Wanaka Sun I Edition 1027 I 20th - 27th May 2021 by Wanaka Sun

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INSIDE THIS WEEK Views: Page 13 Jobs: Page 15 Sport: Page 16

Ramp up for winter.

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Upset at WCB Meeting last week.

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EDITION 1027

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Children aged 11-17 years old were having zorbs at the Wānaka Recreation centre last Wednesday, with the launch of Hustle; a new after school programme run by the team at Kahu Youth Trust.

Riverbank Rd development proposal puts residents backs up Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

everal residents living on the east side of Riverbank Rd are up in arms over a proposed Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) amendment that would allow a 600 house subdivision across the road. The proposed sub-division of 40 hectares

would encompass the land on the west side of Riverbank Rd between Ballantyne Rd and Orchard Rd and would require this to be rezoned from Rural to Lower Density Suburban Residential (LDSR). The UGB would be moved to Riverbank Road. The residents, who don’t want to be named, think the subdivision would have “a huge environmental impact” and they feel a “duty of care to let the

community know of this development.” In 2018 an appeal was lodged with the Environment Court by Boyd, Redai & Ors. Through the course of Environment Court mediation, the parties reached an agreement that LDSR zoning was the most appropriate zone for the land. The Court confirmed, through an interim decision issued on October 9 2020 that it was

*Includes house and land. Some conditions may apply. Photo is a sample only.

appropriate to consider the rezoning request. The proposed planning provisions included a structure plan that showed the layout of roads, intersections and a walking/cycling trail along the Orchard and Riverbank Rd frontages. The proposed changes to the planning provisions also included rules to manage noise from an existing frost fan. Continued on page 3

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Furore at the WCB meeting last week Southern District rolls Pat Deavoll

out vaccine to Group 3

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

There was a bit of a furore at last week's Wānaka Community Board (WCB) meeting when trustees of the Wānaka Community Hub stormed out during a session when funding for the hub was being discussed. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) had agreed to provide an interest-free loan of $500,000 to the Wānaka Community House Charitable Trust, which ran the hub, in July last year. During the meeting, the WCB was asked to make a recommendation to convert the loan to a capital grant. Chair of the Wānaka Hub Yeverley McCarthy explained to the WCB members the financial challenges the trust was facing, saying the Hub facilitated 35 groups with more on a waiting list. But when councillor Niamh Shaw said she had concerns with the proposed grant for what she said was “essentially a private charitable organisation with excellent intentions,” and suggested the board instead recommend to Council to extend the interest-free loan by up to twelve months before converting it to a grant, McCarthy and the other trustees walked out of the meeting. Shaw said to the Sun after the meeting: “I support all facilities that are of benefit to the community and acknowledge the work the WCH Trust has done with council staff over the last year. However, in return for half a million dollars of

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Condonscott

Wānaka Community Hub: causing quite a stir!

public funding, the community should rightfully have high expectations both in terms of outcome and robust accountability. Recommending that the interest-free loan be extended by up to a year allows additional time to ensure these expectations are met, while providing the WCH Trust with ongoing financial support in the immediate future. This decision will ultimately be made by the full Council.” When the Sun approached McCarthy this week she responded: “This is contrary to the agreement that we entered into with the Council, whereby, if we satisfied the Terms of Reference of a review of the Hub's operations the advance would be transferred to a grant. “Cr Shaw's view that the Hub Board has not satisfied the Terms of Reference appears based on hearsay information. In fact (when she rang me the evening

before the meeting) she had not even read the Review Report which was sent to her in December and a further one three weeks ago when we had a meeting with the WCB which she did not attend. She, as a Councillor who discussed the proposal to review the Hub's operation, has at no time contacted the Hub Management or the Chair to address her apparent misgivings, seek facts and gather information. She instead side swiped our Trust by moving her motion at the 11th hour. I am afraid my team found that insulting,” McCarthy said. “There are no benefits to continuing the loan. Further reviews of our activity significantly divert us as Trustees from the proper work of promoting initiatives to keep developing the Hub into a vibrant community asset where every member of our community is welcome. I assume Cr Shaw desires the same.”

On Monday COVID-19 vaccination centres in rural areas of the Southern district began vaccinating those in Group 3 of the Ministry of Health’s sequencing framework. Group 3 included those aged 65 or over, those with a relevant underlying health condition, disabled people, pregnant people and adults in custodial settings. “Due to the smaller populations in some of our rural areas, we have been able to progress through Group 2 vaccines more quickly and the delivery model is more efficient when we expand eligibility in these locations to older population and people with relevant health conditions,” Southern DHB Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout Incident Controller, Hamish Brown said. Brown said the COVID immunisation programme team was working closely with general practices and pharmacies which would play an important role in building an equitable and efficient model of distribution as the vaccine programme scaled up. The SDHB was piloting a new online booking system that allowed people to select a date, time, and location most convenient to

them; book it immediately; and change appointments themselves. It required users to book first and second doses simultaneously, ensuring people left the required minimum 21 days between doses. Access to this booking system would be circulated to the eligible Group 3 population through various channels, including health providers, as the rollout progressed across the region. Vaccination providers would have the capability to make appointments on behalf of those unable to use the online system, and a call centre was also provided to assist with bookings where needed. Brown commended the teams who had been working hard behind the scenes to get the system off the ground. “The rollout of the vaccine is progressing well across the district, surpassing 25,000 vaccines this week,” he said. “As we work our way through the priority groups and scale up our delivery, it is important to have the right tools to manage those numbers and this booking system is an important part of that.” Brown said this new booking system would be further replaced when Southern DHB joined the national booking system under development by the Ministry of Health.

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Riverbank Rd development proposal puts residents backs up Continued from page 1 On April 29 2021 Riverbank Rd residents were issued a letter from Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) allowing them to provide a submission on the matter. This was to be done by May 27 2021. Once the Environment Court had received the report from Council it would then either determine the rezoning and UGB alteration or issue further directions. One Riverbank Rd resident commented: “We feel it is such a big area. It’s been described as the corner of Riverbank and Orchard Rd- we feel this is quite misleading. It’s actually from the substation on Riverbank Rd right the way along the road and round the corner to the Berry Farm. “It’s 40 hectares and they are proposing 600 houses, 400 of these with infrastructure onto Ballantyne Road to link up with the water and sewage plant. “We are concerned about the aesthetics, the environmental impact, the safety for children crossing with the extra traffic, the intersection at the Recycling Centre which needs to be addressed, sewage, water etc. “At this stage, they have to get the Urban Boundary moved – if they put the new town boundary along Riverbank Rd, the town should know about this, it shouldn’t just be a letter to residents. We suddenly got a letter through the door and then have just a few weeks to put in a submission.” Another resident commented: “The main one is the low-density issue which the town knows nothing about - we don’t want sections getting as small as 300sq/m like in Northlake. “We are not against the subdivision as such, we are just against what might happen if it becomes

PHOTO: Supplied

In a wealthy community like ours, a homeless man was found dead from exposure.

