Latest news with #OMT
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Olive harvest promises plenty after fine weather
Lowburn olive man Stephen Morris readies his OMT Pegasus 500 to receive olives from Monday. PHOTOS: KIM BOWDEN Central Otago's olive growers are preparing for what promises to be a bumper harvest, thanks to a hot summer and mild autumn. Lowburn olive grower Stephen Morris has been putting his Italian olive press back together this week, in preparation to start producing oil from Monday. Over six weeks and plenty of late nights he is expecting to press more than 60 tonnes of olives from backyard and lifestyle block growers, as well as a couple of commercial operators. He said he had been checking out the olives on local trees and they were "looking pretty good". "That long summer has helped development, and we're probably running ten days early." Mr Morris also has the annual Central Otago Olive Growers Community Press Day in the calendar. Lowburn olive man Stephen Morris readies his OMT Pegasus 500 to receive olives from Monday. On Saturday, May 17, small-scale growers can bring their olives — whether a handful or a full trailer load — to have them crushed alongside others into a shared vintage of award-winning oil. Last year's community press oil won a silver medal at the New Zealand Olive Oil Awards, and group chairman Michael Hope said this year's conditions could produce an even better drop. Mr Morris' advice to backyard pickers was to strip a tree of all its olives. "You can take everything. If it's got colour — if it's black — it's 10 to 15% oil, but a green olive will still have 6 to 7%," he said. "You can take an olive, rub it between your fingers, give it a squeeze, and you'll be able to feel the oil in it." His second tip was to avoid dirt and stones — they don't "help the flavour", he said. Central Otago is one of the southernmost spots olives are grown, and their oil has a distinctive taste with potentially greater health benefits. "Olives in Central get higher polyphenols," Mr Morris said. "It creates a green, more pungent oil. It catches in your throat and makes you cough — but that's a good thing." Press day participation costs $20 for Central Otago Olive Growers members and $40 for others, and includes a 250ml bottle of the freshly pressed oil.
Business Insider
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Investing in paradise: Zanzibar's booming coastal property market welcomes Paje Square
Paje Square, a new real estate development, is setting a benchmark for lifestyle and investment on Zanzibar's renowned coastline. Paje Square, the latest project by CPS Africa, offers fully furnished studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, just steps from the Indian Ocean. Strategically located in Paje Village on the southeast coast, Paje Square combines residential apartments, boutique retail, restaurants, and cafés in a secure, landscaped destination. With an online sales launch set for 14 May 2025, eager buyers can now register for access to browse the price list and shortlist their favourites ahead of the launch. Highlights & Features: Studios (32–40m²) from $67,000 One-bedrooms (35–50m²) from $103,000 Two-bedrooms (45–59m²) from $132,000 Two on-site pools, gardens, and a children's play area Air conditioning, quality finishes, and high-speed connectivity in every unit Fully furnished and ready for short or long-term rental Completion expected Q4 2028 Sales launch on 14 May 2025 at 1pm (GMT+3, East African Time) Click here to find out more online. Apartments are built using cutting-edge timber building technology, and the entire Paje Square project is aiming for an Advanced Edge certification due to its holistic sustainable approach and design. The apartment blocks are laid around a vibrant central piazza – creating a walkable, open-air lifestyle for residents and visitors alike. To simplify ownership and ensure strong rental returns, CPS Africa has partnered with Valor Hospitality, a global hospitality operator with a presence in over 60 cities. Valor Hospitality brings decades of operational experience and their signature 'Hotelitarian' approach, managing all aspects of guest experience, maintenance, and bookings – making property ownership at Paje Square truly hassle-free. Browse the collection of apartments online. Why Zanzibar, and Why Now? Zanzibar is fast becoming one of East Africa's most exciting property markets, with Paje being one of the most sought-after locations for real estate investment in Zanzibar. Tourism is surging, new infrastructure is expanding access, and foreign investment policies continue to support offshore ownership. Paje, in particular, has grown into a hotspot for kitesurfers, creatives, and digital nomads — drawing high occupancy rates and long-stay visitors. Add to that low entry prices, strong rental yields, and a rising international profile, it's clear why demand for quality coastal property in Zanzibar is accelerating. Paje Square will be brought to life by CPS Africa and studio OMT architects. Both with a track record of excellence, CPS Africa is behind some of Zanzibar's most talked-about projects and OMT Architects are known for creating projects and visions that lead to a more sustainable future. Click here to read more about this fully managed investment opportunity. How the Reservation Process Works For the first time in Zanzibar, sales will take place via an online sales platform, ensuring a fair and transparent process where all units become available to purchasers at the same time on launch day. Widely used in South Africa, this user-friendly platform offers a secure and streamlined experience. Buyers can easily filter and compare units, and reserve their preferred apartment with a simple reservation deposit. Offering lifestyle appeal, investment opportunity, and long-term value in one of Africa's most promising beachside destinations, the sales launch is expected to attract significant buyer interest. Visit the Paje Square website to access the price list ahead of the launch on 14 May 2025 at 1pm (GMT+3, East African Time).
