Porch sleeper prompts plea from police
Flats on Forth St and Harbour Tce. Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said police were called to an address in Forth St, North Dunedin, just after midnight yesterday. The occupants of the address discovered an unknown man sleeping on a couch in their front porch. Police found the 46-year-old man still sleeping on the couch when they arrived, Sgt Lee said. Sgt Lee said it was important for students to lock their flats.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:23 UTC
Student's drug stash found as cops overhear call to lost phone
Ther phone was handed in to police during St Patrick's Day festivities. Photo: Stephen JaquieryAn out-of-town student unwittingly dobbed himself in when his phone containing hidden drugs was handed to Dunedin police during St Patrick’s Day partying. A friend of the phone’s owner later called the phone and made arrangements with police for its return. However, the friend ‘‘failed to hang up the phone’’, Sgt Lee said. ‘‘He eventually came to police to collect his phone and received a formal warning.’’The ketamine was seized and destroyed, Sgt Lee said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:18 UTC
Robbie Williams to play new Christchurch stadium
Robbie Williams on stage at the The BRIT Awards in Manchester last month. Photo: Getty ImagesGlobal popstar Robbie Williams will play at Christchurch's new stadium later this year. Williams will be one of the first international acts at the One New Zealand Stadium when he brings his BRITPOP World Tour to the city on 28 November - the singer's first concert in Christchurch in 25 years. The government said Williams was bringing his BRITPOP World Tour to Aotearoa with the support of its $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package. In 2023, Netflix released a four-part documentary series, Robbie Williams, and in 2024 his Oscar-nominated film, Better Man, was released globally to critical acclaim.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:16 UTC
Grads pay tribute to late classmate
The late Jock Davies’ family, (from left) brother Tom, mother Sarah, father Peter and brother George with Jock’s Otago Polytechnic bachelor of applied science degree, presented at a pre-graduation ceremony at the Sargood Centre on Friday. Photo: Gerard O'BrienWearing sandals, jandals or gumboots with a suit and tie or a formal dress may not seem appropriate footwear for an Otago Polytechnic graduation. But many graduands and staff wore the "unusual fashion" accessories on Friday as a tribute to their fellow student, the late Jock Davies, who was tragically killed in a hunting accident on Stewart Island in July last year. Many attending the posthumous presentation of Jock Davies’ Otago Polytechnic bachelor of applied science degree on Friday, wore sandals, jandals and gumboots as a tribute to the much loved student. The late Jock Davies, 21, who was tragically killed in a hunting accident on Stewart Island in July.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:03 UTC
Hunting safety workshop to cover bases
A hunting safety programme will take place in Balclutha this weekend. The Baden McNabb Memorial Firearms and Hunter Safety workshop is set for 10am, Saturday at the Deerstalkers Association Hall, 5 Glasgow St. Presented by the Baden McNabb Fund at the Clutha Foundation, the workshop is in memory of Owaka outdoorsman Baden McNabb, who lost his life in 2018. "Because when we just learn from our mates, sometimes important safety bases aren’t covered. Registrations are essential, by emailing givewhereyoulive@cluthafoundation.org.nz, or following the link from the Firearms & Hunting Safety Day on Clutha Foundation’s website.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 22:02 UTC
The numbers stack up for Tavatavanawai
Timoci Tavatavanawai. Highlanders co-captain Timoci Tavatavanawai is having a whale of a season — and that is backed up by the numbers. Tavatavanawai is in a three-way tie for first after the opening five rounds. Tavatavanawai picked up eight points from the voting panel for his fine effort in the loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch at the weekend. Player of the year votes are announced every week before voting goes behind closed doors following round 10.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 21:57 UTC
Victim denies fabricating sexual assault claim
The accused man, who has name suppression, pleaded not guilty to one charge of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection between 1994 and 1995. The complainant said he was put to bed by the accused, and woke to find he was being sexually assaulted. The complainant had earlier mentioned the alleged abuse to the writer of a pre-sentence report. On Tuesday, the accused's defence lawyer, David Stevens, asked the complainant about the timing of the complaint. I don't advertise my past, I don't pity myself for what has happened to me over my life time.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 21:40 UTC
Mapping system of avalanche risk being developed
Photo: University of OtagoHeading off into the mountainous back country of the South Island is becoming increasingly dangerous as climate change increases uncertainty about snow and avalanche conditions. The NZ Avalanche Advisory provides widely recognised guidance on snow conditions and avalanche hazards across 13 alpine forecasting regions. Prof Cullen said avalanche risk was a complex interaction involving snowpack, weather, terrain and people, where terrain was the only factor that remained constant over time. University of Otago School of Geography researcher Prof Nicolas Cullen (left) and PhD student Phil Elder are developing a mapping system aimed at helping back-country visitors stay safe from avalanche danger in New Zealand. NZ-mATES would then use this information to identify locations where an avalanche might start, travel and dissipate, and calculate the risks accordingly.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 21:37 UTC
