Wanaka Sun | 03 - 09 September 2020 | Edition 990

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INSIDE THIS WEEK Views: Page 13 Jobs: Page 14 Sport: Page 15

Standing up for the Greens.

PAGE 8

Change is in the air Essential freshwater requirements. thewanakasun.co.nz

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PAGE 7 EDITION 990

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Change is in the wind for farmers

PHOTO: Glen Dene Hunting

Richard Burdon: But we are concerned that some of the objectives of the new bill are not entirely practical when you live in a high country environment.

PHOTO: Andy Woods

The new National Environmental Standards, which have arisen through the Government’s Action for Healthy Waterways work, could change farmers’ lives forever. The new legislation sets out a range of regulations covering stock exclusion from water bodies. It also imposes constraints around managing perceived “at-risk farming practices” – such as winter grazing, land-use change, and new limits for water bodies. Read more on this issue on page 7.

Baby on board: local gives birth on way to hospital Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka local gave birth to her first child out of her car on the way to Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital last Saturday, amid ongoing discussions regarding the lack of primary birthing facilities in Wānaka.

Eleven days overdue, Saskia Hulsbosch and partner Daniel Hopper started the hour-long journey from Hāwea to Alexandra in the early hours of Saturday morning, with their midwife close behind them.

Hulsbosch’s waters broke as they passed through Cromwell, and when it became clear that she was not going to make it to the hospital,

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they pulled over next to the Alexandra gorge.

After twelve minutes of pushing, she gave birth to Lennix Hopper at 7:12 am.

Ambulances had been called from Cromwell and Alexandra to take Hulsbosch and her new baby to Charlotte Jean, in convoy with Hopper in the family’s car, and an ambulance driver in the midwife’s.

“My car’s like a murder scene,” laughed Hulsbosch.

But this memorable entrance into the world could have gone quite differently for Hulsbosch and Lennix, who is not the first Wānaka child to be born en route to a birthing unit.

“We’re super lucky that everything went okay,” Hulsbosch said. “Everything was breezy as, but we’re so lucky. If we had been up the road a tiny

bit, there would have been no phone service.”

“It could have been terrible - for Lennix as well, because he was born in the cold… We had to wrap him up in my dressing gown, which Dan had been holding up his top while I pushed to keep warm.”

“Getting that [primary birthing] facility in Wānaka is so important,” she said. “Next time, it’s going to have to be a home birth for me if there’s no facility in Wānaka.”

The next step in the Southern District Health Board’s public consultation process, a second meeting on the location of primary birthing facilities in Central Otago/Wānaka, will be held on Wednesday, September 9, from 10am at the Wānaka Community Hub.

PHOTO: Supplied

Saskia Hulsbosch and partner Daniel Hopper were en route to Alexandra when she gave birth to Lennix Hopper at 7.12 am.

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Wastewater upgrades for Cardrona a step closer Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Vastly improved wastewater infrastructure is on the way for Cardrona following the appointment of Apex Environmental to design and build the $15m new wastewater treatment plant.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) general manager property and infrastructure Peter Hansby confirmed the appointment, which follows an agreement being finalised between QLDC and the investors of Mount Cardrona Station and the Cardrona Alpine Ski Resort to participate in a new wastewater scheme and treatment plant for the growing community.

“Cardrona has grown considerably in recent years, and while the current COVID-19 situation has slowed the district’s growth, for now, it is projected to continue in the future. We have an opportunity to get ahead of the game and deliver a new solution for wastewater for our existing Cardrona community and to meet future demand,” Hansby said.

“It can be financially challenging to deliver large infrastructure upgrades in tiny communities so we’re pleased to be able to provide a more cost-effective wastewater solution by working collaboratively with local private land investors and commercial stakeholders. It’s a great outcome for the whole community,” he said.

The new treatment plant will cater for wastewater flows arriving from the existing Cardrona Village, Cardrona Alpine Resort and the Mount Cardrona Station residential and visitor accommodation alpine resort zone, with all three parties constructing their network infrastructure to connect to the scheme.

The directors of Mount Cardrona Station, Chris Morton and Andrew Spencer, are delighted to see the project getting underway and are pleased to be partnering with QLDC and the Cardrona Alpine Resort in delivering a long term solution to the Cardrona community.

“The expertise of the lead consultants collaborating with the QLDC Property & Infrastructure team, and the targeted funding from the BNZ Specialised Finance Institutional unit have been critical in the implementation of this project.” More detail on the project plan and consultants involved will be forthcoming over the next twelve months of construction.

Regular updates will be provided to the Cardrona community as the project progresses, including connection costs and how future operating costs might impact residential and commercial rates.

Hansby confirmed that no decision had been made on the QLDC application to the Crown Infrastructure Partners for an $8.1m contribution towards the project through its ‘shovel ready’ fund.

PHOTO: WĀnaka Sun

Peter Hansby: We have an opportunity to get ahead of the game and deliver a new solution for wastewater for our existing Cardrona community and to meet future demand.

ORC to take over maritime responsibilities

PHOTO: Joanna Perry

Goodbye, Lake Aubrey? The Aubrey Road/Mount Ida Place intersection showed no sign of its usual surface flooding after Tuesday night’s heavy rain. Work was completed last month

by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) contractors to dig out several metres of the existing soak pit in an effort to help drain the flooding.

PHOTO: Pinterest

ORC will formally take over all functions, powers, and duties for maritime responsibilities for Lake Dunstan.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

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The Otago Regional Council (ORC) last Wednesday approved the transfer of maritime responsibilities from the Central Otago District Council (CODC) back to ORC, in line with the recommendations of a hearings panel.

CODC also approved the transfer.

The transfer means ORC will formally take over all functions, powers and duties for maritime responsibilities for Lake Dunstan.

ORC Harbourmaster Steve Rushbrook said the transfer would bring benefits for Lake Dunstan water users.

“Firstly, the transfer of responsibilities back to ORC and the updated bylaw will provide for more consistency in navigation rules across the region, particularly across Central Otago.

“The transfer will also mean a greater level of service for Lake Dunstan water users, as the ORC Harbourmasters will provide year-round harbourmaster expertise for the lake, and be

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available 24/7.”

Rushbrook said the next steps were to roll out an implementation plan, ahead of the upcoming summer recreation season.

“We’ve spent a fair bit of time on the lake, getting familiar with the area and the locals. We’ve got an implementation plan that includes changes to signage, building awareness in the community of the rules, and kicking off monitoring and enforcement activities on the water.

“We’re looking forward to having a presence on Lake Dunstan over the summer, and making sure everyone’s safe and well informed of the rules.”

CODC initiated the transfer–reversing the 2006 transfer from ORC to CODC–in August last year, requiring an amendment to ORC’s Navigational Safety Bylaw 2019.

ORC agreed to take back maritime responsibility for Lake Dunstan in February, but a consultation process was required to update ORC’s Navigational Safety Bylaw, before the regional council could formally take up the role.

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Behind the Challenge Wānaka move Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Challenge Wānaka is one of the world's most scenic triathlons, but on July 22 it was announced that the event would have a new home this coming February; the 15th three day festival will be hosted at Glendhu Bay, rather than around the centre of town.

Bill Roxburgh, Race Director said he was “thrilled” to announce the move, but the response from the Wānaka community has been less positive. 69 per cent of 64 polled Wānaka Sun readers said they felt negative about the news, with 16 per cent believing it was “fair enough,” and only 8 per cent responding positively.

Feedback given to Challenge Wānaka has included shared reservations about, among other things, the inconvenience of travelling to Glendhu, the potential loss of business that the famous event usually brings to town, and a lapping bike course replacing the usual cycle to Hāwea.

Challenge Wānaka have defended their decision as “future-proofing” the event, explaining that using existing infrastructure at Bike Glendhu Bike Park and avoiding road closures in town would reduce costs - which was particularly important given that it was unlikely international competitors would be able to participate.

Their team added that parts of the course - in particular the swim - would be safer at Glendhu Bay, which was more sheltered than the current course. “The road from Glendhu Bay to the bottom of Treble Cone Ski Field will be lapped, making for a safe and secure road ride without the dangers of traffic,” they added. The Bike Glendhu Bike Park would host the run.

Finally, event organisers said the change “should be seen as a refresh,” which “might

PHOTO: Challenge Wānaka

Sally Currie: We are all trying our best.

entice people back who have already competed a number of times.”

Sharing her personal observations, Sally Currie - Event Director Junior Challenge Wānaka and wife of endurance athlete Braden Currie - said she suspected that it had been hard to “meet the financial burden of the event on an annual basis for many consecutive years.”

“The event is ultimately owned by a charitable trust [the Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust] and the books are visible to the public. It is a huge undertaking and this can clearly be seen by

anyone who wishes to look further into it.”

She added that, as the popularity of Wānaka has grown, she had noticed increasing animosity towards events held in town - particularly in the busiest months of the year - and believed this could have contributed to the move.

“In many ways, the timing couldn’t be worse,” she acknowledged. “As now more than ever most of our residents and businesses are relying financially on domestic tourism to support their livelihoods, I think there would naturally be a lot more support for the event to stay in the

town centre. But, at the end of the day, it all has to add up.”

Challenge Wānaka thanked those who had responded positively to the change, and said: “We are all trying our best, so if you choose not to participate in 2021 then we just hope that you can keep an open mind and watch out for feedback and content coming out of the 2021 event, which we are confident will show competitors loving racing out in Glendhu Bay.” Full course details are being finalised and will be available soon on: www.challenge-wanaka.com.

Wānaka population set to double in 30 years Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka is set to double its population in the next 30 years, according to the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) population projections published last week.

The projections shed light on average population figures and took into account the effect COVID-19 had – and will continue to have – on the district.

Four different demand projections were considered, all of which were based on the Council’s previous 2018 population projections. They ranged from the same

eventual outcome as proposed in the 2018 projections, to a 30-year delay from the 2018 projections.

