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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More than $50,000 has gone towards helping Central Otago residents cover costs associated with medical conditions in the past two years.Central Otago Resilience Trust (CORT) is now looking to reach more people in every corner of the district, including the Maniototo and Teviot areas.Spokesperson Glen Christiansen said there were people out there hurting and the trust had the dollars to help them.They could support each individual with $1,500 for travel, fuel or accommodation costs, and he said people shouldn’t be too proud to reach out and ask.Glen said half of the people they have helped have given back to the trust in some way, whether through volunteering administration, or donating a service of their own.CORT was founded by founding trustees Glen, Derek Craig, Becky Ensor, and John Cooper.It grew out of an idea after a fundraising campaign to help local Cromwell journalist Jo McKenzie-McLean who was diagnosed with bowel cancer.The Central Otago Resilience Trust wants to help people in every corner of the district. Photo: File Glen said CORT could help people to access other support services, and the group had a network of contacts those suffering financial hardship could tap into.One example was going to the bank with a couple to help them negotiate a loan for a holiday, after they experienced tough times.He said the trust would like to hear from anyone keen to help, even if they can’t make a financial contribution to CORT; it could be a “hire a hubby or similar”, or maybe a service to donate meals.“Some people just need a bit of a helping hand, fixing the odd thing.”Since the trust was formed in 2021 there has been a fundraising dinner held each year, supported by the business community.Glen said they have managed to raise significant money from those events, along with receiving donations from Rotary and Lions, individuals and businesses, including proceeds from events such as the Highlands Easter Egg Hunt.Competing businesses have sat alongside each other at fundraising events, “and are no longer competing when it comes to looking after the community”, he said.Find more information on CORT here. To find out how to apply visit How To Apply page.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Otago Regional Council (ORC) is considering formal accreditation as a living wage employer - a move that would extend its existing living wage policy to include regular contractors.At a full council meeting held in Oamaru on Wednesday (July 23), councillors received a report outlining the potential benefits and risks of accreditation. ORC already pays all directly employed staff, bus drivers, and cleaning contractors at or above the current living wage of $27.80 - a rate that is set to rise to $28.95 on September 1.Accreditation through the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa would formalise that commitment and require all regular contractors and sub-contractors, such as those involved in parks maintenance, catering, and transport, to also be paid at least the living wage.The accreditation comes with an annual fee of $1,500.In a report presented to councillors at the meeting, ORC corporate general manager Tami Sargeant noted potential benefits could include improved staff retention, service reliability, and alignment with the council’s people strategy and social responsibility goals. It also highlighted risks, such as increased operational costs, the need to renegotiate existing contracts, and the complexity of monitoring compliance.“The implications of extending (the living wage) to all relevant contractors and sub-contractors are unknown,” the report said.Examples from other councils, including Environment Canterbury and Greater Wellington Regional Council, suggest accreditation can improve morale and service outcomes, though challenges remain in applying the wage policy consistently across a wide range of contractors.Some councillors raised concerns about the lack of detail in the report.Councillor Michael Laws questioned the absence of financial analysis, saying: “I’ve got no costings here. I don’t know what the implications would be for ratepayers”. He also asked how many contractors would be affected - “dozens, scores or hundreds?”ORC chief executive Richard Saunders replied: “I genuinely don’t know”. He clarified the report was intended as an early step: “We haven’t gone through a thorough assessment”.While the bulk of councillors supported the principle of paying a living wage, there was less enthusiasm for pursuing formal accreditation, especially without hard and fast numbers in front of them. Councillor Tim Mepham said: “I don’t support accreditation; I do support the council paying a living wage.” Councillor Micahel Laws added: “Actions speak louder than words - and they certainly speak louder than accreditation.” Councillor Alexa Forbes noted the timing and lack of cost detail: “I am struggling at this point in the triennium to go forward with an accreditation that we don’t know what the costs are”.Councillor Gary Kelliher warned that requiring all contractors to meet living wage standards could reduce the number willing to work with council and risked amplifying “the vacuum that local government tends to sit in, separate to the rest of the country”.Following discussion and a failed motion by councillor Alan Somerville to proceed with living wage accreditation, the council instead opted for a more cautious approach.Councillors ultimately voted to direct staff to report back with a draft implementation plan, including cost estimates and details on how the council could meet the accreditation criteria. The carried motion asked for a plan the council could discuss rather than commit to, although the vote was narrow.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

