More people in Otago can now be assured health providers will know what their health care wishes are at times where they are unable to speak for themselves, often at the end of their lives. In February 2024, WellSouth, the primary health organisation (PHO) for Otago and Southland, changed the way it funds general practices to support patients writing and recording Advance Care Plans (ACPs).WellSouth has created a funding stream for practices to claim for processing ACPs, alongside offering training and support via two dedicated WellSouth shared care plan coordinators (Helen Sawyer and Michelle Anderson).  The funding means that anyone 60 years and over, or people of any age who are Māori, Pasifika or who are former refugees are eligible for a free ACP consultation. General practices can identify these people and contact them to start talking about advance care planning. Since ACP consultations became funded by WellSouth in February 2024, 36 general practices have created 154 ACPs, well above previous years. Helen said creating an ACP “involves thinking and talking about your values and goals and what your preferences are for your current and future health care”.“An advance care plan speaks for you often because you can no longer speak for yourself,” she said. “However, while these plans are important, clinicians often have limited time, and feedback to WellSouth from practices was that ACPs, done well, take time to complete and upload. The funding for ACPs is in recognition of this feedback, acknowledging the time and effort to complete these plans with patients,” she said.  People can discuss their wishes with a GP, practice nurse, health improvement practitioner or health coach at their general practice. Plans are signed off by a GP or nurse at the practice the patient is enrolled at.Helen or Michelle review the ACPs to ensure they are medically interpretable across the spectrum of healthcare provision.  “These plans are important to a person and their family. They should be in a person’s life kit with wills and insurance policies, and we encourage anyone to have an ACP conversation with those they love, and to contact your general practice to ask for an appointment,” Helen said.PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka’s Craig Murray has won the inaugural Yeti Natural Selection Ski event, held in the Tordrillo mountain range in Alaska today (April 18).The invite only event saw legends of freeride take on some of the biggest names in the park & pipe world on the formidable ‘Priority 1’ face in the Alaskan ranges. “I feel incredible, today has been something out of a dream, this whole setup being out here in the Tordrillo’s is crazy…I honestly can’t believe I ended up in the finals and ended up taking it out, it’s surreal,” Craig said. “I am so happy and I would like to thank everyone for all the support, it means so much.” Craig delivered his trademark huge fluid lines during the knock out competition.Craig Murray in action in Tordrillo PHOTO: Chad Chomlack / Natural Selection TourIn the final round Craig produced a precision-crafted run that earned him an 85 and the win. He attacked the face with a fast, smooth line, stringing together a symphony of stylish 360s and flips, lacing them seamlessly from top to bottom.His composure under pressure and ability to flow through complex terrain with freestyle finesse exemplified the Natural Selection vision: freeride meets freestyle at its highest level. Craig was joined on the podium by Sam Kush of Canada (second), and Italy’s Marcus Eder (third).

