The MetService has issued an Orange heavy rain warning for the headwaters of Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea from 10am-7pm Monday (December 15).An active front, preceded by strong moist northerlies, moves across the South Island on Monday, followed by showery westerlies.Between 120 to 160mm of rain is expected about the main divide, and 70 to 100mm within 20km farther east.Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly. Surface flooding and slips are also possible and driving conditions may be hazardous.Anyone heading into Mt Aspiring National Park is advised to take extra care or delay travel.

The independent panel assessing the massive Bendigo-Ophir gold mine has signalled its decision will likely take longer than the standard timeframe the fast-track law allows.Panel head Jane Borthwick put out a formal request (called a Minute) on Tuesday (December 9), asking the mine’s developer, Matakanui Gold Limited, a subsidiary of Santana Minerals, if it would agree to an extension.The mine is going through the government’s special fast-track consenting process for its planned open cast and underground mine in the hills above Cromwell.Jane said the decision process needs more time because the proposal is large and complex. Under the recently updated fast-track rules, the expert panel must make a decision within a maximum of 90 working days unless the applicant - in this case Matakanui Gold - agrees to a longer timeframe. However, Jane said her initial assessment suggests more time may be needed. "Based on the information before me, the scale, nature, and complexity of the application suggest that a timeframe exceeding 90 working days may be warranted," she said in the Minute. She suggested a timeframe of 110 to 120 working days, citing the sheer volume of the application, which includes 10 approvals sought, 22 proposed management plans and 10 sets of conditions.A 90-day decision would be due on July 28, if the panel begins its work at the start of February as planned, while a 120-day timeframe would push the final decision out to September 8. Jane said she will be "seeking views on this matter before forming a concluded view". Matakanui Gold Limited was directed to respond to the request by Friday (December 12), and at the time of publication no response had been uploaded to the government’s fast-track projects website. The request to extend the timeframe received approval from local protest group Sustainable Tarras."Against the background of Santana executives trying to speed up the process, reduce community involvement and minimise environmental protections, plus [Regional Development Minister] Shane Jones placing pressure on all involved to speed up and 'dig baby dig', this is welcome news," the group wrote on Facebook.  "The decision to proceed with this mine will have intergenerational and irreversible impacts. The panel needs sufficient time and space to consider all aspects of the application, and to make a considered decision." The Bendigo-Ophir mine, if approved, would be the largest new gold development in New Zealand in more than a generation. The company’s application, lodged at the start of November, includes nearly 9,400 pages of documents and 135 technical reports.Santana Minerals chief executive Damian Spring has said the milestone reflected “years of serious technical work and deep environmental assessment by New Zealand experts”.  The company anticipates the mine would produce up to 120,000 ounces of gold a year over a 14-year life, generating $5.8b in GDP and hundreds of jobs.

Upper Clutha teenagers Finley Melville Ives and Luke Harrold have made history on the world stage, finishing first and second at the FIS Freeski Halfpipe World Cup in Secret Garden, China, today (Saturday December 13).Finley (190 claimed the win, while Luke (17) secured second place, marking the first time two New Zealanders have ever shared a World Cup halfpipe podium in either freeski or snowboard.The result caps off a remarkable day, with two athletes who grew up training in the Upper Clutha pushing each other to the top of an international field.“I honestly have no words. It was such tricky conditions today, everyone skied so well, and it was really gnarly...so I honestly can't believe it. Super surreal,” Findley said.Fourteen men advanced to the two-run final, putting pressure on athletes to land a strong opening run. Finley delivered immediately, dropping in first and posting a 90.00-point score with unmatched consistency and height. The score stood as the best of the day, matched only by Finley in his second run.Luke entered the final as the top qualifier and dropped last in both runs. After his first run he sat second on 88.00 points, just two behind his Upper Clutha teammate. In his final run, Luke lifted his score to 89.00, but it was not enough to displace Finley from the top step.The win is Finley’s second World Cup victory, following his breakthrough win in Canada earlier this year. For Luke, it is his second World Cup podium, having also finished second at the same event in 2023 when he was just 15.American Hunter Hess finished third.Watch Finley's run here.PHOTO: Li Runsheng / FIS Park & Pipe

Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) celebrated the achievements of its junior students at its 2025 junior awards ceremonies on Thursday (December 11, Years 7 and 8) and Friday (December 12, Years 9 and 10). Principal Nicola Jacobsen said the awards recognised the academic, artistic, cultural, sporting and service achievement of junior students. “It’s wonderful to come together as a school community and celebrate our junior students and the many ways they excel and contribute to the life of our college and our community.“We are committed to academic excellence and continue to focus on the core skills of literacy and numeracy, as well as offering a range of subjects to prepare our junior students for their senior learning pathways, and life beyond school. Highest academic achievers Year 8 (L-R): Edie Yandall, Mia Reardon, Tenki Watanabe, Bill Dobson, George Cruden, Emily Boswell, and Tyla Sherger (absent: Rhys Brugman).“We also place a strong emphasis on our values which represent what we stand for as a school community and inform how we treat ourselves, each other and our environment. “I am very proud of our junior students and thankful for the support they receive from their families and whānau, and our local community.” The best all round student awards went to Bruno Blampied and Charlotte Crosbie (Year 7), Bill Dobson and Edie Yandall (Year 8), Arlo Waddington and Alice Chaly (Year 9), and Ivy Craig and Amber Gemmell (Year 10). Academic awards for the highest achievers in each class went to: Caley Clifford, Charlie Baumgren, Elsie Baker, Zuzia Wick, Lola O'Regan, Isaac Wood, Caleb Wilson (Year 7); George Cruden, Rhys Brugman, Mia Reardon, Tenki Watanabe, Emily Boswell, Tyla Scherger, Bill Dobson, Edie Yandall (Year 8); Malcie Cervelli, Finn Butland, Sam Davis, Nadia Thomas, Charlotte Taylor, Ford Mills, Chloe Chisholm (Year 9); and Laila Telfer, Amber Gemmell, Bess Wilson, Bella Wright, Blanka Lewis, Mackenzie Smith, Elsie Parsons, Merryn Foster (Year 10). Highest academic achievers Year 9 (L-R): Charlotte Taylor, Nadia Thomas, Malcie Cervelli, Ford Mills, Sam Davis, Finn Butland, Chloe Chisholm.The ceremonies featured waiata performed by Te Mākahi o Tititea (MAC’s kapa haka group), and performances by MAC student bands ‘Arrhythmia’, ‘Instant Referral’, and ‘Stranger Danger’, and the MAC Orchestra and Junior Band. MAC thanked prize sponsors Wastebusters, Racers Edge, Integrity Homes, and Mitre Ten MEGA.Highest academic achievers Year 10 (L-R): Laila Telfer, Blanka Lewis, Bess Wilson, Amber Gemmell, Bella Wright, Mackenzie Smith, Merryn Foster, (absent: Elsie Parsons).PHOTOS: Supplied

Three people have received Special Honours List New Zealand Bravery Awards for their roles in a dramatic rescue at the mouth of the Rees River in Glenorchy - which took place less than a week after a Wānaka man died in the same location while trying to save his son. In January 2023, 48-year-old Linkin Kisling, also known as Leroy Kaaho, entered the fast-flowing river after his 10-year-old son. The boy was rescued but his father did not re-emerge. His body was recovered the following day by the Police National Dive Squad. Six days later, on January 19, another young boy was pulled by the current on the Rees River into the lake, triggering a second rescue in almost identical conditions. This week, three people involved in that second rescue were recognised with New Zealand Bravery Medals (NZBM).Off-duty police officer Sergeant Harshad (Harry) Ghodke, holidaymaker Susan Burke, and Australian physiotherapist Jonny Young (who died during the rescue attempt) were all honoured for their actions.Sergeant Harshad swam out to the boy as he was dragged into deeper water by a strong undertow. Exhausted and struggling to keep both himself and the boy afloat, he instructed the child to lie on his back and attempted to return to shore for more help.Jonny saw Sergeant Harshad returning without the boy and decided to swim out to assist. He reached the child and began pulling him towards land, but the pair were separated in the current and Jonny became fatigued.Susan then swam out to the pair, reaching the boy - who by then was floating calmly on his back - and bringing him safely to shore. As she returned, onlookers shouted that Jonny had gone under. She and two others attempted to locate him, diving repeatedly despite exhaustion, but were unable to find him, and his body was recovered the following day.The citations state that Susan “ensured the rescue of the young boy” and continued searching “to the limit of her ability”, while Sergeant Harshad’s actions “addressed the immediate panic of the boy”, helping to keep him alive long enough for help to arrive. Jonny’s posthumous award recognises his “selfless bravery”.The New Zealand Bravery Medal recognises acts of bravery and is awarded primarily to civilians.PHOTO: Unsplash

