The life of Brian
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Brigade asks for help Luck at
last for Dani?
Dani Maguire
Senior fire fighter Phil Greeks pictured in action during a training exercise using scrap vehicles.
Roy Pilott
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
ānaka’s volunteer fire fighters are on the
W look out for cars to practise on.
The brigade uses scrap cars to practise getting crash victims out of vehicles. Senior fire fighter Liz Morley said the vehicles are not torched – they are used in recreated crash scenarios and occasionally when two vehicles are
available, set up in mock collisions. “The aim is to ensure we can get patients out of vehicles quickly and safely,” she said. The brigade arranges to collect scrap vehicles and has resources to store them – which is why it is hoping a call to the community now will replenish stock numbers in one hit. “We are able to practise using the jaws of life and removing panels form vehicles,” Liz explained. “The area we cover for extrication after a crash goes
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all the way out to Haast… so if anyone out that way wants to drop a car off too they’d be very welcome.” The brigade is hoping its appeal will result in scrap cars in Wānaka being donated. Wānaka’s brigade is served by about 30 volunteers and their work varies – they can go an entire week with no calls, then have five the next. • If you can assist your volunteer fire brigade, make contact through their Facebook page – you’ll find them at WānakaVolunteerFireBrigade
She’s been stumped by Covid and Christchurch fog – will it be third time lucky for a Wānaka teenager? Dani Maguire, pictured above has been kept waiting to become the latest Mt Aspiring College student to feature on TV2’s Brain Buster Quiz show. “Dani was booked to record with us three times with unforeseen cancellations, Covid and then Christchurch fog almost thwarting her efforts to face the quizmaster,” Ana Olykan for Whitebait Media told the Sun this week. In the show, youngsters from around the country compete in a series of increasingly tricky challenges including maths, memory and spelling. The programme is into its third season. Dani made it the studio at the third time of asking – and all will be revealed when the programme screens at 4pm next Monday.
1 202 Ho m e B u il d e r s
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Is it time to put your hand up?
It’s national volunteer week next week – and today Volunteer South’s Juliette Hicks talks to two people who know that volunteers put a lot in to organisations – but also get a lot of enjoyment and inspiration from their work. Volunteer South is a charitable trust that engages and supports both tūao volunteers and volunteers involving organisations and community groups in the Southern region of the country. At Volunteer South-Central Lakes staff can discuss your skills and goals for volunteering and help find the perfect match. Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu / National Volunteer Week runs from June 19 to 25 June and honours the work of more than one million people who volunteer for an organisation and many more who support communities informally. “Volunteers contribute an enormous amount of time and energy to organisations in our communities, bringing fresh ideas, skills and motivation to those around them,” Volunteer South’s Gillian White said. “It’s a great way for people to participate in their community in a meaningful way with a whole host of benefits to both the volunteers and the wider society.” “Volunteers in the region have a huge range of roles to choose from - we are the connectors, the line that joins the dots between organisations and volunteers and National Volunteer Week is a wonderful opportunity for us and the organisations they support to shine a light on their volunteers and thank them for all the amazing things they do to keep our communities strong and thriving.” Volunteers come from all walks of life and last year included 22 different nationalities, with the 20-29 age bracket being the most prevalent and full time employed being the most active. For more details go online to www.volunteersouth.org.nz
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The life of Wānaka’s Brian When Brian Hall took over the role of treasurer for the Wānaka Scouts he did what any modernday treasurer would do. The 85-year-old introduced a time saving software package. “I’d had no experience with it,” says Brian. “I had to learn but it has made things so much easier.” Add that to his bucket of skills along with flying a plane, building a car and photographing landscapes. Part of Scouts Aotearoa, Wānaka Scouts is a non-profit organisation overseen by a committee. Their aim is to empower young people through adventurous experiences to lead lives that make a positive difference. The organisation is run by volunteers and cubs and scouts meet once a week at the scout hall at Eely Point Road for challenging activities that carry life lessons. Things like knot tying lessons, building rafts, tramping trips and learning first aid are carefully planned by scout leaders who bring their own set of skills to make them engaging and relevant. Brian has been managing Wānaka Scouts’ finances for three years. “I had a bit of spare time, saw an ad and thought my accounting skills could be of use to them. I was in the Sea Scouts as a youth,” he said. The Wānaka Scouts are now the beneficiary of over 60 years of accounting skills. Brian was born in the UK and his parents travelled to New Zealand when he was two. He grew up in Dunedin as a lanky kid who excelled
at sports. He broke the 100-yard record at school and could throw a mean shotput. He gained a Bachelor of Commerce at Otago University and qualified as a Chartered accountant. “To think… maths was my worst subject at school.” So began a long career in various accountancy roles one of which saw him meet his wife of 63 years, Margaret. Brian was an accountant in Invercargill for 49 years including the last five as Director of Corporate Services for the Southland Regional Council. His interests include boating – he is a past president and life member of the Te Anau Boating Club - four-wheel driving and operating ham radio. At 50 he gained his pilot’s licence and flew many trips over the lower South Island. He spent two years building a kitset replica of a Lotus 7 car. As a member of the Wānaka Camera Club, he loves photographing the Central Otago landscapes – and he also plays table tennis twice a week. Brian and Margaret have four children and 12 grandchildren and live in the Aspiring Village in Wānaka. Brian’s volunteer roles have been a significant source of mental and social stimulation for him. For three years he drove the van for the Enliven Centre taking residents out on jaunts to Hāwea, Treble Cone and Cardrona. He is also treasurer for the Wānaka Pembroke Club. “My volunteering gets me out and meeting really interesting people and learning new things
Brian Hall
keeps the grey matter active. There's no doubt it’s working on that front.” What would he say to a person considering volunteering? “Do it. You’ll meet people, challenge yourself and it's a great source of personal satisfaction.”
