The founder of a landmark study following more than a thousand babies born in the early 1970s has died.Dr Phil Silva, who started the Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study - commonly known as the 'Dunedin Study' - died on Thursday, aged 84.He began the study, which followed the lives of 1037 babies born at Queen Mary Maternity Hospital, Dunedin, in 1972.Current Dunedin Study director Professor Moana Theodore. Photo: SuppliedCurrent Dunedin Study director Professor Moana Theodore said he was "an interesting academic", who previously worked as a former primary school teacher and psychologist.Teaching rural children in the 1960s underpinned his life's work, she added."He always had a passion for teaching, and helping support children and their families."A masters degree and doctorate in research focused on children began under Otago University lecturer Dr Patricia Buckfield in the late 1960s, Theodore said.Buckfield had an interest in neonatology and gathered data on every baby born at Dunedin's Queen Mary obstetric hospital between 1967-73. This lead to the creation of the Dunedin MultidisciplinaryHealth and Development Unit, under Silva's direction.Theodore said Silva was an energetic mentor, who "took people along with him", and this bolstered the study's success, despite the odds of little funding."In the very early days, that meant he was able to bring on board hundreds of volunteers, who would help the study."He was incredibly driven, he had this huge energy and he faced almost impossible odds to set up the Dunedin Study in those early days, but he didn't let a lack of resource deter him."Through this ability to create relationships and to bring people on board with this greater purpose of improving other people's lives, he was able to get hundreds of volunteers to collect data and thathas been something that's made the Dunedin Study really special."The study's 90 percent participation rate - more than 50 years later - was "unparalleled in the world", she said."A lot of that is to do with it's really a community study - it's proudly the Dunedin Study, it's not just the Dunedin Study - and that began with Phil."Silva mentored both the previous director - the late Professor Richie Poulton, who ran the study after Phil retired, beginning in 1999 or 2000 - as well as Theodore, she said."He hired me originally as an interviewer at the age-26 assessment phase, when the study members were 26, back in 1998, and he always kept actively involved in supporting and providing advice tome as well."He was so passionate about improving the lives of others and, starting in early life, he once argued publicly that New Zealanders, as a whole, could be seen to care more about their cars than they didabout their children. They would check cars every six months to a year."His research and his vision for improving lives resulted in things like more routine check-ups for children, particularly in pre-school, and this growing understanding of health in those early years, suchas the high rates of glue ear, and the need to show compassion to our children and young people, particularly if they were seen to be going off the rails."The study made the cover of Time magazine in 1993 - a year before he was awarded an OBE for services to health and education."The headline read, 'All you need is love'. That summed up how Phil really felt about children and young people."Silva left behind "an incredible legacy" said Theodore. "We continue to work to uphold [that] and we're seeing study members now at age 52, through this lifetime of service."Dr Phil has left this legacy and a taonga [prize] for New Zealand, which leaves behind the best childhood foundation guarder in the world - and the most studied group of people anywhere in the world."

A new Central Otago labour market report shows the horticulture industry continuing to grow, whilst viticulture was slowing down.The report by Thrive Consulting was commissioned by the Southern Labour Governance Group (SLGG), and highlighted the ongoing labour and accommodation shortages across both industries.Horticulture was currently 1294 beds short in the peak summer season, while labour had increased from 3864 people in 2014/15 to an estimated 4883 workers needed in 2027.Cherry plantings made up 54% of the total 2218ha of orchards throughout Central Otago, while viticulture’s 2163ha was expected to decrease slightly by 2027. However, there was only 1901ha of grape plantings back in 2014.The report, based on surveys and interviews with horticulture and viticulture growers during September and October 2024, has been produced every three years since 2014.SLGG chair Kris Robb said the report highlighted the challenges and opportunities for the sector, and was extremely relevant for current and future growers, for industry bodies and for the wider community.The sector has been through a period of rapid growth in plantings over the last 10 years and has now entered a period of more modest growth, he said.“There has been some rapid expansions going on and they are waiting to materialise, but now it’s plateaued out.”Kris said the report was incredibly important to the future of the industry, and especially because of its reliance on labour - in some cases making up to 50% of an orchard’s costs.Growers reported that increased costs were affecting viability of current operations and their plans for expansion.“I’m happy to see the results show that growers have not only invested in plantings but also in the provision of staff accommodation to reduce the shortfall of accommodation, and the increased awareness around staff wellbeing and supporting students into seasonal work, which for some will be their first real taste of work,” he said.In the past 12 months, a manaaki pastoral care group had been established in Central Otago, to help seasonal staff integrate into both work life and the wider community.Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley said she was impressed by the growing level of cooperation between the horticulture and viticulture sectors to share and utilise staff accommodation at different times of the year.“Central Otago’s population is growing rapidly, and accommodation is a key issue for our district.“It’s great to see the growth in accommodation provided by the industry over the last six years and see that industry is working together to create solutions.“From a council point of view, we are very interested in this data.”The report was funded jointly by the New Zealand Fruitgrowers Charitable Trust, Central Otago Fruitgrowers Association, Central Otago Wine Growers Association, Ministry of Social Development, Seasonal Solutions Cooperative Ltd, and the Ministry of Primary Industries.The full report is available on the website: Horticulture & Viticulture Labour Market Report - Central Otago District Council 

