Dunstan ward Otago Regional councillor Michael Laws claims payments totalling $5.3 million made to iwi through its partnership with local government have been kept secret from the public.However the regional council disputes the claim saying there has been no secrecy - the payments came from a wide range of sources, including Government funding for various work carried out with iwi over the past five years. Following Official Information Act (OIA) requests, Cr Laws questioned on his The Platform show this week, why the regional council hadn’t included these payments in its annual plan or annual report.“Each year I have gone through the annual plan process for a breakdown of the funding and became increasingly concerned about the financial information to make an informed decision,’’ he said.Having been on the regional council for the past eight years, he described himself as “usually a voice in the wilderness,” but was pleased in recent months other councillors had started to support him.Otago Regional councillor Michael Laws has questioned the transparency of local government’s partnership with iwi and its payments over the past five years. FILE SHOTChief executive Richard Saunders said the $5.3 million was made up of $3.48million ‘actual’ payments, including $1.5m of grant funding from the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and Department of Conservation (DOC) with the approximate balance of $1.76m being largely proposed spending out to 2027.For the $1.5m of grant funding there was no cost to the ratepayer, “this was for Jobs for Nature/Essential Freshwater funding across two key projects,” he said.The payments weren’t visible to the public as they were part of the overall project costs across different business areas. “A number of these payments are for input to activities across the ORC’s business and coded to different projects, for example the Land and Water Regional Plan, biodiversity planning, consenting, cultural values inputs to natural hazards planning.”In a statement released this week, Cr Laws said that he had always opposed the concept of the regional council entering a “self described partnership” with local iwi – calling them a small group of Maori folk provided with especial favours and influence as a consequence.Cr Laws believed that the financial payments also suggested a clear conflict of interest relating to those iwi representatives being included on council policy-making committees.But Richard said the funding deeds between MfE and DOC was for direct services to be provided by iwi such as planting, weeding and pest management.“These deeds of funding were approved by council. We don’t provide detailed project level budgeting in our planning documents, which is why these payments aren’t visible. However they were budgeted for, and provided for as part of the overall project costs.” The Long-term Plan 2021-2031 included a service level measure ‘’Build Mana Whenua participation in Council decision making through a treaty-based partnership approach in our engagement. With a measure of work done in partnership with iwi; increase the number of outputs and groups working together on projects'’.  “We also include a summary of iwi activity in each year’s Annual Report. So while the line costs aren’t reported, we actively talk about the work we’re doing together in public and it’s not secret,” Richard said. 

Alexandra police were called to assist Cromwell officers last week after an intoxicated 61-year old man tripped and fell onto both a broken wine glass and a stool - puncturing his stomach and ribs.Snr Const Perkins said as there was no ambulance available in Cromwell, police and fire were called to assist the man instead, until paramedics arrived from Wanaka.“He’d lost a lot of blood and had quite significant injuries,” Snr Const Perkins said.The Otago Rescue Helicopter was deployed and he was flown to Southland Hospital and taken to intensive care.Snr Const Perkins said it was becoming more common for police and fire to attend medical emergencies around Central Otago, when ambulances were busy at other jobs.He said the fire service had their own paramedics that could carry out pre-hospital care, and police were also trained in first aid as well.Central Otago Police arrested a 30-year-old Roxburgh man who was breaking into cars and stealing money, after cutting off his home detention bracelet on November 3.The man had also attempted a burglary of a commercial business and was found at the old Roxburgh Health Camp hours later.Senior Constable Graham Perkins said some of his possessions were located at the former camp, and police found him leaving his scene, where he was promptly arrested.He was taken to Dunedin and faced charges relating to his breach.A 40-year-old Alexandra woman was arrested on a range of cannabis and meth possession and supply charges on November 4.She was known to police and following a tip off, police did an inspection of the property and found cannabis, meth utensils and scales.Snr Const Perkins said while there had been a quiet Guy Fawkes this year, there had been reports of the driver of a Ford Falcon who had been throwing Roman candles and skyrockets from the window of his vehicle at people in Alexandra.“Some of our locals like to have a bit of fun but it can start fires and they can injure people,” he said.Police were also looking for the driver of a motorcycle in the Ida Valley who accelerated at speed away from an officer, when he was pulled over after travelling at 125 km/hr.Snr Const Perkins said police were unable to pursue as his speed was estimated at 250 km/hr.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

