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Going bananas over prices
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Assessing the damage
An aerial shot of the fire damage provided by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Roy Pilott
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
he Department of Conservation is preparing an audit of the Emerald Bay block devastated by last weekend’s fire. A spokesperson told the Wānaka Sun it was working on compiling information on what species may have been affected. Police say they know what caused the blaze, but the fire service had still to rule out all options when this edition went to press. Sunday’s blaze, which engulfed 280ha and had a 7.1km perimeter. Mo Turnbull from the Central Otago Branch of Forest and Bird told the Sun any loss of areas
T
of native vegetation was regrettable, “and this one (Glendhu Bluff Conservation area) is especially so as there is so little of this type of forest left in the Upper Clutha region”. “As well as the plant communities, we have lost the invertebrate fauna, and the bird population.” The area had been untouched by farming operations for decades. “As well as the loss of natural values, the fire has added to the burden our atmosphere is carrying,” he said. “Wildfires are a predicted consequence of global warming, witness Canada, Siberia, Australia and much of Europe. He said until man could get the use of the planet's resources under control, and wind back
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the use of fossil fuel, “we will see more of them”. The blaze was spotted on Sunday afternoon between Emerald Bay and Mt Aspiring Rd and clearly visible from Wānaka. It spread to parts of Glendhu Bay Station, owned by the McRae family, Department of Conservation land and parts of the Parkins Bay Golf Course project, owned by developer John Darby. The fire resulted in power being cut to 78 Wānaka and Mt Aspiring customers and damaged seven power poles. Aurora Energy restored power to 43 customers on Sunday and brought in a generator to restore power to remaining customers by Monday evening. Glendhu Bike Park was evacuated on Sunday
as a precaution. Helicopters filled monsoon buckets with water from Diamond Lake and Lake Wānaka. They were able to get several hours in on Sunday before dusk – had the fire been discovered later, it could have caused more damage. It was almost two days later before Fire and Emergency could confirm the Emerald Bay fire had been contained. Incident Controller Jason Sarich said firefighters would continue to focus on dampening down hotspots identified by thermal imaging. On Tuesday there were still four crews working on the fireground – two Fire and Emergency Crews from Glenorchy and Dunstan and two from the Department of Conservation.
1 202 Ho m e B u il d e r s
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CAMERA CLUB ‘IN FOCUS’
Lunar eclipe.
Today we present the third in a series of great shots taken by members of the Wānaka Camera Club. Immediate past president John Grey has been photographing since high school days. As this selection shows, he enjoys a variety of subjects, “often just wandering with a camera”. And not just a camera – one of these shots, Innocence, was taken on an iphone.
Innocence.
Winter tracery.
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Autumn landscape.
Old Salt.
Zipper. THURSDAY 13.01.22 - WEDNESDAY 19.01.22
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Tree in trouble
Taxi rort – nothing to report Police have remained silent this week following a wave of complaints that rogue taxi drivers ripped off customers in Wānaka over the New Year. This issue was raised in the weekly Crimeline column run in the Wānaka Sun and was a key talking point on social media. Checks with the police communications team – which is the avenue offered to media for comment – have drawn a blank. So the Sun cannot report how many – if any complaints have been made.
Arborists from Queenstown Lakes District Counicl are studying a tree which appears to have been the victim of a deliberate poisoning attempt. The tree is one of a significant stand of what the Sun understands are Lombary poplar at the northern end of the beach on Beacon Point Rd. A Sun reader sent the Sun photographic evidence of the attack, prompting a thankyou for the council. “Our arborist team is now examining the group of poplars on Beacon Point Road and we will provide more details in due course,” spokesperson Sam White said. “Trees provide huge benefit to community wellbeing in terms of our precious landscape, essential shade and more. Any damage seriously risks shortening their lifespan and could cause further damage or injury from falling branches or the tree itself falling.” He said anyone noticing suspicious activity was encouraged to report it to QLDC customer services so it can be properly investigated.
The Sun reported last week punters were charged $250 for a journey from Wānaka to Hāwea – five times the standard rate – passengers being quoted $50 then discovering $100 had been taken from their accounts, and one being told the $40 on the meter was the result of a fault in the unit and being charged $85. It’s not the first report of rogue taxi drivers in Queenstown Lakes. In August similar claims were made in Queenstown – that “independent” drivers were
ripping off customers. At the time New Zealand Taxi Federation boss John Hart said the same issues were happening all over the country. "There are just hordes of cowboys coming out and they’re just ripping people off something awful, the stories I get, I think, are verging on criminal behaviour," he said. The Federation has two members in Queenstown Lakes – Corporate Cabs and Queenstown Taxis.
Mirah, Mirah, who’s the first one of all?
Dunedin Hospital’s first 2022 baby is from Wānaka.
Mirah Mariam Anit was born at Queen Mary Maternity Centre at 5.25am on New Year’s Day. She weighted 2900g and was delivered by midwife CY Fitzpatrick after a six-hour labour – and according to the father, Anit Antony, both mum and daughter are doing well. Anit, a Graphic Designer at First National Wānaka said they hail from the “spice garden of the world” - Kerala, in Southern India. He first came to New Zealand seven years ago and has been living in Wānaka for three years. Emil, a nurse and health care worker in Elmslie Home, and their son Anton joined him just before the first lockdown in 2020. “They really enjoy being in Wānaka as it is really family-friendly. People here have a real bond and care for others which is really special.” News of the birth, relayed via Facetime to family in India arrive sooner than expected – Mirah was not due until Tuesday this week.
