Star News | Otago Daily Times Online News

New life for Layla

When Staffordshire terrier-cross Layla first came into the SPCA, she was sick, scared and severely malnourished. Two months on she has made a complete transformation.

Canterbury engineering company liquidated

Canterbury engineering company liquidated

A Canterbury civil engineering and construction company is in liquidation owing creditors more than $1.8 million.
New act starts on site of historic old theatre

New act starts on site of historic old theatre

A new luxury apartment and commercial building in the heart of Lyttelton’s shopping area is set to be completed by the end of the month.
Neighbours clash over residential development

Neighbours clash over residential development

A property development has left residents of a Christchurch suburb frustrated about not being consulted – while the developer is annoyed at the delays their complaints have caused.

Christchurch

Photo: RNZ

Firefighters put out blaze at Christchurch Hospital

Firefighters have extinguished a fire at Christchurch Hospital.

Food Truck Alley will now be held monthly

Food Truck Alley will now be held monthly

Diminishing visitor numbers are behind a Christchurch weekend food market’s decision to go monthly.
Swiss national sentenced after fatal crash

Swiss national sentenced after fatal Canterbury crash

A Swiss man cried in court as he was sentenced for careless driving after a fatal head-on crash in Canterbury.
Visitor numbers growing

Visitor numbers growing

Free-spending Aussies are leading the charge as an influx of tourists arriving in Christchurch spend their overseas currency on South Island attractions.

National

A disqualified, drunk driver told police his seven months pregnant girlfriend was behind the...

Drunk driver tried to blame crash on pregnant partner

A drunk and disqualified driver who crashed and flipped his faulty car with his pregnant partner in the passenger seat tried to say she was behind the wheel at the time.

New life for Layla

New life for Layla

When Staffordshire terrier-cross Layla first came into the SPCA, she was sick, scared and severely malnourished. Two months on she has made a complete transformation.
Luxon to give State of Nation speech

Luxon to give State of Nation speech

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will outline his plan for the year ahead and New Zealand's future in a State of the Nation speech in Auckland.
Abuse in Care: Low prosecution rate from inquiry

Abuse in Care: Low prosecution rate from inquiry

Warning: disturbing content. Police have prosecuted fewer than one in 10 of the cases referred from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

Districts

A scenic view of the Rakaia Gorge. PHOTO: FILE

Campaign to attract tourists 'well received'

A summer tourism campaign costing ratepayers $24,485 has had pleasing results, a Canterbury district council says.

Truck crash partially blocked SH1

Truck crash partially blocked SH1

The main road through Oamaru has been cleared following a truck crash early on Friday morning.
Restoration a labour of love for family

Restoration a labour of love for family

The restoration of a 1958 Wolseley 15/50 has been a labour of love for Canterbury man Ross Holland and his 18-year-old son Josh.
North Canterbury principal steps up to national role

North Canterbury principal steps up to national role

Kaiapoi North School's principal is taking two years leave as he steps into the role of New Zealand Principals' Federation president.

Sport

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph says he hasn't been in contact with NZR big wigs over the vacant...

Jamie Joseph needs 'time to digest' Scott Robertson's sacking

Jamie Joseph says he is not in talks with New Zealand Rugby to replace the dumped Cantabrian Scott Robertson as All Blacks coach.

Daryl Mitchell century secures historic series win

Daryl Mitchell century secures historic series win

Canterbury's Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips scored centuries in a 41-run win over India in the third one-day international in Indore last night.
Black Caps skipper prepares for milestone against India

Black Caps skipper prepares for milestone against India

Black Caps captain Michael Bracewell says he didn't expect to play one game for New Zealand, let alone bring up his 100th wearing the silver fern.
Jakub Menšík wins ASB Classic men's singles crown

Jakub Menšík wins ASB Classic men's singles crown

Czech Jakub Menšík has won the 2026 ASB Classic men's singles in a fiercely fought final at Auckland's Stanley Street.

Life & Style

Valentino Garavani at the opening of his exhibition at the Ara Pacis Museum in Rome featuring his...

Valentino, 'last Emperor' of fashion, dies

Valentino, one of Italy's leading fashion designers, has died in Rome at the age of 93.

What were the top baby names in 2025?

What were the top baby names in 2025?

The most popular baby names from 2025 have been revealed, with the past year's monikers still holding firm at the top.
Ranking the world's most bike-friendly cities

Christchurch the most 'bicycle-friendly' city in Asia/Oceania

Christchurch has been named the most bicycle-friendly city in the Asia/Oceania region.
Film icon Brigitte Bardot dies at 91

Film icon Brigitte Bardot dies at 91

Brigitte Bardot's ability to subvert traditional gender roles made her not just a sex symbol, but a pop culture icon and a touchstone for shifting social attitudes.