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Wanaka
P 03 443 0097 E info@fnwanaka.com 4
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Top Paddock punters happy 110 Matai Road, Wanaka
Lake Hawea’s premier country music festival.
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S
igning out for 2018 seemed to go smoothly across the Upper Clutha as the weather played nice and people, for the most part, played by the rules. The sheer number of people in town was made evident not just in the queues at New World, but out on the streets as the clock was heading towards midnight. From the Albert Town campground through to the town centre were hundreds of (rather drunk) people either walking or trying to hitch a ride to the party. Police booze buses were located in two prime spots although police were happy to report that only two arrests were made for disorder incidents and there “were
no significant issues or incidents reported to Police at these celebrations”. Police had a strong presence on the roads as well as in town and were controlling the free entertainment area which was designed to be alcohol-free and family friendly. Down at the lakefront, Queenstown Lakes District Council put on a free concert and fireworks which was attended by an estimated 5000 people. The placement of a new DJ stage is part of a three-year trial to encourage and engage the youth away from the main bars and Ardmore Street. One partygoer observed at 10.30pm, “It was a pretty good atmosphere then. Young kids (the under 12s with parents) were still around and having fun dancing, but I could already see a few drunk teenagers. They
were behaving okay, just not that coherent or steady on their feet.” Last summer Wanaka Police started an initiative where they offered underage drinking offenders the chance to write an essay about the effects of alcohol on the teenage brain rather than pay a hefty fine; Police have yet to confirm how many essay punishments were handed out this year. St John Ambulance had nine callouts in Wanaka between 10pm on New Year’s Eve and 3am on New Year’s Day. Up in Cardrona Valley at Robrosa Station, about 10,000 people greeted the new year at the South Island’s biggest New Year’s party. Festival organiser Alex Turnbull said he was pleased with the way the event ran, with no arrests and no other major issues.
Whilst national media had reported that festival goers were using drugs laced with pesticide and industrial paint, they had used footage from Rhythm and Alps, rather than their northern sister event Rhythm and Vines. This caused some confusion as the drug incident was reported in Gisborne. In Lake Hawea, iHeartRadio’s Top Paddock Music Festival welcomed 1000 country music fans, with event creator Jody Direen raving about the crowd’s passion and energy. Direen also took to the main stage on the night with her signature high energy, upbeat performance. Pictured: Revellers welcomed 2019 at the South Island’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, Rhythm & Alps, on Monday, December 31. Full story on page 3.
Artist’s impression
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Violent offender in Wanaka attack released early Emma Conyngham
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Kahu Vincent was savagely beaten up and had his head stomped on by Ahu Taylor and Leon Rowles, 37, as he lay defenceless on the floor of the Wanaka Night ‘n Day store on Ardmore Street on May 9, 2015. Vincent received a total of 81 brutal blows during the horrific assault, leaving him in a coma for three weeks and in hospital for nearly three months. Taylor stomped on Vincent 23 times and was convicted of attempted murder whilst Rowles was sentenced to eight years’ jail reduced to seven years and one month. The parole board determined to release Rowles on parole given his low risk of recidivism, his compliance while in prison, completion of programmes and lack of any suggestion of substance abuse while in prison. Panel convenor Judge Eddie Paul said while in prison Rowles incurred no misconducts and remained drug-free, having completed a six-
month drug treatment programme, other alcohol and drug treatment programmes and a grief programme. At the time of the hearing he was in self-care and had been on approved shopping trips. The board questioned Rowles about his substance abuse, which had primarily been alcohol but also involved various other drugs. He told the board at the time of the attack on Vincent he had mixed benzos (tranquilisers) with alcohol but he plans to abstain from alcohol and drug use in the future. Rowles has organised work as a plasterer on his release from prison but the town or city where he is going to live has been withheld, although the board suggested he be transferred to an Auckland prison prior to his release in order to facilitate his return to work. He must not contact his victim at all and must continue to attend alcohol and drug counselling. There are no restrictions on him returning to Wanaka.
PHOTO: Wanaka Sun
Toxic algae in Hawea River Ruth Blunt
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
The toxic algae phormidium has been sighted in Hawea River, upstream of Camphill Road bridge. Phormidium and an increasing number of other cyanobacterial species are known to produce toxins. Known as cyanotoxins, they can be a threat to humans and animals when ingested, licked, or when water containing the toxins is swallowed. Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) explains potentially toxic algae (cyanobacteria or bluegreen algae) are microscopic organisms that play a very important role in many land and aquatic ecosystems. In aquatic environments toxic algal cells can multiply and form blooms in rivers or lakes (known as planktonic) or dense mats on river beds (known as benthic). Planktonic blooms are generally found in slow moving water-ways such as lakes while benthic blooms usually occur in rivers. Phormidium is the primary species of benthic cyanobacteria found in Otago. Exposure to cyanobacteria in humans may cause symptoms such as skin rashes, nausea, tummy upset, and tingling and numbness around the mouth or tips of fingers. LAWA warns exposure can occur by spending time in or around water where there is a bloom, as your skin is likely to come in contact with the water, or you could ingest the water when doing waterbased activities. Children are at higher risk from toxic algae because they weigh less and can get a relatively larger dose of toxin. Even a small amount the size of a 50 cent piece can be enough to cause
serious harm if eaten. Toxins are not removed by boiling, normal filter systems, steri-pen or UV light or by adding household disinfectant. Anyone experiencing health symptoms after coming in contact with contaminated water should visit their doctor. Dogs are at the most risk as they like to play and scavenge in the water. Phormidium mats produce a deep earthy odour that dogs seem to be attracted to. Dog deaths have occurred when dogs have eaten phormidium. The risk to dogs is greatest when phormidium mats become detached from the river bed and collect at the river edge where they are easily accessible. Signs a dog has been poisoned by toxic algae include lethargy, muscle tremors, fast breathing, twitching, paralysis and convulsions. If you suspect that your dog has eaten toxic algae, you should treat it like an emergency and contact your vet immediately. In extreme cases, death can occur within 30 minutes after the first signs of illness appear. In flowing rivers, phormidium forms thick dark brown or black mats typically found on large rocks, stones and cobbles. Otago Regional Council encourages dog owners to familiarise themselves with phormidium and know what to look for when exercising dogs in or around rivers. Warning signage is in place at the Camphill Bridge site. It is likely this alert will be in place throughout the summer season. Pictured: Phormidium has been sighted in Hawea River, upstream of Camphill Road bridge.
