Rebecca Fox

Snow to low levels is forecast for later this week and officials believe the city is better prepared than it was two years ago when snow almost brought the city to a halt.

Peter Wilson might be only an average hunter and angler but he is looking forward to helping preserve Otago's natural resources as Fish and Game's new environmental officer.

Digging holes for 63 fence posts on the edge of the 70m St Clair cliffs in a stiff wind required some Kiwi ingenuity and steady nerves.

Possums beware, Otago Peninsula communities will soon be armed with Timms traps.

A burn-off at the Otago Golf Club on Balmacewen Rd is being investigated by the Otago Regional Council after smoke was seen across the city yesterday.

Giving an impression of nudity without making her men's design X-rated was Dunedin woman Grace Oxwell's biggest challenge for her entry in Wellington's World of WearableArt.

After months of consultation and controversy, the final draft of proposed changes to protect Otago's significant wetlands is being publicly notified today.

Public criticism of dog fouling on the city's walkways has led the Dunedin City Council to encourage more dog owners to pick up their animal's faeces by sending out a bag holder to registered owners.

Community and fishing groups who oppose Port Otago's Next Generation Project will be meeting this week to decide whether to appeal the granting of consents for the project.

The Otago conservancy office in Dunedin will be affected by the Department of Conservation's plans to cut 100 jobs in the organisation, but it is not yet known to what extent.

Otago Regional Council ratepayers in Lindsay Creek will face significant decreases in their flood protection rates for the coming year but should not expect a refund on the rates they have already paid.

The Otago Regional Council has officially pulled out of the "failed" economic development body Otago Forward after two years of debate.

Temporary weirs will be placed in the lower Water of Leith in Dunedin to improve the look of the concrete flood channel, described as "appalling", "godforsaken" and "sterile", hopefully in time for the Rugby World Cup games in Dunedin.

Taieri farmers have been left considering their options - a judicial review or going to the ombudsman - after their fight to delay the adoption of a new rating review failed yesterday.

Cuttings of the rare orange rose Mary Summer transplanted from the Dunedin Botanic Garden to a Hastings garden last year are doing well.