Just one month after initial conversations with Peter and Patrick, Emma came to Auckland to meet them for the first time. Emma with Peter, Patrick and the twins. In New Zealand, surrogate parents have no legal rights until adoption is finalised. When it is, Peter and Patrick will officially become the twins’ parents. For Emma, Peter and Patrick, legalities are secondary to the joy the twins’ arrival has brought.
Together with its partner Poutini Ngāi Tahu, Westpower said it welcomed the panel’s draft decision to approve the project. It said the scheme was an important step towards improving the resilience of electricity supply on the West Coast and contributing to Aotearoa New Zealand’s climate change commitments. “We are encouraged to see the Waitaha Hydro project move forward. We are committed to progressing responsibly, in partnership with Poutini Ngāi Tahu and our local communities,” Westpower chief executive Peter Armstrong said. The FMC was also unhappy that it and other parties were stopped from making a submission to the fast-track expert panel on the proposal.
“By stepping in when I needed it most, Pet Refuge didn’t just give my dog shelter. Photo / Kathryn Nobbs“Research shows more than half of victims have delayed leaving violent situations because they were afraid for their pet’s safety. “I’m just so grateful for Pet Refuge, what a beautiful place to have in the world. “I reached out to Pet Refuge early one morning when I was completely overwhelmed,” she said. “Pet Refuge stepped into a situation that no one else could or would touch and handled it all with care, dignity and compassion….
Tūhura Otago Museum Pasifika engagement manager Leota Meredith shows examples of items people will be able to see up close at the Moana Nui Festival. Photos: Sam HendersonA collection of Pasifika handling taōka will be brought to life beyond museum display cases this month. Tūhura Otago Museum Pasifika engagement manager Leota Meredith said examples of the pieces included musical instruments, coconut scrapers and tapa cloth. "It is a significant piece for many pan-Pacific, different Pacific nations," she said. Ms Meredith said during the recent upgrade of the Pacific Cultures Gallery at the museum, Polynesian artefacts and taōka for the refurbished space were being carefully selected and reviewed by Pasifika communities in Dunedin.
Presbyterian Support Otago financial mentor Michael Allan says communication is key to managing your cash. Presbyterian Support Otago provides a free financial mentor service for people facing money challenges across the region. The fully funded Ministry of Social Development initiative helps clients navigate rising living costs and the pitfalls of buy now, pay later schemes. Financial mentor Michael Allan said the initial step was frequently the most difficult. "If you just don’t pay your rent for a few weeks, the landlord goes, ‘what’s happening?
Tamariki Together administrator Krystal Ryland says the charity is regrouping back at the "batcave". A Dunedin youth charity has stepped back from ambitious plans to open a large inner-city hub. Last October The Star reported that plans were in full swing for Tamariki Together to move its operations to a two-storey building on St Andrew St. Tamariki Together administrator Krystal Ryland said navigating the complex funding landscape and transforming into a formal charity took a heavy toll. They have now paused the central hub project, although the St Andrew St landlord remains supportive of their long-term vision.
A Wānaka resident surveys the damage in 2021 after heavy rain causes significant erosion in Rockabilly Gully. Rockabilly Gully is on track to receive a new stormwater basin years after the Otago Regional Council (ORC) issued an abatement notice. Department of Conservation (Doc) Central Otago operations manager Charlie Sklenar said QLDC had proactively kept Doc informed of progress on the Rockabilly Gully Erosion Remediation project. ‘‘Currently, the stormwater runs through the Hikuwai Reserve, predominantly through the Rockabilly Gully — an ephemeral watercourse. The notice required QLDC ‘‘to cease the discharge of stormwater from its stormwater network on to the Hikuwai Reserve and into the Clutha River /Mata-Aū’’.
