New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is urging residents to "nail the basics" in the kitchen in the coming weeks, warning that food poisoning cases typically spike during the summer holiday period.As Central Otago residents head outdoors for barbecues, camping trips, and holiday feasts, NZFS deputy-director general Vincent Arbuckle has provided some tips to help keep illness off the holidaymenu."No one wants to spend their holiday sick or knowing that they have made others ill from food," Vincent said."Fortunately, keeping safe is easy. Nail the basics, and you will be set up to enjoy your events confident that your food is safe for everyone."One of the primary warnings this season addresses a common kitchen habit: washing raw chicken.According to NZFS, washing poultry does not make it safer. Instead, it spreads harmful bacteria around the kitchen through splashing water, increasing the risk of cross-contamination on surfaces andother foods.The advice is to pat chicken dry with a paper towel - disposing of the towel immediately - and to ensure hands and surfaces are washed thoroughly with hot soapy water after handling raw meat.For those firing up the barbecue, the critical threshold for cooked meat is 75°C."If you don’t have a thermometer, turn chicken, pork, and sausages often so they cook evenly, and juices run clear," Vincent said.Residents are advised to use separate utensils and plates for raw and cooked meats to avoid cross-contamination.With large Christmas meals often resulting in days of leftovers, strict rules apply to reheating and storage.The "two-hour rule" is paramount: get leftovers into the fridge within two hours of cooking. In Central Otago's summer heat, leaving food out longer significantly increases bacterial growth.Some specific advice has been issued for high-risk foods:Uncooked rice can contain bacterial spores that survive cooking. If left at room temperature, these spores can produce toxins that are not destroyed by reheating. Refrigerate rice dishes within twohours and eat within two days.A leftover whole ham stored in a ham bag will last up to seven days in the fridge.Salads containing raw leafy greens should be eaten immediately or thrown out; they can carry bacteria that grow even in the fridge."When in doubt, chuck them out," Vincent said.For those travelling to cribs or campgrounds, NZFS advises using chilly bins with ice packs for transporting food.

Close to 80 people gathered at Lowburn Hall last week for a community Christmas celebration that has brought neighbours together for decades. The hall, which is community-owned and sits on the edge of the Lowburn Inlet, hosted residents from across the valley for a shared potluck dinner. The volunteer committee that runs the hall also provided a Christmas ham. Long-time residents Laurie and Anne McAuley said the event was already well established when they arrived in the valley in 1990. “There are far more people now; it’s just so lovely to see all the community coming together,” Anne said. She said it was particularly special to see young families and new faces at the annual gathering, as that helped shore up the future of the event. “It’s a brilliant little community,” she said. Boys versus girls and parents versus kids as the annual tug of war contests continue for another year. Images: The Central App Santa makes an appearance for a lolly scramble at Lowburn. Image: The Central App “It’s nice to see new people and it’s lovely because that means it’s going to continue,” she said. Her husband Laurie said the Lowburn celebration stood out because it brought whole families together at a busy time of year. He said while parents often attend work functions in the lead-up to Christmas, the Lowburn gathering was one where children and adults shared the occasion. Lowburn farmer and hall committee chair Jack Davis said the Christmas party dated back to before the dam was built. He recalled a campground near the old Lowburn Bridge where early celebrations were held before the area was flooded. A long-running feature of the event is the tug of war, with a rope supplied again this year for a series of friendly battles. The competition saw boys take on girls before families joined in, with parents narrowly winning the final round against the children. A Christmas tree cut from a nearby property was decorated with tinsel and lights, and Santa made an appearance to hand presents out to the children. The afternoon also included a lolly scramble and sack races. 

Snoopy’s Christmas.Former Central Otago Deputy Mayor and staunch Cromwellian Neil Gillespie has always loved Snoopy’s Christmas, “because it is the epitome of Christmas,” and he knows it winds some people up, but he enjoys the message the song brings.“Love is not the right word to describe what I think about this song, but I ‘get it.’ It’s the story of Christmas and humanity.”Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning) - Alan Jackson.An important song in reflection of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York.  “It’s a really powerful song to me, and follows along the same theme of humanity,” he said.Neil and I were talking about the important message in this song just a day after the terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Australia.Goodbye Earl - The Dixie Chicks (now just The Chicks).A big fan of country music, Neil has seen The Dixie Chicks perform live - they have since dropped the middle part out of their name - changing to just The Chicks in June 2020 to distance themselves from the word ‘Dixie,’ which carries connotations of the Confederate South, slavery, and segregation, especially in the context of growing racial justice movements like Black Lives Matter. “The song is about a bad bastard and they dealt to him,” Neil said. Nuff said. Have a listen for yourself.

