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Cameron Stanley smashes the lake swim Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

ameron Stanley, the head coach of Wānaka Swim Club was the fastest person to swim the 44.5km length of Lake Wānaka after he completed the challenge in 11 hours and 45 minutes last Sunday.

He went into the water in Makarora in the early hours of the morning and emerged to a welcoming party on the Wānaka beach around 6pm. The first swimmer to swim the length of the lake was Fi Fairbairn, when she completed the course in 16 hours in January last year.

Stanley told the Wanaka Sun, "It was great to finish the swim yesterday. It was a tough start when the water temperature was 12.5 degrees and the air temperature five degrees. I got very cold and wasn't sure if I would be able to keep going. Luckily, when the sun came out I started to warm up and feel better. The last 15km or so were pretty hard work, but that was to be expected!"

Volunteers from the club swam alongside him for parts of the route, with more supporters accompanying him by boat. "We had three pilot boats and several kayaks and support swimmers. We were joined by more boats and supporters for the last 20km, and then more again for the final few. It couldn't have done it without all of these supporters; they motivated me to keep going and keep my pace up."

Fellow coach Belinda Donaldson, who organized much of the day, told The Wānaka Sun Stanley had been training 40 - 50km per week since November last year. "A challenge between Wānaka and Queenstown Lake Swimmers to collectively swim the perimeter of their respective lakes has meant Cameron has done a lot of lake swimming over the past few months, as have I, and this has inspired the attempt at swimming the length of the lake," she said.

A seasoned swimmer and former record holder, Stanley used the challenge as an opportunity to raise money for the swim club, as well as local charities Wānaka Search and Rescue and Wānaka Cat Rescue. The total currently stands at over $2,200, but supporters could still donate via the official fundraising page: https://givealittle.co.nz/ cause/wanaka-lake-swim.

C

PHOTO: Supplied

Swim coach Cameron Stanley was the second person to swim the length of Lake Wānaka last Sunday.

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Winton lodges appeal for Cromwell development

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Mayor Jim Boult said Auckland Airport is not in charge.

The tail is not wagging the dog according to Mayor Boult Emma Conyngham

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Tuesday’s council meeting has “confirmed our worst fears that Auckland International Airport Ltd is controlling the agenda and not Council via the SOI process,” said a post on Protect Wānaka’s Facebook page. “This is a case of the tail (Queenstown Airport Corporation) wagging the dog (Queenstown Lakes District Council).

We've been asking for months how QLDC plans to control QAC (and what they do at Wānaka) now that Wānaka Airport has effectively been sold to them.”

Protect Wānaka reported that, “Mayor Jim Boult issued a stark warning to councillors today that moves to limit Queenstown airport growth could be challenged by Auckland Airport as a minority shareholder.”

However, yesterday, QLDC issued a statement saying, “The 2020 Statement of Expectations for the Queenstown Airport Corporation was the main focus of an extraordinary meeting of the QLDC this week, outlining what Councillors will be seeking from the Corporation’s upcoming Statement of Intent.

At the meeting, Mayor Jim Boult recognised that decisions made regarding the future of airport development in the district also needed to consider the Corporation’s minor shareholder, Auckland International Airport Ltd. ‘I felt it important to remind my fellow elected members that, even as the majority shareholder, we are not alone in this decision-making process.

And that locking the QAC into such a definitive position without agreeing it with the other shareholder could be open to legal challenge

from them. I personally feel it is right and proper to highlight such risks when making these decisions,’ said Mayor Boult.

‘That some have chosen to interpret my advice to surmise that Auckland International Airport is calling the shots is simply misleading nonsense. To be clear, AIAL has never discussed or highlighted any intention to take legal action.

In fact, it is fully supportive of the Council’s current approach to pause all development at Wānaka and Queenstown whilst more information is gathered.’

‘Actually we have a positive and productive relationship with our minority shareholder, which has positively responded to the current airport impact assessments and plans to constructively engage with Council on any subsequent QACled masterplanning processes and consultations to shape the future of our district’s airports,’ added Mayor Boult.”

Despite the fears raised by Protect Wānaka, Auckland Airport spokesperson Mark Thomson clarified their role saying, “Auckland Airport respects and values our partnership with QLDC and we have never contemplated taking any legal action against them.

“We are very mindful that people have voiced concerns about regional growth and the role of air services, and we fully support the council’s decision to lead this process, including engaging extensively with the community and all other stakeholders.

“Auckland Airport is a minority shareholder in QAC with one seat on the board. We are proud of our association with Queenstown and we will continue to support QAC and the contribution it makes to the district and the community.”

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Winton is appealing the decision to decline the development of Riverside Terrace in Cromwell.

Emma Conyngham

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

River Terrace Development, owned by Winton, has appealed Central Otago District Council’s decision to decline Plan Change 13 for the River Terrace development in Cromwell.

Chris Meehan, Winton CEO, said, “Cromwell desperately needs more quality and affordable housing, a view shared publicly by the Southern District Health Board and the local mayor, Tim Cadogan. Plan Change 13 is the only practical opportunity in the short and medium-term to build significantly more high-quality and affordable housing in Cromwell.”

Maria de Cort, communications coordinator for CODC said, “Council has been served a notice of an appeal by River Terrace Developments Limited in respect of the decision on Plan Change 13.

At this early stage Council’s planning and legal advisors have not analyzed the appeal. We will be working through this in the coming weeks. The Council commits to defending the decision and will follow the Environment Court appeal process.

The Resource Management Act 1991 provides for those parties who submitted on the original plan change to participate in the appeal proceedings.”

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

The $400k cost of the original plan change hearing has been under heated debate with Winton refusing to pay the full amount.

Communication manager for Winton, Sonya Finmore said, “The cost objection was heard last week, and an outcome from the Central Otago District Council is forthcoming. Winton has paid the non-objected costs of $193,634.85 to the Council, and $69,000 (including GST) continues to be held in Trust.”

The Wānaka Sun asked whether the appeal could be delayed until the costs had been paid however David Campbell, Planning Manager for CODC said, “The majority of their outstanding costs have been paid and their objection to the costs is being considered by an independent commissioner. Council does not process an appeal, this sits with the Environment Court, so Council cannot refuse to process the appeal.”

While some Central Otago ratepayers could find it unfair that an appeal hearing could go through before their bill is paid, Campbell said, “The applicant is exercising their rights of appeal and rights to object to the costs of processing their plan change request. Both will be considered on their merits by the Environment Court and an independent commissioner respectively.”

Child smoking weed a false claim The article did not state who had made the claim or whether the ‘southern resort town’ was Wānaka. editor@thewanakasun.co.nz However, Miriam Reddington, area response Last week Otago Daily Times reported that, manager for Wānaka Police said, “I can tell you “An eight-year-old child was high on drugs as that this report is not correct so have nothing holiday celebrations at a southern resort town further to add unfortunately. The ODT has veered from underage drinking to drugs.” incorrectly reported this.”

Emma Conyngham

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

THE WĀNAKA SUN

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Local teacher wins national award Airport survey sparks Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Mount Aspiring College secondary English teacher Christopher Waugh has recently been recognised for his innovative classroom methods at the ASG National Excellence in Teaching Awards last week. Waugh was one of six teachers to be awarded with the Supreme Award for Innovation in Education after creating initiatives within the school English programme in which students take control of their learning.

One particular innovation that interested the judge panel was the ‘You Choose’ course selection where teachers pitch their English courses to Year 11 and 12 students, who then decide what they would most like to study for the year. Waugh has also created individual blogs for each student that essentially replaces the role of a workbook, and a podcast (See Me After Class) with fellow teachers about the education system.

“I’m very pleased to note that this is an award

for excellence in practice,” said Waugh, who has been teaching across the country and in the UK for 18 years, “It’s not for being passionate or trying hard, or doing a lot of extra work - though those things are often virtues of teachers – this is an acknowledgement to teachers for being good at what we do. Personally, I’ve eschewed the temptation to attempt a rise into the management ranks – though I’m not presuming they’d have had me if I’d tried – and it’s great that, just from the classroom, I can still gain national recognition.”

Waugh added that, “my dearest hope is that this award will mean that the school management will reconsider their diminishment of our student choice scheme. The ability English students have in our department, in Years 11 and 12, to select their own course and teacher is a unique innovation, which was particularly interesting to the award panel, and it’s currently under threat.

Otherwise, it’s simply a signal that we’re on the right track. That feels good.”

Mt. Iron Junction resource consent recommended for refusal

PHOTO: Supplied

“An urban rather than a rural landscape at the gateway of Wānaka”. A Council Senior Planner has recommended Mt Iron Junction’s development be refused due to adverse visual effects.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

A report submitted by a Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Senior Planner at the resource consent hearing for Mt Iron Junction recommended that the application be refused because it would present “an urban rather than a rural landscape at the gateway of Wānaka.”

Consent had been sought by Mt Iron Junction Ltd. for a mixed-use development, the first stage of which would include a service station, workers’ accommodation, childcare centre and mini golf facility at the intersection of State Highways 6 and 84 between Wānaka, Lake Hāwea and Cromwell.

The hearing took place on February 12 and 13.

Senior Resource Consents Planner Sarah Gathercole’s report to the commissioners concluded that a lack of rural character and integration with the surroundings would have “adverse visual effects and effects on amenity values will result.” The report added that greater clarity was needed around the effects of the future roundabout, the second stage of development (which include a motel and commercial precinct), and the potential of contaminated land and noise effects, which she felt had not been appropriately investigated.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

The report did acknowledge that neither the second stage of development nor the roundabout were included as part of the application. The construction of the roundabout, which has recently been fast-tracked, is the responsibility of the NZ Transport Agency. It does, however, require land owned by Mt Iron Junction Ltd. Despite the recommendations, lead developer Steve Schikker told the Wānaka Sun he felt it was “a very strong case,” adding that “the panel were impressed with our detail in design and the fact we had a very strong community backing during the submission process.” Thirty-five public submissions were made, of which 25 were in support, six in opposition and four were neutral.

