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

McDonald’s says it no longer plans to open its proposed Wānaka restaurant around the clock.Previously billed to operate 24 hours a day, the company now plans to open from 6am-11pm daily.Jeremy Brabant, the barrister representing McDonald’s, presented the amendment to its proposal to independent commissioners via Zoom today (Thursday December 19).It follows a three-day in-person hearing in Wānaka in November where the commissioners considered the controversial proposal for a McDonald’s near the SH6/SH84 intersection.The McDonald’s team, pictured during the November hearing, including barrister Jeremy Brabant (front, centre). PHOTO: Wānaka AppDuring the hearing they heard from the McDonald’s team, Queenstown Lakes District Council (which recommended the proposal be turned down), and members of the public (the majority of whom opposed it).Today, Jeremy noted that opponents of the McDonald’s proposal had had “a bit to say” about the 24/7 McDonald’s operation.That was now a “moot point” considering the concession from McDonald’s on operating hours.“The other tweak to the proposal is the adjustment to the height of the blade sign,” Jeremy told commissioners.The controversial proposal has been the source of plenty of debate in the community. PHOTO: Wānaka AppThe ‘golden arches’ would be reduced to 2.2m in height to “align” with the height of the Caltex sign.Jeremy said the amendments were “discreet” but “important”.The Zoom meeting was the McDonald’s team’s opportunity to provide its right-of-reply and Jeremy touched on a range of topics which had come up during the hearing.He said while McDonald’s was “cognisant” of the rubbish and packaging issue, “you don’t need to go further than the two supermarkets in town to find more packaging than you can shake a stick at”.When it came to the nutritional value and health effects of McDonald’s food, it was “a matter of personal choice as to what one orders from McDonald’s, or not”, he said.He said the McDonald’s, which was “not a large building”, was not of the “nature of scale which can compete with or detract from Mt Iron”.The McDonald’s, if approved, would be built on rural-zoned land near the SH6/SH84 intersection. PHOTO: Wānaka AppThe idea that the McDonald’s site was within the ‘gateway’ to Wānaka was “a somewhat nebulous concept that needs not to be overlooked”, Jeremy said.Jeremy noted that there was a “narrow pathway to consent” for the proposal.However, it is “deserving of consent”, he said.Independent commissioner Helen Atkins said she expected to issue a decision on the McDonald’s proposal by the end of January.

A person has died and several others are injured, following a crash on State Highway 6 between Queenstown and Kingston this afternoon (Thursday December 20).The crash, involving two cars and a tour bus, was reported to police at 4.05pm.A person from one of the cars was confirmed deceased at the scene and at least two others are reported to have critical injuries.At least two people from the bus are reported to have serious injuries and a number of other people have moderate injuries police said.State Highway 6 north of Kingston is expected to remain closed for several hours.Motorists are urged to delay travel where possible.

The New Zealand Motor Caravan Owners’ Association (NZMCA) has continued to criticise Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) approach to freedom camping, saying the council is firmly to blame for any negative impacts from camping this summer.This month the NZMCA told its members that QLDC had “deliberately created” an “open slather” approach to freedom camping in the district.“They are hanging their ratepayers out to dry with a deliberate choice that has opened the door to a potential free-for-all for irresponsible freedom campers,” NZMCA CEO Bruce Lochore said in the group’s December newsletter.QLDC stopped enforcing its 2021 Freedom Camping Bylaw after it was revoked by the High Court in early November after the NZMCA challenged the bylaw’s legality.“The bylaw restricted freedom camping in a number of areas in the district. Without it those restrictions are lifted,” a QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App last month.Read more: Council stops enforcing freedom camping, legal costs mountHowever, campers should not assume they can camp on any public land without checking if any other restrictions apply (such as restrictions under the Reserves Act regarding temporary and permanent accommodation).The national Freedom Camping Act 2011 also requires that vehicles be certified self-contained to freedom camp and QLDC has continued to enforce this. Bruce Lochore told members the NZMCA had told QLDC “their proposed bylaws didn’t meet the requirements of the law and [we] offered to work with them to ensure that they did”.“Even after we had won the case, Justice Osborne gave QLDC the opportunity to find a solution for this summer. We could have pushed for the bylaw to be quashed but we didn’t; instead we reached out in good faith to QLDC to offer an olive branch to avoid the current situation.“We should have known better – QLDC rejected our assistance and asked the Court to quash the bylaw.”NZMA’s CEO says there is potential for a “free-for-all for irresponsible freedom campers this summer”. PHOTO: Wānaka AppHe said QLDC has blamed NZMCA for the lack of freedom camping controls this summer, but, he said: “... any negative impacts from the QLDC’s decision need to be laid at their door”.Deputy mayor Quentin Smith told the Wānaka App he was disappointed the group continued to “actively antagonise QLDC and its residents”.“I have personally extended the invite on a number of occasions to NZMCA to work constructively,” he said.“I extend an open invite to Bruce Lochore and his board to arrange a public meeting in Wānaka with an independent facilitator so they can make their case and explain what they want.  “Their continued approach of aggressive and expensive legal action is perplexing when they refuse to engage with the community they impact both financially and in terms of effective management of issues in our community.” QLDC was approached for comment.Read more: Council’s freedom camping bylaw ruled invalidRead more: New freedom camping bylaw to cost another $100k

