Central Otago business owners and managers were treated to an Artificial Intelligence (AI) seminar hosted by Australian-based marketing strategist Kelly Slessor on Tuesday.Hosted by the Central App, the seminar offered insights on how to leverage AI to drive growth, efficiency and innovation in the workplace.Originally from the UK and the daughter of a Nigerian father, Kelly quickly learned about coding as a young woman growing up with a father who was left injured and unable to work.When her father bought a home computer to further himself with his career, Kelly quickly realised “that on the other side of every digital experience is a living breathing customer.”Eventually, after moving to Australia, she used her expertise to design digital experiences for major corporate companies, and AI was soon at the forefront of that.“The rate of change in AI is like nothing we have ever seen in history before,” she said.AI was literally going to infiltrate everything we do in business, but the key was teaching people not to be fearful of it, she said.“AI is like the ultimate calculator and we just can’t unplug this. But we do have to train it in the right way.”When AI first arrived in the world, it received one million users within the first five days. And the more people who used it, the better the apps would become, she said.Kelly was quick to point out that it would never replace humans, but by using it appropriately “was where we get the gold out of it.”She said it was important that businesses used the right apps to generate their content, video and images, and the more precise the instructions, the better the outcome.“It’s just like a child really. You can tell it something and sometimes it does something completely different.”The other thing business owners should be mindful of was being transparent to their clients about where they were using AI, whether that be on their website within the terms and conditions, she said.“We should be open and honest about when we are using AI.”To hear more from Kelly, listen to this week's edition of The Outlet podcast.

Central Otago orchardists are pleased with the new changes to the Government’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme.Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced last week new changes that could be delivered quickly, reduce costs and compliance for employers, and improve flexibility for the RSE workers.“Our government is committed to increasing the number of RSE workers over time in line with industry demand, while balancing the availability of New Zealanders and accommodation for workers. That’s why the cap on the number of workers is increasing by 1250 to 20,750 for the 2024/25 season.” Other changes include employers being required to pay workers an average of 30 hours a week over four weeks. The pause on accommodation cost increases will be lifted and the requirement to pay RSE workers 10 per cent above the minimum wage will only apply to experienced workers, recognising their productivity.Panmure Orchards co-owner Jeremy Hiscock said lifting the cap for the number of RSE permitted in NZ should have a beneficial flow on effect to all sectors of the economy, as it provides certainty to growers. He said changes to the RSE scheme were overdue “as growers we have had to absorb significant cost increases with record high inflation in NZ,” he said.Summerfruit NZ chair and Cromwell grower Trudi Webb said it was great to see progress on the discussion points within the programme. “It’s a positive for the RSE men and the local growers to ensure the programme is viable going forward.”Further changes are:Improved flexibility for RSE workers to move between employers and regionsWorkers’ visas will be multi-entry during a seasonRSE workers will be able to undertake training and skills development not directly related to their roleRSE workers will no longer have to be screened for HIV, aligning them with other temporary visa applicant requirementsTimor-Leste will be included in the schemeMost of these changes will be in place in early-September. Further time will be needed to set up the infrastructure and processes on the ground for Timor-Leste to participate. The cap increase fulfils a commitment from the coalition agreement between National and Act.“These changes are just the start. The next phase of our work programme will consider substantive, longer-term options to further improve the wider RSE system and worker welfare settings,” Erica said.

Poolburn School children aren’t just focused on literacy and numeracy.Each of the school’s 39 pupils have added a range of new subjects to their already busy curriculum, including video and design, ahead of their upcoming paddock golf fundraiser.It has been a busy term for the children, who have been planning the day alongside staff and a committee of organisers, including Cam Nicolson.Cam has opened his farm at Poolburn to the event, taking place on September 7, where teams of four will follow an ambrose style tournament - but not as most golfers will know it.Instead, they will have to swap well manicured greens for tufts of grass, fences, pivots, dams and water.Players will also have to chip into water troughs or a hole in the ground.Cam said a range of businesses have come on board to design different holes and 11 teams were registered so far.Poolburn School children have been fronting the camera in the lead up to their upcoming paddock golf event. VIDEO: Supplied/Poolburn School“We’re hoping to get more . . . but we’ll take what we can get.”He said the children, with the help of their teachers, have been working hard to spread the word via video and they have also been designing some of the holes, and helping with the set up.It is the first time the school has organised the event, so it was not known how much they were likely to raise.But, however big or small, it will all go back to the school to benefit the children, he said.“We’re learning as we go. There will be a few mistakes here and there, but our aim is to provide a pretty entertaining day for all those involved.”Cam said it was hoped the event would be held every second year, alternating with the Winter Feed crop competition, which raises money for various community groups.

