Rosie Manins

An upgrade of the single-lane Kawarau Falls Bridge near Queenstown has been listed as a project of national importance, following concerns about its safety.

New Zealand sporting personalities Dean and Mandy Barker became the attraction at the Maniototo A and P Show in Ranfurly yesterday, where Mr Barker was the event's guest of honour.

Dunedin's $50 million Caversham corridor improvements project is being considered as a development of national importance.

The future of Meridian Energy's $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm rests in the hands of four people, who will spend up to three months making a decision about whether to allow consent for the development.

"Energy is needed and wind is the best option."

Meridian Energy's scientific analysis of its proposed $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm site was woeful, an Environment Court appeal hearing for the development was told yesterday.

There was standing room only at a special sitting of the Environment Court in Queenstown yesterday when about 50 people, including judges, commissioners and lawyers, as well as law and court staff from throughout New Zealand, gathered to celebrate the career of Dunedin lawyer Neville Marquet.

A Nelson couple taking part in the 2009 Central Otago Vintage Car Club national veteran rally at Cromwell at the weekend imported their one-cylinder American Brush car from Texas, in 2005.

At age 72, Sir Bob Charles is feeling healthier than ever and is ready to challenge far younger competitors during the $1.18 million New Zealand Open at Arrowtown next month.

New Zealand is closer to achieving electricity generation through marine technology than people think, an Environment Court appeal hearing for Meridian Energy's $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm heard yesterday.

Images commissioned by Meridian Energy to depict its proposed $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm make the turbines appear a third of their actual size, an Environment Court appeal hearing for the development heard yesterday.

Of 49 projected wind farms in New Zealand, 41 could be built more cheaply than Meridian Energy's proposed $2 billion Project Hayes solely in terms of generation cost, an Environment Court appeal hearing for the project was told yesterday.

Up to 276 turbines on the Mahinerangi and Project Hayes wind farms would be the main feature of landscape in Central Otago and Clutha, an Environment Court appeal hearing for the latter project heard in Queenstown yesterday.

Tucker Beach Rd residents consider the Faulks Enterprises Ltd withdrawal from an Environment Court appeal to gain a consent to extract gravel from the Shotover River to be a partial victory.