New joint council water entity announces appointments
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED/CODCThe newly formed Southern Waters group has announced a couple of key foundational roles. Southern Waters said in a statement last week it had made two key appointments to lead the establishment of the new water services entity. Southern Waters will be the largest joint council water services entity in the South Island, delivering water, wastewater and stormwater services across the Central Otago, Clutha and Gore districts. He has advised numerous water reticulation businesses during his career, including assessing water and waste distribution assets for the Dunedin City Council and advising the Christchurch City Council on its interest in Central Plains Water. The programme director role was a fixed-term position, leading the establishment phase of Southern Waters through to December next year.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 16:02 UTC
Three cruise ships make for busy weekend
Cruise ships Seabourn Quest, left, and Azamara Pursuit at Port Chalmers yesterday. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSHDunedin has experienced something of a cruise bonanza over the weekend, after three cruise ships stopped at Port Chalmers, with two of those staying an extra night. When the cruise ships Seabourn Quest, Azamara Pursuit and Le Soleal arrived, it meant the city was looking after about 1420 passengers in total. The Seabourn Quest is a year-round luxury cruise liner, with capacity for about 460 passengers and is a frequent visitor of Australia and New Zealand shores. The Azamara Pursuit is a mid-sized cruise vessel with a capacity of 700 passengers, with its publicity detail describing the ship as a "luxurious boutique hotel on the sea".
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 16:02 UTC
Waihola defend trophy
The Waihola Swans defended the Burt Pringle Trophy with a commanding 186-run win over the Milton King Crabs in Milton. Milton asked Waihola to bat with plenty of moisture about, but it began to feel like the wrong decision as Waihola’s batters went to work. The only moderate highlight of the Milton innings came from lower-order batter Brad Milligan, who swatted 17 in a confident effort. The best partnership of the innings came at the death with Harjinder Singh and Daniel Johnston adding 16 runs with some lusty blows to the fence. Cameron Johnston showed that class is permanent with three fine overs after being away from cricket for at least a decade.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 16:02 UTC
Boyd claims 10th national title
Boyd won the women’s singles at the national championships on Friday to claim her 10th national title. The victory marked Boyd’s first national singles title and capped off a stellar week in which she also won the women’s pairs alongside Kirsten Edwards. The 34-year-old now boasts a remarkable 10 national titles, made up of one singles, three pairs and six fours titles. "I’ve lost two national singles finals in the past so it’s nice to finally win one," Boyd said. In the day’s other final, Darron Wolland (Balclutha) was clinical to pick up another national title in the open disability singles, proving too good for Jono Radka (Papanui).
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 16:02 UTC
Wild weather downs trees, lines, floods roads
PHOTO: QLDCStrong winds and heavy rain around the South flooded roads and brought down multiple trees and powerlines, causing road closures and delays yesterday. Mt Aspiring Rd, Greenstone Rd and Paradise Rd were all thought to be affected by the flooding and crews were busy cleaning up and clearing roads of debris. The Clutha District Council closed the Mt Cooee landfill due to strong winds. It was another day of wild weather for many around the country, warnings of high temperatures, strong winds and heavy rain being in place. Flights out of Wellington Airport were cancelled due to strong winds.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 16:00 UTC
Students mark coming of age, home-style
Japanese exchange students (from left) Miyako Nakagawa, Sayako Uchiyawa, Anela Kurosawa, Mai Terajima and Akane Nozawa celebrate their Coming of Age Day in Dunedin. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSHThere is roughly 10,000km of ocean separating Japan and Dunedin, but the distance did not stop University of Otago exchange students from marking their coming of age in traditional style. Japanese students gathered on Saturday to celebrate Coming of Age Day — a traditional ceremony, originating over 1300 years ago, to mark turning 20, the country’s age of maturity. Event organiser Shion Hashimoto said many of the 40 attendees were exchange students from Japanese universities at the University of Otago. The ceremony featured a speech from Dunedin Mayor Sophie Barker and a koto (traditional Japanese instrument) performance.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 15:34 UTC
International partnership boost for brain research
PHOTO: LINKEDINThe strength of brain research in New Zealand, and at the University of Otago in particular, will be highlighted thanks to an international partnership with a global mission. The 10-year partnership will help bring together transdisciplinary teams to improve brain health research and treatment, the University of Otago said in a statement. She said the initiative would not only amplify the country’s brain research excellence but would improve the lives of New Zealanders. "This partnership is an investment in the future of brain research in New Zealand to ensure citizens have access to the best future therapies." University of Otago research and enterprise director Dr Martin Gagnon said brain research was strong and embedded across the university.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 15:34 UTC
