While we may celebrate Queenstown businesses every day at the Chamber, we really look forward to the Business Awards season. It only happens every second year, so it’s pretty exciting to launch the 2degrees Queenstown Business awards for 2025.
Entries are now open (until 15 September), and I encourage all businesses in the Queenstown region to reflect and appreciate how far they’ve come and consider entering. It’s the perfect time to evaluate and celebrate.
Like a fine Gibbston wine, the awards just keep getting better. We heard your feedback and are excited to introduce some new categories, plus bring back some old favourites. There are 10 category winners to be awarded as well as the ultimate Supreme award winner.
Reflecting our hardworking economy of mostly small businesses, this year we are introducing the Small Business of the Year category, sponsored by Queenstown Airport. We are also bringing back the prestigious Employer of the Year award, sponsored by RealNZ.
And because we’re not short of ‘Good Sorts’ across our Queenstown business community we are very excited to introduce the ‘Good Sort’ award, sponsored by Hamish Walker of Walker & Co Realty. A common trait across most Good Sorts, is that generally they’re a humble bunch and probably don’t realise how much of a good sort they are! So, this category is by nomination, please make sure you nominate your favourite business / community champion.
The Awards gala night in November is the business party of the year. This year we’re bringing the party to our beautiful CBD and can promise it’ll be a good one.
In planning the awards this year and pulling together our family of partners to deliver them, I’ve made one observation. Our business award partners are truly keen to support other businesses success and get in behind the Queenstown business community. It hasn’t been a ‘hard sell’, more of a ‘I’m in, how can I help?’. This is such an awesome reflection of what a positive business community we have.
Let’s celebrate that.
More information on the awards and how to enter can be found at queenstownchamber.org. nz/businessawards2025/ and also on p16 inside. It’s free, and relatively painless to enter (as you’ve already done the hard work!)
Ka kite,
Sharon Fifield, Chamber CEO
22 July28 July
Queenstown pizzaioli Yoni Dmoch is celebrating after winning the Contemporanean category at the Caputo Cup New Zealand. Yoni, whose business Biga Pizza specialises in Neapolitan-style pizza, will compete in international finals in Naples next year, the most prestigious pizza competition in the world. He’s pictured with his family.
Snow Machine discounts for locals
More than 7000 people will descend on Queenstown for the epic Snow Machine in September.
But festival organisers want locals to join the week-long party too, and are offering discounts for Queenstown residents and throwing a huge downtown night party.
The festival runs from 9-14 September, spread across The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, its massive Remarkables Park arena, and various side parties.
Claptone, Amyl and the Sniffers, Netsky, Mallrat, Luude, and Cyril, are among two dozen international and NZ acts set to perform.
They’ll also be stage takeovers from Poof Doof Ski Club, Thick As Thieves, Revolver Sundays and Electric Rush.
And downtown Rees St will close on Wednesday, 10 September, for a 1000-person capacity takeover, featuring Hot Dub Time Machine, What So Not and rising star Slimberley, from 6pm-10pm.
“While Snow Machine has always been known for its on-mountain experiences and vibrant main arena in Frankton, we wanted to create something that activates the Queenstown CBD, to support local businesses by keeping the party alive in town,” Snow Machine Promoter Quentin Nolan says.
“And we want to make the festival as a whole more accessible to locals. We’ve got a 20% discount for locals but we’re encouraging anybody who wants to go to get in quick, because they’ll sell out.”
The four-day ticket for locals is $399pp, down from $499, while the VIP four-day ticket for locals is $698, the weekend tickets for locals (Friday & Saturday) are $269, and day tickets are $139.
Early bird tickets for the Rees St takeover are still available, priced $49, rising to $69 for the second release, and $89 last minute. Revolver will also bring their iconic cage to World Bar and Yonder for an all-night takeover that night, so the party will continue there and at the official Snow Machine Saloon (Local) on Rees St.
Thursday will see Polar Bare return - Snow Machine’s fourth attempt to
break the world record for most people skiing/snowboarding down the slopes in swimwear. Festival organisers want season pass holders to get involved to push numbers to record levels. There’s also launch parties at AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge and Canyon Brewing on the Tuesday, a drag brunch finale on Saturday.
Thousands of people head across the Ditch from Australia for the festival, with five- and seven-day accommodation and ski pass packages ranging from $1049 to over $2200pp.
Nolan says the event’s economic impact is around $20 million per year for the town, with a demographic whose average age is around 28 but ranges from 18 to 50 year olds.
Local Discount Code: LOCAL25
Locals prices: 4-day ticket: $399
VIP 4-day ticket: $698
Weekend Tickets (Friday + Saturday): $269
Day Tickets (Thursday, Friday or Saturday): $139
Triple swing to open soon
Queenstown’s next tourist attraction - a triple swing at the AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand centre - is on track to open in September.
The 43-metre swing is the latest addition to the complex surrounding the historic Kawarau Bridge, where Hackett and Henry van Asch established the world’s first commercial bungy in 1988.
While that was the jump-off for Queenstown’s reputation as the adventure capital of the world, the new swing is destined to appeal to thrillseekers who like their thrills a little less thrilling.
“Not everyone who visits the Kawarau Bridge chooses to do a bungy jump,” AJHBNZ CEO David Mitchell says
“That’s why we’ve designed the Kawarau Swing to appeal to people who are seeking a different experience, which hits that sweet spot between the full-on adrenaline rush of a bungy and the pure joy of a zip ride.”
The Kawarau Swing will be accessed off the bungy centre viewing deck, which welcomes around 400,000 visitors and spectators a year.
Drilling is complete under the viewing deck and last week the steel structure that the swing platform will sit on was lifted into place.
Mechanical components and further steel structures are being fabricated off-site and, once the foundation work is complete, things are expected to come together quickly, Mitchell says.
The company, now owned solely by van Asch, had originally penciled in July as an opening date, but that has been moved back slight to September. When it opens, the Kawarau Swing will be the first three-person swing in the South Island. It can
also be adapted for single and tandem swings, swinging guests up to 43 metres high across the Kawarau River before winching them back to the platform on the southern bank of the Kawarau Gorge.
