The rafters of the Rippon Hall rang with applause on Sunday night (October 13) as At The World’s Edge Festival (AWE) took its final bow to a standing ovation.Throughout the ten day festival, audiences from Queenstown to Bannockburn and Cromwell to Wānaka were treated to programmes of folk and classical music performed by some of the world’s best chamber musicians.“This has been, quite simply, a brilliant experience for everyone involved,” AWE festival director and violinist Justine Cormack said. “This was our biggest programme to date and we were thrilled with the support that we received from our audiences and the broader community into which AWE has become inextricably embedded.”Highlights included the world premiere of this year‘s composer-in-residence, Eve de Castro-Robinson’s new work, earth’s eye, which was commissioned by AWE. Eve said there could be no better place for the piece to make its début than Rippon Hall with the backdrop of Lake Wānaka, as the piece was inspired by Thoreau’s line: “A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” Justine said festival audiences “of all ages” showed there was a demand for world class performances in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago regions. “We may be situated geographically at the world’s edge, but when it comes to chamber music this festival shows that we are undoubtedly front and centre.”In addition to the main festival programme, the AWE+ series offered free events including composer and artist talks, stand alone concerts and open rehearsals.Some musicians have remained in the region for the final week of AWE to visit schools around the region. “This week is every bit as important for us as the performances that come before,” Justine said.“Our artists love playing for and with young students and hope that they can offer inspiration and motivation to younger generations of musicians.” Justine thanked AWE’s sponsors, patrons, artists and audiences for supporting the festival.

Wānaka athletes got off to an excellent start to the 2024-25 season, setting new records and personal bests at last weekend’s (October 12) meet in Dunedin.Four Aspiring Athletes Club (AAC) members competed in track events at Athletics Otago’s first new season interclub meeting, earning podium finishes in every event.Year 13 Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) students Cody Armstrong (18) and Matthew Botting (17) both ran in the Senior Men’s (age-18-19 grade) 100m and 400m. Cody was placed second and Matthew third in the 100m but Cody excelled in the 400m, winning in 49.95sec and setting a new personal best (PB) time.AAC coach Michael Beable said by slicing “a sizeable 0.61 seconds” off his previous PB, Cody had displayed remarkable form, especially so early in the season.“Just over two years ago, his best 400m time was greater than 61 seconds,” Michael said. “Now, through regular, proper training he’s reduced that time substantially, by more than 11 seconds, [and broken] the 50-second barrier for the first time.”Matching Cody’s achievement, two-time national title holder in women’s Under 16 400m Phoebe Laker (15) broke the age-15 grade 400m record, winning in a new PB time of 56.93sec and surpassing the Otago Clubs 400m records for women aged 15-17 years old.Champion Phoebe Laker is unrivalled as she wins the women’s Age-15 grade 400m.“This is at least the fourth time she has broken these Otago records - a rare and outstanding achievement,” Michael said.  Phoebe, who is Year 11 at MAC, also won the women’s Age-15 grade 100m, in 12.87s.Year 13 MAC student Niamh Townsend (19) also continued to outclass her rivals in the senior women’s (age-18-19 grade) 200m, winning in a time of 26.67sec. She ran second in the 100m.And fellow Year 13 student Matthew placed third in the Men’s 18-19 grade 100m and ran close to his PB in the 400m with a time of 53.08 seconds.All four athletes had performed “superbly” given it was just the start of the season and their winter training had been impeded by the loss of 15 training days due to heavy rain making the grass training grounds unusable.Unlike many of the athletes with whom they compete, the Wānaka athletes are at a disadvantage with no all-weather track to train on, Michael said.He expects further improvements in sprint times from each athlete once repairs to their regular training track (which is shared with Wānaka’s football clubs in winter) are completed in November.“It’s a great shame we don’t have an all-weather track. We certainly have the athletes to warrant one,” Michael said, recalling that, despite pleas to the Queenstown Lakes District Council, there was still no plan to fund a synthetic track in Wānaka. Instead, Michael is hoping for better weather to allow the MAC athletes to complete their preparations for the upcoming New Zealand Secondary Schools National Athletics Championships, which will be held in Timaru on December 6-8.  PHOTOS: Supplied