Homeless man found dead in Wānaka PHOTO: QLDC

The proposed development will take in the land on the west side of Riverbank Rd between Ballantyne and Orchard Rds.

a high-density area. We don’t want this across the road. “The other one is this extra traffic that could be generated out of this subdivision – from 400 - 600 projected people. There is enough traffic down Riverbank Rd now without adding to it. We have problems with traffic diverted down Riverbank Rd by GPS heading for Queenstown. “We just want to draw the attention of the public. We aren’t just having a bitch because we live here. We want to point out to people what might happen.” Councillor Calum MacCleod commented: “As to high density we

only have one small piece of high density zoning in Wānaka. This is in the Three Parks Zone. It would depend on what they have specifically requested. I understand that the application was to change the zoning classification from Rural to Low Density Residential. “The submission period is still open. It will be until the 27th of May. I would encourage any concerned residents to get good advice and to lodge a quality submission, supported by expert opinion if necessary, and to raise their concerns with the Environment Court,” MacLeod said. The developer did not comment and wished to remain anonymous.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Million-dollar houses, rich white community and yet, last Tuesday a homeless man was found dead, by Sonny Joy McLeod, in the pine trees down at the Upper Clutha Rugby Club grounds where the man had been living, off and on for 6 years. On Facebook, McLeod commented:” Last Tuesday I found a homeless man dead. He had been living in the pine trees down at the Upper Clutha Rugby Grounds on and off for 6 years. “He spent some time there and some time on the West Coast, living off the land. “He was in his late 60's. “I and some locals would leave

him food now and then...I would check on him now and then...if I had my dogs in the car and I had meetings in town I would walk around the rugby grounds and pop my head in. “Last Tuesday I thought he was asleep but my dogs would not leave him alone. He had died in his sleep.... from being too cold. “On last Tuesday at the same spot, we held a blessing for him. “People were invited who had ever spotted him...thought of him... or would like change for people like him in the future. I would like to see no one die in our community from exposure/homelessness.” Police were unable to give out his name due to the Privacy Act.

Alpine Group charged for crash

Nick Wallis, killed in a helicopter crash in 2018.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

A helicopter company in Wānaka has been charged in relation to a crash on October 18, 2018, which killed pilot Nick Wallis (38) and Department of Conservation employees Paul Hondelink (63) and Scott Theobold (59), both of Twizel. The Alpine Group Ltd has been charged twice with failure to comply with its duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act.. The crash came just three months after Nick Wallis’ brother and a fellow pilot, died in another helicopter crash. The brothers were the two sons of Sir Tim Wallis, who is a majority shareholder of the company. The charges which breached the Health

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and Safety Act were brought by the Civil Aviation Authority. An interim report by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (Taic) into the October crash, published in December, 2018, found a pair of over-trousers flew from the cabin of the Hughes 500 and became entangled in the tail rotor. The left rear door of the helicopter had opened and separated from the helicopter in flight. That caused the helicopter to crash shortly after taking off from Wānaka Airport. Alpine Group Ltd will have to wait until at least October to defend the charges. Judge John Brandts-Giesen, who recused himself from the case for personal reasons, remanded the matter to a date in September, advising the trial would not take place until after October and ‘‘closer to the end of the year’’. THURSDAY 20.05.21 - WEDNESDAY 26.05.21

PAGE 3

Sun SnowSport

Ski fields ‘bin’ public landfill from 2021 onwards

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Ski fields ramp up for the season Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Area

Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Area are “binning landfill bins” for the winter and need punters to be on board.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

It’s a new look for Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Area this season with significant changes made across the operation. “We’ve made a lot of small changes over the years, like removing single use coffee cups and PET plastic bottles from our food and beverage outlets, and we’ve been proud to be an industry leader in this space,” said Cardrona and Treble Cone General Manager, Bridget Legnavsky. “But now it is time to make big changes, and we need everyone to come on this journey with us.” It’s “see you later” to landfill bins – from 2021 onwards, there will be no public-facing landfill bins at either resort. The ski areas identified two areas requiring significant change from a sustainability perspective – waste and transport. This winter neither mountain will sell any items in their food and beverage outlets that have packaging that needs to go to landfill. Rubbish bins will be replaced by recycling and compost stations, with signage explaining the changes and staff members on hand to help visitors sort through their waste. “If you need to bring single use packaging, you will need to take that off the mountain with you – but that doesn’t really help,” said Legnavsky. “We’re asking everyone to think really deeply about what they buy in the first place, the packaging it comes in, and the packaging you

PAGE 4

choose to bring up our mountains.” The resorts were using this as an opportunity to lead other businesses on a sustainability path, including their suppliers. “We’ve been so happy with how open our suppliers have been with this change for 2021,” said Legnavsky. “As an example, Cookie Time have developed a compostable cookie bag so they can continue to be sold on our mountains this winter.” To address transport emissions, both Cardrona and Treble Cone have made their access road shuttles (from the bottom of each mountain) free of charge for the winter season. The resorts are also encouraging carpooling by reserving the parking spaces closest to each mountain’s base facilities for vehicles with three occupants or more until the carparks are filled. Designated hitch-hiking spots will be set up at both mountains, and carpooling app usage encouraged. Legnavsky said the changes have been sparked by guest and staff feedback over the last couple of years. “These mountains are for all of us to share and for future generations to enjoy – imagine what we can all do together when we try?” Cardrona Alpine Resort opens for the winter season on June 12, with Treble Cone following on June 25. For more information on the resorts’ sustainability initiatives for 2021 and answers to some frequently asked questions, visit cardrona. com/sustainability.

Bridget Legnavsky, General Manager of Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone is in the thick of it as the 2021 ski season ramps up. Snow guns start blazing on both Cardrona and Treble Cone this week, she said, now that temperatures are sufficiently cold. She talked to the Wānaka Sun about what’s on her menu and what punters can expect for the upcoming season So how is prep going for Cardrona and TC? Are there any new developments for this season? Prep is going well. Cardrona has a brand new lift and new terrain – this is all pretty much finished. Do you have the staff you need considering Covid? Yes absolutely. We have a predominantly New Zealand workforce. And we have quite a lot of people who are staying here on extended visas. We have managed to staff the whole resort. We have put a lot of work into developing our Kiwi skill set including over 50 Mt Aspiring College students being prepared at the moment to be able to help us in the July school holidays. What will they be doing? They will be doing all sorts. Food and beverage, lifties, cleaning, some will be instructing because they have qualifications. They will be paid- they will be employees. And what about high-level staff? And we also have brought in three of our top groomer drivers who prepare the highperformance facilities and 15 top-level ski and snowboard instructors because we don't have enough at that level in New Zealand. They have come from all over the world. It’s been a six-month project to bring them in. We have had to prove a long-term strategy, be very clear that we are developing a Kiwi workforce. And make sure people realise what it is like to be at the top level- it does require people to be working in snow year-round. There is a small proportion of our workers who must be top-level and international. They need to work in snow for 12 months of the year to be professional. And do you have a prediction for the season? Not really. We have our climate forecast which we watch closely but it's never something we know. Climate change is something we are always

