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.

It may have cost $500,000, but the recipient of a new leg believes the "complete life-changer" was money well spent.

The teen behind the wheel of a car which rammed a police car yesterday was allegedly in the car famously brought to a stop by a flock of sheep.

The Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow puts aviation on centre stage, and a long list of flying machines, old and new, took a turn in the spotlight.

University of Otago student asked: Can you do my assignment?

A 1400km car trip is a long haul by anyone's standards, let alone a 92-year-old, by himself, on a road trip around the country.

Easter might be about cute bunnies and chocolate eggs for most, but in one part of NZ wild rabbits are the target.

Police have named 62-year-old Kusum Rohit Kenia as the person who died in a Central Otago crash yesterday.

A hunter who called 111 after spotting a fire near his Waitaki Valley camp this summer was shocked to receive a $60,000 invoice from the Otago Rural Fire Authority.

Police have found a firearm following the incident in Dunedin.

Party-goers blocked police from entering some flats to get people off balconies and roofs ahead of a balcony collapse that injured 18 people in Dunedin.

Six60 supporting act told students to get off balcony just hours before it collapsed, injuring 18 people.

A first-year university student has spoken about the terrifying moment a balcony came crashing down on top of her as she stood beneath.

Cyclists are bringing the gold back to this former mining town, says Elisabeth Easther.

The Government has ordered an investigation into the collapse of a balcony during a Six60 concert which injured 18 university students.

Family of a 19-year-old student who suffered spinal injuries in Dunedin's balcony collapse fear the teenager may never walk again.

Two victims of a balcony collapse during a Six60 gig in Dunedin remain in serious conditions in hospital this morning.

The Wakatipu Basin is a walker's paradise, offering a shed-load of stunning views.

A big rescue effort was mounted in Otago last night after two paua divers were swept out to sea by a rip.

6-year-old identical triplets Olivia, Charlotte and Haylee have been excitedly counting down the days leading to their return to Milton Primary School.

An Alexandra man has been taken to hospital with head injuries after a crash north of the Central Otago town early today.

David Joseph Jackson was found in an unresponsive state and given medical attention, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Dunedin woman viciously attacked by dogs has recalled her horror as the dogs "tore strips" off her, ripping away her calf muscle.

An inmate has died at Otago Corrections Facility near Milton today.

New Zealand guest nights rose in November for the 20th month in a row.

The New Zealand forestry unit of Japan's Oji Group plans to invest $23 million to consolidate and expand capacity at its sawmilling and drying facilities in Otago.

Southern stargazers saw in the new year with a spectacle far more impressive than any fireworks display as the Aurora Australis lit up the Otago sky.

Koko Black, a boutique chocolate company from Australia, opened its first offshore chocolate salon in Queenstown late last year. Owner and founder Shane Yardley chose the picturesque location for a number of reasons.

A woman who shot and seriously wounded a man outside his home near Dunedin earlier this year has been convicted of attempted murder.