Department of Conservation (DOC) Operations Manager Central Otago Mike Tubbs also returned an Affected Party Approval to the developers, stating that he did not consider DOC’s interests to be affected by the proposal.

Should the application be approved in four weeks’ time, it would not be the first occasion that commissioners have decided against the recommendations of QLDC Senior Planners.

Gathercole had advised that the Northlake Investment Ltd’s application to build a 113bed hotel in the subdivision be refused last year however the commissioners approved the plan.

criticism and confusion Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Online feedback on the future of airports in the district was launched last Thursday, February 20, as part of the ongoing “conversation” between Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and the community.

According to QLDC, the consultant engaged to undertake these conversations, MartinJenkins, took insight from focus groups held last week to share a “set of key questions,” giving participants the opportunity to comment on various possible scenarios in an online survey.

However, the survey immediately attracted criticism from residents and local groups on a number of levels. “Since it went live 24 hours ago, we’ve received a steady flow of messages from members complaining about the survey (both content and functionality),” read the Wānaka Stakeholders Group (WSG) website. “Having reviewed it closely, we are even more concerned than before that this consultation process is skewed and broken.”

Michael Ross, Chair of WSG, subsequently wrote to MartinJenkins on Monday outlining six “significant concerns” with the survey. These included that some antivirus software identified a security issue with the site, meaning people were blocked from completing it, that members found questions “ambiguous and/or vague,” and at times “leading or misleading,” and that the airport scenarios provided did not cover all meaningful options.

"The scenario of introducing just ATRs/ turbo-props into Wānaka Airport is not even offered. And yet this was one scenario which got significant support in our forum. The forums were – we were advised – to inform and refine the online questionnaire," wrote Ross.

He also noted that, because there was no unique identifier for those taking the survey, there was a “real possibility” that individuals or organisations could answer multiple times, and that results could be “gamed.”

Finally, Mr Ross concluded that the online survey "does not meet even entry level best practice standards for a consultative exercise of this importance. Trust in the process is very, very low."

MartinJenkins responded on Tuesday, but did not uphold the concerns expressed by WSG on behalf of the community.

With regard to the technical issues with the survey, Principal Consultant Jason Leung-Wai stated that an open and anonymous survey would capture “a range of perspectives rather than generate a statistically representative sample,”

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

PHOTO: Supplied

Despite the issues raised, the Wānaka Stakeholders Group strongly encourages everyone to complete online survey.

and “the findings will not be materially affected by multiple responses.” He added that the survey was using an established secure platform, and having currently received over 1,200 responses, the company had received “only a few requests for technical support,” only two of which related to being blocked by Norton Antivirus.

Leung-Wai acknowledged that the survey was not straightforward due to the “inherent complexity of the topic,” but dismissed WSG’s concerns when he said “survey responses received thus far suggest that people are generally able to understand and respond to the questions, which are deliberately broad in nature.”

In response to concern around the scenarios provided, Leung-Wai wrote, “The scenarios are hypothetical and represent a broad spectrum of options rather than detailed options. They are sufficiently different to allow us to capture the variety of perspectives on how positive and negative impacts may change depending upon the scenario.” He added that by asking how scenarios might be improved, the survey provided opportunity “for commenting on other options, such as the ATR-turbo-prop only option.”

Leung-Wai echoed Mayor Boult and QLDC’s repeated affirmations when he said “this is not a formal consultation process on detailed options but rather stakeholder and community engagement to inform our analysis.”

Meanwhile, WSG continues to encourage all members of the community to get involved.

“Despite all of this, we strongly recommend that you complete the survey,” reads the website.

Although WSG intend to challenge the validity of the process, “the community should voice its concerns loud and clear, so that QLDC can’t say, ‘you didn’t turn up.’”

The survey is open to all who live here, used to live here, own a property or business here, or are just passing through. It can be completed at this address until Wednesday, March 11: https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/airport-impactassessments.

PAGE 3

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NASA balloon set to lift off from Wānaka Airport community on the importance of the balloon mission and on other NASA initiatives, such as the agency’s work with the Artemis program, NASA’s program to land the next man and the first woman on the Moon by 2024.

“We’re excited for our return to Wānaka and look forward to conducting outreach, meeting with local leaders, and ultimately sharing all of NASA’s work with the global community,” said Fairbrother.

Emma Conyngham

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

After a three-year hiatus, NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program is returning to Wānaka on a quest to perfect its super pressure balloon, or SPB, technology to support science missions for longer flight durations, with flights running up to 100 days.

The team is targeting mid-April for the balloon launch, the fourth launch from Wānaka Airport since NASA began balloon flight operations there in 2015.

“This year’s mission is critical to validating and certifying the super pressure balloon as an operational flight vehicle,” said Debbie Fairbrother, chief of NASA’s Balloon Program Office. “For certain types of science, we can achieve the same results on a balloon that could only otherwise be achieved by flying into space on a rocket. Certifying the balloon as a longduration flight vehicle is key to supporting bigger and more complex science missions in the future.”

The science and engineering communities have previously identified long-duration balloon flights as playing an important role in providing inexpensive access to the near-space environment for science and technology.

Past SPB flights have led to new processes and procedures for constructing the upper and lower fittings of the balloon to ensure the balloon stays pressurised despite the stresses from gas expansion/contraction that occur during the heating and cooling of the day-night cycle. In addition, NASA has made improvements on the launch collar electronics. The launch collar is the mechanism that holds the balloon film together during launch operations – the collar is released just before launch.

PAGE 4

Watch the launch!

PHOTO: NASA

NASA's super pressure balloon stands fully inflated and ready for lift-off from Wānaka Airport, New Zealand, in 2017.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming the NASA team back to Wānaka this year for their fourth super pressure balloon launch,” said Colin Keel, chief executive of Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC), which manages Queenstown and Wānaka airports. “In 2017 NASA and QAC entered into a 10-year arrangement to ensure the balloon launch program continued at Wānaka Airport and

provided the community with the many benefits it offers. It’s a privilege to host this innovative program once again in our part of the world.”

QAC confirmed that in light of potential airport development, “General aviation is an important part of the history and future of Wanaka Airport and will be included in any future planning.”

While in Wānaka, NASA intends to conduct a number of outreach events and to engage the

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

• Immediately after lift-off, the balloon will be visible for miles around with the best viewing points being on the Hāwea Flat side of the Clutha River, on Mount Iron or on the hill on the Hāwea side of the Red Bridge by Kane Road. There will be no public access to Wānaka Airport during the launch sequence, as per NASA safety protocols.

• A live feed of the launch is available here: www.ustream.tv/channel/nasacsbf-downrange-operations • Track the progress of the flight at the following link, which includes a map showing the balloon’s real-time location, at: http://www.csbf.nasa.gov/ newzealand/wanaka.htm • For mission status updates, follow NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility social media accounts: www.facebook.com/ NASAWFF and www.twitter.com/ NASA_Wallops • For launch updates, follow on Wanaka Airport’s Facebook page www.facebook. com/WanakaAirport

THE WĀNAKA SUN

thewanakasun.co.nz

Sun News

HOBBIES

Karate could be just the hobby you’re looking for Caroline Moratti

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The January headlines of Wānaka burglaries might have got you thinking about self-defense.

Karate is a hobby you can pick up that is both practical (you don’t need any equipment outside of the classroom to defend yourself!) and fun that appeals to adults and children alike. The ancient martial art inspires confidence and focus whilst still giving you a good fitness workout. Learning Karate takes skill and practice, but unlike some hobbies, you can visually see yourself improve week after week. If your child has been having trouble obeying and following tasks, Karate could install a much-needed sense of discipline.

Think about it, the whole system of Karate is built on hierarchy and discipline! From the famous belt colours to respecting Sensei’s commands, Karate maintains a strong system of order.

Tania Brett runs HĀwea Karate which offers both a junior and senior class on Tuesdays during term time. For beginners, she advises that “you

Tania Brett’s Hawea Karate studio shows off their wide range of belts.

need to be able to move freely so wear track pants or shorts and a T-shirt if you don't have a uniform. Take along a drink bottle as well.”

The Upper Clutha hosts a wide range of Karate clubs and instructors if you’re interested in the

sport. “It is a good idea to contact the instructors before you train to see when it's a good time to start,” says Brett.

So whether you’re a fan of The Karate Kid, want to learn some defensive moves or gain some fitness

PHOTO: Supplied

away from an intimidating gym environment, consider Karate for your new 2020 hobby. It’s a great way to make friends and kick butt at the same time. And hey, even if you end up hating it, at least you’ll still walk away with a killer white outfit.

WSG court documents delve into allegations Emma Conyngham

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Statement of Claim brought by the Wānaka Stakeholders Group and the Statements of Defence by Queenstown Lakes District Council and Queenstown Airport Corporation show the depth of locked horns on the issue of Wānaka Airport development.

The extensive documentation can be boiled down to a handful of core claims: WSG alleges that QLDC acted unlawfully in granting a 100-year lease to QAC by acting outside of its delegation of authority.

