Sending a big rock sailing through the air then crashing into a valley far below gives a thrill that never grows old for Wayo Carson.He loved it when he was a boy, out rock climbing, and decades later he still loves it and it is his career.Back then he was throwing rocks. Now he shunts much bigger boulders down the hillsides using explosives and inflated rubber bags.Carson works as a geotech abseiler, keeping our roads safe by hanging off ropes and managing loose rocks far above our highways.He has been in the harness for more than 20 years."I got into it through rock climbing. I've rock climbed since I was a kid, and I guess as I grew up getting into the higher mountains it was always pretty fascinating throwing rocks off mountains and watching them crash down below, and then apparently it was something you could make a career out of," Carson said.Carson's business CliffCare is based near Wānaka, but he travels a lot for his work."The geotech abseiler role is based around cliffs and rocks, unstable ones generally. Sometimes it can just be improvements or strengthening cliffs for something that might be happening underneath it ... for example we're reinforcing a bank above a new water treatment station in Queenstown," he said."It's generally in fairly difficult to get to areas, always a bit of exposure and height. Sometimes we're just five metres above a road or sometimes we're a couple hundred metres above."The work was dangerous, but essential to make travelling on highways safe."You need to think about what's going on and you need a good team with you who are all sort of keeping an eye out on each other and working cohesively. A lot of people I work with are pretty outdoorsy. A lot them are rock climbers, which gives them good practical skills moving around on ropes ... In terms of big geological hazards, that's something only experience can teach you really," Carson said.Recently he has been involved in a significant rock removal project at the Epitaph Rift on State Highway 6, in South Westland. Record-breaking rain in the region in November caused slips, rockfall and cracking in the highway.A large rockfall at the Epitaph rift, in South Westland, that left road workers cleaning up the several thousand cubic metres of material it released, in November. PHOTO: NZ Transport Agency / Waka KotahiCarson said work was continuing there, to remove unstable rocks from the cliffside over summer, and this involved the use of explosives and 25 tonne capability airbags."We are using pneumatic airbags. They're basically a big rubber kevlar mat, they get air pumped into them and they expand and if you put them into the cracks into the rocks, they expand the cracks and push off the big rocks. You can use multiple numbers of them stack them up to get different configurations," he said.Carson is still working on the Nevis Bluff rockface near Queenstown, which was one of the first jobs he did as a geotech abseiler."It's nearly a kilometre long as a bluff, and up to 180 metres tall, so it's big and it's quite complicated. It's got a lot of different features and things going on there," he said."We've done all sorts of work there now. We have bolted lots of bits back on with big rock bolts, we've blasted bits off, and we've used helicopters to wash bits off. We've used steel bars to just pry loose rocks off."Another abseiler, Troy Beaumont, who has done rock scaling in New Zealand and overseas for more than a decade, said the work could be very planned, or could be unplanned in the case of bad weather causing slips or landslides.Beaumont owns rope access contracting business Heads Up Access, which is based in Queenstown and Christchurch.He said when scaling a rockface after a disaster, a big part of planning was making sure rocks did not land where people were far below, so they needed to work out exclusion zones."Then we need to think about how to get up to the top to start ... that might involve some scaling ... just to get on the slope, and then we start from the top down, working our way down the slope. So you're always scaling from good ground to bad," Beaumont said.In his spare time outside of work Carson is still not far from a rock."I do a bit of rock-climbing, mostly its limited to seeking out new cliffs and putting up new rock climbs in the Haast Pass Makarora area," he said.So far, his family did not share his love of scrambling over rocks, but he remained hopeful."I've got four kids, and pretty much the three older ones all hate rock climbing. That was the go-to family holiday for a pretty long time, camping and rock climbing. The other one is still getting dragged out there for a bit of rock climbing, he doesn't mind it," Carson said."Hopefully they'll come back to it."He suffers all weather conditions, working out in the open, but: "It's a good outdoor job, with lots of scenic lunch spots".

