Wānaka news and information service, the Wānaka App, has been acknowledged at the Wānaka Business Excellence Awards, winning the Excellence in Professional Services category at a gala dinner on Saturday November 9.Wānaka App director Tony O’Regan said it was a win for the community.“We’re very fortunate to live in a community that cares deeply about its wellbeing,” Tony said.“It is reflected in the engagement we get with local news stories and local information.”The Wānaka App is a digital-only publisher, distributing to a mobile app, website, and weekly newsletter.Tony said more than 220,000 people read the Wānaka App in the past 12 months recording 1.5M reader sessions and 8.8M page views.“The reach is amazing but our real focus is on the Upper Clutha community and ensuring it has a strong local news source,” Tony said.“It was a real thrill that the judges acknowledged the work our team does and how important local news is.”Learn about all the award winners at the Wānaka Business Excellence Awards here.A key contributor to the Wānaka App’s award, judges said, was the innovative software solution it developed to distribute content to readers. The software is designed as a “software as a service” (SaaS) platform and licensed to other local community news services in New Zealand and Australia.“The software is a great opportunity for us to share what is working in local news and help other publishers have success in their market,” Tony said.This is the third time the Wānaka App has been recognised at the Wānaka Business Excellence Awards winning Outstanding Innovators in 2017 and Outstanding in Innovation in 2019.The Wānaka App launched in 2016.PHOTO: Sarginson Photography

Cardrona residents and visitors will have new options for eating, drinking and shopping if a new commercial complex billed for the village is approved.An application for a 1,730m2 commercial precinct has been lodged with Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).The proposal includes restaurants, food kiosks and retail space, as well as small-scale visitor accommodation.There is also a covered 650m2 ‘market place’, spas, a sauna, and outdoor areas.The spas and sauna will be open to the public as well as visitors staying in any of the four self-contained visitor accommodation units. Urban designer Paula Costello said the retail part of the precinct was “likely to include a number of different selling places including café, sports retail or hire (cycle/ski) and other tourist or craft type retail”.It would feature “a series of smaller tenancies both retail and hospitality focussed…useful in terms of enabling the start-up of small businesses, especially in locations such as Cardrona (a small settlement)”, she said.If approved, the precinct would be located on Cardrona Valley Road, just north of the Cardrona Valley General Store and a few hundred metres from the Cardrona Hotel.A handful of major projects for the Cardrona area have been announced in recent years, including Mt Cardrona Station (a development with more than 600 houses, a hotel and golf course), which is under construction.There have also been big plans announced for the Cardrona skifield, including a new base building, an expansion into Soho, and - by a separate company Darby Partners - a valley-to-Soho gondola with guest facilities and accommodation.Developer Carpe Cervisiam is behind the commercial precinct project.QLDC is currently considering Carpe Cervisiam’s resource consent application.IMAGE: Supplied

Wānaka Mediterranean Market’s owner, grocery wholesaler Bidfood NZ, has confirmed the business’s wholesale side will close at the end of this month, with the retail side to close by the New Year.Bidfood NZ CEO Phil Struckmann told the Wānaka App he advised the market’s 30 staff of the decision on Friday (November 10).Last week Phil said Bidfood was consulting with Wānaka Mediterranean Market staff on a proposal to close the business of 23 years, and the consultation period would finish on Friday.On Monday (November 11) he told the Wānaka App that Bidfood was “not in a position to change our proposal”.“It hasn’t been an easy decision,” Phil said.“We bought the business in 2006; it’s very much been a part of Bidfood and we don’t take this lightly.”The closure proposal followed “a lengthy and exhaustive analysis”, he said.Phil said he put the proposal to the Wānaka staff members in “good faith” asking them if they had local knowledge which could change the picture, he said.“I personally took on every bit of feedback … but didn’t see anything that would work.”The reason for the closure was that the business was “between a rock and a hard place”, he said.“We’re getting too big for that site but can’t afford to move anywhere else.”He said the lease at 6/22 Ardmore had two years left, and while the landlord indicated the business could get a longer lease Phil said it couldn’t grow on that site.