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Bullseye gold for Zoe Antone Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
ivaling Katniss Everdeen in looks and skill, 14-year-old local Zoe Antone did Wānaka proud at the Archery NZ National Outdoor Target Championships in Auckland last weekend. The Mount Aspiring College student won a silver medal for the Individual 720 in the women’s intermediate recurve bow division, and a gold medal for Individual Matchplay, making her the National Individual Matchplay Champion for her division. Individual Matchplay is an event where two-paired archers shoot on the same target (but not always) and shoot together. They shoot three arrows each set/end and the timing is 120 seconds. Following each match there is a winner and loser, the winner will advance to the next leg of the competition while the loser is eliminated. Matches are shot in three-arrow sets and the match has a maximum of five sets. Antone’s mother, Maggie, said: “It was a tough competition and Zoe demonstrated
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tremendous courage, determination, sense of calm under incredible pressure and, most of all, her love of archery.” The Year 10 student agreed it was “really fun, and a good competition.” While Antone’s main coach, Mike Smerdon, is based in Auckland, her dayto-day practise in Wānaka is thanks to Jen Jurczyluk and Glenn Sherson. Antone is a member of Sherson’s bowhunting club and regularly practises on his paddock – even during the unseasonable downpour of last week. Antone’s next goal is to be selected to represent New Zealand in the World Archery Oceania Youth Championships, which will be held in Fiji this April. A previous Team New Zealand competitor in the 2019 Trans-Tasman cup, when New Zealand beat Australia for the first time in nine years, she has the highest qualifying scores for her division. Then, it’s the World Youth Championships in 2021. “That’s the big one. That’s the best archers in the world,” said her father, Chris Antone. PHOTOS: Wānaka Sun
Fourteen-year-old Zoe Antone brought home a gold and silver medal from the Archery NZ Championships last weekend.
First Makarora River victim named by Police Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
he first of two bodies recovered from the Makarora River by police in the Mount Aspiring National Park last weekend was named yesterday as 22-year-old Kevin Kum Fike Lee, who resided in Dunedin. According to Police, the first body – a female who has yet to be named – was found by a member of the public at 5:15pm on Friday, February 7 about 50m upstream from the Makarora and
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Young rivers confluence, on the west side of the river. Lee’s body was found in the same area the following day at 12:30pm. Police believe that the two people may have been tramping together. Work is ongoing to establish the circumstances of their deaths, however neither is being treated as suspicious. This tragedy comes less than two weeks after two people were killed in a car crash near Makarora on January 30. It also follows extreme weather and flooding
in the region, which has resulted in the closure of 75 tracks from Fiordland to the southern end of Mount Aspiring National Park. Speaking on RNZ’s Morning Report last Monday, Department of Conservation’s South Island Manager Aaron Fleming said that, whilst he would not speculate on what may have happened to the two trampers, the area where they were found – which sees around 3,500 visitors every year – “does require some river crossings.” Wonderland Makarora Lodge manager
Michelle St John said the community was "pretty devastated.” The long-term resident added that she was surprised a tragedy had not happened sooner, after a DOC staff member was removed from the area's information centre several years ago, leaving Wānaka, over 60km away, as the nearest official information point. In response, Aaron Fleming, Operations Director Southern South Island for DOC said, “The fatality of trampers in any part of New Zealand is always tragic and our hearts go out Continued on page 3
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Police appeal for information Airport assessment on Wānaka resident missing in process “seriously flawed” Mount Aspiring National Park Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
The search area for tramper Stephanie Simpson covers Fantails Falls (pictured) to Mount Brewster, the Brewster Hut and Mount Armstrong Track, and the Makarora Valley.
PHOTOS: DOC
Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
A British tramper living in Wānaka was reported missing at 8:45am on Monday, February 10, after she failed to arrive at her landscaping job at Doug the Wānaka Gardener. Thirty-two-year-old Stephanie Simpson was tramping in the Mount Aspiring National park over the weekend and is believed to have gone missing from the Cameron Flat area. New Zealand Police, who have been conducting helicopter searches alongside the Fox Glacier Alpine Cliff Rescue team, a search dog and Wānaka LandSAR volunteers, have stated that “the search area encompasses Fantail Falls to Mount Brewster, the Brewster Hut and Mount Armstrong track, and also Makarora Valley.” Search teams remained out in the area over Tuesday night and drones with thermal imaging were deployed on Wednesday morning. Kate Bambury from the UK told the Wānaka Sun, “Steph is one of my closest friends and we are desperate to find her safe and well.” Back in the UK, her sister, Natalie Hazelton, told the Wānaka Sun, “we are so grateful for all the help and support we have received from the Police, search and rescue teams, civilians, friends and work colleagues, who are continuing to search for my beautiful sister Stephanie. We can’t thank them enough for all the work they are doing. If anyone has even the smallest piece of information that may lead to her safe return,
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PHOTOS: Facebook
Stephanie Simpson is reportedly a fit and experienced tramper.
please, please share it with the police.” Anyone who may have seen or spoken to missing British tramper Stephanie Simpson in the Makarora area over the weekend is urged to contact police. They have asked that “if anyone was on the track over the weekend who stayed in the Cameron Flat area on Friday and may have spoken to Stephanie, or anyone who may have seen her on the track from Fantail Falls to Mount Armstrong, or in Makarora Valley, please let Police know on 105 and quote file 200211/4896.” Her disappearance comes after heavy rainfall and flooding in the area last week, and the tragic deaths of two trampers, whose bodies were found by police in the Makarora River last Friday and Saturday.
The promised social and economic impact assessments for the proposed Wānaka Airport are underway but local groups are concerned that the whole process is broken. Last week, various community groups in Queenstown and Wānaka started receiving emails from Queenstown Lakes District Council’s chosen consultants, MartinJenkins. The consultants advised that QLDC would be sending invites to focus groups, and that spaces were limited. Those invitations have now been sent, with each group receiving only one invitation, regardless of the size of the group, for one specific focus group session, with only a week’s notice. Four Upper Clutha community associations (representing a population of 3,500 residents), the staff of Mount Aspiring College, Grey Power, We Love Wakatipu and Wānaka Stakeholders Group (WSG) are all understood to have each received one invitation each for their group. The microscopic list of participants is concerning. Thorough stakeholder and beneficiary analysis (SA) is an entry point to Social Impact Assessments (SIA) and participatory work. A good SIA addresses strategic questions, e.g. who are the key stakeholders, what are their interests in the project or policy, what are the power differentials between them, what relative influence do they have on the operation? Whose opinions matter but are hard to reach and how do we reach them? But so far, the general population of Wānaka, who are the primary stakeholders and beneficiaries of the airport have not been approached for any form of consultation. There are no public meetings planned, or online surveys or any other tool which an impact assessment consultant could use to reach all corners of the population. As it stands, only people who belong to current lobby groups or interest groups get a say, and only with one invite by MartinJenkins. QLDC shared MartinJenkins’ methodology with the Wānaka Sun late yesterday afternoon stating it will, “Identify the positive and negative economic and social impacts associated with Queenstown Airports, through: client discussions,
THURSDAY 13.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 19.02.20
literature review and focus group discussions.” A broad-based participatory approach was not mentioned. More alarmingly, the four scenarios MartinJenkins is analysing are: 1) No change in noise boundaries at Queenstown Airport, 2) Change in noise boundaries at Queenstown Airport 3) Dual airports with scheduled flights from Wānaka and 4) New International Airport. The Wānaka Sun asked for clarity around competing conclusions and how they will be evaluated. If the social assessment proves opposed to airport development, but the economic assessment proves in favour, which assessment carries the most weight? The methodology stated, “There is no evaluation criteria as the analysis will not result in a ranking of scenarios. Impacts will not be weighted, by impact or by social or economic focus. Not all quantified impacts are comparable for a range of measurement reasons and not all impacts can be effectively quantified or measured. For example, several impacts (such as noise – have both social and economic impacts). Some activities will result in several impacts which may have both positive and negative effects on groups.” WSG wrote to MartinJenkins and the Council on Tuesday detailing their “significant concerns” at a process which they say is “seriously flawed”. WSG chair Michael Ross says: “It’s really hard to know where to begin. Almost every aspect of the process surrounding the reports is problematic. They are steeped in secrecy and it all appears rushed and stacked in favour of a pro-airport decision. While we were only contacted last Wednesday, MartinJenkins appears to have been talking to tourism businesses since before Christmas.” The group is participating on a “without prejudice” basis, but their fivepage letter leaves no doubt where they stand with the process. *Just as going to press, QLDC released a statement inviting residents to a public online survey. It has also released a list of all organisations that have been invited to the focus groups. These are available on our website. Whilst public surveys were not listed in the methodology given to the Wānaka Sun this afternoon, the QLDC invitation confirms otherwise.
