Wanaka Sun I 27th May - 2nd June 2021 I Edition 1028 by Wanaka Sun

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Monitoring of winter grazing.

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Wānaka cameraman summits Everest with Covid Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

ānaka cameraman Scotty

W Simper headed off to Nepal

PHOTO: Supplied

Mount Aspiring College (MAC) took first place in the Otago Division of Showquest, Aotearoa’s biggest performing arts competition for schools. MAC took the title with their piece themed around mental health. Student Capitan Lucy Fenton said that the team chose the theme of mental health because they thought it was an important topic. “I think that every teenager is affected by mental health, and it's a struggle that can make you feel isolated and alone,” said Fenton. “The effort that every single one of our kids put in and the emotion that they displayed on stage today was amazing.” From left to right: Holly Gibson, Lucy Fenton (student captains, MAC) and Dunedin Deputy Mayor Christine Garey.

on February 25 for his first bout of work in a year. Little did he know that come May, and after summiting Mount Everest for the third time, he would develop Covid on the descent and become very ill. Simper left New Zealand to take on two jobs in Nepal – the first for an American fitness company, and then a second job a film about the Sherpas that worked on Everestthe ‘Icefall Doctors’ and the Sherpa guides that supported the companies outfitting the mountain. He summited Mount Everest on May 11. May 14 was his wife's birthday. Mountain and ski guide Anna Keeling of Mt Iron said: “ Scotty, as a North American, stands on tradition and so it was really important for him to ring me on my birthday. “I was getting anxious because this was his third time summiting Everest and he had been up above

basecamp for ten days- this is a really long time,” Keeling said “And then he texted me from Camp 4 on the way down and said ‘Will tell you all about it when I have energy’ which made me think he wasn't that good. “It was poorly spelt and a brief message and I began to feel pretty anxious.” Keeling began to harangue the film production company, asking “why aren't they at Camp 2 yet?” Simper got to Camp 2 and told Keeling, “the producer wants me to go back up tomorrow to Camp 4.” Simper ended up going part way back up to Camp 4 but was feeling “absolutely crap,” Keeling said. “ I was pretty concerned because people die of exhaustion on Everest.” At this stage, it occurred to Keeling that Simper had Covid because the Nepalese Government had done an effective job of covering it up at Everest BaseCamp. “I knew because I had been following it that it had been widespread at basecamp,” she said. Continued on page 3

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Everest guide calls on government to support Nepal’s Covid crisis Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Hāwea guide and five-time Everest summiter Lydia Bradey has put a plea out to the New Zealand Government to offer funds to Nepal to aid with its emerging health crisis due to Covid-19. Bradey, who has been travelling to Nepal for over 30 years, and who was there in March, appealed to Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta to offer Nepal the same assistance extended to India. The nation was just as badly affected as India in terms of the number of infections per capita, Bradey said in her letter. "Nepal needs help. It is a much poorer and less organised country than India and

has markedly less developed health and medical systems, with no governmental aid for the poor." “I write to petition you to extend the assistance offered India in response to the Covid crisis, via the Red cross to Nepal. Nepal is equally badly affected per capita as India. Nepal needs help.” Mahuta tweeted on May 21: “Pleased to support Nepal in its Cocid-19 response that will go to Unicef to help with emerging health needs and community resilience. New Zealand has had a special relationship with Nepal dating back to Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay.” Bradey said; “I'm not raising money per se. I talked to Peter Hilary who is the chairman of the Himalayan Trust – I

suggest anyone who wants to donate to Nepal does so through this organisation “There are various places to donate and this is one of them. “The Himalayan Trust makes sure its funds go further than just Kathmandu,” Bradey said. Bradey was in Nepal in March and at that stage, the percentage of Covid amongst the population was quite similar to ours, she said. “Then it rocketed up to 1000-2000 per cent with the recent wave.” “When we were there we asked a lot of people but no one we met or worked with knew anyone with Covid. But everyone was talking about the border between India and Nepal and that's what has collapsed Nepal.

“So many Nepalese work in India and they all came home when India went into lockdown. Also, countries like Kuwait instigated a two-week quarantine for people travelling from India and all those people working there were coming over the border from India into Kathmandu. That back and forward fluidity over the border brought Covid into Nepal.” “It was a long time before the Nepali government shut that border with India. “Percentage-wise Nepal is worse off than India,” Bradey said. With a population of 30 million, Nepal has 1600 intensive care beds and fewer than 600 ventilators, and 0.7 doctors per 100,000 people, according to a Reuters report citing ActionAid Nepal.

New development for Luggate in the pipeline Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Luggate residents may have noticed some recent major tree removal action on the land behind the Upper Clutha Transport yard recently. This arises from plans to develop a new residential subdivision at Lake McKay approximately 100 family size (800m2) sunny flat sections on the terrace above the township. The development will incorporate a recreational area beside the Luggate Creek and swimming hole and with views and sunshine, the development is expected to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Director Murray Frost said Lake McKay Limited Partnership bought part of Lake Mckay Station a couple of years ago. This is quite a

big station and we bought 380 hectares beside Luggate – the boundary runs along Luggate Creek on two sides to the highway and Criffel Station on the other side, Frost said. “Part of that farm (12 hectares) was already zoned rural residential in 4000 m/sq sections so we, as part of a new zoning process that Council has been working through, applied for those 12 sections to be residential.” This zoning was approved about 6 weeks ago, Frost said. There was an appeal period and that finished last week. “In the meantime, we bought the Upper Clutha Transport (UCT) yard and the land behind it- they had about 4 hectares of residential land which was a big flat area covered in pine trees. “UCT is continuing to rent this from us as they

sort out other premises.” Lake McKay Limited Partnership has taken down the pine trees and cleared the land ready to start earthworks for the subdivision. They applied for earthworks consent to start the work and that should be issued in the next month, Frost said. At the same time, the company applied for subdivision consent. “We plan to start work properly around the end of next month and then launch to the public in September,” Frost said. “On a day like today (Sunday) it's sunny and has a beautiful view over the Hawea mountains. Northern views elevated above Luggate and close to the Luggate Creek,” he said. “We will be creating quite a large recreational area beside the creek. Largely a grassed area with picnic

PHOTO: Adventure Consultants

Lydia Bradey: Nepal needs help. It is a much poorer and less organised country than India and has a markedly less developed health and medical system, with no governmental aid for the poor.

tables. We've taken a lot of broom and weeds out from around the creek and discovered a bunch of 50-year-old plum trees down there with very nice plums. By the time we have finished it, it will be a very nice reserve. Right beside the swimming holevery cold water- and a track that winds up the creek. We will develop walking and biking tracks.” Luggate is going to be quite a popular place because it is still affordable and hasn’t got the hype that Wānaka has, Frost said. Chairman of the Luggate Community Board Dave Hawkins wanted to reserve his comments until after the next Board meeting (today) other than to say.” I don't think we are particularly against further development as long as it is done well and as for services and infrastructure, of course, Luggate has virtually none and in reality, until the population of Luggate reaches that critical mass where these services become viable, we are unlikely to see any change in that respect.”

