WellSouth is continuing to make a commitment to its Maori and Pacific Island communities by offering the free flu vaccine to a larger demographic.Nationally, any Māori or Pacific Islanders over the age of 64 were eligible for a free shot but for the second year in a row WellSouth has opened it up to those between 55 and 64 as well - about 1000 people in the South.When Government funding for free flu vaccines for 55 – 64-year-olds ended in 2023, before winter, WellSouth decided to step in to ensure Māori and Pacific people aged 55 years and up in Otago and Southland were still protectedCommunications and engagement manager Frederique Gulcher said with some of its extra funding, WellSouth was able to open the criteria up further than what was offered nationally.Public health officials have been reporting an early uptick in cases, including hospitalisations, which suggested that people may be at risk of getting sick earlier in the year.People aged 65 and over or people who have long-term medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, or a heart condition and/or long-term mental health conditions were already eligible for a free vaccination.WellSouth clinical director, Dr Carol Atmore, said WellSouth was proud to close that critical age gap.“Māori and Pacific people experience a greater illness burden than NZ European people and often live in multi-generational households, with older family members often caring for young children. “This small service is one way to protect and support the whole whānau,” she said.WellSouth had reached out to all of its Otago and Southland health kaupapa to make sure they were aware of the eligibility. Research from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, or ESR, showed that in 2024, hospital-based influenza–associated severe acute respiratory illness admissions (SARI) in New Zealand were moderate. SARI hospitalisations were higher in both young children (0–4 years) and elderly (≥65) compared to other age groups; also higher in Pacific Peoples and Māori ethnic groups compared to other ethnic groups. The influenza-associated acute respiratory illness (ARI) disease burden was higher in children aged 0–19 years compared to other age groups. Influenza– associated ARI were higher in Pacific peoples and Māori ethnic groups compared to Asians and Europeans ethnic groups.April 24 to 30 is also World Immunisation Week. Find contact information for Central GPs under medical centres listingsHave a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Air New Zealand's Chief Financial Officer Richard Thomson has blamed cost of inflation since the Covid-19 pandemic for a rise in the airline's airfares.Thomson also told Checkpoint the airline was not price gouging."We are hugely sympathetic to the travelling public, I know the cots of airfares over the past three or four years has gone up significantly."All of our costs have gone up by the thick end of 30 percent over the last three years, and obviously to run a sustainable economic business we need to ensure that is reflected in airfares," he said.Thomson said New Zealand had a complicated geography and was the size of Japan with a population of Sydney.New Zealand Airport Association chief executive Billie Moore told RNZ on Wednesday that Air New Zealand charged high prices because there was no competition, and "because they can."In response, Thomson said that was not the case."... New Zealand is an open sky market so it is open to competition anybody with an aircraft operation certificate can suit up in competition here."He said their costs reflected the costs of providing their services."We've really worked hard to absorb as much of these cost increases as we can and keep regional and domestic airfares as affordable as we can."Thomson said it was regrettable that flying was unaffordable to some.He added whilst Consumer NZ had called for a ministerial inquiry into the cost of airfares, it would likely be a costly exercise and not deliver any meaningful information.Air New Zealand's chief financial officer Richard Thomson. Photo: Supplied / Air NZRNZ heard from a man left home at 1.30am to drive to Auckland Airport to save hundreds on air fares, while another 18-year-old couldn't come home for his first university holidays because of the cost of flights.This was the reality for many living outside the main centres who relied on air travel to get around, in markets with no or little competition.Since Tauranga man Scott Koster went to the Commerce Commission about Air New Zealand's pricing, more stories of regional frustration with air travel, and the national carrier, have emerged.Air NZ said running an airline was costly, but that didn't wash with those who relied on it to get around and felt airfares were too expensive.Like many commuters from smaller centres, Matt Walker faces a dilemma - fly from home at great cost, or seek cheaper fares in the big centres."My whare is in Rotorua. I have a hybrid role where I have to travel to Christchurch once a month," he said."It's actually cheaper for me to drive to Auckland, catch the flight from Auckland, pay for parking for the three or four days I'm there, and at the end of my time come back and then do the reverse."It usually saves me $100 to $200 doing it that way."Flying from Rotorua could otherwise cost $400-$500 one way on Air NZ, Walker said.Even if he were to score a Grab-a-seat deal, the times won't get him to his technical writing job for a full day's work.He's on a fixed-term contract, so moving south with his family wasn't an option."To get me to work on time I leave home usually about 1.30am and usually catch either the 6 or 6.30 flight, go down and work a full day."Coming home I try to get an early-afternoon flight so I get home to my whānau at 6.30 or 7pm. It's a pretty hard-going few days."Walker said this grated when he thought about the profit the national carrier made - expected to be $150 million - $190m this year, down from $222m last year.Then, he said, there was the money it spent on celebrity safety videos and new uniforms.In Hawke's Bay, Angela Troup was looking forward to her 18-year-old son Jett coming home from Dunedin for his first university break, but the cost of flights on Air NZ was too much."I started checking a couple of months ago for this particular week's break and even then each flight was in the mid-fours [four-digit figures]. I was like, wow, okay, because there's another break coming up in June."Troup's already booked flights for that, but worries about the next few years of Jett's land surveying degree as he samples life in the south.He's the first from his family to go to university."It is hard. I really wish that he was able to come home. He does as well. We're talking daily. He says there's not too many kids left there. It's all a bit quiet."Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho basketball general manager Angela Ruske said the teams were lucky for this season to make group bookings early last year before prices rose.However, if teams made playoffs, and flights couldn't be booked early early, the budget took a hit."You're booking flights last minute and booking flights last minute with Air New Zealand is extremely expensive, and we would have a travelling team of 15-20 people."I know last year when we were looking at potential flights online, and this is without a group booking, the cheapest flight was $550 one way to Auckland."Next year's men's and women's league schedules weren't out yet, but if prices rose Ruske couldn't rule out flying to or from games on the same day."It's not ideal, especially when you're doing a long-haul flight up to Auckland. You've got players that are up to two metres-plus tall crammed into a flight for a good couple of hours."It's not ideal travelling the morning of [a match], but you save in accommodation costs and all the food costs and rentals costs for vans."Blenheim woman Nikki, who didn't want her surname used, often had to miss her daughter's rowing and running events around New Zealand if flights were too dear.She has a clear message for the national carrier."Ultimately, I'd just like to see Air NZ be competitive in their pricing and not price gouge. That's my biggest message - please don't take advantage of us because we live in a regional or rural area."

