Press Release – NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising that resurfacing works on State Highway 6 in Central Otago will resume from Monday 25 January. The work at Arrow Junction, Ladies Mile and between Lakeside Estate and Kingston was due to be completed in the …
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising that resurfacing works on State Highway 6 in Central Otago will resume from Monday 25 January.
The work at Arrow Junction, Ladies Mile and between Lakeside Estate and Kingston was due to be completed in the evenings late last year, but had to be postponed due to bad weather.
Mountain Scene
By PHILIP CHANDLER
Queenstown rural landowners are on high alert over arsenic poisoning in their drinking water.
Regional medical officer of health Susan Jack last month warned about 200 householders not to drink their bore water till it’s tested, as ‘‘elevated levels’’ of arsenic have been found in ‘‘two drinking water bores in your area’’.
While small amounts of arsenic might be fine, ‘‘swallowing larger amounts of arsenic may be harmful to health’’.
However, that warning, on behalf of Southern District Health Board, Otago Regional Council and Queenstown Lakes District Council, has come too late for some.
Lower Shotover resident Marie Wales says she, her family and neighbours have already been exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water.
Freedom camping numbers in Queenstown Lakes lower despite rise in domestic travellers
6 Jan, 2021 06:53 PM
3 minutes to read
Queenstown Lakes freedom camping ambassadors Sophie Johnston and Neco Wieringa check a lakeside reserve near Kingston. Photo / Supplied
Otago Daily Times
Despite an anticipated increase in domestic travellers to Queenstown Lakes this summer, the number of freedom campers is so far well down on recent summers.
Queenstown Lakes District Council responsible camping project manager Craig Gallagher said although updated figures for freedom camping infringements were not yet available, anecdotally, fewer tickets had been issued compared with the same time last year.
That was in line with a marked fall in the number of freedom camping vehicles coming into the district compared with last summer, Gallagher said.
Tour New Zealand, but only poo in toilets: officials
The Guardian, AUCKLAND, New Zealand
The head of the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) has called on locals to show greater respect for their environment amid a boom in domestic tourism that has been accompanied by reports of littering, human waste and wildlife disturbance.
Restrictions on international travel due to COVID-19 have forced New Zealanders to holiday at home, with government data showing some holiday spots are busier than they were before the pandemic, despite the absence of tourists from overseas.
With New Zealand’s border closed to nearly all foreign arrivals since April, sites and attractions typically popular with first-time visitors such as Franz Josef Glacier and Milford Sound have recorded a huge decline in visitors, Radio New Zealand (RNZ) reports.
Emergency services ask for vigilance at New Year events in the South
29 Dec, 2020 08:11 PM
4 minutes to read
Otago Daily Times
By: Molly Houseman
The predicted rain is not expected to scupper the plans of thousands keen to celebrate the end of a challenging year at events across the South this New Year s Eve.
For those going out tomorrow night, emergency services staff and event organisers have a message - remain vigilant so everyone can continue to enjoy life free of Covid-19 restrictions.
In Dunedin, New Year s celebrations in the Octagon will begin at 6.30pm.
An exciting line-up of Dunedin artists would entertain the thousands expected in the city centre until midnight, when a countdown would herald the start of a fireworks display, Dunedin City Council events special projects co-ordinator Tammy Jackman said.