Landowners, iwi, community groups and environmental organisations can learn more about Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) ECO Fund and how to submit a strong application in free, upcoming webinars.The fund supports community-led projects around the region that protect, enhance and promote the environment and there is $918,000 available in the upcoming funding round.The two webinars will have different focuses, ORC councillor Chanel Gardner said, with the first webinar - taking place tonight (Tuesday March 3) - about “clarity”.“We want potential applicants, including those who have applied before, to understand what the fund is designed to achieve in 2026, what’s changed, and how to position their project well before applications open.”Next week, ORC will host a ‘preparing a strong funding application’ webinar to help applicants strengthen their submissions and maximise their impact.“Whether you’re new to funding or experienced, this session will walk through what makes a proposal clear, credible and aligned with council priorities. We encourage all applicants to take part,” Chanel said.Since 2018, the ECO fund has supported 194 projects from 420 applications, distributing just over $3.64M (out of $10.45M requested) across eleven application rounds.An annual review process occurs, to set up the funding categories for each year which align with council’s strategic directions.Funding categories include hill country erosion management, scaling up for biodiversity, sustained rabbit management incentives, biodiversity enhancement on protected private land, weed removal and revegetation, and a general fund.Applications for the 2026 ECO Fund will open on March 16.Find more information about the ECO Fund and the details of the webinars here.PHOTO: Wānaka App

It was fantastic to see medical imaging provider Beyond Radiology announce that it will be expanding its South Island presence to become the radiology provider and an anchor tenant in the new Wānaka Health Precinct.The Wānaka Health Precinct is delighted to have Beyond Radiology on board and excited that they will be making new medical imaging capability available locally. As a New Zealand owned, radiologist led business Beyond has recognised the incredible growth that we all know is happening in the Upper Clutha region and they can see how we lack access to important health services compared to the other New Zealand regions they work in.Beyond Radiology currently operates five clinics across Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch and is about to open a sixth clinic in Tauranga. Its services include MRI, CT, Spect-CT, X-Ray, ultrasound, and mammography and is an approved affiliated provider for Southern Cross, NIB and ProCare.Beyond prides itself on using leading edge technology. It installed the first and only EOS machine in New Zealand, enabling full-body imaging of standing or seated patients for weight bearing assessment of spinal, pelvic and lower limb alignment.Beyond intends to make high tech imaging services available in Wānaka. They already have two lead radiologists in the region available to anchor the new facility – as well as a queue of other staff lining up to move here. I reckon their biggest problem will be keeping staff in their other clinics when they realise there’s an opportunity to live in our little slice of paradise. Attracting a range of new medical specialties to the area has always been an important objective for the Wānaka Health Precinct. We’re actively curating a thriving community of innovative health providers able to offer high quality care right here in our own community. Because, by advancing what is within our control – the establishment of new private medical services in Wānaka – we pave the way for future local public health delivery.Beyond already works with Health New Zealand to deliver diagnostic imaging services for public patients elsewhere in New Zealand and would welcome the opportunity to deliver these services to the people of Wānaka and Upper Clutha should the opportunity arise.

Eight masters from the Wanaka Rowing Club (WRC) returned from Saturday’s (February 28) Masters and Juniors Regatta at Oreti River with an impressive haul of medals.Favourable tide and wind conditions allowed the full programme to be completed in the morning, and WRC crews delivered strong performances against crews from Invercargill, Waihopai, Port Chalmers, and Whakatipu.Wānaka rower Shane Gibson had a standout day, claiming first place in the Men's Single Sculls and topping the podium again in the Mixed Double Sculls alongside Elizabeth Lampen Smith.He added another win in the Men's Double Sculls with Chelsea Lodge and secured a third-place finish in the Men's Quad with Chris Menzies, Elizabeth Lampen Smith, and Max Paulin.The WRC Women’s Double Scull pairing of Lizzie Ritchie and Sandra Read also took out first place, while the Women’s Quad (featuring Lizzie, Sandra, Sandra Binney, and Jo Underwood) finished fourth in its event.WRC’s junior crews are training hard under head coach Rob Bruce for the upcoming South Island Secondary School Regatta on March 6, which will be followed by the season finale, the Maadi Cup, two weeks later. Both events will be held on Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel.To support their Maadi Cup campaign, junior rowers are running a silent auction and firewood raffle, featuring various prizes kindly donated by local businesses. Support the fundraiser here.PHOTO: WRC

