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‘Dream come true’ for new pub owners
‘Dream come true’ for new pub owners

20 December 2022, 5:30 PM

“First and foremost, maybe the headline should be, ‘the chicken salad is staying’,” new Fat Sally’s Pub and Restaurant owner Tyler Burgess says.While Ōamaru business woman Sally-Ann Donnelly has handed over the keys of the pub to Tyler and his partner Kristin Murdoch on Monday, the signature Sal Royale is going nowhere.“She's created so much momentum, we don’t seem to think that we need to change the menu, or anything like that at the moment.”The new owners have moved from Twizel, but both are familiar with Ōamaru. Kristin was “born and bred here”, while Tyler, who has played 100 matches for the Citizens Shield-winning Kurow team, will also be a familiar face, especially to North Otago rugby fans.Tyler had worked at his family’s hospitality business in Twizel for nine years, and was the general manager for five. He had always dreamed of owning his own pub, and Kristin supported that dream.“She’s taken the plunge with me, and we’re getting stuck into it,” he said.  Tyler said it was “an honour” to be taking over the pub Sally-Ann bought 18 years ago, and following in her footsteps. He was nervous about filling the “very big shoes” she was leaving behind.“Being around her, and seeing her having her leaving party on Saturday night, really the amount of community-oriented stuff she’s done . . . When my family went into hospitality, we bought a pub, done it up, made it look pretty cool. But here, it’s like we’ve bought an institution.”Tyler moved down last Thursday (December 15) and is living above the pub. Kristin will join him at the end of the week, when she finishes her job in Twizel. The pub opened under the new owners on Tuesday (December 20).There are no major changes in the pipeline - the 11 staff are staying, and the name will remain. Tyler was looking forward to being part of a “close-knit” team.“We’ve got lots of wee ideas, but nothing massive. We’re not going to put a bomb up it. There will be plenty of plans in the future, we’ve just got to breathe first, I think,” he said.“We’re just going to look to provide a bit more entertainment, and chase that late-night dollar.”He intended to keep playing rugby for Kurow in his spare time, and was looking forward to spending more time with his two young children from a previous relationship, who lived here.“It’s great, I was missing them quite a bit. Having them close by will be great.”Community feedback had been “incredibly positive”, and he felt like there would be good support from the locals.Initially the building and the business were being sold as a package, and the young couple could not afford the $1m-plus price tag, but Sally-Ann made it work for them, he said.“She came back . . . and said, 'Actually, we really, really like you, and we’d like to have a go at selling the business and leasing the building’. So, that’s just awesome. “It’s taken six months to get here. It’s been a long hard slog . . . It’s been a dream of mine to own a place, and Kristin’s got on board with it, and now having that happen is incredible really.“Sally-Ann’s a legend, she’s made our dreams come true.”

Spotlight on Ōamaru for new television series
Spotlight on Ōamaru for new television series

20 December 2022, 12:45 AM

Ōamaru, the Waitaki, and some of its newer residents, will star in a new television series next month.Country House Hunters NZ filmed two episodes in Ōamaru, following two couples who had moved to the town, on their hunt for a new home.The series is based on a successful Australian series of the same name, and showcases people choosing to live more rurally, and leave behind their city lives.Martin Horspool and Wendy Jones moved to Ōamaru from Auckland this year, and set up shop in Ōamaru’s heritage precinct where Martin makes and sells his quirky Buggyrobot artworks.“It is certainly great to have been accepted by the community, and my art seems to be a perfect fit for Harbour St,” Martin said.Wendy said people had been “so generous” and checked in at the shop, to see how the couple were getting on. “I even got flagged down on the street by someone who wanted to welcome us and make sure we were settling in okay. We love it here, it’s incredible.”Anna and Sean Easton, with daughter Frankie (now seven). PHOTO: Anna EastonAnna and Sean Easton returned to Anna’s native Ōamaru in 2020 from Australia. Sean was born in South Africa.The couple bought Awamoa Sanitation and was selected by the production team to take part in the series, after deciding it was time to buy their own home. They had been renting since they arrived in town.They were “so humbled” to be part of Country House Hunters NZ, Anna said.“What a show! It was such a blast filming with them, we didn’t stop laughing the entire time, plus we got to brag about our home Ōamaru and Waitaki,” she said.There would be 20 episodes in the series, which was due to begin screening on TVNZ1 in January and would also be on TVNZ On Demand. Oamaru was the only town to feature twice, something which did not surprise Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher. “It will take twice as many episodes as anyone else to show all the great things Ōamaru has to offer,” he said.“This is a great opportunity to showcase our district, not just as a place to visit, but as a vibrant region with opportunities to live and work,” he said.Waitaki District Council business attraction and recovery manager Melanie Jones said the council was delighted to support the show.“It is great to see new business owners being welcomed by our community, sharing theirknowledge, skills, and enthusiasm - and enjoying a new lifestyle,” she said.Martin and Wendy’s episode will screen at 7pm on Thursday, January 5, followed by Anna and Sean’s the following week.You can view the promotional video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGCvDCCh4Jw

Library survey targets non-users
Library survey targets non-users

19 December 2022, 5:30 PM

Is the library not the place for you? Waitaki District Libraries has stopped trying to read between the lines, and is surveying non-users to find out exactly why.Waitaki Libraries manager Jenny Bean said earlier in the year more than 400 library users were surveyed, to find out how the library and its services impacted their lives.“This time, we want to hear from people who do not use the library,” she said. “We have six libraries across the Waitaki District, and all are welcome to visit and use the resources available. But we really want to understand the reasons behind why people may not connect with the library.”Research student Hannah Acheson has developed a five-minute survey to help understand why people made the decision not to come to the library, and how the services provided can make a difference and be more valuable to the community.Libraries were community hubs and a safe space for people to find information and connect, Jenny said.Long gone are the days when it was only books found at libraries - services provided include Justices of the Peace, free wi-fi, magazines, DVDs, Wriggle and Rhyme sessions for babies and toddlers, computer access, and printing.The survey is online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QXT2PSH or printed copies are available from Waihemo Service Centre, Kurow Information Centre, Oamaru Community House, and the Waitaki District Council. Or phone the library on 03 433 0850 or council on 03 433 0300 to receive a survey via post.The survey will be active until 20 January, with a $50 Prezzy Card prize on offer for one participant.

