With just one month until polling day, representatives from the top four polling parties - Labour, National, Act, and the Greens - were hosted in Queenstown last week (Thursday September 14) by the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce and ASB Bank.Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) mayor Glyn Lewers set the local scene in his introductory comments, ensuring the politicians focused on challenges facing this region.“Our demand projections estimate a resident population for our district at the moment at 52,000, drawing rates from just only 24,300. Meanwhile we had just under 20,000 visitors on an average day, and on a peak day we’re hosting 62,769.” Without a mechanism to levy visitors “we’re struggling to keep up providing infrastructure and services,” he said, adding this had helped Queenstown Lakes become “one of the most expensive places in the country to buy or rent a house and has also raised the growing question of whether tourism is to the benefit of the social wellbeing of our local communities”.After a politie start, the Great Debate, moderated by Q+A host Jack Tame, moved quickly to a “gloves off” discussion which got heated on National’s tax plans and Labour’s spending record - among other issues.  Read more: Candidates spar in Queenstown over spending, taxesWhile the name ‘Wānaka’ was never mentioned during the debate, there was plenty of scrutiny on issues affecting the Queenstown Lakes areas.Paying for local infrastructureGlyn Lewers told the four politicians that Queenstown Lakes “desperately needs infrastructure to support that pressure” arising from supporting high numbers of visitors from a relatively small ratepayer base. ACT leader David Seymour proposed that councils identify a wishlist for infrastructure before asking for investors from both within New Zealand (“it could be ACC, iwi, a super fund”) and outside the country.National finance spokesperson Nicola Wills agreed that “we have to let private capital help us build infrastructure”.“We need to do better funding and financing tools, and we need to do regional and city deals that set out longer term pathways for investment, and we need much faster consenting.”She added that National would pay the QLDC $25,000 for every house it consents above the historic average.Labour’s finance minister Grant Robertson said the government’s urban growth partnership with Queenstown needed “more meat on its bones”.Local visitor levyJack Tame asked the politicians if they supported a local visitor levy for Queenstown Lakes, refusing to allow any “wriggle room” in the answers.Seymour said he did not specifically support a local levy but suggested that “fast growing areas like Queenstown … should be getting a portion of the GST that central government collects on development in that area”.It was ‘gloves off’ as the debate proper began. PHOTO: Wānaka AppHe said QLDC staff had told him that would result in $80M a year.Roberston said Labour was prepared to back what the community wanted, but cautioned that there have been court cases on similar proposals “I’m certainly not against it in principle. We also think we need to take a look … at the international visitor levy and use that more widely to be able to develop some of the issues that have been faced here,” he said, as well as looking at other revenue sources.QLDC mayor Glyn Lewers said Queenstown Lakes needed a tourism levy of some kind. PHOTO: Wānaka AppWillis said a local visitor levy was not National’s policy, but the party acknowledged the issue.“We want to sit down and do a deal with Queenstown where we agree to fund some of the infrastructure that is needed.”James Shaw said Green’s 2017 policy for an international levy was brought in when the party was in government.“The idea that you have something local … yes absolutely,” he said. “I also agree we need to look at funding and financing local government. Successive governments have tried to run things centrally … and I think we need to empower local governments to make those choices themselves.”Affordable housing There was general agreement on the need for more houses in this district but less so on how to achieve that growth. “We have to keep building more and we have to keep building faster,” Roberston said, while Willis said: “The most important thing we can do for housing affordability in Queenstown is get more houses built here”.“The best way we can do that is to work with the council on the infrastructure issues and the land zoning issues that have held that back for too long,” she said.She said the government should also work with the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust and “capitalise” it.Seymour drew rousing applause when he said locals weren’t renting their houses but putting them on AirBnB “because they don't have to meet healthy homes standards”. He said the “war on landlords” needed to stop.But Shaw wanted to “stop the war on renters that we’ve had in this country for the last several generations”, adding that the accommodation supplement was one area that was “completely bonkers”.Tame asked whether the politicians would commit to the incoming government rezoning accommodation supplement boundaries across the country so that non-urban residents in this district can access them. Seymour said it seemed fair and was “the right thing to do”; Robertson agreed, saying: “I think sometimes you’ve just got to admit the settings are wrong and need to be changed.” Willis said National would ensure the supplement was “rezoned appropriately”; and Shaw also committed to rezoning.Tourism: high value vs mass tourismTame asked where tourism sat within parties’ priorities, and how the government should be thinking “about and striding towards a more sustainable, high value tourism industry in the future?”“The role of the government is to provide the infrastructure, set the rules of the game, let the entrepreneurs do that job,” Seymour said.High value tourism was valued over mass tourism, but how to achieve that was disputed. PHOTO: Supplied“I don’t think having someone sitting in Wellington trying to guess what sort of experiences people offshore want, what sort of experiences people in New Zealand have the means and the desire to provide - I don’t think they have the ability to do that.” Robertson said he agreed in part. “It can’t be done by the government alone, that’s why we set up the tourism industry transformation plan which is driven by industry. It’s got two parts to it - the first of those is around [growing] workforce. “The second part is the Tourism Environmental Action Plan which does drive us to a higher value of tourism. We want as many different types of people as possible to come to New Zealand … but the bit we need to do as a government is get out and market New Zealand as a high value tourism destination, and our environmental credentials are absolutely critical to that.”Willis said National wants “to ensure tourism continues to bring in export dollars”.“That means ensuring the tourism industry has access to the workers it needs, dealing with these infrastructure issues that we have been discussing tonight,” she said, adding the party wants longer term Department of Conservation concessions and contestable funding for regional events.Shaw said the Greens “strongly believe in the high value, highly productive, high wage tourism sector, moving towards more of a boutique industry than the kind of commodity mass tourism which in my experience around the world tends to destroy the countries that host [it]”.“As we rebuild the sector … one of the critical components of that is ensuring that we price what we value and that includes things like DOC concessions and entries and so on. Those are taonga to New Zealanders, but for people who are travelling across the oceans to get here, we should absolutely price those things.”Long story shortAs the debate neared the end, Tame asked the politicians how New Zealand would be better in three years' time if their party were in power.The highlights included “a genuinely fair and equitable place” (Roberston), “less tax, less regulation and less red tape” (Willis), “an economy relentlessly focused on productivity” (Seymour), and “access for all to a home and the means to make ends meet” (Shaw).

