Tess Brunton

Farmers say the devastating fire ravaging through the South Island's Lake Ohau, has been a disaster waiting to happen.

A wildfire roared through Lake Ohau village early yesterday morning, spreading… Audio

The South Island will have to deal with freezing temperatures until tonight, when north westerly winds are expected to bring warmer weather.

Farmers in Otago and Southland say this week's heavy snow… Audio

Snow continues to fall in South Otago.

RNZ's Otago-Southland reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Māni Dunlop from Milton. Audio

It's been a snowy start for the school holidays with flurries down to sea level in parts of the lower South Island. Flights were grounded for most of the day, leaving holiday-goers stranded as biting… Audio

Heavy snowfall is causing widespread disruptions on the first day of the school holidays.

All flights in and out of Queenstown airport have been cancelled or diverted, while roads are closed across… Audio

Work will get underway on an access road to a popular Fiordland track soon, after it was partly wiped out by floodwaters.

Locals have been calling for the road into the popular Hollyford track to be… Audio

Southern businesses are calling for more certainty ahead of a Finance face-off in Queenstown tonight.

The Finance spokespeople from the major parties will debate the key issues as the resort town… Audio

Tourism operators are demanding a review into the controversial government fund that new papers show was nearly scrapped before it got off the ground.

The Strategic Assets Protection Programme has… Audio

The Invercargill City Council has approved a draft plan, addressing concerns from the Department of Internal Affairs about rising tension among councillors and about the council's ability to govern

… Audio

The Invercargill City Council's plans to restore trust and confidence in its ability to govern is likely to cost ratepayers tens of thousands of dollars.

Last month, rising tensions between… Audio

Snow and rain have helped, but it could take months to fully extinguish a scrub fire in the Mackenzie District.

Property owners who were evacuated were able to return home yesterday. The blaze near… Audio

Firefighters are still battling to slow a huge scrub fire burning since Sunday in Mackenzie Country, but bad weather overnight has helped their efforts. Reporter Tess Brunton talks to Jesse about the… Audio

Damage caused by a large scrub fire in the Mackenzie Country is being assessed by the Minister of Civil Defence.

Peeni Henare has been visiting the affected area near Twizel alongside the Mackenzie… Audio

Queenstown Lakes residents have slammed Aurora Energy plan's to hike power prices, calling the power company untrustworthy, unreliable and even incompetent.

The company has applied to the Commerce… Audio

The return to Covid-19 Alert Level 2 has been described a 'kick in the guts' for South Island businesses which were just getting back on their feet.

Last night's announcement triggered a flood of… Audio

Dunedin churchgoers have begun cleaning up after a fire broke out in the roof of St Paul's Cathedral early this morning.

Firefighters were called to the Anglican Cathedral at the corner of Moray… Video, Audio

The clean up has started at St Paul's Cathedral in Dunedin where a fire broke out early this morning.

Firefighters were called to the Anglican cathedral at the corner of Moray Place and Stuart Street… Audio

The roof of St Paul Anglican Cathedral in Dunedin is on fire.

Firefighters were called at about 3:30 on Tuesday morning.

Reporter Tess Brunton speaks to Kim Hill. Audio

A fire that took hold in the roof of St Paul's Cathedral in central Dunedin appears to now be under control.

Firefighters were called at about 3:30 on Tuesday morning.

Reporter Tess Brunton speaks… Audio

The roof of St Paul Anglican Cathedral in Dunedin is on fire.

Firefighters were called at about 3:30 on Tuesday morning. Audio