Skiers and snowboarders took their first trips up the new Soho Lift yesterday (July 5).The high-speed six-seater chairlift unlocks access to 150ha of skiable terrain in Soho Basin, expanding Cardrona Alpine Resort’s ski area from 465ha to 615ha.Snowmaking facilities are not in place at Soho Basin for this winter season so skiers and snowboarders have had to wait for enough snowfall before their first ride in the new chairlift.Cardrona held a Soho Lift blessing ceremony last month (June 29) ahead of its opening, with speeches from representatives of Ngāi Tahu including Komene Cassidy, RealNZ CEO Dave Beeche Doppelmayr’s Garreth Hayman and tourism minister Louise Upston.The new lift has capacity for 3,000 passengers per hour. PHOTO: Belle Grace“It was incredible to celebrate with all the generations of Cardrona and RealNZ, including both the Lee and Hutchins families,” Cardrona and Treble Cone chief mountains officer Laura Hedley said."To get this lift and terrain open, after decades of dreaming of what could be... it's a pretty emotional moment for our entire team."Early-season conditions still exist, so the terrain was mostly ungroomed and for advanced level skiers and snowboarders only.The Soho Lift is 1,237m long, with 75 chairs, and a vertical rise of 379m.It has 11 towers and is the same model as the $23M Shadow Basin chairlift by Doppelmayer at The Remarkables.

Two chefs from Hook Wānaka have brought home medals after competing in the Caputo Cup - held for the first time in New Zealand at Fine Food New Zealand 2025 at the Auckland Showgrounds (June 30 - July 1).The competition, which honours the traditional craft of Neapolitan pizza-making under the official regulations of the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani (APN), attracted top pizza chefs from across the country.Simone Coacci placed third in the Pizza Napoletana STG category, which required contestants to master the art of classic Neapolitan pizza - made with specific ingredients, techniques, and cooking methods recognised by the APN.Sam Mari earned third place in the Pizza Contemporanea category, which focuses on modern approaches to dough fermentation, innovative toppings, and presentation.The Caputo Cup is one of the most respected pizza competitions in the world, and this year’s New Zealand debut marks a milestone for the country’s growing artisan pizza scene.Hook Wānaka owner Graham Lee said the team was “delighted” with the results.“To have two of our chefs placed in such a high-level event is a massive achievement - and it reflects the care and craft they put into every dish at Hook,” he said.PHOTO: Supplied

One of New Zealand’s most iconic buildings – the Cardrona Hotel – is on the market for the first time in more than a decade.The 162-year-old heritage-listed hotel in the Cardrona township is expected to attract significant national and international interest.The Cardrona Hotel’s current owners – Cade and Alexis Thornton and James and Fleur Jenneson – have owned the historic establishment since 2013 and describe it as a “once-in-a lifetime opportunity”.“It has always been a very busy and successful business, and we have loved our time here, but our next step is to spend more time with our young family,” Cade said.The 8613sqm property encompasses a restaurant, year-round beer garden, and 17 ensuite hotel rooms sleeping up to 44 guests.The hotel was built in 1863 and its history is steeped in the gold rush era, with many of the original relics such as the historic facade, and a glass window looking into a mineshaft in the floor of the property. It is one of the regions’ most well-known tourist attractions and a popular après ski destination, hosting everyone from international movie stars and royalty to locals.“In our time, the growth has been phenomenal, and the business has become a big beast,” Cade said.“We now employ 40-50 staff, the hotel averages 84 percent occupancy annually, and it’s often fully booked at many times throughout the year."The sale is likely to be one of the Cardrona Valley’s highest, and coincides with continued growth in the area.The hotel business and associated buildings will be sold by private negotiation.Expressions of interest are open until Friday August 15.PHOTOS: Supplied

