Wanaka Sun I 09 - 15 April 2020 I Edition 969

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Where is he now?

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Stranded Wānaka pair back on New Zealand soil

Although he was unsure when and how he and Hayes would make it back to Wānaka, Nicol said they were very happy to be back on home soil and “not too worried” about what would happen next.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

wo 23-year-olds from Wānaka who were left stranded in Peru when the border closed three days before their flight home was due to depart have safely made it back to New Zealand and are staying in a government quarantine hotel in Auckland.

Caleb Nicol and Conor Hayes made national news last week after they found themselves

T

unable to fly home from Peru. They and other Kiwis were told they had been cut from a repatriation flight because there were no ongoing flights to New Zealand on the same day the flight arrived in Sydney, as required by new Australian border controls.

When they later learned they could have boarded the flight after all, Nicol posted online that he felt the government had turned a “blind eye to its citizens who are literally begging for their help. Other countries are getting their

people back to where they belong.”

Their story attracted a huge amount of attention in the press and the community, with over 6,000 signants petitioning the government to bring nationals home from South America.

Finally, after a stroke of “pure luck”, the boys managed to get on a flight to London on March 31, after a group of British tourists staying at the same hostel texted their roommate to say that there were twenty spare seats on their repatriation flight being given away on a first

PHOTOs: Supplied

come, first served basis. The pair grabbed their bags and headed straight to the military airbase.

Once in London, they boarded a Qatar Airways flight to Auckland and are now staying at an Ibis Hotel under strict quarantine conditions - they are checked daily by nurses and allowed out of their rooms for food and a walk. Nicol told the Wānaka Sun they were being treated very well. “The food’s been really good,” he said.

Continued on page 2

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EDITORIAL

We aren’t all playing our part in lockdown?

“We’ll try and get this winter working, I promise.”

PHOTO: Supplied

Bring in the army and lockdown those who flout the rules.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The other evening, from about 6 pm to 10 pm there was a terrible cacophony coming from my neighbour's place. Jethro Tull (of all things) was blaring at a deafening level, and about ten people were yelling and laughing. I'm sure there was more than a bubbles-worth of people there partying.

Eventually, I went to bed and tried to sleep, but it was impossible, so I lay there, mulling over the situation. These people were so blatantly defying the lockdown rules they deserved everything thrown at them. I decided to call the police. Whether the cops came I'm not sure, but shortly after the noise stopped and the backyard went dark. But not before I had worked myself up into an indignant fury.

What was wrong with these idiots?

Fast forward a couple of days, and I was chatting with my nearest neighbour. He lives very close and had repeatedly gone out at night, god knows where, and often not returned to the following afternoon. Staying with him was a mother and young child whom I'm sure were aware he may have been bringing the infection into the house but weren't confident to bring this up.

A couple of days ago the neighbour mentioned to me, quite casually, that he and his business partner intended to go back to work next week (they are in the construction business). They would just ask the owners of the houses they were working on not to be there, he said. I was appalled at this man's ignorance and total disregard for the safety of others. What was he thinking?

If that wasn't enough, there was that photo of people at the Albert Town Bridge that went viral of Facebook recently. There was much speculation as to who this was – tourists from the campground, one person posted. I'm sure it was locals, said a reputable source. Whoever it was, it was pretty evident from the photo that these people were young. So what were their parents doing about it? Why weren't they keeping them inside? Were the police called?

Outgoing Police Commissioner Mike Bush said at a press conference recently there was only a small group of people where the message "stay home" was not sticking.

I must be living somewhere in the middle of that group, I reckon.

Bush told New Zealanders to expect more door knocking as the lockdown continued.

The police 105 number was still busy, he said and the online form to report breaches was running hot - getting almost 10,000 reports by midday on Tuesday.

On social media, people from around the country continued to report seeing groups of people out at the local park, not adhering to social distancing rules or visiting a relative's home.

Jacinda Adern famously said on Monday that those who continued to flout the rules were "idiots", including the Christchurch man who filmed himself coughing on people at a supermarket.

Don't get me wrong, I love our libertarian way of life, love our left-leaning government and think Jacinda is the bomb. But if ever there was a time when some form of totalitarianism wouldn't go amiss it's now. Bring in the army, give the police more power and lockdown these idiots before they spoil it for all of us.

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Bridget Legnavsky shares hope for Cardrona’s ski season Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

In an online video post on April 3, Cardrona Alpine Resorts’ general manager Bridget Legnavsky shed further light on what the country’s state of emergency might mean for the upcoming ski season.

In a post two weeks ago, she acknowledged that the Cardrona and Treble Cone resorts were making plans for winter around the government four-stage alert system for the coronavirus pandemic. She reiterated last Friday that were the country to be in level four alert, the ski resort would not be open, and in level three it would be “very very unlikely” to be open. Level two would mean the resort would focus on an entirely community-based market, and level one would allow for “more movement domestically.”

She confirmed that the website would continue

to be updated regularly as the resorts continued to plan for the coming months.

Cardrona and Treble Cone’s early bird season pass campaign ended in March, and Legnavsky thanked those who had “trusted” the resorts and purchased a pass, stating that it was “exciting to see” the level of interest despite the current situation.

Legnavsky added that the lockdown had helped people think about what really made them happy, and “seeing everybody out there enjoying the outdoors” gave her hope for the upcoming ski season because “in the ski industry, that’s exactly what we offer - people to be together in the outdoors and in the mountains.

“When we come out of this, we are going to think differently. We are going to change, and we are going to have way more of an idea of what really is important to us,” she said. “Knowing people value that is hugely important right now.

“We’ll try and get this winter working, I promise.”

Stranded Wānaka pair back on New Zealand soil Continued from page 1 But whilst Nicol and Hayes secured a seat on the London flight, 80 fellow New Zealanders still in Peru were not so lucky. A week later on April 6, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced that the government would be chartering a flight to bring Kiwis in Peru home, as it was increasingly difficult for them to "shelter safely in place." They would, however, need to pay for their own flight - at a cost of $5,330 each, and an additional $500 to fly from Cusco to Lima, where the flight departed from.

Nicol posted online that he was glad to see the government “finally step up. It has been a lot of sleepless nights, literally hundreds of emails, and hours upon hours of phone calls and interviews to get to this point. Very excited to see that the Kiwis will be safe and out of the fast-changing, scary situation in Peru with hostels continuing to be raided and shut down.”

Although he was unsure when and how he and Hayes would make it back to Wānaka, Nicol said they were very happy to be back on home soil and “not too worried” about what would happen next. They are both feeling well, and had a support network in Auckland. “We’re on a bit of an extended, extended holiday now,” he added.

“Everyone in Wānaka has been really, really supportive,” he acknowledged, saying that offers of money, care packages and kind words gave them a push when they felt stuck. “Wānaka has grown a lot, but it still has that small town sense of community.”

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Far from home and Lockdown may be working, unable to get there authorities say Pat Deavoll

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

When Stirling Nass, her husband Josh Nass and their two young children Thomas (4) and Elizabeth (2) left the US for a six month trip of a lifetime around the world, they had no idea the furthest they would get was Wānaka.

The couple had planned on six weeks in New Zealand followed by six weeks in Japan and then on to Europe.

"Our original plan was to leave New Zealand on March 5," Stirling Nass said. "But as the news came out that the coronavirus was spreading around Japan, we cancelled the Japan leg and decided to stay here.

"We rescheduled our flights with the plan of leaving on April 20. Then the US issued a declaration to its citizens to get home immediately by whatever commercial means possible."