The Maniototo is abuzz with another American western movie being filmed near Naseby.Maniototo Community Board member Stu Duncan confirmed there was a hive of activity out on Hills Creek, with houses, stables and other buildings being erected on site.The movie set is just 1km away from where kiwi screenwriter Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog was filmed back in 2021.The Maniototo landscape had a starring role in award-winning film The Power of the Dog. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDA recent Ranfurly Facebook post by a Queenstown woman was asking for film crew accommodation from between September 28 and December 20, and again from January 6 to February 2.“This is when the bulk of the crew will need housing for approximately 250 people,” the post said.Smaller numbers would still be around from February 2 to February 28.“We are looking for all types of housing - from cheap and cheerful studios all the way up to high calibre for directors, producers and potentially cast.”Naseby has become somewhat of a filming hub, with scenes from Goodbye Pork Pie also filmed there, as well as a Japanese movie called The Promise.Stu said he understood it was a Netflix film but was reluctant to give away too much detail. Naturally those involved with the film crew were sworn to secrecy.“But it’s quite a big set up. There is a lot of people living in Naseby at the moment and they need a lot of accommodation.”“It’s pretty valuable to our community and it was the same with The Power of the Dog.”Stu said film crew were also building new roads and other infrastructure that were left behind and helped the community as well.“It’s becoming a big industry here.”Maniototo was popular because the landscape was very similar to Montana and California, he said.“The natural scenery is a lot like Montana and it’s very easy to do business here with this community. And a lot of the land they are using is private land not DOC [Department of Conservation] land.”Central Otago District Council head of destination Antz Longman confirmed there was a production coming to the district based in the Ranfurly/Naseby area.As filming was a permitted activity resource consent was not required howeverCouncil's planning department had processed an application for temporary buildings to be constructed as part of the production in the rural area.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

There were sirens and gun fire in Alexandra on Sunday morning, but all was at peace downtown, where a small crowd gathered for Remembrance Day.Alexandra-Clyde and Cromwell Returned and Services Associations’ (RSA) both commemorated the ending of World War 1 (WW1) with Remembrance and Armistice Day services.The first World War ended on November 11, 1918 with the signing of an armistice between Germany and the Allies.Alexandra-Clyde RSA held a service on Sunday to give more people a chance to come along.Christine Wright plays ‘The Last Post’ while Alexandra RSA past-president Gerry Sutherland (right) and RSA member Richard Davidson (behind) look on. PHOTO: AIMEE WILSON THE CENTRAL APPThe service at the Alexandra War Memorial also celebrated 160 years of cadet services in New Zealand, and 40 years for the 50 Squadron - Air Training Corps (ATC) based at Clyde.RSA president Kevin Harding said the service had been held a day earlier since 2019 “as times are tough and people don’t want to take a day off work anymore.”In 2018 - commemorating 100 years since the end of the war - thousands of people came to Pioneer Park to mark the occasion.The war brought about 58,000 casualties and 18,200 men gave “the ultimate sacrifice that was their lives - one in five New Zealanders were affected one way or another,” Kevin said.Elim Church pastor Luke Andrade, Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley, Alexandra-Clyde RSA past-president Gerry Sutherland and 50 Squadron - ATC leader Jill Checketts all spoke at the service.50 Squadron - Air Training Corps squadron leader Jill Checketts speaks at the service in Alexandra on Sunday.“It’s important to take the time to remember all the sons and fathers who did not return and for those who did return but were not their selves,” Mayor Tamah said.Alexandra’s 25-pounder field gun fired three shots following The Last Post played by Christine Wright.It was understood the gun was made around 1940, and was in service with the New Zealand Army and given to the Alexandra-Clyde RSA as a display unit more than 20 years ago.Meanwhile yesterday, the Cromwell RSA held a small service at 11am to also commemorate the signing of the armistice between the allies of WW1 and Germany in France.Also known as Armistice Day, New Zealand and other Commonwealth nations changed the name to Remembrance Day to be more inclusive and honour all those who had fallen in service of their country after World War II.

A two-day hearing for a 30-lot subdivision at Bendigo in an ‘Outstanding National Landscape’ will be heard by an independent commissioner in Cromwell this week.Central Otago District Council’s planning consultant Adam Vincent has recommended the development be declined, despite applicants TKO Properties amending the original application.The proposed development at Rocky Point is for residential housing and travellers accommodation, and of the 13 submissions received by council, 11 were opposed.Bendigo Station was one of the affected parties and supported the initial application.In his report Adam said while the applicant had reduced the proposal from 33 to 30 lots, and some building platforms reduced in size, he still had concerns.The current environment was predominantly undeveloped vegetation covered hillside, and the District Plan anticipated a “reasonably highly modified rural environment” for the Rural Resource zoned area, with provisions for residential development.On the one hand, a compliant subdivision in the development zone would be a controlled activity that council would not be able to refuse, Adam said.“This would create an anticipation that dwellings could be built on the lots. ‘’However, dwellings on most of the land in the western half of the development zone, in particular, would not be able to comply with the requirements for building.’’That was because of the significant earthworks or landscaping of the area, because it was an open hillside and terrace view in plain view of Lake Dunstan, he said.“This may significantly affect the character of the area. ‘’As a result, there would be no guarantee that a dwelling could be built there,’’ he said.‘’In order to manage this dissonance, I consider that more weight should be given to how the visual effects of buildings within the development zone will be reduced to acceptable levels, accepting that the plan anticipates buildings in this area.”In the outstanding natural landscape, he considered more weight should be given to avoiding buildings where they would be visually prominent from outside the site, particularly from Lake Dunstan and State Highway 8. One submitter asked that council consider a ban on owning cats in the development, to help reduce the predation on lizards.A consultant herpetologist also suggested council could reasonably impose that as a condition, either as a consent notice or a covenant.Additionally, a lizard management plan would be added to the consent conditions if the application was granted.In its amended application, TKO Properties also proposed adding two public walking tracks along a ridgeline and to a viewpoint.The tracks would both traverse parts of the site that allowed for views over the Bendigo area and the upper reaches of Lake Dunstan.

