Wanaka Sun | 10 - 17 December 2020 | Edition 1004 by Wanaka Sun

Christmas is coming

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PAGE 10

Beerfest A hit.

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PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

25 years, three locations and a whole lot of cookies. Read Cinema Paradiso’s story on page 4.

The Overseas Experience in Wānaka Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

new initiative to bring young Kiwis missing out on the traditional Overseas Experience (OE) to the Queenstown Lakes District is underway, supported by the Business Response Group (Queenstown Lakes District Council, Queenstown and Wānaka Chambers of Commerce, Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism). Under the scheme, facilitated by Remarkables Labour, people from all over New Zealand can go online to view available placements, securing work and accommodation for two to six weeks. Kiwi OE co-founder Ed Stott said this district, with its strong work/life balance and reputation

as the world’s adventure capital, was an obvious choice to trial the programme before potentially rolling it out in other areas. Ignite Wānaka executive officer Naomi Lindsay said the Chamber of Commerce was “excited to support” this short-term solution, one of two recent efforts to address the labour force issues Queenstown Lakes employers are currently experiencing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic - along with government changes to the undersupply list making it easier to hire migrant workers. “There is a shortage of available workers in Wānaka and this is likely to get worse if/ when the borders open and visitors come back to our shores. The fact that no new migrants have entered the country for many months

to replenish those who left to go home, along with visa restrictions and general availability of suitable candidates, means many businesses are having to review their operations and may result in reduced hours if they can’t find people in time for the busy Christmas period. This also impacts customer experience and the reputation of our town as offering excellent Kiwi hospitality. So, it’s important we work on solutions.” She believed the scheme would also contribute to the local economy, bringing more people to town who would hopefully spend their “hardearned wages” on activities and experiences. Mayor Jim Boult hailed the programme as a win for everyone: “Kiwis can experience the area with all the tricky details taken care of, while employers get the staff they need at this busy time of year.”

PHOTO: Mountain Scene

Remarkable Labour bosses and Kiwi OE founders Ed Stott and Blair McNaughton said the Queenstown Lakes was an obvious choice to trial the programme.

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Protestors play dead over airport Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Climate activists pretended to die in front of Christchurch city councillors last week, in opposition to the planned Tarras airport. Christchurch Airport announced in July that it had bought 750 hectares of land close to the Tarras centre and intended to build an airport there to support the Queenstown tourism sector. It was expected to be operational within five to fifteen years, and would cost hundreds of millions to build. At a city council meeting last Thursday, four groups opposed the airport, questioning why it was on the cards when the council - and the New Zealand government - had declared a climate emergency. Tarras resident Chris Goddard, representing local community group Sustainable Tarras, said the council had four delegations that went to see it on Thursday. One was the Tarras Community, one was Extinction Rebellion (who did the lying down), one was School Children against Climate Change, and the last was Dr Chris Horn, who was a tourism specialist. "Part of the meeting was to draft a letter of expectation outlining how the council expected Christchurch Airport to behave. “What we asked the council to do was tell the airport to share their thinking, so we could say to the community what's being planned

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion lay out on the floor in protest of the proposed Tarras Airport.

and therefore have a much more informed conversation," he said. The community was either against the airport entirely or wanted more information, which the airport would not provide, he said. Christchurch Airport's Tarras project director Michael Singleton said the company was openly sharing information with the community and would continue to do so as it moved through the design phase. He said climate change played a major role in the company's decision-making and there would likely be more sustainable aviation options in the 2030s. A spokesman for Extinction Rebellion group, David Goldsmith, said it was hard to believe such a facility was proposed during a climate crisis. "No amount of sustainability greenwashing

PHOTO: TVNZ

can hide the fact that increased flight capacity will mean increased emissions," he said. “We urge you to be explicit in your Letter of Expectation to CCHL, which you are voting on today. Please instruct Christchurch International Airport Limited that they must not expand or build new airports when we are living in a climate and ecological crisis,” Goldsmith said. Goddard said the four councillors who were also on the board of the council's holding company, Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Andrew Turner, Sara Templeton and James Gough, had a "very powerful role,” and urged them to take his message to the leadership at Christchurch Airport. The proposed airport had already faced pushback from some locals in Tarras and Queenstown mayor Jim Boult.

Marina restrictions a step in the right direction Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Wānaka Community Board (WCB) last Thursday approved a new four hour time limit on parking at the Roy’s Bay Marina. The marina car park accommodates a range of activities and operators on Lake Wānaka, but the ability for the public to park within the unmarked spaces has resulted in the parks being used by construction workers on the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan project and other non-reserve users all day, from the early morning. As a result, parking has not been available for marina users for over a year, affecting tour operators such as Wānaka Water Taxis and Wānaka Eco Tours as well as the Wānaka Lakes Coastguard. The proposed parking restriction was designed to discourage all day parking, and was one of the suggestions put forward to Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) by a group of marina operators last year, along with allowing one vehicle per operator to park in the unmade section of the car park - reserved for boat trailers

Stage 2 approved

The proposed parking restriction was designed to discourage all day parking.

- outside of the busy Christmas holiday period. Krystle Theunissen, owner/operator of Wānaka Water Taxis, said the new restrictions were “a step in the right direction” and the fourhour limit was well-suited to tour operators whose trips took three to four hours at a time. However, she and others - including marina director and coastguard volunteer Mike Barker -

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

believed there was still more that could be done, especially in regards to opening up the gravel areas for parking in off-peak times. Parks and Reserves Planner Alex Jamieson confirmed that approved restrictions would be enforced once appropriate signage and markings were installed. She anticipated this would take up to two weeks.

“Crack on” was the message from Queenstown Lakes Deputy Mayor Calum MacLeod last Thursday as the Wānaka Community Board approved Stage Two of the Wānaka Lakefront Development Plan. The latest design includes an active travel promenade on the area of lakefront running from McDougall Street to Dungarvon Street, with new Millennium Pathway tiles laid alongside it. The recommendation also included two feature gardens, the retention of as many existing trees as possible, and the introduction of car parking on the lakeside of Ardmore Street. Four drop-in sessions were held in August to gather community feedback on the proposed Stage 2 plans. Dr Thunes Cloete, General Manager Community Services, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), said Council had “taken into account the feedback received” by 176 members of the community and “made a number of minor revisions” as a result. Namely, campervan parking was to be removed from the design for lakeside car parking off Ardmore Street and instead assigned a small portion of existing parallel parks on the Pembroke Park side of McDougall Street, and parking alongside Ardmore Street was to be broken into sections of cars and smaller divisions to protect the view of the lake from Ardmore Street. Despite a concern raised in the public forum by Alan Richardson that the design did not go far enough to protect the lakefront parking being taken up by big vehicles which would interrupt the view, the recommended design was approved and will now move into the detailed design phase, which will include the formation of a working group to assist with the creation of a new Millennium Pathway. QLDC spokesperson Jack Barlow said QLDC would also investigate flood levels to understand the assets which could potentially be affected by flooding as part of this phase.

