Wanaka Sun | 17-24 December | Edition 1006 by Wanaka Sun

Charity run

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Smashing Mt Roy goals.

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It’s been a tougher year than most, and we’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our readers and advertisers for your continued support in 2020. From all of us here at the Wānaka Sun, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Ask us about our House & Land Packages

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Rise in boat sales and full camping grounds mean busy lakes look likely

Jeff Donaldson prepares for a busy season ensuring boaties enjoy the lake safely.

Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

While it is yet unknown how many recreational users will head to our lakes and waterways this holiday season, the Queenstown Lakes District Council is able to make predictions based on a rise in boat sales and bookings for camp grounds. So they are preparing for a busy time on the water! Queenstown Lakes District Council Harbour Master Marty Black said reports from the marine industry indicated a significant increase in the numbers of new craft being sold, particularly jet skis and mini jet-boats. “And given the borders are closed we know there will almost certainly be more kiwis visiting key areas like Wakitipu, Wānaka and Hawea as they can’t travel overseas.” While numbers of boaties using Wānaka and Hawea are still hard to gauge at this stage, with popular boating areas such as Glendhu already booked out with close to 2000 campers, a busy season looked likely. “It also depends a lot on the weather as happened last year, when it was cold until around 18 January then summer came and it was busy in all areas with folk just wanting to be out on the waterways.” On good boating days, staff on jet skis will patrol traditionally busy areas like Roys Bay, Glendhu Bay, Dublin Bay and Stevenson’s Arm. Assistant Harbour Master Jeff Donaldson is basing himself and patrol jet-ski complete with flashing lights at Glendhu camping during the holiday period. “I’ll work that area, mostly educating people

PHOTO: Jo Galer

about safe boating behaviour and assisting people that need help. We just want to ensure people respect each other.” Rules he and other staff will ensure are followed include compulsory wearing of life-jackets; ensuring watercraft drivers are at least 15 years of age; keeping speed to required limits such as 5 kms near the shoreline; sticking to dedicated ski lanes away from swimmers (dedicated lanes extend up to 200 metres out from shore); and ensuring boats and jet-skis remain at least 50 metres apart (and at least 50 metres away from swimmers) while using lakes and waterways at all times. Swimmers and boaties are also advised that temperatures within the lakes change depending on water depth. Black said all our rivers and lakes are cold; between around 10 to 12 degrees winter to summer. “Even a fit person may not last very long before hypothermia sets in that is why it is so important Life Jackets are worn. Add alcohol and that obviously increases the risk of hypothermia,” he said. Like last year, yellow buoys will delineate swimming areas at popular swimming spots such as Eely Point, and no motorised boats will be permitted on the Clutha River between the Outlet and the Albert Town bridge. Only people on rafts and lilos are able to use this part of the river. The QLDC has worked with Maritime New Zealand this year on the ongoing “No Excuses” programme, and has started a new awareness initiative called the “No Plan Good Plan” campaign – advocating greater preparation and awareness of conditions before heading for the waterways. www.maritimenz.govt.nz/recreational/safetycampaigns/default.asp

Tent city at R&A.

PHOTO: supplied

Virtual Covid test result for Rhythm and Alps Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

A zoom test to prepare for the unpleasant possibility that Covid-19 could rear its head at the Rhythm and Alps music festival in Wānaka was useful to practice systems that everyone hopes will not be needed, says Dr Susan Jack, Southern DHB Medical Officer of Health. The group of festival organisers, St Johns staff, Police, Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Public Health team from the SDHB, Southern Community Labs, Lakes District Hospital and GP representatives from Wānaka have just met in Queenstown to check they are prepared if an outbreak occurred, with around 10,000 music lovers expected to attend the event. The “test” group’s main messages continued to be that if showing Covid symptoms, get a Covid-19 test and stay away from others until the result comes through; concert goers should use hand sanitiser and keep hands clean, and adhere to the use of QR codes upon entry. Concert goers

will also need to ensure that their blue-tooth covid tracer capability is switched on in their app. “It’s always good to do these scenarios and work out any issues ahead of time,” said Jack. A similar exercise was performed in Gisborne in relation to an upcoming music festival there. She added that currently, as opposed to sometimes at this time of year, there is no influenza in New Zealand, although there could still be the odd seasonal cold. Although some might question that bringing large groups of people together for concerts could be concerning at this time, or that wearing face masks could be mandatory, “New Zealand is in the fortunate position of there being no reports of COVID-19 within the community at this time so that is the risk assessment.” “All that residents and visitors to the district need to do if they have any flu or cold symptoms is to call 0800 VIRUS 19 (0800 0800 847 8719). This is a call centre operated by WellSouth who will advise on the closest available location for testing,” said Jack.

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Pairing workers and businesses still tricky

PHOTO: Supplied

Tim Barke, Acting Manager Lake Wānaka Tourism.

Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Although the Government has just made more tweaks to work visa requirements to help businesses find workers they need, Lake Wānaka Tourism is still seeing local businesses struggle to find the right staff due to the “pulse” nature of domestic tourism. Immigration minister Kris Faafoi has just announced a six-month extension for employerassisted work visa holders, a postponed standdown period for low-paid essential skills visa holders; retention of the 2019 median wage of $25.50 an hour until at least July, and working holiday visa extensions by six months. Workers on employer-assisted visas can renew, and other migrants can get essential skills visas with a wider list of job categories, but only if the business can offer 30 hours per week and there are no New Zealand workers available for the job. Lake Wānaka Tourism Acting General Manager Tim Barke said that while the Government’s changes are helpful and welcome, the more rigid requirement that businesses guarantee a worker 30 hours’ work per week means businesses pairing up with workers is still difficult. “This unfortunately doesn’t seem to take into account the nature of domestic tourism at this time of year, where we see short, sharp spikes in demand at weekends and holidays, and then it is quiet in between. “The pulse nature of our business pattern currently, without the overseas tourists here to smooth out the lumps, means it is difficult to keep one person on for 30 hours a week. The employee needs to have the ability to work multiple jobs at the one time. The restrictions on overseas workers on visas being able to

