Wanaka Sun | 06 - 13 January 2021 | Edition 1008

R&A

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Sold out and safe.

Views: Page 13 Jobs: Page 14 Sport: Page 16

PAGE 10-11

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PAGE 9 EDITION 1008

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The sold-out Rhythm & Alps (R&A) music festival hosted 10,000 concert goers on each of the three days between December 29 and 31, and 6000 campers in total with sunny and hot conditions. In a year when the virus Covid-19 made it touch and go for big-crowd events anywhere in the world, organisers said R&A, which has run since 2013 in Wānaka, was a resounding success, and has already started selling tickets to next year’s event in the Cardrona Valley. To find out more, go to page 10-11.

Wānaka Police delighted with New Year effort from bar owners Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

ānaka Police are delighted that good

W preparation and buy-in from the town’s

bar owners resulted in a fraction of the disorder problems experienced in other years over New Year 2020.

Prevention Sergeant Darren Cranfield said Police have worked really hard with them in the

three months leading up to New Year on things like how to improve dealing with intoxicated people and providing staffing on doors.

“Together we did a huge amount of prevention work and it has paid off.

“So we are really appreciative of how they’ve responded to the prevention meetings. Major bars in town this year were largely problemfree. To have big numbers of people coming through the town and to have minimal issues, I

take my hat off to the bars and their managers.

That’s remarkable.”

Water Bar owner Toby May said his bar was thrilled with the results of their preparation in managing numbers through the door, keeping numbers even below allowable limits, and training for security staff on the door. The training included how to manage intoxification, and recognise problems proactively before they started.

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His bar, one of several the Police mentioned as examples, experienced 3-4 very good consecutive nights over the New Year period.

“We were completely thrilled. We had high numbers of patrons through the door, good trade and a good experience, and a good experience for our staff as well,” he said.

“The situation felt more in control and more normal.”

Continued on page 2

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Wānaka Police delighted with New Year effort from bar owners Continued from page 1 Police said that still at issue, however, were numbers of under-age drinkers, children, arriving into the Wānaka town centre unaccompanied by parents, with more fights between teens than usual.

Some infringement notices were given out in relation to alcohol, underage drinking and drinking inside the liquor ban zone.

“The bottom line is the children are young and vulnerable and you put alcohol into the mix it increases their risk of harm substantially,” said Sgt Cranfield.

“We would love to see more parents out and about and for those that did show up we do thank you, it was really good to see them. They are another set of eyes for us so the more parents the better.”

More young people congregated at the Dinosaur Park this year. Extra lighting needed to be installed to assist Police in endeavouring to stop problems before they escalated.

He praised local and out of town Police contingent, Community Patrols, and all the other groups involved with this year’s festivities who came to town and did a “fantastic job.”

Also a special thanks to the Red Frogs for their help keeping young people safe in the town and provision of free pancakes.

Next year, an initiative with Wānaka’s Kahu Youth group would work together with Police to improve communication with young people and enhance the reach of the safety messaging.

“In future we will see more focus on how we deliver the message of how to keep young people safe. Police and Kahu Youth will lead this and it will be directed at the parents and their children. Expect to see some unique initiatives that we are likely to implement next New Year’s Eve,” he said.

“We hope to include an app on phones with different messages, involving youth from the ground up – we want the young people themselves to be telling others by introducing a more fun element to this.”

Wilful damage was also a problem in Wānaka this New Year’s eve, particularly on Plantation Rd and Kings Drive, including damage to house windows, vehicles and letter boxes. One group of vehicles had acid tipped over them, but Police suspected this was not related to minors but instead to noise problems. Fingerprints were taken at a number of scenes as part of inquiries.

He also thanked the camping grounds for their policies to restrict young people camping on their own and keep it to families.

“That’s a proactive initiative and for us that was great to see. This year the vibe was positive and I think again next year we will see a bigger increase in the campsites doing that.” “ Overall New Year is always a challenging time for us and as an organisation we try really hard to mitigate the risk of harm and deliver a service the public expects. We recognise there’s always room for improvement but overall I think the community is in safe hands, ” said Sgt Cranfield.

PHOTO: supplied

The sun came out and people relaxed on the beach as precursor to a warm and balmy New Year’s Eve.

ART EXHIBITION

Wanaka Painters & Printmakers

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ORIGINAL ART . LOCAL ARTISTS

Wānaka Police are delighted that good preparation and buy-in from the town’s bar owners resulted in a fraction of the disorder problems experienced in other years over New Year 2020.

9 & 10 JANUARY 2021 9.30am to 4.30pm

Lake Hawea Community Centre 28 Myra Street, Lake Hawea

With guest artist ... Stephen Martyn Welch FREE ENTRY

Refreshments available. Plenty of parking.

Great balls of virus? This stunning fireworks display brought in 2021 in Wānaka.

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PHOTO: Issy Magee, of Dunedin

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Mountain Film and Book Festival invites entries

The nineteenth NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival is now open for entries.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Entries are now open for the nineteenth NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival according to Festival director Mark Sedon of Lake Hawea.

The Festival was severely curtailed in 2020 due to Covid-19 and was reduced to an online event, but is back in full force this year, Sedon said.

“The unusual nature of 2020 stimulated a flurry of New Zealand-made films. People spent their lockdown making films and these highlighted the underground talent in the Kiwi

PHOTOS: Mark Sedon

filmmaking community. The Festivals Charitable Trust recognises the opportunity to support the development of Kiwi adventure filmmaking, and to encourage new entries it has more than doubled the prize money for the Best NZ Made Film to $2,500 for 2021.”