“Astronomical” costs associated with the proposed Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) have now caught the eye of not one but several government ministers.A second letter from the Minister for the Environment (MFE) Penny Simmonds questioning the impacts of the Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) new plan, due to be notified in October, was sent last week.In her letter it outlined how she and her colleagues have all heard concerns from Otago ratepayers about the proposed costs associated with the achievement of Te Mana o te Wai through the notified plan.The new Government is currently working on a review and replacement of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM).“As earlier expressed, we remain concerned that notifying a plan ahead of this may lead to duplication and additional costs on ratepayers,” she said.Hon Simmonds originally sent a letter to the ORC on July 31 requesting a breakdown of the costs and was now following up again as a matter of urgency.To help the ministers understand what the impacts of the plan were, they have asked the ORC to provide an outline of any change of direction on key issues raised during consultation, and any estimate of costs that are associated with the proposals.Specifically, the request was to understand the implications the plan would have on primary industries, the costs that would be imposed on district councils, and in particular how it related to stormwater and wastewater infrastructure.NZ First list MP Mark Patterson penned his frustration with the ORC in a recent media column saying the proposals were causing “genuine angst” for farmers and those living in rural towns.ORC chair Gretchen Robertson said the ORC was working with Government toward its proposed changes to review and replace the NPS-FM.“While the likelihood of proposed changes has been well reported, we’re waiting for confirmation and the details around what the replacement legislation will be.“We will continue working closely with the minister and MFE and will be addressing the matters raised by the minister in her letter,” she said.The next ORC full council meeting will be held on August 28 where there will be more discussion on the matter.

Alexandra and Clyde can no longer be called retirement towns after latest population statistics reveal a huge increase in young families moving into the areas.A recent report to the Central Otago District Council (CODC) from Arrowtown-based economist Benje Patterson showed 30% of the Vincent ward (Alexandra and Clyde) population was in the 30-49 year-old age group.This compared to just 22% in Cromwell, Maniototo and the Teviot Valley.  Over 65s were now the lowest in the Vincent ward (20%), compared to 28% and 26% in the Teviot and Cromwell wards respectively.Population growth in Vincent (2.4% pa over the past five years) has also sat well above the national average (1.3%pa).The population of Alexandra and Clyde is significantly younger than elsewhere in Central Otago. PHOTO: SuppliedCentral Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said anecdotally he’d also heard Alexandra was “going absolutely gangbusters,” particularly in the 30-49 year old age group.“Alexandra is now not the retirement village anymore,” he said.He said he understood St Gerards Primary School has reported its highest roll ever.Principal Julie Flannery confirmed the school roll was its most significant in 20 years.“We have many new families, not only new to Alexandra but also new to New Zealand. Our expanding cultural makeup and diversity enrich our community. “Overall population growth across Central Otago remains fastest growing in Cromwell, averaging 4.9% in the past five years - more than three times the rate of population growth nationally.In 2018 Cromwell had 8310 residents and that had now jumped to 10,580. The Vincent ward increased from 10,430 to 11,720, while the Teviot increased only slightly from 1820 to 1930 and the Maniototo from 1660 to 1810.Central Otago’s population overall increased from 22,200 to 26,000 during that same time period.The economic development report from Benje will form a new 10-year economic strategy that will reflect the region’s potential for both business and community, by the CODC.The independent report highlights economic and social changes in the community at district and ward levels over the past five years since the current economic strategy was commissioned. It also includes global mega-trends that are slowly changing the broader environment for our economy and will need to be considered in the development of the new strategy.