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Going bananas over prices
Wānaka resident Gerry Spencer loves his bananas – but begrudges having to pay twice as much for them as shoppers in the United Kingdom. Gerry compared prices for his wife Aya and his typical weekly shop for basics at a Queenstown Lakes supermarket with the prices he would pay at Tescos in England. He took into account the current exchange rate to get an equivalent in New Zealand dollars, looked for similar products and made allowances for packaging size, best value range, and regular savings where appropriate. It was enough to make him sit up and take notice and do some more investigation. Bananas were $2.99 a kilo here – and $1.43 at Tescos. And where his total for 15 items came to $75.58 here, the Brits were paying $44.78. The Sun checked some of his items at a supermarket which claims to have some of the lowest prices in the country and found Tescos prices were also better in most cases. Carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, lettuce, bread, milk, yoghurt, rolled oats – they all cost more here. And in some cases the difference was huge – carrots $2.49 a kilo here, 78c at Tescos. An iceberg lettuce, $2.79 here, was 82 cents there. Gerry said he didn’t single out a specific supermarket – “the situation is essentially the same whichever supplier is chosen”. And he acknowledged the fact the UK doesn’t have Value Added Tax (VAT) on some basic foods and New Zealand has a minimum wage which is “quite high” were contributing factors. But he was still shocked to see the price differences. “Everyone knows that we pay too much for
Gerry Spencer is growing his own potatoes – bananas are a bit more challenging.
groceries, even though we are an island nation, albeit a large one. Great Britain is also an island.” Gerry is a retired chemical engineer who moved to Wānaka from Cromwell just over a year ago. He has lived and worked in seven countries said anyone who has lived overseas for any length of time knows how expensive groceries are in New Zealand – “we don’t need a Commerce Commission investigation”. The Commission released a report in July on prices after being asked to carry out a year-long
study to determine whether or not competition in the grocery sector worked well, and if not, what could be done to improve it. Commission Chair Anna Rawlings said if competition was more effective, retailers would face stronger pressures to deliver the “right prices, quality and range to satisfy a diverse range of consumer preferences”. “In competitive terms, the major retailers, Woolworths NZ and Foodstuffs, are a duopoly, and while there is an increasingly diverse fringe of
other grocery retailers, they have a limited impact on competition,” the report said. In September Countdown acknowledged the draft report identified some areas where the sector could improve. But it also said the profit it made for every dollar spent at its markets was just 2.4 cents and prices over the past 10 years had grown more slowly than inflation. It also noted New Zealand was “small, long, remote and made up of islands”.
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Andrew Strawson 1969 - 2021
Phone: 03 443 8000, Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka OPEN: MON-SAT 8AM TO 6PM • SUN 10AM TO 6PM THE WĀNAKA SUN
Thank you to everyone for supporting the family and helping with the celebration of Andrew's life - special thanks to: Paul Tamati, Dean and Zivvy Rankin, Jimmy Rimmer and family, Brendan Holloway and Trena Williams, Nicola and Nigel Scott, Dave Strudwick and Jo McLeary, Jason Stewart, Tony Higgins, Graham Edwards, Dave Collett, Dan and Amanda MacLachlan, Greg Martin and Lisa Rodger, Melanie Mueller, Logan Petley, Eamon and Seumus Cooney, Willy and Suzie Rankin, Tanette Hickey and so many others. Much love from the Strawson family and Sharon Bell.
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First year done Airport to add body scanners for MAC head
Nicola Jacobsen’s first year as principal at Mount Aspiring College - navigating a new town and a new challenge simultaneously - has come to a close. “It has been pretty incredible; I've been warmly welcomed into the community, and have really enjoyed getting to know the students, staff, and community. As with any new role, there are challenges, and the Covid-19 pandemic has created challenges and disrupted how we would normally do things - but this is a shared challenge, and one that we are all facing.” As for moving to a new town and settling into Wānaka life, Nicola revealed what she thinks of the town. “It's a fantastic environment, and so many opportunities to get involved in different community groups. My husband and I are loving the easy access to the outdoors for mountain biking. It is a really special place - being able to walk next to the river Mata Au every day is certainly something I am grateful for.” A school year can be a long and arduous endeavour, but Nicola picked out a few memories that stuck out for her in 2021. “The pōwhiri at the start of the year was a very humbling experience, how well the new uniform has been adopted by the students and their parents - I am grateful for the community's support of this. “Working through the vision and values of the college with the staff, board and students
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Nicola Jacobsen
has been an important part of my work this year. Getting to meet the students and seeing the great opportunities they have in the classroom and through sports, arts, service, and culture. An aspect of Wānaka that I have really noticed is how willing people are to give service to different groups and causes in the community - there is an incredible amount of community spirit and a willingness to support and help.” Before her taking up the position at MAC Nicola held positions at Pakuranga College and Botany Downs Secondary College. She is a graduate of the University of Canterbury and the Christchurch College of Education and completed a master’s degree from the University of Auckland in 2019. – By Aimee Owens
PHOTO: Korero
The scanners will come into use in February, and maybe sooner.
