Barrelling on
REPORT & PHOTO: NIC DUFFFelicity Montgomery rounds the final barrel on her way to winning the Junior Barrel Racing at the Omarama Rodeo yesterday. The annual event featured a full programme of bull riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping and more rodeo events from juniors right through to the open sections. There were plenty of food and drink vendors on site to keep everyone happy as well as apparel stalls selling hats and equestrian gear. There was also a bouncy castle for the younger children to enjoy. The National Rodeo Finals will be held in Waikouaiti in March.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 18:41 UTC
The 10 most expensive New Zealand homes sold in 2025
$28m each - Rawene Ave, Westmere & Ronaki Rd, Mission BayTwo homes sold for combined $56mThis Rawene Ave property was involved in a $56m house swap. They were soon connected with the owner of an impressive home in the city’s east in Ronaki Rd, Mission Bay. Well, $22m in the case of another grand mansion sold this year in Ronaki Rd, Mission Bay. $15m - Jervois Rd, Herne BayThe buyers of this $15m Herne Bay home in Jervois Rd can now enjoy a landscaped garden with mature jacaranda trees. Photos of the home show gorgeous landscaped gardens with mature jacaranda trees, a pool and pool house, and indoor-outdoor entertaining.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 17:46 UTC
Magic moments: December 29
Delight your friends and family, captivate our readers and share your favourite holiday images in our Magic Moments competition. The winners will be announced in the Otago Daily Times on January 12. First prize: $100 voucher and an A3 canvas of the winning photographSecond prize: A3 canvas print of the second prize photograph. Third prize: ODT puzzle of the Dunedin Railway Station. Also: Everyone who has a photo published in our competition can take the original file to Jonathan's Photo Warehouse in Dunedin and receive a free enlargement.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 17:02 UTC
Bella on top of dog name list again
PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYIf you yell the name "Bella" out at a Dunedin dog park, expect a swarm of labrador retrievers to answer the call. As 2025 wraps up, the Dunedin City Council has released what names the city’s residents are dishing out to man’s best friends. A council spokeswoman said the name Bella came in at No1, with 192 dogs in the city claiming the name. Bella is a long-standing favourite for dog owners and has taken the top spot multiple times over the past eight years. Their highlight however, was holding 105 dog safety sessions in Dunedin schools and kindergartens — up from 96 sessions in 2024.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 17:02 UTC
Whalers where they wanted to be
One of the 'Star' chase boats brings whales alongside whaling ship 'Sir James Clark Ross', off Victoria Land, Antarctica. — Otago Witness, 9.3.1926The Ross Sea whaling fleet has succeeded in getting through into clear water after a period of 38 days in the pack. Usually it takes four or five days for the boats to steam through the pack ice. acting upon a hereditary impulse, the more youthful passengers deserted their seats to obtain a better view of the proceedings. The two young men who engaged in the fisticuffs were among those who stood for the remainder of the journey.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 16:16 UTC
Widespread disease still a concern
A waxeye bearing a bird pox sore feeds with others at a Tahakopa Valley property in October. PHOTO: OWEN MCNUTTBird pox is widespread in Otago and remains a concern for conservationists protecting native species. At the time, Mr McNutt said he feared any increase in the prevalence of the disease could lead to its spread into vulnerable native species, like kākāriki. The Beresford Range, where his reserve was located, was home to both the endangered kākāriki and mohua, Mr McNutt said. Doc downplayed the severity of the outbreak, saying it was a widespread disease from which birds usually recovered.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 16:16 UTC
Barrelling onwards to first
REPORT & PHOTO: NIC DUFFFelicity Montgomery rounds the final barrel on her way to winning the Junior Barrel Racing at the Omarama Rodeo yesterday. The annual event featured a full programme of bull riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping and more rodeo events from juniors right through to the open sections. There were plenty of food and drink vendors on site to keep everyone happy as well as apparel stalls selling hats and equestrian gear. There was also a bouncy castle for the younger children to enjoy. The National Rodeo Finals will be held in Waikouaiti in March.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 16:16 UTC
Letters to the Editor: mining, climate and cycleways
Photo: ODT filesToday's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including National's position on the Bendigo mine, emissions targets and South Dunedin, and yet another cycleway. Philip TempleDunedinLegal punishmentDoes the Supreme Court ruling that impact on climate change is a mandatory consideration before blocks of land can be offered up for extractive industry, as reported by the New Zealand Herald on December 19, mean that letters by climate denialists become illegal or that those who attempt publicly to highlight climate emergencies are acting illegally? What Paul fails to address is how meeting our emissions targets will affect the residents of South Dunedin. If we met all its targets and did everything the Climate Change Commission advocated, it would do absolutely nothing to prevent flooding in South Dunedin. Carolyn RichardsonDunedinAddress Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 16:16 UTC
The viral videos of 2025: From truckie chaos to heroic rescues and reptilian escapes
Kiwi expat Faber was cuddling his cat Lily, only to realise a deadly eastern brown snake had invited itself into their Adelaide home. CCTV footage of the lead-footed 73-year-old sinking her 4WD at Matiatia Wharf soon bounced worldwide thanks to social media. Video posted online showed Kotiro and a barefoot, singlet-and-shorts-clad Gage guiding the horse to safety, with the Waioeka Pā dad bemused by the fuss. “It was just the usual kind of flood that you might get with a bit of heavy rain. “All we heard was bang, bang … my initial thought [was] it could’ve been some sort of firearm.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 16:06 UTC
Papakura rowdy house revealed as Auckland’s worst for noise complaints
Auckland Council received 29,388 noise complaints from January 1 to November 23 this year. Aucklanders made close to 30,000 noise complaints in 2025Aucklanders made 29,388 noise complaints from January 1 to November 23 this year, according to Auckland Council figures. Of the complaints, 5472 resulted in an excessive noise direction being served, while 159 written warnings were issued. Fifty-two alarms were disconnected, 86 seizures were undertaken and 357 instances of non-compliance with an excessive noise direction occurred. The council received at least 25,000 noise complaints in 2024.