Eleven-year-old George Tucker of Wānaka will be making his Italian debut this month when he races as part of Team NZ at the ROK Superfinal.The race is an international world kartracing final, the culmination of more than 400 drivers from 35 nations winning their respective national championships to gain entry.The young kartracer was selected to represent New Zealand in the Italian superfinal after placing second (NZ2) in this year’s national championships: the Vortex Mini Rok Class (10-13 years old).George, who attends Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC), has been racing karts since 2020.He had an impressive start to his karting career, winning the National NZ Sprint Championship in the Cadet class - giving him the title NZ1 at just nine-years-old.George - ranked NZ2 - will race in the MiniROK category at the world superfinal. PHOTO: SuppliedGeorge is a member of the Dunedin KartSport Club.The first official day of the ROK superfinal is today (Wednesday October 15), and the finals are scheduled for Saturday (October 19). George will be competing in the Mini Rok category.Find out more about KartSport click here.Read more: Wānaka boy racer national kartsport champion

The monthly real estate data for September 2024 has just been released showing an 18 percent increase in residential house sales in the Upper Clutha over September 2023.There were 33 residential sales with a median house price of $1.4M, consistent with prices this year*.In total 106 Upper Clutha sales were registered in September with several pre-title sales for townhouses (13) at Rowley Place and Alta Villas, and section sales (58) at Studholme Rise and Pembroke Terrace.These sales relate to historic transactions and were recognised in September when the title was issued.We are seeing a slow pickup in the market and positive chat, especially after the announcement of a cut in OCR of half a basis point by the Reserve Bank.It is a really good step, especially for the real estate market, and to hear murmurings for further cuts will only add confidence to buyers as we head into 2025.For many, real estate is our biggest asset so it is important to understand where your property sits in the market today and understand what opportunities are on the horizon.We can help clarify the market and identify where opportunities lie, understanding that will be different for everyone. It is a good time to review and to speak to a mortgage broker or bank to ensure you are making the most of this recent market movement.* REINZ statistics - September 2024

Organisations behind the Wānaka after-hours health service gave credit to the community in an opening ceremony yesterday (Monday October 14).Named Wānaka Acute Overnight Care, the new service is provided by Central Otago Health Services Limited (COHSL) in collaboration with local GPs, St John and Ka Ora, and funded by Health New Zealand.Minister of health Dr Shane Reti first announced the service was on its way during a visit to Wānaka in June.A range of organisations and individuals had worked hard to bring the service to life in the months since, COHSL chief executive Hayley Anderson said.“We have arrived,” Hayley told the crowd at yesterday’s opening event. The service is accessed via the Aspiring Care reception, adjacent to the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre.The seven-night-a-week service is being run from two clinic rooms in Aspiring Care, adjacent to the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre.Hayley thanked representatives from a range of organisations as well as “the people in this community who have really pushed for a better deal for people who live here”.Aspiring Village chief executive James Reid said there had been a “soft opening over the last week” and described the experience with the first ever patient, which was “a textbook situation”.Rather than taking the patient to Dunstan Hospital, St John transported the patient to the after-hours service where the clinical nurse specialist and a senior doctor (via telehealth) provided assessment, point of care testing and observation.The patient was very happy with the service and able to return to the community without disruption, James said.Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers and Central Otago Health Services Ltd chief executive Hayley Anderson.It was a “great outcome” and showed the service doing “exactly what it’s designed to do,” he said.COHSL chair Richard Thompson said primary care up and down the country was struggling to provide 24/7 care and that challenge is “even more acute in small communities”.He said the Wānaka after hours service had been in the works for several years but “the funding was not there”.“Without the community, we wouldn’t be here today,” he added. The funding came about in the end, I believe, because the community said, ‘this is simply not acceptable’.”The new service, while “not a perfect solution”, was worth celebrating, he said.Wānaka’s new after-hours health service, Wānaka Acute Overnight Care, runs seven days a week, from 11pm-8.30am Monday-Friday and 11pm-9am on weekends and public holidays.Health NZ funding for the service has been provided for one year, but there will also be a patient co-payment for the service.Consultation fees from 11pm for those enrolled with a WellSouth GP practice will be $180 (for those 14 years and over) and free for those under 14. For ACC injuries the fees will be $65 for enrolled patients over 14, and free for those under 14.Fees are higher for New Zealand visitors ($280 for over 14) and overseas visitors and non residents ($650).PHOTO: Wānaka App 

Following an “enormous” number of applications for the role of principal of Wānaka Primary School (WPS), the school board has announced the successful applicant.Rob Rush, who is currently principal at Clearview Primary in Rolleston (near Christchurch), will begin at Wānaka Primary in the new year.Long-serving principal Wendy Bamford will retire at the end of this year.WPS board chair Brendan Hearle said the number of applicants for Wendy’s role has been “double the normal response rate in New Zealand”.  Rob has more than 20 years’ experience in education.“We had applicants from all over New Zealand and overseas which is testament to the hard work that all of the teaching staff and management have put into this school, hence making it known as one of the best schools in New Zealand,” he said.Rob comes with a wealth of experience with over two decades in the education sector in New Zealand, Brendan said.“Rob has both been a teacher and principal of several schools in both the North and South Island and is a keen mountain biker and multisport athlete so will fit in well to our community,” he said.“The Board would like to formally welcome Rob to the Wānaka community and we look forward to working with him from 2025 onwards.”PHOTOS: Supplied

