There’s a lot to share - and when Minister Patterson said we’d be “running around with our pants on fire by Christmas,” he wasn’t kidding. Here’s the rundown of what’s landed:Local Government ReformThe Government has released a proposal that would abolish the governance arm of Regional Councils (the councillors) and ask all Otago mayors to jointly govern the ORC. We’d then have two years to propose how regional functions like environmental management, public transport, pollution control and pest management would look in future.You don’t need to read between the lines — the proposal specifically signals a pathway toward unitary councils (where one organisation does both district and regional functions). We already see this in places like Nelson, Tasman and Gisborne.The “alternative” to mayors governing locally? Crown Commissioners. Personally, I’d rather see Otago people making Otago decisions — with public accountability and a real understanding of our unique landscapes and communities.This proposal is open for public feedback until February, and I strongly encourage people to have their say. You can find the details at the link below. Resource Management Act ReformA big missing piece in the puzzle is what the RMA reform will look like. This will fundamentally shape how councils operate and how we deliver services.We’ve had little detail so far — other than Minister Grigg assuring us it will “change your life.” I’m absolutely supportive of reducing unnecessary red tape, hopefully not at the cost of our environment or the wellbeing of future generations. More detail is due in the coming weeks. National Wastewater StandardsYesterday the Government released new national environmental performance standards for wastewater. These relate to everything from treatment ponds and discharges to land/water, through to overflow management.Consenting wastewater is expensive and complex for councils — balancing essential services with environmental protection. Some standardisation across the country makes sense, especially with a risk-based approach that reduces duplication and excessive technical paperwork. The Government estimates up to $830 million in savings nationally over 35 years through streamlined processes. The Bigger PictureLocal government has been calling for reform for years. The system is under real pressure — growth, ageing infrastructure, rising costs, and rising expectations all colliding at once.We’re ready for the hard conversations.The Government has now put a proposal on the table. Our job is to test it, improve it, and make sure any new model is workable and fair for the people of Central Otago and the wider Otago region.Never a dull day in local government!

After years of teaching English in both Chile and New Zealand, Fernanda Silva Garriga has begun offering free IELTS preparation sessions at the Cromwell Library, alongside her weekly language conversation classes and private lessons. IELTS is the English-language test accepted by Immigration New Zealand, as well as universities and employers, as proof of English proficiency. The score someone achieves can make or break their hopes of working, studying or settling here. English teaching wasn’t always Fernanda’s plan. She trained as a translator and interpreter in Chile, having grown up surrounded by teachers and academics.  But while studying and later working in Valparaíso, she often found herself tutoring English on the side.  After moving to New Zealand in 2017, she earned her TESOL qualification and taught at a Queenstown language school before launching her own business in Cromwell earlier this year. Her teaching style is shaped by her own experience of finding school challenging. “When I was in high school, it wasn’t so easy for me - because my brain works differently, and it took me a bit longer to understand certain things,” she said.  “I always felt the education system wasn’t built for the way I learn.” Over the years she adapted her lessons to suit individual students, something they often comment on. “They really appreciate that the way that I teach is different for each one of them,” she said. For her, the reward is seeing people reach the point where something finally clicks.  She believes anyone can learn at their own pace, “as long as they have someone to support them”. Cromwell’s diverse and fast-growing community has only strengthened her sense of purpose.  She sees language as central to building a life in a new place - whether that’s making friends, finding a job or simply feeling confident enough to participate.  “Language is the channel that connects you with pretty much everything,” she said. That belief is partly why she approached the Cromwell Library to offer the free classes.  Having once worked in a library in Chile, she sees the space as more than a building full of books.  It’s a social hub, she said, and one that can help newcomers feel welcome.  “I just want to bring people in to know each other,” she said. Fernanda grew up on Chile’s long Pacific coastline, but Cromwell now feels like home too. She and her French partner endured a long period apart during the Covid-19 border closures before eventually returning to New Zealand to secure residency.  At that point, Fernanda could have moved anywhere, but she chose the town with the Big Fruit. “I don’t see myself in another place right now,” she said. “This is the place that life wanted us, where everything worked out.” Still, she accepts her heart remains divided.“Part of me is in Chile and the other part of me is here,” she said.

