A busy Easter is expected for the Upper Clutha, especially with the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors for the final Wheels at Wānaka show.Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat said he expects Wānaka to be “very busy” over Easter.“It’s traditionally a strong period for local businesses, particularly in retail, hospitality, and tourism,” Glenn said.“With school holidays overlapping plus ANZAC Day and events bringing visitors to the region, there’s optimism among the business community for solid trading across the Easter period and beyond.”Wheels at Wānaka will take place from Friday to Sunday (April 18-20) at Three Parks. More than 40,000 visitors attended the Wheels at Wānaka event during Easter 2023, surpassing the 24,000 that attended in 2021.“Ticket sales have been phenomenal - we're really happy with the numbers thus far,” Wheels at Wānaka promotions & media manager Annabel Roy told the Wānaka App.“The weather will dictate final gate numbers, [it’s] too soon to call just yet.”She said traffic management for the event “is all in hand, with thanks to Fulton Hogan”.“Foot traffic will be high and [the] visitor spend steady”, says Wānaka’s Business Chamber. PHOTO: Wānaka AppGlenn said the “general expectation” for Easter is that “foot traffic will be high and visitor spend steady”, adding “there is still some caution due to ongoing cost-of-living pressures impacting consumer behaviour”.“Businesses are well prepared, and many are staffing up and extending hours where possible.”The recent Official Cash Rate reduction may also have an impact on spending, he said, although it may take time to flow through to visitor spending.“Overall, there’s a positive mood heading into the next few weeks – Wānaka continues to be a sought-after destination, and local operators are ready to make the most of it.”

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is inviting locals to take action on waste with the return of the Waste Minimisation Community Fund (WMCF). With up to $60,000 in funding available, the WMCF supports innovative projects that reduce waste and promote the sustainable use of resources across the district. Individuals, businesses, schools, and community groups are all encouraged to apply.“This fund is about empowering our community to bring those ideas to life and work together toward a zero-waste future, built on the principles of a circular economy,” QLDC sustainability advisor Emma Brockie said.  The WMCF was founded in 2018 and it has supported a wide range of projects that either reduce waste at the source or divert it from landfill.They have included upcycling old uniforms, school community composting, repair and reuse hubs, reusable packaging trials, sustainable period workshops, and food waste education campaigns.In the Upper Clutha projects include Mountainside Educare’s waste minimisation programme, reuse initiatives at Wānaka Community Workshop and Fabricate, and the Kids First Kindergarten’s Hāwea composting project, among others.QLDC is keen to see what new ideas emerge this year, Emma said.  “Collective small actions can have a huge impact and create lasting change,” she said.“We encourage anyone with a creative idea for minimising waste and maximising resource recovery to apply and help build a more sustainable future for our community.” Applications for the QLDC Waste Minimisation Community Fund will close on May 25.The council is particularly interested in initiatives that address gaps in existing waste reduction programmes. Find more information and apply here.PHOTO: Supplied

