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RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Otago Regional Council closely monitoring rising rivers as heavy rain is yet to peak
It comes amid flooding in other parts of the South Island, including Motueka. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee Otago Regional Council is closely monitoring rising rivers that are yet to peak in North Otago, Dunedin and Clutha. An orange heavy rain warning was in place for Dunedin and Clutha until 9pm on Saturday night. ORC flood duty officer Ann Conroy said the council was keeping an eye on parts of the Tokomairaro floodplain such as Milton, the Lower Taieri floodplain including Henley, the Lower Clutha floodplain and Middlemarch. "Flood infrastructure is doing its job and performing as expected. There were no significant issues overnight and surface flooding and ponding are likely in lower lying areas. "We are ready to respond to any issues that arise will continue to closely monitor river levels," she said. Dunedin's Water of Leith and Lindsay Creek were not expected to top their banks. The council said coastal Dunedin bore the brunt of rainfall overnight - approximately 25-50mm, with other parts of Otago getting 20-50mm. Rainfall had eased in North Otago but Dunedin could see a further 20-30mm and 30-40mm for Clutha, it said. The Silver Stream near Mosgiel was expected to peak at about 90-100 cumecs on Saturday afternoon and the Taieri River at Outram at about 400-600 cumecs in the evening. Flooding of unprotected areas downstream of Outram was likely. The Clutha River at Balclutha was expected to peak at around 1900 cumecs on Sunday morning. Flooding was likely in low-lying areas next to the river upstream of Balclutha and unprotected areas downstream of the township on the Clutha delta. A heavy snow watch was also in place for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, inland Dunedin and Clutha until 7pm on Saturday night. It's snowy down in Central Otago. Photo: Supplied/ Cath Gilmo A number of roads in the Clutha district were closed because of flooding. The council said crews were placing signs in the worst-affected areas but conditions could change quickly and deteriorate before they reached them. There was surface flooding in a number of areas around Clutha, particularly Milton. Dunedin City Council spokesman Scott MacLean said there were some road closures in Dunedin, but the network coped well with heavy rain overnight. "Contractors responded to isolated incidents of ponding overnight. Our teams are inspecting the network for damage and flooding, and there are some temporary road closures in place." Meanwhile, Metservice said about 40mm of rain had fallen in Dunedin city and surrounding areas in the past 12 hours. Meteorologist Devlin Lynden said while it's not quite the totals seen in the Tasman District, there'll be some swollen gutters and potentially surface flooding in flat areas such as Mosgiel and South Dunedin. He said the Central Otago hills have also received a dusting of snow, while the skifields around Wanaka and Queenstown got a dumping of about 20-30cm. The wet weather was expected to clear on Sunday ahead of another cold front moving in overnight, Lynden said. Laura Hedley, chief mountains officer for Cardrona and Treble Cone, said it's been an "incredible morning in the snow" for Treble Cone's opening day. Other skifields in the area opened earlier this month. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Four of top six found—who'll join them?
The wrap So what do we know after last weekend's games? We have four teams through to the top six: Taieri, Dunedin, Kaikorai and Southern. But that is about it! I'll try to explain shortly. Predictably, Varsity put 70 on Zingers in a must-win game at Logan Park on Saturday. They are only one point off sixth spot so are still in it up to their eyeballs. Sadly, an understrength Zingers' season is done, and they play off for bragging rights against AU this weekend. Kaik breathed life into their season with a couple of late penalties to Ben Miller over Harbour to guarantee a spot in the six. Harbour let themselves down again with poor discipline, and their season hangs on a knife-edge. Southern confirmed a spot in the six with a comfortable win over GI, scoring five tries in the process. Defending champions GI also teeter on the abyss with one game to go. Taieri gave themselves a grand chance of bagging the Gallaway and top spot when they took their chances against the competition leaders Dunedin and also kept them scoreless. Conversely, Dunedin, after nine straight wins, struggled to get out of their own way and spurned numerous chances to score tries and win. Where to from here? As I said, four teams are in the six after the weekend, Taieri (46), Dunedin (44), Kaikorai (38), and Southern (38). That leaves Harbour (34), GI (33) and Varsity (32) fighting it out for the remaining two spots. We have three crucial games this weekend, with Taieri taking on Southern to determine who wins the Gallaway trophy and top spot in the six. Taieri, Dunedin and Southern could still all take it. GI and Harbour square off at Logan Park and whoever wins should make it, but it's not 100% guaranteed. Also, Kaikorai play Varsity and Varsity will make it if they win. The determining factor is that there is still 15 points to be allocated across five teams, as they've played one less