Cool change ahead for youth leader
Cool change ahead for youth leader

18 December 2022, 10:30 PM

Remember the name Ethan Reille.This departing Waitaki Boys’ High School head boy is going places - first up, the Sub-Antarctic Islands.Ethan has been selected for a Blake Expedition to the region, after taking part in the Blake Inspire programme in April.For Blake Inspire, he was one of 35 students selected for a week-long residential leadership development programme in partnership with the Environment Ministry.The group worked with scientists, environmental experts, and a range of leaders to help develop their leadership skills while learning about environmental issues and how to tackle them, Ethan said.  Participants were then eligible to apply for the Blake Expedition, with options for two different destinations - the other was Doubtful Sound.“I thought I would be a bit bold and adventurous and go Sub-Antarctic Islands,” he said.He found out a week later, just before his final school exam, that his application had been successful.“It was pretty awesome.”A small group of students and teachers will join the National Institute of Water and Atmosperic Research (Niwa) scientists to conduct climate, geology, and ecology surveys on Campbell Island, to assess past and present climate systems, species diversity and abundance, and learn about ship life aboard the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ship HMNZS Canterbury.The group will meet up in Invercargill “for a couple of days of prep” to depart from Bluff on the HMNZS Canterbury, on February 13, returning on the 26th.Ethan soaks up his environment, as part of the Blake Inspire trip he went on earlier this year. PHOTO: SuppliedEthan, who had been working at the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony since school finished, said he had developed a “real passion for penguins”, and was looking forward to seeing the “really big ones” you tended to only see on television.He was also excited about seeing "a massive, massive nest of albatross”.“I’ve never ever seen an albatross before and there’s a really thriving community down there of different species.”But he was especially looking forward to seeing a different part of the world, where nature had been “minimally affected by humanity”.“I think that’s something - a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see wildlife that is really unaffected. But also actually researching a lot of changes that are occurring, because of climate change and global warming, and how those species in the environment of the Sub-Antarctic islands are being impacted, will be really interesting.”The group will be put to work every day supporting Niwa in its research, and updating records, he said.To help fund his trip, Ethan was trying to raise at least $2000, to support the Blake team in covering his expenses. This was a figure that was “encouraged” but not compulsory, and he estimated his costs would far exceed that.“If I don’t raise two grand, that won’t stop me from going, but it will definitely help me.”Looking further into the future, Ethan had an opportunity to go to university in Birmingham, England next year, to study politics and social policy. If that fell through, he would head to Victoria University in Wellington for a Bachelor of Arts majoring in political science and international relations, with a minor in economics.Along with being head boy this year, he was also Waitaki Youth MP, chairman of the Waitaki District Youth Council for 2021/2022, and had worked for the council as Community Development Support.He saw his future within government policy making, with climate change, mental health and education, all topics he was “very passionate” about.“So this [trip] will be something that really supports that, especially around climate change and our environment.” His dream occupation would be in world ministry. He is adamant he has no ambition to be prime minister one day.“I think anyone that’s doing it for the right intentions would never have a goal of wanting to be a minister or wanting to be prime minister . . . and I can imagine how hard the job is, being under that spotlight. “Whatever I’m doing, I'm very happy to be behind the scenes, and creating that change, so anything that involves government decision making I’d be very passionate and happy with.”   This year had been the most challenging and disruptive of the global pandemic in New Zealand, from the point of view of schools and teenagers, he said.. “We’d never had to face the virus ourselves first-hand [until now]. . . Whether it was families having to take time off work to be at home with the kids, or students actually having to be at home while all your friends and the other classmates and teachers are still at school, and you’re actually missing out on that learning. So yeah, very disruptive.” At times the head boy found it “daunting” in his role, trying to be a support to other students, but also juggling his own needs. “But the end of the day we got through it, and we always do get through it.”Ethan remained optimistic about the future, despite the challenges facing his generation. “You just have to be - you have to get on with it.” The increased cost of living was a clear and present challenge, as a young person having to consider issues like paying rent and other bills, for the first time. His optimism came from knowing things were not going to last forever. “These things come in waves and eventually it will settle, like it always has done . . . we just have to ride it out now, to get back on track.”

Berry draws line under design career
Berry draws line under design career

14 December 2022, 9:20 PM

With a decade of interior decorating under her belt, Annabel Berry now has designs on a different future. Annabel made the shock announcement on Sunday (December 11), that Oamaru store Design Federation would be closed by Christmas, after celebrating 10 years in business this year.The decision was one she had been thinking about seriously for two years, but she had wanted to see out 10 years with the business.“This has been coming for a while . . . and the reason is just because I want to go home to my family,” the mother of three said. “I just want to give myself time to think about other things.”The business began when Annabel, then with just one baby, worked on interior design jobs from her kitchen table at home. Five years later she opened her first retail store in lower Thames St before moving it across the road and slightly further north, a few years later. “If I think back to when I started . . . I had no idea about anything really, and I’ve learned so much. The interior design industry is so broad for a start, but then moving into retail, that was really such an eye-opener as well.“I’ve learned so much from a sales and marketing perspective, from customer service, and interaction with people.” Annabel felt the business was going out “on a high”, having been a finalist this year in The Grand Business South Awards for Excellence in Retail.“It was so nice to have those awards last month, just to know that where we got to was really great, and I’m really proud of all of the staff and people who have worked here along the way as well.”The response to news of the closure had been “amazing”, she said.Three hundred people went through the Thames St store on Tuesday, to show their support for the business, and also nab a bargain.“Everyone has been so lovely. I think a lot of people don’t understand, like, it’s been a bit of a shock, but I’m really happy in the decision, and I know why I’m doing it, which is for myself and my family.”There had “been tears”, but they were more tears of joy when she came to the realisation of what she needed to do.“It’s time for me. I feel like it’s quite a brave decision.”Don’t think this will be the last you see of the driven businesswoman, who can’t sit still for long, but is looking forward to a summer off. “I really feel like I’ve done what I wanted to do in this business, and I want a new challenge in my life, and I don’t know what that is, which is really exciting.“All I want to do right now is go home . . . and just see what eventuates . . . it’s going to be interesting to see what actually happens, but I’m really excited about it.”

