Many proposed legislative changes flowing out of the Government appear to be a ''sustained attack on local democracy'', Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead says.
It is hoped greater international protection for New Zealand's native green geckos, including Otago Peninsula's jewelled gecko, will deter would-be wildlife smugglers from ''pilfering'' the country's wildlife.
There has been a 4.7% increase in the number of trips taken on Dunedin's buses in the past six months.
The rain expected early next week will not be enough to solve all the problems of the prolonged dry spell, but it will set up Otago to benefit from the next rainfall, hydrologist Dave Stewart says.
A short time frame for consultation on the Government's planned changes to freshwater management has been criticised by Otago and Southland iwi and local government leaders.
Proposed investment in Tarras Water's irrigation scheme has dominated discussion on the Otago Regional Council's draft annual plan even though it is not a topic up for public consultation.
A comprehensive study into the mass mortality of yellow-eyed penguins on Otago Peninsula this summer is needed if the endangered species is to survive on the region's shores, University of Otago Associate Prof Phil Seddon says.
Curling up with a good book might be the preferred activity for many Dunedin librarians. But last night they put that and any natural shyness aside to strut their stuff in vintage clothing. The ''Geek to Chic'' fashion show at the Dunedin City Library was held as part of iD Dunedin Fashion Week.
Dunedin police will be targeting a North Dunedin intersection after an Otago Daily Times video showed numerous vehicles running red and amber lights.
More than 8000ha of rabbit-prone land in the Wanaka area will need poison laid on it this winter to bring the number of the pests under control.
Otago regional ratepayers will face a 5.34% increase in general rates if the Otago Regional Council votes to go ahead with investing in Tarras Water Ltd's irrigation scheme.
Three-year-old cancer survivor Manu Haggie just wanted to see the All Blacks, because that is ''what you do'' at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
As poaching of New Zealand green geckos has increased, higher legal protection for the brightly coloured natives is being sought at an international conference on the trade in endangered species.
An appeal to politicians to confront the critical risks facing New Zealand, its environment and way of life has been launched in Dunedin.
About 300 people, multiple nationalities and a rush of check-ins - it might have been a chaotic start to Census night at Dunedin Holiday Park but in the end, even the stragglers were caught.
Steady drizzle may have rained off the cricket in Dunedin but it failed to dampen more than the central city, leaving the rest of the area in extreme fire risk.
Rolls-Royce representatives (from left) South and East Asia Pacific general manager Dan Balmer, Team McMillan director Bob McMillan, of Auckland, and Asia Pacific regional director Paul Harris visit Dunedin yesterday with a Phantom Series II, imported just a month ago.
Fishers are being asked to have respect for their feathered friends when fishing in Otago Harbour.
A group of rescued orphaned yellow-eyed penguin chicks appear to ponder their release choices before turning tail back up a privately accessed Otago Peninsula beach yesterday - only for Penguin Place manager Lisa King to gently encourage them to head out to sea.
Many long-time Dunedin residents are scratching their heads trying to remember the last time the city experienced such a consistently good summer.