game than the other four because of the split round. Let's not re-litigate that, as I have neither have the brainpower or the patience to attempt it! Let's just say it is not over till the fat lady reaches for the gargle water. Go to the ODT website ( on Saturday about 5pm and I'll have a video up giving you all the answers. But you can't say it hasn't been close! Belated congratulations Didn't have room for it last week but a big congratulations to the AU Women's premier team for winning their final over the Sharks at Greenhouse two weeks ago. Dunedin had won the last two finals against them, but they did enough to bring the trophy back to the North Ground. They went out to a big lead in the first spell, but the Sharks rebounded to get within two; then the AU girls scored a late try to deservedly snare the title. Unfortunately, AU lost their captain Bella Rewiri-Wharerau with a broken leg during the game. Commiserations Bella and I hope the recuperation progress goes well and you're back playing sooner rather than later. Finally cracks the ton Word has it that MacKenzie (Macca) Palmer is set to play his 100th game this weekend for the Magpies against the Eels out at Eelpit. It couldn't be scripted better, as this is a crucial game in terms of positioning in the top six and the legendary Gallaway is up for grabs. In my opinion "Macca" has consistently been the best player in the competition over the last four or five seasons. He has definitely been a major reason why Southern have won two banners in recent years. At fullback he puts shudders down the spines of defenders in club land, as no-one is sure what he will do next. He is a free spirit and what he does on the paddock is not in the coaching manual — probably why Otago didn't want him, but they could do a lot worse. Good on ya mate for finally cracking the 100, no player deserves it more. Form XV for June 15 Rique Miln (H), 14 Kyan Rangitutia (D), 11 Aaron McMurray (V), 13 Josh Whaanga (T), 12 Matt Whaanga (T), 10 Mika Muliaina (V) , 9 Taine Hand (K), 8 Louis Lepionka (D), 7 Slade McDowall (K), 6 Lucas Casey (K), 5 Reuben Palmer (D), 4 Aron Einarsson (S), 3 Cam Allan McNeill (T), 2 Fatai Koloi (D), 1 Ben Fakataha (H). You wouldn't read about it I mentioned last week that Rohan Wingham had been stood down for a couple of weeks to rest after his Highlanders campaign where he literally played no minutes. I heard whispers that it was because Saula Ma'u — the other Otago prop in the Landers — had played so many minutes, the powers that be decided Rohan needed to freshen up! Then you'll never guess who played for Harbour at the weekend — Saula, go figure! I think I'm starting to see the strategy of the rugby committee on the board of Otago Rugby — it's saving money. From what I can work out, there are now five of the staff from the union coaching or managing Otago teams. Laudable, but I'm not quite sure how it works with the "coaching pathways" strategy. But you can't have everything. This weekend Benji and his mates from NZ Hockey destroyed me last week. The big news is they held on to the Nations Cup as well, great work. On to Joey Wheeler this week, so I will re-assert my former dominance. GI and Harbour square off at Logan Park No 6 in this crucial encounter. I think Harbour (12-) may just have enough firepower to get it done — but to be fair, it goes either way. Taieri at the Eelpit welcome Southern to the bog, with a lot riding on the game. The Magpies (12-) may just be big and strong enough to prevail, but again it's on a knife edge. In the battle of the cellar dwellers let's get behind AU (12-) to get that first elusive win over Zingers! Kaik (12-) are up on the high veldt awaiting Varsity. Kaik have won their last two and might end Varsity's season, but again it's close. What a great last round. Lost to Finn Butcher (what a legend) last week and happy to do so when the unlucky Matak went down in the dying seconds to Cromwell. On to another legend this week in Troy Calteaux, the three-time digger driving champ of NZ from Toko. When I asked him how he went this year he said the organisers told him he "was a bit too good" and advised him against entering! Traditional enemies Clutha and Crescent go at it in Balclutha and there is no love lost, let me assure you — Clutha (12-) just. Heriot (12-) are at home to Owaka and the home team might get it done, but an upset wouldn't surprise. Clutha Valley (12-) will probably prevail over Lawrence at Clydevale. The Prison Guards are back on the Prison Square facing off against West Taieri (12-). I think Toko will have their hands full against the Pigs. P.S. If you see a group of familiar faces wandering around a few grounds at the weekend, the 2015 champion Highlanders having a reunion. Have a good time, lads.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
How to take an award-winning photo
competition arts 26 minutes ago Two Dunedin teenagers have wowed the judges of Tuhura Otago Museum's Wildlife Photography Awards. They also happen to be brothers. Seventeen-year-old Sam McGee took out the overall winner title, beating more than 4000 entries from around the world, and was placed first in the youth wildlife category. His fifteen-year-old brother Monty, debuted at the competition and was named a runner up in the wildlife youth category.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Black Will Jordan: The French will be strong