If you’ve ever had teens staying in Wānaka over New Year, you’ll know it’s a world of its own. Between the crowds, the late nights, and the energy that comes with the season, it can feel both exciting and daunting. One local family hosted groups of boys from Years 11–13 for seven summers. Their story offers a reassuring, practical look at what helped them get through it.Their biggest lesson? Start talking early. Before the boys even arrived, they contacted every parent, most of whom they’d never met, to agree on expectations around alcohol, curfews, and how the group would be supervised. It felt awkward, but it set a clear foundation. Everyone knew the rules, and everyone followed the same ones.They also learned not to do it alone. Having another couple or two extra parents staying made all the difference. It spread the load and meant boundaries didn’t fall to one tired adult at midnight.There were a few non-negotiables. No alcohol brought from home. Any drinks were bought by the hosts as part of the general shop (paid for by the teens, of course). Drinking only happened alongside food, usually at dinner, after a full day outdoors. Days were structured on purpose, walking up Mt Iron, swimming, bridge-jumping, backyard cricket, tennis, cards, anything to burn energy and keep spirits high.The boys stayed in tents, cooked breakfast on the BBQ, and were responsible for dishes, bathrooms, and quick showers. Everyone ate together morning and night. Curfew meant they all met at the skatepark at 1am, then came home together. The hosts always offered pick-ups, even though they lived close by. It was never worth the risk of letting exhausted teens wander home.There were missteps. Stray kids turned up, police knocked on the door, and a few very sick teenagers needed rescuing. But the boys always talked, even when they’d had a rough night. Those late-night debriefs, food, water, coffee, and the “big chair chat” where they shared the evening gossip with the adults became their favourite part.Their message to other parents? Be clear, be involved, and be willing to work with the other adults in your teen’s world. It’s not about perfection. It’s about getting everyone home safe.A simple checklist for parents planning to host teens at New Year in WānakaBefore they arriveTalk with the other parents early — agree on boundaries, alcohol expectations, and supervision.Make sure everyone understands the same rules apply to every teen.Confirm communication plans with both parents if families are separated.Decide who is responsible for transport, shopping, and check-ins.While they’re stayingShare the load — have another couple or two adults staying as support.Set a rule of no alcohol from home; all drinks bought together and accompanied by food.Keep days structured: exercise, swimming, walks, sport, lake time, and activities that burn energy.Encourage teens to sort their own gear: tent set-up, bedding, and their share of chores.Eat together morning and night; make dishes, bathrooms, and quick showers part of the routine.Set a clear curfew and meet-up point (e.g., skatepark at 1am).Offer pick-ups and drop-offs, no matter the distance, it’s safer and teens won’t always judge when they’re too tired.When things go wrongExpect mistakes — stay calm, stay available.Look out for strays or unwell kids and be prepared to help.If police become involved, treat them as partners in keeping everyone safe.Before they leaveHave a quick conversation about the plan for the night ahead.Make sure no one drives after a big New Year’s Eve; late nights and long trips don’t mix.You’ll find practical tips, conversation starters, and planning tools on the Safe Summer Wānaka campaign page.Support them to have a brilliant time, and a safe one, and in being a legend, not a liability.Anonymous - Parent lived experience

The annual Hāwea Christmas Wonderland is entering its final weekend at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre, giving locals one last chance to see this year’s imaginative displays.Christmas elves Elizabeth Horrell and Barbara Mackenzie have been creating the wonderlands for the last seven years, and planning often begins almost a year in advance.This year’s theme, Dreams of Christmas’, began with Elizabeth’s idea of featuring a unicorn and grew from there into an extravaganza filling the centre’s main hall with a with a series of imaginative scenes - from mermaids and unicorns to an ice igloo, Santa’s seat, and much more.The main hall is filled with imaginative festive scenes with the theme ‘Dreams of Christmas’.“People have been telling us this year’s is the best so far, so that’s lovely,” Elizabeth told the Wānaka App.The wonderland was a community effort - the Wānaka Men’s Shed built a train and carriage especially for the display and contributed to a giant unicorn that took 12 months to build, with help from the team at Fabricate and other community members.Most of the decorations are Elizabeth’s and Barbara’s own, but various community members are involved in bringing the wonderland’s many moving parts to life, including a dedicated team of around six people who spend 10-12 days at the centre installing everything before it opens.Elizabeth said the Christmas train, built by the Wānaka Men’s Shed, was one of the highlights of this year’s display.Born of the pair’s love of Christmas decorating, the wonderland has come a long way since they started. “Compared to the first year it’s like chalk and cheese,” Elizabeth said.A big turnout is expected for the wonderland’s final weekend, which will include an appearance by and photo opportunities with Santa.All money raised from the wonderland goes back to the community-owned centre.The giant unicorn, a year-long project, was created with help from the Men’s Shed, Fabricate, and local volunteers.The Hāwea Christmas Wonderland is open today and tomorrow (Saturday December 13 and Sunday December 14), from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre.Tickets are $2.50 for children (5+), $10 for adults, and $20 for families, with free entry for under-fives. PHOTOS: Wānaka App

The Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board is hoping a two hour parking limit at the Stoney Creek carpark - the main access point for the Wānaka Tree - will help manage traffic at the site this summer.The board agreed to adopt the maximum parking limit (P120 zone) at its meeting in September. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) will also be monitoring the site during the summer, a spokesperson told the Wānaka App.“With enforcement and signage, this will help increase turnover and create opportunities for more people to park here during the day,” the spokesperson said.People line up for the toilets at the Watersports Facility this week.“Council has previously taken steps to protect nearby reserve land and maintain clear access by installing rocks and fencing.”In February this year rocks were installed around the Stoney Creek reserve to help restore it from a “dust bowl” to a green area.Read more: Stoney Creek Reserve Restoration Sparks Parking DebateThe council spokesperson said the district is getting busier ahead of the summer holidays. “While this can naturally pose challenges, we’re committing council resources accordingly. “For example, our parking team has additional staff in Wānaka over the busy period and – as in previous years – there will be free, unlimited parking at the showgrounds.” PHOTOS: Wānaka App

The High Court will test the legal case of a former Wānaka couple who have claimed that Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) was obliged to offer them back land which was taken from them under the Public Works Act 1981.The 20 hectares was acquired by QLDC under the Public Works Act, following compensation awarded by the Supreme Court in a 1977 judgment, QLDC told the Wānaka App. The land was acquired for oxidation ponds.Former landowners Angus and Dale Gordon are claiming that QLDC was obliged to offer the land back following the decommissioning of wastewater treatment facilities.QLDC disputes this claim and maintains that the land has continuously been required for public use, most recently sports and recreation purposes.The oxidation ponds were decommissioned around 2010 and the land remediated over the following years.The land was rezoned to ‘active sport and recreation zone’ in 2021 during a District Plan review.QLDC said the site “has been remediated and re-gazetted for sports and recreation, aligning with council’s established plans for a community sports hub”.Councillors had expected the land to be levelled and sown with grass by the middle of 2026.In 2022, QLDC’s legal department told the Otago Daily Times it considered there was a legal process which may be used to repurpose the land for sport and recreation.When the ODT asked if the council had offered the land back to the Gordons, a council spokesperson said: "QLDC requires the land for another public work, namely sport and recreation, so there is no reason or need to ask the former landowner that question."QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said last month the council had filed its Statement of Defence and engaged specialist legal counsel to assist in defending the claim.He said the council recognises there is a strong public interest in the site’s future as a sports hub, however any planning and investment decisions must be made carefully while proceedings are underway.“The matter will proceed through the usual court process and therefore no further comment will be made until the proceedings have been concluded,” Mike said.The legal proceedings concerning 101 Ballantyne Road are currently before the High Court in Invercargill.PHOTO: Supplied

The team at Wānaka’s Aspiring Conversations festival of ideas and kōrero has unveiled the first event of its 2026 programme, with the return of an audience-favourite raconteur on March 29. Kicking off the line-up announcements is ‘Kiwi Country’ with comedian, documentarian and presenter Te Radar and writer and researcher Ruth Spencer. Together they will dive into the objects that have shaped the nation, from Red Band gumboots, no. 8 wire, to a can of reduced cream or real fruit ice cream, organisers said. The session is based on the pair’s acclaimed book ‘Kiwi Country: Rural New Zealand in 100 Objects’, an entertaining history of rural life in Aotearoa, told through artefacts, gadgets and ephemera that tell a story that goes deeper than the objects themselves. “This show celebrates not only the objects they’ve found, but some of the audience's own,” a statement from Aspiring Conversations said. “Te Radar and Ruth will uncover history, hilarity and plenty of heart.” Following on from his sell-out hit show Cookbookery at the 2025 Wānaka Festival of Colour, Te Radar said he was thrilled to return to Wānaka once again. “Although Ruth and I have collaborated for 20 years, we rarely get to share stage time,” he said.“We're incredibly excited about returning to Wānaka to celebrate not only the many weird and wonderful items and their associated anecdotes from our book, but also to talk about things that other people may have in their possession, or that they think could have been included in a celebration of the best of rural New Zealand.”Aspiring Conversations comes to Wānaka from March 27-29, bringing together a line-up of authors, politicians, theatremakers, musicians, journalists and curious minds for a weekend rich in ideas and kōrero. The full programme for Aspiring Conversations will be released January 22, with tickets on sale the following Monday.  PHOTO: Supplied

