Rebecca Fox

West Taieri's $1.1 million pumping station upgrade has future-proofed drainage of about 7000ha of productive pastoral land, Otago Regional Council engineering manager Ramon Strong says.

On the surface Todd Campbell was a ''healthy, strapping young lad'', who was the life of the party, but behind the smile he struggled with epilepsy, a condition which ultimately claimed his life aged 22.

High rabbit numbers combined with warmer winters and a lack of resources could mean contractors will struggle to complete the poisoning programmes needed to keep pest numbers down to acceptable levels this winter.

New Zealand has the time, the resources and the people - all it needs to do is make a start towards a green economy, Emeritus Prof Gerry Carrington, of Dunedin, says.

Helping others losing their sight through sharing her own experiences has won Dunedin woman Joan Kernaghan a national Blind Foundation award.

A subantarctic erect-crested penguin carried off course on to a Northland beach is now recuperating at Moeraki's Katiki Point penguin hospital.

Nearly 50 years ago the Brighton community took matters into their own hands and set up a volunteer fire brigade.

A 25% discount on fares seems to be drawing students on to the city's public bus system, the Otago Regional Council says.

The group which will lead the fight to change Otago's status as the only region not to have marine protection will be led by Dunedin environmental lawyer Maree Baker-Galloway.

Corstophine bus users are happy but those on Otago Peninsula are puzzled by the Otago Regional Council's latest decision on public bus routes.

The windows were covered over and the keyholes blocked while a team of specialist embroiderers worked ''vast hours'' on delicate lacework which was to end up on Kate Middleton's wedding dress.

''Skinny'' salmon caught in Otago Harbour may be suffering from the same lack of food as Otago's yellow-eyed penguins.

Unexpected ''interest changes'' mean Otago ratepayers will face another year of paying a special rate for Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.