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When the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch in February 2011, a beloved family pet was so traumatised she had to be sent to Kurow to recover - but more than two years later Ruby the dog is back with her owner, and coped with Monday's large aftershock thanks to her time in North Otago.

The numbers of people walking around Oamaru in full Victorian regalia have been growing by the day this week, which can only mean one thing - the annual Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations are here again.

Despite penny-farthings having no gears, enthusiasts yesterday completed a ride of more than 300km from Aoraki/Mt Cook to Oamaru in just three days.

After four years helping create a community garden that has inspired both young and old gardeners, Annie Beattie this week passed on the job of Waitaki Community Gardens co-ordinator - and her prized teapot - to a new co-ordinator.

Large-scale corporate tourism in Oamaru is unlikely to grow unless the town gets a five-star hotel, Tourism Waitaki says.

Members of the North Otago Filipino community are reeling from revelations that more than 10,000 people could have died in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan and face an agonising wait to confirm the fate of their loved ones back home.

The first of seven new information panels intended to bring more attention to what is believed to be New Zealand's largest war memorial was unveiled yesterday in Oamaru.