Woolworths staff have voted to strike, including some Alexandra employees, over low wage offers and unsafe staffing levels.Nearly 10,000 FIRST Union members who work at Countdown and Woolworths stores nationwide have voted to take three initial strike actions.FIRST Union noted the move comes following nine days of bargaining with their employer who is “ruling out” a living wage and is not negotiating productively with workers to address chronic understaffing issues.Connie Prins, who is a union worker at Woolworths Alexandra, said it was not a traditional “down tools strike”, but more about raising social awareness regarding staffing conditions.Connie Prins with the sticker staff will be sporting, calling for fairer wages and improved staffing conditions. PHOTO: SuppliedShe said the move also addressed the need for increased rates for working weekends and evenings.Connie is among those involved in the action who will be “proudly” wearing a sticker to raise community awareness.She was one of the 10,000 staff who were surveyed nationwide and felt the store was understaffed.FIRST Union national organiser for retail food Ross Lampert said more than 95 per cent of strike ballot respondents had voted to take three initial strike actions, with a smaller group of members across 10 key Woolworths stores nationwide also voting for an additional action. A list of the conditions FIRST Union members want Woolworths to address. IMAGE: Supplied"This is a case of one of the largest and most profitable businesses in New Zealand deciding that their workers no longer deserve a fair deal and must accept whatever they put on the table - it just doesn’t work that way."Our members are seeking a living wage, safe staffing minimum standards and fair compensation for giving up family and leisure time to work understaffed night and weekend shifts."The current Woolworths start rate is $24.93 per hour, while Costco is paying new staff $27 per hour and Foodstuffs sites like Pak’N’Save Kilbirnie have a start rate of $26 per hour.FIRST Union's recent survey of supermarket workers showed that 90.8 per cent of respondents said their stores were understaffed, either "sometimes" (36.2 per cent) "regularly" (30 per cent) or "continuously" (24.7 per cent).Woolworths New Zealand managing director Spencer Sonn said the organisation had brought a strong offer to the table in its discussions with FIRST Union.“We know we pay near the top of the market already and we offer a range of benefits to our team. We’re also investing over $45 million in making our stores safer for our team and customers.”He said the supermarket was disappointed First Union has tabled claims on behalf of its members totalling nearly $1 billion over 1 year, which was unsustainable. “Our offer includes a 6.6 per cent increase for our store team on average over two years, and we have a genuine focus on helping our team have long and meaningful careers with us.“In the current economic environment, we have to balance increasing costs and providing value for customers, but making sure our team earns more is also a key priority for us.”He said Woolworths would continue to engage with FIRST Union in good faith.

The Central Otago District Council has recognised there is a disparity with its districtisation proposal towards the Teviot Ward.At the Cromwell Community Board meeting yesterday, Mayor Tim Cadogan said there had been a change in direction from where they had originally gone with districtisation.“We have been contemplating a binary or all or nothing solution, but we have put in an option two now.”The Teviot Valley Community Board’s submission outlined that it was unfair its ratepayers would have to pay an extra $233 a year for other pools in the district, if they were all council owned.Option two was for the districtisation of property, parks, cemeteries, pools and museums but included a rating adjustment for the Teviot Valley ward to offset pool charges.For the Teviot Valley under the revised proposed districtisation option, the new $2.7 million Ida MacDonald Trust pool would continue to be owned by the community, and only supported by ratepayer funding from its own ward - as would the Millers Flat pool.It would also mean Teviot ratepayers would not have to contribute to the running costs of other pools in the district such as Alexandra, Cromwell and Ranfurly.This would mean average rates for Cromwell would change from being $52 less a year to just $35 less a year, with the cost of the new hall still spread right across the district.Formal consultation about the proposed changes with the community will start this month, with numerous town hall meeting sessions, followed by hearings and deliberations.Council planned to rate certain activities across the district rather than by ward level, as it was particularly challenging in the less populated areas to maintain services - given the fewer ratepayers in these areas to spread the cost across. In the mid 1990s roading was changed to a district rate rather than a ward rate, and in 2015 council engaged with the community to change the funding of three waters to be at the district level rather than at the ward level.A final districtisation decision will be made on September 5..

Work to bring Roxburgh’s Entertainment Centre up to standard is tracking well.The centre has been closed since June, to allow a wide range of works to take place for the overall benefit of the facility.That work is going well, helped by the fact it wasn’t weather dependent so cold, wet conditions had not affected progress.The Roxburgh Entertainment Centre will have a new lease of life in the coming months. PHOTO: SuppliedCentral Otago District Council (CODC) has confirmed the fire alarm upgrade is already complete, along with installation of high-level LED lighting.A CODC spokesperson said work to finish compliance items for fire and accessibility to meet today’s standards was still underway.Work has also started on the southern wall, which has deteriorated over the years.The work has been in the pipeline for a few years and, once completed, the building will be brought up to a required standard to help increase capacity, which is currently limited. Due to the ongoing work, the hall is not expected to be open until September or October.