Get the family together for a Christmas drama. On TV, hopefully. Panasonic 58” HX700Z Premium 4K Smart TV

TH-58HX700Z 9063814

The scene is set. All the main characters are in place. Tension builds. Then the action really unfolds. And that’s just deciding what to watch. With HDR Bright Panel, Dolby Vision, and an HCX Processor, at least no one will be able to argue about the quality of the picture.

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PAGE 2

THURSDAY 10.12.20 - WEDNESDAY 16.12.20

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One less thing to worry about: undersupply list updated Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) undersupply list for the Queenstown Lakes area has been updated to include a range of hospitality and tourism roles hard to fill due to a lack of New Zealanders. The change allows employers to support work visa applications without needing a Skills Match Report (SMR). Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult said he was “delighted” by the changes, which he had advocated for along with the Chamber of Commerce and Council staff. “Our district has relied heavily on workers from overseas given the scale of the visitor economy here, and I couldn’t see any other way of helping these businesses adequately staff themselves,” he said. The change, which throws a lifeline to local businesses by allowing them to sponsor waiters, housekeepers, supervisors and chefs, was “one less major thing for them to worry about when simply staying afloat until international visitors return is a challenge.”

But Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) acting general manager Tim Barke said that, whilst the government changes were a “step in the right direction,” they were “not going to solve everybody’s problems,” or avert what has the potential to be a labour shortage crisis as summer approaches. Barke said it was “heartbreaking” to see the “financial hell” local businesses were going through as they struggled to capitalise on the rushes typical of domestic tourism - mostly over holidays and long weekends - because they lacked staff. One hotelier had reported having to to shut down bookings at half of their hotels over Christmas because they were under-resourced. Barke said that while it remained impossible for new people to enter the country, it was vital the government offered “as much flexibility as possible” to those already here, including supporting them with training to take on roles other than those specified by their current visas. “We had a number of ski instructors without work who were keen to train as canyoning guides

for the summer, but their visas wouldn’t allow it,” he recalled. Wānaka Community Board member and local business owner Chris Hadfield agreed that the changes were not enough to fill vacant roles, especially when it was unclear how long a domestic-only summer would remain busy and therefore how long extra staff would be needed. To sponsor a migrant, businesses still had to commit to providing them with at least 30 hours per week, as well as demonstrate that the role had been sufficiently advertised to New Zealanders and that the applicant had the correct experience or qualifications for the role - which, for positions like barista, where training could be provided, was not always necessary. His “extreme view” was that visas be opened up more widely to allow unemployed migrants in New Zealand to fill vacant roles. Barke said that the government was taking suggestions and continuing to look at ways they could help the tourism industry in the area. “The more we can encourage that, the more likely we are to come out of this with the tourism industry still intact,” he said.

PHOTO: op.ac.nz

Lake Wānaka Tourism acting general manager Tim Barke said that, whilst the government changes were a “step in the right direction,” they were “not going to solve everybody’s problems.”

Long-awaited improvements on Ballantyne Road Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Mt Barker residents were “completely delighted” to see Fulton Hogan machinery arriving on Ballantyne Road last Thursday after years of community lobbying for safety improvements. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) General Manager Property and Infrastructure Peter Hansby said he was thrilled to break ground on the $6.4m upgrade. “The work will address a number of safety issues such as inconsistent surfacing, limited driver sight lines, a lack of road markings and narrow roadways. Getting started on this important upgrade is a big milestone and a fantastic outcome for the Wānaka community,” he said. The upgrade project will feature a number of improvements, including: the sealing of 4km of unsealed road and clear zone on both sides, significantly reducing the risk of crashes in the area; a low speed environment by design; one metre wide sealed shoulders to allow safer opportunities for walking and cycling; improved drainage and the relocation of 40 power poles. Former Mt Barker Residents Association secretary Chrissie Thomson said it was “amazing to see” progress eventuating after battling to get the road upgraded for “at least twelve years.” “It is such a dangerous road with the changes

from seal to gravel and back again,” she said, “and of course this is made worse by the narrow width of it, the blind rises and the dust visibility issue. There have been numerous recorded and unrecorded accidents as well as - sadly - one death on this road.” In October 2016, seventeen-year-old Jackson James ( JJ) Aitchison, 17, was killed when his car hit a tree. Resident John Coers, who had seen two cars turned upside down in front of his property, added that dust ingestion had also affected his livestock and resulted in some of their deaths. He said that when he purchased and subdivided the property 14 years ago, he had paid a development contribution to QLDC and had been informed the road would be sealed within two years. But, since then, he had repeatedly been told by Council that there were no funds available to carry out the work. Funding for the project - which was announced in May 2019 - is to be split 50:50 between QLDC and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. Ballantyne Road will be closed to through traffic for approximately six months while the work is carried out, with a detour in place via Riverbank Road and SH6. “We know this work may be inconvenient for some and we’re grateful for the community’s patience while this important safety upgrade is completed,” said Hansby.

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun archive

Archive image: the stretch of Ballantyne Road from the highway intersection near the airport towards Wastebusters has been notorious for car accidents for a number of years.

As a gift, this may get a frosty reception. Haier 143L Chest Freezer

HCF143 9029363

It’ll come in very handy over the Christmas period, with all those leftovers. No doubt about it. But, if you’re thinking of giving it as Christmas present, you might want to think again. Or you could spend the holiday facing an extremely cold shoulder. Mind you, at this price, you may as well just buy it anyway.

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Offers valid until Tuesday 15th December 2020, while stocks last, unless otherwise stated. Some products on display in selected stores only – please call 0800 764 847 to check availability. Personal shoppers only. *Apple, selected computers, game consoles, gift cards, clearance items and some promotional items are not available in conjunction with interest free offers. Flooring available on a maximum of 18 months interest free. Exclusions, fees, terms, conditions, and credit criteria apply. Available in-store only. Equal instalment amounts include one-off booking fee of $45.00, annual fees of $45.00 p.a. and security registration fee of $8.05, and exclude insurance. Current interest rate of 23.95% applies to any unpaid balance after expiry of (any) interest free period. See in-store or visit smithscity.co.nz/interest-free for details.