Red Frogs has become even more mobile after securing funding for a purpose-built trailer to use around Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes over summer.The Otago Community Trust has given the volunteer non-profit group $5,000, while two other grants were also secured for $15,000.Red Frogs was granted the funding to continue its work in creating safe spaces at events, and reducing alcohol-related harm among young people across Otago.  National media co-ordinator Shannon Thomson said the purpose-built trailer was currently being built, and would enable them to respond to events more quickly.The patterns of behaviour in teenagers was changing, and Red Frogs recognised that sometimes they needed to change their setup and relocate to where the crowds gathered.“It’s about responding to what’s happening on the streets. It means we can redeploy quicker.”The new trailer would enable them to store burners on one side with storage on the other, for all of their marquees, etc, so the group can pack up fast when needed.“We’re really excited, it’s such a simple thing but will have a big impact on what we do,” Shannon said.Red Frogs has had a presence in Central Otago since 2015 when it started covering New Year’s Eve in Wānaka and the Alexandra Blossom Festival’s Friday night Mardi Gras.They’ve always cooked pancakes on their own barbecues and given out water to those who needed it. Now they can do things without having to use their own gear, Shannon said. The Otago Community Trust also gave out $18,000 to the Alexandra Mainland South BMX Assn Inc, Cromwell Cromwell Kids Fun Club Inc $1,262.00, Central Otago Hockey Assn $15,000.00, and the Curling Assn Inc $12,000 - in its latest funding round.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected] 

The MetService says more widespread wet weather is expected early this coming week.The country has enjoyed a run of calm, frosty mornings and crisp, clear days under a broad ridge of high pressure. “However, this spell of settled weather is coming to a close, as conditions gradually turn over the weekend with warmer temperatures, rain and wind firmly returning to the forecast from early next week,” MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden said.“After what has been a notably cold and settled week of July, the shift to a more active pattern may feel like a dramatic change for many.“We can enjoy the clear days for a little bit longer. But that ridge is on the move.” Devlin said the next system will bring rain and wind back into the picture for many areas by late today (Sunday July 27) and into Monday, “with more severe weather possible on Tuesday”.This coming week looks “more unsettled overall”, with warmer temperatures brought in by strengthening northerly winds. It will be “a more active and changeable weather week”, Devlin said.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]

Each week, mayor Tamah Alley shares a one-minute snapshot of the week that was, highlighting key decisions, updates, and the issues council is tackling.Democracy works best when your voice is heard. Tap into Let's Talk for ways to connect and be heard, from surveys and drop-in sessions, to writing directly to mayor Tamah Alley.Click here to go to the mayor's website.

Another world champion from Central Otago has arrived on the international stage.Nick Collier from Alexandra took out the Under 23 World Kayak Cross Championship in France last week.It’s hot on the heels of Olympic champion Finn Butcher winning gold, for the first time, at a World Cup event in the Czech Republic, adding to his gold medal in Paris. Nicole Shields also earned a silver in cycling.This all follows a fresh wave of success from our winter sports athletes competing overseas from the likes of Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Luca Harrington, Adam Hall, Luke Harrold, Finley Melville Ives, and Ruby Andrews - just a few of the names making headlines.Throw in America’s Cup winner Dougal Allan, rising athletics stars like Phoebe Laker, Siena Mackley and James Weber, talented Cromwell netballer Grace Tiko, Ironman Braden Currie, and adventure racers Simone Maier and Hamish Elliott, plus a kitchen sink full of promising young rowers and the tennis-playing Milburn clan from Queenstown, and the list just rolls on.Then there are those with strong Central Otago roots who now live or train elsewhere but still carry the region’s sporting DNA.Kim Cadzow, originally from Luggate, rode at the Paris Olympics, placing seventh in the women’s individual time trial. She now rides professionally in Europe. Ranfurly’s Eden Carson plays for the White Ferns, joined by Arrowtown’s Bella James. No doubt there are others.And behind all that is a region that oozes grassroots sport, rugby, netball, football, hockey , you name it. From Maniototo to Roxburgh, Alexandra to Omakau, Cromwell to the Wakatipu Basin, our communities are fuelling dreams of world titles and national honours.It’s a bit different than driving from one side of Hamilton to the other to play sport.Decades ago, the biggest sporting names out of Central might have been former All Blacks Bevan Wilson and the late Neil Purvis and Don Clark.Wow, how the landscape has changed. Is it something in the water? With water being a sore subject for many of our communities, perhaps not.More likely, it’s people. Growth has brought expertise to the region. Competitions are stronger. Lifestyle and training conditions here are second to none.Sport in Central Otago is well and truly on the map and long may those unique grassroots experiences continue to feed the dreams of our future world, Olympic and national champions. It is an experience, in my opinion, like no other in this country.That’s my view from the sideline.

