Fireworks blamed for blaze
Fireworks suspected cause of blaze
The day fireworks went on sale, 20 firefighters fought a grass fire on Cape Wanbrow above Oamaru Harbour.
Hamish MacLean
Priest pitches for ‘family life and religious freedom’
Priest pitches for ‘family life and religious freedom’
The Waitaki District Council will be criticised whatever it decides on Easter Sunday trading, an advocate of the status quo says.
Courthouse work to start next year
Courthouse work to start next year
Earthquake strengthening for Oamaru’s historic courthouse is expected to begin early next year and the Waitaki District Council’s budget of $900,000 for the project is "still attainable".
Sculpture not in the zone
Sculpture not in the zone
A steampunk sculpture has been taken off the top of a Tyne St building in Oamaru's historic area after the Waitaki District Council ordered its removal.
Council might fund programme
Council might fund Enviroschools programme
The Waitaki District Council could join other Otago councils and fund an Enviroschools programme for schools in the district next year,
British chef granted discharge
British chef granted discharge
A Queenstown chef has been granted a discharge without conviction for assaulting his partner.
Majority of submissions against Easter trading proposal
Majority of submissions against Easter trading proposal
Those opposed to Easter Sunday trading in the Waitaki district cite stress, family violence and worse in the need to value a ``healthy society'' over ``tourist dollars''.
Potential for a generation worth of jobs
Potential for a generation worth of jobs
An oil and gas operation off the coast of Oamaru could create ''a generation of jobs'' for the Waitaki area, the council's chief executive says.
Punishment, crime theme suits dress-up
Punishment, crime theme suits dress-up
Crime and punishment might not seem like the cheeriest party theme, but a lot of people are already looking forward to dressing up, and down, for next month's Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations.
Hopes Victorian Fete stalls pull big crowd
Hopes Victorian Fete stalls pull big crowd
"Simple is always better,'' Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust's Victorian Fete co-ordinator Frances Mcmillan says.
Fleet-footed police pursuit
Fleet-footed police pursuit
Seven police officers took down a wanted man in a brief but dramatic pursuit along Oamaru's main shopping street yesterday.
Seven officers involved in Oamaru foot chase
Seven officers involved in Oamaru foot chase
A 25-year-old Hastings man was arrested in Oamaru's main street this afternoon after leading police on a short chase on foot.
Joyce's cousin saddened
Joyce's cousin saddened
Kakanui man John Laing is saddened by his cousin Barnaby Joyce's dismissal from the Australian Parliament over his citizenship status.
Work starts to close street despite last-minute plea
Work starts to close street despite last-minute plea
Nearly 11 months after a $60,000 budget was earmarked for improvements to a pedestrian-only Harbour St, Waitaki District Council contractors this week began installing retractable bollards at the entrance to close the road to cars.
International overnight visitors and spending lift
International overnight visitors and spending lift
A significant increase in the number of international visitors spending the night in the Waitaki district has seemingly not translated into a rise in overall visitor numbers for the area.
Freedom camping trial to end in ban
Freedom camping trial to end in ban
Freedom camping at a North Otago spot is to be banned following a community-led trial that allowed five camping sites.
Owners shocked but philosophical
Cafe owners shocked but philosophical
The owners of a Kakanui cafe are optimistic about the future of the business after a car ploughed through the front of the building at the weekend.
Mayor speaks out over Museum funding
Kircher vocal about disagreements over museum funding
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher has called the Clutha District Council's refusal to pay the full amount of its prescribed share of next year's funding for Otago Museum "misguided''.
Car crash near Duntroon
Car crash near Duntroon
Emergency services were called to a car crash on State Highway 83 near Duntroon this afternoon.
'One cache, that's all it took'
'One cache, that's all it took'
More than 200 ''treasure hunters'' were scouring Oamaru and the Waitaki district at the weekend.