When Marion Rouxel left Melbourne during the Covid-19 pandemic, she was pregnant with her second child and craving space, fresh air, and real connection. She and her husband, a viticulturist, had their sights set on Central Otago.  They landed at Tinwald Farm on the outskirts of Cromwell, swapping inner-city lockdowns for big skies and open paddocks. Back in Melbourne, when Covid restrictions prevented her regular 5Rhythms dance class from meeting in person, Marion’s crew headed online - logging in from living rooms to move remotely together. That ritual helped her stay grounded during an otherwise isolating time, and, when she arrived in Central, she continued dancing online.  But, eventually, the desire for in-person connection proved too strong to ignore. Unable to find quite what she was looking for locally, Marion decided to train as a 5Rhythms teacher herself. Now, on Wednesday evenings, the Lowburn Hall transforms.  Music fills the space, feet hit the wooden floor, and a growing group of locals come together to move, breathe and reconnect, with themselves and each other. “I think that’s what I love right now with the group,” Marion said. “People show up, and something happens - it’s this beautiful, organic thing.” Last summer, class-goers often ended their evening with a dip in the nearby Lowburn Creek, while this winter, the ritual has shifted to late-night sauna sessions. Eyes open to the power of dance to do good beyond the dancefloor, Marion was inspired to further upskill in dance movement therapy. She now works with Alzheimers Otago, facilitating creative, movement-based sessions for people in the early stages of dementia - offering moments of connection and lightness, and giving carers a chance to rest.  She also spends time regularly at a Cromwell retirement village, where a movement session can add joy and playfulness to the routine of the day for those who live there. “There can be so much rigidity and structure around them (the residents),” Marion said.  “When you age, when you’re in a nursing home, you have to do this, you have to do that - you need to take that medication, you need to do this for your blood pressure - but you can’t do that.  “And that’s why I value the dance, as well as just hanging out with them.” People often ask her about her motivation – especially because the work can be challenging.  “There are so many layers to it,” Marion said. “The thing is, I just naturally do love humans – the whole range of humans. I know how isolating and difficult life can be.” On summer Sundays, Marion brings a taste of home to the Cromwell Farmers’ Market. Originally from Brittany, in France - the birthplace of crepes and galettes - she’s revived a food cart concept she first began in Melbourne.  Her stall serves up sweet crepes and savoury buckwheat galettes, filled with things like homemade pesto, caramelised onion jam, mushrooms, and ham. She loves the weekly ritual - chatting with customers, sharing good food and connecting to her roots. “It’s a form of legacy, in terms of where I come from,” she said. “I’ve been away for so long, and there’s this nostalgia…but it’s a positive nostalgia. I think there’s beauty in that.” Marion was initially hesitant to share her story with The Central App, aware that not everyone has the freedom to relocate, retrain, or reinvent themselves. She said she sometimes struggled with her own perception of being “a privileged white woman who moves around the world doing whatever she wants”. But, here in Central Otago, through dance, crepes, and connection, she has found meaningful ways to belong and to give back. Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

There have been plenty of surprises in the mix for our local body elections, with some more new names coming in at the 11th hour as nominations closed at midday on Friday (August 1).Charlie Sanders from Cromwell has popped up in the mayoralty race, and among the 14 new candidates in the running for Central Otago District Council is former senior manager Louise van der Voort, a long time CODC staffer who had been in an executive role since 2004.Also nominated for the Vincent ward of CODC is Gill Booth, Cam Withington, Kas McEntyre, Dave McKenzie and Nathan McLean; in Cromwell, David George, Terry Davis, Stephen Carruth, Andrew Burns, Gareth Noble and Bob Scott are looking for a seat; as is Michelle Bisset in the Maniototo. Mark Quinn has his name down in the Teviot, alongside the mayoralty, as well as Charlie in Cromwell.Wānaka-based Nicky Rhodes has teamed up with Otago Regional councillors Gary Kelliher and Michael Laws in the Dunstan constituency to form ‘Vision Otago,’ along with Carmen Hope (Molyneux), Chanel Gardner (Dunedin) and former Dunedin City councillor Hilary Calvert.Cr Kelliher said, when contacted, that ‘Vision Otago’ was not a political alignment, “but a loose group of like-minded thinkers… we’re all about saving the ORC from itself”.Gary said he was initially sitting on the fence with regards to the group, which was instigated by Cr Laws several months ago, but decided there was an opportunity to make real change at council.“The ORC staff are just so aligned with the previous government, and now the ORC has attracted nationwide attention, something has to be done.”Amie Pont from Ranfurly is also in the running for the Dunstan ward of the ORC from Ranfurly, as are tourism manager Matt Hollyer of Queenstown and Ben Farrell, also of Queenstown. Matt said he would bring “a proven track record of strategic thinking and operational effectiveness” to the role.“I will work with diligence, integrity, and long-term thinking to build a thriving Otago – economically, socially and environmentally.”There are also at least 22 new names standing for community boards in Maniototo, Teviot Valley, Vincent and Cromwell, and the Elections NZ website was still loading new names well into Friday afternoon.Contact Energy engineer Nathan McLean, of Alexandra, is a new face hoping for a seat on Central Otago District Council.The father of two said being on council had been on his bucket list for the past 10 years.He said what he brings to the council table is strong community representation, with “skin in the game”, describing himself as someone who is community connected through his various social connections, at school and sports groups.The names of all new candidates will all be published on August 6.Between September 9 and 22 voting documents will be delivered to people, and the cut off day by mail is October 7 - but council will open its ballot boxes after that.Election day 2025 is October 11 and voting closes at midday, with preliminary results out soon after.Check out our election button for more details.  Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

