LWB_Issue_942_Online

LOCALLY OWNEDSINCE FOREVER

Buzz word bingo, fewer cones and time travel

To get the focus of a document, you can count the mentions of key words.

The coalition’s 43-page Draft Government Policy Statement Land Transport (GPS) is quickly understood this way: ‘Pothole’ 24 mentions, ‘Toll’ 23, ‘Roads of National Significance’ 22, ‘Bus’ 10, ‘Climate’ two. ‘Queenstown’ two, ‘Otago’ one. ‘Ashburton’ one.

This GPS comes from an ideological position that considers transport as key to underpinning economic growth. It expects road building to enable housing development, and leaves the so far failed (there’s promises to beef it up) Emissions Trading Scheme to deal with climate change. It supposes that more and better roads combined with congestion charging will relieve the issues of getting across our narrowest isthmus, over our high hills and along our great length. It assumes that private money will want to invest in these solutions and that nothing much is needed in the Southern motu (apart from a bridge in Ashburton – fair call, that need is desperate).

The direction has swung from moving people out of cars and climate responsiveness towards driving economic growth, value, maintenance and user pays. That will be comforting to some. It’s a familiar rhetoric. New roads, old ones to be repaired (all with fewer cones – ‘expenditure on temporary traffic management’ to be reduced), and we’ll apparently all be able to drive wherever we want whenever we want covering our emissions with a little more fuel tax.

This undermines six years of work at Otago Regional Council. It’s the road to nowhere for walkers, bikers and anyone who doesn’t drive. Aspirations of connectivity, inter-regional public transport and trails will not be supported by this GPS. The costs for local ratepayers, car drivers and bus users is heavy. No funding for new bus routes but there are ‘higher contributions’. That is, higher fares, rate hikes, new fuel taxes, higher rego fees, bigger fines and congestion charging and tolls.

Walking/cycling budgets are slashed. Highway funding will no longer include funds for a footpath or cycleway alongside. There will only be investment in walking and cycling where “there is clear benefit for increasing economic growth...” and lots of people are already using the route. Waka Kotahi has to do more while finding 7.5% in savings. Police have a list of new tasks. Strict budgeting is called for.

Opportunities? Maybe in the mention of dynamic lanes (great idea for buses), talk of ‘demand management’ and that Waka Kotahi must create a more efficient business case process (hallelujah!). And maybe the mysterious ‘Queenstown Package’?

There’s plenty of time travel, back to an old century and old solutions. It’s a draft, let them know your thoughts.

Alexa Forbes, Otago Regional Councillor

Some 44,000 people turned out for the 87th Wānaka A&P Show on Friday and Saturday, one of New Zealand’s largest rural days out. The Topp Twins headlined the entertainment but their ‘Jack Russell’ was too stuffed to take part in Saturday’s race.

See p19 for more.

Come along for the ride this season with

YO UR PASSPORTTOFLAVOUR

Problems of over-tourism - and some solutions

By Paul Taylor

Queenstown Lakes workers say they feel like ‘second class citizens’ in the expensive region, with housing, activities, shopping, food and drinks beyond their reach.

That’s one of the key findings of new research into the social impacts of over-tourism, by community not-for-profit Shaping Our Future, published yesterday.

The report sets out how the working population, who enable the visitor economy, don’t feel valued or recognised for the contribution they make.

Inadequate controls on Airbnb-style visitor accommodation and second homes are partially to blame, they say, making housing unaffordable.

Many Queenstown Lakes residents also believe another negative impact of high tourist numbers is a loss of sense of place. They say they are being crowded out of their favourite haunts and meeting places by visitors, while downtown Queenstown no longer caters to locals.

And overloaded infrastructure, services and environment are also a concern, with Queenstown Lakes District Council struggling to fund upgrades.

But it’s not all negative. The report finds residents also strongly value the connection with visitors and the diversity of culture they bring, not to mention the opportunities, vibrancy and range of activities that tourism supports.

Shaping our Future executive officer John Glover says: “The often used phrase –‘over-tourism’ – is not solely a function of the number of tourists, but is more a perception or feeling that arises when the negative impacts of tourism are too high.

“We wanted to hear the experiences of those growing up, living and working in a tourist economy.

“We were pleased that work was supported by tourism and hospitality businesses in both Wānaka and Queenstown and the engagement process resulted in some really constructive conversations”.

More than 250 members of the public participated in this engagement via workshops, college visits and an online survey, across a wide range of age groups.

The report will be presented to Destination Southern Lakes, which has created the destination management plan, and is conducting work on ‘optimal visitor numbers’.

Shaping our Future board chair, former Queenstown Lakes mayor Vanessa van Uden, says: “Pre and post covid the community sentiment that there were just ‘too many’ tourists was frequently heard.

“Asking the question ‘why do you think that’ helps verbalise the impacts which is the starting point for developing strategies to reduce the impacts.”

Shaping Our Future also details some possible solutions - ‘priorities for action to put residents first’. Here are some of them:

Priorities to address ‘loss of sense of place’

•Reclaim the downtown for residents

• Making new places elsewhere in the district for residents to bump into each other and interact

•Managing visitor impacts at our favourite places

•Parking permits and differential tariffs for residents

Priorities to address ‘two-tier society’

Create an environment that fosters small, locally owned/operated businesses

•Locals’ discounts on activities and accommodation

•Locals’ nights or locals’ tables set aside at restaurants

• District Plan rules reviewed to minimise impacts of large scale retail / hospo

• The Queenstown & Wānaka chambers & local restaurant / hospitality associations launch a ‘loving our locals’ campaign

Priorities to address impact

• Identify the level of visitation that infrastructure can currently accommodate. Consider a ‘quota’ to ensure infrastructure is not overwhelmed

• Strategies to smooth the peaks, off-seasonal marketing spend is the focus

• Visitor levies are used to reduce impact of visitors not to solely enable more to be accommodated

• Investigate use of road tolling for rental vehicles on the Frankton Road and downtown areas

• QLDC take positive action to obtain listing data and then act to ensure properties have appropriate permissions to act as short term VA

• Lobby for a requirement for overseas tourists to pay the full costs of any medical, ambulance, search and rescue etc. costs

• Investigate the impact of visitors on the ability of local health service providers to readily meet the needs of the resident population

• Tourism sector carbon footprint is quantified, a target is set and emissions are tracked to monitor progress towards the target

Campaigners fronted now-Housing Minister Chris Bishop in Queenstown last year

Queenstown pre-Covid had unprecedented tourism growth, and numbers are now returning. Photo: Sulthan Auliya / Unsplash

Shaping our Future’s John Glover

What’s the worst that could happen?

I have lived in Queenstown since 1977, when the population was approximately 7,000 (give or take) but I left for greener pastures in the early days, because rents were high and wages low and one couldn’t get ahead. Australia paid more, but winters were something not to miss if you were addicted to snow. There wasn’t that much of it (snow), to be honest. No snow making and not much precipitation. The lifestyle and mountains were a draw, but the money wasn’t enough. Sound familiar?

I see people are still crying the same old cry. Too many people, not enough houses, traffic problems! We need a casino! (we know how that panned out). Affordable housing! Parking is a nightmare! Why is it so??? Well, if you were to look at the stories in the local newspapers from years gone by, the people who cared about the future were constantly pointing out the problems (and solutions) to those supposedly in charge of decision making.

So cut to 2024. Total chaos if you’re a commuter or visiting skier. Or a local who wants to go to work or golf or whatever. The cry for more housing, more subdivisions.

