As the dust settles on the Summer Concert at Gibbston Valley and the reality of them needing to find a new venue sets in, it makes me wonder about Queenstown’s music scene. A lot of festivals across the ditch and here in New Zealand are taking a hiatus or shutting up shop altogether, so could we do more as a community to revive the music scene? Surely any band would be more than happy to explore this beautiful town!
I read recently that the boss of Christchurch’s new stadium reckons big acts will only play in one South Island city and that Dunedin will lose out – what’s with the competition, and should we get in on this? Using events such as Snow Machine and Mardi Gras as an example, we know we have the capacity, so what’s stopping us from giving it a red-hot go?
Places like Yonder are doing a great job at bringing small-medium sized bands over, but what about bigger acts, beyond just music too – we want comedians, more arts and more culture. Alien Weaponry recently announced a gig out at AJ Hackett and Wānaka Festival of Colour is bringing some awesome acts to our region, but I feel that’s not enough. I know through my arts and culture reporting that many artists are put off (or told not to come by booking agents) because of the huge costs to perform here. I’m not talking about food and accommodation, but actual venue-hire costs. A big-name artist who performed here last year told me they’d never been able to play Queenstown before because it was just too bloody expensive, and that this time they’d told their booking agent to go ahead because they wanted to come here regardless. They also said that they were almost certainly at a loss.
My challenge to local venues is to make this more accessible for acts –isn’t an event at your venue bringing people in at a lower revenue for you better than having no event at all? As a born-and-bred Sydney girl, who lived in Europe for a year, hopped over to Christchurch for a few before settling here, I crave and miss being spoilt for choice when it comes to the arts.
Cold Chisel, ICEHOUSE, Bic Runga and Everclear played an awesome show – the gig was great! But surely, it’s time that we bring artists here that aren’t either DJs, EDM, or musicians that (arguably) might have passed their heyday. If us locals are willing to travel halfway around the country to see big bands, why can’t they come here to enjoy our spectacular mountainous backdrops and support local businesses?
Jessica Allen - Lakes Weekly Bulletin
Queenstown’s Pop-Up Preloved Fashion Market was a hit at Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall on Sunday, with hundreds of customers grabbing a bargain through the sustainable initiative. Pictured are organisers Sara Tully, Annabel Emery, Rebecca Sadler and Kevin Wey. They plan more pop-up markets in the future, with local donation points, hoping more men will get involved next time around.
Swimming the length of Lake Whakatipu
by Jessica Allen
A distance of 82km – the length of Lake Whakatipu – is what local marathon swimmer Liana Smith will attempt to swim this month. Without a wetsuit and unassisted, no less. It’s the first time someone’s attempted this swim in such a way.
In the past, only one swimmer from Wellington has been successful in going the distance, but he did have a wetsuit on, “and no one has attempted it since 2012, so why not?!” Smith says. In addition to attempting this intense feat, Smith will also be raising funds for I Am Hope.
Originally from a small rural town called Glenbrook in the North Island, Smith moved to Queenstown in 2015. Having always enjoyed swimming, she never intended to get into it as a sport – flash forward to now as she has a world record under her belt for swimming the Foveaux Strait in six hours and 19 minutes. Smith’s also completed the Cook Strait and Lake Taūpo.
“I got into it accidentally – needing to get my Surf Life Saving swim time better. I was really big into surfing back home and needed to train up a bit, so started doing that with my local club. I was about eight at the time,” Smith says.
At the time she had to wear a wetsuit in the warm rural pool, not something she enjoyed. Soon, she fell in love with swimming and represented New Zealand on a couple of national youth teams. After winning a few national titles and picking up a NZ record in the 100 metre individual medley, she was struck with injury.
“I swum my way to a spinal fusion at age 17. It shot my career in the face a little bit, which was a bit of a shame. I had a bit of a mix of misdiagnoses, over training and genetics as well.”
Following this she had seven years completely out of the water and it wasn’t until Covid that she decided to give it another crack.
“I thought I’d see if I could still swim, and it turns out I could, and decided I’d tick off what’s called the triple crown, which is Lake Taupo, Cook Strait and Foveaux. That was my big mission over 2021 and 2022.”
Swimming Lake Whakatipu is the next challenge she’s set her sights on. Her training regime has been strict in the lead up, doing 50km swim weeks and mixing in strength and conditioning work. A marathon swim is 10km, so she’ll be doing the equivalent of eight running marathons back to back.
“While I’m away swimming, people can follow the Facebook or Instagram pages and they can see the live tracker and link for the charity. If you want to donate $1 per km, or something like that you can – just trying to do a little bit of good in the world essentially.”
You can follow Liana’s attempt and see the announcement of the date by finding Swim for Something on Facebook or Instagram, or scanning this QR code.
‘We haven’t given up on stages two and three’ - Mayor by
Paul Taylor
It’s unpopular, very expensive, but finally open.
Queenstown’s new town centre ‘arterial road’ welcomed its first traffic on Thursday morning, following a blessing ceremony from local iwi.
Mayor Glyn Lewers thanked the community for their patience during the three years of construction on the 1.1km, $128 million ‘Shovel-Ready’ Covid-19 roading project.
“It’s been arguably the most complex project we’ve ever delivered and it’s safe to say it has taken longer and cost more than we expected - but we know this investment is an important one for our future,” he says.
Ratepayers will stump up $88m, which includes the $40m overspend, while the Government’s fixed-cost remains $50m.
The new road, which runs between Frankton Rd and Gorge Rd, is stage one of the arterial roads project. Stage two would connect to Man St, potentially bowling the Memorial Centre, while stage three runs down from Thompson St to Fernhill roundabout.
And despite the difficulties, and the fact Queenstown Lakes District Council has little budget set aside at present for the remaining stages, Lewers says they are still on the table.
“We’ll continue to lobby for funding to complete the full route, which will ensure we can realise the full benefits of creating space for full town centre transformation and transport improvements,” he says.
The blessing ceremony was also an opportunity to acknowledge the Kāi Tahu narratives and values incorporated into artworks included on the precast concrete retaining walls along the new road.
They were developed by Kāi Tahu artists Paulette Tamati-Elliffe, Jennifer Rendall, James York and Marlon Williams, under the Design Lead of Keri Whaitiri, with involvement from the St Joseph’s pupils.
“The cultural designs on these retaining walls reflect our intergenerational connections to the inland area, depicting our whakapapa (genealogy), traditional names, mahika kai (food gathering) and flora and fauna that holds great relevance to Kāi Tahu,” Paulette Tamati-Elliffe says.
“It’s important we bring our cultural narratives to the forefront, to not only share with our wider community and manuhiri (visitors), but to ensure our tamariki (children), mokopuna (grandchildren) and future generations recognise themselves in the towns and cities that they live and thrive in, connecting their knowledge of our oral histories, handed down through generations to the visual aspects of the built environment.”
Drivers are asked to take care while getting used to the new road layout in central Queenstown.
The project was delivered by Kā Huanui a Tāhuna (Whakatipu Transport Programme Alliance) - a partnership between Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Beca, WSP, Downer New Zealand and Fulton Hogan.