More small-scale private hydro power schemes have been declined by the Otago Regional Council (ORC) in recent weeks, according to councillor Gary Kelliher.Lowburn resident Jack Davis attended the public forum of the ORC’s recent Cromwell meeting to share his concerns about his water permit being declined to set up his own hydro power scheme.Cr Kelliher questioned Jack at the meeting “why did you even ask?” knowing full well his consent was tied up in red tape through the current Land and Water Regional Plan.“Since Mr Davis presented to council I have been made aware of other very similar circumstances, including one that was declined by council staff that same week,” Cr Kelliher said.He said the ORC was becoming almost “hypocritical” in its evolving stance towards those schemes.  “There has always been a very strong bias against water use and irrigators, but in these latest situations like Mr Davis', ORC now want to further the bias and red tape towards continual no for these applications, when all these people are trying to do is improve efficiency for themselves and their activities.”Jack has a permitted water take from the Stratford Creek but wanted to divert that water through a PowerSpout turbine.However, the council has informed him his existing consent does not technically allow him to take water from the creek and put it to work turning a turbine.The ORC confirmed last week there was no option under the current regional water plan to change on a consent how water is used, or to add in an additional use for the water, such as hydroelectricity.However, there was the option to swap out the existing permit for one that included hydroelectricity as a water use - but he would need to go through an application process to do so.Cr Kelliher said the new Government promised to reduce red tape but councils like the ORC were determined to add more.“The ORC are utterly determined to require resource consent for as many activities that use natural resources as it can. It has ballooned into a regulatory authority that wants control and ability to charge and set conditions against activities that often take well-meaning people by surprise, and immediately sets them at odds with council.”He said this was “totally wrong and needs to be halted.”Cr Kelliher along with Cr Michael Laws have been staunchly against the proposed Land and Water Regional Plan, that is due to be notified in October.The pair back the Government’s request for delays so a more realistic land and water plan can be established, so that Jack and others were not dragged through a bureaucratic minefield of cost and grief, with no certainty of an outcome.

Understanding your dreams and the motivations behind your hard work can offer profound insights.Why do you pour your blood, sweat, and tears into your business? What's your ultimate goal? Where do you see yourself in the future? What truly brings you joy?Reflecting on these questions can be enlightening for both you and those around you.So why dream?Often, we don't take the time to think about the future, but having personal goals and aspirations to look forward to is more important than we often realise.Envisioning your dreams is not only beneficial for you but also serves as excellent role modelling and can spark engaging conversations with colleagues.Sharing your dreams can provide others with a unique glimpse into your motivations and what drives you.Of course, you don't have to share anything you're not comfortable with. Whether your dream is medieval cosplay or something else entirely, all power to you! The positive psychological effects of pursuing goals by Dr. Patrick Keelan:We would recommend reading the article below as it highlights that goals provide purpose in everyday life, boost self-esteem, offer structure, improve time management, and help manage stress. Another additional effect of goal setting is that working toward goals can foster positive social relationships.Each of these aspects contributes to a more fulfilling and balanced life, illustrating why having dreams and striving for them can be crucial to our happiness and mental health.https://drpatrickkeelan.com/stress/the-positive-psychological-effects-of-pursuing-goals/Remembering or setting goals.Here is a quick exercise you can do right now!!Grab a pen and paper and write three headings:ExperiencesGrowthContribution Now get the timer open on your phone and set it for 90 seconds. Try to not think too hard during this exercise.Start the timer and under “Experiences” write down anything that comes to mind that on your last day alive you would want to have experienced. You could list places to visit, personal achievements, meaningful relationships, health goals. Imagine you have no obstacles or financial constraints and just go for it until the timer stops.Now, under the “Growth” heading, do the same. Think about ways you'd like to grow in intellectual pursuits, character traits, health, fitness, and spiritual growth.Finally, under the “Contribution” heading list ways to give back: volunteering, helping others, sharing knowledge, supporting causes. How can this enrich your life?Writing down your life goals makes them concrete and helps us see how they can contribute to a deeper sense of fulfilment. How Easi NZ can help.At EASI NZ we love to support small to medium businesses realise their potential. By understanding your goals and dreams it enables us to tailor our recruitment and HR services effectively, aligning strategies to achieve personal and business aspirations seamlessly.Get in touch today and see how we help get you on the right track for your business, people and clients to make those dreams become a reality! You'll find us in The Central App Easi NZ