“Relocating is way too expensive.”The retail side of the business will remain open “through December”, Phil said, and after Christmas and New Year it will “clear the stock and close the doors”.Its wholesale operation will close sooner, on December 1, after which Bidfood’s Queenstown branch will provide deliveries to Wānaka.He said the decision to close the retail arm after Christmas was to “give staff the best possible option to find a new job”.He said Bidfood has also offered staff the opportunity to relocate to work in other branches, and for those who can’t “there’s a compensation process to go through”.Bidfood had offered staff compensation “over and above what’s in their contract”, he said.The Wānaka Mediterranean Market has operated in Wānaka since 2001.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Wānaka’s not-for-profit community enterprise Wastebusters was announced the supreme winner of the Wānaka Business Excellence Awards at a gala dinner at Rippon Vineyard last night (Saturday, November 9).In addition to securing the top award, the zero waste hub won the Community Contribution Award and the Business Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award, recognising its commitment to environmental and social impact.A record 67 entries were received for the awards hosted by the Wānaka Business Chamber.“The record number of entries this year highlights the determination of our business community to not only survive but thrive in tough times,” Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat said.“We’re proud to recognise and support these businesses that continue to contribute to the strength of our community.”Despite a challenging year marked by reduced visitor numbers, rising operational costs, and the lasting impacts of post-COVID economic pressures, the resilience and innovation of the Wānaka business community shone through, Glenn said.An outstanding business commendation award was presented to rock supplier Wānaka Stone in recognition of its dedication to quality craftsmanship and significant contribution to the local building and design industry.“Wānaka Stone stood out for their leadership in the industry, their innovative solutions, and their dedication to not only their craft but to supporting their employees,” convenor of judges Lynley Lischner said.“Their commitment to training, career development, and creating pathways for growth sets a remarkable standard for businesses overall.”Just under 1500 votes were cast via the Wānaka App for the People’s Choice Award which was won by Architecture + Design Library, a shared resource for design professionals and anyone building or renovating.Architecture + Design Library won the People’s Choice Award, donating its $500 prize to the charity Food for Love.“It was fantastic to see the community rally behind their favourite local businesses,” Glenn said.The Wānaka App was announced as the Excellence in Professional Services Award winner. Director Tony O’Regan said the award reflected a highly engaged community that has a thirst for local news and information.“Being part of the fabric of our community motivates us,” Tony said.The Wānaka App won the Excellence in Professional Services Award. “Local news and information is so important to our community's well-being and we are grateful to have that recognised.”The category winners and finalists:Excellence in Customer Experience – Supported by Drive AccountingFinalists: Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka, The Next Chapter, WastebustersWinner: Mitre 10 Mega WānakaExcellence in Visitor Experience – Supported by Lake Wānaka TourismFinalists: Bike Glendhu, nzbiketrails, Wānaka Helicopters GroupWinner: Bike GlendhuExcellence in Trade & Industrial Sector – Supported by FindexFinalists: Architecture + Design Library, Wānaka Solar, Wānaka StoneWinner: Wānaka StoneExcellence in Primary & Consumer Goods – Supported by Cardrona and Treble ConeFinalists: Balance Me, Rippon, Sidekick SodaWinner: RipponExcellence in Professional Services – Supported by Aspiring LawFinalists: Constructive Consultants, Greenhawk Chartered Accountants, Mike Pero Mortgages Wānaka and Queenstown, Schistrockmedia (Wānaka App)Winner: Schistrockmedia (Wānaka App)Community Contribution Award – Supported by Queenstown AirportFinalists: Food for Love, Wānaka Golf Club, WastebustersWinner: WastebustersStrategy, Innovation & Business Solutions Award – Supported by Batchelar McDougall ConsultingFinalists: Architecture + Design Library, Bike Glendhu, Fluid Visual CommunicationsWinner: Fluid Visual CommunicationsBest Emerging Business Award – Supported by Air New ZealandFinalists: Green Fox, nzbiketrailsWinner: Green FoxBusiness Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award – Supported by Queenstown Lakes District CouncilFinalists: Green Fox, Greenhawk Chartered Accountants, WastebustersWinner: WastebustersEmployer of the Year Award – Supported by EASI NZFinalists: Greenhawk Chartered Accountants, Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka, Wānaka StoneWinner: Mitre 10 Mega WānakaPeople’s Choice Award – Supported by Wānaka AppWinner: Architecture + Design LibraryJudges Outstanding Business Commendation AwardWinner: Wānaka StoneSupreme Award – Supported by Milford Asset ManagementWinner: WastebustersThe Wānaka Business Excellence Awards are supported by Milford Asset Management, and media partner, the Wānaka App.PHOTOS: Sarginson Photography

Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone’s parent company scooped the Supreme Tourism Award at the the Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) awards on Wednesday night (November 6).RealNZ’s companies are spread over the lower South Island and in addition to the two local ski fields they include Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound adventures, Walter Peak, TSS Earnslaw steamship, Spirit of Queenstown and more.Judges noted RealNZ’s “unwavering commitment to sustainability” and lauded the business as a “jewel in the crown of the country’s tourism industry”.Its conservation projects include the Cardrona Alpine Resort project to study the Kārearea/NZ Falcon, which was recently extended for another five years.Read more: Five-year milestone for Kārearea studyRealNZ CEO Dave Beeche said the recognition by TIA reflects both the business’ rich history, and RealNZ’s continued commitment to experience delivery and conservation.“RealNZ was founded 70 years ago this year, with a foundation of delivering exceptional experiences while being at the forefront of New Zealand conservation,” he said.“That is a legacy we are proud to continue to this day through the energy and passion of every single team member. We couldn’t be more thrilled to be recognised by the judges for this mahi.”Dave said he was excited to head back to the ‘deep south’ with the award.“It’s up to us to keep shaking things up, going the extra mile, and making a difference so that every guest leaves with a great story to tell,” he said.As well as the Supreme Tourism Award, Real NZ also won both category awards it was a finalist in: the Johnston's Coachlines Tourism Excellence Award (Large Business), and the KiwiRail Tourism Environment Award. PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka’s Mediterranean Market is open for business and encouraging customers to put in their orders for Christmas hams, but discussion is underway about the business’s possible closure.The long-running local artisan grocer is owned by Bidfood NZ, a grocery wholesaler.Bidfood NZ CEO Phil Struckmann told the Wānaka App the company was consulting with Wānaka Mediterranean Market staff on a proposal to close the business of 23 years.He emphasised it was “a proposal at this stage”.Christmas hams were being advertised yesterday.The consultation period would finish at the end of this week, he said.Phil declined to comment further this week “out of respect for the staff”.Questions about the future of the Mediterranean Market and its neighbouring tenant McKenzie and Willis were raised when their premises at 6/22 Ardmore Street was sold in August.The Wānaka App has been advised there are still two years left on the lease for both businesses, but only McKenzie and Willis has confirmed it has plans to relocate elsewhere in Wānaka when the lease ends.The Wānaka Mediterranean Market has operated in Wānaka since 2001, initially under the name the Wānaka Wholesale Market, and it has gone through a handful of ownership changes in its more than two decades of operation. PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has appointed experienced business and governance professional Dr Don Elder to Queenstown Airport Corporation’s (QAC) board of directors. Mayor Glyn Lewers said Don, who was appointed on October 30 at the QAC AGM after approval by councillors at a recent meeting, was a “stand-out candidate with a wealth of experience and knowledge”.“His long governance experience in transport, infrastructure and major projects, energy, construction, finance, tech startups and risk management will add further depth to the board’s expertise in key areas as the airport continues to deliver for our community and visitors.”Queenstown Airport is a Council-Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO) with two shareholders: Queenstown Lakes District Council (75.1 percent) and Auckland Airport (24.9 percent).  Don fills a vacant position on the board following the internal election of Simon Flood as chair in September. Simon had replaced Adrienne Young-Cooper who stepped down from the board after completing the maximum number of terms under QAC’s constitution.Don said he was excited to join the board.“The strategic future of Queenstown Airport is intrinsically linked with the future of our district and wider region,” he said. “QAC’s ten-year plan describes an innovative airport that serves the region well. I’m looking forward to supporting my colleagues on the board and the management team in delivering this vision for QAC’s shareholders and the local community.” Don’s current directorships include Pioneer Energy, Wenita Forestry, Canterbury Seismic, and several social service charities.   In addition to his appointment, two existing QAC directors – Andrew Blair and Mike Tod – were reappointed at the AGM.PHOTO: Supplied