CRIMELINE
Contractor saves Jack’s Point homes
by Sue Fea
The quick thinking of a contractor working at Jack’s Point saved a deliberately-lit grass fire from spreading to nearby houses about 1pm on Monday, 27 January. Fire and Emergency risk reduction advisor Mark Mawhinney says that while the district is now in a prohibited fire season, fortunately the grass was quite short which meant the blaze didn’t take off as quickly, despite the dry conditions. “A local contractor was onto it with his big water tanker and had the fire pretty much out by the time Frankton Fire Brigade volunteers arrived at the scene which was a great effort,” Mawhinney says. Firefighters have been attending a few fires in the region that have started from equipment like lawn mowers striking stones in the dry conditions. He says people wanting to do outdoor tasks near fire risk should get started early before the dew evaporates. Constable Amanda Shute says neighbouring residents also helped put out the fire and Police would like to speak with “identified suspects” and welcome any other information about the circumstances in which the fire was started. Enquiries are ongoing.
Drunken imposter pushes his way into room
Police were called to Panorama Terrace after an unknown man allegedly entered a house through the front door at around 8.40am on Saturday, 25 January, trying to gain access to a room while the occupants braced themselves against the door. Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson says once inside the occupants yelled at the male intruder to leave and the male occupant had to brace himself against the door to stop him from gaining access to their room. It was a scary experience for the couple, he says. When Police arrived, they found the 29-year-old allegedly intoxicated man in the garage of the house, also allegedly in possession of cocaine. He faced a charge of being unlawfully in a building and possession of cocaine in the Queenstown District Court and was remanded on bail to reappear on 10 March.
Man trying car doors in Panorama Terrace
A few hours prior in the same area a 30-year-old man was charged with unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle after Police received reports of a male trying door handles on multiple vehicles in Panorama Terrace. That was at 6.22am also on Saturday. The man appeared in the Queenstown District Court on Monday, 27 January, and was remanded on bail to reappear on 10 March.
Car burglars target Kelvin Heights again
Police are urging residents in the Frankton and Kelvin Heights areas to remain vigilant after late night car thieves have been trying their luck in Kelvin Heights again with two vehicles broken into and badly damaged. One was believed to belong to a staff member at Hilton Queenstown and the other to an Oregon Drive resident. Shute says the vehicle broken into outside the Hilton overnight on 25 and 26 January had the rear quarter window smashed in and damage to the ignition barrel. A few days earlier the Oregon Drive resident says he discovered his Honda Civic car damaged in the exact same way, likely to have occurred maybe overnight on Thursday, 23 January. A neighbour had noticed the damage on Friday, but the resident says he only discovered it late morning on Saturday. Shute says residents need to report any suspicious behaviour and people to Police via 105 as soon as possible. Police are investigating both break-ins which are believed to be likely to be linked. “This causes a lot of pointless damage for no real reason,” Senior Sergeant Glenn Wilkinson says.
High-end coat thieves still on the loose
Police continue to investigate the theft of a number of high-end jackets from a Cow Lane store, in Queenstown, about 7.25pm on 10 January. They’ve released a photo of a man they want to speak to (view it on lwb.co.nz and the Queenstown App). Officers believe those responsible may be attempting to sell the jackets on an online marketplace. Anyone with information can contact Police via 105 or online quoting reference file number: 250111/5881. Information can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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This Valentine’s Day, celebrate love in all its forms - whether it’s a romantic gesture, a heartfelt note, or simply spending quality time with someone special. From grand surprises to the little moments that mean the most, make this day one to remember.
One month to go until Motatapu – who will be on the start line?
Elite athletes, weekend warriors, first-time competitors and junior runners are set to line up for Queenstown’s iconic Motatapu off-road events in less than a month.
The races wind through the Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe high country stations, from Wānaka to Arrowtown, on Saturday, 1 March. They include the 52km Ultra Run, 47km Mountain Bike, the 42km off-road marathon, 15km Miners Trail Run, and the Motatapu Junior Trail Run.
Around 2500 participants are expected to be on the start line, but there are still places available for eleventh-hour entrants.
The 15km race might sound like the easiest option but with over 800m of climbing to be done, easy doesn’t really come into the UDC Finance Miners Trail Run
This event also doubles as an official UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) Index Race used to assess the performance level of trail runners wanting to enter the world’s toughest mountain ultramarathon held every year through France, Italy and Switzerland.
Queenstown local Sarah Douglas will be one to watch. Routeburn Classic champion and the first person to win it three times, Douglas is also the women’s course record holder on the Motatapu Miner’s Trail.
While competition will be fierce for those at the front of the field, for others the motivation for entering is more about friendship.
Queenstown local Katharine Franey, Business Manager at Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopter, says the race is about being “part of a friendly office competition”.
“Two of our directors, Luke McEwan and Luke West enter the race every year. Our Base Office Manager Lucy Izon and I just happened to join in on a conversation about the race. I mentioned that I hadn’t entered a race in years. Lucy never has. We both started egging each other on, at which point we realised we were already getting quite competitive - next minute, we both entered.
“Ever since that date, we have been training separately. We haven’t yet decided how we are going to tackle the race - in full competition mode racing against each other for the duration or running together until the end, for a sprint finish. Either way, neither of us can afford to lose!”
Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist in track cycling, Eddie Dawkins, is signed up for the toughest challenge at Motatapu – the Rab 52km Ultra Run – which involves 3000m of climbing as competitors traverse the ridges and valleys of the Harris Mountain Range. He’s joined by pro-mountain bike race Katy Winton, who has represented the UK and Scotland on the world circuit of Enduro, but is also swapping pedals for running trainers.
Second-place finisher in the women’s 2024 Ultra, Hannah Wall, is back for a rematch, while 2017 winner Majell Backhausen is back too. And policeman Chris Gardner is also taking on the 52km distance, in his 5kg police vest, to raise money for the Canterbury Cancer Society.
Kim Hurst will be one to watch in the women’s Mondraker 47km Mountain Bike field. This is Hurst’s first shot at the 47km course but with multiple wins at iconic New Zealand events such as Karapoti Classic and the Whaka 100 to her name, not to mention several national and world championship titles, she’s sure to make light work of it.
Last year’s third place finisher in the men’s race, 15-year-old Levi Gear is on a mission to shave an extra 10 minutes off his time and beat Anton Cooper’s 2010 result of 1.58.28. First, he’ll need to get past former Junior and U23 National MTB Champion Cameron Jones, who is also taking on Motatapu for the first time this year.
And in the Allpress Espresso Marathon, Queenslander Ella McCartney is expected to return after blitzing the women’s field last year. Winning by more than 40 minutes, she could have nudged onto the men’s podium if she’d been just one minute faster.
The 2024 men’s Marathon winner Ben Gatting is also back for this year’s Motatapu and taking a unique approach to his training. In the lead-up to Motatapu Ben is completing New Zealand’s 11 Great Walks in 11 days to raise money for the KiwiHarvest charity.
• For more info and entries visit motatapu.com
Motatapu MTB and marathon runners
NEWS IN BRIEF
Official Waitangi Day event
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Kāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnaka e Whitu is hosting a Waitangi Day commemoration in Queenstown Recreation Grounds this Thursday, 6 February. The event runs from 9.45am to 2pm, with a Pōwhiri, Kapa Haka and onstage performances, and speakers. The official ceremony will be led by Kāi Tahu, joined by Mayor Glyn Lewers, commemorating the Treaty’s 185-year legacy. Queenstown Lakes residents are invited to join Kāi Tahu and QLDC as ‘hau kāinga’ (home people) and welcome manuhiri (visitors) from outside of the district. Following this commemoration event, people are encouraged to head to the Waitangi Day event hosted by Mana Tāhuna in Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens, from 1pm – 5pm.