Christmas is a time of gathering, and the annual community Christmas Day barbecue in Alexandra creates space for people to celebrate together.Held every year at St Enoch’s Church by the Alexandra Clyde Lauder Union Parish, there are already 80 people registered for the Christmas Day lunch, but there is always room for more.Reverend Andrew Howley said everyone was welcome, but by registering online at www.alexchurch.org.nz/Christmasday ensures the volunteers will be well prepared. “We encourage everyone to register because we don’t want people to miss out.”One Christmas Eve the team had to make a mad dash to the supermarket at the last minute, to buy more chicken for the barbecue kebabs, after a last minute influx of 20 people joined.On the menu this year will be chicken and beef burgers, ham, sausages and salads, as well as pavlova and cheesecake.The food is all supplied by the Alexandra Rotary and cooked on the barbecue by the Alexandra Lions.Andrew said a number of families with children will be joining this year, along with older couples and widowers on their own, as well as single parents who were doing it tough after relationship breakups.“And a lot of these people volunteer and help out too. It’s all about people, food and fellowship.”

There is a pretty good chance it will rain on Christmas Day in Central Otago, but if we’re lucky the temperature might still reach 18 degC.MetService meteorologist Alec Holden said there will be rolling showers on and off over the course of the day, “but if you are brave you could still get out and have a barbecue.”He said New Zealand in general has been experiencing a lot of westerly winds in recent weeks, more typical of spring weather than summer.“A lot of that is from the South West, bringing with it more colder air masses.”There hasn't been a lot of activity on Lake Dunstan, and those that have braved the water for a swim say the temperature is still pretty cool.“I don’t like your chances of your lakes heating up in the next week,” Alex said.The westerly flow is likely to be sticking around for a while yet, and at least into the weekend across Otago, and MetService said it was not going to be particularly warm anywhere.“It’s definitely not what you would expect Xmas time to be like in Central Otago. It’s very unseasonable.”Looking further into the early New Year, Alec said it was still too early to say how the weather will be for those heading away camping and boating.The weather is similar to 2024 where there was a real mixture of warm and wet days over the Christmas/New Year period.For the latest weather reports on Central Otago towns, check out our weather page.

A Cromwell cherry orchard will open its rows to the public on Christmas Eve, continuing a seasonal tradition that has become a fixture for many Central Otago families. The pick-your-own event will run from early afternoon until early evening at The Mathsone on Pearson Road, offering a low-key alternative to last-minute Christmas shopping. Orchardist Sam Matheson, who runs the property with her partner Linden Breakstone, said the decision to open the orchard was driven by a desire to see the fruit enjoyed by consumers closer tohome.“We’ve decided not to do export...and just look after the locals,” Sam said. The Christmas Eve opening has been running for several years, but this season has seen increased interest, leaving Sam with her fingers crossed her parking plan will suffice.“People will reach out in July and August asking if we’re doing cherries for Christmas,” she said. Sam said cherries held strong associations with childhood and family gatherings in Central Otago, even for people who no longer lived there.“It's like a childhood thing. They always remember going and picking cherries or eating cherries at Christmas time." A new generation of cherry pickers is now making those memories, with many families locking the visit into their Christmas calendar alongside other seasonal rituals. “We try to make it really family friendly,” Sam said. Cherries and Christmas go together in Central Otago, Sam say. Image: SuppliedShe recalled one family of returning customers who have made the trip from Queenstown in recent years. “All of them come in white shirts,” she said.By the end of the visit, she said, the shirts are usually covered in cherry juice. “Hopefully they’ll be coming this year,” she said.On Christmas Day itself things would be quieter for Sam’s household, with the orchard closed. “On Christmas Day we plan to just relax and actually enjoy eating the cherries,” she said.

Anglers fishing Lake Dunstan this summer may notice rangers asking a few extra questions, as Otago Fish & Game launches a new survey to monitor the long term health of the popular local fishery.The lake has been added to Otago Fish & Game’s fisheries monitoring programme, with staff and volunteer rangers beginning creel surveys during the peak summer season.Creel surveys involve interviewing anglers on the water and around the lake shore to gather information on fishing activity, catch rates and overall experiences.Fish & Game officer Cole Briggs said the Lake Dunstan survey marked an expansion of monitoring work already underway on other Central Otago lakes.“The Lake Dunstan creel survey has been a great opportunity to get out on the lake and meet local licence holders who regularly fish there,” Cole said.“We expect to meet many more anglers on this popular lake over the summer holidays.“The data we collect will help us manage the fishery for our licence holders to enjoy for years to come.”Similar surveys have been carried out on Lakes Hāwea and Wānaka over the past six years, with three years of monitoring completed on each lake.During the surveys, Fish & Game staff and rangers collect data on hours fished, fishing methods, species targeted, numbers of fish caught and anglers’ overall satisfaction, which is used to assess the condition of the fishery.Each month includes four survey days, split between weekends and weekdays, with randomly selected launch times to ensure the data reflects a wide range of fishing activity.Early survey efforts on Lake Dunstan have coincided with challenging weather conditions.“We’ve had wild weather throughout spring and early summer,” Cole said.“Strong winds and high flows have deposited logs and sediment into the lower sections of the lake, creating less than ideal fishing conditions at times.“However, when conditions have settled, anglers have enjoyed the good fishing opportunities Lake Dunstan provides.”Alongside the surveys, Fish & Game rangers will also be out in greater numbers over the holiday period carrying out licence checks and offering advice to anglers.“Be prepared to present your fishing licence when you meet a ranger,” Cole said.“You’re required to always carry a valid licence when fishing.”Fish & Game said anglers who have not yet received a physical licence can present a screenshot of their licence on their phone, along with a secondary form of identification.Otago Fish & Game manages and monitors waterways and wetlands across the region, including both native and introduced species, to support healthy and sustainable fisheries.