Will Jordan. Photo: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton All Blacks fullback Will Jordan insists France will be hard to beat in the three-test series, despite the French leaving plenty of top players at home . Gael Fickou will captain a 37-man France squad which includes 17 uncapped players. The three-test tour kicks off in Dunedin next weekend, with the Six Nations champions missing several frontline players. France's Théo Attissogbe scores their first try in the opening match of the 2025 Six Nations rugby tournament against Wales. Josh Adams is the defender, 1 Feb, 2025. Photo: Inpho However, the French team could grow. Several players are set to be added following this weekend's Top 14 final between Toulouse and Bordeaux-Begles. Jordan, fresh off helping the Crusaders to a record 13th full Super Rugby title, told RNZ the All Blacks will be getting their house in order before worrying about who is and isn't playing for France. "First and foremost we'll focus on ourselves and getting our processes in our game going and clicking. We'll get an idea of the French squad off the back of the Top 14 final this week, but French rugby at the moment, it's full of depth across the park. "Knowing the way the French play the game, up tempo, and when they come at you they'll be taking no backward steps. So for us it's focusing on our game, for the first test in particular." Jordan is expecting the French to play a territorial kicking game and he said that could give him some opportunities to test the tourists' defence. Will Jordan in action. Photo: Kerry Marshall / He's pleased conditions in Dunedin will be better than they were for the Super Rugby final in Christchurch and said the All Blacks were keen to use the ball and run the French ragged. "The final was about a two degree night in Christchurch and plenty of dew across the ground. Under the roof [in Dunedin] we'll certainly have a mindset to look to play. "We want to play a nice fast tempo and try and get our attack going. The French, they tend to have more of a long kicking game rather than contestables [sic]. So potentially for myself there may be a bit more opportunity to counter attack. "You're balancing up that pressure game of kicking versus the tempo you can play at. It's about finding the balance, but I'd say under the roof we'll lean towards wanting to go at them with our attack." Jordan said All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has produced a blueprint for a new style of play to try to break down rush defences and keep the ball alive, with winning the 2027 World Cup the ultimate goal. "I think the foundations were laid last year. looking at our numbers across the park, in terms of opportunities that we created, line breaks, carry meters, defenders beaten, although it's really good, it was probably just our finishing, our completion, errors at the wrong time that let us down," Jordan said. "It's nice to be able to have a second year in the system and guys be a bit more familiar with it, so we can hit the ground running a bit more this time."
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Young Otago players named to tour Aust with NZ rep team
Rising Otago softballers (from left) Ropata Campbell, Crew Wilson and Taki Adlam are part of the New Zealand U15 Developing Sox boys' side heading to Queensland next month. Central Otago player Tane O'Neill is also in the squad. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Otago softball has hit a home run. The region is helping foster the next generation of talent with four players destined for Australia next week. Dunedin players Taki Adlam, Crew Wilson and Ropata Campbell and Central Otago player Tane O'Neill have been named in the New Zealand U15 Developing Sox boys' team to tour Queensland. It is significant recognition for the sport in the South, which often struggles to be recognised at a national level. Adlam, 14, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman from King's High School, will be familiar with many of the Queensland players he comes up against, having lived in the Australian state — and played softball over there — until returning to New Zealand last year. Wilson and Campbell, who are both 15 and attend Otago Boys' High School, have come through the Dunedin softball pathways, guided by coaches Stacey Wardell, Sarah Teasdale and Kirsty Currie. The trio play for the Southern Magpies U15 team, who were Otago champions last summer, and also play in the Magpies Tane team in division 2. They will all add some different flavour to the national team across the field. Wilson, who was named in a ''best of the rest'' tournament team after the New Zealand U17 championships in January, is primarily a first baseman, and Campbell will be used as an outfielder for the national squad. O'Neill is no stranger to the softball pitch. The multi-talented athlete, who attends Dunstan High School and plays his club softball for Demons in the Southland competition, was part of the national squad last year that competed at the inaugural invitational Tasman Cup tournament against New South Wales teams. The Developing Sox team, coached by Stacey Taylor and assistant Matty Hicks, fly out on Thursday and have a busy six days ahead of them. They play two games against the Toowoomba and Ipswich U16 teams. The team will then travel to Redland, where they will play five games against the Queensland U16 team across a couple of days.