They also allege that the ‘Perpetual Lease and Asset Sale agreement’ (officially titled the Memorandum of Lease), in essence, constitutes a sale — whilst the land itself is leased, the existing runway, taxiway, apron, roads and carparks, buildings, building fit out, portable buildings and other plant equipment were sold to QAC. WSG also alleges that the purchase of just over $12million worth of surrounding land by QAC in 2016-17 also reveals that QAC had bigger aspirations for Wānaka Airport than what were being disclosed at the time. WSG states that the purchase of the surrounding land was not only not revealed to the public, it wasn’t even stated in the 2106 Statement of Intent to QLDC. In their response, QAC stated, “It admits that the statement of intent dated 30 June 2016 did not refer to those parcels of land but … a decision to purchase land adjacent to the airport would not need to be specifically identified in the statement of intent.”

WSG alleges “side agreements” and “plans to develop the airport” have been deliberately withheld from the public however QAC’s response, bluntly states, “It did not have "plans" as alleged.” QLDC responds that there were no ‘side agreements’ except “two side letters relating to matters of access, registration and new water supply services to the boundary of Wānaka Airport Land.” Over the last year, the existence of secret side agreements has been alluded to by WSG as a smoking gun of proof that QLDC and QAC have been planning a jet-capable airport from the very beginning; however the revelation in the court documents that the only side agreements are in relation to access, registration and water suggests that those allegations are unfounded.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

However, the sticking point which the judicial review needs to clarify is whether the Perpetual Lease and Asset Sale Agreement surmounted, in effect, to an actual sale as claimed by WSG. They have claimed that the lease gave effective ownership of the airport to QAC, with legal ownership of the airport assets; it also had the effect of permitting QAC to develop make the airport jet-capable; gave QAC control over the development and/or relocation of Project Pure; and required QLDC to buy-back all the assets and surrounding land at the end of the perpetual lease in the event the lease was not continued. On this, WSG says had not had “proper and lawful consultation,” were “significant decisions” within the Local Government Act, and were beyond the delegated authority given to council.

In its response, QLDC stated that they deny the allegations, pointing out that “the SOP made clear that control of Wānaka Airport would remain with QLDC, including through the statement of intent process; and the terms of the Lease are consistent with QLDC retaining control of Wānaka Airport.”

A consistent theme in the Statement of Claim, which has also been on repeat on social media for the last two years, is the lack of consultation on the lease and the future plans for the airport.

WSG insists that the views and preferences of the

persons most likely affected by the new airport, “would have been and continue to be opposed to the real objective of QLDC and QAC,” but that their views were never given consideration.

In response, QLDC, said, “that significant community consultation and engagement has been carried out.”

QLDC has requested that the case be dismissed on the grounds that WSG waited too long to launch their objections to the lease however WSG pointed out that the details of the lease were only released in September 2019.

The war of [legal] words has reportedly not had any of the three parties involved shaking in their boots. Mark Sinclair from WSG stated that their lawyers only undertook the case because they believe their case is legally sound. “We would not bring judicial review proceedings unless we believed we had good grounds to do so and therefore a significant prospect of succeeding. We have representation from senior barristers including two Queens Counsel with substantial experience in judicial review matters,” said WSG in a statement to its members. It also noted that they are receiving significant pro-bono contributions from their legal team.

However, a source from one of the respondents has said that there is little concern in their organisation in regards to the judicial review because

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PHOTO: Supplied

Michael Ross of the Wānaka Stakeholders Group who has lodged a Judicial Review against QLDC and QAC.

they believe WSG’s claims to be unfounded.

According to QAC’s Interim Financial Report, the legal costs accrued for this case up until December 2019 are $110,000. QLDC has not released what this case is costing the ratepayer so far.

All documents relating to the case are available for download from www.thewanakasun.co.nz

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Weaving inclusive communities Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Sierra Roberts

Finalist Sierra Roberts created her self portrait for the Adams Portraiture Award in response to comments that it was inappropriate to celebrate cultures other than her own.

The Weaving House is hosting two meetings with the Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Sunday March 1, 5.30-7.30pm & Monday March 2, 2-4pm at the Wānaka Community Hub. Conversations around the concepts of belonging and inclusion will take place in Wānaka as part of a nationwide roadshow starting this month and running until September 2020.

One of 64 events planned and facilitated by Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono as part of its 2020 project, these community conversations are being held to learn first-hand what belonging feels like, what hinders this, and what needs to change to create inclusive communities.

Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono was formed last year with the support of people across the country who are committed to building an inclusive society. This year, the focus is on connecting with a wide range of New Zealanders to hear their experiences on belonging and inclusion. This will be used to develop a strategy which will be implemented by forming ‘constellations’ – a network of people and organisations working together on a common goal.

"We have a vision for a country where everyone has a place to belong," says Anjum Rahman, Founder and Project Lead for Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono,

PHOTO: Supplied

Anjum Rahman is the founder of Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono who will be bringing an inclusive communities conversation workshop to Wānaka this weekend.

"the freedom to thrive, to be understood and appreciated for your individuality – and to be embraced as a valued member of New Zealand society. These are all things we want as individuals and communities. This initiative will focus on how we can support that.”

"Discrimination and exclusion touch so many of us in different ways," says Rahman. "By holding conversations with those affected, we can develop a way forward based on their stories, their needs and their suggestions for change."

The Weaving House is inviting members of our community to participate in these conversations.

Members of the public are welcome to contact The Weaving House to participate.

Local artists selected as Queenstown Lakes communities finalists in New Zealand’s rally to uplift the arts top portraiture awards Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Local artists Sierra Roberts and Stephen Martyn Welch are among four Central Otago artists to be named as finalists in the biennial Adam Portraiture Awards this year.

The winner of the competition, which celebrates the power of portraiture, New Zealanders, and the portrait painters who represent them features a $20,000 prize. It would be followed by a monthlong exhibition of finalists’ work at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pukenga Whakata in Wellington, and a national tour.

Entering the competition for the first time, 27-year-old Wānaka local Roberts told the Wānaka Sun A self portrait was created for the awards in response to a comment “slapping” her with the idea that it was inappropriate to appreciate or celebrate other cultures. Roberts,

whose paintings typically aimed to celebrate diverse beauty perceptions from different cultures, said she was “quite hurt” by the comment, adding that “painting always seemed the most natural way to move through that kind of distress.”

Her portrait will be displayed in the finalists’ exhibition at Shed 11 on Wellington’s waterfront, alongside Everybody Needs a Portrait by Luggatebased artist Stephen Martyn-Welch – who won the Adam Portraiture Award in 2012 and has been nominated as a finalist on numerous occasions – University of Otago student Ben Mitchell, and Dunedin-raised Imogen Corbett.

“It’s incredible for our area that there are four finalists from Central Otago,” said Roberts.

“It’s nice to know the art community is getting stronger and stronger. I’m really proud and excited to be part of that talented community and excited for future projects together.”

PHOTO: Three Lakes Cultural Trust

The Three Lakes Cultural Trust was formed in 2019 to help facilitate the growth of arts and culture in the Queenstown Lakes.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

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PAGE 6

The Wānaka community has helped shape a ‘Cultural Masterplan’ to improve arts and culture in the region, which was developed by the Three Lakes Cultural Trust and is now due to be publicly released on Friday.

Community Voice meetings were held last year and formed the basis of the plan, which details the current state of the region’s arts sector and provides recommendations to support creativity in the community.

“We are pleased to present a report that truly reflects the views of the people in our communities,” said Three Lakes Cultural Trust chair Bill Moran.

“We had great turnouts to our Community Voice events and the feedback from these sessions was

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

essential in forming a well-rounded strategy that we as a Trust – as well as other individuals, groups and organisations – can refer to for years to come.”

Members of the public are invited to participate in a second round of Community Voice meetings. where they can learn how their personal opinions have shaped the draft Masterplan, as well as provide feedback on it.

The Wānaka session will be held on March 18 at the Lake Wānaka Centre from 6pm to 8pm.

“This Masterplan represents the first time that we, as a community, are having open and frank conversations about arts and culture in our region,” Moran added. “Research shows that a vibrant arts and cultural identity has a positive influence on economic vitality and diversification, social wellbeing and quality of life… We hope that everyone gets involved.”

THE WĀNAKA SUN

thewanakasun.co.nz

Sun News

A big landmark Council extends freedom camping restrictions for tiny houses Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The updated Queenstown Lakes District Council Freedom (QLDC) Camping Bylaw 2019 was adopted at a council meeting on December 12 to replace the QLDC Freedom Camping Control Bylaw 2012.

With consultation opening in October, just two months before the expiration of the old law, the statement of proposal outlined that the 2019 bylaw would “adopt the same approach as the current bylaw, but be drafted in a more simplified way.”

It had increased the areas in which freedom camping was prohibited to include new and growing residential areas such as the Shotover Country, Cardrona, Hāwea and Northlake in Wānaka, alongside two sections of road identified as “hotspots” for freedom campers where environmental harm had occurred. These were Glenorchy Road between Queenstown and Glenorchy, and the Wānaka-Mt Aspiring Road between Wānaka and Glendhu Bay. There had been long-standing debate around freedom camping restrictions in the area, and the risks freedom camping posed to the

If a tiny house is a vehicle, it can never be a building.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

In an unprecedented case, a tiny house owner in North Canterbury has won a court battle to determine that his mobile home is a vehicle rather than a building.

The Hurunui District Council ordered that Alan Dall’s home be demolished if it could not comply with the Building Act 16 months ago.

But a judge at Christchurch District Court ruled last week that the structure was a vehicle because it was registered, warranted, and mobile – whereas a building is immovable, as well as permanently occupied.

There has been increasing debate around tiny houses in recent years. Speaking for the Wānaka Tiny Houses Group, Anja O’Connor told the Wānaka Sun that this case sets an important precedent because “if [a tiny house] is a vehicle, it can never be a building. The council tried to

PHOTO: Pixabay

surrounding environment. Almost two years ago, QLDC promised to take a “hard line” to tackle the problem when it opened proposed new restrictions up for consultation.

