Nine To Noon Around the motu: Tess Brunton, RNZ's reporter in Dunedin
Mar 23, 2026
Tess Brunton, RNZ reporter in Dunedin covering Otago and Southland communities. She talks about Stewart Island's diesel power crisis and moves toward solar. She covers a heated code-of-conduct clash at Dunedin City Council. She outlines Queenstown plans to pump treated wastewater into the Kawarau River and a croquet club fundraising to replace asbestos-hit facilities.
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Stewart Island Diesel Dependency And Price Shock
- Stewart Island relies on about 1,000 litres of diesel a day for electricity and has seen pump prices hit $4 per litre amid international conflict.
- Deliveries arrive twice weekly, reserves exist, and the community fears blackouts and soaring household bills of $500–$700 monthly.
Solar Farm Is A Months Away Backup
- Southland District Council is installing a solar farm to supplement diesel generation but it won't be operational for months.
- The solar project is seen as a resilience move, not an immediate fix to current supply and price pressures.
Plan Power Use Ahead Of Potential Blackouts
- The council and community are monitoring fuel supply closely and considering usage reductions to avoid outages.
- Residents are being prompted to plan power use ahead of winter as uncertainty over overseas events affects local supply.