With National Volunteer Week (14-20 June) upon us, it is time to turn up the volume and celebrate the incredible volunteers who keep our community thriving. This year’s theme, Your Year to Volunteer – Tōu tau ki te tūao, marks the International Year of the Volunteer 2026. It’s the ultimate moment to honour our current volunteers and inspire others to get involved. Volunteering is at the heart of strong, connected and resilient communities. Living in the Queenstown Lakes District brings undeniable magic, but it also comes with a unique set of pressures. Cost-of-living challenges and a transient population are stretching our social fabric, creating a disconnect between our resort image and the everyday reality. Yet beneath the surface lies a powerful, quiet force holding our communities together: volunteers. New Zealand’s volunteering participation remains strong, but the way we give our time is changing. Busy lives mean fewer hours and a shift toward flexible, casual roles. Volunteers, particularly younger people, are increasingly motivated by personal values, skills development and alignment with causes they care about.
At the same time, community organisations face real pressures - from time constraints and the cost of living to an ageing workforce and rising red tape. They don’t have to navigate it alone though. Volunteer South remains dedicated to ensuring grassroots organisations have the support they need to manage this changing landscape.
Leading up to National Volunteer Week, Volunteer South has been encouraging organisations to share stories that celebrate the heart, impact, and people behind their mahi. We were thrilled by the fabulous response from Queenstown Lakes organisations and will be sharing these wonderful stories on our website and social media. Keep an eye out over the coming weeks - you might just find a story that inspires you to get involved. Recently, we also facilitated a student volunteer day. While a school day off is usually a chance to sleep in, 56 Wakatipu High School students chose to spend their Teacher Only Day supporting their local community. Their teamwork contributed 188 hours of mahi across the district, from environmental restoration with Mana Tāhuna and the Whakatipu Wilding Control Group, to helping out at the SPCA Op Shop and QLDC Libraries. They also contributed to community creativity at Te Atamira, and provided vital social connection through Happiness House, Plunket, and Wakatipu Senior Citizens. It’s so encouraging to see youth volunteering thriving - bringing fresh energy and building lifelong community connections.
At Volunteer South, we help connect people with causes that strengthen our district. Whether it’s planting trees, supporting social services, or sitting on a board, your time matters. This National Volunteer Week, why not find a role that matches your passion and lifestyle? Visit volunteersouth.org.nz to explore local opportunities. When motivation matches opportunity, our entire community thrives.
Paula Denton - Community Connector, Volunteer South
The Under 13 Basin Bulls Rugby Team alongside Miles Wilson from Rugby Planet, proudly supporting the team by sponsoring their Number 1 polo tops as well as their training t-shirts for their Australian Tour this July
ON THE APP THIS WEEK
Sad news for snow fans as the snow has been slow to arrive this year. Last Tuesday Cardrona announced they would be pushing back opening by a week – to Saturday, 20 June – and Coronet Peak took to social media to announce they’ll be continuing with their Winter Made Early operations for now. A milder than expected start to the season is behind the delay, with Chief Mountains Officer at Cardrona Laura Hedley, saying their team is working hard to get the resort ready.
“Winter slept in on us a little this year, but conditions are changing fast — it’s cold, the snow guns are running, and our teams are up on the mountain training and getting the resort ready. We can’t wait to open,” she says.
Coronet Peak are working to expand their current offerings to a “Winter Made Early 2.0” model, which will include better rental options and more carpeted space, while opening hours will extend to standard hours of 9am - 4pm.
Remarkables also announced late last week that they are giving winter a few more days to arrive, pushing back their opening to June 20 for now. Further north, Mt Hutt also delayed opening from 12 June and haven’t yet set an opening day but are hoping for 20 June. Here’s hoping we’ll have some better news next week.
Rest assured, each of the mountains are working around the clock to make it happenin the meantime, let’s all do our snow dances! Delayed opening for
Join us for opening day at Cardrona!
Lifts open from 8:30am, live music headlined by Sweet Mix Kids, good food and great views - the perfect way to start Winter 2026 at NZ’s biggest ski resort. Book a free bus from Queenstown or Wānaka. See you there!
SATURDAY JUNE 20 2026
LAKES WEEKLY POLL
LWB regularly polls locals on issues affecting our region. This week’s responses are below.
Do you think the Remarkables should expand into the Doolans?
Yes - 47%
- 22%
Not sure - 31%
Should unlicensed people be able to ride electric dirt bikes?
- 6% Only if it's low powered - 33%
- 62%
Do you think police been given the ability to give a $700 fine for those that don't install chains when they're required is good?
Yes, too many people don't and it's dangerous - 41%
Yes, but $700 is a bit steep - 47%
Not too sure - 6%
No, they don't need more power - 7%
Do you think Queenstown's hospital is under resourced? Yep - 91%
- 1% Unsure - 8%
Where's are you most looking forward to enjoying après? In town - 22% Frankton - 2% Arthur's Point - 8%
Somewhere else - 13%
Nowhere - 55%
volleyball queenstown
NEW SEASON BEGINS 1 JULY
/ Wednesdays, 1 July – 23 September
/ Games start between 6.00 – 8.00pm
/ $380 per team
/ Ages 12 to adult
Monday to Friday 7:30-5:30pm
Level 1, 30 Grant Road, Five Mile Shopping Centre www.curiousminds.co.nz
qt-manager@curiousminds.co.nz | 03 974 4650 Find us on Facebook
/ Registrations close 25 June
/ All queries to alexa.peters@qldc.govt.nz 03 443 4791
Alpine Aqualand facility, all pools, pool hall and changing rooms closed for a large scale deep clean of the pools and
We will also be deep cleaning the change rooms and servicing our pool equipment. Pool memberships will be suspended for the affected period. The swim school term has been shortened by one week to accommodate the closure.