“The issue has grown to a stage where immediate action is called for by the community, and Council has moved to act,” read the announcement. However, concerns were raised by locals when the steps taken included very little actual immediate action in Wānaka, only on the lakefront.

But the problems with freedom campers could now be on the decline, according to the Otago Daily Times. In January, Simon Henderson reported that “freedom campers have cleaned up their act and are causing fewer problems across the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts this summer.”

QLDC media and channels adviser Jack Barlow confirmed that reported problems had decreased from last summer. “Fifty-seven complaints were received from November 2019 until January 2020, whereas 80 were received during the same period last year; 1,285 fines were issued from November 1, 2019 until January 29, 2020, whereas 1,347 fines were issued for the same period last year,” he said.

A happy ending needed for this Toy Story Emma Conyngham

move Alan, saying ‘If you live in it permanently, it becomes a building.’

“Queenstown Lakes District Council had the same opinion, but now it’s pretty clear from the top that it’s not. That means that councils and the government have to make regulations around permanent living in a non-building.”

Currently, tiny houses on residential units are subject to the same building and district plan regulations as regular homes. “We’re all worried that neighbours will complain, and then we’ll get moved on,” said O’Connor. “We have started a working group now, and we’re going to write up a plan. Stuff is being done all over New Zealand.

People are choosing to live differently.”

According to O’Connor, the main reason people choose to live in a tiny house is the price of property and renting in the area.

Many also view it as an opportunity to be less wasteful, more environmentally friendly and community-minded.

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Wānaka Community Toy Library is putting out an urgent plea. “All our toys are stored away upstairs in a barn. We need premises urgently.

Please help!”

The WCTL lease ran out December 31, 2019 and they have been looking everywhere for suitable premises.

The Toy library has been in Wānaka for 25 years offering a valuable service to the wider Wānaka community including young local families, grandparents, educational facilities as well as holiday makers in the area. By providing toys of high standard and durability the children extend their basic physical, mental, sensory and perceptual skills.

WCTL has 125 active family members at the PHOTO: Supplied moment. “We are looking for a minimum of Toys in storage because they have no home.

50 – up to 70 sq metres with power and we are registered as a charitable organisation. We apply please contact Arda Booiman ph 0274607972 to various grants for funding to pay rent.” with any information to get this amazing If you have a space you could make available, community group up and running again.

A walk through climate change Emma Conyngham

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Royal Society is hosting a talk on climate change on March 6. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the latest developments in climate science before diving into detail on a few of the climate change projects underway at Bodeker Scientific. These will include: EWERAM: an Extreme Weather Event Real-time Attribution Machine (EWERAM) where, within a day or two of an Extreme Weather Event having occurred over New Zealand, and in response to media questions about the role of climate change in that event, rather than generic statements, scientifically defensible data will be available to inform quantitative statements about the role of climate change in both the severity and frequency of the event.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

The talk will also cover emissions of particulate matter (PM), reactive gases and greenhouse gases (GHGs) from industry, transport and domestic activities, degrade air quality in cities.

PHOTO: Supplied In New Zealand, it is Professor Greg Bodeker, primarily emissions Adjunct Professor at the of PM from burning Climate Change Research Institute. wood or fossil fuels that are of concern. Through this project they are developing a new approach to Mapping Air Pollution eMissions.

There will also be discussion about artificial intelligence applications in weather and climate.

Friday March 6, 91 Tenby Street, Wanaka.

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PAGE 7

Sun News

Council to spend $380,000 on lake snot trials Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Two water filtration technologies designed to remove the algae that causes lake snow will be trialled at the Lake Wakatipu and Lake Wānaka freshwater intakes over the next two months as part of a shared research project between Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago District Councils (QLDC, CODC).

A slimy substance produced by cells of the freshwater alga Lindavia intermedia, lake snow is a well-known nuisance in Central Otago lakes for fouling fishing lines and blocking filters.

QLDC engineers will carry out trials of the Amiad/Arkal treatment and filtration system at the Beacon Point intake in Wānaka and the Kelvin Heights intake in Queenstown for three months from the middle of March. From midApril, a membrane filtration plant will also be tested at Beacon Point for two months.

CODC has experienced a similar algae (Lindavia intermedia) issue near Lake Dunstan.

Over the last six months, the two councils have collaborated on a Southern Lakes Water Treatment Plan for Lakes Wānaka, Wakatipu and Dunstan, sharing costs and findings to develop the best solution for all three. The cost of the trials to QLDC will be around $380,000.

However, Don Robertson, chairman of the Guardians of Lake Wānaka, expressed doubt over PHOTO: Dr Marc Schallenberg, University of Otago the short timelines set out by QLDC, stating that Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago District Councils are sharing research and costs to develop the “a two-month trial is unlikely to be successful.”

“In Lake Wānaka, we have observed high lake Southern Lakes Water Treatment Plan. snow concentrations in months of June and during the trials could result in misleading January, both winter and summer. Not having the conclusions about the effectiveness of the filters,” background concentrations carefully measured he said.

thewanakasun.co.nz

GREBE DIARY 10 February 23, 2020 Last week we recorded six viable nests with a total of 20 eggs between them. Last week we discovered that nest 12 had hatched two of its four eggs, but nests five, seven, eight and 13, all with three eggs had been abandoned. All the eggs on seven and 13 were infertile.

Inexplicably all three eggs on eight were fertile and one of the remaining eggs on five was also fertile as was one of the eggs on 12. All are due to hatch by February 24. Development of the embryos was in line with my calculated hatch date.

To add to the puzzle there were the remnants of a third egg on nest five with two intact eggs. The shell fragments did not fit the usual pattern of a chick breaking free from its shell and examination of the inner surface revealed a network of fine blood vessels imprinted into the shell membrane confirming that it had been fertile. Of the remaining eggs, one was clearly fertile, the other infertile. I suspect our old friends the black-backed gulls had been scavenging, but they

PHOTO: Supplied

Development of the grebe embryos is in line with calculated hatch dates.

cannot be held responsible for all the failures.

I checked activity on the nests from the shoreline two to three times a week from laying onwards and not only recorded the bird on the nest, but also if its mate nearby.

Only twice, just after laying had I seen two birds attending a nest, which suggested that one of the pair had abandoned

the season’s efforts.

Pretty much everything we had seen and recorded this season suggested a shortage of food. Nest three with four eggs was the last one left and was due to hatch February 28.

I really hoped that we would be able to plant this little stretch of Roys Bay into a wetland shortly. I have had some offers of help to do that.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

by Emily Herbert, www.emilyherbertsays.com

ADVERTORIAL

How good is JOMO? Stay strong, stand tall... and have fun PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Ninety-six year old Sybil Trustrum does hip raises on the floor and says her balance has been greatly improved through the Stay Strong Stand Tall classes.

Emma Conyngham

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Stay Strong Stand Tall is an exercise-based class for those in their golden years, designed to maximise strength and mobility. The movements are designed to help prevent falls but there is also a more subtle benefit to the class, “getting people in a group environment creates a social network which has multiple different positive health effects” said Ashley Booth (physiotherapist) of Wānaka Physiotherapy.

Booth leads the fall-prevention class through full-body exercises — a programme which is backed by ACC and Well South that has been adopted worldwide. “We have the big tick of approval from ACC under the Live Stronger for Longer initiative in New Zealand for reducing and preventing falls and fractures in those over 65,” said Booth.

“I do one-on-one assessments to get baseline measures, then set them a home-based programme which we like to see them do twice a week, then they come to class once a week,” said Booth. “At the end of their 10 weeks, we get them back into the clinic for an assessment.

Their progress means they can get in and out

PAGE 8

of a chair easier, and their fitness, strength, and balance improve.”

Falls can have serious consequences, including trauma, pain, impaired function, loss of confidence in carrying out everyday activities, loss of independence and autonomy, and even death. But, strength, flexibility, balance and reaction time are considered the most readily modifiable risk factors for falls.”

For 96-year-old Sybil Trustrum, the class has been invaluable to her for over a year now.

“It keeps me going it really does! I absolutely notice if I don’t do the class.” Trustrum suffers from vertigo and said the exercises have helped her balance tremendously. Getting on and off the floor is a practised movement that is doable no matter how old you are. Sometimes the older population have a fear that they can’t do it but Trustrum (pictured) shows that at 96, getting on and off the floor safely is still possible.

The class is open to anyone in their golden years who wants to build strength, mobility and balance. The programme is $230 and can be repeated as often as desired. For more information, call Wanaka Physiotherapy on 443 0734 or email admin@wanakaphysiotherapy.co.nz.

We’ve all been there. You’re pleasantly, mindlessly scrolling insta or facey, only to see pictures of a party you missed on the weekend. Wham, that acidic feeling of FOMO or Fear of Missing Out creeps into the pit of your stomach.

They’re having such a joyful time. Emotions that can’t be replicated. You’ve missed it for good, and you’ll regret it forever, And Brittany was there and my-god-look-at-her-hair-thatgirl-is-on-fire-my-life-sucks. Or that time you came home from work, busted and ready for a cuppa, when your phone pings. An alluring invitation entices you outside and back into the throng and bustle; a dinner party, drinks with the girls, a not-to-be-missed conference. You feel like the walking dead, but you can’t miss out, for trepidation of going to bed with the roiling wrestle of FOMO in your guts. FOMO is the designer handbag carried by the hustle culture, where success means being on 24/7 and hello, you dynamic fireball, rolling with the punches and pivoting like crazy, insert flame emoji.

The only thing is, FOMO might be killing us.

