Wanaka Sun I Edition 1059 I 30th December 2021 - 5th January 2022

Piggy back, bird style

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EDITION 1059

Olympic dream in the balance

Campbell Wright has just over two weeks to seal a Winter Olympics berth.

is sport of choice has a low profile in New Zealand. He runs on the smell of a proverbial oily rag – and the Americans are eyeing him for a place in their future Winter Olympics squads.

But Wānaka’s Campbell Wright is striving to convince the New Zealand Olympic Committee

by January 15 that he should be in their team for Beijing in the biathlon.

Biathlon involves cross-country skiing and rifle shooting and is a national sport in Norway, which produced the sport’s “King of Biathlon”, Ole Einar Bjorndalen who won 13 Winter Olympic Games medals between 1998 and 2014 Campbell, 19, is regarded in some quarters as the most promising biathlete to emerge since Bjorndalen.

His reputation has been enhanced by the fact

H

he competes on the European biathlon circuit with just family funding, ski sponsorship from Rossignol and coaching support from Italian coach Luca Bormolini against athletes with corporate sponsorship and national backing.

Bormolini says the other teams are kind to the lone Kiwi - offering rides to events and assistance with his ski waxing.

Campbell, only the second teenager behind Bjorndalen to win Biathlon World Cup points, is based in Livigno, Italy with Bormolini, who has coached him for five years.

In recent 10 days Campbell has competed in World Cup events in Austria and France where he was aiming to prove to the NZOC that he has the form to achieve a top 16 finish at the Olympics.

Biathlon is an almost unknown in New

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Zealand, which has about 10 registered biathletes who mainly train and compete at Snow Farm next to Cardrona skifield. Campbell trains on Wānaka roads on roller skis in the off-season.

“Campbell is already putting New Zealand on the world map with his performances so far,” says his father, Scott. “It’s hard to overestimate how big a deal biathlon is in Europe and the international spotlight that will be shone on New Zealand if Campbell is able to compete at Beijing and future Olympic Games.”

He says a medal at Beijing is unlikely, but not out of the question.

Scott Wright said his son wants to compete for the country of his birth, but the United States has seen his potential. Campbell’s parents Scott and Alison are both New Zealand and US citizens, so Campbell is eligible to represent both countries.

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Council: lakes are covered Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) says it has appropriate cover in the wake of Wānaka harbourmaster and training officer Jeff Donaldson quitting.

Donaldson announced he was leaving a week before the holiday boating season begins, saying he could not safely perform his functions.

He told the Otago Daily Times he was employed by Cougar Security to be an authorised Maritime New Zealand trainer on jet ski and boating behaviour, but his new contract was "not working".

Cougar Security has the contract to provide water safety services on Lakes Wānaka, Hāwea and Queenstown.

Queenstown Lakes District Councill spokesperson Sam White said during the peak summer period there would be a suitably qualified and warranted Harbourmaster residing in Wānaka, in addition to other waterways officers covering the Upper Clutha.

“This person will ensure expected levels of service are met and be available to talk though matters of concern with members of the public onsite,” he said.

In addition to the Harbourmaster, contracted staff will be operating in the Upper Clutha, including • Warranted Enforcement Officer at main Wānaka beach / Roys Bay area • Warranted Enforcement Officer on patrol in Mata-Au Clutha River mouth and surrounding area • Patrol in Glendhu Bay (main ski area) including marquee and Enforcement Officer / Ambassador on demand • Boat ramp staff to focus on education (such as handing out and talking through new season brochures) and encourage a high level of self-compliance.

“These staff are in direct communication with waterways officers and the Harbourmaster and will be based at Glendhu Bay (Rotary Park - Council ramp), Hāwea main ramp, Eely Point and Roys Bay (Wānaka marina),” White said.

1 202 Ho m e B u il d e r s

Sun News

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CAMERA CLUB ‘IN FOCUS’

A hoar frost in the The Cardrona Valley.

Wānaka Camera Club’s Bob Moore pens a regular column in The Wānaka Sun giving budding photographers tips on how to get great shots.

We asked the club to put together a series of top pictures taken by club members – and first up is this set of pictures, the work of committee member Jacqui Scott.

The club meets regularly at the St John Room, Link Way, and welcomes anyone who wishes to join, regardless of photographic ability. For more details go to www.wanakacameraclub.co.nz

The macro lens shows up the texture in this fungi.

The korimako – New Zealand’s bellbird.

PAGE 2

A camellia, shot with a macro lens.

A winter rose.

Koropuku stream on the west coast.

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New staff A new deputy principal has been appointed to the senior leadership team at Mount Aspiring College.

Gillian McCaskey is an Assistant Principal at Kristin School in Auckland, and has worked previously at Saint Kentigern College in Auckland as well as in international schools in Thailand and Kenya.

She has degrees from the University of Leicester and the University of Leeds, and is well known as a leader in geography education.

Gillian will begin work at MAC at the start of the new school year.

The big Mac

The first new building of the $35 million redevelopment of the Plantation Road campus will be available from Term Two.

In celebrating the end of the 2021 school year, Mount Aspiring College provides this food for thought – and a sign of what to look forward to.

Here’s a good pub quiz question for the New Year: “which is the largest high school in Otago?”

Many people are surprised that the correct answer is Mount Aspiring College in Wānaka.

With the rapid growth in population in the

Upper Clutha basin in recent years, the college’s roll in 2022 will reach 1300 students. And, based on the roll numbers in primary schools, there is no sign that growth in student numbers is slowing.

PHOTO: Naylor Love

The year ahead will be a notable one for the college. After many years of planning and construction, the college will shift into the first part of the $35 million redevelopment of the Plantation Road campus. The first new building will be available from Term Two and will provide new teaching spaces for year seven and eight students as well as state-of-the-art music, dance, and drama facilities, including a purpose-built dance studio and a “black box” theatre.

Construction will continue throughout next year and by year’s end more teaching spaces will be completed, as well as a new library, a wellness centre, a whare, and facilities for staff and the college’s administration.

When landscaping is completed, the college will be transformed with new entrances from Plantation Road and with new facilities that will be as good as any in the country. Athfield Architects have designed the new buildings and Naylor Love Construction is the main contractor.

Planning continues for additional facilities to accommodate a planned roll growth of 1800 students.

The Ministry of Education is negotiating with Queenstown Lakes District Council to acquire the old community swimming pool site for the use of the college. If agreement is reached between the parties, this land would be used for the construction of new gymnasium and recreation facilities.

Many of the college’s existing buildings will be refurbished and upgraded as part of the total redevelopment project. By 2024 most of the current temporary classrooms will have been removed and the college will finally have facilities that provide a quality learning environment for students.

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Sun Views

Bleak outlook on the buses As many as eight in 10 tour and coach operators will close by October, the Bus and Coach Association says.

It says the sector was carrying more than two million passengers a year before Covid-enforced border restrictions, and a third of the operators had already gone.

And it is critical of the level of support provided by the Government “The businesses that have closed so far have been a trickle. It is nothing compared with what we are seeing on the horizon. Tour and charter operators are in serious trouble,” Ramash Swamy of Yello Cabs in Wānaka said.

Yello is a family run business specialising in transport in the Wānaka, Queenstown and surrounding areas in Central Otago.

Bus and Coach Association chief executive Ben McFadgen said handling of the industry by the government had damaged New Zealand’s international reputation.

“It is also a massive kick in the teeth for New Zealand small businesses that have been fundamental to the development of New

Zealand’s transport and tourism infrastructure.

They contributed significantly to our economy for years when the going was good, only to be hung out to dry at the first sign of trouble.”

The Association said income was less Ramash Swamy than 10% of income received pre-Covid and there had been “no support, no direct engagement and no interest from the tourism minister in their plight” In a statement released before Christmas the Association said the government had recently provided clarity on border openings, and while there were hopes the challenges businesses had experienced over the last 18 months would disappear, “for some they will, but not for all” “In fact, the challenges facing tour and coach bus operators will just get worse. The industry expects that by October 2022, 70-80% of tour and coach operators will fold.

