Two young local boys keen to learn how to surf in a lakeside town have taken the challenge into their own hands this year.Holy Family Catholic School year four students Victor Tessier and Ollie Crosbie, both nine, have built a wooden ‘horseradish board’ and donated it to the school following a self-driven project in their Ignition class.A horseradish board is shaped as a surfboard and suspended by ropes in a system that’s designed to mimic the sensation of a surfboard in water.  The boys, who had never surfed ocean waves before embarking on their project, researched the design of the board during ‘Genius Hour’ in their Ignition class.They visited Ross McCarthy at YourWave in Hāwea before settling on the design. With the help of Victor’s dad Bastien Tessier, they approached Breen Construction who agreed to donate all the materials for the building project.“We started off using cardboard and chairs, then we used a Swiss ball and then we researched and found a board called the Horseradish Board,” the boys wrote in a letter to their school.During the school holidays, the boys built the board and frame using macrocarpa donated by Breen. It was specially sanded and oiled to create a smooth finish for young feet.“The idea was presented to me by Bastien and once I knew it was to be school kids doing the project, I was all in,” Breen Wānaka area manager Ross McCulloch said. “I love this kind of thing – getting kids into using tools and materials to make creations that have a finished product they can use was a highlight of this project.”Once the project was completed, Victor and Ollie wrote to their teachers to see if the school would like the board to be donated to the school.“Our surfing balance board will help with teaching children balance and it will be good for brain breaks. We have had a look and think that on that back field by the sandpit, but not too close to the sandpit might be the perfect place,” they said.Holy Family acting principal Ange Scoullar says the school’s Ignition programme – a weekly class for likeminded year 4-8 students – offers youngsters the opportunity to extend their learning and is the perfect place for creative ideas to start and self-directed projects to be developed.“We are very grateful to Breen Wānaka for donating the materials and helping to make the boys’ ideas into a reality,” Ange said. “It’s been a great learning opportunity from start to finish and the board has been well received by the students.”PHOTO: Supplied

23 Helwick Street, Wānaka.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has banned fireworks in the Queenstown Lakes area until further notice.FENZ Otago District manager Phil Marsh says in spite of recent rain and forecast rainfall, the district will continue to dry out."In many areas we see grass browning off and seed heads drying out - this is where our fires start," he said.Phil said fireworks pose a significant threat when grasses dry out, and Queenstown Lakes is a mix of mostly grassland and some scrub and forest."Many properties in this area are surrounded by grassland, which is very quick to ignite. Grasslands dry out quickly even after rain, and this often catches people out. One minute their fire is contained, and the next, it’s spreading through the surrounding grass."Using section 52 of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act allows the prohibition of fireworks to avoid the risk of large wildfires."Summer holidays are traditionally a time when fireworks either left over or saved from Guy Fawkes are brought out of the cupboard," Phil said."We do sometimes have vegetation fires started by fireworks, and with these conditions, the consequences of badly-handled fireworks on our safety, and our property and environment could be severe.”Phil also urged people to check their old burn piles or land clearing burns to make sure they are completely out. “Windy weather is liable to reignite them if they’re not extinguished."This is already a busy time of year for fire crews, who also deal with motor vehicle crashes and other types of incidents, he said."The influx of visitors over the holiday period usually brings more activities such as boating, camping and recreational driving, increasing the risk of fires getting started."I’d like to see volunteer firefighters getting to spend a bit more time with their family these holidays, not having to be out there putting out another preventable fire."There is also a year-round prohibited fire season in the following special risk zones: Mount Iron, Queenstown, Albert Town Recreation Reserve, Shag Point, Ruby Island, Stevensons Island, Mou Waho, Mou Tapu, Pig Island/Mātau, and Pigeon Island/Wāwāhi Waka.PHOTO: Supplied