THURSDAY 20.05.21 - WEDNESDAY 26.05.21

PHOTO: Pat Deavoll

Bridget Legnavsky, General Manager of Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone.

monitoring closely. One thing we do know is that we are likely to get more precipitation over the next few years and if the temperatures are cold enough this is good news for us because that means snow. And what is your prediction for visitor number? In terms of business, we are expecting very high levels coming out of both New Zealand and Australia. We are expecting to be back up at 100 per cent of our business levels and so we have prepared for this. We have also done a lot of work in trying to spread people right across the season so they don’t all come at once. Throughout the school holidays and even into September ending the season with our big Snowboxx Festival which is on at Treble Cone. How do you spread people? A lot of it is trying to encourage people to come outside of the school holidays and we use pricing as a lever- deals to encourage people to come out of July. We can influence them by putting on events and activities that attract them to come like Snowboxx. There are a lot of levers we can pull to get people to come at different times. When it comes to school holidays it's a difficult one but the good news this year is that the New Zealand and Australian school holidays are split- the Australians come first and the New Zealanders come second rather than being on top of each other.

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Eddie Spearing: these days it's open water swimming Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Web designer, mountain biker, skateboarder, triathlete, event organiser, and open water swimmer....one of Wānaka’s true characters, Eddie Spearing has done it all. But he is arguably best known these days for organising The Ruby Swim, an event that “keeps him thinking year-round.” The swim sees hundreds of athletes head off across Lake Wānaka to Ruby Island (some around) in a variety of races- from 600m to 10km. The race is the culmination of a year of work for Spearing and his event partner Jamie Norman. 2021 will be the seventh time they have run the event. “There is a mountain of work involved,” Spearing said. “We must make the website with all the information, promote the swim through different mediums, do all the paperwork for QLDC (the safety plan has to be updated every year), do a traffic management plan, lodge the event on the QLDC events timeline, get the reserve permit and all the other permits that you need, answer emails, deal with the Facebook page, make the event system live and add it to website... the jobs are endless,” he says. “And once it opens to competitors there is a constant feed of entries to process.” This year (late January) Spearing had 450 people in the water on the day of the event plus 15 boats and jet skis, another 10 kayaks, the onwater safety crew, all the team on land monitoring the timing system, the traffic crew... what some would see as a logistical nightmare. But not Spearing. He has waited all year for this day. “But it's all over by 11 am,” he says. “Then I

pinch myself and think all that work and it's over in a blink. I always want it to go on longer. “This year we whizzed through it really well. The weather was perfect and we had a great timing system. It was all done by 11.30 am.” The year before the weather was harsh and it was touch and go whether it would happen, Spearing says. He delayed the start by an hour and the wind died down a bit so the swimmers were sent off. But Spearing says he was apprehensive the whole race. However, a couple of swimmers came out of the water at the finish and said “well done for keeping this going” which was heartening, he says. This made the angst worthwhile. “It's not so much the 10km swimmers you have to keep safe- they can look after themselves. But the swimmers of lesser ability have to feel safe.” The very first year of the event Spearing had to cancel. “ We had 32-knot winds on the day. We transferred to the next day but it was even windier. Two metre swells. It's not that people can't swim through this, it's just that we can't provide the safety measures to run the event, So we did ten months of work and then had to cancel.” Make money from The Ruby Swim? We do it for love, Spearing says. “I think for the amount of time we put in we would be on 50 cents an hour. Any surplus from the event we draw on over the year to organise the next event. Unfortunately this year we have had to put our rates up by 15 per cent because everything has got that much more expensive.” The 2022 event opened to competitors last Tuesday and already there are 67 swimmers signed up for the 10 km, he says. There is a cap of 80 swimmers in the 10 km for safety reasons. So these days Spearing has well and truly

PHOTO: Suplied

The Ruby Swim sees as many as 450 swimmers take to the waters of Lake Wānaka.

embraced open water swimming as his sport of choice- this after a long career as a triathlete (he’s done Challenge Wānaka several times!), a skateboarder, a snowboarder, a mountain biker... So much so that he has developed a triathlon wetsuit for freshwater swimming. It's all about buoyancy, he says. Different thicknesses of neoprene used in different parts of the body will create buoyancy to bring the swimmer up more level in the water. Also, Lake Wānaka can be as cold as 10 degrees Celcius – so the top half of the suit is titanium-lined for warmth. Once you start generating heat the titanium reflects this back into your body rather than it dissipating into the water. He kicked this enterprise off in 2017. “It's been a long windy road,” he says. His second production batch from Thailand is stuck on a ship in Auckland. It was supposed to be here for the summer just gone.

s r o i n e s r supe some adults

PHOTO: Pat Deavoll

Eddie Spearing dedicates his year to running The Ruby Swim, one of Wānaka’s premier events.

“But they are really good wetsuits - I get amazing feedback for them from triathletes and racers. It’s really good third party validation.” Between the wetsuit, web work (his day job), and then the Ruby Swim, Spearing is kept pretty busy. He is going well for a 58 year old who has had multiple injuries from his sports. But it seems nothing will slow him down.

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Michale Beable wins Otago Coach of the Year Award after a successful year for Wānaka athletics Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka’s beloved athletics coach, Michael Beable, was awarded the Otago Coach of the Year award at the Athletics Otago Awards on Friday 7 May. Beable, who coaches the majority of Wānaka’s athletics team, said that while the award “is a great honour,” it is really a reflection of the effort and dedication of the athletes he works with. The award follows a successful year for the squad which includes MAC Year 11 student, Niamh Townsend, who won both the Girls U16 100m and 200m sprint events, as well as two relay gold medals. Providing that the squad keeps up with their training during winter, Beable said that the team can expect some great performances for the year ahead. In addition to the Wānaka based athletes, Beable also works with Shay Veitch, who received the Otago Athlete of the Year award on the same night. Veitch claimed national titles in the senior men’s long jump and the senior men’s 100m sprint at the NZ Athletic Championships in March. The 20 year old from Dunedin is now a Long Jump prospect for the Commonwealth Games next year, having achieved the longest jump at a New Zealand Championship since 1990 - with a distance of 7.78m. Before becoming a coach, Beable competed at both national and international level, holding the Wellington long jump record for 16 years.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Supplied

Michael Beable is named Otago Coach of the Year at the Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin.

Although he never had a coach himself, Beable hopes to help local athletes fast-track their progress and performance-levels in the sport. The first certificate presented at the awards night was for the Aspiring Athletes Club (AAC) members, who set five Otago club records in the 4x400m MAC relay at the NZ Secondary Schools Athletic Championships, last December.