“The institutional knowledge lost with those leaving the industry is immeasurable.”

It said the rental vehicle sector was struggling too and had very little support.

The Association has called on the Government to provide core financial support, and if it won’t do that, it says it should open the borders – or help the sector with a loan scheme.

NEWS IN BRIEF Summer fun Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is inviting locals and visitors to come together and enjoy Summerdaze, a programme of events aimed at connecting communities, celebrating neighbourhoods and enjoying the outdoors. Community Partnerships Manager Marie Day said Summerdaze will run between December and April providing opportunities for people to spend time exploring more of what the district has to offer.

Celebration off Central Otago District Council and the combined Otago rūnaka have made the joint decision to cancel Waitangi Day celebrations planned for Alexandra. ODC Chief Executive Sanchia Jacobs said it was the right call given the Covid pandemic and the risks of organising a large-scale event.

Golf on Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult has welcomed news that the New Zealand golf Open will go ahead as scheduled. The 102nd edition will take place at Millbrook Resort near

Arrowtown from March 31 to April 3.

Hospital changes Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown has announced a series of changes. Access to the Emergency Department will be from the back entrance (ambulance entrance) on Lucas Place. The entrance to the maternity ward will be around the side of the maternity unit at the front of the hospital and patients visiting the hospital for other appointments including Outpatients clinics, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and X-Ray/ CT or visitors should continue to use the front door.

Funds welcome Central Otago District Council has welcomed news from Creative New Zealand of additional government ‘top-up’ funding to support the arts sector through the Delta outbreak. Of the $1 million allocated to the Creative Communities Scheme to be distributed to territorial authorities on a per capita basis Central Otago has received an extra $7000 on top of its existing annual allocation.

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MUM

Our Kiwi Christmas Last week I realised that Christmas shopping with a toddler isn't so fun. Firstly, our stroller didn’t fit in most gift shops which meant that I had to get Tobias out every single time. Once he was out, there was only one place he wanted to go - "down”.

Browsing for a gift and taking all the time in the world is a thing of the past. Instead, my Christmas shopping trip involved rushing into a shop, having a quick glance, wrestling with Tobias, forgetting what I was looking for, and heading straight back out.

But despite an unsuccessful shopping trip, Christmas itself was pretty special. I put the stress of finding gifts behind me and focussed on having some fun with Tobias.

Last year, he was just four months old. All he really cared about was milk and sleep but this year was totally different.

We started the day with some presents and phone calls to family. Of course, Tobias was far more interested in the boxes and the wrapping paper than his actual presents.

We then baked some mince pies together which involved a fair bit of mess. In the hope of avoiding too much stimulation, we went out for a walk around the lake to get some air and reset.

On our return, we all decided to have a nap.

I mean when do we ever get to have a midday nap? Although I felt guilty for going to sleep on Christmas Day, it was just what we needed.

A Christmas Day dip in the lake.

Since the weather was so nice, we spent the afternoon in the garden splashing about in the paddling pool and indulging in delicious kai.

While our Kiwi Christmas with Tobias was a special one, I couldn't help but think about our family in the UK. Like many others, we haven’t seen them for three years and Tobias is yet to meet them.

While our Christmas Day was one we will always remember, Facebook reminded me of the distance between us.

As they woke up to begin their Christmas morning, ours was almost over. Seeing pictures of them altogether at the dinner table even made me feel a little jealous - even if their weather wasn’t as good as ours.

Hopefully we will all be scoffing down mince pies and mulled wine sometime soon. But for now we’ll embrace the festive season Kiwi style as a family of three.

– By Daisy Watford

GREBE DIARY 9 December 26, 2021

The last week or so with one or two exceptions gave a whole new meaning to “Wind in the Willows”, in short, it is very difficult to check nests properly in strong winds. Checking in the wind requires one to hold onto the nesting platform, at the same time urging the bird to let us see its latest efforts and all the time trying to take notes. What we did record as of December 25 was 15 nests with a total of 56 eggs and two nests with five chicks between them.

We have also collected 43 eggs that have failed to hatch, which is more than I would like. Eleven of those came from three of the five nests that were made on the shoreline in September. We were able to move two of those nests, both of which have now fledged chicks. The wind notwithstanding, I think we are in for a record year.

For those that visit the nesting site regularly you will have noted that we have made some small changes to nest 11. It was designed and made by Roger North and works very well, so well that birds have attempted to nest on the back of the platform as well as the front. The first attempt failed with both eggs rolling out of the nest. From the first attempt and from a behavioural point of view it seemed an improbable scenario, but much to my surprise the same or another pair of birds repeated the effort. After laying two eggs we felt that we would try and extend the platform to provide more room for a larger and safer nest. I called on two of my favourite stalwarts from the Sandford family, Jack 15 and Matthew 12. Matt had a bucket on his kayak into which we placed the nest. The two eggs were put in an ice cream container suitably cushioned. Jack held the platform while I screwed the new extension onto the original one. We reversed that procedure when Jack fixed the platform on his side. We were less than five metres away from the birds when both birds jumped back onto their nests,

THURSDAY 30.12.21 - WEDNESDAY 05.01.22

Piggyback time… one of the summer arrivals hitches a ride.

set about rearranging them and settled down to incubate. The rather special find for the day was the pair of safety glasses we found ravelled up in the nest. I thought they had fallen back into the water, not so.

One of the special pleasures of walking the boardwalk to record observations are the very kind and generous comments by folk sharing the experience with us. Sadly, it appears that that is not always the case with some folk. Nest 1 is positioned close to the marina bridge such that people can achieve a fairly close view of the birds.

A pair of birds have already fledged three chicks from the nest, and no sooner had they moved out, than a new pair took up residence. They too seemed pretty unfussed by all the attention. They laid two eggs, and then things changed. The nest was abandoned with the birds keeping guard from a distance of about 4-5 metres and behaving in an agitated manner. A closer look at the nest revealed a number of stones, a particularly large one was clearly beyond the abilities of the grebes!

A big thank-you to Lacey, Charlotte, Michael S, George W, and Lily of the Holy family School for your wonderful Christmas cards. Very special and much cherished.

– By John Darby

THE WĀNAKA SUN

In 2022, parents and caregivers will be able to get their 5 to 11-year-olds immunised against COVID-19 Some tamariki get very ill from catching COVID-19 and immunisation is one of the best ways to protect them.

Safety of the COVID-19 vaccine

Immunisation is an important way we keep tamariki safe, like being sun smart or wearing a seatbelt.

The child (paediatric) Pfizer vaccine has gone through the same rigorous approval process as other routine childhood immunisations. No clinical trials were skipped and no corners were cut in the testing of its safety.

It protects your tamariki from many serious diseases and stops disease spreading within your whānau and the community. In Aotearoa, tamariki get free vaccinations against 12 diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), measles and polio.

The Pfizer vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds has been through clinical trials with children in this age group. In general, the side effects that were reported were mild, didn’t last long, and were similar to side effects from other routine immunisations.

Take time this summer to get the information and advice you need to make the best decision for your tamariki. Find out more at: Unite Against COVID-19 – Covid19.govt.nz/tamariki Or call the COVID Vaccination Ministry of Health – Health.govt.nz/CovidVaccineKids Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 Te Puni Kōkiri – Karawhiua.nz Ministry for Pacific Peoples – mpp.govt.nz

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Three Waters: more talk please Queenstown Lakes District Council has called on Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta to go back to a consultation stage over its three waters plans.

In an open letter to the Minister, the council urges her to “demonstrate leadership and transparency in the delivery of this reform programme and re-establish a full programme of meaningful engagement with New Zealanders before taking any further steps”.

