Wastebusters is on the hunt for designers and models to take part in next year’s Refashion Show.The organisation’s Refashion Shows feature repurposed and sustainably sourced outfits, modelled by locals.They celebrate designs that tell a story of sustainability and style, Wastebusters event coordinator Abi Hurford-Abel said.“This is the most supportive, fun platform for anyone interested in slow fashion,” Abi said.“Whether you’re a seasoned designer or someone who’s just created your first upcycled piece, we’d love to see your work. “You don’t need to have a business, you don’t need a massive portfolio - just bring your vision and passion for sustainable style.”All previous Refashion Shows have sold out.Designers will benefit from incredible brand exposure, a platform to present their work, and the support of a passionate community, Abi said.Models, whether new to the runway or experienced, are also encouraged to participate, she said. No professional credentials are required, “just enthusiasm, confidence and a love for sustainable fashion”, Abi said. “This event is all about having fun and making a statement.“It’s an exciting environment where everyone can shine and prove that slow fashion is not just sustainable - it’s incredibly stylish,” she said.Interested designers and models can email Abi directly at [email protected] with a brief description of their design or model interest and their contact information. The Wastebusters Refashion Show will take place on Thursday March 20, 2025, at the Lake Wānaka Centre.PHOTO: Orla Ó Muirí

Otago Community Trust (OCT) granted $747,956 in grants in its October funding round.Local grants included $30,000 for the Alpine Community Development Trust (Community Link) and $10,000 for the Wānaka Rowing Club.The Community Link funding would support its “crucial” food security programme, OCT said.The OCT is a philanthropic organisation which provides grants to organisations, events and initiatives which are of benefit to the Otago community.Each month it provides grants to worthy projects.A range of other groups and initiatives around the region - covering youth development, historic preservation and food security - received significant support in the funding round.A cornerstone grant of $200,000 was awarded to the Lawrence Chinese Camp Charitable Trust for stage one ground works of its historic restoration project. The October funding round also placed significant emphasis on youth development, including Otago youth programmes, a school-based bike programme, and a Pacific festival in Dunedin.Completing the October funding round, the Arts Capability partnership with Dunedin City Council distributed $34,789 across eight organisations, supporting various capability-building projects including website upgrades, workshops, and strategic planning initiatives.PHOTO: Supplied

The first group of riders for Natural Selection Bike has been confirmed, including a host of the world’s best mountain bikers.Natural Selection Bike will be held on Mt Dewar in Queenstown on February 15, 2025, where the Elevate Trail Building team is working to create a world class mountain bike course.The first rider announcement includes 13 riders who prequalified from six countries. The competition features a men’s and women’s division and will combine the three most dynamic disciplines in mountain biking: Downhill, Slopestyle, and Freeride.One of New Zealand’s top female mountain bikers, Queenstown’s Vinny Armstrong, is the first Kiwi named to compete, with more expected to be named in the second lineup in January.“It’s so cool to have an event like this coming to our backyard,” Vinny said. “The rider lineup is really strong, there are some amazing athletes set to compete and the track is looking epic so it’s going to be a great event.”The men’s lineup includes: Dylan Stark USA, Bienvenido Aguado Alba SPN, Carson Storch USA, Nicholi Rogatkin USA, Thomas Genon BEL, Reed Boggs USA, Johny Salido MEX, and Kurtis Downs USA; and the women’s includes: Cami Nogueira ARG, Casey Brown CAN, Vinny Armstrong NZL, Vaea Verbeeck CAN, and Barb Edwards USA.Event director Sophie Luther said she was thrilled to see such a strong athlete lineup for the inaugural event. “Natural Selection Bike is set to be one of the biggest global mountain bike events in 2025 and these athletes are the world’s best,” she said. “The track is looking epic and it’s going to make for an amazing event in February. We’re urging mountain bike and sports fans to grab their tickets as the event will sell out.”Formerly known as Proving Grounds, the competition is now part of the Natural Selection Tour, which is expanding from its snowboarding roots to include mountain biking, surfing, and skiing.The event will also include a ‘Dream Ticket’ qualifier at the world famous Dream Track in central Queenstown on February 7, which will give local talent the opportunity to compete for four spots at the main event.