Other athletes working with Beable include Otago University student Jackson Rogers, and Mariah Ririnui, who won the Senior Women’s Long Jump at the NZ Athletic Championships in March. “I love the sport – always have...Their smiles, when they do achieve, makes it all worthwhile,” he said.

Winter driving tips for all! Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is hosting a winter driving expo to help road users stay safe this winter. The interactive expo will feature chain fitting demonstrations, information about car tyre depth with free keychain giveaways for attendees to use on their own car, as well as free window ice scrapers and cloths to keep vision clear on frosty mornings. There will also be a NZ Police seatbelt simulator to demonstrate how a seatbelt works and its benefits in a collision, as well as tips on car seat installation from Plunket. Attendees will be able to pick up a ‘bingo card’ and get it stamped at each stall they visit. With

three stamps they can go in the draw to win prizes sponsored by local businesses. QLDC’s General Manager Property and Infrastructure Pete Hansby said the expo would be a great way for the public to learn safe driving tips for the winter ahead. “We want to get people thinking about how they can adjust their driving, particularly on icy, snowy roads this winter. Even for those who have lived in Queenstown Lakes for a while, it will be a good refresher of some important winter driving tips,” he said. “We aim to have people leave the expo with ‘Drive to the conditions, not the vehicle’ in mind, to ensure a safe winter season for all road users,” said Hansby. The expo will be held at Queenstown Events Centre, 9.00am to 12.30pm, Sunday 30 May.

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Economic diversification to strengthen with government fund

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The $20 million government investment in economic diversification for the Queenstown Lakes District will help boost local work already underway, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC)’s Economic Development Unit (EDU) said. The announcement coincided with the EDU releasing its draft diversification framework, which was designed to match up current and future projects driven by local business leaders.. The EDU presented the draft framework to officials from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, as well as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), in Queenstown last Tuesday. Since the EDU formed in 2019, QLDC has been investing in diversification, including creating an in-house film office, and helping out Startup Queenstown Lakes and locally organised events. “The passion of some business leaders, who have stepped up and are putting their own time and money into projects, is great,” QLDC Economic Development Manager Peter Harris said. “Our work, the commitment from the business leaders and the investment from the government will help new opportunities that are not only good for our local and national economy, but also for the people of the district.” The framework would eventually form part of a district-wide diversification plan. It explained how start-ups and existing businesses connected to larger industries within the local economy.. “The framework includes supporting existing initiatives and attracting new businesses to move to the district,” Harris said. “The most proven pathway is to build upon what you have. Film and software for tourism and hospitality are two existing strengths, while our start-up community is also flourishing. It makes sense to foster these,” he said. “Research shows that relying on one project to diversify an economy comes at a risk, and that government investment would have the most positive effect by being spread wide,” Harris said. Over the past 12 months the EDU had seen people with both national and international private sector experience come forward with ideas, and there were several projects already underway. These included a food export business, a fintech exporter, a gaming tech start-up and a hospo-tech collaboration. The $20 million fund, which was likely to be managed by MBIE, might go towards underwriting infrastructure as well as supporting economic projects already underway. Ultimately, the EDU’s focus was on developing low-carbon, non-extractive industries and initiatives that would create jobs for locals. The EDU would soon share its plans for attracting team builders to the district, in order to help employ more locals.

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DOC releases new plan for Himalayan tahr Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Hurryetdailynews

Aurora Energy has contracted contact centre Telnet to manage customer-focused issues.

Aurora introduces customerservice improvements Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Aurora Energy has launched the latest in a series of customer-focused improvements, with the introduction of a new contact centre provider to help customers find information after hours and at weekends. Aurora Energy General Manager Customer and Engagement Sian Sutton said the lines company had contracted the large New Zealandbased contact centre Telnet, whose electricity-sector clients included Vector, Wellington Electricity and Unison. “Our customers want easy access to up-to-date information in a power cut. With our new provider,

we can update our website with information about power cuts overnight and during weekends. “As always, our customers can call us anytime on 0800 22 00 05 to report a safety concern or power cut. Having information on our website and a larger contact centre to take calls will help manage surges in call volumes during a major event,” she said. Sutton added that using an operator based outside Aurora Energy’s region also added greater resilience, with less chance of a single major weather event, for example, affecting both the Aurora Energy network and Telnet services at the same time. The contact centre is also well-equipped to handle greater volumes of callers in an emergency.

The Department of Conservation’s (DOC) new plan to manage Himalayan tahr lays the groundwork for hunters to play a bigger part in tahr management in future years. DOC’s Tahr Control Operational Plan for 2021/22 was developed during five months of engagement with tahr stakeholders including hunting and conservation groups. DOC Wild Animals Manager James Holborow said the new plan provided an exciting opportunity to explore greater hunter involvement in tahr management within a popular hunting area. “We have started discussions with the Tahr Plan Implementation Liaison Group (TPILG) on what hunter-led management would look like for the tahr population within the South Rakaia/ Rangitata Management Unit. “This could involve hunters managing tahr populations as well as reporting on tahr numbers.” DOC would continue to target all tahr in Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini national parks, and outside the feral range but not target identifiable male tahr over the remaining 425,000 hectares of public conservation land inside the seven management units. “Hunters are in the hills very regularly and often for extended periods,” said NZ Tahr Foundation Spokesperson Willie Duley. “Following consecutive years of heavy

PHOTO: DOC

James Holborow: The new plan provides an exciting opportunity to explore greater hunter involvement in tahr management within a popular hunting area.

culling, there are now huge variations in tahr population densities, even within the same management units. We have been able to provide DOC with information and maps that set out where tahr numbers are low and no culling is required and also where we think tahr numbers still need reducing. “Coupled with information from population surveys and control operations this provides a more current and comprehensive knowledge base so more informed decisions can be made each year. It simply comes down to killing the right tahr in the right place” The Game Animal Council (GAC) is welcoming the release of the Himalayan

Tahr Control Operational Plan 20212022 as a pragmatic approach to tahr management but remains committed to developing a long-term management programme for New Zealand’s tahr. “The Game Animal Council has worked closely with the Department of Conservation and stakeholder groups in the development of this plan and provided constructive science-based recommendations to help inform it,” said General Manager Tim Gale. “We believe the more collaborative process the Department has embarked on has resulted in a better-balanced programme of tahr management for 2021-22.”

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Construction for MAC school block begins Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Anna Thomas

From left to right: Dance tutors Eddie, Chantal, and Cameron with duo champions Hannah Thomas (11) and Grace Thomas (13) at the South Island Exchange on Saturday.