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Maternity services remain overdue and undelivered Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Public consultation on Central Lakes maternity services has opened, but the Southern District Health Board is warning it may not meet its proposed deadline of June 30. SDHB announced this Tuesday that they are “inviting feedback about the future configuration of primary maternity facilities in the fast-growing Central Otago/ Wānaka area.” To put the possibility of a primary birthing unit in Wānaka on the table is a significant leap for SDHB who has danced around the subject but only ever committed to the Maternity Hub and teleclinic services. Acknowledging that the best configuration of primary birthing facilities in the area has been “the subject of a lot of discussion in recent years,” SDHB executive director strategy, primary and community Lisa Gestro said that “While we have a good understanding of the issues involved, we are very keen to listen to the community in a structured way and get this process right.” According to Gestro, SDHB, the Central Lakes Locality Network and key stakeholders will work together to develop “potential options,” for public consultation. This vague process has an even vaguer timeline: “We expect to propose some options by Easter and make decisions around the middle of the year. However, it is important we take the time that is needed to ensure the outcomes are the right ones for women and families.” The proposals were initially intended to be publicised by March, consulted on until the end of April, and a final decision made by June 30. MP for Waitaki Jacqui Dean has criticised the
board’s “complete lack of urgency in providing acceptable maternity services through the Wānaka and Upper Clutha districts.” Dean has previously voiced frustration with the board’s lack of progress in providing a muchneeded maternity services hub in Wānaka, which was first promised in August 2018 and - after several setbacks – is currently due to open in April 2020. “After following this issue closely for the past two years and being riddled with disappointments and broken promises, it’s safe to say my confidence in the Southern District Health Board’s ability to deliver anything in the near future is at an all-time low.” Dean also referred to the National Party’s promise in September 2019 to provide half the money for a birthing unit in Wanaka if elected next year. In the meantime, the Maternity Hub at 21E Gordon Road still has no signs of life, and the empty carcass with bare concrete floor and walls suggests no work has progressed at all. However, a source on site who does not wish to be named said, the architect's plans have been approved by the Body Corporate of the building and to his knowledge, they are with council awaiting consent. He also stated that whilst the fit-out looks quite simple, it needs to be hospitalgrade so may not be overly straightforward in construction. To be open by April, would be "optimistic" by his judgment. When asked for an update on the progress of the unit, SDHB could not provide comment at the time of going to press. Public feedback on the proposed primary birthing unit is welcome at www.engage. southernhealth.nz/maternity.
Slow down: new speed reductions in effect Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Queenstown Lakes District Council brought changes to speed limits around the district into effect last Monday. QLDC general manager for property and infrastructure, Peter Hansby said the new speed limits are the first to be introduced following the adoption of a revised Speed Limits Bylaw in August 2019. “Our district is continuing to grow rapidly, leading to an increase in the number and types of vehicles using the roads. While we’re also working on ways to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, lowering the speed limits will play an important role in improving the safety of our roads for all users such as schoolchildren, pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, heavy vehicles, commuters and visitors,” he said. The new changes include reductions from 70km/h to 60km/h along Aubrey Road (from the Anderson Road intersection to the Albert Town roundabout), and 100km/h to 80km/h along Cardrona Valley Road (from the township to the distillery). Data from QLDC’s Findings Report of the
PHOTO: Joanna
Speed limits have now been reduced from 70km/h to 60km/h along Aubrey Road, and from 100km/h to 80km/h on Cardrona Valley Road.
Speed Management and Speed Limits Bylaw 2009 Review reveals that there were over 6,000 crashes in the district between January 2000 and December 2017, causing 55 fatalities. Reducing speeds has a direct impact on reducing deaths and injuries when crashes occur. According to the report, a 5 percent decrease in average speed leads to around 10 percent fewer injury crashes and 20 percent fewer fatal crashes. Further consultation on a number of other speed limit changes, including Ballantyne Road, Beacon Point Road, Mount Aspiring Road and urban areas of Wānaka is planned for later in February.
Strengthening Makarora River Bridge
First Makarora River victim named by Police Continued from page 1 to the bereaved families and friends. However it is important to note that at this point there are no details about the causes of death for the two people found deceased or the reason a third person is currently being looked for. We simply cannot know whether any information that might have been provided at Makarora would have made any difference and speculation about it is not helpful at this time.” Since the site closed as a manned Visitor Centre, DOC has maintained static information within the unstaffed Makarora Visitor Centre. Mike Daisley, Mountain Safety Council chief executive, added, “deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased.” He added that “we don’t yet know exactly what happened to them, but we do know rivers can
Makarora Bridge will be undergoing maintenance with closures every 30 minutes.
Francesca Maria Nespolo
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz PHOTOS: Wanaka Sun
The first of two bodies found in the Makarora River last Friday and Saturday has been identified by Police as Dunedin resident Kevin Kum Fike Lee (22).
be dangerous.” River crossings are the second highest direct cause of tramper fatalities. Daisley advise that information on river safety can be found on the MSC website at: www.mountainsafety.org.nz/ resources/toolbox/river-safety
A number of maintenance and construction projects are scheduled to get underway on state highways in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago district council areas from this week, according to Mark Stewart, maintenance contract manager, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. Some of these projects will have a definite impact on road user journey times and because of this have been purposely deferred until after the school holiday/ peak summer period.
PHOTO: Wikipedia
A major strengthening and maintenance programme on the single lane Makarora River Bridge, SH6, (14km north of Makarora and 4km south of the Haast Pass), is starting this week and is expected to continue until the end of April. For the first three weeks there will be closures of up to 30 minutes at a time, every hour, on the hour between 8am and 5pm weekdays. As the work programme progresses so will the closure types, including some overnight full road closures. This work is heavily weather dependent and more specific details will be released weekly once confirmed.
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$500,000 Lotto win for local lady Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
A Wānaka Lotto player won big with Lotto First Division last Wednesday, February 5, collecting her $500,000 from the Albert Town Four Square where she bought the winning ticket. Haley Vuleta, who works at the Four Square, said that the lady, who lives in Albert
Town, knew she had won before she came in to collect her prize, and that “everyone was very happy it was somebody local.” This was the second winning ticket to be sold by the store in just two months. On December 4 last year, another lucky local won $200,000 on Strike Four after purchasing their ticket in Albert Town. With the Lotto Powerball now at $22 million, may this streak of luck continue.
‘Wide-body jets’ a slip up or cover up? Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
It was reported in Crux last week that documentation for Project Pure contained reference to wide-bodied jets being planned for Wānaka Airport. “A [sic] additional consideration is that Queenstown Airport Corporation has advised an intention to upgrade the airport to enable the use of wide-body jets in the future and potentially realign the runway,” read the draft Queenstown Lakes District Council business case on how to manage the expansion of Project Pure. The use of wide-bodied jets has always been strenuously denied by both Queenstown Lakes District Council and Queenstown
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Airport Corporation. The document in question was apparently a draft document that was never approved and is irrelevant according to one source. This is somewhat believable with the grammatical error in the first sentence which would have been picked up if the document had ever been edited through further progression. (“A additional consideration” should have read “An additional consideration…”) Yesterday, CEO of QAC, Colin Keel issued a statement saying, “As previously indicated, QAC is not planning to accommodate widebody jets at Wānaka Airport as part of any future development.” However, QLDC did not respond to request for comment about the document or plans for wide-body jets.
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Stuffed up: more delay to new water quality provisions Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
The Otago Regional Council will delay the 2020 start date for new water quality provisions in the region under a new plan change, agreed on January 29. Plan Change 6AA to the Regional Plan: Water for Otago will postpone the deadline for new rules on discharge contaminant concentrations and nitrogen leaching from April 2020 to April 2026. The regional water plan was first established in 2014 to manage the effects of farming on water quality. Gwyneth Elsum, ORC general manager for strategy, policy and science, said the latest plan change was a necessary step in the path to better water quality for Otago. “Certain provisions of water quality rules for rural discharges (Plan Change 6A) were considered ambiguous and unenforceable. Because of this, we know they would not have had the intended effects on water quality, and would only have caused uncertainty for those trying to comply. “[This] doesn’t mean we are stepping back from our aim to improve water quality. Additional provisions in the pipeline are an interim step towards what will eventually be a new Land and Water Regional Plan for Otago.” According to ORC, new rules impacting urban and rural water quality are due to be proposed in March, and a new Land and Water Regional Plan will be notified in late 2023.
THURSDAY 13.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 19.02.20
PHOTO: Wānaka Sun
The Otago Regional Council has announced further delay to water quality provisions after agreeing a new change to the regional water plan.