Should shops in Queenstown Lakes be allowed to open on Easter Sunday?Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) wants members of the public to weigh in on this question, to help inform its proposed draft Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2025.Easter Sunday is a restricted trading day under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990 (Act) which requires shops to remain closed, except for certain shops under certain conditions. However, shops in Queenstown Lakes have been allowed to trade on Easter Sunday since 2017 because of an amendment to the Act which enabled councils to adopt policies to permit shops to open on Easter Sunday. QLDC’s Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy in 2017 has now expired.Council staff are proposing the new policy allows all shops to open on Easter Sunday again.Allowing shops to open supports local businesses who benefit from tourist trade and provides greater options for the large volume of visitors to the district over this time period, council staff said.It is only applicable to Easter Sunday and does not include Good Friday or Easter Monday.The policy would also not apply to the sale or supply of alcohol, which is regulated under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.Copies of the draft Easter Sunday Shop Trading Policy 2025 and submission information can be found online here, at QLDC offices and all libraries.The final policy is expected to be presented to councillors for adoption in March 2025.Public input closes on November 30.PHOTO: Supplied

The majority of submissions made about a McDonald's restaurant opening in Wānaka are not lovin' it. Photo: 123rf366 submissions were made about a McDonalds restaurant opening in Wānaka339 were opposed to the proposal, while 21 supported itSix submissions sought changes to the plan106 people have agreed to speak at a four-day hearing in NovemberThe majority of submissions made about a McDonald's restaurant opening in Wānaka are not lovin' it.Consent is being sought to open a 455 square-metre restaurant at the Wānaka-Luggate Highway, with a drive-thru operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.Of the 366 submissions made to the Queenstown Lakes District Council, 339 were opposed, 21 were in support and six wanted changes.One hundred and six people have agreed to speak at a meeting later in November.Wao Aotearoa Charitable Trust, strongly opposed to the idea, had concerns about the visual and aesthetic impact on the town."The proposed site is highly visible at the entrance of Wānaka and is adjacent to significant landscape features such as Mount Iron," its submission said."The development will have a substantial adverse impact on the visual and aesthetic values of this sensitive location."The proposed mitigation measures, including planting and mounding, are insufficient to address the impacts of the building, signage, lighting, and parking areas."This site does not align with the community's objective to protect and enhance our natural landscapes."The trust also had concerns about waste management, with the submission saying Wānaka had shown leadership in the move to a zero-waste economy."McDonald's continued use and reliance on single-use and disposable packaging goes against commitment to zero waste and environmental protection. The toxicity and waste caused by single use packaging leaks into the environment, and causes a huge amount of damage to our ecosystems."In a joint submission by Wastebusters and Plastic Free Wanaka, opposed to the idea, said the heart of Wānaka's shared values was protecting the natural environment."This includes guardianship of our outstanding natural landscape, protection of our alpine waterways and transitioning to a circular economy, and is recognised in the council's strategic documents including the Vision Beyond 2050, the Destination Management Plan and the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan."Thirty percent of the community (5565 people) have already signed a petition to stop a McDonald's from opening in Wānaka, with waste and the environmental impact being commonly cited concerns."There were also people who would like to see some golden arches in their area.One woman, who lived about a kilometre from the proposed site, was for the restaurant being built - but with some conditions."Opening hours are restricted to 10pm on weeknights and 12pm on weekends," her submission said."I am concerned by the potential for excessive traffic movements, unsafe driving and anti-social behaviour by McDonalds customers speeding along Aubrey road at night disturbing sleeping residents. Limiting opening hours would help reduce the impact."The local also wanted to see safe access for cyclists and contribution to local community projects that enhance the environment of the adjacent Mt Iron Reserve.Another resident in favour said it would be "a positive addition to take away food outlets in the town" and that "it is appropriate for people to have food choices".The council meeting is set down for 25 November.