New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) is reminding trampers to be prepared for autumn conditions when planning their outdoor adventures this Easter. MSC warns that shorter daylight hours, cooler temperatures and unpredictable weather need to be key considerations, particularly for those heading into national parks. All adventurers should plan thoroughly and pack the essentials, MSC chief executive Mike Daisley said. “When choosing a trip, trampers need to consider that summer is over, daylight hours are getting increasingly shorter and temperatures are dropping,” Mike said.“Depending on your fitness and experience, that may mean choosing a shorter tramp.” If heading into a national park, carefully consider the weather.“Regardless of the trip, all trampers need to be ready for all weather, including packing extra warm layers and a waterproof rain jacket, and keeping these easily accessible,” Mike said.“We also highly recommend taking a headtorch and emergency communication device.” Be prepared to alter plans if conditions look unfavourable, Mike said, and when on the track, stick together, check in with each other regularly and continue to stay aware of the weather.“If anyone in your group is fatigued or if the weather deteriorates, it’s crucial to stop and assess the situation, discuss a plan with everyone and turn back if that’s safest,” Mike said “Don't let the arrival of colder weather cloud your judgement by thinking this might be your only chance before winter. Your top priority is always getting home safely.” PHOTO: NZAC

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has received an abatement notice from Otago Regional Council (ORC) over performance of the Hāwea Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) but the council says there are “no adverse effects”.The facility failed to achieve its 12-month rolling mean for nitrogen levels within treated wastewater discharged to its oxidation pond.An abatement notice is issued by a controlling authority when there are violations of environmental laws, regulations, or resource consents, to prevent or remedy adverse environmental effects.QLDC property and infrastructure general manager Tony Avery said while the breach and abatement notice are disappointing, environmental monitoring in Hāwea River showed there are no adverse effects associated with the treatment plant’s elevated nitrogen levels.“Treated wastewater is discharged to land either via the facility’s land treatment area or an infiltration trench, both of which are located downstream from Lake Hāwea and ultimately drain through to Hāwea River,” he said. “As a priority, staff are exploring further measures to improve performance and to bring the plant back into full compliance with its consent conditions.”Tony said QLDC had been aware of “fluctuating nitrogen levels” in the treated wastewater and it had attempted to resolve them through upgrades to the facility’s wastewater treatment processes in the “recent past”.“While these changes have resulted in significant improvements, nitrogen remains above consented limits.”Water quality sampling locations Hāwea Wastewater Treatment PlantHāwea’s existing wastewater treatment plant was built in 1998 and upgraded in 2000; but it doesn’t meet current demand and it has breached compliance for many years. Since 2022 loads of waste have been trucked each week from Lake Hāwea’s Longview subdivision to Project Pure - with the cost met by Longview developer Universal Developments.Plans are in place to connect Hāwea to Project Pure/Wānaka Wastewater Treatment Plant, Tony said, part of the wider Upper Clutha Wastewater Conveyance Scheme project, which will see significant investment in wastewater management capacity across both the Hāwea and Wānaka schemes.Funding for this project is included in the adopted QLDC Long Term Plan 2024-2034, with an overall budget of $80.1M which includes approximately $22M of funding from the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund.PHOTO: Supplied

Update: The balloon was successfully launched.Update 10.30am: The balloon is ready for launch - no road closures are expected.A live feed of the launch is available here.Earlier:NASA is preparing to launch a super pressure balloon from Wānaka Airport this morning, (Thursday, April 17).NASA has begun flight preparations and will continue to evaluate real-time and forecast weather conditions throughout the morning. If weather is favourable for launch, lift-off is scheduled between 9am and 1pm.This is the sixth super-pressure balloon campaign held in New Zealand since 2015 and NASA is planning two test flights this year. Two balloons were successfully launched from Wānaka during NASA’s last visit in 2023. Public access to Wānaka Airport and roadside parking beside the airport is not permitted on the morning of the launch attempt. State Highway 6 Wānaka-Luggate Highway from Mt Barker to Church Road and State Highway 8A Shortcut Road will be closed for the launch. Light vehicles may detour via Camp Hill Road. Heavy vehicles will detour via Cemetery Road. A message board will be installed on State Highway 84 notifying of motorists of the closure status.Immediately after lift-off, the balloon will be visible for kilometres around – the best viewing points will be on the hill on the Hāwea side of the Red Bridge by Kane Road or on the Hāwea Flat side of the Clutha River.

