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

Three males were arrested for unlawful hunting at Lake Hāwea Station on Friday (April 4), which “serves as a strong message to hunters”, Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts says.“It is unacceptable to trespass on private property, [and] the aggravating factor is that poaching involves firearms,” Fi said. “Anyone poaching risks a conviction and losing their firearms licence privileges.”The three men appeared in Queenstown District Count on Monday (April 7) and have been remanded on bail to reappear on May 19.“Wānaka and Hāwea are small communities," Fi said. “Everyone knows everyone; poachers will be caught; and police will hold you to account.”Also last Friday, police arrested a 37-year-old man for cultivating cannabis and possession of cannabis. “He appeared in Queenstown District Court on [Monday April 7] and has been remanded to reappear on May 19,” Fi said.The Impairment Prevention Team (IPT) had a busy weekend with four excess breath alcohol readings, Fi said.“It is disappointing that people continue to drink alcohol and then choose to drive a vehicle.”A vehicle crash on the Crown Range Road which occurred during heavy rainfall last week is a “reminder to drivers to drive to the conditions”, Fi said.“Daylight savings has ended, the temperatures have dropped. Please drive to the conditions.”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

A Wānaka teenager is the fastest girl in Australasia thanks to her winning a gold medal at the Australian National Athletics Championships this week.Aspiring Athletics Club member and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) student Phoebe Laker (16) travelled with her mother Rebecca to Perth for the event on April 6-7.Phoebe won her first heat comfortably, easing up 60m out from the finish yet still recording a faster time (56.44s) than she did in winning the New Zealand National Champs in Dunedin in March.   In the final she won the Women’s U17 race in 53.87s - a personal best (PB) by 1.47s - and significantly ahead of the rest of the field (1.48s ahead of second place).Phoebe’s time was also 0.32s faster than the WU18 time.“We can rightly say that she is now the fastest 400m of girls aged 16 and under in Australasia,” AAC head coach Michael Beable said.“Phoebe is now unbeaten in all her 400m races, across New Zealand and Australia, for the last 27 months, and by very significant margins this season.”Michael said she ran the race “superbly well”.  “Basically, she ran the whole race on her own from the 50m mark, not seeing anybody else in the race from then onwards. That was the plan, of course, but it was so good to see her execute it so well, including her running posture and nice striding down the back straight, kicking for home at the right time, keeping her form to the finish.”Her new 400m time sets Otago records for girls aged 16-19. She now owns all the Otago 400m records for girls aged 13-19. She also has the Otago records for the 200m, for girls aged 16-18.Michael said it was "remarkable" that Phoebe had achieved this without access to a nearby all-weather surface to train on. Phoebe will now take a well-deserved rest after beginning her competition campaign back in October 2024.PHOTO: Supplied

Former Wānaka resident Don Grant has recently survived an aircraft crash, but he had made it a priority to get a message to the children of Wānaka primary school Te Kura o Take Karara, for whom he was a bus driver.Don’s wife Nicky told the Wānaka App this week that Don wants to let all the students know he’s OK.“He sends his love and wants to let them know he will come right eventually,” Nicky said.“He’s in the best place.”Don (60) is currently in ICU at Dunedin Hospital, where he has undergone a range of surgeries following the aircraft crash in the Dingle Burn Valley (near Lake Hāwea) on Saturday March 29.“He’s improving each day,” Nicky said.“He was beginning to talk yesterday and giving the nurses a hard time. It’s going to be a long haul for him.”Nicky said Don is “gutted” about his friend Ivan van de Water, who died in the crash.Don was cut from the wreckage of the aircraft and flown to Dunedin Hospital.Nicky said she had been “just amazed” at the support Don has had from the Wānaka community, including the Wānaka Airport. Don is chair of the Wānaka Airport Users Group.“So many people have been absolutely incredible, offering their help,” Nicky said.Warbirds Over Wānaka general manager Ed Taylor told the Wānaka App that Don had been volunteer manager at the 2024 airshow.“He was a great volunteer manager because he loves people - and he has aviation knowledge in spades.”Don is also a “relentlessly positive” person, Ed said.“If having a relentlessly positive attitude counts for anything then Don will pull through.”PHOTO: Supplied