We apologise for any inconvenience during this time.
CRIMELINE
by Sue Fea
Five bouncers among eight charged in big drugs bust
Eight men have been arrested, five of them bouncers at bars and clubs, after Police seized over $120,000 in cash, over 60 grams of cocaine and amounts of ketamine, GBL and MDA, following search warrants locally.
Otago Lakes Central investigations manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Salton says to be able to take this many alleged offenders off the streets is “a great result for the community”.
“Five of these men were security guards working as doormen at local bars and clubs, resulting in a security company losing their security licence,” he says. “It’s disappointing to see that people working in roles intended to keep people safe, are in fact doing the opposite and causing huge amounts of community harm in the supply of these drugs.”
For the full story see: lwb.co.nz
Quick thinking saves Slow Cuts building on fire
Quick thinking by an onsite manager saved Arrowtown restaurant Slow Cuts and neighbouring businesses in the Royal Oak building from being burnt to the ground last Thursday, 4 June as did prompt action by local firefighters, FENZ Otago Lakes Group assistant commander Nic McQuillan says.
The fire, which is under investigation, occurred about 5.30pm and was “a very near miss”, McQuillan says. “Lucky someone from the staff was on site and the alarm went off with the Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Brigade team there quickly doing some excellent internal firefighting,” he says. “It was a very good save as otherwise that fire would’ve burnt down the whole (commercial) block that the restaurant was in.”
Arrowtown Brigade station officer Alex Holden also commended the actions of the manager in the restaurant at the time. “It was a lucky save, well caught by the business manager who took quick action, made a prompt evacuation and isolated the services, gas and power to the site,” he says. “It was a good thing the business occupants did the right thing.”
Arrowtown firefighting volunteers were on the scene within seven minutes, and it took about 40 minutes to put the blaze out.
McQuillan says it was “pretty intense but very repairable”.
Holden says at this stage they can’t say how the fire started but a fire investigator has already been to the site and investigations are ongoing.
Young Aussie tourist rescued – Lost on Earnslaw Burn
A young Australian woman holidaying locally was rescued off the Earnslaw Burn track overnight on Monday, 8 June, by local Search and Rescue volunteers after she lost the track and became disoriented, calling Police for help.
Constable Amanda Shute says the female tourist in her 20s had been on her way back after hiking the Earnslaw Burn track for eight and a half hours. She had been using the AllTrails navigation app on her return and lost the track an hour or so after darkness fell, finally calling Police from her cellphone for help an hour later at 8pm.
Shute says Police communicated with the woman via WhatsApp to gain her coordinates.
A Wakatipu LandSAR team located her just after midnight, very cold but uninjured.
Former chairperson of the team Ed Halson says he understands they had the woman back in Queenstown by 3am.
“Everybody’s focusing on Earnslaw Burn and there are many social media posts that paint it as an easy walk,” Halson says. “But you need good navigation skills, good equipment, extra sources of light and to be prepared for a night out in the open,” he says. Thankfully, there was cellphone coverage where she rang from, but people should always carry a personal locator beacon on these walks. “This is not an easy day walk. It’s five hours minimum one way, not a trip for the faint-hearted. You need good sturdy footwear and the right gear,” he says.
Another driver allegedly more than four times over the limit
Police were disappointed at yet another alleged very high level drink driving incident after several similar incidents recently. A 40-year-old Auckland man has been charged with driving with excess breath alcohol third or subsequent after allegedly blowing 1171mcg at Frankton just before 1.30pm on Sunday, 7 June. Shute says Police were called to a vehicle allegedly swerving over the centre line and almost hitting a bank on the Frankton-Ladies Mile highway. The vehicle was stopped on Glenda Drive. The driver had his licence suspended for 28 days and will appear in the Queenstown District Court on 26 June.
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ON THE APP THIS WEEK
Developer behind Queenstown gondola proposal faces fury at public meeting
The developer behind a sprawling gondola, housing and tourism proposal in Queenstown has told sceptical residents his family wants to help the community.
Bowen Peak Ltd owner Guy Hingston fielded questions and, at times, fury from members of the Fernhill & Sunshine Bay Community Group at a meeting on Tuesday night, 9 June.
His company is seeking to build two gondolas and a cable car extending up to Bowen Peak, along with two predator-free sanctuaries, viewing stations, hiking and biking trails, ski facilities, an outdoor education centre, and more than 1300 housing units across 175 large chalets in Fernhill.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop accepted the plan into the fast-track process in April after two failed applications.
While a show of hands at the meeting showed no support for the proposal, Hingston said few people had contacted Bowen Peak Ltd directly.
“We launched our website late in 2024... we’ve received 13 emails with feedback since then,” he said.
“It’s vital to have community feedback.”
Bowen Peak Ltd earlier estimated the project could deliver $147 million in annual visitor spending and create 325 long-term jobs, with houses set aside for key workers and for the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust.
The company was proposing to remove 400 hectares of wilding pines and “restore the area’s pre-Pakeha ecological character” with species like kiwi, takahē and kākāpō.
Simplicity expands Queenstown build-to-rent project to 1078 homes
KiwiSaver provider Simplicity has bought another three hectares of land in Queenstown to significantly expand its build-to-rent project.
