The search for missing South Otago teenager Blake McKenzie Sinclair will today become a recovery operation, police say.

An extensive search of the Clutha River has failed to locate a teenager who disappeared while kneeboarding yesterday afternoon.

One of the four men who were winched to safety off the coast of Dunedin today says it took only a minute for their boat to go down.

Two Dunedin students rescued from remote bush say the biggest lesson learned from their ordeal is to always carry a locator beacon in the backcountry.

Those responsible for shooting five domesticated goats, one of which took five days to die, are being warned by police.

A prominent English sculptor is creating a statue to honour pioneering plastic surgeon Sir Archibald McIndoe, who grew up in Dunedin.

A search and rescue helicopter looking for a missing tramper in Nelson has been targeted with a laser during a late night search of the area.

An Australian-owned, Auckland-based organisation has secured one of three contracts to provide home-based services for elderly people in the south of the South Island.

A Mosgiel man who fleeced long-time friends and members of his church of $300,000 has been sent to prison for three years and four months on fraud charges.

The victims of fraudster Brent Murray say they are happy to see some justice done, even though they believe they will never get their money back.

Justice officials have been accused of using concerns about building safety to downgrade regional court services in Otago.

Elena Berg seems to be the most brushed up on clothing etiquette when it comes to dressing for University of Otago graduations.

Catherine Smith falls for Oamaru's Victorian township and modern food.

The future of the southern neurosurgery service is now assured, with the announcement $3 million has been raised for the Chair in Neurosurgery at the University of Otago.

The Mayan calendar predicts the world will end next month, but a bevy of brides is set to appease the gods in Waitati tomorrow.

Police are investigating the theft of a brief case containing private information on almost 500 research staff from tertiary institutions.

A 20-year-old woman visiting New Zealand from China has been granted bail after appearing in court to face two counts of careless driving causing death.

Police have charged a 20-year-old woman visiting from China with two charges of careless driving causing death following a double fatal crash near Cromwell.

Two male motorcyclists are confirmed dead - and two young women are seriously injured - after a crash on the Lindis Pass this afternoon.

A 59-year-old farm worker died when his tractor overturned and plunged down a steep slope on a Teviot farm, near Millers Flat in central Otago yesterday afternoon.