The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Community Fund 2025-2026 is now open.The fund is for local groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations seeking funding that promotes wellbeing outcomes for people, places and communities.QLDC community partnerships manager Marie Day encouraged eligible groups to apply for one year of operational or project funding.“We welcome applications from new or established community groups and not-for-profit organisations across the district,” she said.“Successful past recipients have reflected the diversity of our community. “These include those working in social services, environmental protection, arts, culture, and heritage through recreational projects such as building tracks and trails.”Funding often supports the great work “of our tireless local volunteers”, she said.This year’s fund has a total pool of $180,000 available.“Priority will be given to initiatives that align closely with community needs and deliver strong local impact,” Marie said.Previous recipients have included one stop support and connection centre Community Link, food charity Food for Love and bike advocacy group Bike Wānaka.Applicants will have the optional opportunity to present their application to elected members in May.“This is a chance to provide additional context about your funding request and share the benefits of your work,” she said.Further funding opportunities from council are also now available, including the Events Fund and Heritage Incentive Grant.  In addition, QLDC’s Waste Minimisation Community Fund will open on April 14.Full information on funding criteria, key dates and how to apply is available here.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Wastebusters has created a 10-minute video about how far Slow Fashion Month has come since 2018.Slow fashion is a movement to slow down the pace of consuming clothing, which encourages people to repair what they own, buy pre-loved first, and invest in pieces made to last.In March Wastebusters celebrated Slow Fashion Month for the eighth year in a row with a range of events designed to inspire people to reconsider how they shop.The feedback, Wastebusters marketing and communications coordinator Catrin Smith said, has been “overwhelmingly positive”.“People have told us they left feeling inspired to buy less, get sewing, shop second hand first, or simply give their existing wardrobes more love.”She said one of the biggest shifts of this year was the number of young people wanting to get involved in Slow Fashion Month.“The next generation is already so aware of the impact of their fashion choices, and they’re not just comfortable wearing secondhand – they’re proud of it,” Catrin said. “It’s been inspiring for us to witness.”Catrin said the new video - created by Orla Ó Muirí - was created to celebrate how far Slow Fashion Month, which has grown ‘from an idea to a movement’, has come.“The idea behind it was to give ourselves and our community a moment to reflect,” Catrin said. “We're always looking forward, asking, what more can we do? But we felt it was just as important to pause and acknowledge how far this movement has already come. “The video is a way of saying thank you to everyone who has contributed to Wastebusters’ Slow Fashion Month – from designers and models to our incredible crew and wider community.” “Special thanks to [Queenstown Lakes District Council] zero waste district zero waste district programme for their support.”Watch ‘The Evolution of Wastebusters Slow Fashion’:PHOTO: Wastebusters

The Upper Clutha Rugby Club’s premier side, the Rams, made it three wins from as many games in the Central Otago Premier Rugby Competition with a 59-28 win over Cromwell on Saturday (April 5).The sides entertained a good crowd at the Upper Clutha Rugby Club running in 13 tries between them.“It was tough this week as we lost a lot of players. We’ve had so many injuries,” Rams’ head coach Alex Dickson said.“Definitely happy with the result.”Cromwell dominated early possession in the match but could not contain the Rams when they had ball in hand. The Rams scored four converted tries to skip out to a 28-14 lead at the half time break.Three more Rams’ tries early in the second half put the result beyond doubt.For the Rams, halfback Caleb Dixon was impressive behind the pack, scoring three tries and clearing the ball well. Fullback Henry Schikker, in his fiftieth match for the premier side, made the most of his opportunities with a number of elusive runs.In the forwards lock Andrew Horne continued to impress with his physicality.This was a good result for the Rams given the disruption to the playing side in the lead up to the match. Coach Alex Dickson will be concerned about the midfield’s defensive effort - an area Cromwell exploited on numerous occasions.“We’ve got the bye next week and then Easter off,” Alex said. “We hope to get a lot of guys back after Easter.”The Rams next match is on Saturday April 26 against Matakanui Combined in Omakau.Rams’ pointscoreresTries: Caleb Dixon (3), Henry Schikker (2), Sean Murray, Brady Kingan, Arthur Boutillier, Joel Turnbull Conversions: Brady Kingan (6), Brody FlanneryIn other matches:Arrowtown 21-32 AlexandraMatakanui 21-45 WakatipuTable:TABLE: Tribe App

