Otago Daily Times News Feed

A fire appliance at the scene of the blaze. Photo: Tracey Roxburgh Helicopters are on standby as emergency services battle a large house fire near Queenstown.

File photo A Coroner has found a fatal house bus fire might have been avoided if there had been clear instructions on how to use the wood burner.

Cashmere Tech head coach Dan Schwarz said no position is safe ahead of this weekend’s clash with Ferrymead Bays. PHOTO: MITCHELL COZZONE/DUST.MEDIA ​ Amid Cashmere Technical’s worst run of form in 13 years, head coach Dan Schwarz is not ruling out making changes to his side.

University of Canterbury first-five James White may be in line for a promotion to the Crusaders after Taha Kemara’s injury. PHOTO: ISAAC NOKES Despite missing key players and their head coach, the University of Canterbury continues to find ways to win in the Metro rugby competition.

Sir Bob Jones. Photo: ODT Files Businessman and politician Sir Bob Jones has died at the age of 85, according to reports.

Antonio Lemalu. The Halswell Hornets plan to appeal a 10-week suspension handed to hooker Antonio Lemalu, accused of biting an opponent during their 32-28 win over the Greymouth Greyhounds three weeks ago.

Whakapapa ski field at Mt Ruapehu. Photo: Supplied/ Ruapehu Alpine Lifts The Ruapehu mayor is urging unity over the government's new Ruapehu ski field lease.

Newly qualified public health specialist Maeve Hume-Nixon says she's struggled to get a job in New Zealand but could earn $100,000 more in Australia. Photo: RNZ The senior doctors' union is not ruling out further industrial action, as Health NZ scrambles to reschedule the thousands of operations and specialist appointments cancelled as a result of a nationwide strike.

A "very intricate clean-up" will be required after flying metal shards punctured hundreds of car tyres along a major highway connecting two cities, bringing traffic to a screeching halt.

One person is dead and another critically injured after two cars crashed on Auckland's Dominion Rd overnight.

Photo: ODT files High Court orders Westpac NZ to pay $3.25m over historic breachesThe bank admitted the breaches and reported itself to the Financial Markets AuthorityWestpac is New Zealand's fourth-biggest bank by total assets One of the country's biggest banks has been ordered to pay a multimillion-dollar penalty for misleading and overcharging customers.

Photo: ODT files High Court orders Westpac NZ to pay $3.25m over historic breachesThe bank admitted the breaches and reported itself to the Financial Markets AuthorityWestpac is New Zealand's fourth-biggest bank by total assets One of the country's biggest banks has been ordered to pay a multimillion-dollar penalty for misleading and overcharging customers.

Ben Elton — Authentic Stupidity Dunedin Town Hall Thursday, May 1  

Whitestone Cheese head cheesemaker Jonathan Emerson and managing director Simon Berry at their Oamaru factory. PHOTO: JULES CHIN A sheep milk cheddar made in Oamaru has been named New Zealand's best cheese.

Isaac Ginty and father Jerome Ginty outside the temporary Nelson Courthouse, where Isaac was sentenced on his latest crop of charges for driving while disqualified. Photo: Tracy Neal By Tracy Neal, Open Justice multimedia journalist A young Canterbury man already banned from driving until 2029 because of his “appallingly bad” history went ahead and drove anyway.

Kaikōura's council is sticking to its promise to keep its average rate rise under 10% - but only just.

New KiwiSaver survey reveals funds affected by US trade tariffs. Photo: Getty Images By Susan Edmunds, of RNZ KiwiSaver members' contributions in the March quarter were largely cancelled out by ructions in financial markets.