Biketober is back, celebrating all things pedal-powered with workshops, races, family events, film nights and more taking place in Wānaka and around the region next month.Things kicked off early with a warm-up event - the Green Steam - which took place on Saturday (September 16). The official opening is at the end of September. Now in its second year, Biketober is designed to get people on their bikes more often and think about the way they travel. The event is organised by Wao Aotearoa and community support has ramped up this year, Wao programme manager Babu Blatt says.“It’s awesome - the whole community is coming on board,” she said.This means more partner events and activities as part of the Biketober programme.The Biketober: Boots 2 Bikes - Festival launch on September 30 will feature everything from a bike market, live music, stands by local organisations and businesses and information sessions by local bike shops.Other highlights include the Green Drinks: Wānaka Bike Capital of NZ? on October 11, exploring how Wānaka could become a cycling capital and October 14’s handy Bike Maintenance Sessions.Babu is most looking forward to Chargeabout Tour De Fridge: “It combines bikes, community, quirkiness, music and food/drinks,” she said.A survey completed by Wao in 2021 which looked into how locals get around found that the most common reason people choose to travel by car is the ease and comfort of a motor vehicle.But it also found that the majority of locals have access to a bike, and most of their trips are short ones.During Biketober, the Wao team is running another survey to see how habits have shifted.Find the full Biketober lineup here and book early to secure your tickets.PHOTO: Supplied

Global drinks business International Beverage announced on Wednesday ( September 13) that it had acquired Cardrona Distillery.The acquisition includes the Cardrona Distillery and visitor centre plus Cardrona’s portfolio of super-premium brands including Cardrona single malt whisky, The Reid Vodka, The Source Gin and the Rose Rabbit liqueurs.“This is a momentous day for our business,” Cardrona Distillery founder Desiree Reid said.“On behalf of myself and the whole team, I am delighted to welcome International Beverage as the new owner of the Cardrona Distillery.”International Beverage said in a statement that it will focus on investment in the purpose-built distillery site to maximise the potential of Cardrona’s brands in the core New Zealand, UK and USA markets. They will also deploy International Beverage’s global network to build select new routes to market.Desiree will remain with the company in the role of managing director. She said Cardrona Distillery had been looking for an investor to support the company's international growth for some time.“We found that partner in International Beverage, a world-class group of spirits businesses who own some of the whisky distilleries we most admire including Pulteney, Speyburn, Knockdhu and Balblair,” she said.“It has been a 12-year journey to reach this point, and we are so proud of the great whisky foundation laid in the Cardrona Valley.”International Beverage managing director Malcolm Leask said he was delighted to have the Cardrona team join the business.“The team has done an excellent job in building Cardrona’s super-premium brands to date with so much integrity, quality and potential for the future,” he said. “We are very much looking forward to working with them to build on their success within our international network, as we strengthen our premium spirits portfolio for the global market.”Cardrona Distillery opened in December 2015.PHOTO: Cardrona Distillery

A project to remove sediment from the eastern side of the marina in Roys Bay has wrapped up successfully.The significant build-up of sediment at the site represented a navigational hazard for vessels entering, Wānaka Marina operations manager Craig Fahey said Craig said Wānaka Marina was a proud supporter and partner of the grebe nesting programme and they had worked closely with John Darby and Markus Hermanns on the sediment removal initiative.A grebe nesting on one of the man-made nests near the marina in January last year. PHOTO: Markus HermannsA series of man-made nesting platforms installed near the sheltered marina have provided southern-breasted grebes (whose own nests are easily destroyed by changing water levels) with a safe place to breed over the past few years. “John and his team will reinstall nesting boxes housed on the marina…in time for the upcoming breeding season,” Craig said.Wānaka Marina hired a contractor to complete the sediment removal project.A gravel ramp provided access for the excavator for the sediment removal. PHOTO: Wānaka AppThey began work on Monday (September 11) and completed the job by Thursday (September 14).“It was good timing as we expect the lake to come up a lot over the next week or so with a lot of rain and snowmelt,” Craig told the Wānaka App.Sediment control booms were used to minimise any silt spread and contain any lagarosiphon fragments.The site on Friday after work was completed. PHOTO: Wānaka AppWānaka Marina worked with Otago Regional Council to obtain a Certificate of Compliance for the works before engaging a contractor.Craig said stream flows and sediment patterns had been altered as the result of neighbouring development work.

