'Families are really struggling': Dunedin school's plea for fresh fruit
Bradford School year 1 pupil Willow Pattison, 5, loves oranges. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHA Dunedin school hit by government cost-cutting is asking businesses to help get fresh fruit back on its pupils’ lunch menu. Yesterday, in a social media post, principal Emma Knopp asked Dunedin businesses if they would be willing to sponsor fruit for Bradford’s 96 pupils. Ms Knopp said there was a ‘‘huge need’’ for the lunches and fruit at the school. ‘‘Lots of our families are really, really struggling.’’For a lot of children the meal at school was the only reliable one they had every day.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 21:27 UTC
Four injured in Canterbury highway crash
File photoFour people have been injured, one critically, in a crash in north Canterbury this morning. Police said they were alerted about 6.40am after a car went off the road on State Highway 7 north of Waikari. At least four fire crews worked to help free people trapped in the car, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said. One person was in a critical condition, two people had been seriously hurt and a fourth person had sustained moderate injuries. The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 20:41 UTC
Physical work set to start on Lakeview Te Taumata project
PHOTO: GUY WILLIAMSAfter more than six years of planning, physical work is about to start on Queenstown’s $3billion Lakeview Te Taumata project. At a sod-turning ceremony on the site yesterday, Queenstown Lakes Mayor John Glover said it marked a ‘‘new start’’ for the project. CMP Construction regional manager Daniel Dwyer said site preparation would start next week, and excavation and earthworks would be fully under way next month. That work would take up the rest of this year, with two years of construction to follow. Five percent of the proceeds will be given to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 20:25 UTC
'It can go wrong, it does go wrong': Cadogan offers water regulation advice
Former Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan is now the Taumata Arowai local government engagement specialist. Photo: Julie AsherA former mayor-turned water specialist has offered some humorous advice on dealing with complaints - just ask people how much contamination they're comfortable with. On Wednesday, water regulator Taumata Arowai specialist Tim Cadogan dialled in from Wellington to share safety insights with Southland district councillors. The former Central Otago mayor's presentation was upbeat but also included some sobering details, such as results from recent testing showing 43 E coli notifications around the country. Cadogan served as Central Otago mayor from 2016 to 2024 before stepping aside to take up the role of local government engagement specialist at Taumata Arowai.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 19:47 UTC
QLDC initiates road safety video for international tourists
Queenstown Lakes District Council has teamed up with local police to create videos for tourists promoting safe driving in the region. The council said tourists were travelling on unfamiliar roads, in some cases driving on a different side of the road than they were used to. One of the videos provided general guidance on how to drive on open roads, while the other focused on road signs. "Queenstown Road is usually very windy and much narrower, [and] China usually has multi-lanes in each direction and probably quite a high standard for their motorways. "The road signs and languages are also different, which is why the videos explain ... the common signs and what they mean."
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 19:16 UTC
Weather: North Island in firing line as thunderstorms, heavy downpours move in
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Source:New Zealand Herald
February 12, 2026 19:02 UTC
Gang member in crayfish scam denied home detention term
A sentence of home detention was not appropriate for Paul Faavaoga’s crayfish crimes, a judge has ruled. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHA gang member who distributed nearly $200,000 of stolen crayfish has won an appeal — but will remain behind bars. Paul Faavaoga, 37, did not get the home detention term he sought from the High Court. Because the result did not bring the sentence to less than two years’ imprisonment, a community-based outcome could not be considered. Typically, Faavaoga would receive payment for the stolen crayfish by way of bank transfer.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 18:23 UTC
Watch: Serial underwear thief at New Zealand school identified as cat
Feb. 12 (UPI) -- A serial thief who has been stealing items including towels, shoes and underwear from a New Zealand school for over a year was finally caught on camera and identified as a literal cat burglar. "Initially we noticed single shoes and goggles and undies and towels left along the footpath into the school," Stewart told Stuff.co.nz. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementThe school posted a video to Facebook when the thief was finally caught on a security camera. We're calling him Slinky Malinki," Stewart said. "I think we're going to have a lot of fun writing stories about our own school's Slinky Malinki," she said.
