Owners were reported to be attempting to retrieve their snow-buried cars today, but no progress has been made.

Driving past the orchards, wineries and small agricultural towns of Otago brought to mind trips through California's Central Valley.

Seven people have been injured, three seriously, in a crash north of Makarora this afternoon.

Clothing hanging too close to an open fire is the likely cause of a house fire near Portobello on Monday night.

An Otago man who was blamed for a 72ha fire near Kurow this summer has yet to learn whether he will be forced to pay the more than $60,000 bill he received.

A group of four-wheel-drive enthusiasts trapped in snow in Central Otago planned on retrieving their vehicles with a bulldozer until authorities scuppered the scheme.

Police are hunting a driver who fled the scene after crashing through a give way sign in Otago early this morning.

A man who helped rescue stranded 4WD enthusiasts trapped in Central Otago after a snowstorm has criticised the police operation to rescue the group.

A "playground" for four-wheel drive enthusiasts is how one roading manager described the Waikaia Bush road where a 4WD party was rescued yesterday.

Severe weather warnings for country - including snow in Otago region and large swells on the west coast of the South Island - mean mild autumnal days a thing of the past.

Leila George finds out what's new at Queenstown's skifields and down in town.

A proposed $26.3 million trail network spanning 536km will create a "Mecca" of cycle tourism, according to Prime Minister John Key.

A St John spokesman said an ambulance was called to the accident on Harington Point Rd, near Wellers Rock, just before 1pm.

A Dunedin student has undergone a successful surgery to his hands after a flat fire at 660 Castle St yesterday.

Prime Minister John Key said funding would help link up existing cycleways in Central Otago and other regions.

When Claire French was attacked and left for dead by machete-wielding robbers in Tanzania last year, her planned graduation was the last thing on her mind.

Dreams do come true - just ask John Hayden and Natalie Evans.

Liam Edwards, who was killed in a Central Otago helicopter crash has been remembered by his family as a "hero" who had an "infectious smile".

The family of a 52-year-old man injured in a fatal helicopter crash yesterday say he is "pretty knocked around" but improving.

An Otago father spent an hour in the sea preventing a jet ski, with two distraught children on board, from smashing into rocks after its battery went flat.

New Zealand has been named as a popular fishing destination for millionaires.

A Singapore man last month admitted charges of aggravated careless driving causing death and injury, after the death of a motorcyclist near Oamaru.

Police are investigating after a person woke to find a man in their Alexandra Heights Motel room early this morning.

Shandelle Battersby discovers a magic spot, just a few minutes out of Queenstown.

The concert where a balcony collapsed injuring 18 people should never have been held at student flats, Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says.

The Queenstown home of missing pilot John Beckenridge has gone on the market.

A 16yo boy was pleased to see a police officer who swam more than 100m through rough conditions in Otago Harbour to get to him after his yacht capsized.

A 16-year-old boy says he was pleased to see a police officer who swam more than 100m through rough conditions in Otago Harbour to get to him after his yacht capsized.