Mammoth mission ahead fundraising for Forrester
Mammoth mission ahead fundraising for Forrester

14 December 2022, 12:27 AM

Chloe Searle hopes showcasing past generosity to the Forrester Gallery will encourage more of the same to secure its future.The gallery is facing significant costs to carry out a planned extension of its 1884 Oamaru stone, former Bank of New South Wales, building.The building work is part of the Waitaki District Council-approved Cultural Facilities Development Project, but up to $8 million needs to be raised externally in order for the construction work to go ahead, gallery director Chloe Searle said.The almost complete Waitaki Museum & Archive building is also part of the development project.The council contributed a $1.5 million loan to the earlier project stages, and there has been funding from Otago Community Trust, Lottery Significant Projects Fund, the Stout Trust, the Christie Trust and bequests to the museum.“The $7-8 million target is for this final stage at the Forrester Gallery, so we have only started this final push, with about $50,000 raised and lots of plans for fundraising getting ready for next year,” she said.The new exhibition, aptly named Extending the Forrester Gallery, is being held in the former bank vault space, and tells the story of some of the generous acts which have shaped the art collection and the gallery itself.It includes art from collections of works by Burns Pollock, Colin McCahon, Edward Gifford, and Evelyn Page, and each of the works has “an amazing story of giving behind it”, Chloe said. “We will be doing a lot of fundraising next year, and in this show I wanted to honour some of those who have given to the Forrester Gallery in the past and to inspire our community to continue this impressive legacy.“It is really timely to look at how the community has supported and shaped the gallery in the past.” One example is the story of how the gallery was gifted a significant collection of works by Colin McCahon.The artist’s late brother-in-law Noel Parsloe had been impressed by the gallery's annual Burns Memorial Children’s Art Exhibition, and the attention it gave to children’s creativity. This influenced his family’s choice to donate the McCahon works to the Forrester, which now holds them in memory of Mr Parsloe and his wife Beatrice, who was McCahon’s sister. McCahon had connections to this area, having attended Waitaki Boys’ High School. A substantial bequest from former Waitaki Girls’ High School teacher Ivy Pollard, who died in 1984, and enabled the purchase of more than 100 artworks for the gallery was another “inspiring” story, Chloe said.“I know our community continues to support so many causes that make our district a great place to be. I am looking forward to talking with people and businesses about how they might contribute to this exciting project.”The aim was to open the extension in 2025. The new spaces were for education, storage for art works, and more exhibitions. A “much-needed” elevator was also part of the project.

Latest exhibition draws on visitor input
Latest exhibition draws on visitor input

12 December 2022, 9:33 PM

Waitaki locals and visitors alike are being invited to leave their mark on one of the latest Forrester Gallery exhibitions.Ka tuhithuhi - Let’s draw is a wonderlab exhibition with a mixture of works from the gallery collection by well-known Aotearoa artists, including Colin McCahon, Jenny Dolezel and Tony Fomison. It appealed to all ages, and whānau groups, gallery educator Elizabeth King said.“I chose the art works for this exhibition because they all used mark making and line in an expressive way. But it was serendipity that they look so good together!” The show is interactive with several different surfaces provided to draw on, and drawing prompts around the room for inspiration, as well as a soundscape of waiata, curated by Elizabeth’s son Albert, to listen to as you draw. The prompts include breathing techniques and relaxation tips to promote mindfulness.She hoped the space was inviting for visitors, and they felt encouraged to do some drawing to either take home or contribute to one of the collaborative pieces.“It is going to be so exciting to see how the exhibition transforms with visitors adding to it over the next six weeks. It is a blank canvas!”  The exhibition opened on December 10, and is on at the gallery over the summer holidays, until January 22, while people have more time to spend together out and about.Also in the Forrester Gallery until January 22.Rare and Unrivalled Beauty - Landscape paintings from the Kelliher Art Trust Collection; Not Far Away - Alison Bevers and Kit MacGregor.

Airline academy high flyer at awards
Airline academy high flyer at awards

12 December 2022, 5:30 PM

New Zealand Airline Academy directors are on cloud nine, after being recognised at the Indian Newslink Business Awards recently.The academy won the Best Medium Business, and the Business Excellence in International Trade with India categories, at the event, held at Auckland’s Trusts Arena last month.Academy chief executive and director Jonathan Manuel said he was “pretty stoked” about the wins.“We’ve been through a very difficult patch, especially in the last two years when the border was closed, because we have a business 100% reliant on international students. “So we don’t cater to the domestic market, because we don’t have student funding - we haven’t applied for it.”The academy has been based at Oamaru Airport for about four-and-a-half years, and had close to 60 students, from eight different countries, completing the year-long course this year, Jonathan said.“Slowly we are building back our numbers. We had about 83 students when we went into lockdown, so from there we almost went to zero, and then now building back numbers . . . we should be back to pre-Covid numbers by mid-next year.” Celebrating their wins with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (centre) are (from left) Celroy and Sandy Mascarenhas, Beryl Jonadhan and Jonathan Manuel. PHOTO: SuppliedThis was the first time the academy had entered the business awards, which had not happened the last two years, due to Covid.It is an exciting time for the business, which has a contract to train pilots for Indian airline AirAsia India. AirAsia is based out of Malaysia, but the Indian arm has recently been purchased by India’s largest conglomerate Tata Group, which also owns Air India and Vistara airlines.“It’s going to be really big . . . All of a sudden, what has actually happened is, this small little flight school here in Oamaru - by the way we contribute about 20% of all the flight training that happens in New Zealand - this flight school is the only flight school which has a contract with this group. So that has suddenly put us in the spotlight.” The contract with AirAsia India was “ongoing” and the aviation sector in Asia (not including China) had “just blossomed”, Jonathan said.“They have actually crossed pre-Covid levels already.” Recent reports from Reuters, also had Air India placing record-breaking orders for up to 500 jetliners, from Airbus and Boeing, worth tens of billions of dollars.“So the scale is something similar to starting three new Air New Zealand airlines,” he said.Jonathan attended the awards ceremony with his wife Beryl Jonadhan and fellow academy director and head of training Celroy Mascarenhas with his wife Sandy.Most of the political party leaders, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Opposition leader Christopher Luxon were there, along with Indian High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan. Jonathan said the awards were recognition for his and Celroy’s work for the aviation sector in New Zealand for the last 15 years.Judges' comments said the academy “stood out as a risk-taker, willing to push the envelope to expand its business goals”. “The business represented a true entrepreneurial flair and yet solid business practices and well-proven methods to expand to this growing market.”They were described as a “rising star” in the industry.“They are innovative and strategic and have demonstrated their ability to meet the competition head-on and win.”

