Wanaka Sun I Edition 1041 I 26th August - 1st September 2021

The case for our board

INSIDE THIS WEEK Farming: Page 8 Views: Page 9 Jobs : Page 11

PAGE 2

Hāwea’s big day delayed Proud to support the Upper Clutha since 2000 PAGE 12

Covid vaccines: the update THUR 26.08.21 - WED 01.09.21

ovid vaccination clinics operating at Aspiring Medical Centre and Wānaka Medical have moved as a result of the Level 4 Lockdown.

Aspiring has now set up its Covid vaccination clinic at the Wānaka Community Hub on McDougall Street, where they are providing extra clinics for Wānaka’s essential workers, as well as all others who are eligible for the vaccine. Wānaka Medical’s clinic is now at Wānaka Physiotherapy, near Wānaka Medical on Cardrona Valley Road.

Covid vaccinations were put on hold in Wānaka last week when the country went into Level 4 Lockdown and because of the need to keep all other patients separated from those getting vaccinated, medical practices across the region have had to re-think if and where they will vaccinate.

Because Aspiring and Wānaka Medical are providing the only Covid vaccination clinics in town, they have both decided to move to safe sites and keep vaccinating.

Wānaka is something of a special case also in that its medical centres must remain open to accepting all patients, given that it takes between three to four hours to get to the nearest main centre hospital.

The good news is that from now, Aspiring will be operating four clinics a week on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

This will mean they can increase the number of vaccinations on offer to around 1350.

Previously they were offering around 450 vaccinations a week. They have also

C

EDITION 1041

contacted essential workers in the area directly to book them in for vaccinations as soon as possible.

At Wānaka Medical there will also be more clinics on offer.

Given the requirements for social distancing, this will mean that at least the same number of people can be vaccinated each week. Before lockdown this number was between 800 and 900 a week and it is planned to increase this number under Level 4.

These new locations at the Community Hub and at Wānaka Physio will remain in place under Level 4 and 3 and to book appointments people can either go to Book My Vaccine online or call the Healthline on 0800282926.

People over 40 are now eligible to book.

For more details go to the Covid Vaccination site at www.health.govt.nz The BookMyVaccine website indicated last weekend there were no appointments in Wānaka for the rest of the year, but that is not the case. In fact, bookings could be made at a few days’ notice this week.

Hamish Brown, Southern DHB COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Lead, said people living in the region shouldn’t need to travel further afield for vaccinations.

“It is the goal of the Southern COVID-19 Vaccination Programme team to ensure that no one should have to travel more than an hour for their appointment.”

– By Viv Milsom and Daisy Watford

VISIT OUR EXCITING NEW SHOWHOME If you’re thinking of building and are looking for ideas and inspiration, make this your first step.

22 Glen Dene Crescent, Northlake, Wanaka Open Wednesday to Sunday 1pm – 4pm 03 443 2196 / gjgardner.co.nz

DELIVERED AND FREE

1 202 Ho m e B u il d e r s

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Cocks backs his old board

Former Queenstown deputy mayor Lyal Cocks has made an impassioned plea for the Wānaka Community Board to be retained.

Mr Cocks was one of about 300 people who made submissions on the council's representation plans which recommend an increase in district councillor numbers, some ward boundary changes and the axing of Wānaka’s board.

The plan to do away with the board has attracted significant opposition in Wānaka and more than 70 per cent of submissions opposed the idea.

Submissions will be heard by Zoom by the council at hearings this week Thursday and Friday. The content of

the submissions were released for the first time on Monday when the agenda was released.

It is available at “...I strongly oppose the proposal to not retain the Wānaka Community Board (WCB) and therefore my main focus is on this point,” Mr Cocks said in the opening of a 1500 word defence of the board.

“My submission is based on the Local Government Commission Guidelines, my experience as a Community Board Member for 12 years (six as Chair) and on the evidence that the WCB structure can work very effectively.”

He said the Upper Clutha was a distinct community of interest “and most people will agree it is noticeably

different to Queenstown” “There should therefore be no argument that the Wānaka Ward is a distinct and independent Community of Interest. There are strong geographical boundaries such as the Crown Range Pass to the south and the Haast Pass to the north. Wānaka provides goods and services for ordinary everyday existence and there is a strong sense of belonging,” he said.

“The Wakatipu and Wānaka Wards are about the same size in area and have a similar number and dispersal of communities throughout respective wards.

“Eight councillors in the Wakatipu Ward are likely to be able to provide

the expected effective representation throughout their Wards but to expect four councillors in the Wānaka Ward to cover the same size area and provide the same access to their constituents is neither reasonable nor logical.”

He said the Wānaka Board’s seven members provided effective representation.

Because they were closer to communities and eighbourhoods, community boards had more information about local issues and “may be better informed than the Council as a whole”.

Without a Community Board, the Wānaka Ward population would no longer see Wānaka Ward issues being decided locally, he said.

Lyal Cocks

Mr Cocks said he supported 12 councillors across four Wards, and one community board in the Wānaka Ward, consisting of four elected members and three appointed Councillors.

Dominos feed ‘busy’ supermarket workers Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Following the announcement of alert level 4 last Tuesday, the team at Domino’s quickly rallied together to feed the town’s “busy” supermarket workforce.

As New World staff experienced a frantic evening with long queues and preparation for the new alert level, they were treated to a special delivery from the pizza chain.

The Ardmore Street restaurant cooked up enough pizza to feed staff across both New World stores.

Owners of New World Three Parks, Dean and Natashia Bartley, expressed their gratitude on social media.

“This was very much appreciated, after a hectic afternoon and crazy evening this was a well deserved treat for our tired team that did an amazing job keeping up as everyone prepared to lock down.”

New World Wānaka also received a delivery during the “pre-lockdown rush.”

Store owners Justin and Jocelyn Purcell said “The pizza was greatly appreciated and went a long way to helping us serve our community.”

