LWB_Issue_879_Online

The Biggest Show on Earth ignites our internationalness

Queenstown has always had an international feel from both our visitor and our resident populations. That was sadly lost to a large extent over the last two years and although there are plenty of international accents within our local community, the cultural diversity of Queenstown was definitely another casualty of Covid. Until now.

It has taken the biggest sporting show on earth, the Football World Cup, to really wake up our European and South American immigrant populations and showcase our international flavour. It is a welcome return to “normal” to hear the excited football chitchat in a multitude of languages and accents around town.

In local bars and restaurants, on construction sites, or any workplace in our district you will hear them, our fantastically diverse community. Appreciated more so than ever before after two years of stalled immigration and the resulting labour shortage. French, German, Spanish, English, Welsh, Argentine, Brazilian, Mexican, American, Polish, Danish, Dutch, Japanese and I suppose I must mention Australia. I never thought I’d say it, but I have a newfound appreciation the value our Trans-Tasman cousins bring to Queenstown too. They even managed to win a game of soccer shock horror.

Although our own national football team haven’t made the big dance, no surprise there, many of our community are in full celebration mode as they follow the fortunes of their birth counties. The enthusiasm is infectious. It warms my heart with hope we will be a truly international town again when I see Japanese locals dancing in the street following their epic win over Germany. Relief from our Argentinian locals who bounced back from that loss to Saudi Arabia to beat Mexico. And let’s not forget our big Brazilian population who have really embraced Queenstown for the past decade, have added so much to our life force as a community by building a big slice of South American culture here in the far south of New Zealand. Good luck and good to have you living here in Queenstown my international neighbours.

We are a melting pot of imports from all over the world and that is what makes Queenstown so special compared to other New Zealand towns, who seem to suffer from homogenised milk syndrome – all the same and boring. But not us, not Queenstown. We are alive with the buzz yet again and despite all the ongoing challenges, it feels good. And this good feeling should not be forgotten if ever someone dumb in the future suggests we should pull up the drawbridge and keep others out. Queenstown cannot survive on a life raft alone. We need connectivity not just in cyberspace but person to person rubbing shoulders in Rees Street.

Scott Stevens - scott@qmg.co.nz

The official opening of the new $20 million Queenstown Marina was held Thursday evening. Iraj Barabi, Mayor Glyn Lewers and Alan Kirker did the honours. See the story on page 25 and more images on page 8.

Spotlight on Shadow Basin

By Paul Taylor

Replacing the Shadow Basin chairlift will be the next major project for NZSki.

Work to replace the 38-year-old chairlift, on the western slopes of The Remarkables skifield, is scheduled for next summer if the company can get consent from the Department of Conservation (DOC).

The six-seater Shadow Basin Express would open up intermediate and advanced terrain, increasing the lift-accessed skiable area in Shadow Basin by just under 50%.

That includes lift access to The Chutes and Sunrise Face on the mountain, which has positioned itself as the home of big mountain freeride skiing in New Zealand.

“It’s going to be amazing skiing or riding, regardless of whether it is groomed or not,” says The Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence.

The faster lift will carry skiers and snowboarders up to a top terminal on a ridge above Alta Chutes, about 50 metres higher than the current top terminal.

“We’re working on that programme, the application is with DOC at the moment, so we’ll see where we get to in terms of timelines to get it up and running.”

NZSki boss Paul Anderson says planning continues to open up The Doolans valley for skiing, with a 230-metre access tunnel through from The Remarkables still an option on the table.

But all investment relies on reaching various agreements with DOC, says Anderson, speaking at the company’s annual update last week.

Three of NZSki’s skifields are on conservation land.

“We’re in really slow-moving conversations with DOC at the moment on our concessions for both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables,” Anderson says.

“The failure to come to a sensible agreement would delay future investment in our infrastructure, which is in no one’s best interest.”

The Southern Lakes ski industry was back to its best in 2022, with a “truly amazing season” set up by a huge snow dump in opening week, Anderson says.

The lead into the season still had the pandemic in mind, however, with planning taking place against the backdrop closed borders and alert levels. NZSki had two plans, one for another domestic-only season, and the other for internationals.

The pandemic seasons had highlighted the skifields’ role as an important recreation resource for communities, rather than just tourism destinations, he says.

But over the 2020 and 2021 seasons, NZSki mountains were down about 1000 visitors per day each, around 200,000 skier visits in total.

“And they are the skiers who come to town, stay in accommodation, eat out every night, drink, go to the other attractions, so they bring a whole lot of prosperity for our communities.”

That returned in 2022 and, for the first time, the Southern Lakes four major skifields - NZSki’s Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, and RealNZ’s Cardrona Alpine and Treble Cone, broke through one-million skier visits in a season.

“We got to 1,000,050 skier visits across all four major resorts, which is amazing,” he says.

“We’ve worked together on a few collaborative things to stimulate domestic growth and the trans-Tasman market, so it’s good to have that joined up success.”

In terms of direct visitor spend, it’s estimated the season brought $550 million into the economy, compared with $430m the season before. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables counted for 57% of the total.

This summer, NZSki is focused on maintenance and upgrade work at both Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, including a $2 million investment in more efficient snowmaking equipment, adding to its rental equipment, and a full redesign of its booking software.

A terrain map showing the planned Shadow Basin Express (in green) and the existing chairlift (in grey). Image: NZSki

GLAM UP FOR SUMMER

Thanks

to

By Paul Taylor

The future of three popular Queenstown restaurants, founded by celebrity chef Josh Emett and Fleur Caulton, is now in the hands of voluntary administrators.

46b Beach St, Queenstown Bay Tel: 03 441 2030 | www.hollandhairsalon.co.nz

Rātā, Madam Woo and Hawker & Roll are part of the Go To Collection restaurant group. It has been struggling due to the impact of the pandemic and staff shortages.

Malcolm Hollis and John Fisk of PwC have been appointed as voluntary administrators by the directors. The group also operates the branded restaurants in Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga, employing more than 100 staff.

Shareholders include Caulton and Emett’s Mayfare Limited, with 66.68%, along with Hills’ Heffalump Holdings Ltd, the Edgar family’s SIL Long Term Holdings Ltd, Sir Stephen Tindall’s K One W One, and Darryl McEwen and Bettina Hollings’ HM Myrtle Ltd, all with 8.33% each.

Both Madam Woo and Hawker Roll Queenstown are on The Mall, while Rātā is off Ballarat St.

LOOKING AFTER THE LOCALS FOR OVER 13 YEARS

Hollis says the purpose of a Voluntary Administration (VA) is to provide an opportunity to rehabilitate a business and restructure its activities, and offer a better outcome to stakeholders than would be achieved through alternative processes.

“The company has experienced a difficult period due to the impact of Covid-19, especially the extreme shortage of staff,” he said in a media statement.

“We will work with the team to devise and implement a restructuring plan to ensure the components of the business that are operating well can have a successful future.

“The best performing restaurants will continue to provide high quality services. However, the less popular sites will be closed. Nearly all existing staff will be retained.”

Madam Woo Dunedin closed in 2019 due to problems finding and retaining staff.

In addition to a restructuring plan, it is intended that a proposal (by way of a Deed of Company Arrangement or DOCA) will be put to creditors at a Watershed Meeting before Christmas. Creditors will be contacted in due course.

Companies Office lists Queenstowners Fleur Caulton, Emma Hill and Aucklander Andrew Glenn as directors of the Go To Collection restaurant group.

A social media post on Rātā’s Facebook page on Thursday night reads: “To our loyal customers, Rātā remains business as usual. We are open for dinner from 5pm, Thursday through Monday. We look forward to seeing you soon.”

Madam Woo Queenstown and Hamilton are also open and trading as usual.

Madam Woo Queenstown is open in the evenings and trading as usual according to their Facebook page

Wānaka A&P Show locked in for 2023

By Wānaka App

Wānaka’s annual showcase of rural life will be back in 2023, with organisers saying the next Wānaka A&P Show will be one of the biggest yet.

After cancelling this year’s show for the first time in 77 years, due to Covid-19, event manager Jane Stalker says the 2023 event is gearing up to be a wonderful weekend.

“We have already reached capacity for trade exhibitors with over 500 attending and a large number of new, exciting stalls coming,” she said.

“We have some wonderful bands and entertainment lined up with something for everyone to enjoy, the children’s area is full of activities and rides, food and drinks stalls are a-plenty, and the central focus of the show, the animals, and A&P competitions are well underway to showcase the best to date.”

More than 40,000 people attend the two-day show and Jane said a feature of the 2023 show will be looking at how the event’s environmental impact is managed and how sustainability programmes can be developed.

“We are currently further developing our sustainability guidelines and practices with our trade partners and will have further details on this early next year,” she said.

“We would love to hear from anyone who may have ideas on how we can further improve our footprint.”

The show will run over two days from March 10-11, 2023 with tickets available early next year.

Jane said the public can save on the price of a ticket and support the show organiser, the Upper Clutha A&P Society, by becoming a member. “Being a member also gives you voting rights and is a great way to be an integral part of this iconic Wānaka event,” she said.

STRUGGLING TO FIND THAT UNIQUE CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR YOUR LOVED ONE?

Everlasting Daisies has a wonder range of gifts, Christmas Decorations, ornaments and trees!

