Otago

A spate of arson attacks on cell towers in Wānaka and the wider Otago region has left people angry and worried about communication outages, as police urge locals to report any suspicious behaviour. Audio

Affordable rates and developing a new water plan sit atop incoming Melanie Tavendale's agenda.

Queenstown's new mayor John Glover puts win on third attempt down to "giving people hope, and being authentic," pledges to stay focused on community's wishes.

Incumbent Jules Radich confirmed his bid for a second term was unsuccessful, with Sophie Barker and Andrew Simms in the lead.

One person has died after a motorcycle crash near Palmerston.

The new Queenstown Lakes bylaw follows a busy summer when freedom campers arrived in Queenstown in force in the absence of any restrictions.

Millie the sheep is looking for a new home after being rescued from the Central Otago wilderness.

They will help patients arriving in mental health crisis, the government says.

The penguin was found injured on the night of Sunday, 28 September, but died soon after.

The new entity called Southern Waters will take over drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across the three districts from July 2027, under the government's Local Water Done Well…

With no buses since the 2011 earthquakes, the elderly and disabled are struggling to leave their homes. Audio

But NZTA warned road users needed to be cautious while driving in the region with heavy rain still falling.

NZTA said SH90 between Tapanui and Waikoikoi was closed and other roads may be down to one lane.

Police are investigating an unexplained death in North Dunedin on Friday afternoon.

It follows earlier RNZ reporting that some staff at Southland Hospital were told they couldn't chat to each other for more than five minutes.

Aurora fans have been treated to a bright display lighting up the skies over the South Island.

The vintage steamship is resuming regular sailings from Queenstown to Walter Peak after the complex five-month job.

The second month of spring began with a "bitter night" in the south as "freezing conditions" descended across the island - and it's just the start. Video

Access to a popular Glenorchy trail has been restored after a storm swept away a key bridge.

Getting consent for a vast gold mine is an "extremely rigourous and difficult process", the company has told shareholders.