Volunteers are our ‘shining stars’ Volunteering New Zealand says it’s time for volunteers to shine this National Volunteer Week Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu. “Volunteers are vital to our communities, and everyone who gives their time to help their neighbour, school, marae or community organisation is a volunteer star,” says Michelle Kitney, Chief Executive of Volunteering New Zealand. This year, National Volunteer
Michelle Kitney
Week coincides with the new public holiday for Matariki, so the chosen theme is Time to Shine - He wā pīataata. More than one million people across Aotearoa volunteer for an organisation, contributing $4 billion to the economy. Much more happens within communities and informally between people. In fact, about 50 per cent of all adults in New Zealand volunteer, and in some
communities, such as Pasifika peoples, it’s as high as 97 per cent. “During the challenges of the last two years, volunteering has been vital to the wellbeing of people in Aotearoa. Many community organisations have had much greater demand for their services,” Michelle Kitney says. “Now let’s recognise and celebrate all that volunteers do to connect communities.”
Morning walk: just the (bus) ticket For half an hour every Monday morning Nicki Barnard gives back to her community. “I get to have a beautiful walk with some very entertaining companions.” she says. Nicki is a volunteer for The Wānaka Walking School Bus. The Bus was set up to give younger school children living nearby a free, safe and social way to get to school. It operates like a normal bus, only the ‘passengers’ walk. Children are collected from the bus stop on Anderson Road and walk along a designated route to school under the supervision of adult volunteer ‘drivers’. At present the bus goes to Wānaka Primary but it has also gone to Holy Family in the past. Nicki has been volunteering with the Wānaka Walking School Bus for two and half years and says it’s a great way for Wānaka children to start their day. “They arrive at school energised, with fresh air in their lungs and ready to learn. They get to practice basic road safety and in between we chat about
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everything from nature to what they’ve done on the weekend.” For some parents, busy with other siblings, or without a car or drivers’ licence this is a life saver. For others it’s a great way for their smaller children to learn both discipline and independence. “They have to turn up at a certain time, negotiate the roads with our help and respect others on the Bus.” Nicki came to New Zealand from the UK on a work visa with a friend 20 years ago. “A six month trip turned into residency and citizenship and I’ve never looked back.” Now with her partner and eight-yearold daughter Zara, Nicki enjoys the Wānaka lifestyle - walking, bike riding and skiing. Her happy place is dancing Ceroc when she gets the chance. She isn't a stranger to volunteering having been part of the local Buddy Programme and a Brownie leader in the UK. When she and Zara saw the Walking Bus sign on Anderson Road, they were curious and investigated further. Soon after Zara became a passenger and Nicki
became a driver. Nicki likes the fact that The Walking School Bus is well organised, structured and safety focused. Children have to be enrolled prior to joining and are then provided with a fluro safety vest and a prize card. A simple merit system keeps the children motivated with prizes throughout the term and a Facebook page keeps parents informed. For Nicki this volunteer role ticks a few boxes. “I’ve got to meet some lovely people who live in my neighbourhood who I mightn’t have met otherwise, I’m giving back to my community and encouraging fewer cars on the road.” “It’s not a huge commitment, just half an hour a week in the morning. It’s a great way to start the day and such a lovely way for you or your children to connect with the local community.” The Walking School Bus is a nonprofit community group. Volunteers work on a rostered basis. For more details contact Vien Luong at vnslounge@gmail.com
THURSDAY 16.06.22 - WEDNESDAY 22.06.22
Wānaka’s Nicki Barnard collects ‘passengers’ for the school walk.
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Some cold comfort…
NEWS INBRIEF Covid hit Fire fighter Elise Stables’ plan to climb Mt Roy, Mt Isthmus and Mt Iron in a day to raise funds for the Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust Catwalk is on hold. She was to have made the climb in May, but came down with Covid and has subsequently visited whānau in the United States. The hike has been rescheduled to August 23. Snow vacancies Wānaka based Snow Sport NZ is looking for new board members. Two positions are being advertised - one elected and one appointed, to replace retiring board members. Applications will close Friday next week. Fire mystery The New Zealand Fire Service says it still has no information to provide pointing to the cause of January’s Emerald Bay fire. Police told the Wānaka Sun in early January they knew the cause and indicated it was related to outdoor cooking. Data available A new tool giving near real-time snow data has been made available to the public. NIWA’s Snow and Ice Network (SIN) provides information on snowfall, depth of snowpack, snow melt and climate for 10 alpine sites across New Zealand.
