Mike Houlahan

Hospital’s move to call in students criticised

Dunedin Hospital. A Southern DHB spokeswoman says the discharge process for Covid positive...

Hospital’s move to call in students criticised

Dunedin Hospital was so desperately short of nurses at the weekend that 21 students were called in to help, a decision strongly criticised by the nursing union.

Wastewater tests suggest peak of wave has passed

Wastewater tests suggest peak of wave has passed

Wastewater tests suggest the South has passed the peak of the current Omicron wave of Covid-19, but also confirm that cases in Otago and Southland remain substantially under-reported.

Not just MPs who help shape our laws

Our politicians have been taking a break from making the law over the long winter recess, but that doesn't mean that lawmaking stops.

No staff shortages for assisted dying

No staff shortages for assisted dying

Fears that assisted dying services might be compromised in the South because of a shortage of staff appear to have been unfounded.

People urged to be vigilant when out in community

People urged to be vigilant when out in community

More than 1400 southerners contracted Covid-19 at the weekend, as the latest wave of the pandemic disease continued to lay low substantial numbers of New Zealanders.

Politics students get a chance to grill MPs

Taking questions from University of Otago politics students are (from left) Green MP for Auckland...

Politics students get a chance to grill MPs

On a wet Wednesday in Dunedin, some red-hot politics sounded like just the thing to warm oneself up.

Tests suggest case numbers far higher in South

Wastewater testing results suggest about twice as many people in Otago and Southland have Covid-19 than are actually reported in official statistics.

Hospitals struggle as southern cases surge

Daily southern Covid-19 cases roared past the 1000 mark yesterday, a surge which contributed to Southland Hospital being abruptly closed to all visitors except those seeing the most seriously ill patients.

Minister rules out hospital size reduction

The latest concept design image for the new Dunedin Hospital buildings, supplied by the...

Minister rules out hospital size reduction

The Health Minister has ordered a re-examination of the budget for the $1.47b new Dunedin Hospital, but ruled out any size reduction in the new facility being built in the central city.

Virus takes biggest toll yet in the South

Yesterday was the bleakest day of the Covid-19 pandemic so far in the South, which recorded eight deaths across the past five days and had hospitalisations ascend into the 40s for the first time.

Covid impacting aged-care facilities

More than 20 southern aged residential care facilities are dealing with Covid-19 outbreaks.

946 daily cases in South; could rise

Southern daily Covid-19 case numbers soared into the 900s yesterday but the effect, if any, on cases of the rugby test match in Dunedin on Saturday is probably still to be seen.

Heavy rain eases

Flooding in Ashmore St, Halfway Bush this morning. Photo: Gerard O'Brien

Heavy rain eases

Dunedin's infrastructure has largely coped with a deluge that saw more than a month's rain fall in less than 48 hours.

One missing after car plunges into Dunedin river

A person is missing after a car was swept away by floodwaters in a ford across Silver Stream, near the Waiora scout camp.

Patients waiting longer than target to be treated

About half of all southern patients promised that they will be treated within four months will still be waiting to be seen by a clinician 120 days later.

Hospital could be elevated 2m for flood risks

The new Dunedin Hospital could be built up to 2m above street level to account for flood threats, including storm surge and sea level rise.

Irish fans in it for the long haul

Bob Coyle (left) and Jimmy Mulligan, ready to cheer on the Irish. Photos: Gregor Richardson

Irish fans in it for the long haul

Steady rain in Dunedin today has driven rugby fans inside, but failed to dampen the spirits of ticket holders to tonight’s big game between New Zealand and Ireland.

Hawea Flat is ticked off, and not quiet about it

Hawea Flat School in 2022. The Ministry of Education intends to move the school to Lake Hawea,...

Hawea Flat is ticked off, and not quiet about it

The Government and its ministries spends their days making decisions of national importance, but those decisions have local ramifications.

Fears test could be superspreader event

There is concern tonight's All Blacks test could become a superspreader event. Photo: ODT files

Fears test could be superspreader event

Health officials are deeply concerned tonight’s All Blacks rugby test against Ireland could turn into a superspreader event for Covid-19 and various winter ailments.

Painting with light at Midwinter Carnival

Dunedin artist Sam Caldwell in front of his latest canvas, Burns Hall. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

Painting with light at Midwinter Carnival

A blank canvas is an open invitation to any artist, but few are as big and as blank as the one Sam Caldwell will be filling this weekend.

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Mike Houlahan