Vaughan Elder

International student numbers at Otago Polytechnic are up 77% this year, largely due to a new Auckland campus.

A study showing the severity of tooth decay is worse among children who live in non-fluoridated areas of Otago highlights the importance of adding fluoride to the water supply, a University of Otago researcher says.

Otago Polytechnic is ''delighted'' with the response to its offer of free tuition worth up to $5000 for trade courses, with demand exceeding the number of places in most subjects.

A revised plan to fell a Waikouaiti pine plantation does not address concerns that cutting down the trees will leave the town vulnerable to being battered by the ocean, a worried resident says.

The University of Otago is set to build a $500,000 visitors' centre to serve as a welcoming link between ''town and gown''.

A University of Otago academic is concerned some people are ''hell-bent on derailing'' the $2 million ''Glenn Inquiry'' into family violence.

The three lecturers awarded University of Otago Teaching Excellence Awards are all inspired by the pleasure of seeing their students learn.

The Dunedin City Council is investigating possible solutions after Aramoana residents voiced concern over the length of time parts of the community remained flooded after last week's heavy rain.

The man chosen as dean of the Dunedin School of Medicine says he will be leaving the job he loves so he can help others fulfil their potential.

The Dunedin Midwinter Carnival giant lantern procession lit up a cold Octagon on Saturday night and organisers estimated 5000 people turned up to see the spectacle.

The rain in Dunedin finally abated yesterday, but not before creating more problems with landslips around the city.

The youngest person to sail around the world alone, Laura Dekker, is enjoying life in New Zealand away from the spotlight, but is itching for her next voyage.

It is all hands on deck for the volunteers working on restoring the historic harbour ferry Elsie Evans, with the vessel needing to be well and truly weatherproof before it moves outside at the end of July.

With the Captain Cook Tavern following the lead of other student pubs in North Dunedin and shutting its doors, Otago Daily Times reporter Vaughan Elder takes a look at how student drinking patterns have changed over the past few decades.