Today's power outages - Tuesday 3 March 8.30am til 4.30pm - McLennan Road and Loach Road.Upcoming outages -Thursday 12 March, 9am till 3pm - Oak Lane, Roses Saddle Rise, Wānaka Mount Aspiring Road.Thursday 12 March, 9am till 4pm - Bells Lane, Colling Road, Jolly Road.Friday 20 March, 9am till 3.30pm - Highridge Terrace, Jasper Place, Serpentine Street, Tiffany Lane, West Meadows Drive.To keep up to date with power outages click here.

More people in Wānaka can now access routine diagnostic imaging closer to home, with publicly funded X-ray and ultrasound services available from this week, health minister Simeon Brown and associate health minister Matt Doocey said. “Until now, patients in Wānaka who were referred by their GP or primary care provider for a funded X-ray or ultrasound have not been able to receive those services locally,” the health minister said. “That has meant travelling outside of Wānaka for routine diagnostic tests, adding time, cost, and stress for patients and their families. “[Now] GPs and other primary care providers can refer patients for funded imaging right here in Wānaka. This will help people access the tests they need more quickly and begin treatment sooner.” The new service is expected to provide around 1,400 X-rays and 1,500 ultrasounds over the next 18 months.“This expansion has been delivered through outsourcing arrangements that increase local capacity and make better use of available services, ensuring patients can receive timely diagnosis and treatment closer to home,” the health minister said. The associate health minister said the new service directly responds to feedback gathered during last year’s 13 Rural Health Roadshows, which included one in Wānaka where the community made it clear that access to diagnostic tests was a major barrier to care, he said. “We’ve listened to that feedback and taken practical action.”Waitaki MP Miles Anderson said during the roadshow “we heard from local health advocates and the community about the need for increased diagnostic services”, which he pushed for. “It is great to see those voices being heard and decisions being made to respond to the specific needs of the Wānaka community.”Local health advocacy group Health Action Wānaka (HAW) said it was “thrilled” that Wānaka will have publicly-funded radiology services going forward.Access to publicly funded x-rays and ultrasounds was one of three ‘quick wins’ the group proposed to the health minister in July last year.Patients will need to be referred through the existing Community Referred Radiology Programme.Urgent imaging will continue to be provided at Dunstan Hospital in Clyde.PHOTO: File

Snow Sports NZ has signed a funding agreement with the TAB, allowing the country’s sole sports betting operator to run betting markets on sanctioned snow sports events. In July last year, a law change was implemented so that TAB NZ became the only legal provider of sports betting for people in this country.“The agreement we have signed means Snow Sports NZ will formally allow TAB NZ to run betting markets on the snow sports events we sanction, with some of the return coming back to us as a sport,” Snow Sports NZ announced last week.Snow Sports said athletes had been consulted “in the lead-in to this decision and appropriate integrity monitoring and safeguards will be put in place”.  “There may be some promotion of this activity on our channels and at events,” the organisation said. Snow Sports NZ Board would confirm how the money would be invested back into the sport once it “understands the quantum of funding coming back from the TAB”.The announcement comes just days after the New Zealand Snow Sports team secured three medals at Milano Cortina 2026, equalling Beijing 2022’s medal tally - the team’s most successful Games. More than 30 sporting organisations in New Zealand already have similar agreements in place. Millions of dollars in funding goes back to New Zealand sporting bodies annually from the TAB’s betting products and other gambling sources. IMAGES: Supplied/Snow Sports NZ

Staff from Otago Regional Council (ORC), Central Otago District Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), and QLDC Harbourmaster teams took part in a joint freshwater oil spill response exercise at Waterfall Creek last week (Wednesday February 25). ORC investigations team leader Peter Kelliher said the training of as many as 20 staff focused on deploying a containment boom around the confluence of Waterfall Creek and Lake Wānaka.A containment boom is an important technique used to limit the spread of oil during a spill event. “The exercise was an excellent demonstration of local authorities working together to strengthen preparedness and response capability across the Central Otago districts,” Peter said. “This was a great example of councils collaborating to ensure we’re ready to respond quickly and effectively to oil discharges, whether they come from vessels on the lake or from road incidents near waterways.” The joint exercise forms part of ongoing regional readiness activities aimed at protecting Otago’s freshwater environments and supporting coordinated emergency responses.