The country has been served up a full menu of winter weather in the last week – putting a white coat on the ranges, bringing floods to parts of the country – and setting up a bumper start to the ski season. Thousands of international skiers are set to reinvigorate the domestic accommodation sector over winter – and the weather has done its part, with a huge dump of snow on Cardrona. There was so much snow at Cardrona staff could not work on the mountain at times this week, but they were aiming to be open by the time this edition went to press. Latest figures from Bachcare, New Zealand’s largest holiday home management firm, show forward bookings for Wānaka during winter are up significantly over the previous year and pre-Covid levels. The data shows bookings across the Southern Lakes region are up 67 per cent compared to last year and up 114 per cent compared to 2019. The number of nights sold are also up 66per cent on the previous year and up 120 per cent compared to 2019. Holiday home rental accommodation in the Wānaka region during the July school holiday period
Wānaka and Lake Hāwea have been treated to some freezing weather – and great views.
is already at 81 per cent of capacity. Nick Peirce, Bachcare head of revenue, says while international visitors numbers are expected to grow significantly over the coming weeks, some parts of the accommodation market in the Southern Lakes districts have been impacted by staff shortages throughout the region. “What we can see from the latest data is traffic on our website from Australia is around 13 times
higher than it was at the same time last year. “We also know the holiday home rental is less impacted by labour shortages as they don't require staff for reception areas, food and beverage facilities and maintenance. “Along with significantly increased transTasman booking numbers, this reflects a growing confidence in the market that we are going to see a strong winter tourism season.”
St John adds to numbers St John Central Otago will employ 11 additional fixed-term staff to support the winter workload this year – including four who will be based in Wānaka. “This will mean we will be running three vehicles - two ambulances and one first response unit in Wānaka,” David Baillie, St John Central Otago Area Operations Manager, said. St John revealed last week it was experiencing extremely high demand for ambulance services across the country, with incident numbers exceeding those seen during the Omicron surge.
It reported there were 581,958 emergency calls it stay that way” by: for an ambulance between June 2020 and June • Preventing the spread of Covid and other 2021 - up more than 35,000 compared with before respiratory illnesses by keeping up healthy the pandemic. habits - mask wearing, physical distancing The Government announced funding for 48 and hand washing. new ambulances and crew as part of Budget 2022 • Staying at home if you have a respiratory and $166 million in financial support over four illness. years for extra emergency vehicles, plus $90m for • Getting your flu jab and make sure you are up air ambulance services. to date with other vaccinations. “To date, in Wānaka demand has been manageable,” • Seeing your doctor or health provider, or Baillie said, but he is encouraging people to “help calling phoning Healthline if you are unwell.
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Protect them for life. Immunise. COVID-19 vaccinations are available for tamariki aged 5-11. To make a booking for your whānau or find a walk-in centre visit BookMyVaccine.nz or call 0800 28 29 26.
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House build: ‘do it now’ Awards
winners
Cold day, hot demand: The demand for new homes in Upper Clutha is high – but supply issues are expected to ease.
New builds are already costing more – and a Wānaka franchise holder warns they will jump a further $50,000 “in the next few years”. It looks like a catch-22 – builders are struggling to meet the demand for newbuilds because of supply and staffing problems. But Stonewood Homes’ Mark Harry says he is confident “we are at the top of the hill” when to comes to materials after a long spell when demand exceeded supply. He is encouraging potential new home-owners to start sooner rather than later. The longer wait times and impending product price increases are a direct impact of Covid and an exponential increase in demand for new homes. “We’ve seen the cost of building materials rise
about 12-15 per cent over the past 12 months and we’re expecting this trend to continue,” Harry said. “On average, new home buyers are getting equity boosts of about 26 per cent in our area and can then expect gains of around 10-15 per cent in the first 12 months. So, if buyers can cope with the current timelines, there will be significant gains if they get in before the price rises. He said the actual build time of the process had increased from about 26 to 32 weeks. Mark Smith, National Sales Manager from Altus Windows Systems, said delays were an industry wide problem and companies were doing their best to keep builders informed
of changes. “Altus operations are continuing to maximise output, but we will see extended lead times of around 3-4 days past normalised lead times,” he said. Suppliers also have employees isolating and are on reduced capacity. Mark Harry said the building industry was also being affected by a major shortage of labour. “The old days of being able to build a home for a client in five or six months now seems like a luxury,” he said. “We’re telling clients to expect at least a nine-month building timeframe, at best, but it will more likely be twelve months or longer depending on the design and materials.”
Structural and civil engineering firm Batchelar McDougall Consulting won the supreme award at the Wānaka business excellence awards last weekend. More than 200 people attended the awards at Rippon Hall. Batchelar McDougall also won the Outstanding in Professional Services category. The judges were Wayne Hudson (convenor), Ann Lockhart, Charlie James and Meg Taylor. Wayne Hudson said judges appreciated the “honest comments” from entrants about how hard Covid had affected them and how they were dealing with the impact on their businesses. “Just putting in an entry form would have helped them to look at their business instead of being lost in the business.” Other category awards winners were: Outstanding awards: Tourism, Lavender Farm; Hospitality, Pembroke Patisserie; Infrastructure/trades, Dunlop Builders; Retail, Ocula; Not-forprofit, WAI Wānaka; Sustainability, Wild Wire; Young enterprise, Village Gift and The Next Chapter, joint winners; Resilience and Diversification, Wild Wire; Innovation, The Film Crew; Employer, Ocula; Individual, Mandy Bell; People’s Choice Award, The Village Gift.