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PHOTO: Wanaka Sun
The Hawea River Track has become much more accessible with the opening of the access ramp to the Hawea River swing bridge on December 26. Construction began in November on the access ramp which was made possible through fundraising undertaken by Upper Clutha Tracks Trust. The Trust, in its first ever project, built the swing bridge in 2009 but didn’t have the funds to incorporate an access ramp at the time.
THURSDAY 03.01.19 - WEDNESDAY 09.01.19
THE WANAKA SUN
thewanakasun.co.nz
Sun News
Bring Our Birds Home secures new deal ALLISON MCLEAN
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
PHOTO: Lauren Constable
R&A ups its eco credentials Emma Conyngham
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
Festivals can be messy affairs which generate a huge amount of waste. Tens of thousands of plastic cups, and food dishes, along with cheap discarded tents has created tonnes of waste in the past. But the demand for more eco responsibility is creating a new culture amongst music lovers, and Wanaka’s Rhythm & Alps (R&A) is leading the way. Festival organisers are now offering a more sustainable option; tents made out of cardboard. The Kartents arrive flatpacked, and are really quick to build. They’re set up in advance for campers, and while the cardboard has got a waterproof coating, it is recyclable. A little rain fell overnight testing the collection of 50 cardboard tents put up by festival organisers as a recyclable alternative to the thousands of $20 nylon tents usually used for two nights and then dumped. The tents are popular in Europe, but it’s the first time they’ve featured at a Kiwi festival. R&A communications manager Celia Crosbie said she’s pretty sure the Kartents (pictured) will feature again in future festivals as “they were a big success”. This event also saw the end of the single-use drinking vessel and festival goers purchased a more solid cup to last through the event. These efforts combined to make R&A the most sustainable festival so far. “Festivals do produce a lot of waste, huge amounts. So any step you can take to divert, or educate or have a better impact is really crucial and important,” event manager Fiona McMartin said. Festival director, Alex Turnbull said, “It’s an
immaculate, very clean festival site - the cleanest we’ve seen.” The globally renowned music festival, now in its eighth year, wrapped after three days of incredible live music at Robrosa Station in Cardrona Valley. Some 5500 campers and 4500 non-campers attended the event, which boasted chart-topping international acts such as Australian singersongwriter Matt Corby and rock band The Cat Empire, American rappers Action Bronson and Vince Staples and UK-based DJ Wilkinson. Despite the large crowd of party-goers, R&A festival director Alex Turnbull said the event ran smoothly with no arrests or concerns. “Rhythm & Alps has a reputation as a positive, relaxed event and everyone is generally pretty wellbehaved. We always get a good crowd of people who come to see amazing live music and just enjoy the general vibe of the festival,” he says. “We have an exceptional local team who pull this together every year and we couldn’t be happier with how this year’s event turned out.” Kiwi acts such as reggae group The Blacks Seeds, electronic star Baynk, Christchurch band The Butlers and singer-songwriter Julia Deans of Fur Patrol fame also took the stage, along with many other international acts. “We are stoked with all of our artists – many of them travelled halfway around the world to get here and when they did, they put on a hell of a show. The atmosphere was electric for the entire three days,” Turnbull added. “The support they had behind the scenes, as well as the quality of the stage production, really took all of the performances to the next level.”
2019 is shaping up to be a successful year for the Bring Our Birds Home (BOBH) campaign. The country’s greatest historic airliner artifact recovery effort, which will have a permanent place in Wanaka, has now secured a deal to save and recover a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, with ties to New Zealand, that is currently derelict in Havana, Cuba. BOBH team member Steve Wilde travelled to Cuba last year to liaise with Cuban officials about the last remaining Air New Zealand DC-10. “We have heard from the Cuban Government and we now understand what we need to do for them so they can donate the DC-10 to us; we think it is doable. This means we have the three derelict air frames [Boeing 737, DC-10 and Douglas DC-8] with pending deals. “We are exploring restoring the DC-10 to operate one flight to NZ as a more cost-effective solution than dismantling it and putting it on a ship. We have been told the Brazilian courts will release the DC-8 for sale to us before the end of January so it’s really starting to get somewhere now,” said Paul Brennan, who leads the BOBH charge. Brennan, a classic aircraft fan and Radio NZ national broadcaster with experience in aviation film production, started the project more than two years ago to bring five classic jet airliners back to NZ for preservation and display at Wanaka’s National Transport & Toy Museum. Each aircraft has a particular importance to the country’s long aviation history and
PHOTO: supplied
is one of the last remaining examples of the fleets originally delivered to TEAL, NAC and Air New Zealand that operated flight services between 1959 and 1998: a Lockheed Electra, Boeing 747 and 737, DC-10 and DC-8. Brennan said the Electra and the 747 are still operating but are approaching retirement. The BOBH Charitable Trust has raised more than $22,500 in Givealittle. com donations to help save all planes. The next phase will include securing final deals of purchase and funding to allow aircraft dismantling, shipping and restoring. The Electra and 747 could each make their final flight to Christchurch Airport. Pictured: Paul Brennan founded the Bring our Birds Home project more than two years ago to recover and repatriate five NZ aeroplanes.
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PAGE 4
THURSDAY 03.01.19 - WEDNESDAY 09.01.19
THE WANAKA SUN
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
Feline fosterers needed Ruth Blunt
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
PHOTO: Wanaka Sun
Water restrictions a possibility STAFF REPORTER
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is asking residents to conserve water this summer to try and prevent water restrictions. With the hottest part of the year just around the corner, combined with the busy Christmas and New Year’s period water restrictions are a real possibility. QLDC chief engineer Ulrich Glasner explains that demand for water soars over summer. “With the hot weather finally arriving and here to stay, people use a lot of water on their lawns and gardens or washing their boats. Consequently this means some of our communities often face water restrictions when the demand is greater than our system can supply.” “While we haven’t had to place restrictions on water use just yet, this could change very quickly if the reservoir levels continue to fall and can’t recover.”
Glasner said an hour a day of irrigation was considered a fair share of total water for the day. There are many simple things residents and visitors can do to conserve water and if everyone starts doing one or two of them now, hopefully the chance of water restrictions this summer would be reduced. Tips include: water gardens by hand rather than setting a sprinkler; if using a timer for your sprinkler, water your lawn for an hour between midnight and 6.00am, when demand on the water supply is low; check the arc of your sprinkler and make sure you’re watering the garden or lawn, not the path and driveway; wash dishes and clothes when you have a full load; take shorter showers - shaving a minute from your daily shower can save up to 18 litres. Most mains-pressure showers use 9 to 18 litres of water every minute, so more than five minutes in the shower could be using more water than you’d need for a bath. Pictured: Turn off the sprinkler and water by hand to conserve water.
