Regions

Call for witnesses to Roxburgh fire

Fire investigators probing the blaze which razed Roxburgh's historic cinema and town hall want to hear from witnesses who saw or photographed yesterday's destructive fire.

Oamaru carport blaze contained

Oamaru carport blaze contained

Firefighters in Oamaru worked to contain a blaze in a carport on a residential street this afternoon.
Southland councils explore regional deals

Southland councils explore regional deals

Southern councils have joined forces on a proposal which could result in an injection of support from the government.
Resort’s housing needs acknowledged

Resort’s housing needs acknowledged

"Build more houses" is Minister for the South Island James Meager’s solution to Queenstown’s housing issues.

queenstown

Congestion prompts car-pooling reminder

In a week when a major commuter route was clogged with rush-hour traffic, an active transport advocate is urging residents to share a car at least once a week to "keep Queenstown moving".

How Rod set wheels in motion

How Rod set wheels in motion

A Queenstown philanthropist has revealed why he’s backing next Saturday’s global mountain bike competition, Natural Selection Bike.
Irish’s life-changing journey

Irish’s life-changing journey

Queenstown adventurer David ‘Irish’ Anderson is launching a book this Sunday about his epic 18-month motorcycle journey from Ireland to South Africa.
Waka High’s high achievers

Waka High’s high achievers

If academic achievement is the top metric to judge a school by, Wakatipu High’s living up to its motto, Ad Alta — "reach for your heights".

Wanaka

Lake Hāwea swimmer Rachel Armstrong swims past the neck of Lake Hāwea and Lake Wānaka in her bid...

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Just off for a dip, see you in 14 hours: lengthy lake licked

Fabulously sunny and calm conditions yesterday assisted long-distance swimmer Rachel Armstrong in her attempt to swim the length of Lake Hāwea.

Decision on Wānaka McDonald’s due next week

Decision on Wānaka McDonald’s due next week

The decision on whether a McDonald’s will be opening in Wānaka is expected to be released next week.
Walk closed, search efforts to continue

Walk closed, search efforts to continue

Updated 1.15 pm

A friend has described the terrifying moment he realised his friend had fallen into a swift-flowing river in Mt Aspiring National Park.
Man swept away in Otago river

Man swept away in Otago river

A popular walk near Wānaka is closed as rescue teams search for a man missing after he fell into a river in Mt Aspiring National Park.

Central Otago

The Roxburgh Town Hall and cinema in recent times. PHOTO: CURTIS CRAWFORD

Cinema’s (near) record-breaking run remembered

Fire put a sudden stop this week to what was potentially the longest continuous run of any cinema in the world. Debbie Porteous gives a potted history of a picture palace.

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Town reels at loss of much-loved space

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Town reels at loss of much-loved space

Tears flowed in Roxburgh yesterday as the enormity of what has been lost in a fire that engulfed the town hall and cinema sank in.
Roxburgh mourns loss of its communal heart

Roxburgh mourns loss of its communal heart

Roxburgh may yet lose the landmark brick facade of its cinema building — all that remains of the town’s former hub.
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Months before McGregor’s slip work is complete

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Months before McGregor’s slip work is complete

There may be some light at the end of the tunnel in what has become something of a marathon road works job near Shingle Creek.

South Otago

Balclutha Library customer experience officer Renee MacPherson (left) and student librarian Wendy...

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New idea boosts challenge

A regional library is hailing the success of a novel approach to its "legendary" summer reading programme this year.

Fun, friendship at Waitangi appreciated

Fun, friendship at Waitangi appreciated

The fun and community spirit of Waitangi Day at the Treaty Grounds at Waitangi surprised Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan, who attended the festivities in the Far North this year for the first...
Preschools praised for healthy habits

Preschools praised for healthy habits

Clutha preschoolers received a Hearty welcome on Monday morning.
Teacher to hone skills in te reo

Teacher to hone skills in te reo

Tikanga and te reo Māori are developing a strong kaiwhakahau (advocate) at South Otago High School.

north otago

Arts, culture and libraries manager Chloe Searle (left) and new children and youth library...

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Community anxiety around new library service hubs persists

A new service "hub" at Oamaru Library will begin next month as part of the Waitaki District Council’s transformation phase and unease in the community around the changes continued.

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Devotees aflutter over July bird show

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Devotees aflutter over July bird show

The best bird exhibitors in the country will flock to Oamaru later this year.
Oamaru carport blaze contained

Oamaru carport blaze contained

Firefighters in Oamaru worked to contain a blaze in a carport on a residential street this afternoon.
Man threatened woman, bit neighbour

Man threatened woman with airgun before biting neighbour

A Hampden man involved in a car crash pointed an imitation firearm at a woman from whom he sought help, before biting one of her neighbours.

southland

Fiordland recreational boatie Dave McCarlie, left, beside fellow boaties Dave Morton and Ross...

