5 - 11 April 2018 | Edition 864

In conversation

INSIDE THIS WEEK Camera Club: PAGE 6 Views: PAGE11 sport: Page 16

Q & A with Mary Robinson.

paGE 3

Murray second in FWT grand finale Freeskier Craig Murray has placed second in the Freeride World Tour grand finale.

28 Reece Crescent Wanaka ph 03 443 8176 | www.guthriebowron.co.nz

page 14

thewanakasun.co.nz

Thur 05.04.18 - wed 11.04.19

DELIVERED AND FREE

EDITION 864

The Harvard Display Team’s formation aerobatics entertained the crowd at Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow. See more on the airshow on pages 8 and 9.

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

Freedom camping enforcement under fire BUTLER D DANIELLE newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

P

eople movers and small vehicles adding to Wanaka’s freedom camping woes will be allowed to stay as self-contained certified vehicles for up to two years.

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Inc. (NZMCA) announced in February that it was implementing a temporary stay on the certification of people movers and similar small car conversions as self-contained while it reviewed several issues relating to New Zealand’s SelfContainment Standard.

No new vehicles will be granted with the certification but vehicles already classed as selfcontained will be allowed to remain certified.

Among the issues up for review was the varying interpretations of toilet requirements by testing officers, meaning that certain vehicle types had continued to be certified when they did not comply with the purpose and intent of the Standard.

Wanaka resident Jim Ledgerwood told the Wanaka Sun that he spotted freedom

campers along the lake in smaller vehicles with self-containment verification stickers most mornings.

“It is disturbing that many of those [vehicles], some as small as traditional station wagons, have folks sleeping in them and the blue stickers suggesting that they are self contained vehicles with facilities onboard. There is obviously no room for a toilet, let alone a shower,” Jim said.

NZMCA’s national policy and planning manager James Imlach said that the blue sticker did not absolutely verify whether or not a vehicle was self-contained under the NZ Standard and was merely a tool to assist enforcement officers.

“Whenever an enforcement officer doubts the veracity of the blue sticker they should check the vehicle’s self-containment warrant displayed on the front windscreen and, if necessary, ask to inspect the selfcontainment certificate that must be kept inside the vehicle at all times,” James said.

James said that the fact that non selfcontained vehicles were displaying the stickers on Wanaka’s lakefront meant that

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) enforcement officers may not be relying on the right documents for verification.

“This suggests there is scope for further education on the Standard. The tools are available to all councils like QLDC, perhaps they just need to be better utilised in some instances,” James said.

QLDC communications and engagement manager Naell Crosby-Roe said that enforcement officers did not rely on the blue self-contained stickers, rather referring to a warrant-like endorsement in the windscreen which meant that the vehicle had been assessed as self-contained by a registered body such as the NZMCA or a plumber.

“Legally, enforcement officers do have the authority to seize vehicles, but council’s preferred approach at this time is to focus on education and, where appropriate, seizing the self-contained warrant. However, the council does believe the requirements for this endorsement are still lower than should be required. A minimum standard should apply to all vehicles to be classed as selfcontained,” Naell said.

James said that the NZMCA had been communicating with QLDC and Mayor Jim Boult about the council’s concerns regarding vehicles travelling with portable toilets.

QLDC’s desire to see a higher Standard which only permits vehicles with permanently fixed toilets in private rooms was problematic, James said.

“There was no appetite from within the rental industry, central and local government to support QLDC’s preferred approach. There are thousands of legitimate camping vehicles with portable toilets. The families that own them would be unfairly disadvantaged by higher regulations designed to target a few hundred cars,” he said.

Naell said that it was possible for the council to review its freedom camping bylaw as suggested by the NZMCA but that the issue with a number of people camping irresponsibly was a national one.

“Therefore the council is actively working at a national level to address these issues rather than creating a system that creates different rules for the Queenstown Lakes District in isolation of a national approach,” Naell said.

Wanaka 12 Farrant Drive

Lake Hawea 39 Nichol Street

Wanaka 1 Turnbull Crescent

For Sale by Deadline Private Treaty (unless sold prior) 4pm, Fri 27 Apr 2018, 62 Ardmore St, Wanaka bayleys.co.nz/224316

For Sale by Deadline Private Treaty (unless sold prior) 4pm, Thu 19 Apr 2018, 62 Ardmore St, Wanaka bayleys.co.nz/224314

Price by Negotiation

Sharon Donnelly P 0508 DONNELLY

No.

E sharon.donnelly@bayleys.co.nz

MAT ANDREWS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/224288

RESIDENTIAL

SALESPERSON

NATIONWIDE 2016 / 2017

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Action wanted on ‘dangerous’ junction

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz PHOTO: Nikki Heath

Community group rallies against Hawea development WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Community group Keep Hawea Beautiful is mobilising the public to oppose plans for a new Special Housing Area in the area.

The group, which exists to give the community a voice on the town’s future, is firmly against the move proposed by Universal Developments (UD), which could see 1000 new sections built near Cemetery Road.

KHB spokesperson Tim Ryan said news of the plan came completely out of the blue when a flyer landed on his doormat.

“The flyers were an invite to open days in March to learn about Special Housing Areas (SHA). Next thing we know, there’s the article on Stuff about SHAs in Wanaka and Hawea and that was the first we heard of it. When it started talking about 1000 sections and a SHA, I thought ‘what’s a SHA?’ “It could be potentially devastating for a small community. One thousand really means, by the time they are finished with it, 2500,” he said.

Fellow KHB spokesperson Carmen Howell agreed, saying the community was alarmed about the effect it could have on Hawea’s environment.

“There isn’t the demand. The developer is forcing growth on a community that doesn’t want it. This development is at odds with the Strategic Plan.

“Hawea for generations has been a place for families to come to for quietness and solitude. It was a place people could fish and hunt. We also have to uphold our landscape, our water, our rivers, the things that draw people here. It’s the very things that property developers want to exploit.

“We see our community is stressing out at the prospect of this. We have had enough.”

The proposal has not yet been approved by

Queenstown Lakes District Council, but KHB has acted quickly to start a petition against it and collected almost 200 signatures in just over a week.

The petition will be passed to Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and the Housing Minister at the end of the month.

KHB also wants a moratorium on the issue until the Hawea 2020, a plan adopted by QLDC and the community in 2003, runs its full course. The group feels the town should be given the opportunity to create another, longer term plan after it expires.

“We could start a 2050 process and do a 30-year plan for Hawea and factor in affordable housing, rather than a property developer coming in from Wellington,” Carmen said.

“It’s not about anti-growth. It’s about being strategic,” Tim said.

In response, UD’s owner Lane Hocking said he had taken on-board community concerns, but felt the development would benefit Hawea.

“With growth there will naturally be some community questions, but it’s important to remember that this project will evolve over a period of time. We’ve taken a lot of feedback from the community on what they’d like to see incorporated into any development that may take place. While there will be a broad offering of house and land packages under $550k, the proposal’s merit won’t be based solely on affordability.

“Hawea is a beautiful location and in addition to affordability, we aim for a well-planned subdivision with community space, playgrounds and potentially a commercial element. The theme to date has been if the development is done well, it will benefit the district.

“We see this as a fantastic opportunity to support local growth in a positive way,” he said.

UD will now look to submit its expression of interest to QLDC within the next one to two months.

Warbirds crash investigation WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Warbirds Over Wanaka organisers have announced a full investigation is underway after a World War II fighter plane crashed during the event’s opening display.

The plane, a Yak 3, collided with a cherry picker on Saturday (March 31) shortly after landing, damaging its right wing. The pilot, Wanaka’s Arthur Dovey, escaped unhurt and there was no one on the cherry picker at the

PAGE 2

time of the incident.

Warbirds Over Wanaka General Manager Ed Taylor said, “Our main concern has been the welfare of the pilot and we have offered him our full support.”

He went on to say there would be no further comment until the investigation was completed.

Civil Aviation Authority officials were in attendance at the time and will continue to be involved. The collision delayed the programme for around an hour while the damaged aircraft was removed.

A local man is calling for action over the ‘dangerous’ intersection of Ballantyne Road and Riverbank Road.

John Wellington, whose wife was involved in a serious accident there in 2014, said increased traffic and the road layout had made it an unsafe place for drivers.

“It’s dangerous because the usage has increased a lot because more and more people use GPS and are coming from Queenstown. They are on what they think is a main road, so they are not expecting to have to stop.

“There are a lot of locals who treat it as a give way. People also underestimate the speed of vehicles on Ballantyne Road,” he said.

John now wants Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to make the road safer, suggesting they either realign Riverbank Road or install flashing stop signs to make

every driver aware of what is ahead.

He has started informing QLDC of near-misses at the junction, many of which he says go unreported, and wants other people to do the same.

