If you thought playing sport was fast and furious, spare a thought for the University of Otago students who are processing live footage of the Winter Tournament this week.

Health NZ is refusing to reveal how much it is paying private hospitals to perform elective surgeries under a new national contract - a move critics say makes it impossible to know if taxpayers are getting value for money.

There are calls for a Rental Warrant of Fitness to ensure student flats in North Dunedin are actually complying with Healthy Homes Standards.

A 12-year-old giraffe and a young zebra foal have died at Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park, leaving staff "heartbroken".