Anybody standing or just curious about the role and responsibility of being a district or regional councillor, is invited to a joint presentation in Alexandra on Tuesday July 1.The Otago Regional Council and Central Otago District Council are holding five presentations during June and July for anyone wanting to learn more about what is involved if you become a councillor.Topics covered during the presentation include:how the council is structuredthe role and responsibilities of elected representativesskills requiredanticipated time commitmentsmeeting schedulesan overview of the nomination and election processeshttps://www.orc.govt.nz/get-involved/events/2025/july/candidate-information-presentation-with-central-otago-district-council/We continue our pre-election coverage with another Q+A - this time Otago Regional Council Dunstan ward councillor Gary Kelliher responds:Will you be standing again?  YesWhy or why not?I have been encouraged to stand again by a number of people and I feel there's unfinished business with the delayed Land and Water Plan, and attempting to rein in escalating rates, and ideological decision making.How long have you already been involved exactly?I had an initial term 2013 to 2016, and then from 2019 until now.What are you most proud of/achievements in the time you have been a councillor?That's a tough question as I have found myself evolving into a position thats almost continually at odds with most other councillors and staff. I don't pride myself in having to regularly challenge with negativity, however to me I’m not prepared to just go with the flow and accept what regional councils have become...a monopoly on resources that cost more and achieve less. What advice do you have for any new candidates standing?To new candidates I say that if you want a cruisy role and you have a tendency to agree to everything put in front of you, then in my mind please reconsider. Local and regional government is very broken in this country, councils are run by their staff and not enough councillors say no. We desperately need more councillors who will say no.What do you see are the pressing issues in your ward that you are particularly passionate about?The ORC needs reined in, rates brought under control, escalating staff numbers brought under control, and the council turned from being restrictors and halters of everything necessary to the region. We have to turn the focus towards growing our economy and at the same time protecting the environment. And stop council being a major impediment to the hardworking ratepayers of the region who just want to get on with that.https://centralapp.nz/NewsStory/deputy-mayor-to-leave-central-otago-district-council-after-nine-terms/682f8be31591fb002e65855d

Residents and visitors to Ranfurly, Omakau and Ophir must boil water, until further notice due to elevated turbidity in the supply.The considerable amount of snowmelt entering the water ways is affecting turbidity and therefore water quality, with the treatment plant unable to continue to produce compliant clean water.A Conserve Water Notice put in place earlier this week was lifted temporarily when water quality appeared to improve, but that improvement was not sustained.The tanker at Maniototo Area School has been redirected to Omakau, however, Ranfurly will still have two tankers remaining, at the Maniototo Hospital and near the Charlemont Street monument.Residents should boil all water used for drinking, food preparation, cooking and cleaning their teeth. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, then allow it to cool naturally before use.Council will lift the boil water notice once conditions improve.For more information, click here. The Central App will continue to update the Water Notices as information from CODC comes in. You'll find this under the Weather and Reports section.

More than 100 people attended a Business After Five (BA5) meeting in Cromwell on Thursday night, where Santana Minerals spoke about the gold mining project ready for fast tracking.A panel of experts from Santana spoke at the meeting, from engineers to environmental managers. The company has been transparent in the community over the last year - including holding drop in public meetings from Tarras to Roxburgh. A Bendigo vineyard owner raised concerns about leakage and its potential to dent tourism. Many believe Central Otago’s riches have long been built on visitors, wine and fruit.The region’s natural beauty, clean air and water have underpinned an economy that continues to grow with no shortage of jobs."While open-cast mining may bring significant financial gains, we must equally weigh its impacts and risks for Otago’s people, its established industries and the natural environment".Santana Minerals was continuing to boost up 'drop in' meetings over the coming weeks, and have made significant promises to the community, adding they were thinking with the end in sight, and ensuring the mine was left for the better of the community years after they finished.The meeting heard there were over 800 people interested in working there, with at least 300 jobs on offer once it opened.Santana Minerals chief executive Damien Spring addresses the BA5 meeting in Cromwell on Thursday. Photo:The Central AppMeanwhile, Sustainable Tarras was organising public meetings of its own, in both Wanaka and Dunedin next week, with a panel of experts - not yet identified.Sustainable Tarras Inc chair Suze Keith said the panel will outline what is known about plans for the gold mine, take audience questions, and discuss what the community can do.“From the information released so far, there are numerous very worrying issues,” she said.“These include the size and scale of the mine right in the heart of an Outstanding Natural Landscape, the massive tailings dam which will hold 10,000 Olympic swimming pools of toxic waste, and the extensive use and storage of large quantities of cyanide just upstream of the Clutha River.“And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”Santana Minerals said it was aware of the public meetings through posts on social media but hasn't been asked to attend or speak at the events.Engagement manager Vicki Blakeborough said they were still working towards its application for consents through the fast-track process.Sustainable Tarras believed Santana had not been “open and transparent with concerned locals”.“They’re not providing us information we’re reasonably asking for, and which we know they have got,” Suze said.The company has said while the project would be assessed under the fast-track approval process - which aims to streamline projects of national significance - there was mandated legislation and standards would need to be met, including the Resource Management Act and associated regulations and national policy statements.Suze said the mine is “getting attention from people who are concerned that the fast-track process is being used inappropriately for a project which is not about public infrastructure or community benefit, but rather is solely about extraction of resources and maximising shareholder profits, most of which will go offshore”.“This mine would become the largest single earthworks in Otago since the Clyde Dam could be approved without the general public having any right of input into the proposal,” she said.People interested in attending the meeting in Wānaka can register to find out more here. www.bit.ly/notmine2025.Have a story to share? Contact [email protected]

