Wanaka Sun | 23 - 29 July 2020 | Edition 984

DOC steps up

INSIDE THIS WEEK Views: Page 13 Jobs: Page 14 Sport: Page 15

Tahr control starts.

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Winter heroes Aspiring Avalanche Dogs. thewanakasun.co.nz

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Council errs over notification of Mt Aspiring Road build

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Judge deems Mt Aspiring Road build site notifiable.

PHOTO: Supplied

Opinions on a residential built overlooking Lake Wānaka may now be possible after the High Court in Invercargill found the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) erred.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

pinions on a residential build overlooking Lake Wānaka may now be possible after the High Court in Invercargill found the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) erred when it allowed the resource consent application of Nature Preservation Trustee Ltd (NPTL) to be dealt with as "non-notified."

A 1166sqm house proposed to be built overlooking Lake Wānaka in an area designated an "outstanding natural landscape" was granted consent to replace a 650sqm home on a 7.6ha property on Mt Aspiring Rd. The reserved decision followed a hearing on June 22 when Justice Rachel Dunningham declared both the Council's notification decision and the decision to grant the consent invalid.

O

Dunningham noted that the majority of the house would be underground and was intended to be "more sympathetic" to the landscape than the existing one.

Neighbouring property owners Trilane Industries Ltd (TIL) - which owns Whare Kea Lodge - applied for the judicial review on a point of law. Whare Kea Lodge is a luxury visitor accommodation facility. The second respondent, NPTL owns a 7.6 hectare property adjacent to TIL's property, which also fronts the lake.

NPTL applied, in 2018, to remove the existing 650 m2 two-level, schist clad residential building which was constructed on the site in 1998, and erect, in its place, a new two-level residential building Central to the case was the assessment by the Council's landscape architect Helen Mellsop who considered the new house would be "more

visually prominent" than the existing house.

She considered the finished development would be visible from the foreshore and would be visually prominent from the end of Ruby Island Road, from parts of the Millennium Track and the lake and would detract from the "naturalness, pleasantness and coherence of the views to a high degree."

These effects would be greater than those of the existing dwelling she stated.

However, she considered that over time "the existing and proposed indigenous planting would enhance the naturalness of views to the site” and mitigate adverse visual effects on users of the Millennium Track to a low or very low level. This is likely to take about 8 - 10 years if the planting on the site and around the track establishes and grows well. This is a reasonably long period of adverse effect."

Dunningham said the Council was to reconsider whether to publicly notify NPTL's resource consent application.

"The increased visual effects are likely to be moderate in extent when the construction is completed and to reduce to a low level over five to seven years as planting matured," she said.

The Council, when deciding not to notify the application publicly, took the view that the effects would be "no more than minor."

Dunningham said the Council erred in ignoring a temporary adverse effect.

"It also cannot average out effects over time to say that a temporary moderate adverse effect which will, in due course, reduce to a low or extremely low effect is, therefore, a minor or less than minor effect."

The owner of NPTL is Wanaka lawyer Janice Margaret Hughes.

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M.bovis on the ropes, three years out Where will it be? Decision time for primary birthing unit fewer infected animals.

Pat Deavoll editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

New Zealand’s world-first effort to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis has made significant progress with the number of infected properties dropping to new lows, three years to the day (yesterday) since it was first detected in New Zealand.

“To date, 250 properties have been infected by the disease – with all but four now clear of it,” Biosecurity and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.

“The hard and early approach with which we responded to Covid-19 was the exact same approach we took early on in our term as a Government to eradicate M.bovis to protect our national herd, the economic base of our primary sector, and the social good of the country,”O’Connor said.

“Key to the success is our programme partners DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand. They were part of the bold decision to attempt to eradicate this disease and have been part of our efforts since the very beginning.

“It was estimated that allowing the disease to spread could cause $1.3 billion in economic losses in the first ten years alone, along with substantial animal welfare issues, and ongoing severe challenges for farmers having to manage the disease within their herds.

“One key measure of success of our 10-year eradication plan, the Estimated Dissemination Rate (EDR), shows strongly that we have M.bovis firmly in our sights. If the EDR is greater than one, then the disease is growing. If it’s below one, we’re shrinking the disease. The EDR is now at 0.4, which is down from over two at the start of the outbreak, so we are looking harder to find

“We’ve shown, again, that we’re able to do what others countries have not in terms of disease eradication efforts. That’s something our farming community should be proud of.

“Allowing the disease to spread would have caused lost productivity in our vital cattle sectors and affected the economy. Had we left M.bovis to run rampant, I’m not sure our dairy and beef sectors would have been able to weather the economic storm of COVID-19 and the challenges of drought conditions as well as they have.

“The eradication effort has not been without substantial challenges, and the impact on affected farmers can’t be under-estimated. Farmers deserve a lot of credit for their efforts. We are continuing to improve processes and work hard to support their wellbeing and recovery, including getting their compensation claims paid as quickly as possible.

“We are also changing tax law to help further farmers whose herds were culled. A significant tax bill can arise in the year they receive a compensation payment so we’ll be making a change that means they may be eligible to spread their income over several years.

“There is still work to be done, and there will be more infected farms to find – but we’re well and truly on track to do what no other country in the world has done and eradicate this disease.

“The next 12 months is about ensuring that we have found all infected herds. This will involve ongoing Bulk Tank Milk Surveillance, nationwide beef surveillance, and on-farm testing of herds that could have been exposed, to ensure that they are not infected.

“We will not let up on our efforts, and will ensure that this disease is gone so that we can farm free from it in the future,” O’Connor said.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Options for the location of a new primary birthing unit in Central Otago have been released in preparation for a public meeting in Cromwell to gain community feedback.

The meeting will be held today, from 4 pm, at the Cromwell Presbyterian Church, 10 Elspeth Street, Cromwell.

Southern DHB has worked alongside the Central Lakes Locality Network to engage with stakeholders and local communities to develop options to meet the need for primary birthing facilities.

Mary Cleary Lyons, general manager, Primary and Population Health, Southern DHB said the public meeting will share feedback received from the public consultation so far, and present options around the configuration of maternity services in the area for people to consider.

During the consultation process, over 300 responses to an online form were received, and meetings were held with stakeholders including midwives, primary care, St John and Māori communities.

Participants were asked their views on the most important issues to consider when deciding on a location for a primary maternity facility. These included: 24/7 midwifery availability at birthing facilities; rapid access to urgent transport, especially a helicopter, and equity of travel times and access to primary birthing facilities for all parts of the region.

Based on this feedback, the proposed four options are being presented for consideration at the public meeting.

Option One: • Docate a single new facility at Cromwell • Decommission Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital • Supplemented by maternal and child hubs in Wanaka, Alexandra and Ranfurly • Emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence Option Two: • Locate a single new primary birthing unit in

PHOTO: Pixabay

The public meeting will share feedback received from the public consultation so far, and present options around the configuration of maternity services in the area for people to consider.

Clyde at Dunstan Hospital • Decommission Charlotte Jean Maternity Hospital • Supplemented by maternal and child hubs in Wanaka and Ranfurly • Emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence Option Three: • Locate a new Primary Birthing Unit in Wanaka AND • Retain the current unit in Alexandra (Charlotte Jean) • Supplemented by maternal and child hubs in Ranfurly and Cromwell • Emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence Option Four: • Locate a new Primary Birthing Unit in Wanaka AND • Relocate the current unit in Alexandra (Charlotte Jean) to be co-located with Dunstan Hospital in Clyde • Supplemented by maternal and child hubs in Ranfurly and Cromwell • Emergency birthing facilities in Lawrence Southern DHB said: “We have sincerely appreciated the consideration that has been given to this question, and the thoughts our communities and stakeholders have shared with us. It is a complex issue, and there are a variety of possible solutions, each of which offers opportunities as we weigh up the priorities involved.”

Hāwea Flat local fundraising after sleepout burns down

PHOTOs: Supplied

Monika Žďárková has set up a Givealittle page which has so far raised over $5,000. She thanked her neighbours and the Hāwea Flat community for their “kindness, care, clothes, food and big help.”

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Hāwea Flat resident Monika Žďárková is asking for help after a fire completely destroyed her sleepout on Wednesday last week. Žďárková said she was out at work in the evening when the fire took place, so came home to find out what had happened at the property.

She was unharmed and the fire was brought under control by the fire brigade before it affected the safety of any other people, animals

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THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

or other buildings, but it destroyed her sleepout and all her belongings. Unfortunately, she did not have insurance. Žďárková said she was “alive, safe and with great community people around” her, “so… I don’t need anything, but I also need everything.”

She has set up a Givealittle page which has so far raised over $5,000. She thanked her neighbours and the Hāwea Flat community for their “kindness, care, clothes, food and big help.”

For more information or to help, go to: https:// givealittle.co.nz/cause/fire-destroys-sleepout.

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Tussock Rise wins costs from “crazy” QLDC actions Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Queenstown Lakes District Council's (QLDC) actions regarding Wānaka company Tussock Rise Ltd (TRL) are "crazy," says Graham Todd of Todd & Walker Law Wānaka.

In a decision earlier this month, Environment Court Judge Jon Jackson ordered the QLDC to pay TRL $5250, or 66 per cent of the costs the company incurred in an appeal in the Court against the Council.

The costs arose from a 2018 hearing before Jackson during which the Council applied to have Tussock Rise's appeal, relating to the Council's review of the district plan, struck out.

If a case is 'struck out' it means the Court has dismissed it without a full hearing of all of the evidence. ... In other words, one of the sides can apply to the Court for a strike out, or the Court can just decide to apply one should the need arise.

"As I found in the strike out decision, the method by which the Council has conducted its Plan Review/Plan Change, was "contradictory and confused," said Jackson.

"The Council, in reliance on that flawed process, still made its application for strike out despite TRL attempting to communicate to the Council that the purported lack of jurisdiction was misconceived."

“As to quantum, I consider that the Council has either not met the procedural requirements of section 79 RMA as to the review of plans or, if it has, it has done so confusingly and misleadingly as explained in the substantive decision,” Jackson said.

Todd said: "Tussock Rise Ltd has two (substantive) submissions to the Proposed District Plan (PDP) and two avenues for rezoning “ The first was one on Stage One they inherited from the Gordon Trust when they purchased the land, he said. That sought residential zoning for the land which was proposed to be zoned "industrial."

The Council hearings panel refused to hear the submission arguing it wasn't "on "Stage 1”.

"We appealed, and the Council tried to strike out that submission to Stage 1 of the Plan as

they said they were not dealing with "industrial" zoned land until Stage 3.

"We (Todd & Walker) argued this was the problem with the Council dealing with the PDP in stages as by the time we got to Stage 3 it would be too late to have the land zoned "residential" as the submissions on the rezoning of residential land would have already been dealt with.

"We opposed the Council's submission to strike out our Stage 1 submission on that basis,” said Todd.

The Tussock Rise appeal on that Stage 1 submissions is yet to be heard, but the Council now has a problem as they have never actually given a decision on the Stage 1 submission, as they said it wasn't "on" Stage 1, he said.

Complicated stuff.

"The Court agreed with us and dismissed the strike out application ( the substantive decision).