Let’s look at that for a second. People who want to live here but can only afford something within a very small budget. That’s like saying I want to live in Byron Bay at the beach. Or Sydney waterfront. See any affordable houses there?

So, the call goes out for more houses, guess who buys the sections to build homes? The builders or building companies buy 80% and next thing a house and flat is a business opportunity. Investors or peeps already owning a home here now have two. Investors from out of town buy a couple and rent them out for as much as they can. Not much empathy when it comes to profits. So they are all taken, let’s put in more asap. Next the council’s lack of growth control gets a roasting, which, by the way, goes way back. Then, they employ a consulting team to predict the population in 2030 or 2050. They get paid a hefty amount to choose a number, which was maybe 50,000? So, next thing we have Noel Leemings and Harvey Normans etc. because it’s all business, why not jump on board.

By Jeff Hylton

If there are going to be that many people, then let’s get busy! Infrastructure! What? Oh yeah that. Roads? Let’s sort that when the time comes. One house equals two to 12 people, at one or two poos a day plus showers, and maybe two or three cars per house. The concept of a treatment plant that would cope with that amount of people (don’t forget the million visitors clogging up the roads and pipes) and get some roading sorted first, maybe allow for extra traffic and schools. Yeah? Nah. I was not surprised when I read the article about the high school being nearly at capacity. We had a perfectly good school in Gorge Road, which could have been an intermediate school or additional school but no, now it’s more houses.

The bypass. The waste of money and lack of productivity is despicable. Each time I drive past that work site there are six people with clip boards, two leaning on fences, four on cell phones and maybe one person actually working. And then the unbelievable number of traffic control humans (on their phones, next to a zillion cones). If any of these people worked for me … well, they wouldn’t.

There are plenty of lame excuses, but the fact is, there are far too many consultants and supervisors and traffic controllers and cones and not much in the way of progress. I believe anywhere else in the free world these projects would be completed in half the time for half the cost. I see construction on roads in the States, for example, starting at 6pm when the roads are quieter. Then packed up by 5am and away they go. Our roads are no longer clogged at peak hours but most of the day. The trip from Queenstown to Frankton can take 45 mins. Buses can’t move any faster. The ski season buses have people trapped for hours on the bus and then the roads are jammed till people turn around and go home. We can’t make the mountains any bigger. We can’t stop people driving unless there is a better alternative.

So when the guys in suits said we need more people in our town, they have allowed this chaos to escalate and the solution was to plan ahead. No one puts stock in a paddock before the fence goes up and the gate is secure, water in the trough etc. Pretty much says it all about the intellect of those in charge.

We could always do with another subdivision though, what’s the worst that could happen?

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

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PEONY TUBERS FOR SALE

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QUEENSTOWN HOTELS AND MOTELS

Accommodation for hospitality workers. At Athol, 45 to 50 minutes south of Frankton.

Sleeps up to 12

Phone: 0211845445

Email: pamjm1945@gmail.com

XS STORAGE

Secure self storage units – various sizes available Phone: 0800 297 786 | www.xsstorage.co.nz

RED TUSSOCKS FOR SALE.

Free delivery Queenstown area. Big and small pots. Healthy and bushy. Enquire with Tussockman today. Ph or text on 021654008.

CRIMELINE

Scammers alert

Queenstown Police want help in their hunt for brazen young scammers who’ve been targeting their victims through Facebook Marketplace locally. Community and Youth Constable Amanda Shute says the scammers offer mountain bikes for sale. Victims are sent to vacant homes, particularly holiday homes in Kelvin Heights, and told to leave the cash on the backdoor step, or in a specific place, take a photo of it, and they’ll be sent a key ‘code’ which will get them into the house. “They never receive the code.” The money is reportedly then stolen by youths who jump the fence to grab it, she says. On one occasion the potential victim managed to get the money back before the suspect got to it. “There have been some other close calls, according to neighbours, with others almost falling victim,” Shute says. Police believe other victims may have already been hit and want to hear from them to help catch the perpetrators. A post on the Southern District Police Facebook page raised no response. “Victims will know. They’ll have parted with money. Maybe you’ve turned up at your holiday home and somebody has come knocking at your door asking for something they’ve purchased.” All information provided to Police so far has been second-hand, or from those witnessing the offending in Kelvin Heights. If you have fallen victim to the scam, or have any information that may assist in the investigation, please contact Police on 105 and reference file number: 240226/0806.

Drink driving

The Police Impairment Prevention Team apprehended three repeat drink driving offenders last weekend, 2 and 3 March, already on their third and subsequent drink driving offences. “It’s so disappointing that these drivers haven’t learnt their lesson yet,” Shute says. Police also received a driving complaint around midday last Tuesday, 5 March, about a vehicle crossing the centre line while driving over the Crown Range. That driver was stopped and blew 863mcg/l and has been charged with drink driving and dangerous driving. Shute warns that police are “always out there” targeting unlawful behaviour on local roads. “They’ll be spot testing and setting up checkpoints so drivers can expect to get caught.”

Cannabis haul

Police seized close to half a kilogram of cannabis, along with cannabis oil and a mature cannabis plant, when they executed a search warrant at a Lake Hayes address on Wednesday, 6 March. Significant evidence of ongoing cannabis supply to the local area was also located throughout the address, Shute says. A 43-year-old female was arrested and charged with supplying cannabis, cultivating cannabis, possession for supply of cannabis, and possession of cannabis utensils. Further charges are also expected relating to the manufacture and distribution of cannabis oil products.

Assaults

Police were called to two serious assaults last weekend with the victims requiring medical attention for their injuries. A male has been arrested and charged with the first assault. The second assault occurred at Havana Bar around 3.30am on Saturday, 2 March. “Enquiries are ongoing to identify the suspect and we encourage anyone who witnessed this assault, or has any information that may assist Police, to contact us on 105, quoting file number 240302/2242.”

Introducing one of our new dentists at Remarkables Dental

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Outside the dental clinic, Niall indulges in the diverse culinary delights of New Zealand and is an avid enthusiast of hiking, running, skiing, and immersing himself in a good book. Fuelled by his passion for exploration, he has travelled to many different countries, enriching his perspective and experiences along the way.

Niall is excited to see patients at Remarkables Dental! He works Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Our experienced hygienists also have appointments available Monday – Saturday.

Give us a call on 03 442 3531 or book online with Niall at www.remarkablesdental.co.nz

LAKES WEEKLY POLL

LWB regularly polls locals on issues affecting our region. This week’s responses are below.

Has this week’s sudden glimpse of winter weather made you excited for the change in seasons?

Sort of

Yes, bring on winter - 16%

Sort of - I love autumn but not winter - 12%

Absolutely not - 72%

Do you agree with the government's increase in car registration to fund more roading?

Yes - 31%

Yes - but not at the expense of public transport - 28%

No - 34%

Don’t know / unsure - 7%

Are you dining out more or less than six months ago?

More - 3%

About the same - 34%

Less, just by choice - 22%

Less, we can’t afford it - 40%

Don’t know / unsure - 1%

As a result of Newshub closing down, should government do more to support journalism in NZ?

Yes - 41%

No - 43%

Don’t know / unsure - 16%

Should developers make a 5% contribution on new developments toward affordable housing in the region?

Yes - 74%

- 18%

Don’t know / unsure - 8%

Kawarau Gorge cycle trail build underway

By QMG

Kawarau Gorge is buzzing with activity as construction of the 32km Kawarau Gorge Trail kicks into high gear, according to the Southern Lakes Trails trust.

