Waitaki App

24/10/2025

A community shuttle trial is about to begin, providing a transport option to get people from Ōamaru to Palmerston.

Find out more below...

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23/10/2025

Ardgowan School deputy head girl Emma Shimauchi Moore has been recognised for helping her "New Zealand grandmother" and neighbour, when she noticed something not quite right.

Read more about what Emma did below...

Waitaki Neighbourhood Support

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22/10/2025

It's all go on the business front in the Waitaki!

If you have started a business, are taking over a business, or your business is award-winning, we love to hear about it.

Find out what's been going on in the last month below...

The Bloom Bar Nest Tree Houses Laser Plumbing Oamaru LuxLoos Oamaru Food Store Kurow Cafe & Kitchen Signature Cafe & Restaurant Big Save

It's all here

21/10/2025

💨‼️ Strong and RED Wind Warning‼️💨

Damaging winds are expected from early tomorrow - secure loose items, charge devices, prepare for possible power outages, and stay updated with local alerts.

✅ Please check any old burns to make sure they’re completely extinguished.
⛔ Postpone any planned burns until conditions improve.

🛑 RED Wind Warning – Waitaki Valley 🛑
A RED wind warning is in place for the Waitaki Valley. Winds are expected to get up to damaging gusts of 150km/h.

Area: Canterbury High Country
Period: 16hrs from 1am - 5pm Thu, 23 Oct
Forecast: Severe gale northwesterlies with damaging gusts of 150 km/h in exposed places.
Impact: Threat to life from flying items and falling trees. Destructive winds will cause widespread damage including powerlines and roofs, with dangerous driving conditions and significant disruption to transport and power supply.
Action: Stay indoors or seek sturdy shelter away from trees. Avoid travel. Be ready for power and communication outages.

‼️ Strong Wind Warning – Otago ‼️
A strong wind warning is in place for Otago, with damaging gusts of up to 130km/h. There is a moderate chance of being upgraded to a RED warning.

Area: Otago excluding Clutha
Period: 11hrs from 3am - 2pm Thu, 23 Oct
Forecast: Severe gale northwesterlies gusting 130 km/h in exposed places.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.
Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

More info at ➡️ www.getready.govt.nz/emergency/storms

Stay up to date at ➡️www.metservice.com/warnings

-CK

16/10/2025

Women and leadership is more than personal. In a place like ours, it feeds or festers community. As Cara Tipping Smith writes, it's up to us. Read more here.

From workplaces to council chambers, women’s words are too often judged by tone, not fact. In Waitaki, that bias shapes power, trust and community.

16/10/2025

Its that time of the week...check out what's good!

It's all here

14/10/2025

Tālofa to the members of our Tuvaluan community in the Waitaki, who celebrated their independence and language earlier this month.

Read more here...

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14/10/2025

Meet your new mayor, Melanie Tavendale...

Mel 4 Mayor

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13/10/2025

Paula Collier is the other Crucible Artist currently in residence, and she shares with Waitaki App her passions and processes.

Find out more below:

From spectrometer printouts to peeling ceilings, Paula Collier works with found materials and buildings to tell Ōamaru’s working stories.

13/10/2025

The Forrester Gallery has had another funding boost from the Otago Community Trust, while at the same time kicking off a new fundraising campaign to help with the final stages of the mulit-million dollar extension.

Find out more below....

It's all here

13/10/2025

Meet Zac Whiteside, one of the artists taking part in this round of the Crucible Artist Residency.

Ōtepoti artist Zac Whiteside began his Crucible Residency in Ōamaru with an unexpected setback – a stolen car. Now he’s creating cast-metal works leading to a playful public performance on 22 November.

11/10/2025

Congratulations to Mel Tavendale - Waitaki's mayor-elect and confirmed councillors, Rebecca Ryan and Courtney Linwood who've shared their respective confirmations.

A reminder that this represents 85% of the vote so the final numbers will change - and a number of positions are still too close to call.

To everyone who put their hand up to represent the district, ward, board or trust - thank you. You are legends and we hope you all know that your willingness to serve our wider community is truly appreciated.

https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/files/content/public/v/5/council/elections/2025-election-results/waitaki-district-council-2025-triennial-elections-progress-fpp-result-11-oct-2025-1207.pdf

Mel 4 Mayor Councillor Rebecca Ryan Courtney Linwood - Councillor for Waitaki