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Calls for safer athletics facilities for Wānaka Daisy Watford

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Despite the success of Wānaka's athletes last season, the town's training facilities remain “substandard”, according to the Aspiring Athletes Club (AAC). As of yet, Wānaka does not have an all-weather track, which means that the ground is often unsafe during winter. While the club is currently working with the QLDC to install shotput and discus facilities, their need for an allweather track and long jump pit is an ongoing challenge. The club currently has access to a grass track at Three Parks but the athletes are unable to use the track while football training takes place, due to the positioning of the fields. In response to the club’s call for an allweather track, the QLDC said that “The current grass tracks in Queenstown and Wānaka are sufficient for the numbers currently using them.” AAC committee members, Graham Seatter, Barbara Beable, and Kirsten Wyatt, said that while this may have been the case a couple of years ago, the current grass tracks are no longer adequate enough for the size of the club. “The club is stronger than ever with a formidable group of competition athletes, nationally ranked in most cases,

supported by approximately 100 families that form the basis of the Junior Club.” Former Commonwealth athlete, Seatter, said that the response from QLDC is “frustrating” as Track and Field is a year round sport that requires an allweather track for its development. An all-weather track would also attract more athletes to Wānaka, while increasing the club’s numbers. Local athletics coach, Michael Beable, agrees that the current grass track, when wet, significantly impacts the athletes’ ability to train properly. “Often training is compromised – I have to improvise a lot," he said. Beable, who has helped Wānaka based athletes achieve some impressive titles this year, said that a town the size of Wānaka should already have an allweather track in place. All-weather tracks are common-place across New Zealand, including in smaller centres such as Inglewood, Beable said. While the club says that the current Three Parks grass track is in “top notch” condition during summer, the Three Parks facility experiences severe damage during winter, due to shared usage with Wānaka FC. As a result of this, the QLDC has asked AAC to hold the first month of their 2021/2022 training season at Kelly’s Flat whilst they work on ground maintenance.

Wānaka cameraman summits Everest with Covid

PHOTO: Supplied

Scotty Simper had been out for work for a year due to Covid, and felt obliged to take work in Nepal. PHOTO: Aspiring Athletes Club

The current long jump/run-up pit which the club says is in “very poor” condition.

“The club can't even run a local competition with its current facilities and any money gathered by the club through registrations is ultimately used for ground rental,” the committee said. AAC officials are currently trying to raise enough money to convert the long jump run-up into a “safe” all-weather surface - the estimated cost being around $75,000. According to the club, with improved Track and Field facilities, Wānaka could host a wide range of athletics events as competition can only occur on an allweather track. Currently, Wānaka based athletes and their families are required to travel to Dunedin in order to compete in the sport. “We certainly feel that the cost involved hinders some highly skilled athletes from returning for another season,” Wyatt said. Continued on page 4

Continued from page 1 “But Nepal had missed an Everest season last year and the country’s economy relied heavily on it.” Simper ended up getting back down to basecamp and at the bottom of the icefall was able to get cell phone service and ring Keeling. He sounded horrendous – coughing and coughing, she said. He then asked to helicopter out from base camp and got back to Kathmandu in an “anti covid” helicopter. He had a test and rang me the next day to say he had Covid, Keeling said. “So he probably climbed Everest with Covid and the symptoms came on as he descended. “Since arriving in Kathmandu he has had intensive body aches, loss of sense of smell and taste. “He is in a quarantined hotel, by himself in Kathmandu and who is looking after him?”

“But luckily he has turned for the better,” Keeling said,” but we don't know when he will be able to come home. He is booked for MIQ on June 6. But there are no flights back to NZ.” Because Simper is American the American Embassy had been so helpful, Keeling said. He will probably have to fly back to New Zealand via the States. “We had to rely on him being an American rather than me being a Kiwi – there was a stronger network of support through the US.” “They are keeping in touch, keeping an eye on him in case he has to go to the hospital.” “It has been really tedious – everyone has to work and Scotty hasn't worked for a year due to Covid. He felt he had to take this job – but it sucks to have to work overseas – it's a dangerous environment,” Keeling said.

The Council Word Sir Ed’s Hut VR Experience

Movie in the pool

Transport yourself to Sir Edmund Hillary’s Antarctic hut in the comfort of your local library through a new, ground-breaking virtual reality experience! Brought to you by Antarctic Heritage Trust and Auckland University of Technology to celebrate New Zealand’s first presence in Antarctica. Contact your local library for a 15 minute virtual reality session in Wānaka 1 June. Bookings essential!

Watch family blockbuster ‘Abominable’ (G) from the warmth of the Wānaka Rec Centre learners’ pool or stay dry on poolside while the kids splash about. Saturday 12 June, 3.00-5.00pm. Just $10 for 2 adults+1 child or 1 adult+2 kids. Supervision policy applies. Drinks and snacks available. In-pool tickets limited to 50 so buy in advance from reception.

Dog registration invoices on the way Dog registration invoices will be sent out in June, so if you’ve moved house and your pooch has too, please update their details or else their mail might end up at the wrong kennel. Update your dog’s details by emailing our Services team at services@qldc.govt.nz or by giving them a call on 03 441 0499.

Sign up for our Winter Road Reports With the weather getting colder and winter fast approaching we’ve started our Winter Road Reports. If you’re interested in a daily run down of road conditions delivered to your email inbox every morning, then sign up for our Winter Road Report at www.qldc.govt.nz/winter-road-reports

School swimming sports Wānaka Rec Centre is proud to host upcoming events for local school kids. First up is Te Kura O Take Kārara (9 June), then Wānaka Primary (10 June) and Hāwea Flat School (18 June). There will be temporary closures to some facilities on these days. You can find a timetable on our website showing which lanes are booked and which remain free for public swimming every day at qldc.govt.nz/recreation/swim.

New after-school programme ‘Hustle’ is a brand new programme for ages 11-17 from Kahu Youth. Head to Wānaka Rec Centre every Wednesday from 4.00-5.45pm to enjoy some food and fun, get active and try something new. Great if you’re not that into organised team sports. Just $20 for the whole term. For more info contact 03 443 5880 / info@kahuyouthtrust.org

www.qldc.govt.nz THE WĀNAKA SUN

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OAG won’t investigate QLDC procurement process Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

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reassured by the OAG’s findings that a review of procurement practice was on the right pathway. “Through Council’s own review of procurement practices we have acknowledged that there was a general lack of alignment between Procurement Policy and Guidelines and actual practice. Furthermore, the Policy and Guidelines first adopted in 2016 were outdated and had not kept pace with Council’s work programme,” he said. “We do acknowledge that staff practices had deviated from the adopted Policy and Guidelines, but have maintained they were lawful and with the intent of getting value for money and timely delivery of projects in a fastpaced, changing environment. “The OAG has recognised and agreed with that position, and provided some very helpful guidance on how we can improve, whilst acknowledging that the Council has already begun to address these issues,” said Theelen.

