It is hoped new terms of reference for the mana-to-mana group between the Otago Regional Council and Kai Tahu Otago runanga will improve their relationship.
The terms of reference were proposed by Kai Tahu ki Otago and, after consideration at a recent mana-to-mana meeting, it asked for formal endorsement of the terms by the regional council.
Conflict between the need for irrigation water on the Strath Taieri and saving a population of endangered galaxiids has been resolved without going to the Environment Court.
Port Otago's Project Next Generation resource consents should be granted, subject to conditions, the Otago Regional Council's staff report says.
More than 100 submissions on Port Otago's consent applications to dredge Otago Harbour will be heard over three weeks in Dunedin next month.
The hunt for the moose in Fiordland may soon heat up, with a $100,000 "bounty" being offered for a photograph of the elusive animal.
People need to be reminded it is "totally not OK" to shoot native kereru (wood pigeon), Project Kereru's Nik Hurring says.
About $10,000 has been raised by the Dunedin Japanese community for victims of the Christchurch and Japanese earthquakes.
It is hoped a visit by Chinese airline and government officials, travel wholesalers and media to Queenstown next month will translate quickly into more high-spending Asian visitors to the Lakes district.
Being on the other side of the world from your family when your home country is in turmoil is no easy thing, Bahraini student Noor Almahdi says.
Rabbit numbers continue to rise, especially in Central Otago, Dunback and some parts of coastal Otago.
An audit of Oceana Gold's environmental monitoring data has shown inconsistencies, inaccuracies and failures, the Otago Regional Council says.
A piece of monitoring software failed during last month's flooding, leading to a delay of about three hours in telephone warnings to landowners.
Otago Regional Council concerns about the direction of national freshwater management policy have not been allayed by meeting Land and Water Forum chairman Alastair Bisley.
About half a pod of 107 pilot whales have died and the remaining whales have been euthanased after stranding in hot, dry conditions at the remote southern end of Mason Bay on Stewart Island.
Sending staff out "divining" for water in the Ida Valley is an example of local government at its best, Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead says.
Farmers be warned - the Otago Regional Council plans to get tougher on sedimentation run-off into waterways and will prosecute if necessary.
Legal proceedings for three offences were set in motion by the Otago Regional Council in the first six weeks of this year, and it issued five infringement notices for non-compliance, under the Resource Management and Biosecurity Acts
A lack of rural awareness about air quality restrictions on outdoor burning, as opposed to fire bans and restrictions put in place by local authorities, has led the Otago Regional Council to increase its education and enforcement.
Recent flooding and erosion on the lower south bank of the Waitaki River has led to a 40% increase in the Otago Regional Council's targeted rate.
With major, complicated projects that will significantly affect people's lives and rates bills to be considered in this year's draft annual plan, the Otago Regional Council plans to make an "extra effort" in the way it consults the public.
