Solar-powered lights to be installed next month at the Pukaki Airport subdivision, near Twizel, will not only be energy-efficient but also safeguard the Mackenzie basin's renowned night sky.
Waitaki hydro storage lakes should be able to cope with heavy rain predicted over the next two days, although a major downpour could pose problems.
Before dawn today about 100 people gathered outside a spectacularly lit Opera House in Oamaru for a blessing of the $10.3 million redevelopment and restoration of the 102-year-old building.
Half the eight houses offered in Oamaru's first mass auction sold, with two going even before bidding started.
One man's junk is another's treasure and that may well be the case for some old locomotive wreckage pulled from the Oamaru foreshore.
Meridian Energy Ltd has not agreed to any payments to government departments as part of its plan to build a new $900 million power scheme on the lower Waitaki River.
An invasive weed in Lake Benmore could be targeted by a new spray that has the potential to kill it, not just control it.
The future of the historic St Patrick's Basilica presbytery in Reed St is being reviewed by Oamaru's Catholic parish as it faces a large outlay to upgrade and maintain the building.
The introduction of a tourism rate has been delayed for two years by the Waitaki District Council, which fears the impact could be too great on some businesses facing big rate rises because of other changes.
Consumers taking more water than they are entitled to could find themselves in hot water with the Waitaki District Council.
Pay rises for the Waitaki mayor, councillors and community board members have been recommended by the Waitaki District Council's strategy committee.
A 3.4% rates rise is being proposed by the Waitaki District Council for the next financial year, but ratepayers have yet to have their say on whether that is acceptable.
Major work is about to start on upgrading the Waitaki Aquatic Centre in Oamaru, meaning it will have to close for three weeks at the end of April and into May.
It was planned for a small block at Twizel, but the Area9 music festival grew so big it ended up spread over about 5ha on Ohau Downs Station at the weekend.
Waitaki district ratepayers may face a rates rise higher than the 3.8% set in December when the Waitaki District Council made the first draft of its budget for the coming financial year.
The vexed issue of pay rises for the Waitaki mayor, councillors and community board members of the Waitaki District Council will be considered today, and they may have no choice but to accept them.
John Grenell was not daunted by having to open the Area9 festival at Ohau yesterday. The 48-hour, non-stop festival features top New Zealand bands and performers.
A tent city housing about 4600 people sprang up in the middle of a paddock at Ohau Downs Station yesterday for the Area9 festival 48 hours of music and entertainment.
Police are looking for a Danish tourist who has lost her pack containing most of her belongings in the Waitaki Valley.
A new animal shelter for the North Otago SPCA in a Thames St building has been given resource consent by the Waitaki District Council.
