Wayne Bosley
INSIDE THIS WEEK Views: Page 13 Jobs: Page 14 Sport: Page 16
MAC principal resigns.
PAGE 3
Aaron Nicholson 20 years with SAR. thewanakasun.co.nz
THUR 28.05.20 - WED 03.06.20
PAGE 7 EDITION 976
DELIVERED AND FREE
Aurora's price hike ‘commercial banditry’ for Wānaka residents Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
ueenstown Lakes residents and in particularly Wānaka residents are being “absolutely dealt to” under the new pricing proposal by Aurora, according to Queenstown Lakes District Council [QLDC] councillor Wanaka ward, Quentin Smith. Aurora Energy owns and operates the poles, lines and other equipment that distribute electricity from Transpower’s national grid to 90,000 homes, farms and businesses in Dunedin, Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. Aurora is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dunedin City Holdings Limited, owned by Dunedin City Council [DCC]. Aurora’s charges are built into power bills and are something its consumers are required to pay no matter which power company they are with. Typically, electricity distribution charges make up about a quarter of an average residential consumer’s power bill. In June, Aurora was expected to apply to the Commerce Commission to spend around $400 million over the next three years to address safety and reliability issues on its network. To pay for this, the power bills of Aurora’s consumers were likely to increase significantly. “The substantial increases proposed to electricity supply and network management sought by Aurora is the direct result of an ongoing failure to invest in and maintain the assets adequately and the skimming of undue dividends by DCC, money that needed to be reinvested in the company to fulfil their core function and responsibility to customers,” Smith said. “The Upper Clutha faces nearly a 50 per cent greater increase and in some cases faces nearly double the line charges than what Dunedin residents are or will be required to pay or residents who have already benefited (through
Q
rates) from the undue takings from the company.” A letter from the Commerce Commission to Smith said: “In June, Aurora is expected to apply to us [Commerce Commission] to spend around $400 million over the next three years to address safety and reliability issues on its network. To pay for this, the power bills of Aurora’s consumers are likely to increase significantly. “Major investment is needed in Aurora’s network. Our [Commerce Commission’s] role is to decide how much money it should be allowed to recover from its customers to carry out its plan and over what period. “We are acutely aware of the importance of this issue to Aurora’s consumers. We understand that now, more than ever, household incomes will be strained, especially in light of coronavirus. Many consumers will be struggling to pay their bills while needing a reliable electricity supply. A key consideration for us in setting Aurora’s new maximum revenues and quality standards is balancing the cost to consumers with the urgent need to fix Aurora’s network.” Under investing in the Aurora network led to increased power cuts between 2016 and 2019. The High Court ordered an almost five million dollar fine for Aurora's failings under the Commerce Act. Commerce Commission deputy chair Sue Begg said at the time; Aurora did not respond to an earlier warning in 2014 for not meeting its quality standards in 2012. "Aurora's previous management and board were well aware of the deteriorating state of its network but failed to take action," she said. "Aurora's historic under-investment in asset maintenance and renewal including of its poles, cables and transformers has resulted in a material deterioration in Aurora's service quality in recent years. "In particular, Aurora failed to comply with
Phone: 03 443 8000, Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka OPEN: MON-SAT 8AM TO 6PM SUN 10AM TO 6PM
good industry practice regarding their data management, asset renewal and replacement, risk management, and vegetation management." Smith said; “The DCC and in turn residents of the DCC had been financially benefiting from taking funds from the company while it failed to maintain the network in the outlying districts. Most clearly seen in the power pole scandal but also evident in its underlying struggles in our region. The massive catchup in infrastructure cost is now being sought to be loaded on the smaller communities while giving the DCC residents a lesser increase. “Residents of the Upper Clutha should be outraged that we are wearing an undue cost burden to the benefit of the DCC. Both the DCC and Aurora continue to act with contempt for their customers who do not sit within the DCC district. “Prior to seeking any increases in the pricing, the DCC must return the undue takings from the company and reinvest them and then and only then should they see a balanced and fair increase in the costs. “Particularly in these times (post coronavirus) where few can afford a 24 per cent increase in power bills, and the actions of Aurora and DCC are grossly unreasonable and unfair,” Smith said. QLDC councillor Michael Laws said he would “also be asking our colleagues to take a stand on the usurious attempt by Aurora Energy to gouge Otago consumers to make up for appalling past management and governance. “I will have some very strong words to share at [yesterday’s] council meeting on this issue. Aurora’s proposal is commercial banditry, plain and simple. The current Commerce Commission inquiry is seeking public comment, and the ORC has a direct interest. Very simply, these excessive price rises of up to 23 per cent, are bad for both the Otago consumer and the Otago environment.”
PHOTO: Crux
Upper Clutha residents are going to bear the brunt of Aurora’s price hike.
PHOTOS: QLDC
Quentin Smith: Wānaka residents are going to be “absolutely dealt to” by the new pricing proposal from Aurora.
Mike Laws: The actions of Aurora and DCC are grossly unreasonable and unfair.
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
Hunting guides appeal to domestic market Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
New Zealand’s guided hunting industry has been impacted severely by coronavirus, and at least 1520 guides in the Upper Clutha are in this boat. Gerald Telford of Telford Fishing and Hunting, Hāwea said there are two categories of guides in the Upper Clutha; the outfitters, such as himself who own properties [he leases Mt Maude], stock their animals and employ guides. And there are a “fair handful of guides” whose work is a lot more seasonal, are operated by the outfitters for four to five months a year and have another job in the off-season. “Outfitters like myself, we are feeling it because we don’t have a fall back such as farming,” Telford said. “Coronavirus couldn’t have come at a worse time for the industry because we were two weeks into a 16-week season [the roar] and were just hitting the peak when the lockdown happened, and it got stolen from us. “The government subsidy of $585 a week is nice, but the week previous to that subsidy coming through my income was $58,500.” The NZ hunting industry is appealing for support from domestic hunters looking for a unique hunting experience said Game Animal Council general manager Tim Gale “Guided hunting was worth over $50 million a year to the New Zealand economy and provided primarily international visitors with fantastic Kiwi hunting experiences on both private and public land. “It has also been a significant employer in provincial regions and has a low impact on our environment. It has been a New Zealand tourism
success story.” Safari Club International New Zealand president Mike Knowles said “The reality is with coronavirus having decimated the international tourist market, hunting guides, game estates and other commercial operators are facing a very uncertain time. Many may be forced to consider their future in the industry. “With New Zealand leading the world in combating coronavirus, the recovery period presents a unique opportunity for New Zealand hunters to get out there and support local New Zealand businesses while having some fantastic hunting experiences. “Our members would love to take Kiwi hunters on guided hunts, where they can go after the trophy of a lifetime or put high-quality free-range meat in the freezer,” said Knowles. “At the same time, they can learn new hunting skills from some of the very best hunters in New Zealand.” Many hunting operators are reconfiguring their offerings to cater to the different skills, experience and budgets of domestic hunters, he said. New Zealand Professional Hunting Guides Association president James Cagney explained that the travel and logistics of going hunting could be difficult and typically involve a significant investment in both money and time. “With many hunters having less time on their hands due to work commitments postcoronavirus, the benefit of going on a guided hunt is that they can maximise the time they have with the best possible opportunity for success. “This applies to both managed herds on private land as well as using local guides to hunt for highquality animals on public conservation land.” “While Kiwi hunters are rightfully proud of our ‘get-out-there and do-it-yourself ’ attitude
PHOTO: Manuka Point
Gerald Telford: Coronavirus couldn’t have come at a worse time for the industry because we were two weeks into a 16-week season [the roar]…when the lockdown happened.
there will be many that have often thought they would like to make a trip with a guide or on a game estate,” said Gale. “Well, there will never be a better time, and what better justification is there than to help support Kiwi businesses struggling in the aftermath of coronavirus.” “New Zealand hunters?”said Telford. “Most New Zealand hunters don’t want to spend that sort of money for the experience that they can give themselves. This is very much a North American/ European market that we play with. “I do some fishing guiding, but this is very much overseas as well. There are a handful of
Kiwis who might do the fishing. But Australia is quite important from a fishing point of view. If we get this trans-Tasman bubble going we could expect some Aussies’ coming over for fishing. “I have invested in a lot of animals [deer] $250,000 worth. They will last till next year, but the single biggest unknown for us is that we will not have our borders open to us by next Februaryso we won’t have a season next year either, and that is going to hurt,” Telford said. “I say this based on the state of the coronavirus in the US, the signals we are getting from Tourism Aotearoa and the messages coming out of Wellington.”
