December 25, 2025 • 6 mins
Over summer Andrew Dickens is catching up with the Mayors of Aotearoa in his Summer Road Trip series.
Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley joined Dickens to talk about her focus for 2026, the potential for a Tarras Airport, local wineries and upcoming summer events.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News talks'd be follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Today we're off to beautiful Central Otago. Amazing landscapes, mountains
and glacial lakes, and of course Wine famous for its
pino noir, but it has more to offer this some
of them. Just Wine has got cycling trails and all
sorts of historic sites. And Tamar Ali is the Central
Otago mayor and she joins you now, good morning to
(00:36):
you tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Hello, it's wonderful to join you.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Absolutely Now your region fair to say your region's just
too popular for its own boots. It's resulted in some
pretty big growing pains. I know you campaigned once on
the lack of investment the councils have put into the region.
So what's the big issue for you and your team
to get on top of in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Infrastructure? Infrastructure, Infrastructure. It is the buzzword for all councils
and of course it is what both the government and
our people want to see us focusing on. We've got
a lot of bridges that need upgrading. People love to
see their roads in top notch condition. But we've also
got a couple of exciting things coming, like a new
hall facility by the lake in Cromwell coming mid twenty
(01:21):
twenty six. So it is all go here.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Do you have enough money to do this? I mean
it's all the talk, what with great caps and of
course the government getting stuck into nice to haves versus
need to have? Do you have enough money for the
needs to have?
Speaker 3 (01:35):
I don't think anyone's got enough money for the needs
to have, but we're just going to have to make
it work. It does mean that some things that people
wanted to see go ahead sooner are going to have
to wait, and there will be some difficult conversations for
our people about what does level of service look like
across council facilities.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I spent a lot of time in one, normally over
winter obviously, and I've just watched that place over the
last thirty years just grow till it's now a city,
and with Cromwell and that whole Cromwell basin, and then
there's that Bigardi barge about whether that area needs an airport.
Does it need an airport?
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Well, christ Church City think it do? Yes? Yes, That's
been on the radar for a little while it's got
a bit quiet, but of course christ Church Airports still
own the land at Terrace. So for us at the moment,
it's a bit of watch this space and sy.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Do the people of your region which has grown so enormously.
I mean, they like to protect what their heritage is,
what their past was, but at the same time they've
grown so big they're going to have to accept the
fact that they are in our cities and not towns.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Well, we are still towns and we still have that
same vibe of small town feel, but with the kind
of big city lifestyle, of our beautiful wineries and our
cycle ways and all our wonderful things to do. I
think we've really got the sweet spot and we will
be doing everything we can to keep that into the future.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Time. Obviously, there skier. I know about it in winter.
I've never been in summer. What should I do?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
You have got a huge lineup of fantastic things to
come and join us in Central Otago for this, Andrew,
So you might want to kick it off with the
spot of cricket at Molnu Park. And I'm not sure
if you're aware that Central Otago is often the pick
of places to be when you're talking about that quintessential
stinking hot k we summer with plenty of nice cool
lakes to cool off in. We'll be heading into cherry
(03:26):
spitting season, so if you have been practicing, you might
want to come on down to the Taviet Valley for
the annual competition. We've got the omer Coo Trots which
is a fantastic family picnic day out at the races.
Beautiful spot to be out there. They've got this amazing
picnic area under the trees where you can set up
with your family. You might want to partake in fashion
(03:48):
in the field. There are some pretty good prizes on
offer and maybe a chikiwee flutter at the betting stool
as well. If you're heading out to the Money of Toto,
Big Sky Country, Big Netflix Country. They love to film
a good movie out there. Tyree Why River Festival in
January at in the Styx. That is a wonderful place
(04:09):
to be. Fantastic to see the work that they have
done out there, and then you're going to want to
wrap it off with something super exciting. Highlands will be
hosting the seventieth New Zealand Grand Prix towards the end
of January at Highland's Motorsport Park in Cromwell.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
And let's not forget Greenstone with Iggy Pop and Joan
Jet and the Hoodoo Gurus coming to Wonca this year.
So and Rhythm announced there's lots of music happening down
there as well. But the one big thing about Central
Otago is the wine. What's your favorite winery.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Probably right across the road from my house. Shout out
to Lucien and Roland at Ruru Wines. We have also
got Monte Cristo down the road, one of New Zealand's
oldest wineries, and they have done an incredible job bringing
that up to this phenomenal place to be excellent facilities
if you want to lay on a bean bag on
the grass and drink a rose while your kids play
(05:01):
a game of Patoc and eastn ice cream. And if
you're in the Cromwell basin, I think you can't go
past the Launa Carrick or heading up to Mount Difficulty
for something delicious to go with your wine. As well.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
I do like those bannock Burn wines and those wineries,
and they've got some great restaurants there as well. You're
quite right Mountain difficulty is quite lovely. You've got three kids,
By the way, Are they having a perfect childhood growing
up in Central.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
I think they are. I think they're having that Kiwi
childhood that we often look to reclaim those of us
who grew up in the eighties. It's pretty great here, Yeah,
a wonderful place to raise a family.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
And can they do horrendous things off ski jumps?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
They can certainly do more than I can do.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
A mate who lives down there and when his kids
started actually doing somersaults of a ski jump, he's yet
I just don't comprehend.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Sometimes it's best to just close your eyes and meet
them at the bottom.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Tamara. I love your area, and I understand the growth,
and I understand the difficulties. So you're doing a great job,
and I thank you so much for your time today.
That's Tamar. Are they from Central Otago have a great summer?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Wonderful things? So much?