Earthmoving diggers can now be seen from the road SH6, between Queenstown and Cromwell, as they create the trail at Sam’s Flat area, within the Kawarau Gorge.

The trail, which is expected to take two years to build, will include riding on bluff bridges around the edge of the Kawarau River, past rapids unseen from the road and a spectacular view up the mouth of the Nevis River.

Ultimately, trail riders will criss-cross the Kawarau River via two major suspension bridges: one downstream of the Victoria Bridge and another at Citroen Rapid.

Pre-construction planning and preparations have been ongoing since the contractors Wilson Keen Contracting and Ellis Mining Ltd were appointed in December 2023. They were soon able to forge access into previously landlocked areas to start the trail earthworks.

Since the New Year, specialists have also been descending into the gorge. Archaeologists have identified historic and heritage features, ecologists have marked native plants to be protected and herpetologists have actively been moving lizards into their new, safe ‘lizard hotel’.

The trustees of Southern Lakes Trails are thrilled to be making excellent progress with the start of the Kawarau Gorge Trail build.

“Multiple stakeholders and parties have come together to realise the vision we have long held for our communities, to build a cycling and walking trail from Gibbston Valley to Bannockburn, which will allow users to explore an incredible piece of New Zealand history and environment”, Chair Aaron Halstead says.

The Southern Lakes Trails, formerly known as the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust, is responsible for the construction of three trails in the region: Lake Dunstan Trail, Kawarau Gorge Trail and the Wanaka Link.

The ambitious projects will cost $26.3 million, co-funded by Central Government, Central Lakes Trust and Otago Community Trust. A tripartite funding agreement was signed in 2016.

Wilson Keen Contracting focus on main earthworks, Ellis Mining responsible for suspension bridges and structures, and overall project management is provided by Southern Land. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is the project lead on the Nevis Bluff portion of the trail.

The Kawarau Gorge Trail is a pivotal component of a game-changing project that connects the four Great Rides in the Otago region, creating a 530km of continuous trail network across Queenstown, Central Otago and connecting through to Waihola near Dunedin.

The highly successful Lake Dunstan trail opened on 31 May, 2019, and has welcomed over 180,000 riders.

Sam’s Flat is named after Samuel Roberts who lived in a nearby hut with his family while employed as a rabbiter on Mt Difficulty Station about 80 years ago.

WATCH REPAIRS NOW

For all your repairs, watches, clocks, batteries, key cutting & straps.

Level One, Stratton House (Below Sky City), 24 Beach Street, Queenstown

Mon - Fri, 9:30am till 5:30pm. Closed on Saturdays. Phone/ text: 027 217 0442

CENTRAL OTAGO SKIN EXPERTS

Sam’s Flat Clearing: (L to R) Russell Cook, Origin Consultants (Archaeology/Heritage Consultant), Dave Howard (Southern Land), Greg Keen (Wilson Keen Contracting) protecting Samuel Roberts old rabbiter’s hut

Arts+Culture

Shakas and surfing comes to town

by Jess Allen

The 12th annual Aotearoa Surf Film Festival (ASFF) will roll into Queenstown and Wānaka next week. The event celebrates the best of surf culture and cinema, as well as connections to the environment. A curated selection of 10 local and international surf feature films, documentaries and short films will be showcased.

A panel of judges will decide on the winners of the award categories, which are Kiwi Filmmaker of the Year and NZ Grassroots Award, Most Environmentally Conscious Film, and ASFF People’s Choice Award. It’s not all about the awards though, the festival fosters creativity within the surf community and actually started out in Wānaka 12 years ago.

Louis Murphy-Harris owns and runs the festival and says there’s some great films included in this year’s line-up. Of the 10, five are international and five are local, offering a diverse selection including female surf films, shortboarding, longboarding and some fun stories throughout.

“Wānaka local Nick Stephenson started the festival to celebrate surf media and surf culture within New Zealand and get filmmakers from NZ enthusiastic and pumped to create some awesome surf films,” Murphy-Harris says. “I’ve been involved for the past five years and we tour the country in autumn, which is the best time of the year for surf, and this year we’re going to 21 spots around the country over two-and-a-half months. It’s basically a massive road trip showcasing the best films that were submitted for the film festival.”

One of the Kiwi films that will be shown is Over the Undertow by Kiwis Cassia Walton and Laura Crerar. It follows the story of young semi-professional surfers and shows their breakout from 18-year-olds enjoying themselves to the athletes they are now, “It features four really amazing wahine surfers.”

Another Kiwi film is Wai is the Yang, which is a short documentary about mental health and surfing based around the West End Wiggle, a longboarding competition in Ōhope. Internationally there’s Wall of Skulls – The Story of Teahupo’o. It showcases surfing culture in Tahiti, French Polynesia and how it intertwines with Tahitian culture.

While the split on local and international films is 50/50 this year, it hasn’t always been that way. In earlier years ASFF didn’t see a lot of Kiwi films coming through, so Murphy-Harris is happy to see an array of local films these days with this year actually seeing the most submissions yet by a landslide.

“Kiwis just weren’t putting it as a priority, or maybe just weren’t making surf films that often. There were only half a dozen filmmakers in the country. Now we’re getting heaps of really high quality films produced by Kiwis and in NZ, which is really cool because we’ve been the only real showcase of it. That’s what it’s all about – celebrating surf culture in NZ and also celebrating that on film – making films about Kiwi surfing and culture.”

Support for the festival has grown over the years, too, even down here in Queenstown and Wānaka where the beach is a wee ways away. MurphyHarris says the festival is always received so well here because there’s a lot of surfers living around our region as well as people who love the outdoors. Each year the shows sell out in this area, something many of those living on the coast don’t expect.

“It’s pretty amazing to see surfers and non-surfers coming along and enjoying the films. I think people like to see a mix of some high-quality international films, that are often of countries that people have never seen, as well seeing their homegrown flavour and seeing waves that they’re familiar with for surfers, or beaches they’re familiar with,” Murphy-Harris says.

The Aotearoa Surf Film Festival will be at World Bar in Queenstown on Wednesday, 20 March, and at Wānaka Community Hub on Thursday, 21 March. Tickets, a list of the films and more information on the event can be found at asff.co.nz

Tight 5 -Holly Newsome from Footnote

by Rosie Fea

Holly Newsome is a Pōneke-Wellington based artist living a life that showcases the results of full self expression. A creative jack of all trades, she has been working as a choreographer, teacher and dancer, since graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance in 2016 - the year she also became the Artistic Director of award winning project-based dance company, Discotheque.

While dance is always at the forefront of Holly’s work, her experience in and appreciation of other art forms such as visual art, painting, writing and sound design, is forever tied into her practice, informing and influencing the way she approaches movement. She’s on a mission to create gateways for audiences across Aotearoa to access the beautiful and ever-changing language of contemporary dance.

When did it all ‘click’ for you as a dancer / choreographer?

I’ve always felt that I was so deeply connected to art and expression in a way that was wrapped seamlessly around my identity. I never really understood how that may eventuate or look in the future, but always in the present I have simply enjoyed dance, creating, and the opportunities it has presented. I strive to remove any pressure placed on where it may take me and follow what interests me in the current.

What is your vision for dance and movement in this country? Any words for the upcoming generation of dancers?

I hope for greater exposure for dance in Aotearoa. We have such a connected a grounded way of moving here, and we need to share this with the world. I hope we can foster energy and passion in younger dancers. I dream of a world where everyday people go to theatre like we go to the movies.