Wānaka Rowing Club sent a squad of 17 developing juniors and seven masters to the Meridian Otago Champs, held at Lake Ruataniwha, this month (December 14-15).There were 1,157 competitors racing, and the weather on Saturday presented challenging conditions for all, but the Wānaka Rowing Club made 11 A finals and seven B finals - with some notable performances.Wānaka junior rowers competed in the 2,000m - one of the most physically demanding efforts in the world of sport, with Pieta Craig making the A final in the Girls’ U18 single sculls, joined by Chantel Thurston for A Final in the Girls’ U18 Double Sculls. The novice boys crew of Douglas Wise, Lachlan Hay, MacKenzie Hay, and Tyler Gawn, coxed by Emily Hunt, had a successful regatta making A Finals in both Men’s Novice Quad and Four. A highlight of the weekend was seeing Emma Throne, Milly Stuart, Chantel Thurston, and Casey Howard, coxed by Emily Hunt, win their B Final Women’s Novice coxed four by clear water.Many junior rowers raced singles for their first time and competed well, while Wānaka assistant coaches Annie Wells and Philip Massey helped rowers on and off the water. Chelsea Lodge and Vic Schutte took out the Women’s Masters Double Sculls and were then joined by Sandra Read and Kirsty Moran for another win in the Women’s Masters Four. The Women’s Masters Quad Sculls of Vic Schutte, Kirsty Moran, Sandra Read, and Lizzie Ritchie placed a very close second to Union Rowing Club.Coach Angus Todd teamed up with club captain Tristan Hughes to place fourth in the Men’s Masters Double Sculls.Wānaka Rowing Club junior crews are now fundraising to get to the MAADI Cup, Karapiro, in March. If anyone is looking for a fit and motivated work crew to do yard and property work, please contact: [email protected]. PHOTO: Supplied

Cardrona Alpine Resort plans to expand the Pines Carpark, adding to the suite of upgrades it is undertaking.The ski area has submitted a resource consent application to significantly expand the carpark - located approximately one kilometre up the Cardrona access road - and replace the temporary buildings on-site with a permanent building.The new building, Cardrona said, would have “improved weather protections and toiletry facilities”, and the expanded carpark would be able to accommodate 420 vehicles.Cardrona said this would “improve visitor experience and transportation options”.It “…will allow more people to utilise shared modes of transport [and] the proposal is effectively increasing the existing park ‘ride services”. Cardrona’s base complex is also getting an upgrade.Plans were approved in October for a 619m2 building with retail services on the ground floor and food and beverage facilities upstairs.The existing retail and administration building will be demolished to make way for the new one.There are also changes to the ski field itself in the works.The ski area is developing a new chairlift and ski runs in the Soho Basin which, together with the Willows Basin, make up the Soho Ski Area.Earmarked to open for winter 2025, the new six-seater chairlift will service around 150ha of terrain. PHOTO: Cardrona Alpine Resort

This month New Zealand is marking a milestone in angling history: the 150th anniversary of the nation’s first licensed freshwater sports fishing season.On December 1, 1874, the Otago Acclimatisation Society (the forerunner to Otago Fish & Game Council) launched the three-month trout fishing season, laying the foundations for a Kiwi tradition of freshwater angling.On that first opening day, Alexander Campbell Begg cast his line in the Water of Leith, Dunedin, and made history by catching the first legal trout under licence in New Zealand.That day, Mr Begg basketed 20 fish weighing 13lb (almost 6kg), all caught on the fly, historical records show.What began in Otago has grown into a popular national pastime today with more than 130,000 anglers each year heading to New Zealand’s rivers, lakes, and streams.“While rods and reels may have changed, the core experience endures — the pursuit of an elusive fish with a fly, lure or bait,” Otago Fish & Game chief executive Ian Hadland said.“Freshwater angling is deeply embedded in our national identity. For generations, angling has connected Kiwis to a shared passion to escape into nature, reflect and unwind, enjoy each other’s company, and bring home fish for the table.”The anniversary was not only a celebration of sporting history but also a testament to anglers’ enduring commitment to conservation, Ian said.Securing a licence in 1874 cost one pound — equivalent to about $160 today — for access to Otago waters for three months. In comparison, today an adult whole-season fishing licence, covering most of the country for 12 months, costs slightly less.The licensing system remains central to Fish & Game’s efforts to manage freshwater fisheries across most of New Zealand, and to protect and enhance freshwater ecosystems. Anglers’ licences fund vital conservation programmes, habitat restoration projects, and water quality monitoring.“Looking back on the last 150 years, we are proud of the unbroken history of fisheries management for people to enjoy, and the benefits that has brought to the environment,” Ian said.“We encourage all New Zealanders to celebrate this anniversary by casting a line, exploring a nearby river, or simply appreciating the beauty of our natural environment.”