Former Chatto Creek Tavern owner Lesley Middlemass has been waiting more than a decade for a proper RSA Anzac Day service at the pub featuring the 25-pounder cannon.Tomorrow that patience will pay off with the gun featuring in a special Anzac Day service at the country pub following official commemorations in Alexandra.Lesley will even get the honour of firing the cannon.The tavern has hosted its own community Anzac Day event for many years, and when new publicans Fiona and Grant Sutherland took over the business in 2020, it was one of the conditions of sale.“She wasn’t going to sell it to just anyone. So we’ve always kept up with the traditions, like duck shooting, etc,” Fiona said.In 2015, an oak tree was planted onsite to commemorate soldiers lost at war, who had once worked on farms and stations in the area.Lesley even had little white crosses made and put them on the roadside verge for motorists to see, on past Anzac Days.Musician Christine Wright came out with her bugle to play ‘The Last Post’ - her last performance of the day at 5pm, but this year the RSA cannon was coming out too.Alexandra-Clyde RSA president Kevin Harding said Lesley had been at him since 2014 to bring the gun out and hold an official service, “and it made sense for her to fire it as well.”Friday’s 1pm service would also include official speeches and Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley would also be in attendance.The 25-pounder cannon at a former Armistice Day in Alexandra FILE SHOTThe Alexandra-Clyde RSA put in a lot of work every year to make two towns - and now three - services happen. Kevin said he spent three months working with agencies to close State Highway 85 and around the monument in downtown Alexandra.Soldiers used to march along Centennial Ave towards the Alexandra cenotaph, but traffic management restrictions had changed all that.For the last 20 years or so, they have moved the official parade to start behind the monument along lower Tarbert Street. Kevin said unfortunately they have stopped the parade in Clyde for similar reasons “and marching two times in one day for us old guys is getting a bit hard,” he admitted. The wreath laying service will take place at the Clyde War Memorial on Matau St at 8am. The soldier at Cromwell Cenotaph will stand alone this Anzac Day as services are moved to the cemetery for 2025.Meanwhile, up in Cromwell, the special service at the Cromwell Cemetery will start at 8am with the laying of poppies on veterans graves.The official service would start at 10am and include guest speaker Peter Kelly - a former NZ Army Major General - and the current chief executive of the Central Otago District Council. Cromwell RSA secretary Peter Svensson said preparations were underway at the cemetery with the planned installation of a second flagpole to allow them to fly both the New Zealand and Australian flags during the ceremony.Anzac Day Services Roxburgh Dawn Service 6amRanfurly Dawn Service 6:30amClyde Dawn Service - 6.45amClyde Wreath Laying service - 8amCromwell - 8am Poppy Laying ServiceBannockburn - 9am,Lowburn - 9amMillers Flat - 9amOmakau - 9:45am march and serviceCromwell - 10am Wreath Laying ServiceGimmerburn - 10am Wreath Laying ServicePatearoa - 10amTarras - 10amAlexandra - 10.30am Parade and ServiceChatto Creek - 1pm Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

The spotlight is set to shine on the region's sporting success stories.Finalists for the 2025 Central Otago Sports Awards have been announced.This year finalists include world champions, Olympians, and emerging stars across disciplines as varied as alpine skiing, kayaking, athletics, rugby, mountain biking, rodeo, tennis, rowing, and snowboarding – as well as the often-unsung heroes in coaching, officiating and community sport.Sport Central sport and active recreation advisor Jo Knight said the calibre of this year’s nominations spoke volumes about the strength of sport in Central Otago.“The level of competition made it incredibly difficult for our judging panel to select finalists, let alone winners. It’s a wonderful reflection of the dedication and talent that exists across Central Otago,” she said.Sport and active recreation advisor Ben Hamilton said the awards night promised to be a special celebration for everyone involved in the Central Otago sports community.“The Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards are about more than just celebrating individual success – they’re a chance for the whole sporting community to come together and celebrate an amazing year,” he said.The 2025 Central Otago Sports Awards will be held in Wanaka on May 8.Tickets to the awards night are on sale now and can be purchased via iTICKET2025 Finalists:Gary Anderson Sound and Vision Sportswoman of the YearAlice Robinson – Alpine Ski RacingZoi Sadowski-Synnott – Snowboard Big Air and SlopestyleSophie Winter – Ice SwimmingCentral Lakes Construction Sportsman of the YearFinley Melville Ives – Free Ski HalfpipeRocco Jamieson – Snowboard Big Air and SlopestyleFinn Butcher – Kayak CrossLuca Harrington – Free Ski Big Air and HalfpipeGallaway Cook Allan Junior Sportsman of the YearMason Clarke – CricketLevi Casey – SquashLuke Harrold – Free Ski HalfpipeJames Weber – AthleticsLewis Laird – Mountain BikingCharlie Manser – RowingNoa Milburn – TennisDan Milburn – TennisHealth 2000 Wānaka Junior Sportswoman of the YearPhoebe Laker – AthleticsBrooke Hansen – Freeride SnowboardMathilda Watterson – Alpine Ski RacingSky Sanders – RodeoHeidi Winter – Ice SwimmingEva Small – Freeride SkiingSiena Mackley – RunningZara Hazledine – EquestrianRosa Dawson – GymnasticsBella Breen – RowingJennian Homes Team of the YearUpper Clutha Rams – RugbyWakatipu U18 Coxed Quad ScullWakatipu U17 Boys Double ScullWakatipu Boys U18 Double ScullSky City Stampede – Ice HockeyWānaka Football ClubOtago Polytechnic Para Athlete of the YearMac Denniston – AthleticsAdam Hall – Para SkiingWorkplace First Aid Coach of the YearAlex Dickson – Upper Clutha RamsMichael Beable – AthleticsDan Bogue – Para SkiingHamish McDougall – SkiingSean Thompson – SnowboardNils Coberger – Alpine Ski RacingMurray Buchan – FreeskiCam Frear – StampedeDuncan and Kelly Good Ray White Real Estate Junior Spirit of Central AwardCharlie Nisbet – GymnasticsEli La Rose – SwimmingLiam King – BMXRyan Enoka – Athletics, Ki Uta, RugbyEva Small – Freeride Skiing, Mountain Biking, Multi-sportMatilda Watterson – Ski RacingWānaka Physiotherapy Senior Spirit of Central AwardRoger North – Wānaka Yacht ClubJess Lake – Cromwell AthleticsShane Norton – Central Otago FootballFindex Official of the YearFlick Wallace – Snow SportsCraig Anderson – RugbyAdam Nagy – Ice HockeyHave a story to share?Contact [email protected]

New Zealand is considering a major overhaul of its genetic modification laws. While proponents tout the potential for more nutritious foods and reduced emissions of gene-edited products, a growing number of our biggest exporters are sounding the alarm.When Aotearoa's restrictive genetic modification laws are overhauled, the responsibility for assessing risk will largely fall on one person's shoulders.Under a proposal in the Gene Technology Bill, this person, a newly-minted regulator of gene technology, will zero in on two areas of risk when licensing genetically modified organisms.First: Does it pose a risk to human health? And second: Does it pose a risk to the environment?But amid the submissions on the bill, which is currently making its way through parliament, there are calls for the regulator to consider a third area: The risk to trade."We were told in no uncertain terms that this bill was not to consider economic impacts," says Organics Aotearoa's Scott Wilson. The industry group went ahead and commissioned its own report from the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research into the potential impact. The report said it was difficult to estimate the impact and gave a range from zero to $10-20 billion a year.The organics industry is a fierce opponent of GE tech, so its opposition to the bill, which aims to tackle New Zealand's long-standing precautionary approach to gene editing, was largely predictable.What was more surprising was that aspects of the bill also sparked concern from some of our biggest exporters.Fonterra and industry body Dairy Companies Association NZ (DCANZ) support the legislation, but asked for an amendment to be made for trade risks to be considered. Horticulture New Zealand, which represents approximately 4500 fruit and vegetable growers had a similar message.There is disagreement among government officials too. