Alexandra’s ice rink has become a multi-use facility, with a new pickleball group having secured an agreement to use the facility over summer.Former Aucklander Carolyn Judge moved to Alexandra about six months ago, and started a pickleball group - she now has 80 people interested.In September the group started using the Dunstan High School gymnasium, but IceInline Alexandra found out they needed somewhere more permanent, and offered them the space.IceInline chairman Murray Miller said they had been looking for other sports/clubs to use the ice rink facility in its off season, and pickleball was the perfect fit.Alexandra Pickleball player Carolyn Judge (right) with IceInline chairman Murray Miller. Photo. The Central App.“Platonk used to use our carpark for a while until they got their own facility, but we really needed to find a summer user.”Ice hockey players also use the rink over summer, swapping out their skates for rollerblades, to keep training, but with all of their heavy gear on, “it just gets too hot,” Murray said.“We’ve been encouraging other users to use our facility, so this is perfect.”The Clyde Tennis Club provided the bats and balls and Sport Otago has made up two courts at the rink on the concrete surface, for games to be played on Sunday afternoons.Carolyn said she just loved the social aspect of the game, which attracted all sorts of players of different levels and ages.“It’s a typical mix on a pickleball day,” she said.Pickleball started in the USA back in 1965, and has many similarities to tennis, badminton and table tennis, using short-handled paddles and a hollow plastic ball.Players keep talking about hitting the ball in the ‘kitchen’ - there is new jargon with this game that needs to be explained.The ‘kitchen’ is in fact an area marked out on the front of the court where players are not allowed to volley or smash the ball over the net - it has to bounce first.So why is it a ‘pickle’ - ball anyway? Apparently, the name came from one of the original founders’ wives who thought the mixing of different elements and equipment reminded her of a pickle boat -made up of rowers from different crews who race together for fun.So don’t get yourself in a pickle - just head on down to the Alexandra ice rink on Sundays at 4pm and pick up a bat.  

Inland Revenue is planning to crack down on shareholders taking loans from companies, in a move that could hand some, particularly small businesses, an extra tax bill.Inland Revenue (IR) is asking for feedback on proposals to improve the way new loans by companies to shareholders are taxed.David Carrigan Inland Revenue deputy commissioner for policy, said it would bring New Zealand's treatment of loans in line with other similar countries, while still allowing the normal business use of short-term drawings."We recognise that most companies manage their loans to shareholders and drawings responsibly. However, the current rules can allow some loans to become unmanageable, to the point they may never be repaid. For instance, our data has revealed some very large outstanding loans from companies to their shareholders."For the 2024 tax year, IR data shows about 5,550 companies had outstanding loan balances of more than $1 million each.Should I save or invest for my kid's financial future? Listen to No Stupid Questions with Susan Edmunds"When a shareholder borrows a large amount from their company and doesn't pay it back, our current rules mean they can pay less tax compared to other shareholders who receive taxable dividends or taxpayers who earn income through salary or wages."The current rules often failed to collect tax on the funds left in the hands of the shareholder when a company was wound up, Carrigan said.He said the main proposal was for a time limit that would treat certain shareholder loans as dividends, and tax them accordingly, if they were not paid back within 12 months from the end of the income year in which they were made."The change will only apply to new loans made after today, so it won't apply to existing loans. To ensure it does not impact small businesses and ordinary transactions, the proposed time limit would only apply to companies whose total lending to shareholders is $50,000 or more."In addition to this main proposal, the issues paper also consults on proposals for outstanding loans to be taxed when a company is removed from the Companies Register and for improved reporting obligations on companies."Inland Revenue was going through a consultation period until February before it gives advice to ministers on the proposal.Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand spokesperson John Cuthbertson said there was "no doubt" there would be an impact on small businesses."The main problem here is that it applies to all loans once they're of a certain age and the de minimis is only $50,000 - that's for all shareholder loans."I don't think that de minimis is high enough to take the small bits and pieces out because it applies from anything from a shareholder current account to a formal documented loan… I guess what we'd like to see is if you've got a totally commercial loan and you've chosen to have that loan from your company rather than the bank or from somewhere else, that should still be appropriate and respected rather than being caught within these rules."He said Inland Revenue was obviously not happy about people taking money out of their companies and building up balances beyond their ability to repay."Then they go out of existence and rather than being a temporary issue it's a permanent issue because there's no money to get back on liquidation or anywhere else. You can see the rationale. I just think this will have quite a wide impact so it's a matter of trying to work within the process to look to get some appropriate change to make it more workable."Angus Ogilvie, managing director of Generate Accounting, said something did need to be done."Current rules provide a temptation for business owners to kick the can down the road by not clearing loans from companies to them as shareholders regularly."This means that personal income tax goes unpaid, often temporarily but in the case of business failure, often permanently. That said, it is concerning that the proposal is