Bogus Microsoft employees have stolen thousands of dollars in a 24-hour sting in New Zealand.

Life as a short-term resident of a beautiful Central Otago town suits Roger Hall fine.

Home and business owners were mopping up yesterday ready to assess the damage after an hour long thunderstorm hammered Alexandra.

A former Central Otago police officer has been described by his lawyer as a 'thoroughly broken man' after he used his work phone to film a teen showering.

The $205 million development proposes to build 231 apartments on the carpark at the Alexandra Park stadium/raceway.

A former Central Otago goldmine worker has admitted stealing gold-bearing sand, which police later found in a plastic lunchbox at his home.

A man who asked his mate to hit him over the head with a beer bottle to see if it hurt was "one of the more bizarre incidents we've attended", Alexandra police said.

People were evacuated from their houses and others told to stay indoors after an ammonia leak in Alexandra's industrial area yesterday.

Alexandra man Ian Glover is applying for his first passport, at age 89, so he can be reunited with his wife for the first time in eight months.

Armed with air rifles, silencers and night vision goggles, hunters will be staking out the Alexandra bridge over the next few weeks.

There was a bumper crowd, perfect weather, lots of happy faces and only a few arrests at this year's Blossom Festival in Alexandra.

It's tough finding a winner on heavy winter tracks but $250k is worth chasing.