Latest from Otago

River death: 'Everything went wrong'

An elderly woman's death in the Clutha River last year was due to ill-health and her being intoxicated, a coroner has ruled.

Fatal head-on crash kills woman

The main highway north of Balclutha remains closed this morning after a head-on crash in which a woman was killed and another seriously injured.

'You don't know whether to cry or laugh'

There was just one word to describe 82-year-old Central Otago farmer Rex George after the big snow: "buggered".

Slow return to normality expected for Otago

Following more than a week of heavy rain, floods and snow, Otago residents are being told to expect a slow return to normality.

Huge rescue operation underway

Volunteers are urgently needed to help farmers access and feed stock on about 40 stations above 500m throughout Otago.

Family lounge or drive-thru?

Five members of a Lake Hawea family were considered lucky to be alive last night after a runaway people mover crashed into their lounge.

North Otago dairy worker rescued from floodwaters

A North Otago dairy worker had to be rescued from his motorbike in chest-deep floodwaters in Kakanui Valley yesterday.

Otago next in line for wet weather

Donation follows hosting of 'Canterbury Quakes' show

Police investigating suspected poacher in Matakanui

A Matakanui farmer hunting on his property at dusk lined up a shot, was alarmed by hearing two gun shots nearby then spotted a suspected poacher through his sights when a man ran across his potential field of fire in what police are calling a "near-miss".

Parole review leaves family 'gutted'

An Otago woman and her family are "gutted" the killer of her teenage daughter will appear before the New Zealand Parole Board again next year, despite being denied parole earlier this week.

Meteor shower over Otago

Driver jailed over fatal crash

A driver in a crash that killed a young Otago man has been sentenced to two years and eight months in jail and disqualified from driving for four years.

IRD apologises after year-long struggle

A Milton woman has received an apology from the Inland Revenue Department after claims it ignored her pleas that her name and ID were being used fraudulently.

Disgraced lawyer struck off

A life ban for a lawyer accused of stealing $3 million from clients was "the only appropriate penalty", the Law Society says.

Hurt mystery husky saved

Council rejects Bluff oyster application

A resource consent application to finish Bluff oysters in Otago Harbour has been rejected by the Otago Regional Council.

Dad, help me: I'm dying from the inside

A Dunedin father says he was tossed around his house "like paper" by his son trying to go cold turkey from the synthetic cannabis product, K2.