Some lively changes were apparent on the first day of Otago University's annual summer school, even before school director Dr Elaine Webster started strumming the ukulele.
Bus shelters painted by the late John Noakes are not only popular with Dunedin residents they are also attracting plenty of favourable comment from tourists, Dunedin artist Jemima Pedro says.
Apart from some alarmingly rapid hopping by a few adults competing in a sack race, the pace of life was mostly laid-back during a sun-drenched family fun day at Purakaunui at the weekend.
Otago Museum officials are considering developing a larger conservatory at the museum's southern frontage, to overcome draught issues and increase seating capacity at the nearby museum cafe.
Large numbers of holidaymakers put the Central Otago cellphone system under pressure yesterday, shortly after New Zealanders had sent millions of phone text messages on New Year's Eve.
Lifeguards are urging swimmers to enjoy themselves between the flags at St Clair Beach, in Dunedin, this summer, but not become complacent about nearby rips. Steph Botting, head lifeguard at St Clair, said the flags were positioned to keep swimmers away from strong rips.
More than 44,000 people have visited the redeveloped Toitu Otago Settlers Museum less than a month after it reopened, in a ''quite remarkable'' public response, museum organisers say.
Experienced tramper Cliff Donaldson will always vividly remember one night, more than 60 years ago, when he learnt just how quickly and harshly the weather can change in the great New Zealand outdoors, including in the Silver Peaks area.
During summer, more trampers, other recreational walkers and hunters will be venturing into the great Otago outdoors. Reporter John Gibb sought some tips from experienced outdoors people, including Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand president Robin McNeill, of Invercargill, about how people can enjoy themselves more, and keep safe, this summer.
New year's resolutions reflect plenty of regional, personal and gender-linked variety in New Zealand, a 2013 New Year survey suggests.
Anxieties are growing at the Otago Museum Trust Board about financial pressures which could result in the museum drawing down substantial amounts of its funding reserves to maintain services in coming years.
Scientific detective work, led by University of Otago researchers, has sparked international media interest and shed new light on a mysterious pygmy whale species found only in the southern hemisphere.
Associate Prof Merata Kawharu, a senior researcher at the University of Otago and Auckland University, has gained a $470,000 grant to pursue research involving Maori heritage.
The University of Otago summer school is in good heart and director Dr Elaine Webster is ''very pleased'' with how the latest school is progressing.
A recent Otago Museum staff exchange trip to Bangkok, Thailand, proved highly successful, museum marketing and development co-ordinator Juliet Pierce said.
Lovers of somewhat mysterious phrases please take note - the Otago Museum has just taken delivery of its second ''Gnathian oinochoe''.
Dunedin businessman Ian Taylor is heartened by the ''huge support'' he has gained for his open letter to the Forsyth Barr Stadium's board.
University of Otago College of Education staff showed plenty of seasonal goodwill when they pitched in yesterday, using the college's home technology kitchen to cook batches of biscuits for several Dunedin community charities.
New Zealand needs more scientists and engineers and a ''stronger science voice'' to deal with the complexities of global climate change and other challenges, former Dunedin North MP Pete Hodgson says.
William Rolleston, who chairs the Science Ministry's Innovation Board, has voiced concern about New Zealand promoting itself as a ''clean and green'' nation.
