How Whakatāne can stop your end of summer blues
The calm, shallow waters of the peaceful and largely untouched Ōhiwa Harbour, just ten minutes' east of Whakatāne, make it an ideal spot for water activities. During your adventure you'll encounter interesting birdlife and lovely scenery, and there are 10 picturesque islands with secluded bays you can stop at for a picnic. WHAKATANE TOURISM/SUPPLIED Whakatāne’s waters stay warm into May, making it a great place to try surfing for the first time this autumn. Whakatāne's waters stay warm into May, making it a great place to try surfing for the first time this autumn. WHAKATANE TOURISM/SUPPLIED Whakatāne is officially known as the ‘Kiwi Capital of the World’ thanks to the close proximity of North Island brown kiwi, and they offer kiwi night walks and an educational kiwi wandering trail.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 15:56 UTC
Moana in motion
"Someone must be getting me mixed up with Moana Jackson, who's very iconic, very clever." They might be half-remembering her pop-hit remake of Black Pearl, at the outset of her career with Moana and the Moahunters and then Moana and the Tribe. He died in 1984, after which it felt right for Moana to take her mum on a road trip back south. A few days ago, in the first episode of this new series of Te Ao with Moana, she allowed herself a personal lament. Te Ao With Moana screens Mondays, 8pm, on Māori Television and online at Maoritelevision.com
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 15:56 UTC
How to protect the long term health of your eyes
Alongside difficulty reading or seeing things in the distance, itchy, dry or teary eyes, or seeing black blobs (known as floaters) are all signs it's time to get your eyes tested. That's why every Specsavers eye test includes a 3D scan of the interior of the eye. UNSPLASH Difficulty reading or seeing things in the distance, itchy, dry or teary eyes, or seeing black blobs are all signs it’s time to get your eyes tested. In fact, he says, an eye test may be one of the simplest, and least expensive, things on your health to-do list. Book your Specsavers eye health check today.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 15:56 UTC
NZ marine reserves a good start, many more needed
Commercial fishermen estimate they'll take $3 million hit from the loss of catch, with the rock lobster industry hit particularly hard. OPINION: The Government is inching forward with its plan to create six marine reserves off the southeast coast of Otago covering nearly 1300 square kilometres. Commercial fishermen estimate they'll take $3 million hit from the loss of catch, with the rock lobster industry hit particularly hard. Ultimately, the scientists say we'll need something akin to the Paris Agreement on climate action to tackle the problem globally. The sacrifices we make now could give them and the other marine species we value so much at least a shot at surviving the rest of this century.
Source:Stuff
February 23, 2020 15:56 UTC
Sticky Forest mediation pushed back
Mediation between the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the representative of the land owners of Wanaka’s Sticky Forest has been postponed until after July. Sticky Forest is a pine plantation to the north of Wanaka’s town centre, and contains more than 30km of trails built and maintained by Bike Wanaka members and other biking enthusiasts. Maori land owner representative Mike Beresford lodged an appeal with the Environment Court when the council rejected his bid to re-zone 20 hectares of Sticky Forest to allow residential development. "The Court will set an exact mediation date in due course," he said. Bike Wanaka spokesman Simon Telfer said it would use the time "to continue to come up with more ideas of how the beneficiaries can receive economic recompense while Wanaka retains a much loved green space".
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:33 UTC
Fibre pumps accommodation
Tim CadoganTechnological progress is proving to be a boon for the accommodation sector in Alexandra but is squeezing an already tight rental market as fibre internet is rolled out in the town. Chorus partner contractors working in Alexandra include Downer, Broadspectrum, and Visionstream and their company vehicles dominate motel car parks across town. "Some rentals accommodation has been taken up but I don’t see how these contractors have any other option to house all their guys while they work here." He said the accommodation and particularly rental situation would ease when the work was completed. According to Chorus, about 580,000 homes in New Zealand are already connected to fibre, another 1.15million are fibre-ready, and 80% of the fibre roll-out is completed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:33 UTC
All things rural on display
Showing off her prize-winning pumpkin is Marissa Crawford, of Roxburgh. PHOTO: SIMON HENDERSONPerfect pumpkins, pet parades, and pony competitions were all part of this year’s Mt Benger A&P Show, at Roxburgh Racecourse. This year was no different, as locals and visitors enjoyed a day out at Roxburgh Racecourse. It was a great day for Marissa Crawford (10), of Roxburgh (pictured), who won first prize for her 6.4kg pumpkin. Watching out for bugs and making sure the rabbits did not eat the pumpkin was also important, she said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:33 UTC
Lobbyists: wage rises challenging
Otago-Southland Employers Association solicitor Stu Adamson, Business New Zealand employment relations manager Paul Mackay and OSEA senior solicitor David Browne. Mr Mackay said a strong relationship between all of the associations and Business NZ was essential. "Since 2016 through to 2019, mid-last year, there was a very large amount of legislative change," Mr Adamson said. The increase of the minimum wage to $18.90 in April was a policy that would hurt Otago and Southland employers that were typically "small and long-standing businesses," Mr Mackay said. Mr Mackay gave an anecdote about a restaurant near South Dunedin.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:33 UTC
