It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the tragic events up North, particularly at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, as I prepare to write this editorial on campervan and caravan camping around our beautiful country. Registered and regulated camping grounds are usually safe places for everyone who passes through the gates. Kia Kaha Ok, let’s talk about freedom campers, not the ones who go seeking real freedom in our backcountry, rather the ones in small vans who start lining up in the carpark at the Events Centre or behind the toilets in Arrowtown early in the day, waiting to snaffle one of the few spots set aside under the Freedom Camping By-law for the great unwashed to freeload in. But why would you want to stay in such an uninspiring spot? That’s my first question. Why would you bother spending hours waiting, waiting, for a free overnight parking spot when there is life to live, people to meet and a small town (potentially exciting) to explore. The only possible reason, in my opinion, and I do speak with a little bit of experience, is that these are the people who value themselves at less than $100 a day. That’s the average price of a fully equipped powered campervan site at the local campgrounds, providing everything you need to live your best Kiwi holiday experience.
My experience on the subject is that every year we, the family, do a loop of the South Island with our caravan in tow. We book, pay and enjoy every stop along the way. No question about it, less than $100 a night is money well spent for the privilege of passing thorough another New Zealander’s precious township. Back in Queenstown, it does not sit well with me that we are being taken advantage of by bottom feeders who pass through and contribute nothing. If you think the freeloader in the rusty 1982 Toyota Hiace van parked behind the Fork and Tap is coming into Arrowtown to spend up and contribute positively, you are sorely mistaken.
Now to my second question. When QLDC did all they could to put a local law in place to protect our neighbourhoods and townships, why did the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association, of which I am a member, object? They took QLDC to task and forced a rewrite of our local law to allow free camping spots around our district. With knee shaking fear of having my membership revoked, I must ask, why?
The only possible reason, in my opinion, is that the NZMCA has at least one, probably several, self-important meddlers that just have to poke their sticky beaks into other people’s business for no logical reason at all. Not logical because I can almost 100% guarantee you that not one of their 150,000+ members will be lining up in their $150,000+ motorhomes for a QLDC provided free camping spot. A classic example of when “the principle of the matter” trumps the wishes of the people that matter most, you, me and our precious Queenstown Lakes District.
Scott Stevens - Queenstown Media Group
The weather didn’t stop the good vibes at The Valley Festival on Saturday, where kiwi artists took the stage. Photo: The Valley
ON THE APP THIS WEEK
Popular Queenstown tourist attraction Skippers Bridge could be abandoned, according to an engineer’s report the council released on Thursday.
A Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesperson said the council had yet to consider the contents of the report and would be assessing the proposed options as part of the annual plan process.
First closed following a safety inspection in October last year, the Queenstown Lakes District Council announced last week the 124-year-old bridge would stay closed indefinitely due to safety risks.
The report, completed by engineering firm Stantec in mid-December, warned the bridge should not be reopened to either pedestrians or vehicles until damaged cables could be repaired or replaced, which it said would be “difficult and neither cheap nor quick to implement”. It noted the “extensive brittle failure” of wires
in the bridge’s cables made it impossible to test load capacity, but that testing would not necessarily prove the bridge’s capacity because of the risk of the cables failing unpredictably, and that testing itself could cause a sudden, catastrophic collapse.
Excavation of the portion of cables buried underground in December had revealed “severe brittle failure” of wires on the left of the bridge. Engineers had found around one-fifth of cable cross sections were lost in some spots, while the initial report from October found between 30 and 60 percent of sections lost cables. Both reports said there was no visible damage to the cables above ground.
It was thought that the damage was caused by stress corrosion cracking and exacerbated by the bend of sections of cable over a ‘roll over’ plate.
Stress corrosion cracking can result in “a disastrous failure” occurring unexpectedly, the report said.
A former World Bank senior economist says people buying holiday homes and leaving them empty in Queenstown for much of the year are on track to “hollow out” the town, unless authorities take strong action to build more affordable housing for workers.
Data suggests, at any given time, more than a quarter of the district’s properties are unoccupied.
On Census night 2023, there were 3480 empty dwellings and 3402 listed as ‘residents away’, compared with 18,219 properties occupied or under construction.
At the same time, the cost of renting or buying a house has risen sharply, and more than 1600 households have joined a waitlist for an affordable housing scheme.
Ralph Hanan, who has lived in Queenstown for nearly two decades and spent 29 years at the World Bank, said the number of empty houses would likely increase in coming years.
He told RNZ councils and the government could not compel people to rent their properties out.
“If these ‘ghost houses’ were available, of course, that means that the money that went into new developments for new housing could be spent somewhere else for a more productive enterprise within our economy,” he said.
“I think it’s a real long shot to expect people who have a house here to open it up for 9-10 months of the year to whomsoever to come and live. It’s not good economics, but it’s reality.”
Aspiring Conversations is back, and asking the big questions again. Returning in 2026 after its celebrated comeback in 2024, the festival runs from 27 – 29 March at Lake Wānaka Centre, creating a space for reflection, debate and live exchange. Bringing together writers, journalists, theatre directors, artists, economists and activists, the weekend unfolds with ideas, debate and performance that explore what’s shaping Aotearoa, and what’s coming next.
Check out the full Aspiring Conversations programme at aspiringconversations.co.nz
Guided by the theme He wā whakaaro , a time for thinking, the programme invites audiences to slow the pace, sit with complexity and engage deeply with a wide range of stories and perspectives, with broadcaster Kathryn Ryan returning to chair several sessions across the weekend.
“Aspiring Conversations is about making time to listen and reflect. It brings people together
to engage with ideas that are often rushed or polarised, and to hear directly from those shaping the conversations of our time,” says Artistic Director, Sophie Kelly. ent structural changes were needed to ensure Queenstown remained a viable place to live and work, including affordable housing for local workers.
Hanan said urgent structural changes were needed to ensure Queenstown remained a viable place to live and work, including affordable housing for local workers.
