Nicola Willis faces tricky balancing act with Budget 2026
Analysis: Trying to please everyone will prove a near-impossible task for Finance Minister Nicola Willis when she delivers her third Budget on Thursday.
The South Today
'A political choice': Homelessness reaches record levels
'A political choice': Homelessness reaches record levels
Significant investment in social and affordable housing is crucial to solving New Zealand's housing crisis and ending homelessness, a new report says.
McCain rebuffs plea to halt factory closure
McCain rebuffs plea to halt factory closure
International food company McCain has turned down a request from Hawke's Bay mayors asking for a pause on the factory's closure while growers try to find a solution for a possible takeover.
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Delay to changes a relief: home-schoolers
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Delay to changes a relief: home-schoolers
Home-school students and their parents say the government’s decision to delay sweeping changes is a relief after being scared they would face ‘‘a ton of bricks’’ of rules and regulations.
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Museum launches campaign to help children visit
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Museum launches campaign to help children visit
As petrol costs soar, Tūhura Otago Museum has come up with a way to help eager young minds.
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Emmy win brings one home for late colleague
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Emmy win brings one home for late colleague
Emmy number five, and this one was special for a ground-breaking Dunedin business.
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DCC fails to make substantial cuts
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DCC fails to make substantial cuts
Dunedin city councillors could not agree on how to cut a spending programme considered too large to be realistic, leading to a $12 million intervention.
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'Grandstanding': Lund and Galer's South Dunedin flood plan flounders
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'Grandstanding': Lund and Galer's South Dunedin flood plan flounders
An attempt to send South Dunedin flood alleviation work back to the drawing board was rejected by councillors as ‘‘grandstanding’’ and a disservice to late mayor Jules Radich.
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Life of human cannonball truly a blast
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Life of human cannonball truly a blast
If Luis Dazazarta was ever to retire from his job as a human cannonball, the Weber Brothers Circus may struggle to find another man of his calibre.
Collision sends car down bank
Collision sends car down bank
Two people were uninjured after their car collided with another in Corrie St, Dunedin Central, before plunging down a bank.
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Central Dunedin stabbing victim 'lucky to be alive'
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Central Dunedin stabbing victim 'lucky to be alive'
Since the knife attack - sparked by noise disturbing an inner-city resident - the victim has been unable to work and might have permanent nerve damage.
Parliament votes to scrap Environment Ministry
Parliament votes to scrap Environment Ministry
The Ministry for the Environment has been scrapped, with legislation bringing the 40-year-old entity to an end passing in Parliament.
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Chronic fatigue sufferers ‘invisible’
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Chronic fatigue sufferers ‘invisible’
While people living with chronic fatigue face substantial health challenges in New Zealand, they also have to battle long-term economic hardship and fight for access to support.
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Pupils ‘guinea pigs’ as NCEA scrapped
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Pupils ‘guinea pigs’ as NCEA scrapped
Intermediate aged pupils are being treated ‘‘guinea pigs’’ and are being set up to fail when new tougher qualifications are introduced, a Dunedin teacher says.
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Manage My Health failure highlighted
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Manage My Health failure highlighted
Hundreds of Otago and Southland patients had their records breached in January’s Manage My Health saga.
Birthday shows to help revive ailing Playhouse
Birthday shows to help revive ailing Playhouse
Cold and leaky, the 150-year-old Dunedin theatre is putting on milestone birthday shows in a bid to raise money for much-needed renovations.
Minister 'comfortable' getting $1000 a week home allowance
Minister 'comfortable' getting $1000 a week home allowance
Cabinet minister Louise Upston, who collects $1000 a week to live in her own Wellington apartment, says she's "followed the rules" and is "comfortable" with them.
Health wishes for Budget 2026
Health wishes for Budget 2026
The govt has already announced an expansion to Lakes District Hospital's ED in Queenstown will begin within months as part of a $180m boost to healthcare in the Otago Central Lakes area.
Climate note sent to PM's senior adviser
Climate note sent to PM's senior adviser
The staffer who received a document from Fonterra and Z Energy making suggestions for a potential law change was a senior adviser for PM Christopher Luxon.
One dead, multiple injuries as chemical tank ruptures
One dead, multiple injuries as chemical tank ruptures
A chemical tank has imploded and ruptured in the US state of Washington, resulting one death, nine people critically injured and another nine unaccounted for, officials say.