Police will have an increased presence around Alexandra schools during pick up time after reports of a person approaching children.Police believe the two incidents are connected and are following strong lines of enquiry to locate the person.Alexandra Police are looking for a woman in a white car after two attempted abductions around Alexandra and Clyde this week.Senior Constable Graham Perkins said the first incident took place on Earnscleugh Road, near the lookout road (Hawksburn) at about 3.20pm on Monday afternoon.An 11 and 12-year-old brother and sister were approached by a woman in her 60s or 70s, who was very insistent that they get in her car to give them a ride home.The offence is attempted abduction (Under 16) under section 210 (1) of the Crimes Act 1961. On Wednesday around 4pm a 13-year-old female was approached by a similar looking woman on Centennial Dr near the Molyneux Aquatic Centre. She was described as having frizzy hair with missing front teeth, and possibly driving a Toyota electric car. Snr Sgt Perkins said information was given to teachers at the Clyde School by the children affected, before police were called.“Contact with the students and parents has been made to ensure safety plans have been put in place. The school has also been advised by Youth Education Officers and Youth Aid Officers from Alexandra who will liaise with the principal over the sharing of information.”Snr Sgt Perkins said there were similarities between the offences and a third incident reported in Dunedin on October 17 where a 10yr girl was approached after her touch rugby game at the Oval by a female of similar description.The woman asked if she wanted to see her cat she had in the car. “A passerby intervened and took the girl away then reported to police.” Snr Sgt Perkins said hopefully someone may have seen the vehicle driving around the region and be able to provide further information, even CCTV footage from home cameras or dashcams may assist.Police are reminding anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour to call 111. 

