High-octane fuel fumes wafted across much of Cromwell at the weekend when vehicles from across the South Island roared into town for the 2026 Classic Car & Hot Rod Festival.

With the new year in full swing a survey by a Central Otago community education provider has noticed an uptick in demand for classes about personal wellbeing.

As councils look ahead to a busy year in local politics, Allied Media asked Central Otago District Mayor Tamah Alley how she spent her break and what’s in the pipeline for 2026.

John Gordon Keys, former leader of Lauder’s Atmospheric Research Station, was farewelled at Orchard Garden, Alexandra, in November, about one month short of his 95th birthday.

Otago Polytechnic will have a new chief executive in time for the new learning year.

After the government’s rules regarding speed limits meant having to consult the community twice, speed limit changes are being rolled out across Central Otago’s roading network following Central...