The Loop Arrowtown – Edition 268

EE FR your local event guide & directory 12 March – 15 April 2026

Photo courtesy of the Lakes District Museum ref#: EP2512

e - thelooparrowtown@gmail.com w - thelooparrowtown.com

m - 021 0287 8638

issue 268

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF THIS

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• Handyman

• Shed Construction

• Painting

• Gutter Cleaning

• Decorating

• Lawn Mower Servicing

• Window Cleaning

• Gardening

• Fencing & Decking

• Furniture Restoration

• Joinery & Carpentry

• Odd-Jobs

• Shower Glass Restoration

• General Maintenance

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Ready, set..dash!

Arrowtown Autumn Festival 2026 sees the return of the Pub to Pub Challenge – now the Dishery Dash!

Gather your team of four and take on this fast-paced, laughout-loud challenge race down Buckingham Street.

With a series of surprise obstacles standing between you and the finish line at Butler’s Green, you’ll need teamwork, quick thinking and a solid sense of humour to take the win.

The action wraps up at Butler’s Green, where spectators can cheer on the final moments and teams can celebrate in style.

Expect big energy, questionable tactics, and plenty of entertainment for the crowd.

Register your team of four at arrowtown autumnfestival. co.nz Dress ups are highly encouraged!

festival celebrates 40 years!

This year marks a truly special milestone for the Arrowtown Autumn Festival as we celebrate 40 years of festivities, community and autumn magic.

What began as a simple way to acknowledge the end of the harvest season has grown into one of the region’s most loved annual traditions. For four decades, the Festival has brought locals and visitors together to celebrate Arrowtown’s heritage, creativity and unmistakable small-town spirit. From pumpkins and parades to music, markets and more than a few questionable costumes over the years, it’s become a date firmly circled on the calendar and woven into family photo albums.

The 40th celebrations promise a heartfelt nod to the past while embracing everything we love about the Festival today. Expect the return of crowd favourites, a few nostalgic throwbacks that long-time locals may remember fondly, and fresh new events designed to keep things lively for the next generation. To explore the full programme and plan your week, visit www. arrowtownautumnfestival.co.nz.

At its heart, the Festival has always been about connection. Generations of families have grown up with it, many versions of the committee and local groups have given their time, energy and creativity to it, and the whole town continues to show up year after year to celebrate together.

Forty years is no small feat for a community event, and it speaks volumes about this town’s willingness to pitch in and celebrate together.

We can’t wait to mark this milestone with you all – here’s to 40 years, and many more to come.

Thank you Arrowtown!

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arrowtown village association news Thanks to all those who completed our Annual Community Survey. This also serves as our Membership Registration for 2026. We received 228 responses, just beating 226 from last year.

What came through clearly was that Arrowtown’s special character matters deeply. Respondents spoke about heritage, landscape, village atmosphere, safety, walkability, access to nature, and above all, a strong sense of community. Over 90% stated they were satisfied or very satisfied with their quality of life.

Concerns were raised that these qualities are under threat from visitor pressure and development. Following the recent variation to the District Plan, protecting Arrowtown's character against intensification and urban sprawl ranked highly. Whilst we successfully lobbied to have Arrowtown excluded from increased building heights, there are outstanding issues regarding the role of The Arrowtown Design Guidelines which we are pursuing.

Overall our community wants to protect what makes Arrowtown so liveable: a genuine village for residents, not a town shaped tourism or absentee ownership. Recognising the need for more affordable housing, traffic management, walking and cycling provision, practical local services and a main street that continues to serve residents everyday village life.

Membership of the AVA is free but we encourage voluntarily donations. $45 was highlighted as an average amount that was reasonable.

We raised over $1500 to support ongoing costs. You can still sign up for Membership and receive our quarterly newsletter by emailing the Chairperson or donate by searching “Raisley – Arrowtown Village Association” online.

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Injured? Our Physiotherapists are here to help Call (03) 442 6616 or book online Arrowtown clinic, 57 Buckingham Street

perfect day for motatapu 2026 Motatapu 2026 brought big energy to the Wānaka–Arrowtown high country on Saturday, with 2700 runners and riders taking part across five events. From the 52km Ultra to the 4km Junior Trail Run, locals, visitors, first‑timers and seasoned athletes all turned out to enjoy a bluebird day on spectacular trails.

The 15km Miners Trail served up one of the day’s closest battles.

Cameron Swales edged out Michael Sutton by just 23 seconds in the men’s race, while Maia Flint claimed her third straight Kea Series win, holding off Katie Morgan on the final descent.

On the mountain bikes, France’s Pierrick Burnet took the men’s title after a “pretty brutal” 47km ride, with some well‑practised river crossings helping him secure the win. Priscilla Thompson topped the women’s field despite a chaotic start involving keys locked in her car. She made up ground late in the race, pulling ahead on the big downhill.