“They were talking about realigning the road, but nothing has happened.

We are encouraging people to report every near-miss to council. Council and NZTA are sympathetic, but there isn’t enough evidence.

“It’s an issue for the Mount Barker Residents Association and I will keep on the case as well,” he said.

Tony Pickard, transport strategy manager at QLDC, said the issue was on the council’s agenda.

“QLDC is beginning a project of evidence gathering across the Wanaka transport network, this will start very shortly. This will definitely include a detailed look at this intersection.

“Information gathered as part of this process will be used to identify which parts of the network need minor improvements and which require larger projects of work,” he said.

Closer eye on road markings

PHOTO: Nikki Heath

REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Council contractors will be keeping a closer eye on Wanaka’s parks and reserves to ensure road markings are clearly visible after the Wanaka Sun approached it with a local resident’s concerns about the faded road markings in the Dungarvon Street car park.

Line markings in Wanaka are the responsibility of QLDC, as are those in QLDC-owned carparks and reserves such as Pembroke Park.

A council spokesperson told the Wanaka Sun that the markings on the roads were looked after on a schedule (yearly for residential roads and twice

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

yearly for the CBD), while those in parks and reserves were done on a request basis.

“It seems that the lines in Pembroke Park that you’ve pointed out have been overlooked, and will be redone shortly. Our roading team will be asking our contractors to keep a closer eye on all parks and reserves to ensure their marking is up to date and clearly visible in future.

“If anyone has concerns about road markings please contact QLDC and let us know so we can schedule remarking into our programme of works.”

QLDC can be contacted by phoning 03 443 0024, emailing services@qldc. govt.nz, or online at qldc.govt.nz/ council-online/online-forms/fix-it/.

THE WANAKA SUN

thewanakasun.co.nz

Sun News

Q and A with Mary Robinson WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, is set to arrive in Wanaka tomorrow (April 6) to give two talks at this year’s Aspiring Conversations. She will launch the event with the Prime Minister and this week took time out of her busy schedule to chat to the Wanaka Sun about justice, gender and Jacinda Ardern.

Q: What will you discuss in your solo talk, Striving for Justice?

I have always had a strong sense of justice and equality, prompted by growing up between four brothers! I worked as a lawyer, senator, President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to advance justice.

I now focus on climate justice – beginning with the injustice of the impacts of climate change on poor countries and communities who are not responsible for the problem.

Q: What are the key threats to social justice at the moment?

One of the serious threats to social justice is the shrinking of civil society space in countries with increasingly autocratic leaders. Human rights need to be asserted and defended, but human rights

defenders are increasingly at risk of their lives.

Q: Do you see it as your responsibility, as a former world leader, to speak up on behalf of the groups you will be discussing?

I speak up as head of my Foundation [The Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice] and also as an Elder for those on the margins, whose poverty is deepened by the shocks of climate change.

Q: In Working for Change, what made you want to appear with the Prime Minister?

I look forward to appearing with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as I am impressed with her approach and achievements so far.

Q: What are the key issues you will address?

Climate justice and women’s leadership.

Q: With the presence of movements like #metoo and frequent stories of prominent sexual misconduct and the gender pay divide, do you think things are worse for gender equality now than they used to be? And either way, will they improve?

Gender equality continues to be a struggle, but the #metoo movement has helped.

Q: What made you want to come to Wanaka?

I am happy to return to Wanaka and catch up with my Irish family in New Zealand.

PHOTO: Supplied

High country access report consultation

PHOTO: Wanaka Wastebusters

Glass recycling grants PHOTO: Supplied

REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz The Glass Packaging Forum has given Wanaka Wastebusters two grants to help make its glass recycling transport systems as efficient as possible.

The grants, of almost $10,000 for a new concrete pad at the Alexandra site and just over $15,000 for 24 skip bins for the Wanaka site, will enable Wastebusters to upgrade their glass handling and storage systems.

Wastebusters collects glass from Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell and Alexandra and their surrounding districts and sends it to 5R in Christchurch to be put into shipping containers and sent onto glass bottle and jar manufacturer O-I in Auckland.

Wastebusters general manager Sue Coutts said the skip bins are necessary to replace the old system of moving the glass in one-tonne polypropylene bags.

The concrete pad will be the base for a set of

THE WANAKA SUN

bunkers that are large enough to hold 36 tonnes of each colour glass - green, brown and clear - which need to be stored prior to shipping.

“The bunkers will also receive glass collected

by All Waste at the Cromwell transfer station so it can be recycled back into bottles. To be put in the bunkers, the glass needs to be uncontaminated by other materials and colour separated.”

Sue said all the glass Wastebusters collects from businesses and drop off points in CODC and QLDC is colour sorted and sent to Auckland to be made into new glass bottles.

“We have been doing this since February 2012 because it is the best option environmentally and supports the district’s clean green brand through a closed-loop recycling system. The whole point of recycling is for it to be used again in new products. We design our recycling systems to collect and sort materials as a resource, instead of treating it as waste.”

Pictured: Wastebusters staff Ben and Gabe coloursort glass by hand in Wanaka.

REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz The New Zealand Walking Access Commission is seeking feedback on a draft report for public access to the outdoors in and around the South Island High Country.

Concerns about the potential for withdrawal of access to private land by landholders, due to problems and pressures created by increasing tourist numbers and population growth in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts, led to the Commission’s investigation into what was happening for the people who live, work and play in these regions.

Between May and August 2017, NZWAC staff interviewed 55 people, including landholders and farmers, central and local government staff,

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

recreationalists, community groups building, maintaining and using tracks and trails, tourism operators and agencies.

The report found the need for a single point of trusted information on where people can go in the outdoors and what they can do there. It also found that the lack of appropriate infrastructure was noted repeatedly, in particular a lack of toilet facilities and the impact it had on the environment.

Access for cycling, mountain biking, day walking, tramping, hunting, fishing and horse riding are all discussed in the 20 page report.

The commission has created a short online survey to enable people to give feedback. It is available for completion on its website.

Consultation finishes at 5pm on Tuesday April 10.

PAGE 3

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Hawea’s freedom camping wardens WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Freedom camping is a major issue in the Queenstown Lakes District, but so far much of the conversation, and the action, has focused on Wanaka, particularly on the lakefront.

But across town, a small group of people who call themselves the Lake Hawea Wardens continue to battle the problem in their own way. The Wanaka Sun went over to find out why.

About 11 years ago, freedom camping became a real problem for the people of Lake Hawea. What began as a few campers in vans quickly became unmanageable.

Many of them were not seen as respecting the environment, and in any case, all of them were camping illegally. Local tensions began to mount.

In 2010, the Hawea Community Association purchased boulders and blocked off vehicular access to three lakeside areas. It made a difference, but lakeside camping still continued. Eventually, a group of six local residents decided enough was enough and took matters into their own hands. The Lake Hawea Wardens was born.

“The reason we started here was because freedom campers were doing their washing in the lake, taking over the area and pooing and weeing” says Di Turnbull, a warden and spokesperson for the group.

“You can put up all the signs in the world, but unless there’s enforcement, they will camp under the signs. There are some locals

PAGE 4

in Hawea who are not against freedom campers. They feel they are young and have no money, and bring business into the town.

They don’t, they live on instant noodles.”

John Taylor, another of the wardens who drives us around for the morning, agrees.

“The lake was turning into a bath.

If you can freedom camp here, you are not going to Albert Town [campground] because you have to pay money. Why pay for a campground when you can sh** on the foreshore. It’s that that really grates,” he says.

In 2011, the group, who are all volunteers, had a big breakthrough; they became ‘warranted’.

This meant QLDC had given them the authority to write infringement tickets for freedom camping, complete with a $200 fine.

The wardens take this very seriously, but that isn’t to say that tickets are just given out without warning.

There is an abundance of signage around the area, and the group heads out each evening to remind campers that they cannot spend

the night. They don’t return to write tickets until daybreak.

“They come in the dark and leave in the dark because they know. We have to be pretty early to catch them. We missed one at 6am this morning,” says Di. Our first stop is at Esplanade Beach, known locally as Kitesurfers. We’re less than 100 metres from a toilet block, but I’m told this doesn’t mean campers actually use them, instead opting to leave human waste behind bushes or on the beach.

I’m also told the area used to be rife with freedom campers, but the situation has improved here and across the township.

Di and John put that down to their daily patrols. They wrote five or six tickets a night in the early days, PHOTO: Rob White but it’s now dropped to an average of one a night.

Despite this success however, problems remain further up the lake. QLDC’s bylaw on freedom camping, and with it the wardens’ ability to write tickets, ends just outside Hawea, where Land Information

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

New Zealand (LINZ) takes over. Di tells me that until the Freedom Camping Act is changed, LINZ’s options for enforcement are extremely limited.