An incredible week of the arts has come to a close with the curtains now drawn on the Wānaka Festival of Colour 2025.The festival brought world-class performers, artists and academics to Wānaka with more than 60 events between March 29 and April 6.The Wānaka App attended as many events as it could from the jam-packed schedule covering theatre, cabaret, music, comedy, dance, kōrero, visuals arts and community events.We had plenty of favourites.Circus sensation Cirque Alfonse brought their show Animal to Wānaka, which Tony said was “clever and highly entertaining”, ticking all the boxes of an exceptional circus performance.He marvelled at the cast's many talents, with individual performers serving as musicians, singers, acrobats, dancers and entertainers all in one.Maddy and Tony both attended the Trick of the Light Theatre’s The Suitcase Show - billed as an eclectic box set of short stories.It was “imaginative, playful and completely unexpected” according to Maddy, and impressed Tony with its innovative series of plots and clever use of a sparse set.In a rare sign of an excellent show, Tony said it got better and better every time he thought back to it, noting more intricacies and details that made it so special.Maddy attended Dirty Passports, an evening of young BIPOC storytellers performing across spoken word, music and comedy. Standouts included musical duo and opening act Ersha Island, who delivered a moody performance on violin, keyboard and vocals, and comedian Janeye Henry - “a delight” - who opened the second half, lightening the mood and delivering plenty of venue-filling laughs.Tony said An Evening Without Kate Bush - ‘a cult cabaret paying tribute to Kate Bush’ - was “hilariously funny, engaging, interactive, brilliantly presented and very special”.Last but not least on our list of favourites was Hāwea Flat resident Anna Shaw’s play Stuck In the Middle With You, about Anna’s time with her husband Rick in MIQ during the Covid-19 pandemic.Tony described our sentiments on it well: “A clever slice of life, reminding us of the challenges posed to travellers during the Covid pandemic,” he said. “It strips us back to our basic humanity: food, companionship, hope.”Thank you to the Festival of Colour team, performers, volunteers, supporters and everyone else involved for yet another great festival.PHOTO: Deanna Gerlach

Glenorchy resident and Shaping Our Future executive officer John Glover has announced he will run for mayor of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) at this year’s local body elections in October.John made the announcement, the first of its kind for this election, “in response to the many enquiries I’ve received around my intentions for the upcoming election”, he said.John has previously stood unsuccessfully for the QLDC in 2013, 2019, and in a by-election in 2023.John said relationships between QLDC and its key stakeholders “are broken”. “There needs to be a ‘hard reset’ to change that, restore community confidence and return the balance of power back to communities via their elected representatives,” he said.“I will campaign to restore openness and trust, and hope to partner with candidates who also seek to restore a functioning democracy in this district.”John’s proposed policies include inviting a “crown observer” to investigate and report on QLDC’s management of risk, its governance and financial probity around the Shotover Wastewater treatment plant, the Lakeview development, Queenstown’s proposed new civic building Project Manawa, and Queenstown’s arterial road construction.He said he would establish a working group of Upper Clutha community stakeholders “to identify changes that should be made to support ‘one district’ council policies and operations”.He also said he would ensure that all council workshops would be public and live-streamed online unless there were exceptional reasons for excluding the public; amend standing orders to remove the discretion of the mayor to require in-person attendance to speak at public forums; provide procedural changes around the use of a casting vote, and include Notice of Councillor Motions and “any other business” on council agendas “to encourage councillors to actively set the direction of QLDC”.John would undertake a review of how QLDC should store and publish information, he said, “in order to enable speedier and fuller compliance with information requests from councillors and the public”; establish a quasi-independent Information Office to assist those requesting information and monitor the fullness of responses to requests.He also proposed a standalone review of QLDC’s significance and engagement policy “so councillors can readily establish, on the community’s behalf, issues where consultation is expected and how that should be undertaken”.Finally, he proposed that any new civic building for Queenstown be located in the Frankton area to make it more accessible to residents of the Upper Clutha, Arrowtown, Shotover & Jacks Point/Hanley Farm.“Trust is something that is earned, and we don’t need another expensive consultants’ report to place a spin on uncomfortable realities: that’s so symptomatic of the problem,” he said.“We just need to make the necessary changes. Success will be when the community has our back, rather than being on our back.”Local body elections will take place from September 22, 2025.PHOTO: Supplied

