A solo round-the-world sailor is off and racing again after completing repairs off the Dunedin coast.

A search and rescue helicopter looking for a missing tramper in Nelson has been targeted with a laser during a late night search of the area.

An Australian-owned, Auckland-based organisation has secured one of three contracts to provide home-based services for elderly people in the south of the South Island.

A Mosgiel man who fleeced long-time friends and members of his church of $300,000 has been sent to prison for three years and four months on fraud charges.

The victims of fraudster Brent Murray say they are happy to see some justice done, even though they believe they will never get their money back.

Justice officials have been accused of using concerns about building safety to downgrade regional court services in Otago.

Elena Berg seems to be the most brushed up on clothing etiquette when it comes to dressing for University of Otago graduations.

New Zealand's "king" of legal cannabis faces trafficking charges in Australia after allegedly being found with a "commercial quantity" of drugs.

The future of the southern neurosurgery service is now assured, with the announcement $3 million has been raised for the Chair in Neurosurgery at the University of Otago.

The Mayan calendar predicts the world will end next month, but a bevy of brides is set to appease the gods in Waitati tomorrow.

Police are investigating the theft of a brief case containing private information on almost 500 research staff from tertiary institutions.

A 20-year-old woman visiting New Zealand from China has been granted bail after appearing in court to face two counts of careless driving causing death.

Police have charged a 20-year-old woman visiting from China with two charges of careless driving causing death following a double fatal crash near Cromwell.

Two male motorcyclists are confirmed dead - and two young women are seriously injured - after a crash on the Lindis Pass this afternoon.

A 59-year-old farm worker died when his tractor overturned and plunged down a steep slope on a Teviot farm, near Millers Flat in central Otago yesterday afternoon.

The continuing obstinacy of courts, police and government is thankfully no match for the determination of Joe Karam, writes Sir Bob Jones.

Flying debris and trees and branches falling across roads could make it unsafe to be outside if predicted severe northwest gales hit Otago and Southland today.