A Wanaka-based design label has come up with a creative way to put quality clothes in front of more customers.Wanaka-based design label Precious Collaborative is selling $10,000 coats to help subsidise other items on the rack.It's selling the coats, designed by Liz Mitchell, to help subsidise a further 20 items on the rack. Instead of their true cost of $690, the items' "gift" price drops to $189 courtesy of the money from the coats.The aim is to put quality New Zealand woollen items within reach.The pinafore and women's pants from the Precious Collaborative collection.After a lengthy hiatus from the fashion business raising her three children, Precious Collaborative's founder Claire O'Connell needed a new kind of business model, she told RNZ’s Nine to Noon.“I realised if I wanted to make clothes, they were going to be expensive and most of the population wouldn't be able to afford them.”When she sent a sample off to designer Liz Mitchell, who didn’t know her “from a bar of soap" at the time, she got an immediate response.“She got this little box with a sleeve in it and a few other items on her desk, and she rang me straight away and said she would be on board with the coats.“So, she designed some coats, and we then went to launch the coats which we did in Wanaka last December and we sold one of the coats for $10,000.”At that point O’Connell, was able to put the collection into production.The collection is made from fine traditional tweed and hemp, she says.“There are pants for men, pants for women. I call them a women's cut, and a men's cut because people can wear each other's cut pants. There's a pinafore, which has sold incredibly well. There's a skirt and there's a hemp shirt.“The first four items are all tweed, fully lined tweed and the last item is an organic hemp shirt.”Everyone deserves to own something of quality they attach meaning to, O'Connell says.“We have lost the ability to attach meaning to what we purchase in a way with fast fashion I feel that deeply.”The purchasers of the coats so far (both wishing to remain anonymous), understand the concept, she says.“The second coat buyer, before they had even actually received their coat, sent me an email and asked if they could spend another $10,000 on their coat. So, they have paid $20,000.“The reason they've done that is they fully get the idea that it is not simple for people to pull themselves out of the fast fashion loop. It's not just a monetary thing, it's a mindset.”Ninety garments from the collection have been pre-sold, she says.“Ten percent of the people who bought those garments chose to pay the true price for them. They didn't pay the gift price.“So, they've done that paying it forward thing and another 5 percent of people have paid somewhere between the gift price and the true price.”PHOTOS: Jodie James

Electricity company Aurora has apologised to residents in the Hāwea and Makarora areas who experienced a power cut on Monday evening (June 30).“Any time the power is out is inconvenient, but especially during the winter, in the evening and over the school holidays,” Aurora future network and operations general manager Matt Settle said.“We apologise … for the power cut last night and want to reassure people we will continue to investigate the causes of the faults and put in place any necessary corrective actions.”Matt said the company was still investigating the cause, but the initial investigation had identified several contributing factors.The power went out to 2,065 customers at 5:14pm on Monday with full power restored to all customers before 8.00pm, Matt said. “We made a decision to cut the power a second time, for safety reasons, some 30 minutes later and at the request of Fire and Emergency NZ, who were notified of a power line close to the ground on Domain Road in Hāwea,” he said.In the second supply interruption 1,882 customers were affected, with power restored in stages from 9:00pm. “The majority of customers were back on by 10:06pm and the remaining 361 restored at 12:37am. “... we are continuing to investigate the causes of these two faults.” Matt said Aurora has had “a spotlight” on the Hāwea and Makarora areas since late last year, when the company first noticed an increase in the number of unplanned power outages.There were 13 unplanned outages over the past year (including Monday night’s) that affected the wider Hāwea and Makarora areas.“The Hāwea township has experienced significant growth in recent years and our regional electricity development plan that will be released publicly later this year will set out the longer-term options for enhancing and developing the Upper Clutha network,” Matt said. The long and rural single electricity lines and feeders that supply Makarora will always be more vulnerable to unplanned supply interruptions than urban networks, which have secondary back feed options, he said.“This is the case for similar networks across the country with network configurations like those that supply rural Makarora. “It's worth noting that outages are caused by largely uncontrollable factors such as vegetation, wildlife and car impacts as well as more avoidable factors such as defective equipment,” he said. PHOTO: Supplied