Cardrona Alpine Resort’s base complex is getting an upgrade: plans have been approved for a 619m2 building with retail services on the ground floor and food and beverage facilities upstairs.The existing retail and administration building will be demolished to make way for the new one, named ‘Project Arcadia’.Project Arcadia is one of a number of projects the ski field is undertaking to better equip it for the increase in users expected from ski area expansion.Plans for ‘Project Arcadia’, a new retail, food and beverage building, have been approved.Cardrona Alpine Resort is developing a new chairlift and ski runs in the Soho Basin which, together with the Willows Basin, make up the Soho Ski Area.Earmarked to open for winter 2025, the new six-seater chairlift will service around 150ha of terrain. Project Arcadia and other projects will “support this new development and the additional visitors it may bring to the mountain”, application documents said.The old retail and administration building, pictured, will be demolished to make way for Project ArcadiaA separate project billed to include a high speed electric passenger lift system linking the Cardrona Valley to Cardrona Alpine Resort and Soho Ski Area was also announced earlier this month.An initiative of Blackmans Creek Holdings Limited, it was selected as one of the government’s fast-track approval projects, and includes on-mountain visitor accommodation, guest facilities, and workers' accommodation.Cardrona Alpine Resort general manager Laura Hedley said the project was being designed and developed by a third party.“With the planned opening of Soho Basin to skiers in 2025, making Cardrona New Zealand’s largest ski area, we welcome an alternative transport option to the mountain and look forward to seeing how the process progresses.”Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) approved the company’s resource consent application for Project Arcadia earlier this month.PHOTOS: Cardrona/ Supplied

A Hospitality NZ representative says a dozen restaurants in the district are likely to scrap outdoor dining as a result of fee increases, but the local council says the increases are fair.Fees for eateries’ use of public spaces for outdoor dining increased from $100/m2 to $225m2 for the Wānaka lakefront and $70/m2 to $125/m2 for other Wānaka areas when the Outdoor Dining Policy 2024 was adopted in May.Restaurants in Queenstown also faced increases, varying depending on their location, and other fees associated with outdoor dining like licences.More than five months after it was signed off, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is still being urged to reverse the decision, including by Hospitality NZ head of membership Darelle Jenkins, who said the increases were “blowing budgets out of the water”.Speaking at last week’s full council meeting, she said she represented 151 member businesses from across the district.Twelve members intended to remove outdoor dining from their eateries and another 14 were “very concerned” about the impact on business, she told councillors.Darelle also said the public “wasn’t fully informed” during consultation on the proposed increases, “regardless of what council has said about indicating fees”.A QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App this week that, until May, outdoor dining fees hadn’t been increased since 2005.Increases were signalled in 2019 but put on hold due to the impact of the pandemic on hospitality businesses and “the assertion that fee changes were not previously communicated is… misleading”, the spokesperson said.The fees were assessed by an independent valuer and reflect current market rates, they said.For Wānaka eatery Big Fig, the issue wasn’t that the fees were increased but the sudden, substantial jump.Co-owner Shaz Lahood said she was sent a bill for outdoor dining fees which was several thousand dollars higher than the previous year and was initially given five days to pay it.After contacting QLDC, the payment period was extended, but Shaz questioned why the fee had suddenly surged rather than a gradual year-on-year increase, which she said would have been manageable.“I don’t begrudge paying a fee; I begrudge the size of the hike. If fees haven’t been increased since 2005, why is that?” The Wānaka Business Chamber was approached for comment.PHOTO: Wānaka App

The government is moving to streamline the building consent regime by swapping out some council inspections for a self-certification scheme.Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk said the proposal was for building professionals with indemnity insurance working on low-risk projects.It would allow qualified trade professionals - including plumbers, drainlayers and builders - to sign-off on their work without needing council inspection.The changes were also expected to cover large homebuilding businesses that construct hundreds of near-identical homes a year."The building consent system is intended to protect homeowners from defective building work by requiring work to be inspected and consented by a Building Consent Authority," Penk said."But the regime is inefficient and adds cost and time to the build process, which makes it harder for Kiwis to realise their dream of homeownership. It takes on average 569 days for a home be built and consented [to] - amid a housing shortage, that is simply too long to wait."Under current legislation, building consents are issued by a building consent authority, usually a local and district council, but can also be a regional council, or private organisation.Penk said the new opt-in self-certification scheme would undergo a robust consultation process in two stages."The first