Regions

Cafe open again with new owners

After closing its doors after the first nationwide lockdown last year, Faigans Millers Flat Kitchen and Cafe has reopened, under new ownership.
Lord of the Rings pine forest destroyed by storms

An unassuming pine plantation that put the small rural town of Tarras on the map of Lord of the Rings fans has been destroyed by alpine thunder-and-lightning storms worthy of a battle between Gandalf and the Balrog.
Five-day summit planned to help businesses

The new Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown in Auckland have added another layer of challenges for Fiordland businesses.

MP drafting Bill on alcohol and boat use

MP drafting Bill on alcohol and boat use

Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds is drafting a member’s Bill to promote legislation prohibiting people from operating recreational boats while impaired by alcohol.
Worry about ‘boxticking’ for adventure tourism

Worry about ‘boxticking’ for adventure tourism

An adventure industry veteran fears the adventure will be taken out of the industry should a new safety regime be introduced.
Plant proposed to turn waste into energy

Plant proposed to turn waste into energy

New Zealand has a landfill crisis and is ready for waste-to-energy technology, the man behind a plan to build a multimillion-dollar energy plant near Waimate says.

queenstown

Nesting native birds delay trees’ demise

Five eucalyptus trees in Queenstown will live to see a few more days.

Queenstown trees tipped for felling get temporary reprieve

Queenstown trees tipped for felling get temporary reprieve

Five eucalyptus trees in Queenstown have received a stay of execution, for now.
$4.45m to make Lake Hayes swimmable again

$4.45m to make Lake Hayes swimmable again

More than $4 million will be spent to make Lake Hayes swimmable again.
Skyline vote on repaying wage subsidy

Skyline vote on repaying wage subsidy

Skyline Enterprises shareholders will decide today whether to repay the $7.9million wage subsidy the company took last year.

Wanaka

Runway options for proposed airport released

Two runway alignment options for the proposed Tarras Airport have been released, confirming the towns of Cromwell or Hawea Flat could eventually be under the flight paths of narrow and wide-body...

Small engines about to get a chance to shine

Small engines about to get a chance to shine

Wanaka Fish & Game ranger Paul van Klink is a wildlife specialist. Reporter Marjorie Cook finds out he’s also something of a petrolhead.
Salmon seem to be on the up: survey

Salmon seem to be on the up: survey

Results of the third annual Fish & Game survey of landlocked salmon populations has found anecdotally the numbers are increasing.
Restrictions could ease parking pain

Restrictions could ease parking pain

New parking restrictions approved for a section of Cardrona Valley Rd and across the West Meadows subdivision in Wanaka have prompted calls for a ‘‘holistic’’ parking strategy to be created.

Central Otago

Faigans Millers Flat Kitchen and Cafe has reopened under new ownership since closing after the...

Cafe open again with new owners

After closing its doors after the first nationwide lockdown last year, Faigans Millers Flat Kitchen and Cafe has reopened, under new ownership.

Damaged road bridges still waiting for inspections

Damaged road bridges still waiting for inspections

Inspections are yet to be completed to determine the future of three road bridges in Maniototo closed to traffic since flooding in early January.
Course to cultivate wine worker skills

Course to cultivate wine worker skills

The Central Otago wine industry looks set for a boost of qualified workers, thanks to Otago Polytechnic.
Tarras site could support airport runway - assesment

Tarras site could support airport runway - assesment

The site of the proposed Central Otago airport near Tarras is able to support an airfield with a runway at least 2.2km long, an assessment has found.

South Otago

Exclusion possible for Clutha schemes

Clutha's rural water schemes could be considered for exclusion from the incoming Three Waters reforms, officials say.

Officials to get rural water scheme ‘insight’

Officials to get rural water scheme ‘insight’

Top Three Waters reforms officials are visiting Clutha today to learn about the district’s rural water schemes and talk to local stakeholders.
Order made to remove fairground equipment

Order made to remove fairground equipment

The Clutha District Council has ordered fairground equipment stored on a council reserve next to the Pounawea Motor Camp be removed by November 1.
Report finds multiple Covid protocol failures at prison

Report finds multiple Covid protocol failures at prison

A damning audit of Otago Corrections Facility (OCF) has exposed numerous shortcomings in the prison’s Covid-19 preparations.

north otago

‘Thrilled’ to hear helipad land transfer news

Getting people to hospital within the ‘‘golden hour’’ is critical, Jim Jerram says.

Waitaki mayor describes gangs as ‘cancers’

Waitaki mayor describes gangs as ‘cancers’

Mongrel Mob drug dealings, standover tactics, intimidation and violence are unwanted in Waitaki, the mayor says.
Plant proposed to turn waste into energy

Plant proposed to turn waste into energy

New Zealand has a landfill crisis and is ready for waste-to-energy technology, the man behind a plan to build a multimillion-dollar energy plant near Waimate says.
Man jailed for spate of burglaries

Man jailed for spate of burglaries

A lengthy history of offending came back to haunt an Oamaru man when he was sent to jail for 13 months.

southland

Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds. Photo: Luisa Girao

MP drafting Bill on alcohol and boat use

Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds is drafting a member’s Bill to promote legislation prohibiting people from operating recreational boats while impaired by alcohol.

