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Climbing every mountain I needed a good way to remind people how lucky some of us are to have air in our lungs and legs that work. – Elise Stables he is a firefighter studying for her commercial helicopter licence, has competed in a horse race across Mongolia – and is now extending her fundraising activities to climbing three peaks around Wānaka in firefighting gear on her birthday. Elise Stables is intent on raising funds for the Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust Catwalk. “It’s a trust that’s very close to me and the work they are doing is really incredible, especially as paralysis is something that can happen very quickly and to any of us,” she told the Sun. Elise has lived in Wānaka since January last year. When she raced on horses in the Mongol Derby in 2019 it was also to raise money for the spinal chord injury research trust. She finished 10th. Elise joined the Wānaka Fire Brigade last March and was certified as a firefighter in November. “I missed the entries for the Sky Tower challenge this year and due to Covid I couldn’t do another firefighters challenge so I decided to do my own thing. “I thought of the most iconic Wānaka peaks - Mt Roy, Mt Isthmus and Mt Iron and added up the distances, elevations and times and figured doing them in the same day in my structural firefighting gear with a BA (breathing apparatus) set would fill my boots with enough of a challenge. I needed a good way to remind people how lucky some of us are to have air in our lungs and legs that work.” All donations to the Givealittle page go directly to Catwalk. Elise said she had already received support. Personal trainer Lucy Hunter from Thrive has helped her prepare. “It’s great to see how many people want to join in and they are more than welcome to come along.” The hike starts at 5am on May 28 at Mt Roy car park. For more details go to www.catwalk.org.nz It’s the second marathon climb announced this month. Hāwea builder Glen Thurston, 43, plans to scale Corner Peak 53 days in a row from December 1 to “start a conversation” about mental health and begin to break the cycle of stigma and shame around asking for help.
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Elise Stables aims to see the view from three peaks on her birthday.
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CAMERA CLUB ‘IN FOCUS’
Jacqui Scott provides Wānaka Sun readers with this week’s selection of fabulous photos. “As the founder of the camera club, it's very rewarding to see our new members improve over the year and enter into a new grade,” she says. “Our aim every month is to show all aspects of photography we also run workshops and weekends away, which are popular, also day trips. We love to see visitors join the club. Covid has slowed us down a little, but members can still send in their images every month. We hope to be back for the April meeting. You can pop onto the Wānaka Camera Club website or our Facebook page.
Catlins River
Beacon Point.
Ophir Bridge.
Monarch Butterfly.
Bohemian Waxwing.
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Home grown and shared Sharing food is caring, a neighbourly project in Wānaka showed this week. Community Networks Wānaka/Link, the Wānaka Library and Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Parks and Recreation department held a series of events for Neighbours Day Aotearoa based around the theme of kai sharing. Held at the Wānaka Recreation Centre over three days, the events encouraged people to grow their own produce, learn gardening skills and share excess food with the community. Daisy Watford, Food Security Project Coordinator at Community Networks Wānaka/ Link said the idea came from the food security network which aims to collaborate on community projects designed to increase food security and reduce food waste. “After so much uncertainty over the past year we just wanted to bring the community together with a focus on food resilience and skill building. “Growing our own fruits and vegetables not only benefits ourselves and our whanau but it can help the whole community if we share it.” The Wānaka Recreation Centre recently launched a community garden space with garden boxes, table tennis, a community produce stand and a picnic area. The produce grown in the space can be picked by anyone in the community. On Tuesday the focus was on seed sowing with demonstrations on how to grow vegetables in small places. Children planted radishes and Ian Fitzpatrick from the Wānaka Recreation Centre was on hand to help the children. parsnips which they will eventually pick. “The event was a recipe and produce swap produce stand to share with the community. “We also had a generous donation of DIY to tie in with the Neighbour’s Day theme of kai Anything you share is one less thing going to veggie boxes from Mitre 10 for the children to sharing. landfill and by taking produce home you are put together and paint. On Wednesday, we made “If you have any excess produce growing in helping combat food waste.” bee hotels and learnt how we can help bees in our your garden or fun recipes, bring it along to the For more details go to www.link.org.nz. garden,” Daisy said.
New values release delayed Quotable Value New Zealand says a series of factors have contributed to the delay in release property valuations for Queenstown Lakes District. The values are used by the council to determine how rate payments are divided among the district’s property owners. Complexities arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, changing regulatory requirements and the district’s fast-moving residential property market have been cited as reasons for the delay. QV National Revaluation Manager Tim Gibson said the additional time will help to ensure greater accuracy of the district’s rating valuations. “The Office of the Valuer General audit is an important part of the rating revaluation process that does take a great deal of time and effort. It has been delayed this time because we need to review a small pocket of values within the district,” he said. “We will take the extra time required to do that now, before resubmitting it again for independent audit on April 1. We are confident that we will be in a position to be able to post out new rating valuations to local property owners next month.” The new values will be based on the most likely selling price if the property had sold on the valuation date, September 1 last year.
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GREBE DIARY 16 March 20, 2022
PHOTO: Copywrite Ross McIvor
The four shots captured by photographer Ross McIvor as the black backed gull swoops to snatch the newly hatched grebe chick for dinner.
