The developer of Lake Hāwea’s Longview subdivision says he is “hugely frustrated” with the information presented by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) staff to councillors last week, saying it did not reflect “real world” analysis.Universal Developments director Lane Hocking was referring to a report from council staff seeking councillors’ approval of a proposed increase - up to 60 percent - for house and land package prices in Longview.Universal Developments had asked for increases of around $300,000 for each of its packages, meaning, for example, the price of a three-bedroom house would increase from $549,000 to $849,000.The report to councillors argued that an increase of up to 60 percent was reasonable “given the increase in demand and market prices, the construction cost inflation, wider costs, the current pressure on building companies, and the significant discount on market rates”.Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust trustee Phil Smith receives 18 land titles gifted by developer Lane Hocking of Universal Developments. Lane said when he saw the council report he told staff he was frustrated.“The data that should be referenced is the building cost inflation for the life-to-date of the project. That shows my total increases over the life is less than the building cost inflation over the same period,” he said.QLDC received advice from an independent quantity surveyor, which showed cost inflation of around 25 percent between 2021 and 2023, but Lane told QLDC housing strategic planner Emily Irwin that analysis did not reflect the “real world”.Statistics NZ figures indicate that building costs in Otago have increased by 65 percent from 2018 to 2024, he said, citing raw data from Otago councils for cost per square metre.Lane said Longview’s house prices come from nine different national group homebuilders “operating in an extremely competitive environment against each other”, adding that means “one can be sure that their pricing accurately reflects the market”.  “The factors impacting pricing are clear and are unquestionably without precedent,” he said.The majority of councillors last week disagreed with the council’s proposal for a 60 percent increase in prices and instead approved a 25 percent increase (based on the building cost inflation estimated by the quantity surveyor), at councillor Cody Tucker’s recommendation. Councillors Barry Bruce, Lyal Cocks, Gavin Bartlett and mayor Glyn Lewers voted against it and the other six councillors endorsed it.Read more: Decision a win for first home buyers - councillorLane said on top of building cost inflation, he is paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to “accommodate the council's failures” to provide wastewater servicing. He said the trucking of wastewater from Longview to Wānaka’s wastewater system Project Pure cost more than $400k per annum, and he expects this cost to “go significantly higher as the population grows”.Read more: ‘Poo trucks’ a surprise to community associationApproximately eight loads of waste are being trucked each week and QLDC confirmed to the Wānaka App earlier this year that it will continue as the subdivision develops, because of the limitation of capacity of the Hāwea Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Longview was approved under the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas (HASHA) Act 2013. Under the legislation a deed sets out affordable housing components including fixed price house and land packages, land resale conditions and restrictions on visitor accommodation.A clause in the Special Housing Area (SHA) deed provides the ability to amend the house and land packages for a limited number of reasons, including a change in building costs.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat says it’s more important than ever for locals to support local businesses.At least three businesses have either closed or announced their closure in the past few weeks.“We’re aware of some closures, including Soul Clothing, Revology, and Wānaka Interiors (retail store), but closures vary across businesses for different reasons, so it's hard to generalise,” Glenn said.“It’s difficult to say if this is a trend or an anomaly, as multiple factors like external economic pressures and consumer behaviour are at play.”Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat PHOTO: SuppliedGlenn said Wānaka’s retail sector, like many others across the country, has faced challenges due to changing economic conditions. Some retail businesses are adapting to the conditions and there is still “resilience” in the sector.“Several businesses [are] adapting through strategies like expanding their online presence, collaborating with other local businesses, and offering exclusive local products to attract both locals and visitors.”“We do empathise with the challenges retail businesses face, both here in Wānaka and across the country, and encourage everyone to support local where possible,” he said.“It’s now more important than ever for our community to support local businesses to help keep our town vibrant.”

