday.

Six months ago, Olympic hopeful Nicky Samuels (28), of Wanaka, took a calculated risk to take a quick break in her triathlon programme and return to New Zealand for heart surgery to correct arrhythmia. It didn't work. Now, as the clock ticks down to the final Olympic qualifying race in Sydney next April, Samuels is lining up for more surgery. Marjorie Cook reports.

Vandals have cut the plastic loops on several buoys marking a safe swimming zone at Stoney Creek, at the west end of Roys Bay, causing more than $1000 damage and extra work for water patrollers, who had to reset the swimming zone yesterday.

Holiday-makers have begun pouring into Wanaka and Lake Hawea township for their annual lakeside break.

Wanaka country singer Jody Direen has travelled a long way since she began saving three years ago for her first PA system.

Motorists are being asked to be patient at the one-lane Albert Town bridge over the Clutha River this summer, as the district gears up for the Wanaka holiday rush and major cycling and rodeo events next month.

The three occupants of a vehicle which featured in three high-speed pursuits during the weekend were only caught because the car's engine failed, Wanaka police say.

Lake Outlet Holiday Park owner Glenn Tattersall will be breathing a sigh of relief on Christmas Day.

Maungawera Valley farm worker Dougal Fyfe (23) was farewelled with tears and love at his funeral yesterday on his family farm near Lake Hawea.

Wanaka farm worker Dougal Fyfe (23) was a keen outdoorsman with an infectious enthusiasm for adventure who had recently returned to his family farm in the Maungawera Valley after two years' working in Australia.