Latest news with #Clutha
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Miners Cup up for grabs this afternoon
With Matariki making this a long weekend, the southern region features a rare Friday afternoon spectacle in Kaitangata. The Crescent Coal Miners host Lawrence with the Miners Cup on the line. The top four is such a close contest that Crescent can momentarily jump up to second place for 24 hours with a win. Lawrence will not die wondering and are still due a win, which they have sought admirably all season. West Taieri host Clutha in a top-of-the-table battle at Outram with the Speight's Jug and McIntosh Cup on the line in what will be a war of attrition. Clutha have built an almost unassailable lead at the top of the table but will want to win all the same and keep the Pigs well behind them. Since returning from injury, West Taieri first five Callum Smeaton has been driving the team around the park well and will have a big say in the outcome of this clash. Toko celebrate their club day this weekend with what should be a competitive day of footy. The Toko Axemen host Owaka with the Dean Miller and Reg Phillips memorial trophies on the line. Both sides lost last weekend and will be frothing to right the wrongs of previous matches. Toko will want to be pushing back into home semifinal contention; Owaka will be hoping to get 22 players on the field. Injuries and absences are a real issue. Heriot host Clutha Valley for the Trevor Peters Memorial as both sides make one last effort to finish in the top four. The teams are fifth and sixth respectively with the loser of this match certain of a bottom-four spot. The victor still has a mathematical chance of semifinal footy.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Big opposition to joint water CCO
A sample of submissions for a joint local government water initiative suggests officials may have a fight on their hands. The Clutha District Council meets in Balclutha today for hearings on its Southern Water Done Well proposals. Thirty-three groups and individuals are scheduled to speak to their submissions regarding the proposals, under which Clutha would join forces with the Waitaki, Central Otago and Gore District Councils to manage water services infrastructure and delivery. The council received 393 submissions during consultation, of which only the 33 from those speaking to their submissions have been made public. Of those, 29 (88%) opposed Clutha forming a jointly council-controlled organisation (CCO), the preferred option put forward by all four councils in the group. Only four favoured a joint or stand-alone CCO model, some with modifications. During consultation, Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan described the joint CCO as the "least bad" solution to the latest central government push for water reform. Documents showed the four councils collectively accruing $598 million of water infrastructure debt by 2034, as they expected to spend $760m on providing improved water services in line with more stringent regulations. At the time, Mr Cadogan said the joint CCO could lead to modest efficiencies and savings for ratepayers. Other options included formation of a stand-alone CCO, or an in-house business unit. Mr Cadogan warned these options could consign Clutha to insolvency during the next decade, due to mounting infrastructure debt. Submissions against the joint council-controlled organisation cited "loss of local control" and "lack of transparency" as concerns. Submitter Alex de Boer, of Owaka, said centralisation had been demonstrated not to work. "The sums show very little advantage in rating by 2033-34. "Combining with other areas will cause loss of focus on our unique issues. "Centralisation did not work for the polytechs, hospital boards or the Auckland 'Super City'. Rates rose a lot." Council deputy chief executive Jules Witt said yesterday the council could not comment on the overall split of submissions until the hearings had been completed. "Council is still in the process of collating and analysing the submissions received. The submissions are part of the overall decision-making process of council," he said. The Waitaki, Central Otago and Gore District Councils are also seeking feedback on the proposals at present. The government will assess the council's resulting water services delivery plan and provide feedback from December. If approved, a jointly owned CCO would begin operation in July 2027.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Crescent win to keep top four challenge alive
Crescent capped off their club day in grand fashion with a 39-15 win over Toko that sent the top four of the Southern Region competition into turmoil on Saturday. The first half was fairly even after Toko opened the scoring early, and Crescent fought back into the half to lead 18-10 at the break. The home side carried their momentum into the second half and outscored the visitors three tries to one. Midfielder Ethan Edwards scored another brace to continue his try-scoring form. Lock Tyler Brouwer was Crescent's best on the field and had plenty of support from flankers Ryan Gwynn and Andy Carruthers. Crescent locked away the Eddie Scott Memorial Trophy with this win and are now just one point behind Toko in fourth position as finals time approaches. Clutha proved too strong for Lawrence at Simpson Park in a high-scoring game. The unbeaten competition leaders won 53-31 but allowed Lawrence to play with the ball for long periods, which would have disappointed them. Clutha paid the price early for trying to attack as individuals instead of sticking to structure. Lawrence piled the pressure on and were waiting to pounce on any mistakes gifted to them by an uncharacteristically poor Clutha attack. The halftime score was 24-17 to the visitors. After some stern