retrospective. The department seeks to capture any loans from today, December 5. Of course this means that no consideration of feedback to the Issues Paper has been received at this time, the minister has yet to agree with the proposal and no submissions can be made to a select committee until the bill is drafted."By ignoring the Generic Tax Policy Process, this puts the cart before the horse. The rules need to be as simple to follow as possible. That has not been the case in Australia so careful attention will be needed in drafting the bill and any interpretation statement. The department should back away from imposing an arbitrary date before receiving any feedback."Deloitte tax partner Robyn Walker said the proposal made it clear loans were common and a legitimate way to manage cashflow, and "not a problem per se"."However, the paper cites data about loan balances, with the key concern relating to companies and shareholders with material loan balances which have been outstanding for some time."For example, 5500 companies have shareholder loans outstanding of over $1m and 540 have loans of over $5m. The concern is that the use of loans with limited/no repayment provides an unintended tax benefit as compared to paying shareholder salaries or declaring dividends, and the use of - in some cases poorly documented - loans can be a contributing factor to other business issues such as being unable to pay creditors or outstanding tax debt."She said the impact would be most felt by small, family businesses."In some cases, there is a lot of blurring of the boundaries between business and personal expenses, particularly by using current accounts. The consultation paper indicates for around 50 percent of such businesses there is absolutely no issue because the outstanding loan balances are below the proposed threshold of $50,000; for the other businesses, 2026 should possibly be the year for talking with an accountant and putting in place a plan for managing how shareholders take money from the business."The paper points out that current accounts are not a problem in themselves, but it shouldn't be one-way traffic of a balance just getting larger and the shareholder never earning anything in their own right."While interest is charged on loans and tax generated on that income, it results in a generally lower amount of tax in the short term and different timing of tax compared to when other taxpayers are paying tax for those who have no ability to pick and choose such as sole traders, employees …"

Thrift shop flipping – buying a secondhand item of clothing and getting creative to reinvent it – baking Christmas cakes and cookies to hand-deliver to older residents in town, movie club, and Indian cooking and chainsaw maintenance were just some of the fun options Cromwell College juniors could take part in over two days this week. The wide-ranging programme of electives is designed to wrap up the school year by offering students a chance to explore new hobbies, learn practical skills, and engage with the community. College principal Mason Stretch said it provided the young people options to get out and give back, be creative, or be physically challenged. It also gave staff a chance "to share their passions”, Mason said. "It’s a great way for the school year to finish."Year seven pupils Tia Gillespie and Indie Lee were in the final stages of tie dying scarves when The Central App visited on Wednesday (December 3). “You have to mix it for 20 minutes,” Tia said, as she used a section of wooden plank to stir a deep-blue coloured liquid covering her and Indie’s creations. Indie said the pair had experimented with folding the fabric into triangles secured with rubber bands. “When we take it out there will be patterns on it when we unravel it,” she said. Archer Rayner is designing a t-shirt inspired by his favourite biking brand. Image: The Central AppAcross the classroom, Archer Rayner was ironing a shirt. His plan was to transfer a design linked to one of his favourite mountain biking labels onto the item of clothing. Archer had surprised himself over the course of the two-day workshop, when tasked with having to use a sewing machine to stitch his tie dyed fabric together in the process of making a wheat bag. “I really didn’t want to do it, but it was fun – just learning it, because I’ve never done it before,” Archer said. Indie Lee and Tia Gillespie with creations they have made during a two-day elective programme at Cromwell College. Image: The Central AppIn another area of the tech block, year seven pupil Sasi Avirineni was painting the wooden sides of a tealight holder she’d designed. Her inspiration? “Taylor Swift...I like her album 1989.” Once complete, light from a small candle will flicker through the holes left by “1989”, carefully cut out of the wood with the help of a CNC machine. Sasi said it was “pretty cool” to have a go at doing something “year tens would be doing”, and it had been challenging figuring out how to get her design from the computer through to the cutting machine. Close by, materials tech teacher Gavin Jenkins was overseeing the building of birdhouses and toolboxes as well as a few bespoke projects inspired by some Pinterest browsing. A teacher at the school for 13 years, Mr Jenkins’ expertise are generally reserved for the older classes, so it was a younger crew in his workshop this week. He said he’d spent most of the time “scaffolding” their work. “It’s all about success, and they’ve got to walk out of here with a smile.” Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

