QT Business_October 22

QT BUSINESS

Goldfields Jewellers celebrates 21 years

QT BUSINESS

Demand underpins Queenstown’s property sectors

by Paul Taylor

While the housing market is slowing due to in ation and interest rates, money continues to ow through Queenstown Lakes’ commercial and industrial property sector.

And the annual 2022-23 Colliers Otago Market Review and Outlook shows it’s not just downtown that’s shaking o the pandemic blues.

“We’re not really seeing that caution in the market that’s a ecting the rest of the country,” says Colliers Queenstown Valuation Director Heather Beard, speaking at the launch late last month.

Beard says in terms of retail and o ce space, prime CBD, Queenstown Central and Five Mile are near fully leased, while Remarkables Park is diversifying with a mix of retail, education and cultural tenants, including the new multi-purpose, community arts and cultural space Te Atamira.

In Arrowtown, the commercial property market has been active throughout the winter, with new entrants to Buckingham Street and several existing tenants moving the bigger or better premises.

at’s seen a record retail deal of $1,000-per-sqm for a small corner store.

ere’s a downside, however, as local businesses are becoming priced out by national and international retailers and real estate o ces, presenting a risk to the village’s retail mix and its character.

In Queenstown CBD, prime retail is attracting a net face rent of $1750 - $2000 ($sqm + GST + OPEX), while secondary retail is $400-$1000 and o ce space $325-$450.

For prime retail, supply is low, demand returning and the yield 3-3.75%.

Among the recent newly tenanted premises is 8 Ballarat St, which was snapped up by UK outdoor brand Mountain Warehouse a er becoming available for the rst time in 28 years.

e retailer is paying $400k per annum (+OPEX +GST) for the 472sqm premises.

For secondary retail, supply is moderate, demand still low, and yield 3.75-4.5%. And o ce space is scarce, with only smaller sub-200sqm spaces available, and demand moderate.

On the whole, rents are reaching pre-Covid levels, with rent abatements and incentives now dropping o .

e shortage of available premises, boosted by companies competing to gain a foothold in Queenstown to capitalise on the returning tourist dollar, is once again a strong driving force for the property sales market.

ere have been some interesting recent sales in the CBD, including 61 Beach Street, the former Flame building, which sold for $5m in October 2017, and then $8.5m in June, showing a 12% annualised growth.

e 1980s commercial building is across 228sqm with three levels and a mezzanine level, all looking out on to Earnslaw Park and the refurbished Beach St. Its net contract yield is 3.52%.

Tiki Corner, 27-31 Rees St, meanwhile, sold for $32.5m to a partial owner-occupier. e premium dual corner, two level, multi-tenanted building has a net contract yield of 3.23%. Just down the street, 17 Rees St sold for more than $6.5m, with a yield of 3.68%.

e overall popularity despite yields below 4%, compared with a risk-free 10-year bond rate of 4%, “speaks to the long-term growth prospects of Queenstown and the con dence in that market,” Beard says.

In Frankton, sales include the Kawarau Park Development, between Shotover Country and Lake Hayes Estate, which fetched a whopping $95m back in April.

e two-hectare mixed use development is anchored by the new Southern Cross Hospital, and also includes the Paci c Radiology, hospitality, medical centre, pharmacy and childcare businesses, with an overall yield of 4.25%.

Frankton, as a whole, continues its rise as a popular shopping spot for locals, with parking a key attraction. Hawthorne Drive has several new developments, including a purpose-built showroom for McKenzie & Willis and further two storey buildings in the same block.

Retail attracts $450-$750 net face rent, with low supply, low-to-moderate demand, and a yield of 4-4.75%. Large retail / showroom is $325-$450, with low supply and moderate demand, and a yield of 4.5-5.5%, while o ce space is $325-$425, with low supply and increasing demand, and a yield of 4.5-5.5%.

ere are still some retail vacancies in the wider Remarkables Park area, mostly around the new hotel precinct, which has yet to become established and has been surrounded by construction activity.

Holiday Inn and Quest Remarkables Park both opened during the pandemic, along with several others, such as Sudima in Five Mile and the Holiday Inn and Ramada on Stanley St downtown.

Beard says there continues to be strong demand in that sector with institutional investors, such as REIT’s (real estate investment trust), private investors and private equity groups, all looking to invest in tourism properties.

Two backpackers, the YHA and Base Backpackers on Shotover St, both closed due to Covid-19. e 370-bed Base has been bought by Fable Hotels and will be refurbished into a high-end hotel.

“So, Queenstown could bene t from more highend tourists,” Beard said. On the ip side, we might see an increase in freedom camping over the summer.”

Industrial property is also in high demand, mirroring the national picture, with a real shortage of industrial land in Queenstown.

“ e basin has near to no vacancy and a trend of increasing rentals. ere was a little bit of a dip in the market in 2021. But that’s fully recovered now and rentals have returned with a trend of increasing on the annual renewal.”

Sales include 19 Margaret Place, Frankton, which sold for $2.9m in July. It has three separate tenants across 967sqm, with a net contract yield of 4.4%.

ere were also strong sale prices at M-Space in Frankton, the 15-unit complex near Pak’nSave. One unit, unit 12, almost doubled in price from July 2019 to March 2022, rising from $475K to $935k.

ere will be some industrial premises as part of the Coneburn subdivision, near the base of the Remarkables, while there’s also a plan change application for 50 hectares at Victoria Flats, Gibbston, which would include a large storage complex.

ere’s some risk for the sector’s future performance work dries up for its building and construction industry tenants.

