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.
Hamish MacLean
Kurow day buzzing
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
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
Girl power triumphs in race day contest of strength
"It was rigged! It was rigged!"
Rodeo ‘great thing for the community’
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
Fireworks display dropped to protect seabirds
Oamaru's New Year's Eve celebrations will not include fireworks this year, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher says.
Focus on the outside chances
Focus on the outside chances
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
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
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
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
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’
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Pick of the crop at garden market
Pick of the crop at garden market
As summer hits, an organic vege market — with the gardens’ own fresh picked produce — has sprung up at the Waitaki Community Gardens.