Yes, we can laugh about it. You can sleep when you’re dead, we chortle. But that opportunity might present itself to us sooner than we’d like if we keep up the break-neck speed of life in the fast lane. Saying yes to it all when you’re emotionally, spiritually or physically bankrupt isn’t smart business; it’s a slippery old slope to burn out and dis-ease.

So, what’s the antithesis?

Let’s turn the same old coin to a new currency that’s just as glittery and gold; JOMO, or Joy of Missing Out. Heaven. It’s the pleasure of taking a break, no kit kat required. Self-care isn’t all

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

face masks and yoga classes. Sometimes, it’s not going out for beers. No reason. Maybe you’re tired, or you need some time alone to regroup and recoup. Maybe you want to lie down in a darkened room and pretend the apocalypse has removed your office from the face of the earth. Maybe it’s reading your book in the garden with your phone in the kitchen, far away on silent. It’s putting aside the shoulds.

I should go to the gym. I should take on that client; it’ll be great exposure. I should meet up for coffee with XYZ. Stop ‘should-ing’ all over the place, you filthy animal. Either do it, or don’t, but make a choice from a place of heck yes. JOMO is not shouty. No one is writing Facebook status updates on how good it was that you missed Ray’s birthday party. It’s a quiet kind of pleasure that comes from making a conscious choice to delete your social media apps for the day/week/century or saying tata to your social scene for a moment or two, or taking a Friday night to yourself or walking up a hill to look around, no tweets included.

It’s a cherished, glorious series of exhales and inhales without knowing what everyone is up to or what the latest goss is.

If you think you don’t spend that much time on social media, consider this; five minutes a day equals 30 hours a year. Thirty minutes a day is 182 hours a year. A year. What could you do with that time? Don’t get me wrong. I love social media, and I get very socially excited. But breaks make it all the better. By choosing to see stepping back as a joyful exercise, rather than a fearful one, you’re reclaiming something so precious, something we claim we’re incredibly poor at; your time.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

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Sun News

B-52s over Wānaka

PHOTO: Supplied by USAF

The B-52 has iconic status within the USAF, where the aircraft is informally referred to as the “BUFF” (Big Ugly Fat Fella).

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow has announced that a United States Air Force (USAF) B-52 Stratofortress bomber will conduct a flyby at the airshow for the first time in New Zealand history. The biennial event will take place at Wanaka airport over Easter weekend.

First conceived in 1946, the B-52 aircraft celebrated 60 years of continuous service with the USAF in 2015, and after undergoing upgrades is expected to still be serving in the 2050s. This would make it the longest-serving bomber aircraft in history.

Superior performance at high subsonic speeds and relatively low operating costs have contributed to the B-52s longevity, despite the introduction of more advanced aircraft over

the years. The B-52 has iconic status within the USAF, where the aircraft is informally referred to as the Big Ugly Fat Fella (BUFF), The B-52 was originally designed to drop nuclear weapons, but has only ever dropped conventional weapons in combat.

“This is absolutely brilliant news for us and will quite possibly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our visitors to see one of these magnificent aircraft display here in our own backyard,” said Warbirds OverWānaka General Manager, Ed Taylor, with the caveat that the attendance of all military aircraft, including the B-52, will be subject to operational and engineering requirements nearer the time of the airshow.

The B-52 will feature on the Sunday of the show, and alongside other fighting aircraft from the United States, Royal Australian and Royal New Zealand airforces.

A dream come true? Foster an allexpenses paid cancer-detection puppy

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Popular with mountain bikers, Sticky Forest is home to 30km of trails.

Decisions on the fate of Sticky Forest to be delayed Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Mediation between Queenstown Lakes District Council and representative of the landowners of Sticky Forest Michael Beresford has been postponed until July, with no set date.

In July 2018, Beresford appealed to the Environment Court following QLDC’s rejection of his bid to rezone 20 hectares of the forest for residential development. Independent commissioners stated that some parts of the site were unsuitable for urban development, and there were issues around legal rights of access.

The land on which Sticky Forest stands, which was valued at $6 million in 2011, was given as substitute to Māori descendants of the owners of the Hāwea-Wānaka block ‘the Neck’, under the Ngāi Tahu treaty. The land court is yet to finalise the full list of beneficiaries, but there are over 1,000 - with Beresford and his family being

among the largest stakeholders.

QLDC spokesperson Jack Barlow confirmed that “all the parties to the Beresford appeal agreed to a request for the Court to defer mediation until July 2020.”

The pine plantation contains more than 30km of mountain bike trails and sees around 300 bike movements a day over summer. Bike Wānaka, who built and maintain many of the Sticky Forest trails, supported QLDC’s decision and, according to their website, “continue to advocate for an outcome whereby the beneficial owners of Sticky Forest get financial recompense, and the Wānaka community retains a recreational asset for future generations.”

Earlier this month, the organisation welcomed the possibility that Sticky could be purchased by QLDC using funds remaining from the sale of the ratepayer-owned land bank Scurr Heights - although this would need to go through public consultation.

PHOTO: Pauline Blomfield

The K9 Medical Detection NZ Trust is seeking foster families for two new puppies in their training programme.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Pauline Blomfield, founder of the K9 Medical Detection NZ Charitable Trust (K9MD), announced at a presentation in Wānaka on Monday that she is seeking foster families for two new puppies in her training programme..

Medical detection dogs are successfully used in other parts of the world, but K9MD is the first organisation in New Zealand to use dogs for the early non-invasive detection of cancer and other diseases. “A dog’s sense of smell is truly amazing,” said Blomfield. “They can detect stable concentrations of one-two parts per trillion, which for humans is the equivalent of smelling one teaspoon of sugar in two Olympic-sized swimming pools of water.”

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Training the dogs is a very long process, but Blomfield believes that in the future, quick, easy and cheap early diagnosis could be achieved.

K9MD Puppy Development Officer, Leone Ward, has raised a number of the team’s dogs here in Wānaka. With two new puppies arriving, she is seeking local volunteer fosterers.

The right candidate must have a secure property and be able to take the puppy to obedience lessons in Wānaka and scent detection training in Dunedin. K9MD advised that the job would suit someone retired or working from home; one adult needs to be at home at all times, and the fosterer must have time to provide environment training, exposing the puppy to new sights and sounds.

Anyone interested should contact Leone Ward on 021 636 599, or email leone@ k9medicaldetection.nz.

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PAGE 9

Sun Farming

thewanakasun.co.nz

Young breeder competition to bring international teams to Wānaka

A monthly column

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

Biodiversity – why it matters

PHOTO: Pixabay

Biodiversity includes ecosystems such as wetlands, sand dunes, tussock grasslands and forests, alongside our indigenous vegetation and the habitats of our indigenous fauna.

The Ministry for the Environment on a draft National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB). Submissions close on March 14..

‘Biodiversity’ is a hot topic right now.

For those of us in the world of resource management, the topic’s importance is up there with water and climate change.

Biodiversity is an important part of our identity as New Zealanders, the things we proudly stand for and enjoy, and what makes us unique. It is also a key aspect of many farms.

When it comes to government regulation, the term is used in relation to New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity.

It includes ecosystems such as wetlands, sand dunes, tussock grasslands and forests, alongside our indigenous vegetation and the habitats of our indigenous fauna.

This is the third time in a decade that a New Zealand government has tried to get national regulation through on this topic. The difference this time is two-fold. Firstly, there appears to be cross-party support for adopting a National Policy Statement on biodiversity – that’s not to say that the contents and provisions aren’t up for debate though.

Secondly, while New Zealand has a vast number of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, many of these are now on threatened or on at-risk lists. We have been called out internationally for our track record on biodiversity loss, and it’s accepted that in many instances we need to do more.

While the need to maintain or protect biodiversity is already required under the Resource Management Act, these new proposals will impact privately owned land.

This is because New Zealand farmers have a considerable proportion (2.7 million hectares) of New Zealand’s remaining indigenous habitat on their land.

In most cases, the biodiversity is there because it is something farmers value, and are proud to have kept, managed and in many cases restored or planted it over the years.

Often it is something farmers don’t even realise they’ve been protecting. To them it might just be the ‘bush over there that I’ve kept for stock shelter or shade’ or ‘the swamp that’s useful for reducing flood risk’ or ‘the gully I keep in scrub as it helps with erosion’.

What we don’t want is for the good work that has resulted in biodiversity remaining onfarm, to be discouraged, or seen as a ‘penalty’.

Too often, fears of unnecessary red-tape and regulation act as a disincentive to do more of the same into the future.

The government must strike the right balance between getting the right outcomes for biodiversity, while enabling primary production to continue, and be viable, diverse, and flexible enough to respond to changing climates and market conditions.

Success will only come where that balance has been met, and where the government backs its agenda with the necessary funding. Easy wins for government can come from funding increased support and guidance for those using the land, making sure councils have access to the resources they need, getting a better picture of how our biodiversity is actually faring, and importantly increased funding to the QEII Trust and the NZ Landcare Trust.

Biodiversity matters, so let’s see if the government can land the right outcomes for us all.

Rural fuel delivery – on time, every time

PAGE 10

PHOTO: Pixabay

The opportunity of a lifetime: seven teams from all over the world will compete in the Boehringer Igleheim World Hereford Conference Young Breeders competition next month.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Boehringer Ingelheim World Hereford Conference Young Breeders competition will bring together 18-30-year-old Hereford enthusiasts from seven countries when it takes place for the first time next month.

The winners would be announced at the Wānaka A&P show on Friday, March 14, after a week of theory tests, practical tasks and ‘kiwi activities’ in some of the best-loved areas of South Island, such as Te Anau and Queenstown.

