LWB_issue 893

LAKES WEEKLY

LOCALLY OWNEDSINCE FOREVER BULLETIN

The easiest way to save lives

You never think it can happen to you or your family. But then it does. And when it happens to your child, a new level of fear is unlocked.

Thankfully, because of generous blood donors, this story has a happy ending. In October last year, my four-year-old son, Bodhi, began having strange symptoms. Initially my husband and I thought he was suffering from growing pains, but the situation worsened and we ended up at Christchurch Hospital.

Eventually Bodhi was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome – an incredibly rare disorder where the body attacks the nervous system, causing paralysis and death if left untreated. Luckily, we got Bodhi to the hospital early and diagnosed quickly. Had we been a day or two later, doctors warned us it would have been a far different story.

As the paralysis began moving up his body, Bodhi received four transfusions, essentially stopping the syndrome before it could reach his chest. Since then, I’m relieved to report he’s bounced back and is nearly fully recovered. As a mother, I cannot articulate the appreciation I feel to each of his donors, for lending an arm and one hour of their time. The kindness of strangers literally saved my son’s life.

Soon after Bodhi’s experience, I reached out to New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS), asking them to come to Queenstown again. Turns out I was not the only one requesting them to come here.

Unsurprisingly, there is an incredibly passionate community of blood donors in Queenstown Lakes District who have shared similar sentiments about being able to donate closer to home over the last four years.

When I queried why Queenstown was not a regular pit-stop on the mobile blood drive itinerary, NZBS explained it poses some logistical and financial challenges, like being able to fly donated blood back to Christchurch for processing each day once it has been collected.

However, NZBS has listened to our feedback and have gone to tremendous lengths to make the upcoming blood drive in Frankton on March 28-30 a reality. Surprisingly less than four percent of the eligible population currently donates in New Zealand. You may also not realise that one blood donation can save up to three lives. As someone who has experienced first-hand the hope blood donors provide during life-changing moments, I for one will be donating a pint of my red stuff when NZBS is in town next week.

NZBS is aiming to collect 200 donations while in our neck of the woods and appointments have already booked out. If you’ve missed out on an appointment, please keep checking the schedule. Sometimes donors cancel at the last minute, so spots could still open up during the mobile drive. If you’re not donating this time around, please remember you can always visit a blood donation centre when in Christchurch, Dunedin and up North. Thank you Queenstown, you’ve once again risen to the occasion.

By Kris Perkins

More than 30 firefighters tackled the fire in the historic Speight’s Ale House building downtown on Sunday morning including Queenstown Lakes fire service assistant commander Nic McQuillan, pictured. The story is on page 5

Fire guts downtown pub

By Paul Taylor

It will likely be several months before Speight’s Ale House opens again after Sunday morning’s blaze.

More than 30 firefighters tackled the fire in the historic downtown building on the corner of Stanley St and Ballarat St. They fought to stop it spreading to a huge neighbouring mixed-use residential and commercial building, although the people inside had evacuated once they heard the alarm.

Pub owner Clark Frew told Lakes Weekly Bulletin yesterday that he had yet to gain access to the building to assess the damage. But he knows there’s fire, smoke and water damage to the kitchen, roof, bar and restaurant.

“I know there’s substantial damage, so as for timelines on what happens next, haven’t got a clue,” Frew says.

“The fire brigade did an absolutely fantastic job to contain it to just our space, and also we were very lucky there was no one in the building itself.”

The fire broke out about 6.30am and Frew, who’s owned the business for more than 20 years, got the call from building landlord Mike Cooper shortly after 7am.

“I was there not long after that and watched it unfold. It wasn’t pleasant.”

Queenstown Lakes fire service assistant commander Nic McQuillan says it began on the ground floor but developed into the roof void, which fireys had difficult accessing.

They removed roofing on three of the four sides of the building.

“There was a point where we concerned about the other buildings,” McQuillan says.

“It was in back corner, right next to the other buildings, so we put a lot of effort into containing it and preventing it from spreading to the other buildings, which we were successful with.

“Fortunately, as the alarm activated, most of the residents self-evacuated. We double checked by going door to door.”

No one was injured.

“It proves that fire alarms in commercial buildings are effective,” McQuillan says.

“We had no injuries, no risk to life at any stage through the incidents. That’s a good result.”

Crews from Queenstown, Arrowtown and Frankton rushed to the scene, about six appliances in all, along with support crews and the command unit from Alexandra.

Smoke was pouring from the building at one point, but the flames were relatively limited.

By about 10am, the fire had been brought under control, although crews remained on site checking hotspots.

A fire investigation officer was on the scene on Sunday and Monday, working out how the fire started.

Frew says: “He told me there’s three possibilities but he had to go back in today [Monday] to nail it down.”

Like most Queenstown businesses, the pub had struggled with staffing postCovid but was just about back on its feet.

“We were finally all staffed up for trading seven days a week and then this happens.

“We’ve had offers from several friends in the industry who are happy to take the staff on a short-term basis until we come back, and we also have business interruption insurance, so will work through that.

“With what we know so far, it’s going to be months before we’re back in.”

The 1881 listed stone building was used as council offices at one point in its history, but has been occupied by Speight’s Ale House since 2000.

Smoke pouring from Speight's Ale House. Photo: Jay Cassells

One of the roof panels stripped away by fireys

COMMUNITY NOTES

The Wānaka Festival of Colour 2023 approaches

The countdown is on to the start of the tenth Wānaka Festival of Colour which gets underway on Sunday 26th March with an official opening at 3pm at the iconic Dinosaur Park.

Wānaka: home to The Wānaka Tree, Roy’s Peak and a breathtaking, glacial alpine lake. In summer, it’s a bolt-hole for trampers, campers and holiday makers; in winter, the snow bunnies flock from around the globe to enjoy the skifields and back country in all their snow-clad finery. Not to be underestimated, though (and what we all know already), is what the region has to offer in autumn, the autumn colours appear, turning the hills and lakefront tracks into a riot of golds, reds and oranges, they form the backdrop to a very different kind of stage.

Every other year, the streets and venues of Wānaka and the surrounding area come alive for a weeklong celebration of the arts. The biennial Wānaka Festival of Colour, is known for punching well above its weight, bringing the best of the worlds of dance, music, theatre and cabaret together.

Just a stone’s throw from the CBD’s restaurants and bars rises the magnificent Pacific Crystal Palace, the hub for the festival and host to many of the larger performances. Cross the road and you will find yourself on the shores of Lake Wānaka, surely one of the most spectacular outlooks in the area.

For the opera lovers, Grammy award winning NZ tenor, Simon O’Neill will be performing alongside chamber artists NZ Trio during an evening featuring Mahler’s Lieder and a selection of Strauss Lieder. If contemporary music is more your thing, the much-loved Phoenix Foundation will be bringing their blend of pop, psychedelic rock and tight harmonies to the Southern Alps when they close off the festival in style. Eclectic as that might sound, that’s nothing compared to Otto & Astrid, rockstars and completely dysfunctional siblings from Berlin band “Die Roten Punkte”. It’s hard to describe them: imagine the Pixies crossed with the B52s and Kraftwerk with some Ramones thrown in for good measure.

While not for the faint-hearted, The Savage Coloniser Show will be a night to remember. Inspired by the poetry of Tusiata Avia, The Savage Coloniser Show examines the legacy of James Cook and Australia’s contemporary policies around the treatment of refugees, moments that are interspersed with tender reflections of a mother’s love for her child. It’s complex, it’s fiery and it deserves to be seen.

Wānaka Trail Ride

The Wānaka Trail Ride offers a unique and stunning, all-abilities trail bike ride over Deep Creek, Long Gully & Lindis Peak Stations for spectacular trail riding. Trails cover all levels of riding, from beginners to experts. Riders have the rare opportunity to explore private high country farmland, whilst helping to raise funds for Wānaka Primary School and Montessori Children’s House. Tracks include family, intermediate, advanced and expert trails as well as a pee-wee track for children. The Wānaka Trail Ride is an event for motorbikes and farm-style quad bikes.

Register online at www.wanakatrailride.org

W

A highlight of the Wānaka Festival of Colour is always the Wānaka New World Community Day, when the streets of Wānaka take centre stage for a variety of free performances for all the family. Local dance schools United Dance Crew and Centralpoint Dance will be showcasing new works outside Kai Whakapai and on the new marina respectively while some spectacular circus skills will be on display courtesy of two groups: Biggest Little Circus and Silk & Circus. There’ll be a relationship advice bureau thanks to Melbourne couple, Jim and Barb, live music from local bands, and performances from Southern Lakes groups including Wasabi, Queenstown’s Japanese Community Choirs.

So, grab your diaries and head to the Wānaka Festival of Colour website for a full programme and to secure your tickets to a week of laughter and revelry. Immerse yourself in the arts, Wānaka style. Tickets are still available for many Festival performances at www.festivalofcolour.co.nz

The Wānaka Festival of Colour runs from March 26 – April 2, 2023 in and around Wānaka.

Putting out the call for trail-riding volunteers

With one of the South Island’s top trail rides back for 2023 and organisers are on the hunt for keen volunteers to join the crew. After Covid restrictions cancelled Wānaka Trail Ride in 2022, it’s expected this year’s event, to be held on April 1, will see a bumper turnout.

According to Wānaka Trail Ride Track Manager, Phil Pendlebury, a big event takes a big team.

“It’s great to see so many familiar faces back again this year to join us on the marshalling team, but there’s still a few gaps to fill,” Phil says.

“All up, we’ll have around 40 marshals on the day. Anyone who is a keen trail rider and wants to be part of a fantastic experience should get in touch.

“It’s always a big job to get the trails ready each year. These are working farms every other day, so there’s a lot of work that goes into clearing growth and marking trails before the event. And there’s an even bigger team needed on the day.”

Wānaka Trail Ride is an entirely volunteer-run event and the marshalling team plays a crucial role in maintaining the high levels of safety—and fun— the ride is known for.

“Roles cover everything from marshalling the young riders on the pee wee track to working in the communications tent in the base paddock through to setting up and marking trails prior to the event.”

This year’s event will mark the seventh Wānaka Trail Ride, which has now raised over $140,000 for Wānaka Primary School, Montessori Children’s House Wānaka, Tarras School and the RSA Appeal.