Nature: tooth and claw
It all got a bit complicated and stressful this last week as the Grebe breeding season came to a close. Markus was the muscleman and drew the short straw to bring the unused breeding platforms in for their annual repairs and maintenance. Some of them had housed as many as six nests in what has been a long season. Markus drew my attention to nest 7 that was attached to the end of one of the boat berths, I was there to check the remaining five nests noting that nest 7 was due to hatch over the next day or so. Just above the nest was a Black-backed gull. The intent and stance as it moved from side to side on the berth was plain to see. It had figured that this pair had hatched its eggs. There was no sign of a chick, but the whole scenario was sufficient for me to go back home and grab a camera that would handle what was to unfold better than my cell phone. I also grabbed a folding chair and settled
down to capture nature in tooth and claw. It was hot, out in the open, no shelter, not even a cooling breeze. After almost three hours, I got back onto my feet with a view to taking a short break, and as I did, a gentleman arrived on the beach carrying an impressive piece of camera gear. Just what I needed. I explained to him what I thought was about to happen and invited him to be part of the action, which he readily agreed to. No sooner had he moved to take up position at a safe distance from the nest than a friend turned up. We chatted for less than 30 seconds when he asked “can I see through your camera?” I started to pass it to him. Those six words seemed to be the cue for the gull to pounce. In that incredibly short time the gull flew off with a newly hatched chick, and in that split second, I had missed it. I turned to my newly arrived photographer, Ross McIvor of Dunedin and he hesitatingly showed me what he had managed to get. In the very bright sun, it
was hard to see on the back of a camera. But you can see them on this page. Later in the day, Ross posted them to me which provided stunning detail, but raised more questions than answers. The impression gained from watching this event for almost four hours was that the gull was targeting the chick that was on the nest with the adult. This set of images tends to suggest that it was targeting a chick on the back of the adult in the water. I spent almost an hour going through all the pictures I had taken before the attack and there was no sign at all of a chick on the adult, in fact, for much of the time this bird had spent most of time diving for nesting material and piling it onto the nesting platform. Part of the gull’s strategy, if we can call it that, was to switch from one side of the marina deck to the other, a distance of little more than a metre and occasionally it would appear to make a movement towards the adult on the nest. Further discussions with Ross and a close
look at the behaviour of both birds revealed that the attack took place as the birds attempted to change guard duties. At 11:29 pm this last Sunday evening Ross sent copies of the preceding 10 images prior to the attack. They clearly show both adults on the nest. It appears that as they attempted to protect the chick, the second bird tried to leave the platform and in the doing accidentally dragged the chick into the lake. For much of this breeding season I have felt that gulls were predating eggs and chicks at a level much higher than previous years. Based on this year’s early start to the breeding season, we have just four months to work out how we may be able to provide better protection for the grebes. I am very grateful to Ross who has permitted me to use these images; they are stunning and sad but reveal a small part of the story of predatorprey relationships in Lake Wānaka. – By John Darby, Markus Herman and Dave Thomas.
Hints for the roar The Game Animal Council (GAC) has released a guide for hunters to help them better manage New Zealand’s red deer during the upcoming roar period and beyond. “The old adage is you can’t shoot great stags, if you shoot good stags, and is why as hunters we need to have an eye on the future when we make decisions about what we harvest,” council general manager Tim Gale says. Red deer are the most widespread and most commonly hunted deer species in New Zealand. The New Zealand Red Stag Ageing Guide has been developed with input from hunters Chris McCarthy and Willie Duley to provide hunters with information on how to assess the age of red deer stags “while out on the hill.”
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“Hunter-led game animal management in New Zealand is basically a two-sided coin,” says Gale. “On one hand it is about making sure we help manage population density by actively harvesting breeding females, while on the other, it is about being careful as to the age of the males we target.” “Being able to identify a few key characteristics will mean hunters can quickly and accurately determine the maturity of a stag and leave behind younger males that are yet to reach their full potential. In this way hunters can help act as stewards of our red deer herds.” The New Zealand Red Stag Ageing Guide is available for download at www.nzgameanimalcouncil.org.nz
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Lifeline for businesses
Businesses starving for air will get a significant boost from Government funding and the reopening of borders, Lake Wānaka Tourism chief Tim Barke says. “The announcement of dates for the borders reopening for quarantine free travel is the news the industry has been waiting for. Now they can finally start to plan with certainty where previously they have been trying to plan with no certainty at all as to what is coming at them next,” he said. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has been appointed as one of four lead agencies in the South Island to administer a $49m kick-start fund on behalf of the Government. It will support businesses to prepare for the return of international visitors. The New Zealand border will open to Australian visitors from 11:59pm on April 12 and other visa-waiver visitors from May 1. The opening of the border to Australians without the requirement to self-isolate is regarded as a vital step towards the region’s recovery. “There is a long way to go before businesses are fully back on their feet but the determination and eternal optimism of thousands of businesses in the visitor industry over the last two years has meant many now look like they will survive,” Barke said. “The restart fund will help significantly with this. Right now, businesses have been running on the smell of an oily rag. They have starving for air and this fund will help them start get back up off the ground. “It will be several years before they are fully back up to speed, but this will enable them to get systems, staff and maintenance in place to ensure they are in the best shape they can to welcome
Tim Barke says businesses have been “running on the smell of an oily rag”.