We then sought costs which is highly unusual in a District Plan Review process. The Court in the costs decision has granted costs at a much higher percentage than is ever normal." Todd said.

"When Stage 3 was notified, and they sought to zone the land "industrial" we submitted in opposition as by that stage we felt the land was better rezoned a "business mixed-use" zone.

"The crazy thing is we now have two avenues for rezoning, but again this is a consequence of Council’s own making by dealing with the PDP in stages which is what Judge Jackson was saying was "confusing etc..…." in his decision.

The second part is that they have been ordered to pay costs which is highly “unusual in a District Plan process, Todd said.

“I can't say anything publically about the Tussock Rise decision because it the "substantive case" is still before the Court,” he said.

(Substantive case meaning the actual rezoning.

Tussock Rise land is back off Ballantyne Rd and Gordon Rd- it sits in behind the businesses that front on to the southern side of Ballantyne Rd. TRL want to change the land from an industrial zone land to a business-mixed- use zoned land, Todd said.

“TRL is saying there is no demand for industrial land, but there is for business-mixed-use, he said.

Expats return to Upper Clutha real estate Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Upper Clutha property market is in a ‘positive state’, according to Wānaka real estate professionals..

Lynette Winsloe, sales manager for First National Wānaka, said that; “At present there is good confidence in the market and we are seeing a number of interesting listings coming to the market. The buyers are responding well to this.”

Hannah Walker from Proppy advised that; “If you are thinking of selling now is a great time to list. Expats are returning to New Zealand and considering the Queenstown Lakes area as their returning home… We are experiencing a huge amount of first home buyers entering into the market which is great fuel for all parts of the residential housing market.”

Walker also predicted that, “I think we will see an increased number of properties coming to the market soon as people have weighed up their options. Taking advantage of increased number of buyers is appealing. The economy is in an interesting phase in Upper Clutha but I’m

THE WĀNAKA SUN

NEWS IN BRIEF Queenstown Lakes District Council ordinary meeting An ordinary meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council will be held on Thursday, 23 July 2020 in the Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown beginning at 1.00pm. Members of the public are invited to speak in the public forum; interested individuals should phone or email the council.

Reading with Grandparents Wānaka Primary School would like to welcome any and all grandparents that can come weekly to read with some of their junior children. The sessions will run for an hour from 11am on Tuesdays. First meeting will be in the staffroom at WPS on Tuesday 28 July at 11am. This will provide the opportunity to meet and discuss the programme and meet children you will be working with. Email Jason (jasonc@wanaka.school.nz) to confirm your interest.

Working to prevent international student drownings Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has partnered with EdTech company, AgentBee, to increase international student awareness of water safety and prevent drownings.

“Sadly, the data shows that international students in New Zealand are at particular risk of drowning,” said WSNZ CEO Jonty Mills.

While the New Zealand government says it is unlikely that international students will be able to enter the country this year, it is working on options for their return in early 2021. The Water Safety New Zealand course

is available now on AgentBee. Keep It Real Online goes multilingual The Department of Internal Affairs’ online safety website keepitrealonline.govt.nz is now available in Te Reo Māori, Samoan, Simplified Chinese and Hindi.

“In developing this campaign, it was really important for us to make the tools and advice for Keep It Real Online as accessible as possible,” said Trina Lowry, manager design engagement and innovation for DIA’s digital safety group.

“We chose to translate the website into these four languages as they’re the most widely spoken in New Zealand and we wanted to ensure as many parents and caregivers as possible can get the information they need to keep their kids safe online.”

Waste Free Wanda goes on tour Hāwea singer/songwriter Anna van Riel, aka Waste Free Wanda is hitting the road next week to deliver her one-woman environmental rock opera to primary-aged children in the Central Otago region.

A successful recipient of the Otago Regional Councils ECO Fund, the tour is the first leg of three that will cover the Otago province.

With a focus on reaching rural schools and locations off the beaten track, the show aims to deliver empowering solutions around waste reduction in the form of achievable solutions, easy actions and catchy songs, as well as a storyline that shows children how to be a waste-free superhero in their own backyards.

Wanaka Sun Gynaecologist Ben Sharp will regularly be working from Wanaka Lakes Health Centre from mid-August 2020.

To book an appointment, talk to your GP or simply call Oxford Women’s Health on 03 379 0555.

Ben provides expert advice and treatment for a wide range of women’s health issues including pelvic pain, endometriosis, pain during sex, urinary incontinence and heavy periods.

Gynaecologist Ben Sharp will regularly be working from Wanaka Lakes Health Centre from mid-August 2020.

Ben provides expert advice and treatment for a wide range of women’s health issues including pelvic pain, endometriosis, pain during sex, urinary incontinence and heavy periods.

PHOTO: Pixabay

The Upper Clutha property market is in a ‘positive state’.

optimistic that we will see very strong sale prices post the school holidays and moving out of winter into spring.”

Winsloe backed this up, saying, “[There is a] noticeable increase in people wanting to move to Wānaka. People are more flexible and can either bring their job with them or work remotely…

The real estate market in Wānaka is in a positive state and although we are all aware that this may not last, at present we are seeing no sign of it letting up.”

To book an appointment, talk to your GP or simply call Oxford Women’s Health on 03 379 0555.

THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

oxfordwomenshealth.co.nz

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Native species to benefit as tahr control starts Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Himalayan tahr control is underway in the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, as the Department of Conservation (DOC) moves to protect native plants and wildlife habitats vulnerable to tahr impacts.

Two weeks ago a High Court decision allowed DOC to start half of its tahr control programme, while the Department consults with hunting, conservation and statutory stakeholders comprising the Tahr Plan Implementation Liaison Group (TPILG).

DOC intends to undertake 60 hours of aerial control in the national parks, and another 65 hours in other areas of the conservation estate inside the tahr feral range. The final level of control in 2020/2021 will be subject to further consultation.

Control operations began on Thursday 16 July to protect Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks, the only two locations across more than 706,000 ha of the tahr management units where DOC will target all tahr. Control in other areas will commence shortly.

Operations Director Ben Reddiex said thousands of bull tahr and other tahr will be left for trophy hunters across 425,000ha of public conservation land, but in the 148,000ha national parks, New Zealand’s native species need to come first.

“National parks have the greatest protection status of all conservation land, and we need to protect and preserve them

for New Zealanders.

“High localised densities of tahr can damage alpine habitats by transforming tall tussocks and subalpine shrublands to a grassy turf or bare ground.

“This work is urgent. Not only are we working around alpine winter weather conditions, but in just a few months, a new generation of tahr will be born, putting further pressure on the environment.”

DOC’s planned control work will have a minimal effect on the commercial hunting industry, which mostly operates outside of the national parks. The vast majority of commercial hunting takes place on Crown pastoral lease and private land.

“Outside of the national parks we’re only controlling high localised densities of female and juvenile tahr, leaving tahr in more accessible areas for hunters, and leaving all bulls for trophy hunting.”

The results of control operations will be proactively published on the DOC website.

All bulls sighted by the Department staff outside of the national parks will be recorded to help trophy hunters plan their future hunts.

DOC is now commencing the consultation process with stakeholders regarding the content of the Tahr Control Operational Plan for 2020/2021.

“It’s important to remember we have no plans to eradicate tahr, this important control work is about protecting vulnerable native species as well as meeting our legal obligations in the national parks,” said Reddiex.

PHOTO:Wānaka Sun

DOC’s planned control work will have a minimal effect on the commercial hunting industry, which mostly operates outside of the national parks.

NZCA misrepresents tahr hunting sector Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

“Statements from New Zealand Conservation Authority Chair Edward Ellison that imply tahr hunting is a niche tourism industry are highly inaccurate,” said the NZ Tahr Foundation.

“The 52,000 people that have signed the petition to halt the cull and the 1000 or so people that turned up at Aoraki/Mt Cook on Sunday should tell Ellison that this is far from some niche tourism industry. Tahr

mean a great deal to tens of thousands of New Zealanders,” said Tahr Foundation spokesman Willie Duley.

“Aerial Assisted Trophy Hunting (AATH) that Ellison mentions accounts for only a small minority of the tahr hunting that goes on in our National Parks. While the commercial industry is important to many people’s livelihoods, the vast majority of tahr hunting is done by Kiwi recreational hunters who total 166,000 people.

“Recreational hunters are not obliged to

produce their tahr hunting returns, but from the large number of people that are transported in and out of the National Parks during the peak of the season and the number of animals they bring out, we know that many hundreds of tahr are removed by recreational hunters.

“To totally disregard this is, frankly, disingenuous,”Duley said.

“The Game Animal Council alongside DOC recently released an app for recreational hunters to record and submit their tahr returns so that we can gain better data on exactly how many tahr

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are removed. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 lockdown and the current culling programme have undermined any chance that the project will be successful.

“All stakeholders agree that DOC has never undertaken the research and monitoring of vegetation impacts and herd densities necessary to inform the appropriate management of tahr.

This needs to be done as part of a thorough review of the out-of-date 1993 Himalayan Tahr Control Plan so we can put this almost-annual conflict behind us,” said Duley.

Applications are invited from boys currently in Year 5 and Year 6 to sit the Academic Scholarship Examinations being held on Monday 3 August 2020 at Waihi School, 611 Temuka-Orari Highway, Winchester, South Canterbury

Or contact us to book your own personal tour at a time to suit THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

More information and application forms are available on our website www.waihi.school.nz or contact Debra on 03 687 8071 or executive@waihi.school.nz

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Celebrating Local winemaker gets first taste women’s of the ‘Covid harvest’ suffrage and Upper Clutha feminism Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Jude Battson

Jude Battson, community board member, and numbereight-wire sheila is one of the women featured in Skirt Tails the Sequel.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Wānaka Women’s Suffrage Committee are looking forward to the launch of their new book Skirt Tales the Sequel. On July 28, the committee will be holding the private launch at Cinema Paradiso.

Jenny Moss, one of the committee members, reflected that “1993 in New Zealand was the centennial year for women's suffrage in our country. Celebrations were held throughout New Zealand. As part of her role as recreational officer for QLDC, Liz Hall was asked to organise centennial suffrage celebration activities in the Upper Clutha. Liz put a call out for women interested to form a committee for this. Several activities were organised, including the planting of three white camellia in Wanaka Station Park which are now fully grown with an information board alongside.”

Moss said that the committee was inspired to write a book. “Phyllis Aspinall came up with the idea we should record the life stories of local women to be published as a book. We publicly invited families to submit stories. These stories included many women from early settlers, but not exclusively.

It took us two years to bring this book to fruition.

Thanks to The Upper Clutha Historical Records Society this book is now in its third edition.”

Skirt Tales the Sequel will feature the stories of many more local women, said Moss. “2018 was the 125th Anniversary of New Zealand Women's Suffrage. Our committee of five… felt it was important to continue the legacy of [Phyllis Aspinall’s] idea. The Upper Clutha is a far more populated place now with many amazing women.

We decided we would approach women who we believed represented a sample of women who have contributed to our community in a variety of ways… One woman describes herself as having to become 'a number -eight -wire sheila.'”

Moss also reflected that it was very important to the committee that these newer stories be heard, saying, “Through these women's stories we learn much about the past life of our community.” She also encouraged future generations to remember this sentiment, “We are also issuing the challenge for a new committee to record the stories of current local women in future publications. We have a growing number of fine young women [succeeding] in diverse fields. 2043 will see the 150th Anniversary of New Zealand Women's Suffrage.”

