Keraplast signs five-year contract for wool supply
Wools of New Zealand chief executive John McWhirter (left) and Keraplast chief executive Howard Moore inspect a fleece. Photo: suppliedA United States company manufacturing wound and other care products from wool in Christchurch has entered a five-year supply contract with about 30 farmers. WNZ chief executive John McWhirter said the contract was a major price lift for strong wool farmers. Keraplast chief executive Howard Moore said New Zealand wool offered advantages over alternative keratin sources used globally. New Zealand strong wool gives us a reliable, high-performing raw material and the regenerative farming systems behind it align strongly with our values and our customer’s expectations."
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:07 UTC
Visiting academic to address spread of misinformation
PHOTO: SUPPLIEDFor Carl Bergstrom, misinformation is like a living organism — it can travel across networks and spread through populations like pathogens. Prof Bergstrom is a founding member of the University of Washington Center for an Informed Public, which aims to resist strategic misinformation, promote an informed society and strengthen democratic discourse. He is also developing tools and techniques to help the public identify reliable evidence and combat what he calls "bulls..." — false, misleading information. More recently, he has spent a lot of time actively working to counter false claims regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines and treatments. This course will be the subject of his first public talk at the University of Otago, titled "Modern-day oracles or bulls... machines?
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:07 UTC
Good advice for all needs
Christie Diamond Auto, located in Railway Esplanade can help you with any of your motoring needs. PHOTO: ENSIGN FILEChristie Diamond Auto prides itself on being a one-stop shop for all motoring needs. ‘‘We don’t just fit the parts, we actually know what they’re for and use them on our own 4WD vehicles. ‘‘We can give people some good advice on what they need and what they don’t need. For inquiries, contact Christie Diamond Auto on Facebook, phone (03) 2086397, or email ceo@christies-diamondauto.co.nz.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:04 UTC
Deer congress returns to NZ
International Deer Biology Congress convener David Stevens shows velvet regrowth from stags at Invermay Agricultural Centre, a field trip destination during the four-day event in Dunedin next week. About 160 delegates will descend on Dunedin for the 11th International Deer Biology Congress next week. Deer genetics agent Adam Whaanga, of Dunedin, will speak about scoring hard antler at the International Deer Biology Congress next week. Northern Southland deer farmer David Stevens, second-cousin to Dr Stevens, would talk about his experiences including the role of genetics. Farmer David Stevens, of Northern Southland, will speak about the role of genetics in breeding deer at the International Deer Biology Congress.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:02 UTC
Wool prices rising as demand lifts
PGG Wrightson Wool South Island manager Dave Burridge has concerns the crossbred wool market is spiking too quickly. The crossbred market remained in a flatline state for a long time until last August, when demand from India and China began climbing. South Island auction manager Dave Burridge said the wool market was in a dramatic lift for all wool types based on a global shortage, particularly in Australia. Almost 10 years have passed since the market reached $5/kg for most crossbred wool types and a year before that reached $6/kg. Farmers would be looking closely at the results of Thursday’s Christchurch sale and the end-of-season fine wool sale on February 26.tim.cronshaw@alliedmedia.co.nz
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:02 UTC
Concerns of spray damage aired
Late last year, a grape grower in Grants Rd, Otiake, spotted a Waitaki District Council contractor spraying herbicide near the vineyards. The contractor told him it was glyphosate but that later a hormone-based herbicide spray, most commonly known as Tordon, would be used. This comes off the back of "significant spray damage from Tordon to a Waitaki vineyard" as a result of a neighbour using the herbicide, Mr Taylor said. It was his understanding the council could be liable for financial damages inflicted by the Tordon damage. Mr van der Spek said any damage caused by the agrichemicals would need to be investigated to determine who was responsible.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:02 UTC
Mayor joins call for southern flights
Photo: Allied Media filesInvercargill mayor Tom Campbell has added his voice to calls to increase domestic flights in and out of the city. Mr Campbell is now calling on Southlanders to take part in a survey on air travel, as part of a push for improved air services. Chief executive Chami Abeysinghe said the survey would provide evidence-based understanding of Southlanders’ air travel needs. Early feedback from the survey showed the loss of direct Wellington services and limited flight timings was increasing travel time, cost and complexity. "Air New Zealand remains deeply committed to Southland, recognising the vital role strong air services play in supporting the region’s people, economy and businesses.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:02 UTC