The Hospice Shop on Brownston Street has been a cherished part of the Wānaka retail landscape for many years. But it’s more than a shop – it’s a vital contributor to palliative care services in the region. Under the Upper Clutha Palliative Care Trust (UCPCTB), formerly known as the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust, the shop helped fund the creation of the Stina Mooyman Palliative Care Suite at the Aspiring Enliven Care Centre. Now part of the Otago Community Hospice (OCH) the shop plays an important role in funding the provision of OCH’s palliative care services to the Upper Clutha community. “Hospice is not a building, it’s a philosophy of care and a suite of services. We bring those services to wherever a patient might be, which is often in their home. We have an inpatient unit in Dunedin but very few (around 15%) will ever require an admission.” OCH chief executive officer, Ginny Green said.OCH has been delivering palliative care services in the region since 2007. The team that serves the Upper Clutha region are Central Otago locals and at any given time they are caring for around 15 people and their whānau in the wider Wānaka basin.The team includes a specialist doctor, three community care coordinators who are registered nurses, a counsellor and a social worker, specialist support for residential care facilities, bereavement services and carer education. They work with GPs, Dunstan Hospital, district nurses, pharmacists and other local health professionals to ensure people on the service get the care they need where and when they need it.  “It takes a whole community to help a person die at home and we truly value the communities that support us.” OCH director of nursing and clinical services Louisa Ingham said.All OCH services are free. Approximately 50% of funding comes from the Government, with the remainder raised through donations, fundraising events and the ongoing support of the Hospice Shop.The OCH extends its heartfelt thanks to those who donate to or shop at the Brownston Street Hospice Shop, as well as to our amazing shop volunteers.YOU are helping US make a difference in your community.

A meeting will be held tomorrow (Tuesday January 21) to discuss ideas around the evolving plan to retain Hāwea Flat’s St Ninian’s Church for community use.The meeting will seek feedback on the idea of using the historic Presbyterian church as a museum space.The 87-year-old church was listed for sale last month because the Hāwea congregation has “outgrown” it, according to minister Reverend Aaron Johnstone. The church plans to build a new church within the Longview subdivision at Lake Hāwea.Anna van Riel is one of the locals coordinating ideas for the community to buy the church.“After much deliberation an idea had been proposed to turn the church into the Vincent County Museum (the name is just a suggestion),” Anna said.“With no museum in the area, and a proposed museum still a decade away, this could be a lovely opportunity to utilise a beautiful historic building in a fitting way.”Some of the locals keen to retain St Ninian’s for community use: Back row, from left: Liz Maluschnig, Anna Shaw, Anna van Riel, Robyn Bardas, Hannah Brooks, Nic Woolford; front row: Lochie Urquhart and Jude Battson. PHOTO: Wānaka AppWhile ideas for the church mooted last month included a music venue, a cafe, art space, hosting courses and other events, Anna said “no one has really stepped forward to help make this happen”.The idea of a museum may provide some traction, she said.“We have a goldmine of history and artifacts woven into the community, and it would be special to have a dedicated space to put it.”A meeting will take place on Tuesday (January 21) from 6.30pm at St Ninians for a community discussion. The real estate agent will be there to answer questions about the building, as well as someone from the Upper Clutha History Society. Local lawyer Grant Fyfe has agreed to work with the community group to provide advice.Read more: Community hopes for church

The 11th annual Ruby Swim, organised by Wānaka locals Jamie Norman and Eddie Spearing, will take place this Saturday (January 25).The open water event features six different races for people of all ages and abilities, all of which centre around Ruby Island, which is located just 600m from the Lake Wānaka foreshore at its closest point.Eddie told the Wānaka App that entry numbers are similar to the past three or so events.“We will have about 440 swimmers or thereabouts in the water on the day, spread over the six events,” he said.“We have 100 more females than males which is interesting.”Those events are the Open Architecture Ruby (10km), the Matthews Central Vision Ruby (5km), The BN3TH Iron Ruby (3.8km), the centrepiece one lap around the island Wanacare Pharmacy The Ruby (2.5km), the Dryrobe The Jetty (1.2km), and The Island (600m). “The water temperature is going to be in the 18°C range, possibly a tad warmer, which the non-wetsuit category in most events will love,” Eddie said.“The long range forecast is looking good for no/low wind. Wind is the only thing that stops the event going ahead. We don’t have a weather contingency day. So it’s on or it’s not,” he said.Eddie said the event has been cancelled three times since 2015: twice because of excessive wind and once because of Covid-19 restrictions.“We have great on-water safety support, and fingers’ crossed it’s going to be a good one,” he said.PHOTO: Lennon Bright