Event co-ordinator Rebecca Paterson told the Wānaka Sun, “It is our intention for the event to be informative, rewarding and challenging at the same time. We have ensured all competitors will get to see some of the very best countrysides New Zealand has to offer.”

The teams hail from Australia, UK, USA, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, and New Zealand.

Notably, the Swedish team would be made up of all girls, but, Paterson noted, 65 percent of competitors overall were also female. “I am very surprised at people’s reaction to there being more girls,” she said. “I have worked in the stud stock industry for a long time, and there has always been strong female involvement, especially when it comes to showing cattle.”

She added that “everyone involved is looking forward to hosting the teams coming from across the globe. This really is the opportunity of a lifetime; each individual had to compete to represent their country. The teams have been training hard over the last twelve months to prepare, and it really will be an honor for the winning team to be crowned the Boehringer Ingelheim World Hereford Conference Champion Young Breeder Team.”

Farm debt mediation scheme – next steps Emma Conyngham

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is taking steps to establish the new Farm Debt Mediation Scheme, which will begin operating on 1 July 2020.

From next week MPI will be able to consider applications from mediation organisations wanting to take part in this scheme.

“We’ve already heard from leading mediation organisations that are interested in participating.

If an organisation is approved, they will then make sure their mediators are trained for the new scheme,” says Karen Adair, MPI’s Deputy DirectorGeneral Agriculture and Investment Services.

The Farm Debt Mediation Act became law on 13 December 2019 and brings a new approach to farm debt mediation.

Karen Adair says the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme will help provide a way forward when a farm business comes under financial stress. “It will ensure a fair mediation process takes place with an independent, neutral mediator and all the key people around the table.”

In particular, the new Farm Debt Mediation Scheme is designed to address any power

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

imbalance between stressed farm businesses and their creditors. Creditors will be required to offer mediation to farmers before they can take action on a debt default.

“This provides the best chance that everyone involved can reach agreement on a good way forward. This may be a way to turn things around or in some cases, to wind down the business,” says Karen Adair.

“There are two key dates for us – the first is being ready to approve mediation organisations to take part in the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme from 1 February and the other is being open for business for farmers and creditors on 1 July.

“We don’t want to completely re-invent the wheel for farm debt mediation, and the processes we are designing will be familiar for current mediators. We will require mediators to have farm business and rural sector knowledge, and we want good regional coverage.

“Two organisations, the Arbitrators' and Mediators' Institute of New Zealand and the Resolution Institute, have advised MPI they are intending to apply to be Approved Mediation Organisations under the new legislation. They are jointly developing a day-long seminar in midFebruary to train existing mediators.”

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun Farming

thewanakasun.co.nz

The future of pinot noir Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

As temperatures rise and seasons change, the regions of the world that are suitable for growing wine grapes could shrink by half or more, a new study with a Kiwi author found last month.

According to research co-authored by Lincoln University’s senior lecturer in viticulture, Amber Parker, 56 percent of the world’s winegrowing areas may no longer be suitable for producing wine if global temperatures rise by two degrees. The number increases to 85 percent at four degrees of warming.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used vintner archives to measure the growth trajectory of 11 grape varieties, including pinot noir, at zero, two and four-degree temperature increases. Researchers then used climate change projections to see where each variety would be viable in the future.

The study suggested that adapting where certain grape varieties are grown could halve the potential issues of winegrowing regions under two degrees of warming, and reduce them by a third at four degrees.

According to the findings, New Zealand would be less affected than warmer climates, but would still need to make changes. “New Zealand could adapt to climate change by gaining suitable grape-growing areas in regions not currently suitable, or we maybe able to introduce and expand production with varieties such as Grenache and Mourvèdre, which are more suited to a warmer climate,” Parker said.

What might this mean for the famous Central Otago Pinot Noir? Mike Pole,a paleontologist and geologist with a particular interest in New Zealand climate, said that“with a two or four-degree temperature increase, our wine industry would have entirely changed. It’s probably

unpredictable how different varieties of grape will turn out within the broader climate change, so winegrowers could adopt a strategy of trying a variety of grapes in a slightly warmer climate to see which ones do well.”

There are over 1,100 different varieties of grape grown in a wide range of conditions, and they are especially sensitive to the temperature fluctuations that come with climate change. “The thing about plants is they don’t see averages. In my understanding, the plants are seeing cumulative effects like more warm days per year, or more rainy days, and extremes,” said Pole.

It’s these extremes that he believed would be the biggest problem for our grapes, and indeed our region; “the more intense rainfall events, and the hotter, drier days, plus more wind which will translate into a serious fire issue for Central Otago and the periphery.”

Wānaka’s Rippon Vineyard head winemaker Nick Mills agreed that “on our current, very frightening path, this is a possible future for us. As a farming nation, we certainly need to be taking heed of these sorts of studies.”

However, our pinot noir may be safe for now. “Wānaka remains on the very limit of viable wine production. We are consistently two weeks behind the rest of Central Otago, even on our warmest blocks, We’ve seen for ourselves, even in the very warm years, how much more heat is needed before varieties like syrah, merlot, cabernet sauvignon or cabernet franc can ripen here.

Importantly, we can also see how much more warmth would be required before the varieties that are already here become less successful.

“For now, we’d prefer to keep spending our energies on our farm and on our lives, mitigating the cause rather than taking reactive action on the result. I suspect that with four degrees of global warming, we’ll all have much more to worry about than what varieties of grapes we have in the ground, or indeed on our tables,” Mills concluded.

Local farm joins Otago Polytechnic

The Council Word How do our airports affect your ability to work, live and play in the Queenstown Lakes District?

The MartinJenkins consultancy team is keen to hear your views on future airport development. Head to letstalk.qldc.govt.nz to have your say, until 11 March.

English conversations at the library Would you like to practise your social English conversation and meet others on the same journey? Join us at Wanaka Library for free, informal sessions fortnightly on Thursdays starting 27 February from 5.00-6.30pm. For more info email wanaka.library@qldc.govt.nz, call (03) 443 0410 or drop by the library.

PHOTO: Facebook

This year’s High Country Farming students will spend half their contact days on-site at Tinwald Farm.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

An agreement was established last Monday between Tinwald Farm, near Cromwell, and Otago Polytechnic University, formalising an arrangement by which high country farming students would go onto the farm for practical, hands-on agricultural learning as part of their studies.

The High Country Farming programme was delivered through Central Campus in Cromwell, 16km away from Tinwald Farm.

Roger Williams, an agricultural lecturer who heads up the programme at the university, told The Wānaka Sun that this year’s intake of seven students would spend two of their four contact

THE WĀNAKA SUN

days on the farm each week. They would engage in every-day farming tasks to help them gain the experiences and knowledge required to meet academic requirements and improve their future employment prospects.

Tinwald Farm, which runs sheep and beef and grows pinot noir grapes, was bought by Amanda and Adrian Currie in 2012. Mrs Currie told Rural Life she was keen to encourage young people to get involved in “agriculture of the future.”

"They are the potential solution to all manner of problems, including climate change. They’ve got to be educated and shown a way,” she said.

Williams said he was also very happy with the new arrangement, adding that “practical learning is such an important part of the course.”

PHOTO: Joanna Perry

Research published last month has found that rising temperatures will transform the way sensitive grapevines grow across the world.

Weekly badminton Badminton for ages 16-116 runs 7.009.00pm every Wednesday at Wānaka Recreation Centre. Everyone welcome. $5 per person. No experience or preregistration needed. Call (03) 443 9334 or email wrc@qldc.govt.nz for more info.

Sport 10 social league Our ever-popular Sport 10 social league is starting again at Wanaka Rec Centre but with a twist. This time it’s 12 teams competing in four different sports over

eight weeks! Monday evenings from 2 March to 27 April. Super social – mixed teams essential. For more info call Penny on (03) 450 9005 or email penny. batchelor@qldc.govt.nz.

Smokefree and vapefree lakefronts This summer we’re going smokefree and vapefree at Wānaka waterfront, Queenstown Bay, Frankton Beach and Glenorchy waterfront. Help keep the air clear and the beach butt free so everyone can enjoy the waterfront areas. The trial will run until 31 March 2020. If you want more details or have any feedback on the trial, let us know at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz.

Pop-up library Try out the new ‘pop-up’ library service at Wānaka Recreation Centre every Tuesday and Thursday from 3.005.00pm. Sign up to become a library member, borrow and renew books, DVDs and magazines, place holds and find out about upcoming events and kids’ programmes. You can return books in the box provided anytime, even when the pop-up isn’t staffed.

E-library serivces All library members can access a full range of online services 24/7, including renewals, holds, eBooks, audiobooks, and movie streams. codc-qldc.govt.nz

www.qldc.govt.nz

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

PAGE 11

Sun Sport

Bowls skills of Steel

thewanakasun.co.nz

Hāwea Bowling Club take the title

PHOTO: Supplied

Neville Roberts, Dion Kiddey, and Kyle McGowan won the centre triples title at Alexandra last weekend – a terrific effort from the Hāwea Bowling Club.

PHOTO: Supplied

Bob Steel (left) Frank Ruddiman (right).

Ollie Blyth

journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Bob Steel has once again won the Wānaka Bowling Club’s Men’s Junior Pairs (with Alan Coupe) and the Men’s Junior Singles. This comes as a satisfactory reprise after his 2019 wins in the Junior Men’s Singles and Pairs Championships. Last week, Steel won the singles event against Frank Ruddiman

21-10 with some consistently accurate ‘draw bowls.’

Impressively, Steel also went through both of this year’s championships unscathed, with only wins under his belt. A junior bowler is a classification not based on age, but rather someone who is still in their first five years of bowling. Steel still has one more season as a junior: one more season to make it his third year in a row to win the championships.