Staff at New World Three Parks received a sizeable food delivery to get them through their “hectic” shift.

love your hearing

Upgrade Your Hearing, Wanaka

Ready to upgrade your hearing? Now’s the time! Whether you need new hearing aids or are just starting the process, we’re offering an exclusive upgrade. When you purchase hearing aids the month of August, we’ll automatically upgrade the devices to the next technology level*. Call today to see if an upgrade will benefit you!

Free Upgrade! on select makes and models

*select products only, while supplies last

Call (03) 443 0744

Within the Wanaka Lakes Medical Centre 23 Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka PAGE 2

THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

Proudly 100% Kiwi owned and operated

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Lockdown timing ‘terrible’

With the ski season going well, and with last week’s fresh snow and blue skies, this latest Level 4 lockdown could not have come at a worse time for local businesses.

As Ignite Wānaka chairman, Andrew “Howie” Howard says: “the timing of this lockdown is terrible and is absolutely challenging”.

With the Trans-Tasman bubble shutting down a month ago, the region's industry had already lost its international market. Tourism Wānaka’s general manager, Tim Barke says, “Traditionally that international market accounted for around 60% of visitors to Queenstown, but with Covid, this has changed dramatically. Now 95% of

visitors are domestic.”

Post bubble though, businesses were rebuilding again, and kiwis were travelling in good numbers, but with many out-of-town skiers coming from the Auckland region local businesses have again been hit hard this last week.

As Edgewater general manager Catherine Bone says, “We lost around 10% off the top when the bubble burst, but others may have lost more.”

Now with the current lockdown she says, “It’s a real blow for the whole industry. We will rebuild, but it will take a bit more effort this time.”

Visitors will get full refunds on their Edgewater

bookings, and some have opted to move their bookings. “We still have a bit of hope for skiing in September.”

“There is always light at the end of the tunnel,” Barke says. “But it’s hard when they keep adding extensions to the tunnel. Businesses have had it really tough. The uncertainty is the toughest, but there has been great support from the community and Kiwis are helping each other.

Having Kiwis travelling within New Zealand has been a huge help too, and businesses have been changing how they operate to focus a lot more on the domestic market.”

“Government support has also been a big help

with the wage subsidy scheme and the Re-start fund both offering businesses financial assistance.

Local businesses can also seek help from the Business Response Group and the Regional Business Partners. Ultimately businesses want to have their doors open.”

Cardrona & TC Experiences general manager, Laura Hedley would agree. “We have the best snow of the season so far and Kiwis love to ski and enjoy being in the mountains, so we’ll be back there. We can safely operate at Level 2.”

The region will hope Level 2 isn’t far away.

– By Viv Milsom

Parents say: let our children stay Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka Primary School parents are pushing to keep 11 to 13 year olds at the school.

A newly formed “Parents for Recapitation” group has launched a petition.

Principal Wendy Bamford told The Wānaka Sun parents have chosen to take a stand after the Ministry declined to engage with the Board on the issue.

A recapitation occurs when a year 1-6 school becomes a year 1-8 school. Students now leave Wānaka Primary after year six.

Bamford supports recapitation at the school and praised the parents for being proactive.

“The school staff and Board are all aware that the later the transition to secondary school the better as the 11-13 year olds are at a vulnerable time, emotionally and socially. Year 8 is the better springboard for students to move into a secondary environment,” Bamford said.

Retaining the students at primary school for longer would make them feel “more secure, safe, and less anxious.”

Holy Family Catholic School is the only primary school in Wānaka open to Year 1-8 students. There are also a number of full primary schools in Alexandra and Queenstown.

On the lobby group’s petition page, WPS parent Amy Brown said Year 7 and 8 students should remain with their primary school peers.

“They play more if they stay with the primary, they don't get exposed to as much as soon.”

Andrew Howard, chair of the WPS board of trustees also signed the petition.

“I believe this is the right course of action for the wellbeing of our children and coping with network growth,” he said.

Wānaka Primary wants to extend to Year 8.

A recent survey at the school indicated 85% of parents favoured recapitation.

It is understood Wānaka Primary School board of trustees held two information sessions on the matter in June, but that the issue came to a halt after the Ministry of Education said it would not consider recapitation at the school.

“The board has been actively pursuing this over the last year or so. So far there has been no move

by the Ministry to engage in consultation about recapitation, despite parents, and the Board approaching them,” Bamford said.

“Year 8 is the better springboard for students to move into a secondary environment. They are positioned, in a full primary, to be leaders and role models for younger students rather than try and compete with older age groups,” Bamford said.

“They have the freedom to play, on play

equipment, in sandpits in the playground and to interact with younger peers, and not feel judged by their elder peers.”

The deadline for signing the petition has been extended, after the Education Review Office postponed a meeting with the Parents for Recapitation group earlier this week.

The Wānaka Sun has asked the Ministry of Education for comment.

Homes in The finals

Four Wānaka homes have been shortlisted in the Top 100 Homes of the Registered Master Builders House of the Year Competition announced this week.

The regional section of the competition was held in July and this month and attracted about 350 entries across 11 regions. The national award winners will be announced in November.

Of the nine Southern region homes to make the finals, four come from both Queentown and Wānaka and one from Dunedin.

The Wānaka homes are the work of CDL Buildings, Dunlop Builders and Turnkey Homes

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Penny Fisher RN MBA

027 343 4776

Penny’s Home Care

Looking after all your joinery needs from design to installation.

Also designer splash backs & appliance packages.

Professional Trustworthy Friendly Reliable

www.polishedconcretecentral.co.nz

Household help, Meal preparation, Outings companionship, Shopping carer support. www. pennyshom ecare.co.nz

THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

B & M JOINERY LTD 4 Ree Crescent, Cromwell, 03 265 2077 Brendon 027 449 2291, Mark 027 768 1977

PAGE 3

License Number 805429

CALL US NOW 021 376736

ULTRA DOGFOOD DELIVERED DIRECT TO YOUR DOOR

ultrasouthernlakes@gmail.com PAGE 4

THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

www.ultrapetsupplies.co.nz THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Overflow sparks complaints Looking for

Residents around Bullock Creek in Wānaka are asking questions after complaining that a storm water pond overflowed into it twice in a week and the district council is working on a solution.