Are you a budding entrepreneur with a big idea, but need a little extra push to get it off the ground?Startup Queenstown Lakes (SQL) has just announced a new Microgrants Program, designed specifically to support the next generation of founders in the Queenstown lakes district.With grants ranging from $500 to $3000, the SQL microgrants are all about giving local startups the targeted boost they need - whether it’s for developing a prototype, conducting market research, or investing in essential equipment.Unlike many funding opportunities, these microgrants come with no strings attached: there’s no repayment required and no equity taken. The only requirement is that your startup is based in the Queenstown lakes district for at least six months of the year.The focus is on sectors that reflect the region’s strengths and future potential: hospo-tech, outdoor-tech, film, food & beverage, and sustainability. By supporting these areas, SQL aims to help diversify and strengthen the local economy, ensuring Queenstown lakes remains a vibrant hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.“We want to help transform innovative ideas into reality and diversify our district’s economic landscape,” SQL general manager Marco Dingemans said.“These microgrants will provide the essential boost that many startups need to move forward, whether it’s for product development, market research, or pivoting their business models.”Successful applicants will not only receive funding but also ongoing mentoring from SQL coaches and expert guidance from a panel of experienced entrepreneurs. This comprehensive support system is designed to help founders fast-track their product development, test their business models, and gain visibility within the local startup ecosystem.The application process is straightforward: simply share your idea and outline how you’ll use the grant. Applications are now open, but you will need to apply before July 15. Decisions will be made within five weeks of the closing date. To help founders put their best foot forward, SQL is also hosting a Zoom information session where you can get advice and application tips from the team.If you’re ready to take your startup to the next level, don’t miss this opportunity. For more information and to apply, visit the Startup Queenstown Lakes website.

Four Queenstown Lakes’ tourism and hospitality businesses will go through a technology bootcamp over the next six months to streamline their operations and inspire others to do the same. Wānaka Lavender Farm, Absoloot Hostel, Atlas Beer Café and Kinross Winery will be supported by local technology suppliers to put new software solutions in place.The Digital Catalyst project was launched by the Economic Futures team at Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and had received more than 40 applicants. QLDC destination management advisor James Mulcahy said the project will create “real-world examples” that other tourism and hospitality operators can benefit from. “While it’s encouraging that 87 percent of applicants plan to use AI in the next year, many mentioned they’re nervous about how to go about implementing new technology,” he said. “Using these four businesses as case studies will help demystify technology and demonstrate how to get the best from it”. Each business will work with either Queenstown IT, Both Brains, or HeadQuarters to assess their current systems and add technology that will make the biggest difference. Both Brains general manager Jenni Powell said the company is looking forward to helping.  “At Both Brains, we believe technology should feel like a helping hand, not a hurdle,” she said.“The Digital Catalyst project is a brilliant opportunity to show how even small digital tweaks can unlock big wins - whether that’s saving time, reducing stress, or simply making it easier to run a great business.” “We’re excited to support these local businesses and help them thrive.”Lessons and experiences from the bootcamp will be shared with the district’s broader sector and used to help inform future business capability initiatives, James said. PHOTO: Wānaka Lavender Farm

Francesca Wānaka is open again for winter, unveiling a new menu, an expanded kitchen, and a covered, heated outdoor dining area overlooking Bullock Creek.The Italian restaurant has been given a fresh upgrade and a fresh take on its signature offering: local food, made with heart.Francesca's head chef Lukas Botta said Italian food is about regionality. "In Italy, the north sources ingredients from the north, the south sources ingredients from the south," he said.“Serving Italian food in Wānaka does not mean sourcing ingredients from Italy, it means taking the old plates that we love and colliding them with the flavours of our new home."The winter menu includes wood-fired green-lipped mussel pizza, handmade pasta, the restaurant’s well-known balloon bread, and a Wānaka-favourite: beef cheek gnocchi. Local suppliers include Frog Song Farms, Alpine Fresh and Ocean Speared."We’re so lucky to live in a place where we can work closely and directly with many local farmers, winemakers, brewers and producers of delicious things”, Francesca's manager Ben Towner said. “Committing to using as many Wānaka and New Zealand suppliers as possible was an easy win."Francesca changed hands in 2023, with the Smith family – Sean, Kelly and Rob – and Sam Ragel taking over the business.Director Sean Smith said the restaurant aimed to bring a distinctly Wānaka take to traditional Italian hospitality.Francesca is open daily for lunch from 12–3pm and dinner from 5pm–late.