Mitre Peak and Grand Traverse no
‘walk in the park’
by Sue Fea
Social media posts painting ‘walk in the park’ pictures of some of the Southern Lakes’ most challenging climbs and hikes have raised fresh concerns for local specialist rescue volunteers, after being called out to some eight rescues in the past month.
Along with Police, the Mountain Safety Council and DOC are reiterating calls for those who are unprepared, ill-equipped and inexperienced to check credible sources of information and forecasts before heading into the hills.
Queenstown outdoor enthusiasts were concerned about a social media post last week by an experienced climber with a decent following which they believe makes 1690m Mitre Peak out to look easier than it is, particularly for inexperienced climbers. It was referred to as “amazing scrambling” and a “must do” that “should be on everyone who visits Fiordland’s list”.
Posts like this with dramatically beautiful scenery, but extremely challenging steep rock faces being tackled easily by people who were experienced enough to climb without ropes, can be a false lure for the inexperienced, rescuers say.
Their concern is that people who know what they’re doing make it look easy to those who don’t.
Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team coordinator Russ Tilsley says even if those who are posting are experienced and believe their followers are too, the terminology used can sometimes be lost in translation.
The rescue of a young American woman who was knocked unconscious and suffered moderate head injuries after a fall while attempting to cross
The Remarkables’ Grand Traverse earlier this month was likely the result of seeing a magnificent social media post, he says. “She and the guy with her said they were “just going for a scramble”. “She was very lucky.”
“It’s one of those things we’re seeing more and more,” he says. “It’s probably a scramble for people with appropriate skills and experience, but for everybody else there can be serious consequences,” Tilsley says. “One slip and you’re dead, as, sadly, the consequence is if you fall, you’ll likely die.”
The Grand Traverse, like Mitre Peak, was becoming more popular and was “knife edge stuff”. “If you fall it’s a long way down.
“These places are just becoming more and more popular as people post these things, sunny weather, amazing views, and it looks easy. People are attracted there and want to do these climbs,” he says. “We do get people who go up Mitre Peak without the right kit. The average person should carry a rope up there.”
Fellow Wakatipu team member Karl Johnson agrees: “If something goes wrong up there it’s very bad.” In his almost 17 years with the local team, they’ve recovered one body, one badly injured climber, another person, and a young Englishman is still missing, all on Mitre Peak, he says.
It’s been a busy summer of callouts for the team so far and they’re urging people to make sure they get the right advice from the likes of DOC and carry the right gear. It’s especially important for overseas visitors of any age who aren’t familiar with NZ conditions, the backcountry and alpine terrain, and how quickly the weather can change.
With so many people, especially overseas visitors, lured by stunning social media posts that can give them a false perception of what they’re embarking on, Tilsley’s warning people to “do your due diligence before you go”. “Don’t rely on social media posts.”
Help set our district’s direction
We’re preparing the next Long Term Plan to cover 2027-2037 and would like to know what matters most to you and your community. What should we focus spending on? How could we reduce spending? Share your thoughts by 8 Feb and help inform QLDC’s future decision-making at http://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/ltp27
Frankton Track closure
A large section of Frankton Track is now closed until early November while we install a new wastewater pipeline. This is a big change that will affect residents and visitors, but it’s necessary to improve local infrastructure and continue ensuring a clean and healthy environment for everyone. Learn more at www.qldc.govt.nz/frankton-track-ww
Love Kawarau Riverside Reserves?
Community feedback has helped us shape a draft plan to manage a collection of public reserves that sit alongside the Kawarau River in Frankton. Have we got it right?
Share your thoughts on the draft Kawarau Riverside Reserve Management Plan by 29 March at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
Robins Road closed for wastewater upgrades
Robins Road is closed to traffic between Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel and Hamilton Road so we can install a new wastewater pipeline. We expect this to last until Easter, when Robins Road will open to southbound traffic (only) until the project is completed by June. Learn more at www.qldc.govt.nz/robins-road-ww
Before you dive in…
Our rivers and lakes can be unpredictable. Swift currents, steep drop-offs, and unstable footing can quickly turn fun into danger. Stay safe this summer: wear a lifejacket, watch your footing, and be wary of strong undertows near river mouths.
Arts funding available
Got a creative idea or arts project and need funding support? Grants of up to $2,500 are available from the Central Lakes Arts Support Scheme (CLASS). For more info and an application form email jan.maxwell@qldc.govt.nz or visit www.qldc.govt.nz/community-funding
Upcoming meetings & workshops
Did you know most Council and committee formal meetings and workshops are open to the public with some livestreamed and recorded? These are great opportunities to find out about decisions elected members are making for the district and your community. For times, venues and agendas use the interactive calendar at www.qldc.govt.nz/council-meetings
www.qldc.govt.nz
Local Alpine Cliff Rescue volunteers at work rescuing someone on a sheer face of The Remarkables
Photo: Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team
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CRIMELINE
Beware of Police fine scammers
by Sue Fea
Police are warning the public to beware of scammers, claiming to be from the Police, who may text them a link directing them to pay a traffic fine.
Constable Amanda Shute says Police have been contacted by a number of members of the public who’ve recently received a text message that includes the link.
“If you get a text asking you to pay a traffic fine, or similar, please do not click on the link,” she says. “Police do not issue speeding fines via text. This text is not from Police, so please do not click on the link.”
Instead, people are urged to report their scam texts to the Department of Internal Affairs by forwarding the scam message from their phones to 7726, free of charge.
Overseas motorcyclists tour in crash on Devil’s Staircase
Two overseas motorcyclists, who were part of a tour group headed for Queenstown, were lucky to escape serious injury after a multiple motorbike crash on the Devil’s Staircase, near Wye Creek, just after 4pm on Tuesday, 20 January. Police say two motorcyclists collided with each other. It appears they both intended to overtake a car in front but pulled back after changing their minds and allegedly ran into each other, Sergeant Bruce Martin says. Police say one motorcyclist has allegedly been following too closely and collided with the back of the other, causing both to come off their bikes.