The Government is pushing ahead with plans to establish four publicly owned entities to manage drinking water, wastewater and storm water “The case for change is too compelling to ignore,’’ Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta said in October.

But councils up and down the country are unhappy at surrendering the systems paid for by their ratepayers.

Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogen sits on a panel of civic leaders looking at the Government proposal but is opposed to the plans as they stand.

His council has also sent a letter to the Minister outlining concerns.

“This Council is in no way questioning the need for safe drinking water, to protect our precious environment and ensure effective Māori partnership as expressed through these proposed reforms,” Mayor Jim Boult said.

“Our own commitment can be seen in the significant investment the Council is making

Jim Boult

Nanaia Mahuta

in its 2021-2031 Ten Year Plan with more than $750M allocated to water supply, wastewater and storm water.”

Jim Boult said he and his elected members felt “compelled” to express their significant disappointment and to uphold their collective commitment to oppose a government mandate strongly and actively. “…public and stakeholder consultation needs to remain at the heart of such important decisions. These reforms have the potential to affect generations to come and should be underpinned by meaningful and genuinely open engagement,” he said.

The Council believes the programme for reform should be re-designed to tackle three waters, resource management and the Future for Local Government review.

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Alan Dippie, the new store’s landlord, checks out a “before” picture of the Ardmore St site.

Count down complete: store open Countdown opened its new Wānaka Metro store just ahead of Christmas.

The Ardmore St store is on the site of a former BP service station and is the first Countdown Metro in the South Island.

The store branded by the company as “tiny but mighty” is Countdown’s smallest store at only 140 square metres.

A drive-thru pick-up option for online shopping will be available in early 2022 and online delivery vans will be running from the store.

Matt Grainger, Countdown’s Director of Property, says that over the last couple of years Wānaka customers have been seeking more local grocery options – underlined by the fact that almost 500 online orders were their way over

from Queenstown each week.

“We’ve been serving a growing number of customers in the Wānaka community and it’s this growing demand that has driven our decision to bring not only more dedicated online shopping delivery and pick-up options to the area, but a small-sized, highly curated supermarket offering too.

“We’re also very happy to have welcomed a number of new team members from the local community into our Wānaka team.”

Queenstown Lakes District deputy mayor Calum MacLeod opened Countdown Wānaka Metro.

“It’s exciting to have more and more businesses like Countdown joining the Wānaka community and becoming a part of the local landscape,” he said.

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PAGE 7

Sun News

The year that was...

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Sold out and safe.

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THUR 07.01.21 - WED 13.01.21

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EDITION 1008

Benjamin Wilson looks back on an eventful year as viewed through the Wānaka Sun lens – today he reviews January to June. Watch out for July to December next week.

JANUARY Wānaka welcomed 2021 with a bustling optimism. The New Year preparation of bar owners delighted police; their efforts reduced disorder problems to a fraction of what it had been in prior years. The sister festival of Rhythm and Vines, Rhythm and Alps, sold out and finished safely. Despite ongoing rain, the Lakeview Holiday Park was “pleasantly happy” with the number of campers who had chosen to stay. And Wānaka property sale values doubled, from $227 million to $402 million in the last five months of 2019/2020.

January saw the charitable nature of Wānaka shine. Meg McLaughlan raised more than $6000 for the Cancer Society with her New Year’s Day swim. The Rotary Club’s book sale raised $8000, to assist parents and caregivers who needed to purchase Mount Aspiring College school uniforms and $17,000 was raised for

resident Jhufel Mangubat, who faced a $150,000 hospital bill for open brain surgery. Finally, the Wānaka Catchment Group received a $1 million government grant to assist in the ongoing protection of Lake Wānaka’s water quality.

Sporting-wise, the spectator turnout for Wānaka’s 58th Annual Rodeo was half of its usual. Wyndham Harness Racing Club President Russell Ferguson said support for Cromwell’s horse racing event was outstanding, generating a $124,000 turnover on the day and $1.6 million through TAB. A total of 140 cyclists turned out for the 96km Cromwell Summer series, with Mitchel Fitzsimons finishing first in the male under 20 category and Rhylee Akeroyd of Invercargill first female home.

Local talents also captured praiseworthy results; Queenstown-based alpine skier, Alice Robinson, placed ninth at the FIS World Cup

Giant Slalom, her first top 10 result. And Wānaka’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott won silver at the LAAZ Open FIS slopestyle World Cup in Switzerland.

Wānaka artist Sophie Melville was the runner up for annual Craigs Investment Partners Aspiring Art Prize, winning a cash prize of $2000.

The New Year also brought new beginnings along with it. Twenty artists held a combined exhibition at the Hāwea Community Centre and there was talk about the exhibition becoming an annual event. Nicola Jacobsen prepared for her first term as MAC’s new Principal. Graeme Perkins, the former Chair of the Luggate Community Association, stood down from his role and Dave Hawkins became the new chair. The new 40km Wānaka Town speed limit received “grumbles” from residents. And on a sombre note, both the Mint Bar and Base Backpackers closed their doors one last time.

PHOTO: Ingmar Wein

The sold-out Rhythm & Alps (R&A) music festival hosted 10,000 concert goers on each of the three days between December 29 and 31, and 6000 campers in total with sunny and hot conditions. In a year when the virus Covid-19 made it touch and go for big-crowd events anywhere in the world, organisers said R&A, which has run since 2013 in Wānaka, was a resounding success, and has already started selling tickets to next year’s event in the Cardrona Valley. To find out more, go to page 10-11.

Wānaka Police delighted with New Year effort from bar owners three months leading up to New Year on things like how to improve dealing with intoxicated people and providing staffing on doors.

“Together we did a huge amount of prevention work and it has paid off.

“So we are really appreciative of how they’ve bar owners resulted in a fraction of the disorder problems experienced in other years responded to the prevention meetings. Major bars in town this year were largely problemover New Year 2020.

Prevention Sergeant Darren Cranfield said free. To have big numbers of people coming Police have worked really hard with them in the through the town and to have minimal issues, I

Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

ānaka Police are delighted that good

W preparation and buy-in from the town’s

take my hat off to the bars and their managers.

That’s remarkable.”

Water Bar owner Toby May said his bar was thrilled with the results of their preparation in managing numbers through the door, keeping numbers even below allowable limits, and training for security staff on the door. The training included how to manage intoxification, and recognise problems proactively before they started.

His bar, one of several the Police mentioned as examples, experienced 3-4 very good consecutive nights over the New Year period.

“We were completely thrilled. We had high numbers of patrons through the door, good trade and a good experience, and a good experience for our staff as well,” he said.

“The situation felt more in control and more normal.”

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Cromwell races.

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Basecamp Building sells.

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EDITION 1009

PHOTO: Corben Turner

Every cloud has a silver lining: the Upper Clutha Youth Workforce has been put to task in the cherry orchards, despite the difficulties caused by early January’s rainfall.

Read the full story on page 3.

FEBRUARY

Crown Range crashes concern Police Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

February challenged January’s optimism with a series of environmental and economic concerns.

Stormwater drain pollution caused the death of hundreds of native fish in a creek near the Wānaka showgrounds. Two Fiordland Crested Penguins died after being attacked by dogs, and the Department of Conservation urged pet owners to keep their animals under control and out of prohibited areas. A survey revealed residents of the Queenstown Lakes District felt an “overwhelming sense of job insecurity.”

This contrasted outlook was compounded by a treasury report which predicted southern tourism might not start to economically recover from the pandemic until 2025.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor, Jim Boult, said he was “gutted” by the lack of special assistance seen from the government.

The Wānaka Stakeholders Group (WSG) sent a letter to the Prime Minister, calling the government to answer questions about the airports proposed for Wānaka and Tarras. Despite the airports being an ongoing environmental concern of locals, WSG Chair, Michael Ross,

said QLDC had “no interest in genuine community consultation.”

Countering the gloom, inspirational messages mysteriously started to appear around Wānaka.

