Enviroschools programmes across Otago are having positive impacts on not only the students but schools have saved money, created opportunities and brought communities together, Otago Regional Council (ORC) has reported. By making simple choices around products which could end up in landfill or be recycled, schools can take several positives out of the programmes, ORC Enviroschools regional coordinator lead Leisa de Klerk says. “Rubbish, even when there is good recycling happening, is a financial cost to schools for storage, transport and disposal. Reducing waste is a simple way to decrease expenses,” she said.Enviroschools in Otago reaches almost 25,000 young people from Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres to high schools every year, who benefit from relationships between the nationwide Enviroschools programme and local city, district and regional councils. Leisa said these relationships are the direct link councils have to create long term environmental change that supports schools’ curriculum, while also lessening financial burdens and creating systemic change through their own communities. These and other environmental issues are highlighted in numerous Enviroschools hui with schools across Otago every year, where students gain hands-on experience and skills in a number of initiatives, many of which become on-going projects, she said.Leisa said Enviroschools are seeing less litter in their school grounds, spending less on rubbish disposal, there is less external rubbish being dumped at the schools, and parents are making more conscious and healthier choices about lunchbox food.Enviroschools participants start small, by getting students to take their lunch rubbish home with them, she said. “Many schools have found that when students bring home their rubbish, parents are less likely to choose items for the lunchbox that creates a mess,” Leisa said. “All it takes is one half-eaten yoghurt pottle to come home in a lunch box for parents to start to rethink their choices. Yoghurt pottles are not recyclable so they just end up in landfill, but it’s the user in this example who deals with the end product, not the school.” For schools with their own composting, these choices also support their environmental goals and school-wide curriculum.Many Enviroschools have their own community gardens, or collaborate with their local community garden to support young people learning how to grow their own food. Councils across Otago reap the benefit of these relationships and in reaching their own strategic goals through their partnership with Enviroschools at a regional, district or city level, she said “Enviroschools is in its twenty second year and has evolved to become a true partnership between councils, communities and schools,” Leisa said. The Enviroschools kaupapa supports a healthy, peaceful, sustainable world through learning and taking action together and with almost 25,000 students (in 88 schools and 12 early childhood cetres) across Otago, the programme continues to grow. Enviroschools is a nationwide programme supported by Toimata Foundation and founding partner Te Mauri Tau, with a large national network of 15 regional partners. PHOTO: Supplied

Former Wānaka resident Hank Bilous has made his directorial debut with ‘The War On Style’, which will tour around New Zealand as well as Sydney and Torquay in Australia. One of New Zealand’s top freeskiers, Hank finished the 2020 Freeride World Tour with multiple podium finishes. He took a hiatus from skiing to finish his nursing degree and more recently he has been working as a registered nurse in the emergency department of a small North Island community.Hank said ‘The War on Style’ is inspired by his love of skiing, nursing and other interests like surfing, but it’s not specifically about any of those things.“It is really about the idea that any technical skill gives you the opportunity to express yourself and that self-expression part, really, is worth striving for,” he said.“I hope the audience can apply that concept to their own life.”Watch the trailer:Creating the film was “a real test of the concepts explored in the film in my life personally”, Hank said. “Writing a script, co-producing and directing were all new skills to me before we started this project.” ‘The War on Style’ was filmed and edited by Chris Maunsell and Sam Wave created the original score and songs.“Working [with Chris and Sam] on this project has really solidified the idea for me that collaboration is much better than competition,” Hank said.‘The War on Style’ was filmed in Wānaka, Dunedin and Gisborne.The New Zealand tour for ‘The War on Style’ will begin on July 30 and the Wānaka screening, which will be presented by Hank, will take place on August 21.Tickets and more information are available here.PHOTO: Supplied