Sedon said, “Doubling the prize money aims to encourage more budding filmmakers out of the woodwork.

“The Pure NZ segment of our programme is one of our most popular and fastest-selling shows.

The audience loves the New Zealand-made films and we expect there will be some creative

Doubling the prize money aims to encourage more budding filmmakers out of the woodwork.

submissions this year given the circumstances.

The Book Competition first-place prize money has also increased to $1,000 with a bequest from Dave Bamford and John Nankervis.”

The NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival tours nationally in smaller cinemas throughout the country. Hosts in the regions choose a programme that reflects the interests of their local audiences from a selection of films on adventure, culture, environment and action sports.

Some of the income from the National Tour goes towards the festival Grant Scheme to fund youth in adventure skills training, support local

environmental projects and help individuals with disabilities into the outdoors. The Trust awarded funds to four different groups last year including Kahu Youth (to support the Youth Vs Wild outdoor survival programme) and MINT, (an organisation supporting youth with intellectual disabilities in the Upper Clutha Region.)

The NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival will run in Wānaka – June 25 to 29 and in Queenstown – July 1 to 3, 2021. The event will also be broadcast online nationally from June 25 until July 25, 2021.

Ongoing support for Sounds Air flights

Sounds Air CEO Andrew Crawford.

Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

The 45-minute flights between Christchurch and Wānaka Airport that started in November are continuing to be well supported by Wānaka and Christchurch people.

Sounds Air chief executive Andrew Crawford said he was very pleased with use of the service and the initial 12 return flights a week had been maintained over the holiday period – with the most support from Wānaka local people. “ We’re getting great support from people patronising the service. Our pilots have been out and about talking to people around town as

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PHOTO: supplied

well, and we’re really pleased with the positive feedback we’re getting,” he said.

With international tourists not around to use the service, the flights were “standing on their own two feet” with good forward bookings in the domestic market.

“International tourists returning at some stage would be nice to have, but not critical to the service. This is a largely domestic-based operation,” he said.

He would not be drawn on whether more flights would be added or any changes made beyond February.

Sounds Air uses a Pilatus PC-12 turboprop aircraft carrying up to nine passengers at a time.

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Lake Wānaka ‘felt’ colder than Hāwea for charity swimmer Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

17-year-old Meg McLaughlan has raised more than $6000 for the Cancer Society and formed a fair view on which lake is coldest following her big swims of Lakes Hāwea and Wānaka completed on New Year’s Day. “It was kind of weird coming out of the water knowing that I’ve finished but it still didn’t actually seem real,” she said, after swimming her last 18 kilometres of Lake Wānaka on January 1, emerging to big hugs from her parents and onlookers.

“Right at the end the wind picked up so it was hard to finish.”

With parents and brother in support, and after practising all year at her normal venue, Moana Pool, Meg tackled the two iconic lakes over a consecutive six-day period, with her swim speed dependent on conditions such as headwinds.

And the question everyone wants a view on: In her opinion, having spent days and days in them, albeit in a wetsuit and booties, which of the two lakes is coldest?

“Wānaka was actually a lot colder than Hāwea.

Hāwea averaged around 15 degrees Celsius, and Wānaka was around 13 degrees and I could definitely feel the difference,” she told the Wānaka Sun. Meg is now enjoying a break and some long sleeps, true to teenage form.

Meg, whose Givealittle page is still open for donations, said cancer is a disease that affects most people in some way, including her Aunt about ten years ago, so the cause was well worth the effort.

Meg comes out of the water at the Wānaka lake-front following six days of swimming.

PHOTO: supplied

Wānaka artists encouraged to enter awards Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Budding young artists in Wānaka, and established ones, are being encouraged to start thinking about the Central Otago Arts Gold Awards this year, with prizes on offer of up to $10,000.

This is a biennial art competition run by the Central Otago District Arts Trust since 2011, and for the first time will have a youth category where pupils at schools in the region will be encouraged to submit their favourite art piece.

Arts Coordinator Rebekah de Jong said the youth category was initiated by the manager of Central Stories, Brian Budd, to encourage and support up and coming New Zealand artists. In the past entries have been open to artists aged 18 and over. The 2021 awards will include a new Youth Category for artists under the age of 18.

“There are few national art awards with a youth category and we believe there is some incredible work being created by young artists in our area and throughout New Zealand which should be celebrated,” she said.

“We intend to approach schools throughout New Zealand with marketing material in the New Year and hope to get around some of our local schools and talk to educators and pupils about the 2021 awards.”

De Jong added that Wānaka has a diverse and thriving arts community and the 2019 awards proved the calibre of some of the art produced in the area. Wānaka artist Paul McLachlan won the Supreme Award for his work 'Dog and Water Lillies'.

“We receive a good amount of submissions from Wānaka artists and we would like to

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Central Stories Manager Brian Budd.

PHOTO: supplied

encourage as many people as possible to enter the 2021 awards.

“By inviting entries from all over New Zealand, we strive to present new and interesting work to Central Otago audiences, that is socially conscious, contemplative and which generates healthy dialogue and robust discussion. At the same time, we are searching for excellence in the visual arts from within Central Otago.”

There is also an Outstanding Central Otago Artist Award for an artist permanently residing in the Central Otago/Central Lakes.

“We normally receive an average of around 300 entries, from these judges select around 50 artists whose works will feature in the Finalists Exhibition. We ask judges to ensure around 30 per cent of the Finalists selected are from the Central Otago/ Lakes District areas.”

Entries close July 31 and the Awards opening and exhibition will be held at the Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery Alexandra in September. The Central Otago Arts Newsletter will have updates and enquiries can be directed to manager@centralstories.com.