Construction is well underway for the new school block at Wānaka’s Mt Aspiring College. Since the first slabs were put into place a few weeks ago, the site already looks noticeably different. Principal Nicola Jacobsen said the college is "very excited to see the new buildings becoming a reality." There has been an incredible amount of planning and preparation work, to get the project to where it is today, Jacobsen said. The state of the art facility, which will include brand new teaching spaces, a library, and additional car parking, received $33.5 million of Government funding last July. The team behind the project are Naylor Love, who have been working hard on the Plantation Road site since construction began. Jacobsen said that the new block has been designed to meet the needs of the community. "We will have a world-class facility which supports the learning and education of our students," she said. Once it is completed, the college expects an increase in specialist teaching spaces for arts, music, performance, and technology. "Our year 7 and 8 programme will be

The construction site for the new school block at Mt Aspiring College.

at the heart of the college. The wharenui will support not just our learning and development of Te Ao Maori, but will be an important community space for hui and wananga." The new building will also give the college a chance to review their teaching and learning programmes in order to support the needs of all students,

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Jacobsen said. Along with improved teaching facilities, the redevelopment will also increase the school’s capacity from 1150 pupils to 1600. Principal Nicola Jacobsen thanked parents, students, and the wider community for their patience while the work takes place.

Local dancers enjoy a Winning song successful weekend set to be Daisy Watford announced The South Island Dance Exchange Wellington and Auckland,” she said. on Sunday was in full swing at the weekend, as Hannah Thomas and Grace newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

dancers from Wānaka, Queenstown, and Invercargill came together for a series of workshops and competitions. The event covered a wide variety of dance styles including commercial jazz, musical theatre, lyrical, and hip hop. The Exchange, which is hosted in Wānaka each year, is open to competitors from six years of age. Anna Thomas, Studio Manager and Director of Dance Wānaka, said that the event was a huge success. “Our dancers had so much fun and loved the calibre of modern and hip hop dance tutors who visited from

Thomas, both from Dance Wānaka, were crowned duo champions for their performance of “you got a friend in me”. The duo, who received the highly sought after Golden Ticket, will perform at the North Island national event in November for a chance to win a series of scholarships. The event is organised by Dean Mckerras, creator and director of DanceNZmade. The aim of the organisation is to exchange skills right across the country in order to strengthen the diversity and passion of dance in New Zealand.

Lake Hāwea children's songwriter Anna van Riel (left) will find out this Sunday if her song 'If you were a Tree' will take out best Children's Song at the Australian Songwriters Association awards in Sydney. Uncannily, the Australian Awards fall on the very same day as the NZ Children's Music Awards at Spark Arena in Auckland. Written with Kiwi songwriting legend Arthur Baysting (right), it is particularly meaningful that this song has made it to the ASA finals this year. Arthur Baysting was the founder of Kiwi Kids Music, a charitable trust growing children's music in NZ, where Anna currently sits as chair.

PHOTO: Supplied

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Celebrity chef Simon Gault shares life story at local charity event Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Supplied

Christian Martin is looking forward to being the soloist for Richard Strauss’s Horn Concerto.

An invitation to dance Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Central Otago Regional Orchestra conducted by Ashley Hopkins will present a programme of ballet music (with dancers) and the Strauss Horn Concerto No 1 Op11 on May 22 and 23 in Ranfurly, Cromwell and Wānaka. The idea for this concert came after discussions between Hopkins and Jemma Dyer of the Cromwell School of Dance in 2020. COVID intervened and this saw the programme put on the back burner until 2021 which allowed the ideas to move to reality. The Cromwell School of Dance has branches in Cromwell and Ranfurly and the young dancers are relishing the chance to perform with a real live orchestra. The dramatic Entry of the Gladiators ( Julius Fucik) followed by the Thunder and Lightning Polka by Johann Strauss will set the scene for a programme of well-loved music. With an Invitation to the Dance (Weber) audiences will enjoy the strains of Tchaikovsky’s Valse des Fleurs, Danse Arabe, Danse Chinoise and Danse des Mirlitons accompanied by the pirouettes and pliés of the young ballerinas. Christian Martin is looking forward to being the soloist for Richard Strauss’s Horn Concerto in the second half of the programme. Its lively recurrent rondo themes and a moving andante as a centrepiece give this talented player a chance to shine on his french horn.

Renowned celebrity chef, Simon Gault, visited Wānaka on Wednesday 12 May to help raise funds for the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust. Gault shared stories of his fascinating journey as a chef and TV personality, followed by a successful raffle and silent auction to help support the Trust. Over 100 guests attended the event, which included a two course lunch, wine, and canapes. The sellout event, which was held at Paddons Paddock Winery, made a profit of around $18,000, with final figures yet to be confirmed. Gault, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes six years ago, led an inspirational discussion about how his health scare transformed his lifestyle. Trustee Laurel Gilks said that guests “delighted in the entertaining talk delivered by this genial food celebrity. “Gault regaled the audience with stories of his career in the restaurant world, but also delivered a more serious message regarding his lifethreatening diabetes,” Gilks said. The Masterchef NZ judge also offered his services as a chef for the auction, with two private dinners for eight. Yeverley McCarthy ran the auction, while

PHOTO: Supplied

The Masterchef NZ judge, Simon Gault, meets members of the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust at the Talk & Taste event last Wednesday.

MAC student, Matilda, provided the music. Dave Evans, Chair of the Trust, thanked local businesses and guests for their generous contributions, which will be used to help families in the area. The Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust was established in 2009 to help families struggling to pay for expenses linked to their children’s health issues. Due to Wānaka’s remote location, local families are often faced with higher costs compared to city

based families. In order to attend a specialist consultation, families in Wānaka are required to travel long distances which usually involve an overnight stay. Evans explained that calls for assistance had increased substantially since the COVID restrictions, and continue to grow. The Trust, whose work is carried out by a team of volunteers, offers support for general health issues, developmental problems, and physical needs.

Scrap metal from Wānaka Station is transformed into new sculpture

PHOTO: Nicolaus Lupacchino

Before: The selection of tools that Nicolaus and Max started with.

Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

There’s a new addition to Wānaka’s art and sculpture scene, and it’s made entirely of scrap metal from the Wānaka Station. Metal fabricator Nicolaus Lupacchino made the sculpture of a predator bird, using old tools and other metal objects. Jill Blennerhassett, who commissioned the project, invited Lupacchino and designer Max to look through her extensive collection of artefacts

After: The finished sculpture was made from recycled materials that were taken from Blennerhassett’s collection.

that were once owned by her grandfather, Sir Percy Sargood. The sculpture now has a prime position at the Olive Grove wedding venue on Mount Aspiring Road. The venue is owned by Jill and her husband John Blennerhassett. The bird is made from a vintage sewing machine, shovels, and metal horse hames. Lupacchino, who created the piece, is a well established sculpture artist from the team at Metalworks Wānaka. Originally from Belgium, the welder and fabricator

has only been making sculptures since 2019. Lupacchino said that it was a really exciting project to work on and he looks forward to the second commission by Blennerhassett. Designer Max said that this is the first time the team have worked on a project of this kind, using old materials to create something entirely new. The entire project was a collaborative effort, as the team worked together to create the finished product. The final version of the bird, which took 60 hours to make, was revealed at the Olive Grove last week.