Personalised gift baskets can be custom assembled to reflect your specific tastes. Visit the mini paradise full of treasures and judge for yourself!

Unit D/1091 Frankton Rd (BP Roundabout. Next door to Post Office) Phone: 03 441-4689 or 021 326 793 or email: dibowbyes@everlastingdaisies.co.nz

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Visit our store in Queenstown Industrial Place (near Repco) nefoodstore

Photo: Wanaka A&P Show

PHOTO PAGE

Queenstown Marina Opens

The $20 million Queenstown Marina officially opened Thursday night with Mayor Glyn Lewers doing the honours. Plans were also announced for a second stage.

Iraj Barabi, who splits his time between San Francisco and Queenstown funded the project with Alan Kirker the point man on the ground.

“It’s taken much longer than I ever thought to build the marina, but now that we’ve finished Stage One, we’re delighted with the result,” said Iraj at the launch.

There are also seventeen floating buildings that were constructed as part of this first stage.

Dental hygienist Ness Holmquist has relocated with her family to Dunedin and is now working alongside

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.

IN BRIEF

Zero carbon is now the target

Queenstown Lakes tourism and community leaders have confirmed their plan to decarbonise the tourism industry to carbon zero by 2030. Last week, Destination Queenstown, Lake Wanaka Tourism and Queenstown Lakes District Council presented their revised regenerative tourism strategy to community, businesses, stakeholders, iwi partners and local government. The goal of carbon zero is carefully defined to include aviation, both flights into and from the district, and transport within the district. It is also firmly committed to removing carbon and not using offsetting as a solution. Queenstown mayor Glyn Lewers says the support and enthusiasm from the wider community had provided the permission to start the journey. “I’m emboldened by the collective response we have had from the community, Council, our airport and businesses – both large and small. We know it won’t be easy but everyone realises the need to urgently decarbonise. This is not only the right thing to do for our extraordinary environment and of course the planet, but also secures the future of tourism, our biggest industry. We see huge benefits in leading this on the global stage.”

Ski lanes won’t be narrowed

An unpopular proposal to reduce ski lanes widths in the district will not go ahead, Queenstown Lakes District Council regulatory manager Anthony Hall says. Some 160 submissions were received on the proposed changes, which included lane reductions at Glendhu Bay, Kelvin Heights, Kingston, Roys Bay, Sunshine Bay and Wilson Bay. “The feedback was constructive and it’s clear many people felt there was more work to do on our initial proposals, especially at Glendhu Bay,” he said. Some submitters had described the proposed changes as dangerous and impractical. Many people said making the ski lanes narrower, which would put swimmers and motor crafts into closer proximity, would be counterproductive. Others, including Coastguard Wānaka Lakes president Jonathan Walmisley, asked why other popular beaches were not included in a proposal for safety improvement changes. “We’ve taken that on board and will spend time observing how dedicated ski lanes and nearby areas are used,” Hall says. There’ll also be better and more signs put up. - Wānaka App

Staffing issues hit tip

The Frankton and Wānaka transfer station facilities will close every Sunday, starting 27 November until 8 January. That’s due to ongoing challenges recruiting staff to run the facilities safely. The Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and kerbside rubbish and recycling collection service will continue to operate as normal. Queenstown Lakes District Council Infrastructure Operations Manager Simon Mason says: “Temporarily reducing operating hours at the transfer stations helps us to keep the MRF open, allowing us to continue to keep recyclable material out of landfill.” The transfer stations will remain open 8am-5pm six days a week from Monday to Saturday in the interim. Waste Management New Zealand is looking for Drivers (Class 5 and Class 2), Recycling Operators and Transfer Station Operators.

Arrowtown Pool Opening Day

The Arrowtown Memorial Pool will open for the summer season from Monday 5th December and finish the season on Sunday 5th March 2023. The main pool and

pool are heated. The seasonal opening hours are Monday-Sunday, 11.00am-6.00pm. 4 Hertford Street, Arrowtown.

Tough pandemic recovery for businesses

By Paul Taylor

The post-Covid headwinds facing Queenstown businesses have become more like “hurricanes”, says Chamber of Commerce board chair Angela Spackman.

“If you borrowed to survive Covid, you will now be paying more and more for that money, as interest rates are used to try and curb rising inflation,” she says.

“Shipping costs are outrageously high, and at the point that the country has the lowest unemployment levels in decades, and a government who seems intent on artificially raising wages, we’re seeing wage increases greatly out of step with productivity.

“Couple this with an inability to pass all of those additional costs on to customers, it is business owners who see their margins depleted, and all their hard work amounting to less and less.”

Spackman was speaking at the Chamber AGM last Thursday, where Sharon Fifield was appointed acting chief executive, replacing Ruth Stokes. Staff shortages were now facing every sector, every industry, and at every staffing level, she said.

Queenstown is in a “global war for talent” but was at present a “town being run by high schoolers”, who were filling some of the workforce gaps left by immigration rules that do not make New Zealand appear to be a welcoming country.

“We at Queenstown Business [Chamber] have spent countless hours trying to get the message through to the policymakers. But there’s a genuine sense of bashing our heads against a brick wall of ideology.”

Burned out staff are reaching breaking point, with “the great resignation” turning into the “rage quit”.

Spackman says a couple of the best ingredients for business owners’ mental health are income and manageable hours, but another “part of the armour” was to talk to others about business struggles.

Business success stories often gloss over the “tough days, tough months and even tough years”, not to mention the toll they took on the owners or founders.

“In my experience, it’s amazing when sharing a difficult time and struggle, often with another business person, when they casually say, ‘Oh, yes, that happened to us a couple of years ago’.

“They will then offer suggestions or just remind you that you’re in it with other people, and that you can get through it.”

She encouraged Queenstown’s business community to find some trusted people to talk to, reaching out through the Chamber network, or at its events and training.

The community’s resilience remains, however, and Spackman believes the Government will have to act soon to relieve the pressures “or they are going to face economic consequences, which will ultimately have political consequences”.

The Chamber also paid tribute to Jim Boult, who stepped down as mayor in October after six years at the helm, and outgoing Chamber boss Ruth Stokes, who both advocated tirelessly for Queenstown businesses throughout Covid. Spackman said it would be usual to confer a Lifetime Achievement Award on a mayor who had been so supportive of Queenstown business and successful in his own business life.

“But we did that in 2014,” she said. Instead, the Chamber took time to recognise all the work he has done for the district, including securing financial support through Covid, such as the resurgence payment and extension of the wage subsidy.

“One of Jim’s skills is his willingness to collaborate, and he involved business from the first signs of trouble during Covid. He also has a great ability to negotiate with critical partners like Air New Zealand, the University of Otago, conference and event coordinators.

“Jim was also very inclusive, he represented and worked for all corners of our diverse community and tirelessly advocated for our hugely valuable international workforce. Jim literally threw himself off bridges and out of plans to draw attention to his advocacy work.”

Stokes had skilfully negotiated an incredibly tough time for the Chamber, developing a great team around her, with professionalism and drive, Spackman said,

“While the advocacy work has been incredibly frustrating at times, she has continued to champion for Queenstown business throughout her time with us.”

Sharon Fifield, Angela Spackman, Jim Boult and Ruth Stokes

Tit bits Tit bits

FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Signal with Earth

Orion re-acquired signal with NASA’s Deep Space Network, after successfully performing the outbound powered flyby burn with a firing of the orbital maneuvering system engine for 2 minutes and 30 seconds to accelerate the spacecraft at a rate of more than 933 kmph. At the time of the burn, Orion was 522 kilometers above the Moon, travelling at 8,083 kmph. Shortly after the burn, Orion passed 130km above the Moon, travelling at 8,210 mph. At the time of the lunar flyby, Orion was more than 370,000 kilometers from Earth.

NASA

Paramount scraps deal to sell Simon & Schuster to Penguin

Penguin Random House, the world’s largest book publisher, and smaller U.S. rival Simon & Schuster have scrapped a $US2.2 billion deal to merge, Penguin owner Bertelsmann announced last week Bertelsmann, a German media group which owns Penguin, initially said it would appeal a U.S. judge’s decision that said its purchase of Simon & Schuster would be illegal because it would hit authors’ pay.

But Bertelsmann said in a statement that it “will advance the growth of its global book publishing business without the previously planned merger of Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster.”

Reuters

Black-naped pheasant-pigeon spotted after 140 years

With black and orange feathers and red eyes, the critically endangered black-naped pheasant-pigeon remained a mystery for over a century after it was first – and last – observed by researchers in 1882. But 140 years later, the bird has been spotted for the second time ever. The bird exists in the rugged, just over 500-square-mile Fergusson Island, just off the coast of southeast Papua New Guinea. There, a team of researchers arrived in September, hoping to spot the bird.

For nearly a month, the team went without evidence of the bird. But just two days before researchers were set to leave the island, Jordan Boersma, a postdoctoral researcher and co-leader of the expedition team, was going through camera footage when he was “stunned” to see the bird walking right past the camera.

USA Today

Cat walks across France to be reunited with ‘stunned’ owners 13 months later

A cat traveled more than 450 km’s to its old home before being reunited with her relocated owners—a whopping 13 months later. Laëtitia De Amicis moved with their three cats, leaving the Orne region of France. The family took great care at their new location, to keep Felys, Crapaud, and Cocci, inside the house, because they were worried they’d get lost in different surroundings.

