Tess Brunton
Dunedin has new Green mayor - Shadbolt back for 9th term
To Dunedin now and the city has a new mayor, who stood under a green ticket. At just 35 years old, Aaron Hawkins is one of the country's youngest mayors. The two-term councillor has faced tough… Audio
Police urge students get support after Dunedin flat party
The police are urging students at the University of Otago to get support if they were at a Dunedin flat party where a woman died on Saturday night. Hundreds of people were trying to flee the Manor… Audio
Students mourn woman trampled to death at Dunedin party
Students who were at a Dunedin party where a young woman died on Saturday night say it was a typical fun affair -- until they tried to leave. The woman, who is yet to be named by police, was trampled… Audio
Dunedin students shocked after weekend party death
Dunedin's student community is in shock, following a death at a party this weekend. A young woman died and two people were seriously injured as dozens of people tried to flee a house on Dundas Street… Audio
Electronic visitor visas kick in today
Visitors will be unable to travel to New Zealand without a new electronic travel authority or visa from today. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton spoke to the industry to find out if they're confident the… Audio
Simon Bridges pledges birthing unit in Wanaka if elected
National leader Simon Bridges travelled to Wanaka today and promised a much-needed birthing unit if his party is elected next year.
Maternity care in Wanaka has come under increased scrutiny since… Video, Audio
Queenstown closer to introducing bed tax
Queenstown is one step closer to taxing its visitors in a bid to cover infrastructure costs.
The government has thrown its support behind a levy for the resort town, saying it will help to introduce… Audio
New Zealanders' back PM's aim to eradicate terrorism online.
New Zealanders are backing the Prime Minister's aim to eradicate terrorism online. That's despite National Party leader Simon Bridges saying they don't care. People in Dunedin think eradicating… Audio
Dozens of banned guns handed in at Otago buy-back
More than 75 prohibited firearms and 200 accessories have been handed in at the latest buyback in Otago.
The event at the Toko Rugby Club in Milton comes a day the Royal Commission of Inquiry into… Audio
Council seeks help to fix Lake Hayes algal bloom
A lifeline is being offered to help restore a popular Otago lake battling algal blooms. Lake Hayes became a no-contact zone when E.coli levels hit almost double the amount deemed safe last summer. The… Audio
NZ international visitor levy money funds tourism projects
The government has unveiled the first ten projects to receive funding from the country's new international visitor levy.
The initial investment plan of about $18 million was announced by Tourism… Audio
Cow stoush in Southland over muddy graze
A winter grazing stoush in Southland has blown up, with allegations of intimidation. Tess Brunton reports. Audio
Snow closes roads, schools and isolates towns
Many people around the South Island woke to a winter wonderland this morning that closed roads, schools and isolated towns. Video, Audio
People trapped in their homes due to burst water-main
Some Queenstown residents were stuck in their houses after a council contractor hit a water-main, sending water gushing through streets, cutting them off from the resort town. Video, Audio
Govt won’t investigate Lumsden’s maternity downgrade
Supporters of the Lumsden maternity centre are vowing not to give up their fight to restore full birthing services to the Southland town. That's despite the Health Select Committee voting today not to… Audio
200 protesters march in Dunedin over Ihumātao dispute
Protesters stopped traffic in Dunedin today as they marched the city's streets in solidarity with protesters at Ihumatao. Audio
South Island health staff overworked, struggling - report
Physios, therapists, radiographers and other allied health staff in the lower South Island are overworked, under-resourced and struggling to deliver the work required.
That's according to the draft… Audio
No pain relief available for mother during fast labour in Lumsden
A fourth baby has been born in Southland before the mother could reach a primary birthing unit. Each of the mothers planned to travel more than an hour away to primary birthing units, but either were… Audio
Dunedin City Council declares climate emergency
Dunedin is the latest council to declare a climate emergency, setting itself an ambitious new target to reach net zero carbon two decades earlier than originally planned. Audio
CAA ‘toxic, inhospitable and crumbling’ - former employees
Operators and former employees say the Civil Aviation Authority is imploding amid reports of high staff turnover and a toxic workplace. When it comes to speaking out, many operators and former… Audio