One of the drivers was issued with an infringement notice.
A St John Ambulance spokesperson says two ambulances attended the crash and one patient in a moderate condition was transported to Lakes District Hospital. Another patient, in a minor condition, was assessed and treated at the scene.
Volunteer fire crews from Kingston, Frankton and Queenstown responded to the crash, a Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson says.
Man charged over pre-Christmas
Arrowtown assault
Police have charged a man in relation to an assault in Arrowtown just before Christmas. Shute says the assault occurred outside the Fork and Tap Bar on Sunday, 21 December last year, when the victim was allegedly knocked unconscious by the punch and sustained facial injuries that required hospitalisation that night. A 27-year-old man is due to appear in Invercargill District Court on 27 January, charged with injuring with intent to injure.
Truck and tractor collide on Gibbston Highway
Police were called to the Gibbston Highway near Gibbston Back Road after a collision between a tractor and rubbish truck at 12.40pm on Monday, 19 January. Constable Amanda Shute says the vehicles collided after one was turning right and the other driver had been attempting an overtaking manoeuvre. One person was taken to Lakes District Hospital with minor injuries. Police investigations were continuing.
Police were called to a McBride Street dental clinic mid-morning last Thursday after a vehicle went through a metal fence and down a bank. Shute says the driver had hit the accelerator instead of the break.
Drink driving
A 30-year-old Queenstown man was also stopped on Gorge Road at 3.30pm on Sunday, 18 January, found to be on a zero-alcohol licence. He elected a blood test, and Police are awaiting the result.
A 24-year-old Queenstown man, also on a zero-alcohol licence was charged after allegedly blowing 400mcg on Fernhill Road at 6pm last Wednesday, 14 January. He’s due in court on 2 February.
COMMUNITY NOTES
COMMUNITY NOTES
Building the real-world blueprint for a better energy future
Building the real-world blueprint for a better energy future
If you’re into lower bills, lower emissions and higher resilience, then it’s time to go electric. That’s the message the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator is spreading and it’s here to help make that process easier for local homes and businesses - and turn the town into the world’s most electric destination.
If you’re into lower bills, lower emissions and higher resilience, then it’s time to go electric. That’s the message the Queenstown Electrification Accelerator is spreading and it’s here to help make that process easier for local homes and businesses - and turn the town into the world’s most electric destination.
Electrification is the replacement of fossil fuel machines (gas, petrol and diesel) with electric equivalents. Because electric machines are much more efficient, they can do the same job using only a quarter to a third of the physical energy. While they’re generally more expensive upfront, New Zealand is one of the first countries to reach a tipping point where they are now cheaper over the long run.
Electrification is the replacement of fossil fuel machines (gas, petrol and diesel) with electric equivalents. Because electric machines are much more efficient, they can do the same job using only a quarter to a third of the physical energy. While they’re generally more expensive upfront, New Zealand is one of the first countries to reach a tipping point where they are now cheaper over the long run.
They’re even cheaper when they’re run with rooftop solar and embracing this means homes can save thousands every year and businesses can save even more.
They’re even cheaper when they’re run with rooftop solar and embracing this means homes can save thousands every year and businesses can save even more.
“Upgrading these machines saves money and is also likely to be the biggest thing people can do to reduce their emissions, so it’s a true win-win,” says QEA’s Josh Ellison. “What’s often not realised is three quarters of the world’s emissions come from machines burning fossil fuels and, because of our high fuel and gas prices in Queenstown, we actually have an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how to make this transition well. It doesn’t have to be about scarcity, it can be about substitution, energy abundance and fun. We should be the postcard for that story.”
“Upgrading these machines saves money and is also likely to be the biggest thing people can do to reduce their emissions, so it’s a true win-win,” says QEA’s Josh Ellison. “What’s often not realised is three quarters of the world’s emissions come from machines burning fossil fuels and, because of our high fuel and gas prices in Queenstown, we actually have an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how to make this transition well. It doesn’t have to be about scarcity, it can be about substitution, energy abundance and fun. We should be the postcard for that story.”
Resilience is also key for this part of the world. “We’re staring down the barrel of some major disruption from an Alpine Fault earthquake, which we are unprepared for,” says Ellison. “A log burner and a gas bottle is survival. But homes and businesses with solar, batteries and EVs have real resilience - and you can pay it off with the savings.”
Resilience is also key for this part of the world. “We’re staring down the barrel of some major disruption from an Alpine Fault earthquake, which we are unprepared for,” says Ellison. “A log burner and a gas bottle is survival. But homes and businesses with solar, batteries and EVs have real resilience - and you pay it off with the savings.”
that help guide decisions on everything from fleet upgrades to solar quotes.
that help guide decisions on everything from fleet upgrades to solar quotes.
The QEA is also running the country’s biggest vehicle-to-grid trial in Queenstown, alongside EECA. Many new electric cars have big enough batteries to store multiple days of household energy and some will be able to be plugged in to run homes and businesses or feed energy back into the grid when it’s most needed. While the QEA has some big goals, they are all aimed at creating wide reaching benefits to the community and Ellison says the team of independent experts is here to make it easier for people to electrify, whether that’s through case studies on local homes and businesses, group discounts on hot water heat pumps, or resources
The QEA is also running the country’s biggest vehicle-to-grid trial in Queenstown, alongside EECA. Many new electric cars have big enough batteries to store multiple days of household energy and some will be able to be plugged in to run homes and businesses or feed energy back into the grid when it’s most needed.
While the QEA has some big goals, they are all aimed at creating wide reaching benefits to the community and Ellison says the team of independent experts is here to make it easier for people to electrify, whether that’s through case studies on local homes and businesses, group discounts on hot water heat pumps, or resources
“We’re not selling anything. Think of us as energy nerds who are here to help you make these decisions. Going electric will save people money, keep more money in the community, create local jobs, and make Queenstown globally recognisable. More people are starting to recognise the opportunity and the momentum is growing.”