QLDC continues assistance programmes across the region Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
STUDY @ SIT QUEENSTOWN
ENROL NOW FOR 2020 NZ Certificate in Information Technology (Level 5)
NZ Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)
NZ Certificate in Project Management
NZ Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)
NZ Certificate in Construction Trade Skills (Level 3) - Carpentry
NZ Diploma in Cookery (Advanced)
www.sit.ac.nz 0800 QT 4 SIT
PAGE 2
Coronavirus has had a significant impact on Queenstown’s tourism economy, affecting everyone from seasonal workers to homeowners. As a result, many are facing severe financial challenges. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has provided a range of programmes to help ease pressure on people across the district. These include rent relief, broader options for rates payment instalments and Emergency Operations Centre welfare programmes. All are still available for residents who fit the relevant criteria. As well as these, a comprehensive review of the 2020-2021 Annual Plan will look to limit rates increases to a minimum. Council fully acknowledges that the budgets supporting the draft Annual Plan, adopted on March 12, need to be substantially reviewed in light of the deteriorating economic conditions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. To this end, the council announced on April 8 that it intended to proactively review alternative budget scenarios for the 2020-2021 Annual Plan (AP21). In particular, the council stated it would be looking to limit rates increases to a minimum. The consultation document approved on March 12 signalled an average rates increase of 6.76 per cent. Council is now targeting a revised budget which reduces the average rates increase down closer to the current rate of inflation, which is 1.8 per cent. Limiting the rates increase to this degree will not be an easy task. A significant budget issue for QLDC is that it has substantial tourism-related revenue budgets which are now at risk. These
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
include the Queenstown Airport Corporation dividend and turnover-based concessions, as well as tourism-related rental income from sources such as campgrounds and wharves. Much of this tourism-related revenue reduces rates. The revised budget has seen all these revenue forecasts reduce significantly, which means QLDC had to find significant additional savings and funding. The revised budget will be discussed by councillors next week as part of its consideration of Annual Plan submissions. Visitor accommodation has been particularly affected by coronavirus. With far fewer tourists visiting the region, many houses that were used for visitor accommodation have now become long-term rentals or remain unrented. This has had an impact on the rates owners of these properties need to pay. Owners can now apply for visitor accommodation rates relief if they own a property in this category and do not intend to use it for visitor accommodation for the next 12 months, or if they hold a 365-day visitor accommodation consent and are significantly reducing the amount of visitor accommodation use to fewer than 180 days per year. Visitor accommodation rates relief will readjust rates for the rating year commencing on July 1 2020. Rates will revert to pre-coronavirus visitor accommodation rates in July 2021 unless the council is contacted before June 30 2021. Owners will be required to make a declaration that they are aware of obligations to pay rates and that the property will be used in the manner specified on the application form for the next 12 months. There is no requirement to adjust resource consents to be eligible for the rates relief.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
thewanakasun.co.nz
Sun News
MAC principal resigns amid Disappointment at new budget’s ongoing governance concerns neglect of midwives Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Mount Aspiring College (MAC) Principal Wayne Bosley announced his resignation to staff and students on Monday after twenty years as principal and deputy principal. In a letter to parents, he wrote that “after much reflection I have made the significant decision that the time is right for me to resign as principal of Mount Aspiring College. “I have informed the board of trustees [BOT] that I will continue to work through to the end of the school term and then be stepping down for the transition to a new leader,” he said. His resignation comes just weeks after BOT chair Glenn Peat’s and parent representative Tracey Gibson’s, both of whom stepped down citing conflicts with the school’s leadership and direction - which have come under scrutiny since an Education Review Office [ERO} report in March deemed the school “developing.” In the months since the report, two groups of parents have raised concerns about leadership issues at the school. A letter signed by 49 parents was sent to the Ministry of Education asking for an investigation into the lack of governance at the school following Peat’s resignation, and stating that parents wanted to “place firmly on the record a vote of no confidence in MAC’s board of trustees” - including the principal. Issues raised in the letter included a lack of a stakeholder engagement plan and a lack of school
leadership. This was further highlighted by several employment relations failures and nondisclosure agreements, the letter said. Meanwhile, Parents of MAC had been liaising with Peat and the BOT to improve the board’s strategy and communication. Parent Aidan Craig told the Wānaka Sun that, while disappointed by Peat’s resignation after two months in post, he hoped it would be a catalyst for change. “Fundamentally, the culture is not working, and [the Ministry of Education and the BOT] need to recognise that,” he said. The Ministry of Education is supporting the school to address issues raised in the ERO report, but parents feel the principal’s resignation will not provide a quick fix. Parents of MAC organiser Ruth Heath told The Wānaka App that the resignation of Mr Bosley was a start, "but there was still the unresolved issue of weak governance". "The board had enabled the principal as much as the principal had enabled the board to be ineffective," she is quoted. BOT acting chairman Ed Nepia acknowledged in a statement that “there is much to be done in order to meet our shared goal of providing the best possible educational outcomes for our students and to make Mount Aspiring College the very best it can be.” He also expressed "sincere gratitude" to Bosley for his service to the school. "Wayne has led Mount Aspiring College for 20 years and his contribution extends far beyond the physical campus," he said.
Alpine Lakes Research and Education Centre still expected this year Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
After years in the pipeline, an Alpine Lakes Research and Education Centre (ALREC) established by WAI Wānaka (formerly the Upper Clutha Lakes Trust - UCLT) to provide a research base for the natural environment and freshwater is set to open its doors later this year. A “living laboratory”, ALREC is a manifestation of the vision of the late ORC councillor Maggie Lawton and Marc Schallenberg from the University of Otago to secure long-term ecosystem health by promoting collaboration and communication between researchers, regulators, educators and local communities. In June 2018, UCLT commenced the Wānaka Water Project with project partners Otago Regional Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust and Catchments Otago, and co-ordinated the development of a Community Catchment Plan (CCP) for the Upper Clutha. The CCP addresses current and future risks to freshwater resources in order to prevent any decline in water quality and ecosystem function in an integrated way across the whole catchment. A vital part of the CCP, ALREC will help to facilitate action, ideas, conversation and research designed to advance our environment and understanding of Alpine Lakes ecology, attracting scientists from all over the world to carry out research in the Upper Clutha area and helping to close gaps in our understanding of the natural environment. As well as undertaking scientific projects relating to water, land, ecosystem function, biodiversity and climate change, ALREC will also connect community organizations to businesses, residents and visitors through engagement activities. ALREC’s Wānaka site at 185 Riverbank Road has been leased from ORC, and will
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean has voiced her disappointment and dismay that midwives have once again been “ignored” following the 2020 budget announcement on May 14. “I’m gutted for mothers and babies in Wānaka and Central Otago that they’re not going to get the additional funding they so desperately need, because the broken funding model has still not been fixed by the Labour Government,” said Dean. “On the International Day Of The Midwife on May 5 at the daily coronavirus conference, the PM made a strong show of acknowledging the work of midwives. It is very disappointing that this hasn’t translated into the support the sector needs and deserves.” Alison Eddy, chief executive of the College of Midwives, revealed she was only informed that the budget would not address maternity an hour and a half before it was announced. “Given the urgency of the issues facing the midwifery workforce, we are perplexed as to why this would be the case,” she said. “The delay is deeply disappointing to the midwifery workforce which remains frayed but hopeful. Midwives today expected to hear about funding improvements for community midwives and funding to support maternity services for new mothers and babies.” Eddy added that there would be additional announcements regarding budget funding and she hoped that the rolling release of details would include midwifery - although the timeframe was unclear. “I want to reassure midwives and women around the country that we remain committed to
PHOTO: Supplied
Midwives expected to hear about funding improvements for community midwives and funding to support maternity services, but the budget released on May 14 did not address maternity at all.
resolving the issues we have been working with the government and the ministry on, for almost five years now,” she said. Meanwhile, with the public consultation on Central Lakes maternity services being delayed indefinitely by the Southern District Health Board due to coronavirus, the ongoing uncertainty around when and how provisions for maternity services in Wānaka and the surrounding areas will be improved drags on. “We’ve still got midwives who have left the profession because they feel unsupported. We’re still left with mothers who have to travel long distances to Dunedin Hospital for anything other than a normal birth,” said Dean. “The previous National Government reached a settlement agreement with the New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) to develop a new funding model. The current overnment has stopped this work in its tracks and midwives are yet to see any progress. “The lack of progress is completely unacceptable and severely risks us losing the midwives who are so important to New Zealand’s workforce. This must be remedied immediately,” Dean said.
provide a community and environmental hub for innovation and learning, with office/light laboratory facilities and space for workshops, seminars, speaker events and education activities. The site will provide a cost-effective way for the ALREC concept to be fully tested before WAI Wānaka proceeds with plans to develop a more comprehensive, purpose-built laboratory facility. Katie Hart, part of the WAI Wānaka Water Action Initiative and project lead for ALREC, said that the town was a “brilliant location” for the centre. With 75 percent of asked researchers saying that Wānaka was an important location for their research, and 60 percent saying they would be likely or very likely to use ALREC, she is excited for the laboratory to be established. Although the formal opening of ALREC, planned for Spring 2020, may be delayed due to the impact of coronavirus, Hart said that the global pandemic had provided opportunities as well as barriers. Despite difficulties with international travel, she felt confident that New Zealand-based researchers would still be interested in coming to the area. “It is our beautiful environment that brings people here, and it’s our biggest asset,” she said. “Now more than ever, our region is an area where people come to enjoy the amazing natural landscape and resources that we have, including water. Now is the time to focus on ensuring those resources are well cared for for everyone to enjoy. “We have an opportunity to make sure that we use this new focus to look after it, and get projects kicked off,” - projects that would assist in both environmental and economic growth in the region. WAI Wānaka expects to have a brand new website up and running in the coming weeks, where members of the community can sign up for updates and ways to be involved. For now, those interested can follow the WAI Wānaka Facebook page. THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
PAGE 3
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
QLDC to resume sorting and processing mixed recycling
Upper Clutha projects accepted for further consideration Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Queenstown Lakes District Council [QLDC] is in the early planning stages of a project to upgrade its recycling and transfer station facilities in Wakatipu and make improvements to the transfer station in Wānaka. QLDC and waste management had taken the opportunity during the lockdown period to carry out some essential maintenance on the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) which sorts and bales the district’s recycling. The MRF was commissioned over 13 years ago and is due to be upgraded to improve opportunities for resource recovery. Once the MRF reopens, the sorting of mixed recycling will restart and materials can be transported to recycling markets for reprocessing. QLDC general manager Property & Infrastructure Peter Hansby reminded residents to take care with their recycling and make sure the right materials were going into the right bins. “It’s crucial to avoid contamination in our three-bin system,” Hansby said. “Even a small amount of contamination can mean everyone’s recycling goes to landfill. Remember,
The Cardrona Wastewater Project and Wānaka Lakefront enhancement ‘shovel ready’ projects have been accepted for further consideration under the government’s Crown Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP) ‘Shovel Ready’ fund. QLDC’s proposal will potentially unlock in excess of $300M in infrastructure projects across the district through spending by central government, council, Iwi and private interests. This will result in a long-term improvement to local infrastructure and create a significant number of new jobs. Other projects accepted for further consideration are the Queenstown Events Centre and the Queenstown Town Centre transformation, which includes the Queenstown Street Upgrades project and the Queenstown Arterials project. The Shotover Delta Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade project was not accepted for further consideration. The Infrastructure Reference
PHOTO: QLDC
Once Materials Recovery Facility re-opens, the sorting of mixed recycling will restart and materials can be transported to recycling markets for reprocessing.
