West Coast conservation plan paused
Work on the West Coast's long-awaited new conservation management strategy is officially on hold - pending new laws controlling what can and can't be done on public conservation land.
Snow, rain heightens Milford Rd avalanche risk
Snow, rain heightens Milford Rd avalanche risk
Southland's Milford Road is closing from 5pm today until Friday morning, with a warning intense weather will heighten snow and avalanche hazards until next week.
Police at scene of Queenstown sudden death
Police at scene of Queenstown sudden death
The cause of a death was believed to be a fall from a balcony, it has been reported.
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WDC happy to find way forward on water: mayor-elect
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WDC happy to find way forward on water: mayor-elect
Waitaki's mayor-elect has been left scrambling by the government’s move to intervene in the council’s rewriting of its costly water plan.
Govt rejects reduced lake level request
Govt rejects reduced lake level request
Supporters have expressed delight after the government rejected a move to reduce Lake Hāwea hydro-electric water levels to an extent potentially causing "devastating" environmental effects.
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Queenstown man given another ‘last chance’ after assaulting bouncer
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Queenstown man given another ‘last chance’ after assaulting bouncer
A Queenstown man who broke a bouncer’s jaw with a coward punch, then attacked a total stranger in the street, has been given his second "last chance" in two years.
Ministry ends statutory intervention at St Peter’s College
Ministry ends statutory intervention at St Peter’s College
The Ministry of Education has ended the two and a-half year statutory intervention at St Peter’s College, in Gore.
Fishing event postponed
Fishing event postponed
Organisers of the Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic and the Take a Kid Fishing competition have postponed this weekend’s event due to recent extreme weather conditions.
Wānaka crib picked to sell for more than $7m
Wānaka crib picked to sell for more than $7m
A Wānaka lakefront crib owned by one family for more than 60 years is on the market and expected to fetch north of $7 million.
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Bloodied carcass on show as tensions escalate
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Bloodied carcass on show as tensions escalate
Pig carcasses and dog excrement are among apparent Mafia-style tactics being used to intimidate residents of a remote Otago village, as tensions between neighbours heighten.
National Historic Landmark status call
National Historic Landmark status call
Oamaru locals are being urged to support the move to grant National Historic Landmark status to the town’s historic Victorian precinct and port.
Roadworks to cause delays for motorists
Roadworks to cause delays for motorists
Motorists in Central Otago can expect delays as two significant roadworks projects get under way across the region next week.
Rare kiwi Cesi welcomed to the world
Rare kiwi Cesi welcomed to the world
The first Haast tokoeka kiwi chick of the season has hatched at the West Coast Wildlife Centre in Franz Josef Glacier.
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Remote chance of lake flooding: EMO
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Remote chance of lake flooding: EMO
As Wānaka’s wet spring continues, people are battening down the hatches and getting nervous about the possibility of a flood as lake levels continue to rise, a local business owner says.
Jobseekers ignoring 'buffet' of roles in South
Jobseekers ignoring 'buffet' of roles in South's tourist towns
Some Queenstown and Wānaka employers struggling to find staff are offering sign-on bonuses in a bid to attract potential employees.
Laws not interested in chairing ORC
Laws not interested in chairing ORC
Michael Laws has ruled himself out of being the next Otago Regional Council chairman but says election results dictate that change is needed at the top.
New church moderator comes from South
New church moderator comes from South
A Minister with strong links to the South is the new moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Scholarships boost links to rural life
Scholarships boost links to rural life
West Otago high school student Lucy Eason will use a scholarship to continue "living and breathing farming".
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Return of direct air link to capital ruled out by Air NZ
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Return of direct air link to capital ruled out by Air NZ
Hopes for the return of a direct Wellington to Invercargill flight have been grounded.
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Alcohol views labelled outdated
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Alcohol views labelled outdated
Opponents of the proposed Lake Hāwea Super Liquor store have rejected the owner’s "outdated thinking".