It means the project would deliver 1078 homes in a 10ha area near Remarkables Park.
The project has also been referred to the fast-track consenting process, with the company aiming to begin construction in January.
Simplicity Living (part of Simplicity) said it was working with Queenstown Lakes District Council and NZTA on designing and delivering infrastructure. Simplicity managing director Sam Stubbs said the region needed housing that was not for short-term rentals.
“We have this line, there’ll be no Jafa ski houses - this is built for locals.”
“There is a really large need, which is why we’ve scaled up the size of the project from the initial 600 homes we were envisioning to over 1000.”
Simplicity Living managing director Shane Brealey said the region was “crying out” for homes for locals and tourism workers.
Snow chains: new rules this winter
Drivers who don’t fit chains on Council managed roads when required may now face a $750 fine, with Police responsible for issuing infringements. Winter conditions can change quickly so please carry chains, know how to use them, and follow any signs or direction from Police, ski field teams and QLDC. Sign up for a daily email on road conditions at www.qldc.govt.nz/winter-road-reports
Paw-lease update your dog’s details!
Moved house? Don’t forget to update your dog’s details too. With registration renewals coming in July, it’s important we have your current contact info. Update and renew at www.qldc.govt.nz/renew-dog-registration. Questions? Call 03 441 0499 or email services@qldc.govt.nz.
Where would a Council office work best?
People head into our offices for heaps of reasons: to register a dog, pay rates, or get advice in person. But which location will best suit the needs of our growing community? How about central Queenstown, something closer to Frankton, or somewhere else? And is the current office in Wānaka working for the Upper Clutha? Have your say on a future home for Council services before 21 June at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/cab
Shape the future of lakefront reserves
We’re refreshing the plan that guides how lakefront reserves in Sunshine Bay, Frankton Arm and Kelvin Peninsula are managed, and want to hear from you. Share what you love, what could be improved, and your ideas for the future by 6 July. More info and interactive maps at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
Found Fido?
If you find a roaming pooch please don’t bring them to a Council office as we’re not set up to safely receive or hold them. Instead, call Animal Control on 03 441 0499 and an officer will come to collect the dog. If you can, stay with it until we arrive; if not, let us know its exact location so we can help reunite it with its owner as quickly as possible.
Only flush the three Ps
Rags, nappies and wet wipes (even if it says they’re flushable/biodegradable) will block our pipes and pump stations, damage infrastructure and cause leaks into our waterways. Only flush the 3Ps – pee, poo and paper –down the loo!
Alcohol licence applications
All recently lodged alcohol licence applications are on our website. Any objections must be made within 25 working days of the public notice being published. Visit www.qldc.govt.nz/services/alcohol-licensing
www.qldc.govt.nz
COMMUNITY NOTES
Queenstown Arts Society - creating creative communities
Queenstown Arts Society (QAS) has been part of the Whakatipu creative community for nearly 65 years. As one of the region’s longest-standing visual arts organisations, QAS exists to create opportunities for people to make art, exhibit work, connect with other creatives, and participate in the cultural life of the region.
While QAS works closely with organisations including Te Atamira and values those partnerships enormously, it is important to us that people understand QAS is its own independent charitable society with its own history, membership, programmes, and community. Unlike a venue or commercial creative business, QAS is membership-based and community-led, focused specifi cally on supporting local visual artists and growing participation in the visual arts.
Currently we are developing new initiatives including a new programme designed to give local artists and emerging curators opportunities to lead exhibitions, gain visibility, and build experience. QAS is also exploring new exhibition opportunities outside its traditional spaces, including plans for an ongoing exhibition presence in the QLDC foyer at 10 Gorge Road. We strive to create more visibility for local artists and more opportunities for the public to encounter creativity in everyday life.
Importantly, QAS thrives because people get involved. The society is powered by volunteers
contributing everything from curation and installation to photography, sponsorship, graphic design, writing, communications, and event support. Increasingly, people are also approaching QAS with ideas for workshops, programmes, collaborations, and creative projects of their own. We’d love to hear from as many of those people as possible!
There is no single “type” of person who belongs at QAS. Some members are established artists, some are exhibiting for the fi rst time, and others simply want to be more connected to the creative life of the Whakatipu.
If you’ve ever thought about getting involved in the arts community, whether as an artist, volunteer, organiser, supporter, sponsor, collaborator, or someone with an idea, this is a wonderful time to step in. QAS would love to hear from you!
To learn more, become a member, or get involved, visit queenstownartsociety.co.nz or follow Queenstown Arts Society online.
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
Social English Classes
Want to improve your English conversation skills? Queenstown and Frankton Libraries are hosting FREE informal English sessions with an experienced tutor!
Join us to:
Practice speaking and listening. Have fun while improving your English!
Queenstown Library
Every first Thursday of the month, 5.30–6.30pm
Te whakapuāwai i kā hinengaro me kā hapori. Enriching minds and communities. qldclibraries.govt.nz libraries@qldc.govt.nz qldclibraries qtlakeslibraries
Frankton Library
Every third Thursday of the month, 5.30–6.30pm
Scan the QR code for more info.
PREMIUM, CINEMA-GRADE SOUND
Delivering an intense sound experience in an elegant package, Klipsch floorstanding speakers provide soaring highs and rich lows while complementing your home décor. The redesigned Klipsch Reference Premiere Series fuses legendary acoustic craftsmanship with the latest audio technology - setting a bold benchmark for premium home theatre and hi-fi sound.