A Maungawera Valley farmer has created a unique local attraction in his paddock, in the hope it will be used as a fun activity and fundraising opportunity.Murray Gibson enlisted the help of Andy Craig (a maize seed importer and farm machinery salesman from Alexandra) to design the maze, which includes six checkpoints for people to find.“I’ve always wanted to do a maize maze,” Andy told the Wānaka App.He had seen such mazes in South Canterbury which had been used annually for school fundraisers.“I wanted to do something I could cover my costs from but could give back to the schools. And something that’s affordable,” he said.Things have got very high tech in farming, Andy said, as the process for designing and creating the maze shows.He found a European company to create a tractor design for the maze, which was then uploaded to the John Deere operation centre. From there it was uploaded to the farmer’s precision planter; when the planter moves along it turns itself on and off in response to the design.Andy’s initial cost estimate of $1,000 blew out to $6,000 (including the cost of growing the maize, which will later be cut for silage).An aerial view of the maize tractor maze. The cost of creating the design, advertising and running the attraction make the venture “a long game”, he said.Andy said they will create another maze next year, as well as a smaller sweet corn maze for younger children.Andy’s partner Melissa Dodds said the maze has had good community support so far, and she, Andy, and Murray have “really enjoyed watching the families that have completed it come out smiling and knowing they have had a good time”. “Some families have even made it a competition,” she said.Melissa said the maze has hosted birthday party groups and Holy Family School did it as a fundraiser on Saturday (April 5). The maze will also be used as a family reunion activity during Easter, and Andy and Melissa are planning an Easter egg hunt on Good Friday (for which people will need to prebook on the Maize Maze Facebook page).Find the maize at 393 Maungawera Road. The cost is $20 per adult, free for children under 10, and $10 for children older than 10. It is open Saturday and Sunday from 2pm until the last group finishes, with morning sessions available for fundraising and private events. PHOTOS: Supplied

Fourteen young Wānaka basketball players will attend the South Island Primary Basketball Tournament in Rangiora this coming Easter, the fourth time a team has attended from Wānaka.Aspiring Basketball Academy coach Beth Mackie said her goal this year is for the Wānaka team of year 7-8 players to finish in the top half of the pool.“Every year is different but it's our first tournament of the year so a good starting block. It gives the kids an opportunity to see how much of a bubble we live in and how talented kids their age in other regions are,” she said.“It’s great exposure for kids from a small town.” This was the first time only boys were attending the tournament as half the girls’ team had other plans for Easter weekend, Beth said.The 3x3 format on Friday nights draws more than 90 young people. PHOTO: Wānaka AppA former professional Scottish basketball player who set up the Wānaka academy in 2022, Beth has seen a dramatic increase in the sport’s popularity locally.Read more: Pro basketballer sets up local academyWhen she established the academy it attracted 36 young people in the first term.This term there are 80 players (30 of them girls) training weekly.There are also more than 90 young people competing in the popular 3x3 basketball format each Friday from 3.30-7.30pm.Wānaka players at a previous South island tournament. PHOTO: SuppliedBeth puts that down to the academy spotlighting a new sport for kids to try, as well as the success of some locals in the sport.“We have six or seven athletes who have gone off to Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland on scholarships or for basketball specifically and are succeeding there,” she said. “We are now averaging eight to 12 players each year making Otago Representative teams.”Last year four athletes from Wānaka (two boys and two girls) were called up for the New Zealand South Island Camp for trials for the national team. The South Island Primary Basketball Tournament will take place in Rangiora from April 18-20. Beth said the tournament gives local players “the inspiration to dig in to their training” before the next tournament in June or July.