The Vincent Community Board has a new leader and deputy following Tamah Alley’s appointment as the Central Otago Mayor last week.Deputy chair Jayden Cromb has moved into the hot seat with fellow board member Dr Roger Browne stepping up into his old role.Following yesterday’s meeting, council staff held a delegations workshop to discuss with Vincent board members how they expect to proceed with districtisation of services now in place.Governance manager Wayne McEnteer and group manager - business support Saskia Righarts were speaking to each of the community boards to get their opinion before presenting at a workshop with council on November 13.The CODC will make a final decision on how the delegations process should work on December 18.Council expects that, where practical, issues related to each ward have community board input prior to being considered by the council.Community board chairs would also then have a chance to speak to the council each month.VCB member and district councillor Martin McPherson highlighted the recent issue with the museum review policy, whereby the board wasn’t consulted prior to the report coming to council.“There was some strong opposition toward the council direction and path it was taking,” he said.Cr Martin suggested not having informal workshops affecting the wards but instead a paper presented to council, so as to make a recommendation on that.Saskia said this was also the request of the Cromwell Community Board earlier this week.“It’s basically so there are no surprises,’’ Cr Martin said.‘’If anything has an impact on ratepayers there needs to be a paper trail so everyone has their arses covered basically, and a process in place that the boards know they are part of that.’’Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Just who is Lady Cromwell and what will she pen next?A mysterious scribe named Lady Cromwell and her Bridgerton-style writings have set tongues wagging in Cromwell in recent weeks.Describing herself as Cromwell’s most ‘‘loyal and discerning informant’’ regarding the Central Otago District Council, Lady Cromwell first came to the attention of Cromwell residents in September, with her website Lady Cromwell’s Society Papers.  A Facebook page of the same name followed last month.Lady Cromwell did not respond to The Central App's attempts to contact her - and we would not want to blow her cover.The Gate chief executive Glen Christiansen said while personally not a fan of Lady Cromwell, he thought her writing was amazing and caused great debate . . . . ”and hopefully we have another candidate for council. I would prefer to know who it is,” he said.Lady Cromwell wrote that for a town such as theirs, “one must always be alert, lest the affairs of governance slide into less . . . savoury hands.”She said rest assured, her humble scribe shall hold those in power to account, “shedding light where shadows seek to thrive, for you, dear ratepayers, deserve nothing less than complete transparency. “After all, we are the foundation upon which this community is built, and it is high time we claimed our rightful voice in matters that affect our daily lives.”Last month in a post titled ‘’Ignorance and Power’’, Lady Cromwell claimed those who proposed such things, failed to understand the true essence of their duty, “ to govern in harmony not domination.”“It is through the delicate art of collaboration with the community boards that trust is earned, and true governance is achieved. Not by silencing local voices, but by amplifying them.On October 28 she warned about how council might vote on districtisation, and then early November posted a caricature mocking the process involved in the appointment of new Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley, after the resignation of former Mayor Tim Cadogan.As Mayor Tim’s resignation was formally received after the time the Local Government Act required a by-election to determine his replacement, Central Otago district councillors appointed a mayor from within their ranks until next year's local body elections.Comments on Lady Cromwell’s Facebook page included from Cromwell local Duncan Faulkner who said he hoped the new Mayor made some positive change.“Cromwell has an awful lot of potential but lacks good leadership and a community that actually holds leaders to account. ‘’I guess that’s the price we pay for living in such a beautiful comfortable town . . . .it’s just to easy to do nothing and not rock the boat.” [SIC]A more recent post from Lady Cromwell foreshadowed Council’s final meeting for the year to be held in December. “One thing is clear: the path forward is fraught with tension, uncertainty, and simmering unrest. ‘’Will the council risk further inflaming these fires by disregarding the people’s will?‘’Or, dear readers, will they listen to the rising voices of frustration and find a path that respects both fiscal prudence and local governance?”Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Breaches of national air quality standards across Otago have continued to increase, with 16 more in 2024 than the previous year.Both Alexandra and Arrowtown, in particular, were substantially higher than previous years, latest data from the Otago Regional Council (ORC) showed.ORC’s scientist – air quality Sarah Harrison said concentrations of particulate matter, an air pollutant, vary year to year, and many Otago towns had the geography and climate that allowed pollution to build up, rather than disperse. “Exceedances of the national air quality standards are generally due to a combination of emissions, the environment they are emitted into, and the local weather situation on the day.”The latest graph from the Otago Regional Council showing air pollution in Alexandra has been higher in 2024 than other years. SUPPLIED Due to large-scale climate cycles such as the phases of El Nino and La Nina, some winters were worse than others, creating more opportunities for pollution to build up, whether that be lower temperatures, lower wind speeds or a combination of both, she said. “These episodes occur on average every few years and can last from one to two years.“We also see more instances of natural inversion layers throughout winter where the weather can act like a blanket, trapping pollution close to the ground,’’ she said.‘’Normally, warm air rises and takes pollution with it, but in winter, cold air gets stuck under the warmer air, holding the pollution near where people breathe.” Air quality was generally worse in winter due to an increase in the use of fireplaces for home heating.In addition, cars gave off more pollution because they took longer to warm up in the colder weather.“The majority of emissions in winter come from fireplaces for home heating. We know this because of the extreme seasonal patterns we see in the data each year,’’ Sarah said.To understand air quality, the regional council undertook a continuous air quality monitoring programme. This winter they found there were 37 breaches of national air quality standards - 11 in Alexandra, 25 in Arrowtown and one in Mosgiel.The regional council continually monitored these areas, and often conducted further research in other parts of Otago which helped determine where particulate matter hotspots are and how these concentrations could be reduced. “An increase in air quality studies, monitoring sites, and upgrades of instruments will all help to better monitor the finer [particulate matter] and focus on combustion-related sources of particulate matter such as home heating and traffic,” she said. The regional council was currently refreshing its approach to managing air quality. This included updating its Air Quality Strategy, which provided the overview of how ORC was working to improve air quality, and reviewing its current Regional Plan: Air, which provided the regulations to manage and improve air quality. The establishment of a Councillor Reference Group to oversee the process of updating the Plan and the Strategy was decided at its last meeting in late October.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected] 

"Industrial-grade hypocrisy'' is how Dunstan ward Otago Regional councillor Michael Laws sums up claims by the Labour party that localism has been denied, with regard to the Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP).Cr Laws drew attention to the previous interventions from the previous Government on the regional council, including how the former chair Marion Hobbs back in 2022 asked Labour to sack the ORC and appoint commissioners if she lost the council vote.Four councillors - including the current chair Gretchen Robertson - wrote to Labour Minister David Parker seeking intervention when they lost the policy vote around the table.“And Labour have the hypocrisy to claim that elected councillors contacting government ministers is destabilising and an affront to local democracy,” he said.Other interventions by the previous Government included the appointment of Professor Peter Skelton to inquire into the regional council’s consent process, and two directives from Minister Parker to meet strict deadlines on the draft LWRP, including providing quarterly reports to the government.Dunstan ward councillor Alexa Forbes of Queenstown - one of the seven councillors in support of notifying the plan that was recently halted by the Government - said the Regional Council had been prevented from playing its part in democracy and its future.She believed the Government had made it loud and clear when it intervened, that if regional councils around New Zealand didn’t do as the Government recommended, they would suffer the consequences, But when prompted further on Cr Laws' latest allegations of hypocrisy she declined to comment.“I’ve got too much on to waste time on arguing with Michael.”In response to Cr Laws’ criticism, Labour’s environment spokeswoman, Dunedin MP Rachel Brooking said the two examples were very different, as one was following existing law to intervene, and the other was asking the regional council to stop work because the Government planned to change it.Meanwhile, an offer for the regional council to play a role in the review of the national direction for freshwater management remained on the table, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said last week.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

