Latest FromOtago
![Mysterious flashing lights reported all over Northland](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Mysterious flashing lights reported all over Northland
In the past 24 hours there has been about 32 lightning strikes offshore of Northland.
![Fascinating find: Scientist finds link to ancient home of Māori](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Fascinating find: Scientist finds link to ancient home of Māori
Scoria blocks found at three sites in NZ traced to a volcanic island near Tahiti.
![The money or the bag: Court uncovers black market for rubbish bags](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
The money or the bag: Court uncovers black market for rubbish bags
The illicit underground trade was revealed in the Dunedin District Court yesterday
!['Bucketing down' all weekend across country](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'Bucketing down' all weekend across country
Weather warnings for heavy rain are in place for much of the country.
![Watch: Dunedin man lights cigarette with Lime scooter](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Watch: Dunedin man lights cigarette with Lime scooter
Footage has emerged showing a group of men sparking up a 'durrie' from a burnout.
![Sex offender seen taking photos of children in Wanaka area](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Sex offender seen taking photos of children in Wanaka area
Parents have complained about the man taking photos of their children.
![Whale entangled in fishing gear freed in Kaikōura](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Whale entangled in fishing gear freed in Kaikōura
The whale suffered deep cuts caused by the ropes.
![Viewpoint NZ: Where are the best jobs - Wanaka vs Queenstown](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Viewpoint NZ: Where are the best jobs - Wanaka vs Queenstown
Video news from around the regions, made with funding from NZ On Air.
!['Vit-Cs': Wannabe gang youths allegedly buy orange items with stolen card](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'Vit-Cs': Wannabe gang youths allegedly buy orange items with stolen card
Police foiled start-up gang 'the Vit-Cs' before it got off the ground.
!['He could hardly stand': Drunk men interrupt law lecture](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'He could hardly stand': Drunk men interrupt law lecture
The drunk men sat at the back of the lecture theatre calling out and shouting.
![Diversion for gym owner after man's jaw broken](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Diversion for gym owner after man's jaw broken
The maximum jail term Timothy Medicott faced was three years. He got diversion instead.
![Thunderstorms and downpours cover North Island](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Thunderstorms and downpours cover North Island
Risk of downpours for many as front sweeps across North Island
![Hospital massacre response under review](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Hospital massacre response under review
Plans for dealing with mass-casualty events to be reviewed in light of massacre.
![Two drink-drivers found with children in cars](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Two drink-drivers found with children in cars
Two drink-drivers were found by police with children in their cars, a court has heard.
![$7000 raised for severely injured crash victim](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
$7000 raised for severely injured crash victim
Troy suffered severe neck and spinal injuries after being victim of a horrific car crash.
![Boaties urged to report sightings of entangled whale](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Boaties urged to report sightings of entangled whale
The man who filmed the humpback whale says it was a "distressing" sight.
![Holiday hotspots: Inside the bach boom](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Holiday hotspots: Inside the bach boom
Property price rises at resort towns outstrip city increases.
![North Island gang members blamed for crime wave in South](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
North Island gang members blamed for crime wave in South
"There is a greater gang presence in the lower South Island than I've seen in my life".
![Viewpoint NZ: Security after the mosque attacks](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Viewpoint NZ: Security after the mosque attacks
Video news from around the regions. Made with funding from NZ On Air.
![Woman abandoned in Queenstown crash likely to spend months in hospital](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Woman abandoned in Queenstown crash likely to spend months in hospital
The 22-year-old was discovered in the upturned Honda Odyssey behind a building this month.
!['Rear-ended' car rolls in Dunedin](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
'Rear-ended' car rolls in Dunedin
The car came to rest on its roof on the curb, but the driver escaped injury.
![Officers to carry firearms while the national threat level high](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Officers to carry firearms while the national threat level high
Northland police to carry firearms while the National Threat Level remains high.
![Tour company involved in fatal Otago 4WD crash named](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Tour company involved in fatal Otago 4WD crash named
Two people were killed in accident involving a 4WD buggy.
![House of mosque terror accused blessed](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
House of mosque terror accused blessed
A private ceremony was held attended by neighbours, friends and local Muslims.
![Witness finally in court for Dunedin assault case after warrants issued](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Witness finally in court for Dunedin assault case after warrants issued
The witness was declared hostile in court.
![Buried wreck revealed by low tide](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Buried wreck revealed by low tide
The wreck was unearthed by a low tide coinciding with the super moon.
![Quad-bike tragedy: 2 dead, group had no permission for trip in 'dangerous country'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Quad-bike tragedy: 2 dead, group had no permission for trip in 'dangerous country'
'They didn't ask permission and we knew nothing about it,' says station owner.
![Three injured in crash near Queenstown](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=794)
Three injured in crash near Queenstown
The crash occurred near the Arrow Junction, south of Arrowtown.