Does NZ need a National Tourism Development Authority?
We’re incredibly fortunate to live in this safe corner of the world. A place we are proud to call home. A destination we can share with visitors.
Tourism has long been one of New Zealand’s largest export industries, contributing billions to the economy and employing a significant portion of our local workforce.
Last year, the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (the IVL) increased from $35 to $100, which is a fee paid by most international visitors who arrive in New Zealand, except citizens of Australia. The IVL fund was set up for 50/50 investment across conservation and tourism, including mixed used infrastructure.
This year, central government has made several tourism boost announcements with the IVL fund used for generating visitor demand and supporting Tourism New Zealand’s international marketing. While it’s been great to see the government’s confidence in tourism and the potential for the industry, it’s important this growth is managed sustainably so our region remains a world-class place to live and visit.
Compared to other parts of the country, Queenstown Lakes district has experienced strong recovery in visitor numbers boosting jobs and increasing the national GDP. But this alongside a growing population does put pressure on infrastructure and essential services.
As the two regional tourism organisations for this district, Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism support the need for a balanced approach towards growth. To ensure we protect the visitor experience and our local way of life, it’s essential that tourism growth is balanced by considering infrastructure capacity, workforce availability, and community wellbeing.
Whilst Tourism New Zealand needs funding to promote Aotearoa, this should come from the consolidated funds, ensuring the IVL is used for what it was originally set up for - conservation and tourism infrastructure projects.
The Tourism Growth Roadmap, released by MBIE recently, is a multi-year approach focussed in the short term on demand (marketing) before moving to supply-side development (infrastructure, workforce, environment).
This leads to the question – does New Zealand need a National Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) – an independent body that coordinates across both demand and supply? This could see visitor demand matched with investment in the services that support it, to benefit locals and visitors.
We have a Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, and Tourism New Zealand plays a crucial role in international marketing. However, we need to balance this by building the foundations that support thriving communities alongside a thriving visitor economy.
Mat Woods, Chief Executive
Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism
NOWDELIVERY WITH
Saigon
Vermicelli
Shotover Primary School celebrated its 10th birthday last week, with an all-day celebration on Tuesday. Pictured, from left, are Jake Wilkinson, Emily Christmas, Fleur Dayman, associate principal Claire Buist and principal Ben Witheford.
Big week around the council table
by Paul Taylor
Queenstown’s council has confirmed a 13.5% average rates rise for the coming year, detailed plans to accommodate freedom campers, and pushed its river wastewater discharge case towards the Environment Court.
Several councillors vented their frustrations with the rates rise, as they approved the annual plan, which sets out spending, at the full council meeting last Thursday afternoon.
Councillor Niki Gladding says the consistent rates increases “We are just unaffordable for many people in the community”.
“My concern is ... we didn’t do a line-by-line analysis of operational expenses,” she says. We continue to not have that information in front of us. We don’t go into that level of detail and those operational expense have such an impact on rates.
“Some of them we can’t help, some of them we can.”
Gladding criticised both councillors and staff for the poor process, saying there needs to be more time for councillors and the community to dig into those operational budgets, as well as capital expenditure.
Cr Lyal Cocks agreed, although says they’d need to be significant changes to have a big impact on rates.
“None of us like to sign off on this but we knew this was coming ... we had it in the LTP (Long Term Plan),” he says. We’ve got to look at doing things differently ... we can’t carry on having 13.5% increases burdened on our rate payers.”
Cr Esther Whitehead says the rates rise, although expected, was “still really uncomfortable” but thanked staff for the focus on user fees, which created more equity.
“I think we’ve acted probably more prudently this time around than in any previous years, so I appreciate that.”
Queenstown Lakes mayor Glyn Lewers thanked staff and highlighted “external cost pressures” in the past six months, mainly NZTA co-funding being reduced.
“We’ve absorbed all those costs and still kept the target that we wanted to meet under the LTP,” Lewers says.
and Queenstown’s mayor Glyn Lewers at loggerheads again He disagreed with Cr Gladding over the operational costs, saying 25% of the rates were down to depreciation, to maintain the assets council already has, while 10% was to cover interest payments.
“85% of our opex [operational expenditure] is on core services: building consents, resource planning, transport, waste water, water supply, storm water, and waste management.
“This idea that we’re frivolous with spending is completely and utterly erroneous.”
Lewers says the 85% leaves very little for libraries, local democracy and social service out into the community.
“It’s a very tight rope we’re walking here and I appreciate the work the financial team have done to get the books in order, to create a way forward for maintaining the infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, councillors also approved the draft Freedom Camping Bylaw, which now goes out to public consultation.
The plan will see 158 carparks across 14 sites set aside for certified selfcontained vehicles to use free of charge. That includes 52 in six sites in Queenstown, 28 in three sites in Wānaka, 50 in Kingston, 15 in Hāwea, and the rest in smaller sites in Arrowtown, Lake Hayes and Gibbston.
And QLDC has also applied to the Otago Regional Council to have its controversial retrospective resource consent application to discharge treated wastewater to Shotover River be directly referred to the Environment Court.
and the Queenstown
Cr Niki Gladding
Cardrona’s new chairlift blessed
by Paul Taylor
Soho Basin is ready to rock and will open to the public once another 10-15cms of snow falls.
The new chairlift at Cardrona Alpine Resort, between Queenstown and Wānaka, was blessed by representatives from Kāi Tahu, including Komene Cassidy, on Sunday, in a ceremony attended by Tourism Minister Louise Upston.
The six-seater Soho Express, installed by Doppelmayer, will be able to transport 3000 passengers per hour out of the 150 hectare basin. It’s 1.2km, with a vertical rise of 379m.
The expansion project has increased Cardrona’s ski area from 465ha to 615ha – making it the biggest commercial ski area in New Zealand.
Cardrona and Treble Cone Chief Mountains Officer, Laura Hedley, says it was a stunning day to officially bless the new chairlift, with around 100 guests treated to sightseeing laps into the basin.
“It was incredible to celebrate with all the generations of Cardrona and RealNZ, including both the Lee and Hutchins families,” she says.
RealNZ CEO Dave Beeche says the new chairlift and facilities at Cardrona, including the new Noodle Bar and retail spaces, will give the ski field the potential to increase its capacity from 4500 skiers and snowboarders to more than 7000.
“We hope that is going to drive another 150,000 skier days into the economy of the region,” Beeche says.
Minister Upston, in her speech, says it’s clear the passion Hedley and the RealNZ / Cardrona team has for the mountain, and thanked Ngāi Tahu for being involved as kaitiaki of the land.
