Wanaka Sun 9 - 15 Jan 2014

Holiday arrests down Silly season arrests in Wanaka have continued their downward spiral. Sergeant Simon Paget said 18 people were arrested during the official New Year holiday period, from December 28 to January 5 – three less than during the same time last year. PAGE 2

Crime against community The harbourmaster is investigating after a Hawea resident reported petrol being spilt into the lake on Sunday. PAGE 3

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WANAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

inside: Tackling the potato patch Jesse Robertson, Reilly Arnesen and Ethan Kerr are part of a 27-strong young rugby squad fundraising to travel to Sydney’s Mosman Rugby Club to play in April. Story page 16.

Spring guardians sought PAGE 2

Young entrepreneur PAGE 4 PHOTO: JESSICA MADDOCK

Holiday season spending Rhythm and rubbish PAGE 7

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Caroline Harker Wanaka Sun Retail, tourism and hospitality businesses have had a successful Christmas/New Year holiday season, partially due to the large increase in visitor numbers in town. Music festival Rhythm and Alps attracted 10,000 ticket holders, many of whom visited Wanaka before and after the event, which was held at Robrosa Station in the Cardrona Valley.

Super Liquor manager Kelly Frisby said festival-goers kept the store very busy on December 28 to 30, with December 31 attracting a crowd of

last minute purchasers. “Everyone comes in on New Year’s Eve,” she said.

Shoppers reported unprecedented queues in New World over the period, however, owner-operator Dean Bartley said that happens every year – but only on December 30 and 31. “Big groups come in together which creates the queues,” he said.

Mediterranean Market manager Brendon Wilson said the shop had two record days before Christmas and business was well up on last year throughout the holiday period.

Brendon supplies groceries to most of the food outlets and restaurants in town and said they all had big orders

coming in. He said a favourite product this season is top quality steak.

Mitre 10 store manager Mark Watson said the weather always dictates what products they sell. Gumboots, tents and wet weather gear were popular with festival goers, and regular customers purchased a lot of garden supplies and outdoor furniture.

Selectrix appliance store manager Ken Bagley said his shop’s main customers were people buying replacement whiteware for their holiday homes. “The locals try to keep out of town at this time of year,” he said.

Lake Wanaka Tourism general

ganager James Helmore said the only businesses he thought had been adversely affected by the weather were the flight operators. They were hampered by unusually strong winds throughout the period. He said the weather also affected the number of independent travellers coming to town as they tend to book at the last minute. However, accommodation providers reported very good forward bookings for the rest of the summer, with traditional markets (the UK, Europe and the USA) rebounding.

“The lodges have had a tough five years, but the future looks good,” he said.

sunnews

Holiday arrests down Jessica Maddock Wanaka Sun

PHOTO: JESSICA MADDOCK

Lakeside spring guardians sought Jessica Maddock Wanaka Sun Guardians of Wanaka’s community spring are being sought, to care for the lakeside water source.

The heart-shaped pool – fed by one of several springs beneath properties on Lakeside Road – is between the dinosaur playground and the marina.

Wanaka Community Spring Trust chairperson Richard Windelov said

as many guardians as possible were needed, to plant plants around the pool, weed the rock garden, keep the stones free of slime and remove any rocks thrown in by children.

The trust raised $65,000 to build the waterfall and pool in 2012.

“The intention was to create something that was going to honour the water, celebrate the spirit of the water.”

Ledges have been included in the rock

wall for people to rest large containers on, to fill with water.

Richard hoped the spring would be promoted as a place for athletes to replenish their water bottles during Wanaka’s many sports events, and that sculptures could be erected in the vicinity “to make it living community art.”

The spring which feeds the pool is ten metres under the Lakeshore Springs apartments on Lakeside Road.

A plaque explaining the project and acknowledging its sponsors (pictured with Richard and his ten-yearold-son Arion Marama) will be attached to a rock beside the pool this week and plans are afoot to further enhance the area.

People interested in becoming a guardian of the spring are asked to meet at Creek Café and Bar on Dunmore Street on Thursdays at 5.30pm, with the last meeting on January 23.

Silly season arrests in Wanaka have continued their downward spiral.

Sergeant Simon Paget said 18 people were arrested during the official New Year holiday period, from December 28 to January 5 – three less than during the same time last year.

While most of the arrests were for disorderly behaviour, the police were also investigating two assaults, one of which they were seeking public help to resolve.

Sgt Paget said a 21-year-old Wanaka man was punched outside Kai Whakapai, at about midnight on December 30.

The man, who was in a group, suffered a broken jaw and was treated at Dunedin Hospital. The police believe he was assaulted by two men who were also among a larger group. They would like anyone who witnessed the assault to contact them at the Wanaka station, or call Crimestoppers anonymously.

Sgt Paget said, otherwise, the police were “pleasantly surprised” by the low number of offences, particularly given the large number of people

in town.

Ten-thousand attended the inaugural Rhythm and Alps at Cardrona.

While St John Ambulance staff treated several people for drugrelated problems, the police were generally happy with how the music festival was run.

Likewise, downtown New Year’s Eve celebrations – which several additional police

limit was pleasing, the police were still concerned about how drunk some people were getting before arriving in town.

Their investigations into the assaults were being hampered by witnesses’ inability to recall what happened, and they had received countless reports of lost property which people had mislaid while they were drinking.

Some people still need to get the message – they need to be able to look after themselves and their mates, and their ability is diminished when they’ve drunk far too much. officers were in town to monitor - and the rodeo were largely problem free, he said.

The police had worked with camping ground owners and operators in an effort to ensure those sites were also trouble free. This had largely paid off, however, they were called to one incident of disorderly behaviour, including a fire, at the Albert Town camping ground.

Sgt Paget said while drivers’ adherence to the recently-reduced, lower breath and blood alcohol

“Some people still need to get the message – they need to be able to look after themselves and their mates, and their ability is diminished when they’ve drunk far too much.”

Throughout the country, the police were issuing tickets to anyone caught travelling at more than four kilometres over the speed limit during December and January.

Sgt Paget said while they were still catching “a few every day,” most motorists were respecting the rule.

Changes in business world Caroline Harker Wanaka Sun There are a few changes happening amongst local businesses including Martinovich Exceptional Jewellery moving to Christchurch, the $2 shop planning to close at the end of the month, and MacTodd Lawyers moving its office to Brownston Street with no permanent Wanaka staff. World Travellers has closed its lakefront shop on Ardmore Street and now has an office upstairs in the same building, and Racers Edge has been sold first to R&R Sport and then on to Torpedo 7 – a company 51 percent owned by The Warehouse.

Wanaka businesses listed for sale include Tangos Café, Tussocks,

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Alivate Restaurant and Bar, The Landing Restaurant and Bar, Wanaka Marine and Sport, The Lake Bar, Orient Express and the Lake Hawea Hotel.

coming down to the area for design consultations, but he was going to Christchurch a lot, so we decided to move up there,” she said. The

Marc will still be coming down to the area for design consultations, but he was going to Christchurch a lot, so we decided to move up there.