Cultural narratives are taking shape at Cromwell’s new lakeside community facility, with mana whenua design elements now visible following the removal of scaffolding from the building on the banks of the Kawarau River.A prominent angled pole beside the main entrance has drawn attention, representing Tūwhakarōria, the giant kō or digging stick of Rākaihautū, a Kāi Tahu–Waitaha tipuna, chief and captain of the ancient Uruao waka, credited with shaping Te Waipounamu.According to tradition, Rākaihautū used his kō to carve out the inland lakes and rivers of the South Island, with the displaced earth forming the surrounding mountain ranges.The lakes were foretold as places of abundance, freezing glacial waters, and later, waterways shaped by people, known as he puna karikari.The new hall and events centre sits near rivers feeding into Lake Dunstan, one of those man-made waterways created by the Clyde Dam on the Clutha/Mata-Au.These waterways are poetically referred to as Kā Puna Karikari o Rākaihautū, the springs dug by Rākaihautū’s hand.The kō is a central cultural feature developed from narratives provided by mana whenua and integrated into the building’s design by mana whenua-owned design team Aukaha – Mana Ahurea.At a presentation to the Cromwell Community Board on Tuesday November 25, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, of Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, outlined the values behind the cultural design integration.“When we look inland to the beautiful landscape, the great lakes, the stunning mountain ranges, where the water flows from into those rivers, we are reminded that Central Otago is the cradle of our creation narratives. Those mountains and waters are our ancestors. Our whakapapa connects us to these places,” Ms Tamati-Elliffe said.“In the cultural design integration of the Cromwell facility, we wanted to bring the first people of this whenua to the visual realm. They are the descendants of Te Kāhui Waitaha, the earliest people of this land and descendants of Rākaihautū and many of the names of those descendants are embedded in the landscapes in Central Otago to this day.”Aukaha – Mana Ahurea design lead Aroha Novak said the significance of the narrative required specialist expertise, leading to the involvement of Kāi Tahu artists Fayne Robinson and Andre Te Hira.“For instance, the kō, Tūwhakarōria, pierces through the ceiling of the entrance way to the Events Centre and will be a beacon of light – literally. It will be illuminated at the centre as a wayfinding signal,” Ms Novak said.“It’s a statement of mana and it has been such a privilege working with mana whenua, Central Otago District Council, Jasmax and SA Studio to embed this important narrative into the design integration of the building.”Cromwell Community Board chair Anna Harrison said the cultural narrative flowed throughout the building and reflected the stories that shaped Cromwell and the wider Central Otago region.“This building design really is so unique to Central Otago and carries such a significant narrative. It will bring so much value to Cromwell and the wider Central Otago region. I hope the community feels really proud of this.”The facility has so far carried the working title Cromwell Memorial Hall and Events Centre, with a formal name yet to be confirmed.Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley said the council’s Open Spaces Naming Policy would guide the process.“Our Open Spaces Naming Policy gives clear guidance for naming in both English and Te Reo Māori. It’s about more than names—it’s about partnership. The policy emphasises engagement with mana whenua, supports Te Reo names, and encourages dual naming so we can honour our cultural heritage while being practical.”"Across New Zealand, we see great examples of this approach—Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Toitū Otago Settlers Museum. These show how names can reflect identity and history while serving the community.""We’ll start this conversation with a workshop on 4 February ahead of the Cromwell Community Board meeting. That will kick off consultation through March, with anticipation an English name recommendation going to Council in April.”To find out more about the project go to: Cromwell Memorial Hall & Events Centre | Let’s Talk Central Otago.or click here 

Matakanui Gold Limited has asked the expert panel assessing its Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project to stick to an expedited 30-working-day decision timeframe, pushing back against suggestions the process could take up to 120 days.The request was made in a memorandum filed on December 12, responding to comments from panel convener Jane Borthwick that the scale and complexity of the approximately 9,400-page application could require a longer assessment period.Through legal counsel, Matakanui Gold said the project fits within the intent of the government’s Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, which was designed to accelerate nationally significant infrastructure and development projects.The company said a shorter decision-making timeframe aligns with amendments currently progressing through parliament and reflects the “robust and comprehensive” nature of its application.Counsel said the project does not raise a level of complexity that would justify extending the decision-making period beyond the maximum timeframe set out by the fast-track legislation, despite the application seeking approximately 10 separate approvals supported by 135 technical reports.Matakanui Gold, a subsidiary of Santana Minerals, said it has been actively engaging with the Central Otago District Council, Otago Regional Council, and iwi to resolve issues early and reduce the number of matters requiring determination by the expert panel.“The thorough and comprehensive substantive application was specifically prepared to facilitate efficient decision-making without compromising quality,” counsel said in the memorandum.The company is seeking a decision at the “shorter end” of the allowable range, which would see the panel reach a conclusion within 30 working days.The proposed timeframe has drawn criticism from community groups, including Sustainable Tarras, which has previously welcomed the suggestion of a longer assessment period. The group has argued the mine could have intergenerational and irreversible impacts and should not be rushed.Sustainable Tarras has also raised concerns about transparency in the fast-track process and cited public comments from Regional Development Minister Shane Jones as evidence of political pressure to advance the project.If approved, the Bendigo-Ophir mine would be one of the largest new gold developments in New Zealand in decades, with projected production of approximately 120,000 ounces of gold a year over a 14-year mine life. A conference has been scheduled for January 15 to discuss the differing expectations around the assessment timeframe, and Matakanui Gold has confirmed it will attend.Read more: Panel signals gold mine decision delay