One hundred people embraced a chance to play outdoors and talk about the future of recreational spaces in Cromwell on Wednesday (June 11).Sport Central play and physical education advisor Kate Hamilton ran the day of play from 3.30 - 5pm, setting up inflatables, play equipment, music and activities for youngsters.Kate said the weather held out and there was a good number of people there.“There were some very happy faces to light up the afternoon.“We found some adults without kids came down to ask questions, have their say and understand what the current plans are.”Attendees were mostly from local early childhood education centres, and Cromwell and Goldfields primary schools.Central Otago District Council (CODC) parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey, and colleagues Maria Burnett, Kohan Carden and Paula Penno came along to share information about the plans for Cromwell Racecourse and Anderson Park.There was a tent set up and print outs with information about the CODC consultation on the draft Cromwell Racecourse reserve management plan were available. “It’s five degrees out here with snow on the hills, but you’ve got Central Otago kids running around barefoot, taking the odd tumble and absolutely loving it — it’s just great to see. Days like this really show how much our outdoor spaces matter, and how tough, playful, and connected our local tamariki are," Maria said. Cooper, one of the youngsters, said it was one of the best days of his life.“Because there are lots of other people to meet and I love parkour". Cromwell has been identified as being short of sports fields and an assessment of demand from 2022 shows the current provision of sports fields is insufficient to meet projected population growth and growing participation in field sports.Central’s population is forecast to increase by over 26 per cent by 2040, with Cromwell’s population alone expected to grow to more than 8,000 residents, placing pressure on existing reserves and infrastructure.At the racecourse reserve, medium term (to 2030) there could be provision for four new full-sized sports fields, and long term (to 2045) an additional four fields, enabling up to eight full-sized fields in total.This development would occur without displacing equestrian users and supports the vision of the site as a future regional sports hub.The plan also allows for possible future uses such as clubrooms, tournament hosting infrastructure, and community events space.Early investment in enabling infrastructure, including irrigation, ecological planting, accessways, and utilities, is recommended, alongside further technical investigation into site suitability, drainage, and turf types.CODC is consulting on the Cromwell Racecourse Reserve management plan (RMP) and wants people to have their say. The last day to submit feedback is July 14. Find our more, visit the CODC button on The Central App.Kate said there was lots coming up in the broader play space, and she was looking forward to getting the draft play strategy from CODC and then getting feedback on it from the public."Stay tuned for some play activation for transport, walk and play and more."Check out The Central App listings for Playgrounds, Cycling l Walking, Places to Visit for more ideas to get outdoors.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

There’s a new way to find a sounding board, or someone to be in your corner to help grow new Central businesses. Central Otago District Council, Business South and Welcoming Communities has launched a new business mentorship programme for newcomers.Two newcomers will be selected for a free year from a business mentor, and online expressions of interest need to be in by June 30. Visit the online form here. LINK: www.codc.govt.nz/newcomerWelcoming Communities officer Heather Harries said it was a fantastic opportunity for a newcomer.“It [is] a huge help to have that one-to-one support as it can be quite isolating setting up a business as a sole trader.”The criteria to apply are; you need to have lived in Central for less than six years and you must have a desire to develop leadership and/or business skills within the workplace. You do not need to be a business owner. Mentoring is a supported system where one person shares their skills, knowledge and experience to assist others to grow and develop.  The mentors will be from Business Mentors New Zealand, an independent not for profit organisation who have more than 1,800 mentors nationally. The newcomer scholarship to the Business South leadership academy which has been offered for the past three years is not going to be offered in 2025. For more information contact [email protected] Read more: Central Home: French flair at Omakau's Muddy Creek cafeRead more: New to Central?Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]  