It’s not as bad as a pub with no beer, but a supermarket with no alcohol for sale will be the case for nine spots around Otago next month - including Wānaka.Affected New World supermarkets will comply with a ruling to stop selling alcohol for 48 hours next month, as a result of an advertising breach.New World Wānaka is one of nine Otago supermarkets to be banned from selling alcohol after advertising a discount for DB Export 24 packs of beer.The online advertisement said the beer would be discounted by 26.1 percent for customers with a loyalty card, breaching the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, which says it is an offence to promote or advertise discounts on alcohol of 25 percent or more.A Foodstuffs spokesperson told the Wānaka App that the restriction, imposed by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (Arla), will be in place for New World Wānaka from 7am on Tuesday October 8 for 48 hours.“Foodstuffs South Island and its stores take their responsibility for the safe advertising, sale, and supply of alcohol very seriously,” the spokesperson said.They said the discount rate advertised was caused by an “inadvertent process failure”.“Since then, we’ve implemented stricter processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”While the supermarkets had argued against the booze ban because it would cause financial loss, Foodstuffs told the Wānaka App today (September 17) that it accepted the ruling.“We fully respect the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority’s process, and all affected New World stores will comply with the ruling,” Foodstuffs said.PHOTO: Supplied

More than 100 people plan to speak at an upcoming hearing on McDonald’s Restaurants NZ’s controversial bid for a Wānaka restaurant.The hearing will begin in Wānaka on November 25 and could last up to four days.It is one of the final steps in a long resource consent process to determine whether or not the McDonald’s will get the go-ahead.Recent public consultation on the application makes it clear the public are not lovin’ it.Three hundred and thirty-nine of the people who made submissions said they opposed it; just 21 supported it; and another six people said they didn’t oppose it entirely but asked for changes.McDonald’s Restaurants NZ’s plans for a Wānaka restaurant were made public in November last year when it submitted a resource consent application for a restaurant and drive-through that would operate around the clock.Read more: McDonald’s plans for Wānaka restaurantPublic backlash was sharp and swift, with 1,500 people signing an online petition against the proposal within a few days. Approximately another 4,000 people have signed it since.The online petition will not have any bearing on the upcoming hearing, but the hearing panel will take into account the views of the hundreds of people who made formal submissions.Common themes in formal submissions among people who oppose a Wānaka McDonald’s were concerns about litter and packaging, the financial impact on local food businesses, the nutritional value of McDonalds’ food, and the visual effect of the McDonald’s restaurant and signage at the ‘entrance’ to Wānaka.The much smaller group who supported the proposal in formal submissions said it would provide employment opportunities, a rare alcohol-free environment for families, and an affordable option for takeaways.In its application McDonald’s Restaurants (NZ) Ltd said the proposed 445m2 restaurant and drive-through, which would be located just off the SH6/SH84 roundabout on rural-zoned land, would “give rise to significant positive effects”.Independent commissioners Helen Atkins (chair), Robert Scott,and Lisa Mein have been appointed to the hearings panel.The first three days of the hearing will take place at the Lake Wānaka Centre’s Armstrong Room and the final day (if required) will be held at the Luggate Memorial Hall.A final decision on the proposal won’t be made until after post-hearing deliberations by the commissioners, a Queenstown Lakes District Council representative said.PHOTO: Supplied

Community non-profit group Wao is focusing on “purpose driven business” during its annual summit (October 29 - November 2). Wao communications director Arna Craig said purpose-driven business “is the new normal”, and people should “get used to it”. The summit will feature a Better Business Day, designed to equip business leaders to integrate sustainability and purpose into their business operations, she said.“Businesses that align their operations with a clear and authentic purpose not only enhance their brand reputation but also drive innovation, attract and retain top talent, and open up new avenues for growth.“Purpose provides a North Star, guiding decisions that resonate deeply with today’s conscious consumers, who are increasingly seeking out companies that stand for something meaningful,” Arna said.During the session, participants will hear from industry leaders and B Corp consultants who believe that business is the most powerful tool for creating lasting positive change.The programme will focus on strategies for integrating sustainability into every aspect of business, from operations to customer engagement, ensuring that businesses are not only profitable but also responsible and resilient, Arna said.She said the key events at this year’s summit to “propel businesses into operation for purpose” include ‘How to Shift a System’ with Monique Kelly; ‘The What, Why & How of B Corp’ with Tim Jones; ‘Mastering Climate Action Priorities’, a masterclass with GHG experts EAS; and ‘Let’s do Business Better’, a networking event and panel discussion at Wilson and Dorset.Find the full programme here. Early bird pricing is available until September 14.PHOTO: Supplied