“We’re not selling anything. Think of us as energy nerds who are here to help you make these decisions. Going electric will save people money, keep more money in the community, create local jobs, and make Queenstown globally recognisable. More people are starting to recognise the opportunity and the momentum is growing.”
- Find out more at qea.nz
- Find out more at qea.nz
And sign up for tickets to the upcoming events for businesses in Queenstown and Wānaka at qea.nz/community-events
And sign up for tickets to the upcoming events for businesses in Queenstown and Wānaka at qea.nz/community-events
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
An unforgettable adventure only 20 minutes from Queenstown’s CBD
Daily rides for every ability, led by experienced guides who know these landscapes by heart. Immerse yourself in stunning alpine scenery as you explore breathtaking trails on horseback.
Both group and private treks are available, or for something extra special, treat yourself to a Ride and Dine Picnic Experience or Bespoke Photography Package!
Lakes Weekly gives community organisations in Queenstown Lakes the chance to address our readers directly though our Community Notes page.
health MENTAL
Courage Over Perfection: Redefining Accountability This New Year
by Katherine Froggatt
January often arrives with a long list of resolutions and a quiet pressure to reinvent ourselves. We promise to be more disciplined, more organised, more productive. Yet most people abandon their goals within weeks, not because they lack commitment, but because they are afraid to fail. Over the past year I have noticed a deeper pattern emerging. Many of us are carrying a fear of accountability. We hesitate to admit mistakes, avoid dif cult conversations, or hold back from trying something new. The reason is simple. We no longer feel safe to be imperfect.
Psychological safety is the foundation of genuine behaviour change. In coaching, it describes an environment where you can take risks, acknowledge missteps, and express your truth without fear of judgement. In Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychological safety grows when we stop ghting uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, allow them to exist, and still choose actions that align with our values. Without that safety, goals become another source of pressure. We chase perfection instead of progress. We punish ourselves for slipping rather than learning. We stop before we have even started because the cost of getting it wrong feels too high.
This year, I invite you to try a different approach. Instead of forcing a rigid list of resolutions, begin with courage. Courage to feel uncomfortable. Courage to try again. Courage to be human.
Here are three ways to build that courage into your goal setting for 2026. Create a psychologically safe space for yourself
Before setting any goal, ground your nervous system. A few slow breaths, a gentle stretch, or a quiet moment can shift you out of self-criticism and into clarity. Remind yourself that you are allowed to learn, experiment, and grow at your own pace. Surround yourself with people who empower you and create a safe container for you to receive support while you navigate change.
Change is hard and it is never linear. It is only through mistakes that we learn. Use micro-steps instead of extreme goals
Big promises often trigger overwhelm. Choose one behaviour that feels achievable today. A short walk, one nourishing meal, a ve minute break, a single boundary. Small actions create self-trust and help you build momentum without fear of failure. As Bill Gates famously said, we often overestimate what we can do in a short time and underestimate what we can achieve in the long term. This mindset shift can completely transform the way you approach change.
Make room for mistakes
In ACT, willingness is the heart of change. You allow the discomfort of starting again and still move toward your values. When you slip, simply acknowledge it, take a breath, and return to your next tiny step. No drama, no shame. Just a continued commitment to what matters.
You do not need perfection to create a healthier year. You need safety, compassion, and a willingness to keep showing up. This is how real transformation happens. Not through force, but through courage.
If you want support creating a realistic and compassionate plan for 2026 that aligns with your values and your wellbeing, you are welcome to get in touch. I would love to help you build a year that supports your healing, your con dence, and your energy.
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Sleeps 4–5, ample storage
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ORC is encouraging ratepayers contacted by letter to take part in its latest community survey – which will help shape the future of services to the public.
ORC Chairperson Hilary Calvert says the survey will start appearing in the mailboxes of more than 14,000 randomly selected ratepayers from this week.
“In these uncertain times, it is even more important to know as much as we can about what people in Otago feel about what the Otago Regional Council is doing well and what we can do better. This will help us be the very best council we can be in the time we have left,” Ms Calvert says. By switching from cold calling phone numbers to the hard-copy mail-out format ORC hope to prompt an increase in overall responses, and the survey will also be available to anyone interested via a Facebook link, as a cost-effective alternative.
ORC’s General Manager Strategy and Customer, Amanda Vercoe, says, “Public input is really important to ORC which is why we carry out regular community surveys to understand how people across Otago view the council, its role and work, their understanding of our services and their perceptions of environmental factors,” she says. “The surveys help track changes over time, highlight what matters most to communities throughout Otago, and shows us where projects, programmes or monitoring are working well or need improvement,” Mrs Vercoe says. Householders’ receiving the survey have until 22 February to respond.
While councils are required under the Local Government Act 2002 to report on performance and outcomes, community surveys are one of the key tools ORC uses to support this reporting. Link to survey: https://www.orc.govt.nz/feedback
GOINGS ON ABOUT
EVENTS - MUSIC - ART THEATRE - AT THE GALLERIES
Greenstone Summer Concert
The original ‘wild one’ of rock, Iggy Pop along with the Queen of Rock Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Hoodoo Gurus and Kiwi favourites, Zed will headline the Summer Concert Tour. Greenstone Entertainment is proud to present great live music and unforgettable festivals, held in breathtaking locations across New Zealand - this year will be the first time it’s held in Wānaka.
When: Saturday, 31 January, from 12pm
Mosaic Wānaka
Where: Three Parks Outdoor Arena, 1 Sir Tim Wallis Drive, Wānaka
Queers & Beers Monthly Rainbow Social
Join Searchlight on the first Thursday of every month for their Queers & Beers Social. Hosted by resident Drag Queen Miss Kaysey Leigh Brookes, each month she will bring you entertainment that will leave a mark. Expect drag shows, music, Jingo, games, trivia and much more. Searchlight want to keep Pride spirit alive all year around to create a stronger and closer community.