Warning: This story discusses self harm and suicide.A Wānaka woman who was trying to get help at a time of mental health crisis says she was made to feel like a burden.Her story follows the release of a community report that found people in Upper Clutha faced huge barriers when needing to access mental health support from a struggling, under-resourced system.Some described trying to access child mental health services as diabolical, while others chose to leave after years of struggling to get help.The Wānaka woman - who asked to remain anonymous - attempted suicide in late 2023.When she sought help, she said she was left alone in a hospital room for long periods without her medication, and offered no emotional support while overwhelmed and distressed.There is no emergency inpatient psychiatric service for people in crisis in the Queenstown Lakes.She was medically cleared at a local hospital the morning after she tried to harm herself, and said she felt pressured by a nurse to go home to free up a bed."I said to her... 'I cannot go home. Like, what, like I've literally just attempted suicide for the first time and you're going to send me home'," she said.She was eventually offered a respite bed in Dunedin."We finally got to Dunedin Hospital after all of this shit, of them making me feel like absolute shit, being made to feel like such a burden to them."The response made her feel more vulnerable, and she said Wānaka should have better support for people in crisis."The experience of being still sort of like an actively suicidal person, being almost forced to go home when they know you have no support ... I think that's just an example of how there is nothing here."Health New Zealand said there was a 24/7 mental health crisis response service covering Wānaka and people were transferred to inpatient facilities in Dunedin or Invercargill if needed.A crisis respite service, which was launched last year, was also available in Queenstown for people who present less acutely, a spokesperson said.Nine-month wait for an appointmentThe report from community-led advocacy group Health Action Wānaka found there were long wait times, care could be costly and there were shortages of specialists and other staff.Some respondents mentioned private mental health sessions costing up to $200 a visit, while others talked about waiting more than nine months for appointments.Read more:Health group to meet officials about ‘healthcare crisis’Healthcare crisis for Upper Clutha - reportHealth Action Wānaka mental health spokesperson Lucy Middendorf. PHOTO: SuppliedHealth Action Wānaka mental health spokesperson Lucy Middendorf was not surprised by the report findings.Her sister struggled for years to get support for severe depression from the public system in Wānaka."She had quite a number of referrals from her GP rejected or not accepted locally in Wānaka over many years," Middendorf said.When she was finally accepted, she sometimes had to go without treatment because she could not afford the travel costs, and she often waited three or more months for a medication change."It feels like the system is mostly interested in keeping people alive, but not really finding the right kind of tools for them to have a meaningful life," she said.Her sister ended up moving to Dunedin, because she could not get enough support in Wānaka.Now she was in a much better position with more access to support and programmes."If she'd had more services provided earlier in this journey, maybe she would actually be in a better position today," Middendorf said.Health Action Wānaka has asked the government to commit to introducing telehealth psychiatric consults.The current services were struggling to cope with a rapidly growing population, Middendorf said."I think telehealth psychiatric consults could actually save lives. You've got situations where patients could receive treatment and medication a lot quicker," she said.Begging for helpThe report found there were insufficient mental health services for children and young people, which was echoed in responses from community members.One resident said their family had been sitting on the referral list for child mental health services for 18 months without seeing anyone, describing it as diabolical."We've been forced to engage a local private psychologist after literally begging her to take us on as everyone was not taking any new clients. She's now left Wānaka, so we have to travel to Queenstown as nobody local will take us on," they said.Their child was too young to access services available in Cromwell."Our GP has been amazing and has finally, in desperation and after six months of high levels of mental health issues, managed to contact a consulting psychiatrist who has prescribed anti-depressants. It's been a nightmare," they said.Not-for-profit ADL works with young people and their whānau to improve mental health and well-being across the lower South Island.Chief executive Clive McArthur said gaps in healthcare in Wānaka were exacerbated by the region's isolation and demand."Their constrained resources just mean that support isn't always at the right time, the right place and you do find that services are stretched," he said.There were good services in the area, but there were not enough of them and there weren't enough staff for the demand levels, he said."It's stress and distress across the system. People worried, people stressed and stretched and obviously if there is that unmet need, then those issues that people were presenting with can get worse."The government earmarked $2.6 billion for ring-fenced mental health and addiction funding this financial year.As the Mental Health Minister and Associate Health Minister responsible for Rural Health, Matt Doocey said he had set clear expectations for accessing support."What I can commit to is the focus on ensuring that people in the Upper Clutha area, like other parts of New Zealand, have that guaranteed level of service of being able to engage primary mental health and addiction services within one week and specialists within three," he said.If areas were not up to scratch, he said local officials needed to put action plans in place to make that happen and the funding could be used to assist the areas lagging behind if needed.Telehealth services could be a gamechanger for rural communities and he would follow up with officials to work out how they could be rolled out faster, Doocey said."Then hopefully we move to a point in New Zealand where irrespective of where you live, you will be guaranteed a level of service."In 2023, the Ministry of Health launched the Rural Health Strategy for the next decade, outlining five priorities.They included ensuring services were available closer to home for rural communities, supporting rural communities to access services outside their area, and making sure the needs of rural communities were considered in decisions.Health New Zealand Te Waipounamu acting regional commissioner Greg Hamilton said the organisation was committed to improving access to rural healthcare services and ensuring ongoing financial sustainability for hospitals and trusts operating in rural communities."We acknowledge clinical and financial sustainability remains a challenge and we will continue to work closely with communities and providers to address this," he said.Several initiatives were underway including the Rural Hospital Sustainability project and the Rural Urgent Unplanned Care redesign project to address sustainability concerns following on from the Rural Health Strategy.Health New Zealand had not fully considered the Health Action Wānaka report yet, but planned to work with the group "to achieve the desired outcomes for the local community", Hamilton said."Catering for the needs of the growing population of the Central Otago region is an ongoing consideration for Health New Zealand in terms of what might be needed right now, and in the future, and how best to deliver those services," Hamilton said."We are committed to working with community leaders, papatipu rūnanga, and experts to design, deliver, and commission sustainable services that meet the current and emerging healthcare needs of the local community."Doocey would visit Wānaka as part of a rural health roadshow in July to update the community about the Rural Health Strategy and seek feedback about how it was being implemented.Health Action Wānaka says to inform its advocacy, the group undertook research to understand and document the Upper Clutha community's experience of accessing healthcare services, from a patient and healthcare provider perspective.About 300 members of the Upper Clutha community were consulted with for the research via two online surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews from July to September 2024.Where to get help:Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.Samaritans: 0800 726 666.Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email [email protected]'s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.Healthline: 0800 611 116.Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Community groups and organisations looking for funding are invited to attend a clinic taking place at the Lake Wānaka Centre tomorrow (Wednesday April 16).The joint funding clinic will feature a range of major local funders including Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes Trust, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Sport Central, and more.At both clinics attendees will have the chance to meet with local funders, explore grant options, and gain valuable insights into securing financial support for community projects, Central Lakes Trust grants manager Mat Begg said.It is a rare opportunity to meet with representatives from so many different funders, he added.“Coming along means you can find out what each agency funds,” Matt said. “What one agency may not fund, another could.”“It is a really good way to understand where your community group sits in terms of gaining funding for your community activity.”Mat said the benefits of the clinics also go beyond funding.“These funding clinics are a fantastic opportunity not only for grant seekers to connect with funders but also for local organisations to network and find ways to support each other.”The Wānaka clinic is fourth in a series that have been scheduled for 2025, with each session including funders that support initiatives in the specific area. The events aim to make the funding process more accessible and foster stronger connections within the community.Head along to the Wānaka clinic from 1pm-3pm at the Lake Wānaka Centre Wednesday April 16.More clinics will take place throughout the year, with the next local clinic scheduled at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre on July 24.PHOTO: Wānaka App