More information is now available on Quartz Development Group’s plans to turn the Lake Hāwea Hotel site into residential sections.Early this week the company shared its plans to demolish the existing hotel and create a small subdivision in its place.A new hotel will be built further along Capell Ave, Quartz Development Group managing director Matt Laming said, as part of a precinct with visitor accommodation, private residences, hospitality, retail and entertainment.A resource consent application lodged with QLDC this week shows plans for a 20-lot development.Sections range in size from 600m2 to 810m2 and lots 5-19 will have a consent notice restricting further development beyond a single residential unit, the application (completed by Williams & Co for Quartz Development Group) said. Lots 1-4, which are each 800m2 or larger, “could be subdivided further in the future”.An aerial photo of the Lake Hāwea Hotel site, which overlooks the lake. IMAGE: QLDCA series of retaining walls will provide level lots and maximise views and “the scale of the development will be complementary to the existing and future Hāwea township character”.Matt presented the plans for the redevelopment of the existing hotel site and the development of the new commercial precinct to members of the public at the hotel last Sunday (September 1).Read more: Major changes for Lake Hāwea’s hospitality sceneHe assured them the company would ensure “continuity of hospitality” in Lake Hāwea, while development of the projects are underway.“Our intention is to create vibrant, social spaces and amenities for the growing population here – and if we need to we will establish temporary facilities next to the Hāwea Store and Kitchen to make sure people still have a space to eat and drink socially.”Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is currently vetting the application for the residential lots.Further consent applications will follow for the removal of the hotel and construction of the new precinct.

A Wānaka-based woman once celebrated for turning $50 into a multimillion-dollar business empire is now facing angry investors upset at how recent financial problems have been handled.Anna Ross founded the cosmetic brand Kester Black, which says it makes "natural nail care" and takes a "holistic approach to beauty".In 2021, it was reported that the business had made more than $1.16 million in revenue in the past 12 months.That same year, the Australian-registered arm of the business, Kester Black Pty Ltd, raised more than A$2 million from investors via equity crowdfunding platform Birchal. At that point, the company was valued at A$22 million.However, the company entered voluntary administration on July 9. Hamilton Murphy was appointed administrator.The New Zealand business was put into liquidation the following month, with Waterstone Insolvency appointed. Kester Black Pty was the sole shareholder.Read more: Local business aims globalOne investor, Tahnee Lucas, said they had been told investors would not get any of their money back."I invested close to NZ$3000 so will get nothing for that."Hamilton Murphy would not confirm this but said interested parties would be sent more information soon.Lucas said she had not been able to join a shareholders' call because the Zoom meeting was capped at 100 participants.The business and assets of Kester Black Pty Ltd were sold at the end of July to New New New Pty Ltd, a company owned by Fergus Sully, whom media have previously referred to as Ross's "business and life partner".The sale was for just over A$146,220. A 10 percent deposit was required, and then the remainder was to be paid in 12 monthly instalments.The minutes of a creditors' meeting in mid-August show the deed of company arrangement would give priority creditors a full return of what they were owed, and unsecured creditors about 29c in the dollar.In New Zealand, New New New Holdings is listed on the Companies Office with Ross as the director.The New Zealand Companies Office lists Sully as the sole director of the Kester Black business.The administrator's report said Kester Black Pty Ltd had reported trading losses over the financial years prior to the administration. It had not been able to keep up with its tax liabilities and owed the Australian Tax Office A$62,125.Trading appears to have continued as usual, with nothing in the company's frequent social media advertisements to indicate any behind-the-scenes change - except for "angry" reactions and comments that appear to have been deleted.Lucas said investors were given the idea that it was an "ethical, conscious company"."But the fellow investors I have managed to speak to feel the way there was no communication from the company and the business has been sold to a new company with her husband as the director and kept trading is anything but ethical. Investors are upset and feel it's all been smoke and mirrors as we were sent communications about how the business was doing well throughout the period of our investment with positively geared company updates."There are concerns that the funds raised for the company may have been used for product development, with the new entity now reaping the benefits without any consideration for the original shareholders. It feels as though the company has evaded accountability, and despite accepting the risk of investing, the lack of transparency and communication is troubling."Another investor said they had received positive updates for about three years but now the "rug has been firmly pulled out"."No gratitude, no acknowledgement, no apology."Anna Ross said she was not in a position to comment but would be in touch when she had information to share.The Financial Markets Authority warns that equity crowfunding is risky and while investments might do well, people could also lose all their money.