Book tells story of NZ concert pianist
Dunedin-based translator and music tutor Vivienne Sands has translated Christophe Baillat’s book Vera Moore, Pianist, From Dunedin to Jouy-en-Josas from French to English. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONFrom living in George St to fleeing occupied France, the remarkable story of an internationally esteemed Dunedin pianist can now be read in English for the first time. Thought to be the first and only literary work dedicated to the pianist, Christophe Baillat’s Vera Moore, Pianist, From Dunedin to Jouy-en-Josas was originally published in French in 2012. Vera Moore. PHOTO: Supplied‘‘I couldn’t put the book down until I’d finished it - I read it all in one swoop,’’ Mrs Sands said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:01 UTC
Controlled burners urged to give heads up
Fire trucks responded to this controlled burn-off near Hilton Rd, in Highcliff, yesterday after firefighters fielded calls from members of the public. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONFirefighters are urging the public to tell them about controlled burns in advance to save them wasting resources after crews were sent to a blaze in Dunedin yesterday. The smoke was coming from a controlled burn, which had no issues. "It just would be nice for members of the public, even if they’re having a burn in an open season, to let us know. Not everyone would realise it might be coming from a controlled burn during an open season.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:01 UTC
Baroque feast set to fill church with dulcet tones
Czech soloist Julie Brana, who plays the recorder and Baroque flute, will perform with Baroque Unbound in Gore next week. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDMusic lovers are invited to enjoy a warm and atmospheric evening of Baroque music when Baroque Unbound performs at Gore’s St Andrew's Church next Thursday. Baroque music comes from the 1600s and 1700s and is known for its strong emotive sounds, beautiful melodies and lively rhythms. A highlight of the concert is the appearance of internationally acclaimed Czech soloist Julie Brana, performing on recorder and Baroque flute. Joining her is a distinguished ensemble of local and international Baroque specialists: Szabolcs Illes (Baroque violin), Rakuto Kurano (Baroque violin), Sara Kadas (Baroque viola), Tomas Hurník (Baroque cello), and Wellington-based Bethany Angus on harpsichord.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:01 UTC
AI firm making research accessible
Photo: Custom DChristchurch tech company Custom D is lining up overseas clients for Caitlyn — an AI platform stopping vital research and business data from sitting idle. Data largely going untapped is now being made more accessible by the generative AI platform. Mrs Ryan said the AI platform would be scaled up this year after building over the past 18 months. It started working with FAR in 2024 to deliver 30 years worth of research data to growers so they could lift crop yields and improve farms. More than 15,000 engineering hours went into building the AI platform.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 16:01 UTC
Another appalling decision from PPC: further proof that the Police do not care about complainants (and that the IPCA are awesome)
The officer signalled for her to stop, but instead she drove 800 metres back to her parents’ house. According to the IPCA, he did not reply and asked instead for her driver’s licence and details. The IPCA found the officer was unjustified in stopping her vehicle, and in using subsequent force. The IPCA also found that the officer in question did not have a genuine belief that she might have been using drugs or alcohol. This is despite the fact that the IPCA identified multiple aspects of the officer’s evidence which indicated dishonesty.
Source:New Zealand Herald
February 03, 2026 15:55 UTC
Exports likely not as sweet as forecast
PHOTO: SRL FILESA sweet start to the cherry season hit turbulence come harvest, souring predicted export volumes, a Central Otago grower says. A large cherry harvest was expected to lift cherry export revenue by 5% to $130 million this season, ending June 30 this year. Central Otago Fruit Growers Association member and Clyde Orchards manager Kris Robb, of Earnscleugh, said the cherry harvest was ongoing in Central Otago. Since the release of the report, the weather had "played havoc" and he expected fewer cherries to be exported than forecast. The current cherry export volume was "well down" on where it was at the same time last season.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 15:39 UTC
Otago on track with BBC rail show
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."
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 15:39 UTC
Marking 50 years of growth
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.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 03, 2026 15:39 UTC