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Literary finalists announced for Festival Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The finalists of the New Zealand Mountain Film and Book Festival literary categories have been announced by judges Allan Uren, Claire Davis and Rebekah White. Uren was prolific with his praise for the entries.“This year the range of content was extraordinary; there was depth, quality research and stunning imagery. The winners were absolutely deserving of these awards,” he said. Submissions were invited for two categories: Mountain and Adventure Narrative for stories and accounts about specific adventures, fiction or non-fiction; and Mountain and Adventure Heritage for guidebooks, coffee table or picture books, history books, analyses, reflections on culture, environments or ethics and advocacy The finalists in the Mountain and Adventure Heritage category were: Tamatea Dusky – Peta Carey; Huts – Mark Pickering; and Tableland – Ray Salisbury. For the Mountain and Adventure Narratives category, finalists included: A Life of Extremes – Max Quinn; Finding Solo – Lynn Paterson; and Wild at Heart – Miriam Lancewood. A $1,000 grand prize will be awarded to the overall winner for NZ Mountain Book of the Year. The award winners will be announced at the festival. Literary events to take place at the Festival include guest speakers, author readings, book signings and book launches. The Adventure Writing School aims to help budding writers and explorers undertake their own creative adventures and hone their writing skills. Author Nic Low will speak about a journey

PHOTO: Pat Deavoll

Author Nic Low will speak about a journey that is a unique fusion of modern adventure with Māori culture and heritage.

that is a unique fusion of modern adventure with Māori culture and heritage. Low is a writer whose subjects include wilderness and adventure, technology and power, history and race. Ngāi Tahu kaumatua David Higgins will join Nic to outline the traditional history of Wakatipu, Te Manahuna (McKenzie Country) and Aoraki, providing a vivid and authentic context to this launch. Low will launch and speak about his new book Uprising at the festival. Low will also be the tutor for the Adventure Writing School. The workshop is designed to help participants articulate their adventures in writing. Aspiring writers will learn techniques

for developing narrative and structure, and practice hands-on writing exercises. The event is aimed primarily at writers with some previous experience, but aspiring writers are also welcome. Words and Wine is a crowd favourite as it combines story telling with a glass of Maori Point wine. Van Watson will speak about a handful of 20-something Kiwis combing the jungle highlands, evading snakes, spiders, trench foot and head-hunters while searching for the deepest cave on the planet. He will speak about his adventures in the caves of Papua New Guinea in The Search for the Deepest Hole in the World. Lynn Paterson circumnavigated 6000km

PHOTO: Supplied

Ron Hay will be launching his new book, Spirit of the Mountains, during the book festival.

around NZ alone by kayak; she will read from her book Finding Solo. Ron Hay will be launching his new book, Spirit of the Mountains, during the book festival. He will read an excerpt from the book, which describes a lifetime of summits in the Southern Alps. Rebekah White will read from Tableland: The History Behind Mt Arthur, Kahurangi National Park. The book features the adversities and triumphs of early pioneers, hut builders, cavers, trampers and farmers. The programme will be launched and all tickets will go on sale on 1 June.

Nathan Wallis shares top tips with Wānaka parents Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

It was a full house at Wānaka Primary School on Monday evening as parents sat down to hear neuroscience educator, Nathan Wallis, share some insight into the workings of a child's brain. The ‘Conscious Intelligence’ workshop, which only required a gold coin donation to enter, was open to all parents in and around the Upper Clutha area. Wallis, who is originally from Milton, presented his theories on the human brain and offered tips on how to put this knowledge into practice. Wallis also highlighted the significance of the first 1000 days of a child’s life, and how our interactions during this time can play a critical role in defining their future outcomes.

The workshop also focussed on how parents can help reduce the amount of anxiety and trauma experienced by today’s younger generations. According to Wallis, one of the best ways parents can communicate with their children is through cognitive training. “If you tell a child ‘don’t stand on the chair’ you just fill up 25 percent of their brain with something you don’t want them to do. Cognitive training is telling your children what to do, instead of what not to do. Cognitive training is saying ‘sit down on the chair please,’ Wallis said. Wallis, who also hosts TV shows “All in the Mind” and “The Secret life of Girls”, has an extensive background in child counselling, teaching, and social service management. The event was supported by the Central Lakes Trust, NZEI, and RTLB.

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Father of three Nathan Wallis, pictured, talks to local parents at the Wānaka Primary School on Monday evening.

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PAGE 10

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Reply to C.Horan’s letter I read with great interest C. Horan's letter from 13.5.21, mainly the part about prevention. There is not only obesity and type 2 diabetes, but Osteoarthritis can also be added to that list. In 1993 I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the right hip. It was found out by chance - I was being treated for lower back pain with physiotherapy. It did not help. An orthopaedic specialist used to come to Wānaka every so often and when here, came to eat in our restaurant. One day he said, "Rosemarie, what is the matter with you, I have been watching you over some time now and you are getting worse, would you like to come to Dunedin to my clinic for an examination?" Sure, I said and I went to him. He put me in the scanner and the result: osteoarthritis in the right hip. However, I was only 54 yrs old and he told me, the public system would not pay for two operations for a new hip, as they last only 10 years. He prescribed me anti-inflammatory pills. I don't take pills lightly, and those, for 10 years, no! I started reading about the problem. A friend send me a book, written by a a Canadian doctor, about a patient who could hardly walk. She went to a Wellness Clinic in Sweden where they put people on a health fast, vegetable juices, vegetable broth and supplements. They were encouraged to walk every day, even if it was just a few meters to start. The people who were pushed-in, in a wheelchair, left dancing. I rang a known naturopath, Eileen Much in Bush Creek, Queenstown, and asked if she knew of a wellness centre in NZ and she said, "I have the knowledge and space to accommodate you and a lovely big garden, come to me." My husband drove me there; by that time I had trouble getting in and out of a car. I stayed with her for 10 days. It was so relaxing and I began to feel better. She sent me home with a shoebox full of supplements and advice on what to eat and what not. No vegs from the nightshade family, no sugar, red meat, white flour, rice, noodles products. Best no alcohol, coffee or tea either. Bad is deepfried foods. It's the acid in the body that causes it. Drink the water after boiling potatoes, (add salt later to the spuds), that is alkaline. 'Experts' say, it's the worn away cartilage that causes the pain, bone rubbing against bone, and that cartilage once it's gone it's gone. No! Every cell in the body renews itself with the right diet and exercise. Sleep is also very important and there is no stress. I straight away stopped going to work in our restaurant, it was my husband, a trained chef, who wanted it, not I. I am an artist and wanted to go back to my 'work'/pleasure. Now, 28 years later, I still have my old hips and no pain. I go for walks each day and work in my garden. Our DHB once complained about lack of funds because of all the people needing hip or knee replacements. I wrote to them my story but never heard back from them, too bad. Rosemarie Jones