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‘Knife-edge’ honey prediction for local producers

PHOTOS: Supplied

Jess Curtis of Branch Creek Honey in the Cardrona Valley is in the process of taking over 40 hives from her grandfather.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

It could be a boom or bust for local honey producers this season, dependent on the weather through January. Beekeepers said the recent rain was a much-appreciated boon, and if the next month was a hot one, they could be looking at a stellar harvest.

Steve Wooton of Taylor Pass Honey, Wānaka, said he felt the honey season was “only just getting going.”

“We have had a good amount of rain but it has been slow leading up to that. We are looking at an average season at the moment. The clover is starting to show up so with a bit of heat through January things will improve But we are still sitting on that knife-edge for the season.”

The spring was good, he said. “We saw

Predictions are exciting and nervous at the same time. If it goes hot we could have a great season: Steve Wooton

better matings with our queens and a few more settled periods. It allowed us to get the hives up to strength and get organised leading into November and December.

“We are about to take honey off a few areas to get ready for the white crop coming in.

“Predictions are exciting and nervous at the same time. If it goes hot we could have a great season.”

Tim Wood of Lindis Honey, Bannockburn said the season was quite different to last year.

“It was quite dry up until we had the rain in the last few days.

“The bees weren't doing too much but this rain has been amazing- terrible for the cherry orchardists down this way of course.

“For us, it's incredible and will bring on a lot of clover growth. Our crop will probably come in later this year. There is honey in the hives now

but it's not worth collecting. We will just leave the boxes on the hives and will probably collect in two or three weeks.

“Most of our honey is clover, with a small block of manuka but the access was flooded last year and we haven't been able to get in there.”

“If the weather settles and the heat comes on there will be a decent crop out there.

Jess Curtis of Branch Creek Honey in the Cardrona Valley is in the process of taking over 40 hives from her grandfather. He has had hives on the family property for about 20 years. Curtis has been involved in the business for about two years and is looking to build hive numbers up to about 100.

“I haven't had a look (at the crop) the last couple of weeks and I only have one type of honey so can't speak for the manuka honey growers.

“But the honey crop was looking good two

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The bees weren't doing too much but this rain has been amazing- terrible for the cherry orchardists down this way of course: Tim Wood.

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weeks ago.”

Spring was pretty good, she said; “Quite dry and a huge contrast to last year which was very wet.

“The bees seemed to get onto their food sources well. We gave them a top-up late spring before the next flow of food came in.”

CEO of Apiculture New Zealand Karin Kos said: “Nationally the season has been very patchy and off to a slow start given the variable weather conditions we’ve had across the country. But we are hoping more settled weather will see production increase (note: it’s still early days as the season doesn’t finish till around the end of February.)

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Cherries Galore!

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

This last mega-downfall of rain has been devastating for central otago cherry orchardists.

They have been left with a crop of ruined cherries.

But maybe this is a win for those who love to cook with cherries as these recipes are suitable for blemished cherries, so get in and support the orchardists and cook up a storm.

Cherry Jam

medium saucepan over moderate heat.

Cook and stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer; simmer for 10 minutes or until cherries are just soft. Remove from heat. Cool.

2. Spread 6 bread slices with chocolate hazelnut spread; top with remaining bread slices. Whisk eggs and cream in a large bowl.

3. Heat half the butter in a large frying pan over moderately low heat. Dip 3 of the sandwiches into egg mixture; turn to coat evenly. Cook for 10 minutes, turning once, or until golden and cooked. Transfer to serving plates. Cut in half. Repeat with remaining butter, sandwiches and egg mixture. Serve warm French toast with cherry syrup, dusted with icing sugar.

Brandied cherries

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Ingredients: • 1kg pitted cherries • Finely grated zest of 1 lemon • ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice • 2 cinnamon sticks • 1kg Jam Setting Sugar Method: 1. Combine cherries, lemon zest, lemon juice and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to the boil and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until cherries are just tender.

2. Add Jam Setting Sugar, stirring over a medium heat for 1 minute or until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and boil rapidly for 4 minutes (removing any foam with a tablespoon).

3. Test a small amount of jam on a cold saucer (the surface should wrinkle when a spoon is pushed through it).

4. Remove cinnamon sticks then ladle hot jam into warm sterilised jars and seal with a lid. Set aside to cool, then label, date and store in a cool dark place. Refrigerate after opening. Makes approximately 4 cups.

Choc cherry french toast

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Ingredients: • 500 gram cherries, pitted, halved lengthwise • ½ cup caster sugar • 2 tablespoon lemon juice • 12 slice thick white bread • ½ cup chocolate hazelnut spread • 4 eggs • ¼ cup cream • 50 gram butter, chopped • icing sugar, to dust Method: 1. Combine cherries, sugar and juice in a

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PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Method: 1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Chill butter in the freezer for 10 minutes.

2. Place flour, baking powder, sugar and lemon zest in a bowl and mix. Grate in the chilled butter and mix gently with a knife.

3. Add almond essence to the cream and pour into the flour mixture. Reserve the cream jug. Mix ingredients with a knife then turn onto a lightly floured bench and knead approximately 10 times until dough holds together.

4. Roll or pat the dough into a rectangle. With the longest side facing you, fold it into thirds like an envelope; folding the right ⅓ over on itself, then the left ⅓ over the other two layers. Roll into a large rectangle and repeat the folds. Roll out and repeat folds a third time.

5. On a floured bench, roll the dough into a

long rectangle approximately 34cm x 23cm.

With the long side facing you, scatter the cherries over the lower ⅔ of the rectangle.