The messages were spread by the anonymous owners of the Instagram account “Wānaka pay it forward.” One such message read; “You never know who needs the kindness you have to offer.”

Positive developments were also present throughout the month. Stage three of the Wānaka Lakefront Development began. Work on the North Wānaka water upgrade started.

Luggate received a new water bore, with hopes of it relieving summer water restrictions. The work repairing Albert Town’s December 2019 flood damage was completed. A working bee left Wānaka’s Community spring sparkling.

New Zealand had its biggest tenancy reform in 35 years, making it harder for landlords to evict tenants.

In sport, 800 athletes attended the Integrity Homes Challenge Triathlon. Hannah Wells and Kyle Smith won the women’s and men’s events.

The Wānaka Park Run turned three, with 133

runs, averaging 49 runners a week and 2300 finishers in total. Ex-MAC student and crosscountry skier Campbell Wright was offered a wild card invite to two biathlon world cup events later this year.

The Wānaka Rowing Club brought home two golds, one silver and two bronzes at the NZ National Rowing Championships in Twizel.

Skier Nico Porteous broke a bone in his foot, taking him out of action for a month. Zoi Sadowski-Synnott continues her winning streak at the X games in Colorado. She won silver in the snowboard slopestyle and bronze in the Big Air event. Queenstown’s Willis Feasey finished 28th in the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships Super G and Wānaka’s Piera Hudson placed 12th in the Parallel Giant Slalom, their best results at a world championship level.

For a quirky finish, Cat Rescue Wānaka explained what to do when finding a missing cat.

And, with the goal of raising $5000 for KidsCan, the dad-daughter-duo of Jarrod and Maddi Frazer (Team Lake Wānaka), made plans to drive the length of the country in a classic Mini in March.

New Zealand has been slammed as the ninth deadliest nation in the world to drive in, according to a new survey

by London financial website Nerdwallet. With a higher than usual number of vehicle mishaps on the Crown Range alpine pass these holidays so far, continuing a distinct trend, the embarrassing assessment has a ring of truth to it.

Latest Police statistics revealed that between December 31 2020 and January 6 last week, there seemed to be a higher than usual number of vehicle accidents on the Crown Range and Cardrona Valley Roads. Police recorded seven crashes in this period alone, three of which occurred on January 2 alone.

Police Manager of Mobility and Safety Helen White said the primary trend for this “higherthan-usual record” was for single vehicle accidents related to driving too fast for the conditions.

N

There was a significant amount of rainfall over that period which made the road significantly more difficult. Two crashes were likely caused by alcohol consumption and fatigue respectively.

“The worst area appears to be in the stretches immediately before and after the summit, where the road is narrow and windy. Again, the contributing factors were primarily speed in these areas in poor conditions.”

Drivers made four driving complaints over this period, reporting incidents of unsafe overtaking and vehicles crossing the centreline in this stretch of road.

Police advice to drivers was to remember to drive to the conditions and adjust speed and following distances when conditions dictate.

“These vehicle crashes were all avoidable with more care and attention by road users,” White said.

Queenstown Lakes Deputy Mayor and Wānaka Councillor Calum MacLeod said proposed changes to the Crown Range Rd speed limit, to make the road 60 km/hr (the limit is currently 100 km/hr,

March was vibrant for Wānaka. A record breaking 45,000 people attended the A&P show. The planned construction of a 100-unit retirement village in Northlake was estimated to generate 700 jobs. The Royal New Zealand Air Force was deployed to Wānaka for its annual C-130 Hercules training. Warbirds over Wānaka was given the go ahead for Easter 2022, celebrating the 85th anniversary of the RNZAF. QLDC opened applications for two environmental funds supporting waste minimisation. $50,000 was allocated for a community-based project and $10,000 for a commercial one. Following the trend, the Ripe Festival had 2000 people attend its eco-friendly inauguration. It showcased 37 local food and wine vendors and was entirely single-use waste free, a feat that was achieved with help from Wanakup, Dishrupt and Wānaka Wastebusters.

Growth continued with the upgrades to the Aubrey Road cycle path ($1.3 million) due to finish in late May. Cromwell planted its first public edible garden in Central Mall. The Tarras Community Church Charitable Trust was

PAGE 8

pleased to announce that upgrades to the Tarras Church were nearly complete.

The Wānaka Bowling Club received a $30,000 grant from the Otago Community Trust, to go towards replacing its artificial green. The Wānaka Yami Sounz Summit received $22,000 in funding from the Central Lakes Trust (CLT), giving the music summit a green light for May. CLT also granted over $400,000 to 16 charitable organisations, including the Cromwell Lions Club, who upgraded their community van. The 18th Hirepool Charity Classic also took place at the Wānaka Golf Club, generating $23,000 for Kahu Youth and Junior Golf Development.

Local vineyards experienced great harvests but struggled to find pickers, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Complaints made by residents caused QLDC to investigate dust concerns in Northlake. Otago Regional Council (ORC) discovered arsenic and elevated levels of E. coli in Upper Clutha’s groundwater. ORC’s investigation of last month’s Stormwater pollution concluded the cause was most likely an ammonia-based cleaning product that was flushed down a drain.

Following the Wānaka Shareholders Group’s letter to the government last month, Wānaka Councillor Calum Macleod stated, “there is ample airport capacity in the South Island.”

Councillors Niamh Shaw and Quentin Smith shared this view in their own statements.

In sport, the Motatapu bike ride, off-road marathon and ultra-run were cancelled due to a revision of the Covid-19 alert levels. Zoi Sadowski-Synnott defended her FIS Snowboard World Championship title and Nico Porteous won the Freeski Championship title. Wānaka skier Finn Bilous claimed silver in the Freeski Slopestyle in Colorado. Queenstown’s Alice Robinson took second place at the FIS Giant Slalom World Cup. The Wānaka Swim Club travelled to Dunedin for the Otago Long Course Junior Championships and collected 25 medals, including four golds.

Finishing the month, Wānaka came together and supported a family whose Totara Terrace home burnt down. A total of $2000 was raised through a Givealittle page and the Ritual Café set up a donation pot to help.

THURSDAY 30.12.21 - WEDNESDAY 05.01.22

ninth worst with 353 road deaths (71.9 deaths per million); in front of Croatia with 297 deaths (72.9 deaths). The US was rated the most deadly nation to drive in, with 36120 deaths (or 110 deaths per million). Norway had the safest roads, with just 108 road deaths in one year.

A transport agency spokesperson said that although it is unclear how the rankings in the Nerdwallet study had been determined, the government agreed that too many people had been killed or seriously injured.

Between mid 2018 and January 2020, data from the Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency’s crash data mapping system showed Arrowtown and the southern end of the Crown Range road had 11 fatalities, 96 serious accidents, 270 minor accidents and 659 non-injury accidents.

“New Zealand has many road safety challenges, including winding, hilly and often narrow roads.

But we know we can and should do better,” the spokesperson said.

*Includes house and land. Some conditions may apply.

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PHOTO: ESPN Images_Eric Lars Bakke

Wānakas own Nico Porteous made history when he won the 2021 X Games Aspen Freeski SuperPipe gold medal on Saturday night - the first time a New Zealand athlete has ever won the gold in that event.

See page 15.

Hooray! Stage three underway Manager, Thunes Cloete was excited to see Stage Three coming to life, saying that once finished, the ecological and accessibility improvements ork on Stage Three of the Wānaka realised along the lakefront would be something Wānaka's community could be proud of.

"We consulted on a Concept Plan for this site Monday and will see the implementation of Te Ara Wānaka (a shared pathway) for in June 2019 and received overwhelming support pedestrians and cyclists along Lakeside Road, for its direction and what Stage Three aims to achieve," Cloete said. and a separate boardwalk along the lake's edge.

"Once finished, wide scale native planting will QLDC Community Services General

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

W Lakefront Development Plan began on

MARCH

with restrictions on corners), would eventually arrive, but a big problem was driver behaviour, and people using the road as a “race track.”

