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LAKES WEEKLY

LOCALLY OWNEDSINCE

Enthusiasm and optimism

Thank you to all those who voted; Local Government is an important institution that does make a difference to the District. All candidates stood with courage and belief, and we should all show gratitude towards them. Whether you were successful or not, they are all community leaders. The campaign for local government has now finished. Signs are down; however, as I write, new ones pop up for the Central Lakes Trust; please take the time to register your vote for these critical positions.

The first two weeks of being the Queenstown Lakes District’s Mayor have been exciting. I must admit it is a strange job transition, walking into what is now my office, empty, with no human touches, just a bare desk and a pot plant in the corner. The empty chair at the desk hit home, and the Mayor’s role was now my position to look after for the next three years.

The first week consisted of briefings with the chief executive and the governance team, followed by one-on-one meetings with the councillors and catching up with the Wanaka Community Board members. We discussed what we wanted to achieve over the next triennium and what roles councillors would like to play. All discussions were fruitful, and the most enjoyable part was the enthusiasm from all. It gave me confidence that we have the makings of an excellent team for the District.

As I was getting used to arriving at chambers every day, Wellington beckoned for Mayor’s school. Wellington consisted of two days spent learning from existing mayors and guest speakers, giving different perspectives on approaching issues, building a team, and maintaining our well-being. It was also interesting to listen to the problems prevalent in other Districts; finding staff and transport were recurring themes.

The second week, I had my second catch-up with the chief executive. I ask myself, where did the first week go? We make our declarations on Thursday, and we are all now official. An excellent way to start celebrating our new councillors with their family and friends.

I look forward to the coming three years with optimism that this District will return stronger post covid. My current focus is building a councillor team that is enthusiastic and collaboratively works together. There is a daunting amount of work before us, especially government reform, a tighter financial outlook and climate change. I am confident that the councillors elected will do their job with diligence and care, with the community’s interests at the forefront of their minds.

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Glyn Lewers

Arrowtown’s Atheneum Hall will come alive on November 12 when Queenstown’s very own big band, the Queenstown Jazz Orchestra returns with a night smooth sultry tones of jazz. See story on page 27

Kaleidoscopes in the Dark (B.PRESS) is B. G. Rogers’ debut short story collection, it’s officially on sale from 31st October 2022, available in bookshops and online.

B. G. Rogers will be talking about the book at a free event at the Queenstown Writers Festival on 12 November 2022.

A child carefully crawls through a world of plastic waste in search of water but knows she won’t make it if the blood-drinking gulls catch a glimpse of her.

A young woman plots her way onto the latest reality TV programme, where murderers are publicly executed in a manner that mirrors their crimes.

Mice conspire with a seamstress to bring her dead fiancé back to life using an old English tradition.

SHORT. READABLE. DISTURBING. The stories in Kaleidoscopes in the Dark paint the more sinister elements of the psyche in technicolour. The collection writhes with black humour, remnants of fairytales and gothic themes.

Density planned for Ladies Mile

by Paul Taylor

Plans for a new subdivision along Ladies Mile feature around 18 apartment blocks, along with terraced and semi-detached housing.

The Glenpanel development is on 10.65ha of land opposite Queenstown Country Club and the Howard’s Drive Road to Lake Hayes Estate.

It’s the third project on Ladies Mile to be approved for Government fasttrack consideration, following Flint’s Park and Flint’s Park West by a separate developer.

Development company Maryhill Ltd is behind the project. Its directors are Kristan and Emma Stalker, along with the Grant and Sharyn Stalker, who developed the massive Shotover Country subdivision on the other side of State Highway 6 Ladies Mile.

But whereas Shotover Country has around 11 homes per hectare, Glenpanel ramps up the density with a whopping 70 dwellings per hectare of development land.

Its masterplan shows there could be at least 640 residential units and as many as 748, depending on the final configuration of open spaces and stormwater management.

The multi-storey mixed-use and walk-up apartment blocks would be located to the east of the site, bordering land earmarked for a town centre in the Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Masterplan developed by Queenstown Lakes District Council.

There is space for either a primary school or retirement village in Glenpanel, and possibly a temporary park-and-ride while the development is built across 12 stages.

A 5000sqm neighbourhood park is also in the plans, along with a 20-25m deep landscape strip bordering Ladies Mile.

Developer Kristan Stalker couldn’t be reached for comment.

With Flint’s Park and Flint’s Park West, more than 1300 properties could be built along the northern side of Ladies Mile in the coming years, helping to tackle Queenstown’s housing shortage.

However, transport is likely to be a stumbling block.

Flint’s Park and Flint’s Park West are being developed by Glenpanel Development Ltd, owned by directors Mark Tylden and Lindsey Topp. (somewhat confusingly, their company name is the similar to the neighbouring Glenpanel development by Maryhill Ltd).

Michael Wood, the Minister of Transport, has already raised concerns in his submission on Flint’s Park, which is the furthest along the fast-track consenting route.

And Waka Kotahi believes the cumulative effect of the “ad-hoc” developments, which will “adversely affect the functionality of the highway”.

“The applicant’s traffic modelling shows that for the morning peak heading towards Queenstown, SH6 is operating at capacity,” its submission reads.

“As a result, to maintain the functionality of the highway and manage the effects of ongoing development, mode shift at an unprecedented level is necessary.”

Both developers focus on the need for super-charged public transport and active transport links connecting Ladies Mile to Frankton and beyond.

Flint’s Park, at 429 Frankton-Ladies Mile Highway, includes up to 384 homes on 15.6ha of land beneath Slope Hill. It could also feature a primary school, an early childhood centre, a mixed-use centre including a café, shops and offices, and public open space. The Glenpanel Homestead, a heritage building, will remain, with additions for commercial use.

Flint’s Park West is on an 18.4ha site, although only 8.6ha would be developed, featuring up to 315 homes. There could also be a church and public open space. It has not yet been lodged.

Developer Mark Tylden, in his submission, says Flint’s Park isn’t jumping the gun on the Ladies Mile Masterplan, but simply bringing forward its outcomes, and delivering the density it wants.

“People are struggling to get on the property ladder in Queenstown and this project will be the catalyst for the medium and high-density development of the northern side of Ladies Mile which will provide for a wide range of housing options that will be affordable by design,” the submission reads.

Anita Golden, chair of the Lake Hayes Estate and Shotover Country Community Association says transport issues remain the main concern of residents.

“The reality is we, yes we need housing in Queenstown, but we have to put it in the right place,” Golden says.

“Until we have come transport solutions for this area, we don’t want to see any more development, because it will be gridlock in the mornings and peak afternoon.”

QLDC and Waka Kotahi are targeting a 60% ‘modal shift’ - getting people out of cars and travelling another way.

“We need some innovative solutions, because a 60% shift is massive. We have three months a year when most people don’t really want to be commuting on a bike.”

Golden says she’s encouraged to see the Minister and Waka Kotahi raising early objections.

“I think when you’ve got a state highway, the main road into Queenstown, reaching capacity, you’ve got to say ‘hold on a minute, that’s an awful lot of houses’.”

Outline of how Glenpanel’s apartment blocks and housing would be arranged, from the Glenpanel Masterplan

LAKES WEEKLY POLL

Trust backs enviro summitFunding opens for summer wellbeing initiatives

Central Lakes Trust is backing the Wao Summit for the second year running, approving more than $77,000 for the 2022 event in Wānaka.

“One of the Trust’s key sectors for funding is in the support of projects and organisations that protect and enhance the environment we live,” Grants Manager Mat Begg says.

“It is great to see a strong focus from the Upper Clutha region in this area.” The grant support for was approved at the October board meeting.

Other October grants include $24,888 to help Wānaka Wastebusters buy a community education vehicle, which will be an EV; $6000 for Arrowtown Creative Arts Society Inc to buy a grand piano for Athenaeum Hall; and $15,000 for Queenstown Lakes Baby Box Charitable Trust to buy merino sleep sacks.

Wao has partnered with a number of other groups to continue the development of the Upper Clutha as a sustainability hub and a leader of the Green Economy.

Program Director Monique Kelly says: “Our six-day Wao Summit is a 3600-degree approach to creating and fostering tangible social and environmental change at every level.

“The Summit has grown into a nationally recognised event to stimulate action at the grassroots level. We are very grateful for the support of CLT, it goes a long way to making our Summit.”

The Wao Summit is comprised of over 45 events with an anticipated 2,500 participants across a number of presentations and workshops designed to inspire, educate and enable the community to build resilience to change and the environmental challenges facing them.

Fifteen grants in total were approved by the board, totalling over $300,000, bringing the grants approved for the financial year to $7.15 million, from a grants budget of $12m.

Central Lakes Trust is the largest philanthropic trust per capita in the Southern Hemisphere, now with assets totalling $467m. It and has distributed more than $128m since its inception.

A fourth round of funding for local mental wellbeing initiatives is set to give Southern Lakes communities a boost for the summer season.

Run by Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group, the Connecting Communities fund supports community-led activities and events across Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell, and Te Anau / Fiordland which encourage people to connect, look after themselves and each other, and have some fun.

The next funding round opens on 31 October and closes on 10 November. Eligible not-for-profit organisations and groups can apply for up to $1000 from Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group’s Connecting Communities fund to assist with funding their activity or event.

Broadly, the criteria include positively engaging with the local community; supporting mental wellbeing; aligning with one or more of the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa Wha; and being locally delivered in Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell or Te Anau / Fiordland.

Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group Chair Adell Cox says that her team continues to be inspired by the creative ideas being put forward and the collaboration growing between groups.

“We’re thrilled to see more groups working together and developing successful one-off activities into longer term programmes which will provide ongoing community benefits.

“Each round of funding applications gives us more insight into what’s going on for our different communities so we do our best to connect like-minded groups and encourage collaboration and cross-promotion where we can through our networks,” Cox says.

In July, 54 initiatives from across Queenstown, Wanaka, Te Anau/Fiordland and Cromwell received funding totalling more than $50,000.

Details about the funding round, including how to apply, can be found at www.southernhealth.nz/tehautoka

Program Director Monique Kelly speaking at the Wao Summit

Queenstown Multicultural Festival held this month.

Photo: Tomomi Ito Photography

Awarded QueenstownChamber

You’ve Not Got Mail

by Sue Fea

It’s just as well Santa travels by sleigh as otherwise there could be a few unhappy customers at Hanley’s Farm this Christmas season. Many residents have been upset that NZ Post won’t deliver a door-to-door mail service to homes in the burgeoning subdivision, already estimated to have some 900 dwellings and growing.

Hanley’s Farm Mail Delivery Group spokesperson Rachel Primrose says a public meeting held last week (October 17), after growing Facebook interest in the issue, seems to have left the residents no further ahead. “We’re still trying to find some sort of solution.”

Even local MP Joseph Mooney has tried to assist. However, NZ Post says the service would not be economically viable and insists it’s the development company, RCL Group’s responsibility to supply cluster mailboxes. It’s also offering free PO Boxes at either Frankton or Queenstown. There’s currently a waiting list for boxes at Frankton and residents say travelling into Queenstown is impractical for parking and traffic delay reasons.

RCL Group ceo David Wightman says NZ Post has an obligation to deliver mail to homes in the subdivision.

“Our understanding is that NZ Post, in its capacity as an essential service under its deed with the Crown, is required to deliver the mail,” says David. “Every section at Hanley’s has the express permission of the developer to erect mailboxes. As the roads are (district) council roads any discussion about cluster boxes by NZ Post within the road reserve or on verges would require council approval.”

It’s become quite an emotive issue with some residents who have disabilities and families of the elderly very concerned that they can’t access normal mail delivery to their homes, says Rachel. “I was shocked to hear of the effects on one resident who suffers from muscular dystrophy,” she says. “He said he will lose his mobility and has had specialist appointments significantly delayed. Another person has an elderly mother living out here who also can’t get to Frankton or Queenstown to check mail.”

Rachel’s group estimates there could eventually be 300 Hanley’s Farm residents classed as vulnerable and the subdivision is expected to grow up to 2000 regularly occupied dwellings and 7000 residents. “There were 2500 people living out here in April, this year, when we last did our own survey and modelling to estimate the population.”

She says residents were of the understanding that when they paid for their sections the design guidelines included mailboxes.

“Suggestions of clusters of 60 mailboxes would be impractical. Retrospectively, they could affect traffic safety at intersections, not to mention the cost and litter that would accumulate.”

David Wightman says cluster boxes are a matter for NZ Post and the council. “To date we’ve not received any proposal from NZ Post for it to provide cluster boxes. We’re happy to assist a discussion on how we can help them rectify their problem.”

In the meantime, he says RCL Group is seeking legal advice on the matter.

NZ Post needs to provide the large community of Hanley’s Farm residents with a postal service, he says. NZ Post currently delivers to other subdivisions like Lake Hayes (Estate) and Shotover (Country) so Hanley’s Farm and the larger area shouldn’t be excluded, says David.

RCL has identified a parcel of land that would be suitable for a postal facility within the Jack’s Point Zone that’s under RCL ownership, he says. The facility would have the ability to provide easy access for all residents of Hanley’s Farm, Jack’s Point, the Coneburn development and any future resident of the area. “RCL would be more than happy to build this facility and lease it back to NZ Post to conduct any mail services the area requires,” says David.

Queenstown Area Service Delivery Manager Dean Robins says NZ Post’s decisions on whether to increase its geographic network coverage are driven

by the economics of delivery, in the context of its obligation to operate a commercially successful business. “Hanley’s Farm currently falls outside NZ Post’s existing mail delivery footprint for letters and mail, (not courier).”

He says mail delivery options were discussed with the developer early on when NZ Post indicated its preference would be for a letterbox cluster, but the developer declined to build one, instead requesting delivery to each address.

“NZ Post has said it will deliver to a cluster of letterboxes if the developer puts one in. Installing a cluster of letterboxes is not the job of NZ Post, as we don’t own the land,” says Dean. The free PO Box offer was not a complete solution and is only to the extent they’re available. As of mid-October there were 26 people on the Frankton PO Box waitlist and staff are reviewing the current usage of the boxes to try and reduce that. There are 2042 boxes in central Queenstown with plenty available, he says.

“NZ Post is now proactively contacting developers who lodge consents through the council to ensure they consider clustering letterboxes in their development plans,” says Dean.

NZ Post plans to be in touch with the Hanley’s resident group in a few weeks to continue trying to find a suitable solution.

Local IT Support

Rachel, ever hopeful that she will soon be collecting her mail from the gate of her Hanley’s Farm home.

COMMUNITY NOTES

‘Repair, not Replace!’

by Neha Gosalia

Sustainable living is the need of the hourthere’s no denying it! As part of its Waste Minimisation efforts, QLDC have funded ResOURceful Communities, a series of events that are run by Wastebusters in Upper Clutha, with Sustainable Queenstown delivering the same in the Whakatipu basin.

What is the Repair Revolution?

We are running FREE Repair Cafes in Frankton and Arrowtown, where members of the community can bring broken household items to our repair heroes, who volunteer their time and skills to make them go another round.

Not only can people have their items fixed for free (when possible), but they will also learn from the repair heroes how to fix it themselves in the future. We encourage repairers to share their knowledge as they fix, and for the people to learn how they can better care for their items. Most importantly, these items will be prevented from ending up in landfill and we hope people will walk away even more motivated to consider repairing over replacing in the future.

