Latest from Otago

Owner slams councillors as bars close
Two of Dunedin's biggest student bars have shut suddenly, and their owner has pointed to Dunedin's ''utterly conservative'' councillors as the cause.

'Smart' drugs not such a clever move
University of Otago PhD researcher Hazem Zohny has warned about myths and "hype" involving so-called "smart" drugs.

Truck rolls on Otago Peninsula
Emergency services assess the scene of a Delta truck, which came off McMeeking Rd, on the Otago Peninsula, and rolled yesterday.

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.

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.

Local icon donates drug money
A woman who was supplying an underground cannabis culture was a valued member of the community who gave any proceeds of her drug-dealing to charity.

Team to play in the nude
Pirates' senior rugby team is facing the prospect of a nude alternative strip after its playing kit was stolen at the weekend.

Saved with seconds to spare
A 19-year-old woman driving a ute which skidded off the road and rolled into a paddock has told of the panicked minutes before she was rescued.

What happened to the missing pair?
The investigation into missing boy Mike Zhao-Beckenridge and his stepfather John Beckenridge will not be closed, despite police referring the case to the coroner.

Ski fields get first round of snowfall
Ski fields around the country are experiencing their first rounds of snowfall for the year and some could be in for a snowier season than last year.

Female drink driver five times over the limit
A driver was allegedly almost five times the new drink-drive limit when stopped by Queenstown police on Sunday.

Watch: World's best airport approach
Queenstown Airport has topped a list of the world's most stunning airport approaches.

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.

'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.

Explosive substance found in Oamaru scrapyard
A part of Oamaru's industrial area has been cordoned off and part of the main southern main trunk line, after an explosive substance was found in a bucket at a scrapyard this morning.

Young tramper washed off track
US student Allison Willen was making her way, alone, through flood water covering a section of the Young Valley walking track when she was swept to her death.

Dead American tramper described first trip in uni mag
An American tourist found dead in a river near Wanaka yesterday had previously described her first tramping trip in a column published by Otago University’s student magazine Critic.

Student tramper search continues
Allison "Ally" Willen was last seen on the Gillespie Pass track on April 25, Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield said.