Welcome home… Over 130 people attended a welcoming communities hui in Queenstown last week. Iwi, newcomer group representatives, stakeholder managers and leaders and Queenstown Lakes District Council representatives came together to listen, learn about and share ways to support newcomers to feel welcome and able to participate in the economic, civic, cultural and social life of the district. “It was fabulous to see people come together to mingle and get to know each other, from our migrant community group leaders to organisations like Red Cross and police,” said QLDC Welcoming Communities coordinator Silvia Dancose. The positive energy and willingness to connect, along with the support for the Welcoming
Communities programme itself made for a very special evening,” she said. The group settled into world café-style group discussions around the eight outcome areas of the Welcoming Communities initiative. These included how to support new residents from elsewhere in Aotearoa New Zealand and across the world with business and employment, civic engagement and participation, creating welcoming public spaces, equitable access to services, culture and identity and welcoming communications. “I’ve long said that the richness and diversity of our communities are our strength,” Jim Boult said. “To see so many ethnicities that share a passion for this district join together in one room to share ideas and experiences was a reflection of how true that is.”
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Luggate Pines for the chop targeted Almost 6800 hectares of aerial and ground control of conifers is scheduled this month in the Luggate management area. For the 2021-2022 conifer control works season, a total more than 28,000 hectares of have been treated by aerial spray or ground works, including 374 ha of dense infestations around Queenstown Hill, Ben Lomond, Moke Lake and Skippers. Regional councillors were updated last week on the range of environmental projects underway. ORC Manager Environmental Implementation Andrea Howard says good progress continues to be made in both the Whakatipu and Central Otago areas. The National Wilding Conifer Control Programme and Containing Wallabies to Protect Agriculture, Forestry and Native Plants programmes are two of four key projects, under Jobs for Nature, being lead by the ORC, under an umbrella of $22.5 million funding. Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group, in the Whakatipu Basin, is 88% of the way through its budget for the 2021-2022 season and has covered 2067ha by ground and 18,030ha by aerial methods. In the Luggate control area, 4386ha of the Pisa Range have been controlled by aerial bark basal spraying. From July last year to 30 April, 123,840 hectares have been searched for wallabies - 22 were spotted and three destroyed.
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These images, taken in Southland, show how wilding conifer can spread if left unchecked.
Wilding conifers are being removed from the Sugar Loaf Scenic Reserve near Cromwell. The wilding conifer control group is keen to progress the removal of the conifers, Central Otago District Council Parks and Recreation Manager Gordon Bailey said. “The group has identified that the wilding conifers within the reserve are a seed source that is already spreading wilding conifer seedlings over the reserve. “Council has responsibilities as a landowner to stop the spread of pest species including wilding conifers. We are also conscious of preserving and protecting the values and views of this well-known scenic reserve, which has been identified by the community.” Two main areas have been identified for
wilding conifer removal on the Sugar Loaf. One of them being is old shelter belt at the Lowburn end of the reserve. These trees have already started to produce seedlings that are spreading towards the Lowburn inlet. The other spot is at the Lowburn Collie Club end of the reserve. “There are a few other wilding conifers dotted on the reserve that will be removed as well; some are near the electricity line that runs through the reserve.” Three trees which are too large for the group to remove will be poisoned. The work is being coordinated by the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group, which has engaged Mike Hurring Logging and Contracting. The work is
THURSDAY 16.06.22 - WEDNESDAY 22.06.22
PHOTO: Richard Bowman
expected to take 10 days. The Cromwell Community Board has budgeted $20,000 this financial year for the work – 20% of the cost – and the balance will come from the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group. The Government has allocated $100 million over four years to control wilding conifers, which are identified as a weed pest under the Otago Regional Council Pest Plan. In 2018 the Government was told if left to spread on their own, the invasive pest plant could cover 20% of New Zealand's total land area -- 5,400,000ha - by 2030. An eradication programme launched at that time set a 2030 target to have contained or eradicated all wilding pines.
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Cold case report out
A company’s failure to get its accreditation on time led to the discovery of the Covid cold case in Queenstown. A total of 1601 doses of the Covid vaccine were compromised by a failure to keep them at the right temperature in December and January and a review of the failure and recommendations have now been released. Engage Safety Limited – ESL - won a contract last August to administer Covid vaccinations, but its cold chain accreditation expired in November. Cold chain accreditation is an audit tool used to assess an immunisation provider’s management practices and ensure they meet required standards. In early February, when demand for vaccines across the country was high, a decision was made mutually by Immunisation coordinator IC-A and ESL to delay cold chain accreditation renewal until a new vaccine fridge was installed. That happened later in the month at ESL’s new Queenstown premises – when discrepancies were found with temperature monitoring over the previous two months. “…if all cold chain management processes were in place as required, downloading of data and appropriate action in early December would have prevented the resultant breaches,” the report, dated April and prepared by DAA group said. Southern DHB was alerted to the cold chain breach on March 2. It established affected doses of the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine were given to 1571 people in Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago in December and January. “There were two time periods when data downloaded from the fridge data loggers showed cold chain temperatures not maintained. Over that period, the environment has been described as
The board is still to find 115 people who were given compromised vaccinations.
