Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) members will decide whether or not to approve new guidelines for a valuable financial reserve at tomorrow’s (Thursday May 6) meeting.The Wānaka Asset Sales Reserve (WASR) is currently valued at around $3.4M but the upcoming sale of the last slice of council-owned land at Scurr Heights is likely to push its value up significantly. The reserve is “a key financial mechanism for supporting strategic community projects in the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward”, QLDC community investment advisor Giovanni Stephens said.Guidelines for the fund were created in 2017 but proposed updates have been prepared over the past year, and WUCCB’s input taken into account via a workshop, Giovanni said.More than $15M was raised for the WASR when the majority of council-owned land at Scurr Heights was sold in 2016 and, in the years since, funds from the reserve have supported a range of local projects.With the final slice of Scurr Heights likely to be listed for sale by summer - and the money raised earmarked for the WASR - the new guidelines will help “clarify roles, strengthen governance, and better align the WASR with strategic priorities and legacy outcomes”, Giovanni said.Also on the WUCCB meeting agenda tomorrow is a license to occupy (LTO) request for an air quality monitoring station at Rosella Lane, Lake Hāwea, and board chair Simon Telfer’s regular report.The meeting will take place at 10am at the Lake Wānaka Centre.PHOTO: QLDC

A long-awaited playground at Hāwea Flat is getting closer to fruition, with a resource consent application for the project now lodged.The playground is proposed for McPhee Park, a reserve bordered by Loach Road and Long Grass Place, and it will include climbing structures up to two metres high, as well as seating, shade structures, and a public toilet.The plans are the result of a collaborative effort by the Hāwea Playground Committee and QLDC, after which funding was brought forward from year three of the Long Term Plan to the current financial year.The playground committee was formed a few years ago to help address the shortage of playgrounds in the Hāwea area.Playground committee member Louise Merrall said a playground for Hāwea Flat was a “well-placed investment” given the growth in the number of young families in the area.A report prepared by resource management and landscape planning consultants Vivian + Espie says the playground is proposed for the western road boundary of the park.The 4004m2 recreation reserve is a flat, grassed site, currently only housing a tyre swing from a macrocarpa tree, and rugby goalposts.McPhee Park in Hāwea Flat. PHOTO: Wānaka AppThe subject site is within the Rural Residential Zone and the consent application will not be publicly notified.Read more: Hāwea Flat to get playground

Today's power outages - Wednesday May 7, 9am till 4pm - Cons Track, Huia Terrace, Jade Drive, Middle Peak Lane, Niger Street, Pearl Lane, Petalite Lane, Ruby Ridge, Studholme Road, West Meadows Drive.Upcoming outagesThursday May 8, 9am till 2.15pm - Atkins Road, Wanaka Luggate Highway, Shortcut Road, Golden River Lane and Lake McKay Drive.Friday May 9, 9am till 1pm - Maxwell Road.Friday May 9, 9am till 2pm - Alice Burn Drive, Cooper Crescent, Mcintosh Way, Wanaka Luggate Road.Tuesday May 13, 8am till 4pm - Luggate Tarras Road.Friday May 16, 9am till 4pm - Ballantyne Road.Saturday May 17, 9am till 4pm - Sir Tim Wallis Drive.Tuesday May 20, 9pm till 6am Wednesday May 21 - Ardmore Street, Helwick Street.To keep up to date with power outages click here.

Cardrona's new Soho Express chairlift is spinning, with Doppelmayer in final testing mode of the high-speed six-seater chairlift ahead of handover later this month.Cardona Alpine Resort & Treble Cone general manager Laura Hedley said she expects the lift to be operational by June 28, two weeks after the skifield opens for the 2025 winter season."They're just finishing commissioning it now, with the electrical engineers, getting those chairs on the line and spinning it," Laura said."We're expecting handover about mid-May."We'll do our training with our teams ... once we're confident and capable on that, we're good to go. We're aiming for the start of the school holidays."Soho Basin has 150ha of skiable terrain, the equivalent of 150 rugby fields. The lift project will increase Cardrona's ski area from 465ha to 615ha – making it the biggest commercial ski area in New Zealand."It's quite hard to comprehend when you talk about the numbers but when you stand out there ... it is just a huge basin," Laura said.The Soho ski area will rely on nature for its snow this season. Snowmaking infrastructure will be added to the basin for season 2026.Soho Express has capacity for 3,000 passengers per hour, on 75 chairs along 1,237m and a vertical rise of 379m. It has 11 towers and is the same model as the $23M Shadow Basin chairlift, installed last summer by Doppelmayer at NZSki's Queenstown skifield The Remarkables.Doppelmayer is also installing a T-Bar chairlift at Cardrona in the main basin for the 2025 season, between the existing McDougalls and Whitestar chairlifts alongside the terrain park.Read more: New lift for Cardrona’s terrain park