Plans for a new multi-purpose sports turf in Alexandra are one step closer to becoming reality after 10 years in the making.Molyneux Turf Inc president Chris Galbraith and Dunstan High School director of sport Sally Mullally both shared where the project was at with the Vincent Community Board last week.Following a feasibility study, three options for the turf were mooted - the full sized one being around $2.5 million, and a half sized for $1.5 million.Local businesses Fulton Hogan and Benchmark Construction had already offered their services either at a reduced rate or as a donation.Retired farmer Ritchie Stephens had also offered to clear the site so the resurfacing could begin.The group had signed a memorandum of understanding with Dunstan High School to use its tennis courts, and was looking for support from Council through the Long Term Plan.The old tennis courts at Dunstan High School are showing plenty of wear and tear. PHOTO: THE CENTRAL APPThey were hoping for between $250,000 and $500,000 in funding from council, and then additionally about $15,000 a year for ongoing costs, Chris said.The rest they would find through applying for funding from various organisations.The nature of sport in Central Otago was changing with families wanting “more bang for their buck,” in terms of what they put their money into, Sally said.Nowadays, kids are playing a wider variety of sports over a shorter period of time (six weeks rather than the entire winter season), such as six-a-side hockey and touch rugby.“As a community we have to look at supporting a variety of different sports,” Sally said.The high school’s tennis courts were fenced making it safe for special needs students, and could also be accessed from Molyneux Park, so there was no disruption to school, from noise and parking.Ideally the turf would also be suitable for 3x3 basketball, as there was currently nowhere in Alexandra to play the sport outside, Sally said.While also providing the district with an additional hockey turf, Cromwell would remain the “ultimate hub” for the sport. The group already has its plans endorsed by Hockey New Zealand.They have also looked at staging the project if they have to, with lights added later as extra funding became available.Have a story to share?Contact [email protected]

A packed public gallery of the Central Otago District Council last week highlighted the importance of museums to the area.Representatives from several museum and heritage groups spoke passionately about the value and place of museums in each of their areas (Alexandra, Clyde, Roxburgh, Cromwell and Ranfurly).Council has been reviewing the role of museums since 2020, and seeking to create a more coordinated approach to the telling of the Central Otago story through the museums’ activity.Since districtisation came into effect several months ago, it changed the way museums would be funded.Council needed to decide how it would support each of the museum entities, bearing in mind that museums were now funded district-wide along with the bulk of council’s services, and would move to district funding from July 1, 2025.It was noted by most representatives the unknown future for the sector had put stress on volunteer committees and staff.The historic Clyde museum redevelopment has been shelved. FILE SHOTDave Ritchie of the Central Otago Heritage Trust said museums were more than just places to visit, “they are vital community hubs’’.Council group manager – community vision Dylan Rushbrook summarised how museums had been funded.Annually, the museum sector received circa $220,000 in grant funding.In the 2021 Long Term Plan (LTP) the majority of the community agreed council should take on the role of coordinating museum functions in Central Otago. After this, the Central Otago Museums Trust was established and had received ongoing support from council to support the five council or community board funded museums. Staff provided councillors with all the options available for each site but did not make any recommendations. After hearing the submitters at the meeting,Councillors voted to incorporate the following into the draft 2025-34 Long-term Plan (LTP): Funding the Central Otago Museum Trust, Teviot Valley Museum and Maniototo Early Settlers Museum with funding to come from Council.Continuing to operate the Alexandra Districts Museum Inc from Central Stories with funding to come from Council.Retaining the current Blyth Street Museum site on the existing terms; Funding the Cromwell Museum within the new Cromwell Memorial Hall complex with funding to come from Council.That staff explore property options around the Clyde Railway Station Reserve and the museum site in the Cromwell Mall for the Council’s consideration.That staff explore storage options for the museum sector.Stopping redevelopment of the Clyde Museum and removing funding from the 2025-34 LTPHave a story to share or want to comment?Contact [email protected]