The event will be held Saturday, April 1 with online registration now open. Volunteers can sign up at https://wanakatrailride.org/volunteers/ or email Gillian directly at volunteer@wanakatrailride.org

Otto & Astrid. Photo: Andrew Wuttke

Marshal team at

ānaka Trail Ride. Credit: Tonia Kraakman

NEWS IN BRIEF

Rates hike in the works

Queenstown Lakes residents are facing an average 13.6% rates rise, to pay for leaky buildings claims and rising costs. The higher-thanexpected rates increase is in the draft annual plan 2023-2024, to be considered by councillors this Thursday. QLDC is also proposing to hike fees for building consents, animal registration, and sport and recreational services. Mayor Glyn Lewers said QLDC is facing many challenges, including rising interest rates, inflation, staff shortages linked with accommodation challenges and supply issues. “Council is not immune to these pressures and as an organisation we continue to strive for greater cost efficiencies while protecting our levels of service and delivery on behalf of the community. Recent building defect and weather tightness claims against the Council have also had a significant impact. The combination of these conditions has required Council to seriously review its capital works programme and service delivery.”

Ram raid charges

A 52-year-old man is due to appear in Invercargill District Court next week after being arrested following an alleged ram raid in downtown Queenstown. The man, who has been remanded in custody, has been charged with wilful damage, Intentional damage, and also possessing an offensive weapon. Witness video shows a small white Honda reversing into the BNZ Bank on Camp Street at about 11.45pm last Friday, smashing the glass frontage of the business. The vehicle then sped off before being stopped by police, using road spikes, on State Highway 6 towards Kingston.

Snow season wrap

Alpine ski racing superstar Alice Robinson wrapped up her Northern Hemisphere competition season with a seventh-place finish at the Giant Slalom World Cup finals held in Andorra. It was Queenstown 21-year-old’s equal best Giant Slalom World Cup result in almost two years. She also finished in seventh place in Are, Sweden nine days ago. Mikaela Shiffrin (US) took gold ahead of Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund and Canada’s Valerie Grenier. Meanwhile, decorated Kiwi Paralympian Adam Hall finished in sixth place at the Para Alpine World Cup Slalom Finals held in Cortina on Friday. The races marked the end of the Northern Hemisphere winter season.

Snow youngsters

On Saturday, Kiwi development athletes Luke Harrold (freeskier, Lake Hāwea, 14) and Cam Melville Ives (snowboarder, Wānaka, 16) both claimed the gold medal in their respective disciplines at the European Cup Premium Halfpipe competition held in Laax, while Cooper Breen (Queenstown, 13) also made the Freeski Halfpipe finals in his first European Cup halfpipe event, finishing in a respectable 7th place. In Tignes, France, Luca Harrington (Wānaka, 19) achieved a career best World Cup result, finishing in 10th place in the the FIS World Cup Slopestyle Finals, with heavily stacked field. Ruby Star Andrews (Queenstown, 18) was competing in the women’s slopestyle finals in France. Andrews was planning on a technical run that included three different 900-degree rotations on the jumps but was unable to put it down and finished in 9th place. Regardless, Andrews said: “I had one of the best trainings of my life and I am hyped.”

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HONOURING DA’VELLA GORE - Renowned NZ Artist, Author, Celebrant And Stoneridge Founder

By Sue Fea

One of Queenstown’s most loved artists, Da’Vella Gore, was farewelled on Saturday (March 18) at a service at her beloved Stoneridge Estate Chapel overlooking Lake Hayes, which all began out of her passion for old church buildings.

Renowned not only as an artist for more than 30 years, but an art tutor, wedding celebrant, gardener and author, Da’Vella was 84 and only retired reluctantly as a wedding celebrant four years ago, son Wayne says.

Born in Cromwell in 1938 and educated in Queenstown, Da’Vella didn’t learn how to paint until 1973 when her mother, then a motelier in Whitianga, was nursing her back from a long illness. “Grandma bought her a set of paints as therapy and once she discovered she could paint she came under the mentorship of NZ artists like Peter Williams, Ben Ho and John Crump before heading to New York to study art,” says Wayne.

Da’Vella’s mother Mary Perks originally owned the dress shop at the top of Queenstown Mall, Her dad, Ray Perks, was a builder. Da’Vella’s ex-husband Vance was an Otago Ski Team racer, and she loved snow skiing, but was also believed to be one of the first women locally to waterski on Lake Wakatipu, says Wayne.

The Gores farmed near Taupo, then in 1980 Da’Vella moved back to Queenstown with Wayne and she bought a section above Lake Hayes.

“In 1981 Mum began to build the “Chapel By The Lake” at Stoneridge, reconstructing it from recycled parts of two old churches in Winton and Hokitika.”She restored and sanded back all the materials, old trusses, and retrieved old Welsh Slate from a southern hospital.” It was a long, painstaking battle with many struggles, as Da’Vella documented with good humour in the first of her six books, “This Blessed House’. Family friend Barry Spooner helped her build the chapel and it was her art gallery for a short time. People asked if they could get married there so she gained resource consent to hold weddings, says Wayne.

A keen gardener, Da’Vella’s beautiful, expansive gardens with ponds and bridges are still immensely popular as a wedding backdrop. She became a marriage celebrant in the late 1990s, marrying hundreds of couples from around the globe and locally. Japanese and Chinese couples were particularly fond of Stoneridge’s spectacular views and gardens. Wayne now runs the business and the function venue and lodge, also created out of an old Dunedin church, with wife, Suzanne, after they added onto what Da’Vella started. Thousands of people have been married, or stayed, at Stoneridge, even legendary All Black captain Richie McCaw.

Throughout the years Da’Vella also tried her hand at viticulture, developing a vineyard on the property – the subject of more amusing tales in another of her light-hearted books.

As a teenager, Wayne was builder and stonemason assistant helping his mother. “I thought I was doing a good job, but I’m still fixing some of that now,” he smiles. There were many funny memories as his mother battled the odds to develop the property, with his help, into what it is today.

“Mum stored the caravan at Arthur’s Point Camping Ground and when I was about nine we went to collect it to go to Glenorchy. We were up the Glenorchy Road and suddenly Mum noticed people in the caravan trying to wave at her through the window,” laughs Wayne. “She’d forgotten that she told the camp they could let it out to help pay the storage fees.”

It took three years for Da’Vella to walk again after a serious car crash in Northland in the 1990s dealt her some horrific injuries, badly affecting her

sight and meaning she couldn’t paint. She always said her faith and son Wayne, had helped her through.

For many years Da’Vella, who became in demand around NZ as an inspirational celebrity speaker and art tutor, held art classes in her beautiful gardens high above Lake Hayes. She held garden tours, offering morning teas, and even exhibited her art in the US and Australia. Thanks to her vision, Stoneridge is now one of the region’s most picturesque and sought after wedding venues, even attracting international fame when the final of the US series of The Bachelor was filmed there.

“When I was young I couldn’t see what Mum was trying to create,” says Wayne. “She’s always been driven – a warrior and a fighter, full of tenacity. When she really set her mind to things there was no limit on what she could achieve. She’s certainly been an inspiration to my sister, Dale, and I, and her five grandchildren.”

Da’Vella (standing right) teaching one of her popular art classes from beside the Stoneridge wedding chapel that she developed above Lake Hayes

Da’Vella, in her younger days, outside the Lake Hayes chapel gallery she created from the remnants of old churches, which quickly became a popular wedding venue

Da’Vella enjoying two of her greatest passions – painting and skiing, back in the day

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!

Grant Scannell, Managing Director

Hospitality worker told his accommodation to be used as Airbnb instead

By RNZ

A Queenstown renter says he and his flatmates were given notice after raising concerns about a spare room being let on Airbnb.

The hospitality worker, who only wanted to be identified as Mitchell, said their landlord told them last week a spare room, in what he believed was a share house, was going to be let on Airbnb with the first visitors arriving in just days.

After raising concerns, they were given notice and told the whole house would be let via Airbnb, Mitchell said.

The resort town is in the grips of a rental crisis.

Mitchell arrived in Queenstown from Australia late last year to work in the hospitality industry.

He searched high and low for a home in the town for months before arriving, but had no success.

Once he arrived in Queenstown, he did what he could - including living in hostels - until landing a place in January at what he believed was a share house.

After being told the spare room was going to be let on Airbnb, he and the other flatmates raised their concerns.

“We basically said ‘Look, we’re not comfortable with this, especially because we don’t have any keys - none of the doors can lock’ ... and the owners pretty much came back to us and said ‘All right in that case we all want you out of the house in four weeks. We are going to Airbnb the whole thing’,” Mitchell said.

His story was symptomatic of the situation faced by many in the town. Hundreds of homes were available for short-term letting on platforms like Airbnb, but finding a permanent place in an affordable rental was hard work for the workers who kept the town’s tourism and hospitality industries ticking over.

Now Mitchell and the rest of his flatmates face the daunting prospect of finding somewhere else to live.

“It is just a real kick in the face when you’re already down. I did a week sleeping on a few pillows in the storage room at work after arriving here because all the hostels were full.”

He wanted to be part of the solution to Queenstown’s worker shortage, which was especially prevalent in hospitality and tourism, but apart from his employer, he did not get the sense he was wanted in the town. Many others felt the same and that reputation was spreading about Queenstown, Mitchell said.

“I already know people within my workplace, and I’ve heard of people in other workplaces, who have come here, worked for two or three months and then given up because they haven’t been able to get a place and they’ve just gone home.”

Citizens Advice Bureau national adviser Sacha Green said people should take their time to seek advice before signing any tenancy agreement.

The agreement signed by Mitchell raised some serious concerns for her, and it appeared to meet the legal definition of a boarding house tenancy, she said.

“Even though the agreement might say this only grants a licence to occupy and says the Residential Tenancies Act doesn’t apply - on the facts of it, the Residential Tenancies Act does in fact apply and this is a boarding house tenancy,” Green said.

Boarding house tenants still had many of the rights of those in a shared flatting situation.

“Any situation where you’ve got tenants raising an issue of concern and then immediately being given notice - even if the notice meets the lawful notice requirements for a boarding house tenancy - there’s still a question to be asked there about whether it was in retaliation for them making a complaint.”

Tenants also had the option of taking a landlord to the Tenancy Tribunal for any breaches of the Residential Tenancies Act.

RNZ was unable to directly contact the landlord.

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URGENT FUNDRAISING FOR SNOW FARM BASE BUILDING

By Sue Fea

Veteran Queenstown cross country and telemark ski instructor Jef Desbecker says it’s “super important and absolutely crucial” for the region that the necessary funds are raised to build a base building at Snow Farm.

“If we’re trying to attract visitors then a building is crucial, even just for locals – a place to rent and store gear, gather and have a cup of tea and food, somewhere for instructors,” he says. “It’s part of that whole atmosphere in the snow.”

“We’ve got some 40kms of world class cross country ski trails up there.”