A Facebook group was told that the August 12 and 17 overflows happened during “moderate to heavy rainfall” which rapidly filled up a “wet-dry pond” holding storm water from the Alpha Series subdivision.

Readers were told a stormwater pond above the spring-fed headwaters of Bullock Creek overflowed through the wetland and into Bullock Creek.

Staff from Council’s Property and Infrastructure team had a “productive group call” with members of the Friends of Bullock Creek and other stakeholders on Wednesday last week, a council spokesperson told the Sun. Others on the call included Councillor Niamh Shaw and representatives from Fish and Game and the Guardians of Lake Wānaka.

Topics discussed included Council’s proposed upgrade to the Upper Stone Street catchment area, the existing situation at the Alpha Series sub-division and its stormwater plans, and an update on Council’s stormwater catchment management work around Wānaka.

A concept design, accepted in principle, is now going through an approval process.

The Friends of Bullock Creek say underground stormwater retention tanks or sumps at the bottom of the Alpha Series subdivision were full and a pump to transfer excess stormwater out of the pond and into the tanks was not operating.

The Wānaka Sun has approached Willowridge Developments Ltd Development Manager Allan Dippie for comment.

The Friends of Bullock Creek say the creek is

our leaders

The Bullock Creek group says a stormwater pond overflowed twice in a week and posted this picture on their Facebook page.

the lifeblood of Wānaka – “a rare spring-fed creek of exceptional purity that flows through an urban environment”.

“The spring-water comes from the Wānaka Basin Cardrona Gravel Aquifer, feeding Bullock

Warm, modern ground floor accommodation.

Gentle stroll from Cafes, Shops and Galleries.

Book direct and quote ‘Wanaka Sun’ to receive 5% of your website price offer ends 30th September.

ASURE Scenic Route Motor Lodge 28 Waihi Terrace, Geraldine • Ph: 03 693 9700

www.motelscenicroute.co.nz

Creek’s beautiful and special ‘seepage wetland’ at the Fish & Game hatchery springs site,” the group website says.

Friends of Bullock Creek uploaded photos and video of the flooding to its website gallery.

The Ignite Wānaka Chamber of Commerce has announced the launch of a leadership academy.

The Wānaka Leadership Academy is aimed at people who want to develop their leadership experience and who have the potential to hold senior positions or governance roles.

Executive Officer Naomi Lindsay said the academy was to start in April “but Covid-19 had other ideas”.

“We are now looking for attendees for the first academy due to take place on five Fridays in October and November this year.”

The project is seen as an opportunity to nurture future leaders and the chamber has been inspired by the success of similar operations throughout Otago and Southland which boast hundreds of alumni.

“The Leadership Academy enables participants to be better equipped for leadership roles and opportunities within organisations, workplaces or our community,” Naomi Lindsay said.

The academy is open to anyone, not just Ignite members, but members will be given first priority for the 14 spaces, and two spaces held for community leaders.

“I personally completed the academy in late 2019 and can highly recommend the format.

The learnings I gained have been hugely beneficial in my journey,” Naomi Lindsay said.

It is planned to run The Wānaka Leadership Academy every October and April from this year on to build a solid alumni and support group within the community.

Menopause Information Evening

Come listen to our panel of experts and learn more on how to manage menopause and maximise your health during this time.

9 September 2021 | 7 pm – 9 pm Aspiring Medical Centre, Wanaka Lakes Health Centre Includes a complimentary glass of wine and some time for questions throughout the evening.

See the Aspiring Medical Centre Facebook page for booking details.

Please go through our facebook events page to show your intention to attend.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

PAGE 5

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

OBITUARY

Wānaka loses ‘good mate’ Matt

Wānaka Skate Club’s official message is to “stay out of the park.

PHOTO: Lake Wānaka Tourism

Skatepark - please keep out Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Members of the public are not permitted to use skateparks or frisbee golf courses during Alert Level 4, Queenstown Lake District Council has confirmed.

The reminder comes as some people ignored the rules, according to reports on social media.

QLDC Communications spokesperson Sam White said that people should follow Alert Level 4 rules and keep away from outdoor recreational facilities in the area.

“Skate parks are closed with signage in place. Skateboarding and related activities at a skate park are not consistent with Government

PAGE 6

advice,” he said.

White also confirmed that the same rule applies to frisbee golf courses.

“Frisbee golf is also not permitted given the use of equipment such as chain baskets.”

The Wānaka Skate Club took to social media this week to urge people not to use the park during Alert Level 4.

On Monday Clayton Barker reported on social media that the skate park was “packed yesterday lunchtime.”

Wānaka resident, Dave Brown, also commented that “There were kids around 6pm on bikes, scooters and boards, no helmets dropping in.

Just not considering the knock on effect here.”

Advice from the official Government website says people should only take part in “simple” exercise and “avoid activities where you can get injured or lost.”

“QLDC staff have put up signage and, where possible, warning tape at Council playgrounds advising the public that these are closed,” White said.

The Council also advises that “all service centres, sport and recreation facilities, playgrounds and libraries will remain closed until further notice.”

The owner of Wānaka’s Caltex Service Station, Matt Davison, died suddenly last week while working at his Caltex car wash.

The 47-year-old businessman died from an unexplained medical event which is now under investigation.

Matt was a well-liked and respected member of the Wānaka community.

A good communicator, he enjoyed networking and chatting to customers who, along with his friends and family, appreciated his conversation and quick wit.

A keen sportsman, along with his sons, Matt was involved in a number of sports clubs, including golf, rugby, biathlon, and smallbore rifle shooting. He was often found on the lake in his boat.

