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Waitaki District Council to hike rates by 22%
Waitaki ratepayers are staring down the barrel of a 22% rates hike after councillors eventually ‘‘reluctantly’’ agreed on a percentage.
New info centre tells of mine’s influence
New info centre tells of mine’s influence
Gold mining is the “heart and soul” of East Otago, the director of a new information centre in Palmerston says.
Woman stole $47,000 from grandmother
Woman stole $47,000 from grandmother
An Oamaru woman stole more than $47,000 from her grandmother, leaving her victim with no money to pay her rest-home fees.
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Railcar ‘Phoenix’ rises again
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Railcar ‘Phoenix’ rises again
Harry Andrew and his team of volunteers saw their latest pride and joy, the restored Phoenix railcar, carry its first passengers in decades at the weekend.
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Grave fears for cemetery unless coastal erosion is tackled urgently
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Grave fears for cemetery unless coastal erosion is tackled urgently
Bones could be washed out to sea at Hampden Cemetery ‘‘in the next year or two’’ unless urgent action is taken on coastal erosion, the community board’s deputy chairman has warned.
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Debt concerns voiced on amalgamation
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Debt concerns voiced on amalgamation
Debt and assets will play a major role in the ‘‘complex picture’’ around councils’ amalgamating, Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale says.
New tourism director returning home for role
New tourism director returning home for role
Waitaki’s newly appointed tourism director is coming home.
‘Phoenix’ to rise again
‘Phoenix’ to rise again
Oamaru Steam and Rail general manager Harry Andrew has been busy in the society’s workshop along with his hardworking team making final preparations for the launch of The Phoenix railcar tomorrow.
Sheltered spot many would flock to
Sheltered spot many would flock to
Where would ewe rather be on a freezing morning?
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Abandon proposed rates hike, Federated Farmers says
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Abandon proposed rates hike, Federated Farmers says
Federated Farmers has called for Waitaiki councillors to abandon a proposed rates hike which it says will disproportionately impact ‘‘the economic engine’’.
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‘Critical’ merger talks in progress
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‘Critical’ merger talks in progress
Waitaki’s mayor has confirmed she has discussed amalgamation with Otago’s mayors and some Canterbury counterparts, with plans to visit as far north as Ashburton next week.
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First penguins arrive at new habitat
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First penguins arrive at new habitat
The first arrivals have moved into a new penguin habitat created out of part of a carpark at Oamaru’s waterfront.
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Visitors from US praise Geopark
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Visitors from US praise Geopark
Waitaki’s ‘‘world class’’ fossil collection has been praised by visitors from the Smithsonian Institution.
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Record 552 submissions on council’s annual plan received
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Record 552 submissions on council’s annual plan received
A record number of submissions have been made on Waitaki District Council’s annual plan this year as significant rates rises are considered.
Mermaid to assist in tower climb
Mermaid to assist in tower climb
A Weston firefighter is taking this year’s Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge a step further.
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Historic, restored Junction Hotel for sale
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Historic, restored Junction Hotel for sale
Oamaru’s 150-year-old Junction Hotel is on the market.
Fight continues to save visitor centre
Fight continues to save visitor centre
The manager of the Oamaru and Waitaki Visitor Information Centre came armed with 147 letters of support when asking councillors to reinstate funding for the shuttered facility this week.
Teacher still setting the pace at 83
Teacher still setting the pace at 83
Waitaki Girls' High School mathematics teacher Jeanette Aker is still running every day after returning home from competing in the London Marathon.
Sportsman in court over plastic sword
Sportsman in court over plastic sword
A prominent Otago sportsman was arrested after allegedly carrying an offensive weapon and behaving threateningly on Oamaru’s main street.
London Marathon ticked off at 83
London Marathon ticked off at 83
At the age of 83 Jeanette Aker is still teaching at an Oamaru high school and has managed to squeeze in a marathon on the other side of the world.