The Central App

10/09/2026

Dark Sky Central Otago intends to develop its Matariki night sky celebration as an annual event, following this year’s success.

Winterstellar Charitable Trust received a $10,000 promotions and events grant from the Vincent Community Board to support the development and delivery of Matariki Under the Central Otago Sky 2026.

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Dark Sky Central Otago is expanding its annual Matariki night sky celebration to build regional astrotourism ahead of the 2028 total solar eclipse.

08/09/2026

Gold sampling work due to begin this month will be visible from a public walking track near Bannockburn.

KO Gold Ltd, who have extensive sites across Otago, will soon begin drilling on private farmland off Carricktown Road, spokesperson Nick Whetter said.

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Gold sampling work to start near Bannockburn

06/09/2026

This year’s Alexandra Blossom Festival will have the most floats anyone has seen since about 2012.

Event manager Martin McPherson confirmed the Grand Parade will feature 11 floats this year, and the last time anyone can remember that many was back at the 56th event - 14 years ago.

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The 69th Alexandra Blossom Festival Grand Parade boasts its largest lineup since 2012, featuring 11 floats, international gold panners, and local community groups.

04/09/2026

The developers of a proposed rural-residential subdivision near working orchards in Earnscleugh will go to a hearing on September 18 to present their case.

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Developers of a proposed 209-hectare rural-residential subdivision on Strode Road in Earnscleugh face opposition from local orchardists heading into a September 18 hearing.

02/09/2026

🎉 Big news for Central Otago businesses!

You can now list your own events and job vacancies on The Central App. No waiting on our team or back-and-forth emails. Just click, add your details, and you're live in front of our 30,000+ monthly readers.

✅ Hiring? Post your job vacancy here: https://centralapp.nz/NewListing/63daccab94752f002c2a0e1f
✅ Running a free event? Add it to our What's On guide here: https://centralapp.nz/NewListing/5ba97a6c6e9e5e002a48139c

It's never been easier to reach the Central Otago community.

Questions? Flick us a message, we're happy to walk you through it.

01/09/2026

The Alexandra MenzShed has branched out into the ‘end of life’ business with its custom-made affordable caskets.

When one of its members died unexpectedly, the family was faced with the “rigmarole” of having to find something to bury him in, and the wife suggested the Menzshed should start making them.

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The Alexandra MenzShed is branching into making custom, affordable coffins and caskets, offering locals a low-cost, personal way to plan ahead for end of life.

30/08/2026

Lynda Gray is Central Otago’s champion of all things rural. While she may have a few shiny showjumping ribbons and journalism awards to her name, for Lynda, the rewards in what she does come from the heart.

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28/08/2026

The Otago Regional Council’s new $2M Large Scale Fund is attracting significant interest from groups right around the Otago region, including Central Otago, according to CEO Richard Saunders.

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Stay connected with Central Otago! The Central App brings you the latest Central Otago news, job listings, events, and road updates—all in one place.

25/08/2026

Public transport options for Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell residents and workers needing to travel regularly to Queenstown are back on the cards again by the Otago Regional Council.

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Otago Regional Council to decide on proposed public transport bus trial connecting Alexandra, Clyde, and Cromwell with Queenstown.

25/08/2026

A petition aimed at securing more public areas where people can fossick for gold has made its way into Parliament, thanks to support from the matua of mining in New Zealand, Shane Jones.

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Petition for public gold fossicking areas reaches Parliament