I was recently overseas and had a bit of an accident which required medical attention. When it happened, my first thought wasn’t ‘let’s get to a hospital,’ but rather, ‘oh shit, can I go to the hospital, and what’s this going to cost?’. This is a thought most tourists don’t need to consider in New Zealand thanks to our fantastic ACC system, but is it getting taken advantage of?
I was in the UK and travel insurance aside, in hindsight, I now know that the NHS does have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with us and can cover emergency medical treatment, but they’re certainly not shouting about it, nor encouraging it. ACC, on the other hand, states that: “Our no-fault scheme covers everyone, including visitors, who are injured in an accident in New Zealand,” and while they do suggest individuals need travel insurance for illness, disrupted travel plans, injuries while in transit, and treatment/ rehabilitation when you return home – who actually listens to that advice?
Not to mention my dismay when I returned home to the news of yet another helicopter rescue of a tourist, doing something they probably shouldn’t have been – there seems to be another instance every week at the moment. 100% let’s get out there and enjoy ourselves, we are the adventure capital after all, but who’s footing the bill when things go wrong is my big question.
In addition to the issue of who’s paying, it’s important to mention that many of these rescues are carried out by volunteers, who are often putting themselves in harm’s way. Ironically, volunteers aren’t able to fully utilise ACC when they need assistance in some circumstances, such as mental trauma (see p2). Rescue services in the region reiterate similar messages each time these events happen – think about the decisions you’re making, be smart and be prepared – lack of experience and a lack of equipment are common themes in rescues.
I love our laid-back attitude, but do occasionally find myself thinking we’re a little too ‘she’ll be right.’ In the same way car insurance isn’t compulsory here, where in other countries it is, should travel insurance be compulsory? Perhaps some of this new foreign tourist fee, which I do feel is the government really double dipping, should be allocated to tourists’ injuries and rescue operations, or ACC should simply only cover those who pay the ACC levy in this country.
In 2020, the NZ Herald reported that ACC spent $15 million on injured tourists in the previous five years. ACC do claim that their no-fault scheme removes the right to sue for personal injury sustained in New Zealand, which is another factor to be taken into consideration.
As a country full of hiking, biking, water and adventure sports, is it silly for us to allow free accident and rescue cover to anyone and everyone who visits us, or is it the responsible thing to do?
Jessica Allen, Lakes Weekly Bulletin
Pups and their handlers had plenty of thrills and few spills at Coronet Peak on Saturday, for the 51st Dog Derby. More photos and the winners on p4. Photo: NZSki
running workshop
PMs drop in
A whirlwind weekend in Queenstown is good for the soul ... and international relations.
Aussie Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in our resort town over the weekend for the annual trans-Tasman leaders’ meeting. Albanese and fiancée Jodie Haydon were hosted by NZ’s PM Christopher Luxon and wife Amanda.
The PMs held “an energetic set of talks”, including discussing trade, defence, Gaza, and Australia’s deportation policy, while also meeting with major Australasian business leaders, and laying wreaths at Arrowtown’s war memorial.
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They also had time for some lighter moments, including enjoying a Pavlova up the now-snow covered mountains, and Albanese recounting his time visiting Queenstown as a backpacker.
Firefighter petition passing through Parliament
Queenstown Fire Brigade secretary Katherine Lamont’s Parliamentary petition, which gained huge national traction earlier this year, has now been picked up by the Education and Workforce Select Committee.
It’s now working through gathering feedback from other relevant interested parties. “We’re told this will take some time,” Lamont says.
Lamont, whose petition calling for the same level of ACC access and support for volunteer firefighters as their paid colleagues, closed in April with more than 36,500 signatures.
It was inspired by the plight of former Kingston Fire Brigade chief Peter Ottley, who was denied ACC wages cover for PTSD, because it arose from his volunteering with the brigade, rather than his main job.
The Petitions Committee requested a submission from Lamont for further information, and she says background, context and evidence to show the importance and reasoning for this change was provided.
The petition was handed over to Opposition spokesperson for ACC, Labour MP, Camilla Belich, in May, who announced Labour’s full support for the change.
The petition was then presented to the House of Representatives and received by the Petitions Committee. - Sue Fea
Paws and powder
Coronet Peak’s 51st Dog Derby was another furnomenal day out for Queenstown.
More than 180 dogs and handlers took on the downhill race at the ski field on Saturday, after Mother Nature dumped 17cm of fresh powder in two snowfalls.
That made getting up the mountain a little trickier than usual, with snow chains needed early on, but that didn’t deter the 3000 skiers and snowboarders who took to the slopes.
“It made for epic conditions but it sure pushed the boundary a bit,” NZSki’s Nigel Kerr says. “There was a lot going on, dogs included, on what was the busiest day in the past couple of weeks.”
Claire Francis & flying Koda won the women’s division, while Luke Parker & Dubs were fastest down the hill in the men’s race, Angela Elliot & Strike won the Country race, and Thomas Foggo & Bobbie won the kids’ race.
Ski area manager Kerr, whose own dog Oscar is Coronet Peak’s unofficial mascot, says Francis “just roared down the hill” with Koda, the flying Samoyed (top photo).
“There were two country girls tight behind her in the townie section, but she was just on another level.
“It’s bloody great to get another one under our belt and we look forward to next year.”
Sounds like a plan
A major new office, retail and parking complex in Five Mile is among a host of new planning applications in the works.