Response to 1080 Ross Sinclair (Wānaka Sun 13 May) speaks true when he says: "Veysey says things with certainty". After closely following the government's animal poisoning for thirty years I guess my opinions on this the poisoning regime does carry some weight. Sinclair is now faced with information from Lewis Hore and Tony Orman who have also been closely following the government's poisoning regime for thirty years. Ross Sinclair tells us he has been overseas for thirty years where he has been completely out of touch with NZ's animal poisoning. You would think that the poisoners would have found a more credible voice to support their poisoning. Sinclair has been told that science proves that 1080 is doing a good job but does not seem to have studied any of it, yet there is a mountain of research projects designed to show that 1080 is doing a good job. At first scientists investigated the effects of 1080 on animals and birds but they soon found that 1080 got everywhere. 1080 has been found in every creature; it's been found in the air, the water and the soil, and it's been found in plants and plant products like honey. All these effects of 1080 have had to be studied to show that 1080 is doing no harm. The biologists and botanists told us that poisoning native birds, and insects was OK, yet to most people the poisoning of any native creature was both unacceptable and unnecessary. When the Environment Protection Authority assessed the use of 1080 in 2013 they quoted the work of more than 200 New Zealand scientists who were making their living on 1080 research. This volume of 1080 scientific input every year costs a fortune yet, despite the huge mass of it, the results have been mostly inconclusive. Some of the findings have been alarming such as the contamination of streams by 1080 written by Alexander Suren. In 2007 I watched the manager of a 1080 drop wave Suren's report before a hall-full of local people whose river water would soon run with his 1080. He shouted: "This report proves that 1080 is safe in water." In his summary Suren does say that we've nothing to worry about with 1080 in water but his research results in his report point in a very different direction. Baits land randomly. There are piles here and there and gaps with no baits everywhere. The adverts which claim even spread of bait are nonsense. Following four 1080 drops Suren found baits in 80 per cent of the streams he looked at. Baits lose their poison within a few hours, he says, and all his water samples taken between 4 and 8 hours after baits landed in the streams showed positive for 1080. He says that 1080 can be found within 8 hours of baits landing in streams and the thousands of "clear" samples taken a day or two later should not be cited as showing that no 1080 was in the water before the samples were taken. Some of Suren's water samples exceeded 1 part per billion (ppb) but that's OK says Suren because the allowable limit is 2 ppb. When the allowable limit was first thought of there was no overseas guidance as to what kind of figure to choose because no other country has an allowable amount of 1080 in their water. Perhaps 0.5 ppb would be good. No, too low. So it

was upped to 1 ppb but then it was found, as Suren did, that many of the water samples exceeded 1 ppb so the allowable limit was raised to 2 ppb. That's 1080 science for you. Suren found that baits that landed in streams were eaten by eels and crayfish within 8 hours. Suren's experiments lasted four days, a minuscule peep in a laboratory at what might or might not be going on over millions of hectares of New Zealand's native forest. Suren's results did not make me confident that 1080 was harmless in water; on the contrary, they contradicted many of the poisoner's claims. After Sinclair has studied a few hundred of the thousands of 1080 research reports in existence he may be more qualified to question the knowledge of the likes of Orman, Hore and Veysey. John Veysey

Wānaka Community Hub

I read with sadness and dismay the report in the ODT last Friday, 14 May 2021 of the walkout of Community Hub Board members from a meeting with the Wānaka Community Board. Having been involved with the Hub Board in various capacities since 2010 I KNOW (unlike some of the elected members of the Wānaka Community Board) the history behind, and the many obstacles that the Hub Board has had to overcome, at not inconsiderable cost, to achieve finality in the construction of a quite outstanding community facility. I now note that the Hub Board has had to suffer the further indignity at the hands of the Community Board itself, when it passed a motion on a split vote that might delay for a further twelve months, the conversion of an interest-free loan from the QLDC, to a capital grant. It should be noted that the Hub Board has met all criteria asked of it by the QLDC to enable conversion of the loan to a grant. I would have thought that the Hub Board deserved the wholehearted support of the WCB. The Hub Board, of its own volition, took on the responsibility of the building project and was supported by countless local volunteers over a considerable period to achieve the outstanding result. Councillor Niamh Shaw appears to be the prime mover behind the “stay in execution” and used wording such as “ ....a need for defining community oversight, governance and equity at the sole discretion of the Council” and “ the community had no equity in the building and almost no input or direction into its management”. I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but trying to grasp the full import of such words is a bridge too far for this simple soul. I can but wonder at the real reason behind Cr. Shaw’s stand, or maybe it is some form of a cheap, petty political game being played out in the public domain? I can but hope and pray that the QLDC in making the final decision on this matter takes cognisance of the untold hours of blood sweat and tears put into achieving an outstanding result for the use and enjoyment of the Upper Clutha community. In this writer’s view, any further delay in converting the loan to a capital grant is unwarranted. In closing, I acknowledge the ongoing support of Community Board member Jude Battson and the personal interest and support received from Mayor Boult. Bryan Lloyd

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Your one-stop community support and connection centre a jigsaw puzzle” she can make an assessment and help you put the pieces together. Budget advisers from Central Otago Budget Services (COBS) cover Wānaka and Cromwell. They can meet you at the Wānaka Community Hub or your home and help you establish a financial safety net to stay on track, pay off debt and reach your future goals faster. COBS can also offer student support including budgeting workshops and help with student loans or setting up bank accounts.

Family Works Financial Mentor Nicole Huddleston covers the Wānaka area.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

It’s been a busy start to the year for Community Networks Wānaka and LINK Upper Clutha as we grow and enhance our one-stop community support and connection centre. Together, we provide information and support, connect and collaborate, and build a resilient community. Our team has doubled in size in 2021. You’ll be hearing more from us on what this means over the coming months, as we shine a light on the different services and resources available to you within the local area. This month, we’re highlighting the financial advisory services we can connect you with. Wānaka is a great place to live but isn’t always an easy place to live. Community Networks Wānaka can help you and your whānau tackle anything life throws at you, including financial worries. Whether you’re worried about getting by, up to your ears in debt, buying a house or just trying to save, we can connect you with free financial advice and

PHOTO: Presbyterian Support Otago

support for a whole range of issues. From our home at the Wānaka Community Hub, friendly Community Networks staff can put you in touch with IRD to talk about tax, student loans and child support, help you complete application forms to see what Work and Income benefits you might be entitled to, or arrange a chat with our registered social worker, who can talk through your difficulties and connect you with longer-term support. We can connect you with a friendly financial adviser from Presbyterian Support Otago’s Family Works service or Central Otago Budgeting Services to help you put together a plan with confidential, non-judgemental guidance and support. Family Works Financial Mentor Nicole Huddleston covers the Wānaka area and can help you better understand budgeting, debt, financial products, loans and other money topics, reduce any ongoing cycle of debt and work out a financial plan that is right for you. She explains that understanding your whole situation is key to successful financial planning. By “throwing all the pieces out on the table like

MOCKA BALANCE BIKE GIVE-AWAY ing Spend $70* or more on anyth 2021 in-store until the end of May and enter the draw to win a Mocka Balance Bike.

