Geopark in all but name before Unesco approval
Geopark in all but name before Unesco approval
Securing Unesco status as a global geopark would be "enormously exciting" for the Waitaki district.
Hamish MacLean
Roundabout could improve safety
Roundabout could improve safety
A "small" roundabout could be a solution to increasing safety concerns at the Wansbeck St-Tyne St intersection in Oamaru's harbour area.
No significant drop in rabbits seen yet
No significant drop in rabbits seen yet
Counts to establish whether the new strain of rabbit calicivirus has taken hold will begin next week, but Otago landowners expecting to see dramatic drops in rabbit numbers could be in for a wait.
Work proceeds on pedestrian bridge
Work proceeds on pedestrian bridge
Construction of the $110k timber pedestrian bridge spanning Oamaru Creek near the penguin reserve is "almost complete" and the bridge will open this month, Waitaki District Council roading manager Michael Voss says.
Support for Lake Pukaki boat ban
Boat business supports boat ban at end of Lake Pukaki
Banning boats in the southern end of Lake Pukaki to preserve views of New Zealand's highest mountain has been endorsed by the lake's only commercial boating operation.
Penguin symposium taking wider perspective
Penguin symposium taking wider perspective
Yellow-eyed penguins equipped with underwater cameras, seabirds breeding in Oamaru Harbour, protected species’ interactions with set-net fisheries, and the effects of climate change on penguins.
Avian malaria killing more penguins
Avian malaria increases penguin deaths
Another potentially serious threat to the endangered yellow-eyed penguin has resulted in increased deaths of the birds this year.
Mayor dubious about census response rate
Mayor dubious about census response rate
Despite Stats NZ trumpeting the success of this year's online census, Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher is asking for an extension for the cut-off date for completed forms.
'No consultation' disappoints penguin trust
'No consultation' disappoints penguin trust
The trust that for 30 years has managed yellow-eyed penguin colonies at Katiki Point has not been part of the plans to create a new management plan for the area.
Intern scheme hailed a success
Intern scheme hailed a success
The Waitaki District Council's international student internship programme has been hailed a "spectacular" success in its first year.
Salmon key to life for tribe
Salmon key to life for tribe
In a bid to return salmon to their sacred river, a California First Nations tribe yesterday visited the Hakataramea hatchery where the chinook salmon were first introduced to New Zealand rivers.
News of rabbit deaths welcomed
News of rabbit deaths welcomed
The first rabbit deaths due to the new strain of calicivirus released earlier in autumn have been confirmed by the Otago Regional Council.
Possible boat ban draws big reaction
Possible boat ban draws big reaction
A ban on motorised boating on Lake Pukaki, at least in the southern end to preserve views of Mt Cook, appears likely.
Football academy at WBHS
Football academy at WBHS
The grounds at Waitaki Boys' High School in Oamaru are playing host to 70 up-and-coming footballers aged 13 to 16 at the Southern United football academy.
6000 rare books from US collector’s estate
6000 rare books from US collector’s estate
An Oamaru bookseller has inherited thousands of rare adventure books from an American private collector which he intends to use to create a one-of-a-kind library.
Agreement to write off fire loan
Agreement to write off fire loan
A loan of nearly $300,000 looks likely to be written off the Waitaki District Council’s books.
Forestry operations may pay more rates for road repairs
Forestry operations may pay more rates for road repairs
Waitaki-based forestry operations could pay higher rates to keep up the district’s roads, and Oamaru businesses could be off the hook for paying for the district’s toilets.
Concern over locked gates on roads
Concern over locked gates on roads
The Waitaki District Council’s assets group manager told councillors he would prefer to address concerns about the public being locked out of public roads "out of public".
Last day at country school for principal
Last day at country school for principal
Life as a principal in a small country school in North Otago means finding out where the children she knows have ended up, Cate Bole says.
Flight plan for pilots’ school filed
Flight plan for pilots’ school filed
An international flight school appears to be ready for takeoff at Oamaru Airport. But proponents of the plan remained tight-lipped yesterday.