Teviot Valley Rest Home is getting closer to its dream of a redeveloped garden.The facility, based in Roxburgh, received $5000 in the latest round of Otago Community Trust (OCT) grants.A further $14,000 from the Central Lakes Trust means Friends of the Teviot Valley Rest Home, which is behind the garden redevelopment project, is just $2000 short of its target.Jenny Craig, who re-established Friends of the Teviot Valley Rest Home about a year ago, was grateful for the support the group had received.She said an area at the front of the rest home will be re-developed to include aspects like pathways and a seating area.“[We’ll] turn it into an area to make it very pleasant for the residents to use . . . just to encourage them and give them a nice outdoor area.”The support received so far means the group is almost ready to start work.“We’re only $2000 short now of our target of what we need, so we’re almost ready to go. It’s very exciting.”Jenny is one of four members on the Friends of the Teviot Valley Rest Home committee and welcomes more to join.The Otago Community Trust’s latest funding injection has benefited about 30 groups throughout the wider district to the tune of $756,276.It has been allocated to a diverse range of organisations and initiatives, which will empower local communities, bolster social services, promote arts and culture, and enhance educational opportunities.Among other groups within Central to benefit from the latest round of funding from OCT is the Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade, which received $20,000 to purchase a 4WD light support vehicle.Read more: Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade to get new 4WD

A burglary and fire are among the incidents that have kept Central police busy over the past week.In Cromwell, a commercial property in Ripponvale Road was broken into last week where a gun safe and electric bike were stolen.Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the gun safe was recovered leaning up against a tree in a shelter belt the following day, but no access had been gained.The Trek e-bike was taken without its battery, and police said it appeared the offenders had gained entry through the back of the property.No forensic testing was carried out because it had been wet overnight, and Snr Const Perkins said the incident was quite an isolated one, as burglaries didn’t happen very often in Central Otago.Police and fire attended an incident at the Roxburgh Trotting Club on May 20 after a drum with rubbish inside caught fire.Snr Const Perkins said the incident happened after a function overnight and club members had gone back to clean up, “and it looks like cigarettes and ash have made it go up.”A member of the public alerted emergency services to the fire, which could be seen from the road.Snr Const Perkins said one moment’s inattention could’ve set the entire building ablaze, with dire consequences.A final message from police about winter road conditions following Central Otago’s snow day last week: four drivers were stopped and given a ticket for speeding and not driving to the conditions.Winter and foggy days are upon us, prompting a message from police to make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter conditions, and your headlights are working. PHOTO: FileSnr Const Perkins said the roads have been slippery and some vehicles have been found with only one headlight working, which was unsafe, particularly on foggy days.Remember, lights on an hour before dawn and an hour before dusk.

A total of 245 vehicles coming into and leaving Alexandra on Friday night were stopped by police as part of a drink-driving blitz, and not one person was over the limit.Alexandra Police Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the checkpoint, on State Highway 8 before the golf course, found only four people who were all under 250mcg.Resources were brought in from Roxburgh and the rural police team, with a very positive result, he said.However, further north on the same night, a man was stopped driving 118km/hr between Pisa and Cromwell, with an excess breath alcohol reading of 367mcg.  He was given a $500 infringement fee and 50 demerit points.Earlier in the week on May 14, a motorist in the Cromwell Gorge was stopped by police after a member of the public reported him dangerously overtaking another vehicle.Snr Const Perkins said the incident happened in fog and he was located at McNulty Inlet, where police found his vehicle was not up to warrant of fitness standard.His car was green stickered and he was also given a ticket for the dangerous manoeuvre.  Snr Const Perkins said his tyres were bald and the vehicle had a cracked windscreen, which would’ve impaired his vision.On Saturday night two people were processed for drinking driving after leaving a Cromwell pub, which police said was starting to become a common occurrence from patrons at that particular establishment.“If you are seen leaving a hotel in a vehicle, you will be stopped,” Const Perkins said.