guests back.” Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult praised the Government for its decision to bring forward and confirm specific dates for the return of international visitors. “This news represents a vital economic lifebuoy for our district and a real boost to our community’s wellbeing at a time when we’re just about keeping afloat,” he said. Queenstown Airport chief Glen Sowry expects to see a gradual return of direct flights from the east coast of Australia to Queenstown over the next two months. “Prior to the pandemic, 30 per cent of all
Councils should review their planning to consider a cost of living crisis before imposing rate rises, a regional councillor says. Michael Laws says local government throughout the Otago region should revise draft annual plans because projected rate rises for the coming year “are simply not an option”. “That particularly includes our regional council where we are projecting an 18.5% rates increase for next year,” he said. “I think such a rise in rates and local government charges would be a dreadful assault upon many struggling households and businesses. It cannot be business as usual.” Laws said the average 49.5% regional rates increase last year “was the result of past council failure and the imposition of costly central government policies.” But that excuse could not be used now. “Galloping inflation, the price of essential food items, the inability to escape petrol and diesel price escalations… we should not adding to the household burden.” “In most parts of Otago, there is no public transport. It is impossible to escape the diesel/petrol costs and the grocery items that are going up every week.” He suggested many councils were ready to launch their draft annual plans and go through a “tick box” consultation phase. “Most people know local government consultation is a bit of a sham. So it rests upon us – the elected reps of our communities – to step up now and say taihoa. The world has changed and we have to with it. Overnight, if necessary.”
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passengers at Queenstown Airport arrived and departed on trans-Tasman flights, so Australia is a really important market for us,” he said. A grant valued between $10,000 and $50,000 is available to eligible businesses in Queenstown Lakes Districts through the kick-start fund. QLDC Economic Development Manager Peter Harris said Council will operate as a funding channel. Applications open on April 1. The fund is part of the three business initiatives available in five South Island communities and was launched last year as part of the Government’s Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan.
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Lessons to learn on the road Glad tidings to all here in our slice of paradise. There has been some good news regarding border openings and welcoming back some overseas visitors. I know many will be waiting for this arrival and lets all hope for a good ski season bringing a good level of visitors wanting to spend their money here in Wānaka. So, what have your blue team been up to this week? Well, we have had a few driving matters to deal with, one involving a person who was suspended from driving and caught driving again. The person refused to give any details when stopped and was arrested. With the person’s identity confirmed they will now be facing a charge of failing to provide details as well as driving while suspended. A crash in Hāwea on Saturday night has left a young person quite shaken and with some minor injuries. After travelling too fast they have reached to change music on their phone and lost control of the car, and gone off the road and into a tree before rolling. The saving grace was they had a seat belt on. On a side note, to this, when the person’s partner turned up, they failed to mention they were Covid positive and put all attending emergency staff at risk. On a concerning note, we had a young schoolgirl pushed off her bike while on the way to school last week. The offender is described as a Caucasian male aged about 40. This happened on Mt Linton Avenue and Aubrey Road and police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this as it has been a frightening experience for the young girl. This behaviour is unacceptable, and we would like to dearly hold this person to account for his actions. A family harm episode during the week has resulted in a male being arrested and held in custody facing a charge of assault of a person in a family relationship. We have been out and about with our road policing duties this week and I am happy to say most people stopped for alcohol checks have passed or been well under the limit which is a
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March 18-27 marks Neighbours Day Aotearoa 2022, an annual event encouraging community building across New Zealand by celebrating the connection that happens across the fence, down the street or over a cuppa. Now in its 13th year, Neighbours Day Aotearoa started with the belief that connection with our neighbours makes our community more friendly, strong and resilient - enhancing the wellbeing of individuals, whānau and the wider community. Last year, Community Networks/Link marked the occasion with a series of community-building events including workshops, morning tea and a movie night. The theme for 2022 is connecting over kai – growing, sharing and eating food together. In these uncertain times, connection is more important than ever, so we encourage you to come together - however works best for you and your whānau. Here are just a few ways you can make Kai Connections this year. Find out more at link.org.nz. • Garden and Gather at the final Wānaka
Rec Centre’s community garden drop-in session today. • Share produce at the five Community Produce Stands around the Upper Clutha, located at the Wānaka Community Hub, Wānaka Recreation Centre, Wānaka Wastebusters, Lake Hāwea Community Centre and Sherwin Avenue in Albert Town. • Try out recipes from local café favourites. • Check on neighbours who may be selfisolating and see if they need any support whether that’s a chat, a delivery of supplies, or some produce from your garden. It’s especially important that we look after ourselves and others just now. Check out the Neighbours Day tips and resources at neighboursday.org.nz, and don’t hesitate to be in touch with us at Community Networks/Link if you need a little extra support. Staff are available to help Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm or 03 443 7799. You can also call or text 1737 free, 24 hours a day, to speak to a trained counsellor. – By Joanna Perry
Café move for Chamber chief
PHOTO: Wānaka Sun
pleasing position to be reporting from. Only two people received an infringement notice for being over the limit. We are however continuing with our focus on distractions such as cell phone use and seatbelt wearing compliance. We will be out and about checking these vigorously, so please refrain from using your phone and do wear your seat belt as it may well save your life or another’s. With the price of petrol on the increase, there is additional risk of petrol thefts. It’s a good time to review your security if you have a rural supply, and of course locking the car so others can’t access the petrol cap. Also tip of the week, with gas prices being so high and adding extra cost to the living expenses - save yourself money and gas by lifting your right foot a couple of millimetres while driving. This will undoubtably save gas and will also probably stop you from getting a speeding ticket, so win win all round. Well, that’s all for this week folks, stay safe and enjoy the good weather while it is still around. – By Adrian Kerin Acting Sergeant, NZPD
Wānaka Chamber of Commerce general manager Naomi Lindsay has resigned. She will follow her passion for food and will be the new lease holder of the cafe at the Wānaka Health Centre. The news was announced this week by Ignite Wānaka Board chair Andrew (Howie) Howard. “Naomi has agreed to work with us on an exit and transition plan so we will be able to keep all our events and services going while we seek someone to fill her role. The board will be planning on how to replace the services that Naomi has provided so well over the last eight years.” He said her brand and passion has been synonymous with Ignite Wānaka. “She has overseen significant growth in the membership base, and the event and training opportunities that we deliver. Her down to earth enthusiasm has matched our business community's culture and has helped drive our success.”
