Wānaka Sun

05/07/2024

PAGE 2 | JULY 5
SUN EDITORIAL
I am swimming this month for a good cause and good memories.

Good crew . . . Some of the members of Wa ¯naka Lakes Coastguard at the 2022 opening of their marine rescue centre at Eely Point. PHOTO: MARJORIE COOK

05/07/2024

HEALTH SPREAD | JULY 5
Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Health Minister Dr Shane Reti visited Wanaka last week. While other media hounded Luxon on gangs, crime, boot camps, floods and the performance of other MPs, the Wanaka Sun had them focus on our town’s long-standing, pressing health issues. Are readers happy with the announcements? Click below to read our health spread on pages 5-8, then email a 250 word letter to [email protected].

03/07/2024

A message today from NZTA re Luggate Red Bridge in July.
The Luggate Red Bridge on SH8A will be closed daytimes (9am - 5pm) for two weeks to July 19, following five weeks of wider maintenance during June.
Essential maintenance is needed on the 110-year-old historic bridge in Queenstown Lakes District, using abseilers beneath the deck.
Also, traffic signals are being installed to manage the bridge’s single lane flows and the impact made by heavy vehicles.
Detour routes are available during closure times. Some are different to previous years, says Robert Choveaux, System Manager for NZTA, Lower South Island.
MORE INFO and DETOURS:
Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland/
Facebook Otago & Southland: https://www.facebook.com/nztaos/
Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahi_news
Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

01/07/2024

Wānaka homeowner Sam Smoothy said he woke yesterday morning to find his house surrounded by a rapidly rising flow of silt water.

At least one home was damaged and five other properties threatened by silt water surging from a neighbouring development site in Wānaka. Fire...

30/06/2024

PAGE 6 | JUNE 28
For all the fun of racing in Fiordland, here is an award-winning documentary by Ben Wallbank. The NZ Mountain and Book Festival is now online.

Rewarded for slog . . . Wa ¯naka documentarian Ben Wallbank has won the best documentary award at the NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival.

24/06/2024

Ever wondered about the meaning and stories behind Maori place names in Otago? Listen to Otago Daily Times journalist Ani Ngawhika, author of the ODT's eight-part series on place names, in conversation with Kathryn Ryan of Nine to Noon, Radio NZ today.

Ōtepoti, Taieri and Kaikorai are well known names to people in Dunedin and Otago - but where did they come from and what do they mean?

23/06/2024

PAGE 6 | JUNE 21
"Beyond disappointing'' . . . 43 poisoned poplars have had to be felled. I think autumn will not be the same without the poplars' blaze of colour beside the lake.

Poisoned . . . Poplar trees near the shoreline of Lake Wa ¯naka at Beacon Point, as they appeared last week before they were felled by the QLDC. PHOTOS: REGAN HARRIS

22/06/2024

PAGE 6 | JUNE 21
Fundraising for St John Hato Hone Ambulance Services continues all month. Wanaka-raised woman Abbey Swift is helping front the campaign.

A clear path . . . Wa ¯naka-raised Abbey Swift is now assistant divisional manager for the Green Island Hato Hone St John youth division. PHOTO: HATO HONE

22/06/2024

PAGE 7 | JUNE 21
Many locals will have ridden the Clutha Gold Trail. Here's the story of one man's vision and how he and the community worked together to make it happen.

Riding off . . . Clutha Gold Cycling and Walking Trail initiator and Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust chairman Rod Peirce has retired from the trust after nearly 20 years. PHOTO: JULIE ASHER

22/06/2024

PAGE 4 | JUNE 21
OPINION
Worried about retirement and how to pay for it? Bannockburn economist Bill Kaye-Blake shares his thoughts on one option.

Know your options . . . Reverse mortgages are a loan, usually paid back from the sale of your house. Compunding interest rates need to be taken into account. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

21/06/2024

PAGE 14 | JUNE 21
Santana Minerals is the new sponsor of the Central Otago football league. Go well, teams!

Keen eye . . . Seasonal Solutions Alexandra goalkeeper Massing Kalotang keeps an eye on the game as the team plays Lakes United last Saturday. The teams drew 1-1.

21/06/2024

PAGE 3 | JUNE 1
Outgoing Deer Industry NZ chairwoman Mandy Bell is confident the organisation will continue to make progress.

Deer Industry New Zealand chairwoman Dr Mandy Bell will end her tenure at the end of this month after failing to be reelected to the board.

21/06/2024

PAGE 18 | JUNE 21
FLASHBACK FRIDAY . . . can you pick your place in these photos?

1 The present site of Wanaka was first surveyed in 1863, and settlement increased in Pembroke (the old name for Wanaka) during the 1870s because of timber milling in the Matukituki and Makarora Valleys and the use of Lake Wanaka for transport.

21/06/2024

PAGE 5 | JUNE 21
Perhaps it's time to get better acquainted with rocks . . . Central Otago appears to offer many dream jobs for geologists.

A CANADIAN mining company is launching an aggressive drilling programme in the hopes of finding ‘‘the jewel in the crown’’ in Otago’s resurgent gold sector.

21/06/2024

PAGE 16 | JUNE 21
Here's a chance to fill the town's tables and chairs! Challenge Wanaka is coming home to Ardmore Street and Pembroke Park in February next year.