Hot days and less rainfall than usual are on the cards for Wānaka’s summer - but not until next month, according to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA).NIWA meteorologist Seth Carrier told the Wānaka App a move to the La Niña weather pattern will mean dry conditions for the lower South Island.“What we’re likely to see as the summer progresses is we’re into a La Niña direction, that tends to mean we get more rainfall in the top of the North and South Island, but we tend to try to get dryer conditions in the west coast and lower South Island,” he said.As for this weekend, Seth said this Saturday (December 28) could potentially be “pretty warm”, but that is likely to be short-lived.A possible front on Saturday (December 28) may bring showers and a thunderstorm which could continue into Sunday.“Potentially early next week, including New Year’s Eve, could be looking at pretty good weather around that time,” he said.But, he said, New Year’s Eve temperatures might be “a little bit cooler than average for that time of the year and New Year’s Day [could be] average or a little bit cooler than average”.“Things are a little bit up in the air in early January,” he added, with unsettled weather and showers expected.But in the second half of January and later into February Wānaka is likely to have a decreased chance of rainfall, Seth said.“It doesn’t mean no rainfall at all - but less rainfall than usual.”El Niño and La Niña (collectively known as El Niño-Southern Oscillation) have a significant impact on New Zealand’s climate, but they account for less than 25 percent of the year-to year variance in seasonal rainfall and temperature at most locations. PHOTO: Wānaka App

Base Streetwear owner Chris Walsh said he’s “pretty stoked” to be celebrating 25 years in business in Wānaka.Base is 25 years old today (December 24), as it started on Christmas Eve 1999 on the corner of Helwick and Dunmore Streets.The store is now one of the oldest in Wānaka, Chris said, and “one of the longest standing streetwear stores in New Zealand”.“We’re proud of this achievement,” he told the Wānaka App.Chris celebrating the milestone with staff.“We are very proud to have been a part of the Wānaka community for so many years and a destination store for many visitors.”Chris said Base, which has a range of top labels including many New Zealand brands, has always tried to create a fun shopping environment for both customers and staff.“We love what we do… we’re pretty stoked to have made it this far as a stand alone business in Wānaka.”Chris shared his top tips to survive in retail: “Love what you do; Look after your team and customers; Have fun at work; and be consistent and the best you can be”.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Writing as L A Joye, Wānaka author Lauren Sleeman has released an historical murder mystery set in Southland. Wrongdoings involves a small-town murder during the privations and losses of wartime in New Zealand.Lauren was born in Southland and is proud of her southern roots.  “I wanted to write an easy-to-read story of my beloved birth province Southland, a story which encompassed old-school, colloquial Southern humour and history,” she said. “With this in mind, I chose one of my favourite genres, crime fiction, with a flawed lead character who, like many men of this era, endeavoured to contribute to society while suffering under the shadow of the ‘Great War’, World War 1.” The main character, Detective Inspector John MacBride, has his demons due to the after-effects of WWI. He’s ready to retire when a saxophonist from a visiting US Marines jazz band is found murdered on the banks of the Ōreti River.The detective faces hostility, red herrings and the Marine’s bullish commanding officer determined to protect the reputation of the US Marines at all costs. Can he discover the truth about what happened to the Marine who left behind more than just stories of contraband activities and a string of broken hearts across Southland? “I selected the year 1943 because it was a significant year in southern history with the tragedy of the Hyde rail disaster,” Lauren said. The cover of Wrongdoings.Between 1942 to 1944, United States servicemen were stationed in New Zealand, bringing about an economic boom and “a certain intrigue”, Lauren said, especially for young Kiwi women - which resulted in marriages for approximately 1,500 US servicemen. “Several themes of the story also reflect my work as a psychotherapist,” she said. “The phenomenon of narcissism would not have been as evident in the 1940s as it is now, but narcissistic individuals can and do cause great harm, no matter the era. Likewise, PTSD known in the 1940s as shellshock, along with domestic abuse and violence are also perpetual problems in society which frequently remain hidden. Consensual sex versus rape is another issue alluded to in the story.” Lauren’s earlier books were mythological fiction, incorporating the insights and experience she gained in her work as a Jungian psychotherapist. After spending some years living in both Sydney and Auckland, she moved back to her childhood holiday home in Wānaka where she writes fulltime. The paperback edition of Wrongdoings is available to order from bookshops nationwide through Relish Books.PHOTOS: Supplied