He added that analysis of previous data had shown that most of the accidents on the road occured when people thought they had a gap, but it was too short and they were caught out by blind spots.

“But we have to do this step by step over months and years, rather than decades. The council has installed crash barriers and tried to do some things to improve it,” he said.

He warned that budgets would become tight in years to come due to Covid-19, and said that could be a constriction.

The Nerdwallet study used the World Health Organization’s 2018 road safety report to analyse the best and worst places to drive across the globe, using number of road deaths, road quality, average speed limits, and funding on roadworks in different countries. With 353 deaths per million of population, New Zealand rated the

run from Bullock Creek through to the Marina, working to maintain the area's rugged and natural look while also providing an injection of native flora and fauna."

Stage Three’s main contractor Blakely Construction planned to stagger work on different features of the site, delaying construction of the boardwalk until after April to avoid any disturbance to nesting and breeding Grebe in the area.

Grebe expert John Darby said:” I am delighted that a start has been made on Stage 3 and there is good information flow. It can be noted that the original intention was for the work to have begun early November last year, but after discussions with QLDC it was agreed to delay the work until this year. As far as I know, the intention is to continue this liaison through to the completion of the work at the end of October.”

Continued on page 3

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New retirement village project could create 700 jobs Pat Deavoll

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new Wānaka retirement village proposal to be built in the Northlake subdivision will be fast-tracked thanks to special Covid-19 legislation.

The Northbrook Wānaka Retirement Village, the build of which will create 700 jobs, is being developed by Winton Property Ltd and will include a 100-unit village, a 36bed hospital (including memory care), a clubhouse with café and community centre and a gym and swimming pool.

The 700 jobs would be over the duration of construction – from start to finish of the multi-year project.

A spokesperson for Environment Minister David Parker said the fast track consent process would provide 700 jobs during the construction process in an area “affected by the reductions of international tourists.”

“The Minister considered the application against the purpose of the COVID-19 (fasttrack consenting) Act 2020 and it has been approved for referral,” the spokesperson said. “ We understand that the EPA has not yet received an application.

“The Act provides an alternative pathway for consenting projects that have been referred. A referral gives the applicant the ability to lodge the application and supporting documentation with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

“An expert consenting panel will decide whether to approve or decline the resource consent application, with conditions as appropriate,” the spokesperson said.

“The project will contribute to the public benefit by providing additional housing supply for aged persons and aged-care facilities and it would "progress faster" than if the company

A

sought consent through the Resource Management Act standard processes.”

Winton spokesperson Sonya Fynmore said as well as the 700 construction jobs, the project would create a further 38 jobs when finished.

Fynmore said Winton hoped to lodge the final application for the Northbrook Wānaka Retirement Village project with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) by the end of next week.

Chris Meehan, Winton CEO said that should Northbrook Wānaka receive resource consent, initial site-wide works, and bulk services will commence onsite within 3-4 months of consent being granted. Construction of the retirement village facilities and apartment units would commence following the completion of these initial works.

“Winton submitted applications for Northbrook Wānaka and two other projects to the fast-track process. Demographics and economic forecasts show a shortage of retirement housing in the district within 10 years. The Minister referred Northbrook Wānaka to the fast-track process under the COVID-19 Recovery Act 2020. Unfortunately, the other two were not,” Meehan said.

One of the other two projects was for Northbrook Arrowtown, This project is currently under consideration through the District Plan Review process.

“As directed by the Minister, Winton is working constructively with the owners of Sticky Forest to provide them vehicular access. Like most Wānaka residents, we love Sticky Forest, so it’s important to note this may not result in the development of Sticky Forest as their planning consents are subject to many other external factors,” Meehan said.

PHOTO: Winton

The Northbrook Wānaka Retirement Village will be constructed on a vacant residential section alongside Outlet Rd at the northern end of the Northlake subdivision.

It will have a 100-unit village, a 36-bed hospital (including memory care), a clubhouse with a café and community centre and a gym and swimming pool.

*Includes house and land. Some conditions may apply.

Photo is a sample only.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

thewanakasun.co.nz

Sun News Fancy filmmaking?

APRIL Wānaka saw many firsts in April. Apprentice builder Briearnah Cook won the Central Otago Certified Builders Apprentice Challenge. Wānaka local Annie Theis won the final rose in this year’s season of The Bachelor, but the romance between her and bachelor Moses Mackay fizzled.

And Queenstown opened its first Covid-19 vaccination clinic.

The month also saw the first international flight in 387 days land at Queenstown Airport.

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult celebrated “a wonderful, beautiful day.” Boult and kaumātua Darren Rewi greeted the arriving passengers.

Wings over Wānaka boomed, with 25,000 people attending. The Wānaka Festival of Colour was hailed as a success, having more than 9000 tickets sold to over 40 events across its eight days.

However, the festival was bittersweet, as it was the last overseen by its long-time director, Philip Tremewan, who had announced his plan to retire earlier in the year.

A survey found that 43 percent of Wānaka’s

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This could be for you!

13 to 16-year-olds consumed alcohol regularly.

Wānaka Alcohol Group coordinator Bronwyn Coers said everyone had “a part to play” in reducing alcohol harm. Wānaka’s two New Worlds stayed open on Easter Friday. First Union Regional Secretary Paul Watson called the decision a “flagrant disregard for the Holidays Act”.

The Wānaka Skate Club raised $1500 more for those who were affected by March’s Totara Terrace house fire. Valli Vineyards donated $6250 to the Otago animal rescue charity, Pound Paws. They raised the money by selling a memorial Pinot Noir. Wānaka SAR received two separate bouts of funding, totalling $45,000. There was $15,000 from the Otago Community Trust and $30,000 from the Central Lakes Trust.

The Wānaka Stakeholders Group was “absolutely delighted” after the High Court overturned the Queenstown Airport Corporation’s 100-year lease of Wānaka Airport, which was granted by QLDC. The

decision was praised by community leaders and said to highlight a sense of communal distrust towards QLDC. In sport, Braden Currie won the 2021 Ironman New Zealand challenge, completing the 226km journey in a time of 7 hours 57minutes 12 second and beating his nearest rival by 10 minutes. The Contact Epic crosscountry mountain bike race attracted 660 riders.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Anton Cooper finished first, completing the 125km ride in 4 hours and 43 minutes.

Finishing up, the seventh annual Wānaka Autumn Apple Drive saved 900kg of excess apples, turning them into chutneys and apple juice. Mount Aspiring avalanche rescue dogs Rocket and Zeffer retired after eight years of service. Wānaka carpenter and volunteer firefighter, Mark Basson announced that in May he would attempt to break the Guinness World Record for fastest half marathon ran wearing full firefighting gear.

PAGE 14

Pork Pie Charity Run Zooms past!

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Braden Currie: “I wanted this win and I needed this win and that’s what I brought to the start line.

Fourth time lucky for Braden Currie this month due to the rise in Covid-19 alert levels) saw thousands of supporters line the streets to cheer on the competitors over a 3.8km ānaka multisport legend Braden Currie swim in the lake, 180km cycle and 42.2km run.

Currie and Taupō-based Smith had already Smith, to win IRONMAN New Zealand gone head-to-head three times this season, with Smith besting Currie each time. Currie finished in Taupō last weekend.

The world’s longest-running IRONMAN, the 4 minutes behind Smith at the Rotorua Suffer triathlon on March 27 (postponed from earlier event last December, 10 seconds behind at the

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

W beat out his closest competition, Kyle

Tauranga Half in January, and 13 seconds behind at Challenge Wānaka in February.

But Currie’s moment finally arrived on Saturday when he crossed the finish line in first place with a time of 7:57:12 - ahead of Mike Phillips at 08:06:38 and Smith at 08:08:53, placing third in his IRONMAN debut.