Wānaka SAR consists of specialist incident management, alpine, sub-alpine, canyon/swiftwater, drone and search dog teams. PHOTO: SUPPLIEDWānaka Search and Rescue (SAR) has received national recognition for training videos it made for its members. ‘‘As the busiest back-country all-volunteer SAR group in New Zealand, we are constantly seeking ways of advancing our already very high level of skills and were thrilled to get this recognition from the national body. In the award presentation LandSAR said over the past year Wānaka SAR had demonstrated ‘‘exactly what Takina Mai represents — drawing others forward through shared learning’’. ‘‘By creating structured, highquality training videos, Wānaka SAR has enabled volunteers to refresh and build their knowledge in their own time, reinforcing learning outside of scheduled training nights.
Upper Clutha tracks trust chairman David Howard (left) and contractor Greg Keen stand in front of the true right track which has recently started construction. It will mark 100km of tracks created by the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT) since its start in 2006. In a statement, the trust said the addition of new tracks was about enhancing community wellbeing. ‘‘The track on the other side of the river is a grade 2 track and has commuters, we need different tracks for different purposes,’’ he said. The UCTT said it was proud of the support provided by Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes and the Hawea Community Association.
Wastewater and drinking water mains inspections are under way in Oamaru as part of the Waitaki District Council’s amended Water Services Delivery Plan (WSDP) . Waitaki District Mayor Mel Tavendale said, in a statement, the council’s decision last month to rejoin the Southern Waters regional water group set the direction for the future of water services. ‘‘We are following the direction from the mayor and councillors to rejoin Southern Waters, subject to their approval, and preparing a WSDP with that intent,’’ council chief executive Alex Parmley said. ‘‘Our assets team and contractors have identified locations to gather data for our asset condition assessment, which will feed in to our revised WSDP. ‘‘We are keeping [Crown facilitator for water] Amy Adams and the DIA informed of our progress.’’
Shane Kereama was abused in state care. Now 56, he is sharing his story because he wants to help others – especially men struggling with the aftermath of abuse. Video / Joe Allison
How would Jacinda Ardern have responded to a similar crisis? She advised that the invasion would not affect our fuel supply, that we did not purchase any oil or oil products from Russia and would not be directly affected if Russian oil supply is curtailed. Announced a draft policy statement on land transport which slashed spending on cycling and walking and increased funding on motorways. Overturning the offshore oil and gas exploration ban and changing the Crown Minerals Act to promote oil and gas exploration. Releasing a new energy policy that doubles down on expensive fossil fuels and the importation of Liquefied Natural Gas.
The Lakeview Te Taumata site yesterday. The developer of Queens-town’s massive Lakeview Te Taumata project is not worried about construction costs escalating due to the Middle East conflict. The potential for cost increases was ‘‘certainly something we’re conscious of’’, but it is still too early to say. Rzechta says the site has been fenced off and temporary buildings trucked in since the sod-turning ceremony a month ago. Subject to the first building consent being approved, piling work for the three buildings’ foundations is expected to start in July, he says.
Queenstown fast bowler John Cushen notched up two top-10 bowling stats at the recent over-70s Cricket World Cup held in Christchurch. The 76-year-old also played in the inaugural over-70s tournament in England two years ago, where New Zealand finished fourth. This time the ‘Grey Caps’ just missed out on the final to England, on countback — England subsequently beat Australia to take the spoils. Cushen says he was thrilled with his bowling — ‘‘we never got one ball pulled or cut in the whole tournament’’. In tournament stats, he was the only Kiwi to make the top-10 list on economy rate — he was ninth — and had the 10th-best wicket average.
Marriott International and PHC Queenstown Ltd expect The St. Regis Queenstown to be open by the end of next year. Image: suppliedA stalled Queenstown hotel development is about to kick back into gear, under a new operator. The company had plans to construct a $70m hotel, to be operated by Radisson Hotel Group, which signed a 15-year agreement to manage the 61-room, five-star hotel. "St. Regis is a globally-revered name in luxury that is sought after by discerning travellers worldwide." PHC managing director Prakash Pandey said the St. Regis Queenstown would set a new benchmark in the hospitality sector.
