Education outside the classroom, spending the day on their bikes was the ‘goat’ (greatest of all time) according to local school pupils. Four hundred and twenty primary school children enjoyed the annual ‘Top Bike’ event run by Sport Central and Cycling Southland in Alexandra yesterday. The day's activities included a mountain bike team time trial, a challenging skills course and a 400m grass track race. Watch a short highlights video, with obstacles, cheering and headstands from the morning session (40 seconds) VIDEO: The Central AppCycling Southland development manager Marc Prutton gave the pupils a briefing at 9.45am. PHOTO: The Central App Sport Central sport and active recreation advisor Ben Hamilton said teamwork was a key theme of the day.Children in Years 5 to 8 from primary schools in Central Otago, Queenstown and Wānaka all took part in the event.Alexandra Primary School Year 7 and 8 team ‘The Wheelies’ were pumped at the start line of the time trial. PHOTO: The Central App The Terrace School Year 5 pupil Alia Watson manoeuvred confidently on the obstacles. PHOTO: The Central App Cromwell Primary School ‘Carrick team’ pupils in year five were (from left) Isla Reid, Violet Casey, Jackson Hegan, Angus Morris, Tom Graham and Georgia Dickey. PHOTO: The Central App Mount Aspiring College (MAC) pupil Hallie Lovelock (11) crossed the finish line with a big smile. PHOTO: The Central App Queenstown Primary School pupil Charlie Bowey (11) travelled over the see saw easily but said the circle was tricky to negotiate in the skills course. Mount Aspiring College Year 7 pupils said the roots on the sandy mountain bike course were fun to ride over, and the course was more challenging and interesting than last year. Year 5 pupils Ayla Wild and Layla Wilson, of the Terrace School, said they loved the music, the ramps and how friendly all the marshalls and organisers were. Central schools which fielded teams (made up of six boys and girls) were Alexandra Primary School, The Terrace School, Omakau School, Cromwell Primary School, Cromwell College, Poolburn School, Goldfields School, and Roxburgh Area School.Cromwell College Year 7 and 8 team gearing up for the team ride on the sandy track were (from left) Bella Hore, Beau Brown, Amelia Bragg, Harry Simpson, Brynn Sutherland and Freddie Marcus (all 12 years old). PHOTO: The Central App Lots of parent volunteers and teachers from the schools contributed to the day running smoothly. Alexandra District Lions Club provided a barbecue, and an ice cream and coffee van kept participants and parents hydrated and fueled. Read more: Southern Steel Roadie to inspire future netball talentRead more: Pinnacle athletics day for Central pupilsRead more: Central BMX clubs perform at nationalsHave a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Folk musician and waste warrior Anna van Riel is bringing her Waste Free Wanda show to Central schools.The Lake Hāwea musician is performing on six dates April 28, 29 and 30 and May 1, 2 and 5 with her audience consisting of local primary schools and a kindergarten.The Waste Free Wanda show was created to support Anna’s environmental work and to encourage young people to participate in the arts.Anna described the show as an interactive rock opera for children and as being inspired by 1980s music.   The show’s messages are focused on sustainability, refusing single use items, reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, reusing items, recycling, rehoming, and composting. The April tour will visit Miller’s Flat School, Roxburgh Area School, St Gerard’s School, Alexandra Primary, The Terrace School, Clyde School, Goldfields Primary, Maniototo Area School, Omakau and Poolburn Schools, Cromwell Primary, Tarras School and Cromwell Kindergarten. A previous Waste Free Wanda show in Southland. PHOTO: Waste Free Wanda Facebook Check out @wastefreewanda on Instagram, or the resources available on Waste Free Wanda websiteHave a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

There’s been a bit of a shift lately – more and more Kiwis are swapping city streets for wide open spaces.Lifestyle blocks, once considered the domain of farmers or folks nearing retirement, are now popping up on the radar of younger families, work-from-homers, and anyone keen to slow things down and live a bit closer to nature.But before you go pulling up stumps and buying a pair of Red Bands, and a ride on mower let’s chat about what owning a lifestyle block in Central Otago actually means – the good, the not-so-good, and whether it’s the right move for you.What Even Is a Lifestyle Block?A lifestyle block is typically a piece of land bigger than your average section – think 1 to 10 hectares – usually found on the edge of town or out in the country.You might have enough space for a big veggie garden, a few sheep or chooks, or even a pony or two for the kids.It’s not quite a farm, but it’s definitely more than mowing the front lawn once a week.Why Are More People Keen on Them?There are a few reasons:Space to Breathe: After the last few years (and a couple of lockdowns), a lot of people are craving room to move. Lifestyle blocks offer privacy and the kind of peace and quiet you just don’t get in town.Work From Home Friendly: With flexible work on the rise, people aren’t tied to city offices. That means you can live where you actually want to live.Self-Sufficiency Goals: There’s something satisfying about eating your own tomatoes, collecting eggs from your backyard hens, or even running a few stock for the freezer.Great for Kids (and Adults Who Never Grew Up): Space to kick a ball, build a treehouse, or hoon around on a dirt bike? Yes please.But It’s Not All Sunshine and RosesLifestyle blocks can be amazing – but they’re also a lot of work. Before you dive in, here are a few things to keep in mind:Maintenance: More land = more upkeep. Fences need fixing, paddocks need mowing, and water systems need checking. It can chew through your weekends pretty quickly.Costs: It’s not just the mortgage. Think about water supply (tank or bore?), septic systems, driveways, and sometimes even extra gear like ride-on mowers or quad bikes.Isolation: For some, the peace and quiet is perfect. For others, it can feel a bit lonely – especially if you’re used to having neighbours close by or popping down the road for milk.Zoning and Rules: Depending on where you’re looking, there might be rules around what you can build, keep, or do on the land. Always good to check in with the local council first.So, Is a Lifestyle Block Right for You?If you’ve got a bit of a DIY spirit, don’t mind rolling up your sleeves, and love the idea of living with a bit more space and freedom – a lifestyle block could be a brilliant fit.But it’s worth taking the rose-tinted glasses off too.Talk to locals who already live the lifestyle. Visit properties in different seasons. And make sure you’re ready for the commitment – because while the rewards can be huge, so can the responsibilities.Thinking About Making the Move?There are some stunning lifestyle properties in Central Otago – from rolling hills in Springvale to a vineyard-adjacent blocks near Bannockburn.If you’re curious or want help figuring out if it’s the right path for you, I’m always happy to chat.Whether you’re dreaming of a few chickens, a full-blown hobby farm, or just space to stretch out – we’ll help you find your little patch of paradise.