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Queenstown Airport is paving the way for body scanners to come into use in February, or when the transtasman border opens, whichever comes first. Aviation Security (Avsec) is introducing new AIT Body Scanners in New Zealand airports to detect prohibited items - both metallic and non-metallic items. The Airport’s magazine Korero says the scanners are safe to use. “The low-level radio waves and the short time you’re being scanned means you’re exposed to less energy than you’d get using a mobile phone. The radio waves are reflected off your skin and don’t penetrate your body.” Passengers will no longer be permitted to carry unsealed liquids, like takeaway coffees, through the security screening area. Liquids sealed in watertight containers like a thermos or drink bottle are fine to bring through the screening area “Give yourself time to finish your drinks before proceeding through security screening or wait until you are in the departure lounge before purchasing a beverage,” Korero advises. “When you arrive at the screening area make sure you take everything out of your pockets, take your belt off and any big jewellery like solid bracelets. This will help you get through screening quickly.”
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Sun News
GREBE DIARY 11
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MUM
January 09, 2022
Our New Year's Road Trip
The scientist in focus.
Traits of a scientist Markus Hermanns goes cryptic to pay tribute to someone who has devoted thousands of hours to the environment – and bolstering the population of Wānaka grebes.
How can I write what I want to write without mentioning the name that I was insistently asked not to mention? Maybe I can find a way to do it by describing some traits that I think make a true and authentic scientist. Joy: A scientist finds pure and sincere joy in what he does, otherwise one could not understand why he would sacrifice most of his precious lifetime, risks his invaluable health on a daily basis and never stops moving forward for the sack of the object of his study. Obligation: A scientist feels a natural, intrinsic obligation to what he is doing without seeing or accepting any reasons why he should slow down or even stop doing what he loves. Stepping back from this obligation seems to be very hard and almost impossible. Humble: A scientist does not want any public recognition for what he is doing and mentioning his name in a local newspaper for the purpose of acknowledgment or praise is unwanted. It could all distract him and everyone else from the very reason why he should be recognised after all: the object and purpose of his studies. Nimble: A scientist often needs to be agile, active, and quick, physically and mentally. It involves hopping quickly in and out of his kayak like a 20-year-old, dodging beaks of his study objects that try to peck him when he checks their nests, whizzing around in his workshop hundreds
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of hours a year doing something for his studies, all of this requires to be very nimble. Also, a nimble mind is necessary to adapt quickly to all kind of audiences that question him in every possible situation about his study objects. Determination: A scientist needs to show an enormous amount of determination, especially when things go wrong, don’t work as expected or simply fail for whatever reason. Giving up is not an option because there is always a solution or a way to improve it. It is also needed when fighting with constantly changing and overwhelming modern technology that needs to be dealt with no matter what. Availability: A scientist needs to be available at almost all times. To talk to groups of interested local pupils or members of the public at times where he usually has breakfast, morning tea, lunch, or dinner, or would rather prefer an afternoon nap or a quiet evening at home instead. Or to pick up one of his study objects on an early Sunday morning because it has crash-landed on a local road. Or to do his research early in the day or late in the evening to avoid interested crowds asking him questions and hold him back from his work. Reliable: A scientist needs to be reliable in any way. When arranging meetings, work sessions, presentations, or public talks, he always arrives on time, prepared, and appropriately dressed, except when an unexpected southerly wind hits and he needs to rush home to get some additional layers. He also reliably and meticulously records every possible data regarding his study objects in his small yellow waterproof notebooks. And if he loses one in his car, workshop, kayak or one of his numerous pockets, he simply starts a new one until the old one turns up again. Blissful: A scientist is most often heavenly happy doing what he loves to do. Sometimes so happy that his happiness lets him disregard his age, his abilities, and his safety. Balancing on slippery planks of wood and rocks, stumbling down steep overgrown embankments, getting down on all four and crawling through the vegetation only to get that one perfect photograph of his study object nesting in an unusual spot, without thinking how he gets upright again and back to safe grounds. That is the true bliss of a scientist! Young: A scientist refuses to get old. He will forever stay young in body and mind. He will ignore and overcome any signs of age and instead finds pleasure in hanging around and talking to youngsters up to the age of (at least) 42 and handing on his vast knowledge about his study objects or tells stories of his remarkable life. I feel honoured and blessed that I have the privileged to work with a scientist who has all these traits and thank him dearly for all his work and dedication.