Join us on the 1st of each month as we celebrate the remarkable individuals who make our communities special. Today we are launching our new series, profiling local heroes whose contributions, stories, and passions shape the heart and soul of our towns. We begin with Oturehua's Ken Gillespie, a man of many hats and talents.Oturehua farmer Ken Gillespie is your Type-A overachiever – rural style, a man who gets things done.Calls come in from around the district most days. They all know Ken’s unlikely to ever say, ‘no’. “You do what you can to help,” says the man who’s on multiple community committees and trusts across the Ida Valley and beyond.To Ken, 72, who’s regularly helped local ladies serve homemade soup, pea pie and ‘pud, to 250 hungry South Island bonspiel curlers all in an hour, it’s no big deal. “You can do 150 with your hands tied behind your back,” he assures.Ken and the blokes from Maniototo Lions are old hands, having catered for many local weddings. They have it down pat: “You need around 350gms of meat each for country folk and around 300gms for the ones from town,” he says.Ken, who is a life member of New Zealand Curling and Maniototo Curling International, has the Idaburn Dam on his family’s 1500ha farm, which is now mostly sold, some leased to a nephew. Ken’s frequently down on the ice, with others, ensuring it’s suitable for curling.He also spent many days assisting Irv McKnight, founder of the hugely popular Brass Monkey Motorcycle Rally which ran for 40 years on Ken’s farm.Ken down on the farm in Oturehua. PHOTO: SuppliedMost weeknights he has a committee meeting or two, or he’s off around the lower South Island helping judge merino shearing competitions.Water’s pretty important in the dry arid farmlands of the Maniototo - Ken should know after sitting on the Hawkdun Idaburn Irrigation Company for 40 years, 37 as chairman, and served on the Otago Water Resources Group for another 40, and the Manuherekia Catchment Group. He’s heavily involved in the Oturehua Winter Sports Club, chairs the Oturehua Hall committee and has been an elder of the local Presbyterian Church for 35-plus years.To Ken, it’s no big deal being this busy. “Uh, you get tied up in things,” he says.As a trustee of the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust and right in the thick of every community event, Ken’s helped put Oturehua on the map, particularly passionate about local history and showing off the neighbouring Hayes Engineering Works.A life member of the Maniototo Lions Club, he’s helped cater for many Cavalcades and when the club ran its duathlon, it was Ken up the rear sneaking rides in his truck to the ‘tail end Charlies’.When someone dies in Ida Valley Ken, the local sexton, and his mates dig the grave in the notoriously tough clay soil of the Blackstone Hill Cemetery. “I reckon those early settlers had the last laugh putting the cemetery there,” he grins. “It’s hard as the hobs of hell.”He chaired the Oturehua School Board so when the Ministry of Education changed school terms from three to four it was Ken who went in to bat in a district where the coldest winter temperature clocked in at -21 degrees Celsius in 1991. “I asked them to pay for the extra heating. A holiday in mid-July is for the birds.”Born in 1951, Maniototo farm life is all he’s known, and the cold doesn’t bother him. “You just put another layer on.”He remembers his grandmother working the butter churn, Ken separating the milk and cream as a kid.Curling tournaments meant a day off school to drag sledges carrying a hot water urn and the ‘secret coffee brew’, cheese and biscuits over the ice to the curlers. Ken’s skated on the farm ponds since he was four and curled since he was 21.Ice is to be respected, he says. But, once he took the ‘never say no’ a bit too far. “We were shifting snow, grading the rinks for curling and I took my tractor down rather than the wee community tractor. I told the boys I wasn’t totally comfortable with it and sure enough the back wheels went through the ice.” Ken in action during his team's NZ Masters Curling win. PHOTO: SuppliedKen plunged shin-deep into the icy water. “Boy, was that cold!” They needed a chainsaw to free the tractor. Rugby was big, Ken playing for Maniototo Juniors, and at Carisbrook while at Otago Boys.After a stint back on the farm from 1968, Ken did a US farmworker exchange to Kansas for 18 months, aged 19, posted to 11 properties in 12 months.Sheep sales were also prominent in the valley, resulting in a big community day, and night out at the Oturehua Pub.John Steel got a bit excited once and rode his horse into the pub.The Antarctic Angels bikie gang liked the Ida Valley Pub too, holding the publicans to ransom one night in the late 1960s. Unsurprisingly, the school PTA wasn’t keen when Ken, Irv, and John Weir sought its support to stage the first Brass Monkey Motorcycle Rally as a fundraiser. “They said, ‘Bikies?! Hell, no!’ So Irv took it to the Winter Sports Club. We had a yarn and we said, “We can handle that, I reckon.” And they did. Ken was awarded a Central Otago community service award in 2011 and New Zealander of the Year ‘Local Hero’ Award in 2020, but it’s his team’s two NZ Masters Curling golds and a silver that are “pretty special”. He’s also won bronze with the Naseby team at the NZ Senior Men’s Tournament.Every Sunday from October until April Ken cranks up the Pelton wheel at Hayes Engineering to fascinate the tourists and for nearly seven years he’s run tours, taking mostly Rail Trail visitors to Cambrian and St Bathans. “I do a couple of hundred a year. I meet a lot of good people and I love the reaction when they get to Bob Berry’s gardens.”Ken’s renowned locally for his flat whites too.As if it’s not time to kick back, Ken’s now helping with the daily mail run – 150km delivering papers, bread and milk too.“I thought I’d retired a few years ago, but too many people found out,” he grins. “You do what you can to help.”

