Hamish MacLean

Lake Onslow project cost 'understated'

Lake Onslow project cost understated, Contact says

Contact Energy has made waves after reports the company’s chairman told shareholders the cost of the proposed $4 billion Lake Onslow project had been vastly understated.

More warnings for dog owners over toxic algae

Cyanobacteria can potentially produce toxins which are harmful to humans and pets. Photo: ORC

More warnings for dog owners over toxic algae

Warnings have again been issued to dog owners after the potentially toxic cyanobacteria was found in another Otago waterway.

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ORC searching for new chief executive

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ORC searching for new chief executive

The search for a new chief executive at the Otago Regional Council is under way.

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Second sea lion snared in fishing line noose

The New Zealand Sea Lion Trust and Department of Conservation are asking for the public to report...

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Second sea lion snared in fishing line noose

A second New Zealand sea lion has appeared on Dunedin beaches this year with a potentially fatal "nylon collar" around its neck.

Albatross eggs 'targeted before'

Otago Peninsula Trust ecotourism manager Hoani Langsbury says staff at the Royal Albatross Centre...

Staff 'horrified' by suspected albatross egg theft

The suspected theft of four northern royal albatross eggs is the second time eggs have been targeted at the Taiaroa Head colony.

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ORC reveals ‘unanticipated’ spending of over $4m

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ORC reveals ‘unanticipated’ spending of over $4m

Unanticipated spending at the Otago Regional Council has already topped $4 million this financial year.

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Club marks centenary in laps

Dunedin's 100-year-old Kiwi Swim Club matched its age in kilometres in a matter of hours at Moana Pool yesterday.

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New ORC chairmen met with wariness

Kevin Malcolm. Photo: Christine O'Connor

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New ORC chairmen met with wariness

The former deputy chairman of the ORC has warned against a lack of experience leading a new council committee overseeing the development of the council’s landmark land and water plan.

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Ngai Tahu partners with uni to control invasive kelp

Clearing invasive seaweed from Otago Harbour this week are Jess Wenley (left) and Zayvia Parata,...

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Ngai Tahu partners with uni to control invasive kelp

The spread of the invasive seaweed Undaria pinnatifida could be curtailed through a partnership between University of Otago and Ngai Tahu.

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'Three-hour rail link' between Dunedin and Chch

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'Three-hour rail link' between Dunedin and Chch

An off-the-shelf fleet of modern railcars, hitting speeds of up to 160kmh, could be used for a three-hour passenger rail link between Dunedin and Christchurch, a University of Otago academic says.

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Penguin Place sale to US buyers approved

A yellow-eyed penguin at Penguin Place. Photo: Gregor Richardson

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Penguin Place sale to US buyers approved

The sale of a Dunedin conservation business crucial to the survival of yellow-eyed penguins on mainland New Zealand to American buyers has been approved.

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ORC committee changes planned

Mana whenua could be asked to take on a greater role at the Otago Regional Council this term.

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Specialist with a spray gun

The automotive world remains dominated by men, but for the past eight years Kyah Matthews has worked hard to carve out her place among them.

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New tool to predict, plan for sea lion colony sites

As sea lions become an increasingly common sight on Dunedin beaches, new research is helping advocates for the species tell an important story. From Southland up to Northland, NZ's entire coastline is sea lion habitat. Hamish MacLean reports.

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Delays in creating marine reserves vexing

Saddle Hill sits behind a trawler as it trawls for fish off the Otago coast. PHOTO: ODT FILES

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Delays in creating marine reserves vexing

Complex government talks with Ngai Tahu could be delaying long-awaited marine reserves off Otago’s coast, a local mana whenua leader involved in the discussions says.

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Cancer test contract stalled

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Cancer test contract stalled

Two months after Pacific Edge announced it had an agreement for the use of its bladder cancer testing technology in the Southern health region, the company has confirmed the contract remains unsigned.

Breeding season begins as first bird returns

The Royal Albatross Centre on Taiaroa Head. PHOTO: ODT FILES

Breeding season begins as first bird returns

After seven months of soaring the Roaring Forties, a northern royal albatross has returned to the Taiaroa Head colony on Otago Peninsula, marking the beginning of a new breeding season for the...

St Clair cement spill inquiry ongoing

Contractors pour cement for new stairs beside the St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool in this June file...

St Clair cement spill inquiry ongoing

More than a month after DCC contractors spilled cement into the water off the St Clair sea wall, the regional council is unable to say whether the incident had adverse effects on the environment or whether enforcement action will be taken.

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Councillors, CEO called to account over deficits

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Councillors, CEO called to account over deficits

The ORC chief executive and regional councillors are to blame for a string of deficits at the council that has caught the attention of the auditor-general, its interim chief executive says.

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Council’s ongoing use of reserves criticised

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Council’s ongoing use of reserves criticised

The Otago Regional Council has been "hiding" millions of dollars of overspending by covering its annual deficits with money from diminishing reserves, an outgoing Otago regional councillor says.

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Hamish MacLean