Two Wānaka athletes took top spots at the New Zealand and Australia freestyle trampolining championships - the GTGames ANZ - this past weekend, earning them an invitation to the world championships in Barcelona later this year.Blake Hartley (23) and Cole Rasmussen (16) took part in the event at Frankton trampolining facility Site on Friday and Saturday (April 12-13).Blake won the senior category (over 15 years old) and Cole came third.Freestyle trampolining is a relatively new sport, Blake told the Wānaka App. “It started getting popular in the 2000s with people pushing the limits with what was possible on backyard trampolines,” he said.Now there are sponsored freestyle athletes, he said. Freestyle differs from Olympic trampolining, which is “quite strict” and competitors have to follow a certain routine. Freestyle, on the other hand, Blake said, “is for people who just love doing flips and pushing their limits”.At the competition the three judges considered each person’s routine on its difficulty, creativity, and execution.Cole Rasmussen (left) and Blake Hartley (centre) on the podium.“Some people focus on doing the most amount of flips they can,” Blake said. In traditional trampolining events competitors must only do up to three, but in freestyle trampoline “there are no rules”, he said, and the record is nine flips“I’m tall so I focus more on style,” he said. Blake created and was the first person to achieve the ‘shuricutter-in-half-out’ - a double back flip with three kicks and two full three-sixties - which he performed on the weekend. “I think that’s what put me above the rest,” he said.The top three competitors were invited to the world championships in Barcelona this September. Blake hopes to attend, and will be fundraising over the next few months.He is a keen ambassador for trampolining.“Even though it seems like a daunting sport, anyone can get involved with it,” he said. “You don’t have to do it from a little kid - anyone can come and learn a back flip.”PHOTOS: Supplied

Wānaka Police wish everyone “a safe and happy Easter”, Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts says.She warned locals to expect to see increased activity on the roads. “We often see risky driving behaviour as some drivers look to make every minute count, which often means attempting to get to their holiday destinations as quickly as possible,” Fi said.“Drivers and riders who risk the safety of themselves and others can expect that our people will follow through with the appropriate enforcement action…”Tri-agency training dayPolice, Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) and Hato Hone St John held a tri-agency exercise at Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College on Tuesday (April 15). “The training involved emergency services responding to an active armed offender at the college,” Fi said.People in the area would have seen a heavy emergency service presence, but there was no cause for concern, she added. She thanked the volunteers who assisted the teams and the college itself “for allowing our agencies to train and refine our skills and drills in a realistic environment”. Road policingPolice were called to a vehicle accident on Maungawera Road early on Saturday (April 12).“The vehicle flipped in the ditch; fortunately the driver sustained only minor injuries,” Fi said.On Sunday (April 13) a vehicle was stolen from Northlake and later recovered on the Wānaka-Luggate Highway. “We don’t see a lot of car theft, but we ask people to lock your vehicles and remove the keys to remove the opportunity,” Fi said. “Thieves use a range of techniques, but most offending is opportunistic, please help us by mitigating their opportunities.”She advised people to park in well-lit areas and take their keys with them. She also recommended installing an alarm to provide extra security.On Friday (April 11) a 35-year-old male was stopped on Aubrey Road with an elevated blood/breath alcohol (EBA) of 777 mcg - significantly above the legal limit. “He is also facing a charge of driving while disqualified,” Fi said.On the same day a 50-year-old male was stopped on Aubrey Road with an EBA of 317 mcg and a 26-year-old male was stopped on the Wānaka-Luggate Highway with an EBA of 369 mcg.“Daylight savings has ended, the [temperatures] have dropped. Please drive to the conditions,” Fi said.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

Tititea Performing Arts Competition adjudicator Dr Sarah Foster-Sproull says she was impressed by the skill of the dancers at a four-day Wānaka dance competition which ended on Monday (April 14).The competition - billed as a celebration of dance - brought together 125 dancers from Wānaka and further afield for the second year in a row.“It was so good to see a community of young, energetic dancers coming together from the lower South Island, with an impressive standard of technical ability and stage presence,” Sarah said.She said the wellbeing of the dances was “a strong focus” throughout the event.The competition was held over four days, starting on Friday April 11.The competition, organised by the Tititea Performing Arts Trust, fosters a welcoming, supportive and enjoyable culture for performers from all backgrounds, geographical areas, and abilities. During the competition more than 600 items were performed by dancers at the Lake Wānaka Centre.Awards were given for achievements in a range of dance categories across all age groups, and categories included ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, self choreography, and more. On the first day of the competition (Friday April 11), the nomination for the National Young Performer Awards (NYPA) - the pinnacle achievement for many dancers - was held.This year the competition included a hip-hop battle.Isabel Martin (Wānaka), Sophia Hannigan Johnson (Mosgiel), and a troupe from Dance Wānaka were awarded nominations to the NYPA, which will be held in Palmerston North in October.  