Otago heading for dry summer
Otago heading for dry summer
Rivers across Otago are very low for this time of year and if rain does not fall during the next few weeks, the region could be in for a very dry summer.
Rebecca Fox
Mohua count stable after 1080 drop
Mohua count stable after 1080 drop
Numbers of the nationally endangered mohua in the Catlins are continuing to stabilise, more than a year on from a poisoning programme to reduce predators.
New section of flood protection work starts
New section of flood protection work starts
Four years on from the last work done as part of the Leith Lindsay flood protection scheme, another section of work has begun.
Family preparing for life on island
Family preparing for life on island
The trip into town will not be quite so quick for the Vella-King family, but they are looking forward to the slower pace of life as caretakers of Quarantine Island, in Otago Harbour.
ORC aggrieved at criticism over wetland
ORC aggrieved at criticism over wetland
Otago Fish and Game has been heavily criticised by the Otago Regional Council over its handling of its concerns about the Lundy wetland (formerly the Cairn wetland) in South Otago.
Rabbit numbers explode
Rabbit numbers explode
Perfect breeding conditions have led to a massive explosion in rabbit numbers in Otago, which one rabbiter says is the biggest he has seen in 25 years.
Algae possible culprit
Algae possible culprit
It is believed natural activity caused the deaths of fish in the Kaikorai Stream recently.
All white, so it's a cloud
All white, so it's a cloud
A different type of cloud formation was seen over Dunedin and Mosgiel yesterday morning.
Bus user boost sought
Bus user boost sought
Otago Regional councillors have asked staff to come up with a range of options which could halt declining bus patronage, although Cr Sam Neill says the move is a "knee-jerk" and "political" reaction to the figures presented.
ORC underspending budget
ORC underspending budget
In the past four months there had been a "hell of a lot" of underspending at the Otago Regional Council, Cr Duncan Butcher said.
Warm southern spring
Warm southern spring
Despite a snowstorm and high winds, spring turned out to be warm and dry for most of the region.
Rats, mice finally eradicated
Rats, mice finally eradicated
Orokonui Ecosanctuary has reached another milestone in its fight against pests - it has finally eradicated the rats and mice.
Triple-loser family wins big
Triple-loser family wins big
A family weight problem has been dealt to by three generations of a Dunedin family who have lost more than 53.5kg together.
$16,000 campaign for seat
$16,000 campaign for seat
Dunedin businessman Trevor Kempton spent $16,046.36 to help secure his seat on the Otago Regional Council.
Warm, dry November in Otago
Warm, dry November in Otago
Average maximum temperatures were 2degC to 4degC warmer throughout Otago last month, but Dunedin still came in the coldest of New Zealand's main centres.
Gull population recovering on Otago Peninsula
Gull population recovering on Otago Peninsula
Losing a chip to a red-billed gull might be frustrating, but you need to look at it as a contribution towards saving a nationally vulnerable species.
Trout found dead in stream
Trout found dead in stream
A group of school pupils and their teacher discovered dead trout floating in Kaikorai Valley Stream yesterday.
Kiwi settling into home
Kiwi settling into home
They are keeping up their air of mystery but the kiwi at Orokonui Ecosanctuary are believed to be settling in well.
Winter air pollution slowly easing
Winter air pollution slowly easing
Otago's latest winter air quality report card shows the region's most polluted towns are still exceeding national standards, although some are showing a steady reduction over time.
Metering an 'opportunity', ORC says
Metering an 'opportunity', ORC says
New water-take measurement and reporting regulations should be seen as an "opportunity" rather than an impediment by Otago's mining privilege holders, Otago Regional Council resource management director Selva Selvarajah says.