Ian Telfer
Dunedin rates could rise by 6.9% to fund ambitious 10-year plan
Dunedin City Council is proposing to kickstart a bold waterfront plan by spending $20 million on a landmark footbridge, one of its proposals in its 10-year plan. Video, Audio
Excitement at potential reopening of Dunedin's Hillside train w
A private venture called Antipodean Explorer says it plans to refurbish the 31 carriages at Hillside, which was mothballed by the National-led government five years ago. Video, Audio
Otago rivers drop below minimum flow, stopping irrigation
Irrigation permits for the Taieri River have been shutdown, meanwhile restrictions have also begun on the Pomahaka and Kakanui rivers as they drop towards their minimums. Audio
Dusty Roxburgh preparing for another deluge
The Central Otago town is racing to clear up from Sunday's flash flood, which covered its northern end in mud and water. Video, Audio
Queenstown public not worried by $2 bus teething problems
The $4 million initiative got off to a rocky start with at least two buses not arriving, including one which broke down. There were also reports of new drivers who did not know where they were going.
…Queenstown launches cheap bus fares
One of the richest places in New Zealand now has some of the cheapest buses. RNZ News Otago-Southland reporter Ian Telfer is among the first to ride Queenstown's two dollar buses. Video, Audio
Two days, $2 million - Dunedin chocolate crowd-funding success
A Pledge Me project to buy out the boutique chocolatier Otago Chocolate company, or Ocho, has hit the $2million mark despite only launching yesterday morning. Video, Audio
Ed Sheeran puts heat on Dunedin's Easter Trading debate
The star is playing three concerts in Dunedin over the Easter weekend next year, and there are fears the city will struggle to host an extra 65,000 concert goers if shops are shut. Audio
Refugees neglected in Dunedin, advocate says
A Dunedin refugee advocate has set up her own support centre for the city's Syrian families because she says not enough is being done to help them. Video, Audio
Weather: Wintry blasts bring snow to Otago
As rain and wind has battered the West Coast, inland Otago has had a return to winter with snow falling overnight. RNZ reporter Ian Telfer is in Dunedin, and describes the scenes across the region. Audio
Call for more university openness on suicide
Five students from Otago University are suspected to have taken their own lives in the past year, meanwhile the number of students needing mental health support has also surged at the university. Video, Audio
Surge in mental health help for Otago students
There has been a surge in university students in Dunedin needing mental health support. The government is moving to put counsellors in all primary schools to help with child mental health. But after a… Audio
Blasts shake Invercargill pump station's neighbours
Neighbours of a water pump station in Invercargill where there were explosions yesterday say the drama shook their nerves. All residents of Invercargill and Bluff are being asked to keep conserving… Audio
Cops right not to prosecute balcony collapse - student prez
Police have announced nobody will be prosecuted after a balcony collapsed at an impromptu courtyard gig by the band Six60 in March last year, which injured 18 people. Audio
Explosion at a water pumping station
There's been an explosion at a water pumping station in Invercargill which has put a worker in hospital. RNZ's Otago Southland reporter Ian Telfer has been following events and is with us now Audio
Historic Sutton Bridge removed but its future unclear
The historic Sutton Bridge near Middlemarch in Otago is being removed after it collapsed in the Taieri flood in July, but its future remains unclear. Video, Audio
Coastal Southland residents say road lost due to council incompetence
Residents of Colac Bay are blaming council incompetence for the closure of their waterfront road to erosion, and want a promise it will be restored and and reopened for good. Video, Audio
Life imprisonment for man who murderered neighbour after years-
Stephen Findlay, 60, has been sentenced to life in prison after last week pleading guilty to killing Sharon Comerford in Dunedin last year. Video, Audio
Otago Uni putting 26 CCTV cameras on public student streets
The university says the controversial project, which is a first for New Zealand, is needed to combat rising crime, but some students say it's "creepy". Video, Audio
Fight for Dunedin's first five-star hotel not over yet
Tekapo businessman Anthony Tosswill says he will appeal the decision to decline consent for the 17-storey building that's been dubbed the Electric Thistle. Video, Audio