Ōtira and Springfield celebrate 100 years since tunnel opening
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).
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.7% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.3% ... It is complicated
Addictive Eaters Anonymous
After ten years of depression, my life had hit rock bottom
I remember being ‘different’ around food for most of my life. This included things such as being the person who had two cream buns at morning tea when everyone else had one; eating icing sugar by the spoonful directly from the packet; and being the family member who went into the kitchen after dinner to eat the leftovers. There are numerous other examples – too many to list. I could overeat anything. If I couldn’t get my preferred favourites (e.g. chocolate), I’d be eating the vegetables.
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
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48% Yes - we like to be prepared
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40% Nah
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12% This is on my to-do list!
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