While a slowdown in growth over the initial ten years was expected, population figures would increase in the 20-year period that followed.

The estimated population for the Wānaka Ward for 2021 was 13,640, but by 2051 this would have grown to 28,240, with an annual change of 508.

The total number of visitors on a peak day in 2012 was expected to be 19,500; while by 2051 this would have grown to 24,500.

The total number of residents on an average day in 2021 was predicted to be 15,930. The total

number of residents on an average day in 2051 was predicted to be 23,770.

QLDC Chief Executive Mike Theelen said the projections showed any population slowdown would not last into the future.

“While COVID-19 will have a significant impact on our population in the short-term, this doesn’t mean our district’s ongoing development will stop,” Theelen said.

“Both historical and current patterns suggest the district can have continued confidence about its future population. The district has very strong demographic fundamentals, and while the economic and social dislocation as a result of COVID will dampen demand, this

will eventually return. Our modeling expects that ongoing family formation and migration from people across Aotearoa New Zealand and elsewhere who see the district as a great place to live, work, and play will ensure that population trends recover over time.”

While population projections were initially scheduled to be reviewed every six months, delays in the release of the 2018 census data led to them not being reviewed until this year.

Other statistics predicted the number of houses in the Wānaka Ward to rise from 8,530 in 2021 to 15,410 in 2051.

The total rating units were predicted to rise from 10,010 in 2012 to 17,920 in 2051.

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QLDC report on impacts of COVID-19 Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has released a Social Sector Capacity Report regarding the impacts of COVID-19, detailing the growing pressures on social sector services due to increasing community demand.

The report aims to provide a clear view of the Queenstown Lakes district's social sector’s capacity to meet increased levels of demand, along with identifying opportunities to reimagine models of service delivery.

Of the 17 social sector organizations interviewed, 12 respondents (71 per cent) expressed demand for their services had increased, with a further 12 respondents (71 per cent) stating they had reached their capacity to deliver to current demand.

Despite this, QLDC Community Lead, Marie Day said the report found clear evidence of

resilience and hope amongst the district's social sector organizations, with a desire to achieve more by working together despite the demands introduced by COVID-19.

"It's become clear that if all parties, including local government, can work together to address capacity issues, the Queenstown Lakes social sector can achieve a sustainable future," Day said.

"Some of the ways in which we can achieve this is through accessing a greater level of funding, but also through efficiencies, innovation, and collaboration."

Some of that collaboration was highlighted by organizations sharing how a growing number of volunteers had come forward in the wake of COVID-19, with one respondent noting the sector was seeing a realignment of values in which people see the importance of sharing their time and helping.

To read the report, head to www.qldc.govt.nz/ recovery/data-reports.

Queenstown Airport Corporation Limited confirm layoffs Joanna Perry

Queenstown Airport Corporation Limited (QAC) has released its annual results for the financial year ending 30 June 2020 (FY20) last week, and at the same time implemented its business stabilisation plan, including a companywide restructure.

Although the financial year started with a solid performance, the outbreak of the global pandemic in the second half of FY20 and the lockdown period in the fourth quarter presented unprecedented challenges. Extended closedown of Queenstown and Wānaka airports resulted in a 19 percent decrease in passenger movements on previous years.

Total income for the financial year was $46.7 million, representing a decrease of $3.0 million (6 percent) compared to the previous financial year, but profit for the year was $18.0 million, up $1.4 million (8 per cent).

Chief Executive, Colin Keel said that the past few months had been challenging and QAC had “made the extremely difficult decision to undertake a company-wide organisational restructure.

“While we were able to take advantage of the government’s wage subsidy programme and retain all permanent staff to the end of FY20 on higher than the wage subsidy level we have recently farewelled some very dedicated

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PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

The proposed development would create nine freehold "rural-living allotments" and one 19.72ha allotment with shared ownership on the banks of the Hāwea River.

Environment Society slams Hāwea River development Pat Deavoll

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Supplied

QAC Chairperson, Adrienne Young-Cooper added that QAC remained “strong and well positioned” to navigate the uncertainties of the COVID-19 environment.

and talented people who made a significant contribution to QAC and to the community in their time with the airports,” he said.

“The next phase of our response is to ensure that the business is stabilised over the financial year to June 30 2021 by focusing on the wellbeing of our people and underlying business performance, working closely with our airline customers, and supporting the recovery of the district and its communities.”

QAC Chairperson, Adrienne Young-Cooper added that QAC remained “strong and well positioned” to navigate the uncertainties of the COVID-19 environment.

“One of the silver linings that ripples right through QAC and the wider community is the opportunity this gives us to reset our future, be innovative, collaborative and considered,” she said.

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The Upper Clutha Environmental Society has opposed a development to create nine solarpowered house lots at Camp Hill, next to the Hāwea River between Albert Town and Lake Hāwea.

Former All Black captain Richie McCaw’s company Romeo Mike Investments Ltd owns one-quarter of Camp Hill Rd Ltd, the company that has applied for consent to subdivide the 44.22ha of rural general land.

Multisport athlete Braden Currie and his wife Sally are also shareholders, with one-quarter of the company.

The application described the land as mostly "unkempt" and previously used for forestry.

The development would create nine freeholds "rural-living allotments" and one 19.72ha allotment with shared ownership.

The large allotment would have a 240sq m, 30kW solar photovoltaic array, charging a centralized battery bank, and a back-up diesel generator.

It is understood the development would contain Otago’s first "micro-grid" electricity system not reliant on the national grid or lines company Aurora Energy. The company submitted an off-grid independent model that was considered "the most reliable and sustainable electrical solution".

"The proposal ... offers an ideal opportunity

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to develop and present an exemplar community development that would demonstrate total energy independence, self-sufficiency, and best practice building efficiencies,” the company said.

In its written submission, the Society said the Environment Court had shown concern at the cumulative effects of development in the Upper Clutha’s rural landscape.

“The Society stands by its submission (March 2020) that the actual, potential and cumulative effects of the proposal on natural resources will be significant and adverse because of the visual effects, amenity effects, effects on natural landscape values and cumulative effects of an additional nine rural living complexes and six sheds will be significant and adverse.”

It added that the council was in the process of addressing the issue through its district plan review.

"It is difficult to see how consent can be granted to random subdivisions such as the one proposed while the process of correcting the fundamental weakness of the district plan provisions ... is in train," the Society said.

Council senior planner Sarah Gathercole recommended the application be refused because the adverse effects on the rural landscape would be more than minor and inappropriate.

The company’s application was heard by Queenstown Lakes District Council independent commissioners Jane Taylor and Jane Sinclair, in Wānaka last week.

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Sky’s the limit for environment champ Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

For Melanie Heather, Otago Regional Council (ORC) Senior Environmental Officer who lives in Cardrona, knowing her work is having a positive impact on protecting the natural environment is what gets her out of bed every day.

“My official role is Senior Environmental Officer in the compliance team – and when I tell people that, it sounds like I go around with a big stick. It’s not the case at all,” Melanie says.

“I work with such an array of people within our community to educate, coach, and find solutions with them to comply with rules that protect our environment. It can be a slow process, but it’s very satisfying when you’ve experienced success.

“It’s the most rewarding work you can do.

When I go to work, I’m doing it for my neighbors, my friends, my community, for my hobbies. My role at ORC means there’s no middle person, and I have a direct positive impact.”

Armed with a degree in environmental science and having implemented a significant water catchment management policy in the European Union, it was the great outdoors that drew Melanie to immigrate to New Zealand from the

PHOTO: Supplied

Heather paragliding from Sugarloaf Saddle, August 2020.

emerald isle 14 years ago.

“I traveled around New Zealand for a year, but living and working in the Southern Lakes District is my dream,” she says. “We bought our home in Cardrona six years ago, and we love the community there; everyone is very happy, helpful, and friendly. I like how it’s semi-rural. I love where I live.”

Despite living on the doorstep of Cardrona Ski Resort, Melanie is not an avid skier. Still, no one can suggest she doesn’t make the most of the district’s natural playground with paragliding, pack-rafting, and hiking all everyday activities, sometimes even together.

“A couple of weeks ago we hiked Sugarloaf Pass, paraglided down into the Dart River and pack-rafted out to the Dart Bridge. It was great craic (fun).”

Troubling times with tahr Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Game Animal Council welcomed greater involvement in the implementation of the 202021 Tahr Control Operational Plan outside Aoraki/ Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks and said it would engage constructively with DOC to balance conservation values with sensible game animal management.

However, the Council remained concerned that the decision to go ahead with the full allocation of helicopter control hours combined with a target of no tahr in the national parks was based on short-term population targets rather than longer-term management objectives.

“The current plan not only negatively impacts hunting, particularly in our national parks but may not have the longer-term environmental benefits that could be achieved by taking a more nuanced approach to management,” said Game Animal Council General Manager Tim Gale.

Analysis of the 2020-21 Plan, detailed suggestions for effective long-term management, and an examination of each management unit was explicitly set out in the Game Animal Council’s submission.

“Strictly, the National Parks Act and the Himalayan Tahr Control Plan (HTCP) enable the removal of bulls from Aoraki/Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks. However, from both an environmental and hunting perspective, there is a minimal advantage in doing so.”

“Shooting a bull or a nanny has a very different impact on the future number of tahr. Removing a nanny effectively reduces the population by much more than one animal and has a significant impact on future herd numbers. Shooting mature bulls, on the other hand, has minimal long-term benefits as tahr are highly polygynous animals,” Gale said.

The NZ Tahr Foundation was also disappointed at DOC’s decision to press ahead with the majority of the 2020-21 Tahr Control Operational Plan and was also expressing concern over the integrity of DOC’s decision-making process.

“It’s unfortunate as there’s so much common ground between stakeholders with 90 per cent of the recent submissions all on the same page. The opportunity existed for us all to work together and end the ongoing conflict, yet DOC has

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continued to play divide and conquer, ”said Tahr Foundation spokesman Willie Duley.