We pull into Deep Bay and Di tells me it would be full of freedom campers if we were there at 6am. Despite a nearby toilet, both Di and John indignantly point out areas where they have seen countless incidences of human faeces.

Despite their obvious passion and anger, my companions are both adamant that they still want people to come and enjoy the region’s beauty. So are they happy for people to camp outside Hawea, if they use the toilets provided?

“If they are responsible and taking care.

The whole reason for us being angry is that they don’t,” says Di. The group does have solutions. Along with a review of the Freedom Camping Act, Di wants to see dedicated areas for freedom camping, with a gold coin donation that goes towards building and maintaining facilities.

They have also asked for bigger signs, with the fine for freedom camping clearly stated.

Di hopes the problem will end, but she’s not convinced.

“It’s not our choice to spend our time. We have lives. I suppose that having areas people can go to will make it easier. We don’t enjoy giving tickets. You see someone camp and wish they weren’t there.”

Moves are afoot nationally as well as locally in the Queenstown Lakes District to combat freedom camping. For the time being however, the Lake Hawea Wardens’ work looks set to continue.

THE WANAKA SUN

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Have your say on waste management REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is seeking public feedback on the Waste Minimisation and Management Plan (WMMP), which aims to minimise waste generated in the district with a long term goal of zero waste.

Last year QLDC carried out a Waste Assessment which informed seven different programme options to work towards significantly reducing waste. From PHOTO: Supplied those, councillors’ preference is to increase the focus on recycling glass and organics including food waste and garden material.

“Our communities care deeply about their environment and see how we deal with waste as a key function in respecting it. Our aim of zero waste is ambitious and will require a much longer term commitment, but it’s an important goal and what we need to work towards,” Queenstown Lakes councillor and Infrastructure Committee chair Alexa Forbes said.

We all have a relationship with these Currently, glass collected in the Wakatipu ward industries, whether we like it or not,” is sent to landfill because it is mixed in with other he said. recyclable material which makes it very difficult to Also on the programme is one of recycle. The WMMP intends to change how glass is the festival’s more unusual events, FREEZE!, which is an improvised rock-balancing display by Nick Steur.

His producer Richard Jordan said it would provide the audience with a memorable show.

“I guarantee it’s one you will never STAFF REPORTER forget. You become solely focused on editor@thewanakasun.co.nz the rocks, projecting your energy onto them being balanced and for a little NZ Post has announced another price increase. while forgetting the rest of the world From July 1, 2018, it will cost more for all around you, as you focus solely upon standard post letter sizes and bulk mail, and one thing. It’s pure escapism for a there will be increases for domestic parcels, busy world. courier and international inbound and “Like the rest of New Zealand, I think outbound letters and parcels.

Wanaka has a wonderful connection In July 2017, the cost of sending letters by to its land. It’s hard to think of a more FastPost within New Zealand increased, as well beautiful place to come and see as some courier, international and business FREEZE!, which is why we are excited products, international air parcels and bulk mail. to perform it here,” he said.

One woman the Wanaka Sun talked to outside Aspiring Conversations runs from the Post Shop this week said the increase would April 6-8 at the Lake Wanaka Centre. put her off sending letters in future.

Pictured: Sefton Darby.

“I love sending letters and postcards. I love the feeling of getting post too, but there comes a time, and a price, when it’s not worth it,” Angie Watts said.

Crowds ready for Conversations WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

More than 3000 people have bought tickets for this year’s Aspiring Conversations, which begins tomorrow (April 6).

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and former Irish president Mary Robinson will get the festival underway at 6pm, followed by ten more events featuring a range of speakers and performers over the weekend.

One of the speakers is Sefton Darby, whose father and brother live in Wanaka. He plans to talk about the key issues surrounding raw materials, which he said haven’t yet been properly debated.

“We will be having a conversation about something which gets people hot under the collar, which is whether New Zealand should doing more or less oil and mineral development.

“It’s not on Wanaka’s doorstep, but it’s pretty close. On a personal level, we are all users of these products.

Price increase as letters decline S

CODC’s recycling survey REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Central Otago District Council will undertake its first Glass and Mixed Recycling Bin Survey Programme to collect data on the amount of contamination in blue and yellow recycling bins.

“A key aim of the survey is to record the amount of contamination occurring in the yellow and blue bins,” environmental engineering manager Peter Greenwood said.

“Glass from the kerbside collections goes to Parkburn Quarry in Cromwell to be crushed for roading material. At present, the glass has been too contaminated with cardboard and plastic to be accepted. Once the glass is rejected, it ends up going to the landfill.

“In order to tackle this problem and bring the rejection levels down, inspection of bins will help us record contamination and remind people of the importance of recycling correctly.”

CODC staff will carry out a visual inspection of residents’ blue and

THE WANAKA SUN

collected to enable it to be reused or recycled.

The draft plan also focuses on food waste and garden organics which cause problems in the landfill and are relatively simple to deal with when separated from inorganic materials.

“If the community supports the draft plan, we are keen to achieve this as quickly as possible.

Our first phase is to focus our efforts on reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill. This will be done through recycling, reduction and reuse, alongside increased education. There is a huge amount of work going on in the background in this space and we hope the community will have its say and support our commitment,” Councillor Forbes said.

“Council genuinely wants to hear the community’s voice, and I sincerely hope anyone with a view takes their time to leave feedback online.”

An online survey, copies of the draft plan and statement of proposal, as well as other relevant documents, are available online at /www.qldc.govt. nz/your-council/your-views/wmmp/.

Submissions close at 5pm on Monday April 30.

yellow recycling bins in Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell. The survey will consist of two four-week surveys in April and June and two further surveys over August/September and November/December.

Feedback will be in the form of a colour-coded information tag left on the handle of a bin.

Council’s Waste and Property Infrastructure chair Nigel McKinlay said ratepayers were to be congratulated for the way they had bought into recycling since the bins system started, which had meant a big reduction in waste going to landfill.

“The survey aims to make recycling more effective by ensuring that the right stuff goes into the right bin. If recycled material is contaminated by being put in the wrong bin then it can’t be reused and ends up as landfill,” he said.

“When you see the survey team in your town please do not hesitate to ask them questions or make your views on the recycling service known to them.

This will help council continue to improve its service to you.”

Platter + 2 wines or beers for $45 From 5pm daily Open 8am till late

“I used to send presents back home to England, but sometimes the postage cost more than the gift so now I buy online.

“It’s sad really. [NZ Post] keep putting up the price because less people send letters and people send less letters because the price is too high.”

NZ Post chief marketing officer Bryan Dobson said, “Careful consideration has been taken in making these pricing decisions, however given the letter decline challenges NZ Post faces they are necessary.

“Our postal pricing will now better reflect the cost to process and deliver items, and will help ensure our letters business is in good shape for the future.”

A full list of postal rates is available on nzpost. co.nz/july2018.

The right choice for • your personal health care • your family’s care • specialist sports medicine • womens’ health • vasectomy and minor procedures • travel medicine & immunisations • immigration medicals On the right …… in the Wanaka Lakes Health Centre

Call: 443 0725 www.aspiringmedical.co.nz 23 Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka

WWW.THEWANAKASUN.CO.NZ

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

PAGE 5

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

CAMERA CLUB ‘In Focus April 2018 ’

Emotional punch with black and white MOORE B BOB Wanaka Camera Club The world is full of colour, so why shoot black and white photos and limit ourselves to shades of grey and white?

On first reflection this seems a fair question, but in reality a black and white photo can often look more stunning and captivating than a colour equivalent. A monochrome photo’s greatest strength is its ability to say more, show more and provoke more. Black and white images are made from tone, shape, textures, patterns and lines and their relationship with each other. They offer a new perspective to the picture as the absence of colour brings out the hidden details of these elements in many subjects. It can make the most mundane scene more interesting as it has the power to captivate and dramatise.

So, if we want to give our picture emotional punch that is timeless, romantic, mysterious and has genuine impact, turn to black and white.

Many cameras have a black and white mode, but it is generally better to shoot in colour and convert to monochrome afterwards using an editing programme. This allows us greater control over our image and we also have the colour version to go back to if we decide we like it better.

When we photograph in black and white,

the human mind does not have colour information to work with and so pays more attention to other elements, making them appear more prominent. Lighting is the absolute key because it has a major effect on all elements – tone, form, shape, contrast between light and dark, lines, pattern and texture. When we think about lighting, we should consider how it will effect these features and choose a setup that enhances as many of them as possible. Arrange these elements in a way that emphasizes their most interesting aspects and creates an intriguing composition of their different components. Without differences in colour to separate different components in a scene, we must instead introduce contrasting shades. We can use contrast to make our main subject stand out, for example by photographing a light subject against a dark background, or to add depth by including a variety of tones and shades.

