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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

With a few sheep, bees, lots of chooks and lots of hard work, Gillian Swinton and her partner Hamish call themselves modern homesteaders.Originally from Edinburgh, Swinton now calls Lauder, a tiny Central Otago settlement, home.“We're between Alexandra and Ranfurly really, and the Rail Trail passes straight through our little town.Gillian Swinton and her partner Hamish call themselves modern homesteaders. Photo: SuppliedRelated stories:The man who turned 3 hectares into an abundant Bay of Plenty food forestMeet the Kiwis ditching modern life and turning to the homesteading lifestyleWhat is homesteading: A 'hard but appealing' lifestyle?“Our town has a population of, I think, 26 and I do believe that there are more dogs than there are people, but it's a lovely wee town,” Swinton tells RNZ’s Nine to Noon.On their 2.7 hectare plot, they live as much as they can from what the land can produce.With nearly 80,000 members on a Homesteading New Zealand Facebook page – Swinton says there's growing interest in getting back to a simpler way of life.She's written a book called The Good Life about her experiences and what she’s learned about self-sufficiency along the way.They keep Wiltshire sheep, which don’t need shearing, for meat. Then they have about 30 beehives and around 40 chickens for eggs (they sell some of the surplus chicks).“Homesteading is a big umbrella term for a lot of different avenues or rabbit holes.“But for us, we really focus on growing our own food and living and eating seasonally. And with that food, we're always trying to preserve as much as we can.“And if we grow a surplus, we can sell it at that farm stall, or we can share it with our neighbours in turn for maybe some of their apples.”Improving the land is also an ongoing project, she says.“If we're taking something from it, we want to give something back, so it's composting and mixed species grazing.”They are not, she says, part of the tin foil hat cohort of homesteaders.“We're really about reaching out and finding our community, working with our neighbours, sharing knowledge and skills and appliances, tools. So that's what homesteading means to us.”She credits her Outer Hebridean ancestry with her love of self-sufficiency.“The book is dedicated to my grandmother, Kate... she's the original homesteader. She lived in a very remote area of Scotland and really had to live with the seasons.“And when food was in abundance, it got squirreled away for the quiet months. And she was really resourceful with what they had. Nothing went to waste.”Preserving plays a big part in their aim to be as self-sufficient as possible, she says. They use water bathing, overflow preserving and pressure canning methods.“The overflow method is simply getting everything really hot. I hot jars, hot produce, hot liquid, and we do things like pickles and jams and things like that.“Water bathing is where you have your jars in a big tub on the stove, and you're boiling the produce within the jars and getting them sterile and sealed in the water.”Pressure canning gives them more options, she says.“It's using a special canner with a big, strong lid on the top, we can preserve things like meat and potatoes and stews and soups in the pressure canner, because we can get that hotter than we can anywhere else in the kitchen.”While most don’t have a patch of paradise in Central Otago to provide for them, she believes homesteading principles can be applied in urban settings.“Start where you are. If you're really wanting to learn a little bit of self-sufficiency, it can it can begin anywhere.”

The Easter Bunny and its mates Santa and the tooth fairy present a dilemma for parents - promoting the value of generosity through a vehicle of lies.It’s one of those moments in the year when many parents wonder why they lie to their children about a magical rabbit that leaves Easter eggs in the garden.In our multicultural society, there are various approaches to the concepts of Santa, the Easter Bunny, and the tooth fairy. At a guess, for the majority of New Zealand children, these fictional charactersare real — at least in the first few years of their lives. After all, New Zealand Post receives more than 100,000 letters each year addressed to Santa at Christmas.But there are some, whether it is for religious or ethical reasons, who don’t raise their kids to believe in these fictional characters.Those with a non-Christian religion might steer clear of the Easter Bunny and Santa because of their religious connection to Christian holidays. Some Christians don’t let their kids believe in it because they say it takes away from the holidays' main message about the birth, death and rebirth of Jesus. For others still, belief in the three characters is irrational and anti-science.“There is no talk about the Easter Bunny or anything. We just explain to them where Easter came from, celebrating new life with the egg,” said an Auckland mother of a 4 and 7-year-old. She never told her kids that Santa, the Easter Bunny or the tooth fairy were real.“It is not about chocolate and the bunny. We just explain factually where the story came from.”The family has the same stance when it comes to Santa and the tooth fairy. She told her kids that Santa is not real but he was inspired by a real historical figure, St. Nicholas, a fourth-century Greek saint known for his generosity.“If someone is climbing into your bedroom window and taking your tooth, that is a scary thought. Why would we tell the kids that?” she said of the tooth fairy.The mum grew up with parents who decided their kids would not believe in the three characters. The decision was based on the value of anti-consumerism.“I think even when we were younger it was ‘Let's make something to give to people for Christmas. Let's grow something.”How to make the decision?Caitlin Hocken is a parenting coach with Child Wise, a New Plymouth-based service. The parents who often raise concerns about fabricating stories about the Easter Bunny are those who tend toquestion other aspects of parenting.