The Business Hive

15/01/2026

Got to love this! Such a great local business. Enjoy!

Join us in celebrating five decades of growing sunflowers in North Otago! 🌻

🧺 Bring a picnic to enjoy in the fields
🌻 Sunflower stems available for purchase
❤️ All funds raised will be donated to Stroke Aotearoa New Zealand (gold coin entry per person)
📸 Capture a golden shot of sunflowers
🐕 Four legged friends welcome (on a lead)

11/01/2026

Same people. Same values. New chapter.

This page is transitioning from Waitaki App to The Business Hive.

While the Waitaki App platform has come to an end, the heart of the work – supporting local people, businesses, and ideas – continues through The Business Hive.

We’ll be sharing what’s happening in the space, upcoming events, and the conversations that matter to our local business community.

We’re glad you’re here. Happy 2026!

We're Oamaru's coworking space offering desks, office space and meeting rooms for hire on a permanent or casual basis. Our website's full of photos. Take a look.

29/10/2025

Waitaki App is closing. We gave it our best but we're pulling out. Read about it in our last story on the app.

Waitaki App is now permanently closed. New story link in the comments below. 👇

Waitaki App, the independent digital platform connecting news, events, jobs and local voices across the district, will close at the end of October. Founders Cara Tipping Smith and Alex Regtien say a new council-funded app has compounded confusion and undermined their sustainability.

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...

It's all here

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

It's all here

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...

It's all here

14/10/2025

Meet your new mayor, Melanie Tavendale...

Mel 4 Mayor

It's all here