Latest fromCentral Otago
![Watch: 'I could feel the flames' – witnesses describe fire shooting from aircraft after bird strike](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Watch: 'I could feel the flames' – witnesses describe fire shooting from aircraft after bird strike
The aircraft has now made an emergency landing at Invercargill Airport.
![Argosy scoops supreme Property Council award for major Wellington project](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Argosy scoops supreme Property Council award for major Wellington project
'A stunning achievement and a great case study for engineers and the property industry.'
![How an unlatched rear door led to triple-fatal Wānaka chopper crash](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
How an unlatched rear door led to triple-fatal Wānaka chopper crash
One witness saw the helicopter descend nearly vertically with items trailing behind.
!['Very excited': Planting project to boost Central Otago’s native biodiversity](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Very excited': Planting project to boost Central Otago’s native biodiversity
Planting project at Central Otago’s Half Mile Recreation Reserve starts next month.
![Snowy south, sunny north in weekend of weather contrasts](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Snowy south, sunny north in weekend of weather contrasts
'Choice' weather is on the way for our biggest city but there are snow warnings for south.
!['Bonkers' or brave? Restoring wonky buildings at $200m Ayrburn](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Bonkers' or brave? Restoring wonky buildings at $200m Ayrburn
'Some of these farmers must have thought we were bonkers when we turned up.'
![Green light for bigger red light districts in luxurious NZ getaway towns?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Green light for bigger red light districts in luxurious NZ getaway towns?
Brothel zones in Queenstown and Wānaka could be extended.
!['Third-world stuff': Energy minister praises chilly Kiwis' restraint amid grid crisis](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Third-world stuff': Energy minister praises chilly Kiwis' restraint amid grid crisis
The country’s grid operator issued a warning notice in advance.
![Retirement village, hotel and more planned for $200m+ Ayrburn near Arrowtown](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Retirement village, hotel and more planned for $200m+ Ayrburn near Arrowtown
'It will take us five years, hoping to be the most visited destination in Queenstown.'
![Play it again, Sam: Our most famous actor on home, Hollywood friends, wine, and ageing](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Play it again, Sam: Our most famous actor on home, Hollywood friends, wine, and ageing
Sam Neill speaks to Kurt Bayer during wine harvest at his Central Otago vineyards.
![Portrait of a killer as a young man: How David Hawken nearly got away with 1995 murder](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Portrait of a killer as a young man: How David Hawken nearly got away with 1995 murder
Former hardman spoke to Kurt Bayer in a series of interviews while awaiting trial.
![Central Otago shearer first to shear 500 Merino ewes in eight hours](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Central Otago shearer first to shear 500 Merino ewes in eight hours
Not a bad effort for someone who reckoned he shore 'like s***'.
![Authorities won't say what penalties supermarkets will face for breaching Easter trading laws](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Authorities won't say what penalties supermarkets will face for breaching Easter trading laws
The supermarkets involved will not disclose their earnings over the weekend.
![Warbirds Over Wānaka in pictures: Old war planes take to the skies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Warbirds Over Wānaka in pictures: Old war planes take to the skies
Herald photojournalist George Heard captures all of the action.
!['Throttling high country production': The Point Station vs hieracium](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
'Throttling high country production': The Point Station vs hieracium
“It smothers the grass growth and changes the soil to suit itself."
![Central Otago bunny hunt called off for another year due to fire risks](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Central Otago bunny hunt called off for another year due to fire risks
Following the last three cancellations of the annual event, its future is up in the air.
![Centuria: Lower threshold, new direction into storage, residential](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Centuria: Lower threshold, new direction into storage, residential
New directions, new ways of looking at property: How Centuria NZ is handling the downturn.
![‘Vile, cruel and degrading’: Drug dealer smeared dog faeces into victim’s mouth](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
‘Vile, cruel and degrading’: Drug dealer smeared dog faeces into victim’s mouth
The low-level drug dealings were found after police responded to a violent incident.
![Property Insider: ‘Mr Quick’ striding ahead fast; ‘Mr Hotel’ leaving Colliers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Property Insider: ‘Mr Quick’ striding ahead fast; ‘Mr Hotel’ leaving Colliers
No room for gloom: Mr Quick's $500m scheme, Winton's $750m plans, plaudits for Brealey.
![An avalanche of grief: How two young Kiwis perished on a Japan mountainside](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
An avalanche of grief: How two young Kiwis perished on a Japan mountainside
Pierre Nixon and Kurt Bayer report on a double tragedy.
![Snow falls in Otago](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Snow falls in Otago
Snow falling in St Bathans, Otago, on Friday, March 15 2024. Video / Supplied