jump between businesses makes it hard on both workers and businesses. “The changes to the skills shortage list and the marketing to increase domestic tourism in destinations such as this over the summer were good, but if we could allow overseas workers to get work with multiple employers at once on a temporary basis, that would help a lot.” It is still a real unknown as to how busy the domestic holiday season will be for businesses. He was reasonably confident January will be busy, but business is looking quiet into February and beyond when kiwis traditionally wait to see what the weather will do before booking. This is especially given events in the North Island such as the Americas Cup that may act to keep North Islanders away from the South. A travel bubble with Australia in the first quarter of 2021, announced last week, is also looking increasingly fraught due to a recent outbreak of Covid-19 in Sydney. “A lot of businesses are just hanging on by their fingernails in the hope that the travel bubble with Australia will happen early next year, but if it’s delayed now, we won’t be surprised. But businesses can only hold their breath for so long,” said Barke. With steady inquiries for both business and holiday tourism from Australia, the bubble in this crucial market, and our biggest, could not come soon enough. “While we need to balance health issues, there will be a lot of disappointment if this is delayed and there is potential for significant amounts of closures.” He praised kiwis for their willingness to buy local and travel within New Zealand. “Kiwis are good at helping each other, and that has been truly fantastic.”

Adventure Consultants’ home for the last seven years on Brownston Street.

PHOTO: Supplied

Prominent Wānaka company to sell building Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Prominent Wānaka mountain guiding company Adventure Consultants has put its office building and headquarters for the past seven years on the market. “The complete shutdown of our international operation due to COVID-19 has led to us making the decision to transition to a model where we no longer need the high-profile location in central Wānaka from which to operate,” said CEO of the company Guy Cotter. “We will continue to provide services for our New Zealand clientele who we have much appreciated over the summer, but this has traditionally been a small component of our overall market. He added that the company did not receive any funding from the Government through the

Strategic Assets Funding Programme and this would have helped see the company through the current business situation. “We have found ourselves in a position where we must hunker down through this storm so we can be in a position to make a comeback when international travel returns to some sense of normality. “We are in constant contact with our clientbase who are very motivated to return to the mountains when it is prudent to do so.” The building on the corner of Brownston and Russell streets has recently been gazetted as part of the town centre transition overlay in the new District Plan. It will be auctioned on February 3. “While I am sad to see the building go, given the present scenario it makes sense to move on so someone else can make good use of the location,” said Cotter.

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Views sought on new playgrounds for Hāwea

PHOTO: supplied

HCA Chairperson Cherilyn Walthew.

Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

There are housing developments aplenty in and around Hāwea, but the all-important playgrounds to keep up with rising numbers of mums, dads and children have been missing in action – until now. The community has a possible site for a playground within the housing development area of Sentinel Park, on a space off Cemetery Road, between Brewster Crescent and Dingle Street. Hāwea Community Association Chairperson Cherilyn Walthew said the area is one of the fastestgrowing in New Zealand, and yet facilities such as playgrounds for a burgeoning population of parents and children have not eventuated and developers of housing have so far not provided them. “Services such as playgrounds are so important in communities. If you are a new family to the area and haven’t made connections it can be pretty lonely and isolating for parents, not to mention for the kids. When we’re putting in housing developments that put pressure on

infrastructure we need to think of these sorts of details,” she said. Apart from a playground at the Hāwea Community Centre and at the school, a public playground that is within easier walking distance for mums with prams and toddlers in newer areas further away, is sorely needed, both for Lake Hāwea and also potentially for Hāwea Flat. She said the Queenstown Lakes District Council had indicated that if the community comes up with a good design, it will look favourably on a proposal to help fund the infrastructure. The community has also received a public donation of $15,000, “so we are keen to do something specific with it.” She has put out a Facebook call for interested community members to help generate ideas, with around 12 people coming forward so far. They plan to hold a public meeting on January 23 to publicly present design ideas “so fundraising can begin with a vengeance.” Contact hcachairperson@gmail.com to get involved.

Tanya Bottomley exceeded her own expectations at Mount Roy.

PHOTO: supplied

Charity runner smashes her goal at Mt Roy Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Local trail runner and Queenstown Lakes District Council employee Tanya Bottomley (39) exceeded expectations of how many laps of Mt Roy she could run for a charity close to her heart. Instead of the six she predicted, she pounded laps of the prestigious peak an impressive eight times. “It feels like a dream. I still can’t believe how well it went and what we managed to achieve in 24 hours,” she said, still recovering. “I’m giving my body some time to rest and recover. But I’ve come away stronger and more confident in my running abilities and ready to take on the next challenge,” she said. Tanya had hoped to reach the top of the 7th lap in 24 hours. “I was aiming to summit the height of Mount Everest (8850m). But I ran around 120km and climbed more than

10,000 metres,” she said. Inspiringly, when the going got tough she thought about how far she’d come both during the event and in life - and used mental training techniques to keep her going. “The only way I was going to see what was possible was by staying open to the experience and flowing with it. I had a few things go wrong, but each time I just accepted the situation and adapted to it. “That is one thing I have learnt through ultra-running: Things go wrong, and right, either way they all eventually pass and you get to the finish line stronger and wiser for the experience. “I had an amazing crew and pacers by my side for most of the challenge and the time just flew by. She added that a special moment was a guy turning up around 3am in the morning to donate cash he had been given for sober driving people in town. “I had just come in from lap 5 and it

was an awesome boost and meant a lot.” Herself a survivor of a destructive relationship, Tanya raised $2000 for Shine, which provides help for domestic abuse victims and their children. Shine stands for Safer Homes in New Zealand Everyday, offering support services, including a free phone number for advice and help. Tanya has completed a number of long-distance challenges under her banner, Run Like Tanya, and is the first woman to take on the Southern Seasons Miler Challenge – four 100mile races in 12 months, of which she has completed three. “Finally, with this challenge I wanted to talk about recovery from the trauma of living through domestic abuse. I wanted to share my story and to give a bit of hope to people in the thick of it that life can get better and you can achieve anything.” Visit the Run Like Tanya Facebook page for more information or to donate.