The NZ Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) has launched its annual public observations competition, which encourages backcountry enthusiasts to actively contribute to avalanche safety. It is calling on skiers, snowboarders, climbers and other outdoor adventurers heading into backcountry alpine terrain to record snow conditions and any avalanche activity via the public observation tool. The NZAA is provided by the NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC), which is offering a $1,500 voucher to an outdoor retailer for the winner of the competition.“We’re excited to announce the public observations competition,” MSC chief executive Mike Daisley. “We want to encourage backcountry users to share their observations. In doing so, they’re playing a vital role in the safety of the alpine community.”NZAA forecasters use public observations along with other information about current snow conditions and the weather forecast to develop accurate avalanche forecasts for 13 regions around the motu. Read more: Avalanche forecasting begins for backcountry users “Public observations make an important contribution to avalanche forecasting,” Mike said.“They’re also an additional tool for anyone planning an alpine trip to help them make informed decisions before they head out. By logging their observations, backcountry users are contributing to a more knowledgeable and safer backcountry community.”To enter the public observations competition, participants must share a photo and information about snow conditions or any avalanche activity they see. Contributors who meet the competition terms and conditions will automatically be entered into the draw for every observation they submit. The competition closes on November 30 and the winner will be announced on December 1.Visit the NZAA website here.PHOTO: Simon Smith

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is launching the 2024 Get Active Community Grant to help get more people more active, more often. The annual Get Active Community Grant will support not-for-profit organisations and charities that benefit the health and wellbeing of people around the district, QLDC said. It enables eligible organisations to apply for QLDC sport and recreation facility entry passes so their customers can access different services including swimming pools at Queenstown Events Centre (QEC) and Wānaka Recreation Centre (WRC) as well as programmes at Paetara Aspiring Central. QLDC community wellbeing coordinator Samantha Saccomanno said the grant aims to give access to facilities for people who might otherwise find it difficult.“Get Active Community Grant has been a great way for community organisations to support their clients and give them access to our facilities,” she said.“We’re hoping this year is no different and we’ll be supporting over 500 entries to our facilities.” The options available are a pool pass that can be used at the QEC, Arrowtown Pool and WRC; an all-programmes pass that can be used at the WRC and Paetara Aspiring Central (valid for all programmes except yoga); and an all-facilities pass that can be used at the Queenstown Events Centre (valid for the gym, group fitness classes and the climbing wall).Applicants must be a registered charity, incorporated society or not-for-profit group, based in Queenstown Lakes, and must not be a sport group or a business.Applications for this year’s grants will open on next Thursday (August 1) and close on August 22. Find more information here.PHOTO: QLDC