The Central Otago District Council (CODC) confirmed candidates have until 12pm on Monday, December 22, to put their names forward for the vacant seat.The by-election follows the resignation of Dave McKenzie, who was elected to the Vincent Ward in October but withdrew days after the election. Dave cited the toll of "online destructive misinformation" on his family following the release of a council report detailing invoice tampering involving his company.Despite coming before he was even sworn in, the resignation after the election meant his seat was left vacant, necessitating a fresh election process.Electoral Officer Anthony Morton said nomination papers were now available for those wishing to stand."To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be a New Zealand citizen and a parliamentary elector," the notice said. "Candidates must be nominated by two people who are registered on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll within the Vincent Ward."Each nomination must be accompanied by a deposit of $200.If more than one nomination is received by the December deadline, a postal ballot will be held early next year using the First Past the Post system.Voting papers would be delivered to eligible electors starting Friday, January 30, with voting closing at 12pm on Tuesday, March 3.There has been an early indication of Interest in the vacancy, with the highest-polling unsuccessful candidate from October confirming she will stand.Louise van der Voort, who missed out on the fourth Vincent Ward seat by a narrow 33-vote margin, has indicated she will contest the by-election.Louise is a familiar face in local governance, having previously served in a senior leadership position at the council for many years. She secured 1,575 votes in the recent election, placing her next in line behind Dave.Meanwhile, another high-profile candidate has ruled himself out of the race to avoid triggering further costs for ratepayers.Jayden Cromb, who also ran for council in October, was successfully elected to the Vincent Community Board and sworn in as its chair.Jayden confirmed he would not stand for the council vacancy as he wanted to avoid sparking a second by-election for the district, opting instead to focus on his community board leadership role.Nomination forms are available on the CODC website or from the council’s service centre in Alexandra.Read more: Next-in-line candidate to contest Vincent by-election and Councillor withdraws, citing ‘online hatred’

Otago Polytechnic has pivoted to a workplace-based model to keep cookery training alive in Central Otago, securing a high school facility to replace the commercial kitchens set to be lost in its campus sell-off.The institution announced it would deliver its Level 4 Cookery programme through a new Work Integrated Learning (WIL) model starting in February.The move serves as a workaround for the polytechnic’s recent decision to sell its Cromwell town campus on Molyneux Avenue, which housed its training kitchens, citing financial viability.Otago Polytechnic deputy executive director of operations Max Sims said the new pathway was designed to support learners already working within the hospitality industry."The flexible one-year, fulltime programme allows learners to remain in paid employment and is ideal for emerging chefs who want to formalise their skills and kitchen staff looking to step into more skilled positions," Max said."It also suits employers wanting to develop committed, motivated team members without removing them from the workplace."To bridge the gap left by the lack of campus facilities, trainees, who must be employed for at least 20 hours a week, will attend specialist masterclasses in a professional kitchen at Dunstan High School. This will be combined with weekly one-on-one meetings with polytechnic staff."We’ve already had positive interest from across the local sector and have begun conversations with some of Central Otago’s largest hospitality employers," Max said.In addition to the cookery qualification, the polytechnic is also pursuing approval to deliver a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy via a similar "Work Augmented Learning" pathway.Max said the team had hosted a positive site accreditation visit from the Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand and hoped to welcome the first local intake mid next year."Creating a pool of therapists who are already local and have trained in the context of their own community has the potential to better meet the growing demand on health resources being experienced in the region," Max said.The course announcements follow a turbulent period for the polytechnic in the region.Earlier this year, the institution moved to discontinue courses in outdoor adventure education, stonemasonry, and brewing, as well as cookery, as part of a wider restructuring to ensure financial sustainability.Read more: Community trust eyes former polytechnic site for local use and Programmes may be discontinued at Central Campus

The Prime Minister spent Thursday mingling with Central Otago farmers and orchardists as part of a two-day visit to the south.Christopher Luxon made a guest appearance at Cromwell’s Suncrest Orchard, owned by the Jones family, and popped into the packing shed to have a catch up with local growers.Organised by Summerfruit NZ board chair Trudi Webb, the prime minister sat down amongst orchardists and talked about the upcoming RMA reforms, and asked them what the big industry issues were.“You guys do a critical job growing a world class product,” he said.Regarding the RMA reforms that would have its first reading in Parliament in two weeks, the Prime Minister said “we haven’t got time to muck around anymore.” The ‘Rural Nats’ have been holding a series of meetings around the country which started in September and finishes in February 2026, touching on policy issues that they can take back to their caucus.Associate Minister of Horticulture Nicola Grigg and Waitaki MP Miles Anderson were in attendance, along with Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley, and many horticulture industry representatives.“Trust me when I tell you, that it’s going to change your life,” Nicola said about the RMA reform.The Prime Minister chats informally with Central Otago fruit growers. The Central App photoTeviot Valley fruit grower Stephen Darling questioned the Prime Minister about the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, which he described as “virtually unworkable, and almost unaffordable.”Last season the Government capped the number of RSE workers at 20,750 for the 2024-205 season - up from 19,000, but growers have historically advocated for its removal to meet significant growth.The Prime Minister said he was interested in growers’ views on local domestic workers solving the country’s unemployment rate, which many agreed was also a big part of their workforce - along withbackpackers during the harvest season.Housing affordability came into the discussions with the Prime Minister saying the issues were all about supply, “we have tripped ourselves up in red tape.”Christopher also attended a public meeting in Tarras in the morning, where wildfire risk and invasive pests and weeds was the topic of conversation. The day before he toured a Queenstown film studio, andattended a National Party social event.After Suncrest Orchard, he was whisked away by security to head back through the Kawarau Gorge, ready to catch a plane for another event in Auckland last night.