But Colliers’ review also lists 15 residential developments and subdivisions, and a dozen infrastructure projects, in the pipeline over the next decade, so in the long term, all sectors of Queenstown Lakes’ property market look strong.

For the love of lavender - Ben Lomond Lavender

by Sue Fea

Shane Manners Wood’s uniquely local lavender has enhanced everything from ve-star restaurant brûlée to upmarket gin, while also soothing cuts, burns and stings, and calming the soul.

Tucked discreetly beneath the Coronet Peak foothills, her Ben Lomond Lavender label has been quietly understated since Shane’s rst plantings in 1999, and that’s just the way she likes it. For her, growing lavender is a passion, which all began while the family took a break from years of a busy restaurant lifestyle in the late 1990s to live in the Far North for three years. Shane and her husband Clive Manners Wood were well known then for their Continental Restaurant, and Albert’s Nightclub – during the 1980s. Clive helped open Continental Restaurant in 1973 and bought the Ben Lomond homestead in 1978. ey leased out the restaurant and homestead for those years while their children were little and took some time to enjoy the sea. “It was there that I really got into organic gardening and herbal medicine, which I studied while we were up there,” says Shane. “ ose rst plantings are now an acre (point four hectares) of lavender,” she says.

Her expansive lavender display gardens with their manicured ponds are a hidden gem and a peaceful oasis. Set amid a spectacular scenic backdrop, the Manners Wood’s beautiful 8.5 hectare property is popular for photo and wedding shoots, the gardens encased by iconic Wakatipu mountain views, taking in Coronet Peak, e Remarkables and Walter Peak. e historic Ben Lomond homestead was built in the 1890s by the owners of the then massive 13,000 hectare Ben Lomond Station – a property packed with local history. While Shane’s garden barn has been a haven for small boutique groups in the past, these days, visits to Ben Lomond Lavender and its tiny cottage shop on the property are by appointment only.

Shane’s organic lavender oil varieties have starred on everything from Air New Zealand rst class to Millbrook Resort menus, and her lavender sprigs have added the winning zing to international competition cocktails. e global landscape has obviously changed these past few years with far fewer overseas visitors, but Shane’s many loyal local fans still beat the path to Arthur’s Point for their supplies of her organic range of essential oils. “People also just like coming here as it’s like Paradise, but we’re more of a boutique operation, not into mass groups or numbers,” she says. She has more than 4000 plants on the property and regularly propagates for locals and landscapers too.

Changes in the market and more demand for the aesthetic of her lavender gardens as a backdrop means Shane harvests fewer plants so that people can enjoy their beauty. “I’m still producing about 10 litres of the organic oil varieties, about half what I was four years ago, as people want to walk through the lavender elds.”

Plants required for oil are cut from mid-January to mid-February. “We use a Japanese green tea cutter for this and we can cut a 50-metre row of lavender in a few minutes.”

e lavender is distilled in a custom made distillery powered by a wood- red boiler. e volatile essential oil is released into the steam, then it’s cooled, and a separator turns the precious oil out on top, while the lavender water separates below. is makes an excellent room spray, can be put in household irons, and mixed with vinegar and a little detergent to make an organic cleaner. “We keep the oil for a year to mature, because, just like wine, it has high notes, mid-notes and low notes.”

While its uses are widely renowned as sopori c for relaxation, lavender oil also has many medicinal applications. It’s a great antiseptic, great for bee stings and itchy bites, and has traditionally been used in hospitals to treat severe burns and heal scarring. More recently its culinary uses have added that special avour pro le to all manner of dishes, from lamb, chicken and salmon to sweet desserts. Even more recently it’s been shining behind the bar. e Spirits Workshop in Christchurch now uses Ben Lomond Lavender in its Curiosity Gin, and Shane’s lavender featured in the mix when a Blue Door barman used it in an international competition. Shane’s own lavender shortbread, biscuits and mouth-watering moist orange and lavender cake are a permanent winner with family and friends.

“Lavender perceptions have changed over the years, along with its awareness as a herb. It can be used in a multitude of ways. It’s just a beautiful plant,” she says. “It looks, smells and tastes good.”

Shane (right) and a Japanese Woofer harvesting with the Japanese tea cutter

The Ben Lomond lavender field with Walter Peak in the background

Goldfields celebrates 21st anniversary

Gold elds Jewellers is something of an institution in Queenstown.

It’s celebrating its 21st anniversary under the ownership of long-term locals Trond and Anna Johansson, the only Queenstown CBD retail store and onsite workshop with a working jeweller.

Not many will remember that Gold elds already had an impressive 20-year history in the Queenstown Mall when the Johanssons took over. Dave and Judith Cleghorn previously owned and ran the business, concentrating on the visitor market and selling opals and pounamu pieces.

With Master Jeweller Trond at the helm, the newlook Gold elds installed a jewellers’ workshop and introduced diamonds, other coloured gemstones and pearls. e emphasis switched to custom-made jewellery such as engagement and wedding rings. Other services such as repairs and valuations were welcomed by the local community.

Trends come and go

When the Johanssons rst took over Gold elds, the Princess Cut diamond for engagement rings was very much in vogue. As trends go, Trond says nothing beats the simple elegance of a beautiful solitaire diamond ring. But these days, anything goes, which is what Trond loves about what he does.

