Central Otago District, Alexandra

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

688 days ago

NZ House & Garden Tours 2023

NZ House & Garden Tours

Step inside the pages of New Zealand's favourite home and lifestyle magazine and experience a captivating mix of inspiring homes this summer.

From the 24th of Feb to 1st of April we will be in; Wānaka, Nelson, Manawatū and Clevedon
Find out more

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692 days ago
693 days ago

A Man Called Otto

Sony Pictures NZ

Based on the comical and moving # 1 New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower who is very set in his ways. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an … View moreBased on the comical and moving # 1 New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower who is very set in his ways. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that will turn his world upside-down.

Experience a funny, heart-warming story about how some families come from the most unexpected places.

#AManCalledOtto, in cinemas January 1 – book tickets now!

Rating: M Offensive Language and suicide themes.
Book now

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697 days ago

Snap and win this summer with our Summer Snap Competition.

Stuff

Grab your sunnies and slap on some sunscreen because the Canon Summer Snaps Competition is back again! Start snapping away this summer and you could be taking your next photos with a brand new Canon camera.

Upload your favourite summer snap online at stuff.co.nz/summersnap and enter it into one … View more
Grab your sunnies and slap on some sunscreen because the Canon Summer Snaps Competition is back again! Start snapping away this summer and you could be taking your next photos with a brand new Canon camera.

Upload your favourite summer snap online at stuff.co.nz/summersnap and enter it into one of our six categories to be in to win! There are six EOS Canon cameras valued up to $1,999 to be won this summer. Entries close Tuesday, 31 Jan. Photos must be larger than 1mb. View the T&Cs here.

The team at Stuff
Find out more

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698 days ago

Win your share of $10,000 this Christmas with Mags4Gifts.

Mags4gifts

We are giving 10 lucky winners $1,000 cash each this Christmas, to enter all you have to do is make a purchase on Mags4Gifts. Spoil your loved ones by gifting them a subscription or treat yourself to your favourite magazine or newspaper subscription.

Mags4Gifts is your one-stop shop for all of … View more
We are giving 10 lucky winners $1,000 cash each this Christmas, to enter all you have to do is make a purchase on Mags4Gifts. Spoil your loved ones by gifting them a subscription or treat yourself to your favourite magazine or newspaper subscription.

Mags4Gifts is your one-stop shop for all of your Christmas gifts with a range of over 50 products to choose from, including our popular NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, and TV Guide magazines. Each product purchased on Mags4Gifts will automatically place you in the draw to win a cash prize - and the best part, there’s no limit on how many times you can enter! Promotion ends Jan 8 2023, for T&Cs click here.

The team at Mags4Gifts
Find out more

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698 days ago

Be in to win with Southern Cross Pet

Southern Cross Pet Insurance

Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.

All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t … View more
Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.

All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t have a pet, that’s fine; we’d love to see your festive snaps too.

Ends 21 December 2022
Find out more

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698 days ago

Rustic twig coat rack

The Team from Resene ColorShop Dunedin

Make this stylish hallway hanger for bags and coats finished in Resene Lazy River.

Find out how to create your own.

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702 days ago

Poll: Is doing your bit to address climate change a priority for you in 2023?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

With rising sea-levels threatening many parts of the South Island, the environment is on the mind.

Some New Zealanders are trying to do their bit for climate change by considering sustainability - whether they are biking more, planting trees, trying Meat-Free Mondays or only purchasing used … View more
With rising sea-levels threatening many parts of the South Island, the environment is on the mind.

Some New Zealanders are trying to do their bit for climate change by considering sustainability - whether they are biking more, planting trees, trying Meat-Free Mondays or only purchasing used clothing.

Vote in the poll and share any thoughts below - if you don't wish for your comments to be shared in the We Say You Say column of your local paper alongside your first name and suburb, simply add Not For Print.

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Is doing your bit to address climate change a priority for you in 2023?
  • 4.1% Yes - it's a new year's resolution
    4.1% Complete
  • 54.4% Yes, but it's been a priority to me for awhile now
    54.4% Complete
  • 41.5% No - I won't be making any changes to my life
    41.5% Complete
436 votes
709 days ago

Are your Christmas plans looking a bit different this year?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The cost of living in New Zealand is rising rapidly fuelled by high interest rates and increasing food costs.