But Cocci went missing in August 2021. The family with two teenage children searched for three months, with no luck. Laëtitia told her kids she thought Cocci had probably gone home to look for them back in Ambly. Sure enough, a stranger found a stray cat more than 450 kilometers away, just five miles from their previous family home.

In October, Laëtitia saw a post shared on Facebook about a cat found in Souilly, and the stay-at-home mom recognized her straight away.

Motatapu marathon sells out, bike race filling fast

By Paul Taylor

After two years of cancellations due to Covid restrictions, the Motatapu’s iconic 42km off-road marathon has sold out, more than three months out from the event.

Co-owner and Race Director Gemma Peskett says: “What a great early Christmas present for our team.

“The support we have received from our competitors over the last few years has been wonderful and we are looking forward to giving them an amazing experience come 4th March.”

Entries have been strong across all the six events with the classic 47km UDC Finance Mountain bike race through the valley now at over 80% capacity.

Peskett says there is something for all ages and abilities with a more relaxed 15km Miners Trail around Arrowtown for walkers or runners and 4km Jennian Homes Junior Trail Run for the little ones.

“This has been strongly supported by the local schools previously and the Motatapu look forward to welcoming them once again,” she says.

There is also a brand-new mountain bike race for 2023, the 56km Coronet Loop Mountain Bike which is a perfect step up from the 47km valley course, for those wanting to push themselves a little further and faster.

“This is one of Queenstown’s newest trails and the stunning views as well as the technical terrain means it is a great addition to the event.”

Experienced runners also have the option of the bucket list 52.5km Ultra Run across the high country peaks, which is also a UTMB (Ultra-Trail du MontBlanc) Index Race for 2023.

Orion Successfully Completes Lunar Flyby, Re-acquires

Motatapu owners Gemma Peskett and Craig Gallagher

GOOD NEWS

FROM

AROUND THE WORLD

Humanity just reached a big turning point. For the first time on record, global smoking prevalence has fallen, from 22.6% of people in 2007, to 19.6% in 2019. That’s a hugely consequential shift in behaviour that has the potential to massively reduce harm. Tobacco use causes around 8.7 million deaths and approximately $2 trillion in economic damage every year.

Tobacco Atlas

Suicides by active duty members of the US military have decreased substantially over the past 18 months, thanks to increased attention by senior leaders, and the implementation of an array of new programs, ranging from required counselling visits to stress relief education and recreational outings.

PBS

Lula says Brazil is back, and that climate change will be at the heart of his agenda as he cracks down on deforestation, tackles inequality and rolls out renewable energy. His highly successful Amazon Fund has just been reactivated, and Brazil also just joined Indonesia and the DRC to create a new funding mechanism to protect forests. Between them, the trio are home to half the world’s rainforests.

BBC

The West African nation of Benin adopted one of the continent’s most liberal laws on reproductive rights last year after hearing testimony from gynaecologists about women dying from illegal abortions. A year later, this culturally conservative country, made up mostly of Christians and Muslims, has become one of the few in Africa where a woman’s right to choose is broadly available.

NYT

Paris, one of the world’s most expensive cities, is also one of the most progressive for low-cost housing. 25% of accommodation is accessible to people on lower incomes, and the French capital is now targeting 40% by 2035. That means a major expansion of public housing so that homes for low-income tenants make up a third of all units.

Bloomberg

Tetiaroa Atoll, a 12-island paradise in French Polynesia, has been declared rodent free after years of conservation efforts. Scientists are now studying local flora, wildlife and marine environment to establish the world’s first pre-eradication baseline.

Mongabay

Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools, one of Africa’s most renowned gameviewing destinations, has maintained a zero elephant poaching rate for the third year in a row - a staggering achievement given 12,000 were poached in the area in the past ten years. More funding for local rangers along with the introduction of tracking technology and smartphones has driven the change.

Global Conservation

Europe’s Child Guarantee is one of the EU’s main social policy initiatives, and it’s working. The proportion of children classified as ‘severely deprived’ has decreased from 22.8% in 2009 to 14.6% in 2021. The policy has been particularly successful in eastern Europe. Latvia, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary have all seen declines of more than 20%.

European Parliament

ACCOM

KIA ORA FRENCH MALE, 38YO, SINGLE, NO kids, non-smoker, looking for a place to stay in town. $300/week. I will be working as F&B Supervisor in a hotel. fabien.delavie@gmail.com

FOR SALE

FOR SALE – LARGE OREGON BEAMS AVAILABLE. 400x300mm $150 per liner meter. Various length from 3.6m to 7.3m. 300x300mm $110 per linear meter. Various length from 3.6m to 4.9m. Phone 0274 325 628 or email grant@beaver.net.nz

FOR SALE TOYOTA IPSUM 2005, 7 SEATER, goes well, open to resonable offers, Gary 027 6262 294

SERVICES

Accommodation For Sale Services

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS INVITE PARENTS, SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS OF bereaved children and their families to our Christmas Candlelight Evening to be held in the Alexandra Community House on Monday 12th December 2022. Time 7.00pm – 9.00pm. Bring a photograph or portrait painting of your loved one as well as a candle. Supper provided. Any enquires please phone Pauline 0273960611 (Central Otago Co-ordinator Compassionate Friends)

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

EVERYTHING ELSE

Everything Else

KIWIHARVEST FOOD RESCUE E- BIKE RIDER VOLUNTEER Role. Join our amazing team who have rescued and provided charities with the of over 270,000 meals worth of food in the region over this year. No weekend or afternoon pick-ups so only suitable to those who could help out for a few hours between Monday to Friday between 8am and 12noon. Email Gary: gary.hough@ kiwiharvest.org.nz

MAKE SPACE - AN ACCESSIBLE FULLY RESOURCED art studio open to those who would benefit from creativity as a tool for wellbeing. Whether you have never made art before or are an experienced artist you are welcome. Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am – 1pm at Te Atamira starting 16 November.

SNOWBOARD WORKSHOP IS NOW OPEN FOR SUMMER tuning! Get sorted and be shready. Special deals on now! Call or text 027 544 4731 or email on info@snowboardworkshop.co.nz

QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST. WED (30 Nov), @ 6:30pm, “Nurturing Peace” with Grant Rix; SUN (4 Dec), from 2:30pm - 5:30pm, Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche’s guidance on “A Guide to the Way of Life of a Bodhisattva.” All sessions are free, with dana for the centre/teacher gratefully accepted. For more info, see dharmacentre.org.nz or FB.

WINDSURFING, KITING AND WING FOILING. LOCAL CLUB OPEN DAY. Frankton Beach. WED 7th Dec. 4-8PM. Come find out more about these sports in your area. Sue 0276408596.

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.

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

Film studio may start build next year - CEO

By Tony O’Regan - The Wānaka App

The first phase of development for a huge film park six kilometres east of Wānaka may begin in 2023 according to Silverlight Studios CEO Mike Wallis.

Mike was the guest speaker at the Ignite Wānaka Annual General Meeting at Pembroke Pavilion on Thursday (November 24) evening and he told the audience that he hopes to begin earthworks in the first quarter of next year, but told the Wānaka App a timeline had not been locked in yet.

“This is a smaller set of [modular] sound stages that eases everyone into the concept of a film studio coming to Wānaka,” he said.

Mike said the development would take a phased approach which is likely to see development over a 10-year period.

The proposed film park’s site is 332ha of rural land near Wānaka Airport, known as Corbridge Downs, which Silverlight Studios has resource consent to turn into a film park complete with studios, production offices, a film school, a screening theatre, and an exhibition centre.

Mike said the growth in streaming services presents a “great opportunity” to develop the New Zealand film industry but that we can’t just rely on having beautiful locations.

“Although we have all these really beautiful natural locations in New Zealand, what we’re short on is architectural locations,” he said.

“We’re really short of purpose-built studio space.”

He said Wānaka was a perfect location due to its access to diverse landscapes locally and across the McKenzie Basin, Central Otago, and the West Coast, but it needs studio space to attract large film productions.

When complete the $280M development is expected to have replicas of New York, Venice, Paris and the River Seine, as well as a new and enlarged lake, a series of villages, and a variety of filming, post-production, film school, tourist and ancillary buildings.

Approval has also been given to build around 300 residential units so cast and crew can stay on-site.

Silverlight Studios is owned by film industry veterans Ra Vincent, Jonathan Harding and Mike Wallis.

Containers and Space for Rent Ph 021 343 653

Challenging summer ahead for employers

By Paul Taylor

A snapshot of Queenstown’s jobs market points towards a challenging summer ahead for employers.

The latest quarterly report data shows a striking 330.4% increase in local job ads listed on Jobfix from September 2021 to September 2022. Worker availability for the same period is down 36.8% for those on employerassisted visas, and -52% for those classified as ‘job-seekers’ in the district.

This is despite an overall 3.6% increase in filled jobs in the district over the past year. The increase masks a drop of 1,043 jobs in accommodation and food service employment in September 2022 versus September 2019.

Jobs grew predominantly in construction (up 582) and professional services (304), followed by recreational services (211 jobs), manufacturing (191), and health (190 jobs).

QLDC Economic Development Manager Peter Harris said the report underscores the breadth of the workforce challenges across all sectors, and the growing need for change to achieve greater stability for businesses in the district.