At the Repair Cafe held in September in Hawea, 73 items were brought in, and 70 were fixed, or could be fixed with parts or further professional attention. An incredible success rate for a list that included clothing, jewellery and other accessories, bikes, electronics, toys and appliances!

Who can be a Repair Hero?

Every revolution needs heroes! Our volunteer fixers and repairers are so essential to the success of these events. We have had incredible support from both individuals and local businesses such as Stitch N Time and Bikeaholic in the past. The more diverse skills we can source for each event, the more items we can save from landfill. Our current roster includes DIY enthusiasts and professionals who can fix clothing, electronics, appliances, toys, furniture, upholstery, musical instruments and jewellery.

We would love to recruit some volunteers who have experience with sporting equipment such as bikes, skis or snowboards. For those individuals who are passionate about helping with events like this but aren’t too handy with tools, (myself included!) we would love some help with setting up and breaking down the event, greeting people and generally supporting our repairers as they work.

We had a fantastic response to Repair Cafes last year and we are really excited to bring the first such event to Arrowtown this year. There is a growing awareness of the environmental impact of consumerism, and we are hoping the local communities take advantage of these free events and become a part of the positive solution.

Keen to volunteer?

Contact Neha Gosalia: sq.resourcefulcommunities@gmail.com

Repair Revolution Events:

Frankton Repair Cafe

St. Margaret’s Presbyterian Church, Saturday 29 October 10am-2pm

Arrowtown Repair Cafe

Arrowtown Community Center, Sunday 13 November 10am-2pm

Full details on our Facebook page: facebook.com/sustainablequeenstown

New workshops to help local businesses talk about mental health

Queenstown small businesses will be able to access new subsidised training to help them and their staff talk about mental health at work, thanks to a new round of funded workshops from local charity headlight. Headlight will deliver six GoodYarn community workshops to local businesses with under 50 staff from October until June next year.

The workshops are designed to help those businesses who have staff or clients who are regularly facing pressured situations, to provide some practical advice and tips on how to support the mental wellbeing of staff and clients.

The evidence-based, clinically developed 3 hour workshops are delivered by peer facilitators - local people with lived experience of mental health challenges and who understand first hand the pressures facing business owners and staff right now.

The workshops cover

- What is mental health and mental wellbeing

- What are the signs and symptoms of mental distress

- What to say to someone who is struggling

- What resources and support are available locally and nationally

To date 100% of past participants would recommend this workshop to others, and feedback from attendees has highlighted the high value that this training offers for both leaders and employees in supporting staff and client wellbeing.

The workshops are the second series to be funded by Te Hau Toka. Their previous workshops (May - June 2022) were regularly booked out, and interested parties are encouraged to get in quick to secure their spot. Workshop dates announced include

October 27th, 9:30am- 12:30pm

November 15th, 9:30am- 12:30pm

Further dates to be announced - you can contact headlight to secure your spot on the future waitlist.

There is a subsidised seat fee of $35 + GST per seat. To find out more and book your spot visit www.headlight.org.nz

Community News

Voting opens for Central Lakes Trust elections

Voting is open for the Central Lakes Trust elections.

Twelve candidates from across the Central Lakes region have been nominated to stand for the board. The board of Central Lakes Trust will be comprised of five publicly elected trustees alongside three appointed trustees.

The term of office is three years and the maximum period a trustee can serve is nine years. The election is held under the First Past the Post electoral system using postal and internet voting.

The Trust plays an important role in our community, having distributed over $128 million back into the community through grants to charitable causes since inception in 2000. It has assets totalling over $467 million driving an annual grants budget of approximately $10-12 million. “The Trust is a significant community asset. Ultimately that asset is yours, and consequently, it’s up to you to determine who will serve on the board as elected Trustees,”

Online and postal voting closes midday Friday 18 November. To ensure your vote counts the last recommended day to post your voting papers is 15 November.

The candidates are:

•Jude Battson

•Jim Boult

•Lindsay Breen

•Kathy Dedo

•Doreen Evans

•Charlotte Gardiner

Hope

•Barbara Withington

Radford

Van Uden

Lepper

Webb

ShakeOut

New Zealand is holding a national earthquake drill across the country on Thursday 27 October at 9.30am. ShakeOut is what it’s called

In an earthquake, Drop, Cover, Hold. It stops you being knocked over, makes you a smaller target for falling and flying objects, and protects your head, neck and vital organs.

• DROP down on your hands and knees. This protects you from falling but lets you move if you need to.

• COVER your head and neck (or your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk (if it is within a few steps of you). If there is no shelter nearby, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

• HOLD on to your shelter (or your position to protect your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If the shaking shifts your shelter around, move with it.

ORC - Land and Waterways Regional Plan Community Meeting

ORC is putting together the plan that will decide the future of the land and waterways in the community.

There is a community meeting scheduled to discuss the health of your rivers, lakes and streams and to give feedback on options to enhance and protect our waterways for future. This will become Otago’s new Land and Water Regional Plan.

The aim of this new plan is to keep all our Otago fresh waterways healthy and safe - ki uta ki tai; from the mountains to the sea.

Meet at Sherwood Hotel in Queenstown at 7pm on Monday, 31 October

All the fun at the fair!

Arrowtown School is holding its first school fair for six years.

“The children are really looking forward to it, and are busy making things to sell”, Arrowtown Principal Chris Bryant says. “It’s been a long time since we had a fair due to construction of the new buildings, and then Covid, so they are really looking forward to some fun.”

Bryant says it’s been a tough year with a wave of Covid, which required isolation for both pupils and staff.

“So, the fair will be a great way to come together as a school community.” Funds raised will be put towards upgrading some muddy playing fields, and also to improve the food tech and cooking facilities.

“This will allow for more students to get more time in the kitchen which is something they have been asking for.”

Food options at the fair include Mrs Ferg’s Gelato bike, Nadia Lim’s Royalburn Station gourmet burgers, Francescas pizza, whitebait fritters, fresh baking and more.

For the kids, there are all the usual activities like bouncy castles, facepainting, dunk the teacher and the much-loved Playhouse build and auction. The school bands will be playing throughout, with the Kapa Haka group performing at 11am, and the live auction at 1.15pm

Items for the jumble sale are piling up and the school is also on the lookout for coat hangers, clothes racks, and shopping bags to use on the day.

“To make our fair successful, we need people to come along, and of course we always rely on the generosity of school families and the local business community to donate goodies for auctions and prizes,” says PTA Chair, Euni Borrie, who’s one of the team organising the fair.

“Bayleys have very generously come on board as our main sponsor which is a great start for the fundraising.

“We would like to invite everyone to join us, have some delicious food, be entertained by the school performances, and make it a real community day out.”

Any items for donation be dropped off to the school, or email arrowtownpta@arrowtown.school.nz if you would like to donate a prize, or sponsor a stall.

Entry by gold coin donation.

I HAVE MOVED!

Dental hygienist Ness Holmquist has relocated with her family to Dunedin and is now working alongside dental specialists periodontist Ellie and prosthodontist Nick at Knight Dental Specialists. Ness graduated from Otago University in 2007. She has established a prominent reputation over the past 15 years of practice in the Central Otago region. She is recognised for her warmth, professional skills and ability to engage with patients at all levels of clinical complexity.

Knight Dental Specialists has state-of-the-art equipment including an Airflow™ machine that is perfect for removing stubborn stains and provides warm water to maximises patients’ comfort.

MY SCOPE OF PRACTICE INCLUDES:

Deep scaling and Airflow polishing

Periodontal and oral hygiene assessment

X-rays

Administration of local anaesthetic if necessary

Tooth whitening

Digital teeth impressions (intra-oral scans)

Oral hygiene advice and smoking cessation

Tit bitsTit bits

FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Guilty Plea in ISIS Payoffs

French cement company Lafarge SA pleaded guilty to conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State group and the Al-Nusra Front in Syria. Prosecutors accused the company of paying millions of dollars to the terrorist groups to keep its plant in Syria operating.

The company agreed to pay roughly $US778M, including criminal fines of around $US91M and an additional $687M in forfeitures, the largest penalty paid by a private corporation for providing material support to a terrorist group.

The payments were made to the terrorist groups from August 2013 to October 2014, during a time when the groups kidnapped and killed prisoners, including many Westerners. Lafarge allegedly purchased production materials, such as oil, from the Islamic State and paid the group fees in exchange for the permits.

Axios

Earliest Star Map Found

Parts of the world’s oldest known star map, long attributed to the second-century BCE Greek astronomer Hipparchus but never discovered, were found hidden in medieval Christian texts housed in northern Egypt, according to a paper published last week.

Researchers analysed filtered images of writings known to be palimpsests—where earlier texts are removed in a form of ancient recycling—using multispectral imaging, a technique that quantifies light data outside normal human vision. On one folio, or leaf of paper, researchers were surprised to find the coordinates of the constellation Corona Borealis, suggesting more of the map may be found using the technique on other documents.

Hipparchus’ star catalog is often cited as the basis of Ptolemy’s “Almagest,” a work that established the concept of the universe as Earth-centered for a thousand years. Nature.com

Nord Stream blast ‘blew away 50 metres of pipe’

At least 50 metres of an underwater pipeline bringing Russian gas to Germany is thought to have been destroyed by a blast last month. Video shot by a Norwegian robotics company, published by Swedish newspaper Expressen, appears to show the massive tear in the Nord Stream 1 pipe. Danish police believe “powerful explosions” blew four holes in the pipe and its newer twin, Nord Stream 2.

It is still unknown who or what caused the blasts amid suspicions of sabotage. Gas deliveries have been suspended since the 26 September explosions on the pipes crossing the Baltic Sea. The Kremlin has accused Western investigators of seeking to blame Russia for the damage.

BBC

Gates Foundation pledges $1.2B to eradicate polio globally

The money will be used to help implement the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s strategy through 2026. The initiative is trying to end the polio virus in Pakistan and Afghanistan, the last two endemic countries. The money also will be used to stop outbreaks of new variants of the virus. The foundation has contributed nearly $5 billion to the polio eradication initiative. The initiative is trying to integrate polio campaigns into broader health services, while it scales up use of the novel oral polio vaccine type 2.

The Council Word

How’s life?

The fifth annual Quality of Life Survey is open and we want to hear your take on living here. We’re keen to know how you feel about things like employment, housing, health, transport and the environment. Anyone local resident aged 18+ can take part. Share your feedback before 6 November and be in to win one of four $250 Prezzy cards! Head to letstalk.qldc.govt.nz

Celebrate Diwali

The brightest evening in Queenstown is back! Join this year’s Diwali festival of lights and experience the colours, music, tastes and spicy aromas of India. Saturday 29 October, 6.00-11.00pm at Queenstown Event Centre. All welcome, free entry. For more info email info@bsq.co.nz

Training for triathlon?

Enduro Swim is the perfect programme for anyone looking to improve their triathlon swimming. Designed specifically for endurance athletes, it’s a 90-minute session in the pool 6.15-7.45am every Tuesday and Thursday. For more info visit www.qldc.govt.nz/enduroswim

Connecting Communities funding

Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group’s next funding round closes 10 November. If you have ideas for activities/events around the district that will boost community mental wellbeing you can apply for grants of up to $1,000. Full details at southernhealth.nz/tehautoka

Contactless library service

Did you know our Libraries team offer a click-and-collect service of books specially selected to match your tastes? Simply phone or complete an online form with your details and they’ll fill a bag of titles they think you’ll love then fix a time to collect. For more info call 03 441 0600 or visit codc-qldc.govt.nz/services

Pedigree info for pooches

QLDC has launched ‘Scuttlemutt’, a twice-yearly online newsletter for local dog owners. Each issue features everything from upcoming rego periods to cool dog-related events we’re hosting around the district. Sign up to receive an email copy at www.qldc.govt.nz/scuttlemutt

Sign up and Let’s Talk

Want to make sure your voice is heard on the important decisions that matter to you? Check out our dedicated web portal Let’s Talk. Register at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/register

www.qldc.govt.nz

wellbeing and active lifestyle...

WE WANT YOU!!

The NZ Sotheby’s International Realty Queenstown Marathon is looking for volunteers to join the Skyline volunteer crew. For more info & to sign-up, head online: queenstown-marathon.co.nz/contact-us/

SERVICES

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 Monday – Saturday 9.00 – 5.00. Pre-loved goods and clothing at great prices. Help support the ongoing work done by the SPCA. Your old goods, or your time, could help save a life. Accepting donations (no electrical at the moment) and volunteers now.

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS OFFERS FRIENDSHIP, SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING to bereaved parents, grandparents siblings to help with coping and dealing with grief that has come about through the loss of a child. For further information please call Pauline Trotter on 0273960611 or email centralotagocf@ gmail.com

EVERYTHING ELSE

Everything Else

LOVE TO REPAIR STUFF? JOIN THE REPAIR Revolution. These are two free, volunteer-based events to get together to learn and participate in the repair of broken items in Frankton on 29 Oct and Arrowtown 13 Nov. We’re looking for volunteer fixers of all kinds to join us. Whatever your super fixing power is (bikes, furniture, electronics, clothes, anything!), if you love repairing things and helping others learn, we would love to have you on board. If you can help please get in touch with Neha on 0273730149 or email sq.resourcefulcommunities@gmail.com

GUIDED GARDEN TOURS OF OUTSTANDING PRIVATE GARDENS. Magnificent spring show. Daily departure from Wanaka. Info, discounts, bookings beautifulgardenswanaka.com 02102792481

AVAILABLE NOW ART STUDIOS, 10M2, FROM $70 per week, minimum 2 months at Te Atamira, Remarkables Park Town Centre. For more information please email hello@teatamira.nz

THE ANNUAL SPRING FLING MINI FAIR WILL take place on the 5th of November from 10:00am until 2:00pm, in the car park at St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church, Ross Street, Frankton. The markets selling plants, second-hand books, garage sale items and much much more, along with games for children, Brazilian style BBQ, homemade cakes, Korean food and coffee.

A M EQUESTRIAN HAS SPACES AVAILABLE FOR new clients in our NZPCA affiliated horse riding program. Lessons for all ages, for more info see www.amequestrian.co.nz

THANKS FOR RECYCLING WITH CARE - AN audit found that 99% of material in our blue kerbside recycling bins is recyclable glass! Remember, only glass bottles and jars can be recycled in your blue bin. Crockery contaminates recycling, so put any broken cups, bowls and plates in the rubbish bin.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “NEVER BE LIMITED by other people’s limited imaginations.” - Mae Jemison

NEED AN IDYLLIC SPOT IN KINGSTON TO rent for your tiny home or caravan? Please text 022 404 3545.

Upholstery

ARROWTOWN SCHOOL FAIR IS ON THIS SATURDAY, 29th October at from 10am to 2pm. There will be lots of fun for kids and families, yummy food, crafts, plants and a jumble sale. The popular playhouse auction is back, along with dunk the teacher, entertainment, and some fabulous prizes donated by our generous business community. Arrowtown School9 Chalmers Place, Arrowtown

QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST. SUNDAY (30 Oct), @ 10am, “Cultivating Awareness Practice” followed by “Social Sunday.” UPCOMING NEW SESSIONS: WED @ 6:30pm (9 Nov - 7 Dec), “Nurturing Peace” with Grant Rix. All sessions are free with dana for the centre gratefully accepted. For more info, see dharmacentre.org.nz or FB.