As the holidays approach, many of us return to families with values that no longer align with our own. Here’s how to spot the legacy culture at play, and shift from silence to 'high accountability' communication.We talk often about “organisational culture,” but less about the culture of the first organisation we ever belong to – our family.Christmas Day can be a high pressure environment. It often reactivates childhood norms that clash with the modern values we now live by. The legacy culture we were raised in may feel increasingly out of step with our present day lives.The legacy of the transactional childhoodFor decades, both businesses and families operated on a transactional model. You were rewarded for staying silent, for performing your role, or for meeting expectations.Harmony was valued over honesty. But in today’s communication landscape, that model is redundant. We’re now shifting toward a more transformational culture – one that values self-awareness, inherent worth, and accountability.The discomfort you feel during the holidays may not be personal. It might just be a Lens Gap – different generations interpreting the same environment through completely different cultural filters. In the workplace, we’d call this a misalignment. In families, we call it Christmas.Tool 1: Strategic disengagement – “Let them”Communications expert Mel Robbins has a powerful framework called the “Let Them” theory. The principle is simple: you cannot control how someone interprets your life. If a relative clings to an outdated version of you, let them. You are not responsible for someone else’s cultural “upskilling.” Your emotional energy is better spent with people who meet you in the present.Tool 2: High accountability communication – “Call it”While we can let people have their opinions, we don’t have to let those opinions pollute the environment. Silence in the face of bias – whether racist, gendered or religious – can act as an unspoken co-signature.One effective technique is the Mirror Question:“What did you say?”“I don’t think I understand the joke – can you explain why that’s funny?”This tactic forces the speaker to hear their own words, stripped of your silence. If it lands awkwardly, that’s theirs to process, not yours to manage.Family audit: legacy or transformational culture?Try this self-check during your next gathering. Are you sitting in a transactional or transformational culture?The Red Flag (Transactional) ----- The Green Flag (Transformational)You edit yourself to keep the peace. ............ You speak openly without fear of retaliation.You are valued for what you do. ............ You are valued for who you are.“That’s how we’ve always done it.” ................ “We’re open to growing together.”“You’re too sensitive.” ................. “Thanks for pointing that out.”Love is conditional on performance .................... Love is constant – it doesn’t need to be earned.If most of your experience falls into the Red Flag column, it’s not just a communication issue, it’s a culture issue. In business, we’d call it a toxic workplace. In a family, we often call it tradition.Three tips for a clearer holiday seasonAudit your boundaries: If the cost of keeping the peace is your integrity, the price is too high.Stop the reward loop: You don’t owe anyone a version of yourself that no longer fits.Be the mirror: Ask reflective questions. Disruption is part of growth.Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a restful holiday period filled with the kind of clarity and connection that feels true to who you are today. May your season be defined by mutual respect, genuine presence, and the courage to be your own best advocate.Disclaimer:This article is shared with the intention of empowering you and providing helpful communication tools for the holidays. However, please remember that these strategies are for general guidance and reflection.Every family dynamic is unique. If you are dealing with deep seated trauma, safety concerns, or relationships that feel overwhelming, please prioritise your own well-being above all else. These tools are meant to support your growth, but they are not a replacement for the personalised care and expertise of a professional therapist or counselor. We encourage you to reach out to a mental health professional if you need a safe space to navigate your specific journey.Support Services Useful Numbers

A long-standing Cromwell initiative is working to provide gifts for individuals and families in the area who may be struggling during the festive season. The Cromwell Secret Santa scheme, now in its 21st year, is a community-led effort that provides anonymous Christmas gifts to people across the town who are experiencing hardship.  Coordinated by two local women and fuelled entirely by donations, the scheme supports babies through to older adults. The initiative began with local hairdresser Bev Quayle, who started collecting gifts after a conversation with a client involved with the local food bank highlighted the lack of toys available for some children at Christmas. Julie Moreton, who joined the project more than 15 years ago and now coordinates the scheme alongside Bev, says confidentiality is central to how it operates. Her role includes gathering recipient names through professional referral agencies such as schools, churches, doctors and social workers, ensuring privacy for those receiving help. In recent years, the scope of the scheme has expanded beyond children. “We do adults now because adults need the Christmas cheer as well. It’s not just about kids,” Julie said. That change has also lifted the standard of donations. “The quality has really stepped up. It’s mainly all new or really good condition,” she said. At the heart of the scheme is anonymous generosity, with neither donors nor recipients knowing each other’s identities. “It doesn’t actually matter what’s in the pack. They don’t actually care. It’s the fact that someone has put their name forward,” Julie said. The scheme relies entirely on community goodwill, with donations coming from individuals, families and even children giving up their own toys. “People are giving to complete strangers,” Julie said. “If it wasn’t for the community, then Secret Santa wouldn’t exist.” This year, five public collection trees have been placed around Cromwell, at ANZ, Paper Plus, Target, On Point Glass Services and NRG Gym. When packing gifts for children, organisers follow a simple formula: something to love, something to play with, something to do, and books.  For adults and families, the team adds shared festive treats such as chocolates and shortbread. Deliveries are made discreetly, often timed so children are not present, helping preserve the surprise on Christmas morning. Over the years, donations have ranged from bicycles and trampolines to an electric guitar.  The memory of gifting that last one stuck with Julie, who recalled the parent saying their son had been receiving guitar lessons, but the family couldn’t afford to buy the guitar.  The Cromwell Lions Club also plays a key role, providing a storage container, so donations can be collected and sorted year-round. For the volunteers behind the scenes, the motivation remains unchanged. “Waking up on Christmas morning knowing that we’ve made a difference.”