A new clubroom is planned for Hāwea Domain, which the Hāwea Domain Board hopes will help more people make the most of the 40-acre reserve.The domain, which is located between Lake Hāwea and Hāwea Flat, has been a public reserve for around a century and a few years ago a reserve management plan for the domain was adopted.Hāwea Domain Board chair Geoff Hewson told the Wānaka App the board is planning to put an approximately 100sqm relocatable building on the reserve to be used as a clubroom “for all the future users of the domain”.“It’s a great parcel of land that needs to be utilised more and having a clubroom will help with that,” he said.The building, also billed as ‘community rooms’, will include a kitchen, bathroom, and a meeting room, he said.It will be sited near the tennis courts, closer to Domain Road than the existing Hāwea Picnic Racing Club’s historic ‘President’s Lounge”, which Geoff said will remain untouched.The new clubroom will be sited closer to Domain Road than the existing ‘President’s Lounge’ at the Hāwea Domain. The Hāwea Domain Board Inc was formed a few years ago to work in collaboration with Queenstown Lakes District Council to make the most of the domain. Read more: Domain to become ‘breathing space’ for the Hāwea communityThe domain is currently underutilised - aside from the Hāwea Food Forest (a community garden) it is used by the Wānaka Hāwea Pony Club, and once a year for the annual Hāwea Picnic Races.The $49,062 grant from Central Lakes Trust (CLT) will be “a great start” for the project, which Geoff says has a budget of around $130,000.“We’re hoping for more grants, then we’ll be all go,” he said, adding that the board is hoping to make progress on the resource consent process next year.Hāwea Domain is located at the Gladstone Road end of Domain Road.The grant towards the new clubroom is part of the CLT September funding round, which supported 18 charitable projects across the region - totalling $1,298,826.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Progress is being made on a project between Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Willowridge Developments to create a 20ha grassed site at 101 Ballantyne Road.The site was earmarked long ago for much-needed sports fields for the Upper Clutha but little funding was allocated for the project in the recent Long Term Plan (LTP).Now, a collaboration with the local developer means it could get going much sooner than expected.The details of the proposed agreement are not public but council staff hinted at what the outcome could look like at Thursday’s (October 10) Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) meeting.The goal is to turn the former oxidation ponds site into a “green canvas”, QLDC community services general manager Ken Bailey said.“It will be the largest open space dedicated to sport and recreation across the district.”QLDC sport and recreation manager Simon Battrick told the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) at Thursday’s (October 10) meeting he “needed to emphasise that the outcome of these works will not give us sports fields”.“We will need to look at how we work with the community to see what we can do in that space.”The project, he indicated, would include remediation of contamination of the council-owned site, earthworks and site-flattening to provide a platform for future sports fields.Sports field shortages in the Upper Clutha are long-running and well-documented, with a growing number of clubs and members competing for use of limited fields.Many clubs urged council to bring forward funding for the development of sports fields at the site during Long Term Plan hearings in August.At that same hearing, Willowridge Developments director Allan Dippie told elected members he wanted the development of 101 Ballantyne Road to be the company’s “major community project”.Simon said the collaboration would lead to a “really fantastic outcome” for the community and thanked Willowridge, and Central Machine Hire (which is also owned by Allan Dippie).WUCCB chair Simon Telfer thanked staff for moving “with agility” on the opportunity to collaborate.The board unanimously agreed to recommend the council enter into the agreement.PHOTO: Wānaka App 

Eighteen years on, Wheels to Dunstan is still helping locals get to medical appointments around Otago.The long-running, volunteer-run service has changed little in all those years, and last year 261 people took a trip with Wheels to Dunstan.Most passengers take the Cromwell route, where they connect with the St John Health Shuttle to travel on to Dunedin Hospital, Wheels to Dunstan Trust chair Gordon Girvan told the Wānaka App.Others travel to Dunstan Hospital or to Alexandra for ophthalmology services.When Wheels to Dunstan was created almost two decades ago, its primary purpose was to get elderly people to Dunstan Hospital who would otherwise struggle to find a way to get there.Now, with changing demographics, health services and health needs, the Dunedin Hospital link is much more common and the number of people using the service to get there is “increasing all the time”.“It’s a very good service for people who can’t drive themselves,” Gordon said.Gordon has been involved with Wheels to Dunstan since the beginning, when the Rotary Club first floated the idea, and the Masonic Lodge provided the funds for its first shuttle.The organisation is now on its third vehicle - and for all those years Upper Clutha Transport has provided the diesel.“If it wasn’t for that we wouldn’t be able to operate,” Gordon said.Other costs incurred by Wheels to Dunstan are covered by donations from private individuals and local trusts, and the voluntary donations passengers give - usually of around $10 per ride.A team of 52 volunteers take turns driving the Wheels to Dunstan vehicle and Community LINK coordinates all bookings and pick-ups.Gordon said the service runs “very smoothly” thanks to its supporters, volunteers and the help of Community LINK.To book a trip with Wheels to Dunstan or learn about ways to help support the service, contact Community LINK on 03 443 7799.PHOTO: Supplied