“Every day is di erent, you never know what thoughts and dreams the next client has,” he says. “Because of the internet, people are more aware of overseas trends but sometimes we’re put to the test with ‘dream designs’ our customers bring in, such as delicate dress rings not designed to be worn every day. But with some discussion and a few tweaks we reach a happy outcome.

Meet the sta

e Gold elds sta of Anja Bergsieker, Nicola Adamson and Dani Anderson are the warm and welcoming faces of the business.

Anja especially is a familiar face, having started work in 2004 as a retail assistant with no jewellery sales experience.

e ‘de facto’ shop manager who refuses to take the title, she’s a valuable and well-liked member of the team, described by Trond as his “walking, talking computer”.

From a small village in Germany, Anja and her husband Frank came to New Zealand for the experience and to improve their English, and like many others never went home.

Within a short space of time, Trond’s reputation and attention to detail saw him build up an impressive clientele of loyal locals and visitors. “You’d be surprised by the number of people who come to Queenstown to propose, deciding to commission a locally-made engagement or wedding ring to celebrate the occasion,” he says. “It’s a huge part of our business creating bespoke designs that stay in their family for years.”

A er Peter Jackson lmed the Lord of the Rings movies in Queenstown, lm locations were a ‘must do’ for visitors and with the movies came the merchandise. Even 20 years on, a full range of well-made LoR jewellery still attracts many fans and buyers.

In 2005, with their Mall building being redeveloped, Gold elds moved into an iconic central Queenstown location, on the bright and sunny corner of O’Connells Mall, and now they’ve come full circle, back in the Queenstown Mall opposite their original premises.

“I keep up to date by talking to my European colleagues, reading the latest jewellery magazines and it helps that our daughter Grete is living in Europe studying jewellery design.

“Much of my time is also spent repurposing heritage jewellery pieces into more modern interpretations.”

e store also has the full range of Karen Walker jewellery, pieces for men, pearl, opal and pounamu ranges, jewellery for teenagers and children plus a wide range of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and charms.

“I enjoy the interaction with our customers; it’s a great feeling when you deliver a great experience, the customer leaves happy and it makes the boss happy too!”

She’s shown her creative side too with the design and making of many of the shop display materials and the ‘mountain range’ design on the doors of the new front window display cabinet was all her doing.

Long-term local Nicola joined the team postCovid as a bit of a favour to Trond and Anna, with retail sta so hard to nd. She’s decided they’re a “fun lot” to work with and will continue for the foreseeable future. And newest member Dani brings a youthful touch to the team. Her carrot cake baking skills are also fully appreciated.

Goldfield’s staff Trond, Anja, Nicola and Dani

Owners Trond and Anna Johansson

Trond creates beautiful bespoke jewellery

The show must go on…

by Sue Fea

Despite closed borders the Queenstown Lakes lm industry has still had a pretty strong year and there’s a positive vibe amid hopes of even better times to come.

e events of the past two years may have shut the doors on some of the regular international lm crews and big overseas feature lms, however, there have been some silver linings. It’s further established Queenstown as a great location for New Zealand lm crews. While those in the know are quietly optimistic, no major productions have been con rmed yet, and, even if they were, con dentiality is paramount in the lm industry, at least until the cameras are actually rolling.

e local lm o ce normally tracks an average 200 – 250 screen productions a year - lms, TV shows and commercials, online content, documentaries, photoshoots, music videos and short lms. at number dropped to slightly less than 200 during Covid, but 200 to 250 is the average for the last ve years.

e economic bene ts are far reaching from employment, tax revenue and good and services, through to expenditure locally. Latest gures show in 2018 the industry brought $35 million to Queenstown Lakes.

“I think we had a pretty good year last year with the One Lane Bridge and Under e Vines TV series both shot here,” says Great Southern TV ceo Phil Smith. His company is about to start shooting in Kaikoura, and hoping to once again shoot One Lane Bridge around the Wakatipu next year. Great Southern TV founded the month-long Tahuna screenwriters’ residency in Queenstown, with support from the Queenstown Lakes District Council, and Phil says they’re now busy pitching these storylines internationally. e project empowers ambitious screenwriters to develop uniquely New Zealand television dramas that can be taken to the world with four writers selected each year.

“ ere are a ra of shows we are producing o the back of Tahuna. ese are stories that would all be shot entirely around Queenstown,” says Phil. “We spend the best part of the rest of the year overseas – Cannes for 10 days and London, and package that up.”

Great Southern TV is New Zealand’s second largest production company, also operating in Sydney, with nine shows in production in New Zealand at the moment.

“My whole emphasis is on bringing movies and TV series here to this

region,” says Phil, who’s hoping both One Lane Bridge and Under e Vines will return to Queenstown next year.

Sweet Tooth Net ix series was also shot locally recently.

While some restrictions were in place during the past few years, lming within New Zealand didn’t really stop, although closed borders obviously a ected international projects, says Phil.

e lm industry injects millions of dollars into this region and industry sources estimate that every dollar spent on lm projects translates as $5 into the local economy.

Film Queenstown Lakes and Film Otago Southland o ce co-ordinator Kahli Scott says there’s been “a bit of a renaissance” of New Zealand productions locally.

“While we usually get a lot of international TV commercials and lm productions on location here, the NZ productions have lled that gap beautifully,” she says. “ ere’s been a real shi . We’ve had multiple seasons of two local TV shows (One Lane Bridge and Under e Vines), as well as MasterChef NZ, start to nish, which hasn’t happened before,” she says. “We’d love to keep that momentum going.”