Wānaka’s Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (23) has claimed the 10th World Cup podium of her career, with a second place finish at the LAAX Open Snowboard Slopestyle World Cup in Switzerland overnight NZT.The Olympic triple medallist and current snowboard slopestyle Olympic champion has been recovering from an ankle injury and said it meant everything to be back competing.“There is nothing like competing when there’s perfect weather out and everyone is on point, so we were all feeding off each other and it was sick,” Zoi said. “It means everything to me to be back competing at a high level, [my ankle] took so much longer than expected to come right but I am so stoked to be snowboarding.” The LAAX Open is regarded as the pinnacle slopestyle World Cup event of the season, with almost 100 snowboarders on the start list. Zoi dropped into her first run switch, putting down two technical rail tricks before heading into the jump section where she laced back-to-back 900s on the first two jumps and finished strongly on the quarter pipe feature with a backside air. She was the first athlete of the day to put down a top to bottom run, scoring a 75.36. Sitting in second place heading into her second and final run, Zoi knew she needed to add something special to challenge Mia Brookes of Great Britain for first place. She upgraded her second jump to a huge switch backside 1260, which marked the first time any woman has landed that trick in a slopestyle competition. The judges increased her score, but a couple of bobbles in the top section of her run meant she was unable to top Mia’s first run score and remained in second position. “I am super hyped on the switch backside 1260, that was the first time I have landed it in a slopestyle competition,” Zoi said. Current Snowboard Slopestyle World Champion Mia Brookes (17) took the win for the first time in her career at the LAAX Open, with Kokomo Murase of Japan rounding out the podium in third.LAAX Open Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle World Cup Podium. [L-R] Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (NZL) 2nd, Mia Brookes (GBR) 1st, Kokomo Murase (JPN) 3rd. PHOTO: Stadler / LAAX OpenSee the full results here. Dane Menzies and Lyon Farrell represented NZ in the men’s finals, finishing in seventh and eighth respectively. Zoi will next be in action at the invite only Aspen Winter X Games this weekend (January 24-26).

A pioneering triathlon drafting detection system developed in New Zealand, will make its debut with age-group athletes at next month’s Challenge Wānaka Half.RaceRanger works by displaying light signals on the rear of a bike to indicate following distances, helping athletes maintain fair competition.It is already a staple at professional events, but the trial at the Challenge Wānaka Half will allow the team to adapt the technology for the unique needs of age-group athletes.“We’re incredibly excited to host RaceRanger’s first age-group trial right here in Wānaka,” Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust director Jane Sharman said.“Having RaceRanger provide this world-first trial, not only enhances the athlete experience but also reinforces Challenge Wānaka’s commitment to leading the way in triathlon advancements.”We can’t wait to see how this technology transforms the way our athletes compete and connect with the sport.”RaceRanger CEO James Elvery and co-founder Dylan McNeice both have strong personal ties to Wānaka.“Wānaka is where my family has spent countless summers and winters, and now it’s home,” James said. “My RaceRanger co-founder Dylan McNeice won Challenge Wānaka three times when it was a full distance event, and it’s the race that I recommend to any athlete I meet overseas looking to come to New Zealand for a holiday. “This race is iconic—the course, the community, the scenery—it’s unmatched. Starting our first age-group trials here was a no-brainer,” he said.In addition to its role fostering fair competition, RangeRanger is also developing technology to enhance the overall triathlon experience, from post-race data to improving live tracking.“There’s a lot of room to expand into here, and triathletes love their data,” James said.The Challenge Wānaka festival will run from February 13-15 with events for everyone from preschoolers through to elite athletes.It culminates in the Challenge Wānaka Half, which will take place on February 15.Find more information here.PHOTO: Supplied

