Penguin dies after dog attack
Penguin dies a lingering death after dog attack
A dog has attacked and killed a rare penguin visitor to the southeast coast.
Hamish MacLean
He has seen the cycles come and go
He has seen the cycles come and go
In Otago’s small towns people become institutions. And in Oamaru, Pat Conn has become one. He took over his father’s Thames Highway cycle shop and has worked there since 1972. Hamish MacLean...
Concerns zipline will affect rare Otago shag
Concerns zipline will affect rare Otago shag
One of the scientists who discovered the Otago shag is concerned the group proposing a zipline near the nesting grounds of the rare birds seems intent on going ahead with the project.
Complementary spirits
Complementary spirits
The Waitaki Community Gardens and Transition Oamaru's Sustainable Skills Summer School are like a hand in a gardening glove.
Wrong day to light 'heaps of rubbish'
Wrong day to light 'heaps of rubbish'
A farmer's decision to burn ''about six big heaps of rubbish, spread all around the paddock'', during a total fire ban prompted firefighters to turn out to a farm near Maheno yesterday afternoon.
Online tools to record wallaby sightings
Online tools to record wallaby sightings
A "dramatic increase'' in the number of wallaby sightings reported in Otago last year could mean the marsupials are more prevalent in the province.
Meetings soon to discuss Waitaki growth
Meetings soon to discuss Waitaki growth
As Central Otago booms, the communities in the Waitaki Valley will soon hold "visioning meetings" to learn how ratepayers want to deal with the expected growth in their region.
Biodynamic ‘peppering’ to battle bunnies
Biodynamic ‘peppering’ to battle bunnies
It may sound like "hocus-pocus" to some, but some Moeraki residents hope the alternative pest control methods they are using will take hold soon.
Govt heritage upgrade funding approved
Govt heritage upgrade funding approved
A dilapidated Oamaru building, which its owners plan to turn into visitor accommodation, has been approved for Heritage Earthquake Upgrade Incentive Programme funding.
Height issue in hotel proposal
Height issue in hotel proposal
An independent planning commissioner will decide whether a proposal for Queenstown's largest hotel development will be publicly notified.
Summer school to give many a buzz
Summer school to give many a buzz
This year's warm weather has made for a honey of a season for apiarists.
Good things for wine take time
Good things for wine take time
New Zealand’s newest wine region has been left off a Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Winegrowers list of "wine experiences".
Colourful and quirky in the witch’s den
Colourful and quirky in the witch’s den
Class and kitsch collide at the edge of Oamaru. Jennifer Jane Rendell has on her luxury property created a collection of art and objects that rivals anything else New Zealand’s quirkiest town has to offer. Hamish MacLean scores a tour.
Up to 12 Enviro schools this year
Up to 12 Enviro schools this year
Up to 12 schools in the Waitaki district will become Enviroschools in the coming year, but the nationwide sustainability programme won't be in place at those schools from day one of the first term.
'M. bovis' effort 'madness'
'M. bovis' effort 'madness'
The Ministry for Primary Industries' effort to contain and eradicate cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis is ''madness'' that should stop, says the farmer where it all started.
Beware of the 'grumpy bogmonster'
Beware of the 'grumpy bogmonster' - Doc
A ''grumpy bog monster'' has been startling some visitors to the Kakanui area since last week.
Penguin chicks raised by same-sex pairs
Penguin chicks raised by same-sex pairs
Three of the 56 yellow-eyed penguin chicks at Penguin Rescue’s Moeraki colonies this year were raised by same-sex penguin pairs.
Extra funding will help Tautuku project
Extra funding will help Tautuku project
Up to 6600ha of Catlins forest could one day be under predator control in a "quite ambitious" Forest & Bird project under way in South Otago.
Crowds keep market busy
Crowds keep market busy
She has not made any new year's resolutions yet, but Madeleine Simons (12), of Christchurch, has reached a conclusion in 2018.
Investigation after car fire starts scrub blaze
Investigation after car fire starts scrub blaze
A car that caught fire sparked a scrub fire at Clay Cliffs near Omarama about midday yesterday.