Strait to be swum for sprinklers
The Tūhura Otago Museum board chairman and University of Otago physics professor will attempt to swim across the cold and unpredictable waters of Cook Strait on Monday, in a bid to raise money for a much-needed new fire sprinkler system at Tūhura Otago Museum. One of the most urgent needs at present is the installation of further fire sprinklers to protect the museum"s "irreplaceable collections". "Swimming the Cook Strait felt like something I could do to highlight the circumstances in which the Museum Trust finds itself. David Hutchinson waves to one of the Broad Bay locals while training for his swim across one of the world’s toughest stretches of open water, Cook Strait, next week. "These collections belong not just to Otago, but to all of Aotearoa, and our duty of care for these taoka is paramount."
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 18:02 UTC
Goldmine fast-track bid falters
Photo: ODT filesAn Australian mining company’s bid to fast-track its Central Otago gold mine has faltered at the first hurdle after government agencies raised significant environmental concerns and lambasted it for poor planning. The agencies said Santana Minerals’ bid for a decision to be made in 30 days was unrealistic, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) calling for a 140-day decision-making period. In submissions to fast-track panel convener Jane Borthwick, the Department of Conservation, Central Otago District Council (CODC) and local rūnaka raised concerns ahead of a conference call between key stakeholders earlier this week. Representatives of the local rūnaka said the entire consultative process had been inadequate. Doc complained about the "limited meaningful engagement on significant issues" with Santana and raised concerns around "gaps" in information provided.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:51 UTC
One dead, one critical in Milton incident
PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHOne person is dead and another is in critical condition after a serious incident near Milton. Detective Sergeant Hayden Smale said police were called to Adams Flat Rd, Crichton, about 6.10pm yesterday. A St John spokesman said one person was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. A scene guard was in place while an examination was carried out. — Allied Media
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:51 UTC
Rare visitor spotted
PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENErect-crested penguins are normally found on New Zealand’s subantarctic Bounty and Antipodes island groups, but this juvenile was among sea lions at a Dunedin beach yesterday. "We don’t see high numbers of them on the mainland of New Zealand, but when we do, it is usually around January-February as they undergo their annual moult and they are most commonly seen around the southeast coast of the South Island when they do show up," Department of Conservation biodiversity ranger Megan Abbott said. Penguins were vulnerable while moulting, as they would sit on land for three to four weeks while undergoing a full feather change, she said. During this time, they could be easily stressed by disturbances and could be more vulnerable to dog attacks. People should give them space and not approach them, she said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:51 UTC
Name suppression for man who tied up toddler
Photo: ODT filesA Dunedin man who tied his toddler’s legs together, leaving her injured for nearly two months, has had his name permanently suppressed. The man, who previously pleaded guilty to child neglect, was sentenced to six months’ community detention and 12 months’ intensive supervision. "You said you didn’t intentionally cause her to suffer," Judge Harvey said. The judge said it would be critical the man remained engaged with psychological supports. "Fortunately there’s no lasting injury," Judge Harvey said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:39 UTC
Summer art exhibition attracts over 100 entries
Otago Art Society president Rose Shepard in front of the acrylic painting Waiting to Open, by Anne Bullock, at the opening night of the society’s summer exhibition. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSHMore than 100 Otago artists feature in the Otago Art Society’s summer exhibition at the Dunedin Railway Station. The overall winner pastel landscape Summer Lane, by Lynn Grace. Judge Inge Doesburg said the work evoked a summer lane quite beautifully. Another pastel drawing —, by Annelois Douglas — was first in that category.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:39 UTC
Prevention of wind farm to cost: Contact
An artist’s impression of Contact Energy’s proposed wind farm near Wyndham. IMAGE: SUPPLIEDPreventing a massive billion-dollar wind farm in the Southland District from going ahead will eventually lead to blackouts and reliance on coal, Contact Energy says. The state-owned generator is planning a 250MW to 350MW wind farm in Southland, which is expected to generate sufficient electricity to power 110,000 to 150,000 households. In response, Contact has delivered a 78-page submission addressing concerns, and reiterating New Zealand’s need for more wind power and renewable electricity. Doc has asked for a 30-year concession for the project, while Contact Energy wants a 60-year concession.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:39 UTC
Timber!
PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENPortobello Rd traffic was down to one lane yesterday as arborists felled a large macrocarpa tree in Ivanhoe Rd. An arborist was elevated and hung by an extended ladder to reach the branches of the tall tree in yesterday’s overcast conditions. Traffic patiently waited for their turn to travel past the temporary traffic light.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:39 UTC
New public toilet facilities to boost accessibility
IMAGE: SUPPLIEDDunedin is set to become the first city in the South Island with a fully accessible $750,000 Changing Places bathroom. A Dunedin City Council spokesman said construction of a new public toilet featuring a Changing Places bathroom will start next week. Changing Places bathrooms are designed for those with complex care needs, who are unable to use standard accessible bathrooms or public toilets. The inside of the Changing Places bathroom will feature a bespoke art wall featuring images inspired by Dunedin’s heritage and environment. As well as the Changing Places bathroom, the facility will feature two other public toilets — one standard and one ambulant.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:39 UTC
Roof ripped off campervan at country's most-hit underpass
A campervan had its roof removed after attempting to pass under the height-restricted underpass in Tinwald. Photo: SuppliedThe country's most-struck rail bridge has claimed yet another victim, this time slicing the roof off a campervan driving beneath the low-clearance viaduct in Canterbury. It comes just a month after the Tinwald Viaduct re-opened following repairs from a previous accident. Police were called to the incident around 3.15pm on Wednesday, where the campervan had hit the viaduct as it drove through, with a spokesperson confirming the vehicle lost part of its roof. The Tinwald Viaduct was repaired and upgraded with a steel overhead impact beam, which has been hit several times since it reopened in December.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:05 UTC
Wet weather no concern for cruise ship tourists
PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENTourists on a rare two-night stay in Dunedin did not let the wet weather get in the way of their travels. It joined the much larger Norwegian Spirit cruise ship, which has capacity for 1972 passengers and 904 crew, at Port Chalmers. Yesterday’s wet weather did not get in the way of Rick Bennet, 80, of Noosa, Australia, enjoying Dunedin’s tourist offerings. Norwegian Spirit cruise ship passenger Rick Bennet, 80, of Noosa, Australia, braves the Dunedin weather to explore the city. Cruise ship passengers board a bus in the Octagon back to their ships yesterday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 17:02 UTC
No double-digit milk payout this season
The high supply of milk worldwide has meant New Zealand dairy farmers have had to lower their expectations regarding future payouts. PHOTO: TIM CRONSHAWSouth Island dairy farmers are waving goodbye to another double-digit milk payout as global supplies remain stubbornly high over the 2025-26 season. The season started with Fonterra sweeping a wide brush in its opening forecast range of $8-$11 a kilogram of milk solids. Unlikely to be repeated now is the double-digit record $10.16/kg midpoint for the 2024-25 season. Federated Farmers Dairy chairman Karl Dean said many farmers would have written off a repeat of last season’s payout.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 16:45 UTC
First stage of major expansion complete
PHOTOS: BARKER’SSouth Canterbury company Barker’s has completed its new jam, juice and sauce factory near Geraldine in the first stage of a nearly $60 million expansion project. Chief executive Agnes Baekelandt said the factory was ready for processing after the main work was finished only a few weeks ago. French-owned jam, juice and sauce maker Barker’s new factory in South Canterbury is expected to eventually double production. The first stage of an experimental orchard is in place with a tomato and capsicum trial planted just before Christmas. The additional land is being used for an irrigation and wastewater system, the experimental orchard and future-proofing the operation.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 16:33 UTC
Pensioner left stranded after car set alight in act of suspected arson
A Gore pensioner has been left gutted after his car was destroyed in an act of suspected arson this week, leaving him with no means of transport for medical appointments. PHOTO: NZ POLICEA newly retired Gore man has been left stranded after his uninsured car was torched this week in a suspected arson. However, his burnt-out car was left glued to the road. "[The car] was uninsured too — I ran out of insurance and couldn’t afford to renew it. Police are investigating the fire as a suspected arson, but Mark said he had no idea why anyone would target his vehicle.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 23, 2026 16:02 UTC