The Central Otago and Upper Waitaki zones of the Otago District entered a restricted fire season as of 8am on September 14 until further notice, and Fire and Emergency is urging people to remain vigilant when burning off paddocks and vegetation, especially with high winds forecast.A restricted fire season means a permit is required to light a fire in the open. You can apply for one here. Fire permits have been suspended for the Upper Waitaki and Central fire zones of Otago until Sunday at 8am due to very high fire danger.Otago District community risk manager James Knapp said the restricted season had begun earlier than usual."Central has generally gone into a restricted season in October but it is shaping up to be an extraordinary season, even before the expected El Niño weather pattern takes full effect over the coming weeks and months," James said."Key indicators for a restricted fire season have already been met. This is exemplified by the fact the daily fire severity rating for Cromwell is more than double the 17-year average for this time of year, and well above where it was at the same time in 2015 - the start of the last strong El Niño weather event.”Read more: Residents need to be conscious of fire danger"We need people to plan their burns carefully and contact us early so we can issue fire permits, which can take up to 10 days to process," he said.James said people should not be complacent that it is still early in the meteorological "spring", with no substantial rain expected over the coming months leading into summer."The days will continue to get drier, and it is expected to be like this for the coming months," he said."During previous strong El Niño seasons, these zones have experienced very large fires. “The fire history shows that significant fires can ignite and spread quickly in grass and scrub even when the fire danger is moderate, so we must be vigilant when undertaking any activities which could cause fires."While controlled burns are still able to be carried out with a permit, the need to supervise any permitted burn is essential.

Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week begins today (Saturday September 16) and Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) hopes the local community will dig deep to make a difference. People doing their bit to keep the district clean during the week will be able to dispose of the waste they collect free of charge at QLDC’s transfer stations and borrow ‘Litter Kits’ from the local library.Keep New Zealand Beautiful mobilises up to 70,000 volunteers for Clean Up Week each year - cleaning up beaches, picking up litter, removing graffiti, planting trees and much more.“Getting involved in Clean Up Week is an easy way to be a caring steward of our environment, and it makes such a wonderful difference to our communities,” QLDC waste minimisation project officer Kath Buttar said.Rubbish collected as part of Clean Up Week can be disposed of free of charge at QLDC transfer stations.“So get your friends, whānau, school, business or local community group together, grab a bucket or reusable collection bag and some gardening gloves and choose an area to clear of litter.”Kath said the Litter Kits at the Wānaka Library will be helpful for smaller clean-up crews.Wanaka has a strong clean up week track record, with schools, youth clubs, community associations, service clubs and more getting involved.The Keep New Zealand Beautiful website has a list of events that people can join, or they can create their own event.In order for disposal costs to be free of charge participants must be registered with Keep New Zealand Beautiful. “We do ask that the person dropping off the litter is the same person named in the KNZB registration form, and that they have both ID and the digital token provided by KNZB as part of the event registration process,” Kath said.Find more information or register at the Keep New Zealand Beautiful website here.PHOTOS: Supplied

A month out from Election Day, the four leading parties' finance spokespeople came together for the ASB Great Debate in Queenstown to pitch their spending and visions for New Zealand's future.National's tax plans and Labour's spending all came under fire at Thursday night's debate, while ACT and Green also worked to promote their own agendas.Labour finance spokesperson Grant Robertson, National deputy leader Nicola Willis, Green Party co-leader James Shaw and ACT Party leader David Seymour debated, with Q+A host Jack Tame moderating.As the night began, Robertson noted New Zealand faced a lot of challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic and still "came through okay"."We'll fully cost everything we do and we'll make sure at the end of the day every New Zealander gets a chance to succeed.""Okay isn't good enough," Willis said in response, and claimed Labour had mismanaged the economy and it was hurting New Zealanders.She noted debt levels have risen dramatically since 2019."It is time for a government that will focus on growing this economy, on repairing this economy."ACT's Seymour said New Zealand needed real change."Over the last six years, the amount of spending has gone up 30 percent over and above the rate of inflation."The next government needed to be honest about what the country could afford or it would face a gradual decline in living standards, Seymour said.David SeymourThe Greens' Shaw said the climate crisis represented the single greatest opportunity to build a productive clean technology, high-value economy."Our country has woefully invested in pretty much every category of infrastructure that you can think of," but now there ewas an opportunity to invest in stronger, greener replacements, he said."People are sick and tired of the status quo. Now is the time to be bold."Robertson defended the government's spending during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying "now is the time to bring spending back down to more normal levels".The National Party's tax plans came under more scrutiny, as economists have also questioned how much it will actually raise.Their policy would end the ban on non-residents being able to buy houses in New Zealand - but only if they paid $2 million or more and paid a fee of 15 percent of the sale to the government."I respect the fact that economists have their opinions, but I stand by our costings," Willis said.Seymour noted an irony in National and Labour's positions."I'm just astonished that we're in a debate where National says they will tax more and Labour is saying they will tax less."This government doesn't have a tax problem, it has a spending problem," he said, to heavy applause from what sounded like a lot of ACT supporters in the house."Introducing new taxes is not the path to prosperity for New Zealand," Seymour said, attacking what he called wasteful spending.Asked by Tame how many government jobs ACT's spending reduction plans would cut, Seymour said it would go from 62,000 full-time workers to 47,000, the same number there were in 2017."To be clear, you are going to make 15,000 people redundant immediately?" Tame asked."Yes," Seymour said.Tame noted the Greens are proposing a wealth tax, the very mention of which got the Queenstown crowd booing."The Green Party is actually proposing more income tax cuts than National at this election," Shaw said.Everybody who was earning $125,000 or less would see their income tax go down under the Greens plan, he said.Climate change was also a strong part of the discussion, including debates about whether the Emissions Trading Scheme is working effectively and if New Zealand is properly promoting innovation."We are going to make sure we invest in adaptation," Willis said, noting that "climate change is upon us."Shaw said green energy development would give a big boost to the economy."When it comes to climate change, the ACT party are more deadly than serious," Shaw said, claiming ACT wanted to unwind all of New Zealand's progress.Seymour called for less regulation."This country should be a superpower of agricultural genetics," Seymour said, but "because we let the superstitious loony tunes" set the agenda it had not happened, he claimed.The candidates also took questions on infrastructure planning and immigration and exploitation of migrants as recently reported by RNZ.Issues specific to Queenstown's growth and development also dominated the debate.PHOTO: RNZ