Smith was ahead during the swim leg, but all three athletes came tightly together during the cycle, with

Campbell Wright

Currie pushing strongly ahead into the final run.

Currie said he wanted to avoid a “side by side battle” and not give Phillips and Smith a chance to run with him.

“I looked at my watch early in the run and was running a 3:05/km pace and at that point I knew I was going to have a really good run, but I told myself I should probably slow down a bit,” said Currie.

Continued on page 3

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Finishes strongly.

PAGE 5

Those nor’westers Annoying as heck!

Proud to support Upper Clutha since 2000

PAGE 8 THUR 08.04.21 - WED 14.04.21

MAY Foreshadowing things to come, the Covid vaccine became available to group three - people over 65 years-old, or those who had underlining health conditions.

Scotty Simper, a camera man from Wānaka, c;imbed Mt Everest, only to develop Covid-19 symptoms during his descent. Hāwea guide and five-time Everest summiteer Lydia Bradey pleaded the New Zealand Government to offer their support to Nepal, in aid of their Covid-19 health crisis.

May’s developments had a hefty momentum.

A total of $20 million was made available to tourism businesses in the Queenstown – Wānaka region as a part of the Government’s $200 million tourism support package. A total of $344 million was granted by the government to rebuild Antarctica’s Scott Base. A new community centre for Wānaka was discussed by councillors, with the old Anderson Heights’ Mitre 10 considered for lease. A new maternity hub opened in Brownston Street, on May 5, the International Day of the Midwife.

The Holy Family School began the process of re-establishing its school library and started a Givealittle page to reach their $10,000 funding goal. Construction began on Mount Aspiring College’s new $33 million block, which would raise the school’s pupil capacity from 1150 to 1600 students.

In a splash of cold water to the wealth norm of the area, the body of a man was found near the Upper Clutha Rugby Club. The man was thought to have died in his sleep after getting too cold. A blessing was held for him in the same spot.

Riverbank Rd residents criticised a proposed Urban Growth Boundary, that allowed for a 600-house subdivision. The unnamed residents said the proposal would have a “huge environmental impact” if it went ahead. After 30 years of welcoming travellers, the Cromwell Holiday Park locked its doors for the last time, Co-owner Catherine Woods called the closing “a great loss to the Cromwell community.” A disagreement over loan conditions saw a Wānaka Community Board meeting end with trustees

walking out.

Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Area banned single-use plastic, removing it from both their outlets and replacing their rubbish bins with recycling and compost bins instead.

QLDC hosted a winter driving expo. They demonstrated how to fit tyre chains, taught winter driving safety basics and gave away window ice-scrapers.

Celebrity chef Simon Gault spoke at the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust’s Talk & Taste event. He shared stories of his journey as a chef and TV personality. The event raised $18,000 for the Trust and attracted over 100 guests.

Wānaka AFC’s premiers did well in the Southern League this month, winning all three of their games. The clubs also formed a partnership with Olé Football Academy. MAC’s First XV rugby team had a great start to their season, pulling of a convincing 19-0 win against Otago Boys Second XV and Wānaka athletics coach Michael Beable was named Otago Coach of the Year.

The Otago Regional Council received over 40 complaints about a burn-off at a Timsfield property. Outdoor burner complaints had increased by 50 percent in the last 12 months, from 242 to 355. Otago Greenhouse Gas Emissions listed transport as the biggest source of emissions in the Queenstown Lakes District.

Wānaka Roofing opened a new $4 million factory, creating demand for more jobs in Wānaka. This happened while border restrictions continued to exasperate Wānaka’s worker shortage. Seasonal workers voiced their struggles finding accommodation in Wānaka.

The Workforce Accommodation Network encouraged the community to come together to resolve this situation.

An independent study found that the 2021 Wānaka A&P Show had brought $28.6 million worth of economic benefits into the area.

The Rotary Club of Wānaka’s winter crop competition raised over $50,000 for the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust. The Central Lakes Trust granted Central Otago $1.75 million to further develop the Great Rides of New Zealand cycling links. WAI Wānaka received $5000 from the Environment, Community, Otago Fund, proposing to develop a community-based farm and environment education program with the funds.

Local yoga instructors hosted a free wellness event, in celebration the International Day of

Yoga, June 20. Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) held an open day for businesses and community members, showcasing LWT’s work and Wānaka’s tourism branding.

In sport, the Wānaka AFC Premiers’ winning streek ended with a loss to Otago University.

MAC’s first XV recorded consistent victories throughout the month and, the Wānaka Squash Club dominated the Junior Heads Series, with Oliver Lyon convincingly winning in A division.

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This pair of Clydesdales is pulling New Zealand’s first-ever grader. The driver (and owner) of the horses is John Booth, who owns Dayboo Stud near Hinds. The grader was refurbished by Kevin Capel of Lake Hāwea.

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Wheels at Wānaka – spectacular success! streamed through the gates over the three-day event but another 4000 to 5000 people were involved in the trade events so about 30,000 he instigator of Wheels at Wānaka Allan individuals either came to watch it or helped Dippie was thrilled to bits at how the event stage the event, which was pretty amazing, Dippie said. panned out over the Easter weekend.

“It was a lot bigger than our first event which 24,000 to 25,000 members of the public

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

T

was about 12,000. So from 12,000 to 30,000 is a into paddocks to make more car parks. We were big jump. stunned on Saturday by how many people came.

“It didn't go without its logistical problems.

“I must apologise, it took some people an hour By far the majority of people came on Saturday to get into the event. which meant we were hit with a huge crowd.

“My team was amazing. We were overwhelmed We had a lot of trouble creating enough car by the crowds but it was a nice problem to have. parks and ended up having to cut some fences Continued on page 3

*Includes house and land. Some conditions may apply.

Photo is a sample only.

Menshed opens

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Cycling Lake Dunstan Central Otago highlight.

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JUNE June saw New Zealand Directors Andy Deere and Ryan Heron win the NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival’s Adventurous Sports and Lifestyles Award for their film Made in Aotearoa.

Richard Sidey won Best Short Film and Best NZ Made Film for his film Spellbound. Austrian director Steve Robillard won the grand prize for his feature K2: Impossible Descent.

The arts continued to play a consistent role throughout June. The Fine Thyme Theatre Company prepared for their performance of Shortland Street – The Musical. A new film studio, The Studio Space, opened in Wānaka’s town centre. Lake Wānaka Tourism premiered their short film, In Search of Koura Ma: The story of Skiing in Wānaka. MAC band Better Than Nothing placed second in the Central Otago Smokefreerockquest finals. Fellow student Daisy Ann also came second in the due/solo category.

The Wānaka Sun interviewed the three Wānaka residents who were included in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Ross Black, John Ombler and Max Shepherd were recognised for their contributions to health, public services, biotechnology, and business.

QLDC was awarded a commendation by Economic Development New Zealand for their Covid-19 business recovery efforts. Mayor Jim Boult was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Queenstown Rotary Club.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

PHOTO: Yami

Yami student Zora performing with tutor mentors (from left) Troy Kingi, Delaney Davidson, Deva Mahal and Kylie Price. The fifth Yami Sounz Summit, held in Lake Wānaka Centre during the weekend, showcased phenomenal homespun musical talent from Dunedin through to Kerikeri. 150 students workshopped their song writing, production and vocal skills alongside mentors and tutors from L.A.B, Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds, Sola Rosa, Sea Mouse and more. See the story on page 3.

Good news for struggling tourism operators their survival, the government announced on lastThursday.

It will be used to “diversify the Queenstown20 million will be made available to the Wānaka region's economy” – an economy which Queenstown – Wānaka region as part Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said was "overof a $200 million government support reliant" on international tourism.

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult package for hard-hit tourism players to ensure their long-term transformation and, ultimately, expressed relief for local businesses while heartily

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

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lifeline. These folks have been doing it tough, which has taken an emotional toll, and I hope business owners and operators that are struggling will take up these opportunities,” Boult said.