The Molyneux Aquatic Centre would need to use additional power from a booster heat pump to raise the temperature of the waste heat coming from IceInline.IceInline chairman Murray Miller said last week the waste heat initiative between the two community facilities had been a wasted opportunity, as nobody knew how to run it properly.Waste heat from making ice over winter has been piped through to the Alexandra pool since 2018 when the ice rink upgraded its plant room - at a cost of $960,000.The computer in the plant room at IceInline showed the waste heat leaving the facility at between 25 degC and 32 degC, but council said by the time it got to the Alexandra pool it was considerably lower than that.Parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said the electricity savings envisaged from using the waste heat had not been achieved, and the plant had not performed as originally promoted.“It was never designed to be the primary source of heating for the pool; supplementary only.”He said a booster heat pump was required to extract the useful heat from the low-grade heat provided by the ice rink.“This was not required in the original design and places a limit on the amount of heat that can be recovered. Therefore, the pool needs to lift the temperature up before it can be used in the pool. This requires additional electricity.”Canadian company Accent Refrigeration Systems shipped the ice plant to New Zealand, and brought an expert installer to set up the 350m long and 400m diameter pipe between the two facilities.Council said early indications of energy savings was $20,000, however the actual savings proved to be only between $11,000 and $13,000 (from the 2021 figures). “More accurate energy measurements indicated there were minimal energy savings, and it depended on a number of factors such as pool hall humidity level, and the price council purchased electricity at." The underground infrastructure was set up so that in the future it could be extended to Molyneux Estate, Molyneux Park and the two nearby schools, providing heat for the wider community. https://centralapp.nz/NewsStory/wasted-opportunity-between-community-facilities/683f857bf90e6b002d1f6aac#topBottom of Aimee stories Have a story to share? Contact [email protected]

Planning for the theatrical trip of a lifetime is underway as 26 Dunstan High School (DHS) drama pupils are heading to the United States in July 2027.DHS head of drama Nick Meissel said it was going to be an exciting adventure, "immersion in all things theatrical from musical theatre workshops, to Broadway shows to learning how to act on the silver screen”, there would be varied experiences to soak up. “Some may ask, why America, when it seems like everything over there is crazy at the moment? Well, America's unique entertainment industry offers us an experience unlike anything else in the world.“Yes, the media projects a crazy picture, especially politically, but first hand accounts suggest that life for the average American goes on pretty much the same as it has before.“If, for some reason, the travel became untenable we would likely look at a European destination as an equally exciting alternative,” Nick said. The pupils who are currently in year nine, ten and eleven are looking for fundraising opportunities. “The kids come from a wide range of different backgrounds, but are all keen drama enthusiasts with a desire to learn more on a global scale, and perhaps even do a little bit of shopping.“[It’s] an ambitious project and one we hope our community will get behind, helping us to fundraise some of the costs to make this a reality for all of our students.“We have two years of fundraising ahead of us and the students involved are terrific kids, not afraid of a bit of hard work.”The pupils will be DHS seniors by the time the trip rolls around.Nick said things had started well with the recent Central Otago winterfeed event raising money and a sponsorship agreement from online ticketing agency ReelCommerce.For information or to help contact: [email protected] Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Budget 2025 introduced a range of changes to KiwiSaver that aim to boost long-term retirement savings, particularly for younger workers.At Central Financial Planning, we believe these changes present both opportunities and challenges. Now more than ever, it’s essential to understand how the rules affect you, your ideal future, and your finances.What’s Changing?1. Contribution Increases (Phased In):From 1 April 2026, the default employee and employer contribution rates will increase from 3% to 3.5%, and then to 4% by April 2028. While employees will have the option to remain at 3% in the short term, this change represents a shift in the default savings culture, nudging all working New Zealanders to put more toward their retirement.2. Government Contributions Adjusted:The Government’s contribution will be halved from $521 to $261 per year starting 1 July 2025.High-income earners (those earning over $180,000) will no longer be eligible for this annual top-up.But good news for younger workers, 16- and 17-year-olds will now become eligible for both government and employer contributions, starting July 2025 and April 2026 respectively.A Mixed Bag for Savers and EmployersAt Central Financial Planning, we support initiatives that help New Zealanders build better financial futures. Increasing the default contribution rate is a step in the right direction for long-term retirement security.A 4% contribution, from both employee and employer, can make a significant difference over a 30–40 year working life.However, reducing the government’s contribution and removing it altogether for higher earners sends a mixed message. Many clients have come to rely on that top-up as part of their savings strategy.The reduction may also disproportionately affect lower- to middle-income savers, who benefit most from the relative boost it provides.For employers and small businesses, the phased increases in compulsory contributions may present budgetary challenges, especially in tighter economic environments.We recommend business owners factor these changes into their long-term payroll and cashflow planning early.Don’t Miss Out on Your Government ContributionWith the government contribution reducing from 1 July, now is a great time to review your KiwiSaver account to make sure you’ve contributed enough to receive the full entitlement this year.To receive the full $521.43 government top-up, you need to contribute at least $1,042.86 of your own money between 1 July and 30 June. If you haven’t hit that target yet, there’s still time to top up before the deadline.Young Savers Benefit, and That’s a Good Thing!One of the most encouraging shifts is the inclusion of 16- and 17-year-olds in the KiwiSaver incentives.This change gives young people a genuine head start — not just in financial contributions, but in cultivating good saving habits early.With employer and government support, the compounding benefits of long-term investment can start making a real difference from a younger age.What’s Next? A Possible Shift in the Retirement AgeWhile not part of this Budget, there’s ongoing conversation about raising the age of eligibility for NZ Superannuation.If the retirement age shifts from 65 to 67 or beyond in future years, this may also influence when you can access your KiwiSaver funds.It’s important to understand how these broader policy moves could interact with your retirement planning.Now is the Time to Get AdviceAt Central Financial Planning, some of our core values are transparency, trust, and proactive engagement to equip people with knowledge to help them make confident, wise and informed decisions.These changes mean more of your income will be going into your KiwiSaver. That makes it even more important to ensure you’re invested in the right solutions, with the right strategy for your goals and life stage.Ask questions. Check your settings. Top up your account if needed.Understand your fund type. If you’re unsure where to start, reach out. We’re here to guide you, because it’s your future, and it’s worth getting right.