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THURSDAY 10.12.20 - WEDNESDAY 16.12.20

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PAGE 3

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25 years of Paradiso explode mid-jump before their eyes. It was in this first location that two of the cinema’s traditions were established. Rather than use the uncomfortable town hall seats, visitors began bringing their couches from home, and so the Paradiso - well-known today for its array of seating, from sofas to cars and train seats - started setting up couches on the town hall floor. The ritual of an intermission, which gave viewers the chance to socialise, discuss the movie and enjoy a cookie, has also been carried through 25 years. That said, a lot has changed since the town hall was demolished. The cinema has had two new homes (the roundabout where the Bottle-O liquor store now stands, and the old Catholic Church on Brownston Street, where it remains today) and gone automatic, bidding a reluctant farewell to manual carbon arc projectors - the last place in the southern hemisphere to do so. MacLeod said he loved the art of projecting; the ceremony of changing, rewinding and splicing the film, and the regularity with which the projectors broke down.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

2020 marks 25 years since Wānaka institution, Cinema Paradiso was founded by three filmloving locals tired of travelling to Queenstown to watch a movie, and keen to make some money to attend the Sundance Film Festival. In a short film produced by Wānaka production company The Film Crew, ‘After 25 Years’, now Queenstown Lakes Deputy Mayor Calum MacLeod recalled how he, wife Andrea Riley and friend Brian Hildreth travelled to Dunedin and Auckland to collect a screen and 35mm carbon arc film projector. They received a crash course in projecting over five days, before starting weekend film screenings in the old town hall in September 1995. MacLeod told the Wānaka Sun he learned “by making mistakes,” recalling a showing of ‘Free Willy’ on a particularly hot day, when the reel seized and the audience looked on in dismay as the frame of film melted and the orca appeared to

Today, films are distributed on a reusable hard drive about the size of one reel, where each film used to take up a whole box, and they have much better sound quality. MacLeod was particularly “chuffed” that the sound system installed by Peter Jackson for the first showing of Lord of the Rings in Wellington’s Embassy Cinema now resided in Paradiso’s screen one. But for MacLeod, the tradition of the shared cinema experience remains sacred - and it’s what keeps people coming back to the Paradiso despite the development of the internet, video games and Netflix, all of which have threatened to “kill” cinema over the years. “It’s the same reason you still have thousands of people showing up to watch a rugby game,” said MacLeod. “It’s the social, human component.” He believed there would always be a place for cinema. And although, like many businesses in town, the Paradiso had been “put back about a decade” by the Covid-19 pandemic, he remained hopeful for the future - and looked forward to a ‘25+1’ celebration in a (hopefully) more normal 2021.

PHOTOS: Cinema Paradiso

Paradiso’s second home - where the Bottle-O liquor store now stands.

Rather than use the uncomfortable town hall seats, visitors began bringing their couches from home.

New artistic director for Festival of Colour Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Beerfest a hit PHOTO: Supplied

2,000 people streamed through the gates of the Wānaka Beerfest on Saturday, a record number of punters.

around the country, Hay said, and as far afield as Wellington, Northland, Christchurch and Dunedin. Hay said this was the fifth such event he had run, all based in Wānaka. And plans for next year? "We are just trying to get Christmas under control," he said. "But we are looking forward to the next one." "This is a New Zealand event," he said. "We don't usually get many tourists; maybe 50. "I think there just haven't been many events this year and people wanted to get out and about. "I think people were just pretty excited to go to something."

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

James Hay is a happy man. The Wānaka Beerfest, which he has organised for the past five years was a resounding success on Saturday, with 2,000 punters through the gates of the Three Parks Venue, 400 more than last year and the biggest one yet! Tickets sold out the Wednesday beforehand, he said. "A lot of people missed out on tickets." Fifteen breweries were involved, plus seven other vendors selling wine and other drinks, like kombucha. The vendors were from all

The Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust has announced the appointment of Sophie Kelly to the role of Festival Director for the 2023 Festival of Colour in Wānaka. Kelly replaces Philip Tremewan, who has programmed every Festival of Colour arts festival, as well as the off-year Aspiring Conversations ideas festival, since their inception in 2005. A dedicated arts advocate with an extensive background in event curation and management, Kelly is the former Festival Director of Nelson Arts Festival, Summer Events programme and Opera in the Park, as well as Festival Director of Upsurge Bay of Islands Arts Festival and Project Manager of Te Ramaroa Light Festival. She is also the current manager of Nelson’s Adam Chamber Music Festival. Tremewan will deliver his final festival in April 2021, said Kelly, and I will be down working alongside him and will take over the role on August 1 2021. “The team has restructured slightly. I will be taking on an artistic director role, and another staff member will be taking on some of the work that Philip has been doing. “I will be commuting from Nelson,” she said. “What made me want to take on this job? I really enjoy working at festivals, and I know this festival and have worked with Philip before. I have a good sense of what this festival looks like and

PHOTO: Supplied

Sophie Kelly will take over from Philip Tremewan as the new Artistic Director for the Festival of Colour.

how much support and ownership there is from the Wānaka community. I know it’s very much supported and much loved and this attracted me. “And the other thing was that I enjoy the challenge of getting to know a community. Wānaka audiences are very discerning; they are well informed about what companies are doing well and are interested in what is topical.” Tremewan said: “I’ve loved working in Wānaka over the years. The town has a tremendous sense of ownership of the festival and people so much enjoy the roll-out of shows over the festival week.” Tremewan will stay on to programme the 2022 Aspiring Conversations festival of ideas. Kelly will be in Wānaka throughout the 2021 Festival of Colour (April 12-18) to take part in the running of the festival.

The ultimate powerplay. Taking the chaise after Christmas dinner. Turin Fabric Left Chaise Lounge Suite - Grey

9060340

You know the scene. You’ve all eaten (and drunk) far too much, and you want the comfy seat. The chaise part of this stylish sofa allows you to truly stretch out. Will you make a dash for it? Or, are you confident with your place in the family pecking order?

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Offers valid until Thursday 31st December 2020, while stocks last, unless otherwise stated. Some products on display in selected stores only – please call 0800 764 847 to check availability. Personal shoppers only. *Apple, selected computers, game consoles, gift cards, clearance items and some promotional items are not available in conjunction with interest free offers. Flooring available on a maximum of 18 months interest free. Exclusions, fees, terms, conditions, and credit criteria apply. Available in-store only. Equal instalment amounts include one-off booking fee of $45.00, annual fees of $45.00 p.a. and security registration fee of $8.05, and exclude insurance. Current interest rate of 23.95% applies to any unpaid balance after expiry of (any) interest free period. See in-store or visit smithscity.co.nz/interest-free for details.

PAGE 4

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Sun News

Wrapping for good Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Supplied

Red Frogs have been a key part of Wānaka and Queenstown’s New Year celebrations for the last five years. Last year, they handed out 1,300 litres of water and 2,500 pancakes over three nights in Wānaka.

Red Frogs are coming to town Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

‘Tis the season to be merry, and Red Frogs New Zealand will be returning to the Wānaka lakefront and skatepark this New Year’s to ensure young people are doing so safely. The alcohol harm safety response organisation was founded in 1997 in the Gold Coast, and takes its name from Allen’s Frogs Alive lollies which are still shipped over to New Zealand for volunteers to hand out. Red Frogs have been a key part of Wānaka and Queenstown’s New Year celebrations for the last five years, co-ordinated by Cromwell resident Shannon Thomson. Last year, they handed out 1,300 litres of water and 2,500 pancakes over three nights in the Wānaka town centre, from December 29 to 31. Their numbers have halved as the Covid-19 pandemic has seen volunteers return to their home countries, and a team of 30 will be providing support in Wānaka only this year in an effort to cover one area well, rather than be short-

staffed in two. With groups of up to 500 young people gathering on the lakefront over Christmas and New Year for the last two years, Red Frogs work closely with Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), police and ambulance to ensure everyone is able to safely enjoy the festivities, providing a chill out zone with water, phone chargers and conversation, as well as wandering the streets. “We help to relieve pressure on the ambos by providing care and comfort to those who may be a little worse for wear, holding their hair back while they get acquainted with a vom bag, or hang out on a bean bag and sleep it off,” said Thomson. She was seeking support from local businesses who might provide volunteers - who came from all over New Zealand to “spend their New Year’s looking after vomiting people” - with discounts to ensure they enjoyed their time here, supported local and kept coming back. Contact Shannon on 021 130 1177 or shannon. thomson@redfrogs.com for more information.