The internationally-renowned, not-for-profit cross-country ski area – NZ’s only one, was required to hand back its previous headquarters to the building owner and neighbouring business, Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground in October last year.

Snow Farm is operated under the Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust (PACT). The trust has raised over $400,000 towards stage one of the building, but the entire project will cost some $2.1 million.

General manager Sam Lee says they’ve come up with a temporary solution using shipping containers to get through the 2023 season. “But we need to focus on starting construction at the end of the winter to have the new building for the 2024 season. It’s crucial,” he says.

Jef, a fully-certified cross country instructor in North America and NZ since the early 1980s, says the temporary buildings will be “like perfume on a pig”. “It’s just Band Aids. It’s so critical that that funding is achieved so that we have a functional building,” says Jef, who introduced telemark and cross country skiing locally. “It doesn’t need to be a flash building, just functional, but we need a base.”

The Lee family founded the ski area in 1989. Sam’s father John and family had farmed the land under a pastoral lease since 1924.

It was handed over to PACT to run in 2012 and PACT now needs an additional $1.5 million to complete the 264sqm reception, ticketing, rentals area, classroom, and day lodge, says Sam. Fundraising began about a year ago but really kicked into gear in July last year.

“We’ve got a consented plan for the two-staged development and we’re almost through the building consent phase,” says Sam. The first stage will be the minimum operational facility, with a day lodge, classroom and food and beverage area planned in stage two.

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More than $400,000 has already come in from the Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes Trust and private donors. “But we need to raise more than double what we’ve raised to date to complete stage one,” says Sam. “We’ve had great support from local businesses and the district council to help us get this far, especially from Breens Construction who’ll be building the facility.”

“We’ve been actively reaching out to the community to fundraise and people have been generous.”

Sam says that without a base building the ski area will be left in “operational limbo”. “It will be detrimental to our long-term survival if we don’t have a base building complete by next year.”

Just last week 20-year-old Wanaka Winter Olympian Campbell Wright, who trains at Snow Farm, became NZ’s first-ever biathlon world champion. “We’re fostering the next generation here,” says Sam.

Between 10,000 and 15,000 people ski and enjoy Snow Farm each year. “Last year we had about 12,500 visitors. Many of these people are young local families, not ready for downhill skiing and snowboarding, because they just want to play in the snow and experience it,” says Sam.

More than 33 schools are heading to the Snow Farm for overnight stays and ski adventures this season in the Snow Farm’s range of backcountry huts, mostly from Otago and Southland, a few from Canterbury, and even one Australian school. Shotover School is also planning a one-week programme there.

“We provide the facilities for overnight backcountry education experiences that cover everything from alpine ecology and snow caving to outdoor survival and cross-country skiing,” says Sam.

US Winter Olympic gold medallist Jessie Diggins has trained at Snow Farm, as have world champion biathlete’s from around the world.

“It’s a great thing for our youth to see these athletes performing, but 60 percent of our visitors are local,” says Sam. “Our main aim is to provide facilities for locals to access and experience the Snow Farm and access the backcountry, whether they’re cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing or ski touring. We even have dog passes.”

Events like the Wanaka Sled Dog Festival, Merino Muster and regular weekend biathlon and cross-country competition events also mean a proper base building is paramount, he says.

To help or donate see: www.snowfarm.nz

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Cross country skiers enjoy Snow Farm, high on the Pisa Range between Wanaka and Queenstown

Tit bits Tit bits

FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Russia: 60-day extension of wartime grain deal acceptable

A Russian delegation at talks with senior U.N. officials have said that Moscow is ready to accept an extension to a grain export deal that has helped bring down global food prices amid the war in Ukraine — but only for 60 days as the Kremlin holds out for changes to how the arrangement is working.

The United Nations said it “notes” the Russian announcement and reaffirmed its support for the agreement struck in July as “part of the global response to the most severe cost-of-living crisis in a generation.”

The U.N. and Turkey brokered the deal between the warring countries that allows Ukraine — one of the world’s key breadbaskets — to ship food and fertilizer from three of its Black Sea ports.

AP

South African rapper dies aged 28 after ‘collapsing on stage at festival’

Costa Titch a 28-year-old rapper has died after reportedly collapsing while performing on stage in South Africa.

Footage on social media showed him appearing to stumble and fall to the ground during his set before being helped to his feet. The South African star continued to perform and finished his track a few seconds later before falling for a second time.

The incident reportedly happened in front of fans at the Ultra Music Festival at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg. He died later in hospital.

Sky News

FDA approves Pfizer nasal spray to treat migraine symptoms

Zavegepant, sold under the brand name Zavzpret, is the first of its kind to be approved and was considered more effective than a placebo at treating symptoms within 30 minutes and up to 48 hours later. A migraine is a moderate to severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head.

USA Today

Lebanese man builds wind turbine from recycled plastic-producing electricity for his family and neighbors

In Lebanon’s windy northwest governate of Akkar, a literature student taught himself engineering to build a wind turbine on his grandmother’s roof.

With government-supplied electricity more of a nice theory than a daily reality, solar panels have become ubiquitous in the region.

However 25-year-old Mohamad Sabsabi used old water drums, steel beams, and a cart wheel to build a wind turbine to take advantage of the wind when the sun is behind the clouds.

A French literature student, Sabsabi dropped out of university when hyperinflation made it impossible for him to continue paying the fees. He used YouTube videos, books, and scientific articles to build the turbine that is working and producing electricity.

He’s hoping for a north-Lebanon wind industry to crop up in the wake of his invention, which he says he wants to share with his neighbors. Anyone without solar panels is left without power for all but 1 or 2 hours during the day, and the wind turbines, which can be made from scrap apart from the electrical components, could be an easy solution.

Good News Network

Monthly Column

Joseph Mooney MP for Southland

The Queenstown-Lakes District is facing a severe housing affordability and accommodation crisis. This problem has been ongoing for decades, but it has recently intensified. The need for urgent action is crucial, as stories of working homeless individuals emerge, who are in full-time jobs but living in tents or vans. The complex nature of this problem is highlighted by discussions with property developers, local council, social agencies, various community leaders, affected individuals, and Members of Parliament.

Developers have been trying to provide affordable housing since 2016, but for various reasons, they have yet to be successful. Worker accommodation shortage is another concern in the community, making it very difficult for people who choose to live and work in Queenstown, and for businesses seeking to recruit and retain staff. Rents have increased significantly, with new data from MBIE’s Tenancy Services Rental Bond data release for January 2023 showing that median rents are up $175 per week since Labour took office.

While short-stay accommodation may be a contributor, a recent report by locally based economist Benje Patterson noted that there are fewer AirBnB homes available on the market now than there were before the pandemic. Unoccupied houses made up 27% of the total housing stock in Queenstown-Lakes District in the 2018 census. If 1% of those unoccupied houses were to become available to the rental market, it would mean more than 200 additional rentals and 600-1,000 additional beds.

Fundamental changes are needed to address the root causes of the crisis for the long term. Potential solutions include bringing back interest deductibility for landlords, unlocking Build-toRent developments, freeing up more land for housing, ensuring infrastructure funding and financing isn’t a barrier to new housing developments, a more competitive building materials market, and making sure communities share in the benefits of housing growth.

Discussions with Mayor Glyn Lewers and councillors are ongoing on how central and local government can work together to improve housing outcomes for the district. The Ladies Mile Master Plan is one option for a faster solution. The plan could see the development of 2,400 high or medium-density homes and potentially include a town centre, supermarket, a new high school, a new primary school, and a sports/community hub. The streamlined planning process request currently sits with Environment Minister David Parker for approval.

The Queenstown-Lakes Community Housing Trust has 870 eligible houses on its waiting list, and more people are added to it every day. Adequate and affordable housing is a problem throughout New Zealand, but the Queenstown-Lakes District has been particularly affected by this for decades.

A clear roadmap for energy, community spaces, and multimodal transport visions is needed to ensure a well-connected and resilient place to live. While immediate action is needed to alleviate the crisis, addressing the root causes of the housing issue will require a multi-faceted approach with input from a wide range of stakeholders, including local and central government.

GOINGS ON ABOUT

EVENTS - MUSIC - ART THEATRE - AT THE GALLERIES

THEATRE

Kiwi Park Famil Week

Rock Apocalypse

Wakatipu High School students return with their annual musical production, Rock Apocalypse. This year’s show is a rock n roll parody of classic horror and sci-fi B-Movies. Students will dive into the life and times of rockstar Ricky Valiant and his big band of misfit doctors and “deadhead” zombies.

The story follows megalomaniac rockstar Ricky Valiant who sets up an evil laboratory turning unsuspecting victims into zombie-like creatures called deadheads. Married couple Dawn and Ash are lured to the institute for counselling but find themselves embroiled in Ricky’s evil plans to turn everyone into deadheads. Will Ash and Dawn help the FBI take down Ricky? Will the planet be saved?

Tickets available online at iticket.co.nz

When: Wed 29, Thur 30, Fri, 31 March & Saturday, 1 April, 7:30pm

Where: Wakatipu High School, 47 Red Oaks Dr, Frankton, Queenstown

MUSIC

Kiwi Park is a family run wildlife park based here in Queenstown. Famil week is an opportunity for locals and visitors to visit and learn about New Zealand native and endangered wildlife and Kiwi Park’s conservation work. The famil week provides an opportunity to walk around the 5-acre park in the heart of Queenstown and attend one of the daily kiwi encounters and conservation shows or listen to the self guided audio. Register online at kiwibird.co.nz

When: Monday, 20 March to Sunday, 26 March, 9am-5:30pm

Where: Kiwi Park, 51 Brecon Street, Queenstown

Arrowtown RSA AGM

This year’s Arrowtown RSA Annual General Meeting is being held at the Arrowtown Bowling Club Rooms. All welcome.

When: Wednesday, 29 March, 7pm

Where: Arrowtown Bowling Club Rooms, 6 Hertford Street

Give blood

Anika Moa, Live at Kinross

Singer-songwriter Anika Moa is one of New Zealand’s celebrated music artists. She has released numerous albums, won six NZ Music Awards – including Best Female Vocalist. She has also had two hit talk shows.

Anika is a well-known face in NZ and has captured the hearts of the public with her amazing music and awesome personality, she knows not only how to hold a crowd, but how to entertain one.

Kinross is hosting Ankia as part of its an Autumn Concert Series, Relax in the Wine Garden as you listen to this wonderful songstress.

When: Saturday, 25 March. Doors open at 4pm, music from 5-7pm Where: Kinross Vineyard & Cottages, 2300 Gibbston Valley

LECTURE

Catalyst Trust’s Historic amnesia – and the need to end the forgetting…

This is Catalyst Trust’s first event for the year, and it should be one to remember.