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

Wānaka’s birthing unit, Rākai Kahukura, will open its door to its first pregnant people and whānau on Monday (July 29).Rākai Kahukura will be able to support “at least” 50 births and approximately 350-400 families each year, Te Whatu Ora Southern director of midwifery Karen Ferraccioli told the Wānaka App.Karen was visiting the birthing unit yesterday (Wednesday July 24) for an opening event with Te Whatu Ora staff, birthing unit midwives and staff, and other groups including Plunket. She said the new birthing unit, a converted lodge located on a large and private site on the outskirts of Albert Town, has “good mana”.“It’s quite special,” she said. “It’s also quite big, which will allow us to build services through time.”Rākai Kahukura will open for use on Monday (July 29).After a lengthy renovation turning the space from a lodge into a birthing unit, Rākai Kahukura now features a birthing room with an ensuite and a birthing pool and four post-natal rooms with ensuites.There’s also an onsite antenatal clinic with four rooms, a community room for relaxation and an education and whānau room.Rākai Kahukura will support low-risk, non-instrumental births, options for post-natal stays closer to home, as well as access to early childhood services for 0-5 year olds including vaccinations, Karen said.She acknowledged midwives had been waiting a long time for the birthing unit.Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and PM Christopher Luxon at Rākai Kahukura in late June.Te Whatu Ora Southern (formerly the Southern District Health Board) agreed to establish a primary birthing unit in Wānaka in June 2021.This followed many years of advocacy from local groups (including local Lead Maternity Care (LMC) midwives and Save Our Wānaka Midwives) in part because of the significant distance to the nearest primary birthing unit and hospital.By June 2022 Te Whatu Ora had purchased the Monteith Road property but the estimated opening in early 2023 was pushed back intermittently, largely attributed to the move from the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) to Te Whatu Ora, with the project team having to adapt to new guidelines and regulatory environment.Its opening on Monday (July 29) is a year and a half later than first estimated. New Rākai Kahukura signage on SH6.Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and PM Christopher Luxon visited the birthing unit in late June while finishing touches were being completed and revealed its name, which was gifted by iwi. The PM thanked everyone involved in the creation of the birthing unit for “all the hard work and effort that’s gone into bringing this birthing centre to life”.Listen: The Outlet Podcast - Revolutionising midwifery care in Wānaka.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Advocates for a proposed Wānaka Performing Arts and Cultural Centre are asking residents to support the project through submissions to the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Long Term Plan (LTP).Plans for the proposed facility include a 500-seat performing arts theatre, a smaller 120 seat rehearsal theatre/dance studio, and a visual arts gallery and foyer space to allow for functions and conferences. Wānaka Arts Centre Trust (WACT) chair Michael Sidey has written to locals advising them that the proposed Wānaka Performing Arts and Cultural Facility has not been included in the LTP, which sets council’s spending priorities for the next ten years.Just a few months ago (May 2) WACT presented its vision of the arts facility to QLDC councillors, and announced high profile ambassadors Sir Sam Neil, Helen Clark ONZ, Justine Cormack DMA, Rima Te Wiata MNZM and Sir Ian Taylor for the project.‘High quality’ ambassadors supporting the project are Sir Sam Neil, Helen Clark ONZ, Justine Cormack DMA, Rima Te Wiata MNZM and Sir Ian Taylor.Michael told the Wānaka App at the time there had been a “very positive” response from councillors. WACT asked QLDC to gift a site (likely at Three Parks) for the facility and Michael said WACT intended to fundraise $30M for the project and ask council for $40M.Michael discovered the project was not included in the LTP at a recent drop-in session with mayor Glyn Lewers and the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board. He said he believed QLDC had made that decision “based on inadequate advice from their advisors… [who he thought believed it was] a conference centre with a bit of arts”.WUCCB member Chris Hadfield, who is also a member of WACT, told the Wānaka App the arts facility proposal hit a snag with council because the feasibility study indicated that such a facility would need to rely on income from conferences in the first few years “until we have the reputation of being able to provide what the performers and organisers want”.He said the mayor and council said it would be harder to seek money for a conference centre than a performing arts centre.Creatives of Wānaka director Andrea Beryl said the group supports an arts facility “100 percent”. Chris said WACT needs a “commitment in principle” from council.“We need to know yes or no - will you help us move forward on this? We’ve got to get it in the LTP, whether or not there’s money.”Michael said the board and mayor advised him and other supporters of the arts facility to submit on the LTP before July 28, noting that such a facility would attract national and international performers, visual artists, and audiences, increase regional visitors and foster community connection.He has asked QLDC to consider allocating $20M in funding for the initial phases of the project in 2027; an additional $20M in 2028; and provision of an operational subsidy of $500,000 per annum from 2030 to 2035, while collaborating with WACT to secure the remaining funds through public and private contributions.Creatives Of Wānaka (COW) director Andrea Beryl told the Wānaka App the group “100 percent” supports the development of a Wānaka arts facility Andrea said she had already submitted and had encouraged members of COW to do the same.“Creatives of Wānaka would also encourage anyone in the community who is supportive of the arts to get on board. Any individual or group keen to enhance the arts within our region is worthy of support and applause,” she said.Submissions on the draft LTP can be made here.Read more:High profile ambassadors support proposed arts facilityCreatives of Wānaka band together with new groupIMAGES: Supplied

An Otago Regional Council (ORC) councillor says she is “delighted” Upper Clutha ratepayers will not pay the same targetted public transport rate as Queenstown.In ORC’s draft Long Term Plan (LTP) the council had proposed that ratepayers across Queenstown Lakes should pay a targetted rate for public transport, even though the Upper Clutha would not receive any public transport services.The LTP was approved on June 27 after public consultation and the Upper Clutha’s inclusion in the targetted public transport rate was removed.“I knew that wouldn’t fly and I was delighted to see that it didn’t,” Dunstan councillor Alexa Forbes told the Wānaka App. “This is what happens when people engage with the plan - the council listens.”However, the Upper Clutha hasn’t gotten out of contributing to public transport entirely.The council approved the introduction of a general rate allocation for public transport, which all ratepayers in Otago will pay.Alexa said this shifted 20 percent of the public transport rate to “everyone in Otago - we did that on the basis of climate change benefit”.She said councillors felt it was fair that everyone in the region contributes “a little bit” to public transport.She acknowledged it was “really tricky” finding the most equitable solution. Alexa highlighted another win for Upper Clutha in the final LTP.Instead of a public transport trial in the Upper Clutha, as proposed in the draft LTP, the final LTP instead includes a business case for public transport in Wānaka.“It’s a real advantage that we’ve moved from a trial to a business case,” Alexa said. “We won’t have to put the Upper Clutha through another trial.” Two public transport shuttle bus trials, in 2022 and 2023, were co-ordinated by Wānaka’s Community LINK and delivered by Yello, with funding from Queenstown Lakes District Council  (QLDC) and Lake Wānaka Tourism. The trials showed that an express service between Hāwea and Wānaka gained in numbers while use of an intra-city loop remained lower. Analysis of survey data showed that approximately 60 percent of respondents would otherwise have travelled by car.Read more: Useful data gathered from public transport trial PHOTO: Supplied