6. Fold the top ⅓ over to cover half the cherries, then lift and fold again to cover the bottom ⅓, making a long strip with the cherries layered in it. Neaten the ends.

7. Add a splash of water to the cream residue in the jug and brush over the dough.

Sprinkle with white sugar. Divide strip into 6 squares then cut each diagonally to make 12 triangles.

8. Bake on a greased tray for 15 minutes or until risen and lightly browned.

9. Make glaze (see below).

10. When shortcakes have cooled, drizzle over glaze. Scatter on the flaked almonds, if using 11. Glaze: Combine lemon juice and icing sugar with just enough water to allow it to drizzle off the end of a knife.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

To make brandied cherries, you’ll begin first by trimming the stem of cherries or removing them completely. Next, prepare a rich syrup with sugar and water. Simmer the cherries in the syrup for a few minutes, and then transfer them to a jar.

Whisk the syrup with brandy, and then pour it over the cherries and seal the jar Before you make your first batch, there are a few helpful tips to keep in mind: 1. Select only the ripest fruit.

2. Trim the stem. Most call for keeping the stem on the cherry and trimming it short.

3. Prick the cherries once with a toothpick.

You’ll simmer the cherries for a few minutes in a hot rich sugar syrup, and pricking them should prevent them from bursting.

4. Try substituting cherry juice for water.

While not an authentic ingredient, it can amplify the flavour of your brandied cherries.

5. Keep the sugar content high. It’s tempting to cut the sugar in the recipe (who needs more sugar, right?), but sugar acts as a preservative in this recipe – just like alcohol.

Cherry almond shortcakes Ingredients: • 90 gram butter • 2 cup self-raising flour • ½ teaspoon baking powder • 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1 teaspoon lemon zest • 1/4 teaspoon almond essence • 1 cup cream • 1 cup cherries, pitted and coarsely chopped • 1 tablespoon white sugar • 1/4 cup flaked almonds (optional) Glaze: • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1/3 cup icing sugar • 1/2 tablespoon water

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Rain has minor effects so far, report campgrounds and businesses Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Recent rain may have cruelly impacted Central Otago orchards, but so far reports from Wānaka’s domestic holiday camping market and some businesses show trade in these areas appears to be holding up.

Glendhu, Lakeview, the Top Ten, Albert Town and Mt Aspiring campground owners and managers all reported that Saturday, January 2, and the night before when heavy rain fell, was fortunately already a scheduled check-out day for many of the domestic holiday-makers who had earlier arrived in Wānaka for the New Year period. Although a small proportion of campers, particularly those in tents, did pack up a day or two early when heavier downpours arrived, there was no exodus of campers as reported elsewhere in Otago.

Most felt this was because so far, Wānaka and Hāwea had appeared to escape the extreme rain that occurred in the Alexandra/Clyde area. As of Tuesday, 5 January, accumulated rain in the prior seven days recorded by the Otago Regional Council showed 52 millimetres had fallen at Stoney Creek, a key rainfall monitoring site in the Upper Clutha area. In contrast, the Clutha River below the Alexandra Bridge recorded 132 mm over the same seven-day period.

“For us, January 2 is usually a big check-out day anyway, but maybe a handful more packed up due to rain. This week, we are 75 percent to 80 percent full,” said Natalie Ward, at the Lakeview Holiday Park in Wānaka.

She was “pleasantly happy” with the amount of campers choosing to stay with them. They also look after the Albert Town camping ground, which was significantly down in numbers on prior years, mostly due to the impact of their “families only” policy which produced such positive feedback and a great camping experience that the policy was now here to stay.

Owner of the Top Ten Holiday Park Andrea Kendrick said she was grateful for the bookings and that kiwis came out and supported them, because normally at this time of year their visitors were 70 percent international tourists, mostly in campervans.

She felt that though their campers were not so affected by the rain given their facility was on a slope, people who would normally head to the lake had instead visited local businesses and cafes.

“People were a bit gutted they didn’t get more days out on the lake but that just meant they did more walks, or went to town, to places like the Toy Museum, or relaxed in their caravans and tents,” she said.

“Our regulars that returned said some lovely things.

One lady said that she had been so looking forward to her return to Wānaka to camp she would close her eyes and think about her holiday. She was looking forward to it more this year than other years I think.”

All campgrounds contacted reported that forward bookings were reasonably good until the end of January, with campsites at each one still free for spontaneous bookings. But there was far less certainty with bookings and patronage when school started back in February and many parents returned to work.

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PHOTO: Jo Galer

Staying at Wānaka’s Top Ten Holiday Park and happily relaxing in their caravan out of the rain are recent family of visitors from Whangarei to Wānaka (from left) Junhyeon Ahn (10), Suwook Ahn, Young Lim and Alex Ahn (15).

So far on their four-day stay, they loved the mountains in Wānaka, but also enjoyed the whales and wildlife they saw at Kaikoura.

“Kiwis tend to book close to checking in time so this makes predicting the future a bit more difficult. It is too hard to say what the future will look like, but we’re grateful for the bookings at the moment,” Kendrick says.

Pene Hunt at Glendhu Bay holiday camp said as of Tuesday, Glendhu had not experienced the same amount of rain as others elsewhere in the region.

“We’ve been a wee bit affected with a few people going home early, or people arriving a day later, but otherwise we haven’t really had a problem,” she said.

Bookings were looking good until the end of January, but after that, it was harder to predict.

Rain is still predicted off and on for the rest of

this week.

As for restaurant businesses, Amigos in Ardmore Street reported that rain “gave us a break” but numbers of diners had overall been steady and strong over the New Year period.