Nicola Martinovich said she and husband Marc decided to move to Christchurch, where they already have a shop in Riccarton Mall, because that’s where the greatest demand is for Marc’s designs and handmade jewellery.

“Marc will still be

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Martinovich’s have been living in Wanaka for eight years. They have three children; Tobi, 13, Archie, 11 and Luka, 5.

Nicola is also chair of the Wanaka Public Libraries Association which is now looking for a new person to fill the chairperson role.

sunnews

Crime against community Jessica Maddock Wanaka Sun The harbourmaster is investigating after a Hawea resident reported petrol being spilt into the lake on Sunday.

Ross Palmer (pictured) said he witnessed two men attempting to fill the internal tank of a boat using a petrol container designed to fill an outboard motor, while on the water.

The incident happened near the boat ramp.

“One of the guys was cupping his hands around it, trying to funnel it. There was fuel going everywhere - at least a litre went into the water,” Ross said.

“That’s our drinking water.

I’m outraged. It was reckless.”

Ross said he noted the registration number of the vehicle the men were travelling in and reported it to the harbourmaster.

Queenstown Lakes District harbourmaster, Marty Black, said he had contacted the New Zealand Transport Agency to get the name of the person to whom the vehicle was registered.

He said pollution of waterways was taken very seriously, but it was difficult to take

inbrief Boil water notice for Hawea A boil-water notice was issued on Tuesday for properties on the Hawea reticulated water supply after routine testing found low levels of e-coli in the town’s reticulated supply. Residents should boil water for drinking and food preparation until three consecutive days of testing show a nil result.

A notice from the QLDC states the source has not been identified but the most common source of e-coli in lake-sourced water is run-off from surrounding land.

Lake Wanaka on rise

PHOTO: CAROLINE HARKER

action when a member of the harbourmaster’s office had not witnessed the incident.

“It’s really up in the air until we follow it through…but it’s certainly not acceptable.”

Ross said he would be

extremely disappointed if the men were not prosecuted, particularly given he had identified them through their vehicle.

“I certainly hope and would expect that the perpetrators are

somehow punished or fined…if I have to show up somewhere to testify and finger these guys, I will do that,” Ross said.

“This was a crime committed against our community and I witnessed it.”

Heavy rainfall increased the level of the Matukituki River by more than 800 cumecs on Wednesday, a year on from the last significant rise which was recorded at about 1100 cumecs in early January 2013.

Lake Wanaka peaked at slightly over 278.3 on Monday, rising almost one metre since New Year’s Day.

Lakeside site proposal unclear Caroline Harker Wanaka Sun A billboard advertising luxury apartments “coming soon” on Lakeside Drive came as a surprise to those watching the site opposite the marina – particularly as the owner, Infinity Investment Group, has had resource consent to build a 182 room hotel there since 2008.

In May last year, Infinity was granted a three year extension to its resource consent.

The original consent was for a hotel complex with a restaurant, bar, conference and spa facilities, along with parking, landscaping and roadworks.

At the time the application attracted 33

PHOTO: CAROLINE HARKER

submissions, 18 of which were in opposition.

Last year Infinity applied for a five year extension, and was granted three years.

The application said the site groundwater and discharges into Lake Wanaka have been monitored since 2009 and discussions had been held

with the Otago Regional Council regarding options for site “dewatering” for stabilisation and building preparation.

Infinity advised

QLDC that its consent applications to the ORC were withdrawn following “irreconcilable differences between the processing staff and the applicants”.

This happened in 2010.

Nobody from Infinity was able to comment on the proposed changed use of the site, as per the billboard, at the time of going to print.

Meanwhile, Infinity’s website lists a “Marina Apartment Resort Hotel” on the site as a current project. The website states the hotel will be “situated on an elevated site with spectacular lake and mountain views.

Zoned high density, this is unquestionably the best remaining site for a hotel in the Southern Lakes region”.

For Wanaka news and events Like us on facebook facebook/ WanakaSun #GigatownWanaka THURSDAY 09.01.14 - WEDNESDAY 15.01.14

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sunnews

crimescene

Nails polished for LandSAR

Drink drivers, family violence

A young local entrepreneur is coming up with innovative ways to raise money for Wanaka’s Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) organisation. Eleven-yearold Kate Goodsell, of Wanaka, began by seeking a donation from people wanting to feed the livestock at the inaugural Cardrona Village Market on Sunday, raising $35 for the cause. At the market on January 19, Kate will be offering to paint people’s fingernails, with half the proceeds going to LandSAR. Anyone wanting to contribute to Kate’s fundraising efforts can drop any unwanted bottles of nail polish into the Wanaka Sun offices.

Police dealt with six drivers who were over the legal breath alcohol limit (the highest was double), and arrested one driver for driving while suspended during the past week.

Police attended several motor vehicle crashes. A head on collision involving two vehicles on Mount Aspiring Road on New Year’s Day was the most serious crash.

Two occupants were flown to Dunedin Hospital with serious injuries which included a broken sternum, ruptured bowel and a collapsed lung.

Police assisted with two search and rescue calls and attended a family violence incident.

If you have information on any crimes call 0800CRIMESTOPPER (0800555111).

advertise in the P 03 443 5252

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PHOTO: WANAKA SUN

Sales slow after busy New Year Staff Reporter Wanaka Sun Rippon music festival organisers say ticket sales have been affected by the arrival of the annual New Year Rhythm and Alps concert but, despite this, more than half have already been sold.

The tenth biennial Rippon festival will be held on February 1.

SpokespersonAnnaMcConville said ticket sales were “slightly lower” than three weeks out from the 2012 festival, but a “last minute rush” was not unusual.

Gold Member tickets and those for the area shaded by gazebos had sold out, leaving just general admission tickets.

Anna said while large festivals like Rhythm and Alps had a “knock-on effect” on smaller,

community events, Rippon appealed to a very different audience and was wellsupported by locals, partially due to the grants the not-forprofit organisation returned to the community.

The festival – which could cater for up to 4000 people – would this year feature Kody Nielson, Die! Die! Die!, The Phoenix Foundation, Ladi6,

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Electric Wire Hustle and Arma Del Amor, among the line-up of 16 acts.

The festival had received $10,000 from a Queenstown Lakes District Council fund for event and recycling initiatives.

Organisers had spent most of it on a recycling station, which would also be used at the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow.

sunnews

Wet, wild and wintry Jessica Maddock Wanaka Sun

Bottle boom at ’busters Caroline Harker Wanaka Sun Wanaka Wastebusters is experiencing a boom in the number of bottles coming in for recycling.