Journalists define news as what’s novel, startling, or conversation-starting. The media knows that bad news sells better than good news and uses it to grab attention. Primarily to attract advertisers.While news coverage serves a civic function, much of what dominates the headlines is carefully crafted to trigger emotional reactions and boost engagement.For long-term investors, this presents a challenge. How do you differentiate between genuinely important financial information and sensationalist headlines? In other words, how do you separate signal from noise?Why Headlines Rarely Predict Market PerformanceLooking at past financial headlines in hindsight provides useful insight. Below are real headlines from 2015 to 2025. Notice the dramatic wording and speculative nature of many of them:"Chinese Stock Market Turbulence" – June 2015, BBC News"Brexit Vote Shocks Markets" – June 2016, BBC News"Dow Plunges 1,175 Points in Largest Single-Day Drop" – Feb 2018, NYT"Global Markets Plummet as Coronavirus Spreads" – March 2020, BBC"Oil Prices Turn Negative for the First Time in History" – April 2020, CNBC"Tech Stocks Surge on AI Advancements" – Jan 2024, TechCrunch"Major Tech Companies Announce Mass Layoffs" – Feb 2025, WSJWhile these headlines reflected market fears at the time, the MSCI World Index still delivered an annualized return of 8.4% per year over this period.This shows that while markets fluctuate, long-term trends tend to be positive.The Investor’s Dilemma: Signal vs. NoiseTo navigate financial news without falling into emotional decision-making, consider these key points:Understand How Markets Work: Often by the time you read about an event, the markets have already moved on to something else.Understand How Media Works: Sensationalism drives clicks, engagement, and advertising revenue. News today is often dominated by speculation rather than objective reporting.Ponder on the Motivations of Journalists: Media thrives on urgency. The goal is not just to report events but to keep the audience engaged with a constant flow of news.Accept What You Can and Can’t Control: While staying informed is valuable, making impulsive investment decisions based on short-term headlines can be destructive to your wealth.Focus on What You Can Control: Like how you have cash for your short-term and emergency needs while your longer-term investments are allocated across a range of shares, bonds, property, and cash, the degree of diversification in your portfolio, what you pay in costs and taxes, and the regular rebalancing of your portfolio.Work with a Financial Planner: All of this is easier if you have a financial planner who can keep you disciplined and true to your original intentions. Because they know you, understand your risk appetite, and are aware of your goals, the story always starts with you and not with what’s in the headlines.This is not to downplay real-world events or their impact.However, taking an active interest in global affairs and securing your financial future are not mutually exclusive.Final Thoughts: Investing in Businesses, Not HeadlinesYou’re not investing in "the market"— you’re investing in businesses that aim to stay in business.Successful companies thrive by offering products and services people need. As an investor, you share in those profits.Well-run, profitable businesses endure, regardless of daily headlines.

As of 7 February 2025, projects of national and regional significance can apply for an accelerated consenting process under the Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024 (the Act).This process provides an alternative pathway for eligible development and infrastructure projects that meet key criteria.The Act is aimed at making it easier and quicker to gain approvals for development and infrastructure projects that would deliver regional and national benefits. An approval granted under the Act is intended to be a ‘one-stop-shop’ to avoid having to deal with the multiple consenting pathways that are often required for large-scale projects.Key DetailsDecision-making – Applications are assessed by specialist panels, on referral from the minister.User-pays model – Applicants cover the costs of the process.Pre-approved projects – 149 projects were initially eligible for direct consideration by a specialist panel by being listed in the Act.Priority approvals – Some applications may qualify for expedited processing within the fast-track system.Limited appeal rights – Approved projects can only be appealed on points of law through the High Court.For more details, and project-specific information, visit the official Fast-Track website: www.fasttrack.govt.nzFactors Considered for Fast-Track ApprovalsApplications for referral by the minister to a specialist panel are assessed based on whether the project is an infrastructure or development project that would have significant regional or national benefits. The minister may consider the following in making a referral decision:Aligns with central or local government prioritiesDelivers new significant infrastructure or continued functioning of existing significant infrastructureSupports housing developmentProvides economic benefitsSupports primary industriesDevelops natural resourcesContributes to climate change solutionsAddresses significant environmental issuesImpact on the Otago RegionA number of pre-approved projects are located in the Otago region. Some projects of note include:Bendigo-Ophir Gold ProjectRemarkables Ski Area Upgrade and Doolans ExpansionMt Iron Junction Housing SchemeHow We Can HelpThe Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024 has the potential to significantly impact development and infrastructure projects across the country. If you are working on a project that falls under the Act, Checketts McKay Law can assist with the legal aspects of your development.