“Disappointment” is the initial response from Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers to the government’s decision to triple the amount of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka announced the increase on Tuesday (September 3), saying the move from $35 to $100 will ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand. Queenstown Lakes District Council’s submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in June said the distribution of funds from the IVL lacked “the rigour, the scale, and the targeting” to address the real impacts of tourism.Read more: Council underwhelmed by effectiveness of international visitor levy“We haven’t seen a track record of spending that levy in places that really need it,” Glyn said.Glyn Lewers: “The whole tourism structure needs a bit of a shake up.” PHOTO: Supplied He told the Wānaka App the decision to increase the levy provided “no further clarity” on how the money should be spent, with it remaining “opaque in how it’s dished out”, he said.Glyn said he expected the government will once again make accessing IVL funds a competitive process, repeating “the same mistakes”.Glyn said one in three international visitors come through the Queenstown Lakes district; the district provides 20 percent of visitor nights, second only to Auckland; and Queenstown is the third largest airport by international visitors, but IVL spending here “doesn’t stack up”.“The system behind it is flawed. There’s no clarity of purpose,” he said.The tourism industry is disappointed in the decision to increase the IVL, he said, adding that feedback he has had from tourism operators suggests they are also concerned with the direction of Tourism NZ (TNZ. a Crown entity tasked with promoting New Zealand), citing that international marketing “is not hitting the mark”, and “stakeholder engagement has been absolutely lacking”.“You’ll see more from Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism telling our stories overseas,” he added.“Fundamentally the whole tourism structure needs a bit of a shake up. From what I can see we haven’t moved on from the early 90s.”Glyn said QLDC has been talking to central government about these issues and will continue to do so.Lake Wānaka Tourism was approached for comment.The change in the IVL takes place from October 1. 

This year’s hugely successful Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow has been crowned ‘New Zealand’s Favourite Event’ for the second time.The airshow took out the People’s Choice award at this week’s New Zealand Event Association Gala Awards Dinner in Palmerston North.Warbirds Over Wānaka event manager Andrena Davis received the award on behalf of the airshow - which won the same award the last time the event was held in 2018.“This was the award we most wanted to win because it’s a public vote and we simply wouldn’t have such an amazing event without our fans throughout New Zealand and around the world who continue to support us in so many different ways,” Andrena said.Warbirds 2024.“We were thrilled when we won this award in 2018 but because of Covid we were not able to defend our title until this year.  “But the six-year gap was no barrier – we had the most successful airshow ever and now we’ve gone back-to-back with this major award, we couldn’t be happier.”Read more: Best Warbirds ever: Organisers blown away by feedbackAndrena said the award is really for the hundreds of people who make the airshow happen. “From all the performers and exhibitors to our wonderful volunteers and management crew it’s a real team effort,” she said.“People keep asking us how we can top this year’s airshow but we are already very excited about some amazing new acts we are looking to bring to Wānaka in 2026.”The next Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow will be held at Easter 2026. PHOTO: Geoff Marks

