Bendigo’s thriving wine growing area could also soon be home to Santana Minerals' large gold mining project.Santana Minerals is rapidly advancing its scoping study into the Rise and Shine gold exploration area near Bendigo, and is on track to submit a consent application in February 2025.Chief executive Damian Spring spoke to the Cromwell Community Board on Tuesday about the company’s plans, which expects to make $4.4 billion from gold generation over the next 10 years.The company will be employing up to 250 people both from within the wider Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts, as well as through expert consultants.He spoke at the meeting about what would happen if the Government was to review what royalties were generated by the company, and what portion would be offered to the community.This would include both Cromwell and Tarras, he said.“The Tarras community have let us know where they sit.”Sustainable Tarras - a lobby group set up to investigate the now shelved airport proposal has also been strong in its opposition to Santana Minerals' plans for a gold mine.The company will be carrying out a series of public consultation meetings in both Cromwell and Tarras in coming weeks, and also invites people to drop into their office in Chardonnay St.Questions were asked at the meeting about whether the company was doing anything proactive for accommodation, and whether this would be offered onsite.Damian said nothing long term would be established onsite, “but we recognise that bringing in 100 people into the area will bring in extra pressure.”A temporary camp for 80 people would be set up for those expert contractors who were travelling from afar to come and do their work, and who were only around for a short period.Mayor Tim Cadogan said there was also sensitivity within the wine growing industry about the proposed gold mining activity, particularly when Bendigo had been designated a wine growing area.“I think it’s too early to judge that right now, about the impacts on them,” Damian said.Drop in Sessions

Foodstuffs South Island stores have been banned from alcohol sales for 48 hours next month after promoting discounts that exceeded legal limits.A Foodstuffs spokesperson said the co-operative and its stores take their responsibility for the safe advertising, sale, and supply of alcohol very seriously.“In January due to an inadvertent process failure, one New World Clubcard promotion was advertised online with a discount exceeding the permitted advertising limit set out in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, by 1.1 per cent.  “Since then, we’ve implemented stricter processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again. We fully respect the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority’s process, and all affected New World stores will comply with the ruling.” New World supermarkets in Alexandra, Cromwell, Queenstown and Wānaka are among the nine Otago supermarkets to be banned from selling alcohol after advertising a discount for DB Export Gold and Ultra Low Carb beer products.The online advertisement said the beer would be discounted by 26.1 per cent for customers with a loyalty card, breaching the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, which says it is an offence to promote or advertise discounts on alcohol of 25 per cent or more.The restriction, imposed by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (ARLA), will be in place for New World stores from 7am on Tuesday October 8 for 48 hours.A two-day hearing was held in front of ARLA in the Christchurch District Court last month.  Foodstuffs South Island has more than 200 stores across the South Island.  

Upgrading Alexandra’s Molyneux Stadium to a safe seismic standard and extending its life by 30 years would cost $5.6 million, compared to demolishing and building a new one for $15 million.But the Vincent Community Board agreed last week, before it could push on with a staged investment over the next nine years, it had to wait on the outcome of the districtisation discussion by the Central Otago District Council (CODC) first.CODC would be making a decision at its next meeting in two weeks, on whether a district-wide approach should be adopted for services across all of the wards (Vincent, Cromwell, Maniototo and Teviot).Council’s property officer Tara Bates confirmed the Molyneux building was still considered good/moderate according to a recent building condition assessment report, and there had already been $1.2 million budgeted for maintenance work in the draft Long Term Plan (2025-34).A further $4.43 million had also been budgeted for out of the Vincent Community Board Reserves for earthquake strengthening, asbestos removal, fire safety and accessibility compliance work in 2027-2028.Molyneux Stadium is a highly utilised community facility by many different sporting codes, but a detailed seismic assessment rated it under 20 per cent of the new build standard, making it a very high risk in an earthquake.The report said asbestos was found in various parts of the building, and this would need to be removed before the seismic work began.The building also lacked adequate accommodation for people with disabilities, which meant modifications were required and the fire safety systems upgraded with new alarms, lighting and a sprinkler system.

