Stories by Tess Brunton
News
Lead in the water: Otago residents' concerns and hopes for review
Residents affected by the water lead contamination issue in east Otago hope a top level review will shed some light on the issue.
Mum worries about baby's health issues amid lead revelations
Residents in two coastal Otago towns say they want answers about lead contamination in drinking water ahead of a public meeting where they will confront authorities.
'Huge concerns' over communication on high levels of lead in water
Residents in two East Otago towns are frustrated they do not know when they can drink water out of the tap, not from a tanker.
Bar owners and police unite to tackle gangs, drugs and violence
The Octagon Alcohol Group, formed in a bid to make Dunedin central city safer, can ban serious offenders from all inner city bars with a blanket trespass notice.
New doco series explores Fiordland history and nation's oldest shipwreck
New Zealanders can soon dive into history - and remote Fiordland - and explore the country's oldest known shipwreck as part of new documentary series. Video
Tourism operators facing another year of uncertainty
Regional tourist operators are grappling with another year of uncertainty with some questioning whether their businesses will survive.
Crunch time for struggling Otago orchards
Some Central Otago orchards say this season's crop is a write off, while others struggle to find enough workers.
Trampers urge DOC to put QR codes up at all huts, sites
Some trampers are questioning why QR codes aren't displayed at all DOC huts and sites, despite the government's advice to use the app when out and about.
Tourism operators try to fill multi-billion dollar hole
Tourism operators are preparing for their first summer without international visitors in decades as borders remain closed.
Tourism operators voice concern in wake of review
Tourism operators are worried they will be bogged down by bureaucracy following a review of adventure activities near natural hazards.
Whakaari review findings: WorkSafe needs to ramp up its industry oversight
A review into adventure activities operating near natural hazards has found WorkSafe needs to ramp up its industry oversight and more safety improvements could be made.
Otago Polytechnic graduation postponement 'gut-wrenching', 'disappointing'
Hundreds of Otago Polytechnic students are gutted they will not graduate in person tomorrow after an earlier security threat scuppered plans.
Fruit picking's fresh faces: 'It's a good way to motivate myself'
Central Otago orchard owners say the push for workers is not over as they prepare for harvest season.
From kegs to colonoscopies: Work begins on Southland charity hospital
Dreams for turning an old pub in Invercargill into a charity hospital are one step closer to reality with the first strike of a sledgehammer.
Fruit growers 'doing their best' to hire suitable NZ workers
Central Otago fruit growers are rubbishing claims they're turning down New Zealanders for local fruit picking work as they would prefer cheap foreign labour.
Qtown hospitality visa change welcome, but no 'game-changer'
Immigration New Zealand announced 21 tourism and hospitality roles have been added to the undersupply list for Queenstown Lakes in response to the lack of New Zealanders available to fill jobs.
Whakaari: Tourism industry keeping close eye on govt review
The tourism industry is warning that tightening rules around how to manage risks could hit the sector hard in the wake of the Whakaari/White Island eruption.
One last goodbye: Former staff farewell Cadbury factory
Former Cadbury factory workers have taken a last tour of the building before it is demolished to make way for the new Dunedin Hospital.
'Glitch' leaves businesses and community unaware of scheduled power cut
A Central Otago community was left scrambling when their power was cut for six hours yesterday without notice during a network upgrade.
Invercargill City Council 'needs to pull their socks up' - expert
Installing a commissioner at the embattled Invercargill City Council is the most sensible option, a local government expert says.
Tourism industry hails new minister Nash's stance
Newly-appointed Tourism Minister Stuart Nash revealed to a sold-out crowd at Tourism Summit Aotearoa in Wellington today he does not want New Zealanders subsidising international visitors.
Tourism industry in talks on rebuilding from Covid impact
The tourism industry is facing a multi-billion dollar loss of revenue after borders closed and international travel screeched to a halt.
Native plants, predator traps went up in smoke during Lake Ōhau fire
A Lake Ōhau resident says thousands of dollars worth of native plants and 80 predator traps went up in smoke when the fire tore through the village earlier this month.
Lake Ōhau residents prepare for Christmas after fire
Some Lake Ōhau residents are returning to undamaged homes surrounded by flowering lupins and green grass in the wake of last month's devastating fire. Video
Residents return home one month after Lake Ōhau fire
Two Lake Ōhau residents have marked a month since a fire tore through their village with their first night sleeping in their own beds.