“As the swing comes to life, all stages of development will incorporate AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand’s proven safety systems, built on more than 30 years of experience in delivering thrilling yet safe adventures,” Mitchell adds.
Steel beams lifted into place at the AJ Hackett Bungy NZ centre last week
The Kawarau Bridge and bungy centre
Optimism returning to property market
by Paul Taylor
Queenstown’s property market looks set for another upswing, but it might be more sustainable this time around.
The white-hot housing market, which saw buyers fighting to grab anything up for sale, lost some of its temperature in recent years, as high interest rates, the cost of living crisis, and global uncertainty finally started to bite.
And that’s continued into 2025, with buyers now adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach before committing to a sale or purchase.
They have the negotiating advantage and are taking longer to commit, assessing the multitude of options, and displaying high price sensitivity, according to Colliers Otago’s annual Otago Property Market Review & Outlook, published last week.
But, despite that, prices remain high in this ever-popular town, and there are now signs both supply and demand will increase, bringing more balance to the market.
“The property market appears to have turned a corner with stabilised interest rates, improving investment confidence, and cautious optimism in the market,” Heather Beard, Director of Valuation at Colliers Otago, says.
“Furthermore, we are starting to see more activity from developers reentering the market, which bodes well for residential opportunities in Queenstown as supply has been a longstanding challenge for the area to ensure enough accommodation is available for workers.
“We await to see the impact of the Government’s announcement of the ‘Golden Visa’, which may contribute to buyer interest in the high-end residential market across the wider region.”
First-home buyers continue to be the dominant market segment, with properties under $1.5m in strong demand.
Newer, entry-level suburbs like Fernhill, Sunshine Bay, Hanley’s Farm, Shotover Country and Frankton have continued to see good demand for listings. A three-bedroom home in Hanley’s Farm that sold for $1.165 million in 2021 resold in late 2024 for $1.568m - an annualised growth rate of nearly 9%.
Numerous townhouse developments are also being marketed for sale that aim to meet the needs of the sub-$1.5m first-home buyer market, including the 226 Five Mile Villas, 39 Kawarau Villas, and 68 Lakehouse Villas, all in Frankton.
Sections too remain sought-after, with a shortage of titled, flat, entry-level land in Queenstown.
The final Hanley’s Farm sections were sold in February 2025 with prices ranging from $1,000sqm for larger lots to $1,400sqm for smaller sites. Sites at neighbouring Park Ridge subdivision were released the same month with prices from $1,394sqm to $1,566sqm for a 371-square-metre site.
The report notes there are also around 6000 homes in Fast-Track Approvals Act developments.
On the rental front, prices are softening slightly. Queenstown’s median weekly rent for a three-bedroom home is now $983, down from $975 last July - not a huge drop, but a sign that supply is starting to catch up, helped by all those new home-and-income builds in places like Hanley’s Farm.
The report also covers residential, commercial and industrial property across Otago, and is available on the Colliers Otago website, colliersotago.co.nz
Gang patch and drugs charges
Police have charged an alleged gang member with suppling cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis plants after a raid in Queenstown.
Officers executed a search warrant at a local address at around 9am on Friday, 18 July, where the 40-year-old man was taken into custody without incident.
He was charged with a number of illicit drug related offences, and also one count of breaching the Gangs Act 2024 after allegedly wearing gang insignia in public in June 2025.
He appeared in Queenstown District Court on Friday and was remanded in custody, with his next court date in Invercargill District Court on Tuesday, 29 July.
“Police work hard to disrupt the supply of drugs as we see first-hand what serious impact and harm it has on our community everyday,” Sergeant Sam Oram, of Queenstown Police, says.
“For our efforts to be most effective, we need the support of the public, which is why we ask people to contact us to report unlawful activity through 105 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Increased use
Earlier in the week, Police had separately expressed concern about the increase in cocaine use in the Queenstown area, reflected in the latest monthly wastewater results.
There’s generally an increase in illicit drugs in Queenstown’s wastewater during peak seasons – the party-going ski season no exception.
But Otago Lakes Relieving Area Commander Paul Reeves says the per capita consumption rate is also rising.
He’s warning people to “never assume the substance they have is what they have been sold” and says there’s no guarantee they haven’t been ‘cut’ with potentially poisonous additives.
“Adulteration can occur anywhere along the supply chain, and this can lead to serious lifelong health effects,” Reeves says.
And it’s not just cocaine. MDMA, or other powder-type drugs, like methamphetamine and ketamine, are often cut with other potentially toxic substances.
Police are encouraging people to sign up for High Alert – New Zealand’s drug early warning system which is aimed at keeping people safer. It offers notifications about particularly dangerous substances circulating in the community – highalert.org.nz.
Read more on lwb.co.nz and the Queenstown App, where you’ll also find links to various help agencies.
Collierss Tom Jarrold, Heather Beard and John Scobie
LAKES WEEKLY POLL
LWB regularly polls locals on issues affecting our region. This week’s responses are below.
Should rental car companies pay the costs associated with their clients' accidents, such as rescue helicopter call out costs?
Yes - 44%
No - 47%
No opinion - 9%
Are you in favour of a privately-owned and publicly-operated hospital for Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago?
Yes, anything to get one built - 62%
No, Central Government should pay for a new public hospital - 22%
We don't need a new hospital / Lakes District Hospital should be upgraded - 15%
No opinion - 1%
Have you ever bought anything (except food) from the soon-to-close DFS in O'Connells mall?
Yes - 6%
No - 92%
Not sure, can't remember - 2%
How often do you dine out in Queenstown Lakes?
At least once a week - 28%
Once a month - 51%
Once a year - 19%
Never - 2%
Did you leave Queenstown in the school holidays?
EVERYDAY | 4-6PM
$10 PAV WINE AND BEER
pavilionqueenstown
www.pavilionqueenstown.com
Building E, 19 Grant Road, Queenstown Central, Frankton, 9300
Yes, good time to get away - 23%
No, too busy / other reason - 46%
When were the school holidays? I don't have kids - 31%
There were 147 respondents this week. If you would like to take part: you can sign up on the LWB Facebook page.