At that point, the Nass's booked tickets back to the US for March 29 but subsequently got news of the lockdown in New Zealand to start on March 27.

Even then they called Air NZ three times and got confirmation that international travellers connecting to an international flight weren't considered essential travellers and therefore they would be able to fly domestic from Queenstown to Auckland.

"But on March 28 the government changed its tune, and we received notice that we wouldn't be able to fly domestically," Stirling Nass said.

"But we packed all of our bags, no mean feat, and headed for Queenstown Airport. Unfortunately, there were police at the door, and they wouldn't let us in. It was really interesting – everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful, but it was made very clear we were not getting into the airport.

"So we went back to Wānaka to our Airbnb.

The owner, in Christchurch, was very gracious and said, of course, we could move back in."

During this time the Nass's were contacting the US consulate in Auckland trying to get a sense of when they would be able to leave. They had a friend connected to the CEO of Air New Zealand – they emailed him.

"We have since been monitoring the news every day, and the government has opened up some

PHOTO: Supplied

From left, Elizabeth, Josh, Thomas and Stirling Nass are stuck here in Wānaka for the duration, unable to return to the US.

domestic flights to foreign travellers. So at this point, we are booked out of Christchurch (we have to drive there) on April 9," Stirling Nass said.

"We have been telling people that Wānaka isn't a terrible place to be stuck. We have fallen in love with Wānaka, we have benefited from the lovely weather, and we are staying at a beautiful property with a back yard. So things could be a lot worse.

"But we didn't come with a lot of toys for young children, so we have been studying nature, doing lots of projects we can find around the house – but the kids don't know the difference."

A funny local story, Stirling Nass said: "The day before the lockdown I noticed every second car in town was towing a trailer of firewood. I even saw people scavenging for driftwood at Glendu Bay. Then I realised it gets quite cold here and got a bit worried, but when we opened the Airbnb garage for the first time, we saw we had a hoarder's worth of firewood stashed down there.

"The most stressful part of all this has been, like for everybody else, the unknown. When are we going to leave? What is happening tomorrow?

And what comes next?"

On paper, the numbers look good directorgeneral of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said at the Wednesday national press briefing.

Good enough, at least, for authorities to express cautious optimism about New Zealand's trajectory of confirmed coronavirus cases, something they have avoided doing.

"We can see we've had several data points now that are quite comfortably showing it's levelling off, at this point,” Bloomfield said "Clearly, the levelling off is a good sign. We've avoided that exponential growth the modelling showed would have happened if we'd done nothing."

What makes New Zealand distinct from a lot of other countries is the low rate of community transmission, Bloomfield said.

Community transmission – meaning the movement of the virus among otherwise unconnected people – is an important indicator for how severely the virus will spread.

It is one of the indicators that underpins the 'alert level' system. When the first two cases of community transmission were found, New Zealand moved from alert level two to alert level three. It quickly moved to level four once the risk of wider spread became apparent.

The phrase "break the chain" is itself a reference to this, Bloomfield said. By staying at home, community transmission becomes harder. Like a forest fire without fuel to burn, the number of cases would, eventually, start to fizzle out.

As of yesterday there were 20 known cases of the virus attributed to community transmission, or two per cent of the 1210 confirmed and probable cases. When the lockdown began on March 25, there were four cases.

For a virus that is dangerous in part because it spreads quickly, the lack of any major community level outbreak shows that, so far, the virus has struggled to find fuel, he said.

A major consequence of the lack of community transmission is the low case fatality rate (CFR), which, as of yesterday, stands at 0.09- that is, one death among the 1210 confirmed cases thus far.

This is amongst the lowest death rates reported anywhere in the world, and lower than the worstaffected countries, where the CFR has been as high as 11.

This is likely driven by one simple data point: age.

Because the plurality of confirmed cases that were contracted overseas and brought home, they are heavily weighted towards people likely to travel; namely, those aged between 20 and 40 years old.

Adjusting the age ranges of those confirmed to have coronavirus to the overall population shows people aged 20 to 29 are over-represented.

They are more than three times as likely to have the virus than those older than 70, who are proportionally the least likely age group in New Zealand to have the virus, besides children.

New Zealand is still earlier on the curve than most countries, so the low CFR could change.

But if community spread can be limited, limiting the number of older people who contract the virus, the fatality rate can remain much lower than it otherwise would be.

New Zealand was lucky to start its coronavirus response a week or two behind much of the world, a crucial window in which it became clear that aggressive physical distancing was working , Bloomfield said.

Nearly every country is now pursuing this strategy. For countries such as Italy, US and Spain, that lesson came too late – but not New Zealand.

The early advice from the World Health Organisation was clear: "Test, test, test".

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern herself repeated those words last week. International data shows countries that do widespread, aggressive testing early on have more success in limiting the spread.

New Zealand's testing capacity has ramped up considerably in the last week, and now compares favourably to many other countries, particularly given New Zealand's relatively early point on the curve, Bloomfield said.

One particularly promising number is the proportion of confirmed cases to the number of tests conducted. Yesterday 1.8 per cent of the 4098 tests were positive, the lowest since the lock down began and part of a clear downward trajectory.

The last time the proportion was that low, fewer than half the number of tests were being done every day. If the lockdown works, you would expect to see this trend continue - more tests finding fewer positive cases of coronavirus.

There remain questions about whether or not some areas are being over-represented in the tests, which Bloomfield acknowledged.

"We will start to have a better sense of whether the lockdown is working once the daily increase in confirmed cases starts to drop," he said.

"What we are really looking for is a drop in that rate of increase day by day, and the only way we will get that is if we go just as hard over this next two and a half weeks in alert level four and continue the actions all New Zealanders are doing to break that chain."

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PHOTO: Andy Vause

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Where our Wānaka bachelor is now Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka locals and best friends Elliott Gilchrist and Richie Boyens (32) charmed our screens and hearts when they starred on this year’s Bachelorette New Zealand, so it was hardly a surprise when second bachelorette Lily McManus (23) gave ‘intruder’ Boyens - who entered the competition mid-way through - her final rose during the finale at the end of March.

But what was next for the happy couple?

“It’s been five months now since filming ended, and Lily and I have been dating ever since,” said clothing designer Boyens.

“We had about six weeks once the show finished filming to be free as a couple which was primo. It gave us a chance to really cement our relationship before the show came on TV, which was always going to be hard to watch back.”

After travelling to Australia to meet Lily’s family, Boyens decided to move from his hometown of Wānaka to Auckland.

“I wanted to show Lily how important she was to me and how serious I was about making this relationship work outside of the bubble. Auckland had been on the cards for me for a while and it just made sense to move,” he said. “Lily flew down to Wānaka via Queenstown, helped pack up my house, and we had a mint roadie back to Auckland. It was so epic to see how serious she was about it all too.”

With the coronavirus lockdown forcing their hand, the two decided on a whim to spend the isolation period together in Golden Bay. “Things were going to be difficult with our living situations in Auckland as we had different flats… We booked flights on Wednesday night, and flew out at 6:30am the next morning,” Boyens told the Wānaka Sun. But their relationship continues to flourish despite the national state of emergency. Boyens said he “couldn’t be more stoked” with how things were going.

“She’s still the same amazing girl I met on TV. It just gets better and better as each day comes.”

PHOTO: Supplied

“She’s still the same amazing girl I met on TV. It just gets better and better as each day comes.”

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Central Lakes Trust’s grant budget fully subscribed Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Central Lakes Trust board met remotely last Monday to approve 12 grants in what was the last board meeting of the trust’s financial year.

