Hamish MacLean

Penguin colony’s work extends to Bushy Beach

The Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony has begun predator trapping and advocating for the yellow-eyed penguins at Bushy Beach Scenic Reserve, at the southern end of Cape Wanbrow in Oamaru.

CEO to go ahead of schedule

The early exit of Waitaki District Council chief executive Michael Ross will not complicate plans to find his replacement, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher says. A council press release ...

Event to celebrate no-car zone

The trial closure of Harbour St is well timed for historic precinct advocate and tenant Donna...

Pop-up lunch to celebrate car-free street

Oamaru’s historic Harbour St is going car-free for the next 11 weekends and a pop-up lunch will celebrate.

Call centre for former RSA?

The Waitaki District Council yesterday approved a start to negotiations with a possible tenant for the vacant former North Otago Returned and Services Association (RSA) building in Itchen St, Oamaru.

$250k council move to boost rest-home beds

$250k council move to boost rest-home beds

Stage 2 of the Observatory Retirement Village will get a $250,000 boost from the Waitaki District Council to counter increased pressure on the number of community care beds in Oamaru.

Harbour St closure ‘knee-jerk’: retailer

Oasis Antiques owner Greg Waite says businesses will suffer if a proposal to restrict vehicle...

Harbour St closure ‘knee-jerk’, retailer says

Although he has "reluctantly" agreed to a trial weekend closure of Harbour St, Oasis Oamaru owner Greg Waite calls the proposed trial "meaningless" and a "stupid, stupid plan".

$4 million plan for RSA building

The North Otago RSA building in Itchen St, Oamaru. Photo: ODT.

$4 million plan for RSA building

The former North Otago Returned and Services Association (RSA) building in Itchen St, Oamaru, could receive a $4million upgrade and expansion to suit the needs of an unnamed commercial tenant.

Helping people most in need

Michael Ardley and his wife Maureen have sold Oamaru’s Whitestone Funeral Services Ltd to Dunedin-based Hope & Sons Ltd. North Otago reporter Hamish MacLean catches up with Mr Ardley.

Funeral service ‘natural extension’

Hope and Sons managing director Michael Hope says it will be business as usual at Whitestone...

Funeral service ‘natural extension’

One of the South Island’s largest funeral businesses has invested in Oamaru — Dunedin-based Hope & Sons Ltd will take over Oamaru funeral directors Whitestone Funeral Services Ltd on February 1.

Downer’s performance better: WDC

Downer’s performance better: WDC

Efforts to improve the performance of the Waitaki District Council’s new parks maintenance contractor are ongoing, the council’s recreation manager says.

Suspicions over motive for tyre-slashing

Unusable tyres are piled on Richard Subtil's Omarama Station after they were slashed at the...

Suspicions over motive for tyre-slashing

The Omarama farmer whose pivot irrigators' tyres were slashed at the weekend says he remains hopeful the culprit will be caught.

Freedom camping crackdown pays off

A new sign at the entrance to the northern end of Lake Hayes warns against anyone freedom camping...

Freedom camping crackdown pays off

The Waitaki District Council's effort to curb the effect of rising visitor numbers is working, council regulatory services manager Lichelle Guyan says.

Upgrading deadly intersection takes time

The scene of last Tuesday's fatal car crash. Photo by Shannon Gillies.

Upgrading deadly intersection takes time

It will be almost four months before an investigation into safety improvements on a highway near the Moeraki Boulders is completed.

Rest-homes have ‘full’ signs up

Residential care beds in Oamaru are at capacity and Oamaru Hospital has warned families could be faced with having to decide where outside the community to send relatives.

Longtime grocer not the retiring type

North Oamaru grocer Brian Fraser has watched the world go by from his Four Square store since...

Longtime grocer not the retiring type

All the talk is about how Oamaru has changed in recent years, but for some daily life in the North Otago town is much the same as it has been for years. Hamish MacLean talks to a North Oamaru stalwart.

$2m water mains work starts soon

$2m water mains work starts soon

The Waitaki District Council’s water mains renewal work programme on South Hill will begin next month.

Bike park shaping up

Work continues on the bike park in Oamaru. Photo by Hamish MacLean.

Bike park shaping up

Whitestone Contracting Ltd staff continued work this week on the Friendly Bay Railway Bridge Restoration Trust's $250,000 learn-to-ride bike park in Oamaru.

Concern about access to Oamaru beach

Health and safety, and penguin welfare concerns should not be used to prevent public access to the breakwater and its adjacent beach, a man who helped to start the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony says.

'Greater disruption' at colony

On some summer nights, up to 100 people have gathered on Oamaru's breakwater, outside the Oamaru...

'Greater disruption' at colony

Growing crowds on Oamaru's breakwater at dusk are becoming ''increasingly dangerous and disrespectful'' as they watch penguins come ashore, Tourism Waitaki general manager Jason Gaskill says.

Musicians unite in common goal

Prof Peter Adams conducts the first full orchestra rehearsal. PHOTOS: HAMISH MACLEAN

Musicians unite in common goal

With a mere six days of rehearsals, the talent at Waitaki's national music camp consistently puts together a "wonderful concert'', Whitestone Community Arts Council spokeswoman Bronwyn Judge says.

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Hamish MacLean