Cromwell dog owners will lose access to two popular off-leash areas to make way for a major timber harvest, with the Central Otago District Council revealing it is investigating a solar farm as a future option for one of the sites. The Cromwell Community Board signed off on the decision on Tuesday to harvest approximately 60 hectares of council-owned pine plantation on Sandflat Road between Bannockburn and Cromwell. It follows an earlier decision approving the felling of close to 20 hectares on a separate block adjacent to Bannockburn Road. While the primary driver is the maturity of the trees and the need to clear land for an industrial subdivision on the smaller of the two sites, a report presented to the board flags a solar farm as a high- value option for the larger Sandflat Road block. Approximately 80 hectares of pines on council-owned land near Cromwell is scheduled to be felled in April. Image: CODCThe suggestion to pivot from forestry to solar generation comes just months after the controversial approval of the massive 300MW Māniatoto Plain Solar Farm near Ranfurly. Tuesday’s decision provides the green light for both the blocks to be harvested simultaneously in April. In a media statement released on Thursday (November 27), council property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson confirmed the harvest means removing the dog-walking status from both sites. "Ultimately, it’s about public safety. These plantations were never designed for recreation," Garreth said. "A potential dedicated, fenced dog-exercise area would give the community a much safer and more suitable facility into the future. In the meantime, the Alpha Street Reserve and Dustin Park in Pisa Moorings remain available for dog exercise in Cromwell." The report presented by project manager Bex Winders notes that while replanting pine is one option for the Sandflat Road block, a solar farm "may be better suited to the site’s characteristics and align with council’s sustainability and economic development goals". Pursuing this would require surrendering existing carbon credits, but the report suggests shifting focus to investments that support "innovation, resilience, and financial return" could offer greater long- term value than timber. Proceeds from the upcoming harvest are proposed to fund the investigation into these alternative uses. Cromwell Community Board chair Anna Harrison said the decision to harvest both blocks at once was the most practical and cost-effective approach. She acknowledged the loss of the “popular” dog-exercise areas will “be felt by the community”. The trees on the Sandflat Road block are more than 40 years old and delaying harvest would risk increasing maintenance costs and degrading wood quality, according to the council. A breakdown of the harvest values presented to the board suggests the trees themselves are of relatively low value compared to the land they sit on. The report estimates the 60-hectare Sandflat Road block will return approximately $141,000, while the smaller industrial site is valued at a little more than $44,000. Any surplus funds from the harvest will be used to offset costs associated with developing the Bannockburn Road site for industrial subdivision. Read more: Big Cromwell industrial block moves step closer to development 

A group of 22 Otago frontline doctors has urged the Otago Regional Council (ORC) to take stronger action on the region’s worsening winter air quality.A joint letter outlining their concerns was presented to councillors during an ORC meeting in Cromwell on Tuesday.Professor Alex McMillan and Dr Simonette Mallard briefed councillors on the significant health impacts linked to domestic fire use and vehicle emissions over winter.They said air pollution contributes to around 3300 deaths in New Zealand each year — ten times the annual road toll — and affects people inside and outside their homes.Doctors told the council that air pollution causes childhood asthma, cardiovascular and respiratory disease, including cancer, and leads to around 650 hospitalisations per year in Otago.They also highlighted the harm caused by damp, poorly ventilated homes heated with open fires, LPG heaters and stovetops, which frontline doctors say are leaving them “overwhelmed and concerned.”Clyde School pupils present their air quality project to the ORC on Tuesday. From left: Stanley Hawkins, Zofie Hammer, Korah Smith, Beau Mitchell, Sophie Crane and Sophia Hartman. Photo: The Central App WellSouth has also backed calls for the ORC to prioritise air quality funding.The letter from respiratory physicians described Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Arrowtown and Milton as having “degraded” air quality during winter due to domestic fires.Doctors asked the ORC to continue funding education programmes such as Burn Dry, Breathe Easy, along with subsidies to help homeowners replace the “dirtiest burners.”They also encouraged councillors to advocate for stronger national standards, aligning New Zealand’s rules with World Health Organisation guidelines.“Alongside this investment, there also needs to be funding and support provided to enable low income households to heat their homes efficiently while generating less air pollution”.Clyde School pupils took the opportunity to present their own air quality research to the new council.The Kiwi Class created a model of the Alexandra–Clyde basin to demonstrate how winter smog becomes trapped in an inversion layer.They also surveyed 108 locals about their experiences with air pollution, and worked with air quality expert Dr Ian Longley to monitor the cleanliness and warmth of their classroom across several winter months.Ian said the pupils learned that keeping a heater on while ventilating properly is the best way to maintain clean indoor air without losing too much warmth.He told councillors that in his survey of 100 households, smoke “always finds its way inside.”Air filtration devices are effective, he said, but still “the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.”That didn’t stop pupil Beau Mitchell from asking councillors during question time whether “the ORC could donate air cleaners to the schools?”

