1423 days ago

Weddings and elopements at an all-time low in popular Queenstown Lakes District

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

Wedding nuptials have been postponed, cancelled and overturned for the last 18 months due to Covid-19 restrictions – leaving the wedding industry feeling the pinch.

Weddings and elopements in New Zealand hit an all-time low in 2020 and have not picked up since.

The number of non-Kiwis getting married in New Zealand is not available, but the number of Kiwis getting married or entering civil unions dropped 20 per cent between 2018 and 2020 – from 20,949 to 16,779.

Marriage numbers in New Zealand have been in decline since the 1960s, but Covid-19 has stopped us from being a wedding and elopement destination for overseas couples too.

Wedding planners in the Queenstown Lakes District are getting only 10 to 25 per cent of their usual business at this time of year. Continue reading here.

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More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.

We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?

Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.

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Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
  • 53.1% Yes
    53.1% Complete
  • 46.9% No
    46.9% Complete
1877 votes
2 days ago

🚒 Our Fire and Emergency crews have been kept busy lately

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

And they’re once again reminding everyone: please don’t light fires when it’s windy.

Central Otago will move into a restricted fire season from 1 December 2025, which means anyone planning an outdoor fire will need to apply for a permit and plan ahead.

So we’d love to ask you — how do you make sure you’re being fire-safe at this time of year?

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4 days ago

A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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