The Teviot Valley Community Board (TVCB) has joined Cromwell in submitting against districtisation, but the Vincent Community Board is in support, while nothing has been said from the Maniototo.The Central Otago District Council (CODC) agreed today to carry out formal consultation about the proposed changes with the community during August, followed by hearings and deliberations.In a report to council from staff, it was noted that over the past 20 years council has engaged in consultation to the community to rate certain activities across the district rather than by ward level. This was because it was particularly challenging in the less populated wards to maintain services given the fewer ratepayers in these areas to spread the cost across. In the mid 1990s roading was changed to a district rate rather than a ward rate, and in 2015 council engaged with the community to change the funding of three waters to be at the district level rather than at the ward level. The report said any decision to further districtise services will not impact level of services in each ward, these would remain the same levels as they are now until there was a decision by council to alter those.The Cromwell Community Board has expressed several concerns about the proposal, and chair Anna Harrison also spoke at the meeting.The submission stated they were concerned that ‘wealthier’ wards such as Cromwell will subsidise the rest of the district, which will result in potential perceived loss for Cromwell ratepayers.Teviot board members' concerns included an example using the recently completed Punawai Ora pool project, where $2.7 million was raised to ensure the community had a safe place to swim.“The Ida MacDonald Trust Pool is just one of the many recreational facilities the Teviot Valley is proud of. How could TVCB support CODC taking ownership of the pool to capitalise on the depreciation of the asset and spread the financial benefits across the district, and then charge the very people who worked to build it an extra $233 per year in rates for the privilege?” the submission from Teviot Valley Community Board members stated.The Vincent board supports the proposal and notes the challenges of the current economic climate and the challenges of the current rating system.“The board is, however, concerned that there is a risk that the importance of community boards is diminished,” Vincent Community Board members stated. However, they did stress that council and community boards will need to work in partnership to meet the needs of the community, so they do not become a voiceless advisory group.The final decision will be made at the council meeting on September 25.

A collaboration of many minds has brought Kāmoanahaehae - the meeting place of the two rivers in Alexandra to be celebrated through the Riverside Park project.The Vincent Community Board was treated to a presentation from members of the Alexandra Riverside Park Trust, the designer involved in the staged project and Aukaha - representing mana whenua.Led by local businessman Rory McLellan, the trust along with the Central Otago District Council has managed to secure $1.275 million for the $1.46 million project, which is still on track to be completed this summer.“It was a big undertaking with meetings every fortnight. No stone has been unturned,” he told the board yesterday.Anderson Fencing and Earthworks together with their landscape architect Neville Stewart Landscaping as construction partner won the council’s open tender to design and complete the work.Starting with the removal of the willows between the lower end of Tarbert St and the Alexandra Bridge, a new plaza area will feature seating, shade trees, and a river access pathway leading off a viewing platform overlooking the confluence of the Manuherekia and Clutha Mata-Au rivers.Kāmoanahaehae - the Alexandra Riverside Park is a joint effort with council, community business leaders and iwi. IMAGE: SuppliedA 6m high sculpture or pou whenua will be commissioned to welcome visitors to the area and drawing their attention to Kopuwai on the Old Man Range.A resin product etched into the path woven in traditional Maori design will light the pathway at night, and it was hoped the plaza space would attract food trucks and open performances.Aukaha representative Kitty Brown said bringing people to the water was important “so we can be closer to the environment.”It was also a special privilege for iwi to be able to place a ‘marker’ on an area of such cultural significance as Kāmoanahaehae.Read more: Funding confirmed for first stage of Riverside Park Plaza project

Maniototo residents are on a mission to beautify Ranfurly.The town is the focus of a project to ensure its main street and other areas are given the attention they deserve, including the introduction of plants.Maniototo Business Group members discussed the next stage of the project during their recent evening meeting, which included confirmation Tiaki Maniototo would supply 200 plants to the Ranfurly wide project.Business group members Tania Murray Haigh and Russ Haigh, of Lohi, have also been in contact with a group of men, who want to help with the project.The group called Southern Dash, is made up of members from around the South Island, who will be in the area for a curling tournament as part of their annual road trip.After hearing about the beautification project, they reached out asking what the group of 36 could do to help.Keen to make the most of the offer, the beautification committee have welcomed the group’s offer of one and half hours’ labour before they head to Naseby.“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Tania said.However, Southern Dash members will be doing more than just offering their labour during their whirlwind visit.They have also got jackets to give to children at St John’s School and backpacks for Maniototo Area School to be used during camps.Southern Dash members will be in the area on Friday, September 20, from 9.20am and members of the public are welcome to come along on the day to also lend a hand.The beautification committee welcomes more donations of plants, or funding to help make sure the project gives Ranfurly the appearance it deserves.

