Oil-well drilling off the coast of Otago next year could affect one of Dunedin's best-known bird species, the endangered royal northern albatross, a University of Otago PhD student says.
Nutrient loads are expected to increase in Otago water, as land use intensifies, which will lead to worsening water quality, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment warns.
The Otago Regional Council will consider funding a World War 1 commemorative walking and cycling bridge over the Water of Leith, at a possible cost of between $1 million and $2.5 million.
Dunedin posties are more worried about still having a job than how they will deliver the mail in the future.
Presbyterian Support Services will have to ''further sharpen'' its operations as it continues to face tough financial times, its board corporate and finance committee chairman Ray Macleod says.
A lack of support for rabbit poisoning, especially from lifestyle block owners, is jeopardising the success of pest control operations in Otago.
Five Dunedin state houses with a combined value of $833,000 go on sale today as part of Housing New Zealand's FirstHome initiative.
Two Otago Regional Council directors, who together have 22 years' experience with the organisation, have lost their jobs in restructuring led by new chief executive Peter Bodeker.
Commercial gill nets used to catch fish for New Zealanders' fish and chips are one of the biggest threats to Hector's and Maui's dolphins, University of Otago marine scientist Steve Dawson says.
As uncomfortable as it might be, scientists will need to ''triage'' the allocation of scarce resources to save marine mammal species, a United States marine mammal scientist says.
A ''gold-plated'' strategy for public transport in Dunedin is being proposed without consideration of the cost on ratepayers and bus users, Otago regional councillor Michael Deaker says.
Further flood protection work on the Water of Leith has been delayed, following requests from the University of Otago.
Only 17mm of rain fell in Dunedin last month, making it the driest November the city has experienced in 95 years.
Landowners are rushing to get their water take consents approved before minimum flows are established on Otago rivers, Otago Fish and Game says.
Gradual improvements in water quality in East Otago's Shag River over nearly a decade have earned it the grand prize in the inaugural 2013 New Zealand River Awards.
Water standards that would allow nitrogen levels toxic enough to affect young whitebait and trout are being proposed by the Government, Fish and Game Otago environmental officer Peter Wilson says.
It is up to society as a whole to say no to violence, as even grumpy emails and bullying in Parliament are part of the mindset which permits violence in our communities, Prof Mark Henaghan says.
There were three kinds of sliders - the uncertain, confident and downright scared.
Changes are needed in how local government elections are run in the future, including a serious look at online voting, Otago regional councillors say.
New Zealand faces a classic ''economy versus the environment'' dilemma, with a clear link between expanding dairy farming and increasing stress on water quality, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright says.
