Rebecca Fox

Appropriate national direction should mean the extra layer of governance proposed by the Land and Water Forum yesterday will not be needed, Otago Regional Council chief executive Graeme Martin says.

Having other groups advocate for a marine protected area in Otago could only assist the Otago Conservation Board's quest for protection of the region's marine biodiversity, chairman Hoani Langsbury says.

August's unsettled and mild weather means farmers are going into spring with conditions conducive to grass growth, consultant hydrologist Dave Stewart says.

Successfully uniting a community in an effort to preserve and develop its nearby wetlands has resulted in the Lake Waihola-Waipori Wetlands Society being nominated for the Coastal Otago Conservation Award. Rebecca Fox talks to president David Vollweiler and secretary Pauline Baker about their work to save the wetlands, which are home to 21 species that are totally reliant on the habitat for survival.

A founder of prominent conservation organisations such as the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust and Save the Otago Peninsula, Lala Frazer is this year's Coastal Otago Conservation Award winner. Rebecca Fox talks to her about three decades of work to conserve Otago's environment.

Showing pupils how chemistry relates to real life situations as well as building a picture of the health of Otago Harbour has won the Healthy Harbour Watchers the inaugural Otago Conservation Schools Award. Rebecca Fox talks to project facilitator Andrew Innes.

Tributes flowed for Otago Regional Council chairman Stephen Cairns yesterday after he presided over his last council meeting.

Sixteen stolen jewelled geckos were returned to their homes on Otago Peninsula earlier this year thanks to University of Otago masters student Carey Knox, a finalist in the Coastal Otago Conservation Awards. He talks to Rebecca Fox about his work identifying the threatened species.

Having your first baby in the middle of an election campaign is not the norm, but for Otago Regional councillor Gretchen Robertson it could not have gone smoother, even if son Angus arrived on a committee day.

A kaka spotted in a Saddle Hill garden could be the missing bird from Orokonui Ecosanctuary.

Cable cars could well be closer to making a return to at least one Dunedin route following a meeting of the Dunedin Cable Car Trust that attracted more than 160 people on Saturday.

People have to change the way they live with their coasts and understand them a lot better, applied coastal scientist Jim Dahm says.

South Dunedin man John Cook has called the condition of the suburb's streets "absolutely disgusting" after falling on the corner of Macandrew Rd and King Edward St this week.