An influx of furry residents at Cat Rescue Wanaka (CRW) has put the registered charity under pressure. It urgently needs foster homes for the 19 cats and kittens in its care. Two of those felines have been waiting to find their forever home for over six months and are ready to be adopted. The primary purpose of CRW is to care for the stray and abandoned cats in the Upper Clutha - to rescue them from living rough, to socialise them, and to then have them adopted as family pets. “Overall we aim to reduce the stray cat population,” CRW co-chair Rachel Allibone said. She said they will always need more fosterers “A foster home can have more than one animal, although that does make it a bit more time consuming in caring for them and socialising the strays and wildies. Fosterers can also have their own pets, although the resident felines may be less than happy about it!” Allibone said. “Each foster family is different so it’s just a matter of finding whatever works. We do require that fosterers can commit for a minimum of six months, and, if not in their own home, then we require landlord permission.” As the group doesn’t have a facility to house cats, it relies solely on foster carer help, but it currently has enough funds thanks to a generous local community. “The Wanaka community has been very generous in supporting us, with our raffles and fundraisers. We have also had some generous one-off donations of $50 and $100, and even $1000 from a kind lady who had recently started getting the pension, and had extra cash as her income had increased.” Since its inception in August 2018, they have had 11 cats and kittens adopted. “We’ve also helped or given advice to those whose pets have gone missing, or who have had someone’s pet turn up and hang around their house.” After getting their feline population down to two at the beginning of December it has now started to rise in again, thanks in part to the group being more well known. “We’ve tried to raise our profile with our fundraising ventures and have had our first stall at the Sunday markets, where we hope to have a
PHOTO: Cat Rescue Wanaka
monthly attendance. And probably most notably, one of the co-chairs, Bridgette, does a wonderful job of our Facebook page/social media, along with Monique on Instagram.” The group’s information and adoption day, held as part of its launch last year, was also well attended, and vets are now referring people to the group too. Potential foster carers must be able to commit for a minimum of six months and should express their interest, including a bit about themselves, via email to catrescuewanaka@gmail.com. CRW supplies all materials, food, litter and bedding for the fostered feline. The group is a registered charity so donations are tax deductible and can be made through its givealttile page. Pictured: Samuel Moneypenny and Alex were found on the side of the Wanaka-Lake Hawea Road by travellers before Christmas.
Lions want to take you on a safari ALLISON MCLEAN
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
A four-wheel-drive trek to explore Central Otago’s 12,000ha Bendigo Station - home of the internationally famous merino sheep “Shrek” who avoided shearing for six years - could be yours with a donation to support Wanaka Search and Rescue. With the support of Bendigo Station owner John Perriam, Wanaka & District Lions Club created the safari to tour the area’s low-lying semi-arid landscapes and ecosystem, which includes the 45th parallel south, merino wool manufacturing, wine
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production, most notably of the Pinot Noir variety, and a history of gold mining about 20km to the north of Cromwell. Tour registrations are required with a price tag of $50 per adult and $25 for children under 15 years of age. Children under the age of five may attend for free. A donation from all proceeds will benefit Wanaka Search and Rescue whose team is comprised of more than 80 volunteers that support lost, missing or injured persons in the Mt Aspiring National Park and Wanaka lakes area. For more event information or to register, please contact steverichmond52@gmail.com.
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PAGE 5
Sun News
thewanakasun.co.nz
CAMERA CLUB ‘IN FOCUS’
Photographing rainbows: nature’s wonderful gift MOORE B BOB Wanaka Camera Club Taking photographs of rainbows is one of life’s pleasures and it is not difficult to produce great images of these amazing weather phenomenon. When we spot a rainbow we should take several pictures using various camera settings. The best time for taking rainbow photos is usually right after rainfall. Spring through to autumn are good times for rainbow images but winter can also offer great opportunities as snow falls against the sky. This can present an exceptionally aesthetically pleasing image as the appearance of snow against a rainbow come as a delightful surprise to our viewer. Rainbows are not solid objects but a mixture of water and light and are always beautiful to photograph. However, we should try to extract as much colour and impact from this fragile subject as possible. As rainbows are not solid subjects one of the keys to photographing them is to shoot them in front of a background that allows the rainbow to stand out as much as possible. Ideally we want to get a background that in unadulterated and, if possible, one that is a darker colour. Try anything that brings out the true colours of the rainbow - changing the angle we are shooting from or moving further away/diagonally, or just focusing on a part of the rainbow that is in front of a
good background. It cannot be overemphasised that we try and ensure that the background to the rainbow is clean and uncluttered. Indeed we don’t want a background that is likely to take away from the intensity of our image and this includes highlighting colours which would dominate the rainbow and its colours. While rainbows are a beautiful thing we shouldn’t forget good composition is a key to a good photo. It is worth giving particular attention to how we position the rainbow in the picture and its relationship to the rest of the scene. Guidelines like the ‘rule of thirds’ can be useful when considering focal points and lead-in-lines in our photo. End-points (where the rainbow hits the ground/horizon) is an important factor in any rainbow picture. This is a natural point of interest so it needs careful consideration where we position this in the picture. Experiment with different focal lengths - a wide angle lens that captures the full rainbow can give some wonderful wide vista images. Conversely, zooming in on a part of the rainbow can also
PHOTO: Brian Hall
produce spectacular photos. Particularly, focus on any point where the rainbow intersects with any object or where the rainbow begins or ends. We should not only consider the background but also the foreground. This can not only add interest to our shot but also lead our viewers eyes towards the focal point. Again, we should look out for foreground distraction that could lessen the impact of our image. The choice of aperture we use will have less influence on the rainbow itself, but more on the overall shot. If we choose a small aperture (giving a large depth of field) we get most of the scene in sharp focus. Rainbows often
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appear in darker conditions so we may need longer shutter speeds and if we are using a small aperture need to increase our ISO setting to give us the right exposure. So, when we see a rainbow, enjoy nature’s wonderful gift to us by taking some great photos. This is exactly what Brian Hall did with his photo ‘Winter Rainbow’. Brian took this picture at his holiday home in Te Anau early one winter morning. He saw this beautiful rainbow by the lake so rushed to his car to grab his small FujiFinePix F10 camera and set the focal length to 80mm, used an aperture of f.4.5, shutter speed of 1/450th sec and ISO of 80. Brian was taken by the quality of light and the way the trees added to the composition. His picture impressed the judge of the club’s monthly competition who gave it a merit award with the comments: ‘Right place, right time and camera to hand. To me this is a nicely captured, pure rendition of the rainbow. I like the way the scene is framed and the touch of light on the trees’. Wanaka Camera Club is dedicated to helping improve the skills of anyone interested in 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 is Monday, February 11, 7.30pm at the St John’s Rooms, Links Way.