How does this affect your household for the most costly season?

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Some may be used in our We Say You Say column in the local papers - add NFP … View more
The cost of living in New Zealand is rising rapidly fuelled by high interest rates and increasing food costs.

How does this affect your household for the most costly season?

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Some may be used in our We Say You Say column in the local papers - add NFP if you wish your reply to be excluded.

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704 days ago

Be in to win with Southern Cross Pet

Southern Cross Pet Insurance

Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.

All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t … View more
Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.

All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t have a pet, that’s fine; we’d love to see your festive snaps too.

Ends 21 December 2022
Enter Now

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705 days ago

Multimillion-dollar virtual production studio setting up in Queenstown

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

From reporter Debbie Jamieson:

A multimillion-dollar digital studio will be a cornerstone tenant in a $45 million Queenstown research and innovation facility.

The New Zealand arm of United Kingdom-based Target3D will construct its first studio on the ground floor of the building, director … View more
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:

A multimillion-dollar digital studio will be a cornerstone tenant in a $45 million Queenstown research and innovation facility.

The New Zealand arm of United Kingdom-based Target3D will construct its first studio on the ground floor of the building, director Shannon Dowsing announced on Friday.

The company specialises in motion capture and virtual production used in film and television as well as high performance sport, robotics and biometrics.

Recent projects include Bjork’s music videos, an augmented reality performance by singer Liam Payne at the 2021 Bafta awards and Clays, a UK-string of virtual reality clay bird shooting themed bars.


After working with the company directors in London Dowsing established sister company Rāngai in his home town of Tairāwhiti Gisborne, to train students in virtual production, and enable the establishment of Target3D.

The Research and Innovation Queenstown hub developers approached him to consider basing the business there, which also enabled the company to secure a $2m government loan to get established.

The funding came from the $18m Queenstown Economic Transformation and Resilience Fund set up to diversify the local economy beyond tourism, increase economic resilience and develop high paying jobs.

Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash also announced a loan of up to $1.25m to Loaded Reports Ltd, a Queenstown-based software company that specialises in hospitality management, on Friday.

Founded by James Arnott and Richard McLeod in 2004, the company has 13 hospitality outlets across New Zealand and 900 software customers.

It is planning to enter the Australian market next year, having raised $3.25m of equity and debt including the government loan and support from investment fund Invest South.


Research and Innovation Queenstown is in the early stages of constructing a 5400sqm building as a base to attract, enable and facilitate research and innovation activities and companies to diversify Queenstown’s economy.

It includes office space, networking areas and complementary commercial uses such as recreation, film and visual presentation theatres.

The $45m building attracted a loan of up to $22.5m from the Government’s shovel ready infrastructure fund.

The idea of the digital studio project within the Queenstown hub was initially conceived by local technology entrepreneur Rod Drury, who said it was great to see it come to life.

“I'm very excited about the educational aspects of this facility and the opportunities it will create for learning providers in Southern Lakes,” he said.


Target3D co-founder Allan Rankin said it was exciting to bring the studio to New Zealand.

“Due to the boom in demand for virtual technology, we expect the space to be in strong demand from creatives and industry, but also as a centre for R&D and learning.”

Dowsing said the total project would cost about $6m and probably employ six people as core staff but up to 45 people during production periods.

It would be useful to educators, filmmakers, game designers, and content creators, he said.

He expected it would be operational early in 2024 with a full list of projects ready to go.

There were already projects being discussed, but he could not give details of those due to commercial sensitivities.

Nash said the studio would provide diversification within the screen industry in a district better known for location shoots than in-studio screen production.


“The studio will include infrastructure to support virtual production which includes LED screens, motion capture, game engine servers, lighting, production equipment and staging.

“This will provide access for filmmakers, game designers and television producers to the latest technology.

“It also aims to encourage screen production companies to remain in the district for longer periods, therefore increasing district and regional spend,” he said.


Nationally the screen industry employs about 16,200 New Zealanders and contributes $3.3 billion to the economy annually.

Research and Innovation Queenstown director Johnathan​ Chen said the studio would be a key tenant and a focal point for collaboration.