There were also two ‘firsts’ at the competition this year: a hip-hop battle and the new ‘Adjudicator’s Choice’, which celebrated some of the adjudicator’s favourite performances.Tititea Performing Arts Trust founding trustee Maxine Frazer said there was an “excellent atmosphere” across four days.“We were delighted to see dancers from across the South Island supporting and encouraging each other right throughout the competition. That’s what this is all about.”The event is designed to celebrate dance and the arts in a supportive and encouraging environment.She thanked the dance parents, enthusiasts, supporters, and local businesses involved: “We simply couldn’t have delivered this event without their generosity,” Maxine said.Maxine, together with her co-founding trustees Leigh Cohen, Maria Hearle and Gillian White, are gathering feedback from dancers and parents to help refine next year's competition.PHOTOS: Supplied

A new email-based system to send appointment letters will significantly improve the way Health New Zealand communicates with South Island patients, the agency says. However, to ensure patients receive these communications, they are being asked to not automatically consider them spam but follow the verification process outlined below instead.“Currently, 1.2 million appointment letters are posted annually in the South Island, yet it’s not the most efficient way for patients to receive information promptly or securely," Health NZ regional group manager Kirsty Martin said. "[Starting this week] patients who have previously provided Health NZ with an email address will receive an email prompting them to visit a secure website to validate their email address."Once they have validated their email address, they will receive their future appointment letters by email.” Responding to the email is a simple verification process that will enable Health NZ to send information about appointments and other important health information by secure email. Some appointment information will continue to be sent via post when email is not appropriate, for example when a patient is asked to return information to Health NZ that is relevant to their appointment.The system is being rolled out across most of the South Island, including the Southern District, at present."As well as added security, patients will receive their appointment details faster, [the switch to email] supports environmental sustainability and, depending on the uptake, reduces the cost associated with traditional postal services,” Kirsty said.When patients receive an email they should check their email inbox (and Junk/Spam folders) for a verification email (from [email protected]); click on the link in the email to confirm their email address and to consent to receiving health information electronically; and once verified, they will start receiving appointment letters via email. This service is optional, and patients who prefer traditional mail will continue to receive appointment letters via post.PHOTO: Wānaka App

A busy Easter is expected for the Upper Clutha, especially with the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors for the final Wheels at Wānaka show.Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat said he expects Wānaka to be “very busy” over Easter.“It’s traditionally a strong period for local businesses, particularly in retail, hospitality, and tourism,” Glenn said.“With school holidays overlapping plus ANZAC Day and events bringing visitors to the region, there’s optimism among the business community for solid trading across the Easter period and beyond.”Wheels at Wānaka will take place from Friday to Sunday (April 18-20) at Three Parks. More than 40,000 visitors attended the Wheels at Wānaka event during Easter 2023, surpassing the 24,000 that attended in 2021.“Ticket sales have been phenomenal - we're really happy with the numbers thus far,” Wheels at Wānaka promotions & media manager Annabel Roy told the Wānaka App.“The weather will dictate final gate numbers, [it’s] too soon to call just yet.”She said traffic management for the event “is all in hand, with thanks to Fulton Hogan”.“Foot traffic will be high and [the] visitor spend steady”, says Wānaka’s Business Chamber. PHOTO: Wānaka AppGlenn said the “general expectation” for Easter is that “foot traffic will be high and visitor spend steady”, adding “there is still some caution due to ongoing cost-of-living pressures impacting consumer behaviour”.“Businesses are well prepared, and many are staffing up and extending hours where possible.”The recent Official Cash Rate reduction may also have an impact on spending, he said, although it may take time to flow through to visitor spending.“Overall, there’s a positive mood heading into the next few weeks – Wānaka continues to be a sought-after destination, and local operators are ready to make the most of it.”