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) suggested there could be a risk to trade, but the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), opted to go against MFAT's concerns when writing the bill.Asking the regulator to consider trade, "would require the regulator to make a speculative economic judgement outside of its scientific expertise," MBIE noted in a Regulatory Impact Statement. It could also "create an avenue for opponents to GMO use to disrupt or prevent GMOapplications beyond arguments based on risks to human health and safety and the environment".What's the benefit of GMOs?Dairy NZ chief scientist Bruce Thorrold says it is time to change New Zealand's cautious approach to genetic technologies, which does not allow field trials of things like genetically edited grasses.Thorrold gives an example of a "stunning piece of science" from Crown Research Institute, AgResearch. A ryegrass gene which produces more lipid - or more fat - has been stabilised. This could result in a more nutritious grass for the cows, leading to greater productivity and reduced methane emissions.The grass has been tested in the United States, with promising results, he says, but our current rules mean it can't be tested outdoors in New Zealand."We need to know that these plants express the genes in the climate and the sunshine hours and the temperatures that we have here."William Rolleston is a former Federated Farmers president and Life Science Network chair and is a longtime advocate for loosening the rules around genetic technology in New Zealand. He is also a South Canterbury farmer and can envisage a future where gene technology reduces farmers' overheads."If we were in the ETS (emissions trading scheme) and had to pay for emissions, and using a genetically modified rye grass, which reduced my emissions by 20 percent, was going to save me having to pay those ETS bills, then I'd be pretty interested in using it."Other examples given of potential farming benefits include breeding polled cattle - cattle without horns - meaning farmers would not need to use a hot iron to cauterise horn buds of calves. The painful process requires the use of local anaesthetic and for calves to be kept out of rain for 24 hours.Would we lose access to markets?The sticking point for many exporters is the proposed bill suggests allowing some gene edited organisms to be unregulated. This could mean products from genetically edited animals could get mixed into products.DCANZ executive director Kimberly Crewther explained some countries New Zealand exports dairy products to require any products from gene edited animals go through a permissibility and approval assessment.European Union countries require labelling, Japan approves products on a case-by-case basis. China requires importers of genetically modified goods to obtain a certificate. Indonesia and Malaysia both require the approval from food or biosecurity boards.These markets represented 49 percent of New Zealand's dairy exports, accounting for $11.7 billion, according to DCANZ."In terms of what we are asking for with changes to the bill, is to be able to manage those differences," says Crewther.This requires being able to trace animals through the supply chain so exporters can provide correct information to markets. Milk from gene edited polled cows, for example, would be able to be identified, and even kept apart for milk from non-gene edited cows, much the way organic milk is processed separately currently.It all relies on knowing what animals are gene edited, says Crewther. "Without visibility, you can't actually set up traceability, it's like looking for invisible needles in haystacks."The bill in its current form allows one type of gene-editing SDN-1 to be unregistered, this is where DNA is modified, but no foreign DNA is inserted. Rather than have a blanket rule that SDN-1 altered organisms be registered, DCANZ has asked for market risk to be considered by the regulator. Crewther says this could allow traceability where needed for export markets, and not have it imposed where it's not needed.Her response to MBIE's concern that a regulator might not have the expertise to consider market risks was that experts are available to call on for advice."We suggested a market access panel or market access committee," she says. This panel could call on expertise from the Ministry for Primary Industries, MFAT, or industry experts.Crewther has seen the report which Organics Aotearoa commissioned, which estimated $10-20 billion in exports per year could be affected. Her view is more moderate.If there's no ability to track products from gene edited animals with a traceability scheme, then "there could be costs associated with it", she says."We don't think that it's a case of liberalisation of gene tech and maintaining market access, maintaining trade value, needs to be mutually exclusive. We think it can be managed with changes to the bill."William Rolleston was less diplomatic about the estimates in NZIER's report, saying it applied premiums from some products across the board. "Then it said, if we have the genetic bill, that we're going to wipe all those premiums out. That's just not credible."He is not in favour of the regulator considering trade risks when assessing gene-edited organisms as it would require "a whole new set of skills". Reports like NZIER's demonstrate how subjective economic estimates can be."How's the regulator going to weigh all those things up? Because at the end of the day, they are speculative."Overseas countries do not require trade implications to form part of decisions around allowing the release of organisms."What they do is trust their industries to actually manage the trade situation themselves."Organics Aotearoa's Wilson says the organics industry contributes just under $1 billion a year to the country. He describes the industry as philosophically driven, as well as market driven. Even if there were assurances from scientists that testing had shown no risks from gene-edited organisms, he believes customers seeking natural products would try to avoid them.Currently, New Zealand produce can claim to be GMO free without the need for costly traceability schemes. It's an advantage Wilson says other countries are jealous of. If the rules change to allow the release of gene-edited organisms, then proving that status becomes harder.For DCANZ, the main concern is products from gene-edited animals. Export markets don't insist on assurances the food the animals eat is also GE free. In fact cows in the United States and South America commonly eat GE soybean and maize crops.But for the organics industry, grasses and crops are more of an issue.An organic farmer's neighbour might choose to use a GE free ryegrass. While measures can be taken to reduce the spread of the grass between farms, such as buffer zones on boundary areas, grazing or mowing to make sure seed heads weren't produced, or different flowering dates for ryegrasses on each farm, the organics industry still worries there's a chance of cross pollination.Organic products can earn a premium, but this often reflects an increased cost of production.Wilson acknowledged NZIER struggled to put a figure on what the changes could mean to exports."The main takeout from it was we have a lot to lose, whether that's $1 billion or $10 billion or $20 billion to lose - there is a loss."The Green Party's Steve Abel has sat through many of the oral submissions to the select committee for the gene tech bill. A common thread among primary producers is concern around risks to exports. He finds it "staggering" there hasn't been substantive analysis of the value of New Zealand's current gene editing free statusHe described the bill as "radical deregulation" of New Zealand's current approach.The party's stance on genetic technology is support for medical use, and support where organisms are contained. The party is opposed to the release of any organism that has the ability to self-replicate."We have a point of difference, and we as an island nation have this ability to maintain that non GMO status. We know there's a huge and growing global market for GM free food, that seems to be an obvious advantage that we should retain and not forfeit for some speculative benefits from GM products."He's skeptical about any benefits from gene technology being introduced to food production. "There's no clear evidence people want to consume GM food," he said.When it comes to gene edited crops, like ryegrass, the impact to farmers' bottom lines are unknown while testing is still underway."These speculative benefits can't be costed because they haven't been achieved and they haven't been proven."The bill is currently before the select committee. The committee will prepare a report with recommended changes before the bill has a second reading. The report is due 31 July.