Family violence is a prevalent issue in New Zealand. It affects a significant population of our country; including women, men, children, and the elderly. When you are experiencing family violence, it can be hard to know where to turn or what your options are. But this is not just a personal issue; it’s a legal one. New Zealand has specific legislation in place to provide protection for people impacted by family violence.What is Family Violence?The Family Violence Act 2018 defines this. It is violence inflicted on a person by somebody they are in a family relationship with, including partners/spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Violence does not only refer to physical violence; it includes sexual, verbal, psychological, and financial abuse. This can be behaviors like name- calling, swearing at you, putting you down, threats (express or implied), intimidation, isolating you from friends or family, controlling your movements, controlling your finances, or withholding money.Protection OrdersIf you have experienced family violence and believe you are still at risk from the perpetrator, you can apply to the Family Court for a protection order. If a protection order is in place, it would be a criminal offence for the perpetrator to contact you without your consent. This would apply to not only you but also any children living in your home with you.There are two ways to apply for a protection order; ‘on notice’ or ‘without notice’. The presumption in Family Court is that you apply on notice. This means the Respondent would be served with your application and have an opportunity to respond to your allegations. A Judge would then make the decision on whether a protection order should be made or not. This process typically takes several months or longer.If you feel that your safety is at immediate risk from the Respondent and you cannot wait months for your application to be considered, you can apply without notice. This means the Court may grant a temporary protection order immediately; to protect you during the time until a hearing can be allocated to decide your application. What if I have been served with an application for a Protection Order, or a temporary Protection Order If you are served with an application for a protection order, and/or a temporary protection order, you have the right to defend the making of a final order. You can do this by filing a Notice of Response or Notice of Intention to appear to the Court, along with an affidavit.If a temporary protection order has been made against you, it is important that you comply with the conditions of this order, even if you are defending the making of a final order. A breach of a protection order is a criminal offence, and you may be subject to criminal charges if you do breach it. A breach of protection order includes any unconsented contact with the Applicant, even if the contact is not violent in nature; or if the Applicant previously consented to the same contact. If you do not understand the conditions of the order you are served with, or you need to contact the Applicant regarding care of shared children or other necessary matters, you should seek legal advice.Can’t afford a lawyer?Legal Aid is available for proceedings under the Family Violence Act, depending on your household’s annual income and assets. The income and asset thresholds are set out in the Legal Services Regulations 2011. These vary depending on whether you have a partner and how many children you have. You may still be eligible for a grant of Legal Aid if you exceed these thresholds, if special circumstances apply to your situation. If you aren’t sure whether you are eligible, we can advise you and assist you in filing an Application for Legal Aid.How can we help?At Checketts McKay Law, our team is experienced in representing clients in proceedings under the Family Violence Act, including applying for on notice and without notice protection orders, responding to applications and orders, and representing both parties at defended Hearings. We can also advise you on how family violence may relate to other matters, such as the care of your children. We understand what a difficult time it is for people and families being impacted by family violence. The legal services we deliver are clear and empathetic; informing and guiding you through this process with our expertise.