“I think this partnership is what makes our ability to give visitors to New Zealand such world leading experiences, it’s what makes them unique,” she says.
Upston also paid tribute to the “Kiwi family pioneering spirit” of the Lee family, who developed Cardrona, and the Hutchins family, who created RealNZ, and thanked the RealNZ board for its investment in the infrastructure.
“Thank you very much for having the foresight and the guts, basically, to invest to this degree.”
The Minister says the Government is clearly going for growth. “We want more visitors here, particularly more Australians. So we have been out there campaigning and promoting New Zealand being open for business,” she says.
“And I can’t think of a better example to demonstrate than what we’re doing here today, with Soho Basin, literally opening a new part of New Zealand that has not been open for visitors before.”
RealNZ’s other ski field, Treble Cone, also opened for the 2025 winter season on Sunday, with 25cm of new snow at the top of the Home Basin, while NZSki’s The Remarkables and Coronet Peak also enjoyed bluebird conditions after a decent dump of snow on Saturday. The majority of runs are now open.
Backcountry adventurers warned over avalanches
by Sue Fea
Ski tourers, mountaineers and trampers are being warned that there’s already a real avalanche risk in our region.
Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue’s team leader, Tarn Pilkington, says there’s been a huge increase in people heading into the backcountry in recent winters, particularly for ski touring. While it’s still early in the winter, they still need to be vigilant, he says.
“There’s some high avalanche activity in the backcountry around the region and beyond the patrolled areas of Remarkables Ski Area which is one of the most accessible areas for people,” Pilkington says.
“We’ve already got a potential issue so be cautious, and vigilant, and make sure you get up to date avalanche forecasts and information from avalanche. net.nz before you set off or ask Ski Patrol.”
Avalanche.net.nz shows there’s a ‘moderate’ risk in Queenstown, Wānaka and Aspiring on Monday, 30 June, although all three areas hit ‘considerable’ risk over the weekend. The scale runs no risk (0), low (1), moderate (2), considerable (3), high (4) and extreme (5).
Plenty of mountaineers go climbing in winter too, as do people snow shoeing, but anyone outside the ski area boundaries must have good basic knowledge, equipment and experience, Pilkington warns.
“Ski touring is now the fastest growing sector of the ski industry market. So many manufacturers are making products and the growth in our region has been phenomenal. A lot of people are venturing outside our ski area boundaries, facilitated to some degree by new lift access, but you can’t go without those caveats,” he says.
Read more on lwb.co.nz and the Queenstown App.
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Portable Toilets, Fencing, Skips & General Hire
HireKING is your friendly and helpful one-stop shop for all your construction site and event needs! Give us a call today to find out how we can help.
QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST
TUE (1 Jul) @ 6.30pm, ‘The Heart of Interbeing’ with Nicky Tompkins WED (2 Jul) @ 6.30pm, ‘Sadhana Practice’ with Grant Rix SUN (6 Jul) @ 10am, ‘Cultivating Awareness Practice’ followed by ‘Social Sunday’
All are welcome.
Donations for the teacher/centre are gratefully accepted. See www.dharmacentre.org.nz / FB
CLASS – Central Lakes Arts Support Scheme
Funding is now available for community–based arts groups, with the aim of the scheme is to increase participation in the arts at a local level, and increase the range and diversity of arts available to communities.
A guide and the application form is available online to assist with the funding process - scan the QRcode.
Funding rounds close on the 15th of each month
For any enquiries
CRIMELINE
Cannabis grinder down trousers
by Sue Fea
A minor driveway accident netted police an alleged drink driver and also saw them seize a bong and cannabis grinder.
Officers were called to a Robins Road backpacker hostel last Saturday, 7pm, where a vehicle had ‘bottomed out’ leaving the front right wheel hanging off the driveway. Constable Amanda Shutes says a 19-year-old Christchurch man admitted to being the driver and allegedly blew 790mcgs. His licence was suspended for 28 days and he will appear in court.
And while police were attended the accident, they noticed another 19-yearold Canterbury man with a bong in his hand. They searched him for cannabis and found a cannabis grinder hidden down the leg of his pants. Police took the grinder and bong from the man, who was issued with a formal warning for possession of utensils for cannabis.
Man punched in late night assault
Police have been dealing with more late-night aggression downtown. This time, they were called to the Mall just before 1am last Sunday after a man had been punched in the face. Shute says the man sustained injuries to his face and his teeth were damaged, requiring him to be taken to Lakes District Hospital for treatment. No descriptions were available, and police have no further details as to where in the Mall the assault occurred or the circumstances surrounding it. Their enquiries are continuing to try and identify the offender.
Boozed boomerang partygoer
A very intoxicated 21-year-old Dunedin boomerang partygoer refused to be removed from last Saturday’s Mardi Gras event for over-indulging just before 5pm. Shute says he was removed from the event due to the state he was in, before security staff then located him back inside again, removing him once more. Shortly after he was caught by security trying to gain entry for a third time attempting to climb a fence, she says. He was arrested and released with a formal warning for trespass.
Drink driving
A 23-year-old overseas driver was spotted doing a U-turn on Shotover Street with no headlights on. When police stopped him in nearby Man Street, at 11.15pm last Friday, he allegedly blew 573mcg. He was charged with drink drinking and is due to appear in the Queenstown District Court on 18 July. Meanwhile, a local man, 53, blew 576mcg, at an Arrowtown checkpoint just before 5.15pm on 19 June. He appears in court 18 July.
Fake Police scam
Real police officers are warning Kiwis to be vigilant of cold callers posing as police officers. Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ben Bergin says unsuspecting victims are essentially being called out of the blue under a ruse. “The story changes slightly, but it will usually involve some sort of investigation and this ‘officer’ will report having located a valuable item of yours, such as a passport. He will need your help or ask for your personal information. The caller speaks with an English accent and provides a bogus ID number to the victim.”
If you receive a phone call such as this, Police advise the public to be extremely cautious. Bergin says previous iterations of this scam has involved scammers asking people to withdraw cash as part of ‘an investigation’ or handing over bank details. Police made several arrests last year over the scam. “We strongly advise that you hang up,” he says.
Police have received reports from Kiwis on both islands, including Queenstown Lakes and Clutha districts. Bergin says police will never ask for your bank details, pin numbers or banking log in, nor will they ask you to go to a bank and withdraw your own cash, or offer prize money. He says if the call seems off, hang up and call 105 to verify the officer’s identity, or request a callback. If you have received a similar call, report this to police online now or call 105.
