A Dunedin bar is taking the unusual step of promoting blood donation to its punters.

The management of Zanzibar, in George St, says if 100 people sign up to a NZ Blood Service recruitment drive he'll reward them with a big surprise.

Dunedin's Edgar Centre has welcomed many visitors this week with the city's annual Polyfest.

The showcase of southern schools' pacific cultural groups is always a noisy and colourful affair with this year's event even bigger than in previous years.

Around 50 youngsters with varying disabilities took part in an all in sports day at Forsyth Barr stadium on Tuesday.

The day was run by Parafed Otago, and the Halberg Foundation, and brought together youngsters from across Otago and Southland.

Women motorcycle enthusiasts the world over have are taking part in a global baton relay to raise awareness of women riders.

The black, leather-clad group taking part in the New Zealand leg of the event roared through Oamaru and Dunedin on Tuesday.

The government's deal to create Kiwibuild homes in Wanaka's was not in the best interest of first home buyers.

That's according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, as the government lifts restrictions on who can buy the unsold Kiwibuild houses in Wanaka's Northlake subdivision.

It might be up to three years before any small-scale cruise ships anchor off Oamaru Harbour and ferry passengers ashore

That's according to Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher who has been in talks with the District Council and boutique cruise ship operators.

Protesters made their voices heard outside Dunedin's Ravendown plant on Thursday.

They're objecting to a ship unloading phosphate which they say has been stolen from Western Sahara.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern spoke words of encouragement to fifty-seven of Otago's best and brightest secondary school pupils, their proud parents and teachers, on Thursday.

Ardern was speaking at the Otago Daily Times Class Act awards ceremony, which is now in it's twentieth year.

Speaking in Dunedin yesterday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the Government's plans for New Zealand's water quality.

Federated Farmers accused the government of 'throwing farmers under the tractor', which irritated farmers at an event in Dunedin today.

More than two hundred and fifty workers at Port Otago are refusing to work overtime from Friday.

The strike is the result of stalled negotiations between two maritime unions, and Port Otago regarding concerns over safety, and the demand for a four percent wage rise.

A 24-year-old man was taken into custody near Dunedin last night after a Subaru Forester SUV he was driving collided with a police car, and he allegedly approached an officer in a threatening manner.

Described as a Samoan Action Comedy film, "Take Home Pay" started screenings across much of the country on Thursday and begins in Dunedin on Sunday.

What some cinema-goers won't know is that the film was edited on a computer in a small office in Dunedin.

A Dunedin play dealing with youth issues is to be performed at the New Zealand TheatreFest finals in Wellington.

The one-act play, called "Cut", was created by Logan Park High School teacher Diane Dupres and her pupils performed the play for the first time last month.

Dunedin is set for more major construction after ACC confirmed on Tuesday it plans to construct a purpose-designed, new building in the near future.

Accident Compensation Corporation employ around 300 staff in Dunedin, but that number is set to rise to almost 500 workers, all working from the one building.

According to a new, scathing report, the South Island neurosurgery service has never been funded, managed or staffed adequately.

Saturday saw the South Island secondary school rugby final being played at Dunedin's Littlebourne park.

The match had Otago Boys' High School play against visiting Nelson College in a close-run match.

The Dunedin City Council has officially become a living wage employer.

Mayor Dave Cull made the announcement in the city at noon today.

More than 250 workers at Port Otago are set to refuse to work overtime from this coming Saturday.

A strike notice outlining the overtime ban has been jointly issued by two maritime unions unless management addresses concerns about safety as well as the demand of a 4% wage rise.

Swimming champion Erika Fairweather returned to Dunedin to an unexpected welcome from her classmates.

On Monday the 15-year-old won a gold medal for her 200m swim at the Junior Swimming World Championships in Hungary.

Volunteers are hard at work preparing for Daffodil Day on Thursday.

Many thousands of daffodils will be sold to raise funds for the Cancer Society with about 50,000 blooms being bundled into bunches in the Otago Cancer Society's rooms by people from all walks of life, wanting to lend a hand.