Are there major themes or concepts you try to express when you’re creating the choreography?

I tend to gravitate to looking at the human race like we are ants on a microscope. Or like we are all players in a game? It feels to me as though we are all part of something much larger. It’s interesting to me, to see how I can characterise the dancers in a way that plays on humanistic tendencies in a less literal way. I often wonder how we can make contemporary dance accessible to the everyday audience, whilst upholding the integrity of the art form. I also just love dance in its simplest form, without the need to load concept all of the time. Athleticism versus art fascinates me, and I wonder how these two ideas can co-exist together.

What’s your dream project?

My dream project is happening all of the time. To be immersed in artistic practice in any capacity feels dreamy to me. But maybe also… I would love to make a large scale work under my company, Discotheque. A wider sense of collaboration with artists of all strengths to engage in multimedia work.

In one line, what does a life of dance and dynamic creativity mean to you? / what has it given you?

I feel so lucky to have found something that constantly makes me feel and understand the magic of being alive.

Holly Newsome and Footnote New Zealand Dance are coming to Queenstown with their electrifying contemporary dance production IYKYK (If You Know You Know), showing at the Queenstown Memorial Centre on 23 March.

Tickets at footnote.org.nz

Holly Newsome

Tuesday $15 Pasta All Day!

Wednesday Ladies night

$12 pornstar martinis Brett Walker 7 - 10pm

Thursday Dj Mo 6pm - late

Friday Burgers, Beats & DJ Ribera 6pm - late

Saturday DJ Mo 6pm - late

Sunday St Patrick’s Day with Calico, Nixs Music & DJ Swarms

Monday 20% off all mains $10 chicken wings Happy Hour 8-10pm $8 Spirits, $8 Wines & $8 Tap Beer

Tuesday Hospo Night DJ MAD Drink Specials all night and $6 Tacos

Wednesday Open Mic Night from 9.30pm

Thursday Pizza Night Quiz from 7pm then Live Music

Wednesday Latin Party with DJ Pirata

Friday Live Music / DJ from 9.30pm $7 Hotdogs 6-12pm

Tuesday $12 Classic Pizzas all day and night

Wednesday Ultimate Killer Pool Comp Huge cash prizes 8pm start $10 Entry

Thursday Poker Night 6.30pm | $20 Entry $25

Saturday DJ MAD from 9.30pm

Open Thursday till Sunday with Nightly House DJs from 8pm-4am

Sunday DJ MAD from 9.30pm Burger Night

Monday Free Chicken Wings (T’s &C’s apply) DJ Just Bill from 9.30pm

Sunday UFC Live St Patricks Day Specials $12 Cocktails, $8 Baby Guiness

Monday Huge Singles Pool Comp Cash Prizes, 8pm Start $10 Entry

GOINGS ON ABOUT

EVENTS - MUSIC - ART THEATRE - AT THE GALLERIES

Genre Fluid Tour

A stunning fusion of contemporary music and theatre performed with a unique synergy of style, sound and character. This Nelson-based duo is on a national tour and will perform a combination of high-energy rock funk anthems and improvised acts, morphing style, sound and character into a show that will appeal to all ages. Tickets are available online from humantix.

When: Wednesday, 20 March, 7.30pm

THEATRE

Where: Athenaeum Hall, 33 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown

MUSIC

Cool Sounds

Cool Sounds is the key project of Australian pop polymath Dainis Lacey, with a live band with up to six musicians onstage. Across five albums to date, Cool Sounds’ shapeshifting indie rock has given nods to 80s pop, funk, and alt-country, all with a lightness that disguises Lacey’s perceptive songwriting. Cool Sounds is making their first trip to NZ after shows across Europe. They will be playing tunes from their 2022 album, Like That (Chapter Music), a “gloriously funky and summery psychedelia-meets-disco affair.” Tickets are $15 and available online at undertheradar.

When: Wednesday, 13 March, 8pm

Where: Sherwood, 554 Frankton Road, Queenstown

COMMUNITY

NZ GAA National Championship

New Zealand GAA National Championship is coming to Queenstown for the first time. The event will run over St. Patrick’s weekend at the Events Centre. Teams from all over NZ are coming to play gaelic football, camogie and hurling. Free entry and parking, food and coffee trucks, and fun for the whole family!

When: Saturday and Sunday, 16-17 March, 9am - 7pm

Where: Queenstown Events Centre, Joe Oconnell Drive, Frankton

Community Kōrero @ Frankton Library

Do you feel nervous when speaking Te Reo Māori and wished there were more opportunities to practice?

The Frankton Library is launching kōrero sessions and practice with Roselle O’Brien on a fortnightly basis. Each kōrero is starting and closing with a karakia, and there will be prompts to keep the conversation flowing but otherwise it’s just a time to give it a go, get it wrong and try again! Everyone is welcome and bookings can be made via frankton. library@qldc.govt.nz or (03) 441 3680

When: Fortnightly, from Thursday, 21 March, 5.30pm - 6.30pm

Where: Frankton Library, Hawthorne Drive

REFASHION – A Fashion Show Cut

Differently – Frankton

Sustainable Queenstown presents Refashion- An alternative ‘slow’ fashion show. Demonstrating the power of choosing well, buying less, shopping secondhand first, caring for and repairing our clothes.

When: Saturday, 23 March, 6.30pm - 9pm

Where: Frankton Salvation Army, 8 Pin Oak Avenue, Frankton

Magic Land Adventure Sports Festival

The region plays host to NZ’s newest annual adventure sport festival celebrating all things that reinforce why the region is known as the adventure capital of the world. There is a focus on air sports, though not exclusively and local bands and DJs will continue the party into the night. Magic Land adventure will feature sports such as ACRO FEST- NZ’s national aerobatic competition, speed flying, paramotoring, paragliding, wingsuiting while on the water F1 Superboat NZ demonstrations will be the standout. The Magic Land Marquee will host high profile sports adventurers giving inspiring chats and screen adventure films from White Water Queenstown. The website has all the details including booking details at magiclandfestival.com

When: 22-23 March (camping from 18 March)

Where: Glendhu Bay, Wānaka

Cardrona Distillery Long Lunch at Wakatipu Grill

Wakatipu Grill is hosting a long lunch with Cardrona Distillery, hosted by Theo Arndt. The afternoon includes a curation of four Cardrona Distillery spirits and liqueurs served alongside a sharing style menu, This fun and vibrant table-sharing concept is the perfect setting to catch with friends and even make new ones! $99 per person.

LWB Reader Special: Use code ‘LongLunchLWB’ for 10% off your ticket price. To book, scan the QR code.

When: Sunday, 17 March, from 12.30pm

Where: Wakatipu Grill, Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa

Footnote NZ Dance

Aotearoa’s longest-running contemporary dance company Footnote New Zealand Dance returns to Queenstown with their critically-acclaimed production IYKYK (If You Know You Know). This action packed show presents two exciting dance works that explore human relationships through a game-like lens - how do you win at the game of life?