If you need immediate help with day-to-day needs like food, medical bills or counselling costs, the Community Food Bank, Community Support Fund and WellSouth GP vouchers are also there to help. Whatever puzzle you’re trying to solve, call 443 7799, stop in at the Community Hub at 34 McDougall Street or visit communitynetworks. co.nz to see what help is available. Community Networks Wānaka www.communitynetworks.co.nz.

NEWS IN BRIEF Girls only football Wānaka AFC are promoting girls only football in the community, and this Sunday there will be an open session to all girls aged 7-13 who want to give it a go. It's free, and you don’t need to be a member, they just want more girls playing the game. So head along! Great Olympic Skate Roadshow comes to Wānaka A giant skateboard will be coming to Wānaka Pembroke Skate Park in June (date as yet unknown). Eke Tahi, meaning ‘Ride as One’, is the name of The New Zealand Olympic Committee’s giant 12-metre-long, 800kg skateboard. Eke Tahi has kicked off an epic 41-day Great Olympic Skate Roadshow. Nearly 1,000 Kiwis entered names for the super-sized skateboard representing the Olympic Games offering more extreme, more urban and more youthfocused events, including skateboarding, surfing and three-on-three basketball. Eke Tahi, nominated by Karyn Fisher of Maraetai, Auckland, was selected as the name best capturing the pride of Kiwis and excitement for the hopes of the New Zealand Team of athletes being carried by the giant skateboard. Burn dry firewood ORC is reminding people to burn dry firewood after the first air quality exceedances in the region for the year As temperatures drop around the region, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) is reminding people to burn dry wood and breathe easier over the colder months. The reminder comes as the first air quality exceedances for the year have been recorded in Cromwell and Alexandra over the last week. These exceedances occur when the concentration of PM10 (airborne particles less than 10 micrometres across) is higher than 50 micrograms per cubic metre of air, which is the limit set in New Zealand’s National

Environmental Standards for Air Quality. Free mulch - head over the hill! Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) free mulch grabs are back by popular demand for two days during May and June. The mulch is produced from the green waste collected from QLDC’s transfer station facilities and is typically used across Council’s parks and reserves. However, there is currently an excess which needs to be cleared and QLDC is making it available to the community. QLDC Waste Minimisation Project Officer Katherine Buttar said these free mulch grab events are a great way to give back to the community, who have been helping keep green waste out of the landfill by making use of dropoff sites around the district. “Keen gardeners can come along with a trailer and have it filled by a loader. We recommend people bring a tarp to cover their trailer load so as not to lose most of it on the way home! Gardeners can also fill their own bags or car boot but will need to bring a shovel.” The collection site is Lower Shotover Delta, Queenstown, accessed off Tucker Beach Rd. Have your say on the regions transport Submissions on the draft Regional Public Transport Plan for Otago (RPTP) close in one week, and the Otago Regional Council (ORC) is encouraging people to have their say on a range of issues. Transport Manager Garry Maloney said public feedback was important to the planning process. “People can submit on any part of the draft RPTP, and we’re particularly keen to hear from the community on policies covering fares and concessions, requests of trial units and routes that could be incorporated into the plan, and transitioning to carbon-neutral transport. “These are a few of the things our community are most passionate about, and making a submission on the RPTP is the best way to have your voice heard on these topics,” Maloney said.

*In one transaction.

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

THURSDAY 20.05.21 - WEDNESDAY 26.05.21

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun Views

thewanakasun.co.nz

EDITORIAL

What will the winter bring?

PHOTO: Cardrona / Treble Cone

Treble Cone: Less snow but just as much fun.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

A few days ago, Daisy, our reporter got in touch with Chris Brandolino, chief meteorological scientist for the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) to get some prediction on the upcoming ski season. Chris is fairly famous and his forecasts have some clout. He is regularly on TV1 and had a lot to do with predicting the wind shifts during the recent America’s Cup. Although he couldn’t give any forecast beyond July he said temperatures for Wānaka and Queenstown would be average or aboveaverage ie. Not cold enough for snow. There would be normal or below normal rainfall. Cold temperatures and rain had to align for snow and this might not happen a lot. "We will get cold snaps through the winter but no sustained or long-lasting snowfall,” he said. Normal levels of snowfall are based on a 30 year average over the three months of May, June and July. Snow forecasts were tricky, he said and encouraged the bigger ski resorts to start making snow now. I believe both Cardrona and Treble Cone start snowmaking tomorrow (Tuesday). I have been skiing at Treble Cone for 30 years – since 1990. Not since the inception of the field, which was in 1968 (I’m old but not that old) but for a fairly long time. In 1975 Treble Cone was listed as a public company to raise funds for a decent road, and some base building and ski hire facilities, constructed over the summer and opened in 1976. Way before my time. Development continued throughout the '80s and early '90s with the mountains first double chair installed in the Home Basin in 1983, the installation of a T-Bar in the Saddle

Basin in 1989 (this I remember) and the first permanent snowmaking happened in 1991. This I also remember. Treble Cone received its next major upgrade in 1995/96 with the installation of New Zealand's first high speed, detachable 6-seater chairlift in the Home Basin. The pre-existing double chair was relocated to the Saddle Basin. This development was very exciting and we did several trips down from Christchurch to ski that winter, we considered the facilities so good. In 2005 Treble Cone saw a new quad chairlift in the Saddle Basin and ski patrol hut at the top of the Six Seater. In 2006 and again in 2007, further investment increased snowmaking facilities across the Home Basin. Then a big development - in December 2019, the Commerce Commission approved the purchase of Treble Cone Investments Ltd by Cardrona Alpine Resort and the merging of the two resorts. I think the point I'm making is that over the past 30 years I have seen Treble Cone grow and grow, but the snow gets less and less. I'm sure one year we skied down to the road (around 1990?) It was a storm that killed lots of sheep. I guess we are seeing the fallout from climate change. Snowmaking machines are a saving grace although not for some of the club fields up in Canterbury which didn’t even open last year. I'm not going to say “the good old days” because Treble Cone is just as good as it always was and people have just as much fun. But it would be good to see a really hefty dump of snow like in the ’80s and ’90s that would see the field through to the end of the season. Update! On Monday night both fields had a decent dusting of snow! Cardrona received 8cm of fresh snow, and Treble Cone received 5cm.

PHOTO: Cardrona / Treble Cone

Treble Cone received 15 cm of snow last Monday night.

THE WĀNAKA SUN