Central Otago deputy mayor Tracy Paterson has been re-elected as deputy chair of the Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal Negotiation Committee, as negotiations with the government continue.The committee met in Alexandra on December 12 to review progress on the proposed Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal and to confirm next steps following a series of detailed discussions with Crown officials.At the meeting, Otago Regional Council councillor Gretchen Robertson was also re-elected as chair, with Tracy continuing in the deputy chair role to help guide the next stage of negotiations.In a joint statement released on Friday, the councils represented on the committee said the most recent discussion with Crown officials took place on December 4 and focused on transport priorities, along with funding and financing options. The councils said earlier sessions had examined council proposals around affordable housing, healthcare, electricity supply, and ways to lift regional productivity.Committee chair Gretchen said the regional deal was focused on preparing the area for long-term growth.“This deal is about future-proofing our region. We need solutions that keep pace with growth, protect our environment, and maintain quality of life for residents and visitors alike,” she said.The Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal aims to deliver improved economic, environmental, and social outcomes across the subregion. Key priorities include investment in transport infrastructure to ease congestion and improve resilience, as well as exploring new funding tools to help manage the costs of growth and high visitor numbers, while reducing pressure on local ratepayers.The committee reaffirmed its commitment to confidentiality during negotiations, saying this was necessary to protect the region’s negotiating position and achieve the best possible outcomes for local communities.The Otago Central Lakes Regional Deal is a proposed growth and infrastructure partnership between Queenstown Lakes District Council, Central Otago District Council, Otago Regional Council, and the government. It is based on a 30-year vision supported by a 10-year strategy.Councils expect to hear from the government on next steps early in 2026.

If summer is not your best trading time, then planning your cash flow is especially important for you. Remember – profit IS NOT the same as cash flow!One of the most important lessons business owners have to learn, often painfully, is that having enough cash flowing through your business regularly is critical.Basically, it doesn’t matter how much money is coming in the future if you don’t have enough money to get through day-to-day now:Employees need their wages on time, regardless of when customers pay.Your landlord doesn’t care that you’re talking to investors and will have the money in a couple of months.Suppliers may not be willing to extend credit, restricting your ability to buy materials or products for your customers.More businesses fail for lack of cash flow than for lack of profit.Why is this? There are two main reasons:Business owners are often unrealistic in predicting their cash flow. They can overestimate income and underestimate expenses.Business owners fail to anticipate a cash shortage and run out of money, forcing them to suspend or cease operations, even though they have active customers.For example, many retailers incur large outflows of cash prior to the Christmas season in order to build inventory. This cash outflow does not constitute a loss. However, a business owner must anticipate and plan to have enough cash on hand to pay vendors or make other finance arrangements in advance. Likewise, companies who experience a drop in business over the Christmas period (e.g. shut down or have seasonality lows) need cash reserves to cover reduced income, to ensure staff receive holiday pay, and the business is able to meet obligations to pay provisional tax and GST (due on 15th January 2026). These points especially apply to service based businesses. So what’s the difference between profitability and cash flow?Profit is the difference between income and expenses. Income is calculated at the time the sale is made, rather than when full payment is received. Likewise, expenses are calculated at the time of purchase, rather than when you pay the bill.Cash flow is the difference between incoming versus outgoing cash. So debtor receipts can make a significant difference, to cover expenses which are needed regardless.Cash flow can also include injections of working capital from investors or debt financing. Balance sheet outflows include GST, tax, inventory purchased, new assets etc. These don’t impact profit but do impact cash.Your accountant can help you improve your upcoming cash positionPreparing accurate cash flow projections on a regular basis is one of the most important things a small business can do – alerting you to potential problems before they arise, and enabling a pro-active not a reactive discussion with your bank when extra funds are needed; a pro-active discussion signals good planning and is much more likely to be met with a favourable response.  All business owners could benefit from cash flow planning. The more you work with your numbers the better you will become in managing your cash flow.Be prepared, and take the cash flow stress out of this summer!  Love to Grow can work with you to model your cash flows, profit and balance sheet for the short term or the next 1-3 years so you can improve your cash, peace of mind and business confidence. Sing out if you would like us to help.Sponsored Content: This article has been submitted by a contributing local expert as part of The Central App’s sponsored advisor programme.