In this episode of The Outlet podcast we speak with Matt Williams, director and regional manager at Bachelor McDougall Consulting (BMC).BMC won the supreme award at the 2022 Wānaka Business Excellence Awards and Matt shares the transformative experience of winning and the boost it provided to internal morale and client relationships.Learn how the recognition validated BMC's transition from a small, individually-focused firm to one with strong governance and operational management. Matt also offers practical advice for companies considering entering the awards and discusses BMC's plans to enhance its governance skills and seek new opportunities. This episode is a powerful testament to how unwavering commitment to strong business values can lead to outstanding achievements.Listen to The Outlet Wānaka

Holy Family Catholic School teacher Phillipa Wilson is back, bringing the beloved event ‘Dancing with the Locals’ to the Lake Wānaka Centre in August.‘Dancing with the Locals’ inspired by the popular show Dancing with the Stars, will feature six pairs of locals performing a captivating range of dance styles, from salsa to hip-hop and everything in-between. Each couple will be dancing to raise money for their chosen charities.Anna and Pearson will be raising funds for the Kāhu Youth Trust.Anna & Pearson - Kāhu Youth TrustKath & Michael - Diabetes NZ OtagoBriar & Lewis- Otago Southland Rescue HelicopterKirsty & Rob - Food for LoveDelfi & Kate - Wānaka Search and Rescueand the Mystery Couple..."I am stoked to have the opportunity to shine the spotlight on the positive impact Kāhu Youth has on our local young people, while raising essential funds for our new Youth Centre". Anna Sutherland, Kāhu Youth Operations Director.Now in its third year, “Dancing with the Locals” has quickly become a highlight on the Wānaka calendar, for locals in the know.The dance routines are top secret, but you can expect an evening filled with hilarious, uplifting, joyous, and thoroughly entertaining performances.“It’s just such a good laugh,” Phillipa said. “People keep telling me they can’t believe how much they laughed.”Don't miss out, get your tickets by clicking the links below.Thursday 1 August, 2024Friday 2 August, 2024

The “important community conversation” about the future of Wānaka Airport has inched a little closer.Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) chief executive Mike Theelen told the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) at its most recent meeting that council would begin to address work on a long-term planning process for Wānaka Airport in this financial year (2024-2025), which would “form the basis of a future masterplan”. The project is included in the current draft of the Long Term Plan 2024-2034 (LTP). In April the WUCCB pushed QLDC to consult on a masterplan during this calendar year.“Wānaka Airport is a strategic community asset and we need clarity on its future,” board chair Simon Telfer said.“[The] Civil Aviation Authority requires a large amount of money to be spent on the airport to maintain the current level of service. It would be sensible to invest this money with an understanding of the airport’s future strategic direction.”Simon said consultation on the airport should be focused on what the community wants for the airport, “rather than the community saying ‘this is what we don’t want for the airport’”.“The future of the airport is an important topic for the area and it’s essential to ensure the Wānaka-Upper Clutha community is part of shaping it,” the LTP consultation document says.The draft LTP proposes funding for planning, but “no specific budget has been allocated” for a masterplan at this time, a QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App.“There is budget outlined in the draft LTP, currently out for community consultation, for capital expenditure to upgrade parts of the airfield, and in anticipation of the Civil Aviation Authority requiring Wānaka Airport to become a Qualifying Aerodrome under Part 139 of the Civil Aviation Rules,” the spokesperson said.“The draft LTP has $2.4M for compliance upgrades and $1.5M for renewals of plant and services over the first three years.”The consultation document says more information would be provided “on this important community conversation” later in the year. Wānaka Airport is owned by QLDC and operated by Queenstown Airport Corporation under a management services agreement. Read more: ‘Urgency needed’ for Wānaka Airport planningPHOTO: Supplied