Local junior touch rugby is enjoying a serious growth spurt, as player numbers have increased and development teams are now representing Wānaka in regional competitions.Junior touch reached a significant milestone this season when local U12 and U14 girls and boys teams represented Wānaka at events held in Queenstown, Winton, Oamaru and Christchurch.In the past. junior touch rugby players were selected to play under a generic Otago banner, meaning multiple trips to Dunedin for selection, training and games. This year, for the first time, Otago Touch agreed to hold trials in Wānaka, and those selected played in a Wānaka team.“This was a huge step forward for the touch community,” girls’ U12 co-coach Kirsten Wyatt said.“We have really had to push the boundaries to be recognised as a singular entity, no longer under the banner of Otago.”More than 70 children, from ages 8 -13, participated in the trials held in mid September in Wānaka and four development teams were chosen to represent Wānaka: U12 Girls, U12 Boys, U14 Girls and U14 Boys.Kirsten said fellow coach Amy McClintock was instrumental in achieving this goal as she spearheaded the initiative to establish Wānaka’s own representative teams. “We were told 'no' so many times but the sheer determination from Amy McClintock, in particular, ensured we were heard,” she said.In addition to the hard work and commitment from the players, Kirsten also recognised the contribution from local sponsors, coaches and managers, supporters, parents and families.“We are deeply grateful for their contributions, which helped bring this dream to life,” she said.Junior touch’s growing popularity is also reflected in the significant increase in the number of local players.It’s usually played on Monday afternoons from October through to December and this year Wānaka fielded 19 teams, up from 12 teams last season.Kirsten attributes this success to its more casual, less competitive style.“The junior module is based on a 'play with your mates' mentality and is great 'grass roots' touch,” she said.She said Wānaka Junior Touch encouraged more children to get involved in trials next year.“Let’s continue to build on this foundation and inspire a new generation of touch players in Wānaka”.PHOTO: Amy McClintock

A group of Hāwea locals are hoping to find a way to purchase Hāwea Flat’s historic Presbyterian church, St Ninian’s, for community use.The 87-year-old church was listed for sale last week because the Hāwea congregation has “outgrown” it, according to Hāwea minister Reverend Aaron Johnstone.“We’re selling St Ninian’s as a part of our process to build a new church within the Longview subdivision [at Lake Hāwea],” he told the Wānaka App.Anna van Riel is one of the locals coordinating ideas for the community to buy the church.About 20 people attended a viewing at St Ninian’s on Saturday (December 21), many of whom were interested in supporting a community effort to buy the church.They shared ideas for how the church could be purchased for use as a music venue, a cafe, art space, or to host courses and other events. Examples of communities who have retained churches include Tarras, and that community will be consulted with, Anna said.She said a bank account has been opened where benefactors can contribute, and one local has already offered a Rita Angus print for sale as a donation to the cause. The group will meet again at the church at 7pm on Friday December 27 to progress ideas.The church, which is adjacent to the Hāwea Kindergarten and Hāwea Flat School, was built between 1937 and 1938 by the Hāwea community. It is located on a triangle of land gifted to the community by the McLennan family in the 1880s for ‘educational purposes’, but the church is now on a freehold title.In addition to regular church services, St Ninian’s has hosted Mainly Music for 20 years, and an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting takes place there each week. The church has also been host to one-off events such as meditation courses.Century 21 agent Anna Findlay told the Wānaka App there has already been interest in the church from “all sorts of people”, including those viewing it with an eye to residential conversion.Anna said she liked the idea of the community purchasing the church. “You always like to support something to stay in the community, especially when it has so much history.”The church (which has a capital value of $330,000) is listed for deadline sale by January 20, 2025. Hāwea Flat’s former Catholic church (on a much larger section) sold in March this year for $1,620,000.