Archive open for inspection
Archive open for inspection

08 December 2022, 1:24 AM

People are being urged to bring “questions and curiosities” to the new-look Waitaki Archive.After 18 months of renovations on the entire Waitaki Museum & Archive Te Whare Taoka o Te Waitaki building, on Thames St, the Archive now has its own dedicated area, and is ready to receive the public.Archive director Chloe Searle said it had always shared an area with museum exhibitions, but now has a welcome desk, five research desks, and more reference material on open shelves.It was good to be able to give people space when they came in to do their research.“It’s often private, sensitive in some ways, and they just want to be able to concentrate on what they’re doing.”The building upgrade included earthquake strengthening, installing a lift to the upper floor, and offered an opportunity for the Archive to gain a modernised reading and research area.Work on the upstairs was on-going, and was expected to be complete some time in the new year, but this was the Archive’s “time to shine”, Chloe said.The resource provided an “amazing window” into the history of the Waitaki community. It housed masses of photographs, as well as records of local clubs, societies, businesses, individuals, schools, buildings, and old newspapers.Archive curator Elly Dunckley was looking forward to welcoming back regular users and those who may not have been to the Archive before.“I’m just really excited that we have such a great space that people can do their research. Be it a doctorate or someone finding out about their grandparent, all are welcome.”The Waitaki Archive is a community resource, and the public are encouraged to contact the archive if they have something they are researching. Someone was on the welcome desk Tuesday to Friday, from 1pm to 4pm, “But if people want to come and have a look at something outside those times, we can arrange that as well,” Chloe said.To get the most out of a visit to the archive, it was best to come with as much information as possible.“Just anything, will help us help you.”

Success for Waitaki scholarship recipients
Success for Waitaki scholarship recipients

07 December 2022, 5:00 PM

It’s a 10 out of 10 for mayoral scholarship recipients, who have all gained bachelor degrees through a pilot project in the Waitaki. A celebration was held at the Brydone Hotel on Wednesday night (December 7), for participants in the Build Capability Waitaki scholarship programme.The programme was designed to provide academic and peer support for Māori and Pasifika people to complete a Bachelor of Applied Management through the Capable NZ programme at Otago Polytechnic. The goal was to assist those in leadership roles within their work places, who often didn’t have any formal qualifications. A number of the successful graduates were among the first in their families to achieve a degree. The project was funded by the Ministry of Social Development and supported by local businesses and employers including Breen Construction, Alliance, The Business Hive, Te Whatu Ora Southern and the Ōamaru Pacific Island Community Group. Nola Tipa, an Otago Polytechnic facilitator - together with Glenys Ker, said to achieve a 100% pass rate was “phenomenal”.Seven Pasifika and three Māori were chosen by a select committee to receive the full-paid scholarship, and all passed - five with Distinction, and two with Merit.The degree had given them all a Level 7 NCEA qualification, Nola said.Some participants had already graduated, while others had final assessments on November 24, and were due to graduate next week.“Some of them have had no tertiary education beforehand, so to go from school maybe 20 years ago, to a level 7 degree, that is a huge commitment to study. Not without barriers either,” Nola said.Mihi Stevens overcame perhaps one of the toughest barriers during her study.“I got sick part way through it, so I had to get an extension,” she said. “I ended up with a tumour, and needing surgery in my head. So they were really good, they allowed me the time to recuperate, and then once I got stuck back into it, Glenys and Nola were really supportive, and the polytech were great.”Mihi is the health and safety manager, and also beef production manager at Alliance’s Pukeuri plant, and said her new qualification “absolutely” helped her in her workplace.“I have been in the meat industry itself for 35 years, and all my education has been while working.”She already had a diploma in health and safety management, and when this opportunity came along, she encouraged some of her workmates to apply, too.“So from Pukeuri itself, there are actually four of us that have qualified,” she said. She was not one to let a tumour stand in the way of her goals. “I’m the sort of person that if I start something, I’ve got to finish it. I don’t like dropping anything halfway.” Mihi passed with Distinction and has her Māori graduation next Thursday, followed by a general one the day after.“I was probably more shocked than Nola was, when I got my grades. I looked at Nola and said, ‘I didn’t think it was that good’. She looked at me and laughed and said, ‘I did’.”Otago Polytechnic facilitators Glenys Ker (speaking) and Nola Tipa. PHOTO: Cara Tipping SmithNola said her experience with the participants had been rewarding. “I am a teacher by profession, so to see students take the plunge and succeed is phenomenal . . . and to get a 100% pass rate, that is really good. “It means that they’ve worked really hard to get there, and some of them had insurmountable barriers in front of them, in order to achieve their goals.”There were not many participants under 40, she said.“That actually is what the programme is about, for those people who have got life experience or work experience, but haven’t got the piece of paper.”Shannon Halalele, who runs her own business Halalele Design, graduated in September with Distinction, majoring in entrepreneurship and innovation.It was “good to get the brain juices flowing again”, and the study helped her with future planning for her business. Coming together with the group at The Business Hive once a month was “awesome”, and there were always two or three people from the Stewardship Committee present, but a Covid lockdown in the middle threw a spanner in the works for the group.“All of a sudden we were all split apart, so we didn’t have that sort of fellowship . . . bouncing off each other.“It was a bit of a blessing for me, because I just studied all lockdown, but we lost that sort of family vibe we’d set up.”Credit had to go to Nola and Glenys for keeping the communication flowing, she said. “They were really good with Zooms and team meetings, yeah, they were awesome.”Nola wanted to mention the “huge support” the Business Hive had given the group to hold its regular wānanga. All assessments were also held there. Scholarship recipients and now graduates are: Ana Otunuku, Mafa Alaloto, Mary-Anne Tipa, Mihi Stevens, Uinita Tapa’atoutai, Ralph Darling, Shannon Halalele, Sina Fanene, Sione Fisilau and Zhana Poni. Stewardship CommitteeWaitaki community development manager Helen Algar, former Oamaru Ministry of Social Development service centre manager Jenny Bean, Nola Tipa, Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group general manager and Waitaki deputy mayor Hana Halalele, Waitaki mayor Gary Kircher, and The Business Hive director Cara Tipping Smith.Helping to celebrate the programme's success are (from left) Waitaki community development coordinator Olivia Corrigan, former coordinator Shirley Bee, community development manager Helen Algar, and Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group general manager Hana Halalele.Ministry of Social Development contract manager Karen Ayson and former Oamaru Ministry of Social Development service centre manager Jenny Bean.  