Andrew Gilhooly was one of 1600 Armed Constabulary and volunteers who invaded and occupied the pacifist settlement of Parihaka on November 5, 1881. Soon after, the landless Irish immigrant returned to Taranaki to run three family farms, all on land confiscated from Māori who were forced to leave their land, homes and possessions to seek refuge elsewhere.

Politics Professor Richard Shaw was 55 before he discovered his greatgrandfather’s story, part of the “historic amnesia” which he says has allowed families like his to ignore the advantages given them by colonisation. His Catalyst Conversation will connect the erased ‘small stories’ of colonial settler families to the ‘big story’ of colonisation and discuss the necessity for Pākehā New Zealanders to “end the forgetting”.

Cash koha will be given to Te Tapu o Tane for Whakatipu community environmental projects.

When: Thursday, 30 March, 6-7.30pm

Where: The Rees Hotel Queenstown’s conference room

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

The New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) will host its first mobile blood drive in the district region since 2019, from March 28-30.

NZBS is aiming to collect 200 donations while in Queenstown Lakes.

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.

Appointments necessary, to book: Visit nzblood.co.nz, download the New Zealand Blood Service Donor App, or call 0800 448 325.

When: Tues, March 28, 8.30am to 1.30pm, Wed 29, 7.30am to 1.30pm, Thurs 30, 7.30am to 12.30pm.

Where: St Margaret’s Church, Frankton

Help make distraction packs

Altrusa International Queenstown is running a hands-on Service Open Day to make Distraction Packs to hand out to emergency services and first responders for when they deal with children.

As well as assembling the packs, they will create sock puppets and marble mazes. Light refreshments available.

When: Wednesday, 23 March, 10am-2pm

Where: Lake Hayes Pavilion

BUSINESS

GoodYarn Workshop for Queenstown businesses

The award-winning GoodYarn workshops are evidencebased and clinically designed to help business owners and staff to talk about mental health in the workplace. Facilitators provide practical skills to help support staff and clients’ mental wellbeing. Only 15 spots per workshop. Bookings are essential. Visit headlight.org. nz. $35 + GST (non-refundable)

When: Wednesday, 29 March, 4.30pm-7.30pm

Where: Mountain Club Queenstown, 85 Beach St

EVENTS

New Zealand International Gin Festival

Held over two days along the banks of the Arrow River, the New Zealand International Gin Festival is a celebration of everything great about gin globally. Central Otago is considered by many the heart & soul of gin production in New Zealand and where better than Arrowtown surrounded by the changing colour of the trees to enjoy live music and the friendly and vibrant atmosphere. Tickets are online at carterevents.flicket.co.nz

When: Friday, 24 March & Saturday, 25 March

Where: Wilcox Green, Arrowtown

Wānaka Festival Of Colour

Welcome to the 10th Wānaka Festival Of Colour! The Wānaka Festival of Colour is the flagship arts event for the region. The week-long festival offers a rich and diverse programme, celebrating the very best of the arts world. Events cover music, theatre, comedy, art, dance and conversations.

The street and venues of Wānaka will be alive from March 26th to 2nd April, 2023 for a week-long celebration of the arts on an autumn alpine stage.

When: Sunday, 26 March, to Sunday, 2 April

Where: Venues across Wanaka, Lakes Hawea, Bannockburn and Luggate

Arrowtown Spiritual Fair

Holistic spiritual fair for like-minded people to get together and share their gifts to the community.

Clairvoyant, healers, Tarot cards, Kinesiology, Kaimirimiri, Bowen Therapy, medium, crystals, jewellery and more.

When: Sunday, 26 March, 9.30am-4.30pm

Where: Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall, 33 Buckingham Street

Wānaka Harvest Long Lunch

Experience locally-rescued food in a showcase of harvest abundance. The Harvest Long Lunch celebrates locally harvested food from regional artisan growers. Using the-locally-donated food from KiwiHarvest and the Wānaka community, top local chefs will prepare a delicious, multi-course lunch suitable for the whole family.

Local wine and beer and non alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Profits go to KiwiHarvest, Wānaka’s Food For Love, Grow Wānaka and Wao. Tickets are available online at humanitix.com

When: Sunday, 26 March, 12-3pm

Where: The Venue, 3 Mountain View Drive, Wānaka

BOOK LAUNCH

How to advertise

Ph: 03 409 2800

Email: info@qmg.co.nz

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

Nicky Pellegrino book launch

Queenstown and Wanaka Libraries are hosting author

Nicky Pellegrino for the launch of her newest novel P.S. Come to Italy, a stunning new love story about food, family, friendship, and fresh starts.

Nicky lives in Auckland and is a former magazine editor, she combines work as a freelance journalist with writing number one bestselling novels, including Under Italian Skies, A Dream of Italy and A Year At Hotel Gondola. When she started writing fiction, it was the memories of her summers in Italy that came flooding back and flavoured her stories. To reserve a spot give the library a call.

When: Wednesday, 22 March, 6.30pm at Wanaka Library

Thursday, 23 March, 5.30pm at Queenstown Library

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

TRADES & SERVICES

Trades & Services

SPECTACULAR AUTUMN COLOURS OF WANAKA ON OUR guided private gardens tours. Depart daily starting @$95. Group discounts (max 7). Info booking 02102792481 beautifulgardenswanaka.com

ALWAYS WANTED TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE? Keen to speak Brazilian Portuguese? Native tutor available online or in person. E-mail me on learnbrazilianportuguese@hotmail.com or check out my website: www.learnbrazilianport9.wixsite.com/ learn-brazilian-port

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

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

Community

COMMUNITY

BE A BIG BUDDY - MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE to a child in the Wakatipu Basin. This is for children aged between 4-12yrs who are in need of extra adult support and friendship. You will be matched with a child with whom you spend a couple of hours each week. Email your interest to BPW@familyworkssld.nz

FREE ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASSES AVAILABLE AT KIWI English Cafe on Mondays between 6pm - 8pm at St Andrews, 26 Stanley Street, Queenstown. Call 020 4189 9160 for free registration now.

FREE IMMIGRATION CLINIC. IF YOU NEED IMMIGRATION information or advice the Citizens Advice Bureau run an immigration clinic every Wednesday from 7pm. To make an appointment call them on 03 442 6679

SPCA OP SHOP – 51 GORGE RD. Open Monday – Saturday 9.00 – 5.00. Pre-loved goods and clothing at great prices. Help support the ongoing work done by the SPCA. Your old goods, or your time, could help save a life. Accepting donations (no electrical at the moment) and volunteers now. Volunteers wanted!

WSCA – ROOMS FOR HIRE - SPACIOUS, sunny rooms are available for hire to Queenstown Community Groups. The rooms hold up to 90 people, with seated dining for 40. Located on the 1st floor of Malaghan House, 10 Memorial Street, Queenstown with lift access. There are kitchen facilities, toilets, Wi-Fi, media equipment for projection onto large screen plus large screen TV. Contact us on 03 4429214 or info@wsca.org.nz for more details.

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

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ARROWTOWN RSA will be held in the Arrowtown Bowling Club Rooms at 7pm on Wednesday 29th March.

QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST. WED (22 Mar) @ 6:30pm, “Nurturing Peace” with Grant Rix. LAMA MARK WEBBER starts his Comprehensive Month of Teaching and Retreat with a FREE talk, FRI (24 Mar), @ 7pm, “Why Meditate?” Our regular programme is on hold until 23 April. For Lama Mark's full programme, please see dharmacentre.org.nz or FB.

QUILTING TALK AND TRUNK SHOW – CHRIS Jurd. Queenstown Quilters and Patchworks are bringing Chris Jurd to Queenstown. She is a prolific quilter, teacher, and pattern maker. The show is on Friday 12 May at 7.00 pm at Te Atamira. Contact Jude GraceDillon 0273750910

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "IF YOU'RE HAVING fun, that's when the best memories are built." - Simone Biles

WANAKA BOWLS CLUB OPEN DAY. WHETHER IT’S a social activity or you’d like to compete and represent the club, lawn bowls is a fun social activity for everyone. Wanaka Bowls Club is holding its open day on Sunday 26th March from 1pm-3:30pm. We’ll supply the bowls and some coaching. You can find us at 130 Tendy Street. Call 027 2202 786 for more info.

THE ARROWTOWN SPIRITUAL FAIR INVITES EVERYONE TO the upcoming fair on Sunday 26th March from 9.30am to 4.30pm at Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall, 33 Buckingham Street. There are clairvoyant, Healers from different levels, Tarot Cards, Kinesiology, Kaimirimiri, Readers, Medium, Bowen Therapy, Crystal's and jewellery.

IMPROVE YOUR CODING SKILLS. LEARN HOW TO code or improve your coding skills at the Wanaka Code Club. Meet at Mt Aspiring College Technology room every Friday from 3:30 to 4:30pm. Open to all Wanaka students from year 3 to Year 13. To register see the website www.acst.co.nz or email ajay@acst.co.nz

AGE CONCERN: SUPPORT SERVICES, INFORMATION, ADVICE AND Personal Advocacy, Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Service. www.ageconcern.org.nz

W

ĀNAKA FESTIVAL OF COLOUR RETURNS MARCH 26-APRIL 2, 2023. Visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz for the full programme and bookings. Tickets on sale now.

Council spending after leaky building claims

By Dana Cocks - Wānaka App

Locals will have the opportunity to give feedback on how council spends ratepayers’ money later this month when public consultation of this year’s annual plan (2023/2024) begins.

From Friday, 24 March, locals are encouraged to learn about the council’s proposed plan and make submissions on topics that interest them and indicate where they would like council spending to focus.

This is also the opportunity for community groups to submit their requests for community grant funding. Queenstown Lakes District Council media spokesperson Sam White said community feedback will help council prioritise how and where rates are spent.

“As part of the consultation we’ll be asking for your views on some specific changes to things like fees and charges,” Sam said.

“We’ll also be sharing how we plan to reprogramme capital investment in light of cost escalations and how we fund the recently-settled weather tightness claims.”

A draft annual plan and explanatory information outlining what council is proposing to do over the coming financial year (FY23/24) will be presented to elected members at a council meeting on March 23, Sam said. It will include details of proposed changes to fees and charges and the capital investment programme.

“People will be able to access these documents online, in free newspapers, at council offices and libraries, etc,” he said.

This year’s annual plan will require some amendments to the programme laid out in the council’s overarching 10-year plan (10YP).