clean glass bottles and jars only in the blue bin, mixed recycling – clean plastic containers, cardboard, paper and cans – in the yellow bin, and general waste in the red bin. It’s important we all do our bit to make recycling successful so if you’re not sure if something can be
recycled or not, put it in the red bin.” While mixed recycling went to landfill over the lockdown period, glass was processed and recycled as usual. Sign up for weekly bin reminders here: www.reminders.saveourstuff.co.nz/ s/#reminder
Group, tasked with finding projects that provided national or regional public health benefits, received 1,924 submissions; 802 of these submissions have gone forward for further consideration. As yet there is no specific timeframe for the confirmation of these projects. Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult said he was pleased to hear five local projects were being considered, although cautioned no decisions about their ultimate future had been made yet. “It’s great to hear these projects are continuing to be considered for funding. It’s also important to remember they have not been accepted just yet,” Boult said. “There is plenty of time to go and many decisions to be made. However, council staff have put a huge amount of hard work into preparing these projects and, if accepted, they will play an important role in supporting the district as it rebounds after the coronavirus lockdown bringing many employment opportunities and a boost for our local economy.”
Come and view our Show Home Saturday at 3:00 pm Cnr Mount Aspiring Road and Meadowstone Drive
+
Quality residence offering relaxed secure living
+
Inviting outdoor living areas
+
Upmarket kitchen and tiled bathroom
+
On-site manager, lock and leave convenience
+
Owners capture the capital gain
2
PAGE 4
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
2
Floor area 96 m2 | Web ID FNW01616
GRAEME SINCLAIR
SARA SECKER
M 021 504 749 E graeme@fnwanaka.com
M 021 216 7994 E sara@fnwanaka.com
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
In response to our post on the Upper Clutha Community Notices Facebook Page: Is there anybody out there who feels they are being scammed out of their wage subsidy? Naomi: I'm sorry, but I disagree with your comment "prolific." We have had no such reports and all owners we speak to are doing the right thing. We have published clear information too on what employees should do if they feel they are not receiving the correct amount, which starts with their employer. Naming and shaming employers who are already struggling is not helpful in an already stressful situation. If employees do not get the result by talking to their employer, the government has a helpline; they can call for this to be adequately tackled. The situation is confusing for many, so it isn't black and white. Naomi: ...but often that's through lack of knowledge not deliberate flouting of rules. It's just not helpful to run articles like this without reason or facts from both sides. What would be the purpose or public interest? If employees have issues, there are official avenues. The media is not one in my mind. PHOTO: Sue McRobie
Dave: You would want to know you're correct in your information before you put a company's name out there in public... they may have made an easy mistake or simply gone out of business. James: What's the verdict on being given 14 days notice to take annual leave during level 4 lockdowns and while receiving the subsidy? I haven't found any info stating if it's allowable or not.
Sue McRobie took this stunning shot of a paraglider against the sunset on Saturday evening from the middle of town.
Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village residents donate to Wanaka Food Bank Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Sarah: My previous employer shut down due to COVID and told us that if they were to include us on the application for the subsidy that we needed to agree to a new unseen contract first. They would not outline the terms and vaguely told us it would include "making ourselves available to them" over the next few months for whatever work they asked up to 30 hours a week. My hunch was this was not legal, so I did not agree, and I wasn't included in the application. I was also immediately removed from our employee communication app Slack without a further word. Odd. I'd like to speak to someone about this, they're a well-known establishment that completely screwed me over, and they also happen to be quite nosy, so I know they'll be seeing this. Sharyn: Are they reporting the employees who refuse to return to work until their subsidy finishes, or the migrant workers who refused to return to their homelands so they could get the subsidy and are now leaving the country June 10, having had a great twelve weeks? The whole scheme intended to help has been waffly with changes every few weeks. As an employer, I have read over 300 documents sent by various government departments, just to keep up. Migrant workers who were here on working holiday visas should have been given flights back to their homelands, just as Europe and the UK did to NZ kids, though of course, those kids had to pay their way. Like everything, two sides. Sharon: Interesting to hear the other side for sure Sharyn. But let's not shut down journalism and storytelling. We need those to bring these stories to light. Debby: I hope that if any business is found to be foul of the subsidy, you will publish the information.
The residents of the Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village have raised $5,190 for the Wanaka Food Bank, to help support families in need. The amount was matched by village owners, the Gordon, Armstrong, Anderson and Foster families. The final amount donated is $10,380. It was Avis Munro (91), who initially suggested that residents should band together to donate to the Wanaka Food Bank. “It’s been on my mind that young people with families in the district are having a hard time,” Munro said.“It all started to come in, and it’s just so much.” Treasurer of the Resident’s Association Ian Halsted co-ordinated the receipt of the donations from residents. Kate Murray from Community Networks visited Aspiring Village last week to receive the donation, and thank residents and the village for their support. Halsted and Munro represented the residents of the village and directors, Peter and Diana Gordon, attended to represent the village owners. Murray said the money would be used to purchase food to make food parcels for families/ individuals struggling with the costs of buying food and for other food bank-related costs. We usually try and make up a food parcel which would feed a family for a week, she said. “The donation will make a massive difference to the running of the food bank. We need to upscale the food bank to meet an anticipated
WE HAVE A NEW MENU!
PHOTO: QLDC
From left to right are Ian Halsted (treasurer of the Aspiring Lifestyle Retirement Village Residents Association), Peter Gordon and Dee Gordon (coowners of the retirement village), Avis Munro (resident) and Kate Murray (Community Networks).
increase in demand going forward so are looking at a larger space, bigger freezer and people to help run it (along with the fantastic team of volunteers we have) – all of which have costs attached. “Currently, through the Civil Defense system (being delivered by QLDC), families can apply for support via the welfare registration form and may receive food vouchers. We are offering the occasional food parcel to families that, for whatever reason, are unable to get a food voucher. At the moment, an average of 15 food vouchers is being given out each day. Before coronavirus, we were averaging one food parcel a day. This offers us an indication of the increase in need. When the Civil Defence-funded food vouchers stop ( the timeframe on this is unknown) we need to be well set up to be able to meet this increase in demand for food parcels,” Murray said.
Are you practising social distancing?
The Catch is under new management and is producing kiwi, classic fish n’ chips at an affordable price for the entire family.
Aspiring Medical are pleased to announce we are now offering virtual and telephone consultations. Book these via ConnectMed or by phoning our friendly reception team.
Penny Fisher RN MBA
TRY OUR NEW SEAFOOD BASKET! Perfect for the whole family, it includes fish, chips, crab stick, 2x calamari, 2x mussels & 2x oysters
027 343 4776
Penny’s Home Care Professional Trustworthy Friendly Reliable
The Catch serving great value, kiwi fish n’ chips daily from 11am
Household help, Meal preparation, Outings companionship, Shopping carer support.
137 Ardmore Street | 03 443 1214 | www.thecatchwanaka.co.nz
www. pennyshom ecare.co.nz
THE WĀNAKA SUN
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
03 443 0725 aspiringmedical.co.nz 23 Cardrona Valley Road
PAGE 5
Sun News
The mountains are waiting: winter ski campaign goes live
NEWS IN BRIEF Makarora River Bridge As you may be aware Aspiring Highways have been doing work to strengthen the Makarora River Bridge. From the 21st, delays at the bridge are going to increase to 25-30 minutes. The bridge will be closed between 8am and 5pm on weekdays, opening up every 30 minutes on the hour/half hour to let traffic through. To be clear, timed openings to allow traffic through will be at 8.30am, 9.00am, 9.30am, 10.00am, 10.30am and so on until 5pm when the bridge will be opened up overnight. Planning ahead and arriving just prior to the timed openings will minimise waiting time. This pattern of traffic management will continue on weekdays until Friday 29th May, the bridge work is expected to be finished by the end of June. Good news story- cat rescued by local chimney-sweep I [the Wānaka Sun editor] got a new cat from the SPCA last week. It was a sevenmonth-old wild kitten. Socialised- or so I was told. The moment I let her out of her carrier box she dashed behind the wood burner, and hid somewhere up under the fire box. I didn't even have a chance to see what she looked like. I had to put the fire out in a hurry with jugs of water. There Wispa remained for the next four days- oblivious to the smorgasbord of cat foodie-treats I laid out in front of the woodburner for her. Getting rather desperate, and feeling dreadfully for Wispa, hidden up in the sooty darkness I eventually called chimney-sweep Mark Thomas (Curly) to come and help me out.
thewanakasun.co.nz
Mark lifted up the flue, then un-bolted and rotated the wood burner- and Wispa flew out. Saved. Now she is down in the back bedroom, heater on, curtains drawn and an array of food out for her to eat, if she choses. She seems to like tinned salmon. Quite expensive. I'm just hoping that in the next few days she will feel confident enough to come out and say hi. The Wanaka Yacht Club working-bee Saturday June 6, 9am until 12 noon Please bring lawn mowers, hedgers, trimmers, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows. And a few trailers to take away waste etc. The club is also after a new treasurer. After years and years...and years of great service, Matt Davidson is finally hanging up the abacus (or logging off Xero). The club needs a good keen person with some bookkeeping skills or someone willing to train up with Matt. Please get in touch with Graham Berry, club commodore, if this is something you could help out with. Albion Volts team wins backing from ANZ this cricket season The Albion Volts team are ready to take their cricket training to the next level, after receiving new gear through an ANZ cricket grant. The players from the Albion Volts team attend schools from the Upper Clutha region including Wānaka Primary School, Hawea Flat and Mount Aspiring College. The new gear will help the Albion Volts cricketers to train to the very best of their abilities and step on to the pitch with confidence next season. ANZ has so far given more than $900,000 to help teams and players all over New Zealand achieve their cricket dreams.