Skirt Tales the Sequel will be available in print after the private launch on July 28th.

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2020 New Zealand Winemaker of the year and Wānaka resident Jen Parr was one of three judges to sample over 100 Central Otago and Canterbury wines yesterday for this year’s New World Wine Awards.

The annual event, usually held in Wellington, has taken on a different format this year in response to Covid-19, splitting into a series of regional judging events for the first time in its 18-year history. It is the first national wine competition to taste wines from this season.

More than 1,200 wines are being judged over 10 days of tasting around the country’s key wine regions. Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough and Central Otago will each be the judging hub for wines grown and made in the surrounding areas, while Auckland will hold the judging for local as well as international, sparkling and emerging wines.

Consulting winemaker Olly Masters, Nadine Cross from Peregrine Wines and Parr Winemaker at Valli Vineyards since 2015 - tested Central Otago and Canterbury entries by grape variety, judging each wine on colour, taste and smell, in Cromwell yesterday.

It was an “aromatics-focused day” according to Parr, with Pinot Noir making up half of the field accompanied by Riesling, Pinot Gris and Sauvingon Blanc. Parr said the general quality of wines was great, with a high number of medals awarded to wines showing “complexity as well as drinkability.”

There were a number of “complex, age-worthy

PHOTO: suuplied

wines” within the Pinot Noir category and the price range - all entries to the New World Wine Awards must retail for $25 or less, and there must be at least 4,000 bottles (or 2,000 for emerging varietals) available for sale.

The 2020 vintage has been hailed as one of the country’s most memorable - in part due to the excellent weather conditions during the growing season, but mainly because of the national lockdown during which this year’s grape-picking took place. But Parr said that although people this year will be remembered as “the Covid harvest,” she would never think of the wines as “Covid wines,” defined by the pandemic they were produced in.

“Once we knew what to do, it was quite a refreshing harvest,” she recalled. “Every day was like Sunday because the gates were closed. There were no distractions and we had time to think about what we were doing.”

She added that it had been a “privilege” to

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun archive

Parr said that although people this year will be remembered as “the Covid harvest,” she would never think of the wines as “Covid wines,” defined by the pandemic they were produced in.

create something “meaningful” and “successful” during such a difficult time - “something beyond the pandemic.”

Chair of Judges Jim Harré echoed her sentiments when he said: “New Zealand’s wine industry is an incredibly important part of our economy, and like so many sectors, it has been working through a difficult period with many unknowns. It is encouraging to see such a significant number of local wineries, as well as many of our regular entrants from Australia and beyond, put their wines forward.”

The top ranked silver and all gold scoring wines will now be reviewed by a second panel of judges in Auckland, who will rank the gold medal wines to determine the Top 50 and award Champion titles.

The full results will be announced later this year.

Matariki mural painting with Stephen Martyn Welch Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Award-winning local portrait artist Stephen Martyn Welch is calling all Wānaka artists to come down to the Dinosaur Park this Saturday and help lead this year’s Kahu Youth Matariki mural painting.

After another artist was forced to pull out of designing a mural for children to paint on the day of Matariki, Welch - whose son attends the youth club - took on the job with just two weeks to go.

He has created a 2.4m long, 1.2m high celebration of what Matariki is - from native fauna to the mountains around Wānaka, the stars and a hāngi scene - and painted an acrylic undercoat for children to paint over.

Welch said he is seeking help from Wānaka’s “big artistic community” to help with “kid wrangling.”

“If some adults want to come along and take on

one section with one or two kids, they can make a really good go of the mural,” he said. “We want it finished on the day, so people can see it, and many hands make light work.”

Kahu Youth leader Richard Elvey said everyone was encouraged to “add their bit” to the “incredible looking backdrop,” which was an expansion on their plywood mural concept from previous years, thanks to Creative Communities Scheme funding.

The annual celebration of Māori New Year on the Wānaka lakefront was started by Kahu Youth in 2010. It has become a large community event, including two bonfires, performances from local students and kapa haka groups, cultural and interactive art workshops, alongside a hāngi which feeds over 500 people.

Elvey added that, this year in particular, he had been “blown away” by the “love and support of the community” in pulling the Matariki event together.

PHOTO: Supplied

Richard Elvey from Kahu Youth said that, this year in particular, he had been “blown away” by the “love and support of the community” in helping to pull the annual Matariki event together.

Until New Zealand went to level 1 on June 9, it was unclear whether it would be able to take place at all, and what would normally take four months to organise had been done in just five weeks.

Weather dependent, the mural painting will take place from 11am until 4pm in the Dinosaur Park. “If you’ve got time for an hour, just cruise down,” Welch said.

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PAGE 5

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Van life in the time of COVID-19

PHOTO: Supplied

Brit Tom Stone, adventurer and aspiring mountain guide has been living the van life for almost two years.

PHOTO: Phil Norton

Take a two hour drive north of Wānaka and you will be treated to this view of Aoraki Mt Cook in all its winter glory. The walk to this view point is only two hours each way from the White Horse campground carpark. Experience the beautiful Hooker Lake, frozen over, and the South Face of Aoraki Mt Cook, a mountaineers dream objective. Don’t take a walk on the frozen lake thoughAoraki Mt Cook National Park rangers are advising this isn’t a good idea in case you fall through the ice! But a great day out from Wānaka if you strike a bluebird day and want to get away from home for a spell.

Have you seen Penny?

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The owners of a 7-year-old border terrier from Queensberry are offering a $1,000 noquestions-asked reward for the return of their beloved dog, Penny.

Penny went missing from a fully fenced section in Queensberry on Friday, July 10. The gates were closed and there was another dog with her at the time. She was wearing a high-visibility vest and a pink collar.

Penny has white-ish fur around her nose and mouth, some white above her eyes, and a little white tuft on her chest. She also has two scars on PHOTO: Supplied her tummy.

The owners of this 7-year-old border terrier from Owners Hannah and Jamie Withy wanted Queensberry are offering a $1,000 no-questionsto “thank the community for their amazing asked reward for the return of their beloved dog, efforts and support so far, and ask that they Penny. continue their generosity and keep looking Please call 021 717 404 if you think you may until she is found.” have seen her.

PAGE 6

Stone appreciates the minimalist van life - his has all the ‘mod cons’

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Tom Stone (26), from Nottingham, UK, has been living in his van for almost two years. Before that, he was travelling by bicycle around Asia for a year - so his high rise van provides “a very comfortable lifestyle compared to living in a tent,” he says.

After travelling and working around New Zealand on his working holiday visa, he came to live in Wānaka six months ago, utilising freedom camping sites in the surrounding areas. Stone appreciates the minimalist van life - he has all the ‘mod cons’ and enjoys total freedom and independence - but it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows.

Aside from the notorious honking from passing cars, and the occasional lack of New Zealand hospitality towards freedom campers, there was the COVID-19 outbreak.

Stone lost his job before lockdown, missing out on the wage subsidy due to being a temporary worker on a casual contract, and was one of many freedom campers required to take refuge in a campsite when free campgrounds were shut.

When Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) camping ambassadors came knocking, he moved to Glendhu Bay Motor Camp for the duration of lockdown. Stone said there was a real “community vibe” in the slightly unusual bubble, with people who didn’t know each other coming together to share meals and drinks.

“I made the most of what it was, but I wouldn’t have chosen to do that,” said Stone. Although many local campgrounds offered reduced rates, it was still more than many stranded travellers

THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

PHOTO: Joanna Perry

could afford.

In the midst of the welfare crisis which left thousands of migrants stranded without work in Queenstown, Stone was one of 7,000 people to request support through QLDC’s welfare system - but said that he heard nothing back, either by phone or email.

Jack Barlow, spokesperson for QLDC, said that there were “a number of agencies” giving support to thousands of people during lockdown and “a range of factors” why individual requests may have gone unanswered, “including the person not fitting the criteria needed for support or not picking up a return phone call from the agency.” He envisioned that approximately 2 per cent of people who asked for support were declined.

Stone’s story is unfortunately one of many; there are still a number of stranded migrants in Wānaka, several of whom are living in vans and cars.

Bex Sarginson, co-founder of volunteer group Food for Love which is supporting struggling travellers at regular Wednesday coffee mornings at the Pembroke Pavilion, said we often take our homes for granted. “I’m sure we can appreciate how damn cold it is at this time of the year,” she said.

Despite the difficulties, Stone, an aspiring mountain guide, is very happy to be staying in Wānaka - “the place for me” - building up his experience hiking and climbing, and taking on any odd jobs.

If you need wood piling or have jobs you don’t have time for around the house, you can get in touch with him through the Wānaka

THE WĀNAKA SUN

thewanakasun.co.nz

Sun SnowSport

Week 4: a regular day at the office

PHOTO: Jackson Reardon

Getting myself to and from other parts of the mountain via the narrow cat tracks was something I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to do, especially not without being boyfriend-towed.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Eager to make up for lost time after almost two weeks off, and to see some sunshine above the inversion layer, I signed up for double snowboarding this weekend.

It’s just as well I did, because I had such a temper tantrum on Saturday that, if I hadn’t already committed to going back on Sunday, I might never have gone again.

It all started when I realised I had been snowboarding the wrong way around. I’d been asked once or twice if I was sure I was goofy (right foot forward) because when I stood up, I seemed to automatically slide off to the left and I’d sometimes find myself putting weight on the wrong leg.

But it wasn’t until I finally tried riding the other way that I realised I was probably regular (left foot forward). After a little shuffle around of my bindings, I was convinced I’d suddenly be awesome.

I was worse. Although it definitely felt more natural, doing everything I’d practiced in reverse took more patience than I was prepared to give.

It felt like I was going backwards, and hopefully some other adult learners will understand what I mean when I say if you fall - repeatedly,

frequently, hard - onto the same increasingly sore spot on your knees enough times, you eventually transform into a bit of a gremlin.

The ride down is a little blurry. I vaguely remember growling at my boyfriend; I think I may have even thrown snow at him at one point, but I know for sure it ended with me crying in the bathroom. Not my finest moment, but after raiding my emergency chocolate supply, I did get back out there.

As someone who is used to picking things up relatively quickly, I’ve been slow to realise that learning to snowboard is actually pretty hard. It takes patience and a thick skin (especially around the knees) to get back up and keep going every time you find yourself in a crumpled heap.

On Saturday, I came the closest I’ve been so far to giving up, but I’m so glad I didn’t - because on Sunday, I got to the bottom of McDougall’s without falling, saw a massive improvement on Skyline and even managed to fumble my way down Captain’s.

Getting myself to and from other parts of the mountain via the narrow cat tracks was something I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to do, especially not without being boyfriend-towed. No offence to my main squeeze McDougall, but it felt pretty bloody great to have a change of scenery.

Cardrona and TC intend to “absolutely stay open” Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Cardrona Alpine Resorts General Manager Bridget Legnavsky is confident that visitors will keep coming to Cardrona and Treble Cone for the rest of the season, after “the most incredible couple of weeks” of school holidays.

The July holiday period was set to be a key indicator for how busy the resorts would be this season, and therefore how much they would be able to stay open and operational for the entire winter.

