Political donations linked to fast-track applications revealed
More than $1 million in political donations linked to fast-tracked projects have been made since 2022, including in Queenstown and the West Coast.
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Volunteer fire brigade member in crash named
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Volunteer fire brigade member in crash named
A South Otago volunteer fire brigade is mourning the death of one of its firefighters at the weekend, just 14 months after losing another volunteer.
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Arrowtown tops Otago bad air rankings
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Arrowtown tops Otago bad air rankings
Arrowtown has come top of the rankings, but not in a category any town would want to win.
Opening of trail delayed until spring
Opening of trail delayed until spring
The opening of the long-awaited Kawarau Gorge Trail has been pushed back until September.
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Rugby club official decries violent fracas at clubrooms
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Rugby club official decries violent fracas at clubrooms
The president of a South Otago rugby club says he is shocked and disappointed a party held at its venue descended into violence, including one person being bottled.
One authority should run region: council
One authority should run region: council
Invercargill City Council has announced it would prefer Southland’s councils to combine into one authority, but the brains behind amalgamation in the region does not approve.
Woman stole $47,000 from grandmother
Woman stole $47,000 from grandmother
An Oamaru woman stole more than $47,000 from her grandmother, leaving her victim with no money to pay her rest-home fees.
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Fast-track bid hits snag over gaps in information
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Fast-track bid hits snag over gaps in information
Santana Minerals’ bid for fast-track approval to mine gold at Bendigo has hit a snag over information gaps in its application.
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Fruit variety protections hailed
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Fruit variety protections hailed
A central Otago grower involved in developing new apricot varieties has welcomed changes that will give plant breeders exclusive commercial rights for longer.
All geared up
All geared up
Grabbing some bargains at the Whakatipu Ski Club’s annual snowsports sale are (from left) Daren, Tate, 11, and Emily, 7, Jevon, of Queenstown.
Drivers may face fines for not using chains in wintry conditions
Drivers may face fines for not using chains in wintry conditions
Motorists could be fined for failing to fit chains in snowy or icy conditions on council-managed roads, the Queenstown Lakes District Council has warned.
QLDC tells drivers to fit chains or face fines
QLDC tells drivers to fit chains or face fines
Motorists who do not fit chains in snowy or icy conditions in the Queenstown Lakes district may be fined for the first time.
Possible Southland council merger moves a step closer
Possible Southland council merger moves a step closer
The Local Government Commission has agreed to further examine whether Southland could benefit from a local council merger.
Man taken to hospital after 'bottling'
Man taken to hospital after 'bottling' amid disorder at Milton party
A man was bottled and transported to Dunedin Hospital with injuries after a 21st party at a rural Otago rugby club erupted into violence, police say.
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Wilding pine fight to get $79m funding boost
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Wilding pine fight to get $79m funding boost
The government will spend an additional $79 million on wilding pine control over the next three years.
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Camaraderie championed at 140th jubilee
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Camaraderie championed at 140th jubilee
Rugby creating bonds for life was a message those attending the Mataura Rugby Football Club’s 140-year jubilee understood.
Former Mongrel Mob leader allowed to keep Southland gang pad
Former Mongrel Mob leader allowed to keep Southland gang pad
A former Mongrel Mob president has won a battle to save his gang pad from Crown confiscation.
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Mustangs roar into town
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Mustangs roar into town
Alexandra’s main street came alive on Saturday as 36 Mustangs rolled through town for the 2026 Southern Muster.
Record numbers at ute muster
Record numbers at ute muster
A record-breaking number of vehicles pulled up to the Tussock Country Music Festival’s sixth ute muster - and several of the winners had something in common.
Family escapes Balclutha house fire
Family escapes Balclutha house fire
A young family was being comforted after escaping a house fire on State Highway 1 at the southern end of Balclutha today.