Michael Laws, Deputy Chairperson for the Dunstan Ward, has apologised to Otago water users for the “failure” of the council, saying “Quite simply, our organisation stuffed it up. Again. Our plans were not fit for purpose, as has been confirmed by independent agencies. It is an institutional failure on our part. Our only true atonement is to get it right, going forward. And to collectively take responsibility.” Plan Change 6AA remains subject to appeals until Tuesday, March 24.
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Central Otago Pinot Celebration raises Tuki music festival thrills crowds and performers alike $15,000 for local trust
PHOTO: Supplied
Central Otago Winegrowers Association chairman Chris Keys with VIP guest Erica Ducey from media outlet, VinePair, based in the USA.
Francesca Maria Nespolo Tuki 2020 was the most sustainable festival to date.
Hay bale toilets — a new frontier in sustainability.
Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
A range of New Zealand musical talent was showcased at Glendhu Bay Station last Saturday, February 8. Tuki Festival hosted performers on the main and forest stages throughout the day, alongside food stalls and a well-used waterslide. For assistant director Josephine Gallagher, the event was a great success. “It was a sunny day, and all the kids and families had a really nice time listening to a bunch of music,” she said. Commenting on the sense of community both in the crowd and backstage, she added that Tuki “was a chance for Kiwi musicians to catch up. Some bands keep coming back every year.” Returning artists Trinity Roots, The Chills and Anika Moa were joined by first-timers like Chelsea Jade, Mild Orange and Wellington-based band Sea Mouse, on the release tour for their new album
PHOTO: Élie Babin
PHOTO: Supplied
Tropical Fish. “It was the best festival we’ve ever played,” said drummer Thomas Friggens. “It had the production standards of a city festival, but in Glendhu Bay.” The group received a huge response on social media to the event’s “epic” setting. Focusing on climate-positivity, Tuki 2020 aimed to achieve a 95 percent waste diversion rate through initiatives like reusable cups and hay bale toilets. Pending official figures, recycling manager Sonata McCleod stated that “this year’s event was our most sustainable to date. It takes the whole village to create positive change. “We are grateful to our partners and supporters of Tuki for being environmentally conscious and as focused on keeping Wānaka beautiful as we are. Patrons happily brought with them keep cups from previous years, and put waste in the allocated recycling bins. Our food vendors left no trace.” “And the wee stage was well-used!,” added director Lynne Christie.
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
The Central Otago Pinot Celebration, which attracts wine lovers from across the globe, has given back to its local community. The threeday 2020 celebration raised $15,000 for the Mokihi Restoration Trust which is a Cromwell reforestation project run by Te Kākano. “The money raised will be donated to Mokihi Reforestation Trust not Te Kākano,” shared Loran Verpillot, Trust Administrator at Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust. The Mokihi Trust was established in 2016 and to date has planted 4000 native plants of local origin at three sites around Cromwell and adjacent to Lake Dunstan. The auction was a key part of the celebration with wine experiences in hot demand, kindly donated by local wineries. Central Otago Pinot Noir charitable trust chairman, Alistair King said he was thrilled the money will go to such
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a good cause: “The Trust’s goals of promoting hands-on community land care and native habitat restoration are a good fit with Central Otago Winegrowers’ values of being responsible custodians of their land”. The line up of Central Otago wines immersed 150 enthusiasts in wine tastings, panel discussions, lunches and dinners. Attendees included wine-loving consumers, trade, sommeliers, wine and leisure media, and Central Otago wineries. “It was insanely cool. Visitors were shown the special side of this area. Central Otago is stunning, visually, but for me the event was made by the spirit of the people I’m proud to call colleagues,” said Pinot Celebration chairman, Chris Keys. “We showed our region with honesty, revealed ourselves without artifice. That made for deep, funny, cool times, and meaningful connections all over the place. Wine is a crucial part of this – but it’s all part of a bigger story. The celebration helps develop our cultural and ecological heritage,” commented Keys.
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Cromwell Business
Medicinal cannabis business moving ahead in Cromwell Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
A Central Otago-based company is forging ahead with plans to develop a medicinal cannabis cultivation, research and manufacturing business in the heart of wine country. Medigrowth New Zealand, based in Cromwell, plans to provide pure and safe New Zealand-grown cannabinoid medicines to a market that recent research shows is “crying out” for alternatives to existing pain medications. Queenstown businessman Aaron Murphy has been joined by Medigrowth Australia directors Todd McClellan and Adam Guskich in the New Zealand venture. The Australian company was established in 2017 and brings its invaluable expertise, IP and experience to the local operation, established last year. Aaron Murphy, who operates award-winning accommodation and property management services in Queenstown, says “the time is right'' for Medigrowth’s launch. “A law change in December 2018 paved the way for a regulated medicinal cannabis industry in New Zealand, with licences to be issued by a new Medical Cannabis Agency, application submissions from April 1,” he said. “We’ve been working closely with New Zealand
GPs on education initiatives, many of whom we know are being asked by increasing numbers of patients to prescribe medicinal cannabis but don’t currently have the training or knowledge to do so. “Myself, Todd and Adam are all firm believers in the benefits of medicinal cannabis and the opportunity to deliver substantial improvements in patient health and wellbeing. “We’ve identified a site for a world-class research and development facility on the outskirts of Cromwell which we already know is a fertile and fantastic growing region.” The facility will offer state-of-the-art technology in extraction and manufacturing, cultivation, laboratory services, genetics supply and University-led research. “There are many opportunities to partner with likeminded businesses in the region and utilise the skillsets of existing horticultural experts to create more jobs and opportunities for the area,” says Mr Murphy. “We’re currently raising capital for the business and are already talking to a number of businesses and individuals keen to invest in Medigrowth New Zealand,” says Mr Murphy. “We’re also excited to hear from potential partners intending to cultivate medicinal cannabis to meet projected demand and who require extraction and manufacturing services.”
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From left: Adam Guskich, Aaron Murphy and Todd McClellan are developing a medicinal cannabis cultivation, research and manufacturing business in Cromwell.
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Juniors offered a taste of the New Zealand Open Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Open to kids of all ages and skill levels, the Hyundai NZ Futures Festival of Golf promises to be a fun day out for the whole family amidst the New Zealand Open Golf Tournament. The New Zealand Open will run from Thursday, February 27 to Sunday, February 29 at Millbrook Resort in Queenstown this year, with the kid-focused festival taking place on the Saturday. Entry is free to all, and registration for the Futures Festival is open on the New Zealand Open website. Kids will have opportunities to learn new skills, play games and take part in a range of activities for different skill levels, with coaches on hand to provide support and guidance.
Benn Ashford, who runs the Junior Golf Programme at Wānaka Golf Club, hailed the event as “an excellent initiative by the New Zealand Open to get the Juniors involved. They have made it inclusive by ensuring that there are activities and games for all levels – it doesn’t matter whether you are experienced, a complete beginner or somewhere in-between. There has been a lot of interest from our Juniors at Wānaka Golf Club, which is great. Hopefully a fair few will make the trip across, play some golf, and then watch the pros to get a real flavour of the New Zealand Open.” The event will commence at 9am with registration and a free coffee for parents, and end at 1pm after a prize-giving ceremony. There will also be a variety of food trucks available after the golf for families to enjoy.
PHOTO: Supplied
The Futures Festival is open to kids of all ages and skill levels.
Bowls title retained The boys are back in town Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
From left: Victors, Bob Steel and Alan Coupe.
Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Alan Coupe and Bob Steel, for the second year in a row, have won the Wānaka Bowling Club’s Men’s Junior Pairs Championship. A ‘junior’ is a bowler with one to five years of experience. Not only have they retained the title, but they went through this
PHOTO: Peter Wilson
year’s championship undefeated. Pin the last two games, laying off for each side of the draw, Coupe and Steel first defeated Frank Ruddiman and Bob McLeary 24-12 and then Alister Moore and Gordon Hall in a very close battle, that saw the scores being matched 7-7 after 12 ends and 12-12 going into the last end when Alan and Bob scored the decisive shot to win 13-12.
New Zealand‘s Braden Currie (Wanaka) has confirmed he will be defending his 2019 title. Braden is one of the most respected names in the world of multisport, triathlon and adventure racing. Not only is he the 2019 Challenge Wānaka Champion, he won the Ironman Asia Pacific Championship in 2019 and looks to repeat with the Challenge Asia Pacific Championship this year, as well as coming seventh in Kona at the 2019 Ironman World Championship. Coming from across the ditch to battle it out with Currie are Australian professional triathletes Matt Burton (3rd in 2019), Steve Mckenna and Levi Maxwell. Matt Burton recently placed second at Ironman Western Australia and is an athlete to keep your eye on. Matt has won the Age Group (18-24) Ironman World Championships and in his relatively short yet accomplished professional career has boasted an Ironman PB of 7hr 55min (Ironman WA 2019) and a Half Distance PB of 3hr 42min (Challenge Malaysia 2018). Steve Mckenna is coming off the back of an incredibly strong 2019, in which he won three of the Challenge Family Triathlon Events, Challenge Iskandar Puteri, Challenge Vietnam and Challenge Korea, as well as second place in Challenge Cape Town and
Braden Currie will be defending his 2019 title this year.