The retail park’s owners, Queenstown Gateway Ltd, want to build two buildings behind Woolworths, on Murchison Road. Murchison Tower would be six storeys high, with shops and restaurants on ground floor and offices on the other five. Altogether it would provide 7,430sqm of floor space and be around 25 metres high - about 7m higher than the maximum allowed.
An adjoining car park building would have one level of basement parking and three levels above ground, all in providing 320 spaces. The company already has planning permission for buildings on the site, but has significantly changed the designs.
Other applications before Queenstown planners include a workers’ accommodation building at The Hills, with 18 rooms; Queenstown Trails’ route for the Jack’s Point / Hanley Farm connection to Kawarau Falls bridge; and 51 homes and 57 visitor accommodation apartments at Jack’s Point.
Luma Enchanted at Kiwi Park also looks here to stay - they’ve applied to continue the show into the summer months, looking to extend from the original end date of 16 November to 30 April, 2026.
Charlie is the most popular dog name in Queenstown Lakes this year, according to QLDC records.
Some 64 dogs across the district respond (or don’t!) to that name, while Frankie and Luna are joint second with 62.
Bella takes third spot with 51, Poppy fourth with 50, and Ruby fifth with 44.
There is, however, only one Vermax of Waggy McDoggy.
Queenstown loves Charlie
Photos: NZSki
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CRIMELINE
Kids unrestrained in speeding campervan
by Sue Fea
Police were shocked to find eight people – six of them unrestrained - in a campervan caught speeding on State Highway 6 near Kingston last Sunday.
The campervan was clocked at 106kmh in a 90kmh zone at Fairlight and when stopped, officers found only the driver and passenger were wearing seatbelts. The six unrestrained in the back included a four-yearold child and two teenagers, aged 14 and 15.
Otago Lakes Central Area Road Policing Manager Steve Watt says it was “a disaster waiting to happen”.
“The driver was issued with infringements for speed, failing to properly restrain a child under 7 and child 14 and under, and not wearing a seatbelt,” Watt says.
Three unrestrained adult passengers were also issued with infringements for failing to wear a seatbelt. Three passengers were transported back to Queenstown by Police to make safe travel arrangements.
“Speed and [lack of] restraints are major causes of death and serious injury on our roads, and this vehicle was a disaster waiting to happen,” Watt says.
Repeat speedster’s car impounded
In “another disaster waiting to happen”, Watt says an Auckland man was stopped in Tarras on Friday, 1 August, for allegedly clocking 145kmh in a 100kmh zone. His licence was suspended but he was caught speeding again, the next day.
“Despite being suspended the very next day this man continued to drive at speed and was stopped on State Highway 6 near Garston allegedly doing 108kmh in a 100kmh zone. This time Police impounded his car, and the man was summonsed to appear in court for driving while suspended.
“This type of behaviour puts every road user at risk, and we will continue to detect and enforce any breaches of road rules rigorously,” Watt warns.
Not lovin’ it
A customer at McDonald’s Restaurant in Camp Street came up with a novel way to avoid paying at 5am on Saturday, 2 August, when he allegedly ripped the restaurant Eftpos machine from its terminal and ran out of the store with it.
Constable Amanda Shute says the young man was chased by security staff and marched back to the store 10 minutes later. Police arrested a 23-year-old local man and charged him with wilful damage and theft. He’s due to appear in the Queenstown District Court on 22 September.
Meth, utensils and large knife
Police allegedly unearthed methamphetamine, utensils and a large knife when they stopped a 42-year-old local woman for a routine licence and breath alcohol check on Frankton Road.
Constable Amanda Shute says Police observed a large knife in the front passenger footwell of the vehicle when they stopped the female driver for the routine check at 2am, on Thursday, 31 July.
She couldn’t provide any reason for having the knife in her vehicle, so Police carried out a warrantless search, locating the meth and utensils. The woman was charged with procuring/possessing methamphetamine, possessing a knife in a public place and possessing/use utensils for methamphetamine. She appeared in the Queenstown District Court on 4 August and was remanded on bail to reappear.
Learn about election candidates
It’s nearly time for you to choose who you want to represent you as Mayor, Councillors and Community Board members. More than 30 people have put themselves forward ahead of the voting period from 9 Sep – 11 Oct. Find out more about each candidate as well as how and where to vote at www.qldc.govt.nz/elections
Free mayoral debate
Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce is hosting ‘Battle for the Mayor’s Chair’, described as ‘a free and inclusive evening of local democracy in action’ and hosted by former TVNZ journalist, Katie Bradford. Queenstown Memorial Centre, Tuesday 26 August from 5.30 – 7.30pm. Book tickets via www.queenstownchamber.org.nz
Don’t bin batteries or vapes!
Batteries and vapes, especially those containing lithium, are highly flammable if damaged or mishandled. Please keep them out of rubbish and recycling bins. Household batteries and vapes can be recycled free of charge at Frankton and Wānaka transfer stations.
The future of Widgeon Park?
Have your say on a draft plan for Widgeon Park, a public reserve in Lake Hayes Estate near the Kawarau River. The plan proposes a long-term vision that builds on existing uses and aims to enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the reserve. Share your thoughts by 14 Sep at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
Welcoming Week 2025
Join a celebration of diversity and inclusion at this year’s Welcoming Week. There’ll be a variety of free community activities in and around Queenstown from 5 – 14 Sep all designed to foster mutual understanding, stronger connections, and a deeper sense of belonging among all of us. More info at www.qldc.govt.nz/welcoming-week
Arts funding available
Got a community arts project and need funding support? The latest Creative Communities Scheme funding round closes 5.00pm, 29 August. For more info and an application form click www.qldc.govt.nz/community-funding
Need help with accommodation?