Monthly Column
Joseph Mooney MP for Southland
Winter is an exciting time for Queenstown and it is great to see the ski fields getting set for another busy season.
Snow is exciting for locals and the folks who come here drawn by it, bringing a lot of energy to our region. There’s also exciting news on the east side of the Wakatipu basin with Cardrona opening the new Soho basin, making Cadrona the biggest ski field in the country. It was a real privilege to be at the opening on the weekend, and the weather gods delivered some fresh new snow to make it just that little bit more special.
This has opened 150 hectares of new terrain on the mountain and is another string to our bow as Australasia’s snow sports capital.
Our Aussie cousins love Queenstown Lakes for good reason, and it’s great to see that Air New Zealand will be adding more seats on trans-Tasman routes over the coming summer. This will help our local economy, as well as strengthen the importance Queenstown has developed as a connection point for people across our wider region to Australia and beyond.
Another great sign of investment in our region has been in education, with the Education Minister visiting recently to announce that students of Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau will benefit from new, safe, warm and dry classrooms. The investment will support a twelve-teaching space expansion at the school. This is something I have been working on for a while with the great team at the school, and it was very exciting to have the government deliver on this, and wonderful to have the Education Minister make a special appearance in person to announce it.
This is great news for students, parents and educators, as it means more students have access to a better fit for purpose learning environment, and ensure that the school is equipped to meet the needs of the fast growing community in the southern corridor.
The investment is in addition to the purchase of a site at Ladies Mile in Queenstown last year, which will accommodate a new primary school in the area. Funding for the construction of the new primary school at Ladies Mile will be considered in future. Securing the land at this time means that we will be able to hit ‘go’ on construction when capacity is needed.
Another important announcement is a boost in funding for GPs. Last week our National-led Government confirmed the largest funding boost for general practice in our country’s history - $175 million this year alone. It’s part of a $1.37 billion focused on delivering timely, quality care closer to home.
The package includes a 13.89% funding increase for GP clinics to help them see more patients and ease wait times. It also provides targeted support to keep care affordable for low-income families and under-14s.
Queenstown has a wonderful close-knit community and it was a real privilege to open (on behalf of Arts Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith) the inspiring Creative Culture Hui recently put on by the Three Lakes Cultural Trust. This four-day event had a fantastic schedule of workshops and activities that illustrated Queenstown’s growing status as a centre of vibrant artistic and cultural activity. Queenstown Lakes is the second most creative place in New Zealand, and events like this help highlight the opportunities to accelerate this.
A great reminder of the incredible interconnected opportunities available in our region from the mountains to the arts, as well as the passion and hard work put in by so many to make it all possible. Hoping you have a great start to winter.
SPONSORED CONTENT
Introducing our new culinary destination to Queenstown
We’re thrilled to present our latest venture in Queenstown, which opened its doors in August last year. This is our first business in New Zealand, inspired by the legacy of our family-run establishment in Brazil — Padaria do Moinho (Wind Mill Bakery) — a gourmet market, restaurant, café, bakery, and patisserie that has been delighting customers for over 26 years.
One of the most iconic features of Padaria do Moinho is a fully functional Dutch windmill, designed and built by our family — a true symbol of the dedication, authenticity, and craftsmanship that we now bring to Queenstown.
Drawing from this rich heritage, we’ve created a unique space where the vibrant flavors of Brazil and Japan meet the essence of New Zealand cuisine. Our menu is rooted in local fare, enriched with international influences and culinary creativity.
Our kitchen is led by Marcelo, a Le Cordon Bleutrained chef with experience at acclaimed venues such as Amisfield and Kauri Cliffs. He works alongside Chef Kazuya, trained in Japan and also a former member of the Amisfield team. Moira, our Cabinet Food Chef, adds strong local expertise, having worked with respected businesses like Mora Wines.
We take pride in offering high-quality food across both our full kitchen menu and cabinet selection. Whenever possible, we source premium local ingredients — from Mount Cook salmon and smoked bacon and ribs from Kiwi Butchery to buttery croissants from Gypsy Oven.
We serve fresh salads daily, and several of our dishes have already become local favorites. These include the Lemon Pesto Roll sandwich, our hearty Burrito, Lasagne and Brazilian specialties such as Vaca Atolada (beef stew) and Picanha (rump steak).
Another highlight is our Brazilian Pão de Queijo (cheese balls) — a gluten-free treat that’s gaining more and more fans every day.
We’re currently open seven days a week, from 7am to 5pm, and we’re excited to announce that dinner service is coming soon.
Play it forward: How $1500 can create a season of smiles at the Wakatipu Toy Library
What if just $1500 could bring joy to hundreds of local children, support families doing it tough, and promote sustainability all at once? That’s the powerful ripple effect your business creates when you partner with the Wakatipu Toy Library.
This small but mighty not-for-profit, located next to the Queenstown Events Centre in Frankton, has been supporting the wellbeing of local whānau for over 25 years. Open three times a week – Tuesdays from 2pm to 4pm, Thursdays from 9.30am to noon, and Sundays from 1pm to 3.30pm – the Toy Library is a treasure trove of fun, learning, and connection.
Families can borrow from a huge collection of over 1200 toys – from puzzles and ride-ons to STEM kits, costumes, games and more – tailored for tamariki from birth through to around age seven. With annual family memberships starting from just $80, it’s an affordable, sustainable way to keep playtime fresh without constantly buying new toys or contributing to landfill.
But the Wakatipu Toy Library is more than a toy-lending service. It’s a vital community hub – fostering imaginative play, supporting early learning, and relieving financial pressure for local families. It also teaches tamariki the value of sharing, caring, and looking after communal resources.
Now, the Toy Library is inviting local businesses to ‘play it forward’ by sponsoring one three-month season. For just $1500, your business can help fund new toy purchases, subsidise memberships for families in need, and help ensure this beloved community service continues to thrive.
In return, sponsors enjoy genuine community recognition through regular features across the Toy Library’s social media, newsletters, and in-library
signage – connecting you with a loyal, engaged audience of local families.
Whether you’re a café, a builder, a boutique, or a local service provider, this is your chance to turn your marketing budget into meaningful impact.
To find out more or get involved, pop in during opening hour, email wakatiputoylibrary@gmail.com, or follow the Wakatipu Toy Library on Facebook and Instagram.
Because when you support the Toy Library, you’re not just giving toys –you’re giving relief, joy, and a stronger, more connected Wakatipu community.