As we continue to advance into 2025, one trend stands out prominently: the conversation around generational differences in the workplace is shifting. Instead of focusing on age or background, the emphasis must be on hiring the right candidate based on their skills, values, qualifications and experience. While skills can be taught, trained or learned, instilling values and achieving cultural fit is considerably more challenging. Therefore, developing a measurable scoring system during recruitment can be a transformative approach.Creating a Measurable Scoring SystemMany hiring managers may wonder “How can we implement a scoring system without it feeling arbitrary?” The answer lies in its ability to streamline the hiring process by cutting through disagreements and guiding decision-making. A structured scoring system ensures alignment among hiring teams by providing a clear framework for evaluating candidates.To create a scoring system, begin by identifying key competencies that are vital for the role. For instance, if team-building skills are essential, you might consider asking prospective candidates: “Can you share an example of how you brought a team together to overcome a challenge? What actions did you take, and what was the result?”You can develop a scoring scale from 1 to 5, where 5 signifies the best possible response. A candidate who responds with, “I conduct regular team meetings,” could earn a score of 2 or 3; while it shows initiative, it may not comprehensively address the question. Conversely, a strong answer might be: “I spent time understanding each team member, observed the group dynamics, and sought their input before crafting a plan. Initially difficult, this process built trust and facilitated honest feedback, allowing us to improve collaboration and communication, ultimately leading to enhanced efficiency and profitability.” This response could receive a score of 5.Implementing this structured approach ensures the scores generated are substantive and relevant, helping to clarify who would best integrate into your team.The Importance of Reference ChecksWhile interviews are vital in the hiring process, they do not provide the complete picture. Reference checks are just as crucial; they can either reinforce your choice or raise potential concerns. These checks offer additional insights into a candidate’s previous performance, work ethic, and collaborative abilities. In many cases, reference checks might be the final puzzle piece that helps solidify your hiring decision.Valuing All Ages and ExperiencesIt is imperative to recognise the value that diverse experiences bring to the workplace. Age should never be a barrier to employment. Whether a candidate is just entering the job market or brings a wealth of industry experience, each individual contributes unique perspectives, knowledge, and potential mentorship. A workplace that values diversity across ages cultivates a mix of innovation and wisdom, leading to a stronger, more cohesive team.Partner with EASI NZ for Effective RecruitmentNavigating the hiring process can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially if you're new to it. At EASI NZ, we understand the intricacies of recruitment, and we are here to support you every step of the way. From creating tailored interview guides and conducting comprehensive reference checks to crafting engaging job advertisements, we have the tools and expertise to assist you in attracting the best candidates.Additionally, we offer regular workshops focused on Recruitment and Onboarding, encompassing the entire hiring process. Our mission is to help businesses thrive by aligning their recruitment strategies with company values, ensuring new hires not only possess the necessary qualifications but also align seamlessly with your team culture.Don't hesitate to reach out for a free, friendly chat and discover how EASI NZ can support you in making informed hiring decisions that will benefit your business. Together, we can build teams that excel, fostering a positive workplace culture while driving your business forward.By following this comprehensive approach to recruitment, you're more than just filling positions—you're building a foundation for long-term success. Let EASI NZ be your partner in cultivating a thriving workforce that embodies skill, values, and the right fit.

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.Strikingly Unique16 Athenry Road, AlexandraThis impressive four-bedroom home offers a perfect blend of modern comfort, privacy, and spacious living, making it an ideal sanctuary for families or anyone looking for a tranquil lifestyle. Sitting in a desirable location, this property is not just a house; it’s a place you will love to call home. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Immaculate Family Home3 Campbell Street, AlexandraWelcome to a very well presented family home located at 3 Campbell Street, Alexandra. The property offers a perfect blend of contemporary design and practical functionality, making it an ideal retreat for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Peter Hishon and Dee Labes.Central Clyde Home with Development Potential14 Naylor Street, ClydeWelcome to 14 Naylor Street, a charming two-bedroom residence nestled in the heart of Clyde. Perfectly positioned just 200 meters from the popular Paulina's Tapas and Pizza Bar and the local cinema, the home offers a unique blend of convenience and comfort. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Peter Hishon and Dee Labes.Riverside Section availableLot 3 Theyers Street, AlexandraLot 3 is now available at the end of Clutha Street. It is 3.86 hectares with undulating contour. Private and handy to river and walk tracks, amazing views out towards the Clutha River and beyond, there are services nearby and resource consent has been approved and only awaiting on title. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Peter Hishon and Dee Labes.Elevated Living in Clyde with Entertainer’s...28 Chandler Crescent, ClydeEnjoy the best of both style and functionality in this spacious four-bedroom, three-bathroom home, perfectly positioned to capture Leaning Rock views. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Family Treasure7 Gregg Street, AlexandraWelcome to 7 Gregg Street, Alexandra—the perfect family home with modern living in a renovated 1950s character home. Nestled in a quiet street, the sun-drenched residence offers an inviting atmosphere perfect for creating cherished memories. 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.