An Otago Community Trust (OCT) fund which offers grants of up to $5,000 for youth-focused activities has opened for applications for 2025.The Rangatahi-Led Fund for Central Otago is part of OCT’s Tamariki & Rangatahi Strategy, which provides grants for youth-led projects that benefit young people.“Rangatahi leaders from each region are driving this fund, setting the purpose and criteria that matter most to young people,” an OCT representative said.“Working alongside the Otago Community Trust, they'll help bring youth-led initiatives to life through grants administered by eligible organisations.”The fund, now in its third year, has supported projects from youth networking spaces to all-ages events and gatherings for queer and gender diverse rangatahi.One of its previous recipients was the Upper Clutha Youth Council, which received funding for the development of a mural at the Kahu Youth space at Paetara Aspiring Central.Read more: ‘Mural to bring Kahu Youth space to life'The fund has been split into four areas across Otago with local rangatahi selecting projects for their area.For the Central Otago fund, applicants must be 25 or younger and live in Central Otago or Queenstown Lakes.Aside from this, the criteria is broad, aiming to support projects which show passion for the community, are accessible to the community, and have the potential for long-term benefit.Applications for the Rangatahi-Led Fund will close on April 30.OCT said whānau and other adults are welcome to support rangatahi with their applications as long as the ideas come from them.Find more information about criteria and make an application here.PHOTO: Wānaka App

The new Wānaka FC Southern League team has achieved what many thought impossible, scoring a 3-2 victory over 2024 Southern League champions Cashmere Technical in Wānaka on Saturday (April 12).The local side held its nerve deep into the second half, breaking a 2-2 deadlock with one minute left to play.“They are the big fish,” Wānaka FC director of football Ben Sippola said.“CashTech has lost just five games in the past five years.”Ben said the loss a week earlier to Dunedin City Royals provided the motivation the team needed going into the clash with Cashmere Technical.“We had the most disappointing moment we’d had as a team in Dunedin against Dunedin City Royals,” he said.Wānaka played high quality football in the first half against Cashmere, scoring two unanswered goals before the half time break.Cashmere was quickly into its work in the second half, scoring within the first minute.A courageous defensive effort by Wānaka kept Cashmere at bay until the 90th minute when the scores were levelled.Both sides had opportunities to win the match in added time and Wānaka took its chance with one minute remaining.“It means a lot to our players to start against CashTech,” Ben said.“It is a dream come true to beat them.”After three rounds Wānaka FC is fifth in the 10 team competition and this Friday (April 18) it plays 2024 runners up Coastal Spirit in Christchurch.Wānaka’s next home match is on ANZAC Day against Selwyn United at the Wānaka Recreation Centre. Kick off is 2pm.PHOTOS: Wānaka FC