Buying a vehicle privately can be an exciting endeavour, whether you're upgrading your ride or purchasing your first car. In New Zealand, the process is straightforward, with a myriad of options available across online platforms, classifieds, and local advertisements. However, amidst the thrill of finding your dream vehicle, there lies a hidden danger that many buyers overlook: the risk of purchasing a vehicle without conducting a Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) search.The PPSR is a tool designed to protect consumers by providing them with essential information about the financial history of a vehicle. It allows buyers to uncover any outstanding debts, loans, or security interests associated with the vehicle they intend to purchase. Despite its importance, many individuals bypass this vital step, often due to a lack of awareness or a desire to expedite the purchasing process. However, the consequences of neglecting a PPSR search can be severe. One of the primary risks of buying a vehicle without a PPSR search is unwittingly inheriting the previous owner's debts or financial liabilities. Without conducting a thorough check, buyers may remain unaware of any existing loans secured against the vehicle. In such cases, the creditor retains the legal right to repossess the vehicle, even if it has changed hands and been in your ownership for several years.This scenario not only results in financial loss but also leaves the buyer without legal recourse. By verifying the vehicle's history through the PPSR database, buyers can ensure that it is free from any undisclosed security interests or ownership disputes. Additionally, the PPSR search enables buyers to confirm the vehicle's identification details, including its make, model, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), reducing the risk of purchasing a stolen vehicle. Fortunately, conducting a PPSR search is a relatively simple and cost-effective process, with online services available to facilitate the search. By entering the vehicle's registration number, VIN or chassis number and paying a nominal fee (currently $2.30), buyers can access comprehensive information about the vehicle's financial history. It is also a good idea to search the seller's name and company. Your local lawyers can assist with the PPSR search process and provide advice on your rights, if your vehicle is repossessed. 

Line dancing has traditionally been done behind closed doors, but now the clubs are filling up and in Australia they do it in the streets.It was Alexandra's turn to host a Line dancing social on Saturday, which attracted 120 participants from all over the South Island.Held in the Terrace School Hall and led by local instructor Cherie Nicolson, they were busting out the Charleston and many other waltz and box steps at the weekend.The Alexandra club has about 35 active members who practice up to three times a week under Cherie, who has been dancing for 25 years.Cherie was taught by Barbara McCabe who first started the Alexandra club, which incorporates members from Clyde and Cromwell as well.“It brings everybody together. It’s a real friendship thing,” she said.Alexandra Line Dancing club instructor Cherie Nicholson (centre) with members Donna Bain (left) and Julie Davie.Line dancing has different levels depending on how technical the dance is, with participants starting at beginner and working through into improver, intermediate, high intermediate and advanced.Club member Julie Davie said it was very popular in Australia where there are competitions, but in New Zealand it was more recreational, with socials held around the country most weekends.A good line dancing space needs plenty of room and a good soft floor - no partners are required, and at the weekend’s social there were at least 10 men involved as well.Line dancers kick their heels up in Alexandra during a gathering last weekend. VIDEO: The Central AppComing from Darfield, Nelson, Invercargill, Oamaru, Mosgiel and Bannockburn, there were many groups of women from all ages, along with a few young males in their 30s right up to 70s.Julie is a retired nurse who lives in Clyde and now has a group of five on her street involved every week. The husbands come too but they make the afternoon tea.Cherie said line dancing used to have such a stigma and wasn’t often talked about, but some clubs such as Darfield now have waiting lists of people wanting to join and learn the moves.“In Tamworth they had 6000 people doing it in the streets,” she said.

