Rates rise cut after ‘searing testimony’
Rates rise cut after ‘searing testimony’
A 9.9% average rates rise is locked in for the Queenstown Lakes district after councillors unanimously approved the 2026-27 annual plan on Thursday.
Regions
Hikes less than expected
Hikes less than expected
A series of Southland councils have approved average rates increases which are less than initially projected.
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Shortage of native plants as demand rises
SUBSCRIBER
Shortage of native plants as demand rises
Some native plants are in short supply in inland Otago as people seem to think purchasing plants was like buying a bag of nails.
Wānaka Arts Society has new award
Wānaka Arts Society has new award
This year, the Wānaka Arts Society is turning its attention to a topic that affects every corner of our community: sustainability and waste minimisation.
Hurricanes blow Chiefs away
Hurricanes blow Chiefs away
Well the Super Tipping Comp in Wānaka is all over after Saturday night’s scintillating final between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs.
Santana quizzed over footing catastrophic failure bill
Santana quizzed over footing catastrophic failure bill
The fast-track panel assessing plans for a vast gold mine in Central Otago wants to know if the applicant would foot the bill following a catastrophic failure.
Wānaka down 6-0 in ‘harsh’ defeat
Wānaka down 6-0 in ‘harsh’ defeat
It was a tough day on the road for Wānaka FC, as a clinical second-half display from Nelson Suburbs handed the visitors a harsh 6-0 defeat.
Construction of golden arches begins in Wānaka
Construction of golden arches begins in Wānaka
Work has started on the construction of the McDonald’s restaurant in Wānaka’s Three Parks development.
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.