Publication

Thursday - 6th August, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 30th July, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News
Thursday - 23rd July, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 16th July, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News
Thursday - 9th July, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 2nd July, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 25th June, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 18th June, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 11th June, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 4th June, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 28th May, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 21st May, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 14th May, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)
Thursday - 7th May, 2026
Cover of Central Otago News

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...

Read Full Story (Page 1)