GOINGS ON ABOUT
EVENTS - MUSIC - ART
THEATRE - AT THE GALLERIES
NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival
EVENTS
Now in its 24th year, the festival showcases an exceptional selection of award-winning international and New Zealand films celebrating adventure, exploration, mountain culture and the natural world. The Queenstown programme features a curated lineup of highlights from the festival’s international film competition, including stories of climbing, skiing, conservation and human endurance in some of the planet’s most spectacular landscapes.
When: Wānaka, Friday, 19 - Tuesday, 23 June and Queenstown, Thursday, 25 - Friday, 26 June
Where: Lake Wānaka Centre, 89 Admore Street Wānaka, and Queenstown Memorial Centre, 1 Memorial Street, Queenstown
Cardrona Opening Day
Join in for opening day at Cardrona. They’re kicking off with their Welcome to Winter concert on Saturday, 20 June. Lifts from 8.30am, live music, good food and great views -the perfect way to start Winter 2026 at NZ’s biggest ski resort. Book a free bus from Queenstown or Wānaka. See you there!
When: Saturday, 20 June, from 8.30am Where: Cardrona Ski Resort, Cardrona Valley Road, Cardrona
Anna Mckean - Backyard Sounds
Following the release of her debut single, local artist Anna McKean brings you an intimate evening full of soulful tunes, heartwarming lyrics and back road charm. She is supported by young rising star Juno Gerlach and Sloer’s Sophie Omar-McWalter. Playing music crafted in the heart of Mountain country this is a night out you don’t want to miss.
When: Thursday, 25 June, 6pm
Where: Rhyme x Reason Brewery, 17 Gordon Road, Wānaka
Wakatipu Wild vs Dunedin Women Thunder Ice Hockey
The Wakatipu Wild are back on the ice for another epic season of Women’s Ice Hockey! You can’t say you’ve been to Queenstown if you didn’t catch one of these iconic Ice Hockey games! It’s always an epic showdown when the NZWIHL come to the barn - get your tickets online!
When: Friday, 26 June, 7pm – 9.30pm
Where: Queenstown Ice Arena, 29 Park Street, Queenstown
POW NZ x Outside Sports Film Night QT
The ‘coolest’ ski movie of the year, filmed in breathtaking locations around the world, features New Zealand’s own Nico Porteous, Jess Hotter, Finn Bilous, Ben Richards, Craig Murray and Sam Smoothy. Exploring the culture and chaos of modern sking from the pros to the everyday ski bum, the film reminds us why skiing is more than just a sport, it is a way of life.
Walk and talk cancer support group for anyone impacted by cancer, hosted by Tara from Cancer Society. Meet at the Cancer Society Centre - next to Unichem Remarkables Pharmacy.
When: Wednesday, 17 June, 5pm – 6pm
Where: Remarkables Park Town Centre, Hawthorne Drive, Frankton
Community Nursery Volunteering
Join the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust for one of their weekly nursery morning sessions to support their vital work in restoring native biodiversity within the Whakatipu Basin. These sessions are social and inclusive, and no prior experience is required. It’s a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet likeminded people, and gain knowledge about our native flora and fauna. Sessions are drop-in style.
When: Wednesdays, 10.30am – 2pm
Where: Jean Malpas Community Nursery, Poplar Drive, Kelvin Heights
Winter Gala
A major fundraising event for the Wakatipu High School Foundation. Guests will enjoy an Italian-Asian inspired menu paired with premium Central Otago wines and beers generously donated by local sponsors. The evening will feature live music, silent and live auctions, and a range of exclusive experiences and sought-after items available for bidding. The Winter Gala is not only a fantastic night out, but an opportunity for the community to come together and invest in the future of local young people. Purchase tickets for the Winter Gala at whsf.nz
When: Thursday, 18 June, 6pm
Where: Wharf Bar, Steamer Wharf, 1/88 Beach Street, Queenstown
Exhibition Opening: HEAD | Lisa Walker
Celebrate the opening of HEAD, a new presentation of work by Lisa Walker (ONZM), one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most influential contemporary jewellers, at Te Atamira. Moving between adornment, sculpture, object, and form, the works in HEAD begin with the recognisable shape of the human head before shifting into something familiar, but uniquely unsettled. Stitched, padded, beaded, and intuitively assembled, each piece emerges through process, material, and experimentation.
When: Thursday, 25 June, 6.30pm
Where: Te Atamira, 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton
Beeswax Wrap Workshop
This Plastic Free July, join this workshop (in collaboration with Sustainable Queenstown & Wanaka Wastebusters) to learn how to make ecofriendly beeswax wraps. Ditch cling film and singleuse plastics by crafting your own reusable, sustainable food wraps, so you can keep your food fresh while reducing waste!
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
WINTER WARMERS
While the snow is taking its sweet time, winter buzz is in the air and it’s pretty chilly outside. Staying warm is the name of the game and there’s plenty around to achieve that - from cosy firesides to steamy hot pools, tantalising mulled wine, and delightful eats that are perfect when the mercury is dropping. Here are some spots to enjoy this winter.
1/ Hot chocolate, mulled wine, perhaps a shot of whisky – start warming up from the inside. Lindt Café offer the ultimate indulgence when it comes to hot chocolate – you can choose from milk, dark, salted caramel or hazelnut – yum. There’s plenty of spots to enjoy a mulled wine – Atlas Beer Café, The Boatshed, Captains – or try one of Pacific Jemm’s Mulled Wine Cruises. If you’d rather enjoy from the comfort of your own home, Crimson Badger sell cans of mulled wine, lovingly crafted to perfection by head brewer Harvey Hill.