Matt and his partner Kassandra came to live in Wānaka in 2006, having just bought Caltex Wānaka. Matt, the eldest of three boys, had grown up in South Canterbury on a sheep farm and had previously worked as an agricultural contractor.

With no experience in retail, it was a steep learning curve at Caltex, dealing with unpaid fuel, stock runouts, lack of staff and tills not balancing. Not to mention the busy Wānaka New Year.

Matt and Kassandra have two teenage sons, Lachlan and Fletcher.

THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

A great dad and strong family man, Matt has passed on his love of the outdoors, teaching his boys rabbit and duck shooting and how to ride Matt Davison motorbikes on farm trails. Boating and camping have also been part of family life, with Matt happy to stop his boat in the middle of the lake, so a dozen youngsters could jump off it.

As a former executive member of the Wānaka Chamber of Commerce he was always willing to support and help other business owners.

His latest project was the high tech Washstation Carwash Complex out at Three Parks, and he was very happy to spend time there and share his new “baby” with others.

Always a “good mate”, Matt Davison will be greatly missed by many in Wānaka and remembered by his partner and sons as “a good man and fun dad”.

A service for Matt will be held later in the year once covid alert levels allow and will be notified so those in the community who knew Matt can pay their respects.

– By Viv Milsom

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

THE WCB WORD

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MUM

A regular update from Wānaka Community Board Chair, Barry Bruce

Tobias gets a pizza the action Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

As news of Alert Level 4 came through last week, my first thought was “Uh oh. Lockdown with a baby…”

But my second thought was "Well, if daddy's home, that means I get to sleep in, right?"

During our last lockdown, I was just five months pregnant and, in a way, it was a welcome break from my busy hospitality shifts. I used that time to relax, sleep in, binge on Netflix, and practice some pregnancy yoga with my ever growing baby bump.

This time round, though, things are a little different. We now have a very active 11 month old in tow.

The luxuries of staying in bed all day and scrolling through funny Facebook videos are no more. This lockdown is all about Tobias. And the never ending stream of housework.

Trying to keep Tobias busy all day in a little house is a pretty big challenge. Just one week in and I am already struggling to come up with new ideas.

One thing that seemed to go down well this week was making pizza. When I say that Tobias made his own pizza, what I actually mean is that he just pulled off the cheese as I sprinkled it on top of the base. All the same, it kept him busy for quite a while.

On a positive note, having to come up with new activities each day has meant that our time during lockdown has gone pretty fast.

Last year, it went so slow that I lost track of time all together. My mornings would become afternoons and my afternoons would drag on so much that I would often have a daytime nap.

While I haven't been able to relax this time, Tobias brings a whole new level of fun to lockdown life.

It has required us to be more creative. We have filled our days with painting, obstacle courses, and we even spent an afternoon playing with jelly.

Anything goes when it comes to keeping this boy busy. We have also spent more time in the garden, a place we often ignore.

While this all sounds great, it hasn’t been easy.

Working from home, cooking, cleaning, and

I want to extend my appreciation for all those in our community who have continued to use the Covid-19 tracing app, now more than ever we are seeing how valuable this has become.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is participating in the ‘three waters’ reform programme with central government which includes working through understanding the implications for our community.

The reform covers service delivery arrangements for the supply of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater services. Currently 67 different councils own and operate the majority of these services across New Zealand.

Council will be engaging with the community in the near future, but if you would like some more information on proposed entity boundaries, funding packages and reform programme progress, head to www.qldc.govt.nz Our district is a fantastic place to live, work and play. Unfortunately, for many, it is becoming harder to find a suitable home.

Council is proposing a draft Queenstown Lakes Homes Strategy and Action Plan that sets out our proposed strategic direction and vision for housing for the next decade.

The goal is to improve housing outcomes in the Queenstown Lakes for housing affordability, supply, choice and quality. It is driven by the vision that everyone should have a warm, secure place to call home.

This project feeds into another key piece of work which looks at developing planning rules that require qualifying developments to provide for some affordable housing, long-term and for low and moderate-income households.

There has been a good amount of interest in the community on proposed areas where freedom camping could be prohibited and where restricted

freedom camping could be allowed. There’s still time to make a submission on the draft Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021. Feedback will be accepted by the council up to 5pm on September 3.

A range of topics were discussed at the last Board meeting. Of note, the Board discussed the Representation Review and initial breakdown of where submitters were from. There was broad support for the overall proposal Council adopted for consultation which included increasing the overall number of Councillors from ten to 12, electing Councillors by ward, the proposed four ward boundaries and the number of proposed Councillors elected per ward.

Two thirds of submitters, mainly from the Upper Clutha, supported the current arrangement to retain the Wānaka Community Board, with 57 submitters from across the district in favour of no community boards in the district. Council will consider whether to retain the original proposal or to change it, with a decision expected to be made at the Full Council meeting on 16 September.

Wānaka Lakefront Development Stage Three is on track for completion in early September 2021. An official opening of the boardwalk is scheduled for September 23 and will take place at a time to coordinate with the Board’s meeting on that date.

Finally, if you’re keen on finding out more about how the Wānaka Community Board operates and what decisions it makes, come along to our next Community Board Meeting on September 23 from 10am to 12.30pm at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre.

The best way to breathe

Making pizza, Tobias style.

caring for a baby during lockdown is tough. But it’s certainly easier with the two of us at home.

Lockdown has given me some time to reflect and think about how my friends and family back in the UK must have felt, after spending so much time cooped up. I can't even imagine going into lockdown for that long with a young child.

At the moment, I see it as an opportunity to enjoy some well needed family time. Considering what’s going on in the world right, I count ourselves pretty lucky.

Despite being unable to visit cafes, baby groups, and parks, we seem to be doing pretty well.

Let's see if it stays that way.

Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Telling your loved ones to “shut their mouth” is one of the best ways to improve mental and physical well being, a breathing practitioner says.