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Six twenty two. The woman lives right across the road
from a winery. I wouldn't survive a year.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
For more from News Talks at b listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio,
You're listening to a podcast from News talks'd be follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Today we're off to beautiful Central Otago. Amazing landscapes, mountains
and glacial lakes, and of course Wine famous for its
pino noir, but it has more to offer this some
of them. Just Wine has got cycling trails and all
sorts of historic sites. And Tamar Ali is the Central
Otago mayor and she joins you now, good morning to
(00:36):
you tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Hello, it's wonderful to join you.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Absolutely Now your region fair to say your region's just
too popular for its own boots. It's resulted in some
pretty big growing pains. I know you campaigned once on
the lack of investment the councils have put into the region.
So what's the big issue for you and your team
to get on top of in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Infrastructure? Infrastructure, Infrastructure. It is the buzzword for all councils
and of course it is what both the government and
our people want to see us focusing on. We've got
a lot of bridges that need upgrading. People love to
see their roads in top notch condition. But we've also
got a couple of exciting things coming, like a new
hall facility by the lake in Cromwell coming mid twenty
(01:21):
twenty six. So it is all go here.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Do you have enough money to do this? I mean
it's all the talk, what with great caps and of
course the government getting stuck into nice to haves versus
need to have? Do you have enough money for the
needs to have?
Speaker 3 (01:35):
I don't think anyone's got enough money for the needs
to have, but we're just going to have to make
it work. It does mean that some things that people
wanted to see go ahead sooner are going to have
to wait, and there will be some difficult conversations for
our people about what does level of service look like
across council facilities.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I spent a lot of time in one, normally over
winter obviously, and I've just watched that place over the
last thirty years just grow till it's now a city,
and with Cromwell and that whole Cromwell basin, and then
there's that Bigardi barge about whether that area needs an airport.
Does it need an airport?
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Well, christ Church City think it do? Yes? Yes, That's
been on the radar for a little while it's got
a bit quiet, but of course christ Church Airports still
own the land at Terrace. So for us at the moment,
it's a bit of watch this space and sy.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Do the people of your region which has grown so enormously.
I mean, they like to protect what their heritage is,
what their past was, but at the same time they've
grown so big they're going to have to accept the
fact that they are in our cities and not towns.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Well, we are still towns and we still have that
same vibe of small town feel, but with the kind
of big city lifestyle, of our beautiful wineries and our
cycle ways and all our wonderful things to do. I
think we've really got the sweet spot and we will
be doing everything we can to keep that into the future.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Time. Obviously, there skier. I know about it in winter.
I've never been in summer. What should I do?
Speaker 3 (03:03):
You have got a huge lineup of fantastic things to
come and join us in Central Otago for this, Andrew,
So you might want to kick it off with the
spot of cricket at Molnu Park. And I'm not sure
if you're aware that Central Otago is often the pick
of places to be when you're talking about that quintessential
stinking hot k we summer with plenty of nice cool
lakes to cool off in. We'll be heading into cherry
(03:26):
spitting season, so if you have been practicing, you might
want to come on down to the Taviet Valley for
the annual competition. We've got the omer Coo Trots which
is a fantastic family picnic day out at the races.
Beautiful spot to be out there. They've got this amazing
picnic area under the trees where you can set up
with your family. You might want to partake in fashion
(03:48):
in the field. There are some pretty good prizes on
offer and maybe a chikiwee flutter at the betting stool
as well. If you're heading out to the Money of Toto,
Big Sky Country, Big Netflix Country. They love to film
a good movie out there. Tyree Why River Festival in
January at in the Styx. That is a wonderful place
(04:09):
to be. Fantastic to see the work that they have
done out there, and then you're going to want to
wrap it off with something super exciting. Highlands will be
hosting the seventieth New Zealand Grand Prix towards the end
of January at Highland's Motorsport Park in Cromwell.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
And let's not forget Greenstone with Iggy Pop and Joan
Jet and the Hoodoo Gurus coming to Wonca this year.
So and Rhythm announced there's lots of music happening down
there as well. But the one big thing about Central
Otago is the wine. What's your favorite winery.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
Probably right across the road from my house. Shout out
to Lucien and Roland at Ruru Wines. We have also
got Monte Cristo down the road, one of New Zealand's
oldest wineries, and they have done an incredible job bringing
that up to this phenomenal place to be excellent facilities
if you want to lay on a bean bag on
the grass and drink a rose while your kids play
(05:01):
a game of Patoc and eastn ice cream. And if
you're in the Cromwell basin, I think you can't go
past the Launa Carrick or heading up to Mount Difficulty
for something delicious to go with your wine. As well.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
I do like those bannock Burn wines and those wineries,
and they've got some great restaurants there as well. You're
quite right Mountain difficulty is quite lovely. You've got three kids,
By the way, Are they having a perfect childhood growing
up in Central.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
I think they are. I think they're having that Kiwi
childhood that we often look to reclaim those of us
who grew up in the eighties. It's pretty great here, Yeah,
a wonderful place to raise a family.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
And can they do horrendous things off ski jumps?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
They can certainly do more than I can do.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
A mate who lives down there and when his kids
started actually doing somersaults of a ski jump, he's yet
I just don't comprehend.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Sometimes it's best to just close your eyes and meet
them at the bottom.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Tamara. I love your area, and I understand the growth,
and I understand the difficulties. So you're doing a great job,
and I thank you so much for your time today.
That's Tamar. Are they from Central Otago have a great summer?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Wonderful things? So much?
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Six twenty two. The woman lives right across the road
from a winery. I wouldn't survive a year.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
For more from News Talks at b listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio,
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