Parenting teenagers requires a special kind of stamina. Just when you think you've mastered parenting, your child transforms into someone who needs you differently—sometimes more intensely, sometimes more distantly, and often both within the same day. Here’s how to keep your energy reserves topped up for this important journey.Prioritise Your Sleep (Yes, Yours!)We often emphasise the importance of sleep for our teens, but how frequently do we take our own advice? Poor sleep affects your decision-making, emotional resilience, and patience—qualities you most need when parenting teenagers.Create a calming wind-down routine similar to what you’d recommend for your teen. Put devices away at least an hour before bed, maintain a consistent sleep schedule, and ensure your sleeping environment is relaxing. Remember, modelling good sleep habits is one of your most powerful parenting tools.Challenge Your Parenting Thinking TrapsYour energy can often be drained not by your teenager's actions, but by your own thoughts about those actions. Watch out for these common thinking traps:Catastrophising: "If they fail this class, they'll never succeed in life!"Mind-reading: "They haven't replied to my message; they must be hiding something."All-or-nothing thinking: "I'm a complete failure as a parent."When these thoughts arise, pause and reflect: "Is this thought helpful or draining? How else could I interpret this situation?"Set Boundaries That Benefit EveryoneBoundaries aren’t just beneficial for teenagers—they’re essential for parents too. Identify areas where you're overextending yourself, and practice assertive yet compassionate statements such as:"Let me think about it, and I'll get back to you shortly.""I'm busy right now, but I can talk later this evening.""I can see you're upset, but I need respectful communication to continue this conversation."Every boundary you set helps teach your teen about respect and self-care, while also preserving your energy.Build Meaningful Moments of ConnectionOften, what recharges us most isn’t less interaction, but deeper, meaningful connection. Discover activities that genuinely replenish both you and your teen, like hiking, cooking together, or even a peaceful drive. These interactions build emotional reserves, helping ease the challenges of tougher moments.Remember It's a Marathon, Not a SprintParenting teenagers is a long-haul journey. Like any endurance event, pacing yourself is key. Schedule regular, guilt-free breaks for self-care. Remember, your effectiveness as a parent is not measured by constant availability, but by your sustainable presence.These teenage years, despite their challenges, offer incredible opportunities for growth and deeper connections. Taking care of your energy isn't selfish—it's essential. You're ensuring you'll be fully present for every step of this journey.Parent | Whānau Support Group – Free Group Coaching for Parents – Begins 8 May 2025 with Ali.

NASA’s first super pressure balloon (SPB) flight for its 2025 campaign was terminated soon after the agency’s second - and final - balloon was launched.After 17 days in flight, with a journey that crossed South America and circled around Antarctica, the first SPB was safely terminated just before midnight on Sunday (May 4), ending in the Pacific Ocean around 1,300km east of New Zealand.Around 12 hours earlier the second SPB lifted off from Wānaka Airport, starting a journey which could last up to 100 days.“The picture perfect launch and ascent into float of our second super pressure balloon caps off a highly successful New Zealand campaign,” NASA balloon programme office (Wallops Flight Facility) chief Gabriel Garde said.“To have both missions aloft and nearby one another is phenomenal for such a complex mission operation.“Our launch team as well as all of the crucial support both onsite and remote enabled are what made this possible and we could not be more pleased.” The second helium-filled 18.8 million-cubic-foot balloon reached its operational float altitude of about 33.5 km above earth’s surface around two hours after launch.At the time of writing the SPB was travelling northeast over the Pacific Ocean.The mission will spend most of its time over water, though some land crossings will occur, NASA said.Meanwhile, the first SPB mission has been deemed a “successful mission”, Gabriel said, despite the discovery of a hardware interface performance issue. 'We conducted termination operations over open water to eliminate any risk to the public or the environment,” he said. “We were able to ensure all our viable data both on the science and support sides were telemetered down.”“Following engineering assessments of the likely hardware issue, we performed mitigations and planning to reduce the likelihood of a similar issue occurring on our second flight of the campaign,” he said.The public can track the second balloon in the Wānaka App: NASA Balloons PHOTO: Wānaka App