“Numbers are well up on last year,” general manager Sue Coutts said. She puts it down to people drinking more, rather than more people drinking. “Truck drivers said they bought more alcohol into town than ever before.”

Sue said Wastebusters

handles as much recycling in a week during the holiday period as it normally does in a month. It was like that for both the Christmas and New Year weeks.

Wastebusters also had the recycling contract for Rhythm and Alps which brought in large quantities of aluminum and plastic. (Glass was banned at the festival.)

Wastebusters has taken on extra staff to cope with the increased workload.

“People are bringing well-sorted, clean stuff in for us which we are really grateful for,” Sue said. “It’s much more pleasant sorting stuff when it’s clean.”

She said the shop has been very busy too.

“We get a lot of visitors coming in and a lot of good feedback which we love. It’s a great place for people to come to on a wet day and get some books and games and look around the shop.”

Three-quarters of Wanaka’s usual January rainfall bucketed down during the first seven days of the month.

Metservice meteorologist Dan Corbett said Wanaka locals and holidaymakers had every reason to feel windblown, wet and cold.

The area typically received about 55mm of rain during January and, as of yesterday, 40mm had fallen.

The wettest days were January 2 and 3, when 14mm and 12mm of rain fell respectively, Dan said.

Like early January last year, it had also been a very windy start to the year – to the extent a car was blown off State Highway 6, the Luggate-Cromwell road, on January 2.

No one was injured, but the accident prompted the police to issue a

PHOTO: WANAKA SUN

warning to motorists to take particular care due to strong winds.

Dan said northwesterly gusts reached 80kph on January 2 and 65kph on January 3, and that level of wind continued for the next three days.

Wanaka has also had a mean temperature of just 13 degrees Celsius so far this month, compared

to the norm of 17 degrees Celsius.

But Dan predicted summery conditions would return before too long, saying the start of January last year was similarly dismal.

Seventy millimetres of rain fell during January 2013 - all in the first 17 days of the month – with a whopping 26mm on January 2.

North-westerly winds reached 75kph and there were south-easterlies of 65kph during the first week of January 2013.

And the temperature did not get above 20 degrees between January 1 and 4, but during the final quarter of the month the temperatures were in the very late twenties or early thirties, Dan said.

PHOTO: NIKKI HEATH

THURSDAY 09.01.14 - WEDNESDAY 15.01.14

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sunnews

inbrief Beef and lamb dining excellence Wanaka’s The Landing, Cromwell’s Carrick Winery and The Moorings Restaurant & Bar are among 18 restaurants in Otago that have been awarded the 2014 Beef & Lamb Excellence Award.

The award is given to restaurants whose beef and lamb cuisine reaches the highest standard of fine dining. Beef + Lamb New Zealand CEO, Rod Slater, said the award is “a guarantee to customers they will receive a consistently top quality beef or lamb meal when they choose one of these restaurants.”

Restaurants are judged on all elements of their beef or lamb dishes from composition to taste, degree of cooking and tenderness.

Partying with the police Caroline Harker Wanaka Sun Police are providing $50 supermarket vouchers to people who register with them when they are having a party for teenagers.

The new scheme - Party Safe - is an initiative of the Southern Primary Health Organisation and has the support of many organisations, including the Wanaka Alcohol Group (WAG) which was formed in July last year.

When people register a party, they receive a voucher for food and non-alcoholic drinks, information on host responsibility, tips on how to keep the party safe and the option of the police visiting the party to check that everything is going well. Police officer Phil Vink (pictured) is in charge of the local scheme.

Southern PHO representative Marie Roxburgh said a family in Cromwell has already used Party Safe for a 17-yearold’s birthday party. “The

police called in and it was very successful,” she said. “The family were very pleased with how it all went.”

WAG member Linda Montgomery said Party Safe

was a great new initiative.

Party Safe advises parents and teenagers to agree on ground rules before the party – including how many are coming, how people are invited, whether or not there will be alcohol, and if so how much and who is providing it, and how guests will get home.

Party Safe tips also include information on preventing party-goers from getting bored, handling gate-crashers and appropriate adult supervision.

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sunnews

Rhythm and rubbish at Cardrona Caroline Harker Wanaka Sun The first Rhythm and Alps musical festival held at Robrosa Station has been deemed a success by organisers, including local builder Chud Cunningham who was the site manager. “It was full on but we had a great time,” he said. “We had only had three weeks to build a village and get organised. It was great to work with the same local crew who worked on Bear Grylls – people who do their jobs well.”

Festival director Alex Turnbull said they were “pretty rapt” with how the festival went for the crowd of 10,000 people. “It was amazing we didn’t have any trouble there, especially with so many people from Gore and Invercargill,” Alex said. “Not one arrest. For us it’s a balancing act between people getting too intoxicated and them having to queue for a long time to buy a drink.”

Chud said he thought there was no violence because punters were well entertained and had plenty to do. “And we didn’t throw them out onto the streets at closing time like they do in town.” Alex said the most popular gigs were Zane Lowe, Hospital Records and The Funk Hunters.

Unfortunately the success of the festival was blighted for many by the amount of camping gear and rubbish left behind. Punters walked away leaving tents, deck chairs, airbeds, sleeping bags, clothes and piles of garbage.

“The site looked like a typhoon

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

had been through,” one person said. Workers were still cleaning up the site a week after the festival.

Alex Turnbull said there’s a worldwide culture to leave gear behind after festivals, especially tents. “I would love to ship them off to Africa or something, but we’re not geared up for that,” he said. The job of cleaning up the site fell to Wanaka Wastebusters and various fundraising volunteer groups.

“It was the amount of abandoned camping gear that horrified me,” Wastebusters staff member Jeremy Bisson said. “We filled five jumbo skips with the unsalvageable stuff.

But there were highlights. When we arrived at 7am on New Year’s Day revelers had already cleaned up the Wild Things dance area. It was a beautiful moment.”

Tents and other abandoned

gear which can be reused will go on sale at Wastebusters shop sometime in the next fortnight.

There will also be sets of tents made available to schools.

Chud said, with only three weeks to get ready for the event, they didn’t focus on what would happen afterwards. “If I’m involved next year I’ll recommend we’ll get people to clean up as they go, and pay them to take rubbish to a collection centre. That works in Germany. Next time we should put more resources in that direction and have about 50 people sorting stuff.”

Alex Turnbull said the problem is partially caused by chain store operators around the country who know there will be 60,000 people going to New Year festivals and deliberately put tents on special.

“Kids buy tents for as little as $30

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so they don’t care about keeping them,” he said.

Wanaka Mitre 10 manager Mark Watson said they sold out of tents, which ranged in price from $69 to $300. Mark said Mitre 10 did a lot of business with Robrosa farmer Lane Hocking and festival organisers before the event. “They were a well-organised friendly team,” he said. “Outstanding to work with.”