Are you the kind of person who cringes at “ATM machine” or “PIN number”? Now there’s “the RAM method.”The Revenue Account Method (RAM) is a proposed fix for a long-standing headache in NZ’s Foreign Investment Fund (FIF) rules. These rules make sure NZ tax residents pay tax on offshore investments. Instead of taxing the cash you actually receive (like dividends), FIF rules pretend you’ve earned income based on share values. That’s fine if you own listed shares with clear market values. But it’s more complicated for unlisted shares, which may be hard to value and harder to sell. So you could end up paying tax on artificial income, but without the cash to pay it.Enter the RAM. RAM is available if:You acquired unlisted foreign shares (that can’t be redeemed for market value) at least five years before becoming NZ tax resident, andYou became resident after 1 April 2024.There’s also “extended RAM”, which applies to all your shareholdings if you’re taxed based on citizenship (meaning Americans). How does it work?Instead of taxing deemed income every year, RAM only taxes you when you realise cash from share sales or dividends. Even better, only 70% of the gain is taxable.Is it better? Not necessarily. Here’s an example. Say you hold shares worth $50,000 on 1 April, which you sell later that year for $60,000.Under the standard FIF rules, you’d pay tax on $2,500 of income (5% of $50,000), but under RAM, you’d be taxed on $7,000 (70% of the $10,000 gain). While RAM taxes you only when you sell, which can help with cash flow, the trade-off is that the more your investment grows, the more tax you’ll pay under RAM.So, does the RAM help? It depends. It’s simpler and delays payment of tax, but could cost more overall. It may also allow you to claim foreign tax credits for the NZ tax against tax paid on foreign capital gains (generally not possible under the standard FIF rules). This is generally only a benefit NZ tax residents who remain subject to tax on capital gains in the United States through holding citizenship or a greencard. If that’s you, you’ll know exactly what I mean. The FIF rules are tricky, but that’s where we come in – get in touch to discuss your options.Alex CullTax Partner, Greenhawk Chartered Accountants0800 422 526 | [email protected] | greenhawk.co.nz91 Sir Tim Wallis Drive, Wānaka

The district’s new Freedom Camping Bylaw has been in place for just over a week but locals are already reporting freedom camping numbers far exceeding the bylaw’s limits.Residents of Allenby Place have reacted to the influx of campervans to their quiet neighbourhood - now designated as one of 15 carpark sites in the district which allows freedom camping - with dismay.“As a councillor and a resident near one of the freedom camping sites I am super frustrated over the first 10 days of the new bylaw being in place,” deputy mayor Quentin Smith (who voted against the bylaw) told the Wānaka App.“My family [is] personally experiencing a pretty extreme change in our neighbourhood and massive increase in traffic at normally quiet evening time.  “The three dedicated sites at Beacon Point and Allenby Place each are typically occupied by 4pm and people continue to drive in and out for the next seven hours or so with no outcome, other than some of them choosing to ignore the three van restriction.”  There are three designated sites for camping at the Allenby Place carpark.He said on Tuesday night (December 9) there were 10 van movements in 10 minutes at 11pm at the Allenby Place carpark, which is usually dead quiet.   “In 10 days I haven’t witnessed a single night of compliance, where the new rules are being respected,” he said.    “I feel really frustrated we have been forced into this position by a freedom camping act and court challenges from the [NZ Motor Caravan Association] only to end up in a worse position than we started.”  He fears what the sites will be like in the peak of summer, and said QLDC is already receiving a lot of complaints. “I know council ambassadors are visiting and council enforcement staff and contractors are issuing tickets but it seems a bucket in a tsunami.”  Read more: Freedom camping bylaw now in place across QLDCAnother resident of Allenby Place said their home “changed overnight” after December 1.There are 18 designated sites at the Wānaka Recreation Centre.“Since then we've had hundreds of campers driving down our street trying to get one of three parks. They go from 3pm to late at night, speeding past the playground and dog park," he said."We're really worried about the fire risk. Most of these vans only have outdoor gas hobs so they have to cook outside - and QLDC has tucked the spaces right up against Mt Iron which is the biggest wildfire hazard in Wānaka."QLDC have made a crazy decision, without consideration of the impact on Allenby Place. We're only 10 days in and the residents are fed up already - something needs to change ASAP."Another resident displayed signs at the entrance to the carpark, saying ‘freedom camping = freeloading, go to a campground’, ‘Campervans: It’s full, try behind QLDC, 47 Ardmore Street’, and another sign listing the councillors who approved the bylaw, noting ‘They don’t live here’.A resident who contacted the Wānaka App said Cougar Security arrives in the evening to ticket any non-compliant parking, but the campers arrive after Cougar leaves.“That’s part of the problem. Cougar Security has been here every night. They can’t control it,” she said.The bylaw, which was put in place last Monday (December 1), prohibits freedom camping (in certified self-contained vehicles) in most urban areas but allows for 18 designated spaces at the Wānaka Recreation Centre carpark, three spaces at the Beacon Point Road carpark, and three at the Allenby Place carpark.There are also 10 spaces designated for camping at the Camp Hill Road carpark by the Hāwea River.Meanwhile, a group of Upper Clutha residents are continuing to campaign against the inclusion of Beacon Point within the designated camping areas. A petition by the group, Save Clean NZ, has gained more than 1,300 signatures. Read more: Campaign launched to ‘save Beacon Point’Residents can report non compliance and complaints to: [email protected]: Supplied