A police operation resulting in the seizure of firearms, ammunition, drugs and items consistent with drug supply included search warrants in Wānaka and Hāwea this week.Detectives from the Southern District Organised Crime Group executed nine search warrants over December 17-19, as part of Operation Speargrass, which also included Cromwell, Alexandra, Clyde, and Queenstown.Quantities of the Class A, B, and C controlled drugs methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, magic mushrooms, and cannabis were seized during the operation, Otago lakes central area commander Inspector Paula Enoka said.Eight firearms were seized along with thousands of rounds of ammunition.Two men aged 34 and 35 have been arrested and remanded in custody on various drug supply, drug possession, and unlawful firearm possession charges.Two other men, as well as two women, have had their firearms licences suspended as a result of insecure firearm storage and drug possession.“This operation was designed to disrupt the sources of illicit drugs in our community, and it was extremely concerning to also locate firearms being improperly and dangerously held,” Paula said.“Holding a firearms licence is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly and it is vitally important firearms are kept in safe and secure storage.”Paula said police will continue to target those who supply illicit drugs, which cause extreme harm and damage to our communities.“We can’t do this alone however, and we ask that anyone with information about the supply of illicit drugs contact us on 105,” Paula said.Information can also be reported to police anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.Police encourage anyone affected by drug addiction to seek help through the Alcohol and Drug helpline on 0800 787 797, or free text 8681.

Thousands of travellers are expected over the summer holiday season through Queenstown Airport.Tomorrow (Saturday December 21) will be the biggest day for arrivals, with about 5,250 people expected to fly into Queenstown. More than 5,000 arrivals are also expected on Sunday (December 22), Friday (December 27), and Saturday (December 28).Departures start to increase after Christmas, with more than 5,000 people a day from Thursday (January 2) to Sunday (January 5).“We expect strong passenger numbers right through the school holidays to the end of January,” Queenstown Airport chief operating officer Todd Grace said.“It’s wonderful to connect people with their friends and family at Christmas, and to see others fly off for a holiday.“However, our systems will be operating near capacity and the terminal will be bustling, so please be patient and allow extra time to check in, drop your bag, clear security, and get on your plane,” he said.Todd advised people to allow plenty of time to get to the airport, as the roads will be busy. The Park & Ride service is located on Brookes Road and a free return shuttle operates 365 days a year. The first trip departs Park & Ride 100 minutes before the first flight is scheduled to depart. The last trip leaves Queenstown Airport 60 minutes after the last flight arrival.PHOTO: Supplied

Five athletes from the Aspiring Athletes’ Club performed well at the NZ Secondary Schools Athletics Association Championships in Timaru recently (December 6-8). The popular championships - the premier competition on NZ’s Secondary Schools Athletics Calendar - attracted approximately 1,035 athletes from 198 schools.The five local athletes, all Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) students, were kept busy, competing in at least two events each.A highlight was the standout performance by year 11 MAC student Phoebe Laker (15), who is already a two-time national title holder in the Women’s Under-16 400m category. Phoebe Laker in action.She won the Girls’ U16 400m final with a tactically well-run race, Aspiring Athletes senior coach Michael Beable told the Wānaka App.“She pulled away by almost 0.9s from the rest of the field down the home straight (leaving the others in her wake). Other than confirming herself as the best junior girl 400m in the country, the win was a consolation for her after having missed competing last year because of troublesome knee tendon,” he said.Phoebe’s time of 56.16s was a personal best (PB), and she set Otago records for girls aged 15, 16 and 17, for at least the seventh time, he added.The busiest MAC athlete over the three day competition was year 13 student Cody Armstrong (18). He ran three 400m individual races in three days, achieving a creditable sixth place in the final out of a total of 30 competitors.Year 9 student Eve Pfahlert (13) was entered in the Girls’ U16 200m for experience, and she used it as a warmup for the school’s mixed relay, which took place on the Sunday. Matthew Botting (18) also ran in the 200m and did well, making the Senior Boys’ semi-finals.Year 12 student Ryan Enoka (17) was MAC’s sole competitor in the throwing events, achieving fifth place in hammer, and 14th in discus.In the mixed 4x400m relay that MAC entered, two races were held and the final placings were decided on times across both. MAC won the second race, but was placed fourth overall, on time.“The MAC athletes ran their hearts out, and the way in which the last MAC runners chased down the runners ahead brought a cheering crowd to its feet,” Michael said.“With the lead runner ahead by 80-90m with just a lap to go, Cody ran a blinder of a last leg, getting ahead finally, with a last-ditch lean right at the finish line… It was a stirring performance by this new team which had not run together before.”He said the relay was a fitting end to the athletes’ efforts at the event; and “something they, and the school, can be very proud of”.The young athletes have done particularly well given not being able to train regularly enough on Wānaka’s grass track because of all the recent rains. About 20 training days had been lost due to rain over the latter part of winter, and in spring, Michael said.Remaining competitions this season include the nationally ranked Lovelock Classic meeting in Timaru (January 11), one of only five ‘Classics’ to be held in the South Island this summer.PHOTOS: Supplied