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The Office of the Auditor-General Tumuaki o Mana Arotake (OAG) has confirmed it will not be investigating procurement practice at Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC). A procurement process is the processes that are required to get products or services from requisition to purchase order and invoice approval. The OAG also concluded there were no improper actions by QLDC in the engagement of consultants ZQN.7 to review a number of bylaws. Rather QLDC should have ensured robust processes were followed with a focus on demonstrating clearly how and why decisions were made. The OAG stated; “The decision to engage ZQN.7 to complete the work was made by Council employees, with no involvement by elected members, including the Mayor. In addition, although those who carried out the bylaw reviews had both previously worked for the Council, their employment had ended some three years previously and both had been employed by other Councils in the intervening period, before ZQN.7 was incorporated.” The OAG report said: “We did not find any misalignment between the way ZQN7 was engaged and the Procurement Policy. However, in several instances, the engagement of ZQN7 did not meet the requirements of the Procurement Guidelines.” Chief Executive Mike Theelen said staff were

According to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), local households "should check their fire alarms" more often. The advice comes after a house fire in Wānaka last week, which occurred on Wilkin Road. While the inhabitants of the property escaped without injury, their pets, a cat and a dog, perished in the fire. The three bedroom home caught fire in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, 20 May. While the cause of the fire remains unknown, FENZ would like to remind local households to take safety precautions. Michele Poole, Senior Regional Comms & Engagement Advisor at FENZ said “At this time of year it would be particularly helpful to remind people of the need to have working smoke alarms throughout the house, and to make an escape plan for their home.” It is also recommended that all households have at least one working smoke alarm, and check it is working once a month by pushing the button. According to the FENZ website, “Fire gets real, fast, and becomes deadly within three minutes,”

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

The fire department received a call to the Wilkin Road address at 2:30am on Thursday, 20 May.

so it is important that families have an escape plan that they can adhere to. According to a FENZ spokesperson, around 30 firefighters attended the scene on Wilkin Road after receiving a call at 2:20am on Thursday. When appliances from Wānaka, Luggate, and Hāwea arrived on the scene, the three bedroom home was already in flames. According to FENZ, the team at the scene managed to extinguish the fire “pretty quick”. Marty Jillings is investigating the cause of the fire.

Calls for safer athletics facilities as QLDC rejects the need for an all-weather track in Wānaka

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Continued from page 3 The club said that an all-weather facility would also enable them to train para-athletes, which is not possible with the current facilities. Whilst the club are trying to provide athletes with an immediate solution for a safe and suitable venue at Three Parks, there is also the option of a new sports facility at the newly re-zoned Oxidation Ponds on Ballantyne Road. Seatter said that the Ballantyne Road site offers a one-off opportunity for the community to THURSDAY 27.05.21 - WEDNESDAY 02.06.21

develop a sports hub. QLDC has said that “There are no plans for an all-weather track in the Ten Year Plan. QLDC’s Wānaka Area Recreation Manager is currently working with Wānaka Athletics Club to install discus and shot put rings – this comes after previously providing a long jump pit at the club’s request.” Alongside their competitive group, the Aspiring Athletes Club (AAC) run weekly Club Nights for children aged 5 – 14 years old.

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New MAC classrooms to provide a world-class facility

PHOTO: Supplied

The new buildings respond to the sustained role growth at the school and include a total of 32 new learning spaces.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Specialist music, art, technology and dance studios, along with a small theatre and new library space are all part of two new buildings being constructed at Mt Aspiring College (MAC). Add to this a whare to support Te Ao Maori, and language learning spaces and the school will soon boast a world-class facility for students and the community. The new buildings respond to the sustained role growth at the school and include a total of 32 new learning spaces, said principal Nicola Jacobsen. “The Ministry of Education is planning for the school to be 1600-1800 students, from years 7-13, in the next few years. This is up from the current 1200 students.” Athfield Architects has worked closely with MAC to develop the buildings over several years and continues to work alongside local consultants Batchelar McDougal Consulting (structural engineers); Salmond Architecture (local architect) and Rough & Milne (landscape architects), she said. As the buildings start to take shape students,

staff and the community can see progress through the windows placed in the hoarding. Jacobsen said; “the students are naturally curious about what their new school will look like, the fact that they can see it go up is great.” The project encompasses landscaping of the surrounding outdoor areas providing spaces for students and staff both in and out of the classroom. The partnership between the Ministry of Education and Naylor Love is seeing more than the new build developing. Naylor Love has engaged with the Careers Guidance Counsellor to see how students who want to get into a trade can be supported. The company has offered a scholarship to a student for further study. “Professional development and strategic planning are crucial for the college to make the most of the new build,” Jacobsen said. “The Ministry is making a significant investment in Wānaka; it’s a great opportunity for us to review and critically reflect on how our teaching and learning programmes are supporting all students.” There is a team of about 30 workers on the site at present.

Top aerobatics pilot Fay Emeny admits to being scared Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Being scared is all part of the game for aerobatics formation pilot Fay Emeny of New Plymouth, who will be flying in next year’s Warbirds over Wānaka. Emeny said that earlier in her aerobatics flying training her stomach would be in knots before flights, but she would put on a brave face because she didn’t want the other pilots to know how scared she felt. “One day I plucked up the courage to ask the others if they ever felt scared and was surprised when they replied yes. They taught me that feeling scared was a strength; it meant you had respect for the danger of what you were doing and that made you a safer pilot,” she said. Emeny is one of three top women pilots to be flying in the Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow next year. She said flying in the Yak-52 team in the event would be a major milestone in her aviation career. “I flew Dad’s Yak down to Wānaka in 2006 at the age of 20 and now I’ll be returning some 16 years later and actually flying in the Airshow. It doesn’t get any better than that.” Emeny created history by becoming the first female pilot to make the world-class Yak-52 aerobatic display team. She had her first flight in a Yak-52 at the age of 15 and continued to improve as a pilot over the next few years. The other two women in the team are also at the top of New Zealand Formation Aerobatics – Liz Needham who is a regular member of the Roaring 40s Harvard display team and Squadron Leader Mary Robertson, who is a member of the RNZAF’s Black Falcons display team. Both Emery’s grandfathers were pilots: the late Cliff Emeny flew De Havilland Mosquitos

in WW11 while Jack Wheeler (94) was still a keen Taranaki aviator. Her father, Brett Emeny, operated an agricultural helicopter business and was a top New Zealand Warbird pilot, while her uncles were also involved in different PHOTO: Warbirds over Wānaka aspects of aviation. Fay Enemy with her Emeny said that Yak-52. She will be flying growing up she spent in next year’s Warbirds weekends following over Wānaka. her father in whatever aviation adventures he was up to. “Being a flight instructor, Dad gave me lots of time on the controls even if I couldn’t reach the rudder pedals and I was hooked from a very young age. When I turned 13, we started flying gliders together, which was the best introduction to flying – understanding basic principles of flight – seat of the pants flying,” she said. “Life caught up with me in my 20’s, establishing my career, meeting my husband and starting our family, meant I took a break from a lot of flying. In 2019 I was in a position to return to formation training again with the aim of making my debut in the Yak team at Warbirds Over Wānaka in 2020. Unfortunately, Covid forced the cancellation of the Airshow but I have since become a regular in the team.” So, what is the biggest thrill of flying in a 9-ship formation aerobatic team? “It’s got to be the buzz of getting it right, nailing the position you are flying – there is immense satisfaction in that. Also, I love the connection I have with the team. They trust me and I trust them, the close flying we do is dangerous in that things can suddenly and unexpectedly go wrong. We have to trust that if that does happen, we each know what to do to keep each other safe.”