A proposed 80km walking and cycling loop-track along the shorelines of Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea has the potential to become an iconic New Zealand track, believes the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT).The track - a feature of the UCTT’s strategic plan - would traverse the precipitous East Wānaka faces between Wānaka, Hāwea, and The Neck (near the head of the two lakes).While it is no more than an orange line on a map at present, and labelled "long term aspirational", trust chair Dave Howard believes the track proposal demonstrates what "could be possible and be of high value to the region": a multi-day hut-to-hut trip around Lake Wānaka.''It is a great thing to do in the school holidays and it could become a rite-of-passage for local kids, like hiking the Treble Cone summit for the first time,” Dave said.Veteran track builder David Howard PHOTO: Supplied''The track would serve multiple users, whether it's a short stroll along the lake or a quick marathon in the rain before breakfast (you know the type). Everything starts with some crazy concept.”Dave said within the next two years it will be possible to bike 300km off-road from Wānaka and Queenstown to Dunedin, so the 80km Lake Wānaka/Hāwea loop proposal “is entirely achievable”.He says the concept “has all the elements to make it one of New Zealand's iconic tracks”, most more importantly it would be for residents to enjoy accessing the outdoors.Dave, a track-building veteran, knows the amount of work required before construction can begin on any new track. Negotiating access is even more crucial and difficult than raising money, and proposed tracks the strategic plan would require access to Department of Conservation and private land, which has not yet been secured.Dave said the track would have to work for everyone, particularly the landowners.''We work hard to create benefits for landowners and mitigate any potential downside through careful planning and track design,” he said. ''Every landowner has their own specific interests and we must invest in the time to understand these.''We have had great success with developing ecological restoration sites right through to creating new business opportunities for landowners.''Another "aspirational" project in the strategic plan would extend the Minaret Burn track, which begins at the mouth of the Matukituki River on the west side of Lake Wānaka.The 80km track has the potential to become one of New Zealand's iconic tracks, says the UCTT. IMAGE: SuppliedDave said the route has “a few challenges” from the distance and isolation.''A successful long-term concept to make this track viable would likely include multi-day trips, boat transfers, mixed adventures of bike/boat/walk,” he said. “'It is the sort of track that would evolve over time and requires several businesses to offer services to track users.''The trust's more immediate plans are for improvements to the connection between Wānaka and Hāwea, with upgrades to the commuter route and a new trail on the true right bank of the Hāwea River, about which Dave expects to announce more detail soon.A 50 year visionThe strategic plan is intended to be a 50-year vision of what could be possible, acknowledging the trust’s heavy reliance “on the good will and collaboration of landowners".The charitable trust, founded in 2006, is run by volunteers and has invested $2.4M in its 95km track network so far.Dave said tracks are not only a valuable recreational resource for residents but also bring economic benefits. Businesses benefit by providing services to track users, such as accommodation, hospitality, shuttle and rental, he said.''The New Zealand Cycle Trail impact assessment (2021) shows that track users stay longer and spend more than the average visitor. The 23 Great Ride trails returned $950M of direct economic benefit to their communities in 2021,” he said.''Tracks are the perfect infrastructure to support regenerative tourism activities and enhance our natural environment. 'Our future trail network would return tens of millions dollars to our community annually.''The strategic plan, including a map showing the existing and proposed tracks, is attached to the trust's website.

