Pupils are fleeing a troubled North Otago school, putting it at risk of losing teachers and staff as its roll spirals downwards, an official report warns.
A "long and dusty road" lies ahead for North Otago farmers as drought conditions look set to continue for months, not weeks, a long-term weather forecaster has warned.
Both the government and the Waitaki District Council are working to make sure a deal is reached on Oamaru Hospital before its funding contract finishes at the end of June.
It was school mate against school mate and even coach against coach in the opening round of the North Otago premier A netball competition last weekend.