Aspiring Athletics Club (AAC) athletes attended the Otago club championships in Dunedin recently (February 14-15), with some recording personal best (PB) performances.AAC head coach Michael Beable said athletes had to contend with wind and rain, and cool temperatures, but some “shone through”.These included Lily Lake (14) with a PB in the 100m (13.17s), Ruby Swamy (14) with PBs in the long jump (4.79m) and 100m (13.54s), Jared Anoka (13) in the 100m (14.02), and Ryan Enoka (19) in the MU20 shot put (10.29m - 6kg weight).Not to be outdone by the juniors, local physiotherapist and new AAC member Tim Smith had “a standout performance” in the Masters’ 45-49 category at the Otago champs, Michael said.“[He won] his 60m in a remarkable 8.01s - 32 years since his last competitive sprint.”Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) students in the training group now shift their attention to the Otago Secondary School Championships in Dunedin on March 13-14. Those who finish in the top three in their events will qualify for the South Island Secondary School (SISS) Championships in Christchurch on March 28-29, capping off their season.However the SISS competition might be “a bit too soon” for long-sprint specialist Phoebe Laker, now in Year 13 at MAC, Michael said. “She has been working hard over the holidays, in rehab mode, to recover from a lower limb injury incurred late last year,” he said “Current holder of the NZ U18 and Australian U17 400m titles, as well as all the Otago Women’s 400m records from ages 13 to 19, Phoebe should be returning to competition before too long; hopefully, in time for the Australian Athletics Championships in Brisbane in April, and then the Oceania Championships in Darwin in May.” Meanwhile, Ryan Young, a long-time member of the AAC, continues to impress as an emerging national triple jumper, Michael said.Ryan finished second in the Senior Men’s event, behind Yuto Adachi from Japan, at the Christchurch International Track Meeting (ITM) at the Nga Puna Wai Sports Complex on Saturday February 24. “Ryan leapt to within 2cm of his personal best, producing an excellent 14.49m into a strong headwind (-1.9m/s), further underlining his potential,” Michael said. He said it was encouraging to see Ryan finish 26cm ahead of third-placegetter Matt Walsh, who had claimed the triple jump title at Athletics New Zealand’s inaugural short-course national championships in Hastings last month.Ryan’s next goal is to do well at the NZ National Championships in Auckland, March 5-8.PHOTOS: Supplied

An incredible amount of growth and change has happened in Wānaka over the past decade, and it has been a privilege for the Wānaka App team to cover it all.In March 2016 - the Wānaka App’s debut - Three Parks was largely paddocks, the Wānaka Recreation Centre hadn’t been built, people were still debating whether the Wānaka Watersports Facility was a good idea or not - and ‘that Wānaka Tree’ was largely unnoticed.In our first week we covered hearings on the planned watersports facility, medals for snow sports star Adam Hall, and local takes on the nation-wide flag referendum.Few people were anticipating a global pandemic, and the risks of the Alpine Fault were not as well understood or discussed as they are today.Since then, we’ve seen the district expand, subdivisions mushroom, the shopping centre shift, the Upper Clutha’s role in the wider district come under scrutiny, and our representation change. The Wānaka App has been a voice in covering issues as diverse as the health of our deep lakes, the fight for a local birthing unit, and the Education Review Office report which led to major changes at our only secondary school.Our editorial on the McDonald’s debate, which drew attention to health service inequities in the district, helped spark community advocacy for improved access to health services - which is now beginning to bear fruit.There have been contentious issues which we’ve done our best to report on fairly and impartially, while keeping the community informed - and finding time for light-hearted, personal stories too.We’re grateful to all the people in the community who have taken the time to share their stories with us. Delivering news and information has been a constant journey of innovation, from the early days of a simple mobile app, to a full platform development to deliver a sophisticated mobile app experience along with an online experience at wanakaapp.nz. The weekly Wānaka Newsletter was added in 2021 providing another way for readers to keep up to date with what’s happening in the community.Today the Wānaka App’s channels record more than 130,000 reader sessions every month and around 800,000 page views.Despite all the changes around us, the Wānaka App team has remained constant. Our owners, Tony and Pip O’Regan, continue to innovate and serve the community. Caroline Harker, our first editor, set us on course for the first year, when I took the helm. Maddy Harker has been reporting from the beginning, and Diana Cocks joined the team soon after (she is now focusing her time on helping preserve Wānaka’s history). Melanie Cusens - a new recruit to the team - has recently joined us as a casual reporter.We look forward to being witness to (as well as part of) the next decade. Thank you so much for reading.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) draft annual plan delivers an overall zero rates increase in 2026-27 - a significant drop on the 8.7 percent increase forecast during the Long Term Plan process.Councillors sought to keep rates as low as possible, ORC chairperson Hilary Calvert said.“We’re confident we can deliver for Otago’s people and environment within the zero-budget increase proposed,” she said. Factors helping to reduce rates include “cost savings and efficiencies in work programmes, extended timeframes for some work and finding alternative revenue sources”.While the draft annual plan has no increase in the value of the overall rates amount collected, rates for each property varies depending on things like location and the services provided. For the median-value residential property within Queenstown Lakes (ones which are not subject to a public transport surcharge, like some in Queenstown), rates will drop by 1.01 percent.A rates estimator will be added to the ORC website by mid-March so people can look up their estimated rates.As no significant changes have been made to what was consulted on in the Long Term Plan for the 2026/27 year, councillors have chosen not to go to the expense of formally consulting with the community on the draft annual plan.It will go to council for adoption in late April 2026.Hilary noted that the government is proposing significant reform in the local government sector, but any changes will take some time to happen. “In the meantime, it’s important that we continue to work hard for Otago, including providing public transport, monitoring Otago’s air, land, waterways and natural hazards, compliance monitoring and enforcement, river management, flood and drainage schemes, harbourmaster functions and emergency management response,” she said. PHOTO: Wānaka App