Susan Allen, a Wānaka based Buteyko Method practitioner was due to hold a free talk to share breathing tips and discuss some of the problems around overbreathing - until the Lockdown arrived.

“I use these free seminars to educate people that they can take control of their own health through matters such as learning to breathe well,” she said.

Allen said there were lots of things people could do to reduce anxiety during the pandemic.

“Tell each other to ‘shut your mouth’, nicely of

course. Practice healthy breathing. Sit up straight in a chair, close your mouth, place a hand on your upper belly and feel the belly expand as you inhale and release as you exhale. Small, quiet breaths.”

Her advice follows rising rates of anxiety and stress due to the pandemic. The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand says healthy breathing is one way to look after wellbeing during lockdown.

Allen believes improved breathing can make a difference to mental wellbeing.

“This is not complicated physiology. We should be teaching this in schools as one the significant foundations of physiological and mental wellbeing,” she said.

She still hopes to run the seminar and plans to launch a six week course in September.

Commercial and residential landscaping Fulton Hogan’s highly skilled team deliver your landscaping requirements from design concepts, to construction including: • landscape design • tree pruning • stonework • turf install and repair • irrigation • exotic/native plant supply • paving • ongoing landscape • timber features maintenance • water features • vegetation control and mowing.

• arboriculture

Building communities THE WĀNAKA SUN

www.WanakaMedical.co.nz t: (03) 443 0710 a: 23 Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka

For a free no obligation quote call: Phone 03 440 0500 www.fultonhogan.com

Trusted Healthcare for Life THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

PAGE 7

Sun Farming

thewanakasun.co.nz

Feds make ‘click and collect’ food call Federated Farmers says the government needs to reconsider and let small business fresh food sellers stay open under level 4.

Last year Federated Farmers national president Andrew Hoggard was vocal about Feds’ position.

"We pleaded for common sense to prevail, we have had over one year to sort this out - yet it is not."

New Zealand’s first COVID-19 lockdown rules meant butchers, bakers and greengrocers could not open as the small retailers were

considered non-essential. Federated Farmers strongly recommended that butchers, green grocers, and bakers, should be able to run "click and collect" services.

"Many food retailers such as butchers, bakers and greengrocers can observe distancing and hygiene rules as well as supermarkets within their stores and having them open will ease queues experienced at the bigger stores," Andrew says.

Butchers are permitted to take bookings

online and do deliveries.

"This is not good enough. And not what we asked for, most of our small butchers and greengrocers simply don't have the delivery mechanisms, or access to them, to successfully deliver perishable goods".

Small fresh food retailers often have a far bigger range than many supermarkets and can tailor products for people with food intolerances better than supermarkets can.

"We said last year this rule needs a rethink if

we are to go back into a full-scale lock down."

The rigorous regular standards that are met on a daily basis by New Zealand butchers and processors are designed to meet global requirements.

"New Zealand butchers operate in a Covid-like situation permanently, the hygiene regimes are regularly audited by Assure Quality, they meet them - or they are out of business. Much like they are now - thanks to government agencies that still haven’t thought things through."

Collaring hares – it’s for the birds Two or three hares can eat as much as a sheep in alpine grassland. They’ll also damage saplings and shrubs.

As part of his research, Otago PhD student Nick Foster needed help to put GPS collars on hares in the nationally significant biodiversity area looked after by Te Manahuna Aoraki.

Lilybank Station manager Johnny Wheeler, his neighbour Laurie Prouting from Mesopotamia Station, and helicopter pilot Mark Pridham stepped up.

Hares are solitary animals, with territories of up to 300 hectares. There are no established attractants. They can also run at up to 70kph and zig-zag all over the place.

Between them, Johnny, Laurie and Mark have a wealth of experience with capture of live animals.

They redesigned nets usually used to catch deer and other ungulates, making them much smaller.

Up in a chopper over Lilybank Station it took time for the team to get their eye in, but the trio managed to net enough hares for Nick and his team to collar.

Data on the hares’ movements gleaned from the collars – and from motion-activated trail cameras, chew cards and tracking tunnels also used to monitor movement of stoats, ferrets and hedgehogs – have provided invaluable data on what altitudes and territories these pests get to between seasons. These insights are now helping inform a long-term plan aimed at eradicating them from this part of the high country.

“People said live hare capture couldn’t be done,” Te Manahuna Aoraki project manager Simone Smits said.

“These guys took on the challenge, worked out how to do it, donated their time and came up with the goods. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

And it’s typical of the co-operation and interest that landowners are demonstrating in the project, Simone said.

Te Manahuna Aoraki is focused on restoring the iconic natural landscapes and threatened species over 310,000 hectares of the upper Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. It was launched in 2018 and founded by the Department of Conservation, three Rūnanga representing local iwi and the Next Foundation.

They’ve since been joined by high country landowners, investors/philanthropists and Predator Free 2050 Ltd. It wasn’t hard to get farmers and landowners on board, Simone said.

“Essentially, this is a partnership between a whole lot of people who are really passionate about this space. Some 40 per cent of the Te Manahuna Aoraki area is in private ownership.”

If indeed there is a stereotype of farmers who don’t give much thought about protecting the environment, it certainly gets shot down here.

“This area is really rich in biodiversity. Some of the farmers in this place are fourth generation and the reason those biodiversity values remain on their properties is because they value those things very much.

Farmers have helped transport, set and clear Te Manahuna Aoraki traps and in another project, when floods disrupted breeding pairs of kakī (black stilt) from their usually nesting sites on braided riverbeds to farmland, the landowners and their staff reported bird and nest sitings.

Eggs collected from nests in precarious places in the wild were raised in Twizel and by the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust.

“To have a predator and pest-free 310,000 hectare area is a hugely ambitious thing to do. It’s twice the size of Stewart Island, three times the size of Auckland…”

As Te Manahuna Aoraki’s partners begin to formulate their long-term strategy, they have three years of monitoring, research and trap catches to guide them on the most effective approaches.

