Transmission upgrade completed
Transmission upgrade completed
Circuits carrying 150MW of electricity — about the twice the amount used by Queenstown — further north have opened between Central Otago and the Mackenzie Basin.
Jared Morgan
'MDMA has ruined things': Drugs end singles party
'MDMA has ruined things': Drugs end singles party
A drug overdose and a "king hit" mean after 10 years the annual Beaumont Boot Bash is no more.
Info sought on Alexandra aggravated robbery
Info sought on Alexandra aggravated robbery
Police are appealing for witnesses in relation to an aggravated robbery at Pioneer Park in Alexandra earlier this week.
Total fire ban for Central, parts of North Otago
Total fire ban for Central, parts of North Otago
A total fire ban is now in place in Central and parts of North Otago, while the rest of the region remains in a restricted season.
$850K grant to help with Covid-19 response
$850K grant to help with Covid-19 response
An Alexandra-based company has been awarded $850,000 to support the Covid-19 response and protect maritime borders across New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Township leans on history to save its poles
Township leans on history to save its poles
It's fair to say things move slowly in St Bathans - population eight - and like all stories from this once booming gold and coal mining town, the tale of its leaning telegraph poles is long and oddly intriguing.
Tarras airport plan 'an act of evil'
Tarras airport plan 'an act of evil'
Three Dunedin teens have labelled plans to build an international airport at Tarras as "evil".
Some progress on workers
Some progress on workers
The outlook for seasonal workers in Central Otago was discussed at the final full meeting of the Central Otago District council for the year yesterday.
Worker shortage not going away
Worker shortage not going away
Horticulture labour shortages in Central Otago are being addressed but the takeaway message for two government ministers after visiting the region is the problem has not gone.
Executives, council to discuss airport plans
Executives, council to discuss airport plans
Two senior Christchurch International Airport executives will attend a Central Otago District Council meeting today to discuss plans for the proposed new airport at Tarras.
Plan to harvest workers
Plan to harvest workers
A large-scale operation will be launched in Cromwell today designed to help obtain — and keep — workers on Central Otago orchards.
New appointee keen to promote heritage
New appointee keen to promote heritage
Tauranga transplant to Central Otago Maggie Hope is keen bring the region’s rich heritage to life.
Faafoi not saying how many RSE workers were sought by employers
Faafoi not saying how many RSE workers were sought by employers
Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi will not be drawn on whether the horticulture and viticulture industry pushed for overseas workers to be allowed into New Zealand rather than employ Kiwis.
Admission interest from Kiwis overwhelming orchards
Admission interest from Kiwis overwhelming orchards
Central Otago’s horticulture and viticulture sector acknowledges it underestimated interest from Kiwis in seasonal work and is struggling to deal with "skyrocketing" applications, an industry leader says.
Responses from growers criticised
Responses from growers criticised
Central Otago fruit growers are not only failing to respond to Kiwis applying for work but also doing a poor job of advertising for staff, a union representative says.
Picking staff issue takes too much time
Picking staff issue takes too much time
Central Otago’s horticulture and viticulture sectors say there is room for improvement when it comes to recruitment — and it is due to juggling work demands with recruitment.
Proposed Countdown views at odds
Proposed Countdown views at odds
Immediate neighbours of a proposed new supermarket in Alexandra say they want it to go ahead, while a council planner remains opposed.
Second supermarket needed, hearing told
Second supermarket needed, hearing told
A second supermarket in Alexandra is needed for the economic and social wellbeing of Central Otago.
‘Rebirth of democracy’ in US celebrated
‘Rebirth of democracy’ in US celebrated
If US President Donald Trump refuses to concede defeat in the US election, a group in Central Otago is willing to push him along by turning his catchphrase "you’re fired" back on him.
Cherry orchardist not getting the pip despite woes
Cherry orchardist not getting the pip despite woes
Labour shortages are not going to dampen Martin Milne’s enthusiasm for cherry season as the harvest begins.