Let’s
Talk about the Treaty
Professor Janine Hayward comes to Queenstown for the first Catalyst Kōrero of 2025, to help better inform local discussion about Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi. Act’s Treaty Principles Bill brought in more than 300,000 submissions, tripling the previous record and crashing the Parliamentary website due to overload on what was to have been the final day for submissions. But many see the Bill as divisive and fundamentally flawed. So what exactly is the Treaty Principles Bill about? Why is it causing so much controversy? Prof Hayward, former head of politics at Otago University, has researched, taught and published on various aspects of New Zealand politics, including the Treaty of Waitangi and New Zealand’s constitution, since the late 1990s. She wrote the chapter on treaty principles for Te Ara / Encyclopaedia of New Zealand. So bring along your questions... Tuesday, 18 February, 6pm7.30pm at The Rees Hotel Queenstown. Registration required to ensure your seat. Please bring cash for your koha, which will be given to Whakatipu-WaiMāori, Māori Women’s Welfare League Queenstown.
Hospital rebuild goes ahead
MP Joseph Mooney has welcomed the news the Dunedin Hospital rebuild will go ahead. The Coalition Government sparked protests when it announced it was considering scaling back the plans for the hospital, claiming the budget had blown out to $3 billion under Labour. But it has now confirmed plans for the new hospital, the main base hospital used by Queenstown Lakes residents, on the former Cadbury factory site. It will have 351 beds, with capacity to expand to 404 beds over time, 20 short-stay surgical beds, 22 theatres, 41 same day beds, 58 ED spaces, and 20 imaging units for CT, MRI and Xray procedures. That’s more theatres and emergency department capacity but 59 fewer beds that originally planned. “I am very pleased the Government has listened to the people of Otago and Southland and acted decisively to commit to building this incredibly important piece of health infrastructure for the lower South Island,” Southland’s (Queenstown) National Party MP Mooney says.
Decision over McDonald’s delayed
Wānaka residents will have to wait a little longer to find out whether the ‘golden arches’ are coming to their town. The independent hearing panel which is considering McDonald’s Restaurants NZ’s application for a local McDonald’s restaurant and drive-though needs more time. The panel initially planned to issue a decision by the end of January. A decision is now not expected until the week of 10 February, a Queenstown Lakes District Council representative said. McDonald’s lodged its resource consent application for a 445m2 restaurant and drive-thru at 237 Wānaka-Luggate Highway in November 2023. A three-day hearing on the application was held in Wānaka in November 2024. During the McDonald’s team’s right-of-reply, following the hearing, it made a concession. Instead of operating 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, as initially planned, if approved it would operate from 6am-11pm daily, the lawyer for McDonald’s said. If the restaurant is approved, McDonald’s has indicated it hopes to have the Wānaka operation up-andrunning by 2026. - Maddy Harker / Wānaka App
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LAKES WEEKLY POLL
LWB regularly polls locals on issues affecting our region. This week’s responses are below.
Are you disappointed the Winter Games NZ has been cancelled?
Yes, it was good for the athletes and the district's businesses - 45%
No, I wasn't interested in it - 29%
No opinion either way - 26%
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Do you agree with the Government's new push to max out tourism?
Yes, the more the merrier - 9%
No, it will degrade the environment and / or community - 57%
I'll wait to see the detail - 33%
No opinion either way - 1%
Have you made the most of the summer?
Yes, out and about enjoying Queenstown - 64%
No, too much work, not enough play - 26%
Doesn't apply - 10%
Should we stop building new houses until Queenstown's infrastructure is sorted out?
Yes, it can't take the strain - 61%
No, we badly need more affordable housing - 5%
It's complicated - we need both - 34%
No opinion either way - 0%
Are your household finances better than they were a year ago?
Better - more money to spend / budgeting well - 18%
Worse - less money / things seem more expensive - 48%
No change - 31%
Doesn't apply - 3%
There were 97 respondents this week. If you would like to take part: you can sign up on the LWB Facebook page.
COMMUNITY NOTES
Repair Revolution is back for 2025!
Sustainable Queenstown, in collaboration with our friends at Wānaka Wastebusters, is bringing the Repair Revolution back for another year. The first event of the year is on Saturday, 15 February, at the Salvation Army in Frankton. So what is the Repair Revolution? I bet you have some stuff around the house that needs fixing. A bike that chooses its own gear, a vacuum that sucks at sucking, a lamp that’s as bright as your ex, or a pair of jeans that paid the price for that dancefloor knee slide on New Year? You’re in luck - our team of repair experts will do their best to fix your stuff. And the best part is, they’ll do it for free.
Here at Sustainable Queenstown, we have a passion for reducing waste and keeping stuff from landfill. So, if we can save your toaster or your jersey from ending up in the ground, job done. Plus, you’ll get to spend time with our fixers as they repair your stuff, learn some repair skills for yourself and pick up some tips on how to buy better and choose products that will last a lifetime. You might be a repair superstar yourself — we’re looking for you too! We are always on the hunt for fixers to join our team. We run five repair events per year and if you are handy at fixing appliances, bikes, furniture, electronics, or are a wizard behind a sewing machine, give us a yell, we’d love to have you join our fun, welcoming and enthusiastic crew of volunteers. Or maybe you just want to lend a hand — we can use your help too, event volunteers help make the Revolution possible, so let us know if you’re handy with a clipboard, a meet-and-greet master or make a mean cup of tea.
“I think our fixers love the challenge more than anythinganything,” Scott Kennedy, Resourceful Communities Coordinator for Sustainable Queenstown, says. “They love to see what comes through the door — the more exotic or eccentric the better! But what really warms my heart is seeing precious items that really mean a lot to people get repaired and given a whole new life. That could be a favourite pair of shorts or a family heirloom. The smiles on people’s faces and the appreciation is really beautiful.”
The Repair Revolution runs from 10am - 2pm on Saturday, 15 February, at the Frankton Salvation Army — 8 Pin Oak Drive, Frankton. This is a free event; for more information, see the Sustainable Queenstown Facebook page or contact Scott at Sustainable Queenstown - scott@sustainablequeenstown.org.nz.
This Resourceful Communities event is proudly supported by Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Zero Waste District Programme. Resourceful Communities is created by Wastebusters and delivered in Whakatipu by Sustainable Queenstown.
Fixers in action - Repairers working at a previous Repair Revolution event
A sewer fixes a cherished item at a previous Repair Revolution event
GOINGS ON ABOUT
MUSIC
Open Mic Night
Yonder’s Open Mic is back! Hosted by the local boys ‘Victory’, it’s on the first Thursday of every month. All equipment provided! Come down and play whatever (no judgement if you want to break out Wonderwall). Whether you are a solo acoustic act, want to jam with the house band or are testing out your band’s new material – come on down and give it a crack. Bring your pals, grab a drink and listen to some of the best local talent Queenstown’s got going around!
When: Thursday, 6 February, 9pm – late Where: Yonder, 14 Church Street
WAITANGI DAY
Chopper Reeds (Fat Freddy’s Drop)
Come and celebrate Waitangi Day with the one and only Chopper Reeds, AKA Scott Towers from Fat Freddy’s Drop. An afternoon full of dreamy house and disco tunes in celebration of New Zealand’s national day and Fat Freddy’s Slo- Mo album release. This is an R18 event.