PHOTO: Supplied
“As snow begins to dust the peaks of the Southern Alps, we’re inviting New Zealanders to imagine the winter to come, and to visit us when they can.”
Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) has gone live with their winter ski campaign ‘The Mountains are Waiting’, with the leading content a video that “reflects the love, passion and respect we have for our mountains.” Wānaka ski legend Jossi Wells conveyed his natural affinity for the mountains by providing the voiceover for the campaign video. LWT said that the narration spoke to the special bond that New Zealanders share for the mountains and their sense of adventure. “As snow begins to dust the peaks of the Southern Alps, we’re inviting New Zealanders to imagine the winter to come, and to visit us when they can”, said James Helmore, general manager LWT.
“The launch of this edit also celebrates the fact that the 2020 winter season in Wānaka has been confirmed to go ahead under New Zealand Alert Level 2. Heli-ski operations are looking to take flight in mid to late-June, Snow Farm’s scheduled opening day is June 19, and both Cardrona and Treble Cone are set to open on the last weekend of June, which is all extremely positive news for our region” Helmore added. This campaign comes after the launch of the #LoveWānaka Supporting Local campaign, which is now in its Alert Level 2 domestic phase, encouraging Kiwis to visit Wānaka and support local accommodation, activity, retail, and hospitality providers. The video can be viewed online and will be screened as a trailer throughout the New Zealand Mountain Film Festival.
Visit Aspiring Village this weekend Call Ursula on 443 6660
Open daily 11am to 3pm 14 Golf Course Road, Wanaka 0800 277 474 info@aspiringvillage.co.nz
www.aspiringvillage.co.nz
Alert Level 2 precautions are in place to protect our residents, staff and visitors.
PAGE 6
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
Meeting our local achievers
Aaron Nicholson: Wānaka SAR aficionado of 20 years Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
For almost 20 years Aaron Nicholson has been at the forefront of the Wānaka Search and Rescue [SAR] effort, firstly as the police officer in charge of rescue coordination, and then, once retired, as a volunteer. What's more, he has recently taken up a three-year tenure as the organisation's chairman. Nicholson talks to the Wānaka Sun about what it is that has held his interest in Wānaka SAR all these years. So how did you get involved with Wānaka SAR? "My history with SAR? When I arrived in Wānaka in 2001 [as a policeman], part of my responsibility, as well as being officer in charge of the station, was search and rescue. So I became the SAR coordinator for Wānaka and continued that for 18 years. "The police do all the land search coordination – that was one of my functions back then. That was the start of my SAR involvement, and I had to get up to speed reasonably quickly with how it worked. "I had some cool heads as SAR advisors back then who helped facilitate that- Alan Gillespie, Stu Thorne, Geoff Wyatt. Then I picked up a lot off Garry Dickson who was alpine cliff rescue (ACR) leader. "After my 31 years with the police, I decided to retire, which I did in 2018. I then took a year off without too much involvement in SAR. I needed the break because I'd been involved in over 600 operations over the years. Then I volunteered myself to come back as one of the team leaders on the bush team and also on the management team. "Then last year Phil Day finished his three-year tenure as chairman, and they asked if I would do it – and I said yes. Hence my position as chairman of Wānaka SAR." So how does the SAR team work? "We have the ACR team, a subalpine/bush team and a canyon/ swift water rescue team. Then also an incidents management team (IMT) – which are all the people who coordinate the operation from our base. There is also the Hawea Marine Group (HMG) affiliated to us. We oversee the marine side of things with HMG. "The ACR are amateur mountaineers, and there are about 15 of them. Mountain guide Gary Dickson has been the ACR coordinator off and on for 20 years. He is back doing it now. "There are about 25 in the bush/ subalpine team, and I belong to this.This involves anything that doesn't require the technical rope skills the
ACR guys have, in terrain that doesn't pose any high-risk hazards. We have lots of good people in this group with high-level backcountry skills – but not at the highest level that ACR demands. "Subalpine will do anything in the bush and subalpine but not above the snow line. They are probably more search orientated – tracking, and different search methods - whereas the ACR are very much rescue focused. "At ACR level we expect them to go anywhere – the top of Cook or the bottom of the gorge and be able to manage themselves." So tell us about a search that involved all these groups. "The search for Stepanie Simpson in the Mt Brewster area back in February went on for five days. Because it was carried out on the other side of the divide it meant the West Coast police managed the search and provided some resources. Because we had a lot of resources, they used us for much of that. Our incident management team supported the cop who was running the search, and we had a couple of people from the ACR, a big group from the bush team, and the river rescue team who searched the gorge and found her in the end. They found her body submerged underwater, and it was an outstanding effort to bring her home." So what do the river SAR guys do then? "What we have in the river SAR group is swift water rescue people (anything from grade 1 to grade 5 river rescues) and then a canyon specific team that specialises in deep canyon rescue which is a different skill set. "To be on the river rescue team, it's about who has the experience and skill set in that area. They must be good kayakers, or rafters and canyoning recreators. And there are also some commercial canyon guides. We run exercises in canyon rescue, and we work closely with Wānaka Coastguard as well. "But there is crossover right through the groups "For instance, if we were going to search an area of the park looking for a lost person, we might get the river rescue guys to search the edges of the river where it's slippery or dangerous, or they might have to get in the river. Then the bush/ subalpine people would be searching further out from the river and through the bush and subalpine terrain." How do you become a member of the SAR team? "The team leaders pick the people to be on the SAR team. If anyone wants to join SAR, they can apply- but because we have more volunteers than we need, we have to be a bit selective, so we don't
If it is that one off project you’re looking for, maybe a special bespoke item of Joinery or Refurbish a old but much loved item of furniture.
PHOTO: Wānaka Sun
Aaron Nicholson: 20 years as a guiding light for the Wānaka SAR team.
get too many people. So we think- what is it that they bring to the table? It's not a club where you teach people skills- you must have the skills and utilise them in a SAR environment to save lives. As opposed to being taught stuff. You bring your experience and then we teach the SAR specific stuff. So a high level of personal experience plus SAR training and you get an outstanding SAR member." What is required to be a member of the subalpine/ bush team? "Subalpine team? They need to be solid backcountry trampers and hunters and comfortable on the steep-ish ground, in the bush. Essentially an extensive history of tramping and hunting." And the ACR team? "For ACR, they need a really solid background in mountaineering at a high level. And excellent personal skills to work in with a team. Mountaineers, in general, can be quite selfsufficient and not used to working in a group. They do things their way, look after their clients in a certain way and are the boss of their world. Guides have to be able to morph into a system that involves working with other people and using a different skill set. They have to work with SAR processes and protocols and with the police and what its expectations and desires are. They need a flexible mindset and an interest in learning about search and rescue and how the systems work and can apply these. You can have the best climbers in the world, but they can be no good to us if they don't have the right mindset."
PHOTO: supplied
What training does the team do? "For in house training, every group has its own set of must-dos during the year; this is what we call our baseline training. The ACR team must do rope rescue training once a year and learn the new systems that come out. They have to do strop training from a helicopter and all the different methods for that. This includes strop rescue for people who are trapped on an overhanging face. There is also crevasse rescue, a pre-hospital emergency care course, and pre-winter avalanche response. The team coordinator will organise and facilitate this training." And how does this all fit together on a national level? "Wānaka SAR is an independent organisation. We affiliate ourselves with NZ LandSar, which is a partially government-funded organisation that supports LandSar groups all around New Zealand. There are about 60 of these. Above LandSar, there are two coordinating authorities – police and the Rescue Coordination Centre [RCC]. This works out of an office in Lower Hutt, and it tracks beacons. It can draw on LandSar people to help with a search and rescue and the police can also bring on the Wānaka SAR. So either the police or the RCC will be controlling a search and rescue, while Wānaka SAR provides all the manpower and equipment." And how did you manage through the lockdown? "Throughout lockdown, we organised a skeleton crew to respond to all search and rescue jobs. They had all the PPE and were versed in the safety protocols. We only had one call out, and that was the job on Sharks Tooth the other day. So everyone has had a break from SAR which has been good because often it is quite busy. "
We’re always here if you need us..
kenwills Furniture Craftman
148 Ballantyne Road, Unit 3 • 027 614 8801 THE WĀNAKA SUN
Helicopter rescue in the rain.
Any Health concerns? Your GP is just a phone call away. 03 443 0710 www.WanakaMedical.co.nz 23 Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
Wanaka Medical - Leading the Way
PAGE 7
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
Our pets: locked down and loving it Thank you to everyone who submitted photos of their pets. Unfortunately we weren’t able to use all of these, but featured them on a first served basis.
PHOTO: Richie Johnston
Miro the English short-haired Pointer accompanies Richie Johnston on his lockdown walk.
PHOTO: Sammy Littler
PHOTO: Sammy Littler
“It's all so quiet… until Pebbles jumps in. Snoopy is not so keen. Nor me.” Sammy Littler.
“This is how our three elderly cats Babe, Guido and Tuppence spent most of their lockdown.” Sharon Alderson.