Worry about ‘boxticking’ for adventure tourism

Worry about ‘boxticking’ for adventure tourism

An adventure industry veteran fears the adventure will be taken out of the industry should a new safety regime be introduced.
‘Visionary’ bus hub praised

‘Visionary’ bus hub praised

Invercargill city councillor, broadcaster, and public transport enthusiast Marcus Lush took his 35,000 Twitter followers on a tour of Dunedin, yesterday, by bus.
Kidnapper will keep name secret permanently

Kidnapper will keep name secret permanently

An Invercargill man has been granted permanent name suppression and a community detention sentence, allowing him to keep his job.

Expat sharing creepy jungle adventures online

Former Timaru man James Osborne spends his free time tracking and filming the wildlife he finds...

Expat sharing creepy jungle adventures online

A Timaru expat is making his mark on YouTube, filming all the creepy crawlies the average Kiwi dreads.

Kidnapper will keep name secret permanently

Kidnapper will keep name secret permanently

An Invercargill man has been granted permanent name suppression and a community detention sentence, allowing him to keep his job.

Exclusion possible for Clutha schemes

Clutha's rural water schemes could be considered for exclusion from the incoming Three Waters reforms, officials say.

MP drafting Bill on alcohol and boat use

Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds is drafting a member’s Bill to promote legislation prohibiting people from operating recreational boats while impaired by alcohol.

Cafe open again with new owners

After closing its doors after the first nationwide lockdown last year, Faigans Millers Flat Kitchen and Cafe has reopened, under new ownership.

Worry about ‘boxticking’ for adventure tourism

Worry about ‘boxticking’ for adventure tourism

An adventure industry veteran fears the adventure will be taken out of the industry should a new safety regime be introduced.

Runway options for proposed airport released

Two runway alignment options for the proposed Tarras Airport have been released, confirming the towns of Cromwell or Hawea Flat could eventually be under the flight paths of narrow and wide-body...

Wild weather batters South

A limb snapped off a tree in George St in central Dunedin. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery

Wild weather batters South

Updated 10.50 am

Strong winds have battered parts of the South, bringing down trees and prompting warnings for motorists.

‘Visionary’ bus hub praised

Dunedin’s newest public transport ambassador is Invercargill city councillor Marcus Lush, who...

‘Visionary’ bus hub praised

Invercargill city councillor, broadcaster, and public transport enthusiast Marcus Lush took his 35,000 Twitter followers on a tour of Dunedin, yesterday, by bus.

‘Thrilled’ to hear helipad land transfer news

Getting people to hospital within the ‘‘golden hour’’ is critical, Jim Jerram says.

Nesting native birds delay trees’ demise

Five eucalyptus trees in Queenstown will live to see a few more days.

Crossing safety highlighted

The modified pedestrian crossing signal at the corner of Manse and High Sts, Dunedin. Photo by...

Crossing safety highlighted

Southland's vision impaired community is highlighting issues around pedestrian crossings requiring maintenance this International White Cane Safety Day.

Bereaved pet owner, cattery settle over mix-up

Te Anau resident Sue Peoples with her late cat Jac. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Bereaved pet owner, cattery settle over mix-up

Sue Peoples says being bitter will not bring back her beloved three-legged ‘‘fur baby’’.

Small engines about to get a chance to shine

Classic scooter enthusiastic Paul van Klink has been organising the Upper Clutha Scooter Hooter...

Small engines about to get a chance to shine

Wanaka Fish & Game ranger Paul van Klink is a wildlife specialist. Reporter Marjorie Cook finds out he’s also something of a petrolhead.

Damaged road bridges still waiting for inspections

The Scott Lane bridge near Kyeburn was damaged during flooding in January this year. Nine months...

Damaged road bridges still waiting for inspections

Inspections are yet to be completed to determine the future of three road bridges in Maniototo closed to traffic since flooding in early January.

Salmon seem to be on the up: survey

Salmon seem to be on the up: survey

Results of the third annual Fish & Game survey of landlocked salmon populations has found anecdotally the numbers are increasing.

Course to cultivate wine worker skills

The Central Otago wine industry looks set for a boost of qualified workers, thanks to Otago Polytechnic.

Restrictions could ease parking pain

Wanaka Medical Centre staff and visitors who park on Kennedy Crescent Reserve due to a lack of on...

Restrictions could ease parking pain

New parking restrictions approved for a section of Cardrona Valley Rd and across the West Meadows subdivision in Wanaka have prompted calls for a ‘‘holistic’’ parking strategy to be created.

45 new conservation jobs for West Coast

From left: West Coast Whitebaiters Association president Rob Roney, Conservation Minister Kiri...

45 new conservation jobs for West Coast

The Conservation Minister has announced almost $9 million of funding for 45 new West Coast jobs in weed control, tree planting and whitebait habitat restoration.