McDonald’s says it no longer plans to open its proposed Wānaka restaurant around the clock.Previously billed to operate 24 hours a day, the company now plans to open from 6am-11pm daily.Jeremy Brabant, the barrister representing McDonald’s, presented the amendment to its proposal to independent commissioners via Zoom today (Thursday December 19).It follows a three-day in-person hearing in Wānaka in November where the commissioners considered the controversial proposal for a McDonald’s near the SH6/SH84 intersection.The McDonald’s team, pictured during the November hearing, including barrister Jeremy Brabant (front, centre). PHOTO: Wānaka AppDuring the hearing they heard from the McDonald’s team, Queenstown Lakes District Council (which recommended the proposal be turned down), and members of the public (the majority of whom opposed it).Today, Jeremy noted that opponents of the McDonald’s proposal had had “a bit to say” about the 24/7 McDonald’s operation.That was now a “moot point” considering the concession from McDonald’s on operating hours.“The other tweak to the proposal is the adjustment to the height of the blade sign,” Jeremy told commissioners.The controversial proposal has been the source of plenty of debate in the community. PHOTO: Wānaka AppThe ‘golden arches’ would be reduced to 2.2m in height to “align” with the height of the Caltex sign.Jeremy said the amendments were “discreet” but “important”.The Zoom meeting was the McDonald’s team’s opportunity to provide its right-of-reply and Jeremy touched on a range of topics which had come up during the hearing.He said while McDonald’s was “cognisant” of the rubbish and packaging issue, “you don’t need to go further than the two supermarkets in town to find more packaging than you can shake a stick at”.When it came to the nutritional value and health effects of McDonald’s food, it was “a matter of personal choice as to what one orders from McDonald’s, or not”, he said.He said the McDonald’s, which was “not a large building”, was not of the “nature of scale which can compete with or detract from Mt Iron”.The McDonald’s, if approved, would be built on rural-zoned land near the SH6/SH84 intersection. PHOTO: Wānaka AppThe idea that the McDonald’s site was within the ‘gateway’ to Wānaka was “a somewhat nebulous concept that needs not to be overlooked”, Jeremy said.Jeremy noted that there was a “narrow pathway to consent” for the proposal.However, it is “deserving of consent”, he said.Independent commissioner Helen Atkins said she expected to issue a decision on the McDonald’s proposal by the end of January.

A person has died and several others are injured, following a crash on State Highway 6 between Queenstown and Kingston this afternoon (Thursday December 20).The crash, involving two cars and a tour bus, was reported to police at 4.05pm.A person from one of the cars was confirmed deceased at the scene and at least two others are reported to have critical injuries.At least two people from the bus are reported to have serious injuries and a number of other people have moderate injuries police said.State Highway 6 north of Kingston is expected to remain closed for several hours.Motorists are urged to delay travel where possible.

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Owners’ Association (NZMCA) has continued to criticise Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) approach to freedom camping, saying the council is firmly to blame for any negative impacts from camping this summer.This month the NZMCA told its members that QLDC had “deliberately created” an “open slather” approach to freedom camping in the district.“They are hanging their ratepayers out to dry with a deliberate choice that has opened the door to a potential free-for-all for irresponsible freedom campers,” NZMCA CEO Bruce Lochore said in the group’s December newsletter.QLDC stopped enforcing its 2021 Freedom Camping Bylaw after it was revoked by the High Court in early November after the NZMCA challenged the bylaw’s legality.“The bylaw restricted freedom camping in a number of areas in the district. Without it those restrictions are lifted,” a QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App last month.Read more: Council stops enforcing freedom camping, legal costs mountHowever, campers should not assume they can camp on any public land without checking if any other restrictions apply (such as restrictions under the Reserves Act regarding temporary and permanent accommodation).The national Freedom Camping Act 2011 also requires that vehicles be certified self-contained to freedom camp and QLDC has continued to enforce this. Bruce Lochore told members the NZMCA had told QLDC “their proposed bylaws didn’t meet the requirements of the law and [we] offered to work with them to ensure that they did”.“Even after we had won the case, Justice Osborne gave QLDC the opportunity to find a solution for this summer. We could have pushed for the bylaw to be quashed but we didn’t; instead we reached out in good faith to QLDC to offer an olive branch to avoid the current situation.“We should have known better – QLDC rejected our assistance and asked the Court to quash the bylaw.”NZMA’s CEO says there is potential for a “free-for-all for irresponsible freedom campers this summer”. PHOTO: Wānaka AppHe said QLDC has blamed NZMCA for the lack of freedom camping controls this summer, but, he said: “... any negative impacts from the QLDC’s decision need to be laid at their door”.Deputy mayor Quentin Smith told the Wānaka App he was disappointed the group continued to “actively antagonise QLDC and its residents”.“I have personally extended the invite on a number of occasions to NZMCA to work constructively,” he said.“I extend an open invite to Bruce Lochore and his board to arrange a public meeting in Wānaka with an independent facilitator so they can make their case and explain what they want.  “Their continued approach of aggressive and expensive legal action is perplexing when they refuse to engage with the community they impact both financially and in terms of effective management of issues in our community.” QLDC was approached for comment.Read more: Council’s freedom camping bylaw ruled invalidRead more: New freedom camping bylaw to cost another $100k