“DOC’s revised control plan is, for the most part, the same as their original plan, the same amount of culling hours, still targeting eradication in National Parks, not science-based and still ignoring critical parts of the Himalayan Tahr Control Plan 1993 which sets out how tahr should be properly managed.

“The Tahr Foundation’s submission contends that the Department’s determination to eradicate tahr from Aoraki/Mt Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks is a needless waste for very little environmental gain.”

Gale said time spent culling mature bulls in national parks was an inefficient use of resources and caused needless aggravation of the hunting sector. If it also reduced the number of nannies controlled in higher density areas, then that is counterproductive and an environmental opportunity lost.

“If the Game Animal Council was accorded greater involvement in the initial development of the Plan a better result could have been achieved for both the perpetual protection of alpine vegetation and the preservation of a sustainable tahr resource,” Gale said.

“As our submission points out, a much more adaptive management approach should be adopted that includes highly targeted control work, ongoing monitoring, and flexible adaptation using up-to-date data.”

Duley said when it comes to the integrity of the consultation process, the Tahr Foundation has been concerned with the public comments made by the Department during this consultation.

“Hunting sector submitters played by the rules and refrained from public commentary, as requested by the Department,” said Duley. “Yet DOC, despite being the decisionmaker, has gone public several times, and even dared to do so the morning of the decision with an opinion piece published in The Spinoff.

“We demand that DOC now partner with the Game Animal Council to take a sensible approach to management outside national parks and that all future direction is based on a phased approach using sound science and proper consultation.

“After being largely ignored by DOC throughout this consultation process, we will have to have a long hard look at the hunting sector’s relationship with the department going forward,” said Duley.

NEWS IN BRIEF Poetry slam regional series to start this month Poets from Otago and the Southern Lakes are invited to share their craft for the chance to perform at the NZ Poetry Slam national finals in Christchurch.

Heats will be held in Queenstown, Cromwell and Wānaka, with the final at the festival in Bannockburn. Entry is free, and all are welcome to come perform and to watch.

The Wānaka event will take place at Rhyme and Reason on 28 September.

Having difficult conversations with youth Presenter Richie Hardcore is coming to town to share his insights on approaching conversations around consent, sexuality, and pornography.

Hardcore has spoken across Australasia, making these topics easier to approach with youth with humour and a comfortable atmosphere.

His presentation is aimed at parents, health promoters, and educators, with a focus on communicating critical analysis of unhealthy stigmas surrounding these topics. Surveys conducted by the Wānaka Alcohol Group have revealed that current parents of young people in the Upper Clutha are concerned about their teens’ encounters with alcohol, sex, and pornography. The presentation will take place on Tuesday15 September, From 7pm-8:45pm at the Lake Wānaka Centre. Tickets are $10.00 and are available at Eventfinda.

Albert Town bridge flood damage repair begins Flood damage to the rock work that supports the bank and the pathway upstream of the Albert Town bridge will be repaired in the coming months. The damage occurred in the December 2019 flood and was further damaged this February this year with high river flows. “It’s a complex project that involves repairs in the flowing river,” said ORC’s manager engineering, Michelle Mifflin, “We are taking a ‘do it once and do it well’ approach so the bank can perform well in future high flow events, and we don’t have to repeatedly close and repair the bank and pathway below it for years to come following high flow events.”

Orbus Dunedin network launches Bee Cards Passengers of Orbus in Dunedin are now able to use their Bee Cards. 57,000 cards have been activated already. The new flat fare rate is $2.00 for adults and $1.20 for children with a Bee Card. “Bus travel will be much smarter and easier for passengers with a Bee Card. The Bee Card is a tag-on tag-off system, meaning no interaction is required with the driver, and registering the card allows for online top-ups

and card management,” said Kate Wilson, “It’s terrific for Otago to join the other regions already using the Bee Card, including Northland, Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Invercargill and others. The Bee Card will work across public transport in all participating regions once the roll-out is complete.”

Upper Clutha Lions make lily bulb catalogue available Orders are now being taken for the Lion’s Oriental Lily and Freesia bulbs. The eleven varieties of lilies and blue and gold freesia bulbs are grown by an international lily grower at Rakaia, so the large bulbs grow well in the Upper Clutha climate. To receive a catalogue email harveyotatara@xtra.co.nz or phone 0274359988. Orders close September 9.

Parliament anti-vaping bill receives royal assent The government’s latest bill which bans vape advertising was signed by the Governor General last month, and will come into effect in November. The bill is a response to the surge in e-cigarette and vape use in recent years, particularly among young people. Part one of the bill prohibits use of vape products in already designated anti-smoking areas (schools, indoor workplaces, early education centres, etc). Part two places restrictions on the marketing of vaping products to minors, and restrictions on discounts and rewards schemes in the marketing and distributing of these products.

Public meeting of SDHB to discuss location of private birthing facilities The Southern District Health Board, with the support of the Central Lakes Locality Network is inviting members of the Central Otago and Wānaka communities to a second Public Meeting on the location of primary birthing facilities. The meeting will be held on Wednesday September 9, from 10am, at Wānaka Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street, Wānaka, and is the next step in public consultation. RSVP to maternity@ southerndhb.govt.nz by September 7. The meeting will also be live streamed on Zoom: https://zoom. us/j/93530209977 Passcode: 901303 Ordinary meeting of QLDC to take place An ordinary meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council will take place on Thursday, September 3 2020 in the Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown beginning at 1.00pm. Note that the meeting will be partially conducted via Zoom, with Councillors attending remotely due to the COVID-19 physical distancing provisions.

The public are welcomed to share a statement in the public forum and must contact the QLDC office beforehand.

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Sun SnowSport

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Comfortable? Obsidian 28 days of skiing winners announced and $2,500 raised

PHOTO: Supplied

Lochie has become quite the Cardrona celebrity, meeting General Manager Bridget Legnavsky, olympic skier Nico Porteous, and befriending Cardrona staff across the mountain.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Supplied

Nice Porteous: “We’re in an individual sport, and so for Winter Games to do an event like this where we did compete as a team and have teammates was really cool.”

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Team Wells were named champions of the Winter Games NZ Obsidian 2020 on Friday, August 28 after a tight race which came down to the wire.

The three teams were evenly matched throughout, with Team Wells ending the competition just 20 points ahead of Team Kuzma and Team Smoothy, both tied on 500 points each.

Team Kuzma took second place after winning the Obsidian Overall Edit videography competition, the final stage of the event which was made up of a freeride challenge, two park sessions and a mountain shred day, in which each team of athletes and videographers was sent to a different ski resort to develop content for their video edit.

Winning team captain Jossi Wells led his team from the sidelines after he broke his wrist on the first challenge of the competition, an “ironic” accident given the team’s video edit theme, ‘comfortable’.

“From the very beginning, I worked super hard with Tim Pierce from Two Bearded Men on the concept of the overall video and we landed on the comfortable theme,” said Wells. “Then we jump into the first day of competition, and I get smoked.”

In the end, very little about this event, or Team Wells’ victory, was comfortable.

PAINTBALL PAINTBALL CENTRAL CENTRAL CROMWELL

Olympic gold medallist Nico Porteous told the Wānaka Sun that the team “definitely came from behind,” playing their joker card on their mountain shred day at Coronet Peak which enabled them to win double points and brought them from last place to joint first ahead of the video edit scoring.

Reflecting on the seven-minute movie, in which Porteous talks openly about his past experiences with fear and panic attacks whilst competing, he said that the freeride day - in which competitors were taken to a previously unseen heli-ski location, and had to choose a line to ski down - was a particularly unnerving experience.

“That’s something I’ve never done before, and so I was really out of my comfort zone,” he said. “It was an interesting experience, but I was definitely pretty scared that day.”

Obsidian was also Porteous’ first time participating in a big air event, which saw him perform tricks he’d only ever done twice before to be named the Men’s Freeski Big Air Champion.

With its ups and downs, Porteous said Obsidian turned out to be “a really amazing event.”

“I can’t say there’s any event like this in the world,” said Porteous. “We’re in an individual sport, and so for Winter Games to do an event like this where we do compete in a team and have teammates was really cool.”

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He’s up to 78,531 vertical metres, 421 runs down the slopes, and almost $2,500 raised.

Six-year-old Lochie Win, from Cromwell, is skiing at Cardrona for 40 days this winter to raise money for the Cancer Society after his mum underwent treatment two years ago.

He’s now 28 days into his 40 day challenge.

Dad Luke Win said Lochie was doing really well despite poor weather last weekend. “It was very weird not being up at Cardrona this weekend as we have been there every weekend since opening day,” he said.

Lochie has become quite the Cardrona celebrity, meeting General Manager Bridget Legnavsky, olympic skier Nico Porteous, and befriending Cardrona staff across the mountain.

“The people he has met along the way just keep growing the support that people have

been giving him, it is just awesome,” said Win. “A few weeks ago, Lochie saw a man in his late 40s who had crashed. I saw Lochie heading his way, followed and was just within earshot when I heard Lochie ask if he was okay. He replied ‘yes’, then Lochie said, ‘do you need me to call your mum?’”

“He said, ‘no thanks, I don’t need my mum.’

Lochie looked at me and said, ‘he doesn’t need his mum. Okay, let’s keep moving.’ It was funny.”

Cancer Society Marketing and Fundraising Manager, Jonet Warhurst, said: “Lochie's drive and passion will help the Cancer Society support more people, like his mum, that are living with cancer.

We would like to thank Lochie for his dedication to making the world a better place and wish him all the best for finishing his 40 day challenge.”

After some much-needed snowfall this week, stay tuned as Lochie gets his last 12 days in, and head to: www.givealittle.co.nz/ f u n d ra i s e r / l o c h i e s - 4 0 - d ay s - s k i i ng - f o rcardronas-40th-to-raise to support his campaign.