Alex said he was pleased the festival missed the worst of the weather. “It was threatening to rain all week and the temperature got down to minus 3C. We always tell people to bring warm clothing but many don’t. They’ll know for next year,” he said.

Organisers are planning to have the same number of tickets available for the 2014/15 Rhythm and Alps.

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sunnews

Yee-haa at Hawea Jessica Maddock Wanaka Sun

Sprintcars in action

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Staff Reporter Wanaka Sun Driver errors led to a number of accidents in the 25-lap feature race of the December 30 War of the Wings sprintcar series atCromwell’sCentralMotor Speedway. Only seven cars, of the 18 starters, crossed the finish line, with Jason Scott taking the win and the series lead. The final race in the series will be on April 18.

On January 1, the largest

crowd of the season attended Central Motor Speedway for the club championships. The best of the Cromwell drivers were saloon driver Daryl Ainsley who beat most of the higher powered super saloons; Connor Hopkins won the youth ministock championship; and Brad Smith won the productions championship. The current South Island Sprintcar Champion, Queenstown’s Jason Scott, (pictured) is considered a top contender

to bring the 2013/14 NZ Sprintcar Championship south to Central Otago.

The speedway action continues this weekend (January 10 and 11) with 30 of the country’s top sprintcar drivers competing for the 2013/14 NZ Sprintcar Championship title.

Spectators can expect to see the 750 to 900 horsepower, 3.5m-long, methanolfuelled open-wheelers achieve speeds of more than 160kph on the 500m clay oval track.

ticketgiveaway The Wanaka Sun has one family pass to give away to the event, to the first person to email their contact details to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz. The pass must be collected from the Wanaka Sun office by 4pm tomorrow (Friday).

The weather may not have played its part but the musicians and the crowds certainly did, to make Lake Hawea’s two New Year concerts a success.

The Branding, an inaugural country rock and pop festival, was held on New Year’s Eve. Event organiser Sarah Perriam said she was “rapt” the event, at the Lake Hawea Hotel, had attracted a capacity crowd of 1100 people.

Seven acts performed, including Bex Murray, who grew up in Lake Tekapo, and former Waimate singer, Kaylee Bell, who now lives in Australia (pictured with drummer Glen Murray and Ricci Peyroux (partly obscured) on guitar).

Southlanders Taylor Cairns and Kayla Martin, who perform as The Heartleys, were among the artists, along with two Wanaka-based musicians Jody Direen and Maggie Ruddenklau.

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Kaitangata’s Aaron Jury and Cam Scott, who hails from Cave near Timaru, completed the line-up.

Sarah said the age of the crowd ranged from 18, to people in their sixties, all of whom were “happy and respectful.”

Two days later, the hotel again hosted the Summerlands festival.

The hotel’s owner, Anthony Alderson, said the atmosphere was great, despite the “horrendous” weather

which turned wet and windy from about 8pm onwards.

A crowd of about 850 people attended, many of whom had also been to the Rhythm and Alps festival at Cardrona on December 30 and 31, he said.

Anthony declined to say what the capacity crowd for Summerlands was, however, the event catered for up to 1500 people last year.

He hoped organisers of The Branding and

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Summerlands would work together again next year, on New Year events at the hotel.

Sarah said it was likely The Branding would run again next New Year, but a definite decision would not be announced for about six months.

L a k e H a we a Community Association members spoken to by the Wanaka Sun said they were not aware of any problems caused by the festivals.

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sunnews French influence on local wine

Off-road Rotarians

Wanaka winegrower Nick Mills, Central Otago Winegrowers Association president James Dicey and other local winegrowers want the government to support a nomination to list Burgundy (France) as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

They say this will endorse Central Otago’s position as an international producer of quality Pinot Noir. A delegation from Burgundy is coming to New Zealand later this month to meet government leaders and visit Central Otago for the annual Pinot Noir celebration.

To gain UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the vineyards must show their contemporary relevance and their universal value to the world today.

Nick Mills, who founded the Central Otago Burgundy Exchange, said the Burgundy model has been very educational for Central Otago growers. The educational and cultural exchange has been operating between the two regions since 2006. A reciprocal event is planned to take place in Burgundy in October.

Cromwell Rotarians learned about ancient moa-hunting sites and enjoyed a picnic at the historic Hawksburn homestead during the annual Cromwell Rotary 4WD trip on Sunday. The 21 vehicles traversed Hawksburn and Cairnmuir stations, and finished with a barbecue at Bannockburn inlet. Bill Wilson, who helped organise the trip, was pictured tackling a mud-hole on the day.

More than $2000 was raised by the 4WD trip to assist Rotary with its local and international community work.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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sunsport

Gearing up for the national finals Staff Reporter Wanaka Sun The 51st annual Wanaka Rodeo was held at the rodeo grounds in Albert Town last Thursday.

About 180 competitors entered bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, rope and tie, team roping and women’s barrel racing, in junior, second division and open categories. Novelty events included the stick-race, pictured here in the lead is Hadley Tamati, who

took the win, followed closely by Lachie Moore in second place.

Six-time national rope and tie and team roping champion Patrick McCarthy, of Rakaia, won the rope and tie event and is on track to be a finalist in the National Finals Rodeo which will be held at the Albert Town arena for the first time in March. In the open division, team roping was won by Ritchie Morrow (Alexandra) and Nicole Sarginson (Darfield),

PHOTO: TIM BREWSTER

with Ritchie also winning the steer wrestling.

The bareback winner was Stuart de Ridder (Roxburgh), barrel racing was won by Fairlie’s Kate Fisher and Paul Robinson of Palmerston won the saddle bronc competition.

Johnson Davis, of Rotorua, who won the bull riding, said he’d love to be back for the national finals.

“It was an outstanding day. It’s an awesome rodeo grounds and the facilities and stock are great.”

Tennis tournament round-up Staff Reporter Wanaka Sun The Wanaka Tennis Open was played in windy conditions from January 2 to 4 culminating in two high quality finals matches.

Junior World top 70 player Michaela Gordon defeated New Zealand junior national representative Annabel Ellis 6-1 6-2 in the final of the women’s draw.

The men’s semi-finals featured number one seed and New Zealand Doubles Champion Riki McLachlan who defeated number three seed, Wanaka coach Perry Crockett, in straight sets 6-4 6-0 and South African Errol Nattrass defeated Allan Ambrose 6-1 6-4. Riki was too consistent and

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PHOTO: DON BUICK

quick around the court in the men’s final, beating Errol 7-5 6-4.

Perry and Errol then teamed up to win the men’s doubles in a nailbiting 6-7 6-4 11-9, beating Riki and his partner Ryan Keen of Queenstown.

Fifty players competed in the junior open, with Wanaka juniors dominating the tournament in the 12 and

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under and 16 and under age groups. Olivia Ray won the 16 and under singles and doubles, with Zoe Smith from Southland.