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Southern Architecture Awards – Wānaka buildings win big

Long Low Barn.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Three Wānaka buildings won prizes in the Southern Architecture Awards of the Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects last Friday in Wānaka. The Precinct Wānaka by Assembly Architects won in the Commercial Category. Judges said: “This laneway project contributes a mix of small business and retail outlets to the commercial precinct of central Wānaka. Its carefully proportioned dimensions, enhanced by the texture of the small-scale brickwork, create a sequence of intimate experiences. The laneway opens out at the rear to a sunny, sheltered courtyard for casual eating and relaxing. From here, a stair leads skywards to a secluded and sun-drenched roof-top deck that is ideal for late afternoon drinks and barbecues. Sugi House by Condon Scott Architects won in the Small Project Architecture Category. Judges said: “To create a generous space within a compressed footprint, the sequence of interior rooms in this home have been organised. A secluded sleeping mezzanine at the rear looks out over a full-height, sunny living

room, which in turn opens onto a semi-public terrace, which invites casual conversation with passers-by. The exterior, enveloped wholly in timber shingles, emphasises the simplicity of the building’s overall gable volume, and is a jewel in the suburban streetscape.” Long Low Barn by Sharon Jansen won in the Housing Category. Judges said: “Two long, unassuming gable forms sit restfully in this garden landscape. In plan, they slip effortlessly past each other and are connected by a long passage, creating a visual journey rich in light, shade, openness and enclosure. A productive conversation over time between client and architect has generated a vocabulary that captures a mutual love of Japanese timber construction. Meticulous attention has been paid to every detail of this house, from the use of passive strategies through to the tiniest timber detail, and the result is an environment that is a joy to experience.” The peer-reviewed awards celebrated the best new - and old - architecture in the Otago and Southland regions. Twenty-four awards were presented across 10 categories including commercial, education, housing, heritage and interior architecture.

PHOTOS: Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand

The Precinct Wānaka.

Sugi House.

Successful budget for Scott Base Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Antarctica New Zealand is thrilled the Government has committed $344 million to rebuild New Zealand’s home in Antarctica, Scott Base. The money would be used to replace the existing base and redevelop the Ross Island Wind Farm. The announcement was made last Thursday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Nanaia Mahuta as part of Budget 2021. The funding covers capital investment of $306

million, including the replacement of the windfarm and project operating costs of $38 million. Antarctica New Zealand Chief Executive Sarah Williamson said it’s was significant milestone. “This funding is vital to secure New Zealand’s future in Antarctica and our ability to continue to support world-leading science. “The Scott Base Redevelopment project is the biggest project we’ve ever embarked on, and as well as future proofing our home on the ice, it brings many millions of dollars to the Canterbury economy,” she said. Antarctica New Zealand Senior Project

Manager Simon Shelton said the team was primed and ready to go. “After four years of design work and careful planning, we’re ready to redevelop. “The current plan is to build the new base in sections at a New Zealand port, then ship those modules to Antarctica,” he said. Before construction could begin, the Government would need to confirm the Implementation Business Case and the Draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation would need to be approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

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THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun Wānaka Community Board News

thewanakasun.co.nz

THE WCB WORD

A regular update from Wānaka Community Board Chair, Barry Bruce Welcome to our Australian friends! It is great to see the trans-Tasman bubble in operation, welcoming tourists to our region again while also reuniting loved ones. With more open dialogue between New Zealand and Australia occurring alongside exploration into vaccine passports, we might be in for a busy winter season in the Upper Clutha. The upgrade to the Aubrey Road cycle path is coming to a close, the project has involved widening the path to three meters and a sealed surface from Aubrey Road/Anderson Road intersection to Gunn Road. This is part of a larger project which includes a cycleway along Anderson Road as part of a far-reaching Wānaka urban cycle network. Wānaka Underpass Mural complete Congratulations to the artists of Te Kura O Take Karara. Over two weeks, sections of the Wānaka underpass were creatively painted by pupils under the guidance of project leader and local artist Chrissy Wickes. The paintings were designed by the students themselves around the theme of what they thought was important and special about living in Wānaka. I hope you all take the time to visit and enjoy the vibrancy of this project. Hāwea Domain RMP Hearing outcome At the most recent Wānaka Community Board meeting held on 13 May, the Wānaka Community Board recommended to Council that the Hāwea Domain Reserve Management Plan 2021 be adopted. The draft Hāwea Domain Reserve Management Plan was approved for public consultation on 3 December 2020 and that consultation was held from 11 January to 7 March 2021. There were 11 submissions

received in total and the public hearing was held on 22 April 2021. There were minor changes made to the draft plan that covered new activities, facility development, camping and prohibiting smoking – all of which contribute to the use, maintenance, protection, preservation and development of Hāwea Domain. Spatial Plan and Ten-Year Plan Hearings On May 3 and 11, the Upper Clutha Hearings for the Queenstown Lakes Spatial Plan and 2021-2031 Ten Year Plan were held at the Lake Wānaka Centre. Thank you to all those who submitted and took the time to speak at these hearings. I also attended and spoke at the Ten Year Plan hearing on behalf of the Wānaka Community Board. The final 2021-2031 Ten Year Plan will be considered for adoption by Councillors at the Full Council meeting on 30 June. Kahu Youth Council & MAC Event On Wednesday 19 May, the Kahu Youth Council invited the Wānaka Community Board to participate in a sausage sizzle at Mount Aspiring College. The fundraising event was an opportunity for students to engage directly with the community board. Students also filled out a brief survey focused on identifying how the council can give more support to youth in the Wānaka area. A big thanks to Kahu Youth Council and MAC for their superb organisation and hospitality. Wānaka Community Board News At the last Wānaka Community Board meeting held on 13 May, the Board discussed parking restrictions following public feedback received in 2020; this feedback was focused on how to keep traffic circulating and providing

PHOTO: QLDC

better access for customers in the Anderson Heights Commercial Area. We’ll be consulting on some proposed changes to parking arrangements in the coming weeks. After that a report will be presented to the Board’s July 2021 meeting. If changes are approved, it will take about one month to order signage and get them installed If you are interested in meeting the Wānaka Community Board and joining us for a cup of

tea, come along to the next drop-in session on Wednesday 2 June from 12.00pm to 1.00pm, at Wānaka Recreation Centre. This is a great opportunity for an informal chat or a discussion about something within the community. Keen on finding out more about how the Wānaka Community Board operates and what decisions it makes? Join our next Community Board Meeting, to be held on Thursday 8 July, 10.00am to 12.00pm at Luggate Temporary Hall.

