Otago Daily Times News Feed

Artist Eion Shanks with some of his recent paintings. PHOTO: SUPPLIED After a long break away from painting, Eion Shanks has taken up the brush again and is working prolifically. He talks to Rebecca Fox.

In this week's Art Seen, James Dignan looks at exhibitions from Lorna Watkins-Dooley, Richard Killeen, and Matt Gauldie.

Having his first major solo show in his home town gallery is huge for Dunedin’s Matthew Galloway. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH A newspaper column spurred two years work for Dunedin artist Matthew Galloway. He tells Rebecca Fox about politics, terrorism and John Key.

PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN Clearwater Civil Contractors tie the steel reinforcing for the concrete footing of a retaining wall at the site of a large slip in South Rd, beside the Southern Cemetery.

Gina Barreca laments her lack of post-apocalyptic life skills.

Students want the opportunity to work harder to improve themselves. PHOTO: ODT FILES I'm in the exceedingly fortunate position of not worrying about my postgraduate education costs; I have a scholarship that pays my fees and accommodation over the next few years.

St Clair man Trevor Mattingly is unhappy the Dunedin City Council has failed to replace a tree that came down in wild weather earlier this year opposite his Pretoria Ave home. PHOTOS: PETER MCINTOSH A St Clair man says he was told to head down to a garden centre after he repeatedly asked the Dunedin City Council to replace a roadside tree near his home.

Contact Energy remains attractively priced and is offering good value for investors, Morningstar senior equities analyst Adrian Atkins says.

New Zealand's track record on productivity has been poor and the lacklustre labour productivity performance has been masked by strong population growth and rising terms of trade.

The Government has announced publication of its discussion document on a research and development tax incentive which it proposes to introduce in 2019.

The Deloitte South Island Index of 31 listed companies' combined share value stumbled in the first quarter, following four consecutive quarters of growth in calendar 2017.

Balclutha firefighter Ian Ross in full dress uniform at the Balclutha Fire Station on Tuesday. Fifty years of service has flown past for Balclutha firefighter Ian Ross, and he would do it all again in the blink of an eye.

Tim Cadogan Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan says he does not accept ``the excuses'' Minister for Children Tracey Martin has made regarding the planned closure of the Stand Children's Services children's village in Roxburgh.

Banning boats in the southern end of Lake Pukaki to preserve views of New Zealand's highest mountain has been endorsed by the lake's only commercial boating operation.

Fewer sea-run trout in the Pomahaka River has prompted Otago Fish & Game to survey the river.

Former Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations Incorporated Society chairwoman Marise Martin is frustrated by the lack of nominations to fill positions on the society's organising committee. PHOTO: DANIEL BIRCHFIELD Oamaru's Victorian heritage celebrations are ``not dead in the water'' even after the committee that organises them folded this week, a former committee member and chairwoman says.

Kerry and Rob Andrews, of Arrowtown, along with their business partner and friend Paul Lomax, of Auckland, will take over Arrowtown's New Orleans Hotel on Monday. PHOTO: TODD WEEKS A troubled Arrowtown hotel has new owners.

PHOTO: PAM JONES A car remains against a tree following a crash which occurred last Friday in Ennis St, Alexandra.

Parry Guilford An Otago scientist is developing a test that could be ``critical'' in helping close the gap created by healthcare inequities in Maori communities.

The man accused of driving a rental van into pedestrians on a crowded Toronto sidewalk, killing 10 people, left a "cryptic message" on social media before his attack, police say.