Queenstown has become renowned for its experienced crew too and they regularly travel around NZ picking up extra work. “We’ve got a really strong pool of locally-based crew with international credits and the local productions help build on that reputation.”

“We had a urry of permit applications in July, mostly commercials and online content,” says Kahli. “While we’re always servicing enquiries, sometimes productions can fall over for reasons beyond our control, so it’s hard to predict the pipeline.”

ere’s been a lot of discussion about the need for a studio and more infrastructure on the ground to grow the local industry and attract more advance bookings. A go-to production base where crews can store equipment, costumes and gear would also be useful. Kahli says our amazing locations will always be a drawcard, but what solidi es lming decisions is to back up those locations with support services, facilities, and crew on the ground. “ e district council and community also work hard to make that happen.”

e lm o ce is also looking for ways to diversify what’s o ered locally and provide more of a creative ecosystem in the local industry. “We’re looking to provide opportunities to writers, directors and producers – those in above line roles, who o en create content and make the decisions. We want to nurture that part of the industry too.”

A scene from One Lane Bridge – Great Southern Television – 2022

Early moves to set up Screen Queenstown are afoot

“ ere’s no question that the lm industry has picked up considerably during the last several months, with four major US series underway currently and others (yet to be announced) locking in for the future, alongside a strong slate of New Zealand production. International productions are, of course, drawn to our unique and diverse landscapes, but also love the food, our people, our crews and the businesses that support the industry. We also know that businesses love the lm industry, so be prepared, a show could be coming to your town very soon.” - NZ Film Commission Head of International Screen Attraction – Philippa Mossman

Camera and lighting equipment specialist, one of NZ’s leading camera house owners Brett Mills has been working in the local industry for more than 30 years. He says we need to get the word out internationally about the talent and specialist skills available on the ground here.

He’s working to get a new entity, to be known as Screen Queenstown, o the ground. It would target lm producers, representing and promoting the local industry players. “We’ve got to secure more funding and go to LA and hustle. We’ve started the process but we just need a little help,” says Brett. “A lot of big productions come here for a few days and don’t realise they can do the whole thing here.” Most industry roles are available locally, but there are a few gaps that could still be lled.

“Christchurch is throwing money at lming in Canterbury, and locally our operators have had a good year with NZ productions.”

Brett agrees some sort of infrastructure would help, even if it was just a large covered building to o er a weather cover for outdoor shoots.

Well-known Queenstown talent agent Tracy Cameron says there’s still been plenty of commercial work coming through these past few years, including a large Coca Cola commercial directed by Kiwi lmmaker Taika Waititi. “ at was all directed from the US,” she says. “ ere have been quite a few and they’ve been constant.”

Tracy’s work stretches to Dunedin where she was busy casting last year for Net ix movie e Royal Treatment. “I was juggling three projects at once at the time.”

She’s had to supply hundreds of extras during the lming of the local TV dramas. ey need a new person every day. You can’t be a policeman one day and a waiter the next,” she says. “It was hard yakka. I never knew who was going to be needing people week by week. We don’t know until they’re here,” says Tracy. “I get briefed for Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland productions and even Christchurch has increased by 600 percent.”

She says plans for a Wanaka studio are very positive. “ at will ultimately attract a lot of business and we will need a lot more faces around Wanaka and Queenstown.”

Silverlight Studios is still progressing with its plans for a multi-million dollar lm studio in Wanaka, which has already been consented, and a company spokesperson says they’re hoping to provide an update in the next few months.

Spreading the word about Pride

by Paul Taylor

Winter Pride director Marty King is always happy to pick up the phone and speak to a journalist.

And his openness is paying dividends for what is the largest LGBTTQI+ festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

Media and social media activity for the 2022 festival, which also included an online campaign by Destination Queenstown, is estimated to have reached almost two million people.

at’s a whopping PR value of $737,738.

More than 50 stories were written about the festival, which drew hundreds of people across the Tasman for 10 days of winter fun, between 26 August and 4 September.

Many referenced the nancial bene ts the festival delivered to Queenstown’s tourism industry and local businesses, as well as the value of hosting an event that celebrates and creates a safe environment for the LGBTTQI+ community.

“ is media exposure is key to promoting Queenstown as a Rainbow Tourism destination and creates long term bene ts for the economy outside of Winter Pride,” King told festival partners and sponsors.

Six stories referenced the 2022 monkeypox outbreak. NZ Doctor rst published a story on keeping safe at Winter Pride during the outbreak. King was also featured on Today FM in response to the warnings and subsequent stories followed.

Additional media highlights included the event promoted in ‘Hot Travel Deals’ on NZ Herald and Stu ’s ‘can NZ become a hotspot for queer travellers’; and a mayoral pitch story featured across numerous websites and Newstalk ZB nationwide mentioning Winter Pride 2022.

e social media activity from sponsors, Queenstown’s local businesses, and Winter Pride attendees and ambassadors generated over 170 posts.

at doesn’t include posts from private social media accounts and any mentions across Instagram and Facebook stories.

DQ’s social media campaign featured blog mentions, paid digital ads, event listings and social posts.

King says he was delighted the festival, which is a celebration of diversity, visibility, safety, and inclusion of the LGBTTQI+ community, could go ahead a er the 2021 event was cancelled due to Covid-19.

“By all accounts, we smashed all records.”