“It’s their personality, you know. They may be a bit more black and white.”But parents can ultimately make whatever decision they like as long as “they’ve got the really strong value, personal value to back it up".A lot of parents tend to go with the status quo for their first kids, says Hocken. They begin to question the ethics of making things up as they journey through parenting.“I think if honesty is a value that you're trying to impart in your family, you might have a bit of discomfort around that.”Both of Hocken’s children, a 7 and an 11-year-old, grew up believing in the Easter Bunny, Santa and the Tooth Fairy."My experience with my boys when they were very little, just that magic that comes from these traditions and the fantasy and the imagination element of going out to the garden believing thatsomebody's been and left eggs everywhere."Lisa Swinburn, a Wanaka-based family coach and counselor.For Lisa Swinburn, a Wanaka-based family coach and counsellor, Christmas, Easter and the tooth-taking fairy are rooted in the values of imagination and generosity.However, she decided that when her children asked if they were real, that was when she would tell them the truth. Her youngest child at age six asked the question before her older son did.“You want to keep nurturing that wonder and follow their developmental readiness.”“If they start asking the question ‘Is it real?’ Then that is often a sign that they are ready for a different layer of understanding.”Swinburn remembers the moment she figured out that Santa was not real.“I think my younger sister might have cottoned on, and [my mum] was afraid that I would find out. So she wanted to be the one to tell me. I cried a lot over it.”How to not ruin it for others who want their kids to believe?Of course, a kid who never believes in the Easter Bunny from the beginning or who figures out early on that rabbits have nothing to do with eggs might share their knowledge with others.It’s an early, digestible lesson about humanity - that we all believe something different.“So there is another conversation around that we want to respect everyone's beliefs and that everybody has a right to choose what they want to believe,” says Hocken.When Swinburn’s younger daughter figured out the truth before her older sibling, Swinburn framed it to her as being in on a secret.“You can say something like ‘You know, now that you know you get to be part of a special group of kids who can keep the fun alive for others.“Because it’s kind. It’s respectful to do that.”

Weekly testing of wastewater downstream of where the Queenstown Lakes District Council(QLDC) has an emergency discharge consent, is showing low levels of E.Coli.A new water monitoring programme started at the end of March at sites adjacent to, upstream of and downstream of the Shotover wastewater treatment plant.Otago Regional Council chief executive Richard Saunders said some initial monitoring on the first day of the discharge showed some high levels of contaminants present, “which can be expected with the flushing of the wastewater outlet channel, which bypasses the disposal field.” Preliminary monitoring results from the second week (April 7), showed low levels of E.coli at the treatment plant outlet, which gave the regional council confidence processes were operating as expected, he said.Treated water samples taken on any given day would take at least 10 days to be processed by the independent laboratory and returned, and then be assessed by staff, before being added to the ORC website.Compliance updates and sample results are publicly available on a page dedicated to the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant. It can be accessed here The six water testing sites that the Otago Regional Council have added since treated wastewater started being discharged into the Shotover River.SUPPLIED.Richard said alongside the regular testing, staff would continue to respond to any complaints from the public when reported - but made it clear at the last council meeting they could not monitor the sites 24/7.Read more: Systemic failure of ageing wastewater treatment plants highlighted Richard highlighted the regional council had taken several steps since problems arose with the plant’s operations, going back to 2021. On January 23, ORC sought an Enforcement Order from the Environment Court to address current compliance issues at the treatment plant, and that process was ongoing. The application followed the issuing to date of two abatement notices and 10 infringement notices. Richard said the Environment Court mediation was ongoing; however they were hopeful for an outcome in the near future. “It’s important to note that QLDC is responsible for ensuring that the discharge from the Shotover plant remains compliant with the consented limits. Where there are issues identified by QLDC staff or contractors we expect these to be reported to ORC,” he said.The Shotover River feeds into the Kawarau River downstream, which then enters Lake Dunstan at Cromwell. FILE SHOTThe first samples taken on March 31 were from the discharge channel itself and upstream and downstream in the Shotover River. Those samples showed E. coli levels of 730 CFU (colony-forming units) per 100mL of water in the discharge channel and 370 CFU/100 mL at the downstream location. “These higher E. coli results are not a reliable indication of the treatment performance of the Shotover WWTP, as they were taken after the discharge left the treatment process and were likely affected by the first flush of any natural materials in the channel, such as rabbit droppings and decaying vegetation.” The sampling round conducted on April 7 was more extensive and included the final discharge at the official sampling point downstream of the UV tertiary treatment stage as well as the discharge channel and other upstream and downstream locations.The Shotover final effluent sampled at the official point post-UV was fully compliant with the consent limit of 260 CFU/100 mL, showing an extremely low result of less than 1 CFU/100 mL. The sample taken in the discharge channel April 7 showed E. coli was 4 CFU/100 mL. For comparison, in New Zealand, the drinking water standard for E. coli is less than 1 CFU/100 mL.Follow this story next week when we look more into other council’s discharge consents including the Central Otago District Council.

