Rebecca Fox

Southern right whale researchers are heading to the Auckland Islands today for the final year of a study into the subantarctic population.

South Island councils are to formalise plans to create a strategic alliance to provide a "stronger and more unified voice" on central government initiatives and the opportunity to reduce service costs for ratepayers.

Genetic testing used to boost the endangered kakapo population is now being used to help save rare Otago and grand skinks in the Lindis area.

Emissions from Speight's chimney might be looking darker but the brewery is still within its resource consent limits, a company spokeswoman says.

The Otago Regional Council has invited the Federated Farmers dairy chairman to visit Otago after he criticised the council's approach to water-quality regulations at a national conference last week.

Another councillor may be added to the Otago Regional Council as it considers how to ensure fair representation across the region.

Otago residents are feeling the impact of recent electricity price rises as winter temperatures plummet in the region.

Dunedin's Midwinter Carnival, due to take place last night, has been put off until this evening at the same time.

Failure of the Otago Regional Council to support a special needs man learning to use the bus service has frustrated his mother.

Recommendations for a significant rewrite of the Resource Management Act could mean fewer checks and balances in the system, the Otago Regional Council says.

Five dogs which chased a wild pig into the upper Taieri River died after ice on its banks prevented them from escaping, a hunter says.

Having had to "ditch" a helicopter in the sea in the days before underwater escape training, Peter Garden has a special appreciation for the importance of such courses.

Speight's brewery has been told to reduce the smoke coming from its chimney or it could face a consent review.

A short trip to film pest eradication work on subantarctic Macquarie Island opened Claudia Babirat's eyes to the natural beauty and wildlife of the island. Rebecca Fox reports.

The success of funding applications means possum control can be undertaken in Otago Peninsula settlements and right up to the suburban boundaries of the city itself.

A need to find a solution to reduce the high number of winter crashes on Dunedin's Three Mill Hill Rd has led to the development of new technology, believed to be a world first.

Mosaic pukekos have been a specialty of Nelson glass artist Sandy Miller but now she has moved south she thinks she will have to add penguins to her repertoire.