Submissions have been invited from the public on new changes to Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) updated Land Development and Subdivision Code of Practice.QLDC property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery said the latest updates to the Code of Practice would ensure infrastructure across subdivisions and developments was “functional, consistent, able to be operated and maintained safely, and built using best practice”.“The changes we’re proposing have a particular focus on stormwater management to lessen environmental effects and ensure stormwater systems built today are suitable for the future,” Tony said.“Given a significant portion of the infrastructure council owns and manages is installed by developers and their contractors, the Code of Practice provides clear guidelines and standards to be met to ensure this infrastructure meets local conditions and our community’s expectations.”Overall, stage three of the draft Land Development and Subdivision Code of Practice has more than 130 proposed changes, including updates to the standard drawing set; new appendices; specific parameters for assessing and designing for stormwater catchments; and additional requirements and methods for designing and using stormwater treatment and soakage devices.The changes are part of the third stage of a review which has been underway since 2020.The draft Code of Practice is available on QLDC’s consultation website Let’s Talk and upon request in council offices, and comes complete with current guidelines and proposed changes clearly marked.Feedback can be made by emailing [email protected] up until Sunday October 6. Once staff have reviewed and considered all feedback, the draft Code of Practice will go before QLDC’s Infrastructure Committee for endorsement in November, then to full council for adoption in December this year.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Two members of Wānaka’s Better Building Working Group have spoken at the Registered Master Builders Association Constructive Conference in Wellington, taking the group’s message of smarter building to a wider audience.The Better Building Working Group, which was established after the 2018 Wao Summit, consists of more than 40 members - architects, builders, tradies, developers, suppliers and mental health experts.Its vision is for better building, zero waste, and mental health and wellbeing.Steering committee member Monique Kelly, who spoke at the Wellington conference with fellow committee member Aaron Thule, told the Wānaka App that being invited to speak was recognition of the group’s work in tackling construction waste and educating on “climate smart” building.Better Building steering committee member Monique Kelly. “It was an amazing opportunity to represent the group at Constructive and talk about how we're slowly and quietly getting on with shifting the system in the Southern Lakes,” she said. “Our local action is now starting to have a ripple effect into national thinking.”But, she said, it was hard not to feel overwhelmed by the need for change in the building sector.“While navigating a slowing economy, we're faced with the urgency to build hundreds of thousands of affordable, climate-smart houses to deal not only with the current housing shortage, but also start to prepare for future population projections.”Meanwhile, Monique said, the government is “kicking the can down the road” on housing. “They've stopped all of the Kainga Ora housing projects, which has suddenly dried up the pipeline of work of many building companies around New Zealand and put our ability to build enough houses for our future population into jeopardy.”Monique said that leaves the onus on housing trusts such as the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust to “pick up the slack”.“They've also put on hold the proposed Building for Climate Change amendments to the Building Act which is needed to make us on par with other OECD nations.”“We seriously need some long term, cross part thinking in how we are going to build communities into the future,” she said.Monique said build-to-rent models are available, and communities need to “think outside the box” when it comes to building smarter and more efficiently.Social innovation at a local level is also required, she said. “The Better Building Working Group facilitated by Wao is an example of how this can happen in the real world.”PHOTOS: Supplied

Queenstown Airport has released its financial report for the 12 months to 30 June 2024, which shows a strong operating performance.Queenstown Airport Corporation Board chair Adrienne Young-Cooper announced the board of directors has approved a total dividend for the 2024 financial year of $19.6M – the highest the company has ever paid. An interim dividend of $5.3M was paid to shareholders in February, and the remainder will be distributed this month, she said.“It has been another positive year, with record revenue and passenger numbers. The results confirm the company’s strong recovery from the pandemic and are in line with forecast activity levels.” QAC board chair Adrienne Young-CooperThe report shows the revenue growth over the previous financial year (FY23 ) is 8.5 percent. Passenger movements increased almost five percent over FY23, and the dividend is up 26 percent on FY23 ($15.54M). Adrienne said demand for seats on trans-Tasman flights was noteworthy, while domestic demand remained steady. “We know those flights bring many social and economic benefits for the people and businesses of the Southern Lakes region. Furthermore, they enable us to make a meaningful financial contribution to our community.”Queenstown Lakes District Council holds 75.01 percent of QAC shares, so its portion of the annual dividend is $14.7 million, which equates to about $485 per ratepayer.Adrienne said QAC had delivered more than $35M in dividends since the Covid-19 pandemic.“We are pleased to be in a position to pay a higher than normal dividend this year ahead of significant investment in our infrastructure.”‘Significant’ infrastructure investment for airportAirport chief executive Glen Sowry said a highlight of the year was the completion of a master plan which will guide considerable investment in infrastructure at Queenstown Airport over the coming decade.Airport CEO Glen SowryDevelopment plans for the airfield, the terminal, the landside spaces around the terminal, and services and utilities are now underway, and the resultant capital works programme “will be the largest ever undertaken at Queenstown Airport”, Glen said. The first major project is the installation of an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) at either end of the main runway, beginning later this month.Glen said Queenstown was the first airport in New Zealand and Australia to install the safety technology, “which exceeds compliance with civil aviation regulations and is a tangible demonstration of our determination to surpass expectations”.Projects in the past financial year include the installation of extra self-service technology, an increase in passenger screening capacity, the opening of a new cafe and bar, and upgrade of the international departure lounge. A bathroom refurbishment programme is underway and Glen said the heating and cooling system is also being upgraded.The company’s annual general meeting will be held in October, when the board and executive team will report on the past financial year, as well as providing an outlook for the year ahead.Adrienne will retire from the board after the AGM, having served the maximum two terms.The full annual report is available to download here.PHOTOS: Supplied