Wānaka local, Cam Melville Ives (far right) took third place.

PHOTO: Burton

Junior Jam shows off upcoming groms Sports reporter

sports@thewanakasun.co.nz

^ Available for a limited time only or while stocks last. In one transaction. One gift per customer.

Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Excludes clearance lines and gift sets. *Valued by Revlon.

Phone: 03 443 8000 Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka OPENING HOURS: 8AM TO 7PM 7 DAYS PAGE 12

The 2020 Junior Jam Presented by Clif Bar & Company kicked off the first day of competition at the 38th Annual Burton U·S·Open Snowboarding Championships. The field featured 25 of the top boy and girl groms aged 14 and under competing in a completely reimagined Burton U·S·Open halfpipe. The competitors relied on creativity, style, and skill as they dropped into the new modified pipe venue—a 13-foot enhanced minipipe transitioning into a standard 22-foot Superpipe—in a best of two-runs format.

First place in the girl’s division went to Sonora Alba (USA) while Fynn Bullock-Womble (USA) took the win in the boy’s division. With these wins, Alba and Bullock-Womble both earned an equal share of the $2,000 prize purse and the opportunity to compete against the pros in Thursday’s halfpipe semi-finals competition.

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

In the boy’s field, Fynn Bullock-Womble put down the top two scores of the competition earning a 90.80 on his first run to take the lead and following that up with a 95.40 on his second run. This is his third year competing in the Junior Jam, bettering his third-place finish last year. His winning run included a lipslide on the tombstone feature and frontside Alley Oop Indy in the enhanced minipipe, with a transfer drop into the Superpipe, a huge frontside 1260 tail grab, into a backside 720 stalefish, a switch method and finishing with a Cab 1080 stalefish. BullockWomble says, “This is a dream come true. I’ve been working really hard this year to win. This is just an insane event to watch and be a part of.”

Jonas Hasler (SUI) earned a score of 78.60 impressing the crowd with a combination of oldschool moves up top including an Andrecht plant and back-to-back 900s in the Superpipe, and Cam Melville Ives (NZL) took third with a score of 76.00.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

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Sun Views

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A challenge to the Wānaka Chamber of Commerce version of events

A consensus of those attending one of last week’s focus sessions has challenged how the Wānaka Chamber of Commerce reports the meeting. Attendee Celia Crosby, representing the Chamber, wrote in a media release, “that there was anger and negativity in the room” and she “felt a bit battered and bruised.” She suggested her contribution was “scoffed at” and described the debate as one of the ugliest she had seen during her 15 years in Wanaka..

I attended the meeting, representing the Wānaka CBD Property Owner Group, and I am also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. I have since contacted nine of the 10 meeting attendees. The attendees represented wide and varied sector groups. It did not include representation by the Wānaka Stakeholders Group.

The overwhelming consensus was that Celia’s commentary grossly misrepresented how the meeting was conducted and the behaviour of those present.

Attendees described the meeting as respectful and cordial. It was a good exchange of viewpoints. There were a range of views and opinions expressed. Everyone was given opportunity to speak. There was no scoffing, nor the body language issues Celia referred to.

Did she attend a different meeting?

If Celia’s version is to be believed, the professional facilitators from MarinJenkins would have intervened. This did not happen.

If Celia was unable to find support for her viewpoint, it is ridiculous to cry foul and claim she felt battered and bruised. Her written summation of the mood of the meeting was not supported by any other attendee. I do not know why she would write this.

Celia’s reportage has received wide media coverage and misrepresentation. This is of concern, particularly because she has a journalism and public relations background.

Her unsubstantiated coverage has not helped encourage a balanced and unemotional community debate. She has claimed an emotional component which this debate does not need.

Going forward, the Wānaka Chamber of Commerce representation deserves less public relations spin, a wider representation of members views, and a much more accurate and balanced level of reporting.

Two members who attended the original meeting offered to meet with Celia ahead of Press deadlines this week. She advised she was not able to meet in this time frame.

Roger Gardiner Spokesperson, Wānaka Central Business District Property Owners Group

Sponsored by

Crimeline

Celia Crosbie responds:

I stand by what I said in my blog – the feelings that I felt during the meeting were my own, and they were real for me. I accept they may not have been felt by a person with differing opinions in the room. Mr Gardiner is entitled to his view.

Local legend PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

Cranfield D Darren Senior Constable, NZPD

PHOTO: Supplied

Cameron Stanley swam 42km in 11 hours and 45 minutes last Sunday. "We had three pilot boats and several kayaks and support swimmers. We were joined by more boats and supporters for the last 20km, and then more again for the final few. It couldn't have done it without all of these supporters; they motivated me to keep going and keep my pace up."

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Let’s start the show with a huge congratulations to Cameron Stanley for his epic swim from Makarora into town, well done Cameron.

The week has been quiet with very little incidents reported, which is great news.

We have had two separate reports of graffiti, the first at Domini Park and the second at the Lake Wānaka Centre.

There was a petrol drive off this week where a person had failed to pay for $107.00 worth of petrol. It appeared they had mistakenly driven off, and this matter was followed up with the rental company.

A disqualified driver was apprehended for driving and had their vehicle impounded. This manoeuvre earned a “time extension” – it would be a cold winter on the bike.

Several drink drivers were caught this week as we started to ramp up Operation Lift. You will notice a lot of activity around this campaign in the coming weeks.

On that note, police were out conducting an alcohol checkpoint in Hāwea over the weekend.

A large number of the drivers spoken to indicated alcohol. One driver was issued with a notice for exceeding the breath alcohol limit.

A group of cyclists came very close to being hit by a motorist in the Faulks Road area. The

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

cyclists, who were being supervised at the time, had stopped in the middle of the road just over the brow of a hill. Police would be following that up during the week.

Please keep an eye out for cyclists and make sure you give them a wide berth. Likewise, cyclists, please make sure you’re highly visible when you’re on the road. We want to make sure that everyone gets safely to where they need to be.

A few of our local young people came to our attention over the weekend after being found drinking alcohol and being unsupervised. This combination with the added factor of hanging around in the wee small hours was a recipe for disaster and no good would come from it. If you have teens under 18 please make sure you know where they are and don’t supply alcohol unless you are responsible for supervising, which means being present with them.

We had a report of a vehicle in the Northlake area having a rear window smashed overnight during the week. Just a friendly reminder to remove valuables from your vehicles overnight as some opportunists do like to help themselves to your property when left unattended on the road side.

Lastly please remember that the speed limit for passing a stationary school bus that is dropping off or picking up children is 20 kph in either direction. For the safety of our kids please ensure you slow down.

PAGE 13

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Phone Helen: 022 413 4622 e: helen@dynzdesignz.co.nz

web: www.dynzdesignz.co.nz

SKIPS

STORAGE

Domestic and Commercial Skip Bins 7.0 – 9.0 m3 Skip Bins 4.0 m3 Hard Fill Skips 4.0 m3 Rubbish Bin With Lid

Contact Johnny Ph: 0224 SKIP IT (754 748) • W: www.skipit.nz When you want to get rid of it - just skip it!

Clean, dry, safe storage available now.

Ezystor Self Storage,

12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.

TRADES & SERVICES ADVERTS FROM

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NOTICES

WANTED

Wanaka Salvation Army Family Store.

Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9.30am – 4pm. We look forward to seeing you here!

Donations kindly received.

Please drop them into the Salvation Army Family store or ph 443 5068 to book a pick up.

Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days.

Business Networking International.

The Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning.

Great networking opportunity to grow your business.

Contact Randal Dobbs for information 021 973 043.

Rags, rags, rags ... little ones, big ones, cotton ones and drop cloths, available from the Wanaka Salvation Army Family Store 443 5068.

The Salvation Army Family store is looking for a volunteer to assist our Van driver for one day per week, there will be some heavy lifting involved.

Please contact the store for further details 443 5068.

Merino, if anyone has any Merino clothing to spare could you kindly drop it into the Salvation Army Family Store, 48 Helwick Street The Salvation Army Family Store is desperately needing good quality mens clothing and shoes.

If you could please just drop these into the store or phone for a pick up for large amounts.

Volunteers welcomed at The Salvation Army Family store if you have some free time and would like to be part of a team which makes a difference, come and see us.

SERVICES Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy.

We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street open from 8am until 7pm every single day.

Ph 443 8000.

THANKS 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.

YOUR AD WILL REACH THE MOST LOCALS ONLINE IN www.thewanakasun.co.nz

EMPLOYMENT

SCAFFOLDERS REQUIRED For Wanaka And Surrounding Areas

TIME & ½ AFTER 40 HOURS

Please phone Glen 027 226 3095 PAGE 14

EMPLOYMENT

VOLUNTEERS

WAIT STAFF

VOLUNTEER CALL

Wonderland Makarora Lodge is looking for experienced wait staff.

If you have experience in this field please call us on 03 443 8372 and ask to speak to Glenn.

Must have a valid NZ work visa, pay and on site living to be discussed with the right applicant.

Only shortlisted applicants will be asked to interview.

VOLUNTEERS

The epic Breca Swimrun Wanaka 2020 is taking place on Saturday, 7th March 2020 and volunteers are needed!

Volunteers spend the day marshaling swim entries and exits, manning aid stations, and generally having a great day out on an epic course. Maybe you’d like to lace up your trail-runners and sweep a section of the course?

