Grant Miller

This is the first instalment in a regular column covering southern election campaign moments that did not necessarily make the news, candidate social media posts and perhaps a wry observation or two.

Bus companies have welcomed a pledge of extra money from the Otago Regional Council (ORC) so they can pay drivers more, but say they are operating in a tough market.

A boardwalk could be built at Portobello in Dunedin after all, if the city council boosts a project budget by $1.5 million.

Otago bus drivers will get their living wage top-up, but it has been called just the first step in turning around a crisis.

A final call about whether state highway routes through central Dunedin stay one-way could be made early next year.

Three Waters reform is essential and it should not be a stumbling block for the election of Labour-endorsed candidates in local body elections, deputy prime minister Grant Robertson says.