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Posts by Otago News
1620 days ago

'I just saw them go': Photographer's wild ride as balloon crashes near Queenstown

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

Rob Pine crawled out from a downed hot air balloon to see two seriously injured passengers had been thrown more than 100 metres away.

“The two that were next to me were the ones who got thrown out ... I just saw them go,” he said.

The injured pair were flown to Dunedin Hospital after the balloon crashed on Morven Ferry Rd, near Arrowtown in Otago, just before 10am on Friday. They remained in hospital in a stable condition, and were progressing favourably, a hospital spokeswoman said on Monday.

That was a relief for Pine, a Picton-based freelance photographer, who held on with only one hand as the balloon crashed. “I don’t let my camera go ... my camera is worth more than me.”

Read more about Rob's experience here.

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More messages from your neighbours
2 days ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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3 days ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 41.7% Yes
    41.7% Complete
  • 33.5% Maybe?
    33.5% Complete
  • 24.8% No
    24.8% Complete
588 votes
24 days ago

Some Choice News!

Kia pai from Sharing the Good Stuff

Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.

Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.

Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?

Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!

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