Latest from Otago

Mysterious flashing lights reported all over Northland
In the past 24 hours there has been about 32 lightning strikes offshore of Northland.

Fascinating find: Scientist finds link to ancient home of Māori
Scoria blocks found at three sites in NZ traced to a volcanic island near Tahiti.

The money or the bag: Court uncovers black market for rubbish bags
The illicit underground trade was revealed in the Dunedin District Court yesterday

'Bucketing down' all weekend across country
Weather warnings for heavy rain are in place for much of the country.

Watch: Dunedin man lights cigarette with Lime scooter
Footage has emerged showing a group of men sparking up a 'durrie' from a burnout.

Sex offender seen taking photos of children in Wanaka area
Parents have complained about the man taking photos of their children.

Whale entangled in fishing gear freed in Kaikōura
The whale suffered deep cuts caused by the ropes.

Viewpoint NZ: Where are the best jobs - Wanaka vs Queenstown
Video news from around the regions, made with funding from NZ On Air.

'Vit-Cs': Wannabe gang youths allegedly buy orange items with stolen card
Police foiled start-up gang 'the Vit-Cs' before it got off the ground.

'He could hardly stand': Drunk men interrupt law lecture
The drunk men sat at the back of the lecture theatre calling out and shouting.

Diversion for gym owner after man's jaw broken
The maximum jail term Timothy Medicott faced was three years. He got diversion instead.

Thunderstorms and downpours cover North Island
Risk of downpours for many as front sweeps across North Island

Hospital massacre response under review
Plans for dealing with mass-casualty events to be reviewed in light of massacre.

Two drink-drivers found with children in cars
Two drink-drivers were found by police with children in their cars, a court has heard.

$7000 raised for severely injured crash victim
Troy suffered severe neck and spinal injuries after being victim of a horrific car crash.

Boaties urged to report sightings of entangled whale
The man who filmed the humpback whale says it was a "distressing" sight.

Holiday hotspots: Inside the bach boom
Property price rises at resort towns outstrip city increases.

North Island gang members blamed for crime wave in South
"There is a greater gang presence in the lower South Island than I've seen in my life".

Viewpoint NZ: Security after the mosque attacks
Video news from around the regions. Made with funding from NZ On Air.

Woman abandoned in Queenstown crash likely to spend months in hospital
The 22-year-old was discovered in the upturned Honda Odyssey behind a building this month.

'Rear-ended' car rolls in Dunedin
The car came to rest on its roof on the curb, but the driver escaped injury.

Officers to carry firearms while the national threat level high
Northland police to carry firearms while the National Threat Level remains high.

Tour company involved in fatal Otago 4WD crash named
Two people were killed in accident involving a 4WD buggy.

House of mosque terror accused blessed
A private ceremony was held attended by neighbours, friends and local Muslims.

Witness finally in court for Dunedin assault case after warrants issued
The witness was declared hostile in court.

Buried wreck revealed by low tide
The wreck was unearthed by a low tide coinciding with the super moon.

Quad-bike tragedy: 2 dead, group had no permission for trip in 'dangerous country'
'They didn't ask permission and we knew nothing about it,' says station owner.

Three injured in crash near Queenstown
The crash occurred near the Arrow Junction, south of Arrowtown.