Hamish MacLean

Penguins now accepted part and parcel of town life

Little penguins peer out of one of the 350 nesting boxes at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony...

Penguins now accepted part and parcel of town life

In Oamaru it's not unheard of to see little penguins waddling up the ramp at Scotts Brewing Co after dark - as if they were looking to make the last call.

Sense of community district's best asset

Bringing a wealth of experience to her new role at Tourism Waitaki, business development manager...

Sense of community district's best asset

Oamaru is the smallest town Melanie Jones has ever lived in.

Call could highlight marine protection

The view over Tautuku Bay, Catlins, from Florence Hill Lookout on the Southern Scenic Route. This...

Call could highlight marine protection

A call for a national park in the Catlins could work to highlight the need for marine protection off the southeastern corner of the South Island as well.

Priority to create 'new vision'

Waitaki Boys’ High School. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON

Priority to create 'new vision'

Five years ago Andrea Ludemann chose not to send her son to a "troubled" Waitaki Boys’ High School. Now, with her second son in year 10 at Waitaki Boys’, she is the first chair at the school since 2014.

Visitors big factor in town plans

Omarama is just up the road from Sailors Cutting.

Visitors big factor in town plans

Attracting investment for the development of some form of "visitor attraction", an expanded retail area and increased visitor accommodation all feature in the most ambitious options in a master...

Forrester Heights subdivision idea to fund harbour

The Oamaru Opera House, right, still carries $3,406,793 in debt after the Lower Thames St...

Forrester Heights subdivision idea to fund harbour

Plans for a controversial subdivision near Oamaru are again being mooted, this time as a way to help offset the cost of the harbour redevelopment.

Familiar sights in 'Mulan' trailer

The mountains of the Ahuriri Valley form a spectacular backdrop for a new Disney offering — a...

Familiar sights in 'Mulan' trailer

Walt Disney Studios has just released the trailer for its nearly $300 million live-action remake of Mulan - and it includes some "pretty fantastic scenery".

First 14 members inducted into WBHS sports hall of fame

Five-time New Zealand boxing champion and former Waitaki Boys' High School pupil Emmett Gradwell ...

First 14 members inducted into WBHS sports hall of fame

All three of Emmett Gradwell's boys are named after boxers.

Harbour plan not ready for public, mayor says

Flights of endangered Otago shags leave Oamaru Harbour on Sunday morning. Options for a 30-year...

Harbour plan not ready for public, mayor says

The 30-year-plan for Oamaru Harbour was not ready for public consumption when it was tabled in a draft form at a Waitaki District Council harbour area committee meeting on Tuesday, Waitaki's mayor says.

Treatment of hospital staff 'appalling'

Oamaru Hospital management has lost the trust of a "core group" of staff.

Alps 2 Ocean Ultra event to be last one

The Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail. PHOTO: REBECCA RYAN

Alps 2 Ocean Ultra event to be last one

It is a world-class event with a reputation for its heart.

Additional IT roles needed, council told

Additional IT roles needed, council told

Three new full-time IT positions would help to lift the Waitaki District Council's digital game to a sustainable level, council information services group manager Bill Chou says.

Plan a sellout, friends of harbour say

Plan a sellout, friends of harbour say

Public opinion has been sold out to private development, the Friends of Oamaru Harbour group says.

Breakwater access breaches consent

Visitors stroll along Oamaru’s historic breakwater last year. The Waitaki District Council...

Breakwater access breaches consent

The gates on to Oamaru's "Breakwater Beach" will be locked until further notice.

Range of options in harbour proposal

Range of options in harbour proposal

Plans that include a lift at the old quarry at Cape Wanbrow, the establishment of a "harbour village", and commercialising Oamaru Harbour's red sheds could cost up to $35million.

Light plane forced down near Benmore

A mechanical issue caused a light plane to make an unscheduled landing in hills near Lake Benmore this afternoon.

Focus on geopark criticised

Focus on geopark criticised

Tourism Waitaki is far too focused on something that may never happen, Waitaki district councillor Jim Hopkins says.

2.96% rates increase approved

2.96% rates increase approved

An average rates rise of 2.96% has been approved by the Waitaki District Council.

22 resign in wake of hospital restructure plan

22 resign in wake of hospital restructure plan

Twenty-two staff members have resigned at Oamaru Hospital in the wake of a controversial organisational restructure proposal distributed to staff in February.

Landfills fail to gain funding

Erik van der Spek. PHOTO: HAMISH MACLEAN

Landfills fail to gain funding

Two unofficial Beach Rd landfills - which have spilled waste on to the beach below - have failed to attract Ministry for the Environment funding.

Search form

Search form

Hamish MacLean