Naomi Lindsay
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Council unveils climate plan
A three year strategy to address climate change issues will involve a close partnership with other agencies, communities, and conservation groups, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) says. The council has adopted a draft Climate and Biodiversity Plan through to 2025 and it has now gone out for public feedback. The draft plan sets out how the district will respond to climate change and proposes more than 60 actions. These range from reducing carbon emissions through more effective landuse planning and infrastructure design, to regenerating native forest, as well as district-wide goals including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 44% by 2030 and achieving netzero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Council’s climate action team began developing the draft plan last April, building on the first Climate Action Plan 2019-2022. It has involved engagement with community groups, not-for profit organisations, partner
agencies and the district’s Climate Reference Group. Katherine Durman, QLDC’s climate action programme manager, said the Climate Reference Group, made up of community leaders and climate experts, advocated for a stronger focus on biodiversity. “We took that on board and included it into our goal to see indigenous biodiversity regenerated and the mauri (life force or essence) of our ecosystems protected and restored,” said Ms Durman. “Biodiversity creates healthy ecosystems, supports clean air and water, helps to increase plant pollination, carbon sequestration and much more.” The plan also features an emissions profile for the district, predicted climate impacts, and an overview of the climate action work done to date. Many of the actions in the plan require close partnerships with other agencies, communities, and conservation groups. Otago Regional Council is responsible for operating the public transport system, however
QLDC has a role to play in providing the infrastructure and influencing policy decisions for the best possible outcomes for residents. “While this is a district-wide plan, we do also have a lot of actions around embedding climate change into Council decision making, this includes in our business cases, policies, and planning work. Some of the actions are quite technical and delve into the nitty-gritty for subject-matter experts, such as procurement and building materials, while others are broader, such as pledging our commitment to the international effort to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” Ms Durman said. Bill Nicoll, QLDC’s Risk and Resilience Manager said significant behavioural change in “everything we do as a community, from how we move around, how we work, and how we live and play” would be required. “We’ve been up front in the plan about the challenges we think we face – both as a Council and as a district – which include our reliance on tourism,
No place for rogue kowhai
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MUM
Seven days of isolation Today marks the end of seven days in isolation and what an interesting week it has been. Last Wednesday my partner woke up feeling a bit sick. He decided to take a RAT test before heading out to work. I was still half asleep when I heard the words "I've got Covid." With good weather and a public holiday to look forward to, it was pretty bad timing. To say we were unprepared was an understatement. Our pantry was nearly empty and we were running low on snacks for Tobias. I mean there's no way we'd get through seven days without snacks. Even after an online shop, we still managed to forget essential items like toilet paper, nappy cream and chocolate. "Do you really need chocolate?" my partner asked. What a silly question. Although we had successfully mastered lockdown, isolation was a whole new ballgame. As the
week went on we noticed other things we had forgotten to buy. Unlike lockdown, we couldn't just pop to the shop to get them. Being unable to go for a walk took its toll. Without our morning outing, the days felt really long and understandably Tobias got a bit restless. You see, we thought isolation meant staying at home. It wasn't until day six that we discovered we could still go out for exercise. I also spent the week worrying. Worrying about my partner's asthma and worrying that Tobias and I might have to isolate for longer. We both tested negative on day 1 and day 3. While that's a good thing, the waiting game was a little tedious. As household contacts, we could have ended up selfisolating for up to three weeks if we tested positive. Luckily we all tested negative on Day 7 and it was time to leave. I had no idea how this week was going to pan out but in the end it actually surprised me. On paper,
being locked up with a toddler and a sick 30-something year old man doesn't sound promising. Yes, there were moments when I wanted to pull my hair out and there were days when I didn't even shower. But the pros definitely outweighed the cons. We had more time as a family, I had an extra pair of hands around the house and we got to do fun activities like painting - even if my partner did find the mess stressful. Perhaps the best part is that we took turns sleeping in each morning. Now I know we've had it easy compared to most. We have one child, mild symptoms and only 7 days of isolation. With our family in the UK, I know how bad Covid can be. I've seen people lose loved ones and I've seen how this pandemic has ruined lives. It's easy to see it as just a mild cold but when it hit our home, I was reminded of just how serious it can be. So I’m grateful we didn’t get sick and I’m grateful for our additional family time. – By Daisy Watford
All kowhai are not created equally. And Forest and Bird has spelt out that fact in saying thanks, but no thanks to someone who recently planted one at Shortcut Road Reserve. “Forest and Bird appreciate the thoughtful gesture behind the two recently planted trees in the Shortcut Road Reserve, just by the car park,” Anne Stevens wrote on their Facebook page. “The rabbit protection is very robust… but actually unnecessary as there are no rabbits due to rabbit fencing. However, the planter needs to come and take these plants away as they are not local natives and this is an ecological restoration site using only eco sourced native species. Any planting in the reserve has to be approved by the Department of Conservation.” The kowhai is a garden cultivar called Dragons Gold. It is described as an ornamental plant and a low-growing native kowhai with prolific deep-yellow flowers, almost hidden in the foliage in winter. But it’s “far better off in your garden, kind planter,” Anna Stevens continued. “The other tree appears to have succumbed to the dry conditions.” She said if people have an idea to donate some plants to the reserve, they should approach Forest and Bird and or DoC first. The plan will be removed by Forest and Bird if it is sill there in two weeks.