The Snow Sports NZ annual awards were announced at a ceremony at Coronet Peak last evening (Friday October 11) with four awards going to local athletes.Wānaka’s Nico Porteus was awarded Freeskier of the Year, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott won Snowboarder of the Year and Ben Richards won Freeride Athlete of the Year. Lake Hāwea’s Luke Harold won the Breakthrough Season award.Nico finished in second place at the 2024 Aspen X Games, putting down a unique run combining the most technical tricks in the game with his trademark style and creativity.Zoi’s gold medal performance at the Edmonton FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup was enough to secure her Snowboarder of the Year. Ben had an exceptional rookie season on the Freeride World Tour, winning the Fieberbrunn Pro stop, coming third overall on the 2024 Freeride World Tour and was named the Freeride World Tour Rookie of the Year.Luke finished second at his debut FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup and brought home a gold and bronze medal from the 2024 Gangown Youth Olympic Winter Games.Alpine ski racer Alice Robinson (Queenstown, 22) was crowned the 2024 Snow Sports NZ Overall Athlete of the Year.Alice claimed five Giant Slalom World Cup podiums and an additional five World Cup Giant Slalom and Super G top 10 finishes. Alice is also the 2024 Giant Slalom New Zealand National Champion and won the Winter Games NZ FIS ANC Giant Slalom earlier this season. Snow Sports NZ Awards winners:Instructor of the Year sponsored by NZSIA – Frank Wylie (Coronet Peak)Masters of the Year sponsored by Arrowtown Lifestyle Village – Kerry Trevella-Hall and Geoff HuntCoach of the Year sponsored by SITE Trampoline – Nils Coberger and Tim Cafe (Queenstown)Breakthrough Season sponsored by Winter Games NZ – Luke Harrold (Lake Hāwea)Freeskier of the Year sponsored by Mons Royale – Nico Porteous (Wānaka)Alpine Ski Racer of the Year sponsored by Coronet Peak – Alice Robinson (Queenstown)Snowboarder of the Year sponsored by Dick Schulze – Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (Wānaka)Adaptive Athlete of the Year sponsored by Cardrona / Treble Cone – Adam Hall (Dunedin)Freeride Athlete of the Year sponsored by The Remarkables – Ben Richards (Wānaka)Snow Sports NZ Overall Athlete of the Year – Alice Robinson (Queenstown)The Snow Sports NZ Annual Awards presented by Sidekick celebrates the year in Snow Sports recognising outstanding achievements in the sport. PHOTO: Ross Mackay

A fire at Relishes Cafe this morning has not caused any damage according to a spokesperson for the restaurant.The fire started at about 7.30am in the cafe’s flue. A bystander said smoke and fat were spurting onto the roof of the building.Tourists from St Louis in the United States were among seven people dining in the cafe for breakfast. They said the fire was burning out the chimney and they were calmly evacuated from the building.No one was injured and the cafe is expected to reopen this morning.One fire appliance from Wānaka Fire Service attended the incident.Relishes Cafe is on Ardmore St between the BNZ and Racers Edge.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Otago Regional Council (ORC) has released its first-ever stocktake of the bird population in the Otago region, shedding light on the current conservation status of its avian inhabitants. The landmark study provides insights into the conservation needs of Otago birds and the pressing challenges they face, ORC senior terrestrial ecologist Dr Scott Jarvie said. “In order to protect and restore our threatened species, we need to understand which species are living in our region and how they are doing,” he said. The report assesses 283 bird species in the region, with 32 native species deemed ‘regionally threatened’ and four others are classified as ‘regionally at risk’. Among the other birds included 43 species which have gone ‘regionally extinct’; 22 are ‘regionally not threatened’, and three were identified as ‘conservation translocations’ (which means they have been deliberately moved to Otago for conservation benefit and currently have populations). Scott said the key threats to birds in Otago are habitat loss and degradation, introduced mammalian predators, human disturbance, and climate change.“The data from this report will be instrumental in shaping future conservation efforts,” he said.“We need everyone — residents, businesses, and local groups — to pitch in and help protect Otago’s unique birdlife. “This isn’t just a council effort – it’s a community effort. Every action counts.” Otago serves as a national stronghold for eight bird species, meaning more than 20 percent of the national population is within the region. They include migratory shorebirds and domestic migrants, emphasising the region's critical role in preserving these species.ORC science and resilience general manager Tom Dyer said Otago wouldn’t be the same without the melody of birdsong. “This report is an important reminder of the incredible avian diversity that graces our region.This regional assessment is a crucial step in understanding and mitigating the impacts of environmental changes and other activities on bird populations.” “The findings will guide ORC in achieving its biodiversity management objectives, ensuring our native bird species continue to thrive.”Read the full report here.PHOTO: Oscar Thomas