The opening weekend of the game bird season in Otago Fish & Game Region has been declared a success for duck hunters, with most across the region reporting varied but generally satisfactory results.Most hunting groups visited by rangers bagged average harvests, though there were some notably good exceptions."Overall, we saw reasonable hunting success across the Otago region this opening weekend,” Fish & Game officer Bruce Quirey said.“In a standout case, two duck hunters in the lower Clutha Valley declared it was their best opening day ever, after bagging 40 mallards before midday,” Bruce said.Bruce said rangers noticed several productive ponds, including local ones, sitting idle.On the north side of the Clutha River/Mata-Au only 20 percent of ponds visited by rangers were being hunted, despite good numbers of ducks on some of them, he said.Spots like these had “untapped opportunity”, he added.Otago rangers checked about 140 hunters on opening day, reporting a good compliance rate above 98 percent."The vast majority of hunters are doing the right thing, which speaks to the strong sense of responsibility within our hunting community,” Bruce said.A few junior hunters using sub-gauge ammunition were issued warnings for hunting with lead.“It’s a timely reminder to adults responsible for junior hunters that lead is banned from all shotgun gauges for game bird hunting over water.”Bruce said the mixed harvest results observed on opening weekend lined up with pre-season expectations.“Duck hunting on opening weekend is as much about the camaraderie and getting out amongst nature as it is about hunting success,” he said.“We’re encouraging more hunters to make full use of their licences to get outdoors and harvest wild kai over the winter months.”PHOTO: Otago Fish & Game

A Wānaka teenager who has been deemed ‘the fastest girl in Australasia’ has been lauded for breaking 22 Otago records during the 2024/2025 summer athletics season.The achievement of Aspiring Athletics Club (AAC) member and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) student Phoebe Laker (16) was announced at the Athletics Otago awards night last Friday (May 2).Phoebe now holds all seven female Otago records for the 400m from ages 13 to 19.Further, she also holds the Otago records for women aged 16, 17 and 18 (for which the previous record was set 36 years ago) in the 200m – her secondary event.AAC head coach Michael Beable said, in more than 50 years in athletics, he had “not come across anything like this before”.Last month Phoebe won a gold medal at the Australian National Athletics Championships in Perth.“We can rightly say that she is now the fastest 400m [runner] of girls aged 16 and under in Australasia,” Michael said at the time.“Phoebe is now unbeaten in all her 400m races, across New Zealand and Australia, for the last 27 months, and by very significant margins this season.”Read more: Gold medal for Phoebe LakerPHOTO: Supplied