Enthusiastic olive growers in Central Otago have marked Saturday May 17 as the date when their careful pruning, watering, fertilising and harvesting will seem worthwhile.Approximately 30 growers, who have anywhere between five and 50 trees on their properties, will bring up to 300 kilograms of freshly picked olives to a Community Press Day.Growers will see the olive press in action and be rewarded with low-cost 250ml bottles of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) proportional to the weight of their olives that go through the press.“The day has become really popular among the numerous lifestyle property owners across the district who would otherwise have an olive crop which is uneconomic to process,” Central Otao Olive Growers (COOG) chair Michael Hope said.“With the price of high-quality extra virgin olive oil reaching up to $100 a litre because of the worldwide shortage of the crop, these hobby growers love the opportunity to get some locally grown product in their kitchen, the fruit for some of which may have come from their own back yard.”Central Otago’s hot, arid summers and dry winters combined with a plentiful water supply from the Clutha/Mata-Au River means olive growers can bring more than 30 kilograms to the community press, Michael said.On the day they’ll be able to watch the olive pressing as hosts Steve and Olivia Morris of Olive Press Central Otago supervise the crushing of the harvested olives. After that the olives will sit while the oils and natural juices seep out, a process called “malaxation.” The oil will then be separated and filtered before bottling and distributed to COOG members or sold to the public through local markets.All Central Otago olive growers are welcome on the day whether or not they are COOG members.Michael encouraged growers to join COOG and “become part of a sociable passionate and supportive group with one thing in common – olives”.The Community Press Day will take place on Saturday May 17, from 10.30am to 2pm, at 125 Smiths Way, Pisa, Cromwell. Registrations can be made to COOG ([email protected]). The cost for the day is $20 for COOG members or $40 for non-members.

Wastebusters is calling out for volunteers to join its Repair Revolution event next month.Taking place on Sunday May 11 at the Wānaka Community Workshop and Fabricate, the event is all about giving well-loved items a second chance and keeping them out of landfill.Volunteers are essential to making it all happen, event organiser Celine Van Der Eecken said.Last year alone Repair Revolution volunteers fixed over 300 items, with skilled fixers working on everything from small electricals and bikes to camping gear, shoes, film, bags, clothing, toys, and even small furniture. Celine said Wastebusters was now looking for volunteers for next month’s event."Our volunteer repairers are simply awesome,” she said. “It's a privilege to see their dedication to helping others, and there’s something special about watching them connect with people over a shared love of repair.”“We have our dedicated regulars who return year after year, and we always welcome newcomers with open arms. “It’s great to see new faces joining in, with the regular crew making them feel right at home."She said anyone is welcome - whether they’re a seasoned professional or just looking to lend a hand.The Repair Revolution will take place on Sunday May 11 from 10am-2pm.Find more information or sign up as a volunteer here.PHOTO: Wastebusters