“This studio creates multidisciplinary collaboration to provide innovative solutions across a number of industries, such as film, gaming, IT, tourism and even future cities.”

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706 days ago

Businessman Dave Henderson withdraws cycle trail opposition after cup of coffee

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

From reporter Debbie Jamieson:

Plans for a spectacular link in the Queenstown to Central Otago cycle trail are proceeding after a cup of coffee led to developer Dave Henderson withdrawing his opposition.


Henderson had threatened to go to the Environment Court over a resource consent … View more
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:

Plans for a spectacular link in the Queenstown to Central Otago cycle trail are proceeding after a cup of coffee led to developer Dave Henderson withdrawing his opposition.


Henderson had threatened to go to the Environment Court over a resource consent allowing the trail to be built.

In March, he said it crossed land owned by his company The Cardrona Cattle Company.

“My sole purpose was to try to sort out some of the other landowners to reduce the cost of construction and create a better experience,” he said following the resolution with the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust.

The trail no longer crossed his land but would travel past the Victoria Flats Landfill.

“It’s very close to the rubbish dump, which I didn’t think was ideal, but everybody else was comfortable with it.”

He had some concerns about reverse sensitivity too – cycle trail users complaining about existing activity and development in the area – but that had been resolved, he said.

“At the end of the day we had a cup of coffee and got it sorted.”

He would be an enthusiastic user of the trail, which would link his home to a development he was working on in the area, he said.

Former Christchurch mayor Sir Bob Parker and his wife, Lady Joanna Nicholls-Parker were shareholders in The Cardrona Cattle Company until April, this year.


The Kawarau Gorge Trail is part of a $26 million project connecting five Great Rides in the region.

It will include an underground tunnel near the Nevis Bluff and follow the Kawarau River to Bannockburn where it will connect with the widely acclaimed Lake Dunstan Trail, to Clyde.

Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust chairperson Stephen Jeffery said before construction could begin, the trust had to finalise some details – including creating a plan for managing lizards – for sections of the trail that passed through Department of Conservation Land.

It was hoped that approval would be in place in early 2023.

The complete 500km route will also require a route connecting Wānaka to Cromwell and the missing 13km on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail to be complete.


Jeffery said the network of trails would reinforce the profile of the region as a growing international cycling destination.

“We have already seen the outstanding success of the Lake Dunstan Trail and with the added investment into new trails the future looks particularly bright for cycling tourism in Central Otago.”

Earlier this week, the Queenstown Lakes District Council was awarded $11.8m in funding from the Government’s Transport Choices programme to progress trail improvements in the region.

It included $10.3m for an Arthurs Point to Queenstown route and $1.5m to look at more options for active travel links in Wānaka.

706 days ago

It’s in the bag

The Team from Resene ColorShop Dunedin

Transform a plain bag into a summery tote with this pretty monstera leaf motif. Whether you use it as a beach bag, shopping bag or grocery bag, this simple stencilled tote is a fun and quick project you can do within an hour using your favourite Resene testpots.

Find out how to create your ownView more
Transform a plain bag into a summery tote with this pretty monstera leaf motif. Whether you use it as a beach bag, shopping bag or grocery bag, this simple stencilled tote is a fun and quick project you can do within an hour using your favourite Resene testpots.

Find out how to create your own.

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706 days ago

Want to spread a little Christmas cheer?

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hello Otago and Southland!

We want to know about incredible groups, individuals and organisations doing amazing things for others in our communities over the festive season. Simply share the details of their excellent work in below, and we'll help spread the word on Stuff!

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706 days ago

Calling all house and garden lovers!

Calling all house and garden lovers!

This is a unique opportunity to step inside the pages of the iconic New Zealand House & Garden magazine and experience a captivating mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.

Simply enquire online and be in to win:
- Return flights for two to the NZ … View more
Calling all house and garden lovers!

This is a unique opportunity to step inside the pages of the iconic New Zealand House & Garden magazine and experience a captivating mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.

Simply enquire online and be in to win:
- Return flights for two to the NZ House & Garden Tours location of your choice
- Tickets for two to the NZ House & Garden Tours
- Two nights accommodation
- Rental car
Enter Here

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