Harvest starts in Indian summer conditions
Tractors are active in vineyards, snips are snipping and wineries are preparing for a promising vintage as the 2026 wine harvest officially gets under way in Central Otago.
Regions
Draft plan lays out 11.6% rates rise
Draft plan lays out 11.6% rates rise
An 11.6% average rates rise has been proposed for the Queenstown Lakes District.
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Promise fulfilled at farewell to church
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Promise fulfilled at farewell to church
A 91-year-old hidden secret was revealed — and a long-standing promise fulfilled — during a recent farewell to a much-loved church building.
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Resthaven being sold, settlement in May
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Resthaven being sold, settlement in May
After more than 70 years’ ownership, Presbyterian Support Southland (PSS) is poised to sell its Gore retirement village Resthaven.
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‘The Town of Opportunities’ no longer advertising them
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‘The Town of Opportunities’ no longer advertising them
Opportunities may well still abound in Milton — although its welcome sign no longer proclaims it.
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Screen hub receives fast-track panel tick
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Screen hub receives fast-track panel tick
A controversial screen hub proposed to be located on some of New Zealand’s most valuable land has got the tick from a fast-track panel despite intense opposition from neighbours.
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McCaw statue plan revived
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McCaw statue plan revived
Richie McCaw’s grassroots beginnings will be immortalised in Oamaru stone by the end of the year.
Invercargill mayor stands by comments over AI data centre cable
Invercargill mayor stands by comments over AI data centre cable
Invercargill mayor Tom Campbell is standing by his view that a new cable for a large AI data centre will not impact the environment at Ōreti Beach, despite a report saying otherwise.
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Above average rain bolsters lake levels
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Above average rain bolsters lake levels
Well into autumn Meridan Energy says the hydro system is in good shape for the coming winter.
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‘Staggering’ sale result to end dynasty
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‘Staggering’ sale result to end dynasty
A South Otago farming dynasty has come to an end with one last cattle sale.
Wild food fanatics embrace festival’s unique offerings
Wild food fanatics embrace festival’s unique offerings
The West Coast’s legendary Wildfoods Festival celebrates weird and wild food, West Coast bush fashion and the fabric of New Zealand music.
Gold’s meteoric rise fuelling job, mine boom
Gold’s meteoric rise fuelling job, mine boom
Gold fever has gripped the West Coast, as record-high prices fuel new mines, jobs and investment while housing and infrastructure feel the strain.
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‘We see the best in humanity in the worst situations'
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‘We see the best in humanity in the worst situations'
An Oamaru woman first on the scene of a serious crash says she had no other choice but to run towards two burning cars in the Lindis Pass.
Cancer ‘support’ shown in relay turnout
Cancer ‘support’ shown in relay turnout
The best of the Southland community laced up their walking shoes for Relay for Life at the weekend.
Driver cut from rolled-over racing truck
Driver cut from rolled-over racing truck
A driver had to be cut from his truck after it rolled over during a racing event at Teretonga Park raceway, near Invercargill yesterday.
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Fast dogs, strong people pull crowds
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Fast dogs, strong people pull crowds
Jack Stewart and his 2-year-old Jack Russell named Fred took out the Jack Russell race at this year’s Wanaka A&P Show.
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Plum student wins scholarship to help ‘focus fully’ on study
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Plum student wins scholarship to help ‘focus fully’ on study
From selling plums at the market to studying markets, a former Mount Aspiring College student has received a huge boost in the form of scholarship from a national foundation.
‘I can’t afford’ to rent: single mum
‘I can’t afford’ to rent: single mum
An Arrowtown single mum says she is being forced out of the historic village due to exorbitant rents and substandard accommodation.
Judges can spot a good sheep
Judges can spot a good sheep
He might have once sold a ram for $100,000 but high prices were not the highlight in Pete Wallace’s merino stud breeding career.
Lindis Pass crash kills one
Lindis Pass crash kills one
A serious two-vehicle crash on the Lindis Pass has left one person dead and three others injured.