The trusts annual grants budget was $9.10m to March 31, 2020, with a five per cent contingency. This final round of grants takes the total grants approved for this financial year to $9.54m; this includes year two of the five-year tracks and trails commitment.

“We have finished the year just within our contingency of five per cent. This was added to the grants budget last year, as a result of increased demand from our growing population,” said trust

chief executive, Susan Finlay.

“We can expect the $9.4m for this upcoming year will also be fully subscribed,” she said.

Of the 12 grants approved this round, Volunteering Central received a $60,000 operational grant towards the delivery of their service. “Volunteering Central are at the forefront of the work being undertaken in our region due to the coronavirus pandemic. They are coordinating volunteers with both QLDC and CODC and social service agencies,” Finlay said.

Volunteering Central’s senior coordinator Gillian White said, “For many years we have had a relationship with the QLDC and their civil defence emergency management team to

Queenstown Lakes coronavirus stats surpass other southern districts Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Ministry of Health announced 10 new coronavirus cases in the Southern region on Wednesday, bringing the region’s total to 187.

There have been 68 in the Queenstown Lake District (QLD), surpassing any other district in the Southern region. The district with the next largest number of cases is Dunedin with 46.

The ministry won’t give out the number of cases in Wānaka for “privacy reasons.”

The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is stressing the importance of people advising of coronavirus symptoms when they are being admitted to hospital, so precautions can be taken to safeguard hospital staff and other patients.

This follows an incident at Southland Hospital last week where a patient, who has since tested positive for coronavirus, was admitted to hospital needing surgery and did not disclose symptoms until after they had shared a room with two other people, and after surgery had been performed.

The other two patients have since tested negative for coronavirus but are still in 14 days isolation.

Thirteen hospital staff have been contacted – 11 are self-isolating and two are considered to be casual contacts.

Southland Hospital EOC controller Jo

McLeod said, “Our thoughts are with the patient and we understand this has been a very difficult situation.

“We just want to reinforce that it is very important for patients to disclose any symptoms that they may have, even if they don’t seem serious or significant at the time.

This means that we can ensure that they are cared for in the right place, with the right equipment, protecting them, their families and our staff.”

The message from SDHB chief executive Chris Fleming is to stay at home this Easter.

“As Easter approaches, we are reminding people it is important that they stay in the place where they have been living since the lockdown began, and not travel to a holiday home to spend the long weekend, in breach of the coronavirus rules.

“The transmission of this disease is aided by the movement of people. So even though you may be going from one residence to another, with no intention of interacting with other people, you do increase the risk of transmitting the infection to a whole new community. For the sake of a couple of days’ change of scene you might put someone’s health, or even life, at risk.

“Southern health care professionals will be on duty around the clock this Easter weekend, working in hospitals, CBACs, clinics, aged care facilities and pharmacies to provide essential care for our patients.”

coordinate spontaneous volunteers in the event of an emergency. This is exactly what we are doing in response to the coronavirus pandemic within our region.

“We have been extremely busy getting processes up and running with both QLDC and CODC to enable volunteers to offer their support safely.

We are working closely with social service organisations, and of course, the councils, to ensure a coordinated welfare response. We also have fantastic support from Cromwell Community House and Alexandra Community House with volunteer connections in Central Otago.

“Roles so far include support for our older population, pharmacy deliveries, food deliveries

and language support. We expect more roles to emerge as the lockdown continues and have had nearly 400 offers of help regionwide.”

Volunteering Central was instigated at Central Lakes Trust’s suggestion back in 2011 to meet better the needs of volunteers and organisations that involve volunteers in the region. Their service covers Wānaka, Queenstown, Cromwell, Alexandra and areas in between, helping to connect volunteers with non-profit organisations, as well as offering support, training and resources to volunteer managers.

They have 185 community organisations registered with some 1686 volunteers coordinated across the region.

Trust earmarks $2M for dedicated COVID-19 Response Fund

PHOTO: OCT

Otago Community Trust chair Ross McRobie and chief executive Barbara Bridger.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Otago Community Trust met for an urgent meeting on March 28, recognising the importance of discussing its response to coronavirus.

Chair Ross McRobie said the trustees unanimously agreed to respond quickly and effectively to support the Otago community by establishing a separate coronavirus response fund.

“Our decision to quickly earmark $2M to a dedicated coronavirus response fund is an effort to reassure those community organisations that may be facing increased costs or responding to greater need as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdown that help will be available,” he said.

Trust chief executive, Barbara Bridger said the trust is now working hard to establish the coronavirus response fund.

“Our key commitment to the community is that we wish to be flexible and responsive at this time.

We will provide more information on the criteria and application process to our social services and community-based organisations shortly.”

“Our investment portfolio is robust; it is designed to navigate good and bad years and the current challenging financial downturn,”said McRobie.

“We have a good level of accumulated-income reserves in place to support Otago.

“The board will be setting its 2020/2021 grants budget soon for the coming year and will continue its commitment to supporting our local communities.”

Outside of discussing how Otago Community Trust would respond to coronavirus for the region, business as usual community grants were approved. The Otago Community Trust gave a total of $97,451 to nine community organisations in March 2020.

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Meeting our local achievers

The lone kayaker, who was that man?

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTOS: supplied

Graham Charles on a hard day paddling the Antarctic Peninsula in 2001.

Graham Charles with his wife Elissa Brown and daughter Isla.

Graham Charles up close and personal with a sea elephant in the Beagle Channel.

The Council Word Stay home, save lives We need your support to protect New Zealand and eradicate COVID-19. Please stay home unless providing essential services. Only make physical contact with those that you live with.

Concerned about someone not self-isolating?

If you spot someone breaking emergency rules, our Police force has an online form to fill out, which means phone lines remain available for people needing urgent help. Head to www.police.govt.nz/105support to make a report.

Have your say on our Annual Plan Life has changed considerably since the QLDC 2020-21 Annual Plan was drafted but your feedback on it will help us set the work programme and priorities for the year ahead. It also guides QLDC rates and levels of service. Please head to Let’s Talk to make your submission by 17 April: letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/annualplan-2020-2021

Welfare assistance available If you are at risk and do not have support of friends, family or neighbours, help

www.qldc.govt.nz PAGE 6

is available. Please contact the Otago COVID-19 Help Centre on 0800 322 4000 or email them at help@otagocdem.govt.nz

Your pets, your bubble Your pets should be a part of your isolation bubble, which means limiting their ability to make contact with other pets.While dog access rules haven’t changed, we ask that you please observe some basic guidelines during lock down.

Don’t drive anywhere to walk your dog and please have your dog on a lead at all times to avoid coming into close contact with others. It’s also a good idea to avoid patting other dogs (sadly).

Online shopping If possible, please try to save home delivery slots for supermarket shopping for vulnerable people in our community.

Online services are the only way some people in our community can get essential supplies.

Shopping safely Make a list before you go, maintain two metres of distance from other shoppers and staff, and only pick up what you intend to buy. Wash produce and wipe packages down once you get home, and remember to be kind to those in the store.

When Graham Charles set off from the shore of Lake Wānaka in his kayak the first day of lockdown, he had no idea of the ruckus he would cause.

It wasn't until a friend alerted him to the barrage of vitriol posted on the Upper Clutha Community Notices Facebook Page that he knew he had done something wrong. His solo paddle – something he did daily - had caused outrage amongst the community. He had been out on the lake when the harbourmaster, Marty Black, had said no – not during the lockdown.