In colour photos, flat light or light with no great range of exposure will often produce dull, uninteresting pictures, but can make stunning and dramatic black and white images. Typically, this requires us to find elements with one or more deep blacks that catch the eye. Clean blacks and clean whites in a monochrome image can bring real impact to an image. These elements do not need to be large, but they do need to be present.

There is no denying that colour is a wonderful thing and in many situations brings an image to life. Indeed, the successful black and white photographer understands that there are categories of photos that rely on colour for impact. Recognising this they will search out subjects, whether landscape, portraiture, street photography or architecture, where colour just seems to get in the way.

By focusing on tones, many black and white subjects just seem to leap out at our viewer creating real interest and drama. If we can look at our composition as visual elements rather than literal subjects, we will be well on the way to achieving great black and white images.

This is what Allen Hogan achieved with his photo ‘Tim’. Allen took it at last year’s Wanaka Autumn Art school. The shot was taken using natural daylight under the trees near Mount Aspiring College. He used a Canon 7D camera attached to a 85mm prime lens set at a maximum aperture of f1.8 to give a shallow depth of field and an ISO of 100 to maximize quality. Allen’s image is pin sharp and has the great detail associated with black and white images. The position of the subject in the frame and his expression works really well and was awarded an honours by the club’s adjudicator.

Wanaka Camera Club is dedicated to helping improve the skills of anyone interested in

PHOTO: Allen Hogan

photography. We welcome anyone to join us irrespective of photographic ability. If you know nothing about photography, we will teach you.

Come along and see what we can do for you.

Our next meeting will be on Monday April 9, 7.30pm, at St John Room, Link Way.

Design Partners with

B

E

A

U

T

I

F

U

L

L

I

V

I

N

G

START YOUR DREAM HOME ON THE RIGHT TRACK

www.homesbymaxim.co.nz | Contact Peter Barrow 027 433 2460 10 YEAR BUILD GUARANTEE | ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM | BUILDING HOMES SINCE 1990 FIXED PRICE GUARANTEE | 2017 PLAN RANGE | BRANCHES IN CHRISTCHURCH & WANAKA PAGE 6

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

THE WANAKA SUN

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Plan drop-in sessions for Clyde REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Central Otago District Council (CODC) held the first of two 10-Year Plan drop-in sessions for Clyde on Easter Monday.

Mayor Tim Cadogan said the long weekend was chosen for the first session in a bid “to capture cribbies as well as locals in the conversation.”

Within its 10-Year Plan Consultation Document, CODC has included a proposal to introduce a reticulated wastewater scheme for the town. The proposed Clyde Wastewater Scheme would place a pipe to bring sewage from the town to the Alexandra treatment plant. Reticulated sewerage would then be put in place in Clyde through a staged process over the next 25 years.

Council’s preferred option is for

Clyde residents to pay a joining fee of $10,000 (for stage one), with all people connected to a wastewater scheme in Central Otago (as well as those in Clyde not yet connected) also contributing through an increase to the district wastewater charge.

CODC is proposing, in the second year of the 10-Year Plan, to upgrade the centre of Clyde to create a flexible shared public space in Lodge Lane, with pedestrian and cyclist access prioritised.

There will also be displays and information related to other projects within the 10-Year Plan and the 30year Infrastructure Strategy at the meeting. Elected members and key senior staff from council will be on hand to answer questions.

The next drop-in session will be held on Tuesday, April 10, between 5pm and 7pm.

PHOTO: Supplied

Busy summer for Coastguard REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Easter weekend marked the official end of the summer boating season with Coastguard volunteers having had one of their busiest summer periods in recent years. Nationwide, 121 people were rescued since October 2017, 30 more than the same time last summer.

From October 2017 to February 2018, Coastguard Wanaka Lakes attended 21 calls for assistance.

This was one more than was recorded for the previous 12 months. Almost half of those callouts were during February.

Coastguard CEO Patrick Holmes said the hot summer resulted in more people being out on

the water.

“Thankfully the majority of incidents, especially around the peak Christmas holiday period, were for mechanical issues. Generally people seemed to be following the boating safety code and making safe decisions out there.”

“Our volunteers are trained to the highest standards and are subsequently ready to leap into action 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“At the end of the day though, they are volunteers with jobs and families - their huge contribution to ensuring the safety of our boating communities this summer should not go unnoticed.”

Pictured: Local Coastguard volunteers carry out training exercises throughout the year in all kinds of weather.

Fuel prices set for increase St John streamlines 111 service WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

Fuel prices could be set to increase by up to 12 cents a litre after a new government proposal to hike fuel excise duty.

The plan, announced on Tuesday, April 3, would see the price of petrol increase by between nine and 12 cents a litre over three years, with equivalent increases in road user charges paid by diesel and heavy vehicles.

Transport minister Phil Tyword defended the move.

“The estimated average cost of three cents a litre extra for a driver of an average car filling up a 50 litre tank once a fortnight is around 75 cents a week, or $39 a year.

“The funding increase will go toward a 42 percent increase in spending on local road improvements, a 96 percent increase in spending on regional roads and a 22 percent increase in local road maintenance, along with an 81 percent increase in road safety and

demand management,” he said.

However, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said the increase would hit the region’s drivers hard and pledged to fight back.

“Central Otago motorists will pay an extra $10 to $15 every time they fill up.

That’s hard on the pocket and hard on families living in rural areas who have to travel long distances for education and health needs.

“It also won’t be long before the extra fuel costs are added on to the price of groceries and other items, which need to be transported to rural areas, making communities across this region pay twice. In addition, Central Otago people could be paying an additional 10 cents a litre under the regional fuel tax legislation the Government introduced last week.

“The National Party will strongly oppose these planned changes and I will fight for our community against this attempt by the Government to take even more money out of the back pockets of Central Otago families,” she said.

Parking change in Queenstown REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Local residents commuting to Queenstown could notice a few parking changes this week as the final tranche of changes initiated to support the new bus route came into affect on Saturday March 31.

The changes, designed to get people on board the highly subsidised bus service, include hourly rates in council-owned car parks to replace daily and weekly rates, longer term leases at the Ballarat Street and Recreation Ground car parks being removed to free up parking spaces and a four-hour maximum stay at the Queenstown Gardens and One Mile car parks, where parking on

THE WANAKA SUN

BUTLER D DANIELLE newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Wanaka’s St John service has been streamlined with the introduction of an improved ambulance call system at the end of last year.

The 111 Clinical Hub was rolled out across the country in a bid to manage calls more efficiently, freeing up ambulances for those in urgent need.

Under the new system if an urgent ambulance response is not required, registered nurses and paramedics will determine the best treatment for the patient by using a phone triage system.

St John’s South Island communications advisor

Gerard Campbell said that Wanaka-specific data from the hub’s first few months was still being gathered.

Central Otago territory manager David Baillie said that since the hub was introduced in Wanaka on December 4 last year it had enabled St John to improve patient pathways and utilise its emergency resources in Central Otago appropriately.

National patient pathways manager for St John, Kris Gagliardi, said that of the 500,000 111 calls received each year, more than 25 percent of these were for issues like strains and sprains, cramps or ear ache, diverting ambulance resources away from someone in more urgent need.

NO SIGN UPS NO DOWNLOADS

JUST NEWS thewanakasun.co.nz

Commercial Sales Vice Food, 35 Plantation Road •

roadside verges has been banned.

“We’ve made it clear from the outset that in order to have a subsidised and affordable bus service in Queenstown, we needed to make some changes to parking in the CBD,” Mayor Jim Boult said.

“These changes work in two ways. They help subsidise the bus service, enabling a $2 flat fee anywhere in the Wakatipu Basin, and act as an incentive for people to avoid bringing their car into the CBD, thus freeing up parks and reducing congestion.”

A full schedule of the changes is available at www.qldc.govt.nz/cbdparking-changes.

Coffee caravan $129,000 Plus GST (if any)

Sassy Pants, Spencer House Mall •

Popular little lingerie and sleep-wear

By Negotiation

Call our commercial team today

Duncan Good

Anna Findlay

Harry Briggs

Ray White Wanaka 03 443 8912 1 Helwick Street, Wanaka wanaka.nz@raywhite.com www.rwwanaka.com

50 Anderson Road, Wanaka P: 03 443 2102 or 0800 367 372 W: www.activefurnishers.co.nz E: wanaka@activefurnishers.co.nz

Wanaka Real Estate Ltd (Licensed REAA (2008)

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

PAGE 7

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

Crowd WOW-ed at record-breaking airshow WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz A record crowd flocked to Warbirds Over Wanaka (WOW) last weekend for the event’s 30th anniversary airshow.