A Cromwell home has been recognised at the Southern Master Builders House of the Year Awards 2025.The annual competition recognises “the best homes and those who brought them to life”.The Cromwell home - ‘Smart Start’ - built by DCD, won a regional gold award for the new home $500,000 - $750,000 category.At just 82sqm (plus double garage), the home was “proof that clever design and considered choices can deliver comfort, performance and style in a compact footprint”, judges said.The two-bedroom, one-bathroom home, which was purpose-built for a young couple taking their first step onto the property ladder, was “efficient in every sense”. It features triple-glazed PVC windows, insulated slab and double-layer insulation in walls and ceilings, supported by a ducted heat pump and a ventilation system. There is also solar prewiring and an EV charger.“Every square metre of this compact home has been designed to deliver smart, sustainable living, without excess. It is a model of how to get it right,” the judges said.The Registered Master Builders House of the Year Awards is held in two stages.First is the regional level, and from the award winners 100 homes are selected for Top 100 status and proceed to a second round of national judging, before the National House of the Year Awards in November. Find full details of all the homes and awards from the Southern House of the Year Awards 2025 here. Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

There will still be one big party in the park this Alexandra Blossom Festival, after its special licence was approved, following an appeal.The Central Otago District Licensing Committee (DLC) released its decision yesterday (Thursday July 31) to reinstate an umbrella licence for the festival’s Saturday in the Park this coming September.The DLC has approved one licence for all vendors in Pioneer Park.“I am very pleased with this decision; the festival now has hands-on control of our venue,” event manager Martin McPherson said.“The festival is proud of its management of alcohol sales and last year’s changes to the licence limited our ability to manage unwanted behaviour from punters and vendors,” festival chair Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said.The committee was told in 2024 that individual vendors were required to obtain their own onsite licences, but that meant organisers had no control over who was selling what and where.A vendor who had no understanding of their liquor licence started selling vodka jelly shots, and was soon shut down once the committee realised.But because the festival committee was not selling alcohol to the public, it was initially declined a special licence, so a hearing was held earlier this month to prove its case.The licensing committee said that in order to comply with the requirements, a licensee must be directly involved in the sale and supply of alcohol.Now with its special licence in place, the festival committee is back to having full control. “Spring has sprung,” Martin told the Vincent Community Board meeting on July 29.“The festival is on target for 2025 with record numbers of participants in the market, we were sold out by the end of March and have in excess of 40 people waiting to join, which is beyond silly,” he said.The entertainment acts would be announced in the next few weeks, and Martin said participants this year will find Saturday in the Park food and beverage sales no different than previous years.There will be a wide variety of international food flavours, featuring Thai, Mexican, Filipino, South African, and South American taste treats alongside the traditional white bait patties, pizza and hot dogs.Eight vendors will be selling alcohol such as Central Otago wines and craft beers.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Central Otago police dealt with a home invasion in Alexandra this week.This week, police were called to a home invasion at an Alexandra address and apprehended a male offender. Alexandra Police PST Sergeant Darren Kidd said police executed a warrant on his vehicle and found a large quantity of cannabis and money. The man is currently remanded in custody with numerous charges before the court. The man was not a local and his suspicious behaviour had brought him to the attention of police a number of times in the day leading up to his arrest, Sergeant Kidd said.The days are starting to get longer and the kids are all back at school so remember to keep vehicle speed down around schools especially during pick-up and drop-off times. It doesn’t take much for a child to just 'appear' from behind a parked car which can result in serious injuries. The speed limit past a stationary school bus is 20kmh and that includes lanes in both directions.Allow plenty of time for school drop-offs so you can give the road your full attention. Often drop-off zones can be crowded before and after school, so consider arranging a safer meeting point further down the road to avoid congestion directly outside school.Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers. 

