Fire risk soaring in Otago
Fire risk soaring in Otago
The Fire Service has warned one small spark could start a serious wildfire, as much of Otago is at risk of fire.
Rebecca Fox
Christmas blaze destroys Dunedin home
Christmas blaze destroys Dunedin home
A Dunedin family home is uninhabitable after fire destroyed much of it this morning.
Council invokes water ban
Council invokes water ban
The Otago Regional Council will stop all water takes from the Taieri River and its tributaries from noon on Wednesday, as the region faces the worst dry conditions since the 1999 drought.
Wallaby control call
Wallaby control call
More resources need to go into the fight to stop wallabies moving into Otago from their South Canterbury home to prevent a problem similar to those caused by rabbits and wilding pines in the region, some Otago regional councillors say.
Mataitai application progress
Mataitai application progress
Two applications for customary fishing reserves in Otago will go before Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy in May.
Two stoats caught in ecosanctuary
Two stoats caught in ecosanctuary
Two stoats have been caught in traps inside Orokonui Ecosanctuary's predator-proof fence, sparking an intensive search for the way they got inside.
Developments in Octagon design experiment
Developments in Octagon design experiment
New seating will be installed temporarily in place of the two plane trees removed from the Octagon this week.
Taking a stand on taggers
Taking a stand on taggers
A Dunedin woman's stand against graffiti has resonated with others around the city.
Serious charges likely over flounder catch
Serious charges likely over flounder catch
People taking more and smaller fish than allowed under fishing regulations made up the majority of those caught by fisheries officers over the holiday period.
Trouble-plagued ship fails in attempt to leave harbour
Trouble-plagued ship fails in attempt to leave harbour
Trouble has again hit the Melilla 201.
Plan for drought - ORC
Plan for drought - ORC
If dry conditions continue, it is predicted the effects on the Taieri River will be worse than in previous dry years.
Doc restructuring panned by staff
Doc restructuring panned by staff
A survey of Department of Conservation staff has found the overwhelming majority believe the department is now less efficient than before it was restructured.
Drizzle on way - but no significant rainfall
Drizzle on way - but no significant rainfall
Dunedin's sunny, dry weather is about to give way to drizzly, humid weather, but not the ''significant'' rainfall farmers are hoping for, the MetService says.
Retirement after 49 years in newspapers
Retirement after 49 years in newspapers
Getting up in the morning instead of going to bed will be the biggest adjustment for Lawrence Finnerty after 40-odd years of night shifts.
Doc response to ruling disappoints
Doc response to ruling disappoints
A Dunedin man is disappointed at the Department of Conservation's lack of acceptance ''that they got it wrong'' following his successful complaint to the Ombudsman.
Thunderstorm reprieve
Thunderstorm reprieve
Otago escaped yesterday's forecast major thunderstorms, with only North Otago benefiting from yesterday's cooler weather change.
Close watch on looming Otago drought
Close watch on looming Otago drought
Otago's dry conditions are being monitored closely by government and support agencies as the prospect of drought looms.
December a month of two halves
December a month of two halves
A ''stark'' contrast of temperatures in Middlemarch has highlighted two halves of December, Niwa says.
Harbour haven window on wildlife
Harbour haven window on wildlife
On a rough day the view out of the Faris' crib-cum-boathouse window can resemble a David Attenborough documentary as blue penguins are knocked over by waves and washed back out into Otago Harbour.
Shoppers drawn by Boxing Day bargains
Shoppers drawn by Boxing Day bargains
Boxing Day sales or the great sunny outdoors - it was a dilemma many faced yesterday.