This weekly feature showcases the newest listings from Tall Poppy Real Estate, offering you a first look at the latest homes on the market and updated every Thursday.Expansive Bridge Hill Land with Stunning ViewsLOT 2, 41 Earnscleugh Road, AlexandraNestled on a scenic expanse of 1.72 hectares, Lot 2 41 Earnscleugh Road presents a unique opportunity for those seeking a project among breathtaking landscapes.Click here for more information or to contact the agent Dee Labes and Peter Hishon.Family Home in Clyde with Modern Comforts94 Shields Street, ClydeWelcome to 94 Shields Street, Clyde, a stunning two-storey home that perfectly blends modern living with the charm of a welcoming neighbourhood. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Dee Labes and Peter Hishon.Modern Family Home Near Rail Trail & Cafes!149A Dunstan Road, AlexandraWelcome to 149A Dunstan Road, a meticulously crafted home nestled in the picturesque community of Alexandra.Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Stunning Home with Separate Cottage41 Manuherikia Road, AlexandraNestled at 41 Manuherikia Road in the charming town of Alexandra, this exceptional property presents a rare blend of contemporary living and tranquil surroundings.Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Historic Clyde is the Location12 Blyth Street, ClydeNestled in the charming community of Clyde, 12 Blyth Street presents a delightful opportunity for those seeking an escape or a perfect family holiday home. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Affordable Family Living with Space to Grow9 Austral Place, CromwellIf you're looking for a home that offers space, comfort, and practicality, 9 Austral Place is a standout choice.Click here for more information or to contact the agent Kate Andrew.Solid, Spacious, and Full of Potential!18 Waenga Drive, CromwellDiscover the charm of this solidly built Oamaru Stone home set on an elevated, established garden - perfect for those who love outdoor living. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Kate Andrew.Prime Location, Primo Price!28A Erris Street, CromwellSituated in sought-after Old Cromwell, just moments from Lake Dunstan and the Cromwell Heritage Precinct, 28A Erris Street is the perfect home for those seeking a blend of modern comfort and low-maintenance living.Click here for more information or to contact the agent Keeley Anderson.Stunning Family Home with Breathtaking Views!1 Mitchell Place, CromwellNestled in the charming community of Cromwell, 1 Mitchell Place is a stunning family home designed for contemporary living while embracing the beauty of its surroundings.Click here for more information or to contact the agent Kate Andrew.Secure Your Stylish New Townhouse in ClydeLot 2, 50 Sunderland Street, Clyde50 Sunderland Street, Clyde, offers a rare opportunity to secure a beautifully designed, low-maintenance home in a prime central location.Click here for more information or to contact the agent Peter Hishon and Dee Labes.Charming Fully Renovated Home in Cromwell!52 Ray Street, CromwellWelcome to 52 Ray Street, a delightful and fully renovated two-story home nestled in the heart of Cromwell. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Kate AndrewCharacter Family Home97 Centennial Avenue, AlexandraWelcome to 97 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra, a charming 1940s home that combines historic elegance with modern comforts.Click here for more information or to contact the agent Peter Hishon and Dee Labes.Want to see more? click here to view all of Tall Poppy’s current listings.