Electric vehicle (EV) owners have more spots to recharge in Alexandra, thanks to a local construction firm.Breen Construction has installed six high-speed EV charging stations in their Russell Street car park. The initiative is part of a commitment by the company to make carbon reduction a reality for its people, communities and clients.The chargers are publicly accessible and the first step is to download The Open Loop app, set up pay as you go, then drivers can plug in and recharge.Breen managing director Lindsay Breen said during the past few years they had been slowly replacing their combustion vehicles with hybrid and EV solutions as part of a commitment to a more sustainable future.“It’s about working towards reducing the impact our business, and our industry, has on the planet.“When we thought about these charging stations, we thought not just about how it would help Breen but also how good it would be to provide more options for electric vehicle owners in Alexandra.”The parking spots for EVs have a blue and white icon painted on the asphalt. PHOTO: Breen Construction websiteThe EV charging stations are available 24 hours a day, every day of the week. According to EVDB (Electric Vehicle Database) statistics as of the end of March 2025, there are about 83,000 fully electric light vehicles - plus around 37,000 plug-in hybrids- in New Zealand.NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) defines an EV as an electric motor that is powered by a battery which is charged by an external source of electricity.There are two main types of EVs, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) powered by a battery only and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that have two engines, one powered by a battery that is charged externally, the other is fuel powered and generally uses petrol or diesel.Conventional forms of petrol hybrids are not considered EVs as they are not charged by ‘plugging in’. Their batteries are only charged by re-capturing energy when braking or from electricity generated by the engine.In April 2017, NZTA set a vision for a nationwide coverage of fast/rapid direct current (DC) charging stations every 75kms across the state highways.View a map of the local EV charging around Central go to The Central App under communities. EV ChargingHave a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

Looking to get out and about over the long weekend? Whether you’re into art, adventure, or a slow cruise along the river, there’s plenty to do around Central Otago this Easter.Maniototo Adventure ParkIf you're looking for something active (and a bit different) to do this Easter, head to Maniototo Adventure Park in Naseby. Open every day over the break, MAP is home to the southern hemisphere’s only indoor curling rink, as well as the all-season Gold Rush Luge—an outdoor track that lets you race through the trees, no snow required. Curling sessions run for 90 minutes from 9am to 6pm, while the Gold Rush Luge runs one-hour sessions on the hour from 10am to 3pm. Bookings are strongly recommended—especially for the luge, which tends to fill quickly over the holidays.Whether you're gliding on the ice or flying down the track, it’s a brilliant way to have some Easter fun and make some memories.Clutha River CruisesFor a another exciting Easter adventure, Clutha River Cruises offers a stunning way to experience the history and beauty of Central Otago from the water. Their guided tours take you along the Clutha River, where you'll cruise past gold mining relics, rugged landscapes, and hidden gorges. It’s a peaceful, scenic trip with plenty of stories along the way—perfect for families, couples, or anyone wanting to soak in the scenery at a slower pace. Cruises are running over Easter, but spaces are limited, so it’s best to book ahead to secure your spot on board.Easter Cash & Carry Art Exhibition Running from Thursday 17 April to Sunday 20 April, this exhibition is open daily and showcases a wide range of work by talented local artists. Held in Alexandra, it’s a great chance to browse (and buy!) something special—thanks to the “cash and carry” format, if you fall in love with a piece, you can take it home on the spot. A relaxed, inspiring outing for art lovers.Central Interiors Even though the store itself is closed for Easter, Central Interiors has once again put together a stunning seasonal window display. If you’re wandering through town, make sure you take a moment to check it out—it’s a little touch of creativity that brings Alexandra’s streets to life over the break.Walking & Local Trails If you're after a slower pace, Easter is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy some of Central Otago’s stunning walking and cycling tracks. From lakeside strolls in Cromwell to the river trails around Alexandra and Clyde, there’s something for everyone—whether you're chasing a view, a picnic spot, or just some quiet time in nature.With rain on the horizon, it might be nice to book a in a movie followed by a bite to eat. Clyde Cinema is just the place - with Paulinas next door you can enjoy a fun day out. Take a day trip to visit our local museums.For even more ideas, don’t forget to check The Central App things to do section! From whats on, places to visit, to what’s open and what’s happening nearby, it’s a handy go-to for locals and visitors alike this Easter.