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Lake safe for swims so far

New signs have been erected this summer as a reminder to check water quality before swimming.

Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Summer water quality monitoring is now underway, with latest Lake Wānaka sampling showing it is good for swimming. Before taking a dip, people are being encouraged to look at the ‘Can I Swim Here?’ tool on the website for Land, Air, Water Aotearoa LAWA, www.lawa.org.nz/swim. Or, they will see a reminder of the website’s details on new signs that have just been erected around Lake Wānaka. LAWA will collect water quality data for swimming from across the whole country from now until March. ORC Senior Scientist – Water Quality Jason Augspurger said the results were a good

PHOTO: Supplied

reminder of the impact that weather can have on water quality. “Rainfall is not the only factor in water quality, but it can be a big one. We’ve had a good few days without rain in Otago and we’re seeing that reflected in good water quality results throughout the region,” said Dr Augspurger. “Equally, this is a good reminder to avoid swimming for 2-3 days after heavy rainfall, as rain can wash contaminants off land and into waterways, which leads to water quality issues. “It’s important to learn how to recognise these blooms in freshwater, and avoid swimming wherever you encounter them.” To learn more about potentially toxic algae, visit https://www.lawa.org.nz/learn/factsheets/ potentially-toxic-algae/

GREBE DIARY 3

December 20, 2020 I have always felt that I have had a degree of control of what happens with the grebes in terms of keeping good records, but this year is starting to feel somewhat shambolic. The shambles have arisen through the storms we have had that have mostly been devastating with losses of eggs and nests in double figures. That rough weather and damage also made it difficult to get out and do as many nest checks as ideal. What is becoming clear, is that not all the eggs were lost on some of the nests, but then again, I am not sure because it’s becoming clear that some birds deserted their nests during the storm, perhaps after losing one or more eggs. That provided the opportunity for another pair on the lookout for an empty nest to move in and then add to the contents. It’s all very confusing and best to sum up this week by noting that we now have 14 pairs of birds caring for a total of 41 eggs and at least three additional pairs of birds looking for space. And those three pairs are creating havoc and confusion as they hassle nesting birds. We removed a nest from a tyre that surrounds a pole and encouraged the bird onto a nest we had built that was on a platform loaned to us from Hawea. That’s going to be nest 14, but no sooner had we succeeded in this transfer than another pair moved onto the same pole and started to build a nest. And then to add to the confusion, the birds on the pontoon laid another egg, (ref last week’s diary, no sign of a nest this time) and on a hunch, I marked it put it on this new nest. Within hours, the new owner added to it with a second egg, so they are due to hatch 13-15 January. Not sure if the following will be useful but nests 7 and10 are due to hatch in the last week

PHOTO: Ian Turnbull

of December and nests 1,2,3,4,5 and 12 and 13 the first week of January and nest 8 sometime between 10-12th January. It would be great if all those estimates turn out to be as accurate as my estimates for the Lake Hawea pair who duly produced their first chick on 14th December followed by a second chick a day or so later. The above photo of the Hawea chicks is by Ian Turnbull. Much of the coming months are to be dedicated to reviewing and rethinking nesting platforms. They have done relatively well, some have been in the water for six or more years. However the time spent on repairs and maintenance is huge and we need to look at design alternatives to reduce that effort and that includes looking at options on plastic pallets. Things like shackles and swivels are proving to be expensive bits, but the one that causes most problems and costs are how we keep these things afloat. Finally, by way of variety. Do you have a great photo of a grebe/grebes that we could attach to diaries as they come out. Tell us where and when you took the image, copyright remains yours and let us have your name so that we can acknowledge your skills. Happy Christmas all – By John Darby

OPINION: Life as a new parent living overseas in Wānaka STAFF REPORTER

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

In any other year, I would have been so excited for my new baby to meet the family. I’d have the camera ready as he encountered his grandparents, aunties, uncles, and cousins for the very first time. In any other year, my mother would be round day in, day out (maybe even a little too often), helping with household chores whilst I got some wellneeded rest. And, my partner’s siblings would be at the top of the babysitting list for when we were in need of some quality time together. Of course, it isn’t any other year. It’s 2020. This is the year where women in the UK had to spend most of their birthing experience alone, where fathers couldn’t attend ultrasound appointments, and families were completely cut off from one another. As a new mum in Wānaka, I feel very lucky. Apart from a brief lockdown period, I have been able to attend antenatal classes, hang out at mother and baby groups, and explore this beautiful area with my baby. From free coffee groups at Plunket to incredible breastfeeding help just a phone call away, this whole town has been our support network. Yet, despite this, I can’t help but miss our family. Stuck in yet another lockdown in the UK, unable to cross the New Zealand border, are my baby’s entire family. At nearly four months old, our baby hasn’t met a single one of them. In any other year, they would have flown out to meet him by now. Without them, parenthood has definitely been a challenge. There’s no extra pair of hands to keep on top of the laundry, no one to cuddle baby while I have a quick shower, and no one to witness his milestones with. And we’re not alone. I have met lots of new parents in Wānaka raising a newborn without the

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help of their family, due to Covid border restrictions. Stripped from that extra support network, it’s no surprise that PlunketLine has reported a 75% increase in mental health related phone calls in November. My partner and I are lucky to have such awesome friends in Wānaka but that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. As Christmas is about bringing the family together, it’s OK to feel sad if your loved ones are stuck overseas. For now, all we can do is enjoy our babies and look forward to the day that they finally meet their grandparents. Families facing difficulties over the festive period can contact PlunketLine which is open 24 hours a day. Upper Clutha Plunket will be closed from December 24 to January 18, unless by appointment.

