Latest from Otago

Teacher's alleged historic indecent assault investigated
Police are investigating an alleged historic indecent assault involving a former Otago Boys' High School teacher.

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

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

Violent daylight attack in small Otago town
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.

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

100 jobs cut at Otago gold mine
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.

Cherry growers 'on the edge of their seats'
While Central Otago's farmers were delighted by the rain falling on their parched land, cherry growers were less enthusiastic.

Kia ora: Lawrence
There's a mine of reasons to fall in love with Lawrence, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Diversion for owner after dog chases sea lion
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.

Queenstown: A vroom with a view
Amid stunning Queenstown scenery, Winston Aldworth experiences a very fast, very yellow mid-life crisis.

A South Island movable feast
Life is never dull on the road with Grant the Cook, writes Jason Burgess.

Vandals cause $5k damage on trail
Vandals have targeted the Beaumont section of the new Clutha Gold Trail, causing thousands of dollars' damage.

Phone in flames after lightning strike
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.

Modern Family holiday home, Queenstown
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.

Arthurs Point: Soakers and swingers
Justine Tyerman's wish for snow is granted during a pilgrimage to her spiritual home.

Otago expecting increase in student numbers
Student numbers are expected to increase at the University of Otago next year, turning around three years of declining enrolments at the institution.

No conviction for Otago farmer possesing firearms
A Central Otago farmer - said to be in the process of brokering a multimillion-dollar export deal with the United Arab Emirates.

Otter-ly absorbed in Southland
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.

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

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