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As this will be my last 'mayor in a minute' post for 2025, I want to take a moment to thank everyone across Central Otago for the incredible spirit you’ve shown this year.Whether it’s been through volunteering, showing up for your neighbours, running a local business, or simply doing your bit each day, your contribution matters.The holiday season is a chance to pause and reflect on all that’s happened, and I encourage you to take time to connect with those you love. It’s also a time to recharge, celebrate, and enjoy the placewe’re so fortunate to call home.From the big milestones to the small moments that made us smile, Central Otago continues to show strength, kindness and heart. If you’d like to revisit some of this year’s highlights, I invite you to watch ashort video we’ve put together. It’s a snapshot of my year, and a reminder of how special this region truly is.As we look to 2026, I remain focused on ensuring our district is a safe, inclusive and thriving place for all. I’m proud to represent you, and excited about what’s ahead.Until then, from my whānau to yours, may your Christmas and New Year be filled with good company, good cheer, and a sense of peace. Be safe, be kind, and thank you for being part of what makes Central Otago better, together.📹 Watch: The Year That Was for me in Central Otago 2025

The global population is ageing, and New Zealand is no exception. Almost 20 percent of Kiwis are projected to be 65 or older by 2028, and like many other countries around the world, Aotearoa faces a shortage of healthcare and care workers to look after the elderly.Robots have some distinct advantages, robot designer Rich Walker tells Mihingarangi Forbes, speaking from London - but there's some challenges and hurdles to overcome, and some big ethical considerations.As the technology evolves, do we need to start asking ourselves how far we want it to go?Walker is director of Shadow Robot, a UK company specialising in the design and manufacture of robotic hands. He is also an industry advocate for the ethical use of robotic technology.Walker has played with robotics since being introduced to small robots at a computer camp as a child, where he tried to use them to move chess pieces around."I think if you grew up with science fiction, robots are a kind of natural lure, there's a whole idea that you could build something that could be a companion, an assistant, a helper - a fun character to have in your life," he says. "And then you find engineering, and you discover that it's nothing like that, but it's a lot more interesting in some ways."What robots can and can't easily accomplish are widely misunderstood, because we look at it through our assumptions they will be able to behave like a human body.Rich Walker, with a dexterous hand. Robotic hands are a particularly difficult technology to create. Photo: Charles GervaisIn Japan, robots have been used in aged care facilities for more than a decade. But even so, he says "we're a long way away from the dream of a robot that can wander around your house and do everything."I think what happened in Japan is they said 'let's give this a try, let's get robots into care, let's see what we can do and see how well it works'. And as you might expect the results are mixed. There are some places where actually you can do something quite useful, quite powerful and quite important, and then there are other places where people are just scratching their heads..."Care work needs sensitivity, touch, judgement and gentleness, which are difficult for a robot to match our human capabilities for."If you look at a factory, you see the machinery in there - the robots in there do amazing things, over and over again, exactly the same."But if you've ever tried to wipe someone's mouth, that's never the same twice, that's never the same experience, it's never the same person you're doing that with," Walker says."So that's really the problem for us, is: What are the jobs where a machine can be really useful and help and free people up to do other things? And what are the jobs where honestly you want to feel that you are engaged with a person - you are interacting with a person there?"Some areas of human capability and some tasks are particularly difficult for robots - controlled and measured touch is at the top of the list. For example, robots still cannot use scissors."Partly it's because what we do with our fingers is such an innate part of our brain, we have huge trouble thinking about it."We have this joke in robotics that if you ask a person in robotics how they're holding their pen they'll drop it straight away, because when you think about how you're holding your pen you can't do it anymore because it's completely unconscious."And the problem with that is we said 'oh yeah, it'll be really difficult to get computers to play chess' - well actually it wasn't that difficult, you just needed big computers."But it turns out it's really difficult to get robots to make a chess board, or set up a chess board, or indeed work out where the chess board is in the house and go and get it and come back, because the world is a very complicated and unpredictable place and robots work best in places that are ... simple and well organised - not like my house."Designs to meet real needsWhen parsing out the needs of aged care there have also been some big surprises, Walker says."We have conversations with local councils ... they say things like 'our biggest problem is how do we get someone to your house'. It's not what they do when they're there, it's the travel time to get from one person to another to another."If you have to have three or four care visits a day, and someone has to travel half an hour for each visit, that's quite a lot of the day taken up in that.Things that can make a big difference can sometimes be quite simple, he says.For instance, a washing machine isn't normally thought of as a robot, but it is - and appropriate design can make a big difference when it comes to washing clothes for people living with incontinence. Or televisions or cell phones designed to have only a few buttons and channels are much more accessible for people with dementia."And a lot of this work, it's not about clever-clever technology. It's about saying what can we do to give this person back the independence they are starting to lose."And then, when they have carers come round, how can we make it so the carer can spend the time on the human element, not doing a mechanical