In a proposed submission, the council backed the government’s Infrastructure Funding and Finance Act Amendment Bill’s intentions, but was wary of its possible unforeseen effects. The Bill intends to improve infrastructure funding and financing tools to support urban development. It is part of the government’s omnibus strategy to enable and simplify urban growth where appropriate. "DCC supports the principle that growth should pay for growth, and the intent of the Infrastructure Funding and Financing framework to enable timely infrastructure delivery to support growth, independent of council funding constraints. The council submission also warned the Bill, by encouraging more growth, may inadvertently lead to networks that were "inefficient or poorly integrated".

The act owes its existence to the Committee on Official Information, chaired by Alan Danks, which reported in 1980 and 1981. The Danks Committee recommended replacing the Official Secrets Act with a regime grounded in openness. Former Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier repeatedly warned that many agencies approach OIA requests defensively, treating them as threats rather than democratic obligations. Health New Zealand has been repeatedly criticised for practices “contrary to law”, including notifying requesters that a decision has been made without stating what that decision is, even after statutory deadlines have passed. The tragedy is that the Official Information Act remains fundamentally sound.

“We’re asking for assistance from the public so we can locate these riders as soon as possible before they kill someone or themselves. Dozens of staff and the Eagle helicopter were diverted to try to split the group up, while police also worked with local petrol stations in case the group attempted to refuel. It wasn’t until 5.45pm that the riders disappeared. Watson said police were combing through CCTV footage to identify those involved in this “display of stupidity”. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Rehearsing last September at the Regent Theatre for Taieri Musical’s Jesus Christ Superstar, which picked up three awards in the Otago Southland Theatre Awards, are (from left) James Adams (Jesus), Max Beal (Judas) and Sophie Whibley (Mary). PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONMusical theatre company Showbiz Queenstown was the big winner at the 12th annual Otago Southland Theatre Awards at the weekend. Showbiz Queenstown also won awards for best set, best vocal direction, best direction, and best overall musical for 2025. Among the 24 awards presented, four were presented to Musical Theatre Dunedin for their production of Chess, and three were presented to Taieri Musical for Jesus Christ Superstar. (East Otago Musical Theatre).

Fire and Emergency are investigating after a video was posted online of the rude gesture. Video / SuppliedFire and Emergency New Zealand is investigating after footage of a firefighter making an obscene gesture behind Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s back emerged online. The short clip shows Luxon chatting and gesturing as he speaks to the person in front of a Defence Force helicopter. The firefighter then turns to the camera and makes an obscene gesture, commonly used to mockingly simulate masturbation. A spokeswoman for Fire and Emergency said the department “does not condone the behaviour depicted in the video”.

Police are investigating the cause of the crash on Puketutu Rd, which left one person dead. One person dies after two-vehicle crash near Matamata, road now reopenedPolice are investigating the cause of the crash on Puketutu Rd, which left one person dead. One person has died following a two-vehicle crash in the Waikato town of Matamata. Police said emergency services were called to the scene on Puketutu Rd at about 12.15pm today. “The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination and it has now been reopened,” police said.

Flowers were laid next to a newly replaced power pole after a fatal car crash in Wickcliffe Tce in Port Chalmers on Friday night. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYCharges are yet to be laid after a crash in Port Chalmers left a person dead and one seriously injured in a horror 48 hours on Otago roads that has prompted a "firm message" to drivers from Southern police. It was one of at least four serious crashes in the 48 hours between 8am Friday and 8am Sunday. Police described it a "tragic weekend" for crashes on southern roads. The coming days are expected to be particularly busy on southern roads, as Waitangi weekend travel combines with the annual Burt Munro Challenge motorcycle festival being held in Invercargill from Wednesday to Sunday.

Her children were travelling to be with her in Te Anau and the family were "pretty devastated", Mrs Peacock said. Mrs Peacock was in contact with the owners and had been shown the damage to the lodge over a video call. She said Ms Onions had indicated the owners would look to rebuild the lodge. "We’re relieved that everyone — and that includes staff and guests — is safe and well," Ms Onions said in a statement. Radio New Zealand reported Ms Onions as saying all guests had been moved to local Te Anau hotels.

