Tess Brunton
Closing statements given at Dunedin student murder trial
A "David and Goliath" situation - that's how the defence for the 14-year-old accused of murdering a Dunedin student has summed up the case. The teen, who was 13 at the time, is accused of killing… Audio
Trial for Dunedin bus hub murder enters third day
A High Court jury has been played graphic scenes of a 13-year-old stabbing another teenager after a short, but frenzied fight at Dunedin's bus hub last May. Reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Alexa Cook. Audio
Around the motu: Tess Brunton in Dunedin
Tess talks to Kathryn about a High Court ruling that found Environment Southland failed to protect wetlands, the partnership with global conservation charities to raise $137 million to re-wild some of… Audio
Govt's tourism campaign bargain bin offer - critics
A bargain bin offer is how some critics are describing the government's latest pitch to entice Aussies travellers across the ditch. The $500,000 marketing campaign was announced yesterday with the new… Audio
Nicola Willis pushes for more tourists to boost economy
The Government wants to boost tourism and immigration numbers in a bid to revive a flagging economy. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more. Audio
Hump Ridge Track in Fiordland gains international acclaim
The country's newest Great Walk has achieved international status, with locals saying it's already a boon to sleepy towns. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more. Audio
Reward offered to catch rescue helicopter drug thieves
The head of Otago's rescue helicopter is dipping into his own pocket to provide a $10,000 reward to catch whoever stole critical medical supplies from a rescue helicopter. Tess Brunton has more. Audio
'Radio Silence' on Dunediun Hospital's future
Residents in the lower South Island are still in the dark about the future of the new Dunedin Hospital. Local leaders say they expected a decision would be made before Christmas, but instead they have… Audio
Dolphin rescue at Otago beach
Otago lifesavers swapped beach patrol for dolphin rescue after being alerted to the animal trapped in the shallows of an estuary. It was all hands on deck as members of the public, Department of… Audio
Rare male spade-toothed whale dissected in Dunedin
Otago reporter Tess Brunton takes us inside one of the world's rarest whales Audio
Lake Hāwea residents question why murder invest took so long
Lake Hāwea residents are questioning why police didn't launch a murder investigation until eight months after a woman's death. Reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Woman died after assault at Lake Hāwea property 9 months ago
A murder investigation was launched into the death of 60-year-old Invercargill woman Karen Gaylene White last month. Police returned to the murder scene this week, examining it with scientists from… Audio
Vegetation fire burning out of control at Canterbury's Bridge Hill
Nine helicopters, three planes and 12 fire trucks have been battling the blaze, which is about 450 hectares in size - but so far they have not been able to contain it. Strong winds have been hampering… Audio
Around the motu: Tess Brunton in Dunedin
Tess Brunton discusses the latest events in Otago including an update on the bird flu, the dissection of a rare spade-toothed whale, and the plight of the South Island robin. Audio
South Island robin at risk of local extinction
A recent study revealed a stark 10 to 1 male to female ratio for kakaruai in Silver Stream northwest of Dunedin. Researchers said it's a rare, real time look at the extinction process of a taonga… Audio
Bird flu outbreak spreads to second shed
With the cull of 80,000 birdflu infected chickens soon to get underway officials are working to confirm it hasn't spread anywhere else before Chicken exports can start again. Reporter Tess Brunton… Audio
Worlds first dissection of rare species whale underway
The world's first dissection of a rare spade-toothed whale is underway in Dunedin after the adult male washed up south of the city in July. It's only the seventh time a spade-toothed whale has been… Audio
Leak causes partial ceiling collapse at Dunedin Hospital
Dunedin's Hospital keeps breaking, Tess Brunton reports on a partial ceiling collapse Audio
Twelfth Night gets Dunedin twist
A new production of the Twelfth Night re-imagines the Bard's romantic comedy, swapping the Balkans for the University of Otago during the early 1980s and it includes the "Dunedin Sound". Reporter Tess… Audio
Around the motu: Tess Brunton in Dunedin
The Waitaki District Council says it avoided a possible environmental disaster by removing thousands of tonnes of historic waste. Audio