Ines Stephani won the girls’ 12 and under singles, and doubles with Claudia Smith from Southland, and Michael Gealogo won the boys’ 12 and under singles and doubles with Jake Naylor from Wellington.

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TXT MESSAGE

BOARD CONGRATS TO THE UPPER CLUTHA PARISH ON A FAB GALA DESPITE THE WEATHER. SO NICE FOR KIDS TO BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE AFFORDABLE, OLD FASHIONED FUN. THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE FOR ALL! KA PAI WANAKA? WHERE’S THE EXIT? MANY THANKS TO THE HONEST PERSON WHO FOUND AND HANDED IN MY WALLET AT NEW WORLD ON MONDAY. IF PEDESTRIANS ARE TO SHARE FOOTPATHS WITH CYCLISTS AS OFTEN HAPPENS HERE, COULD THE BIKES NOT BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A BELL TO WARN PEDESTRIANS? WITH TRAFFIC NOISE THEY ARE VIRTUALLY SILENT COMING FROM BEHIND. WORKS WELL IN AMSTERDAM.....

WHY NOT IN WANAKA? THANKS WANAKA FOR THE FRIENDLY GREETINGS FROM ALL YOUR SHOP STAFF WE HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING THE SOUTH FOR ONE YEAR NOW AND YOU ARE THE BEST YET. ALL WEEK NO MOBILE INTERNET ACCESS. NO EMAIL, NO BANKING, NO BUSINESS, AND NO DISCOUNT! BOO, HISS, TELECOM INCOMPETENCE! WANAKA AT ITS BEST: NIECE LOST SMALL WALLET (ID, $ AND EFTPOS CARD) WALKING TO BUS ON FIRST NIGHT OF R & A. HUGE THANKS TO HONEST PERSON M. W. FOR HANDING INTO POLICE ASAP SO FIRST NIGHT OF FESTIVAL COULD STILL BE ATTENDED. THANKS ALSO TO POLICE OFFICERS FOR SPEEDY HELP REUNITING NIECE WITH WALLET AFTER STATION HOURS THAT SAME NIGHT. LOVE THIS TOWN! WOW... GREAT ATMOSPHERE OVER FESTIVE SEASON ... WELL DONE WANAKA! THANK YOU `CHRISTMAS CAROL` FOR COMING TO THE LUGGATE PLAYGROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY. WE REALLY APPRECIATE TAKING THE TIME TO COME OUT AND ENTERTAIN THE CHILDREN AND GROWN UPS! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE TEXT BOARD AND IN THE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR ALONE AND NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THE WANAKA SUN.

EDITORIAL “Waste not, want not” is an old saying obviously unheard of by recent festival goers who left behind fields full of camping equipment after last week’s event in Cardrona valley.

Five jumbo skips were filled with discarded chairs, gazebos, mattresses and tents that were in such bad repair they could not be recycled. The sheer scale of the waste produced by the partygoers astounded the clean-up crew and prompts the question if this throw-away society is what’s coming up the ranks, what kind of landfill future can we look forward to?

Fortunately, Wanaka is mostly populated with a different sort of youth. The kind who use good oldfashioned, hard work to get where they’re going.

This week the Wanaka Sun talked to a group of young Wanaka rugby players who have been taking over neighbourhood gardens to plant potatoes to sell, among other enterprising endeavours, to finance their trip overseas.

Perhaps these kids could teach those other kids a thing or two about waste and want.

Need for social worker I was pleased to read in your ‘2013 in review’ (Wanaka Sun January 2) that you felt the disestablishment of the social worker position during November worthy of note.

I was appalled and saddened by the loss and have been further disappointed no apparent attempt to re-establish either the social worker or the position has been made.

At the time of the position’s demise (mid November) I wrote to our Member of Parliament Jacqui Dean, but am frustrated I have yet to receive a response.

Many young couples make Wanaka their permanent home, and some struggle for a period. Gaye Thompson, who held the disestablished position for six years, provided huge support to WINZ clients. Wanaka can be a challenging and daunting place to live and currently has very few social services. Gaye is a good social worker, she has an excellent network of services throughout Central Otago and I believe both she, and Community Networks Wanaka, are essential to Wanaka and the people who live here. Her absence will put intolerable pressure on institutions such as the Salvation Army.

I am disappointed that Ms Dean has not responded to this situation, or that no member of WINZ or current Wanaka hierarchies have stepped forward.

There are people in this area who are beginning 2014 unsure of which way to turn for assistance.

Catherine Morrison (abridged) Lake Hawea

Maintenance I’ve just taken the kids for a ride around our Albert Town parks as we often do on a Saturday.

After our Saturday constitutional I took a few moments to write to QLDC about the state of both McMurdo Park and the reserve at the end of Frye Crescent. As is more often the case, both parks are in a dilapidated state, paths and gardens overgrown with weeds, broom seeding throughout the grass and verges overgrown.

Occasionally contractors come though and give the multitude of weeds a dose of Roundup. This scorched earth policy leaves these areas looking like they’ve been on the receiving end of a napalm strike. You’d think the simple task of keeping on top of park maintenance would be far more cost effective and far less unsightly than a six monthly nuking with Glyphosate.

I commend council for finally installing a sprinkler system at McMurdo Park. Funny thing is, when you water grass it actually grows. Both these parks are poorly maintained year round and receive infrequent mowing. Their usual state is grass overgrown with weeds, clover showing flower heads and hence plenty of bees to sting bare feet during summer.

What was originally well-sown grass is now a well coppiced forest of clover, weeds and broom.

This is not the first time council has had its attention drawn to neglected Albert Town parks and reserves, I find it pretty contemptuous that little action seems to have taken place.

Would parks and reserves in Central Queenstown receive this level of neglect?

Carl McNeil Albert Town

TXT THE WANAKA SUN

021 986 786

Guidelines for letters and texts to the Wanaka Sun The Wanaka Sun no longer accepts letters or texts that directly respond to the author of previous letters or texts. If you wish to reply to another letter or text, stick to the topic involved and try to advance the debate so that other readers might join in the discussion.

Correspondents should not engage in recriminations against earlier correspondents.

Issue 643 Thursday January 09, 2014 Free delivery to Wanaka, Wanaka surrounds and Cromwell urban and rural mailboxes, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wanaka, Albert Town, Hawea. Distributed to motels, hotels and cafes plus businesses in the Wanaka central business district and to drop boxes in Wanaka and Cromwell.

Phone: 03 443 5252 Fax: 03 443 5250 Text view: 021 986 786 Text classified: 022 0786 778 Address: Upstairs Spencer House, Wanaka Postal: PO Box 697, Wanaka Editorial manager: Ruth Bolger editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalists: Jessica Maddock journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Caroline Harker newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Production: Adam Hall production@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: Amanda Hodge advertising@thewanakasun.co.nz Jake Kilby marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz Accounts: admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Printed by: Guardian Print, Ashburton Delivered by: Wanaka Rowing Club Published by: Wanaka Sun (2003) Ltd Distribution: 7500

Letters of fewer than 200 words and texts of fewer than 25 words are preferred.

