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DunedinSeptember 17

'Blown away': Families of Dunedin plane crash victims hopeful as search for wreck targets mystery lake object

A mystery object detected deep in an isolated lake may hold the clue to what happened to seven Dunedin people who disappeared on a scenic flight almost 50 years ago.

Laine Priestley

NationalSeptember 17

Te Pāti Māori co-leader ejected from Parliament for using c-word

Te Pāti Māori's co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has been ejected from Parliament after using the c-word.

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DunedinSeptember 16

Dunedin’s Sheeran mural defaced amid backlash

Dunedin’s controversial Ed Sheeran mural has been defaced as the singer faces backlash after Pro-Palestinian comments resulted in a rapper being dropped from his tour.

Tim Scott

ChristchurchSeptember 17

Person seriously injured in crash between car and truck

One person has been seriously injured in a crash involving a car and truck on Christchurch’s Southern Motorway.

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North OtagoSeptember 16

Otago school admits giving award to student accused of ‘sextortion’ was mistake

Jules Chin

SouthlandSeptember 17

‘Stepped up big time’: Possums running rife in Southland

Matthew Rosenberg, Local Democracy reporter

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DunedinSeptember 16

Foodstuffs restructure would hurt local ownership: Dunedin supermarket owner

Tim Scott

ODT QuizSeptember 16

ODT quiz: September 17

Dunedin

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DunedinSeptember 16

Lindsay Creek flood protection back on the agenda

The Otago Regional Council is again looking at flood protection for North East Valley, set to cost many millions, saying the area is at a higher risk than what is considered tolerable.

Steve Hepburn

DunedinSeptember 16

No bone left unturned: lifelong Dunedin blood donor rallies next generation to join the cause

When Martin Jones was born he immediately needed a full-body blood transfusion. Almost 65 years later, and after more than 100 blood donations of his own, he took his donating schedule a step further and donated his hip bone.

Laine Priestley

DunedinSeptember 16

New sterilisation centre finally arrives to address past problems

The long-awaited sterilisation centre for Dunedin Hospital is finally ready for operation.

Matthew Littlewood

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DunedinSeptember 16

‘The toilet is always the question’: a day in the life of a Dunedin hospital crane operator

Michael “Schim” Schimanski says he feels a little more at ease the higher he is above Dunedin.

Tim Scott

Latest News

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NationalSeptember 17

Cops admit using AI on pic posted to their Facebook

2

NationalSeptember 17

Te Pāti Māori co-leader ejected from Parliament for using c-word

3

WorldSeptember 17

Trump hopes Iran war nearing end as Houthi-Saudi fighting escalates

4

WorldSeptember 17

Australia to crack down on foreign students, family visas

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ChristchurchSeptember 17

Battle over billboards: Ban would make Christchurch a ‘backwater’

Otago

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North OtagoSeptember 16

Waitaki District Council making ‘healthy profit’ of $20,000 a month from parking meters

Waitaki District Council is raking in around $20,000 a month from its parking meters.

Charley-Kai John

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Central OtagoSeptember 16

First glimpse at concept plans for new entertainment centre

Concept plans for the new Roxburgh Entertainment Centre are on show in the town today.

Julie Asher

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South OtagoSeptember 16

‘Only time will tell’: Petitioning pensioners unconvinced their pharmacy opposition heard

Balclutha residents protesting a potential new pharmacy in the town’s hospital say they still believe the project will go ahead, despite collecting more than 900 signatures in opposition.

Richard Davison

OtagoSeptember 16

Cold snap brings rain and snow for South

Two state highways in the South have reopened after bad weather but road users are advised to drive with caution where snow and flooding remain.

Editor's Picks

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DunedinSeptember 15

Calls for council action over Dunedin cats

The Dunedin City Council is not doing enough to control cats in New Zealand’s wildlife capital, advocates say.

Grant Miller

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DunedinSeptember 14

‘Humiliation and stress’: Failed builder and Dunedin City Council taken to court over faulty $900k home

Tim Scott

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DunedinSeptember 11

Dunedin hospo boss escapes conviction for street brawl with teen

Rob Kidd

Canterbury

ChristchurchSeptember 17

Battle over billboards: Ban would make Christchurch a ‘backwater’

More electronic billboards could pop up around Christchurch and people will just have to put up with them, as city councillors are powerless to stop them without intervention from central Government.

Raphael Franks

ChristchurchSeptember 17

Auction lot tells story of Kiwi hero’s daring WW2 escapes

Christchurch-born World War 2 hero John Alexander Redpath had already escaped captivity once when he found himself being transported to Germany in a cattle car.

Raphael Franks

SelwynSeptember 17

Speed limit drops on the way despite opposition

Lower speed limits may be on the way for the main roads connecting Lincoln and Rolleston in Canterbury, despite community opposition to the move..

