A young mother helped stop her former partner - 'psychotic' on synthetic cannabis - from driving her and her child into Otago Harbour.

A police officer was punched in the head by a motorcyclist after a high-speed chase through Dunedin last night.

Maddie Hannah, 8, earned the title of "super-taster" after triumphing at a jellybean science experiment, hosted at the NZ International Science Festival in Dunedin.

An ''outrageous'' initiative will see undercover police officers ''spying on patrons'', Hospitality Association chief executive Bruce Robertson says.

A victim of a brutal assault says her friends are being cyber-bullied by those linked to the teenage perpetrators.

Two Dunedin people fear the road is becoming a dangerous place for cyclists following a road-rage incident in the city.

A parent of one of the teenage girls at the centre of serious assault allegations has expressed her disappointment over her daughter's actions.

A 14-second clip of three young women being kicked and punched by a group of drunk teens has appalled the victims, who ask who posted the video - but didn't help them.

A classic car connected to convicted fraudster Michael Swann has been found abandoned in a Christchurch street.

An investigation has been launched into the disappearance of dozens of the Dunedin City Council's vehicles, with proceeds unaccounted for, the ODT understands.

Robbie Fruean's return is at the perfect time, not only for the Chiefs but for his long-term viability as a player.

A Dunedin student received a "spooky'' surprise when he took a closer look at a pair of photos he took of the Otago Harbour.

A security guard who "smashed" a streaker at last night's All Black's game has been criticised by some viewers for the bruising tackle.

A Dunedin family has received an apology from the Dunedin City Council after it euthanised the family's beloved pet dog.

A 36-year-old man from the United States was taken to Dunedin Hospital in a critical condition after a crash on Great King St North early this morning.

A legally blind man suffered severe injuries and emotional harm after being struck by a bus driven by a "distracted" driver, a judge says.

Left leaning political commentator and academic Bryce Edwards has pulled out of Otago University's Vote Chat online politics show over concerns the programme is now dominated by National Party supporters.

An unlicenced 16-year-old Dunedin youth is in hospital with a serious head injury after fleeing police in a high-speed pursuit.

The learner driver in a crash that killed a young Mosgiel brother and sister is alleged to have previously offered illegal taxi rides via a controversial Facebook page.

Dangerous black ice is expected on southern roads tomorrow morning, and drivers are being urged to take extreme care.

The weather system that brought heavy snow to Otago and Southland was this morning sitting just north of Christchurch and is heading up the country.

Nothing re-awakens the Scot inside you like the aroma of a smoky whisky, finds Peter Feeney.

Police did not coerce Joyce Conwell to confess to the shotgun murder of Alec Rodgers in Christchurch in 1999, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has ruled.

The names of a brother and sister killed when an unroadworthy car crashed at high speed in Dunedin on Saturday night have been released.

The two people killed when an unroadworthy car crashed at high speed in Dunedin last night were brother and sister, police say.

What is life like without a job for six months? It is a struggle, those at the coalface say.

A mother-of-three who hasn't been seen since 2002 may be the victim of foul play, police say, as they open a cold case inquiry into her disappearance.

More than 50 women have stayed at Night Shelter Dunedin since it stopped its men-only policy nine months ago.

Two Dunedin gangs - once at war - have come together to ask Dunedin's council to give them a contract mowing the city's grass.