Four Teviot residents have been chosen to be part of a new steering group for the Roxburgh Entertainment Centre rebuild, and work starts tomorrow (Saturday August 2), according to the Teviot Valley Community Board chair.The board approved the nominated members of the group - business woman Sally Smith, teachers Sarah Moore and Alistair Monteath and volunteer firefighter David Weatherall - yesterday, along with councillor Martin McPherson representing Central Otago District Council.Board chair Norm Dalley said 11 people put their names forward as expressions of interest for the rebuild steering group, and at a workshop held earlier, they determined the final four external stakeholders.The historic building, which burnt down on Waitangi Day, was insured for $6.4M, and council hopes the new one will be opened by July 2028.The new steering group would also comprise the project sponsor, the business owner and project manager, to make a decision on the design and then direct council to go to market with potential suppliers.Norm said the four stakeholders were chosen on their skillset and what they could contribute to the community.“And there we have it. We start work tomorrow,” he joked.Council staff suggested the steering group hold drop-in sessions to inform the community at each stage of the project, similar to what happened with the Cromwell Memorial Hall.The next steps involved the group approving terms of reference, confirming the insurance payout amount, and discussing the preferred design scope of the new building.The historic building was opened in 1875 and divested to the council in 1918. The site had now been cleared and was free of asbestos.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Understanding the Shifting Landscape of Health and Safety on Your LandRecent events and reporting around the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (HSWA) have caused some uncertainty among landowners in Central Otago and across New Zealand. We understand that concerns about potential liability for recreational activities on your property have led to questions and, in some cases, the closure of private land access. This article aims to clarify the proposed reforms and what they truly mean for you."Freeing the Great Outdoors": What's Changing?Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden recently announced proposed reforms aimed at clarifying health and safety responsibilities, particularly regarding recreational activities on private land. The core intention behind these changes is to alleviate the perceived "climate of fear" among landowners, which has reportedly discouraged them from allowing public access to their land for recreational pursuits.The key takeaway is this: If the reform proceeds as announced, landowners will generally not be held responsible by WorkSafe New Zealand if someone is injured during a recreational activity on their land, provided the landowner is not actively managing or controlling that specific recreational activity.Instead, the responsibility for health and safety will rest with the organisation or individual running the recreational activity. For example, if a commercial horse trekking business operates on your farm, the horse trekking business, not you as the landowner, will bear the primary health and safety duties related to that trekking activity. You would however be responsible for risks related to your own farming operations in the immediate vicinity of the activity.The Minister has stated that the proposed reforms are intended to apply to both public and private land, including farms, parks, and school grounds. It's important to note that these changes would not affect your private property rights; you retain full discretion to grant or deny access to your land.Was Liability for Landowners Ever a Widespread Issue?The reforms largely address a perception of widespread legal risk. The HSWA places obligations on a "Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking" (PCBU) who controls or manages a workplace. Recent case law has focused on the concept of "active control" as the trigger for liability under HSWA. Mere ownership of land, without active involvement in the management or control of a specific activity, has generally not been sufficient to establish PCBU duties in relation to that activity.The high-profile Whakaari (White Island) case, while tragic, highlighted that liability under HSWA for the company owning the island was ultimately overturned on appeal. The High Court concluded that mere ownership was insufficient; active management or control of the activity causing harm was required. This decision reinforced the principle that liability follows control, not just land ownership.Why the Fear?The fear among rural landowners often stemmed from the broad wording of the HSWA and the perceived risk of being caught in complex investigations over incidents during recreational use. While the existing legal framework largely protected landowners who weren't involved in operating the activity, the anxiety led some to restrict access to their properties. The government's proposed reforms aim to rebuild confidence and encourage landowners to reopen their land for recreational use by providing clearer legal boundaries.In Summary for Central Otago Landowners:If passed into law as announced, the proposed reforms aim to clarify that if you are not actively managing or controlling a recreational activity on your land, your health and safety liability for participants in that activity is significantly reduced, with the responsibility resting with the activity's operator. These proposed changes are designed to provide greater certainty and encourage the continued availability of New Zealand's beautiful outdoors for recreational purposes.This article provides general information only and the proposed reforms have not yet been passed into law. Every situation is unique, and you should consult with a qualified legal professional for advice tailored to your circumstances.

Thinking about selling your home but not sure if winter is the right time? Don’t rule it out just yet. In Central Otago, winter can actually be one of the best times to list your property, and here’s why.1. Less competition means more eyes on your propertyWinter typically sees fewer homes on the market, which means your listing won’t be lost in the crowd. Serious buyers are still out there and often more motivated.Many are looking to buy quickly so they can move in before spring or summer.2. Central Otago looks magic in winterSnow-capped ranges, bluebird skies, and quiet, scenic vineyards… Central Otago really knows how to show off in the colder months. Let cosy features like fireplaces, double glazing, and quality insulation take centre stage this winter, it's the perfect time to highlight the warmth and comfort your home offers.3. Winter buyers are thinking aheadMany winter buyers want to secure a home now and move later, whether it's to beat the spring rush, get ahead of interest rate changes, or plan around the school year.It's also a key time for investors who are on the lookout before the traditional spring upswing.4. Create a feel-good first impressionIn winter, it's not just about what a home looks like. It’s how it feels.Warm lighting, heating, and thoughtful staging can make your home feel like a welcoming retreat. Buyers will imagine themselves relaxing by the fire or coming home to comfort on a frosty day.“Recently, on a newly renovated older home in Alexandra, we had professional staging done as the home was empty, creating a cosy, welcoming feel that suits the season; the results were outstanding, our owner was delighted, and the sale price was $25,000 above expectations on a tough market.”5. Show off year-round valueHighlight how your home performs no matter the season.Talk about efficient heating, sun-soaked living spaces, and frost-smart landscaping. Features like reduced condensation, well-placed insulation, and sunny winter mornings are a real bonus.6. Sell the Central Otago lifestyleThis region isn’t just about property, it’s about lifestyle.Think nearby ski fields, wine trails, snow-dusted walks, and winter festivals like the Clyde Wine & Food Harvest or the Alexandra Blossom Festival (just around the corner).Many buyers are searching for a holiday base or a lifestyle change, and winter is when they start dreaming.7. Digital-first buyers are active nowShorter days and cooler weather mean more time spent browsing online.Make your listing stand out with strong, engaging visuals.For example, we use our new Digital Reach Campaign (already performing better than online platforms) for:Quality professional photographyA walk-through video or virtual tourA description that sells the lifestyle, not just the specs. Help buyers see the full pictureHelp buyers see the full picture.Yes, it’s winter, but many are already picturing spring.Talk up the garden, fruit trees, sunny outdoor spots, and summer potential. If there’s land or lifestyle appeal, show how it works year-round.Ready to sell this winter?If you're considering selling in Central Otago, now could be the perfect time. A well-presented home with strong digital marketing and messaging can stand out even more in winter – and I’d be happy to help you make the most of it.Let’s chat and get your home in front of the right buyers, right now.

