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In a combined operation Alpine Cliff Rescue teams from Wanaka and Mt Cook, Wanaka LandSAR, New Zealand Police SAR (Wanaka), Southern Lakes Helicopters and Aspiring Helicopters last week found and rescued a climber from Mount Aspiring. The Wanaka community showed its support for the men and women involved in the rescue when we shared the good news:
Aspiring Helicopters: Couldn’t have asked for a better result or a better crew to work with on this one!! Two thumbs up to all the volunteers. Volunteering Central: The commitment and skill of these volunteers is astounding. Amazing work. Gaylene: Brilliant effort by all involved. Well done. Sue: Congratulations everyone a job well done.
Prue: Awesome effort, well done to all involved you are legends! Vivienne: Congratulations to all involved including the lost climber and his survival skills.
Andrea: These guys are truly amazing risking their lives to help another.
Chris: Great work Rescue Services ... such dedication to your work.
Otago Community Trust: Absolute Champions! Sponsored by
Cheryl: Great work team.
Mel: Legends
Jude: Heroes
Mandy: The dedication and unwavering belief they would find this man has been inspirational - with so much awful news lately it’s bloody awesome to see an incredible survival story - stoked!!!
Lindsey: Fantastic to hear a good outcome for this young man. Big ups to the rescue team.
What is your Opinion? Do you support the primary school teachers’ strike?
Bernadette: How lucky are we with such awesome, talented, persistent rescue workers here in Wanaka. Well done.
Poll Results Yes
Aleisha Murphy: That is such a good outcome. What an amazing effort by all involved
77% No
23%
While the Federated Mountain Clubs is seeking information on access to Hunter Valley Station, our readers report it’s not a problem.
Local primary schools will close on Wednesday, August 15 as teachers vote to strike. We asked, do you support the primary school teachers’ strike?
Sharon: Just a reminder to everyone that there used to be a road up the Hunter Valley. When they dammed Lake Hawea and flooded the flat land in the valley including the then farmhouse, orchards and arable land, access was cut off, due to a lack of a road. They could have built another but did not.There is no public road up the Hunter Valley. No cell phone coverage either. These farmers are usually out working in what is a harsh landscape not sitting next to a phone waiting for calls for public access across their farm. To get to the farmhouse you need a 4wd over a track. Beyond to get to the conservation area you have 10 river crossings, 4 of these being The Hunter River, often over no visible track. You need a 4wd with a snorkel and it takes you 4 hours to get there. There was the case a few years ago where farmers lost everything because a beekeeper was killed when a bridge collapsed on their property, when he drove over it. Ironically it had been built by the army, but the farmers were held responsible because it was on their land. There have been many times over the years where idiots have got themselves into trouble and have had to be rescued. Dogs have roamed , caused trouble with stock and spread sheep measles. This from boats going up the valley. The farm has been on the market for years with no Kiwi buyers. As far as I am aware where and when access was requested if it did not interfere with farming activities it has been granted. These are lovely hard working people who do not deserve what I consider to be abuse, especially as it seems you expect them to provide a road and upkeep of it as well. We have enough trouble at times keeping the main road over to the West Coast open during adverse weather conditions. Heavy rain and we have slips and roads disappearing. Unfortunately there are incidents on many high country stations where the public has abused the generosity of the lessee and as a result gates have been closed and locked. Just give it a rest and stop causing more stress. It is not the same as driving up to Mt Aspiring National Park, so don’t compare it.
Ken: Our family has had access for generations . Only time I’ve been turned down is when the huts are all full. In that instance we consider the valley is full. And well managed. Limited access keeps the fishery in good order. Can easily be over-fished otherwise. Especially with heli fishing. In my experience if you plan ahead and ask well ahead access is granted. Don’t let this magical place be abused by halfwits that just want to go 4wding.
THE WANAKA SUN
Peter: Just to be clear, FMC has never been asked to provide the names of people that have been declined access. However, from my inquiries, what we have is a situation where people have simply stopped asking because of the lack of access over the decades and the lack of response to answer phone messages. Time, and this Facebook page, should shed some more light on the situation.
Nikki: I 100% support our teachers. IMO our teachers do a fantastic job, they have huge workloads (day & night!) and really do need more recognition and support. We don’t want to see more and more teachers leaving the profession. Our kids need our great teachers to stick around! Cec: Absolutely 100%. Lindsey: Yes yes yes.
Bevin: Totally and utterly. Anyone who criticises the strike obviously has no idea what the education system is like today. Ministry needs to wake the f*** up and take care of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
Megan: Yes, 26 kids in year 2 classes, 6 months wait for speech therapy & teachers need better pay. The should have gone on strike 10 years ago.
Siskas: Yes 100%. Jim: No.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR To submit a letter for possible publication in the Wanaka 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.
THURSDAY 09.08.18 - WEDNESDAY 15.08.18
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