A group of merry volunteers will be on-hand to wrap your Christmas presents for a gold coin donation again this year. Wrapped for Good will be stationed on Helwick Street every day from December 19 to 24 - using sustainable wrapping materials and raising money for local charity Food for Love. Founders Sally Gordon, Arna Craig and Jess Eastwood said that after the “huge success” of last year’s gift-wrapping stall, and the community connection it supported, there was “no doubt in our minds about doing it again this year.” Using recycled wrapping paper, swing tags and natural twine to decorate the community’s gifts, all materials are environmentally friendly, home compostable or reusable. “It can be quite hard merging sustainable products with a not-for-profit event and high standards,” said Craig, “but we were determined to make it happen. Christmas is all about giving, so to be able to raise money for charity, using completely sustainable products, support local retailers and provide a fun and friendly environment for locals, and an enjoyable environment for our volunteers, really makes the heart sing.” The organisers were also on the hunt for more volunteers, and Craig emphasised that “wrapping doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs a little sprinkle of love and it will all work out.” The word from beneficiary Food for Love founder Bex Sarginson was that although the organisation was “busier than ever" preparing and delivering meals to locals in need, she urged

PHOTO: Supplied

Wrapped for Good will be stationed on Helwick Street every day from December 19 to 24.

people to look out for and nominate neighbours or friends who could use a helping hand this festive season. “All you need to do is nominate, and we will cover it,” she said. To find out more, or if you would like to volunteer, visit ‘Wrapped for Good’ on Facebook or Instagram or visit foodforlovewanaka.com.

Here when you need us the most

The Bank of Pod 5 Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Children in Pod 5 at Wānaka Primary School have raised $930.20 for local endangered birds this term as part of their New Pedagogies for Deep Learning action. Year 3 and 4 students researched New Zealand native birds and discovered that a large percentage of our endemic birds are critically endangered. They took action by writing letters to the council, creating signs, and building traps for pests, bird houses and bird feeders. They also decided to raise money in a fundraising afternoon which saw the children busking and selling baking, bracelets, cat collars with bells, bird houses, coffee cup sleeves and wax wraps that they had created. After a pod vote, it was decided that the money raised would be donated to the Department of Conservation (DOC), where it could benefit the work already being done to protect NZ endemic birds. DOC Supervisor, Community, Caroline Ogle said it was “a pleasure” to receive the cheque from the Bank of Pod 5 on Monday along with colleague Jenn Noakes. “It was fantastic to hear the fundraising efforts that the class had undertaken, raising such a considerable sum to protect birdlife in our region. We are currently canvassing our team for ideas on how to use the money, with some suggestions so far including predator traps,

THE WĀNAKA SUN

PHOTO: Supplied

DOC workers Jenn Noakes and Caroline Ogle visited the school to receive a cheque for $930.20 from the Bank of Pod 5 on Monday.

signage to make the public aware of areas where rare birds are nesting, or assisting with some of the work already underway by local community groups,” said Ogle. Teacher Lisa Thorne said: “Pod 5 teachers would like to thank DOC employees Heather Thorne and Nicky Van Zyl for their initial support with this project and all the friends and whanau who helped the children raise such an amazing amount.”

Opening hours: Monday—Friday 8:30am—6:00pm 03 443 0725 • aspiringmedical.co.nz • 23 Cardrona Valley Rd

THURSDAY 10.12.20 - WEDNESDAY 16.12.20

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Skirt tales sells out

PHOTO: Supplied

Local artist Chrissy Wickes with her latest project - pod art at Wānaka Primary School.

Mural to involve local school kids Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Funding for a community mural in the pedestrian and cycling underpass near the Three Parks subdivision and roundabout on SH84 has been approved by the Wānaka Community Board, with local artist Chrissy Wickes set to project manage the installation. Board member Chris Hadfield said it made sense to have an artist working on the project and engaging with local schoolchildren, rather than leave the underpass to graffiti artists. The underpass, which opened to the public last month, was welcomed by parents of children at the new Te Kura O Take Kārara school, many of whose walk to school involved crossing the busy state highway. It is therefore fitting that Wickes, whose many

local art projects include the dinosaur in the children’s lakefront playpark and, most recently, mural art for the eight classroom pods at Wānaka Primary School, is working with children and staff at Te Kura O Take Kārara to develop the underpass piece. Wickes said she was “super duper stoked” to be part of the project, which was in the very early stages of development and set to get underway at the beginning of the next school year, hopefully reaching completion by the end of the first term. With a wide-open design brief - her main focus being that the mural invoked “community” Wickes expected that children from different classes would have time to work on their own ideas for the mural in their art classes, and would then have a multi-day field trip to the underpass to bring it to life.

PARKING AT THE DOOR, NO QUEUES, FREE QUOTES & ADVICE

PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka Women’s Suffrage Committee at the launch of ‘Skirt Tales: The Sequel’: left to right, Dee Gordon, Liz Hall (chairman), Pam Kane (secretary/treasurer), Cheryl Taylor, Jenny Moss.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Wānaka Women’s Suffrage Committee’s 2020 book ‘Skirt Tales: The Sequel’ has been republished, after selling out its first 500 copies in just two months. Interest in the book has also drummed up demand for the original 1995 collection, ‘Skirt Tales: 100 Historical Stories of Women from the Upper Clutha Area, Central Otago’, the third edition of which recently sold out. Committee member Jenny Moss said the group of five women were “pretty excited” by the reception the book had received, after launching the self-funded project with little idea how it would go last July. The book explores the fabric of the Wānaka community, and has been of great interest to a range of readers; younger women surprised by stories about their friends’ mothers, men and even out of towners - as both books are now available in the National Library

in Wellington. “We have captured some unique stories,” said Moss. “It’s a picture of how Wānaka became the town it is today.” The committee first came together in 1993 to celebrate the centennial year of women’s suffrage in New Zealand, when founding member Phyllis Aspinall came up with the idea to record the life stories of local women in a book. That book was later bought by the Upper Clutha Historical Records Society and is now in its (sold-out) third edition. Moss said it would “be nice to think” that one day the books might be republished together to tell the story of local women from the 1800s right up to the 1990s, and she also hoped the tradition would continue into the future. “There are so many women doing so many amazing things in town today,” she said. The sequel’s reprint is currently being sold in Paper Plus and Next Chapter, and both books are available in the libraries at Mount Aspiring College, Wānaka and Hāwea.

