Laws linked to NZ First candidacy
Michael Laws will not be drawn on whether he is to run for Parliament at this year’s general election.
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Intervention risk remains: report
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Intervention risk remains: report
Unless ‘‘timely’’ improvements are made to several rural drinking water schemes under permanent boil water notices, the spectre of regulatory intervention hangs over the Waitaki District Council.
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Pest plant African feather grass spotted by landowners
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Pest plant African feather grass spotted by landowners
The pest plant African feather grass has been spotted again in North Otago, this time in the Ngapara area.
Colourful birds on show in North Otago
Colourful birds on show in North Otago
The 61st annual North Otago Bird Club show took place at the Drill Hall in Oamaru over the weekend.
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Minister ‘aware’ of deadline breach
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Minister ‘aware’ of deadline breach
The Local Government Minister is ‘‘aware’’ of the Waitaki District Council missing a legislative deadline to adopt its annual plan but says ‘‘in most cases’’ this doesn't warrant intervention.
Guilty plea for lewd act in car
Guilty plea for lewd act in car
A man has pleaded guilty to an indecent act after committing a lewd act in his car while parked in a public place in Oamaru.
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Photographer reaches new heights, audiences in 2026
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Photographer reaches new heights, audiences in 2026
Oamaru photographer Emma Paton has had quite the year.
Shooting for the stars
Shooting for the stars
This shot of the Gabriela Mistral Nebula (NGC 3324), taken by James Glucksman, won the recent North Otago Photographic Society's annual nature competition.
Man arrested after officer thrown to the ground
Man arrested after officer thrown to the ground
A 50-year-old man threw a police officer to the ground after threatening shoppers in The Warehouse last week, police say.
Finalist ‘thrilled’
Finalist ‘thrilled’
An Oamaru accommodation provider has featured in the 2026 Lion Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence.
Runway run a hit on shortest day
Runway run a hit on shortest day
Oamaruvians celebrated the shortest day of the year by getting active at the airport.
Successful month for event centre
Successful month for event centre
While the new Network Waitaki Event Centre is a hit among its users, the trust behind the project still has work to do.
Pupils grateful for knitted beanies
Pupils grateful for knitted beanies
Totara School pupils were sporting their school colours with pride recently.
Raising awareness of rare condition
Raising awareness of rare condition
A family whose child has arthrogryposis are hoping people will wear blue next week to raise awareness of the rare condition.
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.