Two new marketing professionals will help Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) strengthen its team and drive the organisation’s destination marketing efforts, the organisation says.With Nadia Ellis and Shannon Kelly joining the team, LWT now has a team of highly talented and very experienced people, LWT head of destination Gizelle Regan said.“These appointments round out the LWT team and we are looking forward to seeing the contributions that both Nadia and Shannon can make to deliver on destination marketing objectives, championing the organisation's plans for the second half of 2024 and beyond.”Nadia has been appointed as the LWT head of marketing on a six-month, part-time contract and Shannon Kelly joins as the new LWT marketing executive.Nadia brings nearly 20 years’ experience shaping New Zealand ski and tourism brands.Her primary focus at LWT will be developing and overseeing destination marketing activities and ensuring messaging aligns with regenerative tourism objectives. Shannon is a professional who brings a keen eye for graphic design, a passion for the Wānaka region and is looking forward to helping drive value based marketing campaigns, LWT said.LWT acting board chair Andrea Kendrick said the appointments and the new shared services model with Destination Queenstown (where the two organisations will retain independent brands but collaborate on some functions) make it an exciting time for LWT.“We now have a very experienced, dedicated team with a wide range of complementary skills that will enable the regional tourism organisation to deliver on key objectives more effectively,” she said.Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) is a regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) responsible for destination marketing and destination management. Read more: Regional tourism organisations join forcesPHOTO: Chris Searl

Ray White Wānaka has a new business partner with Anneke Kawau joining Duncan and Kelly Good at the real estate ageny. Anneke started at Ray White Invercargill as a personal assistant and has been the managing director for the past two years.Anneke will join Ray White Wānaka as a business owner and general manager. “We are super excited to join forces with Anneke in a partnership with aligned values, aspirational goals, motivation and drive,” Kelly said. “She will bring a wealth of knowledge from her experience building a highly successful real estate team and also from managing and growing the Ray White Invercargill business and the salespeople within it as well.” Duncan and Kelly GoodAnneke said she, her husband Jason, and her three children were all very excited about taking this next step.“I am super excited to get to know the team at Ray White Wānaka, listen to their ambitions and help them to achieve it all,” she said.“In terms of the business, if we can replicate the growth trajectory that we created in Invercargill, and then double down, it will be an exciting place filled with ambition, success and positive vibes.“I feel the growth potential in a place like Wānaka is uncapped so I am looking forward to seeing what's possible.”Ray White New Zealand chief executive Daniel Coulson welcomed the partnership between Duncan, Kelly and Anneke.“Anneke is an asset to the Ray White New Zealand family, and has been a huge part in establishing the growth of the Ray White Invercargill business,” he said. “Her strong work ethic and vibrant nature will be a fantastic addition to the already successful Ray White Wanaka business. PHOTOS: Supplied