Letters or texts may be edited for clarity, length or legal reasons.

Letters can be sent to editor@thewanakasun.co.nz with “Letters to the editor” in the subject line, or can be posted to PO Box 697, Wanaka 9343. Texts can be sent to 021986786. The Wanaka Sun cannot acknowledge receipt of letters or texts.

The Wanaka Sun reserves the right to edit, abridge or decline letters or texts without explanation.

THURSDAY 09.01.14 - WEDNESDAY 15.01.14

Response by Ruth Stokes, QLDC General Manager Operations.

Thank you for taking the time to write to us about the Albert Town parks. After receiving your letter our staff visited the sites and checked with our contractors on their service delivery, and I agree with your observation. We can do better but the level of service we provide for ‘neighbourhood parks’ across the district is not the same as the standard for sports grounds. The bottom line is always cost. Having said that, both McMurdo Park and the Frye Crescent Reserve are scheduled to be mowed shortly.

In general, the council does not control weeds in the grass of neighbourhood parks, mainly due to the risk that spray drift could affect private gardens and again, cost. We have, however, asked the contractor to programme the path in the Frye Crescent reserve for weed treatment.

The irrigation system at McMurdo Park was installed in 2011 by the Albert Town Community Association.

PAGE 13

sunclassifieds

Classifieds body and mind

for sale

notice

services

ABHYANGA MASSAGE or another Ayurvedic treatment: An unique experience of self healing and relaxation. Call Martin 443 5712. www. ayurvedaora.com

JUNIOR MEMBERS of the Upper Clutha Rugby Club are selling potatoes which will be harvested in time for Easter, for $5/kg. Place orders with Kylie Arnesen on 443 2391 or 027 612 9817.

SEVEN TONNE truck going to Christchurch this weekend. Space available for backload.

Contact Jimmy 0274430274.

WANAKA WINDOW CLEANING professional, friendly, efficient service. Enjoy those mountain views. High, awkward windows a specialty. Paolo 021 0572505/ 4432420

ADVANCED BOWEN & Kinesiology for an integrated approach to good health and wellness. Sandie Lovell. 0273623312 www.vitalhealthmatters.com ASPIRING MASSAGE WANAKA. Deep Tissue - Relaxation. Trevor Bailey. Full time massage since 1994. Ph 4432993 or 0274222455. www.aspiringmassagewanaka. co.nz CHALLENGE WANAKA ATHLETES before + after race: Relieve swelling, pain. Cleanse.

Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) ph Maryann 4436463, 021 1101160

KARDA DEHUMIDIFIER efficiently clears condensation in bathroom, sparoom, etc.$40.

Ph 4439132 LAKE HAWEA section. Close to lake/shops/ primary school, mountain views. Only $98000, phone 4439310 or 021656655.

POULTRY WHEAT and barley 4 sale, whole or crushed.30kg 4 $25.. .. 021 251 5510/4434944.

SGT DAN Poultry layer mash $25 for 25kg.

4434944

EARTH HEALING Meditation Weds 15 Jan 8PM at 181 Cemetery Rd HAWEA. All welcome! Jen 0220974596

SHED FOR sale. 1.8x2.6 containing shower, wc, tub and califont. Insulated. $3800. Ph 021963050 or 4289380 evenings.

ENHANCE YOUR challenge recovery with pre and post massage therapy @ massage in Wanaka. Special with Sauna. Ph 03 4438448.

BEAUTIFUL CHINA tea cup bird feeders, great for attracting wax eyes and bell birds to your garden. Make the perfect presents $25 ph 443 1017 or txt 021 680 110

EXPERIENCED HOMEOPATH and Healer at Wanaka Wellness Centre. Visit www.intelligenthealth.com for details or call Linda on 0211468041 for an appointment.

notice

GENTLE YOGA connecting movement with breath, & You. 9:30 EA WEDS. 557 Aubrey Rd. $12 classes 15 Jan on. Jen 0220974596

ARE YOU Outspoken? Or just into great food and wine? Do you know where the two coincide on Monday 13th Jan? Answer at www. outspokenfestival.co.nz

HULAHOOPING POP up progression sessions. Starting mon 13th 6-7pm. session 1 = basics recap and fun flow hooping. Contact Jo fantailhoops9382@gmail.com.

DID YOU know profits from the Sunday Craft Market go back to supporting the arts in our community? Most recently the MAC Visual Arts prize won by India Hughes!

IN CHALLENGE Wanaka?? Recover quicker with a Far Infrared Sauna. Reduce lactic acid.

Wanaka wellness 4434668. Central location

DO YOU love the Wanaka Community Spring?

Become a Guardian. Meet at Creek Café, Thursday 5.30pm. Contact Richard Windelov 022 0770 455.

MASSAGE: LOMI LOMI (THERAPEUTIC Hawaiian) relaxing, nurturing, body length strokes, warmed coconut oil.Ph Maryann 4436463, 021 1101160 QUARTZ CRYSTAL singing bowl sessions for deep relaxation/energy balancing. 1.30PM each Mon. $25 pp. 181 Cemetery Rd HAWEA Jen 443.8854 RECONNECT WITH a sense of deep peace and love for FREE! View 15 min film The Message at WWW.LIVING-PRESENCE.ORG WANAHOOP? BEGINNERS hula hooping course starting wed 15th. 640-810pm in wanaka. Contact jo for details. fantailhoops@ gmail.com. 02108289987

for sale 13 “ MACBOOK AIR COMPUTER Core 2 Duo proc. 1.86 GHz , Office Mac 2011, mouse.

All new. $1150. Ph Maryann 4436463, 021 1101160 16HH TB Gelding for sale. Excellent to float, shoe and clip, beautiful temperament, inquisitive personality. He loves your company and needs a very special home. Phone 0210 2939 300 for more info.

BOARDER TERRIER purebred pup for SALE. 02102638870 FOR SALE. 5 metre seaforce boat. $10500 ph 0276787566 or 4435344 HOLDEN RODEO for sale. Manual. 4WD. Canopy. 100,000km. Offers around $27,000.

021 0275 9199 ICARUS HARDWOOD OUTDOOR FURNITURE. Rectangular table and 6 chairs.

Plus umbrella base. $130 ph 4439132

DO YOU outspeak? Or just listen in? Www. outspokenfestival.co.nz DOREEN VIRTUE Certified Angel Intuitive in Wanaka. Call Linda on 0211468041 to arrange a reading.