Central’s iconic landscape will take a starring role in Netflix’s limited series ‘East of Eden’ as filming moves from Waitaki to Otago and Central.British actress Florence Pugh (29) cast in the series, is rumoured to be arriving in Central today (Saturday January 18).Local accommodation providers have beds booked up for film crew for the next few weeks but are unable to talk further due to non disclosure agreements.Film Otago Southland manager Kahli Scott said she was unable to share details of specific productions.“We can say that the Otago region is definitely on the radar in the international production community. International productions are attracted to our region thanks to our cinematic filming locations, the great reputation of our local crew and vendors, our film-friendlycommunities, and New Zealand’s generous screen rebate scheme.”Central Otago had a strong reputation for hosting international screen productions, such as Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, Kahli said.“The district is a fantastic filming destination thanks to its rugged landscapes and preserved heritage towns, as well as the famous Central Otago hospitality that makes visitors feel welcome and looked after.”Last week Oamaru’s historic precinct was transformed into Salinas Valley, California - the setting of the 1952 novel East of Eden by John Steinbeck.RNZ reported filming started on Monday but that crew had been in the area for months preparing. The classic Steinbeck novel is set between the beginning of the 20th century and the end of WWI and the plot follows two families; The Hamiltons and The Trasks and their interwoven stories. In 1955 it was adapted for film by director Elia Kazan and starred James Dean, Julie Harris, Richard Davalos, Raymond Massey, Jo Van Fleet, and Burl Ives. The Netflix series is being produced by Elia’s granddaughter, Zoe Kazan (also an actress and screenwriter) and Hollywood A-lister Florence Pugh, along with acting as Cathy Ames, is in an executive producer role on the seven part series. English actress Florence is known for her roles in Oppenheimer, Little Women, Marvel’s Black Widow and as the voice of Goldilocks in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Kahli said it was estimated that screen activity contributed approximately $59M to the Otago economy last year.“When international screen productions film here, they provide a significant economic injection into the regional economy in several ways. “Firstly, there’s the direct impact of local jobs and business created for crew, extras, and vendors. Secondly, there’s the money that productions spend on local goods and services, such as accommodation, transport, and construction materials for sets.“Visiting cast and crew may also spend money on extracurricular activities while enjoying time in the region, such as dining and recreation.” She said there were the future flow-on effects that exposure for the region through screen production could have for tourism and international business opportunities.Along with Otago, filming is taking place in Auckland next month. The series is set to be released on Netflix in early 2026.

Cromwell’s Kiwi Water Park staff will feature in an international advertising campaign for Jetstar in a few weeks, using a giant inflatable airline logo in the middle of Lake Dunstan.Queenstown-based Reelnz was running the campaign, and location manager Cam Woods said Cromwell was the perfect spot because of the existing water park on the lake.Although the airline company was flying in its own inflatables to use for filming, they will be using water park staff for their expertise as well as health and safety.Filming would take place between January 30 and February 5, and Reelnz had to get permission from government agencies including the harbourmaster (under the Navigation Safety Bylaw) to restrict boaties from using the area that week.Cam said New Zealanders were generally pretty good when it came to filming in locations, and respected people’s space.  The film industry was “so hot right now”, with many new projects coming up around Central Otago, he said.Film crews spent about $200,000 a week on accommodation, food and rental cars while they were in a town, and this all benefited the local economy hugely, he said.Kiwi Water Park on Lake Dunstan. Kiwi Water Park owner Emily Rutherford said she was stoked that Reelnz and Jetstar chose Lake Dunstan to film their commercial.“It will be great for Central Otago to be part of a big advertising campaign, and the backdrop of mountains will be perfect,” she said.The first week of February was good for filming because it was the quietest week of the year, with school kids all back at school before the next long weekend (Waitangi Day).“We may even close for a few days, because they are going to be using our lifeguards.”Emily said she’d had a great season and January 2 was their busiest day on record (100 people), with every session booked out.PHOTOS: Supplied

The Wānaka real estate market has witnessed significant change and development over the past year. As we step into the new year, it’s crucial to understand the trends and statistics that have shaped the market landscape. One of the notable points from December’s real estate sales data was the total of 54 sales, with 37 of these being residential properties. The median house price reached $1.35M in December, marking an 11 percent increase from December 2023. These figures reflect the growing attractiveness of Wānaka as a desirable location for homebuyers and investors alike.Through the hustle and bustle of the festive season, the local real estate market has shown resilience and strength. December’s 54 sales are significant, especially considering that December is traditionally a quieter month. This influx in activity signals a positive shift in the market, hinting at an upward trend for 2025. The total volume of sales in December increased by 20 percent compared to the same time last year, suggesting that buyers are feeling more confident in their purchasing decisions. With a good amount of stock available, we anticipate continued momentum during the summer.Examining the overall data from 2024, it’s essential to highlight that the year ended on a strong note. The year saw a total of 536 residential sales, a 17 percent increase in volume versus 2023. This rejuvenation of activity can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a reduction in interest rates that has restored confidence among buyers. The average price across all residential sales for the year climbed to $1.6M, buoyed by an uptick in the upper-end market segment. The number of sales exceeding $5M doubled compared to 2023, demonstrating an increasing investment in luxury properties.As we look forward, our analysis suggests that this growth isn't merely a passing trend but rather the beginning of a sustained recovery. Real estate operates within a cyclical framework, often characterized by seven to eight-year cycles. With the statistically robust performance in late 2024, we are optimistic about the trajectory for this year. The effective combination of reduced interest rates and increased market confidence means that now may be a wise time for buyers to act.Finally, as the New Year begins, it’s essential for those interested in Wānaka real estate to remain informed and aware. Every market is unique, and understanding the specific dynamics at play in Wānaka will empower buyers to make informed decisions. Whether you're contemplating a purchase or pondering a sale, now is the perfect time to engage with the team at Ray White Wanaka, who can offer comprehensive insights and guidance tailored to your needs.Ray White Wānaka is situated at Sir Tim Wallis Drive Wānaka. Find out more here.

