Otago Daily Times News Feed

Secondary school teachers in Dunedin and Queenstown will step away from their whiteboards at 1pm today, to hold paid union meetings about the National-led coalition government’s attempt to reintroduce charter schools in New Zealand.

Dancers crowd George St for a flash mob on Saturday. PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSON There was a surreal moment when George St shoppers were suddenly surrounded by more than 60 people who broke into song and dance as part of a flash mob on Saturday.

Silver Fern Farms CEO Dan Boulton. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Financial projections show Silver Fern Farms returning to profitability in the 2024 financial year, chief executive Dan Boulton says.

Retiring Silver Fern Farms Co-operative chairman Rob Hewett will continue as an appointed director in the short term to help with the transition. PHOTO: SHAWN MCAVINUE "One very interesting ride" is how Rob Hewett describes his lengthy tenure on the board of Silver Fern Farms.

Appalling plans and phenomenal tax hikes are unacceptable, Russell Garbutt writes.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reviews an honour guard. PHOTO: REUTERS "History repeats itself — the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce", Karl Marx said.

The Baxter Memorial. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY In a turbulent world the principles espoused by conscientious objectors matter more than ever, Kevin Clements writes.

The proposed new Wānaka hospital. Image: supplied Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including train rides for cruise ship passengers, an arts centre and hospital for Wānaka, and fair pay for health workers.

Steamship Ngahere in trouble on the Grey River bar, at Greymouth. — Otago Witness, 20.5.1924 The steamer Ngahere went ashore when departing over the Grey bar at 3pm to-day with a full cargo of timber and coal for Wellington.

Today's cartoon from Voyager 2023 award winning cartoonist, Shaun Yeo.

After the last week, the slogan-ridden government might want to look for new ways to accentuate the positive.

Jodie Hope. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN Dunedin's Jodie Hope will lead the first all-female executive team in the history of the New Zealand Embalmers Association.

Aotea Electric Southern general manager Warren Taylor (front), with some of his team, says the secret to the firm’s success is service. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Being involved with the Dunedin hospital rebuild project is deeply personal for Aotea Electric Southern general manager Warren Taylor.

Sheer speed is a wonderful asset to possess in rugby and Henry Schikker used it to completely flummox Cromwell in Saturday’s Central Otago premier club contest at Anderson Park.

The King’s First XV produced a dominant final quarter to start their season off on the right foot.

Round seven of Southland premier club rugby was predicted to produce three close games on Saturday but that was not how it played out.

Excelsior and Athletic Marist could not be separated in the battle of the carpark on Saturday.

As of December 2023, Everest has been climbed 11,996 times by 6664 people from both sides since it was first scaled by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Photo: Reuters A British climber and a Nepali guide have broken their own records for most climbs of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, hiking officials said on Sunday.

As of December 2023, Everest has been climbed 11,996 times by 6664 people from both sides since it was first scaled by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953. Photo: Reuters A British climber and a Nepali guide have broken their own records for most climbs of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, hiking officials said on Sunday.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is on a tour of Pacific nations. Photo: RNZ/Nick Monro The foreign affairs minister has landed in Solomon Islands for the first leg of his Pacific tour, and an audience with the newly elected Prime Minister.