‘chaotic’ with a large amount of activity within the business,” the report said. “ESL now has improved processes in place including a new vaccine fridge placed in a central location, relevant policies and procedures and a building to work out of enabling delegation to registered staff to always share and clarify responsibilities for cold chain maintenance.” It said the root cause of the failure specific to ESL was its failure to follow procedures, errors being made by staff who were fatigued, and “with the speed of set up of the Covid-19 vaccination drive through clinics it appears that preparation was lacking”. It said Southern DHB’s quality control needed
improvement, and systems were not responsive when a red flag was raised by IC-A. “This event should be considered within the context of a national pandemic, and at a particular stage in the pandemic where services were rapidly set up or scaled up… Within that context, a large number of consumers were safely administered Covid-19 vaccines by ESL.” The Southern DHB is still trying to reach 112 people who were caught up in the Covid cold case vaccination issue. Southern DHB chief executive Chris Fleming said the board and the Covid vaccination programme team welcomed all recommendations outlined in the report and were committed to implementing them.
Big queue for grants Otago Regional Council’s community annual environmental grants fund, the ECO Fund, has attracted 53 applications seeking more than $1.1 million. A total pool funds of $470,00 is available. ORC Manager, Environmental Implementation, Andrea Howard said the diversity and spread of applications was “great to see”. “The ECO Fund acts as an enabler for groups, both big and small, and ensures that we can distribute the funding across the region, meaning we can support community-led action and better environmental outcomes more equitably across the region,” she said. Projects discussed in applications include water quality, pest management, biodiversity and conservation. A wide range of trusts, schools, community groups and catchment groups presented projects associated with water quality, pest management, biodiversity and conservation. Recommendations on which applications should be approved will go to the June 29 regional council meeting.
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Cropping event raises $50,000
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The Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust and the Otago Rural Support Trust will be the beneficiaries of funds raised by the 2022 Upper Clutha Winter Crop Competition. The competition, organised by the Rotary Club of Wānaka, judges the quality of winter feed crops based on entries received from farms. Its awards presentation night and fundraising auction last Friday raised over $50,000 for the trusts. Rotary Club of Wānaka president Richard Wallace said the cropping competition is generously supported by the rural community, which will directly benefit from the funds raised. “We want to make sure that our community is all the better for the effort that goes into this event,” he said. “Supporting the helicopter trust and the rural support trust ensures that happens.” Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust trustee Tony Sycamore said the proceeds will go towards establishing an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) path into Wānaka which will allow pilots to undertake missions in challenging weather. Funds donated to the Otago Rural Support Trust, which
PHOTO: Anna Munroe
Rotary Club of Wānaka president Richard Wallace (right) presents the supreme award to Rex Sandford of Rob Rosa Station for their dry swede crop.
assists rural individuals and their families in challenging circumstances, will support the trust’s rural coordinators who provide one-on-one support to those in need. Competition organiser George Scott said more than 150 people attended the awards night and prizes were awarded across seven categories as well as a supreme winner. “We had over 50 crops to judge, which was great,” he said. “The auction has been a real success and I can’t thank the businesses who supported us enough.” This year's supreme award went to Rex Sandford of Rob Rosa Station for his dry
swede crop, which judges said was exceptional given the challenging environment in the Cardrona Valley where the farm is located. The Rotary Club of Wānaka is the organiser of the Upper Clutha Winter Cropping Competition which is supported by the Tarras School community. Crop Winners - Kale irrigated Hayden Dickey, Kale non-irrigated Randal Aspinall, Swedes irrigated Robbie Gibson, Swedes non-irrigated Rex Sandford, Fodder Beet irrigated Hayden Dickey, Rape Simon Maling, Turnips Jake Ruddenklau, Special Award Maddy Calder.
Crimeline
Take care in that snow Here is a look at what the local guys and girls in blue have been up to this week. We are all excited by the amazing fall of snow we have just received however this has caused some disruption on the roads and leaving the Crown Range temporarily closed. We have spent time this week dealing with those who chose to ignore the warning signs about these closures and who have been disrespectful to staff on the roads. The grit truck can’t be everywhere at once, so be patient and give yourself extra time to get where you are going. Please be mindful of bridge decks and shaded areas and remember road conditions can change at any time. If your dashboard air temperature says it’s five degrees, its usually five degrees cooler on the road surface. In the last few days, we turned around multiple drivers trying to go over the Crown Range when it was closed and assisted some who needed help putting on chains when they were stuck. We highly recommend you check the local council road reports and plan your journey based on this information. Stemming from this we also recommend that those who are choosing to go into the mountains check the local weather conditions and DOC reports and ensure they leave clear instructions of their intentions. This is highlighted by a recent incident overnight in which Search and Rescue and police had to uplift two trampers from THURSDAY 16.06.22 - WEDNESDAY 22.06.22
Raspberry hut. This incident took volunteers away from their jobs and it cost a lot of money to resolve something that could have been avoided. The Avalanche danger will remain extreme for some time, so have a second or even third thought before adventuring out with the ski touring gear. Just be patient and wait for conditions to settle, this snow isn’t going anywhere fast. Police have been kept busy this week with some assaults around town and several arrests have been made as a result, leaving those involved having to explain themselves to the judge. We have seen an increase in theft reports from local bars and restaurants recently. It’s time to remember to keep your jackets, phones, wallets, and bags close by when you go out for the evening. Not everyone is trustworthy, and some are happy to help themselves to your personal property. The station is still regularly getting reports of scammers targeting local residents. We recommend you be wary when purchasing items on social media sights. Many people are paying for goods - only to find that the person they were communicating with does not exist and the item they were purchasing was never available for sale. Have a great week, stay safe and keep warm. – By Chris Brooks Senior Sergeant Area Response Manager, Wānaka
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
Big distillery planned Concern at quake impact
Brothers in law Mark Neal and Daniel Mclaughlin (right) pictured at the Scapegrace Distilling Company site.
