Ian Telfer
DoC shifts thousands of campers as Gita strikes West Coast
Cyclone Gita has been downgraded as it approaches central parts of New Zealand. A big band of rain is still expected to hit the west coast from Taranaki down to Buller and Nelson. Rain is falling in… Audio
Abuse hurled at doctor charged with teenage girl's murder
The family of Amber-Rose Rush swore at the 30-year-old doctor in Dunedin District Court today as he was charged with the 16-year-old's murder. Otago-Southland reporter Ian Telfer was there and… Video, Audio
Drought, fire, now a flood in Dunedin
There were fears flooding in Dunedin could be as bad as the 2015 floods, but it appears the city has "dodged a bullet", RNZ reporter Ian Telfer says. Video, Audio
Fire in Dunedin destroyed three buildings, threatened homes
People evacuated from a large industrial fire in Dunedin overnight feared their houses would be lost as embers set their backyards alight. Video, Audio
King tides and downpours smash the west of the country
Weather chaos around the country Audio
Dunedin fire: Blaze destroys business, hundreds flee homes
The devastating fire in the Dunedin suburb of Burnside has been contained overnight. Dunedin residents who had to evacuate their homes because of a large fire in the suburb of Burnside will today find… Audio
Dunedin fire: Burnside blaze contained
After a devastating fire on Wednesday night forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes in the Dunedin suburb of Burnside, firefighters managed to contain the blaze overnight. Audio
Dunedin fire: Residents flee devastating blaze
Dunedin residents forced to leave their homes by a large fire in the suburb of Burnside will find out if they are allowed to go home on Thursday. One hundred homes were evacuated after the devastating… Audio
Government declares drought in Otago and Southland
Farmers say it's the driest conditions they've ever seen while working the land in Southland and Otago, and are relieved they'll receive some help now the drought has been confirmed. Video, Audio
Drought, heat brings stress for Otago, Southland farmers
Otago-Southland Reporter Ian Telfer is in Alexandra and is down by the banks of the Manuherikia River where high temperatures and weeks without rain is expected to bring a declaration of drought from… Audio
Central Otago farmers feeling drought 'mentally, financially, physically'
As the mercury keeps rising, farmers in the country's driest region say they expect a drought to be declared there within days. RNZ reporter Ian Telfer joins Checkpoint live from Alexandra. Video, Audio
Queenstown to crack down on freedom camping
Queenstown's planning a major crackdown on freedom campers after a petition from thousands of people from around the world unhappy at the mess they leave. Residents around Lake Hayes Reserve started… Audio
Queenstown freedom campers may face crackdown
Lake Hayes locals want a zero tolerance approach when it comes to people setting up camp and leaving a mess on their shores. The residents have been drumming up support for a major crackdown on… Audio
Southland seeks urgent Government help on Tiwai waste
The council's consent to keep the 20,000 tonnes of toxic waste in storage expires today and they can't afford to dispose of it alone. Audio
Police worry rap music could hinder emergency operations
Expletive-ridden music has been broadcast intermittently across an Otago police communications channel. Audio
'Do job properly' Te Anau urges on wastewater
Opponents of a plan to spray partially-treated sewage water from Te Anau around Manapouri airport are calling for the council to spend the money needed to do the job properly. The Southland district… Audio
Untreated Te Anau wastewater a serious health risk - councillor
A district councillor from Te Anau says the council needs to bite the bullet and treat wastewater from the town before pumping it away. The Southland District Council has resource consent to pump the… Audio
From Matauranga to Infinity at Dunedin's new science centre
A complete $2.5 million rebuild of Otago Museum's interactive science centre has for the first time melded Ngai Tahu's Maori world view with traditional science. Video, Audio
MPI disappointed cow disease spead to North Island
Mycoplasma bovis has spread to four farms in Winton in Southland and in Hastings in Hawke's Bay, the first infections outside of Canterbury and Otago. A fifth property near Ashburton is also likely to… Audio
Easter Trading "a trial" - employers on notice: Dunedin's mayor
Dunedin councillors have agreed to shops opening for the first time next Easter Sunday, to cope with an influx of Ed Sheeran concert goers, but the mayor says they will lose the right to trade if they… Video, Audio