Our Manaaki info hub has advice for finding somewhere to live, links and resources to help you settle, and where to get further free advice and support. Head to www.qldc.govt.nz/manaaki
New to the district?
We’ve created a Newcomers Guide to help you settle into life here. To read the guide head to www.qldc.govt.nz/newcomers-guide
www.qldc.govt.nz
LAKES WEEKLY POLL
LWB regularly polls locals on issues affecting our region. This week’s responses are below.
Do you feel like you've got value out of your ski season pass so far this winter? Yes - 9%
COMMUNITY NOTES
Free community cooking workshops with Happiness House
Cook Around the World is an ongoing cooking series of free community workshops hosted by Happiness House in partnership with Lakes Multicultural Collective. It’s centred around celebrating the diverse cultures of Queenstown, each fortnight we travel to a new destination. Explore the world through food – no passport required!
Join us for a delicious journey as we celebrate global flavours and local connection through our Cook Around the World series – an interactive cooking experience that brings people together over shared kai and culture. During each session a local guest chef from Queenstown’s multicultural community will guide us through the preparation of traditional dishes from their home country. You’ll get hands-on in the kitchen (as much or as little as you like!), learn authentic recipes, and share a warm, communal meal with fellow food lovers.
What to expect:
• A friendly and relaxed environment – no experience needed
• Tea or coffee
• Class time of approximately three hours
• Learn one to two traditional dishes from a different culture each session
• Optional chances to chop, stir, cook, or just observe
• Recipes to take home and stories behind the food
• A small dish of a shared meal to enjoy together at the end
• Meet new people
You’ll spend the first two(ish) hours watching and helping a talented guest chef guide the group through the preparation of a traditional dish. You’ll gain insights into the cooking techniques, spices and cultural traditions tied to the meal. With many sessions featuring multiple recipes, we encourage guests to bring a notepad to jot down tips and tricks, and to recreate the dish at home. Our past classes have celebrated cuisines from around the world, including Chile, Sri Lanka, England, Nepal, USA, China, Māori Aotearoa, Scotland, Indonesia, Fiji and more.
Come solo or bring a friend – everyone is welcome. All tickets are free thanks to our funders. The next event will be on Tuesday, 19 August, from 10am –1pm and will focus on the cuisine of Uruguay.
Spaces are limited due to the size of the kitchen, so we release tickets through Humanitix one week before each event. First-time guests get early access to bookings – so we can continue to welcome new people each time. Returning guests get access from the Thursday before the event.
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
Queenstown gears up for 10 days of fun
Winter Pride 2025 is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet, with ticket sales already well ahead of last year and thousands of visitors expected to join Queenstown’s 10-day rainbow celebration.
Festival director Sam Coulthard says more than 2,100 tickets have been sold so far for its various events, with 46% of attendees travelling from Australia, around 47% from New Zealand, and the remainder from overseas.
“Last year we had 4,000 people scan onto the ski fields for our on-mountain events,” Coulthard says. “This year’s pre-sales are looking fantastic, so we might have even more.”
A big factor has been a new ticketing system with Humanitix, allowing buyers to purchase multiple events in a single checkout. “It’s much smoother and people are booking earlier.”
The festival gets underway this Friday, 15 August, and hosts 42 events over its 10-day run, closing Sunday, 24 August.
The Hotel Lavender Lounge circus and cabaret show hits the Memorial Centre on the first Saturday night, honouring dance culture and bringing the disco vibes. It features circus, cabaret, aerial, dance, burlesque, a horse and maybe a bathtub.
There’s also a spectacular closing party planned, Heaven & Hell, which takes over both World Bar and Yonder in a split-venue concept.
On-mountain events run on eight of the 10 days, at either The Remarks, Coronet Peak or Cardrona, including the new Superhero Day at Cardrona on the second Saturday.
Other highlights include Pride in the Lane – the new, more intimate version of Pride in the Park, now in Church Lane; the Fierce Farm Yard dinner and drag show at Walter Peak; and Camp Bass – a drum & bass night bringing Optimus Gryme out of retirement, plus Twin Flames.
Winter Pride brings in more than $5 million to the region each year and also strengthens community ties through its Pride Pledge campaign, with rainbow flags across the CBD, and shopfront displays. Those flags made headlines last year after vandals puled them down. But the replacements – a $12,500 job supported by $5,000 in public donations – are now flying again and the culprits, identified as Australian nationals, have been flagged at the border to prevent them from returning.
“It’s great to have the flags back. It really makes the event feel present in town,” Coulthard says. “You see the colours everywhere, on the streets, on the mountain, in shop windows.”
While co-director Odette Rose has moved on, the festival team has grown, with dedicated managers for community events, talent, admin, and volunteers. “It makes a huge difference,” Coulthard says. “I’m not chasing every problem personally – it’s a real team effort.”
And while Pride is the focus, Mother Nature has also come to the party, with a fresh dump of snow just in time for some epic on-mountain events. “We’ve been waiting for this snow for a long time. It’s perfect timing to ramp up the excitement.”