DANCE

What are the rules of the end of the world? Presented at Queenstown Memorial Centre for one night only as a part of their national tour, this is not to be missed! Book your tickets now from footnote.org.nz

When: Saturday, 23 March, 7pm

Where: Queenstown Memorial Centre, 1 Memorial Drive

FREE Community Masterclass

Footnote NZ Dance are offering a free community masterclass for ages 1218 as part of their IYKYK tour. Participants will have the opportunity to learn repertoire from the show and the choreographic process used to create it. Register at Te Atamira or contact zoe@footnote.org.nz

When: Friday, 22 March, 7pm-8.15pm

Where: Te Atamira, Remarkables Park Town Centre, 12 Hawthorne Drive

ART WORKSHOPS

Artist Talk - John Reynolds

Starkwhite Queenstown welcomes John Reynolds back to reflect upon his exhibition The Moon and the Flowers. Reynolds has produced a series of large paintings accompanied by signature tile works referencing the opening line of a haiku by Issa, one of the four Grand masters of Japanese haiku. One of New Zealand’s foremost artists, his distinctive style interrogates the logics of drawing, mark-making, and language, and his interdisciplinary practice spans painting, installation, and sculpture. Reynolds’ paintings are a proliferation of art historical, literary, architectural, and philosophical references interconnecting the heroic with the ordinary. All welcome.

When: Saturday, 16 March, 4pm

Where: Starkwhite Queenstown, 1–7 Earl Street

COMMUNITY NOTES

Gen-Z tech whizzes imparting free knowledge to seniors

By Sue Fea

Three Gen-Z teenage digital natives with a passion to enlighten the older generation on all things tech are launching a series of free weekly workshops for the tech-illiterate at Frankton from March 13.

The Year 10 students at Liger Leadership Academy in Five Mile came up with the initiative and designed four themed sessions themselves after researching the sorts of tech issues that 60s and over struggle with.

Nikau Farrell, Josh Clamp and George Espie, aged 14 and 15, say they found a huge need among older people who haven’t grown up around computers and the internet for information and guidance on how to keep safe from scammers. They’ll be teaching everything from how to simply turn on a cellphone through to using 3D printer software and downloading useful apps.

“We really wanted to make a positive impact on the community and offer our tech experience to help educate older people on how to use their device and keep safe on the internet,” Josh says.

Project manager Christian Belmont says internet scammers always focus on those who aren’t really aware of the risks so older generations are a target. “The brains of these students were trained and computer literate from a young age. Digital nativity has been instilled into their psyche so they’re keen to pass that on to older people to help them keep safe,” he says.

They’ll be teaching people how to identify what’s safe and what’s not as well as the basics of their device. “Ten years ago, people got emails saying the Nigerian prince wanted them to bail him out. Now they get 10 emails a day saying their bank transfer has gone through,” he says. “Scammers are so much more sophisticated. They’ve evolved but not the users with them.”

A staggering $NZ2.05 billion was lost to scammers in New Zealand alone last year, Nikau says. “That’s how many people were preyed upon.”

“My grandparents love to learn but sometimes it takes a while for them to get it so it will be really cool to teach people like them as older people can also offer us so much wisdom learned during their lives,” Nikau says.

Slow is the new chic!

By Neha Gosalia

Seniors will be introduced to various tools and filters through different software programmes that can help protect them from scammers. They’ll also be taught how to set their devices so that their passwords automatically change every six months. “There are recommended, reputable websites that help you identify if your account has been leaked or breached by the dark web,” Christian says. “The stories you read are tragic. People’s bank accounts drained or they receive hundreds of Facebook messages as their account’s been hacked.”

“We’ll cover everything from how to use your device and essential apps to setting up Google accounts and accessibility settings,” George says. Connecting with the grandchildren on social media will also become much easier.

The students have room to help more than 100 people at once so they’re hoping that they get inundated with the first week offering a lecture on all things tech followed by one-on-one help sessions. These will run every Wednesday at Liger Academy upstairs above Boliwood Restaurant in Five Mile Shopping Centre.

Their senior ‘students’ will each be awarded a certificate at the end of the course to show they’ve hit the mark.

Just turn up:

Where: Liger Academy, Five Mile Shopping Centre

When: March 13, March 20, March 27 and April 3, 4.30pm - 5.30pm

Sustainable Queenstown’s Slow Fashion Campaign is back! Last year, we held a sold-out Clothes Swap Event at Te Atamira with guest speakers, who shared astounding facts and insightful perspectives on fast fashion, and why going slow is the way forward.

This year, we’re calling on secondhand superstars in our community to, quite literally, model conscious consumer behaviour! Refashion: A Fashion Show Cut Differently seeks to feature locals who have embraced pre-loved, treasured hand-me-downs, or upcycled clothing and shine the spotlight on their planet-loving wardrobe. After a successful pilot event last year by our Resourceful Communities partners Wānaka Wastebusters, we are excited to put our own spin on it for the Whakatipu community! The fashion show is on Saturday, 23 March, at 6.30pm Not so keen to strut your op-shop couture down the ramp? You can still sashay away with a little somethin’! Get a raffle entry for every piece of secondhand clothing you wear to the event, and we’ll pick a few winners throughout the evening. Finally, you’ll also have a rare after-hours opportunity to browse and buy from the ‘Pop-Up Op-Shop Market’ featuring Salvation Army’s Family Store, a selection from Coco’s Cabin and the Strange Goods Market.

Tickets available on Humanitix, SQ Facebook Page $15 adults, free for under 18s.

Queenstown ‘Slow’ Fashion Week

March is Slow Fashion Month, and we’ll be sharing opportunities to help the community learn about choosing well, wearing for longer, mending and repairing, and shopping second hand first. Here’s a taster - follow us on Facebook as we’ll be sharing throughout the month!

• Sustainable Queenstown’s Green Drinks ‘Gear & Beer’ will feature a gear swap hosted at Patagonia Clothing & Equipment. Thurs, 21 March.

• TIKKI studio’s ‘Visible Mend’ workshop on 17 March with guest facilitator Nat Perks - breathe new life into ripped jeans by using embroidery to patch them up.

• Sip ‘n’ Sew at Gantley’s Pub - learn how to perform simple mends and alterations! Thurs, 21 March.

This event is proudly supported by QLDC Zero Waste District Programme.

From left, Josh, Nikau and George ready to impart their tech knowledge to over 60s

by Sue Fea

MING HAN

A land of opportunity

When Ming Han arrived in Queenstown, just 24 and speaking minimal English more than 11,000kms from home, ironically, he was returning to his roots. Born in Guangzhou, Canton’s capital, Ming’s great, great grandfather – his mother’s great grandfather, Choie Sew Hoy, was one of this region’s early Chinese gold miners – among Otago’s most famous.

Ming’s uncle Wayne Chui, who became a local restaurateur legend, opened one of Queenstown’s first Chinese restaurants - The Mandarin, in 1982. “He sponsored me to come to New Zealand and work for him. It was a chance at a better life.” His mother was keen for him to connect with her family’s gold mining roots.

Growing up in China, Ming boarded at kindergarten. Primary school years during the Cultural Revolution were tough. His grandmother, who’d mothered 10 kids, was a big influence helping care for Ming, his two brothers and cousins while parents were working.

Ming had just finished his mechanical engineering studies when NZ beckoned in 1987. “We were so poor then. People were determined to go overseas to make money, change their lives and have more freedom.” He made between $200 and $300 a week here - the equivalent of six months or more of work back home. “Even well-educated people like university professors were earning NZ$20 a month in China. Everyone said Wayne was crazy opening his restaurant, but it became really successful.”

Ming worked part-time for Tony Robertson at Minami Jujisei Japanese Restaurant, living in their staff house, and worked in various hotel kitchens and gift shops.

He also did a stint for Americans Kathy and Ted Topolski at Waterfall Park. “They had peacocks and deer wandering around, a gazebo, stream under the waterfall, trout spawning. It was beautiful.”