CRIMELINE
Night-time car thieves on the rampage
by Sue Fea
Police are warning ‘lock up’ with night-time car thieves striking around the Wakatipu again – a Porsche Taycan and Range Rover stolen in Arrowtown and valuables from a vehicle at Hanley’s Farm, all within the past few weeks. The Taycan, the renowned German car manufacturer’s electric flagship which sells for upwards of $250,000 when new, was taken for a joyride after being stolen from an Arrowtown property overnight on Sunday night - 6/7 July. It was found abandoned in Dipton, Southland. Meanwhile, the white Range Rover has still not been recovered after being stolen, again from Arrowtown, last Thursday morning, 10 July. Police would like to hear from anyone with information as to its whereabouts.
In the latest hit a Hanley’s Farm Forage Road resident posted CCTV footage on social media of a brazen theft from his vehicle parked on his property at 11.40pm Friday, 11 July.
The offender, wearing a hoodie pulled up, clearly sneaked and snooped around the outside of the house. He then appears to be opening the car boot and taking items, before moving onto the next property – a newly-completed house which neighbours say is still unoccupied.
Other residents commenting on the community Facebook page post claim they’d noticed an increase in thefts, vandalism and even hit and run-style damage to vehicles.
The burglary was reported to Police and Constable Amanda Shute says enquiries are continuing to locate the offender. She says an unknown person entered the property and opened the boot of the vehicle parked outside and took a number of valuable items, but she would not disclose what.
“We urge people to lock their vehicles and remove all valuable items, and lock their houses,” she says. “Look out for your neighbours and if you know they’re away or see anything suspicious then report it to Police immediately.”
Another Forage Road neighbour, Marie Lorelie Abellanosa Romero, visiting her son, says a tyre flew off her son’s van recently, but fortunately he’d felt something amiss so was slowing to pull over on his way home from Frankton. He had her young grandson in the vehicle who was quite upset.
“When the tow truck guy came to tow it, he checked all of the tyres and said they were all loosened,” she says. “The guy at the tyre shop is our friend and assured he used the machine as he always does to tighten the tyres when fitting new ones recently.”
They’re left wondering if someone tampered with their vehicle. “All this is scary as we always park our car outside by the road.”
Driver crashes into parked vehicles
A 28-year-old Auckland man, who allegedly crashed into multiple parked vehicles in Fernhill shortly before midnight on Tuesday, 15 July, has been charged with careless driving while Police await a blood alcohol level result. Police received a call that the vehicle had crashed in the residential area and the driver was breath-tested, but he elected to have a blood test.
Shute says the man will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 15 August.
Meanwhile, a 28-year-old Queenstown man blew 758mcg on Lake Avenue, Frankton, just after 11.30pm on Friday, 11 July. He was suspended from driving for 28 days and will appear in court.
A 63-year-old local woman blew 531mcg after being stopped at an alcohol checkpoint just after 6.15pm on Saturday. She will appear in court on 11 August.
And Police issued three drink driving infringement notices to drivers blowing between 250mcg and 400mcg – one a local woman in her 40s, a 32-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, all stopped at Frankton checkpoints.
Monthly Column
Joseph Mooney MP for Southland
Being part of positive change is one of the key drivers for me as your local MP and there have been some satisfying recent developments for the Queenstown Lakes.
The first might not sound exciting, but it is incredibly important. Health NZ has announced they’re commencing clinical services planning for Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago. This is major because to greenlight new health infrastructure, the first step is always a clinical services plan which provides the foundation for future decisions.
Since the last election I’ve been leading, alongside QLDC and CODC mayors and local health professionals plus fellow MPS Miles Anderson and Todd Stephenson, a group called The Otago Central Lakes Health Services and Assets Project. We have a goal of improving the amount of public health services in the combined Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts (Otago Central Lakes). Southern Lakes Health Trust clinical advisor Dr Jez Leftley and health infrastructure specialist Helen Foot have also been major drivers of our proposal, and their valuable input has been immense.
We’ve done a huge amount of work to surface the relevant data for our districts. A big win is that Health NZ will use our councils’ population projections rather than Stats NZ which were very much at the lean end of the spectrum.
Queenstown and Central Otago have been growing quickly whilst public health infrastructure hasn’t. The current Lakes District Hospital, in Queenstown, was built in 1988 when the Otago Central Lakes population was 30,000 people. It’s the only Emergency Department in the wider Central Lakes region, which now has a population of almost 80,000.
It is great to see Health NZ hearing our concerns and making this crucial step to plan for what’s needed. Their process will run to December.
There has been some great advocacy here in Queenstown and over the hill in Wānaka and these combined efforts will help shape Health NZ’s clinical services plan to determine what services are needed and how we can work with existing public and private providers to get improvement for our region.
On a related note, we have also had the announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding between our councils and the Government to begin negotiations for a Regional Deal for Otago Central Lakes – the only region in the South Island to be selected. The Regional Deal proposal included health as a cornerstone.
This is a huge vote of confidence by the Government in Otago Central Lakes and something I have been working on with our mayors and councils, and have strongly advocating for in Wellington.
Last week I also met with officials from NZTA to discuss the progress of work around the BP roundabout. I’ve received a lot of correspondence about this project with a key concern being the four-year timeframe. This is due to the inability to shut down that major intersection. If the road could be closed the project would go a lot faster, but that unfortunately isn’t possible. I appreciate the frustrations this may cause.
Other recent highlights have been seeing the Government’s responsible fiscal management supporting the Reserve Bank to keep the Official Cash Rate low. There has been a 2.25 percentage point reduction in the OCR since August last year – easing the cost of borrowing and delivering much needed relief for many New Zealand households.
The Government has also significantly improved the FamilyBoost scheme to ease pressure and put more money back into parents’ pockets. Families can now get back 40% of their early childhood education (ECE) fees, up from the previous 25%. We’ve also lifted the maximum weekly rebate from $75 to $120, meaning the most any family can get is now $1,560 per quarter.