SNOW BOARDING COLUMN

Cross-training?

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

After four trips up the mountain last week, mother nature successfully trampled my snowboarding streak with strong winds which closed Cardrona at the weekend. On Sunday, I decided some indoor cross-training was in order to keep my strength up - and since I’ve accidentally let my gym membership expire, I gave indoor climbing a go.

Apparently, cross-training is designed to work more muscle groups, improve agility, and make it easier to participate in one’s chosen sport. Points two and three are a bit of a waitand-see, but since I could barely pick up a fork the next day because my forearms and fingers were so sore, I’d say I definitely worked muscle groups that no amount of snowboarding could ever touch.

But being fairly uncoordinated, this new discipline was also very much a mental exercise for me. Highlights of the day included getting stuck at the top of a bouldering wall because of a refusal to jump off onto the mat below, almost dropping my boyfriend whilst belaying,

THURSDAY 03.09.20 - WEDNESDAY 09.09.20

PHOTO: Pixabay

Cross-training could be good for the mind’s strength and agility as well as the body’s.

and frequently whining to be let down a metre from the top of a climb because “I can’t do it.”

I emerged sweaty, blistered, and in dire need of a burger, but also pretty pleased with myself.

Because - after I got all the whining out of my system and actually focused - it turns out I could do it. It took patience, perseverance and a fair amount of falling, just like my snowboarding has.

I probably won’t notice a difference in my leg strength when I get back on the snow, but I might have a bit more patience with myself, and a bit more confidence in my own ability to figure it out. Maybe the definition needs to be updated; cross-training could be good for the mind’s strength and agility as well as the body’s.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

thewanakasun.co.nz

Sun Feature

Farmers see new regulations as ‘testing’

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Kim Reilly: Take the example of intensive winter grazing of livestock. Whether it is cows, sheep, or alpacas, if farmers feed them on winter crops; they will now need psychic abilities to know what the weather will be like the following winter and spring.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Farmers nationwide are viewing the Government’s new essential freshwater requirements, which came into force yesterday, with “trepidation” and Otago farmers are no exception.

The new legislation sets out a range of regulations covering stock exclusion from water bodies. It also imposes constraints around managing perceived “at-risk farming practices” – such as winter grazing, land-use change, and new limits for water bodies.

The new rules will be implemented by both the Central Government and Regional Councils.

Wānaka high country farmer and Catchment Group member Richard Burdon says: “Freshwater is essential for all of us, and it is something we have been working within the catchment groups we have formed in the last year to try and understand better.

“Now is an interesting time; we want to carry on farming productively and sustainably. We’re all keen to manage our land for the next generation and leave it in a healthier state than we inherited it.

“But we are concerned that some of the objectives of the new bill are not entirely practical when you live in a high country environment,” Burdon says.

“The whole water issue is quite complicatedit's about understanding what affects our water quality, winter grazing, how we farm.

“We are as keen as everyone else to get there, and some of the results that are coming through are heartening- our water quality in the area is excellent.”

Kim Reilly, Federated Farmers South Island Regional Policy Manager, and Otago farmer says farmers have spent large amounts of money on reducing their environmental impact over the past few years, and it’s an investment they’re happy to make. But they aren’t pleased to now divert that time, money, and resources away from making ongoing environmental improvements that do work, and instead pass these to lawyers, planners, and consultants.

“Take the example of intensive winter grazing of livestock. Whether it is cows, sheep, or alpacas, if farmers feed them on winter crops; they will now need psychic abilities to know what the weather will be like the following winter and spring.”

The Otago Regional Council (ORC) conducts annual winter flyovers to monitor the effects of land use on Otago streams, waterways, and wetlands from the skies.

Flights took place this year over two days in July and covered the whole region.

ORC regulatory general manager Richard Saunders says the results were encouraging,

THE WĀNAKA SUN

with room for improvement around some farms’ winter grazing practices.

“Our compliance team saw positive changes from the air, and generally good compliance with our current water plan rules, which is fantastic.

“Staff identified nine properties to follow-up on the ground, with issues related to mobilized sediment and in some cases a lack of effective measures to keep sediment from entering nearby waterways.”

However, Saunders says a lot of the winter grazing practices that were permitted this season will be non-compliant or require a resource consent in 2021.

“The new National Environmental Standards, which have arisen through the Government’s Action for Healthy Waterways work, will tighten the restrictions around intensive winter grazing in the future.

“These rules will impact a lot of Otago farmers, and they impact ORC as the consenting authority. We’re keen to work alongside farmers, organizations, and catchment groups to help interpret and understand the rules, and to give practical advice for complying with them.”

Both Beef+Lamb NZ and Federated Farmers said, in a press release earlier this month, that they have been working with the Government over the last year, when the new regulations were first proposed, in an effort to get more workable solutions.

“While the outcome is far from perfect, we did achieve improvements on what was originally proposed in areas like grandparenting (where the freshwater module to the farm plan was removed and narrowing the limitations on land-use change) and improved rules around stock exclusion.”

These rules “are broad-ranging and will impact almost every farm business,” they said.

“These will be especially important for farmers who farm on lower slope properties, have feed pads or other stock holding areas, want to intensify their land uses, graze stock over winter on forage crops (particularly on slopes), or apply significant amounts of nitrogen fertiliser.

“This includes a strong focus on developing farm plan templates, guidance, and implementation processes.”

Both organizations said there were still areas where they had significant issues. These included the stringent permitted activity standards for winter cropping and grazing; and the accuracy of the national-scale map which identified the parts of a farm that required stock exclusion, or not, from rivers or lakes.

“This was going to be entirely unworkable for Southland farmers, and many others around the country during cold, wet winters,” Feds’ water spokesperson Chris Allen says.

PHOTO: Alamy

A lot of the winter grazing practices that were permitted this season would be non-compliant or require a resource consent in 2021.

“The statement that we all want to leave the land and water better than when we found it is not lost on Federated Farmers and its members.

It’s the mantra we all live by.

“Our concerns are not just over one single aspect of the direction or trajectory of the new regulations, but the fact that the new direction is complicated, not clear, and poorly defined.

“As drafted many farmers will end up being unable to comply, an outcome we are sure is not the government’s intent,” Allen says.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw says the new regulations, part of the Government’s commitment to clean up waterways, were the

strongest protections a government has ever put in place for waterways.

He called the new policies “clear, robust and enforceable.”

However Southland Federated Farmers president Geoffrey Young has called on farmers to boycott some of the new rules, which he says are “unworkable”.

Some Southland farmers were threatening to ignore the new requirement to get resource consents for using winter grazing, he says.

So where now for farmers? If you have an opinion on this we would love you to put it down in a Letter to the Editor.

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THURSDAY 03.09.20 - WEDNESDAY 09.09.20

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PAGE 7

Sun Electoral Candidate

thewanakasun.co.nz

Doctor, full-time dad, now Green’s candidate

Sampsa Kiuru: Sustainability, ecology and a fair and equal society have always been fundamental to me.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTOS: supplied

The Kiuru family enjoying the outdoors: From left to right: Elli, Sampsa with Onni on his shoulders, Elina and Oiva.

Reminder to all deemed permit holders If you have a “deemed permit” (a historic water take right), it will expire on 1 October 2021.

If you want to continue taking water after 1 October 2021, you will need to lodge a resource consent application (and have it accepted as complete

by ORC), ideally by 1 April 2021, but by 1 July 2021 at the latest.

Private Bag 1954, Dunedin 9054 0800 474 082 orc.govt.nz/deemedpermits

PAGE 8

Between now and the election, the Wānaka Sun will be interviewing the five Waitaki electoral candidates. So far, we have interviewed Sean Beamish (ACT), Jacqui Dean (National), and Liam Wairepo (Labour). This week we interview Dr Sampa Kiuru, who is standing for the Green Party.

Full-time dad and part-time medical doctor Sampa Kiuru is the Green Party candidate for the Waitaki Electorate.

Originally from Finland (Sampsa Kiuru is an unusual Finnish name he claims), he has been in New Zealand for 20 years.

I came here for a six-month stint, and it just felt right, so I stayed, he says.

"I studied in the States – did my medical education there. But the US was so focused on money, and there is more to life than money. I liked the pace of life in NZ; I liked the ruralness. I liked the people. I liked the outdoors.

"I was never even contemplating Australia or America to settle down- they didn't feel right."

Kiuru is a doctor at Dunstan Hospital, initially practicing emergency medicine, but in the last seven years, he has been a rural medicine specialist.

"I worked all over New Zealand, but 13 years ago bought a piece of land in Clyde," he says, "and then built a house.

"It has been a slow long term project, but my wife, who is also a doctor, and our three children have been living there for seven years. Our children are between two and nine years.

"We live in an eco-home. We live very sustainably. It was the right thing for me to do."

So what made you want to stand for the Green Party?

In 20 years, I didn't want to sit around the table with my kids and have them say, Dad, you could have done more, he says.

"I have belonged to the Green Party since I arrived in New Zealand.

"My interest in green ecology started when I was in Finland. I've always been a green person.

Sustainability, ecology, and a fair and equal society have always been fundamental to me.I brought the ideology with me to New Zealand.

"New Zealand is still a great country to live, and I think those core values are part of New Zealand, and that's one of the reasons why I felt attracted to stay.

"More so than Finland? Finland – it is very similar- I don't think there is too much difference between the philosophies of the two countries."

What ideologies are you campaigning on?

"I think we need to address climate change first and foremost. Then the other thing is our natural environment- I think we need to do more to protect our biodiversity.

THURSDAY 03.09.20 - WEDNESDAY 09.09.20

"And the last thing is- I have the best job in the world serving the rural community, and we have beautiful rural communities. I think in the long term in about 20 years; the Green Party will offer the best livable situations for our rural communities.

"I am very involved in rural communities, and I think the Green Party is the best for them.

Why do you think this?