The government wants to "turbocharge" global marketing to international visitors, with a new $13.5 million investment in Tourism New Zealand.Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston made the announcement with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland this afternoon (Monday April 14), where the pair visited the Weta Workshop Unleashed exhibitionThe service sector in New Zealand - which includes tourism, retail and hospitality - has been struggling to recover and gain traction in recent months.Upston said the government was relentlessly focused on economic growth and data showed tourism would play a leading role in this going forward."Today I'm delighted to announce a $13.5 million investment for Tourism New Zealand to encourage more international visitors across multiple markets."Encouraging more visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our cafés, spending in our shops and visiting our attractions, creating jobs and driving economic growth."The initial investment would focus on encouraging visitors from China, Australia, the United States, India, Germany and South Korea, Upston said."We know international marketing works, with around 14 percent of international holiday visitors already being directly influenced by Tourism NZ's marketing activity."We have encouraging signs coming through from our 'Everyone Must Go!' campaign focused on Australia, but we won't stop there."2025 is our chance to reinforce the value of tourism and show what our humming, vibrant country has on show. New Zealand tourism is open for business."Upston said it was estimated the $13.5 million investment would result in an extra 23,000 international visitors by the end of March 2026, bringing an additional $100 million.In February, the government announced a $30 million spend on tourism infrastructure and biodiversity projects in the country.Specific campaigns will be announced as they are developed over the course of this year.

Wānaka's real estate market continues to show resilience and stability amidst global economic uncertainty, with the latest statistics for March revealing promising trends.The recent fourth consecutive Official Cash Rate (OCR) drop of 25 basis points has injected further confidence into the market, stimulating both buyer activity and property listings. This reduction in interest rates has been a critical driver of market momentum, allowing buyers tosecure properties with greater financial certainty.March statistics reveal a robust market with 36 house sales completed during the month, matching February's strong performance.The median price has held steady at $1,475,000, demonstrating Wānaka's ability to maintain its value proposition even as other markets fluctuate.While property values remain consistent, the increased sales volume is particularly encouraging given the higher-than-normal inventory levels currently available. This steady clearing of stock indicates a healthy market adjustment process, albeit one that will take time to return tohistorical norms - a pattern consistent with real estate markets nationwide.What makes Wānaka particularly noteworthy in the current economic climate is its proven track record of stability through turbulent times. Over the past decade, the local property market has weathered numerous global crises - from the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical conflicts inEurope and beyond - while consistently maintaining or appreciating in value.This makes Wānaka an attractive proposition for investors seeking safe harbours amid stock market volatility and economic uncertainty.The banking environment has also evolved favourably for prospective buyers. Financial institutions now have capital available for lending, though compliance requirements remain stringent.This more flexible lending landscape represents a significant improvement compared to the restrictive conditions of recent years and provides additional support for continued market activity.The autumn period presents a prime opportunity for property viewing and purchasing in Wānaka. The current inventory levels mean that buyers have excellent selection and potential negotiating leverage, making this an opportune time to secure property ahead of the winter.Ray White Wānaka is situated at Sir Tim Wallis Drive Wānaka. Find out more here.PHOTO: Ray White Wānaka

The Pacific Crystal Palace is a major drawcard and venue for the Wānaka Festival of Colour, which finished its 2025 season last week, but the costs associated with bringing it here pose a “significant financial challenge”, the festival says.Festival of Colour executive director Ruth Heath said the palace is co-owned by the New Zealand festival consortia (festivals from Wānaka, Taranaki, Tauranga, and Hamilton), and based at Port Tauranga.“Bringing it to Wānaka remains a significant financial challenge due to high freight, labour, and ongoing operational costs,” Ruth said.“We’ve explored alternative venues and cost-saving options, but none offer meaningful savings - and all fall short in terms of adaptability and audience experience.”The special character of the palace makes the cost worthwhile, even though it is not without its challenges, Ruth said.“A venue like the palace is essential to delivering a festival of this scale and ambition for our community. The unique character and atmosphere of the palace also creates something special that’s not easily replicated.”Ruth said the ongoing logistical and financial challenge adds to the Festival of Colour’s fundraising efforts, and “strengthens the case for a purpose-built performing arts centre in Wānaka”.The Wānaka Arts and Cultural Charitable Trust (WACT) was established in 2021 to advocate for a state-of-the-art performance and visual arts facility.WACT is considering its future after the proposed arts facility was not included in Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Long Term Plan (LTP) last year.Ruth said if anyone would like to support the Crystal Palace they should get in touch with the Festival of Colour.Read more: LTP: Arts advocates disappointed, but council work continues 