A backcountry freestyle competition on the ‘ET’ face in the Minaret Range has confirmed Team Europe as this year's Obsidian champions.Going into the third and final event on Wednesday (September 13) Team Europe was in second place, just behind Team Americas.The day started early, with the athletes transported by helicopter to the ET face, which contains rolling playful terrain and plenty of natural features with great zones for the athletes to enhance the terrain. “Against all odds we managed to sneak this event in between two major fronts, [and] the competitors had the day of their lives,” lead Obsidian judge Tori Beattie said.Bluebird conditions greeted the athletes.“The teamwork was the winner on the day, and we saw epic tricks go down in the beautiful New Zealand backcountry.” Team Europe threw down traditional freeride lines, dropping cliffs, building a huge backcountry booter, stomping technical tricks and working together as a team to become clear winners of the challenge.They leap-frogged Team Americas into first place to claim the Edgar Challenge Trophy as the 2023 Obsidian champions. Two-time Winter Olympian snowboarder Nicolas Huber (Team Europe) said Obsidian as “the best competition I have ever been a part of”.In the overall standings Team Americas finished in second place, Team Oceania in third place and Team Asia in fourth place.This event wraps up the 2023 edition of Winter Games NZ.PHOTOS: Winter Games NZ 

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has announced an extension for submissions on the proposed Urban Intensification Variation (UIV), with the new end date for submissions to be Thursday October 5.The UIV is an outcome of central government’s national policy statement on urban development, which directs councils around the country to remove some planning rules and plan for growth ‘both up and out’.QLDC planning and development general manager David Wallace acknowledged it was critical to provide the community with as many opportunities as possible to have a say on the matter.“The changes proposed in this variation are significant in some areas of the Queenstown Lakes District, and we’ve heard from passionate community members that would like more time to consider these changes and to make an informed submission,” he said.“We hear you, and I’m happy to share we’ve extended the submission period by an additional two weeks as a result of the conversations we’ve been having in the community over the last two weeks.”David said he was confident the extension would allow for more people to learn about the variation, understand the proposed changes, and share their thoughts.Those with questions about the variation are being encouraged to contact QLDC’s Duty Planner (Policy) service, with a council policy planner available from 8.00am to 5.00pm on weekdays to discuss the proposed changes by calling 03 443 0024 (Wānaka).Read more:Urban intensification: Growth ‘up and out’ proposed ‘Confronting’ changes proposed for Wānaka CBDThe variation proposes increased densities and heights of building, allowing for the development of smaller and attached-style housing. PHOTO: Wānaka App

Despite sparse snow, the Wānaka Sled Dog Festival (WSDF) went ahead for three days as planned on shorter but fun technical trails at the Snow Farm in the Cardrona Valley (September 6-8). Central musher Stefanie (Stef) Meier won the gold in the eight dog class at the festival on September 8.  “Friday’s conditions were the best of the three days, being the coldest so the track was able to be groomed properly and the icy patches were not as bad but the dirt sections were a lot bigger,” she said.Stef said there were record entries and the most novices the WSDF has ever had. “They included people from Cardrona and Wānaka so lots of more local people [took part].” Stef said recovery for her dogs included “some tasty bones on Saturday and a good sleep in, stretching and massage over the weekend”.“Not that they needed the rest, they are always ready to run.”WSDF involves several classes of racing the eight dog sled, six dog sled, four dog sled, three dog sled, two dog sled and single dog skijor. Read more: Extreme athletes of dog world to race at festival.PHOTO: Supplied

