Otago Daily Times Online News

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DoW AI war project info ‘delusional’

"Delusional" and a possible "piss-take" is how geopolitical and security analysts are describing information from the United States Department of War (DoW) about an artificial intelligence-enabled,...
Sea lion pup killed by vehicle on Dunedin road

A female New Zealand sea lion/pakake pup has been killed on a Dunedin road, about a week after a male pup was found dead in the Catlins.
Steampunkers get kitted up for festival

Even retro-futuristic time travellers know where to find a bargain.

Person killed in crash near Allanton

Person killed in crash near Allanton

One person has died following a crash on State Highway 1 near Allanton this evening.
Dunedin's Mainland Poultry sold to overseas investors

Dunedin's Mainland Poultry sold to overseas investors

Mainland Poultry has been sold to a private equity firm for nearly $300 million, the Otago Daily Times understands.
Dunedin collie comes in from cold after 147 days in bush

Dunedin collie comes in from cold after 147 days in bush

It was third time lucky in the pursuit of a Dunedin dog which evaded capture in the bush north of the city for nearly 150 days.

dunedin

Cath Saunders, forthright advocate for women’s rights. PHOTO: ODT FILES

A shining star of the media scene

Catherine Saunders, Dunedin-born broadcaster, has died aged 83.

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Brothers attack suburb’s unkempt verges

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Brothers attack suburb’s unkempt verges

Two Ravensbourne retirees have had a gutsful of slippery pavements, blocked drains and out-of-control grass verges and have set out to fix them.
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'Excessive and unconvincing': Otago blocks OIA requests over Israel-linked tech firm

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'Excessive and unconvincing': Otago blocks OIA requests over Israel-linked tech firm

A critic of Otago University’s proposed arrangement with tech giant Palo Alto has called out the institution’s use of ‘‘commercial sensitivity’’ to block official information requests.
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Health spend not as rosy as it seems, prof says

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Health spend not as rosy as it seems, prof says

An academic specialising in health systems is worried this year’s Budget is ‘‘playing it very risky’’ with health spending over the next few years.

regions

Cows to be euthanised following Bluff Highway crash

Bluff Highway is blocked after a car hit three cows on the crucial route.

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‘Deeply Southland’ meat distribution scheme growing

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‘Deeply Southland’ meat distribution scheme growing

Meat from Southland, captured by hunters from Southland, cut by butchers from Southland and delivered by Southlanders into the hungry mouths of Southlanders in need.
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Call for QLDC waterways to be run by ORC

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Call for QLDC waterways to be run by ORC

A maritime expert says the Queenstown council should get out of running its waterways as it is creating confusion and threatening public safety.
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Homes found for birds from town aviaries

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Homes found for birds from town aviaries

Oamaru’s celebrated sulphur-crested cockatoo and the rest of the birds stuck in the town’s ramshackle aviaries have found new homes.

National

Cypress Warren (black sweathshirt), Tiori Edwards (centre) and Francois Teaurima have been...

Bullet from Nelson driveby narrowly missed person watching TV

A person watching TV in the comfort of their suburban lounge narrowly avoided being shot in the head during a drug-related drive-by shooting.

Body in bag trial: Accused grandmother denied knowing victim

Body in bag trial: Accused grandmother denied knowing victim

A jury has been told that a grandmother, who is one of the four charged over the death of Shulai Wang, had told police she didn't know the woman, and that other "homeless ladies" lived in their house.
Goldsmith dismisses Dame Lynda's criticisms as 'same old cliché'

Goldsmith dismisses Dame Lynda's criticisms as 'same old cliché'

Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith has brushed off criticism of the government at the Aotearoa Music Awards as the "same old cliché", after Dame Lynda Topp delivered an expletive-laden broadside over arts funding.
Budget 2026: Kindys 'will probably have to ask for donations'

Budget 2026: Kindys 'will probably have to ask for donations'

Kindergartens New Zealand says its members will struggle after the Budget increased their operational subsidy by less than 0.5%.

sport

Sevu Reece scored twice for the Crusaders as the defending champs dismantled the Hurricanes in...