Last minute changes to the Long-Term Plan 2025-34 saw adjustments to the Central Otago District Council budgets were happening right to the eleventh hour.Average rates increases have now been proposed at 13 per cent as confirmed at an emergency meeting late yesterday afternoon.The LTP is now out for public consultation, after the council delayed its publication last week to fulfil audit requirements. CODC was informed by Audit NZ of a technical accounting issue relating to the Long-term consultation document at its monthly meeting in Ranfurly last week.That related to Three Waters (drinking water, wastewater and stormwater) and how the council recognised the transfer of Three Waters assets out of the accounts by the time changes to the delivery of water services came into effect in 2027.The council also learned last week Timaru District Council had withdrawn from discussions regarding being part of a multi-council organisation for water services delivery.A joint approach was one of the options CODC would be consulting the community on in both the upcoming LTP and the wider Southern Water Done Well consultation involving Central Otago, Gore, Waitaki and Clutha district councils. In early March, Timaru councillors met and approved entering a “Commitment Agreement” with the four councils however just two weeks later informed the southern group it was no longer interested in being involved in a joint Council Controlled Organisation (CCO). CODC chief executive Peter Kelly said council’s processes had been delayed by two to three weeks to incorporate Timaru into its financial modelling, which would now need to be adjusted.It has been a rough ride for council - in February Peter apologised after staff found a processing error, which bumped up proposed rates to 14 per cent.Audit NZ acknowledged to council yesterday there was a high level of uncertainty on the financial impacts regarding the Three Waters costs as they were dependent on other councils.Mayor Tamah Alley said there was a general lack of clarity around how to treat Three Waters when trying to put together a long term plan.Current and future land sales were also uncertain as they depended on demand and the market was currently volatile.  While the average rates increases were currently set at 13 per cent, there were some “wild variations" within the district, with the majority of ratepayers only having to pay less than 10 per cent - Ranfurly residential was down as low as 1 per cent, Mayor Tamah said.Consultation opened today and continues to April 28.Council has a number of community events where the public can come and ask questions about the Long Term Plan.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Dunstan High School (DHS) rowers are continuing to be a force in secondary school rowing.Three crews took home gold in the 2025 New Zealand Secondary School Championships, also known as the Aon Maadi Cup Regatta, at Lake Karāpiro near Cambridge last week.The medals were won in the under 15 double sculls (Bella Breen and Charlotte Crosbie); under 17 double sculls (Bella Breen and Ruby Smith), and the under 17 coxed quad sculls (Ruby Smith, Bella Breen, Drew Thomas, Charlotte Crosbie and Milla Okane). The winning margins were solid, with leads of 0.09sec. in the U15 final, 0.04sec. in the U17 double final and 0.03sec. in the U17 coxed quad.Head coach Simon Smith said he was “very proud” and it had been a magic week of flat conditions and only the odd little puff of wind. Coach Simon Smith with the under 17 coxed quad sculls crew of Ruby Smith, Bella Breen, Drew Thomas, Charlotte Crosbie and Milla O'Kane. PHOTO: DHS He put the success of the small team of 13 that travelled to the regatta down to hard work and good preparation.“The [athletes] have been with senior and [Dunstan Arm Rowing Club] rowers throughout the season… they were really well prepared from being amongst [and training with] the older athletes.“We’ve got rowers in under 15s rowing well above their age group, it’s just fantastic and the [rowing development] hub is paying off.”Cromwell College also had two rowers travel to Maadi this year; Ayala Cunningham and Elizabeth Engstrom. The pair placed fifth in the C final for the U17 double sculls.Simon said they valued the experience and were soaking it all up, learning a lot alongside all the other school rowers.  Rowing was still top of mind for many club and secondary school rowers with Bella Breen and Ruby Smith selected to trial for the U18 South Island team at Lake Ruataniwha on April 12 -14.Dunstan Arm Rowing Club rowers Harrison Thode and Roland Ozanne have been selected to trial for the under 19 at Lake Karapiro April 12-19 and DARC also has trialists for the New Zealand Universities team and the NZ under 22 team too. Maadi Cup is one of the biggest secondary schools sporting event in New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere. Next year the event will return to Lake Ruataniwha, near Twizel. Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