Local agencies are urging parents to help ensure their children have a safe New Year’s period.Queenstown Lakes District Council, NZ Police, Hato Hone St John and harm prevention organisation Red Frogs have teamed up to share safety messaging ahead of the busy holiday break.Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers said while he wanted visitors and locals to enjoy New Year’s, it should be done safely and respectfully - and supplying alcohol to minors was “a red line”.Each year huge numbers of visitors travel to Wānaka for the Christmas and New Year’s period and many congregate on the lakefront on New Year’s Eve for the community celebrations.The agencies said they want to ensure the young people attending New Year’s Eve events - and spending time in Wānaka around that period - have parental supervision and, crucially, aren’t supplied with alcohol.“We see it every year and our job is to minimise that,” Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said.Parents also needed “to be on the same page with us” when it came to supplying alcohol to minors and it is something police would be “hitting hard”.“We’ll be enforcing it. We make no apologies for that,” Fi said.Queenstown Lakes District Council, NZ Police, Hato Hone St John and harm prevention organisation Red Frogs have teamed up to encourage safe New Year’s behaviour. PHOTO: Wānaka App“In the past we have taken prosecution action against a parent/caregiver for supplying alcohol to a minor,” she said. “This was a direct consequence of the state that we found their child.”She also encouraged parents to attend the community events with their children or teens.Red Frogs national director Ray Thomson said the agencies want young people “to have a fun time - and we want them to have a safe time as well”.The organisation will have volunteers around the Wānaka CBD from December 29-January 1, offering free pancakes, water and a chill-out zone to encourage safe behaviour.Ray said while Red Frogs liked looking after young people “you [parents] also have a role and responsibility”.He had four ‘top tips’ for parents: Have open conversations with your teens about their plans; remind them to stay with their friends; leave no young person behind; and “tell your teens to visit Red Frogs”.

Hāwea Flat’s Presbyterian church, St Ninian’s, has been listed for sale for the first time since its construction before World War II.The Hāwea congregation has “outgrown” the church, Hāwea minister Reverend Aaron Johnstone said.“We’re selling St Ninian’s as a part of our process to build a new church within the Longview subdivision [at Lake Hāwea],” he told the Wānaka App.The church, which is adjacent to the Hāwea Kindergarten and Hāwea Flat School, was built between 1937 and 1938 by the Hāwea community under the guidance of celebrated architect Dr Elmslie. “There is a wonderful history of St. Ninian’s evolving with its congregation over the past 90 years,” Aaron said.“It has been a place of comfort and worship, and today, it continues to thrive as a hub of life and connection.” The interior of the church.Aaron said the local congregation had “lovingly maintained the building over the decades”. The vestry was added in 1956, and in 1959, an agreement with the local school provided water access, enabling the addition of a small kitchen and washroom. During the Depression in the 1930s, the church supported workers and their families building the Makarora–Haast road under challenging conditions. Evening services continued during the 1950s Ministry of Works efforts to construct the Hāwea Control Dam. “Although we’ve outgrown the space, we remain committed to honouring the vision of our founders and continuing to serve the community,” Aaron said. The church has a Queenstown Lakes District Council Category 3 Historic Heritage designation, which allows for internal alterations while preserving its exterior. It is being sold by Century 21 Wānaka.PHOTOS: Supplied

