An Otago researcher hopes a recently awarded fellowship will help develop a crucial first step in the fight against "superbugs".

Refilling the Ross Creek Reservoir in Dunedin could be completed this week, following a long-running repairs and maintenance project.

Since Kent Marshall was a boy, he has been dismantling, fixing and rebuilding all kinds of electrical equipment — even the family oven — all without electrocuting himself.

The government has announced law changes aimed at better protecting people in state care, ahead of Tuesday's formal apology for historical abuse.

An investigative journalist who was barred from attending the national apology to survivors of abuse in care has now been granted accreditation.

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has withdrawn his latest children's book from sale after criticism it stereotyped members of Australia's Indigenous community.