When: Thursday, 6 February, 4pm – 10pm
Where: Sundays, 26 Hansen Road
Solo Banton
Twilight Opera in the Gardens
The summer event of the season returns! A sumptuous fusion of music and magical landscapes, this concert will be the fifth brought to you by the Arrowtown Creative Arts Society (ACAS) and the Auckland Opera Studio, once again set in the stunning Springpointer Garden. Featuring a lively repertoire of popular operatic and theatre music, combined with the dramatic harmonies of opera’s greatest duets, skillfully twinned to create sheer delight! Bring your own refreshments and picnic hampers, or pre-order a hamper from Arctic Kitchen: catering@arctickitchen.co.nz
When: Sunday, 9 February, 4pm – 8pm
Where: 70 Lower Shotover Road, Arrowtown
Remarkables Market
MARKETS
Live music creates a relaxed atmosphere for you to browse the wide range of local fresh produce, delicacies and crafts. Enjoy a coffee, snack or lunch from one of the many food vendors. The market is set in spacious landscaped grounds, with a large playground and sandpit, picnic tables and picnic rugs. Sustainability is at the heart of Remarkables Market, so bring your keep cup or borrow one of theirs!
When: Saturday, 8 February, 9am – 2pm
Where: Remarkables Red Barn, Hawthorne Drive
Kingston Market
The Kingston Market will return for the second time. Featuring locally-grown produce, handmade arts and crafts, delicious food truck treats, pottery, relishes and much more – it was incredibly well received previously. The market will coincide with the Kingston Flyer Steam Train leaving, which is great fun to see. All stallholder fees will be going towards construction on the town’s pump track, which will be a great asset for the wider region.
When: Sunday, 16 February, 10am – 2pm
Where: Next to the Kingston Flyer Pub
Reggae in the Gardens and Tāhuna Dub present the reggae dancehall champion, Solo Banton, on Waitangi Day 2025. Joined by an epic support line up, the Wakamana Rig will be running outside on the top deck for 10 hours straight. After a long career in the reggae music business as a soundman and producer, Solo Banton transitioned to become a vocalist and recording artist. He continues to solidify his reputation as a force to be reckoned with in reggae music.
When: Thursday, 6 February, 2pm – midnight
Where: Local Queenstown, 7 Rees Street
Waitangi Day
Commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi / Te Tiriti o Waitangi and celebrate the diversity and cultures of Queenstown Lakes. Bring your friends and whānau along to the park for when the day commences with official welcomes and waiata, performance and storytelling. The day will continue with cultural performances celebrating the diversity of Queenstown Lakes. There will be plenty more to offer too with plenty of delicious kai options to satisfy your hunger – we encourage you to bring your own reusable containers and cups. Fun for the tamariki will involve games, colouring-in, face painting and performance.
When: Thursday, 6 February, 11am – 2pm
Where: Earnslaw Park, 78 Beach Streeet
Waitangi Day at Gantley’s
Make the most of Waitangi Day in Gantley’s beautiful beer garden. There’ll be live music by TJ from 5pm –9pm, 20 delicious craft beers on tap and tasty pub grub to keep you going. It’s a lovely spot to kick back, enjoy the tunes, and raise a glass to Waitangi Day. Don’t miss out – no public holiday surcharges.
When: Thursday, 6 February, 9am – late
Where: Gantley’s Tavern, 172 Arthurs Point Road
Grow Your Own Winter Veggies with Dr Compost
Dr Compost’s FREE ‘Grow Your Own Winter Veggies’ workshop will help you turn your backyard into a productive local food hub. Growing your own veggies isn’t just for summer. A garden can be productive year-round if you know when and what to plant. Find out which crops grow well in our region, when to plant for the best results, how to protect your plants from our harsh climate by using cloches and existing microclimates.
In addition to the Queenstown event, it will also take place at St John Wānaka on Wednesday, 26 February. Tickets available at wastebusters.co.nz/events
When: Tuesday, 4 March, 6pm – 8pm
Where: Sherwood, 554 Frankton Road
Hikari Teppanyaki brings modern and authentic Japanese flavours straight to you, right in the heart of Frankton in Queenstown.
11am - 8.30pm | 03 428 2400 19 Grant Road, Frankton Book online teppanyaki.hikari.co.nz
HOSPOGUIDE
Wednesday Quiz Night is back! Bookings are required.
Waitangi Day open as usual, no surcharge Happy Hour 20% off house beers, wines and spirits Tue - Thu 5-6pm Fri - Sun 4-6pm Takeaways available, burgers, ribs, pizzas and more! Order online www.lokalqt.co.nz
Carnival at | FRANK’S | Coming 1 Mar | Live Music | DJ | Brazilian BBQ Dress Up
Karaoke Night from 9pm
| FRANK’S | is all Yours! A biweekly community space dedicated to sharing local ideas, talent, artwork and music. Every other Tuesday | Contact us now to get involved or share your talent Fridays at | FRANK’S | Live Music Every Friday TJ | 11th Avenue 6 - 9pm
Quiz Night from 7pm Thursday/Friday/Saturday WAITANGI DAY
| FRANK’S | Sunday Favorites
$22 Select Pizzas | Dine In, Takeout or Delivery
Reggae in the Gardens & Tahuna Dub present SOLO BANTON Blair Bosk-DJ POPs-Jahfire-Jungle Fari & More. Ticketed, available from ticket fairy Sunday Sunday Sesh DJ 5pm – 12am on the rooftop
Twilight Opera in the Garden is returning for its fifth year, featuring a superb programme. On Sunday, performers will deliver a mix of the most musical favourites of classic opera and big voice standouts from modern shows, often described as popera. There’ll be something for everyone at this year’s show.
Taking place at picturesque Springpointer Garden, the opera attracts around 500 visitors. It’s put on by Arrowtown Creative Arts Society (ACAS), who started six years ago after recognising the large amount of creative people living in the Arrowtown area, who were lacking anything to pull them together. The event is put on in conjunction with Auckland Opera Studio.
“They have a couple of opera veterans there, whose job it is to spot the really up-and-coming talent in New Zealand opera, helping them with training and making contacts for them, and just moving them ahead,” one of the event organisers, John Lapsley, says. “We’ll have seven singers and an accompanist. What’s typical of the singers is that they’ll be in their 20s and they’ve been picked for this. They’ll do another outdoor opera outside Auckland at a place called Matakana.”
It's an exciting thing for a performer to be chosen to take part – getting to travel and perform in two beautiful spots in Aotearoa. The performers this year are sopranos Amelia Berry, Katherine Winitana, and Sarah Mileham; tenors Ridge Ponini and Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono, Alfred FonotiFuimaono (baritone), Joel Amosa (bass), and Somi Kim (piano accompanist). Mileham did her undergraduate at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington under one of the county’s best-known sopranos, Jenny Wollerman. She then move to Hamilton to do her honours, and going forward this year, she’s part of TANZOS, the master’s programme at Waikato. Last year she debuted on the mainstage, performing in Rigoletto, before touring around schools, now she’s excited to be coming to Tāhuna, Queenstown.
“I just always loved music growing up,” Mileham says. “I used to do jazz bands, choir, the school musicals, anything I could get my hands on. I knew that I wanted to do something within the arts my whole life. I went to university doing a classical performance paper, because I thought I could figure it out when I get there.
