Otago Daily Times News Feed

Julie Scott. PHOTO: ARCHIVE Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust boss Julie Scott says delivery of the housing bonanza Mountain Scene revealed last week can’t happen soon enough.

Tūhura Otago Museum director Dr Ian Griffin says central government should shoulder some of the costs of keeping the lights on. PHOTO: SIMON HENDERSON When it comes to scientific and cultural collections, Dunedin is supremely well served by local institutions.

More than 950 tenants could be affected by a proposed 11% rent increase under the Dunedin City Council’s Draft Annual Plan. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES A Dunedin City Council proposal to increase rents across its community housing by 11% could affect more than 950 residents.

Bridge player Ramon Quennell enjoys the friendships he has made through the game. PHOTO: SIMON HENDERSON A young pupil is proving bridge can be compelling at any age.

If you head out after midnight this month, you can’t miss bright orange Arcturus, some 25 degrees above the northern horizon.

Female frosted phoenix moth — watercolour by G.V. Hudson, 1928. PHOTO: PAV JOHNSSON / SUPPLIED Last month, the frosted phoenix moth, an extraordinarily rare native moth hitherto thought to be extinct, was unwittingly rediscovered on a hotel balcony in Oban, Stewart Island, by a Swedish school teacher with a passion for natural history and extensive training in biology.

Otago Punjabi Trust members Narindervir Singh (left) and Lucky Singh helped organise the fundraising effort to support the family of Dunedin man Gurjit Singh, who was killed in Pine Hill in January. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH The family of the Dunedin man killed in his Pine Hill home will receive more than $45,000 raised by the Otago Punjabi Foundation Trust.

The new owners of Cinema Paradiso, Carolyn Whitaker and Hamish Menlove (in the blue T-shirts), took over from founders Calum Macleod and Andrea Riley (in the purple T-shirts) earlier this month. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK Home-made ice cream, freshly baked cookies, classic cars and fun times remain on the programme for Cinema Paradiso’s new owners and former teachers, Hamish Menlove and Carolyn Whitaker.

Rumer Wylie, 3, laughs her way down the slide on an inflatable obstacle course at the Weston Fun Fair last weekend. PHOTO: NIC DUFF It was all fun and games out in Weston.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.

James Quested as a young man in his Armoured Service uniform. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED Georgetown identity James Quested, pictured in 2022 just after he turned 100. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED James Walter Quested (Jim) was a World War 2 veteran who dedicated his life to his country, his family and community.

Big Bird runs back to sea with the help of Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony environment team leader Henry Elsom, after a period of rehabilitation. PHOTOS: WYATT RYDER In a story of hardship, recovery and maybe even a little romance, Bert and Big Bird have returned to the sea.

Health New Zealand chief executive Fepulea'i Margie Apa and Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher in Thames St on Thursday last week.PHOTO: SUPPLIED Waitaki’s mayor feels reassured Oamaru Hospital would be in good hands if returned to Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora after meeting the latter’s chief executive.

Gerry Slessenger inside his new Thames St shop. PHOTO: WYATT RYDER Over his lifetime, Gerry Slessenger has collected about 3000 rare and odd things. Now he wants it all gone.

The Salvation Army Youth band took to the stage last week in Oamaru. PHOTO: SUPPLIED It has been 20 years since the Salvation Army Youth Band brought their toe-tapping music and reflective messages of hope and faith to Oamaru, and they did not disappoint.

Oamaru-based artist Martin Horspool stands by his artwork with Wendy (left) and Judith Jones at the Clearspace Gallery. PHOTOS: JULES CHIN Eight artists were part of the collective exhibition, One in Five at the Oasis Clearspace Gallery opening last Friday night.

The current Dragon lineup of (from left) Mark Williams, Peter Drummond, Todd Hunter and Bruce Reid. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A two-for-one deal is what Oamaru audiences can expect next week when legendary rock band Dragon plays a sold out show at the Opera House with special guests Hello Sailor.

After the first black belt grading at Oamaru Aikido Club are (back row, from left) club co-founder Nicola Fitzwater, club co-founder Mark Fitzwater, Rotorua Aikido Tatsu Gi Kai sensei Dianne Haynes, (front row, from left) new black belts Oscar Smit and Carl Newton. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Oamaru Aikido Club is now home to two more black belts.

Representing the newly formed community-led advocacy group Health Action Wānaka are steering committee members (from left) Lucy Middendorf, Monique Mayze and Brigid Loughnan. PHOTO: REGAN HARRIS Wānaka’s struggle to increase healthcare services might be more akin to a marathon than a sprint, but a newly-formed community group have said they are ready for the challenge.

Roa Properties Ltd chief executive Mike Saegers at Three Parks, Wānaka. PHOTO: MARK PRICE/ODT FILES An artist’s impression of Aspiring House, a four-storey development in Three Parks, Wānaka. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A third health precinct is on the cards for Wānaka — plus some precedent-setting tall buildings.