Lakes Weekly gives community organisations in Queenstown Lakes the chance to address our readers directly though our Community Notes page. If you’d like to take part, email Jess at info@qmg.co.nz
‘Welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime’ is not a sustainable tourism policy
Regina Scheyvens, Massey University Professor of Development Studies, writing for The Conversation NZ, with Griffith University’s Professor of Tourism James Higham and Professor of Sustainable Tourism Susanne Becken
Attracting more Chinese tourists to New Zealand, including during the offseason, was a major part of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trade agenda during his visit to China last week. As Tourism Minister Louise Upston put it: “we welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime”.
It’s all part of the government’s plan to “turbocharge” the tourism sector with an additional NZ$13.5 million for marketing this year. The hope is this will help double the value of tourism as an export earner by 2034.
The China visit built on the government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap which aims to attract 3.89 million visitors by 2026, and 4.78 million by 2030-34. Ironically, the release of the roadmap coincided with unprecedented, organised push-back against mass tourism across southern Europe this month. Fed up with the economic and cultural impact of too much “touristification”, residents of popular cities and islands in Italy, Portugal and Spain took part in coordinated protests, some even spraying tourists with water pistols.
Before COVID upended international tourism in 2020, similar serious concerns were voiced in New Zealand about environmental degradation, crowding and congestion, and declining public support for tourism.
But the plan to turbocharge tourism specifically aims to return international visitor arrivals to pre-COVID levels.
From destination management to marketing
As part of the government’s Tourism Boost Package, money generated by the International Visitor Levy (IVL) will be spent driving demand in Australia and elsewhere over the next two years.
But this use of the visitor levy (which was raised to $100 in October last year) seems at odds with its stated purpose. According to New Zealand Immigration, “The IVL is your contribution to maintaining the facilities and natural environment you will use and enjoy during your stay”.
Visitor levy revenue was strategically intended to support tourism regions to protect their natural environments and maintain crucial infrastructure.
Diverting visitor levy income to fund overall tourism growth also seems to turn a deaf ear to the 2020 interim report from the Tourism Futures Taskforce and the 2023 Tourism Adaptation Roadmap from the Aotearoa Circle industry group. Both were widely acknowledged for their vision and ambition to create a future tourism that served the aspirations of Māori and local communities.
There’s also a risk of the 29 Destination Management Plans developed since 2021 (with financial support from the visitor levy) being shelved in this detour from destination management to marketing.
Redefining tourism ‘value’
There are several key questions about the practical implications of the government’s growth-oriented tourism development approach.
Firstly, staff and infrastructure limitations mean destinations and business will struggle to accommodate more numbers. As the acting mayor of MacKenzie District has noted, several businesses around Tekapo were forced to operate below capacity last summer because there was no suitable housing available for the staff, only up-market holiday rentals.
New Zealand also faces a tourism workforce crisis. Over the past ten years, there has been a 63% drop in the number of students taking tourism-related tertiary courses, and a 73% decrease in those completing hospitality courses. Meanwhile, from Northland to Queenstown, basic utilities such as electricity and drinking water are being stretched beyond capacity during peak visitation times. Secondly, there is a real risk of environmental damage from overtourism compromising the appeal of iconic attractions and destinations.
But despite concern over growing visitor pressure at Piopiotahi/Milford Sound over the past decade, the government recently rejected a plan to manage numbers and ban cruise ships in the inner sound.
Thirdly, there is the risk of tourism losing its social licence, as is happening in parts of Europe, given the huge burdens on small communities. As the mayor of Queenstown said recently: “When I first started as the mayor, I think it was one resident night to every 30 visitor nights. It is now one to 47.”
Ultimately, long-term value creation through tourism can only happen when “value” is defined in more than monetary terms and in ways that deliver for all stakeholders, including businesses, visitors, communities, mana whenua and nature.
The government’s focus on “turbocharging” economic growth through tourism now puts at risk what little progress has been made toward a sustainable tourism model and giving the regions most affected a voice.
Spring into adventure with your teammates in Glenorchy
This spring, the iconic Merrell Spring Challenge is heading to the stunning mountain town of Glenorchy for its 19th edition and it’s right on your doorstep! Renowned as New Zealand’s premium women’s adventure race, the Merrell Spring Challenge offers an unforgettable experience of teamwork, nature, and personal achievement. With mountain biking, hiking, and rafting through breathtaking wilderness, this event is more than a race - it’s a reason to say yes to adventure.
What truly sets the Merrell Spring Challenge apart is the power of the team. Whether you’re entering with close friends, colleagues, or family members, being part of a team brings an added layer of motivation and meaning. There’s something incredibly special about preparing for an event like this with others - meeting up for weekend rides, hiking new trails together, and sharing the laughs, struggles, and breakthroughs along the way. It’s not about being the fittest or fastest - it’s about showing up for each other, learning together, and crossing that finish line with a shared sense of pride.
Adding the Merrell Spring Challenge to your weekly routine brings a spark that many women find invigorating. Amid work, family, and everyday commitments, having a goal on the calendar can be a game-changer. It gets you out the door when the couch is calling, and it turns exercise into adventure. Training doesn’t have to be intense - it’s about consistency, fresh air, and building your confidence as a team.
And what better motivation than knowing you’ll be exploring the wild beauty of Glenorchy? This year’s event promises spectacular alpine scenery, pristine rivers, and trails that wind through native bush and mountain valleys. Each year the Merrell Spring Challenge moves to a new location, and 2025’s course is set to be one of the most visually striking yet.
With options for all experience levels - from the beginner-friendly 3-hour event, to the more challenging 6-hour category, or the epic 9-hour racethere’s a place for everyone. If you’ve been looking for something to shake up your routine, push your limits, and connect with an incredible community of women, this is it.
The countdown is on. Grab your teammates, start the adventure, and get ready to experience one of the most rewarding weekends of the year. See you in Glenorchy!
www.springchallenge.co.nz
GOINGS ON ABOUT
EVENTS - MUSIC - ART
THEATRE - AT THE GALLERIES
COMMUNITY
July Holiday Programme at Te Aatamira
Join Te Atamira’s arts holiday programme, led by experienced art educators. Designed for tamariki aged 5-7 and 8-12, this creative multidisciplinary programme inspires creativity through fun, handson workshops. Examples of some of the workshops include Wild and Wonderful Wearables, where children will transform natural objects into a one-of-a-kind wearable taonga, Clay Creations: Donkey Edition, a handson workshop where children are invited to sculpt their own playful donkey using simple building techniques, and Shimmering in the Dark: Manta Rays, where children will create a vibrant manta ray artwork inspired by the magic of the ocean. There’s also dance, music and improv workshops. Head to Te Atamira’s website to see the full programme and book in.