“I ended up going to see my first opera in my first year, which was 2021, and it was New Zealand Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro, and I got to watch the dress rehearsal before Covid shut down the show – so lucky. That was the moment where I was like ‘this is so incredible, it combines everything I love about the arts – the acting, the storytelling, the music,’ and from that moment I thought that this is the only thing I want to do.”
Mileham is looking forward to exploring Queenstown before and after the show, and is delighted to be sharing the stage with people such as Amelia Berry, who’s worked extensively in New Zealand and abroad. There’s a good scope among the performers, who are all at different stages of their careers. Some of the songs that will make up the programme include the delicate intertwining of the Flower Duet from Delibe’s Lakeme, and the powerful tenor baritone emotion of The Pearlfishers’ Duet. There’s also modern songs including Popular from Wicked and At Last, which Beyonce restored as a major hit 80 years after its movie debut. Mileham explains that if you’ve been hesitant to get into opera, this is the perfect concert for you
“The repertoire that we bring is very formulated for somebody that maybe has a little bit of curiosity, but they’re not quite sure. We’ll bring the absolute favourites and the very popular stuff, so it’ll be easy to digest – we’ll probably spark curiosity. We also have a lot of musical theatre repertoire and we also have a lot of popular music, too. The whole programme is very friendly for everyone and we just snuck a bit of opera in there to maybe get some new people involved,” Mileham jokes.
Gates open at 4pm, Sunday, 9 February, at Springpointer Garden, 70 Lower Shotover Street for the Twilight Opera in the Gardens – you can bring refreshments and picnic hampers. Tickets, priced $75 for ACAS Members and $95 general admission (plus booking fees), and more info can be found at eventfinda.co.nz/2025/twilight-opera-in-the-garden/arrowtown and proceeds from the night will help to support Turn Up the Music Charitable Trust.
New audio tour portrays rich layers of Arrowtown’s history
Arrowtown resident Nick Fifield is sharing the stories of the goldmining town’s pioneering history through a new audio tour app.
Fifield has dedicated more than a year to writing and producing and tour, which began life as a TikTok channel, where he produced video snapshots explaining the stories and history behind Arrowtown’s historic buildings.
“This was a great first step, distilling the history into little snapshots that engaged and entertained. I also made some great connections with decedents of early families which was a real highlight," he says.
Fifield says Arrowtown's unique character clearly recalls the period in which it was founded, so much so that Buckingham Street was often mistaken for a faux 'wild west' reconstruction or film set
"You can still sense the past here. It’s largely unchanged.”
Wanting to correct that misconception and educate people about the town led to him launching the TikTok channel, then beginning work on the audio tour.
"I had wondered sometime ago, someone should develop an audio tour for Arrowtown and then it struck me, why not do it myself? Utilising today’s technology to deliver a memorable experience and tell the stories in a new and innovative way.
"It started as a passion project but has taken on a life of its own, particularly with the success and engagement from my social media channel. I started by doing extensive research and poured over script development as the structure slowly evolved.
"Initially I wrote for a single narrator, simply delivering historical facts but it became clear that the real intrigue was in telling the stories of the people who lived and worked there. So I broadened the tour’s scope to focus on the people, including representations of the historical figures who join the listener to tell their stories first hand."
Bringing historical figures to life
Fifield worked with a mentor, a radio journalist with specific expertise in writing for audio, who helped perfect the stories and narration. He then collaborated with a voice talent agency in the UK to find the genuine accents for over 12 historical characters.
"I needed Welsh, Scottish, Cockney and Irish to tell the stories of Arrowtown early settlers but not caricature versions, so I went to the source to find the authentic representations I was looking for.”
Once the actors injected their own interpretations into the scripts the storytelling came alive to genuinely connect with the listener. Fifield then used Kiwi audio production company, Crescendo for his sound design.
"They created an extra layer of cinematic drama and rooted the stories firmly back in Aotearoa New Zealand”.
Local creative agency, Whitelaw Mitchell, developed the brand and custom app to showcase the tour while The Lakes District Museum provided historical images to give context and a sense of place to the app experience.
"I never thought I’d end up creating something on this scale. It’s grown and evolved, turning into so much more than I expected and it’s been deeply satisfying to have completed this project. It has been a very personal and emotional journey."
The Arrowtown Audio Tour features two separate tours detailing 35 historic sites and locations across more than two-and-a-half hours of self-guided audio. The 'Buckingham Street Tour', with its Avenue of Trees, Miners Cottages, shops and hotels, and the 'Churches Tour' guides the listener to Arrowtown's four historic churches, as well as Rose Douglas Park, the Cemetery and Cenotaph.
Three bonus tracks cover Arrowtown’s founding as a gold rush town, the story of Arrowtown Gaol, and infamous buccaneer, Captain William 'Bully' Hayes. The Arrowtown Audio Tour app is available for purchase through the Apple App stores and Google Play for Android coming soon.
"Arrowtown’s history is not that of kings and queens or world events, the stories are of ordinary, albeit pioneering, people and their everyday lives. So my aim was to tell meaningful, relatable human stories that truly connect with every listener."
History in the blood
Having always had an affinity with the past, Fifield grew up in Berkhamsted, just outside London, a town full history going back as far as 1066.
“My grandfather was an archaeologist, so his house was full of Roman and Egyptian artefacts. In a way, this project is for my grandfather - he put history in my blood.”
Fifield says his desire to understand local history is about creating a connection to the places he has lived. Since moving to Arrowtown in 2018 he has worked contributing to the local community, he is currently Chairperson of the Arrowtown Village Association, a Board Member of the Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association and the Arrowtown Charitable Trust.
He believes he’s built a world-class, self-guided walking tour experience.
"The tours have a higher level of storytelling, narrative characterisation and audio production than anything else I have heard, including globally recognised sites from the Tower of London to Italian Amphitheatres.
"Ultimately the goal of this project is to help educate and entertain visitors to Arrowtown, as well as provide a resource for Arrowtown and district residents, particularly children, to enhance their understanding, creating a sense of connection and belonging by faithfully telling the stories of those who have gone before."
My Life Story
by Sue Fea
BRIGIT VAN DER KAAG
Country can do
The daughter of an Olympic skier-high country farmer father, and artist mother, Brigit van der Kaag was bound to be adventurous, resourceful and headed for the snow.
While her creative side had her planning to study clothing and textiles in Wellington, the lure of Queenstown and good snow was just too much.
Born in Blenheim, the eldest of four, Brigit had an idyllic childhood roaming the hills on Aotea near Molesworth Station in Marlborough, and Mount Possession, near Erewhon, Canterbury. “We had a natural ice rink at the back door and Dad taught us to ski on the back lawn,” she says.
“We had a huge snow one spring. Our covered backyard warmed by a diesel burner was full of lambs and turkey chicks warming in Mum’s vegetable bins,” she grins.
“I remember standing at the top of a tow at Porter Heights looking down and thinking, ‘How do I ski? I can’t!’ with my skis I’d painted blue to feel new,” she laughs. “I pointed them down and off I went.
“Ours were the days of screw on edges, cable bindings and lace-up boots.”
Unfortunately, at 12, her ideal world changed when circumstances meant they moved to Christchurch, Brigit starting at St Margaret’s College – a big transition, but she cleaned up in athletics.
Her dad, who’d skied for NZ at the Olympics in 1960, founded Porter Heights Skifi eld with some mates. “He’d make us kids sit in the boot of the Statesman car looking behind, rather than put chains on. We were mortifi ed, bouncing up and down in the boot.”