Charles fronted up and responded: "Just to halt the wasted time and pointless vitriol for the lone kayaker, it was me. I was unaware of the harbourmasters ruling (and even this stream of ugliness until a friend who had a hunch I might have been out told me). I'm not sure where I should have seen the harbourmaster ruling, but I didn't. I watch the first 10 minutes of the news, and that's it. I apologise. Now I know - the job is done," he posted on the Facebook page.

It's not as if Charles is a stranger to kayaking.

From the late eighties until the early nineties, he represented New Zealand on the world slalom kayak circuit, competing with three other Kiwis as far afield as Europe and North America.

It wasn't until being omitted from the New Zealand team to go to the Barcelona Olympics (only one Kiwi kayaker got to go) after putting in years of training for the event, that he gave slalom kayak away, But that was not the end of kayaking for Charles. In 2001, along with Marcus Waters and Mark Jones, he established a world first by completing an 800-kilometre traverse of the Antarctic Peninsula by sea kayak. The trip was two years in the making – the fundraising and logistics were extensive – and finally came together when Sir Peter Blake offered them a ride across the Drake Passage to the tip on the peninsula in his boat Seamaster.

The trio called themselves Adventure Philosophy and two years later made another groundbreaking first by sea kayak, circumnavigating the island of South Georgia in the South Atlantic.

Not content with these colossal adventures, in 2005 the team left Ushuaia in Southern Argentina by sea kayak to traverse the Beagle Channel. The channel bi-sects the island of Tierra del Fuego. The plan was to paddle the channel and then walk/ mountaineer their way back to Ushuaia along the mountain range.

Unfortunately, they hit unseasonably lousy weather in the mountains and had to curtail the trip.

2007 saw Charles and Waters embark on a traverse of the Greenland Icecap by ski. They had sea kayaks waiting for them at the end of the traverse, but the ski section took far longer than expected so they never got to sea kayak.

"That was the end of Adventure Philosophy," Charles said. "I'd run out of steam for fundraising by then. The next big trip was to sea kayak from Scott Base to Cape Adair (Antarctica). We tried for a year to raise money for that, but we didn't have the zest anymore as we did for the previous trips. By that stage, the world was changing, and lots of other folks were getting in on that kind of bandwagon."

In the meantime, Charles had had a successful career as a multisport athlete, which only came

THURSDAY 09.04.20 - WEDNESDAY 15.04.20

to an end when he had a collision with a car out training on his bike. This resulted in a broken neck and months in the hospital.

In the late 90s he kick-started a photography business and as Charles said his living at the time was made by "bit parts." He had left his longtime employer Sir Edmund Hilary Outdoor Pursuits Centre. He was getting by ski patrolling, selling photographs and instructing outdoor pursuits at various polytechnics around the country.

But his experiences in the polar regions opened up a new avenue. For the last 20 years, Charles has worked as a polar tourism guide, accompanying ships to the Arctic and Antarctic and taking passengers tripping onto the ice. He works his way between the Arctic season ( June until September ) and the Antarctic season (October until March).

Six years ago Charles married American Elissa Brown and now has a daughter Isla. The family split their time between Wānaka, and their home in Boseman, Montana. That's when Charles isn't in the Arctic and Antarctic. " With my Antarctic work, we usually arrive in Wānaka at the end of January and leave the end of March. I make another couple of trips back to New Zealand during the year- so I generally have 3.5 months to visit family in Blenheim and check on the house in Wānaka and renew my pre-hospital emergency first aid course.

"The company I work through hires me out to billionaires- they have a stable of expedition leaders, and if they have a client who wants to hire a boat, they will choose an expedition leader depending on what the client wants to do most. Expedition leaders specialise in maybe marine mammals, or history or climbing, and skiing which is what I do. The guide will be hired depending on their competence."

Charles is also the president of the Polar Tourism Guides Association (PTGA) and he said this is the "bigger part of my life at the moment."

He drives this on a day to day basis.

"Any guide in the polar region- whether they are a Ski-Doo guide or run dog sled trips or tootle around on the Antarctic Peninsula- we created minimum competency awards for essential skills for tourism guides," he said.

The organisation has eight foundation qualifications, which include interpretation, presentation, leading a hike in non-technical terrain and driving a zodiac. It's super-basic, Charles said.

"We do have more advanced qualifications like leading a dog-sledge journey across Greenland or a polar expedition to the South Pole.

"I started the PTGA because I have been doing the polar expedition thing for 20 years now and I've seen so many people who wouldn't even come close to getting a basic outdoor qualification in New Zealand. But there they are with a job in Antarctica- but accidents happen with slips and falls- it used to piss me off so much.

They're hopeless."

Would Charles do another sea kayak expedition?

"I'd be keen to do that sort of thing again, but I have no interest in doing all the fundraising. I'm too cynical now,"he said.

In the meantime, he is just happy to be in Wānaka with his family for the lockdown.

"Considering what's going on in the US and the ambiguity over the leadership we are just glad to be here," he said.

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Sun News

Wānaka bach wins big in Home of the Year Awards

PHOTOS: supplied

This Wānaka bach has won the Dulux Best Colour and Detail Award in Home magazine's Home of the Year 2020 Awards.

Extremely disappointing anti-5G vandalism Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Road signs along SH6 between Hāwea and Albert Town have been defaced with the words “5G kills”, while conspiracy theories claiming 5G technology helps transmit coronavirus gain traction around the world.

Mark Stewart, maintenance contract manager, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Central Otago, said that the vandalism was “extremely disappointing, particularly given the Alert 4 lockdown situation we are all part of, and potentially puts our road crews at risk when they replace them or attempt to remove the paint. They impair the readability of important safety signs and provide a distraction for drivers and others in a vehicle which could endanger their safety.

“Many of the drivers on our roads are fulfilling essential services transporting food, hospital supplies, fuel and other items which we all rely upon during this lockdown, all the more reason they deserve our help, protection and support.”

There has been a trend in anti-5G vandalism around the world alongside the spread of online theories claiming that 5G - which is used in mobile phone networks and relies on signals carried by radio waves - is somehow responsible for coronavirus. Last week, mobile phone masts were set on fire across the UK. But scientists say the idea of a connection

PHOTO: NZ Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency are appealing for information on who may have vandalised the signs - 0800 4 HIGHWAYS.

between coronavirus and 5G is "complete rubbish" and biologically impossible. The National Health Service England's national medical director, Stephen Powis, said the 5G conspiracy idea was “the worst kind of fake news” with no scientific backing that risked damaging the emergency response to the outbreak.

Almost 500 people have signed a petition to stop 5G cell towers being installed in Wānaka and Hāwea since last August. The Facebook group Upper Clutha 5G - Problems and Solutions responded to the graffiti on Sunday in a post that read: “We’re all agreed here that vandalism does not help our cause to raise awareness about the issues with 5G?” “If anyone has any information on who may have vandalised these signs we would ask them to let us or the police know – 0800 4 HIGHWAYS,” said Stewart.

Erik's fish and chips reading challenge Pat Deavoll Liz Tjahjana: “The clients love how the kitchen anchors the house and contains many details of significance to them, including the kauri timber drawers and tiles from their former restaurant.”

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

A Wānaka bach, designed for two restaurateurs, has won the Dulux Best Colour and Detail Award in Home magazine's Home of the Year 2020 Awards.

Architect Liz Tjahjana said the interior design brief from the clients was for a place to relax and focus on the social side of food.

"They wanted a place where cooking and dining became a culinary performance connected to the landscape," she said. "The clients love how the kitchen anchors the house and contains many details of significance to them, including the kauri timber drawers and tiles from their former restaurant.

