Online Editor

Bob McLachlan, of Lake Hawea, has gold firmly in his sights as he leaves for Costa Rica today to compete as the only South Islander in a New Zealand men's team at the world white-rafting championships.

A fire on Monday night which extensively damaged a new Peninsula Bay house just three weeks away from completion was started by a spark from welding equipment, specialist fire investigator Barry Gibson said.

Department of Conservation staff are being outsmarted by "gangs" of mischievous juvenile keas intent on breaking into predator control traps in the West Matukituki Valley, despite heightened security systems aimed at keeping them out.

The Rugby World Cup has been a powerful marketing tool for an entrepreneurial group of Mount Aspiring College pupils, whose product is being snapped up by patriotic sports fans nationwide.

Gaya Gnanalingam (Leith) joined a select group when she became just the fourth woman to take line honours in the 109-year-old Port Chalmers to Dunedin road race on Saturday.

The lure of West Coast whitebait proved a powerful promotional tool despite the persistent rain that fell during the town's Haast Whitebait Cook-off Challenge and Family Fun Day on Saturday, with dozens of Haast residents and tourists supporting the inaugural event.

Wanaka's young people could soon reap the benefits of a much larger gathering place. With increased participation in local youth programmes creating problems of capacity at the town's existing youth centre, a move to new premises is planned.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll praised the ferocious effort by his inspired forward pack that set the platform for a famous victory over Tri-Nations champions Australia.

Floods, plane crashes and pets up trees - Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade members Garth Campbell and Roy Rose have seen it all in their lengthy associations with Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago fire brigades.