Tinwald Farm ready for students
The Tinwald Farm team and polytechnic staff (from left) Ashlea Forbes, Jonathan Currie, Matthew Currie, Amanda Currie, Jason Sutherland, Roger Williams, Kelly Gay and Maddy Calder are excited about opening the Central Otago farm to Otago Polytechnic agriculture students. That is the belief of Amanda Currie who, with husband Adrian, owns Tinwald Farm in Central Otago which is opening its gates to students for practical, hands-on agricultural learning. Recognising that farming courses could not be effectively delivered solely in a classroom, a memorandum of understanding was signed recently with Tinwald Farm, a 744ha property between Cromwell and Wanaka. This year’s intake would spend more than half of their time at Tinwald Farm, where they would be engaged in everyday farm tasks that enabled them to meet academic requirements and gain the experiences and knowledge to allow them to step into employment. At Tinwald Farm, regenerative agriculture was being embraced.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:33 UTC
Volts work cut out for them in Auckland
The Volts were 59 for four at the stumps on day two of their Plunket Shield match at the Eden Park Outer Oval yesterday. That came after Auckland piled on the runs over the first two days, declaring late yesterday at 467 for six. This time a second wicket did follow. But 67 from Ben Horne and an unbeaten 61 from Robert O’Donnell helped Auckland to 429 for six when it declared. Dean Foxcroft followed five runs later when he edged one to Horne as Delport took his second wicket.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:33 UTC
Big River raft title hard-won
There may have been a slightly unusual forecast for Balclutha on Saturday, but it only served to egg on those attending this year’s Big River Raft Race. A long-standing tradition of pelting race entrants with a mixture of eggs, flour and water balloons as they pass beneath the Balclutha Bridge was upheld by a cheerful crowd of multiple missile-throwing onlookers. And although the actual weather conditions may have deterred some entrants, event spokeswoman Layla McNutt certainly remained buoyant. Recent severe flooding in the Clutha River may also have had an effect on entries, she said, as numbers were down from 17 last year to just eight for 2020. Among those with smiles on their faces were the crew of Clydevale’s Whisky Chasers, who bettered their second place in last year’s race to take the sought-after Big River title.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:33 UTC
Victims' families deserve compensation
The tourist operator was found to be negligent and in this instance the company was fined and (the insurance company) paid ‘‘compensation’’ to the family in excess of $100,000. I could relate many instances where so-called compensation has been paid to the family of a victim following a workplace accident. In Australia (at least in some states, and some other countries), reparation as it is called is routinely paid (by the state government) to the families of homicide victims. This money is necessary because homicide victims’ families have a lot of unexpected expenditure thrust upon them, like accidental death families do. I have heard of some families of homicide victims who have almost been bankrupted following the unexpected and tragic death of a loved family member.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:33 UTC
Chickens come (to mobile) home to roost
South Otago farmers Tony and Michelle Pringle wander the paddock with some of their 6500 laying hens. Thousands of hens are living the life of Riley on Tony and Michelle Pringle’s South Otago farm; pecking their way around the 445ha property near Clydevale from their transportable hen houses. Mrs Pringle, a nurse, had a particular interest in health and a curiosity around food, and she agreed with the concept that food was medicine. Their hens enjoyed a pasture free-range life, digging holes and having a "right old good time" while adding value to the paddocks, Mrs Pringle said. "That’s all untapped," Mrs Pringle saidsally.rae@odt.co.nz
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:33 UTC
Housing wants not met in city
It is not just a housing shortage that looms for Dunedin — the current housing stock might not meet the demands of the population. Also, new research shows a gravitation towards smaller houses in the city’s "inner suburbs" could inform the city’s next phase as the Dunedin City Council plans for more growth. They will discuss Dr Johnson’s report and a 38-page report by strategic agency Research First, "Housing Framework Predictions: The Housing We’d Choose", which shows demand and housing preferences are changing. Anna JohnsonWhile inner city living will not be in high demand, "inner suburbs" will be popular and people will continue to want to live near where they work or play. The agency surveyed 770 people from the inner city, inner suburbs, outer suburbs, South Dunedin, outer area, and Mosgiel.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:22 UTC
Williamson notches group win
Trainer-driver Brad Williamson gives a thumbs up alongside the owners of Cracker Hill after the 3yr-old’s win in the Hambletonian Classic. Oamaru trainer-driver trainer driver Brad Williamson added another accomplishments to his family’s long list of trotting achievements when Cracker Hill won the Hambletonian Classic at Ashburton on Saturday. The first of what is set to be many group race victories for Williamson can be linked to a chance meeting with Queenstown harness racing enthusiast Gary Preston. The enterprise was the official purchaser of Cracker Hill’s half-brother, by Love You, at last week’s yearling sales. Krug scored a front running victory in the 2yr-old pacing feature, in 2.01.1 That mile (1609m) time was 2.1sec slower than Cracker Hill’s 1.59.0 effort.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 23, 2020 15:22 UTC