2/ Good eats – there are plenty of winter warmer menus on offer. Queenstown Golf Club have daily soups, lamb shanks and a beef and vege hotpot while Queenstown Wharf Bar have a range of divine woodfire pizzas and pasta, their Wagyu and Wine Wednesdays, and an array of flavourful small plates –all to be enjoyed from their warm restaurant looking out at the winter beauty. Slow Cooked Sundays at Canyon is the perfect choice for a hearty meal, offering a rotating special until sold out. It doesn’t get much more warming than a Sunday Roast; enter Pavilion, Pog Mahone’s and Walter’s Tavern. After something sweet? The Dishery’s Banoffee Pie French Toast is a must try.
3/ Indoor fun – if you’re not one for the mountains, or you just want to change things up, there’s plenty to do. Te Atamira have an extensive programme from exhibitions to art classes, Q&As with artists, dance classes, drawing workshops and more. There are also plenty of pub quizzes around to keep your brain busy including Local, Crew Room, and World Bar. You could also check out the hockey at Queenstown Ice Arena, to keep the winter spirit alive.
HOSPOGUIDE
2 tacos & a beer for $25* *Ts & Cs apply
Stacked Steak Loaded with onion rings & garlic bread for free!
Wednesday Quiz is back from 28 June! Book your team info@lokalqt.co.nz
- Your World Cup VenueLIVE & LOUD All games from 7am
Burger & Beer combo for $30* *Ts & Cs apply
Gourmet Pizzas, slow smoked ribs, burgers Dine in & takeaway available
Karaoke from 9pm
$9 House pints
$9.80
Join our loyalty system. Ask one of our staff how to sign up.
Monday All-Day Fun for the whole Family - Bump, Skate and Frisbee from 10am Wednesday Bump, Skate and Frisbee All Day long from 10am-5pm Free to Watch Ice Hockey from 6.30pm-10pm
Sunday Free to Watch Ice HockeySunday Social League from 5.15pm-10pm
All You Can Eat Pizza $35 Everyday from 5pm Bookings essential Saturday Pav Apres hour $10 Pav Wine, Beer & Aperol Spritz Everyday 4pm to 6pm Sunday $24 Sunday Roast Available Lunch & Dinner Bookings essential $26 Business Lunches Monday to Friday 12pm - 3pm
Is your “Pint” a Pint?! Get your 570ml Imperial Pints here $6 Beer handles 7 days a week
Nic Shea from 5pm Ribera from 9pm
Mondays DJ Mad from 9pm
8am - 9am Coffee Happy Hour 50% off when you byo keep cup Weds to Sun - Happy Hour 3pm - 5pm
Open Mic Night from 8pm
Titan -
HOSPOGUIDE
Hangry As has taken over the Rhinos Kitchen – Check out the menu on insta @hangryas_ queenstown
Arts+Culture
Kiwi adventures on the big screen
by Jessica Allen
Now in its 24th year, NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival will return this week and next. It features 63 awe-inspiring films – including 18 NZ-made productions and 17 world premieres – and 11 speakers. It kicks off this Friday in Wānaka before heading to Queenstown.
Whitney Oliver from the festival is excited to present this year’s programme and their keynote speaker. French alpinist and filmmaker Sébastien Montaz-Rosset will be here for the event, discussing his work mountaineering, skiing, guiding and more.
“I think it’ll be a really cool perspective because he lends both the really elite athlete perspective but also the filmmaking side – bringing both those worlds together,” Oliver says. “He’s done huge adventures in the big mountains and keeping up with big mountain athletes while also carrying a camera.”
There are two local speakers on the lineup, too, Petrouchka Steiner-Grierson and Matherson Brown. Steiner-Grierson has been at the forefront of exploratory ski mountaineering in the Southern Alps – she’s a mountain guide and a ski mountaineer and athlete, who has completed some amazing ski descents. Brown has been based in Cromwell. In 2024 he became
the fastest person to summit all 50 US state high points in just 20 days, 14 hours and four minutes. The previous record of 21 days and nine hours had been achieved thanks to the use of a private jet.
“Matherson did it all himself, with his dad driving him around in a van and taking commercial flights. He’s going to come and talk about that and just show us that any of us can do this, and we don’t have to be sponsored mega athletes to get out and do it. We can work hard and make it happen.”
There were nearly 270 films submitted this year, which Oliver says were of such high standard it made it really difficult to narrow them down to the final programme. Taking home the Best NZ Made Film award this year is 100 Days in Fiordland by Dan Sutherland, which sees three kayakers spend 100 winter days deep in Fiordland National Park, sea kayaking, hunting, fishing, and searching for unexplored whitewater in one of New Zealand’s most demanding wilderness expeditions.
“Every year I think, are we going to see something new this year? Because how many ways can you do an adventure, but they always do find new ways to go on adventures.”
The films feature people that are constantly pushing the limits of what we can do, which is exciting, inspiring and causes the audience and judges to be surprised each year. This year’s Spirit of Adventure Award went to The Pole of Inaccessibility by Danny Warley and Ned Brannigan, where a paraglider embarks on a multi-day bivouac flight across New Zealand’s Southern Alps, navigating glaciers and vast wilderness to reach the country’s most remote point, the Pole of Inaccessibility. He then faces the challenge of getting back out.