Less than a year after her first powerlifting competition, Romy Guichard is preparing to compete at the junior world champs.The 19-year-old Wānaka resident says she wasn’t “at all” sporty until discovering powerlifting.Now she manages Snap Fitness when she’s not training and says just about “everything” in her life is about the gym and powerlifting.Romy qualified for the junior world championships after just two competitions and she is currently ranked seventh in the world for her age and weight category.She broke several national powerlifting records for U76kg junior women in April, including the national squat and deadlift record (173.5kg and 200.5kg respectively).The junior world championships will take place in Malta in September and she’s hoping to achieve a fifth-place finish.Romy said it’s the fast progress with powerlifting that keeps her motivated.“I guess you don’t see that with many other sports. Every day [my ability to lift] might go up 0.5 percent.”Romy GuichardRomy is excited to head to Malta - a country she has visited before, having spent her early years in nearby France. She will be travelling with a group of 26 from New Zealand, including her coach, his partner (also a coach), and her boyfriend, as well as other competitors.The competition lasts a couple of weeks but Romy will compete in all three of her lifts (bench, squat and deadlift) in a single afternoon Romy said discovering powerlifting has given her a sense of direction.She’s looking forward to the world champs and “at least another few years” of training and competing.Romy will compete at the World Classic & Equipped Sub-Junior & Junior Powerlifting Championships on September 4.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust has set up new signage at eight local native habitat restoration sites to provide information about the projects - and acknowledge the volunteers who have contributed their time to them. All the native plants used in the projects were grown and cared for at Te Kākano’s community nursery from eco-sourced seeds in the Upper Clutha area, Te Kākano trust manager Loran Verpillot said. Loran said she hopes the new signs “will inform and inspire people to participate in planting and maintenance sessions in support of Te Kākano’s mission to connect communities with their land”.“Anyone can see first hand at the project sites what positive impacts they can make towards habitat restoration.”Many of the plants are listed as threatened or at risk nationally, so the projects are vital in the overall efforts to protect and increase the population of these species, she said. Every year, the local charitable trust plants between 4,000 to 5,000 native plants on public land and the work is made possible by volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. One of the oldest project sites Te Kākano has worked on is at the Mt Aspiring Tititea carpark (just before Glendhu Bay) which was started 13 years ago. It has been developed from a bare patch to a native mini-forest thanks to efforts from the community, Queenstown Lakes District Council, and local business Ridgeline Adventures.“We’ve been working in the Upper Clutha basin since 2008 and there’s plenty of on-going work needed for planting, watering and maintenance, so any help is always appreciated,” Loran said.PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka homes have earned a slew of accolades at the Southern House of the Year Awards 2024, including the supreme house of the year award.The annual competition recognises the best homes and those who brought them to life.The central Wānaka ‘Sanctuary Central’ took out the top award, with judges complimenting the “meticulously crafted and adaptable 309sqm home”.Inside ‘Sanctuary Central’, which judges called “a house that intrigues”. PHOTO: Samuel HartnettThe home’s street facing facade is “deliberately abstract” and hints at the “truly beautiful” three bedrooms and four courtyards that lie beyond, judges said.“Flow doesn’t come close to describing the way the interior transitions to the outdoor zones.“The relationship between the components of the house and the sanctuary as a whole is emblematic of the collaboration between Level Construction and architects Roberts Gray.”The supreme award was one of five awards ‘Sanctuary Central’ earned, from a total of nearly four dozen awards across categories celebrating everything from houses at different price points to sustainability, outdoor excellence and interior design, plus the sought-after gold, silver and bronze awards celebrating excellence in construction.This Dunlop Builders' “long, low and cool”, Brick House combined understated elegance, energy-efficiency and “top-drawer craftsmanship, judges said. PHOTO: Caydn Thomson, ImageWorks The “long, low and cool” 307sqm Brick House, built by Dunlop Builders, combines “understated elegance”, energy-efficiency with a Passive House Plus rating and “top-drawer craftsmanship at every turn”.The house, in the $2M-$4M category, earned a gold award (for homes which achieve 90 percent of the available points and are judged to be at least 80 percent above industry standard) and the Regional APL Environmental & Sustainable Excellence award.At a lower price point ($750,000-$1M), “strong lines and intriguing angles” earned a 190sqm Northlake home a regional category award and a gold award.“Strong lines and intriguing angles” were hallmarks of this Wānaka home built by Buildcraft. PHOTO: Caydn Thomson, ImageWorksJudges said the house, built by Buildcraft, epitomised refined living “thanks to quality materials, timeless features and workmanship by builders at the top of their game”. Another four Wānaka homes received the prestigious gold award, including an expansive family home built to take in the site’s 360 views (built by Bayview Construction); a “soulful retreat” with lake views (built by Integrity Homes); a huge 507sqm home with “endless views” (built by CDL Building); and a three-bedroom home with “everything you need to live the good life (built by Jennian Homes). This “soulful” retreat built by Integrity Homes earned a gold award, one of seven for Wānaka homes to receive the award. PHOTO: Caydn Thomson, ImageWorksFind full details of all the homes and awards from the Southern House of the Year Awards 2024 here.