Legnavsky said that the resorts had been surprised by the school holiday visitor numbers, which were “very close to those of 2019.” After their forecast of a 50 per cent decline in business due to closed borders and the impact of Covid-19 did not eventuate, the resorts were overwhelmed because of lower staff numbers and record numbers of cars on the mountain.

Legnavsky last week wrote an open apology to visitors for “teething issues” which caused heavy traffic queues and delays during some of the busiest days last week. “We didn’t get our forecast right. We had far more people than we expected and planned for. For this, we want to apologise wholeheartedly,” she said.

However, the response on social media has been largely supportive, with the vast majority of

THE WĀNAKA SUN

PHOTO: Joanna Perry

“I think Canterbury ski fields stand a good chance of above average snowfall, whereas Queenstown and Wānaka fields are most likely to be average.”

Snow Season outlook: subtropics to add more spice Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

New Zealand’s weather this past month and a half has run the whole gamut, from a couple of wet and wild subtropical lows over the North Island, to several cold systems out of the Southern Ocean, to long lingering ridges over the South Island. And there are plenty of signs suggesting this variability of weather will continue over the coming months.

The Grasshopper, Mountainwatch.com's resident meteorology sensei, predicts the outlook for the rest of this year’s snow season.

The variety of weather has seen snow thrown at the Southern Alps from all directions, and there have been a great deal of sunny days and chilly nights.

Mt Hutt has made the most of the situation and is currently reporting a base of 55-125cm. After a much-needed 10-30cm fell over the mountains surrounding Wānaka and Queenstown during Sunday, July 12, ski fields there have now cranked up a gear with more terrain available to shred.

This week will bring more snow in a prolonged and disturbed S-SW flow. After that, most models suggest we should see another one or two snowfall events by the end of the month.

The shape and size of these remain shrouded in mystery, since they are too far into the future to discern, but it is encouraging nonetheless.

I expect the remainder of season to be characterised more by a meridional flow (north

to south) as opposed to a zonal one (west to east). In such instances, New Zealand is battered by more storms that are subtropical in nature, having originated in warmer waters of the Tasman Sea or to the north of the country, and can be intense and slow-moving.

Storms of this nature are harder to forecast and can be hit or miss in regards to snowfall.

More often than not, though, the North Island gets drenched, while cooler winds from the eastsouth can pump snow into Canterbury, with lesser amounts usually reaching the Southern Lakes too.

Additionally, these storms can disrupt the zonal flow of the Roaring Forties, bringing in more snow during a southerly blast as the storm moves east of the country. To top it off, high pressure usually then follows with cold, clear powder days.

Mt Hutt has benefited from a few of these storms already this season, including that 70cm dump during the third week of June, which also dropped 20-30cm over the Southern Lakes.

So, all and all, the subtropics should add a little more spice to the mix, facilitating more of this varied weather New Zealand has been experiencing. Predicting how each region will fare in such a scenario is tricky - so all bets are off - but I think Canterbury ski fields stand a good chance of above average snowfall, whereas Queenstown and Wānaka fields are most likely to be average. Ruapehu is most likely to be below average.

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun archive

“The season is just going to keep getting better and better, with great snow already and much more in the forecast.”

participants acknowledging that staff did a “great job” in less than ideal circumstances.

With the support of the last two weeks in mind, Legnavsky has since confirmed that “right now, our intention is to absolutely stay open for the full season. The information we have is giving us confidence that the numbers will remain strong enough.”

Whilst acknowledging that “anything could still happen, and people will react in different ways. If numbers drop right off and remain at a point we can’t cover costs, then we will need to consider our options,” she added. She said she [couldn’t] see it happening.

“The season is just going to keep getting better and better, with great snow already and much more in the forecast,” said Legnavsky.

We’re always here if you need us..

Any Health concerns?

Your GP is just a phone call away. 03 443 0710 www.WanakaMedical.co.nz 23 Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka

THURSDAY 16.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 22.07.20

Wanaka Medical - Leading the Way

PAGE 7

Sun Profile

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Meeting our local achievers

Aspiring Avalanche Dogs: stars of the winter

Heroes of the day: From left: Tuki, Rocket, Wizzid and Tussock.

PHOTOS: Aspiring Avalanche Dogs

The team: Brendan Kearns with Milly, Matt Gunn with Rocket, Callum Grant with Zeffer and Andrew Wardell with Tuki.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Matt Gunn of Albert Town is the instigator of Aspiring Avalanche Dogs, the team of dogs and handler stalwarts who are on standby throughout the winter at Treble Cone (TC). Their job is to rescue avalanche victims from an otherwise snowy demise.

Gunn has been in the business of training dogs for avalanche rescue for the past 20 years. It has been his passion. For him, it’s the dogs who are the heroes- and this article is a tribute to the dogs that he, and his handler team, have interacted with over this time.

So tell us how you became interested in training dogs for avalanche search and rescue?

It started for me when I witnessed an avalanche at Ohau in 1991 involving three people. One was killed.

It was a "closed field" day, and there was a list of unfortunate events that led to this fatality.

That experience certainly played a significant part in my journey to becoming an avalanche dog handler.

A few years later, in 1995, I was looking after a friend's dog, and I started doing some "hide and seek" with Wizzid. I was amazed at how quickly he picked it up. When I gave Wizzid back to my friend, I said when he bred from him, count me in.

So about four years later I got a call saying that Wizzid had a mate and I had first pick of the litter.

There was also an avalanche out the back of TC where I was now working as a patroller, and after that, the field manager said: "Why don't we have an avalanche dog here at TC?" As it turned out a week prior, I found out I had a pup coming in my direction, so I was able to tell him this was possible In 2000 we started training Blizzid and TC had its first full-time avalanche dog. And so the evolution of avalanche dogs started

PAGE 8

properly in 2000.

And although we have just had our ten year birthday, I've been chipping away at this for 20 years.

How did things develop after that?

Very quickly, I realised we needed more than one dog if we were to have succession on the hill in periods of hazard. So the call went out to ski patrol, and Brendon Kearns stepped up.

Over the years, I have been giving proposals to TC to encourage them to help me set up NZ's first professional avalanche dog programme.

After years of trying and failing to get this across the line, it didn't happen because TC didn't have any time or money to invest in this.

They were keen to have the dogs up there, but ski fields are tight.

And the birth of Aspiring Avalanche Dogs?

Aspiring Avalanche Dogs was born out of frustration. I'd been putting so much work in, and I wanted TC to step up and help create something that would exist whether I was there or not. That's still my goal. I'm hoping with the new owners (of TC and Cardrona) there might be an opportunity for this in the future.

It got to the point where I went about getting a committee of people together to form Aspiring Avalanche Dogs. This was 2010.

So what is the purpose of Aspiring Avalanche Dogs?

Our sole purpose is to ensure succession – to bring new dogs and handlers on board, and ensure there are teams of avalanche dog teams based out of TC. That is the primary reason I set up Aspiring Avalanche Dogs.

Id love to set something up and be able to step away and know that it will keep going and will still have a succession of dogs into the future.

So what about the handlers?

We are all volunteer members of LandSar which provides our certification with support from the police. And skiers and mountain people.

With anyone who is involved with LandSar, it

Matt Gunn with Rocket and Wizzid

is just good luck that there are any volunteers.

LandSar has no succession plan.

How do you train the dogs?

It's simple providing you have the right type of dog. A dog with drive that comes from appropriate working lines. It's just a game of hide and seek.

We create a dog's drive for a particular toy (the "search toy"). Right from eight weeks old, we can start getting the dog bonded strongly with this toy; then we start playing hide and seek.

Progressively the game gets harder until we pair the search toy with human scent- we start using articles of clothing. Then we take the hide and seek game to a point where the dog believes that it's toy is under the snow, and to find the toy, it has to find the person.

There are lots of steps and work, but fundamentally they are doing it for the love of their toy.

It takes about two years to train a dog, from getting the pup at eight weeks old to the point where they are useful. The dog needs maturity to have the systems proofed and to be reliable.

And what dogs are best?

We have a variety of dogs. I personally like collies, but we have black labs and a black-labspringer-spaniel cross—anything from those work lines. Collies are not so common in NZ but are used a lot overseas.

With collies, it is their work ethic and their drive to please. And they are just so trainable, The chances of you getting a dog with the high drive are better if you have a dog that's genetic predisposition is one of a high drive to please.

We have a fantastic line of black labs in NZ that are very high drive, so with Aspiring Avalanche Dogs, we have a number that have come from this particular kennel. It comes down to drive testing the parents.

We are always prepared to let a dog go, even if we have spent two years on it if it doesn't have the goods. But by going with a known breeding line,

THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

your strike rate is increased.

So are the dogs up at the ski field full time?

We aim to have dogs on the hill every day of the week. That is part of why we are trying to maintain four teams. Currently, we are looking for another handler, but we are only interested in TC based avalanche professionals who have the appropriate skill set.

And what about call-outs?

Call out's average about once a year. Sometimes we are put on standby by the police. But we can also be deployed by the TC ski patrol. So there are two different types of deployment- there is the 111 call to the police, but when there is a small isolated event on the ski area with a low probability that someone is buried, two dogs are the perfect scenario. We can put one dog over the debris and the second dog over to confirm.

We deal with backcountry accidents as well.

There is a golden half-hour window if someone is buried and if we can be on the hill equipped and ready to go, we stand a really good chance of finding someone alive. Beyond 30 minutes and the survival rate drops dramatically.

So how do the dogs get around the ski area?

Dogs ride the chair and on the back of the skiddoo, and we can ski with them. We don't let the dogs run around the hill that much- it's too risky and too hard on them. We have a custom made dog-travel toboggan we tow behind the skiddoo that we raised $20,000 for.

And funding?

We have raised thousands of dollars over the years. We have great support from our sponsors and the community.

And if someone wanted to join the team?

At the moment, Aspiring Avalanche Dogs has four dogs but only three handlers. They need another handler.

So if you are a snowsports professional, can look after yourself in the mountains and have the requisite avalanche credentials, maybe this is you?

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Are you getting enough vitamin D? There have been approximately one billion days of inversion so far this winter, and I know we’re all a little fed up of not seeing the sun. But it’s also important for our brains and bodies that we make sure we’re still getting enough vitamin D. Every tissue in the body has vitamin D receptors, including the brain, heart, muscles, and immune system, which means vitamin D is needed at every level for the body to function.

It’s the only vitamin that is a hormone, activated in the liver and kidneys to assist with the absorption of calcium for strong bones, teeth and muscles. Children with vitamin D deficiency can develop rickets, whilst adults can experience bone weakness.

Numerous scientific studies have also linked vitamin D to mental health and wellbeing. It activates genes that regulate the immune system and release neurotransmitters that affect brain function and development - like serotonin, the ‘happy chemical’. Higher levels of serotonin contribute to wellbeing and happiness, while lower levels are linked to depression and other

mental health problems.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a disorder featuring symptoms of depression in the winter months, has been linked to lower levels of vitamin D due to decreased sunlight affecting serotonin levels in the brain.

While in many parts of the world, it’s recommended to take vitamin D supplements during winter, it’s normally easy to get enough vitamin D in New Zealand – our bodies produce it whenever we get the sun on our skin, and we normally have lots of that here.