Filming of Under The Vines – Libertine Pictures – 2022

McCarthy Magic – Tapping into Thai

by Sue Fea

He’s believed to be Queenstown’s longest serving downtown restaurateur clocking up more than 30 years, and Graham McCarthy has certainly proved his Christchurch lawyer wrong.

Ever the entrepreneur looking for a new opportunity, Christchurchbased Graham thought he’d try his hand at opening a ai restaurant in Queenstown back in 1991. “My wife was a ai chef and it seemed like a good time to open one. Queenstown was booming,” he says. His Christchurch lawyer warned him, tongue in cheek, that he’d be back, but he wasn’t. Graham and his brother had opened one of the rst backpackers’ lodges in central Christchurch in the 1980s. But Graham’s eyes were set on the land of southern alpine opportunity. “It was generally perceived by my lawyer and colleagues that a ‘good deal’ in Queenstown meant that you and your wife transferred to Queenstown and you returned to Christchurch with your wife, but minus your money.”

For the most part business in Christchurch during the early 1990s was very at with minimal tourism. Most tourists were just passing through on the way to Queenstown. “With my wife being a ai chef we could see that there was a market for ai cuisine in Queenstown.”

He started out with a takeaway restaurant in 1991 in O’Connell’s Pavilion and a restaurant in Ballarat Street, then opened e Happy Wok in the Four Square building downtown. “We then opened our original ai Siam where e Mountaineer Building is. About the same time we opened a restaurant in Wanaka, before they nished sealing the Crown Range.” at restaurant is still operating, a er more than 20 years, as ai Siam in Wanaka. ey opened a ai Japanese restaurant in Wanaka too, which has since been sold. “We also owned a hairdressing salon in Wanaka and a er a few years we relocated that to the Crowne Plaza building opposite Steamer Wharf where we ran Shadina ai Massage and Hair Salon.” It didn’t stop there. ey also owned a ai Siam in Kaikoura for 15 or 16 years, until just recently.

“We opened three restaurants in downtown Queenstown at one stage because the town was pumping and there was a market for it,” he says. “We could see the demand so decided to expand.”

In those days Graham was a bit of a builder, and realtor Duncan Brown assisted him into the perfect leasing opportunities. “We converted the original ai Siam space in Lower Beach Street into a restaurant.” It was 1997-98 – the time of the Asian nancial crisis. “People said, ‘what are you doing?!’” It had been an old pop-up shop, basically a hole in the wall, but Graham saw potential in the site where the Mountaineer Building now stands. “I knew I had a de ned market and that was a great location.” Graham bashed the wall in to see what was behind, much to Duncan’s dismay. “ ere was a huge hole behind so I knew we could do a restaurant there,” he says. ey sub-leased the space o Rob Lynes and Tony Sparks, later Johnny Stevenson.

In the last 30 years Graham and wife Rattana have seen a lot of downtown Queenstown operators who didn’t make it. “Selling food helps, but you’ve got to be a good operator and be prepared to work the long hours,” he says. “You won’t survive in Queenstown 30 years if you’re doing too much wrong.”

Former District Mayors (Sir) John Davies and Warren Cooper regularly dined at ai Siam on Fridays together and John recommended the restaurant to a client who sold him Mercedes trucks. “ at guy came to eat once and said, ‘I’m here because John Davies says you guys are good operators,” says Graham. “I look back at that and think I must have been a good operator.”

However, good sta and chefs are vital – something Queenstown operators know only too well, especially at present. “You’re only as good as them. at’s the key ingredient,” he says. He’s got more of those sta in ailand awaiting visa approval and they will surely be welcomed. “You can only do so many dishes,” says Graham, who’s had to pitch in amid sta shortages like everyone else.

e other necessary ingredient needed for survival is some good business savvy. “People come in here and misjudge the market. ey pay too much rent and don’t have the right concept of food so they don’t attract the customers,” he says. “It takes time to woo people into a new business.”

Graham says he foresaw the business dri out to Frankton before it started to occur and, while he loves downtown Queenstown, his lease was expiring so he went with the tide. ai Siam closed up in Upper Beach Street in March last year. e lease had expired in December 2020, but Graham and Rattana were asked to stay on over summer. ey opened their new restaurant under the Ramada Remarkables at Frankton late last year where they’re now still enjoying a loyal local following. It was perfect timing. “I guess we dodged a bullet by getting out at the same time they started the Beach Street upgrade, and as pandemic restrictions were implemented.”

Graham has long been an advocate for a solution to downtown Queenstown parking issues. Parking has been a huge deterrent, keeping locals away from downtown, he says. “ e barrier was up halfway across Frankton Road a long time ago, saying, ‘Don’t bother coming to town as even if you do nd a car park you’ll probably get a ticket,” he says. Graham reckons people need at least two and a half hours to enjoy a meal or other leisure activities without being penalised. “If they don’t adhere to that then they pay the price.” While it was a great initiative, he believes public transport isn’t working for everybody. “I think they need to put some more emphasis on the other people in the community who don’t use public transport, like families with kids at Lake Hayes, for example, or perhaps older people. It’s o en not practical for them to use the bus.”

Graham and Rattana at Thai Siam

Graham and Rattana

Philanthropy tree blossoms from strong roots

by Paul Taylor

Jennifer Belmont might just have the most rewarding job in Queenstown Lakes.

As founding trustee and CEO of the Wakatipu Community Foundation, she’s at the centre of an organism that helps people help others, creating a snowball e ect in New Zealand’s ski resort tourism capital.