“I think one of the cool things this year is just how inspiring our New Zealand athletes are. We’ve got our mountain adventurers with these two great local speakers, but also in the New Zealand Made film category, there’s just some really cool adventures happening that are pushing the limits.”
The New Zealand Mountain Film and Book Festival programme will take place in Wānaka from Friday, 19 June to Tuesday, 23 June and at Queenstown Memorial Centre on Thursday, 25 and Friday, 26 June. You can check out the full programme, find out more info and grab tickets at mountainfilm.nz
100 Days In Fiordland
ON THE APP THIS WEEK
PR consultancy wins national award for Cardrona Hotel story
Wānaka PR consultancy Scope Communications has won a national industry award for its role in marketing the sale of the world-famous Cardrona Hotel.
At the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) Awards in Auckland last week, Scope Communications won bronze in the fiercely contested Best Use of Media Relations category. It’s the first time Scope has won an award for this category, which is typically dominated by major PR consultancies in larger centres. Scope has previously won the PRINZ Best Small-to-Medium
PR Consultancy of the Year award (overall winner in 2025 and 2022, and Silver in 2024).
Scope led the entire process for the private sale of the historic Cardrona Hotel – from strategy, planning, media buying, digital marketing, stakeholder relations, media relations and storytelling during the short sales campaign from July-August 2025.
From the perspective of media relations, what made the campaign stand out was Scope’s ability to anticipate the many story opportunities that could be generated when the hotel went to market, Scope Communications managing director Celia Crosbie says.
“As former journalists ourselves, we were able to carefully develop and secure stories for our client to gain maximum exposure over the sales period. We led a highly strategic media relations campaign designed to generate national and international attention for a private transaction – without compromising commercial sensitivity. Through disciplined use of embargoes, exclusives and tailored story angles, the campaign transformed a property sale into a sustained news cycle.
“Over six weeks, earned media coverage reached five million people across tier one broadcast, print and digital outlets, positioning the Cardrona Hotel not simply as a business for sale, but as a cultural landmark passing to new custodians. However, no one anticipated the amount of global attention that the story received – we even heard that news made the headlines on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean.”
The impact of the campaign was felt most when the-then Cardrona Hotel owners successfully sold their beloved business to a new ownership group, a couple of months later.
Feedback from the independent judging panel says: “A very considered campaign that delivered great results for the client. This entry showed a great approach to a specific brief with good strategy and tactics.”
Crosbie says this campaign was a complete team effort, involving every single person at Scope –including Rebecca Williamson, Steph Johnstone, Abbie Barnes and Monique Wijnen.
“We are thrilled to take home this award. It’s an honour to be recognised again alongside the best in the business – this time in a category that’s tough to even become a finalist.”
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Wānaka
by Sue Fea
My Life story
THERESA SWAIN
There’s no taming Theresa
While other 50-something mums endure night sweats at home after a long day at work, longtime Queenstown dance teacher Theresa Swain is out working up a night sweat of a different kind, moonlighting as a drag queen and nightclub DJ. At 53, Theresa, who grew up in a theatrical family in Dunedin, decided a few years ago it was “time to do something for me”.
Ever since, Theresa - a ballet and dance teacher to a school of 120 kids by day, has been transforming into a DJ by night, donning full drag costuming to the delight of the crowd... well, most of the crowd. The act is normally well received and local club security staff are only a nod away.
Theresa’s also in demand for weddings and private birthday parties, often travelling out of town.
“I had the most wonderful, gentle and kind teacher, like a second mum, and she inspired me.”
A typical day can start with some bleary-eyed business admin, before a midday nap, working on things like music selections, theory, or styling her drag wigs, then straight into dance teaching six days a week, and off to work at night as a DJ. For Theresa, who started training as a radio DJ at Resort Radio in the early 1990s, it’s the ultimate lifestyle.
It can be quite a transformation shaking off her daytime chrysalis, complete with pink hair, tattoos and piercings – all pretty cool with her little ballet charges, and emerging as flirtatious and bubbly ‘Frothy’, her drag stage name.
“It’s so much fun for me. I love being an alter ego,” the mum of three now adult sons, says.
Needless to say Theresa is in demand for Winter Pride events, also helping with the admin, her highlight strutting her drag stuff along the Queenstown Airport runway during the 2023 festival. “That was absolutely outstanding, so epic!”
While there’s the odd concern from eldest son Josh that he may run into Mum in the nightclubs, her other two think it’s all pretty cool.
Besides, who else’s mum is out clubbing until 2am at 53 and racing rally cars at weekends? Theresa’s other love is racing with the Queenstown Car Club in her beloved Holden Astra.
Theresa, while a self-confessed ‘reserved’ personality, was born to be on the stage, longing to be a pop star as a kid.
“Mum wanted me to start Highland Dancing, but the teacher was retiring so ballet it was.”
Her parents were heavily involved with the Dunedin Opera Company and as the eldest of three kids Theresa says she adored ballet and always knew she’d be a teacher.
“I had the most wonderful, gentle and kind teacher, like a second mum, and she inspired me.”
It was this teacher who years later rang and encouraged Theresa to open Queenstown’s Swain School of Dance back in 1994.
“As a teenager at Otago Girls, I’d be ‘call boy’ backstage at Mum and Dad’s productions. That’s how I learned, prompting all the opera cues from books and books of music, running off to get the next act.”
Theresa taught herself piano and learned violin, flute and guitar, also taking opera lessons with Gladys Hope.