Central’s women in horticulture will benefit from $300,000 in government funding to boost career advancement and networking opportunities, announced by Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg last week.Nicola, who is Minister for Women and Associate Minister of Agriculture, said the Government was empowering women in the horticulture industry by funding an initiative to support networking and career progression.“The United Fresh Women in Horticulture (Women in Horticulture - WIH) initiative will deliver workshops and professional development sessions enabling women to upskill and reach their full potential," she said.“It also provides the sector an opportunity to positively influence industry attitudes by looking for ways we can encourage women to remain in - and be recognised - within horticulture.”Nicola said women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20 per cent of leadership roles, which was why initiatives like this were so important.“Women are underrepresented at leadership level, meaning they are impacted by the gender pay gap and disproportionate retirement earnings compared to men."The $300,000 is committed over three years to WIH to make New Zealand a world leader for gender equity in horticulture.“Our government is focused on growing the economy and supporting our primary industries so that Kiwis can get ahead."Alexandra’s Whitney Conder has been in Wellington as a part of Kellogg rural leadership programme and met with Nicola.Whitney Conder. PHOTO: LinkedIn She works as a cherry orchard manager and is keen to involve more women in WIH Central Otago as well as at a national level.“Work is underway on a needs assessment to scope the areas of focus for Women in Horticulture over the next three years. “Workshops and networking events will be planned to meet these needs.“Anyone looking to join Women in Horticulture New Zealand should visit the page, put in their details, or follow local and regional groups on Facebook or Instagram.”

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) has made further changes to its Land and Water Regional Plan and says it will now be less costly.But the actual costs that have been requested by Environment Minister Penny Simmonds were still being worked through and won’t be released until September 17.On Wednesday, September 11, the ORC put out a media statement following last week’s closed meeting to discuss a letter to Minister Simmonds, and on Thursday representatives met with her in Parliament to discuss the issues further.Chair Gretchen Robertson said in the release, the full costs and implications requested by Minister Simmonds were still being developed.But Dunstan Ward councillor Gary Kelliher said the ORC had reached a new level of disgrace by continuing to withhold information from the public.“The lack of transparency is becoming the norm for a council that has environmental ideology ahead of the actual needs of Otago and its long-suffering ratepayers,” he said.Cr Robertson said there was still a large part of its community concerned about water degradation that were asking them to act now.“The bulk of our plan was drafted over 15 years ago, and it hasn’t kept up with the rest of New Zealand,” the statement said.“As part of our response we have committed to providing further information to the minister as soon as it is available.”She said the ORC was confident that changes made since its November 2023 engagement were aligned with government direction, better enable infrastructure and allowed more flexibility to farmers through the use of Freshwater Farm Plans. “Without a replacement plan our communities - particularly our farmers - will face high administrative costs in complying with our existing plan.” 

