Online Editor

The Queenstown Lakes District Council is keeping a close eye on its water use while irrigating reserves this summer, after exceeding its water take for Wanaka's Pembroke Park.

Seven English, six New Zealand, two American, two Welsh, two Czech, one French, one German, one Belgian, one Malaysian, a Dutchman, a Canadian, an Australian, an Irishman, two dogs and a cat.

Ex-Southlander Alec Beange will celebrate Christmas in his ''usual'' way - preparing to launch a giant helium balloon in the Antarctic for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), before coming to Wanaka to do more of the same in the new year.

A Queenstown woman suffered a serious head injury after falling from a moving vehicle in a domestic incident, police said.

The Mainland Eagles Basketball Academy men's team have concluded their inaugural American tour, finishing with a winning record of nine wins and seven losses.

Hot chips and a photograph with Commonwealth Games cycling medallist Eddie Dawkins was how four John McGlashan pupils were rewarded yesterday for completing a three-day, 260km fundraising adventure.

On Saturday December 13, I attended a mass at St Mary Star of the Sea at Port Chalmers.

The final track and field meeting at the Caledonian Ground before the Christmas break began with plenty of promise but ended with a whimper.

Soil testing was carried out at two sites next to Lake Wanaka on Wednesday as the group behind a proposed watersports building prepares to apply for resource consent for the project.

The final piece of the puzzle in Wanaka's inner residential tract will start to be filled in next year, as the town's most prolific developer launches his latest project.

A taxi firm boss whose driver was racially insulted by an off-duty Queenstown policewoman says they are very relieved she has resigned.

More young people choosing agri-science careers and more scientists prepared to work with farmers are needed to maintain New Zealand's competitive edge, Ballance Agri-Nutrients science extension officer Jeff Morton says.

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) is hoping research by Australian scientists will provide another tool in the fight for rabbit control, director of environmental monitoring Jeff Donaldson says.

The Mainland Eagles are making a statement in Las Vegas.

One of the biggest issues facing sports in contemporary times has been the treatment of referees by players and supporters, particularly at the junior and community levels, says ODT rugby writer Jeff Cheshire. In part two of a two-part article on this issue he looks at what players should remember about the people officiating in their games.

Upgrading Wanaka's community pool and establishing a dedicated learners' pool at the new Northlake subdivision has been recommended as the best medium-term option for the town's swimming pool provisions.