'A big part of the community gone' - Sam Neill mourned in Central Otago
Near Sir Sam Neill's home and winery of more than 30 years, locals in the towns of Alexandra and Clyde say they have lost a quiet stalwart and one of their own.
Surface flooding on roads as snowmelt lifts rivers
Surface flooding on roads as snowmelt lifts rivers
Rapid snowmelt is causing rivers to rise in parts of Otago, leading to surface flooding on some of the region's roads.
Cheers, thanks for the memories
Cheers, thanks for the memories
Sir Sam Neill’s peers have paid tribute to a generous, sincere man whose "heart was firmly fixed in Central Otago".
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Financial woes sink award-winning firm
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Firm director ‘pretty gutted’ unable to halt liquidation
The director of an award-winning Central Otago painting company being liquidated owing $1.6 million says he put his ‘‘heart and soul’’ into the business and is gutted he could not save it.
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Campaign for dark sky status launched at event
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Campaign for dark sky status launched at event
The push is on for the dark skies above Central Otago to be recognised internationally before one of the most significant astronomical events of the decade.
Praise after course lifts driving smarts
Praise after course lifts driving smarts
A young driver who was involved in a serious crash on a rural road is encouraging others to undertake practical driver training after saying it changed the way she approaches every trip.
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Santana chair obtains 1.6m shares after drill result
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Santana chair obtains 1.6m shares after drill result
Santana Minerals’ board chairman has bought more than $800,000 worth of shares within a day of the company announcing high-grade gold drill results.
Festival ready to bloom again
Festival ready to bloom again
New Zealand’s longest running festival is celebrating it’s 69th year as the Alexandra Blossom Festival again celebrates the arrival of spring as it has every year since 1957.
Winter rabbit control under way
Winter rabbit control under way
Rabbit control operations have begun at Central Otago District Council properties, the council has advised.
Interactive robot pets available to borrow
Interactive robot pets available to borrow
Robotic cats and dogs that respond to touch and sound and offer quiet companionship are among the items you can now borrow from libraries in Central Otago.
‘No remorse’ shown over offending
‘No remorse’ shown over offending
Cows were found standing in "liquid sludge" up to their udders in paddocks owned by a Southland farmer with a record of animal cruelty.
Lanterns to light up festival in 10th year
Lanterns to light up festival in 10th year
Cromwell is set to shine brighter than ever as Light Up Winter Cromwell marks its 10th anniversary.
Snow blankets region as winter hits
Snow blankets region as winter hits
As heavy rain flooded coastal Otago to begin the week, parts inland were transformed into spectacular snowy scenes.
Snow causes power outage for hundreds
Snow causes power outage for hundreds
Hundreds of people in Central Otago lost power after heavy snow disrupted PowerNet’s network.
Taking on the world
Taking on the world
Cromwell’s Mathew King was among the New Zealand team that left on Tuesday for the world rowing under-23 championships in Germany, a statement said.
Job market growth
Job market growth
Some positive news has been reported about job growth in Otago though wage increases remain tight.
Deadline delayed
Deadline delayed
The deadline for making a decision on Santana’s controversial mine is set to be pushed back to December — after this year’s election.
‘Opportunity we need to realise’
‘Opportunity we need to realise’
Senior citizens are not an issue that society needs to solve, but rather "an opportunity we need to realise", the Minister for Seniors says.
A ‘pretty special’ snow day in Naseby
A ‘pretty special’ snow day in Naseby
Milk, warm food and hot drinks were flying off the Naseby General Store’s shelves after a massive dump of snow closed roads in and out of the village.
Council does U-turn on dog walking access
Council does U-turn on dog walking access
Dogs will continue to be allowed in a forestry block near Cromwell after the council reversed plans to restrict dog walking access when it discovered doing so would be illegal.