Botched rates, uncertain valuations flagged by council auditors
Mistakes in setting rates and a best-guess system for valuing assets have earned the West Coast Regional Council a do-better warning from its auditor.
SUBSCRIBER
Horror run of road deaths taking toll on firefighters
SUBSCRIBER
Horror run of road deaths taking toll on firefighters
A "horrific" run of road deaths is taking an emotional toll on Central Otago volunteer firefighters who fear the worst every time the siren goes off.
Fisherman fined for breaches off Otago coast
Fisherman fined $34k for breaches off Otago coast
A fisherman with a history of rule-bending has copped a hefty fine for breaches during commercial fishing trips off the coast at Moeraki.
Big interest in mining project from job-seekers
Big interest in mining project from job-seekers
After about six months of community engagement, Santana Minerals is getting more job inquiries from the community than any other inquiries, with over 800 expressions of interest.
Power cut hits 11,000 in Central Otago
Power cut hits 11,000 in Central Otago
A power cut left more than 11,000 Central Otago Aurora Energy customers in the dark last night.
SUBSCRIBER
Crash victim appalled offender not charged
SUBSCRIBER
Crash victim appalled offender not charged
A Southland man thrown from his vehicle into a paddock after a texting driver caused a crash is "disgusted" by the lack of punishment.
His world is oysters: bagging bluffies hard mahi
His world is oysters: bagging bluffies hard mahi
Whether eagerly plucked from the pottle or freshly shucked and served with Champagne, bluffies are in high demand across the country from March to August.
SUBSCRIBER
Cherry grower goes bust owing $42m
SUBSCRIBER
Cherry grower goes bust owing $42m
A former Central Otago cherry grower has left creditors more than $42 million out of pocket after being plunged into liquidation.
SUBSCRIBER
New owner reveals plan for iconic church
SUBSCRIBER
Sale confirmed for St Ninian’s church
After a listing that attracted 11,000 views, a Queenstown buyer is the new owner of the picturesque St Ninian’s Presbyterian Church in Hāwea Flat.
Wind farm rejection large blow, Jones says
Wind farm rejection large blow, Jones says
The rejection of a $1b wind farm planned for Southland has been described as a major blow for NZ's energy security by Regional Development Minister Shane Jones.
SUBSCRIBER
Sentence upheld on appeal for firearms convictions
SUBSCRIBER
Sentence upheld on appeal for firearms convictions
An Otago "firearms enthusiast" who was the first Kiwi to be sentenced for manufacturing firearms has failed in his bid for a reduced sentence.
Police still attempting to identify man fatally hit by train in Invercargill
Police still attempting to identify man fatally hit by train in Invercargill
Police are still trying to identify a man who was fatally hit by a train in Invercargill on Monday evening.
Track network satisfaction ‘generally high’
Track network satisfaction ‘generally high’
"Less doggie doo and more signage," are requests from locals using the tracks around Wānaka.
Vulnerable historic landfill set for cleanup
Vulnerable historic landfill set for cleanup
Work to clean up the historic Upper Cleddau Flats landfill, locally known as "Little Tahiti", will start in April, marking a significant step in protecting the Milford Sound/Piopiotahi area.
Man found dead on SH6 named
Man found dead on SH6 named
Police have named the man found dead on State Highway 6 near Gibbston on March 3.
SUBSCRIBER
19th Century Farms event set to welcome 250 guests
SUBSCRIBER
19th Century Farms event set to welcome 250 guests
A key national farming event, Century Farms, will welcome lower-than-usual numbers south to its awards this year, although organisers expect the drop to be temporary.
Identifying train victim 'will take some time'
Police call for witnesses after man killed by train
Police are calling on the public to help them identify a man who died after being hit by a train in Invercargill yesterday.
SUBSCRIBER
3000 Otago farms may need consents: report
SUBSCRIBER
3000 Otago farms may need consents: report
Thousands of Otago farmers could be forced to apply for resource consent for everyday farm activities early next year.
More than $82m sought for land acquired by airport company
More than $82m sought for land acquired by airport company
Property developer Remarkables Park Ltd is seeking more than $82 million compensation for land compulsorily acquired by Queenstown’s airport company in 2019.
SUBSCRIBER
Marine biologists uncovering a ‘completely different world’ in Fiordland
SUBSCRIBER
Marine biologists uncovering a ‘completely different world’ in Fiordland
Swarms of sandflies and inclement weather can make life really unpleasant above water in Fiordland.