Residents and visitors to the Queenstown Lakes District are encouraged to save water this summer, suggesting simple changes to make a big difference in the face of hot and dry weather likely over the next few months.Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) infrastructure operations manager Simon Mason said water consumption historically skyrockets over the Christmas and New Year period, and demand was already starting to steadily increase this month.“As temperatures increase and the amount of rain we’re getting drops away, more people turn to the sprinkler to keep that lawn lush and green, they spend more time keeping the garden hydrated, or the hose is blasting in the backyard for kids to play with on sunny afternoons,” Simon said.“Water is a limited and precious resource, but how we’re using the water we’ve got can become unsustainable very quickly in summer, putting our supplies at risk in the event of an emergency and potentially leading to temporary water restrictions if the network comes under enough strain.”Queenstown Lakes is one of the biggest water consumers in New Zealand with individuals using an average of 501 litres per day, which is estimated to be more than double the national average.Simon said there were plenty of quick and easy things to do at home to help reduce water usage.The biggest water saving efforts at home can be made when watering lawns or gardens, with residents encouraged to consider reducing their use of sprinklers or irrigation, and only watering late at night. Other effective tips include saving up to 20 litres for every minute cut from time spent in the shower, and the simple act of turning off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving to save another 10 litres in the space of a minute.Another important step is to fix water leaks around the home and to notify council of any on public land as soon as possible, helping to stop water that’s been treated, stored, and then piped across town ending up in the gutter and heading down a storm drain and straight back to the lake or river, he said.Simon acknowledged little tweaks to how water is used might not seem like much, but collectively, enough people making one change at home would make a significant difference to the district’s water supplies.“We live in a wonderful but very hot and dry place over the summer months, and we’re fortunate to be blessed with an abundant freshwater resource right in our backyards,” he said.“But maintaining our water supplies isn’t simply resolved by getting more from the lake or aquifer; there is a significant cost associated with taking that water, and constructing and operating the additional infrastructure needed to treat it, store it, and deliver it to taps around the district.”“We’ve all been or seen that person with the sprinkler blasting at midday, or the broken irrigation that’s just spent three hours watering a nearby road or footpath. It’s not the water we’ve got, it’s how we’re using it,” he said.Residents and visitors can check out a range of tips and tricks to play their part and help save water at home here.PHOTO: Supplied

Celebrated actors and real-life couple Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst are scheduled to appear on stage in Wānaka next year as part of a nationwide tour of ‘In Other Words’.The tour follows the production’s successful Australasian premiere and sold out season at Q Theatre Auckland.Connected by the music of Frank Sinatra, the intimate, humorous and moving love story explores the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and the transformative power of music to help us remember the past, connect with the present and hope for the future. Characters Arthur and Jane retell how they met, fell in love and tried to cope with an encroaching illness.In Other Words was written by UK playwright Matthew Seager, and this season is directed by Michael Hurst, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, and Callum Brodie.Praise for the Auckland season describes Ward-Lealand and Hurst as “powerhouse performers at the very top of their game” (Theatreview), and the play as “a testament to the power of theatre to move and transform" (Broadway World).Figment Productions said the Wānaka tour date is yet to be confirmed, but interested people can check updates here.