There was only a handful of Chinese in town, but a big Japanese community and Ming soon met wife Yumiko – a tour guide. They lived in Japan on and off in the early 1990s where Ming put his engineering skills to work at the Nissan subsidiary factory in Yumiko’s hometown.

Fluent in four languages – Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese and English, he taught at local language schools, teaching English to kids, and Mandarin to trainee engineers headed for China, which had just opened up, also working for a luxury Tokyo hotel.

Returning to Queenstown in 1994, he opened his first restaurant in 1996 – Memories of Hong Kong in Steamer Wharf. “We really appreciated the environment, the opportunites and freedom here. We could meet people from all over the world. You could never do that in China,” Ming says.

My Life Story

He worked hard. It was tough with some huge challenges to overcomethe Asian financial crisis hit a year in and so many people in town lost jobs.

Ming rode out SARS, the GFC (Global Financial Crisis), 1999’s record floods which forced him to close for two months, and 911, but the restaurateurs all supported each other. “We were like a family. It was different then,” he says. The good times were plentiful too, many of China’s most wealthy businessmen among customers, including Alibaba’s Jack Ma. Prime Ministers and top politicians would hire his private dining room for lunches.

Ming’s chef caused a stir with the FBI when he popped out Kiwi style to say, ‘hi’, to US President Bill Clinton on the internal Steamer Wharf stairs, shaking his hand. “They got upset with police for not controlling the crowd,” he grins. “I remember them getting out of the big black armoured ute holding machine guns.”

He once had to cancel 300 Christmas Eve bookings just hours out when fire sprinklers went off drenching the restaurant kitchen.

Ming started a second restaurant in Beach Street – Japanese tapas initially, then Lenka, also opening a gift shop with friends downstairs for a while. At the same time, he stretched his 15-hour days further, opening The Sushi Hut beside Eichardt’s in an old hut.

In 2004 he moved Memories to Stratton House, and later once that lease expired moved it to the Mall in 2014. He built Wild Ginger - an Asian fusion, upmarket Chinese restaurant in Beach Street, selling that to Auckland friends.

In 2010 he’d also started fast food Kai Express in Shotover Street with friends, which eventually became Daruma Sake Bar, Ming inventing the ‘sake bomb’ which became a huge hit. “It was a little cup of sake dropped into a beer.”

Ming and Uncle Wayne became interpreters for local police and court staff during emergencies or criminal cases, sadly a fatal jetboat accident among them.

After Covid hit he closed Memories and spent time in Christchurch with family, also studying for a wine cellar hand course through Cromwell Polytechnic. For the past two years he’s helped with Gibbston Valley harvests.

A keen golfer, Ming organised All Nations Golf and other matches where migrants played local Kiwis.

He’s very appreciative of the opportunities Queenstown has offered him. “I’m now enjoying the freedom, golf, hiking and skiing,” he smiles. His only regret as a restaurateur is not being able to spend enough time with his wife and sons. “You’re married to the business.”

Ming, centre, enjoying a game with one of his golf buddies, Marty Roy, left, and Marty’s friend Malcolm Dore, right

Ming and Mandarin Restaurant chef David Chow, from Hong Kong, about 1988 on a day trip to Glenorchy

CBD

by Miranda Spary

Miranda Spary is a tired, old, has been columnist that we feel sorry for. She used to write a weekly book column in the old Queenstown Times which was read more for the local gossip in it than the book part. She is quite lazy and very grateful if readers send in ideas about what’s been happening locally on miranda@queenstown.co.nz

I’m thinking of firing my editor. Old ladies like me worry all the time that they might be getting dementia so it was very cruel of him to leave a text message saying the column hadn’t arrived on Monday morning just before said old lady goes to yoga. He had accidentally deleted it himself but I’d had an hour of worrying it was time for me to enter the Home for the Terminally Bewildered. PHEW!

Wasn’t the NZ Open great? I don’t even watch golf, but on the last afternoon it was really fun being down at the sunny 18th hole catching up with lots of friends. Having no entrance fee meant there were masses of families and young people enjoying the music and delicious food from the many foodtrucks on site. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t even know who had won the tournament until I got home and saw the happy Japanese guy on TV. He did look VERY happy!

And there’s now a very happy one-armed man - I was talking to the producer (or maybe director) of a TV series that’s being made here, and he was struggling to find a one armed actor for a particular role. He was chatting with me in a cafe, and suddenly leapt up and ran out to talk to a man with a baby in his one arm. Would he be interested in a film career? He most certainly WOULD!! Life moves in very strange ways….

We had accepted an invitation to a fundraising lunch for something called NZ SAS Trust at Mana Whenua - the amazing lodge that Mutt Lange and Shania Twain built between here and Wanaka. I only went because I am CHRONICALLY nosy and thought I could cope with some boring speeches. What a surprise - it was fascinating and we heard about the trust they have set up for the families of those brave men and women. I’m a soldier’s daughter and although we lived all over the world, my British soldier dad was never away from home for more than a couple of months. NZ SAS are often away for more than a year and this trust uses donations to help the families cope while their parents are away, or if they get injured or killed. When I was little, I didn’t know anyone whose father wasn’t a soldier, and once we got to Arrowtown, it seemed very weird that fathers had different jobs - mostly farming. Only a couple of my friends had fathers who’d been soldiers but I didn’t know that until Anzac Day became so popular after the 1990 75th anniversary of Gallipoli. Now it’s an enormous event where the public show their appreciation of people who are brave enough to risk their lives for their country and as some of my American friends say, it’s our equivalent of Thanksgiving.

For all you Latin lovers and dance nuts, there’s a special event at Dorothy Browns on Tuesday LET THE DANCE BEGIN - it’s a film about a trio of tango dancers who reunite after thirty years and travel through Argentina. Can’t wait!!

The Council Word

Riverside Road Reserves

Help us develop a draft Reserve Management Plan for the Riverside Road Reserves alongside the Kawarau River in Frankton. We’re keen to hear what you love about them, what you’d like to see there now and in the future, and what you want protected or maintained. Share your feedback by 25 March at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz

Have your say on outdoor dining

Outdoor dining areas help make our town centres hum. It’s also important they’re managed appropriately so we’ve developed a refreshed Outdoor Dining in Public Places policy. It’s open for feedback until Sun 24 March. For more info and to have your say visit letstalk.qldc.govt.nz

Frankton Beach ‘Picnic in the Park’

Don’t miss out on our final summer BBQ at Frankton Beach: 3.00-5.00pm, Thursday 21 March. Councillors will be firing up the grill for a sausage sizzle, and our Summerdaze games trailer will have fun activities for all ages. Find full details at qldc.govt.nz/summerdaze

Multicultural Football Festival

Kick off the football season as local teams from our migrant communities compete for glory again. With live music and food trucks it’ll be a fun day for the whole family. From 11.45am, Sat 16 March at Alexandra’s Pioneer Park. For more info visit facebook.com/CentralOtagoLeague

Get colouring to win goggles

Queenstown Events Centre and Wānaka Recreation Centre are running kids’ colouring competitions to celebrate Easter. Grab an entry form from reception and get colouring for a chance to win Speedo goggles!

Working Remotely and need your LWB weekly fix?

You can grab your copy from a location close to you.