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Did you know…… The old Cromwell Cemetery was Cromwell’s first Cemetery which was founded in 1865. It is located at the corner of Litany and Ortive Streets. This Cemetery is the final resting place of many of Cromwell’s early pioneers; including Chinese miners. The cemetery contains many decorated gravestones of interest and like many Central Otago cemeteries, unmarked pauper graves are known to exist in this cemetery. This Cemetery is now a closed cemetery but worth a wander around. A panel that lists all known persons interred is on the site which was an initiative of the Cromwell Lions Club. Cromwell’s second Cemetery was established in the early 1900’s on our town outskirts on Cemetery Road. centralotagofunerals@hotmail.co.nz 5 McNulty Road, Cromwell 9310
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The unwanted kowhai found carefully planted at Shortcut Road Reserve.
The New Zealand Plant Conservation Networks reports there are about 45 species of Kowhai - Sophora - worldwide. The New Zealand botanic region has eight native species, Sophora microphylla being the most widespread, and two naturalised exotic - Sophora cassioides (Chilean pelu) and Sophora howinsula (Lord Howe kowhai). All kowhai species have leaves consisting of numerous small leaflets paired along the leaf stem. Kowhai species range from bushes with interlacing (divaricating) branches to small trees up to 15 m in height and two species (Sophora microphylla and S. tetraptera) are brevideciduous.
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and our growing population,” said Mr Nicoll. Alongside mitigation and biodiversity in the plan, is a focus on adaptation. “Our goal is for Queenstown Lakes to be a place that is ready and prepared to adapt to a changing climate. We are already seeing changing weather patterns here and around the country, often with extreme consequences, such as flooding, wildfire, and drought. One of the ideas that’s important to us is ensuring that our communities are resilient to these challenges and that people don’t get left behind as we start to transition to new technologies, new ways of getting around, working, and living,” said Mr Nicoll. Bridget Legnavsky, Chair of Queenstown Lakes Climate Reference Group said the group helped to evaluate best practice. “This has been a wonderful and hugely passionate team who have dedicated their time to create change for something so important to us all now, but even more importantly to our children and future,” said Ms Legnavsky.
WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 1071 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 News Editor:
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Benn Ashford • 021 956 740
admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail:
THURSDAY 24.03.22 - WEDNESDAY 30.03.22
PO Box 697, Wānaka
Deadlines: Display Advertising: 4pm Friday prior to publication. marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz 03 443 5252 Classified Advertising: 5pm Monday prior to publication. admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Subscriptions: $175 within NZ (including GST) per year. Overseas rates on request. Remittances to PO Box 697, Wānaka, NZ.
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SITUATION VACANT
We seek a skilled, professional and suitablly qualified person to work as an Accounts Assistant and Office Support in our Administration Team. This is a full time permament position. Application information is available on our school website cromwell.school.nz. Applications close Friday 1 April 2022. Please contact the school office 03 445 1121 or email any questions to pa@cromwell.school.nz.
Contact Johnny Ph: 0224 SKIP IT (754 748) • W: www.skipit.nz When you want to get rid of it - just skip it!
SITUATION VACANT
PUBLIC NOTICE
CAN YOU GET IT WRITE? N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i RESOURCE CONSENT APPLICATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT 1991 Details of the resource consent application and submission forms are available in the offices at Queenstown Lakes District Council, Gorge Road, Queenstown; 74 Shotover Street, Queenstown and 47 Ardmore Street, Wānaka during normal office hours (8.00am to 5.00pm). You can also download these on our website at www.qldc.govt.nz/services/resource-consents/notified-resourceconsents#public-rc or via our edocs website using the RM number as the reference edocs.qldc.govt.nz/Account/ Login. W & B Graham What is proposed: Application under Section 88 of the Resource Management Act 1991 for Subdivision Consent to create two residential allotments that will breach the minimum lot size as follows: Lot 1: 1,802m2 (1,590m2 net area) vacant Lot 2: 2,200m2 containing the existing dwelling The location of application: 8 Nokomai Street, Northlake, Wānaka Address for service for applicant: C/- Emma Ryder emma.ryder@jea.co.nz John Edmonds & Associates PO Box 95 Queenstown 9348 The planner processing this application on behalf of the Council is Nathan O’Connell, who may be contacted by phone at 021 302 107 or email nathan.o’connell@qldc.govt.nz.