WCF has been a runaway success story since it was established in 2018. One of the youngest and fastest growing of the country’s 17 community foundations, it has allocated $2.4 million in grants and pledged grants since its inception.

It now has more than $1m in funds under management, over $25m in wills-based endowments, and has established 41 funds and initiatives, including 14 since April.

But numbers alone don’t capture the spirit of the whole.

ere are hundreds of people involved in WCF’s philanthropic family tree, from Belmont, the board of trustees and ambassadors, to volunteers in the various initiatives, and those on the frontline in the organisations they support.

“You get to see how incredible this community is, everyone pulling together,” Belmont says. “And I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface in terms of what we can achieve and how we can grow.

“Community foundations are just such a fantastic model. It’s a win-win for everyone involved and enables us to be so creative with pathways for philanthropy in all its forms.”

e not-of-pro t aims to provide immediate and long-term funding streams.

at’s done through various mechanisms, including giving circles such as Impact100, passthrough funds like the Greatest Needs Fund, and WCF’s pooled fund, which retains the capital and funds projects from the returns on investment.

Individual donors and companies can direct where they want the money spent, helping to personalise the philanthropy.

“ at’s what I love about it. For example, we’ll sit down with a donor, listen to their story, and develop a strategic plan for their giving.

“You get these lightbulb moments, when you nd out what’s driving them, their interests, suggest a plan, and they say ‘oh wow, that would be cool, I would love to do that’.

“And those stories inspire others to give too.”

WCF also helps charities, such as Happiness House and Bruce Grant Memorial Trust, build their funds, creating a source of community capital in perpetuity.

Successes include Impact100, founded by Kristen Holtzman and now led by Clare Irons. Over the past three years, it has given almost $500,000 to community projects in grants, such $100k towards the Tom Pryde Centre in Arrowtown, a new dedicated support centre of people with disabilities.

And the WCF’s scholarships and grants programme, managed by Euni Borrie, features initiatives such as the Kate Moetaua Fund, established in memory of the popular drama teacher, and led by her daughters and husband.

One major area of growth is likely to be corporate giving, both nancially and volunteering, with the likes of Craigs Investment Partners and Sotheby’s leading the way.

“We’ve had really robust discussions about what corporate giving strategies might look like. Again, it’s a win-win for both sides because sta get these amazing opportunities to work with the community, which helps workplace wellbeing.

“ at’s going to be exciting to develop.”

Belmont had started a community foundation in the US, before she moved to Queenstown nine years ago.

Looking for a place to volunteer, she realised Queenstown Lakes didn’t have one of its own, so instead decided to help the Wakatipu High School Foundation.

But she says it was always in the back of her mind that Queenstown would

be an ideal place to establish a community foundation, and not because it has more than its fair share of people with deep pockets.

“It’s for everybody, from all di erent backgrounds, who can give in di erent ways. People can give one or more of the three Ts - time, talent and treasure.

“Sometimes in life you gravitate to giving your time, or using your talent to serve on a board or in an organisation, and sometimes you give treasure. Even then, it doesn’t have to be huge, you can have a small fund, giving $100, $200 a month, or whatever you can a ord, and slowly it builds up over time.

“My mission, and what I love about the community foundation, is to be able to grow philanthropy in all those forms.”

e Greatest Need Fund is also a win, raising more than $1.2m to support the community through the pandemic. It was established by the indomitable Kaye Parker, who along with the late Sir Eion Edgar and Mark Taylor, was a founding ambassador of the WCF.

Jennifer Belmont at the recent Spirit of the Wakatipu Awards, the foundation’s biennial celebration of those who offer their ‘time, talent and treasure’ to help others. Photo: Dan Childs

Former Queenstown Mayor Vanessa van Uden and Jan Maxwell accept the Spirit of the Wakatipu Award for the Queenstown Lakes Baby Box Charitable Trust, which is one of more than 30 community organisations helped by the Wakatipu Community Foundation’s grants Photo: Dan Childs

WAO Summit 2022: A radical rethink

by Arna Craig

When a pebble is dropped, a ripple is spread

It’s a crazy time to be alive. Paradigm-shi ing, some might say. And so we gather, as a community, to navigate our way to a better future. e Wao Summit is a six day festival in the Southern Lakes dedicated to creating long term social and environmental change, and it’s back this October. Run by sustainability non-pro t Wao Aotearoa, the summit is in its h year and gathering momentum. With our environmental and economic realities shi ing fast, Wao Aotearoa was set up to help our communities and those further a eld to thrive through this transition. From experts in food resilience to those challenging the notion of economic growth, this year’s summit will be graced with an incredible line-up of humans. We’ll hear from boundary pushers and assumption-questioners, activists and deep thinkers, all sharing their wisdom on the unique challenges and opportunities which we face locally and globally. Across Queenstown, Wānaka and Arrowtown, there will be workshops, a whole lot of kōrero, tours, a lm festival, community events and a month-long bike festival.