A Wild West-style home built with strawbale walls, recycled bridge beams and salvaged farm machinery parts has hit the market in Albert Town, drawing attention for its unique design.The property was purpose-built to resemble an American ranch, with much of its design shaped around reclaimed materials its owners collected.New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty sales associate Luc Ravel said the home was “created as a personal project and a piece of craftsmanship” rather than following a trend.Mike Wight and his late partner Sandra Tumaru were inspired by ranches they saw while travelling through the American Southwest on their Harley Davidsons.“They spent years collecting materials before they even finalised a design - bridge beams, telephone poles, salvaged timber, antique doors - and then built the home around those pieces,” Luc told the Wānaka App.“So rather than buying materials to suit a house, the house was shaped by the materials and the story behind them.”The residence includes multiple living areas, a media room with a fireplace, three bedrooms, and a loft fitted with built-in beds for guests. Two separate garages and a drive-through courtyard provide off-street parking and storage.A 50sqm entertaining pavilion, completed in 2020, has a full kitchen, pizza oven and industrial-style cooktop designed for larger gatherings.Details throughout the home reflect its handcrafted approach. “One of the most memorable is the breakfast bar - it’s made from leftover structural timber and fitted with antique tractor seats mounted on custom pipework,” Luc said. “Another standout is the straw-bale windows framed with gears from an old tractor. “They’re subtle details, but they show the level of thought and craftsmanship that went into the build.”The property at 9 Balneaves Lane, Albert Town, is being marketed by deadline sale.“We’ve seen enquiry from a wide range of people, but the property is likely to appeal most to someone who values craftsmanship and character, and who wants a home with a story rather than a conventional modern build - particularly at a time when many new subdivisions around town have covenants that limit creativity and individuality,” Luc said.PHOTO: New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty

On Monday, we gathered at the Community Hub to talk about parenting but what unfolded was something much deeper.Again and again, the same themes surfaced. Parents want wholesome physical and social activities that maximise connection, belonging and supportive growth for everyone. They want to feel supported and safe. They want their children to grow up deeply connected and engaged in nourishing relationships. More than anything, parents want a place where everyone belongs.A place where people are connected across generations, grandparents, parents, children who are not looking down at their phones, but looking at each other. Talking. Listening. Sharing stories. Giving back. Helping and learning from one another.There was deep appreciation for the outstanding opportunities our mountain and the lake environment offer. Parents spoke about wanting more informal, affordable ways to gather. Walks - Swims - Shared meals - Community events that feel accessible and real. Spaces where families can explore, grow and simply be together.And then it struck us.Not one person asked for better schools. Not one mentioned better roads. No one spoke about more shops, more technology, bigger houses or greater material wealth. No one is asking for more. If anything, they’re really asking for less. The beauty is in the simplicity. The real richness? A deeply connected community of families, helping each other thrive. So, we have been sitting with this question: if we already know what we value; belonging, safety, presence, shared experiences, what is it that we allow into our family life that drives us so far away from pursuing the lives we truly, deeply value?Is it busyness? Comparison? Distraction? The quiet creep of convenience over connection? And what can we do next to support one another and hunt more of the good stuff? Because the good stuff isn’t that complicated. It’s in the mountains. It’s in the lake. It’s around the dinner table. It’s in the spaces where we choose to look up and truly see each other.Maybe the future we’re craving isn’t something we need to build from scratch?Maybe it’s something we already have and simply need to protect and nurture together.Authors: Gemma McCaw and Ali McCormick

A Wānaka fundraiser tonight (Saturday February 28) aims to spark conversations about mental health in rural communities.‘Bush, Balls & Breaking Barriers’ will take place at the Lake Wānaka Centre. Hosted by Aspiring Rotary, the event raises funds for Mental Hunts, a charity supporting the rural, tradie, and hunting sectors.It promises an evening of inspiring stories, social connection, and fun, with food, a bar, and a live auction.“We hope people will leave feeling inspired, with new tools to add to their toolbox, and that the evening will spark open conversations that maybe weren’t happening before,” Aspiring Rotary representative Livia Warren told the Wānaka App.Speakers will include former Black Cap Lou Vincent, Mental Hunts founder Glen Thurston, and registered counsellor Kathryn Wright, with Matt Chisholm as MC. Livia said Aspiring Rotary had wanted to host an uplifting event as the weather cools to help lift spirits.“After Glen Thurston from Mental Hunts did a presentation to our Aspiring Rotary group, we felt we really wanted to get on board and help him raise funds. So, with that, Bush, Balls and Breaking Barriers was born.”Livia said Mental Hunts helps break down stigma and encourage conversations about mental wellbeing in communities where people often ‘just get on with it’.“These are exactly the groups that have some of the highest suicide rates in New Zealand.”The speakers will share personal experiences and practical advice. Lou will talk about his road to redemption after a lifetime ban for match fixing as a Black Cap; Glen will explain why tough conversations matter in rural communities; Kathryn will provide tools for managing mental wellbeing; and Matt will keep the evening flowing, sharing his own experiences and energising the audience.“Most people tend to ‘just get on with it,’ but sometimes ‘just getting on with it’ isn’t enough.All of our speakers know what that feels like and how to see the signs,” Livia said.“The stories of resilience, honesty, and open conversations about life’s struggles will resonate with a rural audience.”Tickets for Bush, Balls & Breaking Barriers are still available online or at the door.PHOTO: Supplied

The Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) has resumed its public sharing sessions, ‘Share with Us’. The sessions are an opportunity for anyone in the community to chat with their elected members about local matters and ideas. “It's another way for the board to connect with the community and hear their ideas and concerns,” WUCCB chair Simon Telfer told the Wānaka App.“Often we are alerted to great initiatives that are happening in the community that we are able to support or provide guidance on. Topics are always wide ranging and interesting to us.“For residents it's an opportunity to meet face to face with the board in an informal setting. Share with Us sessions don't have the formality and time pressure of a presentation at the public forum of a board meeting. “The connection is a little more personal and human than emailing and allows for richer kōrero.”Coming up are sessions on Sunday (March 1, from 9am to 1pm) at the Luggate Farmers Market; Wednesday March 4 (from 2.30-4pm) at the Makarora Picnic in the Park; and on Sunday March 8 (from 1-4pm) at the Domain Daze, Hāwea.   There’s no need to register; people can just drop by, and everyone is welcome, Simon said.PHOTO: Wānaka App