Rotary Clubs across Southland and Otago have collaborated to fund vital medical equipment for Te Waka Wahine Hauora, The Woman’s Health Bus.The clubs have contributed more than $40,000 to purchase a point-of-care machine that will expand the testing capability of the Woman’s Health Bus and reduce wait times for patients.Woman’s Health Bus co-director Dr Helen Paterson said the support of the Rotary Clubs has been extraordinary.“We were amazed,” Helen said.“It is absolutely fabulous that the community has got on board with this project and our hope is that we will be able to give back to the community equivalently in care.”  Helen said the new equipment is a game-changer for the mobile service enabling testing, diagnostic, and treatment on the same day.“What we are hoping to achieve is a service where more people will get more access to testing and treatment if required,” she said.The Woman’s Health Bus provides a mobile health service across Southland and Otago focused on rural areas where access to medical care often involves significant inconvenience (day off work) and expense to the patient.The Cepheid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine can perform up to four tests at the same time.The new ‘mini-lab’ will make it easier for rural women to access preventative medical testing with results available immediately and, where required, a colposcopy can be performed on the same day. Helen says this will remove known barriers to health care and ensure women are not ‘lost’ due to long delays.The Rotary Club of Wānaka initiated the funding after it learned that 28 percent of women in the Southern district had never had a smear test, partly due to expense and inconvenience.Club president Alan Richardson said Rotary clubs across the southern region quickly supported the project.“We all live in rural communities and we know how hard it can be to get the medical care needed,” Alan said.“We invited regional Rotary clubs to make this purchase a reality and within days we had the funds needed to purchase this vital medical equipment.“It makes us all proud to be Rotarians when we see this type of collaboration and know that we are making a real difference in people's lives.”The new Cepheid PCR machine has been installed and is now used by the Woman’s Health Bus service.Funders include the Rotary Clubs of Wānaka, Alexandra, Cromwell, Balclutha, Invercargill North, Mosgiel, Milton, Queenstown, and Fiordland, with a matching grant from Rotary District #9999.

Wānaka ballerina Isabel (Izzy) Martin made the finals at a prestigious competition in Sydney, the Youth Grand Prix Senior Classical Division, last weekend.Izzy was one of 24 selected from approximately 150 young dancers around Australia and New Zealand to dance in the final round, as well as receiving a call back for the scholarship class.“Taking part in YGP Sydney was amazing,” Izzy told the Wānaka App.“There was such a positive atmosphere even though it was really nerve wracking and I made lots of new friends. It has made me even more determined to train harder with my dancing.”Izzy’s mother, Wānaka dance teacher Briony Martin, said Izzy did a great job competing in her first big international competition among talented dancers from Australia and New Zealand. “It was a huge achievement to have been selected for both the senior women’s final round (24 dancers) as well as the scholarship call back class,” Briony said.“It has been a huge year of travel and training for her to increase her ballet training from home in Wānaka where she is a Year 10 student at Mount Aspiring College.”Izzy by Sydney Harbour.Isabel took part in ballet and contemporary masterclasses which were judged as well as performing a Classical solo (La Esmerelda) and a contemporary solo choreographed by Nina Fischer. “It was a huge and quite terrifying experience at times… but was helped along by the support of her friends and family cheering her on from home in Wānaka,” Briony said. Isabel studies ballet, contemporary and jazz at Centralpoint Dance Studios, recently receiving Distinction for her final Advanced 2 Royal Academy of Dance Examination. She often travels to Wellington to train at the NZ School Of Dance as a National Scholar and Intermediate Classical Associate. She was also selected to take part in the Royal New Zealand Ballet National Mentor Programme and is currently in Wellington for a two-day intensive with her mentor and the company, taking classes in the St James Theatre.PHOTOS: Supplied