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Stonemasonry
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THE WANAKA SUN
thewanakasun.co.nz
Sun News
PHOTO: iHeartRadio Top Paddock Music Festival
iHeartRadio Top Paddock Music Festival welcomed 1000 attendees and nine musical acts to its biggest show yet in Lake Hawea on New Year’s Eve. “The crowd’s energy and passion was insane. Year three of iHeart Radio Top Paddock Music festival has definitely solidified the festival’s presence as a must-do NYE Kiwi experience,” said event creator Jody Direen.
Tips to reduce 2019 waste
PHOTO: Wanaka Sun PHOTO: Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group
Cherry spitter defends title STAFF REPORTER
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
National Cherry Spitting Champion Aaron Collins has defended his title for a third time, when on December 30 at the 2018 Cherry Festival, he set a new record for the event with a 14.25m spit. The winner in the adult ladies category was Jamie Purcell with a distance of 8.60m. Aidan O’Connell also stepped up to reclaim his title in the under-16 male category with a distance of 11.50m, while Anna Bassett won the under-16 female category with 7.00m. The juniors also had a go, with Lottie Faulkner crowned the winner of the under-6 category with a distance of 1.80m.
“Over 1500 people attended the festival,” said Janeen Wood, chair of the Cromwell & Districts Promotion Group who organised the event. “It was great seeing everyone relax and enjoy the Central sunshine.” As well as the infamous cherry spitting competition, families got stuck in playing for the title of Fastest Family in the Win it in a Minute Challenges, the kids and adults enjoyed the Pie Eating Competition (pictured), and young artists got creative in the Colouring Competition. There was also a Know your Cherries booth where visitors could guess how many cherries were in a jar, and learn more about the varieties that can be found in the Cromwell region.
ALLISON MCLEAN
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
As Wanaka moves towards a reduced waste new year, the country’s Ministry of Environment (MOE) offers easy suggestions on how to cut down on home waste in 2019. When dining, say “no” to single-use plastics, such as straws and cutlery. Investing in quality reusable supplies, including a water bottle, shopping bag and lunch container, can be an effective solution to help end singleuse plastics. When shopping, purchase items that are free from extra packaging, such as avoiding fruits and vegetables with extra plastic wrapping. If growing produce is unavailable to you, consider selecting food with extra packaging that can be recycled or composted. When cooking or eating, opt to purchase food items in bulk. Packaged single-serving items can be swapped for items in large bulk bags where
New Patients and Visitors Welcome
2019 LAKE HAWEA OPEN TOURNAMENT SATURDAY12th JANUARY 2019 TEE OFF AT 12 MIDDAY BEST GROSS, NETT & STABLEFORD $30.00 ENTRY FEE PER HEAD (INCLUDES BARBEQUE) ENTRIES TO: Chris Morrow (Club Captain) 021 028 77004 or Email: hillbillycmperth@yahoo.com.au Or Tony Anderson (Club President) O27 447 3809 or Email:- tonykath57@gmail.com
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the contents can be stored at home in reusable containers. Some stores will even allow you to fill your own containers on the spot. When planning a shopping list, give extra thought to needed items to understand if the desired goods can rented or borrowed instead of bought. If not, consider whether or not the purchased product is designed to last through long-term use. When discarding trash, aim to fill your recycling bin more than your trash receptacle as choosing recyclable products will help cut down on waste. Other considerations can be given to purchasing supplies made from recycled materials and looking into recycling schemes for materials like soft plastics and electronic waste. Pictured: Get in the habit of bringing your reusables coffee (or fluffy) cup with you when you’re opting for a hot beverage on the go. Many cafes in the Upper Clutha offer a discount when you do.
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New Geohazards Monitoring Centre may better protect residents ALLISON MCLEAN
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
The enhanced developments behind New Zealand’s newly-opened National Geohazard Monitoring Centre could lead to a safer country with its world-first services surrounding natural geological hazards and risks. The new centre was opened in Wellington last month by Minister of Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods and Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi to produce around-the-clock monitoring as well as faster and more reliable advisory information about tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes and landslides. Woods said no other centre in the world monitors all of these geological hazards in one service. The purpose-built facility, which is continuously manned by teams of geohazard analysts, was designed to be resilient, with a back-up capacity at GNS Science’s Wairakei site; it is located on the GNS Science campus
in Lower Hutt, and was set in motion after the Kaikãura earthquake in 2016. “GNS Science is the perfect host for the centre, because it provides scientific understanding and interpretation of geological events, and operates the GeoNet system which monitors geological threats,” said Woods. “It allows staff to immediately assess events, the moment they begin. This is more efficient than the previous system, which relied on automated messages to on-call staff, providing improvements in situational awareness and response times, alongside other service enhancements.” GNS Science chief executive Ian Simpson said, “The Centre is the culmination of a year’s work, but more than that, it crystallises decades of work we have done with EQC [Earthquake Commission] and LINZ [Land Information New Zealand] through GeoNet.” The Government funded the facility through the Strategic Science Investment Fund with support and input collected from
the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, EQC and LINZ. Thomas Wilson, University of Canterbury’s Department of Geological Services Associate Professor in Disaster Risk and Resilience, said the capability improvement that the centre brings will continue to bring NZ closer to offering near-real time impactbased warnings. “For example, rather than just saying a tsunami has occurred and the areas it might effect, a warning is often more effective to also be able to estimate what the likely impacts will be and what people should do,” Wilson said. “There has been a lot of attention on earthquake and tsunami hazards, and rightly so after the events and challenges with those areas. However… volcanic and landslide hazards are also huge risk for NZ, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what improvements the new centre and the associated investment in monitoring will bring…”
Faafoi said, “We can’t control the forces of nature, but we can control how effectively we keep the public informed so they can stay safe. In NZ, disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides can strike at any time, sometimes without warning.” Wanaka recently got one step closer to a coordinated South Island response to the next severe Alpine Fault earthquake after the Project AF8’s “SAFER Framework” was released last October. The project brought together the country’s best Alpine Fault scientists to workshop the inevitable Alpine Fault earthquake impact scenarios in order to develop one particular, worstcase scenario to predict an outcome while understanding the varying ways the Alpine Fault might behave. The team then modified the scenario to suit the different South Island regions in order to coordinate a unified and national response to the expected widespread damage and disruption.
