Being able to keep general rates from rising and reduce the Dunedin transport rate while still being able to support new walking track projects deserves a slap on the back for the Otago Regional Council, chairman Stephen Cairns says.
The University of Otago's master plan is forcing the Otago Regional Council to look at alternative approaches to its Leith-Lindsay flood protection scheme.
Proposals for flood mitigation works at East Taieri need to be taken to residents "with haste", Otago regional councillor David Shepherd says.
Proposals for flood mitigation works at East Taieri need to be taken to residents "with haste", Otago regional councillor David Shepherd says.
Pleasure craft using Southland waterways will soon have to display a name or other identification on both sides of the hull.
Providing medical care to Stewart Island's more than 400 residents and 40,000 summer visitors during the past 20 years has earned the island's two nurses the Queen's Service Medal.
As Henley residents continue to clean up their homes and businesses after last week's floods, the costs of the event around Coastal Otago are starting to become clear.
The 1980 Taieri Plain flood is considered one of the most devastating to hit the area and has shaped the level of flood protection there since.
Two Nelson women are travelling the country to raise awareness of the origins of the Vietnamese catfish, or basa, being sold in some New Zealand supermarkets and fish and chip shops.
Flooding throughout Coastal Otago last week may not have broken any records but the rainfall which contributed to it did.
Police have been called in by the Otago Regional Council to investigate the unauthorised propping up of floodgates along the upper Taieri ponding area as the river rose on Tuesday night.
Construction of stage one of the Mahinerangi wind farm will begin in September, with the first power expected to be produced in February, TrustPower announced yesterday.
Taieri dairy farmers affected by flooding could each face costs of up $60,000 for alternative winter grazing.
Saving the goldfish was a priority for Kristine Hooper on the night Henley flooded, but she said coming home yesterday and seeing her recently renovated 150-year-old cottage surrounded by floodwater was cause for greater anxiety.
There is only so much housework and water watching you can do, say Henley residents who stayed with their homes as floodwaters rose.
Avis rental sales agent Jolani Garner thought nothing of kicking off her boots and pulling waders on over her uniform yesterday to help push one of her cars out of floodwater at Dunedin International Airport.
At the flood peak on Saturday, the Taieri River's flow at Outram was the third highest since records began in 1968.
New Zealand needs to quarantine the Peter Bethune issue so it does not affect other aspects of its relationship with Japan, visiting Australian international law specialist Prof Donald Rothwell says.
As rain continued for the fifth day yesterday and with more forecast, the Otago Regional Council was warning coastal Otago residents to stay on alert for flooding.
If paying to have an electric blanket checked has been a financial barrier, then the New Zealand Fire Service is offering to do it free of charge.