A few showers are ahead for Central this Easter weekend, but winds should be light and temperatures will hit the high teens.MetService spokesperson said the South Island can also expect intermittent wet weather over the next few days. The top of the island, particularly Nelson and Tasman, are set to cop some heavy rain from today, continuing into the weekend.Weather warnings for the South Island were a heavy rain warning for Tasman northwest of Motueka, for 30 hours from 6pm tonight until midnight tomorrow (Friday) and a strong wind watch for Buller from 3am this morning until 3am Friday.For the North Island sustained heavy rain and severe easterly gales are forecast resulting from tropical cyclone Tam. Those travelling or in this region are advised to keep up to date with weather warnings.The temperatures for the long weekend in Central. PHOTO: MetServiceIn Central, Good Friday is forecast to have showers clearing in the afternoon, but remain cloudy with a low of 8 and a high of 17 degrees. Easter Sunday may be drizzly, so pack your rain coat and umbrella if you’re heading outdoors. Who is open over Easter weekend?People travelling for the long weekend can check The Central App reports for information on the Roads and WeatherIf you’re looking for local events check out the What’s On GuideWhat are you doing this Easter in Central? Send in your photos and we’ll publish the best of them next week. Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Easter in Central Otago is a pretty special time. The autumn colours are putting on a show, the days are cooler but still crisp, and it’s the perfect excuse for locals and visitors alike to slow down, spend time with friends and family, and maybe even head out exploring. But if you’ve ever been caught out hunting for a coffee on Good Friday, or turned up to your favourite store only to find the doors closed, you’ll know that Easter trading hours can be a little tricky.So, what’s usually open and what’s not?Under New Zealand’s Easter trading laws:Supermarkets, bottle stores, and large retail chains are required to close on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.Cafés, restaurants, and bars may open if they serve food, but alcohol can only be sold to those who are also dining on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.Small convenience stores, petrol stations, and garden centres often stay open, but hours may vary.Tourism businesses, accommodation providers, and hospitality venues tend to be open, particularly if they’re geared toward travellers.So, if you’re heading out this Easter, just keep in mind that things might run a little differently especially on the public holidays.These Great Local Spots Are Open This EasterWe’ve spoken to a few local businesses who are keeping their doors open and their ovens warm over Easter. Here’s where you can stop in, fuel up, or enjoy some good old Central Otago hospitality:Danseys Pass Hotel Tucked away in the high country and surrounded by rugged mountain landscapes, Danseys Pass Hotel offers more than just a meal or a place to stay; it’s a full experience, steeped in over 160 years of history. This Easter, they’re opening their doors throughout the long weekend, welcoming locals, travellers, and anyone in need of a true Central Otago escape.Open Easter hours:Friday 18th – from 3pmSaturday 19th & Sunday 20th – from 11amMonday 21st – from 3pmImportant to note: Due to Easter trading laws, alcohol can only be served on Good Friday and Easter Sunday to those who are also dining—so if you're stopping in for a drink, make sure you grab something off the menu too (and you’ll be glad you did).Jackson Orchards – Guided Orchard TourOpen every day this Easter from 8am to 7pm, Jackson Orchards is a must-visit for fresh fruit lovers and families exploring Central Otago. Just off Highway 6, their roadside store is packed with seasonal fruit, vegetables, dried goods, and preserves—plus their real fruit ice creams and smoothies are worth the stop alone. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the new Cookie Space serves hot cookies, cookie sandwiches, and brownie ice cream cups—the perfect holiday treat.For those wanting a deeper look, their 45-minute orchard tours run daily and offer a fun, behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of New Zealand’s top stonefruit growers. You’ll hop aboard their electric yellow bus and, in summer, even taste fruit straight from the trees. Can’t make it in? They also deliver fresh produce and mixed boxes nationwide via their online store. Whether you’re driving through or planning a visit, Jackson’s is a Central Otago classic.Pitches StoreIf you're looking for a relaxing place to unwind this Easter, Pitches Store in Ophir is open every day from 10am to 8pm, serving up seasonally inspired dishes, great coffee, and an award-winning atmosphere.The restaurant blends old-world charm with modern comfort—think rustic timber furnishings, an open fireplace, and a courtyard made for long lunches in the autumn sun. Whether you're stopping in for a light bite, a quiet coffee, or a leisurely dinner paired with local wine or craft beer, it's a perfect Easter escape inner bookings are recommended—they won't open for evening service without confirmed bookings by 4pm, so be sure to call ahead. 