More than 80 percent of Wānaka Stakeholders Group (WSG) members who took part in a recent survey don’t want the proposed Tarras Airport to go ahead.The WSG, which lobbied successfully against jet expansion at Wānaka Airport, said its members’ concerns echoed those of other groups and organisations that have spoken out against developing an airport in Tarras.The survey shows members remained “very concerned” about issues including climate change, overtourism, environmental impact, and strain on infrastructure, WSG chair Meg Taylor said.Opposition had increased, with 82.7 percent of survey respondents ‘thoroughly opposed’, compared to 70 percent in a survey two years ago. The survey was undertaken before Christchurch Airport International Ltd shared a feasibility study in late August which indicated the airport could support long-haul international flights.Read more: Flights to Southeast Asia from Tarras feasibleSince then, groups including Lake Wānaka Tourism, Destination Queenstown, and Informed Leaders (a group of researchers) have voiced opposition to the airport proposal.Read more: Tourism organisations oppose Tarras airport proposalMeg said WSG shared similar concerns as the regional tourism organisations. “We agree with them that this is not just a Tarras issue but will impact the wider region, bringing visitors on a scale not seen before. And the Tarras proposal is not aligned with the ‘quality over quantity’ approach endorsed by the community in its destination management plan. “Our view is that managing tourism numbers is the key to maintaining the value of our destination both for residents and for visitor experience.”In 2021 WSG brought a judicial review to the High Court, which ruled that the granting of Wanaka Airport lease to the Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) was unlawful and must be set aside.Meg said the WSG’s focus on Wānaka Airport “remains unchanged”.“We are well aware that moves to develop the airport could be re-visited at any time and we’ll continue to ensure that the Upper Clutha community is leading the conversation, not excluded from it.”PHOTO: CIAL

A survey of 268 local seniors has found that access to healthcare and housing are among their top concerns.The survey into senior needs is the first of its kind to be run in the Upper Clutha in ten years.Questions focused on the needs of older adults (65+) in the Upper Clutha around three key areas: social participation; health care; and housing. The survey was conducted by the Reconnecting Seniors Network with funding from the Ministry of Social Development Office for Seniors’ Age Friendly Fund, and the report was completed by, and administered by evaluation consultant Anna Williams.The Reconnecting Seniors Network is delivered by Community Networks/LINK.The survey findings will help inform an age-friendly action plan to increase seniors’ quality of life.Access to healthcare“Access to healthcare was the biggest concern for most people,” Community Networks/LINK manager Kate Murray said.Community Networks/LINK manager Kate Murray said its findings will help inform an age-friendly action plan. PHOTO: SuppliedForty-seven percent of respondents identified wait times as a barrier to accessing their local GP, 61 percent had travelled to Dunstan, Queenstown or Alexandra for medical or dental services in the past 12 months, and 46 percent had gone to Dunedin or further. “Many seniors gave this as a reason for others not to move to the area, while others acknowledged that their choice to live in the area could be to the detriment of their health when access to medical services was required,” Kate said.HousingThe majority of respondents lived in their own home but almost one-third of the respondents were unhappy with the housing options available in the Upper Clutha.The most frequent comment was around the need for smaller housing options, like townhouses or small flats suitable for retirees.More than half the respondents had no plans to move in the next five years and others wanted to downsize or move into a retirement village. Just 4.7 percent planned to move out of the Upper Clutha.Meeting basic and financial needsWhile most respondents said they had no current concerns over meeting financial needs, two-thirds of respondents were worried about money to some degree.From those respondents, 44 percent worried about money ‘a little’, 17 percent ‘a moderate amount’, six percent ‘a lot’, and two percent ‘a great deal’.There was a lot of positive feedback about living in the Upper Clutha, Kate said. PHOTO: Wānaka AppThe cost of living in the area was also mentioned frequently in the open-ended questions. When asked how many could meet their food needs (i.e. shopping, cooking, affordability), 99 percent said they could.Seventy-six percent got support from friends, family or neighbours, mainly for companionship, gardening, house cleaning, food/meals, transportation and shopping.Community involvementMost respondents were actively involved in the community, with many commenting on the wide range of activities available for older people in the area.Eight-four percent of respondents said they had pastimes or interests, 45 percent volunteered and a further six percent were interested in knowing more about volunteer opportunities.Transport and getting aroundMany respondents said while they were able to drive, access to services and opportunities was acceptable and even a benefit of living in Wānaka.However, some said once they stopped driving, access would become a problem. Comments were made about hazardous footpaths and the lack of public transport in the area. Parking was also noted as an issue for those less able to walk longer distances.Living in the Upper CluthaAs a place to live as they age, 17 percent of people said the Upper Clutha was ‘excellent’, 38 percent said it was ‘very good’, 26 percent said it was ‘good’.“Overall, there was a lot of positive feedback on living in the Upper Clutha as an older adult,” Kate said.”Many appreciated the scenic beauty, the climate and the beneficial social aspects of our community.”Next stepsKate said the report had identified some “key priority areas” to focus on, “particularly around advocating for better access to medical care and housing”.“Our next step is to use these recommendations to put together an age-friendly action plan, through which we can improve opportunities for our seniors to feel secure; enjoy good health; and continue to participate fully in society.”She thanked Anna Williams, the Reconnecting Seniors Network, and the seniors who took part in the survey.Read the full report here.

