Online Editor

Canadian Michael Hayes leaves New Zealand today knowing he achieved what he came to do by visiting the place where his son Connor was killed by a landslip last month.

The Cargill Monument in the Exchange has recently emerged from its most extensive restoration ever.

Step aside Peter Jackson.

The recent sale of a Wanaka home for $1.65 million - nearly double its government valuation - was one ''out of the box'', the real estate agent who marketed the property says.

Some of Wanaka's youngest dance pupils put their best foot forward on Thursday when they performed for members of the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Central Otago author Kyle Mewburn brings us the tale of Flit, a bird who dreams of experiencing a white Christmas.

This compilation of 12 traditional tales is just the thing for those wanting values-based Christmas stories.

The 12 days of Christmas can be polarising - you either love it or it drives you completely mad.

Cute and glittery, One Sparkly Christmas Night tells the story of what happens when a shepherd boy follows a shooting star to Bethlehem.

Bridget Huddleston, of Methven, sees education as a way to encourage more young people to consider a career in the primary sector, and uses New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) and TeenAg clubs as a vehicle to do that.

Whitebaiting is quintessential Southland and part of the culture, like deer hunting, Environment Southland's science technical adviser Dr Andy Hicks says.

When scientist and apple cultivar breeder John McLaren and wife Gillian, of Bannockburn, saw a painting of a Sonya apple by Canadian artist Daniele Lemieux recently they just had to buy it.

The 0.5ha-sized Southern Field Days Event Centre being constructed at the Waimumu site is expected to be completed by Christmas, project co-ordinator and SFD committee member Stan MacGibbon says.

A new research programme for pipfruit, kiwifruit and summer fruit is expected to see potential yield increases of between 50% and 150% by 2025.

The new lifestyle centre at Wanaka's Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village would leave residents little time to put their feet up, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said at the centre's official opening yesterday.

Act leader John Banks will not seek re-election in the 2014 general election.

ODT Online rugby contributor Jeff Cheshire looks at what worked for the All Blacks this year, and what the team needs to work on.

With the international season having finished for the All Blacks, ODT Online rugby contributor Jeff Cheshire hands out his unofficial awards for the year.

Canterbury champion dairy cow breeder Dean Geddes (47) has been ''trounced'' - and he couldn't be happier.