Power station work
Power station work
Work began this week on a four-year project to refurbish the Waitaki dam and power station, at a cost of $40 million.
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Small area suffered big losses
Small area suffered big losses
For many in New Zealand, Anzac Day is a day of national remembrance, a day to remember the collective sacrifice of Commonwealth soldiers, but for the far-flung rural communities of the Waiareka Valley in North Otago, it is a deep-rooted and very personal affair.
Traffic lights at crossing wanted
Traffic lights at crossing wanted
Residents in Oamaru's north end, fed up with almost daily mishaps at a pedestrian crossing there, are taking their safety concerns to the Government.
Joint approach possible on alcohol licensing
Joint approach possible on alcohol licensing
A cross-district approach to the sale of alcohol is being considered in an effort to ensure a consistent approach to hotel and bar opening hours on both sides of the Waitaki River.
PHO denies GP shortage; new arrivals argue otherwise
PHO denies GP shortage; new arrivals argue otherwise
Although new Oamaru residents are complaining they are being put on waiting lists or turned away completely when trying to enrol with some general practitioners, the Southern Primary Health Organisation (PHO) says people should not have an issue finding a doctor.
Locomotive back on track
Locomotive back on track
A six-year project to repair an 89-year-old steam engine finally came to a close yesterday, much to the relief of the unpaid volunteers who made it happen.
Potential in cheese from deer's milk
Potential in cheese from deer's milk
An Oamaru cheese factory and New Zealand deer farmers could be in line to make ''huge'' export gains in Asia, if experiments in making cheese from deer's milk are successful.
Catholic schools tie event
Catholic schools tie event
After 120 ''fiercely, but fairly'' contested games of football, rugby, hockey, basketball and netball, it proved impossible to separate Oamaru's and Timaru's top teams in the inaugural Southern Catholic Colleges Tournament on Monday.
Stout follow-up for Anzac Day
Stout follow-up for Anzac Day
Anzac Day dawn services will this year be held at Hakataramea and Oamaru, and early risers attending the Hakataramea service will be able to enjoy a glass of World War 1 stout afterwards.
Census pilot part of 2018 planning
Census pilot part of 2018 planning
A census pilot scheme in Oamaru, which aimed to find ways of reducing the estimated $90 million cost to the Government of running the national census, will be used to plan the census in 2018, Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson says.
Organisers pleased with bigger hill climb entry
Organisers pleased with bigger hill climb entry
Organisers say there was a large increase in the number of drivers taking part in yesterday's Ngapara hill climb, the 50th running of the event.
Doctors proving hard to find
Doctors proving hard to find
A community support group in Oamaru says people moving to the town are having serious difficulties in getting doctors to assess health problems, because most of the town's medical practices are not taking on new patients.
Heritage trail to be opened
Heritage trail to be opened
A decade-long effort to create a heritage trail around Hampden will come to fruition today when the resulting 3km trail is officially opened.
Performing arts society annual festival
Performing arts society annual festival
More than 100 competitors are expected to trip the light fantastic later this month when the Oamaru Performing Arts Society hosts its annual festival.
Protected gulls polluting river cannot be removed
Protected gulls polluting river cannot be removed
A colony of nesting gulls responsible for polluting the Kakanui River and a popular North Otago swimming hole cannot be removed from the area because the colony contains protected bird life.
Hundreds expected in town for inaugural tournament
Hundreds expected in town for inaugural tournament
Hotels in Oamaru and the surrounding area are set to benefit from a big influx of guests on Sunday, when more than 500 people are expected to attend a new sports tournament hosted by St Kevin's College in Oamaru.
Hill climb No 50
Hill climb No 50
About 40 motorsport enthusiasts are expected to take part in the 50th running of the historic Ngapara Hill Climb, near Oamaru, on Sunday.
North Otago: Rain needed now for spring
North Otago: Rain needed now for spring
Farmers in North Otago are ''desperate'' to see a good amount of rain soon, in order to ward off a spring drought, which could result in a disastrous lambing and calving season. Some areas received less than half the usual amount of rain last month.
Congregation seeks safer premises
Congregation seeks safer premises
Members of a church congregation in Oamaru have been forced to look for a new place of worship, because their church has been classed as an earthquake risk.
Judges still support video links
Judges still support video links
New Zealand's principal Family Court judge says although Otago and Southland Family Court judges had initial ''security concerns'' over a planned trial of audio-visual technology in court, they are still supportive of its use because those issues had now been resolved.