GOINGS ON ABOUT
EVENTS - MUSIC - ART
THEATRE - AT THE GALLERIES
ARTS
Julia Eichardt - Book launch with Lauren Roche
Join author Lauren Roche and editor Nicola McCloy to celebrate this captivating new historical novel. Julia Eichardt shines a light on the remarkable women who shaped early Queenstown, New Zealand. Written by Lauren Roche, the book tells the inspiring tale of Julia Shanahan Eichardt and the vibrant community around Lake Wakatipu during the gold rush era. Julia’s story mirrors the growth of Queenstown itself, from a rugged settlement to a thriving town. Julia arrived in New Zealand in 1863 and worked at The Queens Arms hotel, originally William Rees’ woolshed, before gold fever transformed the region. Head to Eventfinda to secure tickets.
When: Sunday, 17 August, 3pm – 5pm Where: The Grille by Eichardt’s, 9 Marine Parade, Queenstown
Saturday Arts Social – Lino Printing with Emily Murnaghan
Saturday Arts Social is a free multi-arts programme and morning tea for our 60+ community every Saturday morning, including concerts, art workshops, dance/movement classes and artist talks. Join Te Atamira for a relaxed and creative morning of lino printing with the talented Emily from Notions Creative. Whether you’re new to printmaking or haven’t touched lino since school days, this session is the perfect chance to reconnect with your creative side. Emily will gently guide you through the process of designing, carving, and printing your own artwork.
Zealand Tattoo are stoked to announce a one-dayonly tattoo flash fundraiser at Zealand Tattoo, partnering with the amazing team at Life Matters NZ, a South Island-based nonprofit dedicated to suicide prevention and mental health resources. Come get tattooed for a cause that truly matters. They will have a wide range of custom flash designs available on the day –no bookings, just walk-ins! Designs start at $120.
Rhythmonyx to unveil new single ‘Bones’ live at Yonder
The Big Sound from The Deep South. nine-piece genre-bending powerhouse original music band Rhythmonyx will perform their latest self-produced single Bones, alongside re-imagined versions of their crowd favourite tunes. The band is in town to promote the upcoming release of their first full-length music video for Bones. Come for a night of high energy and good vibes - funky, hip-hoppy, dubby, drum n bassy tunes with a big dose of soul to get you grooving. The band will be joined by JahFire and MC Phx, and DJs Sohai and Nihilism. ticketfairy.com/event/rhythmonyxYONDER
When: Saturday, 16 August, 8pm onwards
Where: Yonder, 14 Church Street, Queenstown
Winter Pride
The largest snow season pride celebration in the southern hemisphere, held annually in Queenstown, New Zealand. Founded in 2003, Winter Pride has grown to become a vibrant and inclusive event that attracts participants from around the world!
When: Friday, 15 August – Sunday, 24 August
Where: Various locations around Queenstown
Pride in the Lane - Family Friendly Fun Day
This family-friendly event will be a fun-filled day of music, drag, performance and food, returning to Queenstown for another year. Everyone is welcome to enjoy in some activities or dance to the local DJs. This event is proudly supported by Queenstown Lakes District Council.
When: Saturday, 16 August, 12pm – 8pm
Where: Church Lane, 12 Church Lane, Queenstown
Polish Your Performance with Stephanie Fieldsend
Got a poem? Let’s make it hit harder. In this fun, hands-on session, explore how voice, movement, and audience reactions shape your performance. Tune up your piece, trim the fluff, and rethink your delivery to truly land your message. Come curious, rewrite boldly, and leave ready to own the mic. Limited spaces, booking essential.
When: Saturday, 16 August, 10.30am – 12pm
Where: Queenstown Lakes District Library, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown
Cook Around the World: Uruguay
Join Happiness House for a free international cooking session hosted twice monthly in collaboration with the diverse ethnic communities of Tāhuna | Queenstown. Learn a new recipe whilst celebrating community togetherness and meeting new friends. Every class represents a new culture and is hosted by a Queenstown community member. Each Cook Around The World class is approximately three hours and include all tea, coffee and a small plate of the delicious food, plus the opportunity to meet some friendly faces from the Queenstown community. No cooking experience is necessary. All tickets are free, but you will need to register at Humanitix.
When: Tuesday, 19 August, 10am – 1pm
Where: Happiness House, 4 Park Street, Queenstown
Blackout Poetry Workshop with B.G. Rogers
Words are everywhere... but what happens when we take them away? In celebration of National Poetry Day, join author and poet Bethany G. Rogers for a handson blackout poetry workshop, where redacting text becomes a powerful act of expression. Discover how to create striking visual poems & new works of art using only a black marker and the printed word. No prior experience needed, just bring your curiosity and creativity! Materials supplied, but feel free to bring your own printed material should you have anything specific you wish to work on.
When: Thursday, 21 August, 5.45pm – 6.45pm
Where: Queenstown Lakes District Library, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown
Saltwater Fly Night
Join Patagonia for a night of saltwater fly fishing with Aotearoa’s Angler Jeff Forsee. Find out about the key differences from freshwater fishing, such as using heavier rods and reels, choosing the appropriate fly lines and leaders, understanding tides and currents, and mastering long casts in windy conditions. Get inspired for your next fishing trip, whether here or overseas, and learn about targeting larger, more powerful fish in a saltwater environment.
Deadly Ponies: A celebratory evening of bubbles and conversation, honouring their Spring '25 collection and 20 years of Deadly Ponies. Founders Liam Bowden and Steve Boyd alongside our Queenstown team
Altitude: What a night for the Altitude team at the prestigious New Zealand Beer Awards. They took home Champion Medium Brewery, trophies for the best Hazy IPA and best NZ Lager, in addition to all 19 beers entered winning a medal.
Top 20 in the world
Queenstown’s Altitude Tours is celebrating after its Milford Sound Experience was ranked as one of the best experiences in travel.