Federated Farmers is disappointed that consultation on the Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP), due to be notified in October, has been “disappointingly secretive”.In a letter to the Otago Regional Council (ORC) and ministers involved in the process on Wednesday, Federated Farmers urged for better transparency on the plan.Federated Farmers said some of the new proposed rules including “overly restrictive” requirements for fencing sheep and beef farms that would impact local farming families.Signed by Otago president Luke Kane, North Otago president Otto Dogterom, along with meat and wool chair Logan Wallace, the group said while they were a part of an initial confidential consultation, “we are now completely in the dark as to what is being proposed and how it might impact our rural communities.”Up until now they have been unable to share the details of the earlier information with its members because of confidentiality, including the transparency on costs of giving effect to Te Mana o te Wai.Te Mana o te Wai, or mana of the water, is about recognising the vital importance of clean, healthy water for maintaining the health of our waterbodies, freshwater ecosystems and the communities that rely upon them for their sustenance and wellbeing.Choosing to break their silence, Federated Farmers believe the application of Te Mana o te Wai will result in astronomical costs to farmers, with suggestions of more than $110 million for just two small Otago towns.“For those communities the cost equates to more than $50,000 per residential ratepayer," the letter read."If similar costs can be expected across the rest of the Otago region this will quickly add up to a multi-billion dollar cost for the region and an unconscionable burden on local ratepayers – and this is before increased operating costs are even considered.” Federated Farmers believes the ORC has engaged with tangata whenua, but not the wider community, on how Te Mana o te Wai will be applied in our region.  The group is also concerned that communities remain in the dark on what new rules will be needed for farming and other industries such as forestry to comply with onerous national bottom lines contained in the current national direction for freshwater management.  Federated Farmers has urged the ORC to be transparent with its communities about what is being proposed in the LWRP and the potential costs. A current draft of the plan should be released for public discussion.  “There is no sense in rushing to notify this plan in October. Due to the significant implications for our community, we believe further consultation, engagement and analysis is needed. This would also provide time for the council to respond to changing central government direction,” the letter stated. ORC chair Gretchen Robertson and chief executive Richard Saunders both responded to requests for comment.Richard refuted the claims that it had been a “secretive” process.“Our door has always been open for groups including Federated Farmers who have asked to discuss aspects of the draft plan.”Gretchen said Otago’s new LWRP would include rules built from community visions and the fundamental values we share. “Every Otago participant in our Land and Water Plan process identified good water as a priority. The plan creates regulatory pathways to these visions over time through rules and policies. It's one part of a puzzle - an important backstop for a plethora of positive voluntary community and business investment enhancement. Change and regulation can be tough to deal with and needs to be well planned. There’s no magic wand. We can’t avoid, we need practical pathways and time. The plan is about seeing change as opportunity, future proofing and achieving our shared vision of good water – both urban and rural.”

Retail business owners beware; eftpos theft is in our midst and for a Central Otago retailer, it meant selling five items for just six cents.The shop owner, who declined to be named, was this week ripped off by a couple of offenders who distracted the shop assistant when the transaction for $619 was about to go through.A staff member had tendered the right amount and when not looking, the offender, in a matter of seconds, cleared that amount and re-entered a different one.“Another person was ripping tags off the clothing to distract them,” the store manager said.The store just recently upgraded its eftpos terminal to a one-piece wireless model, but has since changed it back to the older two-piece model and improved procedures and security in store as well.“It’s not the machine but the speed with how it was very swiftly manipulated,” the store owner said.“Handing over the machine leaves you vulnerable. It’s so important to immediately check the receipt. It’s an expensive wakeup call for us,” he said.Cromwell Police public safety team supervisor Regan Price confirmed they had received a complaint of theft from the shop owners.The file has been assigned to a constable for investigation, “and with that investigation underway, I don’t have any further information in relation to the suspect at this time,” he said.Police were assessing CCTV footage from the Cromwell Mall, and the bank was also helping with the investigation, in identifying the people involved.The offender once identified, would then be charged with theft by deception, and the store owner is hopeful they will be apprehended. “It is our policy to make the police aware of every type of criminal offence no matter how minor.“This is no minor offence but even if it was, we’d still notify the police. To me there are no exceptions for petty crime.” 