Daniel Alvey

ChristchurchSeptember 17

Organisers of Diamond Harbour concert series call off event

Volunteer fatigue, dwindling funds and poor weather have seen organisers of a popular Canterbury outdoor concert series decide to call it off this summer.

Kees Chalmers

National

NationalSeptember 17

Arrest after man seriously hurt outside Auckland mall

A person is in custody after a man was seen bleeding in the carpark of an Auckland mall following an altercation.

RNZ

NationalSeptember 17

Cops admit using AI on pic posted to their Facebook

Police have admitted using AI to sharpen a photo of a stolen guitar, after the image sparked confusion over the instrument's true value.

NationalSeptember 16

New Zealand economy grows by 0.2% in June quarter

The economy has escaped significant damage from the Middle East war and spike in fuel prices with a modest rise in growth driven by stronger house building.

NationalSeptember 17

Minister questions Fenz CEO over withheld information

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says she no longer has confidence in Fire and Emergency’s chief executive, following a "serious breach" of the 'no-surprises' clause.

Southland

SouthlandSeptember 17

Invercargill fire crews battle restaurant blaze

Firefighters have rushed to a fire at a restaurant near Invercargill's Oreti Beach.

SouthlandSeptember 16

Man swallows bag of meth after scuffle with police

A 29-year-old man has appeared before the courts after a frantic confrontation with police led to him swallowing a bag of meth

Tayler Mutton

Sport

NetballSeptember 17

‘Absolute honour’: Taurua reappointed Silver Ferns coach after turbulent year

Dame Noeline Taurua has been reappointed as the Silver Ferns head coach through to the Netball World Cup next year.

Kayla Hodge

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RugbySeptember 16

Highlanders not far off revealing Dermody replacement

Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark is promising some news soon on the replacement for a coaching stalwart.

Hayden Meikle

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RacingSeptember 16

Turner’s track record earns national success

Riverton Racecourse is Ebony Turner’s second home.

Kayla Hodge

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RugbySeptember 16

Massive prop Saula Ma’u returns for Otago

Otago’s scrum just got a lot more powerful.

Adrian Seconi

Lifestyle

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EntertainmentSeptember 16

Response to Town Belt part of Robert Burns Fellow’s work

“Teetering on the very edge” is how poet, film maker, and artist Rachel O’Neill describes the arts in Otago and New Zealand. The 2026 Robert Burns Fellow is very grateful to have a year resourced to create — to write and collaborate.

Rebecca Fox

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EntertainmentSeptember 16

Gala performance brings back stars of stage to celebrate anniversary

The Dunedin Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 60th with a gala performance featuring pianist Michael Houstoun and Jonathan Lemalu.

Rebecca Fox

ChristchurchSeptember 16

Kings of Leon to headline Christchurch music festival

Australasia's biggest music festival returns to Christchurch for its 11th year in February, with Calvin Harris and Kings of Leon topping a bill that promises to serve up something for everyone.

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EntertainmentSeptember 16

Art Seen

Miranda Joseph and Peata Larkin's exhibition at Milford Gallery forms a trans-Pacific discussion between two tradition-inspired series of works.

James Dignan

Business

BusinessSeptember 17

Autistic advocate hails Dunedin store's low-sensory move

Trips to Kmart in Dunedin have just gotten a bit easier for those with sensory issues after an autistic advocate's appeal.

BusinessSeptember 16

'Commonsense changes' for hospitality drop-off services

Ministers say the changes will help people get home safely.

BusinessSeptember 16

Councils can impose new levy on developers from 2029

The government has confirmed it will let councils charge development levies from 2029, as it seeks to change the system by which infrastructure growth is paid for.

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BusinessSeptember 15

Dressed up an idea and now it is a booming business

Brooke Hutchison had an idea and ran with it. Now she is sprinting to keep up.

Steve Hepburn

Fresh

Food & WineSeptember 8

Turning to lighter fare as we go into spring

While winter still has its grips on us, occasional warm days are reminding us that spring is coming.

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Food & WineSeptember 8

Enjoying the day’s catch with family

Alison Lambert

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Food & WineSeptember 8

Lighter, brighter note for spring

Jo Elwin

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Food & WineSeptember 8

Hearty tart for weekend adventures

Sam Sinclair

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Food & WineSeptember 8

Making healthy eating easy

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Food & WineSeptember 8

Gifts of love: Homemade treats perfect for sharing

A passion project that has taken three years to come to fruition is how Allyson Gofton describes “Give”.

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Food & WineSeptember 8

Life is too short to wait for a special occasion

Mark Henderson

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Food & WineSeptember 8

Grilled asparagus and halloumi salad

Rural Life

Rural LifeSeptember 17

Many farmers pessimistic despite decade-high profits

Many farmers are looking at next year's books with pessimism, even dairy, despite profits this year reaching their highest level in a decade, a new survey shows.