Buying a house is a big deal – not just financially, but emotionally too. And if you’re buying in fast-paced markets like Wānaka, Hāwea, Cromwell, or the wider Central Otago region, there are a few unique quirks to be aware of. Whether you're taking the leap as a first-time buyer, upgrading to fit your growing family, or downsizing for a lifestyle change, the key is making sure the legal side of things is watertight – before you sign anything.Talk to a Local Lawyer First – AlwaysThis might sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people sign an agreement before they’ve spoken to a lawyer. Even if it's a conditional offer, your lawyer is your safety net. They'll make sure everything in the contract works in your favour – not just the seller’s.Buying at auction or making an unconditional offer? There’s no going back once the ink dries. One missed detail can cost you dearly – so having someone local in your corner from day one can make all the difference.Make Sure Your Conditions Cover YouIf you're making a conditional offer, your lawyer can help tailor the contract to protect your interests. That means making sure the offer includes:Finance – give your lender time to sign offBuilding inspection – don’t get caught out by hidden damageLIM report – see what the council knows about the propertyDue diligence – a broad clause that gives you time to dig deeperIncluding the right conditions gives you breathing room to figure out if the property’s right for your needs – whether it’s a new build in Albert Town or a renovated classic in Clyde.What's Hiding in the Title?One of the most important things your lawyer will do is review the Record of Title. This tells you what you actually own – and what limitations might come with the property. Some common things to watch out for:Easements – shared driveways or rights of wayCovenants – rules around how the property can be usedConsent notices – ongoing obligations imposed by the councilCross-lease quirks – shared titles that can trip people upBody corporate info – if you’re buying a unit title (think apartments or townhouses)Buying property in Central Otago means navigating older titles, lifestyle blocks, and unique development areas – which makes local expertise essential.Using KiwiSaver? We’ve Got You CoveredIf you're a first home buyer and planning to use your KiwiSaver to help with your deposit or final settlement, your lawyer plays a key role here too. We’ll guide you through the process so the funds land where and when they’re supposed to – no surprises, no delays.Avoiding Nasty Surprises: Common Pitfalls in Central OtagoHere in Central Otago, there are a few recurring issues we see crop up:Unconsented building work – especially in older or DIY-renovated homesBoundary issues – often lurking in historical titlesShared accessways – not always clearly documented or understoodCross-lease dramas – including outdated flats plans and legal red flagsThe key to avoiding these? Give yourself time. The more time your legal team has to go through the paperwork, the more likely we can spot and resolve issues before they become expensive headaches.Why Local Knowledge MattersAt Checketts McKay Law, we live and breathe Central Otago. From Wānaka to Ranfurly, Cromwell to Alexandra, we’ve helped thousands of people through the home-buying journey. We know how things work here – not just on paper, but in real life.That means we can give you advice that’s not only legally sound, but also grounded in local experience. Thinking about buying near the lake in Hāwea? We’ll talk through the zoning. Eyeing a lifestyle block near Tarras? We’ll raise the right rural considerations.Ready to Buy or Still House Hunting? Let’s TalkWhether you’ve just started browsing Trade Me or you’ve got a contract in your inbox, the best time to chat with us is now. The earlier we’re involved, the more we can help. You’ll get straightforward, practical advice from lawyers who know the area – and who actually care.Get in touch with the team at your nearest branch – Wānaka, Cromwell, Alexandra or Ranfurly – and let’s make your next move a smooth one.  17 Dunmore Street, Wānaka

A 300sqm+ Super Liquor store is billed for Lake Hāwea’s Longview subdivision.If approved, it could mark Lake Hāwea’s first dedicated liquor store and the first retail store in Longview’s long-planned commercial centre. The store would be 333sqm, be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, and feature a ‘drive-through access arrangement’, according to application documents by Keyrouz Holdings Ltd.It would be the eighth dedicated liquor store for the Upper Clutha.There are already two retail outlets selling alcohol in Lake Hāwea - Fresh Choice and the Hāwea Store & Kitchen - and the Lake Hāwea Hotel, which has a small bottle store.“The Hāwea area is transitioning…to a sizable resident community,” application documents said.“The growing number of households have a very limited supply of local convenience and service outlets.”Keyrouz Holdings Ltd hopes to build the Super Liquor at the corner of Longview Drive and Burdon Loop, within Longview’s commercial centre (officially the Local Shopping Centre Zone).Because its floorplan exceeds the 300m2 limit for the zone, it would be a non-complying activity.Queenstown Lakes District Council is considering Keyrouz Holdings Ltd’s application.IMAGE: Supplied

The Upper Clutha Sports Services Hub is offering a free first aid course to local sports clubs this month, in conjunction with Sport Central and Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka.The hub was recently established to support clubs with governance, operational advice, finance support, and general guidance.It complements and collaborates with organisations like Sport Central, Queenstown Lakes District Council, and Huddl.“We’re here to help,” hub spokesperson Tiny Curruthers told the Wānaka App.The first aid course is the first of many initiatives the hub plans to roll out to support clubs, he said.The course will cover all relevant sports injuries, including concussion protocols.There are 20 free spots available, with demand already high.Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka is supporting the course by contributing towards the fees and offering participating clubs a 20 percent discount on first aid equipment and other sports-related gear in store, Tiny said. The first aid course will run over two evenings (May 28-29) from 6pm to 8pm at the St John Rooms in Wānaka. Clubs wishing to attend should contact Jo Knight ([email protected]) to secure a spot.Clubs needing governance, financial, or operational support are encouraged to contact the Upper Clutha Sports Services Hub ([email protected]).

