Stories by Tim Brown

Farmers in Central Otago may resort to voluntarily restricting their water use in the next week as the prolonged hot and dry weather shows no sign of abating.

As operations ramp up on the West Coast to re-enter Pike River mine, in another small mining town minds are turning to another tragedy underground - the death of 34 men and boys in Kaitangata in 1879.

Major infrastructure changes may be afoot in Dunedin as the Ministry of Health unveils the masterplan for the city's hospital rebuild.

Parts of the Dunedin Hospital rebuild have been prioritised because the facility "will not last the distance in its current state", Health Minister David Clark says.

Dunedin is expecting its biggest tourist season yet, but Otago Peninsula - home to the royal albatross, little blue penguins and seals and sea lions - is being disrupted by a massive roading project.

The rural community of Middlemarch has begun its clean-up after Tuesday's downpour transformed some streets into sewage ponds.

The case of celebrity-endorsed deer velvet is back in court.

A group of leading seismologists from New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan have been in Ōamaru this week to share the latest research.

Young families are leaving Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes due to the losing battle with housing affordability.

Greater altruism is needed to solve the affordability crisis confronting Central Otago Lakes, a property developer says.

Historical under-investment in Aurora Energy's lines network is set to hit consumers in the pocket from 2021.

Otago University's proctor has admitted his decision to enter an unlocked flat to confiscate drug paraphernalia was an error in judgment.

The public response to Queenstown Airport's proposal to double flight capacity in the tourist centre is expected to be known sometime next month.

New Zealand's health and safety watchdog is satisfied Aurora Energy is "now" responsibly managing its network.

Dunedin police are not releasing descriptions of suspects or vehicles involved in a series of suspicious approaches of school children in the city.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult says he is being unfairly targeted over the collapse of Stonewood Homes.

Part of Dunedin's central city will be opened to freedom campers to cope with growing numbers inundating existing coastal sites.

A health supplement company director's nosebleeds led to it lowering the amount of deer velvet powder in its pills. Audio

It's the case of the celebrity-endorsed deer velvet, the chocolate substitute and the conspiracy.

Queenstown's mayor is being taken to court by liquidators for a building company.

A Dunedin police officer is recovering at home after being hit by a courier van while in attendance at a car crash scene last night.

Queenstown locals are up in arms over the proposal to double the number of flights to and from the town's airport.

A jury is hearing the trial of five people accused of playing a part in the death of an Invercargill teen, with the Crown opening on the case today.

The latest police statistics show offending committed by young people has plummeted during the past four years.

Protect the environment or build a flash new headquarters - that's the choice facing Otago Regional Council, according to councillor Michael Laws.