REPAIR REVOLUTION: FRANKTON REPAIR CAFÉ - THE Repair Revolution is back. These are free, volunteer-based events to get together to learn and participate in the repair of broken items. No need to register. If you love your stuff and want to renew, revive, and repair your broken things,  join Sustainable Queenstown at St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church, McBride Street, Frankton for a fun, FREE, feel good event! SATURDAY 29th OCTOBER, from 10 AM

HAVE THAT NIGGLING ACHE OR PAIN THAT just won’t go away? A recurring condition, or maybe you’re looking for something to assist alongside your more traditional treatments to speed up recovery? Two Feathers can help, an Alternative & Holistic Health Service including Tuning Forks, Energy Healing & Reiki Master. For more info contact Amy on: healing@ twofeathers.co.nz or 022 454 8288

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.

DANCING QUEEN: A TRIBUTE TO ABBA IS a full-scale concert production featuring over two hours of fun, energetic musical performances, a live backing band, theatrical lighting and effects and all the dancing an ABBA fan can handle. Secure your seats to the ABBA show everyone loves! November 29 at Queenstown Memorial Centre. Tickets are available now via Ticketek.

GARDEN HELPER - PART TIME: WE ARE looking for someone to do our lawns and basic garden maintainence. Nice place, nice people (us), 4-6 hrs per week. Dalefield Road. Call me on 0274301680

KITESURFERS, WINDSURFERS & WING FOILERS. LOCAL CLUB AGM and Social. Wed 26th Oct 7pm. Cargo Brewery. Potential members welcome. More info Sue 0276408596.

LAWN MOWING SERVICE

Operating in all areas of Queenstown. Ride On Mowing all sizes any property big or small. 4WD Mower. Push Mowing, Weedeating, Spraying. Phone Matt Lawton 02041211923 mlmowingservices@gmal.com

ST JOHN HEALTH SHUTTLE

Operates from Queenstown to Invercargill, (returning the same day) Monday to Friday for health related appointments for more information and bookings please call: 0800 103 046

DID THIS AD GET YOUR ATTENTION? THAT IS THE POWER OF BUSINESS LINE ADS Contact the Lakes Weekly Bulletin today 03 409 2800 or email enquiries@qmg.co.nz and take the first step to successful advertising.

The Car Grille

“We can always fly, of course, but with even fewer CBD parks for all the rentals, where will we now get a decent feed of summer McKenzie Country bugs from The Car Grille?”

jakehassells.com

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

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

DIVINE REALIGNMENT ENERGY HEALING | REIKI HEALING | BI OPTRON LIGHT COLOUR HEALING, to rebalance and re energise PHONE PAULA FOR AN APPOINTMENT - 0211171389 www.naturalhealingpaulapetersen.com fbnaturalhealingpaulapetersen

Public Notice | P ā nui

Sport NZ Rural Travel Fund Opens for 2022-2023

Applications for funding from the Rural Travel Fund can be made by any sports club or school within the Queenstown Lakes District, with members aged between ve (5) and 19 years, who require nancial assistance with transport costs so that they can participate in local sporting competitions.

To apply you must be either a rural school club team if it is participating in a regular local sports competition out of school time, which excludes inter- school and intra-school competitions run during school time or a rural sports club team if it is participating in an organised, regular sports competition through club membership outside of school time.

Applications forms available on the Council website: www.qldc.govt.nz/events/ funding/funding-for-sports/

Funding round closes at 5.00pm Friday 28 October. All applications must be emailed to jan.maxwell@qldc.govt.nz.

SEND A PHOTO OF YOU WITH THE LWB AROUND NZ to info@qmg.co.nz and be in to win a Devil Burger Meal Voucher

SUDOKU ANSWER

There’s plenty to chew on at the upcoming Wao Summit

The Wao Summit is just around the corner, and that means there’s a whole lot of idea-sharing, question-raising, change-making action to get your teeth into. Amongst the many events this six-day thought fest has to offer are several after-work Rethink Kōrero sessions, right here in Tāhuna, Queenstown. This is the conversational component of the summit lineup, and they’re not just any conversations, either. These are deep dives into big topics, with industry leaders and boundary-pushers. They’re the ones you don’t want to miss.

On Tuesday 25th, at Food For Thought: Creating Resilient Food Systems, the conversation will be all about food. Where is our food coming from, and, more importantly, could we feed ourselves if we were cut off from our global supply? According to food scientist Julia Blackford, we wouldn’t fare very well on the latter here in the Southern Lakes.

“We’ve totally lost the individual responsibility and ability to feed ourselves, and that’s happened in a really short space of time,” says Blackford, who specialises in food resilience, which is essentially our ability to be self-reliant where our kai is concerned. “Even 75 years ago in Queenstown, we would have been able to source most of our food within a 50 kilometre radius,” she says. Things are pretty different now. Blackford will be leading the conversation, speaking to experts Jason Bradford, Jade Gray and Ailsa Cain about all things food systems and design.

So it’s a tall order, and, if you ask Boston, it’s not looking good. But there are solutions being proposed, one more radical than the rest: a movement called Degrowth. As the name suggests, Degrowth states that if we want a chance to avoid impending collapse, we have to abandon economic growth. It’s not popular, but it may just be the only thing that will work. And its advocates, Boston being one, are only growing in number.

Though the concept is much more nuanced than a nutshell description can do justice to, Degrowth suggests we must learn to do more with less. It’s a direct challenge to capitalism and its laws of extraction and consumption.

And it does, in many ways, oppose the ideas behind Green Growth, another (more popular) school of thought which suggests that economic growth can continue, just by using renewables to keep within planetary boundaries. This idea, though far sexier and more appealing to the masses, has been coming under increasing fire as we continue to overshoot our targets. So there’s plenty to discuss (or at least, listen to the experts discuss), which means next Friday’s debate is guaranteed to be a lively one.

These are just two events from the packed lineup of kōrero, workshops, film sessions and tours which make up the fifth annual Wao Summit this year.

From October 25th to 31st across Wānaka and Queenstown, the summit is dedicated to creating long term social and environmental change. It’s a chance to connect, be inspired and start designing a better future, together. See you there. Tickets www.wao.co.nz

The evening will be a chance to learn and be inspired about how we, as a community, can improve our resilience in the face of ever-increasing disruptions. Disruptions, that is, which are both acute (like the war in Ukraine disrupting global wheat supplies) and sustained (that is, the inevitable changes we’ll face as our unsustainable food system is forced to adapt). From the panel, we’ll hear about what we can learn from Mātauranga Māori about improving our food systems, the importance of community action and how things are going in the world of plant based food development. Then, on Friday 28th, the conversation will be all about living within our limits - and how to do so, fast. We are currently hurtling towards a temperature rise of 3.2° within this century, and, according to researcher Jonathan Boston, we have until 2050 to halve the raw materials that we use to avoid total ecological collapse. “That’s about a generation,” says Boston, who joins Kate Meyer and Tim Crownshaw for the Rethink Korero: Living Within Our Limits: Green Growth vs Degrowth.

WASTE FREE

Affordable bulk refills

Shop with us for all your bulk pantry essentials of everyday pantry stables, cleaning and bathroom products. Refilled locally with click and collect.

Gary Hough, Queenstown Branch Manager at the Kiwi Harvest Warehouse

CALLING ALL WOULD-BE NERDS IT’S

By Sue Fea

spacetober!

Catalyst Trust is calling all nerds, and the not so nerdy, to join in discovering the fascinations of space during the next two weeks for what’s being dubbed Queenstown’s ‘Spacetober’.

In something of a local celebration of science, Catalyst Trust has attracted two highly-acclaimed international experts – American Dr Shannon Walker, an active service NASA astronaut and space physicist, and Professor Brian Boyle, a Scottish astrophysicist whose primary research interests are in the fields of quasars, active galaxies, and cosmology. Dr Walker has spent just short of a year (330 days) living in earth orbit on the International Space Station, while Professor Boyle was a member of the Supernova Cosmology Project team whose discovery of the accelerating Universe and Dark Energy was recognised with the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2011. Professor Boyle, who spent most of his long and distinguished science career in Australia, is now semi-retired and living in the Wakatipu. In 2007, he was a member of one of the two teams of scientists who shared the 2007 Gruber Cosmology Prize, awarded for the discovery that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, leading to the idea of an expansion force, dubbed dark energy, says Catalyst Trust co-chair A.J. Mason. “He’s made discoveries that have unlocked the fundamentals and enabled us to learn more about our universe,” says A.J. Professor Boyle had also been heavily involved in the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope programme – an intergovernmental radio telescope project. “He was the director of an observatory and spent 15 years advising the Australian government how best to invest in and support science in its policies.”

Both leaders in their field, Catalyst Trust co-chair A.J. Mason says the Wakatipu is extremely privileged to have such great minds speaking publicly for free here about their experiences, findings and the future of space and science.

“Dr Walker’s last ‘commute’ to the International Space Station was via SpaceX, Elon Musk’s private space launch company, which is itself an example - like NZ’s RocketLab - of space becoming more accessible and space careers becoming more achievable,” says A.J. “She was Space Station Commander, one of five crew on board for six months – 180 days, landing back on earth in May last year.”

Soon after that return from orbit, she started training the next generation, becoming the supervisor for NASA’s 2021 class of astronauts. During her time here Dr Walker will visit Wakatipu High School to continue on her passion for injecting enthusiasm and excitement for science into the next generation, says A.J. There’s been a buzz in the school science labs and staffroom in the lead-up to hosting one of NASA’s leading space programme astronauts. “Space is really opening up as a credible career pathway now – space exploration, space science and technology and Dr Walker will be encouraging students how they can follow these pathways into space science.”

A.J. is heavily involved in mentoring the school’s popular Science Buskers Academy, launched about six years ago. That group has now grown to about 30 students after starting out with an Insight Programme and School Science Fair. As part of that the senior students showed their experiments to the younger students and then took their experiments down to the Queenstown Bay waterfront to show the general public,” says A.J. “It’s busking, but with science.” This after school group will be the nucleus of students to mostly benefit from Dr Walker’s visit, although as many other students as can be accommodated will also join in. “It’s a huge honour for the students to have somebody of this calibre interacting with them. It’s hugely important that they learn about the options of a career in space as today’s students are the ones who will land on Mars,” says A.J.

Professor Boyle speaks tonight (October 25) at The Rees Hotel at 6pm, while Dr Walker speaks next Tuesday at noon at Queenstown Memorial Centre. Both talks are free and open to the public, but people are asked to register via Eventbrite.

Dr Walker - scan the QR code, or Professor Boylescan the QR code.

Members of Wakatipu High School’s Science Busker’s Academy and senior students make science fun for a group from the Arrowtown Cubs

Members of Wakatipu High School’s Science Busker’s Academy and senior students entertain young students from Shotover Primary School, making science fun

FROM METEORITES TO MARS

To add to the science fantasia, Wakatipu High School science buffs will get some hands-on experience when they join the NZ Meteorite Tracking Project, setting up tracking cameras locally on Thursday. (October 27)

Local astronomy enthusiast A.J. Mason has arranged for Wakatipu High School science buffs to join the NZ Meteorite Tracking Project, with help from the school’s Head of Learning Area Science, Jim Gilbert. Members of the tracking project crew, including top geology and physics professors from Otago and Canterbury University, will install one of specialist tracking cameras at the school. They will also do a session with some of the students teaching about space and meteorite tracking.

“We’re plugging Wakatipu High School students into Fireballs Aotearoa - NZ’s meteorite monitoring and tracking network,” says A.J. “Head of Learning Area Science at the school, Jim Gilbert has been great and he’s really encouraging the students to stretch out and be part of project’s like this,” says A.J. “It’s so important to satiate kids with this fascinating stuff and encourage that appetite. I’m a nerd and I try and convert the world to join me,” A.J. says, with a grin.

“This is a great opportunity for the students to be part of a real, first class science programme and to have access to live data,” says Jim. “It will be all new to them. It’s pretty exciting that we get to track the skies from Wakatipu High School.”

“There’s a growing interest among students in this topic, so much so that we’re large enough now to introduce a new specialist subject –Earth and Space Science at a junior level from next year,” says Jim. This will foster that enthusiasm even more and coincides nicely with the meteorite tracking project.

Fireballs Aotearoa aims to recover freshly-fallen meteorites in New Zealand, tracking down NZ’s next meteorite of note. It’s a collaboration between NZ’s meteor camera networks and scientists at the Universities of Canterbury and Otago. Monitoring cameras are being set up around the regions and schools are being encouraged to get involved.

Meteorites range in size from a pebble, to a rugby ball, to the size of a small car, and very rarely pose any danger to people, says A.J. NASA recently successfully used a dart probe in its DART Mission programme (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) to intercept an asteroid headed for earth. It was part of an early experiment to detect any dangerous asteroids heading towards earth. “That mission was successful in diverting the asteroid away from its earth-bound path and so we now know it can be done,” says A.J. “Meteorites are just asteroids that have hit the ground here on earth. They become meteors when they enter the earth’s atmosphere, then meteorites, which look like rocks, when they hit the ground.”

Five night-sky Fireballs Aotearoa cameras captured a spectacular fireball reportedly seen over central and east Otago several months ago, which dropped a meteorite southeast of Middlemarch and west of Outram, near Dunedin.

Fireballs Aotearoa’s specialist camera equipment will be set up at a central Queenstown location where it will be hooked up to computer tracking equipment, linking in with the project nationwide.

Local students are encouraged to visit the base when it’s established and get familiar with the tracking programme and equipment, as are the general public.

A.J. says after a year there should be some interesting results to analyse. In another exciting plus, the NZ Space Agency’s Interactive Space Exhibition is arriving in Queenstown at the start of the summer school holidays, late November, early December.

A travelling space exhibition that’s been touring the country, it allows students to explore whether a space career path is for them.

The Otago Museum has led the execution of this exhibition, after receiving government funding to create it. Named “Tuhura Tuarangi — Aotearoa in Space”, the mobile exhibition celebrates New Zealand in space.

It’s been touring across the country this year and will continue to tour next year, with a special emphasis on out of reach communities as well, says A.J.

“Tuhura Tuarangi” includes a range of hands-on exhibits, interactive displays, demonstrations and immersive experiences. It’s aimed at highlighting to young people the career opportunities that the emerging space sector offers.

QLDC Libraries Book recommendation

Recommended list of books by the team from Queenstown and Frankton Libraries

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

Recommended by Natacha Murphy

The son of a Russian immigrant, protagonist Leonard (Lenny) Abramov, a middle-aged, middle class, otherwise unremarkable man whose mentality is still in the past century, falls madly in love with Eunice Park, a young Korean American from New Jersey struggling with materialism and the pressures of her traditional Korean family. The chapters alternate between profuse diary entries from the old-fashioned Lenny and Eunice’s biting e-mail correspondence on her “GlobalTeens” account.

