Rebecca Fox

Some of the lowest sunshine and temperatures figures recorded in Otago in any January made for a cool, cloudy month.

Analysis showing a decrease of about 1% in use of Dunedin's public bus system is a ''reality check'', Otago regional councillor Bryan Scott says.

February's outlook is for warm sunny weather, and hot temperatures in some places, but the summer weather might be short-lived.

Proposed national ''bottom lines'' on water quality could lead to large-scale degradation of Otago's rivers and lakes, the Otago Regional Council says.

The new Kinsey Millhone novel keeps up the tradition of a good old-fashioned detective novel with plenty of twists and turns.

Nine areas in Otago and Southland will benefit from the Department of Conservation's ''Battle for our Birds'' 1080 programme.

Plans to improve the ''aesthetics'' of the University of Otago area in front of its historic registry building have been abandoned in order to minimise disruption to students and staff during construction work on the Water of Leith in coming months.

Repeated sewage spills into Lake Wakatipu, one of the country's top tourist and recreational attractions, should end in prosecution for those who block the pipes, environmental organisations say.

Measures to improve Otago's winter air pollution to set standards have failed in all but two of the region's towns, triggering a review of the Otago Regional Council's management of the problem.

Fish and Game Otago's plan to get proactive and make a stand for good water quality is ''justified and overdue'', Otago council member Ray Grubb says.

Those who contributed to Forsyth Barr Stadium's operating model have defended their decisions in the wake of an announcement it will be reviewed.

Possible future leaders of Ngai Tahu have been learning more about their iwi, its history and its customs on Otago Peninsula this week.

Two Mosgiel parents' efforts to teach their son the value of working for money has hit a vein of support.

After years of wondering why their little girl did not eat, Pip and Gareth Hughes finally have a diagnosis.

For the first time boardwalks will be constructed to allow Otago Harbour's heritage sea wall to be seen as part of the proposal to ''fill in the gaps'' between the cycle and walkways along Otago Peninsula roads from Dunedin to Harington Point.