“While it’s encouraging to see early signs of diversification in job growth outside of the hospitality industry, there’s a long way to go.”

Economist and report author Benje Patterson said while the district survived the winter, labour market shortages are enduring and looking like they will only be exacerbated by the summer season – which began with the Queenstown marathon last weekend.

“The hospitality and accommodation sector alone would need to expand its headcount by 1,500 workers just to return to its pre-Covid summer level. Businesses would be wise, wherever possible, to invest in systems and technological solutions to help them be able to maintain their yield with a leaner workforce.”

Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce acting CEO Sharon Fifield said the reality is hard for business owners and it’s challenging to consider the workforce shortage as a problem that’s not going away soon.

“Many businesses are having to close their doors one or two days a week just to give their staff a break which is really tough. To add to their worries, attracting more staff is proving difficult due to a lack of available housing. It’s great to see so many businesses providing worker accommodation, but there is still quite a gap in supply.

“Innovation is going to be really important for businesses in order to operate with continuing low labour supply.”

Harris said, “Businesses are losing income from not being able to offer their normal levels of service, and visitors have less choice about what they can do here. “By adding data to the issue the QLDC Economic Development team hopes it helps business and government leaders understand the scale of the challenge and prompts decisions that help relieve the pressure.”

The report is available on QLDC’s website.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “YOU MISS 100% of the shots you don’t take.” - Wayne Gretzky

SUZI Q’S GARDEN. CHRISTMAS TREES, FRESH AND fragrant are available for selection now. You’re welcome to visit and choose your tree which we’ll hold for your special day. Peony Rose Blooms are now available. No dogs or public facilities. 42D Gladmsuir Rd, Queensberry, SH6 Half way between Cromwell and Wanaka. Follow our Tree and Flower Farm Signs. Phone Suzi on 022 414 2301

KIWIHARVEST FOOD RESCUE TRUCK SUPPORT VOLUNTEER ROLE. Join our amazing team who have rescued and provided charities with the of over 270,000 meals worth of food in the region over this year. No weekend or afternoon pick-ups so only suitable to those who could help out for a few hours between Monday to Friday between 8am and 12noon. Email Gary: gary. hough@kiwiharvest.org.nz

How to advertise

Ph: 03 409 2800

Email: info@qmg.co.nz

Place your ad online: www.lwb.co.nz

Advertising Deadlines

Display Advertising: 12pm Friday

Situations Vacant: 12pm Friday

Queenstown Media Group

2nd Floor, The Mountaineer Building

Cnr Beach and Rees Street PO Box 1546, Queenstown 9300

Meet the team

David Gibbs General Manager

Kendalle McLeod Finance

Catherine Mercer Account Manager

027 777 2785 | cat@qmg.co.nz

Kylee De Suza Account Manager

021 044 2968 | kylee@qmg.co.nz

Ana Paula Salvi Graphic Designer

Patricia W. Becker Graphic Designer

Paul Taylor Editor/Journalist

Sue Fea Journalist

Bethany Rogers Contributor

Lauren Prebble Contributor

Jay Cassells Contributor

of Liberty?

On which type of building might you find bartizans and a portcullis?

Of what material is the London Shard made?

Who designed the Millennium Dome?

What shape is a rotunda?

Of which surprising material is the dome of the Roman Pantheon constructed?

For what purpose is rock wool used in a building?

What term is given to a small floor built between two main floors of a building?

What is the capital of Ecuador?

What name is given to a sun-dried building brick? 13. Which gardening implement has Dutch and draw varieties? 14. Hotel California was a 1970s hit for which group? 15. Which French word means a very thin pancake? 16. What is the study of history through excavation? 17. Which citrus fruit takes its name from a Moroccan port? 18. Which Latin phrase means "for a specific purpose only"? 19. On University Challenge, which category of question is worth ten points?

20. Peter Sellers played which military scientist in a 1964 Stanley Kubrick film?

21. What name is given to the area between about 23° north and south of the Equator?

22. What armoured vehicle was first used on the Somme in 1916? 23. The agave plant is the source of which distilled Mexican spirit? 24. Which kind of state has a president rather than a monarch? 25. Which Beatles song includes the line "cos I don't care too much for money"? 26. What is the sign of BSI approval? 27. What name is given to a gathering of witches? 28. How many lives is a cat said to have? 29. Which flower is the national emblem of Japan? 30. What term is used to describe a year with 29 days in February?

M Lf Soy

by Sue Fea

JOHN MANN

THE ENTERTAINER

Renowned locally as one of the Wakatipu’s most popular, fun-loving publicans, former Eichardt’s Tavern owner John Mann was destined for a life in entertainment.

Co-starring on the Scots College stage in high school productions with Kiwi actor John Clarke, who would become famous as Fred Dagg, John was raised in Wellington. Born en caul, John says water has always played a big role in his life. “I was born technically drowned in the amniotic sac and all my life I’ve loved water – water-skiing, sailing, boating, diving,” says John, who’s owned more boats than cars.

His father was director of Todd Brothers’ Aircraft Division, based in Wellington, however, while his parents travelled John stayed on the Taieri with his grandparents, attending Outram School. His father was the preeminent lobbyist in the corridors of Parliament. “My brother Mike and I spent a lot of time there, for many years. We knew it like the back of our hands.” Former Prime Minister Sir Walter Nash was John’s pre-school neighbour, while Sir Rob Muldoon was his teenage one, John receiving the odd tongue lashing up as a boy. “He gave me £5 while other neighbours gave me pennies when collecting for the SPCA.” Todd Motors had agencies for exotic vehicles and John loved cars. At 18, in 1968, his father got him a cadetship with Chrysler in Melbourne. “I knew only one Kiwi there and he was married to Alison Durban.”

In 1970 the Australian Army conscripted him to two years military service, heading for Vietnam. Thankfully the Whitlam Government got elected just as John was set to go. A sharp shooter in artillery, he’d become expert at directing fire from helicopters. “One night I went AWOL after a Kinks’ concert. The last train had left so we jogged 52km back to the barracks. I spent my 21st birthday as a guard at Sydney’s Holsworthy’s Military Prison as punishment.”

After demobbing, John scored himself a job with Dunedin entertainment icon Joe Brown, as a roadie on the Miss New Zealand shows. “The idea of touring the length of New Zealand with 16 women for three months was extremely appealing.” He eventually became stage manager, running sound and lighting in every town hall in the country for Kiwi icons like Sir Howard Morrison, John Hore-Grenell and Eddie Low. He was then assistant tour manager for artists like Kenny Rogers and Johnny Cash, preparing him well for the Mann’s popular shows in Queenstown.

That led to co-ordinating pub entertainment for NZ Breweries, aged 26, followed by trainee management roles in Hamilton and Wellington, before doing Summer School for Western International, training in New York, Detroit, Chicago and Houston. His Kiwi boss called him back to manage a pub in Blenheim in 1979. “I noticed a beautiful waitress with Farrah Fawcett hair so she was quickly promoted.” John and Ann have been together ever since. “She was also good on the water – casting a three-hook line and

landing three fish, as well as finger filleting, which was another attraction,” he grins. They made a great team managing pubs in Whangarei - where they hosted the controversial 1981 Springbok side, and the Poenamo Hotel in Auckland, where John once introduced a 25-foot (7.6m) yacht, complete with liferaft demonstrations from Sir Peter Blake, to the hotel swimming pool. After success in Rotorua and a promotion to Sydney, both John’s parents passed away within a month so they returned to New Zealand, little Catherine now in tow. John was then in his element as general manager of Auckland’s largest waterfront venue, the Hotel Mon Desir, and chuffed to have delivered his second daughter, Elizabeth, (Frankie), in the manager’s flat.

Lion Nathan was soon exiting pubs to invest in international brewing and, as a clever redundancy package, offered the Mann’s the opportunity to take over the lease of Eichardt’s – the perfect location with Ann then running NZ Snow Shows nationally. The après ski headquarters for Queenstown, many pub events the Mann’s dreamt up became annual sell-outs at Queenstown Memorial Hall. The Old Farts Balls, Top Bloke, Outrageous Arts and Fashion and the Family Arts and Variety Show for kids with its recycled theme – all a hit. “We’d put about 3000 people of all ages through the hall every Winter Festival, running seven shows over 10 days.”

Food was vastly improved at Eichardts. “Lemon in the gin was the first thing we fixed.” Ann launched MannMade Catering around then too.

John may have been destined for a life around water, but not quite this deep. He found himself inside Eichardts well above his chest-high waders in 1.5m (5-feet) deep water, which devastated the historic building during the record November 1999 floods. “We lost everything, even the ink off our marriage certificate, which was in the safe. We had to wheelbarrow the contaminated, sodden cash to the bank.”

Three years leasing Arrowtown’s Royal Oak followed during which time John won the South Island Formula Ford Class One Championship and competed in Australia in his Formula 5000.

His foray into local politics began in 2004 serving nine years on the Queenstown Lakes District Council before standing down to seek appointment as a District Licensing Commissioner, a role he still holds. His role as a national judge for Hospitality NZ’s Awards for Excellence led to being invited to co-judge the 2018 Cook Islands Tourism Awards.

Occasionally he still dons his whites to help Ann, and enjoys sharing his considerable knowledge of small-town NZ, in places like the West Coast, as a private tour guide. The Manns travel extensively, particularly to see their Australian grandchildren, and back on that water, just love sailing their coastal yacht.