The Trail Marathon saw Jack Oates celebrate his 30th birthday with a sub‑three‑hour win, and Mel Aitken lead home the women after what she described as a “magic” day out. In the competitive e‑bike race, Layton Craig defended his title — and timed it perfectly, rolling over the finish line just as his battery went flat.

Ultra runners set off from Wānaka before sunrise for their 52km journey over the Harris Mountains. Local runner Luke Wilson improved on his 2024 result to take the win in 6:14:59, followed closely by Tahiti’s Delbi Gongora. Defending women’s champion Hannah Wall powered through a tough start to finish more than an hour ahead of the field and says she still has her sights set on the course record.

The biggest cheers of the day may have belonged to the 250 keen kids who tackled the 4km Junior Trail Run — a promising sign for Motatapu’s future start lines.

Among them was Arrowtown Primary School student James Smith, who was the winner of the medal design competition. He also raced on Saturday and finished second in the 10–12 years age group — capping off a memorable Motatapu weekend for the young local.

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upcoming events

march – april

march

Arts on Tour NZ – Prima Facie

Athenaeum Hall 7–9.30 pm

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Arrowtown beech party

arrowtownchoppers.co.nz

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Arrowtown Autumn Festival 2026

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Arrowtown Autumn Festival Opening Ceremony

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Arrowtown Autumn Festival Dishery Dash

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Arrowtown Autumn Festival 40th Celebrations Fireworks & Street Party Arrowtown Autumn Festival Super Seniors High Tea Arrowtown Autumn Festival Quiz Night: 80's Icons Arrowtown Autumn Festival Bayleys Art Exhibition Opening Night Arrowtown Autumn Festival Outdoor Movie – The Karate Kid Arrowtown Autumn Festival ASB Market Day and Bayleys Parade Arrowtown Autumn Festival 80's Prom Night Arrowtown Autumn Festival Duck Race Arrowtown Autumn Festival Pie, Pint & Pinot

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Arrowtown Anzac Day Service

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humanitix.com

april

16 16 17 17 18 18 19

Sawpit, Arrowtown

arrowtownautumnfestival.co.nz tickets @ humanitix.com

Buckingham Green 12 – 1 pm Buckingham St – Butlers Green 3 pm – Register team of four at arrowtownautumnfestival.co.nz Wilcox Green 5 – 8 pm – FREE Athenaeum Hall 1.30 pm – 3 pm SOLD OUT Athenaeum Hall 7 pm – 10.30 pm SOLD OUT Lakes District Museum 6 pm – 9 pm Tickets @ humanitix.com Lakes District Museum 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm – Limited space Throughout Arrowtown Village 10 am – 4 pm Athenaeum Hall 7.30 pm – Tickets @ humanitix.com Athenaeum Hall 10 am – 12.30 pm Library Green 12.30 –5 pm Tickets @ humanitix.com

The Cenotaph, Durham Street 10:30am 99

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arrowtown school report It has been an incredibly busy and rewarding start to the term! As we hit the midpoint in Week 6, our students have been making the most of the great outdoors and the unique history of our region.

The Year 8's headed to Bannockburn camp, where they spent their time exploring the rugged local landscape, focusing specifically on the historical influence of gold mining.

Seeing the students connect the stories of the past with the physical environment was a real highlight. While the Year 8's were wrapping up their journey, our Year 7 students headed to Riverton for some coastal eperiences, and the Year 2 students went to find their fortune with a touch of gold panning in the Arrow River.

Prior to this, our Year 5&6 students travelled to Dunedin for 'A night at the Museum' camp, and later this week the Year 3&4 students will be heading on their River Ramble.

These experiences are pivotal for building independence and teamwork, and are a highlight of the year for our students.

For any help with immigration matters, contact us: Helena Smith 027 834 5473 Wendy Baker 021 184 3309 hello@arrowtownimmigration.nz www.arrowtownimmigration.nz

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business directory accountants Mike Wallace–Management Services 43 Homeward Bound Dr 027 616 9007 bars/cafés/resturants Arrowtown Bakery 1 Ballarat Arcade, Buckingham St 03 442 1587 child care Arrowtown Preschool Cotter Ave & Durham St 03 442 1416 cleaning services Slithy Toves slithytoves33@gmail.com 021 079 6233 flowers The Arrowtown Flower Company thearrowtownflowercompany.co.nz 021 946 836 handyman services Dux Property Services duxpropertyservices.co.nz 027 777 3623 hairdressers D’OR Hair Stylists Unit 14, Royal Oak Complex, Arrow Lane 03 442 1890 health & beauty Back on Track Physiotherapy 57 Buckingham St 03 442 6616 Massage Therapist Renata Garbin www.renatagarbin.nz 021 0256 4680 Reflexologist Mark Hunter www.movingtostillness.com 021 804 990 Unichem Arrowtown Pharmacy 20 Buckingham St 03 442 0975 Immigration Arrowtown Immigration HS 027 834 5473 43 Ramshaw Lane WB 021 184 3309 law Aspiring Law www.aspiringlaw.co.nz 4 Buckingham Street 0800 277 529 photography toddweeksphoto todd.weeks@bayleys.co.nz 021 645 022 plumber Queenstown Plumbing & Gas Ltd PO Box 250, Arrowtown 03 441 8071 12

