Eileen Goodwin

Dunedin's Pact Group has emerged as the only likely bidder for Invercargill's state house portfolio as the political heat was turned up on the Government's controversial sell-off.

The Government promoted and pushed the dairy boom and bears some responsibility for the "crash'', Green Party co-leader James Shaw says.

Three opposition parties have joined forces to organise a protest calling on the Southern District Health Board to cancel its food service contract with the Compass Group.

The $11,300 digital device bill that sparked a system change at Southern District Health Board was incurred over a 12-day period when the staff member was on holiday, the board has disclosed.

Taking part in the Relay for Life University of Otago 2016 are Aquinas College residents (from left) Ash Watson (18), Ailish Sullivan (19), Campbell Irvine (18), and Georgia Steans (18), all of Christchurch.

One final stirring parade bearing the New Zealand Scottish Regiment colours brought central Dunedin to a standstill on Saturday, before the colours were presented to a city museum for posterity and safekeeping.

Dunedin triplets (from left) Wala Edwik, Weam Edwik, and Wafa Edwik (21), attended a picnic in Woodhaugh Gardens in Dunedin on Saturday, for volunteers and clients at language school English Language Partners.

Accustomed to regular check-ups at home, Toothless the teddy bear did not find a visit to hospital on Saturday too daunting.

The University of Otago has dismissed concerns about a "pilot'' scheme that caps counselling sessions at Student Health.

A military parade featuring tanks, more than 100 soldiers, and war veterans brought central Dunedin to a halt today before the official laying up of the New Zealand Scottish Regiment colours at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

A medical union whose members are entitled to free meals is conducting a survey because of concern hospital cafes are not up to scratch under the management of the Compass Group.

Adding fluoride to water supplies would be costly for rural communities, and Southland does not have a functioning health board to make the decision, Southland Mayor Gary Tong says.

The appointment of a prominent Canterbury health leader as chief medical officer at Southern District Health Board surprised a few people in the health sector. Health reporter Eileen Goodwin spoke to Dr Nigel Millar about why he made the move.

Early uptake of the influenza vaccine appears to be high in the South this year.