Unsurprisingly, one of our main themes is climate action. With our trajectory set for environmental collapse, how do we pull together and radically shi that ight path? Join us on a deep dive with Damon Gameau, award-winning writer, producer and lm director, and the brains behind 2040 and at Sugar Film. What changes would we need to embrace to have a future we can be proud of? Come along to the Regenerate 2030 Kōrero with Damon to explore how, together, we can unlock creative solutions from the ground up. We’re also joined by climate change consultant Dr Carly Green, who will help demystify carbon neutral, o setting, and the somewhat confusing world of climate claims. Real change starts with understanding, and Carly helps people to calculate their emissions so they can set themselves meaningful targets. Join Carly at What does Carbon Neutral Really Mean? Clarifying Terminology in Climate Claims and Climate Action in the Rural Sector. Inextricable from our living world is our economic system. Our economy is changing radically, whether we like it or not. We’re joined by the legendary Paul Hawken, author of Drawdown: e Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, and founder of non-pro t Project Drawdown. Paul is a visionary and a solution- nder,

bridging climatic, ecological and economic regeneration. His book has fast become a climate change bible. Join Paul for Drawdown: Solving the Climate Crisis, a dive into going beyond net zero to give back more than we take.

We’re also tackling the question of growth: it’s a big one. Can capitalism survive? How can we keep growing, if our growth model requires that we take more from the earth and people than we give back?

As advocates of the Degrowth movement will tell us, switching to renewables is simply not enough. We must radically redesign our systems. Join thinkers Jonathan Boston, Kate Meyer and Tim Crownshaw at the Rethink Kōrero, Living Within Our Limits: Green Growth vs Degrowth.

So, yep, there’s a lot to think about. And, in the face of all this disruption, are we going to be able to feed ourselves? And what’s the true cost of the food we waste?

Food scientist Julia Blackford will sit down with Aisla Cain, Jade Gray and Jason Bradford for another Rethink Kōrero, to pick their brains on all things food resilience. And how do we look a er ourselves mentally and emotionally in these times of change? Several Aotearoa-based experts will share their perspectives on well-being, connection and mental health.

Many thought leaders seem to agree on one point: meaningful change starts with community. So, as well as inspiring action, the Wao Summit is a celebration of the local action already happening on the ground. It’s a chance to champion all the (o enoverlooked) local legends and projects squirrelling away. Join the Sustainable Communities Bike

Damon Gameau

Carly Green

Paul Hawken

Kate Meyer

Sponsored content

Dr Tim Crownshaw

Festivalfor Sustainability

TICKETSONSALENOW.

Tour, checking out and workshopping all around Wānaka or Queenstown, from community gardens and solar homes to native planting and lowimpact shopping.

If we want to save our planet, we’ve got to change the way we move. In fact, we’ve got to halve the amount of time we spend in the car, stat. Enter Biketober, our Southern Lakes Bike Festival dedicated to celebrating the bike-centred life. is is a whole month of active transport events, activities and conversations championing the bene ts of active transport for us and our planet. Head to the website for the full programme.

ere’s also nothing quite like the power of lm to inspire and catalyse. So this year, the summit will host its inaugural Film Festival, with ve di erent sessions covering our main themes. From regeneration and transport to the way we eat, these sessions will showcase an ever-widening network of local and global change-makers. It’s bound to get you thinking, talking, and acting.

As far as tickets go, there are options galore. If all the themes and speakers are piquing your interest, grab an All Access Pass. is o ers a spread of tickets across the summit - head to the Wao website for details. In the name of cutting unnecessary transport, many of our sessions will be available digitally, and accessible for a month post-summit.

Wao is the Māori kupu for forest. Join us to create a vibrant, self-sustaining and diverse ecosystem which we can all be proud of. We’ll see you there.

On Time, On Budget, No hassles –

Every time!!

I have been involved with many business projects over my long, varied and active lifetime. For most of those something invariably went wrong; it nished late, there are overruns that I had to pay for or organisational ‘cock-ups’ that needed my input to solve.

erefore, it was wonderful to come across Fowler Homes who quoted me for a substantial build at Hanley Farm on a xed budget and xed timelines. ese were the project management requirements. e project would be handled by Fowler Homes and any delays would be its responsibility. In return we had to pay the bills on time, make colour, design, and nish decisions when requested. We were, then unable to make changes that were going to a ect the logistics that Fowler Homes had already put in place. All the invoices came with an explanation of the work being undertaken and a progress update accompanied by a photo of the completed work – in essence proof the work had been done. is was a considerable comfort to me as I knew I was not paying for uncompleted work.

Why tell this story? It’s to reinforce there are businesses that provide a service on time, on budget and hassle free. Even in this highly uncertain, in ation fuelled, environment Fowler Homes are still o ering this service guarantee and importantly without sacri cing quality.

e experience reinforces the maxim, always get suppliers that can o er a mixture - called the ‘Triple Constraint’ – Time, Budget and Quality e secret seems to be:

• Plan and build in bu ers (while remaining competitive in the marketplace)

• Use a solid request management system

• Manage the scope of the project – incorporate adjustments

• Make budgeting part of the planning

• And lastly and just as importantly don’t stop communicating

A recent survey highlighted 43% of project managers said that communication problems were a key factor in the failure of projects. Constant communication and a thorough system of record keeping keeps everyone aligned and on the same page. Balancing deadlines, budgets and quality creates a platform that ensures projects are on budget, on time and hassle free.

e two other project failure points? 42% said process is a key factor and the other is wrong people on the project or in the wrong spot.