How to be a Bad Muslim and Other Essays by Mohamed Hassan

Recommended by Natasya Zambri

This is the breakout non-fiction book from awardwinning New Zealand writer Mohamed Hassan. From Cairo to Takapuna, Athens to Istanbul, How to be a Bad Muslim maps the personal and public experience of being Muslim through essays on identity, Islamophobia, surveillance, migration and language.

The Goblin Emperor by Sarah Monette

Recommended by Lili Owen

The youngest half-goblin son of the Emperor lived his life in exile, distant from the Imperial Court. But when his father and the three sons in line for the throne die in an “accident,” he must take his place as the only surviving heir. Entirely unschooled in the art of court politics, he has no friends, no advisors, and the knowledge that whoever assassinated his father and brothers could make an attempt on his life at any time. Surrounded by sycophants, he can trust nobody. Amid the swirl of plots to depose him, offers of arranged marriages, and the spectre of the unknown conspirators who lurk in the shadows, he must adjust to life as the Goblin Emperor... vigilant against unseen enemies, lest he lose his throne - or life.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Recommended by Jessica Payne

Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning provides a vivid account of an individual’s experience as a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. The book focuses on love, hope, responsibility, inner freedom, and the beauty to be found in both nature and art as means that help one endure and overcome harrowing experiences.

The Undiscovered Deaths of Grace McGill by C.S. Robertson

Recommended by Emma Thomas

Death is not the end.

For Grace McGill, it’s only the beginning.

When people die alone and undiscovered, it’s her job to clean up what’s left behind - whether it’s clutter, bodily remains or dark secrets.

When an old man lies undetected in his flat for months, it seems an unremarkable life and an unnoticed death. But Grace knows that everyone has a story and that all deaths mean something more.

@qldclibraries

Queenstown Lakes District Libraries

functions Christmas

2022 has been incredibly stressful for many team who have gone over and above to keep your business functioning.

That’s despite being sick, short handed and taking on more shifts. This year more than any other this is an opportunity to celebrate your wonderful team and say thank you for everything.

The Christmas party is something the whole team can look forward to.

Get in early and grab your party venue and timeslot with some of these terrific companies.

Bookings will go fast as many venues have limited capacity this year. Book now!!

Bee Card links buses and boats

NEWS IN BRIEF

They stepped up!

Bee cards can be used on Queenstown Ferries from Wednesday, 26 October.

Otago Regional Council is introducing the bus card to the ferry service to create a “seamless payment link” between all available public transport options around Queenstown.

“Given the congestion along Frankton Road and Queenstown’s CBD at times, and pressure on parking in town, people are on the lookout for new public transport options,” ORC’s Interim Manager Transport Doug Rodgers says.

“The combination of water ferry and busing will improve accessibility to and from the town centre.”

Ironically, the Bee card itself will become obsolete in the next few years.

Last week, the Government announced the introduction of a new ticketing system, which will be rolled out across the country, allowing travellers to use a credit or debit card to take a bus, train or ferry.

ORC launched its Bee Card in September 2020 and since mid-2021 has been part-subsidising the lake ferry operator Queenstown Ferries, which is owned and operated by RealNZ.

Using a Bee Card on the ferry will cost $5 for a single trip, but the cost rises to $7 each way if customers use a bank card (cash cannot be accepted on the ferry). There are no free transfers between the ferry and bus services, so these fares must be purchased separately. Rodgers says at present the ferry service charges are already half price and are likely to remain at that level until late-January 2023.

“We encourage people to purchase and register a Bee Card to take advantage of the reduced cost of travel across all available public transport services in Queenstown,” he says.

The ferry service, used by commuters and tourists alike, links Queenstown Bay, the Frankton Marina and the Bayview and Hilton jetties; within a 15-kilometre round trip, which in total takes about an hour return.

The ferry service has been added to the Queenstown Orbus network as Route 6, and all timetable information can now be found on the ORC website and on the Transit App. During workdays there are eight hourly departure times from all four stops, starting at Queenstown wharf from 7.45am until 5.45pm, plus three extra evening services in the weekend; the final one departing at 9.45pm, for the last run to Frankton and the Hilton jetty.

Fare paying passengers can take either a bike, scooter, child’s stroller, dog or up to one large luggage item on board the ferry depending on passenger demand. The ferry is the first public transport water service to be added to the Bee Card network, bringing the system a step closer to a national ticketing solution.

“We are really excited to be the first water-based public transport operator to adopt the Bee Card system in New Zealand,” says RealNZ General Manager of Queenstown Experiences, Dan Maroszek.

“Water-based public transport is the most sensible and immediate solution to the roading and parking issues we are now seeing in central Queenstown.

“We are committed to providing solutions to community problems with the support of ORC, and the seamless connection between roading and waterbased public transport systems will support this.”

Queenstown Lakes District’s new council was sworn in at a ceremony at Lake Hayes Pavilion on Thursday afternoon. Mayor Glyn Lewers, who takes over from Jim Boult, announced Wānaka councillor Quentin Smith as Deputy Mayor. Council chief executive Mike Theelen said it was “a time to celebrate those people who have stood up and put themselves up for election to lead our community”. Councillors were given a summary of their legal responsibilities, while members of the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board were appointed. Councillor Gavin Bartlett was an apology during this meeting, due to a prior engagement. He’ll be sworn in at the first full council meeting on 17 November. The new council consists of Lewers, Matt Wong, Esther Whitehead, Gavin Bartlett and Niki Gladding (all QueenstownWhakatipu Ward), Quentin Smith, Barry Bruce, Lyal Cocks and Cody Tucker (all Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward), and Craig Ferguson, Lisa Guy and Neeta Shetty (all Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward).

Questions over airport security

Security at New Zealand’s four international airports is under the spotlight after an audit by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The audit, the first since 2011, is understood to have found Queenstown, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch did not have adequate ‘airside’ security – which is the side of an airport terminal beyond passport and customs control. New Zealand Air Line Pilots’ Association (NZALPA) is calling for an independent inquiry. Airside security is run by New Zealand’s Aviation Security Service (AVSEC), which is governed and audited domestically by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). NZALPA says that’s a conflict of interest and wants them separated. But a spokesperson for Te Manatū Waka Ministry of Transport says the ICAO audit process is only at the draft stage. “ICAO has provided the CAA with its draft audit findings. Overall, New Zealand rated highly and the audit identified areas we can enhance, which we are addressing right now.”

Queenstown Airport chief operating officer Todd Grace says the airport recently supported AVSEC to ensure the required measures are in place. “Safety and security at Queenstown Airport are our highest priorities”, Grace said.

Winter was officially epic!

Queenstown enjoyed a record winter with the best snow conditions in decades, reports tourism promotion agency Destination Queenstown. DQ chief executive Mat Woods, a keen skier, says from opening day right through to closing, conditions were the best he can remember. “Our mountains have done an amazing job welcoming guests from New Zealand, Australia and around the world, providing a truly world-class experience.” Visitors stayed longer in Queenstown this winter, with length of stay up 15%.

Visitor expenditure also increased, up 27% on 2019 - a record for the peak ski season months (July-September). The 2022 season also saw the return of events like the Winter Games, Winter Pride and Snow Machine. NZSki Chief Executive Paul Anderson says the snow at the Remarkables and Coronet Peak was also “wall-to-wall from the get-go! “It’s certainly one for the history books. Described by locals as the best snow in 30 years – it kickstarted a bumper season for us in terms of conditions, visitation numbers and open days,” Anderson says.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers (rear) and Deputy Mayor Quentin Smith

M

by Sue Fea

KATE ROBINSON WEAVING A NEW CHAPTER

Lf

Soy

For Kate Robinson a Stitch N Time is not only to save nine, but to save the planet, something dear to her heart.

Sophie, became great mates and some years later travelled together with Kate eventually settling in New Zealand and Sophie in Australia.

“It was really exciting. I kind of had a yearning for an older sibling. We’re both hobby sewers too,” says Kate, who reckons she got the handy stitching genes from her mum, and Austrian grandmother who taught embroidery and A-level English in Essex.

Growing up, while good at maths, Kate was always creative and into the arts. She could also sing. That gift saw her become part of her high school choir that scored a role in the London Palladium’s performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Actor Jason Donovan was the lead star so an excited Kate got to meet him, as well as his stand in, British TV presenter Phillip Schofield. “For 13 weeks we were driven up a good hour’s drive from Essex, three or four times a week for the shows.”

Owner of iconic local business Stitch N Time for the past seven years, Kate’s planning to close her sewing machine case and open up a new chapter of her life somewhere outside of Queenstown. Born in England in the 1970s, an only child after the sad passing of a brother as a baby, it was during a school autobiography project that Kate discovered she had an older sister. Adopted out during her mother’s late teens, the search then began to find her, with Kate’s mum, and her mum’s twin, joining in the hunt. “They finally tracked her down through the London adoption agency. Mum found her just before my 16th birthday,” says Kate. Kate and her newly-discovered sister,

Top marks in her end of school exams landed Kate at Southampton Institute, then uni, studying fashion, communication and promotion.

However, travel was always on her radar and after working for a record shop owner in the late 1990s Kate scored a higher paying job for Lloyds TSB Bank, making her way up to the Fraud Department. “We detected cheque fraud and our team prevented 2.6million pounds landing in the wrong hands each year,” she says, proudly. A sophisticated scam group had infiltrated the British Postal Services as employees, intercepting all new chequebooks and credit cards in transit in the post on their way to clients.

“It was a fascinating job.” After six years she’d saved enough money and headed off to Thailand and Australia with Sophie. In Melbourne Kate managed a backpackers’ pub, which was one big party, organising themed events and parties.

New Zealand seemed like a good option when her visa ran out and after a job in the embroidery department at Impact Print and Stitch, Stitch N Time came up for sale. “My dad was here visiting and had owned his own real estate company for years. He encouraged me to buy it, helping me with advice and a loan.” The business had been owned by Marilyn Tosh for 30 years and had a great reputation locally.

While Kate’s just loved the friendships and relationships made with her customers over the years, the past few years have been “awful”, trying to maintain her sewing repair business. It’s time for a break and some more freedom to travel home each year and visit her ailing mum, so Stitch N Time is back on the market. “I don’t know where I will go. I have to sell the business first, but I think Queenstown’s become too expensive,” she says. “This job’s been so satisfying though, just to see people so stoked when I can fix their favourite garment, or brainstorming with a customer over an outfit for a special occasion and how to make it just right.”

Zero Waste has been her other passion, which has combined nicely with the business. Kate’s been a regular offering up her time for free at local recycling repair events. “I’ve been heavily involved in Wastebusters (Wanaka)’s repair events,” she says. “I have quite a talent with repairing zippers and Wastebusters employ me to go over there for the day to repair their stuff. In the first hour one day we put 15 jackets back on the shelf in their store. They just needed a new part.” It’s heartbreaking for Kate to see people throw out $600 Puffa jackets unnecessarily. “I charge $20 to put in a new slider,” she says. “Fast fashion creates such a false economy, a throw away generation. That’s why I do what I do, rescuing clothes.”

When she’s not pumping the peddle on her sewing machine Kate’s out having a blast on her beloved roller skates, something she’s enjoyed since she was a child.

A late bloomer on the Roller Derby rink, Kate discovered this sport through Queenstown Roller Derby at 37 and now competes around the region and nationally. “I just love it. It’s great!” she says.

“It’s like rugby on roller skates with no ball.” She’s a force to be reckoned with on the rink as her Derby name – ‘Miss Jellyfish Stings’, derived from her nickname, suggests. However, just how that came about is a story for another day, says Kate, with a cheeky grin.

Kate having a bit of fun at a promotions event for Skateface Photobook at the art gallery at Five Mile

Kate playing Roller Derby in Taupo – the first ever game for the Queenstown derby

Kate and friend Neha “Bombay Sassphire” Gosalia hamming it up during their first “bubble extended”, post lockdown, country-themed online Roller Disco Dance class together

Have your say on affordable housing plan

by Paul Taylor

Public consultation has opened on contentious plans for make developers pay towards affordable housing in Queenstown Lakes.

The plans, now labelled ‘inclusionary housing’ by Queenstown Lakes District Council, would require most new residential subdivisions and developments to pay an ‘affordable housing financial contribution’.

The money would be collected by the council and given to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) or another registered community housing provider.

This would provide them with and ongoing funding stream to continue their work, as they tackle one of the biggest issues facing the district.

But it has already proved controversial, with some branding it a developer tax and others expecting years of court challenges to the policy.

Even QLCHT, which supports the broad aims, wants changes to the details, so that it’s mainly aimed at larger developers, rather than mom-and-pop developers building on individual existing sections.

Council planning and development boss Tony Avery is encouraging everyone to read through the plans and make a submission,

“The proposed Inclusionary Housing Plan Change will support access to affordable housing for low-moderate income earners, helping to attract and retain skilled workers in the district,” Avery says.

“It will also support people to stay within the Queenstown Lakes, rather than living further afield in cheaper locations and commuting long distances to work.”

QLDC has actually been using inclusionary housing since 2003, securing affordable housing contributions from developers on a case-by-case basis.

The proposed rules would formalise that requirement, through a plan change, and provide more certainty that the construction of affordable housing can continue.

Developers creating subdivisions in urban areas would contribute 5% of the sections to the council, or the equivalent in money. In non-urban, that drops to 1% of the ‘anticipated sales value’.

Avery says the proposed contribution for a new house in urban areas would depends on whether a contribution has already been paid by the developer

that completed the subdivision.

If they haven’t, the contribution would be the lesser of 2% of anticipated sales value of the house, or $150 per sqm of its floor space. That means someone building a $1.5 million new house with a floor area of 250m2 (in an area where the developer has not already paid) would have to pay $30,000.

The rules don’t apply to blocks of flats on exiting sections, or in a host of areas where developers have already paid contributions. They are Jacks Point (including Hanleys Farm), Bullendale, Coneburn, Arrowtown Retirement Village, Northlake, Queenstown Country Club, Longview, Hikuwai, Riverside Park, Peninsula Bay, Allenby Farms, Quail Rise, Shotover Country, Homestead Bay, Tomasi.

Formal submissions close on 24 November 2022, and will be followed by a hearing at a date to be confirmed in 2023.

More information, including how to make a submission, is on the council website: www.qldc.govt.nz/inclusionary-housing

The view across Frankton from Deer Park Heights, with development land at Remarkables Park, and out towards Ladies Mile, where three new subdivisions are planned

Wednesday, 23 November 2022 at 7pm

5.30 - 7.30pm,

Arts+Culture

Debut of B. G. Rogers Kaleidoscopes in the Dark at Writer’s Festival

by Jessica Allen

Bethany G Rogers will release eleven delightful, frightful short reads at this year’s Queenstown Writer’s Festival in November. At the book launch, Bethany will talk with Te Anau writer and book editor Sara Litchfield about the collection of stories, which are sprinkled with black humour, remnants of fairytales and gothic themes. Kaleidoscopes in the Dark is the first published book for Bethany, who is based in Queenstown.

The book will be fittingly released on Halloween and is inspired by dark tales from writers like Roald Dhal, Angela Carter, Charles Dickens and Sarah Hall. The name of the book came from a short story she was working on at the time, which ironically didn’t make it into the book. “Sometimes there’s all these beautiful colours there, you just can’t see them if it’s dark, and I feel like that about a lot of my characters – I feel like they’re quite beautiful and interesting characters, you can just never see the full picture,” says Bethany.

