Police suspect the driver of a large truck which rolled and blocked Otago Peninsula's key road was under the influence of alcohol.

Anticipation has been growing like weeds among art enthusiasts in the buildup to an exhibition by the University of Otago’s 2024 Frances Hodgkins Fellowship winners.

A firefighter at a car crash in Caversham was verbally abused and almost dragged out of a fire truck by a man apparently angry the road was blocked, police say.

With just one staff member assigned to the ministry, concerns are being raised that the Minister for the South Island is a "token" role.

Official advice on controversial changes to the Marsden Fund has still not been released by the government, more than two months after the announcement.

People wear protective gear as firecrackers explode during the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival as part of the Lantern Festival celebrations in Tainan, Taiwan, yesterday.