This weekly feature showcases the newest listings from Tall Poppy Real Estate, offering you a first look at the latest homes on the market and updated every Thursday.Refurbished Family Home in Alexandra24 Boundary Road, AlexandraWelcome to this tidy, fully refurbished brick home located at 24 Boundary Road, Alexandra. Set on a corner section, the property combines modern conveniences with the character of a solid 1976 build. With three generously sized bedrooms, it is the perfect home for first-time buyers, families, or investors looking to expand their portfolio. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Peter Hishon and Dee Labes.Rare Bannockburn OpportunityLot 4, Hall Road, Bannockburn, CromwellPositioned in one of Central Otago’s most coveted locations, this 1,500sqm (approx.) section offers a rare opportunity to secure a slice of Bannockburn’s prized landscape. Elevated and expansive, the site boasts some of the most breathtaking views in the area - panoramas that stretch across iconic vineyards, rugged hills, and down to the Kawarau River. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Kate Andrew.Prime Industrial Location46 Boundary Road, AlexandraA great starting point in any business venture is a prime site with high traffic volumes, boundary road offers the budding entrepreneur with an affordable corner site in an established industrial site on the corner of Success and Boundary Roads.Click here for more information or to contact the agent Peter Hishon and Dee Labes.Absolute Beauty on Ventry!99 Ventry Street, AlexandraThis stunning four-bedroom split-level home has been thoughtfully transformed into a beautiful, modern haven – perfect for families seeking comfort, style, and space in the heart of Alexandra. Elevated to capture sweeping views over the town, the home features open-plan living with a contemporary kitchen, complete with a walk-in pantry. The modernised interior offers a fresh, light-filled atmosphere, ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Perfect Starter or Investment Opportunity!3 McKellar Street, AlexandraLocated conveniently close to schools and sports facilities, this bungalow offers a fantastic opportunity to enter the property market. This home has been in the family for over 40 years and is ready for the next person to add their touch and make some memories. Compact in size but enough room for the family. Good heating with both a woodburner and heat pump, comfort is assured all year round. While some modernisation is needed, it’s perfect for a handyman or those keen to add value. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Large Family Home with Private Garden in Alexandra108A Ventry Street, AlexandraWelcome to 108A Ventry Street, a 250m2 residence located in the heart of Alexandra. This beautifully refurbished two-storey home combines modern convenience with comfort, making it an ideal option for families seeking space and accessibility to the community. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, this property caters to all your needs, ensuring both privacy and togetherness. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Peter Hishon and Dee Labes.Want to see more? click here to view all of Tall Poppy’s current listings.

The Cromwell speedway is facing an uncertain future after being told, for the third time, that Central Otago District Council will not reconsider a major lease increase - a decision that club leaders say could force them to shut down.Central Motor Speedway club president Claire Arkell confirmed the club was advised on Thursday (July 31) that its latest request to review the lease terms had been denied.“We now have to look at the financial viability of the club,” she said. “It would be a shame for the club to cease operations because we forfeit on the rent.”At Wednesday’s full council meeting, past president, committee member and life member Andy Erskine made a heartfelt plea during the public forum, outlining how the club had recorded significant financial losses and could no longer absorb escalating costs.“We’re definitely going backwards and we just don’t know if we can sustain that,” he said.The club has leased its land on the outskirts of Cromwell for years, but Andy said the terms had changed significantly and the club was seeking clarity around what he described as substantial increases.He said in pre-Covid years the speedway may have been viewed as a commercial operator - in part because it was actively saving with a view to purchasing the land, so its books looked good.But, he said, “that dream of owning the land became non-existent”, and the club’s financial picture had changed dramatically.During the forum, Claire told councillors the speedway had experienced a nearly 22 percent drop in revenue over the past two years, while cash expenditure had increased by 300 percent.“We’ve been putting money back into the club and facilities,” she said. With a $48,000 rent increase on the table and looming costs to replace fencing and potentially the track surface, the club’s future was hanging in the balance.“We also know the benefits that the speedway brings to the community, and it will be a shame if we have to shut up shop because we’ve been priced out of the land,” she said.After the meeting, Claire provided further detail to The Central App, saying the club’s rent had previously been $20,000 per year - but with an $18,000 rebate from the community board, it effectively paid $2,000 annually.That rebate has since been removed and the rent increased to $50,000 - a total change of $48,000 for the club.“Our club made a significant loss - over $80,000 - last financial year, and a further $20,000 the year before,” she said. “With the anticipated increase in water rates too, we are facing a significant increase in council expenses alone.”Claire said this was the third time the club had asked the council to reconsider the lease. “We feel the council are not listening.“I’m beginning to think they actually don’t want us here at all.”She emphasised the economic contribution of the speedway, saying drivers, crew and spectators stay in local accommodation, buy food and fuel, and support Cromwell businesses.“We know of other clubs that pay $1 per year. While they are smaller than ours, we provide a lot more monetary return and other intangible returns to the community than they do,” she said.“We just feel that we have been shafted a bit.”Central Otago District Council was approached for comment but said staff were not in a position to do so at this time.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