"The clients love the intimacy of the living spaces while the house can sleep ten people. It is lovely to see the clients in a house they were so

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Logic1, a local Wānaka company, has worked hard to give all Wānaka children who are at primary school a treat after lockdown is over.

In 2019 the company launched an initiative whereby any student who read five books would receive a free kid’s meal from Eric's Fish and Chips. That's half a scoop of chips and tomato sauce and either a hot dog or four fish bites, valued at $6.50.

Teacher in charge of the library at Wānaka Primary School Melissa Ashby was blown away by the success of the programme and how it encouraged children to read.

"One of the main reasons I am very keen to offer this deal is that we have a son who struggled when learning to read and consequently it was tough to get him to read anything more than comics. He loved and still loves food, so this will work a treat for him," Ashby said.

General manager sales Cardrona Distillery Theo Arndt said: "Learning to read was a real struggle for me. If it weren't for my parents putting in a lot of extra hours, in particular, my very few calls since the lockdown which means Dad reading me many chapter books as I grew up, everyone is doing a great job at staying safe, staying home and looking after each other.”

This ‘calm in the storm’ can only come if residents are keeping particularly cautious when it comes to any risky activities, said Rainsford, “We are asking the community that there be no backyard fires, burn-offs, or outdoor fires at this time to help keep our volunteers safe and at home inside their bubble.”

For the time being, all volunteer fire training has Penny Fisher RN MBA been suspended nationwide, while still keeping up 027 343 4776 with “all procedures and policies at this time”.

The advice for emergencies is the same as always: call 111. Call takers will ask if anyone at your address is self quarantining or has Professional Trustworthy Friendly Reliable coronavirus. Rainsford said that, “[volunteer firefighters] are provided with suitable protective Personal care, Dementia care, clothing, safety glasses and masks to wear when 24 hour care, Palliative care, responding to any patients with viral symptoms Medication assistance, or coughing,” and also that, “the office is not Transport to appointments. manned at our station so the local phone will not be answered. Please feel free to message us on the www. pennyshom ecare.co.nz Facebook page if it is not an emergency.”

engaged in the process of making."

Architectural designer Steven Lloyd, who also worked on the design, said there were numerous sustainable initiatives in the house.

"The orientation of the house captures the low winter sun, away from the shadows cast by the row of European lime trees to the east. Large north-facing openings allow the sun to heat the concrete thermal mass floors.”

Lloyd said there were also high-level gable vent openings and skylights providing natural cross ventilation to cool the house in the summer.

Potential snow loading to the gutters was avoided by elevated tray inserts to the gutters.

High thermal-resistant insulation and an internal air tightness barrier feature behind the wall linings to prevent condensation within the frame construction.The walls and roof have cavities behind for air movement and dryness.

Emergency services continue to function Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

The lockdown has presented unique challenges for everyone, and emergency services have had to quickly adapt to the ever-changing landscape more than the average citizen.

In this week’s Crimeline, senior constable Ian Henderson, said that “the response from 99 per cent of the population has been amazing” and that most incidents involving police were related to residents breaking from their bubbles.

A national police spokesperson told the Wānaka Sun that, “There was an incident recently where a young person drove their vehicle to an area to meet up with friends as they were bored,” but that for the most part, “the majority of people are abiding by the Alert Level 4 restrictions and staff are engaging with them, educating those who are breaching.”

This has meant for other emergency services, callouts have seen a significant drop in recent weeks.

The Wānaka volunteer fire brigade’s Jodie Rainsford commented that, “Luckily we have had

THE WĀNAKA SUN

PHOTO: Supplied

Read five books and a free feed of fish and chips is up for grabs for any primary school student.

I would not be where I am today. I encourage all children to take part in this challenge."

One of the initiators of the scheme Anna Arndt said:" In 2020 we were planning to launch into all local primary schools, we had contacted them all and had meetings with some of them.

"Due to lockdown, it has now been launched online so students can have a treat when all this is over."

Penny’s Home Care

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New Worlds call for community to help everyone stay safe Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Both New World Wānaka and New World Three Parks have taken to social media to promote the measures they have taken to keep staff and customers safe during the coronavirus lockdown, and ask that the community continue to play their part.

Alongside reduced opening hours, staff protection measures such as screens at the checkout and contactless payments, the stores are also encouraging one member of each household only to visit the store, and those who are unable to visit to shop online.

Last week, New World Wānaka installed screens on every checkout lane to help prevent the spread of the virus and to protect checkout staff, and Three Parks New World posted a video to their Facebook page yesterday demonstrating the “sanitise shower” that their trolleys and checkouts are receiving each night.

But they continue to ask the community to do their part by remembering the recommended two metres distance even when loading and unloading groceries, packing their own bags, shopping normally and being kind.

“If customers continue to shop normally stores will have no issues providing the usual range of products. We would ask all New Zealanders to resist the urge to stock up as this simply puts unnecessary pressure on stores,” reads the New World website.

Wānaka Wastebusters Six Items Challenge Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: supplied

Show patience and kindness to fellow customers and staff as things may take a little longer.

Both stores have asked for patience and understanding on their pages. “We know this may be frustrating, please bear with us, feeding our communities is our greatest priority. We're grateful for your understanding and support. Together, we can nail this,” said New World Wānaka.

“Show patience and kindness to fellow customers and staff as things may take a little longer. From all of us at New World Three Parks - Kia kaha Aotearoa,” was New World Three Parks’ message.

Both stores are now offering a collection and delivery service by phone or email, although they ask that those who are well and able continue to shop in store to ensure that the vulnerable or sick can place their orders remotely.

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At the end of March, Wastebusters wrapped up its first official Six Items Challenge. For a whole month, or as much of it as was possible, our dedicated challengers limited themselves to wearing only six main items of clothing.

According to our Facebook event, over 300 people in the region either took part or were interested in taking part, all in the name of rethinking their fashion choices.

We were thrilled with the take-up in the community and the opportunities it opened up to spread the word about the downside of fast fashion (over-consumption, waste and exploitation) and to share ideas about how to shop and wear clothes sustainably.

Some of the feedback we have received so far included the joys of having less to choose from: "Less choice. A much quicker morning routine.

An obvious but very welcome upside", as well as the realisation that there is no such thing as failure in this challenge: "Don't stress or be too strict if it's eight items it's fine".

PHOTO: Wastebusters Of course, there were also those among us Think you could have done it? The Six Item Challenge. who struggled with keeping items clean: "I'm a feedback from anyone who took part or knew splattered mess. Wear aprons 24/7".

We have a survey on our website which will about the challenge, and we look forward to be open until April 13. We would appreciate sharing the results soon.

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Our world from the skies thewanakasun.co.nz

World-class paraglider and Albert Town local Bryan Moore spends many hours flying above the Upper Clutha Valley.

Moore said there are about 30-40 active paragliders in the Wānaka district, but many more come from afar to experience the best mountain cross country flying in Australasia.

See the Upper Clutha through his eyes in this selection of stunning images.

Lake Hāwea and the Hāwea township. Note the centre pivots in the foreground and the Hāwea River to the left.

The Matukituki River winds its way down the valley to Lake Wānaka.

Wānaka from far, far above Mt Iron.

Lake Wānaka and the surrounding snow capped mountains in winter.

The Wānaka CBD and outlying suburbs. See Mt Iron and Albert Town in the distance. You can even catch a glimpse of the Clutha River in the middle distance.