One of the things I really enjoy about working in tax is it’s constantly changing, so there’s always something new and interesting to learn about.I do appreciate, however, this probably isn’t as much fun for the rest of you. The recent flip-flopping around property rules has no doubt had a few of you tearing your hair out, and there have been other changes such as increases to individual and trust tax rates. And now, depending on how the election goes, we might be getting a capital gains tax.So how do you plan for the future when the tax rules are frequently changing?Renowned tax expert Terry Boucher recently offered a clue in his weekly tax podcast (yes that’s a thing):“Don’t let the tax tail wag the investment dog.”It’s a great point I think. It’s precisely because tax is so uncertain that you shouldn’t plan things around it. In the tax world we see a range of approaches to tax. Some take a pretty laid-back approach, while others will scrutinise every dollar.Both approaches have pros and cons, but focusing too much on tax can, as Terry alluded to, lead to the wrong outcomes. In extreme cases, it may even be illegal. What I’m about to say may sound strange, but when working out an investment strategy, your tax advisor should be the last person you talk to.Why do I say that? Well, there are lots of things to consider when planning investments and most of them have little to do with tax. Financial goals, succession planning, market forecasts and trends, and lifestyle choices are just a few of the factors that need to be accounted for. An investment that works well for tax, for example, won’t help you much if you can’t cash it in when you need to, or if it doesn’t deliver good returns. Now obviously tax does matter where different investments deliver otherwise similar outcomes. But work out what you want to do first, then come talk to us to figure out the most tax-efficient way to do it.Alex CullTax Partner, Greenhawk Chartered Accountants0800 422 526 | [email protected] | greenhawk.co.nz91 Sir Tim Wallis Drive, Wānaka

One person has been arrested and two more spoken to in relation to stealing a vehicle from outside a Totara Terrace residence and going on a “joyride” this week, Wānaka Police area response manager Graeme Hamblett reported. “Early morning Sunday (February 22) the three opportunists located a vehicle parked on the roadside with the keys in the ignition,” Graeme said. “Subsequently the trio have taken the vehicle on a two-hour joy ride around Wānaka and Hāwea.“During their jaunt, the group have taken turns driving deliberately running into road signs, a letterbox, rubbish bins and a tree. The vehicle was recovered by police the same day.” Police are seeking any information from residents who have found any unexplained damage which they believe may have resulted from a vehicle collision Sunday morning between 1am - 3am. Contact 105 quoting file number 260222/4322. “Police are urging locals and visitors to the area to lock their vehicles when left unattended,” Graeme said.Three people are due to appear in Queenstown Court this week over recent offenses in Wānaka.The first is a 41-year-old Wānaka resident who was charged with drink driving and careless use of a motor vehicle after an incident on Aubrey Road on January 25 where he failed to negotiate a corner, crashing into a power pole.“Alcohol was suspected as a contributing factor, leading to a blood sample being obtained from the driver,” Graeme said. “The sample returned a result [of] over 140 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, nearly three times over the legal limit.” The second incident was also drink-driving related: An 18-year-old from Dunedin was stopped on the Lake Hawea-Albert Town Road on January 2 following a driving complaint.“The young driver underwent breath test procedures returning a result of 900 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath,” Graeme said. “The alcohol limit for anyone driving, under 20 years of age, is zero.” The third was a 24-year-old woman who was caught trying to steal more than $70 worth of groceries from Wānaka New World.  A 32-year-old local resident was airlifted to Christchurch Central Hospital this week after suffering serious injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident on Crown Range Road. “At about 8.30am Tuesday 25 February, while traveling south out of the Cardona Township, the male has left the road after completing an overtaking manoeuvre,” Graeme said.Police are seeking any information, including dashcam footage relating to the incident – contact 105 quoting file number 260224/2596.  Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers.PHOTO: Supplied

