While Dunedin's property market is showing steady growth, there's a downward trend in rural sales.

Less farms have been sold in the past three months, than during last year's corresponding period.

And the median price per hectare is also down.

But it's not all bad news in Otago, with the region seeing a lift in arable land sales.

In the city, plenty of new listings are attracting more first home buyers and investors.

There's increases in the average price for houses, as well as the number of monthly sales.

Increased consumer spending and food prices are leading into the new financial year.

Retail card spending is up 1.2% from April, and even more compared to this time last year.

General food prices are also up, on the back of more expensive fresh vegetables.

But the increase is slight, at less than 1% for the month of May.

The cost of fresh fruit is down, while prices for meat, poultry and fish are rising.

Some of the largest hikes are for cheese and butter, up 7 and 11% respectively.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman won't say when he'll make a decision about replacing the Southern District Health Board.

He may appoint an independent commissioner to run the beleaguered organisation.

The minister received a response from the DHB yesterday, and is reportedly taking board members' views into account.

A ministry spokesperson told 39 Dunedin News there's no timeframe for a decision to be made or announced.

Southern DHB chief executive Carole Heatly hopes to keep her job, and work with a commissioner if one is appointed.

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Dunedin's bucking the national trend for male teachers.

There's been a dramatic rise in the number of men becoming primary school teachers.

And a local academic says while the city's come a long way, there are still gender-related issues to tackle.