Distilling company Scapegrace has announced plans for the country's biggest distillery. The $25 million the development will eventually produce the entirety of its selection of gin and vodka and a new single malt whisky. It is expected to open in November next year. The company is based on a 36ha block overlooking Lake Dunstan and was founded a decade ago by Wānaka based brothers in law Daniel Mclaughlin and Mark Neal along with Richard Bourke. Their brand is now distributed to 35 countries
and among honours it has accumulated is the world’s best London dry gin at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London 2018. “The 45th parallel - half way point between equator and south pole - runs directly through our distillery site, giving us extremes in hot and cold temperatures – an optimum environment for aging whisky,” Mclaughlin said. He said the pristine water quality available is also ideal for distilling gin and vodka, pulling from glacial run-off from the Southern Alps.
Almost 60 percent of the company’s shareholders are based in Otago, as is company chairman Peter Kean. The Scapegrace Distillery has been designed by Nat Cheshire, Ascinda Stark and Emily Doll of Cheshire Architects and will be constructed by Central Otago company Breen Construction. Construction has already commenced on the first building which contains the new Scapegrace head office, bottling hall, warehouse and the first barrel room, due to be open in August 2022.
Otago regional councillors have been given an insight into the impact of a moderate earthquake at the top of Lake Whakatipu. New evidence from two reports suggests a moderate to major earthquake or flooding in Glenorchy could have severe impacts on people, town infrastructure and properties. Detailed assessments of liquefaction and flooding scenarios will help the community and local authorities develop a plan’ to work towards preparing for and mitigating the hazards. Geo-technical consultants Tonkin and Taylor found that underneath Glenorchy township there is a thick sequence of delta and alluvial sediments, and most sediments highly susceptible to liquefaction. Liquefaction and lateral spreading occur with strong ground-shaking in earthquakes, and was evident in the Christchurch earthquakes more than a decade ago. ORC, working with project partners including the Queenstown Lakes District Council, is leading a programme of work to develop a natural hazard adaptation strategy for Glenorchy and surrounds.
Smoke and the water Wood smoke is causing respiratory health issues in Otago, a seven-town study which included Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell and Arrowtown has shown. And burning wet wood is one of the problems. In 2019 Otago Regional Council spoke with Public Health South about research into links between wood burning and health risks because air quality monitoring showed domestic heating emissions were prevalent. Particulate matter (PM10) concentrations in the air the air were measured at a series of monitoring sites. PM10 are solid or liquid particles in the air, smaller than 10 micrometres, and although they include vehicle
and industry emissions, and natural sources such as dust and pollen, the main source in Otago is from home heating emissions. A study by Vanessa Hammond, Senior Public Health Analyst at Public Health South, was published last week in the New Zealand Medical Journal. The study looked at 812 general practitioner doctor visits in the months of May to August from 2014 to2018 and found for some groups, acute respiratory infection risk rose with increasing woodsmoke pollution. Dr Hammond also found areas with a higher density of wood burners had higher rates of GP visits for acute respiratory infections. Woodsmoke pollution can be reduced
when residents burn only dry wood and keep their fire hot and not smouldering. The study is the first of its kind and will enable ORC to improve the dialogue between science and monitoring, policy, and physical outcomes. “…it fills a data gap we have had in Otago for some time,” said ORC’s General Manager Policy and Science, Anita Dawe. “The research will also give us good, and importantly local, data as we begin work on our Air Plan review later this year.” ORC is running an annual campaign highlighting ways to ensure firewood is dry in time for winter, and the effects that burning wet wood and other items can have on the environment.
Wood burners are best when kept above smouldering temperatures.
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THE WĀNAKA SUN
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Penny’s Home Care Professional Trustworthy Friendly Reliable Personal care, Dementia care, 24 hour care, Palliative care, Medication assistance, Transport to appointments.