PHOTO: Gary Barrow
“Wilson was a great companion in lockdown, always looking to be involved from harvesting the kamokamo, laying out pea straw, creating new garden beds, rolling out wire for barriers, prepping meals, and then of course in timeout likes to snooze on the cat bed or dig his way into a rabbit hole.” Gary Barrow.
PAGE 8
Erica Burke “This is our daughter Sarah Viba and her dear wee Calu dog.”
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
PHOTO: Erica Burke
PHOTO: Carol Bradley’s
Carol Bradley’s Flash and Fury, buddying up.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
Our pets: locked down and loving it Thank you to everyone who submitted photos of their pets. Unfortunately we weren’t able to use all of these, but featured them on a first served basis.
PHOTO: Leanne
“Wallace is showing how he has been spending his time over lockdown. He's also available for adoption through Cat Rescue Wanaka.” Leanne.
PHOTO: Becker and Sarah Crisp
Becker and Sarah Crisp: “Stanley is a one-year-old miniature dachshund. He was actually born in Australia but moved here recently with us to Wanaka.”
PHOTO: Lynda Mason
“This is what Hine was wishing she was doing.” Lynda Mason.
PHOTO: Grace Gaffaney
PHOTO: Grace Gaffaney
Grace Gaffaney “My dog Ghost playing a hand.”
“ We’d like to enter our cat Kiki. We got her as a foster cat a week before lockdown from Wānaka Cat Rescue. We had to keep her inside the house for eight weeks so she has been our lockdown companion.”Grace Stewart.
PHOTO: Jennifer Baumgren
Jennifer Baumgren: “Here is our rescue kitten Pippi in lockdown.”
PHOTO: Tom Finden
Millie and Quentin: their new cat tower had kept them occupied through the lockdown. Tom Finden.
HireKING
Central Otago proudly offers your full building site set up with exceptionally clean portable toilets and secure site fencing.
Now hire through your ITM account Wanaka ITM branch opening soon!
0800 30 30 20 operations-cl@hireking.co.nz 03 445 0081 chrisw@southernlakesitm.co.nz THE WĀNAKA SUN
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
PAGE 9
Sun Farming
thewanakasun.co.nz
Mycoplasma bovis eradication reaches two year milestone
A monthly column by Kim Reilly, Regional Policy Manager, Federated Farmers South Island.
Coronavirus: When things don’t quite fit the bill Several matters have been rushed through the parliamentary process following coronavirus. Some of these are sensible and necessary. However, a couple of recent bills have raised more than the odd eyebrow. Quite simply, they don’t fit the bill. At the top of Federated Farmers radar, and rapidly racing through the parliamentary process, are the latest version of the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill (RMA Bill), and the newly proposed Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Bill Neither is urgent. Neither is quite what they seem. One has quite rightly earned the nickname “The Trojan Horse Bill.” Firstly the RMA Bill. It was proposed to address some “narrow, simple, straight-forward matters” that could precede the full review of the RMA, without getting in its way. At every opportunity, however, the government has tacked on other things high on its wish list, none of which match the bill’s original purpose. These include the fast-tracked freshwater planning process, and proposals giving the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) the power to take over a local council’s compliance, monitoring and enforcement processes, even if the board objected. Federated Farmers opposed both these matters. They were far from being straightforward and didn’t come with the appropriate cost-benefit analysis. Remarkably though, final recommendations on the bill added even more changes, raising concerns within the primary sector, legal, business, property, and other entities across New Zealand. The bill now gives local councils far-reaching powers around climate change mitigation, which had never previously been proposed or duly considered. It means local councils when drafting plans, or reviewing resource
consent applications, would have the ability to prevent what they consider to be inappropriate development. This is where they think it’ll contribute to the impact of climate change, either locally or nationally. These proposals will have significant impacts on many resource users, most of whom will not even know that yet. Climate change mitigation is a matter that should be addressed at a national level, and it should be, and is, being considered and treated as part of other legislation, including the comprehensive review of the RMA underway. The RMA bill has well outgrown its intent and purpose. It is no longer fit for purpose and should be shelved. Let’s await the RMA panel’s recommendations and adequately consider the big picture of New Zealand’s resource management system, not add to the piecemeal, knee-jerk changes that have made the Act so unwieldy and complicated over the years. The other bill causing dissent is the Log Brokers Bill, which both Federated Farmers and the Forest Owners Association have strongly condemned. In our view, it is a trojan horse that could force farmers and foresters to subsidise local processing industries from reduced export earnings, at a time, the government is trying to encourage the planting of trees. Worryingly, the mad rush to get this through risks severe unintended consequences, including retaliatory action by the nations we trade with, not to mention added costs and more red tape to pass through. This is not the time for increasing uncertainty or risking trade complications. Neither of these bills is urgent, and neither should be rushed through. Let’s have a plan for New Zealand’s future; one that doesn’t include knee-jerk decisions that jeopardise the opportunities and gains before us.
Rural fuel delivery –– Rural fuel delivery Rural fuel delivery – on time, every time on on time, time, every every time time
PAGE 10
PHOTO: Pixabay
Agriculture and Biosecurity minister Damien O’Connor: Had we thrown up our hands and said ‘it’s too hard’ and left this disease to run rampant, I’m not sure our dairy and beef sectors would have been able to weather the economic storm of coronavirus and the challenges of drought conditions as well as they have.
Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
New Zealand’s world-first plan to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis is on track the latest technical data shows, said Agriculture and Biosecurity minister Damien O’Connor. “Two years ago the government, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand and industry partners made a bold decision to go hard and commit to a 10-year, $880 million programme to eradicate M. bovis to protect our most important sector and the economy. “Recent events have shown what a critical moment this decision was for our economy. “Had we thrown up our hands and said ‘it’s too hard’ and left this disease to run rampant, I’m not sure our dairy and beef sectors would have been able to weather the economic storm of coronavirus and the challenges of drought conditions as well as they have. “Beef and dairy export prices have held up. There was record demand for our meat. In March total red meat monthly exports topped $1 billion for the first time. This shows that these sectors are well-placed to lead us out of this economic crisis. “As we have with our response to coronavirus, this government showed leadership, made a tough decision and has managed this eradication effort with discipline and focus, because we knew we were doing it for the economic and social good of the country. “We’ve also shown, again, that we’re able to do what others countries have not in terms of disease eradication efforts. That’s something our farming community should be proud of. I’m indeed very proud of them. “One key measure of success, the Estimated Dissemination Rate (EDR), shows strongly that we have M.bovis firmly in our sights. If the EDR is higher than one, then the disease is growing. If it’s below one, we’re shrinking the condition. “The EDR is now at 0.4, which is down from over two at the start of the outbreak, so we are looking harder to find fewer infected animals. This tells us that M. bovis is not endemic in our national herd. “We currently have 17 active properties and 232 that have been cleared of the disease. We’ve culled 154,788 cattle.” O’Connor said other key measures showed the programme was working:
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
• Genetic testing indicates that only one strain has been identified, which links all infected farms. • Bulk milk testing is timelier, and research is underway to improve testing further. • A beef surveillance programme is up and running. • Compensation processes have improved for affected farmers. • Use of NAIT, the national animal tracing system, is growing. DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel said there’s no question M. bovis has had a significant impact on the sector, particularly those affected farmers and their families. “While there’s still work to do, farmer feedback has been heard and processes improved. We see more farmer-focused processes and shorter turnaround times for farms under movement restrictions,” said van der Poel. “From here, we want to continue speeding up the process, so farmers are moving through the programme as quickly as possible. M. bovis has been one of our biggest biosecurity incursions, and it has highlighted how crucial biosecurity is for New Zealand.” Andrew Morrison, chairman of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, said farmers deserve a lot of credit for their efforts in helping to free New Zealand of this disease. “Although there is still a long way to go, the sector can be proud of its contribution. We are encouraged by the increasing number of farmers meeting their NAIT obligations, but we are still short of where we need to be. “It is vital we continue to lift this compliance. Otherwise, we will remain vulnerable to diseases. As the response to Mycoplasma bovis has found, there is a high cost to the sector if farmers do not comply with NAIT. It’s also vital farmers maintain complete and accurate NAIT records for the speedy tracing of animals and ultimately to protect the industry.” O’Connor said the priority over the next 12-18 months continued to be finding and eliminating the disease. “This ‘delimiting’ phase is expected to end in 2021. After that, background surveillance testing will continue for around seven years. “We will get another technical advisory group report in the coming months, but two years into a 10-year effort, I’m pleased by the progress made.”
THE WĀNAKA SUN
thewanakasun.co.nz
Perth Valley 1080 tahr trial a success
Sun Environment
South Island Kōkako Charitable Trust enters eleventh year of searching Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
PHOTO: Supplied
Game Animal Council personnel fitted 21 tahr with radio transmitter collars. Results showed that tahr survival was extremely high - none of the monitored tahr died as a result of the operation.
Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) and the Game Animal Council have released findings from a research programme to assess tahr survivorship through the Perth River predator removal operation in the 12,000 ha Perth River valley in South Westland. The project is the first large-scale trial of a technique for completely removing possums from large areas of rugged back-country. The technique has two phases, each of which comprises aerial applications of non-toxic “prefeed” bait and one of toxic bait containing 1080. Before the operation began, Game Animal Council personnel fitted 21 tahr with radio transmitter collars. Results showed that tahr survival was extremely high - none of the monitored tahr died as a result of the operation. Himalayan tahr, similar in appearance to large goats, typically graze at high altitudes in the alpine grasslands and subalpine shrublands that cover around 1.7 million hectares of the Southern Alps from the headwaters of Canterbury's Rakaia River to the Young Range of Otago. The Department of Conservation (DOC) estimates that Himalayan tahr population on public conservation land was
approximately 35,000 animals in autumn 2018. As Himalayan tahr are an introduced species and have no native predators in New Zealand, their population is controlled by DOC and hunters. “Tahr in the Southern Alps are a highly-valued game animal species and a world-renowned hunting resource, which is why the Game Animal Council was pleased to work with ZIP and contribute to this project,” said Game Animal Council General Manager Tim Gale. “We are excited about this research; it is vitally important that we fully understand the impact of predator control operations on game animal species.” “Hunters have questioned the effect of 1080 on tahr, both for the impacts on their hunting resource and because of potential kea bykill. This study provides scientific evidence of high tahr survivorship, allaying those concerns.” ZIP Innovation Director Phil Bell said, “ZIP really appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with the hunting community, and in particular with the Game Animal Council, on this project. The results speak for themselves. Hunters can now feel confident that tahr are not at risk from 1080.”
The South Island Kōkako Charitable Trust celebrates its tenth year in existence this May, whilst thirty reported sightings of the ancient and elusive New Zealand bird have been reported in the last six months. Founding trustees Ron Nilsson and Rhys Buckingham have been constantly alert for the south island kōkako since surveying vast tracts of native forest in the 1970s and 80s. Having worked for the NZ Wildlife Service, and becoming acutely aware of New Zealand’s vanishing natural heritage, they established the trust to broaden the search for kōkako on the south island and Stewart Island, and muster the resources for professional, systematic surveys. Trust chair Nigel Babbage said: “Both men, now in their 70s, are convinced that the south island kōkako is still there in our southern native forests. Today, they do all they can to maintain the search. Their efforts are driven by truly compelling suggestions of the bird’s survival. They’ve acquired those clues through observations of their own and from the reports of other backcountry folk.” The Department of Conservation lifted the bird’s conservation status
PHOTO: Supplied
As Alert Level 2 allows New Zealanders to get back out in the backcountry the South Island Kōkako Charitable Trust renwes its plea to hear of any possible encounter with the elusive kōkako bird..
from ‘extinct’ to ‘data deficient’ in 2013, acknowledging the possibility of survival after a number of reported sightings. In an attempt to encourage backcountry users to be alert for kōkako in their travels, the trust then launched a reward campaign in January 2017. The $10,000 reward offered for definite evidence of the bird has attracted widespread interest, and resulted in more than 200 new reports of possible encounters, many of which the trust considers credible and worth pursuing. An interactive map on the trust’s website allows backcountry users to see the most recent encounter sites. “Now that Alert Level 2 allows us to get out into our forests again, we can renew
our appeal to all outdoors people,” said Babbage. “When you’re out and about, tramping, hunting, biking or trapping for example, passing through native forest on foot, by bike or in a vehicle, please pay attention to unusual bird sounds and sights. We’d be delighted to hear of any possible encounter with this elusive and precious bird. “As we head into our eleventh year, we believe the trust’s mission is as valid as ever. Of course, as time passes, it becomes more urgent,” he said. “We’ve been blown away by the interest and support we’ve received from Kiwis who cherish our natural heritage and the chance to participate in conserving this utterly distinctive part of it.”
Rare gecko rediscovered Ollie Blyth
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
A lizard species has been re-discovered in the Okarito Sanctuary this week, near the Franz Josef township. The geckos, identified by DOC rangers as the elusive Okarito or broad-cheeked gecko (Mokopirirakau “Okarito”), were last encountered decades ago. The Okarito sanctuary, is better known as the home of New Zealand’s rarest species of kiwi, the rowi, and comprises of 20,000 hectares of rainforest. The area has a dramatic glacial history that has had lasting effects on the landscape and the species that live there. Te Runanga o Makaawhio chairman Paul Madgwick said the discovery was
PHOTO: Supplied
The Okarito gecko has been rediscovered after decades near Franz Josef.
an "exciting find" of a taonga species on the brink of extinction. This is the second exciting lizard discovery in Okarito in the last year, after a Canterbury grass skink was found by a member of the local community predator control programme while out checking traps. It turned out to be an important find and expanded the species’ known range, as it has never
previously been recorded as far south on the West Coast as Okarito. Rheanne Sullivan, Biodiversity Ranger in South Westland said, "With the species currently classed as 'data deficient’, our focus now is to improve our understanding of its ecology and conservation needs. Finding them is just the beginning.” New Zealand has 43 recognised species of gecko, 64 species of skink and a high likelihood of many more to be discovered as genetic identification techniques improve and new species are found in remote areas. If you see a lizard, especially on the West Coast or in the alpine zone, let your local DOC office know or email lizardresearch@doc.govt.nz.
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2021
Boarding and day School For BoyS in yearS 4-8
Applications are invited from boys currently in Year 5 and Year 6 to sit the Academic Scholarship Examinations being held on Monday 3 August 2020 at Waihi School, 611 Temuka-Orari Highway, Winchester, South Canterbury
Curriculum specifically designed for boys. Small class sizes. Outstanding record of academic, sporting and cultural excellence. Multitude of sporting options. Daily routine that includes classroom learning, STEM, music lessons, arts programme, robotics and practical woodwork. Modern purpose-built boarding facility with a family atmosphere. Full weekend boarding programme.
THE WĀNAKA SUN
OPEN DAY - Sunday 2 August 1.30pm
More information and application forms are available on our website www.waihi.school.nz or contact Debra on 03 687 8071 or executive@waihi.school.nz
Or contact us to book your own personal tour at a time to suit THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
PAGE 11
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
Plant A Seed For Safety Project MAC seniors step up comes to New Zealand for 40 Hour Famine Ollie Blyth
Joanna Perry
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
The founders of a South Island health and safety consultancy firm are supporting the expansion of an Australian project to promote safety and wellbeing in rural industries and communities, and boost women’s confidence in their ability to influence change, to New Zealand. CORE HS Ltd works with growers, farmers and stations owners across Wānaka and Otago to support them in developing personalised health and safety policies. With ten work-related deaths in the agriculture sector in the first three months of this year alone, CORE HS Ltd hopes the Plant A Seed For Safety project will influence change in the sector in this country. Founded by Alex Thomas in Australia, #PlantASeedForSafety works by profiling women from all parts of rural communities and all occupations who are making practical improvements to health, safety and wellbeing, sharing stories and ideas to promote open conversations about health and safety issues in rural industries. The project is underpinned by the idea that a ‘boxticking’ approach to health and safety policies alongside a “she’ll be right” attitude is not enough, and real social change is needed. “Farm safety encompasses more than just the safe handling of chemicals
PHOTO: Supplied
Safer Farms Health and Safety Advocate, Harriet Bremner (left): “We want to change the stigma of ‘box ticking’ when it comes to health and safety, and get rid of the ‘it’ll never happen to me’ attitude many of our Kiwi farmers currently have.”
or animals, or safety on quad bikes or tractors – it’s also about having strategies to deal with stress and having the right conversations to ensure the safety of children, or other more vulnerable men and women on the farm and in the community,” said Safer Farms general manager, Tony Watson. “If someone has found a better, safer way of doing something on the farm or in their community, that’s the story the project aims to tell.” Jane Grace, Director of CORE HS, said that those working in health and safety “had to switch the conversations from compliance to culture. That’s what will make the change happen, to get the buy-in that health and safety is important to keep our families safe. “The farmers and stations we work with around Wānaka need to be able to
get the job done, we simply help them do it with the goal of keeping it real, making it easy, talking about culture, not compliance,” said Grace. Safer Farms Health and Safety advocate, Harriet Bremner, has been working closely with Thomas to bring her work to New Zealand. She said: “We want to change the stigma of ‘box ticking’ when it comes to health and safety, and get rid of the ‘it’ll never happen to me’ attitude many of our kiwi farmers have. An accident or fatality can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of how experienced they are. This is about planting a seed for safety, to get people home to their families at the end of every day.” Visit the website www. plantaseedforsafety.com to read and take part in the movement.
Senior students at Mount Aspiring College (MAC) have identified the need for a community based effort in the 40 Hour Famine this year. The Famine, which has been running annually since 1975, will be taking place from June 5-7 and will be raising funds to support those in need in Malawi. While it has traditionally been an event focused on giving up food for a weekend, the event organisers are also encouraging those wishing to participate to come up with other creative sacrifices or acts of kindness. MAC has had success with the fundraiser in the past, and has seen widespread involvement from all age groups. Student Emily Heath is leading the event at the school this year. “This year we have changed the way that we are running the 40 Hour Famine for our senior students in response to our recently changed world and community due to coronavirus,” she said. Heath leads the school’s 40 Hour Famine committee, which is encouraging all senior students to participate this year. The school’s year 13 students will all
be completing community service in the Upper Clutha as part of their ‘students in the community’ programme. All senior leaders in the school will be taking part, including the cultural, service, academic, and sports committees. “We have seen this opportunity in the wake of coronavirus; we want to make the largest positive impact possible through our participation in the Famine,” added Heath, “Not only will we be raising money that will support families in Malawi fighting climate change as well as coronavirus, but we will also be helping our local community in our own recovery from coronavirus and the impact it has had.” Senior students are hoping to have a positive impact on the local community, and are asking for any suggestions as to what kinds of service would be most helpful over that weekend. They are asking that those who are in a position of being able to do so donate to the MAC fundraising page (https://my.worldvision. org.nz/ss/7gHjGO/mt-aspiringcollege) or email 40hourfamine@ mtaspiring.school.nz with community service ideas or requests.
Your New Career Starts Here! The Agricultural Redeployment Expo is coming to a town near you, providing info for training opportunities to get you back into work. Not to be missed, this could be your best decision of 2020.