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THURSDAY 27.05.21 - WEDNESDAY 02.06.21

PAGE 7

Sun Farming

ORC steps up aerial monitoring of winter grazing

thewanakasun.co.nz

A monthly column by Chris Lewis, National Board Member, Federated Farmers.

Ill-considered policy makes farmer role complex and challenging

PHOTO: Federated Farmers

A 2021 farmer requires the same amount of thinking, study, training, and hard work to be successful on the job like any other highly skilled professional. PHOTO: Fish & Game

Winter grazing at its worst.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

This year Otago Regional Council (ORC) is stepping up its monitoring of intensive winter grazing, beginning with flyovers across Otago this week ORC undertakes flights every year to gain a bird’s eye view on land use in the region and identify water quality risks. After the flights, ORC staff will follow up on any issues identified from the air. ORC Manager Compliance Tami Sargeant said it was as important as ever to prioritise good practice. “It is crucial that winter grazing practices are undertaken with consideration for the environment. Good management practices, like leaving a buffer zone between stock and waterways, are important for preventing sediment loss and protecting our rivers and streams.

“We’ll be taking note of any high-risk sites and visiting the area to inspect issues on the ground. Possible responses to noncompliance range from education and advice, through to enforcement notices and prosecution,” she said. While the government has deferred introducing some of the new regulations around intensive winter grazing, rules preventing the expansion of intensive winter grazing still apply. Ministers David Parker and Damian O’Connor have set expectations for measurable improvements in winter grazing practices over the next 12 months. If you’d like advice about winter grazing, contact the ORC Rural Liaison Team on 0800 474 082 or email rural@orc.govt.nz. People can also raise concerns about winter grazing practices through Federated Farmers’ Early Intervention program, by calling 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646).

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Over the last month, we have heard the government make all sorts of announcements/ comments on immigration. Farming families take a vital interest in this topic not only because of workforce gaps but because our rural communities need to be replenished with new blood and enthusiasm. People have varying mental pictures about what farming is, or what it should be doing. While many folks’ perception is one of hard work, it’s no different to any other job in the modern workplace in that it requires a mixture of skills. A 2021 farmer requires the same amount of thinking, study, training, and hard work to be successful on the job like any other highly skilled professional. The business skills required wouldn’t be out of place on an MBA program and sometimes it also seems like you need an accounting degree thrown in. Read through the last few months’ worths of Feds press releases and member advisories and you’d have an idea of the range of topics farmers need to stay of top of, including changes to resource management legislation, housing tenancy and employment law changes, milking machine guidelines, riparian planting, soil nutrient science, animal health changes that requires you to be the vet at times (or at the very least to know when to phone one)…. the list goes on. These skills are most often learned on the job, with some off-farm training when you can get away from the milking shed, the drenching yard or behind the wheel of a harvester. Being a modern farmer requires you to have learned the skills taught in many trades and degrees, to update that knowledge and practices regularly, apply them continuously in your farming operation and teach your family and staff about them. The complexity and breadth of what’s involved would span content from a score of degrees. This is why we need immigration to supplement New Zealand workers, and skills and training to be focused on providing

THURSDAY 27.05.21 - WEDNESDAY 02.06.21

flexibility so we can ride the ups and downs of weather and trade conditions. We need certainty to plan and invest in our industry, so we can keep employing with confidence and promote our industry as something all New Zealanders should consider as a career option. Investment certainty would also help with retention as we combine technology and more automation to boost job satisfaction and reduce hours. The public sector is fretting about the signalled wage freeze but in the last six months there has been no clamp on agricultural wages, they have gone up significantly - I suspect in my own business by 25%. But rents have skyrocketed too, and the cost of living has matched the rocketing expenses that businesses face to operate. Some of it is pandemic related, but a large chunk can also be traced back to government policies such as fuel tax increases, minimum wage increases, local authority rates rise spurred by 3Waters policy and tighter environmental rules, to name just some of them. These are all worthy things but someone must pay and often the hardest hit are the average workers and small business owners such as farmers. Our government sets the direction for the country and farming; they have all the resources, money and powers of elected office. We farmers have the passion and skills but now, unfortunately, dropping enthusiasm for our sector. Let’s work together to confront some of the issues, not work to strict deadlines that kill off ideas and enthusiasm. Let’s develop an ambitious but practical fit for a better world plan together, taking our community forward as leaders on some of these issues. We need to match aspiration with the execution of carefully crafted policies and investment to show off our natural environment and awesome people in our sector. Above all take our community with us on this journey.

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka students turn pink for anti-bullying day Local vineyards receive top medals for organic wine

Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

It was a sea of pink at the school gates last Friday, as local students took part in a national campaign to stand up against bullying. Students from across Wānaka swapped their school uniforms for pink clothes as part of the annual Pink Shirt Day movement. Over at Wānaka Primary, the Year 5 and 6 Junior Ambassadors led an afternoon of games and kindness activities with support from Sticks 'n Stones facilitators, Barry Grehan and Anja O'Connor. Karina Sharpe, the PB4L (Positive Behaviour for Learning) coach at Wānaka Primary, said that the day was a success with all students participating in the activities, which included the creation of a kindness wall and positive pathway. There was a selection of games and obstacle courses where students had to encourage one another to work together. The event raised $600 in total, with all proceeds going to the Mental Health

Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Supplied

Students from Wānaka Primary School with their “kindness wall'' which was made using pens and sticky notes.

Foundation of New Zealand. As a PB4L,Sharpe said that Wānaka Primary is “always researching and introducing initiatives that improve students' physical, mental, and emotional well-being.” Originating in Canada, Pink Shirt Day encouraged communities to stand up and speak out against bullying by celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and kindness.

The event, which is now celebrated around the world, was set up by two students, who, after witnessing a fellow student being harassed for wearing a pink shirt, decided to initiate change. “Leading up to Pink Shirt Day, our PB4L school-wide goal for the whole week was to 'Be Kind' and many classroom lessons focused on this,” Sharpe said.

Cam Calkoen encourages students to feel awesome

PHOTO: Supplied

Staff from Mount Aspiring College took part in the kindness event, organised by students last Friday.

Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Inspirational speaker, Cam Calkoen, met students at Mount Aspiring College last week as part of the school’s Pink Shirt Day activities. Born with cerebral palsy, Calkoen, who is a social entrepreneur, fundraiser, and athlete, spoke with students at the Junior and Senior assemblies last week. "His message to the students was that through talking and getting to know each other, we find out that we have far more in common than we expect. When we make assumptions about others that's when problems arise," MAC principal, Nicola Jacobsen, said. Senior student Ollie Blyth said: “It was incredibly engaging and inspiring to listen to

his life story, especially his relationship with the word 'awesome'. One key message that he wanted to share was that he was more similar to the students than they might have initially thought passing by him in the street.” MAC parent, Claire Arkell, bought Calkoen in to speak to the students, as part of the event which was organised by the school's Sticks n' Stones group Jacobsen said that the event was a good reminder to everyone that our actions and words can really have an impact on others. On his Facebook page, Calkoen wrote “I have heard so much about Mount Aspiring College over the years, as the school where gnarly students get to do English, Math, Science, Drama and… SKIING!!! How awesome is that!!!” Calkoen thanked the students and staff at

MAC for their support and told them to “Be honest to yourself about what you want to be able to do, let that serve as inspiration and you’ll be doing what you want to do.” The event was intended to make the children feel good about themselves and share kindness across the school. “It was great to see the number of staff and students who joined in on the day,” Jacobsen said. Sticks ‘n Stones ambassadors worked with the students at MAC to organise the event Jennifer Huddleston, the Operations Lead at Sticks ‘n Stones, said “It was wonderful to see all of their (the ambassadors) hard work and planning come together to create such magic. Our young people took the lead on this and it is amazing to see what happens when we let them.”

Just when we thought Wānaka’s reputation for wonderful wines couldn’t get any better, local vineyards, Rippon and Nanny Goat, achieved some great results at the NZ Organic Wine Awards last week. Rippon received the highly sought after Champion Pinot Noir title for the Rippon “Rippon” Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2017, while Nanny Goat Vineyard won a gold medal for their Sauvignon Blanc. PHOTO: Supplied The success of both The Champion Pinot Noir at vineyards follows some stiff Wānaka’s Rippon Vineyard. competition, with organisers reporting a significant growth in entry volumes for the eighth consecutive year. The Pinot Noir category, which was entered by the team at Rippon, saw the largest uptake in entries this year. The organisers behind the award said that the rise in entrants “could be due to the high prevalence of Central Otago certified organic vineyards.” Rippon winemaker Nick Mills said that the award is a great shout out to Wānaka’s “lovely” climate and soils. “The vines that this wine come from have been in the ground here since 1982 and have been cared for by heaps of good sorts ever since. They’re now awesome, wise old plants that have their roots down deep in the Wānaka schist. They love this place and it shows up in the wine,” he said. Nanny Goat also celebrated great success, with their 2020 Nanny Goat Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc receiving a gold medal. The wine, described as “vibrant and expressive”, is the very first release of Sauvignon Blanc for the vineyard. It is also the vineyard’s first release of an organic wine, which will soon be followed by a whole new range. Nanny Goat winemaker, Alan Peters-Oswald, said “entering this wine was a great way of seeing how we measured up against other organic producers throughout New Zealand.” “I took a fairly minimal intervention approach to the winemaking, fermenting the wine in barrel with naturally occurring yeast as a way of adding texture and complexity to the wine while tempering some of that youthful exuberance,” he said. Overall, eight Champion titles were issued, along with 41 Gold, 53 Silver, and 56 Bronze awards. In the Pinot Noir category, six of the 11 gold medals were from Central Otago, with three from Marlborough and the remaining two from North Canterbury. Gibbston Valley also won two gold awards in the Pinot Noir category, while Two Paddocks received one. The Organic Wine Awards, which was founded in 2014, is the only wine show in the country that is dedicated to organic and biodynamic wines.

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THURSDAY 27.05.21 - WEDNESDAY 02.06.21

PAGE 9

Sun Profile

Central Otago in line for LiDAR mapping

VOLUNTEER TALK

Bruce Hebbard: serving his community for many years G Gillian White

Volunteering Central

PHOTO: ORC

LiDAR involves sending a beam of light from a device on a plane, which bounces back from the ground to give a measurement of land elevation.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

A contract to map ground levels along the full length of the Otago coast and a large part of Central Otago has been signed after the Otago Regional Council (ORC) secured funding support from the Provincial Development Unit (PDU). Approximately 8,000 square kilometres of Otago will be covered by the new LiDAR (light detection and ranging) mapping project, which will give public and private organisations fresh insights into the lay of the region’s land. Last year, ORC secured cofunding for the project through a PDU initiative to improve ground elevation datasets, administered by Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). ORC Manager Natural Hazards Jean-Luc Payan said the data would have a range of uses. “LiDAR involves sending a beam of light from a device on a plane, which bounces back from the ground to give a measurement of land elevation. This technique is used to create elevation maps for large areas of land. The data that LiDAR generates is invaluable

in understanding and preparing for natural hazards, as well as informing infrastructure management, hydrology, catchment planning, and in many other applications.” The LiDAR mapping information will be made publicly available for anyone to use once it is captured and processed. The project will cover three areas, Dr Payan said. “The highest priority area, from a natural hazards point of view, is the Dunedin City coastline and urban area. The second priority is the rest of the Otago coastline, from the Waitaki River to the Catlins. “Finally, the third priority area is the Manuherekia River catchment and adjacent areas in Central Otago. This final stage of the LiDAR mapping is expected to be completed in 2023. “ORC has been using LiDAR data since the early 2000s, and we’re very excited to have new, up to date maps with much better coverage, which will complement the existing dataset,” said Payan. The first LiDAR mapping flights were set to begin on 1 July 2021, but could take off sooner depending on availability and weather.

thewanakasun.co.nz

How do you follow a career that’s as interesting as one that includes maintaining railway tracks for a Western Australia iron ore mine for 14 years, owning, extending and operating a commercial hotel in Omakau for 10, and then building and running the original tavern in Albert Town? Born and raised in Dunedin, Bruce Hebbard has always wanted to live in the Wānaka region where his mother’s family has been since 1850. He fulfilled that dream just before the turn of the millennium by buying 25 acres in Albert Town to build the tavern and later a home on the banks of the Clutha River where he now resides. After selling the tavern, he was able to devote himself full time to the associations he values, a list that includes benefitting the wider community and taking on leadership roles. As President of the NZ Bomber Command Association, Bruce helped drive the dual priorities of ensuring the WWII vets were cared for and appreciated paired with making sure people today knew their history. Motivated to become involved because of his dad, this worldwide association has provided him the personal experience of being able to speak to squadron members in England. Bruce is a committee member of the Albert Town Community Association, which solves problems for community members and takes on projects to improve life around town with a focus on the parks and lagoons. Bruce enjoys the sense of achievement when completing projects such as adding barbecues and a pagoda to the park and seeing the community using them. There’s a family connection here too – his grandfather was President of the Association during its first eight years. Since 2014, when it formed at the

suggestion of the Wānaka Police, Bruce has been involved with the Wānaka Community Patrol. He serves as Chairman as well as an active patroller. Acting as an extra set of eyes and ears for the police, the Community Patrol is on duty from 10pm-2am every Friday and Saturday night. While they don’t possess any powers greater than the general public and explicitly don’t put themselves in any danger, they work with the police to extend their reach. This involves observing and reporting, following as long as safe, and driving around areas where police don’t have time to go. An initial challenge for the patrol was the “trepidation at the start, not knowing what they would be doing and would they be in any danger.” With clear guidance from the police, none of those have turned out to be problems. Indeed, Bruce and his fellow patrol members have found that “sometimes it is enough just to drive up in the community patrol marked car and that discourages the behavior.” You can bet that Bruce also makes good use of some of the psychology that he learned working behind the bar whilst owning the tavern. With a chuckle, he shared the time that “a fellow who had been up to a bit of mischief, got into the backseat thinking they were a cabbie. He got out after a bit of conversation.” A more typical experience is when the community patrol and the police partnered to ensure that a sign was returned to a local bar and the duo who took it repaid the bar for the damages. The patrol members dealt with the sign while the police dealt with the mischief makers. As always, I asked Bruce why he volunteers. “To put something back into the community. And specifically with the Community Patrol, it helps to make Wānaka a safer place to live.” An additional reward for the Community Patrol is the chance to get