We’ve also raised the income threshold, so households earning up to nearly $230,000 may now be eligible. Thousands more families - including many in our community - will now get some relief with their ECE costs.
COMMUNITY NOTES
KiwiHarvest ‘Souperheroes’ campaign - a big thanks and upcoming fundraiser
In a world where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the news, it’s often the small acts of kindness and community spirit that remind us of the good in the world. Right now, more than ever, those of us who are fortunate enough to be part of this community can take pride in knowing that individuals of all ages have come together to literally nourish and warm the bellies of those who are struggling. I wanted to take a moment to share with you how, through the KiwiHarvest ‘Souperheroes’ campaign, our community has made a real difference. What began as a simple idea - aligned with KiwiHarvest’s mission to reduce food waste and support those in need - has grown into something that fills me with pride and hope.
We started by collaborating with Liger students, whose enthusiasm and commitment to learning have been invaluable in bringing this campaign to life. The task was clear: reduce waste, work with local students and hospitality, and feed those facing tough times. So, it developed to source surplus containers like ice cream tubs, yogurt tubs, and banana boxes - items that would otherwise end up in the landfill - and team up with local chefs at hotels and restaurants to utilise excess food and create a stockpile of frozen soups, stews, and curries. These would be distributed to the 13 charities we support, reaching communities in Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell, and Alexandra.
Our local primary schools embraced the campaign wholeheartedly. Students from Queenstown, Wānaka, and beyond scoured their recycling bins for old containers and dug into their cupboards for canned soups. The dedication of these young Souperheroes was evident, with Shotover Primary School leading the charge, collecting hundreds of containers and over 450 cans in just one nonuniform day.
by Gary Hough, KiwiHarvest Queenstown
Behind the scenes, chefs from local hospitality businesses worked tirelessly to transform excess food ingredients into hearty winter staples. KiwiHarvest, as always, just played its part by efficiently coordinating collection and distribution, ensuring that these meals reached those who needed them most by giving it to our amazing recipient charities working in the frontline like Happiness House, Salvation Army, Baskets of Blessings etc.
The impact has been felt across the region, and today, we received an exciting message from the team at the Dansey Pass Hotel, eager to get involved. This is a reminder that when good people come together, great things happen. The ripple effect of this campaign is just beginning, and we’re excited to see how we can continue to build on this incredible start.
Our trolley at Pak’nSave is still there for donations of containers and canned soups, and local hospitality businesses are welcome to reach out to join in. We’ve still got plenty of containers to fill, and every contribution counts.
To all the Souperheroes in our community - students, families, teachers, chefs, and volunteers - thank you for making this winter warmer for so many.
Special thanks to the following: Schools and students:
• Shotover Primary School
• Arrowtown Primary School
• Wānaka Primary School
• Queenstown Primary School
• Remarkables Primary School
• Kings View Primary School
• St Joseph’s Primary School
• Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau
Chefs and teams:
• Queenstown Catering
• Double Thyme Catering
• Crowne Plaza Hotel
• Real Journeys Walter Peak Team
• Odd Saint Café
• Rees Hotel
• Pavilion Restaurant
• Hilton Hotel
And to every individual and family who have dropped off containers and made a donation to our trolley at Pak’nSave.
And to those who prefer to remain nameless, but whose contributions are no less appreciated - thank you!
Your generosity and dedication are changing lives. Together, we are proving that community spirit is the best recipe for success.
Our next fundraiser is our Cruise for a Cause: Doubtful Sound on 9-10 August. Set sail on an unforgettable overnight Doubtful Sound adventure
- and make a real difference for our community!
We’re thrilled that KiwiHarvest Queenstown and Central Lakes has been chosen by RealNZ for their exclusive Cruise for a Cause.
All ticket proceeds go directly to KiwiHarvest! Your experience includes:
• A cruise across Lake Manapouri and coach journey over Wilmot Pass
• A spectacular overnight cruise through Doubtful Sound
• A three-course dinner and hearty breakfast
• Opportunities for kayaking or small boat exploration
• Free return bus from Queenstown
• Inspiring after-dinner talks with Nadia Lim (Royalburn) and Greg Hay (Wet Jacket Wines)
• Live piano entertainment by RealNZ
• Silent auction with amazing prizes
Tickets: $750 per person (twin/double cabins)
Limited spots available – secure your place on this once-in-a-lifetime voyage! Scan the QR code for more info.
Liger Students project becoming reality
The frontline team at Baskets of Blessings over the moon to receive these contributions weekly to cope with record numbers
Mini souperheros in action at Shotover Primary School
Steph our volunteer collecting the donations from our Pak N Save trolley from all those unnamed souperheroes contributing from the community
Samson and Kayleigh from Queenstown Catering using their souperpowers to create amazing Winter staples
YOUNG PICASSOS AFTER SCHOOL ART CLASS TERM 3 ENROLLING NOW!
Join us as we EXPLORE THE LOST CITY OF ATLANTIS! A diverse set of art skills explored as we paint and sketch ancient ruins, treasure maps and draw unique underwater creatures of the lost city!! Fridays 3.30pm - 5pm TeAtamira - $261 Book Now/info CONTACT LISA DUNCAN BA Hons Dip Teachlisadspaintparty@gmail.com
XS STORAGE
Secure self storage units – various sizes available Phone: 0800 297 786 www.xsstorage.co.nz
HOSPOGUIDE
Live music with Eby 6pm $15 Bao Buns
Live music with VickyLeigh Duo 6pm $15 Rump Steak
Live music with John 4pm DJ Stubacca 7pm $15 Parmi
Live music with Danny Atkinson 5pm DJ R!SK 9pm $15 Burger & Fries
Live music with TJ 5pm DJ Rinkha 8pm $15 Chef’s Special Sunday Live music with TERE 4pm DJ Eoin 7pm $15 Spice Bags
Monday Live music with Johnny $15 Fried Rice
Special: $28 BBQ meat platter, dine in or takeaway, Fri, Sat and Sun only 12pm to 5pm
Sesh with DJ Mad
Apres
Free Wings (while stocks last) DJ Rinkha 8pm til late
Tuesday Get in quick: Ice Bumper Cars from 1.30-2.30pm Limited Space Available! Wednesday Free to Watch Ice Hockey from 6.30pm-10pm
Thursday All-Day Ice Skating & Bumper Cars from 9.30am4.30pm
Friday Free to Watch Ice Hockey from 7.30pm9.45pm
Saturday Night Skate Disco from 6.15pm7.30pm, followed by Stick & Puck!
