Touching tributes to passionate kayaker

By Paul Taylor

Family and friends have paid tribute to a “special, unique and irreplaceable” 24-year-old man, who died while kayaking on a West Coast river late last month.

University of Otago graduate Jeremy Norbury, originally from Alexandra, lived in Queenstown, where he worked as a geologist for Geosolve Engineering consultants.

But it was for his adventurous spirit, humour and infectious energy he will be remembered most.

Childhood friend Sam McCulloch says Jeremy’s teen years were spent “racing slalom kayaks, kayaking off waterfalls, pushing the limits on apparel wearing, mountain biking, adventure racing, fending off the Rees girls, coaching, leaping off rocks, rattling off speeches centred around his hilarious take on the Fairlie Bakehouse & 100kph high fiving out of car windows”.

Kayaking was his absolute passion, which he pursued with a laser focus, competing in slalom and freestyle through his high school years, and representing NZ at the Freestyle World Championships. He attended the World Class Kayak Academy, a travelling high school for teens, visiting Eastern Canada, Pacific Northwest and Mexico.

“During this time, Jerm ticked off an array of the world’s best kayaking rivers before many of his friends kayaked outside of Central Otago,” Sam says. At Otago University, where he studied earth and ocean sciences, he was a critical member of the Otago University Kayak Club, coaching and inspiring beginners. He also joined the ski club, cheese club, and expanded his vast network of friends.

He moved to Queenstown aged 22, where he lived with his best mate Dan Sutherland.

Jeremy’s girlfriend Morgan Larkins and Dan said he was a good fit for Queenstown, but not for the usual reasons.

“He didn’t have much interest partying in town and if he did end up in a bar, he would have a raspberry coke in hand,” they said.

“For the Jermuckle, a Saturday night was best spent away in Milford or elsewhere, kayaking and camping with mates. If he was home, it would be with half a butterscotch and half a bottle of cream to a good light-hearted movie on the projector at the Earnslaw Terrace flat.” Sundays were spent playing disk golf (frolf) with his mum, dad, Dan and Morgan.

“He loved spending time with the people most important to him.” Friend and kayaking mentor Antz Longman says Jeremy was “approachable, down to earth and true to himself” and quickly made friends with everyone. “If you met Jeremy, you could only leave a conversation happier and with a bigger smile. His infectious energy radiated and we are blessed to call him a friend and a #baller.”

He shared his family’s passion for conservation and love of the outdoors, enjoying skiing, biking, tramping, fishing and other adventures.

Brother Marcus said: “Jaisy is the glue in our family. He is the never-ending source of positivity. He is mumma’s ray of sunshine, dad’s partner in crime and banter buddy, and his older brother’s role model. Jaisy’s objective at all times was to make his mum happy, his dad laugh and his brother proud. But most of all, he was a real mumma’s boy.

“My love for you Jaisy is immense, it’s deep down inside me. I see you everywhere I look and every time I close my eyes. You were everything to me, I feel empty without you. Going on in life without you is unimaginable, it’s heart wrenching. What I would give to hold you one more time, hold you close to my heart and tell you that I love you, I love you, more than you could ever know.”

Mum and dad, Dale and Grant, said: “To our darling young man, we’re in this river eddy right now holding your waka tight to our chest, but we have to push you out now my love into the current, back into the awa, to float you down to the moana, the open ocean. Dad’s waka, mumma’s waka, and Marcy’s waka will follow you one day my love and we will join you my sweet darling boy. We love you Jaisy... we love you.”

• Donations can be made to the Jeremy Norbury Youth Kayaking Fund, which has been set up in his honour to support young up-and-coming kayakers in Central Otago. 02-0916-0038674-000. Reference: Jerm

Imitation is not always the sincerest form of flattery

Now that the tourists have returned to Queenstown many locals and visitors have experienced anything but a kiwi welcome when they take a cab. Queenstown being busy again has brought the unwelcome return of operators and individuals who are moonlighting as reputable taxi companies or drivers.

One has decided to even imitate our name to pass themselves off as our company. It isn’t sincere and we aren’t flattered. Many of these imitators deliver unfair fares and less than stellar service that inevitably rubs off

Queenstown Taxis has been Queenstown’s ‘local’ taxi company for over 60 years. The company is locally owned and our drivers are also mostly locals and all uphold the highest levels of service. We also have the largest fleet of taxi’s on the road 24/7.

When taking a taxi choose one that you can trust and if you do have a problem you can get a local person on the phone who will deal with any complaints professionally. We’re proud to be a part of the Queenstown transport landscape, offering a clean and safe service to both locals and tourists alike.

If you require a tour of the town or a wine tasting adventure, have a flight to catch or a conference to attend, Queenstown Taxis have got you covered, with affordable group transfers for up to 11 passengers and even a mobility taxi for those in need.

And in the unlikely event that we’re all booked up, give Green Cabs, Corporate Cabs, or Arrowtown Taxis a try as they too are reputable operators.

You can TRUST Blue Bubble Queenstown Taxis!

Calling all Queenstown blood donors

By Paul Taylor

People in Queenstown Lakes will have an opportunity to help save up to three lives at the end of this month.

The New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) is set to host its first mobile blood drive in the district region since 2019.

The mobile drive will take place at St Margaret’s Church in Frankton from March 28-30.