John in his happy place – on the water working the waves with his yacht, ‘Let’s Dance’

John, as host and manager of the Grand Hotel in Whangarei, presenting a gift to Johan Claassen and his 1981 Springbok team on the eve of the final test of the controversial tour

functions Christmas

Now its down to the pointy end with just 4 weeks until Santa comes.

There is still time however to get the steam together for your work Christmas Function.

We’ve got your Christmas functions inspiration right here. These venues have limited availability so don’t delay make you reservation today.

A WHOLE LOT OF tinkering GOING ON

By Sue Fea

Sometimes blokes just need to go down to the shed and potter, as do some girls.

Arrowtown MenzShed now has 35 paid-up members, after just two years, and that’s growing, with affiliation to the New Zealand MenzShed Association. Members’ skills are in hot demand in the Wakatipu community and ages range from their 30s to 80s, with three women joining recently.

Retired Southland farmer Russell Heckler first called a meeting of a few blokes for a bit of a yarn about five years ago at the Arrowtown Bowling Club to gauge interest. There was plenty of that, but it took until November last year to find a ‘shed’ space for members to gather.

Fortunately the Spijkerbosch Partnership held a long-term lease on Queenstown Lakes District Council-owned property in the Arrowtown Camping Ground and “bent over backwards to help”, says Russell.

Some of the younger members are still working, but most are retired. “As people age they have to downsize their workshops and garages, and most have a lot of tools so they just need somewhere to go,” says Russell.

Pottering in the workshop is “therapeutic”, he says. “It gets you away from your wife,” he jokes, giving both parties a break. “People come and have a yarn and a cup of tea or coffee, and use the equipment and tools we have here.” Someone from the group is there on duty Monday, Wednesday and Saturday between 10am and 1pm and usually interested people somehow find them and just turn up.

MenzShed is for love not money and recently the blokes turned out in force to build and paint the new World Language Lilliput Libraries for Frankton Library. They’ve put shelves into the local Presbyterian Church hall and refurbished and revived old furniture and toys that have been donated, doing their bit for sustainability too. “We’ve done up an old Sunburst sailing dinghy and sold it on Trade Me for funds for MenzShed,”

says Russell. They restored a beautiful, carved rocking horse, built it a stand, and it will also be sold soon to raised money. “It looks pretty good,” says Russell, proudly.

People have brought in old dining room chairs that need restoring, park benches are being built for Lakes District Museum and picnic tables for the resurrected Bush Creek Skating Rink.

While fire risks mean they can only do woodwork and not metalwork on site, the group now boasts a former female metalwork teacher from Auckland, who can now throw a bit of girl power into the mix. That’s not something they’re opting for up in Glenorchy though where they’re a bit shy of the girls.

Another MenzShed group has been officially formed but they’re still searching for land to set up in the community. “Men like to talk about men’s problems and only really let their guard down when they’re with other men,” says Glenorchy MenzShed vice chair Rob Koch. “We have a lot of lonely people in our district, younger people too at a loose end. They need somewhere to gather where there’s no alcohol, and we have full support from the community.”

“We’re relying on the Queenstown Lakes District Council to give us part of a reserve up here, but we will need a resource consent,” he says.

A planner has donated time free of charge and a group of at least a dozen men are at the ready with skills in everything from motor bike mechanics and engineering to carpentry. Members are ready to work on projects and share their knowledge with younger guys, he says.

“As soon as we have a site our numbers will expand,” says Rob.

Jobs are already lined up, including replacing the local church piles.

The members plan to chop and collect firewood, and have plenty of damaged and broken equipment at the ready in need of love and repair which they’ll sell on for funding.

Rob says they’d love to hear from anyone with a suitable piece of land that they could use, reasonably close to Glenorchy, which has cellphone coverage for safety. “We’ll probably use Portacom buildings or shipping containers for our shed space.”

Both groups would welcome any donations, whether financial, or tools and machinery, and the Glenorchy group would love donations of spare portable buildings. They’re already applying for trust funding to get the project off the ground.

There are some 120 MenzSheds groups set up in communities around New Zealand.

Anyone interested in buying the Arrowtown MenzShed’s restored rocking horse contact Russell Heckler on 027 284 8814 or hecklerdenise@hotmail.com

At the ready the starters for the Glenorchy MenzShed, from left, Mike Stone, Christ Stone, Mike Spencer, Craig Waddell (president), Howard Thompson, Robert Koch (vice president)

Russell Heckler with the beautifully restored rocking horse that Arrowtown MenzShed is selling

Arts+Culture

Magical musical night

by Jessica Allen

The Central Otago Regional Choir will perform Magical Music from Mozart to Madden in Arrowtown, Wanaka and Alexandra at the start of December. The performance will showcase the choir performing a variety of music including several songs by the highly-regarded New Zealand composer Richard Madden QSM, who will also be conducting them.

This year will be one of the biggest performances for the choir – in addition to performing some rarely-heard works from Richard Madden, they will also welcome organist Kemp English and his partner, Assistant Concert Master of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Yuka Eguchi. Sarah Hubbard, South Island finalist in the Lexus Song Quest opera competition, will also sing as a soloist at the show. Kemp and Yuka will premiere some music that has been especially written for them by a Norwegian composer at the concert, too.

The choir start rehearsing for the end of year shows around three months in advance and the songs they sing are usually chosen by the musical director. Madden was persuaded by the choir this year to include his music.

Allie Frude, the rehearsal pianist accompanist and member of the choir says this on Madden, “He’s a very humble man. He’s extremely gifted but doesn’t say a lot about his own music, but he should because it’s wonderful.

“We’re very lucky because we’re performing five of his pieces in the concert. His son is a Lay Clerk at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and he’s introduced his father’s music to his fellow choristers, so it’s been recorded over there and has been played at services in the UK in front of the Queen. It’s definitely worth hearing, but you don’t hear it as much here, which is a shame.”

Allie first got involved with the choir when she moved to Queenstown –she had been involved in choral singing for most of her life. She slowly made connections with various groups including the Central Otago Regional Choir.

“To start with I began as a chorister but as time went on there was an opening for me to accompany the choir. I still wanted to sing, so they created this job for me whereby I accompany them during the rehearsal, and then at the time of the concert I hand it over to whoever is going to accompany us.”

The programme will be interspersed with favourites from the choral repertoire such as Franck’s Paris Angelicus, Mozart’s Ave Verum, and Bach’s Jesus Joy. The choir hope to bring positivity and joy to the community after some troubled times. The choir welcome all ages and Allie says that children have really enjoyed themselves in the past.

“We see grandparents who want to introduce the young ones to a different sort of music from what they may be used to listening to. It’s amazing to see their faces light up. They come in initially like ‘what’s that?’ and then as time goes on, you see them change and they really take it all in. You can tell it’s made an impression and often it’s something completely unknown to them – string players and singers all in a group with no guitars. It’s just lovely watching them take it all in,” says Allie.

The Central Otago Regional Choir will perform at Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall on Saturday 3 December. Tickets are available at a range of locations including Life Pharmacy Wilkinsons, Queenstown, Unichem Summerfield’s Pharmacy, Frankton, and Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown.

Richard Madden

Yuka Eguchi and Kemp English

THE LAUNCH OF CURIOUS – EXPLORING VISUAL CULTURE AND CREATIVE THINKING

Curious is a new programme of talks and events in Queenstown instigated by Kelly Carmichael. Kelly is the director of Starkwhite in Earl Street and has built up a solid curatorial background working in the contemporary art world across Europe, the Middle East and the US before returning home to Aotearoa–New Zealand. She’s launching the first Curious event on 3 December at Starkwhite Queenstown.

We asked Kelly what to expect and where the Curious idea came from. “I wanted Curious to be a platform that lets us explore the stuff that shapes our world, the important and the everyday, the serious as well as the quirky” Kelly reflects. “I’m deeply curious and always wanting to scratch the surface of something to find out more or encounter a new idea. I’m also missing the range of interesting talks and events that larger cities offer. If we continue to receive funding to bring speakers and events to this region I hope Curious will take the Queenstown-Lakes community on an exciting exploration of visual culture and creative thinking.”

First up is curator Robert Leonard, one of New Zealand’s most experienced contemporary art commentators. Alongside many curatorial roles, Leonard has curated New Zealand’s representation at Brisbane’s Asia-Pacific Triennial in 1999, the Sao Paulo Biennale in 2002, and the Venice Biennale – the art world’s Olympics – in 2003 and 2015.

Robert will explore how revolutionary images and concepts enter the mainstream. Talking about his 2018 City Gallery Wellington show Iconography of Revolt, which tracked the absorption of edgy revolutionary imagery and strategies into the mainstream, he will reflecting on the implications for art and curating. The revolution is earnest, serious stuff. But what happens when revolution and style are scrambled—when art, fashion, and popular culture look to politics for an edge, and when the revolution needs a look to advertise itself?

Leonard’s talk will take in Bolshevik sportswear and Black Panther propaganda, hacktivists and hijackers, stone throwers and balaclava wearers, Pussy Riot and the Ayatollah, Maoists in a Paris flat and a flowerpower orgy in Death Valley, terrorists on the catwalk and universityrecruiting videos.