Holidays were spent in Central Otago so at 19 she headed for Queenstown in late 1994 to work for the summer and never left.
“That was my freedom.”
The late-night partying was big then too, working multiple jobs at Blue Peaks Lodge, McDonald’s, Play It Again, Bodyline and KFC, meeting husband of 28 years Dean. “We’d head straight to Eichardt’s or Wicked’s after work and stay out all night, home for a shower and into uniform, then back to work,” she grins. “We had each other’s backs, that’s all I can say.”
After teaching casually for a local dance school Theresa opened Swain School when another dance school closed down.
“I opened with one student – Maria Jensen, in the old Queenstown Scout Den, moving over the road to the old two-storey school building above
Showbiz Queenstown which was torn down. The only notification I got was hearing over the radio that they were pulling the building down.”
Theresa took space in Industrial Place, Swain School of Dance closing in 2005. She taught for Danceworks, opening Wakatipu Conservatoire of Classical Ballet in 2017.
Theresa’s directed and produced at least 32 Christmas productions with her young students, churning out two a year for 10 years in the 90s, totalling 42.
Some ballet students also perform at the Community Christmas Spectacular, which Theresa helps with, the same week.
Productions are planned two years out.
“It’s a massive job.”
Stars have been born though – part-time Auckland dancer Hannah O’Neill, whose family lived here for two years, has gone on to become danseuse étoile (star dancer) with the Paris Opera Ballet, winning the prestigious Prix de Lausanne. There have been light-hearted moments too. It’s been too much for impeccably behaved little preschool mermaid ballerinas who couldn’t resist eating the large foam deep fried chips, one straddling hers and strutting the stage, others eating the polystyrene lollipops.
Theresa’s also done a mercy dash onto the Arrowtown Hall stage to save a hidden little ‘cupped flower’ who forgot to uncurl, just before the larger star ballerina ran on to star leap right onto her.
“We’ve also had ‘The Big Bunny Brawl’ in Arrowtown when preschool ballerinas started jostling to be one shoulder in front on stage and ended up punching each other,” she chuckles.
But the show must go on and while she loves teaching it’s “sending it” out into that thronging crowd at night where Theresa gets her buzz.
And if she’s tired out after a long day… and night… then pity help any lippy male clubber who has a go at this fun-loving mum when she’s dressed in drag. “If I’m done then good luck to them, I’d say. I tell them where they can stick it!” Theresa grins.
Theresa and Dean in their younger days
Born to perform - Theresa in her early years dancing
Theresa in drag doing her thing as ‘Frothy’
Theresa takes a break during DJ prepping
LWB QUIZ
1. What is the chemical symbol for silver?
2. Which famous playwright wrote Romeo and Juliet?
3. Who composed the opera The Magic Flute?
4. What is the Māori name for Mount Cook?
5. Which ocean surrounds the Maldives?
6. What is the term for molten rock beneath the Earth’s surface?
7. What is the name of the New Zealand national basketball team?
8. Which New Zealand region is known for Hobbiton?
9. Which country is famous for the ancient city of Troy?
10. Which vitamin is mainly produced when skin is exposed to sunlight?
TRADES & SERVICES
Trades & Services
WE CAN HELP WITH ALL YOUR LEGAL NEEDS. Conveyancing, business, trusts, wills, EPAs, developments, relationship property. Now on Glenda Drive. www.southernpeaklaw.co.nz bonnie.zareh@southernpeaklaw.co.nz / 021635405
PRIVATE AIRPORT & CITY TRANSFERS. Skip the taxi queue. Private vehicle, local driver, stress-free every time. Book at www.lakesdelsur.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.
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.
entry & great prizes to be won Every Tuesday from 7pm
Everything Else
EVERYTHING ELSE 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
XS STORAGE
Secure self storage units – various sizes available Phone: 0800 297 786 | www.xsstorage.co.nz
QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST TUE (16 June) @ 6.30pm, ‘Natural Ease’ with Grant Rix SUN (21 June) @ 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
Crocs, dress shoes, shorts and T-shirts with no warm clothing can be the norm as local Police and Search and Rescue volunteers respond to a huge increase in rescues of lost, inexperienced hikers, many from overseas, on the Earnslaw Burn Track, now an Instagram ‘must do’.
They say rescue numbers have increased dramatically in the past few years, the latest a 20-something Australian female tourist who became disoriented in the dark and lost the track on her return, calling Police for help at 8pm Monday night, 8 June.
Constable Pepper Ruston says she was well equipped compared to many others but only had 2% battery left on her phone by the time Wakatipu LandSAR volunteers located her at midnight, assisting her back to Queenstown by 3am. Unfortunately, her torch battery had died after a couple of hours, her phone and power bank were drained, her location eventually obtained through WhatsApp, Ruston says.
However, this was not accurate, and Search and Rescue volunteers located her over 350 metres away on the opposite side of the track.
The track up a steady incline to a spectacular icefall has become one of New Zealand’s most sought-after Instagram prizes, especially with young social media loving, overseas travellers, many of whom are unaware of the dangers and risks ahead, Police say.
As a result, local SAR volunteers are getting “way more” rescue callouts to the area. “It’s become an Instagram sensation,” Senior Constable Julian Cahill says.
“People definitely go in there underestimating how long it takes to get up there, and without the right gear and experience,” he says. It’s a minimum fivehour trip in alone for fit people but can take hours longer one way for many due to the state of the track.