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.

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If the Otago Regional Council still exists next year then at least there may not be any overall rates increases for 2026-2027.At its meeting in Cromwell yesterday, councillors made what Dunstan ward councillor Michael Laws described as a “radical change” to propose the overall rates increase to 0% in its Annual Plan (2026-2027).News from central government about the possible demise of regional councils was discussed earlier in the meeting - chief executive Richard Saunders said a ‘summary’ paper would come back to theORC at its next meeting on December 9, followed by a submission period.New chair Hilary Calvert said the proposed rates increase of 14% was not acceptable, and won the motion to direct the chief executive to prepare a draft annual plan work programme and budget with0% increase in rates across the region.Richard said the rating model for Otago was complex and the nature of its public transport contracts and others meant it would be difficult, if not impossible to achieve no increase for any ratepayer.“But it is achievable in terms of an overall increase.”Cr Gary Kelliher said he wanted to be satisfied that the intent of the proposal was to create a lasting new benchmark that the ORC will work from, as opposed to a short-term one off gain.Hilary assured the council it was not a “kicking the can down the road exercise.”Meanwhile, the new governance structure involving portfolios replacing some committees was decided at the meeting.Hilary introduced the new structure at its inaugural meeting on November 5 meeting, that provides for decision-making to sit solely with council, complemented by portfolio leads. Council agreed at its last meeting to also continue consulting with mana whenua on a mutually agreeable way to incorporate representation into the new portfolio structure.Michael will lead the strategy and customer portfolio with Hilary as co-chair, Matt Holyer will lead transport with Alan Somerville, Kevin Malcolm and Chanel Gardner will lead finance, Kate Wilson andNeil Gillespie will lead policy and planning, Gary and Gretchen Robertson will lead the science and resilience portfolio, while Andrew Noone and Robbie Byars will be in charge of environmentaldelivery.Neil will represent the ORC on The Otago Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group Joint Committee, while Matt will join Gretchen on the Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal NegotiationCommittee.Kate will chair the Otago Regional Transport Committee, and Kevin will co-chair the audit and risk committee with Andrew Douglas as an independent member.Michael’s notice of motion to form a working party to review the ‘Strategic Directions 2024-2034’ document, ensuring alignment with the newly elected governance team, was won 8-4.New Dunstan ward councillors Neil and Matt voted against the motion, along with Alan and former chair Gretchen.The working party will be chaired by Michael and include Kevin, Hilary and Kate - the four highest polling candidates from the election.Michael made a comment that the direction of the new council was now “fundamentally different.”

