Lynda van Kempen

Police called off a pursuit of a woman allegedly driving at high speed on State Highway 85 between Wedderburn and Alexandra yesterday afternoon, following at a safe distance for about 70km before arresting her.

Family ties brought former Otago rugby player Casey Mee halfway around the world to introduce the newest member of the clan to her relations.

The Dundass family's Scottish roots were to the fore during a reunion in the Ida Valley at the weekend, with tartan, pipes, drums and an address to the haggis all part of the festivities.

A shortage of community work available to offenders in Central Otago, Queenstown and Wanaka is narrowing the sentencing options, and forcing a review of sentences.

Who says men can't multi-task?

Prosecuting three people who damaged "nationally significant" historic gold sluicings in the Oteake Conservation Park sends a clear message to others about respecting public land, the Department of Conservation says.

Dumping a litter of nine 5-week-old puppies in a rubbish bin beside Lake Dunstan on a scorching hot day was an act of "unbelievable cruelty".

The horrified reaction from the public to the story about puppies being left to die in a Central Otago rubbish tin on a hot day has somewhat restored an SPCA inspector's faith in humanity.

With the temperature hovering around 30degC, the water truck at the Millers Flat Rodeo yesterday received almost as big a cheer from the 1200-strong crowd as the competitors got.

All parties involved in the battle over Project Hayes agree on one thing - it has been an expensive exercise.

She prefers to take a back seat, but nobody could ever accuse Bernie Lepper of being a spectator on the sidelines rather than an active participant.

Ever felt like walking out on your life? Well, that's exactly what Trevor and Sue McNamara did when they took their children and moved from South to Central Otago for a lifestyle change. Lynda Van Kempen talks to the couple who say they have no regrets about the move.

Neil and Joyce Jubb left behind the bush clad hills of Titirangi, in Auckland for the wide open spaces of Central Otago. Lynda Van Kempen finds out why they chose a straw bale house.

There's nothing in the water, it's just down to a rural "can-do" attitude and parental support.

A pot of gold containing $400,000 has been given to community organisations and schools which have organised events to celebrate the 150th anniversary of gold being discovered in Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes districts next year and in 2013.

Strutting the catwalk in her bikini was a first for Miss Alexandra Swimsuit contest winner Ashleigh Anderson, but she hoped her late mother Natalie would have been proud of her.

Devotees of Burton Creek say this holiday haunt has it all - including the cherry on the top. Lynda van Kempen take a look a this popular "peaceful", "idyllic" spot with "perfect weather".