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When an MP sued the paper
Mike Houlahan looks back at how the ODT covered burning issues of yesteryear. Today: when the newspaper itself was in the spotlight.
Mike Houlahan
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Black Tuesday’s import delayed
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Black Tuesday’s import delayed
Mike Houlahan looks at how the Otago Daily Times reacted to news of a crash on the New York stock exchange.
Staying on the right track essential for change
Staying on the right track essential for change
2026 is election year and parties are already jockeying for position. In a five-part series ODT political editor Mike Houlahan asked a senior MP from the leading parties about how the first two...
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Those getting stuff done, or needing to get more stuff done
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Those getting stuff done, or needing to get more stuff done
Although everyone else does "Politician of the year", at Southern Say we eschew such tawdry baubles.
Pledging ‘real action’ on cost of living crisis
Pledging ‘real action’ on cost of living crisis
Megan Woods says she has seen nothing like the incineration of Labour legislation which she has watched from the opposition benches over the past two years.
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Giant leap forward with glowing fanfare
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Giant leap forward with glowing fanfare
In the runup to the 1952 Olympics, it would be fair to say that everyone in Otago expected great things of Dunedin’s Yvette Williams.
Hoping for a return to ‘holistic solutions’
Hoping for a return to ‘holistic solutions’
2026 is election year and parties are already jockeying for position. In a five-part series ODT political editor Mike Houlahan asks a senior MP from the leading parties about how the...
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Solemn first Anzac Day
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Solemn first Anzac Day
Mike Houlahan looks at how the ODT responded to the first anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
Maintaining identity among govt friction
Maintaining identity among govt friction
In a five part series, ODT political editor Mike Houlahan asked a senior MP from the leading parties about how the first two years of the parliamentary term have gone and if they fancy their chances in 2026.
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You need to help the aged, ’cause one day you’ll be older too
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You need to help the aged, ’cause one day you’ll be older too
"Help the aged, don’t just put them in a home," Britpop band Pulp sang in one of their more unusual singles, Help The Aged.
Act minister remains hands-on out on the farm
Act minister remains hands-on out on the farm
2026 is election year and parties are already jockeying for position.
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Celebrating the relief of Mafeking
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Celebrating the relief of Mafeking
In a six-part series, Mike Houlahan looks back at how the Otago Daily Times covered burning issues of yesteryear. Today he looks at how the newspaper reacted to a major event in the Boer War.
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Waitangi Day, but not as we know it
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Waitangi Day, but not as we know it
Mike Houlahan looks back at how the ODT covered burning issues of yesteryear. Today: how the newspaper covered the very first Waitangi Day celebrations.
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We’re planning to be talking about planning again in 2026
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We’re planning to be talking about planning again in 2026
Regular readers of this column may feel like much of it this year has been about Dunedin Labour MP Rachel Brooking and her National counterparts, especially RMA Minister Chris Bishop.
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Arming up for emergency legislation and lengthy urgency
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Arming up for emergency legislation and lengthy urgency
To the surprise of absolutely no-one, Parliament once more adopted urgency this week as the government pressed to get a plethora of Bills progressed before Christmas.
Drones used in fight against bovine Tb
Drones used in fight against bovine Tb
Rocklands Station has plenty of places a possum can run to, but if a new trial proves successful the pests will have nowhere they can hide.
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The griller gets grilled under the health committee’s scrutiny
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The griller gets grilled under the health committee’s scrutiny
This past week has been Scrutiny Week at Parliament, where the actions of ministers and ministries are put under under the spotlight during a series of committee hearings.
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Making sure only appropriate comments are made and heard
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Making sure only appropriate comments are made and heard
For many MPs this recess week has offered the chance for a much-needed rest following an exhausting week of overtime sitting under urgency.
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Drones to hunt possums in fight against bovine Tb
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Drones to hunt possums in fight against bovine Tb
Rocklands Station has plenty of places a possum can run to, but if a new trial proves successful the pests will have nowhere they can hide.
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Seeking a unified approach to making the golden years glow
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Seeking a unified approach to making the golden years glow
The hurly-burly of politics seldom intrudes on the quiet halls of Bupa Windsor Park Care Home in Gore.