It has been almost four decades but the Alexandra Airport runway is getting a new lease of life.The runway - which was constructed in the 1980s - is having a new $500,000 micro-surfacing product added to lock in the chip seal and add another layer.The Central Otago District Council has been planning to reseal the runway for years, but hold ups with Covid-19, and finding the right product delayed the project until now.Originally budgeted at $486,000 and then almost doubling in price, property officer Tara Bates was pleased to find an alternative product ‘Steelguard’ that cut the cost in half.HEB Construction’s asphalt crew have been specialising in the product’s application, and applying it to Central Otago roads in recent years.The Alexandra Airport runway hasn’t been resealed since the 1980s. PHOTO: AIMEE WILSON/THE CENTRAL APPThe Alexandra Airport runway was just the second one in New Zealand to have it, after the company recently completed a reseal at Taupo. It had also been used overseas in Mumbai.Those flying into Alexandra Airport, including the Life Flight crew which provided emergency air services, had expressed safety concerns about the deteriorating condition of the runway and damage to their turbo prop aircraft - the loose chips would get sucked into the turbine.“The chip was getting worn and it was well overdue,” Tara said.“It’s about future proofing and protecting our asset, making it safer for users.”Alexandra Airport resident and aviation enthusiast Nigel Forrester said the surface itself would be a lot better for aeroplanes of all sizes.The original chipseal had also been quite hard on tyres, he said.The Alexandra Airport is closed for the next seven days as the reseal begins. PHOTO: AIMEE WILSON/THE CENTRAL APPThe resurfacing of the 1200m long by 30m wide chip sealed runway would take the company a full seven days to complete, and the airport was closed during this time.A big ‘X’ at both ends of the runway informed pilots that it was off limits and the council also sent out a NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) stating Alexandra was out of action this week.Tara said Council would not need to reseal the runway again for up to 10 years, depending on how much it was used, and Alexandra Airport was not currently a high-use facility.But Nigel said they had been starting to get a lot more air traffic in recent months, including ‘rocket man’ Sir Peter Beck who often flew into Alexandra to stay at his holiday home in Central Otago.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Opinion - There have long been calls for New Zealand's charity-linked businesses to lose their tax exemption status. Under the current rules, companies such as Sanitarium, which is wholly owned by the Seventh-day Adventist church, pay no income tax.This could all change very soon.Inland Revenue recently opened consultation on rule changes that would include taxing business income unrelated to a charity's charitable purpose. The consultation period runs until the end of this month.Charities' $2 billion in untaxed profitsFinance minister explains changes to taxing charitiesBut overhauling the tax rules could undermine the sustainability of some charities, making it harder for them to continue their work.Our ongoing research looks into the economic contribution of the sector and, in particular, focuses on religious charities. The total value of the services provided by these charities in 2018 alone was NZ$6.1 billion - the equivalent of about 3 percent of annual government expenditure.Other studies have shown the substantial contributions charities make to education, sports, the arts, the environment and other activities that don't get enough support from the government.Making a profitThere are more than 29,000 registered charities in New Zealand. To register as one, an entity must meet strict legal criteria entrenched in the Charities Act 2005.Charities have to fall within one of four legally-recognised charitable purposes: relief of poverty, advancement of education, advancement of religion, and any other purposes beneficial to the community.The government recognises the high bar charities have to meet by giving some tax exemptions. This allows the charities to focus on providing benefits to communities rather than having to divert funds to the government. The exemptions are on both passive income (stocks, for example) as well as business income.But the issue is not as simple as certain criticisms might imply.Charities need to sustain themselves over time - particularly as donations fluctuate. Untaxed profits from charity-linked businesses allow them to do this, and changing the rules could undermine future cash flow for these groups.This argument should not be overstated. Removing the exemption won't completely wipe out a charity's profits. But it takes a portion of income that would then need to be covered by an increase in donations.The Inland Revenue discussion paper also only offers examples of businesses in the primary industry (farming, for example) and manufacturing sectors. But it is silent about the financial and services sectors. It appears charities' income from interest or financial assets will still be exempt.This is not necessarily a bad thing.Holding assets such as a portfolio of stocks or bonds can improve charities' ability to plan for the long term. But the tax rules should remain consistent between financial assets and non-financial assets, such as a farm or business.The Sanitarium Health and Well-being Company, the manufacturer of Weet-Bix, Marmite and other well known grocery items, is wholly owned by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and does not pay income tax. Photo: FacebookWill the gains be worth the cost?To better balance the contribution of charities to wider society with efforts to make tax rules fair, there are a few points the government needs to consider.Firstly, society benefits from having a wide variety of charities. Allowing them to build a stable financial base allows them to grow and continue to do their work.There will always be gaps in what the government is able to provide. It's arguably more efficient to address unmet need with charities than by leaving it to individuals to find donations themselves.Charities should be able to structure themselves in ways that make them less dependent on donations.The government needs to also consider what it would cost to overhaul the current tax rules when it comes to charities. Administrative costs for everyone could end up being greater than the revenue gained.Finally, the impact of the proposed changes would extend beyond religious organisations to include gaming trusts, universities and asset-holding charities that provide significant funding for sports, arts, cultural and welfare organisations.Having public consultation on Inland Revenue's proposed changes is a good start, but it is just that.More needs to be done to understand the implications for communities should tax changes occur - and what could be lost if charities are substantially less sustainable. So, if the government delivers a plan, let's read and evaluate the small print.* Juliet Chevalier-Watts is an associate professor at the University of Waikato law school, and Frank Scrimgeour is a professor at the University of Waikato Management School.The authors thank Steven Moe, Partner at Parryfield Lawyers, for his significant help and mahi in contributing to this article.This story was originally published on The Conversation.

Players from the Southern Steel will be visiting Central this Sunday to teach netball skills to youngsters in Cromwell and Alexandra.The ‘Real Steel Southern Roadie’ is at Cromwell College from 10 - 12noon and then 2 -4pm at Alexandra’s Molyneux Park courts.The roadie’s main aim is to connect players and the community, to try and engage more keen young netballers to put their shoes on and play netball.Other towns on the list for later visits are Queenstown, Wānaka, Oamaru, Dunedin and Balclutha. The roadie includes a skill session, along with time to meet the players for photos and signatures.Netball fans can get their tops signed at the roadie session. PHOTO: Southern Steel Pupils from year three to ten need to pre-register to attend and spaces are limited. Find more information hereAt the Central Otago Netball Centre more than 800 players, coaches, managers and administrators are involved in the game. Plans for Saturday netball are underway with local clubs running trials and schools making up their teams for the 2025 winter season currently. The Southern Steel’s first match up is against the Canterbury Tactix on Sunday May 11 at 7pm. The team has a new coach this year, Invercargill-born Wendy Frew, who captained the Steel to back-to-back ANZ premiership titles in 2017 and 2018.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

Fire restrictions across Central Otago have changed until further notice, Fire and Emergency New Zealand have announced.Central Otago, Naseby and Upper Waitaki areas have moved from a prohibited fire season to a restricted fire season, which means open air fires are now allowed as long as they have a permit granted by Fire and Emergency. People can apply for a permit at checkitsalright.nzThe Strath Taieri area is now in an open season, which means no permits are needed for outdoor fires. However, most fires on conservation land within Strath Taieri will still require a permit.The ban on lighting fireworks has been revoked in Central Otago and Upper Waitaki, however they are still prohibited in Naseby and Lake Ōhau special risk zones.Before lighting a fire, people must check the fire restrictions for their location and apply for a fire permit if that’s required by visiting checkitsalright.nz