Central Otago District Council (CODC) is on track with Clyde’s heritage precinct infrastructure work and is exploring options to allocate more resources to it, with the goal of finishing as soon as possible, a spokesperson said.CODC senior land development engineer Dan Kirkman said there was a possibility the work could be completed ahead of the December 1 target.  A Central local, who wanted to remain anonymous said Clyde was “like a ghost town at the moment” because of the road closures.Dan said CODC was in the planning phase of a national level marketing campaign to showcase Clyde, when the work on the street has been completed.“We recognise the hurt Clyde has been experiencing.“It’s fair to compensate by pulling a good marketing campaign together that Clyde is open for business.”The Central App asked Dan if any economic relief or reimbursement could help businesses who were impacted by the works.“[CODC] does not provide economic relief in the form of rate reductions or reimbursements. “To support local businesses, we’ve taken steps such as putting up additional signage to clearly indicate that businesses are open and pedestrian access is available throughout the project.”An artist's impression of what the main street in Clyde will look like, once completed. PHOTO: SuppliedOn Thursday, last week, there were no workers on site, something that was adding to the frustrations of some business owners, who have been dealing with limited access to their establishments.Dan said sometimes there are no contractors on site due to other commitments."In a district like ours the contractors are sometimes called away to deal with higher priority jobs, sometimes emergency infrastructure repairs in other parts of our district. Sometimes they are waiting for materials and sometimes certain work can only be done in certain weather or temperatures.”Dan has been sending out email updates relating to the project since May 2023, the frequency has varied; some have been weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on the level of work occurring and disruption.He said on average he has received two or three queries a week relating to the project.“We understand that the disruptions caused by the ongoing roadworks are challenging, and we sincerely appreciate everyone’s patience as we carry out these important upgrades. “One of the key improvements has been the replacement of the ageing water pipe, which has previously experienced failures and required reactive maintenance.”Dan said the upgrades would enhance the resilience of Clyde’s essential services, reducing the risk of unplanned closures in the future.If you have any questions regarding the work contact Dan on [email protected] more: Positive meeting on Clyde road closure

Preliminary work on the Alexandra Riverside Project will begin next week, marking the start of a major redevelopment to transform the riverside area into a vibrant public space.  The first phase of the project in lower Tarbert St will be the establishment of a new entrance into The Warehouse carpark. This will be followed later in the week with the removal of a number of willows and poplars on the riverbank at the junction of the Clutha/Mata-Au and Manuherekia rivers, in a joint exercise between the Central Otago District Council (CODC) and Otago Regional Council (ORC). Alexandra Riverside Trust chair Rory Mclellan is stoked to be reaching this stage. “This is a project a long time in the making, and we are very excited to see it finally happening, to rejuvenate a part of Alexandra that has always had so much potential. “Our aim has always been to help integrate the rivers and riverside with the pedestrian heart of Alexandra, so that it becomes a space for family-friendly recreation and community events, as well as being a destination for cyclists and walkers using the network of local trails.”An artist's impression of what the new development will look like once complete. IMAGE: Supplied The project has had the support of the Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, Lottery Grants Board, Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Aukaha, Anderson Fencing and Earthworks, Heritage New Zealand and ORC, as well as CODC. It was hoped that the initial work could begin the week commencing Monday, September 16 weather depending and would involve closing the carpark at the rear of The Warehouse while the work was carried out, for about three weeks. Logs will be removed from the site. Some will be donated for firewood and the smaller limbs chipped for mulch. This will allow phased development to begin, which will include the creation of a plaza and river access, enhancements including, seating, toilets, information panels and the creation of a bike hub to transform the area. Vincent Community Board member and project champion Jayden Cromb is also thrilled to see the rejuvenation of this historically and culturally significant site get underway. “The design and aims of the project honour the past, the present and the future, and we’re all looking forward to seeing it progress.” To keep up with the project and to subscribe to stay informed, go to Let’s Talk: Alexandra Riverside Project | Let’s Talk Central Otago (codc.govt.nz).Read more: Riverside Park will mark significance of riversRead more: Decision on Riverside Park development today