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) staff and elected members are working to understand the implications of the government’s plans to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA).The government’s proposed RMA replacement bills, which were unveiled on Tuesday (December 9), total around 750 pages and are designed to “cut red tape, unlock growth and improve environmental outcomes”, according to RMA reform minister Chris Bishop.The morning after the announcement, QLDC staff discussed the reforms with the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) at a workshop.The reforms involve “a whole suite of things” and the council is “trying to get our heads around what the impact will be”, QLDC assurance, finance and risk general manager Katherine Harbrow said.The two new bills - the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill - could be passed into law by 2026.The new system would reduce the more than 100 policy statements and plans across 78 local authorities down to 17 Regional Combined Plans, which will take two years to develop.Deputy mayor Quentin Smith, who spoke out on Tuesday against a provision for landowners to be compensated for restrictions imposed for landscape, heritage and biodiversity reasons, said at the workshop that councils were in for “a pretty wild ride”.“We’re trying to plan ahead for an uncertain future.”Read more: RMA reform could ‘bankrupt the district’ - deputy mayorKatherine said QLDC was working with other councils to navigate the changes.Mayor John Glover wonders how councils will be able to incorporate all the changes within a four percent rates increase.QLDC was also investigating the four percent rates cap proposed by the government, she said.Speaking to the Wānaka App by phone, mayor John Glover said he was wondering how councils would be able to incorporate all the changes within a four percent rates increase.The district’s “iconic landscapes” have been protected by the RMA for many years, he said.He questioned how the reforms would balance competing interests: “How do you have tourism and growth at the same?”The changes are “pretty brutal for all of us, really”, he said.Chris Bishop said additional legislation to extend existing consents which will be passed under urgency in the coming days.“These transitional arrangements make sure people are not forced to navigate unnecessary costs or uncertainty as we move from the old system to the new one.”PHOTOS: Wānaka App

