A New Zealand research team has produced data that could improve predictions of climate change, after discovering sea ice extended further north in the Southern Ocean during the last Ice Age than scientists previously thought, Reuters reported.

A NEW lease of life could be breathed into an historic building if consent is granted for a cafe and traveller's lodge in Ophir. Owners David and Colleen Hurd, of Auckland, applied to the Central Otago District Council to turn the old Pitches Store at 45 Swindon St into a cafe.

By WILLIAMS, David Half a metre of rain is forecast for the West Coast over the next few days, continuing August's wet and wild weather for the South Island into a new month.

By BISHOP, Diane THE Otago Regional Council is taking no prisoners as it steps up its campaign against dirty dairy farmers. ORC land resource officer Bruce Monaghan said the Council would continue to prosecute farmers who applied dairy effluent to pasture beyond field capacity.

By HEATHER, Ben in Queenstown ANOTHER operator has been granted permission to extract gravel from the Shotover River, while two of its competitors remain locked in environment proceedings.