Dairy farm attracts falcon
Dairy farm attracts falcon
The expansion of dairy farming into the Upper Waitaki is proving beneficial for New Zealand's only endemic raptor, the falcon. David Bruce reports.
David Bruce
Fans new and old flock to concert
Fans new and old flock to concert
''It's nice of Dame Kiri to sing for my birthday,'' Max O'Leary quipped when he arrived for the opera singer's concert at the Oamaru Opera House last night.
Opera house a 'gem'
Opera house a 'gem'
''A little gem'', is how Dame Kiri Te Kanawa described the Oamaru Opera House, venue for her one-off concert last night.
Malcolm storms out of meeting
Malcolm storms out of meeting
Councillor Kevin Malcolm stormed out of a Waitaki District Council committee yesterday, prompted by what he believed was time-wasting.
Setting up base
Setting up base
A staging area as a base for building the new twin bridges between Kurow and Hakataramea over the Waitaki River was being set up yesterday, for work to start on April 8.
Petitioning for lights
Petitioning for lights
A petition has been launched calling for traffic lights at a pedestrian crossing in north Oamaru that has a bad crash record.
Water theft fee in pipeline
Water theft fee in pipeline
Stealing water from the Waitaki District Council could soon cost those caught doing so much more.
Top Tip open for bargains
Top Tip open for bargains
One man's trash is another man's treasure, and there is a lot of treasure in Hampden, judging by its newest shop.
Club to mark 125 years
Club to mark 125 years
Excelsior Rugby Club plans major celebrations to mark its 125th anniversary at Queen's Birthday weekend, sending out registration forms to former members.
Third candidate for mayoralty emerges
Third candidate for mayoralty emerges
A third candidate has emerged for the Waitaki mayoralty - Helen Algar wants to become the first woman mayor in North Otago.
Big grant for kindy
Big grant for kindy
A new kindergarten for Oamaru has received a significant boost, with the Ministry of Education promising $100,000 towards the cost, if it goes ahead.
Commercial rates concern
Commercial rates concern
While public meetings on rates are usually dominated by the effects on residential properties, the fear of large increases for commercial properties in the Waitaki district was raised in Oamaru last night.
Gateway to art prize
Gateway to art prize
North Otago artists have been inspired by one of their most renowned contemporaries, the late Colin Wheeler, in a competition and exhibition judged at the weekend.
Bridges work start pledge
Bridges work start pledge
Contractors are on target to next month start building two new bridges worth about $18.5 million across the Waitaki River between Kurow and Hakataramea.
Hairless and fearless
Hairless and fearless
Vicki Kershaw epitomised the spirit of the Relay for Life when it was Oamaru's turn to stage the Cancer Society's big fund-raising event at the weekend.
Drag race organiser's hopes dashed after gearbox blows
Drag race organiser's hopes dashed after gearbox blows
Drag racing is in the genes of Melissa and Donna Boler, who competed at their first drag race meeting on Saturday.
Oppressive costs force sale of historic church
Oppressive costs force sale of historic church
Earthquake-strengthening work bills and other operating costs rather than a shrinking congregation have forced the closure of the Totara Presbyterian Church.
New plan after 40,000 fish die
New plan after 40,000 fish die
A back-up plan is being put in place by a Waitaki River salmon hatchery after it lost about 40,000 fish it was raising for release later this year.
Minister to see impact of quake building policy
Minister to see impact of quake building policy
Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson is to visit Waimate, Oamaru and Palmerston in May to assess the effect of the Government's draft earthquake prone building policy on historic buildings in the region.
Goods with personal value taken in twin burglaries
Goods with personal value taken in twin burglaries
Burglars targeted an Oamaru commercial building on two consecutive nights this week, taking some items which had a personal and sentimental value to the premises' occupier.