A temporary ultraviolet (UV) water treatment unit from Selwyn District will be installed at the Ranfurly water treatment plant, following a decision by Central Otago District Council (CODC) on Wednesday (July 30).The move aims to shorten the duration of the current boil water notice affecting Ranfurly residents, while the full upgrade of the Ranfurly and Patearoa water supplies is completed by December.The stop-gap measure, costing an estimated $200,000, includes transporting and installing the temporary protozoa barrier and continuing the supply of tankered drinking water during the transition.CODC mayor Tamah Alley said the decision to install the temporary UV unit factored in more than just cost.“I’m factoring in visitor image,” she said during the meeting, adding that relying on select taps - whether from a tanker or a point-of-use filter - was not an acceptable look for the township and appeared “third world in the Maniototo”.Council staff had explored point-of-use treatment options, including for the Maniototo Hospital and various food outlets, but these alternatives raised concerns around practicality and public access. Two tankers had already been positioned at Ranfurly’s schools, but issues arose with members of the public entering school grounds to fill containers.Water services manager Julie Muir said the Selwyn-supplied UV unit offered the most significant improvement for the community in the interim.“You get a big lift in the level of service…having that temporary barrier,” she told the meeting.In her report to councillors, Julie said the interim solution would allow the boil water advisory to be lifted several months earlier than otherwise possible.“The container will be available after 5 August, and could be decommissioned on the existing site, transported, installed and commissioned by early September,” she said.“This would enable the boil water advisory on Ranfurly to be lifted three to four months earlier (than planned).” Ranfurly and Patearoa’s water treatment systems, built in the 1980s, currently do not meet modern standards for protozoa - or, at times, bacterial compliance - particularly after rain events that increase turbidity.A long-term boil water notice was implemented in mid-July after the council was advised by water regulator Taumata Arowai that a boil notice was the only acceptable mitigation until UV treatment was in place.The installation will be funded through a mix of operational and capital budgets already allocated for the $4.2 million upgrade project.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

In recent months, a feathered visitor made itself right at home in Bannockburn - dropping in for apples, popping by the clothesline, and leaving a lasting impression on one local resident.The surprise guest? A South Island kākā, the large, noisy, and vulnerable native parrot known for its cheeky personality and powerful beak.Bannockburn resident Sian Fiebig said the bird spent weeks hanging around her backyard, becoming a regular part of her day.“It would fly around to the clothesline when I'd take clothes out to hang up and make some noises like it was wanting some company,” she said.With a well-planted garden full of fruit trees, Sian suspected her backyard was a kākā haven.“I have got a very well planted yard, so there's lots of cover - trees and bushes and so on. But, it's been seen in Cromwell itself as well...So it's obviously going around looking for fruit trees,” she said.Sian said the parrot seemed to roost overnight in a bush on the property and emerge each morning ready to feast.“They’re quite cheeky, curious creatures. So it doesn’t fly away...it was here for weeks and weeks and weeks.”A keen artist, Sian took photos of the bird and even painted a portrait of it. South Island kākā are still considered threatened, so sightings like this are special - and uncommon - in Central Otago.“Cromwell is not particularly close to any of the established populations, so it’s even more impressive to see them visit here,” Taylor Davies-Colley from Dunedin’s Orokonui Ecosanctuary said.While it's hard to say exactly where the bird came from, Taylor suspected it might have travelled from the head valleys of Wānaka or Whakatipu in search of food.“Historically this could have been kākā habitat, but what’s there now isn’t the type of habitat we would typically expect to see them in.”Department of Conservation ranger James Speirs said sightings in the Cromwell area had been reported in the past year. There’s no indication of a resident population, so it was likely the kākā was passing through, he said.“This is most likely due to an increase in population in their home range as a result of increased predator control by community groups working in conjunction with DOC.”He suspected the kākā would return to Cromwell, when their food source did.Locals keen to see more kākā in the future could help by planting native trees, and supporting predator control work, he said.Taylor agreed “trapping stoats, rats and feral cats” was the best way to help kākā thrive.“Likewise, being a responsible pet guardian can be important too, as even pet cats can impact native biodiversity.”And while it might be tempting to offer snacks, both experts warned against feeding kākā.“Feeding can encourage negative behaviours like kākā picking at houses with their sharp beaks,” Taylor said. “They’re very capable of finding and extracting food for themselves as long as we provide them with the forest they need.”Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Councillors have signed off on a strategy to guide the future development and use of Cromwell’s endowment land, but not without raising concerns about the lack of concrete information on what the land is worth.At Wednesday’s Central Otago District Council meeting (July 30), Cromwell councillor Nigel McKinley said it was difficult to make governance decisions without “some sort of context” about the value of the land in question.