Consultation on the future review of Wānaka Airport has begun, with online surveys now open and public drop-in sessions planned for this week.The review will look at the airport’s long-term role, its economic impact, and its integration into New Zealand’s aeronautical network. It will also set the vision, values, objectives and preferred outcomes for Wānaka Airport. “It's really important that as many people as possible in our community share their ideas,” Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board chair Simon Telfer said.Wānaka Airport is owned by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and operated by Queenstown Airport Corporation under a management services agreement. In July 2024 QLDC signalled its intention to develop a long-term plan for Wānaka Airport, and went on to engage consultants Egis to undertake the Wānaka Airport future review. Egis said this is an independent review, and the consultants want to hear what is important to the Wānaka community, airport operators and users to help shape the airport’s future potential. Egis posed the questions: “What does living, working and playing in this unique landscape mean to you? What role should the airport play in your future?”Two drop in sessions are planned: on Friday (June 27) between 4-7pm at the studio space in Paetara Aspiring Central, and on Saturday (June 28) between 9-11am at the meeting room in the Wānaka Recreation Centre.Options for giving feedback include an interactive activity, where respondents can drop a pin on Wānaka Airport features to identify spatial elements, facilities, services or activities in response to question prompts. There is also an online survey asking about travel patterns, community lifestyle values and airport values.Have your say here.PHOTO: Supplied

Hundreds of people have voiced their opposition to plans for a Lake Hāwea Super Liquor store, some citing fears the store could worsen alcohol-related harm, mental health challenges, addiction, drink driving and the like in the small community.As of Wednesday (June 19), 382 people had lodged objections to the store’s alcohol license application via an online form shared among residents.A Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) representative said it could not confirm the exact number of objections it had received directly but noted the council “...has rarely had to process such a large amount of feedback on an alcohol licence application.”Lake Hāwea resident Lisa Riley, who has spearheaded community awareness of Super Liquor’s plans for a 300sqm+ store in the Longview subdivision, said she was grateful for all the objections lodged.“My reaction to the number of submissions is one of sincere gratitude - to everyone who’s used their voice for the good of the community, and also to those who were on the fence but took the time to learn why this does matter,” Lisa told the Wānaka App.The Super Liquor store, billed for the subdivision’s commercial area, received resource consent approval last month but in order for it to operate its alcohol license needs to be approved.Lisa Riley (pictured) says objections have highlighted a range of concerns about adding another liquor retailer.A single alcohol license application objection is enough to spark a District Licencing Committee hearing, and Lisa says she hopes even more people - in Lake Hāwea and beyond - will take the time to look at the issue and consider lodging an objection before objections close on Monday night (June 23).The objections already lodged via the online form (which was created by Communities Against Alcohol Harm with input from Lisa) show how deeply the community cares about the issue, Lisa said.“People are taking the time to explain why this matters to them - and it’s not just about inconvenience or preference,” Lisa said. “The concerns are serious, heartfelt, and grounded in lived experience.”They ranged from concerns about the store’s location (near a playground, a school bus stop, and the site for a childcare centre); its long hours of operation (it has resource consent approval to operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week); potential cumulative effects of more alcohol provision; and potential visual pollution and litter, Lisa said.“The community wants to grow in a way that reflects our values. This proposal doesn’t do that,” she said.“We’re not anti-progress - we just want thoughtful, inclusive planning that respects the people who live here.”Anyone who wants to learn more about the alcohol license application or lodge an objection can do so via the Communities Against Alcohol Harm online form or via the QLDC website.Read more: Longview residents oppose liquor store plansThe QLDC spokesperson said he expects “...it will take some time for the team to process and collate all [the objections] alongside their other day-to-day work” once the objection period closes.IMAGES: Supplied