WoolOn is set to return next year, bringing two days of fashion, creativity and wool craftsmanship back to Alexandra.The event will be held next August, with the Alexandra Bowling Club hosting the main awards for the second year in a row.The weekend programme includes a mix of Matinee and Evening Gala catwalk shows, alongside a Sunday Trade Expo at Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery.WoolOn chairperson Sue Philip said, “We have a responsibility to champion the wearing of wool and the designers who create with it. If you’re looking to make a beautiful, impactful statement with your work, we dare you to take the plunge”.She said WoolOn aims to inspire designers and audiences alike.“WoolOn wants to continue inspiring you to create and wear wool with imagination and flare, as well as provide fashion loving Central Otago and visitors from beyond a truly memorable showcase of catwalk entertainment”.Designers are again being encouraged to push boundaries with wool across nine categories.These include Streetwear, Handcrafted, Collections, Special Occasion, Reuse/Restyle/Repurpose, Accessories, Avant Garde, Machine Crafted, and Toi tū ki Uruuruwhenua – a category inspired by culture across Aotearoa New Zealand, including Te Ao Māori.Showcasing at WoolOn puts designers in the running for national recognition and a share of more than $10,000 in prize packages.The Supreme Award offers a $5,000 prize package, with further awards recognising emerging designers, commercial viability, menswear, youth talent and people’s choice winners.Key details for designers include early-bird entry pricing (available until March 13), final entries closing July 31, and all completed garments due in Alexandra by August 14.Entry forms, category guides and terms and conditions are available on the WoolOn website.WoolOn remains New Zealand’s only solely wool-focused creative fashion catwalk event, celebrating wool’s resilience, sustainability and versatility.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Recreational water quality testing across the district has started for the season at 36 popular swimming spots, including Lake Dunstan and the Manuherikia River.Every summer from December to March 31 Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) tests water quality for E.Coli levels and toxic algae at selected river and lake sites. Last summer, Central Otago lakes and rivers remained generally suitable for swimming, after another successful summer monitoring programme in conjunction with the Otago Regional Council.The ORC publishes results on its website every week, and a report from water quality scientist, Helen Trotter in mid-2025, said in total the programme collected and analysed more 450 water samples from across all of the sites.  She said high bacteria counts at levels ‘unsuitable for swimming’ were detected at 10 sites during the summer, representing about 3% of all samples collected.The Shaky Bridge across the Manuherikia River is occasionally unsuitable for swimming, and last summer the Dunorling Street boat ramp in Alexandra had one high level of E.Coli as well - on January 27.This will be the fourth summer the Clutha River at the boat ramp will be included in the recreational water quality programme.Water quality testing at the Clyde Rowing Club on Lake Dunstan will begin this week, along with Pinders Pond in Roxburgh. File shot. Toxic algae blooms were identified at three monitored sites including Butchers Dam near Alexandra. Helen said while no blooms were observed at the monitored river swim sites, toxic algae was confirmed at several other rivers sites across the region and were then listed on the ORC toxic algae notifications webpage.LAWA published updated water quality results for 3500 rivers, lakes, estuaries and ground water sites in September, showing how waterways have changed over 20 years. Dr Amanda Valois, LAWA river health science lead and freshwater team leader said, the date released showed many water bodies are under pressure. “We’re seeing impaired ecological health at two-thirds of monitored sites across New Zealand, along with declines over time in pollution-sensitive aquatic species.”Faecal contamination remains a challenge with E. coli an issue at two-thirds of monitored river sites, and it was detected at around half of monitored groundwater bores over the past five years.On the LAWA website, people can explore local rivers, lakes, estuaries or aquifers, and view the state and trends of commonly tracked freshwater health indicators.More information about recreational water quality can be found at LAWA https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/swimmingHave a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

If you’ve been chatting to anyone around Central this week, you’ll know there’s a real buzz about the Reserve Bank’s decision to trim the Official Cash Rate. The .25 cut might seem small on paper, but for many locals it feels like Christmas has arrived a little early.Banks have already started passing on lower mortgage rates, and that means borrowing is set to get a bit easier for families, first-home buyers, and anyone looking to refinance. The shift is expected to steady demand across the housing market and could help lift sales activity heading into 2026. Most economists are calling it the start of a slow, steady recovery rather than a sharp upswing, with employment and consumer confidence still the big swing factors.Why it matters hereHere in Central Otago, the market has already been humming along, and this rate drop could add even more energy. Investors are back out looking, and if the pace of recent enquiry is anything to go by, 2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year. National forecasts put price growth at around 4 percent, but with the region’s growing popularity, Central could well creep into double-digit territory.We’re also seeing a lift in local confidence, with new developments rolling out across Cromwell, Clyde and Alexandra. Plenty of sections are expected to hit the market through 2026, giving buyers more choice than we’ve seen in a while.People here have a long-term view. They’re not expecting a boom, just a stable path upward - and that’s exactly what this rate cut helps support.Details• OCR cut: 0.25• Announced 27 November, flowing through banks now • Expect: Lower mortgage rates, slightly easier lending conditions, more listings over 2026• Where to watch: Major banks’ rate sheets and local real estate updatesEven with a calmer national outlook, Central Otago continues to show its resilience, supported by strong agriculture and tourism. Net migration is softening, but the fundamentals here remain solid.It’s another small reminder of why Central Otago is such a special place to call home.Sponsored Content: This article has been submitted by a contributing local property advisor as part of The Central App’s sponsored programme.