Ten patients were assessed and treated at the site of a hot air balloon crash near Wānaka this morning, Hato Hone St John says.Two ambulances and two operations managers responded after being alerted to the crash, in Queensbury, at 8.32am.All patients had “minor” injuries and no transportation was required, St John told the Wānaka App.A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) representative told the Wānaka App it had also responded with crews from both Wānaka and Luggate.When FENZ arrived “everyone was out of the balloon and in the care of the ambulance”.The representative said the hot air balloon had had “a rough landing”.PHOTO: Wānaka App98466

A temporary cell tower in Albert Town will help Two Degrees manage increased demand over the summer months.The trailer-mounted cell tower features a 12.8m high pole and three panel antennas, located on the road reserve opposite Templeton Street.A similar tower was in place for three months last summer.A representative from Two Degrees said it was seeing “insatiable demand” for high-speed data from customers.“Data usage on the network continues to double year on year, with similar growth expected in future”.The company said it is hoping to build a permanent telecommunications facility in Albert Town in the next two-to-five years.“We are currently working on other network enhancements that will improve Albert Town capacity until then,” they said.“We are upgrading our existing sites in Wānaka and investigating a new site on the other side of Mt Iron which will de-load the capacity of the current site servicing Albert Town.“These changes may mean we do not need the temporary summer [tower] from next year.”Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) approved Two Degrees’ resource consent application for the cell tower.It is expected to be in place until the end of February.PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said incidents of note this week included a 53-year-old male being arrested and charged with breaching his bail (on Tuesday December 17).The previous week (December 9), police were called to a non-injury motor vehicle accident on Mt Aspiring Road.Festive season preparation“The Wānaka Police wish all our community a very happy Christmas and New Year,” Fi said.“The team will be working hard to ensure that we all enjoy it safely, on our roads, in the community and throughout the festive season.” Wānaka is starting to get busy for the festive season, and Fi asked that people “be respectful and sensible, look after your mates and ensure everybody stays safe especially in relation to functions”. Patience is key on the roads, she said. “Make sure you plan ahead, drive fresh, and your vehicle has been serviced. Drinking? Don’t drive. Have a sober driver organised or plan to use public transport. The risk is not worth taking.” She also advised people to prepare well when heading into the outdoors. “Whether you are exploring some of the finest tracks the country has to offer, or enjoying a day on the water, please let somebody know where you are going, when you’ll be back, and take the appropriate gear. Enjoy the holiday season, have a great summer, and remember to keep yourself and everybody else safe.”Facebook scams continue“This week a member of the public brought to our attention a scam that has been localised,” Fi said. The scam was hosted on the Facebook platform and is likely a duplication from an authentic site but purporting to being a local Wānaka retailer.  “We can’t find any evidence of the business being legitimate and we have asked Facebook to remove it,” Fi said.“We have referred the matter to our cyber-crime team who may be able to track down the owner of the site. My instincts tell me that this is one of many scams that have origins overseas.”She said key red flags for people to be wary of are the recency of the account being ‘registered’ or created on Facebook, a local address with no number, fake reviews, and low trust score ratings.“If you think it is a scam, do your diligence,” she said. Fi said Southern District Police have an Investigation Support Unit based in Dunedin that is inundated with “very believable websites which are popping up all over the show”.If people think they or someone they know has been the victim of an online scam, fraud, abuse and harassment or other criminal activity online they can report online or call 105. Providing as much information as possible (such as bank statements, emails, texts, social media accounts) helps in processing reports. Find more information here.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: Wānaka App