Luggate artist opens exhibition

‘Tapping into your Fire’ opened at Lipsky and Sons on December 3.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Agent – Caltex Wanaka Phone 443 7868 PAGE 6

Artist Sonia Kiki Jones opened her latest exhibition in her hometown of Wānaka last week. ‘Tapping into your Fire’, which opened at Lipsky and Sons on December 3, compares the human experience to that of a geode (rocks lined with quartz inside), discovering the “wonder, light and strength that is deep inside of us when we open ourselves up.” “Each artwork is inspired by either a unique crystal - its colour and the healing properties associated with it - a particular passion or interest we may have, or a chakra colour,” said Jones. Luggate-based Jones returned to New Zealand after working in New York City, where she held

THURSDAY 10.12.20 - WEDNESDAY 16.12.20

PHOTO: Supplied

her first solo exhibition in 2017 and was featured at Art Expo NYC in 2018. She later established the Art Cell Gallery in Wānaka, through which a group of local artists transformed the old police station into a pop-up gallery and studio space before it was demolished. “All our experiences, past lives, friendships, wounds, loves and losses...all combine together inside of us, however often we charge around through life and don’t tap into the depths of our own soul, to be still enough to explore and discover the power that resides in each of us,” she said. Her latest work can be seen at Lipsky and Sons until January 2021, and 10 per cent of sales will go into her Kiki Collective fund to support creative people - whether it be with shared studio space, a scholarship for the local school, or materials.

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Sun News

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INBRIEF

HIKING COLUMN

Shelve your fines The annual ‘Shelve your Fines’ amnesty is taking place across Queenstown Lakes libraries throughout December. Library borrowers can donate an item of food or a gift in return for $5 off their library fines. Items will be donated to local community support group Food for Love and the library is happy to accept donations from those without fines. Food for Love would also be most appreciative of pantry staples such as cereals, snack foods, gluten free items, crackers, spreads, relishes and toiletries. Santa visits the library QLDC Libraries are excited to announce that Santa Claus himself is coming all the way from the North Pole to read some special storytimes this month. All are welcome to these free events, but book ahead if you are a large group. Santa will be visiting the Wānaka Library on Thursday, December 17 at 4pm. Feel free to wear your most festive Christmas clothes. Applications open for youth cherry-picking Applications for cherry picking with The Upper Clutha Youth Work Force are now open to all youth living in the Upper Clutha. Young people will be offered three or four days work a week at CentralPac, plus free transport from Wānaka and supervisory support. There are 50 vacancies for 16-18 year olds and 50 for 19-25 year olds. For all the details and to apply, email: pickmeuc@gmail.com. Lake Wānaka Centre renovation A $1.2m grant from central government’s Provincial Development Unit (PDU) is helping Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) renovate four of its community venues and employ upwards of 80 people over several months. The final funding agreement of $1,192,631 was approved by councillors at the Full Council meeting on September 3, with work now underway at Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall,

Lake Hayes Pavilion, Lake Wānaka Centre and Queenstown Memorial Centre. Renovations include painting, replacing flooring and windows, and upgrading heating and lighting systems. As well as providing much needed maintenance and repairs, this will also increase energy efficiency and reduce running costs at the Council-managed venues. QLDC Chief Executive Mike Theelen said the works would be largely completed by January 2021. Residents encouraged to keep an eye on water use this summer With the Queenstown Lakes District already having experienced significant increases in water use over the past month, locals are being asked to monitor their personal usage as the summer months approach. QLDC Infrastructure Operations Manager Simon Mason said there were plenty of ways to cut down on water use. “A major source of summer water use lies with irrigating gardens and lawns. To help both your garden and the community, we suggest watering your garden in the evening or, if possible, set a timer to water it overnight. Irrigating between 10.00pm and 6.00am avoids water loss through evaporation, and helps to reduce the strain on our infrastructure during the daytime peak demand periods.... Other easy wins could be to fix any water leaks you may have at home, and to reduce your shower times.” For more tips about saving water, visit: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/services/waterservices/water-supply/water-conservation QLDC meeting An ordinary meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) will be held today, Thursday, December 10, in the Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown beginning at 1.00pm. The public is welcome to attend all publiclynotified QLDC Council, Community Board, and Committee meetings.

The perfect day hike?

PHOTO: Joanna Perry

The perfect summit to reward yourself with a beer on the top of - not too far to carry, but far enough to feel like you’ve earned it.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

I’ve been asked this question by many a tourist passing through Wānaka and wanting to make the most of their time - what’s the perfect day hike? Some people would advise Roy’s Peak, and I have a good friend, not the biggest fan of hiking, who would push the hour round trip (if that) up Mount Iron on anyone who would listen. But I think my answer now would have to be Rocky Mountain. Firstly, the drive alone out past Glendhu Bay is one of the most beautiful we’ve got around here. We passed beaches, native forest, lake and mountain - there was even a waterfall by the side of the road, for goodness’ sake - and all before we arrived at the start of the hike. A key element in the perfect day hike is choice - and Rocky Mountain has something

for everyone, from the 45 minute Diamond Lake Circuit Track (a hidden gem, nudge nudge) to the 3 hour Rocky Mountain Summit, with a couple of lookout points in-between. Another winning point, as someone who hates feeling like they’re just going back the way they came, is that you can take the eastern or western pathway to make a circuit. We summited via the western route which, after some heavy rain, involved traversing a mini waterfall that had us feeling like true adventurers, and returned via the east path, with open, only mildly terrifying views, and a fair bit of mud (unlike Mount Iron, you definitely need your sturdy walking boots). What tops this off as the perfect day hike for me, though, is that it’s the perfect summit to reward yourself with a beer on top of - not too far to carry, but far enough to feel like you’ve earned it. And with a vista like that, you’d want to savour every mouthful.

Upper Clutha Youth Volunteer Awards Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Supplied

The Upper Clutha Youth Volunteer Awards were held on December 3.

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On December 3, the seventh annual Upper Clutha Youth Volunteer Awards were held at Rippon Hall, organised by the Upper Clutha Youth Council in combination with Kahu Youth. The winners were as follows: 12 and under winner: Priya White 14 and under winner: Aria-Kanu Saklani 16 and under winner: Jemma Brake 18 and under winner: Michael Geologo Richard Elvey of Kahu Youth said of the evening: “With over 50 in attendance, the evening was a success - again I am so proud of the Youth Council. They organised the whole thing, including judging, sourcing the prizes, catering, musicians and scripting, with very little input from me. “The nominees were, as always, quite fantastic young people. We had less this year, but the feedback we received suggests that Covid stopped many of the usual volunteering opportunities. To still have well over 20 nominees in this climate is great.”

