Thousands of students were welcomed to the University of Otago for this year's Summer School with a free BBQ and backyard cricket.

Over one-and-a-half thousand students sitting school papers with a full course, crammed into six weeks of study.

A fire in Warrington could have potentially engulfed up to five homes if not for the quick response by fire crews and locals.

One house was badly damaged in the blaze which is thought to have started in a power transformer on Saturday afternoon.

Activists dressed up as kanagroos and koalas for a vigil in Invercargill held for those affected by Australian bushfires.

Saturday's event recognised the toll on both humans and wildlife from the exceptional forest blazes occurring this summer.

Dunedin police say drivers have been taking unnecessary risks on the roads.

Police are begging drivers to stick to the speed limit and take care over the holiday season.

Dunedin people have been venturing outdoors in the evenings to admire displays of Christmas lights.

A number of houses around town are decorated in flashing colourful lights, as part of festive season.

Work on demolishing the old Tait science building at Waitaki Boys' High School began on Friday.

The 60-year-old building is to make way for a large open space for pupils to enjoy from next year.

Rather than jumping out of a car and running through the school gates, Silverstream School pupils will be asked to take a leisurely walk to school next year.

The Dunedin City Council is launching a trial of footpath markings, which encourage pupils to walk their route to school.

The chief ice maker at the Dunedin Ice Stadium is off to look after the ice at a world curling championship event in Finland.

Reece Aiken was invited to the prestigious event after organisers saw his ice-making prowess at Naseby last year.

From humble beginnings in Dunedin, to one of the fastest growing businesses in New Zealand, the Night 'n Day food-store business continues to grow.

The business came in at number 19 in this year's Deloitte Fast 50, following a record two years.

For three decades, residents of Dunedin's Moana House have been clearing wilding pines and selling them as Christmas Trees

Over the years, the woman at the helm of Moana House has seen many changes, but says many people still prefer a natural tree.

Thousands of tourists are expected to pack into Dunedin during the next two weeks with the arrival of 14 cruises before New Year’s Day.

An American couple on their 69th cruise were part of the throng this visiting the city earlier this week.

A much maligned group of workers hope to improve their social standing with a tinsel covered gift.

The world over parking officers wear the thick end of people's frustrations, but regardless Dunedin officers have a special gift for the city's motorists this Christmas.

It's taken 15 years to get there, but work on the final section of the shared path between Dunedin and Port Chalmers is set to begin.

The occasion was marked with a tree planting in Sawyers Bay on Tuesday.

It's taken 15 years to get there, but work on the final section of the shared path between Dunedin and Port Chalmers is set to begin.

The occasion was marked with a tree planting in Sawyers Bay on Tuesday.

Fighting a battle against declining patronage, last Sunday's horse racing at Winton, saw a race programme with the punter in mind.

The Winton Harness Racing Club's meeting featured just mobile gate starts and mid-sized fields, to make the process less 'bewildering' to the betting public.