PHOTO: Volunteer South

Bruce Hebbard: To put something back into the community. And specifically with the Community Patrol, it helps to make Wānaka a safer place to live.

to know the police in a more informal way. Whether it’s sharing sparkling grape juice while monitoring CCTV cameras on NYE or having a cup of coffee together on midnight breaks on calm nights, Bruce and the other patrollers enjoy a unique opportunity to have a chat and a laugh with the police officers. There’s also the camaraderie with the 15 other patrollers while working shifts in pairs. What would Bruce say to others considering volunteering for the Community Patrol? “It will give you a sense of and satisfaction from helping the police and the community. Keep in mind though that you need to be a night owl for this one. If a night shift isn’t your idea of a good time, talk to Volunteer South about the other opportunities available. There’s something for everyone.”

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PAGE 10

THURSDAY 27.05.21 - WEDNESDAY 02.06.21

THE WĀNAKA SUN

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A MUM

The joys of having a sick baby Daisy Watford

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Waking up at 2am is no fun. Staying awake, pacing the hallways for over two hours, is even worse. Well folks, as many of you will know, this is what we call parenting. When my baby was first born, I was told it would get easier. I suppose I translated ‘easier’ to “You’ll be back to your usual 8 hours of sleep in no time.” I hear you laugh. Eight months on and I’m still humming the tune to ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ every two hours through the night. “Do you have a bedtime routine?”, “Do you feed him to sleep?”, “Is he teething?”, “My baby is sleeping through the night now.” Yes, yes, no, and, good for you. For those of you who don’t know me, I am a mum of a very cute, fairly chunky, and an extremely chatty 8 month old. His name is Tobias (also known as Toby). While it’s difficult to cover our entire

eight month journey in such a small space, all you really need to know is that it has involved many sleepless nights, a few tears, lots of laughs, beautiful smiles, and a somewhat traumatic birth (but that's a whole other story). Over the last two weeks, many new things have happened for us. Tobias turned 8 months old, he started to crawl, and he realised that the contents of our bin was way more interesting than any of his toys. Our little ray of sunshine never fails to amaze us and it's incredible how he makes new discoveries each day, even if it is how to escape during a nappy change. But, whether you call it a leap, regression, or something else altogether, this particular age certainly comes with some challenges. While we are used to broken sleep and sharing night shifts,we weren’t quite prepared for the increased night wakings that this age entails. Add a sick baby into the mix and you have one very

interesting night - let’s make that five interesting nights. That’s right. Tobias endured his first bug last week. Hand, foot, and mouth disease has been doing the rounds in town, and, just when we thought we had dodged the bullet, it hit us. As a new parent, I was a little ignorant to what a sick baby would actually entail. For us it consisted of lots of crying and trying to convince him that pamol tastes nice not an easy task. As the salty tears streamed down his puffy little cheeks, it was very difficult to hold back the tears myself. Feeling like a zombie, there were days when I didn’t even brush my hair. But, somehow, we got there. Rather than 30 minute wakings, we are back to our usual 2-3 hours. While it may seem like hell for some, to us it’s a win. I now feel somewhat human again and Tobias is back to his usual inquisitive self - crawling back over to that bin as I speak.

The many faces of Tobias.

PHOTO: Supplied

NEWS IN BRIEF Bremner Bay Junior Bike Park QLDC is opening the new Bremner Bay Junior Bike Park this Saturday (29 May) at 3.00pm and media is invited to attend. Councillor Quentin Smith will open the park, and those attending will be able to plant a native tree nearby The Bremner Bay Junior Bike Park was created by Dirt Dynamics, with funding from QLDC, Rotary Club of Wānaka and Aspiring Rotary. Southern Hemisphere Alpine Conference Wed 26 - Thu 27 May in Wānaka this 2-day conference is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and provides a unique opportunity for the alpine community to engage in a series of workshops and presentations that seek to extend their professional skills, knowledge and experience, and contribute to a safer alpine community. Occurring every second year, SHAC attracts approximately 150 industry professionals, including ski industry snow safety practitioners, commercial alpine organisations, heli-skiing, mountaineering and guiding companies,

search and rescue personnel, safety auditors, managers, and key industry influencers. Prior to COVID-19 restrictions, the event attracted attendees from around the world, but in 2021 it will be restricted to relevant professionals already based in New Zealand. Train, Retain and Regain In case you missed this opportunity available to Wānaka businesses associated with Tourism & Hospitality (accommodation, activities, food & beverage, retail), the good news is it's not too late! In partnership with Queenstown Resort College (QRC) and MSD, the Chamber is promoting the Train, Retain and Regain programme, with the first cohort intake on 2 June. For six months, you can receive a wage subsidy equivalent to 12 hours per week for staff members employed on a 30 hour plus contract on the basis that they complete training in those 12 hours. The incentive just gets better for businesses, with MSD now offering the wage subsidy for two staff members for every one staff member

you commit to one of the study programmes. So Dr Carol Atmore appointed WellSouth you can train and upskill one staff member and medical director hire another one to cover the 12 hours they are A leader in primary and community health training for. services and academic general practice has Southern Māori businesses invited to enter been appointed as the new medical director for WellSouth primary health network. biennial awards Dr Carol Atmore is taking on the clinical Māori businesses in Otago, Southland and leadership role at a point of significant change the Queenstown Lakes are being invited to in the health sector. A passionate advocate enter a prestigious awards event that celebrates for health system change, she says it’s the resilience, collaboration and business success. Te Kupeka Umaka Māori ki Araiteuru opportunity to help shape how the government’s (KUMA), the Māori business network for planned Health and Disability System Reforms the Otago/Southland region, has today are developed and implemented locally and opened entries to the biennial KUMA Māori regionally that’s prompted her move from academia back to work in the health care sector. Business Awards. “This is a phenomenal time to be involved, to Businesses that identify as Māori are eligible to enter. The categories for this year’s event are: help make a contribution to the future design of Collaboration & Innovation, Employment & the health system in Aotearoa,” says Dr Atmore, Growth, Resilience & Wellbeing and Emerging who joins WellSouth from the Department Enterprise (includes Rangatahi). The supreme of General Practice and Rural Health at the winner will be awarded the Suzanne Spencer Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, where she has been a senior lecturer and Tohu Maumahara Business Award. Head of Department since August 2019. Entries close on Thursday, June 17.