Most people have heard of the Disputes Tribunal (formerly known as the Small Claims Tribunal) for debt recovery. Not everyone knows how it works and when it can be used.If you are facing difficulties recovering a debt that is in dispute, the Disputes Tribunal can be a useful and cost-effective process to resolve the issue without the need for costly legal proceedings. The Disputes Tribunal is designed to handle claims up to $30,000 without using lawyers and following a more informal procedure than the District Court or High Court. Here’s a guide on how to use the Disputes Tribunal to recover a disputed debt:1. Evaluate Eligibility:Monetary Limit: Your claim must be no more than $30,000 (excluding interest and costs).Types of Claims: The Disputes Tribunal typically handles disputes over debts, goods, services, or personal property.Dispute: Ensure there is a dispute over whether the claim is recoverable.2. Attempt Negotiation: Before proceeding to the Disputes Tribunal, try to resolve the issue with the debtor. This may involve sending formal letters requesting payment or using mediation services.3. Prepare Documentation: Gather all relevant documents related to the debt, including invoices, contracts, correspondence, and any other evidence that supports your claim.4. File an Application: Obtain the necessary application forms from your local Disputes Tribunal or from the Ministry of Justice website. Complete the application form accurately, providing details of the dispute, the amount claimed, and any supporting documents.5. Pay the Filing Fee: There is a filing fee to submit your application to the Disputes Tribunal. The amount varies depending on the value of your claim.6. Serve Notice to the Other Party: Once your application is accepted, the Disputes Tribunal will serve a notice to the other party (the debtor), informing them of the claim and the date of the hearing.7. Prepare for the Hearing: Before the hearing date, organise your documents and prepare your case. You may want to seek legal advice if the matter is complex.8. Attend the Hearing: On the scheduled date, attend the hearing at the Disputes Tribunal. Be prepared to present your case and provide evidence supporting your claim. The hearing is informal, and you will represent yourself unless special circumstances apply where someone else may represent you (but not by a lawyer or experienced advocate).9. Receive the Tribunal’s Decision: After the hearing, the Disputes Tribunal will make a decision based on the evidence presented. If the decision is in your favour, the tribunal will issue an order for the debtor to pay the debt. If the debtor does not comply voluntarily, you may need to take further steps to enforce the order.10. Enforcement: If necessary, you can apply to the District Court to enforce the Disputes Tribunal’s order. This might involve seizing property, garnishing wages, or other enforcement actions.Tips:Be Prepared: Thorough preparation and organisation of your documents can significantly strengthen your case.Evidence: Put your best foot forward with regard to evidence. If you have documentary evidence or a report from an expert that proves your position or disproves the debtor's position, include it in your application and rely on it. Avoid the dispute being one person’s word against the other.Consider Mediation: If negotiation fails initially, mediation services are available and can sometimes help parties reach a settlement before going to the Disputes Tribunal.Legal Advice: While not required, legal advice can provide clarity and ensure your case is presented effectively. The team at Checketts McKay Law can assist with your legal needs.

Many borrowers across the country breathed a sigh of relief recently when the Reserve Bank decided to cut interest rates by 0.25 basis points in response to a weakening economy and inflation nearing their target range. Though a modest change, it signals a gradual decline in interest rates for the foreseeable future.Kiwibank was quick to respond, lowering rates soon after the announcement, followed closely by other major banks such as ASB and ANZ.The impact on New Zealand’s housing market will be varied. As a softer labour market, job security and costs of living continue to influence activity and values. However, the property market in Central Otago has shown remarkable resilience and growth, with key metrics indicating a positive trend.Search activity on Trade Me Property in Central Otago has increased by 12% compared to July last year, suggesting growing interest from potential buyers and investors. New listings on Trade Me at a regional level are up by 23%, highlighting a strong supply of properties entering the market. While Otago, as a whole, has seen an even greater increase of 39%, the growth in the Central Otago district is particularly significant, reflecting the region's appeal. This surge in listings not only offers more houses for sale for potential buyers but also demonstrates the confidence of sellers in the market’s potential.Properties listed on Trade Me are now selling 2% faster than before, a clear sign of the high demand for homes in Central Otago. The demand for properties is increasing and buyers are acting quickly. Central Otago is becoming a competitive real estate market where well-priced homes are swiftly snapped up. Properties priced under $800,000 are the most popular in Central Otago, with searches and sales in this price range increasing significantly over the past three months. This mirrors a national trend in New Zealand, where there is strong buyer interest in more affordable homes. The surge in this segment reflects the region’s accessibility to a broader range of buyers, including first-time homeowners and investors looking for value.The latest figures show that house prices in Central Otago have risen by 4%, according to the most recent price index. This steady increase in property values indicates strong demand for real estate in the area, making it an attractive destination for both investors and homeowners seeking long-term gains.Out of 70 areas across New Zealand, Central Otago is one of only three regions experiencing growth in the property market. This unique position underscores the region's appeal, driven by its scenic beauty, quality of life, and investment potential. As Central Otago continues to thrive despite economic challenges, the region’s unique blend of opportunity and appeal makes it a standout destination for both local and international home-buyers alike.