Teviot Valley Community Board’s oldest serving member Russell Read has resigned.The 87-year-old first came onto the board for a term in 2015, and then again in 2022.He was currently a counsellor for the Cancer Society, a trustee of the Central Otago Arts Trust, and a committee member of the Central Otago Art Society.Russell Read swearing in as a Community Board member in 2022. He resigned from the board yesterday. PHOTO: CENTRAL OTAGO DISTRICT COUNCILChairman Norman Dalley acknowledged Russell’s service at yesterday’s meeting, saying he had decided to resign because he didn’t believe the community board could perform the same as it had done in the past.He believed the board’s powers of decision making had been significantly reduced over time, “and he deserves to be able to retire,” Norman said.The board agreed to fill the position rather than leave it vacant and put forward a motion that was approved, to have Curtis Pannett nominated to the role.Curtis wasn’t at the meeting but it was understood he came from a farming background and would bring new skills to the board table.In other board matters, Norman addressed two issues that related to board member Gill Booth.The first was the fact she still hadn’t filled in the members’ declaration of interest register.Gill said she had nothing to declare, no business interests in the area, although admitted she did have property.“If you can’t complete the declaration of interest I can’t be assured you have no conflicts of interest in any area of business we discuss,” Norman said.“We all have to do it, it has to be kept up to date, that’s all," he said. “There’s no point putting us at risk."Gill has been a member of Voices for Freedom since 2020 and one of a small number in the group nationally who successfully stood for office. In his chair’s report, Norman also addressed Gill’s negative comments towards the former Mayor Tim Cadogan, following the announcement of his resignation.Referring to her “good riddance” comment on the Teviot Valley Facebook page, he said there had actually been a lot of positive feedback on that page as well.New Mayor Tamah Alley attended the board meeting and said she was “looking forward to getting out in the traps a bit more to some of the more unique places.”Norman also thanked Tim Cadogan for his dedication to the job, and noted his support during the 2017 floods, when he said, “he was pretty much here 24 hours like everyone else.”

Sealed roads and footpaths, water supply and waste were the most common issues that Central Otago ratepayers contacted the district council about in the past year.The Central Otago District Council’s 2024 Resident Opinion Survey is now in its ninth year, with 455 responses.The most important issues ratepayers commented on was the state of sealed and unsealed roads, uneven footpaths in Clyde, Millers Flat and Naseby, and the Cromwell Mall.Improvements to playgrounds, the amount of litter in public places and maintenance to bike parks also attracted comments, including hazards that were identified.Stinky red bins in summer, and improvements to water supply in Naseby, Omakau, Cromwell, Ranfurly, Clyde and St Bathans were also topical, and better communication was requested from council around water supply repairs.There was even a recommendation from the Ranfurly community that it monitor its own water supply on behalf of council, from residents frustrated the ongoing deterioration or faults resulted in repeat losses of service.Ratepayers also wanted more personal interaction with council staff, and a way to resolve problems more quickly.In a report to council, communication and engagement officer Deborah Beange also included the annual Service Request Survey.Receiving 470 responses, the vast majority of respondents (89 percent) indicated that the service provided by council was friendly and courteous - slightly better than in 2023 with (86 per cent).This year, 76 per cent of respondents found the service to be fast and efficient, compared to 67 per cent in 2023.Seventy-six per cent of respondents indicated that the service request was dealt with effectively, compared with 64 percent of respondents who said the same in 2023.Nine per cent of respondents expressed concern that their issue had not been resolved. Four per cent of respondents noted the need for better communication, citing “a lack of response” and need to “close the loop” as examples.Have a story you want to share?Contact [email protected]

Central Otago has a new leader. Tamah Alley, of Alexandra, was elected by Central Otago District councillors at a full council meeting this morning, to fill the role left vacant by now former mayor Tim Cadogan, who resigned on Saturday.Tamah was nominated by deputy Mayor Neil Gillespie, and is the district's first female mayor.The 39-year-old wife and mother of three comes to the role as a district councillor and now former chair of the Vincent Community Board.Central Otago mayor Tamah Alley wearing the mayoral chains after being sworn in. PHOTO: THE CENTRAL APPEarlier this year she was appointed Zone 6 chair of Local Government New Zealand, when she replaced Clutha district Mayor Bryan Cadogan.Presented with the Mayoral chains by Linda Cadogan, Tamah thanked former Mayor Tim for leading the district, which she said was ‘’outstanding’’.Mayor Tamah said being in the “hot seat” was a very special thing, and the challenges they faced as a council were substantial.“We do have our work cut out for us… we do need to do the basics brilliantly,” she said. Some members of the public gallery weren’t impressed, wielding protest signs. PHOTO: THE CENTRAL APPA small protest in the public gallery wielded ‘Sham’ signs as Mayor Tamah was being sworn in.Also a former police officer, earlier this year she said it was "much easier to get things done in the world if you’re a collaborator rather than a bulldozer''.Her proven capabilities in high stress situations and managing big ego’s has already come in handy in the world of local politics, after mixing with many different personalities at Local Government New Zealand - including Mayors from Waitaki down to Invercargill and through to Queenstown.

