Allison Images | Photography & Videography

Over 20 fighters from Cromwell, Luggate and Tarras, and a helicopter from Dunstan attended a blaze on Lowburn Valley Rd, Cromwell which threatened several houses and vineyards just before 5pm today (Friday). The fire came within ten metres of residential properties and high winds made conditions fire fighting conditions difficult. The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.

The Classic Hits Winery Tour stopped in at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on Sunday night. The show featured performances from Fat Freddy's Drop, Anika Boh & Hollie, The Adults and Clara van Wel. Joe Allison / Allison Images

Dunedin holds the first of the New Zealand nitro circus tour 2013. Photos: Joe Allison / Allison Images

Former All Black and Highlanders captain, Jamie Mackintosh, made a surprise appearance at the New Zealand Cherry Spitting championships in Cromwell this afternoon. Mackintosh (27) stopped off in Cromwell on his way to fellow Southland rugby team mate Hoani MacDonald's wedding ceremony in Clyde. Although Mackintosh showed good technique he never challenged the winning distance of 11.50 metres achieved by Michael Wardill of Cromwell. Wardill just managed to pip Perth based Australian Champion Clinton Thompson who held the lead for the majority of the competiton. Thompson, a butcher by trade, was the surprise winner of the Australian championship last year and won a trip to New Zealand as part of his prize package. Last year's champion, Aaron Collins of Dunedin was unable to recapture last year's form and finished back in the field. Allison Images / Joe Allison

Otago speech competition for year 9 and 10 students held at Kings High School. New Zealand, Otago, Dunedin.