Community Link’s Christmas appeal has raised just under $35,000 in cash and helped feed approximately 450 people over Christmas.The “terrific” outcome far surpassed the organisation’s expectations, Community Link general manager Kate Murray said.“We want to thank the community for their support because it was a collective effort,” she said.“From the locals giving food and donating money, to businesses becoming engaged with running their own appeals and donating the proceeds to Community Link - plus the New World partnership - it made a huge difference.”She said Community Link was able to help over 130 families with Christmas food “top-ups”, meaning around 450 locals enjoyed a “much better Christmas”.There was also a “huge response” to appeals for donations on gifts, which were passed on to local families ahead of Christmas Day."We were also supported by Constructive Consulting who donated hams and Michael Side who generously provided desserts for families who received the food parcels."Toys were also donated.The way the Christmas appeal results are tallied have changed, making it difficult to compare to previous years.However, Kate said, it “feels like a significantly bigger amount”.She said the Christmas appeal was one of Community Link’s biggest appeals of the year.“To get this level of engagement from the community is just awesome,” she said.Surplus money raised, after Christmas food donations, will go towards programmes and initiatives at Community Link in 2025.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Two rural fires in Otago and Southland yesterday have prompted Otago Regional Council (ORC) to remind rural and peri-urban communities to prepare carefully for any intended burnoffs.ORC compliance manager Carlo Bell said many parts of inland Otago are tinder dry at present and pose a heightened fire risk.“Because Otago is very dry in many places, the ORC is urging people to check weather forecasts and take great care around any permitted or lawful property burn-offs they are intending,” he said.People need to check the fire season status for their part of Otago and have any permits from Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) as well as meeting ORC's rules.The Queenstown Lakes zone (which the Upper Clutha is part of) is under a restricted fire zone so permits are required for any burn.Carlo said the MetService forecast for Central Otago for the next week suggests dry conditions would likely persist.“This should remind people to be extra careful around all outdoor fires, be it burnoffs or smaller outdoor fires, and when using machinery in dry areas, such as mowers or farm machinery,” he said.Carlo said there were six complaints to ORC’s Pollution Hotline yesterday from the Queenstown area relating to a fire in Kingston, which resulted in a large smoke haze around Queenstown. There was a second vegetation fire across about two hectares at Mount Pisa between Wānaka and Cromwell, also attended by FENZ. “We’re urging people to go through the following list as they formulate plans,” Carlo said.If burning permitted material is the only option, people should reduce smoke and burn safely and considerately: Burn as far from your property boundary as possibleCheck the wind is predicted to be away from built-up areas for the duration of the firePostpone the lighting of the fire if there's already smoke from other fires in the airMake smaller firesUse dry fuel and stack it looselyDon't let the fire smoulderAvoid burning in the early morning or late afternoon/evening (breezier daytime conditions help to disperse the smoke)Avoid burning when there is an inversion layerBe prepared to put the fire out if conditions change or you discover that you are causing a nuisanceEnsure burning on the property is permitted under the Air PlanCheck the fire season status and have FENZ permission as needed.Outdoor fires – such as a brazier, a controlled rural burn-off, or a hangi – must comply with Otago Air Plan rules. Having a permit from FENZ does not necessarily mean the burning is permitted under Otago Air Plan rules, Carlo said.Before you light a fire, check your plan at checkitsalright.nz and get a permit if you need one. You must also follow the Otago Air Plan rules for what you can burn and where the fire is.If people observe pollution to water, air, or land in Otago, call the ORC’s Pollution Hotline (which is staffed 24/7) on 0800 800 033 to report it.PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka-based Le Velo Studio has been named a finalist for the prestigious Green Awards in Berlin for “the world’s lightest e-bike”.Le Velo Studio co-founder Alex Guichard said the bike had taken four years of research and development and he was thrilled the project had been recognised by the Green Awards. “This is the first time a New Zealand company has reached the final level of this competition,” he said.“This acknowledgement supports our belief that we have created something that will not only enhance the cycling experience for a range of users but also benefits the planet.” The bike (which is crafted from carbon fibre) has been designed, engineered and assembled in Wānaka. Not just light on weight (weighing 12.3 kg, compared to 23-25kg for most e-bikes on the market), it’s also light on the planet, Alex said.“Weight is the first enemy for any e-bike; however, our e-bike is easy to carry upstairs, put on a car rack and safe to ride compared to heavy e-bikes.“There is no more range anxiety, when the battery is flat, the user can still finish his ride as the bike becomes a standard lightweight push bike.” Alex said the design used “circular design principles and … non-proprietary components”, taking the bike’s end of life into consideration.“One of the main innovations of Le Velo Studio is the use of a rear e-wheel that includes the battery and the motor in the hub. A majority of e-bikes, with the battery or motor integrated into the frame, will end up in the landfill,” he said“With Le Velo Studio, at the end of life of electronics, the users will be given the choice to repair, replace the e-wheel or just swap the e-wheel for a standard push wheel and use their bike for decades.”Green Product Awards director Nils Bader said the Le Velo Studio e-bike, called ‘The Bicycle of Your Life’ in the mobility category, was “a good example of the level of creativity and passion with which our finalists are contributing to a more sustainable future”. Alex said “it would be awesome to get a good push from kiwis with votes”. The online public vote will take place until January 30.PHOTO: Supplied 

