Omarama residents are encouraged to attend an essential event next Thursday, as the South Island braces for a 75% chance of a major earthquake originating from the Alpine Fault in the next 50 years.

Visitors, locals and business owners can roll on this Easter, as the Queenstown Lakes District Council has adopted a policy that permits all shops in the district to open on Easter Sunday.

The Gore District Council has baulked at a proposed 24% rates increase, after a 21% rise last year, but will be getting further into debt to help keep the increase to single figures.

Police and Hato Hone St John attend the scene of an altercation on Oamaru-Alma Rd, State Highway 1, south of Oamaru, yesterday.

Being forced to close restaurant doors during the pandemic has paid dividends for Te Anau’s Fat Duck gastropub.

The Wānaka Fire Brigade is echoing calls to change the ACC legislation to give volunteer firefighters better coverage.

Growing up in Hanover, Germany, Justin Klar remembers always feeling a little different from other children at school.