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NEW YEAR’S EVE

CELEBRATIONS Pre Entertainment 2 - 4 pm

Includes music, family friendly games and roaming entertainers

Main Stage - Wanaka Waterfront 8 - 8.30pm Better Than Nothing 8.30 - 10.45pm Hamiltones 10.45 - 1am The Execs

DJ Stage - Wanaka Waterfront 9 - 1am JACKED feat. MC Tree

For more info visit www.qldc.govt.nz/events For more info visit www.qldc.govt.nz/events

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Teens keen to engage with nature

INBRIEF Vaccines are on the way Two additional COVID-19 vaccines have been secured by the government. These vaccines will be available for free in the second quarter of 2021 for border workers and in the second half of the year for the general public. The four pre-purchase arrangements currently secured are: 750,000 courses from Pfizer/ BioNTech; 5 million courses from Janssen; 3.8 million courses from the University of Oxford/ AstraZeneca; and 5.36 million courses from Novavax. “We now have agreements in place with four providers, covering three different types of vaccine technology and we have secured more than enough doses to cover our entire population plus the Pacific,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. Lease granted for Frankton Campground Queenstown Lakes District Council recently granted a lease over land for a group to redevelop and operate Frankton Campground. The Yewlett Crescent site will be operated by the successful tenderers Rochelle Peychers, Bryan McChlery and Georgia McChlery from BRG Queenstown Ltd, who have over 16 years of campground experience. Peychers said that, "We know Kiwis work hard for their money, so our vision is to provide the district with a quality and affordable place where campers can put their feet up and make memories that last a lifetime." How to enjoy the bush this summer New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council are predicting that a high number of people will enjoy the outdoors this summer, and they are encouraging that the bush is enjoyed safely. Senior Sergeant Matt Wheble, Acting National Coordinator for Search and Rescue at Police said that if you’re planning to go to the bush, you should, “Tell someone where you are going and let them know when to raise the alarm if you don’t return.” Those planning outdoor adventures and activities are advised to consider these steps before heading out: Beware of the weather; know your limits; take appropriate means of communication and location devices such as a distress beacon; plan for an unexpected night out; take care of yourself and each other.”

Upper Clutha Community Arts Council grants The Upper Clutha Community Arts Council are offering grants of up to $2,000 for creative endeavours including literature, performance, and visual art. More information is available in the Wānaka library. More information may be found by contacting uccac@outlook.com Dog owners warned of toxic algae The Otago Regional Council wants dog owners to learn how to recognise potentially toxic algal mats in rivers, to keep pets safe. Forming thick dark brown mats on rocks in the riverbed and looking like black tar, the algae Phormidium thrives in Otago rivers during summer – particularly the Cardrona, Hawea and Manuherekia rivers. In the flow of water, phormidium mats detach from the riverbed and wash up on riverbanks. Its musty smell is particularly attractive to dogs and, if eaten, results in severe poisoning or death. “We haven’t had any reported sightings of phormidium so far, but we remind dog owners to stay vigilant whenever their dog is near water,” said Helen Manly, ORC Team Leader Water in the Science team. “Warm conditions we’re expecting to see with this La Niña summer will provide ideal conditions for these blooms. Don’t wait for a warning sign – if you’re taking dogs anywhere near a riverbank, keep them on a lead.” Any person or dog in contact with toxic algae should rinse with fresh water as soon as possible. Devon Link Track Opens The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust is opening the Devon Link Track at 3pm on December 24. The track will connect Hāwea Flat into the tracks network through Devon Dairy Farms Ltd. Private land and has been long awaited by many. It will be available for use by cycle and foot traffic. The opening event will be an opportunity for photos, track use, and opportunities to discuss the track with members of the Trust. An official opening will be held early next year.

PHOTO: Wai Wānaka

Ash Rabel from WAI Wānaka provides insights on aquatic ecosystem functioning for MAC students.

WAI Wānaka team members spent three days this month working alongside Year 10 students from Mount Aspiring College (MAC) on the lakefront with another day supporting the Waterwise Otago Leadership Program for young adult leaders from across Otago. WAI Wānaka is developing a citizen science programme on the lakefront area between Bullock Creek and the Wānaka Marina, where QLDC will undertake large scale planting next year partly to develop a wetland ecosystem. The MAC students learned about biodiversity monitoring and fieldwork methodology through sampling, surveying and identifying local flora and fauna. The project will initially gather baseline data on biodiversity then monitor how the area changes over time. John Darby kicked off each day talking to the students about the Grebe program, sharing details on Grebe nesting behaviour and how this population has grown since the program started. James Crofts-Bennett, currently completing a masters degree in arachnology at the University of Otago, shared his enthusiasm for spiders and bugs by helping MAC students learn about and identify those discovered on the day. Students developed non-lethal traps along the lakefront to provide an

indicator of species distribution for the mobile invertebrates that currently inhabit the area. The Waterwise Otago program focuses on water and biodiversity. Each year students come together for a week to be involved in activities around water quality, use, availability, and economics. For 2020, WAI Wānaka arranged for the students to spend a day on farm with local landowners from Criffel Station and Black Peak Farming, learning about water use, farming methods, pest management and soil health. Students also learned about the common goals shared by landowners in the Luggate Catchment group, and how they are working together to achieve similar outcomes across diverse land types and different land uses. It was a fun day, providing inspiration to students on the connection of water to everything we do and showcasing what can be done when people share a common purpose and work towards this in a collaborative way. Waterwise Otago is a collaborative partnership between Untouched WorldTM Foundation, UNESCO, Department of Conservation, Otago Polytechnic, Otago Community Trust, Contact Energy, Te Rūnunga o Ngāi Tahu and Otago Regional Council. – By Wai Wānaka