is that qualified building professionals, such as plumbers, drainlayers and builders, will be able to self-certify their own work, for low-risk builds, without the need for an inspection."This brings them in line with electricians and gasfitters who can already do this and is something the industry has been calling for, for years."The second pillar is that businesses with a proven track-record - for example, group homebuilders who build hundreds of near identical homes a year - will be able to go through a more streamlined consent process."At the moment, a single-story basic home might go through 10 or more separate inspections. This is clearly too many and the cost-benefit has become unbalanced."Penk said building professionals are already subject to quality assurances like holding a practicing license, keeping records of their work and having their details in a publicly searchable database.Additional safeguards like a clear pathway for customers to remedy poor work, tougher qualification requirements for building professionals and strict disciplinary actions for careless or incompetent self-certifiers would be put in place, he said."We will make detailed policy decisions in the new year following thorough consultation, which will consider what residual role existing Building Consent Authorities should have in the self-certification scheme, for example through an auditing function."Kiwis need confidence in the safety and quality of their homes, but it's possible to do this through a more streamlined assurance pathway. We are committed to cutting through the tangle of red tape so that we can get more Kiwis into the quality homes they deserve."PHOTO: Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Anticipation has been building in Lake Hāwea during the past few weeks before the official opening of the township’s first supermarket today (Tuesday October 22).Matt and Dixie Gallaher (and their two young children) have moved to Lake Hāwea from Albert Town to manage Fresh Choice Lake Hāwea.“We’re immensely excited and proud to be fulfilling our dream of running our own business,” Matt said.“The opportunity is made even more rewarding through the incredible community and location we’ll be operating in.”He said the supermarket is employing 17 “familiar faces from the community”. “As we continue through the opening months and begin to find our footing as ‘fresh’ owners, we’ll be looking to bring local suppliers into our aisles,” he added.Fresh Choice Lake Hāwea landowner Ray MacLeod said he was “very pleased with the outcome”.He confirmed that an NRG Gym will be operating above the Bodkin Street supermarket, with a scheduled opening date of December 1.The new Fresh Choice supermarket on Bodkin Street, Lake Hāwea.Environmental Accounting Systems Ltd is also establishing a new office upstairs, he said.Ray said a 23 month average of traffic counters between Lake Hāwea and Wānaka indicated approximately 3,500 vehicles travel over the Maungawera Hill in both directions each day, with 5,700 vehicles crossing the Albert Town Bridge.He hoped the new supermarket would divert “750 return trips”, leading to “a safer road” and fewer cars on the Albert Town Bridge.The supermarket was designed and constructed by Breen Construction.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

A sustainable fashion brand founded by Wānaka designer Claire O’Connell is teaming up with fashion legend Liz Mitchell, MNZM.Precious Collaborative and Liz are working together to create a limited edition coat “worthy of an art collection”, Claire said.Proceeds from the sale of the coats will fund Precious Collaborative’s everyday sustainable collection, therefore making high-quality fashion more accessible, she said.“I’m thrilled to be part of this innovative model,” Liz, who is known for her passion for New Zealand wool, said. NZ fashion legend Liz Mitchell MNZM.“Sustainable fashion and wool are at the heart of my work, and it’s exciting to create a piece that’s not only bold and artistic but also helps make everyday sustainable fashion more accessible.” Crafted from New Zealand-made tweed, hand-spun on 100-year-old Hattersley looms by boutique weaving company McLean & Co in Oamaru, the one-of-a-kind coat will blend timeless artistry with the finest sustainable materials, the collaborators said.Claire said she was excited about working with one of her fashion heroes. “I feel a bit serendipitous having Liz work with us,” Claire said. “I’ve admired her designs, passion for wool, and ethics for so long.” “I have a fabulous design piece of hers that I’ve held onto like a family treasure, so it’s a thrill to have her believe in our vision.” The limited-edition coat will lead the charge for Precious Collaborative’s ‘one to many’ model, where high-end, collectible pieces fund a staple collection of tailored, wool and hemp streetwear. Top-tier team New Zealand fabric and garment manufacturers will bring the coat vision to life, with every piece designed and made in New Zealand, Claire said. The coat’s launch is set for December in Wānaka.PHOTOS: Supplied