Canterbury Uni was fun – Brigit’s organising skills to the fore during Capping and Orientation Weeks - but studying law wasn’t. Skiing for the University team at Temple Basin, an instructor suggested she instruct at Coronet Peak. “My mother was in South America so in 1979 while she was away I quit my job and headed to Queenstown at 19 to instruct and live with my grandmother.”
One off-season she co-hosted talks about New Zealand in American universities with a uni friend who was doing a thesis. Called ‘Kiwis on Campus’, they spoke to huge crowds of students in amphitheatres at the likes of UCLA, Stanford and Washington State University, fi tting some skiing in in between.
Brigit stayed on to travel and visit relatives in Canada, once hitching alone from Vancouver to the Yukon. “I was standing in the middle of a big, lonely road in the middle of nowhere with my canvas backpack and the NZ fl ag I’d sewn onto it just on dusk waiting for a car to come at 21. That was scary.”
Not as scary as the two close calls she had back in Queenstown driving Kawarau Rafts Landcruisers, towing massive rafts stacked high, into the Skippers Canyon with its 100m cliff drop-offs.
It was the mid-1980s and Brigit had worked for Mount Cook Line and SKIHI as a guide before becoming a rafting van driver. Fortunately, the
axle on the large trailer didn’t fall off until she pulled into Shotover Resort.
“Another day I had a new van full of people driving into the Oxenbridge Tunnel when a raft guide noticed the wheel was almost off. We’d have defi nitely gone over the edge.”
Nicknamed ‘Brigit Bramham’, her skills obviously impressed husband of 35 years, Paul van der Kaag, a raft guide at the time.
Brigit also worked in hotels and for NZTP Travel, where she learned from the best – Fae Robertson and Anne Gardiner, before she and Paul bought Impact Screen Prints. “We learned all about small business in Queenstown, working very hard for 25 years, surviving the 1996 fi nancial crash and GFC in 2008 when customers suddenly stopped spending.”
They gradually built up the rundown business, scoring their fi rst major uniform contract from Charlie Phillips at QRC. “He wanted to give us a go and that was a raging success,” Brigit says. Queenstown Primary School and other schools, Real Journeys and Shotover Jet followed, winning the local Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award in 2012. “By the time we sold up in 2015 we had eight major contracts.”
She and Paul then skied Brigit’s childhood club fi elds for fi ve months, Brigit then launching her ‘Mrs Sew & Sew’ business making bags from the many drawers of jeans she’d saved in the garage. She worked from her studio in the Arts Centre, selling these at the Remarkables Market, also running and overseeing rebranding of the Queenstown Market.
A former Queenstown Arts Council Committee member, Brigit has also done a stint on the Queenstown Primary School Board.
These days she’s loving her community roles, including as a reader writer for those needing assistance in school exams. “They’re incredibly grateful. It’s so rewarding.” Her other buzz comes taking the family labrador, Pipi, on volunteer Therapy Pet duty through St John’s to local libraries, the hospital and care home.
“It’s an honour to help.”
From left, Paul, Brigit, bride Molly, son Willem, daughter Jessica and her fiance Thomas at Willem and Molly’s recent wedding
Brigit and husband Paul mountain biking through the Nevis Valley in the 1980s
Brigit, second from left in red, with her younger brothers and sister, on yet another family ski trip
Colon Hydrotherapy
IN BRIEF
Death not suspicious
Queenstown Police investigating the ‘unexplained’ death of a woman last weekend say it is not being treated as suspicious. Emergency services were called to the Windsor Place property, on Queenstown Hill, at about 2.30pm on Saturday, 25 January. Police launched an investigation to establish the full circumstances of how the woman died, treating the death as “unexplained”. They appealed for anyone who was in the vicinity of the property between 8am and 3pm that day to get in touch with officers. But, in an update, a police spokesperson says Queenstown Police “can confirm the death is not being treated as suspicious and has been referred to the Coroner”. “Police offer our condolences to the woman’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Reading rolls credits
Queenstown’s Reading Cinemas in The Mall is closing permanently from this coming Sunday, 9 February. The three-screen cinema and arcade has served locals for more than 20 years, showing the latest blockbusters from its downtown location. The cinema’s manager and staff have not responded to LWB’s request for comment about the closure, but a social media post says: “As they say, all good things must come to an end. Sadly, we must let you know that we will be leaving Queenstown shortly with our last day of trade on Sunday, February 9. We’ve shared so many amazing memories with many of you and have loved being part of the local community for many years now.” It’s understood Reading Queenstown has about a dozen staff. The closure comes as the industry as a whole faces financial pressure from streaming services, such as Netflix. And competitor Silky Otter opened a new eightscreen luxury cinema complex in Remarkables Park on Boxing Day. There’s also a small two-screen boutique cinema Dorothy Browns in Arrowtown. But Reading has the best deals for its final week - tickets to all movies this week are just $5 per person.
South Island meteoroid causes massive sonic boom
South Islanders saw a fireball break through the atmosphere near Wānaka on Friday night with a loud sonic boom. The meteoroid became a fireball and raced above Queenstown around 11pm, before burning out over Southland. Fireballs Aotearoa, a group interested in meteorites, said a sonic boom was widely reported as the object came in overhead. Although most of its mass burned up in the fireball stage, it was believed a small meteorite may have landed in a remote portion of the Eyre Mountains in northern Southland. Fireballs Aotearoa are on the hunt for it. Spokesperson Steve Wyn-Harris said there was too much cloud cover to get specifics on its location. “We haven’t got a lot of cameras with good data to really pinpoint the exact location. So because of that at this stage unless we get better data, we won’t be setting up a search expedition for it in the Eyre Mountains.” The group is still asking for public input. “We are assessing our data to see whether a meteorite may have fallen in the area. But we need your sighting reports,” the group said on Facebook. The meteoroid would be New Zealand’s 11th documented meteorite, if found. - RNZ
Read more on lwb.co.nz, the Queenstown App and rnz.co.nz
Photographer John Wekking captured "a brilliant fireball" on his aurora camera at 11.07pm on Friday. Photo: Supplied / John Wekking
DOG ADVENTURE WALKS!
Give your furry friend an exciting daytime outing with Adventure Hounds! Our small pack walks keep dogs active and offer socialization training. We handle pick-up and drop-off for your convenience. Contact Natalie on 0210729314.
CANCER CARE PROGRAM / SELF CANCER CARE MACHINE
Don Kim, acupuncturist (ACC Provider: Sports Injuries specialized) E: oawcentre@gmail.com T: 027-698-2136
QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST
TUE (4 Feb) @ 6.30pm, Nurturing Peace with Grant Rix WED (5 Feb) @ 6.30pm, Community Sadhana Practice with Grant Rix SUN (9 Feb) @ 10am, ‘Cultivating Awareness Practice’ followed by ‘Social Sunday’ All are welcome.