Curious Presents Robert Leonard on Art and the Revolution: 4pm on Saturday 3 December 2022 at Starkwhite Queenstown, 1–7 Earl Street. Thanks to Queenstown Lakes Creative Communities for their support.

Follow @curious_nz on Instagram to hear more about upcoming talks and events, or email kelly@starkwhite. co.nz to go on the mailing list.

Curator Robert Leonard

El Lissitzky Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge 1919

Eugène Delacroix Liberty Leading the People 1830

QLDC Libraries

Librarian Profile

Lakes Weekly Bulletin and Queenstown Lakes Libraries are profiling our librarians. This month we are profiling Sam who is a Library Assistant at Arrowtown Library.

Kia ora! I’m Sam, the new Library Assistant at Arrowtown Library. I come to the Queenstown Lakes area by way of Brisbane, Australia, but I grew up in regional areas: on Mirarr Country in Kakadu National Park (Northern Territory) and Kalkadoon Country in Mount Isa (North West Queensland). Moving here feels a lot like coming home, if a little colder!

I’ve worked in and around libraries for six years, and am passionate about how stories enliven and enrich our communities. Highlights include delivering the first Mount Isa Writers Festival –in partnership with ABC Open and the Queensland Writers Centre – launching a creative mentoring program for young people on the autism spectrum, and delivering storytelling and rhyme sessions for ethnically diverse groups in Brisbane.

In my experience, libraries have a wonderfully democratising effect on their communities. More than just a repository of books, they foster participation and open up pathways to information, networks, and opportunities. Feeling a little unsure about your new mobile phone? Your library network has a Digital Drop-In service! Want to support your little one’s emergent literacy? Your library has preschool programs and bookshelves full of bubready books! Wanting to build connections? Ask about useful e-resources or check the bulletin boards for what’s happening in the area! Looking for a safe space to relax or study? You get the idea... Libraries are for everyone, for free.

My love of stories inspires my academic interests, and I returned to study as a mature-age student to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, first-class Honours in English Literature, and a Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing (MWEP) from the University of Queensland. I am fascinated by nonhuman animal representations in Australian fiction and fairy tale transformations, and recent projects have focussed on the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) figure in Australian narratives. If you ever want to talk about eco-gothic fiction and ‘unsettled settledness’, I’m your gal.

Here, I’ve included some of my favourite fiction reads from recent years, but I also enjoy the odd slice-of-life manga or narrative driven cookbook. I would also love to hear what you like to read and research! After all, that aardvark in the yellow sweater wasn’t lying when he sang, “Having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card.”

Currently reading: How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino. A Māori Word a Day: 365 Words to Kickstart your Reo by Hēmi Kelly

The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay

Jean is hard-drinking and harder to love. When a mysterious pandemic breaks down the linguistic barrier between humans and non-human animals, she sets off on a cross-country adventure with a new, bristly companion: a young dingo named Sue.

Common People by Tony Birch

A collection of short stories from the author of Ghost River and The White Girl. Through the heartache and triumphs of everyday life, ‘common’ characters remind us that common ground – and beauty – can always be found.

Here Be Leviathans by Chris Flynn

From the author of Mammoth comes a collection of short stories interested in what ‘more-than-human’ voices might tell us about our (human) selves.

How to Say Hello by Sophie Beer

Through lively illustrations, Sophie Beer reminds us that there are many ways to greet each other. A great aid to conversations around social distancing, boundaries, and feeling comfortable.

The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa

A young novelist lives on a remote island where inhabitants gradually forget the names and uses of objects, concepts, and beings. Ever-present is the threat of the Memory Police, mysterious enforcers of this collective forgetting. What happens to the forgotten? How might we write into being what has been lost?

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki

A nostalgic graphic novel set in those last long summer days of girlhood. This year’s family holiday is fraught with tension; Rose’s parents keep fighting, her friendship with Windy is shifting, and small-town secrets threaten to upset everything. This One Summer is a wonderful example of graphic novels’ storytelling possibilities, tackling big issues and complex themes with sensitivity.

@qldclibraries

Queenstown Lakes District Libraries

My current reading recommendations:

Queenstown Marina plans for huge expansion

By Paul Taylor

Developers behind the $20 million Queenstown Marina have announced they intend to begin construction of stage two next year.

It will add about 100 additional berths to the marina, in the Frankton Arm of Lake Wakatipu, and will also provide electric charging for boats and vehicles.

Construction of Stage One was completed just as Covid hit, and despite the timing, there’s still been a good deal of interest for berths over the past two years.

Just 15 private and commercial berths currently available to lease.

Kirker says: “Before we built the marina there were no facilities on Lake Wakatipu catering to larger vessels.

“Nautical tourism is on the rise and the marina has brought high net worth visitors and residents to the district because it can fully cater for boats over 14m.”

KJet is one of the main commercial tenants for the marina, while Lake Dunstan’s award-winning coffee and floating burger bar Coffee Afloat will be operational before the end of the year in one of the 17 buildings, which all have their own power, water, internet and gas.

The company intends to make additional investment to acquire a hydraulic boat trailer suitable for larger vessels, enabling boats to be pulled out of the water for essential repairs and maintenance.

Lakes Marina Projects is working with the Queenstown Lakes District Council on provision of a large shed to safely house boats while the work is being carried out.

Construction of the floating 85-berth stage one was completed in September 2019, after a six-year push for resource consent by developer Lakes Marina Projects Ltd and a two-year build.

A modern marina had been mooted for land, off Sugar Lane, for more than 20 years.

But it wasn’t until Iraj Barabi, who spends his time between his home in San Francisco and Queenstown, met Queenstown local Alan Kirker that the project became a reality.

Barabi was in town last week to officially open the marina and its 17 floating buildings.

“It’s taken much longer than I ever thought to build the marina, but now that we’ve finished Stage One, we’re delighted with the result,” Barabi says.

“The marina provides easy access to the lake for members of the public, enhancing recreation activities and serving as an alternate transport hub.

“We’re delighted with the support we’ve had from our anchor tenant Kjet and Alan has been the man on the ground in Queenstown for me, especially when I couldn’t be here during Covid.”

The marina itself features a floating wave attenuator compromised of curved concrete pontoons, which was engineered and fabricated to protect the marina structure and vessels from wave action, while also being aesthetically

Local

Iraj Barabi, right, with his right-hand man Alan Kirker

GOINGS ON ABOUT

EVENTS - MUSIC - ART THEATRE - AT THE GALLERIES

Art Classes

Youthtown Afterschool Workshop

Explore Figurine Modelling - Ages 13 - 18

Explore the craft of figurine modelling and create your very own nymph. This is a two week programme led by accredited art teacher, Michelle. The programme will offer a variety of ways to have fun in the Arts. All the materials are provided and the programme is Free.

Register at nz.patronbase.com/_TeAtamira/ Productions/AP17/Performances

When: Tuesday, 29 November, 3:30pm - 5pm Tuesday, 6 December, 3:30pm - 5pm

Where: Te Atamira - Dart House, Remarkables Park Town Centre, 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton

Art Talk

Curator Robert Leonard on Art and the Revolution

Curious is a new series of talks and events in Queenstown that explores visual culture and creative thinking. This independent curatorial platform has been developed by Starkwhite director Kelly Carmichael.

First up is widely experienced curator Robert Leonard who explores his 2018 City Gallery Wellington exhibition Iconography of Revolt—which tracked the absorption of edgy revolutionary imagery and strategies into the mainstream—and reflects on the implications for art and curating. The talk asks the question: What happens when revolution and style are scrambled?

When: Saturday, 3 December, 4pm Where: Starkwhite Queenstown, 1–7 Earl Street

Golf

Wakatipu High School Foundation Annual Charity Golf Tournament

The WHSF is inviting locals and visitors join the annual charity golf tournament at Millbrook Resort. All the proceeds go to support Wakatipu High School students Reach for their Heights! There is a range of great prizes to be won including the chance to WIN $50,000 in the Crombie Lockwood Hole in One competition! This is an Ambrose format followed by a BBQ and Prizegiving. Register at www.whsf.nz/event

When: Thursday, 1 December, from 11.30am

Where: Millbrook Resort

Networking

Queenstown

Business Ba5

Queenstown Airport is hosting the final Ba5 (Business after 5) event for 2022. The QAC Chair, Adrienne Young-Cooper and CEO, Glen Sowry will provide an update on the airports Strategic Plan and draft Master Plan, as well as some insight in forecast activity through the airport over summer. This is also an opportunity to bring along little unwrapped gift donations for Happiness House and place it under the tree.

Register at Queenstown Chamber of Commerce

When: Thursday, 1 December, 5pm

Where: Queenstown Airport

Fete

Cromwell Festive Fête

This year is Cromwell Festive Fête’s 12th year, when the community comes for a leisurely day out with friends, to enjoy wonderful food while shopping for unique Christmas gifts. There will be over 100 shopping stalls, four musical acts, local boutique food, wines, ciders, gin & port and summer sunshine.

When: Saturday, 3 December, from 10am to 3.30pm

Where: Cromwell Racecourse $15 entry on the gate

Festival

Wanaka Beer Festival

The Wanaka Beer Festival is another event reappearing on the event calendar. With live music, fun & games, delicious food and of course, the best beer from around the country on offer the festival promises to be big. Tickets are available at www.wanakabeerfest. co.nz

When: Saturday, 3 December, 12pm - 6.30pm Where: A&P Showgrounds, Wanaka

Choir

Magical Music from Mozart to Madden

The Central Otago Regional Choir will perform “Magical Music from Mozart to Madden”- this an opportunity for the choir to not only sing several works written by New Zealand composer Richard Madden QSM, but also have him conducting the performances.