retail The Jade & Opal Factory 30 Buckingham St 03 442 1654 real estate Bayleys 36 Buckingham St 03 442 1616 Colliers Candice & Vera 027 630 1283/021 059 6266 Harcourts Arrowtown 021 288 3454 Sotheby’s 50 Buckingham St 03 442 0121 Walker & Co. 4/23 11th Ave, Lake Hayes 027 298 4123

community services

in an emergency phone........................ 111 Arrowtown School 9 Chalmers Place 03 442 1854 Arrowtown Medical & Health 1 Berkshire St 03 442 0144 Community Policing Centre 57 Buckingham St 03 442 1274 Fire Brigade facebook.com/Arrowtownfire 2 Hertford St 03 442 1740 Justice of the Peace Russell Heckler 027 284 8814 Mr A. MacDonald 03 409 8102 Tracey McLaren 027 221 8196 Richard Newman 027 497 0138 Roger Wilson 027 433 5353 Library 58 Buckingham St 03 442 1607 Museum/Gallery/Information Centre 49 Buckingham St 03 442 1824 Plunket 20 Cardigan St 0800 933 922 Post Office 52 Buckingham St 03 442 1885 Wasp Man free wasp nest extermination Russell Heckler 027 284 8814

local club notices Arrowtown Bowling Club

03 442 1905

Club Day Thursday. New members welcome – coaching available – More info phone Susan 021 165 0862 Arrowtown Entertainers

A local group of entertainers who love to perform and sing. Programmes include: Anzac Day, Christmas, music hall singalong, popular variety songs from shows etc. If interested, please contact Faye 03 442 2802. New members welcome.

Arrowtown Golf Club

03 442 1719

Dorothy Browns Bookclub

03 442 1964

Meet the 1st Tuesday/Wednesday of each month at the cinema. Newcomers welcome.

Mainly Music

We meet every Tuesday of each term at St johns Community Church hall at 10am My contact details are Eileen Toner 0272486513 or etoner1@gmail.com Petanque

Sundays 3 pm, Library Green. All welcome!

Club days–Mens every Wednesday & Saturday. Ladies 9 & 18 holes Thursday.

Phone the golf shop for more information.

Plunket

Arrowtown Scouts

We meet on the 2nd Monday every month. New members welcome. For further information. Contact Jennie Burt 0273060415.

Arrowtown Village Association

Whakatipu Line Dancers

0800 933 922

Little fingers playgroup, Mondays 10–12 pm. Fun Fridays 10–12 pm. Remarkable Arrowtown Library 03 442 1607 Mothers group, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of Hours: Mon–Fri 10 am–5 pm. Sat 10 am– the month, 11–1 pm. Gold coin donation.

2 pm. Reading to Dogs: Tues 3.30–4.30 pm, All welcome. For all current information, LIKE the Arrowtown Plunket during School Term Time.

Arrowtown Menzshed 027 284 8814 Facebook page.

The Menzshed (Preston's Drive) is Shotover Country Music Club open daily for members. An annual fee Club day every third Sunday, from of $25 plus $2 donation per visit allows 1.30 – 4.30. All welcome. all facilities to be used for woodworking Venue: Arrowtown Community Centre, and community projects. New members next to the Rugby Grounds. Contact: welcome. Phone Russell Heckler Barbara Kerr 027 229 7244 027 2848814 for info.

Want to know more about the Arrowtown Scout group? We are catering for Boys and Girls aged 6-17 years. For more info email: arrowtown@group.scouts.nz

Join the Arrowtown Village Association, the voice of Arrowtown. We work to protect & enhance the unique character of our town. Visit arrowtownvillage.nz to learn more.

Wakatipu Garden Club

020 4111 9081

MON: Absolute Beginners ~ 9am-10am Beginners/Improver ~ 10am-12pm WED: Improver/Intermediate ~ 10am1:30pm Lake Hayes Pavilion. All Welcome.

Cost $10. mollycrawford56@gmail.com

FREE to place local club information, email details to thelooparrowtown@gmail.com 13

ANOTHER SOLD BY HAMISH WALKER

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16 CAERNARVON STREET ARROWTOWN Hamish Walker Director & Salesperson 027 298 4123 teamhamish@walkerandco.co.nz ANDCO REALTY 19 LIMITED; LICENSED REAA 2008

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