Now, Coroner Bruce Hesketh has found the young man took his own life in a Christchurch park on October 2, 2017. In findings released today the coroner has made recommendations that have been implemented following a review of mental health services. Geoffrey Booth gave evidence at the 2022 inquest into the death of his son, Liam Booth. “I am satisfied the three recommendations have been adequately addressed by Health New Zealand Canterbury,” the coroner said. Coroner Hesketh acknowledged there had been improvements in specialist mental health services processes and procedures following the review.

Surely, he’s emphasising this to counter the by-now obvious fact that there’s practically zero social licence locally for this mining project to go ahead. What a chops this man has to deride wealthier opponents of the project for being well-housed, well-fed, and already wealthy. Mr Cook must have some extraordinary expertise but his people skills clearly aren’t worth much: "get over it" Otago. Steve MunroDunedinBy the numbers Cyanide form Land use/soil category criterion (mg/kg = ppm) Cyanide (complexed) Residential & topsoil 20mg/kg (ppm) Cyanide (free) Residential & topsoil 50mg/kg (ppm) Cyanide (complexed) Open space 1000mg/kg Cyanide (free) Open space 500mg/kg Cyanide (complexed) Commercial 2500mg/kg Cyanide (free) Commercial 1250mg/kg Given the Bendigo mine with a life of say, 20 years. Jan ParkerRavensbourneAddress Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin.

The golden Central Otago landscape, like that depicted in artist Sir Grahame Sydney’s work 'Summer, Falls Dam village', needs protecting so all may enjoy it. In particular, the ramifications of inevitable pollution will contribute indirectly and cumulatively to our future appreciation of the uniqueness of the present Central Otago landscape. In the introduction to Grahame Sydney’s Central Otago, 2011, he writes that the natural landscape of Central Otago "is so recognisably different ... Many of his images are not only of natural landscapes but of lonely relics of pioneering days, situated in iconic, remote natural landscapes. How then can both conservative and progressive appreciations of this region dialogue about the future of Central Otago’s natural landscape?

Unfortunately, the United States is a broken entity and not likely to be put back together again quickly or easily. Hence middle powers "must work together because if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu." One commentator, however, while acknowledging its veracity, puts New Zealand in a different place: "New Zealand is not a middle power. We should, therefore, given the collapse of the old rules, carry on quietly, negotiating widely, doing it "the NZ way". It would be a good idea to be able to contribute to the new regime, whatever it might be.

Valley beat Oamaru by 20 runs in the Dick Hunt Trophy final on Friday night. Wickets continued to fall with four dismissed in the final two overs, as Valley were all out for 146 in 19.5 overs. Oamaru finished on 126 for seven in their 20 overs, falling 20 runs short. On Saturday, the Borton Cup resumed with Albion beating St Kevin’s, Oamaru beating Waitaki Boys’, and Glenavy edging Valley. In the Second XI holiday competition final, Union edged Oamaru by two runs.

Fatigue spikes during the wintry months of August to September, and is at its lowest in January to February, while Tuesdays tend to be the day most microsleep incidents occur. More than 900,000 risky driving events were recorded by the driver safety advocacy group between July 2024 and June 2025, 19,336 of which were related to fatigue. Dylan Thomsen, a spokesperson for AA, said tired driving needed to be treated as seriously as drunk driving or distracted driving. Photo / AutoSenseThe authorities can lead this response by emphasising the dangers and warning signs of tiredness, Thomsen suggests. “If we can reduce fatigue and distraction during the most routine moments - like the morning school run - then we’re doing something that genuinely matters: helping drivers, and everyone around them, get home safely.”

Catherine Lee, the model for Wendy in Cecil Thomas’ 'The Darling Children Learning to Fly', takes in the sculpture in person for the first time at the weekend. Ms Lee, who lives in London, wrapped up her first visit to New Zealand, with a special stop to see the sculpture. Sir Cecil, as it turned out, lived around the corner from Ms Lee when she was a child in London. A former festival promoter and civil servant, Ms Lee said Peter Pan had somehow followed her throughout her life. There was a lot of interest in the sculpture back home in London, Ms Lee said.