Challenge Anhui. Levi Maxwell has only been a professional triathlete for 15 months, but in that time has stood on 10 podiums, including four Challenge Family podiums. From further afield Joe Skipper (Great Britain) 2019 Florida Ironman record winner will be returning to Wānaka to compete in the Challenge Wānaka. "I love being in Wānaka as it’s a great place, the race is a really honest course as well which suits a strongman where the best athlete on the day is sure to come out on top”, said Skipper. Dylan McNeice (Christchurch) is another top Kiwi triathlete who will
PHOTO: Wānaka Sun archive
be competing on the 15th of February. Dylan was the winner of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Challenge Wānaka and has finished just off the podium every other time he has competed in the race. Rounding out the trio of male professional Kiwi Triathletes competing is Jack Moody (Auckland). Jack has been competing professionally in triathlon since 2018. Although he is the youngest of the Kiwi professional athletes competing, he is just as much of a podium contender as Currie and McNeice. Jack finished in fourth place at the 2019 Challenge Wanaka and had the fastest run split of the day.
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GREBE DIARY 9
NATURE by Forest and Bird
February 9, 2020
Mokopirirakau at risk What’s a mokopirirakau, you ask? Well, recent publicity about lizards in relation to a proposed new chairlift at Cardrona has highlighted an often-overlooked aspect of this region’s biota – we have as many endangered native lizards as we do native birds. One of these is the orangespotted gecko, also known as mokopirirakau. The species wasn’t even known to exist until 1998, when it was discovered west of Wānaka. Since then, a few isolated populations have been found – and one, thanks to DoC and Cardrona, is safe from destruction from expansion of the ski field but not from other threats like wildfire. Central Otago has other gecko species as well – Southern Alps, Kawarau, and short-toed geckos among others. Not, alas, the wonderfully named barking gecko. We also host some critically endangered skinks. Grand and Otago skinks are large, colourful lizards found in a few scattered populations across Otago. They can be seen in captivity at Central Stories in Alexandra, or in the Mokomoko Reserve near Earnscleugh. Skinks have shiny, scaly skin, long thin and almost snake-like bodies, and can run remarkably fast on their short legs. Geckos in contrast are more secretive, are often nocturnal, and very well camouflaged. They have satiny or velvety skin, usually baggy-looking, and are generally more colourful than skinks. Skinks and geckos live on insects, fruit of native shrubs such as Coprosma (mingimingi), Meilcytus, and Muehlenbeckia (pohuehue), and sometimes each other. They are an important part of our native ecosystems, acting as dispersal agents – meaning they carry seeds from the parent plant to new locations – for shrubs and other flowering plants. Some geckos live in forests, but in Central Otago they tend to live in rocky areas with plenty of cover – tors, scree, and boulder fields. The larger skinks also favour these areas, but smaller skinks (the ones you normally see) like long grass, shrubland, and areas with lots of cover. However, overall habitat loss – clearance of forest and shrubland, fire, and ‘landscaping’ for urban development – has put some of them at serious risk of extinction. Their greatest enemies are of course our introduced predators: rats, mice, stoats and ferrets, magpies, hedgehogs, and especially feral cats. Another enemy is human: the more colourful and rare geckos are sought-after by collectors, and international lizard thieves can make a good profit by smuggling our natural treasures out of the country. They can also make a loss and be
The lake is still relatively high and faced with the prospect of kayaking to the end of the marina to get to the nest platforms, Matt Sandford, Jack’s younger brother suggested a different approach as illustrated above. I declined in the interests of dignity and safety. We had a good session though and recorded the following, with egg numbers and estimated hatch date in brackets: nest three (three eggs, February 28), nest five (four eggs, February 15), nest seven (three eggs February 28), nest eight (three eggs February 24), nest 12 ( four eggs February 16) and nest 13 (three eggs February 19). A week earlier I had recorded that nest two had hatched her two chicks as had nest seven with three newbies and her nest was quickly taken over by a new pair that have laid three eggs (see above). Nest one had two eggs, which jumped to three a week later but was then abandoned. Measurements including weight suggested that they had been laid by two different birds. I found an abandoned egg on nest 11. PHOTO: supplied At times it all seems a bit confusing, but what The orange-spotted gecko was only discovered in 1998. stands out about this season is how few birds have imprisoned! bred, how few eggs have been laid, particularly the Although the orange-spotted gecko, grand number of one- and two-egg nests in which almost and Otago skinks, and perhaps even some as yet undiscovered species are highly endangered, the only protection they have from their enemies are two predator-fenced reserves, near Alexandra and at Macraes in Eastern Otago. None of the other known populations have any form of predator control, or even monitoring to see if Joanna Perry they are surviving or not. The life expectancy newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz of vulnerable species in NZ when they are not protected is not great! So what can we do to save New findings from a study into lake snow will be presented to the public by program researchers next these creatures? Firstly, if you have long grass, shrubby Tuesday, February 18 at the Lake Wānaka Centre. A slimy substance produced by cells of the vegetation, or rocky areas on your section freshwater alga Lindavia intermedia, lake snow and don’t live in a wilderness of concrete and (also known as “lake snot”) is a well-known manicured lawn, you may well have skinks in nuisance in Central Otago lakes for fouling your back yard. If you have a big area of kanuka, fishing lines, blocking filters and sticking to you may even have a gecko or two. You can swimmers’ clothing. help them by trapping predators (see Wānaka In 2018, a research program led by academics Backyard Trapping via their FaceBook page for from across New Zealand was established to useful advice, and links to buying and managing better understand lake snow, what causes it and traps); by providing shelter with piles of rocks how it might be better controlled in the future. or Onduline tiles (search ‘attract lizards to your Whilst still under development, researchers garden’ on the Doc website); and by planting are now ready to showcase their toolbox, share food species such as Coprosma and Melicytus. new information about lake snow, and answer Secondly, support larger predator control questions from the general public. projects by volunteering to clear traps, or Presenting the program’s findings so far will sponsoring a trap line or two. While there are be Phil Novis, an algal researcher from Lincoln no lizard-targeted projects operating at present University, Marc Schallenberg, a limnologist in the Upper Clutha, there are moves behind from the University of Otago, and Cara Luiten, the scenes to establish at least one lizard-focused a PhD candidate researching the chemical trapping “hub” in the region: watch this space. – By Ben Goddard composition of lake snow at Victoria University
PHOTO: supplied
Matt Sandford shows how to check on the grebes when the water is extremely high.
all fail, and how late overall the season has been. My guess was that the extremes of lake levels on nearshore ecosystems and nutrient sources possibly compromised food availability. Additionally to that has been the extreme temperatures we enjoyed (or otherwise) and this year I noted a number of nesting grebes clearly stressed with the extreme heat. So Roys Bay is not a perfect place to try and rear grebe chicks, but all things being equal, my guess would be that it has been the best place on Lake Wānaka to do that this year. We have not lost any nests to wind storms, extreme changes in lake levels or predation. – By John Darby
New findings on lake snow to be share with the Wānaka community
PHOTOS: Jeff Donaldson
“Lake snot” on Lake Wānaka: new findings on lake snow will be presented at the Lake Wānaka Centre on Tuesday, February 18.
of Wellington. The presentation will take place February 18, from 7:30 - 9pm in the main auditorium for those interested in where lake snow comes from, how it can be measured and future prospects for its control.
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UPPER CLUTHA LAKES TRUST
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Exploring the environmental history of New Zealand’s lakes
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PHOTOS: supplied
Lake Wānaka is one of the 380 lakes being tested in the Lakes380 project.
