Opinion

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks during the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue at the Shangri...

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The percentage debate

Overseas trips by the Minister of Defence seldom make headlines back home, but Chris Penk’s visit to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore was quite the exception.

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Cartoonist’s view — Yeo

Today's cartoon from Shaun Yeo

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1876 was a great year and 150th celebrations continue

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1876 was a great year and 150th celebrations continue

Last week this column showered praise on those who reach their 150th birthday this year — Speight’s, the Otago Cricket Association and others — and that, I thought, would be enough on that topic.

The amalgamation process basics

Invercargill City Council: a stand-alone or merged HQ? PHOTO: ODT FILES

The amalgamation process basics

Councils need to understand the basics of merger possibilities before making any decision, Selva Selvarajah writes.

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Improving patient portals

December’s ManageMyHealth (MMH) hacking has focused overdue attention on the need to improve controls around patient portals’ security.

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Cartoonist's view — Yeo

Today's cartoon from Shaun Yeo

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Tractor new to show

Messrs A.S. Paterson and Co are exhibiting for the first time at the Winter Show the famous Caterpillar tractor.

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Weighty issues face SpaceX’s starship programme

A SpaceX Starship and Super Heavy launches from the Starbase site in Texas on May 22. PHOTO:...

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Weighty issues face SpaceX’s starship programme

With a record of five failures and six partial successes in his Starship programme, the 12th launch on May 22 of Elon Musk’s BFR* (as he and the boys used to call it before the PR people intervened...

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How to go back in time for just £25

Going underground in the Real Mary’s Close. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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How to go back in time for just £25

It’s not every day that one is transported back to the 17th century. It’s also not every day that one pays £25 for the privilege of doing so.

Politicians, allowances, and the democratisation of misery

Politicians, allowances, and the democratisation of misery

Harry Love ponders the quantum of happiness.

Precious little for those at bottom

Precious little for those at bottom

Times are tight and the government’s books are poor. Many of us are doing some version of ‘‘tough’’.

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Association to acquire Josephine

Mr William Ames (left), one of the early drivers, visits steam engine Josephine, on
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Association to acquire Josephine

At the annual meeting of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association held last evening Mr F.W. Knight moved a recommendation to the committee to acquire the engine Josephine for permanent exhibition as...

O'Connor talks trade and Waitaki candidacy

The ODT has a new weekly on-line feature, Election 2026 - a feature interview with a politician about the issues of the day.

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Burden of proof on new ministry

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Burden of proof on new ministry

RIP the Ministry for the Environment, 1986-2026.

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Look at moi! Look at moi! as climate case issue simmers

Southland National MP Joseph Mooney. PHOTO: ODT FILES

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Look at moi! Look at moi! as climate case issue simmers

Not many politicians volunteer to become involved in a looming scandal, but Southland National MP Joseph Mooney was positively champing at the bit this week.

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Cartoonist’s view — Yeo

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Cartoonist’s view — Yeo

Today's cartoon from Shaun Yeo

Surplus a noble aim, but what about living standards?

This year’s Budget - Nicola Willis’ third, and perhaps final depending on how things go in November - was titled ‘‘Securing New Zealand’s Future’’ and promoted by Ms Willis as a ‘‘responsible...