Otago Daily Times News Feed

A beautiful mature kowhai leans over the footpath outside the former King Edward Technical College building in Stuart St. Not many years ago, an out-of-control truck smashed through the fence near the young kowhai in the foreground. PHOTOS: LINDA ROBERTSON Now that the school year is well under way, hands up those who know the Maori word for the colour yellow. Your hand should be up too, because you know it, even if you think you don’t.

This week, a summing up on adolescence. writes parenting columnist Ian Munro.

Hariata Moriarty (centre), one of the three actors to play Missy, in a scene from Cousins, the new film adaptation of the novel by Patricia Grace. PHOTO: VENDETTA FILMS A Kiwi film about separation and connection has arrived at just the right moment, its co-director tells Tom McKinlay.

Retiring Maori Centre tumuaki/manager Pearl Matahiki (third from left) talks with University of Otago Maori students (from left) Nikau Reti-Beazley (21), Karamea Pewhairangi, Te Awhina Pounamu-Waikaramihi (21), Tenaya Brown (25) and Aliyah Tautuhi (19). PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH As a new academic year begins, Pearl Matahiki reflects on 20 years as head and heart of the university’s support for Maori students. On the eve of retiring, she talks to Bruce Munro about students she has known, celebrating success in an alien environment and important changes still to come.

Reuben and Iona Winter. Photo: Supplied It’s been another week where people I love have lost people they love and are feeling lost themselves. Sometimes I’m clumsy and rush in with my own words even when mostly I don’t know what to say. But/so/and this week the words I want to share belong to Iona Winter, a friend and East Otago writer, who is both generous and grieving.

Head chef and cafe manager Louise Evans holds vegan salads at Horopito Cafe, Orokonui Ecosanctuary. Looking on is second in charge Wenna Yeo. PHOTO: JEANNE HUTCHISON Even the cafe at Orokonui Ecosanctuary is doing its bit, writes Jeanne Hutchison.

Photo: Getty Images To be honest, when I first came across the concept of "perfecting the present", I struggled with it. If I wasn’t where I wanted to be or have what I wanted to have then how could the present be perfect? asks life coach Jan Aitken. 

Angela Casley shares her recipes for a decadent seasonal fruit loaf and a sweet plum and apple cake.

Some encouraging statistics released last week on child poverty have done little to dampen concern about the lives of our poorest tamariki, particularly those who are disabled or from Maori or Pasifika households.

The massive growth in freedom campers has inevitably led to resentment in local communities. PHOTO: OTAGO DAILY TIMES FILES Freedom camping needs new regulations and foreign tourists are not the only villains, write Michael Lueck and  Sabrina Seeler.

Erin Moogan Invercargill city councillors will make a decision tomorrow on the proposed 35% increase for its rental units.

Isis Jennings, of Invercargill, pushes her son Logan (2) on a swing. PHOTOS: LUISA GIRAO Invercargill Mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt said he learned to never judge a book by its cover.

Viewing the processing of Bales4Blair wool are (from left) Rosstan Mazey, from New Zealand Woolscouring (left), Sarah Dooley, of Mimihau, process co-ordinator Emily Shields, Amy Blaikie, of Slopedown, and NZWL chief operating officer Tony Cunningham. PHOTO: STU JACKSON "Phenomenal" is how South Otago farmer Amy Blaikie describes watching the processing of Bales4Blair wool at a Timaru scour — and seeing the piles of donations from around the country.

From highland dancers to livestock competitions, the North Otago A&P Show in Oamaru had it all.

Former Edendale man Neil Irwin restored more than a dozen Allis Chalmers tractors and made a significant contribution to the Edendale Vintage Machinery Club’s Crank Up day. PHOTO: ALLIED PRESS FILES A man who played a significant role in the success of the Edendale Vintage Machinery Club’s Crank Up day has died.

A big crowd turned out to celebrate resource consent being approved for the restoration of Te Rauone Beach on Saturday. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON The party was for the Te Rauone community but all of Dunedin should celebrate approval to restore the beach at the peninsula hamlet, local identity Des Smith says.

The luck of the Irish was on Queenstown’s side on Saturday.

Dunedin Wildlife Hospital team ‘‘The Penguin Pedallers’’ took top spot in its category in the national Aotearoa Bike Challenge 2021. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Dunedin Wildlife Hospital staff and volunteers collectively cycled 2940km, close to double the length of New Zealand, last month.

Motatapu is among the events cancelled due to Covid-19 alert level changes. Photo: Ross MacKay The sports calendar was turned upside down yesterday and events across the country were either pulled or put on hold as Covid-19 restrictions come into play.

Amy Satterthwaite, of New Zealand, steers the ball late during her unbeaten innings of 119 against England at the University Oval in Dunedin yesterday. Photo: Getty Images Finally.