Rosie Manins

The Government may contribute funding to a proposed convention centre in Queenstown, Prime Minister John Key says.

Free internet access throughout central Dunedin is an ideal next step in the city's bid to attract more visitors and let them promote it as a destination worldwide, industry professionals say.

Dunedin and Queenstown are leading destinations for the 180,000 Chinese predicted to visit the South Island annually in the near future.

A more sophisticated and capable emergency response is being launched in Otago with the addition of a new Red Cross disaster welfare support unit and trailers.

A 47-year-old privately-owned Dunedin business is the latest to be squeezed out of the market by competition from chain stores and internet traders.

Otago is already becoming a favoured destination for same-sex weddings, and tourism professionals expect Queenstown in particular to attract engaged gay and lesbian couples from overseas.

Dunedin runner Peter Frew's first major marathon will not be forgotten - by him or the rest of the world.

Mystery surrounds a fleeting visit to Dunedin by arguably the world's most sophisticated sub-sea exploration vessel yesterday.

The Otago Regional Council has awarded new contracts for Dunedin public bus services, despite a threat from the New Zealand Transport Agency that it would not subsidise the services.

Dunedin designer Rakel Blom is thrilled to be the first Otago Polytechnic graduate to win the iD International Emerging Designer Awards.

Drunken disorder in the student quarter is being exacerbated by police and council intervention, university students and Castle St residents say, citing a Saturday night incident as a classic example.

Two Queenstown-based women are in Dunedin Hospital with suspected neck and back injuries, following a two-car collision on the Chaslands Highway, in Clutha yesterday.

Dunedin will be temporarily without a leading naval officer when Lieutenant-commander Ian Marshall deploys to South Korea this week.

A lifetime of learned discipline is being temporarily reversed by Dunedin's George Street Normal School pupils, who are using a commercial vehicle as their painting canvas.

Southern police will be closely monitoring traffic on Otago roads during Easter, when they expect large numbers of people to travel throughout the region.