Health New Zealand planners admit Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes patients are undertaking roughly 60,000 travel events annually that "shouldn't be happening", as they respond to a deadline from the Health Minister to deliver a new service plan before Christmas. The admission came during a community meeting in Cromwell yesterday (Wednesday, November 26), where officials signaled a departure from standard planning models to cope with the region's unique growth. Rachel Haggerty, Health New Zealand’s national director of strategy, planning and performance, told the meeting the current reliance on Dunedin and Invercargill for routine care was placing an unsustainable burden on patients. "We've identified...about 60,000 travel events that shouldn't be happening when people are having to drive to Dunedin or Invercargill," Rachel said. She described the reality for many locals - driving hours for a 10-minute appointment or a simple diagnostic test - as a failure of localised service delivery. "10 minutes in a room, half an hour...in a waiting room, and you go, 'Why did I do that? Was that worth it?'" The urgency to fix this disparity has escalated to the Beehive, with Rachel confirming the current process is operating under strict time pressure from Health Minister Simeon Brown. She told the meeting the minister has "really leaned into this", demanding a set of options and advice be on his desk before Christmas. "He's said, 'I want to understand, I want to know what the options or the solutions are...I then want to take it away with me and think about it over that period of time,'" Rachel said. This accelerated timeline reflects growing pressure from local community leaders who have long argued the region's health infrastructure has been outpaced by population growth. The proposed solution, however, may not look like the traditional “base hospital" model many residents expect.  Instead, officials outlined a strategy focused on "ambulatory" and digital care, bringing high-frequency treatments into local communities to wipe out those 60,000 trips. Rachel pointed to chemotherapy treatments, renal dialysis, and advanced radiology (CT and MRI) as services that advances in technology and safety protocols now allow to be delivered safely in primary care settings or rural hospitals like Dunstan and Lakes District.The goal is to handle "infrequent events" (like major surgery) in Dunedin or Invercargill, but keep "high frequency" care (like cancer treatment) local. "We are moving towards a service that is closer to communities, closer to people's homes," she said. While digital appointments can solve some travel woes, officials acknowledged they cannot solve one of the region’s most emotive pinch points: maternity care. With no surgical obstetric service in the region, women requiring emergency C-sections face high-risk transfers to Dunedin or Invercargill. "One of the big issues we've identified here, of course, is obstetrics," Rachel told the meeting.  "What we know about obstetric care is things can turn on a dime...it is something that we really see as quite a stressful issue for people." While stopping short of promising a fully staffed surgical unit immediately, she noted the status quo of relying solely on midwives without local specialist backup was a key focus of the report going to the minister. Underpinning the entire plan is a significant shift in how the government counts the local population. Typically, Health NZ uses conservative ("medium") growth projections. However, Rachel confirmed they are now using "high" projections for this region - a move she noted they "would not do elsewhere in New Zealand". She debunked the myth Central Otago is simply an aging retirement hub.  Instead of the traditional "population pyramid" (lots of young people, few old) or the "inverted pyramid" of retirement zones, this region has become a "rectangle". "[Which] has meant you've got a bit of everything going on here," she said. It means the health system is being hit from both sides: a boom in maternity and pediatric demand from young families, simultaneously with high-complexity care needed for retirees. With major private infrastructure proposals on the table - including the Roa hospital project in Wānaka and discussions around the Regional Deal - questions were raised about whether Health NewZealand is negotiating directly with developers to fill gaps. Rachel was firm the planning process begins with clinical need, not with what developers are offering to build. "Clinical service planning is not about who provides it. It's about what do you need...[then] we form a view around the utility of some of those [private options] and...provide advice to the minister," shesaid. She clarified that developers do not negotiate directly with Minister Brown, who relies on Health New Zealand to assess which private proposals are clinically useful. Health New Zealand Southern chief medical officer Dr David Gow added the clinical team had been vigilant against "anchoring bias" - the risk of warping the regional health plan simply to fit around aprivate developer's pitch. "That is one of the concerns that underpinned when we set off on this process...whether or not there would be anchoring bias relating to some of the opportunities that came through," David said. He said he was "incredibly reassured" the process had remained unconstrained, focusing on patient safety and network needs rather than commercial opportunities. However, Rachel noted private investors remain free to build facilities regardless of government contracts.  "They don't need a minister...to do that. And so that's important that people have those choices." Detailed planning on the preferred options is expected to begin in 2026, following the minister’s review of the advice over the summer break.  

The Earnscleugh Hall is coming up 100 years in November 2026, and the planning is already underway for its Centenary.Officially opened in October 1926, the hall is still used regularly - including last weekend for its biannual fundraising fair.Earnscleugh Community Society chair Angela McNaughton said the centenary will be held on the weekend of November 14th and 15th, and the timing was perfect as the hall restoration should becompleted by then.She said descendants of many early Earnscleugh families continue to reside in the wider Central Otago area and they hope that they will join in the celebrations at the hall Centenary.“We are aware that there will be people of all ages who may be interested in attending one or more of a variety of events over the weekend, so there will be multiple events to try and cover different agegroups interests.”Earnscleugh fair stallholders Camille Alabaster and Jenny Knowles selling their wares at the weekend. Photo:The Central App The organising committee has been meeting with a number of older residents to explore the history of the area, which began with gold mining, then moved onto farming, horticulture and more recentlyfloriculture.“A number of differing ideas are being considered at present… and the committee is looking at the Earnscleugh Hall’s role in the community as a centre for social connection in this area over the last100 years.”Many people in the wider area of Alexandra and Clyde remember attending regular dances through the war years and up until the 1980s, and the hall was used by sports clubs such as badminton,indoor bowls, scouts and tennis.The former church located next to the hall was deconsecrated around 1990, and has been owned by the same family since then for use as a holiday home.She said beside the church is the former Earnscleugh Primary School which also operated for about 30 years from the early 1900s. The very well-known local gardening identity Gladys McArthur B.E.M. was born in Conroys Gully in 1905, attended the Earnscleugh Primary School, and returned to teach at the school in the 1920safter studying to become a teacher.