Mona Lisa | 2. George Orwell | 3. China | 4. Grenadine | 5. Art of Dancing | 6. Horses | 7. Alexandre Dumas |
Hocus Pocus |
Dr No |
Silence of the Lambs
Motorcycle Racing
Berlin, Mexico, London
Woody Allen
Nelson Mandela | 17. Tutankhamun’s tomb | 18. Pluto
Arts+Culture
Benefit concert to support young artist
by Jessica Allen
Dunedin pianist and composer Abhinath Berry will perform at Arrowtown’s Aspiring Lifestyle Village this Sunday. Midway through a scholarship in London, it’s a show not to be missed.
Arrowtown Creative Arts Society (ACAS) are bringing the artist here, and are suggesting that you trust the experts with huge claims being made for the 24-year-old, who is briefly back in the country and midway through a prized scholarship with London’s Guildhall School of Music. This scholarship is one of the top awards offered by the 145-year-old institution, which is one of the world’s top three music schools.
“It is a huge opportunity, and at first I was worried that I didn’t belong at the Guildhall,” Berry says. “Now I’m feeling valued as both a person and a musician.”
Back in New Zealand, Berry graduated from the University of Otago’s School of Performing Arts, having attained a Bachelor of Music with first-class Honours in Performance and Composition.
“I’m particularly close, I feel, to the composer Franz Liszt and I play a lot of his music. I’ve done concerts for the Wagner Society of New Zealand and Liszt’s music is very much in that kind of realm. Liszt often transcribed many overtures from Wagner’s operas – it’s fascinating because you’re bringing the scale of opera down to a piano and Liszt did this so he could promote the operatic works of the young composers of the time. In a way, it was through him that they were able to have an outlet, and it was his generosity that enabled them to become successful composers.”
Born in New Zealand into a literary family, Berry began self-study of the piano at the age of 15, before commencing his formal studies with Otago University Piano Professor Terence Dennis at 18. From an early age he taught himself music theory and would often write his own music. Now 24, he has the largest part of a recording and concert career ahead of him.
“I was inspired to start playing when I was about 15 – just from seeing piano a lot in popular culture and seeing the repertoire we could explore as pianists. I’d say out of all the instruments that it has the largest and most diverse repertoire available, and there’s something for every potential artists, so that really hooked me and I felt the need to explore all of the repertoire. In a way, that was my motivation to start playing, and being 15 as a precocious teenager, you tend to play far beyond your paygrade.”
Abhinath is also a composer and has recently returned to composition after a brief hiatus. His Sonata-Fantasie (2022) and String Quartet No. 2 (2021) received the Lilburn Prize, and his orchestral work Prologue from Metamorphoses was selected for the Todd Corporation Young Composers’ Award and performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He is a dedicated music educator and currently teaches piano privately in London.
Abhinath has performed around here in the past, working with the Central Otago Regional Choir. He’s really looking forward to returning and performing. For Arrowtown, Abhinath has chosen a popular program which includes Lizst, Ravel, and three beautiful Gershwin arrangements made by the American Earl Wild, who’s been dubbed ‘the last great Romantic pianist.’ “I was really pleased to see how much the audience seemed to appreciate the music, and how attentive and enthusiastic they are in that part of New Zealand. I feel like they’re greatly appreciative, and it always makes the performer happy to see others responding to their music.”
Abhinath will perform at The Lodge, Aspiring Lifestyle Village at 3pm on Sunday, 27 July. Afternoon tea is available and you can find tickets on Eventfinda – with limited door sales on the day.
Tickets are $39, or $29 for ACAS members /ALV residents.
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
QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST
TUE (22 Jul) @ 6:30pm, ‘Nurturing Peace’ with Grant Rix SUN (27 Jul) @ 10am, ‘Cultivating Awareness Practice’ followed by ‘Social Sunday’ & ‘Pot Luck Lunch’ for Alan @ 12pm
All are welcome.
Donations for the teacher/centre are gratefully accepted. See www.dharmacentre.org.nz / FB
GOINGS ON ABOUT
EVENTS - MUSIC - ART
THEATRE - AT THE GALLERIES
Free Cervical Screening
COMMUNITY
Cervical Screening would like to invite you to a free women’s health screening event. Cervical screening is recommended if you are a wāhine or anyone with a cervix aged between 25 and 69. This is a FREE clinic for all wāhine or anyone with a cervix who thinks they are overdue for cervical screening, or have never had a screen. The new HPV Self-Test will be available at this event. To register in advance, please email: cervical.Screening@southerndhb.govt.nz or phone 0800 729 729
When: Friday, 25 July, 8am – 5pm Where: Lakes District Hospital, 20 Douglas Street, Queenstown
Casting Clinic, Beginners and Intermediates
Spend the day practising your casting technique with the Patagonia Tāhuna crew, Santillan De Pinto and Shelen Boyes, to elevate your fly fishing. The team will run through basic casting techniques for beginners through to more advanced casts for intermediate anglers. Casting practise will be conducted off-site before returning to the Patagonia Fly Bar for the afternoon. Refreshments provided. Limit of 10 participants. RSVP at castingclinicbeginnersintermed.splashthat.com
Community Knitting Group is back, and they’d love for you to join in for a cosy, creative morning at Happiness House! Whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced knitter, this is a welcoming space to connect with others, learn something new, and unwind. Knitting supplies are available, there’s friendly folk to teach or chat with, delicious food and warm drinks with a relaxed drop-in style vibe. No need to register, just pop in and enjoy the morning. Rain or shine, it’s the perfect way to start your Wednesday.