As December rolls around, many clients start to wonder: Will my lawyer disappear for weeks during the festive season? It’s a fair question—legal matters don’t pause just because the calendar says “holiday.”The Myth of the Month-Long BreakThere’s a common perception that lawyers shut their doors from mid-December until late January.While it’s true that the legal industry slows down over Christmas, the idea of a full month off is more myth than reality.What Actually HappensCourt Closures: Most courts operate on reduced schedules from late December to early January. This means hearings and filings may be delayed.Office Hours: Many law firms close for a week over Christmas and New Year, but rarely for an entire month. Staff often rotate holidays to ensure someone is available.Urgent Matters: Lawyers remain on call for critical issues—think bail applications, urgent family matter, or time-sensitive commercial deals.Why It Feels Like a Long BreakThe slowdown is partly cultural.Businesses often defer decisions until the new year, and clients may avoid starting new legal processes during the festive season. Combined with public holidays, this creates the impression of a long hiatus.What You Can DoPlan Ahead: If you need legal work done before January, start early.Ask About Availability: Most firms will tell you upfront who’s covering during the break.Use Technology: Many lawyers now offer virtual consultations, even during holiday periods.Bottom LineYour lawyer probably isn’t sipping cocktails on a beach for a month straight.They may take a well-earned break, but most firms ensure continuity for urgent matters. So, while the pace slows, the profession doesn’t completely stop.Checketts McKay Law closes for the Christmas period at 5pm on 23 December 2025 and re-opens on 12 January 2026. Staff are available over the closedown period – please phone 03 440 00125 for assistance.Sponsored Content: This article has been submitted by a contributing local expert as part of The Central App’s sponsored advisor programme. All sponsored stories are reviewed to align with our values of community first, accuracy, and trusted people in our community reporting.

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The under-construction events centre in Cromwell has locked in its first significant commercial booking, with the 2026 Economic Development New Zealand (EDNZ) conference confirmed for the venue.Announced this month at the 2025 EDNZ conference in Auckland, the event is expected to bring approximately 180 delegates to the region next November.The successful bid was a partnership between the Central Otago District Council’s (CODC) Economic Development and Business Events Bureau and the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).The booking marks a milestone for the $45.8M facility on Melmore Terrace, which is currently unnamed and scheduled to open in June.Cromwell Community Board chair Anna Harrison said construction is progressing well towards the completion date.“It’s fantastic to see the venue is beginning to deliver on its promise by already being selected as a location for a national conference,” Anna said in a media statement.The two-day event will include an awards dinner and AGM at the new venue, alongside workshops and visits across both Central Otago and Queenstown.EDNZ executive director Debi Roder said the board appreciated the collaboration in the combined bid from the two councils.“Our board was attracted to the Central Lakes conference bid because of the excellent venue and facilities on offer, along with the range of economic development topics that both regions could showcase, such as regional deals, economic diversification, and the opportunities and challenges of fast-paced growth,” Debi said.The confirmation of a national commercial event follows discussion at a meeting of the Cromwell Community Board last week regarding how much external businesses should be charged to use the facility.At the November 25 meeting, newly elected board member Mike Casey argued proposed commercial hire rates were too low.Mike warned against adopting a deficit mindset from the get-go and suggested benchmarking rates against private sector venues in Queenstown and Wānaka to ensure the district didn’t undersell the facility.The board directed council staff to reconsider the commercial pricing structure, while allowing community booking rates to proceed as proposed.The new facility replaces the old Cromwell Memorial Hall and will feature a 400-seat auditorium, a cinema, museum, and flexible meeting spaces.While the physical build is on track for a mid-2026 opening, the building’s identity is still being resolved. At last week’s meeting, the community board also opted against providing a shortlist of names during a “short, sharp” public consultation planned for early next year on an English name to sit alongside a te reo Māori name gifted by mana whenua.Read more: Commercial rates too low for new Cromwell hall?, Designers reveal new museum plans and Hunt begins for ‘venue director’ for $45.8M Cromwell hallHave a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

The death of a teenager who hit her head at a Christchurch ice rink last year, prompted IceInline Alexandra to ensure helmets were made available for all schools that use the facility.But there is no requirement for skaters to use them during a public session.Kymani Hiley-Hetaraka died in hospital two days after hitting her head on the ice in July 2024, and her parents are disappointed that the coroner will not open an inquiry into her death.In findings released on Wednesday, Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame said she was satisfied that the issues had been adequately established through a WorkSafe investigation, which concluded nofurther action should be taken against anyone involved in the accident.The WorkSafe investigation found no breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act.While there was no legislation requiring the use of helmets or any other safety equipment while recreational ice skating at Alpine Ice, the rink has made changes and now requires all skaters wear headprotection.IceInline Alexandra said it has always been the rule since schools started coming to the ice rink, that all pupils must wear helmets. The rink has hundreds of pupils visiting from schools all over Central Otago every season, and emails are sent out to remind them of the requirement.But since the tragic event at Alpine Ice last year, the Alexandra ice rink updated its signage, and purchased 200 new helmets - in the past the school pupils brought their own.The Queenstown Ice Arena and Dunedin Ice Stadium now both require skaters to wear either a helmet or a concussion headband before entering the rink.IceInline Alexandra chair Murray Miller said they don’t make it compulsory for people to wear helmets during a public session, because they have skaters of different abilities using the rink.“The issue is if they are competent figure skaters, you can’t make them wear one. And we also can’t make our curlers wear them either.”But he strongly advised anybody new to skating to put a helmet on before entering the rink.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