The government will take back power from local councils if their decisions are going to negatively impact economic growth, development or employment.Speaking to a business event in Wellington, Housing and Resource Management Act (RMA) reform minister Chris Bishop said the new regulation within the RMA would stop councils from stalling on housing developments."We have had decades of local councils trying to make housing someone else's problem, and we have a planning system that lets them get away with it," Bishop said.Accusing local government of being one of the largest barriers to housing growth, Bishop said the provision would be added into the RMA amendment legislation currently before Parliament."The RMA's devolution of ultimate power to local authorities just has not worked. There may be people who say 'why don't you just leave councils to it?' The reality is, central government has an intense interest in the way councils plan and allow their cities to function," Bishop said."We bear the cost, all New Zealanders bear the cost, of a failed and dysfunctional planning system. Ultimately, it is central government that shells out the $5b a year in housing subsidies that is a direct result of a failed planning system. So it is in our interest, and I would argue we are more than justified in taking action to make sure that councils can plan properly."Before using the power, a minister must check whether what a council is doing is consistent with the national direction under the RMA, and engage with the council.It would also only be an interim measure, while the government works to reform planning laws, which are due to take effect in 2027 to align with councils' next long-term plans.The government is also no longer proposing to make Medium Density Residential Standards optional for councils.The MDRS standards required councils to allow the development of three homes up to three storeys on a site without the need for resource consent.They were announced by the previous government and passed with National's backing. At the time it signalled a bipartisan commitment on housing.In government, National backed down, and made the standards optional.But Bishop now said most councils had already changed their plans to include the MDRS, so it would be inefficient and a waste of money to make them change their plans again.Bishop on Wednesday released a discussion document on how proposed housing rule changes would work in with the government's resource management reforms."Next year we'll replace the RMA with a new planning system that makes it easier to plan and deliver the housing and infrastructure New Zealand needs."The new planning system is an enormous opportunity to create a planning system that enables and encourages housing growth," Bishop said.The document provided more details on six planned law changes:The establishment of Housing Growth Targets for Tier 1 and 2 councilsNew rules making it easier for cities to expand outwards at the urban fringeA strengthening of the intensification provisions in the National Policy Statement on Urban Development (NPS-UD)New rules requiring councils to enable a greater mixed-use zoning across cities.The abolition of minimum floor area and balcony requirementsNew provisions making the Medium Density Residential Standards optional for councils.Last month ministers released proposed sweeping changes to rules covering councils' oversight for public consultation.Under the proposed Resource Management Act changes, granny flats of up to 70sqm, and papakāinga of up to 10 homes would be allowed without a consent on specific land zones.Papakāinga would also allow commercial activities of up to 100sqm, conservation activity, accommodation for up to eight guests, along with education, health, sports, marae, urupā and māra kai facilities.Medium papakāinga of up to 30 homes would be considered a "restricted discretionary" activity, with those of more than 30 units becoming "discretionary" activities.PHOTO: RNZ / Mark Papalii

The government has announced another multi-million dollar funding boost for Tourism New Zealand in a bid to attract 72,000 more visitors to our shores.Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said $13.5 million in funding would help to target the core markets of Australia, the United States and China over the next few years."This investment is expected to generate around $300 million in spending, which is a very strong return on investment," she said."International visitor numbers continue to climb and this boost will help drive further economic growth throughout the entire country."Less than two months ago, she announced a separate $13.5 million boost for Tourism New Zealand to fund marketing in the shorter term, with the aims of attracting an extra 23,000 international visitors by the end of March 2026 and bringing in an additional $100 million.The international visitor levy - which was nearly tripled last year - is covering the costs for both."We know how important marketing is to attract visitors, with around 14 percent of international holiday visitors directly influenced by Tourism New Zealand's marketing activity," Upston said."We want people to know New Zealand is open for business and we welcome visitors with open arms."She described the funding as the first investment in the government's Tourism Growth Roadmap, which outlines the initiatives to help the government and industry double the value of tourism exports by 2034."We know how important marketing is to attract visitors, with around 14 percent of international holiday visitors directly influenced by Tourism New Zealand's marketing activity," Upston said.Last year, Tourism New Zealand unveiled an ambitious strategy to grow tourism by $5 billion by attracting more visitors outside of summer over four years.It aimed to grow international tourism spend by 8.7 percent, or an additional $900 million in the strategy's first year.February marked the largest number of American visitors that Aotearoa had ever recorded in a month.At tourism conference TRENZ last month, Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy said that had been buoyed by airlines opening up new routes, a tailwind of a strong American dollar and focused marketing, and the outlook for American visitors remained really positive.