Aurora Energy is commissioning a new transformer that it says will significantly increase network capacity for those living in the Upper Clutha area. The 50MVA auto transformer will be connected to the existing Upper Clutha network at the Cromwell Grid Exit Point between mid-October and mid-November, the energy company announced.There are no planned outages (therefore no planned disruptions) required as part of the work. Aurora Energy service delivery general manager Richard Starkey said the project is exciting for the area, which continues to experience high levels of growth. “The extra capacity will help future-proof the network, responding to increasing demand and giving customers confidence as we move toward a more electrified future,” he said. “As a key driver of the regional and national economy, it’s vital Upper Clutha and Wānaka have a network that can support a growing population and how people choose to use electricity now and as new technology becomes available.” Richard said the two auto transformers that currently service the area are performing well, but the demand on the network requires extra resources.Both existing 36MVA auto transformers will remain in use on top of the new 50MVA auto transformer.Design for the project began in April 2023, and civil and electrical construction began in November. The main part of the work was completed in July this year, with the groundwork and installation of the auto transformer and associated equipment. Richard said the commissioning work had been timed to happen outside of the summer and winter peaks when the load on the two existing lines is at its lowest. The work is part of Aurora Energy’s wider five-year investment programme under its Customised Price-Quality Path (CPP) to position the electricity network for the future.PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka restaurant Kika has received two ‘hats’ from the prestigious Cuisine Good Food Awards for the first time, as well as the ‘Casual Dining of Year’ title for 2024.Kika made Cuisine’s top-100 list as part of the awards in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 (the awards didn’t take place in 2020 due to Covid-19), and in 2022 and 2023 it stood out further, receiving one ‘hat’, for restaurants scoring 16 or more out of 20.The restaurant has improved again, Cuisine judges say, awarding it two hats, reserved for restaurants which are ‘consistently outstanding’.The Wānaka App asked Kika owner James Stapley how the long-running restaurant continues to improve.“We have always just done our own thing and not really followed trends too much,” James said. Kika owner James Stapley said the recognition from Cuisine was a “huge boost”.We know what we are and what we do and have a unique style that is uniquely Kika.”He said Kika provided a combination of consistent quality and “constant innovation”, with an ever-changing menu, aside from a few classic dishes that have been on the menu since the early days.Receiving the two accolades from Cuisine was “a huge boost,” James said.“It’s been a tough year in hospitality so it’s so really nice to get some good news. We are very proud of what we do but to receive two hats was just an incredible surprise.”James said he was especially pleased to receive the casual dining award as “casual is what we do”.The recognition “drives us to be better and to keep evolving”.Cuisine judges said Kika nailed “contemporary Kiwi cuisine” with an atmosphere that is “warm, inviting and lively”.They singled out Kika’s “delectable” beef tartare, “juicy, tender” lamb shoulder and “masterful” Otago cherry and chocolate pavlova as must-tries.Kika was the only Wānaka restaurant awarded hats, but other restaurants also caught the eye of Cuisine judges.Muttonbird, Paloma Taqueria, The Cow, The Cardrona Distillery, Arc Wānaka and Bistro Gentil will all be featured in Cuisine’s Good Food Guide for 2024/2025, which celebrates quality eateries around the country.PHOTO: Cuisine

Wānaka outdoor performance wear brand Mons Royale is celebrating its 15th anniversary and the opening of its new retail store in Wānaka.Mons Royale was founded by husband and wife Hamish and Hannah Acland in 2009. Over the past 15 years the brand has grown from a passion project into a global leader in Merino wool apparel and is stocked in more than 1,000 stores across the world.“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate 15 years of Mons Royale,” Hamish said.“It’s been a huge decade and a half of taking the best of New Zealand to the world and we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation in performance wear.”Hamish, a former competitive skier, saw an opportunity in the market for high-performance and stylish merino wool-based adventure clothing.“When I was on tour I noticed that there was no modern apparel out there,” he said.“I thought it was a real gap in the market and so Hannah and I came back to New Zealand and got to work with the dream of making technical clothing that transitions from the mountain to the high street.“It’s been a huge amount of work and I can’t thank our awesome team enough for everything they’ve done for the brand. I still love seeing people walking down the street in our clothing and we’re pleased to be showcasing New Zealand wool and innovation on the world stage.”Mons Royale employs more than 40 staff and has offices in Wānaka, Innsbruck and British Columbia, with the brand just opening its fifth retail store, this one in Wānaka, where the business is headquartered.“It’s a very cool thing to create the physical manifestation of the brand when you create a retail store. We love it and we’re just starting to learn the game of retail, the next step is retail stores overseas,” Hannah said.Sustainability has also formed a key part of the Mons Royale story, with the brand obtaining B Corp certification in 2024.“As keen adventurers we’re all really passionate about sustainability,” Hannah said.“We consistently prioritise natural materials, ethical production practices, and reducing waste throughout our supply chain and we’re really pleased to have that recognised through B Corp certification.”Hamish said they feel very fortunate to do something they love."We’re just getting started and we’re excited for the next 15-years of Mons Royale,” he said.