Anna Arndt, owner of Erik’s Fish and Chips, said rain did affect them – “we are fish and chips on the beach” – but there were more online bookings probably than usual, and not so many “walk-ups.”

Aaron Heath, owner of the Wānaka Pharmacy and this newspaper, said business at the pharmacy turned down by about 25 per cent on the previous year just after New Year. He was concerned at the impact any prolonged rain could have on the town with no international visitors to draw on.

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Industry group reports food buying trends for 2020/2021

Kiwis are more concerned than ever about eating for health: food industry report.

Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Our habits at the supermarket from June to October’s end have just been reported, reinforcing the impact on our behaviour of the virus Covid-19.

The data has been reported by United Fresh Inc which has around 100 produce-supplier members who task it with promoting New Zealand’s fresh produce industry.

According to their report released this week, health and well-being tops the list of concerns for food shoppers across the country. Over 20 percent of shoppers are actively seeking out immunity-boosting food and beverage options, fresh fruit and vegetables. Food hygiene is also an emerging trend as shoppers express concern about the safety of the items in their trolley. Ironically, the popularity of plastic wrapped produce has increased in the search for hygienic groceries, despite the environmental concerns of plastic.

The industry-based researchers also claim that the trend towards shopping more often for smaller amounts has been halted following the onset of the virus, with nearly 20 percent of Kiwis choosing to return to a “big” shop, with fewer regular top-ups and shopping across multiple stores. They claim kiwis continued with the March-June Lockdown rules of visiting the supermarket only when needed. Data from Foodstuffs shows Kiwis are making around 50 percent fewer visits to stores each week despite the lack of community transmission.

United Fresh also claims that there has been a distinct rise in consumers ordering their groceries online, up from under 10 percent in 2019, to nearly 30 percent when the data was taken.

Based on overseas trends, those numbers may increase with online grocery shopping up 25 percent in the United States and 40 percent in Asia.

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They speculate that the online trend is likely to see a reduction in the number of stores, perhaps as many as half closing and many being repurposed into ‘dark stores’, operating as a warehouse for either click and collect grocery shoppers or home delivery services.

Online shopping trends have also enabled wholesalers to enter the retail landscape offering ‘farm to door’ delivery services. For example, ordering a box of apples directly from the orchard and directly with the grower.

The resurgence of a ‘Buy NZ Made’ ethos has been another pleasing result of the pandemic, says United Fresh.

“Kiwis quickly discovered the importance of locally grown food as bags of flour disappeared off our shelves at record speeds. The unreliability of imports, growing costs and limited capacity have driven shoppers to seek out local alternatives,” the report says.

“Buying local means a meaningful connection with the producers of our food, a reassuring development of trust in confusing and uncertain times. Transparency of supply is a growing trend worldwide, with as many as 60 percent of shoppers seeking greater knowledge about where their food is sourced from.”

United Fresh also claims kiwis are staying in, cooking from scratch and ordering takeaways rather than dining out.

Without naming their source, their media release also says that nearly 75 percent of New Zealanders have indicated that they’re eating out less than they did before COVID-19.

“As this trend continues, expect to see more pre-cut fresh produce on offer as we look to streamline our cooking and a wider variety of preprepared heat and eat meals in the supermarket chiller to meet the demand for healthy, convenient and fresh solutions for dinnertime.

Specific diets such as Keto and Paleo will also be

a feature of these supermarket offerings catering to growing interest in alternative eating patterns,” says their report.

In industry trends, United Fresh believes consumers in 2021 will be increasingly critical of the brands that they support.

“Long term loyalty is increasingly important in the marketplace as is the perception of a brand’s performance during the pandemic.

“In the supermarket aisle, home brands are growing rapidly - as much as three times faster than other brands in some categories. Building trust will be just as essential for traditional brands as it will for new brands entering the market.”

Their report ends with some commentary on sustainability. The lobby/promotion group forecasts that 2021 will see redirected energy towards saving the planet.

“Climate change has taken a backseat to

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COVID-19 but its effects have not gone away and the need to address issues of sustainability are just as pressing.

Millennials and Gen Z are driving the move to sustainable practices with over 80 percent of all shoppers changing their purchase preferences based on the social responsibility, inclusiveness, or environmental impact.

“Sustainable and regenerative agriculture is the gold standard that New Zealand growers are working towards, a conservation and rehabilitation approach to farming which focuses on the health of the soil, biodiversity, effective water use and enhancing the natural ecosystem.

“Consumers will continue to seek out food and beverages with an organic pedigree, with winegrowers in particular likely to see significant growth throughout 2021 for wines classified as organic or natural.”

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PAGE 9

Sun News

R&A finishes safely and sold out Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

The sold-out Rhythm & Alps (R&A) music festival finished on New Year’s eve with many happy but tired performers, concert goers and organisers.

In a year when the virus Covid-19 made it touch and go for big-crowd events anywhere in the world, organisers said R&A, which has run since 2013 in Wānaka, was a resounding success, and has already started selling tickets to next year’s event in the Cardrona Valley.

All up, R&A hosted 10,000 concert goers on each of the three days between December 29 and 31, and 6000 campers in total with sunny and hot conditions.

“Just over 40 per cent of the people who attended the 2020 festival came from outside the region, helping bring a significant increase in regional spend and a perceptible buzz to Wānaka and surrounding areas,” said organiser Alex Turnbull.

This year, due to border restrictions, the lineup involved "100% Aotearoa" acts and 43 artists.