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is inviting locals to take action on waste with the return of the Waste Minimisation Community Fund (WMCF). With up to $60,000 in funding available, the WMCF supports innovative projects that reduce waste and promote the sustainable use of resources across the district. Individuals, businesses, schools, and community groups are all encouraged to apply.“This fund is about empowering our community to bring those ideas to life and work together toward a zero-waste future, built on the principles of a circular economy,” QLDC sustainability advisor Emma Brockie said.  The WMCF was founded in 2018 and it has supported a wide range of projects that either reduce waste at the source or divert it from landfill.They have included upcycling old uniforms, school community composting, repair and reuse hubs, reusable packaging trials, sustainable period workshops, and food waste education campaigns.In the Upper Clutha projects include Mountainside Educare’s waste minimisation programme, reuse initiatives at Wānaka Community Workshop and Fabricate, and the Kids First Kindergarten’s Hāwea composting project, among others.QLDC is keen to see what new ideas emerge this year, Emma said.  “Collective small actions can have a huge impact and create lasting change,” she said.“We encourage anyone with a creative idea for minimising waste and maximising resource recovery to apply and help build a more sustainable future for our community.” Applications for the QLDC Waste Minimisation Community Fund will close on May 25.The council is particularly interested in initiatives that address gaps in existing waste reduction programmes. Find more information and apply here.PHOTO: Supplied

Warning: This story discusses self harm and suicide.A Wānaka woman who was trying to get help at a time of mental health crisis says she was made to feel like a burden.Her story follows the release of a community report that found people in Upper Clutha faced huge barriers when needing to access mental health support from a struggling, under-resourced system.Some described trying to access child mental health services as diabolical, while others chose to leave after years of struggling to get help.The Wānaka woman - who asked to remain anonymous - attempted suicide in late 2023.When she sought help, she said she was left alone in a hospital room for long periods without her medication, and offered no emotional support while overwhelmed and distressed.There is no emergency inpatient psychiatric service for people in crisis in the Queenstown Lakes.She was medically cleared at a local hospital the morning after she tried to harm herself, and said she felt pressured by a nurse to go home to free up a bed."I said to her... 'I cannot go home. Like, what, like I've literally just attempted suicide for the first time and you're going to send me home'," she said.She was eventually offered a respite bed in Dunedin."We finally got to Dunedin Hospital after all of this shit, of them making me feel like absolute shit, being made to feel like such a burden to them."The response made her feel more vulnerable, and she said Wānaka should have better support for people in crisis."The experience of being still sort of like an actively suicidal person, being almost forced to go home when they know you have no support ... I think that's just an example of how there is nothing here."Health New Zealand said there was a 24/7 mental health crisis response service covering Wānaka and people were transferred to inpatient facilities in Dunedin or Invercargill if needed.A crisis respite service, which was launched last year, was also available in Queenstown for people who present less acutely, a spokesperson said.Nine-month wait for an appointmentThe report from community-led advocacy group Health Action Wānaka found there were long wait times, care could be costly and there were shortages of specialists and other staff.Some respondents mentioned private mental health sessions costing up to $200 a visit, while others talked about waiting more than nine months for appointments.Read more:Health group to meet officials about ‘healthcare crisis’Healthcare crisis for Upper Clutha - reportHealth Action Wānaka mental health spokesperson Lucy Middendorf. PHOTO: SuppliedHealth Action Wānaka mental health spokesperson Lucy Middendorf was not surprised by the report findings.Her sister struggled for years to get support for severe depression from the public system in Wānaka."She had quite a number of referrals from her GP rejected or not accepted locally in Wānaka over many years," Middendorf said.When she was finally accepted, she sometimes had to go without treatment because she could not afford the travel costs, and she often waited three or more months for a medication change."It feels like the system is mostly interested in keeping people alive, but not really finding the right kind of tools for them to have a meaningful life," she said.Her sister ended up moving to Dunedin, because she could not get enough support in Wānaka.Now she was in a much better position with more access to support and programmes."If she'd had more