“We just need that basic information so we know the size of what we’re talking about,” he said. He argued the strategy, while welcomed in principle, needed to be accompanied by a clear, itemised list of the land parcels and their projected value, particularly land earmarked for development.Those two documents - the strategy and then the context of what the endowment land is and its potential worth - were needed together, he said, to provide “a better understanding”.Council chief executive Peter Kelly said key documents shared with councillors approximately 18 months ago included endowment land itemised with its then-current QV values. However, he acknowledged those figures may now be out of date.Council property and facilities manager Garreth Robinson said the strategy was intended as a high-level tool.But Nigel’s comments found support from councillor Tracy Paterson, who recalled public calls for more information during district-wide funding discussions last year.“There was a really big figure brought up at the Cromwell meeting, about the potential value,” she said.She noted councillors still appeared to be seeking clarification on that figure.Deputy mayor Neil Gillespie, who chaired the discussion, reminded councillors that “dollars are not a strategy”, and it was the strategy itself that would drive outcomes.“(Dollars) are an outcome,” he said.Ultimately, councillors agreed to add an appendix to the strategy that includes the type of land information Nigel requested.The Cromwell Endowment Land Investment Strategy had already been endorsed by the Cromwell Community Board and was initially focused on industrial land adjacent to Bannockburn Rd.It is broad enough, however, to be applied to other endowment land parcels over time.The report presented to councillors by council service delivery group manager Saskia Righarts described the strategy as a tool to “enable a framework for decision making” and to “ensure transparency with the community on the approach to developing land”.Although there are no immediate financial implications from adopting the strategy, the report acknowledged that land sales play an important role in balancing the 2025-34 Long-term Plan.Saskia said the strategy would be reviewed more frequently than most council strategies - first after one year, then every three years to align with local body elections.This would ensure the document was placed in front of “fresh eyes” as new councils are elected, she said.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Thousands of Australian visitors flocked to New Zealand over summer and autumn, including Central Otago, thanks to a successful Tourism New Zealand campaign.The ‘Everyone Must Go’ campaign encouraged Australians to pick New Zealand for their next holiday over summer, and the results exceeded predictions nationally, with almost 8,000 visitors compared to the predicted 6,750.Tourism and hospitality minister Louise Upston said the campaign had been a winner, a sentiment backed by Tourism Central Otago head of destination Antz Longman.“Operators reported a strong summer and autumn season from Australia, which is positive and helped ensure that our trails, wineries, accommodation, and experiences were kept busy through until the winter season,” he said.“It’s important that we build out our shoulder seasons and leverage activity from Tourism New Zealand and work with our neighbours to keep them front of mind.”Louise said a key part of the campaign’s success were the deals the tourism industry came to the party with. “This team approach showed we can deliver great results for the sector when government and industry are joined up and working towards the same goals.”More than 800 deals from 450 operators across accommodation, transport and experiences were available during the campaign.The initial $500,000 campaign spend delivered a solid return on investment, leading to an additional $300,000 to give the campaign a further boost.Antz said it was great to see increased activity in the market from Tourism New Zealand as that added to the activity and promotional work by operators across the country. “Australia is our key international market and now with two international airports (Dunedin and Queenstown), it is a key driver of visitation to both Central Otago and the wider lower South.”Last week TCO was in-market in Australia alongside its Southern Way Regional Tourism Operation (RTO) partners and the Southern Airports Alliance, highlighting the new Gold Coast to Dunedin route. Antz said they were able to showcase how visitors can fly in one airport and out another to drive longer stays and regional dispersal. “This activity was part of our MBIE-funded campaign activity to drive seasonal visitation.”The group presented updates to key travel agents helping increase their understanding of how to sell multi-day itineraries across the South to consumers, and how easy it was to connect from the Gold Coast to Dunedin, and on to the wider regions. “Industry collaboration and alliances are one of the building blocks of the Central Otago Destination Management Plan, and it’s great to be working with our neighbours and supported by MBIE to drive increased awareness of our offerings, which in time helps to drive continued visitation,” Antz said. *Specific data in terms of International Regional Visitor numbers is limited as there are delays in release of data. Queenstown Airport experienced almost 60,000 Australian arrivals through March, April, and May, which was an increase of 14 percent on the same period last year, outpacing the New Zealand average of seven percent.” Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Increased numbers of people enrolled in Central Otago District Council’s (CODC) swim school are helping prop up the rising costs of heating the Alexandra Pool.A discussion was held at the Vincent Community Board yesterday (Tuesday July 29) about the challenges of heating the outdoor pool over summer because of the aging heating exchange system.The financial report for the end of year June 2024/25 showed an increase in expenditure of $86,000 for pool operations - jumping from the budgeted $154,000 to $240,000.CODC community experience group manager David Scoones told the meeting the high cost of heating the outdoor pool over summer contributed to the rise in fuel expenses, and the heat exchange system also was at the end of its life.“That system won’t be in play for the next two years, so we won’t be heating the pool for the next two years,” he said.A new system had been budgeted for in the Long Term Plan for 2027.