Now based in Queenstown, many of Bethany’s stories were influenced by her upbringing in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the UK, which is known for its dark sense of humour and long history. Scattered throughout some of the stories is the traditional Geordie dialect of that region. One of the stories, “The Mice of Windy Nook”, is set in the area in Gateshead, where her grandmother grew up.

Bethany was first inspired to write and publish work when she was around 20 years old and she entered the Manchester Fiction Prize with a story called “The Cuckoo”, which features in the book. She was one of the eight finalists, “that whole experience was pretty special to me,” she says. Of the 11 stories in the book, some date back more than ten years and have been refined by Bethany over time. The collection was completed with the help of Creative New Zealand and The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc’s mentorship programme for emerging writers.

“13 of us were selected from a record field of entries to get guidance and support from some of New Zealand’s best professional writers. I got to work closely with Majella Cullinane. Her help was invaluable in taking this short story collection to the next level and it gave me the confidence I needed to move forward with it.

“When I won the mentorship, I’d had this idea for a short story collection for probably as long as 11 years – thinking about putting together a

collection of my favourite stories and just getting them out there to share with the world. Some of the newest stories are less than a year old – they were written during that mentorship process. It’s not necessarily that I’ve been working on this every single day, it’s just the age of some of the stories. It’s been really interesting to see how they’ve matured.” So, what type of stories can you expect to read? Bethany says picking a favourite story is like choosing a favourite child, but “Tiger Food” is an old story that she’s been tweaking over the years.

“The inspiration behind it is that story, The Tiger Who Came to Tea –the children’s book. This little girl invites a tiger home for tea and they have a tea party, and the tiger leaves and never comes back. Even as a kid I was like, that’s so odd. I just thought it was quite rude of the tiger, for starters, and then also in my head I thought ‘I know full well that tigers don’t eat cake and drink tea’.

“The story is about a little girl who gets a letter from an owl while she’s at school, and she tells her teacher ‘I’ve got this letter from an owl saying I’m going to a special school’. The teacher tells her to sort herself out and that she’s been reading too many books. The girl leaves school and is upset, but she meets this talking tiger who cheers her up. She invites him home for a cup of tea, so they walk home together and meet all these literary characters on their way – but all the characters they meet have been flipped slightly. The whole concept of Peter Pan; he creeps around parks picking up children. In the story it’s wonderful and sweet, but in real life you look at it and think ‘what a creep’. So, this story plays with that a little,” says Bethany.

At the writer’s festival, Bethany is most excited about getting her book out there.

“Sara Litchfield was one of my beta readers. She’s a book editor and she’s going to be interviewing me at the festival. It’ll be super exciting to be up there and talking to her since she’s been a massive part of my writing journey. I know she’s going to ask some interesting questions.”

The book launch for Kaleidoscopes in the Dark will take place at Te Atamira on Saturday the 12th of November from 4pm – head to qtwritersfestival.nz for more information and to register. The book will be available to purchase at bookstores around town and online from October 31st, and copies will be available at the festival – you can stay up-to-date with the launch at Bethany’s website bgrogers.com/creativefiction

QUEENSTOWN’S BIG BAND IS BACK

by Sue Fea

It’s been a while since Queenstown’s very own big band, the Queenstown Jazz Orchestra, has been able to really rock the beat and get local toes tapping, what with Covid restrictions and all.

However, that’s all about to change on November 12 when Arrowtown’s Atheneum Hall will be alive with the smooth sultry tones of jazz when the region’s best jazz musicians gather to lay it on once again. “We’ve been trying to hold our concert, which we love to put on for the community each year, but so many of our events have had to be postponed or cancelled,” says Peter. The band only just got its 10th anniversary concert out and over in August last year when the Queenstown Memorial Centre suddenly burst into cellphone unison as the government’s emergency alert level notification kicked in. “We’d just finished playing and it was quite quiet then suddenly everybody’s phones starting going off with the alert signalling another lockdown first thing the next morning,” says Peter.

The Jazz Orchestra’s been trying to crank up again and organise events, but Peter says there’s such a backlog of events taking up bookings that it’s been hard to find an available venue. “We’d have loved to hold the concert in Queenstown and cater for twice the crowd but we could only get the Arrowtown Hall on this date.”

However, the popular big band, all of whom are unpaid volunteer musicians, recently performed for the Arrowtown Preschool’s Spring Dance fundraiser which raised $18,000 for the preschool.

A 17-piece orchestra, which includes half a dozen Dunedin Symphony Orchestra musicians who play in the Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra, will be turning out an exciting programme line-up. “Big bands, which started in the 1940s, always have three or four trumpet players, five trombonists, five saxophone players then rhythm, piano, bass, drums, guitar and we have two vocalists,” says Peter.

Songs from all the 40s greats – Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich and Glenn Miller will be performed with the band’s own modern twist.

The Queenstown Jazz Orchestra normally performs around the region and Peter says it’s one of only three or four in the South Island.

“The reason it’s such a success is because we get these wonderful young musicians joining the band,” says Peter. “We train them up as it’s quite an opportunity to join a big band. One such young man who joined us at 13 has just returned to Queenstown in his early 20s and joined us again. It’s wonderful.”

He says they keep the prices low ($35 on Eventfinda, or at Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown Pharmacy or Summerfield’s Pharmacy) to provide a great night out for the community. “People love this style of music,” says Peter. The smaller hall will only hold 250 people so the tickets are expected to sell quickly. Queenstown Lions Club members will be operating the bar on the night.

GOINGS ON ABOUT

EVENTS - MUSIC - ART THEATRE - AT THE GALLERIES

AGM

Queenstown Trails AGM

Get an overview of trail projects and achievements from the last year at this year’s Queenstown Trails AGM.

Everyone is welcome – but they’d love you to RSVP to info@queenstowntrail.org.nz

When: Wednesday, 26 October, 5.30pm

Where: Liger Academy, 34 Grant Road, Frankton

Presentation

Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Group

Annual Reporting to the Community

Everyone is welcome especially if you have an interest in the progress in eradicating wilding pines in the area.

RSVP to srose@whakatipuwilding.co.nz

When: Wednesday, 26 October, 5.30pm to 7.30pm Where: Skyline in the Wakatipu Room

Art Folio Exhibition

Wakatipu High School Senior Art Folio Exhibition

Senior art students will be displaying their completed folio boards at the school for one night only. There will be over 150 senior folios at the exhibition, and it is always an amazing experience to wander around the exhibition and admire the talented work on display.

When: Wednesday, 26 October, between 5pm and 7pm

Gardening Workshop

Grow your own veggies with Dr Compost

This free gardening workshop takes you through everything you need to know to get a veggie garden started and to maximise your harvest.

Dr Compost’s top tips come from 20+ years of growing and composting in our harsh climate. In this workshop you’ll learn:

• which vegetables grow best in the Queenstown Lakes district

• when to plant for the best yields

• how to grow from seed, transplant seedlings and stagger plantings to avoid gluts

• all about the magic of compost to adds life to your soil

You’ll leave inspired to start growing, and with the know how to turn your backyard into a productive local food hub.

When: Thursday, 27 October, 3pm - 5pm

Where: St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church, Ross Street, Frankton Book at Humantix.com

Sustainability

Wao Summit

The Wao Summit is a six-day annual event held in Wānaka and Queenstown. It inspires, educates and enables our transition as a community and a nation to a healthy, thriving, diverse, low carbon community.

Here is a sample of events being held in Queenstown Sustainable Communities Bus Tour Queenstown - This guided day bus tour will stop at a number of locations around Queenstown, visiting people and places who make this town a thriving, sustainable community. When: Friday, 28 October, between 9:00am - 4:30pm

Living Within Our Limits - Green Growth vs Degrowth. Infinite growth on a planet with finite resources was always geared up to hit the wall at some point. But where to next?

When: Friday, 28 October, 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Where: Te Atamira

Lecture

Nigel Latta - Parenting in today’s environment

Nigel Latta is one of Aotearoa’s most respected voices in the fields of psychology and parenting, and with his legendary style, he will speak with encouragement, and share his advice on parenting in today’s environment. Latta is a New Zealand psychologist, documentary producer and author. He is also the host of the television show Beyond The Darklands.

When: Wednesday, 26 October, 7:30pm - 9pm. Doors open at 7pm.

Where: Shotover Primary School Community Hall, Stalker Road, Shotover Country, Queenstown Tickets are available at Eventfinda

Where: Wakatipu High School, 47 Red Oaks Drive, Queenstown Walking

Whakatipu Walkie Talkies

Whakatipu Walkie Talkies meet on Frankton Beach 10.15am every Thursday.

This is a walking group with a difference! Each week there will be a discussion topic and a guest speaker will attend once per month. It’s a great way to connect with others whilst staying active.

The group will walk and talk from Frankton Beach to the Hilton for morning tea and return. Just meet at Frankton Beach near the BBQ area to begin the walk.

Tickets are on sale at wao.co.nz/gettickets2022

Fair

Arrowtown School Fair

There will be lots of fun for kids and families, yummy food, crafts, plants and a jumble sale. The popular playhouse auction is back, along with dunk the teacher, entertainment, and some fabulous prizes donated by the business community.

If you have a food cart, a community orientated stall, or can help us with donations and loan items, contact the organising committee at arrowtownpta@ arrowtown.school.nz

When: Saturday, 29 October, 10am - 2pm

Where: Arrowtown School, 9 Chalmers Place, Arrowtown

Festival

Queenstown Diwali Night 2022

The culmination of a month-long cultural festival celebrating Queenstown’s many multicultural communities is perhaps its brightest evening with the Diwali Night. The evening with feature an array of cultural performances from around the world and celebrate the festival of lights.

When: Saturday, 29 October, 6pm - 11pm

Where: Queenstown Events Centre

Meditation / Adventure

Guided Mindfulness x Ziplining

Ziptrek Ecotours Brings a Unique Mindfulness Event to the trees. Ziptrek Ecotours, is extending on the Mental Health Awareness Week theme of ‘Reconnect. The event is designed to help locals tune into their wellbeing and reconnect with nature –while also enjoying some ziplining fun! It’s a two-hour experience includes a 30-minute guided treehouse meditation and stretch, two fun ziplines and an (optional) thrilling 21m Kererū drop experience. No prior meditation experience is necessary.

Tickets cost $60pp (gondola tickets to be purchased separately) with $15 from every ticket sold donated to local mental health trust, headlight.

For more information and tickets visit humanitix.com

When: Saturday, 29 October, 9:30am - 11:30am. Take the first Skyline gondola at 9:30am to meet at the Ziptrek Treehouse at 9:45am sharp.

Where: Ziptrek Treehouse

Event

Repair Revolution: Frankton Repair Café

The Repair Revolution is back for 2022 and kicking off in Frankton. These are free, volunteer-based events where people get together to share their repair knowledge and experience. People who enjoy fixing things (Fixers) help people with broken things (Visitors). Visitors bring their broken items from home and are encouraged to learn and participate in the repair of their broken items.

There is no need to register, but please note that due to the walk-in nature of the events, there may be a short wait before you can see a volunteer fixer.

If you love stuff and hate waste or want to renew, revive, and repair your broken things to give them a new lease on life and keep them out of landfill? Then join Sustainable Queenstown for a fun, FREE, feel good event!

When: Saturday, 29 October, from 10am

Where: St Margaret’s Presbyterian Church, McBride Street, Frankton

Conversations

Long Haul in Space: Pushing New Frontiers

- A discussion with NASA astronaut, Dr Shannon Walker

Dr Shannon Walker is a NASA astronaut and space physicist who has spent 330 days living in Earth orbit on the International Space Station. Dr Walker will discuss the current and next steps in humanity’s long arc toward the stars. A next generation of lunar astronauts are returning to the moon; a next generation of spacecraft, space probes, and satellites are opening up space for new frontiers of exploration and discovery. The next generationtoday’s students - will be the astronauts who land on Mars within twenty years.

The event is free – Registration is at Eventbrite

When: Tuesday, 1 November, between 12pm – 1pm

Where: Queenstown Memorial Centre, 1 Memorial Street

Writers Festival

Queenstown Writers Festival

The Queenstown Writers Festival is a boutique literary festival that brings writers and readers together to celebrate the written word in many forms. Over three days in November, novelists, short story writers, poets, playwrights, and non-fiction authors will share their stories.

Wellington writer, Whiti Hereaka, the supreme prize winner in this year’s New Zealand Ockham Awards for her novel Kurangaituku, will open the festival in a gala event.

When: 11 to 13 November

Where: Te Atamira

If you would like your show, event, exhibition or meeting promoted in Goings On drop me a line at davidgibbs@qmg.co.nz with the details.

Festivalfor Sustainability

Tuesday $10 Food specials every day

Wednesday Ladies night $10 pornstar martini’s Brett Walker

DJ Mo Friday DJ Ribera

DJ Jah Fire

Every Day from 3pm-8pm

Free Bar Snacks

Tuesday Hospo night DJ MAD Drink Specials all night

Wednesday Open Mic Night from 9.30pm

Wednesday

Pizza Night

Sunday

Karaoke from 9pm – 1am with FREE spicy chicken wings from 8pm-12am.

FREE Pool and Shuffle Board Game.

FREE Bull Riding. Or just relax and enjoy a night out at Cowboys.

Tuesday $12 Classic Pizzas All Day ICC T20 WC Live!

live from 9:30pm

Live music from 9.30pm

DJ MAD from 9.30pm

DJ MAD from 9.30pm

Monday Free Chicken Wings*

FROM

Wednesday Doubles Pool Competition @8pm NBA Live!

-

Wednesday

Sunday

Camp Street

Wednesday John Healy live from 9pm!

Weekdays

Thursday Danny Atkinson live from 9pm!

hour

Friday John and Jamie live from 9pm!

Saturday Treble Trouble live from 9pm!

Sunday Sunday Roast Served all Day! Sunday trad session from 5pm!

Bavarian Fest

hours beverage package

only

Thursday DJ Zahn 10-4am

HAPPY HOUR

4-6PM

Wednesday Silent Disco 9.30pm

Wednesday WING IT

WINGS

Friday DJ JT 10-4am

NFL IS BAAACK! MONDAYS/ TUESDAYS / FRIDAYS FROM MIDDAY

Thursday Skate Movie Night Free Entry, 6pm

Friday DJ Mad 9pm

Saturday

Foz 10-4am

Charlie 10-4am

HAPPY HOUR 3-5pm EVERY DAY! $9 Whakatipu Brewing pints & $9 house wines!

$2 TACOS (with any beverage purchase)

Every Tuesday 2-9pm

Thursday Open Mic Night 8pm

Live sky sports every day!

CAESAR SUNDAYS $2 OFF ALL DAY

Saturday Bad Habit, Mega DJ lineup 9pm

13 Taps of local and NZ craft beer and cider!

Friday Patio Beats & Beers 5pm DJ Tessa 9pm

Sunday Sunday Sessions with Danny 5pm

Full food menu available Wed-Fri 2-8pm & Sat-Sun 128pm

Saturday Patio Beats & Beers 5pm DJ Stubacca 9pm

MENTAL heal

Are you serious?