Last week, we arrived back in Wānaka after a 10 day road trip. Travelling with a toddler is new for us and we weren't sure how it was going to go. All in all, we had an awesome time and tried our best to make sure Tobias had a good time. It wasn't all plain sailing though and there's a lot of things we've learnt along the way. On Day 1, we found ourselves in Tekapo. When we arrived, we went straight to Tekapo Springs for lunch. Just as we were ready to take a dip in the water, we realised we had forgotten his swim nappies and our towels. I guess it could’ve been worse, we could have forgotten our togs too. On Day 2, we made our way to Christchurch where we spent a couple of nights. We took a trip to Orana Park to show Tobias the animals. He was in his element, roaring at the lions and feeding the giraffes. What was tricky was trying to fit a day trip around his afternoon nap. Routine is something I have always tried to do, even though it’s not always easy. Our plan was to make sure he had his afternoon nap back at the hotel to keep some kind of normality. The park opened at 10am which meant we only had two hours to explore 80 hectares. Let me tell you, that was impossible. We managed to have
lunch on time but Toby’s nap was pushed back which inevitably pushed bedtime back too. When we got to Punakaiki, we stayed in a beautiful shared lodge for three nights. As soon as we arrived I followed Tobias around, putting up “hazards” as he tried to grab them from the shelves. There was also the fear of making too much mess at dinner time and waking people up at 5am. You see, 5am seemed to be Toby’s new wake up time while we were away. While there were no lie-ins for us, these early start times meant that we were able to make the most of our days. Other challenges on our trip included sandflies, eating out, hot temperatures, and sandy sandwiches at the beach. But the pros outweighed the cons. Tobias loved digging up the sand and running away from waves at the beach. We also went on some hikes and made a splash at Hanmer Springs. I learnt that when we’re on holiday, it's easier to let go and enjoy the ride. We will forget things, we will have to change our plans, and we might even wake people up sometimes. But that’s all part of travelling with a toddler. And what fun it is. – By Daisy Watford
Cool is coming back
Mr Cool – Ralph Miller.
Musicians from the Dunedin Jazz Club, led by trumpeter Ralph Miller, will travel to Wānaka for the first time in 2022 to restage the successful “Rebirth of the Cool” concert that made an impact last year. After a sell-out home performance at Hanover Hall, the Ralph Miller Nonet will perform the compositions collected by Capital Records as “The Birth of the Cool”, in a concert that pays tribute to the artistic insight of original trumpeter Miles Davis. The concert will be staged at the Lake Wānaka Centre on January 29. Featuring arrangements by Gil Evans and compositions by Gerry Mulligan, John Lewis and Davis, the Birth of the Cool recordings represent an interesting moment in the history of jazz, in which a number of superstars from the 1940s and 50s collaborated to produce arrangements that paired the angular melodies of Bebop with the thicker textures of Big Band Jazz. By creating a nine-piece ensemble (or “Nonet”) for these recordings, Gil Evans wrote special arrangements for six horns, including a French Horn and
THURSDAY 13.01.22 - WEDNESDAY 19.01.22
Tuba, instruments which were not traditionally included in jazz arrangements at the time. For this retake of the Birth of the Cool, Ralph Miller on trumpet is joined by Nick Cornish, well known in both jazz and classical circles for his work on the alto saxophone and oboe. Playing the baritone part originally performed by Gerry Mulligan in this concert, saxophonist Gwyn Reynolds will travel from Christchurch to add another solo voice to the ensemble. Additional solos will be performed by Mike Gaches on the flugelhorn, Bill Martin on the piano and young gun Finn McKinlay on the trombone. Paul Claman once again plays bass trombone, bringing his Big Band experience to the group. Rhythm players Andy Lynch and Kevin Finigan will provide the fast, swinging tempos that underlie many of these remarkable arrangements. The Rebirth of the Cool is the first collaboration between the Wānaka Concert Society and the Dunedin Jazz Club. Tickets are available from Gifted Design, and Eventfinda. School pupils will be admitted free.
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NATURE by Forest and Bird
From one Lupin seed... The Russell lupin – is there a plant that is more loved yet so despised? Every spring, around early December, there is a flood of photos hitting social media pictorially celebrating the massed spires of mauve, orange, pink, cream and every shade in between. The comments flow – spectacular, amazing, they really brighten up the place, natives are so drab.... or: worst pest plant ever, spray them all, gaudy unwanted intruder! If you travel through the Lindis Pass now, you will notice a broad band of brown all along Pass Burn, wilted lupins along the highway and in the Lindis Pass Scenic Reserve, dug-out lupins strewn amongst the tussock (100% effective weed control!). These are efforts to rid our high country of lupins. Lupinus polyphyllus is a tough perennial originating from North America. It forms a green leafy mound by early summer when it pushes up tall colourful scented flower spires, which transform to brown seed pods later in summer. These open explosively with heat and project large numbers of very long lived seeds away from the parent plant. Then the plant becomes tatty and dies down to a bunch of brown stalks until next spring. As a result of this jaunty lifestyle these plants spread thickly and quickly, smothering out other vegetation. They love to invade riverbed and roadside gravels and being nitrogen fixers can invade poorer substrate. So what’s so bad about lupins? They are so pretty! It’s their aggressive spread that’s the main problem especially along water ways where the flow spreads their millions of long-lived seeds everywhere. They smother out other vegetation such as pastoral grassland and native grassland communities. Then if they are removed, only exotic species tend to fill the space – the native species do not return. Lupins change the soil, by making more nitrogen available. This favours stronger faster growing exotics, once again displacing native species. Lupins create vast areas of dense vegetation cover on formerly bare open gravel riverbeds. Essential breeding and nesting habitat for our braided river birds is lost, and the vegetation provides cover for introduced predators to hide in, resulting in further loss to riverbed bird populations. The dense infestations also interfere with the way braided river systems work, unnaturally stabilising areas of gravel and dramatically altering the whole ecosystem which is meant to be dynamic and open. The channels become deeper and more incised rather than shallow and shifting. Triple whammy – loss of nesting habitat, cover for predators and also loss of feeding habitat for
Anne Stevens, doing her best to rid the the Lindis Pass of invasive Lupins.