“It’s only the outdoor pool while they were connected but we have disconnected that and we’ll still have that open over summer without any heating,” he said.Numbers over summer showed about 3,000 users of the outdoor pool, compared to 60,000 annual users of the entire facility.David highlighted the success of the Alexandra swim school in recent years which now had 2,500 people enrolled - almost ten percent of the total population.As a result, more swim teachers had to be employed to keep up with demand, he said.“People are learning to swim and kudos to the team for putting in a good programme.”Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Roxburgh may face losing its medical centre, after it was announced today (Tuesday July 29) a significant proportion of the Teviot Valley’s rural health funding will be withdrawn from January 2026.The funding reduction would leave the viability of the centre at risk, its owners say.WellSouth Primary Health Organisation (PHO) CEO Andrew Swanson-Dobbs told the practice the PHO had been erroneously paying over $130k per annum of rural funding to the Roxburgh Medical Centre since 2015, HealthCentral general manager Jenaya Smith and clinical director Kate Dixon said in a joint statement.“Andrew advised a component of this funding was only ever intended to be paid for one to two years, and that its continuation since that time has been done in error,” they said.“We were completely blindsided by this announcement.” The staff said HealthCentral management had no prior knowledge that a portion of the Rural Funding was considered ‘transitional’ or at risk of being withdrawn. “It was not separately itemised in our contracts, correspondence, or remittances.” The small rural practice, which has been owned by HealthCentral since 2022, says it will be forced to review its level of service as well as patient surcharges as a result of the error.HealthCentral said they “chose to step in to protect vital health services” for the Teviot Valley in December 2022, “during a time of crisis when the practice had been unable to recruit or retain GPs”.They said the implications of an unanticipated $130k reduction in funding “are extremely serious for a small rural practice such as Roxburgh”.“It is unacceptable that the Roxburgh community now faces the possibility of either losing their local health service or incurring significantly increased consultation co-payments due to Wellsouth PHO’s financial mismanagement.”WellSouth CEO Andrew Swanson-Dobbs: The funding was continued in error for eight or so years. Photo: Supplied WellSouth chief financial officer Mistelle Jack told the Central App she recognised the impact of the drop in funding for HealthCentral.  “When we reviewed the rural contract, it was identified that this historic arrangement should no longer have been in place,” she said. “Recognising the impact of this, we got in touch with HealthCentral to explain the situation, at the same time lobbying with Health NZ about funding. As a result, we have managed to secure some interim funding for HealthCentral.”Temporary support from Health NZ to defer the impact means the funding cut is now scheduled to take effect from January 2026 rather than July 2025.While HealthCentral claimed there would be an 85 percent decrease in funding, Mistelle said it would actually be “a 54 percent decrease on the prior year”.HealthCentral said it has lobbied unsuccessfully for years for an update to the way the Rural Funding model is distributed.“It is completely inequitable, out of date and not fit for purpose. For years we have raised concerns with Wellsouth PHO regarding how this funding is allocated to practices and we arecontinually told there is nothing they can do.”HealthCentral also said its Alexandra based practice received no increase in rural funding from Wellsouth for the 2025/26 year, despite the practice expanding its opening hours and assuming responsibility for providing after-hours and public holiday care on behalf of other practices across the region, as well as visitors.“Unfortunately this situation is no longer sustainable and will force us to review the surcharges for patients seen at HealthCentral who are enrolled at other practices and review the level of service we are currently providing,” HealthCentral said. “With no increase in Rural Funding, we cannot be expected to just absorb the significantly higher cost and responsibility of rostering staff on weekends and public holidays”.Mistelle said WellSouth agreed that rural funding models are out of date, and it commissioned an independent rural review in 2024 and submitted this to Health NZ on behalf of Southern practices including HealthCentral. “Funding has not kept up with the cost of living and the increased population ‘rural practices’ support. WellSouth has seen an increase of over 30,000 additional patients enrolled in rural Southern practices and the same funding pool has subsequently been stretched thinner and thinner across these practices.”She said the ‘transition’ money for Roxburgh Medical Centra has been returned to the total funding pool for all rural practices.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Central Otago District Council (CODC) will hold its next full meeting in Roxburgh on Wednesday (July 30) - the first time in years such a gathering has taken place in the Teviot Valley town.According to mayor Tamah Alley, it was “the first time in a long time” a district mayor and councillors had made the journey for a full meeting and there were some “big topics” to discuss.“We’ve got some people coming for the public forum, and we’ve got some big topics on the agenda, including a temporary potential solution for Ranfurly and Patearoa’s water woes, an update on the Cromwell Memorial Hall build and how that’s coming along, and also a talk about the welcoming communities work,” the mayor said in her weekly round up of council work.Teviot Valley ward councillor Sally Feinerman welcomed the move, confirming it was the first time in her term on council the full council was coming to her patch.For her, it was “really important” the council made the effort to connect in-person with all corners of the district, despite advances in technology that allowed for remote connectivity.She’d heard from several residents who planned to attend because the meeting was close to home - people who might not otherwise travel to Alexandra for a council meeting.“I think it’s great that we’re trying to get around our different wards and give people the chance to sit in on our meetings,” she said.“Even if they don’t want to speak (in the public forum), just actually getting the chance to sit in on a meeting and grasp how it is run - I think that’s really valuable for the community.”Sally said the move to hold meetings around the district had been driven by councillors and made a priority by the mayor since she took office.The full council met in Cromwell in December and in Ranfurly in March.This week’s meeting begins at 10.30am on Wednesday, July 30, at the Roxburgh Service Centre.It will also be livestreamed, with a link available on the council’s website.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

