Latest fromOtago

Our holiday weather explained
Dr Brett Mullan of the National Institute of Water and Atmosphere (NIWA) explains our holiday season weather and warming world.

Families close ranks over McCaw nuptials
McCaw has been spotted out and about in Wanaka this afternoon - without a wedding band.

Did wedding bells ring for Richie McCaw?
Speculation was rife last night that Richie McCaw and Gemma Flynn married at a private ceremony in Wanaka.

Rain set to dampen New Year spirits
The MetService is forecasting rain for much of New Zealand today, perhaps ruining plans for post-party barbecues and sunbathing.

Motorcycle crash victim was freed killer
The man killed in a motorcycle crash near Gore on Tuesday was convicted of raping and killing a South Otago woman in 1993.

Party organisers dispute claims of chaos
Party-goers who attended an unauthorised event on Lake Wanaka's Ruby Island claim safety was paramount.

Tightened Speight's caps are a pain
Hundreds of social media users have lifted the lid on an issue affecting the Pride of the South.

'Climbers, make sure you make it home'
The death of a young Czech man who fell several hundred metres on Mt Aspiring is "tragic", the Mountain Safety Council says.

Road toll rises after motorcyclist dies
Road toll now equal to last summer's following death of motorcyclist.

Weather: Drizzle clears for fine NYE
A weak cold front will bring cloud, drizzle and showers to the country over the next few days but should clear in time for New Year celebrations.

Czech climber dies after Mt Aspiring fall
A man has died after falling several hundred metres on to the Therma Glacier at Mt Aspiring.

Fine Boxing Day weather in store
Don't let the morning cloud fool you - it is set to be a fine Boxing Day for New Zealanders, with Central Otago tipped as the best place to be.

Xmas weather: Where will the sun shine?
The best spots for enjoying a Christmas hamper outdoors will be in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Central Otago tomorrow.

Otago leads in spending
Spending in the lead up to Christmas had grown in Otago 12.7 per cent year-on-year.

Speeder caught four times in an hour
The driver already had 125 demerit points when he was caught speeding four times in about an hour in the Lindis Pass.

First thunder, then a sunny Christmas
Christmas Day should be fine but be ready for thunderstorms in the coming days.

Person injured at trampoline park
A person has been injured at a Dunedin trampoline park and is being flown to hospital.

Can I sit outside for Christmas lunch?
What will the weather be doing on Sunday for Christmas?

Cancelled cruise hits tour operator
A major Dunedin tourism operator says it may be time to reconsider turning away public bookings in favour of cruise ship passengers.

Paraglider seriously injured in Queenstown
A man has been taken to hospital in serious condition with spinal and rib injuries after a paragliding crash in Queenstown.

Welcome to NZ's $10,000-a-night hotel
The super-rich are booking into this just-opened lakefront penthouse.

Cash offered to dob in tagger
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher has had enough of the "lowlife who has left their pathetic tags" around Oamaru, including on private and

Warm, wet, wild: 2016's extreme weather
There was a record downpour in Auckland, a tornado in Taranaki and "quake lights" above Wellington. Oh, and 2016 was likely also New Zealand's hottest year on record.

Mega-cruise ship cancels Dunedin visit
A bad weather forecast has scuppered the historic Dunedin visit of mega-cruise ship the Ovation of the Seas on Thursday.

Climbers lucky to be alive after 200m fall
Rescuers say it's fortunate there wasn't a double fatality after two climbers fell 200m at Mt Aspiring.

Man injured after truck carrying house clips van
A van and truck carrying a house collided on SH1 near Clinton this afternoon.

Queenstown indecent assault: CCTV clues?
Police are seeking witnesses after a woman was indecently assaulted in Queenstown about 4am on Sunday.