There were tears at a Dunedin private school yesterday as principal Melissa Bell, who last year recovered from aggressive breast cancer, announced her resignation.

Cyclists burn gourmet calories on a pedal into heavenly countryside, writes Pamela Wade.

The South Island's first gold rush town is resplendent with colourful characters, writes Paul Rush.

Former children's television presenter Olly Ohlson lost his cool over the Government's handling of his red-zoned house in Christchurch and moved to Dunedin.

A stretch of road in the South Island is one of the 22 most dangerous in the world, according to a British driving firm.

A Dunedin man has changed his name to 'Full Metal Havok More Sexy N Intelligent Than Spock And All The Superheroes Combined With Frostnova' after losing a bet.

Police say two men seen speeding away in a boat from a huge fire at Cecil Peak near Queenstown have denied any involvement.

A Queenstown kapa haka performer who blackmailed a migrant taxi driver by accusing him of rape has been sentenced to nine months' home detention.

The collapse of the Southern District Health Board's computer system could affect elective surgery and other procedures at Dunedin Hospital.

A month after his marriage fell apart, Edward Livingstone had moved about 70km south of his family - a wife he was barred from contacting and children he could see only under supervision.

The death in Dunedin of two young children at the hands of their father sent David Fisher in search of a monster. He found something more unsettling - a man.

Australian-listed Origin Energy is bullish on the potential of exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Caraval prospect off the coast of Oamaru.

A 71-year-old Palmerston, Otago, man accused of historic sexual offending against 10 teenage boys over a 30-year period is denying all the allegations.

The children of a Dunedin man killed by one punch are pleased his death is helping to prevent similar acts of violence.

Police are investigating an alleged historic indecent assault involving a former Otago Boys' High School teacher.

The Australian mountain ash at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, which is recognised as the tallest tree in New Zealand, has grown half a metre.

A hotel manager who said he worked 100-hour weeks and was owed more than $8000 has had his claim dismissed by the ERA.

By this time next year, the first buildings could be going up in Wanaka's single-biggest commercial and residential development.

A 13-year-old Balclutha girl has died after a boat capsized at Surat Bay near Pounawea in South Otago this afternoon.

A violent daylight attack in a small Otago town has resulted in three arrests and an appeal for information about two travellers who police hold concerns for.