In a narrow 4-3 vote, the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) has opted to retrospectively approve the removal of a right-hand turn into Ardmore Street, which means the signalised crossing point on SH84 will be retained.The traffic lights and new crossing point are already completed and operational - part of the Schools to Pool project designed to provide a safe route from local schools to the Wānaka Recreation Centre - and would cost more than half a million dollars to remediate.The project was a joint initiative of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).WUCCB members were divided into two groups at yesterday’s meeting, with one group preferring to approve the retrospective removal of the right-hand turn.A smaller group wanted to remove the new signalised crossing and reinstate the previous refuge island crossing 50m east.The right-hand turn which was removed during the traffic lights project means instead of taking a right into Ardmore Street immediately after the roundabout, drivers must take a right onto Ballantyne Road slightly further up, and another right shortly afterwards to reach the Bottle-O and vape shop.Staff and board members estimated the delay to cost drivers no more than a minute.Board member Chris Hadfield said “a number of people” had approached him about removal of the right-hand turn.Board member John Wellington said this was “a minor inconvenience at best”.“I really struggle to comprehend how… a one minute detour can possibly justify removing the installation of traffic lights as part of a project that has been talked about and developed over years.”Councillor Cody Tucker said the prospect of backpedalling and reinstating the previous refuge island was “crazy” and to spend more than half a million dollars to remedy it was “reckless”.The crossing had been installed in the wrong location and if it was going to cost a lot to remedy it, that wasn’t the community board’s fault, board member Linda Joll said.Councillor Lyal Cocks said he “couldn’t support spending that much money removing what has been done, rightly or wrongly”. Chris said it was “a bigger issue than just a right hand turn”.Concerns about the traffic lights and their location - less than 100m from a busy roundabout - first cropped up in June, with locals worried they would cause traffic jams.Earlier this week, the Wānaka Fire Brigade said the lights would cause delays in emergency responses, saying a fire truck had been delayed once already.Read more: ‘Every second counts’: Concerns over traffic light delaysA QLDC staffer said yesterday that emergency services had not been consulted on the change as “it wasn’t envisaged that there would be a material impact on their ability to respond to an emergency event”. Ultimately the location of the crossing was NZTA’s decision, they added.Opinions on whether the effects of the traffic lights on the roundabout had been significant enough to warrant the costly reinstatement of the previous refuge island were mixed among board members.WUCCB chair Simon Telfer said there was an “armageddon forecast” before the lights turned on, which “hasn’t happened”.Board chair Simon Telfer said there will be congestion in the roundabout area during summer “whether there’s lights or not”. PHOTO: Jeannine Tuffin“The lights have been turned on and I haven’t seen major challenges. Over summer there will be greater use, but we have congestion around that anyway, whether there’s lights or not.”Councillor Barry Bruce, who owns a nearby car rental, said he had noticed “serious congestion” at busy times. Board members discussed the possibility of turning off the traffic lights, at Lyal’s suggestion, but John said that was “putting the cart before the horse”.John said the traffic lights hadn’t been operational long enough to gauge their impacts.It was also “not within our domain”, Simon said, as the signalised crossing is on a state highway managed by NZTA.“There are other things we are conflating here that are linked but are not within our control.”In the end the item was approved with support from John, Simon, Cody and Lyal, while Barry, Chris and Linda voted against it.The Wānaka App approached NZTA for a comment on the concerns raised by the Wānaka Fire Brigade.“QLDC is leading this project so please talk to them,” was the response.

The district’s seventh annual Quality of Life survey - which will provide insight into residents’ views on issues such as housing, health services, the environment, transport, employment, and sense of community - has now opened. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) acting chief executive Ken Bailey said data collected by previous years’ surveys provided council, and other organisations, with strong evidence to address the district’s issues, challenges and opportunities. “Past findings helped shape QLDC’s Long Term Plan, supported our advocacy with government agencies, and guided projects such as the Climate and Biodiversity Plan and the Welcoming Communities Programme,” he said. “This year’s survey will give us broader insight into what’s currently going well in people’s lives and what they would like to change. It’ll help us and other organisations identify priority issues, pain points, and opportunities to improve the quality of life for our communities.”Last year’s survey indicated that 72 percent of residents rate their quality of life as good or better; 21 percent said they had a place to live today but were worried about losing it in the future; 18 percent indicated they needed to move in the last 12 months; and 21 percent had no disposable income or couldn't cover their expenses.Read more: Housing a major challenge for residents, survey findsKen said a new dedicated annual survey on trust and satisfaction in council services and decision-making would take place in the new year, rather than these subjects being included in the Quality of Life survey as they traditionally have. “At QLDC, we really value locals’ views on the trust they hold in council to deliver and make good decisions and understanding your level of satisfaction with our services and facilities,” he said. “To give that the focus it deserves and ensure we can turn the results into meaningful improvements, we will be running a stand-alone annual survey on these subjects early in 2025.” Ken said he encouraged everyone in the district to take part in the Quality of Life survey - which will put them in the draw for a $250 prezzy card and weekly $50 prezzy spot prizes. Anyone can access the survey here until November 10. PHOTO: Wānaka App

‘Wanason’ has finished the inaugural Toyota Kiwi Cup Regatta in sixth place.The week-long intensive, held in Auckland between September 28 and October 4, brought together ten youth teams from across the country, hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS).The ‘Wanason’ team was created after the Wānaka Yacht Club needed some extra numbers to make up its team and it joined forces with members of the Nelson Yacht Club.RNZYS general manager Sarah Wiblin said the Kiwi Cup provided an opportunity to strengthen connections between clubs from around the country at the start of the sailing season.“It’s a chance to give the students a taste of high-end competitive racing while getting them better connected with the Auckland marine industry that co-exists with so much of our sailing success,” she said. The week long intensive ended with the two-day regatta and some fierce competition.In the end it was down to the two Auckland teams, proving the local edge - Royal Akarana Yacht Club (RAYC) beat Murrays Bay Sailing Club by just one point. Team ‘Wanason’ with (from left) Erica Hudson and Maddie Smith (both Wānaka) and Ash Cole, Bruno Page and Jay Brixton (Nelson).Wanason came in ahead of Plimmerton Boating Club, Napier Sailing Club, Queen Charlotte Yacht Club, and Kerikeri Cruising Club.To top off the week, the sailors experienced a formal dinner with RNZYS Life Members, Past Commodores and supporters of youth sailing.Wānaka Yacht Club is entering the new season on the back of a standout last season for its growing youth contingent.Read more: Season ends on high for young sailorsThe small club has had a surge in youth numbers in the last couple of years and in the last season, WYC sailors competed at national championships, competed in the Sail GP programme, joined the National AON Youth Sailing Squad and competed at NZ Youth Champs, with strong results at many competitions.Learn more about WYC here.PHOTOS: Supplied

