Vaughan Elder

An anonymous donor has given a $500,000 boost to the University of Otago's National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

The number of overseas students studying in Otago has dropped 4% to 3285, according to Ministry of Education figures.

Honey, a 12-year-old Labrador-collie cross, was lucky to survive after being caught in a gin trap for almost 24 hours and her Dunedin owner is warning others about the risk of illegal traps.

A fusion of beer and chocolate is in the works at Dunedin's Emerson's Brewery, hot on the heels of a recent chocolate and soft drink combination.

The Otago University Students' Association has joined the other ''big three'' students' associations in calling for reforms to the national association.

The University of Otago is acting to reduce the risk caused by chimneys collapsing in earthquakes, with a strengthening and removal programme to start soon.

The Otago Regional Council is set to trial discounted bus fares for students in an effort to get more scarfies using public transport.

The risks teenagers face from online sexual predators was brought home at a parent information evening in Dunedin this week.

The decision by Otago Bowling Club members to split the proceeds of the sale of the club among themselves was an ''absolute disgrace'', the chairman of Bowls Dunedin says.

The Otago University Debating Society (OUDS) has won hosting rights for the word's second-largest debating competition, with up to 500 people likely to visit Dunedin for the tournament next year.

The controversial GCSB Bill came up for debate in the senior final of the inaugural Dunedin Schools' Debating tournament on Saturday.

Members of the Otago Bowling Club are being held accountable for more than $200,000 from the sale of its grounds, which was split among members instead of being given to community interests.

After months of debate, the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board has chosen to go with a revised council plan to fell trees next to Waikouaiti Beach.

A trip to the library could be what the doctor ordered for staff and students at the University of Otago.

Otago Polytechnic has defended its decision to raise fees for domestic students while keeping fees for most international courses the same, but a student representative called the move ''unfair''.