A Cromwell immigration consultant has launched free monthly clinics to support people who cannot afford professional adviser fees.Licensed immigration adviser Hannah Parker said the clinics are designed to help people navigate complex immigration issues that can have significant consequences if handled incorrectly.Hannah previously ran similar sessions in Queenstown alongside the Citizens Advice Bureau. She said the Cromwell clinics will support people with a wide range of challenges. This includes understanding options after losing a job on an employer sponsored visa, responding to partnership visas questioned for authenticity, finding solutions for overstayers with family in New Zealand, and navigating visas when facing domestic violence or mental health issues.“Usually the people who need the help the most are the ones who do not have the money to pay for it,” she said.“The goal of the clinics is to make immigration support accessible, accurate and community focused.”Hannah is working with Cromwell Community House to reach those who may benefit from the service. She said she is available to support migrants, local organisations, service providers and anyone trying to understand Immigration New Zealand processes.She has noticed an increasing demand for support across Central Otago, particularly in Cromwell.“Cromwell and the surrounding area is growing so quickly and there are so many migrants coming here,” she said.She said immigration rules can be complex and change regularly, which can place huge stress on people trying to make the right decisions.The first clinic takes place today (Thursday December 4). The next clinic is scheduled for Thursday January 15.Bookings can be made through Cromwell Community House. Hannah also operates her own business, Kotahi Immigration Consulting.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Central Otago’s voice risks being drowned out by larger cities under a massive government shake-up that proposes scrapping the Otago Regional Council (ORC). The government last week announced a controversial two-stage proposal to overhaul the sector. Proposal one would see elected regional councillors stripped of their roles, replaced by ‘Combined Territories Boards’ made up of the region's local mayors. Proposal two sets a strict deadline for the new boards: within two years, they must design a 'regional reorganisation plan' - essentially forcing local leaders to come up with a permanent new structure, such as the unitary authority models seen in Tasman or Marlborough.Under the mayoral board, voting power would be weighted by population - a move Central Otago mayor Tamah Alley feared could sideline smaller regional communities. "If votes are based solely on population, there’s a real risk that smaller districts like Central Otago are consistently outvoted by larger centres," Tamah told The Central App. "We need a model that balances population with geography and communities of interest, so that inland and rural communities still have a meaningful voice.“Population size can’t be the only factor when decisions are being made about our rivers, our infrastructure, and our future growth." The move comes after sustained political criticism of the ORC. Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has been one of the proposal’s strongest backers, previously describing the ORC as "the Kremlin of the South Island" in relation to a dispute over gold mining expansion.  He argued the current structure stifles growth, telling media he believed the council had been captured by "green banshees" who wanted to block development. While fellow government ministers Chris Bishop and Simon Watts pitched the reform as a way to cut "tangled" duplication and save money, the district mayor remained cautious. Tamah warned the move could simply shift the cost from one level of local government to another. "At the moment, it’s far from clear what the financial impact on ratepayers would be once all the new structures, staff, and transition costs are added up,” she said. “I’m concerned about our district ratepayers being left to carry the full cost of this reform.“Any changes need to be genuinely more efficient.”She also questioned whether mayors could absorb the massive portfolio of regional council work – public transport, flood protection and environmental management are all included in its remit – noting her weeks were “already very full”. Newly elected regional councillor Neil Gillespie – a former deputy mayor of Central Otago for 15 years – said assessment by the Beehive the local government system was "tangled in duplication" and “confusing” reflected what many in the sector had already been saying. But he was sceptical handing the reins to mayors - even temporarily - was the right fix. "I'm not convinced that mayors, as they are currently constituted, are necessarily going to be able to better govern the regional council functions...those functions are very different to those of a district council," he said. However, he argued the region shouldn't get hung up on the interim step of losing regional councillors, but focus on proposal two: the mandate to design a new, permanent model. "The second proposal seems to be saying to local government that it should go away and come up with a structure that reflects unitary authorities…where the functions of district and regional councils are combined," he said. "The clear message is that there will be change…These two proposals now provide an opportunity for a new structure that is fit for purpose.”Meanwhile fellow Dunstan councillor Michael Laws described the interim step of a mayoral board as "clunky", arguing the government should have moved immediately to a unitary authority model rather than creating a temporary board. "Replacing elected ORC councillors with elected mayors won’t make anything better. Like arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," he said. "The dead hand of Dunedin and 370 ORC staff will still be there implementing the same over-bureaucratic policy.“Rates won’t decline with this model.”A third Dunstan councillor, Matt Hollyer, questioned the logic of the timing.  