The past week has been “a mixed bag” of incidents for Wānaka Police, says area response manager Sergeant Darren Cranfield.They ranged from “drunken lads on Crate Day” who tried to do a runner after using a taxi service, to arresting a man for supplying cocaine.The use of Surron electric motorbikes on public roads is an “ongoing issue”, Darren said. “We caught another one this week,” he said. “We’ve got a video of two [people] on one doing 70kph down Outlet Road… Going down the bitumen, straight onto the shingle.“One of these days it will end in tears.”He said the same two people were caught on CCTV knocking on someone’s door in the middle of the night. One of the motorcyclists was wearing a white helmet, which may have also had some black on it.“If anyone knows the identity of this person, give us a call,” he said.Darren also said the police received a report from the public of three males on the roof of Cork Bar who had previously been seen trying car door handles.“Always ring us, If you see something you think is suspicious …Don’t be afraid to ring us, we’d rather know than not know.”Darren said there were three vehicle accidents in the past week.“One could potentially have been quite serious,” he said, “a rollover of a van two or three times”.“Luckily no-one was seriously injured.”Police were alerted to two incidents this week of parents driving with young children in the car not wearing seat belts.In one case, the vehicle was on the “open road, [with] three kids, no seatbelts”, Darren said, while in the other vehicle there were two “quite young” children unrestrained.“The driver/parent got some infringement notices,” he said.He said there were also instances of people driving without seat belts and using their cell phones while driving.Wānaka Police is busy with a cell phone use campaign, and “trying to curb those habits”, he said. “It comes with a fine. If you’re that person that needs to answer your phone, put it in the back seat while you’re driving. Call 111 when you need an emergency response from police, fire or ambulance.Call 105 to report things that don’t need urgent police assistance.Call *555 to report road incidents that are urgent but not life-threatening.To make an anonymous crime report contact Crime Stoppers.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Long-time Hāwea resident Dick Cotter, 98, was celebrated by Movember NZ for being the country’s oldest Movember participant this year.Dick was one of 11 men from Lake Hāwea who helped raise more than $1,500 for Movember NZ.Movember is an annual, global event which encourages people to grow moustaches (or fundraise in other ways) during November to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues, specifically focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.Movember New Zealand is the local chapter - and money raised each year funds research, treatment and awareness programmes for its key focus areas.Last month, the Hāwea Community Movember team committed to four weeks of moustache-growing and fundraising. “Their efforts, combined with the generosity of families, friends, and the wider community, raised an impressive $1,572.20,” the Hāwea Community Association (HCA) said in its latest newsletter. Ten of the 11 members of the Hāwea Community Movember team, including Dick Cotter (centre, back).“We are absolutely thrilled with this result.“Dick’s dedication, humour, and magnificent moustache captured hearts both locally and across the country.”The campaign wrapped up in true Hāwea style, the HCA said, at the community meet and greet last Friday (December 5) at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre.“The final evening was a fantastic celebration, with each team member presenting their carefully cultivated 'mo' for community judging,” they said.“Laughter, applause, and plenty of moustache admiration filled the room as votes were cast for three fun categories.”PHOTOS: Supplied

A chapter of Cycling Without Age (CWA), an international programme in 41 countries, has been set up in Wānaka.The worldwide movement aims to provide joy and vitality to all through the magic of bike rides.It enables older people, or those less mobile, to get out of their homes or retirement villages and go for a ride in the fresh air, under the power of a volunteer pilot’s pedals on a specially adapted bike.Wānaka Cycling Without Age’s Lucy Benson told the Wānaka App the group has been working on the project for a few months after setting up an incorporated society.“[We] have secured funding for a specific electric trike to carry elderly passengers,” she said. Lucy and friend Beth Campebll first heard about CWA when watching a short film about it at the The Big Bike Film Night.“We thought it was amazing and hadn’t heard of it before,” she said.“We’ve slowly made strides to set it up in Wānaka.”The group has secured $13,000 in funding from the Grassroots Trust for a bike, which is expected to arrive from Australia in February or March next year.Lucy said Beth has visited Elmslie House where there was great interest in the programme.“The pilot can chat to the people and engage with them, and get them out and about,” Lucy said.“You have two people on it - your buddy, or your grandchildren.”The idea “fits really well” in Wānaka with its network of tracks, she said.There are 3,500 chapters of the not for profit CWA around the world. An Alexandra chapter of CWA launched in 2022, and Beth said the Wānaka group has trained with them. Lucy invited interested people to visit the Wānaka Community Hub on Thursday (December 11) from 4-5pm to find out more about CWA. “If you know about it already and want to get involved, come along. It’s great to have people with different skills.”

