Endangered skinks may be relocated
Endangered skinks may be relocated
Some grand and Otago skinks could be relocated to an island in Lake Wanaka as part of efforts to protect the declining numbers of the western populations of the skinks.
Rebecca Fox
Pupils get to show their true colours
Pupils get to show their true colours
Dunedin pupils will be making global connections in coming months as they use the All Blacks to link with other rugby-playing nations.
Slip still worries residents
Slip still worries residents
There is no evidence movement of the Church Hill Rd slip in Green Island is accelerating, but the news has not given nearby residents much peace of mind.
ORC working to put data online
ORC working to put data online
People will soon be able to access Otago Regional Council's vast array of public data and registers, if chief executive Graeme Martin has his way.
$10 million debt 'a fantastic outcome'
$10 million debt 'a fantastic outcome'
The Otago Regional Council will borrow money for the first time, to fund its final contribution to the Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Taieri flood review in for criticism
Taieri flood review in for criticism
Heavy criticism of the Otago Regional Council's Taieri flood and drainage review has led Cr Duncan Butcher to defend the council's position during annual plan hearings yesterday.
Flood-risk concern inquiry
Flood-risk concern inquiry
Concerns from the Mosgiel community about potential flood risks to low-lying areas around Quarry Creek at East Taieri will be investigated by both the city and regional councils.
Opposition grows to review of flood rate
Opposition grows to review of flood rate
Opposition to the Otago Regional Council's proposed Taieri flood and drainage rating review is mounting, with nearly all the submissions to its annual plan on the subject against the changes.
Rising illegal traffic in rare reptiles spurs plea
Rising illegal traffic in rare reptiles spurs plea
More work needs to be done investigating wildlife trafficking from New Zealand as the demand for rare reptiles increases around the world, Traffic Southeast Asia deputy director Chris Shepherd says.
Time to hit smugglers
Time to hit smugglers
In the past year alone, up to 200 protected and endangered jewelled geckos, worth about $1.8 million on the black market, could have been taken illegally from spots on Otago Peninsula.
Wildlife smugglers 'just greedy'
Wildlife smugglers 'just greedy'
Wildlife smugglers are "greedy people without any consideration for animals", Wildlife Enforcement Group senior investigator Stuart Williamson says.
Fishing bag limits could be reduced on concerns
Fishing bag limits could be reduced on concerns
Fishing bag limits on rivers and lakes around Otago could be reduced as anglers express concern about the sustainability of the region's fisheries.
Shooter's delight
Shooter's delight
A "near perfect storm" of conditions is predicted for the opening day of the duck-shooting season in Otago tomorrow, although Mother's Day falling on the same weekend was a "cruel twist".
Getting the measure of pupils good learning
Getting the measure of pupils good learning
Learning she every day carried 9kg in her backpack was just one surprising fact Columba College pupil Tyla Toheriri-O'Neill discovered while taking part in the 2011 CensusAtSchool.
Housing project changes approved
Housing project changes approved
An Environment Court judge has approved a mediated agreement that gives the green light to a 118-lot residential development in Mosgiel.
Help with water plan
Help with water plan
An Otago Regional Council application for government funding to help people in the Manuherikia Valley northeast of Alexandra investigate water development has been successful.
'Draconian' fencing call
'Draconian' fencing call
The Catlins was a "very special place" and "a special part of Otago", so how could Owaka River water quality be classed as only fair, Otago regional councillor Bryan Scott demanded at a recent committee meeting.
Air monitor movement queried
Air monitor movement queried
Moving Balclutha's air quality monitor could be a "waste of time and money", Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Woodhead says.
April dry, cool throughout Otago
April dry, cool throughout Otago
It was a dry, cool April in Otago, with Ranfurly recording the country's lowest temperature of -5.9degC during an unusually cold event for the time of year.
No-one at council's drop-in session
No-one at council's drop-in session
While no-one turned up to the Dunedin City Council's first "drop-in" session on its draft policy aiming to make sure the city was a safer place in an earthquake, there is hope people will take advantage of two further sessions today.