Scapegrace Distilling, on the banks of Lake Dunstan, has celebrated three major medal wins at the World Whisky Masters whisky competition.The 2024 World Whisky Masters were held in London last week, and Scapegrace’s Single Malt Anthem Whisky was awarded the prestigious gold medal.Scapegrace’s Vanguard and Fortuna Single Malt each picked up a silver medal.Scapegrace co-founder Mark Neal said the team was thrilled with the recognition.“This is one of the world’s most highly acclaimed whisky events so to win not one, but three medals is fantastic,” he said.“This is a huge win for our international reputation and again shows that Scapegrace’s range of single malt is up there with the best in the world.”Neal says Anthem showcases the best of New Zealand, having been distilled and cut with pristine New Zealand glacial waters and made using locally grown barley.“Anthem is a highland malt-esk whisky which is rich, elegant and subtle. One of the unique features of the products is the inclusion of Manuka smoked malt, from New Zealand’s native Manuka plants, which is used instead of peat.“The smokiness we get from Manuka is complex and dry, with eucalyptus, menthol and forest floor style notes. These intricacies help to bring a lighter and more versatile smoke to our whisky that also lets the cereal from our new make shine in a balanced profile.”Mark said Scapegrace was proud to be leading the way in new world whisky from New Zealand.The World Whiskey Masters is recognised as the world's most highly regarded spirits blind-tasting competition globally.In 2018 Scapegrace Gin was voted World’s Best London Dry Gin at the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition.The award caps a big few months for Scapegrace, with the brand recently landing a major distribution deal with leading UK supermarket chain Waitrose. Scapegrace has also recently partnered with Air New Zealand, with both Scapegrace and Rogue Society spirits served both inflight and in airline lounges.PHOTO: Supplied

An economic diversification plan aims to help the district move away from its reliance on the tourism and construction industries and help ‘future proof’ the local economy.According to a 2020 report by economist Benje Patterson, Queenstown Lakes is the least economically diverse district in the entire country.More than 60 percent of all workers over the last decade were employed in tourism or construction. Only 45 percent of residents say there is a long-term career path for them in the district. Mean earnings in Queenstown Lakes are also 12 percent lower than the national average and the cost of housing is almost twice the national average.Endorsed by councillors at last week’s full council meeting, the Queenstown Lakes Economic Diversification Plan is designed to help take on some of these challenges by fostering a wider range of industries and career opportunities.As well as Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), 18 other organisations have committed to the plan, which has an overarching goal to create “a resilient and sustainable economy offering a diverse range of career and income opportunities by 2040”.Actions within the plan, which sit under three ‘key pillars’, range from attracting, retaining and growing tech companies in the district to developing training opportunities that boost the capability of the existing workforce and identifying potential niche industries and supporting them to grow.Wānaka-based councillor Cody Tucker told the Wānaka App the plan, to him, was about creating “a hopeful future for young people to have a meaningful place here”.Councillor Cody Tucker says he wants younger people to have “a hopeful future” within Queenstown Lakes. PHOTO: Deanna GerlachHe wants more options for “meaningful” work which also keeps pace with the cost of living.QLDC economic development manager Peter Harris presented the plan to councillors last week and he stressed that the “long-term” plan would require a “collaborative effort”.Councillor Nikki Gladding questioned the value for money of the plan, which has a $0.5M budget, excluding salaries.“It's a big plan and it's hard to see where the money is going and if it's value for money from the public’s perspective,” she said. “Councillors need to have oversight.”Fellow councillor Lisa Guy noted that it was a “very large train to be driving”.QLDC staff will report back to councillors on progress on the plan every six months.Read more about the Queenstown Lakes Economic Diversification Plan here.