With major Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms still weeks away, as signalled by the minister, he argued the cart was being put before the horse. “Those reforms are going to play a huge role in the functions of all councils, they should have been announced in advance...so that there is a clearer understanding of the obligations and duties the councils are likely to be faced with delivering,” he said. A newly elected councillor, Matt joked he'd “only been in the role for one month so it suggests my political career might be quite short”. While he indicated a willingness to step aside if it served the community, he described the uncertainty as “upsetting and stressful” for council staff.Turning to the substance of the proposal, Matt rejected the premise the current model was broken.He questioned how mayors, already juggling their own district workloads, could dedicate suitable time to complex environmental issues."I am concerned that environment and catchment level interests will lose their priorities," he said.He also took aim at the process, warning imposing the boards without a public vote crossed a line."If the government pushes through with the proposed timeline to make these Combined Territories Boards come into effect without a local body election then I believe the government is acting undemocratically."From the Beehive, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop described the reform as “a once-in-a-generation chance to build a simpler, clearer, and more efficient local government system for New Zealanders”. He described the current system as "confusing" and disconnected from the public. "Most people know their mayor. Few could name the chair of their regional council," he said in a statement last week. The government argued the new Combined Territories Boards would streamline decision-making.  For resource management specifically, they proposed a "dual threshold" vote, requiring both a majority of population-weighted votes and a majority of board members, as a safeguard for rural interests. Consultation on the proposal is open until Friday, February 20. 

Dunstan High School students were out in the community last week baking Christmas cakes, washing cars, gardening, and sharing stories with the elderly.A joint initiative with Volunteer South, a total of 250 year nine and 10 students took part in the day, helping out 31 different community groups.Community connector Central Otago Southland Sue O’Brien said the idea for the student volunteer initiative originated from a Teachers’ Only Day and now it has become an annual event on the calendar.“It was a good opportunity for the young people to see what there is out there and what impact they can make.”Teacher Keri Barnett was keen to build a culture of volunteering amongst the students and wanted to explore the idea of enabling students to volunteer during their teacher only days - encouraging students to connect to their community and give back through sharing their time, energy and skills. Since then the idea has been introduced at Wakatipu High School and for the last three years Volunteer South has organised two Teacher Only Day events each year. It’s one of the biggest events on the calendar for Volunteer South, and there is a lot of organisation that goes into making the day a success.“Having a wide range of activities means that we can offer the students something that appeals to them, and their different skills and passions,” Sue said.Some of the students went to Castlewood Care Home and asked the residents about their lives - encouraging them to share stories.“It’s that intergenerational connection with the community. It was wonderful to see them finding similarities and learning about how things have changed.”Keep Alexandra Clyde Beautiful members had some help spreading schist mulch around the plants at the Alexandra garden opposite the monument.For one elderly resident, it was the first time they had chatted with a young person since moving to Alexandra, “and you could see they both really enjoyed it,” Sue said.Some of the volunteering roles have become a regular occurrence in the community, including one student who plays the piano at Ranui once a week.Keep Alexandra Clyde Beautiful members had some help spreading schist mulch around the plants at the Alexandra garden opposite the monument. Photo suppliedThe volunteer day last Thursday also co-incides with International Volunteer Day on December 5.Sue said this year’s theme, ‘Every Contribution Matters’, reminds us that volunteering takes many forms and that even small contributions can make a big difference. “Volunteers are the backbone of our region — they’re our sports coaches and managers, our conservation and beautification volunteers, our ‘big buddies’, our Light up Winter and Blossom Festival volunteers, our rest home visitors, our volunteer drivers, and so much more. “Collectively, volunteers in Aotearoa contribute an estimated 231 million hours each year, worth $6.4 billion. Volunteer South thanks every volunteer across Central Otago for their time, energy, and commitment.”

The government will push ahead with plans to cap annual council rates rises, limiting the increase per person to between two and four percent, Local Government Minister Simon Watts announced on Monday (December 1). The cap, which would apply to general rates, targeted rates and uniform annual charges but exclude water charges, is aimed at reining in steep increases some communities have faced in recent years.  It would take effect gradually from 2027, with full enforcement by 2029. The minister said the model is designed to control costs for households while ensuring councils can still fund essential services such as roads, rubbish collection, libraries and parks. But Central Otago mayor Tamah Alley, speaking to national broadcaster RNZ, said that while the community would likely welcome tighter limits on rates, the cap would come with consequences. “It will work to reduce the rates rises. Will it work to provide the best services to our communities, to meet their wants and needs? Maybe, maybe not,” she told RNZ. Tamah said councils would face tougher choices. “It will mean that we are saying no to our communities more often and it will mean that we are deferring projects that they wanted to see go ahead, but that might be okay if it means that they’ve got more money in their back pocket.” She pushed back on the idea councils were “throwing money around willy nilly”, saying that was “not an accurate depiction” for many. Tamah also pointed to the long-term risks of maintaining artificially low rates. Central Otago once had what she described as a “self-imposed rates cap” of five percent through the 2010s. She said the limit ultimately led to an 18 percent rates jump once the council was forced to address deferred work. The government said councils would be able to apply to a regulator for permission to exceed the cap in extreme circumstances, which could include catching up on infrastructure deficits. The minister said the decision to introduce a cap on rates will protect “local government’s social license for the long term”. “Rates are taking up more of household bills, and some communities have faced double-digit increases year after year. This is unsustainable and is only adding to the cost of living for many Kiwis,” he said. “Ratepayers deserve councils that live within their means, focus on the basics and are accountable to their community.”  