We are looking for a talented writer with energy and passion to make The Sun shine. Is it you? Does writing community news excite you? Can you build up a contact list and get stories from our schools, service and sports clubs? Can you become the go-to person when newsmakers in our community look for publicity? Can you monitor organisations and see stories where others can’t? Are we looking for someone who will devote a day to a story? No. This role requires a quick-thinking nimble journalist who can get the balance right between quantity and quality. If it’s you, then start writing now - tell us about yourself and why you should be in our newsroom. If you are looking for a challenging role in a positive, friendly environment, plus the benefits of working in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, apply today to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz with your CV and cover letter. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.
Submissions will be received until 26 April 2022 and must be served on the Consent Authority, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348 or email rcsubmission@qldc.govt.nz. These must be dated, signed by you, and include the following information:
SITUATION VACANT
1. Your name, email address (preferred) postal address and telephone number. 2. Details of the application in respect of which you are making the submission including location and the Resource Consent number. 3. Whether you support or oppose the application. 4. Your submission, with reasons.
ARE YOU OUR NEW EDITOR?
6. Whether you wish to be heard in support of your submission.
A unique position in one of New Zealand’s most desirable communities has become available at The Wānaka Sun.
Any person may make a submission on the application, but a person who is a trade competitor of the applicant may do so only if that person is directly affected by an effect of the activity to which the application relates that:
We are looking for a full-time editor who can build on recent changes in our weekly publication and drive up readership on our on-line platform.
5. The decision you wish the consent authority to make.
a) adversely affects the environment; and b) does not relate to trade competition or the effects of trade competition. You may make a submission by sending a written or electronic submission to Queenstown Lakes District Council (details below). The submission should be in the format of Form 13. Copies of this form are available on the website www.qldc.govt.nz/services/resource-consents/application-forms-and-fees#other_forms. Address for service for consent authority: Queenstown Lakes District Council
rcsubmission@qldc.govt.nz
Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348
Phone
03 441 0499
Gorge Road, Queenstown 9300
Website
www.qldc.govt.nz
Our new editor will, ideally, arrive with a sound knowledge of Wānaka. Journalism will be our new editor’s life, not 9-to-5. The successful applicant will see this role as a long-term appointment. Organising content and building contacts will be two of the major strengths of our new editor who will work in the community. Our new editor will be a self-starter, highly motivated and flexible.
Dated: 24 March 2022
Mentoring will be available if our new editor requires it.
Signed by QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT COUNCIL
Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz
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The successful applicant will be a respected multi-skilled journalist with a reputation for outstanding communication, organisation and leadership – and someone comfortable with a camera and digital media. He or she will constantly update our website and produce a weekly print product filled with breaking news, well subbed supplied content, regular columns and great photography.
If you are looking for a challenging role in a positive, friendly environment, plus the benefits of working in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, apply today to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz with your CV and cover letter. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in New Zealand.
THURSDAY 24.03.22 - WEDNESDAY 30.03.22
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TRADES AND SERVICES THANKS
PUBLIC NOTICE
Thanks to everyone who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle. Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful community.
N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i Consultation on 2022-2023 Annual Plan | Mahere Ā-Tau 2022-2023
SERVICE
Queenstown Lakes District Council has started consultation on the draft 2022-2023 Annual Plan. This details any significant variations from the budget for the 2022-2023 period in the 2021-2031 Ten Year Plan.
Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy. We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street - open from 8 to 6 Monday to Saturday and 10 to 6 on Sundays. Ph 443 8000. The Salvation Army Family Store is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9.30am to 4pm and most statutory holidays. We look forward to seeing you in our wonderful store.
We’ll be providing all residents and ratepayers with an update on any proposed changes to major projects, strategic decisions or essential spending on infrastructure and services.
Upper Clutha rural character landscape. You can see these areas at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/landscapeschedules. Because the schedules will clearly identify a landscape’s values, it will be easier for Council to understand how a proposal for development might affect those values, and how any impacts should be managed. There will be no changes to the rules that govern development. This process is intended to make assessments more efficient, and the protection and maintence of landscape values and character easier to achieve. What are landscape values?
Get informed: The 2022-2023 Annual Plan consultation document is available now at the following places: • Online letstalk.qldc.govt.nz • At Council offices and libraries across the district
How do you provide feedback?
• By emailing services@qldc.govt.nz to request a copy The consultation document will also be distributed through letterbox drops as an insert in ‘Mountain Scene’ and ‘Wānaka Sun’ publications on 31 March 2022, delivered to all PO Boxes district-wide and posted to all non-resident ratepayers. How to make a submission: We value your input on any aspect of this draft Annual Plan. Here’s how to share your views: • Head to our Let’s Talk page to make a submission from 21 March 2022: letstalk.qldc.govt.nz. Please note, you will need to register before being able to give feedback.
WANTED
• Post to Annual Plan Feedback, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Freepost 191078, Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348.