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Some products on display in selected stores only – please call 0800 764 847 to check availability. Personal shoppers only.*Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. See smithscity.co.nz for more details. Valid dates vary per product. Discount is off our full retail price and not available in conjunction with any other offer. Free delivery valid until 8th June 2021, applies to addresses within a 50km radius of a Smiths City store.

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THURSDAY 27.05.21 - WEDNESDAY 02.06.21

PAGE 11

Sun Sport

Wānaka junior squash players excell at tournament

PHOTO: Grainne Power

The junior team, left to right: Rui Fukaya, Ethan Prince, Nick Resnick, Jake Resnick, Alex Resnick, Kyan Prince and Oisín Corbett.

Ten Wānaka junior squash players travelled to Taieri on Sunday, May 23, to compete in the second of the Head Tournament Series. The tournament comprised five divisions with a number of standout Wānaka performers: Jake Resnick won the boys B division and Matthew Botting and Alex Resnick both made the final of the mixed B division, which Matthew won. Ethan Prince made the final of the mixed C division but narrowly lost. Oisín Corbett and George Sargood

met in the mixed A division 5/6 th play off, which Oisin won. Rui Fukaya and Kyan Prince also met in the 5/6 th play off but in the boys B event, which Rui won in a very close five setter. Nick Resnick won the mixed C division 7/8 th play off. The successes of these Wānaka juniors are due in no small part to their dedicated coaches. The next Head Series Tournament will be held on 12 June in Wānaka where we will no doubt be treated to some entertaining games. – By Grainne Power

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Narrow loss for MAC First XV The Mount Aspiring College (MAC) First XV travelled to Balclutha last weekend to take on South Otago High School, going down 23- 19 in a tight tussle. South Otago were well up for this game and came out firing with some hard running and accurate kicking. MAC by comparison were well off their game and struggled to contain the South Otago ball runners. Things improved for MAC however, when second-five Lachy Moore was able to bust through a tackle and make a good break, linking up with winger Zach Smith who dotted over for the first points of the game to lead 5-0. South Otago continued to play for territory and won a penalty within range soon after to make it 5-3. The home side kept up the pressure, keeping MAC pinned down in their own half which eventually saw them break through to score and make it 5-8. Things didn’t get much better for MAC as they made too many errors and failed to capitalize on opportunities. They were once more camped on their line and the South Otago forwards pounded their way through to score again and convert to take the lead out to 5-15 at half time. Some straight talk by the MAC coaches during the break appeared to have gotten through as the mistakes became less and the boys started to

PHOTO: Clint Hughes

The MAC First XV suffered a narrow loss to South Otago High School last weekend.

pressure the defence of South Otago during the second half. They got close to scoring a couple of times before firstfive Rory Read spotted a gap and broke through to score near the posts, bringing them right back into the game to make the score 12-15. South Otago didn’t panic though and kicked well to keep MAC down their end of the field. Another successful penalty shot took their lead out to 12-18. MAC withstood more pressure on their line before working their way up field. A hard-earned turnover and quick hands put Lachy Moore into space and he was brought down 10 meters out from the South Otago try line. The ball was then fired out to winger Ben Simmers who was able to get over the line and get the ball down in a good position for full back Cullen Meyers to convert and put MAC back in front at 19-18. To their credit South Otago dug

deep and with the home crowd behind them were able to work their way back to the MAC try line and eventually find a way through to score and retake the lead with only minutes remaining. The MAC boys were not quite done though and in the last run of play halfback Jacob Field sliced through the South Otago forwards to make a break. He got a good pass out to loose forward Ollie Haines who was in support but within meters of the line he was taken into touch with a game saving tackle by the South Otago full back and that was it. It was a good fight back from the MAC team after a very ordinary first half. Coach Gareth Houley remarked "We showed glimpses of what we are capable of but in the end didn't do it consistently enough and we're out played on the day". The team will travel over the hill to take on Wakatipu High School this weekend. – By Clint Hughes

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EDITORIAL

Beekeeping: Flying close to the wind

But it’s a great lifestyle it seems – in the outdoors all day, in the mountains of the Ohau Valley...

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

It's farming week for the paper, something I always look forward to because I hail from a sheep and beef farm in North Canterbury. I enjoy receiving Kim Reilly’s Federated Farmers column and whatever else I come up with for the farming page. One sector of the rural economy that I don't think gets its due is beekeeping. After all, 7000 registered beekeepers in New Zealand own more than 600,000 hives in over 42,000 apiaries. The value of New Zealand's pure honey exports for 2020 was $505.5m up 46 per cent from $347.4m in 2019. This doesn’t compare to milk products or meat, but it's still not to be sneezed at. There are several beekeepers in the Upper Clutha and spread down towards Cromwell. Taylor Pass Honey here in Wānaka is probably the largest. I have several beekeepers in my familytwo sisters and a brother-in-law and three nephews. My sister Ali and her husband Peter bought a beekeeping operation off Black Forest Station (near Lake Benmore) back in about 1985 as 20-year-olds. They started with only an ancient Worsley as their means of transport and as they said, didn’t take it too seriously for the first few years, supplementing their income with shepherding and shearing. They were based in Twizel. But their three boys came along and for the next 35 years they worked their butts off to create a decent living for the family. Ali continued to work while dealing with the boys, taking them out with her on the bee rounds.

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PHOTO: Ali Bell

Today there's is one of the most successful beekeeping operations in Canterbury and they are known as excellent beekeepers. As for the three boys? They are now all beekeepers, home in New Zealand after drifting around the world doing ski patrolling and stuff like that for a few years. Brian, the youngest, bought his beekeeping business at 19 and is in Hamner. His hives runup towards the Lewis Pass and he deals mainly in manuka honey. The next, George, is in Te Anau and he is helped by his wife Clare when she isn’t training for the Coast to Coast or Godzone or other endurance races Tom the oldest is in Twizel, taking over the original business from his parents with his wife Tarsh. I also have a sister in Queenstown who operates several hundred hives up Glenorchy Rd. Her’s is more a hobby operation. What has always struck me is how close these operations fly to the wind. As a commodity, the price of honey rises and falls depending on the honey market in the Northern Hemisphere. A bumper crop in North America will flood the global market of honey, forcing the price down. New Zealand, coming in the following summer will have to contend with this and lower prices. But there are some years where the honey market has boomed. I remember one year my brother-in-law telling me he was “too embarrassed to say how much they had earned.” But it’s a great lifestyle it seems- in the outdoors all day, in the mountains of the Ohau Valley, or Mt Cook or the backroads of Te Anau. In many ways I am envious!