Clients hit out at builder
Contacted by the ODT, Mr Sneddon disputed the allegations saying the fault lay with the customers. He and his wife hired Mr Sneddon through Stonewood Homes Dunedin to build their then two-storey Karitane holiday home in 2015. For the better part of a decade, Mr Vallely said they pushed Mr Sneddon to get the certificate — taking matters into their own hands in 2025. They would not be working with Mr Sneddon again as they believed they had ended up with "the worst builder in Dunedin". Mr Klimeck admitted they were still holding back $5000 from their final payment to Mr Sneddon because there were still issues that needed to be fixed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 15:34 UTC
Bringing romance back to Dunedin
From alien love affairs to paranormal passions — there will be a love story for everybody at a new Dunedin bookstore entirely dedicated to romance. Colette Palmer said her independent bookstore, The Ink Pot, opening next month in St Andrew St, would stock novels from "all across the romance spectrum". Ms Palmer, a paranormal romance author of six years under the pen name Colette Rhodes, said romance-exclusive bookstores were not a new idea. She loved the atmosphere of romance and wanted to bring it to Dunedin. "People love the community that comes with a romance bookstore as well.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 15:34 UTC
Present inspires winning moment
Fairfield resident Nevin Davie holds his winning photo and the real-life subject, his son Leon Davie, 2, after taking first place in the annual Magic Moments photo competition. First place went to Fairfield resident Nevin Davie, who took the winning picture of his son, Leon Davie, playing with his gift on December 29. Dunedin resident Andrew Taylor took second place for his picture of two sea lions "having a moment" together at Sandfly Bay on December 22. Third place went to Gordon McGregor for his snap of a packed Clyde School slide on January 6. PHOTO: GORDON MCGREGORThird place went to Gordon McGregor who took a picture of 12 relatives sitting atop a slide at Clyde School on January 6.laine.priestley@odt.co.nz
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 15:34 UTC
Warning over online sales platforms after scam
A Dunedin woman scammed out of $2000 when attempting to sell a phone is warning others about the dangers of online marketplaces. She provided the potential buyer the contact details, only to later discover it was actually the original person. "I think that where you’re meeting up is really important because this guy walked into my home and I felt really invaded." This experience convinced her in future to always bring someone along with her when making large transactions with private individuals. These included insisting on meeting to conduct transactions and examining the item before completing the transaction.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 15:34 UTC
Melville Ives continues top form in world cup
Finley Melville Ives shows his style at Aspen yesterday. The Wanaka teenager soared to victory in the freeski halfpipe at the Aspen round of the world cup yesterday. He had some company, too, as Canadian-born Kiwi Dane Menzies claimed bronze in the snowboard slopestyle, marking his first world cup podium. A delighted Melville Ives said he felt good in training and was determined to show what he could do in Aspen. "I am just trying to have as much fun as possible when I’m skiing, and skiing is my happy place," Melville Ives said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 15:31 UTC
Otago athletes among podium placings
Otago athletes have made a sound start to the new year on the track and field. They returned home with several podium placings at the Lovelock Classic in Timaru at the weekend. She broke her own record to become the oldest winner of a national senior women’s title at 62. Scarlett Robb was 48th in the women’s under-20 race, followed by Brynne Gordon (51st), Denika Clooney (55th), Eleanor Pugh (60th) and Poppy Healy (62nd). In the men’s race, Caleb Wagener finished 39th, followed by George Wyllie (49th), Corban Holmes (56th), Redd Scampion (61st) and Bede Colbourne (65th).
Source:Otago Daily Times
January 11, 2026 15:31 UTC
Weather: High temperatures to remain for North Island with some showers
But in the South Island, temperatures will drop further among today’s hot spots with Kaikōura forecast for 20C, Christchurch and Timaru 19C, Ashburton 18C, and Ōamaru 21C. Magwala said a front currently across the top of the South Island would move towards the bottom of the North Island overnight. Magwala said the top half of the North Island would remain mainly fine, apart from one or two showers in Northland for the afternoon. Two houses on a rural Hawkes Bay road were also evacuated this afternoon after a vegetation fire broke out nearby. In the South Island, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said contractors were called in to clear fallen trees on State Highway 94 near Milford Sound, SH74 in Canterbury and SH6 on the West Coast.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 11, 2026 09:13 UTC
ManageMyHealth data breach: 86,000 Northland patients affected
So far, ManageMyHealth has notified around half of the roughly 120,000 patients whose data has been stolen. Photo / Michael CraigSo far, ManageMyHealth has notified around half of the roughly 120,000 patients whose data has been stolen. Photo / Michael CraigBy RNZMore than 70% of those impacted by the ManageMyHealth breach are based in Northland, according to Health NZ. So far, ManageMyHealth has notified around half of the about 120,000 patients whose data has been stolen. The breach was limited to 6-7% of 1.8 million registered users, within the “My Health Documents” module only, according to ManageMyHealth.
Source:New Zealand Herald
January 11, 2026 09:04 UTC