The Christchurch earthquake in 2011 claimed 185 lives and reminded mainlanders of the severity of earthquake risk in the South Island.Central Otago residents are not immune to earthquakes and we too need to be prepared according to experts.AF8 (Alpine Fault magnitude 8) is a programme of scientific modelling, coordinated response planning and community engagement designed to build resilience to the next Alpine Fault earthquake, across the South Island.The biannual AF8 Roadshow: The Science Beneath Our Feet, is visiting Central this week, and a leading researcher on earthquakes in mountain environments is the keynote speaker.Presenting at the free talk in Alexandra is the University of Canterbury’s (UC) Dr Tom Robinson, the AF8 science lead, who holds a PhD in Hazard Management (UC) as well as an Masters of Science in Geology and Geophysics from London’s Imperial College. Tom is a disaster risk specialist, with a specific focus on earthquakes in mountain environments – including New Zealand and Nepal. He is an expert in spatial modelling of earthquake-generated landslide hazard and risk, and scenario modelling with a focus on large-scale simulations for governments, militaries, and humanitarians for emergency response and disaster risk reduction. The AF8 website said research indicates there is a 75 per cent probability of an Alpine Fault earthquake occurring in the next 50 years, and that there is a four out of five chance that it will be a magnitude 8+ event. Geological evidence also shows the Alpine Fault has a remarkably regular history of producing large earthquakes. During the last 8000 years, the Alpine Fault has ruptured 27 times, on average that’s every 300 years. The last significant quake on the Alpine Fault was in 1717. The next severe earthquake on the Alpine Fault is likely to occur within the lifetime of most of us, or our children.The roadshow is in Alexandra on Wednesday, 2 April, Skird St Community Theatre, 6.30 - 8.30pm.AF8 project partners include the six South Island Emergency Management Groups, Toka Tū Ake EQC, QuakeCoRE: NZ Centre for Earthquake, Resilience to Nature’s Challenges and GNS Science.AF8 is a ‘boundary organisation’ - an interdisciplinary partnership between research, policy and practice designed to support, build and coordinate readiness and response capability for the next great Alpine Fault earthquake, across the South Island.The location of the AF and the emergency management groups in Te Waipounamu. PHOTO: AF8Governance and leadership for the programme is provided by the AF8 Steering Group comprising the six South Island Group Managers, science leaders and a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) representative. AF8 has no statutory role, and will not take on the role of managing a response to an Alpine Fault earthquake – these responsibilities lie with the EM Groups, NEMA and their partner agencies – the AF8 programme provides a critical platform to enable planning and preparedness.Emergency Management Southland acts as the chair and the administrative authority for AF8. West Coast Emergency Management currently acts as the deputy chair.Check out the Civil Defence button on The Central App for more advice,What’s On: AF8 Roadshow: Public Science TalkHave a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

Huge community support for Cromwell’s new helipad means contractors have started with the work set to be finished sometime in April.The $80,000 project was a joint initiative between the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust, and the Cromwell Lions - who were in charge of fundraising.But a generous donation from the Beck Foundation, along with a local cherry grower, the Southland Ford Falcon club from the Cromwell Classic & Hot Rod Festival, and a real estate golf tournament fundraiser, meant the committee was full steam ahead.Cromwell Community Emergency Helipad project organiser Pete Moen said they were excited to announce that siteworks had already commenced, and 13 local businesses were involved with the building of the helipad at the aerodrome - either by donating materials or carrying out the work.Cromwell Lions managed to raise $33,600 in products and services from local businesses to get the project underway.Rocket man Sir Peter Beck was the biggest surprise donor, having read about the emergency rescue helipad project while holidaying in the area over Christmas.Peter said Cromwell Lions and the helipad committee were “overwhelmed” by the support of the Cromwell community.  The rescue helicopters currently landed on the grass at the northern end of the airstrip, and patients were transferred from an ambulance, which was not helpful because of the uneven surface.The new emergency helipad consisted of a 12m diameter concrete area to land and separate area for ambulances to park, eight specialised aviation perimeter lights, an illuminated windsock, as well as fencing and signage.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

