Mark Price

The annual migration of cruise-ship passengers to New Zealand and Dunedin begins in October. And this season there will be more than ever. But, just how "cruise-friendly" is Dunedin?

With this week's announcement of another $7 million for new Otago cycleways, the Government has again secured the yellow jersey in the race to improve the country's cycling facilities. But, where in the peloton is the Dunedin City Council placed, how hard is it pedalling and do cyclists think it's on the right track?

Did a Dunedin commercial traveller and his aeroplane lift off from Andersons Bay 100 years ago and become the first in New Zealand to achieve powered flight?

The suggestion of a "gathering" at the graves of the Bain family yesterday to mark the 16th anniversary of their deaths drew just one person, besides an Otago Daily Times reporter and photographer.

The last test at Carisbrook on Saturday will be played against the background politics, issues and attitudes to rugby we are all so thoroughly familiar with - the looming World Cup, the rise of soccer, the faux pas of former players etc etc. But, what were the issues and how strong was the feeling about our national game in Dunedin 102 years ago when the Anglo-Welsh touring side arrived to play in Carisbrook's first test? Mark Price has been sifting through the files of the Otago Daily Times for a taste of rugby fever 1908-style.

Seventy years ago today, a 17-year-old cruise ship assistant waiter from Liverpool was left struggling in the sea off the French coast after his ship RMS Lancastria was attacked by German dive bombers and then rolled over and sank.

Some dream of "going bush" and "living off the land", but only a very few like Robert Long have actually done it. His new book, A Life on Gorge River; New Zealand's Remotest Family, explains why and how he came to be living in south Westland, far off the beaten track.

Otago homeowners adding wetbacks illegally to their woodburners and multiburners are putting their house insurance in jeopardy and risking a substantial fine.

An unusual "anomaly" in regulations governing the installation of wetbacks (as well as old woodburners and multifuel heaters) means a homeowner can legally install one but would be breaking the law by using it.

Up to 10 offshore oil exploration wells could be drilled from Timaru to Stewart Island next year and the year after, oil industry expert Dr James Henry told a seminar of about 100 people in Dunedin last night.

Dunedin oil industry expert Dr James Henry believes the Gulf of Mexico oil spill will lead to better safeguards on any wells drilled off the Otago coast.

For 20 years, the "My mate John" radio jingle has been one of those tunes that is hard to escape.

Along the Red Hill Range, over the Cascade River and through the bush to Jackson Bay - it has been a long walk for new author Robert Long from the wilds of South Westland on his way to Dunedin for his first book launch.

A Portobello Rd resident says it is a wonder no motorists were caught in a slip that came down on to the road near Broad Bay on Saturday morning.

Residents along Mosgiel's main street are likely to have front-row seats for one of the biggest parades in the town's history later this year.

A Taieri landowner is questioning why he should to pay an Otago Regional Council levy for flood protection, when 90% of his 25ha farm went under water this week.

A walk through the 145-year-old Chain Hills rail tunnel, near Mosgiel, was once the highlight of many Noakes family birthday parties.