For instance, when the 10YP was approved in 2021 the cost of paying millions to settle the district’s ‘leaky homes’ court case was unknown. That settlement was achieved at the end of last year and the substantial cost must be paid primarily by increasing council’s debt which means a significant increase in rates.

Council also has to adapt to inflation reflected in the increasing cost of getting things done, such as installing active transport routes or building community amenities.

By reprogramming capital investment, deferring some of the spending on current projects to future years, the aim is to enable council to keep within prescribed debt limits and to reduce the rates’ increase.

The 10YP is due for its triennial review next year so council is also asking locals to think about what they would like to happen in the district in the near future.

The 10YP sets the direction for council, providing a long-term focus and explaining the purpose and expected cost of each project or activity; the annual plan indicates what the council intends to do within the next 12 months to achieve the direction set by the 10YP.

Sam said council is asking the community to advise how council should prioritise and invest resources to deliver what the community needs over the next 10 years.

Most community grant funding is committed in the 10YP process but there’s also a small fund available for limited community projects or to cover an organisation’s operational costs, he said.

For instance, in the last Annual Plan deliberations Bike Wānaka and Upper Clutha Tracks Trust were each granted $21,000 for operational and administrative expenses; and Alpine Community Development Trust (Community Networks Wānaka) had its annual grant increased from $33.5K to $58.5K to pay for renting space at the Wānaka Community Hub. This fund also provides a regular annual $5,000 grant to each of the recognised community associations for operational/administrative costs and as seed funding for community projects.

The associations are encouraged to make submissions on how they would like to see each community develop.

Queenstown’s new elected councillors will review a crunch report on spending this Thursday

My Life Story

by Sue Fea

CRAIG MCLACHLAN A LIFELONG LOVE AFFAIR WITH JAPAN

He may be a 4th dan black belt in karate, but Craig McLachlan’s more renowned locally for his soft, gentle side and beaming smile. At one stage one of New Zealand’s best known Kiwis in Japan, many of Craig’s greatest achievements have been affiliated with that country he loves – the homeland of wife Yuriko.

Craig was raised in Auckland, “until I saw the light”, he grins. At 17 he did an AFS exchange to Kansas City in the US – an eye opener. “Kids there had never seen mountains, or the ocean. It was entirely flat.” The school receptionist thought he was Spanish because of his thick Kiwi accent.

After a double degree back home in business studies and Japanese, Craig - keen to rebel from the usual London OE, headed to Japan. He spent two years working, and learning karate in Tokyo, until he’d earned enough to come back to NZ and train for his commercial pilot’s licence. He needed the hours so came to Queenstown in the late 1980s to fly for Milford Sound Scenic Flights. In charge of marketing the flights to Japanese honeymooners, Craig turned up at the Parkroyal Hotel one day in 1988. “There was this gorgeous Japanese girl behind the reception desk, so I found a girl to take on my own honeymoon,” he grins. “I woke up yesterday and here I am!” He and Yuriko have been married since 1989 when they bought their section in Larchwood Heights and built the house they still own today. “Yuriko bought the section as I had no money,” he clarifies. That year Craig founded the Queenstown Karate Club.

Sons Riki and Ben followed in quick 13 month succession and Craig and Yuriko saw an opportunity to look after the growing number of Japanese tourists in Queenstown, launching Tanken Tours, which they owned with partners for 30 years.

Winters were quiet so they’d return to Japan for months each year for Yuriko and the boys to spend time with Japanese family. Craig turned to writing to earn some money, first walking the length of Japan – 3200kms in 99 days, and writing a book about his journey after wearing out four pairs of boots. It was an instant hit in Japanese, selling more than 50,000 copies so he then did the 88 Sacred Temples of Shikoku Pilgrimage and wrote another, also a hit. It was then that Craig heard about the record for climbing 100 Japanese mountains, then set at 123 days. By now he had some Japanese profile so in 1997 roped in buddy Travis Taiaroa and raised Japanese sponsorship to tackle the record. The Kiwis knocked it off in 78 days – slicing 45 days off the record, landing them on the front page of Japan’s leading daily newspapers – a big deal in a country of 125 million people. “We raced everywhere using paper maps.”

“By then I had some credibility in Japan so I approached Lonely Planet and suggested a Japan hiking guidebook,” says Craig. He’s now been writing for Lonely Planet for 25 years, travelling the world writing guidebooks. “My buddy had a tour company for Japanese hikers and asked me to guide them around Canada, Europe and the Swiss Alps so I did that for six weeks every NZ winter for 20 years,” says Craig. Lonely Planet got to hear he knew countries like Switzerland really well so the guidebook work grew exponentially.

The family spent a year in Hawaii in 1999 when Craig won a scholarship to study for an MBA at the University of Hawaii’s Japan America Institute of Management Science. “The scholarship covered everything and the boys went to Waikiki School, then we did six months in Osaka.”

Back home both Riki and Ben were showing great tennis promise, coached locally by ex-pro Lan Bale. They both played Junior Davis Cup, all the Junior Grand Slams and earned tennis scholarships to the University of California in Berkeley. Craig is still co-manager for Ben, who now plays on the ATP tour, representing Japan, and played for Japan at the Tokyo Olympics. Riki still travels as Ben’s coach and was NZ Davis Cup Coach in February against Bulgaria.

In 2015 Craig and a few mates were sipping sake when the idea for Zenkuro – NZ’s first sake brewery, seemed like a good one. Miraculously in 2016 they took the sake world by storm, fending off Japan’s best, to win gold and silver at the London Sake Challenge.

Craig’s now written 50 or 60 guidebook editions for Lonely Planet, his first novel, and e-books on various Japanese adventures. These days he’s semi-retired from all that, but a “freelance anything” – still writing for Lonely Planet, with titles around the world, and is also a marriage celebrant. Despite all these accomplishments Craig’s life highlight is still “meeting this cute little Japanese girl at the Parkroyal”, he grins, both soon to be Ojii-san (Grandad) and Obaa-san (Grandma) with their first grandchild.

From left – Ben, Craig, Yuriko and Riki at home in Queenstown in 2019

Craig (left) and Travis, coming down off Mt Fuji after completing their famous record-breaking climb of 100 Japanese mountains in 1997

Craig on the covers of his four popular Japanese books, pictured during his adventures

RealNZ CEO resigns

By Paul Taylor

Stephen England-Hall has resigned from the top job at one of Queenstown and New Zealand’s leading tourism companies.

The former chief executive of Tourism New Zealand took the reins at RealNZ in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis in February 2021, back when it was called Wayfare.

RealNZ grew out of Real Journeys, which operates Queenstown’s iconic TSS Earnslaw steamship.

It now has a stable of businesses including Real Journeys, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Treble Cone, jetboats, whitewater rafting, Milford Sound cruises, and also the Christchurch International Antarctic Centre.

RealNZ board chair Martin Dippie says over the past two years the company has restructured, rebranded, refinanced and recapitalised, regrown revenues and is now on a path to recovery, entering the second half of this financial year ahead of plan.

With the next phase of the company’s journey starting, England-Hall wishes to return to Auckland where his family live.

“As results turn positive and guests return it’s a good time to pass the reins to a new leader to continue the journey for this incredible company,” Stephen England-Hall says.

Dipppe says England-Hall has done an outstanding job transforming the company and placing the business on a solid foundation to benefit from tourism’s recovery.

“The RealNZ and Cardrona brands are in great shape to continue to outperform the market,” Dippie says.

England-Hall oversaw the capital raise that introduced private investors to the closely held family company for the first time. He also restructured the group and launched the RealNZ brand to make the group of experiences easier to identify, market and purchase – particularly in digital channels

“I’d like to thank the Queenstown, Wānaka, Te Anau and Southland communities for their support of RealNZ during my time with the business and for making me a welcome member of the community,” England-Hall says.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the faith investors and the Hutchins family placed in me and my leadership team to enable the company’s revival. I wish them all the very best for the path ahead.”

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

Arts+Culture

Multi-instrumentalist coming to Wanaka

by Jess Allen

Adelaide-based Adam Page is set to perform as part of the upcoming Festival of Colour. The musician, composer, music educator and producer is is well-known for his critically acclaimed solo multiinstrumental performances. He will take the stage at the Pacific Crystal Palace next week.

Adam will bring his show, The Colours of Grief, down to Otago for the first time. Adam lived in Wellington for a few years before returning across the ditch and will be performing alongside a specially-curated ensemble of Wellington’s finest musicians. The performance is named after his 2020 APRA/ AMCOS Jazz Work of the Year nominated album. The album was written by Adam when he was dealing with emotions he experienced with processing his own grief.

“The music came out in about a day-and-a-half on

the piano and it just really seemed like it needed to come out in that way,” says Adam. “It was a very cathartic experience – composing it – and it’s very thoughtful music, very deep, very slow and extremely emotional.

“It seems to have taken on a power of its own and a voice of its own as well. A lot of people have contacted me, from both listening to the album or seeing the music live, and just say that it really kind of opened up some things for them and made them deal with some sort of deep grief that they hadn’t quite managed to get around to dealing with. I didn’t expect that to be a by-product of me. Processing my own grief – I guess when the music comes from such a deep place of honesty, it’s going to have a deeper purpose for other people.”

Adam says for him it’s all about writing and recording the music. It’s surprised him that it’s taken on a life of its own. “I really wanted the music to have a raw beauty about it as well and a lot of that comes through in the way that it’s performed.” He will be playing tenor saxophone as well as piano on one piece.

“The Festival Director, Sophie Kelly, is just such an amazing woman and warm person as well, and so I’m really looking forward to seeing what else she’s programmed for the festival, too. I’ve been involved in a few of her festivals now and they’ve always been a really lovely occasion. I’m stoked to be back in her universe and part of her greater vision for this festival. I’m really looking forward to it,” says Adam.

The Colours of Grief is set to be a lovely evening that will see Page in a space of deep reflection, anguish, and eventually, hope. It will take place at the Pacific Crystal Palace on Wednesday 29 March – tickets and more information can be found at festivalofcolour.co.nz

Saturday DJ MAD from 9.30pm

Taco Tuesday $3 tacos

Wing Wednesday 20c wings Thursday 1/2 price fajitas

Mad Monday $5 tacos & $1 wings

HAPPY HOUR FROM 4-6PM EVERY DAY! $12 MARGARITAS AND BEERS FROM $7

Wednesday ‘TGI Wednesdays’

Happy Hour all night + DJ ‘Just Bill’ from 9pm till late

Friday DJ Tom

Saturday DJ LJ GROOVE

Thursday Enjoy 20% off pizzas

Dine in or takeaway

Pizzas

Friday DJ Momo live! From 5pm $18 Double cheeseburger, fries & a house drink

Wednesday - Sunday Happy Hour 5-6pm $16 margaritas and $10 selected tap beers

Friday, Saturday, Sunday Happy hour 4-6pm

Saturday DJ Ribera live! From 5pm Signature Cocktail Specials

Open 4pm - 10pm Tuesday – Saturday 47 Camp Street misslucys.co.nz

21

27 MARCH

13 Taps of local and NZ craft beer and cider! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 12PM - LATE

The

Major roundabout to close overnights

By Paul Taylor

Frankton’s busy BP roundabout will close three nights this weekTuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - between 10pm and 6am.