As I was writing this, I just experienced another subbie performing the on budget, on time, no hassles experience and as a result when I need some electrical work done, I’ll contacted Jeremy Barr of JMAC Electrical. Need some help in your business? Go to my website to see how I can help you deliver the same experience to your customers.

robin@martinbusinessconsulting.co.nz www.martinbusinessconsulting.co.nz

Robin Martin

Robin Martin

Crunching the data - thousands of jobs on offer

by David Gibbs

Sta ng remains the number one priority for Queenstown business with demand above pre-Covid levels.

e latest JobFix data report shows there were 3,226 jobs advertised in the July-September quarter.

at’s more than double the 1,456 available over the same period last year and even more than the 2,220 advertised in 2019.

e food & beverage / hotels sector have the vast majority of vacancies, making up some 70% of roles advertised, at 2,165. As everyone in the industry and customers can attest, there aren’t even enough sta to enable businesses to open ‘normal’ operating hours. Sta and managers are dealing with fatigue and burn-out as it is.

Critically, the inability to attract chefs, kitchen sta and front-of-house comes regardless of the rates of pay and conditions on o er. e Government’s relaxation of visa restrictions around chefs might help but that remains to be seen.

National Party spokesperson Erica Stanford was in town recently meeting with Queenstown’s MP Joseph Mooney. ey highlighted that despite there being as many as 70,000 work visas available, only 30,000 people have applied, and worst still, only 8,000 have arrived.

Stanford says the situation isn’t going to improve anytime soon, as whole sectors that make up much of the casual workforce are not returning to NZ. Overseas students, who work as casuals or part time, for example, are down 50% on pre-Covid levels. With a net migration loss of 12,000 people, businesses are facing the biggest labour shortage for 50 years, Mooney adds. Back to the stats, the retail, services and tourism sector is second for jobs advertised with JobFix, on 586, and construction third on 370. ere were also 79 roles in nance & admin, and 26 in government bodies. All sectors were advertising more roles this year than any corresponding quarter since 2018.

July and August appear to have been the peak months for recruitment this year so far, and both were record months. Traditionally, these two months are quieter, but the winter surge was later as international visitor numbers returned stronger than anticipated. November is usually a busy month too, as businesses begin the ramp up to summer.

September averaged 222 jobs advertised each week. is compared with 225 for the weekly average in August and was down 7% on the high in July.

e latest Business Con dence Survey results re ect con dence in local business has increased but con dence in the district’s economy and New Zealand’s in particular is low.

Most business activity metrics, from cell phone activity to guest nights and spend data, are up, back to near 2019 levels. So, the battle for sta is expected to continue and even become more competitive as summer approaches, although the hope is that the cold Northern Hemisphere winter will see workers look for overseas opportunities, allied to the slow return of international students.

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The small print

OPENING

T Galleria by DFS, the new two-level department store and the major tenant of the new O’Connell’s Mall, will open on Saturday, 29 October. It will also be the first store of DFS’ new “Resort Galleria brand and, is launching with fashion & accessories, beauty, wines, food, gifts, and watches & jewellery brands. Spanning 1,800 square meters of the O’Connell’s complex, the store will also feature numerous food and beverage choices.

MARKETING

Lake Wānaka Tourism has released ‘Ngāwari’ a short film designed to showcase the local Wānaka film industry. The film was created by Joe Murdie from Wānaka based The Film Crew, that showcases the local film industry and the benefits of filming in the region.

This project is a departure from traditional tourism marketing campaigns to a model that’s aimed at creating a powerful connection between people and place while supporting the economic diversity of the district by positioning Wānaka as a filming destination.

AWARDS

Master Builders - Southern House of the Year winners

This year’s Supreme Winner for the Southern House of the Year valued at over $1 million went to Trinity Qt Construction. The home also won the New Home over $4 million Category, the Craftsmanship Award, Bathroom Excellence Award, Outdoor Living Excellence Award, and a Gold Award. The Supreme House of the Year for Under $1 Million went to Buildcraft for a home in Wānaka. The Sustainable and Environmental Excellence Award went to Dunlop Builders, also for a home in Wānaka. There were 30 homes entered this year awards from around the Southern region.

APPOINTMENTS

SKI MOVES - Swapping Cardrona for California

Bridget Legnavsky ex RealNZ chief experience officer starts her new role as chief executive of the Sugar Bowl Resort, at Lake Tahoe in California on October 17. September 30 was her last day working for RealNZ, the parent company of Cardrona Alpine Resort, where she worked for 30 years. Legnavsky said she had enjoyed working with RealNZ tourism companies between Christchurch and Stewart Island but could not turn down the opportunity to progress her career.

New director announced for Pioneer Energy

Wānaka based, Jacqueline Cheyne has been appointed as a Director of Pioneer Energy Limited effective Monday, 3 October, 2022. The appointment was announced by Linda Robertson, Chair of Central Lakes Trust, owner of Pioneer Energy.

Cheyne has more than 30 years’ experience in financial reporting and sustainability. She currently chairs the Sustainability Committee for Stride Property Group, the Risk and Audit Committee for NZ Green Investment Finance and is a member of the XRB, chairing the project steering group for the development of the Aotearoa NZ Climate Reporting Standards, amongst multiple other directorships across listed company, government and not-for-profit boards.

BANKING

Kiwibank aims for $100m in sustainable business loans this financial year

State-owned Kiwibank is looking to help reduce carbon emissions with $100 million in small business loans this financial year.The bank made $50m in loans over the past year or so through its sustainable finance initiative with a long-term goal to lend small businesses at least $2 billion by 2030.

Small businesses could apply for any size loan for such things as solar panels, an electric vehicle or other measures aimed at reducing carbon emissions, such as a recycling project.