From bikies and mass pub brawls to murders, multiple tragedies and leading a 1981 Springbok Tour Police Riot Squad, former Alexandra Senior Sergeant Brian Seymour, a police officer for 37 years, has seen it all.Too much in many cases, but that was just something you dealt with in his day, unassisted – the job had to be done.He’s evaded gun shots and outsmarted seasoned burglars gas cutting their way into pub safes, been right up there in mass Southland Keystone Cops-style chases and had a kidnap victim dive out of a speeding car right at his feet. Who needs to watch TV?!Fortunately, during the 1970s patrol cars were introduced, but prior to that Brian used his own Morris Minor for Police work; not ideal when giving chase.Caricatures of Brian. Images: supplied.Lucky he was a resilient West Coaster, born in Westport in 1946, the son of a sawmiller.The family initially lived at Inangahua Junction, then The Dee, nearer Murchison, before settling in Ngahere, near Greymouth, in 1950. Brian biked to school at age five, once getting “treed’ by a wild bull, found still up the tree by his parents around 4pm.Richmond, Nelson, was next, with Brian winning the Waimea College accounting prize before heading to Victoria University in 1964. A Post Office Scholarship funded his studies with the help of part-time Post Office work.A friend had joined the Police, so Brian applied, just before his number came up for compulsory National Army Service at 18 years old. Three months’ training at Burnham followed.An experienced Scout leader and tramper, he thrived on the outdoor action and was off to Trentham as a new Police recruit at 20, which excused him from the Army’s extra two years of Weekend Warriors Territorials.Invercargill was his first Police posting in 1967. “I’d never been there in my life and arrived in the dark and rain – four of us.”He was dropped at the flat they’d found him and told to turn up for duty at 5am the next morning. “I had no idea how to get to the station and caught a taxi at 4.30am, the driver misunderstanding which ‘station’ and dropping me to the Railway Station,” he grins.He was placed on the beat in Dee Street alone, no radios, coins for the telephone box, a whistle, baton and handcuffs in what was renowned as one of the most violent centres in New Zealand.Antarctic Angels, V8 Boys and ‘Gorons’ were a constant battle, with Brian often sent to out-of-hand bikie parties and drunken brawls. Former All Black Frank Oliver, also a policeman, was once whacked on the head with a helmet by a bikie girl as he wrestled with her boyfriend, who was under arrest.After 10 months in the job, Brian was sent to relieve in the two-person Queenstown station, in his Morris Minor. When he turned up the other officer said he was due leave too, leaving Brian solo with no instructions.“My first call was the Esplanade Hotel manager cross because I wasn’t there and the Governor General (Arthur Porritt) was arriving in five minutes.”“There was a howling wind, and I opened the door of his chauffeur-driven car and it slammed into him. I saluted and he told me off, but I did get to ride the bubble car gondola escorting his gorgeous daughter,” Brian said.With no radios, in Queenstown he’d tell the telephone exchange where he was and while relieving in Te Anau they’d turn the streetlights on if he was needed by day, and off by night.Anyone deceased had to be kept in police cells until the funeral director arrived from Invercargill. The Morrie sometimes clocked 17-hour days transporting offenders south and helping with Milford rescues.After marrying wife Glennis (they celebrated 55 years this month), a top Southland sportswoman, Brian was posted to Bluff.Their Police house cost $4.50 a week. “I finally had a police car.” He was about to hop in it in the wee hours to pursue cars speeding around the block once when a young guy leapt out, rolling on the road, needing help.“Two Christchurch boys had been kidnapped by four locals needing a car to burgle The Bond Store of alcohol. They were trying to get away from the offenders.”That resulted in a massive Southland wide Police operation with country cops setting up roadblocks and the Armed Offenders Squad shot at until the offenders eventually crashed the stolen car near Queenstown, with one shot and injured.“They’d pulled into Remarkables Station and stolen ‘Cap’ Jardine’s Daimler Jag at gunpoint on the way,” Brian said.There was the kinky guy who Brian and fellow Bluff cop Murray Smith (clad in only PJs) arrested hack sawing into a Bluff haberdashery store. “We found hundreds of women’s bras and knickers in his house.”And the mass brawl between Ocean Beach freezing workers and seamen over who had rights to the ‘ship girls’, which completely wrecked the Golden Age Pub.Promoted to Sergeant, Brian was sent to Invercargill in 1973, for the hardest callouts, the Constable Peter Murphy shooting, and an extremely disturbing family tragedy.Seven police cars and a traffic patrol car were damaged – one covered in white paint, another smashing into it, in a real Keystone Cops episode when Police and traffic officers chased eight youths who’d burgled a golf club. That chase stretched from Invercargill to Tokanui.By 1977 Brian was Senior Sergeant in Dunedin