When: Monday, 30 June – Friday, 11 July, from 9am
Where: Te Atamira, 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton
Queers & Beers
Join Searchlight Brewery on the first Thursday of every month for the Queers & Beers social. They want to keep their pride spirit alive all year round to create a stronger and closer community in Queenstown. Bring your friends, allies, partners, or even come on your own for few cold beers and some delicious Mexican food by Tacos Jaguar NZ. Queer Social is a judgment-free and all-inclusive safe space. Everyone is welcome to join the community no matter what gender/non-gender, race, or religion you identify/present yourself as.
When: Thursday, 3 July, 6pm – 9pm, and the first Thursday of every month Where: Searchlight Brewery, 12 Industrial Place, Queenstown
Cancer Society Pop-Ups
Cancer is tough – finding support shouldn’t be. Cancer Society and QLDC Libraries have partnered to make it easier for our community to access the help they need. A local Cancer Navigator will be available at Frankton Library on Tuesdays until the end of July. Whether you or someone you care about is affected by cancer, you’re welcome to drop in for a chat, ask questions or find out what support is available.
When: Every Tuesday until 29 July, 3pm – 5pm Where: Frankton Library, 26 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton
COMEDY
The Sporting Parent with Dr Craig Harrison
EVENT
A thought-provoking night designed especially for parents of young athletes who want to better understand how to support their sporty child. Drawing on real stories from the field and the latest insights from science, this keynote will explore what it truly means to raise a thriving young athlete. You’ll discover why understanding the human side of your child’s development is the key to offering the kind of support that builds confidence, resilience, and longterm success. Through an honest and engaging conversation, Craig will help you shift from simply being present to being purposeful - providing the stable base your child needs to explore their potential and perform at their best.
When: Wednesday, 2 July, 7.30am – 9.30am
Where: Queenstown Events Centre, Joe Oconnell Drive, Frankton
Plastic Free Night Market
Sustainable Queenstown’s Plastic Free Night Market is back for Plastic Free… this time at the fabulous Sherwood. Discover local, sustainable businesses, products and services that can help you make everyday swaps to reduce plastic in your life! Learn about great local options, have good chats and head home with new ideas (and maybe some goodies too). Tea, ceramics, pottery, skin care, toiletries, woodcraft, children’s books, greetings cards, art pieces, jewellery, clothing and more… Don’t forget to bring your reusable cups, containers and shopping bags! This is a free event and everyone is welcome.
When: Thursday, 3 July, 6pm-9pm
Where: Sherwood, 554 Frankton Road, Queenstown
Open Mic Night at Yonder
Yonder Open Mic Night is back, on the first Thursday of every month. Hosted by the local boys, Victory. All equipment provided. Come down and play whatever (we won’t judge if you wanna break out Wonderwall...). Whether you are a solo acoustic act, wanna jam with the house band or testing out your band’s new material – come on down and give it a crack. Bring your pals, grab a drink and listen to some of the best local talent we’ve got going around.
When: Thursday, 3 July, from 9pm Where: Yonder, 14 Church Street, Queenstown
Comedy Hypnosis Show
Lake Fishing 101 with Shelen Boyes
Join Patagonia in-store for the first instalment of their Winter Fly Series, Lake Fishing 101 with Shelen Scout Boyes, a winter-focused chat designed to help you make the most of still water fly fishing during the colder months. Shelen will dive into winter lake fishing, how trout behave in these conditions, and share key access points. Learn about effective set-ups, techniques, and go-to fly patterns to give you the best shot at success this season. Whether you’re new to lake fishing or looking to level up, this is your chance to get dialled for winter.
When: Friday, 4 July, from 7pm
As seen on Seven Sharp and going viral on TikTok, you’re in for a treat with Comedy Hypnotist, Haiming Jiang, bringing his Comedy Hypnosis show to Queenstown. Be prepared to laugh hysterically and to take part, too, if you’re up for it. It’s a night of fun. Haiming combines hypnosis with comedy to entertain the audience while demonstrating the benefits of hypnosis through audience participation. With his unique cultural background and understanding of New Zealand, this is a must-see event for any fun-loving Kiwi interested in hypnosis, offering an enjoyable and exciting experience. Come and find out how this Chinese hypnotist uses hypnosis to both entertain audiences and relax participants. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.
When: Friday, 11 July, 7pm – 8.30pm
Where: Wakatipu High School, 49 Red Oaks Drive, Queenstown
Where: Patagonia, 49 Beach Street, Queenstown
Wakatipu Wild NZWIHL Ice Hockey Game
The Wakatipu Wild are back on the ice for another epic season of Women’s Ice Hockey! You can’t say you’ve been to Queenstown if you didn’t catch one of these iconic Ice Hockey games. It’s always an epic showdown when the NZWIHL come to the barn – get your tickets online. Dress code is yellow and blue.
When: Friday, 4 and Saturday, 5 July, 7pm – 9pm
SPORT
Where: Queenstown Ice Arena, 29 Park Street, Queenstown
The good times will continue during the colder months at Remarkables Markets for their mid-winter markets. There’ll be over 60 stalls with hot food and drinks, brunch and lunch options, crafts and winter specials over the next two Saturdays. Each day brings a bit of magic and different vibes to the community.
Located in the same spot along Hawthorne Drive, they’ll start slightly later than their weekly summer counterparts at 10am. Stallholders range from ceramic mugs to cosy knits, coffee, jewellery, art, skincare, produce, crafts, sweet treats and savoury delights.
“It’s quite different – lots of visitors, lots of hot food and drink,” markets manager Sherryn Smith says. “There’s lots of soups and a whole variety of hot stuff to have. There’s still craft but we don’t have as many fruit and veggie stalls, just because there’s not much in the garden at the moment. Lots of things you won’t see in the summer are coming out for these ones.” You can stay warm and huddle around the fire pits that will be going at each market, while you enjoy some warming kai – expect to see different stalls as holders come as and when they can. There’s a large playground, sandpit and picnic tables to catch up with friends over coffee and a bite. There will also be live music to enjoy and some winter specials.
“They’re just a really nice community vibe and they’re different. People come down and they want to mingle, they want something free to do that’s a little bit different. Definitely dress warmly – wear your boots and your puff jackets. It is completely different to the summer,” Smith says.