The tour took out 17th spot in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travellers’ Choice Awards for Best Things to Do in the Nature & Outdoor Experiences category.
Less than 1% of the more than 8 million global listings on the travel platform make it on to the list each year.
It is the second time on the list for Altitude Tours, which was awarded the World’s Best Wine Tour in 2021.
“This recognition is a tremendous honour and a testament to the dedication of our team,” Graham Kinlan, General Manager at Tourism Innovation Group - including Altitude Tours, says.
“We’re passionate about showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Milford Sound and providing visitors with an exceptional experience that reflects the unique spirit of Aotearoa.”
The experience is a fully guided small-group premium tour from Queenstown through stunning landscapes to Milford Sound, where guests enjoy a twohour boat cruise before returning to Queenstown via fixed-wing flight, helicopter, or road.
Kiwi operator Rotorua Ziplines also made this year’s list.
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 funding guide is available online to assist with the application process.
The application form is required to be completed online. To access the CCS funding application form please visit: https://qldc.smartygrants.com.au/ CCSAug25
The funding round is now open and will close on Friday 29 August 2025
For any enquiries contact:
233 7934
jan.maxwell@qldc.govt.nz
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Arts+Culture
Captivating historical novel on Julia Eichardt
by Jessica Allen
While much of Queenstown’s history focuses on stories of the men of the time, author Lauren Roche is focusing one of the most influential women of the time – Julia Eichardt. Roche will launch a new historic novel at Eichardt’s this weekend, one which looks back on the vibrant community around Otago during the gold rush era.
The book, Julia Eichardt, shines a light on the remarkable woman who helped shaped early Queenstown – her story is one that mirrors the growth of the town, from a rugged settlement to a thriving town. Alongside her husband Albert Eichardt, she transformed the old wooden Queen's Arms Hotel, originally William Rees’ woolshed, into a stunning Italianate stone building, which became a symbol of hope and hospitality in the region.
“The founding men of Queenstown are well known to everybody, like William Rees, von Tunzelmann, St Omer and Hallenstein, and they’re memorialised in different ways around the place,” Roche says. “There are a lot of women who were really important then, too, and nobody really knew their names.
Julia was more than just Albert’s wife – she came from a hotel background, Albert died 10 years before Julia did, and after his death, she managed to increase the value of the hotel and all of the hotel’s holdings really significantly. She was more than just Mrs. Eichardt, and she deserves to be recognised for herself.”
Roche is based near Whangārei and was excited when she was first approached to write the novel. She was drawn to this story about strong women, and herself has overcome much adversity. Her first novel Bent Not Broken chronicles her youth as she struggled to deal with sexual abuse, moving into her adult years where she worked as a stripper and as a sex worker. After a nervous breakdown she
turned her things around, went back to school to make her life better and became a doctor. In 2012, she had an accident that prevented her from returning to work, which is where she first turned to writing.
“I published my first novel two years ago, it was called Mila and the Bone Man, and I was looking for a publisher for another piece of work that I’d done. The man that I approached said ‘Actually, I have someone who’s looking for a writer to write the story of Julia Eichardt.’”
From there, she got in touch with the publisher, and after some back-andforth, headed down to Queenstown to start the research process. After heading around to places of significance, such as Skippers, and making some contacts here to help out, Roche headed home and continued her research online. As she got deeper into the process, she became captivated by the stories she was discovering.
“I was amazed at the resilience of the people who first came to Queenstown. When it morphed into a gold town, from just a land holding, the people were so resilient. They survived gales and floods, and heaps of natural disasters –and then the rabbits, which they really brought upon themselves. There were economic problems, a lot of illness and at the beginning there wasn’t a lot of medical care. There were a few doctors fresh off the boat from Scotland who operated out of tents at the very beginning, but there weren’t a lot of resources for people to call on, so they had to look after themselves and each other.”
Roche says the hardiness of the people of that time was very surprising to her. Beyond resilience, Julia Eichardt also explores themes of love, ambition, and ingenuity amid the harsh realities of 19th Century life. It also has a big focus on New Zealand heritage, historical fiction, and celebrates the enduring spirit of community. Eichardt had reinvented herself during hard times, and that’s a message Roche wants to hit home for readers.
“If we can take something from the people who founded the city; things change, disasters happen. You had recent floods in the last generation, and still the town came through, and it will continue to do so.”
Lauren Roche will be joined by editor Nicola McCloy at the book launch on Sunday, 17 August, at Eichardt’s Private Hotel and Bar. Tickets and more information can be found at Eventfinda or by scanning the QR code. She also has events in Wānaka, Cromwell and Alexandra, which you can find on Facebook.
by Sue Fea
My Life story
JULIA MILLEY
Queenstown’s queen of cat care and art
Queenstown’s queen of cat care and one of the resort’s most renowned art dealers, Invercargill-born Julia Milley has had strong ties with this area since she was four.
By her early 20s, Julia had moved to her beloved Queenstown where she’s been a successful art dealer for 40 years, buying out her boss Barry Wills and taking over Central Art Gallery on the Beach Street waterfront about 1995.
As for her much-needed charity, Queenstown Cat Rescue, Julia’s been loving on her many furry, feline friends since she was a little girl, always a fierce defender of animals and wildlife.
Pity help any kids who chase the waterfront ducks onto the street or kick them – Mama Milley will appear from her gallery with a good telling off. “I love the ducks. They wander into the gallery to the delight of customers.”
A deep love for both art and animals was instilled in Julia by her mother, Marie, who sadly passed away from cancer when she was only 13 – a difficult transition.