A proposed pricing structure for the new $46 million Cromwell event centre has come under fire from Cromwell Community Board member Mike Casey, who warns the facility is being undervalued before the doors even open. The community board met on Tuesday (November 25) to review a tiered fee schedule designed to ensure the new venue remains affordable for local groups while charging for businesses. The report presented to the board suggested a 70/30 split, aiming for 70 per cent community use and 30 per cent commercial, with ratepayers expected to subsidise roughly 66 per cent of the facility’s operating costs. Under the proposal, a commercial operator would pay $4,000 to hire the main auditorium for a full day, while a non-profit community group would pay just $560 for the same slot. However, Mike challenged the figures, arguing the commercial rates were set far too low for a facility of this calibre. The replacement for the Cromwell Memorial Hall is scheduled to open mid-2026. Image: The Central AppHe cautioned the board against adopting a ‘deficit mindset’ from day one. "I think that’s the wrong approach from the word go," he said. He argued by capping commercial revenue so low, the board risked anchoring the facility's financial performance to a loss, rather than testing what the market would actually pay. He pointed to the private sector, suggesting the board needed to benchmark its rates against hotels and conference venues in Queenstown and Wānaka. Mike’s concerns found immediate support with other elected members, and board chair Anna Harrison and Cromwell ward councillor Sarah Brown echoed his sentiment that the proposed commercialpricing needed further thought by council staff. However, council group manager for community experience David Scoones said staff needed some pricing guidance immediately to handle a growing list of booking enquiries. "[We have] quite a few people starting to enquire," he said. He noted community groups in particular wanted some certainty to start planning their 2026 calendars. The new Cromwell events centre is under construction on Melmore Terrace overlooking Lake Dunstan. Image: The Central AppTo balance the two needs, the board directed staff to go back and lift the bar on the commercial pricing structure, while effectively giving the green light for community bookings to proceed under the proposed lower rates. The board suggested the RSA not be charged for its use of the new facility.The meeting also tackled the thorny issue of what to call the building. Replacing the old Cromwell Memorial Hall, the new facility has faced an identity crisis: should it retain the "Cromwell memorial" title to honour the RSA legacy, or adopt a name like "Central Otago Events Centre" to reflect its regional scope? Rather than selecting a shortlist of names for the public to be consulted on, the board opted for an open mind. Sarah told The Central App after the meeting the board asked for a "short, sharp" community consultation early next year to gather ideas for an English name, which will sit alongside a te reo Māori name gifted by mana whenua. Sarah described the plan as a "member-led" process designed to avoid constraining the community with pre-selected options. A workshop on the topic is scheduled for February 4, with the public campaign to follow. The proposed price of admission: The auditorium - full day (8am-11pm) Commercial (Proposed): $4,000 (Board has directed this be increased) Community (Ticketed): $650 Community (Non-ticketed): $560 The auditorium - evening session (5hrs) Commercial (Proposed): $800 (Board has directed this be increased) Community (Ticketed): $425 Community (Non-Ticketed): $350 Large flexible space - full day Commercial (Proposed): $600 (Board has directed this be increased) Community (Ticketed): $300 Community (Non-Ticketed): $100 Medium community space - hourlyCommercial (Proposed): $90 (Board has directed this be increased) Community (Ticketed): $40Community (Non-Ticketed): $20Who fits which tier? Commercial: Businesses, profit-driven events Community 1: Local groups charging an entry fee (e.g. theatre shows) Community 2: Local groups with free/donation entry (e.g. meetings) 

A large section of the Kiwi Water Park broke loose during setup on Lake Dunstan on Wednesday, drifting almost 1.5 kilometres from its site in strong winds.The inflatable equipment, which is being installed at a bay in Lowburn ahead of the summer operating season, ended up on the shoreline near the Lake Dunstan Boat Club at McNulty Inlet.Kiwi Water Park co-owner Emily Rutherford confirmed the incident occurred while her crew was “in the midst of setup”.Emily said the equipment was dragged to shore by a boat and that “it’s all sorted”.She confirmed there were no injuries and the equipment sustained no damage.“Once we are set up and everything is rigged there is zero chance of anything coming loose,” Emily said. It is unclear how long the inflatable section was adrift, and Emily did not confirm if the incident had been reported to any authorities - marine or otherwise.Setup was scheduled to continue early Thursday morning (November 27).However, challenging conditions may persist. Following the strong gusts and whitecaps seen on the lake on Wednesday, the Windy app was last night forecasting wind gusts of up to 80km/h for the area on Thursday afternoon.The park is set to open to groups on Monday (December 1), while members of the general public will need to wait a few more days, with the official opening for the park's sixth season scheduled for thefollowing Saturday (December 6).