The closure of the SH6/SH6A intersection in Queenstown, often called the BP roundabout due to the nearby petrol station, will close for utility investigations for the New Zealand Upgrade Programme.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is planning major upgrades to the junction, which is used by 25,000 vehicles a day, and the investigations will help inform the design.

Local streets will be used as the overnight detour, suitable for all vehicles, while this preliminary work is underway.

Crews will excavate a number of narrow trenches to confirm the location of utilities and underground services. This is key to improving the accuracy of the designs prior to work starting and will reduce the likelihood of delays during construction.

Detour signs will direct traffic around Queenstown Airport in both directions, with the detour expected to take drivers about six minutes. Residents have been asked not to park on McBride St or Gray St to allow detoured traffic to travel through the area easily.

Waka Kotahi’s Director Regional Relationships James Caygill acknowledged night works are disruptive, particularly for residents in the area, but stressed it is unavoidable in some instances.

“Due to the high traffic volumes through Frankton - up to 25,000 vehicles per day - and restrictions on the state highway it’s not possible to close the road during the day, so these essential works need to be completed at night,” he says.

“We considered a partial or stop-go closure but it was ruled out as traffic modelling showed vehicles would move more efficiently via the proposed detour.

“A full closure for three nights means works can be completed more quickly – rather than multiple partial closures over an extended period.”

To add to efficiencies, other works are being incorporated including installing new cabling, trenching and sealing around the SH6/6A intersection, he adds. Residents and businesses have been advised that noisy work will be completed where possible in one go at the start of the nightshift to limit noise later in the evening/early morning.

Access for Emergency Services and residents will also remain - they will be escorted through the site by crews.

To find out more about the NZ Upgrade Programme improvements visit the Waka Kotahi project website at www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/nz-upgradeprogramme-queenstown-package/

An early artist’s impression of the improvement plans

‘Hydrovaccing’ in Lucas Place during previous investigations

YOUR

1. What kind of animal was Grip, Barnaby Rudge’s pet?

2. Which bay in NZ was the site of Captain James Cook landing in NZ?

3. Which author created Paddington Bear?

4. Which Year did Helen Clark become NZ’s Prime Minister?

5. Which country was once ruled by the Duvaliers?

6. Which ancient North African city was the enemy of Rome in the Punic Wars?

7. On which date did Apollo 11 land on the moon?

8. In which year did the American Civil War start?

9. Texas was part of which North American country until 1836?

10. In which year did Martin Luther King deliver his “I have a dream” speech?

11. What is the first part of Dante’s The Divine Comedy?

12. Which empire ended when the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453?

13. In which year was Pakistan established as a country?

14. Which city is home to the Burrell Art Collection?

15. How is the plant Hedera helix better known?

16. Which band recorded the 1997 hit Your Woman?

17. Which rugby position is also known as “stand-off” or “outside half”?

18. What is the Russian coin equivalent to 100th of a rouble?

19. What does a numismatist collect?

20. Which very hot, spicy curry originates from the Indian region of Goa?

21. In chess, what term is given to a checkmate in the fewest number of moves?

22. In which country was shoe designer Jimmy Choo born?

23. What title does the wife of a Marquis use?

24. Which is the second god of the Hindu trinity?

25. Which famous train crosses Australia north to south?

COMPETITION CAPTION

New eyebrown style, how do I look?

SUDOKU ANSWER

Are you a Chef looking for daytime hours?

The Dishery Bistro in Arrowtown are looking for a Chef or Experienced Cook Working hours are generally 7am-4pm leaving your evening free! If this sounds like an attractive proposition, do not delay, express your interest now.

We offer a great working environment with flexible hours and competitive rates of pay.

Full Time and Part Time, Permanent or Casual.

Please email manager@thedishery.co.nz or call/txt 021 664 553

Building Labourer Wanted

For full time residential building work. Previous experience in the construction industry is required. Competitive hourly rate. Must have full drivers licence and own reliable transport.

Good spoken English essential.

Contact Mike on 027 566 3489 or email mikekelly77@hotmail.com

VACANCIES

Full-time and part-time positions available.

Chefs/Cooks, Baristas, Front of House and Kitchen Hands

for Marmolada & Odelay cafe. Call or email Ed Devereux on odelaycafe@yahoo.co.nz or 021 280 2425 anytime to discuss.

REQUIRED NOW!!!!!! Skilled and Unskilled Labourers Traffic Controllers

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

Busy cafe in 5 Mile on the hunt for our newest superstars. No nights, great team and competitive pay rates.

Positions available:

Cafe Manager Barista

Sous Chef

Previous experience is necessary. Send your CV to cafesocietyjobs@xtra.co.nz to apply!

ONE DOG FURNITURE Experienced Cabinet Maker

Bring our clients designs to life by producing expertly crafted pieces of furniture and cabinetry.

Come and join our experienced team at One Dog Furniture in the heart of Frankton, minimum 2 years experience in cabinet making working with solid timber, veneers and particleboard, with trade certification NZ or equivalent.

Enquires to info@onedogfurniture.co.nz or ph 03 451 0010

QUEENSTOWN NZ

DUTY MANAGERS, BARTENDERS & IN-HOUSE SECURITY WANTED

We are looking for Bartenders, Security and Duty Managers to work in our busy bar in Queenstown.

You must have current working Visa and speak excellent English for all roles.

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

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

PART-TIME (WEEKENDS FRI-SUN) AND FULL-TIME WORK

Please send your CV to queenstowncowboys@gmail.com

Landscape Maintenance Team Leader

Do you have 2-3 years of garden maintenance experience under your belt?

Are you looking to take the next step in your career or just need a change?

If so, Peak to Peak Property Services has a Team Leader position available. This is a permanent full time position. Sponsorship considered.

For more info about the position please email info@peaktopeak.co.nz

Looking for a COOK/CATERER with Club and/or commercial kitchen experience.

Min.25hrs per week with opportunity for more. Great location, relaxed atmosphere and huge potential to grow the role to suit your lifestyle. Contact manager@arrowtowngolf.co.nz for details.

Private Live-in Carer

Easy going and relaxed person looking for a live in carer to support them.

All the while residing in stunning accommodation on the side of Lake Wakatipu. Assistance with personal cares, meal preparation, mobility activities, and day to day tasks. Although experience is helpful, it is not necessary as being the right person is more important. Key to this role is a person who understands the needs of others, has a really good attitude and can communicate well. Along with being dependable and honest; strong values and work ethic; physically fit and able. Must be a NZ resident and have a full clean driver's licence. To find out more contact Kirsten on 027 336 6653.

WANTED!

Hospitality professional

Just one more to complete our team! Maybe you?

Skills required – Experience in a busy front of house setting. A first, second, and top gear. A hospitality radar. If it’s in your blood… we want to talk to you.

We offer – daytime hours. Free up your evenings. Top pay for the right candidate. Express your interest now scott@thedishery.co.nz or call/txt 021 664 553

Sales Assistant

position available

Permanente - 37.5 hours per week

Must have retail/sales experience

Immediate start

Sales Assistant

position available

Fixed term maternity cover - 37.5 hours per week

Must have retail/sales experience

Immediate start

Email Talana for more information

talana.stols@salvationarmy.org.nz

Positions available:

ROOM ATTENDANTS HOUSEPERSON

PUBLIC AREA CLEANER HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR

Starting Rate $25 per hour

Shared staff accommodation is optional

Please apply to kim_haynes@evt.com

Retail Sales/Cartridge Technician

Is looking for Trainee cook

Front of House

Please drop your CV into The Cow

Part-time / Casual

Driver

Love wine? Looking for extra hours?

Become a Wine Guide!

NZ Class 1 & P licence required. Full training provided.

Email interest to: sarah@appellationwinetours.nz

Operations Co-ordinator

Operations Co-ordinator is a key position within our ground support team that deliver an exceptional start and finish to our guest experience while overseeing the daily operational requirements here at the locally owned and renowned helicopter company - Over The Top

With over 36 years’ experience, we are a pioneer in the luxury travel sector providing helicopter excursions throughout the region, Fiordland and New Zealand

Our successful applicant will thrive in a team environment, have flexibility in their schedule, confidently share their passion for the local environment and greet clients in a professional, genuine and friendly manner.

Proven experience in the New Zealand tourism sector is desirable. Potential applicants need to demonstrate excellence and experience in the following areas:

• Market awareness

• IT and general office skills

• Customer service and interpersonal skills

• Logistics planning and implementation

• Health & Safety

• Personal presentation

• Task prioritisation in a busy environment

• A passion for New Zealand and the local area

Role specific training will be provided and carefully monitored. Communication and task updates are expected daily, you will need to multi task and importantly finish tasks.

This is a varied, fast paced position based from our facilities at Queenstown airport

You are required Friday through Monday, you must have the right to work in New Zealand and have excellent spoken English.

If you feel ready to meet the challenges of this dynamic position please apply to “Operations Co-Ordinator” by email to projects@flynz.co.nz

Rātā Restaurant Manager

For the first time in 11 years internationally recognised Rātā Restaurant has the ultimate career opportunity for a Restaurant Manager.

Are you a Hospitality professional with a record of leadership and excellence in high end restaurant management.

We are looking for a dynamic, energetic and confident leader who can motivate our team to strive for excellence for our customers and build a dynamic culture for the team.

Work and lead with our already exceptional team, be inspirational and make your mark on New Zealand hospitality.