Joining forces . . . Standing on the shore of Lake Wa ¯naka are (from left) Challenge Wa ¯naka event director Jane Sharman and Gallagher Insurance Southern Lakes manager Sandy MacLeod. PHOTO: REGAN HARRIS

21/06/2024

Page 13 | JUNE 21
Are you ready for some armchair adventures? The NZ Mountain Film Festival kicks off tonight and runs until Tuesday before heading to Queenstown on Wednesday and Thursday. Enjoy. Some tickets are still available. Grab them on the festival website.

Winter specialist . . . Italian climber Simone Moro is in Wa ¯naka for the NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

21/06/2024

PAGE 3 | JUNE 21
This week's diggiest dog is Harry! Have you a top dog you would like to nominate for the Wanaka Sun Dog of the Week? Email your dog's photo, with your name, contact details and a short story about your canine buddy to [email protected].

Renowned for good looks, good nature and endless appetite. Great nose for sniffing out the smallest edible scrap. Especially enjoys headfirst investigations into rabbit burrows and staring matches with the local cats.

20/06/2024

PAGE 2 | JUNE 21
It's the shortest day! Tomorrow, Saturday, everyone is invited to take a fancy dress fresh dip in the lake with local waterskiers and swimmers. This year, they are raising funds for St John Ambulance. See you there - 1pm, Roys Bay!!

ABOUT: Waterski or swim in fancy dress and help raise funds for Wanaka St John. Warm up after your dip with a spa, food and hot drinks. Organised by Wanaka locals Gary Tweedie and Graeme Vallance. All welcome, turn up with a koha/donation.

20/06/2024

PAGE 1 | JUNE 21
Exciting news for Wanaka parents and preschoolers. Aspire Preschool is scheduled to open its door in January.

Getting set up . . . Aspire Preschool head teacher and centre manager Anita Presbury and director Julian Springer are getting the preschool ready to open in January. PHOTO: REGAN HARRIS

16/06/2024

PAGE 18 | JUNE 14
Five-piece swing band Skin & Bone will swing into Wānaka next month with a show at Rhyme and Reason on Saturday, July 13.

On the road . . . Swing band Skin & Bone will perform in Wa ¯naka next month as part of their South Island tour. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

15/06/2024

PAGE 15 | JUNE 14
Catch a glimpse of how much Wānaka has changed in 54 years!

The present site of Wanaka was first surveyed in 1863, and settlement increased in Pembroke (the old name for Wanaka) during the 1870s.

15/06/2024

PAGE 13 | JUNE 14
A ‘‘fairly decent supply of drugs’’ has been removed from circulation following the arrest of a Wānaka man, Senior Sergeant Fiona Roberts says.

A ‘‘fairly decent supply of drugs’’ has been removed from circulation following the arrest of a Wanaka man, Senior Sergeant Fiona Roberts says.

15/06/2024

PAGE 10 | JUNE 14
A big thank you to all of Upper Clutha's amazing volunteers this National Volunteer Week!

Attending the ANZAC Day wreath laying ceremony are Wanaka Lions volunteers Jane Carnachan, Noelene Dickie, Betty George, Lorraine Knowles and Gaye Thompson. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

14/06/2024

PAGE 8 | JUNE 14
The western entrance to Wānaka is now much smoother and safer for road users thanks to the completion of a roundabout at the busy SH84/ SH6 Mt Iron intersection, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

Round about here . . Aerial view of Mt Iron roundabout, now completed. The road towards the commercial development at the bottom is a work in progress. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

14/06/2024

PAGE 6 | JUNE 14
The WoolOn creative fashion event returns to Alexandra in August.

Earnscleugh designer Jane Avery with models wearing the three garments which won Mrs Avery the Woolon Supreme Award, the Collections Category and the People’s Choice Award on both nights of the event last year.

14/06/2024

PAGE 7 | JUNE 14
A Wānaka helicopter crash that killed a pilot and two Department of Conservation staff revealed a relaxed attitude among pilots and operators towards in-flight safety risks, a new report has found.

Nick Wallis (above) and two Department of Conservation staff were killed in a fatal helicopter crash in 2018. PHOTO: ODT FILES & SUPPLIED

14/06/2024

PAGE 5 | JUNE 14
The Aotea Electric Daikin NZ Light Up Winter event will be held at the Anderson Park rose garden this year.

Cromwell and Districts promotion group chairwoman Carolyn Murray said more people attending the event and the Central Otago District Council’s Cromwell water pipeline upgrade meant a new location was needed this year for the festival on August 3 from 4pm-8.30pm.

14/06/2024

PAGE 4 | JUNE 14
Rocket soars in this week's Dog of the Week segment.

If you have a precious pooch you would like to see feature in DOTW, please send your pics and details to [email protected]

13/06/2024

PAGE 9 | JUNE 14
New Zealand’s largest motor caravanning group is challenging the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s freedom camping bylaw in the High Court.

NEW Zealand’s largest motor caravanning group is challenging the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s freedom camping bylaw in the High Court.

13/06/2024

PAGE 1 | JUNE 14
Did you catch a glimpse of the two rescue helicopters landing in (and taking off from) the centre of town on Tuesday? Find out what they were up to in the story below.

Training day . . . Alpine Cliff Rescue team members Mike Roberts and Anthea Fisher attended the mountain rescue workshop.