where he was commended for outsmarting some professional burglars near Mosgiel raiding a pub safe. He was also on duty during the Abbotsford disaster.Brian was section boss of one of three national Riot Squads during the notorious 1981 Springbok Tour that split the nation, The squad flew the country in an Air Force Hercules managing out of control riots and pushing back vocal apartheid protestors from test matches. “That was hard to watch,” Brian said.In 1983 Brian transferred to Alexandra as Central Otago sub-area commander. Unfortunately he was among the first to arrive when one of his staff, Ranfurly policeman Peter Umbers, was shot and killed on the roadside in 1990. “He was a good cop.”Brian’s attended hundreds of fatal accidents.On a lighter note, he once lay dozing in wait in the dark inside the Criterion Hotel in a bid to help them find out why they were losing so much booze.A teenage burglar removed a stone in the wall, armed only with a cigarette lighter which was burning his hands. “I crept up and grabbed him. He screamed, his bowels let go as well, and the girls and boys outside waiting started screaming too,” Brian said. “I yelled that I recognised their voices and to stay where they were…..and you know they did.”He’s been awarded a Police silver medal, multiple long service awards and three long service bars with a QSM to top it all off in 2002, recognising his extensive community contribution.A Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, Brian has also been awarded for service to Scouts and local football.A Scout leader in Bluff and Alexandra, involved in the Alexandra and Central Otago Senior and Junior Soccer Clubs, Brian also chaired the local New Pool Committee and Swimming Club and has been a senior basketball, referee, coach and player.Central Otago District Council also awarded him for his local service.Brian left the Police in 2004 at 58, disillusioned with the “politics”, and worked at Dunstan Hospital in maintenance before becoming Alexandra Salvation Army Community Garden manager, also providing firewood to those in need.The Gardens, under his stewardship, have won a local Trustpower Award and made the National Community Gardens finals in 2017, even earning them a visit from the Governor General.Brian held the door of the chauffeur-driven vehicle open tightly this time.

Cromwell’s long-awaited helipad has officially opened, marking the culmination of a determined community effort to improve emergency response capacity in the town.The new helipad, located at the Cromwell Racecourse Aerodrome, was formally opened on Friday afternoon (July 25) by Central Otago mayor Tamah Alley, who praised the collaborative effort behind the project.“(It has been) community spirit that has made this happen,” the mayor told those gathered at the event, before cutting a ribbon.The helipad has been years in the making, gaining momentum when the Cromwell Lions Club committed to fundraising for the project. A major boost came late last year, when philanthropist and aerospace entrepreneur Sir Peter Beck - dubbed the ‘rocket man’ for his aerospace ventures and a special guest at the opening - came onboard, donating an unspecified amount of funding to the cause.Emergency service representatives, project donors, and community supporters who helped bring the vision to life were all also guests at the opening.Donors, suppliers and contractors attend the opening of the emergency helipad in recognition of their support for the project. Photo: The Central AppProject manager Pete Moen, of the Lions Club, didn’t mince his words when he described the old landing area at the northern end of the aerodrome as “crappy”, saying trying to manoeuvre a gurney could be “hopeless”. By contrast, the new helipad features a smooth concrete path linking directly to where the St John ambulance would pull up, making patient transfers faster and safer.The site is fully equipped with perimeter lighting, a functioning windsock topped with a beacon, and clear signage. Pete said the project had initially been budgeted at $83,000, but support snowballed as word spread. “Contractors and suppliers just came out of the woodwork to support the project.”In a fitting anecdote, Pete recalled going into a Cromwell shop to buy ribbon for the opening ceremony. When the shopkeeper asked what it was for, a woman in the queue beside him said, “I want to pay for that.” It was a small gesture, he said, that summed up the way the community had embraced the helipad vision.Pilot Justin Gloag (left) and paramedics Dave Anderson and Pablo Callejus open their emergency chopper for viewing at the opening of Cromwell’s new emergency helipad. Photo: The Central App Helicopter paramedic Dave Anderson, who works with the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust, said access to the old landing zone was dusty and uneven, riddled with rabbit holes.He said having a proper helipad, with smooth, safe access, made a real difference for patients and for the teams working under pressure to assist them - and said the new facility was much needed.“Our helicopter does provide a critical lifeline to a tertiary hospital.”The helipad is now operational.Have a story to share or comment to make? Contact [email protected]