Still, around 5 per cent of adults in New Zealand were found to be deficient in vitamin D during the Adult Nutrition Survey 2008, and a further 27 per cent were below the recommended blood level of vitamin D. The NZ government recommends that, in the South Island, we take a daily walk or other form of outdoor physical activity in the middle of the day - and suggests that those who can’t consider taking vitamin D tablets from May to August.

Interestingly enough, you can’t make vitamin D

PHOTO: Joanna Perry

There have been approximately one billion days of inversion so far this winter, and I know we’re all a little fed up of not seeing the sun.

by sitting inside by a sunny window.

It’s also possible to build more vitamin D into your diet by choosing foods such as oily fish, milk products, and eggs - or foods fortified with vitamin D, like some margarines.

After all the uncertainty of the last few months,

it’s more important than ever that we look after our brains and bodies. Optimizing our vitamin D levels may improve our psychological as well as physical wellbeing.

The weather is looking brighter for the next few days, so let’s make the most of that beautiful sunshine.

First New Zealand recycler for Riding for the Disabled Bread Tags for Wheelchairs receives CLT funding Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Bread Tags for Wheelchairs - an organisation collecting bread tags for recycling to fund wheelchairs in South Africa - has announced a partnership with a recycled plastic manufacturer in Christchurch, allowing them to raise money from recycling the tags right here in New Zealand.

Since its launch in New Zealand in February last year, the organisation has established 120 bread tag collection points feeding into four central hubs in Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington and Ashburton.

Up until recently, the collected bread tags were sent to South Africa in people’s luggage.

There, they were made into seedling trays, which were then sold and the profits used to purchase wheelchairs for those in need. To date, 822 wheelchairs have been supplied.

“Due to Covid-19, transporting bread tags overseas with travellers is no longer an option,” said Wānaka coordinator Lindsey Schofield.

The organisation’s National Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Vollenhoven had been working to secure interest from a number of small to medium plastic designers to fulfill the organisation’s long-term aim of recycling within New Zealand.

Wānaka’s bread tags will now be sent to Christchurch-based designer Michael Fox. Fox started his recycled plastic design company Objet D'Fox (ODF) in 2016, after a year of experimenting with plastic waste as a material for product design

PHOTO: Supplied

The first product to be made with plastic collected by Breadtags for Wheelchairs will be statement whale tail earrings, with 50 per cent of the sale price of every pair going towards the charity’s work.

and sculpture, and designing and building.

The first product to be made with plastic collected by Breadtags for Wheelchairs will be statement whale tail earrings, with 50 per cent of the sale price of every pair going towards the charity’s work.

Schofield called the project a “win-win for Bread Tags for Wheelchairs, for this talented kiwi entrepreneur and to educate the public on plastic waste.”

“It does mean that we now have to sort the bread tags by shape, colour and size,’ she added, “so for anyone collecting, if they are able to please do this before dropping off at the Radio Wānaka collection point, that would be greatly appreciated. They can be stored in pre-loved plastic, paper bags or boxes and we will be organising transportation to Ashburton.”

More information can be found on the Bread tags for Wheelchairs NZ Facebook page.

Wānaka Riding for the Disabled received an $8,675 operational grant from the Central Lakes Trust.

Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka Riding for the Disabled received an $8,675 operational grant from the Central Lakes Trust recently. The organisation, which has been running for over ten years, provides adults and children with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy horse riding and other horse related activities.

“The sessions are held at Waterfall Equestrian Centre on a Thursday during term one and term four - the winter is too cold for riding,” said Kay Ross, WRDA secretary.

“The horses and arena are hired from the Waterfall Equestrian Centre. This is made possible by grants from Central Lakes Trust, who

PHOTO: Supplied

have recently granted us $8,675 to go towards our horse hire for the 2020-2021 financial year.”

The group are very appreciative of the grant, as the sessions are taught by two qualified coaches with the assistance of trained volunteers and suitable horses. This is a worthwhile exercise for the 20 riders’ whose ages range from 5 -75 years old.

Ross added, “Wanaka Riding for the Disabled is a charity organisation and relies on grants and donations to provide this service for our disabled riders in our community. We are really grateful for any contributions to help us. We also rely on volunteers to help with running this service and are always looking for new volunteers to help out both in the administration and in the riding sessions.”

The Hāwea Flat skate ramp needs YOU Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Hāwea Youth Club co-founder Sarah Millwater is planning to build an all-weather skate ramp in Hāwea Flat - and seeking help from the Wānaka community.

The youth club, which was founded three years ago to bring kids in the small Hāwea community together, have done much of their own fundraising for a skate ramp over the last year. Their Battle of the Bands event last November raised $5,000.

After Sarah and Dave Millwater received

THE WĀNAKA SUN

an ASB Good as Gold award last week for their work with the youth club, which included $5,000 for a community project, the dream of a Hāwea skate ramp now has a $10,000 foundation.

“The kids in Hāwea Flat don’t have a lot they can do... but practically all of [them] are into skateboarding,” said Millwater, who hoped to build an all-weather skate ramp with a cover that could be used all year-round.

“There are a lot of passionate people with strong ideas about what we should have,” she said. “We want it to suit the whole community, from four-year-olds to people

in their thirties who want to go hard out.

It’s something that’s going to be good for everyone, not just for kids.”

Over thirty people have so far expressed an interest in being directly involved in the project, which Millwater envisioned would work by splitting people into skill-based subgroups.

Anyone interested in donating their time, skills or helping to fundraise is invited to a gettogether this Friday, July 24, at 6:30pm at the Hāwea Flat Hall.

“If you are keen to help, design, have access to cost materials or are good at dealing with QLDC we'd love to see you there,” said Millwater.

THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

PHOTO: Hāwea Youth Club

Co-founder Sarah Millwater said most of the Hāwea Youth Club members were into skateboarding, but the ramp would be for the whole community.

PAGE 9

Sun Farming

thewanakasun.co.nz

Where have all the shearers gone?

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Another few weeks and shearing will be well underway on the lowlands of Central Otago.

At 7.45 am, in a typical shearing shed, the day will be in full swing. The walls will vibrate with the hum and rattle of the machines; the air will be pungent with the sweet-sour smell of sheep and sweat, and radios will blare—The Edge 91.8.

The shearers take sweeping blows with their handpieces across the sheep they grip between their knees—the wool cascades to the floor. The shearers tattooed arms shine with sweat, even though it is still early morning and chilly.

Circling the men are the wool handlers, the presser and the classer, all intent on their supportive roles. But the shearers are the kingpins.

The pace, intensity, the sheer hard yakka of the work they do shines. As does the skill which has taken them thousands of sheep to hone.

The sad thing is that there is a shortage of shearers in New Zealand and their art is a diminishing one, for several reasons.

South Canterbury shearing gang owner Chris McCarthy used to drive from Ashburton to Blenheim and see nothing but corriedales. Now it's cows and grapes.

Dairy and the failing wool industry have taken a toll on sheep numbers, he says. It has pushed what sheep remain back into the hills.

"It doesn't take much math to work out that with half the number of sheep there were 50 years ago there will be half the number of shearers.

"Our sheep population peaked at 70 million in 1982, but has dropped to less than 27 million today."

After 30 years in the contract business, McCarthy sees fewer shearers not only because sheep numbers have plummeted but because farming practices have changed.

"We shear all year round now because the North Island is doing their main shear right up until March and this overlaps with the South Island. Shearers are spread thin."

He struggles to find "good people" in the busy season, especially for shearing merinos upcountry where real expertise is required.

"Contractors are all after the same people.

It's hard to keep shearers and shed hands when there are options like dairying for young people to get into.

"If I get good people and that includes shed hands and pressers, I don't let them go. This includes the girls that do the merino wool. They work very fast. They have to go to the shearers' speed, and it takes real skill.

"A lot of Kiwi shearers head for Australia and end up staying where they can make better money.

Shearers from the South Island gravitate towards Hamilton, Victoria. North Island shearers go to Wagin, Western Australia.

"They are in demand over there. Its seen as a craft," he says.

Mark Barrowcliffe is president of the New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association. He owns a King country-based shearing contracting business and has been shearing since 1986.

"Sheep numbers have halved, so the shearer numbers have halved – this has to be right," he says.

"We've been heading towards a big crash for quite some time, and that crash is already happening.

"The only thing that saves the industry from this shortage is the decline in sheep numbers. If there were 70 million sheep like there used to be, there would be no way we would be able to service them."

A few things are going on here, he says. For a long time, there was no shearer training, and the workforce was being poached to greener pastures.

"There is little exposure through schools to the wool industry as a career pathway.

"And I'm not just talking about shearers; I mean everybody in the wool industry. Wool handlers and pressers as well."

The last five outfits that tried to run wool industry training schools failed to meet the government regulation for funding. The training model didn't fit the industry, Barrowcliffe says.

"That's because we are such a transient workforce. The trainees might skip to Australia, and the training agreements fall apart."

Kiwi farmers are missing out on the best shed staff, he says. For a long time, New Zealand has been known as the best training ground for shearers, wool handlers and pressers and then you go overseas to make good money.

"We've been paying coins, and Australia has been waving dollars around."

There's a perception that its better pay and better continuity of work over there. It's still seasonal, but there are better working conditions.

You can work five days a week and have the weekends off because of the weather, he says.

"We don't want to stop them going over there, but we want to entice them back to give our workers a hand during the busy season."

The work is undeniably physical, and this will also put people off, he says. But some people like it.

"Yes, it's a hard job, and you sweat a lot but look at an office job. You sit all day and then feel compelled to go to the gym. We get paid to stay fit, and when we knock-off, we can blob."

In 2019 after five years of no regulated training pathway for shearing, the Primary Industry Training Organisation developed the New Zealand Certificate in Shearing. To achieve this

Rural fuel delivery –– Rural fuel delivery Rural fuel delivery – on time, every time on on time, time, every every time time

PAGE 10

PHOTOS: Pixabay

Shearing seems to be a dying art in New Zealand, with declining sheep numbers and fewer youngsters wanting to take on such a physical vocation.

Contractors struggle to find "good people" in the busy season, especially for shearing merinos up-country where real expertise is required.

certificate, graduates must be able to carry out shearing tasks relevant to one of the following contexts to meet the outcomes: machine shear crossbred wool, machine shear fine wool, or blade shear. But the qualification is hardly filling the void.

Shearing Contractors Association executive board member and Winton-based shearing contractor Jamie McConachie agrees that the shortage of shearers is a growing problem.

"It's hard for contractors to keep to a schedule and the delays compound throughout the season.

This means for some farmers waits of up to two weeks getting their sheep shorn," he says.

"Overseas workers have filled some of the gaps but not fixed the problem.

"For three months of this main shear (2019) 27 per cent of my wool handlers and shearers were internationals. Another contractor based in Hawkes Bay had 26 staff from the UK alone working for him, and told me that if it weren't for them, he'd have to finish up."

But working in New Zealand isn't an annual thing for these overseas shearers, he says. Many come as couples, and for most, it's about getting experience to take back home. They will often do two or three seasons in New Zealand and then settle back home. Overseas staff can't be relied on to shear New Zealand's sheep.