“It’s no surprise to anyone that the district has long largely been over-reliant on a single industry – international tourism,” Boult added.

Continued on page 3

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Monitoring of winter grazing.

Views: Page 13 Jobs: Page 15 Sport: Page 16 Cardrona Alpine Resort

welcoming the announcement.

“I would like to thank the Minister for recognising that tourism and the five South Island regions significantly hit by the absence of overseas visitors needed further assistance. First and foremost, the wellbeing support and kick-starter grants for businesses that have only just been keeping their heads above water are an absolute

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Wānaka cameraman summits Everest with Covid

basecamp for ten days- this is a really long time,” Keeling said “And then he texted me from ānaka cameraman Scotty Camp 4 on the way down and said ‘Will tell you all about it when I have on February 25 for his first energy’ which made me think he wasn't that good. bout of work in a year.

“It was poorly spelt and a brief Little did he know that come May, and after summiting Mount message and I began to feel pretty Everest for the third time, he would anxious.”

Keeling began to harangue the develop Covid on the descent and film production company, asking become very ill.

Simper left New Zealand to take “why aren't they at Camp 2 yet?”

Simper got to Camp 2 and told on two jobs in Nepal – the first for an American fitness company, and Keeling, “the producer wants me to then a second job a film about the go back up tomorrow to Camp 4.”

Simper ended up going part Sherpas that worked on Everestthe ‘Icefall Doctors’ and the way back up to Camp 4 but was Sherpa guides that supported the feeling “absolutely crap,” Keeling companies outfitting the mountain. said. “ I was pretty concerned He summited Mount Everest on because people die of exhaustion on Everest.”

May 11.

At this stage, it occurred to May 14 was his wife's birthday.

Mountain and ski guide Anna Keeling that Simper had Covid PHOTO: Supplied Keeling of Mt Iron said: “ Scotty, as a because the Nepalese Government Mount Aspiring College (MAC) took first place in the Otago Division of Showquest, Aotearoa’s biggest performing arts North American, stands on tradition had done an effective job of covering it up at Everest BaseCamp. and so it was really important for competition for schools. MAC took the title with their piece themed around mental health. Student Capitan Lucy Fenton said “I knew because I had been that the team chose the theme of mental health because they thought it was an important topic. “I think that every teenager is him to ring me on my birthday.

“I was getting anxious because following it that it had been affected by mental health, and it's a struggle that can make you feel isolated and alone,” said Fenton. “The effort that every single this was his third time summiting widespread at basecamp,” she said. one of our kids put in and the emotion that they displayed on stage today was amazing.”

Everest and he had been up above Continued on page 3 From left to right: Holly Gibson, Lucy Fenton (student captains, MAC) and Dunedin Deputy Mayor Christine Garey.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

W Simper headed off to Nepal

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Wānaka and Queenstown’s skiing and snowboarding stars took to the super-sized skateboard at Pembroke Park on Tuesday, in support of New Zealand’s summer Olympics team.

Wānaka Community Board: will it stay or will it go?

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

n Advisory Board has decided that the Wānaka district should do away with the Community Board and would be better represented by having four councillors (instead of three) elected to Council. This would mean the Wānaka Community Board (WCB) would

A

be disbanded.

The Wānaka Ward was “non-compliant within the statutory requirements for fair representation” according to Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

Based on Statistics NZ census data, which was reviewed and updated in March 2020, both the Arrowtown and Wānaka Wards were now noncompliant with that requirement.

An independent advisory group recommended a new model of representation that would be considered by QLDC and the community in the coming months.

Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, local authorities must review their representation agreements at least once every six years QLDC Electoral Officer Jane Robertson said that in reviewing representation, local authorities

must provide for “effective representation of communities of interest]” and “fair representation for electors.”

QLDC Chief Executive Mike Theelen said that the Advisory Board’s recommended changes were a fresh way of looking at representation in the district and required people to think differently.

Continued on page 3

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paint@btppainting.com www.btppainting.com

paint@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

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE

MEN'S-0-13 & 14+ WOMEN'S Open BEST GROSS, NETT & STABLEFORD $30.00 ENTRY FEE PER HEAD (INCLUDES BARBEQUE) Please register your entry - Field limited to 84 entries. No walk-up entries please.

Must be an affiliated member.

Must have a Vaccination passport please.

ENTRIES TO: Richard Henderson (Club Captain) 027 254 2899 or Email:- rindy20@hotmail.com PLEASE BE AT THE CLUB ROOMS BY 11.30am

--- ALL WELCOME ---

YOUR AD WILL REACH THE MOST LOCALS ONLINE IN www.thewanakasun.co.nz

NO SIGN UPS, NO DOWNLOADS, JUST NEWS www.thewanakasun.co.nz PAGE 10

This is a role for a dynamic sales manager to lead, coach and empower a great group of people under a really strong brand with a lot of support structures in place.

You will be driven to shape and further-build a strong and successful team. High EQ is a prerequisite and being able to bring out the best in people is a core part of the role.

You’ll be passionate about coaching and empowering your team to achieving success, and you’ll like to have fun along the way as culture is a critical part of who we are as a business.

It’s a dynamic and competitive industry and you won’t get bored. The Bayleys business is across all sectors of the real estate market – rural, lifestyle, residential and commercial. You will be based in the Cromwell office.

If you don’t have your real estate sales licence, you’ll need to get it (we can help with that), and we’ll help with lots of industry knowledge and know-how to get you up and running.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.

SATURDAY 15th JANUARY 2022 TEE OFF AT 12 MIDDAY

CROMWELL

You will be part of the wider Bayleys group in the Deep South which has offices in Central Otago, Otago and Southland. The role will be supported by both Bayleys Head Office and the parent company in Queenstown.

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.

2022 LAKE HAWEA OPEN TOURNAMENT

SALES LEADER

Our core values are; professionalism, family, respect, great communication and honesty.

If these line-up with who you are, and the role seems a good fit we encourage you to get in contact.

To find out more about this exciting career opportunity please contact David Gubb in the strictest of confidence on 021 758 298 or email david.gubb@bayleys.co.nz Queenstown and Southern NZ Realty Ltd, Licensed under the REA Act 2008

SITUATION VACANT

SUPPORT WORKER NEEDED!

We currently have an excellent opportunity for a Support Worker to help our clients with personal care and home help.

Shifts available evenings & alternate weekends.

Qualifications/experience preferred but not required.

Please call 0800 002 722 or email Lucy.Fagan@nzhealthgroup.com

THURSDAY 30.12.21 - WEDNESDAY 05.01.22

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 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.

TRADES & SERVICES ADVERTS FROM

$50 +GST

SUN TEAM WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 1059 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

thewanakasun.co.nz

Hemp project gets a boost New funding will help a New Zealand hemp fibre company explore environmentally sustainable opportunities ranging from soft flooring to food packaging.

The Government is contributing $1.34 million through MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures) to New Zealand Natural Fibres’ (NZNF) five-year research and development programme project.

NZNF is the only hemp fibre company in New Zealand that controls its own supply chain end-to-end. The company is contributing a further $2 million in cash and in kind to the project.

NZ Yarn, a subsidiary of Carrfields Primary Wool (CP Wool), joined forces with hemp processing company Hemp NZ to create natural fibres and materials business NZNF. The company has a processing plant in Christchurch.

“We plan to use the SFF Futures funding to develop our hemp growing, processing and marketing capability to ‘go further, faster’ towards taking a global leadership position in the development of industrial and consumer products made from hemp fibre,” says NZNF CEO Colin McKenzie.

“We are very pleased to have received government backing to continue our work with hemp fibre, which has huge potential to be part of the solution to some of the most crucial environmental challenges facing our planet today.

The investment builds on a previous SFF Futures grant of $202,000 to develop sustainable technology and processes to produce fit-for-purpose hemp fibre from harvested stems, without the use of chemicals.