A sold out field of around 500 competitors enjoyed perfect weather conditions at the 2025 Southern Lakes Half Marathon and 10km event on Saturday (May 3).Timaru’s Brett Clifford (31) won the men's half marathon race in 01:09:37 and Queenstown’s Jemima Tennekoon (27) won the women's, in a time of 01:19:10.Brett, a professional triathlete recovering from injury, said there is “no better place to come than Wānaka”.“Nice to come here and get a win today and boost the confidence a bit,” Brett said.“It was one degree at the start but being raised in the South Island I’m pretty used to the weather. Couldn’t ask more than a picture card day.”Former sprinter and now distance runner, Jemima said she found the conditions “perfect”.“Coming from training in Queenstown I’m used to the cooler temperatures in the morning so it was quite chilly at the start, when the sun came out it was really nice, perfect temperature, no wind, it was a dream for running a half marathon,” she said.The Southern Lakes Half Marathon and 10km is an annual event featuring a half marathon, a 10 kilometre run and a 10 kilometre walk down the Cardrona Valley to the finish in Pembroke Park.Click here for the full results.PHOTO: Wānaka App

NASA is attempting to launch its second super pressure balloon (SPB) test flight this morning (Sunday May 4) from Wānaka Airport.NASA successfully launched its first balloon on April 17.Today marks the third scheduled launch attempt for the second - and final - balloon of the NASA SPB campaign 2025. NASA has begun flight preparations and will continue to evaluate real-time and forecast weather conditions throughout the morning. If weather is favourable for a launch, lift-off is scheduled between 9am and 1pm.Immediately after lift-off, the balloon will be visible for kilometres around, and the best viewing points will be on the hill on the Hāwea side of the Red Bridge by Kane Road or on the Hāwea Flat side of the Clutha River.Members of the public will not be able to access Wānaka Airport or park beside the airport to view the launch.State Highway 6 Wānaka-Luggate Highway from Mt Barker to Church Road and State Highway 8A Shortcut Road may be closed for the launch. NASA’s return to Wānaka this year marks the sixth SPB campaign held at Wānaka Airport since the agency began balloon operations there in 2015. Watch a live feed of the NASA Balloons.PHOTO: NASA

The two-day Yami (Youth + Adults in the Music Industry) summit kicks off in Wānaka today (Saturday May 3), with budding musicians diving deep into the ins and outs of the music industry.They will learn from top musicians from New Zealand and Australia about topics ranging from performance to DJing, songwriting to beatmaking, royalties, distribution and album release.The sold-out summit is set to be “an unforgettable weekend of nothing but music”, YAMI organisers said.This year YAMI is celebrating its tenth year with a lineup of musicians from prominent acts like Home Brew, The Teskey Brothers, The Black Seeds, Latinaotearoa, Haz & Miloux, The Nudge, The Nomad, Black Comet, and more.Members of the public have the opportunity to take part in YAMI by attending either of the two evening concerts (tonight and Sunday May 4), both of which still have tickets available at the time of writing.Tonight’s performances will feature Gin Wigmore, Bobby Brazuka (Latinaotearoa), Haz + Miloux, and Home Brew’s Tom Scott (plus guests); a choir led by Miloux, Anna Shaw and tutors from The Voice Lab; and Tom Scott will perform songs from Home Brew and Avantdale Bowling Club with his long-time beatmaker Haz Huavi, plus a full band.Tomorrow’s showcase Kiwi legend Barnaby Weir (of The Black Seeds and Fly My Pretties), supported by a band and backing choir; the night will also feature aspiring DJs, producers and more.Yami is run by the not-for-profit Lake Wānaka SouNZ Inc and this year’s summit has been supported by Central Lakes Trust, Lion Foundation, APRA/AMCOS and NZ On Air, Otago Community Trust, QLDC and NZ Music Commission.PHOTO: Ray Tiddy

