Otago Daily Times

The Otago Daily Times, owned by the Allied Press, holds the distinction of being New Zealand's oldest daily newspaper. It remains fiercely independent and offers extensive coverage of local news, publishing six days a week from Monday to Saturday. This commitment to local reporting, combined with national and international stories, gives the ODT unparalleled access to the Otago audience. Allied Press Ltd has a workforce of over 400 employees, with an additional 60 people working for its affiliated companies. While the majority of staff are located at the main office in Dunedin, many also work from various offices throughout other towns in Otago and across the South Island of New Zealand.

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English

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#22515

New Zealand

#89

News and Media

#12

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Articles

National

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Eloise Gibson

The Tasman District Council is expecting rivers across the region to be running at high levels and is warning residents to prepare for flooding. Nine airport baggage handlers are among 18 people arrested in a $24 million drug-smuggling bust in Auckland. An Ashburton man fears a child will drown at a Tinwald playground built metres from stormwater drainage. Tributes are flowing for Tāmaki Makaurau MP Takutai Tarsh Kemp, who died early today at the age of 50.
Selwyn claims it has Canterbury’s lowest rates - but does it?

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Jonathan Leask

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. CanterburyChristchurchThe Selwyn District Council claims it has “the lowest rates” in Canterbury, but not everyone is convinced. Local ratepayers might actually be feeling hard done by as they face a 14.2% average rate increase this year - one of the steeper rises of the country's councils. It comes on the back of a 14.9% increase last year.
Drowning fears at playground next to stormwater drain

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Jonathan Leask

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. CanterburyDistrictsBy Jonathan Leask, local democracy reporterPeter King from Ashburton fears a child will drown at a Tinwald playground built metres from stormwater drainage. The Ashburton District council says it is working on a solution. King said he's not one to usually make waves, but something has to be done.
National

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Eloise Gibson

Victims to get final say over sex offenders' name suppressions New legislation that will ensure the courts cannot issue a permanent name suppression order for an adult convicted of a sexual offence, unless the victim agrees to it. Parts of Canterbury experienced "massive" 250kmh wind gusts overnight, as an active front moved up the South Island, and a slip has closed Haast Pass.
City rape victim had to fight to have case heard

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Felicity Dear

A Dunedin rape victim had to fight to get her case heard after the city’s prosecutors declined to take on the case. Last week, Sam Thomas Foster, 20, appeared in the Dunedin District Court and was jailed for more than four years for raping the woman when she was living at residential hall Salmond College in 2022. In a statement to court, the victim said complaining to police and going through the court process had been the hardest thing she had ever had to do.
Kitten kicker denies abusing housemates

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Felicity Dear

A man who admitted drop-kicking a kitten says he never abused the people he lived with. Cory James Gilliand-Dickson, 20, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday for the final day of his judge-alone trial. On Monday, he pleaded guilty to a charge of ill-treating an animal, but was defending charges of assault in a family relationship, assaulting a child, threatening to kill and supplying cannabis, stemming from incidents between January and May last year.
Academic calls out ‘toxic’ school

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Matthew Littlewood

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. NewsDunedinAn academic has taken his grievances to Parliament to blow the whistle on the University of Otago's "toxic" Business School. Dr Duncan Connors appeared before a select committee to oppose a law change which would make it easier for employers to sack people.
Man sexually assaulted victim, held knife to her throat

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Felicity Dear

Thursday, 26 June 2025 You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. NewsDunedinA woman who believed she was going fruit picking in Roxburgh instead was sexually assaulted and had a knife held to her throat. Tyrone John Te-Puke Wairepo, 47, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to four charges of assaulting a female, strangulation, indecent assault and threatening to kill.
Community board to meet funding shortfall

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Julie Asher

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. RegionsCentral OtagoA shortfall in funding for a riverside park in Alexandra will be made up from Vincent Community Board reserves, tipping the council contribution to the project over the $1 million mark.
Dismantling chimney challenging job

2 days ago | odt.co.nz | Matthew Littlewood

You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. NewsDunedinThe preservation of the former Gasworks building’s chimney has been a matter of taking it apart brick by brick — all 4000 of them — in a bid to protect the rest of the South Dunedin structure.