Otago
Man accused of attempted murder over Lake Dunstan crash
A man accused of trying to drive himself and a passenger into Lake Dunstan is facing a charge of attempted murder.
Police launch search along Dunedin coast
Dunedin police and Land Search and Rescue teams are scouring the Brighton Beach and Blackhead area after a report of someone entering the water yesterday morning.
Truck drivers and tourists wait for slips to be cleared
A slip big enough to fill eight Olympic swimming pools that closed a road near a settlement in the Southern Alps is unlikely to be cleared today. Audio
NZ's new 5th city gets more recognition but still needs museum
Tauranga's leaders say the city deserves more recognition after the official population hit 128-thousand last year. Audio
Lake Hawea community fight water chlorination
Residents of the Otago community of Lake Hawea are fighting against the permanent chlorination of their local water supply.
Man jailed for razing family home
A Dunedin electrician destroyed his family's "place of safety" when he drank 18 bottles of beer and burnt down the family home, a judge has said.
Conman jailed for 'benefactor' court ruse
A burglar's former cellmate pretended to represent a wealthy benefactor and told a court judge he would pay the man's fines and get him a job.
The Chills singer sentenced for drink-driving
A judge has sentenced the founder of iconic Dunedin band The Chills for drink-driving, while sympathising with his battle against alcohol addiction.
Australian tourist's rescuers 'deserve a medal'
A group of people who rescued a 24-year-old tourist from the bottom of an Otago rock pool deserve a medal, police and paramedics say.
Freedom campers gang together, officers advised to 'back away'
Freedom campers in Queenstown are clustering their vehicles together and challenging enforcement officers if they are clamped, the council says.
Stranded Irish yachtie vows to complete adventure
After a week of repairs in Dunedin, Irish yachtsman Enda O'Coineen has been treated to a send-off of Irish music and a Kiwi barbecue as he sets sail for Auckland.
Falcon's habitat under threat
The natural habitat of New Zealand's at-risk native falcon is under threat from development, scientists say.
Nicotine and Religion: Abigail Knudson in session
Dunedin musician Abigail Knudson is a classically trained performer, who grew up in choirs. She's just released her first full length album; the lushly produced Nicotine, which comes off the back of… Audio
Man and woman in mid-20s sought over Glenorchy fire
Fire investigators are asking for the public's help to track down a car that could be linked to a 150 hectare scrub fire that cut off the town of Glenorchy.
Gang member sentenced over stolen Dunedin guns
An Auckland gang member has been jailed after admitting he received a cache of weapons stolen from a Dunedin house.
Central Otago scrub fire: Power back, hotspots a threat
Hundreds of homes lost power in Glenorchy after a fire, thought to have been started by illegal campers, tore through 150 hectares of native bush. Video
Illegal campers suspected to have caused Glenorchy blaze
Campers are being warned not to light fires in the Queenstown-Lakes District, after a big scrub fire started at a well-known illegal camping spot. Video
Mini-tornadoes hit Otago
Cromwell residents are being warned to stay indoors after a spate of mini-tornadoes this afternoon.
Fire cuts off Otago town
About 50 firefighters from around the Queenstown district are tackling a major scrub fire which has cut off Glenorchy and left its residents without power. Audio
South Island's two-year drought ends
New Zealand's longest recorded drought is officially over, but North Canterbury is still suffering.
