Which is the largest land carnivore in Britain?

The NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival will go ahead this year in late June.

The popular festival and competition showcases inspiring adventure films and books each year in Wanaka and Queenstown.

Some of the most adventurous people in the world have been welcomed as guest speakers, including free climber Alex Honnold two years before he completed his epic free solo of Yosemite’s El Capitan.

This year, the festival has already received more than 188 entries to its filmmaker competition from filmmakers all over the world, including a record 25 from New Zealand.

The charitable trust behind the festival have created a flexible plan, able to be adapted to any restriction level. This includes several smaller events as well as online screenings of the festival favourites. The programme will be announced on June 1.

Festival Director Mark Sedon says: “We feel it is important to run our event, albeit a little differently to other years.

“Based on feedback we feel that by the time we get to late June everyone will be ready to get out and about, providing they feel they are safe. Our core goal is to bring some inspiration to our audience when they need it most and continue to bring people in our adventure community together both on- and off-line.

“Our hope is that we are in Level 1 or 2 by this time; regardless, we will have some awesome viewing ready for the festival fans.”

The 18th NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival is scheduled to run live in five venues in Wanaka and Queenstown simultaneously from June 26 to 28.

The smaller venues will restrict numbers and allow for social distancing and seat numbers for contact tracing should it be required.

The events will include the popular Opening Night, guest speakers, award winning films and books. The best of the 188 films will make up the sessions in these categories: NZ Pure, Snow Show, Environmental and Cultural. These sessions will be hosted nationally online from June 26 to July 5.

Sedon says the ability to run the event this year has been largely due to the continued generosity of sponsors, patron and friend donations. Queenstown Lakes District Council and Community Lakes Trust, as well as many long-term sponsors, have supported the reshaping of the event.

“The continued financial support from our backers has been incredible and the feedback and donations from our audience have been so encouraging. These contributions mean we can give 2020 our best shot and look forward to being in a strong position to host our full-scale event in 2021. After 18 years of building this event we are incredibly appreciative and humbled by the support.”

The award-winning films and books will be announced on June 1 when the full festival programme and tickets will be made available at www.mountainfilm.nz

Queenstown police have charged a 33-year-old man with possession of meth for supply following a pre-dawn raid in the suburbs.

Armed officers, with a dog unit, served a search warrant on a house on Red Cottage Drive, Bridesdale, Lake Hayes, at 6.30am last Thursday.

Using a loud hailer, they ordered one of the residents out into the dark street with his hands on his head, before requesting other occupants to leave the property and then searching it.

Acting Detective Sergeant Simon Matheson, Queenstown CIB, says the arrest was “part of an ongoing investigation into the sale and supply of methamphetamine in the Queenstown area”.

The man has appeared in Queenstown District Court facing charges of possession of methamphetamine for supply, and offer to supply methamphetamine, and has been remanded on bail to reappear next Monday [18th].

During the search warrant police recovered a quantity of methamphetamine and cash, but would not reveal how much.

The man was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

It is the second meth raid in the resort in recent months. A property in Fernhill was raided in early April.

“Queenstown Police are committed to disrupting the sale and supply of methamphetamine in the community, and holding those responsible to account.

“Police will continue to investigate and take action in response to reports and information about this offending.”

Anyone with information about meth dealing is asked to call 105, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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