Glendu Bay and the Clutha River outlet. Away up in the left top corner, you can see the Matukituki Valley.

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THURSDAY 09.04.20 - WEDNESDAY 15.04.20

PAGE 9

Sun News

The silver lining of working remotely Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

With lockdown forcing many local businesses to close, others have been able to convert to working from home - and in some exciting ways. This includes an osteopath clinic which has developed online consultations, and the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Swim School which is mobilising staff to offer support in the community.

Jin Ong, an osteopath, herbalist, western acupuncturist and psychosomatic therapist who founded MetaMed Wānaka in 2016, said that her team of osteopaths, chiropractors and administrators were all working from home.

“It was a bit of a scramble,” she said, “but we managed to get online consults going so that we can continue supporting our wonderful community during these challenging times.

“Pain and injury doesn’t take a holiday. It hasn’t been easy, and I’m really proud of my team for adapting so quickly during these times of uncertainty. We continue to connect as a team virtually for brainstorming and support, and you’ll find them popping up on our social media channels with lots of at-home tips to follow.”

Ong told the Wānaka Sun that she found working from home gave her the chance to get unfinished projects done, and make ideas happen. She’s currently working on a personal website and podcast project. “I always love to see the positive in times like this,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to catch up, get creative and reassess your values in life.”

Clair Muirhead, team leader for the QLDC

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PHOTO: Pixabay

Working from home might be difficult, but it can open up new opportunities.

Swim School based in Queenstown and Wānaka, said that the part of her job she was missing the most was teaching lessons. She’s now sharing an ‘office’ with her husband, two children and the dog. “I try to stick to as much of a routine as possible, completing rosters, communicating with the team and completing some jobs I have been putting off,” she told the Wānaka Sun. But she’s also helping to coordinate an important new task. “The main change in managing my staff is, as part of council, we have asked all our contracted staff if they are happy to help with the emergency response team.

This includes jobs like ringing members of the community who have identified a need for additional support with food supplies.

“Sport and Recreation has always worked as a team and supported one another, and this is no different in lockdown - except now we are working together to support the community,” Muirhead said.

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Exercising, eating well and reading: lockdown advice from QLDC Sport & Recreation Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

This week’s ‘self care’ inspiration comes to you from Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) sport & recreation team, who are sharing weekly tips to help keep us active and safe over lockdown.

Ministry of Health guidelines tell us that we should be getting thirty minutes of exercise every day, and now how many of us can still say we don’t have the time?

It’s important to keep moving at this time for many reasons, including maintaining a routine, improving your mood and sense of wellbeing, stimulating your immune system and helping you sleep. It’s also a great opportunity to get outside and soak up some vitamin D - but remember to stay close to home and within your bubble.

QLDC are offering a range of free online exercises via their Facebook page, including access to 100 free Les Mills On Demand classes ranging from hardcore Body Attack to relaxing Body Balance. “We live in the best possible era for this isolation period when it comes to online workouts. It’s just a case of finding the right one for you,” the team said.

“Just don’t overdo it,” they advised beginners.

“It’s going to be hard to get help for an injury over this four-week period and now is not the time to burden our amazing health care workers with avoidable injuries.”

The team is also sharing nutrition tips to help us eat well over the next few weeks, such as starting

PHOTO: Pixabay

Start the day with a lemon, ginger and honey drink for an immune system boost.

the day with a lemon, ginger and honey drink for an immune system boost, and focusing on the quality of what you’re eating. “Lockdown is the perfect time to remove the processed food from your diet if you have time to make yourself nice, slow-cooked food. Reach for the recipe books that have been collecting dust and let the inspiration flow,” said personal trainer Oli Roborough.

“Make sure that you are eating meals rather than constantly grazing. A nicely prepared breakfast is the best place to start. Let’s take the time to enjoy good, home-cooked food with real ingredients. Live to eat rather than eat to live if you can over the next few weeks.”

Finally, QLDC reminds us that Queenstown Lakes libraries are sharing free online resources including eBooks and audiobooks, global newspapers and magazines, independent movies and documentaries. You can even join online if you don't already have a library card. For more details you can head to the QLDC Libraries website.

What to do with all those apples?

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

This is the time of year when apples ripen, and if you are anything like me, you will have heaps of them going to waste. Here are a few recipes for making use of this abundance. Enjoy.

Spiced apple chutney This apple chutney has a tangy, sweet flavour which is perfect with cheeses such as cheddar, cheshire or white stilton.

Ingredients • 225g onions, chopped • 900g apples, cored and chopped • 110g sultanas, raisins or chopped dates • 15g ground coriander • 15g paprika • 15g mixed spice • 15g salt • 340g granulated sugar • 425m pints malt vinegar Method Put all the ingredients into a preserving pan. Slowly bring to the boil until the sugar has dissolved.

Simmer for 1½-2 hours, stirring from time to time to stop the chutney sticking to the pan.

When it is very thick, and you can draw a wooden spoon across the base of the pan so that it leaves a channel behind it that does not immediately fill with liquid, the chutney is ready.

Turn into sterilised jars, seal and cool.

Store in a cool, dark cupboard for two to three months before eating.

Classic apple crumble This classic apple crumble dish is a long- time favourite, Ingredients Base: • 4 cups apples (peeled, thinly sliced) • 1/4 cup caster sugar • 1/2 tsp mixed spice • 1/4 cup water • Crumble Topping: • 1 cup flour • 1/2 cup dark cane sugar or soft brown sugar

THURSDAY 09.04.20 - WEDNESDAY 15.04.20

PHOTO: Supplied

• 1 cup desiccated coconut • 75g butter (cold and cut into cubes) Method Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place fruit in a well-greased pie dish, sprinkle with sugar, mixed spice and water. In a food processor, mix topping ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Sprinkle crumble topping over the fruit, bake for 45 – 50 minutes until topping is firm and lightly golden brown.

Serve warm with whipped cream or ice-cream.

Variations: Try mixing apples with other fruit such as pears. Add raisins or sultanas for some extra flavour.

How to make homemade apple cider vinegar The tools • You need to make sure that you’re using a very clean quart-sized jar • Rubber band • Swatch of cloth Ingredients • 2 cups of apple peels and cores • 1 tablespoon of raw honey or 1 tablespoon of sugar • 3 cups of water Method Place the apple pieces in the glass jar Fill the jar with water Add in the raw honey and shake until it dissolves Cover the jar with the swatch of cloth and a rubber band Let the jar sit in a dark place for about 3-4 weeks Stir it occasionally and make sure that the apple pieces are submerged After 3-4 weeks, strain out the apple pieces and compost Leave the liquid in the jar for another 3-4 weeks Then it’s ready to use,

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Consultation process guides environmental outcomes

Responses to our Facebook post: “Albert Town Bridge yesterday.”

Jake: My money is on foreign tourists that are staying in the Albert Town campground (which is supposed to be shut to the public) Saw them all by the river on Wednesday night sitting in a circle huddled in super close. People acting like this will be the reason why we will spend more than a month in isolation.

Paula: It’s a real shame some kids/families/individuals are happy to risk our ageing and at-risk individuals for a swim and their photo taken. Taking the mickey out of the lockdown and out of all at-risk patients needing this virus ended. Losers.”

Patricia: I heard on the radio from a local- not travellers but locals who should have known better.

Nina: That lovely group of 20-29-yearolds that have the highest rate of coronavirus. Good luck to them.”

Wendy: And this is why we will be quarantining a lot longer. We need to keep educating them. Stay home. Save Life. So simple.

Francis: And what if they got into difficulty and needed volunteer help? The whole point is to stay at home.

