Oamaru elephant sliding towards retirement
Oamaru elephant sliding towards retirement
The elephant slide at the Oamaru Gardens - a favourite with children for nearly 30 years - is easing into retirement.
David Bruce
Nikken pull-out continues; farms being sold
Nikken pull-out continues; farms being sold
Japanese company Nikken Seil is to sell about 460ha of North Otago farmland, having earlier this year abandoned plans to establish an international centre for health sciences and an organic food production and processing operation.
Hydrologist challenges upgrade plan
Hydrologist challenges upgrade plan
East Otago still faces the prospect of running out of water in extreme dry years, an issue which does not appear to have been addressed by the Waitaki District Council, according to Dunedin hydrologist David Stewart.
Dropping Oamaru water pipe plan a 'no-brainer'
Dropping Oamaru water pipe plan a 'no-brainer'
An ambitious $28 million plan for a pipeline to deliver Oamaru drinking water to 10 communities as far south as Palmerston is likely to be abandoned by the Waitaki District Council.
Tournament will be a Rippa
Tournament will be a Rippa
Oamaru is to stage its first "Rippa" tournament.
District benefits from development
District benefits from development
A spurt of development in the Waitaki district is a major contributor to a big surplus recorded by the Waitaki District Council for the 2007-08 financial year.
Young Oamaru drivers show off wheels
Young Oamaru drivers show off wheels
It was love at first sight for Jessie Gibb when she saw her workmate's car.
Emergency unit funded by district
Emergency unit funded by district
More than a decade after it was established, the Omarama Fire Brigade's first-response unit finally has a new vehicle.
Labour bastions may hold key for Dean in new electorate
Labour bastions may hold key for Dean in new electorate
Twizel and Waimate could be the key to how National Party MP Jacqui Dean will fare in the Waitaki electorate.
Tenders received for commercial buildings
Tenders received for commercial buildings
Six tenders have been received for three commercial buildings in central Oamaru which, collectively, could be worth more than $1.6 million.
'Super mum' soldiers on for her pups
'Super mum' soldiers on for her pups
Millie the Jack Russell had a traumatic introduction to being a mum, being burnt after chasing a rabbit into a bonfire, then having her first litter of four puppies delivered by Caesarean section on the same day.
Hodgson pushes existing tax break
Hodgson pushes existing tax break
A modest personal tax cut for a dumber economy or a tax break for research and development by New Zealand companies and a smart economy were the choices being pedalled by Economic Development Minister Pete Hodgson in Oamaru yesterday.
Family returns from outing to find home on fire
Family returns from outing to find home on fire
A Nen St house fire yesterday was the latest in a "higher than normal" number of house fires in Oamaru recently, Oamaru Chief Fire Officer Gary Gibson said.
Hundreds at lifestyle expo
Hundreds at lifestyle expo
Hundreds of North Otago people had a chance to learn about healthy and active living at the "Back to the Future" lifestyle expo at the Waitaki Community Recreation Centre and Orana Park yesterday.
Big cheese time
Big cheese time
Oamaru cheese-maker Whitestone Cheese has a busy weekend, opening a new distribution and chiller centre last night, sponsoring a golf tournament today and launching three new cheeses made from goats' milk tonight.
Less rubbish comes at a cost
Less rubbish comes at a cost
A new kerbside recycling service planned by the Waitaki District Council could add $100 a year to the average rates bill.
First stage of work on pool well below budget
First stage of work on pool well below budget
The $1.5 million capital upgrade of the Waitaki Aquatic Centre has started well for the Waitaki District Council, the first stage having been completed under budget.
'Interesting, absorbing' job as mayor so far
'Interesting, absorbing' job as mayor so far
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton talks to David Bruce about his first year in office.
'Queen' will rock Waimate
'Queen' will rock Waimate
"Royal" entertainment will feature at the Strawberry Fare in Waimate on December 13.
Water capacity questioned
Water capacity questioned
The ability of aquifers in North Otago to support more irrigation was the hot topic at an Oamaru meeting called by the Otago Regional Council to discuss changes to the way water is managed in the province.