Please send cover letter and current CV to hr@gotocollection.co.nz

FIND THE PERFECT CANDIDATE

FOR YOUR JOB VACANCY

Kitchen Staff Wanted

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

Chef de Partie

Kitchen Hand

Dishwasher

Attitude to learn is essential and great attitude is a must. We offer great benefits to the right candidate. Ideally looking for a 6-month commitment. Brand new Kitchen Team located on one of the most beautiful location in Queenstown facing the lake Wakatipu. Full-time positions available. Contact Marwan at marwand@roddandgunn.com

Queenstown’s premier adult entertainment venue requires a committed, dilligent and enthusiastic General Manager for this well established site

You will have:

Minimum 2 yr experience hospitality management role

Current working visa

Skills

• Meeting targets and controlling budget

• Working within established systems

• Stock management

• Computer literacy

• Excellent bartending skills: alcohol and cocktail knowledge

• Up to date knowledge of employment law and health and safety act

• Strong interpersonal skills

$ Competitive salary, excellent tips and bonus scheme $ Staff discounts and perks within wider company

Please email manager@clubsoho.nz with cover letter & resume

"Your itinerary is limited only by your imagination"

HIRINGNOW!

Ifyouarelookingforarolethatallowsyou togetthemostoutofyourtimein Queenstownandhastheearning potentialforyoutoenjoyeverythingthis townhastooffer,thencomejoinour socialteamofsalesassociates.

Wearelookingforlegendstojoinusinour award-winning,centrallylocatedoffice. Noexperienceisrequired,justgood communicationskillsandthedriveto succeed.Ifyouhaveworkedinasimilar rolebefore,you'llbehittingbonusesvery quickly.Ifyouhaven't,we'llprovideyou withalltheskillsyouneedtosucceed.All ofourcontactdetailsareincludedhere. Getintouchorcomevisitustofindout moreaboutouramazingemployment package,incentivesandsocialhourswe offer.Checkoutsocialstoseethe bonusesouragentshavebeenhitting recently.Alternatively,clickontheQR

recently. Alternatively, click on the QR code to apply now

JOINTHETEAMAT EICHARDT'SBAR

WORKINQUEENSTOWN'SMOSTICONICBAR

We'relookingforexperiencedbartenderstojointheteamat Eichardt'sBar.Therightcandidateispassionateaboutcocktails, craft-focusedwithanabsoluteeyefordetail,andcandelivera polishedfoodandbeverageexperienceforourguests.Thisrole requiresflexibilitytoworkeveningsandweekends.

Thinkyouhavewhatittakes?Applytoday!

STAFFPERKS&DISCOUNTS COMPETITIVEHOURLYRATES

THEBESTWORKVIEWSINTOWN FUN&SOCIALENVIRONMENT

RECRUITMENT@IMPERIUMCOLLECTION.COM

Exceptional Employment Package

Regular & Social Full Time Hours

Uncapped Weekly Bonuses

Over time available

Great Work Environment

Free company events

Centrally located

Breakfast Provided

4 Weeks Holiday & Sick Pay

AmazingSocialScene

CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

jet boat mechanic

This is an exciting opportunity to become a Jet Boat Mechanic with the World’s First Commercial Jet Boating Company.

This role would suit a mechanic looking to branch out and gain specific skills relating to Jet boats. You would also put to use your current skills to maintain the operation of our world class fleet

To succeed in this role you will need to have dedication, good customer relations, a great work ethic and a "can do" attitude.

KJet operates seven days a week, so flexibility to work weekends and/or public holidays is required.

If you want to be part of a fun team, respond well to pressure, and enjoy interacting with people – then please contact us today for further information.

For more information and to apply please email your CV to operations@kjet.co.nz

Office Admin / Driver Role

Unique and exciting role based in Frankton. Must have office experience & NZ licence with ability to obtain P Endorsement.

Email interest and CV to: sarah@appellationwinetours.nz

AVIS & Budget Queenstown

CAR GROOMERS

We are looking for fun and motivated people to join our team of car groomers. The role is non-customer facing, shifts are 8am to 5.30pm and transport from the city to the place of work in Frankton can be arranged if necessary. Casual, Part Time and Full Time roles available, all you need is a full drivers licence and an eye for detail.

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

Apply via email in English or Spanish to luke.dennington@abgroup.co.nz

Sh��� Y��� Fu���� Wi�� U�

We have incredible opportunities in a variety of roles with shifts and hours that will suit whatever you are looking for across our 3 Queenstown properties.

HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISORS

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR –COPTHORNE LAKEVIEW

PORTERS

FOOD & BEVERAGE ATTENDANTS

CHEF DE PARTIE – SOUS CHEF LAUNDRY ATTENDANTS

Join Team Devil!!

We are looking for a Grill Chef/Cook and Duty Manager Full and Part-time positions available. Drop your CV to Blair at the restaurant or email devilburgerqtn@gmail.com

Delight our guests with your ve-star service!

Are you an experienced hospitality professional who values a supportive and caring culture and wants to work with an exceptional team of friendly people? We’re recruiting for the following positions, and we’d love to hear from you:

Scarer and Sale Assistant

Fear Factory Queenstown are looking for an experienced Sales Assistant and Scarer. Average of 25-30 hours a week (full-time), mainly evening work. You will be working with a fun, hard working, scary team, passionate about horror, making people laugh and scream.

• Excellent customer service skills

• Minimum 6 months wih full availability

• Stock management skills

• Cash, eftpos, till and computer skills

• Excellent team player

• Problem solving and communication skills to brief guests and sell merchandise

Interested?

Please email your CV and a cover letter telling us a bit about yourself to queenstown@fearfactory.co.nz

New Venue opening June 2023

Flavours of Mexico, exquisite cocktails all with views over Queenstown bay

Looking for industry leaders & professionals to be part of the creation

Restaurant Manager

Head Chef/ Sous-Chef

Offering excellent wages and opportunities for growth

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, we want to hear from you

Submit your CV to Operations@wolfgroup.nz

Recreational Services – Vacancies

Mower Operators – Permanent, full-time

If you enjoy working outdoors, have an awesome work ethic and have your full driver’s licence then this role will suit you! We are looking for 3 Mower Operators to join our high-performing Queenstown team. What does a Mower Operator do you ask? Well for starters you get to work across some of the most spectacular scenery NZ has to offer. You will be responsible for general parks and grounds maintenance including (and we will train you if you're not an expert), mowing, weed eating, basic mechanical maintenance of plant, and ensuring that the grounds always look well presented. This is a varied, physical role upkeeping our local community, where you will be a highly valued member of the team!

Team Manager – Permanent, full-time

Are you an exceptional leader that is well organised, safety focused and has a great track record of fostering a productive and positive team culture? If so, we would like to hear from you! We’re currently seeking a hands-on and driven individual to step into the role of Team Manager. Based from our depot in Wānaka, you will be responsible for managing the exceptional team who include gardeners, mower operators, playground operators, response operators and facilities operators. As the team leader you'll be getting your "hands dirty" at times, supporting your people and exceeding our clients' expectations. Day-to-day activities include (but are not limited to) management of workloads, rosters, budgets, health and safety, audits and compliance, onboarding and training of new staff and helping the team on the ground when needed. This is a busy, diverse role where no two days are the same, one where you will inspire your team through leading by example. We are happy for the new Team Manager to travel from Queenstown, and you will get a vehicle for this.

Recreational Services are a business which specialises in sports turf management and have diversified into a professional full facility parks maintenance company, operating in 14 locations across New Zealand. For more information on the roles above or to apply, please contact Rebecca Campbell at rebecca@rs.kiwi.nz

Jucy Snooze Queenstown are looking for energetic and enthusiastic people to join us in our re opening!

You don’t need experience to work with us! We offer staff benefits from staff accommodation to car rentals and Food & Beverage discounts!

Housekeeping Room Attendant (Starting from $25.00 an hour)

Chef roles (at all levels)

Night Manager

Please send through your resume to marcos_diniz@jucysnooze.co.nz

SENIOR CHEF DE PARTIE/CHEF DE PARTIE

If you are inspired by Asian/Pacifica food and want to be part of a top kitchen team, then we want to hear from you. We love what we create so it is important that you enjoy the industry and can handle a busy vibe and have the skill set to match.

What's in it for you:

• Market leading rate for the right candidate

• No split shi s

• Sta perks, including sta meal and beverage

• Work in a great team environment

• Full time position, with guaranteed hours

What we are looking for:

• Minimum of proven 3 years’ experience

• Good work ethic

• Team player

If you are looking to take the next step in a thriving and popular restaurant, then please get in touch!!

Must have a valid NZ Work Visa

Check out our website www.bluekanu.co.nz and send your CV and info through to Warren (General Manager) warren.ratana@gmail.com or pop in and see us a er 4pm

AREYOUAMORNINGBIRDORANIGHTOWL?

DOYOUHAVEANEYEFORDETAIL?

QUEENSTOWNMEDICALCENTREISLOOKING FORCLEANINGSUPERSTARSTOJOINTHETEAM

Wanttopickupsomeextrawork,butdon'twant totravel,wehaveopportunitiesinFrankton, JacksPointandArrowtown

Roleinvolvesgeneralcleaningdutiestoahigh standard,nothingtooicky

Prefermornings?Maybeevenings,youcan choosewhatworksforyou

Part-timeandcasualpositionsavailable

Fulltrainingandequipmentprovided

Competitiverates

Greatworkperks

Ifthissoundslikesomethingforyou,sendyourCV andacoverlettertoHR@QMC.CO.NZtoapply!

Are you sick of working your weekends? Working long hours and different shifts? Would you like your Birthday off every year?

Do you like the idea of free medical insurance? Want a job where you can enjoy some banter with your colleagues and customers?

Then REDPATHS have a job for you!

Electrical Wholesaler role

REDPATHS Queenstown is an Electrical goods wholesaler with branches across the South Island supplying electrical equipment to the trades.

REDPATHS has a full-time role and is looking for an energetic, enthusiastic team member with great communication skills to work with our fantastic customer base and to fit in with our branch team. Applicants must have full time residency.

So, if you’re keen for a change and want to join a fun team and carve a career path within the company email or drop your CV with a covering letter to:

The Branch Manager

105 Glenda Drive Frankton

Email: michelle.king@redpaths.co.nz

HEAD CHEF

Move to Sunny Southland - we even provide the help!

2.5 Hours back to paradise

Affordable living - Great Schools - Excellent community facilities

The Saucy Chef Restaurant on St Andrew and The Northern Tavern is on the hunt for a new Head Chef to lead and inspire an already established and skilled kitchen brigade. This is the first time in 10+ years this opportunity has become available.

Apart from the essential skills of stock control and team leadership you will be responsible for delivery of a new menus and inspiring our team beyond 2023. You will have a flare for modern and contemporary cuisine and not scared to bring new flavours and culture to our established brand.

Using your menu design skills, you will bring excitement and freshness to our tavern bar menu to complement our environment and customers.

You will work closely with our restaurant and establishment manager to ensure that our brand and reputation are in line with your vision and to make sure we never forget what made us famous.

For further information please contact Steve Grieve directly either by cell or email.