Daryll: I always wondered how the German community turned on their neighbours during WWII. Now I understand.

Alex: The response times of paid first responders in this town is disgusting, should have rung the volunteers.

Quinton: Who do they think they are?

Hanging out that close to a 5G tower.

Oh, wait…

Sharyn: Put them into lockdown at the Mongrel Mob headquarters - did I just post that?

Julie: We’re all here in lockdown and they’re out there flouting the rules and putting more of us at risk, not just from viruses, but from sanity and broken businesses.

Crimeline I Ian Henderson

Senior Constable, NZPD

The last week has been focused on the coronavirus response, both for police and the general public.

The response from 99 per cent of the population has been amazing- you have taken this life-threatening epidemic seriously: a massive thanks to you all.

At least three weeks to go as we wait for the numbers to drop off. Please keep the pressure on and find new ways to entertain each other and remember to stay in your bubble.

No doubt, both new and old board games are being brought out of the cupboards, and many movies are being watched. This is a great chance to get some exercise daily and upgrade those cooking skills.

Many of the incidents local police have attended over the last week have only required a friendly chat and a reminder of the need to stay in the bubble and stay close to home.

But a few people are always going to think

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Despite our uncertain economic future, the Queenstown and Upper Clutha communities are discussing how we might rebuild in a more sustainable way. Alongside business and community leaders, the people who live here are best placed to provide the diversity of thinking needed to shape the future we want.

Forward thinking was not evident in the actions of the seven Otago Regional Council (ORC) councillors who, at the start of the level 4 lockdown, used coronavirus to request that “all consultation upon Plan Change 7 should be halted, and that the plan should be entirely withdrawn. Similarly, we need to review the fundamentals and logic that led to the Omnibus Plan Change (OPC) and the RPS.” The Water Permits Plan Change, the OPC and the Regional Policy Statement are key elements of the legal and policy framework that guides how ORC manages environmental resources, particularly water, consistent with national standards. ORC must publicly notify a review of its regional policy statement by November 2020 and confirm a new land and water regional plan for Otago by December 2023. All existing permits run out in October next year and cannot

be renewed.

The request from the seven ORC councillors is an attempt to shut down the community consultation processes associated with plan changes and preserve business as usual for those who hold permit water rights. The councillors appear not to place any importance on allowing affected communities to contribute ideas and shape policies through consultation processes.

In contrast, ORC’s chair Marian Hobbs stated last week that: “For us as councillors, the challenge will be finding a way forward that does the right thing by our community and the environment, and to guide us as we navigate this challenge, we need to know your thoughts on what we should do, what we shouldn’t do, and how we should fund our work.”

Kickstarting the economy cannot be done at the cost to the environment. Without a healthy environment there will be no future wellbeing for our communities. Post coronavirus, we will need a functioning regional council working in partnership with the community.

ORC’s proposed annual plan and the water permits plan change are open for public consultation.

– By Wai Wānaka

Zero waste never sleeps Wastebusters' site may be closed for the moment dry too as wet cardboard can’t be turned into anything useful except garden mulch. but zero waste never sleeps.

Wastebusters covers all our own recycling So, what can you do to make less waste in costs, so we have a user-pays charge of $3 per lockdown?

While the district’s Material Recovery Facility crate of recycling to help pay for the sorting, - where the contents of our yellow bins are storage and transportation of recycling to the resorted - is closed during the lockdown, pull the processors who make it into something new.

To make the most of the food you already have cardboard and paper out of your mixed recycling so you can make the most of staying home - check bin and use it in the garden instead. out Love Food Hate Waste for tips on storing food, • Keep weeds in check by layering cardboard using leftovers and plenty of recipes. My tips? around raised beds and on pathways. Hold • save child-nibbled fruit and veggies for the it in place with anything heavy lying around juices, smoothies or crumbles. your garden.

• use leftovers straight away or freeze them so • Shredded paper and cardboard are a great PHOTO: Supplied they won’t be wasted. source of carbon or brown material, to • little bitty leftovers that don’t amount to balance out all your “green” food scraps and meal can make for an interesting pizza. grass clippings in your compost heap.

• when you’ve exhausted creative ways of If you normally recycle with Wastebusters, using up leftovers and bits of half-eaten you can store your recycling until we’re back fruit, compost. open again. The most useful materials for us are We have composting resources on wastebusters. number one and two plastic bottles (which we can recycle onshore), cans and cardboard. Do co.nz and if you have any questions ask Dr Compost. make sure that you clean bottles and cans out He's always happy to answer your composting this doesn't apply to them. Those people have before storing them so they don’t get stinky (or questions. Connect via Facebook, Instagram or attract rodents). Keep your cardboard clean and email drcompost@wastebusters.co.nz. included: • a group that arranged to meet at 4 am last Tuesday near Rob Roy Lane; • a local male who got drunk and vented his frustrations with the virus in Albert Town; • a group of rock climbers who insisted on meeting out near the Motatapu River at the climbing area on Wednesday; • a local man who became intoxicated and To submit a letter for possible publication angry enough to assault his ten-year-old in the Wānaka Sun, please send it via daughter on Thursday; • and a group of mountain-bikers driving out email to editor@thewanakasun.co.nz. to the Treble Cone area on Saturday.

A large number of these people were aged under 30 yrs old.

Local police have attended six family harm incidents over the same period. So if people are Letters can also be sent by private message on finding it difficult, remember to be kind to each our Facebook page. other, be creative and know that if we keep our Letters may be edited or abridged. Letters of eye on the ball, we will get through this challenge. no more than 300 words are preferred.

It's just that this is new for all of us, it's different, but it will change us for the better.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 969

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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: Ollie Blyth • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Joanna Perry • 021 736 740 newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: 03 443 5252• marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wānaka

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NOTICES

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DURING THE LOCKDOWN THE WĀNAKA SUN WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE EVERY THURSDAY BUT ONLY IN A DIGITAL FORMAT.

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You can find the Edition:

by visiting www.thewanakasun.co.nz by liking us on Facebook by emailing hello@thewanakasun.co.nz to join our distribution list Thanks for your support during this uncertain time. Stay safe.

THURSDAY 09.04.20 - WEDNESDAY 15.04.20

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Sun News / Classifieds

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The Easter Bunny spreading coronavirus?

Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Several concerns have been raised in the lead up to Easter concerning the breaking of Alert Level 4 restrictions by the Easter Bunny. With our national borders closed off and restricted movement nationwide, it seems hypocritical of such a creature to be passing through every Easter-recognising bubble, hand-delivering food products en masse.

It’s a recipe spelling disaster: a rabbit coming into close contact with -at bare minimum- 2.1 billion Christians across the world whilst in lockdown (keeping in mind that our printed newspapers can not be delivered during this time).

Unfortunately the Wānaka Sun could not get in contact with the chocolate mastermind’s media spokesperson for a comment. Let’s just hope that the easter bunny will be practising good hand washing habits between houses perhaps some hand sanitizer might be nice to chance upon on an egg hunt this year? Well, if the Prime Minister dubbed the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy as ‘essential workers’ it

should turn out all right.

Easter celebrating people worldwide have had to reconsider their options for how to celebrate the holiday this year. Many have cancelled flights, family gatherings, and various chocolate egg hunts because of the current circumstances but are still hoping to celebrate the holiday in a slightly more isolated state.

The Otago Regional Council have recently sent out the message to ‘not be an egg this Easter’, reminding residents that Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management and the southern police will be working together to ensure that everyone is staying safe.

