John Lewis

King's High School in Dunedin has recorded the highest year 9 pupil intake in the school's 75-year history.

Hamstring tendonitis tends to stop most people in their tracks. But not former Dunedin runner William Tokona.

Something is ''amiss'' in the way technology projects such as Novopay are sourced by the New Zealand Government, a computer software engineering specialist says.

A reduction in the frequency of warrant of fitness (Wof) inspections for cars first registered after 2000 drew both criticism and praise yesterday.

As 88-year-old Catherine Wintrup took a seat in the front room of the Tautuku Fishing Club, her finger pointed as she explained: ''There used to be a fireplace there, some beautiful chairs over there and velvet curtains on the windows.''

Now that Rob Wood has built one of the fastest sports yachts in the South Island, his family is delighted they can have their carport back.

Talent2 has seriously breached its Novopay contract with the Ministry of Education, which could legally wash its hands of the failing payroll system, a contract law specialist at the University of Otago's Faculty of Law believes.

A computer software engineering specialist says it would be easier to dump the Novopay payroll system and rebuild it from scratch than repair its compounding problems.

One of the city's largest second-hand school uniform suppliers is calling for more donations as some uniform items become as scarce as hen's teeth.

Had Dorothy Clark decided to walk left at the intersection instead of right while doing a spot of shopping nearly 70 years ago, she might not have met the love of her life, Peter Inglis.

The Novopay payroll debacle could financially cripple some schools, forcing them to close, if something is not done quickly, principals across the country are warning.

Violence, careless driving causing death or injury, excess blood-alcohol while driving, and driving while impaired have left 11 teachers with criminal convictions in Otago during 2012 - the highest number for more than 20 years.

Complete contrast is the only way to describe it. This time a year ago, Shania Hutton was in a coma, on life support in Dunedin Hospital. Now, she is playing outdoors in the summer sun, having the most memorable holiday she can imagine.

Principals and support staff in Otago are among many across the country who have been forced back to school early to deal with the ongoing Novopay debacle.

An interim manager has been appointed to the Otago Festival of the Arts to sort out the disarray in the organisation's financial affairs.

Otago students won't be short of an opportunity to earn a dollar or two this summer.

Otago principals say Secretary of Education Lesley Longstone was ''destined to fail'' and she should never have been appointed to the position.

Presbyterian Support Otago is seeking legal advice to challenge the Southern District Health Board's decision to dump the organisation as a home support provider, the organisation's chief executive says.