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

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

There were 5933 claims from overseas visitors in the most recent year – up from 1286 in 2021 when borders re-opened. 

Tourist accidents rising – ACC claims top more than $5m a year

There were 5933 claims from overseas visitors in the most recent year – up from 1286 in 2021 when borders re-opened.

Thu, Jan 8

2:37

December 2025
Composite image: Leon Hyman

Sam Olley's pick of the perfect NZ beach is in the deep south

A strong South Island thread runs through TVNZ's Dunedin-based reporter Sam Olley's summer choices for beaches, music and books.

December 29, 2025

Abuse in care: No independent investigation for 4000 unmarked graves

Abuse in care: No independent investigation for 4000 unmarked graves

It's been called "a slap in the face" by some whānau feeling let down by the Government's response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

December 20, 2025

2:38

November 2025
One of the industries hit hard is craft beer brewers, who rely on CO2.

Craft beer businesses under pressure as CO2 prices fizz over

Brewers say prices have risen from 94 cents per kg in 2021 to around $4.30 in 2025.

November 8, 2025

2:35

Logging professionals are urging property owners to avoid doing the job alone and wait for help amid an influx of callouts.

Alarm as residents are tempted to remove weather-felled trees

Logging professionals are urging property owners to avoid doing the job alone and wait for help amid an influx of callouts.

November 3, 2025

2:12

October 2025
The proposed change could make it harder for some of those who have a history of violent or sexual offending from receiving compensation.

Abuse in state care: Proposed compensation change for serious offenders

The proposed change could make it harder for some of those who have a history of violent or sexual offending from receiving compensation.

October 26, 2025

2:20

Weeks of meetings and casting votes ends with a clear majority in favour of the $270m sale to Dawn Meats.

'Relief and excitement' as Alliance Group shareholders vote to sell

Weeks of meetings and casting votes ends with 87% in favour of the $270m sale to Dawn Meats, in a result announced today by New Zealand’s largest lamb processing company.

October 21, 2025

2:22

European firm Dawn Meats understood to be interested in taking over with shareholder equity being wiped out.

Red meat processor Alliance Group in 'unsustainable debt'

European firm Dawn Meats understood to be interested in taking 65% stake or shareholder equity may be wiped out.

October 6, 2025

3:14

It's hoped the pellets will divert white-tail deer prized by hunters away from the poison, as Stewart Island is one of only two places in Aotearoa where they can be hunted.

Repellent being trialled to keep Stewart Island deer away from 1080

It's hoped the pellets will divert white-tail deer prized by hunters away from the poison, as Stewart Island is one of only two places in Aotearoa where they can be hunted.

October 5, 2025

2:05