The Central App continues to thrive, with rising user engagement and new features helping keep the community connected and informed.It has become a ‘go-to platform’ for many people across the district and beyond, with a reach of 80 per cent of the Central Otago adult population, serving both residents and visitors.Owner manager Vicki McLean said aside from the growing reach, it also has more than 500,000 app and website visits each month, illustrating just how valuable the service has become with our regulars using the app daily for news and information.“Whether it’s finding out what’s happening around town or looking up local businesses, the app has become a trusted source of information. I couldn't be more proud of what the team has acheived.”She said the team behind The Central App do not just report on the community—they’re part of it. “With all members living and working in Central Otago, they bring a local perspective that helps ensure the content is relevant and meaningful. Their deep ties to the area mean they know what matters to the community, and that’s reflected in what you see on the app.”Team members from left to right: Anna Robb (Reporter) Alexia Anderson (Editor) Vicki McLean (Owner) Caitlyn Thomson (Client support) Sarah Calder (Admin) Aimee Wilson (Reporter) missing Sierra Connell (Marketing) PHOTO: The Central AppVicki said The Central App’s reach continues to grow beyond just your phone screen. Last month, Google analytics showed 21,265 people used the app over 87,000 times viewing over 570,000 pages. “It’s insane, as a remote working team we hear people say they use the app but its the figures that show us it's working for our community. Our focus has always been to provide relevant and timely news and information that is relevant for our locals. We also received over 16,000 views on our social media last month, and our newsletter now has more than 300 subscribers. Our podcast, 'The Outlet’, has seen 4062 downloads since its release. It's all part of an effort to reach users wherever they are and keep the community conversation going.” If you’d like to check out or join the community conversation…Join our newsletterFollow our Instagram Follow our Facebook Listen to ‘The Outlet’ In addition to its many features, this month The Central App launched a Community Notice Board, accessible through the news section. (See the Tab at the top)The new feature provides a space for all locals to share announcements, garage sales, lost pets, flatmates wanted - anything a typical community notice board offers. “It’s a small addition that’s already making a big difference in how the community stays informed. We are trying to keep everything free for our readers and want to remind readers to support those who support us - that's why we have ads saying, ‘because of me, your news is free’ with the local business enabling you to receive free content and news."To visit the page, click here.Vicki said as digital tools become more integral to daily life, The Central App continues to evolve, adding features that reflect the needs of its users. One of the newest events on The Central App calendar is an AI seminar, allowing clients to gain a better understanding of the concept and its features, ultimately supporting them and their business into the future. A few tickets are still available to the event taking place on August 20 at Monte Christo. Contact Us if you'd like more information.“With its strong local presence and a team that’s truly part of the community, the app looks set to remain a key player in keeping Central Otago connected.“We want to take a moment to thank everyone who has made The Central App what it is today—our readers, local businesses, and community members. Your support and engagement have been invaluable. “As we continue to grow, we’d love to hear from you. How can we improve? What features would make the app even better for you? Your feedback is crucial in helping us serve Central Otago even more effectively. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with us.”Click here to help us keep improving our app so it delivers what you need. Please take a couple of minutes to complete our survey.

