Levi James Newport, 34, appeared in the Dunedin District Court last week and admitted breaching parole. The Parole Board considered he was no longer an undue risk to the community, despite a Roc*Roi (risk of re-conviction and risk of imprisonment) score of 0.94. At a hearing in October, the Parole Board noted Newport had a criminal history that filled 21 pages. Since then, he had changed his tune, the Parole Board heard. After his escape, he was recalled to prison to serve his sentence.

A Kent police sergeant has lost his job after he accused a local driving school operator of child sex abuse. Photo / Jordan Pettitt, PA Images via Getty ImagesA Kent police sergeant has lost his job after he accused a local driving school operator of child sex abuse. Photo / Jordan Pettitt, PA Images via Getty ImagesA Kent police officer has lost his job after he harassed his son’s prospective driving school with unproven allegations that staff were involved in child sex trafficking. Sergeant Gabriel Chandler was sacked in December after an inquiry into false claims he made against Mark Elliot, the owner of Intensives UK, Metro reported. In emails, he made several claims about Elliot, alleging the other man had sexually abused children and was involved in human trafficking linked to the dark web.

"Agony Aunts" Kelly Hocking (left) and Harriet Moir will present a special Valentine’s Day edition of their fun show Agony Pants on February 14. Photo: suppliedDunedin audiences are being urged to get ready for "some of the worst advice you’ll ever receive", courtesy of a returning comedy-theatre show. "Agony Aunts" Kelly Hocking and Harriet Moir will bring back their Agony Pants show for a special one-night Valentine’s Day edition, on February 14. Harriet Moir is a well-known Dunedin performer, whose performances include stand-up comedy, musical theatre, MC work, and corporate entertainer. Tickets for Agony Pants are available via eventbrite.

tc22baroque_0.jpg Czech soloist Julie Brana will perform with a top-notch ensemble in the Baroque Unbound concert at St Paul’s Cathedral on February 11. Photo: Michael RomanovskyLovers of early music can step into the vivid world of the Baroque in the Baroque Unbound concert tour , presented by the Baroque Music Community and Educational Trust of New Zealand. Performed on authentic period instruments by leading Baroque musicians, the Baroque Unbound concert will be performed at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday, February 11, at 7pm. The performance ensemble will comprise Julie Brana (baroque flute), Szabolcs Illes (baroque violin), Bethany Angus (cello/keyboards), Tomas Hurnik (baroque cello), Rakuto Kurano (baroque violin), and Sara Kadas (baroque viola). Together, these works promise an immersive journey into the richness and emotional depth of Baroque music, performed in a historically informed style.

star5holicolour1.jpg The local Indian community gather during a previous Holi celebration. Bayfield Park will be a kaleidoscope of movement and music as the Dunedin Indian Association prepares to host the Holi Festival of Colours on Sunday, March 8. The organisers want to showcase the diversity of the local community through events such as traditional folk dance, Bollywood routines or musical performances. Dunedin Indian Association president Dr Rohit Jain said the group was planning one of the largest Holi celebrations the city had ever seen. The festival, which is free to attend, is based on the legend of Prahlada and Holika, representing the triumph of righteousness over evil.

Dunedin is ready for a bumper Waitangi Day weekend of culture, sport and street festivities. The CBD becomes the main attraction on Saturday, as the George Street Market returns. Shoppers can browse stalls from 10am to 5pm, while a new "Eats and Beats" zone on Bath St promises to keep the atmosphere alive until 8pm. Free• George Street MarketSaturday, 10am-5pm, George St• Eats and Beats on Bath StSaturday, Noon-8pm. Bath St, Frederick St, George St, Octagon• Summer CricketSaturday, 10.30am.

Local musicians will join forces to bring 14 of Shakespeare’s many songs to life in this month’s Dunedin Summer Shakespeare showcase "If Music Be the Food of Love — Shakespeare in Song". Image: Matthew MorganDunedin Summer Shakespeare is planning something very special for its seventh season — a showcase of some of the Bard’s many songs. Dunedin Summer Shakespeare director Kim Morgan said local musicians had worked over the summer to create 14 original, modern versions of Shakespeare songs — drawn from across the Bard’s plays. Kim Morgan said staging the musical showcase, rather than performing a play, was another aspect of the Dunedin Summer Shakespeare kaupapa. As always, Dunedin Summer Shakespeare audiences are invited to bring along their blankets, chairs and picnics to enjoy the show.

