Dam water release from today
Meridian Energy has advised that from today it will start the controlled release of water at Benmore Dam, with releases at Aviemore and Waitaki to follow.
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Restored reindeer prancing in parade
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Restored reindeer prancing in parade
Waimate's Christmas parade shone a little brighter on Sunday thanks to the triumphant return of Santa’s full team of reindeer — restored from near ruin after a painstaking, community-led rescue.
'Moment of recklessness': Phone use blamed for crash
'Moment of recklessness': Phone use blamed for crash
Police say an alleged "moment of recklessness" could have caused deaths, after a driver crashed while using a cell phone on Sunday afternoon in Hampden.
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Hospital shuttle lambasted
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Hospital shuttle lambasted
The failures of the new shuttle service operated by Hato Hone St John have been "absolutely appalling", the former operator of the Waitaki health shuttle says.
Three injured in two-vehicle crash near Hampden
Three injured in two-vehicle crash near Hampden
Three people have been taken to hospital with moderate injuries after a two-vehicle crash in North Otago.
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Clergy member’s 60 years of dedication celebrated
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Clergy member’s 60 years of dedication celebrated
It's not very often the Anglican Church gets to celebrate a 60th anniversary for one of its clergy.
Proposed cap on rates ‘will bring clarity’: mayor
Proposed cap on rates ‘will bring clarity’: mayor
A government-imposed district rates cap will bring "clarity" to future planning but some fine details still need to be worked out, Waitaki Mayor Melanie Tavendale says.
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Zonta saying no to violence towards women
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Zonta saying no to violence towards women
Visible and invisible violence against women is being highlighted in Oamaru this week as part of an international "Zonta Says No" campaign with "Orange Ladies" throughout the town.
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‘We made it’: new classrooms officially opened
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‘We made it’: new classrooms officially opened
Glenavy School students and community this week celebrated the official opening of new modernised and upgraded classrooms for teaching and learning support at the burgeoning rural school.
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Mixed emotions to be leaving school
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Mixed emotions to be leaving school
Friday was Craig Smith’s last day at St Kevin’s College — again.
Crucible artist residents mix art, metalwork
Crucible artist residents mix art, metalwork
A reimagined childhood game and inspiration from an electric testing method were the basis for the Crucible Artist residents Paula Collier and Zac Whiteside’s work showcased at a public exhibition...
Retiree loses house, possessions in fire
Retiree loses house, possessions in fire
An East Otago man has been "set back 30 years" after his uninsured container home was destroyed by fire.
Regional council reform plans of concern to Ahuriri residents
Regional council reform plans of concern to Ahuriri residents
The government’s plan to scrap regional councils has sparked fresh concern that nearly 2000 Waitaki Valley residents could be stranded in political limbo.
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Reaction to debut single ‘quite cool’
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Reaction to debut single ‘quite cool’
An award-winning teenage Oamaru songwriter’s debut single is about being alone as "everyone" around her was getting into relationships.
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Concern over lack of GP services in Palmerston
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Concern over lack of GP services in Palmerston
Palmerston residents are voicing concerns over long wait times for appointments, a lack of a physical GP and the burden being placed on a sole nurse practitioner in the East Otago town.
Ticketless parking on way
Ticketless parking on way
New, tech-friendly parking meters are being brought in to replace ageing ones in Oamaru’s town centre.
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Fire restrictions placed, more likely soon
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Fire restrictions placed, more likely soon
Central Otago and the Upper Waitaki will move to a restricted fire season on Monday.
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Life-size moa statue to be first of many
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Life-size moa statue to be first of many
A life-size sculpture of extinct megafauna has pride of place at an Oamaru landmark — and there is moa to come.
Kakanui School celebrates in style
Kakanui School celebrates in style
A tree planting and plaque unveiling ceremony were all part of a weekend of celebrations to mark the155th anniversary of Kakanui School.
‘Elated’ to now be NZ citizen
‘Elated’ to now be NZ citizen
It was a celebratory occasion as 25 newly minted New Zealanders were welcomed to the Waitaki district at a citizenship ceremony at the Oamaru Opera House on Tuesday.