our threatened braided river birds like black stilt, wrybill and black-fronted terns. Given their rapid spread and prolific growth and the fact they are deciduous, there is the possibility they are contributing large amounts of nitrogen to freshwater environments. This question has been asked several times (by me) but never answered by a scientist. If anyone has an answer to this, I would love to be informed! How did they get to be such a pest? Simple - people liked them, so they blissfully scattered the seed along roads and other places to make them pretty. Cultivars of lupins bred to remove the bitter taste are also being planted as pasture for stock in some areas such as the Mackenzie Basin (where they are also one of the worst weeds). The “licence” to plant them relies heavily on the farmer following prescribed practice to preventing them seeding and spreading. The same once applied to gorse hedges – we all know how that ended! So what obligations do landowners and managers have to control and remove lupins? In Canterbury, they are a “pest organism”. In Otago, they are listed in the Sustained Control Programme group of pest plants. This means they must be removed (or not planted) within 200m of the edge of an open gravel river plain or river channel or within 50m of any other river and within 10m of your boundary. To not comply with these rules is an offence under section 154N(19) of the Biosecurity Act 1993. And what can you do as a non-landowner? Join a community group carrying out lupin control, like the Lindis Pass Conservation Group. Remove any you find on public land if you can or at least stop them flowering. If you like them in your garden make sure they do not escape. And do not celebrate them on lakesides and along rivers by posting pictures of them on social media unless you also say you immediately removed them all! Anne Steven is a committe member of the Central Otago-Lakes Branch of Forest and Bird and Chair of the Lindis Pass Conservation Group.
Top names revealed Charlotte is back at the top of the list of the most popular baby names for girls in 2021 and Oliver has remained the most popular boy’s name for the ninth year in a row. Manaia comes in as the most evenly split gender-neutral name, at a 50/50 split for boys and girls, with Quinn sitting just below the top of the list. Top of the lists of Māori names, based on criteria from the Te Taura Whiri Māori Language
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Commission, are Mia for girls and Nikau for boys. Every year the Registrar-General shares the most popular baby names by gathering information from SmartStart. In 2021 99% of babies born in Aotearoa were registered using the online tool for new parents. “SmartStart makes it easy for parents to find out all the things that need to be done when a baby is born, starting with registering the birth”, says Registrar-General Births, Deaths and
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Welcome, second wave Hello to the long-term residents of Wānaka and all the happy holiday makers here at the moment. I see the second wave of holiday makers have come to town now and the lake is being used flat out over the last couple of days. Just a reminder that motorised craft are to operate below 5 knots within 50 metres of another craft and also within 50 metres of a person swimming. There is a swimming lane in Roys Bay near Waterfall Creek marked by a rows of orange buoys. There is regular sailing coaching on our lake with young learners out there and if you rip past you are putting them at risk of injury. It’s a big lake so be considerate of others please. There is a good document on the Queenstown Lakes District Council website. Google “QLDC lakes and boating” super simple. We have had quite a few scams reported in the last few weeks so be aware. Don’t assume that if the bank or business that is calling you is who they say they are. It is worth checking the number online or calling the business directly and confirming. Do not give personal details or transactions details over the phone. Tens of thousands of dollars have been taken. As most people are well aware, there was a large fire in the Glendhu Bay area. We know the cause of the fire. Make sure you are careful cooking and use no naked flames - and smoking in the outdoors Marriages Jeff Montgomery. “Registering your newborn makes sure they have an official identity from birth, so they can access their legal rights as they grow up.” The site, which can be used anytime and on any device, also explains what parents need to do to get an IRD number for their baby, how to adjust a Ministry of Social Development benefit, and how to apply for the $60 a week BestStart payment. Registration is free and helps in the tracking of names. Isla and Amelia are the second and third most popular girls’ names for 2021, having fought Charlotte for the top spot for the last three
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where the ground is tinder dry. A fire doesn’t take much to start and gets out of control very quickly. We disrupted another cannabis plantation which we were advised of by a member of the public. Well done that person who let us know. If those persons would like to explain they can call me... There is a lot of found property at the station so if you have lost something valuable give us a call during office hours and we will check if it is here. We impounded a motorcycle in the Albert Town area. I understand there has been some local discussion in the Albert Town area about some problems. Please report issues directly to police. We can’t deal with a matter that has not been reported to us or information given third hand. We are catching plenty of drink drivers still. We stop a large number of cars every night. Don’t think we won’t stop you. Find another way home or better still don’t take your car to town or where you will be drinking at all. We dealt with a job where a customer did not receive their courier package when expected and made some bad decisions. Not that person’s shining moment, I’m sure. This just held up others from getting their packages. Please be safe and remember that we are all here hoping to enjoy summer so be mindful of others. Oh, and wear sunscreen. – By Bruce McLean Senior Constable, NZPD years. The same trend runs for boys’ names, with Noah and Jack coming in second and third after joining Oliver in the top three for the previous four years. A new addition to the top ten boys’ names is Theodore, which has been creeping up the ranks in popularity since 2019. In 2021, 56,013 births were registered in New Zealand and there was a total of 16,790 different first names. This shows a slow decline in births from the previous two years. A total of 17,749 different first names were given to 58,676 babies born in 2020. In 2019 18,816 different first names were given to 61,018 babies.