Wharf upgrade smooth sailing
Wharf upgrade smooth sailing

06 December 2022, 11:56 PM

New bollards, a gate and extra parking will be appearing on Oamaru’s Holmes Wharf, as it nears the next stage of completion.Stage two of the $2.1m project, being carried out by the Waitaki District Council, began in October, and was on track to be completed in January.This stage was expected to cost $1.15m, and involved replacing the deck and repairing a broken pile at the end of the wharf, and also replacing a small area of deck next to the day berth at the entrance.The end of the wharf has been closed while the boards are replaced, and piles were checked. The work was being carried out by Banks’s Building Services Ltd.Part of the revamp includes the installation of 1.2m high, 30cm diameter, heritage-style bollards, being turned by the Waitaki Woodturners’ Guild, and a new gate with railing recycled from the wharf. The bollards are being installed 27m further into the wharf than previous barriers, to accommodate parking for 10 extra vehicles. Wheel stops will go in 2m from the edge to allow pedestrian access along the side of the wharf. An artist's impression of how Holmes Wharf could look once complete. Whether the lighting will be installed, is still to be discussed. PHOTO: SuppliedWaitaki mayor Gary Kircher said the upgrade was part of a, so far, 15-year process to bring “greater vitality” to Oamaru’s harbour area. “The work on the wharf will preserve it for the next 50 years, hopefully more, so it continues to play its role as part of an active port, and fishing base. “The work also increases opportunities for activities on Holmes Wharf, including increased usage of the sheds located on it.” Council projects and assets officer Grant Rhodes said the wharf was loved and used by anglers, walkers, families and tourists.“We look forward to bringing it back to its full potential in early 2023.”Next in the revamp will be minor repairs to the sheds, along with installation of power, water, fibre, and sewerage services. Grant anticipated expressions of interest to lease the sheds will be advertised for on the wharf’s completion, which could bring exciting new opportunities.The inclusion of street lighting, while present in a design mock-up, was yet to be discussed and approved by the Oamaru Harbour Area Committee, as was the possibility of power supply to berths including above-deck power cabinets; a floating pontoon at the start of the wharf, and the inclusion of various amenities, such as new seating, reinstating operation of an historical capstan for an interactive activity/story board, and plantings. Grant said the project had run very smoothly, with no unexpected surprises, and was on budget.     

Trikafta funding announcement ‘massive’ for Oamaru twins
Trikafta funding announcement ‘massive’ for Oamaru twins