Four Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College 2025 senior students have achieved prestigious New Zealand scholarships, recognising their exceptional academic performance.Year 13 students in 2025, Ania-Kanu Saklani (Drama), Tanyn Wood (English), Zoe Giles (Health and Physical Education), and Charlie Blampied (Geography) have been recognised as top secondary school scholars in their respective subjects.Top students in each subject are given the opportunity to do Scholarship assessments in order to achieve the award, which they can receive if they demonstrate deep subject knowledge, advanced critical thinking, and the ability to apply their understanding to complex situations.Head of learning area for Drama Emily McRae said 2025 head student Ania-Kanu demonstrated an engaged and curious attitude throughout her preparation. “As a 2025 head student, Ania-Kanu navigated an extremely busy year, bravely committing to the scholarship exam,” she said.Ania-Kanu said the Scholarship course was challenging but very fulfilling.“It gave me a much deeper understanding of drama and how a performance flows,” she said. “Your pieces need to show your range as an actor, and working with Mrs McRae taught me how to dive deeper and make my performances feel truly lived-in.”Tanyn, who is now studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts at Otago University, said she found Scholarship challenging but believes it has prepared her for higher learning across different contexts.“The Scholarship English workshops were engaging, and I enjoyed discussing the content in more detail. It was great to have these regular critical discussions.”Tanyn Wood, who is now studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts at Otago University, received Scholarship in English.Zoe, who is now studying health sciences at the University of Otago with the aim of commencing physiotherapy next year, excelled in physical education, balancing sporting and academic success.“Zoe enrolled in university papers to extend and enrich her learning in health and physical education,” Head of learning area for Health and Physical Education Neil Stuart said.“I was particularly impressed by her exceptional time management and the way she fully embraced every opportunity available to her at the college.”Social sciences teacher Lana Whipp said Charlie’s Scholarship success is a testament to her analytical rigour and meticulous attention to detail.“Charlie’s year-long focus on complex data and map interpretation in Level 3 Geography ensured she was exceptionally well prepared for the exam.”This year, Charlie is studying law, psychology, philosophy and geography at Otago University.Scholarship recipients all receive a monetary award, which ranges from a $500 one-off payment to up to $10,000 each year for up to three years for premier awards.PHOTOS: MAC

A new after-hours bar and live music space will give people another reason to stay longer at this year’s Wānaka A&P Show, with organisers transforming a familiar corner of the grounds into a relaxed evening social hub.The newly launched Scapegrace Show Bar has taken over the long-standing gathering spot behind the show office and pavilion, turning it into a dedicated space for drinks, live music and winding down once the day’s competitions wrap up.Open until 8pm each day, the bar is designed to carry the show’s energy into the early evening.“Shows have always been about more than what happens in the ring,” Wānaka A&P Show general manager Jane Stalker said.“They are about catching up, sharing stories and spending time together.“The Scapegrace Show Bar enhances a space people already know and love, giving them an even better place to unwind and enjoy each other’s company.”A line-up of mostly local musicians will provide a soundtrack for the afternoons, with Sean Tinder, Andrew Logie and Dirty Money Duo playing from 2pm daily. Friday evening (March 13) features soulful storyteller Jenny Mitchell, followed by indie-pop act Avalanche City on Saturday (March 14).The Wānaka A&P Show returns to Wānaka on March 13 and 14 featuring equestrian and livestock competitions, home industries, rides, food trucks and family favourites like the Jack Russell race and the Dogs and Pets Show. Read more: Kids and pets - a highlight of the Wānaka A&P ShowLearn more about the upcoming Wānaka A&P Show.PHOTO: Gabi Rankine Creative

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is undertaking a rat and stoat control operation in the Makarora Valley from tomorrow (Friday February 27) until Sunday evening (March 1).The treatment area is 69,414 hectares and includes the Makarora, Young, Siberia, Wilkin, and Cameron Valleys, along with Brewster Track. The operation is part of DOC’s National Predator Control Programme and is in response to the predicted beech mast this summer and rising rat numbers, DOC said in a statement this week.“The increasing rat population seriously threatens the survival of the mohua populations in these valleys and negatively impacts other native species.”DOC advised that poisoning can occur through eating baits or poisoned animals (including carcasses), and the risks will exist until signage is taken down.Poison baits (which are green, 3cm cylinders) and carcasses are deadly to dogs; people are advised not to eat trout from the area for seven days after the operation. “Do not eat animals from these areas or within the buffer zone outside the treatment boundary. The standard buffer zone is 2km for deer and pigs, 200m for rabbits, and 1km for hares, tahr, wallabies, and possums.”Helicopters will aerially distribute the pellets according to predetermined flight paths controlled by GPS. The Blue Pools Track, Blue Pools car park, Cameron Flat Campground and immediate surrounding public conservation land will be closed from 6am tomorrow until Sunday evening.DOC has advised people to not enter other parts of the operational area while the helicopters are operating.People planning to visit the operational area at this time are advised to check the DOC website or with the DOC Wānaka Visitor Centre (03 443 7660) first for possible delays and further information.Work may continue through into Monday (March 2) if difficult operating conditions are encountered, DOC said.PHOTO: Supplied