Hours are as follows:

• Tuesday, March 28, 8.30am to 1.30pm

• Wednesday, March 29, 7.30am to 1.30pm

• Thursday, March 30, 7.30am to 12.30pm.

“It’s been a long time between collects since we were last in Queenstown Lakes Districts and we’re looking forward to our upcoming visit,” says Donor Relations Team Leader – Southern Atawhai Te Hau.

“One blood donation takes just an hour and can save up to three lives. This is a chance to make a real difference and give hope to someone in need.”

With spaces limited during the three-day mobile drive, donors are being encouraged to book an appointment as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss out on a rare chance to donate in their own backyard.

“There is an incredibly passionate community of blood donors in Queenstown Lakes District who have been quite vocal during the last four years about having an opportunity to donate in their neck of the woods.

“A big reason why we don’t often visit Queenstown Lakes District is because it poses some logistical and financial challenges for us in terms of flying donated blood back to Christchurch each day for processing in a timely manner once it has been collected.

“However, we have listened to the feedback we have received from donors and have been able to work around that by collecting earlier in the day. Now that we’re coming, our hope is the Queenstown Lakes District community turns out in force to ensure we can hit our collection targets during the three days we are here.”

NZBS is aiming to collect 200 donations while in Queenstown Lakes District. New donors are encouraged to find out if they are eligible at nzblood.co.nz and then book an appointment to donate.

Those who have previously been told they could not give blood due to their age or a medical condition are also asked to check the updated NZBS donor eligibility criteria.

To book an appointment to donate at the Queenstown mobile drive, visit nzblood.co.nz, download the New Zealand Blood Service Donor App or call 0800 448 325.

Did you know?

• Less than four percent of the eligible population in New Zealand currently donates

• NZBS needs to collect more than 5000 donations nationally each week to keep pace with current demand

• Blood only lasts 35 days

• All blood types are greatly needed, although there is more demand for A and O blood groups given 80 percent of the population has these blood types

• A blood donation is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets after it has been processed, meaning several people can benefit from just one donation.

Motatapu back on track

By Paul Taylor

Aotearoa’s largest off-road sporting event made a welcome return in Arrowtown and Wānaka over the weekend.

Close to 4000 mountain bikers, runners and walkers took on the Motatapu on Saturday, held for the first time in three years after Covid-19 forced cancellations in 2021 and 2022.

Race Director and co-owner Gemma Peskett was delighted to be able to welcome competitors back to the Southern Lakes.

The Motatapu, now spread across six events, offers competitors once-a-year access to the stunning high-country terrain of the Motatapu valley, traversing the privately-owned Motatapu, Mt Soho and Glencoe Stations.

The ultra runners were the first athletes on course with an early 6am start for the challenging 52.5km run which traverses the ridges and valleys of the Harris Mountain Range.

“Brutal but awesome,” is how one competitor, Christian Mawson, described his day. Weston Hill was the first man home in an impressive time of 06:04:05.

The UDC Finance Mountain Bike featured the biggest field, with 1600 riders tackling the 47km course. The elite racers made it from Glendhu Bay through to Arrowtown in just over two hours.

The men’s race saw a particularly tight finish with Reef Roberts in first place in 02:10:37, followed by Taz Selfe in 02:12:23, only just beating Joshua Barley in 02:12:24.

Georgina Read was the overall winner of the women’s mountain bike.

“It’s a great race, it’s nice to be out there doing it again,” she said. “I’d like to come back again but maybe for the Coronet Loop next time. Something a little bit more technical, and it’s nice to do the new trails.”

Sam Shaw was the winner of the inaugural Coronet Loop Mountain Bike, storming out of the start gate and leading all the way around the 56km circuit to finish almost 16 minutes ahead of anyone else in the field. The popular Miners Trail also saw some fast finishers and plenty of sweaty but smiling faces. The 15.7km course follows a spectacular loop from Arrowtown, ascending the historic Tobin’s Track up onto the Crown Terrace before entering the magnificent Glencoe Station.

“I loved it,” said competitor Marie Ford, in the Female 60+ category. “So many good hills, it just keeps on going and going but the view is amazing. It’s an honest course, that’s for sure, but it was awesome.”

There was also a great sense of camaraderie out on the marathon course. Ella Fry was delighted to win the women’s title, with a sub four-hour finish of 3:41:22.

“I met so many people out on the course today,” she said. “You run past and they start talking to you, ask where you’re from and have a good chat.” She was met at the finish by her proud mum Leeanne Durry, who won the very first Motatapu marathon event in 2005.

Some 105 junior racers also took on the Jennian Homes Junior Trail Run, racing around a 4km loop and finishing with the big smiles that suggest they’ll be lining up again at the start line in years to come.

There was some sadness at the start of the Mountain Bike event, at Glendhu Bay, Wanaka, however, with the death of a 58-year-old man. Police were notified about 9.30am, and part of Motatapu Rd was closed for a short period of time. The death has been referred to the Coroner.

“We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” Peskett said.

Full results at online at motatapu.com

Women’sDaythisMarch

March 1– 31 | Spend $500 on seasonal fashion and receive a $50 voucher towards your next fashion purchase.

March 8 – 10 | Spend $150 instore and enter a scratch card giveaway with $8,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.

by Sue Fea