The evening will feature Sarah Hubbard (soprano), the South Island finalist in the Lexus Song Quest opera competition.

When: Saturday, 3 December, 7.30pm

Where: Athenaeum Hall, 33 Buckingham St, Arrowtown

Tickets available at: Life Pharmacy- Wilkinson’s, Queenstown, Lakes District Museum Arrowtown, Unichem Summerfields Pharmacy, Frankton

Music

Te Atamira Sing!

Te Atamira Sing is what us called an open-to-everyone choir. Anyone is welcome to join. Hosted by various choir masters in the district, the community sing-along will teaches the choir to sing two-part harmony for a variety of popular songs. Song sheets are provided and no experience necessary. For more information, contact Margaret O’Hanlon info@whirlwindnz.com

When: Tuesday, 6 December, 7pm

Where: Te Atamira - Dart House, Remarkables Park Town Centre, Frankton

COMMUNITY NOTES

Surplus to Sublime - A food fundraiser for the

community

by Jess Larmont

An apple grows on a tree in Cromwell with sunshine, water, good soil and some love. It gets picked and driven to a shop to be sold. A few days later a new shiney batch of apples arrives and our apple hasn’t been bought yet, so it’s taken off the shelf and put in the bin. That evening a family in Fernhill sits down to eat another dinner of 2-minute noodles, unable to afford fresh nutritious food. All while a perfectly good apple sits in the bin just down the road, ready to be buried in a landfill site.

Plunket Winner in Pro-Am Golf Tournament

by Sue Fea

A hugely successful Queenstown charity golf tournament, attracting some big names, raised about $35,000 for Whānau Āwhina Plunket this month.

The sought after, two-day 2022 Cello Invitational Pro-Am – one of the PGA of New Zealand’s premier pro-ams, teed off at Millbrook Resort, progressing to the Jack’s Point course on the second day. It provided the perfect opportunity for pro golfers to play the NZPGA circuit.

A total of 42 professional golfers, among the line-up of 84 competitors, teed off on the first round on the Coronet Course at Millbrook Resort, giving many professionals their first look at the New Zealand Open venue before the event takes place next year.

One of New Zealand’s leading female golfers, Momoka Kobori, who just earned her tour card on the European Tour, placed fifth overall. The winning honours went to Dongwoo Kang, who accumulated 81 Stableford points, nine-under-par.

However, Whānau Āwhina Plunket was the winner on the day with the whopping $35,000 raised.

This year’s tournament was also extra special, as like so many things, the last two years’ tournaments had been foiled by the pandemic.

The event is organised by Cello, solely as a fundraiser for Plunket, a cause close to the heart of Cello chief executive Mark Jurgeleit, also a trustee of the Whānau Āwhina Plunket, says Plunket general manager finance technology and commercial, Matt Kenny. Matt also participated in the event.

Whichever way you look at it, the fact there’s enough good food thrown away in NZ each year to feed Dunedin while 40% of Kiwi families experience some form of insecurity every week is maddening, sad, wildly disconnected and downright confusing.

Not to mention all that food stuck in our closed landfills with no way to compost. Instead, they release the super potent greenhouse gas, methane, which simply damages our atmosphere and, in turn, damages us.

Before you give up all hope, we’re here to tell you that where there is a problem, there are inevitably some heroes. And for us, they come in the form of KiwiHarvest

Our Queenstown branch of the national charity goes around supermarkets and cafes five days a week to collect the perfectly good food destined for landfill and takes it to local organisations to distribute throughout our community.

KiwiHarvest currently supports over 750 families and individuals in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Cromwell and Wānaka through the incredible work of local people at the like of Happiness House, Baskets of Blessing and Whakatipu Youth Trust.

There is a sizeable portion of Queenstown locals working in industries and essential services that are struggling with COVID knock-on effects. An increase in the cost of living means many of us are struggling with changes in rents, mortgage rates and the cost of everything - food, fuel, childcare!

Last week Sustainable Queenstown and KiwiHarvest hosted a Trust the Chef food rescue fundraiser dinner at the Millhouse at Millbrook Resort. The chefs were challenged to create a three-course meal for 50 people using only food that had been rescued by KiwiHarvest, donated by Royalburn Station or grown in Milbrook’s own Kitchen Garden.

The evening started with a tour of this incredible Kitchen Garden and ended with a silent auction packed with epic prizes generously donated by local businesses. With costs for the event covered by Ziptrek Ecotour’s recent Locals Day donation, a whopping $17,000 was raised at the dinner which will be split equally between Sustainable Queenstown and KiwiHarvest.

The next time you’re in the supermarket, choose the ugly fruit – you might just save it from ending up in the bin.

“Some years ago Mark’s family realised the importance of Plunket’s services when his baby daughter was very ill,” says Matt, also a director of NZ Golf. “A call to PlunketLine’s free 0800 number ensured a very different outcome for their family and Mark’s always been very grateful for that,” he says. “Mark wanted to create an opportunity to support Plunket so held the first Cello Invitational in 2020.”

A gala dinner on the middle night of the tournament was a smash hit and saw competitors digging deep and generously into their pockets for a very successful charity auction. A Hole In One competition also attracted some big donations.

The $35,000 raised will be spent on maintaining PlunketLine’s 24-hour, seven day a week, free parent helpline and advice service, available to all families, whanau and caregivers. Qualified Plunket nurses answer the phones and give advice and information on parenting issues and child health and well-being.

“This money is so essential to the continuation of the service and much appreciated as there’s a great need in Plunket,” says Matt. “We’re so thankful as we’re short-funded for our services and it all goes to essential services like this.”

“The generosity and work of Cello, in particular Mark Jurgeleit, needs to be acknowledged, as well as all attendees,” says Matt.

Matt says they’re hugely grateful to all the competitors and sponsors, and now looking forward to the 2023 event.

Queenstown

Competitors in the Cello Invitational after the prize-giving at Jack’s Point

Housekeeping Superstars

NEW CHIEF REQUIRED AT BLUEKANU RESTAURANT QUEENSTOWN (RESTAURANT MANAGER)

We are looking for a Restaurant Manager that will lead, support, and take our team to the next level of excellence at the fabulous Bluekanu Restaurant. Our gorgeous Oxy will be leaving a er 5 years and we are seeking our next Super Star!

Here's what you need to know about this exciting opportunity:

- You are a people person and understand how to run a high energy team, and you LOVE doing it.

- You have experience in the industry and understand all aspects of its diverseness and skills

You love working for the top establishment and are proud to be part of the whanau.

You can deliver excellence; are organised, love learning and can commit to a minimum 12-month contract.

If this is a head nodding moment for you in a good way, let’s talk, send your resume to:

Our General Manager - Warren.ratana@gmail.com – we want to meet you!

(Applications received in the strictest of confidence)

Staff Wanted

The Lodge Bar Queenstown is looking for an outstanding individual to join our team!

Attitude to learn is essential.

Having previous bar and fine dining experience preferred. Cocktail, wine, beer and spirit knowledge a plus. Ideally looking for a 6-month commitment. Small team, gorgeous views, fantastic benefits and great operating hours. Full-time positions available.

Contact is Christine at christinea@roddandgunn.com

Supporting everyone towards better health

Seeking early birds and night owls

Queenstown Medical Centre is looking for a part-time cleaner to keep our premises pristine and squeaky clean.

Role involves general cleaning duties to a high standard, nothing too icky. Opportunities in Queenstown, Frankton, Jacks Point and Arrowtown. Choose your own hours, either morning or evening. Full training and equipment provided.

Access to great work perks!

Please only apply if you have the right to legally work in New Zealand. If you want to be part of the Queenstown Medical Centre Team, please email hr@qmc.co.nz

Skilled and Unskilled Labourers

Looking for casual, temporary or long term work??

Queenstown Personnel and Labour Hire are looking for labourers for a variety of jobs around Queenstown with an immediate start.

Contact Sharleen - 027 778 7377 or email sharleen@qtplabour.co.nz

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

Is currently seeking CHEFS / LINE COOKS

Min$25per hrs more based experience

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.

Full Time Hairdresser Role at Frankton Hair Studio

Apply Now.

We're looking for a full time hairdresser for our amazing team here at Frankton Hair. Hours are negotiable Monday to Friday with one late night but NO weekends required! We’d love you to have a few years experience and be competent in all aspects of Hairdressing. Start date negotiable.

If this sounds like you, call Becky on 021 144 8191 or email your C.V to Franktonhair@gmail.com

Queenstown’s home of house music is looking for:

Duty Managers & Bartenders •Competitive Pay • Staff Perks •Part time/full time hours available

Please email or Andy via email or phone: 022 406 1707 Andrew.moore@goodgroup.co.nz

Email slithytoves33@gmail.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

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.

To apply please email your CV to: queenstown.joinery@xtra.co.nz

Sous Chef

Chef de Partie

Kitchen Porter

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

Housekeepers… the most valuable staff in Queenstown!!

We are looking for staff to work with our strong team of housekeeping champions.

