511 days ago

Ōtira and Springfield celebrate 100 years since tunnel opening

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Ōtira was a bustling town with about 650 people when the Ōtira Tunnel first linked the West Coast to the rest of the South Island 100 years ago.

Communities at both ends of the tunnel are celebrating its centenary on Friday.

The rail tunnel travels 8.5km through the Southern Alps and was once the seventh longest tunnel in the world, and the longest in the British Empire.

Although the rail tunnel is now only the third longest in the country, it remains an engineering marvel.

During its construction, tunnellers contended with harsh conditions, using basic tools to drive through wet shale and rock, and with the steep track required from Ōtira to Arthur’s Pass.

A committee of Ōtira residents was set up two years ago to organise a celebration to commemorate 100 years since the tunnel opened on August 4, 1923.

Read reporter Joanne Naish's full story here (subscription required).

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1 day ago

Best way to use leftovers?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

I'm sure you've got some excess ham at home or cold roast potatoes.

What are some of your favourite ways to use leftover food from Christmas day? Share below.

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9 days ago

Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.

If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?

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Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
  • 62.5% Summer
    62.5% Complete
  • 36.1% Winter
    36.1% Complete
  • 1.4% Other - I'll share below
    1.4% Complete
1630 votes
3 hours ago

Dentist and Dentures

Murray and Margaret from Broomfield - Hei Hei

Hi I have an elderly neighbour who needs dental removal and new dentures. She has been told to expect around $10,000 which she cannot afford. Her husband was a RSA veteran and she owns her own house. Is there any help available for finance? Suggestions for reasonably priced dental practitioners would be a big help.