At Collinson Wealth Partners we take a holistic approach to personal finance with emphasis on simplicity, common sense, and a long-term perspective.We believe with this approach; you are less inclined to take the wrong path and get distracted from securing your financial future, which in this business is an easy thing to do with all the noise and emotions involved when it comes to money!Build Wealth Through Emotional IntelligenceBuilding wealth is a process of consistent saving, investing and adhering to a well-thought-out plan, regardless of market fluctuations.Emotional intelligence - more so than just intellectual intelligence - is the key to your financial future, especially when making investment decisions. But it is also the hardest part. Controlling your emotions and avoiding the temptation of jumping in and jumping out of the market is crucial to financial success.Wealth accumulation is best done gradually with patience, discipline and a focus on setting and achieving personal and financial goals. Align Level of Risk with Life StageAnother complication is that life experience shapes our perception of potential risk. Our capacity and need to take financial risks should be aligned with our stage in life, financial situation, objectives, and individual risk tolerance.At the end of the day, we are all mostly looking for financial security and peace of mind. This can be achieved by creating a financial plan resilient enough to withstand market uncertainties, while being flexible enough to adapt to individual needs. Keep It SimpleThe modern financial landscape provides us with opportunities and challenges. The ease of automating investments and a wide range of financial products can be a positive and a negative.Automation can simplify the process, but new investment options can overcomplicate and cause you to deviate from your wealth plan.Most success comes from getting the plan and financial goals right at the beginning, and then letting time and compounding do the heavy lifting, without getting interrupted by new investment strategies/products, ideas, or attempts to time the market. SummarySo, the keys to wealth management are understanding the physiological aspect of investing, the value of keeping it simple and maintaining focus on the long term. This is where advice from an experienced and knowledgeable investment specialist can make all the difference.We at Collinson Wealth believe our core value lies in helping clients create their financial plan and keep their focus on what is important to them in the long term; keeping them from being distracted by the noise and promise of instant wealth which appears so prevalent in the modern investment environment.The information contained in this publication is general in nature and is not intended to be personalised financial advice. Before making any financial decisions, you should consult a professional financial adviser.Collinson Wealth Partners FSP 743091 believes the information in this publication is correct, and it has reasonable grounds for any opinion or recommendation contained in this publication on the date of this publication.  

An early learning provider is answering the call from young families who are desperately searching for childcare options in Central Otago.A shortage of childcare availability across the district has prompted Barnardos Early Learning to reach out to people in the community who might be interested in becoming an in-home provider.Barnardos Early Learning service delivery manager Rebecca Chatwin said the not-for-profit organisation’s priority has been to expand its home-based network.The service provides care for up to four tamariki in a familiar home environment, allowing for smaller groups and an individualised approach.Barnardos is recruiting new home-based educators in Roxburgh, Clyde and Alexandra, as well as in Wānaka, Hāwea and Queenstown.Rebecca was hopeful there could eventually be someone in each of those towns.“While having educators in every town might not be immediately achievable, it’s definitely our long-term vision. By actively recruiting and expanding our network, we aim to provide whānau in all Central Otago communities with access to early learning options, regardless of their location.”The move comes following a shortage of availability at some of the district’s early childhood centres.Among those with waitlists is Alexandra’s Little Oaks Early Learning Centre, which is full until the end of next year.Barnardos is working to recruit more in-home education providers to help ease the pressure on young families, and education centres across Central. PHOTO: BarnardosBestStart Alexandra also has a wait list and is regularly fielding requests from parents.A spokesperson for the centre said some parents are signing their child up before it is born in the hope of getting in.“More centres are definitely needed. It’s really difficult for parents.“My heart really goes out to parents that have jobs waiting for them.”Central Otago Reap educator Shona Bain said through her Strengthening Families role she comes across a lot of parents who need and want to return to work.She said in many cases the dad works, while the mum is at home with a young one.As a result, people are tightening their belts.She said the range of courses she offers, such as sewing classes, were often filling up as people looked at ways to save money.Shona was pleased to see Barnardos working to improve the situation.“I think it’s fantastic to meet the needs of our community. It will make all the difference for all these families that are on my books.”Barnardos has hosted information sessions for potential home-based educators in Alexandra and Wānaka over recent weeks, and the response has been positive, Rebecca said.“Several individuals are currently in the application process, and we’re confident these sessions will contribute to a growing network of passionate educators in Central Otago.”People who want to become a Barnardos Early Learning home-based educator need a passion for inspiring young children through daily activities, and a commitment to creating a positive difference for families.They will also need to provide a home environment that meets health and safety requirements, and a Level 4 New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care qualification - or be willing to enter a training programme to obtain one while working.Visit the Barnardos Early Learning website to find out more or phone 0800 227 627.