Modern and vintage aeroplanes from all over the world combined for an actionpacked, two-day show in front a huge audience, which came from far and wide to watch more than 30 different displays.

WOW general manager Ed Taylor said he was delighted with the show’s attendance, a record since the trust took over in 2006, and he put it down to some special guests and the milestone year.

“We were absolutely thrilled. We had around a 20 percent increase in the number of people here. A lot of that would have been the F-16s because we had noticed a notable increase in advance sales when we announced. I think the 30th anniversary theme [also] really resonated with a lot of people.

“It was a really great airshow and there was a great buzz about it. We are very fortunate that the very best display pilots want to perform at our event,” he said.

WOW officially began with a practice day on Friday (March 30), before thousands of people flocked to Wanaka lakefront for a free early evening display. After a range of flyovers and a Catalina Flying Boat landing on the lake, spectators were entertained by a live ‘moose’ capture to pay tribute to Sir Tim Wallis, a pioneer of deer capture in the region.

The main event got underway at 10am on Saturday as the crowds gathered at

PAGE 8

Wanaka Airport, although there was an early setback when a Yak 3 collided with a cherry picker. No one was hurt and the pilot was able to walk away.

After an hour-long delay, the show went on and Wanaka’s skies were filled with planes from across history. The Royal New Zealand Air Force featured prominently, including appearances from the Black Falcons, the Parachute Team and a joint-C130 Hercules and B757 display. They were joined by Air Force counterparts from as far away as France and the USA. There were also performances from a range of World War I and II fighter planes alongside mass flypasts, a glider display and a Spitfire Solo. A caravan was winched high above the airfield and dropped to the ground, delighting the crowd.

The show ended on Sunday (April 1) just after 4pm with a massed fighter formation flypast following a ‘battle’ in which the airfield came under attack from enemy planes. The bandits were eventually ‘sent to the ground in a trail of smoke’ by New Zealand’s defenders before a pyrotechnics display brought down the final curtain.

The airshow’s record crowds will mean positive news for local good causes after Ed confirmed any surplus money raised will go to charity. Groups like Wanaka Rotary and Cromwell Rotary also received a donation for providing a helping hand over the weekend, which will benefit their communities.

The next Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow is already being planned for Easter 2020, with the dates confirmed as April 10-12.

1

5

4

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

2 1. Invercargill’s Gillian Brewer with Sean and Karen Workington of Dunedin, all of whom were performing as part of the Warhorses 2. Cathy Andrews of Wanaka with her grandchildren Andrew and Tessa Bland, from New Plymouth 3. Ray and Jan Cooper, who were down from Napier 4. Josh Baurtista and Markus Chong, who made the trip from Melbourne 5. Lucy Miles and her nephew, Warbirds fan Teddy Hikaka, from Auckland Photos: Rob White

3

THE WANAKA SUN

thewanakasun.co.nz

Sun News

PHOTO: Nikki Heath

PHOTO: Rob White

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

Behind the scenes at Warbirds Over Wanaka WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz With Warbirds Over Wanaka in full swing and expert pilots carving up the clouds, a young man wanders unrecognised through the crowd below.

Earlier in the day, he was one of those experts, wowing thousands of people with high-octane stunts in an aeroplane flying just 500 feet from the ground.

Now, he’s on his way to meet the Wanaka Sun to tell us about a passion for flying and his journey from farmer’s son to fighter planes.

Despite being the youngest aerobatics pilot at Warbirds over Wanaka, and a talented one at that, 24-year-old Bevan Dewes comes across as very modest. He doesn’t seem to think flying through the air at top speed in his De Havilland Chipmunk, which he bought himself before his 20th birthday, is all that difficult or impressive.

Perhaps that’s because rather than having the stereotypically privileged background many pilots are thought to enjoy, he has done it all himself.

Bevan hails from Masterton, a large town on the North Island. It is home to the Vintage Aviator Museum and although flying is far from unusual there, he had a less-than-orthodox path to the cockpit.

“I have always wanted to fly. I’m not from an aviation family. I grew up on a farm watching cropdusting planes.

“I have been a volunteer [with the museum] since I was 13, sweeping the floors and cleaning the aeroplanes.”

This early interest only grew stronger, taking him from young volunteer to the teenage owner of a $100,000 Chipmunk and a pilot’s license to boot.

“I part-owned it, then I bought the other guy out at 19. I collected old New Zealand banknotes and sold off a lot of the collection,” he casually explains.

To most people, this is an achievement in itself, although an interest in flying still seems a far-cry from the daring and low altitude loops, barrel rolls and crowd passes he performed earlier in the day.

THE WANAKA SUN

Not to Bevan.

“I always wanted to display old aeroplanes and this is part of the history.

“Doing low-level aerobatics is ‘interesting’.

Normally you’re at 3000 feet, I was at 500 feet. You do get a little bit nervous beforehand, but when you are already flying the aeroplane you don’t worry about the crowd. It’s about getting everything right.

There isn’t much margin for error.”

Given his calm demeanour and obvious love for the activity, you’d be forgiven for thinking he leads a lucrative lifestyle of jet-setting and performing.

Bevan says that isn’t the case.

He owns a beekeeping business to support himself and aside from occasional small contributions by airshows or sponsors, the money needed for fuel, maintenance and repairs all comes out of his own pocket.

“It has been out of the air for a year having engine work done. That was thousands of dollars. It’s an expensive hobby.”

Has that tempted him into more lucrative work, given he has a commercial pilot’s license?

“I don’t want to be a commercial pilot, I would rather fly for fun.”

It’s an answer that is hardly surprising when speaking to Bevan, as his passion for Warbirds in general, and particularly for Wanaka, comes across frequently.

“I love it. It’s fantastic areas and scenery, and history with the airshow. Every evening I have been flying friends and family around the lake.”

Before we part ways, I ask Bevan what is next for someone who has already achieved so much in his field. The answer is, of course, pursuing his passion even further.

“Hopefully at some point I will get into flying World War II fighters. There are a lot of features and more systems, but it’s the same principle. An aeroplane is an aeroplane.”

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

Pictured (top to bottom): The Catalina, along with other aircraft, over Lake Wanaka on Good Friday, Beechcraft T-6 Texans flown by RNZAF’s aerobatic team, The Black Falcons, and the US Pacific Air Forces’ C-17 Globemaster.

WANAKA POOL EARLY BIRD MEMBERSHIPS Memberships and concession cards for the new Wanaka Pool are now on sale. Dive in before opening day to score some special earlybird promotions* for both existing and new members including:

 FREE extra weeks loaded onto your membership term  Giveaways & discount vouchers  A chance to WIN one of five $200 Speedo prize packs  FREE Speedo kit bag for the first 100 people to sign up PLUS all existing members who extend their current membership before 31 May go into the draw to win a super-exclusive ‘first splash in the new pool’ on opening day!

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

* terms & conditions apply

For full details, prices & how to buy click the Wanaka Pool button on our website:

sportrec.qldc.govt.nz

PAGE 9

Sun News

thewanakasun.co.nz

DOG COLUMN Barking mad

L LEONE WARD

Canine behaviourist

Dogs have been protecting territory since their domestication began and were our first effective alarm system.

The modern dog tends to lead a relatively unstimulating life in the domestic home with nothing more to do than eat, sleep on the couch, and go for the occasional walk. Dogs specifically bred to work can find domestic life boring; in most cases, barking relieves that boredom.

Barking is one of a dog’s ways of communicating their emotions both to humans and to other dogs. While it might be irritating at times, if you pay attention to why your dog is barking, you’ll gain valuable information about their internal state, and it will be easier to reduce the behaviour. Even though dogs bark in excitement when anxious, to get attention, or to sound the alarm, the best prescription for any barking issue — whatever the cause — is increased exercise and mental stimulation that will help refocus your dog’s mind and tire them out.

The “bark” and “quiet” cue This might sound counterproductive, but it’s actually a fantastic way to reduce barking and get your dog to stop barking on your cue.

Here’s how: • Start by encouraging your dog to bark by using their normal triggers to get them started, such as ringing the doorbell. While your dog is actively barking, use a vocal cue, such as “speak,” along with a hand signal to encourage the behaviour.

• Produce a food or toy reward, and use a vocal

cue such as “quiet” paired with a different hand signal. When your dog is quiet for a few seconds, give them the reward.

• Repeat this process several times, rewarding both the barking with praise and the quiet with a valued reward.

• When your dog is proficient at following your cues, encourage them to bark again, and then say the word “quiet” with a hand signal. After 30 seconds of quiet, reward them with the treat or toy.

• Delay the reward until the dog stays quiet for longer periods of time. This will ensure that you don’t build up a behaviour chain — for example, they learns that barking and then stopping will receive an immediate reward, so they continue to bark again and again to get more.

