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Contact Us Email Facebook Plus Jobs Wedding Guide Death Notices Privacy Policy Drive South Weather Media Council Complaints 'What the f***!': Dame Lynda Topp blasts government in awards speech Surviving Topp Twin, Dame Lynda, has delivered a blistering impassioned volley at the government for overlooking the arts in this year’s Budget. Steampunkers get kitted up for festival Even retro-futuristic time travellers know where to find a bargain. SUBSCRIBER 'Excessive and unconvincing': Otago blocks OIA requests over Israel-linked tech firm SUBSCRIBER 'Excessive and unconvincing': Otago blocks OIA requests over Israel-linked tech firm A critic of Otago University’s proposed arrangement with tech giant Palo Alto has called out the institution’s use of ‘‘commercial sensitivity’’ to block official information requests. SUBSCRIBER 'Big conversation': Prospect of replacing Moana Pool raised SUBSCRIBER 'Big conversation': Prospect of replacing Moana Pool raised The prospect of replacing Dunedin’s ageing Moana Pool with a new facility was floated at a council meeting this week. Budget no frills and no thrills Budget no frills and no thrills Finance Minister Nicola Willis promised that Budget 2026 would not be one to get the pulse racing, and boy did she deliver. ODT quiz: May 29 SUBSCRIBER Regional councillors want involvement in reform SUBSCRIBER Builder welcomes trades training boost SUBSCRIBER Warm Sunday, Monday ahead for Dunedin, Oamaru dunedin SUBSCRIBER Brothers attack suburb’s unkempt verges Two Ravensbourne retirees have had a gutsful of slippery pavements, blocked drains and out-of-control grass verges and have set out to fix them. SUBSCRIBER Health spend not as rosy as it seems, prof says SUBSCRIBER Health spend not as rosy as it seems, prof says An academic specialising in health systems is worried this year’s Budget is ‘‘playing it very risky’’ with health spending over the next few years. SUBSCRIBER Excitement greets new climbing wall SUBSCRIBER Excitement greets new climbing wall A long year without a rock climbing wall has finally come to an end for keen climbers at a Dunedin secondary school. SUBSCRIBER Unlocking drivers’ impulse to pick up the phone SUBSCRIBER Unlocking drivers’ impulse to pick up the phone After her friend crashed while texting and driving, Olivia Adie has made it her mission to prevent others from repeating the mistake. regions SUBSCRIBER ‘Deeply Southland’ meat distribution scheme growing Meat from Southland, captured by hunters from Southland, cut by butchers from Southland and delivered by Southlanders into the hungry mouths of Southlanders in need. SUBSCRIBER Call for QLDC waterways to be run by ORC SUBSCRIBER Call for QLDC waterways to be run by ORC A maritime expert says the Queenstown council should get out of running its waterways as it is creating confusion and threatening public safety. SUBSCRIBER Homes found for birds from town aviaries SUBSCRIBER Homes found for birds from town aviaries Oamaru’s celebrated sulphur-crested cockatoo and the rest of the birds stuck in the town’s ramshackle aviaries have found new homes. Positive response to Incentives for Growth Fund Positive response to Incentives for Growth Fund The Queenstown Lakes district could benefit by up to $40 million from an ‘‘Incentives for Growth Fund’’ announced in yesterday’s Budget, a regional economist says. National Top of South Island braced for 44 hours of rain Orange heavy rain warnings have been issued for parts of the South Island, with heavy downpours forecast in the Tasman district. 50,000 more Kiwi kids suffering from material hardship than three years ago 50,000 more Kiwi kids suffering from material hardship than three years ago An expert on the impacts of child poverty says 50,000 more NZ children are suffering from material hardship than three years ago. 'What the f***!': Dame Lynda Topp blasts government in awards speech 'What the f***!': Dame Lynda Topp blasts government in awards speech Surviving Topp Twin, Dame Lynda, has delivered a blistering impassioned volley at the government for overlooking the arts in this year’s Budget. Treatment in US could save young NZ woman's life Treatment in US could save young NZ woman's life After an 18-year battle with kidney disease, a miracle treatment may provide a Canterbury 22-year-old with a normal life. sport Nathan Smith snares NZ's fastest five-wicket test haul Former Otago seamer Nathan Smith recorded the fastest five-wicket haul by a New Zealander as the Black Caps took control of the one-off test against Ireland in Belfast. SUBSCRIBER Shield leaders in red-hot form SUBSCRIBER Shield leaders in red-hot form North Otago might be taking a break for King’s Birthday weekend, but there are still plenty of talking points after the recent round of the Citizens Shield. Best of best shift focus to regional clash Best of best shift focus to regional clash Club rugby pauses across the Otago Country region this weekend as attention turns to the annual King’s Birthday showdown between Southern Region and Central Otago for the prestigious Topp Cup. Payne mania: All White's Instagram skyrockets as Argentina fans show him love Payne mania: All White's Instagram skyrockets as Argentina fans show him love New Zealand footballer Tim Payne’s become the hottest player on the internet, surging past the million followers mark on Instagram, after an Argentinian influencer’s call to make him a "World Cup... Food & Wine SUBSCRIBER Feijoa and lime no-churn ice cream Rice at heart of the table Glaze of glory SUBSCRIBER Amazing variety should not be overlooked Business SUBSCRIBER Builder welcomes trades training boost A Dunedin builder says the government’s plan to boost training in the trades will be a positive for the industry — as long as there is work waiting for new apprentices on the other side. SUBSCRIBER