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New cellphone towers: what are your rights? A big, happy New Year, everyone. If Trade Me’s data was anything to go by, a fair few of you will be reading this – the first Hard Case of 2019 – on a shiny new portable device. Of the online trader’s top 10 mostsearched-for items in the pre-Christmas shopping frenzy, two were smartphones and one was a tablet. More devices will, undoubtedly, mean yet more demand for data. And, in terms of mobile capacity and coverage, Wanaka and surrounds face significantly greater challenges than most around not only increasing overall demand, but fluctuating, seasonal usage – especially at this time of year, with the summer holiday throngs. Until now, Spark has installed temporary solutions to cope with the spikes in demand, but decided the need for greater capacity was such that a longer-term option was called for. Cue plans for a permanent roadside cellphone and data tower on Mt Aspiring Road ... and an unwelcome surprise for some living nearby. I haven’t been involved in this particular case, so I cannot comment on the specifics, other than what I’ve seen reported. One of the residents’ major bugbears is, reportedly, that this new tower was to go up without the neighbouring properties having any formal, legal right to have their say or object.
Balancing act As individuals, businesses and communities, we are now so reliant on technology in many and varied ways; but, the impact of the necessary infrastructure often affects only a few. It’s all so easy for the rest of us to say: “Oh well, it needs to go somewhere” ... when that somewhere isn’t impinging on us. Most of us want the endless, uninterrupted
mobile service; not so many, however, are putting up our hands to have the requisite infrastructure smack bang in the middle of our vista. And, here lies the conundrum which lawmakers must balance. As a starting point, nationally, the Resource Management Act 1991 gives us the National Environmental Standards for Telecommunications Facilities 2016. The National Environmental Standards (NES) are the regulations which allow for some “activities” that are deemed low impact – including antenna, equipment cabinets and even radiofrequency fields – without the need for a resource consent, although there are specific terms and conditions. The NES are designed to bring a consistent approach throughout the country to these activities. Here’s the users’ guide, if you want to read up on this further: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/ publications/rma/nes-telecommunicationfacilities-user-guide/ Other activities not regulated by the NES are managed through the relevant district and regional plans. That is where certain activities may be required to have a resource consent, unless the activity is deemed to be permitted.
Will you get your say? If a consent is needed, the council will process it via their usual channels. On receiving an application, one of the council’s initial decisions is whether a proposal should be fully publicly notified, notified in a limited way (those directly affected), or not at all. It’s not at all uncommon for people to assume that when anything seen as unsightly is planned, that consultation will naturally follow, and that resource consent can only be granted after affected parties have had their feedback factored in. That is not only not the case – but far from it. In fact, according to the Ministry
for the Environment, nationally, around just 5 percent of the resource consents approved have been notified. From what I see in our practice, it’s not just the lack of notification and consultation that can take people by surprise. What can be just as bitter a pill to swallow is that, if any type of development or infrastructure is considered a permitted activity as of right through the likes of the National Environmental Standards and local district plans, there is little-to-no legal recourse to halt them. Where that is the case, about the only option left is what the determined folk of Mt Aspiring Road turned to: a people-powered public relations campaign. Parking a digger over the site to block access, the neighbours brought Spark to the negotiating table and got the consultation they expected, but to which the law did not automatically entitle them. At the time of writing, the protestors had won the battle, so to speak, but whether they win the war – a permanent stop to the tower on the proposed site – had yet to be decided.
Once upon a time ... It’s now more than 30 years since the mobile phone arrived on our shores. Those of a certain vintage will never forget “the brick”. Despite a price tag of $6000 (and that’s 1980s dollars), and appalling coverage by today’s standards, the first 1000 now-archaic cellphones – 2kg batteries and all – put on the market were all snapped up, apparently. And, our love affair with technology shows no signs of abating. I recall reading a report out earlier last year stating that Kiwis’ internet usage had skyrocketed to the point it had nearly tripled over the preceding three years. Tripled! And, with more and more gaming and streaming coming online, it’s hard to see that exponential growth waning any time soon.
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with Janice Hughes The takeaway from the Mt Aspiring Road case is that if an activity is deemed permissible and there is no requirement to notify it, legal avenues pretty much dry up for anyone opposing it. There will always be a price to pay for progress; but how much is too much? This, no doubt, won’t be the last piece of telecommunications infrastructure that brings opposition and upset. If you believe the community should be having more of a say on a case-by-case basis, or that the thresholds of what is allowed as of right need to be lowered, get on to lobbying national and local politicians now. As the law stands, by the time a tower, which meets the “permitted activity” criteria, gets the green light in your neighbourhood, public pressure – and not the law – will likely be your only chance to stop it.
Please remember: the information in this column is designed as a general guide only and should not replace specific legal advice on a particular issue. Janice Hughes is a Director of Aspiring Law. If you have questions or feedback about this article, please contact Janice on 03 443 0900, or email janice@aspiringlaw.co.nz.
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Two close calls on the Clutha Emma Conyngham
newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz
It’s a message that needs constant reiteration over the summer months - swimming in the Clutha River is not recommended unless you are wearing a wetsuit and lifejacket. Two young girls under 10 had a close call on Saturday, December 29, as the speed of the water carried them off into low-hanging willow branches. Luckily help was at hand and they were pulled to shore by Go Jet Wanaka’s Patrick Perkins but Marty Black, QLDC Harbourmaster, emphasises that local rivers are not children’s playgrounds. The girls were shaken but not harmed. Bridge jumping may look fun but the frigid temperature of the water can quickly cause muscles to slow down and decrease your ability to swim; this paired with the speed of the water and the dangers lurking beneath mean it is a tragedy waiting to happen. On Sunday, December 30, a man decided to swim across the river and got into trouble. Someone on the bridge saw his distress and jumped in to save him but also got into trouble himself. Luckily there were commercial operators
with jet skis in the vicinity that sped to the rescue. “It was their lucky day,” said Black. “Wear a lifejacket and keep off the booze. The cold mixed with the alcohol in your blood is a real hazard.” Black said that it’s not possible to stop people bridge jumping but urges that if you’re going to do it, to do so safely. Be prepared for frigid cold water so wear a wetsuit and lifejacket. Children, of all ages, should be supervised closely at all times. Black wanted to acknowledge Sam Stewart, from Diesel & Dust, who responded within hours to remove the tree ‘’strainers’’ - branches and roots in the water - which had been the cause of the young girls getting tangled. ‘’With the river running higher than normal, we got rid of all the overhanging branches and made it safer for the kids. To get a contractor on a Saturday in the holidays isn’t easy but Sam responded immediately.’’ Black also reminded the public if you do not have a life jacket on SUPs or paddleboards, you’re liable for a $300 fine.