The Salvation Army Family Store requires good quality household goods, if you can help this would be appreciated. Your donations can be dropped at 48 Helwick street or phone for a pick up 443 5068. Single rowing scull early plastic design preferred, call Stan 0273432311
The values of our landscapes can include how the landscape looks, the quality and quantity of its vegetation and wildlife, what your experience of being in the landscape is, the impact the landscape has on your sense of wellbeing, its historic or cultural significance, what it tells us about how it was created, and the recreational benefits we get from it.
Our consultation period for submissions will close at 5.00pm on Monday 25 April 2022. Hearing of submissions will be held in Wānaka at the Lake Wānaka Centre on 25 May and in Queenstown at the Council Chambers on 27 May. Final details for the hearings will be confirmed as soon as possible and may be held online via Zoom. This notice is in accordance with the Local Government Act 2002.
You can provide feedback by filling out a short survey at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/landscape-schedules. Feedback is due by 5.00pm on Sunday 3 April 2022. What’s next? Feedback will be considered as the landscape schedules are drafted. When the schedules are completed, they will be notified for inclusion in the District Plan, and there will be opportunity for everyone to be part of the process by making submissions or further submissions on the plan change. The notification is required by 30 June 2022.
Amendment to QLDC Meeting Schedule: March 2022 The Hearing of Submissions on the Queenstown Kayak Club Structure in Jubilee Park, previously advertised as taking place on Tuesday 29 March via Zoom at 10.00am has been cancelled and will take place on a different date to be advised.
Alcohol Licensing Applications Current alcohol licensing applications can be found at www.qldc.govt.nz/services/alcohollicensing.
QLDC Meeting Schedule: April 2022 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 and its committees will be held as follows, during the month of April 2022.
Applicant / Licensee
Trading Name & Address
Nature of Business
Application Type
Last Date for Public Objection
Planning & Strategy Committee Meeting – via Zoom. Thursday 7 April at 1.00pm.
Fat Badgers Limited
Fat Badgers
Tavern
New Off
4/04/2022
Mountain Club Limited
Mountain Club
CoWorking Space "other"
Renewal On
1/04/2022
Sal's Pizza Beach St Limited
Sal's Pizza (Beach Street)
Restaurant
New On
31/03/2022
Few Beers Limited
The Hayes
Tavern
New On and Off
30/03/2022
Canyon Brewery Group Limited
Canyon Brewing
Restaurant & Brewery
Renewal & Variation On, Renewal Off
29/03/2022
Nugget Point Operations Limited
Nugget Point Hotel
Hotel
New On
29/03/2022
The Great Glenorchy Alpine Bse Camp Limited
The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp
Hotel
New On
29/03/2022
Planning & Strategy Committee Meeting – via Zoom. Tuesday 26 April at 10.00am. Full Council Meeting – via Zoom. Thursday 28 April at 1.00pm.
NOTICE
Resource Consent Hearing (Charlies Trust RM2010124) – via Zoom. Friday 29 April at 9.00am.
Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days. Business Networking International. The Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning. Great networking opportunity to grow your business. Contact Randal Dobbs for information 021 973 043. The Salvation Army Family Store is able to collect your donations, this service is available one day a week please phone the store on 443 5068 to make a booking.
Meeting dates, times and venues are subject to change. At alert level Red of the COVID-19 Protection Framework, all public forum attendance will be conducted via Zoom. 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. Mike Theelen CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Feedback on QLDC’s Landscape Schedules What do our district’s distinctive landscapes mean to you? What do you value about our lakes, rivers, alpine, high country, and rural character areas? Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is collecting feedback to help us identify the values of our landscapes, to assist with drafting landscape schedules for areas in the Queenstown Lakes subject to development pressure. A landscape schedule sets out the values of an area; the elements of a landscape that people care about most. The schedule can then be used to determine what development can be accommodated in that area, without compromising what people consider most important about the location. In our outstanding natural landscapes, the values identified in the schedules are required to be protected, so it’s important that all the values that need protecting are identified. What are we doing? Council is drafting one schedule of landscape values for each of the 29 identified landscape areas, with the schedules to be included in the District Plan and used to assess applications for resource consent for development on properties within the identified areas. In addition, Council will look at the entire
Level 2, 81-85 Beach Street, Queenstown
9 Beach Street, Queenstown
1 Onslow Road Lake Hayes Estate 1 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 146 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point
49 Oban Street & 38 Coll Street, Glenorchy
If you have a query about an application, a public notice, or the notification process, you can find more information here: www.qldc.govt.nz/services/alcohol-licensing. Or, alternatively, please call 03 441 0499 or email services@qldc.govt.nz. This notice is dated: 17 March 2022
Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz
STORAGE Clean, dry, safe storage available now. Ezystor Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.