J Julie Perry
Secretary - Upper Clutha Lakes Trust
The first Royal Society speakers for 2020 were from the Lakes380 project, which is gleaning information from the clues left in sediment taken from the lake bed. The presenters were Susie Wood (Cawthron Institute), Marcus Vandergoes (GNS Science) and Marc Schallenberg (University of Otago). There are 3,800 lakes in New Zealand, many of which are deteriorating in health. This project involves analysing sediment cores taken from 10 percent of our lakes – hence Lakes380. Lake sediments are natural archives that provide information on current and historical aquatic communities, water quality, vegetation changes, human impacts, climate systems and environmental changes. The project will improve our understanding of the lakes by providing
information about their current state, regional variability and how things have changed over time. To date, over 180 lakes have been sampled, with more than 600 cores and 15,000 samples taken. The scientists involved with the project are using environmental DNA (eDNA) combined with carbon dating, pollen analysis, microscopic identification of aquatic organisms and core scanning techniques to deduce the story of NZ’s lakes. Each sample can capture up to 1,000 years of history. What has been found so far is that as New Zealand’s original native forests were cleared by European settlement and replaced with grasses, pine and non-native trees, algae in many lakes increased markedly, particularly bloom forming cyanobacteria. The samples from some lakes show how the introduction of perch caused a dramatic change in the types of bacteria present in those lakes. By improving our understanding of how and
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why lake communities and water quality has changed, knowledge gathered by the project will be used to help predict future changes in the lakes and to ensure that protection and restoration efforts are ecologically appropriate. The Lakes380 project is the biggest scientific study of New Zealand’s lakes ever undertaken and is funded by a five-year Endeavour Fund grant from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. The Lakes380 team will be returning to Wānaka in March 2020 with a large boat and special equipment to collect core samples from lakes Wānaka and Wakatipu at a depth of around 120 metres. The core samples are currently kept in refrigerated storage at GNS science in Lower Hutt and it is hoped that these will ultimately form the basis of a national archive to support future research. For more information see www.lakes380.com
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EDITORIAL
Tip toeing through the traps, dripping with rat guts Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Ok, the headline may be overly dramatic but it was my first time trapping with Forest and Bird’s Central Otago-Lakes volunteer trap team so I’m taking creative license with my adjectives. Joining the volunteer roster means hiking for one day a month on one of ten trap lines, clearing dead predators out of the traps, cleaning them and renewing the bait. This is all for the good of our native birds and a community service I thought I could really get behind. Whilst I was big on romantic notions of volunteer service and doing my bit for New Zealand, what I hadn’t factored in was that I am. Grossly. Hideously. Unfit. What was supposed to be a four-hour mission, turned into six hours (thanks to moi) of off-track hiking, carrying a day pack plus bags of tools, dozens of eggs, and a smorgasbord of predator bait. Imagine if you may, a heaving, sweating woman, swearing like a sailor as she slides on her fat behind down a gully because she hasn’t got the quad strength to walk down. Yeah – that was pretty much me for the whole day. But rewind, because it wasn’t all that bad. The best part of the day was my partner on the trapping roster... Chris Kjelgaard who celebrated her 73rd birthday scraping dead rat guts out of traps with me. She is so fit and strong I stand in AWE. She was galloping ahead like a nimble mountain goat, smashing through neck-high bracken and scaling down gullies like she practically had wings. She has legs like steel pistons and quadriceps made of dynamite. Each time we finished a trap, *boom* she was off like a shot. Chris never slid down a gully on her derriere, holding on to trees for dear life. No. She had a bucket of eggs in one hand and ambled down without holding onto anything. She was cool as a cucumber and still wearing long sleeve wool;
whilst I was beetroot red, sweating like a fat man in a sauna and down to a t-shirt. I want to be Chris when I grow up. Chris taught me everything I needed to know about the Boat Line and how to clean and reset DOC traps, plus the more sophisticated Good Nature traps. She was fast, efficient and extremely gracious about my lack of fitness. She’s also an amateur ornithologist and was able to identify the shrills of many birds we saw through the day. Sadly, no mohua, the most endangered bird which this entire trap grid was set up to protect. Mohua are vulnerable to climbing ship rats and stoats as they nest in holes in old or rotten trees. Since the arrival of these introduced predators, mohua numbers have plummeted, from being the second most abundant bird in forests across the whole South Island, to just a few thousand in isolated populations. She explained how bad it’s been during this mast season; a fact backed up by the data from Jane and Mo Turnbull who are the volunteer coordinators for the trapping team. Every few years, the forest explodes with huge amounts of seeds. Once upon a time, these seeds were a bonus for the birds. But now, these seeds provide a massive food source for rats. When those seeds run out, they turn to our native birds. In October last year, the trap network caught 205 rats. The normal amount is 197 in a year. As trapping alone hardly touches the sides of predators in a mast year, a 1080 drop in early November helped kill off untold amounts of rats. But it’s not plain sailing, even when 1080 and trapping work to complement each other. A stoat explosion is due about now as all the babies born in spring leave the nest. Forest and Bird’s Makarora Valley project consists of 485 rat, stoat and possum traps on 10 traplines and two close-spaced grids in the Makarora and Blue valleys. They also clear a very long (73 trap) line in the Young Valley for
PHOTOS: Wānaka Sun
This is what we do it for – a thriving native bird population. Seen here, three kakarikis on the Boat Line in Makarora.
the Department of Conservation during the spring nesting season. It takes 40 volunteers on the roster to head out once (sometimes twice) a month to clear the lines, which means a lot of administrative time for Jane and Mo – not just drawing up the roster, but ordering bait, managing stock levels, servicing the traps and repairing broken ones, inputting endless data which feeds into larger data banks on predators. This is where you, dear reader, come in. Are you a systems expert or a whizz with data? Can you design an online system where each trap team can input their own data? Can you work your magic so the entire operation is more streamlined? Perhaps you don't want to do "boots on the ground" but you, or your business would like to sponsor a few new traps? Could you keep a record of damaged
Have your say on the future of Otago’s natural and physical resources ORC is responsible for managing Otago’s land, coast, air and water resources on behalf of the community, for our future. The Regional Policy Statement (RPS) sets direction for what people and communities can and cannot do when using these natural resources, or when they are subdividing or developing land. To help develop the new RPS, we’d love to know which Otago natural or physical resources you value or have concerns about. We’ve made a start on some suggestions for key issues our region is facing and want to hear what you think. Take the survey before 25 February at: www.orc.govt.nz/RPS or phone 0800 474 082 for a paper copy
Chris Kjelgaard spent her 73rd birthday scraping rat guts out of traps.
traps and maintenance issues, and organise trap replacements in the field so that Jane and Mo can do what they really love to do, get out in the forest, instead of managing endless amounts of paperwork? If you think you can help out, email centralotagolakes.branch@forestandbird.org.nz.
Next steps ORC will use the information from the survey to refine a set of key resource management issues for Otago. ORC councillors and staff will then tour around Otago during March to meet with communities to discuss these issues in more detail. We want to know what you want for Otago, what’s stopping us achieving this, and how we’ll solve those problems. Come along and have your say at: 12.30pm and 6.30pm, 17 March in Oamaru 12.30pm and 6.30pm, 18 March in Dunedin 12.30pm and 6.30pm, 19 March in Balclutha 12.30pm and 6.30pm, 24 March in Queenstown 12.30pm and 6.30pm, 25 March in Alexandra (Venues to be confirmed) Sign up to our monthly newsletter at www.orc.govt.nz/onstream to be kept up-to-date.
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Farewell plastic – milk on tap now in Wānaka Francesca Maria Nespolo
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
PHOTO: Wānaka Sun
Can you restrict yourself to wear a mere six items from your wardrobe for a month? Which six will you choose?
Eeny meeny miny moe – surviving on six Emma Conyngham
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
We’ve seen the public movement around single use plastics make change. Now it’s the turn of disposable fashion to feel the heat. Wastebusters is hosting the Six Items Challenge in our district during March, to raise awareness about the waste and exploitation that is the dark side of fast fashion. Globally, we’re making more clothing than we can ever wear — an estimated 150 billion items per year. Much of it is designed to be worn just a few times and thrown out, which is a terrible waste of energy, water and resources. Fast fashion also harms the environment through toxic chemicals, dyes and microplastics, and harms people through exploitative labour practices. If you are suffering from bloated wardrobe syndrome, or you want to do something about fashion waste, join Wastebusters in the Six Items
Challenge in March. All you have to do is to limit your choice of clothing for the month of March to just six items. But don’t panic! The six items refer to your main items of clothing – dresses, trousers, tops, skirts, jumpers, shirts etc. You have unlimited access to underwear, accessories, footwear and sportswear plus uniforms and a jacket. By participating in the Six Item Challenge, you’ll be part of a global movement to rethink fashion and you’ll say no to fast fashion, and yes to quality clothing, repair, longevity, your own personal style and fair working conditions; you’ll inspire others and change attitudes — it's the perfect opportunity to spread the word about the downside of fast fashion; you won’t have to think about what to wear. Spare time!; and get the satisfaction of taking up a challenge and getting some insights into what fashion means to you. It’s about the journey, so don’t let the fear of failure put you off. Try the Six Items Challenge with Wastebusters. www.wastebusters.co.nz
It doesn’t take much to imagine beer from the tap, but it took some uni students to figure out how to get milk the same way. “We decided to get into milk as we saw a great opportunity to reduce the plastic waste associated with dairy products in New Zealand. By doing further market research into this problem, we found that cafes go through huge amounts of milk bottles each week, with a majority of those ending up in landfill. Our solution was very much inspired by beer. If beer could be ‘sustainably packaged’ in steel kegs and dispensed on tap, why couldn’t we do the same thing with milk?,” explained Jo Mohan, one of Spout's co-founders. With the mission of getting rid of plastic milk bottles, Spout is a Dunedin-born start-up that provides cafes with milk in kegs. Jo Mohan, together with Nick Jackson and Luka Licul, met at an accelerator program in Wellington and are the ones bringing their steel kegs to the Edgewater Resort which is the first local cafe to latch onto the idea. “There were lots of learning curves in our first few months of operation as none of us had come from a dairy/ farming background, we had to test and try out different cleaning processes to best fit milk. We found a local farmer who was willing to fill up our kegs, and in June 2019, we launched our first pilot cafe in Dunedin,” said Mohan. A spokesperson from Edgewater Resort explained that each week they are striving to waste
PHOTO: Facebook
Edgewater Resort, in partnership with Spout, is the first Wānaka cafe to get their milk from kegs. (Left), Jess O’Neil, Edgewater restaurant manager, and Kate Mitchell, sustainability and social media coordinator.