Source:New Zealand Herald
December 28, 2025 16:06 UTC
Maintaining identity among govt friction
Whether calling the Otago Regional Council "the Kremlin of the South Island"or waving goodbye to Freddy the Frog, Mr Jones is never short of a front page-worthy one-liner. In the battle between "getting stuff done"and protecting the environment, Mr Jones has been loud and unapologetic voice for the former. While there has undoubtedly been moments of friction between National, Act New Zealand and NZ First, the latter has maintained its identity. As for the 2026 election campaign, expect more of the same, Mr Jones promised. With Mr Peters having senior ministerial responsibilities, much of that agenda will be promoted by Mr Jones.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 15:32 UTC
Pilot programme to foster youth digital leadership
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGESAn innovative pilot programme to help youth become leaders in addressing online harm and to identify the digital challenges that matter most to them is coming to Central Otago early next year. Netsafe’s Otago Young Digital Leaders Pilot has received a $350,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust to support the programme. Netsafe chief executive Brent Carey said recruitment for interested youth would begin in early in the new year, with Central Otago a part of the pilot from the outset. Central Otago would run alongside Dunedin for the first year of the programme. The programme would come at a critical time, as young people navigated an increasingly complex digital environment, he said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 15:32 UTC
Keeping islands pest-free focus for holiday period
Weka chicks on Lake Wanaka’s Mou Waho. PHOTO: ALLIED MEDIA FILESBoaties and lake-users are being asked to be extra vigilant when visiting the pest-free islands of Lake Wānaka this summer. Lake Wānaka is home to two pest-free islands, Mou Tapu and Mou Waho, providing a safe haven for native species such as buff weka, mountain stone wētā and the Southern Alps gecko. "The highest risk of a pest incursion to these islands is being carried unknowingly by boat or kayak. "With more boats on water and visiting islands during the busy season, there’s a higher chance of transporting a pest animal to the islands.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 15:32 UTC
Cherry-pit spitting competition a cheery day out
Showing he still has it is Dunedin-based Aaron Collins, who reclaimed the top spot at this year’s national cherry-pit spitting contest in Cromwell yesterday. That may be true, as it was a family affair at the national cherry-pit spitting competition in Cromwell yesterday. Michael was delighted to beat his son to second place in the men’s competition. Dressed to impress Billie Atkins (6) won the under-8 cherry dress-up competition. Women’s section winner Laure Veneilhan arrived from France yesterday and headed directly to the competition, cleaning up with a 7.93m effort.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 15:32 UTC
Harris rewrites record books on debut
Sparks batter Laura Harris celebrates after bringing up her half-century against the Magicians in their women’s Super Smash match in Alexandra yesterday. In her debut innings for the Sparks, she thrashed the equal-fastest half-century in the history of women’s T20 cricket. Australian import Laura Harris made a stunning debut for the Sparks as she led them to a six-wicket victory over the Canterbury Magicians in Alexandra yesterday. From there it was all about Harris, the hard-hitting veteran filling the sizable hole left by the injured Suzie Bates. SPARKSF Robertson b Banks 22 (20)B James c & b Banks 9 (8)C Blakely c & b Sullivan 22 (16)L Harris c Cox b Sullivan 52 (17)P Inglis not out 20 (19)A Browning not out 8 (9)Extras (5lb, 8w) 13Total (for 4wkts, 14.5 overs) 146Fall: 1-17, 2-46, 3-95, 4-122.
Source:Otago Daily Times
December 28, 2025 15:31 UTC