Rural fuel delivery –– Rural fuel delivery Rural fuel delivery – on time, every time on on time, time, every every time time

“We needed to know where the predator and pest species are, and how that changes over the year. In wintertime, are they still high up in the mountains or do they come down lower?

“To remove them, or at least get their numbers to a very, very low level, sound answers to those kinds of questions will guide our trapping and other control programmes.”

Effective collaboration is a phrase Balmoral Station’s Andrew Simpson, a former Federated Farmers High Country executive member, also uses when referring to Te Manahuna Aoraki.

“I think it shows just how far you can come when different groups work together.

He admits to some initial disquiet that the project seemed to be getting the priorities wrong, targeting the predator species such as ferrets and feral cats rather than getting rabbit numbers down.

“Rabbits are the main food source for the predators. If you get rid of rabbits, the predator numbers dwindle or disappear.

“It all works in tandem, and they’ve taken what we’ve said on board. I’ve been impressed by the way they’ve been willing to listen to farmers.”

He says the collaboration is a lesson that partnership is more effective than regulation as a model for land ownership.

PHOTO: Phil Tisch

Federated Farmers member Laurie Prouting, of Mesopotamia Station, was one of three locals who came up with a solution for live hare capture, so they could be fitted with GPS collars.

Hares are tricky to catch – they can reach speeds of 70kph and zig zag all over the place.

PAGE 8

THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun Views

thewanakasun.co.nz

Crimeline Kerin A Adrian Acting Sergeant Well what a week, plunged back into level 4 lockdown. I think deep down many of us saw this as a real possibility, but the speed took many by surprise.

Along with that came the personal responsibilities of QR scanning, limiting travel, wearing of face masks in approved Level 4 stores and staying home. To many in our community I would like to say well done - but to some... well as my old school report used to say: could do better if tried harder.

For many out and about it seemed to be taken as a long weekend break with little out of the norm, however as we are still at Level 4, please we know exercise is a good relief, but remember guidelines are “stay local”. That is, go to your nearest place to exercise, not just the one you like best. Please don’t drive miles just to get to your favourite spot. Also remember places like Roys Peak, Diamond Lake, Isthmus Peak even Mount Iron all pose greater risk of injury and you could require assistance should you have an accident. Remember, if it appears risky it probably is, and you may need extra help and at this time the emergency services don’t need increased workload.

I know everyone feels that whatever activity they take part in is safe but remember the world and history are littered with those who said, “it won’t happen to me”. One final thing, please where possible restrict travel to one person from each household and only when essential.

Checking vacant properties, taking photos, giving

driving lessons, and test-driving vehicles are not essential, so please think before you venture out, do I really need to do this right now.

OK, with the Police focus this past week on the Covid lockdown it doesn’t mean we haven’t had other incidents to take care of.

Although the nationwide Operation Deterrence has been put on hold, we haven’t taken our eye off Road Policing. During the week several speed notices were issued around the area - one being for 152 kph out towards Lake Hawea.

This person received a licence suspension for 28 days and a date in the court in Queenstown to boot. Another stop brought in a person with a breath alcohol level of 1033 - over four times the legal limit for a person over 20. Please remember just because we find ourselves in strange times, stick to the road rules as they do still apply.

Remember stress is a real thing in this Covid environment and reach out for help if you need it, there are agencies available to assist it just needs you to reach out to them.

An incident of windows being broken at the High School is being investigated at present with strong lines of enquiry and a couple of suspects to be spoken to after lockdown is over.

We still have various items of lost property at the station, but at this time we are encouraging people to only come to the station if urgent and necessary as we are working on limited hours with our front counter due to the restrictions.

We are still here for you and remember you can use 105 for non-urgent calls and 111 if you have an emergency.

One final thing, police do not have authority to sign any forms allowing inter district travel.

Sponsored by

LETTER TO THE EDITOR To submit a letter for possible publication in the Wānaka Sun, please send it via email to editor@thewanakasun.co.nz.

Letters can also be sent by private message on our Facebook page.

Letters may be edited or abridged.

Letters of no more than 300 words are preferred.

Proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement

While Tuesday’s announcement is not the news we wanted to hear, New Zealand is prepared.

We’ve faced these challenges before, and we are prepared to do it again.

We want to assure you that the health and safety of our customers, employees and community is our highest priority.

Our revised opening hours until a return to Level 2 are 9am–6pm (Mon-Sat) and 10am–6pm on Sundays.

Please take care of yourselves and each other.

We have notified a new proposed Regional Policy Statement which sets the direction for future management of Otago’s natural and physical resources.

Tell us what you think about it by making a submission at www.orc.govt.nz/RPS before 3pm on 3 September.

Phone: 03 443 8000, Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka THE WĀNAKA SUN

THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

PAGE 9

Sun Classifieds

thewanakasun.co.nz

TRADES AND SERVICES PAINTING

LAUNDRY

PAINTERS & PAINTERS & DECORATORS DECORATORS

Get your fuel discount and Flybuys or Airpoints with Pumped or redeem your New World Fuelup discount voucher.

For all your interior/exterior house For all your interior/exterior house painting requirements, call Ben PAINTERS & andpainting receive a FREE QUOTE. requirements, call Ben

Open 6am-11pm daily Touchfree Carwash Laundromat LPG bottle filling Convenience store Trailer hire Shower

DECORATORS

and receive a FREEForQUOTE. all your interior/exterior house

0204 0133 350

painting requirements, call Ben and receive a FREE QUOTE.

0204 0133 350

paint@btppainting.com 0204 0133 350 www.btppainting.com paint@btppainting.com paint@btppainting.com www.btppainting.com www.btppainting.com

SKIPS

SUBWAY

WĀN AKA

7.0 – 9.0 m3 Skip Bins 4.0 m3 Hard Fill Skips 4.0 m3 Rubbish Bin With Lid

Contact Johnny Ph: 0224 SKIP IT (754 748) • W: www.skipit.nz When you want to get rid of it - just skip it!

