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Cellphone network failures left emergency services 'hamstrung'
Weaknesses in the rural cellphone network are leaving emergency services ‘‘hamstrung’’ during community crises, Clutha officials say.
‘Superstar’ makes encore performance
‘Superstar’ makes encore performance
A classic musical is returning to West Otago after 26 years, along with four performers from that same production.
Half a century of work recognised
Half a century of work recognised
Trevor Stewart’s 50 years of service to his community were celebrated this month by the Wyndham Lions Club.
Book paves way for future
Book paves way for future
A booklet describing the history of the Gore Bowling Club will delve not only into the success, but the stories of players past and present of one of New Zealand’s finest clubs.
Taonga to be transformed
Taonga to be transformed
A project to restore a historically significant 131-year old South Canterbury taonga is under way.
Jubilee buzz still driving Toko
Jubilee buzz still driving Toko
Toko approach every season with a winning mentality, and this year is no different.
Inflatable fun leaves kids pumped
Inflatable fun leaves kids pumped
The district’s children had a licence to leap last week, as Bounce Fest returned to the Cross Recreation Centre in Balclutha.
20.58% rates hike set to breach cap
20.58% rates hike set to breach cap
Clutha’s mayor says a larger-than-expected projected rates hike of more than 20% this year is not a foregone conclusion.
Local Legend
Local Legend
This week’s Silver Fern Farms Local Legend Rosa MacPherson received her leg of lamb at her Kākā Point home last week.
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47-year resident decries wind farm project
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47-year resident decries wind farm project
A neighbour of the Mahinerangi wind farm says nothing can alter a landscape more than building a wind farm on it.
Mini moss forest photo commended
Mini moss forest photo commended
A chance snap for a cellphone background has led to an awards nod for one Balclutha resident.
Accessible mai mai ‘perfect’
Accessible mai mai ‘perfect’
Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for your sport, but a new mai mai in South Otago means duck-shooting has become a good deal simpler for at least one enthusiast.
Farmers’ environmental work praised
Farmers’ environmental work praised
Deer and cattle farmers Tony and Michelle Roberts, and Kate Roberts and Mark Lieshout are the Southland regional supreme winners of the 2026 Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
New reporter feeling right at home in Gore
New reporter feeling right at home in Gore
The Ensign would like to welcome new reporter Gemma Sinclair.
Rink nearly ready for reopening
Rink nearly ready for reopening
The volunteers who run the Gore ice skating rink are reminding themselves good things take time as they go into overtime to get the rink ready in time for its reopening this week.
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School celebrates centenary
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School celebrates centenary
Former students flocked back to a ‘‘school that gives you chances’’ at Easter, sharing memories and reflecting on 100 years of change.
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Waitaki council gets Clutha tick to rejoin water services group
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Waitaki council gets Clutha tick to rejoin water services group
The path is now clear for Waitaki to rejoin a water services group it rejected only nine months ago.
Contestants proud to take centre stage
Contestants proud to take centre stage
Pasifika voices rang out loud in Balclutha last week, as high school students from across Otago gathered for a festival of speech-making.
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Appeals lodged for gold mine consent
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Appeals lodged for gold mine consent
Two appeals have been made for the consent of a gold mine near Gore.
CDC forum invitee criticises process
CDC forum invitee criticises process
A Clutha retiree has accused the district’s new mayor of a ‘‘beat-up job’’ while he and others spoke of environmental concerns during the council’s public forum this week.