Dr Amanda Foo-Ryland

If you are serious about changing whether it is a big or small thing here’s three pitfalls to avoid.

1. New Year Resolutions

Why waiting for the New Year doesn’t work.

If you really want to make a change then most people will wait until the 1st of January to make that change, it is flawed before it is even given a chance and here’s why.

When we wait until the 1st of January this allows us to procrastinate, it is one of the excuses we tell ourselves and these keep us stuck.

1. “A New Year and New Me.” (Said with enthusiasm and you really mean it!).

2. “It’s coming to the festive period and I don’t have time right now.” (Perceived peer pressure perhaps?).

3. “I need to get myself organised and plan, I can’t just rush into it.” (Illusion of feeling you’re making a plan).

4. “I need to be in the right frame of mind.” (Sabotage program running).

2. Thinking that change is hard

Some people think that change is hard, takes time and can only come in a pill.

It’s an illusion.

Since 2005, my team and I have been helping people create Unthinkable Change in their lives in as little as three online sessions.

We have worked with thousands of clients helping them to uncover what is going on under the radar, to observe and investigate, then to delete what does not serve them and install what does.

People think it’s magic, it’s not. It’s just neurology.

Generally, the people we help have tried everything else, they have been medicated, they have tried counselling, life coaching, therapy, hypnosis, group therapy and pretty much most types of professional help to allow them to live a better life.

And then they come to see us, we are generally the last resort.

And here’s why.

People don’t know that change can come easily from within, the client does the changing and all we do is hold the remote control. Most think that it is what the coach, therapist or counsellor does for them, does it to them, to create the change and therefore it is flawed, this is why the client may feel a little better after their session yet give it a week they are back to square one.

And so, they believe that they must keep going, week after week, sometimes for years, that change takes time, and it is hard.

It doesn’t have to be like that, you just need some help deleting what is not working and installing what will work better for you, this doesn’t take months, it can be simple and fast.

Dr Amanda Foo-Ryland runs an International Neural Coding® Company. She has 30 Neural Coders working with her around the globe, online to help people identify their problem, delete it and install neural coding that empowers them.

3. It’s too late for me

You don’t need to be older to think this, I have worked with people in their 20’s who have said this to me, it’s not an age thing, it’s a mindset thing.

I was emailed by a client and he shared with me that he was about to embark on his own personal Everest. He had decided that he wanted to learn to swim and not only that, but he was going to swim an Ocean swim called the Noosa challenge.

What was particularly impressive about this client, John, was that he was going to do this event on his 70th birthday. He learnt to swim when he was 68. He had trained his body; he was fit, and he was perfectly capable of swimming the distance, he had put the hard yards in.

We worked online as his mindset was sabotaging his success. He was nervous about the ocean, we find many triathletes are more fearful of the 1st stage of a triathlon than any other. John had not only comforted one of his big demons in learning to swim, he also did a little Neural Coding® to ensure his success and he did, he nailed it.

It is never too late to do what you want to do.

Decide once.

Take action.

One day at a time, stroke by stroke. Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Change now, not in a week, month, New Year or next year.

You have 86,400 seconds a day, that’s it, once it’s gone, it’s gone. Live it.

Family Violence: P: 0800 456 450 | www.areyouok.org.nz

Alcohol Drug Helpline: P: 0800 787 797 / Free text 8681 www.alcoholdrughelp.org.nz

Women’s Refuge: P: 0800 733 843 | www.womensrefuge.org.nz

Sexuality issues: 0800 688 5463 between 6pm & 9pm | www.outline.org.nz

Southern DHB: Crisis Mental Health Service: 0800 467 846

Wanaka Mental Health Peer Support Group: www.mentalhealthwanaka.org Your Life Live It: Helpline@yourlifeliveit.com | www.yourlifeliveit.com

Seedlings at the ready

Are you feeling the spring buzz yet, the tingle in your bones as they awake from winter’s slumber? It’s time to get busy in the garden. You may still be eating some goodies from your winter garden; a leek or two, a broccoli plant sending out some side shoots or an early spring flush of leafy greens. Work done now can lead you to a spring garden laden with leafy greens and a summer bonanza of vegetables.

One packet of seeds can give you hundreds of dollars’ worth of vegetables. The problem is, most people don’t need – or have the space for 200 broccoli. That said, the $3 spent on that packet should give you enough seeds to grow tasty broccoli for three years.

Go next door, or to one of your garden friends, with seeds in hand and suggest swapping. Fifty broccoli seeds for your five zucchini seeds, some of my monster stash of mesclun mix for your ten lack cherry tomato seeds… Suddenly, you’re not spending any more hardearned bucks and wonderful seeds are coming at you from every direction.

There are semi regular garden meets and seed swaps where keen gardeners of all gardening abilities; absolute beginners to wizened gardening kick-ass-ninja-masters gathered in a room with bags of their seeds. As well as standard branded packets of seeds, there are seeds with incredible heritage backstories. Jake, a new allotment gardener, turned up at one of these with a couple of packets of seeds and left the room like a king bestowed with the jewels of the region; seeds of every type, every seed he needed and more for his first year tilling the earth.

So, get out there and join a gardening club or start a local veggie growing group. People will come, growing veggies is going ballistic and for good reason - we can connect with mother earth and forget the worries of the world and eat stunning, nutrient dense veggies all year long.

Dr Compost aka Ben Elms is a permaculture and gardening expert who’s been operating in the unusual Central Otago climate for over 20 years. Funded by QLDC and delivered by Wanaka Wastebusters, the Dr Compost project aims to reduce organic waste going to landfill. Got a question? Check out @drcompost on Facebook or benelms.com @dr_compost | @doctorcompost | benelms.com

Wakatipu

Impact100 has been making a big, well impact, in the region since 2020 and is one of the Wakatipu Community Foundation initiatives.

Impact100 is a very simple concept where one hundred women each donate $1000. Once they have that money collected, groups in the community are invited to apply for the whole amount, a whopping $100,000 with each of the four runners up receiving a $5000 grant. The applications are considered, and the finalists present their projects, showing how they will use

By Sue Fea

They’re the country’s future lifesavers and Youth Search and Rescue is rapidly spreading out into the regions with the Wakatipu next on the search and rescue radar.

To bolster numbers of Search and Rescue volunteers nationally, eager youth are being taken under the wing of the country’s leading emergency response volunteers, where they’re learning the rescue ropes first-hand.

The huge outdoor adventure playground that is the Wakatipu makes it the logical choice for a new branch of YSAR, and administrator Nina Crowe says this is not pretend. These young people need all the right gear. “We use the same radio equipment as NZ Police and these kids get to put everything they learn into practice in some rather hair-raising situations,” says Nina.

Fundraising to make it happen is already underway with buy-in from some local Search and Rescue professionals and volunteers already. However, establishing a new branch is a costly business with the cost of setting up in Queenstown more than $150,000 just for the essential quality equipment.

Youth Search and Rescue, run by an independent charitable trust, was recently named among the five finalists that applied for Impact100 Wakatipu’s $148,000 grant from its supporters. The winners will be announced at a dinner on October 27 where the supporters get to vote for their preferred choice. Impact100 will also donate $5000 to each of the runner-up organisations out of a total $168,000 funding pool.

the money, who will benefit from this new project, and why their idea will make the biggest positive impact in the community.

Over the last 2 years, $320,000 has been raised through Impact100 and donated to local organisations. The 2022 winner will be announced at a dinner on October 27th.

The inaugural $100,000 Grant Winner in 2020 was Living Options. In 2021 the grant went to Pivotal Point Charitable Trust.

YOUTH TO THE RESCUE

The programme targets 14 to 16-year-olds and costs approximately $3000 per person per year with the youngsters paying $585 annually over the three-year course, as well as an establishment fee of $322.

YSAR was co-founded 14 years ago in Tauranga by YSAR general manager Steve Campbell, an experienced Search and Rescue volunteer and police officer. “He saw there was a gap as there weren’t enough emergency volunteers so a group of volunteers started the youth development programme,” says Nina. “With these skilled youth coming through we will be able to offer a more diverse range of volunteers who have real experience on the ground.”

YSAR has since spread around the country to the main centres, but the Wakatipu, with its high demand for emergency rescue, is now seen as the next priority.

“If we’re successful in gaining this funding it would greatly assist getting YSAR up and running in the Wakatipu.”

YSAR can only offer 24 spaces each year and this year more than 60 youngsters applied for the Auckland placements.

“The biggest bonus is the effect this programme has on the mental health, confidence and health and fitness of these kids, as well as the new friendship bonds that are formed,” says Nina. The skills gained have seen many graduates follow careers in engineering, geographical information systems, medicine, the military, Police, St John’s Ambulance and Fire and Emergency. “It’s incredible how so many of our graduates continue on as leaders and Search and Rescue volunteers,” she says. “We have one volunteer leader who’s just finishing medicine and working in a hospital accident and emergency department. Others have been through the military, or university, and are now volunteering their time in Search and Rescue as adults. “They’ve become so community minded and volunteer driven.”

Particularly post-Covid in Auckland, Nina says they’ve noticed a huge benefit among the participating teens. “They’re motivated to get out of bed and off their screens. They’ve had so many lockdowns. The passion for YSAR drives them.”

Parents don’t have to check that they’ve packed the right gear in their bags for the six-weekly weekend bush training camps, where they put

The final five for 2022 are:

• The Youth Search and Rescue Trust

• Life Education Trust Heartland Otago Southland

• Turn Up the Music Trust

• The Order of St John Wakatipu Area Committee

• Te Atamira Whakatipu Community Trust

This is the last week where we present each finalist organisation and how they would make use of the $100,000 grant.

into practice what they’ve learned at the weekly evening sessions and through online training.

“It’s quite a life changing event for these kids and they’re not necessarily the sporty kids who do this either. Once they’re out in the bush they all have an equal opportunity.”

The solo bush survival overnight camp out under only a tarpaulin isn’t for the faint-hearted, but Nina says it builds incredible resilience. “They’re placed in a clearly mapped out location where they have to stay alone for 24 hours and some ask if they can stay for 48 hours.” Each student has a GPS for safety reasons and they have a known boundary they’re not allowed to cross, while also in radio contact with the base the whole time. “It can be quite confronting, but they learn all the skills before they head out.”

The programme relies on the huge support it gets from local LandSAR volunteers, Police and Coastguard. “These people have so many valuable skills and so much experience to pass on to our youth volunteers,” says Nina.

In the hope that the Impact100 bid is successful, YSAR is on the look-out for more of these experienced volunteers locally to pass on that valuable knowledge to the young generation coming through. Support and training is provided and Nina says it’s very rewarding. “You get to work with and influence incredible young people and be part of their development, while shaping what Search and Rescue and Emergency Management will look like in the future.”

YSAR members getting out amongst it while training in the bush

By Sue Fea

BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY

Friendship Drives locally a year ago – a first for the region. Sarah says there’s been such an increase in demand for this, and the Health Shuttle service, that St John Wakatipu now needs to purchase two new vehicles to keep up.

St John Wakatipu was recently named among the five finalists that applied for Impact100 Wakatipu’s $148,000 grant from its supporters.

The winners will be announced at a dinner on October 27 where the supporters get to vote for their preferred choice. Impact100 will also donate $5000 to each of the runner-up organisations out of a total $168,000 funding pool.

“We really need to replace our current nineseater Health Shuttle van, which isn’t fitted out with a mobility platform and lifting gear, and has been failing mechanically lately,” says Sarah. If successful in its bid for the Impact100 funding St John would purchase a much-needed new Toyota Hi-Ace 10-seater van, which would be fitted out with a mobility platform to hoist older, less mobile clients into the van. The grant would also fund a Toyota Rav 4 Hybrid vehicle for the Friendship Drives, which would operate as a second backup Health Shuttle vehicle, as well. “Our numbers are increasing on both of these services. We need an extra vehicle to support those trips as we go everywhere, depending on where our Friendship Drive clients want to go.”

St John Ambulance Wakatipu has been reaching out beyond the call of duty to respond to a new and rapidly growing community need – loneliness, with its popular new Friendship Drives.

As part of St John Ambulance’s regional health shuttle service, St John Wakatipu community engagement co-ordinator Sarah Bloxham says that during the events of the past two years isolation and loneliness have become a real problem, especially among the elderly. Volunteer drivers first noticed this as part of St John’s regular weekday Health Shuttle service, which transports patients from the Wakatipu to Invercargill for health and wellbeing appointments and procedures. In response St John launched its

“When we hear of a person in need we pick them up from home and take them for morning tea or lunch,” says Sarah. “We took one elderly gentleman ‘home’ to Glenorchy to revisit his past as he hadn’t been back there in a very long time. We took another group into the Winter Festival Fireworks display then out for supper. They were so thrilled with one woman saying to her husband, ‘This is marvellous. I never thought I’d ever see fireworks in my life again’,” says Sarah, who also produced hot chocolates, teas and custard squares to the clients’ delight. “It’s just lovely as some of these clients can’t get out or drive, or haven’t been out at night for many years.” The ages range from the 70s to 90s.

The lifting of the government’s Covid traffic light restrictions has made seniors more confident to venture out,” says Sarah.

Local seniors tuck into a custard square out enjoying the Winter Festival Fireworks display

“We were hearing from our shuttle clients that they weren’t getting out much, many distanced from family in other centres or overseas,” she says. Many of St John’s Health Shuttle clients travel down for six-weekly eye injections and because of their sight issues can’t drive. “For many it was their only outing in six weeks, which prompted us to launch the Friendship Drives.”

Initially the drives operated monthly, and they’re now fortnightly, but the demand is such that St John needs to increase those to weekly.

“We go all over, further afield for the younger seniors. We go where people want to go and tailor-make our drives to cater to everyone,” says Sarah. The service also operates as respite for family members who are lead carers. “Some of our older clients feel more secure and confident coming out with us and we’re very respectful about where we go as many of them are still quite cautious about Covid risks,” she says. “We opt for a lot of picnics and open air places. We’re very lucky to have received two $1000 grants from Te Hau Toka to buy a really nice picnic set.”

On a free, donated visit to Deer Park Heights the elderly clients were very impressed when the team leader of the health shuttle, Fran O’Conner, placed the nice table cloths on the picnic benches. “Those little things mean a lot.” Labour Weekend’s outing was a free, donated ride on the Kingston Flyer with morning tea all sorted by Sarah’s eight-year-old son Henry, who the seniors wanted to meet. “One elderly gentleman told us of his younger days arriving home from boarding school in Gore, by train and the Earnslaw, then walking home to Glenorchy. It’s really special for them as it brings back heart-warming memories,” she says.

Other trips include a lavender farm near Wanaka, driving up The Remarkables, visits to Arrowtown, Cromwell and Clyde. Visiting overseas family members have even come along for the ride and the Friendship Drive van has stopped off at the workplace of one elderly client’s son.

St John would really like to hear about anybody in the community who may benefit from this service, and from any new volunteer drivers for either the Health Shuttle or Friendship Drives. Please email Sarah on sarah.bloxham@stjohn.org.nz if you can help.