A 31-year-old man is before the courts following an investigation into the burglary of a Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter at Taieri Airfield last weekend.In the early hours of Sunday January 12, a bag containing critical medical equipment and supplies was stolen from the rescue helicopter.Enquiries led Police to execute a search warrant at a Dunedin address yesterday (Wednesday January 15), where the 31-year-old was arrested at the scene.The man is alleged to have also been involved in two other burglaries in the Dunedin area in the early hours of the morning Sunday January 12.He is due to appear in Dunedin District Court today (January 16) on three charges of burglary and two charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.On Tuesday (January 14) the head of Helicopters Otago, Graeme Gale, announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the thief. "I want two things - I want my bag returned with the equipment in it and I also want the name of this clown that actually did it," Graeme said when announcing the reward.It is not known at this stage if the reward has been paid.Police continue to make enquiries into the incidents and further charges are likely.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Wānaka retailers have been positive about summer trading so far this season, with the town full of visitors, and the feeling of “a slow and steady turnaround” - in the words of one long-term retailer.Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat told the Wānaka App that many local businesses have reported strong trading this summer, particularly those in hospitality, outdoor activities, and retail.“It was fantastic to see Wānaka so vibrant over the Christmas and New Year period, with a noticeable influx of visitors,” Glenn said. “The majority of visitors were domestic travellers, with many staying in campgrounds, Airbnbs, or visiting friends and family, which added a real buzz to the town.”Glenn said while several businesses did “very well, others found trading steady but more tempered, with the cost of living and broader economic pressures affecting discretionary spending”. “Nonetheless, the overall feedback has been positive, and it was encouraging to see such strong support for local businesses,” he said.Paper Plus manager Chris Lumsden said the town had been “pumping” and restaurants “chocka”. Chris said trading was “not like the old days post-Covid when Auckland got released and came down here and went crazy, and everyone thought they’d died and gone to heaven in retail”.But, he said: “We’re happy - ticking over fine. We’re meeting budgets and targets and that’s the key.”“It seems that everybody is getting a bite of the cherry,” he added.Kai Whakapai Eatery and Craft Beer Bar owner Nick Aubrey said the Christmas and New Year peak had been “very busy” as usual.“We continue to see lots of people come through,” he said, adding that volumes have eased slightly in mid January and “it was great to see local faces back in town”.“Things have slowed down to more sustainable and normal summer volumes,” he said.More visitors are expected to flow into town for long weekends (such as Waitangi Weekend and Chinese New Year) and up-coming events such as the A&P Show and Motutapu Bike Race, Nick said.“I think things will be on par for previous years. We’re very happy,” he said. “The new venue has been an absolute game changer for us to be able to deliver peak volumes and keep wait times [minimal]. Our new dining area has been well utilised.”While there continued to be some staffing challenges, Nick said, “Overall as a town there’s some really positive energy coming out of hospitality”. Long-term Wānaka retailer Steve Hart, who owns MT Outdoors stores in central Wānaka (Dunmore Street) and Three Parks, said his business was seeing more visitors make it out to Three Parks.“We’re doing probably half our business in Three Parks, which is mainly locals, but we are seeing more and more tourists coming here,” he said.Three Parks is beginning to attract more visitors, a local retailer says. The Little Brewer cafe in the MT Outdoors Three Parks store is attracting “a constant flow” of customers, Steve said, from tradies and more administration people working nearby.The positive feeling in Three Parks is more obvious than in central Wānaka, he believed.“Tourists are holding on to their money. You only have to go onto Wānaka to see the number of people but [it’s] not really translating into the number of items sold,” he said, adding that trading is “definitely patchy” across different locations and services.Nonetheless, Steve said he believed the town was at “the tail end of the economic downtown - based on 40 years of seeing it go up and down”.“It has been more difficult, the whole last year.. But it has had the feel, since early December, of a slow and steady turnaround.”Glenn said the Wānaka Business Chamber was optimistic about 2025.“Wānaka continues to be a destination of choice for both domestic and international visitors, and with ongoing community support and innovation from our local businesses, we’re hopeful for a productive year ahead.”PHOTOS: Wānaka App