A water protection group is weighing seeking an injunction to prevent Queenstown Lakes District Council from discharging treated sewage into the Shotover River.The council is planning to use emergency powers in order to pump 12,000 cubic metres of wastewater into the river daily.That could begin any day.Protesters on Wednesday picketed the wastewater plant, calling on the council to scrap plans to discharge sewage into the river.Protesters on Wednesday calling on the council to scrap plans to discharge sewage into the river. Photo: RNZ / Tess BruntonThe treated sewage is currently discharged on to land adjacent to the river, but the council said it needed to act to address uncontrolled discharges and a rising bird strike risk at the neighbouring Queenstown Airport.However, the council was confident water quality would not be impacted.Aotearoa Water Action had now sent a letter to the council calling for more information.Member of Aotearoa Water Action as well as the Queenstown Lakes district councillor who revealed the council's plans, Niki Gladding, said it was possible the group might seek an injunction to prevent the council from discharging the sewage to the Shotover River."The lawyer's letter requests some information from the council," Gladding said."At this point, there's not a lot of information out there about council's decision-making, the nature of the emergencies, why they are emergencies, and when they first became emergencies. So, there's a lot of information we need to get before taking steps."It may be that we can't stop the initial discharge, it may be that we take some action afterwards."Gladding suspected the council would go ahead with the discharging and it could start before the group took action."That could be the case, hopefully not, but that could be the case," she said."My message to the chief executive would be please don't do this, this affects so many people and we just don't have the information that we need to make a good call on this. And there are options available for addressing the problems that they've raised in public."We could continue to discharge to land and it would be the safest option because at this point, there is no redundancy in that treatment system."We are still using an oxidation pond and there are no calamity basins, and you've got to ask the question when we had this massive treatment plant failure not so long ago and we were discharging awful nutrient levels, would we have wanted to be discharging to water at that point? And the answer is obviously no, so what they're doing is risky."Member of Aotearoa Water Action as well as the Queenstown Lakes district councillor Niki Gladding. Photo: Facebook/Niki GladdingThe Queenstown Lakes District Council confirmed it received Aotearoa Water Action's letter last night."It will respond to AWA's lawyers when it is in a position to do so and has nothing further to add at this stage," a spokesperson said.Debris and vegetation needed to be removed from the existing channel to allow the discharges, the council said."This has commenced and is expected to be completed early next week. The discharge will be changed over to this channel once the preparation work is complete."Work on a resource consent had also begun.Mayor says wastewater only two percent of flow into ShotoverQueenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Glyn Lewers said there was an issue with the way the treated sewage was currently pumped."It's meant to dispose over free draining gravels and then go into the water body through the land, what we have found is that the gravels have blinded up with natural silts from the flow of the river, but also with the mix of the old oxidation ponds. There's a bit of biological activity that's sort of bound up the gravels as well and so that's reduced the soakage capacity, or soakage efficacy of the bed itself - and so now we're getting ponding."It was also now seeping outside the fenced boundary of the disposal field, he said.He was adamant that any wastewater pumped into the Shotover River would be a drop in the bucket.The wastewater treatment plant was less than 10-years-old which meant that the wastewater was very highly treated and would go through UV treatment at the end before going into the river, he said."Let's put this into context, 12,000 cubic metres [of treated waste water] per day into a Shotover River that's currently running at 900,000 cubic metres a day. It's two percent of the flow."That goes down to one percent once it reaches the Kawarau River, he said.Lewers said it was a predicament he did not want to be in."I acknowledge the environmental concerns and we take those very very seriously, there'll be monitoring up and down stream of the disposal point."The Otago Regional Council had now been advised of the Queenstown Lakes District Council's plans, after last week telling RNZ they had not been notified."We were formally informed yesterday that QLDC were considering the use of emergency powers under the Resource Management Act due to the risk of aircraft related bird strike," Otago Regional Council chief executive Richard Saunders said."This is a decision for them to make as the operators of the treatment plant. The Act requires formal notification of the activity to be made within seven days of it occurring and a resource consent application to be lodged within 20 working days of the emergency activity commencing. ORC staff will assess the activity as part of this process."ORC has sought an enforcement order from the environment court to address current compliance issues at the treatment plant. That process is ongoing. ORC has continued to monitor the discharge from the treatment plant to ensure it remains of a high quality."

Design work on the new protozoa barriers for both Ranfurly and Patearoa water supplies is underway.The upgrades to the water treatment plants were required to be completed by the end of 2025 under directions from Taumata Arowai.Central Otago District Council capital projects programme manager Patrick Keenan told the Maniototo Community Board on Thursday that some specialised materials may need to come from overseas, which could cause delays in the timeline.Naseby and Ranfurly have both been on urgent water restrictions this summer, after heavy rain caused two separate incidents affecting both of its supplies.The new $3 million treatment solutions would solve both Ranfurly and Patearoa’s water turbidity issues they were prone to.Patrick told the meeting tenders for the work closed in May but there had already been two site visits organised with potential contractors to see what needed to be done.The Ranfurly and Patearoa treatment plants sourced their water from ‘surface water sources’ — the East Ewe Burn and Sowburn River. All of the projects have been in the Long Term Plan (LTP) for some time, and he said with the new changes being implemented, they were taking a more pragmatic approach to the design.“And it won’t be as expensive as we first thought they would be.”Protozoa barriers mitigate parasites, such as cryptosporidium, entering the water supply system. The installation of those barriers was part of a New Zealand-wide strategy to improve water safety and prevent waterborne illnesses which could cause significant health issues. When protozoa was effectively removed or inactivated, the risk of outbreaks such as the one in Queenstown in September 2023, was substantially reduced.Patrick said they had been running trials with treatment filters and worked out they could add onto the existing plant rather than build a whole new one.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

