The story of Ted’s bottle
A bottle of beer was left at the Waihao Forks Hotel in 1939, for a soldier to drink when he returned from war.
He never did, and the bottle remains there to this day.
It makes the news most Anzac Days. Scottish comedian Billy Connolly called in to see it for himself while touring NZ.
Ted’s bottle is a sad reminder of all the young people who lost their lives while serving overseas.
The Marquette Disaster
During the First World War, a lot of the district’s young people were a long way from home.
Farms still needed running, shops still opened, families got on with things - while waiting on letters, and sometimes, bad news.
In 1915, that news came with the sinking of the Marquette, a troop ship with British and Kiwi soldiers and medical staff onboard.
Big Organic Day Out marks a year on from incinerator fight
It’s been a year since Waimate said no to the incinerator - but the conversation around waste hasn’t gone away.
At the Big Organic Day Out, the focus shifted to what comes next, with a clear message: we need to get better with our waste - and it’s easier than you might think.
We look at where Why Waste Waimate Inc is now, and share some simple, practical tips to help you cut down what you throw out.
District dog trials, a tradition 114 years in the making
The 114th Waimate Sheep Dog Trials wrapped up this weekend, with great conditions across the two days.
We caught up with some of the people behind the scenes to find out more about this long rooted district tradition.
One deck for morning coffee, another for evenings outside
If you’ve been up Point Bush Road, you will have noticed number 126. Dark, sleek, and jutting out over a large elevated section - it stands out.
The owners designed the home themselves, with a lot of thought put into how it actually works day to day - and it’s on the market.
Top bowlers heading to Waimate for tournament return
One of Waimate’s major sporting events is making a comeback, with the Waimate Storage Invitational White Horse Pairs Tournament set for 11-12 April.
The big guns of NZ golf are heading to Waimate for the tournament, it will be a great couple of days of action.
Funding boost for Waimate Rodeo Club
Community groups across Mid and South Canterbury have shared more than $100,000 in the latest funding round from the Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury - including support for one of Waimate’s key events.
What’s driving demand for Waimate property
Waimate’s changed over the past decade, with more people visiting - and more choosing to stay.
We sat down with local property experts Julie-Anne Davidson (Jules) and Dionne Haywood to see what that means for the market.
New chair steps in at Waimate Art Society
The Waimate Art Society has a new chair, with local photographer Tiffany Ottley stepping into the role.
Ottley says she’s looking forward to building on the work of previous chairs and committee members, and continuing to grow what is already a well-supported creative community.
How Waimate got its White Horse
Small towns across Aotearoa New Zealand have a habit of paying tribute to the things that define them. There’s giant fruit, fish, a carrot and even a can of L&P.
In Waimate, we celebrate the mighty Clydesdales that helped break in the land here, with a white horse on the hill overlooking town.
Wallabies on notice as funding secured for 9km Studholme Bush fence
Wallabies, pigs and goats have had the run of Studholme Bush Scenic Reserve for years.
But not for much longer.
From young farmers to lifelong friends
A Young Farmers exchange competition more than 50 years ago took Lex Young halfway around the world and led to friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
Free stalls encourage next generation of market traders
Young entrepreneurs are now a regular feature at the Waimate Community Market.
After trialling free stalls for kids in January and seeing a strong response, the market committee has decided to make the idea permanent.
Roselyn Fauth reflects, one year after her Aoraki Woman of the Year win
Ahead of this year’s Aoraki Woman of the Year event, we caught up with Roselyn Fauth nee Cloake to talk about the work that led to her nomination, and how the win gave her space to stop, reflect, and ask a bigger question about whose stories get told - and whose don’t.
Government backs The Waimate Trail with major funding boost
The New Zealand Government has committed significant funding to The Waimate Trail, marking a major step forward for the scenic cycling and walking project that has gathered steady community support.
New Waimate Fund invites locals to leave a lasting legacy
A crowd gathered at Waimate’s historic Quinns Arcade on Tuesday night for the launch of the Waimate District Fund - a new endowment fund designed to grow over time and provide ongoing grants for local community projects.
Turning a dream into something real
There are a lot of stand-out homes across our rural districts, covering every era and style.
This article steps inside one of them. A dream home that was planned and refined on paper and Pinterest for 10-15 years, before being brought to life by David Reid Homes.
Registrations open for The Big Easy
The Big Easy is back!
Registrations are now open for the Veterinary Centre Whitehorse Big Easy, which returns on Sunday 29 March 2026.
Andrew Jones steps into principal role at Waimate High School
We’ve been chatting to new Waimate High School principal Andrew Jones about where he’s come from, why he’s here, and why South Canterbury is a great place to raise and educate kids.
Whitehorse trails get new signage as use continues to grow
Regular users of the Whitehorse trails will notice something new this summer - map board signs have been installed across the trail network, marking a practical step in its evolution - from a local riders’ playground to a professional district asset.