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paint@btppainting.com 0204 0133 350 www.btppainting.com paint@btppainting.com paint@btppainting.com www.btppainting.com www.btppainting.com
Contact Johnny Ph: 0224 SKIP IT (754 748) • W: www.skipit.nz When you want to get rid of it - just skip it!
SITUATION VACANT
SITUATION VACANT
CAN YOU GET IT WRITE?
PRIVATE REGISTERED NURSE Casual sleepover position 1-2 nights per week
We are looking for a talented writer with energy and passion to make The Sun shine. Is it you? Does writing community news excite you? Can you build up a contact list and get stories from our schools, service and sports clubs? Can you become the go-to person when newsmakers in our community look for publicity? Can you monitor organisations and see stories where others can’t? Are we looking for someone who will devote a day to a story? No. This role requires a quick-thinking nimble journalist who can get the balance right between quantity and quality. If it’s you, then start writing now - tell us about yourself and why you should be in our newsroom. If you are looking for a challenging role in a positive, friendly environment, plus the benefits of working in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, apply today to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz with your CV and cover letter. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.
Looking for a registered nurse to join an established nursing team who provide 24/7 medical care for a client in their own home with brain and spinal injuries. Position is to start in February. Applications to nurses@alpinegroup.co.nz
GIB STOPPING #GibStoppingSpecialists
Aspiring Interiors Offers Gib Stopping in Wanaka any size. Paint Ready Finish (can provide professional painters details). Machine Tools. Respectful. Clean & Tidy. Deadlines Are A Priority. Call Kahu 0210 2793 648 or Email plans contact@aspiringinteriors.co.nz
WHAT’S ON
Give Karate a go!
SITUATION VACANT
ARE YOU OUR NEW EDITOR? A unique position in one of New Zealand’s most desirable communities has become available at The Wānaka Sun. We are looking for a full-time editor who can build on recent changes in our weekly publication and drive up readership on our on-line platform. The successful applicant will be a respected multi-skilled journalist with a reputation for outstanding communication, organisation and leadership – and someone comfortable with a camera and digital media. He or she will constantly update our website and produce a weekly print product filled with breaking news, well subbed supplied content, regular columns and great photography.
Start your journey to black belt now at Wanaka Samurai Karate Club. Self defense, sports karate, traditional karate Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Wanaka Primary School Hall. Check us out on Facebook: Wanaka Samurai Karate and contact Sensei Gabriela on 027 2106459 or gabriela_schmidt@hotmail.com
Our new editor will, ideally, arrive with a sound knowledge of Wānaka. Journalism will be our new editor’s life, not 9-to-5. The successful applicant will see this role as a long-term appointment. Organising content and building contacts will be two of the major strengths of our new editor who will work in the community. Our new editor will be a self-starter, highly motivated and flexible. Mentoring will be available if our new editor requires it.
If you are looking for a challenging role in a positive, friendly environment, plus the benefits of working in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, apply today to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz with your CV and cover letter.
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JUST NEWS www.thewanakasun.co.nz
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.
PAGE 10
THURSDAY 13.01.22 - WEDNESDAY 19.01.22
SERVICE
THANKS
Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy. We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street - open from 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and 10 to 6 on Sundays. Ph 443 8000. The Salvation Army Family Store is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9.30am to 4pm and most statutory holidays. We look forward to seeing you in our wonderful store.
Thanks to everyone who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle. Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful community.
WANTED The Salvation Army Family store requires a volunteer to assist our van driver Danny on a Thursday with pickups and deliveries. If this sounds like you, please pop into the store for some more information. Lifting of furniture will be required. The Salvation Army Family Store requires good quality household goods, if you can help this would be appreciated. Your donations can be dropped at 48 Helwick street or phone for a pick up 443 5068
NOTICE Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days. Business Networking International. The Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning. Great networking opportunity to grow your business. Contact Randal Dobbs for information 021 973 043 The Salvation Army Family Store is able to collect your donations, this service is available one day a week please phone the store on 443 5068 to make a booking.
STORAGE
Clean, dry, safe storage available now. Ezystor Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.
