Publication
Queen entrants in festive mode
The Alexandra Blossom Festival is a celebration of many things, not least of which is the community service given by the region’s older women. This year’s Senior Queen competition entrants, all over 60 years old, were nominated by clubs and...
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Rail Riot wows thousands of spectators
An Alexandra teenager has returned home with a silver medal after competing at the International Cake Show Australia — the largest cake, cookie and sugar craft show in the southern hemisphere. Caja Paulin, 14, and her mother, Tisha, travelled to...
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Designer proves age no barrier
Age is just a number and an octogenarian Alexandra designer proved it when she scooped the prize pool at New Zealand’s only fashion event dedicated to wool. At Woolon on Saturday Daphne Randle, 88, took out five awards including the $5000 supreme...
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Taking a Daffy Dip
A group of friends braved the chilly waters of Lake Dunstan in Clyde on Saturday, taking part in the ‘‘Daffy Dip’’ event in support of Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day. It was the first time the fundraising challenge had been held in New Zealand, taking...
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The final round
Cromwell Mini Golf is approaching the final hole in its last round after almost 25 years at the heart of the Central Otago town. The Cromwell Community Board has recommended the Central Otago District Council issue notice for the site to be vacated as...
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Look to the future
“Specialty” classrooms and expanded offerings are part of a significant upgrade to futureproof Dunstan High School, the principal says. Principal Andrew King said the project was about preparing the school for future growth. “Being able to...
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A decade of light
More than 7000 people packed into Anderson Park rose garden on Saturday night, turning out in record numbers to mark ten years of Light Up Cromwell. The magic of lanterns worked again, with a night organisers called their ‘‘biggest and best...
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First visitors welcomed
The Cromwellborn architect of the town’s new memorial events centre, Te Puna Mahara, says she is ‘‘so proud’’ of how the building has turned out after decades of conversations and planning. Those behind the $45.8 million centre were able to see how...
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Dark skies above
The push is on for the dark skies above Central Otago to be recognised internationally before one of the most significant astrological events of the decade. The campaign for official recognition of the district’s dark skies was launched at a community...
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Class act from school
Winning a national excellence award was the perfect end to Maniototo Area School principal Melissa Bell’s time at the school. The school won the secondary school attendance and engagement award at the inaugural New Zealand Education Excellence Awards...
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Same services offered
No extra maternity services will be offered at the yet to be constructed Clyde Birthing Unit, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. Responding to a request under the Official Information Act (OIA) from the CO News, the Ministry of Health said the...
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Second solar farm bid
A second solar farm in excess of 600ha is being proposed for Maniototo. A public meeting has been advertised at Poolburn School next week to discuss a 630ha solar farm, a joint venture between Lightsource bp and Contact Energy. The Moa Creek project...
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Off-leash dog-walking bid fails
Cromwell dog walkers say they are ‘‘shocked’’ after being barred from about 98% of the area for offleash dog walking in town. The Central Otago District Councilowned 60ha Sandflat Rd forestry block in Bannockburn is due to be harvested, and before...
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Winemakers’ winning week
It has been a big week for Central Otago winemakers, with two major sets of awards recognising the region. International wine publication The Real Review has named its Top Wineries of New Zealand 2026, with four Central Otago wineries landing in the...
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Timeless style cruising in
Alexandra’s main street came alive as 36 Mustangs rolled through town at the weekend for this year’s Southern Muster. The annual event, held alternately by the Canterbury Mustang Owners Club and the Invercargillbased Southern Mustang Club, brings...
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Birthing unit cosmetic: midwife
The delivery of a new birthing unit at Clyde is moving forward and construction is tipped to begin next month but experts say it will not offer any extra care for Central Otago residents. Amendments to the Central Otago District Council’s resource...
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Birthing unit work to begin
The longawaited Clyde birthing unit was not mentioned in the government’s just announced clinical services plan for Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes but Health New Zealand says it is progressing. An Ettrick mother says the births of her two...
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Ready for a ‘full ride’
BEING one of New Zealand’s top rodeo riders, Sky Sanders has had some rough rides. Now the 18yearold Central Otago barrel racer, breakaway roper and team roper is on ‘‘a full ride’’ — a scholarship to Howard College in Texas, where she will get a...
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