McConachie began shearing 37 years ago when he was 15 and just out of school. Back in the 1970s and 1980s farming was tight, and shearing was one job he could secure. He has since shorn in eight countries around the world.

"If you go back 30 years there were a lot of ruralbased open teams made up of farmers' sons who could make a living without having to travel more than 15 miles from home. Most sheep farms were on a smaller scale, maybe 1500 to 2000 ewes but these farms have changed into dairy especially anything on flat land."

He agrees with Barrowcliffe that people don't want a physically hard job that hasn't changed fundamentally in 120 years. There is more job selection, more choice these days.

"And it's difficult for a young guy starting in the industry. It can take three or four years to become a good shearer and then there is a $5000 to $10,000

THURSDAY 16.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 22.07.20

outlay in cutters, combs, a grinder and handpieces.

"On the other hand, they can go into dairy where the farmer provides wet weather gear, a house, power and phone."

Shearing is tough to learn today, he says. Sheep are composites, twice the size they used to be and hard to hang on to for a learner. They are also very physical due to better feed and genetics. And they don't "sit" like they use to.

"There is also considerable travel, and in many instances the facilities in the woolsheds are substandard. There's still sheds without hot water or toilets. And the presser may have to use an old-fashioned machine, and pen up [sheep] in a poorly designed shed."

Many shearers are drawn to Australia and other sheep breeding countries for better money, McConachie says. This despite a 30 per cent rise in wool industry pay.

"This will help, but we're still losing a lot of staff to Australia. Their rate of pay has traditionally been much higher than ours, and they don't work weekends, which can be a big thing for people looking to lead a more balanced lifestyle."

McConachie says it's not uncommon for shearers to spend four to six months working overseas each year.

"You could leave in early May and go to the UK and finish in August then head to Australia until Christmas.

"For a young person who wants to learn a skill, who loves hard work and wants to see the world, shearing is a great option and a great life.

"We can take a kid who doesn't want to do NCEA, and within three years, if he can shear a realistic tally (40,000 sheep a year), he can be earning $90,000 a year. Within ten years homeownership is an option.

"An experienced shearer can be earning $150,000 a year."

But the fundamental problem with the industry is that young people don't see it as a viable longterm option, he says.

"If we can't support and mentor or provide education and training they are going to say 'do I want to be in an industry that that has such an ethereal training system.'

Increasingly the answer is no.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

thewanakasun.co.nz

Sun Farming

A monthly column

by Kim Reilly, Regional Policy Manager, Federated Farmers South Island.

Government’s creative approach to law-making unwelcome Making reasonable regulations relies on following sound, robust and proper law-making processes.

The Government’s recent approach to a bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) instead fell somewhere between dancing around the line of proper process and boldly jumping beyond it.

In an earlier column, I raised concerns with the lack of public input into essential aspects of the bill, mainly where matters went beyond its intended scope.

Those concerns only intensified as the bill worked its way through the parliamentary process.

All major political parties agree that the RMA needs comprehensive review and reform. As early as 2018, the Government decided on a two-stage reform process.

Stage 1 was to be a narrow scoped bill on matters that did not add significant complexity or costs. Stage 2 was to be a comprehensive reform of the entire resource management system.

To facilitate Stage 2 reform, the Government set up a working group, whose final report is due back to Government this month.

It was agreed that Stage 2 was where complex issues, such as the interaction between the RMA and climate change policy, were to be considered. The Government’s background documents made it clear such matters required significant consultation with a range of stakeholders to understand views and practical

implications on the ground.

As climate change was not included within the bill when it was released for submissions, submitters did not know to submit on it, provide evidence, or raise it during Select Committee hearings.

However, a hundred or so individuals did submit saying that climate change should have been part of the bill.

Select Committee’s response to this feedback should have been that Cabinet had agreed it was too important to be considered as part of the narrow bill, and that it would be addressed through the comprehensive Stage 2 reform.

Instead, the Select Committee added it onto the bill after submissions and hearings had finished, with no opportunity for other submitters or councils to provide views or evidence.

Of even more concern, is that further significant changes were made to the bill via what is known as ‘Supplementary Order Papers (SOPs), presented to the House the day the bill was passed (24 June 2020).

These significant last-minute additions included a provision for regulations to be made around farm plans, and fertilising monitoring and reporting.

Neither of these matters just ‘appeared’ on the Government’s radar in June 2020. They were clearly considered well before this time, but the decision was made to circumvent the good process.

Government papers from July 2019 discussed how the Government could turn the existing

PHOTO: Dunstan Downs

Kim Reilly: All major political parties agree that the RMA needs comprehensive review and reform for farmers.

framework of industry-led farm plans into a risk-based regulatory regime with mandatory, enforceable farm plans, and infringement offences.

It was noted that while including such matters in the bill itself would allow the public to submit properly, that this important process risked delaying the bill.

Ultimately, it was decided to instead add these matters to the bill via an SOP at the end of the process after public submissions, to avoid delaying the bill’s passing.

To be clear, the concept of mandatory, enforceable farm plans, which were open to infringement offences when not met, was not

discussed with farmers, or the sector, at any part of the Bill process, or the separate Action for Healthy Waterways freshwater reform process.

All these major additions to the bill were found to only partially meet the Government’s quality assurance criteria, due to the lack of public input or consultation on each.

Fundamental changes to our resource management system are too significant to rush and get wrong.

Being creative is an admirable trait in most aspects of Kiwi ingenuity. It is not, however, when it comes to adhering to New Zealand’s democratic law-making processes.

EDITORIAL

Is a degree a must for the modern-day farmer?

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

I'm doing my second farming editorial in a week.

This is because; 1) I have spent many years as a farming reporter in the past and it is something I am comfortable writing about, and; 2) because it's farming page week in the Wānaka Sun. That's why this editorial is in the farming section.

Recently on a farming Facebook page that I read, a 17-year-old posted a query on whether he should go straight into farming, or spend a few years getting an academic qualification first.

The replies were extensive and split about down the middle. Some thought he should go straight into dairying and gain on-farm experience; some thought he should spend some time at Lincoln University or elsewhere, getting a qualification.

But is education necessary to become a 21stcentury farmer? My opinion is yes! It could be the difference between success and failure.

Farmers today not only have to be experts on plants and animals, but they must also be computer literate, mechanically inclined, savvy in business, legal-minded and knowledgeable about world events.

They must also be politically astute because much of their farm income and operations are tied to government and local body policies and regulations; for instance, if you are required to have a consent to farm because of heightened nitrogen levels.

Increasingly educating yourself about farming and agriculture requires a life-long commitment.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

The 21st-century farmer must stay informed about technological developments to remain competitive both locally and globally.

With so much to learn, getting a bachelor degree is often recommended for wannabe farmers. Earning a degree is more important than the area of study chosen; a degree in business or political science, for example, may be as useful as one in agricultural science to a prospective farmer, especially one who was raised on a farm.

Developing a marketing strategy is becoming an essential tool for farmers. Marketing involves working out what products to grow and who to sell them to. It also requires knowing how to price a product to cover costs and understanding strategies that minimise the risk of fluctuating prices.

I know a farmer (let's call him Mark) who studied middle eastern history at university which didn't provide much direct value to his operation. But the indirect value was irreplaceable he says.

Learning how to do research, to write a paper, give a presentation and think critically have provided him with a lot of value when it comes to the farm.

To communicate clearly, verbally and in writing is important – in many cases, Mark's success has hinged on it. The ability to do his own books and to edit, interpret and analyse the farm's financials has been priceless.

Mark says that beyond the class university taught him about hard work, follow through and how to earn a grade. He reckons anyone with some post-secondary training has demonstrated their ability and commitment to self-improvement.

PHOTOS: Pixabay

Farmers today not only be experts on plants and animals, but they must also be computer literate, mechanically inclined, savvy in business, legal-minded and knowledgeable about world events.

Whether it's a bachelor degree in history, accounting or certification in a trade, the direct application of skills learned to the farmer's operation is not as important as the effort given to achieve the end result. Learning how to put in that effort and what it feels like to do so is a vital part of any successful farm operation. University isn't the only way to learn it, but it is one reliable way.

Education is always an essential path to offfarm income which is becoming more and more critical in family farm economics.

In both ag and non-ag areas, a degree can provide crucial skills needed to provide financial support to rural or farm communities. Postuniversity incomes can diversify a farm's balance sheet and give the financial security required to keep a farm afloat during downtimes. A trade can provide significant advantages to the farm,

THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

be it welding a joint, understanding finance or fixing broken equipment.

University is expensive, and the direct applicability of skills to the farm may be low. But when you consider the broader lessons learnt at university, most importantly learning how to learn, the costs seem minimal to the enormity of the knowledge and skills gained.

Human beings are great at learning; the amount of information that can be jammed into our brain is incredible. Demonstrating a willingness to continuously use this natural learning ability to improve ourselves is in my mind entirely worthwhile.

But that's only my opinion. As always, the Wānaka Sun welcomes letters to the editor or Facebook posts with your opinion on this matter. Don't hold back.

PAGE 11

Sun Sport

Another great weekend of bowls The toasty warm Wānaka Bowling Club’s stadium has shown to be the place to be at this time of the year with it being so bitterly cold. This past weekend was a good example of that when the Stadium Club Mixed Pairs were held with a full field of 10 teams competing for the title.

At the end of Saturday, the field had been narrowed to three teams after a long day’s play.

Play resumed again on Sunday morning with Richie Muir and Heather Malcolm, who had one life left, playing the unbeaten Ken Allison and Alice Turnbull with two lives.

Richie Muir and Heather Malcolm could do no wrong and with consistently accurate bowling ran out convincing winners by 17-4.

This left Ken Allison and Alice Turnbull to play Bill Turnbull and Jo Stock for an opportunity to play Richie Muir’s team in the final. What a close game this turned out to be. Team Turnbull got away to a sound start and bowled well to lead 5-1 after three ends and 10-4 after eight ends. They were looking good.

However, on the next end Ken Allison, with his last bowl of the head and facing another lost end, played an aggressive shot that scattered bowls but gave him three shots to trail by 7-10.

The game changed dramatically and team Allison won the next two ends to go into the final end at 1010. One further shot on the 12th and final end gave the win to Ken Allison and Alice Turnbull.

The final between Ken Allison/Alice Turnbull and Richie Muir/Heather Malcolm was played over 16 ends.

Team Allison started well and won the first two ends to lead 4-0. After six ends the teams were even on 7-7 but Team Allison worked well together and won the next three ends to lead by 12-7. They looked firmly placed.

Team Muir had other thoughts and poured on

PHOTO: Peter Wilson

Heather Malcolm and Richie Muir – decisive winners.

the pressure and took the ascendency over the next six ends to lead 15 -12 going into the final end. Richie Muir bowled tactically to prevent dropping a three and the game ended at 15-13 to Richie Muir and Heather Malcolm.

This was an excellent event and those watching were treated to some extremely skilled bowls. It was particularly pleasing to see newer bowlers such as Heather Malcolm and Jo Stock doing so well in what was a very competitive atmosphere.

– By Peter Wilson

YOUR HAIR, YOUR WAY

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

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Wānaka AFC Seniors back on track The Wānaka AFC Senior team travelled to Queenstown for a match against Queenstown AFC Youth under the beautiful snow-capped setting of the Remarkable Range at Jacks Point.