Donations for the teacher/centre are gratefully accepted. See www.dharmacentre.org.nz or FB
XS STORAGE
Secure self storage units – various sizes available Phone: 0800 297 786 | www.xsstorage.co.nz
For Sale
SOFA BED FOLDS OUT TO double bed good condition, $150. 0273031284 rogerdudman47@gmail.com
2010 BMW X1 2.0L. WOF 11.09.25 / REGO 23.08.25. 78.000km, serviced regularly, every 10.000km. Great and reliable car. $10.990 ono. Phone/ text: 027 531 0585
WHAKATIPU BEEKEEPERS SUPPORTING LOCAL BEEKEEPERS with sharing knowledge, mentoring and maintaining best practice. Most importantly a group of likeminded individuals who love bees. Meeting regularly, for more info or to join us whakatipubeekeepers@gmail.com
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE ARTS at the heart of the Southern Lakes! Wānaka Festival of Colour, 29 March – 6 April 2025. Explore the programme and join us: www.festivalofcolour.co.nz
NEVER BIN A BATTERY. THEY cause fires if damaged so keep them out of all rubbish and recycling bins. Safely recycle your batteries and electronic devices at Wānaka & Frankton Transfer Stations.
LWB QUIZ
1. To the nearest thousand, how many words are in the complete works of Shakespeare?
2. What band was Harry Styles in before his solo career?
3. How many large islands make up Hawaii?
4. In which state was former US President Barack Obama born?
5. What is the name of the characters played by David Mitchell and Robert Webb in Peep Show?
6. Pedro Pascal stars as the lead character in which original Disney+ series?
7. What is the capital of Iceland?
8. On average, how far away is the moon from the earth in miles?
9. What does the Latin word 'tempus' mean in English?
10. What is the name of the 1976 film about the Watergate scandal, starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman?
11. Where is the smallest bone in the human body located?
12. Which Catastrophe star plays Peter in the Deadpool franchise?
13. Which Tennis Grand Slam is played on a clay surface?
14. Who wrote the book Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang: The Magical Car?
15. With over 222 million units sold, what is Apple's highest-selling iPhone model?
16. Who plays John J Rambo in Rambo?
17. Which Stephen King novel takes place mostly in the fictional Overlook Hotel?
Ph: 03 409 2800 enquiries@qmg.co.nz jobfix.co.nz
Join the Team at Joe’s Garage Five Mile! We’re looking for FOH & BOH superstars to join our crew. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, we have roles at all levels!
We welcome applications from Working Holiday Visa holders, Residents, and Citizens.
If you’re passionate, energetic, and ready to be part of a great team, apply today by emailing your cv to birthes@joes.co.nz
Send your CV to hr@wolfgroup.nz We are looking for If you’re an energetic, ambitious & experienced hospitality professional we want to hear from you.
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
LEGAL SECRETARY / PERSONAL ASSISTANT Maternity Leave Cover
We currently have an opportunity for a full-time Legal Secretary / Personal Assistant to join our Queenstownoffice on a maternity leave cover contract.
This challenging and varied role requires a person with a high level of initiative, organisational ability and a willingness to learn
Ideally the successful applicant will have:
• Previous legal experience in conveyancing
• A thorough working knowledge of MicrosoftOffice applications along with top quality word processing skills using a transcription system
• The ability to work in a team situation along with the confidence to work independently
The position requires client contact for which confidentiality and professionalism are essential.
If you are looking for a new opportunity and enjoy working in a supportive environment please forward your Curriculum Vitae to:
The OFFICE MANAGER sburns@berryco.co.nz www.berryco.co.nz
Warehouse Assistants and Delivery Drivers
Bidfood Queenstown is currently looking for Warehouse Assistants and Delivery Drivers. 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 may also be required to receive incoming goods, check inventory and warehouse maintenance. Delivery drivers will need to deliver goods to our customers around the Queenstown and Wanaka region. This position requires individuals to be physically fit as there is frequent heavy lifting of up to 25kg.
Previous experience in a warehouse environment or delivery driving 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.
DUTY MANAGER, BARISTA, FRONT OF HOUSE & CHEFS
Summer has arrived, and we’re looking to fill multiple roles in our exciting new bar/ restaurant in the bustling Queenstown Airport.
If you have an eye for quality, a passion for hospitality, or skills on the grill, come see us! Whether you’re experienced or simply passionate we would love to hear from you.
•Staff accommodation available within walking distance
•Accredited Employer
•We offer a competitive salary, best in the industry discounts, ongoing development, and opportunities
•A fun and positive work environment where you’ll make a bunch of new mates
•A flexible roster
•Discounts across the wider West End Hospitality group
Apply now
Scan QR or email birthes@joeshq.co.nz
•A clear career path with opportunities for advancement
•Delicious food & staff meals
•Free coffee - all day every day
JOINER/CABINET MAKER
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
jobfix.co.nz
Join our ODYSSEUM team!
We are looking for a Joiner/Cabinet Maker to join our experienced team.
Based mainly in our fully equipped workshop in Frankton, our Joiners manufacture bespoke products of the highest level for high-end projects. Some site work required.
Projects range from bespoke kitchens, wine cellars, offices and media rooms to custom made wardrobes, vanities, doors, stairs and timber windows.
We operate:
Monday to Thursday 7am to 4.30pm & Friday 7am to 4pm (Weekends Off!)
What You Require:
• Joinery/Cabinet Maker qualifications
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in the trade
• Ability to interpret drawings
• Read and listen to instructions
• Have a keen eye for detail
• Excellent time management skills
• Basic hand tools
• Full clean driving licence
• Eligibility to work in NZ
• Factory Machine Operating Skills
If this sounds like you, please apply by email to the address below enclosing a CV and examples of your work office@cww.net.nz
• Must have a previous senior role in a fast paced restaurant
• Confident in assisting running shifts
• Amazing opportunity’s available
• Competitive pay and perks to the role
Please contact Dianna.Kelly@goodgroup.co.nz
Kitchen staff wanted!
We are looking for people to join our kitchen team, who are passionate about what they do with proven experience in hospitality to start immediately!
Full training provided, early finishes and a great work environment!
Apply now and become part of our incredible team! marmoladacafe@yahoo.com
Only visas with work rights.
We're looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic individual committed to delivering exceptional customer service. Responsibilities include customer assistance, reception and administration. Flexible hours, including weekends, are required.
Email your CV to Laura.E@Odysseum.co.nz
position available
Immediate start
Must have - Retail experience and valid working visa
Email Talana for more information
centrallakesarea@familystore.org.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 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. You'd be based out of our Queenstown Airport office in Frankton or our downtown office
What you need:
• Full drivers licence
• Good command of the English language
• Working rights in New Zealand
Please send a CV to: claire.hampson@abg.com
“The steak house to end all arguments” Jervois Steak House is an authentic and premium steak house which makes no apologies for unashamedly celebrating a love of meat.
THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO JOIN OUR TEAM We are looking for Waiter
Runner
CDP
Hardworking enthusiastic staff member required to work in our fast pace restaurant. Applicant must have current working visa or be eligible to work in New Zealand.
Full-time and part-time positions available
Why work with us
• Competitive salary.
• Training and development.
• Daily staff meals.
• Dining discount within the group.
• Paid day off on your birthday after a year of continuous service.
• Open for dinner only, so plenty of time to enjoy the mountains before work!
Email your CV to briony@queenstownjsh.co.nz
Ph: 03 409 2800
enquiries@qmg.co.nz
jobfix.co.nz
Reservations / Operations Manager
A full-time role has become available for Queenstown’s premier wine tour provider. This dynamic role involves the managing of daily reservations and operations. It requires someone who has strong communication, excels at multitasking, and has excellent customer service and time management skills.
Responsibilities include making reservations, managing daily logistics, roster scheduling, vehicle management and more.