A three-week waste-prevention programme beginning soon will help local households cut down on food waste.‘Every Bite’ is a programme providing in-person events plus tools, tips and industry tricks to help participants become more resourceful with their food and save money at the checkout.The programme, led locally by Wastebusters, coincides with May’s Food Appreciation Month.Wastebusters is welcoming chef Evelyn Vallillee, who sees potential in every peel, stem and leftover scrap, back at Every Bite this year.“Reducing food waste doesn’t mean giving up delicious meals,” Evelyn said. “In fact, with a bit of creativity, a few tricks and some flexible recipes, it’s easy to make meals go that bit further while saving you time and money.”This ethos is “what Every Bite is all about”, she said.Evelyn and the Wastebusters team will get the Every Bite programme underway on Tuesday May 6 at the Lake Wānaka Centre. Participants will get to enjoy a delicious dinner cooked by Evelyn, hear more about Every Bite, learn practical tips to keep on top of grocery shopping with minimal waste, and receive the resources to make a start at home.The programme costs $10 per person, including dinner, drinks and all the resources. All proceeds go to Wānaka Food Bank.Registrations for Every Bite can be made here.Every Bite is part of the Ministry for the Environment’s National Food Waste Reduction programme. The collaborative programme is being designed and delivered by Wastebusters and Zero Waste Aotearoa, with the support of members from both Zero Waste Aotearoa and Environment Hubs Aotearoa.PHOTO: Supplied

Otago Regional Council (ORC) ran three separate water-based programmes over summer, covering water quality monitoring across lakes and rivers, freshwater pest education and engagement and a boatie watercraft safety campaign around coastal and Central Otago. The separate summer programmes all registered positive levels of public engagement and understanding around the educational aspects of water health, personal boat safety and aquatic pest controls, ORC reported this week.ORC water quality scientist Helen Trotter said the summer recreational water quality monitoring programme, which ran from December to March, incorporated weekly testing. This was carried out at more than 30 river, lake and coastal sites across Otago to assess potential health risks from bacteria and toxic algae in waterways. “Water quality was generally suitable for swimming across Otago during summer- even if the weather was less than ideal at times,” Helen said.  In total the programme collected and analysed more than 450 water samples from over 30 sites. Helen said high bacteria counts at levels unsuitable for swimming were detected at 10 sites during the summer, representing about three percent of all samples collected. “For most sites this meant a single occurrence which was typically associated with rainfall in the surrounding catchment, immediately prior to the sampling,” she said.Helen said while no blooms were observed at the monitored river swim sites, toxic algae was confirmed at several other rivers sites across the region and listed on the ORC toxic algae notifications webpage. “In several cases, toxic algae observations were initially reported by members of the community which is a good sign people are engaging with the resources available on LAWA, via the ORC website.” “We encourage people to take an active interest in how to keep themselves, their pets and others in their communities safe,” she said. During the off-season LAWA will display the long-term grade for monitored swim sites which indicates the generally suitability of a site for swimming and other water-contact recreation. Water quality and conditions can change quickly at any time of the year. For advice on whether it’s recommended to swim, go to the swim smart checklist here. During the summer two Central Otago-based ORC ambassadors surveyed 320 recreational water users, from a total 830 interactions with members of the public.ORC environmental Implementation manager Libby Caldwell said while there had been some “solid” areas of awareness around the Check, Clean, Dry (CCD) campaign, to keep watercraft free of pests, there remained room for improvement – between those who were ‘aware’ (238 people, or 74 percent) of CCD and those ‘unaware’ (82 people, or 26 percent). While 35.3 percent of respondents used dishwashing liquid or hot water—both proven methods for removing pests—24.4 percent did not clean their watercraft at all or did so insufficiently, and 27.8 percent relied only on a water rinse.For drying, the majority (67.5 percent) correctly allowed their equipment to dry for more than 24 hours, while 32.5 percent dried it for less than the recommended time in total. Two-hundred and 72 respondents (85.3 percent) were able to list at least one freshwater pest. The most common freshwater pest named was Didymo, listed by 95.6 percent of the 272 respondents, followed by Lagarosiphon, at 47.4 percent. Libby said while it was encouraging people were well aware of Didymo and Lagarosiphon, they needed to recognise other pests not yet in the region such as the Gold Clam or Hornwort to help check their spread. “Thorough washing of watercraft and trailers and then drying for more than 24 hours is the best combatant,” she said.PHOTO: Wānaka App