The Queenstown Youth, with only one win and a draw before the match, was still a team you couldn’t underestimate with some young but very skilful and fit players.

Their past games were tight affairs, including their three losses and showed they are a hard team to break down and. This game was no different.

Wānaka came to the game wanting to get back in the saddle after their convincing loss and disappointing performance against league leaders Lakes United last week.

The game started with both teams feeling each other out in the first five minutes.

Then Wānaka got the upper hand with some good ball movement from the back to the midfield, then out wide where the ball found right-wing Brandon Dickson. He played a nice ball to right-back Sergio Leal who made a welltimed overlapping run to move up the field and into a good attacking position.

Leal played a nice ball in-field where it came off a couple of players and finally found the feet of the center midfielder and captain of the day Scott Mitchell who made no mistake putting past the keeper to make it 1-0.

Queenstown, not to be outdone, made a quick attack down their left flank from the restart, and a ball was played forward to their striker who looked to be well offside.

The whole Wānaka backline stopped playing, expecting the referee to blow his whistle which didn’t happen and the Queenstown player was left unmarked and unchallenged. With only the keeper to beat, he levelled up the game 1-1 after the first 10 minutes.

About 15 minutes in Wānaka made another attacking play to penetrate the Queenstown

PHOTO: WAFC

WAFC Senior Team’s Michael Harray competes for the ball under the beautiful setting of the Remarkables Range.

box where a Queenstown player was judged to handle the ball, and a penalty kick was awarded to Wānaka.

Striker Cristobal Vasquez stepped up and had no problem making the score 2-1. For the rest of the first half, the game was an arm wrestle.

Wānaka could have been the dominant team, but too many of their attacks broke down from rushing things by going down the middle of pitch too often which Queenstown was able to shut down.

In the second half, Wānaka was a much more composed and settled team. Whatever was said at halftime worked, and they managed to get their wide game going which stretched the much faster Queenstown team. Wānaka had way more attacking opportunities especially in front of goal and inside the box but poor finishing and a forcefield around the Queenstown goal prevented Wānaka going up by two or three goals.

Wānaka didn’t haven’t all day their way.

Queenstown had a couple of good chances to level the game in the last 10 minutes taking advantage of their younger legs.

A great save from Wānaka’s goalkeeper Victor Mejia kept the final score 2-1 to Wānaka.

Next Saturday the Senior team plays at home against another Queenstown team, the Falcons at 2:45 pm at the Recreation Centre.

– By WAFC

Tough loss for MAC in the final minute It was heartache once again for the Mt Aspiring College (MAC) First XV rugby team against Central Otago rivals Dunstan High School last weekend, going down in the final minute after leading for most of the game.

Dunstan started the game well dominating possession and through a string of penalties gained good field position in which to attack from. They soon found space out wide and scored a good try in the corner to take the early lead.

More offside infringements against the home side gave them a shot at goal which they took to stretch the lead out to 8 - 0.

This seemed to click the MAC boys into gear, and once they had the ball, they were able to work their way down the field and pressure the Dunstan line.

After a couple of phases where they came close to the try line, Ryan Jones was able to force his way over to put MAC on the scoreboard which he then converted.

MAC then had what turned out to be their best period of play, dominating and keeping the opposition camped down in their half. They were soon rewarded when quick hands put winger Lachy Moore in space which he used well, stepping his way through several defenders to score a great try under the posts. This put MAC out to a 14 - 8 lead at half time.

Any plans of MAC continuing their dominance were quickly extinguished when not long after the restart Dunstan used a deceptive play off a lineout to score again and close the gap to a one-point lead.

The game then became a real tussle with the team in possession seeming to have an advantage with a strict offside rule enforced against the defenders.

THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

MAC made great use of a dominant scrum near the Dunstan line and pushed their opposition back far enough for Ryan Jones to pick up the ball from the back and score his second try of the game which he again converted to put MAC out to a 21 -13 lead.

At this stage the MAC boys may have been a bit complacent as Dunstan came right back at them, winning the kickoff and playing well to drive their way back down the field to score in the corner.

With about five minutes of play left MAC had a chance to extend their lead with a penalty shot. It missed, and from the ensuing 22 dropout, Dunstan was able to regain procession.

MAC was now on the back foot once again giving away penalties as they tried desperately to hold back a spirited Dunstan team. Defending on their line MAC were eventually yellow carded for repeat infringements. With a one-man advantage, Dunstan quickly passed the ball out to space and crossed over to win the game right on full time.

It was a gut-wrenching loss for the boys having lost similarly to this team last year. They played well and had done enough to win the game, but in a tight match, any errors can lose you the game and ultimately that's the way it played out.

They will have to pick themselves up for another big game this weekend against a wounded John Maglashan, a team they have never beaten at this level and who along with MAC have now been relegated to the championship division for the second round. It's another home game which is a positive and the boys will be hoping for another good turn out of support.

Kickoff is at an earlier time than usual, 11.30 am up at the College.

– By Clint Hughes

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun Views

thewanakasun.co.nz

Crimeline

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

S Sean Hurley

Senior Constable, NZPD

Well, the second week of the school holidays is over, and the children are returning to school, so please be extra careful when in our school zones or passing stopped school busses.

It was nice to have the visitors in town over the holiday period, and the patronage of the local businesses and ski resorts was much appreciated The week of incidents provided a very mixed bag.

Monday police had a report of theft from the 3 Parks New World, and the matter is still under investigation.

Two intoxicated drivers were apprehended at the lower level - both received a fine and 50 demerit points.

Tuesday saw another person apprehended for driving while intoxicated, again at the lower level with a fine and demerit points. Police also received a report of a theft of medication and kept the peace during a tenancy dispute.

Wednesday saw police deal with an accident on the Crown Range; please exercise greater care in the

very frosty conditions. Black ice shows no mercy.

Police also dealt with a noise complaint on Juno Place. Please show courtesy to your neighbours; not everyone shares your taste in music.

On Thursday police, fire and ambulance attended a vehicle crash on Gordon Road when a car out of control crashed into a parked car. I am pleased to say the driver survived and should be returning home from the hospital tomorrow after suffering a broken leg and other injuries.

On Friday, police arrested a local person concerning alleged offences that occurred in a family harm matter, and the subject is due to appear before the court. Please remember that there are both victim and perpetrator services we are happy to refer you to reach out and seek help to stop the cycle.

Remember it is winter, drive with care and caution and be courteous to others. Better five minutes late on this earth than 50 years early in the next.

Stay safe and remember drive safely around schools for the coming term.

In response to our posting "Frustration at bike trail modifications."

Susan: Or bikers could leave it alone and ride it as is, appreciating that it's not always about them and others may want to enjoy the area.

Ampat: I'm not suggesting it needs to be developed. Am suggesting a design of the tracks that's suits all users.

Susan: DOC doesn't just have to think about people. They consider flora and fauna too. There are shaped tracks already in place for those that want to ride that way. It doesn't all have to be "developed".

Anne: I think private bike parks like Glendhu are probably the place for specialist tracks - although there is already the one at Deans Bank. Public conservation areas are not the place for specialist tracks that only bikers can use. With a narrow width, winding nature, jumps and curved corners they are not suitable for walking, running, riding horses etc. so can't be shared. Perhaps I should ride my horse along the Deans Bank one to see how easy it is to use and share with others.

Logan: That's not DOC's role. Just because it is a reserve in encroaching suburbia does not mean DOC should condone or build bike tracks. Their focus should be the protection of flora/fauna and natural features.

Ampat: You might need to let DOC know it's not their role! It seems it is and their focus appears not just for flora and fauna.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

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.

Ampat: Why doesn't the DOC build tracks with these features in place? Might avoid the taking-matters-into-own -hands syndrome.

Ampat: Why not design these tracks for all to enjoy?

Sponsored by

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.

SPORTS RESULTS Please send sports results to sports@thewanakasun.co.nz by Tuesday at noon.

Results should be unformatted and presented in the body of the email.

Stadium Bowls Wānaka Stadium Bowls – Week ending 19 July Monday evening Edgewater Trophy 1st D Urquhart D Hope D Minson 2nd W Turnbull J Leith H Malcolm 3rd N Roberts T Tovey J Stock Tuesday afternoon 2x4x2 1st K Davey F Cameron 2nd J McGowan J Hill 3rd I Fletcher Y Gale Tuesday Evening Trades 1st Bowl’m’Over 2nd High Rollers 3rd B.A.D. Wednesday afternoon Triples 1st D Ollerenshaw J McGowan R Robertson 2nd D Minson J Rich J Barton 3rd N Brown D Paterson J Allen Wednesday evening Trades 1st Shot Bowls 2nd Solid Hits 3rd Green Toads Thursday afternoon Triples 1st Geo Cameron E Herbert J Stock 2nd D Cameron N Turner J Hurring 3rd W Turnbull B Mee J Sawers Thursday evening Trades 1st Ian & Co 2nd Stonewood 3rd Taffy Friday Progressive Skips 1st I Fletcher 2nd C Kiewiet 3rd T Tattersfield Thirds 1st A Bryan 2nd J Feelhy Leads 1st J Hill 2nd B Thorburn 3rd= N Matheson T Hyder Stadium Club Pairs Winners R Muir H Malcolm R/Up K Allison

THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

A Turnbull.

Wānaka Bridge Club results Monday – Pembroke Pairs 3: North/ South: 1st Murray Pryde George Wallis 55.77% 2nd Ena Leckie Laraine Shepherd 55.34% 3rd Ken Saxby Heather Wellman 53.63% East / West: 1st Trish Foote Alan Foote 62.50% 2nd Marion Furneaux Liz Hawker 58.33% 3rd June Lei Martin Jacques 56.82% Final Ladder: 1st Ena Leckie Laraine Shepherd 58.90% 2nd Mark Harry Maggie Stratford 57.39% 3rd Marion Furneaux Liz Hawker 57.23% Wednesday – Luggate Stakes 1 of 2: 1st Michael Chapman – Smith Angela Heising 65.63% 2nd Sherril Harries Jude Gunn 63.54% 3rd Nicola Brown Miranda O'Leary 58.33% Friday 17 July: North/ South: 1st Sherril Harries Maggie Stratford 65.28% 2nd Jenny Pryde Marion Furneaux 53.70% 3rd Nan Ottrey Boyd Ottrey 52.55% East/ West: 1st Murray Pryde Ken Roberts 56.94% 2nd Kate Coe Tommie Munns 53.47% 3rd Lynne Fegan David Brewer 53.01%

PAGE 13

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TRADES AND SERVICES CARWASH

Touchfree Carwash Laundromat LPG bottle filling Convenience store Trailer hire Shower

We would like to welcome any and all Grandparents that can come weekly to read with some of our junior children. If you are able to help for an hour each Tuesday 11-12pm then we would love to see you. First meeting in the staffroom at Wānaka Primary School on Tuesday 28th July at 11am. This will provide the opportunity to meet and discuss the programme and meet children you will be working with. Please email Jason (jasonc@wanaka.school.nz) to confirm your interest.

Private cash buyer wanting 3/4 bedroom house, Old Wānaka/ Meadowstone Dr area.