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.Space, Style & Value for Big Families5 Ethereal Crescent, CromwellIf you're searching for incredible value in a spacious home that effortlessly caters to large, blended, or multi-generational families, 5 Ethereal Crescent in the peaceful community of Pisa Moorings is the one you've been waiting for. This substantial two-level residence offers the perfect blend of space, comfort, and functionality, making it ideal for growing households or those who love to entertain. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Keeley Anderson and Niki Lord.Modern Comfort Awaits16 Pollock Street, AlexandraDiscover this stunning modern home, perfectly positioned in an excellent location just steps from the iconic Central Otago Rail Trail and nearby sporting facilities and schools.. Designed with style and functionality in mind, this beautifully presented 3-bedroom property offers comfort and easy living. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Charming home in Coulson Place4 Coulson Place, AlexandraWelcome to 4 Coulson Place, nestled in a cul-de-sac in the township of Alexandra. This family home offers a harmonious blend of modern living and charming character, making it an ideal choice for those seeking comfort and convenience within a peaceful setting. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Dee Labes and Peter Hishon.Breathtaking on Fairway!2 Fairway Drive, Bridge HillDiscover the perfect blend of comfort, space, and potential with this stunning residence located at 2 Fairway Drive, Bridge Hill. Nestled in a superior part of town, this large home offers you and your family the ideal escape while providing a potential option for income generation. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Idyllic Omakau Lifestyle13 White Road, OmakauNestled in the charming community of Omakau, 13 White Road is a delightful haven that seamlessly blends modern comfort with the tranquility of rural living. This property offers an opportunity for families or those seeking a serene retreat, with breathtaking views and abundant natural light. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Cosy Cottage Charm!13 Killarney Street, AlexandraWelcome to 13 Killarney Street, a charming property nestled in the heart of Alexandra. This delightful two-bedroom, 2 bathroom home offers perfect harmony between modern comfort and serene outdoor living, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to purchase a first home or downsizing. Click here for more information or to contact the agent Stacey Waldron and Rebecca Ireland.Want to see more? click here to view all of Tall Poppy’s current listings.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) are getting fed up with drivers that are not respecting accident scenes - particularly around Otago and Southland.Otago group manager Bobby Lamont noted three different recent incidents in Central Otago that resulted in near misses, including one where a firefighter was almost assaulted.In April, a car sped through a traffic incident in Clyde, showing no regard for the safety of emergency service personnel at the scene.In February, a member of the public drove on the wrong side of the road past firefighters managing traffic at an incident."This led to a confrontation where the man attempted the pull a firefighter out of the cab of a fire truck," he said.At the most recent incident in Clyde, he said it was a case of frustrated and impatient drivers ignoring the road accident signs and firefighters asking them to slow down."It turned into a very dangerous situation for our people."People must be patient when the road is blocked by a crash. We put traffic management in place for the safety of everyone involved, including motorists," he said.Statistics showed that nationally there were 55 health and safety incidents reported through FENZ Safe@Work system in the past two years, under the category of ‘motorist behaviours at incident ground’.However, Bobby said many of the incidents went unreported."Unsafe driver behaviour at incidents is so commonplace now that often our people won’t report the ‘minor’ incidents."We tend to get formal reports about the worst incidents, but the feedback from our crews is that they experience some form of unsafe driver behaviour at most incidents."We really just want everyone to be safe and need drivers to get on board to help us with that.”Another incident in June 2023 on State Highway 6 near the intersection of Lake Hayes-Arrowtown Road, involved a person driving through a motor vehicle crash scene at speed, and hitting an accident sign. The sign was flung approximately 10 metres at force and only narrowly avoided hitting a firefighter.Bobby said he was worried it was only a matter of time before one of his firefighters is seriously injured."By not following our instruction, people are endangering themselves, other motorists, our people and other emergency services, as well as the people involved in the traffic incident."

Long Term Plans, reserve management plans, Local Water Done Well… is your computer threatening to malfunction from trying to download all of these documents?Thousands of pages of information about Central Otago’s future - whether it be vital infrastructure upgrades or how we use our land and reserves, parks and swimming pools, have all been up for public consultation.But who had time to read all of those documents and make a submission? Spare a thought for the Central Otago District Council staff who have to put them together.How Central Otago rated as a district compared to other councils of similar size, was currently part of a new project by Cabinet, laying the foundation for new performance measurement framework.In August 2024, the Government announced measures to refocus councils in response to cost of living concerns. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon articulated that as a concern about rising rates, a desire that council spending concentrated on core services and infrastructure, and that the efficiency of decision-making was improved. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) would soon publish a set of council profiles on its website, including key performance metrics for each one, relating to financial performance (yes another few hundred pages to download). It would be available publicly on June 30.The initial set of metrics was based on already-public data from sources including annual reports and long-term plans.Central Otago’s rates were looking likely to increase by 12.5% in the 2025-26 year, but Queenstown Lakes was at 15.8% and Clutha around 16%. Meanwhile in Southland, Gore was consulting on 10.5% and Invercargill 7.7%.Alexandra was recently rated in the top 12 places in the country to retire. But for those trying to get into the market, an entry level house was around $550,000 - $600,000.It would be cheaper to move to Invercargill and buy a home for under $500,000. And the rates were amongst the lowest in the country. But house prices were on the up in the deep south. Investors have been catching on.Raine and Horne Southland and Central Otago real estate agent Sheree Williams said growth was strong in the south but you could still buy a decent first home for between $400,000 and $450,000 in Invercargill, depending on where in the city it was.Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley pointed out that in 2014 the average house price in Central Otago was $280,000 and in 2025 that had now jumped up to $760,000. Read hereWhen asked if Central Otago was an affordable place to live, Mayor Alley said it wasn’t cheap to live anywhere in New Zealand anymore, “and that was some of the realities of everyday life.”Where once people could save costs by shopping direct from the butcher for wholesale meat, that was not always the case anymore.And having to truck in goods to Central Otago was never going to be cheap, as it wasn’t the easiest place to get things to, she said.But with minimum wage now at $23.50 - a young person could start out earning a respectable $48,880 salary for an unskilled job. There was a real change demographically, around what people nowadays considered expensive, she said.“The community’s needs, wants and aspirations were now colliding with people’s ability to pay,” she said.Local Government New Zealand vice-president and Mayor Campbell Barry said in March 2024, it was no secret that the funding system for local government was broken. Rates accounted for more than half council funding, and relying so heavily on rates alone was unsustainable.“We need a range of levers to address the funding and financing challenges in front of us, such as an accommodation levy, GST sharing on new builds, congestion charging and tourist levies."The CODC would make its final decision on the rates increase for the next year at the end of this month.