“They get up there in inadequate footwear and realise there’s no sunlight and have no torch, then they get benighted on the way back,” he says. “I’ve seen street shoes, dress shoes, really crazy footwear, shorts and T-shirts and suddenly they’re up in alpine country. Then our SAR volunteers have to get off the couch at night and walk several hours to rescue them.”
The track passes through dense DOC conservation bush, rising into Mount Earnslaw Station’s pastoral leasehold land, which runholder and farmer Geoffrey Thomson has given permission for recreational users to enjoy. Thomson says there’s been an enormous increase each year in users of the track, at times 70 cars parked at the start on busy days last summer. Numbers were still high through until Easter this year.
DOC manages the track, but as an advanced track for experienced trampers only, Wakatipu operations manager David Butt says. It’s poorly marked, requiring navigational skills and a map. “The track has seen a surge in popularity in recent years driven by social media,” Butt says. “The management of the track hasn’t changed but the user group has.”
The DOC website warns of “numerous search and rescue responses recently” on the Earnslaw Burn “due to trampers getting lost”.
Cahill says there are hazards such as fallen trees, windfall and slips. “If you’re wearing a pack it can be harder to negotiate all that. It takes a lot longer to
LOST & FOUND
Lost
& Found
UNCLAIMED ITEMS SITTING AT THE Police Station, at 11 Camp Street, this week include:
- BLACK LONG ILABB PUFFER taken from The Bunker
- NICOLAS MUNIZ CAMES WALLET
- BROWN ‘GERLAINE’ POUCH CONTAINING insulin and earbuds
- AIRPOD CHARGING CASE, WITH black rubbery case with ‘Agnes’ on it
- OPPO PHONE, BLACK WITH broken screen protector
- MIA COTTON – PURSE
- APPLE WATCH WITH CREAM strap handed to Arrowtown Station
- SAMSUNG PHONE, POSSIBLE OWNER MINNIE CRAWFORD
- BLACK ELEMENT WALLET, BUS card and polaroids
- RYLAN EDSON – EARBUDS, found last ski season NZSKI
- JAKE JODVALKIS – WALLET
gain that elevation climbing over logs, fallen trees and slips,” he says. It’s an undulating climb with almost 900m of elevation, with a waterfall at the top –at around 12kms, 8km to the top of the trees.”
Signs at the entrance are often ignored and people heading up there, inappropriately dressed and equipped, don’t check the weather forecast, he says.
Former Wakatipu LandSAR chairperson Ed Halson says it’s become a huge problem.
“Yes, Earnslaw Burn is occupying our lives a lot now,” Halson says.
“We’ve had people rescued in there wearing Crocs and light shoes, with no warm clothing,” he says. “It’s five hours one way, not a trip for the fainthearted. A lot of people get caught out at this time of year as it’s so dark with the sun setting earlier.”
It’s vital that people carry good communications like a personal locator beacon, with cellphone coverage not always guaranteed.
People shouldn’t rely on the Starlink system thinking it works everywhere, he says. “Not under the bush on the Earnslaw Burn.”
- UENUKU MALCOLM-PAPWORTH – CARDHOLDER
- IPHONE, RED WITH CRACKED screen
- TANG HAOTIAN – WALLET
- LUCIANO MATOS – WALLET
- SAMSUNG PHONE, BLUE
- TIMOTHY HARPUR - WALLET
- MAX KITCHINER – IPHONE
- DANIEL TARCALI - WALLET
- CAMERA, BLACK SONY CYBERSHOT in black Logic case
- MACKENSIE EDDINGTON - PURSE
- ROXY BACKPACK CONTAINING BEDDING and clothing
- SHAE KAIRAU – CARDHOLDER
- JEREMY LONSDALE – CARDHOLDER
- FAIRTEK BACKPACK LOCATED AT the Airport
- MATTHEW WILKES – CARDHOLDER
Volunteer rescuers make their way into the Earnslaw Burn at night to rescue a young Aussie tramper early last week
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
jobfix.co.nz
essions of interest f HVA V C Te T chnicians
Smiths Craft Beer House requires QUALIFIED 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. We also have Kitchen roles at all levels.
Please pop up in person or email your CV to Chris@smithscraftbeer.co.nz
Welco Heating is a locally owned Queenstown business delivering highend residential heating and cooling solutions. We’re now looking to
Welco own deliv end residential solutions. We’re expand our team. We’re offering:
Company vehicle
Flexible working hours
Competitive wage
Staff tool account
to suit you | Weekly pay | Exclusive discount at Barmuda | Earn extra when you Refer a Friend. Whether you’re looking for short-term work or your next career move, we’re here to help.
Tight-knit team culture
Morning coffee & Friday beers
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
jobfix.co.nz
Sales Support & Operations – NZSIR
Queenstown Head O ice – Full time Permanent role
Join a premium real estate brand in a key Sales Support & Operations role supporting our CEO and Licensee team. You’ll help drive performance through reporting, market insights, project coordination, and sales support across the Southern Lakes.
We’re seeking someone proactive, organised, sales focused and confident working with data, systems, and people.
Real estate, sales or legal experience is highly preferred.
Strong communication, high EQ, and a solutions focused mindset are key as is the ability to build strong relationships.
If you thrive in a fast paced environment and enjoy supporting high performing sales teams, we’d love to hear from you.
Position to commence asap / July.
Please send a cover letter and CV to Rachel.exell@nzsir.com
This position cannot support sponsorship.
BrownsReal Estate Limited (licensed under the REAA 2008) MREINZ.