Source:Stuff
February 12, 2026 17:28 UTC
AI may change face of anatomy dissection: expert
Jon CornwallPicture this — you are a young medical student, conducting a dissection and the deceased suddenly says: ‘‘You are now cutting into my heart. ‘‘Use of griefbots for this purpose is controversial,’’ Dr Cornwall said. Their research showed thanatobots could hypothetically be loaded with a donor’s medical records, and could contain anatomy education software. ‘‘If used, potential benefits might include enhancing learning via linking medical history to anatomical findings and clinical reasoning through personalised teaching assistance,’’ Dr Cornwall said. ‘‘Ethical, cultural, and pedagogical challenges around thanatobot development should be critically examined prior to any incorporation into anatomy education.’’john.lewis@odt.co.nz
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 17:02 UTC
Wool from S. Africa helps meet demand
Photo: FilesThe New Zealand Merino Company (NZM) is sourcing fine wool from a pool of 200 South African suppliers to keep up with strong demand from big brands. To meet customer needs, NZM has reached agreements with two South African brokers to top up its mainly New Zealand and Australian supply base. NZM now has access to merino wool from about 200 South African farmers certified with its ZQ programme to meet high animal welfare, environmental and social standards. ‘‘They are wool types in South Africa we can’t readily buy in New Zealand in the volumes we need, so typically [19.5 to 22] microns. The South Africa micron range sits within the broader end of the active-wear market as well as the sock market.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 16:38 UTC
Future-proofing tug arrives
The new $15million Port Otago tug Otepoti arrived in the Otago Harbour yesterday morning after a 6070 nautical mile trip from inland China. Port Otago vessels in a spin after greeting latest tug Otepoti yesterday. Boats are (from left) dredge New Era, tug Taiaroa, tug Arihi (bottom), tug Otepoti and pilot boat Te Rauone. Port Otago’s latest tug, Otepoti, arrives in the harbour basin yesterday. Mr Bicknell said everything went well and the new tug arrived on the day it was supposed to.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 16:36 UTC
Lack of affordable rentals for disabled: study
Chang YuA lack of accessible and affordable rental properties is leaving many disabled people stuck in emergency accommodation that is unsuited to their needs. He said they were being forced into emergency housing more often because they were unable to find, or afford, private rentals suited to their needs. ‘‘Their average income was $22,519 a year, including social benefits — significantly lower than the overall emergency housing population’s average income of $28,193. Emergency housing special needs grants were introduced by the Ministry of Social Development in 2016 to fund emergency accommodation, typically in motels, for no more than seven days, he said. ‘‘But setting an example through state housing will not address the lack of appropriate housing for people with disabilities, given public housing makes up only 4% of the overall housing stock in New Zealand.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 16:34 UTC
Show we can trust the fast track
Throughout the interview, opposition to the Bendigo project was repeatedly described as coming from ‘‘luminaries’’, a shorthand that aligns neatly with the language of ‘‘elites’’ so often used by Resources Minister Shane Jones. Sir Ian TaylorIt was against that backdrop that the question was put to me: why don’t you just trust the fast-track process? These are people who come to the fast-track process with one arm firmly tied behind their backs. Not long after that interview, a fast-track panel released its draft decision declining Trans-Tasman Resources’ proposal to mine the South Taranaki seabed. The Minerals Council’s chief executive described the decision as ‘‘embarrassing’’ and urged people to trust the process, expressing hope that facts, evidence and science would prevail.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 16:33 UTC
Tourism concessions announced
The start of the Milford Track, PHOTO: ODT FILESThree long-term tourism concessions at key South Island destinations have been announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. They are a 38-year concession for The Remarkables Ski Area, a 30-year guided walking concession on the Milford Track and a 25-year concession for Te Ana-au Caves in Fiordland/Te Rua o te Moko. ‘‘Long-term concessions give operators the certainty they need to invest, train staff and plan ahead,’’ Mr Potaka said in a statement. Southland MP Joseph Mooney said the concessions would support jobs, strengthen the Southland and Otago economies and keep visitor access open at key South Island destinations. ‘‘These attractions are incredibly well-managed, and it is a massive confidence boost for the South to know their future is certain.’’The concessions include enforceable environmental and safety conditions, the Department of Conservation retaining full regulatory oversight.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 16:33 UTC
Plenty of challenges ahead for Highlanders
PHOTOS: NZ RUGBY/SMARTFRAME Hayden Meikle considers five big questions ahead of the Highlanders’ season opener tonight. Every rugby team gets injuries. The Highlanders have a few other niggles, and are waiting for star No 8 Hugh Renton to get up to speed. Timoci Tavatavanawai is a wrecking ball, and remarkably led Super Rugby with 26 turnovers won last season. It’s a tough position at Super Rugby level.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 12, 2026 16:32 UTC