Perhaps you can manage a food table on a remote beach in Stevenson’s Arm? Or maybe you like the thrill of welcoming the athletes across the finish line? · Full-day volunteers receive a free individual race entry (50% off a team entry) – bring a mate and you’ll both get an entry equalling a team entry!!! · Half-day volunteers receive a half-price individual entry (25% off a team entry)

For more information please email jono@fusionevents.co.nz

W W W. T H E WA N A K A S U N . C O. N Z THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

We are on the hunt for volunteers and fundraising groups on the 14th March at Glendhu Bay. SUP’s & kayakers required for swim safety roles.

Please get in touch:

volunteer.queenstown@ironman.com

or call Suze 021 351 903

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun Classifieds

thewanakasun.co.nz

An excellent local opportunity FEE FREE WANAKA PROGRAMMES Offered though Te Wananga o Aotearoa

PUBLIC NOTICE

Info sessions happening now

Certificate in Money Management

20 week programme, Tuesday evenings, Level 3 Learn more about money - money habits and attitudes, budgeting, debt management, simplifying the jargon, shares, investments, valuations, wills, power of attorney, property investment, etc.

Great info for surviving in Wanaka.

Gives those considering starting in business, existing businesses and/or those in a management position practical and necessary business knowledge, including project planning, management, law, marketing, research, strategy, staff management, sales, accounting and finance.

NZ/Australian/Islands residency or citizenship is required.

For further information please contact local facilitator: Mylrea Bell Tel 443 1738, Cell 027 443 9942 email: myl@xtra.co.nz www.twoa.ac.nz

ENROL NOW

Deadlines: Display Advertising 4pm Friday prior to publication.

marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz

03 443 5252 Classified Advertising 5pm Monday prior

admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Subscriptions: $175 within NZ (including GST)

per year. Overseas rates on request.

Remittances to PO Box 697, Wānaka, NZ.

For any enquiries please contact Arts and Events Facilitator Jan Maxwell, on the phone at 03 441 0469 or 027 233 7934 or via email at jan.maxwell@qldc.govt.nz

Positions Available Swim School Instructor - Wānaka The Swim Instructor role is responsible for ensuring the safe and enjoyable delivery of Aquatic Services by providing the instruction of our learn to swim service to all customers. Your friendly and helpful service will help maximise customer learning and enjoyment and you will be focused on ensuring personal safety and the safety of others in the delivery of our Learn to Swim services. We’re seeking a dynamic and driven individual for the Swim School Instructor opening based at the Wānaka Recreation Centre.

This is a permanent part-time position.

SPACES ARE LIMITED – 2020 CLASSES START SOON

Free delivery to Wānaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wānaka, Albert Town and Hāwea.

Also distributed to businesses in the Wānaka business district Average circulation: 15,000 weekly.

Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 Editor: Emma Conyngham • editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalist: Ollie Blyth • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Joanna Perry • newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: 03 443 5252• marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740

admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wānaka

Funding is now available for community–based arts groups for performances, events and workshops that will provide a variety of opportunities for participation in those activities.

Applications are available from the Council website at: www.qldc.govt.nz/community-funding

36 week programme, Monday evenings, Level 4

WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 963

Creative Communities Scheme Funding Round now open

Funding round is now open and will close at 5.00pm, Friday 28 February 2020.

Certificate in Small Business & Project Management

SUN TEAM

N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i

Health and Fitness Aquatics Supervisor - Wānaka The Health & Fitness Supervisor will partner with Aquatics Manager to supervise a dedicated team which carries out the operations, and ensures the safety of, QLDC aquatics facilities.

The role will be part of a small team responsible for the supervision of staff and ensuring all resources allocated to the area are used in the most efficient way.

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

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

Wanaka Bridge Club results Monday – Silver Championship Pairs 1: North/ South 1st Marc Simmonds Allan Kelly 62.98% 2nd Ena Leckie Laraine Shepherd 58.49% 3rd Murray Pryde Ken Roberts 54.65% East / West 1st Mark Harry Heather Wellman 60.10% 2nd Sherril Harries Maggie Stratford 58.49% 3rd Alan Cushnie Paul Cushnie 57.21% Wednesday – Wilkin Pairs 3: North/South 1st Deirdre Lynch George Ferguson 65.63 2nd Sue Blake Rachel Hall 58.07 3rd Nicola Brown Deb Budden 57.29 East/West 1st Jeanette Gillies Carol Orbell 60.00% 2nd Jacquie Staley Robyn Gilchrist 59.06% 3rd Sonya Adams Doug Hall 57.10% Final Ladder: 1st Deirdre Lynch George Ferguson 61.76 2nd Alan Cruden Wendy Cruden 57.11 3rd Elaine Herbert Neil Robinson 55.95 Friday: North/ South: 1st Lynne Fegan David Brewer 61.93% 2nd Sheryl Strudwick Jan Anderson 58.33% 3rd Ian McDonald Errol Kelly 57.01% East/ West: 1st Barbara Waterworth Heather Wellman 65.15% 2nd Jenny Pryde Marion Furneaux 63.64% 3rd Dorothy McDonald Nan Ottrey 56.25%.

Key areas of responsibility: • Day to day operational supervision of pool and health & fitness staff, ensuring excellent service delivery, customer satisfaction, utilisation of all resources in an efficient, effective and safe manner.

• Management of rosters including management of staff leave requests and timesheet approval.

• Work closely with Aquatics Manager to identify and implement a continuous improvement work plan.

• Monitor staff performance ensuring timely feedback to Aquatics Manager to foster effective performance management of all staff.

• Deliver on the job training and staff assessment as per industry standards.

• Ensure that all staff training records are current and maintain a staff portfolio list under your direct line report for training, tutoring and development.

For more information on these positions and to apply, please head to www.qldc.govt.nz/jobs Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz

BUSY AT WĀNAKA POOL 17 FEBRUARY – 13 MARCH

Local primary kids are visiting Wānaka Recreation Centre for their school swimming and water safety programme.

Until 13 March there’ll be very limited access to the learners’ pool between 9.00am-2.00pm every weekday except Thursdays when half the pool will be free.

Other pool users may wish to schedule visits to the learners’ pool around these times.

EVERY LETTERBOX EVERY THURSDAY Is your Wānaka Sun delivered every Thursday?

Four lanes in the lap pool will remain free for public swimming between 9.00am-2.00pm weekdays during this period.

Many thanks for your co-operation while our local children learn these essential life skills.

For more info please call (03) 443 9334 or email wrc@qldc.govt.nz

Graham & Olive West Charitable Trust Applications are now open for Upper Clutha not for profit and charitable organisations to apply for grants.

Applications are available from the Wanaka office of QLDC and the Wanaka Library.

Applications close on 31 March 2020.

For further information please contact: Janice Hughes - (03) 443 0911 • Alistair King - (03) 443 0086

If not, email your address to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz or phone us on 03 443 5252 THE WĀNAKA SUN

NO SIGN UPS NO DOWNLOADS

JUST NEWS thewanakasun.co.nz

THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

PAGE 15

Sun Sport

thewanakasun.co.nz

VOLUNTEER TALK White G Gillian Volunteering Central This week I had the pleasure of chatting to Marty Welch. Some of you may recognise Marty from his recent art exhibition, Everyone Deserves a Portrait where he shared with the community his desire to capture the faces of ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tell.

Originally from the far north, Marty moved to Wānaka six years ago and is a full-time artist. If you read his bio it says that he is a son, brother, husband, father, friend and citizen. Today I’m adding ‘volunteer’ to that list.

Recently Marty has volunteered his time and energy into establishing a new charitable trust M!NT. This has been set up by a group of families with the purpose of finding resources to enable local intellectually disabled children and young adults to be active participants in their community.”

Marty is the chairperson and they’re seeing their hard work to pay off. “We’ve been working with a number of local organisations and our kids are now enjoying dancing at Dance Out Loud and undertaking swimming lessons with the Queenstown Lakes District Council. Some of our kids are really great swimmers, but others are great drowners so the opportunity to take part in lessons is fantastic!”

M!NT kids have also taken part in the Ruby Island swim and the first adaptive event at Challenge Wānaka.

“Challenge was incredible. The pride we felt as we watched our kids come over the finish line was

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huge; especially seeing my son fall over just before the finish line and with the crowd of volunteers shouting encouragement, he got up to carry on and cross the line with a waterfall of tears.”

Finding the time to volunteer can be a challenge for Marty.

“Many people in Wānaka live busy lives, but I get a real sense of being part of this great community through volunteering. I also believe everyone needs a little bit of help and many hands really do make light work.”

As always, I asked Marty what he would say to others who are considering volunteering.

“Do it! The money is great! No honestly, if you have the time to volunteer you can make a huge difference and at the end of the day you’ll have a sense of paying it forward.”

The parents on the board of M!NT meet once a month. “We speak freely and honestly and have been fighting long and hard for our kids so it’s great to reflect on what we have achieved.

We recognise however that the time has come to broaden out the skills on the board and we are keen to speak to people with a passion for inclusivity and experience of governance to steer the group onwards and upwards.”

If you’d like to know more about supporting M!NT at a board level get in touch with Volunteering Central and we’ll put you in touch.

Volunteering Central promotes, supports and strengthens volunteering, creating stronger more connected communities. www.volunteeringcentral.org.nz

PHOTO: Challenge Wānaka

Marty Welch (right) with his son Scott (left) at this year's first adaptive event at Challenge Wānaka.

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It’s happening fast Earthworks now underway

Prime Sections in Wanaka Land area from 350m2 – 834m2 | Web ID FNW02156

Priced from $339,000 Agents on site Saturday and Sunday 1.00 - 1.30 pm

REAL ESTATE

PAGE 16

Wanaka

P 03 443 0097 I E info@fnwanaka.com I W www.fnwanaka.com THURSDAY 27.02.20 - WEDNESDAY 04.03.20

THE WĀNAKA SUN