SUN TEAM WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 1061 Free delivery to Wānaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wānaka, Albert Town and Hāwea. Also distributed to businesses in the Wānaka business district Average circulation: 15,000 weekly. Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 News Editor: Roy Pilott • 027 4500 115 editor@thewanakasun.co.nz News tips: editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wānaka Deadlines: Display Advertising 4pm Friday prior to publication. marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz 03 443 5252 Classified Advertising 5pm Monday prior admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Subscriptions: $175 within NZ (including GST) per year. Overseas rates on request. Remittances to PO Box 697, Wānaka, NZ.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Sun Classifieds
thewanakasun.co.nz
PUBLIC NOTICE
SITUATION VACANT
N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i MEETING SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY 2022 Public Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 that meetings of the Council will be held as follows, during the month of January 2022. District Licensing Committee – Court Room 2, Queenstown Court, Stanley Street. Thursday 20 January 2022 from 10.00am. Meeting dates, times and venues are subject to change. Some meetings may have items of business that will be discussed with the public excluded, as set out by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987. Mike Theelen CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz
SITUATION VACANT
COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING ROLE To start early February 2022. The role is primarily focused on keeping managing MAC’s visual identity and communications (management of the website, social media and communications). Experience with website content management is essential. If you like working with teenagers and teachers, are patient, steadfast, flexible, and have a sense of humour, this could be the job for you. The position is 20 hrs per week, term time only, and is fixed term for 2022. Hours to be negotiated.
SITUATION VACANT
TEACHER AIDE We require a Teacher Aide to start early February 2022. The role is to primarily provide learning support for a range of students both in class and in our Special Needs department. This applicant will preferably have had some experience, although this is not essential. If you like working with teenagers, are patient, steadfast, flexible, physically fit and have a sense of humour, this could be the job for you.
Pay for this role is in accordance with the Support Staff Collective Agreement for Secondary Schools.
The position is 20-25 hrs per week, fixed term to the end of 2022 Pay for this role is in accordance with the Support Staff Collective Agreement for Secondary Schools.
Applications close at 4.00pm, Monday 26th January 2022.
Applications close at 4.00pm, Monday 24th January 2022.
An application form and job description is available on: www.mtaspiring.school.nz/vacancies Please submit applications with a covering letter and CV to: jobs@mtaspiring.school.nz.
An application form and job description is available on: www.mtaspiring.school.nz/vacancies Please submit applications with a covering letter and CV to: jobs@mtaspiring.school.nz.
Cromwell College: Personal Assistant to the Principal and Administration Support
STUDENT ATTENDANCE OFFICER / RECEPTIONIST To start early February 2022. The role is primarily focused on student attendance and managing the student reception. The applicant will preferably have had some administration or reception experience, although this is not essential. If you like working with teenagers, are patient, steadfast, flexible, and have a sense of humour, this could be the job for you. The position is 30 hrs per week, term time only, and is permanent. Hours are from 8am - 3:30pm. Pay for this role is in accordance with the Support Staff Collective Agreement for Secondary Schools. Applications close at 4.00pm, Monday 24th January 2022. An application form and job description is available on: www.mtaspiring.school.nz/vacancies Please submit applications with a covering letter and CV to: jobs@mtaspiring.school.nz.
We seek a skilled, professional and suitablly qualified person to work as Personal Assistant to the Principal and to provide support in our Office Administration team. Application information is available on our school website cromwell. school.nz. Applications close Monday 24 January 2022. Please contact the school office 03 445 1121 or email the Principal directly with any questions principal@cromwell.school.nz.
Cromwell College: Part time fixed term teacher of junior Physical Education and Science We have a part time position for around 10-12 hours a week for 2022. This would suit an enthusiastic and skilled primary or secondary trained and registered teacher. Please send your CV and cover letter to principal@cromwell. school.nz. Applications close Wednesday 19 January 2022. Please contact the school office 03 445 1121 or email the Principal directly with any questions.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
We currently have one permanent position working a minimum of 30 hours each week across 7 days. Do you have what we are looking for? • Previous experience within a retail/customer facing role • Interest in all things pharmacy related, including but not limited to make up, fragrances, health and wellbeing • Strong customer service focus to meet customer needs and expectations • Flexible, adaptable and good customer empathy • Honesty, integrity and an understanding and significance of confidentiality • Excellent communication skills and a high standard of grooming • Be able to be a team player and work under pressure • Ability to work weekends and flexibility to cover leave • Understanding of cash handling and end of day procedures • Above all else a willingness to learn and grow with the business Applicants for these positions should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work permit, and ideally permanent local residents. Please send your CV to wpl@pembroke.co.nz together with a covering letter outlining your background and why you'd be such an excellent fit within our team. Wanaka's original pharmacy (est. 1971) open all day, everyday including public holidays.