Wānaka cafe and restaurant Urban Grind will close its doors next week, and will be replaced later this month by a new Italian restaurant.The cafe on Ardmore Street, owned by hospitality group Dropping Inn, will close its doors at 2pm on Monday (June 9) in preparation for new proprietors to take over next week. The new restaurant - Bambina by Giovi - will be developed by Queenstown-based Giovi Fine Food.The Wānaka restaurant will be the fourth for the brand, with Italian restaurants already operating in Queenstown, Frankton and Arrowtown. Giovi Fine Food founder Giovanna Boventi says the restaurant will bring an authentic Italian culinary experience to Wānaka.“I am very happy to bring our fresh, homemade pasta, ravioli, lasagna and other delicatessen to Wānaka after successfully serving locals and tourists in Giovi and Farelli in Queenstown, and Bianca in Arrowtown,” she said.“Bambina will be a piece of Italy right in the heart of Wānaka and we look forward to continuing the legacy with the customers of Urban Grind, although with a different twist.”After a short refurbishment, the restaurant will hold a soft opening on June 27, with the full restaurant opening on June 28. Dropping Inn director Matt Laming said Urban Grind has been a Wānaka institution since the business opened 14 years ago, but the time was right for the change of ownership.“We’re inviting the community to come into Urban Grind next Monday and enjoy a free slice of cake with every coffee purchased as a final celebration,” he said.Any customers holding Dropping Inn vouchers or loyalty points will still be able to redeem them at alternative Dropping Inn venues (b.social, Hāwea Hotel,Treehouse, and Hello Ranger).PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka’s Scope Communications has been recognised as the best Small to Medium PR Consultancy in New Zealand at the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (PRINZ) Awards.The boutique marketing communications and digital PR consultancy received the award at PRINZ’s annual industry awards ceremony in Auckland on Wednesday (May 28).“Our goal is to be a nationally-regarded communications consultancy that achieves positive, lasting impact for our clients and communities through innovation and best-practise,” Scope Communications managing director Celia Crosbie said.“Receiving this recognition - especially alongside other consultancies with a longstanding record of being the best in the business - is a fantastic accomplishment.”Remarks from the independent judging panel commended Scope’s “strong entry that shows strategic success and adaptability in challenging times”.“The strategic approach is embedded in all aspects of the entry which reflects the focus of the agency in delivering on its purpose … Scope Communications is a credit to the PR industry.”Scope Communications celebrates 12 years in business this year (2025) and has clients across a range of industries throughout New Zealand.Scope received gold for the same category in 2022 and silver in 2024. Celia was also elected as a PRINZ board member at the PRINZ AGM on Tuesday (May 27).PHOTO: Supplied