The winner of the McKay Brothers Cubby House for Christmas competition is already making use of the backyard play house which is sitting proudly in her yard.Sally Welch of Albert Town was drawn from 700 entries and said it was a great surprise when she was told she had won the prize.“Delighted, surprised but really delighted,” Sally said.“I can’t remember the last time I won anything.”Sally said she entered the competition on the Wānaka App envisioning her six-year-old grandson playing in the cubby house in the backyard.“I found out about it on the Wānaka App and entered myself and my husband,” she said.“My neighbour entered it, so I imagine most people did.” McKay Brothers Building director Joe McKay said the competition was an opportunity to bring some Christmas cheer.“I think it’s a really good cause and the more we can be involved and help out with the community we will,” Joe said.His own children, aged four and seven, provided plenty of opportunity for market testing as ‘Santa’s little helpers’.“They had an absolute ball with it, so to see it go to a good home is perfect,” Joe said.“If you look at his [Brixton’s] face it makes it all worth it.”The cubby house was built by McKay Brothers Building with support from Southern Lakes ITM and Wānaka Flooring Xtra. It was delivered to Sally’s house by Lakeland Contracting Ltd. It is valued at more than $6,000.The competition ran in the Wānaka App from November 11 to December 15.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Two young local boys keen to learn how to surf in a lakeside town have taken the challenge into their own hands this year.Holy Family Catholic School year four students Victor Tessier and Ollie Crosbie, both nine, have built a wooden ‘horseradish board’ and donated it to the school following a self-driven project in their Ignition class.A horseradish board is shaped as a surfboard and suspended by ropes in a system that’s designed to mimic the sensation of a surfboard in water.  The boys, who had never surfed ocean waves before embarking on their project, researched the design of the board during ‘Genius Hour’ in their Ignition class.They visited Ross McCarthy at YourWave in Hāwea before settling on the design. With the help of Victor’s dad Bastien Tessier, they approached Breen Construction who agreed to donate all the materials for the building project.“We started off using cardboard and chairs, then we used a Swiss ball and then we researched and found a board called the Horseradish Board,” the boys wrote in a letter to their school.During the school holidays, the boys built the board and frame using macrocarpa donated by Breen. It was specially sanded and oiled to create a smooth finish for young feet.“The idea was presented to me by Bastien and once I knew it was to be school kids doing the project, I was all in,” Breen Wānaka area manager Ross McCulloch said. “I love this kind of thing – getting kids into using tools and materials to make creations that have a finished product they can use was a highlight of this project.”Once the project was completed, Victor and Ollie wrote to their teachers to see if the school would like the board to be donated to the school.“Our surfing balance board will help with teaching children balance and it will be good for brain breaks. We have had a look and think that on that back field by the sandpit, but not too close to the sandpit might be the perfect place,” they said.Holy Family acting principal Ange Scoullar says the school’s Ignition programme – a weekly class for likeminded year 4-8 students – offers youngsters the opportunity to extend their learning and is the perfect place for creative ideas to start and self-directed projects to be developed.“We are very grateful to Breen Wānaka for donating the materials and helping to make the boys’ ideas into a reality,” Ange said. “It’s been a great learning opportunity from start to finish and the board has been well received by the students.”PHOTO: Supplied

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has banned fireworks in the Queenstown Lakes area until further notice.FENZ Otago District manager Phil Marsh says in spite of recent rain and forecast rainfall, the district will continue to dry out."In many areas we see grass browning off and seed heads drying out - this is where our fires start," he said.Phil said fireworks pose a significant threat when grasses dry out, and Queenstown Lakes is a mix of mostly grassland and some scrub and forest."Many properties in this area are surrounded by grassland, which is very quick to ignite. Grasslands dry out quickly even after rain, and this often catches people out. One minute their fire is contained, and the next, it’s spreading through the surrounding grass."Using section 52 of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act allows the prohibition of fireworks to avoid the risk of large wildfires."Summer holidays are traditionally a time when fireworks either left over or saved from Guy Fawkes are brought out of the cupboard," Phil said."We do sometimes have vegetation fires started by fireworks, and with these conditions, the consequences of badly-handled fireworks on our safety, and our property and environment could be severe.”Phil also urged people to check their old burn piles or land clearing burns to make sure they are completely out. “Windy weather is liable to reignite them if they’re not extinguished."This is already a busy time of year for fire crews, who also deal with motor vehicle crashes and other types of incidents, he said."The influx of visitors over the holiday period usually brings more activities such as boating, camping and recreational driving, increasing the risk of fires getting started."I’d like to see volunteer firefighters getting to spend a bit more time with their family these holidays, not having to be out there putting out another preventable fire."There is also a year-round prohibited fire season in the following special risk zones: Mount Iron, Queenstown, Albert Town Recreation Reserve, Shag Point, Ruby Island, Stevensons Island, Mou Waho, Mou Tapu, Pig Island/Mātau, and Pigeon Island/Wāwāhi Waka.PHOTO: Supplied

A police operation resulting in the seizure of firearms, ammunition, drugs and items consistent with drug supply included search warrants in Wānaka and Hāwea this week.Detectives from the Southern District Organised Crime Group executed nine search warrants over December 17-19, as part of Operation Speargrass, which also included Cromwell, Alexandra, Clyde, and Queenstown.Quantities of the Class A, B, and C controlled drugs methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, magic mushrooms, and cannabis were seized during the operation, Otago lakes central area commander Inspector Paula Enoka said.Eight firearms were seized along with thousands of rounds of ammunition.Two men aged 34 and 35 have been arrested and remanded in custody on various drug supply, drug possession, and unlawful firearm possession charges.Two other men, as well as two women, have had their firearms licences suspended as a result of insecure firearm storage and drug possession.“This operation was designed to disrupt the sources of illicit drugs in our community, and it was extremely concerning to also locate firearms being improperly and dangerously held,” Paula said.“Holding a firearms licence is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly and it is vitally important firearms are kept in safe and secure storage.”Paula said police will continue to target those who supply illicit drugs, which cause extreme harm and damage to our communities.“We can’t do this alone however, and we ask that anyone with information about the supply of illicit drugs contact us on 105,” Paula said.Information can also be reported to police anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.Police encourage anyone affected by drug addiction to seek help through the Alcohol and Drug helpline on 0800 787 797, or free text 8681.