Band Six60 headlined the festival, alongside Fat Freddy's Drop, Shihad and Benee. Other acts included the Phoenix Foundation, Quix and Chaos in the CBD. “Rhythm & Alps 2020 represented the truly

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world class diversity of kiwi talent which the local audience loved.

“There was a real sense of pride at the festival and Rhythm & Alps 2020 will be forever remembered for the home-grown talent, celebrating the year of the New Zealander.”

Wānaka Police Prevention Sergeant Darren Cranfield said in terms of crowd behaviour, this year was no different to any other, with only a few problems reported due to drugs and alcohol.

“We have a good relationship with the event organisers and each year we sit down and do more planning. This year is no different to any other year with a few problems at the concerts. It’s hard to take that risk away when large numbers of people are going there for three days,” he said.

Following extra precautions in light of the ongoing threat of Covid-19, Turnbull said almost everyone who attended the festival signed in, and there were no virus-related scares during the three-days.

“There were QR codes throughout the festival and volunteers walking around reminding people to check in. Extra hand washing stations and sanitiser on every entry to areas, including stages, bars and food tents.”

They said a gig that was a crowd favourite was Ashley Bloomfields COVID-19 remix videos playing on the big screen throughout the festival.

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Fat Freddy’s Drop play to a sold out crowd.

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PHOTOS: Ingmar Wein

Campers dotted in the Cardrona Valley - organisers say the weather could not have been better.

6000 campers pitched their tents in the Cardrona Valley over the three days.

Crowds were happy but tired by the end of the three days.

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Sun News

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CAMERA CLUB ‘IN FOCUS’ For many people, there is great pleasure in looking at steam trains.

Whether our knowledge is deep or just superficial we are captivated by these huge steam breathing grunting creatures that appear to have an existence of their own and many of us can’t wait to photograph them.

When photographing locomotives, we should try to present the engines as living and breathing, belching smoke and steam.

If the train is motionless in the station look for interesting angles by shooting high or low and look for the individual part of the train that looks particularly appealing.

As the locomotive is stationary, we should try to show movement by including steam as much as possible. However, the perfect situation will come when the train begins to move and steam and smoke start to bellow out exuding energy.

When the train is moving out of the station look for an interesting background and then find a position to photograph it from.

Earlier research of the train’s intended route will pay great dividends in finding an ideal vantage point to take our pictures from.

We should remember how photogenic the rail tracks the train is running on can be. Tracks with sweeping curves make for interesting patterns and make fantastic lead-in lines for our images and give a great view of the train and carriages.

Light, as always, is an important factor.

Sunlight behind us is great for lighting up the scene in front and keeping our subject well-lit.

However, probably the best light is with sunlight to the side and behind as the train will be lit by somewhat reflective light. This will also pick-up

PHOTO: Robert Richardson

Over the Waimakariri.

more texture in the smoke from the train.

Good composition is a key element in our photo and will depend on the type of image we want to take. A side-on angle gets a good picture of the train and carriages.

Front and to the side are a classic composition as we will capture the train coming towards us with an extra amount of context provided by the countryside.

Taken from a bridge we will get a head-on angle of the train which can prove very effective.

A great example of a steam train photograph is ‘Over the Waimakariri.’

Robert Richardson was inspired by the curve of the track giving a great view of both the carriages and the locomotive on its route across the Waimakariri River to Arthur’s Pass.

Robert used a 17mm wide-angle lens which

combined with a small f11 aperture resulted in a deep field of focus for both the foreground and distant mountains.

Wānaka Camera Club is dedicated to helping anyone interested in photography and we welcome anyone to join us. Our next meeting is Monday 8th February, 7.30 pm, St John Rooms, Link way.

– By Robert Richardson

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Our collective apologies concerning the lost illustration noted in last week’s Diary.

It was the one that heads this diary and I was keen to show it for two reasons. Firstly, it is an outstanding image both technically and photographically. It also illustrates the ferocity of the birds when it comes to defending territory. It was taken just a few weeks ago by Christchurch photographer Bevan Tulett who has visited Wānaka principally to photograph the grebes. It was one of six images he sent me and I have since received a further six. I will refer to some of those in future diaries.

Mayhem continues at the Marina with birds choosing to breed in all sorts of odd places, mostly on the transoms of berthed boats and on rubber tyres at the base of the poles that divide berths. That put a big load on Markus and me to sort out. A degree of reciprocity by Hawea folk has resulted in the loan of two platforms from them and we have created a third and are building additional ones (thanks to the funding generosity of local folk).

All of this is in an attempt to entice the birds away from these dangerous and inconvenient places.

The coming year is going to be a big one for us. Many of the early platforms have passed their use-by-date and need replacing. That process will update designs and materials and it will be nice not to have to scrounge the town for empty 10-litre containers to keep them platforms afloat.

Pool noodles were a very valuable alternative until we discovered the effect of prolonged UV light on them.

The good news is that the birds on nest 10 hatched three of their four eggs and they were

THURSDAY 07.01.21 - WEDNESDAY 13.01.21

Duelling grebes.

PHOTO: Bevan Tulett

joined by nest seven also hatching three of their four eggs. Within hours of birds leaving nest seven, a new egg appeared. I marked it and placed it back in the nest only to discover six hours later that Black-backed gulls were scavenging unprotected nests. The spice wars will resume.

I noted last week that I doubted that nest six would hatch anything from their two eggs, but I am happy to be proved wrong as one of the parents proudly parades its chick in front of the sitting bird. Nest five has hatched the first of its five eggs, but I suspect that this clutch is the product of two separate breeding attempts and not all eggs will hatch. Others due to hatch this coming week include nests 1, 2, 12, 13 and the Robinson Crusoe nest. That’s the one made entirely of driftwood crafted by local sculptor Simon Bannister.