FERNHILL:

• Fernhill Dairy - Fernhill Road

KINGSTON:

• Kingston Corner Shop & Café

LAKE HAYES:

• The Hayes Pub - Onslow Road

District Plan going electronic

We’re currently working on new electronic formats of our Operative and Proposed District Plans. These ePlans will be hosted online: easier to use with better functionality. You’ll be able to see all provisions that apply to a property in one place instead of having to switch between online maps and a bunch of PDFs and chapters. Watch this space!

Public holiday opening hours

With Otago Anniversary Day and Easter fast approaching, remember most QLDC Sport & Recreation facilities are open from 8.00am to 8.00pm on public holidays (Paetara Aspiring Central 9.00am to 5.00pm). To mark Anzac Day, facilities will open at 1.00pm. For full details visit qldc.govt.nz/recreation

www.qldc.govt.nz

SHOES UNLIMITED - CROCS ON SALE - buy any pair of Crocs and get the 2nd pair HALF PRICE. Terms and conditions apply. Offer available instore or online www.shoesunlimited.co.nz

GARAGE SALE: SAT 16TH MARCH 9AM - 2pm at 36 Ferry Hill Drive, Quail Rise. The first of two garage sales due to house move. Outdoor clothing and ski wear, (good brands) Sea Eagle Kayak, footwear, furniture, fridges x 2, kitchen, gardening, climbing. Bargains.

PATAGONIA WOMENS MICRO D 1/4 ZIP FLEECE pullover, Royal Blue. Size S. Never worn. $50 cash. 021 269 7791 (text only please).

BRIDGE LESSONS - BEGINNER: QUEENSTOWN BRIDGE CLUB: Events Centre, meeting room, level 1. Every Thursday, starting 4th April 2024. This is a 10-week course. Cost $120.00 + table fee. Contact Lynnette McLennan by email: lynnettemclennan63@ gmail.com

PARKING SPACE NEEDED FOR A SELF-CONTAINED CARAVAN with a professional cruisy mature lady and cat tucked inside, short or long term. Happy to pay for space and power if available. Work in Frankton but open to any options in Q. call/text:0277056500.

CONTAINER FOR LEASE: 20FT, A1 GRADE. ARROWTOWN location. Affordable storage option, available now. $260 + gst per month. Call Nick on 021 530 000

SPECTACULAR AUTUMN COLOURS IN THE GARDENS OF Beautiful Gardens of Wanaka GUIDED GARDEN TOURS. Great thing to do with friends or family. Departs daily in Wanaka until the end of April. Choice of 2, 3 or 4 gardens, all very different! Knowledgeable guide, transport, refreshments, from $95. Group discounts (max 7), gift vouchers. Info booking Florence 02102792481 beautifulgardenswanaka.com

ASPIRING CONVERSATIONS 2024! JOIN KEY THINKERS IN a rich array of current, controversial and downright interesting subjects. Book Now - festivalofcolour.co.nz

STANDARDISED RECYCLING IS HERE! KERBSIDE RECYCLING IS now the same all around the country. That means more items can be accepted in your yellow bin. Recycle clean plastic bottles, trays and containers marked 1, 2, and 5 in your yellow mixed recycling bin, along with clean cans, cardboard and paper. For more information go to www.qldc.govt.nz

RAMADA FRANKTON FOR BOOKING. LOFT STUDIO

APARTMENT, Fully Furnished. King Bed. Kitchenette with Microwave. Includes Internet, Power and Garage Parking. Low ceiling in some portions. Ideal tenant - Single/Couple. Minimum 3 months. Contact via text at 021606541

PEONY TUBERS FOR SALE. TAKING ORDERS NOW for Tubers from three year old plants & guaranteed for flowering in spring 2024. Great selection of varieties/colours. From $25. Available from 20th March and April 2024. All enquires welcome. Phone Suzette on O2 241 42301

HOUSE SITTER / PET SITTER | PROPERTY caretaker. Trustworthy reliable, caring, flexible and resourceful. Available from 27 April. Trisha 0210733790

RIDE SMOOTHLY WITH EXPERT COMPREHENSIVE BICYCLE

SERVICING & Repairs! Experienced Technicians. From basic tuneups to complex repairs. Fast Turnaround. Call Queenstown Bike Services +64 22 429 1761

PRIVATE ENGLISH CLASSES FOR ALL LEVELS (INCLUDING IELTS preparation) and ages with a qualified ESL teacher. Hourly rate from $35. Text or call Marketa on 0212392522.

EASY ADMIN - INVITING LOCAL BUSINESS, WE do: PAYROLL, XERO/MYOB, GST, CASHFLOW, AR&AP, INVOICING. Office Management & Consultancy. hello@easyadmin.co.nz | 0210 823 7381

FREE TRUCK LOADS OF HORSE MANURE. PLENTY available! Pick up Arrow Junction. Text 02102412505

PHOTO PAGE

Wānaka A&P Show

Wānaka welcomed more than 44,000 people to the 87th Wānaka A&P Show this weekend.

Organisers of the anticipated annual show – which is renowned as one of the South Island’s biggest agricultural and pastoral events –were thrilled with the turnout, particularly with the mix of town and country gathering to celebrate New Zealand’s rural roots.

1. What common leafy green is native to Persia and is often associated with a specific cartoon character who made his maritime debut in 1929?

2. What method of applying seed, fertilizer, or pesticide in a wide pattern shares its name with the method of using public airwaves to transmit television?

3. Craisins are both a popular snack and a registered trademark. What fruit is used to make craisins?

4. In agriculture, "apiculture" is the technical term for raising what type of insects?

5. Aside from a billy, what other “B” word can used to describe a male goat? The word can also be used as slang for dollar bills.

6. What is the horticultural technique in which the scion of one plant is grown on the rootstock of another?

7. A term also used in anthropology to mean a society that lacks diversity, what word is used to describe the agricultural practice of growing one crop species in a field at a time?

8. What marital name is given to the science of breeding, feeding, and caring for farm animals in the proper way?

9. An economic bubble of what plant in the Netherlands is frequently referenced when referring to overspeculation of an asset?

10. Tree nut allergies and peanut allergies are largely separate because peanuts fall into what group of plants that belong to the family Fabaceae and includes mesquite, alfalfa and lentils?

Read about the show online at lwb.co.nz

11. Tower, bunker, and bag are currently the three most common types of what building whose name comes from a Greek word for “pit for holding grain”?

12. Derived from the French for “bell”, what name is given to a covering protecting plants from cold temperatures? This word can also refer to a type of tableware cover or a type of hat.

13. Although they're not at all related, the grasses of the genus Zizania, some of which are native to Asia and others which predate European contact in the Americas, are typically referred to as a "wild" version of what other staple crop?

14. "Linseed" is another name for what flowering plant, which has been cultivated by humans for over 30,000 years, and which is the source of linen fiber?

Saturday’s Grand Parade - Alexandra Pipe Band

Saturday’s Dog Trials

Saturday’s Jack Russell Race was as popular as ever

Saturday’s Rural Village Woodchooping, with Otago Southland Axemen

Visitors Uli Schmidt, Mel Müller, Sonya Adams were all smiles as they relaxed in the sun

The Topp Twins performed on stage to a huge crowd

The equestrian events, as always, were a highlight for specta- tors and competitors

Ph: 03 409 2800

enquiries@qmg.co.nz jobfix.co.nz

WANTED:CHEFDEPARTIE&BARTENDER

We’reawood-firedeateryanddrink(ery)ina charmingrestoredchurchandwe’relookingfor anexperiencedchefdepartie&bartendertojoin ourteam.