This seven-week course is for beginners looking to discover how to read and write Chinese characters while exploring Chinese culture, customs, history and geography. You will learn to understand the basic principles of writing Chinese characters, the meaning behind the characters, have a clearer knowledge of pronunciation and writing, and discover Chinese culture, customs, history and geography. Head to the Southern REAP website for more information and to register.
You’re invited to the biggest Night Ski Party of the season, headlined by Aussie legends Peking Duk – live and loud at Coronet Peak! Get ready for an unforgettable night under the lights as we combine skiing, snowboarding, and serious dancefloor energy with hits like Stranger, Take Me Over, and Say My Name blasting across the mountain. From carving after dark to dancing on the deck, this is the ultimate alpine party. Entry is free, and everyone’s welcome to join the festivities. Want to ski or ride? Just grab a Night Ski Pass, Superpass, or 3 Peak Season Pass. So rally your crew, layer up, and get yourself slopeside for a night you won’t forget.
When: Wednesday, 23 July, 4pm – 9pm
Where: Coronet Peak Ski Area, Queenstown
Neighbourhood Story Slam
Queenstown’s only live storytelling event is back! Neighbourhood Story Slam is a live community event in which storytellers can share a true, personal, lived five-minute story on the night’s theme: ‘celebrations’. Prepare a five-minute story about the moments that bring us together: the birthdays, weddings, Christmas feasts, New Year’s countdowns, family traditions, and celebrations, big or small, that left a mark. From tinsel and toasts to turkey dramas and surprise guests, they want to hear about the celebrations that shaped you, tested you, or reminded you what really matters. Sign up on the night for a chance to tell a story or sit back and enjoy the show!
When: Thursday, 24 July, 7pm – 9.30pm
Where: Sherwood, 554 Frankton Road, Queenstown
Talk on the Wild Side - Bittern and Wetland Birds with Peter Langlands
Peter Langlands is a well-known conservationist, researcher, writer and author of Foraging New Zealand. A keen birder and photographer, Peter has worked as a fisheries observer on commercial vessels and for DOC working on braided river bird data and setting up a national database on the Australasian Bittern. Peter has also done detailed banding and population studies on wading birds - wrybill and pied oystercatcher and has worked on recording godwit migration for Massey University.
When: Tuesday, 29 July, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Where: Moonlight Theatre, top of the Gondola, 53 Brecon St, Queenstown
Central Otago Whine Tour - Ladies Comedy Night
Holy Girl Power have we got a show for you! After sell out tours in 2023 and 2024, the Central Otago Whine Tour - all-female comedy extravaganza is back and they could not be more excited! Headlined by Harriet Moir, hosted by Queenstown favourite Maggie Rogers and featuring some of Te Waipounamu’s funniest women; Nicola Brown, Kelly Hocking, Caitlin Owen and Molly Force, this show promises to be a night to remember. Oh, and just because the lineup is all women, doesn’t mean the audience has to be! R18. Tickets only $30, www.trybooking.com/nz/XTL
When: Saturday, 2 August, 6pm and 8pm shows
Where: Sherwood, 544 Frankton Road, Queenstown
by Sue Fea
My Life story
ALAN WARD
50 years of holidays and hilarity
He’s been selling overseas holidays for about 50 years, around in the days when agents had to ring airlines ‘collect’ to book flights and write letters to Europe to book hotel rooms.
While the internet may have revolutionised the travel industry, surprisingly, Alan Ward’s Queenstown travel agency, Travelsmart, is still thriving, loyal locals who’ve booked through him for decades still doing so. “People trust and respect you. I’m very grateful. It’s all about doing the decent thing,” he says. Even if that means answering calls at 2am from clients overseas who just want it sorted.
While city agents had to advertise, Alan never has, instead having a beer with the locals on a Friday night, many becoming clients. In his early years in Queenstown this would be at The Mountaineer where pub manager Tony Hill always laid on free sausages and chips.
Raised in Dunedin, Alan took a job at Dalgety’s stock firm straight from Kings High School at 17, insisting he be placed in the travel office where he earned $3500 a year. “Stock firms offered everything back then with a big client base. Farmers would come to town, sell their wool, get the wool cheque then come book a holiday.”
He started in accounts, then as a junior selling Air NZ and NZR bus tickets and interisland ferry tickets.
“You’d have to allow eight months if booking an out of the way destination like Prague prior to the internet,” he says. “We had a big hotel index book, and we’d write to a hotel, a typist typing up a letter, asking them to write back advising a rate and availability. It was really primitive.”
Clients would sit at their desks smoking heavily, stubbing their butts out in the Pan Am ashtrays provided. “One girl hated that so much she threw the butts in the rubbish bin which caught fire.”
Working his way up to senior travel consultant Alan then scored a job advertised in the paper
as a Mount Cook Airlines travel consultant in Queenstown in 1984. His mum, Joan Reid - the daughter of a Glenorchy scheelite miner and Rees Valley school teacher, had grown up here.
“(Rob) Muldoon had just devalued the dollar by 20% so it was cheaper for people to come here.”
Working under Geoff Houston, then Grant McMillan, who both left to set up on their own, Alan was soon managing Mount Cook’s Rees Street travel centre – his role, to increase international sales.
“The rafting guides would turn up at 3pm on a Friday with a cask of wine.”
It was a fun 10 years and a constant battle to protect his reputation working with five female pranksters – Lois Stevens, Jackie Quickfall, Lauren Warwick, Sandy Mclaren and Janice Clear. “We had so much fun.
“The girls arranged a birthday cake for me one February. Bruce Leitch turned up from Avanti with this huge cake coated in cream,” Alan grins.
“I went in with the knife and it exploded cream all over my shirt, glasses and face!” It was a balloon on a cow pat base, lathered in thick whipped cream. “I had to go home and change.”