The autumn rockfall scaling programme at the Nevis Bluff - on SH6 between Cromwell and Queenstown - will get underway next week, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says. The rock scaling occurs every autumn and spring with abseilers, suspended on ropes, inspecting the rocky face and removing loosened rocks that are hazardous to highway users many metres below.Motorists should expect some traffic delays during this work, which is scheduled to take place over three weeks from Monday (May 5) through to Friday (May 23), 8am to 5pm weekdays, subject to weather conditions. “People should be ready for delays up to about ten minutes and allow some extra travel time for journeys between Cromwell and Queenstown,” NZTA Central Otago maintenance and contract manager Peter Standring said. Wayo Carson, one of the most experienced rock scalers working on the Nevis Bluff, doing an extensometer measurement in 2021 (an extensometer provides an accurate measuring tape in millimetres to four decimal places).“We know these delays can be frustrating, but we’re asking people to be patient and to understand that they are necessary to ensure their safety, which is our number one concern.” Abseilers working over the rocky schist faces aim to release rock, loosened by the ongoing erosion, in a controlled way when there is no traffic on the highway.The work is part of NZTA’s ongoing monitoring and management programme for the Nevis Bluff, which is continuously monitoring movement and changes on the geologically complex bluff. The Nevis Bluff is about half way between Cromwell and Queenstown.Work on the cycle trail, currently under construction, will be paused for a few days while the abseilers are overhead. NZTA said in thanks everyone for their patience and for taking care while this safety work is completed leading into the busy winter period.Read more: Making a living in Wānaka: The cliffhangerPHOTOS: NZTA

The Upper Clutha Rams have lost their first game in the 2025 Central Otago Premier Rugby Competition, going down to Alexandra 27-31 under lights in Wānaka on Thursday night (May 1).It was an uncharacteristic Rams performance marred by errors and costly penalties.“It was a hell of a game, it went to the 80th minute,” Rams captain Lachie Garrick said.“We didn’t make the most of our chances so they were the better team today.”In contrast to the Rams’ scrappy display, Alexandra demonstrated a clear game plan; keeping the ball in hand, generating quick ruck ball, and playing with accuracy.When the Rams erred Alexandra made them pay, coming away with points on nearly every incursion into the Rams’ 22.The Rams were missing a number of players due to injury but Lachie said that was no excuse.“We’re better than that and we know that so we’ll be back,” he said.The match didn’t lack excitement with the lead changing five times. Alexandra skipped out to a 10-5 lead midway through the first half before a dominant last ten minutes of the half by the Rams was rewarded with a converted try to lead 12-10 at the break.Alexandra added two tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half to a Rams’ penalty.The Rams responded with two tries of their own to lead 27-24 with 20 minutes left to play, before Alexandra recaptured the lead in the 70th minute with a converted try.The final stages of the match provided opportunities for the Rams but errors and turnovers proved costly.For the Rams, No.8 Jake Burtenshaw made a number of surging runs. Hooker Scott Cunningham toiled hard and loose forward Lachie Garrick was gallant on defence.The Rams have a week to work on their execution before they play arch rival Wakatipu in Queenstown on Saturday May 10. This match is a challenge for the White Horse Cup, currently held by Wakatipu.Rams’ pointsTries: Ulysee Martineau, Jake Burtenshaw, Milan Martinovich, Scott CunninghamConversions: Brodie Flannery (2)Penalties: Brodie FlanneryPHOTO: Wānaka App

