The decline of the Dunedin couch fire
"I first started as a reporter in Dunedin with the Otago Daily Times in 2008, and would cover dozens of couch fires, often involving a phrase similar to 'one or two idiots'," writes Hamish McNeilly.
"Coverage included the 2009 Undie 500 riots, where bottles were thrown at firefighters, drunks surfed fire appliances, and there were many failed attempts to jump over burning couches.
But in recent years those stories have gone, ahem, dry."
Find out what's behind the decline of the Dunedin couch fire in this week's The Mish on Substack
Want to receive The Mish in your inbox? It's free! Take a look and sign up here .
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
-
73.1% We work hard, we deserve a break!
-
17.4% Hmm, maybe?
-
9.6% Yes!
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
-
53% Yes
-
47% No
Loading…