The ‘roadmap’ for developing a vision and masterplan for Wānaka Airport will be presented to Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) councillors and the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board next week.On Tuesday (April 15), consultancy firm Egis NZ will meet with elected members for the first time as QLDC’s partner in developing future scenarios for Wānaka Airport.Egis is a global company with teams across New Zealand, offering sector expertise and advisory services. It manages 20 airports worldwide.QLDC strategic projects manager Paul Speedy said the Egis team brings valuable independence and relevant skills to the process.“The future of Wānaka Airport is recognised as something really important to the community, especially those in the Upper Clutha, many of whom work there or use the site for travel or leisure purposes,” he said.“We know conversations about that future have sometimes been challenging and airports are also really complex entities.“Both of these factors really underline why this scenario development needs to be independently facilitated, while engaging intently with the community and stakeholders.”At the briefing, Egis will outline its upcoming programme, including plans for community and stakeholder engagement, Paul said.A statement from Egis said Wānaka Airport is a vital link for the town, connecting it to the rest of New Zealand and the world.“Supporting over 11 businesses and employing around 250 people, the airport plays a key role in the local economy. As discussions about its future have evolved, a strategic vision is crucial.“This vision must be guided by an independent, expert-led process, incorporating meaningful community and stakeholder engagement, as well as specialist aeronautical expertise to assess options realistically.”More information will be made available about the programme as dates and activities are confirmed, Paul said.Wānaka Airport is owned by QLDC and operated by Queenstown Airport Corporation under a management services agreement. PHOTO: Esther Small

Central Otago District Council (CODC) is making preparations to hear Santana Minerals Fast Track Application for a Bendigo gold mine.Central Otago mayor Tamah Alley and councillor Sarah Browne were nominated at its meeting this week, and approved to respond to the application.Hearings panel expert Neil Gillespie has been appointed to the expert panel, given his significant experience.CODC planning and infrastructure group manager Louise van der Voort told the council they had experts ready to go in the hearing, and the Otago Regional Council was likely to have its own panel as well.She said the experts would be looking carefully at the rehabilitation of the land and conditions around compensation.Due to the significance of scale, the council was likely to get some expertise, and there had already been discussions with the regional council about it.In December, the new Fast Track Approvals Act (FTA) became law. The two projects listed in the FTA for Central Otago were the Bendigo-Ophir Gold project, and the Remarkables Ski Area Upgrade and Doolans Expansion. In her report, Louise said there had been some conversations with Matakanui Gold Limited/Santana Minerals Limited indicating an application would be received in the coming weeks for the Bendigo Ophir Gold project. Council was likely to engage specialists on landscape, ecology and acoustics. That would be reviewed once the application was received in late April.It was noted in the report, that there was limited ability for the public and stakeholders to be involved in the applications. “There is a high level of interest in a number of these projects from the community and desire to understand council’s position on the proposals,’’ Louise said.“While this level of interest is recognised, there is no legal ability for council to provide further opportunities for public participation beyond the specified steps in the Act.”PHOTO: Supplied

Road workers have been busy on Central Otago, Queenstown and Wānaka highways completing a variety of maintenance improvements in the lead-in to winter, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says.While the annual programme includes multiple reseal and road rehabilitation elements, it doesn’t stop there, NZTA Central Otago maintenance contract manager Peter Standring said.“Maintaining our roading network is a complex piece of work,” he said.Aspiring Highways crews, on behalf of NZTA, have also completed hours of painting, litter-picking, filling potholes, sign replacement, cleaning, rockfall prevention, tree-felling, road-kill removal and more.“All of this work is to ensure the safety of every road user as well as the efficiency of the network. Our crews are out on the road daily and take a real pride in the work they deliver,” Peter said.Tree removal at Makarora, next to SH6. The trees had been identified as a danger to the road and road users due to rot.This could involve cleaning reflector caps on edge markers or painting sight rails, trimming trees to improve sight lines at intersections or removing road-kill from the road.“Every possum or hedgehog has the potential to become a pothole if it isn’t removed in a timely fashion. When the remains break down and decay, the fats and oils soften the seal underneath, potentially creating a pothole.”Reflective material on signs is also cleaned or replaced regularly.“This is a very important but time-consuming job and not something many people will always notice or consider. All these smaller components add up to ensuring we are keeping people safe on the road throughout the year,” Pete said.He said some of the works result in slight delays or temporary lower speed limits. “We always appreciate the public’s patience when the team carry out these works,” he added.PHOTOS: NZTA