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Activists protest outside rodeo Ruth Blunt
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
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Queenstown Animal Activists held an anti-rodeo demonstration outside the Wanaka Rodeo yesterday (January 2), stating in a press release it was a “voice for these innocent animals who have been let down yet again by our Government”. “The rodeo is not a sport; it is simply animal abuse. Condemned internationally and in New Zealand by vets, animal welfare experts, animal protection organisations and the general public we must ask ourselves: why is it still legal?” said Georgie De Filippo of Queenstown Animal Activists. “The suffering that is inflicted onto these animals is disgraceful and our government should be ashamed for not calling a ban immediately. Horses, bulls, steers and calves are abused and tormented solely in the name of entertainment.” NZ Rodeo Cowboys Association and Wanaka Rodeo Club president Lyal Cocks said the statements made by the activists “were false and purposely misleading”. He said the rural sport of rodeo has been running in New Zealand for over 60 years and this will be the 56th annual Wanaka Rodeo. “The sport operates under the Government’s strict
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Code of Welfare which has recently been reviewed and endorsed. Like all sports we continually monitor and make changes to ensure the sport is competitive for the contestants, exciting for the spectators and achieves the high animal welfare standards required,” Cocks said. “Rodeo is but one of many sports that compete with animals and rely on having good, healthy, competitive animals and that is why all people who work with and care for the animals in these sports, do so exceptionally well. The animals competing in rodeo events are scrutinised by veterinarians, animal welfare officers, SPCA staff, MPI inspectors and owners to ensure their well being is maintained at a high level.” At the NZ Rodeo Cowboys Association’s 2018 AGM, members confirmed changes to their rodeo practices to improve animal safety. The changes include improving the training and competence of contestants in the rope and tie, and steer wrestle events; only one legal catch attempt in the rope and tie events; only one permitted run to catch the animal in the rope and tie, and steer wrestling events; the calf ride event to be optional but stock must now be a minimum of 200kg and riders must weigh less than 50kg.
A new app, created by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), will help in the fight against one of New Zealand’s most invasive species - wilding conifers. Wilding Watch can be used to find new infestations of wilding conifers as well as upload photos. In the wrong place the pine trees can take over landscapes threatening productive farmland, native ecosystems, tourism opportunities and our national economy. “The app allows users to see for themselves the spread of wilding conifers across the country and upload their own images to help identify new invasions across New Zealand,” said LINZ biosecurity and biodiversity director Dave Mole. “New information and images from land-owners and the public will improve efforts to tackle the spread of wilding conifers, helping our native flora and fauna to thrive right across the country.” Conifer seeds can be blown many kilometres by the wind, enabling them to spread across landscapes. Seedlings quickly infest an area and, if left, can grow into dense, impenetrable wilding conifer forests, which is why it’s important to identify even single trees. “Our knowledge of where wilding conifers are
THURSDAY 03.01.19 - WEDNESDAY 09.01.19
located has significantly increased since the launch of the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme in 2016,” Mole said. “Part of that has been the creation of the Wilding Conifer Information System which allows authorities to enter details of where wildings are located and the control work taking place to eradicate them.” Wilding Watch is now taking this information to the wider public, building on the Information System which has won awards in New Zealand and the United States. LINZ Biosecurity and Biodiversity Advisor Helen Payn said trees that would not be identified for months or even years will be brought to the national programme’s attention much more quickly. “We’d like to encourage everyone with an interest in protecting New Zealand’s landscapes and ecosystems to start using it, particularly if you’re out over the summer tramping, climbing, hunting or even just picnicking with the kids. All you need to do is share a photo of the trees and your location.” Payn said with the public’s help the national programme will be able to achieve greater success in controlling wilding conifers. “We can all do our bit to help prevent the spread of wilding conifers.”
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Counting down to The Ruby
PHOTO: Wanaka Sun
Sports reporter
sports@thewanakasun.co.nz
There is just three weeks left to enter Wanaka’s annual The Ruby lake swim event, and in the process help someone learn to swim. The Ruby organisers donate $1 from every entry for Learn To Swim programmes in the Southern Lakes District as part of the eVentGift.org initiative. With six different races, The Ruby10 kicks of the day’s proceedings. Beginning at Waterfall Creek, it comprises four 2.5km circuits around Ruby Island and back to an offshore jetty near the start and finish
lines. It is one of only five 10km swim in New Zealand, and the only one in the South Island. The Big Ruby is two laps of Ruby Island and the three swimmers with fastest times over the 3.8km distance are in to win some money. The Ruby (2.5km) is one lap of the island, and is the most popular race in the open water event, with 85 people already registered. The winning male and female of the key event will take home the 2019 solid silver The Ruby rings, made by Kate Alterio of Wellington. The Return of The Jetty is a 1.2km swim to the island and back, and The Island, at half that distance, is designed to be an
introduction to open water swimming. Entries are capped at 40, and swimmers get a ride back to shore on a water taxi back. Early to intermediate young swimmers can get their first taste of open water swimming in the Little Gems - 200m of offshore swimming for kids aged six to 11. Only participants in the Little Gems race will be able to register on the day. Due to the increased number of competitors taking part in The Ruby, entries this year will only be taken online, with registration closing on January 24 at 7pm. The Ruby will be held on Saturday January 26. Pictured: Ruby Island on Lake Wanaka.