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Rural EventsSeptember 16

Tourism side-hustle helps pay for biodiversity improvements on East Otago sheep and beef farm

Income from an on-farm glamping business is being used to restore biodiversity on an East Otago farming operation.

Shawn McAvinue

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Rural EventsSeptember 16

Celebrating a conservation project to protect and restore biodiversity for future generations

Farmers are uniting as part of a biodiversity conservation project in East Otago.

Shawn McAvinue

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Rural EventsSeptember 16

Bringing biodiversity back is everyone’s responsibility, ecologist says

Communities need to drive bringing biodiversity back, an ecologist and botanist says.

Shawn McAvinue

Food & Wine

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Food & WineSeptember 15

‘Orchard to scoop’ approach recognised nationally

Rebecca Fox

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Food & WineSeptember 15

Masters of fusion — Northern Italy cuisine more diverse than expected

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Food & WineSeptember 15

Wake up your palate from winter hibernation with fresh, zingy ingredients

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Food & WineSeptember 15

Can you eat too much tinned tuna?

World

WorldSeptember 17

Trump hopes Iran war nearing end as Houthi-Saudi fighting escalates

US President Donald Trump said he hoped an end to the war against Iran was near, as the conflict escalated with Saudi aircraft pounding Yemen and Houthi fighters launching drones and missiles at Saudi cities.

WorldSeptember 17

Australia to crack down on foreign students, family visas

International students will be restricted from hopping between visas and bringing family members to Australia as part of a major government crackdown on migration.

AAP

WorldSeptember 17

'Clumsy' Sydney boys charged over mistaken identity killing

Two "clumsy" and naive Sydney boys are alleged to have supplied a weapon and carried out a clean-up for the killers of a wrongly targeted university student.

AAP

WorldSeptember 17

Ed Sheeran’s band also quits US tour after Macklemore dumped

Ed Sheeran says the decision to drop pro-Palestinian rapper Macklemore from his US concert tour was made by organisers, not him.

Reuters

West Coast

West CoastSeptember 16

Continuing SH6 closure ‘costly’ for West Coast tourism

West Coast tourism operators say lack of communication from NZTA about travel on SH6 is costing businesses visitors and bookings.

RNZ

West CoastSeptember 16

Search to resume for plane that vanished in 1978 with seven people on board

A search is resuming for a plane which vanished without a trace nearly half a century ago in the South, carrying seven people.

Video

OtagoSeptember 16

Cold snap brings rain and snow for South

Two state highways in the South have reopened after bad weather but road users are advised to drive with caution where snow and flooding remain.

DunedinSeptember 16

Dunedin Marathon runners accused of treating nature ‘like a tip’

A trail of sticky energy gel packets strewn all over the peninsula was not the view a Dunedin cyclist was hoping for after the city’s annual marathon.

Laine Priestley

BusinessSeptember 16

Councils can impose new levy on developers from 2029

The government has confirmed it will let councils charge development levies from 2029, as it seeks to change the system by which infrastructure growth is paid for.

BusinessSeptember 16

Labour targets big companies and price-gouging

Labour has promised to ban big companies from charging excessive prices, if elected in November.

Opinion

OpinionSeptember 16

Why wealthy New Zealanders and foreigners keep buying in Queenstown

There is a question I get asked regularly: Why would someone pay several million dollars for a house in Queenstown when they could buy property elsewhere for considerably less?

Hamish Walker

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OpinionSeptember 16

Cartoonist’s view: September 17

Today's cartoon from Shaun Yeo.

YeoCartoonist

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EditorialSeptember 16

Damning reports need actions

Themes from damning post-scandal reports of public agencies are so familiar it is a wonder some time-saving wizard has not worked out a template for such documents.

Editorial

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OpinionSeptember 16

Not AI Doom

Somebody was bound to sound the alarm eventually. In this case it was a young British artificial intelligence researcher called Jacob Coxon, who quit his job at the AI company Anthropic to warn the world that “if we don’t slow down the current rate of progress, there is a strong chance that we could all die in the next two years.”

Gwynne Dyer

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EditorialSeptember 15

Next stop, not the South Island

AUCKLAND’S spanking new $5.5billion City Rail Link has been dominating the nation’s screens and the airwaves for the past few months.

Editorial

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OpinionSeptember 15

Cartoonist’s view: September 16

Today's cartoon from Shaun Yeo.

YeoCartoonist

100 Years Ago

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NewsSeptember 16

A winter’s day in spring

Yesterday the cold became more intense, and rain showers and hailstorms were replaced by snow, which fell intermittently all day and during the evening.

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NewsSeptember 15

NZ defeats Dewsbury 13-9

100 years ago

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NewsSeptember 13

Māori ABs baffle Marseilles

100 years ago

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NewsSeptember 13

Road may be declared a highway

At the meeting of the District Highways Council (No 16) yesterday a letter was received from the chairman of the Main Highways Board forwarding a copy of a letter.