The Wānaka Business Chamber welcomed three new directors and celebrated a year of “connection and consolidation” at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday night (May 28).Three new business professionals - James Brewer, Holly Egerton, and Julia Langley - were elected to replace three incumbents who had stood down from the chamber’s board.James has a background in IT and consulting and he is currently ANZ Wānaka's commercial bank manager; and Holly, a former lawyer, is the founder of Succession, an online business that helps Kiwis get their wills and enduring powers of attorney sorted.Julia is a senior executive with over 20 years’ experience in sustainable finance, ESG strategy, financial services, and regulatory engagement.Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat said it was “fantastic” to welcome the new directors.“They bring a great mix of fresh energy and deep local insight, which will serve the Chamber and our wider business community well,” Glenn said. “I’m really looking forward to the contribution they’ll make as we take the next steps forward.”Glenn reflected on the past year, where he said the chamber had “continued to build strong relationships across our business community, delivered a range of quality events, and reignited the Wānaka Business Excellence Awards, which was a real highlight”. “We’ve also made great progress on our leadership academy, which is developing into a key programme for local business capability building.”Looking ahead, the focus is on establishing a permanent home for the chamber, Glenn said.“It would be great to have a dedicated office and hub to host events, meetings, training, and co-working,” he said.“Alongside this, we’re committed to continuing to deliver value for members through advocacy, training, and networking, particularly as businesses navigate a challenging economic climate.”Wānaka Business Chamber has 330 members and its mission is to empower Wānaka’s business community with the support, resources, and connections needed for sustainable growth and success.PHOTO: Supplied

The local tourism boss is looking forward to hearing more about changes to tourism funding in the government’s recent budget.Lake Wānaka Tourism and Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat Woods said he was encouraged to see $32M from the International Visitor Levy (IVL) allocated to support tourism related infrastructure. “We look forward to hearing more about how this will benefit our region,” he told the Wānaka App.Mat said it was also good to see the introduction of an investment boost for businesses, which will allow tourism operators to deduct a further 20 percent from the cost of new assets and equipment in the year they’re purchased. “This will have an impact on cashflow, encouraging business owners who are considering upgrading their plant and equipment to do it now,” he said. In general, the budget - which the government called ‘the Growth Budget’ - named tourism related projects among its initiatives to drive economic growth.Finance Minister Nicola Willis said the government was “growing tourism by investing international visitor fees into tourism and conservation upgrades in popular areas”.Changes to tourism funding include an extra $20M per annum through the IVL and Tourism Levy - thanks to a recent increase in the rate each visitor pays upon entry to New Zealand to $100.The Department of Conservation has been allocated an extra $32M over four years for committed levy-funded projects “to boost biodiversity and the tourist economy”.PHOTO: Lake Wānaka Tourism

Breen Construction has received the Supreme Award (under $10M) for its work on the Scapegrace Distillery at the 2025 Commercial Building Awards. The building was designed by Cheshire Architects and delivered by Breen Construction as project owner and project manager, and the team also included HFC Structures Ltd and Pacific Process. Breen Construction commercial director Peter Breen said his team was proud the win the award, which he said was the culmination of “many years of great work by our people”.“It speaks to the strength and skill of our team and we’re ever grateful for the trust that Scapegrace placed in us to deliver such a significant project.”The distillery in the Bendigo hills reflects Scapegrace’s carbon-zero objectives (achieved through initiatives such as a renewable electricity-powered electrode boiler) and supported by Breen’s waste-reduction strategy throughout the build.The project required significant technical coordination, including the installation of large copper stills shipped from Scotland. The laminated veneer lumber (LVL) portal frame was another structural highlight, assembled in ground-level segments using a custom scaffold system to minimise risk and maximise build efficiency. “Breen Construction rose to the challenge and exceeded every expectation, delivering a facility that is not just functional but a true masterpiece in craftsmanship,” Scapegrace managing director Danial McLaughlin said.“What has stood out most throughout the process has been their meticulous attention to detail. The end result is a distillery that not only reflects the high standards of our brand but also stands as an architectural landmark in its own right.” The judging panel noted the project’s visionary design approach, careful material selections, and environmental leadership. They also noted the team’s ability to navigate complex weather conditions and manage a high degree of technical complexity, all while maintaining exceptional attention to detail across both interior and exterior finishes.

