Latest from Otago

Not closing, under-fire bar owner says

An Octagon bar owner insists his late-night venue will not become the latest to close, despite police opposition to a renewed on-licence after a string of assaults linked to the premises.

Dedicated to kids on and off field

One-hundred and sixty-five students; 165 nicknames - Alec Campbell, Maniototo Area School's Deputy Principal, remembers them all.

El Nino to bring more snow

South Islanders will have some reprieve from the cold winds, rain and snow that lashed regions yesterday but are warned to expect more days like that this winter.

Lake Wakatipu search called off

Police have called off the search for a vessel believed to be missing on Lake Wakatipu, in the Otago region.

Teen injured in 'cowardly group attack'

A 16-year-old boy was seriously injured in what police have described as a “cowardly unprovoked group attack” outside a party in Dunedin.

Scrub fire breaks out in Otago

A big scrub fire broke out in the Scroggs Hill near Mosgiel, Otago, this afternoon.

Charges upgraded to attempted murder

Two men arrested following a serious assault in Wanaka have had charges against them upgraded to attempted murder.

Tops returned but no socks or shorts

Any hopes of a nude Pirates rugby team have been dashed with the return of most of the senior team’s jerseys.

Queenstown's peaks of perfection

Fergus Blakiston finds time between lattes for snowboarding on a trip to Queenstown.

Hero saves teen from sinking car

A Dunedin builder smashed the rear window of a sinking car in Otago Harbour to drag its teenage driver to safety.

Match cancelled to honour crash victim

Richie McCaw's old rugby club has cancelled tomorrow's match in honour of a clubmate killed in a horror crash last weekend.

Surgeon fears for ENT service

More than a quarter of ear, nose and throat patients who need surgery are being turned away from the overloaded Dunedin Hospital department, a letter released under the Official Information Act shows.

Boys 'play chicken' with train

Three schoolboys ''playing chicken'' with a train in Oamaru have traumatised its driver and horrified KiwiRail.

Man accused of assaulting 2-month-old baby

'Lucky' as ute shunted over cliff

A prominent conservationist is reflecting on his good fortune he was chasing a possum and not sitting in his ute when it was hit and shunted off the road and over a 100m bluff.

Young rugby players thrown from SUV

Two promising rugby players are fighting for their lives last night after they were thrown from a vehicle that crashed on a remote road after a party.

Dunedin: Southern charm

From wildlife to heritage to chocolate, Peter Feeney finds plenty of reasons to extend your visit to Dunedin.

Royal baby name choices 'pretty cool'

Dunedin 12-year-old Charlotte Cogger has learned she has two things in common with the newest member of the Royal Family - the same first and second names.