less and less. To add emphasis to this mission they have created a new position to maximise their efforts in environmental sustainability. “We currently go through on average 180 litres of blue top milk a week here at Edgewater and that’s about 90 plastic containers per week. The part we can play in reducing our negative impact on the recycling chain is huge just from the implementation of this one move. In addition we love that the milk is from Windy Ridge Farm. The fact that the waste is dramatically reduced and also there is the benefit that our wonderful guests and locals are able to bring in a bottle to get it filled and purchase a bottle of milk from us straight from the spout!” Edgewater’s decision to tap into this wastefree milk system will prevent more than 4,500 plastic containers from being wasted over the next 12 months.
The Council Word How do our airports affect your ability to work, live and play in the Queenstown Lakes District? The MartinJenkins consultancy team is keen to hear your views on future airport development. Head to letstalk.qldc.govt.nz to have your say, week commencing 17 February.
9.00am-2.00pm every weekday except Thursdays. You may wish to schedule visits to the learners’ pool around these times. Four lanes in the lap pool will remain free for public swimming between 9.00am-2.00pm weekdays during this period. Thanks for your understanding while our local children learn these essential life skills.
Have your say on dog control
E-library services
Council is currently consulting on proposed changes to our Dog Control Bylaw and Policy, and we want to know what you think about them. Check out the draft bylaw and policy and share your thoughts at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
Did you know all library members can access a full range of online services 24/7 including renewals and holds, eBooks and audiobooks, global newspapers and magazines, streaming free independent movies and docos plus other digital resources? For more details drop by your local library or head to their website at codc-qldc.govt.nz.
Pop-up library Try out the new ‘pop-up’ library service at Wānaka Recreation Centre every Tuesday and Thursday from 3.00-5.00pm. Sign up to become a library member, borrow and renew books, DVDs and magazines, place holds and find out about upcoming events and kids’ programmes. You can return books in the box provided anytime.
Busy in the learners’ pool
Phone: 03 443 8000 Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka OPENING HOURS: 8AM TO 8PM 7 DAYS THE WĀNAKA SUN
Local primary schools will be at Wānaka Rec Centre from 17 Feb to 13 Mar for their learn-to-swim and water safety programme. There’ll be very limited access to the learners’ pool between
Weekly badminton Badminton for ages 16-116 runs 7.009.00pm every Wednesday at Wānaka Rec Centre. All welcome. $5pp. No experience or pre-registration needed. Call (03) 443 9334 or email wrc@qldc. govt.nz for more info.
Defibrillator at Lake Wānaka Centre A new AED (Automated External Defibrillator) has been installed at the Lake Wānaka Centre.
www.qldc.govt.nz
THURSDAY 13.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 19.02.20
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PHOTO: Supplied
Nico Porteous (right) took third place in the Freeski Superpipe.
N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i Creative Communities Scheme Funding Round now open
working days after providing Council with a copy.
Funding is now available for community–based arts groups for performances, events and workshops that will provide a variety of opportunities for participation in those activities.
A duty policy planner can help - just call Council on 03 441 0499 (Queenstown) or 03 443 0024 (Wānaka).
Funding round is now open and will close at 5.00pm, Friday 28 February 2020.
Challenge Wanaka 2020 Swimming Events
Applications are available from the Council website at: www.qldc.govt.nz/community-funding For any enquiries please contact Arts and Events Facilitator Jan Maxwell, on the phone at 03 441 0469 or 027 233 7934 or via email at jan.maxwell@qldc.govt.nz
Proposed District Plan - Stage 3 & 3b - Further submission extension of closing date Queenstown Lakes District Council gives notice that the closing date for further submissions to Stage 3 & 3b of the Proposed District Plan has been extended to Tuesday 18 February 2020. Due to technical issues, the web mapping application tool on the Stage 3 & 3b webpages was unavailable until 3.30pm Friday 31 January 2020. QLDC will therefore extend the further submission period by one day. Please visit the QLDC website www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-stage-3 or www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-stage-3b to view the summary of decisions requested, copies of submissions received, the address list for persons who have made submissions, access the online form for making a further submission in the prescribed form and the web mapping application indicating land on which a submission has been made. Hard copies of the summary and original submissions can also be viewed at the following locations during business hours: Council Offices: (open 8.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday) • 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown • 74 Shotover Street, Queenstown • Wānaka Service Centre, 47 Ardmore Street, Wānaka
Not sure whether you can make a further submission?
Public notice is hereby given pursuant to the Queenstown Lakes District Navigation and Safety Bylaw 2018, that Bylaws 31 and 43 have been uplifted which reserves an area of Roys Bay, Lake Wānaka for this event. Date: Thursday 13 February 2020. Practice only. Time: 7.00am until 10.00am. Place: Roys Bay, Lake Wānaka, start of swim course is adjacent Pembroke Park and goes directly out into Lake Wānaka for 700 metres, then turns and heads southeast, back towards the shore of Pembroke Park Reserve. Date: Saturday 15 February 2020. Main event. Time: 6.00am until 11.00am. Place: As detailed above, same course as practice. For more details of course please see maps below. Map 1: Main course. Map 2: Course in case of inclement weather. In the interests of public safety, the areas described above are reserved exclusively for this event. Private craft are banned from entering this reserved area, which is necessary to ensure the safety of the large number of competitors involved in this event. During both the practice day and main race day, the water ski access lane will be closed adjacent to Pembroke Park. Race officials and Harbourmaster’s staff directions must be followed. Only those craft involved in the event are exempt from the provisions of the Bylaws. Dated: 3 February 2020. Authorised by M A Black Harbourmaster Map 1:
You can access the QLDC website www.qldc.govt.nz free of charge at the public libraries listed below: (please check www.codc-qldc.govt.nz for opening times) • Queenstown Library: 10 Gorge Road • Wānaka Library: Dunmore Street • Arrowtown Library: 58 Buckingham Street • Glenorchy Library: 13 Islay Street • Kingston Library: 48 Kent Street • Lake Hāwea Library: Myra Street • Makarora Library: Rata Road Who can make a further submission? The following persons may lodge a further submission: (a) Any person representing a relevant aspect of the public interest; and (b) Any person that has an interest in an aspect of the Stage 3 or 3b proposals greater than the public in general. What can a further submission cover? Further submissions must be limited to matters in support of, or in opposition to, a matter raised in an original submission.
Porteous on the podium on Dew Tour Francesca Maria Nespolo
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
Nico Porteous gained third place in the men’s Freeski Superpipe at the Dew Tour in the Copper Mountain, USA. The Wānaka athlete said, “I’m really happy with the way I skied and the final result. It's a good way to end my competitive season. Obviously it would have been nice to do a little better, but that just keeps me hungry for the next one”. Porteous competed on February 9 in a twnmen final, athletes were allowed three runs each through the one-of-a kind ‘modified superpipe’ course. Porteous’s first run initially had him sitting in first place, with highlights his double 1440 on the shark fin feature followed by backto-back 1260s. Pushing to hold on to the top spot, Porteous couldn’t stick the landings on his second and third runs. “I started off the event with a run plan in mind and to actually be able to pull that off was unreal. I never really have result-based goals as where you finish is out of your control,” said Porteous. The competition was severely influenced by a problematic weather throughout the four-day event, with huge snowfalls over the weekend, the courses were running slow this morning. It didn’t seem to be a big issue for Porteous: “The weather didn’t really affect me yesterday. I thought it would when I first showed up, but with the help of my wax tech Chris Rogers we were able to make my skis nice and fast allowing me to ski to my full potential,” he said.