If you hear fire sirens and police cars driving around the streets of Cromwell, Alexandra and Clyde tonight (3rd December), make a run for the letterbox - with a can(s) of food.The annual can drive organised by Property Brokers will see young volunteer scouts roaming the streets to collect donations from residents from 5:30pm.People are encouraged to leave bags of non-perishable items at their gate, that will be picked up by teams and assisted by local police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).All collected canned goods and items will then make their way to both the Alexandra and Cromwell foodbanks and Plunket to distribute amongst families in need.Property Brokers Cromwell agent Dawn Turnbull has been involved with the can drive for the past five years, and she’s seen it all.Last year in Cromwell the fire siren went off just as they were about to start. The FENZ crew that was supposed to be helping with the can drive had to answer a call out.“I said to them, are you for real? Is this a joke?”Luckily it was just a quick call out to Tarras but the team were back to help 20 minutes later.This year in Cromwell there will be 23 scouts, 12 FENZ crew, two fire trucks and two police cars involved.Dawn said by the time she gets home at 10:30pm, you can guarantee there will be messages all over social media asking what the noise was about.Meanwhile, in Alexandra, the Salvation Army is looking forward to another successful can drive, to help stock up its Combined Churches food bank.The Salvation Army receives redirected food from both Woolworths and New World every week, as an ongoing partnership, but is always grateful for the community’s help as well.Captain Jonny Whybrow said unfortunately its foodbank stats show an increasing demand for services when comparing the August to October period of this year with 2024. “There has been a 6% increase in the number of food parcels we have given out to our community. Anecdotally, I suggest this is due to the rising cost of living, especially for renters.” This is the Central App notification in support of the annual Can Drive tonight reminding everyone to do their bit for those in need at Christmas.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Light Up Central is back for its third year, offering a festive way for locals and visitors to celebrate Christmas in Central Otago.Households across the region are invited to join in by decorating their homes with festive displays.It doesn’t have to be anything extreme – even simple touches can bring plenty of Christmas cheer and help create a magical atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.The best part? It’s a free self-guided tour and The Central App will help you to find participating locations, vote for your favourite house, and explore the decorations at your own pace.Want to add your house to the tour? You can sign up anytime for and be part of the festivities! Just click on our button Light Up CentralVoting begins from the 10th of December so don’t miss the chance to showcase your creativity and spread the holiday spirit.Peter Hishon from Tall Poppy getting in the festive spirit. One of the main sponsors of Light Up Central - Image: File 2024Mike and Margaret Payne from Alexandra, always go the extra mile every year to set up Santa in his sleigh in the front yard, along with Mother Christmas and the elves, and a 2.5m tree all lavishly decorated.The extensive decorations spend 11 months of the year in the roof of their Bringan Street property, and only get dragged out on December 1 - and not a day sooner. It takes them 2 weeks to set them up.People say they can see the massive Christmas tree from the other end of the street - and it’s quite a long one.If you’d like to join in the fun and enter our Light Up Central competition, we’ve lined up some fantastic prizes to make it even sweeter:First Prize – A $1,000 Goodie Hamper from Paper Plus AlexandraSecond Prize – A $500 gift from Jaime’s JewellersThird Prize – A luxurious pamper experience at Harmony valued at $250Light up your home, share the festive spirit, and be in to win!Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Central Otago district councillors have put off a decision on whether to investigate alternative sites for the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre rebuild, opting instead to hear directly from residents at a community meeting set for December 11. Council staff, backed by the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre Project Steering Group and the Teviot Valley Community Board, had recommended councillors approve a $20,000–$40,000 investigation into one or two possible new locations.  The work would have been funded from the $4M insurance payout following the February fire that destroyed the town’s historic hall and cinema. But after a passionate public forum plea and concerns from elected members about misinformation and community unease, councillors voted for a motion from councillor Martin McPherson to leave the decision on the table until after the December 11 public meeting. Speaking in the public forum, Teviot Valley Community Board member Gill Booth urged councillors not to commit any funding until they had heard from residents. “I think it’s important that the town does make the decision and not the council,” she said. Gill said discussion about shifting the centre had “exploded into a bit of anger and a lot of bad information”. “It has been bloody heated in town, I’m telling you,” she said.  