YOUR AD WILL REACH THE MOST LOCALS ONLINE IN www.thewanakasun.co.nz
WWW.THEWANAKASUN.CO.NZ
Phone: 03 443 8000 Top of Helwick St, Wānaka
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THURSDAY 13.01.22 - WEDNESDAY 19.01.22
PAGE 11
Sun Sport
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Heat on at the classic It’s been said many times before that when bowling at the Wānaka Bowling Club, it is easy to become distracted by the magnificence of the surrounding environment. Certainly, conditions couldn’t have been better for the 9am start last week of the premier tournament of the Wānaka Bowling Club calendar - the 2022 Fulton Hogan Wānaka Men’s Classic Fours. Each of the 16 ‘fours’ teams entered were scheduled to play five games through this first day. As the day progressed the temperature climbed to about 30 degrees and much more when standing on the green. The Club’s new artificial mat radiated heat to the extent that players were picking up a somewhat hot bowl. Containers of water were consumed at a high rate as players battled against dehydration. It has been estimated that a player walks about 5-7 km during a day’s play of five games, bends over countless times to pick up and deliver their bowls, and some players, like the ‘skips’, are basically on their feet for the whole day in a tournament like this. On a hot Central Otago day this is no place for wimps. Needless to say, there were some very weary, thirsty and hot bowlers at the conclusion of the first day of this tournament. On the basis of the results of the first day’s five games, the field of 16 teams was split. The bottom eight teams would play in the Plate Event the next day and the top eight teams would play off in the
Main Event. In contrast to the first day, the weather on day two, January 6 was a bit of a mixed bag with the first game being played in jackets and jerseys. Then it warmed up, until later in the afternoon when a very cool wind gusted across the green during the final stages. The last games of the tournament were the finals of the Plate Event and the Main Event. In the Plate Event the final was between a composite team skipped by Ewan Miller (Wānaka), Peter Rutherford (Nelson), Alister Moore (Wānaka), Warner Barber (Ranfurly) and another composite team skipped by David Young (Tapanui), Robert Kane (Tapanui), Jim Young (Taieri), Peter Hart (Wānaka). These two teams played a 10-end match and what a good game it was. After 4 ends the score was 3-3 but team Miller won 4 successive ends to lead 8-3 after 8 ends. Team Young wasn’t done though, and they fought back and won the last two ends to just lose by 8-7. There were some very good bowls played in this match, but special mention should be made of skip Ewan Miller who frustrated the opposition by repeatedly winning the head with his last bowl when it looked to be lost. The final of the Main Event was always going to be a tough encounter - and it was. Tom Malcolm (Wānaka) had put together a composite team consisting of Malcolm Van Rensburg (Cromwell), Leo Leonard (Kia Toa, Timaru) and
Main Event Winners, from left, Stu Hurley, John Leith, Murray Finn, Ken Mitchell.
Winston McLaughlan (Gore). Their opponents, Stu Hurley’s team, were all from Wānaka. The skip was Murray Finn and Ken Mitchell, and John Leith completed the team. The game was evenly poised at 5-5 after 4 ends but team Hurley bowled consistently well and scored a 3 and then a 2 to lead by 10-5 after 6 ends. This galvanised team Malcolm into positive action, and they won the next two ends to even the game up at 10-10 after 8 ends. Team Hurley took back the initiative by winning the next 3 ends to lead by 15-10 with one end to play. The last end saw team Malcolm empty their tanks and hold 3 shots. Tom Malcolm’s last bowl wasn’t really on-line, but it ricocheted merrily through the pack of bowls and ended up the 4th shot. Game to Stu Hurley’s men 15-14. Great stuff and highly
entertaining for the gallery of spectators. For Stu Hurley this was an extra special day in that he had been in the winning team of this tournament 20 years ago. That’s a long time between drinks Stu! Results, Murray Finn(s), Stu Hurley, Ken Mitchell, John Leith 1, Tom Malcolm(s), Malcolm Van Rensburg, Leo Leonard, Win McLauchlan 2, Richie Muir(s), Kyle McGowan, Todd Swain, Ethan Flynn and Simon Nyhof(s), Brett Simpson, Bob Wilson, Bob Smith equal 3. Plate, Ewan Miller(s), Peter Rutherford, Alister Moore, Warner Barber 1, David Young(s), Robert Kane, Jim Young, Peter Hart 2, Peter Herbert(s), Derek Hope, Pat Traynor, Frank Beardsley and Don Urquhart(s), Wayne Flynn, Ian Hall, Jim Cowie eqal 3. – By Peter Wilson
TriWanaka back on the lake
Full house for BMX
PHOTO: Mak Shots Photography
Wānaka’s Cooper Arkell (13) plate 137, competed in the UCI14 class as Cromwell hosted last weekend’s 2022 BMX NZ South Island Titles. He missed a place in the finals by just one point – leaving him in a still creditable ninth place. The event drew 275 entries, including 71 from the North Island. A total of 28 Cromwell club riders, including riders from Wānaka, ranging from five to 54, did the club proud, and the event won plaudits for the Cromwell BMX club.
PHOTO: Kathryn Mitchell
The opening event attracted 45 people.
Last Friday saw the first event in the 2022 TriWanaka Swim/Run series on the shores of Lake Wānaka. The series, now in its fourth year, is staged by the TriWanaka Triathlon Club and aims to provide a social event that allows people of all ages to challenge themselves by completing a swim in the lake followed by a run along the lake path. The event takes place at the Wānaka Watersports Facility and runs every Friday for the next five weeks. Race one of the series took place in perfect summer conditions and saw 45 people including Wānaka residents and visitors take part. “TriWanaka is passionate about helping make triathlon accessible to everyone and with this in mind it was great to see a large number of children taking part,” club spokesperson Adam Sharman said. For more details go to www.triwanaka.co.nz
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Building communities PAGE 12
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www. pennyshom ecare.co.nz THURSDAY 13.01.22 - WEDNESDAY 19.01.22
THE WĀNAKA SUN