A hope to have an impact on the lives of young people drew James McDonald to the youth aid officer role in the police.Originally from Dunedin, James has been a police officer since 2017, starting his career in Timaru. Previously he has been involved in the frontline, road policing, prevention – overseeing family harm, youth aid services and communities as a supervisor. James McDonald. PHOTO: Supplied Before joining the force James completed an apprenticeship and diploma in horticulture, working on the grounds of the University of Otago, transitioning into turf management and sport field maintenance within Dunedin. The variety in his new youth aid role is one of the things he enjoys.“The role has been interesting... for example working with families and young people to address their offending, make young people accountable [and] support them to address the causes of their offending. “I have a close relationship with our external agencies to address these issues as it takes a whole community to steer children and young people in the right direction. I also chair Bluelight Central Lakes and get to work with our local youth trusts in programmes such as BLAST which is very rewarding.”Social pressure put on youth today is their biggest challenge, Jame said.“A lot of this is influenced by social media and parents have little control of what their children are absorbing when exposed to these platforms. “This is a social issue but can lead into misleading information, online bullying, anti-social trends and eventually offending. I believe… the social media companies could be doing a lot more to prevent this kind of harm occurring.” James said ultimately he wanted to reduce youth offending in Central, creating prevention based initiatives to engage with youth and prevent anti-social behaviour from occurring or escalating which results in harm to the community. “This is something I cannot do alone and rely on the support of the community to achieve.”  James has called Central home since 2019, and being a keen mountain biker, skier and boatie his hobbies are close by.“[Origially my] intention [was to stay] a short time before moving back to my home town Dunedin. Shortly after arriving, I realised what a great and safe community we live in and have been reluctant to give that up.”James’s message to youth as we head into winter; “Enjoy the school holidays, make sure you find a healthy balance between screentime and getting outside and doing physical activities with your family and friends. “Look out for your mates, support each other, set yourself some goals and try something new.”Read more: Maniototo Area School pupils enjoy BLAST Longest DayRead more: Team work shines during BLAST longest dayHave a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

The grit, determination and skill displayed by the Ice Fernz to nab silver at the World Champs is inspirational according to local players.The New Zealand national women’s ice hockey team the Ice Fernz placed second in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Women’s World Championship Division II Group B in Dunedin at the weekend.  In a proud moment for New Zealand women’s ice hockey, and a signal of what is to come, IIHF president Luc Tardif summed up the spirit of the event.“The real winner of this successful tournament, was International Women’s hockey.”Flames Ice Hockey club president Trevor Lawrence was in the crowd with family and friends to see the Ice Fernz play Australia a week earlier, in one of the tournaments’ tightly fought battles.“Being there watching the Ice Fernz with the sellout crowd of more than 1800 at the Dunedin Ice Stadium was a highlight of my 20 plus years in New Zealand,’’ he said.“I have watched a lot of hockey in my life - originally I’m from hockey town Toronto, Canada - however, Ice Fernz versus Kangaroos for the top of the table in the 2025 IIHF [International Ice Hockey Federations] Division 2B World Ice Hockey Championships was one to remember.“The women displayed some world class talent, the game went into overtime and ended in a shootout.’’Despite the Kiwi team coming up one goal short, the Flames Ice Hockey Club in Alexandra was “very proud of the team”, Trevor said.“We are looking forward to getting our own rink open this week so that we can gear up and try to emulate some of the great play that was on display.” Trevor said for him the tournament will be talked about in the same light as the Women's Rugby World Cup 2022 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.The Ice Fernz team played well throughout the week-long tournament but by the finals fatigue was evident on the ice, and neither them nor Turkey managed to find the back of the net in the game’s first period. It was Turkey who struck first in the second, breaking the deadlock and putting pressure on the Fernz.New Zealand however, found their rhythm thanks to the relentless effort of Katya Blong, a standout all tournament. She got NZ on the board, assisted by Anjali Mulari, tying the game 1-1.The breakthrough came midway through the third period when Jasmine Horner-Pascoe scored off a feed from Kellye Nelson, giving the Ice Fernz their first lead of the night. Turkey struck back quickly, making it 2-2 with minutes to go.With the pressure mounting and silver hanging in the balance, it was Blong who came through it score her second goal of the night, assisted by Jaime Jones and Kellye Nelson.The final buzzer sounded confirming New Zealand’s silver medal finish in the tournament. Australia claimed gold, undefeated through the week, while Ukraine rounded out the podium with bronze.The last time the team won silver in this tournament was in Romania in 2019, and in South Africa in 2023 they came third. In 2024 in Turkey they placed fourth and in 2021 and 2022 the tournament was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Locally, a new women's ice hockey team was formed last year with regular Saturday games played and an inclusive welcoming culture. Some of the Flames women ice hockey players together with travelling team Canadian Moose last August. PHOTO: SuppliedFor more information about the Flames women’s team contact: [email protected] sports lovers are counting down the days with facilities in both Alexandra and the Maniototo due to open soon. Read more: Maniototo Adventure Park planning bumper winter of funRead more: Ice season coming early due to roofHave a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

