Hamish MacLean

Few people could claim to know the Catlins as well as Carl Chaplin (66).

Tapanui residents are offering to vacate their homes to accommodate Robert Redford and the expected 250 cast and crew shooting the Walt Disney Studios live-action remake of Pete's Dragon in April.

Meat processing plants across the region are working overtime to clear a backlog of lambs brought to slaughter because of this summer's dry conditions.

Otago lambs are being sold to North Island farmers as arid conditions affect most of the South Island.

From the 1970s wallpaper to the children's scribbles on the walls, a Nugget Point crib has a special place in the heart of Kate Botting. Hamish MacLean discovers the reason for having a crib only 15km from home.

His display of shawls, dreamcatchers, hats and dresses could be one of the most colourful things drivers see as they tour the Southern Scenic route over the holiday break.

Gumboots are more part of Nigel Stirling's wardrobe than suits these days but the former journalist has not gone "cold turkey'' on his news background, despite the demands of farming life. He tells Hamish McLean about his return to the family farm in South Otago.

It is not the move from Otago to the Middle East that excites Dr Wayne Cunningham, it is the move to full-time academia he calls a ''huge opportunity''.

Brace yourself, Tapanui: Hollywood legend Robert Redford is coming to town.

Three empty Housing New Zealand homes in Milton could be sold to first-time buyers under a scheme to get more people into home ownership.

Rose the red Friesian once again paraded her way to championship status at the Tokomairiro A&P show at the weekend.

Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan says the public consultation process for the Clutha District Council's long-term plan early next year could turn ugly.

Efforts to save Westpac's Milton branch fell on deaf ears, Clutha District councillor Gaynor Finch says.

Rural fire crews spent Wednesday fighting a 1ha blaze in a Blue Mountains forestry block.

The Children's Big Dig was a hit with children at Papatowai Beach on the last day of 2014.

The Catlins coast is flush with fish.

In a series featuring some of Otago's cafes, Hamish Maclean travels to the small Southland spot of Niagara, to find a family-run business with a focus on home-made and healthy.

Volunteer lifeguards from the Kaka Point Surf Life Saving Club were watching swimmers at Kaka Point.