WĀ N A KA

Download the app or www.subwayexpress.co.nz Opening hours are: 6.30am – 9pm everyday PICK UP ANY TIME OF THE DAY

If not, email your address to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz or phone us on 03 443 5252

PAGE 10

O

NO PEN W

CARWASH Skip the Queue, Order Online

Is your Wānaka Sun delivered every Thursday?

You Order, We Deliver

Download the app or www.subwayexpress.co.nz Delivery from 12.00pm - 8.00pm

SUBWAY

EVERY THURSDAY

THANKS

Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy.

We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street - open from 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and 10 to 6 on Sundays.

Ph 443 8000.

The Salvation Army Family Store is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9.30am to 4pm and most statutory holidays. We look forward to seeing you in our wonderful store.

Thanks to everyone who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle.

Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful community.

WANTED

Domestic and Commercial Skip Bins

EVERY LETTERBOX

SERVICE

The Salvation Army Family store requires a volunteer to assist our van driver Danny on a Thursday with pick-ups and deliveries. If this sounds like you, please pop into the store for some more information.

Lifting of furniture will be required The Salvation Army Family Store requires good quality household goods, if you can help this would be appreciated.

Your donations can be dropped at 48 Helwick street or phone for a pick up 443 5068

NOTICE Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days.

Business Networking International.

The Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning.

Great networking opportunity to grow your business.

Contact Randal Dobbs for information 021 973 043 The Salvation Army Family store is able to collect your donations, this service is available one day a week please phone the store on 443 5068 to make a booking.

STORAGE

• DOGWASH • AUTO & JETWASHES • VACUUMS • LAUNDROMAT

Clean, dry, safe storage available now.

Ezystor Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.

Cnr Deering & McCormick Streets, Three Parks

SITUATION VACANT

SITUATION VACANT CONSERVATION PROJECT DIRECTOR Landscape Scale Predator Control This new conservation role is an exciting The right candidate will be able to demonstrate: but demanding position for a motivated, • Relevant conservation qualifications and/ collaborative and well organised leader. or experience The project is funded through DOC’s Jobs for • Work experience managing staff, in-field Nature program, providing both employment duties and multi-tasking opportunities and game changing outcomes • Proven project delivery and enjoyment of for wildlife conservation in the Wanaka and taking responsibilities Whakatipu areas.

• Personal skills in relationship building and The Project Director will be supported by a inter-personal communication skilled Board and operational team to deliver the • Excellent administration and budget following accountabilities: management skills; • Ensuring predator control is delivered • Clean and full NZ driver’s licence • Leading and developing an effective team • A strong health & safety ethic • Managing project data • A positive attitude to getting things done • Collaborating with technical and This position is for a 3-year fixed term, based operational personnel in Queenstown or Wanaka with extensive • High quality reporting • Building and sustaining quality stakeholder regional travel. A position description and relationships project synopsis is available upon request.

Applications with cover letter and CV close on 20 September 2021 to southernlakessanctuary@gmail.com THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

Wanaka Tiny hiring carpenters and apprentice -

like the idea of building Tiny Houses on Wheels? Contact us through wanakatiny.nz

SUN TEAM WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 1041

Free delivery to Wānaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wānaka, Albert Town and Hāwea.

Also distributed to businesses in the Wānaka business district Average circulation: 15,000 weekly.

Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 Editor: Roy Pilott • 027 4500 115 editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalist: Daisy Watford • 021 736 740 newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Lauren Prebble • 0272937310 journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wānaka Deadlines: Display Advertising 4pm Friday prior to publication. marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz

03 443 5252 Classified Advertising 5pm Monday prior admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Subscriptions: $175 within NZ (including GST)

per year. Overseas rates on request.

Remittances to PO Box 697, Wānaka, NZ.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun News / Classifieds

thewanakasun.co.nz

SITUATION VACANT

COMMUNITY NETWORKS WĀNAKA Help and advice

An Alert Level 4 We're hiring!

update

will be operating under Alert Level 4 conditions.

Vaccination is one of the strongest defences we have against Covid-19, so visit https:// bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz/ for details of how to book in.

The following Community Networks support The Community Networks Facebook page services will continue to operate under Alert will reflect any changes to our services as they Level 4. happen. Kia kaha everyone!

The Foodbank will be open at the regular times (Monday 1pm–4pm, Wednesday 11am-2pm and Friday 9am-noon at the Wānaka Community SITUATION VACANT Hub, 34 McDougall Street.

The building is closed, but Community Networks staff will be there to assist you during these times. Please maintain a two-metre distance between yourself and others and wear a mask – this is to ensure both your safety and that of our staff. If you don’t have a mask, we can provide one.

Be part of the small team The Meals on Wheels service will be operating responsible for producing our as usual. popular weekly newspaper.

Social work support is available by • You will have the relevant journalism emailing our Social Worker at socialworker@ qualifications, and a minimum of communitynetworks.co.nz, or calling two years' experience writing for a recognised media organisation.

03 443 7799.

The Community Networks phone 03 • You will have existing local contacts 443 7799 is being monitored and messages and the ability to connect with the wider community. will be checked periodically. Our website provides a variety of support resources and • You will also have an eye for community news, strong writing links (communitynetworks.co.nz) as does the ability and photography skills, and government Covid-19 website (covid19.govt. the ability to meet strict deadlines. nz). We’ll provide further details on service Based in Wānaka with an changes if required. immediate start, the hours for In the meantime, remember that it’s normal to this position are flexible. feel anxious or worried at this time – and if you This is a fantastic opportunity need, trained counsellors are available for you to for a passionate journalist who enjoys talk to free of charge, 24 hours a day, when you a challenge! If this sounds you, call or text 1737 (1737.org.nz). You can also call please forward your application Lifeline on 0800 543354 or text HELP to 4357. with your CV and cover letter to: For further advice on how to stay mentally well The Wānaka Sun, during this time, visit https://mentalhealth.org.