When she was four her dad had built a family holiday home in Weaver Street. Just turned 65 on Saturday (9 August), these holiday memories are among her fondest. “We came every weekend and holiday. It felt like home. We’d take empty fizzy bottles to the store and get pennies in return,” she says. “I once picked up a small crate of empty bottles from behind Mrs Lewis’s store in the Mall and went around the front and inside where Mrs Lewis gave me money for them. I felt pretty bad afterward. I was only five,” Julia chuckles.
There were pony rides on the waterfront, and you could buy five chocolate buttons for a cent. “Joan and Gordon McLaren’s little dogs, Honey, Bluey, Ricky, Tiny and Scamp would come running out of their souvenir shop. If I close my eyes, I can still see the town as 1965.” Her grandmother moved in after her mum died. “But it was never the same.”
Julia was usually missing from class at Southland Girls High. “I spent most of my time in the basement with the wild kittens.”
She was a strong runner at St Paul’s Harriers and loved skiing in Queenstown.
From 16 she worked in Invercargill dairies and stores, including a Fish and Chip shop, before opening her own antique store in South Invercargill at about 21, antiques something her artistic mother also had a great eye for.
She’d already started her own unofficial cat rescue in Invercargill: “At one stage I had 25 cats and the SPCA were telling people to bring them to my house. I couldn’t figure out why all these cats were arriving,” she says.
After moving to Queenstown soon after there were hundreds of stray cats which she always took in, got desexed and fed, well before launching her local Cat Rescue with a couple of friends at the suggestion of a local vet in 2009.
“When I first arrived, I’d pretty much work around the clock from 8am until 10pm at The Mountaineer, later managing the dining room, then night portering – sleeping behind the desk with my daughter Chelsea in a pram.” She did split shifts at the local laundry and dairy and worked for Gus Watson at his Light and Sound Museum and Kiwi Park, then at Annette Thomson’s art gallery.
After working at Central Art Gallery for several years she bought it, building up a reputation and representing a myriad of wellknown artists from around New Zealand, all of whom are very supportive of her Cat Rescue work.
“When I first started there were cats and kittens everywhere, in under the old Post office building.”
The district council was pleased to hand over the reins, donating them their first traps. Since then Queenstown Cat Rescue has rescued and rehomed over 5000 cats.
Thousands more have been picked up and reunited with their owners. All strays are vaccinated, micro-chipped, desexed and registered. Lately a generous American benefactor, who was a client in Julia’s gallery, has provided substantial sponsorship for the cause.
“At one stage I had 25 cats and the SPCA were telling people to bring them to my house. I couldn’t figure out why all these cats were arriving.”
“People contact us all the time. A lady found a little kitten in a really bad way the other night on the roundabout turning into Five Mile. We’ve cleaned up that whole area over the years, but the odd one sneaks back in.”
Julia’s watched 34 different gallery owners come and go since she started. For her it’s all about looking after people and being honest. Renowned for either giving away art or discounting her prices, she says that kindness has more than returned to her.
“An Australian guy in his 30s came in recently to tell me I’d given him a print he wanted as a little boy on holiday, and he still looks at it every day.” She may work seven long days a week, but special gems like that are “what it’s all about”.
Always a cat lover - Julia loving on a stray cat in Weaver Street in the late 1960s Julia skiing at Coronet Peak, aged 12
Julia as a flower girl, aged 4
Julia, left, and Otis, with Pamela Hopkins from the Otautau Fine Arts Gallery at Central Lakes Art Gallery in 2018
On the grill
There’s a couple of chances to watch the half-dozen mayoral candidates fly or flounder under the hot stage lights this election season.
It’s being held at Wakatipu High School auditorium on Thursday, 4 September, from 6pm to 8.30pm.
Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce will run its Battle for the Mayor’s Chair forum a week before, on Tuesday, 26 August, from 5.30pm7.30pm at Queenstown Memorial Centre.
Catalyst Trust will give Queenstown Lakes voters the chance to get beyond social media soundbites to understand what each aspiring mayor would bring as leader of our council and community, at its Candidate Forum.
Razor-sharp journo David Williams, former Mountain Scene editor and now South Island correspondent for Newsroom, will again MC the evening and chair the question panel.
He knows all the issues inside and out, so there will be no place to hide for candidates incumbent Glyn Lewers, Al Angus, John Glover, Nik Kiddle, Darren Rewi, and Daniel Shand.
AJ Mason, who lost out on a council seat by a coin toss to Lewers in 2019, is the forum coordinator (but fortunately is not the type of chap to hold a grudge!)
Each mayoral candidate will have time to present their prepared pitch, before individual and incisive questioning by Williams. A second Q&A section will be based on audience questions and input from students. The Trust and Williams are holding workshops with interested students. Small engine repairs, spares, service and professional advice We service all makes and models.
That’s hosted by Katie Bradford, a respected ex senior journalist at 1News / TVNZ.
Candidates will be asked to share their views on key local issues such as housing affordability and urban development, the pressures of tourism on infrastructure, climate resilience and environmental protection, public transport and regional connectivity, council transparency and community engagement, support for local businesses, the future of water services, rates and budgeting.
Both events are free but you need to book seats via Humanitix. Check out the two organisations’ websites for links and more details.
Correction: Last week we said Nik Kiddle garnered 3,337 votes when he unsuccessfully ran against incumbent Jim Boult back in 2019. That’s wrong. He actually got 3,999 votes. Apologies.