Police put parents on notice over holiday period Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Turning a blind eye while your child walks to the town centre carrying alcohol might not be the wisest financial move for parents this year. Wānaka Police have said they will fine parents up to $2,000 for supplying underage teenagers with alcohol, then not supervising them, during this holiday period. Wānaka Police Prevention Sergeant Darren Cranfield said the tougher line is part of a suite of measures both at the Police and the community level to prevent alcohol harm in the town this year. These include children and under-age teens not being allowed to stay on their own at camping grounds, and a town liquor ban from 8pm December 24 until 6am 6 January. “Most trouble is alcohol-based. The message is that no children are allowed in the town centre with alcohol. If a parent supplies their under-age child with alcohol, there is a fair chance Police will catch up with them and they will be fined,” he said. “We’re trying to encourage parents to take

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more responsibility, and we’d like to encourage them to come down and be part of events in the town centre, and be an extra set of eyes for us. We want people to enjoy festivities, but stay safe,” he said. There will be 37 more Police coming to Wānaka from out of town, including a six-person alcohol prevention team. Also, due to the high numbers and variety of people, including criminals, who will arrive this holiday season, people are strongly advised to lock their houses and cars. “Otherwise, it’s a “lolly scramble” for burglars and thieves, as we saw in North Lake last year when cars and houses were targeted for easy pickings - property left outside and cars left open.” Police are expecting numbers of people in Wānaka to “explode” over the Christmas/New Year period, with greater numbers expected than in recent years. “We know from bookings that the town is probably at capacity. Although often weather dependent, even if it rains, once they’re here they’re committed.”

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Niamh Shaw: community dynamo Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Niamh Shaw comes from Ireland and through a convoluted route has ended up a councillor on the Queenstown Lakes District Council. The Wānaka Sun talks to her on how she ended up in Wānaka and what drives her as a councillor. Early days. I met my Kiwi husband in Dubai 22 years ago. We relocated to NZ in 2008 and lived in Auckland for a while then moved to Port Underwood (Blenheim) for another couple of years. I thought I’d love the remoteness of Port Underwood, but it turns out I’m more intensely social than I thought. When I was expecting our first child, we moved to Oamaru to be close to my inlaws, where we lived for five and a half years. My career has been pretty varied. My qualification is Applied Maths and Computing, and my primary career is project management. I worked for Price Waterhouse London for a couple of years before moving to the Middle East where I was an IT Training and Support Manager, a journalist for an IT weekly magazine, and a project manager in the telecoms industry. When we were living in Oamaru, I was offered a role as a consultant for the Waitaki District Council in fundraising for a significant capital project they were working on. I’ve found the diverse range of skills useful in council. It’s the sort of role where you can choose what issues interest you, how invested you want to be and how much time to put in. It also suits me that I’m answerable to nobody but the community. Arriving in Wānaka We knew Oamaru was not where we wanted to settle down, and wanted to put down roots not too far away from the kids grandparents (Oamaru). Because my husband had business in the Middle East we could have located ourselves almost anywhere. We chose Wānaka because it seemed like a really family-friendly place, and although it had a population less than Oamaru and felt vibrant and energetic – these were the main reasons we chose it. We fully invested in Wānaka by buying a section and building a house, which we finished at the end of 2018. Any regrets- none! When I first arrived, I volunteered for the Wānaka Toy Library for about nine months. And while my husband was involved heavily in building our house, I kept the home front. The Northlake battle Then I got involved in the Northlake hotel resource consent application. That was a fulltime job for awhile- providing the community

response for that. I got an email from a neighbour asking what the community thought about building a hotel in the middle of Northlake and I thought, “Well that’s not ideal”. I put up a couple of Facebook posts, essentially saying: “Does anyone else have problems with this because it doesn’t feel moral or ethical to me.” One of the main issues for this resource consent was the no objection clauses on resident land covenants – residents were not legally permitted to object to any proposal put by the developer and furthermore were required to give approval upon request. There was an overwhelming response, and I spent some time thinking: “Why isn’t someone doing something about this?”, before I realised that if anyone was going to do something about it, it might as well be me. So I did! I was asked to meet the residents in Northlake, and they wanted to form an incorporated society to represent themselves in fighting this particular resource consent application – but were unable to because of confidentiality. So the wider community set up the incorporated society, with a constitution that specified additional members could remain anonymous. The Society put in a submission and raised funds to hire legal representation for the resource consent hearing. After the consent was granted, we filed a case with the Environment Court challenging the resource consent and a lawsuit in the High Court querying the legality of the no objection clauses. We were turned down for financial assistance by the Environmental Legal Fund for both cases, and I was looking at three years of raising funds and fighting legal battles and it was increasingly clear that the odds were stacked against us. I was particularly interested in challenging the legality of the no objection clauses in the High Court, which could have changed NZ case law – and that’s what I think the wider community was so outraged about: how unfair it was that those directly affected under the RMA were not allowed to voice their opinion about what was happening in their neighbourhood. No objection clauses are relatively standard for new developments around Wānaka and further afield. When I took on the case I fully thought the great scales of justice would tilt in our favour, but in the end we were flogging a dead horse. Standing for Council Was it this process that got me interested in standing for Council? – yes, most definitely. With Northlake, there was so much stacked against the residents of that community: the process itself, the RMA, and the Council, which is going into these hearings with developers who have

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Niamh comes from Ireland and relocated to New Zealand in 2008.

far greater resources and financing. I thought I could achieve more if I was actually sitting at the council table. The Northlake experience has given me a pretty clear mandate of what’s expected of me. Process to get onto Council I didn’t stand for the Community Board – perhaps that might have been a more logical progression, but I had an interest in governance at Council level. Local elections come around every three years. You fill in a registration form and pay $200. What are you interested in? I think the biggest local issue remains the governance and process around the Queenstown Airport Corporation and the district’s airport infrastructure. I’ve never been backwards in saying that I don’t believe we, the Council, have adequately managed or directed our CCTO (Council Controlled Trading Organisation) over the last 18 months. To some extent, council is damned if we do and damned if we don’t; but I believe the way we have handled this particular situation has resulted in a loss of collective ‘benefit of doubt’ and continues to damage our relationship with the communities we serve. I am hopeful this is better understood within Council now. Another issue that was prevalent during the election was growth – primarily how to control and manage the ever increasing numbers of visitors. Covid has illustrated how precarious our reliance on tourism is for well, all of us, residents and businesses alike. I’m really keen to feed into and support council’s initiatives around economic diversification, in addition to

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With husband Andrew Shaw: The couple met in Dubai 22 years ago before moving back to New Zealand.

lobbying Central Government to reconsider and reshape what tourism looks like for New Zealand as a whole. We’re never going to have a better opportunity to do so. There are other projects I’m keen to progress, but I’m not particularly interested in legacybuilding; there is so much going on at council and I make the best decisions I can based on whatever information I can get my hands on.