A group of Lake Hāwea residents say they’re concerned about the approval of a new Super Liquor store for the Longview subdivision - and they are preparing to lodge objections.Earlier this month Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) gave the green light to a 300sqm+ Super Liquor store in Longview’s designated commercial area which can operate up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week.Hāwea already has three retail outlets selling alcohol (Fresh Choice, the Hāwea Store & Kitchen, and the Hāwea Hotel’s small bottle store) as well as two licensed eateries.Longview resident Lisa Riley says she wants community members to consider whether another alcohol outlet is necessary in the town of 2,300 residents.Lisa Riley at the corner of Longview Drive and Burdon Loop, where a Super Liquor is set to be constructed. PHOTO: SuppliedLisa, who represents a growing group of concerned residents, said she cares “deeply about our community - our kids, our whānau, and the environment we’re all trying to raise them in”.“We want to ensure that community planning supports the safety of our kids,” she said.“This isn’t about denying people access to alcohol - it’s about questioning why a liquor shop has to be the first thing people see when they enter our family-friendly neighbourhood.”With the clock ticking on the 25-day period members of the public have to lodge an objection - which would trigger an alcohol license hearing - Lisa said her focus is “making the objection process as accessible as possible”.Lisa told the Wānaka App she’d been contacted by 27 individuals representing at least 40 people who are against the liquor store in the 48 hours since she first posted her concerns on social media.Another resident, a former social worker, said they were concerned about a ‘snowball effect’ if the Super Liquor (which could be the first operation in the subdivision’s commercial area) goes ahead.“Once alcohol outlets arrive, others follow - fast food chains, vape stores,” they said.The location of the Super Liquor, at the corner of Longview Drive and Burdon Loop, near the playground and school bus stop, was “especially concerning” for another resident, who said they didn’t believe a liquor store was “the right fit for a neighborhood made up of young families”. Some residents expressed disappointment that QLDC had approved the Super Liquor and hadn’t publicly notified the application, but a QLDC spokesperson clarified that a council cannot regulate or prioritise types of retail activity (for example groceries versus liquor) within a zone if it falls under the permitted use, as it does in this case.“Council’s assessment deemed it appropriate that the application did not need to be notified [and] the reasons for consent and notification would not have related to the liquor store activity,” he added.Lisa said she has been in contact with Health NZ Te Whatu Ora for guidance on opposing the licence; secured legal counsel from Communities Against Alcohol Harm; provided a form letter which anyone can use to object (available via the Facebook group ‘Hāwea Community for Thoughtful Development’) or by emailing [email protected]; and she plans to speak at a hearing if one is triggered.“Regardless of the outcome of this specific application, I expect to continue advocating for community wellbeing in this space - including doing everything I can as a local resident to help ensure a Local Alcohol Policy [which would specify rules for sale and supply of alcohol locally] is properly developed and adopted,” she said.“For me, this is not about judgment - it’s about care, connection, and having a real conversation about what kind of future we want to shape for our community.”

Wānaka’s tech scene is getting involved with Techweek25, which aims to spark conversations about the value and impact of emerging technology in people’s lives.This year Techweek will take place across 18 of New Zealand’s regions, including in Wānaka, where there will be two events for those in the tech industry or interested in it.“Tech is really growing in Wānaka,” Wānaka Tech Meet Ups host Niamh O’Byrne said. “It’s exciting to see so many new opportunities for locals and businesses.”The first local TechWeek25 event, a free networking event, will take place tomorrow (Tuesday May 20) at the Logic1 offices and it will feature industry experts Wayne Hudson and Blake Paiement.Wayne, a legal consultant at WHIPIT Ltd, has over 30 years of experience advising tech start-ups on commercialising IP, raising capital, and structuring for growth, while Blake is the founder and CEO of Taste Wine Guides (a tech-driven tourism startup designed to reshape how people explore wine regions around the world). The second event, taking place on Thursday (May 22) at b.social, is the Wānaka Tech Quiz.It’s a quiz night “with a tech twist”, Niamh said, and it is open to all, from tech experts to pub quiz enthusiasts.Niamh encouraged locals to get involved with the local events.“Events like this help bring everyone together and build a stronger tech community,” Niamh said.Register your interest for the networking event here and book for the pub quiz here. PHOTO: Supplied