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PAGE 7

Sun Cromwell

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Fete a success despite rain Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

A thousand punters poured through the gate of the tenth Cromwell Festive Fete last Saturday, despite a shower of rain and the odd gust of wind. Fete organiser Anthea Lawrence said that although numbers were down on the previous year, people seemed to enjoy the 125 stalls and entertainment on offer and plenty of Christmas shopping got done. "Although it rained for about 20 minutes, the music was amazing, and everyone had a lovely time,” she said. Lawrence, who has organised the event as a business for the past ten years, said it was hard work to organise but thoroughly worth it. "It costs a lot of money to put it on, what with advertising and the

bands and setting everything up. I also pay volunteers. The Bowling Club puts on a morning tea as a fundraiser. I pay the Cromwell Educational Trust for all the work they do, setting up and managing the gate. And I give away stalls to groups that are fundraising. "It's a business although I do give back to the community in various ways. "It does bring a lot of outsiders to town, who stay overnight and go out to restaurants and bring in business. We had people from Invercargill, Ashburton, Timaru..." Lawrence said the event had grown "tremendously" since she started it ten years ago, and she had no plans to stop. People expect it now, she said.

From left, Ali, Tarsh and Ezra Bell man their honey stall at the Cromwell Festive Fete.

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Numbers down for Nevis Gutbuster Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Over 110 competitors braved the annual Nevis Gutbuster Mountain Bike Ride from Garston to Bannockburn last Saturday. The 75km endurance race travels through the beautiful Nevis Valley, on a decent gravel road but with a few river crossings. It is a drawcard for those who want to put their fitness levels to the test, as there are some huge climbs through the valley. The organiser, Highland Events co-founder Terry Davis, said numbers for the event were down by about half on last year and put this down to a website malfunction. "The last couple of events have also been pretty windy, and this could have put people off," he said. "Numbers are down across all events this year. "The competitors are all mountain bikers, although there are a few road cyclists who do it because it is not a technical ride. The river levels were low, and there wasn't a horrible headwind which you sometimes get." There are several categories in the event - the solo competitive racers, the non-competitive e-bike section, and the team's relay event.

PHOTO: Supplied

The competitors are all mountain bikers although there are a few road cyclists who do it because it is not a technical ride.

The latter category requires a four-wheel-drive support vehicle for each team. Members decide who rides first and when the change-overs occur, so that they can work to their strengths over the rugged terrain. This year, the overall winner was Ethan Rose, a junior competitor with a time of 3:12:06.8. The first female home was Gabby Buchanan with a time of 4:04:15.6. "Numbers were low, but what we lacked in quantity we made up for in quality. There were lots of happy riders," said Davis. Full results of the Gutbuster are available online at: www.webscorer.com.

Tim and Camilla Rutherford: local re-gen farmers.

MPI calls for regenerative farmers Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

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The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is calling for proposals for projects to investigate regenerative farming practices. Funding for successful proposals was available through MPI’s Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) co-investment fund, which aimed to have projects under way by mid-2021. MPI's Chief Science Adviser, John Roche, said that, broadly speaking, MPI saw regenerative farming as a set of practices that, in isolation or collectively, may result in improved outcomes for productive land, freshwater and marine environments, climate, animals, and for the people that grow and consume our food and fibre products. “An important part of these projects will be turning the findings into practical information for farmers, to help them adopt methods that are shown to work.” The Point Station (near Tarras) regenerative farmer Camilla Rutherford said the project was

THURSDAY 10.12.20 - WEDNESDAY 16.12.20

something she and her husband Tim Rutherford would be interested in taking part in. There were definitely varying degrees of regenerative farming and it was a hard thing to describe, she said, but it was a movement happening with farmers worldwide to transition from conventional agriculture. “Every farm is different and essentially it is a matter of farming in a manner that regenerates the land rather than degenerates it. “In the Upper Clutha Basin, the movement is growing – more and more people are interested in hearing about it, but with everything new there is always some push back against change.” Although there was no Upper Clutha group for regenerative farming, Quorum Sense was a national network of regenerative farmers, and Tim Rutherford was part of a Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) group that visited regenerative farms on field days. (“They are off to Dingleburn next week.”) “If you have healthy soil, it makes for a healthy plant which makes for a healthy animal which makes for a healthy human,” she said.

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Sun Environment

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NATURE by Forest and Bird

Going Neutral: Local branch of Forest Bird working with Hāwea Station to reduce emissions

PHOTO: Supplied

Gina Dempster: “We are optimistic that this is part of a global shift to a way of living which doesn’t destroy the very planetary resources we depend on.”

Climate emergency: mixed reactions Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Forest & Bird

A carbon sink - Kahikatea can grow to over 50m tall, live for more than 600 years and absorb tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.

We all do it: we drive, we eat imported treats and local meats, and most of us fly. We do lots of things at work and play that use lots of fossil fuels. And we do this despite knowing these activities are severely affecting our planet, and our children’s future. If we are being honest, we know that we are not doing all we could to limit our ‘carbon footprint’ or offset it in some way. So if we are going to continue to use fossil fuels – and immediate alternatives do not exist for some of our emissions – are we going to continue unabated in the destruction of our planet, or are we going to do something about it? We could just wait for the government to fix it – they have after all just declared a climate emergency – but then, another such emergency was declared at the Rio Summit in 1992. Global emissions and species extinctions continued to increase. Is this really someone else’s problem to fix? Do we really care? Your local branch of Forest & Bird cares, and we are doing something about it. At the 2019 Forest & Bird national AGM we put a remit that the organisation take active steps toward becoming carbon neutral, and decided we should lead by example at our branch level. One way of becoming carbon neutral is buying carbon offsets, but paying someone else to do your job for you is not really the ethos of Forest & Bird. So we are not putting our money where our mouth is, we are putting our boots on the ground and working with a local partner to offset our carbon footprint. We are doing this in several steps that you can also do for your household or workplace. First, we calculated our branch’s carbon footprint using one of the many available ‘carbon footprint calculators’. It is approximately 8 tonnes of CO2 per annum (by comparison, the average Kiwi household emits about the same amount). Second, we curtailed activities where we could: for example, travel to meetings is now either by car-sharing or meetings are done remotely. 4WD field trips have stopped. But we still have emissions. They are mostly from things we do not feel we can reduce, like

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projects to protect and enhance our native flora and fauna. Finally, we found a partner with aims in common with Forest & Bird. Lake Hawea Station is another organisation acutely aware of their carbon footprint. They are striving to reduce or offset their farming-related emissions; save endangered species on their land; fence off lake shores and riparian strips; practice regenerative farming; and become carbon neutral. Given these common aims, our local branch of Forest & Bird and Lake Hawea Station are partnering to establish a dedicated native forest as a ‘carbon sink’, a place where atmospheric CO2 can be sequestered into living trees. The 7 ha site has been provided by Lake Hawea Station, while Forest & Bird will plant the trees and maintain them until maturity. Once the forest is absorbing 8 tonnes of CO2 per annum, the excess will be used by the station as part of their offsetting programme. Restoring and increasing native biodiversity is an important and parallel goal of the planting programme. In order to be transparent and accountable for our carbon offsetting, but without getting into the carbon trading business, all the trees are registered with Trees That Count, an online community marketplace that allows New Zealanders to fund, gift and register native trees. This is a long-term project, as the benefits to the planet are not immediate. Trees need time to grow and mature and absorb carbon, so in parallel we must continue to find ways to further reduce our emissions. So what can you do to help? Well, that is easy. Before you drive, fly or buy, ask yourself: Why on Earth should I do that? But if that is not enough for you, you can also help by getting out and planting trees, either in your own backyard or as part of one of the many community groups such as Forest & Bird planting trees in our region. Mo Turnbull is a committee member of the local branch of Forest & Bird, who started planting a carbon sink in 1993, just after the Rio summit. – By Mo Turnbull