New wastewater pipeline
Frankton Track is likely to closed at times in 2026 and 2027 as a new pressurised wastewater pipeline is installed underneath it.
The pipe will provide an additional connection through to Frankton beach pump station, increasing capacity and reducing the risks of overflows.
But its construction, which is expected to begin in early January, will cause disruption, with the parts of the well-used lakeside track closed over the 18-month build.
Residents can also expect additional noise and vibration, as there’s rockbreaking and construction machinery movements in the area.
Queenstown Lakes District Council plans to remediate each part of Frankton Track after sections of the new pipeline have been installed, reinstating the compacted gravel surface and planting natives along the track’s edge.
New seating and signs will also be installed in several places along the trail. A contract for the works is currently out for tender.
Read more on lwb.co.nz and the Queenstown App.
Never grown a vegetable, never composted?
Everyone has to start somewhere. You will meet gardeners of all levels of experience, from dabblers with one veggie bed to the lifestyle block Mecca dripping with fruit trees, veggie beds and glass houses. The bit we all need to remember is at some point they, too, had to start somewhere. Sure, the odd person you meet grew up on a farm that grew everything they ate. Okay, I’ve met one person in my life like that. The best thing is they’re not some allknowing seer, they ‘re still learning. Still adapting to their circumstances, their small or large bit of land, their soil and their climate.
Just starting is the key, the learning comes from planting that first seed or seedling. It unlocks the knowledge of generations who’ve come before you. There’s something about growing food that takes you to the source of life
First up, we need some dirt. Where are we going to do the growing? Where have you got access to some soil. It doesn’t have to be much. Let’s start small and grow our food growing space as we grow with confidence.
So here are two options for this spring: in buckets and building a veggie bed directly on the lawn.
Option one. Drill a hole in the bottom of some reused buckets, fill them up with a ‘potting mix’ or ‘vegetable growing mix’ ideally, we want this to be organic. Water well.
Buy some seedlings from the hardware store. This is the exciting part. What are you going to grow first? I’d recommend this spring planting some spinach and lettuces. They come in a punnet with approximately six plants. One punnet of spinach and a punnet of lettuce in a 20 litre bucket will be a little close but that’s ok. As the spinach grows, pick it first, allowing the lettuce to fill out. Plant the spinach and lettuce intermingled together.
Water every day. Remember to eat your goodies as they start to look ready. The good thing about these crops you can start eating pretty soon.
Option two. Find a spot - it could be on the lawn in the corner of the garden. Make sure there’s good sunshine to this spot. You need an edge to make a square bed one metre by one metre. You can use timber, bricks, rocks. Place plain cardboard directly onto the grass. Sit the edging onto the cardboard so there’s no grass to be seen within your 1m square veggie bed. Put a few bags of potting mix/vegetable mix on to the cardboard spread evenly. We’re after a layer 5-10cm thick.
Water well. Take into account that your potting mix will settle. So go a bit thicker to achieve that 5-10cm.
Buy some veggie seedlings. You can do the same as option one with the lettuce and spinach. You could also add a few other vegetables here too. If you’re planting all salad greens, then you can plant about four punnets into this space. You could even go for some bigger plants like celery, silver beet, bok choi. Firm in the seedlings and then gently water again.
Water every day. Cover with a bit of netting or an old sheet to stop the birds coming along and digging up your good work. The seedlings need to get established before you remove the cover. Two weeks should do it. Eat. For both systems buy some more seedlings and go again.
So now you’ve begun your gardening journey, now it’s time to keep going. Do you add more buckets or beds? Start talking to friends and colleagues about their gardening experiences, their top tips. Get along to one of our Dr Compost spring gardening workshops. Get on YouTube it’s got no shortage of learning.
Remember failure in gardening happens to learners and pros just the same. It’s how we get better at it.
Now for the composting system.
This system assumes you have access to a garden. Trench composting is as old as…. It’s a simple, easy-to-do system. There are
a few variations - here are a couple of versions. Remember your food scraps are a valuable resource that are going to add fertility to your garden as they break down.
For both versions we need to collect all our food scraps. Collect two to seven days at a time. Pretty much everything is going to go into your collection bucket. Veggie scraps, raw and cooked. Fish and meat, raw and cooked, bones, raw and cooked, crushed egg shells. The only no no would be a pan of deep frying cooking oil.
In version one. It’s good to pick an area of the garden where you can dig holes. This could be in a flower garden, native or exotic garden.
Dig a hole, chuck in the food scraps and put the soil back on top. We want at least 10cm of soil firmly tampered down on top. And you’re done. The food scraps will break down over time feeding plants nearby and increasing your soil fertility.
Then repeat. It’s good to stay in one area for a period of time and then move to another. After 12 months you can come back to that first area and repeat.
Version two. Has a little bit of order. This can be in a veggie garden.
This time all the veggie scraps are going into one veggie bed. Either one hole at a time or you can dig a longer trench and cover as you go. Once that bed is full, it’s time to move to bed number two.
Bed number one can be planted into. You might consider light crops first such as leafy greens etc. Then the next crop can be heavier as the food scraps fertility begins to become available. Broccoli, pumpkins and corn for example. Repeat the same approach to bed number two and then bed number three. At the end of filling bed number three, it’s time to come back to the start at bed number one. If you have more than three beds just keep going through the beds and then start at the beginning again.
Options:
• When chucking the food in we can mix some carbon ingredients in with the food scraps. I’m a big fan of leaves. They cost nothing and are easily stored to be used throughout the year.
