Rebecca Fox

Telecom XT's 12-hour service failure, which affected about 100,000 customers south of Taupo yesterday, raises serious issues about the design of the network, a telecommunications watchdog says.

A report of an iceberg floating near Stewart Island has proved to be premature.

Winds gusting up to gale force caused delays to traffic in and out of Port Otago and Dunedin airport yesterday - and there is expected to be no let-up today.

Working within the bureaucratic and cultural constraints that come with running the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head has left manager Sam Inder with feelings of both frustration and achievement over the years.

Santa Parade organiser Malcolm Dodds is hoping that positive thinking will help avert a second postponing of the annual Christmas event.

Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Cairns hopes "premature" election campaigning will not distract councillors from tackling important projects.

Concern about the "huge challenge" the Otago Regional Council could face as a consent authority because of the Project Hayes decision has led it to plan lodging an appeal with the Environment Court.

The time has come for Otago and Southland's regional councils to investigate amalgamating, Otago regional councillor Michael Deaker says.

Spring time in Otago was one of record breaking cold and dry weather.

Whether there to see how ratepayer money was being spent or to look at the big machines involved in the construction of Forsyth Barr Stadium, the Dunedin public turned up in their droves.

Children have been left to kayak without warm gear and others will miss out on the experience after a Karitane business was burgled on Monday night.

This season's endangered yellow-eyed penguin chicks at Okia Reserve so far have no sign of the skull deformities that affected last season's chicks.

Making sure the great outdoors is still there for her children is the main motivator for new Otago Fish and Game councillor Vicky Whyte.