More than 40 outdoor curlers spent last Friday (July 25) on the Centennial Ponds competing for the traditional Idaburn Trophy - after a series of hard frosts across the district.It’s not often the conditions for outdoor curling are ideal to play on natural ice, but the Naseby ponds offered a pleasant surprise this season.“We play on natural ice if possible but in recent years it’s been an absolute rarity,” Idaburn Curling Council secretary Al McKnight said.The trophy is an important fixture on the outdoor curling calendar each year, and each of the two curling councils - representing half of the clubs in the country - had a total of 20 players involved.Several players from each club were nominated to play matches over the day, and ice master Jock Scott spent hours every night leading up to the event, lining the Centennial ponds with more water for it to freeze so it was thick enough to play on.Al said the Idaburn Trophy was an NZ Curling Association trophy and, other than the bonspiel, it was the only way members from the two councils were able to play together.There hasn’t been a bonspiel played in Central Otago since 2015 - when all of the clubs from around the country are given 36 hours to get to the ice.Meanwhile, the Idaburn Trophy was won in a close fought encounter by the Naseby Curling Council on Friday, on a count back of 11 points after the two teams drew five wins each.Al said Idaburn “had a good run lately” of winning the trophy in recent years, and this time it was Naseby’s turn for the win.He said it was highly unlikely there would be any further outdoor curling competitions played this season - on his farm on Monday afternoon he said the temperature was a balmy 17 degC.“It’s pretty much gone for this year."Meanwhile, skaters were still using the Manorburn dam over the weekend, with many videos posted on social media of people out enjoying the winter conditions.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

Federated Farmers has painted a positive picture of the industry on the back of its latest six-monthly Farm Confidence Survey, but some are cautious about the role councils will play.Central Otago farmer Gary Kelliher said while there were positive signs in the industry, he wasn’t sure if councils would abide by the government’s demands for less red tape.“There’s so much for them to back down on and become more enabling and it’s very apparent they don’t want to,” he said.  “So I’m in a ‘believe it when I see it’ stance at the moment.”Lower interest rates, strong dairy and meat prices, and government cuts to red tape have delivered a big lift in farmer confidence, according to the Federated Farmers’ latest six-monthly Farm Confidence Survey, compared to 12 months ago."Farming families have been through some really tough years recently and that’s weighed heavily on our rural communities," Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford said."For the last few seasons, we’ve been farming with sky-high interest rates, rising on-farm costs, fluctuating incomes, and a web of red tape that felt near impossible to navigate."It’s great to see our July survey showing many farmers are feeling a whole lot more positive, thanks to better returns, lower interest rates, and easing inflation."We’ve also seen a government that’s been willing to work with farmers and scrap some of the most unworkable, impractical rules that were killing the rural economy."Federated Farmers came up with 12 key policy changes for the next government to implement in its’ Roadmap for restoring farmer confidence’. The group said it had been “absolutely relentless” in pursuing the changes it knew would make the biggest difference behind the farm gate."That list included fixing unworkable freshwater rules, getting RMA reform right, urgently reviewing our methane reduction targets, and rethinking the rules for carbon forestry."The government has really listened to farmers, got stuck in making some much-needed changes, and they’ve essentially ticked 11 of those 12 policy priorities off the list."The Farm Confidence Survey found farmer perceptions of current economic conditions have risen to their highest level in almost a decade.A net 33 percent of respondents believe conditions are currently good, a dramatic turnaround from the record low of -66 percent just a year ago, and up from two percent in January this year.Meanwhile, current farm profitability has reached its highest level ever recorded in the survey, with a net 65 percent of farmers feeling confident about profitability - up 12 points since January.The survey found that while confidence in current conditions was high, the forward-looking indicators have started to soften.Despite global uncertainty, farmers remain focused on strengthening their financial footing, with 43 percent planning to reduce debt in the next 12 months, almost double from a year ago."Farmers are using the breathing room from lower interest rates and improved profitability to pay down debt and build resilience. That’s smart business," Wayne Langford said.The survey also found hiring challenges have eased slightly, with a net 14 percent of farmers reporting difficulty recruiting staff in the past six months - the most favourable result since 2012."Immigration settings have improved and that’s helping farmers get the skilled and motivated people we need," Wayne said.The results show rural mental health has been continuously improving too, moving from a net 52 percent negative in January 2023, to net 26 percent positive in July 2025.When asked about their biggest concerns, regulation and compliance costs remained the number one concern, followed by climate change policy and the Emissions Trading Scheme in second, and local government and rates in third.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]