Queenstown 10 June 2020 Te Anau 11 June 2020
Entry: FREE PHONE NOW TO BOOK YOUR PLACE:
0800 4 0 FEES
(0800 4 0 3337)
PAGE 12
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Sun Views
thewanakasun.co.nz
EDITORIAL
Where the wildings are Pat Deavoll
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Three weeks ago QLDC announced a postcoronavirus project called In The Wild. This initiative, driven by ecology-based groups in the district, involves funding in conjunction with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to provide jobs eradicating feral animals, broom and gorse…and wilding pines. There had been "great support from the government here," Mayor Jim Boult had said. Then last week DOC announced a scheme to provide 160 jobs in 55 biosecurity and conservation projects in Northland, East Coast, Hawke's Bay and Canterbury. Otago will follow shortly DOC said. Sometimes called New Zealand's number one pest, wilding pines overwhelm our native landscapes, kill native plants and force native animals out of their habitats. Wildings are also a threat to farmland. Underneath them, the grass won't grow, leaving nothing for stock to feed on. They suck up a considerable amount of water. They are self-seeded and not intentionally planted. Once they get established, they spread like wildfire. You only need to take the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy to see the effect of runaway wilding pines and how they have transformed the landscape. I wrote a lot on wilding pines when I was a farming reporter for Fairfax. The wilding pine issue has always been an interest of mine so I keep a close eye on developments. Without governmental intervention, wilding pines will spread to 7.5 million hectares of our most vulnerable land within 30 years. According to DOC, 5 per cent more of the high country is being covered by wildings every year. Due to early neglect, the spread of wildings has increased exponentially since about 1990. The areas of established thickly wooded wilding forest are still relatively small - a few hundred thousand hectares. But another 1.5 million hectares are now liberally sprinkled with seedlings and saplings. It's that bad, that dramatic.
PHOTO: QE11 National Trust
Controlling wilding pines in the Wakatipu.
But heartening news, Over the past five years, the first and second phases of the Wilding Conifer Management Strategy 20152030 have eradicated over two million hectares of wildings and searched the surrounding land for remote outliers. Within the 1.5 million hectare area covered during 2018 and 2019 (the timeframe in which I was reporting on the story) more than half a million hectares had been controlled mainly in the Craigieburn Basin and the Mackenzie Country. The Waimakariri Basin of which the Craigieburn area is part of was one of the success stories of the first phase. Despite a previous spend of $300,000 a year the government and local groups had struggled to contain wilding spread from old erosion control plantings from the 1950s to 1980s. The spread threatened productive farmland, and recreational areas and was a blot on the landscape. Around $2 million of wilding control programme funds allowed a concentrated effort to get on top of the problem, and now farmers have regained use of their pastoral land and Arthurs Pass National Park and Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands have been protected from invasion. Further south a massive 137,000 hectares of the Godley area of the Mackenzie Basin had been cleared. So here's hoping that these new initiatives will have an impact on the wildings of the Queenstown Lakes District, before it's too late. Maybe we will enjoy native tussock land again rather than conifer forest on the drive up to Glenorchy.
Sponsored by
LETTER TO THE EDITOR To submit a letter for possible publication in the Wānaka Sun, please send it via email to editor@thewanakasun.co.nz.
Letters can also be sent by private message on our Facebook page. Letters may be edited or abridged. Letters of no more than 300 words are preferred.
Crimeline I Ian Henderson
Senior Constable, NZPD
As the country moves through Level 2 of the Covid19 controls, here is a reminder of what is expected. Maintain physical distancing, small gatherings are limited to ten people maximum, use your phone to scan into shops, bars etc. or complete the sign-in forms, stay home if you are unwell or see your doctor, respect those around you who are also trying hard to get through this hardship, and wash hands frequently. Police have observed a 99 per cent uptake in the Covid19 protocols; keep at it for NZ’s sake. Bars and restaurants are doing a brilliant job of keeping people safe. Meanwhile, policing the town continues and here is a summary of what has been happening over the last week- on the May 19 police intervened in a civil dispute where an assault took place, resulting in an arrest. Many visits to recently opened bars resulted in a big tick to them all for getting the three S’s
THE WĀNAKA SUN
(seated, separated, served) correct right from the start. On the May 23 various trespass orders and protection orders were served to a few locals to keep the playing field level. Two motor vehicle stops resulted in the drivers being processed for drink driving, one paying a fine, the other off to court. On May 24, the Night N’ Day dairy in Ardmore Street had a visitor of no fixed abode, and so police are wanting to find a home for a chicken. A second chicken found at Rove has found a home already, while the one that turned up at Minaret Ridge is unaccounted for. It sounds like a new KFC franchise is looking for a gap in the local free-range market. Meanwhile, duck shooting has so far gone without incident locally, for the humans anyway. As we edge closer to normality, soon we will be able to watch the NRL, ANZ Netball and perhaps some rugby, and it will be interesting to see who wins out between the Indian IPL and the T20 World Cup cricket in Australia later this year. Keep up the good work and remember it’s not about you, it’s about the team of 5,002,100.
Phone: 03 443 8000, Top of Helwick Street, Wānaka OPEN: MON-SAT 8AM TO 6PM SUN 10AM TO 6PM
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
PAGE 13
Sun Classifieds
thewanakasun.co.nz
TRADES AND SERVICES STORAGE
THANKS
Clean, dry, safe storage available now. Ezystor Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.
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.
PLUMBING Serving Wanaka and Central Otago Regions Call for free no obligation quotes
GIB STOPPING DRAINAGE
M: 021 709 918
l
PLUMBING
l
GAS FITTING
W: www.gwplumbing.co.nz
CHICKEN GW Logo Paths.indd 1
HOT CHICKEN & CHIPS
10/26/2017 11:38:28 AM
Aspiring Interiors Offers Leading Gib Stopping Services For Residential & Commercial in Wanaka. Level Four Finish. Machine Tools. Reliable. No Obligation Free Quotes. Call Kahu 0210 2793 Email - contact@aspiringinteriors.co.nz
TRADES & SERVICES ADVERTS FROM NOW AVAILABLE AT CALTEX WANAKA
$50+GST
SITUATION VACANT
NOTICES 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
SITUATION VACANT
MEDIA SALES CONSULTANT The Wānaka Sun is seeking an enthusiastic, driven and outgoing salesperson to join its media sales team, selling across print and digital news platforms.
Position responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Reach monthly revenue targets • New business acquisition • Develop key client and business relationships • Prepare advertising proposals • Maintenance of client and revenue records • Provide weekly sales reports to management We’re looking for someone who has: • A proven history of success in a sales or business development role; preferably from within the media industry
• Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to develop effective
business relationships • Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills • Self-motivation, resilience and the ability to achieve objectives and goals within company guidelines • A strong sense of accountability and an attention to detail • Ideally a formal qualification in business or marketing This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate Sales Executive who enjoys a challenge! If this sounds like you, please forward your application, including covering letter, resume and two professional referees to:
Benn Ashford, The Wānaka Sun, PO Box 697, Wānaka, admin@thewanakasun.co.nz
PHARMACY RETAIL SALES POSITION We are looking for a sales superstar to join our team. They must be a motivated person who thrives in a busy, highly interactive work environment and have the following attributes: • Passion for beauty and health • Great customer service skills and a friendly persona • A team player with a “can-do” attitude • Accurate and well organised • The ability to work in NZ Previous pharmacy or beauty industry experience would be ideal but not essential. This is a permanent position hours by negotiation. If this is you please send your CV and cover letter to: Aaron Heath Wanaka Pharmacy, P O Box 45, Wanaka or email to aaron@pembroke.co.nz.
Phone: 03 443 8000 Top of Helwick St, Wānaka
OPEN: MON-SAT 8AM TO 6PM SUN 10AM TO 6PM
YOUR AD WILL REACH THE MOST LOCALS ONLINE IN www.thewanakasun.co.nz
PAGE 14
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
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. "A beautiful place does not always mean a perfect life but having a good community can make a big difference" The team at Community Networks Wanaka is here to help you. Please reach out and speak up if life gets tough. www. communitynetworks. co.nz or 443 7799. Your local resource hub for social well-being services. JP SERVICES are available at Community Networks, 34 McDougall Street, every Tuesday from 1pm-2pm and Friday from 10:30-11:30am. Please book your appointment by ringing
Community Networks on 03 443 7799. We are open again. Come and see us Monday Friday 9am - 5pm. Please reach out and come in to Community Networks Wanaka if you are needing support such as food parcels, referrals to counsellors, social workers, budget advisors, IRD, community law etc.. We are here to help 34 McDougall Street, 9305 Wanaka. www. communitynetworks. co.nz or ph 443 7799️ FREE LEGAL ADVICE available at Community Networks delivered by the Dunedin Community Law Centre on Thursday 4th June. Please call Community Networks on 443 7799 to book your appointment.
SUN TEAM
WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 976 Free delivery to Wānaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wānaka, Albert Town and Hāwea. Also distributed to businesses in the Wānaka business district Average circulation: 15,000 weekly. Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 Editor: Pat Deavoll • 0274 487 741 editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalist: Ollie Blyth • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Joanna Perry • 021 736 740 newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: 03 443 5252• marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wānaka 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.
LIKE NEWS SHARE STORIES
facebook.com/wanakasun THE WĀNAKA SUN
Sun Sport / Classifieds
Cardrona and Treble Cone announce open trails thewanakasun.co.nz
Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Following the announcement last week that there would be no cap on the number of skiers and snowboarders at New Zealand resorts this winter, Cardrona Alpine Resorts have confirmed the trails they expect to open on June 26 (Cardrona) and 27 (Treble Cone). In an update last Wednesday, it was announced that teams at both resorts were preparing to open McDougall's, Whitestar and Captain's at Cardrona, and the Home Basin and the Saddle at Treble Cone. General manager Bridget Legnavsky explained that July would operate as a trial month for the resorts, during which time the New Zealand school holidays would allow them to assess whether people were willing and able to travel, and understand demand for the resorts and what that would mean for the remainder of the season.
