Fast-track bid sparks fears for Lake Pukaki
Meridian Energy’s fast-track proposal to draw more water from Lake Pukaki has sparked concerns it could hurt Mackenzie’s tourism industry and threaten its pristine image.
Rural Life Other
Whopper mudfish on Glentunnel farm
Whopper mudfish on Glentunnel farm
A massive mudfish discovered on Glentunnel farmer Bill Dean’s land has conservationists more hopeful of their survival.
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Judge halts cancellation of $21 million station sale
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Judge halts cancellation of $21 million station sale
The $21 million sale of a high country sheep and beef farm on the shores of Lake Wakatipu was nearly scrapped but now will be decided in court.
Lay of the land
Lay of the land
Shawn McAvinue asks people inspecting rising 2-year-old bulls at the Earnscleugh Station High Country Genetics annual sale, how much do EBVs impact their bull-buying decisions?
Jill Mackenzie's cheese rolls
Jill Mackenzie's cheese rolls
In the Edi-bull series, Shawn McAvinue asks the people making the food served at bull sales in the South to share their recipes.
Bollards squeeze out bridge bangers
Bollards squeeze out bridge bangers
Truckers with wide loads are measuring the metres between new bollards bolted to the Clydevale Bridge.
Sheep favoured over humans to control weeds on Doc land
Sheep favoured over humans to control weeds on Doc land
The ACT Party is promising to make it easier for farmers to graze sheep on conservation land, aiming to get rid of invasive plants and reduce fire risk.
$51m for new methane-busting technology
$51m for new methane-busting technology
The government will invest up to $51 million into helping to roll out new methane-busting farming technology.
Ridding possums key to clearing Tb
Ridding possums key to clearing Tb
A plan to eradicate tuberculosis-infected possums from parts of New Zealand, including Otago, aims to protect herds from the disease.
Council eyes hybrid additions for fleet
Council eyes hybrid additions for fleet
A Southland council is gearing up to buy new hybrid utes despite one of the vehicles breaking down in the "middle of nowhere" during testing.
Advocate spreading word on solar power
Advocate spreading word on solar power
Central Otago cherry grower Mike Casey has 21 electric vehicles on his solar-powered orchard but that is not enough.
Inland port development nearing start
Inland port development nearing start
Construction giant Calder Stewart is close to signing up the first commercial tenants for its $3 billion solar- and wind-powered inland port.
ACT proposes new Rural Workforce Visa
ACT proposes new Rural Workforce Visa
The ACT party is proposing a new Rural Workforce Visa to help with worker shortages on farms.
National pledge to double QEII trust funding
National pledge to double QEII trust funding
National has promised to double baseline funding for the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust charity to $8.5m if re-elected.
'World cottoning on to wonderful wool'
'World cottoning on to wonderful wool'
Confidence in the wool sector is rebounding as prices hit levels not seen in more than 15 years.
Scenic station taken off market
Scenic station taken off market
A remote, hugely-scenic Queenstown high country station has been taken off the market despite attracting “exceptional” offers.
Rural Women calls for more mental health support
Rural Women calls for more mental health support
Rural Women NZ's president says struggles with mental health and wellbeing have always affected the community, but the problem has grown.
Community focus praised
Community focus praised
North Otago farmer Leilani Lobb is the 2026 Dairy Women’s Network regional leader of the year.
Winter farm flyovers set to begin in Otago
Winter farm flyovers set to begin in Otago
Otago Regional Council’s annual winter flyovers are set to begin in the coming weeks to focus on identifying activities contributing to poor water quality across the region.
Inland port project ‘shovel-ready’
Inland port project ‘shovel-ready’
Construction giant Calder Stewart is close to signing up the first commercial tenants for its $3 billion solar and wind-powered inland port being developed to boost Otago’s export trade.