– By John Darby

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Sun Views

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EDITORIAL

Crimeline

A most interesting experience

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

Chirnside K Kim Sergeant, NZPD

The staff at Dunedin hospital were excellent- caring and compassionate.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

I have recently had the most interesting experience.

Last Wednesday I was sitting in Urban Grind having a meeting with my boss, when I felt a sharp “click” in my knee and and even sharper jolt of pain. I knew immediately what had happened as this had happened to me before about three years ago. I had dislocated my “artificial knee” displacing the bearing in the knee joint. My first thought was one of dismay as I knew what was to come- a long painful trip to hospital and then an even longer more painful wait for surgery.

I sat in the cafe for a good half an hour, hoping the pain would go away and contemplated calling for an ambulance. In the end I didn’t call the ambulance (the ignominy of being carried out of the cafe on a stretcher was too much) and steeled myself to hop to my car and try and get up to the medical centre. I started to hop for the door and while most people stared at me blankly, two young guys of rugby playing ilk leapt to their feet and carried me to my car.

Then one of them drove me up to the medical centre. I can’t thank you guys enough, whoever you are, for helping a doderry old woman out.

Once up in the medical centre it was a long wait before anyone realised just how much pain I was in. Then I had an x-ray and that changed everything. Gosh you are brave the doctor said, putting up with that pain. After that it was all on. I was bundled into an ambulance bound for Dunedin Hospital. No chance to collect a toothbrush or sort out the cat- nothing.

The trip was long and arduous and only made bearable by a healthy dose of morphine administered by a needle in my arm. I did get to meet Shirley though, with whom I shared the ambulance from Dunstan Hospital on down.

Shirley, a feisty 80 year old had broken her femur and was in equal amounts of pain.

We arrived at Dunedin Hospital late in the

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PHOTO: supplied

afternoon and were both parked up in the Accident and Emergency Department. Various sub-teenage doctors came and went extracting data and statistics. By this stage all I wanted to do was lie down in a comfy bed and be administered soothing and mind altering drugs.

I was finally admitted onto the ward at about 8 pm and who should be in the bed next to mind but Shirley. We swapped experiences and what a wonderful thing morphine was.

The next six days were a bit of a blur. I was in a drug infused fug for most of it. But what made it tolerable was the company- Shirley plus two other octogenarians, Caroline and Marion.

I was intrigued by their conversations. How difficult were their laptops and smartphones.

And what was the best brand of incontinence pants. It made me realise what I had in store 20 years down the track.

My surgery was put off for several days due to my low blood pressure. But the medical staff eventually realised that my blood pressure was what it was and so I was booked into surgery for Saturday. That meant 12 hours without eating or drinking which was a bit of a blow because the hospital food was excellent. Much better than my diet at home.

But I came out the other end of a three hour surgery with a lot less pain and contemplating heading home. I was on the road on Monday, courtesy of my sister Ali who came all the way down from Twizel to transport me.

I’m back at home now and back at work. I’m not functioning at 100 per cent which my boss can’t seem to comprehend, but I have managed to get the next edition ready to go. Yay! Final note: I can’t thank the staff at Dunedin enough for the care they gave me – they were amazing. Nurses have changed a lot over the years – they are more compassionate and less authoritarian.

And another note: If anyone wants information on the pros and cons of a knee replacement I'm alway available to give my two cents worth.

Welcome to another New Year! And in the worst kept secret ever, Wānaka was busy over the Christmas/New Year period. But we thank our colleagues from Dunedin who joined us for the holiday period, to help keep the community safe.

On Tuesday we dealt with a young lady who threw a glass bottle into a crowd of revellers, causing a victim to require stitches around her eye. Alcohol and age were the primary factors here, which is a trend for this week.

Tuesday night included a disqualified driver who was found driving. His disqualification was a result of some sustained loss of traction earlier in the year. He has lost his girlfriend’s mother’s car!

On Wednesday night a 17-year-old drink driver was stopped ‘sober driving’ her young friends home on Aubrey Road. By the end of the night, her name had changed twice, she was now 16 years old, and over the adult alcohol limit.

Thursday afternoon included an intoxicated male being driven around town by a 14-yearold chauffeur, before giving driving a go himself.

He was arrested on a warrant from Hastings and also refused our attempts to take a blood test. He spent New Years in the Police Station.

Thursday night was full of energy down on the waterfront. A primary issue was the number of

intoxicated young people, some as young as 14.

A large number of alcohol infringement notices were issued and many parents called in the middle of the night. We wished the parents were aware of where their children were at. There were five arrests during the night, mostly relating to disorderly behaviour.

During the night a male was apprehended for selling an array of LSD and ecstasy from his car at Eely Point. Thank you to the keen eyes of the public who reported this. Given the young people in town, taking this person off the street helped keep our community safer that night. The offender has a date with the court.

Thursday night ended with a serious family harm incident involving campers in Hawea. The offender was arrested the following day and will appear in court on Tuesday.

On Friday 1 youths were apprehended at Glendhu Bay Campground, helping themselves to belongings at several sites. They have been referred to Youth Aid. On Sunday our drink driving friend we arrested on Thursday returned for round two, breaching his bail and continuing to drive while suspended from driving. He was followed to Queenstown and arrested by our colleagues at Queenstown Airport.

Stay safe and enjoy the remainder of the holiday period.

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

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

Letters may be edited or abridged.

Letters of no more than 300 words are preferred.

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PAGE 13

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NOTICES

THANKS

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.

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.