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THURSDAY 16.06.22 - WEDNESDAY 22.06.22
PAGE 9
Sun Classifieds
thewanakasun.co.nz
TRADES AND SERVICES PAINTING
SNOW-CHAIN
PAINTERS & PAINTERS & DECORATORS DECORATORS
For all your interior/exterior house For all your interior/exterior house painting requirements, call Ben PAINTERS & andpainting receive a FREE QUOTE. requirements, call Ben
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paint@btppainting.com 0204 0133 350 www.btppainting.com
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LOCALS SNOWCHAIN *SPECIAL* Purchase snow chains before 18 June 2022 and receive 4 FREE Washstation Jetwashes + FREE sizing, test fitting and on-wheel demonstration. Quick fit, ratchet tensioning chains
SKIPS
SUBWAY
Domestic and Commercial Skip Bins
SERVICE
THANKS
Wānaka 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 7.0 – 9.0 m Skip Bins 4.0 m3 Hard Fill Skips 4.0 m3 Rubbish Bin With Lid 3
The Army
household
O
goods,
would be appreciated.
STORAGE Clean, dry, safe storage available now. Ezystor Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.
NO PEN W
Store
if you can help this
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Offered though Te Wananga o Aotearoa Info sessions happening now
Certificate in Money Management
20 week programme, Tuesday evenings, Level 3 Learn more about money - money habits and attitudes, budgeting, debt management, simplifying the jargon, shares, investments, valuations, wills, power of attorney, property investment, etc. Great info for surviving in Wanaka.
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20 week programme, Wednesday evenings, Level 3 New or got a business idea and don’t know where to start? Enrol for the skills and confidence to turn your ideas into reality. Learn how to pitch your concept and market your business, undertake financial analysis, and plan to be your own boss. NZ/Australian/Islands residency or citizenship is required. For further information please contact local tutor: Mylrea Bell Tel 443 1738, Cell 027 443 9942 email: myl@xtra.co.nz www.twoa.ac.nz
street or phone for a pick up 443 5068.
Rachel 021 1029 130 www.stoberryfarm.co.nz
HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER Seeking a motivated, organised individual with the ability to lead and manage our Housekeeping Department. Must have Extremely high standard of cleanliness and attention to detail. Will be responsible for ensuring all guest rooms and public areas within our Town Centre 3 star Hotel are kept up to our high standards of both cleanliness and maintenance. Monday to Friday, 20-30 hours per week, there is some flexibility to this that can be discussed with individuals that apply.
To receive a Full Job Description please email your interest to jo@wanakahotel.co.nz
The Cleaners Wanaka currently have an opportunity for a motivated cleaner to join our team. We focus on holiday houses and commercial business sites around Wanaka. We operate 7 days a week and require someone available for weekends and public holidays. We are always looking for the highest standards of quality!
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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 Wānaka 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.
SITUATION VACANT
$50
Cnr Deering & McCormick Streets, Three Parks
PAGE 10
Family
requires good quality
Contact Johnny Ph: 0224 SKIP IT (754 748) • W: www.skipit.nz When you want to get rid of it - just skip it!
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We offer: A very good wage, great team work environment, Company car, full time and part time position available. Contact: info@thecleanerswanaka.co.nz, 02102753703
THURSDAY 16.06.22 - WEDNESDAY 22.06.22
SUN TEAM WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 1083 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:
Classified Advertising: Subscriptions:
4pm Friday prior to publication. marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz 03 443 5252 5pm Monday prior to publication. admin@thewanakasun.co.nz $175 within NZ (including GST) per year. Overseas rates on request. Remittances to PO Box 697, Wānaka, NZ.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Sun Classifieds
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SITUATION VACANT
PUBLIC NOTICE
N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i Alcohol Licensing Applications Current alcohol licensing applications can be found at www.qldc.govt.nz/services/alcohol-licensing. Applicant / Licensee
Trading Name & Address
Nature of Business
Last Date for Public Objection
Smile Box Limited
Smile Box 1 Little Maude Drive, Wānaka
Remote/ Online sales
01/07/2022
NZ Hotel Central Lakes Management LP
Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa 8 Duke Street, Queenstown
Hotel
30/06/2022
Goji Limited
Bespoke Kitchen 9 Isle Street, Queenstown
Restaurant
29/06/2022
Wanaka Bowling Club Incorporated
Wanaka Bowling Club 130 Tenby Street, Wānaka
Club
29/06/2022
Cinema Paradiso Limited
Cinema Paradiso 70-78 Brownston Street, Wānaka
Cinema and cafe
28/06/2022
Teddy Technologies Limited
Teddy 8 Industrial Place, Queenstown
Grocery Store
27/06/2022
The Glenorchy Marketplace
Camp Glenorchy 34-42 Oban Street, Glenorchy
Hotel
27/06/2022
Kiky & Kaidi Limited
Gusto 1 Lakeside Road, Wānaka
Restaurant
27/06/2022
Amisfield Limited Partnership
Soho Basin Mount Cardrona, Cardrona Valley Road, Cardrona
Other Premises
27/06/2022
Sherwood Management Limited
Sherwood 554 Frankton Road, Queenstown
Hotel
27/06/2022
Upadhyay's Limited
Mantra Restaurant 12 The Royal Oak, 50 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown
Restaurant
27/06/2022
Trilogy Hospitality Group Limited
TBA Tenancy 4, 40-44 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown
Tavern
23/06/2022
Queenstown Tennis Club Incorporated
Queenstown Tennis Club Queenstown Gardens, Park Street, Queenstown
Club
21/05/2022
GGYY Limited
Vudu Cafe and Larder 16 Rees Street, Queenstown
Cafe and Restaurant
20/05/2022
If you have a query about an application, a public notice, or the notification process, you can find more information here: www.qldc.govt.nz/services/alcohol-licensing. Or, alternatively, please call 03 441 0499 or email services@qldc.govt.nz. This notice is dated: 9 June 2022
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. 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.