task that could be done by something else to actually engage with the person, to give them dignity."Globally, the need is huge, Walker says.Aged care sector in crisis"This is a big challenge, it is a big problem. Almost every country in the world has the same problem, their populations are ageing, their infrastructure could be better. Robot technology will play a big part in that - and particularly ... infrastructure.University of Auckland research tested using a robot called Bomy at two Auckland retirement villages, to help with daily routines. Photo: supplied by University of AucklandThings like: "Self-driving cars, robots that can repair bridges or build roads or repair railways or just inspect railways. These will make a huge difference. And some of these things will free up humans so they can do more human tasks."Even with a belief that this is the direction things are going, the acceleration in commercial manufacturing of some robot appliances has been a surprise, he says."We've been very surprised by how cheap the recent wave of robots coming out of China are - and we'd always said that robots are going to be very expensive, that they'll be something that governments buy and councils buy, and companies buy."But actually it's starting to look like maybe when you manufacture them in very large quantities they don't have to be super super expensive."So I don't know yet how we will end up having a society where people have robots in the homes - I mean we've seen robot vacuum cleaners, and we've seen robot lawn mowers, and there are robots like that, they do exist, so it is possible."Caution warrantedDespite the promise, it's sensible to take a cautious approach on robots, he says."If I tell you I'm putting something that weighs 150 kilos and will move at 7 miles an hour in your living room, you're going to want to know that that's not going to trap you up against a wall and stop, right. Because that would be very very difficult for you and possibly dangerous."So people who are building systems have to go in and say: 'How do we make these systems safe, and how can we make sure that people trust them? - And you can't build trust by saying 'I know better'. You have to build trust by saying 'how can I show you that this is safe and reliable and robust?'One of the most impressive robots already being used in care environments is a small furry seal called Paro, which was designed as a companion for people who could no longer have a pet or handle one.Paro the seal, a robot companion animal"It gets used in care for people with dementia. It's a little thing, it sits on your lap, you stroke it. It's quite warm and it has a couple of little movements it makes and it makes a thing a bit like a purr, and it's very comforting, and it's a robot."No-one's going to feel threatened by it, no-one's going to feel scared by it, and there's not much it can do to go wrong, but it has fantastic value to people's well-being... this is something they can cope with."Walker says any discussions about robotics for use in aged care need to include consideration that companies creating and selling robotics must earn trust - "it's not an automatic".Regulation is necessary, he says."Particularly when we're dealing with people who are vulnerable or in need of additional support or help, that we make sure that what they're getting is right."I'm not a fan of government, but I recognise that in this case you have to start by having legislation, regulation, laws that say these things must be safe, this is how they must be safe, they musn't be deceptive - the robot shouldn't pretend to be something [they aren't]."There's a whole package that needs working out, how we treat these things, because they will come into our lives and we need to make sure that we benefit from them."Is it healthy for the lonely and isolated to develop a relationship with AI and robots? It's a fascinating question, Walker says."I don't think any of us would have guessed how all-encompassing it's possible to be with ChatGPT and with tools like that. There's a long history of that in robotics, in artificial intelligence, where people make things you could chat to that seemed intelligent and people do get sucked in, people do really enjoy it."And I think there's a wider question there - it's like false advertising, we have laws about advertising, you're not allowed to promise things that are not true of your products. Are we being promised things that are not true around the chatbots like ChatGPT? - I'm not sure."But if we are then we should definitely make sure that doesn't happen. Because the last thing you do want is somebody who is sitting at home with a useful system that can help them, but is deceivingthem, is playing mind games with them. Because it can, and it's able to. And if we haven't regulated that, that would be a great shame."Technical challenges and milestonesShadow Robot's Dexterous Robot Hand using a delicate grip to grasp blocks. Photo: Matt LincolnSome of the Robotic hands Walker works with have more than 100 sensors and have reached the milestone of being able to solve a Rubik's Cube using a single hand.The programming behind that is just as crucial as the physical design, and determines how it puts the physical capability to good use, he says. And after the programming there is one more step, training. That teaches the robot which of the things it is capable of are doing are things you want to happen, and details like what order to do something, or in what manner.Robots can be trained using reinforcement learning, Walker says."You do the same as if you're training a pet ... you give it a reward when it does the thing right, and it gradually learns over time what things are right and what things are wrong."Walker is taking part in the UK government's ARIA Robot Dexterity Programme, a high risk, high reward swing at finding ways to solve challenges in robotic dexterity, to create more capable and usefulmachines."Really, it's the absolute cutting edge of materials science is trying to make things that behave like the muscles of the human body."Skin is another fascinating problem, since human skin grows back if it's damaged, or it can thicken and become more robust by forming calluses. He hopes new learning will come out of the intersections between biology, medicine and robotics."Those processes through which things recreate themselves so we can continue to use them, that's again one of those things where we go 'wow, if we could do that, it would be transformative!'"