“We know many people would like to head away to their cribs over Easter. While you may PHOTO: Chante Fleming think it won’t hurt anyone if you head off for a “Our community is so strong”. The Simon Family: Shelley, Nathan, Elodie and Imogen, and sister Jaimee McGrath. change of scene, breaking your bubble impacts all of us so you need to stay home,” said Civil Defence and Emergency Management Otago to protect our most vulnerable,” she said.

Group controller Richard Saunders.

Joanna Perry The movement is seeking to photograph families newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz As this new sacrifice rolls around the corner, and bubbles at their front door, from a safe distance, we are again reminded of the significance of this to document people’s lockdown experiences A project which started in a Wellington world event being history in the making. Time to and and demonstrate “how committed we are to neighbourhood to take photos of people in their consider that we ourselves just might be rising supporting each other in times of crisis.” lockdown “bubble” is gathering momentum in again just after Easter, perhaps?

Wānaka local Chante Fleming, a close friend New Zealand neighbourhoods, including Wānaka.

The Front Door Project was started by of McKoy’s who has been taking photographs Incremental Change Agency founder Abbie whilst on a walk around her neighbourhood, said McKoy in her neighbourhood of Papakowhai it was also a chance to check in on how others near Porirua City as a way to document what were doing.

The Front Door Project is now active in ten will be an important time in our history, and If you are feeling unwell, and have symptoms connect with neighbours with whom she would neighbourhoods across New Zealand, with such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or a not usually have spoken. Those interested in McKoy’s goal to spread the project to every sore throat please call Wanaka Medical on 443 being photographed would come outside onto neighbourhood in the country. Those interested 0710. It has adequate capacity to increase its their doorstep at a set time, whilst she walked in taking photographs of people in their street coronavirus testing and still meet everyday or being photographed can join the Front Door her local streets. healthcare needs.

“This is one of the most beautiful moments of Project - New Zealand Facebook group, or speak Assistance for immigrant workers solidarity in all of history, where we stay at home to Chante Fleming.

A meeting between Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult and the Minister of Immigration Iain Lees-Galloway delivered SITUATION VACANT significant progress in assisting the district’s immigrant workforce.

The minister undertook to enable several initiatives aimed at easing the situation for those on the essential skills working visa.

The Wānaka Sun is seeking an enthusiastic, driven and outgoing These were: salesperson to join its media sales team, selling across print and digital • An automatic extension of expiring news platforms. working visas with immediate effect.

• The ability for working visa holders to be Position responsibilities include but are not limited to: redeployed to alternative workplaces with • Reach monthly revenue targets immediate effect.

• New business acquisition • Eligibility for working visa holders to • Develop key client and business relationships apply for hardship grants from the • Prepare advertising proposals Ministry of Social Development, also • Maintenance of client and revenue records with immediate effect.

• Provide weekly sales reports to management Since going live with registrations Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) We’re looking for someone who has: has received 2264 requests for community • A proven history of success in a sales or business development role; welfare via its website. preferably from within the media industry Help for B&B operators • Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to develop effective Many small bed and breakfast operators in business relationships Wānaka have suffered significant cancellations • Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills due to the coronavirus pandemic and are facing • Self-motivation, resilience and the ability to achieve objectives and stressful situations. goals within company guidelines To assist these operators to find the information they need to support their • A strong sense of accountability and an attention to detail businesses and their guests, the Bed & • Ideally a formal qualification in business or marketing Breakfast Association has compiled material This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate Sales Executive who enjoys for bed and breakfast property owners from a a challenge! If this sounds like you, please forward your application, number of official sources. This information including covering letter, resume and two professional referees to: is available to all bed and breakfast owners, whether they are members or not.

Benn Ashford, The association has also opened up its Facebook group page to any bed and breakfast The Wānaka Sun, owner who may wish to join the group – PO Box 697, Wānaka, simply search on Bed & Breakfast Association admin@thewanakasun.co.nz NZ Members and ask to join or contact the president or secretary with an email address.

The Front Door Project New Zealand

NEWS IN BRIEF Easter holiday at cribs a no-go A visit to the holiday crib in Central Otago is a no-go this Easter. Such visits cannot be seen as “essential,” so doing so this at Easter will be in breach of the law.

Under the Level 4 lockdown rules, everyone in New Zealand is to be isolated or quarantined at their current place of residence except as permitted for essential personal movement.

Lockdown provisions may be relaxed before frosts that could freeze pipes come, for people to prepare their crib for winter. If crib owners are concerned, they could have a neighbour or plumber turn their water off for them, said Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan.

Power of arrest granted to enforce recreational restrictions A new government order has effectively banned hunting and other recreational activities until COVID-19 Alert Level 4 is lifted.

The Game Animal Council, NZDA, police and other agencies have given consistent guidance that hunting, like many other recreational activities, should not be undertaken during the level 4 lockdown.

That guidance has now been reinforced by a government order effective from April 3, which makes clear that you cannot leave your residence for the purpose of hunting, fishing, tramping, swimming, boating or any activity that could require search and rescue.

“Please don’t be in any doubt that this is enforceable,” said Game Animal Council general manager Tim Gale. “Under this order the police have the power to do anything reasonably necessary to enforce compliance, including using the power of arrest.”

Wanaka Medical increases capacity to test for coronavirus To support the New Zealand government in increasing the level of coronavirus testing in the Wanaka community, Wanaka Medical is increasing its capacity to test suspected coronavirus cases.

As a designated practice, Wanaka Medical has the capacity to assess, test and manage possible coronavirus cases while maintaining safe streams of care for all patients.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT

THURSDAY 09.04.20 - WEDNESDAY 15.04.20

PAGE 13

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Braden Currie’s home-schooling 101 Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Parents who are stressed about the concept of home-schooling need to take the pressure off themselves, according to Red Bull Ironman athlete and dad, Braden Currie.

Every year, Currie, his wife Sally and kids Bella (four) and Tarn (thirteen) spend six months overseas so that he can continue racing over winter. For this globe-trotting family, homeschool life is fun - and there is no expectation for it to reflect a normal day of school.

The Currie’s home-school strategy integrates “a focus on connections and emotional elements along with utilising online resources, practical ‘life-skill’ sessions, exercise and plenty of vitamin D.” “Living life as a family without the structure of schools and after-school activities can seem daunting - but the key is to create the structure, remembering that kids always like to know what is happening. Instead of telling them what to do, involving them in the planning of the daily structure and holding them accountable has been the key for us.

In our experience, if we don’t follow this philosophy then the kids become disengaged, turn to technology more, and don’t make the most of their day,” said Currie.

In the Currie household, the lockdown period entails a daily 10 am online meeting via PHOTO: Sally Currie the application ‘Meet’ with friends of similar The Currie’s home-school strategy integrates “a focus on connections and emotional elements along with utilising online resources, practical ‘life-skill’ sessions, exercise ages from three families, Monday to Friday. The and plenty of vitamin D.” parents take turns at setting out projects for the They use online resources for subjects from “We get a kick out of going through what each in life. For example, we might talk about fear and day, with the first hour covering more difficult mathematics to creative arts, and utilise the child has learnt each day at the dinner table and what it is, exploring different emotional states so tasks followed by an activity, lunch and then outdoors and exercise when the children are not also encourage an emotional aspect of learning; that our children can learn ways to develop in more creative tasks. taking anymore information in. talking about an element we feel has helped us that sense too,” said Currie.

PAGE 14

THURSDAY 09.04.20 - WEDNESDAY 15.04.20

THE WĀNAKA SUN