"Good schools, good communities,”] and good infrastructure.

"The Green Party believes that all of society should be fair and equal; therefore, the rural community should have the same health services as everyone else.

"The mantra that I get frustrated with is that of cutting taxes and services. By us collectively paying taxes provides good rural health services, "We can do so much better in the rural health services that we provide. Putting money into the public and providing rural communities with good schools is how we are going to keep people in the rural community."

What are my other strong campaigning issues?

"I'm a big fan of free school lunches- l love cooking- I cook regularly at Clyde School. We make beautiful food in New Zealand, and we should be celebrating it and having nutritious school lunches."

What do you think is lacking in rural medicine?

"I think one big thing is awareness at the level of decision making. The decisions are all made from an urban focus. Rural gets easily forgotten.

And we don't have rural representation on the tables where these decisions are made.

"I have always advocated that we need rural input when making decisions on health services in country districts. In general, this means for Waitaki district hospitals and rural GP practices.

Why did you want to stand? Have you thought about this before?

"I have thought about this before.

"Sue Coutts was the Green Party candidate six and nine years ago. She was a dedicated Green candidate, really cared about Wastebusters, and doing a good job. I respected her efforts.

"And the three years ago we did have a local candidate, but he moved to Wellington. I felt we needed a local voice, and I feel passionate about this."

What do you expect to get out of it?

"I want the Greens to form the government, but first of all, we need to get the five per cent.

My job is to convince people that by voting Green in Waitaki, you are providing for a positive, sustainable future."

What is your campaign program?

"I'm a full-time dad and doctor, so I'm not campaigning per se, but I'm attending all the events I can and trying to go to meet all the candidates around Waitaki."

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun Bee-Aware Month

thewanakasun.co.nz

‘Bee a Hero’ this September Plants that bring all the bees to the yard protein content of any for Bee Aware Month Pat Deavoll plant studied by Trees editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

New Zealand’s bees and beekeepers are calling on Kiwis to ‘Bee a Hero’ this September, as the country celebrates Bee Aware Month.

Bee Aware Month is an annual educational campaign organised by Apiculture New Zealand and supported by bee lovers across New Zealand.

Apiculture New Zealand CEO Karin Kos explains there are two key goals of the campaign. “We want to lift awareness of the critical importance of bees to New Zealand’s environment, food chain and economy, and teach Kiwis some simple actions that everyone can take to improve bee health.”

Kos said green-fingered Kiwis could help bees by growing bee-friendly plants in their gardens, while non-gardeners can also do their bit. “Mowing your lawns less often is a one really simple thing that can make a difference for bees.

Weeds like clover and dandelions are a great food for bees.”

Kos also encourages Kiwis to support the everyday bee heroes: our beekeepers. “Since the advent of varroa, beekeepers’ have become essential to the survival of honey bees. Our beekeepers work hard to care for and protect our bees. Buying local honey, especially some of our beautiful native varieties like rewarewa or kāmahi, or other bee products is a great way to back our beekeepers and their bees,” she said.

Another important thing everyone can do is to take care with garden sprays. Kos recommends either avoiding garden sprays, selecting beefriendly products or following the safe spray rules. “Spray only in the early morning and evening when bees are less active; never spray

Honey bee on mānuka.

PHOTO: New Zealand Story

when flowers are in bloom and always read instructions carefully before spraying,” she said.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is a crucial supporter of Bee Aware Month. EPA sets the rules around when, how and where insecticides can be used. The EPA’s acting General Manager of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms group, Clark Ehlers, said, “Insecticides play an important role in food production, but some are harmful to pollinators, such as moths, birds and bees.

Bee Aware Month is a great time for people to ensure they’re following label instructions when using chemicals or using alternative pest control methods, to keep our pollinators safe.”

Throughout Bee Aware Month, Apiculture New Zealand and its supporters and sponsors will be sharing bee facts, running competitions and, where possible, organising community events. New Zealanders can find out more by visiting www.beeawarenz.co.nz and following the Bee Aware Month Facebook and Instagram pages.

For bees, some plants are really worth buzzing about and others, not so much.

Unsurprisingly, the best bee plants produce lots of pollen and nectar and make these rewards easily accessible to pollinators. Plants that flower in autumn and early spring are also bee favourites as they supply nectar and pollen when little else is available.

The Trees for Bees NZ team has been working for the last 10 years to identify what plants are best for our bees. Trees for Bees has produced regional, seasonal, urban and rural guides on what to plant for bees which are all available on its website (www.treesforbeesnz.org). Trees for Bees has identified some real star performers – those plants which have ‘a buzz’ about them, literally.

The first of these is rosemary, beloved by bees as it is almost always in flower, especially in spring and autumn. Rosemary flowers are conveniently shaped for easy bee access with petals forming two ‘lips’. The lower lip makes a perfect bee landing platform that the bee can hang onto while reaching inside to drink nectar. Trees for Bees notes that most Mediterranean herb plants, like rosemary, oregano and thyme, are excellent sources of nectar.

Pip fruit trees like apples, pears and quince produce masses of flowers filled with proteinpacked pollen and plentiful nectar. The flowers of these trees have a bee-friendly ‘open dish’ shape, so bees can fly right in and get what they are looking for. Some plants have large ‘open dish’ flowers called super-bowl flowers including peonies, some camellias, and magnolias.

New Zealand flax (harakeke, korari and wharariki) produce pollen with the highest

for Bees so far. Flax has a tubular flower, but it makes the pollen readily available to bees, by sticking its pollen-bearing anthers out beyond its petals.

Flax flowers also make PHOTO: Jody Mitchell lots of nectar which Honey bee on red clover. is loved by birds, bumblebees, honey bees and native bees. Honey bees can reach this nectar if the tubular flower is ‘full’, but as the nectar level decreases, they sometimes can siphon nectar from between petals at the bottom of the tube. Other native plants loved by bees include cabbage trees, hebes and rengarenga.

Two species of lacebark (Hoheria populnea and H. sexstylosa) produce lots of pollen and nectar in autumn, a time when little else is available.

These plants have an abundance of ‘open dish’ star-shaped flowers which are perfectly suited to forage bees.

Five finger (whauwhaupaku) flowers from midwinter to early spring. The male trees have only male flowers offering both pollen and nectar to bees, and the female trees have female flowers producing nectar only. Female flowers have no petals, and when they exude nectar, they look like tiny toffee apples, a tasty treat for all nectar-loving garden dwellers especially birds that lick up the nectar.

For non-gardeners, there is an easy option to help our bees. Bees love weeds like clover and dandelions and while it’s never a good idea to plant pests, letting the weeds on your lawn flower from time to time will make your bees happy (and give you a break).

Honey – the sweetest taste of New Zealand Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Sourced from the nectar of flowering plants in our gardens, pastures and native bush, New Zealand honey is the sweetest way to taste our homeland.

While most Kiwis know about mānuka, the global superstar of New Zealand honeys, there are many other beautiful honey varieties produced by our industrious bees and their beekeepers.

Honeys like rātā, kāmahi, tāwari, rewarewa and pōhutukawa are made from our native trees and are unique to New Zealand.

These varieties have specific flavour profiles, some are lighter, sweeter honeys while others are darker and more bitter tasting. These different honeys can all be enjoyed on toast, or in hot drinks, however they are much more versatile than that. Foodies are increasingly experimenting with New Zealand honeys to create exciting, new dishes and taste combinations.

Kāmahi has a rich, sweet taste with a buttery finish and works well as a base for sweet sauces or as a sweetener in spicy dishes. Tāwari is one of the sweetest honeys and has been compared to golden syrup. It works well as a topping for pancakes or ice cream. Rewarewa, made from New Zealand’s honeysuckle plant, has a malty flavour which makes it an ideal addition to a savoury grazing platter downed with a couple of beers.

New Zealand bees also produce beautiful thyme and clover honeys. While these varieties are also found overseas, they are very much influenced by the climate, soil and other floral sources of New Zealand. Thyme honey has a distinctive herbal taste and works well drizzled over roasted vegetables or in vinaigrettes.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

PHOTO: New Zealand Story

Honey makes a sweet contrast on a cheese board.

Creamed clover honey is a much-loved family favourite thanks to its fudge-like consistency and mild taste. Creamed honey, while very popular in New Zealand is less known overseas where consumers are more familiar with liquid honeys.

Honey, much like wine, tells the story of where it comes from. Its taste is influenced by weather, soil and local flora, which means that your local honey will taste of home. One of the most satisfying ways to try new honeys, is to find a bush blend or multifloral honey produced by a local beekeeper.

Bush blends are a combination of all the floral sources in a particular region and will change from season to season. There could be a dominant floral source in the bush blend, or it could be an equal mix of whatever the bees have found.

Honey is an ancient food, but it is constantly being rediscovered by foodies and used in new and interesting ways. In New Zealand, we have a wide array of honey varieties to taste and experiment with. So when thinking about what you want on your toast, why not try a local bush blend honey or when considering how to refresh a favourite recipe, why not try a native honey for a sweet new twist.

Wanaka Sun Gynaecologist Ben Sharp will regularly be working from Wanaka Lakes Health Centre from mid-August 2020.

To book an appointment, talk to your GP or simply call Oxford Women’s Health on 03 379 0555.

Ben provides expert advice and treatment for a wide range of women’s health issues including pelvic pain, endometriosis, pain during sex, urinary incontinence and heavy periods.

Gynaecologist Ben Sharp will regularly be working from Wanaka Lakes Health Centre from mid-August 2020.

Ben provides expert advice and treatment for a wide range of women’s health issues including pelvic pain, endometriosis, pain during sex, urinary incontinence and heavy periods.

To book an appointment, talk to your GP or simply call Oxford Women’s Health on 03 379 0555.

THURSDAY 03.09.20 - WEDNESDAY 09.09.20

oxfordwomenshealth.co.nz

PAGE 9

Sun Community

Exciting changes for Wānaka Playgroup

thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Pixabay

"It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop” Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

What do our students need?