Photo: suppliedGrowing up, I spent Waitangi Day volunteering at my local marae in Whakatū (Nelson). It was a day I eagerly counted down to, one that made me feel connected and proud. Each stage of my life has since reshaped my relationship with Waitangi Day. This year, I feel a familiar buzz as Waitangi Day approaches — but it is no longer excitement. Instead, this Waitangi Day is about acknowledgement.

The Southern Blast will live on, after Netball South reversed its decision to cull the team. Netball South has confirmed the Southern Blast will take part in this year’s National Netball League, which acts as a feeder competition to the ANZ Premiership. Late last year, Netball South emailed Blast players informing them the organisation would not be entering the team in the NNL this season. That sparked public backlash from former Blast coaches and staff, as well as netball centres within the Netball South zone, who were concerned about player pathways and limited opportunities. Netball South will now form a working group to identify alternative methods to reduce costs involved in the NNL.

Dunedin choir Sunny Side Up and musical director Richard Holland, pictured after a recent performance at Otago Museum, are welcoming new members as they embark on another year of singing. Musical director Richard Holland said choir members, who sang unaccompanied from memory, enjoyed the experience of making a good sound together. Sunny Side Up will hold an open rehearsal next Wednesday, February 11, from 5.30pm at Dunedin South Presbyterian Church hall, 393 King Edward St, in the hopes of attracting some new members. "We are inviting interested people to come along, see what we do, join in and learn some songs — basically just come and have some fun," Holland said. Making a great sound is important, but enjoying ourselves making music together is our main priority."

PHOTO: SUPPLIEDNew Zealand Masters Games board member and competitor Katrina Pōtiki Bryant celebrates winning gold in the 50-plus springboard diving category at Moana Pool on Saturday. A former teenage New Zealand international diving representative, Bryant has competed in the Masters Games three times, first in 2004 and again at the last Dunedin Masters Games in 2024 where she won gold in both the 50+ and 30+ synchronised springboard diving category. Winning at the 2026 games was a "bit of a surprise" as she made a "last-minute decision" to enter. "The Masters Games is an amazing event for Dunedin and for people of all ages to see you can keep competing, training and being active," she said.

Richard Wells stands beside the two bronze dog sculptures in Esk St, Invercargill. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDThe artist behind the bronze sculptures of two dogs in Esk St says a "sense of home" inspired the work. The name of the piece was Leaders and in many ways the artwork represented the Southland community where he grew up. "As a pair they reflect relationships, community and connection, all of which are vital to wellbeing and give you a sense of safety, security and solidity. "There were a lot of smiles in Esk St."In September last year city councillors approved the positioning of the sculptures in Esk St by a seven to six vote.

PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONOrganisers of Dunedin’s Waitangi Day commemorations are hoping to mark the occasion under blue skies. Rūnaka manager Suzanne Ellison said Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki was looking forward to the commemorations. The rūnaka would also mark Waitangi Day by delivering a koha of a native plant to local residents, she said. "Native plants and seedlings will also be available from the Rūnaka Native Plant Nursery, giving community members the opportunity to plant a native shrub or tree to commemorate Waitangi Day." "Waitangi Day is a time for remembrance, kōrero and coming together — acknowledging our shared history and the ongoing commitments of Te Tiriti o Waitangi," Mr Costelloe said.

The Dunedin Musical Society has been a part of the city’s musical landscape for the past 85 years, providing performance opportunities for local musicians of all ages. The society will continue that kaupapa this year, with seven concerts planned, including leading local musicians, young players, trios, quartets and ensembles. Dunedin Musical Society concert co-ordinator Dr Mark Bevin, chairman John Colwill and a small core group of music lovers are working hard to keep the society thriving and encourage visibility for local musicians. The society began in the early 1940s as the Music Students Club, changing its name to Dunedin Musical Society in 1954. Dr Bevin, a retired GP, said several local musical societies went through tough times a few years ago, but after a concerted effort the Dunedin Musical Society recovered.

Photo: RNZA Wānaka man caring for his 65-year-old wife, who has dementia, has called on the government to explain what it plans to do about the "desperate shortage" of dementia-level care facilities in the southern regions. While Wānaka had a dementia-level care facility, it was full and had a long waiting list. "I can’t put myself in her place except to say that clearly, that’s the most unsatisfactory thing for someone to be housed and homed in a situation that’s far removed from all her social supports." The district is estimated to have about 500 people living with dementia and, based on projections, it is estimated about 630 people will be living with dementia in the area by 2050. He recently wrote a letter to Minister of Mental Health Matt Doocey about the increasing number of people with dementia in the regions and the shortage of dementia-level care.