Steve Penno, MPI’s director of investment programmes, says NZNF will develop its activities across four separate workstreams over the next five years.

“The team will focus on hemp plant genetics, including sourcing and developing new varieties, as well as on-farm production and agronomic development. The SFF Futures funding will boost NZNF’s efforts to develop a range of new products and establish a path to market.”

Colin McKenzie says NZNF will be working on a range of innovations. “As well as developing hemp fibre-based products, we’ll be developing blended wool and hemp fibres for use in soft flooring and outdoor activewear,” says Mr McKenzie.

“We’re also developing and testing nonwoven products, including a natural hemp fibre-based material that could replace singleuse plastic food packaging, and a hemp fibre replacement for synthetic geotextiles used to stabilise soil in infrastructure works.

“In addition, we plan to investigate using hemp fibre to produce a natural replacement for carbon composites, packaging and building materials, plus other industrial applications.”

Steve Penno says this project aligns well with Fit for a Better World, the Government’s food and fibre sector roadmap guiding New Zealand’s export-led recovery from COVID-19.

“SFF Futures is a key part of our drive to offer transformational opportunities to boost the contribution of the primary sector and lead the way to a more sustainable economy.

“This project aims to do just that – by showcasing Kiwi innovation at its best. It promises to add considerable value to our hemp fibre industry, and potentially to our local and national economies.”

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun News

New Year concert a sell out Rhythm and Alps festival organisers put up the sold out sign a day ahead of the first song being played.

The three-day festival in the Cardrona Valley began yesterday and finishes tomorrow – and is catering for 10,000 ticketed people onsite each day and 6300 campers.

The event’s North Island sister, Rhythm and Vines, was a Covid victim and has been postponed to next Easter.

An all domestic line-up features in the 2021 Rhythm and Alps which is expected to pump more than $10 million into the region’s economy.

The concert has been held at Cardrona since 2013 and this year concert goers were told Covid vaccine passes would be compulsory.

The event shapes as the country’s biggest New Year’s Eve gathering.

The calm before the swarm... the Rhythm and Alps site being set up this week.

Farmers told: slow down Farmers in Otago are being urged to “be a little bit selfish” to avoid fatigue and prevent quad bike injuries over the summer months.

New figures from ACC show as of October 31, there have been 101 quad bike-related injuries in Otago this year. That follows 127 last year, and 131 in 2019.

Accidents consistently spike nationwide over the summer months and farmers are being encouraged to stay vigilant during the longer days.

“Our farmers are experts, they’re internationally recognised as leaders in a lot of fields,” says ACC injury prevention programme leader James Whitaker.

“But from time to time, they might feel a bit pressured, they might rush things and take a bit of a shortcut.

“Farmers know the safest and most logical way to go about their work – they’ve just got to slow down a bit and think before they get stuck in.”

ACC covers about 23,000 farm-related injury claims in New Zealand every year, including about 2500 quad bike-related injuries.

Farming is statistically one of the most dangerous industries in New Zealand, accounting for about 10 per cent of all workplace-related accidents.

However, Whitaker says 90 percent of all accidents in New Zealand are preventable, and farming is no different.

A recent study funded by ACC for the rural wellbeing programme Farmstrong found 58 per cent of recently-injured farmers linked their accidents to stress, while 25 per cent said stress was a major factor.

Whitaker says farmers need to “be a little bit selfish” to keep themselves fresh over the summer – taking time out, getting enough sleep, and eating well.

“It might be tempting for people to take shortcuts sometimes or to push themselves too hard, but if they get injured, who gets harmed?

“There are heaps of flow-on effects for friends, family, workmates and others.”

Northland farmer Chris Biddles knows all about the dangers of quad bikes and fatigue.

In 2019, on a ridge above his Te Kopuru farm near Dargaville, Biddles drove past the only safe turning spot and, without thinking, attempted a new route down.

His 500kg quad bike flipped, catapulting him down the hill and rolling after him. His ankle was crushed, his right shoulder broken in half.

"I was really tired and because of that I made a dumb decision. That's the danger of fatigue. You do something you wouldn't normally do.”

Biddles had 10 surgeries on his injured leg and at one stage was taking as many as 19 pills a day.

But following an infection in January this year, he decided to have the leg amputated.

He stressed it was not quad bikes themselves that were dangerous, but the decisions people make on them that can be.

Last year, ACC covered 2466 claims for quad bike injuries, as well as 12 claims for quad bikerelated deaths.

There have been 74 quad bike-related deaths since 2006, and on average one-in-five quad bike accidents result in a fatality.

Penny Fisher RN MBA

027 343 4776

Penny’s Home Care

Chris Biddles made a “dumb” decision, and paid the price.

January is consistently the most dangerous month for quad bike-related injuries.

Whitaker says it is especially important during the holiday period to be aware of children or other family members who aren’t as used to the rural environment.

“If you take the time to just slow it down a little bit, ‘have a hmmm’, and then get stuck in, you’ll prevent heaps of injuries.”

ACC has just agreed to provide a subsidy for the potentially life-saving crush protection devices for quad bikes till January 2023.

These devices attach to the back of a bike and help prevent people from getting stuck or crushed if their bike overturns.

“They might not look the coolest, but that little ring on the back of your bike is potentially going to save your life, so it’s worth doing,” Whitaker says.

The scheme was first introduced in June 2019 and offers a subsidy of more than $200 for up to two devices.

For more details go to acc.co.nz/quadsubsidy

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THURSDAY 30.12.21 - WEDNESDAY 05.01.22

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PAGE 11

Sun Sport

thewanakasun.co.nz

Swim-run series back

TriWānaka will organise its swim-run series again in 2022.

This series is focused on encouraging participation at all levels and all ages and there are a variety of distances and formats.

It will be held every Friday for six weeks from January 7.

This series is regarded as ideal training as a lead up to the Integrity Homes Challenge Wānaka.

The club said it was aware the even would

be running “in uncertain circumstances” and it was grateful to Queenstown Lakes District Council for their support as the event uses the lakefront, Wānaka Watersports Centre and the lakefront path.

MyVaccine Passes will be mandatory for all participants and volunteers while the district is under orange or red restrictions.

Meanwhile, the club heads into the new year with a new president

Adam Sharman succeeds Kelly Good, who stepped down at the club’s annual meeting this month.

She remains a committee member after four terms in the president’s seat during which time she worked to establish the club in its early years.

Georgie Thornton, a familiar face to those in the multisport world, is a new face on the committee and she steps in as club secretary.

The 2022 committee is President Adam Sharman, Secretary Georgie Thornton, Treasurer

Craig Nieper, Marketing and Sponsors Manager Kelly Good, Committee Tim Brazier, Penny Batchelor and Adele Stewart.

The Integrity Homes Challenge on February 19 will use Glendhu Bay for the 1.9k swim leg.

The 90k bike course will take athletes through Wānaka out to Lake Hāwea and back around to the Red Bridge at Luggate, before returning via Wānaka to Glendhu Bay Station. Glendhu Bike Park will host the run.

Dawn patrol Members of the Wānaka based Southern Junior Development Team took part in a practice Criterium around the streets of central Wānaka early Tuesday morning. The ride was part of their training for the Criterium Nationals to be held on January 16 in Christchurch. Southern Junior – with riders from Wānaka, Queenstown and Invercargill - is one of a handful of development teams around the country registered with Cycling New Zealand and comprises Under-17 and Under-19 riders who compete in national road cycling events. The team is coached by Wānaka’s Alex Guichard and managed by Mark Sinclair – who took this photo.

It has been another tough year, and we would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our readers and advertisers for your continued support in 2021. From all of us here at the Wānaka Sun, we wish you a Happy New Year!

PAGE 12

THURSDAY 30.12.21 - WEDNESDAY 05.01.22

THE WĀNAKA SUN