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Sun News

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HIKING COLUMN

The Motatapu River Track

KiwiHarvest expands food relief network

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Motatapu River Track is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated hikes in our area. If you can find it - and you don’t fall into the trap of accidentally setting out on the demanding 34km, four day Motatapu Track instead - you are in for a treat. The track is the latest addition to the Upper Clutha Tracks Network and runs 5km from the west end of the Motatapu Road, near Glendhu Bay, following the river downstream to the Mt Aspiring Road just past the start of the Diamond Lake/Rocky Mountain Track. To say this route is undiscovered would be an understatement. It doesn’t show up on the Wānaka Track Guide app, there’s little to no signposting, and it’s the only Wānaka hike I have ever been on without seeing a single other person. That’s partly where its magic lies, but it’s also pretty up there on the wilderness scale (I saw a LOT of animal skulls). Nestled into a tranquil valley, the track is formed to a simple standard - and be warned, at one point it disappears into the river - with plenty of opportunities for adventure should you wish to take them. River crossings over fallen branches - not recommended, as my soaking wet shoes and hurt pride would confirm - a swim in the shallow blue pools or a climb down to a small gorge. It was a truly wonderful two hours, and when we emerged back into the world, bidding

PHOTO: Supplied

3M’s grant will support a new truck and driver to deliver food across Otago, extending to the Upper Clutha and Cromwell areas.

Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Joanna Perry

Nestled into a tranquil valley, the track is formed to a simple standard with plenty of opportunities for adventure should you wish to take them.

goodbye to the group of fantails we had picked up along the way, and saw the number of cars parked up at Rocky Mountain, I couldn’t help but feel a wee bit smug.

An increase in demand for food relief services has seen the country’s largest food rescue organisation KiwiHarvest expanding its service network to communities across Otago. Some communities have seen as much as a 200% increase as a result of the impact of lockdown. According to KiwiHarvest, much of this demand is a result of the decrease in tourism spending. Science and technology company 3M has supported this move by providing a $50,000 grant. This equates to approximately 190,000 meals which will be provided to individuals and families over 12 months. CEO of KiwiHarvest Gavin Findlay said that, “Food insecurity is a direct result of a number of factors affecting individuals, families or

communities. At present, the economic impact on the low- to middle-income earners in these communities has been significant. Additional support from companies operating in New Zealand, such as 3M, is vital and gratefully received.” 3M’s grant will support a new truck and driver to deliver food across Otago, extending to the Upper Clutha and Cromwell areas, where farmers across the region with excess crops will be able to participate in the food rescue initiative, which will help decrease food spoilage. “In the Queenstown region, our plan is to bring services to the wider area such as Wānaka and Cromwell and increase our overall throughput by 400%,” said Findlay, “In Dunedin, we’d also like to achieve an aggressive goal of 200% increase in food throughput and envelop the Gore and Invercargill communities so we can be present in times of demand.”

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PAGE 9

Sun Farming

‘It’s an exciting time’ for Cromwell community

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

Reviewing the year we’d all rather forget

PHOTO: Supplied

Connect Cromwell facilitator Tania Partridge is looking forward to seeing the new Cromwell edible garden full of herbs and vegetables for everyone to share.

Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

A new edible garden is just one of the new initiatives launched by the organisation Connect Cromwell, after the new community facilitator Tania Patridge was brought in. The recent projects include co-hosting a community Christmas party, starting an edible garden in the Mall, helping with the Cromwell Crop Swap, a new Community Plan, and Operation Cromwell Harvest - a project aimed at welcoming and retaining horticulture workers. Partridge expressed that, “It’s an exciting time to be starting with this community-led development group as the new projects are being launched, as well as continuing others that have been ongoing… I see this as a great opportunity to connect with the many different groups and projects that are happening in Cromwell and bring them together, as well as providing support for the smaller groups that need it.”

A survey in July showed that Cromwellians backed the idea of starting the town’s first edible garden, which will be planted in the Mall. Gardeners are being sought to assist with the project, as well as other resources. “We’ll be making a start on it soon and need donations of plants, ideas, and a few helpers. They can join the young people from Cromwell Youth Trust who have already offered to lend a hand. We are grateful to have Jo Wakelin from Otago Polytechnic as our unofficial advisor too as she has amazing Central Otago specific gardening knowledge,” said Patridge. The idea is that anyone in the community could pick herbs and a few vegetables, as well as being part of the team who take care of the garden. Central Otago District Council (CODC) agreed to hand over a plot of land in the Mall for the project last month. Connect Cromwell are hoping that the ‘before’ photo is prettier than the ‘after’ photo and anticipate that the garden will be well received by the community.

