Hamish MacLean

A farmer's decision to burn ''about six big heaps of rubbish, spread all around the paddock'', during a total fire ban prompted firefighters to turn out to a farm near Maheno yesterday afternoon.

As Central Otago booms, the communities in the Waitaki Valley will soon hold "visioning meetings" to learn how ratepayers want to deal with the expected growth in their region.

It may sound like "hocus-pocus" to some, but some Moeraki residents hope the alternative pest control methods they are using will take hold soon.

Class and kitsch collide at the edge of Oamaru. Jennifer Jane Rendell has on her luxury property created a collection of art and objects that rivals anything else New Zealand’s quirkiest town has to offer. Hamish MacLean scores a tour.

Up to 12 schools in the Waitaki district will become Enviroschools in the coming year, but the nationwide sustainability programme won't be in place at those schools from day one of the first term.