Milton auctioneer first woman to win Australian title SUBSCRIBER Milton auctioneer first woman to win Australian title At school she was very shy. Major strong wool buyers from India set foot on NZ farms for first time Major strong wool buyers from India set foot on NZ farms for first time A visit to a farm is a first for many big-buying Indian wool processors learning more about the source of strong wool in Christchurch. Job numbers on the rise Job numbers on the rise More than 4000 new jobs were added to New Zealand’s total between March and April, but there’s a warning that momentum might not last. Rural Life Rural Women calls for more mental health support Rural Women NZ’s president says struggles with mental health and wellbeing have always affected the community, but the problem has grown. No bull: Teviot Valley Hereford fetches $50k No bull: Teviot Valley Hereford fetches $50k A large bull has set a stud sale record in Teviot Valley. Hunt for antler, buttons comes south Hunt for antler, buttons comes south An expedition to buy hard antlers and buttons visited the South last week. South-made edible bale wrap up for major prize South-made edible bale wrap up for major prize A Southland invention of edible bale net wrap is a nominee for a more than $2 million Earthshot Prize. Life & style SUBSCRIBER Shining light on autumn colours A Mosgiel garden has plenty of colour in late autumn, and not just during the day, Louise Frampton discovers. New life for felled tree New life for felled tree A long-anticipated sculpture, created by artist Tavita Faafoi, was unveiled in the grounds of Olveston Historic Home earlier this month. Abundance of white bloomers Abundance of white bloomers Aotearoa New Zealand is renowned for having an exceptionally high proportion of white-flowering plant species. We’re still subsidising emissions We’re still subsidising emissions Farmers should be supported to take climate action, not shielded from it, Sean Connelly writes. LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT SUBSCRIBER Memories bring violinist back SUBSCRIBER Feline discovery cements new focus SUBSCRIBER Recreating an idyllic lifestyle Sorting which came first World Deal reached to extend ceasefire, pending Trump approval The US and Iran have reportedly reached an agreement to extend their ceasefire, though US President Donald Trump has yet to approve it. Man jailed over plot to attack Taylor Swift concert in Austria Man jailed over plot to attack Taylor Swift concert in Austria An Austrian court has sentenced a 21-year-old man who admitted planning a foiled Islamist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna to 15 years in prison. Kenya school fire kills at least 15 students Kenya school fire kills at least 15 students A fire tore through a dormitory at a girls’ school in a town in Kenya’s Rift Valley overnight, killing at least 15 students, police said today. Iran, US trade strikes as Trump dismisses report of deal Iran, US trade strikes as Trump dismisses report of deal Iran’s Revolutionary Guard targeted a US airbase today after the US military carried out what a Washington official said were strikes on an Iranian drone operation near the Strait of Hormuz. Opinion SUBSCRIBER Little in Budget for struggling Kiwis If yesterday’s Budget seems to have passed you by, it’s no wonder. It does little or nothing for most people increasingly and desperately needing help. SUBSCRIBER Cartoonist’s view — Yeo SUBSCRIBER Cartoonist’s view — Yeo Today’s cartoon from Shaun Yeo SUBSCRIBER New naval commodore chosen SUBSCRIBER New naval commodore chosen The choice of a successor to Commodore A.F. Beal CMG as Commodore, 2nd Class, for duty as First Naval Member of the Royal New Zealand Naval Board and as Commodore in command of the Royal New... SUBSCRIBER Politicians punching down is no joke: time to punch up SUBSCRIBER Politicians punching down is no joke: time to punch up Punching up is what comedians do to be not just funny, but just. Latest News Deal reached to extend ceasefire, pending Trump approval Top of South Island braced for 44 hours of rain Nathan Smith snares NZ's fastest five-wicket test haul 50,000 more Kiwi kids suffering from material hardship than three years ago Man jailed over plot to attack Taylor Swift concert in Austria Payne mania: All White's Instagram skyrockets as Argentina fans show him love Budget no frills and no thrills Dunedin bus veers off road SUBSCRIBER Otago secondary schools cross-country Opposition: Govt making Kiwis' lives harder No 'sugar hits' as Willis battles to balance books Most Popular 'Grand Designs' castle in Canterbury up for sale Former Highlander appeals sex offence conviction Students march to Octagon in protest of scrapping fees free SUBSCRIBER 'Big conversation': Prospect of replacing Moana Pool raised ODT quiz: May 29 Budget 2026 at a glance Editors’ Picks SUBSCRIBER Central Dunedin stabbing victim 'lucky to be alive' SUBSCRIBER Emmy win brings one home for late colleague SUBSCRIBER Pupils ‘guinea pigs’ as NCEA scrapped SUBSCRIBER Life of human cannonball truly a blast 100 Years Ago... SUBSCRIBER New naval commodore chosen SUBSCRIBER Tragedy befalls whaler’s shipmates SUBSCRIBER Short rides in motorised trains Contact Us Contribute Facebook Subscribe Subscriber Benefits Terms & Conditions Stops, Starts & Redirects FAQs About us Contact us Site feedback Send us your news About us Privacy Policy Media Council Complaints AI use Removals policy Our Websites Allied Media Allied Productions Newspapers ODT E-edition The Star - Christchurch Oamaru Mail The Star - Dunedin The News - Central Otago The Ensign - Gore Ashburton Courier North Canterbury News Southland Express - Invercargill Southern Rural Life Central Rural Life The Courier - Timaru Mountain Scene - Queenstown Property Times South Canterbury Extra! 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