06 December 2022, 5:00 PM

Travelling the world is now an opportunity rather than a necessity for Jake and Emma Gawn, who will soon be able to access cystic fibrosis drug Trikafta in New Zealand.The 24-year-old twins, who grew up and went to school in Oamaru, have both looked overseas to access the life-changing medication, but are ecstatic at the news it will be subsidised here, from April next year. Emma recently left her job in Wellington as a digital marketer with Phil & Teds/Mountain Buggy, and moved to Australia, where Trikafta is already fully funded. She has been working as a nanny for her cousin’s 18-month-old twins.After taking the medication for about six weeks, she hasn't looked back.“Instead of waking up every morning and having a huge coughing fit and starting the day exhausted, I start the day like most other people.”Government drug funding agency Te Pātaka Whaioranga Pharmac announced on Sunday (December 4) it had reached a provisional agreement with medicine supplier Vertex to fund Trikafta for New Zealanders with cystic fibrosis (CF) aged over six.The latest announcement was “such a relief” and Emma was “over the moon” for the whole New Zealand CF community.“Not everyone is in the position to be able to move country, so I'm so excited for those people who soon will get to experience this amazing drug . . . it will save so many lives!” After seeing the amazing results Emma had on the drug, Jake has made plans to move to the United Kingdom in March next year, to access it himself. He has a UK passport through his English-born mother.He has already resigned from his job in Wellington as a lecturer at the New Zealand Institute of Sport, and still plans to go, despite the latest announcement. He hopes to continue working in the sport and fitness field over there. “It just means we’ll be able to go overseas and do our OE and be able to come back to NZ whenever we need to.”He described Pharmac’s decision as a “massive development” that he was “very excited about”.Emma would also stay in Australia for at least the next year, with her partner joining her over there in January. “But it's awesome to know that if and when I want to come home, I am able to access Trikafta.”Pharmac estimated funding Trikafta would provide CF sufferers about 27 more years at full health - which means a much longer, higher-quality life.The cost of the medication was estimated at $330,000 per person per year, and was already fully funded in a number of other developed countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom.It was estimated Trikafta funding would help about 330 New Zealanders in the first year, with that number increasing gradually each year.First day of the rest of her life - Emma starts on "miracle drug" Trikafta. PHOTO: SuppliedLiving with cystic fibrosisBefore Emma began on Trikafta, her day would begin with a “huge coughing fit”, leaving her exhausted.“I then do my nebuliser (a machine that converts liquid medication into a fine mist) and acapella (a device to help clear phlegm from her lungs) and have another big cough while doing my lung-clearing exercises.”She takes insulin for CF-related diabetes, along with her morning medication.“I would often cough on and off throughout the whole day. Take Creon and insulin every time I eat, and then at the end of the day take my evening tablets, and nebulisers and normally end the day with another coughing fit.”She said most people didn’t know she had CF, which was “a good and bad thing”.“When I was younger, I didn't want people to know I had it, as I also thought people might look at me differently, but then it also means people don’t realise all the extra shit I was having to deal with behind the scenes.”Jake’s mornings are much the same as Emma’s were. A good hour and a half every morning he dedicated to nebulising hypertonic saline, doing breathing exercises and lung clearance, a sinus rinse, insulin and taking “a dozen” pills to get him functioning for the day ahead.He also takes Creon pills to digest fat, and insulin to control his CF-related diabetes every time he eats, throughout the day.“Another aspect I also like to consider part of my treatment, is regular exercise, as this helps with keeping my lungs clear,” he said.When Emma was a child, she had a collapsed lung at three. A major lung infection at eight required a long course of steroids and resulted in her developing CF-related diabetes. Up until she was 18, she would have annual hospital admissions to help her lungs.“I considered myself relatively healthy. I got to play lots of sports, hang out with my friends and do what every teenager wants to do, with just a lot more extra 'stuff' most people didn’t know about.”At university, while she was studying for a bachelor of commerce, she could feel her lungs start to struggle for the first time in her life.“My yearly hospital admissions turned into two or three a year, which meant having to get extensions for university assignments . . . and simple tasks and exercises I could normally do easily started to become a lot harder.”Life became increasingly more difficult for Emma. Once she began work in Wellington, she would often have to take days off. She could no longer run or play squash, and she felt exhausted constantly.“I knew things had to change.”She said the illness was often described as “feeling like you are breathing through a straw”.“I never felt like I could truly get a deep breath.”Jake describes his experiences as similar to Emma’s. He is often fatigued, and also has joint pain.Seeing how Trikafta has helped Emma, he is “really excited” to see what it might do for him.“I’m fortunate that I keep fit and healthy now, but from what Emma has said, I’m looking forward in the short term to the increased energy and being able to train and play sport more.“Long term, I’m looking forward to hopefully the reduced need for daily treatments."Emma after walking up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse, "which involved a lot of stairs" at Palm Beach, in Sydney, after a month on Trikafta. She couldn't believe how easy to was. PHOTO: Supplied Life with Trikafta After taking Trikafta, Emma describes herself as a different person.“I no longer cough and I haven’t for the last two weeks, which is crazy!" She has more energy and is excited to just be able to breathe.“I have got back into the gym, squash and running and it is so much easier, like, I honestly can’t believe it. “Being able to breathe makes these things so much better, and more enjoyable!”Emma still needs her nebulisers, and continues to take her medication and insulin, but with the hope that eventually, over the next few months, these can be reduced. “So apart from the coughing, my day is really the same as before, but just everything is easier.”While the twins are looking forward to exploring other countries, they both see their long-term futures back in New Zealand with their friends and family. Being able to access Trikafta now makes this possible.

Walking, biking focus of $5.2m roading upgrade
Walking, biking focus of $5.2m roading upgrade

05 December 2022, 5:00 PM

A funding boost of more than $5m could help make Ōamaru’s roads more user-friendly for those who are not in cars.The Waitaki District Council is in line to receive $5.2m from the Transport Choices Programme, as part of the Government Climate Emergency Response Fund.The amount is subject to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency further reviewing the proposed projects in the Waitaki to explore how they can be progressed in line with a 24-month time frame. Approval may be withdrawn if the scope can not be delivered, council roading manager Mike Harrison said.Some of the money will go towards intersection and crossing upgrades across four sites in Ōamaru. The intersections are at the Junction (of Awamoa Rd, Wansbeck St, Severn St and Towey St), and also where Arundel St/Regina Lane, Frome St/Caledonian Rd, and Redcastle Rd all intersect State Highway 1.Walking and cycling on Thames Highway will also be addressed, with an upgraded shared  walking/cycling path on the west side of SH1, from Orwell St to Redcastle Rd.A further $500,000 for a proposed shared walking/cycle path along Ardgowan Rd remained in discussion, as it was not included initially, in early discussions. The topic had been re-opened and was under review, Mike said.“The Let’s Get Oamaruving research paper on school accessibility identified that the safety and perceived safety of the highway was a key issue around parents choosing cars over anything else.”The funding would help a lot of areas in the community - accessibility, pedestrian crossings, safety around schools and the difficulties around turning on and off the highway from the local roads, he said.Waitaki mayor Gary Kircher said the council was thrilled and proud to be a part of an ambitious programme, and the areas being addressed were where long-term issues around congestion and pedestrian safety had been, particularly at school times. It worked toward a safer and healthier environment, while also helping people get to their destinations safely, he said.“If we do the solutions right, we can look to fix long-term problems for the community and [make] our roads safer for all users and help protect our climate.”The first 18 months of the 24-month project would be around planning and scoping, with the information plans circulated as they progress. The final six months will be acting on the plans.BackgroundIn May, the Government released Te hau mārohi ki anamata, its first Emissions Reduction Plan to 2035.Waka Kotahi responded by spearheading the Transport Choices Programme and working in partnership with local councils to achieve the targets for the plan, Waka Kotahi urban mobility manager Kathryn King said.The plan highlighted the significant role transport must play, with a call for a 41% reduction in emissions from the sector by 2035.