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Boaties oppose lobster company fencing plan

A fishery wanting to fence part of Fiordland National Park at Milford Sound for commercial use is facing opposition from boaties who need to use the toilet.

Tagger’s identity stays unknown, for now

Tagger’s identity stays unknown, for now

A tagger, who plagued the Invercargill CBD, has lost his bid to keep his name secret, but the identity of the artist "Clap!" remains a mystery, for now.
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Beach race a Triumph

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Beach race a Triumph

Racing enthusiasts enjoyed sunny skies and thrills at the 2025 Burt Munro Classic Beach Race held at Oreti Beach yesterday afternoon.
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Nearly 200 motorcyclists tear up tarmac

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Nearly 200 motorcyclists tear up tarmac

Up to 200 riders gathered for a motorcycle run around Eastern Southland yesterday.

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Boaties oppose lobster company fencing plan

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Boaties oppose lobster company fencing plan

A fishery wanting to fence part of Fiordland National Park at Milford Sound for commercial use is facing opposition from boaties who need to use the toilet.

Cinema’s (near) record-breaking run remembered

Fire put a sudden stop this week to what was potentially the longest continuous run of any cinema in the world. Debbie Porteous gives a potted history of a picture palace.

Tagger’s identity stays unknown, for now

"Clap" tags and accompanying street art have been cropping up across Invercargill in a range of...

Tagger’s identity stays unknown, for now

A tagger, who plagued the Invercargill CBD, has lost his bid to keep his name secret, but the identity of the artist "Clap!" remains a mystery, for now.

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Town reels at loss of much-loved space

It is no exaggeration to say the Roxburgh cinema and town hall was at the heart of the community....

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Town reels at loss of much-loved space

Tears flowed in Roxburgh yesterday as the enormity of what has been lost in a fire that engulfed the town hall and cinema sank in.

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Just off for a dip, see you in 14 hours: lengthy lake licked

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Just off for a dip, see you in 14 hours: lengthy lake licked

Fabulously sunny and calm conditions yesterday assisted long-distance swimmer Rachel Armstrong in her attempt to swim the length of Lake Hāwea.

Walk closed, search efforts to continue

Hector Gaston Artigau has been missing in Mt Aspiring National Park since Thursday. Photo: Supplied

Walk closed, search efforts to continue

Updated 1.15 pm

A friend has described the terrifying moment he realised his friend had fallen into a swift-flowing river in Mt Aspiring National Park.

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Semantics over meeting the latest rift

Education Minister Penny Simmonds says changes are needed because the creation of Te Pūkenga has...

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Semantics over meeting the latest rift

The divide between Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Otago regional councillors appears to be as wide as ever.

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Community anxiety around new library service hubs persists

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Community anxiety around new library service hubs persists

A new service "hub" at Oamaru Library will begin next month as part of the Waitaki District Council’s transformation phase and unease in the community around the changes continued.

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Beach race a Triumph

The field is off in a bike race at Oreti Beach yesterday. PHOTOS: DAVE LOUDON

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Beach race a Triumph

Racing enthusiasts enjoyed sunny skies and thrills at the 2025 Burt Munro Classic Beach Race held at Oreti Beach yesterday afternoon.

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Nearly 200 motorcyclists tear up tarmac

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Nearly 200 motorcyclists tear up tarmac

Up to 200 riders gathered for a motorcycle run around Eastern Southland yesterday.

Decision on Wānaka McDonald’s due next week

Concept image of the proposed Wanaka McDonald's restaurant included in an updated architectural...

Decision on Wānaka McDonald’s due next week

The decision on whether a McDonald’s will be opening in Wānaka is expected to be released next week.

Roxburgh mourns loss of its communal heart

Fire ravaged the Roxburgh Town Hall and Entertainment Centre on Thursday, leaving nothing but the...

Roxburgh mourns loss of its communal heart

Roxburgh may yet lose the landmark brick facade of its cinema building — all that remains of the town’s former hub.

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Devotees aflutter over July bird show

North Otago Bird Club committee members (from left) Sandra Thompson, Diana Tonkin, Joanna...

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Devotees aflutter over July bird show

The best bird exhibitors in the country will flock to Oamaru later this year.

Congestion prompts car-pooling reminder

In a week when a major commuter route was clogged with rush-hour traffic, an active transport advocate is urging residents to share a car at least once a week to "keep Queenstown moving".