Rates rise rollercoaster: what went so wrong?
Rates rise rollercoaster: what went so wrong?
There can only be one topic for this month’s column: The rates increase for the 2026-27 financial year.
Tensions between expectations, reality
Tensions between expectations, reality
Stepping into local government as a first-term councillor is an exercise in humility.
‘It’s been a pleasure’, Steam and Rail VP says
‘It’s been a pleasure’, Steam and Rail VP says
Working for Oamaru Steam and Rail Society has been a pleasure, outgoing vice-president David Wilson says.
Young chef cooks up gold
Young chef cooks up gold
Oamaru’s Phoebe Wickham is enjoying the taste of success after winning gold against some tough competition in the Ara Institute of Canterbury Trainee Chef of the Year awards.
Students shine at regional finals
Students shine at regional finals
School musicians Winnie Conlan and Olivia Morriss were recognised in two categories at the Timaru Smokefreerockquest regional finals, held at the Oamaru Opera House last Saturday.
Putting off spending comes home to roost
Putting off spending comes home to roost
A major concern around Oamaru and the Waitaki is the prospect of a rise in rates.
Old Boys & WGHS earn promotion
Old Boys & WGHS earn promotion
Old Boys are back.
Excelsior women enjoy successful debut season
Excelsior women enjoy successful debut season
Excelsior Rugby Club’s first ever senior women’s team has won some silverware in their debut season.
A refined take on the shed
A refined take on the shed
Four years since the publication of Cape to Bluff, the author-photographer duo of Andrea Stevens and Simon Devitt have compiled volume two, exploring 30 new houses that respond to...
Plucky US city is a revelation
Plucky US city is a revelation
Old-soul Texas meets modern fun in Grapevine.
Small but meaningful improvements
Small but meaningful improvements
Mitsubishi’s mid-size Outlander SUV has remained a consistently strong sales performer in our part of the automotive world, and these days this sales champion is selling better than ever.
Winter is here but pay mind to spring
Winter is here but pay mind to spring
Winter has well and truly arrived, with frosty mornings reminding us of the season, yet there are already signs that spring is waiting in the wings.
Community gardens expands working bees
Community gardens expands working bees
Waitaki Community Gardens has expanded its public working bees so anyone in the community can come along to the gardens and work together.
Excelsior grind out win over Maheno
Excelsior grind out win over Maheno
Winter finally arrived in North Otago as cold and wet conditions greeted the teams for round 10 of the Citizens Shield last weekend.
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Waitaki Girls’ students may board at boys’ hostel
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Waitaki Girls’ students may board at boys’ hostel
A co-ed hostel has been mooted to take the place of Waitaki Girls’ High School’s boarding facility, which is set to close at the end of the year.
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Waitaki protest gets 'no promise' rate rise will be cut
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Waitaki protest gets 'no promise' rate rise will be cut
Waitaki’s mayor has offered no commitment to reviewing a 17% rates rise after hundreds marched in Oamaru’s main street yesterday.
'This is not going away' Waitaki rates protesters warn council
'This is not going away' Waitaki rates protesters warn council
Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets to tell Waitaki District Council its planned 17% rates rise is unacceptable.
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New bus to run seven days a week
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New bus to run seven days a week
Oamaru is getting a bus service.
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Waitaki rates rise trimmed to 17%
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Waitaki rates rise trimmed to 17%
Waitaki’s 22% rates hike has been scaled back to ‘‘essentially’’ 17% in the wake of mounting community pressure.