Much higher intensity housing is a feature of the new Mt Iron Junction development plan, which has been confirmed on the government’s fast-track approvals projects list released on Sunday (October 6).Two hundred and sixty-three “high density units” are part of the Mt Iron Junction Housing Scheme project, the government said. High density units include townhouses or apartment buildings.Mt Iron Junction Ltd director and long-time Wānaka resident Steve Schikker told the Wānaka App he was “very pleased with the outcome”.“We look forward to moving through the process,” he said.Read more: Cardrona Valley ski gondola among fast-track consenting projectsAn artist’s impression of the original terraced housing planned for the junction. The plans now include 263 high density units. IMAGE: SuppliedSteve declined to provide details about the latest proposal, which was submitted to the Fast Track process, except to confirm it was “higher density than the original”.The original plan that went through the Environment Court was for a service station, a nine-unit workers’ accommodation village and 13 two-and three-bedroomed terrace houses.Steve and fellow director Peter Greene publicly announced their plans for the mixed-use development (on 6ha of unused land at the base of Wānaka’s Mt Iron, bounded by State Highways 6 and 84) in 2018.Read more: Major development proposed for Wānaka’s entrance“We envisage Mt Iron Junction to be an attractive, thoughtful and functional entrance to Wānaka – one that complements the natural environment, existing urban and commercial development, and community infrastructure, while offering the necessary facilities for future growth,” Steve said at the time.There has been a lot of water under the bridge since then, including Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) declining the original resource consent application. A compromise was reached through the Environment Court for a modified development and conditional consent was granted in April.One of the conditions specified for the development’s go-ahead was an operational roundabout adjacent to the development. Work on the Mt Iron Junction roundabout began in 2023 was officially deemed completed in July this year. Late last year came the controversial news that a McDonald’s restaurant had been proposed for the junction area. The McDonald’s proposal is due to go to a hearing panel next month.Regional development minister Shane Jones said the 149 projects chosen by Cabinet will be listed in the Fast Track Approvals Bill.“Once the bill is passed, [projects] will be able to apply to the Environmental Protection Authority to have an expert panel assess the project and apply relevant conditions," he said.An expert advisory panel of the Environmental Protection Authority will assess each project and apply any relevant environmental protections.

A high-speed electric passenger lift system linking the Cardrona Valley to the Cardrona Alpine Resort and Soho ski areas is among three local projects announced in the government’s fast-track approvals projects released today (Sunday October 6).The gondola is part of a Blackmans Creek Holdings Limited project, which lists developer John Darby as the sole director. The project will establish on-mountain visitor accommodation, guest facilities, and workers' accommodation.A development to establish 263 high-density units at Mt Iron Junction, and the controversial Bendigo-Ophir gold mining project were also selected for fast-track approval.In total the government announced 149 projects nationwide.“The 149 projects selected by the government have significant regional or national benefits,” regional development minister Shane Jones said.“They will make a big difference in the regions by delivering jobs and growth and develop a pipeline of major projects to help boost the economy.“The 149 projects chosen by Cabinet ... will be listed in Schedule 2 of the Bill once [it] is reported back from the Environment Committee in mid-October. Once the Bill is passed, they will be able to apply to the Environmental Protection Authority to have an expert panel assess the project and apply relevant conditions."The minister said the Fast Track Approvals Bill is a key part of the government’s plan to rebuild the economy and cut through "the red and green tape" that has made it more and more difficult to build the projects New Zealand needs.Find the list of all projects here.PHOTO: File