Local agencies are urging parents to help ensure their children have a safe New Year’s period.Queenstown Lakes District Council, NZ Police, Hato Hone St John and harm prevention organisation Red Frogs have teamed up to share safety messaging ahead of the busy holiday break.Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers said while he wanted visitors and locals to enjoy New Year’s, it should be done safely and respectfully - and supplying alcohol to minors was “a red line”.Each year huge numbers of visitors travel to Wānaka for the Christmas and New Year’s period and many congregate on the lakefront on New Year’s Eve for the community celebrations.The agencies said they want to ensure the young people attending New Year’s Eve events - and spending time in Wānaka around that period - have parental supervision and, crucially, aren’t supplied with alcohol.“We see it every year and our job is to minimise that,” Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts said.Parents also needed “to be on the same page with us” when it came to supplying alcohol to minors and it is something police would be “hitting hard”.“We’ll be enforcing it. We make no apologies for that,” Fi said.Queenstown Lakes District Council, NZ Police, Hato Hone St John and harm prevention organisation Red Frogs have teamed up to encourage safe New Year’s behaviour. PHOTO: Wānaka App“In the past we have taken prosecution action against a parent/caregiver for supplying alcohol to a minor,” she said. “This was a direct consequence of the state that we found their child.”She also encouraged parents to attend the community events with their children or teens.Red Frogs national director Ray Thomson said the agencies want young people “to have a fun time - and we want them to have a safe time as well”.The organisation will have volunteers around the Wānaka CBD from December 29-January 1, offering free pancakes, water and a chill-out zone to encourage safe behaviour.Ray said while Red Frogs liked looking after young people “you [parents] also have a role and responsibility”.He had four ‘top tips’ for parents: Have open conversations with your teens about their plans; remind them to stay with their friends; leave no young person behind; and “tell your teens to visit Red Frogs”.

Hāwea Flat’s Presbyterian church, St Ninian’s, has been listed for sale for the first time since its construction before World War II.The Hāwea congregation has “outgrown” the church, Hāwea minister Reverend Aaron Johnstone said.“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.The church, which is adjacent to the Hāwea Kindergarten and Hāwea Flat School, was built between 1937 and 1938 by the Hāwea community under the guidance of celebrated architect Dr Elmslie. “There is a wonderful history of St. Ninian’s evolving with its congregation over the past 90 years,” Aaron said.“It has been a place of comfort and worship, and today, it continues to thrive as a hub of life and connection.” The interior of the church.Aaron said the local congregation had “lovingly maintained the building over the decades”. The vestry was added in 1956, and in 1959, an agreement with the local school provided water access, enabling the addition of a small kitchen and washroom. During the Depression in the 1930s, the church supported workers and their families building the Makarora–Haast road under challenging conditions. Evening services continued during the 1950s Ministry of Works efforts to construct the Hāwea Control Dam. “Although we’ve outgrown the space, we remain committed to honouring the vision of our founders and continuing to serve the community,” Aaron said. The church has a Queenstown Lakes District Council Category 3 Historic Heritage designation, which allows for internal alterations while preserving its exterior. It is being sold by Century 21 Wānaka.PHOTOS: Supplied

Ten patients were assessed and treated at the site of a hot air balloon crash near Wānaka this morning, Hato Hone St John says.Two ambulances and two operations managers responded after being alerted to the crash, in Queensbury, at 8.32am.All patients had “minor” injuries and no transportation was required, St John told the Wānaka App.A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) representative told the Wānaka App it had also responded with crews from both Wānaka and Luggate.When FENZ arrived “everyone was out of the balloon and in the care of the ambulance”.The representative said the hot air balloon had had “a rough landing”.PHOTO: Wānaka App98466

A temporary cell tower in Albert Town will help Two Degrees manage increased demand over the summer months.The trailer-mounted cell tower features a 12.8m high pole and three panel antennas, located on the road reserve opposite Templeton Street.A similar tower was in place for three months last summer.A representative from Two Degrees said it was seeing “insatiable demand” for high-speed data from customers.“Data usage on the network continues to double year on year, with similar growth expected in future”.The company said it is hoping to build a permanent telecommunications facility in Albert Town in the next two-to-five years.“We are currently working on other network enhancements that will improve Albert Town capacity until then,” they said.“We are upgrading our existing sites in Wānaka and investigating a new site on the other side of Mt Iron which will de-load the capacity of the current site servicing Albert Town.“These changes may mean we do not need the temporary summer [tower] from next year.”Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) approved Two Degrees’ resource consent application for the cell tower.It is expected to be in place until the end of February.PHOTO: Supplied