There were plenty of important people at the Otago Regional Council (ORC) meeting in Cromwell yesterday.As well as a presentation by parliamentary commissioner for the environment Simon Upton and chief economist Geoff Simmons, Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan attended with councillors Tracy Paterson and Tamah Alley.The public gallery was full and four people chose to speak on issues ranging from private hydro generation to the perceived over allocation of water rights.Simon explained his role as commissioner as being independent from the Government and said he was the fourth person to hold that position of office.He discussed his recent report reviewing the management of the environment in New Zealand, ‘Going Against The Grain,’ which had been three years in the making.Consultation with farmers, community, iwi and business owners were all essential and he learned a lot about people in the process, “which was more interesting than the environmental stuff,” he said.Things to note from the report included that the bigger land use change from 1996 to 2018 was the move from low producing grasslands to more exotic forestry.But the problems remained the same and the way people used their land needed to change in some places, he said.“There are land uses that just don’t match what the land can actually sustain and support,” he said.ORC chair Gretchen Robertson said the council welcomed the opportunity to hear firsthand from the parliamentary commissioner, who drew on six years of research to present practical suggestions around land use change.“These are big topics facing all regions across the nation. The state of our environment, changes currently underway and projected change needs considered as communities work together to strategically tackle the challenges and look for opportunities to ensure we can all thrive now and for the future.”Councillors will today be taking the opportunity to visit a range of organisations and view different projects around the district.

The proposed Hawkeswood Mining development at Millers Flat is gaining support with the owners hoping for an October start date.Owner Simon Johnstone said they were just in the process of submitting their right of reply to the commissioners, following the recent hearing.A revised set of draft conditions for the Central Otago District Council (CODC) consent and for the four Otago Regional Council (ORC) consents have been worked through.Simon said they have taken into consideration concerns from submitters and iwi has looked over everything as well, “and everyone’s on the same page.”“The ball will be back in the commissioners’ court and we’ll await their decision, but it was looking positive,” he said.The CODC and ORC have updated their Section 42a report to now recommend consent be granted and iwi no longer opposed the application and were neutral.Simon said the company had spent close to $3 million on the consent application so far, and with respect to the conditions, he said, “it’s as good as you’re going to get.”Hawkeswood Mining Ltd expects to create up to 30 jobs and inject an estimated $5 million to $7 million annually into the local community with its gold mine on the banks of the Clutha Mata-Au River.The project received more than 470 submissions, the majority of which were in support.The hearing was told the company aimed to return the land to pastoral use after it had finished, and rehabilitation work would be ongoing throughout the 10-year project.Hawkeswood Mining first applied for a discretionary consent in 2022 for a two-hectare mine over a period of five years.This was, by request of the applicant, publicly notified by the ORC and CODC in 2023.Hawkeswood Mining then paused the application to make amendments, extending the proposed mine to cover about 10 hectares for a period of 10 years.The councils determined a new application needed to be made due to the significant increase in the intensity and scale of the activity.Hawkeswood Mining is seeking consent to use the land as well as to take water, and discharge water to land only, with no risk of contaminants being discharged to water.

Central Otago is set to host the next Otago Regional Council (ORC) meeting, being held in Cromwell on July 24.The ORC makes a point of holding meetings in each of the constituencies once a year, and the public are welcome to attend.Anybody interested in speaking in the public forum should let the council know to give staff and councillors advanced warning.Dunstan ward councillor Gary Kelliher said holding the meetings in the regions was not an easy exercise as staff have to relocate from Dunedin for the day, and the meeting has to be set up on a livestream.“The ORC is attempting to be more inclusive of the regions by holding at least one meeting in each area, and I do think it’s a good thing. But unless it includes topical papers then it can be a total waste of resources and efforts required to hold the meetings outside of Dunedin.”Central Otago issues should be discussed at Central Otago meetings, and this was a good attempt at being more meaningfully engaged with its communities, he said.Last year’s meeting in Cromwell attracted three people from the public and one of those was knitting, Gary said.“The public forum is way under utilised by ratepayers and stakeholders.”Air quality would be one of the more timely topics that the ORC was working on across the regions, and in Central Otago in particular over winter with the high use of wood burners.ORC would also be likely to give the councillors and the public an update on its Land and Water Plan, which was currently at stage four with stakeholder consultation involving iwi.The Cromwell meeting will be held at the Gate from 1pm to 5pm on Wednesday July 24.