Central Lakes Blue Light, Central Otago Flying Club and the New Zealand Police helped 29 youngsters take to the skies above Central last Saturday (June 7).The Take a Kid Flying Day (TAKF) is an annual event for young people aged eight to 15, geared towards those or who might not have had the opportunity to go inside an aeroplane before.Central Lakes Blue Light committee member Marley Ferguson said the weather impacted the first date for TAKF 2025 and it was delayed by a week.“The day went great, a bit chilly but the sun was shining and not too many clouds, which made for some great views of Alexandra and Clyde, as well as the snow on the hills around. “A few of the [youngsters] were nervous but the pilots were awesome and let them have a look and feel of the plane and that eased their minds – a couple of them were itching to go back up again.” Pictured are Central Lakes Blue Light committee members (from left) Marley Ferguson, youth aid officer James McDonald, Nathan Zimmerman and Jacinta Grant. PHOTO: Central Otago Flying Club FacebookComments on the evaluation form were supportive of the experience. One parent said it was a great opportunity to expose kids to other possibilities in life, with great friendly role models present.Young people said they “liked seeing the two rivers go into one”, “seeing all the dials and what happens in the cockpit” and the having the chance to “face [their] fears”. Youngsters Fertia Taiulu (The Terrace School), Ashlyn Flynn (Grab the Reins) and Thomas Bruce (Alexandra Primary School) posed with their ride. PHOTO: Supplied Each flight on Saturday went for approximately 20 minutes, and participants soaked up the views and the scenery above Central, taking off and landing at Alexandra Airport.Families enjoyed a free cooked lunch throughout the day from the Alexandra Lions Club and got an opportunity to get photos with the Blue Light staff and police officers who attended.Young people who went flying were from Goldfields Primary, Alexandra Primary School, The Terrace School, Cromwell Primary School, Puna Rangatahi and Grab the Reins. The youngest was seven and the oldest 15 years old, and four caregivers also enjoyed a flight.Organisers thanked Central Otago Flying Club members Kurt Verduyn, Gary Wilson, David Burke and Russell Anderson for their time in taking the children up, along with sponsors Night 'n Day Alexandra and Clyde, and McLellan’s Plumbing and Heating. The planes on the tarmac at Alexandra Airport. PHOTO: Supplied  Blue Light is a charity that has been empowering New Zealand youth for over 40 years. As well as TAKF Central Lakes Blue Light delivers programmes in support of young people in Central including ‘Take a kid bungy jumping’, Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow and Empower) and BLAST (Blue Light Alternative Strategy for Teenagers to promote resilience and self confidence. Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

An Environment Court enforcement order has been placed on the Queenstown Lakes District Council for a range of issues relating to its Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant.The Otago Regional Council welcomed the decision yesterday and said it paved the way to begin a plan of action so the QLDC could meet its consent obligations and achieve compliance against the court’s orders.The ORC sought an enforcement order on January 23, for issues at the treatment plant, following two abatement notices and 10 infringement notices - dating back to 2021. “The decision and enforcement orders give a clear indication of what’s required to operate, remedy and upgrade the wastewater plant, while maintaining transparency with ongoing monitoring of these processes,” chief executive Richard Saunders said.The decision outlined seven pages of separate enforcement orders, including upgrades, contingency measures, timeframes and milestones to be met. The enforcement orders covered off operations and management manual, staff training, sampling and monitoring, repairs and improvements to the wastewater plant, upgrades to the plant and a new disposal field solution; the latter requiring a consent application be made for a new disposal system by May 2026, which must be implemented by December 2030. Richard said that the ORC continued to closely monitor the Shotover treatment plant site and continued to undertake its regulatory role.The Environment Court’s decision was separate to QLDC making an emergency/retrospective consent application for earlier works at the Shotover site.The emergency works enacted by QLDC were to bypass the problematic (soak) disposal field and to discharge treated wastewater directly into the Shotover river. ORC was still assessing the application and further updates including a date for notification would be provided on the ORC website. 