words at the break, Clutha found their groove and scored some nice tries when they played together as a unit. Lawrence continued to thrive with ball in hand, and midfielder Sam Wyber scored two tries, celebrating his 100th try in Lawrence colours. West Taieri leapfrogged Toko into second place on the ladder with a 57-5 demolition of Heriot at Outram. The home side played with purpose but came up against a resolute Heriot side in the first half. Heriot showed they would not be bullied in the first half and gave as good as they got on both attack and defence, and West Taieri led just 15-5 at halftime. The second half was where the home side flexed their muscles with six unanswered tries as they controlled the proceedings for the entire half. Heriot's lack of depth cost them, and they faltered towards the end of the game. Forwards Luke Moeke and Jaidyn Barringer-Tairi led the way in the West Taieri pack. For Heriot, coach Craig Stanway put in a huge 40 minutes off the bench. Clutha Valley beat Owaka 38-27 in a messy encounter at Clydevale. Neither side could get a foothold in terms of territory and possession, but the home side made the most of their chances. A sluggish first half ended with Valley leading 14-8 as Owaka was again punished for slipping off first-up tackles. The opening phases of the second half belonged to Valley, and while Owaka came back and finished strongly, they could not rein in Valley, who went on to claim their fourth win of the season. — Francis Parker
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Little security for top four teams
Clutha's Sam Viliamu takes on Clutha Valley defender Regan Gillespie during the Southern Region game in Balclutha on Saturday. PHOTO: JPH SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY After the 10th round of the southern region competition, it is fair to say that the top four teams have staked their claim. All top four sides won last weekend and have created a sizable gap between themselves and the chasing pack. The beauty of this competition, however, is that any team can win on any given day so the top four is not yet set in stone. Competition leaders Clutha will look to win their 11th game on the bounce as they head to Lawrence, the home side still aching for their first win of the year. Clutha have shown their ability to start well and keep the tempo up for the duration of a game. They have also shown their ability to finish well after giving their opposition a head-start in the first half. Lawrence have shown glimpses of brilliance but are yet to turn them into an 80-minute performance. The game of the round takes place at Kaitangata as fourth-placed Crescent host second-placed Toko on their club day. There is definitely the potential for the top four positions to change place over the coming weeks with some big clashes on the horizon. Both sides took away slim wins last weekend, and with the Eddie Scott Memorial on the line, neither side will be lacking motivation. West Taieri host Heriot at Outram and desperately need five points to pile the pressure on the teams above them. The home side sit in third place but can leapfrog Toko if Crescent do them a favour. Heriot looked like a side that would trouble the top four a month ago, but the men from West Otago have hit a slump in form and head to Outram at the wrong time of the season. Clutha Valley host Owaka in the final game of the round with the Bryan Price Trophy on the line. This one is hard to call with both squads struggling to field 22 players due to injuries and illness.
Otago Daily Times
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Cultures on show at Matariki event
Dancers become a blur of colour as the Clutha Filipino Society celebrates the fellowship of Pacific peoples during last year's Matariki event in Balclutha. PHOTO: NICK BROOK Clutha is celebrating Matariki in style next Thursday, giving South Otago people the opportunity to take a deep dive into the district's diverse cultures. The Puaka Matariki Iwikatea Cultural Celebration takes place at Te Pou Ō Mata-Au/Clutha District War Memorial community centre in Balclutha from 10am to 8pm next Thursday, comprising performances, feasting and workshops for all ages. Event spokeswoman Tiffany Jenks said organisers wanted to build on the success of last year's inaugural event, which had exceeded expectations. "We had so many people turn up last year, which was fantastic. We've changed the format slightly this year, replacing the market with a series of workshops showcasing and teaching traditional Māori cultural practices, so we hope this will be even more engaging for everyone who comes along." Workshops included taiaha/rākau combat/ceremonial techniques; Otago Museum's interactive star dome; harakeke (flax) weaving; toki (tool/ornament) making; Māori instrument playing; rongoā Māori medicinal plant use; and ngā taonga tākaro (Māori games). They would run between 3pm and 5pm. Spaces were limited, meaning interest should be registered early. "We're very excited to have the expertise from seven fabulous tutors at the Puaka Matariki event this year, and hope as many people as possible get the chance to take part." A Puaka Matariki arts and crafts competition was also running in parallel with the event, open to those 18 years old and under. The day would celebrate all cultures which had stepped up to take part. "The event is aimed at fostering a sense of community and inclusion and to provide a platform of local artists, performers and cultural groups to showcase their talents and heritage. "Alongside our Māori workshops and kapa haka from some of our local schools, we have representatives of our Filipino, Pasifika and Kiribati communities performing live for audiences. "We're looking forward to seeing everybody out together for this winter celebration."