A Wānaka man who killed Royalburn Station's head butcher in a head on crash has been sentenced to three years and eleven months in prison in the Invercargill High Court.Hayden Richard Hurst, 29, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after he hit Outrega Anderson's car on State Highway 6 near Gibbston in December last year.Justice Lisa Preston said when Hurst got behind the wheel that morning, his blood alcohol level of 131mg was more than double the legal limit, he had over twice the high risk legal limit of MDMA in his system, and he wasn't wearing corrective lenses.It was the morning after his work Christmas party in Queenstown. His employer had booked accommodation, but Hurst decided to drive to his home in Wānaka.He drove recklessly and dangerously for half an hour before the fatal crash, veering into oncoming traffic and forcing some drivers to leave the road to avoid a head on collision, Preston said.Hurst was also disqualified from driving for four years after release and ordered to pay Anderson's family $10,000 in emotional harm reparation.In a victim impact statement, Anderson's family said it was a senseless act that left them with a true life sentence, with overwhelming and unbearable grief some days.The effects of his sudden death was catastrophic made even more upsetting by his mum's alzheimer's preventing her from being able to properly grieve her son, they said.One of his nephews had anxiety and feared another of his loved ones would die in a car crash, they said.They describe Anderson as a beautiful, kind and compassionate soul, with a talent for art and burgeoning career.His workmates described him as a rock of Royalburn Station, saying his death had left them heartbroken and with a gaping hole in their lives.They challenged Hurst to ensure he made every effort to become a better man, to never drive while intoxicated again and help others to learn from his mistakes.Justice Lisa Preston said their victim impact statements spoke of a kind, beloved and highly respected man whose life was cut far too short.PHOTO: RNZ / Tess Brunton

Wānaka para alpine ski racer Adam Hall finished in third place at the FIS Para Alpine Slalom World Cup held in Tignes, France, overnight (Monday December 16). This result marks the 30th World Cup podium of Adam’s career and his hundredth World Cup start. “I had a really good day, I am really happy, met some big milestones today and it is a great way to start my season,” Adam said.“I have had an incredible lead up into these races with amazing training and it’s so rewarding to see weeks and months of training come through into my competitions.”Adam during competition at Tignes.Adam said the result is his best start to a season and a successful way to begin preparing for his sixth Paralympics in Milano Cortina in 2026. Slalom rankings are determined by the first and second run times of each athlete combined. Adam was sitting in fourth position after the first run and found more speed in his second run to secure a podium finish.Adam finished in bronze medal position, 2.87 seconds behind the winner Arthur Bauchet of France. Aaron Lindstroem of Sweden finished second. Adam will be back on snow tonight (December 17) for another World Cup race. PHOTOS: Gregory Picoult