JAMES, ANDREW, Lindsay, Sam, & Duncan - you all owe Jeff a beer! ;-) LAMININE SUPER healing food of the 21st century. Listen to http://www.healingsuperfood.com/phyllis-interview.mp3 Helping everybody at every level. Jan Rockliff 0276 412 019, Sonia Hunt 0212 487 771, Jodie Rainsford 021 356 343 LIFE STORIES writing and book design.

Memoirs, histories, letters, diaries - transcribed and published. www.timeofyourlife. co.nz. Contact laura@timeofyourlife.co.nz or 443 4629.

MOVING ON? Wanaka Wastebusters picks up donated goods for free, call 443-8606 to help us help our community and the environment. Resaleable condition only please.

NICOLA ROMERIL Professional Make Up Artist . Weddings and special occasions.

Works with Jane Iredale mineral make up. Ph 021 2255142.

NOTICE OF AGM: the Luggate Community Association AGM will be held on Saturday 11th January 2014 at 11am in the Luggate Hall. Open to all. A special warm welcome to all new residents.

ROWING MACHINE for rent. Short or Long term. Contact 021 161 2885 SCHOOL HOLIDAY program spaces available week 2-3 and 4. Wed 8 till tue 28 January 9 am- 4 pm visit www.communitynetworks.co.nz for bookings info HAPPY HOLIDAYS

For FREE listing text your advert to

TARRAS SCHOOL fundraiser. 4WD trip trip 11th Jan. Lindis pass 2 Duncan creek. 100 per vehicle. Ph Tui 4452631 Nicky 4452007 WANAKA PLAYGROUP back in action Monday 13th 930am @ the Squash Club. All 5yrs & under welcome. Enquiries 0211029130 WHO’S OUTSPOKEN in Wanaka this weekend? Sam Hunt leading the charge at Oakridge.

services AFFORDABLE ACCOUNTING services, IRD & GST returns. Call Accounts Office 443 5300 ALL SEWING repairs an alterations. Prompt service and reasonable rates. Phone Sue 0272472181 or 4432008 BUYING OR selling a business? For professional sales marketing brochures or business plans, call Alison on 021 0275 9199 office hours.

CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE restoration – for all motorcycle maintenance. Tyres, oil, batteries, chains and brakes. Top brands, top service, pick-up and delivery. Contact John Holgate 0274322917 DRIVING LESSONS available. Call Nicky at Aspiring Drivers to book your lesson and become a confident and safe driver. 0210607310 INLAND REVENUE are at Community Networks Wednesday 22 January 9am 1pm,For help with personal or business tax,child support,student loans or family tax credits call 4437799 to make an appointment.

JP SERVICES at Community Networks Tuesdays1pm and Fridays 10.30.For appointments call 4437799 LONG TERM business visa application professional assistance from someone who has been through the process. Call Alison on 021 0275 9199 MIDWIFE: WANAKA Midwives in the Wanaka Wellness centre. 03 443 1655 www.wanakamidwives.co.nz PAYROLL ADMINISTRATION, employment contracts and IRD returns, affordable accounting services, call Accounts Office 443 5300 PRISTINE STEAMING Of Wanaka, check us out on Facebook or contact Neda on 021 161 2885, pristinesteaming@gmail.com for any enquiry.

SEPTIC TANK Cleaning and servicing, Ph Aaron, Septic Tank Cleaners Wanaka 4434175 / 0800885886 PORTA LOO hire and cleaning, ph Aaron 4434175 SUMP CLEANING, roadside, driveway, pump station, ph Aaron 4434175 OASIS SEPTIC tank servicing, Wanaka Ph 0800885886 SUMMER COLLEGE uniforms ready to go?

Repairs, alterations, hem length altered. All taken care of promptly. Please phone Sue 0272472181 VINTAGE CAR restoration, mechanical & electrical, MOTOR HOME & CARAVAN repair and restoration. Steve Rumore 443.8854 or 022.176.2748

WHY SPEND time working on your accounts when you could be building your business? Call Accounts Office 443 5300.

thanks JEFF LIMMER thank you4 saving Playgroup’s Xmas Party! You are a legend. We heart you. Xx ROTARY THANKS: DOC, Phillip McElroy (Hawksburn) and Alistair Hamilton (Cairnmuir), Webb’s Fruit, Murray Dennison and Bill Wilson (organisers) and all those who helped with the annual Cromwell Rotary 4WD trip.

wanted ACAPPELLA WOMEN’S choir seeking a conductor. Please make enquiries to Kirsty at 0272005111.

CASUAL CLEANER and bedmaker required for motel. Morning work. Call 4437285 EXPERIENCED BABYSITTERS Required.

Work your own hours + great pay! Aged 20+, car, well presented, clean criminal record. Send application with referees to info@babysittingwanaka.com. No ph calls or texts please.

GENUINE BUYER looking to purchase family home by private sale, wanting to establish permanent living. Please phone Lynette 0276351690 GIRLS CLOTHING wanted.1 year plus.to fit small 15 month.good cond,reasonably priced. 0223119113.thanks.

HOME REQUIRED 4 local.2brm+.refs avail.prefer long term.careful tenant.contact kel 0223119113 thank u HOUSE RENTAL wanted, long term, prof couple, from late jan. Meadowstone-stoney creek pref. Ph 0274 717034 LOCAL LADY seeking home:r u female and want 2share a house?please contact kel 0223119113 thank u LOCAL MOTHER daughter require 2bdrm+ home.prefer wanaka,long term,furnished. will consider anything.good refs.please contact kel 0223119113 R U also lookin for a place to call home?r u female?want to share?please contac kel 0223119113 TWO BED apartment in Wanaka wanted to rent from February for father and two sons.

Please call Antony on 022 6149192.

what’s on BE OUTSPOKEN! Don’t miss Sam Hunt 12 january at Oakridge, 13 at Bistro Gentil, 14 at Carrick. www.outspokenfestival.co.nz YOUNG UPPER Clutha Rugby Club players fundraising Sumo wrestling event, February 22 at the Lake Wanaka Centre.

Tickets are $70 (inc a cocktail, finger food and entertainment by Anna van Riel), available from Gifted or call Kylie Arnesen on 4432391 or 0276129817.

02 20 786 778

20 word limit - deadline Tuesday 4pm - standard network rates apply PAGE 14

THURSDAY 09.01.14 - WEDNESDAY 15.01.14

sunclassifieds employment

employment

employment

MARKETING POSITION The Wanaka Sun is seeking an enthusiastic, bright, outgoing sales person to join its marketing team and help manage a growing list of clients.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team at Wanaka’s local newspaper.

Applicant must have a solid sales background, good time management and the ability to assess clients’ requirements.

employment

Please send your CV and cover letter to Nikki Heath nikki@pembroke.co.nz Applications close on Thursday January 30.

notice employment

sport results WANAKA BOWLS RESULTS Friday Progressive 3:01:14 Skip 1 George Russell, 2 Glad Cross, 3 Neville Young. Third 1 Norman Matheson, 2 John Barton, 3 Brian Dawson. Lead 1 Iain Fletcher, 2 Rick McLean.