What started as a chat between Central workmates at a law firm, three years ago, has crystallised into the first successful season of women’s football in the district.The Central Otago Women’s Football league has involved four teams from Alexandra, Cromwell, Queenstown and Wānaka playing at a different location each Saturday; showcasing teamwork, fun, friendship and footballing finesse.Cromwell’s Junction Jennies (a part of the Cromwell Associated Football Club) have Emma O’Reilly to thank, despite being injured early on in a friendly early season match against the Matakanui men’s team, she managed, coached and encouraged the Jennies, who scooped their first win in the league in their final game on June 7.It was Emma and Alexandra United Football Club president Aaron Dykes (and lawyer at Checketts McKay) who initially sparked the idea of a local league. Alexandra United Football Club Women’s team had players from 17 to 59 lace up their boots, some were completely new to the sport, and others brought skills from similar team sports (hockey) and even former players from regional representative teams joined in.Football united those from around the globe living in Central, with players hailing from South America, Asia, the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and Australia joining locals from all backgrounds; wine makers, farmers, nurses, high school pupils, teachers, doctors, mums, physiotherapists, veterinarians, retail and hospitality staff.Wānaka’s Los Independientes Football Club Women finished top of the table, but their unbeaten run was broken as they were toppled in the final game by Queenstown Rovers Women by two goals to zero. Spokesperson for the AUFC Women’s team Alyssa Serignese said it’s been amazing to see the league come together, and even better to be out on the pitch every week with such a great group of players from across Central Otago.“We’ve loved being part of this and can’t wait to see how the league continues to grow. Bring on next season.”Cromwell’s Claire Graham and AUFC’s Paula Love challenge for the ball on Saturday. PHOTO: Adam VincentAUFC’s Ashlee Barker and Cromwell’s Becky Clements in the final match. PHOTO: Adam VincentIf player numbers continue to grow Queenstown and Wānaka may consider entering two women's teams each in the 2026 season. All Central women's teams thanked their local business sponsors for their backing and support including providing funding for uniforms, gear and first aid equipment and player of the day vouchers.The Central female footballers from Cromwell and Alexandra. PHOTO: Adam VincentJunior football (for ages six -17) in the district has three more weekends of play. Next weekend's games are on in Queenstown on June 15.For information on local clubs see Cromwell Associated Football Club and Alexandra United Football Club.Read more: Otago Masonic Charitable Trust grants $22K to community organisations.Read more: Clyde School Run Club takes off.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

Alexandra Police are still looking for information in relation to two arson incidents inside public toilets in Alexandra last week.Fire services were called to Molyneux Playground public toilets on June 3, and later that evening it was also discovered that the Molyneux Park scoreboard exeloos had also been damaged as well.Both the playground public toilets and ccoreboard toilets will remain closed to the public until the police have finished investigating and the clean-up has been conducted.Police would like to hear from anyone who has CCTV, dash cam or was witness to any of those events. Please contact Police on 105 – and reference the Police file number 250604/2428. In other police matters, at approximately 3:00am on Sunday June 8, Police, FENZ and St John were called to a single car vehicle crash on State Highway 6 in the Kawarau Gorge. The driver of the vehicle left the road, flipping the vehicle, which come to rest on its roof. The 22-year-old occupant of the vehicle was compelled to complete breath alcohol procedures, which returned a positive result. The driver has been charged and will appear in the Alexandra District Court in July. On June 8, Police patrolling the Roxburgh are conducted a vehicle stop. When spoken to the 38-year-old driver was identified as wanted to arrest by police for an unrelated matter. After arrest, a large amount of cannabis was also located in his possession in the vehicle. He was charged with drug related offences and was remanded in custody, awaiting a court hearing in June. Police in Cromwell and Alexandra attended vehicle crashes this week at intersections – which were controlled by give way signs. On those occasions it appeared that the driver error was not ensuring the road was clear to proceed through the intersection. Police would like to remind drivers to take their time, pay attention – ensuring they have given way to through traffic and once it was safe to do so, proceed into the intersection. And lastly, police were urging people to check in on friends, family, and neighbours, especially elderly and vulnerable members of our community. As the weather gets colder, people may be struggling and unable reach out – a phone call goes a long way. 

A little idea is growing wings according to a local bike refurbishment charitable trust and a new premise for bike upcycling is one step closer to being finalised.Up-cycles co-founder and managing director Chris Foggin (Foggie) wanted to create a buzzy place for bikes to whizz in and out and he’s been working closely with Central Otago District Council’s waste management team to find a new location for the trust to operate from. The plan is to open the Up-cycles Bike Hive at the 60 Boundary road site (formerly Wastebusters) with shipping containers and a sheltered covered area of 125sqm.At the Vincent Community Board (VCB) meeting held on Monday (June 9) members recommended to council that it approves a five year license to occupy for the charitable trust from July 1.Once approved it means a new bicycle repair and recycling facility will be available, and the idea is to hold workshops helping people can learn new skills around bike repairs; fewer bikes will end up in landfill and older bikes will get a new life after being repaired by volunteers.Up-cycles refurbishes, repairs and adapts second hand bikes and distributes them to those in need in Central and Southland including recognised seasonal employees, neurodiverse learners and those without reliable transport.Up-cycles started in December 2022 and until now has largely operated from a shipping container, it gained official legal status as a charitable trust in October 2023, thanks to the support of Aspiring Law. A map of the site. The red are Up-cycles containers where tools and bikes will be stored for repair and redistribution, the green are council owned containers which will be used for workshop and storage space. PHOTO: Supplied If you know anyone in need of some wheels, due to financial, health and wellbeing, recovering from illness/injury, wanting to try cycling, or transport to school/work, contact [email protected] a story to share?Contact [email protected]