Waitangi day with Fat Freddy’s Drop Djs ft. Chopper Reeds and Mc Slave playing all day long! The pair will be playing a dj set from open till close and taking you on a musical journey across dub/reggae, funk, disco, and house – the perfect soundtrack to celebrate Waitangi day!
Gin Fest Arrowtown, returns in 2026 for another unforgettable day of gin, music and community! Same iconic location, new timings, and a fresh lineup featuring a variety of new and returning distillers and food vendors - all ready to make Gin Fest Arrowtown 2026 a great day out. Indulge in gin tastings from up to 15+ Distilleries from all over New Zealand.
Carl Cox is back! Together with Audiology and George FM, Ayrburn are bringing the world’s most influential DJ here. Joined on stage by the internationally acclaimed Nicole Moudaber, this is one day out on The Dell that you will not want to miss. If 2025 was anything to go by these tickets will sell out in record time, so heat to Ayrburn’s website to secure yours today.
If you would like your show, event, exhibition or meeting promoted in Goings On drop us a line at info@qmg.co.nz with the details EVENTS
Reusing and reconstituting broken ceramics into raw clay and/or plaster, this wānaka will involve smashing, and sticking together crockery to create small tiles. Inspired dually by blue tones that attract honey bees and the environment at Driving Creek where much of their work is made, Taarn Scott and Hana Pera Aoake (the artists behind our exhibition Let the Honey Soak Through) invite you to smash up something old to make something blue. Taarn Scott and Hana Pera Aoake (Ngāti Hinerangi, Ngāti Mahuta, Tainui/Waikato, Poutini Kāi Tahu) are two friends from Ōtepoti who make art together. Currently based in different cities they research and wānaka together whenever they get the chance.
When: Saturday, 7 February, 10am – 1pm
Where: Te Atamira, 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton
Remarkables Picnic Opera
The ACAS Remarkables Picnic Opera will again be held against the spectacular mountainous backdrop of the Stalker family’s Springpointer rural residence. Auckland Studio Opera, which coproduces the event, has hired a leading theatre director to further lift presentation of the production. This year will feature seven big voice opera performers. Keep your eyes peeled for details, including a number of performers new to the event.
This isn’t just a garden group – it’s part of something bigger. At Happiness House, our community garden is a place to grow more than just food. It’s about belonging, purpose and community. Each Thursday the group meet and do a variety of things in the garden from planting, weeding and mulching to planning and tidying. Host Mike is a walking encyclopaedia of gardening knowledge. He’s the type who could talk all day about soil, seeds, and seasons – so if you’re keen to learn, you’ll walk away with tips and tricks galore. If you’d rather just roll your sleeves up and get stuck in, that’s great too – there’s always plenty to do!
When: Every Thursday, 10am – 2pm
Where: Happiness House, 4 Park Street, Queenstown
Volunteer Wilding Control
Ready to work off the Christmas excesses? Come along to Whakatipu Wilding Control Goup’s next Wilding control event on Queenstown Hill. The Shotover 4WD Club will be providing some very scenic transport to get the group to the work site, where you will clear Wildings with some amazing views for a few hours in the morning. They will provide all the tools and knowhow, so bring along your friends or family! Keen to get involved? Sign up by finding the event on the Whakatipu Wilding Control Group Facebook page.
When: Sunday, 1 February, 9am
Where: Queenstown Hill, Queenstown
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Local creators putting together a curated walking tour, available in the palm of your hand. That’s the business model for VoiceMap, a downloadable app on your phone, and Virginia Driver is the voice behind the local tours which shine a spotlight on Queenstown and Arrowtown’s rich history.
Driver’s business The Southern Compass creates immersive walking, driving and cycling tours around Otago. The tours are delivered through the VoiceMap app and use GPS to play a rich, professionally produced audio automatically as you move – just pop your headphones in and away you go. There are currently two tour options for Queenstown, From the Green to the Grave: A Queenstown Story, and The Golden Thread: Tracing Arrowtown’s Past.
“The tour will have one specific starting place and then off you go,” Driver says. “It follows a specific route that the creator has chosen and uses GPS points as you go along. As you’re walking along, there’ll be times it’s quiet and then it will start talking about something that’s going on around you.”
The tours will start with a brief explanation of who’s guiding you and how the tour will work. The one in Queenstown starts in the Village Green, giving you an explainer of how it came to be and then heads towards the Speight’s Ale House before carrying on around the town, explaining some of the sights and buildings. The commentary will be on history, activities that are going on, scenic viewpoints, local characters and more. It ends in the cementary, hence the name, and then suggests different activities that people may like to do in Queenstown.
"This adds into that slow travel atmosphere that’s coming through a little bit more now – where you can slow down and you can actually take your time, hear about and see things that you might not necessarily otherwise."
When Driver was putting together the tour, she also learned a bit along the way, mostly about Rees himself.
“My knowledge of history in that area was more based around the gold mining, so I didn’t understand the part he played before that actually took off, and then the establishment of Queenstown, so that was really interesting.”
She also enjoyed the gardens part of the tour – sourcing old photos, which you’ll be able to see in the app, and looking at the change over the years. The Arrowtown tour takes you along Tobin’s Track and around some of the residential areas, explaining the history of the old buildings.
“I think it’s quite interesting for people not just to be in a tourist area, because Arrowtown is quite small, so I did find it interesting to see what else was out there, not just the main street.”
Driver’s based in Dunedin and has a background in interior architecture. She first started doing the tours in 2002, starting with one in the Otago peninsula, which was well received. She left her job last year and while looking for work, jumped back in doing the tours and really enjoyed it. Starting with the Dunedin area, she soon delved into the Queenstown Lakes area. She’s enjoys history and is delighted to be able to pass some of that on.