The Cromwell Heritage Precinct was abuzz last night with fairies, crafts, gold panning, music and magic.More than 4000 people from across Central Otago - and much further afield - converged on the precinct for the annual Cromwell Street Party and Fireworks celebration.Organised by the Cromwell and Districts Promotions Group, the event has been a staple on the calendar for eight years in its current form, and has more than 20 years history behind it.The Cromwell Street Party and Fireworks celebration spread across the whole of the Heritage Precinct.A change up in format this year saw the whole of the heritage precinct utilised with stage performances moved to McNulty House lawn, and the adjacent food vendors creating a vibrant space for picnicking and watching the entertainment.Cromwell musician Gina Bina performs on stage at McNulty House lawn.Latin dance group Latin Soul brought the smooth moves, getting the audience up on their feet - sometimes reluctantly - to join in the fun, while local musicians Gina Bina and Mischa Thomlinson with Dave Luff had everyone tapping their toes and enjoying the tunes.Latin Soul dancers bring the smooth movers to the McNulty House lawn.Aerial performances from Circus Space performers wowed the crowd with audible gasps and applause.Aerial performer Karolina Sramkova, of Wanaka, performs a routine on the hoop.In the lower level of the precinct there was plenty to entertain the little ones with crafts, hula hooping, bubbles and gold panning.Circus Space students Laurie Jack (12, left) and Adeline Ball (15), both of Alexandra, show off their hula hoop skills.Magician Jonathan Usher waves to the camera.The night wrapped up with a fireworks display over Lake Dunstan.WATCH: Fireworks over Lake DunstanCromwell and Districts Promotions Group communications and marketing coordinator Tanya Dennis said ''the weather dances paid off'' and the wild weather that hit the region on Saturday seemed a distant memory.“What a fantastic evening it has been,’’ she said.“The resilience of the Cromwell . . . community really shines through on a night like this, it really does. We have all four seasons in one day but at the end of day let's end it with a bedazzling show over Lake Dunstan.’’The event connected the community with one another and created a “sense of belonging and community’’ for locals and visitors, Tanya said."This is not really just about Cromwell, this is about visitors coming from all across the region which is really exciting for Central Otago - a great way to celebrate the Labour Weekend.''Cromwell and Districts Promotions Group event coordinator Anthea Lawrence (left) and communications and marketing coordinator Tanya Dennis on McNulty House lawn.Cromwell was full of “incredible, untapped talent’’ and it was a great opportunity to show it off, she said.“[It is] showcasing what we’re all about and really bringing people together, it’s a family friendly event and looking at the attendees, across age groups. We’ve got three generations attending . . . I think it's really special.’’Cromwell musicians Mischa Thomlinson and Dave Luff perform at the Cromwell Street Party and Fireworks.Event coordinator Anthea Lawrence agreed.Utilising the McNulty House lawn had worked “amazingly’’ and was a way to celebrate the area's heritage, she said.‘’Celebrating our heritage, using this space . . . it doesn’t get used enough.’’WATCH: Aerial performer Karolina Sramkova, of Wanaka.The event would not be possible without the support of the Cromwell community, sponsors and supporters, Anthea said.“We can’t put this event on not only without our sponsors, but also the donations we get.  “There’s not many free events around, but we like having it free so we rely on donations from people and we love how our community does support us.’’The crowd watches as Abigail Rose, of Circus Space, uncoils on the rope in an aerial performance.Anna Moses, of Queenstown, performs an aerial routine on the hoop.Picture perfect fairies (from left) Wanja Carree Joll, Tiffany Bindon (left) and Katie Lindsay. Fireworks over Lake Dunstan capped off the night.WATCH: Latin Soul gets the crowd up on their feetPHOTOS/VIDEOS: SHANNON THOMSON/THE CENTRAL APP