The council’s proposed Urban Intensification Variation (UIV) not only proposes increased density and building heights in residential areas in the district, it could also mean “confronting changes” to Wānaka’s CBD.The variation was the subject of two drop-in sessions in Wānaka yesterday (Wednesday September 14). The UIV is an outcome of central government’s national policy statement on urban development (NPS-UD), which directs councils around the country to remove some planning rules and plan for growth ‘both up and out’.Read more: Urban intensification: Growth ‘up and out’ proposed The CBD height proposal could see the maximum height of buildings in the CBD increase from 12 metres to 16.5 metres.The Precinct on Helwick Street is currently the highest building in Wānaka’s CDB, at 12m tall. The Precinct is the highest building in the CDB at 12m.Adding another four and a half metres would equate to an additional storey, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) planning policy manager Alyson Hutton“It’s the start of another bloody Queenstown,” said one resident at yesterday’s drop in session.The CBD height proposal is one of the more “dramatic and confronting” within the UIV, deputy mayor Quentin Smith told the Wānaka App.Alyson said the changes to the height limits in the CBD were intended to allow for different business types and even the potential for people to live in the CBD.Quentin said one question to assess is whether or not the existing height restriction in the CBD has put off developers.Wānaka’s Wanaka Central Business District Property Owners Group did not wish to comment on the proposals at this stage, but members of the group planned to attend yesterday’s drop-in sessions and discuss the issues before forming a view.The Wānaka App spoke to one retailer in the CBD who had owned a business there for 22 years. She said the height should remain the same to keep “the same feel [the CBD] has always had”.“There’s enough going on at Three Parks,” she said.Other proposals in the UIV for the CBD include relaxing and simplifying setback and sunlight access standards for sites that adjoin a residential zone; and new waste and recycling storage space, building height setback at upper floor, outlook space and minimum ground floor height standards.The main message coming from council staff and elected members was: “We want people to understand and submit on the proposal”, Quentin said.There is no more consultation planned in the Upper Clutha on the UIV.Submissions are open until September 21, and information about how to make a submission can be found here.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Minister of Education Jan Tinetti opened Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College’s $33.5M redevelopment on Monday (September 11).The official opening was also attended by Queenstown Lakes District Council mayor Glyn Lewers, deputy mayor Quentin Smith, Clare Allison, wife of the college's founding principal Mike Allison, and local community leaders.School board chair Dr Ian Hall said the redevelopment was an important investment in the future of the rapidly growing school.“We want our young people of the Upper Clutha community to have the best possible educational experience.The opening was held in the new Black Box Theatre.“These new buildings…give our students the chance to learn in a fit for purpose educational environment.”The redevelopment includes new teaching spaces, performance studios for music, drama and dance, art workrooms, music practice rooms, a new library, a wellbeing hub, a staff room and meeting rooms and a whare.Principal Nicola Jacobsen said it had been wonderful to see students and staff flourishing in the new development.“I’ve loved observing Years 7 and 8 students learning in their light-filled and spacious hapori, seeing students gather in the whare to practise kapa haka and poi at lunchtimes, attending student performances in our new Black Box theatre, and hearing music produced by our students in our new music studios.“The new buildings have also allowed us to co-locate our student pastoral care services in our new administration block which has created a supportive space for students with our deans, guidance counsellors and administration staff all under the one roof.“Our new flexible spaces promote stronger relationships between teachers and students allowing students to work with four teachers as part of a learning hāpori and benefit from having access to a mix of teachers with varied interests, passions and expertise.”She said the flexibility of the space allows the school to organise learning environments to cater to students’ different learning styles.The redevelopment is the first phase of a longer term development which will see the refurbishment of older classrooms and the demolition of the college’s former administration block to create an outdoor area for students.PHOTOS: Supplied

Wānaka ironman Braden Currie says a penalty ruined his chances of winning the Ironman World Championship on Sunday (September 10).Braden received a five-minute littering penalty 107 kilometres into the bike leg of the race. At the time he was in fifth position.“It was the hardest moment of any race I’ve been in,” Braden said.“After being given the penalty I argued with the ref on course and then emotionally I gave up as I knew that losing five minutes meant I was out of position to win.”He rolled into the bike/run transition expecting to serve his penalty but was encouraged to continue on and appeal the penalty at the end of the race.“There’s good people out there and the good people supported me,” Braden said. “They did everything in their power to encourage me to keep going, and not take the penalty and just keep racing. I felt my DQ [disqualification] was coming but I finished the marathon because I wanted to give something back to everyone who supports me.”Having not served his penalty, Braden was disqualified after crossing the finish line.“Again the good people encouraged me to follow due process and officially appeal the penalty. It was the last thing I felt like doing but I’m glad I did,” he said.“The penalty and my DQ was overturned in the end. I know that Ironman and technical officials panel who made this decision were 200 percent committed to making the right decision. I am really grateful for this.”Braden was regarded as a pre-race favourite and described the event as the ‘pinnacle of his career’. He said his preparation had been rigorous and meticulous.Braden finished in 16th position.PHOTO: Onphotos

