Hamish MacLean

Council develops ‘transparent’ staff spending policy

The Government has extended its debt hibernation scheme until October next year.

Council develops ‘transparent’ staff spending policy

The Waitaki District Council has developed a policy to ensure its staff spending is "transparent, conservative and justifiable", setting limits on what staff can spend on travel, accommodation,...

High school’s board backs hostel change

High school’s board backs hostel change

The Waitaki Boys’ High School board of trustees has endorsed a proposal for change at its cash-strapped hostel, Don House, chairwoman Andrea Ludemann has confirmed.

Kurow day buzzing

Despite smoke-filled skies, the Kurow Festival Market Day set a new bar for busyness as an estimated 6000 people filled the Waitaki Valley town of about 350 on New Year’s Day.

Boy’s stolen ‘Christmas money’ returned

The money must be used for essential household goods and repairs such as furniture, appliances,...

Boy’s stolen ‘Christmas money’ returned

An Oamaru boy who had his "Christmas money" stolen at the weekend was reunited with most of his cash yesterday.

Girl power triumphs in race day contest of strength

The girls beat the boys at the tug o' war at the Kurow Races yesterday. PHOTO: HAMISH MACLEAN

Girl power triumphs in race day contest of strength

"It was rigged! It was rigged!"

Rodeo ‘great thing for the community’

Luke Longley, of Roxburgh, rides his way out of the second division steer ride.

Rodeo ‘great thing for the community’

After more than three decades in Omarama, rodeo is alive an well in the Waitaki Valley town.

Fireworks display dropped to protect seabirds

Oamaru's New Year's Eve celebrations will not include fireworks this year, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher says.

Outside protected areas, the world’s smallest penguin is in trouble. In Oamaru, where conservation work supports two flourishing sanctuaries for little penguins, research is under way to learn whether chicks hatched outside sanctuaries measure up to their protected counterparts.

‘Times have moved on’ for subdivision rules

‘Times have moved on’ for subdivision rules

When the present rules for subdivision in the Waitaki district were created, smaller, less-disruptive developments were envisaged, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher says.

Money no guarantee of votes

Getting back into office cost nine-term Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt $5732.75.

Council campaign spending revealed

Council campaign spending revealed

The returns of candidate donations and expenses are in. Hamish MacLean has a look at the numbers.

Money helps hopefuls tell their stories

Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher says advertising - and spending - for elections can be about raising candidates’ profiles in communities, but it can also help hopefuls tell their "stories".

Vehicle crashes into hedge in Kakanui

A man has been taken to Oamaru Hospital this morning after a vehicle crashed into a hedge at Kakanui.

Council approves Macallan House demolition

The historic Macallan House, in Thames St, Oamaru, will be demolished to make way for a new...

Council approves Macallan House demolition

A developer has won the right to demolish a lower Thames St building in the Oamaru historic area, the Waitaki District Council has confirmed.

Criterion to reopen ‘one way or another’

The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust has bought the business that runs from its 1877 landmark hotel...

Criterion to reopen ‘one way or another’

The Criterion Hotel’s doors will reopen, but the exact future of the Victorian Precinct pub is being kept under wraps for now.

Security callouts $1100-plus

Since November, Waitaki ratepayers have footed the bill for a security contractor to clear people...

Security callouts $1100-plus

In the past two months, Waitaki ratepayers have spent more than $1100 for a security contractor to clear people off the breakwater at Oamaru Harbour.

Boat once linked to fraudster puzzles harbour master

A large vessel is temporarily anchored off Sumpter Wharf at Oamaru Harbour. ORC harbourmaster...

Boat once linked to fraudster puzzles harbour master

A former Australian fisheries research vessel - with indirect links to convicted fraudster Michael Swann - is temporarily anchored off Sumpter Wharf in Oamaru Harbour.

Seabirds swarm as shoals of fish beach

Hundreds of seabirds, including red-billed gulls and white-fronted terns, converge on a beach...

Seabirds swarm as shoals of fish beach

Hundreds of seabirds swarmed while small fish washed ashore this week as a ‘‘spooky’’ scene unfolded at an Oamaru beach.

Stolen Subaru found damaged just metres away

A Subaru unlawfully taken from an Oamaru property was found just 400m from where it was reported stolen, police say.

Petrol theft car had stolen number plates: police

The car involved in an alleged petrol drive-off near Oamaru was fitted with stolen number plates, police say.

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Hamish MacLean