WANAKA JUNIOR TENNIS OPEN 2014 12 U & 16 U: Winners Girls 12/u Singles Special Plate 1 Ilana Goossens, 2 Polly Marshall, 3/4 Martha Toghill, 3/4 Harriet Price. Boys 12/U Singles 1 Michael Gealogo [2], 2 Jake Naylor [5], 3 Edwin Dargue

[1], 4 Jenner Keeta Johnson [6]. Boys 12/U Doubles 1 Michael Gealogo [2] Jake Naylor, 2 Jenner Keeta Johnson [1] Harrison Michael Shearer, 3 Josh D Cameron [3] Mathew Paterson, 4 Finn Holden [4] Robin Leverington, 6 Will Booker Jared Gilbertson. Girls 12/U Singles 1 Ines Stephani [1] 2 Brylee More [5], 3 Claudia Lili Dee Smith [4], 4 Aimee Michelle Brown [3]. Girls 12/U Doubles 1 Claudia Lili Dee Smith [1] Ines Stephani, 2 Tayla Cvitanich [3] Polly Marshall, 3/4 Ilana Goossens Laura Hamilton, 3/4 Brylee More [2] Annie Beth Timu. Boys

16/U Singles 1 Carlos Reid [1], 2 Taylor Walter Nelson [2], 3 Jack Deeley [3], 4 Ben Deeley [4]. Boys 16/U Doubles 1 Jack William Murison [1] Taylor Walter Nelson, 2 Ben Deeley [2] Jack Deeley, 3 Haydon Mcelligott Cedric Stephani. Girls 16/U Singles 1 Olivia Alice Ray [1], 2 Zoe Alexa Cate Smith [2], 3 Amelia King [3], 4 Ruby Leverington, 5 Ella Jayne Rose Smith [4], 6 Caitlin Abbey Gibson. Girls 16/U Doubles 1 Olivia Alice Ray [1] Zoe Alexa Cate Smith, 2 Ruby Leverington Ella Jayne Rose Smith, 3 Caitlin Abbey Gibson [2] Amelia King.

trades&services PANELBEATING

CURTAINS

CONCRETE CUTTING

THURSDAY 09.01.14 - WEDNESDAY 15.01.14

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sunsport

Wind disrupts regatta Staff Reporter Wanaka Sun The Mitre 10 Wanaka Yacht Club Annual Regatta was held on Friday evening and Saturday morning with four races held at the upper-end of allowable wind-strength. The wind on Saturday and Sunday afternoons was deemed too strong for safe sailing but the Sunday morning Mou Tapu Endurance Race went ahead. Thirtyeight boats entered with a particularly strong dinghy contingent.

The junior dinghies skillset was tested to the limit in

PHOTO: WANAKA SUN

the regatta, with Wanaka’s Nicola Sanders the clear winner. Trailer sailers fought hard, with visiting Noelex 22 “Rhumb Raider” the champion performer.

The one design Etchells

division was dominated

by Jeff Mercer and Kevin King on Grenade, who also went on to win the Mou Tapu Endurance Race.

Club commodore Quentin Smith praised the

professionalism of the safety support crews, coastguard and match officials, who remained busy, competent and active throughout the event, and made a very good impression on visiting sailors. The most significant incidents were a couple of broken masts, which required a tow home.

“There were heaps of dinghy capsizes, which is pretty normal as they have no weighted keels,” Club Publicity Officer Roger North said. “They wear wetsuits knowing they will be doing some water time.”

Fundraising for Australia

New Year disappointment Wanaka skeleton racer Katharine Eustace was disappointed with her first race of the year, finishing 18th in Winterberg, Germany.

“I really thought that I could have slid better,” she said. “To be honest my push times really let me down and I found it difficult to then generate enough speed on the track to make up the deficit.”

With two more races for the women, Katharine plans to peak for the next races and in Sochi if she is selected. She is currently ranked 13th in the world.

Good start to the year Wanaka-based adaptive skiers have had a good start to 2014 in the first International Paralympic Committee North America Cup (IPC Nor Am) races of the year, at the Winter Park resort in Colorado. In testing conditions after heavy snowfalls, Adam Hall won gold in the men’s slalom standing class and Corey Peters won silver in the men’s sitting class on January 1. Corey won two gold medals in the giant slalom in the following two days.

“I’m really happy with the consistent results over the last three days,” Corey said, after winning his second gold medal.

Both skiers are in the New Zealand team which will compete at the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in March.

Jessica Maddock Wanaka Sun Young Upper Clutha Rugby Club members have grown potatoes, shovelled sheep manure and cleaned underneath an old house – all in an effort to raise money to travel to Australia this year.

Twenty-seven boys, aged 11 and 12, are visiting Sydney’s Mosman Rugby Club for a week in April.

Mosman players had been travelling to Wanaka for several years and this would be the second time Upper Clutha players had visited them.

Fundraising began in August and about half the required $100,000 had so far been raised.

Each player was expected to raise $500, as well as contribute to group fundraising efforts.

One of the parents, Alex Kerr, said fundraising methods had included clearing stones from the Kirimoko subdivision and cutting firewood.

Some boys had also dug up their parents’

PHOTO: JESSICA MADDOCK

or neighbours’ lawns to grow potatoes, collected sheep manure and cleaned beneath a Maungawera house so insulation could be installed,” Alex said.

“The boys have been encouraged to be creative, innovative and resourceful to come up with ways in which to achieve their targets.”

Future fundraising efforts would include picking up rubbish at the Treble Cone ski area

and the Gibbston Valley winery concert.

They were also holding a Sumo wrestling event on February 22, with locals Calum MacLeod and Duncan Good so far persuaded to take part.

Alex said the community support had been “outstanding,” particularly from Four Square, Mitre 10 and the Lions club.

“In a small town where fundraising requests

come frequently, this level of generosity is overwhelming. I think the community…likes to see kids learning the value of team work and a strong work ethic.”

Jesse Robertson, 11, Reilly Arnesen, 12, and Ethan Kerr, 12 (pictured), of Albert Town, are among the boys growing potatoes to sell.

See sunspots for details

THIS WEEK AT FITZYS

Live music every night.

Free pool.

Delicious pizzas.

Real pints.

Great Craic. $10 pizzas every night till late Open from 4pm Monday - Sunday Want to play live or use the pub as a daytime rehearsal space? Pop in for a chat!

Come see us @ facebook.com/fitzpatrickswanaka Find us on the corner of Helwick Street and Brownston Street 57 Helwick st, Wanaka | 03 443 4537 | fitzpatrickswanaka@gmail.com

PAGE 16

THURSDAY 09.01.14 - WEDNESDAY 15.01.14