PO Box 697, Wānaka, admin@thewanakasun.co.nz nz/getting-through-together.

And finally, a reminder that vaccination sites

Full & Part Time Positions available with immediate start

JOURNALIST REQUIRED

PUBLIC NOTICE

N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i CLOSURE OF STREETS TO ORDINARY VEHICULAR TRAFFIC PURSUANT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1974, notice is hereby given that consideration will be given

by Queenstown Lakes District Council under delegated authority, to the closure of the following roads to ordinary vehicular traffic for the purpose of holding the 2021 Wānaka New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Patrol & Regulatory Officers Full drivers license required COA an advantage but full training will

WANAKA

be provided Clean police record Legally able to work in New Zealand These

roles

include

weekday/weekend

on call and public holidays This is NOT bar security work and more focused on regulatory services

for a full job description please

Contact us today hr@cougarsecurity.co.nz

We currently have two permanent positions working a minimum of 30 hours each week across 7 days.

Do you have what we are looking for?

• Previous experience within a retail/customer facing role • Interest in all things pharmacy related, including but not limited to make up, fragrances, health and wellbeing • Strong customer service focus to meet customer needs and expectations • Flexible, adaptable and good customer empathy • Honesty, integrity and an understanding and significance of confidentiality • Excellent communication skills and a high standard of grooming • Be able to be a team player and work under pressure • Ability to work weekends and flexibility to cover leave • Understanding of cash handling and end of day procedures • Above all else a willingness to learn and grow with the business Applicants for these positions should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work permit, and ideally permanent local residents.

Date of closure: Friday 31 December 2021 to Saturday January 2022 Road to be closed: Ardmore St (Log Cabin layby only – excluding buses) Period of closure: 0800 – 0300

Please send your CV to wpl@pembroke.co.nz together with a covering letter outlining your background and why you'd be such an excellent fit within our team.

Road to be closed: Ardmore St (from Dungarvon St to Lakeside Rd) Period of closure: 1700 – 0300 Road to be closed: Helwick Street (from Ardmore Street to Dunmore Street) Period of closure: 1700 – 0300 It will be an offence under the above regulations for any person otherwise than under authority of an authorised permit to use the roads for ordinary vehicular traffic during the period of closure.

Those who have any concerns regarding the above closures, please contact Brooke Allan at Queenstown Lakes District Council on 03 450 0537 or by email brooke.allan@qldc.govt.nz before 5:00pm on the 3 September 2021.

Amendment to August 2021 Meeting Schedule

Wanaka's original pharmacy (est. 1971) open all day, everyday including public holidays.

Phone: 03 443 8000 Top of Helwick St, Wānaka

OPEN: MON-SAT 8AM TO 6PM | SUN 10AM TO 6PM

Meeting Cancellation The meeting of the QLDC Infrastructure Committee - previously advertised as taking place on Thursday 26 August 2021 has been cancelled.

Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz

THE WĀNAKA SUN

WWW.THEWANAKASUN.CO.NZ

THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

PAGE 11

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Hāwea’s big breakfast delayed Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Lake Hāwea will have to wait a little longer for its turn in the spotlight - thanks to Covid-19.

National television presenter Matty McLean was scheduled to film the morning Breakfast show in Lake Hāwea this week - on August 27.

Lake Hāwea resident Stephen Tarawa, who helped organise the visit, said the show's producers plan to reschedule once the country returns to Alert Level 2.

Tarawa caught the show’s attention after sending in an image of himself looking out across Lake Hāwea.

The business owner and pet clothing designer sent the image “on the off chance” that they would screen it.

“I was happy enough that they had chosen my picture to be shown on National TV but then a few weeks later I received a call from one of the Breakfast Show producers saying they had picked my photo to come down and do a story about the area, showcase the town, and interview some of the locals.”

As part of the visit, McLean will speak to business owners and residents including Dick Cotter who has lived in the township for over 50 years.

McLean will also visit The Camp, the Cross Hill Lodge, and the new Geo Domes to shine a spotlight on some of the area’s most popular spots.

Tarawa is excited to showcase the area to the rest of New Zealand.

He told The Breakfast Show that he feels “blessed” to live in the town.

The image that caught the attention of Breakfast show producers.

“'Before I start my shift for work I take a short walk to my favourite spot on the lake's edge, taking in a view which takes my breath away every single time,” he said.

After living in Queenstown for 14 years, Tarawa moved to Lake Hāwea with his partner David in February 2020.

“We both decided to get back to nature and live a simpler and healthier lifestyle.”

Tarawa is now looking forward to telling residents of the new filming date.

Stephen Tarawa, right, with partner David Knight and their “pug fur child” Duke.

Have your cake and eat it too

Get the first pick of the newly released, luxury apartments in Wanaka’s Northlake.

Enjoy the lifestyle and a return on your investment by securing a new architecturally designed apartment in the centre of the Southern Lakes region. Northlake Apartments are designed for flexible, short-term use: Use as a ‘lock and leave’ apartment for yourself for up to 3 months at a time Manage as short-term visitor accommodation Have your cake and eat it too and do both!

We manage, or you manage, the choice is yours.

Large 1 & 2 bedroom apartments with carpark and storage locker from only $505,000 + GST. Contact our agents for more details.

SCOTT McGOUN

M 0 21 2 01 9 0 2 9 s c ot t . m c g o u n @ b a y l e y s . c o . n z

MAT ANDREWS

MAT ANDREWS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

AREINZ

M 0 2 7 4 8 3 6 2 61 mat.andrews@bayleys.co.nz

winton.nz

PAGE 12

THURSDAY 26.08.21 - WEDNESDAY 01.09.21

THE WĀNAKA SUN