In her view, most people she had spoken to were “vehemently opposed to spending any money looking at anything” other than rebuilding on the original site, adding that “most of Roxburgh will cling like a limpet to bringing their town hall back to where it was”. Deputy mayor Tracy Paterson asked Gill for guidance on how to move the conversation forward, acknowledging “we are inevitably going to be left with people that are happy and people that aren’t”. Teviot Valley ward councillor Curtis Pannett supported pausing the process, saying it was important to correct “misinformation…that this is a decision that’s in motion”. “I think that it’s important that we hear from the community sooner rather than later before we make a decision,” he said. He believed some residents felt decisions were being made “without consultation, and that’s the biggest issue at the minute”. Curtis said the December 11 meeting should serve both as an outlet for the community to feel heard and an opportunity for staff to outline “process and pathways” for the rebuild. Mayor Tamah Alley, joining the meeting remotely from Queenstown Airport, also wanted the community to hear from staff about the “opportunity cost” of a new location, including the additional time and money that would be needed if the rebuild moved off the existing site. She said it was important residents “understand that process, then they can give us a steer on, ‘Hey, are we happy to wait two or three years’, or ‘Actually, do we want to get cracking on this’”. When tabling his motion, Martin said the steering group and staff would be “in a far better position to give a consensus feeling” after the community meeting.  “We should be listening to that community,” he said. In her report to the council meeting, property officer Tara Bates said the project steering group thought exploring other sites was worth considering, calling the rebuild a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to create a multipurpose, future-focused hub for the Teviot Valley. Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Alcohol consumption on boats will come under the spotlight through the Otago Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw that is up for review.Harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook told regional councillors this week, that controlling alcohol use on boats was something that had to be led by Maritime NZ - but they could “potentially” write something into their own safety bylaw that could be signed off at the top.“As a group of national harbourmasters, we’ve been pushing on that door for quite some time, and will continue to do so.”Last summer, Central Otago police had to walk away from a group of intoxicated jet boaters near Luggate, who overturned their boat, tipping passengers into the water.A loophole in the law meant authorities were powerless to prosecute them - even though it was illegal and dangerous to operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol.The group refused to co-operate with police, and by the time the Wanaka waterways team got involved, they were well gone.  Police said at the time, they could only prosecute the drivers for excess breath alcohol, by waiting at the boat ramp when they came to shore. ORC harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook and the team will be out patrolling on Lake Dunstan over summer. Image: suppliedThe Otago Navigation Safety Bylaw 2020 assists with the regulation of ports, harbours, waters and maritime-related activities in the region.After a discussion led by Cr Kate Wilson, the council agreed that new provisions will be written into the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw, that helped address the issue.“Why you can’t do something in a car that you can do in a boat - it just seems, given the risks, madness,” she said.The draft bylaw will be presented back to the regional council for its next meeting on December 9, and then once signed off will be submitted to Maritime NZ as the governing body.It covers the wearing of lifejackets, notification of incidents, seaworthy vessels, vessels to be identified and a range of other matters.It will then go out for consultation in early 2026, with an aim to adopt the new bylaw in April 2026.

Work to remove a stand of trees beside Cromwell’s yet-to-be-named events centre is expected to begin today, while separate tree maintenance is under way at Lowburn Inlet after wind damage last week. Dozens of trees along the Kawarau Arm of Lake Dunstan are scheduled to be cut down.  Members of the public were first alerted to the work when orange ‘Xs’ were spray painted on trees bordering the Lake Dunstan Trail, at a point below the new hall complex under construction on Melmore Terrace. An initial media statement from the Central Otago District Council about the works was issued and later withdrawn.  However, in a Facebook post on Friday, the council said the removal was linked to “revitalising the Cromwell waterfront” and would “open up sight lines and enhance the visual and physical link between the waterfront and community facilities”. Days are numbered for dozens of trees marked with an orange ‘X’ below the new hall complex under construction in Cromwell. Image: The Central AppThe council said landscaping would follow to create “an inviting space” in front of the new hall. The proposed work has drawn strong reaction online from residents concerned about the scale of the felling.  Some questioned whether improving views from the new facility was being prioritised over preserving shade trees. Further up the lake at Lowburn Inlet, a different set of trees was taped off mid last week after being damaged in strong winds.  Although the land appears to be public reserve, it is owned by Contact Energy. A Contact spokesperson said the company removed several dangerous branches to ensure public safety, leaving the firewood on site for people to collect. “We will carry out a full assessment of the trees on our property,” the spokesperson said. “Once we have a plan for tree removal and maintenance, we will engage with stakeholders before commencing any works.” While it was initially indicated some trees might need to be removed entirely, only damaged limbs have been taken at this stage.  The trees are valued locally for the shade they provide during summer, and Contact said it will discuss any replanting requirements with the community.