The Upper Clutha History Society will host a launch event next week for its new creative initiative, Wānaka History.Wānaka History celebrates “the unique stories, people, and landmarks that have shaped the Upper Clutha district”, the Upper Clutha History Society said.The new Wānaka History website is a repository of maps, images, stories, biographies, audio, video, animation and other digital resources. Plaques on historical sites will also link locals and tourists to the rich heritage of the area, a statement from the Upper Clutha History Society said.Each physical plaque will link, via QR code, to in-depth articles and resources on the Wānaka History website.They will “provide a glimpse into the past, highlighting significant sites and events in the history of the region”. The Wānaka History launch event will take place next Wednesday (January 22) at 10am at the Wānaka Library.Wānaka’s lakefront from Pembroke Park before development.“The event will promote and highlight Wānaka History and include speeches and light refreshments,” the Upper Clutha History Society said.All are welcome to attend.Attendees should RSVP before next Tuesday (January 21) by emailing [email protected]. Wānaka History is an initiative of the volunteers of the Upper Clutha History Society and it is funded by Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, and the Queenstown Lakes District Council Community Fund.Visit the Wānaka History website here.PHOTOS: Supplied

A new director has been appointed for Otago Polytechnic’s central campus, which is split across locations in Cromwell in Wānaka.Drawing on the local environment, the central campus offers programmes ranging from high country farming, horticulture, and electrical trades through to outdoor education, avalanche safety and snowsports.John Christie, who will begin in his role on January 20, said he was excited to get started."I've really got an interest in making sure our young people have got good opportunities for training,” John said. “And not just young people, but anybody really that has got an interest in learning."He is joining Otago Polytechnic after 10 years as manager of Enterprise Dunedin (the economic development team at Dunedin City Council), which followed 20 years as chief executive of the Otago Chamber of Commerce.The role means a move from Dunedin to Cromwell for John."The location's fantastic,” John said. “Cromwell and Wānaka are great campuses, and there's real opportunity there to get close to the community. “Especially in those areas where you can see the industry growth, like horticulture and agriculture areas.""There's also your traditional trades like electrical, mechanical, and building which are much needed when you're seeing the growth in housing in this part of the country."Members of the Otago Polytechnic senior leadership team will join John later this month at a community event which is aimed at helping future-proof the central campus."This is Central Otago's campus. I think it can be anything they want it to be,” John said. "I think the community have got a lot of the keys to what the success will look like for the two campuses, and we'll be looking for their support.""So the first bit of this role will be listening to the local community and finding out where those needs are. And I'm confident if we're given the opportunity to deliver that, it'll be a very exciting place for people to study."PHOTO: Supplied

