John Lewis

Secondary school principals across Otago and Southland have written to Education Minister Chris Hipkins, saying it's impossible to support the Government's new school donations scheme as it stands, and want him to "think again" about the proposed level of funding.

Some elective procedures, outpatient appointments and radiology scans may be postponed as the Southern District Health Board tries to keep patients safe during strike action by imaging technologists.

Brace yourselves - it looks like there is still a touch of winter in the air. MetService has issued a watch for possible heavy snow in parts of inland Southland and Otago this week.