News
Wānaka residents grill ministers over healthcare shortfalls
About 300 people attended the meeting for answers on why they are paying for blood tests, travelling to Dunedin for basic scans and waiting months for children to see psychiatrists. Audio
Power company seeks to drain more from Lake Hāwea
Lake Hāwea residents are alarmed by a power company proposal that could dramatically lower their local shoreline.
Concern over chemicals in mass sewage discharges into Shotover River
Wastewater being discharged into Queenstown's Shotover River could breach national ammonia limits.
Freedom camping or 'free parking'? Queenstown Lakes' plan to manage campers
The council's draft bylaw would set limits on stays and designate free camping sites, after the previous rules were quashed by the High Court last year.
Invercargill council votes against cutting ties with companies listed by UNHRC
Mayor Nobby Clark's casting vote ended the debate.
$76m funding boost for search and rescue operations
The money to be split among 12 organisations will equip volunteers, train specialist staff and maintain infrastructure.
Major Cardrona Alpine Resort expansion almost ready to open
Soho Basin - which is mostly for intermediate and advanced skiers, and snowboarders - will expand the skifield's footprint by a quarter. Audio
Opponents of Central Otago goldmine ramp up campaign
Santana Minerals estimates it could extract gold worth $4.4 billion from the site between Bendigo and Ophir.
Otago school expansion targeted in $27m govt spend
The investment will add 12 new classrooms to Queenstown's Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau, which had repurposed its library for teaching.
'Shambles' - Coroner orders fresh investigation into preschooler's death
The coroner says Lachlan Jones most likely ran away from his home in Gore to the sewage pond where he was found dead six years ago.
International scientists gather in Wānaka to shake up quake forecasting
Leading earthquake researchers and modellers have convened to tackle how to estimate the size of an impending earthquake.
Conservation trust prepares to dramatically scale back work
QEII National Trust relies largely on government funding, and its budget is set to shrink.
South Island gears up as snow, wind and sub-zero temperatures arrive
Authorities are urging caution as road conditions turn slippery and treacherous as a big chill bites. Audio
新一轮冷空气来袭：南岛大部地区本周末迎来降温，驾车出行应做好应急措施
气象局表示，预计海拔500米以上的地区可能出现15厘米至25厘米的积雪，这可能会造成出行干扰以及（积雪）压断树木、电线的隐患。
Police return hundreds of stolen pounamu pieces to local hapū
Police recovered the 365 stolen pounamu pieces and boulders after tracking down the fossickers.
Guardians against the galaxy: Duo honoured for asteroids work
A Tekapo couple who have spent the past 50 years helping to track asteroids that could pose a threat to Earth have been jointly awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit.
'We want to get Queenstown moving again' - cable car companies target resort town
A race is underway as two companies unveil their schemes to connect Queenstown by high-wire. Audio
Housing waitlist: Woman told no emergency homes available at all
Hine Taylor has been couch surfing for five months, wishing and waiting on social housing. Audio
Wānaka search and rescue responding to more avoidable accidents
Unprepared people are venturing deeper into back country, lured by influencers and websites.
Queenstown principals, parents push back on bus cuts
The Ministry of Education has signalled it may pull the plug on free buses for eight Queenstown schools. Audio
Overnight parking to be banned on Queenstown streets
People have reportedly been camping on some streets in their vehicles for days or weeks on end.
Meerkat pups Auckland Zoo's first litter in more than a decade
The four pups, born last month, are healthy, strong and curious.
'Going to be violence': Court cleared at tense murder case hearing
Tensions between rival gangs spilled over at a High Court hearing in Auckland for a Head Hunters member accused of murder.
Third of emergency housing applications being rejected by MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is declining more than 90 emergency housing applications a month because people have "caused or contributed to their immediate need". Audio
Misidentified 11-year-old injected with drugs rarely given to kids
Staff had noted the girl, mistaken for a 20-year-old "resembled a child and may have a disability", Health NZ's review of the case has found.