“I think a lot of the time we travel somewhere because someone says it looks nice, we don’t necessarily understand the place and what’s around us. I think it’s important for people to know. Travel’s changing a lot and this adds into that slow travel atmosphere that’s coming through a little bit more now – where you can slow down and you can actually take your time, hear about and see things that you might not necessarily do.”
If you’d like to enjoy a personal tour, without the schedules or crowds, you can download the VoiceMap app from Google Play or the App store for free, then simply search Queenstown or Arrowtown and you’ll find the tours. You can also download the tours so you don’t need internet as you go along. To learn more about each walk, you can scan the QR code below or head to the Southern Compass website.
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on 03 442 9995 or email queenstown@lonestar.co.nz to plan your next function.
Mediumship Services
QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST
TUE (27 Jan) @ 6.30pm, ‘ The Awakening Body’ with Annette Macalister
SUN (1 Feb) @ 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 / What’sApp
by Sue Fea
My Life story
TRACY POOL
Going the extra mile
She may have left school and her tiny hometown at 16, headed for bright lights and the first career that was on offer - hairdressing, but 40 years later Arrowtown’s Tracy Pool had become the boss of a leading Queenstown hospitality company managing 11 bars.
No fancy degrees needed, just plain hard work, financial experience and know-how.
She’d turned her decades of keeping accounts and bookkeeping for local companies, and years of hospitality experience into an impressive career - Republic Hospitality’s group general manager, chief operating officer and shareholder by the time she left in 2022.
“I started out with Watertight Investments on 12 hours a week,” she says. “There were two venues then and we built it up to 11 bars.” Tracy created a management company to oversee the venues working with Immigration NZ - a massive task, finishing up at the top of the corporate hospitality ladder.
As a mum of two young boys with husband of 35 years Greg, Tracy had experienced all the challenges that go with raising a family in Queenstown.
With Greg owning a building business and an early 90s financial crisis affecting Queenstown’s economy, they decided to move to the West Coast for 18 months, renting out their home. “It was just so expensive to live here so we moved to Runanga where Mum and Dad had a pub at the time.” Tragedy struck the Mount Davy Coal Mine where Greg was working, three construction workers
killed, the workers protected by bulletproof glass from then on.
“It rained for 18 months.”
So they happily returned to Arrowtown where Tracy worked in retail, then as a bookkeeping contractor until joining Republic.
Three years ago she became co-manager of Queenstown’s busy Citizen’s Advice Bureau where she’s been a fierce advocate for migrants who’ve been exploited and are negotiating the minefield of New Zealand’s visa compliance regulations. Here she found her niche, not just a job, but her passion. It’s a role that requires empathy, kindness, practical life experience and understanding, all attributes which she possesses, plus plenty of ‘go the extra mile’.
Tracy oozes empathy: “The day I was forced to lay off 40 hospitality staff, who I’d hired during Covid times, was one of the worst days of my life,” she says. “A week later the government extended the subsidies, and we hired them all back.” All but three of their 100 staff were migrants.
“During my time in hospo I worked with some amazing entrepreneurial young kids, who I hugely admire.”
She even scored a trip to Europe on Jäger in her 50s for a job well done. “My first trip to Oktoberfest.”
After leaving Republic Tracy started volunteering at CAB to keep her brain active. “If I couldn’t answer queries for our hospitality staff, or help them myself, I’d send them to the CAB,” she
year
says. While hers is a paid role there’s still plenty of ‘volunteering’ going on outside of those hours.
Right now they’re desperate for volunteers, preferably people who’ve done those hard yards themselves: “People who’ve sat across the table and been there, who have empathy.
“If we could just get the community to realise that people need help here,” she says. “They don’t like to think that things are not quite right, so it’s brushed under the carpet.
“There are migrant women here who have alarm buttons in their houses to protect them from violent husbands and partners,” she says. There are good employers but also bad, and while cheaper housing is the main issue Tracy reckons landlords get a bad rap. “Everyone thinks they’re wealthy and rich, but they have huge overheads and it’s hard for them too.”
She says Queenstown’s a hard town to live in. “You’ve got to have some resilience.”
Tracy learned that at a young age, hers an idyllic seaside upbringing in Takaka, Golden Bay, where her dad, of Ngāti Awa ki Kāpiti descent, was the perfect fisherman, hunter and shellfish gatherer.
“If we could just get the community to realise that people need help here.”
Second eldest of five, Tracy was “shy and quiet”. “My first traffic ticket was on our motorbike to a School Cert exam with no licence, registration, or warrant, at 15. The car wasn’t working so Mum wrote a letter to get me off.”
With her dad one of 14 kids there were always plenty of relatives visiting for beach holidays.
Tracy leapt at the opportunity to learn hairdressing through the Māori Affairs Trade Training Programme in Christchurch, leaving Golden Bay High at 16.
“We were the first intake of girls – 13 of us and 76 boys all together in our hostel learning trades.”
Here she got into Kapa Haka competitions. There were several moves to Australia, Tracy meeting Greg, from Waihi Beach, sent by a friend to collect her at Sydney Airport. They lived at Waihi for a while after marrying quite quickly at her mother’s suggestion.
“We married on New Year’s Eve and had a big party at home. The local baker was a massive stoner and the profiterole cake with chocolate fish fell apart,” she grins. “The baker was arrested the next week. Mum was mortified.
“I’m still waiting on my engagement ring!”
Tracy, enjoying a holiday in Whistler, Canada, in October last
Tracy having a bit of family fun one Christmas
Tracy, front, Greg, left, and their sons Daniel, rear, and Ben about 2012
LWB QUIZ
1. Which philosopher wrote The Republic?
2. New Zealand’s parliament consists of how many main branches (or arms) of government?
3. What is the capital of Sri Lanka?
4. In which year did the United Kingdom join the European Economic Community (EEC)?
5. What is the Māori term for a meeting house?
6. Which gas is most commonly used in neon signs?
7. What does the Latin phrase carpe diem mean?
8. Which planet has the shortest day in our solar system?
9. What is the name of the fear of confined spaces?
10. What geothermal town in New Zealand is famous for its geysers, hot pools, and mud pools?
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
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.