It’s such an oft-repeated thing it has become common knowledge: Vitamin C is what we need when we are coming down with a cold or flu. Many swear it helps them prevent winter ills; others say it eases and erases symptoms and helps them bounce back if they do get struck down. But what is the truth here? Is vitamin C the cold cure and immunity boost we may believe it to be?Where did this idea come from?The link between vitamin C and immunity is well established, in the sense that this is an essential vitamin that we need for the proper functioning of our immune system. Vitamin C plays a role in various processes in the body, including the production of white blood cells and antibodies. Having enough vitamin C in our bodies is important for our overall immune function, and our overall health.This link was discovered way back before anyone had identified or named vitamins as vitamins, when it was found that sailors in the 18th century could recover quickly from scurvy when they ate citrus fruits, which we now know are high in vitamin C (it took until 1933 for the link to be fully understood).We now know that this vitamin is crucial for collagen synthesis - it helps our skin heal and helps maintain bone, tendons and blood vessels - and it helps us absorb iron from the foods we eat. It is also an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and promoting overall cellular health.The idea of supplementing with vitamin C probably came from the fact that it is not stored in the body; we need to get it regularly from what we eat and drink in order to keep our levels up. The ‘insurance policy’ thinking that applies to most vitamins comes into play here: if we’re not getting enough from our food, we reason, why not top up with a supplement?Do vitamin C supplements help us with colds and flu?We know vitamin C is good for immunity. It is less clear, however, that supplements help with prevention or symptoms of colds and flu. Despite nearly a century of research, the evidence remains pretty mixed.Taking vitamin C regularly as a supplement does not seem to prevent colds or flu in most people. There is an exception: there have been some studies looking at people under extreme physical stress, such as marathon runners and soldiers in sub-arctic conditions, where it was found that if the participants started taking vitamin C two to three weeks before their strenuous activities, their risk of developing a cold was reduced by about half.For those of us who are not sub-arctic soldiers or marathoners, the evidence in large reviews shows that taking vitamin C does not prevent a cold. However, taking it regularly before you get the cold could shorten the amount of time you will be sick by around 10 percent. So a cold that would have lasted 10 days will be over in nine.It has also been found that people who always took vitamin C had slightly milder cold symptoms. This seems to be particularly the case for children.That said, taking vitamin C after your cold symptoms appear probably will not do any good. The evidence shows this does not have any effect on how long you will be ill for.What about liposomal vitamin C?Liposomal or lipo-spheric vitamin C seems to be all the rage. It comes with big claims - and a price tag to match. It is a form of vitamin C encapsulated in liposomes (tiny fat-like particles).There have been some studies looking at the effectiveness of liposomal vitamin C that suggest it appears to be absorbed better by the body. Whether that translates into any cold and flu benefits is not clear. Any downsides to taking it?Taking any vitamin C supplements in very high doses (more than 2000 milligrams a day, which is considered the safe upper limit) can cause diarrhoea and other digestive issues. There is no such risk in the vitamin C you get from food.The only other downside is really that it is not doing anything, and you are simply excreting any excess in the form of, as nutritionists like to put it, expensive urine.If not vitamin C… what can I take?There is no magical thing that will protect us from viral illness (which hopefully we all know by now). But health experts stress that looking after ourselves as well as possible will help our immune system to stay in top shape, so that when we do get hit with a virus, we can handle it OK.Nutritionist Nikki Hart is of this view, and cautions against singling out one vitamin as the solution.“Vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients - they all work to repel oxidative damage”, she explains.“So you can't just label vitamin C as protective.”She stresses that the best way to get our vitamins – including vitamin C – is through food. Citrus fruit and other colourful fruits and vegetables are all useful here, and getting lots of those on our plates means we will easily hit the recommended daily intakes. Hart said food is best not only because it offers a highly bioavailable form of vitamin C, but we also get other goodies, too, like fibre and other vitamins.She also said we need to remember all the things that boost immunity (and many other things too): physical activity, enough sleep, minimising alcohol and not smoking.“The immune system is bigger than just vitamins and minerals.”Lastly, there is one old bit of wisdom that might be true: one study found chicken soup is not only comforting, but it might have anti-inflammatory properties that lessen cold symptoms. In other words, spending the supplement money on fresh produce might be a better, and more enjoyable, way of avoiding or treating a cold.

