Hamish MacLean

SDHB head praises South’s testing regime

Over the next three months, the ministry’s animal health laboratory at Wallaceville, in the North...

SDHB head praises South’s testing regime

As New Zealanders await today’s cabinet decision about whether to step down from the restrictions of Covid-19 Alert Level 4, the head of the Southern DHB will be among those taking a wait-and-see approach.

‘Grim’ outlook spurs call for change

Autumn tones along the Manuherikia River near Alexandra. Photo: Rae Easton

‘Grim’ outlook spurs call for change

Human activity is threatening freshwater ecosystems — and the outlook is "grim" for Otago.

Councils seek govt funding

Councils seek govt funding

Otago's local governments are seeking roughly $280million in government funding for shovel-ready projects in a bid to create more than 2500 jobs and stop the flattening of the economy caused by the...

Picture of Level 3 coming into focus

Essential workers will be joined by staff in "safe operations". Bubbles will stay "exclusive" but get bigger. And some children will return to school.

Many ORC staff working during crisis

Nearly half of the Otago Regional Council workforce is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, council chief executive Sarah Gardner says.

Aged-care facilities in focus as deaths rise

Aged-care facilities in focus as deaths rise

Covid-19 has killed nine people in New Zealand and the devastating effect it can have on the elderly is growing more apparent.

ORC after more consultation

ORC after more consultation

The Otago Regional Council will ask the Environment Protection Agency for further consultation on its contentious water quality plan even though it may no longer have a say in the matter.

More than 10 calls a day for food relief

Civil Defence has responded to an average of more than 10 calls a day for emergency food across Otago as the region locks down under Covid-19 Alert Level 4 conditions.

Jobs on the line at city’s venue operator

Bars and cafes in the Octagon have closed as part of the nationwide lockdown. Photo: ODT files

Jobs on the line at city’s venue operator

Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) could be the latest to suffer job cuts, indicated in a statement issued by the Dunedin City Council-controlled organisation.

Covid-19: Scores chasing contacts in South

There is no obvious person-to-person connection between the worker and the returnee from the USA,...

Covid-19: Scores chasing contacts in South

Up to 135 people could be used in contact tracing efforts in the South as New Zealand heads into what could be the second half of a "marathon" lockdown.

Fewest new cases since day 2

Fewest new cases since day 2

The South has recorded its lowest number of new cases of Covid-19 since day 2 of the lockdown.

10 more cases in southern region

10 more cases in southern region

As confidence grows the country’s Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown is working, the South continues to stand out for the wrong reasons.

South may face Level 4 lockdown for longer

Dunedinites rushed to supermarkets and petrol stations yesterday, despite Prime Minister Jacinda...

South may face Level 4 lockdown for longer

The South could be among the last places in New Zealand to see the lifting of the tough restrictions of the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown.

South ICUs look short on capacity

Acting Southern district commander Inspector Darryl Sweeney said last night, a man arrived at...

South ICUs look short on capacity

In the days ahead, up to 38 patients could be in intensive care units across the South at any one time, Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming says.

Queenstown Lakes Hospital reopening

Queenstown Lakes District Hospital is set to reopen after large parts of it were closed due to...

Queenstown Lakes Hospital reopening

There have been no new cases of Covid-19 confirmed at Queenstown Lakes District Hospital after two nurses tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week.

Outside delivery service blow for pharmacy

Cancer care is soon to be overhauled, but Pharmac should be left alone. PHOTO: ODT FILES

Outside delivery service blow for pharmacy

The timing could not be worse for Cromwell’s only pharmacy as the largest of three medical practices in the town has decided to push an Auckland-based delivery service for prescriptions.

Second Queenstown nurse tests positive for virus

Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown. Photo: Allied Press

Second Queenstown nurse tests positive for virus

A second nurse at Lakes District Hospital has tested positive for Covid-19, the Southern District Health Board has confirmed.

Police may get tough if flouting of rules continues

Police may get tough if flouting of rules continues

As Police Commissioner Mike Bush called for an end to those flouting the rules of the Covid-19 lockdown — including freedom campers — the Dunedin City Council is still fielding reports of the...

Safety measures at Dunedin supermarkets

BNZ senior economist Doug Steel said a weak dollar often pushed up the price of imported goods....

Safety measures at Dunedin supermarkets

Dunedin supermarkets have enacted a suite of changes to ensure staff safety and customer comfort during the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown.

Councillors protest rates rise

The Otago Regional Council building in Stafford St, Dunedin. Photo by Craig Baxter.

Councillors protest rates rise

The Otago Regional Council is pushing ahead with a proposed 9.1% rates rise despite the unprecedented national lockdown and the fact the majority of councillors are protesting the move.

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Hamish MacLean