On another occasion Lois got adult magazines from Geoff Bradley’s bookshop and stacked them discreetly among the international travel brochures in Alan’s office display, clients reaching for brochures looking rather shocked. His desk calendar was also often sabotaged. “I’d have no idea. You’d get fired if you did that now,” he grinned.
The centre sold all the tourist trips in town, hotels booking for guests directly through them. “The rafting guides would turn up at 3pm on a Friday with a cask of wine,” he says.
Air NZ bought Mount Cook Airlines, greatly changing the travel landscape, so in 1994 Alan re-mortgaged his house and launched Southern Lakes Travel in Church Street. The sign said, ‘This office will make you want to leave town’, which lured them in. He then joined the Travelsmart franchise.
High rents forced him to a second-floor space in Shotover Street until Covid times when Alan lost 97% of his income. “I had two years of no income, living off my savings. I just treated it like early retirement, but boy, when the borders opened did it bounce back!”
He reckons he’s roughly $1m ahead of 2019 turnover and it’s been hard to keep up with demand. “People were taking two overseas holidays a year – one client went to Whistler skiing then took his wife biking in Croatia. It went crazy.”
It’s been a privileged life, with numerous, all expenses paid overseas familiarisation trips, upgraded to business class back in the day. Unfortunately, there’s been the odd emergency and Alan’s had to “crank up the computer in the middle of the night”, not so much these days. “But that’s what you use a travel agent for. One call to me and the problem is solved,” he says. Alan, a keen cyclist and member of The Pedallers, has been loyal to the community too through numerous Rotary projects, like the historic Shotover Bridge restoration - a Rotarian for more than 30 years.
Alan, left, and workmate Lois at a charity drag night. Mount Cook staff worked The Mountaineer bar and the manager Tony Hill donated the proceeds to the new rescue helicopter
Alan getting right amongst the fun hijinks on a Qantas travel agent familiarisation trip to Longreach Queensland - the birth place of the airline, about 2018
He’s seen the world - Alan getting up close and personal with a camel in Dubai in 2016
Alan enjoying a ski holiday at Sahoro Ski Area in Japan last year
Queenstown Business Awards 2025 now open
Queenstown’s biennial celebration of business brilliance is back - bigger, bolder, and more inspiring than ever.
Entries are now open for the 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards 2025, across 10 diverse categories, including three new additions.
Queenstown Business Chamber Chief Executive Sharon Fifield says the awards are designed to spotlight the innovation, resilience, and community spirit that define the Queenstown business landscape, while giving businesspeople a chance reflect, recharge, and revel in their achievements.
“This year’s awards are all about celebrating the incredible journey our local businesses have been on,” Fifield says. “We’ve seen remarkable growth, creativity, and grit — and now it’s time to shine a light on that. Whether you’re a startup, a seasoned enterprise, or a passionate non-profit, these awards are for you. Let’s celebrate the people and ideas that make Queenstown thrive.”
This year, the Queenstown Business Chamber is proud to welcome headline sponsor 2degrees.
Andrew Fairgray, Chief Business Officer from 2degrees says: “At 2degrees, we’re focused on delivering value and innovative business solutions that drive productivity for our customers.
“Our strategic partnership with the NZ Chambers of Commerce is incredibly important to us. It enables us to connect our local teams with local businesses through the Chamber and deliver outcomes that support NZ Inc.
“The 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards are a great way to recognise the businesses who are moving the region, our communities and NZ forward, and we’re delighted to be able to celebrate them through these awards.”
Entries are open until 15 September and available to all businesses and non-profits across the Queenstown region — Chamber membership is not required.
“We’ve made entering as simple as possible,” adds Fifield. “The new online awards platform makes it even easier — you can create a profile, save your entry, and come back to refine it in your own time. It’s designed to fit around busy business lives.”
The 2025 awards introduce three new categories:
• Small Business (SME) of the Year, sponsored by Queenstown Airport – celebrating excellence in smaller organisations that have achieved standout growth or performance
• Employer of the Year, sponsored by RealNZ – recognising businesses that put people first and foster thriving workplace cultures
• The ‘Good Sort’ Award, sponsored by Hamish Walker of Walker & Co Realty – honouring individuals who go above and beyond in business ethics, community involvement, and helping others
• Excellence in Sustainability and Environmental Business Practice –sponsored by Destination Queenstown
Returning favourites include:
•Excellence in Innovation – sponsored by Polestar
•Excellence in Marketing - sponsored by Shotover Creative
• Excellence in Community Contribution – sponsored by SkyCity Queenstown
• Excellence in Professional Services & Business Solutions – sponsored by Lane Neave Lawyers
•Excellence in Customer Experience – sponsored by Kingpin Queenstown
The winners will be revealed at a spectacular gala dinner in Queenstown’s CBD on Saturday, 8 November, with the Chamber promising a night full of celebration.
“It’s going to be a night to remember — a true celebration of the best in business. It’s always a great party” Fifield says.
The People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Mountain Scene, and the prestigious Queenstown Business Supreme Award will also return, recognising the standout business of 2025.
Entry details and category information are available now at www.queenstownchamber.org.nz/businessawards2025
Summer concert on the move
by Paul Taylor
The Gibbston valley concert has a new home over the hill in Wānaka.
Greenstone Entertainment has confirmed the long-running summer concert will move over the Crown Range to a brand new purpose-built outdoor arena venue at Three Parks in Wānaka, which will open in time for the summer.
More than 15,000 people attend the concert each year, which has welcomed huge veteran acts such as ZZ Top, Crowded House, and Alanis Morissette over past 15 years, and saw Cold Chisel, Icehouse, Bic Runga and Everclear take to the stage back in January.
It brings around $12 million in economic benefit to the region each year.
But Greenstone owners Amanda and Dean Calvert have been on the search for a new venue since being told the Gibbston site was being developed for housing.
Three Parks Outdoor Arena, owned by prominent businessman Allan Dippie, will now be its home for the next five years at least.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have secured Three Parks Outdoor Arena as our new home for the next five years,” Amanda Calvert, Founder and CEO of Greenstone Entertainment, says.