A panel of farming sector business leaders will be in Omakau on Monday to share insights on moving forward in uncertain times.Hosted by Waiora Manuherekia - a funding initiative of the Manuherikia Catchment Group - the free event ‘No Regrets Farming: How To Future proof Your Farm,’ included a lively panel discussion and lunch.MCG administrator Emily Hart said it was a one-off event, unique to the area and two of the three speakers were very familiar with the typical issues of the farming community.Almost half a dozen people have already signed up, and the group expects many more farmers and landowners will RSVP as they firm up their diaries in the coming days.Emily said if the community really enjoyed the event and would like another one, the catchment group would look at ways they could do something similar in the future.Many new community-led initiatives are underway in the Manuherikia catchment to improve the environment such as the Thomson's wetland near Omakau. FILE SHOT.The Waiora Manuherekia Project received funding from the Ministry for the Environment from July 2024 to June 2025, and was focused on connecting the community to the Manuherekia River, through environmental work.There has been a Drone Demo Day showing how to control weeds in a wetland, willow control in the Poolburn Gorge, Hills Creek, Falls Dam and Matakanui Station, river clean up days, wetland mapping and a soil monitoring event.Once the willows were cleared, the next step in some areas would be planting native vegetation to enhance these spaces, creating scenic spots for locals and visitors to enjoy — particularly at Lauder Creek.Next week’s event will be held at the Omakau Golf Club, featuring Karen Williams (chief executive officer Irrigation NZ), Kim Reilly (Otago regional manager Ministry of Primary Industries On-Farm Support), and David Cooper (principal advisor DairyNZ). All three have a strong background in advocacy and have worked closely together at Federated Farmers.MCG general manager Clare Hadley said they knew many farmers were keen to improve their farm systems and environmental outcomes but faced barriers – whether financial, regulatory, or practical.“It’s about starting those honest conversations and encouraging action that pays off in the long run.” Lunch starts at 12.45pm, with the panel kicking off at 1.30pm. RSVP by emailing [email protected] and see more details on the @whats on guide.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand is seeking feedback on its mental health and addiction day programmes in Otago-Southland. The programmes provide non-clinical, community-based services for people requiring mental health and addiction support. A review of the Southern district’s mental health and addiction services in 2021 identified an opportunity to refresh day programme services in the district and include a wider range of planning and crisis support options.  Following extensive consultation with the community, local providers, users of the service, and people with lived experience of mental illness and addiction, a  new model of care for non-clinical day services was released in 2023,  Health NZ Southern director of allied health, mental health, addictions, and intellectual disability Adell Cox said the model was built on a strengths-based approach, where tāngata whaiora (a person seeking health) were supported to find and build on their personal strengths to help them on their recovery journey. “It emphasises hope, choice, mana enhancement, holistic wellbeing, dignity, participation, and connection,’’ Adele said. The model encouraged collaboration among local providers to ensure the full range of services are available for tāngata whaiora.Hauora Consulting has been commissioned to assess how well day programmes are aligning with the new model of care.As part of this assessment, eight community feedback sessions will be held across the Southern district over the coming weeks, including in Alexandra on Monday.Sessions will be guided by a facilitator with lived experience of mental health and addiction. Hauora Consulting founder Emma Hunter said by sharing their experiences, people could help ensure day programmes reflected the “real needs and aspirations of tāngata whaiora in our community’’. The Alexandra session will take place on Monday, from 10.30am-12pm, at Able Minds/Artsenta Outreach, 28 Ashworth St, AlexandraHave a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Central Otago in Autumn offers some spectacular scenes. Reporter Aimee Wilson captured the following while out and about near Alexandra.Moon over MatangiCentral Otago has some beautiful sunrises and sunsets at the moment, and this moonscape up behind Matangi Station in Alexandra was a nice surprise at 8pm on Wednesday evening.Autumn Alexandra OrchardAn old orchard near Graveyard Gully overlooking the Clutha River is a great example of the autumn colours right on Easter.Autumn Alexandra bridge A shot of the Alexandra Bridge from the popular Lake Roxburgh walkway at the start from Graveyard Gully to Butchers Point.Have photos to share? Contact [email protected]

The Vatican has announced Pope Francis has died at the age of 88.It comes just a day after he made a public appearance in Vatican City, and so weeks after the leader of the Catholic Church battled ill-health.The pope's death will prompt a period of mourning, after which all cardinals under the age of 80 will convene to pick the next leader of the Catholic Church.Here's some questions answered about the conclave and the process of picking a new pope.What is a papal conclave?It comes from the Latin, cum clave, meaning, with a key.It is the assembly of cardinals to elect a new pope and the system of strict seclusion to which they submit.Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote, although they can take part in the conclave.There are currently 252 cardinals, 138 of whom are cardinal electors.The most recent papal conclave occurred in 2013, when Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina was elected as Pope Francis, succeeding the retiring Pope Benedict XVI.What happens when a pope dies?Once the death is verified by the cardinal camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the representative of the Sacred College of Cardinals, he arranges for the pope's ring, known as Fisherman's Ring and the papal seal to be broken.This symbolises the end of Pope Francis' authority.Mourning rites last nine days, with the date of the funeral and burial to be decided by the cardinals.Length of time between the death of the Pope to the beginning of the conclave?Usually 15 to 20 days.Once in Rome the cardinals live, eat and meet together under strict security measures.They reside in a hotel-like building constructed for visiting clergy at the Vatican.The area of the papal conclave is completely sealed off for the duration of the gathering.Only cardinals and a few other people with specific roles are allowed to enter.The cardinals are banned from using any phones or personal computers.How is a decision made on electing a new pope?The cardinals meet in the Sistine Chapel and vote by secret ballot until a candidate is selected.A two-thirds majority vote is required to elect the new pontiff.One ballot is held on the first day of the conclave and four on each subsequent day. Two in the morning and two in the afternoon.Immediately after the count, the ballots and all related notes are burned in a stove in the chapel.The colour of the smoke from a chimney enables the crowd in St Peter's Square to know if a result has been confirmed or not. When no one has received the required majority the smoke is black.A successful candidate gets white smoke. Chemicals are used to determine the colour.The bells of St Peter's Basilica will also peal when a new pope is elected. Pope Francis was elected on the fifth ballot.What happens next?The man elected by his fellow cardinals is then asked does he accept the position. If he does, then a senior cardinal will appear on the balcony overlooking the square and says to the crowd, "Habemus papam", we have a pope.Soon after that the new pope appears and blesses the crowd.An inauguration ceremony usually takes place a few days later.

