John Lewis

Principals and support staff in Otago are among many across the country who have been forced back to school early to deal with the ongoing Novopay debacle.

An interim manager has been appointed to the Otago Festival of the Arts to sort out the disarray in the organisation's financial affairs.

Otago students won't be short of an opportunity to earn a dollar or two this summer.

Otago principals say Secretary of Education Lesley Longstone was ''destined to fail'' and she should never have been appointed to the position.

Presbyterian Support Otago is seeking legal advice to challenge the Southern District Health Board's decision to dump the organisation as a home support provider, the organisation's chief executive says.

Many teachers and support staff around the country may be waking up with headaches today caused by unexpected bank overdrafts.

Living in the line of fire for nearly 30 years can bring with it many scars - some physical, others emotional.

Having time on your hands can lead to all sorts of vices suggests Henry VIII. John Lewis investigates some of the more quirky pastimes that keep Dunedin residents out of trouble.

People don't go to Warrington for a holiday because of what's there.

The message finally seems to be getting through to people fishing at a former Otago problem spot, a fisheries officer says.

An oystercatcher keeps its eggs warm while its partner stands guard in the middle of Brighton Beach among the sunbathers and surfers. The ''bold'' and ''territorial'' nesting oystercatchers have been giving Brighton beach-goers a squawking reminder that the beach is to be shared.

A stricken yacht has anchored off the coast of Dunedin to make emergency repairs after being damaged during one of the world's most gruelling round-the-world solo yacht races.

Stella De Bono tucks into Christmas lunch at the Church of Christ Community yesterday.

A $6.4 million increase in Christmas spending this year suggests the Otago economy may be on its way out of the recession.

Messages about enduring light were popular among congregations at Dunedin Christmas services this year.

When someone asked Dick Reid what sort of cake he wanted for his 100th birthday, he said: ''Bugger the cake - take me for a feed of oysters''.