It’s hard to make the perfect pie, but Kai Pai Bakery on Frederick Street struck gold with its mince and cheese at the national Bakels Supreme Pie Awards earlier this week (July 30).Wānaka-based business Kai Pai Bakery is officially the best commercial pie maker in the country, taking out the top award for the Commercial/Wholesale category at the 27th national pie awards. Kai Pai has a history of success at the Bakels Awards, winning more than 21 Top 10 awards since 2018, but it’s the first time that Kai Pai has ever won gold in this category.  Kai Pai’s head baker Jason Danielson said the win highlights the bakery’s ongoing commitment to continue creating quality pies.“We’re thrilled to be acknowledged as one of the best commercial pie providers in the country, which means a lot, especially with such a high calibre of entries this year,” Jason said.   “This award reflects the whole team’s hard work to craft the perfect mince and cheese pie that every Kiwi can enjoy, regardless of where they are in the country.”The bakery’s pies are widely stocked across the country, including distribution to Foodstuffs supermarkets, Bidfood retailers and Night & Day stores nationwide.   Entrants need to commercially manufacture on average 60,000 single-serve pies (in a six-day week), enter pies that weigh less than 280gm each, are mechanically constructed and carry no brand identification, to qualify for the Commercial/Wholesale category. “With commercial manufacturing, it's important that every pie is the same and that’s what we strive towards, without compromising on quality and flavour,” Jason said.Kai Pai Bakery started out making just 1,000 handcrafted pies a day but now with a team of 40 people it produces up to 38,000 pies a day from its Wānaka premises, making it one of the largest family-owned and operated bakeries in the South Island.   “We’re blown away by the ongoing support from our loyal customers and the businesses we work with – this award is a nod to them,” Jason said.PHOTO: Wānaka App

The supreme winner at the last Wānaka Business Excellence Awards is encouraging local businesses to put themselves forward and enter this year.Matt Williams, the director and regional manager at Bachelor McDougall Consulting (BMC) which won the supreme award in 2022, says the hardest part is making the decision to enter.“We found the hardest part was actually putting ourselves forward for the award in the first place, and once you get over that and decide to do it the rest is easy,” he said.The 2022 awards were the first time BMC had entered any awards and Matt said the experience has been hugely beneficial for the company.“It reaffirmed that the journey we were on was the right one,” Matt said.“Our advice is just to do it.”Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat said the awards are an opportunity for businesses to celebrate.“It’s time to celebrate the wins your business has had over the last couple of years,” he said."We've worked hard to rework the awards to make them fit for purpose for all businesses."Glenn said each category has an average of six questions to ensure the entry process is concise and not time-consuming."It is a simple process. We've tried to streamline it as much as possible - there is still a robust set of questions but it is achievable," Glenn said.Entries to the Wānaka Business Excellence Awards close on August 6 and Glenn said he can see a lot of entries in progress on the awards platform.“We're expecting a large influx of submissions during this last week,” he said.Entries can be submitted here.Listen to Matt on The Outlet Podcast.PHOTO: The Film Crew

An initiative between Queenstown, Invercargill and Dunedin airports encourages people to explore the lower half of the South Island. ‘Southern Way’, which is also in collaboration with eight southern Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs), encourages visitors to use the airline’s multistop booking tool to fly into one of the three airports, rent a vehicle to explore the region, then fly out of another airport.“We’re excited by the opportunities this opens up, and we believe there are real benefits for everyone in spreading visitors widely around the region, rather than having them concentrated in a few hotspots,” Queenstown Airport acting chief executive Todd Grace said.“This is a meaningful way of supporting the regenerative tourism aspirations of our community and the lower South alongside Dunedin and Invercargill airports.”Southern Way project manager Sanae Herd said the initiative encourages visitors to have longer, lower-impact stays.“All of the RTOs involved are excited to have Air New Zealand and the Southern Airports Alliance fully engaged with this approach and working with us to facilitate visitors moving more widely around the regions and thereby reducing the risks of overcrowding and pressure point,” she said. ‘One trip to see it all’ is the slogan for the campaign.A dedicated Southern Way page on the Air New Zealand website is offering itinerary suggestions and inspiration to help people to plan and book a trip that suits their timeframes and interests.The initiative is the product of a cooperative agreement that Queenstown, Dunedin, and Invercargill airports entered into in 2019, a first of its kind in New Zealand. The purpose of the agreement is to foster a collaborative working relationship across the airports of the lower South and make a positive contribution to the region by exploring opportunities to undertake joint initiatives.PHOTO: Air New Zealand