‘Sea ball’ fascination to fear
‘Sea ball’ fascination to fear
The Ministry for Primary Industries is investigating after mysterious green balls of seaweed began washing ashore at Dunedin beaches.
Hamish MacLean
Drone finds no possums
Drone finds no possums
A thermal drone has swept Sandymount Reserve and come up empty as the war on possums on Otago Peninsula reaches its final, high-tech stages.
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Alarm raised over lakes’ falling water quality
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Alarm raised over lakes’ falling water quality
Regional councillors are raising the alarm as the water quality in Otago’s deep lakes reaches a new low.
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‘Still work to do’ before farm repopulated
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‘Still work to do’ before farm repopulated
Deep cleaning and ongoing testing at the Moeraki egg farm where bird flu was found will continue into the new year before chickens are returned to the site.
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Council prepares to consult on 8% rates rise
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Council prepares to consult on 8% rates rise
The Otago Regional Council is readying to consult on an 8% rates rise — its first single-digit increase in years.
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ORC rates errors a tiny fraction of total take
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ORC rates errors a tiny fraction of total take
Human error, the amount of money involved, and the number of changes to the rating system last year contributed to the Otago Regional Council’s rates error this year, the council says.
Jobs safe as chicken cull rises to 200,000
Jobs safe as chicken cull rises to 200,000
All 23 jobs at a Moeraki egg farm are secure, Mainland Poultry says.
More chickens culled due to bird flu
More chickens culled due to bird flu
Another 40,000 chickens will be culled at a farm near Moeraki, bringing the total number of birds culled due to bird flu concerns to 200,000.
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Budget blowout expected for ORC's new HQ
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Budget blowout expected for ORC's new HQ
The budget is expected to blow out on the Otago Regional Council’s new $55 million headquarters and a councillor says ratepayers will foot the bill.
Tally hits 200k as chicken cull continues
Tally hits 200k as chicken cull continues
Another 40,000 chickens will be culled at Hillgrove farm near Moeraki, bringing the total number of birds culled due to bird flu concerns to 200,000.
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‘A lot more testing’ required: virologist
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‘A lot more testing’ required: virologist
In order to stamp out Otago’s bird flu outbreak, "a lot more testing" of the region’s chicken farms will be required, a leading virologist says.
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‘Promising’ lack of new cases so far
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‘Promising’ lack of new cases so far
A regional control centre with about 30 staff has been set up in Dunedin as the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) works to stamp out bird flu in Otago.
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Councillors on both sides unhappy with ‘timid’ climate strategy
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Councillors on both sides unhappy with ‘timid’ climate strategy
The Otago Regional Council adopted a climate strategy described as "very mild" and "timid" by councillors both for and against it.
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Flood repair works could cost ORC up to $2.54m
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Flood repair works could cost ORC up to $2.54m
October flood repairs, including urgent work on infrastructure at the mouth of the Clutha River, could cost the Otago Regional Council up to $2.54 million, a new report says.
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Interactions with sea lions 'disappointing' - Rūnanga
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Interactions with sea lions 'disappointing' - Rūnanga
Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou is urging people to alert authorities if they see injured, entangled, or harassed sea lions after a pair of tourists were seen throwing sand at an animal for the sake of a photograph.
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Division over tree’s potential removal
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Division over tree’s potential removal
A large protected pōhutukawa tree is damaging a historic Dunedin home and needs to be removed, the house’s owner says.
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No new member for regional council
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No new member for regional council
The Otago Regional Council will not replace Cr Bryan Scott, who resigned to protest government intervention.
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Course loss a ‘disaster’
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Course loss a ‘disaster’
Cuts at Otago Polytechnic could be an "absolute disaster" for a Dunedin rehabilitation facility for adult male offenders, its directors say.
Sea lion population on cusp of milestone
Sea lion population on cusp of milestone
Dunedin's sea lion pups could reach a "magic number" this year and put the local population on the path to be officially recognised as a colony, the Department of Conservation says.
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Polytechnic cutting six programmes
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Polytechnic cutting six programmes
Otago Polytechnic has confirmed it is cutting six programmes next year — four in Dunedin and two in Central Otago.