FOR RENT - HANLEY $650 PW
Fully furnished apartment, near new 1 bedroom over two levels not attached to a main house. Full kitchen, office nook, private patio and carpark, all whiteware. Ideal for professional single or couple. 9-month negotiable, pets ok. Contact Martha 021766117
OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE TO RENT IN THE ANGLICAN CHURCH PARISH OFFICE
In the middle of town. $180.00 per week which includes internet, power, cleaning of shared facilities, 2 storage cupboards and the use of a table and chairs if required. Size is 2.5m x 4 meters. Available immediately. Please contact Tina on 0211563564 or email on admin@st.peters.co.nz
NEVER BIN A BATTERY
They cause fires if damaged or overheated, so keep them out of all rubbish and recycling bins. Safely recycle your batteries and electronic devices at Wānaka & Frankton Transfer Stations.
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
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
jobfix.co.nz
Property Inspector – Join Our Growing Team
We’re looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Property Inspector to join our growing local team in Queenstown.
This role is Saturday to Wednesday (Thursday & Friday off) and suits someone who enjoys variety, takes pride in high standards, and can work confidently both on their own and alongside others.
About the role:
• Inspect properties to ensure they meet our quality and presentation standards
• Identify maintenance issues and report them clearly
• Work efficiently in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment
About you:
• Excellent eye for detail
• Strong time management and organisational skills
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Comfortable working under pressure
• Holds a full, clean driver’s licence
If you’re reliable, proactive, and want to be part of a supportive and growing company, we’d love to hear from you.
Full time positions available at Omega Rental Cars Customer Service Representative
• Positive individuals with a bright smile- excellent communication
• Good people skills & excellent phone manner
• Computer literacy
• Flexibility essential- we operate 7 days a week 8am till 5pm
• Weekend work is necessary.
• Training & development provided.
• Full or restricted drivers licence required [eligible to drive in NZ] The job role can vary from serving customers to driving the shuttle, aiding with calls, administration to cleaning cars.
• Permanent roster includes weekends.
• Previous customer service experiences an advantage, however not necessary. This could be a new experience for 2026!
• Ability to maintain a cheerful outlook and share/communicate to equally manage workload.
Tasks & Responsibilities:
• Face to face and over the phone interaction with customers leading to a positive experience.
• Complete rental agreements in a prompt efficient manner
• Assist with depot administration and daily business tasks!
• Occasional need to collect and return customers to the airport in the shuttle van. This depends on the demand of the day.
• Inspection of vehicles on collection and return
$26.00 per hour | Full time positions- 40 hours per week
Please forward your CV/cover letter to shobana@omegarentals.com
FULL-TIME WHOLESALE & RETAIL ASSISTANTS
Harbour Fish is a family-owned and operated seafood supplier. Our Frankton branch is looking for wholesale and retail assistants to join our small, friendly team.
We pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service and are keen to find people with the same high standards.
We have current vacancies in our wholesale and retail departments. Both jobs are permanent full-time (but we're open to shorter contracts too), 38-40 hours per week, over 5 days. Shifts are generally 8 hours long. Staff accomodation options are available from mid-January 2026.
We are happy to provide full training for the right candidates, but previous seafood, food service, or retail experience is an advantage.
We’re looking for people who:
• Have excellent customer service skills
• Are physically fit (some heavy lifting is required)
• Have an interest in seafood and cooking
• Like to keep things clean, tidy and looking sharp
• Have loads of common sense
• Enjoy working in a small, busy team
• Have a good command of the English language
We offer a supportive work environment and generous staff discounts.
To apply, please send your CV to queenstown@harbourfish.co.nz or call Mohammed on 03 451 1402 ext 1.
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
jobfix.co.nz
REQUIRED NOW!!!!!!
Skilled and Unskilled Labourers
Traffic Controllers
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.
QUEENSTOWN CHEFS, LOOKING FOR A CHANGE?
Contact Sharleen - 027 778 7377 or email sharleen@qtplabour.co.nz Come work with us!
Experienced baristas, cooks and front of house cafe workers for our Queenstown central and Frankton locations. Fulltime and part time positions availabe now and in the New Year.
Daytime hours in fun, fast paced environments with friendly staff and meals provided.
Email odelaycafe@yahoo.co.nz or marmoladacafe@yahoo.com
Trade split shifts and sky-high rent for surf before service, shorter commutes, and a tightknit kitchen that values craft over chaos.
Our Japanese-inspired restaurant sits in one of New Plymouth’s most vibrant courtyards with good energy, great food, and a better way of living.
Come for the job. Stay for the lifestyle.
Check out our job vacancies here:
snuglounge.co.nz westendprecinct .co.nz
Truck driver - Class 5
Truck driver class 5, 2 days per week and as required. We are looking someone to work for us driving our NZ post truck and trailer. Must have experience and hold class 5, D & F (OSH) license's, also pass MOJ, Toro and pre-employment drug tests. Full training and benefits apply for the right person.
Email tim@twmltd.co.nz to apply.
Sales Assistant
Queenstown Airport Paper Plus
We are looking for a Sales Assistant to join our friendly team at Queenstown Airport Paper Plus.
This role is Thursday to Monday, with shifts starting between 10.30am and 12pm and finishing at 8.30pm - approximately 42 hours per week.
About the role:
• Serving customers and providing excellent customer service
• Restocking shelves and maintaining store presentation
• Handling transactions and operating the till
• Helping keep the store running smoothly in a fast-paced airport environment
We’re looking for someone who is:
• Friendly, approachable, and customerfocused
• Reliable and punctual
• Comfortable working on their feet in a busy retail setting
• Available to work the full contract period until mid-January
If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and join our team.
