'I wouldn't want to merge with Queenstown'
We asked people across the South what they think of the government’s plan to force councils to amalgamate.
Police track fleeing driver in Maniototo
Police track fleeing driver in Maniototo
The traditionally quiet roads of the Maniototo area erupted with high speeds and flashing lights on Thursday night when a driver fled from police.
A cool change of colour
A cool change of colour
Autumn leaves make a spectacular display along the banks of the Clutha River as it flows past the eastern end of Roxburgh.
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Concern plan could create disconnected councils
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Concern plan could create disconnected councils
Extending the geographic boundaries councillors must cover will ‘‘dilute local knowledge’’ and lead to a council disconnected from its communities, a Central Otago district councillor has warned.
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Artists spurred by heritage inspiration
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Artists spurred by heritage inspiration
Artists and history buffs are invited to gather above Lawrence this weekend to record a landscape at a point of change.
Fleeing driver busted after parking at home address
Fleeing driver busted after parking at home address
The traditionally quiet roads of the Maniototo area erupted with high speeds and flashing lights last night when a driver fled from police.
Santana given approval to buy land
Santana given approval to buy land
Santana Minerals has finally cleared a crucial hurdle in securing land for its Bendigo-Ophir mining project.
Ready for a ‘full ride’
Ready for a ‘full ride’
Being one of New Zealand’s top rodeo riders, Sky Sanders has had some rough rides.
‘Collateral damage’ talk rejected
‘Collateral damage’ talk rejected
Santana denies it sees neighbours of its proposed goldmine as "collateral damage" and not worthy of consideration.
Effect of mine ‘grief’ — couple say
Effect of mine ‘grief’ — couple say
Grief is the word that Dr Claire Fletcher-Flinn uses to describe the emotional experience of living in the shadow of the proposed Santana Minerals goldmine.
Deal a step forward
Deal a step forward
Over the past few weeks I’ve had some great meetings with a wide range of folks from around Central Otago.
High school’s drama production praised
High school’s drama production praised
Dunstan High School drama students: actors and backstage crew, their parents and DHS’s art dept teachers: take a bow!
Water quality anxiety
Water quality anxiety
Anxiety about water quality in the Manuherikia River brought an impassioned presentation to the Central Otago District Council meeting last week.
Mustangs prepare to roar into town
Mustangs prepare to roar into town
Mustangs will roar into Alexandra at the end of the month when the 2026 Southern Muster arrives in town.
Southern lights captured
Southern lights captured
When Noah Bentley left French Ridge Hut to fill a jug of water, the green hue in the sky was a sign to grab his camera.
First album released
First album released
An ode to the 1960s and ’70s is how a Central Otago musician describes her first album Mythology of the Girls.
Painters aim to capture area’s best
Painters aim to capture area’s best
More than 60 watercolour artists from across New Zealand descended on Clyde last weekend for a "paintaway" and locals were invited to get involved.
Call for return of snake’s head
Call for return of snake’s head
A painted rock snake has been winding its way into the community’s hearts at Pisa Moorings’ playground since February 2025 — but someone has since made off with her head.
‘Fantastic facility’
‘Fantastic facility’
Whether central government decides to abolish regional councils or not, the construction of a new Otago Regional Council headquarters still needed to happen, its chief executive says.
Fundraiser event to honour memory
Fundraiser event to honour memory
A French man whose body was found in Lake Dunstan in March will be remembered at an event at Carrick Winery on Saturday.A Carrick Winery spokeswoman said they were honouring their dear friend and...