Protected tree survives twin onslaught of poetry and AI
PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIENA Mosgiel couple have given up the fight to remove a tree they say is threatening their family home, after a second bid for council permission failed. A poem to the pin oak and an AI-backed report have previously supported the couple’s efforts to remove the tree. However, the council’s hearing panel — commissioners Rosalind Day-Cleavin, Shane Roberts and Andrew Whiley — found the tree did not pose a significant risk. "The panel acknowledges there would be some benefit to the applicant and the neighbouring submitter from removing the tree. "However, no evidence was provided that any public benefit arising from removing the tree would be significant, nor that any public benefit outweighed the loss of the tree."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 21:37 UTC
Sheep sale peaks in Ida Valley
Cairnlea co-owner Sam Stevens, with his sheep dog Storm, has sold his Poll Dorset stud flock in Ida valley, as he prepares to exit farming. About 250 two-tooth and mixed-age Poll Dorset ewes, 85 Poll Dorset ram lambs, 30 Poll Dorset cross ram lambs and 30 Poll Dorset cross ewe lambs sold at an on-farm sale last month. Poll Dorset sheep thrived on the farm because they liked hot and dry conditions. Poll Dorset sheep, which sold at a Cairnlea dispersal sale and are destined for farms in Whangārei, Northland. Mr Peddie said he bought about 60 mixed-age Poll Dorset ewes and about 30 Poll Dorset ewe lambs.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 21:33 UTC
Recovering lock has sights set on South Africa
Highlanders lock Fabian Holland works on his rehabilitation at team headquarters yesterday. Photo: HighlandersFabian Holland has never met the new All Blacks coach but is hoping to take a trip to South Africa with him later this year. Holland confirmed his hope was to be fit and firing by the time the All Blacks left for the Greatest Rivalry tour of South Africa in early August. "We’ve been doing a bit of planning and we’re aiming to be ready for selection for the South African tour. "Everything’s going good.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 21:33 UTC
Entering show continuation of family legacy
PHOTOS: SHAWN MCAVINUEThe Wānaka A&P Show is a must-attend event for three generations of a Maniototo merino breeding family. New Zealand Merino Stud Breeders’ Society chairman Simon Paterson said Wānaka A&P Show was the feature event on the merino showing calendar. The Patersons continued a long-held family tradition of renting a crib and entering merino sheep in show competitions last week. More than 20 Armidale merino sheep, a mix of ewes and rams, were entered in livestock competitions this year. He was the third generation of his family to take merino sheep to the show, beginning with his grandfather Bruce.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 21:33 UTC
Care home handyman groped 'defenceless' elderly dementia patient
Bernard Edward Cameron leaving court yesterday. Photo: Gregor RichardsonA worker at a Dunedin care facility who groped an elderly woman with dementia has avoided a jail sentence. Bernard Edward Cameron, 71, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier admitting three charges of indecent assault. The court heard that the defendant was a handyman at the care home and the sex attack came near the anniversary of his wife’s death. Yesterday, the victim’s son told the court his mother’s illness made her the "perfect victim" for Cameron’s assaults.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 21:33 UTC
Hipkins 'considered his future in politics' after ex-wife's claims
Photo: RNZLabour leader Chris Hipkins says he did consider his future in politics after his ex-wife levelled claims at him on social media, but he remains "absolutely committed" to staying on. Hipkins appeared on a suite of morning media shows on Wednesday - including Morning Report - where he again flatly denied all the claims, but said he would not be litigating them in public for the sake of his children. The claims are not criminal and relate to a lack of support for his ex-wife Jade Paul during and after their relationship. Speaking on Morning Report, Hipkins acknowledged he had considered stepping down, noting the impact on his family. "Social media certainly has emboldened a lot of people, and, you know, we have a virtual vigilante approach on social media that anybody in a public profile role now has to contend with.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 20:41 UTC
Dunedin house prices up
Dunedin’s average home value increased by 2.6% over the summer to $652,147, bucking the national trend. "It’s interesting to note the relative strength of property values across much of the South Island compared with the North Island. Nationally, he said the housing market remained in a state of "steady as she goes" for now. "Listing levels and buyer demand are relatively well balanced, helping to keep property values broadly stable for the time being. "This will inevitably have implications for the housing market in the year ahead, as interest rates, employment trends and overall economic conditions continue to shape housing market activity."
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 17, 2026 20:18 UTC