A draft response to matters raised in letters from the Minister for the Environment Penny Simmonds on the Otago Regional Council’s Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP), should be completed in the next week.Chief executive Richard Saunders told the meeting yesterday the draft response would then be brought back to an extraordinary council meeting within a fortnight.Minister Penny Simmonds wrote to the council twice over the past six weeks asking for a breakdown of costs associated with aspects of the LWRP, after concerns from the primary sector, and district councils regarding wastewater treatment disposal plans.Richard said there had been changes made since that point, which would be outlined to the minister in the letter.Staff have also indicated a willingness to meet with the minister to discuss the issues raised in the letter and provide some clarity on the content of the draft plan.But some councillors raised concerns about why they couldn’t review the letter now and add their input to it, saying council was "cutting it short.”“I’m always open to receiving emails on this,” Richard told the meeting.He said the plan remained on track to meet the notification date of October 31, but requests for additional legal advice had placed additional pressure on the programme.The council was also seeking an independent review of technical aspects of the draft plan, and regional councillors would see the first draft at a workshop on September 17.Richard highlighted the fact that the two workshops for councillors (the second being in October), were not decision-making forums.Council will make its decision on the LWRP on October 23, a week before it was due to be notified.Chair Gretchen Robertson said the LWRP development remained front of everyone’s mind. 

Victim Support has been declined $10,000 in funding from the Central Otago District Council for help funding additional resources in the district.As a first-time applicant, the organisation was one of two nationally, along with the Plunket Society, that council decided it wouldn’t support through its $151,000 district wide grants scheme.Mayor Tim Cadogan said more national organisations were coming to council looking for funding, and warned “this might be our last grants round,” as it was currently carrying out a review of its policy.Victim Support funding specialist Denise Graham spoke to council yesterday and has also met with ACT MP Todd Stephenson as a result of under resourcing in the area.With offices based at police stations in Cromwell, Queenstown and Alexandra, Central Otago only has one part-time team leader and the organisation faces difficulties recruiting volunteers.The geographical distance between offices was also challenging, and the organisation wanted to employ an additional staff member.Denise said over the past 12 months Victim Support has assisted 300 people in the district, and emphasised how the organisation could be a “game changer” for those affected by crime.Just last week Victim Support was successful in gaining funding from Central Lakes Trust, but that was only 14 per cent of its operating expenses.The organisation also has a pending application with the Russell Henderson Trust, which will be decided at the end of September.Groups that were successful in the latest funding round were Sport Otago, which received $48,400, the Central Otago Heritage Trust, $44,000, Central Otago District Arts Trust, $44,000, Central Otago Health Inc, $7500, Volunteer South, $5000, and the Life Education Trust Heartland Otago Southland, $4000.

It’s that time of year here in the mountains where the weather can wreak havoc for business owners.Not through flooding and hurricane-force winds but through employee absence over a period of time, when a heavy snowfall seems to oddly coincide with a wave of illness that runs through town… So, what to do?There are a number of factors at play here – first, let’s talk about the statutory side of this – the obligations between you, the employer, and your employee.Assuming your Employment Agreement stipulates certain hours, there is an obligation on the employee to make themselves available for these hours. But of course, genuine reasons for absence such as sickness are an exception to this.You can request a medical certificate, however, if they have been sick for less than three calendar days, the business must cover the costs of obtaining it.So, whether you wish to pursue this perhaps depends on how big an issue it is and whether you suspect the employee might be taking advantage of their sick leave. Catching a False Sick DayIf you take the "sick employee’s" word but then discover that they had, in fact, been up the mountain, it could be that a conversation is necessary – an employment relationship should be one of good faith, trust, and confidence.If this trust is damaged, you can go down the path of investigating if there is a misconduct issue.However, we would suggest having an informal conversation first, hearing your employee’s side of the story, and letting them know the impact it has had on your business and what behaviour you would prefer to see in the future. Is there potential to foster more work-life balance?The other aspect of all of this is the human and work culture side.Presumably, your employee LOVES the snow – is there anything you can do to support this so that they don’t feel they need to pull a sickie? Is there flexibility in the business that if they can see a big powder day coming, that they can work those hours at a different time or swap shifts with someone else?This won’t be possible for all businesses, but we would suggest thinking carefully about it, and if there’s not, explaining the reasons to your employees.If you can figure out a way to deal with this that encourages honesty and allows your employees to enjoy those one or two powder days (yep, the reality is they don’t come by that often), then this could do wonders for their loyalty, productivity, and your reputation as an epic employer.  Need some help?If you are looking for more guidance or advice on Employment Agreements, Employment Issues, or facilitating open conversations, please reach out to our team at [email protected], and we can chat through some options with you.  