The Glenoir LP subdivision along Alexandra’s Dunstan Road has been approved, but developers are still waiting on the outcome of the Environment Court appeal regarding the zoning.Developers Shanon Garden, Shaun O’Docherty and George Collier, will be addressing the Central Otago District Council today (Wednesday November 26), about their concerns with Plan Change 19.The CODC hearings panel signed off PC19 last year as part of the new District Plan, which allowed the 31-lot subdivision to move from ‘Rural Residential’ to the new ‘Large Lot Residential’ zoning on the 4.1ha site.But the developers' appeal seeks to rezone the site further for ‘Low Density Residential’- which would enable a range of smaller lot sizes, other than just the 840m2 to 2,030m2 that has been approved.Independent commissioners Louise Taylor, Rosalind Day-Cleavin and Wendy Baker approved the subdivision on November 17, following a hearing in Alexandra last month.One of the lots will also be vested as a public recreation reserve and the developers intend to develop the park with a landscaping plan and park furniture. Additionally, the development includes a walking/cycling and service connection to existing tracks in the area.Shanon said in his submission, that as developers they value diversity of lot size, and consequently housing product, within neighbourhoods. “We seek to avoid what can be a bland uniformity of housing where all lots are the same size. We want to enable different family groups to share in the neighbourhood we create. We want to be able to bring properties to the market at different price points.”Glenoir LP applied for resource consent in September 2023, and reduced its application from 40 lots to just 30 lots a year later.The proposal was then withdrawn and the current one lodged in its place - but in September it was reduced further to 27 lots and included a 1400sqm park to be vested to the council.The design of the subdivision and the lot density was made under the Comprehensive Residential Development (CRD) framework introduced into the District Plan.The developers are also planning a second development along Dunstan Road for a 54-lot subdivision, next to the consented Molyneux Lifestyle development currently underway.

Three new trustees have been elected to the Central Lakes Trust board following the confirmation of the 2025 election results on Monday (November 24).Central Lakes Trust (CLT) has confirmed Dave Currie CNZM, Dr Chris Phoon, and Neil Gillespie will join the board this term. They sit alongside re-elected trustees Kathy Dedo and Trudi Webb, as well as appointed trustees Linda Robertson, Kathy Grant, and Simon Flood.“We’re excited to welcome our new trustees to the board,” CLT chair Linda Robertson said.“Their fresh perspectives, combined with the experience of our re-elected and appointed trustees, will strengthen our ability to deliver on CLT’s mission. Together, we have a fantastic team committed to supporting vibrant, resilient communities across our funding region.”Dave brings extensive governance and leadership experience, including as Chef de Mission for New Zealand Olympic and Paralympic teams and manager of the Black Caps. He has also served as executive director of the Halberg Trust.Dr Chris Phoon has contributed to national and international surgical committees and is a founding member of the Mahu Whenua Traverse. He is an active supporter of initiatives that promote community wellbeing.Neil Gillespie brings more than 27 years of local government experience, including 15 years as Central Otago’s deputy mayor. He was recently elected to the Otago Regional Council.Re-elected trustee Kathy Dedo returns for her third term. She is the board’s deputy chair and chairs the Audit and Risk Committee. Kathy was recently elected to the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board, where she serves as deputy chairperson.Trudi Webb begins her second term on the board. She has more than 25 years of local governance experience and holds positions with MG Ltd, Summerfruit NZ, and the MG Charitable Trust.Four candidates were not elected: Mark Christie, Alexa Forbes, Tony Lepper, and Michael Rewi.Voter return for the election was 20.45 per cent, with 9,695 votes cast. Of those, 28.32 per cent were submitted online and 71.68 per cent were returned by post.CLT operates as a charitable trust that offers financial support for charitable initiatives.Its board oversees how the trust invests and distributes its funds across the region.Since its establishment in 2000, the trust has returned more than $168M to the community and manages assets totalling nearly $600M.