One component of the market that the team are really proud of is their commitment to sustainability. In 2023 they went totally single-use servewear free, investing in a dishwashing shed. They partnered with local community group Dishrupt for use of their plates and bowls, and haven’t looked back since. Don’t forget to bring your own cup, or you can borrow one on the day. The winter market season will wrap up with a special Winter Pride Market on Saturday, 23 August. Remarkables Market prides itself on creating a welcoming, relaxed, community atmosphere. The mid-winter markets will run on Saturday 5 and 12 July, from 10am – 2pm. They have free parking, an ATM on site and dogs are welcome on leads. You can find out more about what markets are happening, who the stallholders will be and when they’re taking place at facebook.com/RemarkablesMarket/
GET YOURS early in the season to maximise fun outdoors this winter. We’re in Wanaka, so easy! French designed for easy and tricky terrains. www.tsloutdoor.co.nz
Janelle + Pierre 021756280
SNOWSHOES
QLDC Libraries
Librarian Profile
Kia Ora!
Lakes Weekly Bulletin and Queenstown Lakes Libraries are profiling our librarians. This month it’s Kelsey Pisciotta, who is a Library Assistant.
Kia ora Queenstown! My name is Kelsey, and I am originally from Colorado in the United States. I moved to New Zealand nine years ago in 2016 and Queenstown dug itself firmly into my heart and hasn’t let go since!
Some of you might recognise me as ‘Teacher Kelsey’. I have been teaching ESL learners in the community for six years and although I have a bachelor’s degree in English, I have found an absolute extra nerdy love of grammar because of this profession. I enjoy creating enthusiasm for the English language in my students and to see them achieve their goals!
I started working at the library in October of 2024 and I have never been more involved in the community thanks to the amazing programmes and information available to our patrons. The library is so much more than books on a shelf. It’s a place for the community to come together, learn, and support each other. To be surrounded by a variety of ideas, culture and our fabulous staff has been an absolute dream!
Book Recommendations:
Emily Brontë – Wuthering Heights
A tale of passion and revenge set on the wild Yorkshire moors. Dark, twisted and riddled with conflict, the love between Catherine and Heathcliff sparks nothing but drama for the family at Wuthering Heights.
Neil Gaiman – Anansi boys
When Fat Charlie’s estranged father dies, he discovers he’s the son of a trickster god— and has a brother who turns his life upside down.
Lakes District
I adore reading poetry, gothic and classical novels and I devour fiction stories that take me to another world inside a character’s mind. My love of reading and art stems from my parents. We are a family of voracious readers, and my father is a multimedia artist and science fiction writer who has multiple stories published in the likes of Asimov’s and Analog’s Science Fiction magazines. My mother is an acrylic and watercolour painter who creates gorgeous paintings of objects and landscapes. My brother has won awards for his graphite drawings. Why I can only draw stick figures is a mystery!
But my appreciation for the arts and literature runs deep and I am happy to talk about what your next read should be, especially in the cult and classics section. So come into the library and say hi! I’ll be here sipping my tea and waiting to share some ideas.
Art Spiegelman – The Complete Maus
A powerful graphic novel depicting the Holocaust through anthropomorphic animals. A son uncovers his father’s past in Nazi-occupied Poland.
Jennifer Saint – Ariadne As Princesses of Crete and daughters of the fearsome King Minos, Ariadne and Phaedra grow up hearing the hoofbeats and bellows of the Minotaur echo from the Labyrinth beneath the palace. The Minotaur, Minos’s greatest shame and Ariadne’s brother, demands blood every year. Told from Ariadne’s perspective. Betrayal, love, and the strength of women take centre stage.
Ray Bradbury – Fahrenheit
451
In a future where books are burned, fireman Montag meets a rebellious teacher and begins to question everything—risking safety for freedom of thought.
A haunting vision of censorship, conformity, and the power of ideas.
by Sue Fea
My Life story
SYLVIA GAZZARD
Small but mighty - Don’t mess with Mrs Gazzard
She may be small in stature but even the tallest and bulkiest of Wakatipu High School Year 7 boys knew not to mess with wee Mrs Gazzard.
A Year 7 and 8 teacher at the old Gorge Road school for 18 years Sylvia Gazzard had learned to outsmart kids in her 40 years or so of teaching in New Zealand and Australia, finding good humour and embarrassment worked well.
Her infamous ‘threats’ that young male troublemakers would be punished by having to sit on her knee, endure a hug, or have fresh lipstick kisses planted on their cheeks never needing to be carried out. “I still have big guys in their 40s say how scared they were of me in case I actually did that,” Sylvia, now 80, retired and armed with a lightweight weed-eater to deal to her garden, chuckles.
Teachers didn’t order in resources then, instead using what was around them, Sylvia’s persuasive, fun personality coaxing artists like John Parson and Mark Thomas to help her teach art. Optician Graeme Cole came to talk about eyes and movie director John Mahaffie about film.
Kids were always entertained from boy-girl sock wrestling at Twelve Mile Camp, which the girls won due to their fingernails, to her discos raising money for netball uniforms and calculators that the Education Ministry refused to supply.
Teaching had its heart-breaking moments, from super-stressed mums and kids with dads away fighting in Vietnam while teaching in Australia’s Puckapunyal Army Base School, to trauma at home. Conscripted soldiers’ families sat at one end of the staffroom and officers at the other. Sylvia exercised her mid-60s Women’s Lib muscle when the principal classed Mel as an ’officer’, instructing her to sit in the officers’ section.
She and Mel narrowly escaped alive when their Melbourne train bound for Mildura hit a petrol tanker, flames leaping from their carriage, four
large petrol storage tanks close by. “Everybody yelled, ‘Run!’ We had to jump from quite high.”
She improvised teaching English to her Italianspeaking class there. “There were little Italians in the playground with Kiwi accents which visiting Monash University professors, looking at my reading programme, found hilarious.”
Raised on a Southland farm in Drummond, Sylvia was a fresh, baby boomer, an idyllic life, biking two miles to and from school, before the not-sofun boarding school days at Columba College.
“I’d pluck dead sheep for money in the holidays.”
A Southland primary school basketball (netball) rep, Sylvia later organised Wakatipu High’s Year 7 and 8 netball competition for years.
Career options were slim – “teacher, nurse or secretary”, Sylvia heading to Dunedin Teacher’s College at 17, teaching by 19.
“We shifted house 19 times in 21 years”
“Our flat of four girls had a brothel on one side and good Catholic family on the other, with a pub across the road – a bit of an eye opener,” she laughs. If they had a hangover day off the tutor would come to the flat to see why. “We always said food poisoning.”
