Otago Daily Times Online News

A very vintage drop celebrated in London

The godfather of Central Otago wine, former Queenstowner Alan Brady, had waited 38 years to open one of the earliest bottles ever produced in this renowned wine region’s modern history.
Winner encourages contest entries

Ōtepoti Dunedin musician Keira Wallace, 18, winner of the 2024 Play It Strange youth songwriting competition, is urging other young creatives to have a go this year.
All Blacks find rhythm to flay France in Wellington

The All Blacks have crushed France 43-17 in front of a sold out crowd in the second test in Wellington to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series.
Magic Miller powers Black Ferns to victory over Australia

A second-half clinic in the capital has helped the Black Ferns see off the Wallaroos in style, as they get set to take on the world.

Marathon mum hits back at criticism

Marathon mum hits back at criticism

Wānaka mum Victoria Taylor unofficially holds the record of running the most consecutive marathons at a total of 498 days.
Time-warp Queenstown bach up for sale

Time-warp Queenstown bach up for sale

It's a throwback to the days when Queenstown’s Frankton was settled with holiday baches - except this one is valued at $1.45m.
Building’s status angers candidate

Building’s status angers candidate

Ten years is too long to have waited for a resolution to the ongoing saga of the unused former RSA building, Waitaki mayoral candidate Mel Tavendale says.

dunedin

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‘Dunedin-centric’ health services decried

A National Party MP has suggested transferring 100 mental health workers from Dunedin to Central Otago to address a lack of services in the regions.

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Licence plate parking tech to be used in city

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Licence plate parking tech to be used in city

Dunedin's parking rules will soon be enforced with the help of two cars fitted with cameras and licence plate recognition technology.
Dunedin makes global list of LGBTQ+-friendly destinations

Dunedin makes global list of LGBTQ+-friendly destinations

An international travel site has proclaimed Dunedin to be a friendly place for the LGBTQ+ community, but advocates say much work is yet to be done.
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Leary slams govt over needle exchange decision

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Leary slams govt over needle exchange decision

A Dunedin-based opposition MP has slammed the government for cutting funding for a world-leading needle exchange service for intravenous drug users.

regions

Healthcare concerns remain for Wānaka residents

A trip to Wānaka by two government ministers last week has done little to ease the concerns of locals who continue to battle health inequities.

Seeking out diversity moving from Brazil

Seeking out diversity moving from Brazil

Beneath the surface of Michelle Silva and Evandro Santos's success story is a tale of hard work and overcoming familial separation.
Marathon mum hits back at criticism

Marathon mum hits back at criticism

Wānaka mum Victoria Taylor unofficially holds the record of running the most consecutive marathons at a total of 498 days.
Young Wānaka skier motivated to work up the ranks

Young Wānaka skier motivated to work up the ranks

Local New Zealand ski representative Mathilda Watterson is working seven days a week for less than minimum wage, in fact she’s not on a salary at all.

National

People were being evacuated following the slip in Muriwai. Photo: RNZ

Evacuations after slip in Muriwai

Homes in Auckland's Muriwai have been temporarily evacuated, after a slip undermined part of Motutara Rd.

Mayor slams councillor's 'attack' on Tory Whanau

Mayor slams councillor's 'attack' on Tory Whanau

Porirua's mayor says an "attack" on Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau by mayoral hopeful Ray Chung is disgraceful and not the type of behaviour expected of a councillor.
Tributes flow for postie struck by vehicle

Tributes flow for postie struck by vehicle

Tributes continue to flow for rural Canterbury postie and well-known bowler Dave Bullock, who was tragically killed last week.
Conditions ease after wild weather lashes Tasman

Conditions ease after wild weather lashes Tasman

Conditions are easing at the top of the South Island after strong winds and heavy rain downed trees, lifted roofs and flooded roads.

sport

Dunedin premier rugby: final scores

The final scores are in for the semifinals of Dunedin premier rugby.

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Steel need a favour, but focus on their own must-win

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Steel need a favour, but focus on their own must-win

It is always an odd feeling when your fate could be decided before you even step on the court.
Five tied for early lead at Evian Champs

Five tied for early lead at Evian Champs

Five women fired rounds of 65 to take the first-round lead yesterday at the Evian Championship, the fourth of five LPGA majors on the season.
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Thunder veterans bring up milestones

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Thunder veterans bring up milestones

Milestone men.

Buttery extravagance
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Super soups to warm the heart
Native ingredients redefine baking
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Potato and silverbeet bake

Business

Education technology startup company founder Rupert Denton (left) and game developer Josiah Hunt...

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Spell has been cast: $150,000 grant for startup

"I feel like I am doing the thing I was put on Earth to do."

Country living a cut above for retailers

Country living a cut above for retailers

Operating a seven-day-a-week retail business for nearly three decades might sound like a slog.
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Under-fire pub owner admits he 'got slack'

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Under-fire pub owner admits he 'got slack'

The owner of a decades-old Dunedin tavern pulled up for a lack of food says he got slack and it has come back to "kick in the butt".
All go for global firm’s new NZ chairman

All go for global firm’s new NZ chairman

A multibillion-dollar company with thousands of employees is being led by a Christchurch man, writes Tim Cronshaw.

Rural Life

Freestall barn a game-changer in West Otago

Fairleigh dairy farm owners Ken and Nancy Eade and their son Bruce have been able to better realise the genetic potential of their pedigree herd since installing a freestall barn in West Otago.

Brief return south brings rewards

Brief return south brings rewards

Former Southland dairy farmer Owen Copinga recently returned to the province and left with a top position at Holstein Friesian New Zealand.
Southern farmers among award winners

Southern farmers among award winners

Southern dairy farmers featured among the winners at the 2025 Holstein Friesian New Zealand Awards.
Conservation work acknowledged

Award acknowledges conservation work

The work of Dunedin ecologist, botanist, science educator and farmer Kelvin Lloyd has been recognised.

Life & style

The modern lives of wives

The choices facing married women in 2025 don’t change the contradiction at the heart of a marriage, writes Eva Wiseman.

Music sheets speak volumes

Music sheets speak volumes

The lives of many early colonists were bound up in their music collections, Amanda Mills writes.
A joined-up response to climate crisis

A joined-up response to climate crisis

Academics from across the University of Otago continue to offer solutions to the climate crisis.
Uncovering a twisted path

Uncovering a twisted path

The couple behind the bestseller The Salt Path left a trail of debt and deceit, writes Chloe Hadjimatheou.

LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

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Images that say more
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Passing down passion for music

World

US President Donald Trump (C), first lady Melania Trump (L) and Texas&nbsp...

Trump visits Texas flood zone, defends disaster response

US President Donald Trump has defended the state and federal response to deadly flash flooding in Texas earlier this month.

German backpacker found alive in outback

'Remarkable story': German backpacker found alive in Australian outback

A "brave" German backpacker is recovering in hospital after being found alive following almost two weeks missing in the Australian outback.
First UN fuel for Gaza in four months

First UN fuel for Gaza in four months

The United Nations has delivered fuel to the Gaza Strip for the first time in more than four months, as Israel’s military campaign in the coastal territory continues to claim dozens of lives.
Brics may be losing its bite

Brics may be losing its bite

No-shows by key leaders at an annual summit underscored the difficulties of an international bloc that once sought to reshape world politics, James Kynge, of The Observer, writes.