The impact of Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow on the regional economy over the past 36 years has cracked the $300M mark, the Warbirds management team has estimated. This Easter’s airshow - the first in six years - generated more than $40M for the regional economy, according to its 2024 Economic Impact Assessment Report.Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshows Ltd chair Paul Moodie said a “conservative estimate” of the economic impact over the event’s lifetime has put the total impact at around $305M.  “There are numerous community groups which benefit financially from being involved in helping deliver the airshow,” he said.“For some of these it’s a significant part of their fund-raising every couple of years. We are also extremely proud of our free community lakeside airshow which attracts thousands of people.”Paul said the 2024 Economic Impact Assessment Report includes some encouraging statistics for the event. “Our overall satisfaction rating was 98 percent which was up on the last airshow in 2018. Numbers-wise we welcomed some 64,800 guests over the three days (up 18 percent on 2018) with the Saturday and Sunday of the airshow selling out. “There was a drop in the number of international visitors but this was more than made up for by a surge in the numbers of Kiwis attending.” Paul added that 45 percent of visitors were attending the Wānaka airshow for the first time, which bodes well for the future.He said parking and traffic management was identified as an area of concern, and airshow management is talking with various parties around how this can be improved for 2026, including offering more alternative transport options. Paul said the management team is now planning for Easter 2026 with confidence. “Many long-time airshow participants and visitors reckon 2024 was the best Wanaka airshow ever. The pressure is now on the team to beat it.” The next airshow will be held in 2026 from April 3-5, with tickets going on sale in early July next year.

Four Wānaka AFC teams have returned from the Christchurch International Cup tournament with both experience and accolades.  The Christchurch International Cup, the premier youth football event in New Zealand, attracts teams from clubs and academies around New Zealand, as well as from Australia and overseas.Wānaka AFC club manager Simone Sippola said four teams, U14, U12, U11 and U10, travelled to Christchurch to the tournament with a goal of advancement in the sport.She said the U14 group had finished close to the bottom in previous tournaments, having never advanced from their group in the group stages to play for the cup, only to play for the plate. “This year, they set out with a goal to advance from their group and make it through to the cup. They managed to far exceed this goal, by winning their group convincingly, and finishing third in the tournament, while playing some excellent football along the way.”Simone said the U12 group played “exceptional football”, narrowly missing out on advancing from their highly competitive group, and drawing with the tournament second place-getters.“Despite being disappointed not to advance, the team kept their heads up and went and convincingly won the tournament plate with three wins against big South Island clubs Cashmere Technical, Dunedin City Royals and Ferrymead Bays,” she said. The tournament was “an awesome learning opportunity” for Wānaka’s young U11 and U10 teams who gained exposure to a tournament style experience, Simone said.The team advanced to the cup quarter-finals and finished in seventh place.“The success at the tournament is a testament to the awesome work happening in our training environment and we look forward to continuing the development and growth,” Simone said. Wānaka AFC started its own football academy in October 2024, with new director of football Ben Sippola.Ben is a former professional footballer and has been working at the highest level of football in New Zealand for 10 years. He's an NZF A-License coach, and the former technical director of Olé Football Academy and head coach of Western Suburbs FC.PHOTO: Supplied