03-4473240Chatto Creek TavernThis Easter, Chatto Creek Tavern is going all out with live music, their much-loved Golden Easter Egg Hunt, and their Anzac Day ceremony, there’s plenty happening at this iconic Central Otago pub. From 12 - 4pm Friday to Sunday, kids can hunt for golden eggs in the garden, find one and swap it at the bar for an Easter treat. All kids also go in the draw to win Okie the Caterpillar, and real fruit ice creams are just $3, with all proceeds going to the Poppy Week Appeal.Open every day over the break, this historic tavern is a favourite stop for both locals and those riding the Otago Central Rail Trail. Whether you’re pulling in by car or bike, you’ll be greeted with genuine Southern hospitality from owners Fiona and Grant and their friendly team. The menu features hearty pub meals made with fresh, local ingredients, and the garden bar and sunny lawn offer the perfect spot to sit back and relax. Dinner bookings are essential, so give them a call if you're planning to stay for the evening.And don’t forget—the Alexandra-Clyde RSA Anzac Day Service will be held at the tavern at 1pm on Friday, 25 April.The Stoaker RoomIf you’re after a great meal and a relaxed atmosphere this Easter, The Stoaker Room is open from 12pm to 9pm daily at both their Cromwell and Wānaka locations. Known for their unique barrel-cooked fare and bold Central Otago flavours, it's a perfect spot for lunch, dinner, or a leisurely drink with friends. While morning coffee service in Wānaka is paused on Good Friday and Easter Monday, the kitchens are firing from midday with their signature Stoaker Banquet and seasonal favourites. A great choice for visitors and locals looking to enjoy a flavour-packed Easter feast.Have a great Easter and enjoy the long weekend. Hope you get the chance to relax, spend time with good people, and maybe treat yourself to something sweet!

Ps. Luke Andrade, Elim Church AlexandraThis Easter weekend billions of people around the world celebrate the great exchange.“Let Us make man in Our image.” These words spoken by God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth as He begins to form mankind.All people, regardless of our differences, were made in the image and likeness of God. Created. Created on purpose, with a purpose and for a purpose.However, we were all led astray by our own sinful desires. Selfishness, lusts, desire for power and control, and so on. These things distort the image of God.For thousands of years God has been revealing himself to people. The Bible is full of those stories of God continuing on a path of fulfilling and restoring what he started at creation. To make men and women into His image.Mankind has tried, and failed to redeem itself. Laws, policies, politics - these things only reveal that there is something deeper, a heart problem, at the core of our dilemma.One of the most obvious manifestations of this 'heart problem' is a loss of identity. Rather than assurance and security knowing who and Who's we are, we are struggling to cling to other things - status, political affiliation, sexuality, sports teams - anything to make sense of ourselves.This is what Easter is all about. The great exchange.Mankind hopeless and lost needed a saviour, someone to redeem our brokenness, and to model what this image looked like. So He came, claiming to be the Son of God, the very image of the invisible God, a crime punishable by death. He was crucified, put in a tomb, and three days later rose to life! This was no mere man, but truly God in flesh.Jesus Christ when he died on that cross, died for our sake, and when he rose to new life rose for our victory also!The Easter message is this. You have a problem. God has a solution. The solution is not a different job, another lover, or an esteemed politician.These things will not fulfil the identity that you seek. The identity that mankind longs for, that we so desperately crave has been made available for all through Jesus Christ.Jesus Christ and the great exchange is what is celebrated this weekend.To all those in Central Otago, Good Friday, and Happy Easter!Ps. Luke Andrade is the senior pastor at Elim Church Alexandra. Photo: Supplied