Cromwell College pupils certainly know their business.Two Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) groups from the college made it to the Otago regional final this week, with one team coming out on top.Six finalists out of more than 138 entrants from across Otago were selected to pitch their businesses to a panel of judges in Dunedin, and Second Harvest Sips took out top honours with their smoothie packs made from orchard waste fruit.The school’s second YES group to make the finals was Culcards.The two Cromwell College business studies groups, made up of Year 13 pupils, were up against others from Otago Girls’ High School (two teams), Queens High School and Bayfield High School.The winning team will now travel to Wellington in early December to contest the national final, using profits from their business to pay for the trip, funding from the college and help from local businesses.YES provides funding for two students and a teacher to attend, and last year Cromwell College’s Anthea Husein was awarded a National Excellence award for her book "Anahera's Adventures: STEM Edition” after coming runner-up at the regional final.Chief executive of Second Harvest Sips Taine Borthwick said four local orchards donated 60kg of waste fruit in March this year, and then they had to chop it all up, and find a freezer big enough to store it.They sold their first 21 smoothie packs (consisting of apples, nectarines, apricots and cherries) at the Cromwell Matariki market in July, and then took orders for 75 more.The group of friends have been studying economics since Year 10 and said the biggest challenge has been finding a way of working together and under pressure. “It’s surprising how close we all still are,” marketing manager Grace Croy said.The Cromwell College pupils with their winning certificates at the YES regional finals. Picture are (back row, from left), Grace Coy, Oliver King, Taine Borthwick, Sam Jansen; Front row: Louis Bickerstaff and Samuel Jones. PHOTO: SUPPLIED They estimate each group member would’ve put in about 27 hours each out of school time to get the smoothie packs to market - but say it was “so worth it’’.Grace joked that back in Year 10 they were the naughty kids and everyone thought they would be the least likely to succeed in business.But then this year something ‘’clicked’’,’ and faced with a series of challenges throughout the year in front of the judges, they realised they were truly onto something.“We got third in one of the challenges and we were kinda shocked. We honestly didn’t think it was that good,” she said.Head of faculty social sciences Aimee Ross said YES was an amazing programme, where students gain hands-on learning about setting up and running their own business. “By doing this they develop a range of important skills such as problem solving, resilience, teamwork, leadership, creative thinking, decision-making and networking. “One of the most important real life learning skills the students gain is how to formally communicate (via email/phone) to people from outside of the school.”With the pupils all heading off in different directions next year, the next challenge was how to keep their business going.They’ve decided to contact orchards again this summer to donate more waste fruit, and they may then on-sell the business to the next year’s business studies class.The YES National Awards Finalists' Pitches will take place on December 5.

Orchardists fighting to protect summer crops from spring frosts are raising the ire of lifestyle block owners.Some Central Otago orchardists are continuing to get complaints from rural landowners about the noise from their frost fighting wind machines.3 Kings Cherries managing director Tim Paulin said he estimated the wind machines across the district would only be used about 150 hours each season.Speaking on behalf of the industry, he said they did get a hard time of it, “but it’s not a huge problem for the amount of good they do,” he said.Given the history of the area was based around fruit growing, he wanted rural landowners living near wind machines to understand the importance of primary industry to the economy.“The area needs money put into it to keep it running and we're helping with that.”Tim and Tisha Paulin of 3 Kings Cherries, north-east of the Clyde dam. PHOTO: THE CENTRAL APP There were now different models of wind machines on the market that were quieter, but they didn’t always do as good a job at frost fighting, he said.“We don't have them running for no reason - they are used for the good of the industry.”A Central Otago Frost Fan Control Group page had been set up on Facebook, with information about how to make an official complaint to council.It stated that if anyone believed a neighbouring property was breaching the noise limits, they should put it in writing to the Central Otago District Council for monitoring.The page administrator did not respond to questions from The Central App by the time of publication.A recent statement on the page said the council had been working with orchards whose fans have not complied with the noise limits.  “As a result, fan heads have been replaced and other noise mitigation efforts have been made.”But the council confirmed to The Central App only one official complaint had been made, with one orchard having to replace its frost fans in the past yearThe page said last season the council purchased its own monitoring equipment for the purposes of ensuring compliance in not only the District Plan but also the Resource Management Act noise limits.   Most orchardists spoken to said spring had been mild so far with regard to frost events.Gourmet Summerfruit manager Matt Tyrrell, who runs a large cherry operation in East Roxburgh, said he would usually average about 14 days of frost fighting a season, but so far had only been out half a dozen times.  Frosts usually only continued in Central Otago until mid-November but extreme weather events in recent years always had orchardists on guard.

Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said it has been an incredible privilege to serve the district over the past eight years, “and it’s hard to let go. But it’s time.”Reflecting on his tenure, Mayor Tim told The Outlet it had been a very strange feeling since making his announcement two weeks ago.“A lot of my time as Mayor I have looked at people who cling to privilege and I’m not going to,” he said.He’s had dinner with the Prime Minister and opened A&P shows, appeared on national media many times and chatted with little old ladies in the coffee shops - and enjoyed it all.“But I’ve started to become a bit of the person I don’t want to be and it’s grinding me down a bit,” he said.Mayor Tim said he’d learned how to handle criticisms and was always one for a good quote “only let the criticism of those you respect affect you."“But obviously there are those times I have got it wrong.”While blessed that he never had to declare a state of emergency, he said the Roxburgh floods came close and of course there were the tough times of Covid-19.It had been challenging working in a small council “that runs on an oily rag,” and admits they’d get a lot more done if they had more resources.There was only one person working in economic development, for example, and it was constantly a frustration for not only himself but the community, that things were done slowly.But he said Central Otago was blessed that it wasn’t involved in ‘party politics’ like other parts of the country, and people were willing to listen to others' points of view.“I’ve only had to use my casting vote once in eight years,” he said.Listen to Mayor Tim’s last podcast with The Outlet hereIf travelling this long weekend, keep an eye on Road report