A small group of Central Otago "hoopers” that usually meets in the Oturehua Hall took their spins outdoors at the weekend, joined in person for the first time by their Dunedin-based instructor. The group has been following pre-recorded tutorials screened via the hall projector, but on Saturday (November 22) “Hoopblast” teacher Rebecca Jones made the trip north so everyone could hula hoop together on the grass at the Oturehua Domain. Dorothy Boyd, who instigated the local group, said the meet ups grew out of a gap she felt after shifting from Dunedin to Central Otago. “It was something that I missed,” she said of her hula-hooping sessions. Go to The Central App You Tube channel to watch - click on the link below‘Hoopers’ in action. Video: The Central AppShe remembered the remote lessons her teacher recorded and shared online during the Covid-19 lockdowns and wondered if she could get something going locally.  A community notice did the trick, and three people turned up on the first day. “It sounded different, it sounded fun, it’s good for your core and your brain,” she said. Sessions at the hall follow a simple formula: music, a warm-up, then a routine that gets everyone shifting around the room with a hoop in motion.  Anyone walking in mid-session would hear upbeat music and see people stepping side-to-side, sometimes adding arm work or trickier moves while keeping the hoop spinning.  The group sticks with each tutorial video for four weeks before switching to the next. “Just as you’re getting to know the routine there’s a change, which is what keeps it fun and stimulating,” Dorothy said.  “The great thing about it is just how fun it is.” Visitors shouldn’t expect the feather-light plastic rings from childhood. Rebecca said her “hoopers” - two carloads of whom made the trip from Dunedin to Oturehua - use larger, weighted hoops. “The weight of it is really good for core strengthening, and because of the movement, after a class, it seems to make your endorphins go crazy - everyone seems so happy. “It’s fun exercise, but you don't even really know you're exercising.” She said hula hooping appeals to a wide range of people. “In our Dunedin group, we have people from about 25-ish up to 72.” Dorothy hopes the Oturehua group encourages other newcomers to rural areas to start the things they miss. “There are lots of things on in Central Otago rurally - you just have to find them. But then, if you can't find something, you kind of have to make it happen.”  

Drivers should expect to see Police anytime, anywhere and in any weather this summer, as roads across the South grow busier.Southern District Police are reminding locals and visitors to make safe choices on the roads as the holiday season approaches.Over the weekend, officers carried out more than 5000 breath tests during 13 alcohol checkpoints in Alexandra, Roxburgh, Wānaka and Queenstown.More than 200 drivers had consumed alcohol. Twenty-two were found to be over the legal limit and will face charges, and three had their licences suspended due to very high breath alcohol levels.Southern District Road Policing Manager Inspector Sarah Thorn said Police would be highly visible in coming weeks to keep communities safe.“Summer is a busy time on the roads and in people’s calendars,” she said.“There are lots of people moving about the district, and plenty of events where alcohol is present.“We need people to remember the four main things you can do to keep yourself safe on the roads.“Make sure everyone’s buckled up, put distractions away, keep your speed in check, and please – if you are impaired by alcohol, drugs or fatigue – don’t get behind the wheel.“It’s that simple. Arrange another way home and go and collect your vehicle the next day. A minor inconvenience is a far better option than being involved in a serious crash.”Inspector Thorn said motorists should expect to be breath tested at any time they are stopped, as well as at checkpoints.“Every drink-driver we take off the road reduces the potential for that driver to create a situation where someone’s loved one dies or receives serious injuries on our roads,” she said.“We all need to do better and stop accepting that people dying on our roads is just what happens.“Let’s make it a summer to remember for all the right reasons.”

Nearly 30,000 Central Otago workers have completed Workplace First Aid Training since the Dunedin company expanded into the district in 2013.The private company, led by founder Phil Hudson, won the Excellence in Service award at the Business South Awards last weekend.Established in 2004, Workplace First Aid Training now completes most of its work in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. Phil said in the early years he drove through into the district to deliver every course himself, “and those trips built the foundation for everything the business has become.”Many long-standing clients have become genuine friends. Phil said some businesses didn’t just ring to book a course. They were also checking if he was bringing cheese so they could supply crackers and chutney. “I absolutely love that,” he said.The company now employs an instructor in Central Otago, with support from Dunedin, to make training more accessible.Workplace First Aid Training has been a finalist in the Excellence in Service category twice before.“They say third time’s a charm — and I’m holding onto that,” Phil said.Looking ahead, the company is developing new training options to support its clients locally and across the country. It works with nearly 10,000 organisations nationwide and plans to expand further. New initiatives include a mental health training course and an upgraded e-learning platform.