Isaac Horwood, 10, of Dunedin, plays the keyboard for shoppers at the Otago Farmers Market on Saturday. Photos: Peter McIntosh A Dunedin 10-year-old wowed listeners at the Otago Farmers Market yesterday, even drawing a tear or two from some weary Christmas shoppers. Politics
Preparations are almost complete for the Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s big Christmas meeting at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill tomorrow. Politics
The handmade sustainable Christmas tree in central Featherston after it was destroyed. Photo: Supplied Vandals have destroyed a prominent Christmas tree in a Wairarapa town, casting a cloud over what should have been a time of celebration. Politics
Jock Davies died after being shot while hunting on Stewart Island. Photo: Supplied A man has pleaded guilty to causing the hunting death of an Otago man Jock Davies in Stewart Island and can now be named. Events
A police car outside a Wellington synagogue on Monday, following the deadly shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia. Photo: RNZ Security measures have been increased for the Jewish community across New Zealand after the Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney, Australia. Events
Yes they know it’s Christmas time. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Christmas is a time of meaning for Muslims, Abdullah Drury writes. Politics
PHOTO: NICK BROOK The Clutha Leader Silver Fern Farms Local Legend lamb leg is luckily always large. Events
Nick and Kate Webster prepare to open a farm shop at Totara, just south of Oamaru, tomorrow. PHOTO: RACHEL WYBROW PHOTOGRAPHY Fresh, local and seasonal. Politics
Severe heatwave conditions are fuelling the risk of bushfires in New South Wales. File photo Dangerous fire conditions are set to continue across parts of eastern Australia as forecast dry lightning risks new blazes. Events
Only 15 percent of those surveyed expected to spend more than last year on the holiday season, while 42 percent expected to spend less. Photo: RNZ Consumers are cutting back on holiday gift-giving and vacations as cost-of-living expenses take priority. Economics
The South Dunedin supermarket was closed for 18 days in February last year following numerous sightings and captures of rodents. File photo Woolworths has been hauled before the courts and admitted failing to control its Dunedin store’s rat infestation. Politics
Emergency services attend the scene of the logging truck crash which left a person trapped at Stony Creek today. Photo: Richard Davison Firefighters are working to free one person who is "heavily trapped" after a crash involving a logging truck north of Balclutha this morning. Events
Passenger rail advocate Jarrod Hodson. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A Dunedin passenger rail advocate is elated a service linking the city with Christchurch and Invercargill is back after decades of waiting. Politics
Photo: Supplied Dunedin's decades-long wait for passenger rail to return is almost over with a new service set to link with city with Christchurch and Invercargill. Politics
Trees falling on lines caused more than 85% of the power outages from last month’s wind event in the South and the lines industry — which spends $67 million a year annually on the issue — says it is time for a change. Events
South Invercargill’s Christmas Party is back. Politics
Invercargill's Focus Technology Group won the people’s choice award at the 2025 Grand Business South Awards and was also named a finalist in the excellence in customer experience category. Photo: supplied Invercargill’s Focus Technology Group was awarded the people’s choice award at this year’s Grand Business South Awards, marking the company’s first recognition in this category. Events
From March next year, Monday flights will be added to Jetstar’s existing schedule along its Dunedin—Gold Coast route. Photo: ODT Files Christmas has come early for Dunedin Airport with Jetstar increasing to four the number of weekly flights direct to the Gold Coast. Politics
Thomas Vialletet. Photo: Supplied Friends are rallying to support the wife and young children of mountain guide Thomas Vialletet who perished in a fall on Aoraki/Mt Cook. Society
Thomas Vialletet. Photo: Supplied A Wānaka mountain guide who fell to his death with a client on Aoraki / Mt Cook was "careful and diligent" with experience climbing the mountain. Events