Map 2:
How do I make a further submission? Make your further submission online at: www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-planstage-3 or www.qldc.govt.nz/proposed-district-plan-stage-3b
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PAGE 12
THURSDAY 13.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 19.02.20
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR McLeod’s removal from membership group justified
Last week’s removal of the deputy mayor from the membership of Wānaka Stakeholders Group created a bit of a storm in a teacup. It was necessary housekeeping which we didn’t expect to make front page news, but Calum chose to go straight to the media to complain in open forum. We joined the conversation online to provide some missing perspective. There were very clear reasons for his removal, and he is well aware of them. Once we shared these reasons, the teacup went calm. WSG is currently taking QLDC to the high court, to have decisions about Wānaka Airport reviewed. We believe these decisions were unlawful. It doesn’t make sense for Calum to be a member of a community organisation taking legal action against the council he is deputy mayor of. In fact, that would seem a direct conflict. No other sitting Councillor is currently a member of WSG. Secondly, Calum was one of the Councillors who privately negotiated the so-called lease of Wānaka airport with QAC. This lease, which is at the centre of our court case with QLDC, was revealed late last year to be effectively a sale of the airport and all its assets to QAC - without consultation or transparency. This is a strategic asset belonging to this community, now in the hands of QAC, and Calum was one of the few people who negotiated these terms. Other Councillors were not shown the detail until the lease was published during last year’s heated election. Thirdly, Calum has said in public that he signed up to WSG specifically so that he could “see what you are sending to members”. Membership of Wānaka Stakeholders Group Inc. is open to those who oppose development of a jet airport in Wānaka and want greater transparency, community involvement and communication from QLDC. We are able to remove any member at any time. We therefore decided to remove Calum. Calum, and indeed all Councillors, should be clear about where they stand. To say that he is “neither for nor against” the airport is inconsistent with the fact that he helped negotiate the lease and is now deputy mayor of the pro-airport, pro-growth Council leadership. If Calum decides in the future to openly and clearly oppose the development of a jet capable Wānaka Airport both via his words and actions, we’d welcome him back as a member. Jane Passmore Committee Member, Wānaka Stakeholders Group Inc.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR To submit a letter for possible publication in the Wānaka Sun, please send it via email to editor@thewanakasun.co.nz.
Letters can also be sent by private message on our Facebook page. Letters may be edited or abridged. Letters of no more than 300 words are preferred.
Crimeline Chirnside K Kim Sergeant, NZPD Wānaka Police have been busy in the community this week, dealing with incidents ranging from the comical to the sadly tragic. On Wednesday there was a head-on crash on the Crown Range Road, north of the summit. There were moderate injuries as a result of this crash. Police continue to remind drivers to keep left and not to cut corners on this particular stretch of road. One hundred percent of head-on crashes are caused by someone in the wrong lane! There were a couple of residential burglaries
reported on Thursday. A very expensive e-bike was taken during one of them. Please be aware that properties are targeted by our criminal element before they are even completed. If you are storing property in your yet-to-be-completed build, make sure it is secure. Friday saw shoplifting reported again in town, this time with razor blades stashed down the suspect’s underwear. That’s a risky game to play, and not just because they got caught. Hope they are still all intact. Police prevented several drink drivers from taking an unnecessary gamble with the safety of our community, when we intercepted them leaving a wedding party. There was a bus
The Informant The hangover of the Christmas break is well and truly behind us and with schools going back this week most of us will be back into the grind of normality. Some interesting reports from Wanaka business people regarding trade over the Christmas break. For most retailers, accommodation and tourism providers (not exclusively all) there seems to be a reduction on last year’s trading results. We probably didn’t hit the ground running with the floods in early December. News that we were back in business post the week of the 6th December could have been advertised better I believe. Earlier in the week everyone would have welcomed the news the Coronavirus appears to be contained but more recently it seems that this may not be so. Let’s hope for the sake of our tourism markets that the world manages to get on top of containing this virus. Weather events are also playing a strong hand in taking the gloss off our tourism businesses. Milford Sounds loss may be Wanaka’s gain! Overall these numerous factors will be making a dent in the money flows coming into our town. This year appears to be starting off with a slight head wind. Businesses will need to manage cashflow carefully heading into this winter period.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
provided! They were directed to the said bus and potential trauma was avoided. There were a couple of drink driver’s which we couldn’t prevent, one of which put their car off a bank on Lakeside Drive. They were processed by Wānaka Police and have the appropriate consequences heading their way. The wild weather in the headwaters has affected the Wānaka area. As we saw the lake quickly rise, it was an indication of the state of the rivers upstream. During the busy summer season, it resulted in a large burden on our search and rescue teams. We saw examples of excellent planning and communication by some parties, who left all the
Of interest to anyone who has been involved with property transactions the Inland Revenue are looking at trading activity with fresh eyes. We have received a number of letters on behalf of clients requesting response to background information on property transactions spanning over relatively long periods of time. The Bright Line Test on residential property sales was introduced in October 2015. This legislation automatically taxes residential property sales within certain buy / sell time periods and has been around long enough to be useful for the IRD to review a period of past transactions. The IRD appear willing to review transactions previous to the October 2015 introduction period as they are looking for patterns of trading in land. Examples of this can be typical of some builders who may buy a block of land, build a house and live in it for a period of time before they sell it to repeat the exercise. This buy, build, sell activity will often cycle around on a three to four yearly basis. Taxpayers are using the “main house” exemption to rely on an exemption from the Brightline rules but the IRD can override those with patterns of trading land. To date the IRD report raising $75m from this review process. Recent reports from the IRD are showing a reduced number of audits and investigations being undertaken. Approximately a quarter of IRD
information necessary for their rescue, with their friends. But we also saw the examples where the ‘she’ll be right’ attitude has left people exposed to the elements and risked our dedicated rescuers. There was a tragedy in Makarora over the weekend during one hiking expedition. The bodies of two hikers were recovered from the Makarora River by Police. It appears to have been an accident on their trip, likely directly related to the weather and river conditions at the time. Police have been notifying and supporting the families and share our condolences. Stay safe out there in the wilderness, and around town.
investigation staff have been diverted to assist with implementing phase three of the IRDs new technology platform. For the 6 months to the end of September there were 453 investigations undertaken. This is a drop from two years ago where over a similar period 1165 investigations were undertaken. To put this in context there were 2,034,646 business tax returns filed by companies, trusts, partnerships and individuals in business for the 2016 tax year. Of this 1,219,813 were sole trader tax returns. Not all of these will be your self employed individual but a fair majority of these individual returns will be. I find this interesting as the share volume of returns filed as against the number of IRD investigations carried out is very low in % terms. Overall the chance of an audit from an investigation perspective is relatively low if your numbers are within normal parameters. By normal parameters I mean things like travel, repairs, interest expense deductions and income variations make sense. Don’t take this low percentage with a sense of I’ll run the gauntlet on non-compliance. All property transactions (purchases and sales) are recorded with an IRD number that is easily matched off. The IRD also group IRD numbers by taxpayer groups so setting up new entities each trading cycle won’t necessarily keep you off the radar either.
THURSDAY 13.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 19.02.20
Shane Gibson Principal - Business Advisory Audit | Tax | Advisory Main: +64 3 443 0086 Direct: +64 3 443 0832 Email: shane.gibson@findex.co.nz www.findex.co.nz Ground Floor, Brownston House, 21 Brownston Street, Wanaka 9305 PO Box 104, Wanaka 9343
PAGE 13
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TRADES AND SERVICES CARWASH
NOTICES
WANTED
Wanaka Salvation Army Family Store. Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9.30am – 4pm. We look forward to seeing you here! Donations kindly received. Please drop them into the Salvation Army Family store or ph 443 5068 to book a pick up. Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days. Business Networking International. The Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning. Great networking opportunity to grow your business. Contact Randal Dobbs for information 021 973 043 Rags, rags, rags ... little ones, big ones, cotton ones and drop cloths, available from the Wanaka Salvation Army Family Store 443 5068.
Merino, if anyone has any Merino clothing to spare could you kindly drop it into the Salvation Army Family Store, 48 Helwick Street The Salvation Army Family Store is desperately needing good quality mens clothing and shoes. If you could please just drop these into the store or phone for a pick up for large amounts. Volunteers welcomed at The Salvation Army Family store if you have some free time and would like to be part of a team which makes a difference, come and see us.
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SKIPS
Domestic and Commercial Skip Bins 7.0 – 9.0 m3 Skip Bins 4.0 m3 Hard Fill Skips 4.0 m3 Rubbish Bin With Lid
STORAGE
SERVICES
Clean, dry, safe storage available now. Ezystor Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.
Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy. We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street open from 8am until 7pm every single day. Ph 443 8000
Contact Johnny Ph: 0224 SKIP IT (754 748) • W: www.skipit.nz When you want to get rid of it - just skip it!
An excellent local opportunity NO FEE – WANAKA COURSES Info sessions happening now.