Central Otago firefighters are gearing up to conquer the Sky Tower Challenge today, in a bid to raise money for charity.Firefighters from across the district will join 1100 others from across the country for the event, seeing them race against the clock to the top of the Auckland Sky Tower.There are 1103 steps for them to climb, covering 51 floors, while carrying 25kg of fire fighting kit. The volunteers are made up of 10 men and women from Alexandra, nine from Cromwell, four from Clyde, one from Omakau and four from Naseby. One, Phil Flanagan, of Naseby is doing it for the 8th time. The firefighters, who already give up their time to protect our community, have been training hard, and fundraising harder, to raise money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.Every day, eight New Zealanders are diagnosed with blood cancer.The Alexandra Team has raised over $16,500, and Central Otago crews have collectively raised over $28,000. Funds raised go directly to Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand, with flights and accommodation costs coming out of each competitor’s pocket.Jay Toth, Mitch Stringer, and Quinton Wicks ready to climb up a hill wearing full fire-fighting gear for training. PHOTO: Mitch StringerCentral Otago fundraising efforts will be added to the $1.4 million already raised by New Zealand this year.It is the 20th anniversary of the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge, a fundraising event that has now raised more than $13 million dollars towards those fighting leukaemia and blood cancer in New Zealand. Mitch Stringer said the Alexandra brigade have been attending this event for more than 17 years.“At the time Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade was one of the first brigades from the South Island to participate.”Now, four volunteer fire brigades from Central Otago are ready to suit up and tackle the challenge, all for a great cause.Keep an eye up for results in a follow-up article once the teams return.Donations can still be made through the Fire Fighters challenge.

Naseby could soon be home to information panels, thanks to an initiative driven by Naseby Vision.Meg Garner and Elly Campbell, who are representatives of the group, spoke at the recent Maniototo Community Board meeting, putting forward their case for financial support to help make the project happen.They said the sign aims to inform visitors about sites of interest and activities in the township.It comes on the back of observations that many visitors use the public toilets, but don’t take the time to explore the town’s many attractions.The aim was to create a sign that would showcase what the town has to offer and therefore make people stay longer.“The whole reason behind it is many times we watch visitors come in, park up, look around, do a u-turn, go to the toilet and head back out,” Meg said.An area, to the left of the town's toilets, is one possible location for the information panels. PHOTO: Supplied“Basically, we think this information map will be for people to understand what Naseby has.”Elly agreed, adding that the signage would also help people understand where things are in the town.She said some visitors have been known to bypass the town centre to get to their accommodation.“We think Naseby has a lot to offer and we’d like it more visible and [that is] why we’d like to put a notice map up.”Naseby Vision plans to work with the Information Centre and wider community to complete the project.The board accepted the level of significance the information panels would have, and allocated $2500 to the cause from the promotions grants budget.However, the grant is subject to meeting consent requirements and Central Otago District Council’s approval of the location, size and design of the signage.

Tall Poppy Central Otago has won the medium franchise of the year award for the fourth time, along with the New Zealand franchise of the year award at the businesses national conference and annual awards evening. Business owner Peter Hishon said it was a milestone for the team and they were excited to nab the win over 30 other franchises and keep building on their success. “I have to emphasise that it was a big team effort between Cromwell, Alexandra [and] Clyde, where we had . . . about three or four of us in the top 10 for the company.“[We] did extremely well for the size of our area, because we're up against successful franchises in cities where they've got thousands of houses compared to our little minuscule amount. So, our market share has been very healthy over the last 12 months to win that award.”Peter said housing affordability in Central is “still quite good” and although nationwide house prices have cooled off, Central remains a popular location as it offers one of the better lifestyle areas in the country.“Young ones [are] dropping out of Wānaka, Queenstown into Cromwell because it's more affordable and you're getting a lot of the young ones in Cromwell dropping down to Alex and Clyde for affordability. And, over the past year or two, we've even had people dropping further out into the outer areas like Omakau and Roxburgh for affordability.”  Today’s The Outlet podcast features Peter talking about trends in Central’s housing market, tips for first home buyers, and those looking to downsize or retire in Central.Read more: Peter Hishon - Property Contributor on Downsizing for retirement Read more: Peter Hishon - Property Contributor on Upsizing for growing families

Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade is one step closer to adding a new 4WD light support vehicle to its fleet.The brigade received $20,000 in the latest round of Otago Community Trust grants to go towards the purchase.Project convenor for the purchase of the new vehicle Ewan Mason said the vehicle would serve multiple purposes, including in a support role.“When one of our main trucks goes out this will likely accompany it.”He said it would also be used to help control traffic, transport more people to an incident and act as a front runner to a medical call out.“It doesn’t have a set function.“This new vehicle, with custom built deckhand lockers, will allow the firefighters improved access to more remote and often difficult locations.”The fire brigade covers a large area of the Maniototo, which includes about half way down the Pig Route (SH85), and towards Danseys Pass, Middlemarch and Becks when required. Ewan said the new vehicle, which he hoped could arrive in August, would allow the crew to “keep up with the times” and would replace a similar vehicle it has on loan by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.The Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade started its acquisition project last May, which meant placing an order, making the purchase and turning it into a fire unit.Otago Community Trust noted in a statement earlier this week the investment recognises the vital role played by volunteer firefighters in ensuring the safety and preparedness of rural communities.The trust’s latest funding round has injected a combined $756,276 into the Otago area, benefiting a diverse range of organisations and initiatives.Its aim is to empower local communities, bolster social services, promote arts and culture, and enhance educational opportunities.

Australia’s elite curlers have descended on Naseby this week, each keen to return home with the title of national champ.The remote Central Otago town’s indoor curling rink has been a drawcard for Curling Australia’s national finals each year since about 2005.And, this year is no exception with about 60 people arriving in the town for the series of competitions taking place until Saturday, May 25.The Central App caught up with technical delegate and Australia’s national curling coach Perry Marshall between games.Brad Patterson throws a stone while warming up ahead of a game. PHOTO: The Central AppHe said Australia’s top curlers travel to Naseby for competitions annually, due to their homeland not having a dedicated facility.“It’s been a long tradition.”In Australia, curlers play on arena ice, which is dedicated to the likes of ice hockey and figure skating. Ice made specifically for curling is different, something Reece Aiken, of Dunedin, specialises in.He has been in Naseby this week, also, to make sure the ice is in prime condition between matches.Andrew Collins, who is in Team Bence, has a training run before competing in Naseby on Tuesday. VIDEO: The Central AppHis expertise will not go unnoticed by those who are competing in the nationals this week, which features four championships - men’s, women’s, mixed fours and mixed doubles. There are four women’s teams, seven men’s, eight in the mixed fours and six in the mixed doubles, all hailing from around Australia.Three draws are played each day, allowing Reece time between to make any adjustments required.“An ice maker’s job is never done,” Perry said.Perry’s role with Curling Australia is not one he takes for granted.“I get to see all of our best curlers curl and make sure they have a great event.”Winners from each category will go on to compete at their respective world events, the first of which is mixed fours taking place in October, followed by the pan continental.Results are posted on curlingzone.com and the Curling Australia website, where the games are also streamed.

Vanuatuan fruit pickers are finally starting to head home after Air Vanuatu went into voluntary liquidation.Seasonal Solutions Cooperative (SSCO) has been working hard to find alternative flights on Fiji Airways and Solomon Airlines for many of those who had been left stranded.SSCO board director James Dicey said it had been a difficult process to get everyone home as there was only so much space on flights.“There are some pretty sad guys out there who are eager to get home. They’ve missed births, there have been divorces, all sorts of things but they just carry on. That’s normal life.”Nationally there were 213 Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers waiting on flights, with 85 of these in the south. Air Vanuatu cancelled all of its international flights for a week last Saturday as the company went into liquidation. The Vanuatuan government was assisting the airline carrier on its finances.This was not the first time there had been issues with flights, with Air New Zealand temporarily suspending their regular schedule into Vanuatu in 2016, citing runway issues.Air Vanuatu has also cancelled flights in the past due to mechanical problems.“The logistics of getting the boys home is difficult. It has always been a difficult process.”James said on his vineyard he had left it up to the crew to sort amongst themselves who should go home first, prioritising those with wives and children.The first group of 11 will leave on Monday, followed by another group of 29 a few days later. A few more were still sorting out visas.SSCO and other RSE contractors were working with orchard workers to continue providing pastoral care, to ensure they had enough food and money to stay in New Zealand while they waited for flights home.

