Debbie Porteous

The Fire Service in Dunedin has taken possession of the grand-daddy of hazardous material response vehicles and is happy to share it around.

It seems unlikely there will be any sailors' wives on the wharf "fluttering handkerchiefs and scarves" when HMNZS Otago slides into its home port of Dunedin for the first time tomorrow, but then times have changed.

A training day for the Dunedin armed offenders squad turned into the real thing yesterday, when the squad was called out three times in six hours.

A Mongrel Mob house in Dunedin is set to be forfeited to the Crown and put on the market.

The last major fundraiser for the Regent Theatre's redevelopment fund was a "huge success" that will have pushed the fund significantly closer to its $2 million target, Otago Theatre Trust chairman Mike Shield says.

A tearful Jeff Donaldson has expressed deep sorrow and remorse for his part in a jet-boat accident in which a friend died.

A woman who rang police after a burglary should not have been told by a communications centre operator in Christchurch it would be two days before officers could attend, Dunedin police say.

Even if it were proved a defence witness had committed perjury in the Bain retrial, this would not be sufficiently compelling to order a further retrial, an Otago academic says.

A documentary that screened on TVNZ last night suggested a defence witness may have given misleading evidence at the retrial of David Bain.

John Bethune's not sure what his wife thinks about it, but he knows the cat's nose is going to be out of joint.

New Zealand Post is threatening to remove the post box at Waldronville, near Dunedin, if it is vandalised again, leaving locals to travel 3km to Green Island to post their letters.

Two precious bottles of some of the world's oldest bottled single malt whisky on sale have arrived in New Zealand, but those wishing to taste it will have to open their wallets, and wide.

Electronic monitoring equipment being used by offenders on home detention failed 204 times in the six months to April 30, Corrections Department data shows.

It seems the Undie 500 rally has finally found a new destination, but there is still the small matter of widespread opposition from local authorities to get around before the event can go ahead.

Dunedin is ready for a big weekend as crowds gather to celebrate the end of an era for two city institutions - Carisbrook and the Gardens Tavern.

Those wanting a last drink at the Gardens Tavern today will be disappointed - the pub's closed.

Southerners can no longer tolerate the "elephant in the room" that is our drink-driving culture, says Otago-Southland coroner David Crerar, who has found speed and drink, rather than a dangerously modified vehicle, caused the deaths of three Invercargill teenagers last July.

New police powers that could result in people being barred from their homes for up to five days without being charged will come into force this week.