Post Christmas pony club event 2
Ruth Blunt
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
Pony club riders from around the district took part in several events held on the morning of December 28, before the Hawea Picnic Races at the Hawea Domain. Organised by the Hawea Wanaka Pony Club, the events included the bending race, cup race, cloverleaf barrel race, pony trot, odds and evens jumping, tip and out jumping, musterers’ race, and best bareback rider. The junior and senior riders with the most points over a series of events were awarded the Christine Capell Hewson Cup and R Collings Challenge Cup respectively. The 12 years and under Christine Hewson memorial cup was won by Cara Quinn on Mavis. The Wakatipu 12-year-old also won the tip and out at 1.25m on her other mount Cheeky. The 13 to 16 years R Collings cup was won by Wanaka’s Ellie Bennett, 13, on Maddy. Bennett teamed up as a runner, with Sophie Plimmer, also 13, (on Maddy) as a trotter and Montana Hewson, 14, (on Buster) as a galloper to take out the tri-relay president’s cup trophy. The Christine Hewson cup is currently missing in action and hasn’t been seen since 2016. If you know where it is let us know (editor@thewanakasun.c.o.nz) and we’ll see it returned to the pony club. Pictured: 1. Bella Urquhart, 11, on Rumble taking part in the cup event. 2. Cara Quinn and Cheeky winning the tip and out, over the 1.25m high jump. 3. Ellie Bennett, 13, on Maddy. 4. Heidi Kenrick, 9, jumping her heart out on pony Fly.
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Recreation area proposed for Northlake STAFF REPORTER
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
There is further change on the horizon for Northlake residents, with the announcement of a proposed new recreation reserve close to the village centre. The proposed 3800sqm development on the corner of Northlake Drive and Mt Burke Street will include a multi-purpose, all weather court, a basketball half-court, outdoor fitness equipment set along a fitness trail and a large green area. It was proposed to the council in July 2018 as part
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McCaw puts best foot forward for Wanaka race
of a wider design package for 175 lots. Winton CEO Chris Meehan said in a press release, “it has been great to see Northlake residents making the most of the onsite tennis court since it was installed in 2017. We have had a lot of feedback on the court from residents about their wish for a wider recreational area that all families utilise. As a result, the court will move to a much-improved, wider facility that is nearly 10 times larger than the existing tennis court area.” The existing court will remain until the new facility is complete in 2019, then it will be removed.
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Former All Black Richie McCaw returns to Wanaka’s adventure race Red Bull Defiance next month to try out the new X4 event. The Best Foot Forward NZ team of (honorary Wanaka resident) Richie McCaw, Rob Nichol, and actual Wanaka residents Sarah Fairmaid and Bob McLachlan believe they have found the perfect solution in Red Bull Defiance’s X4 on January 19 and 20, 2019. Requiring half the mileage of the full two-day event, the X4 allows them to race over the course as a team of four, with only two team members racing at any one time and the other two supporting the team. Teams are free to choose which team members do each stage as long as they complete a minimum of two stages and maximum of four stages per competitor. The X4 format is more familyfriendly which suits McCaw who is the team’s newest entrant to parenthood with his baby girl, Charlotte Rose, born only this week, while the other three members have seven children between them, ranging from five-
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years old to 16. “It’s a lot different to an adventure race, where you are navigating around in the wilderness for days. Defiance is hard, fast, dynamic and aggressive. We will need to push ourselves and it will hurt but it will also be really rewarding to do that as a group of four,” said New Zealand Rugby Players Association chief executive Nichol. “On the plus side it will be a nice change from non-stop expeditionstyle racing to finish the X4 day one on the Saturday and have a decent meal, catch up with our families and sleep in a good bed before pushing play again for day two on Sunday.” While seasoned racer, Wanakabased McLachlan, teamed up with multisport ‘rookie’ McCaw to exceed expectations and win the 2018 Red Bull Defiance Sport category, Fairmaid and Nichol had a tough two days. A bike mechanical issue on each day left them with unfinished business to attend to in 2019 and they are determined to put together a strong performance. Pictured: Richie McCaw and Bob McLachlan.
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GREBE DIARY 10
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
December 30 2018
Free family event gets thumbs up
Nice one QLDC for a free event that my kids loved. Thank you Police, for your friendly, picture-posing, patient policing around the lakefront on Monday. As a family we felt happy and we felt safe. Thanks also to the security - friendly, efficient - what more can you ask for. I loved the Red Frogs, what an amazing initiative. I did see a few amiable drunk teens and young adults so it was good to know you were circulating. Music was fantastic, vibe was awesome, and to the clean up crew - it didn’t look too shabby the next morning either. Well done. Booze free events are such an asset, now if we can only make them smoke free too… Happy New Year everyone. Sandra and family
PHOTO: John Darby
On December 24, I did the grebe rounds with young Carter Kelly and was able to record that things appeared to have recovered with 10 nests with eggs. As reported earlier, we try to record the lay date of the first egg (which we mark with pencil), and doing that allows us to estimate hatch date with a reasonable degree of certainty. Over the next three to four days we recheck all the nests that we think have not completed their clutch. And it was on that follow-up check that I was to find that the single eggs on nests six and 13 had gone and all four eggs on nest five had disappeared. It’s a wretched business and very frustrating. Two of us searched the walkway of the marina looking for evidence of broken eggshell of which we found nothing. The absence of shell would then suggest that the eggs could only have been removed by scaup, the little black duck that outnumbers all other ducks around Roys Bay. And that is how it has come about that I have put the word out that I am looking for someone who would be able and prepared to dive to a depth of about 7m to see if there are any eggs on the lake bed in the vicinity of
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nest five and maybe any under nests six and 13. To make me feel even more frustrated, good friends have lent me a trail or game camera. The one in question records all sorts of things and is able to take some 12000 individual images. I had set it up on nest five but had taken it down on December 24 to check that I had both programmed it correctly and set it at the correct angle to cover the whole of the nest. It is motion activated, meaning that every time something moves on or off the nest, a picture is taken. A busy Christmas intervened between when I took it down and put it back; by then the eggs had gone. The camera check showed that I had neither programmed it correctly nor adequately covered the nest area. I had 6900 images of the back half of a nesting platform. It also clearly indicated that every time the platform moved as a result of small wave action on the lake, it took a photo. Back to square one and a hope that I can find a diver. Guess who is being beaten up in the above photo and by whom? – John Darby
PHOTO: Wanaka Sun
LETTER TO THE EDITOR 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.
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• Saturday, January 12, 2019, 11am Luggate Fire Station • The election of officers and the committee will take place at the AGM All of the Luggate community are invited to attend. Apologies to: luggatecommunity@gmail.com
PEST CONTROL
NOTICES Wanaka Salvation Army Family Store. Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9.30am – 4pm. We look forward to seeing you here! Donations kindly received. Please drop them into the Salvation Army Family store or ph 443 5068 to book a pick up. Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days. Business Networking International. The Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning. Great networking opportunity to grow your business. Contact Vicki Donoghue for information 027 208 9462. Rags, rags, rags ... little ones, big ones, cotton ones and drop cloths, available from the Wanaka Salvation Army Family Store 443 5068.