Commissioners involved in a hearing at Millers Flat for the proposed Hawkeswood Mining project were not impressed yesterday about the company carrying out earthworks without any consents.Led by Louise Taylor, Rosalind Day-Cleavin and Craig Welsh, the panel questioned the lawyer Jeremy Brabant about the earthworks, on day one of the hearing.Jeremy replied that the ‘why’ was irrelevant in the current context of the application and said the panel’s decision-making process shouldn’t be influenced by what had happened in the past.The panel further prompted the lawyer about their concerns with the company’s commitment to rehabilitating the site.“It wasn’t a good start to the process . . . hopefully the site looks a lot better than it does now,” Louise said.Hawkeswood Mining Ltd expects to create up to 30 jobs and inject an estimated $5 to $7 million annually into the local community with its gold mine on the banks of the Clutha Mata-Au River.Aiming to be operational by August 1, the project received more than 470 submissions, the majority of which were in support, but both the Otago Regional Council (ORC) and Central Otago District Council (CODC) consultant planners recommended it be declined.Jeremy said the company aimed to return the land to pastoral use after it had finished, “and was certainly not darting around its responsibilities.”He said the company was also very open about ongoing consultation with affected parties such as iwi, and rehabilitation work would be ongoing throughout the 10-year project.Hawkeswood Mining first applied for a discretionary consent in 2022, for a two-hectare mine over a period of five years.This was - by request of the applicant - publicly notified by the ORC and CODC in 2023.Hawkeswood Mining then paused the application to make amendments - extending the proposed mine to cover approximately 10 hectares for a period of 10 years.The councils determined a new application needed to be made due to the significant increase in the intensity and scale of the activity.A CODC document show the unconsented work had exceeded the district plan allowance by 2118m3 and the company admitted it was an oversight by its survey team.Hawkeswood Mining is seeking consent to use the land as well as to take water, and discharge water to land only, with no risk of contaminants being discharged to water.

Central Otago police are disappointed at the high number of drink drivers caught in and around Alexandra over the past four days.Senior Constable Graham Perkins said seven men have been processed for excess breath and blood alcohol levels since Thursday last week.On May 9, a 20-year-old man was stopped on Brandon St with a reading of 440mcg. He elected for a blood test, which took hours longer to process.Snr Const Perkins said because of his aggressive nature, Omakau Police were called to assist.And, while that was happening police also received a call to Fruitlands where a disqualified driver crashed into another vehicle and had an excess breath alcohol level of 508mcg.Because Alexandra and Omakau officers were busy in Alexandra, Cromwell police had to attend the incident.On May 10, the rural liaison team stopped seven drivers for speeding, and a 23-year-old man returned a reading of 400mcg after he was pulled into the Millers Flat Tavern.In Omakau on the same day a 19-year-old Alexandra youth was stopped by police and his excess breath alcohol level was 250mcg (the limit being 0mcg under 20).On May 11 in Ranfurly, following a rugby game, two men were stopped for drink driving, and both blew 400mcg and were given infringement notices.Finally, on Sunday night, May 12, a 42-year-old motorist who was seen weaving on the road by a member of the public, was stopped in Fox St, Alexandra, and blew 474mcg. He also opted for a blood alcohol reading at the hospital.Snr Const Perkins said what people didn’t realise was because alcohol takes a while to metabolise, a blood alcohol reading two to three hours later could actually end up being higher.The seven drink driving incidents were all from people from different ages and “all walks of life,” and were endangering people’s lives by being on the road, he said.“Police are out there, anywhere, anytime. Country people die on country roads. Our police are at random spots and are getting results that we don’t want to have. But, we’re getting people off the roads.”

A new Abbeyfield 14-bedroom shared house could be built in Alexandra by the end of 2026.The formal steering committee for the Abbeyfield housing proposal is now in the process of becoming a registered charity.Alexandra Council of Social Services (ACSS) secretary Carole Gillions said once the charitable trust is formed they can start with funding applications for the proposed $4 million elderly persons facility.“We’re building a membership and looking for key stakeholders,” she said.Land had been secured that was walking distance and within 1km of local services, but the committee was still working with the developer as it went through a subdivision process. ACSS secretary Carole Gillions looks over plans for the proposed Abbeyfield development in Alexandra. PHOTO: The Central AppAbbeyfield was an innovative housing model for older people wanting to retain their independence, but enjoy the company of others, including shared meals.Research showed elderly people were vulnerable living on their own as they got older, and the Abbeyfield concept enabled both independence and security.There were currently two other houses in the lower South Island - Wakatipu and Dunedin, with three in Christchurch and four in Nelson.The idea for the rental accommodation followed two community huis - the first one back in 2018, that identified a strong need for more elderly persons housing in the town.ACSS carried out a survey for over 65s in Alexandra in 2023 which showed 60 out of the 300+ people were interested in shared housing.Carole Gillions introduced the Abbeyfield concept to the ACSS in 2023, and once the steering committee was formed, it also gained consent from the parent body to go ahead with the proposal.The steering committee was made up of Cathy Wagstaff, Marie Roxburgh, Helen Adair and Dr Bill Kaye-Blake.Funding for the development would be both on a local and national level, and each of the 14 residents would have their own private space including an outdoor area.“Abbeyfield New Zealand have been amazing to work with and given us that support to get to the next step,” Carole said.