CAN YOU GET IT WRITE? 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.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Notice of Decisions on QLDC Operative and Proposed District Plans – Accessible Parking Amendments 16 June 2022 Public notice is hereby given on 16 June 2022 pursuant to clause 10 and 11 of Schedule 1 of the Resource Management Act 1991 that Queenstown Lakes District Council (Council) made decisions on the submissions received for the Accessible Parking Amendments at its meeting on 2 June 2022. The effect of the decisions is to adopt the recommendations of an Independent Hearings Commissioner to confirm amended provisions for the following chapters: Proposed District Plan Chapter 29 Transport Operative District Plan Section 14 Transport The Operative and Proposed District Plans are amended in accordance with the Council’s decisions from the date of this public notice. The decision reports and decisions versions of the chapters together with the reasons for the decisions are available for inspection for free at the following locations: • QLDC website: www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/district-plan/proposed-district-plan/decisions-of-council. • Online access to the decisions is available at QLDC Libraries and offices without charge. A person who made a submission on the Accessible Parking Amendments may appeal this decision to the Environment Court within 30 working days of the service of the notice of the decisions (by 29 July 2022). For further information on making an appeal see the Environment Court website. For further information on the district plan review please contact Queenstown Lakes District Council on 03 441 0499 or email PDPenquiries@qldc.govt.nz. Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz
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PAGE 11
Sun Sport
thewanakasun.co.nz
Lambs taken under Heartbreak
The Kaikorai Undertakers showed why they are well poised to defend their Otago colts rugby title when they beat Upper Clutha Rams 31-7 in Dunedin last weekend. It was the first top six outing for the Wānaka side, which sits third in the Under-21 competition. Conditions in Dunedin became so testing, with the teams battling heavy rain, sleet and cold southerly winds, that time was called at Bishopfield 10 minutes early. All the points came in the first half. Campbell Harris scored Upper Clutha’s try, capitalising on an intercept and dotting down under the posts and Reilly Arnesen converted. The Wānaka side will be back in Dunedin next week playing Dunedin RFC Tigers at Kettle Park.
for college
Mount Aspiring College came agonisingly close the breaking a Dunstan hoodoo before their first XV rugby clash ended in a home defeat on Saturday. Dunstan College, who have maintained an unbeaten record against MAC since 2018, sealed an 18-15 win with a dropped goal at the death – just after Wānaka had missed the opportunity to take the lead with a conversion. It was heartbreak at the end of a match played in testing conditions - Dunstan has developed something of a habit of getting the better of close clashes between the schools. It also means MAC will probably remain in Division 2, unless Dunstan trips up next week against OBHS 2nds. Coach Craig Read said his side started well but went off the boil in parts. “We just didn’t protect our ball enough when we had it and losing our two centres in the second half didn’t help. The team tackled their hearts out but were done by a good Dunstan team.” Earlier, MAC led 10-0 following a try to the consistent Jacob Field and a conversion and penalty to Ben Simmers. Dunstan had the better of the latter stages of the half to close the gap to 10-8 and continued their dominance in the second spell, being rewarded with a converted try. Dunstan remained on top, controlling the ball well as the game went into the last five minutes, but MAC gained possession from a rare error and kept it. Otis Harry who powered his way over the line, levelling the scores with the kick to come. The conversion missed and with only a minute left Dunstan pressured the breakdown and got hold of the ball. With a penalty advantage in hand they were able kicked a drop goal to win the game.
Fletcher Craig, left, contests lineout possession during Saturday’s clash in Dunedin.
Squash juniors shine Wānaka Squash Club juniors competed in the fourth junior Head tournament in Alexandra last weekend and Thomas Jurczyluk, in his first competition, won the D division. Wānaka boys dominated the B division with Rui Fukaya beating Ethan Prince in the final and Cody Armstrong
finishing third. In the A division Oisin Corbett was second and Kyan Prince fifth. Harriet Sargood-Ross was fourth in the C division. The Wānaka Juniors head to Cromwell on July 31 where a new intake of juniors will be competing and will, hopefully, follow in Thomas’ footsteps.
Players pictured from left - Ethan Prince, Cody Armstrong, Rui Fukaya, Kyan Prince, Oisin Corbett and Thomas Jurczyluk.
Wanaka June 24 to 29 Online June 24 to July 24
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! PROGRAMMES ONLINE AND AT PAPER PLUS SPEAKERS: Mark Sedon, Alastair McDowell, Paul Pritchard, Tanya Bottomley and more...
Cover photo by Gavin Lang Photography The NZ Mountain Film Festival is non-profit and a registered NZ charity (#CC49344)
The Great Alpine Highway
JÖTUNN
The Process
Innsbruck
Not Alone
On the Edge
Between Walls
House of the Gods
Brooks Dream
A White Dream
PAGE 12
THURSDAY 16.06.22 - WEDNESDAY 22.06.22
THE WĀNAKA SUN