Christie Diamond Auto, located in Railway Esplanade can help you with any of your motoring needs. PHOTO: ENSIGN FILEChristie Diamond Auto prides itself on being a one-stop shop for all motoring needs. ‘‘We don’t just fit the parts, we actually know what they’re for and use them on our own 4WD vehicles. ‘‘We can give people some good advice on what they need and what they don’t need. For inquiries, contact Christie Diamond Auto on Facebook, phone (03) 2086397, or email ceo@christies-diamondauto.co.nz.

International Deer Biology Congress convener David Stevens shows velvet regrowth from stags at Invermay Agricultural Centre, a field trip destination during the four-day event in Dunedin next week. About 160 delegates will descend on Dunedin for the 11th International Deer Biology Congress next week. Deer genetics agent Adam Whaanga, of Dunedin, will speak about scoring hard antler at the International Deer Biology Congress next week. Northern Southland deer farmer David Stevens, second-cousin to Dr Stevens, would talk about his experiences including the role of genetics. Farmer David Stevens, of Northern Southland, will speak about the role of genetics in breeding deer at the International Deer Biology Congress.

PGG Wrightson Wool South Island manager Dave Burridge has concerns the crossbred wool market is spiking too quickly. The crossbred market remained in a flatline state for a long time until last August, when demand from India and China began climbing. South Island auction manager Dave Burridge said the wool market was in a dramatic lift for all wool types based on a global shortage, particularly in Australia. Almost 10 years have passed since the market reached $5/kg for most crossbred wool types and a year before that reached $6/kg. Farmers would be looking closely at the results of Thursday’s Christchurch sale and the end-of-season fine wool sale on February 26.tim.cronshaw@alliedmedia.co.nz

Late last year, a grape grower in Grants Rd, Otiake, spotted a Waitaki District Council contractor spraying herbicide near the vineyards. The contractor told him it was glyphosate but that later a hormone-based herbicide spray, most commonly known as Tordon, would be used. This comes off the back of "significant spray damage from Tordon to a Waitaki vineyard" as a result of a neighbour using the herbicide, Mr Taylor said. It was his understanding the council could be liable for financial damages inflicted by the Tordon damage. Mr van der Spek said any damage caused by the agrichemicals would need to be investigated to determine who was responsible.

Photo: Allied Media filesInvercargill mayor Tom Campbell has added his voice to calls to increase domestic flights in and out of the city. Mr Campbell is now calling on Southlanders to take part in a survey on air travel, as part of a push for improved air services. Chief executive Chami Abeysinghe said the survey would provide evidence-based understanding of Southlanders’ air travel needs. Early feedback from the survey showed the loss of direct Wellington services and limited flight timings was increasing travel time, cost and complexity. "Air New Zealand remains deeply committed to Southland, recognising the vital role strong air services play in supporting the region’s people, economy and businesses.

Dunedin-based translator and music tutor Vivienne Sands has translated Christophe Baillat’s book Vera Moore, Pianist, From Dunedin to Jouy-en-Josas from French to English. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONFrom living in George St to fleeing occupied France, the remarkable story of an internationally esteemed Dunedin pianist can now be read in English for the first time. Thought to be the first and only literary work dedicated to the pianist, Christophe Baillat’s Vera Moore, Pianist, From Dunedin to Jouy-en-Josas was originally published in French in 2012. Vera Moore. PHOTO: Supplied‘‘I couldn’t put the book down until I’d finished it - I read it all in one swoop,’’ Mrs Sands said.

Fire trucks responded to this controlled burn-off near Hilton Rd, in Highcliff, yesterday after firefighters fielded calls from members of the public. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSONFirefighters are urging the public to tell them about controlled burns in advance to save them wasting resources after crews were sent to a blaze in Dunedin yesterday. The smoke was coming from a controlled burn, which had no issues. "It just would be nice for members of the public, even if they’re having a burn in an open season, to let us know. Not everyone would realise it might be coming from a controlled burn during an open season.