A tamariki fun day with a healthcare focus, fostered a sense of community and whānau connection in Alexandra yesterday.Not-for-profit Māori health organisation Uruuruwhenua Hauora hosted the day at Alexandra Baptist Church.The day included face painting, a bouncy castle, inflatable toys, games, and colouring in, as well as kai (food), hot drinks and ice creams.Uruuruwhenua Hauora kaiwhakahaere (chief executive) Mel Kuiti said it was about providing a space for whānau to take the opportunity to connect with others, “korero” (have a conversation), along with getting to know the nurses, community outreach coordinators and kaiāwhina hauora (support coordinators).Free immunisations were available in Tipi Haere (the Uruuruwhenua Hauora mobile health bus) for those under five years old, and comfy couches in an informal setting were part of the attraction.“It’s a safe and welcoming space to wait for the 15 minutes after a [vaccination]," Mel said.Keeley Fowler, big cousin of Kaiārahi Fowler (10 months) enjoyed a cuddle yesterday. PHOTO: The Central App The day was made possible as Uruuruwhenua Hauora is contracted by Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) to increase the uptake of vaccination for under twos.Mel said from the last WellSouth and Te Whatu Ora figures only four tamariki in Central (from registered Māori whānau) were not up to date with vaccinations. Uruuruwhenua was targeted for Māori but everyone, of all ethnic backgrounds was welcome to make use of their services.“We won’t turn anyone away.”Teddy Forsyth (2) was spending time with his grandmother Kaye Stringer and enjoyed an ice-cream. PHOTO: The Central AppImmunisation admin and events coordinator Ali King said one hour into the fun day more than 20 children and 15 adults had already visited, and she hoped to hold more community focused events in the future.“We’d like to thank our sponsors Unichem Alexandra, Alexandra Pharmacy and Plunket. They provide balms, creams for babies, kids jewellery, measuring cups, crayons and colouring in for tamariki and whānau.”Ali said everyone who had an immunisation received a $20 voucher for New World too. Alexandra’s Millie Morris (3) loved the bouncy castle. PHOTO: The Central App Parents and caregivers The Central App spoke to were supportive of the initiative and said it was great to have healthcare questions answered in a welcoming, holistic setting and connect with other families of youngsters in Central at the same time. Uruuruwhenua Hauora would be offering health and wellness care again at the New Zealand Merino Shearing and Woolhandling Championships later this year, it will be their fifth time at the event. Have a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

Cherry exports have hit a new milestone, surpassing 5000 tonnes being exported.Industry body Summerfruit NZ, which represents around 250 growers of fruits like apricots, nectarines and peaches, said favourable growing conditions this season had seen New Zealand cherry growers meet increasing overseas demand for the fruit.Chief executive Dean Smith said it was a new record for the crop."For cherries it's been a record year in terms of volumes. We surpassed 5000 tonnes for the first time in the industry's history which is obviously quite milestone."The previous volume record was slightly over 4200 tonnes set in the 2017/18 season, and last year growers produced 3800 tonnes.According to Infometrics data shows, this year's exports fetched about $124 million for New Zealand.The data also shows it was the largest export value on record, and the first time exports have been valued at more than $100m.Infometrics said New Zealand cherry export volumes are now nearly six times the size seen two decades ago, and export values are nearly twelve times higher.Taiwan remains the largest export market for New Zealand cherries, taking 46 percent of total exports in February this year, followed by China, which took 15 percent of exports.Both countries celebrate Chinese or Lunar New Year which Smith said was an important period for the industry.Cherries are in strong demand for the holiday, as they are considered symbols of good luck and prosperity due to their deep red colour - Air New Zealand Cargo estimates it flies around 600 tonnes of the fruit in January alone."The timing of the Chinese New Year does play favourably into the supply of New Zealand cherries," Smith said.He said new investment and a good growing season had helped with volumes this year, allowing them to meet the demand."There's been new investment in terms of new productive capacity but there's also been investment into new growing systems which has enabled a more favourable yield per hectare."Conditions were especially good in Hawke's Bay and Marlborough, though some growers in Central Otago were hit hard by late frosts and pockets of hail."As is the case with horticulture, the weather plays a huge part and for the summerfruit crop we need good winter chilling, which we had, which sets up a good crop and so that's basically enabled us to deliver those favourable yields."Smith said it had been a good year for the industry with favourable yields and consistent quality across the country, as well as positive returns for growers.The summerfruit season was now mostly over though there will still be a few growers with late selections of nectarines and plums being picked.

The rabbit-ravaged Cromwell Cemetery will soon have some fencing to stop the pests from digging up the site, thanks to the efforts of a local community group.Friends of Cromwell Cemetery applied for funding for rabbit-proof fencing, but still need approval from the Central Otago District Council to erect it.Group spokesperson Linda Gordon said there were a lot of things to deal with at the moment, but they had made a start about cleaning up the deteriorating site.The cemetery was established in 1888 and includes Chinese miners from the Otago gold rush in the 1860s.In May 2022 the ‘unknown gold miner, whose remains were discovered near Cromwell 40 years ago, was also reburied in the cemetery more than 140 years after he died.Plans are underway to beautify the Cromwell Cemetery, with a rabbit proof fence, irrigation and plantings. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDFriends of Cromwell first spoke up about their concerns with the cemetery in the public forum of the Cromwell Community Board in September last year.Their aim was to honour and respect those passed by the cemetery being restored to a well maintained and cared for site.Plans were underway for planting and irrigation and the group has been working with the Otago Heritage Goldfields Trust in understanding the history contained within the cemetery as well.The group’s recent concern was the current development in the industrial area which has seen the removal of Cerise orchard to expand the footprint, leaving the cemetery vulnerable and exposed on three sides. The district council was also about to start working on expanding the Alexandra Cemetery, which opened in 1865.The road through the cemetery towards the Fulton Hogan boundary would be extended, and vegetation screening planted to create a “well established, private and peaceful environment,”a statement from the council said.The cemetery blocks in use were expected to reach full capacity within the next few years, so council was progressing with the development of the next block.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]