• When they are proficient at following your cues, phase out the rewards altogether, just giving them praise when they comply.

Even though barking can be inappropriate in certain situations, there are times when this vocalisation can be advantageous to humans.

Many lives have been saved by dogs who have alerted their people to emergency situations, such as a fire or a person who has become unconscious. I have personally had a client whose dog barking saved her life when she had a seizure and fell off the railway platform onto the tracks while waiting for the train to come. The dog barked and alerted personnel.

For information or behaviour consults contact leone@dogszone.co.nz.

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

Ask ORC – water quality in Hawea River WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz After a recent concern from a member of the community about algae and E.coli levels in the Hawea River, the Wanaka Sun asked Otago Regional Council (ORC) about the issue. Rachel Ozanne, an environmental resource scientist with ORC, got back to us.

“It’d be interesting to see how the river is after the recent flushing flows. This summer has been great - for us - and also great for algae growth. The quality of the river is really good, with low nutrient and bacteria concentrations.

“ORC has Schedule 15 limits (Regional Plan Water) for bacteria, nutrients and turbidity – the Hawea River at Camphill Bridge (pictured) easily meets these limits.

“The Hawea River when compared

to the grades set out in the National Objectives Framework comes in the ‘A’ (top) band for water quality. In particular, when looking at bacteria levels, to obtain the ‘A’ band, the river must pass all four statistical tests.

“In addition, ORC monitors bacteria in Lake Hawea (at the Holiday park) over the summer period on a weekly basis. The water has very low concentrations of E.coli.

“We can safely say the water quality is great, but it seems that algae was rife this summer. This is likely to do with the extremely low stable flows, high temperature and therefore excellent growing conditions.

“I haven’t yet received the annual algae monitoring report from our consultant. It will be interesting to see if the report confirms that long green filamentous algae was more prolific than other years.”

Event funding deadline WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Organisers of events in the Queenstown Lakes District have until the end of the month to apply for sponsorship, the council has announced.

Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) annual events fund, which looks to support new events and help others bring more economic benefit to the district, will close for the year on April 30.

It is open to applications from events of any size, with either a commercial or community focus, and there is no limit on the amount that can be applied for, although QLDC will only fund up 25 percent of the total cost.

QLDC’s Arts and Events Facilitator Jan Maxwell said that funding more events would be good for the region.

“We’re very excited to be working with so many different event organisers across the district. By supporting and growing our events offering we’ll see many economic, social and cultural benefits. These

PAGE 10

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

grants are a solid reinvestment into this community and we’re looking forward to this year’s applications,” she said.

Decisions on funding will be made by a panel of four people, including Mayor Jim Boult, two councillors and either QLDC’s CEO or general manager, corporate services.

Jan said that applicants should contact QLDC before proceeding.

“We want to make sure organisers are putting their best foot forward and have all of their information ready before submitting an application.

That way, the evaluation panel has everything it needs to make their recommendations,” she said.

Applications for amounts below $5000 can be considered at any time during the year, but support is provided through QLDC-managed venues, facilities and support towards permits and consents, rather than in cash.

THE WANAKA SUN

Sun Views

thewanakasun.co.nz

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Don’t be a lemming

Dear editor, While out walking my dog on Friday I came across several dozen - as in four or five dozen - cars parked on Lismore Park while their drivers watched the lakefront air

display.

To the drivers I say: Don’t be a lemming. Just because somebody parks on one of our reserves because they are too lazy to walk a few hundred steps doesn’t mean you should too.

Lismore park may not be the best tended or the most lovely of our parks but it does deserve some love. So stay off the grass. And off the frisbee golf course.

Stay off the grass on the lakefront too, even if it doesn’t look like grass because so many people have not adhered to the pleas from the small council signs.

It’s bothersome, and fully annoying, to find such laziness.

Park in a designated car park. (A spot designed to park your car.)

Wanaka is such a small place we should all be better off out of our cars anyway - walking or cycling.

So don’t be a lemming. Think for yourself and think about some thing other than yourself.

Yours etc, H Wall

Sponsored by

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Roundabout rush hour

Dear editor, This is happening every morning in small town like Wanaka. The Anderson road traffic stalls the inbound town traffic. Bit of foresight a double lane roundabout might have solved the problem.

Steve

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

QLDC responds:

A QLDC spokesperson told the Wanaka Sun there were no immediate plans for this area. However, it will be considered as part of the wider Wanaka Town Centre Masterplan project which will kick off later this year (if it is approved through the Ten Year Plan process).

Have your say on the 10 Year Plan online at https://www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/formalprocesses/ten-year-plan/

There was lots of love for Fi Fairbairn when we announced she had made it to the 35.5km mark on her length of the lake fundraising swim before she had to abandon her attempt just 8.7km from her goal. Read the story on page 15 of this week’s Wanaka Sun.

Julia: Hope she is ok. Amazing, amazing achievement.

SueandBill: You are an amazing inspiration well done.

Sylvia: What an amazing effort! Well done.

Jazz: Still a legend!!!!

Ellena: Fantastic effort. And well worth donating for.

Fi is a star.

Jodie: Well done super lady! You are so amazing, it was so tough out there you should be very very proud.

Janette: Well done Fi, hoping you’re still on the go. You are awesome.

To submit a letter for possible publication in the Wanaka 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.

Julie: Oh no....great effort Fi...

World-class Pianist “You have the answer, you just don’t like the answer.”

You react to last week’s story, QLDC chief stonewalls on salary:

Jon: Despite the arguments for an increase for the CEO you really have to ask have the staff of the most hard-working local authority in the country had pay increases in line with the CEO? If not, why not? If so, how the heck could we afford it if our rates increased accordingly?

There would seem to be a very good argument for the CEO’s salary to be frozen while other staff begin to also be paid according to their workload and the complexity of the issues they are addressing, instead of based on the irrelevant residential census night population.

Jon: Well, staff turnover has returned to a sustainable level, the mayor and council are being supported extremely effectively as they grapple with challenging issues the previous council either ignored or created, QLDC is taken seriously again on the national stage, media coverage of council activities is predominantly positive.

THE WANAKA SUN

John Chen

Wednesday, 18 April, 7.30pm at Lake Wanaka Centre

Michelle: I wish my salary went up based on performance. I work for the government but the pay rise only seems to work if you’re a politician!

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

$30 for WCS subscribers, $35 non-subscribers, Students Free.

Cash sales at Gifted Design, 19 Helwick Street.

On-line bookings: www.eventfinda.co.nz Cash door sales from 6.30 pm Presented by the Wanaka Concert Society. Supported by QLDC.

PAGE 11

Sun Classifieds

Panelbeating

TRADES AND SERVICES

Approved repairer for all the major insurance companies

GW Logo Paths.indd 1

PAGE 12

Automotive glass replacement and repairs

HEADLIGHT

RESTORATION SPECIALISTS

Call us on (03) 443 1613 for more details Or pop in to our workshop – 27 Gordon Road Wanaka slakespanel@xtra.co.nz • www.southernlakespanel.co.nz

Plumbing Serving Wanaka and Central Otago Regions Call for free no obligation quotes

DRAINAGE

M: 021 709 918

l

PLUMBING

l

GAS FITTING

W: www.gwplumbing.co.nz

YOUR AD WILL REACH THE MOST LOCALS ONLINE IN

thewanakasun.co.nz

storage

Services

Clean, dry, safe storage available now. Lockbox Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wanaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.

Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy.

We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street - open from 8am until 8pm every single day. Ph 443 8000.

FREE COMPUTER LESSONS FOR OLDER PEOPLE - Community Networks is offering oneon-one lessons on your own device. Thursday NOTICES afternoons. If you are interested please call in to Wanaka Salvation Army Family Store. Opening our office or phone for an appointment 03 443 Hours – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 7799.

9.30am – 4pm. We look forward to seeing you here! Would a weekly visitor and a bit of companionship Donations kindly received. Please drop them enhance your life? We have volunteers who into the Salvation Army Family store or ph 443 would like to meet a senior to share stories 5068 to book a pick up. or take you for an outing. If you are interested Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only please contact Community Networks 03 443 $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at 7799 or contact project coordinator Barbara Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days.

Jungen, championforolderpeople@gmail.com Business Networking International.

The JP SERVICES are available at Community Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Networks every Tuesday from 1pm and Friday Tuesday morning. Great networking opportunity from 10.30am. Please book your appointment to grow your business. Contact Vicki Donoghue for by ringing Community Networks 03 443 7799. information 027 208 9462.

Rags, rags, rags ... little ones, big ones, cotton INLAND REVENUE are at Community Networks, ones and drop cloths, available from the Wanaka Wednesday 11 April . If you need help with your Tax return, Family Tax credits or any other Salvation Army Family Store 443 5068. enquiry give Community Networks a call on 03 443 7799 to make an appointment for this free Wanted service.

