Latest fromOtago

Only clapping allowed on sidelines
The Otago Rugby Football Union says it is up to rugby to take a stand in the wake of recent abusive and racist behaviour at some matches.

Would you live next to a daycare?
Residents are weighing up their next move after consent was given for a child-care centre which they fear will ruin their quiet Dunedin street.

Owner slams councillors as bars close
Two of Dunedin's biggest student bars have shut suddenly, and their owner has pointed to Dunedin's ''utterly conservative'' councillors as the cause.

'Smart' drugs not such a clever move
University of Otago PhD researcher Hazem Zohny has warned about myths and "hype" involving so-called "smart" drugs.

Truck rolls on Otago Peninsula
Emergency services assess the scene of a Delta truck, which came off McMeeking Rd, on the Otago Peninsula, and rolled yesterday.

Not closing, under-fire bar owner says
An Octagon bar owner insists his late-night venue will not become the latest to close, despite police opposition to a renewed on-licence after a string of assaults linked to the premises.

Dedicated to kids on and off field
One-hundred and sixty-five students; 165 nicknames - Alec Campbell, Maniototo Area School's Deputy Principal, remembers them all.

Teen injured in 'cowardly group attack'
A 16-year-old boy was seriously injured in what police have described as a “cowardly unprovoked group attack” outside a party in Dunedin.

Scrub fire breaks out in Otago
A big scrub fire broke out in the Scroggs Hill near Mosgiel, Otago, this afternoon.

Charges upgraded to attempted murder
Two men arrested following a serious assault in Wanaka have had charges against them upgraded to attempted murder.

Tops returned but no socks or shorts
Any hopes of a nude Pirates rugby team have been dashed with the return of most of the senior team’s jerseys.

Queenstown's peaks of perfection
Fergus Blakiston finds time between lattes for snowboarding on a trip to Queenstown.

Local icon donates drug money
A woman who was supplying an underground cannabis culture was a valued member of the community who gave any proceeds of her drug-dealing to charity.

Team to play in the nude
Pirates' senior rugby team is facing the prospect of a nude alternative strip after its playing kit was stolen at the weekend.

Saved with seconds to spare
A 19-year-old woman driving a ute which skidded off the road and rolled into a paddock has told of the panicked minutes before she was rescued.

What happened to the missing pair?
The investigation into missing boy Mike Zhao-Beckenridge and his stepfather John Beckenridge will not be closed, despite police referring the case to the coroner.

Watch: World's best airport approach
Queenstown Airport has topped a list of the world's most stunning airport approaches.

Hero saves teen from sinking car
A Dunedin builder smashed the rear window of a sinking car in Otago Harbour to drag its teenage driver to safety.

Match cancelled to honour crash victim
Richie McCaw's old rugby club has cancelled tomorrow's match in honour of a clubmate killed in a horror crash last weekend.

Surgeon fears for ENT service
More than a quarter of ear, nose and throat patients who need surgery are being turned away from the overloaded Dunedin Hospital department, a letter released under the Official Information Act shows.

Boys 'play chicken' with train
Three schoolboys ''playing chicken'' with a train in Oamaru have traumatised its driver and horrified KiwiRail.

'Lucky' as ute shunted over cliff
A prominent conservationist is reflecting on his good fortune he was chasing a possum and not sitting in his ute when it was hit and shunted off the road and over a 100m bluff.

Young rugby players thrown from SUV
Two promising rugby players are fighting for their lives last night after they were thrown from a vehicle that crashed on a remote road after a party.

Dunedin: Southern charm
From wildlife to heritage to chocolate, Peter Feeney finds plenty of reasons to extend your visit to Dunedin.

Royal baby name choices 'pretty cool'
Dunedin 12-year-old Charlotte Cogger has learned she has two things in common with the newest member of the Royal Family - the same first and second names.

Explosive substance found in Oamaru scrapyard
A part of Oamaru's industrial area has been cordoned off and part of the main southern main trunk line, after an explosive substance was found in a bucket at a scrapyard this morning.