It’s that time of year here in the mountains where the weather can wreak havoc for business owners.Not through flooding and hurricane-force winds but through employee absence over a period of time, when a heavy snowfall seems to oddly coincide with a wave of illness that runs through town… So, what to do?There are a number of factors at play here – first, let’s talk about the statutory side of this – the obligations between you, the employer, and your employee.Assuming your Employment Agreement stipulates certain hours, there is an obligation on the employee to make themselves available for these hours. But of course, genuine reasons for absence such as sickness are an exception to this.You can request a medical certificate, however, if they have been sick for less than three calendar days, the business must cover the costs of obtaining it.So, whether you wish to pursue this perhaps depends on how big an issue it is and whether you suspect the employee might be taking advantage of their sick leave. Catching a False Sick DayIf you take the "sick employee’s" word but then discover that they had, in fact, been up the mountain, it could be that a conversation is necessary – an employment relationship should be one of good faith, trust, and confidence.If this trust is damaged, you can go down the path of investigating if there is a misconduct issue.However, we would suggest having an informal conversation first, hearing your employee’s side of the story, and letting them know the impact it has had on your business and what behaviour you would prefer to see in the future. Is there potential to foster more work-life balance?The other aspect of all of this is the human and work culture side.Presumably, your employee LOVES the snow – is there anything you can do to support this so that they don’t feel they need to pull a sickie? Is there flexibility in the business that if they can see a big powder day coming, that they can work those hours at a different time or swap shifts with someone else?This won’t be possible for all businesses, but we would suggest thinking carefully about it, and if there’s not, explaining the reasons to your employees.If you can figure out a way to deal with this that encourages honesty and allows your employees to enjoy those one or two powder days (yep, the reality is they don’t come by that often), then this could do wonders for their loyalty, productivity, and your reputation as an epic employer.  Need some help?If you are looking for more guidance or advice on Employment Agreements, Employment Issues, or facilitating open conversations, please reach out to our team at [email protected], and we can chat through some options with you.  

Councils need to focus on core services and “rein in the fantasies” of their spending.That was the message Prime Minister Christopher Luxon presented to councillors and mayors who gathered in Wellington for the annual Local Government NZ (LGNZ) conference, on Wednesday, last week."Ratepayers expect local government to do the basics and to do the basics brilliantly," he said, while addressing the conference."Pick up the rubbish. Fix the pipes. Fill in potholes. And more generally, maintain local assets quickly, carefully, and cost effectively."Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said that message effectively calls on councils to “just do core services in order that rates are controlled, which is an absolutely worthy ambition”.In Central the core services were what was driving the bulk of the rises, especially three waters, he said.He confirmed the Central Otago District Council (CODC) has not yet asked central government for financial support this year, and believed other councils were all doing their best and “making an effort”.As rising costs continue to hit households and businesses, Mayor Cadogan believed the drop in the OCR recently by 25 basis points to 5.25 per cent was a really positive sign.  “Central has, to an extent, been insulated from the worst of the current recession and I am hopeful we have reached the bottom not as low as others and will climb back up more quickly.”Following on from the Prime Minister’s message, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown reiterated the measures being taken to ensure councils are getting back to basics, which aimed to reduce the cost of living, deliver core services and infrastructure, and improve the efficiency of decision making.“Central government is focusing on the must-haves, not the nice-to-haves. Our expectation is that local government does the same,” he said.“That’s why we are refocusing the purpose of local government to ensure councils are delivering the high-quality core services and infrastructure Kiwis expect, in a way that is most cost-effective for households and businesses.”

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 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.