Email your application to queenstownairport@paperplus.co.nz
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?
Then REDPATHS have a job for you! 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.
VEHICLE GROOMER
At Queenstown Motor Group, we’re also looking for a Vehicle Groomer to join our busy and growing dealership. We’re looking for someone that has a high standard of workmanship, that takes pride in their work to ensure all vehicles are presented at its best.
Have you got an eye for detail and a can-do attitude? Then this job is certainly for you! What’s in it for YOU?
• Permanent full time 40-hour week
• Competitive remuneration
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
LPG Driver – Rockgas Queenstown
Join the Rockgas Queenstown crew and fill your workday with good energy, great people and a ton of awesome perks.
We’re looking for a driver to deliver LPG cylinders to our customers in the Queenstown-Lakes area. While it's great if you've already got driving experience and your Class 2 license (even as a learner), we are also keen to hear from you if you have a full Class 1 license and want to get into driving as a career. We will support you to get your Class 2 license and give you lots of driving experience.
Your job will involve:
• Delivery of LPG cylinders to our customers
• Interacting with our customers
• Safe operation of our trucks
To be considered for this role you must:
• A full Class 1 or a Class 2 vehicle license
• Previous experience in a driving job is an advantage but not essential
• Be physically fit as the job requires moving and loading cylinders
• Enjoy working both on your own and in a team
• Be committed to maintaining a safe work environment
• The right to work in NZ i.e. be a NZ resident/citizen or have a valid work visa.
The recruitment process for this role involves a medical check which includes a drug and alcohol test.
What we offer you:
• A competitive hourly rate
• Permanent full-time role, guaranteed 40 hrs per week
• Monday to Friday working week
• A great team and safe work environment
Ongoing training and the opportunity to expand your skills with
Excellent working environment and conditions
To apply contact Duncan Wright duncan@queenstownmotorgroup.co.nz
• Great benefits such as additional leave, medical insurance, a wellness grant and seasonal incentives.
Apply Now:
If you want to fill your workday with good energy, then this is the job you’ve been looking for. Send your CV to Jacqui Cummack on jacqui.cummack@clarus.co.nz before applications close on 13 February 2026. We will be assessing applications as they come in so get yours in fast so as not to miss out.
Reception / Sales / Social Media – Tattoo Studio
This is a full-time position (35+ hours per week) suited to someone who enjoys customer interaction, sales, and working in a creative environment.
This role is split into two parts. Half of your time will be spent on reception, liaising with customers and helping with the day-to-day flow of the studio. The other half of your time will be focused on creating content for the studio and supporting our social media presence.
Key duties include:
Reception / Sales Job Description
• Reception and liaising with customers
• Social media
• Email communication
• Taking and managing bookings
• Working towards sales tağrgets
• Customer service and sales
• Managing and handling sharps and contaminated goods
• General cleaning duties
• Any other tasks as required
We are looking for:
Someone who is friendly, confident, and has strong communication and customer service skills. You’ll be organised and able to multitask in a fast-paced studio environment, have a strong social media background, be confident using social media, and understand a wide range of tattoo styles and genres.
Please submit your CV along with a covering letter to Vicky Jones Queenstown@otautahitattoo.com
Join the Team at Pier
Queenstown’s Legendary Pacific Fusion Restaurant!
Perched on the edge of Lake Wakatipu. Pier offers one of Queenstown’s most breathtaking dining experiences.
Step into BlueKanu, where Pacific and
Join the BlueKanu Whānau
Queenstown’s Legendary Pacific Fusion Restaurant!
Step into BlueKanu, where Pacific and Asian flavours collide in a vibrant, fast-paced environment. Consistently ranked among Queenstown’s top dining spots, we blend Polynesian spirit, island hospitality and world-class food and cocktails.
We’re looking for energetic, personable team players to join our Front and Back of House Teams this season.
If you thrive in a buzzing restaurant, love great food and drink, and bring your best self every shift, we want you!
What’s on offer:
-Work at one of Queenstown’s most talked-about venues
-Supportive, passionate team culture
-Staff discounts across 12 venues
-Local perks (gym, wine tours, Milford Sound)
-Career growth across our hospitality group
Apply now at info@bluekanu.nz and join the best crew in Queenstown!
Applicants must already be based in New Zealand.
FRONT OF HOUSE & BACK OF HOUSE LEGENDS WANTED!
We’re seeking passionate, professional hospitality staff to join our Front & Back of House Teams this season. If you love great service, fresh New Zealand seafood and a relaxed yet polished atmosphere.
Why Join Us:
-Work at Queenstown’s premier waterfront venue
-Use top-quality local produce and seafood
-Opportunities across breakfast, lunch & dinner
We’re looking for energetic, personable team players to join our Front and Back of House Teams this season.
-Staff discounts at 12 venues
-Perks including gym memberships, wine tours & Milford Sound discounts
If you thrive in a buzzing restaurant, love great food and drink, and bring your best self every shift, we want you!
What’s on offer:
Whether you’re experienced or ready to grow your skills, Pier is the perfect place to take the next step in your career.
- Work at one of Queenstown’s most talked-about venues Asian flavours collide in a vibrant, fast-paced environment. Consistently ranked among Queenstown’s top dining spots, we blend Polynesian spirit, island hospitality and world-class food and cocktails.
Applicants must be based in New Zealand. Apply now & join the awesome team at Pier. info@pier.nz
Join Queenstown’s largest hospitality group and work across 12 awesome venues!
Experience is great — but if you’ve got the right attitude, we’ll teach you the rest.
We are hiring:
- Wait Sta - Bar Sta - Baristas- Duty Managers - Senior Waitsta - Chefs of All Levels
What you’ll get:
• Join an awesome team of over 250 sta
• Sta perks across all our venues
• Incentives and bene ts
Fun teams, epic venues, and plenty of opportunities to grow!
Apply now and join the crew that keeps Queenstown buzzing at hr@wolfgroup.nz