PHOTO: Supplied

Recent renovations to the kitchen area and inside space have also been completed - including a new layout, carpet and a fresh coat of paint.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The non-profit early childhood facility Wānaka Playgroup has welcomed a new coordinator and completed renovations of their space at the Wānaka Squash Club on Stone Street.

Hokimoana De Goldi took on the role at the start of this term, replacing Gillian Robinson after six years as coordinator.

De Goldi said she, her partner and two girls (2 and 5) moved from Christchurch to Hāwea two days before Alert Level 4 lockdown began at the end of March because they “loved wide open space.”

“For the past ten years, I have been working in early childhood centres,” De Goldi said.

“I am really looking forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with Playgroup.”

Recent renovations to the kitchen area and inside space have also been completed - including a new layout, carpet and a fresh coat of paint.

Committee member Jane Sharman said the changes had “really uplifted the space and made it very inviting.”

“With the wonderful weather of late, we are also enjoying making the most of our fantastic large outdoor playground, and the children are having lots of fun on the new equipment purchased recently,” she said.

Community on now engagement is .00pm and closes at 5 ptember. on Friday 18 Se ead to To participate h ovt.nz. letstalk.qldc.g

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

A resilience workshop will be held at the end of this month for year 11 to 13 students and their parents to help them reset how they think about learning and prepare for upcoming exams in the face of the challenges COVID-19 has presented.

Facilitated by local educator Jo McArthur, this interactive, research-based course will be delivered by The Art of Learning New Zealand representative Alan Reilly. The Art of Learning programme was developed by author, teacher and workshop facilitator Lance King and has been taught in over 300 schools in 34 countries.

The workshop, hosted at Mount Aspiring College (MAC), promises to give students tips and tricks to set themselves up to achieve. It will be followed by a free parents evening during which parents will learn how to support their child’s learning, and help prepare them for exam season.

“2020 has offered up many challenges to

OPINION

Boys in skirts and girls in pants?

Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

tend one You can also at rums at Lake of two sports fo e on Monday Wanaka Centr Queenstown 31 August and on Tuesday Events Centre 1 September.

PAGE 10

most sectors of our wider community,” said McArthur. “The changing landscape has impacted on our teenage students about to sit NCEA. Resilience is going to be vital as they move into the final months of their school year.”

“Giving kids the skills and understanding of what resilience and thriving through success can look like, plus the tools to get there, is my motivation in bringing The Art of Learning to Wānaka. This one-day workshop provides purpose and motivation, tools and strategies, a reprocess of thinking about learning and the part failure plays in achievement. It's about having fun, lots of "ah-ha" moments and setting up lifelong learners. It's a gift to the families in the community in a challenging year.”

The course will run from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday, September 29 in room 8 at MAC, for a koha donation. The parents evening will run from 7pm until 8:30pm in the same location.

Spaces are limited, so book for you or your child by emailing mcarthurjo@gmail.com.

Mount Aspiring College recently revealed some design concepts for their proposed ‘gender neutral uniform’. But first: why a gendered uniform?

When you were five, it didn’t really matter who you were friends with (as long as they were ‘cool’ and would trade your box of raisins for a fruitchew, duh). Gender was as much of a factor in your social decision making as your knowledge of the stock exchange.

Of course, high school is vastly different in that regard. Here teens are force-fed the rhetoric that they are about to embark on the mighty quest of puberty, which couldn’t be more different for boys and girls.

Through a myriad of fearful challenges (special mention to PE changing rooms), they are force-fed social stereotypes, placed in distinctly gendered clothes, educated about their inherent differences throughout the curriculum, and expected to eventually reemerge as beings who value gender equality. This is most definitely not a problem unique to MAC, but I’m afraid my 400 word slot doesn’t quite have space to completely dismantle the gender binary.

Currently at MAC, ‘boys’ are to wear grey polo shirts & grey shorts and ‘girls’ are to wear white polo shirts & navy culottes. This is hardly any kind THURSDAY 03.09.20 - WEDNESDAY 09.09.20

of uniform and more of a ‘biform’: it’s primary function (whether intentional or otherwise) is to highlight the students’ differences. In their new uniform proposal the school has proposed that students will be able to wear whatever they please. Sounds brilliant, very progressive: clap clap. However, the uniform is being presented in both a ‘fitted’ and ‘loose fitting’ version as part of the proposal process: the ‘fitted’ version includes a skirt (and pants/shorts), a feminine blouse, and a waist-hugging blazer, while the ‘loose fitting’ version includes pants/shorts, a button up shirt, and a boxy blazer. They haven’t explicitly stated it, but even looking at it, one gets a strong sense that this is certainly not a ‘gender neutral uniform’.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with allowing people to express gender through clothing (trust me on that one). But surely to have a uniform is to have all students in one set outfit which is practical, comfortable, and doesn’t set out to segregate students into visibly separable groups. Considering the fact that a uniform change is likely to last for a substantial amount of time, perhaps it would make more sense to eliminate the complications and design one uniform for all students.

So no, it doesn’t seem like the radical transgender agenda (the ‘transgenda’, if you will) is taking over our schools and putting girls in pants and boys in skirts (but wouldn’t that be marvellous). Oh well, one step at a time.

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CAMERA CLUB ‘IN FOCUS’

Capturing the night sky

PHOTO: Supplied

Anna van Riel visited Palmerston School this week.

Waste Free Wanda goes on tour Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Still Standing.

As photographers learn very early, light is a crucial element in creating a successful picture. So it is not surprising that many of us pack up and go home when the light begins to fade. Unfortunately, this is also when real magic can happen.

Shooting in the dark can be fun and enable us to create incredibly dramatic images. The first consideration is whether to shoot dead at night or the half-light of dusk or dawn.

As we are taking pictures in the dark, we need to be prepared. We don’t need fancy camera equipment, but a camera that can take photos in low light is a real boon.

Today’s cameras have facilities for low light photography so the camera choice should not be a significant issue. Also, a tripod to hold camera steady is important as we will be taking pictures at long shutter speeds to get the correct exposure.

A flashlight is also a must both for setting up our camera and for walking in the dark. A wide-angle lens has some significant advantages, especially for sky, landscape, and cityscape photography.

Reflection from lights on the water makes for some spectacular night pictures.

Not all images have to be of static subjects. Light trails from speeding cars or star trails in the night sky are just two examples of moving subjects.

Because we need complete control over our

PHOTO: Gareth Hodges

camera settings to get the right exposure it is a great advantage if we use ‘manual’ exposure mode rather than automatic.

By manually adjusting camera settings we will maximize our ability to produce images with correct exposure. We will find our manual setting will vary significantly from our camera’s internal setting because they do not work well in the dark. Indeed correct exposure is a bit trial and error, but with some experimenting, this will not prove a problem.

This is what Gareth Hodges did with his image ’Still Standing.’ Gareth bought a 14mm lens, especially for astrophotography. He wanted to have the Wānaka Tree without the presence of people so chose 11.30 pm to take the image.

He tried several different compositions and settled for one looking back towards Wānaka where the milky way was at its brightest.

He shot a ‘pano’ as he wanted to get some of the detail of the foreground of the lake leading to the tree and enough sky to capture the core of the milky way. The shot was made with an aperture of f2.8 shutter speed set at 15 seconds and 3200 ISO. Wānaka Camera Club is dedicated to helping anyone interested in photography, and we welcome you to join us. Our next meeting is Monday 14 September, 7.30 pm, St John Rooms, Link Way.

Makarora Primary goes planting for Conservation Week

Waste Free Wanda has hit the road again this week with the second leg of her three-leg tour.

Eleven schools are expecting visits. Local, award-winning performer, Anna van Riel said that the tour has been an exciting challenge to pull together in the midst of alert-levels and heightened awareness around COVID-19.

“I also love that I'm sharing empowering ways to reduce waste, which tamariki can absorb and bring home to their families. They really do get to be superheroes in their own backyard and make a positive change for papatūānuku.”

The show, Waste Free Wanda, is the 1980s inspired environmental rock opera which

Our aqua boards give you a full-body workout on a floating mat. Work your core like never before!

Joanna Perry

Falling in is half the fun!

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Monday, August 17 was one of the coldest days we’ve had so far this winter, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of nine Makarora Primary School students who met Toddy, from the Department of Conservation (DOC), early in the morning at Boundary Creek.

This is the third year children from the school have been involved with planting as part of New Zealand Conservation Week, this year planting 50 native plants - some of which had been donated by Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust.

Running from August 15 - 23 2020, Conservation Week is a national celebration that encourages people to get involved in nature and help to take care of it.

“New Zealand’s wildlife is still in crisis with more than 4,000 of our native animals and plants threatened or at risk,” said a spokesperson for DOC. “Conservation Week is a chance to bring everyone together to do something, big or small to create change.”

“Every year Conservation Week sees thousands

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toured around the Upper Clutha/Southern Lakes District earlier this year. It was delivered to students from Years 1-8, who are encouraged to become an interactive part of the show.

“One of my favourite parts about this tour and my last has been touring with NZ children's songwriter Kath Bee,” said van Riel, “Kath is serving as my tour liaison and crowd heckler.

She's great fun and brings another element of joy and fun for the kids.”

The album of the show was released on Spotify in July this year as part of Plastic Free July. The tour sits under the banner of non-profit organisation Plastic Free Wānaka with funding support from the Otago Regional Council and the Otago Community Trust.

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This is the third year children from the school have been involved with planting as part of New Zealand Conservation Week.

of New Zealanders getting involved through doing conservation activities at home or attending one of many events hosted across the country. Creating change can be big or small, when we pull together, we can make a big difference.”

Teacher Rhian Nicholl said: “The children planted all 50 plants with enthusiasm and keenness. Boundary Creek is a spot that’s well used by locals and visitors, and it’s great that as locals, the children could be involved in something long-term in their backyard.”