NASA has launched a giant super-pressure balloon from Wānaka Airport.Previous attempts were postponed because of weather conditions but the balloon, which was the size of a rugby stadium, went up shortly before 10am on Thursday.NASA was planning two flights to test its balloon technology and take measurements of the atmosphere.The first balloon would travel the South Hemisphere's mid-latitudes for 100 days or more, carrying instruments to take measurements more than 100km above the Earth's surface.NASA said it would help scientists predict changes in the ionosphere that affected communication and navigation systems.A second balloon flight would support several scientific missions, including measuring light and sound waves in the Earth's atmosphere.The balloon, with a volume of 532,000 cubic metres, would float at an altitude of about 33km, well above the altitude of a commercial plane.It marked the sixth campaign in New Zealand since 2015, with the most recent being two successful launches in 2023.Wānaka Airport said the best viewing points were on the hill on the Hāwea side of the Red Bridge by Kane Road or on the Hāwea Flat side of the Clutha River.

Six Maniototo Area School (MAS) pupils were determined in the face of surprise team outdoor activities during the Blue Light Alternative Strategy for Teenagers (BLAST) longest day last Friday.Puna Rangitahi Alexandra and Districts Youth Trust manager Tash Kane, youth workers Nathan Zimmerman and Marley Ferguson, New Zealand Police youth aid officer James McDonald ran the day of activities from 8.30am to 3pm. The group spent much of the day on the water at St Bathans and despite chilly conditions everyone had an awesome time, Marley said.“The team started with a store from the St Bathans domain and through to the township.“They then stopped for a couple of challenges – acid river and spider web. “The team then hiked along the St Bathans trail through the hills, and then when they reached the lake, they traversed the edge of the lake – along the shore, through the reeds, and swimming in the water.”Lunch was an important refuelling and warming up stop with pizza and hot chips provided by the Vulcan Hotel.Team work, resilience and confidence are skills the BLAST programme nurtures. PHOTO: Supplied The afternoon’s activities included a card and a memory game.Marley said the group found swimming across the lake the hardest as it was very cold.“A few of them said the hike around the lake was the best as it was a sunny day, others enjoyed the team building challenges, as well as lunch.” Marley said due to a few pupils being away with the MAS trip to Vietnam, or starting their Easter holidays early, the BLAST hooded sweatshirts and certificates will be presented when everyone is back on deck.Read more: Team work shines during BLAST longest day.Read more: Maniototo Area School pupils head to Vietnam.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

The Omakau Hub project has $2.5M funding confirmed for the $5.2M project after a recent grant from Otago Community Trust (OCT) of $540,000.The Omakau Hall sale proceeds will go towards the build, and $200,000 have been included in the $2.5M raised so far.Manuherekia Valleys Charitable Trust (MVCT) has lodged applications for funding with Central Lakes Trust (CLT) and Lotteries, with decisions expected in June. A MVCT spokesperson said they were working on a fundraising plan over the next couple of months.A Central Otago District Council (CODC) spokesperson said a building consent will be lodged after July 1, 2025, and building was expected to start in October 2025.CODC has approved funding any shortfall from Vincent general reserves subject to public consultation through the Draft Long Term Plan (LTP).Council will be able to let the public know when the LTP is adopted in June 2025.        The hub is the development of a modern, multi-purpose venue that will serve communities throughout the Manuherekia and Ida Valleys, as well as wider Central Otago.Located on the Omakau Recreation Reserve, this facility will fill the gap left by the closure of the Omakau Hall and Hotel, providing a centralised space for community, sporting, cultural, and social activities while also serving as an emergency response base when needed.An artists impression of the Omakau Hub. PHOTO: SuppliedDesigned to accommodate up to 200 people, the hub will feature a commercial kitchen, function room with bar facilities, meeting space with video conferencing capabilities, changing rooms, a dedicated home for the Omakau Toy Library, a whānau quiet space, and gym facilities.OCT distributed $1,052,261 in funding to 30 community groups across the region in its March grants round.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]