Czech soloist Julie Brana, who plays the recorder and Baroque flute, will perform with Baroque Unbound in Gore next week. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDMusic lovers are invited to enjoy a warm and atmospheric evening of Baroque music when Baroque Unbound performs at Gore’s St Andrew's Church next Thursday. Baroque music comes from the 1600s and 1700s and is known for its strong emotive sounds, beautiful melodies and lively rhythms. A highlight of the concert is the appearance of internationally acclaimed Czech soloist Julie Brana, performing on recorder and Baroque flute. Joining her is a distinguished ensemble of local and international Baroque specialists: Szabolcs Illes (Baroque violin), Rakuto Kurano (Baroque violin), Sara Kadas (Baroque viola), Tomas Hurník (Baroque cello), and Wellington-based Bethany Angus on harpsichord.

Photo: Custom DChristchurch tech company Custom D is lining up overseas clients for Caitlyn — an AI platform stopping vital research and business data from sitting idle. Data largely going untapped is now being made more accessible by the generative AI platform. Mrs Ryan said the AI platform would be scaled up this year after building over the past 18 months. It started working with FAR in 2024 to deliver 30 years worth of research data to growers so they could lift crop yields and improve farms. More than 15,000 engineering hours went into building the AI platform.

The officer signalled for her to stop, but instead she drove 800 metres back to her parents’ house. According to the IPCA, he did not reply and asked instead for her driver’s licence and details. The IPCA found the officer was unjustified in stopping her vehicle, and in using subsequent force. The IPCA also found that the officer in question did not have a genuine belief that she might have been using drugs or alcohol. This is despite the fact that the IPCA identified multiple aspects of the officer’s evidence which indicated dishonesty.

PHOTO: SRL FILESA sweet start to the cherry season hit turbulence come harvest, souring predicted export volumes, a Central Otago grower says. A large cherry harvest was expected to lift cherry export revenue by 5% to $130 million this season, ending June 30 this year. Central Otago Fruit Growers Association member and Clyde Orchards manager Kris Robb, of Earnscleugh, said the cherry harvest was ongoing in Central Otago. Since the release of the report, the weather had "played havoc" and he expected fewer cherries to be exported than forecast. The current cherry export volume was "well down" on where it was at the same time last season.

The BBC is filming the latest season of its travel-by-rail series Great Railway Journeys in New Zealand, and are starting the South Island leg in Otago. They had spent two days in the South Island and had eight days of shooting left. Ms Jenkins said it was pretty special that the city and its scenic train journeys would be a part of the classic travel show. "A show like Great Railway Journeys only really goes to places with real character and great stories. "We've got one of the greatest train journeys in the world ... so we're delighted that people can hear our story."

The sunflowers, grown by Rosedale Farming Company Ltd, have become an annual attraction in the district. "We’re acknowledging over 50 years of growing bird seed in North Otago and the generational journey," Mr Mitchell said. In some ways sunflowers were taken for granted because the family had experienced a lifetime of them, he said. "But when you stop and smell the flowers, it actually is quite nice." The four Topflite owners — Pete and Sandra Mitchell and Greg and Caroline Webster — had been keen on the open day for a long time.

Jo Galer is running in the Dunedin City Council by-election, saying the council’s Queens Dr trial and its street furniture installations pushed her to stand. Former councillor Bill Acklin has also announced he would like to return to the Dunedin City Council table. Former Dunedin city councillor Bill Acklin is to stand in the council’s by-election. "I think it's fairly well known that a lot of what Jules stood for, I do too," Mr Acklin said. Mr Radich was a staunch advocate for groynes at St Clair Beach and Mr Acklin said he wanted to see action to bring this about.

The Central Otago Piston Club is hosting the sports shooting events of the Dunedin Masters Games this year. Central Otago Pistol Club training officer Steve McManus said they began the week shooting with long-range black powder rifles. Their Masters Games tags described the pair as "athletes", but Euan did not take that too seriously. Alexandra father and son Euan, 71, and Alec, 42, Butters compete in black powder shooting in Roxburgh as part of the Masters Games yesterday. "Some of the shooters here make their own black powder, and black powder is just a blend of charcoal, charcoal wood — so willow normally — saltpeter and sulphur, so potassium nitrate and sulphur."