Ph Hamish 0274370646.

WHAT'S ON

BRIDGE LESSONS Beginning Thursday, July 23rd 4.00pm – 6.00pm for 10 weeks.

Introductory package of weekly lessons for $50.00 including materials.

Wanaka Bridge Club – 9 Cliff Wilson St. Enrol by emailing clarescurr1506@gmail.com phone 0276437712

SUN TEAM

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Call for free no obligation quotes

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EVERY LETTERBOX EVERY THURSDAY GW Logo Paths.indd 1

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.

PAGE 14

SERVICES Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days.

Business Networking International–The Wānaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning.

Great networking opportunity to grow Please reach out your business.

– come and see Contact Randal us Community Dobbs for information Networks Wānaka if you are needing 021 973 043.

Salvation support such as food The parcels, referrals to Army Family store counsellors, social is able to collect workers, budget your donations, this advisors, IRD, service is available community law etc.

We are here to help one day a week - Monday - Friday please phone the 9am - 5pm at 34 store on 443 5068 to McDougall Street, make a booking. are available at Community Networks, 34 McDougall Street, every Tuesday 1pm2pm and Friday 10:3011:30am. Please book your appointment by ringing Community Networks on 03 443 7799.

Serving Wanaka and Central Otago Regions

10/26/2017 11:38:28 AM

9305 Wānaka. www. communitynetworks. co.nz or ph 443 7799.️ IRD clinic at Wānaka Community Hub Thursday 30th July 10am-1pm. For all your tax queries, please call Community Networks on 443 7799 or IRD direct on 0800 227 774.

WANTED The Salvation Army Family Store urgently requires warm clothing, if you can help this would be greatly appreciated.

Your donations can be dropped at 48 Helwick Street.

STORAGE

WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 984 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: Pat Deavoll • 0274 487 741 editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalist: Ollie Blyth • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

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

who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle.

Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful The Salvation Army community.

Family Store is open NOTICES Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays Cut rags (100% 9.30am to 4pm cotton) and drop and most statutory holidays. We look cloths, only $7 for a forward to seeing you big bag. Now in the in our wonderful store. yard container at 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.

NOW AVAILABLE AT CALTEX WANAKA

DRAINAGE

THANKS

Wānaka Pharmacy is Thanks to everyone

HOT CHICKEN & CHIPS

Reading with Grandparents

HOUSE WANTED TO BUY

SERVICES

CHICKEN

Is your Wānaka Sun delivered every Thursday?

Clean, dry, safe storage available now. Ezystor Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.

SITUATION VACANT

Wilson CONTRACTORS

Earthmoving • Infrastructure • Roading

If not, email your address to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz or phone us on 03 443 5252 THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

WANTED Drainlayers, Water Reticulation and Grader Operators

For projects in Wanaka and Queenstown.

Good rates of pay, training opportunities and staff benefits.

Contact Karen on 022 3033 723 or email: karen@wilsoncontractors.co.nz

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Sun Sport / Classifieds

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Wānaka AFC Premiers on a roll

Wānaka were in a buoyant mood with the news they had won the Blair Davidson Trophy the previous weekend when they defeated Caversham- so they now had the task of playing for three points and also keeping the prestigious shield in the trophy cabinet.

Dunedin Tech was in town for points, and they started brightly and went ahead in the 11th minute when they played four unopposed passes that opened up Wānaka. Tech striker Turner coolly placed his shot past Rory Hannon in goal for Wānaka.

Wānaka responded two minutes later when Everton Rossi set up Weston Bell who hit a well placed left-foot shot across goal into the far corner to make it 1-1.

The action continued, and Wānaka scored again; Thomas Van Hees won possession and drove forward and played a dangerous ball across the face of goal. A Tech defender clearance hit the oncoming Rossi for Wānaka and deflected into the net to make it 2-1.

Wānaka then dominated possession and territory, but Tech made it 2-2 when again Turner

forced the ball home from close range. Hannon could only parry a rocket of a shot from Tech’s Ash Watson which made it 2-2 after 26 minutes.

Wanaka regained the ascendancy and went 3-2 up just before half time - Barry Grehan played a peach of a ball over the top to Weston Bell and his first touch turned his opposing defender inside out, and he then hit a well-timed shot to the near post, and it snuck past Fink in Tech’s goal.

Half time was 3-2 to Wānaka. Michael Gealogo came on for Wānaka at half time, and immediately his reunion with Grehan in Wānaka’s midfield helped Wānaka take charge of the game. Both teams created several chances during the next quarter as Paul Hodgson, Adam Hewson and Levi Fletcher for Wānaka and Turner for Tech missed good opportunities to score.

Wānaka finished strongly in the last 10 minutes when the powerful Hodgson scored at the far post following a well placed long ball from Van Hees and then an excellent cross from Hewson.

This put Wānaka up 4-2 in the 80th minute. The icing was put on the cake in the 90th minute when Gealogo found himself one on one with

PHOTO: WAFC

The WAFC Premier Team are the new Blair Davidson Shield holders.

Next week Wānaka has the task of taking on Fink, and he cooly danced round the keeper to make it 5-2. Hodgson, Bell, Fletcher and Van a Green Island team who are on an unbeaten Hees had strong games for Wānaka, but the man run of 4 games when they kick off at 2.45pm of the match was Barry Grehan who controlled at Sunnyvale. the midfield.

– By WAFC

PUBLIC NOTICE

N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i Rabbit Control and Baiting Operation

Resource Consent Hearing (D Blanchard RM200101) – Crowne Plaza (Level 3), Beach Street, Queenstown. Monday 31 August 2020 at 10.00am.

The public is advised that from Monday 27 July 2020, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) in conjunction with adjoining landowners intends to apply carrot baits in a ground operation containing the pesticide Pindone in the following reserves:

Meeting dates, times and venues are subject to change. All of the above meetings are open to the public. Some meetings may have items of business that will be discussed with the public excluded, as set out by the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

• Albert Town Recreation Reserve – 8.1 ha • Widgeon Place Recreation Reserve – 18.7 ha This work is being carried out in accordance with the Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Pest Management Plan Strategy by reducing rabbit numbers within the reserves. Tracks and reserves near the rabbit control operations will be clearly signposted and pamphlets will be made available to campground staff in Albert Town.

Precautions This pesticide is poisonous to humans and domestic animals. Always remember: • • • •

Mike Theelen CHIEF EXECUTIVE

QUEENSTOWN LAKES PROPOSED DISTRICT PLAN - STAGE 3 & 3b - Stream 20 Notice of Hearing: Late Submissions #31074 and #31075

DO NOT handle the bait WATCH CHILDREN at all times DO NOT EAT animals from these areas or within 2km of it DO NOT allow DOGS access to animal carcasses

The Queenstown Lakes District Council hereby gives notice in accordance with clause 8B of the First Schedule to the Resource Management Act 1991, that the Hearings Panel appointed to consider submissions on the Proposed District Plan (Stage 3 & 3b) on behalf of the Council will hold a hearing commencing 12 August 2020 at 2.00pm on the following matters:

Further Information For maps of the operational area and the status of the operation, please visit www.qldc.govt.nz/services/environment-and-sustainability/pest-control A detailed map and further information is also available at QLDC offices in Wānaka and Queenstown between 8.30am and 5.00pm.

These operations are being run by QLDC. For more detailed information, please email services@qldc.govt.nz or call the QLDC Parks Service Delivery Manager on 03 441 0499.

• Temporary filming activities in the Rural Visitor Zone at Acadia Station (Submission #31074 – Anderson Lloyd (Lloyd James Veint)) • Noise standards and informal airports in the Rural Visitor Zone at Arthurs Point (Submission #31075 – Chris Streat (Arthurs Point Protection Society Inc)).

Planners’ Reports The planners’ reports (section 42a reports) and supporting information are now available on the Queenstown Lakes District Council website: www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/district-plan/proposed-district-plan/hearings/stream-20-late-submissions-31074and-31075

Meeting Schedule for August 2020 Subject to change. Last amended: 16 July 2020

Public Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 46 of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 that meetings of the Council will be held as follows, during the month of August 2020.

Resource Consent Hearing (The Cardrona Cattle Company Limited RM191130) – Crowne Plaza (Level 3), Beach Street, Queenstown. Wednesday 5 August 2020 at 11.00am.

Wānaka Community Board – Armstrong Room, Lake Wānaka Centre, Ardmore Street, Wānaka. Thursday 6 August 2020 at 10.00am.

Resource Consent Hearing (The Montreux Ltd, Dr Shewan, LA Shewan & International Brokerage Company Limited RM180366) – Crowne Plaza (Level 3), Beach Street, Queenstown. Monday 10 August 2020 at 10.00am.

Free online access to our website is available at QLDC libraries and offices.

Hearing Dates Date

Hearing Venue

Submission

12 August 2020 at 2.00pm

Lake Wānaka Centre, Wānaka

#31075

13 August 2020 at 2.00pm

Lake Wānaka Centre, Wānaka

#31074

Infrastructure Committee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 13 August 2020 at 10.00am.

At the direction of the Panel, submitters will each be allocated ten minutes to present their submission and answer any questions from the Panel. If a submitter requires additional time, requests should be made to the Panel through the Hearings Administrator.

Resource Consent Hearing (Glen Dene Limited RM190953) – Armstrong Room, Lake Wānaka Centre, Ardmore Street, Wānaka. Tuesday 18 August 2020 at 11.00am.

The Hearing Schedule and venues may be subject to change. A current schedule is available and updated regularly on the website – see the link provided above.

Resource Consent Hearing (Olive Leaf Centre Trust RM170844) – Crowne Plaza (Level 3), Beach Street, Queenstown. Wednesday 19, Thursday 20 and Friday 21 August 2020 at 10.00am.

Preparation for the Hearing

Community & Services Committee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 20 August 2020 at 10.00am.

Appeals Subcommittee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 20 August 2020 at 1.00pm.

This meeting will be held with the public excluded, pursuant to Section 7(2)(g) and Section 7(2)(i) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.

Resource Consent Hearing (Camphill Road Limited RM200103) – Armstrong Room, Lake Wānaka Centre, Ardmore Street, Wānaka. Wednesday 26 August 2020 at 11.00am.

The Panel has issued directions in its procedural minutes as to the conduct of the Hearing. All minutes issued by the Panel can be viewed on the website at: www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/district-plan/proposed-district-plan/hearings Submitters are advised to read the procedural minutes in preparation for the hearing. Submitters who are presenting expert evidence will be required to pre-lodge their evidence on or before 30 July 2020.

For further information on the hearing, please contact the Hearings Administrator at dphearings@qldc.govt.nz or 03 441 0499.

Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz

THE WĀNAKA SUN

THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

PAGE 15

Jossi Wells Freestyle Skier Wanaka Alice Robinson Alpine Ski Racer Queenstown

FLATTEN THE HILL The best of both worlds. High-octane and beautifully serene. Natural vistas and small town lanes. Well-known and off the beaten track. It’s only the Crown Range that divides Wanaka and Queenstown.

Explore both sides of the hill.

www.lakewanaka.co.nz/flatten-the-hill

PAGE 16

THURSDAY 23.07.20 - WEDNESDAY 29.07.20

THE WĀNAKA SUN