She and late husband, long-time Queenstown Primary principal Mel Gazzard got together in her second year teaching, marrying after a short romance. “The kids in my Invercargill South School class gave me a rolling pin for our engagement to ‘hit my husband on the head with if he didn’t behave’,” she grins. It was close when Sylvia took delivery of the telegram notifying Mel that he’d been appointed principal of Te
Anau School. His application was all news to her, but he escaped unscathed. “Our two boys had grown enough that I could take my first fulltime teaching job in New Plymouth, which I loved,” Sylvia says. “We shifted house 19 times in 21 years, moving into a schoolhouse then buying a house, every 18 months or so. Mel got a job in Waitara so went to Massey to finish his BA, leaving me with two kids under three to pack up the house!”
There were stints at Bluff School where a fiveyear-old, who’d misbehaved, turned up with Bluff oysters sent by his dad who made him apologise.
In Dunedin Syliva worked on the famous Dunedin Study on human health, development and behaviour, testing how the children understood and learned. She was also a weekly volunteer on Alison Holst’s School Lunch Programme making free lunches around 1980 when it was discovered children weren’t getting proper lunches. No wussy old lady, Sylvia loves driving jetboats, four-wheel driving, sailing and fishing. My language isn’t very lady like if that wind comes up,” she grins. “I told the boys in my class who sail, ‘What you hear on the water stays on the water’.”
She’s loved sport, and after retiring in 2005, she and Mel ran a B&B that Mel added onto their home, also taking more than 20 overseas trips. These days she also enjoys her weekly ‘Knit and Natter Group’.
Teaching’s been tremendously satisfying. “Some have struggled and some were very talented, but they’ve all gone on to develop their skills in many areas.”
Sylvia walking the Gazzard’s corgi Katie up Queenstown HillSylvia and Mel in Holland on a trip to Europe in 2001Sylvia during a family holiday at Riverton in the 1970s
Sylvia in her beloved garden
• 6-week course
• 1x per week, 1.5 hours each session
• Starts: 29 JULY, 5.30pm - 7.00pm
• Learn all skills for Academic IELTS: Speaking, Listening, Reading, Writing GROUP ONLINE CLASS IELTS ACADEMIC
Enquires at hello@easyadmin.co.nz Phone: 021 0823 7381 www.easyadmin.co.nz
health MENTAL
Beat the winter blues: three simple strategies to stay energised, nourished & motivated
by Katherine Froggatt
As winter settles in, do you nd yourself feeling sluggish, craving comfort foods, and struggling to stay motivated? You’re not alone. The colder months naturally shift our metabolism, energy levels, and mood, making it harder to stay on track with healthy habits.
But here’s the good news – you don’t need extreme diets or intense workouts to feel better. With a few simple tweaks, you can boost your mood, nourish your body, and keep your energy up all winter long.
1. Mood-boosting foods: fuel your body & mind
Winter often leads to carb cravings and emotional eating, thanks to a drop in serotonin (our mood-stabilising hormone) caused by reduced sunlight exposure. But instead of reaching for sugary snacks that cause energy crashes, focus on foods that naturally boost your mood:
9 Protein & healthy fats – Eggs, salmon, avocado, and nuts help balance blood sugar & reduce cravings
9 Slow-burning carbs – Sweet potatoes, quinoa, and oats provide longlasting energy without spikes
9 Fermented foods – Yogurt, kimchi, and miso support gut health, which is directly linked to mood & metabolism
Easy Swap: Instead of reaching for processed snacks, make a warming bowl of porridge topped with nuts, seeds, and a drizzle of honey for natural energy balance
2. Move your body (without leaving the house!)
Cold mornings and dark evenings make it tempting to skip exercise, but movement is one of the best ways to beat winter fatigue. You don’t need a gym – small, simple movement breaks throughout the day can make a huge impact.
9 Strength training at home – Squats, lunges, and resistance bands keep metabolism active
9 Indoor walking or dance breaks – Play your favourite song and move –it’s an instant mood booster!
Easy tip: Set a timer to stand up and move for two minutes every hour –even small bursts of movement increase energy and focus
3. Comfort food that nourishes (not drains you)
Winter comfort food doesn’t have to lead to weight gain and energy crashes. Instead of cutting out favourites, make small nutrient-rich tweaks:
9 Boost protein in soups and stews – Add beans, lentils, or shredded chicken for longer-lasting energy
9 Use healthy fats – Cook with olive oil or coconut milk instead of processed sauces
9 Add more vegetables – Frozen spinach, carrots, and pumpkin add bre and immune support
Easy meal idea: Try a warming slow-cooked soup with lentils, tomatoes, and warming spices like turmeric and ginger – simple, nourishing, and packed with winter-friendly nutrients
Want more easy winter wellness inspiration?
I’ve created a FREE Time Saving Low Carb High Protein Recipe Guide tapping guide packed with easy, nutrient-rich meals to keep you energized & balanced this winter. To download, scan the QRcode.
habits for a season of energy and well-being.
New boutique hotel to rise above Queenstown
A high-end boutique hotel is set to transform the corner of Man and Brecon Streets in Queenstown CBD, replacing a tired 1960s former language school building.
The proposed hotel, from Cactus Kiwi NZ Limited Partnership, will be built on a 339sqm site directly adjacent to the iconic Brecon St steps.
The development includes four spacious suites designed for luxury stays, along with a wine bar in basement - open to both guests and the public. Each suite will span an entire level, offering either a large lounge with spa-style ensuite or an open-plan living and dining area with a dedicated library nook. With only eight guests per suite at maximum capacity, the hotel is pitching itself firmly at the top end of the market.
Cactus Kiwi NZ Limited Partnership is owned by Queenstown-based chartered accountant and developer Richie O’Meara, the founder of O’Meara Advisory. The property, 10 Brecon Street, was last sold in 2021 for a reported $3.1 million.
Created by award-winning architects Monk McKenzie, the hotel blends large glazed panels with dark metal finishes and locally sourced schist gabion walls to fit the alpine context.
From Man Street, it will present as a sleek three-level building; from Brecon St, the full four-storey height will be visible due to the site’s elevation. While the building exceeds height limits under the current District Plan, the developers argue the location- a corner site in a rapidly intensifying part of town - can absorb the extra scale.
It will be somewhat dwarfed by the neighbouring recently approved 173-room hotel, on top of the Man St car park. There’s also a hotel planned on the opposite corner of Brecon St, although its development has been slow.
The high-end Sofitel Hotel is on the opposite side of the Brecon St steps. The resource consent application has been submitted to council.