0210391953

steve.grieve@northerntavern.co.nz

Taxi Drivers / Owner Operators

Looking for a rewarding job where you get to meet new people every day and help them get where they need to go? Arrowtown Taxis is hiring!

We’re a well-established taxi service serving the Arrowtown area and beyond, and we’re looking for friendly, reliable drivers to join our team. Here’s what we’re looking for:

• A valid New Zealand driver’s licence (Class 1) and P endorsement

• Excellent driving skills and a clean driving record

• Good communication skills and a friendly demeanour

• Knowledge of the Arrowtown area and surrounding regions

• Availability to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends

As a driver for Arrowtown Taxis, you’ll enjoy competitive pay and the opportunity to work with a supportive team that values safety, punctuality, and excellent customer service. You’ll also have the chance to interact with people from all walks of life, making each shift a unique and rewarding experience. So if you’re interested in joining our team and becoming a part of the Arrowtown Taxis family, we want to hear from you!

To apply, please send your CV and a brief cover letter to admin@arrowtowntaxis.co.nz We look forward to hearing from you.

THE JOB:

WORKSHOP AND UPHOLSTERY Ph 03 450 2920

Subsidiary of Queenstown Taxis

Full time Mechanic position available with immediate start

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Mechanic to join our expanding Queenstown business based in Gorge Road and are offering a competitive remuneration.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining, repairing, and servicing a wide range of vehicles, from cars, vans and trucks.

You must have extensive knowledge of various vehicle systems and the ability to diagnose and troubleshoot problems.

You should be able to work independently basically being your own boss, and be able to communicate effectively with clients. If you meet the requirements for this position and are passionate about vehicle repair and maintenance, please email Grant on manager@queenstowntaxis.com or phone 021 450 291

PLACEMAKERS QUEENSTOWN - Inventory Controller

• Purchasing and managing stock to ensure there is enough on hand to meet anticipated customer needs

• Seek out better buying opportunities

• Ensure inventory management best practices and accuracy are followed

• Management and leadership of inwards goods employee, cycle count & all inventory systems

SKILLS EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience with inventory co-ordination and/or management and or any relevant qualification related to inventory

• Demonstrable competency with reporting and numeracy, with strong attention to detail

• Comfortable investigating and problem-solving

• Takes initiative and organizes effectively

• Great verbal & written communication skills with the ability to build relationships with customers, suppliers and team

• The legal right to work in NZ indefinitely

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive rate + company benefits & buying privileges

• 40+ hrs Mon to Fri (weekends & all public holidays free)

• Amazing training, development, & progression opportunities

• Exceptional team mates that provide a welcoming and supportive environment for you to thrive in

If you think you have what it takes to become our next inventory controller please email a cover letter and your c.v. to Latai.Williams@placemakers.co.nz

Where Youwant to be

FIND A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES!

Hilton brand to choose from: Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa and DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown and all of our Team Members get to work across both brands

We are currently seeking the following roles:

-Food & Beverage Attendant (Hospitality Professional)

-Food & Beverage Supervisor

We know that Team Members experience is just as important as our Guest experience and we are committed to helping our Team Members reach their full potential with great training, development opportunities and exclusive benefits:

•Starting rate $25/hour

•Free Lunch/Dinner Meal

•Global discounted Food & Beverage and Accommodation rates

•Discounted Transport Option to/from Hotel

Let us help find the right career for you! For applications and more information visit: www.jobs.hilton.com

YOUR DREAM JOB?

No experience necessary, full training provided. Four day work week, great culture & fantastic crew.

Scan for more info and to apply.

Cafe & Catering Manager

Highlands is Central Otago’s premier Motorsport and Tourism Park. We’re all about delivering exceptional experiences. The Café is an integral part of our day-to-day operations and our thriving events and functions. Highlands is a special place to work with an environment and benefits that only we can offer (how about a fast-lap in our Ferrari?).

We’re just turning ten and we’re on the hunt for someone that has the experience, drive and dedication to take our café and catering to the next level. It’s a wide-ranging role and the successful person must build upon the solid foundations already in place and uncover opportunities to make us better and more exceptional!

We’re a lean team and we’re looking for someone that covers all the bases. Skills we’re looking for:

• Thorough knowledge of a café/catering operation

• Positive team leadership

• Ability to attract, train and retain a motivated team

• Ability to improve our profitability by monitoring staff and stock

• Experience in regulatory requirements including liquor licensing, food and health and safety

• Great ideas to bring to fruition

• A managers certificate for alcohol service

• Fantastic communication skills

It’s a big ask and it’ll be an exciting journey. This is not a job for someone that likes to sit behind a desk – it is a hands-on role. We’re a sevenday-per-week operation and the Café Manager must a be available on at least one weekend day each week. There are also occasional early starts and late finishes. Mostly though, we offer some of the best hours in hospitality!

We’d like to hear from people that have everything we’re looking for. However, people that have some of the skills with the drive and tenacity to get up to speed quickly should also apply.

Candidates must have the right to work in New Zealand.

If you’ve got what we’re looking for and want to be part of something really exciting then email james@highlands.co.nz Please include a CV and cover letter. Be sure to let us know exactly why you’re the person for us!

KITCHENHAND

Blue Kanu is a popular Asian/Pacifica style restaurant, unique in QT, and we pride ourselves on the food and service we deliver to our customers. We have a great atmosphere, lots of laughs and good vibes!!

We are looking for a kitchenhand superstar to join our team! Evenings only, 5 days a week

Opportunity for you to earn some extra income. Training provided.

Must have a valid NZ work visa.

Please send your CV to warren@hhgroup.nz or pop in and see us a er 4pm.

Customer Services & Fork Lift Operation

WHAT ARE WE OFFERING?.....

• 40+ hours per week Monday to Friday

• Weekends & all public holidays free to enjoy!

• Exceptional team mates who will support you

• Long term career - progression opportunities

• Starting from $25 per hour (higher rates given to more experience, e.g. fork lift experience)

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL?....

• Excellent Customer Services Skills

• Physically fit & strong (heavy lifting required)

• Full NZ Drivers Licence

• NZ residence or a visa that allows work in NZ

• Clear pre-employment drug & alcohol testing

If this role interests you please send a cover letter & C.V. to Rachel - rachel.mansfield@placemakers.co.nz

VACANCIES

We canofferpermanent& casualroles, with competitivehourly rates, andasociableenvironment. We areanaccredited employer and can provide full trainingand career-growthopportunities.

kitchen

Restaurant Manager | Jervois Steakhouse

We have a very exciting opportunity for an experienced Restaurant Manager to come and lead the Jervois Steakhouse team in Queenstown. We will offer you a competitive pay package, fantastic work culture with the ability to develop your career with one of the leading restaurants in Queenstown.

About the role:

• Permanent full-time position

• Minimum of 40 -45 hours per week

Key accountability areas:

To be successful in this role, the Restaurant Manager needs 100% focus on the tasks detailed below.

• A major focus is our people along with other key areas outlined below. We want you to be defined and recognised by all team members as an effective leader whom they respect and enjoy working alongside.

• This role is hands-on, staff and guest-facing position and such expected to lead by example in all areas of the business.

• Manage and maintain an environment that is consistent with the group’s philosophy to exceed customer expectations

• Team supervision and development of the diverse team to deliver an exceptional standard of service

• Responsible for recruiting, training, and mentoring all members of the restaurant team to develop their skills and raise their performance levels creating a positive and well-balanced team.

• Build excellent relationships with guests and colleagues to enhance delivery and commercial success

• Strictly and consistently adhere to all Liquor Licensing and Health and Safety Regulations and ensure you are aware of and comply with the requirements at all times to minimise risk to yourself, your team, and the business

• Manage and ensure that all areas and equipment are in place to ensure the smooth running of the restaurant.

Why work with us:

• Competitive pay package

• $1000 sign-on bonus after 6 months of continuous employment

• A very supportive and skilled management team

• Paid day off on your birthday after one year of continuous service

• 50% discount across Nourish Group venues www.thenourishgroup.co.nz

• Flexible working hours - Nights only so you have the day to sightsee or ski with the team before service

• Annual staff party and awards

• Full support of all visa applications from our HR team

About you:

• High volume management experience (at least 3+ years in a busy venue of a similar style)

• Excellent communication and customer service skills

• Must work well in a team

• Sound food and beverage knowledge including local wines, beverages, and produce

• Hands-on and able to operate successfully in a high-pressure environment

• Punctual and reliable

• Friendly, energetic, and hard-working attitude

• An understanding of the legislation regarding Health and Safety, fire safety, food safety, licensing laws, employment law

• Hold a current General Managers Certificate or be willing to obtain one

Contact Shar Fonseca

People and Culture Manager 0204 232 120 | shar@nourishgroup.co.nz

We’re looking for superstars!

THE BALLARAT

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

and be a part of Republic Hospitality Group

•Tired of being bored at work?

•Want to make your Queenstown life epic!

•Looking to meet a fun and friendly crew?

Republic Hospitality Group has 10 venues in Queenstown, and we o er casual, part-time and full-time work. So whether it’s bar, restaurant or kitchen work you’re interested in, we’ve got it available at all levels

Our perks are pretty hard to beat:

• Sta pricing (did someone say great deals on food & drink?)

• Sta accommodation options

• Epic sta parties

• Great sta incentives

• A trusting culture

• Competitive pay

• Free sta meals

• Training and upskilling

• A welcoming and friendly team

Republic is a finalist in the NZ Hospitality Awards for Excellence in People & Culture for a reason. Get in touch and join us today, email HR@republicqt.co.nz and tell us what you’re looking for.

Check out our venues at www.republichospitality.co.nz

CAREER Opportunity

We have a great opportunity for a Trust Account & Controls Specialist to join our busy team based in Queenstown. This is a hands-on role and will suit someone who has advanced administration skills, a high attention to detail and is an exceptional communicator.

Key accountabilities include:

• Being the first point of contact with solicitors

• Maintaining the Trust Accounting systems to the highest level of accuracy

• Monitoring the status of all contracts throughout the whole process

• Managing and analysing the financial performance for the Property Management side of the business

• Key accountabilities include:

• 3+ years’ experience working in an administration capacity in the legal or accounting fields

• Proven strong communication skills both verbal and written

• Advanced skills in Microso O ice suite

• Experience in accounting programmes

• Having a practical, solutions based approach

This is a full time role, based in our Queenstown O ice. The successful candidate will have an incredible eye for detail and be process driven. Full training will be given in our systems.

Please apply by sending through your cv to annette@steapconsulting.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:

luke.dennington@abgroup.co.nz