A second outdoor movie is being planned for Roxburgh on Saturday - one month after the first one.Last month the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre committee made national news with its outdoor screening of the movie Tinā, which attracted 200 people.Committee chair Norm Dalley, who is also the Teviot Valley Community Board chair, said based on the first movie’s success, they have decided to hold another one.But the offer of the free feature movie ‘Green Angels’ by Auckland-based film maker Peter Webster had not yet been decided on.Webster heard about the Waitangi Day fire that destroyed the building, and the first fundraising outdoor screening on the television news, and contacted the committee.“We could take it up at some stage. It’s quite a big call doing something like this and getting everything organised and set up,” Norman said.Meanwhile, the Central Otago District Council was currently preparing a paper on the methodology for how it went about the cinema rebuild.The next TVCB meeting was on May 1 where it was expected an update would be provided. A community meeting to form a stakeholder group to move the project forward was the next step.A presentation to the board last month outlined the next steps for the building that was demolished after the fire.The historic building was opened in 1875 and divested to the council in 1918. The site had been cleared and was free of asbestos.Because it was an historic site, the council was liaising with Heritage New Zealand for archeological authority to continue site works. That report would take 40 days.The building was insured for $6.4million and the council would go out to market with potential suppliers for ideas on a new community space and theatre.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

If you’ve reached peak chocolate and hot cross buns at your place, here’s how to make sure they don’t go to waste.Leftover hot cross buns and chocolate eggs might sound oxymoronic - can you really have too many? - but given rising prices, you don’t want to waste them.If the Easter Bunny or some other benign force has gifted you more goodies than your whānau can handle and you’ve already offloaded some to the neighbours, here’s how to use the rest.Hot cross buns can be frozen successfully - or repurposed in several different ways. Seriously Low Carb / UnsplashRelated stories:Yael Shochat's Hot Cross BunsAre hot cross buns a good pre-workout snack?Do cheese and onions belong in a hot cross bun?Chill outBoth buns and chocolate eggs can withstand a stay in the freezer.Slice buns in half horizontally, then wrap well and seal in a ziplock bag or lidded plastic container before freezing. Halved buns can be resurrected in the toaster.Chocolate eggs, whether basic shells or marshmallow, also need to be wrapped well to prevent from freezer burn or taint. Purists will say that chocolate should be eaten at room temperature, but a frozen marshmallow egg eaten from the freezer when no one is looking is hard to beat.Naomi Toilalo's Easter Cookies. Naomi ToilaloMake cookiesWith the school holidays stretching ahead it’s smart to have a decent cookie recipe up your sleeve. Naomi Toilalo’s recipe for Easter Cookies ticks all the boxes: it gives the kids an activity, helps them brush up on te reo baking terms and actions, and it uses up 20-30 small caramel eggs. Vanya Insull’s No Bake Chocolate Easter Egg Slice also uses up a bunch of baby eggs.VJ Cooks Easter Egg Slice. VJ CooksToast some chocolate egg sandwichesSplit one hot cross bun in half horizontally. Smash a chocolate egg into bits and layer on top. Put the other half of the bun on top and press down gently. Spread the outsides with butter. Cook in a toasted sandwich machine until the bun is crisp and the chocolate has melted. Repeat with more buns and chocolate as necessary. For extra excitement - it is Easter, after all - spread the buns with marmalade before adding the chocolate.Hot cross buns - can you really ever have too many? John Cutting / UnsplashGet stuffedIs there a roast dinner in your future? Turn stale hot cross buns (especially fancy sourdough ones) into stuffing - use the equivalent amount of buns instead of sourdough in Kelly Gibney’s Sourdough Stuffing with Bacon recipe.French fruity bunsLike French toast, but with buns: Whisk together 2 eggs, ½ cup milk or cream, a pinch of salt and 1 tsp sugar. Split four hot cross buns in half horizontally. Bathe the buns in the eggy mixture, then fry gently in a fat knob of butter until golden. Flip over and cook the other side, then serve with diced feijoas (you’ll probably have lots of those kicking around too).Repurpose any leftover hot cross buns or chocolate eggs with the aid of some real ones. Morgane Perraud / UnsplashHot cross bun puddingIf you can’t face another hot cross bun, freeze them as directed above, then repurpose them in a couple of weeks in this spin on a traditional bread and butter pudding.Grease a large lasagna dish or similar with butter. Halve 6 hot cross buns and spread the cut sides with butter. Arrange the buns in the dish, butter-side down (it’s fine to cut or tear them into pieces to fit). If you like, tuck in some broken up leftover chocolate eggs (those little caramel eggs are good here).Whisk together 2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 cup cream, 2 Tbsp marmalade, 1 tsp mixed spice, 2 Tbsp brown sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract until combined. Pour this mixture over the buns. Set aside for 30 minutes while you heat the oven to 180C.Bake the pudding for 30-35 minutes, until the custard is set. Sift over a teaspoon of icing sugar and a teaspoon of cocoa, and serve.

Centenarians have strong genes on their side, but we can have "a very good shot” at reaching 93 with a healthy lifestyle and the right attitude, says longevity researcher Tom Perls.Exceptional longevity - living to 100 - is about 70 percent due to genetics and 30 percent due to lifestyle, says Professor Thomas Perls, founder of the world’s biggest study of centenarians.Understanding their genetic resilience to age-related diseases will eventually lead to the development of drugs, he says, but right now, our best strategy for ageing well is committing to healthy habits.“The benefits of this are going to be far greater than some drug that we're going to come up with," Perls tells Saturday Morning.When Perls launched the New England Centenarian Study in 1994, he says the general assumption was that the older we get, the sicker we get.But he soon realised that not every centenarian has “every disease under the sun” and some are still “doing very, very well” in their second century of life.When it comes to healthy ageing, centenarians “raise the bar”, Perls says.“People who run marathons make the rest of us think that running a 10k race is doable. That's what [centenarians] do for us.”Obviously, socio-economic and racial disparities mean not everyone is well set up to live a long, healthy life.Perls sees this clearly in Boston, where the affluent Back Bay area has an average life expectancy of 93 years, but just 5km away in poverty-stricken Blue Hill, it's 23 years less.When it comes to a genetic inheritance of longevity, having just one parent who lived a long time is enough to boost your chances of a long life, Perls says.People can inherit from a family member a not-yet-understood collection of genes that are “protective” in being effective at DNA repair.“[These genes] slow ageing and they decrease your risk for age-related diseases and decrease your risk for Alzheimer's disease.”Even people without this genetic gift have "a very good shot" at reaching 93 if they do the right things, Perls says - regularly exercise their brain and body, eat a diet "conducive to a healthy weight",don't smoke and keep an optimistic attitude.He summarises the factors that contribute to ageing well with the acronym AGEING - Attitude, Genetics, Exercise, Interest, Nutrition and Getting rid of smoking.A is for an attitude that’s positive and optimisticG is for geneticsE is for exercise - “Regular exercise is very, very important”I is for interest - exercising your brainN is for nutrition - “Minimising red meat in your diet is probably pretty important”G is for ‘Get rid of the smoking’"Just enjoy it” is 101 year old Jill McKenzie’s biggest life lesson. Photo: Sheperdess / Nancy ZhouA big reason Perls "really loves" pushing the idea that healthy habits can help people live to 93 is that these same habits will help them stay healthier for longer.Pushing back the onset of age-related diseases is a real incentive to take better care of ourselves, he says, and to help encourage mass behaviour change, public education and funding would bebeneficial.“The benefits of that, I think, are going to be far greater than some drug that we're going to come up with.”"It's all keeping the mind active,” 100-year-old Alan Wilcox told RNZ in 2023. RNZ/Leah TebbuttWhile today's centenarians are usually very optimistic by nature, many are also “a bit dismayed" by our tech-driven culture and the ongoing threat of war, Perls says.“They harken back to a simpler life - a life where people interacted with each other face to face, rather than at high speed on the internet.”At 65, the professor is still keen to get to three figures himself.He's doing all of the recommended things and may have some genetic assistance from his mum, who made it to 96.“I might have a chance to get to 100, particularly if I take good care of myself.”