THANKS Thanks to everyone who
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YOUR AD WILL REACH THE MOST LOCALS ONLINE IN www.thewanakasun.co.nz
Certificate in Money Management
20 week course, Tuesday evenings, Level 3 Learn more about money - money habits and attitudes, budgeting, debt management, simplifying the jargon, shares, investments, valuations, wills, power of attorney, property investment, etc. Great info for surviving in Wanaka.
PUBLIC NOTICE
BUSY AT WĀNAKA POOL 17 FEBRUARY – 13 MARCH
Certificate in Small Business & Project Management 36 week course, Monday evenings, Level 4
Gives those considering starting in business and for existing businesses or those in a management position practical and necessary skills to tackle business issues, including project planning, management, law, marketing, research, strategy, staff management, teamwork, sales, accounting and finance. NZ/Australian/Cook Islands residency or citizenship is required. For further information please contact:
Local primary kids are visiting Wānaka Recreation Centre for their school swimming and water safety programme. Until 13 March there’ll be very limited access to the learners’ pool between 9.00am-2.00pm every weekday except Thursdays when half the pool will be free. Other pool users may wish to schedule visits to the learners’ pool around these times. Four lanes in the lap pool will remain free for public swimming between 9.00am-2.00pm weekdays during this period. Many thanks for your co-operation while our local children learn these essential life skills.
Mylrea Bell Tel 443 1738, Cell 027 443 9942 email: myl@xtra.co.nz www.twoa.ac.nz
For more info please call (03) 443 9334 or email wrc@qldc.govt.nz
SPACES ARE LIMITED – 2020 CLASSES START SOON
ENROL NOW
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THURSDAY 13.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 19.02.20
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Star spotting at free community event Francesca Maria Nespolo
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
A team featuring legends of golf, rugby and cricket will line up against some of Queenstown’s best cricketers as a curtain-raiser for this year’s 101st New Zealand Open. “This is the second year of the community cricket match and it proved very popular last year,” commented Mandy Cooper from Southern PR. The free community event will kick off at 4.30pm on February 23 at the Millbrook Cricket Ground near Arrowtown, with families and sports lovers encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the atmosphere. “The tournament has brought in celebrities (we call
them tournament ambassadors) since it launched in Queenstown with a proam format in 2014. The pro-am format means that professional golfers play alongside paying amateur and celebrities for the first two rounds of the event,” explained Cooper. “The celebrities are always a great drawcard. While they’re in Queenstown they are happy to take part in other community events like this (the cricket) and do visits to local schools etc,” she continued. For the first time a handful of young up and coming Wakatipu High School cricketers get to play their heroes in the Queenstown All Stars team. They include former All Black Justin Marshall’s cricket son Lachlan and students Seth Mawhinney, Angus Herron, Gabe White
and Jordan Gibbons, alongside six other players from the local T20 league. Sir Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham, one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, and injured local golfer Ben Campbell will be coaches and non-playing captains, while the formidable brothers’ duo Glenn (cricket) and Greg (golf) Turner will umpire. The match will be a T10 format with10 overs a side and is expected to last about two hours, come rain or shine. The event will be MC’d by local sports personality and radio presenter Craig ‘Ferg’ Ferguson. Rebel Sport will help keep it fun with activations and giveaways on the day. The 101st New Zealand Open will be held at Millbrook Resort and The Hills from February 27 to March 1, 2020.
PHOTO: Photosport.nz
1/ Israel Dagg will swap rugby ball for cricket bat in the build up to this year’s New Zealand Open.
Lakes Ladies were in luck!
At the Masters Games held in Dunedin on February 1-2, our Lakes Ladies team took a well deserved victory. At 1-1 at full time in the final, it was goalie Charlotte Meyers who clinched the gold when she saved the final penalty shootout attempt from the Settlebacks. From left, top row: Sarah Veasey, Rose McGarty, Charlotte Meyers, Crissy Spence, Stef White, Dominika Wandel, Holly Alldred. From left, bottom row: Natalie Ward, Carmel Sealey, Jessica Zeestraten, Zoe Albon, Esther Whitehead, Claire Jones and Emma Gunn. PHOTO: Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 961 Free delivery to Wānaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wānaka, Albert Town and Hāwea. Also distributed to businesses in the Wānaka business district Average circulation: 15,000 weekly. Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 Editor: Emma Conyngham • editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalist: Francesca Maria Nespolo journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Ollie Blyth • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Joanna Perry • 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 Deadlines: Display Advertising 4pm Friday prior to publication. marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz 03 443 5252 Classified Advertising 5pm Monday prior admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Subscriptions: $175 within NZ (including GST) per year. Overseas rates on request. Remittances to PO Box 697, Wānaka, NZ.
MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT SCAFFOLDERS REQUIRED For Wanaka And Surrounding Areas
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FOR BOOKINGS CALL 03 443 5252 marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz THE WĀNAKA SUN
The Wanaka Sun is seeking an enthusiastic, driven and outgoing salesperson to join its media sales team, selling across print and digital news platforms. Position responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Reach monthly revenue targets • New business acquisition • Develop key client and business relationships • Prepare advertising proposals • Maintenance of client and revenue records • Provide weekly sales reports to management We’re looking for someone who has: • A proven history of success in a sales or business development role; preferably from within the media industry • Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to develop effective business relationships • Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills • Self-motivation, resilience and the ability to achieve objectives and goals within company guidelines • A strong sense of accountability and an attention to detail • Ideally a formal qualification in business or marketing This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate Sales Executive who enjoys a challenge! If this sounds like you, please forward your application, including covering letter, resume and two professional referees to: Benn Ashford, The Wanaka Sun, PO Box 697, Wanaka, admin@thewanakasun.co.nz
THURSDAY 13.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 19.02.20
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Swimmer embarks on an ambitious journey Ollie Blyth
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
Wānaka Parkrun celebrated its 100th run last week. From left, Jane and Adam Sharman.
PHOTO: Facebook
Parkrun passes centennial mark Francesca Maria Nespolo
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
The parkrun concept started in England 16 years ago when a group of friends started doing a 5km timed run on Saturdays. It slowly grew and then rapidly expanded so it is now a global phenomenon – nowadays there are thousands of parkruns worldwide in 22 different countries. So far, there are 29 locations in New Zealand, one being Wānaka, where it has now taken place for two years, combining for over 100 events. “The 100th parkrun in Wānaka is a huge milestone for us!,” said Jane Sharman, the wife in the husband-and-wife duo who kicked off this low-key but iconic event. “Adam and I have been there for most of the 100 events and have been supported by amazing local volunteers, the QLDC and Edgewater (where we go afterwards
s t n o ac
for coffee!). We have met so many awesome people – including locals, people with holiday homes in the area and lots of parkrun tourists each week – who plan their trips to coincide with parkrun. We have made good friends and love the positive energy the event brings to kick off people's weekends. We have seen many gain confidence as they become fitter and many who have used the runs to train for personal goals,” said Sharman. The run is open to everyone: “Once you register you have your personal barcode and you can use it at any parkrun worldwide and your time will be recorded against your name. Parkrun is always free to participate in and it's for everyone (all ages, all abilities; walk or run)”. On February 22 Wānaka parkrun will celebrate its second birthday. “We look forward to many more years!” concluded Sharman.
Rob Hutchings, a 44-year-old Wānaka resident, has recently announced that he intends to swim the full 338kms of the Clutha River in five to six days next week, and will be completing the swim out of pure passion for the activity. The swim is scheduled to start from around 7:30am on Thursday February 20, and Hutchings hopes to reach the ocean before his time off work is up. “I am doing this as a personal goal,” said Hutchings, “I have been sponsored two Blueseventy wetsuits for the swim, but I have no other gear or cash sponsors… I'm new to New Zealand, so I am still working my way around the country having various adventures of swimming, cycling and running, and when I heard that the Clutha River was certainly deep enough and had enough water flow for a river swim challenge, I booked a ski trip to Wānaka in August 2019 and also had a 'scouting mission' on the Clutha to see if the swim was feasible.” Even the obvious obstacles of the various dams on the river aren’t getting in Hutchings’ way, “We have pre arranged exit and entry points on either side of the dams. Each point is about one kilometer up river from the dam and about the same down river from the dams.” “Although I am the only one who is swimming, I'd love some community support,” added Hutchings, “I invite walkers, runners and cyclists to go along side the Clutha River trail, and I would really appreciate it if anyone would
PHOTO: Rob Hutchings
Rob Hutchings plans to swim the full length of the Clutha next week, hopefully in just five days.
volunteer to take video footage and photos from the trail… I'm not a film maker so I don't expect to create a cinematic masterpiece, but if anyone in the community is a film maker of some kind, I'd love an offer of volunteer help.” Find out more information on the swim’s details on Facebook.
!
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