Stand Up Otago

Cromwell siblings Carl and Amber McNulty are living their dream of staying in the place they love while doing business throughout New Zealand.

AgResearch's admission it largely squandered $15.5 million on buildings in 2007 and 2008 inspires little confidence its latest plan will be a success, two former staff say.

Dunedin North MP David Clark challenges Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce over concerns that planned job cuts at Invermay show that the South is being left behind in a "two-speed economy."

Staff at Invermay are angry at their treatment by AgResearch management after being told the organisation is sticking with plans to slash jobs at the Dunedin facility.

Despite constant talk of recession and a so-called ''manufacturing crisis'' people in rural Otago are still better placed now than at any time since the introduction of Rogernomics in the 1980s to set up in business, an Oamaru cheese manufacturer says.

Dunedin's financial fortunes could be looking up, with confirmation Ngai Tahu is planning a $20 million student hostel in the city.

2013 Upstart Director Award winner Mark Berryman and his wife Liz have been lured South by study opportunities at the University of Otago and the lifestyle. Sally Rae reports.

The damage from the downgrading of Invermay goes well beyond the loss of expertise in the genetics and deer groups, writes Barrie Wills of Alexandra.