33 Camp Street, Queenstown
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THE WĀNAKA SUN
THURSDAY 24.03.22 - WEDNESDAY 30.03.22
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Sun Sport / News
Win win and a new wing When the country’s most successful rally driver gets back behind the wheel in July, he will be watched closely by an engineering students at Waikato University. Tom Miller spent 11 weeks in Cromwell on a summer placement with Hayden Padden. The fourth-year student at the University’s School of Engineering quit his job to commit to four years’ studying at the start of 2019. He emailed Hayden Paddon in 2020 for an opportunity which came last November. Paddon takes on student placements every summer and says working in motorsport “is an engineer’s dream.” The placements are a great initiative “a win win for everyone involved.” “Motorsport is all about engineering new ideas and concepts. It’s also an environment that encourages outside the box thinking as it’s about having the competitive advantage while in the most extreme of conditions,” says Paddon. Miller has two specific interests – the machining and manufacturing side of engines
and aerodynamics - both of which he was able to pursue at the Paddon workshop. Paddon says there are many aspects that are important to a car’s performance. He pointed to his team’s electric powered rally car, the Hyundai Kona EV. During his summer placement Miller helped in completely redesigning the rear wing on the Kona. When Paddon’s electric powered car featured and won last October’s Waimate 50 Horsepower Hillclimb on gravel it was heralded as a world first. Paddon announced this month he and longtime co-driver John Kennard would compete in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car in the World Rally Championships starting at Rally Estonia in July. He last competed at the elite level in 2018. The pair won the 2016 WRC Rally Argentina and have teamed up with Hyundai New Zealand to race in WRC2 category of the 2022 and 2023 FIA World Rally Championships (WRC). WRC2 is the main support category to WRC and runs alongside.
Hayden Padden, left, with Tom Miller.
Keeping up the war on Covid A renewed call is being made by health authorities to encourage people to get boosters to combat Covid 19. It comes as the country observed the second anniversary of the first strict lockdown announced by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. “If you are over 65 or have a chronic illness like diabetes, cancer or cardio-vascular disease and haven’t had your booster, now is the time to go and get it,” Southern DHB Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout Programme Lead Karl Metzler. “As a district, Southern did a fantastic job of getting our two shots. However, we know our immunity reduces over time, so we need to pull out all the stops to do it again by getting boosted.” “The booster dose can make the difference between life and death for some people and will give you the best
possible protection against serious illness and hospitalisation,” he says. He said the protection from two doses of the vaccine reduces. “It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection against COVID-19, so the time to act is now.” Mr Metzler also made a plea to younger people. “We know that younger people are less likely to experience serious illness from Covid, but high rates of infection among these age groups are putting older and more vulnerable people at risk. If you have had your booster, you are less likely to infect other people in your whānau and the community.” “Everyone who is over 18, and who had their second vaccination at least three months ago, should go and get their booster now. If you are between 12 and 17, please make
Green on the green Latest vaccination data released by the Southern Districts Health Board.
sure you have had both doses.” He also issued a reminder for parents and caregivers. It had been more than eight weeks since a number of our 5 to 11 year olds in the Southern region had received their first dose. “Please check when your tamariki are due for their second dose and make an appointment or find a walkin clinic to ensure they have the best protection possible against Covid. It is also a great time to get a first dose
if you haven’t already done so.” The best way you can protect yourself, your whānau, and your community is by getting vaccinated, getting your booster shot if you are eligible and following public health guidelines: wear your mask, wash your hands, get tested if you are sick and stay home until you receive a negative test result. Lists of the clinics offering vaccinations can be found at www.southernhealth.nz.
Wānaka’s film incentive
Lake Wānaka Tourism is spearheading a short film award which offers a $10,000 first prize package – and a budget to produce a film in Wānaka. New Zealand and Australian and filmmakers are being invited to submit entries that centre on a place – any place - where they feel most connected. Their short story' should be up to five minutes long - but can be as short as 30 seconds. Films will then be judged by a panel of industry guests - Ben Briand, Kai Neville, Lula Cucchiara, Benn Jae and Dylan Rivers. Lake Wānaka Tourism Marketing and Communications Manager Gizelle Regan said the project is a departure from traditional tourism marketing campaigns to a model that takes a more holistic approach. The organisation is working with Monster Children Group and the winner will receive a
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Wānaka is an incredible place for film making, says Kahli Scott.
$10,000 prize package, products from Sony, plus a production budget and mentorship to create their short film in Wānaka. Regan, who is leading the project said, it had been a huge piece of work with many moving parts and a few disruptions thanks to Covid. “Short Stories is a celebration of storytelling, originality, and provides a platform to encourage work that creates a powerful connection between people and place and supports the economic diversity of the district by highlighting the depth
and breadth of the local film industry,” she said Kahli Scott, Film Queenstown Lakes Coordinator, said Wānaka was an “incredible” place for filmmaking and storytelling. “It has strong local film industry base and is an exciting hub for new talent, too. Cultivating local storytelling that draws on our district’s strong sense of place is a focus area for the film office right now, so we’re excited to support this project. The competition winner will find no shortage of inspiration and expertise to draw on here” said.
THURSDAY 24.03.22 - WEDNESDAY 30.03.22
Val Ransom got into the theme of St Patrick’s Day at the Wānaka Bowling Club.
The bowlers wore green and there was green on Queenstown’s lakefront last Thursday during traditional St Patrick’s Day observations The annual festivities were significant enough for Mayor Jim Boult to acknowledge “the deep connection between Ireland and the district” following a Celtic-themed light show in Queenstown. The display, a joint effort between Queenstown Lakes District Council and event and audio-visual company TomTom Productions, was created after a nationwide request from Irish ambassador Peter Ryan to ‘green’ some of the country’s iconic landmarks on Ireland’s national day. "We enjoy a great relationship with the Irish Embassy and were very happy to support the Ambassador’s request," Boult said. Meanwhile back at the Wānaka Bowling Club, there were no results to report from the day – but photographs suggest there was no shortage of Guinness and green.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
