Otago

Renting in the Central Otago Lakes District region is now more expensive than Auckland, though renters elsewhere are seeing relief.

The $69 million yacht is owned by Australian businessman and philanthropist Andrew Forrest.

The younger woman had shown up to the next-door house with a 50-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman yelling and screaming demanding the cat back.

Cars, trucks or motorcycles will be charged to use the road into Macetown from the end of this month.

A 35-year-old man has been remanded in custody, facing charges related to driving, burglary and theft of stock.

Bruce Mahalski objected to paying the fee, saying it implied he committed an antisocial crime when his motives were selfless.

One school bus route will be cancelled, one new route will be added and 11 will continue on an 'interim' basis.

One in five home-buyers were first-timers - despite soaring property prices and thousands of people on waitlists for affordable housing schemes.

There has been no sign of 20-year-old Connor Purvis since he went to climb Mt Huxley last Tuesday.

The application to open Bottle O Cumberland at 9am each day was opposed by a number of organisations.

Two dogs taken away in a stolen ute in Central Otago have been found - their owner saying she is "beyond relieved".

Connor Purvis has red hair and a handlebar moustache and police are urging anyone with information to get in contact.

Radich was mayor from 2022 to 2025 and had been serving as a councillor since then, so a by-election will now be triggered.

Police are seeking witnesses to an assault at a campsite in Cromwell on Friday.

The police believe the man pictured may be able to help with enquires into an assault on Ballarat Street.

Police have not found any sign of anyone in distress.

Lawson's pit-stop from the racing circuit to drive laps in Cromwell drew thousands of motorsport enthusiasts and drive to survive fans to the circuit on Tuesday.

The Formula 1 star will drive a V12 Aston Martin Vulcan as part of a fundraiser at Highlands Motor Park.

Police, paramedics and volunteers are concerned about the number of unsupervised young people who arrive with alcohol.

Number of known cases since the response began now at 32, with four still infectious.