The Australian mountain ash at Orokonui Ecosanctuary, which is recognised as the tallest tree in New Zealand, has grown half a metre.

A hotel manager who said he worked 100-hour weeks and was owed more than $8000 has had his claim dismissed by the ERA.

By this time next year, the first buildings could be going up in Wanaka's single-biggest commercial and residential development.

A 13-year-old Balclutha girl has died after a boat capsized at Surat Bay near Pounawea in South Otago this afternoon.

A violent daylight attack in a small Otago town has resulted in three arrests and an appeal for information about two travellers who police hold concerns for.

A female pedestrian has suffered life threatening injuries after being struck by a petrol tanker in central Dunedin this morning.

OceanaGold plans to scale back its operations and is expected to axe more than 100 jobs at the Macraes goldfield in Otago in response to a falling gold price.

The owner of a dog which chased a sea lion from the sand dunes on an Otago Peninsula beach to the sea has been granted diversion.

Amid stunning Queenstown scenery, Winston Aldworth experiences a very fast, very yellow mid-life crisis.

"I thought 'That's some lucky bugger'," said a Mosgiel man - without realising after 18 years of buying Lotto with his friend they were finally first division winners.

Winston Aldworth gets behind the wheel of two high-performance cars with FreemanX Supercars in Queenstown.

Life is never dull on the road with Grant the Cook, writes Jason Burgess.

Vandals have targeted the Beaumont section of the new Clutha Gold Trail, causing thousands of dollars' damage.

An elderly couple 'blinded' by a lightning strike on their home believe they had a lucky escape - they'd hung up the phone moments before it burst into flames.

This architecturally-designed two-storey house is nestled among a cluster of upmarket properties in a quiet cul-de-sac. It accommodates 14 in six sumptuous bedrooms and has three bathrooms and a galley-style kitchen. Views of Coronet Peak, Queenstown Hill, Ben Lomond and the Shotover Canyon complete the sense of luxury.

For further information see luxuryholidayhouses.com.

Justine Tyerman's wish for snow is granted during a pilgrimage to her spiritual home.

A Central Otago farmer - said to be in the process of brokering a multimillion-dollar export deal with the United Arab Emirates.

Lloyd Esler describes himself as a "cold hard sceptic", but even he is starting to believe otters may have made themselves at home in Southland.

Sarah Lang finds Dunedin is much more than a city of Scots and scarfies — and a special spot for a weekend getaway.

Elisabeth Easther explores the Big River Town.

The director of the University of Otago's marketing and communications division has been accused of bullying, and creating a 'toxic' environment.

A man is dead after his quad bike apparently crashed in steep terrain in central Otago over the weekend.

The hairy faces of three Otago rugby players were shaved at Dunedin Hospital yesterday to raise about $5000 in funds for the children's ward.

One person has been injured in a single vehicle crash near Lake Hawea in Central Otago.

He received death threats for blowing the whistle on a multi-million dollar defence scam - now a retired US Air Force officer is living a quiet life in Central Otago.