Enquire for a full job description to sarah@appellationwinetours.nz
Sarah Russell, General Manager (03) 442 6920
Cocktail Bartender Wanted
• Must be customer service focused.
• Have great knowledge of classic cocktails.
• Be driven to deliver excellence.
• Must have NZ open work rights.
To apply email kenna.matthews@whiteandwongs.co.nz
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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.
***OPPORTUNITIES ALSO OPEN IN OUR TE ANAU, DUNEDIN & GREYMOUTH HOTELS***
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
We are looking for:
CAFE ALLROUNDERS (full time)
SANDWICH MAKER/ KITCHENHAND (full or part time) COOK (part time)
Hours negotiable - good pay and perks. Contact Ed at: odelaycafe@yahoo.co.nz or call 021 280 2425
GIB FIXERS, STOPPERS AND APPRENTICES
Angle Interiors is a locally owned and operated company with over 25 years in the Wakatipu. We are looking for tradesmen fixers and stoppers to join our team, as well as enthusiastic young people to join on as apprentices. Work consists of commercial, residential, high end architectural and renovation works. A high standard of work, ability to learn and follow instruction and a good team environment are important to us.
Please email CV’s and interest to brett.angleinteriors@xtra.co.nz
LANDSCAPING TEAM LEADER
At Natural Habitats, we specialize in creating stunning landscapes. With a focus on high-quality landscaping we work on a range of exciting projects that transform outdoor spaces into beautiful, functional areas. We are looking for a skilled Landscaping Team Leader with proven experience to join our team and help bring these outdoor visions to life for our Commercial and Residential clients.
This role is focused on hands-on landscaping, where your experience in hardscaping and softscaping will be fully utilized and valued. Please note this is not a gardening position. Landscape installation experience is a must.
Our Team Leaders enable a team of 2-5 landscapers to deliver highquality projects. You are part of the team on the tools and you enable the team to deliver landscape projects. Thanks to you, your team has everything to do a great job and delight our clients and create memorable landscapes.
The key elements of a Team Leader’s job evolve around Project Delivery, Quality, Health & Safety and Team Leadership.
For a full description of the job vacancy, please scan the QR code, or call 021 190 5605.
Please send your CV to hr@nathab.co.nz Applications close Friday 21 February 2025
CELLAR DOOR HOST / MARKETING POSITION
Join the Chard Farm winery team in Gibbston as a full-time Cellar Door Host and immerse yourself in the heart of one of Central Otago’s leading, family-owned wineries. We’re looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual who is passionate about wine and eager to share that passion with others. This unique role combines customer engagement, wine knowledge along with Wine Club and marketing support.
As part of our team, you will manage bookings, host wine tastings, prepare wine dispatches and website orders and assist in maintaining our Wine Club. You’ll also play a key role in supporting our marketing initiatives to tell others about our Chard Farm story.
Position requirements:
• Deliver exceptional customer service and a memorable, unique wine tasting experience.
• Able to convert a positive experience into wine sales
• Manage wine club memberships, fulfilling orders and ensuring an exceptional experience for members
• Assist with marketing, including social media and email campaigns
• A good understanding and keen interest in wine is desirable
• A duty manager qualification would be an advantage
• Able to work some weekends
If you are a wine enthusiast with a flair for hospitality and marketing, we'd love to meet you!
Please send your CV to wine@chardfarm.co.nz Any questions call Nicky on 03 4418452
Note: Applicant must be a NZ resident or have the ability to work permanently in NZ and should possess the attributes and skills outlined above.
Adventure Group operate guided canyoning and climbing activities in the Wakatipu
We have a position available in our frontline team for this coming
Our frontline team carry out a range of key functions within the organisation;
VACANCIES
• eeting and greeting clients for various
• trip confirmations, passenger loadings, staffing and transport
• to our various suppliers, agents and booking platforms
• When required, being able to effectively respond and assist with any emergency
You will need to be committed to providing outstanding guest care and have the following
Customer service representative
• Experience in reservations and customer service is essential
• Excellent communication skills - face to face, telephone & written
Applicants interested must have friendly, pleasant approach towards work environment.
• Friendly and accurate handling of all client/agent queries and requests
• Attention to detail
Clean presentation, kind & respectful
• Great personal presentation
• Practical and able to multitask
Flexibility with days of work- must be available in the weekend; business operational 7 days a week.
• Strong in the area of logistics and dispatch
Clean drivers' licence
Appropriate training provided to the right candidate to understand business expectations & standards.
Personality traits: Self-motivated, strong communication skills, excellent customer excellent attention to detail, calm under pressure, friendlyand always willing to learn.
Ideally, you will have worked in the tourism sector previously.
Pay rate depending on industry experience starting from $25 p/h.
This position is seasonal full-time and covers a variety of shifts including weekends and from the beginning of October until the beginning of May.
Please forward your CV/cover letter to shobana@omegarentals.com
All applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand and will need to have a full licence.
To apply, please email your CV, a covering letter to:
Adventure Group are based in Queenstown and operate guided canyoning activities in the Wakatipu Basin.
We have a position available in our Queenstown shop in a frontline capacity until the end of April 2025.
Our frontline team carry out a range of key functions within the organisation:
Providing activity information, meeting and greeting clients for our canyoning adventure activities.
• Trip logistics – trip confirmations, passenger loadings, staffing and transport requirements.
Adventure Group operate guided canyoning and climbing activities in the Wakatipu Basin.
• Bookings & reservations – manage bookings from all sources – direct, agents, groups etc.
We have a position available in our frontline team for this coming summerseason.
Our frontline team carry out a range of key functions within the organisation;
• Communicating our products to our various suppliers, agents and booking platforms.
• Providingactivityinformation and meeting and greeting clients for various adventure activities
• When required, being able to effectively respond and assist with any emergency situations that might occur in the field.
• Communicating our products to our various suppliers, agents and booking platforms
• When required, being able to effectively respond and assist with any emergency situations that might occur in the field.
You will need to be committed to providing outstanding guest care and have the following skills:
• Experience in reservations and customer service is essential
You will need to be committed to providing outstanding guest care and have the following skills:
• Experience in reservations and customer service is essential
• Excellent communication skills - face to face, telephone & written
• Excellent communication skills - face to face, telephone & written
• Friendly and accurate handling of all client/agent queries and requests
• Friendly and accurate handling of all client/agent queries and requests
• Attention to detail
• Familiar with social media content creation and management.
• Great personal presentation
• Attention to detail
• Practical and able to multitask
• Practical and able to multitask
• Strong in the area of logistics and dispatch
• Strong in the area of logistics and dispatch.
Personality traits: Self-motivated, strong communication skills, excellent customer service skills, excellent attention to detail, calm under pressure, friendlyand always willing to learn.
Personality traits: Self-motivated, strong communication skills, excellent customer service skills, excellent attention to detail, calm under pressure, friendly and always willing to learn.
Ideally, you will have worked in the tourism sector previously.
This position is seasonal full-time and covers a variety of shifts including weekends and public holidays from the beginning of October until the beginning of May.
This position is fixed term full-time and covers a variety of shifts including weekends and public holidays to the end of April.
All applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand and will need to have a full and clean driver’s licence.
All applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand and will need to have a full and clean driver’s licence.
To apply, please email your CV, a covering letter to: jobs@adventuregroup.co.nz
To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter to: stefan@adventuregroup.co.nz