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Queen Elizabeth II once described 1992 as an “annus horribilis” – a horrible year. Moving forward 28 years, I’m not even sure there is a sufficient (publishable) term to sum up 2020. Let’s just say, it was a bloody shocker. Covid19 created the perfect storm for the year’s lowlights. It impacted everyone, and not just through lockdowns and health worries. It also hit in the pocket, and in some cases, it bought the end to jobs, businesses, and livelihoods. Vaccinations may be on the horizon, but unfortunately it looks like we’re going to be dealing with the impact and fallout of Covid19 well into 2021. Overall, the New Zealand economy also took a hit. Although the latest Treasury update indicated that hit was less severe than initially expected, in no small part thanks to the positive contribution the primary sector continued to play. From a farming perspective, 2020 was the year of frustrating government regulations. September saw the release of a raft of ‘one-size fits all’ freshwater regulations imposed across the sector. While some rules may ultimately be workable, others remain impractical and costly, with the only hope for common-sense relying on the Minister for the Environment acknowledging that changes need to be made, particularly in the area of wetlands, winter grazing and stock exclusion. A positive is that we’re starting to see regional councils, stakeholders and government officials working constructively on trying to find pragmatic solutions. Given it’s the implementation of these regulations that will be key, this solution-focussed collaboration should guide the way forward into the future.

THURSDAY 24.12.20 - WEDNESDAY 30.12.20

All up, for many of us, 2020 is a year we’d rather leave in the rear-view mirror. But what’s coming up on the horizon? Unfortunately, it’s probably more of the same for 2021. The intensity of central government regulation and direction forced down on local and regional councils is only going to increase, and everyone needs to sit up and pay attention to that. Looming regulations will cover a range of topics, from biodiversity, climate change, farm plans and the protection of highly productive soil, through to a full review of the Resource Management Act, the Crown Pastoral Land system, and the three waters (drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater). This time though, it won’t be just primary producers impacted and frustrated. Rates are going to increase, and with 2021 being a ‘long-term plan year’, close inspection of councils’ proposed costs and rates forecasts will be crucial. Unfortunately, the reality is that the more central government regulation that is released, the greater the requirements falling onto councils, and consequently, the higher the rates you’ll be expected to pay. In Otago, we’re also facing a full review of the Regional Policy Statement (which will ultimately impact all district plans), the ongoing fast-track of the Otago Water and Land Plan review, and three different Otago plan changes will be working their way through the Environment Court system. One thing that’s certain, 2021 won’t be dull. But one thing 2020 has shown us all is that if anyone can find the best way through obstructions, uncertainty and chaos, kiwis can.

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OPINION: Do we really still need Christmas? to be reflected by a great many kiwis. The 2018 census showed that only 37% of New Zealanders identify as Christian, with 48.6% saying that they didn’t identify with any religion, 6.9% with another “Oh jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, Christmas in New Zealand on a sunny summer’s religion (hinduism, islam, buddhism, sikhism, and others), and 6.7% making no declaration. day, ay!” However, a glance at our Kiwi Christmas culture A recent trip to Auckland in November was a stark reminder of the commercial value of seems to show that many more than 37% of kiwis Christmas. For the week I was there, it seemed I are gathering on the 25th of December every year couldn’t go a day without walking somewhere and to dance around a small indoor pine tree and rip inadvertently hearing Mariah Carey belting out decorative paper off another gift card (it’s okay ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’. Shop windows, Aunty Linda, I know I’m a hard person to buy for). This is further evident by the fact street lamps, and the backs of that Christmas is a non-working buses were clad in the cheery day, even if you don’t celebrate red and green Christmas tidings Christmas. of “buy one get one free” and So is the answer just to get “fun for the whole whānau.” All rid of Christmas altogether? in the name of ‘Christmas spirit’, Perhaps the Grinch was right I guess? after all, perhaps those of us We’re certainly not protected non-Christians should burn from it in our bubble either. A our Christmas trees, get rid visit to the CBD with its many of the presents, cancel travel Christmassy decorations, PHOTO: Pixabay plans, and enjoy a normal themed window displays, Christmas is a significant date on holiday sales, and new lakefront the calendar, but how important is it working week instead of trying sculpture makes it clear that to those of us who aren’t Christian? to celebrate this religious event Christmas is an important time of the year (to as a secular holiday? Although, we might realise in doing so (just like spend money) for many/most in the Upper the Grinch does) that the value of Christmas long Clutha region. The illusion of Santa Claus was recently broken ago morphed into a kind of non-religious cultural for my youngest sibling when he recalled a time worth. Mariah, for instance, doesn’t once include when an aunt came to deposit presents late on a biblical reference in that song that we all so love Christmas Eve saying, “done and dusted!” After (‘All I Want for Christmas is Jesus’ doesn’t quite his initial disappointment, he still made it very have the same tone to it…). For many, the value clear that he was still expecting presents from of Christmas lies in the fact that it brings people ‘Santa’ this year, “it’s so that the younger cousins together, something that will be especially valuable for some families able to reconnect after ‘the year still believe, mum!” This ‘holding on to tradition’ attitude seems that was’. I certainly won’t be complaining.

Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

DESIGNED TO MAKE A

LASTING IMPRESSION www.laing.co.nz THE WĀNAKA SUN

PHOTO: Cromwell Heritage Precinct

This is the first year that festival organisers will be collecting canned goods for the Cromwell Food Bank.

Annual cherry festival supports local food bank STAFF REPORTER

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Who thought spitting out cherry stones could be so much fun? On Sunday December 27, locals of all ages will get together to raise some much needed supplies for the Cromwell Food Bank by participating in a cherry stone spitting competition. Taking place on the McNulty Lawn, in the Cromwell Heritage Precinct, the annual Cherry Festival and Cherry Stone Spitting Championships is a longstanding event that has been running for over 20 years. This year, the event will be supporting the Cromwell Food Bank. Rather than pay an entry fee, competitors will need to bring along canned food donations. “The collected goods will be donated to the Cromwell Food Bank to help families in

our community,” says Gretchen Nightingale, Community Relationships Manager for the Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group. As always, this unique festival is expected to be a hit, whatever the weather. The main event, the National Cherry Stone Spitting Championship, is open to all entrants young and old with registrations opening at 11am. Organisers are expecting around 100 entrants and lots of spectators. The record for the National Cherry Spitting Competition is 14.25m while the world record is a whopping 28.51m. Last year's winner, Facundo Minaberrigaray, achieved an impressive distance of 12.1m. Contestants will compete for a prize of local products and produce. There will also be a cream pie eating competition and a colouring competition, along with face painting and entertainment for the little ones.