Crusaders sound warning with thumping win over Hurricanes

Though they may meet again in 2026, the Crusaders have landed a significant psychological blow ahead of the Super Rugby playoffs.

ODT Racing Chat: Club Challenge Race Day Preview

ODT Racing Chat: Club Challenge Race Day Preview

On ODT Racing Chat, brought to you by Fred's Fencing, we are at Wingatui previewing the Otago Racing Club's last feature meeting of the year this Sunday.
Nathan Smith snares NZ's fastest five-wicket test haul

Nathan Smith snares NZ's fastest five-wicket test haul

Former Otago seamer Nathan Smith recorded the fastest five-wicket haul by a New Zealander as the Black Caps took control of the one-off test against Ireland in Belfast.
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Shield leaders in red-hot form

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Shield leaders in red-hot form

North Otago might be taking a break for King’s Birthday weekend, but there are still plenty of talking points after the recent round of the Citizens Shield.

Food & Wine

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Feijoa and lime no-churn ice cream
Rice at heart of the table
Glaze of glory
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Amazing variety should not be overlooked

Business

Dunedin's Mainland Poultry sold to overseas investors

Mainland Poultry has been sold to a private equity firm for nearly $300 million, the Otago Daily Times understands.

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Builder welcomes trades training boost

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Builder welcomes trades training boost

A Dunedin builder says the government’s plan to boost training in the trades will be a positive for the industry — as long as there is work waiting for new apprentices on the other side.
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Milton auctioneer first woman to win Australian title

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Milton auctioneer first woman to win Australian title

At school she was very shy.
Major strong wool buyers from India set foot on NZ farms for first time

Major strong wool buyers from India set foot on NZ farms for first time

A visit to a farm is a first for many big-buying Indian wool processors learning more about the source of strong wool in Christchurch.

Rural Life

Rural Women New Zealand says more investment is needed in mental health support. Photo: Getty...

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.

No bull: Teviot Valley Hereford fetches $50k

No bull: Teviot Valley Hereford fetches $50k

A large bull has set a stud sale record in Teviot Valley.
Hunt for antler, buttons comes south

Hunt for antler, buttons comes south

An expedition to buy hard antlers and buttons visited the South last week.
South-made edible bale wrap up for major prize

South-made edible bale wrap up for major prize

A Southland invention of edible bale net wrap is a nominee for a more than $2 million Earthshot Prize.

Life & style

Artist Ana Teofilo with the carpet she designed for the Tangata Moana gallery at the Otago Museum.

Weaving a welcome

Ana Teofilo’s design for a new carpet at Tūhura Otago Museum draws from the rich visual language of Pacific cultures, she tells Kim Dungey.

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Shining light on autumn colours

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Shining light on autumn colours

A Mosgiel garden has plenty of colour in late autumn, and not just during the day, Louise Frampton discovers.
New life for felled tree

New life for felled tree

A long-anticipated sculpture, created by artist Tavita Faafoi, was unveiled in the grounds of Olveston Historic Home earlier this month.
Abundance of white bloomers

Abundance of white bloomers

Aotearoa New Zealand is renowned for having an exceptionally high proportion of white-flowering plant species.

LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

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Memories bring violinist back
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Feline discovery cements new focus

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Recreating an idyllic lifestyle
Sorting which came first

NATO member Romania said a drone injured two people in a southeastern city during an overnight Russian attack on neighbouring Ukraine, the first time in the war a drone had hit a densely populated area in Romania and caused injuries.

Author who helped turn Michael Caine into a sex symbol

Author who helped turn Michael Caine into a sex symbol

Len Deighton, writer of British spy thrillers, has died at the age of 97.
Netanyahu orders military to seize 70% of Gaza

Netanyahu orders military to seize 70% of Gaza

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had directed Israel's military to take more of Gaza, initially by seizing 70% of the Palestinian territory, where the population is already penned into a tiny strip of land along the coast.
Elderly pedestrian beaten to death in Queensland

Elderly pedestrian beaten to death in Queensland

An elderly pedestrian was killed in an assault by a man with a metal pole on a random rampage in regional Queensland, police say.