“Allan is such a community driven person and without his foresight the concert would have likely moved away from the region. The expansion into Wānaka marks an exciting new chapter for us, and we’re confident it will become a highlight of the South Island summer calendar.”
Venue search
Dean Calvert says it’s been a difficult search for a new venue.
“We started the whole thing back in 2011 in Gibbston and have built the concert into one of the most renowned for our demographic in the country,” he says.
“But the region has been on that journey with us, and with that development, it’s been extremely hard to find anything that was suitable because land is so valuable now.
“And it’s not just the concert site, it’s the infrastructure needed to bring 15,000 people to that site. We move 4000 people by bus, we’ve got helicopters that arrive, on site parking.
“We hadn’t been able to find anything and were on our way out of town, looking at places near Christchurch, when Allan popped up and said ‘come and have a look at this venue’.”
Wānaka’s Three Parks had recently hosted 65,000 people for the successful Wheels at Wānaka event over Easter weekend.
Greenstone have applied for resource consent for a 30,000 capacity, although Dean says they’re unlikely to hit that number. Gibbston had consent for 20-25,000. The consent application is currently being vetted by Queenstown Lakes District Council.
There were traffic issues around three-day Wheels at Wanaka event. A full traffic management plan has been drawn up for the concert consent and Dean says the site provides better access than Gibbston, on a notorious stretch of SH6.
It’s good to have a large capacity when you’re trying to attract international acts, he says.
“New Zealand is far away from everywhere, and these acts could do three or four concerts in the US in the time it takes to fly here and back,” Dean says.
“When they do come here though, they absolutely fall in love with the region.”
How to advertise
Ph: 03 409 2800
Email: enquiries@qmg.co.nz
Place your ad online: www.lwb.co.nz
Advertising Deadlines
Display Advertising: 12pm Thursday
Situations Vacant: 12pm Friday
Queenstown Media Group PO Box 1546, Queenstown 9300
People will travel
He doesn’t think people will be reluctant to travel the extra 30-40 minutes or so over the hill to Wānaka from Queenstown, while the venue will be closer for many travelling from around South Island.
“We’re not too concerned. If you look at the size of Wānaka’s A&P Show, Wheels at Wānaka and Warbirds Over Wanaka [International Airshow], people are prepared to travel.
“And it means we’re staying in the district. It’s tremendous to be able to put some certainty around that, as it’s a key economic driver. That $12m economic impact we bring gives us a lot of satisfaction and is great for local suppliers and the community.”
Buses will be put on for people attending the festival, which will employ around 200 people directly.
The venue is a three-minute drive from central Wānaka and just over an hour from Queenstown by car, with ample car and campervan parking on site. It also has a picturesque mountainous backdrop.
Allan Dippie says the venue is thrilled to be teaming up with Greenstone Entertainment.
“Their impeccable track record for putting on world class events that attract major international artists have made this joint venture an easy decision.
“Three Parks Outdoor Arena will offer a true outdoor amphitheatre experience like no other and we look forward to welcoming concert goers next year.”
Full dates for the 2026 Greenstone Summer Concert tour will be announced very soon, with the full artist line-up to be confirmed shortly after. Sign up to greenstoneentertainment.co.nz to be the first in the know.
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
Accommodation Community
WHAKATIPU BEEKEEPERS SUPPORTING LOCAL BEEKEEPERS with sharing knowledge, mentoring and maintaining best practice. Most importantly a group of likeminded individuals who love bees. Meeting regularly, for more info or to join us whakatipubeekeepers@gmail.com
WHAKATIPU DRIVE MY LIFE ARE seeking volunteers to become mentor buddies to help our vulnerable people achieve their drivers licence. If you are interested or have any questions contact Louise Ward louise@reap.co.nz
SPCA OP SHOP – 51 GORGE RD. Open 7 days a week 9am- 5pm. Pre-loved goods and clothing at great prices. Help support the ongoing work done by the SPCA. Accepting donations now. Call into store now to enquire about Volunteering. Your old goods, or your time, could help save a life.
WSCA – ROOMS FOR HIRE - Spacious, sunny rooms are available for hire to Queenstown Community Groups. The rooms hold up to 90 people, with seated dining for 40. Located on the 1st floor of Malaghan House, 10 Memorial Street, Queenstown with lift access. There are kitchen facilities, toilets, Wi-Fi, media equipment for projection onto large screen plus large screen TV. Contact us on 03 4429214 or info@wsca.org.nz for more details.
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
SUDOKU ANSWER
8176532 9 4
3 9 6284751
245 9 71368
1523 9 6847
63874251 9 47 9 815623
72153 9 486
9 63428175 584167 9 32
Are you sick of working your weekends? Working long hours and different shifts? Would you like your Birthday off every year? Do you like the idea of free medical insurance? Want a job where you can enjoy some banter with your colleagues and customers?
Inwards goods/Driver
REDPATHS Queenstown is an Electrical goods wholesaler with branches across the South Island supplying electrical equipment to the trades.
REDPATHS has a full-time role as an Inwards goods/Driver and is looking for an energetic, enthusiastic team member with great communication skills to work with our fantastic customer base and to fit in with our branch team.
Applicants must have full time residency and valid Manual Driver’s Licence.
So, if you’re keen for a change and want to join a fun team and carve a career path within the company email or drop your CV with a covering letter to: jack.niven@redpaths.co.nz
105 Glenda Drive, Queenstown
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz jobfix.co.nz
Full and Part time positions available
Amazing individuals required to join our fun team as:
• New Build & Commercial cleaning experts
• Air b n b & residential cleaning professionals
• Full training given! Great Pay Rates!
• Travel and vehicles provided!
Email us for full details and a trial! slithytoves33@gmail.com and check out our website www.slithytoves.nz
Committed to a healthy work/life balance!
WALTER PEAK HORSE TREKKING GUIDES
Both full & part-time positions available. Awesome job opportunity for someone that loves both horses & the outdoors.
• Must have experience with horses, able to saddle and ride horses, be hard-working, energetic with exceptional customer service.
• Current First Aid Certificate required OR the ability to obtain one.