The government’s proposed new planning system, announced today (Tuesday December 9), contains a “frankly bizarre” provision which has the potential to bankrupt Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), according to the deputy mayor.Resource Management Act (RMA) reform minister Chris Bishop has announced a new planning system “to cast off the shackles imposed by the broken [RMA], and set New Zealand on a path to economic growth that lifts our living standards and protects the environment”.QLDC deputy mayor Quentin Smith, who was formerly a planner, said the council is still “getting [their] heads around the proposed changes”, some of which the council saw coming and was preparing for.“However, the one really quite frankly bizarre provision is … the suggestion that landowners should be compensated for restrictions imposed for landscape, heritage and biodiversity reasons,” he said.“With 97 percent of the QLDC district being Outstanding Natural Landscapes/Features or similar, the impact on our district seems extreme and council’s ability to financially compensate land owners would be very limited. “As a district we literally bank on the landscapes and natural values that draw people here and there has been very hard work over many years to protect those values. This appears at face value to put that at risk.    “On face value it has the potential to bankrupt our district,” he said.The provision, titled ‘recognising efforts to help nature’, sets out the possibility of regulatory relief - including cash payments, reduced rates, no-fee consents and other measures - for people significantly affected by land-use restrictions related to outstanding natural features, and similar protections.Ninety-seven percent of this district is within the Outstanding Natural Landscapes/Features zone or similar, and the impact on the reforms could be extreme, says the deputy mayor.Quentin said QLDC was already “well advanced” in preparing for some of the new spatial planning and infrastructure rules and the likelihood of fewer consents.“And there are some good and bad that could come from that,” he said.“We will have to take some time to absorb the implications.”Two bills will be introduced to Parliament this afternoon by the government, which aims to pass them into law in 2026: a Planning Bill and a Natural Environment Bill which would require regional councils to support development of both a regional spatial plan and a natural environment plan. Combined territories boards would be the decision-making body for the new planning instruments. Each territorial authority will also develop a land-use plan, which will be brought together into a single regional plan.Chris Bishop said the new planning system will be easier for local government to use and navigate and deliver better value for ratepayers.He and local government minister Simon Watts said the new system will work alongside the proposed local government reforms “to reduce complexity, cut duplication and improve outcomes for communities”.“The new planning system will mean fewer consents, faster decisions and a strong focus on the issues that genuinely matter for communities and the environment.”The government has also announced a “rapid review” of regional council functions before the new boards are established to determine whether any functions should be centralised or discontinued.Read more: Local mayors respond to reform proposalsFind more information on the new planning system here.New Zealanders will be invited to have their say on the legislation via the Select Committee process. The consultation on the government’s local government reform proposals are open until February 20, 2026 via the Department for Internal Affairs website.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Jenny Mitchell and Avalanche City are among the first acts confirmed for the 2026 Wānaka A&P Show. Organisers say the initial release represents one of the most substantial and varied entertainment lineups in recent years.Both artists will feature on the main stage during the day and as part of the expanded show bar programme, with live music scheduled through until 7.30pm on both show days.A&P Show general manager Jane Stalker said the enhanced end-of-day offering reflects increasing demand for welcoming spaces where people can stay and connect.“Providing relaxed entertainment options at the close of each show day encourages visitors to stay a little longer, unwind, and enjoy the atmosphere,” she said.Local musicians Sloer, Andrew Logie, Sean Tinker, and Cemetery Road have also been confirmed, along with cooking and food demonstrations from Two Raw Sisters.The event will again highlight its rural roots with equestrian and livestock competitions, shearing and dog trials, and interactive experiences celebrating the skills and traditions of the agricultural sector.Further announcements on rural activations, demonstrations, competition timetables, and special features will be released from January as planning continues.The Wānaka A&P Show is one of the country’s largest and longest-running agricultural events, and organisers expect the 2026 edition to further strengthen its reputation.Tickets are on sale here: A&P Show.PHOTOS: Supplied

Challenge Wānaka has announced the launch of the Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka Adaptive Challenge for 2026, timed to coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. One of Challenge Wānaka’s fastest-growing events, the Adaptive Challenge is open to anyone aged 10 years and over with a physical or intellectual impairment.More than 40 athletes took part in 2025, and Challenge Wānaka organisers said they expect the number to increase in next year’s event.“Demand continues to rise as word spreads about just how inclusive, supported and celebratory this event is,” event director Jane Sharman said.She said one of last year’s most memorable moments came from a young athlete who “pushed himself to the limit” and inspired his father to participate in 2026.“It’s a reminder that the Adaptive Challenge isn’t just life-changing for participants; it motivates entire families to move, aspire and be part of something meaningful,” Jane said.Supporting next year is Challenge Wānaka Ambassador Shaz Dagg, a New Zealand Elite Paratriathlete and the first female amputee to complete the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. Known for saying “I may only have one wing, but I can still fly”, Shaz embodies the fearlessness and strength the event celebrates, Jane said. She will return to the Coast to Coast this summer in a team with Gemma McCaw before heading back to Wānaka to support the Adaptive Challenge.The event is supported by long-standing partners including Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka, Sport Central and the Mint Charitable Trust. The Adaptive Challenge includes a modified triathlon course tailored to a wide range of abilities and athletes can complete the event with a support person.Learn more about the Adaptive Challenge, as well as the other 2026 Challenge Wānaka events, here.PHOTO: Supplied