Wanted by the Salvation Army Family Store, if Would you like to help with our community’s any one has any spare pillow cases we would love Meals on Wheels service? We’re looking for more them, please just drop them into the store, thanks. volunteer drivers to help deliver meals around The Salvation Army Family store would like used town. If you’d like to know more please visit our glass spice jars with lids, to donate these please office or website (www.communitynetowrks. just pop them into the store in Brownston Street. co.nz) or give us a call: 443 7799.

Volunteers required at The Salvation Army If you have rented out your Wanaka house/ Family store if you have some free time and holiday home and you have some unopened or would like to be part of a team which makes a fresh food or toiletries, please remember your difference, come and see us. local foodbank at Community Networks, 73 Brownston St. Thank you!

10/26/2017 11:38:28 AM

Thanks

www.thewanakasun.co.nz

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.

more bang

for your buck Target more of your target market with our huge online presence and unrivalled local print distribution.

FOR bookings CALL 03 443 5252 | 021 786 740 marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz

FREE LEGAL ADVICE available at Community Networks delivered by the Dunedin Community Law Centre on Wednesday 4 April. Please call Community Networks on 443 7799 to book your appointment.

TRADES & SERVICES ADVERTS FROM

$36+GST

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

THE WANAKA SUN

Sun Classifieds

Public Notice

BY 5:00PM MONDAY

0220 786 778

classifieds text

thewanakasun.co.nz

LIKE NEWS SHARE STORIES facebook.com/wanakasun

20 words and for non commercial personal advertising only.

free

Public Notice

N O T I C E B O A R D Amendment to April Meeting Schedule Cancelled Meeting: Infrastructure Committee – Council Chambers, 10 Gorge Road, Queenstown. Thursday 5 April 2018 at 10.00am.

New Zealand Travel Specialist We are leaders in our field (selling NZ holidays!) and as such we are on the lookout for the very best sales people to join our awesome team in our lakefront office based right here in Wanaka.

By best we mean not only are you motivated by targets, customers and friendly competition but you are also packed full of personality, as funny/ friendly as possible, super positive, slightly crazy and a hard worker!

If that sounds a little bit like you then you’re already half way there!

Here’s the other half (ok, it’s slightly more than half): • You can SELL and are hot off another sales role!

• You’re a natural born leader.

• You’re passionate about New Zealand.

• You have a kiwi roll-up-your-sleeves, can-do, get it done, muck in, and have fun - kind of attitude.

• You have a high level of common sense, which isn’t that common.

• You possess super awesome communication and presentation skills.

• You’re not scared of some weekend and public holiday work.

• You’re open-minded & flexible (not in a yoga way though).

• You have an ability to multitask yet still have attention to detail – not easy • You are a permanent resident in NZ. • You love getting a good base salary but are also really motivated by an exciting tiered monthly commission structure.

So, does this sound a bit like you? If so send your C.V. and a covering letter to dionne@nzft.co.nz telling us why you are more awesome than all those others folk that apply.

Private Bag 50072 | 47 Ardmore Street Wanaka Phone 03 443 0024 | www.qldc.govt.nz

Check us out here www.nzft.co.nz

employment Experienced Head Housekeeper

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

If not, email your address to hello@thewanakasun.co.nz or phone us on 03 443 5252

& Housekeepers needed. Full time.

Prefer to have minimum 6 months of experience. Training provided.

Applications close 30/04/2018.

Please send your CV to: accounts@wla.co.nz

SUN TEAM WANAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 864

Free delivery to Wanaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wanaka, Albert Town and Hawea.

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

Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 Editor: Ruth Blunt • editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalists: Danielle Butler • newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Rob White • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Glenda Turnbull • wanaksun@gmail.com Social Media: Nikki Heath • hello@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: 021 786 740

adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 Admin:

admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wanaka Deadlines: Display Advertising 4pm Friday prior to publication.

adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz

021 786 740 Classified Advertising 5pm Monday prior

Text: 0220 786 778

admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Subscriptions: $175 within NZ

(including GST) per year.

Overseas rates on request. Remittances to PO Box 697, Wanaka, NZ. WWW.THEWANAKASUN.CO.NZ

THE WANAKA SUN

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

PAGE 13

Sun Sport

thewanakasun.co.nz

Flying high on FWQT REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Kiwi freeriders are currently sitting top of the rankings in three out of four categories on the Freeride World Qualifier Tour.

Maria Kuzma has led women’s snowboard throughout the 2017/18 season and with three victories at four-star events, she has already claimed her place on next year’s Freeride World Tour (FWT).

“I am super-stoked on my results for this year,” Maria said.

“My goal of course was to qualify for the FWT, but it feels so great to get enough points to qualify even before the last competition in Obergurgl.”

Wanaka-based athletes Anna Smoothy and Hank Bilous currently hold the top placings in women’s and men’s ski on the Qualifier Tour and will be looking to to qualify for next year’s FWT by claiming victory at the final competition at ObergurglHochgurgl in Austria from tomorrow (April 6-9).

Meanwhile, on the Freeride Junior Tour, Wanaka’s Manu Barnard finished second in men’s ski which was held in Verbier on April 2. Another local, Alistair Garland, was close behind Manu in fifth, while Queenstown’s Finn Duffy placed sixth in men’s snowboard. Finn holds the top overall ranking for men’s snowboard on the Junior Tour while Alistair is placed second and Manu is third in men’s ski.

welcome to

Win a gift bag of Snowberry products worth over $300 just in time for Mothers Day.

PHOTO: Jeremy Bernard Photography

Murray second in FWT grand finale

Just spend $45 to go in the draw.

REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Local freeskier Craig Murray has placed second in a dramatic grand finale at the Freeride World Tour in Verbier, Switzerland.

It is Craig’s first season on the prestigious world tour and his second podium finish.

The youngest competitor in the final, 19-year-old Craig impressed judges with a creative and technical line that featured two huge 360s.

“It was incredibly intimidating standing on top,” Craig said.

“I was dropping last in male ski so I chose a run I thought wouldn’t get skied out. I did a 360 off the top then came in to a steep section in the left couloir, cut left and did another 360 off the main air.

“The whole thing was exhilarating but the highlight was getting to the bottom in one piece.”

Craig claimed the Junior World Tour title in 2016 before topping the rankings in the Freeride World Qualifier Tour in 2017 and earning one of 23 male ski spots on the main tour. A second place at the VallnordArcalis, Andorra in March helped the Wanaka teenager hold onto a top-12 tour ranking and make the cut for the grand finale in Verbier.

Wanaka’s Sam Lee, who was forced to err on the side of caution when the clouds closed in just as he pushed out of the start gate, finished in eighth place.

Craig and Sam finished the 2018 Freeride World Tour ranked ninth and 13th respectively, and have both qualified for the 2019 FWT.

sports results

*Entries close at 7pm Thursday May 10, 2018. Gift bag will be drawn on Friday 11th May. Every $45 spent instore generates ONE entry in the draw. Gift bag is to be collected from the pharmacy between 8am to 7pm, 7 days.

Phone: 03 443 8000 Top of Helwick Street, Wanaka

Wanaka Bridge Tues) 1st Deirdre Lynch, Leigh Snelling 59.24%. 2nd Jans Limacher, Claire Williams 56.74%. 3rd Pat Gray, Pam Miller 55.07% (Wed) N/S 1st Noeline Munro, Jude Gunn 59.52%. 2nd Jans Limcher, Claire Williams 57.94%. 3rd Jane Hamilton, Carolyn Field 54.76%. E/W 1st Denise & Alan Bunn 61.51%. 2nd Maureen Hawke, Annette Clements 54.37%. 3rd Neil Robinson, Tommie Munns 51.59% (Mon) 1st Deirdre Lynch, Heather Wellman 62.50%. 2nd Jenny & Murray Pryde 59.03%. 3rd Jan Cunningham, Josey McKenzie 57.74%

YOUR AD WILL REACH THE MOST LOCALS ONLINE IN

opening hours: 8am To 7Pm 7 DaYS PAGE 14

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

www.thewanakasun.co.nz

THE WANAKA SUN

thewanakasun.co.nz

Sun Sport

PHOTO: Wanaka Sun

Young paddlers take on Hawea River WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz

More than 80 junior paddlers gathered in Hawea Flat last week for the annual secondary schools Canoe Slalom Championships.

The event, hosted at the Wave by the Central Otago Whitewater Club (COWC), attracted entrants from across the South Island, North Island and Australia and included students from Mount Aspiring College (MAC).

Competitors had two days of slalom competition on Monday and Tuesday (March 26-27), before taking on rapids at high speed in the national schools Freestyle Kayaking Competition on Wednesday (March 28).