New Zealand has declared a “climate emergency” and promised to make its public sector carbon neutral by 2025. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told legislators last Wednesday that the climate emergency declaration was “an acknowledgement of the next generation – an acknowledgement of the burden that they will carry if we do not get this right and do not take action now”. Julie Perry of Wai Wānaka said the organisation was in favour of action on climate change and the declaration provided an opportunity for the Government, businesses and individuals to work together to affect the changes we all need to make. “The Community Catchment Plan identifies climate change as a key risk for the Upper Clutha, alongside urban development, rural development, tourism/recreation and the spread of pest and invasive species. The Community Catchment Plan recommends the development of a comprehensive climate monitoring programme for our region,” she said. Jack Barlow, spokesperson for Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) said the council supported the declaration of a climate emergency. “In June 2019 QLDC made its own declaration of a climate and ecological emergency. On the same day a draft version of our Climate Action Plan (CAP) was approved for public feedback. The CAP was approved on 12 March 2020, and since then over half of the 76 actions are in progress and have recently undergone a prioritisation review in collaboration with the Climate Reference Group.” Federated Farmers North Otago Provincial Chairman Jared Ross had a different take. “Unfortunately, NZ continues to view our

PAINTBALL PAINTBALL CENTRAL CENTRAL CROMWELL

agricultural lower quartile on show in the media which is a distorted representation. Quite simply, ill-considered environmental and animal welfare mismanagement is unacceptable,” he said. “Farmers more than most understand that a changing climate presents both risk and opportunity. We do after all derive our existence from working with the weather to produce food and fibre.” “The Climate Change Emergency declaration is not unexpected. I certainly share the concern that at this stage it is more symbolic than substantive,” Ross said. Gina Dempster from Wastebusters said it was great to see that the Government has committed the public sector to being carbon neutral by 2025. “We are optimistic that this is part of a global shift to a way of living which doesn’t destroy the very planetary resources we depend on: a friendly climate, water, soils and the oceans.” Dempster said reducing and eliminating waste was a key part of tackling climate change, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern recognised in her climate emergency motion. “By reducing our waste, we are using resources more efficiently, which reduces our carbon footprint.” Federated Farmers National President Andrew Hoggard has the last word. “The Government’s declaration kicked off a war of words. Some said it was no more than virtue-signalling; those at the other end of the spectrum said it was overdue and needed to be followed up with stringent and immediate action. I do find it interesting that environmental NGOs and some politicians think nothing of carping about agricultural greenhouse gases but are much more circumspect when it comes to chivvying the massive urban voting bases into electric cars – even though scientists have told us time and again that our real global warming enemy is carbon dioxide, not methane.”

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PAGE 9

Sun Christmas

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PHOTO: Supplied

Rodgers twins meet Santa for the first time at Santa's Reindeer Village in the Lake Hāwea Community Centre.

PHOTO: Louise Hare

Santa's Reindeer Village, Lake Hāwea Community Centre.

PHOTO: Supplied

TTaitti & Bolli with their tree in Jersey, Channel Islands. Next year they will be living in Wānaka for their first ever southern hemisphere Christmas. Amanda & Andrew Shaw’s residence visa was approved before Covid.

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Santas everywhere at Santa's Reindeer Village, Lake Hāwea Community Centre.

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PAGE 10

The second and final weekend of Santa’s Grotto at the Wānaka Community Hub was fun for all ages.

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PHOTO: Supplied

THE WĀNAKA SUN

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Sun Christmas

PHOTO: Albert Town Community Association

PHOTO: Supplied

Santa also made time in his busy weekend to visit the Plunket Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Sunday. Plunket’s Sarah Ashford said: “A huge thank you to all Wānaka friends and whanau who supported us at this event, we look forward to seeing you in 2021.”

Santa arrived at the Albert Town Christmas Party in the Park in a vintage car on Sunday, November 29, much to the amazement of local children. Event organiser Sue Grant said the event was a huge success, “with children and adults from Albert Town and the wider community enjoying the sun-filled, fun day.”

PHOTO: Supplied

This year’s Plunket Teddy Bear’s Picnic was held at the Wānaka Recreation Centre last Sunday and featured Craig Smith, aka the Wonkey Donkey Man, as the guest entertainer.

Ready for Christmas: The foyer of Wānaka Presbyterian church.

PHOTO: Ian Hyslop

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The annual lighting of the Christmas Tree took place outside the Lake Wānaka Centre last Friday, December 4, with entertainment from local performers, schools, dancers and, of course, Santa.

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PAGE 11

Sun Sport

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Record-breaking entry 1,000 burpees for Movember at Junior Open Over fifty competitors across five divisions competed in the annual Junior Open at the Wānaka Golf Club on Sunday. Supported by entries from as far afield as Christchurch and Dunedin, plus the strong presence of both Queenstown-based Wakatipu Golf Club and Wānaka locals, the final entry list was a record in recent times. Rising Wakatipu Junior Golf Club star Noah Novacek, 13, took out the main Gross prize with a 75 as he continued his excellent form that has seen him drop to just a 2.2 handicap. Returning Wānaka Junior members and brothers, Sam and Max Porter, took out the Stableford 18 hole under 19 and under 14 divisions, respectively. Sam (2018) and Max (2019) were previous winners of the 9 hole Gross event at Wānaka, and this year both played solidly to record scores below their handicap, each winning by 4 points. The 9 hole Gross division was dominated by Will Carson, who won by 8 shots from his closest rival, Haruya Higuchi, who took out the Nett title with an impressive 36. Fresh off a strong showing at a Cromwell event, Rui Hukaya (Wānaka Golf Club) took second place in the Nett competition, whilst Chad Atkinson took the runner-up spot in the Gross event. Wānaka locals Lucas Simpson and Isabelle Ashford took out the 6 and 3 hole divisions, respectively. Lucas was playing in his first tournament at the club after joining the programme in September this year, whilst Isabelle won the event at her third attempt after twice finishing runner-up.

PHOTO: Supplied

After almost three hours of continuous burpees, 33-year-old Shaun McCarroll reached his target of 1,000 - and raised over $1,300.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Simon Boland

Noah Novacek teeing off on hole 17 en route to the title.