A recent Deer Park Heights visit included a picnic complete with table cloths on the picnic benches

Demand for the Friendship Drive is such that St John needs to increase them to weekly

Canterbury ratepayers risk paying the price twice if Tarras airport takes off

Canterbury ratepayers risk paying the price twice if Tarras airport takes off, was first published by The Conversation last month as Christchurch recognised 12 years since the first of the major earthquakes. We are reprinting it with permission as a contribution to the community conversation on the proposed Tarras International Airport. – Queenstown Media Group.

This week saw the 12th anniversary of the first major Canterbury earthquake on September 4 2010. Since that event and the catastrophic aftershock of February 22 2011, the Canterbury economy has proved quite resilient. So it’s a good time to ask where the region as a whole is heading.

This is especially important in light of plans by Christchurch Airport to build a new airport at Tarras in Central Otago.

This ambitious project has the potential to reshape Christchurch’s role in the economy of the South Island. And yet it remains unclear how much the Otago airport plans take the recovery of Christchurch into consideration.

Behind this lies the larger question of what happens to the Christchurch and Canterbury economies, now that almost all insurance claims have finally been resolved, houses have been rebuilt, and many (though not all) of the larger public infrastructure projects have been completed.

Helped by public funding worth many billions, the Canterbury economy grew rapidly in the years following the quakes. This isn’t unusual, as the flow of funds from insurance and government typically turbocharges the reconstruction. But this construction-based growth is not sustainable, and the real test is what happens next.

Will Christchurch emerge with an economy that was “built back better” to serve its residents, the South Island and Aotearoa New Zealand in general? Or will it slowly lose its economic vitality, now the large inflow of investment funding in reconstruction is petering out?

Crucially, where does the proposed new airport at Tarras sit within this broader perspective?

Why a new airport?

Christchurch International Airport Ltd (CIAL) is set up as a commercial enterprise, with 75% ownership by Christchurch City Holdings Ltd, the asset management arm of Christchurch City Council. The other 25% is owned by the Crown.

So it’s ultimately the ratepayers of Christchurch who must decide, through their elected representatives, whether it’s in their best interests to develop a new airport in Central Otago.

Does a Tarras airport make sense from a commercial, profit-seeking perspective? More importantly, will the airport development benefit the ratepayers of Christchurch, who ultimately own CIAL? To answer these questions, we first need to ask how the recovery from the Canterbury earthquake sequence is fairing in 2022.

One sector has dominated Christchurch’s economy since 2011 –construction. Not surprisingly, it doubled in size between 2011 and 2015 when reconstruction activity peaked.

Since then, however, it has been slowly declining (though it’s still about 20% larger than it was the year before the earthquakes). Now that a lot of the infrastructure in Christchurch is new, the city will need even less investment in construction than it did before the earthquakes.

What replaces construction?

The worry – one that has plagued many other urban recovery projects after large earthquakes – is that no other economic sector is taking construction’s place as the major source of employment and growth in the city.

The knowledge sectors (information technology, education, professional and scientific industries) have all seen a relative decline or have been stagnant in the past few years.

Tourism, accommodation and hospitality declined a lot after the earthquakes, and haven’t fully recovered. But they can be part of the solution to filling the emerging gap as construction activity unwinds.

It’s therefore important to understand how the plans at Tarras relate to these long-term challenges for the city. Will a new airport help fill that gap? Maybe, though the case has yet to be made convincingly.

One chief concern is that the other three airports in or near Central Otago (Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill) are not far away, are all centred around larger population centres and therefore cheaper to run, and are operating below capacity.

Other costs to consider

The future profits from a new airport, should they materialise, also need to be weighed against other costs – some of them borne much sooner. Climate change, in particular, is leading to a dramatic rethink of many lifestyle habits. And all the indications are that one of the first sectors this will test is long-distance tourism.

Barring a significant (and unlikely) increase in the number of long-distance tourists (coming maybe from the mega-cities of Asia), the project will only be profitable if it manages to divert traffic from the other airports in the South Island, and especially from Christchurch International Airport.

Christchurch Airport is the one airport in the South Island that already lets wide-body planes land, so it should be the one most concerned about competition from a Tarras airport with a similarly wide runway. Would CIAL be shooting itself in the foot by developing this new airport? If so, it would be the ratepayers of Christchurch who would be left standing unsteadily. The most likely scenario is that a Tarras airport will not be a profitable asset for many years, due to the high cost of development and operation. It would also divert domestic and international tourists, and lucrative freight, away from Christchurch, thus hitting the city’s ratepayers twice (losing money as the owners of Tarras, and losing business as the owners of Christchurch Airport).

The airport is far from a certainty. As CIAL Project Director Michael Singleton said recently: “If the economic case doesn’t stack up, the airport won’t be built. On that basis, those who’re saying it’s nonsensical should be quite relaxed about our exploring it.”

But CIAL has already spent $45 million directly to buy the Tarras land, and more on other related expenses. Given the double jeopardy the project entails for Christhchurch’s ratepayers, it’s an open question as to how relaxed they will remain, especially given the upcoming local elections.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article on https://theconversation.com/nz

Author: Ilan Noy - Chair in the Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

MECHANIC or SMALL ENGINE TECHNICAN FULL TIME

Southern Lakes Mowers is a locally owned specialist outdoor power equipment store and Husqvarna dealership. We pride ourselves on knowing power equipment inside and out and have a strong focus on our customer service and satisfaction.

We have a fulltime position available for a mechanic or small engine technician to join our modern, well equipped, and busy workshop. You will be responsible for repairing and servicing mowers and outdoor power equipment as well as providing support to our customers regarding their repairs and purchases.

To be successful in this role, you will be a mechanically qualified individual with prior hands-on mechanical experience, work well in a small team environment with strong communication skills. Prior experience with outdoor power equipment maintenance and repair is preferred however, not essential.

While this role is advertised as full time, seasonal hours may be negotiable for an applicant with the qualities we are seeking.

Applicants will require New Zealand residency or a valid work Visa and will hold a current New Zealand driver’s licence.

If you are interested in joining our team, please email your cover letter and CV to matt@lakesmowers.co.nz or for a confidential conversation please contact Matt on 03 442 9926

Platinum Queenstown Luxury

is

for the following positions

property

Housekeeping Superstars, full-time or part-time, $26 P/H.

If you are keen to deliver a high standard, hospitality is your passion, and you want to be rewarded for your efforts, we would like to hear from you.

We are a supportive, no-stress, happy team offering excellent pay rates, paid breaks, ongoing loyalty bonuses, and complimentary machine coffee in the staffroom with biscuits, chocolate, and fresh fruit, all in a property you will be proud to be a part of.

Ongoing loyalty bonuses of $1,000 for full-time & $500 for part-time positions.

must be able to

in New Zealand

Seasonal Lodge Staff Required

Seasonal Fixed Term Positions (2022/23 Summer Season)

What better place to work in summer than in Southern Fiordland!

The Humpridge Track comprises of a 3day 2night adventure - 62km and two Lodges, adding some luxury to the usual NZ walking track. We engage with a wide range of walkers and offer three quite different packages catering to their respective tramping needs. We are recruiting the following;

Lodge Leads • 2ICs

Want to learn more? Visit our staff

Emily by email at

page on our

Outdoor Cleaner Operator

Love driving, love being in the outdoors, like to move around all day and not be working in a fishbowl? Then come and join us. We currently have two super cool vacancies for facilities operators at our Queenstown Branch.

So, what does a facilities operator do you ask? Well for starters you get to work across some of the most spectacular scenery NZ has to offer. This could be working in Gibbston one day, Arrowtown the next, or on the Lake front at Frankton or Queenstown.

What’s the catch? We need you to clean the public toilets, BBQ’s, Bus stops and drinking fountains. Pretty simple really. Most days can be plain sailing, others you just roll your sleeves up and get on with the job. Housekeeping is no better at least with us you’re free to enjoy the outdoors.

We supply all your uniform, PPE, and other goodies after a hard day’s work. The lake is a great stop for lunch in a hot summer’s day (and a swim if your keen). Split shifts are available, you can work the weekend and have weekdays off, or verse visa, we’re a flexible bunch. Most get to take a vehicle home, so there’s savings on getting to and from work – bonus!!

Interested (well you should be!!) please email Rebecca at rebecca@rs.kiwi.nz or call 021 743 185

FOUNDATION FORM WORKERS WANTED

Southern Lakes Foundations is a Queenstown based foundation construction company. We have been operating in the Central Otago area for over 8 years and have a firm, trusted reputation in the Queenstown and surrounding areas.

We are looking for qualified or experienced carpenters to join our team, building foundation floors – predominantly Ribraft foundations.

If you fit the bill, please email your CV and expressions of interest to Carly Henderson carly@southernlakesfoundations.co.nz

Receptionist

Joinery Foreman Wanted

• Must have NZ residency or valid work visa.

• Must be trade qualified in cabinetry and timber joinery.

• Must have minimum 5 year’s experience in a similar position.

• Must hold current full drivers licence

• This is a full-time role.

• Remuneration by negotiation is relevant to experience.

queenstown.joinery@xtra.co.nz

If

and want an

work with a great team, email us: otago xers@xtra.co.nz

Housekeepers Wanted

• Self motivated, able to work alone

• Efficient, able to work under pressure

• Experience preferred but not essential

2490930

• Staff required immediately and for busy summer period

• We are accredited employer & can offer visa sponsorship

• $26-$28 per hour depending on experience

Email your CV to operations@staysouth.com

FULL-TIME / PART-TIME

are looking for someone to join our awesome team. You will need to have a general managers licence and be willing to work nights and weekends. There is heavy lifting involved. If you feel you are the right fit for the team please contact:

Heather on (03) 4429801 or email remarkablespark@superliquor.co.nz or come into the store for a job application form.

Queenstown’s hottest 5 star luxury hotel and home to industry leading F&B outlets

– Bazaar Restaurant & Reds Bar.

HOUSEKEEPING ATTENDANTS

From $25/hour

Email: kim_haynes@evt.com

CHEFS, ALL LEVELS

From $27.76/hour

Email: ryan_henley@evt.com

BAR & RESTAURANT STAFF

From $24.15/hour

Email: amy_ribera@evt.com

GUEST SERVICE AGENT

From $24.15/hour

Email: anthony_harper@evt.com

McDonald’s Restaurants Queenstown are looking for full-time & part-time staff for our restaurants in Frankton and Camp Street for the positions of:

• BARISTA

• LATE NIGHT STAFF (kitchen or service) $25 an hour – Sponsorship Available. We are Accredited with Job Tokens ready to go. Daytime Kitchen, Service, & Cleaning roles also available.

To apply, please send your CV to: hr.mcds.qtown@gmail.com or scan the QR code and apply online

Clerical & Sales Assistant

The Eye in The Sky is an Aviation Certified Cockpit Video, Audio and Flight Data Recorder manufactured in New Zealand for use in aircraft.

We are needing an energetic person to join us, with more than a “can do” attitude

Based in Frankton, Queenstown this clerical role has exciting and varied tasks working across dispatch, sales & marketing and customer support with the opportunity of growth to a more senior level.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Customer service Database entries

Phone Enquiries & Follow up Unit testing & dispatch

Stock Control

Digital Promotions

Assisting accounts receivable

You must be proficient with IT & electronics with strong admin & reporting skills.

A manufacturing background is beneficial and excellent spoken & written English skills a must.

Sales are to national and international helicopter companies and ideally the successful applicant would have a technical understanding or passion for aviation.

This is a full time position with glide time acceptable to suit the right candidate and clients international time zones.

This is a not-for-profit organisation, with all proceeds of this aviation safety device to the James PG Foundation. You need to have the right to live & work in New Zealand Please contact louisa@eyeinthesky.co.nz before 30 October 2022

SHOW STOPPERS INTERIORS

We require an experienced Plasterboard Stopper & Fixer for a wide range of interior housing projects in the Queenstown area.

This is a long-term position and you will need to have the following attributes;

• Have relevant trade experience;

• Be competent, disciplined and hardworking;

• Have your own hand tools and transport

If you would like to join the team then please contact Tom on 0204114209 or express your interest by emailing a cover letter and CV to showstoppersinteriors@homail.com.

vacancy

We are a fun, energetic award-winning team who are all striving for the same results – great atmosphere, lots of laughs, delivering amazing cocktails and food! Come and work with us as a Bar Manager or as a Server with our Front of House team at Bluekanu Restaurant & Bar, Queenstown!!

Available Roles Full-time and Part-time:

BAR MANAGER

FRONT OF HOUSE SERVER KITCHEN HAND

What’s in it for you:

Market leading rate for the right person

No split shi s

Fantastic team environment

Guaranteed hours

Sta perks

Training & Management support provided

Live in a beautiful part of the world

What we are looking for:

Good people skills

Good knowledge of food & beverage

Creative mixology skills

- Shows initiative and can work in a fun and busy environment

If you’re looking to take your next step forward with a thriving restaurant, please get in touch with Megan at megan@hhgroup.nz

Check out our website at www.bluekanu.co.nz

WALLACE & GIBBS GROUP

A rare opportunity has popped up in Arrowtown to join a small chain of boutique fashion stores. We are seeking an E-Commerce Manager to manage the daily dispatch and operations of our fast-paced web store.

You will be driven by data to formulate content strategy and drive web sales within this role. You will have a keen eye for market trends, and spotting sales opportunity within data.

Not only this, you’ll be passionate about delivering excellent customer service, with time-sensitive dispatch being the key to keeping this busy webstore running smoothly.

A natural leader, you will manage a small team in the Arrowtown office. You will also take responsibility for the team and motivating them for personal and business success.

The key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee customer interaction, order fulfillment and returns to ensure a quality customer service experience.

• Provide an excellent customer experience by continuously improving website usability and ensuring exceptional customer service.

• Maintenance of 5 fashion webstores, including copy writing, product upload and creating a visually appealing and user-friendly experience.

• Be responsible for email marketing, Googly Analytics, and Google Ads, amongst other digital marketing/SEO platforms.

• Working closely with the Social Media team to ensuring the best and most effective content strategy is executed.

The role comes with:

• Great product! You will be working for leading fashion apparel stores specialising in a range of products

• Competitive staff discount

• The chance to work in a fashion position, without having to relocate. These opportunities are rare and highly sought after

• A Monday to Friday work week

As a successful candidate, you will have:

• 2+ years experience in a similar role

• Prior experience within a fashion environment is preferred (but not essential)

• Exceptional computer literacy, across Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, Facebook Business, Google Ads, Google Analytics etc.

• Experience with E-Commerce platforms such as Shopify

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a customer-focused approach

• Ideally, be available to start within the next 3-4 weeks

Have you just finished school, wanting a change in career, or looking for a new and exciting role. Then come and talk to us about joining our team!

We are currently looking for long term Plasterboard Fixers, Plasterboard Stoppers, Steel stud Installers, Suspended Ceiling Installers, or Trainees for roles in Queenstown and the surrounding area.

You will need to have the following attributes:

Trainees

Good communication skills, English verbal and written.

Attention to detail and able to follow Instructions. Be a competent, disciplined and hardworking Individual who is keen to learn. Work well in a team environment.

Plasterboard Fixers and Stoppers, Suspended Ceiling and Steel stud Installers

Have relevant trade experience.

Good communication skills, English verbal and written.

Attention to detail.