Locals can learn about all things emergency preparedness at the upcoming ‘GET READY’ event taking place on February 1 and 2 at Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka.Attendees will be able to meet local emergency service personnel, including members from local fire brigades, police force and coastguard, and learn about how to be better prepared for an emergency.The organisations will provide an inside look at the equipment used in emergency situations and the vital roles they play in maintaining safety and security in Wānaka. There will also be plenty of practical information on being emergency-ready at home.Personnel from Emergency Management Otago (EMO) will be on hand to provide guidance on how to prepare for emergencies, as well as the information and gear needed to create emergency ‘grab and go’ kits. Wānaka Community Response Group (WCRG), a local volunteer group helping build more emergency resilience, will also be sharing information at GET READY.“We believe that preparedness is key to ensuring the safety of our community,” WCRG chair Mick Hollyer said. Emergency risks in this district include AF8 (an earthquake of magnitude 8 or higher on the Alpine Fault). PHOTO: Supplied“This event is about empowering our residents with the knowledge and resources they need to be ready for any situation.”WCRG said the emergency risks in the local area include AF8 (an earthquake of magnitude 8 or higher on the Alpine Fault), fires, floods, tsunamis, snowstorms, and landslips.“We know the geographical challenges our region faces, so the better prepared we are now, the less reliant we will be on our emergency services and food demands,” Mick said.Everyone in the community is invited to attend GET READY.It will take place at Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka on February 1 and 2 (Saturday and Sunday) between 10am and 1pm.The Rotary Club of Wānaka will also be on-site with a sausage sizzle.Read more: Group launches emergency awareness month

Police have dealt with an increase in local reports of family violence over the holiday period, Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said.Incidents included calls to the Albert Town Campground for two separate family harm incidents on the same day (Thursday January 9).Wānaka Police have also responded to reports of a man with a knife exhibiting threatening behaviour, as well as drink driving and other driving complaints, which continue to “flow in”, over the past week.Fi said enquiries were ongoing in relation to the man allegedly wielding a knife.Police had received several reports about the incident at a large gathering on Stone Street in the early hours of Sunday January 12 and police attended and cleared the property, Fi said.Meanwhile, a 38-year-old was breath tested and recorded an excess breath alcohol reading of 574 on Thursday January 9.Fi said a 45-year-old male was stopped in Cardrona Valley and “his driving was that bad that he was arrested and charged with dangerous driving”.“The team consistently respond to driving complaints and appreciate all the calls that we receive,” Fi said.Several members of the public have reported suspicious packages that have been delivered to their address around Northlake through the post.“The postal/courier system is a common way for contraband to be distributed,” Fi said.“If you receive mail/courier items in circumstances which are ‘suspicious’ please do not hesitate to contact us”.Fi shared a reminder about firearms safety after police spoke to a license holder “after a complaint was made about a ricochet from the projectile fired on a rural property”.“A reminder to all firearms licence holders about safe direction and proximity following an unintended ricochet. Always identify your target and the area behind the target; projectiles can and do ricochet. Avoid making common mistakes when handling firearms.”Noise complaints are synonymous with this time of year and Fi asked residents to be considerate of neighbours.Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers.PHOTO: Wānaka App

World Wetlands Day will be celebrated locally with a family-friendly event at urban wetland Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs on Sunday February 2.The two-hectare wetland, the site of a former Otago Fish & Game hatchery, is an ongoing restoration project with Friends of Bullock Creek and the Department of Corrections.Fish & Game Central Otago operations manager Jamie Ward said the wetland was a natural gem in the community and its pristine spring-fed creek provided important spawning habitat for fish.“As our towns and cities grow and expand, it is increasingly important to safeguard pockets of nature like Bullock Creek,” Jamie said.At the upcoming event, visitors will have the chance to see how Fish & Game manages and monitors species and habitat, and can practice casting in a fun fishing game. Visitors can also learn about the invertebrates that live in Bullock Creek, and the native plants being restored to the wetlands. There will be insights into the world of bees, and how trapping programmes protect native birds and lizards.Jamie said the QEII-covenanted wetland was thriving thanks to the unwavering dedication and fundraising by Friends of Bullock Creek volunteers, and supported by licence fees from anglers and hunters.Visitors will be able to chat with representatives from the QEII National Trust and Otago Catchment Community.Friends of Bullock Creek will also highlight their ongoing restoration work planting natives and removing weeds through almost 8,000 volunteer hours.A huge range of volunteers and generous donations have made the work possible.“Since FOBC initiated the restoration project at the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs site in 2016, we have fundraised well over $200,000 to achieve the transformation of the wetland site you can see today,” Friends of Bullock Creek trustee Andy Oxley said.The World Wetlands Day will be a chance to celebrate everything that has been achieved at the site.“Grab the kids, bring your picnic and a rug and enjoy a free barbecue,” Andy said. “There will be lots to see and do on the day.”PHOTO: Wānaka App