Organisers were delighted with the turnout and looking forward to the opening of a 5 hole development course at the club in early 2021, which will be a game changer in getting more juniors into golf, whilst developing the skills of the current members. – By Benn Ashford

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For his fifth Movember campaign, local Shaun McCarroll decided he wanted to do something different to encourage people to donate, so he ditched the moustache and set himself the selfproclaimed “stupid” target of completing 1,000 burpees to raise $1,000 instead. “Burpees are the single hardest body exercise you can do,” said 33-year-old McCarroll, who is raising money for the Movember Foundation’s work to halve the number of deaths from testicular cancer by 2030, and was inspired by the worldwide trend in physical lockdown challenges - having never done anything like that before himself. After almost three hours of continuous burpees, with no longer than a couple of minutes’ rest at a time, he reached his target of 1,000 - and raised over $1,300. After hitting a wall around the 600 mark, McCarroll recalled that the challenge was “possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever done,

mentally and physically,” but that it was worth it for the cause. “I know plenty of people who have suffered with their mental or physical health,” he said, “something like this is nothing compared to the challenges they face.” McCarroll was kept going with companionship burpees by his friends, parents and wife Kylie, as well as members of the Fit Collective, who hosted the event. Manager Kim Parry said when McCarroll approached the team with the idea in October, they loved it. “Part way through the month, as money was creeping up, Shaun asked if the crew would do burpees for every dollar raised over $1,000, so I jumped at the chance to get [coaches] Andrew and Paul doing burpees as well. “It was one of the most inspiring things to watch. Andrew talked about burpees also being a representation of life at times. Sometimes when you hit rock bottom you just have to get back up, and watching Shaun proved this.” He is still sore, and you can still donate at: https://nz.movember.com/mospace/13551255.

PHOTO: Supplied

“With the holidays approaching after a very hard year for many, we feel this is a great time to come together and show support for such an important cause.”

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Three locals hosted a swim and run for mental health this week to support the work of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. Ashleigh Short - who had done a number of fundraising activities before including completing the Te Araroa trail - said the idea unfurled when she and friend Kate Smith-Lin wanted to try to swim to Ruby Island and back. Another friend, Ellen Davis, wanted to host a running event to raise money for the Foundation, so they combined the two into one event. “The Unicef reports New Zealand's youth suicide rate - teenagers between 15 and 19 - to be the highest of a long list of 41 OECD and EU countries. With the holidays approaching after a very hard year for many, we feel this is a great time to come together and show support for such an

THURSDAY 10.12.20 - WEDNESDAY 16.12.20

important cause,” she said. Seven people turned up to participate in a 5km run around the lake on Monday night, and many more joined later to drink for a good cause, filling up the outdoor area of Kai Whakapai Cafe and Bar who agreed to donate a percentage of their profits that evening to the Mental Health Foundation. The event was capped off on Wednesday morning with a 1.2km swim to Ruby Island and back for Short and Smith-Lin, who were joined by three support kayakers and two other swimmers. Taking about 20 minutes each way, Short said it was a “fantastic” experience and she understood that a lot of “therapy” could be found in openwater swimming. “It’s so simple and so connected with nature. The only impact you’re making is a ripple in the surface of the lake.” Total funds raised were still being counted at the time of going to press.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun Views

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Support growing for lakefront e-bike venture

79 per cent of online submitters supported Rik Deaton's e-bike venture.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Online support is growing for a proposal to establish an e-bike rental business on the Wānaka foreshore, according to the owner of LandEscape, who set up an online survey after the proposal was turned down by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC). LandEscape had applied to operate out of a food/coffee caravan on the recreational reserve beside the Mt Aspiring car park (opposite the McDougall/ Ardmore St intersection) but was told by the council the foreshore was at "commercial capacity." "We have had a 79 per cent positive response to our survey so far," said LandEscape proprietor Rik Deaton. "There have been very few people opposing the idea, which is heartening. "I won't disclose the total number of responses

PHOTO: Rachel Matheson

at the moment as it is not yet statistically meaningful. Please note that, against the very stern admonitions of our creative team, we have given an "OPPOSE" option on the petition page and I don't think many in our position would have done so. We felt we had to do that lest our assertion that we would accept the adjudication of our community on this issue appear to be a hollow promise. “Certainly, and as expected, there have been some respondents in opposition and some of those respondents were kind enough to take up our invitation/request to email us with their thoughts. A very interesting insight has become apparent that is causing me to consider changing my plan of attack slightly and taking a more long term and relaxed stance on this application... it hasn't even been accepted by council so we are not up against a set public notification period and it is too late to set up for this season anyway.”

Crimeline Bopp C Calvin Constable, NZPD Hello everyone, happy summertime to you all. Classic summer weather we’ve had this week. A bit of a mixed bag for us at Ballantyne Road this week but a good spread across everything. If it were a bag of party mix lollies there would be representation of all types, and not the disproportionate amount of bananas that we have all no doubt had to endure at some point in our lives. On Monday there was a report of theft. Please be careful who has access to your funds, even if they are family members. A report was also taken that involved a sheep with bullet wounds in Hawea Flat. If you are shooting rabbits, be mindful of where the round is going. As a shooter you are accountable for each and every round, so a stray mishap isn’t really an excuse. These rounds often end up hitting houses. That same person has also noticed a significant number of lambs have disappeared from their paddock. A youth was dealt with for breaching their license conditions and now has to come to terms with losing it for excess demerits. We are aware that restricted drivers are breaching their conditions and are doing some work on pulling them in line. Hopefully the message starts to get through when the bank accounts get hit and the demerits start adding up. Caught three times, and there is your license gone for three months. On Wednesday, a family harm incident occurred. Both parties now have to explain their actions to a Judge. If you find yourself in a heated argument, just walk away for a bit. It can stop things escalating to the point we get involved.

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Some torrential rains in the Haast Pass on Friday caused a tree to come down and block some of the road on a blind bend. The evening saw two drink drivers dealt with and both lost their license for 28 days. A motorbike rider had their bike impounded due to alcohol reasons. They also have to see a judge to explain. Police attended a death and our thoughts are with the family and friends. Saturday’s double dose of the Beer Fest and Crate Day caused a bit of issues for us. Several people were removed from the festival due to their booziness, but on a whole most were really good and functioning like proper adults.Only one drink driver was found. Several people were rescued from bushes and the footpath. A person was arrested after they failed to appear in court and spent a few days in the cells in Queenstown. No lake views in there so please don’t forget court dates. An individual went on a rampage late at night causing damage to several properties and scaring lots of people. We strongly think drugs and alcohol were involved and this person has a date with a judge after being arrested. Sunday was a driving complaint day. It is always great to refute a driver’s claims with photographic evidence of their behaviour so try take a picture if you’re able. Police also assisted our friends over in Cromwell with a drunk driver and crash on Sunday night. To cap the week off there were some people spoken to about a late night spa session in the Albert Town Community Centre. If the gates are locked and you have to jump the fence, it probably means they don’t want people using it at that time. Have a safe and enjoyable week.