Budding netballers throughout Central Otago are benefitting from expert tuition this week.The Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel team is embarking on its ‘Steel Roadie’ and it will host coaching sessions in Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell and Alexandra.Steel defender Abby Lawson said she was excited to hit the road.“It’s a chance to give back to the grassroots game where all of our sporting careers started,” Abby said.“There’s something really special about all of the community engagements we do throughout the season.”Southern Steel is the face of southern netball in New Zealand and it represents Southland and Otago at the ANZ Premiership.Abby said visiting young netballers is a great way to give back.“And from a team perspective, it’s a great opportunity to spend more time together away from the court and continue building those strong bonds which is so important as the season approaches.”Netball South relationship manager community lead Rita Coe said the Southern Steel’s presence in Central Otago always proved popular.“The response has been fantastic. We now have three of our four sessions maxed out and it will be such a neat experience for all of the participants to learn from our Steel players,” she said.Steel assistant coach Liana Leota will share her extensive knowledge of the game with a CCA2 Coaching Workshop in Wānaka, while Netball South performance umpire lead Colleen Bond will run workshops for both senior and junior officials.The Steel was Queenstown with the Wakatipu Netball Centre yesterday (Friday April 4) and Wānaka on today (Saturday April 5) with Netball Upper Clutha.Players will attend Alexandra Primary School’s 7-aside tournament this afternoon. On Sunday (April 6), they will host sessions for the Central Otago Netball Centre in both Cromwell and Alexandra.PHOTO: Supplied

Why Every Business Needs a Shareholders’ Agreement As the financial year draws to a close, now is the perfect time to review your company’s foundational documents. Among these, a Shareholders’ Agreement stands out as a crucial tool for businesses with multiple shareholders. A well drafted Agreement is an important safeguard to ensure smooth company operations and mitigate potential disputes.What is a Shareholder’s Agreement? A Shareholders’ Agreement is a private contract among a company’s shareholders, setting out their rights, responsibilities, and expectations. It governs not only the relationship between shareholders, but also their interactions with the company itself. The goal of a Shareholders’ Agreement is to minimise uncertainty by setting out clear rules for decision making, funding, and ownership changes. Shareholders’ Agreements are particularly useful for privately held businesses, start-ups, and family run companies, where relationships and financial interests are closely intertwined. Unlike the publicly accessible company constitution registered with the Companies Office, this agreement remains confidential, allowing shareholders to address specific concerns and arrangements discreetly. Many business owners overlook the importance of a shareholder’s agreement when starting out, only to face unexpected challenges later. While it is best to have one in place from the outset, it is never too late to draft and implement an agreement to protect your businesses interests. Key Provisions in a Shareholders Agreement A well-crafted shareholders agreement typically covers:Decision Making Processes: Clarifies how decisions are made, specifying which require unanimous consent and which can be decided by a majority.Board Composition: Details the appointment and removal procedures for directors, ensuring alignment with shareholder’s interests.Share Transfer Protocols: Establishes guidelines for selling or transferring shares, including rights of first refusal for existing shareholders.Dividend Policies: Outlines how and when profits are distributed among shareholders.Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: Provides a framework for resolving disagreements, potentially incorporating mediation or arbitration clauses.Exit Strategies: Provides a framework for what happens when a shareholder wants to leave the company, no longer has capacity, or passes away. This is crucial for ensuring business continuity and avoiding conflicts over succession planning.Non-Compete and Confidentiality Clauses: To help protect the company’s interests by preventing shareholders from engaging in competitive business or disclosing sensitive information outside of the company.Is a Shareholders’ Agreement Really Necessary? Yes! While not legally mandated in New Zealand, having a Shareholders’ Agreement is highly advisable for companies with multiple shareholders. Without it, disputes can lead to operational deadlocks, jeopardising the company’s stability. This agreement serves as a preventative measure, offering clarity and reducing the likelihood of conflicts. Conclusion Implementing a Shareholders’ Agreement is a proactive step toward safeguarding your company’s future. It ensures that all shareholders are on the same page, providing a solid foundation for decision making and conflict resolution. If your company needs advice on drafting a Shareholder Agreement, our Wanaka based team at Checketts McKay is here to help. Contact our Wānaka office today to discuss your options.17 Dunmore Street, Wānaka