SERVICES Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy. We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street - open from 8am until 7pm every single day. Ph 443 8000. MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY SUPPORT NUMBERS: Ring 111 if it is an emergency and ask for Police. Mental Health Support Line 24/7 free call/tx 1737. Southland Mental Health Emergency Services are on call 24/7 free call 0800 467 846 & 2 for Otago. Central Lakes Community Mental Health Team and Child & Family Mental Health Services, open Mon-Fri (excl stats) 03 441 0010.
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Wanted by the Salvation Army Family Store, if any one has any spare pillow cases we would love them, please just drop them into the store, thanks. The Salvation Army Family store would like used glass spice jars with lids, to donate these please just pop them into the store in Brownston Street. Volunteers required at The Salvation Army Family store if you have some free time and would like to be part of a team which makes a difference, come and see us.
THANKS Thanks to everyone who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle. Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful community.
THE WANAKA SUN
Sun Classifieds
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EMPLOYMENT
Wanaka Sun Christmas Photography Competition
Canteen Assistant We require an assistant for the canteen manager, to provide a high standard of food service to students and staff at the school. The successful applicant will work as part of the Canteen Team, be honest, reliable, able to work under pressure, friendly and show initiative. Applicants need to be fit, the canteen is a busy environment and some lifting will be required. Having knowledge and experience in food safety would be an advantage. This is a permanent position, 32.5 hours per week, term time only, starting at the beginning of the 2019 school year. Applications close at 4.00pm Tuesday 15 January 2019 For a job description ring the school office on 443 0499, or email learn@mtaspiring.school.nz or download from www.mountaspiringcollege.nz/mac-vacancies.html
This week’s selection of images: 1. Waterfight on the waterfront, Lake Hawea | Photo: Alistair Conyngham 2. Colours of the Clutha | Photo: William Debois 3. Morning calm, Lake Wanaka | Photo: Petrina Duncan 4. That Wanaka Tree | Photo: Sophia Niblock 5. Family jump at Emerald Bluffs | Photo: Melanie Foote
SPORTS RESULTS
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Please send sports results to sports@thewanakasun.co.nz by Tuesday at noon. Results should be unformatted and presented in the body of the email.
And the winner is:
William Debois for Colours of Clutha. William is a Frenchman living in Australia, on holiday in Wanaka. Many thanks to Yes Photo & Digital for donating the prize of a SanDisk SDXC Extreme High Speed Card 64GB and a Fine Art Canvas Paper Print 24” x 16” (frame not included) worth $220.
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SUN TEAM
WANAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 903 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: Emma Conyngham newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Allison McLean • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: 021 956 740 adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wanaka Deadlines: Display Advertising Classified Advertising Subscriptions:
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4pm Friday prior to publication. adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz 021 786 740 5pm Monday prior Text: 0220 786 778 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz $175 within NZ (including GST) per year. Overseas rates on request. Remittances to PO Box 697, Wanaka, NZ.
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Sun Sport
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Breca swimrun launches national championships Sports reporter
sports@thewanakasun.co.nz
In 2019, competitors taking on Breca Wanaka can earn points for national ranking and go on to vie for the national title for the first time with the launch of the Breca National Championships. The Breca National Championship will be the prestigious race of the season, where the winning team in the men’s, women’s and mixed categories will be crowned the full or sprint distance national champions. The championship race venue will change every year, with next year’s location to be announced shortly. The Breca National Ranking is a pointsbased ranking system for teams competing across the Breca series each year. Teams will be awarded points for each race they complete, with extra points available at the Breca National Championship race. Following the final race of the calendar year, points will be aggregated to rank the men’s, women’s and mixed teams over the full and sprint distances. “The Breca National Championships and Breca National Rankings will allow endurance elites and multisport enthusiasts to compete alongside each other across our stunning race locations,” said Breca founder, Ben de Rivaz. “Swimrun is rapidly becoming the ‘A’ sport for many of our athletes, it’s going to be a thrilling competitive arena.” Swimrun involves teams of two traversing trail and open water, running in their wetsuits and swimming in their shoes. “Swimrun is all about teammates working
PHOTO: Wanaka Sun
Annual rodeo attracts crowds, competitors Ruth Blunt
editor@thewanakasun.co.nz
PHOTO: Jodie Rainsford Photography
together to complete a unique endurance challenge in spectacular surroundings,” said de Rivaz. “You learn a lot about yourself and your own physical and mental capabilities, as well as connecting with nature in a truly immersive way – it’s you and your partner working with and, sometimes, against the elements across land and water.” Breca Wanaka is New Zealand’s original swimrun location. The full course involves 37.1km of running and 7.5km of swimming with 20 transitions, while the sprint course has half the transitions, 14.3km of running and 3.5km of swimming. Pictured: A local team crosses the finish line at Breca Wanaka 2018.
About 180 contestants competed at yesterday’s Wanaka Rodeo in front of a crowd of thousands. There were eight rodeo events contested on the day: bareback, rope & tie, saddle bronc, team roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling and the steer and bull rides. The annual Wanaka Rodeo has been running on January 2, since 1963. The event, part of the five-rodeo South Island Christmas Circuit, offered competitors the chance to pick up championship points. Wanaka Rodeo Club president Lyal Cocks said championship points were earned at all the rodeos and the competition was fierce to gain enough points to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in March. Top contestants from all around the
country were at the rodeo, while local contestants were also well represented at all levels. Among the locals Cocks said were slated to compete at the annual event were Patrick McCarthy, a past National All Round Champion in the rope & tie and team roping and his wife, Deanna, in the team roping along with other locals Roger Moseby, Bert Elstob and daughter Brooke, Dean Hudson and James Pinfold, who is also a top bareback rider. Barbi Sarginson was registered in the open barrel race while her daughters, Pyper and Olivia Arnold, were in the junior barrel race. Andrew Dawson and Damo Campbell were in the second division steer ride and young Charlie Burdon rode in the novice steer ride. Pictured: Second division rider Hunter Morrow, from Luggate, in the bareback contest.
Wanaka Lifestyle Village + + + + + PAGE 16
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THE WANAKA SUN