Game bird hunters across the Otago region are gearing up for the 2025 season, which opens tomorrow (Saturday May 3).Despite a change in monitoring approach this year, Otago Fish & Game officers are optimistic about duck numbers throughout the region following favourable breeding conditions."After analysing years of data between annual aerial counts of mallards and harvest surveys in Otago, we've found the numbers don't correlate,” Fish & Game officer Bruce Quirey said."A large mallard count doesn't necessarily mean a big harvest, and vice versa."The organisation has suspended pre-season aerial flights this year and “instead, we're working at a national level to review best practices for game bird monitoring", Bruce said."We will keep licence holders informed of next steps and continue our long-term harvest surveys this season.”Anecdotal reports from across the region suggest promising populations in multiple areas, Bruce said.“As with every season, opening weekend success will depend significantly on weather conditions,” Bruce said.Five ranger teams will be checking compliance at both private and public hunting locations across Otago on opening weekend. Hunters are reminded to make firearms safe, present game bird licences when requested, and follow rangers' instructions.The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has also issued reminders for the start of the season.“We urge hunters to discuss a plan with their group to ensure everyone understands the expectations and the day runs smoothly,” MSC chief executive Mike Daisley said. “If any concerns come up during the day, address them calmly to keep the experience safe and enjoyable.”He encouraged hunters to go over the seven simple firearms safety rules:Treat every firearm as loadedAlways point firearms in a safe directionChamber a cartridge only when ready to fireIdentify your target beyond all doubtCheck your firing zoneStore and transport firearms and ammunition safelyAvoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms.PHOTO:Bruce Quirey

A four-day creative and cultural hui next month is designed to ‘provide a platform to come together and imagine what’s possible when creativity is at the heart of our communities’, organisers say.‘Te Muka Toi/Te Muka Tākata’ will take place from June 12-15 in Wānaka and Queenstown.Queenstown Lakes Regional Arts Organisation, Three Lakes Cultural Trust and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) have teamed up to make the hui possible.They have also received support from Creative New Zealand and local creative sector organisations.A statement from QLDC said the programme will include thought-provoking discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking sessions — all focused on strengthening the creative sector and encouraging real, practical action.“By fostering collaboration and empowering local creatives, this event contributes to the district's goal of becoming a globally recognised creative and cultural destination by 2034,” QLDC said.Creatives, cultural leaders, businesses, and community groups are invited, and the hui kicks off in Queenstown with a focus on the creative economy - how industries like film, design, and technology are already shaping our region, and what more can be done to support innovation and resilience. That afternoon, a creative showcase in Frankton will spotlight local projects that merge creativity, technology, and business impact.On the second day the hui moves to Wānaka, where the focus turns to hands-on workshops designed to equip creatives with practical tools for success, with topics ranging from building effective collectives and designing immersive experiences, to mastering social media strategy. The afternoon will feature a creative speed-dating session, aimed at connecting creatives with venues, spaces, and community partners eager to support fresh collaborations.Saturday’s sessions at Te Atamira in Queenstown will focus on empowering creatives, with workshops throughout the day all designed to offer artists tangible tools and fresh inspiration. The afternoon then features a creative speed-dating session, followed by an evening at Country Lane School House Studios.The hui concludes on Sunday with open studios and cultural heritage tours.Full programme and registration details will be released soon.

Sisters Mathilda and Isabel Watterson have returned home to Wānaka with new medals after a successful winter season in the northern hemisphere.A top achievement for Mathilda (17) was winning the Slovenian National Junior Championships Giant Slalom on the World Cup course at Kranjska Gora - her first FIS career win and her first European podium. She then went on to make multiple other podiums, placing second in giant slalom racing in Rogla, Slovenia; third in giant slalom racing in Koralpe, Austria; and fourth place in slalom in Kravec.Mathilda also qualified to represent New Zealand at the World Junior Championships where she was the only Kiwi to finish in both giant slalom and slalom disciplines.Isabel (right) on the podium for the Zagreb Children’s Trophy.Meanwhile her younger sister Isabel (15) made several podiums in International FIS Children's Races, which bring together the best youth athletes from around the world.One of these, the Zagreb Children’s Trophy, was held in Slovenia, where Isabel placed third in both the slalom and giant slalom; at another, Vratna Interkriterium, in Slovakia, she placed fifth in giant slalom racing.After a few weeks resting the girls are now beginning their main fitness block of the year leading into the New Zealand winter season.“Plenty of time will be spent in the mountains, on the local bike tracks and in the gym,” they said.PHOTOS: Supplied