Wānaka Fire Brigade is the latest group to raise concerns over the placement of a crossing and traffic lights on Ardmore Street, between the Ballantyne Road/SH84 intersection and the Caltex roundabout.The traffic lights were installed in August to provide a safe crossing for school students as part of the Schools to Pools route connecting schools to the Wānaka Recreation Centre at Three Parks. The project was a joint initiative of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.Some locals raised concerns in June that the lights and traffic crossing - which are about 100m from the busy roundabout - are too close, questioning their practicality and safety.Wānaka fire chief Tony Wellman told the Wānaka App this week that the brigade is monitoring the impact of the signalled crossing, which has already delayed a fire truck.“Within five minutes a house fire is getting to the stage where it’s not survivable. Every minute counts,” he said.Wānaka Fire chief Tony Wellman; Councillor Barry Bruce PHOTOS: SuppliedThe fire brigade also does a lot of medical call outs, he said, providing backup to Hato Hone St John Ambulance.“Every second counts in those sorts of calls.”Community board faced with choice this weekThe issue of the traffic lights is going to the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) on Thursday (October 10) to retrospectively approve removal of the right turn movement from State Highway 84 into Ardmore Street (where the Alpine Motel, Bottle-O and a vape shop are situated).The council report said the primary considerations were “a safe and efficient transport system”, and the effect of the proposed change on members of the public, including users of the Schools to Pool project. It said the changes were proposed to ensure the continued safety of cyclists and pedestrians using the traffic network, and the only “likely inconvenience” was for residents and businesses located on Ardmore Street who would need to take a one minute detour via Ballantyne Road.The board has been presented with two options: to leave the new layout and retrospectively approve the removal of the right hand turn; or “remove the new safe signalised crossing point and reinstate the previous refuge island crossing 50m east”.Two members of the WUCCB have confirmed to the Wānaka App that they will vote to remove the new road crossing.Council’s report to the community board said there would be “minor inconvenience” for business owners, but did not reference emergency services. PHOTO: Wānaka AppCouncillor Barry Bruce said the new layout was “a disaster waiting to happen and we need to get rid of it, plain and simple”. Community board member Chris Hadfield agreed with Barry.Barry, who owns rental company Inland Autos just off the Caltex roundabout on Brownston Street, said he has looked out on the intersection for 24 years, and believed there was potential for “a log-jam” during busy times of the year.Barry has already expressed his frustration that elected members had not been consulted on the change, saying there had been “no discussion within council”.Read more: Confusion, frustration over traffic signalsThe issue will go to the WUCCB meeting, which will be held in Cardrona, on Thursday morning at 10am.Fire response could be compromisedWānaka’s fire station is situated on Ballantyne Road, not far from the new crossing on Ardmore Street. Tony Wellman said the fire brigade was not consulted about the new road layout, and he first heard about it when contractors Fulton Hogan left a flyer warning about delays while the traffic lights were being installed. Tony immediately contacted his group manager in Queenstown, who contacted Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC). Council’s response was along the lines of ‘let’s see what happens’, Tony said.Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) standards expect fire trucks to be out on the road within five minutes, Tony said. “That’s the standard we try to meet.”With the new lights, there is potential for “a three minute delay just sitting there”, he said.“Coming out of Ballantyne Road, there is no parking zone there, so cars can block straight across there if they’re waiting at the lights. They could block that whole road off.”And this is not the brigade’s busy time of year, Tony said. “Christmas is going to be the big test. I think we’re going to see massive backlogs.”Not only is the delay a concern for fire appliances making it quickly to incidents, Tony said a big issue was volunteers (most of whom live on the north side of town) getting to the station quickly.“It’s an experiment for everyone, really. We’re going to see if it works or not.”The Wānaka App approached St John for comment, and was told a response was expected from the area’s operation managers before the WUCCB meeting this week.QLDC was also approached for comment.