Puppies will take over part of the Otago Polytechnic campus on ''puppy love day'' next week.

For the first time ever, the polytechnic is offering dogs to help de-stress students during the tense exam period.

The Otago Regional Council says it will use the findings from a survey of Otago people in its air quality strategy.

400 people were surveyed, with a quarter believing there isn't a problem with air pollution.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is advising motorists to take extra care on roads today, because of the poor weather.

The snow is clearing from South Island State Highways and mountain passes, but there are still a number of road closures in place.

Plans to remove 19 car parks near Dunedin Railway Station and replace them with fewer parks elsewhere to make way for a cycleway have angered a cafe owner and Dunedin Railways.

The cupboards at Presbyterian Support Otago are emptying out as winter begins to bite.

The organisation has recently had to buy some tinned food items as demand is out stripping donated supply.

Two years on from the South Dunedin floods a public meeting was held last night.

The aim of the meeting was to ascertain the state of South Dunedin around the anniversary of the event.

A blind and autistic Dunedin musician is crowdfunding in hopes of hitting the big time in the UK and Ireland folk scene.

Mathew Rhodes and his musical collaborator Chris Butchard have started a Givealittle campaign for their trip in September.

Rhodes plays the tin-whistle, and is one of the rare people gifted with perfect pitch.

A Dunedin mechanical engineer of nearly 70 has just won several categories in an international figure-skating contest.

Keith Dickson, alongside 600 other competitors from 37 countries, won the Men's five silver and got the highest marks in his category for artistic and technical.

The 37th annual Regent Theatre 24 hour book sale was held over the weekend.

As with previous years, there was a special project that funds were being raised for.

South Dunedin residents will meet tonight to discuss the area's long-term future two years after it was devastated by flooding.

Insurance cover, a proposal for new homes to be relocatable and plans to protect homes and businesses will be on the agenda at the meeting.

The 37th annual Regent Theatre 24 hour booksale opened at midday today.

It's a regular event on Dunedin's calendar, attracting book worms from across the lower South Island.

The Otago district round of the NZTC Chamber Music contest is being held this weekend.

39 ensembles and 138 students from Otago are taking part this year at Marama Hall.

One of the highest representations comes from Columba College, whose students are involved in groups with others from across Dunedin in a quest to make it to the final round.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has ordered Stewart Island oyster farms in Big Glory Bay to remove their entire oyster stocks from the sea to prevent the deadly parasite Bonamia Ostreae infecting Foveaux Strait's wild oyster population.

Some Dunedin residents are planning to picket outside Centre City New World to protest a gap between what North Island workers are paid, as opposed to South Island staff.

The FIRST Union claims workers in North Island Foodstuff's stores earn $2 to $3 more per hour, than workers in non-unionised South Island Foodstuffs stores.

Anyone can sing - it's an idea from a Dunedin singing teacher and the Friend Link organisation.

An introductory meeting is planned for this Saturday so people thinking of joining the group can meet.

Today the New Zealand Government formerly apologised for events which happened at Parihaka in Taranaki in the late 1800s.

The village was invaded by Government troops, many men were taken prisoner and some brought to the Otago Peninsula to work as forced labour.

The University of Otago is pleased to have made a "modest" gain in the QS world rankings.

Vice Chancellor Harlene Hayne says the university is "delighted".

The University of Otago is pleased to have made a "modest" gain in the QS world rankings.

Vice Chancellor Harlene Hayne says the university is "delighted".

A team of top karate kids is heading to Croatia.

The three Dunedin teenagers are all headed to Europe to compete in the World Karate Federation's 10th World Youth Cup.

Boney M outraged fans last night when it opened its tour of New Zealand with a 50-minute-long concert in Dunedin.

Some fans considered they had been short-changed by the '70s disco group.