Boom for builders as new houses sprout
Boom for builders as new houses sprout
Twizel is experiencing a building boom as sections and homes are snapped up by buyers priced out of other markets and happy to consider the former hydro project town.
Hamish MacLean
Leading from the background
Leading quietly from the background
Michael Ross leaves behind nearly three decades in local government when he retires at the end of the month. The outgoing chief executive of the Waitaki District Council sat down with North Otago reporter Hamish MacLean this week.
Call on councillors to promote shows
Report calls on councillors to promote shows
The Oamaru Opera House, which ratepayers funded by $843,000 this year and is $3.6million in debt, could lose "high-profile" shows if ticket sales stay low at the venue.
Forrester Gallery project gets vital $330k boost
Forrester Gallery project gets vital $330k boost
The planned $6million redevelopment of Forrester Gallery survived a "hand grenade" and will go ahead after almost all Waitaki district councillors voted to loosen the purse strings for the project.
District ‘sparkling diamond’
District ‘sparkling diamond’
The new chief executive of the Waitaki District Council says the district is a ‘‘sparkling diamond’’ with a wealth of opportunities.
More money sought for project plans and costings
More money sought for project plans and costings
Oamaru's Forrester Gallery redevelopment project has failed to secure $3 million in this year's funding rounds, and an additional request for $1.5 million is also expected to be denied.
Advertising sculpture deemed offensive
Advertising sculpture deemed offensive
A sculpture used to advertise a new business in Oamaru's historic precinct has been described as offensive, the claimant saying it should be taken down.
Crossing upgrade to cause delays
Crossing upgrade to cause delays
A long-awaited upgrade to the Maheno rail crossing on State Highway 1 will go ahead this weekend.
Road network safety concerns
Road network safety concerns
The Waitaki District Council has been told to look at its roading network "through a ‘visitor driver’ lens", in an NZTA report that highlights concerns about the "safety performance" of the council’s North Otago roads.
Mitigation, not restoration, likely
Mitigation, not restoration, likely
Oamaru's 80-year-old Severn St wall is unlikely to be restored completely after a Waitaki District Council assets committee decision last week.
If he finds a lady love, that’s a bonus
If he finds a lady love, that’s a bonus
The southernmost single rural hunk in the annual hunt for lady love is a Glenavy sheep farmer who has a thing or two to offer the right woman.
Power network ‘good’
Power network ‘good’
A new report card rating for New Zealand’s electricity lines companies show Network Waitaki as the only power company in the lower South Island to receive a grade of "good" in all eight of the "estimated state of the assets" categories.
Township’s residents can hire electric car
Township’s residents can hire electric car
A North Otago town now boasts what is believed to be the first community-owned electric car in New Zealand.
Rose grower honoured by NZ society
Rose grower honoured by NZ society
Val Clarke has been growing roses for more than 40 years — and this year the Oamaru rosarian has been given national recognition for services to the rose in New Zealand.
Locals want action at danger spot
Locals want action at well-known danger spot
Locals are calling for better signs and more grit on a shaded stretch of road about 3km southwest Ngapara, in North Otago.
Platinum is the word, and counting
Platinum is the word, and counting
After their eyesight failed, they stopped playing Scrabble, and golf, and working in the garden, but Noeline Hurst (nee Watson) and Culmer (Collie) Hurst still get a lot of joy from their loving,...
Simpsons hair-do sways tree debate
Simpsons hair-do sways tree debate
The Waitaki District Council has voted to keep it natural this Christmas.
Council to focus on Tenby St
Council to focus on Tenby St
As Haven St continues to slump into the sea, the Waitaki District Council has decided to focus on another Moeraki street.
Wheeler and 'a wonderful life' remembered
Wheeler and 'a wonderful life' remembered
While Oamaru artist Colin Wheeler is being celebrated this winter, his widow Phyllis remembers her husband fondly as a fan of pudding as much as an artist.
ORC moves to allay fears about contaminated soil
ORC moves to allay fears about contaminated soil
The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has sanctioned the foreshore protection work under way at Oamaru Harbour after concerns were raised about possible contamination earlier this month.