This winter, go with the ow of your body’s natural rhythm – nourish, move, and embrace simple, impactful
Growing well south of the Kawarau
Te Tapuae Southern Corridor is the land south of Kawarau River around Hanley’s Farm and Jack’s Point. Our draft Structure Plan, a 30-year roadmap to guide how the area grows, is open for community feedback until 26 July. Find out more and have your say at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
Restoring biodiversity on Queenstown Hill
Our draft plan for Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve proposes removing all invasive wilding tree species and replanting with mixed native/exotic and scrub/tussock grassland. Read the plan and make a submission by 6 July at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
The future of Glenorchy Airstrip
Community feedback has helped us draft a plan to manage the Glenorchy Airstrip Reserve. Check out the plan and share your thoughts by 8 August at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
New to the district?
We’ve created a Newcomers Guide to help you settle into life here. It’s filled with local resources and services to help you and your family adjust to your new home. To read the guide head to www.qldc.govt.nz/newcomers-guide
Make sure you’re enrolled to vote
If you haven’t seen Orange Guy in your letterbox recently you might need to update your details with the Electoral Commission. If they don’t have the right info, you might not receive voting papers for October’s local elections. It’s quick and easy to get sorted – head to https://vote.nz/enrol
Dispose of hot ashes safely
Hot ashes can start fires in bins, trucks and landfills even days after. Always empty ashes into a metal bin, douse with water, and leave for five days before putting them in your red rubbish bin. More tips at www.qldc.govt.nz/services/rubbish-recycling
Sign up for winter road reports
Winter has arrived and our road reports are underway! Get a free daily overview of conditions in your inbox before 7.00am or check out Facebook @QLDCinfo. Sign up at www.qldc.govt.nz/winter-road-reports
Sign up and Let’s Talk
Want to make sure your voice is heard on the important decisions that matter to you? Check out our dedicated web portal Let’s Talk. Register and start having your say at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
For Sale
FOR SALE
NISSAN TIIDA 2005 SEDAN AUTOMATIC, immaculate condition. 206,700 km, WOF to Oct 2025, as is where is. 4 new tyres, strut mounts replaced, regular servicing, view Frankton. $3200. Contact 021 055 4060
CALLING ALL DREAMERS & DOERS - Misfits Workshop is a coworking community where ideas collide and innovation thrives. Put in the work and still make it to the slopes. Desks & more. Swing by for the grand tour, flat white on us. misfits.co.nz
COMMUNITY
Community
NEWLY ESTABLISHED NOT-FOR-PROFIT BABYWEARING QUEENSTOWN is looking for baby carrier donations for the community baby carrier library we are building. Contact to arrange donation babywearingqueenstown@gmail.com and thank you for your support!
LOOKING FOR A PET FRIENDLY RENTAL
A humble and respectful couple looking for a pet friendly rental within Queenstown and surrounding suburbs for anything under $1000. Hope to hear from you.
Thank you, James and Kody. Contact: 0273311644
WATCH REPAIRS NOW
For all your repairs, watches, clocks, batteries, key cutting & straps. Level One, Stratton House (Below Sky City), 24 Beach Street, Queenstown Mon - Fri, 9.30am till 5.30pm. Closed on Saturdays. Phone/ text: 027 217 0442
PROFESSIONAL DRIVER AVAILABLE
45 seat Bus to smaller shuttle Driver only or with my own 18 Seat New Bus Local, years of experience, 4-16 pax City to town, Ski fields, Mt Cook, Tekapo, Milford Sound Day tours or transfers - same day or overnights Call 021 568 146 - available anytime
PROPERTY WANTED
I’m helping an Auckland buyer looking for a special rural property, could be at the luxury end of the market. Possibly also bare land of a hectare or more. They are ready to buy and flexible on possession date. If thinking of selling, please contact Graham Berry on 021 320920 or gb@berryrealestate.co.nz for discreet and experienced real estate advice. Berry Real Estate Licensed under REAA 2008
www.qldc.govt.nz
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
jobfix.co.nz
Join our Team!
We’re looking for caring, reliable, and enthusiastic teachers who would love to work with infants in a supportive early childhood setting. You need to be passionate about supporting the our youngest children as they grow and learn. This is a wonderful opportunity to start a rewarding career in early childhood education while gaining hands-on experience. What we’re looking for:
• A natural love for infants and young children
• Patience, kindness, and a willingness to learn
• Someone who is dependable and enjoys working as part of a team
• Bonus if you’re interested in studying (or already studying) early childhood in the future!
• A current work visa valid for more than 12 months (this is essential for all non citizens)
You’ll be supported by experienced teachers and guided by the philosophies of Pikler and Reggio Emilia, within the framework of Te Whāriki.
If you’re looking for a place where you can grow and make a di erence every day — we’d love to hear from you!
Full time role. Please email Tash recruit@gems.net.nz
ACCOUNTANT
Accountants for Queenstown, Cromwell and Wanaka
We are seeking experienced accountants to join our team and make a signi cant impact on the Central Otago accounting landscape. As part of our high-performing team, you will value hard work and life balance. We o er exibility and are open to considering hybrid solutions that work for both you and the business.
Our rm combines the exibility of a local practice with the expertise, global network, and strength of a large-scale international rm. Our exceptional client service is delivered through our dedicated team. Why BDO?
At BDO, we pride ourselves on being a fantastic employer. We believe in helping people achieve their professional and personal goals. Our culture is built on thriving teams who focus on tomorrow and doing the right thing for our people and clients.
Before applying, please ensure you have the right to live and work in New Zealand.
Contact: David Crossan David.crossan@bdo.co.nz
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
jobfix.co.nz
Trustee Position (Volunteer)
The Queenstown Trails Trust is an energetic trust dedicated to creating and enhancing trails to connect our communities and inspire adventures. We are looking for two new trustees to join and compliment the experience and skill sets of the existing board of trustees and bring diversity.
We are seeking applicants with a true passion for the Queenstown Trail Network, and not for profit governance, who are willing to get stuck in, bring fresh ideas, and connect with our community.
A copy of the Trust’s strategy is available online at www.queenstowntrails.org.nz and at Queenstown Lakes District Council reception, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Trustee board meetings are bimonthly; however Trustees are expected to assist the executive team regularly.
Please forward your resume to Mark.Williams@Queenstowntrails.org.nz or post to Queenstown Trails Trust, PO Box 91070, Whakatipu 9304, by 31 July 2025
Electrician Required
Myelectrician is requiring an Electrician to join their small Queenstown team.
Please call Myell on 021 857 267
Love the outdoors?
Want to help keep our towns beautiful and vibrant?
We're hiring across multiple roles –whether you're just starting out or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here.
All levels of experience welcome.
Grow your career with on-the-job horticultural training.
Be part of a passionate team making a real difference in our community.
Enjoy great QLDC bene ts, including a heavily discounted gym membership.
