The BBC is filming the latest season of its travel-by-rail series Great Railway Journeys in New Zealand, and are starting the South Island leg in Otago. They had spent two days in the South Island and had eight days of shooting left. Ms Jenkins said it was pretty special that the city and its scenic train journeys would be a part of the classic travel show. "A show like Great Railway Journeys only really goes to places with real character and great stories. "We've got one of the greatest train journeys in the world ... so we're delighted that people can hear our story."

The sunflowers, grown by Rosedale Farming Company Ltd, have become an annual attraction in the district. "We’re acknowledging over 50 years of growing bird seed in North Otago and the generational journey," Mr Mitchell said. In some ways sunflowers were taken for granted because the family had experienced a lifetime of them, he said. "But when you stop and smell the flowers, it actually is quite nice." The four Topflite owners — Pete and Sandra Mitchell and Greg and Caroline Webster — had been keen on the open day for a long time.

Jo Galer is running in the Dunedin City Council by-election, saying the council’s Queens Dr trial and its street furniture installations pushed her to stand. Former councillor Bill Acklin has also announced he would like to return to the Dunedin City Council table. Former Dunedin city councillor Bill Acklin is to stand in the council’s by-election. "I think it's fairly well known that a lot of what Jules stood for, I do too," Mr Acklin said. Mr Radich was a staunch advocate for groynes at St Clair Beach and Mr Acklin said he wanted to see action to bring this about.

The Central Otago Piston Club is hosting the sports shooting events of the Dunedin Masters Games this year. Central Otago Pistol Club training officer Steve McManus said they began the week shooting with long-range black powder rifles. Their Masters Games tags described the pair as "athletes", but Euan did not take that too seriously. Alexandra father and son Euan, 71, and Alec, 42, Butters compete in black powder shooting in Roxburgh as part of the Masters Games yesterday. "Some of the shooters here make their own black powder, and black powder is just a blend of charcoal, charcoal wood — so willow normally — saltpeter and sulphur, so potassium nitrate and sulphur."

Mackenzie and Maddie Palmer have been campaigning for the drug Trikafta to be more widely available and subsidised, much like it is in Australia. Should it go ahead, the Palmer family would be "absolutely relieved". However, if the approval did not go ahead, then Mrs Palmer said they were seriously considering moving to Australia. Maddie and Mackenzie Palmer are hopeful that a "miracle" drug for cystic fibrosis may soon be available for their daughter Maya. Maya, who has been a regular at hospitals during her 18 months, was a "very happy" child, Mrs Palmer said.

Photo: ODT filesA gang member involved in a $200,000 stolen crayfish scam has argued the prison term imposed on him was too harsh. At sentencing, Judge Diedre Orchard acknowledged Faavaoga’s gang ties but she said the rort had no confirmed wider ties to organised crime. The proceeds contributed to the mortgage on Faavaoga’s gang pad, and Nevard also transferred money into separate accounts to pay her mortgage. The rationale used by the judge in reaching her sentence could not be criticised, she argued. While the sentencing judge shaved 30% off her starting point, counsel said more should have been subtracted to acknowledge Faavaoga’s good character.

PHOTO: FELICITY DEARA Dunedin man who made a secret sex tape and sent it to dozens of rugby mates has continued his battle to avoid conviction in his bid to become teacher. Mrs Stevens said it was Bugden’s video which revealed the victim’s identity and led to her being informed about the crimes. His response to the prosecution had been telling, Mrs Stevens said. The argument is the barrier is much higher with a conviction," Mrs Stevens argued. That’s an aspirational goal," Mrs Stevens said.

Alex had to do nightshift, which I’d forgotten about, so I had to drag poor Fin along. And I’m pretty sure if I had a heart attack, I’d be seriously letting the most important someone else down: Fin. What I do have is a stress problem, a very low resting heart rate and a recurring pattern of burnout. This year I’m going to care more about what matters to me, and about the people who care for me. They just cared that I was OK. My shoulders visibly retreated as I joined in the laughter.

PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYA large elephant seal basks in the sun at Tomahawk Beach yesterday. Elephant seals are the largest species of seal in the world and are occasional visitors to Dunedin shores when they swim up from subantarctic waters. Adult males can weigh on average 3600kg and the females are usually about 900kg, the Department of Conservation said. The New Zealand population is concentrated on the Antipodes Islands and on Campbell Island.

The All Blacks will start their 2027 World Cup campaign against Chile before taking on hosts Australia. Photo: Getty ImagesThe All Blacks will open their 2027 Rugby World Cup campaign with a Pool A match against Chile in Perth on Saturday, October 2. The Springboks, in Pool B, will be looking for an unprecedented third World Cup win in a row. To date, it is the only time a northern hemisphere side has won the World Cup. All Blacks pool matches at 2027 Rugby World Cup:All Blacks vs Chile - Perth - October 2 - 6:15pm NZTAll Blacks vs Australia - Sydney - October 9 - 7:10pm NZTAll Blacks vs Hong Kong China - October 15 - 7:15 NZTOther schedule highlights:

A spike in electricity prices last year led to a government review of the market. Photo: Getty ImagesThe electricity market regulator will launch a new power bill comparison website next month in a bid to ensure the industry better serves consumers. It is one of many changes being made after a spike in electricity prices last year led to a government review of the market. Electricity Authority chief executive Sarah Gillies said a new power comparison website would be launched in March with the authority considering rules to simplify bills so that they were easier for consumers to understand. Gillies said the Power Build comparison website would replace Power Switch in a bid to help consumers ensure they are getting the best deal.

He also said New Zealand was an outlier in requiring a second practical driving test when moving from a restricted licence to a full licence. "Removing the second practical test reduces costs and makes it easier to progress to a full licence, provided drivers demonstrate safe driving behaviour while on their restricted licence. Bishop said the shake-up was the first major change to the system since 2011, when the learner licence age was increased from 15 to 16. Encouraging safe driving: Drivers on their restricted licence will face a further six months on their restricted if they get demerits. Drivers on their restricted licence will face a further six months on their restricted if they get demerits.

Police have named the man that died in a single-vehicle crash in Rolleston last month. He was 22-year-old Connor Cossey, from Rolleston. Police were called to the Jones Rd crash about 7.45am on Monday, January 5. Police extended their sympathies to the loved ones of Connor.

The leaders of Labour and the Green parties are appearing together at Waitangi in a show of unity which they hope will draw a contrast with sparring coalition partners. Neither opposition party were expected to unveil any new policy at the joint media conference at the Treaty Grounds today. Earlier, Labour leader Chris Hipkins told RNZ's Morning Report programme it was intended to demonstrate an ability to cooperate sensibly in any future government. From left: Labour leader Chris Hipkins and Carmel Sepuloni with Green Party co-leaders Marama Davidson and Chloe Swarbrick. That's really where their focus should be."

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says New Zealand is among more than 40 countries talking to the US about supplying minerals. Photo: RNZThe government must be more transparent about any potential minerals deal with the United States, former Prime Minister Helen Clark says. Clark chairs the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative which about 50 countries have signed up to - not including New Zealand. Helen Clark says the environment would suffer if New Zealand signed up to large-scale, "destructive" mining practices. The environment would suffer if New Zealand signed up to large-scale, "destructive" mining practices, Clark said.