High hopes the series will put the region firmly on the international screen production map.

East of Eden a sprawling hit starring Florence Pugh, Dunedin and Ōamaru

High hopes the series will put this heritage-rich region firmly on the international screen production map.

Mon, Oct 5

3:38

The first truckloads will be delivered to farms this month.

Phosphate mined in NZ for first time in decades

It's a mineral New Zealand farmers rely on for optimal animal feed, with Stats NZ data showing we imported $26 million worth in July alone.

Wed, Sep 30

2:19

Mary McFarlane

The swim meet volunteer still working at 90

Mary McFarlane’s volunteered at hundreds of events over the past 56 years.

Tue, Sep 8

2:13

The castle overlooks Dunedin's southern coast.

Dunedin clifftop castle saved from ruin after decades of decay

The crumbling castle overlooking Dunedin's southern coast has been too dangerous for the public to visit for decades, which a trust is hoping to change.

Thu, Aug 6

2:28

New Zealand has no airtightness standard for buildings, including houses.

'No requirement': Airtight solutions sought for NZ's cold, draughty homes

The Green Building Council demonstrated a low-cost air sealing method in a 145-year-old Dunedin flat, as it calls for NZ to catch up with countries like the UK on airtightness standards.

Tue, Aug 4

3:06

The two-night event in Gore has been running annually for nearly 40 years.

Stage set for Hokonui Fashion Design Awards

The two-night event is a staple for the Southland region.

Fri, Jul 24

2:19

A $3.5b project has been approved in Makarewa, 10 minutes north of Invercargill, with locals wanting answers. 

Southland community has questions about $3.5b AI data centre

The massive project has been approved in Makarewa, 10 minutes north of Invercargill, with locals wanting answers.

Thu, Jul 23

2:23

Wakari Hospital in Dunedin, where Ward 10A is being closed following an Ombudsman investigation.

Patients face being sedated, flown north as Dunedin mental health ward closes

Wakari Hospital's Ward 10A is being shut down after an Ombudsman inspection found "some of the worst practices" it has seen anywhere.

Sun, Jul 12

3:29

June 2026
Just two doctors have Medsafe approval to write prescriptions for the psychedelic ingredient in magic mushrooms.

Clinicians cautious a year after psilocybin approved for patients

A new online training course is aiming to upskill more medical professionals and address concerns about the therapy.

Tue, Jun 30

2:37

Flooding in south Dunedin in 2025 (file image).

South Dunedin flood plan: 1100 households could be forced out

Budgets for proposed actions range from $1.63 billion to $2.45 billion – but that's still less than the cost of the status quo.

Wed, Jun 17

2:15

The Midwinter Carnival held in Dunedin.

Ticket capacity capped at popular Dunedin midwinter festival

The annual winter solstice celebration has become so popular that capacity has had to be reduced to prevent overcrowding.

Sat, Jun 13

2:13

Two pups were killed by cars last month, and a marine scientist said it is "only a matter of time" until a human is killed too.

Dunedin drivers warned as sea lions take to the roads

Two pups were killed by cars last month, and a marine scientist said it is "only a matter of time" until a human is killed too.

Mon, Jun 8

2:23

The dinosaur slide in Marlow Park, also known as Dinosaur Park, in St Kilda, has been a prehistoric fixture beloved by kids since 1969.

Dunedin's beloved dinosaur slide faces extinction after 57 years

A playground upgrade could spell the end for the St Kilda icon, but an 800-comment Facebook frenzy suggests the community isn't ready to let it go the way of the dinosaurs

Fri, Jun 5

4:35

Drilling down several hundred metres into the ice may reveal how much the sea will rise as the planet warms. 

Samples from below Earth's surface offer climate clues

Samples collected in one of the world's most remote sites in West Antarctica last summer, 700km from Scott Base, and flown back to New Zealand

Tue, Jun 2

2:30

May 2026
Benedict Ong

Dunedin mayor concerned at councillor's comments about official

Benedict Ong - who was earlier this month sanctioned for leaking - has sent to media a letter to him from the mayor marked "confidential" in which concerns are expressed about his comments about the council chief executive.

Wed, May 27

0:43

Frost.

Fewer frosts for central South Island as climate shifts

Scientists predict there will be 40-50 fewer icy mornings in the Mackenzie Country and inland Otago if global warming continues.

Tue, May 12

2:35

The camera lies beside its scorched mounting on SH1, south of Dunedin.

Highway speed camera in Otago knocked down, catches fire

Freshly installed road safety equipment hadn't yet been put into operation before it was felled in suspected vandalism.

Mon, May 4

April 2026
Operators would make little or no return on harvests due to the cost of running heavy machinery.

Forestry cuts back amid fuel hikes from Middle East conflict

Operators would make little or no return on harvests due to the cost of running heavy machinery.

Wed, Apr 29

2:19

Rajinder was jailed for nearly decapitating Gurjit Singh.

Family 'destroyed' by 'depraved' murder of son in Dunedin

Gurjit Singh was brutally attacked by a man known as Rajinder, who was today sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17.5 years.

Wed, Apr 1

March 2026
While Dunedin South Countdown was initially supposed to be closed for 48 hours, the store’s reopening date was constantly being pushed back – as more rodents were found.

Woolworths fined $33,000 over rat-infested Dunedin store

The supermarket chain’s Dunedin South branch, then called Countdown, was shut for nearly three weeks in February 2024.

Fri, Mar 27

0:23

Te Whatu Ora has called on people in the community to be alert for symptoms.

Meningococcal cases being treated as outbreak among Dunedin students

Health NZ believe infections may be spreading asymptomatically within the student population, with pharmacies reporting heavy vaccine demand.

Sun, Mar 15

2:06

Otago University wrote to the Government about potential issues with a new school in Waikato.

'Teething issues': Concerns over placements of 120 new medical students

Otago University wrote to the Health Minister – and then to the Ministry of Health the next day – about potential issues with a new school in Waikato.

Wed, Mar 11

2:16

February 2026
A growing number of tour groups on buses and shuttles are driving by Dunedin's Castle Street – with domestic and international sightseers wanting to head to the student quarter.

Dunedin's 'notorious' Castle St becomes attraction for international tourists

A growing number of tour groups on buses and shuttles are driving by Dunedin's Castle Street – with domestic and international sightseers wanting to head to the student quarter.

Sun, Feb 22

2:21

ADHD medication (file image).

Chronic shortages of ADHD meds likely to last all of this year

A rise in ADHD patients were expected as rules changed this month to allow GPs and nurse practitioners to assess and prescribe medications.

Sat, Feb 21

2:21

January 2026
1News' Dunedin reporter Sam Olley reports.

Otago scientists examine microplastics in bowel tissue cancer study

Medical researchers in Christchurch are investigating whether microplastics found in human tissue are contributing to rising bowel cancer rates among younger people.

Sun, Jan 25

2:18