The government is removing four wellbeing provisions from the Local Government Act, saying councils were using them to justify spending on nice-to-haves.The local government minister says the provisions were leading to rates increases, but Labour says there is no evidence of that.On Monday, Simeon Brown said the government wanted local government to get back to basics, namely pipes, potholes, and core services."It is clear that rates are out of control. These increases are unacceptable to ratepayers, and unacceptable to the government," he said.Brown said the wellbeing provisions (adding the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of communities to the statutory purpose of local government) had increased the scope of what councils were focusing on."We see so many examples up and down the country where councils, you know, the convention centres, the hotels that they look at, and all of these other things that they want to spend money on, and you look at the language. They use the four wellbeings to justify the decisions that they're making, and we're saying that party is over," he said.Brown said there was evidence from the Department of Internal Affairs that showed wellbeing provisions led to about two percent higher rates growth each year.'Complete fabrication' - HipkinsBut Labour leader Chris Hipkins said there was no evidence."I think it was a complete fabrication in the claims that Simeon Brown was making today. There is no clear data that shows that there is a cause-and-effect factor here," he said.Chris Hipkins says the government is trying to blame councils for its own failures. PHOTO: RNZ / Samuel RillstoneHipkins said the government was pushing the blame onto councils for the consequences of its own decisions."One of the biggest things driving up rates up and down the country at the moment is the need to upgrade water infrastructure. The previous government had a plan in place to make sure that the cost of that was being carefully managed, that central government had a role, and that ratepayers weren't going to end up picking up the whole of the tab. This government scrapped that, and that is one of the reasons that rates are now going up," he said.In addition to removing the wellbeing provisions, the Department of Internal Affairs would also release yearly benchmarking reports on councils, looking at a number of metrics:Rates - so that ratepayers know the amount of rates levied per unit, the change in rates since the previous year, and the forecast change in rates over the next 10 yearsCouncil debt - including debt per rating unit, percentage change in council debt since the previous year, and forecast change over the next 10 yearsCapital expenditure - including a breakdown by activity class such as roading and water servicesBalanced budget - to show whether a council is balancing its budget or borrowing to support expenditureRoad condition - so that ratepayers can compare the state of their local roads with councils across the countryBrown said the reports would improve transparency, and the first would be ready before the local government elections next year."Voters can actually directly compare their council's performance with another council and be able to make up their mind as to whether or not the councilors or the mayor are actually performing adequately," he said.Hipkins said councils already provided detailed information about their short-term plans, long-term plans, and capital investment plans."This is about the government managing the politics of the fact that rates are going up because of decisions that the central government has taken, rather than because of decisions that local government is taking," he said.The ACT Party welcomed the focus on accountability.Celia Wade-Brown PHOTO: VNP / Phil SmithIts local government spokesperson Cameron Luxton said New Zealanders deserved council candidates focused on respecting ratepayers and getting the basics right."ACT is also pleased to see real accountability to ratepayers with the first benchmarking report, so Kiwis can see how their council stacks up against others in terms of rates, debt, and spending. Some healthy competition between councils is long overdue," he said.The Green Party said the government was punching down on councils, and that wellbeing projects were not nice-to-haves, but things like libraries, community centres, and sports fields."Today's announcement makes it clear that 'Luxon localism' has nothing to do with supporting local democracy but everything to do with dictating from the top down what communities should think is important," the Greens' local government spokesperson Celia Wade-Brown said.Further work, such as looking at rates capping, which sets a maximum percentage by which a council can increase rates each year, would take a little longer.Brown said Cabinet expected to make decisions by February, with a view to introducing legislation midway through 2025.PHOTO: RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) staff will look into options for applying for a revenue-to-net-debt ratio of up to 350 percent in order to help critical infrastructure.Under the current policy by the Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA), which QLDC secures most of its debt from, QLDC is able to borrow up to 285 percent of its revenue.However, LGFA voted in November to allow high-growth councils to apply for up to 350 percent of their revenue.QLDC has been informed by the LGFA it is expected to qualify as a high-growth council.Some councillors were wary of progressing the possibility of higher revenue-to-debt-ratio when it was discussed at last week’s full council meeting (Thursday December 12).Deputy mayor Quentin Smith asked about the impact on rates and councillor Niki Gladding questioned whether the council was “match fit” to take on more debt.QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said the agenda item was “just signalling we are looking into it”.Councillors were not making any decisions on additional debt at that time, he said.A QLDC report said additional debt could provide “extra headroom”.If QLDC was approved, it would be on the basis that “investment in growth will provide an additional revenue stream that will support the additional debt”, the report said.Local government minister Simeon Brown also said the revenue-to-net-debt ratio could help fast-growing councils fund greater investment in critical infrastructure.“The LGFA is the lowest cost provider of financing available to councils, and this arrangement means that councils have additional financial capability to fund infrastructure, roads, and other core infrastructure in their cities and regions,” Simeon said.Councillors agreed QLDC staff could investigate the possibility further.PHOTO: Wānaka App

The committee behind plans for an affordable senior housing facility in Wānaka says it needs to acquire land to get the project off the ground.Earlier this year a group of locals teamed up to begin the process of establishing an ‘Abbeyfield’ house in Wānaka.Abbeyfield is a housing model designed to provide affordable, ‘family style’ rental accommodation for seniors.There are 14 Abbeyfield houses around New Zealand, run by volunteer trusts where tenants share meals prepared by a housekeeper (who also takes care of grocery shopping and cleaning the communal areas) and rents are capped. Other Abbeyfield houses have been made possible through “a variety of land acquisition models”, Abbeyfield Wānaka committee member Lyal Cocks said.They have included land donations, discounted sales, partnerships with developers, and council land leases, Lyal said.The committee is hopeful a suitable site will be found soon.Lyal said Wānaka needs a “long term solution” for senior housing.Between the high rents, the high cost of living, and shortage of smaller properties, many seniors who do not own property here are struggling to get by - and having to consider leaving the area.That challenge is what inspired a group of locals to begin the process to establish a local Abbeyfield house.Lyal said once land is secured, it could take as little as 18 months to construct the building.From that point fundraising for the $4.5M fit-out cost will accelerate, Abbeyfield Wānaka head of fundraising Stephanie Fieldsend said. “We are relying on the support of the entire community to make this happen,” Stephanie said. “It’s not just about providing housing; it’s about recognising the value of our senior residents and ensuring they can continue to live in Wānaka and be part of the community’s future.”PHOTO: Supplied