The Resource Management Act (RMA) is in the process of being turned on its head and this means some huge changes are coming for people living in Central Otago.New RMA reforms have focused on a more liberal planning system that prioritises property rights and enables housing growth and infrastructure development.On Wednesday Otago Regional Council staff updated the Environmental Strategy and Planning Committee on what this meant for the region.The reform involves replacing the current RMA with two new acts: the Planning Act and the Natural Environment Act. Key aspects of the reform include managing actual environmental effects and reducing the burden of regulations on landowners. Granny flats up to 70 sq m no longer need a consent under an RMA amendment to the Building Act. FILE SHOTThe new acts are anticipated to be introduced by the end of 2025, with select committee submissions in 2026 and the new legislation passed before the next election. Dunstan ward councillor Gary Kelliher said councils have had to deal with heavy handed regulations for many years, and demanded that the regional council fell into line with the new direction of the Government.“The people of Otago are sick of being over regulated and requiring consent for everything. They need to get on with business and grow the economy,’’ he said.The Coalition Government has already agreed to make it easier for people to build granny flats by increasing the maximum size allowed to be built without consents.This was announced by RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk in early April.“Last year the Government consulted on allowing granny flats of up to 60 sq m to be built without building or resource consents. The proposal received huge support, and as a result the Government has agreed to go even further by increasing the maximum size to 70 sq m,” Minister Bishop said.A new National Environmental Standard (NES) under the RMA will be developed and in place by the end of this year to give effect to the proposals, timed to take effect with changes to the Building Act.The Government will introduce an amendment to the Building Act in the middle of this year which will exempt granny flats from needing a building consent if The granny flat has a simple design and meets the Building Code; building work is carried out by authorised building professionals and homeowners notify their local council before they commence building and once it is completed.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Air New Zealand is expecting to make $20 million in six months from travel credits that customers won't use.The airline told the NZX on Wednesday it expects its full-year underlying profit to be down as much as a third compared to last year given a "substantial" drop in the compensation it expects to get from engine manufacturers for its grounded aircraft.The national carrier estimates earnings before taxation for the 2025 financial year to be within a range of $150m to $190 million, compared with $222m last year.Air New Zealand said it expected to make $20m from "credit breakage" in the second half of its financial year - money from prepaid airfares, travel vouchers and other credits that customers have not used and now probably will not.The airline counts the credits as revenue when it is confident they will not be redeemed or they have expired.Jeremy Sullivan, an investment adviser at Hamilton Hindin Greene, said the pandemic led to mass cancellations and many people opted for credits instead of refunds at the time."Some may have forgotten these, moved or found travel plans unfeasible especially with Air New Zealand's reduced capacity limiting booking options."He said the $20m was probably more than Air New Zealand had been expecting."It's a material amount of their earnings for the period."Check your Air New Zealand Airpoints or credits you have with them, roll them over if possible, and do it quickly before they expire. Use them if you can, transfer them to someone else if you can or use them to buy in store if you've got Airpoints, but $20m in credit breakage expected in the second half of this year is a decent chunk of consumer money about to be worthless."Air New Zealand chief financial officer Richard Thomson said Air New Zealand had been proactive in encouraging customers to use their credits and ensuring they had the opportunity to do so."Since credits were issued, we've provided regular communications outlining how and when they can be used, including explanatory emails, app notifications, and updates via our website."Customers can view their credit balances at any time through their Airpoints account, and we've sent regular reminders over the years, including personalised calls to those holding high-value credits. In the lead-up to expiry, customers receive multiple reminders at 12 months, nine months, six months, six weeks, two weeks, and 48 hours before expiry."The $20 million figure reflects accounting recognition of credits considered highly unlikely to be redeemed, based on historical usage patterns and customer behaviours. We will continue to remind customers through to 31 January 2026, and encourage anyone with credits to get in touch if they need support using them."Consumer NZ spokesperson Jessica Walker said her organisation had raised the issue with Air New Zealand on multiple occasions."We are concerned the airline will be able to pocket this money and that consumers are losing the money they spent on airfares with the airline."We've also called for the Civil Aviation Act to be amended to require airlines refund passengers when their flights are cancelled or delayed, like they are in other countries. However, these changes have not been introduced."Credits that were issued during the lockdown period of the pandemic have to be used to make a booking by 31 January next year and the travel must be completed by the end of the year.Anyone with credit that was issued after 1 October 2022, has 12 months from the date of issue to book it and then the travel must be completed within 355 days.

Each week, we’re going to be looking at a couple of items that we’re consulting on with our community from this year’s Long-term Plan, and unpacking the topics: Volumetric water charges  The water bill you currently receive from Council includes a usage (volumetric) charge and your rates bill includes a fixed water connection charge. In the consultation, we ask whether the fixed charge should be reduced in favour of increasing the usage charge (from the current 60 cents per cubic metre). Volumetric charging was introduced in Central Otago in 2012 to address high water consumption. This achieved a 30 per cent reduction in water consumption. Apart from the obvious aim – to encourage people to use less water – it did mean that we avoided a big spend on having to invest in more infrastructure to cope with the capacity. However, the volumetric rate has not been adjusted for many years, while the fixed annual charge has continued to increase.In 2024, the fixed annual charge was $756.45 for every property connected to the water network and under the current system this will increase to $843.54 per property in 2025. Over the past 12 years, water consumption on some properties has increased significantly, with 8 per cent of connections now consuming 43 per cent of the water. This means 92 per cent of the users are subsidising the heavy users through high fixed charges.  Half of the water users in Central Otago use 224 cubic metres of water or less per annum, with the average consumption being 325 cubic metres. The really high users are consuming over 700 cubic metres per annum. While those who use more will pay more under the proposed charges, they also have the option of using less water and paying less.  By achieving a reduction in water use we will optimise the life of the infrastructure we have instead of prematurely replacing it to provide for increased capacity. There have been a few online comments around "greed" on this one - so to clarify, revenue collected for water services is "ring fenced" - it can only be spent on water services not anything else council undertakes.