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has changed restrictions on outdoor fires and fireworks around Wānaka from Thursday April 10 until further notice.The Lakes and Glendhu Bluffs zones move from a prohibited to a restricted fire season, which means people can light open air fires if they have a permit authorised by FENZ. The fireworks ban in the Lakes zone has also been revoked."Lower temperatures and increased dew over the last fortnight have reduced the fire risk in these areas," FENZ Otago District acting manager Craig Geddes said."This means there is less dry vegetation readily available to burn. However, fires can start and spread year-round in our district, so restrictions on fires are still necessary.”Special risk zones will remain in a prohibited fire season. These areas are Lake Wānaka islands, Mt Iron, the Albert Town reserve, Queenstown, and Lake Wakatipu islands.People can apply for a permit and check the fire risk conditions in their area here. The website also provides advice on how to conduct controlled burns safely.PHOTO: Wānaka App

More than 100 young dancers from Wānaka and further afield are competing in a four-day dance competition at the Lake Wānaka Centre starting today (Friday April 11).This is the second annual Tititea Performing Arts Competition, described by organisers as a ‘celebration of dance’.The competition is organised by the Tititea Performing Arts Trust, who were keen to build on the success of last year’s event, founding trustee Leigh Cohen said.“We’re really excited to be bringing this event back to Wānaka for its second year,” Leigh said.“It means that local dancers can take part in a dance event with healthy competition, but without the usual many hours of travel and overnight accommodation. “At the same time, it encourages dancers and their families from outside the Upper Clutha to visit the area.”Organisers are expecting around 125 dancers to attend and there will be well over 600 performances from dancers across the four days.Organisers say there will be more than 600 performances across the four-day event.Leigh said that in addition to creating a Wānaka based dance competition, the event was also designed to promote wellbeing and learning for young dancers. This is part of the ethos of the Tititea Performing Arts Trust, which was formed by four local women in 2023 to encourage a love of performing arts in young people.“Dancers will receive plenty of feedback, support and guidance, and we are delighted to have acclaimed choreographer and performer Dr Sarah Foster-Sproull as our adjudicator for the event,” Leigh said.“She has already sent dancers some pre-recorded messages about how to prepare for the event, and we are delighted that she is staying on after the event to host a workshop.”Leigh thanked the volunteers, sponsors, local businesses, individuals and community organisations who had made the event possible.“We’re so grateful to our generous community.”PHOTOS: Supplied

Wānaka-based property investment company Roa has announced a joint venture partnership in its proposed Wānaka Health Precinct with Central Otago mana whenua interests.In May 2024 Roa revealed plans for a $300M privately funded project comprising a five-level hospital with four operating theatres, imaging services, a 24-hour emergency department and more than 70 inpatient, emergency, and post anaesthetic care beds.  Roa said the hospital would be at the heart of a broader “health precinct” which would include four offices for allied medical services such as consulting and treatment rooms, on-site parking, and ground level retail and hospitality opening out onto public pedestrian spaces.Puketeraki Limited and Te Runaka Ōtākou Limited have now entered into an agreement with Roa that is intended to support the wider interests of mana whenua, Roa announced on Thursday (April 10).Roa chief executive Mike Saegers told the Wānaka App the specifics of the joint venture partnership are “commercially sensitive”.“However, I can confirm the new partner will have an equity position,” he said.Roa said in a statement that the proposed Wānaka Health Precinct “will provide significant health and social infrastructure benefits for Wānaka and the Central Otago region”. “Puketeraki and Ōtākou acknowledge other mana whenua interests across rūnanga and will be inviting wider mana whenua interests to be represented in this partnership,” the statement said. The parties agree the Wānaka hospital and healthcare precinct “is vital to meeting the future needs of the area’s rapidly growing population”. “They recognise that the critical lack of healthcare access is a significant and growing issue for the people of Wānaka and Central Otago, and that action is needed now.”  An artist’s impression of Roa’s proposed health precinct at Wānaka’s Three Parks.The proposed health precinct at Three Parks is one of the key strategic health infrastructure projects included in the proposal to government for a Regional Deal for Otago Central Lakes, and the only one committed to starting site works this year. An application for resource consent was submitted to Queenstown Lakes District Council last year. Te Rūnaka Ōtākou Limited Chair Brett Ellison welcomed the agreement.“We are excited by the opportunity to tautoko this project and bring an intergenerational lens to the development of health infrastructure in our shared takiwā,” he said. “This is an inclusive opportunity for mana whenua to be a strategic partner to Roa who have recognised the value mana whenua provide when advancing strategic projects of this nature.” Mike called the agreement an “important milestone” towards improving access to healthcare services.“Both parties are intent on working together to improve public health outcomes, including expanding the scope of this project if necessary,” he said. Read more: Wānaka hospital plans remain on trackA ‘void’ in health care planning as private plans proliferatePHOTOS: Supplied