Oamaru company building impressive reputation
Oamaru company building impressive reputation

02 December 2022, 12:00 AM

Many years of family discussions took place around the Hurst kitchen table, before final decisions were made on how to future-proof their impressive Willow Park homestead, at Papakaio. Now the completed renovation project on Ian and Gloria Hurst’s 783m² home has won three national awards for Oamaru company Roger Gilchrist Building Services. The two-year renovation project has won the New Zealand Master Builders’ supreme award for renovation of the year, renovation in the over $1.5m category, and the kitchen excellence award. In their comments about the completed home, judges said it was an impressive renovation that had been brilliantly conceived, designed and constructed.“The transformation of this pre-1900’s homestead into a 21st Century luxury family home, was a massive undertaking. The result is nothing but awe inspiring.”   Gloria said the focus with the plans was on trying to give the “wonderful old building’’, a valued future.Willow Park at Papakaio, inland from Oamaru, in all her glory. PHOTO: Supplied “Our landscape designer, Sean Dixon, woke up here one morning with the plan in his head and quickly scribbled it down. “Daughter-in-law Jade rolled up her sleeves and designed the interiors,” she said.The kitchen area, with its marble benchtops and oak joinery, was not only the judges’ favourite, but as part of an effective open-plan living area, it is the Hurst’s favourite place in the home too.“It’s a functional and friendly space for family and friends, but into the future, it has the potential to serve as a more formal area for community conversations and brainstorming,” Gloria said.Judges described the space as “the ultimate entertainer's dream”, positioned strategically with direct access to the two outdoor entertaining areas.“Marvellous views of the estate and hills beyond are provided through large bi-folding windows. Natural light pours through into the heart of the kitchen,” they said. The entire renovation was described as “magnificent” and one to “truly be admired”.“It’s clear that all involved have worked tirelessly to fulfil the home-owner’s dream.“The transformation of this . . . home was an outstanding team effort between the home-owners, architect, builder, sub-trades and interior designer. “The very high standard of workmanship and attention to detail makes this home a worthy recipient of the national Supreme Renovation of the Year award,” they said.   Gloria and Ian were grateful to Roger Gilchrist Building Services, and the “dozens of talented support crew” who enabled the whole process to happen “without fuss or fanfare”.The indoor/outdoor flow is an entertainer's dream, Master Builder judges said. PHOTO: Supplied

Colourful collab wins national kudos
Colourful collab wins national kudos

30 November 2022, 5:00 PM

Oamaru’s Design Federation has coloured itself successful, taking out a national award for the The Business Hive colour scheme.Design Federation director Annabel Berry and fellow designer Meghan Nockels were awarded the Resene Total Colour Commercial Interior Office Colour Maestro Award, for their scheme, which involved the use of 26 Resene colours.In awarding the prize, the judges said the Hive was “buzzing with earthy and cheerful colours”. “This honeycomb of hues is uplifting and undeniably apt for a busy working space brimming with personality.“Harnessing the power of colour psychology, each hue is used deliberately to enrich the use of the office space for all, combining the best of working from home, away from home.”The Business Hive is the brainchild of Cara Tipping Smith and Alex Regtien, and is a building which offers communal workspaces, bookable desk and screens, private offices, and meeting rooms. The Thames St premises opened in January this year, after starting up in Ribble St.Annabel said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the recognition.“It’s always lovely to win a national award, to show that what you’re doing locally is up there nationally, so I’m so proud of my team, and a special mention to Meghan who is now on maternity leave, but she had a huge part to play in that.”It was a bold move making the entire stairwell yellow, adorned with honeycomb and bee murals. PHOTO: Ashley Smyth The renovation was a “community project” and the finished product was a success due to the input of “so many different people”.“First of all, it was amazing working for Cara and Alex. They are so incredible, they had this vision to . . . just really develop a space where people could gather, and people could come, and I just think their whole vision is so good for the business community, but also start ups and innovators, and people that want to connect with other people.” Annabel described it as “a dream job with a dream client”, who was supportive, open to ideas, and understood what she and Meghan were trying to achieve with the space.Architect Virginia Barlow also worked closely with the two women, making key architectural changes to the building to open it up, let more light in, and create different zones and options.Colour was used to bring a different energy for each space, Annabel said. Cara wanted each area to have a different feel, but still work cohesively as a whole.Inspiration was drawn from the North Otago landscape - moody greens reference the Waitaki Valley, heritage colours are a nod to the Victorian precinct, and coastal blues draw on the colours of the sea.“Also of course the brand colours, through the buzzy-ness and the energy of the Hive itself. So the beautiful yellow, black and white, which is the core colour palette.” The boldest decision was to make the stairwell all yellow, including the ceiling, with the work of local artists Matthew Wicks and Luzette Crossan “elevating” the space with bee and honeycomb murals, Annabel said.“We needed something to draw people up the stairs, and together with the yellow paint and that mural, we believe it really does that . . . people want to explore upstairs.” Alex said Annabel and Meghan really captured the vibe of the environment he and Cara wanted to create. “A bit funky, professional but not too corporate - a really welcoming comfortable space that would appeal to a wide variety of people,” he said.

Revival of Ōamaru marae for all
Revival of Ōamaru marae for all

29 November 2022, 5:00 PM

The Ōamaru marae, which many may not even know exists, is undergoing a “cultural community revival”.Te Whare Koa, on France St, is a marae ngā hau e whā – a marae for people of the four winds. It opened in 1981, and marae of this type were traditionally established during waves of Māori urban migration, for those who had relocated to other parts of Aotearoa for work. Te Whare chairperson Rihi Salter said the marae was a special place for people from all iwi or tribes to come together, learn and experience Te Ao Māori (the Māori world).“Ever since my mum and sisters were involved in the establishment of a kōhanga reo at Te Whare Koa in the 1980s, Te Whare Koa has always been a special place for our whānau,” she said.The marae had been under-utilised over the decades, but in the last two years, it had been established as a charitable trust. Trustees had been hard at work restoring and improving the weatherboard building, which was now fully insulated and had two new heat pumps.Maria Romiti and Laura Cherif at work last week replacing rotten weatherboards, and scraping and sealing paint. PHOTO: Sophia Leon de la BarraWeekly kapa haka sessions had begun, as well as a rōpū tautoko (support group) for Māori language learners, group facilitator and marae secretary Sophia Leon de la Barra said.“Everyone who comes enjoys a good laugh while we learn and practise our reo."The Ōamaru Language School would host a hui at the marae at 4pm on Saturday, January 7, to find out what kind of classes and support community members were seeking, to learn Te Reo Māori, Sophia said. “As an immigrant to Aotearoa, it is such a beautiful taonga to be part of a marae ngā hau e whā.”Te Whare Koa Marae holds its AGM at 2pm on Saturday (December 3), and all interested parties are welcome to attend. The trust is seeking more community members as trustees, beneficiaries, volunteers, as well as workshop facilitators and participants.Four community weekend working bees to paint the exterior of the marae are on 10am to 4pm, every Saturday and Sunday, from January 7 to 29.Community members who want to become beneficiaries, and participate in marae events and workshops can enroll on the Te Whare Koa Facebook page or use the link https://forms.gle/DoGzkCYYMEqY6o3H7