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PAGE 11

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Pride Pledge Wānaka Former Makarora painter honoured in exhibition launch today Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka has taken a step towards more diversity and inclusion in the community with the launch of the Wānaka and Upper Clutha Pride Pledge today (September 3, 2020).

Initiated by Ignite Wānaka Chamber of Commerce and Mt Aspiring College (MAC) and working in partnership with Pride Pledge Aotearoa, the local business and secondary school communities have agreed to work towards increasing visibility, inclusion and safety for LGBTTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Genderqueer, Queer, Intersexed, Agender, Asexual, and Ally community) people in the community, whether residents or those who or are visiting.

Ignite Wānaka and MAC will take the Pride Pledge with Pride Pledge founder Martin King on today at a special assembly held at MAC. Ignite Wānaka executive officer Naomi Lindsay said: “The Pride Pledge has gained real momentum in Queenstown and other areas across New Zealand and we felt it was an important step to take the pledge and lead our business community into embracing diversity on several levels.

“By taking the Pride Pledge, it will help our workplaces and communities become more empathetic towards issues around gender and sexuality by assisting people in building awareness and understanding. Through understanding diversity and embracing and

welcoming different thinking, we can have more insightful and productive conversations about the issues and opportunities that impact our community,” Lindsay added.

MAC acting principal Dean Sheppard said: “As a school, we are proud to be associated with the Pride Pledge and are taking continual, positive steps to ensure our campus is a safe place for all members of the LGBTTQ+ community. At MAC we celebrate diversity, and this term, we are making considerable time investment in professional development for our staff, as well as continuing to bring pride awareness to the forefront for our students.”

Pride Pledge founder Martin King – also director of Winter Pride, which takes place in Queenstown at Cardrona Alpine Resort this week – said he’s thrilled that both the Wānaka college and business communities have come on board.

“I am delighted to be able to be here in person to mark this important milestone in Wānaka, and the lasting impact this will have on inclusion in the region,” King said.

From September, Wānaka will be added as a Pride Pledge town here: https://pridepledge. co.nz/supporters, and all businesses, organisations and individuals who take the pledge will be listed online to show their support and inclusivity.

A Wānaka Pride Pledge launch will be held later this year with Mayoress Karen Boult, who is the patron, along with pledged businesses and the LGBTTQ+ community.

A special fragrance for a special dad?

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Central Otago Art Society is celebrating the 80th birthday of Makarora and Alexandra landscape painter Denis Kent with a retrospective exhibition of his work at Central Stories Museum & Art Gallery in Alexandra.

A collaborative project between the Central Otago Art Society, Central Otago District Arts Trust and Central Stories, the exhibition will run from September 5 to October 9.

Kent grew up in Dunedin and studied at the Dunedin School of Art before moving to Alexandra in 1964. In 1993, he made the lifechanging decision to paint full time. He moved to Makarora, built a house and studio and spent fourteen years working very successfully as an internationally recognised artist. He then returned to Alexandra, where he was made a life member of the Central Otago Art Society in 2017.

Central Otago District Arts Trust Arts Coordinator Rebekah de Jong, said that Kent was a “local treasure.”

“We are so pleased to be able to assist him to achieve his dream of having a retrospective exhibition in his lifetime.”

Featuring 40-50 landscape paintings from private collections, the exhibition will be a fascinating documentation of people and place in Central Otago and the southern regions from the 1960s until 2020, and a fitting tribute to Kent’s contribution to, and achievement in, the arts in

PHOTO: Supplied

Dennis Kent made the life-changing decision to paint full time in 1993. He moved to Makarora and spent fourteen years working very successfully as an internationally recognised artist. He then returned to Alexandra, where he was made a life member of the Central Otago Art Society in 2017.

Central Otago and the southern regions.

Kent, who turned 80 in May, said he was “excited and humbled” by the exhibition. Asked if he was still painting, he said he had just finished a snowy winter landscape for the Alexandra Blossom Festival in late September. It will be his 53rd consecutive contribution to the festival and a very timely one, given this week’s snowfall.

BOTTLED UNITED THE FRAGRANCE FOR HIM NOW AVAILABLE AT:

PHOTO: Shane Gibson

Phone: 03 443 8000, Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka OPEN: MON-SAT 8AM TO 6PM • SUN 10AM TO 6PM PAGE 12

From wool shed to lakefront luxury: After seven years and eleven proposed sites, Wānaka Rowing Club has a new home at the Wānaka Watersports Facility. Their rowing shed officially opened on Sunday, August 23 with a welcoming ceremony, speeches and members carrying a boat into the new shed through a paper break-through barrier, and was followed by an evening meal and prize giving at the rugby club rooms.

THURSDAY 03.09.20 - WEDNESDAY 09.09.20

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Thanks to Lake Wānaka Tourism

Not long after I set up Ridgeline Adventures back in 2008 a new management team at Lake Wānaka Tourism was created. Over the last 12 years, that team has tirelessly built and delivered award-winning campaigns attracting visitors to our incredible and unique slice of New Zealand.

I want to publicly thank both James Helmore and Geoff Marks for the great work both have undertaken not only for my business but each and every tourism-related business here in Wānaka. Thank you.

Yes, we still have the tree, it just doesn’t look or feel the same with two key branches missing.

Mark Orbell

Casual racism

I just read Rosemarie Jones’s letter to the editor (edition 989)about car parking for visitors. My question to the editors is what is your take on casual racism towards Asians in this community?

Why is Miss Jones’s comment of “we nearly ran over a wee Asian kid...” even allowed to be printed in your paper? Would Miss Jones bother describing the child if he or she were a European New Zealander?

She may not realize that her words are telling about her prejudices, but I realize it, and so do many other readers.

Even though this is a very tiny comment written in the Wānaka Sun it is, unfortunately, representative of some of the people who live in this community. My opinion is that everyone who lives here should be treated with respect regardless of their physically perceived race or ethnicity.

Natasha Nichols

Sponsored by

Sewage ponds point of view

Good to see this topic brought up again in the Sun. Any discussion as to what the old sewage pond land will be used for is rather premature until the full refurbishment of the site has been responsibly

done.

My question to the council is: What is the plan for the sewage sludge mounds on the old pond site?

Removal to where? Not another dumpsite by a river to continue the contamination cycle?

Reuse? For example by high-temperature incineration to capture and recycle heavy metals and destroy pharmaceuticals, toxins, etc? What and by when?

Lorna Schmidt

Crimeline Bopp C Calvin Constable, NZPD G‘day everyone, I hope you all had a good week.

We’ve been kept rather busy with a variety of jobs attended.

On Monday Police served a trespass notice on an individual barring them entry to a local establishment. Always best not to cause a fuss at the watering holes if you wish to wet your whistle at them in the future.

Tuesday saw two reports of cars broken into.

These were at the Young Valley carpark and the Fantail Falls carpark. The cars were rifled through with the offenders looking for items that took their fancy. A handy tip to stop these types targeting your car is to leave no items visible and leave your glove box and the centre console open so they can see it’s empty. Police also spent a significant amount of time searching for an individual who might have been in distress but turned out to not be needing our help.

Wednesday was a bit of a reprieve for us.

Some skis were stolen from Cardrona by the ski racks on Thursday. Wānaka Police also were involved in the kidnapping in Alexandra. A late night report of overdue day walkers near Fantail Falls saw Police trying to locate their car in the small hours of the morning. Thankfully they walked out the next morning after Search & Rescue had been mobilized .

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Friday saw a report taken of a lost EFTPOS card that had been used earlier in the week. If you notice you’ve lost your card, put a hold on it immediately through your banking app or by calling them. This will stop any unauthorized PHOTO: WĀnaka Sun use. In the evening district Road Policing staff had the booze bus out.

Five drink drivers were nabbed with two of them off to court and the remainder receiving tickets.

Saturday was a busy day for us. Dayshift were kept busy helping with a large fire and driving complaints. The evening saw the booze bus out again with five more drink drivers caught. Police also helped someone get to a safe place after they found themselves incapable of looking after themselves, most likely due to a combination of drugs and alcohol.

In relation to the booze bus and checkpoints in general, we are aware that the location gets outed pretty quickly to alert the rest of town. This sort of behaviour is actually enabling drink driving so please think twice before essentially letting them drive drunk. These people need to get caught because ultimately they could hurt your dear ones on the roads. Some people have already had the misfortune of experiencing this.

EDITORIAL

There are benefits to Mackenzie fire Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

We've all seen the fire raging across the Mackenzie Country on the television the last few nights. Engulfing pine trees and unfortunately someone's house. They reckon it will take another five days to put out so it must be quite a fire.

The plus to come out of this is that the fire is decimating New Zealand's number-one pestwilding pines.

These overwhelm our native landscapes, kill native plants, and force native animals out of their habitats. Wildings are also a threat to farmland. Underneath them, the grass won't grow, leaving anything for stock to feed on.

They suck up a considerable amount of water.

They are self-seeded and not intentionally planted. Once they get established, they spread like wildfire. You only need to take the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy to see the effect of runaway wilding pines and how they have transformed the landscape.

Without governmental intervention, wilding pines will spread to 7.5 million hectares of our most vulnerable land within 30 years.

According to DOC, 5 per cent more of the high country is being covered by wildings every year.

Due to early neglect, the spread of wildings has increased exponentially since about 1990.

The areas of established thickly wooded wilding forest are still relatively small - a few hundred thousand hectares. But another 1.5 million hectares are now liberally sprinkled with seedlings and saplings.

It's that bad, that dramatic.

But heartening news, Over the past five years, the first and second phases of the Wilding Conifer Management Strategy 20152030 have eradicated over two million hectares of wildings and searched the surrounding land for remote outliers. Within the 1.5 million

THURSDAY 03.09.20 - WEDNESDAY 09.09.20

PHOTO: Supplied

Wilding pines- New Zealand's number one pest.

hectares covered during 2018 and 2019 (the timeframe in which I, as a farming reporter for Fairfax was reporting on the story) more than half a million hectares had been controlled mainly in the Craigieburn Basin and the Mackenzie Country.