You’llgetflexiblehours,competitivepay&afun smallteamculture!Interested?Pleaseemailyour CVtohello@wearesundays.co.nz

CountryLane,Frankton|@wearesundaysqt

Full-Time Food & Beverage Manager

Edgewater Resort Hotel Lake Wānaka has been established for over 30 years. We are extremely proud to be part of the region and welcome Local, Domestic and Overseas guests to stay with us every year. We love Wānaka and we are the only Resort in Wānaka directly adjacent to the lake.

Do you love great food and amazing dining experiences? Have a passion for hospitality and providing exceptional service? This could be the role for you!

We have a senior position available for a full time F&B Manager at Edgewater, Lake Wānaka. Key responsibilities include ensuring the daily operation of employees and the restaurant, working closely with the Executive Chef and Events & Weddings team. These two departments require efficient communication to ensure the guest satisfaction and delivery of the Food & Beverage concept from daily operations to individual/tailored events.

You will have overall responsibility for the financial reporting from this department, including working to achieve budgeted revenues, maintaining costs standards and achieving profit. You will also have to have experience in stocktake management and reporting.

Experience maintaining health and safety policies is preferred. Good staff management and your HR responsibilities should be important to you and planning and rostering staff to budget is essential. You will lead by example, and prove exceptional service. We require someone with strong attention to detail, a passion for food and service and a great attitude.

If this sounds like you, please send through your cover letter and CV to Leigh gm@egdewater.co.nz. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our Edgewater family.

TEACHERS & RELIEVERS

Do you want to be part of a family that prioritises wellbeing and the collective strength of the team?

We are looking for teachers and relievers who are passionate about providing education and who share in our ideals.

If you have experience with children and would like to be part of a team that believe that a connection to ourselves, each other and our learning

environments both indoors and out, is essential for learning, this is for you!

We work as a cohesive team, but we also recognise that individual talents and interests are golden!

• Flexible hours

• Competitive remuneration

• No working on weekends!

• A great environment, full of amazing humans who want to make an impact.

Submit your applications to: recruit@gems.net.nz or visit www.gems.net.nz

GENERAL MANAGER

We’re looking for an accounting-based GM to join our like-minded, hard-working, family-friendly team.

We offer:

• Office with carparking centrally located in Glenda Drive, Frankton

• Collaborative and responsive management team

• Positive communication and excellent company culture

• Medical insurance and gym access

• Regular staff functions and events

The work:

This is a leadership and management position, interacting with all members of the company. As our GM Finance, you will be at the forefront of running our business with responsibility for HR as well as running accounting systems in conjunction with our administration team. An extensive background in bookkeeping is essential. Trinity runs an industry standard accounting and management system called Pro Core. It is an advantage if you have worked with this system but not essential as on-the-job training will be provided.

The role requires around 25-30 hours per week depending on the time of month and we offer flexible hours with work on and off-site. This position offers either an immediate or delayed start to suit.

To be successful in this position, you will have:

• Previous experience in book keeping and office management systems. You do not need to be a qualified accountant but need to know how to complete and report on management accounts and be familiar with all monthly IRD requirements

• If you have worked for a building company in the past this would be an advantage but not essential

• A focus on quality at all times

• Logical thinking and analytical skills

• Good written and verbal communication skills

• Problem solving skills and a can-do attitude

• Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously

• Above all else you will be an amazing person full of energy and compassion for others

For more information on Trinity and our multi-award-winning, high-end residential construction, visit our website: trinityqt.com

For a confidential conversation, please contact Wayne Foley 0274 864 244 or submit your CV along with cover email to wayne@trinityqt.com. All applications will be treated in strictest confidence.

Ph:

enquiries@qmg.co.nz jobfix.co.nz

Gantley’s Tavern est. 1865

Exciting Part Time / Full Time job opportunities at Gantley's Tavern! If you're passionate about hospitality, thrive in a dynamic setting, and want to be part of our storied tradition, apply now!

• CDP

• Commis Chef

• Kitchen Hands

• Baristas

• Duty Managers

• Front of House

Email your CV to courtney@gantleystavern.co.nz

Painter and Brush Hand

We are seeking both a Brush Hand and a Painter for Summer and Autumn contract work.

Mostly exterior painting work.

Reputable company offering short term contract work.

Decent hourly rate.

Working in the Queenstown area. Phone Greg on 027-510-3265 for more info or enquiry, or email your CV directly to accounts@arrowtownexteriors.co.nz

Queenstown Stopping Services are looking to hire EXPERIENCED PLASTERERS and TRAINEE PLASTERERS to join our team. If you would like to learn a trade with a progressive career and you meet the following criteria we would like to hear from you:

• Be willing to commit to at least 2 years

• Have a valid work visa or permanent residency

• Have your own vehicle and full New Zealand drivers license.

• Have a good work ethic and work well in a team.

• Have a good level of physical fitness to work in a fast paced environment

We are a well established local company with a sociable team and can offer competitive hourly pay within the industry

Please email your CV to queenstownstoppingservices@gmail.com

LOOKING FOR ADMINISTRATION WORK IN QUEENSTOWN?

Chef/cook position available

Odelay cafe is looking for confident team members for full time positions. Training given.

Email Ed odelaycafe@yahoo.co.nz

ROOM ATTENDANTS

QT Queenstown & Rydges Queenstown has an excellent opportunity for room attendants to join our friendly team.

You must be committed to delivering the highest standard of presentation, cleanliness and guest experience that QT Queenstown/ Rydges Queenstown has to offer.

Please apply to kim_haynes@evt.com if this is the dream job you have been waiting for.

•

simon.ryder@harrisonbloy.co.nz

REGISTER ONLINE AT www.addstaff.co.nz addstaff employment agency addstaffqueenstown

Ph:

enquiries@qmg.co.nz

Part-Time Warehouse Assistant

Bidfood Queenstown is currently looking for a part-time Warehouse Assistant to work Monday and Saturday in our warehouse with our hard working day team. This is an excellent opportunity to join a stable and highly respected company within the hospitality industry. We offer a competitive remuneration package, consistent hours and staff benefits.

Key responsibilities include picking orders for the delivery runs and packing to pallet. You will also be required to receive incoming goods, check inventory and warehouse maintenance. This position requires individuals to be physically fit as there is frequent heavy lifting of up to 25kg.

Previous experience in a warehouse environment is preferable but not essential as full training and appropriate PPE will be provided. Forklift experience also desirable but not essential.

Applicants must be able to provide references and must be eligible to work in NZ to apply for this role.

Please send your CV to HR.Queenstown@bidfood.co.nz

FIND THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY

FOR YOUR CAREER

GUEST SERVICES

We have a stellar opportunity for a driven individual to become part of New Zealand’s Most Trusted Real Estate Brand – as voted by Kiwi’s consecutively for 11 years running.

Located in Queenstown this part-time role will be focused on carrying out the daily inspections and assisting with the operations our long-standing Holiday Homes business.

This role is 15 - 30 hours per week rolling over a 7 day week - weekend work is required. Hours will fluctuate throughout peak and shoulder seasons.

As part of the Holiday Homes Guest Services team, you will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of our holiday homes and providing exceptional experiences for our guests. We are looking for someone with a keen attention to detail, experience in general repairs and maintenance, a strong understanding of property management, and the ability to follow systems and processes e ectively.

If you are passionate about providing exceptional guest experiences and possess the required skills and experience, please apply with your CV and Cover Letter to hr@highlandgroup.co.nz

All applicants must be a NZ citizen/resident or possess a valid NZ work permit and have a clean current drivers license.