Central Otago District Council’s balance sheet has grown by nearly $92M in a single year, driven largely by asset revaluations and the rezoning of key land in Cromwell. At the final council meeting of the year on Wednesday (December 17), councillors adopted the 2024/25 Annual Report, confirming an operating surplus of $7.9M and a significant increase in the paper value of council-owned assets. The headline figure was a $91.8M gain from asset revaluations across the district.  An accompanying report presented at the meeting said a major contributor was the rezoning of the Bannockburn forestry block from rural to industrial, which increased the value of that land by $26.8M since its last valuation in 2022. Parks and reserves also recorded a sharp uplift, increasing by $23.06M. That represented a 31.69 per cent rise in replacement cost values.Meanwhile roading assets rose by $41.27M. Chief financial officer Paul Morris told councillors Audit New Zealand had “signed it off” after earlier verbally approving the report. However, responding to comments from mayor Tamah Alley’s about public expectations for transparency, Paul acknowledged the density of the financial statements made them difficult for the average ratepayer to digest. "This is definitely a technical document that I wouldn't expect in its current form to be easily read," he said. The final operating surplus was reported at $7.925M, slightly lower than the $8.169M forecast in the annual plan. The report attributed the variance to changes in subsidy income, grant funding, and interest revenue, alongside higher than expected personnel, finance, and other operating costs. Capital expenditure for the year sat at $50.6M, which was $18.8M lower than the original annual plan.  The report said 74.5 per cent of the revised capital budget had been spent, with delays to some projects pushing work into the current financial year. Among those was the Alexandra Library upgrade.In contrast, the Cromwell Memorial Hall project was reported as tracking well and sitting ahead of the 2024/25 budget allocation. Councillors voted to adopt the report and authorised the mayor and chief executive to sign the accounts.

Central Otago District Council (CODC) has launched a high stakes review of its rating system, with its chief financial officer warning councillors they have “one chance” to get it right.At the final council meeting of the year on Wednesday (December 17), councillors authorised staff to begin modelling different scenarios for how rates could be collected across the district. Chief financial officer Paul Morris told elected members the process carried significant risk if not handled carefully."You get one chance to do it and maintain credibility around it," Paul said. "It's got to be thought through and the decisions that come out of it will have to be well documented, making sure the affected parties are well informed about what we're proposing and why we’re proposing it." He cautioned against incremental changes without a clear plan, saying other councils had "tried this over a period of time” and made systems “progressively worse” with each attempt. Paul said the council would need to "cross your t’s and dot your i's" to ensure strict legislative compliance to "close down the opportunities for challenge", warning rates could be legally contested if they did not strictly follow the law. The review aims to address imbalances created by recent significant rate increases, the move to a district wide funding model and the pending transfer of water services. A report presented by Paul said the current rating system had not been reviewed for "many years" and it was time to "review and redesign, if appropriate". The report also signalled a possible reset for some sectors, saying the process would allow the council to propose new rates for industries “currently not covered adequately". Deputy mayor Tracy Paterson asked whether the council could go through the full review process and ultimately decide to change nothing. Paul said that outcome remained a possible. "We could end up back where we started, but at least we would have gone through a rigorous process to say ‘yes, we're happy with that’," he said.  "You don't know what's available and what you might like to do…it's a matter of going through that process and ascertaining whether you think that is equitable or not." Teviot Valley councillor Curtis Pannett said early engagement with the community would be important. Mayor Tamah Alley rejected suggestions to "pick away" at the issue, saying a comprehensive review was needed. She said any changes would likely be implemented in 2027, by which time the council would have "no three waters coming out" and a "strong indication from the government" regarding a potential rates cap. Funding for the review has already been allocated in council budgets.  Staff will now begin work on the proposal, with the aim to have it ready for public feedback by June.

Travellers moving through Queenstown Airport are being urged to leave plenty of time, as the transport hub prepares for its single biggest day of Christmas arrivals.Today (Saturday December 20) marks the start of the heavy festive traffic, with more than 5,500 people expected to land in the southern hotspot in a single day.Approximately 150,000 passengers are scheduled to pass through the terminal between now and January 4, and nearly 93,000 of those will be travelling on domestic routes.Airport management confirmed these figures are on par with last summer’s busy season.Following today's influx of arrivals, the intensity is expected to remain high, with the weekends of December 27–28 and January 2–4 forecast to see more than 10,000 daily passengers.Head of operations, compliance and safety Juliet Breen said the team is prepared, but the infrastructure will be tested."We've also boosted staffing levels and added extra customer service support for the summer," Juliet said. "However, our systems will be operating near capacity, so please be patient and follow the guidance of our staff."To assist with the terminal atmosphere during the bottlenecks, the airport has scheduled live music and set up a pop-up Central Otago cherry caravan."Summer is always a special time in Queenstown. We love the excitement in the terminal as people fly in to spend Christmas with whānau or head off on adventures," Juliet said.Essential travel tipsParking is tight: Terminal car parks are hitting capacity. Drivers should use the Park & Ride service at Brookes Road or arrange a drop-off.The 20-minute rule: Do not leave cars unattended in the drop-off zone or you risk a fine. Use the P20 zone (right-hand lane at the roundabout) for 20 minutes of free parking for farewells.Watch your batteries: Power banks and batteries must go in carry-on luggage, not checked bags.Trans-Tasman travellers: If you are one of the 57,000 flying internationally, complete the NZ Traveller Declaration online before arriving to avoid delays.Drones: Recreational flyers should review Civil Aviation Authority rules before launching drones this summer to ensure airspace safety.