Lobby group Health Action Wānaka (HAW) will meet with representatives from Health NZ later this month, following the recent publication of HAW’s report on the health needs of the Upper Clutha community.The report - ‘Perception versus reality: the true state of healthcare in the Upper Clutha’ - published last week (April 2) highlighted significant unmet needs, systemic barriers, and a lack of strategic health planning.“We are looking forward to working constructively with Health NZ to address the many areas of unmet need documented in our report,” HAW steering committee chair Monique Mayze told the Wānaka App.The report was based on consultation with more than 300 members of the Upper Clutha community and health system stakeholders.Read more: Healthcare crisis for Upper Clutha - reportHealth NZ Te Waipounamu regional commissioner Chiquita Hansen told the Wānaka App the agency had “noted” the report but had “not yet had the opportunity to fully consider” it.“Catering for the needs of the growing population of the Central Otago region is an ongoing consideration for Health New Zealand in terms of what might be needed right now, and in the future, and how best to deliver those services,” she said.  “We are committed to working with community leaders, papatipu rūnanga, and experts to design, deliver, and commission sustainable services that meet the current and emerging healthcare needs of the local community.” HAW’s report identified a lack of strategic health planning for the Upper Clutha. PHOTO: SuppliedThe Wānaka App asked Health NZ what its response was to HAW's request of Health Minister Simeon Brown to introduce psychiatric consultations via telehealth within 12 months, deliver a publicly funded blood collection service in Wānaka within two years, and increase local access to publicly funded radiology services.Chiquita responded in general terms that Health NZ was “committed to improving access to rural healthcare services and ensuring ongoing financial sustainability for hospitals and trusts operating in our rural communities”.   She said Health NZ was actively using its Rural Health Strategy 2023 “to inform funding decisions”.“... we look forward to continuing to work together with Health Action Wānaka to achieve the desired outcomes for the local community,” Chiquita said.HAW and Health NZ will meet on April 24.

Wānaka’s Community Link says it is seeing an increase in demand for its services from a range of locals including two-parent working families, with a lot of locals “living week to week”.Community Link general manager Kate Murray said the increase in demand raises the question of what sort of community we want to create.“Do we want kids in the community to grow up [going cold],” she said.The local non-profit hopes to raise $60,000 with its ‘Cold Kids’ campaign, which is how much it estimates it will need this year to help the increasing number of local families unable to steadily cover winter heating costsIt’s not just about warm layers: WHO recommends a minimum temperature of 18 degrees within the home. PHOTO: SuppliedKate said the health effects of being cold put stress on the body, which can affect children’s ability to learn at school, among other negative effects. It’s not just about providing warm layers either - the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 18 degrees inside the home for physical health.Community Link has projected $60,000 for this year’s heating cost needs following a $45,000 spend last year and early signs of increased demand this winter.The organisation is keenly aware of the increasing number of people struggling to fund the cost of basic necessities.Use of the Community Link food bank, a helpful measure for need in the community, went up 21 percent this March compared to March 2024.More than 100 food parcels from Wānaka’s Food Bank were provided last month, demonstrating an increase in demand - and need - across multiple services. PHOTO: Community LinkThirteen new families who had never before needed the food bank’s services signed up in March and 111 food parcels were provided across the month - a “huge” number, Kate said.Kate said with a lot of locals in difficult financial positions the increase in demand for Community Link’s services “will likely keep on happening”.“We’re not out of the woods. With the cost of living, people are really struggling.”Community Link is not government-funded and it is calling on the local community to contribute to Cold Kids to help ensure every local family has a warm home this winter.All money donated to Cold Kids will go to households who have been assessed to have demonstrable need for support, which is provided either via firewood or a contribution to gas or electricity costs.Make a financial donation at the Community Link website or get in touch at 03 443 7749 if you would like to donate firewood or support the campaign in another way.PHOTO: Wānaka App