• Don’t forget to firm down the soil and have at least 10cm above the buried food scraps.
• These systems don’t work if you have dogs roaming through your gardens, they’re likely to dig and feast.
Happy Composting and Gardening
Dr Compost aka Ben Elms is a permaculture and gardening expert who’s been operating in the unusual Central Otago climate for over 20 years. Funded by QLDC and delivered by Wanaka Wastebusters, the Dr Compost project aims to reduce organic waste going to landfill. Got a question? Check out @drcompost on Facebook or benelms.com @dr_compost | @doctorcompost | benelms.com
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
NEW TO THE AREA OR got more time on your hands & looking to give back to your community? Altrusa International Qtwn is looking for volunteers just like you to join our women’s charitable & service organisation supporting our local community. Want to know more? Email: president.queenstown@altrusa.org.nz or message us on Facebook.com/AltrusaQueenstown
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.
EVERYTHING ELSE
Community Everything Else
WHAKATIPU POPPY TRUST - EXTRAORDINARY General Meeting, Thursday, 21 August 2025, 2pm at Todd & Walker Boardroom, Five Mile. Enquires to whakatipupoppytrust@gmail.com
BUSINESSMAN, 6FT, FUN-LOVING SEEKS LADY to pamper. Take A Chance On Me.
BARISTA POSITION IN ARROWTOWN
We are looking to hire a Full Time role at Kahwah Cafe.
Open 7 days a week, this sun filled, popular cafe is looking for another great member to join the team.
Barista skills are essential.
• Demonstrating a clear head, cleanliness, attention to detail are key
• Experience in espresso calibration & dialling in
• Comfortable running solo in a fast paced cafe
• Experienced in steaming milk
• Support in all areas of FOH when required
We proudly use Wolf Coffee & are looking for someone who is comfortable preparing & serving high level coffees.
As we are in Arrowtown we will need you to have your own transport & be available for a mix of opens, 6.30am & closes in the afternoon.
Please email CVs to madisonkuru@icloud.com to arrange an up to 1 hour trial. Sponsorship positions open for this role. Renumeration based on skill level and commitment to the role. Minimum 6 month contract.
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
XS STORAGE
Secure self storage units – various sizes available Phone: 0800 297 786 | www.xsstorage.co.nz
QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST
TUE (12 Aug) @ 6.30pm, ‘Nurturing Peace’ with Grant Rix SUN (17 Aug) @ 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
Finance Manager
Loaded is a software hub for hospitality businesses with a growing international customer base, built right here in Queenstown. We started as a 13-site hospitality group and created Loaded to solve our own operational challenges. Now, we help thousands of venues across NZ and Australia do the same.
We're looking for an experienced Finance Manager to take sole charge of everything finance at Loaded. From board reporting and financial forecasting through to payables, receivables, and payroll, you’ll have the opportunity to shape and streamline the entire function.
You’ll be excited by the idea of owning the numbers, improving systems across the business, and supporting strategic decisions in a fastmoving SaaS business. You’ll work closely with the CEO and be a key contributor as we scale across Australasia.
This is a 25 hour per week role, based in Queenstown.
To find out more, email richard@loadedhub.com for the full JD or to apply.
We’d love to hear from you.
Ph:
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
Payroll & Accounts Administrator
BDO Southern Lakes & Central Otago has an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for client service. We’re on the lookout for someone with previous client payroll experience who thrives on getting things right. In this role, you'll be responsible for end-to-end payroll processing for our valued clients, while also delivering exceptional administrative support to our dynamic team. What we’re looking for:
• Proven experience in client payroll
• Knowledge of NZ Holidays Act & Employment legislation
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• A proactive, hardworking attitude
• Bookkeeping/GST return experience (preferred but not essential) Why BDO?
We’re part of a globally trusted network with a strong local presence across Queenstown, Alexandra, Cromwell, and Wanaka. At BDO, you’ll be supported by inspiring leaders, ongoing development opportunities, and a team that values collaboration and excellence.
Ready to make your mark with us? Send your cover letter and resume to
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
jobfix.co.nz
Smiths Craft Beer House requires a DUTY
MANAGER.
The successful candidate must have: A VALID NZ LCQ certificate/the ability to obtain one, a VALID WORK VISA good for at least 6 months and be prepared to start within a week or two.
Please pop up in person talk to Fraser or email your CV to Chris@smithscraftbeer.co.nz
Cookright Relief Operator
• Opportunity to join our friendly team
• Physical strength required, some heavy lifting
• Shift days are Monday – Friday with 5am starts
• $60,000 salary PA
• A can do attitude and good communication is required
• Must have full NZ drivers licence and clean criminal history.
Must be legally able to work in NZ. References required.
Call Scott on (027) 246 3886 or email queenstown@cookright.co.nz
Full-Time Evening Duty
Manager
On the Spot Fernhill Grocery
• Duty Manager training provided
• Shifts are evenings & weekends
• Great working environment
• Best customers in Queenstown!
Must have a good work ethic and strong customer focus.
Looking for casual, temporary or long term work??
Queenstown Personnel and Labour Hire are looking for labourers for a variety of jobs around Queenstown with an immediate start. Contact Sharleen - 027 778 7377 or email sharleen@qtplabour.co.nz
WALTER PEAK HORSE TREKKING GUIDES
Full-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.
• Prepared to work weekends.
• Fluent English required
Ed on 021 280 2425 or email marmoladacafe@yahoo.com
Email CV to fernhillstore@gmail.com or drop one in store.