Thousands of travellers are expected over the summer holiday season through Queenstown Airport.Tomorrow (Saturday December 21) will be the biggest day for arrivals, with about 5,250 people expected to fly into Queenstown. More than 5,000 arrivals are also expected on Sunday (December 22), Friday (December 27), and Saturday (December 28).Departures start to increase after Christmas, with more than 5,000 people a day from Thursday (January 2) to Sunday (January 5).“We expect strong passenger numbers right through the school holidays to the end of January,” Queenstown Airport chief operating officer Todd Grace said.“It’s wonderful to connect people with their friends and family at Christmas, and to see others fly off for a holiday.“However, our systems will be operating near capacity and the terminal will be bustling, so please be patient and allow extra time to check in, drop your bag, clear security, and get on your plane,” he said.Todd advised people to allow plenty of time to get to the airport, as the roads will be busy. The Park & Ride service is located on Brookes Road and a free return shuttle operates 365 days a year. The first trip departs Park & Ride 100 minutes before the first flight is scheduled to depart. The last trip leaves Queenstown Airport 60 minutes after the last flight arrival.PHOTO: Supplied

Five athletes from the Aspiring Athletes’ Club performed well at the NZ Secondary Schools Athletics Association Championships in Timaru recently (December 6-8). The popular championships - the premier competition on NZ’s Secondary Schools Athletics Calendar - attracted approximately 1,035 athletes from 198 schools.The five local athletes, all Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) students, were kept busy, competing in at least two events each.A highlight was the standout performance by year 11 MAC student Phoebe Laker (15), who is already a two-time national title holder in the Women’s Under-16 400m category. Phoebe Laker in action.She won the Girls’ U16 400m final with a tactically well-run race, Aspiring Athletes senior coach Michael Beable told the Wānaka App.“She pulled away by almost 0.9s from the rest of the field down the home straight (leaving the others in her wake). Other than confirming herself as the best junior girl 400m in the country, the win was a consolation for her after having missed competing last year because of troublesome knee tendon,” he said.Phoebe’s time of 56.16s was a personal best (PB), and she set Otago records for girls aged 15, 16 and 17, for at least the seventh time, he added.The busiest MAC athlete over the three day competition was year 13 student Cody Armstrong (18). He ran three 400m individual races in three days, achieving a creditable sixth place in the final out of a total of 30 competitors.Year 9 student Eve Pfahlert (13) was entered in the Girls’ U16 200m for experience, and she used it as a warmup for the school’s mixed relay, which took place on the Sunday. Matthew Botting (18) also ran in the 200m and did well, making the Senior Boys’ semi-finals.Year 12 student Ryan Enoka (17) was MAC’s sole competitor in the throwing events, achieving fifth place in hammer, and 14th in discus.In the mixed 4x400m relay that MAC entered, two races were held and the final placings were decided on times across both. MAC won the second race, but was placed fourth overall, on time.“The MAC athletes ran their hearts out, and the way in which the last MAC runners chased down the runners ahead brought a cheering crowd to its feet,” Michael said.“With the lead runner ahead by 80-90m with just a lap to go, Cody ran a blinder of a last leg, getting ahead finally, with a last-ditch lean right at the finish line… It was a stirring performance by this new team which had not run together before.”He said the relay was a fitting end to the athletes’ efforts at the event; and “something they, and the school, can be very proud of”.The young athletes have done particularly well given not being able to train regularly enough on Wānaka’s grass track because of all the recent rains. About 20 training days had been lost due to rain over the latter part of winter, and in spring, Michael said.Remaining competitions this season include the nationally ranked Lovelock Classic meeting in Timaru (January 11), one of only five ‘Classics’ to be held in the South Island this summer.PHOTOS: Supplied