“While we really want to stick to our plan and will do everything we can to do this, we may be just too quiet and need to scale back part of our operation,” said communications spokesperson Jen Houltham. Legnavsky confirmed that they would not make a decision on that until after the school holidays. In the meantime, safety procedures are being put in place to ensure that visitors stay two metres apart. “In the areas where people come together, we will be contact tracing and maintaining a 1-metre distance between people,” said Houltham. “These areas include the bottom of lifts, on the lifts, around our base areas etc. In the cafés, we will be following the same standards as all bars and restaurants in town and we will be adjusting as PHOTO: Wānaka Sun archive these continue to evolve. Like everyone else, we’ll Teams at both resorts are preparing to open McDougall's, Whitestar and Captain's at Cardrona, and the Home be increasing all cleaning regimes with a particular Basin and the Saddle at Treble Cone. people were in purchasing passes, which are “We’ve got a ‘make it happen’ attitude, and we focus on disinfecting all high touch surfaces.” Legnavsky said that in the run up to the start still covered by flexible terms and conditions, want to remain in a position where we can be of the season, she was keen to see how interested allowing for refunds if the season is cut short. super flexible,” said Houltham.
PUBLIC NOTICE
N o t i c e b o a rd | P a p a P ā n u i Resource Consent Application
Amendments to June 2020 Meeting Schedule
Resource Management Act 1991
Details of the resource consent application is available on our website www.qldc.govt.nz/services/resourceconsents/notified-resource-consents#public-rc and our edocs website using the RM number as the reference https://edocs.qldc.govt.nz/Account/Login Submission forms are available on our website www.qldc.govt.nz/services/resource-consents/notified-resourceconsents#rc-submission
Meeting cancellation: The meeting of the QLDC Traffic & Parking Subcommittee – previously advertised as taking place on Tuesday 2 June 2020 has been cancelled. Meeting confirmation:
1. Coastguard Wānaka Lakes Incorporated (RM200142)
The meeting of the Queenstown Lakes District Council – will be held by video conference on Thursday 4 June 2020 at 1.00pm.
What is proposed:
Additional meeting:
Land use consent to construct and operate Wānaka Marine Rescue Centre on Eely Point Recreation Reserve.
Resource Consent Hearing (D & M Columb and Mitchell & Mackersy Trust Company Limited RM160923) – to be held by video conference. Thursday 4 June 2020 at 10.00am.
The location in respect of which this application relates is situated at: Eely Point Recreation Reserve, Wānaka
Withdrawal of certain Wāhi Tūpuna Overlays from the Proposed District Plan, Stage 3 Maps
ADDRESS FOR SERVICE FOR APPLICANT: C/- Duncan White duncan.white@ppgroup.co.nz Paterson Pitts Limited Partnership PO Box 283 Wānaka 9305
Pursuant to Clause 8D of the First Schedule of the Resource Management Act 1991, the General Manager of Planning and Development, acting under delegated authority, authorised the withdrawal of the following provisions of Stage 3 of the Proposed District Plan (PDP) on 15 May 2020:
The Council planner processing this application on behalf of the Council is Kim Seaton, who may be contacted by phone at 03 443 0024 or email kim.seaton@qldc.govt.nz. Submissions will be received until 26 June 2020, and must be served on the Consent Authority, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348 or email rcsubmission@qldc.govt.nz. These must be dated, signed by you, and include the following information: 1 Your name, email address (preferred), postal address and telephone number. 2. Details of the application in respect of which you are making the submission including location and the Resource Consent number. 3. Whether you support or oppose the application. 4. Your submission, with reasons. 5. The decision you wish the consent authority to make. 6. Whether you wish to be heard in support of your submission. Any person may make a submission on the application, but a person who is a trade competitor of the applicant may do so only if that person is directly affected by an effect of the activity to which the application relates that: a) adversely affects the environment; and b) does not relate to trade competition or the effects of trade competition. You may make a submission by sending a written or electronic submission to Queenstown Lakes District Council (details below). The submission should be in the format of Form 13. Copies of this form are available on the website www.qldc.govt.nz/services/resource-consents/application-forms-and-fees#other_forms Address for Service for Consent Authority: Queenstown Lakes District Council Private Bag 50072, Queenstown 9348 Gorge Road, Queenstown 9300 Dated: 28 May 2020 Signed by QUEENSTOWN LAKES DISTRICT COUNCIL
Email Phone Website
rcsubmission@qldc.govt.nz 03 441 0499 www.qldc.govt.nz
• The Wāhi Tūpuna Overlay, only where the Overlay is located over the following zones of the Operative District Plan, on the Stage 3 plan maps: - Quail Rise Special Zone; - Remarkables Park Special Zone; - Shotover Country Special Zone; - Mt Cardrona Station Special Zone; - Kingston Village Special Zone; - The High Density Residential Zone located on the western edge of Gorge Road. The reasons for the withdrawal of parts of the Wāhi Tūpuna Overlays are: • To provide greater certainty to landowners, plan users and decision makers that the areas of land subject to the withdrawal, continue to be regulated by the relevant zone and district wide provisions of the operative district plan, Volume B (as well as the strategic chapters of the PDP). • When the operative zones for these areas of land are reviewed in a future stage of the plan review, the Council can consider re-notifying the Wāhi Tūpuna Overlays; and • To ensure consistency in approach to Volume A and B of the district plan. For further information on this matter please contact the Planning Policy team on (03) 441 0499.
Dog Registration for 2020/2021 The invoices for the 2020/2021 registration period for all registered dogs will be sent out this month. To ensure you receive an accurate invoice, please update your dog’s details and any recent changes to your mailing address, by calling 03 443 0024 or emailing services@qldc.govt.nz. A link to the current fixed fees can be found at the QLDC website: www.qldc.govt.nz/services/animal-control/register-your-dog#dog-registration-fees. Please be advised all dog registrations will expire on 30 June 2020.
Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wānaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz
THE WĀNAKA SUN
THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
PAGE 15
Sun Sport
thewanakasun.co.nz
Wānaka’s own Junior Sportsman of the Year Joanna Perry
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Wānaka-based freeskier Nico Porteous has been making history since he became the first Kiwi and youngest person in the world to land a triple cork 1440, aged just 14. He claimed bronze in the halfpipe at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in 2018 at 16 - making him New Zealand’s youngest Olympic medallist. And the 18-year-old continued to set precedents this May, as the first person to be named PKF Junior Sportsman of the Year at the ASB Otago Sports Awards via a video chat. Porteous told the Wānaka Sun he was honoured to receive the award, which was the “icing on the cake” of a great ski season. Recalling being interviewed over Zoom for the award, he said it was “different for sure, but they handled it really well.” His 2020 season had a very strong start; in January, Porteous finished fourth in the men's ski superpipe X Games in Aspen, performing a double cork 1620 - a trick never before landed in competition. The next month he placed third in the men's modified superpipe event at the Dew Tour in the United States, and was a member of Team Atomic who won the Freeski team Challenge - where he was the highest-scoring athlete in the superpipe. What started off as a normal season started to feel a little different around the end of January, when the men's alpine skiing World Cup races in China were cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. “Then the whole world started to slowly turn upside down,” recalled Porteous. “Events were getting cancelled left, right and centre, to the
s t n o ac
i ct
tr n o e r c it
se de
r n 95 w u you
point where I didn’t have much of a season left.” The effects of the outbreak really hit home for Porteous when he came home to Wānaka at the end of February for a month’s break before spring skiing started. Five or six days before he was meant to leave again, the country went into lockdown - marking the end of his season. “It’s been pretty crazy,” he said, “but I think it’s a big wake-up call to everyone that anything can happen at any time.” After weeks in lockdown, Porteous was almost too excited about the country’s move to Alert Level 2 - and not just because it means he’ll be able to get back to skiing. “It’s absolutely unreal being able to go and do a lot more activities, and hang out with some of my friends,” he said. “It’s been really nice, but I am looking forward to getting back on the snow.” “With Cardrona confirming they will be opening, it’s pretty exciting that we’ll have a facility to train on and just be able to enjoy skiing.” There is still discussion over whether there might be some form of winter games later in the season, but, for now, the only definite in Porteous’ calendar is training up at Cardrona and Treble Cone. It’s the first winter since Cardrona purchased Treble Cone last December, joining the two resorts under one umbrella and giving pass-holders access to both. “It’s going to be so cool having the best of both mountains,” he said. While enthusiastic about the laps of fresh snow on powder days as a result of the quieter season ahead, wise-beyond-his-years Porteous was also hopeful that New Zealanders would still travel to the area for skiing and snowboarding - and for a trans-Tasman bubble - to help keep businesses alive.
PHOTO: Red Bull
PHOTO: Matt Morning ESPN Images
While enthusiastic about the laps of fresh snow on powder days as a result of the quieter season ahead, wisebeyond-his-years Porteous was also hopeful that New Zealanders would still travel to the area for skiing and snowboarding.
!
w no
s
no
re u c
Se
It’s happening fast Earthworks now underway
Prime Sections in Wanaka Land area from 400m2 – 834m2 | Web ID FNW02156
Priced from $359,000 Agents on site Saturday and Sunday 2.00 - 2.30 pm
REAL ESTATE
PAGE 16
Wanaka
P 03 443 0097 I E info@fnwanaka.com I W www.fnwanaka.com THURSDAY 28.05.20 - WEDNESDAY 03.06.20
THE WĀNAKA SUN