Rose entries tipped to be down
Rose entries tipped to be down
Recent heavy showers may be the downfall of one of the best rose-growing seasons in many years, Outram Flower Show convener Daphne Macfarlane says.
Rebecca Fox
Cold snap sharp, but expected to be short
Cold snap sharp, but expected to be short
A cold front hit Otago yesterday morning, dropping temperatures by 10degC in the space of a few hours, but it is predicted to be short-lived, the MetService says.
Conservation board budget too small by half
Conservation board budget too small by half
The Otago Conservation Board is now running in the red, with members concerned it might not have enough funds to adequately do its work in future.
Doc reassessing its structure over shortcomings
Doc reassessing its structure over shortcomings
Following staff criticism, a new pilot programme is about to start to try to address problems with the Department of Conservation's new structure.
Rainfall buys time for Taieri River catchment
Rainfall buys time for Taieri River catchment
The Taieri River catchment is not ''out of the woods'' yet and recent rainfall has provided only a week to a fortnight's grace, Otago Regional Council chief executive Peter Bodeker says.
Students asking what do Kiwis see in sea lions?
Students asking what do Kiwis see in sea lions?
A group of American students see nothing unusual about travelling halfway around the world to survey the public about a marine creature they'd never heard of - the New Zealand sea lion.
Driest, warmest January on record
Driest, warmest January on record
Otago's summer of dry weather has smashed 91-year-old rainfall and temperature records in Lauder, near Alexandra.
Severe thunderstorms warning for Dunedin
Severe thunderstorms warning for Dunedin
Severe thunderstorms may hit Dunedin, North Otago and Clutha this afternoon bringing heavy rain and hail as large as 20mm to some areas, MetService warns.
Five sea lion pups tagged
Five sea lion pups tagged
The birth of at least five sea lion pups on Otago's coast this summer is heartening, although their future is still tenuous, Sea Lion Trust chairman Steve Broni says.
Severe shortage may force water cuts
Severe shortage may force water cuts
The Otago Regional Council is on the brink of restricting irrigators, with officials saying little significant rain is likely in coming weeks and river levels are low.
Fire ban across Otago
Fire ban across Otago
A total fire ban across Otago has begun as authorities warn of extreme risk of a major blaze that could take weeks to put out.
Fire risk soaring in Otago
Fire risk soaring in Otago
The Fire Service has warned one small spark could start a serious wildfire, as much of Otago is at risk of fire.
Christmas blaze destroys Dunedin home
Christmas blaze destroys Dunedin home
A Dunedin family home is uninhabitable after fire destroyed much of it this morning.
Council invokes water ban
Council invokes water ban
The Otago Regional Council will stop all water takes from the Taieri River and its tributaries from noon on Wednesday, as the region faces the worst dry conditions since the 1999 drought.
Wallaby control call
Wallaby control call
More resources need to go into the fight to stop wallabies moving into Otago from their South Canterbury home to prevent a problem similar to those caused by rabbits and wilding pines in the region, some Otago regional councillors say.
Mataitai application progress
Mataitai application progress
Two applications for customary fishing reserves in Otago will go before Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy in May.
Two stoats caught in ecosanctuary
Two stoats caught in ecosanctuary
Two stoats have been caught in traps inside Orokonui Ecosanctuary's predator-proof fence, sparking an intensive search for the way they got inside.
Developments in Octagon design experiment
Developments in Octagon design experiment
New seating will be installed temporarily in place of the two plane trees removed from the Octagon this week.
Taking a stand on taggers
Taking a stand on taggers
A Dunedin woman's stand against graffiti has resonated with others around the city.
Serious charges likely over flounder catch
Serious charges likely over flounder catch
People taking more and smaller fish than allowed under fishing regulations made up the majority of those caught by fisheries officers over the holiday period.