There were a range of strong performances from MAC students, with highlights including Freestyle event wins for Madi Gainsford (under-16 girls) and Red Simpson (under-14 boys).

COWC committee member and Dunstan High School team manager George Collier said he was pleased with what he said was a very wellorganised event.

“I think the other schools from the North Island are always a very good measure in terms of their feedback. It went really well and was organised really well. We had a bit of rain on the second day, but we are on the water anyway.

“It worked really well and we came away with a range of medals and cups, as did other schools.”

George also said that he hoped COWC’s work in the region would lead to even more youngsters taking part in the future.

“Going forward, it would be great to see more younger paddlers come into the sport. We have a DANIELLE BUTLER newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz programme in Central Otago where we employ a professional coach. That coach goes to Wanaka and we After a gruelling 12 hours in Lake would love to see more children from Mount Aspiring Wanaka swimming almost 45km, Fi College come into the paddling family,” he said.

Fairbairn, pictured, is celebrating success and $6420 raised so far for the Darryl Fairbairn Memorial Fund.

Fi, who swam the length of Lake Wanaka from Makarora to Roys Bay in a relay with friends to raise money Gavin Key have been also been put forward for the for the fund in both 2007 and 2017, decided that this year she was going to coaching award.

The Awards will be held at Edgewater Resort tackle it on her own.

Fi began her feat on March 30, on April 13.

Pictured: Zoi Sadowski-Synott and Nico Porteous. taking to the water at 5am after just two hours sleep, battling through the wind, waves and boredom with her goal in mind.

“The waves and wind were not a problem for me and I was enjoying getting a bit of help from some of the waves. Throughout the swim I tried to find things to enjoy. There was only once that I questioned what I was doing, but just as I was thinking negative thoughts the glow stick tied to my wetsuit came up and smacked me in the head. I’m sure it was Darryl giving me a wee clip and telling me to sort myself out,” Fi said.

More than 12 hours after starting,

Fi tackles Lake Wanaka for memorial fund D

Local CO Sports Awards finalists REPORTER S STAFF editor@thewanakasun.co.nz The finalists have been announced for this year’s House of Travel Central Otago Sports Awards, with strong representation from local sportsmen and women.

Winter Olympic medallist Zoi Sadowski-Synnott leads a strong field in the junior sportswoman category, although her Olympic achievement will not be considered by the judges as the awards are based on 2017 performances. The winner of the 2016 junior sportswoman award Holly Wigg (karate), from Hawea Flat, and Sammy Burke (athletics) are also finalists.

The junior sportsman category also boasts a strong field, including local Winter Olympic bronze medal winner Nico Porteous, who has also had an impressive 2017 season, Alistair Garland (snowsports) and Janus Staufenberg (triathlon).

Jackson Wells has been nominated in the senior sportsman category, along with the 2014 winner Braden Currie (multisport/triathlon) and freeride skier Sam Lee. Wanaka Gold Club Ladies Pennant Team has been nominated in the team category, while snowsports coach Mitch Brown and mountain biking coach

PHOTO: Glenda Turnbull

PHOTO: Snowsports NZ

Fi’s support crew decided it was unsafe to continue when she began to show strong signs of hyperthermia.

Fi’s son Finn said that after hearing that she was beginning to get cold, he kept a close eye on her asking her safety questions which he wasn’t getting the desired answers to.

“At 5.25pm we stopped to pour warm water down her wetsuit in a last ditch attempt but after a quick chat with her I made the call to pull the pin, but what an epic journey,” Finn said.

Fi said that she was really stoked that she didn’t once feel tired throughout the longest swim she’s ever tackled.

“The only thing that ended up getting me was the cold. I am unsure why I succumbed to this and although I have lots of theories I will never actually know. I am extremely happy with what I achieved, and am very thankful for those of you who think so also and have helped to raise so much money. I set my goal and I achieved it, but I couldn’t have done it without you,” Fi said.

To donate to the fund, which goes towards youth and family counselling via Community Networks, visit givealittle.co.nz/cause/communitydevelopment-darryl-fairbairnmemorial-1

Wanaka Skin Cancer Clinic Book your 30 minute appointment and see our GP’s who specialise in skin and skin cancer management.

Biopsies can be taken and liquid nitrogen treatment is available if necessary. We will photograph and record anything of concern for reference so we can monitor any changes in your skin over time.

ph: (03) 443 0710

FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL NEEDS 23a Gordon Road, Wanaka 03 4431260 E. bill.moore@aoteaelectric.co.nz

THE WANAKA SUN

23 Cardrona Valley Road, Wanaka www.wanakamedical.co.nz THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

PAGE 15

Sun Sport

thewanakasun.co.nz

Kids football kicks off

PHOTO: Rob White

Skatepark fundraiser WHITE R ROB journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz A crowd of more than 100 people gathered at the Wanaka skatepark on Good Friday for a competition between local skateboarders.

King of the Crust, organised by Wanaka Skate Club (WSC), was aimed at raising money and awareness for a proposed extension to the skatepark, which is planned for next year.

The event drew around 25 entrants, with categories for ages under and over 16s, and they displayed skills and tricks to compete for prizes donated by local sponsors.

Wayne Pretty, vice president of WSC, said it was a relaxed event predominantly aimed at drumming up support.

“This is about letting people know we are here and making a bit of noise to get this built. It’s good to show that people really love skating,” he said.

The club has already submitted one application for

funding, but Wayne said that more money was needed for the extension, which could see the Pembroke Park venue enlarged on three different sides.

“We will have to raise some money ourselves, so we will hit up all the other trusts. I am pretty sure they will come to the party, but the more awareness we raise the better.”

Local skateboarder Sergio Leal said securing funding was very important.

“I come to this park about three times a week. The skatepark is good, but the old bowl has some very big cracks. With the extension, we want to get it fixed. It’s too dangerous. The repairs have to be done.

“With the extension, we will be able to organise bigger competitions with better prizes.”

The event was supported by a range of sponsors, including local bars and skate shops, and the Wanaka Lions Club ran a sausage sizzle on WSC’s behalf.

To make a donation, contact WSC via their Facebook page.

Sunday League football kicks off this weekend in Cromwell with games from under-six right up to under-17/ youth level. The Wanaka Associated Football Club has been preparing for the opening day for more than a month, holding training at Kelly’s Flat Recreation Reserve and Mount Aspiring College, and recently at Pembroke Park and Wanaka Recreation Centre.

The number of members joining the club this year has been really good, but slightly down from the two previous record-breaking years.

With a new kit and sponsors, the club is very excited about 2018. A new club shed will also be built at Kelly’s Flat.

Wanaka will host the first of its three Sunday League game days on the April 29, with the others on May 27 and June 24. This year will be slightly different as games will be held at Kelly’s Flat, Pembroke Park and the new Wanaka Recreation Centre football pitches.

For information on game days and the Sunday League go to the Wanaka AFC website at www.wanakafootball.org.nz.

Pictured: Johnny Percy at training for the Wanaka AFC under-17 youth team at the new Wanaka Recreation Centre football pitch.

–By Wanaka Football World

PHOTO: Wanaka Football World

Your perfect opportunity to create your dream Miele Haus.

Save up to 15% on kitchen and laundry appliances.* Promotion effective from 10 April to 31 May 2018.

Eligibility criteria

Bonus CM 6150 benchtop coffee machine with MB-CM5 milk flask valued at $1,668.#

German engineered and tested to the equivalent of 20 years’ average usage.

Reece

Terms and Conditions apply. Visit www.miele20years.co.nz

I. Spend $12,000 (inclusive of GST) or over and claim 10% cash back.

II. Include a Miele rangehood or refrigeration appliance with the purchase and claim an additional 5% cash back (Total claim of up to 15% possible).

III. #Spend $20,000 (inclusive of GST) or over and receive a Bonus Benchtop Coffee Machine and Milk Flask (CM 6150 + MB-CM5) valued at $1,668.

IV. Purchases must be confirmed on the one (1) order receipt (excluding where Miele MasterCool is included in which case two (2) order receipts with the same date will be accepted).

• Eligibility requires compliance to and with eligibility criteria. ** Specifically excludes the following appliances: G 4200 and G 4900 series dishwashers, WDB 030 and WDD 030 Washing Machines and TDB 130, TDD 130 and TDA 150 C Dryers. * Terms and Conditions apply. Offer effective 10 April to 31 May 2018.

Please see separate promotional flyer or visit the promotions page at www.miele.co.nz. Saving is only via redemption.

Selectrix Plan tatio

n Rd

MCO34944

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

PAGE 16

THURSDAY 05.04.18 - WEDNESDAY 11.04.18

THE WANAKA SUN