SERVICES 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 requires good quality household goods, if you can help this would be appreciated. Your donations can be dropped at 48 Helwick street or phone for a pick up 443 5068.

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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: Joanna Perry • 021 736 740 newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wānaka Deadlines: Display Advertising 4pm Friday prior to publication. marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz

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Sun News

Signature Wānaka art event ready to go Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Art event coordinator and parent at Leigh Cooper with works by the event’s special guest artist Natalya Doudell, of Tauranga.

PHOTO: Jo Galer

A large number of fragile parcels have arrived and been tentatively unpacked, and soon the people of Wānaka will get to see what was in them.

They are 124 works by artists from all over New Zealand that will be judged at the annual Craigs Investment Partners Aspiring Art Prize this Friday, January 8.

This is the third year that the awards, with the top prize worth $10,000, has involved artists from all over New Zealand, submitting their oils, watercolours, abstracts and acrylics to view and also for sale.

Both the event and subsequent week-long exhibition raises funds for the further development of the venue, Holy Family Catholic School in Wānaka. Now into its 14th year and a permanent fixture on the Wānaka calendar, the results are clear to see with modern buildings that have sprung up in recent years to develop the School.

Coordinator Leigh Cooper said coordinating the Prize with Yeverley McCarthy, along with the presentation evening

on Friday and week-long exhibition open to the general public, was always a busy time that built up over six months, starting with contact with the eclectic, and at times eccentric, group of artists participating.

But in all the years the event had been run, it always came together incredibly well and people enjoyed it.

“We’re expecting around 300 people on the night so it’s a great chance for artists to get their work seen, possibly sold and a great competition to enter,” she said.

When works sold at the event and exhibition, 25 percent of the value of each sale went towards the school.

“It’s our biggest fund raiser this year, and with Covid-19 restrictions at other times this past year, this is extra important for us,” she said.

This year, a proportion of the funds raised would go towards establishing an Aspiring arts foundation to provide children at the school with greater exposure to the visual arts. This might result in artists holding workshops or the school running pottery fieldtrips, for example.

New Year book sale raises around $8000 for school Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Rotary Club of Wānaka’s New Year book sale raised around $8000 to assist parents and caregivers needing to purchase new Mount Aspiring College (MAC) uniforms this year.

Rotary Club of Wānaka president Mike Elliot said the sale, held every few years at the Wānaka Community Centre, featured thousands of books. Numbers through the doors were strong and he the community response to the sale had

People looking for their next read at the book sale.

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been excellent.

“The money will go to those who need to buy new MAC uniforms. Some in our community are struggling financially so if we can help them then that’s what the money is for,” he said.

For the New Year sale the books were primarily novels and sports books, perfect for a summer read.

“We’re very happy to be teaming up with Mount Aspiring College for this sale. A need has been identified at the college for some funding so it will go to a very worthwhile cause,” Mike said.

(from left) Pipi Horan (15) and Olivia Jones (16) from Mt Aspiring College help out on the till at the Wānaka Rotary book sale this week.

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PAGE 15

Sun Sport

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The show goes on at 58th Wānaka Rodeo

Wanaka local Pyper Sarginson running home for second division barrel race.

Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

This year saw a smaller crowd enjoying the atmosphere at the Wānaka Rodeo, but organisers were pleased it went ahead when other events in Central Otago cancelled following heavy rain.

Past-president of the Rodeo Club Lyal Cocks said the rodeo attracted around half the usual crowd - 1500 people to watch the competition.

Usually the event drew crowds of between 2500 and 3000. As a result, the takings might not be enough to give to a charity as occurred last year.

In 2020, the Club gave $5000 to the charity Food for Love.

“Despite the forecast, and the fact one or two competitors didn’t make it due rain affecting

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PHOTOS: Caitlin Crack at CC Photography

travel, the competition went ahead, it was safe to compete and pleasant for most of the day. People who came out were really enjoying themselves,” he said.

A newly installed surface on the arena of sand and crusher dust also helped to ensure the event could be held with safety for both animals and contestants. Despite rain the night before, the surface contributed to the safety of the event overall.

A downpour of rain near the end of the day prematurely cut short the entertainment for some spectators, who packed up, but overall the organisers were pleased that the competition went very well for the most part.

The Glenorchy and Omakau Races, on the other hand, were cancelled.

Lyal Cocks said that with almost 200

Lindsey Christie battling it out in second division bull ride where the bulls came out victorious in both the second division and the open, with no qualified bulls for Wanaka 2021.

contestants over nine events, involving mostly horses, bulls and steers, the success of the Wānaka Rodeo this year follows the trend of other rodeo events throughout New Zealand, with numbers growing in the under-15 and in the female categories. As a family sport, rodeo was “thriving”.

“Throughout New Zealand the rodeo is in good heart. At most events numbers are up, and there are enough members for many more years of competing,” he said.

“In Wānaka we enjoy great community support from local businesses and sponsors. Community groups such as the Wānaka branch of NZ Riding for the Disabled who sell programmes, and the Hāwea Wānaka Pony Club, also make use of the event.”

Other groups who benefit as charities from

being involved include the Wānaka Community Patrol, the Wānaka Rowing Club and Alpine Street Machine.

Cocks was particularly proud this was the 58th year the rodeo, an iconic event for Wānaka, had been held.

The Queenstown Vegan Society organised a small group of around eight protesters outside the rodeo. President Kat Gollop said the group held placards and displayed screens with a video on rodeos on a loop.

“Some people driving past were honking their horns and putting their thumbs out – with fewer being abusive,” she said.

“We were hoping the event would be cancelled and were surprised it wasn’t. But as it happened, the bad weather mostly held off.”

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