Margot Taylor

Enrolments at the Otago Polytechnic have "remained strong'' despite a drop in numbers across the tertiary sector, chief executive Phil Ker says.

Shaun Horan, of Willowbank wildlife sanctuary in Christchurch, releases one of six Haast tokoeka chicks at Orokonui Ecosanctuary yesterday.

A Dunedin mother is ‘‘heartbroken'' after a memorial to her son who died last year was trashed and some of his ashes stolen.

While everyone around him was opting for umbrellas and raincoats yesterday, Andy MacLauchlan (21) stripped to undies and socks for a rather public splash.

When University of Otago religious studies graduand Len West handed in his honours thesis last year he swapped daily visits to the library for time in a hospital bed.

One winter morning last year University of Otago graduate Daniel Tulloch donned a suit for a Skype interview with the University of Oxford.

Middle ground has been reached between the Department of Conservation and Landcorp New Zealand over the management of wilding trees spreading from Waipori Station to Te Papanui Conservation Park.

It was laughs and lollies all round at the Mayfair Theatre yesterday as families watched the antics of the Circus Quirkus.

Conservation projects will be able to apply for additional Department of Conservation funding following the announcement of a multimillion-dollar cash injection to its Community Fund.

A multimillion-dollar Department of Conservation community conservation fund will open for a third round of applications on Monday.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei and Green MP Marama Davidson met University of Otago students yesterday to discuss inequality, cold houses and the possibility of a housing warrant of fitness.

Plans for a $20million Otago Polytechnic hall of residence have progressed, with the polytech council approving the proposed building's design.

More than 100 letters and a sketch by prominent New Zealand artist Colin McCahon have been given to the Hocken Library.

Gender-neutral toilets at the University of Otago will improve the mental and physical health of many students, Queer Support co-ordinator Hahna Briggs says.

University of Otago graduands have been encouraged to "be bold'' and challenge themselves and their limitations to attain success.

Campus Watch staff will go door-to-door this week ensuring student flats have working smoke alarms after a potentially fatal fire in Dunedin on Saturday.

This  Wednesday, University of Otago students will feel the same mix of Capping Show opening night nerves and excitement felt by a group of student actors every May for the past 122 years.

Galloway Cook Allan partner Nathan Adams was feeling the heat yesterday as he geared up in a fireman's suit to climb 10 flights of stairs.

Demand for food parcels in Mosgiel is at a 10-year high, the foodbank says.