Work well in a team environment. Must have own transport and tools.

We are an accredited business and can sponsor those with relevant experience.

If this sounds like a position that will motivate you, and you would like to join our team then please express your interest by emailing a cover letter and CV to info@bbinteriors.co.nz

WALLACE & GIBBS GROUP

If this role appeals to you, please apply now, we know this one will get snapped up quickly. To apply, or have a confidential conversation about this opportunity, contact Caroline at caroline@wallaceandgibbs.com

Chef de Partie Kitchen Porter

Seeking committed and reliable professionals to join our busy kitchen in preparation for the busiest time of the year.

If you have Full Time availability and any of these roles are of your interest, please apply sending your cover letter and CV to warwick.taylor@goodgroup.co.nz

GARDEN MAINTENANCE PERSON

Fulltime

Preferred experience gardener, but not essential.

Must be physically fit, strong and motivated

Have your own transport and a current driver’s license.

Have a Valid NZ Work Visa and good communication skills.

Must be flexible with work times and hours

Above average pay.

Job details - Garden maintenance, lawns, weedeating, weeding, hedge trimming and plantings.

Please email Debs, debs@oddworx.co.nz

Hospitality Staff Wanted

Red Rock is seeking motivated individuals to join our small team for spring and summer due to some long serving staff moving onto pastures new. We are looking to fill the following positions with immediate starts available:

Baristas & Bartenders

Breakfast Cook / Chef

Cook / Chef

Duty Manager

Full time and part time, and casual positions are available. Competitive hourly rates based on experience. You must have the right to work in NZ or hold a current working holiday visa.

If you have experience in any of the above positions or are looking to learn, please forward your CV to bcb@outlook.co.nz or come into 48 Camp Street and speak with a manager.

New

New

Please

your

Where to next for your career?

Great new family French Bakery is opening soon in Remarkables park shopping centre. We can offer you the possibility to learn more about french bread and pâtisserie.

French bakery, patisserie and coffee is waiting for you in Remarkables park town centre. We are looking for :

Aircraft Service Agent Queenstown

Great new family French Bakery is opening soon in Remarkables park shopping centre. can offer you the possibility to learn more about french bread and pâtisserie. You must be motivated, smily and friendly. You should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa. We have a lot of option available for you. are looking for cashiers, baristas, (assistant) bakers, (assistant) pastry chefs and everyone else who want to take part of this new adventure. Just let us know what you are capable of.

Air New Zealand at Queenstown Airport have exciting opportunities available working as an Aircraft Service Agent.

Cashier/Barista (Serving customer, making coffee, cleaning,…) Full time or Part time. Experience preferred but not required, Starting wage $25.

Must be available to work on the week end, must have a right to work in NZ .

If you are successful through our recruitment process and you come onboard with us, you will receive a $5000 recruitment payment, to be paid in three instalments over a 9-month period.

The Role:

You must be motivated, smily and friendly. You should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa. We have a lot of option available for you. We are looking for cashiers, baristas, (assistant) bakers, (assistant) pastry chefs and everyone else who want to take part of this new adventure. Just let us know what you are capable of.

Email : contact@maboulangerie.co.nz

email : marion@maboulangerie.co.nz to apply or for further information

To apply or for further information

Email: marion@maboulangerie.co.nz to apply or for further information

We have both Full time and Part time hours available.

Playing a key part in the operation at Queenstown Airport, the role is physically demanding so being fit and keen to work in this environment is crucial.

Our Aircraft Service Agents work hard to ensure our customers bags are handled safely and securely and arrive on time to the customer’s destination. They also support aircraft handling operations, which may involve cleaning the aircraft cabin and guiding customers to the aircraft for their safety. From there, we have excellent career progression and development opportunities to ascend our pay scale.

What you will bring to the role:

•You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand

"Your itinerary is limited only by your imagination"

Reservation Specialist

Over The Top is a leading tourism operator that provides guests unforgettable experiences by helicopter with private access to the Out The Back Alpine Kitchen and Par 3 Golf hole in the mountains and specialising in high end excursions into Fiordland and throughout New Zealand.

Based on Queenstown airport you will take joint responsibility of our Over The Top helicopter excursion reception & reservations resulting in confirmations of sales, assistance in preparing the accounts whilst delivering outstanding customer care, maintaining contact with our precious clients, and building relationships with new. We are needing a person with attention to detail to join us, with more than a “can do” attitude.

Tasks & Responsibilities:

Customer service

Quote and itinerary preparation

Booking confirmations and processing

Database entries

Phone enquiries & follow up Rate updates & digital promotions

Assist accounts receivable

You must have strong admin & reporting skills and be proficient with IT A tourism background is beneficial and excellent spoken & written English skills a must. This is full time position with flexibility to have mid-week days off. You need to have the right to live & work in New Zealand Please contact projects@flynz.co.nz before 30 October 2022

•You will be highly organised, with excellent time management skills and the ability to handle working in a pressurised environment

•Full New Zealand Drivers Licence or International equivalent accepted. Will also accept Restricted NZ Drivers Licence

•This role includes rostered shift work which rotates and changes, depending on the business needs and flight schedule. This includes working weekends and on public holidays. Additional time in lieu and or payments will be made for any public holidays rostered and worked.

Being an Air New Zealander opens numerous benefits:

•A Competitive Salary starting at $26.00

•A set roster pattern so you can plan up to a year ahead to know your days off - great for lifestyle, family, sports etc.

•Shift work means less traffic woes, more flexibility for other activities on your time off

•Free carparking, uniform and protective safety equipment provided

•Great team, feel like you are part of the family, mix of cultures, plenty of social events to be part of - hiking group, exercise group

•Work inside and outdoors, excellent progression opportunities, varied roles where full training will be provided

•Work amongst the buzz of a busy international airport - no two days are the same at the airport

•Sign-on payment of $5000

If this position is of interest to you, please submit your application.

careers.airnewzealand.co.nz

Advertise your job vacancy now at jobfix.co.nz

Refrigeration Engineer

M T Chill is a proud, locally owned Queenstown company specialising in commercial refrigeration system solutions and air conditioning covering the design, project management, service and system analysis.

M T Chill will offer:

• A competitive remuneration package based on experience; $45 to $50 per hour for the right candidate

•Company vehicle

•Phone, laptop and uniform

•Be part of an easy going, small team

•Variety of work

This full time role will be based in the Queenstown Lakes District and servicing the wider area.

You will be responsible for providing high-quality maintenance, repairs, installation and servicing of residential, commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems.

Responsibilities will include:

• Installation of air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump systems

•Service and preventative maintenance

•Fault diagnosis

•Perform breakdown repairs

•Establishing and maintaining long-term client relationships

•Participating in a variety of installation projects

• On-call will be required, with competitive overtime and call out rates paid

This role will suit someone with the following background / experience / qualities:

• Trade certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Level 4)

• 8+ years experience in refrigeration servicing, installation and remedial repairs

• VRV/VRF experience essential

•Electrical Service Technician licence and a Full Driver’s licence

communication

work

Solid practical understanding of

WORK IN PARADISE

Great careers start right here!

We seek exceptional people to deliver an authentic five-star experience to our guests. You will be part of a high-energy, supportive and rewarding work environment.

At heart, we are a vibrant community where employees are fully supported and everyone works closely together to achieve the best for guests and each other.

Millbrook Resort is a completely unique place to work and as an employee, you play a key role in contributing to the ongoing success of this beautiful resort.

• KITCHEN HAND

• CHEFS

• PAINTER / BRUSH HAND

• RECEPTION SUPERVISOR

• RESTAURANT OPERATIONS MANAGER

• MASSAGE THERAPIST

• GUEST SERVICE MANAGER

• GENERAL MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT

• PORTER / DRIVER

• FOOD & BEVERAGE ATTENDANTS

• GREENKEEPER

• GREENKEEPERS ASSISTANT / LABOURER - FIXED TERM

• BEAUTY & MASSAGE THERAPIST

• BARISTA

• HOUSEKEEPING ATTENDANTS

Your benefits:

Our people are our greatest assets, and we love rewarding hard-working team members. At Millbrook, we encourage learning and professional development. When you join the Millbrook family you will also enjoy: Discounted golf, restaurants and spa treatments; Friends & family hotel rates; Discounted gym membership; Onsite car parking; Complimentary sta meals; Daily travel allowance for team members who live more than 25k from the resort; and regular wellbeing workshop.

To apply for this job go to: careers.millbrook.co.nz/Careers & search for reference number 6134393

You must have a valid NZ Work Visa to apply.

WHITE AND WONG’S

FIND

PERFECT CANDIDATE

FOR

VACANCY

“The steak house to end all arguments”

Jervois Steak House is an authentic and premium steak house which makes no apologies for unashamedly celebrating a love of meat.

THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO JOIN OUR TEAM

We are looking for Food Runner

Bartender

Kitchen Hand

Hardworking enthusiastic staff member required to work in our fast pace restaurant. Applicant must have current working visa or be eligible to work in New Zealand.

Minimum 6 month commitment

Why work with us

• Competitive salary.

• Chance to progress and work at other sites across the Nourish Group.

• Training and development.

• Daily staff meals.

• Dining discount within the group.

• Full support for visa applications from our in-house HR team.

• Paid day off on your birthday.

• Sign on benefits.

• Monthly visits out to local wineries - explore our backyard!

• Open for dinner only, so plenty of time to enjoy the mountains before work!

03 442 6263

QUEENSTOWN

General Manager and Duty Mangers

We are look for energised and passionate Hospitality legends to lead our team, create growth and maintain our current customer offer. They will need to be organised, great with people, detail focused, with a great knowledge of all aspects of the Hospo industry.

Attractive packages for the right people.

AVIS & Budget

CAR GROOMERS

We are looking for fun and motivated people to join our team of car groomers. The role is non-customer facing, shifts are 8am to 5.30pm and transport from the city to the place of work in Frankton can be arranged if necessary.

Casual, Part Time and Full Time roles available, all you need is a full drivers licence and an eye for detail.

Estamos buscando personal para unirse a nuestro grupo de Car Groomers. Ingles no es necesario, puede aprender mientras trabajas. Solo debes tener predisposicion, ojo para el detalle y licencia de conducir. Casual, tiempo parcial y tiempo completo

CHEFS

& LAUNDRY

Advertise your job vacancy jobfix.co.nz

BETTY'S NEEDS A LEADER!

If you are an ambitious/amazing/skilled operations/multi store manager who is looking for next step in your career with a company with great values and culture then keep reading.

Bettys is an established, locally owned and operated premium chain of liquorstores in Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka and we are looking for a RETAIL OPERATIONS MANAGER to oversee all of our outlets

We are looking for someone with:

• Proven retail management experience

• A good understanding of retail systems (Vend and Xero preferably)

• A strong grasp of pricing methodology, mark up, margin etc

• The ability to read, understand and compile business reporting

• Strong people management skills along with an understanding of employment law

• Good knowledge of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol act and has LCQ and General Manager certificate (will need to obtain if not)

We are also looking for someone who:

• Has a great eye for retail detail

• Has a real ambition to succeed

• Is not afraid of hard work and long hours and set the example

• to others by working in the business as well as on it

• Is a natural leader and can build a great team around them

• Can confidently work with the owners and implement agreed plans What you will get is:

• A rewarding opportunity with an amazing team

• A very competitive salary and success based bonus package

• Excellent company benefits including generous staff discounts, product training and incentives

is a

across weekdays and weekends and would

living in Queenstown or Cromwell. Due to the

ready for a

to be apart of a fast paced, ever changing environment with a hardworking, fun and soiable team

step in

from the

of 12

To

please

your CV and cover letter to info@oxbow.co.nz

EPIC, EVERY DAY / SAFE AS / BEST MATES / ONE STEP AHEAD

Is currently seeking CHEFS Starts at $25 ph

If you're interested in joining one of Queenstown's iconic restaurants and bars email your CV to chris@smithscraftbeer.co.nz or apply in person. Valid working visa required.

Come and join our fun team of Cleaning, Maintenance and Quality Control experts!

Cafe Society is looking for Barista / Cafe Worker, Chef & Chef de Partie

Come to join the cafe society team. Day shift only hours, great pay in the modern cafe.

Send us your CV and a cover letter at: societymanager@xtra.co.nz

We look forward to hearing from you.

Maintenance Assistant 3 days per week

Sherwood offers a 78-room hotel, 120 seat restaurant and bar open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, live music venue, kitchen garden, yoga studio and co-working space - all powered by the sun.

We are looking for a man or a woman with can-do attitude and a very resourceful set of hands to support our Maintenance/Grounds department.

Every day is different with variety and challenges based on the season; this spring you will spend most of the time on the outside grounds and when the weather gets colder the work moves into our rooms and venues.

The ideal candidate will have some basic knowledge of maintenance, gardening, and a strong safety culture. On the job training will be given to the successful candidate.

This is a permanent part-time position and with flexibility to work a mix of week and weekend days. NZ Driver’s licence preferred with remuneration from $26-$28 per hour.

•

•

•

•

•

•

Email slithytoves33@gmail.com

We

DUTY MANAGERS, BARTENDERS & IN-HOUSE SECURITY WANTED

for

work in

bar in

You must have current working Visa and

excellent English for all roles.

The positions are on a roster that will vary from week to week. You must be able to work weekends and evenings.

For the In-House Security position, you must have current COA. Duty Managers must have their LCQ and Managers Certi cate.

Please send your CV to queenstowncowboys@gmail.com

Please apply with CV and cover letter by emailing work@sherwoodqueenstown.nz

Full-Time Super Nanny wanted to look after 4 kids in Queenstown

• $25 an hour

• School & Daycare pick-ups & Drop Offs

• After school activities

• Dinner Prep

• House cleaning & other odd jobs & errands

Must be kind, patient, organised & reliable. Email your CV to sarah.lucas@xtra.co.nz

Full-time, Part-time & Casual Guides

Wanted for day tours on a 7-day roster.

Must show passion for wine and Central Otago!

Need Class 1 & P licence. Full training provided.

Email interest to: sarah@appellationwinetours.nz

QUEENSTOWN NZ

Print Central is a Queenstown based company which has been in the printing business for over 20 years. Now that business is picking up we’re looking for new talent to join our great team.

We’re looking for someone who always dots their i’s and crosses their t’s. Someone who doesn’t have a “she’ll be right attitude”. Someone who does give a sh/t and has motivation to learn on the job!

If you are interested in working in an award winning team full of creative, clever people but are afraid you don’t have the right skills, don’t be put off. We’re looking for the right personal attributes to fit our team, not the right technical experience.

Maybe you want to start a new career pathway? Maybe you’re returning to work after leave? Maybe you want to move to Queenstown? We don’t mind your reasons, but your commitment is important to us and we’d like to invest in you.

Customer Services Role

Must-haves:

•An authentic interest in sales, print and design.

• Warmth, curiosity, patience, ability to engage and form relationships.

• Ability to work to deadlines and manage workflows.

Nice-to-haves:

Experience in printing - offset, digital, signage &

FULL TIME – BAR MANAGER (DM REQUIIRED)

PART TIME - FOOD & BEVERAGE SUPERVISOR

CASUAL - FOOD & BEVERAGE ATTENDANT