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PAGE 11

Sun Sport

Currie takes second place in major Rotorua triathlon Jo Galer

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

In his first major race since lockdown, Wānakabased triathlete Braden Currie secured a strong second place at the Rotorua Suffer event at the weekend. Dubbed the most difficult triathlon in New Zealand, Currie went to Rotorua with his family for what was his fourth time racing in the tourist city. Taupō triathlete Kyle Smith came in first at 3:45:42 secs, with Currie coming in at second with 3:49:38 secs. He had a solid race with a reasonable swim, coming out of the water in second place with a group on his tail. The result was a deficit for Currie on Smith, who had a four and a half minute lead going into the run. “Kyle was running well so I just got into my rhythm and made sure that if there was a chance of him dropping back that I’d be close enough to scoop it up. But he held strong. “The body felt really good and it was great to be back racing and give the body a bit of a test again. It’s a fantastic course. I probably just let things go a little too far out of my reach - Kyle had an excellent race,” Currie said. The pair meet again at the Port of Tauranga race, with Currie’s focus in coming weeks to work on some of the elements of his race to give him a better chance. PHOTO: Hamish Collie (Professional Triathletes Organisation) The global impact of Covid 19 on triathalons has Currie said the body “felt really good” during Rotorua been “profound” and athletes had been hit hard. event. However, the Professional Athletes Organisation For many in the elite triathlete field, it was has been “phenomenal at supporting athletes the first race of this distance since Covid-19 through this challenging time,” said Currie. lockdown in March.

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Wānaka Women’s Bowls Team Win Three Years In A Row On Sunday 20 December at Wānaka local bowlers Marilyn Steel and Marg Young won the Central Otago Centre 1-10yr 2x4x2 Pairs for the third year in a row. An outstanding achievement. To be eligible for this event the players need to have played bowls for 10 years or less. In 2x4x2 bowls each player has 4 bowls. The first bowler delivers 2 bowls before switching ends with the partner who then delivers 4 bowls. The first player then plays their other 2 bowls. Quite a lot of changing ends but it means each bowler has equal responsibility for leadership. It was great to see 7 Wānaka teams playing in this year’s event and acquitting themselves very well. In a cliff hanger final between Wānaka and Cromwell the scores were all even going into the last end. Wānaka put themselves in a very

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Marg Young and Marilyn Steel.

PHOTO: Rhonda Hurley

strong position and were holding 4 shots when Cromwell played their final bowl that cannoned into the Wānaka bowls but fortunately left Wānaka holding one shot that gave Marilyn Steel and Marg Young the win. – By Peter Wilson

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

The night was lit up by the Wānaka Swim Club’s inaugural annual Christmas lights and carols evening last Thursday, December 17. The evening was hosted by Coach Belinda Donaldson, whose array of Christmas lights could be seen from afar, with fellow Coach Cameron Stanley performing carols on his violin. All proceeds from a gold coin donation were to go towards the club’s competitive swim camp in January 2021.

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Sun Views

GUEST EDITORIAL

Herbicide in Lake Wānaka

On arriving at the Angler’s Access carpark at West Wānaka earlier this week for a morning of fishing, I was surprised to see a Health Risk notice noting the application of diquat by helicopter on December 14. People were asked to avoid swimming, gathering food or taking water from the area. I tried ringing the information phone number provided on the Health Risk notice, but it rang through to an unallocated Spark number. I was fishing from the shore but there were other people in boats trolling for trout in Paddock Bay. I wondered if they were aware of the potential health risk from eating trout caught in the bay. On my way home I checked the boat ramps at Rotary Park, Glendhu Bay and the main Wānaka boat ramp in Wānaka township. The notice was not posted at either ramp. I consider that this is not a satisfactory level of public notification of diquat spraying on such a popular area of Lake Wānaka for water skiing and fishing. There appeared to be no public notification in the Wānaka Sun or The News on the publication dates December 3, and December 10. I understand that a public notice was posted in the ODT, but I rarely read the ODT. I also wonder what notification was given to the various wading birds and water fowl I saw feeding in the sprayed area? Is it time to discontinue the practice of spraying herbicide into Lake Wānaka, i.e. is the cure worse than the disease? At a time when the health of our lakes and rivers is very much in the public eye, it is surprising that diquat use by LINZ to control Lagarosiphon is still apparently supported by the ORC, DoC the QLDC and the Guardians of Lake Wānaka. Spraying of diquat herbicide into Paddock Bay has been taking place for many years with little apparent long-term impact on the presence of Lagarosiphon major (lakeweed). I understood from the Regional Lake-Weed Forum held in Wānaka earlier this year, that diquat was to be discontinued in favour of bottom lining with hessian matting, but both now seem to be in use, so perhaps I misinterpreted what was stated. Although a large amount of public money has been spent on attempts at lakeweed control, casual observations I have made since I first started fishing Paddock Bay in 1985, indicate that in over 30 years the overall abundance of Lagarosiphon has changed very little, even with the control measures attempted. While the presence of the weed in shallow water (<1m depth) has waned after diquat application, this is generally followed by an increase in anoxic black sediment and the disappearance of most small invertebrates and fish. After a few months regrowth reoccurs. Paddock Bay is a reasonably enclosed and shallow area of the lake, yet control measures have proved relatively ineffective. I believe that total eradication of an invasive species of weed such as L. major, (which can regenerate vegetatively from a small fragment of weed) in a lake with the physical characteristics of Lake Wānaka, will be virtually impossible. NIWA states in their 2016-2025 ten-year management plan (NIWA CLIENT REPORT No: HAM2015-070) that “Diquat has

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