Two public information sessions are taking place today (Wednesday September 13) to help residents better understand the proposed Urban Intensification Variation (UIV).If approved, the UIV would allow for increased building height and density in some parts of the district, including some areas in Wānaka and Lake Hāwea, with the most notable changes being adjustments to building height in residential areas.The UIV also proposes rezoning some of the Upper Clutha’s low density residential areas to medium density.The goal of the UIV is to increase opportunities for more intensive development.Planners say this would provide for a broader range of housing stock - everything from smaller homes on smaller sections to terraced homes, units, and apartments.Proposed changes to low density zonesThe proposal would allow for taller buildings on smaller sites within this zone.Most Low Density Residential Zoning (LDRZ) sites currently allow for a building height of 7m (on flat sites) or 8m (on sloping sites) and, for infill development on sites under 900m2, the height is restricted to 5.5m.The UIV proposes additional areas around Wānaka are rezoned to Medium Density Residential Zone. Pictured is one of the areas - Clearview Street - where that zoning is already in place.The UIV proposal recommends applying an 8m height limit across most flat and sloping sites within the LDRZ.This would enable some additional two-storey buildings at a greater height, but the existing height rules mean two-storey buildings are already allowed in many cases.The UIV also recommends amending the minimum lot area for LDRZ from 450m2 to 300m2.Proposed changes in medium and high density zonesThe proposal would achieve similar objectives within Medium Density Residential Zoning (MDRZ): that is, allow for taller buildings on smaller sites.In MDRZ, the UIV recommends building height increases to 11m (+1m for pitch roofs), a height limit which will usually allow for three-storey building heights. This change would help to facilitate more intensive development, like three-storey walkups and narrow-lot terraced houses.There are only a couple of High Density Residential Zoning (HDRZ) areas in the Upper Clutha: in Three Parks and along a portion of Lakeside Road. In these zones the UIV proposes a 12m height limit, which again would increase the types of housing which could be built.Increasing volume in medium density zonesIn addition to allowing for more building density and height across residential zoning, the UIV proposes an increase in MDRZ. MDRZ already exists in pockets around Wānaka and Hāwea, and the UIV recommends rezoning additional areas to MDRZ, with their locations selected due to their proximity to the CBD and public facilities. The map (below) illustrates the locations where rezoning from LDRZ to MDRZ is recommended in Wānaka, with the light orange colour showing the proposed MDRZ areas.What sparked the UIV?The UIV is an outcome of central government’s national policy statement on urban development (NPS-UD), which directs councils around the country to remove some planning rules and plan for growth ‘both up and out’.Councils must also respond to changes in demand by allowing denser housing in areas where people want to live - locations that are well-connected to jobs, transport and community facilities. Lakeside Road is one of two Upper Clutha examples where High Density Residential Zoning is in place.The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development says the proposals respond to overly restrictive planning rules around the country that have driven up prices and denied people housing.Councils must take into account a broad range of policies in the NPS-UD, with different criteria depending on which of the three ‘tiers’ of urban environment the council is in.Queenstown Lakes is a ‘tier 2’ environment, as are Dunedin, Napier-Hastings, Whangarei, Palmerston North, and others.What other changes are proposed and how can I find out more?The UIV also recommends zoning changes for the Wānaka Town Centre Zone, the Local Shopping Centre Zone and the Business Mixed Use Zone.It also recommends additional, smaller changes to the LDRZ, MDRZ, and HDRZ that are not described here, and some other location-specific changes.More detailed information on the UIV can be found here.A QLDC duty planner will also be available to answer any questions by phone or in-person appointment every workday until September 1 (call the office on 443 0024).Members of the public can also head to either of the public drop-in sessions taking place today to speak in-person with council staff.The sessions are taking place at the Lake Wānaka Centre from 12pm-2pm and 4.30pm-6.30pm.What’s next?Submissions on the UIV are open until September 21, and information about how to make a submission can be found here.Once submissions close, a summary of submissions will be made public, further submissions will open, and then a hearing will take place.When the hearing is complete, the hearing panel’s recommendation report will be considered by councillors, who will make a formal decision on the UIV. PHOTOS: Wānaka App 

Bestselling New Zealand author and public speaker on resilience Jake Bailey is returning to Queenstown Lakes next week with free speaking events in Wānaka, Queenstown and Cromwell ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week.Diagnosed with the most aggressive form of cancer in 2015 and given just weeks to live if it went untreated, Jake’s school prize-giving speech from a wheelchair went ‘viral’.  Now in remission and living overseas, Jake works full time on the psychology of resilience and has shared his strategies and research with more than 85,000 people, including corporations, organisations and schools around the world. Jake’s speaking events are presented by Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group and supported by Central Lakes Trust.“Over the past few years this region has faced, and continues to face, its fair share of adversity,” Jake said, “so it’s great to see people get behind this effort to provide people with practical tools and skills to help them overcome some of those challenges.”The Wānaka event will take place on Friday September 15, just days before Mental Health Awareness Week (September 18-24) begins.Te Hau Toka’s Central Lakes mental wellbeing navigator Ella Hitchcock will be on hand at the event, with plenty of local and science-backed advice and take-home learnings on the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ - this year’s theme.The five ways to wellbeing are five evidence-backed actions that individuals can build into their day-to-day lives to support mental wellbeing.“This is about finding all the good stuff for you that’s in your community, and fitting it into your life so that your mental health is a resource you can use when you need it, not a goal you never reach,” Ella said.The Wānaka event will take place at the private function room at the Albie Tavern in Albert Town from 5.30-7pm on Friday September 15, following an event in Queenstown (September 13) and Cromwell (September 14).Book your ticket here.PHOTO: Supplied