Hundreds of Māori and Pacific Island people in Southland and Otago who are aged 55 – 64 years old will once again be covered for the flu vaccine this year, after WellSouth Primary Health Network confirmed funding. Persons aged 65 and over or people who have long-term medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, or a heart condition and/or long-term mental health conditions are already eligible for a free vaccination.When government funding for free flu vaccines for 55–64-year-olds ended in 2023, before winter, WellSouth stepped in to ensure Māori and Pacific people aged 55 years and up in Otago and Southland are eligible for a free flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is available now. WellSouth clinical director Dr Carol Atmore said WellSouth was proud to close that critical age gap.“Māori and Pacific people experience a greater illness burden than NZ European people and often live in multi-generational households, with older family members often caring for young children. This small service is one way to protect and support the whole whānau,” she said. “This funding covers approximately 1,000 people in Otago and Southland, and we hope to build on the uptake from previous years, encouraging Pasifika and Māori aged 55 years plus to get the flu vaccine. “You can get your flu jab at your general practice medical centre, a local pharmacy or get in touch with your kaupapa Māori provider or Pasifika community healthcare provider as they run vaccination clinics throughout autumn and winter.” For those not eligible for a free flu vaccine it can cost between $25 and $45. “Whether you are eligible for a free vaccine or not, I strongly encourage everyone to get their flu vaccine – and their Covid booster if they are eligible – to keep ahead of getting sick this winter and do their bit for the community,” Carol said.PHOTO: Supplied

Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes will get increased representation on the Otago Regional Council (ORC) board, the Local Government Commission (LGC) has confirmed.Late last year ORC voted to add an extra seat to the Dunstan ward, which covers Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago, and reduce the number of seats in the Dunedin ward by one.Following separate appeals by two district councils, Dunedin City Council (DCC) and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), the LGC have confirmed the arrangement, which provides “certainty”, ORC chair Gretchen Robertson said.“The outcome is positive,” Gretchen said. “ORC’s focus remains on ensuring good representation right across Otago to ensure all communities, rural and urban, are fairly represented.”The LGC also confirmed the status quo of a total 12 councillors over four wards will be retained.This will be broken down into five councillors for the Dunedin ward, one for the Moeraki ward, two for the Molyneux ward and four for the Dunstan ward.DCC had lodged an appeal to retain six seats while QLDC’s appeal said the region would be better served with a fifth ‘Upper Lakes’ ward covering Queenstown, Frankton, Wānaka, and Cromwell.Otago Regional Council’s 12 current councillors.QLDC had argued a fifth ward would more fairly represent the growing population in the area.In its decision, the LGC said it acknowledged population growth, “specifically in the Queenstown Lakes”.However it had “qualms” about where it would leave the Dunstan ward and “whether the residual Dunstan [ward] would receive more effective representation through electing one member compared to…four members”.A four-member constituency “enhances the chance” of representation for the Dunstan ward, the LGC said.The LGC also noted that the population growth in Queenstown Lakes means that “eventually a [ward] comprising solely Queenstown-Lakes District will be statistically viable”.The new representation arrangements will be in place for the elections in October this year.Find more information about the LGC decision here.PHOTOS: ORC

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has opened its annual events funding round for people looking to organise events that benefit the community.The 2025-2026 Events Fund is open to both commercial and community-level events.QLDC arts and events relationship manager Jan Maxwell said the council is proud to support a range of events across the district through the annual events fund.“The events we support help celebrate our district and boost community wellbeing,” she said.“The funding criteria supports events that are committed to environmental sustainability, economic impact, event diversity, and positive community benefits.“This year we’ll continue to focus on events’ environmental sustainability and will prioritise funding for applicants that are taking steps toward better waste reduction and the minimisation of carbon emissions.“We’re looking forward to seeing applications from new and existing events this year.”Last year 20 events received funding.They included the Wānaka A&P Show, Arrowtown Autumn Festival, Queenstown Multicultural Festival, Wānaka Festival of Colour, Queenstown Marathon, Wao Summit, and a wide range of large and small events.  Applications for the QLDC Events Fund will close on April 30. They will be reviewed in May and successful applicants will be notified in July.Full information on funding criteria, key dates and how to apply is available on the council website here.PHOTO: Supplied