The Waimakariri Basin of which the Craigieburn area is part of was one of the success stories of the first phase. Despite a previous spend of $300,000 a year, the government and local groups had struggled to contain wilding spread from old erosion control plantings from the 1950s to the 1980s.

The spread threatened productive farmland, and recreational areas and was a blot on the landscape. Around $2 million of wilding control program funds allowed a concentrated effort to get on top of the problem, and now farmers have regained use of their pastoral land, and Arthurs Pass National Park and Korowai/ Torlesse Tussocklands have been protected from invasion.

Further south a massive 137,000 hectares of the Godley area of the Mackenzie Basin has been cleared.

So hopefully this fire that is burning out of control in the Mackenzie will have some benefit. A few less wilding pines that need eradicating.

PAGE 13

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Machinery Operator & Livestock Assistant FULL OR PART TIME This 750 ha mixed irrigated and dryland property is located on SH6 between Cromwell and Wanaka. It offers an interesting and varied role across sheep, beef, vineyard and sheep milking operations for an experienced and motivated individual.

This position will support the Farm Manager by taking responsibility for a variety of machinery operations and working on all aspects of the farm.

Duties range from tractor driving, asset maintenance, irrigation, supporting training students, and livestock activities.

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To register your interest and receive a detailed job description send your CV with a covering letter telling to hr@compassagri.com. Applicants must be prepared to undergo a police check and pre employment drug test.

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PAGE 14

NOTICES

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.

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 Wānaka 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.

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WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 990 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: Pat Deavoll • 0274 487 741 editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalist: Ollie Blyth • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Joanna Perry • 021 736 740 newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: Josh Baines • 021 786 740 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.

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Wānaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy.

We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street open from 8am until 7pm every single day.

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.

WANTED The Salvation Army Family Store urgently requires warm clothing, if you can help this would be greatly appreciated. Your donations can be dropped at 48 Helwick Street.

A local group of Jazz musicians are looking for either a pianist or guitar player to join a quartet.

Musicians interested in auditioning please ring 02108500737 or email ajhogan05@yahoo.co.nz.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

MOUNT ASPIRING COLLEGE FOUNDATION SEEKING NEW TRUSTEES The Mount Aspiring College Foundation was established in 1993 and exists as an independent charitable trust supporting the ongoing development of the College.

With the College now embarking on an exciting period of significant development, the current Trustees are seeking to appoint additional Trustees.

Expressions of interest are therefore invited from members of our local community. People with strong business expertise and with a wide networks of contacts will be especially welcomed.

For further information, or to express an interest in joining the Foundation, please contact Kathryn Miller on (03) 443 0499 or by email millerk@mtaspiring. school.nz before 25 September 2020.

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Sun Sport / Classifieds

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Upper Clutha U13 boys win festival tournament

PHOTO: Clint Hughes

MAC played well to get a win, but doesn't have the home advantage for next week’s must-win semi-final.

Hefty win for MAC 1st XV Mt Aspiring 1st XV traveled to Oamaru last weekend to take on Waitaki Boys at home, coming away with a 26 - 7 win in the final round of competition before the playoffs.

MAC started the match defending and did not touch the ball for the first seven minutes but tackled well and Waitaki did not make much ground before eventually turning it over.

Once in possession MAC soon found space for Marcus Hetherington out wide which he made fair use of to score in the corner.

The game then stuttered along with both teams making unforced errors. Some sloppy ball handling by MAC allowed Waitaki to make valuable meters and they eventually found a way through to lead 7-5.

Later in the half, the passes started to stick for MAC. Some straight running and great offloads led to Lachy Moore scoring under the posts to get back the lead at half time: 12 – 7.

With the wind behind them in the second half and a few positional changes, MAC found the going a bit easier and started to assert some dominance.

Ryan Schmack was the next to score for MAC when he got the better of his opposite number

and ran through the defense to make a great individual try.

Unforced errors and poor decision making at times prevented MAC from running away with the game even though the home side seemed to be just holding on. After being held up once and then losing the ball while over the line MAC was finally able to score once more and seal the bonus-point win when Rory Read scooped up a loose ball to run under the posts. This was the last play of the game with the final score at 26 - 7.

Despite leaving plenty of points out on the field, the team got the job done against a boisterous home crowd and a very aggressive opposition. However it was not quite enough to secure a home semi-final as the missing COVID round worked against MAC, and St Kevins ended up with 29 more match points after a countback.

So this weekend it's another trip back to Oamaru to take on St Kevins at home for a mustwin semi-final. The winner will play in the final the following week, but for the loser, it's the end of the season. It will be a challenging game, but if the boys play well, they have every chance to win.

Kick-off is at 1 pm at St Kevin's College.

– By Clint Hughes

PHOTO: Supplied

The Upper Clutha Junior Rugby Football Club hosted an Otago/Southland festival tournament recently, which the local U13 boys team won.

Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Upper Clutha Junior Rugby Football Club hosted an Otago/Southland festival tournament recently, which the local U13 boys team won.

Teams played two games a day over the festival.

Each win, draw, loss, and number of tries scored earned a team points.

Going into the finals match, Alexandra won all their pool matches while the other teams were very evenly matched.

Upper Clutha went through to the final based on points.

“The final was an amazing game of rugby to watch,” said Todd Soper, “Alex [scored] two very quick tries

to put the pressure on the home team. Upper Clutha defended like little men possessed and clawed their way back into the game with tries of their own. Both teams played a fast, expansive style of rugby which was highly entertaining for the sideline crowd. The teams traded the lead for a good part of the game with Upper Clutha sneaking ahead by two points with six minutes to go. At that stage a nervous sideline thought it could go either way but the Upper Clutha boys obviously had other thoughts in mind as they stepped up another gear and ran in two unanswered tries to win the final 25 – 48.”

The Upper Clutha coaches Blair Coup, Chris Roy, John Scott, and Dan Labes were all very proud of the result, and found the festival weekend very enjoyable.

PUBLIC NOTICE

N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i RESOURCE CONSENT APPLICATION

2.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT 1991

3.

4.

5.

6.

Details of the resource consent application and submission forms are available in the offices at Queenstown Lakes District Council, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown; 74 Shotover Street, Queenstown and 47 Ardmore Street, Wānaka during normal office hours (8.00am to 5.00pm). You can also download these from our website www.qldc.govt.nz/ services/resource-consents/notified-resource-consents#public-rc or via our edocs website using the RM number as the reference www.edocs.qldc.govt.nz/Account/Login 1. S & B Currie (RM200605)

You may make a submission by sending a written or electronic submission to Queenstown Lakes District Council (details below). The submission should be in the format of Form 13. Copies of this form are available on the website www.qldc.govt.nz/services/resource-consents/application-forms-and-fees#other_forms

To undertake a 2 lot subdivision. The proposed lot size is as follows: 2067m2 gross and 1942m2 net

Lot 2

2000m2

Address for Service for Consent Authority: Queenstown Lakes District Council Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown 9300

Access is proposed from an access lot from Mount Linton Avenue The location in respect of which this application relates is situated at: ADDRESS FOR SERVICE FOR APPLICANT: C/- Jo Fyfe jo@jea.co.nz Level 1, 24 Dungarvon Street, Wānaka

rcsubmission@qldc.govt.nz 03 441 0499 www.qldc.govt.nz

Amendment to the September 2020 Meeting Schedule Meeting Cancellation:

The Council planner processing this application on behalf of the Council is Erin Stagg, who may be contacted by phone at 03 450 0331 or email erin.stagg@qldc.govt.nz Submissions will be received until Thursday 1 October 2020, and must be served on the Consent Authority, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348 or email rcsubmission@qldc.govt.nz.

These must be dated, signed by you, and include the following information: Your name, email address (preferred), postal address and telephone number.

Email Phone Website

Dated: 3 September 2020 Signed by QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT COUNCIL

17 Mount Linton Avenue, Wānaka

1.

Any person may make a submission on the application, but a person who is a trade competitor of the applicant may do so only if that person is directly affected by an effect of the activity to which the application relates that: a) adversely affects the environment; and b) does not relate to trade competition or the effects of trade competition.

What is proposed:

Lot 1

Details of the application in respect of which you are making the submission including location and the Resource Consent number.

Whether you support or oppose the application.

Your submission, with reasons.

The decision you wish the consent authority to make.

Whether you wish to be heard in support of your submission.

The meeting of the QLDC Traffic & Parking Subcommittee – previously advertised as taking place on Monday 7 September 2020 has been cancelled.

Additional Meetings: Resource Consent Hearing (Coastguard Wānaka Lakes Inc RM200142) – Lake Wānaka Centre, Ardmore Street, Wānaka. Thursday 17 September 2020 at 10.00am.

Resource Consent Hearing (Olive Leaf Centre Trust RM170844) – The Rydges Hotel (Level 5), Lake Esplanade, Queenstown. Wednesday 23 September 2020 at 10.00am, Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September 2020 at 9.00am.

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

THE WĀNAKA SUN

THURSDAY 03.09.20 - WEDNESDAY 09.09.20

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FLATTEN THE HILL The best of both worlds. High-octane and beautifully serene. Natural vistas and small town lanes. Well-known and off the beaten track.

It’s only the Crown Range that divides Wanaka and Queenstown.

Explore both sides of the hill.

www.lakewanaka.co.nz/flatten-the-hill www.lakewanaka.co.nz/flatten-the-hill

Phoebe Coers Enduro Mountain Biker Wanaka Remy Morton Freeride Mountain Biker Queenstown

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THURSDAY 03.09.20 - WEDNESDAY 09.09.20

THE WĀNAKA SUN