Central Otago is now more accessible, safer and resilient thanks to the installation of three culverts on State Highway 8 near Roxburgh just in time for winter.NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has completed the project, with the final culvert installed at Black Jacks Creek, each designed to help the area cope in extreme weather events.The new culverts are up to eight times larger, making the road much less likely to become flooded or damaged by debris during heavy rain.NZTA thanked the community via social media for its understanding while construction work took place.“ . . . your support meant the road workers were able to finish ahead of schedule on each of the three culverts - and thanks to the workers for their tremendous work.”Roxburgh, in recent years, had been at the mercy of extreme weather events.A flash flood in 2017 was among the more recent events, which closed roads, cut power and water to the town and forced several people to evacuate their homes.The three areas where work was done was at Black Jack’s Creek, Golf Course Creek and Pumphouse Creek.A statement by NZTA at the time of the Black Jack’s Creek work noted that all three creeks had an ongoing risk of flooding, and the larger culverts now installed would help channel flood flood waters and gravels under the road down to the Clutha Mata-Au River.

Tourists are continuing to ignore New Zealand road conditions and rules throughout Central Otago, frustrating local police.Senior Sergeant Graham Perkins said usually it was campervan drivers holding up traffic, but lately it has been more the other way with many speeding offences.“And, we’re getting a large number of complaints coming through.”He said highway patrol on State Highway 85 around Ranfurly were writing out tickets flat stick and the Lindis Pass was another problem area.“They’re not allowing enough time to get to places and then they expect us to just give them a warning.“It’s become quite noticeable and they seem to have no regard for our conditions,” he said.Four young men from Bluff, Gore and Invercargill kept highway patrols busy last weekend after two reckless driving incidents around the Devils Staircase.The driver was clocked going 147km/hr heading towards Queenstown, but the patrol car couldn’t locate him, and then later in the day the same carload of men swapped their driver and returned south, and he was eventually caught speeding at 158km/hr.Police radioed ahead to Lumsden where the police officer managed to put out road spikes by the bridge to stop them.One driver was arrested and charged with reckless driving and failing to stop and the second driver was charged with dangerous driving and was breath tested.Snr Const Perkins said the other passengers were released, but then proceeded to start smashing letterboxes around Lumsden.Alexandra Police are also reminding motorists to drive to the winter conditions now that it was frosty, and make sure your windows are all defrosted.“Leave a couple of minutes earlier, it’s an offence to drive with a lack of vision.”Driving with lights on automatic could also be a problem because they don’t switch on in foggy conditions, he said.Southern road policing manager Craig Brown said a lot of the crashes they see in winter involved people driving like it was still summer.“Rain, snow and ice make it challenging to stop quickly if required so it's important to allow a little bit more distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead."Inspector Brown urged drivers to consider ‘what would happen if…’, and put themselves in the shoes of the motorists around them."Anticipating how you would react if something were to happen can help readjust your driving behaviour."He said that included asking yourself: Can other drivers see me? Can I stop in time if the car in front slams on the brakes? Is there likely to be ice on this patch of road?"Black ice is particularly terrifying for any driver that hits it."If a patch of road looks wet or damp, assume it’s black ice; let your car slow down on its own, and brake gently before you get to a curve."That’s why it’s so important to drive to the conditions and anticipate what’s in front of you, he said."If you’re unsure, drive slower; we’re not going to ticket you for driving to the conditions."But if you’re driving like an idiot, don’t expect an apology when we pull you over."Before getting on the road this winter, check out conditions via The Central App's Weather & Reports link.