Core tasks include providing the highest levels of cleanliness and hygiene throughout hotel rooms and apartments … and ensuring the guest experience is always as good as it can be.

The wellbeing of our team is also very important, we offer a paid yoga class twice each week … come join a sustainable hotel with a caring vision, we are in search of great people and it is a fun place to work.

Full-time or part-time shifts available and previous experience will give you the advantage.

Good hourly rate with summer season bonus payment.

Waitstaff, Food Runners & Bartenders

•Full time, part time or casual

•$24+ per hour

•Great tips

• Staff perks

Please email Nicole via Nicole.simister@botswanabutchery.co.nz

Luxury Sales Consultant

We are looking for a friendly salesperson to join our passionate team at our pearl jewellery store in Queenstown.

Full

time, part time or casual bartenders

• Previous cocktail experience preferred

•Competitive pay

• Staff Perks

•$25+ per hour

Please email Nicole via Nicole.simister@botswanabutchery.co.nz

Email your cv to work@sherwoodqueenstown.nz

Housekeepers Wanted

You will work on rostered shifts that include late nights and weekends. We offer a much higher than New Zealand Living wages and plus the monthly bonus. Applicants must have a valid work visa. Luxury sales experience preferred but not essential.

Please include a cover letter and CV to Info@laperle.co.nz

COOK BARISTA

WAITER / DUTY MANAGER

Come and work with us in Arrowtown and we will offer you day time shifts only so you are free to enjoy the afternoons and long summer evenings.

We pay well and offer free staff meals and coffee along with training and career development to the right people who want to commit to longer term management positions as duty manager/shift supervisor and assistant manager with us. All positions can be either full time or part time.

We are also looking for someone with a current duty manager certificate.

Come see us at 65 Buckingham St, Arrowtown or send your CV to us: info@provisionscafe.co.nz

65 Buckingham St - Arrowtown www.provisionsofarrowtown.co.nz

We are now looking for staff for the busy summer season. No nights, flexible, stable rosters and a great team are all part of the package!

Positions available for:

CAFE CHEF / BAKER

BARISTA

KITCHEN HAND

Experience necessary for the positions. Must hold a valid visa.

Pop in and see us or email your CV manager@theexchange.kiwi

A superstar with enthusiasm and motivation? Someone with excellent communication skills? Highly organised with excellent attention to detail and time management skills? A team player? Passionate about selling a sustainable product? Then we want to hear from you!

Queenstown's home of Sport and Pool is looking for:

Part time or Full time bartenders

• Starting rates of $23+

• Staff Perks

• Early finishes

•Fun team

Please email or Andy via email or phone: 022 406 1707 Andrew.moore@goodgroup.co.nz

Full-time and part-time positions available.

Chefs/Cooks, Baristas, Front of House and Kitchen Hands for Odelay cafe and our new town location Marmolada.

Call or email Ed Devereux on odelaycafe@yahoo.co.nz or 021 280 2425 anytime to discuss.

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.

Are you… a Little Odd? Join the club. odd saint is hiring. We are pushing boundaries and breaking rules. Take everything you know about

and lunch, then forget it. We are changing the game. Come and be a part of something special.

Recreational Services – Vacancies

Do you enjoy working outdoors and want to work in some of Queenstown’s most beautiful spaces? Then come and join us! We currently have four super cool vacancies for three Facilities Operators and one Handyperson to join our high-performing Queenstown team!

Facilities Operators – Fixed Term, full-time

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 in Frankton or Queenstown. The catch is you will need to clean public toilets, BBQs, bus stops and drinking fountains. Pretty simple really. Most days are plane sailing, others you just roll up your sleeves and get on with the job. Housekeeping is no better, at least with us you’re free to enjoy the outdoors.

Handyperson – Permanent, full-time

As a Handyperson you will respond to minor projects and daily call outs for the repair and maintenance of assets in parks and recreation spaces. The work is varied and could include installation of bollards, picnic tables, park signs and park benches, implementing new plantings, as well as hard landscaping. No two days are the same!

We supply all your uniform, PPE, and other goodies after a hard day’s work. The lake is a great spot for lunch, or a swim if you’re keen! We have a great company culture and most get to take a vehicle home also, 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

Do you enjoy meeting people? Do you have attention to detail? Do you enjoy working in a fun/relaxed environment?

If you have answered yes to all the above questions then you may be the person we are looking for to fill our position of Receptionist / Admin Support in our Queenstown Office.

You could be a school leaver or someone returning to the workforce wanting a role with fewer hours. Due to continued growth in the company there is now the need for administrative assistance in our Queenstown office.

This part time role will be approximately 15-20 hours per week, envisaged as around 10am – 1 or 2pm each day, or possibly longer worked over four days. There is flexibility for the right candidate!

Duties include: •Greeting visitors and answering phones

• WFM - Setting up jobs and general staff support

• Experience with Workflowmax an advantage but not essential What we offer:

• Plenty of support around you

If you feel that this role sounds like you, then please apply with your CV by emailing info@sullivanhall.co.nz

AVIS & Budget

Queenstown

RENTAL SALES AGENT

Do you enjoy working in a fast paced environment where the days go quickly?

Do you enjoy meeting and talking to people from all over the world?

Do you appreciate a consistent working roster because your life outside of work is important too?

If you answered yes to any of these then maybe this customer service, sales and office administration based role is the new job for you.

Full Time & Part Time contracts available with set days off, Shifts are mostly 8am to 5.30pm with at least one evening shift per week. The role also requires you to work weekends or at least one weekend day per week. You'd be based out of our Queenstown Airport office in Frankton.

What you need:

•Full drivers licence

• Good command of the English language

•Working rights in New Zealand

Please send a CV to:

queeniesdumplings@gmail.com

Manager

Full Time mainly afternoon / evenings

Come work in our busy little supermarket in Arrowtown with great customers.

You will need a current Duty Managers Certificate or LCQ experience and the ability to get the Duty Managers certificate

•A team player & customer focused

•Punctual, reliable and honest

• Passionate about delivering excellent customer service

• Taking responsibility for supervising evening shifts and organising resources to ensure that Store presentation standards are met and exceeded

Please email your resume to Amanda Colmore-Williams at: Amanda.colmore-williams @foursquare-si.co.nz

Shape Your Future With Us

Retail sales assistant Summer position

We are looking for a superstar sales assistant to join our team working in one of NZ’s best preloved clothing stores.

This is a super fun and varied retail position, working in an amazing family run business with some great perks.

Please call Jenna to apply 021 0228 8569

Applicants should have NZ residency or valid NZ work visa.

Please present your CV in store at 35 Camp Street, Queenstown.

Are you a seasoned retailer or looking for that first step into the exciting world of retail? We can help with that!

We are recruiting for various roles at our Merchant Queenstown store. We are an award winning retail company with company culture second to none. We offer generous staff discounts (your shoe collection is about to get a whole lot better!), supportive leaders, amazing company culture, bonus structure, surprises and celebrations and a whole lot more.

We have the following vacancies:

• Keyholder – Friday to Monday, 27 hours per week

• Casual Sales Associate

Keen to find out more? Visit our careers page at https://careers. overlandfootwear.co.nz/home or pop into our Merchant Queenstown store to have a chat with one of our friendly team members.

Accounts Receivable Assistant

We are on the lookout for an Accounts Receivable Assistant for a fixed-term position for the next 6 months.

We can offer:

• Flexible workdays and hours

•Full training

•Great work perks

•And a supportive team

Experience using Xero is advantageous. You must be eligible to work in New Zealand to be considered for this opportunity.

For further information or to apply, email hr@qmc.co.nz

Supporting everyone towards better health

Do you want a job where you know you are contributing to your community?

QUEENSTOWN

General Manager and Duty Mangers

We are looking 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. We are a NZ Immigration accredited business, and we have immigration tokens for General Manager and Duty Manager.

Email qtownalehouse@xtra.co.nz

More than just a Supervisor

Looking for that next step in your Housekeeping career? A sensational opportunity has arisen for a career minded Housekeeper!

Make the department your own & manage the day to day operations of our housekeeping department.

You will be bright and engaging with exceptional communication & people skills & strong attention to detail.

Proven experience in either housekeeping management or hotel operations are an advantage.

SENIOR CHEF & BREAKFAST CHEF ROLES

Busy daytime winery restaurant located near Arrowtown. Open 7 days a week, offering breakfast and long lunches either inside our cosy cottage or outside amongst our landscaped gardens. The Mora Wines cellar door is located here too

You must be in Queenstown to interview.

SENIOR CHEF:

We are looking for a Senior Chef who has experience in top restaurants, can run their own section, someone who thrives in a busy team environment and fits in with our great kitchen culture. This is a permanent full time role with DAYTIME HOURS and includes weekend shifts however we are flexible with time off. Most weeks are 4 days on, 3 days off as we like to promote a good work life balance

Start date - asap

BREAKFAST CHEF:

We are looking for a talented breakfast chef who enjoys a fast past early kitchen service, works well under pressure and in a team environment. You'll work alongside another chef. 7am start until 12pm. Flexible on days, it does include weekends. Can be a 4 or 5 day week.

Start asap

Must have a valid work visa to work in New Zealand.

4 years + experience in a fast paced restaurant as a Senior Chef.

Team player, great work ethic, reliable and hard working.

Email john@mora-artisan.co.nz