When a person’s legal competence or fitness is at question.A recent article on Stuff highlighted the issue of capacity when an elderly man wrote his Will on post it notes from home, 11 months after being diagnosed with dementia, back in 2015. He changed his previous Will to give most of his estate to his first child and a woman he met at a Lions Club event, who also happened to be his neighbour (making her his enduring power of attorney too) and leaving just $5,000 each to his other two children. The man went on to change his Will again in 2017, this time excluding the first child from sharing the estate with his neighbour, and then again in 2018. While both later Wills were ruled invalid due to incapacity, the judge did rule that the 2015 Will was valid and so the majority of his estate was left to his first child and the neighbour. How could this happen you ask? While there is legislation setting out the level of capacity required to make a Will, the bar is set quite low. People will often tell their GP (who is not usually a specialist assessing dementia) that they have capacity when they don’t. Cases like this are a timely warning to everyone to sit down and carefully consider your wishes before ill health sets in so you don’t no need to be continually changing your Will.Level 1, 62 Ardmore Street, Wanaka,

A good dump of snow and sunny skies (above the inversion cloud) made local and visiting skiers happy during the two-week New Zealand school holidays.Cardrona Treble Cone general manager Laura Hedley said the half metre snowfall just before the school holidays meant every lift was able to be opened across both Cardrona and Treble Cone.Local skiers told the Wānaka App there were few crowds at either ski field.One local posted a photo of a half empty car park at Treble Cone on social media, saying “Not busy at the Cone at the moment… 9.20am and a few car parks still available”.A half empty car park at Treble Cone one morning. PHOTO: SuppliedLaura said while guest numbers weren’t particularly high during the holidays, there were plenty of Australian visitors.  “We’ve had consistent numbers across the school holidays, and fantastic weather on the mountain – it’s been awesome seeing all our guests being able to choose the day that suited their winter holiday best, instead of that being dictated by weather windows,” she said.“We’ve welcomed a large number of Australian visitors, and while numbers haven’t spiked hugely like we have seen in previous years, this has had a positive impact on guest experience over the school holidays.”Snow Farm general manager Sam Lee said the cross country ski area had a very busy two weeks.“Last weekend [July 13-14] was our busiest weekend ever, and these school holidays will be our busiest on record,” he said.Record numbers of people took to the Snow Farm to enjoy Nordic skiing and the views above the inversion cloud. PHOTO: Wānaka AppSnow Farm has invested in a new base building this season, which includes a cafe and warm seating area for day visitors who just want to see what happens at the ski area.“The inversion has helped us greatly over the school holiday period; being up in the sun has fueled the number of people just coming for a coffee and to see what it's all about,” Sam said.“We have been really lucky to get a great dump of snow and a sustained period of fine weather.”Sam said the most significant increase in patronage at the ski area so far this year was in cross country skiing and snowshoeing; with a marginal increase in tubing at the Snow Farm’s ‘Fun Zone’.Fourteen percent of the ski field’s non-season pass visitors during the school holidays were Australian; 30 percent were Queenstown and Wānaka locals; and 50 percent were New Zealanders from outside the region. “Snow Farm is really in a sweet spot right now as we have strived to keep our products affordable and encourage more visitors to the council-owned Waiorau Recreation reserve on which we operate. It also helps our mandate as a non-profit to keep cross country skiing as an affordable option,” he said.

The past two weeks of school holidays have presented “a mixed experience” for local retailers, Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat says.He estimated that trading could be down as much as 30 to 40 percent compared to the 2023 July school holidays.“While some businesses, particularly certain cafes and shops, have seen consistent foot traffic and sales, others have experienced quieter periods,” Glenn told the Wānaka App.He said the variability could be attributed to several factors, including fluctuating weather conditions affecting ski field operations and visitor patterns, as well as broader economic considerations affecting consumer spending habits.“In discussions with business owners we have received comments from some local businesses indicating that trading could be down as much as 30-40 percent compared to the July school holidays last year,” Glenn said.Read more: Happy holidays for skiers PHOTO: Supplied