Communities across the country are preparing to come together to celebrate the indigenous language of Aotearoa New Zealand for Māori Language Week - Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.“Te Wiki o te Reo Māori is an opportunity to recognise a unique part of our national identity and to celebrate the collective journey we are taking towards its revitalisation,” Minister of Māori Development Willie Jackson said.“Whether we are in Paris, Kaipara, Sydney or Christchurch, te reo unites New Zealanders. Go to website to find out what others are doing and how you too can get involved.”Born out of protest, the week is now about promoting te reo to everyone. This year will also mark the third Māori Language Moment - Te Wā Tuku Reo Māori, a challenge to stop and celebrate te reo for a moment. Devised by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, the aim is to get more than one million people taking part: because one million speakers are needed by 2040 to safeguard the language.Queenstown Lakes District Council is also encouraging locals to get behind the virtual Māori Language Moment, which invites the population to stop what they’re doing and celebrate te reo Māori at 12pm on Thursday September 14.  The event marks the moment the Māori Language Petition was presented to Parliament in 1972, on the first Māori Language Day. Three years later it became what we now know as Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.“I want to encourage everyone to get involved and have a go in the festivities this week and support our beautiful culture and language so it can be cherished for generations,” Willie said.Wānaka Library will also be hosting a special te reo Māori pre-schooler’s story time, including an activity book for tamariki to take away, today (Wednesday September 13) between 10.00-11.00am. PHOTO: Supplied

Kia ora Wānaka. Here are this week’s doings from our community.Police have been busy out and about patrolling and keeping our roads safe. We continue to have a range of daily driving complaints. Often these are tourists to our fine country who are less than used to our roads and the vehicle they have just picked up.Please continue to report these incidents but do also take a moment to give them space. Some complaints we receive are of vehicles tailgating, flashing lights on high beam and doing unnecessary passing manoeuvres. When these vehicles are stopped police are often handed New Zealand driver licenses with Wānaka addresses. Just relax, Wānaka will still be there even if it takes you five minutes longer.The speed limit is the speed limit, and this also applies going downhill or up. I have heard many excuses in my time for speed, including having a baby, but driving up or down McDougall or Gunn roads still requires 40Km/hr. There should be a pedal in between your legs called the brake, feel free to use it.The fishing analogy shooting into a barrel unfortunately rings true for Wānaka police when it comes to catching drink drivers. Many Wānaka drivers still can’t seem to get their heads around that a taxi ride home or having a sober driver is cheaper and safer than the alternative.Take a moment to let this math sink in, punishments range from a $200 fine and 50 demerit points to a date over the hill at court. Court would more than likely mean a day off work, six months of disqualification and a monetary fine of at least $400. There would be an extra cost applying for a limited work license on top of all of that.We had four drink drivers in one-night last week and the next morning a driver crashed into the shiny new armco barriers on Cardrona Valley Road, saving them from rolling down the hill. They blew well over the legal limit and elected bloods. Once the blood result of this comes back, I’m sure they will be reading the above paragraph and adding up the costs.Fortunately, they were not hurt.If you did some waiting in lines of road work traffic in the valley over the past couple of weeks while these barriers were installed, you probably helped save a life there.Wānaka police continue to catch our sticky-fingered thieves or people that use documents for dishonest purposes. I agree the price of Kumara isn’t the cheapest, but this doesn’t mean you can steal to satisfy your palate or have adventures on our slopes at the expense of others.A local couple fell to an online scam. The computer wizards posed as the New Zealand Police Cybercrime team. This was not the case, and their bank account was drained nearly $100,000. Fortunately, their bank thought it didn’t look right so stopped the transaction. A good lesson all round of what these techno-scumbags are doing.As the days grow longer, and the temperature warms the desire to get out and into our backyard grows. Please be aware of snow melt leading to rising streams and rivers. With the changeable weather, one minute the sun could be out and the next a snow flurry accompanied with negative temperatures is rolling through. Be prepared, have a plan and let others know what you are doing.Police and other agencies conducted a search and rescue avalanche exercise several weeks ago. Thank you to all involved especially those who volunteered time and resources.There are some pretty amazing people (and dogs) in our local community who have a special set of skills to help keep us all safe in the mountains. We have solid procedures in place for when one of these does occur but also took away some good lessons from the exercise.The Wānaka community held a Pride event over the weekend. It was well supported and great to see an expression of colour, art, performance and people feeling safe to be who they are. Congratulations to those who organised such an inclusive event. We look forward to next year.Related: Community comes out to support Pride Street PartyI’m still undecided who I will vote for so please don’t kick over the political signs. If you are passionate about a particular Party join them rather than bringing down the opposition. It's wilful damage, we will find you!