Council funds help maximise waste minimisation efforts
Council funds help maximise waste minimisation efforts

27 November 2022, 10:49 PM

Community efforts to be kinder to the planet have been given a financial boost in the Waitaki.A Hampden community group and Weston School were two of the lucky recipients of the inaugural round of funding through the Waste Minimisation Fund, set up by the Waitaki District Council.There were 11 applications for the inaugural round of funding which was open throughout August, with eight receiving either full or partial funding, from an available $30,000, to support their efforts.Council waste minimisation officer Lucianne White said she was “thrilled” with the number of strong applications received, and their “wonderful ideas”.The fund promoted the “Waste Hierarchy”: 1. Rethink - stop waste before it is created;2. Reduce - reduce the amount of waste created; 3. Re-use/repurpose, regift, repair, recharge the soil. Projects closer to the top of the list had a larger impact, and were more likely to receive funding, Lucianne said.The Hampden Community Workshop and Weston School both received the maximum of $5000. Hampden community workshop is aiming to provide diversion and minimisation of waste, through repair cafe activities (where local people bring damaged belongings, and expert volunteers do their best to fix them) as well as long-term community and social benefits and behaviour-change education.Workshop spokesperson Dugald MacTavish said, when he first arrived in Moeraki more than 35 years ago, everyone dumped their waste at the old dumps near the sea, and they hated it."Since we have started to treat our waste as a resource in the Waitaki, and our communities have engaged with sharing and recycling, a visit to our recovery park is a much happier experience.” The next step on the path to Hampden one day, becoming a zero-waste community, was the construction of an upcycling workshop.Weston School will put its money towards a waste sort station, which aims to divert as much waste going through the school system as possible, and use an educational angle focusing on rethinking resources used in teaching.Teacher Erina Simpson was looking forward to growing on the school’s already successful paper and food scrap programme, and said she applied for the grant on behalf of the school’s Envirogroup to help develop a school-based sorting and waste minimisation centre to provide ready access to re-usable resources for various learning projects.“These developments will also allow us to address the management of our own waste beyond the clean paper recycling and food scrap waste that we currently manage.” The children would in turn become more informed and active citizens, educating their friends and families and, therefore the wider community in regard to waste minimisation.Lucianne said the fund would be open for applications again next August, but encouraged groups and communities to make contact with her for advice or guidance at any time.Contact Lucianne at [email protected]

New Waitaki App all about community
New Waitaki App all about community

24 November 2022, 4:37 AM

A new smartphone “app” has landed in Waitaki, and its drivers are hoping it will change how people access local news and information.The Waitaki App, which launched on Thursday evening (November 24), at Oamaru’s Business Hive, is part of the iApp Network, based in Wanaka. Others in the network include the Wanaka, Queenstown, Southland and Central Apps.Present at the launch are (from left) Fraser Lewry, Daniel Eisenhut, Rebecca Finlay and Cara Tipping Smith. PHOTO Waitaki AppThe team behind the Waitaki App is Business Hive owners Cara Tipping Smith and Alex Regtien, together with Real 104FM’s Dan Lewis, and Alexandra-based Central App owner Vicki McLean.Cara said they thought the app was needed in the district for three main reasons, the most important of which was to provide “community connectivity”.“I don’t think there’s anyone who’s been in Oamaru more than a week, who doesn’t think, ‘wouldn’t it be great if we had a community diary where everything was in one place’.”Cara had tried to set up different versions over the nearly six years she and Alex had been in Oamaru, including a Waitaki events calendar on Facebook, but her efforts were hampered by a lack of budget to promote it.“It never got traction for everyone to use it, and of course it’s on Facebook with all the comments and everything else.”The key was, it had to be a sustainable model, and user-pays seemed unfair, as it meant only those who could afford it could access the community diary, she said.“So therefore it has to be an advertising model.”It was key the app provided an “affordable, agile’’ advertising platform for local small businesses.“Our business people are our community, and our community are our business people, and so if they’re paying for advertising, then that’s money that’s not going home or somewhere else, so it’s kind of finding that balance.”The third reason was to provide a source of information for visitors, without them having to enter the social media realm.“We’re all a little bit embarrassed by some of what goes on on social media, so if there’s a comment-free way of finding out about this place, that’s great.”Having Vicki on board, with her experience running the Central App, and seeing its success in other places, gave the group confidence it was a “robust platform’’, and they could learn from her and “get it right”, Cara said.News was an essential part of the app, keeping people regularly informed on local issues. Community Waitaki turns out to support the launch of the new app. PHOTO Waitaki App“Journalism is super important these days, especially in this world of disinformation and misinformation, so we want to make sure we get this right from the outset.”The Waitaki App was more than information for visitors to Oamaru, and the all-important “community connectivity” meant people had easy access to what was going on in the further reaches of the district, allowing Waitaki to become more of a “community-wide district”.Members of the public were encouraged to download the app, in either Apple or Google Play app stores, or could scan the QR codes scattered around the town.“If you see the QR code, scan and jump on board, and share. Tell everyone. This works if people get into it,” Cara said.Feedback was welcome, and users were encouraged to get in touch via the “Contact” button on the app.“We really want to hear from people. We want this to work for everyone.”

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