services provided earlier in this journey, maybe she would actually be in a better position today," Middendorf said.Health Action Wānaka has asked the government to commit to introducing telehealth psychiatric consults.The current services were struggling to cope with a rapidly growing population, Middendorf said."I think telehealth psychiatric consults could actually save lives. You've got situations where patients could receive treatment and medication a lot quicker," she said.Begging for helpThe report found there were insufficient mental health services for children and young people, which was echoed in responses from community members.One resident said their family had been sitting on the referral list for child mental health services for 18 months without seeing anyone, describing it as diabolical."We've been forced to engage a local private psychologist after literally begging her to take us on as everyone was not taking any new clients. She's now left Wānaka, so we have to travel to Queenstown as nobody local will take us on," they said.Their child was too young to access services available in Cromwell."Our GP has been amazing and has finally, in desperation and after six months of high levels of mental health issues, managed to contact a consulting psychiatrist who has prescribed anti-depressants. It's been a nightmare," they said.Not-for-profit ADL works with young people and their whānau to improve mental health and well-being across the lower South Island.Chief executive Clive McArthur said gaps in healthcare in Wānaka were exacerbated by the region's isolation and demand."Their constrained resources just mean that support isn't always at the right time, the right place and you do find that services are stretched," he said.There were good services in the area, but there were not enough of them and there weren't enough staff for the demand levels, he said."It's stress and distress across the system. People worried, people stressed and stretched and obviously if there is that unmet need, then those issues that people were presenting with can get worse."The government earmarked $2.6 billion for ring-fenced mental health and addiction funding this financial year.As the Mental Health Minister and Associate Health Minister responsible for Rural Health, Matt Doocey said he had set clear expectations for accessing support."What I can commit to is the focus on ensuring that people in the Upper Clutha area, like other parts of New Zealand, have that guaranteed level of service of being able to engage primary mental health and addiction services within one week and specialists within three," he said.If areas were not up to scratch, he said local officials needed to put action plans in place to make that happen and the funding could be used to assist the areas lagging behind if needed.Telehealth services could be a gamechanger for rural communities and he would follow up with officials to work out how they could be rolled out faster, Doocey said."Then hopefully we move to a point in New Zealand where irrespective of where you live, you will be guaranteed a level of service."In 2023, the Ministry of Health launched the Rural Health Strategy for the next decade, outlining five priorities.They included ensuring services were available closer to home for rural communities, supporting rural communities to access services outside their area, and making sure the needs of rural communities were considered in decisions.Health New Zealand Te Waipounamu acting regional commissioner Greg Hamilton said the organisation was committed to improving access to rural healthcare services and ensuring ongoing financial sustainability for hospitals and trusts operating in rural communities."We acknowledge clinical and financial sustainability remains a challenge and we will continue to work closely with communities and providers to address this," he said.Several initiatives were underway including the Rural Hospital Sustainability project and the Rural Urgent Unplanned Care redesign project to address sustainability concerns following on from the Rural Health Strategy.Health New Zealand had not fully considered the Health Action Wānaka report yet, but planned to work with the group "to achieve the desired outcomes for the local community", Hamilton said."Catering for the needs of the growing population of the Central Otago region is an ongoing consideration for Health New Zealand in terms of what might be needed right now, and in the future, and how best to deliver those services," Hamilton said."We are committed to working with community leaders, papatipu rūnanga, and experts to design, deliver, and commission sustainable services that meet the current and emerging healthcare needs of the local community."Doocey would visit Wānaka as part of a rural health roadshow in July to update the community about the Rural Health Strategy and seek feedback about how it was being implemented.Health Action Wānaka says to inform its advocacy, the group undertook research to understand and document the Upper Clutha community's experience of accessing healthcare services, from a patient and healthcare provider perspective.About 300 members of the Upper Clutha community were consulted with for the research via two online surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews from July to September 2024.Where to get help:Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.Samaritans: 0800 726 666.Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email [email protected]'s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.Healthline: 0800 611 116.Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Community groups and organisations looking for funding are invited to attend a clinic taking place at the Lake Wānaka Centre tomorrow (Wednesday April 16).The joint funding clinic will feature a range of major local funders including Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes Trust, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Sport Central, and more.At both clinics attendees will have the chance to meet with local funders, explore grant options, and gain valuable insights into securing financial support for community projects, Central Lakes Trust grants manager Mat Begg said.It is a rare opportunity to meet with representatives from so many different funders, he added.“Coming along means you can find out what each agency funds,” Matt said. “What one agency may not fund, another could.”“It is a really good way to understand where your community group sits in terms of gaining funding for your community activity.”Mat said the benefits of the clinics also go beyond funding.“These funding clinics are a fantastic opportunity not only for grant seekers to connect with funders but also for local organisations to network and find ways to support each other.”The Wānaka clinic is fourth in a series that have been scheduled for 2025, with each session including funders that support initiatives in the specific area. The events aim to make the funding process more accessible and foster stronger connections within the community.Head along to the Wānaka clinic from 1pm-3pm at the Lake Wānaka Centre Wednesday April 16.More clinics will take place throughout the year, with the next local clinic scheduled at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre on July 24.PHOTO: Wānaka App

An Otago Community Trust (OCT) fund which offers grants of up to $5,000 for youth-focused activities has opened for applications for 2025.The Rangatahi-Led Fund for Central Otago is part of OCT’s Tamariki & Rangatahi Strategy, which provides grants for youth-led projects that benefit young people.“Rangatahi leaders from each region are driving this fund, setting the purpose and criteria that matter most to young people,” an OCT representative said.“Working alongside the Otago Community Trust, they'll help bring youth-led initiatives to life through grants administered by eligible organisations.”The fund, now in its third year, has supported projects from youth networking spaces to all-ages events and gatherings for queer and gender diverse rangatahi.One of its previous recipients was the Upper Clutha Youth Council, which received funding for the development of a mural at the Kahu Youth space at Paetara Aspiring Central.Read more: ‘Mural to bring Kahu Youth space to life'The fund has been split into four areas across Otago with local rangatahi selecting projects for their area.For the Central Otago fund, applicants must be 25 or younger and live in Central Otago or Queenstown Lakes.Aside from this, the criteria is broad, aiming to support projects which show passion for the community, are accessible to the community, and have the potential for long-term benefit.Applications for the Rangatahi-Led Fund will close on April 30.OCT said whānau and other adults are welcome to support rangatahi with their applications as long as the ideas come from them.Find more information about criteria and make an application here.PHOTO: Wānaka App

The new Wānaka FC Southern League team has achieved what many thought impossible, scoring a 3-2 victory over 2024 Southern League champions Cashmere Technical in Wānaka on Saturday (April 12).The local side held its nerve deep into the second half, breaking a 2-2 deadlock with one minute left to play.“They are the big fish,” Wānaka FC director of football Ben Sippola said.“CashTech has lost just five games in the past five years.”Ben said the loss a week earlier to Dunedin City Royals provided the motivation the team needed going into the clash with Cashmere Technical.“We had the most disappointing moment we’d had as a team in Dunedin against Dunedin City Royals,” he said.Wānaka played high quality football in the first half against Cashmere, scoring two unanswered goals before the half time break.Cashmere was quickly into its work in the second half, scoring within the first minute.A courageous defensive effort by Wānaka kept Cashmere at bay until the 90th minute when the scores were levelled.Both sides had opportunities to win the match in added time and Wānaka took its chance with one minute remaining.“It means a lot to our players to start against CashTech,” Ben said.“It is a dream come true to beat them.”After three rounds Wānaka FC is fifth in the 10 team competition and this Friday (April 18) it plays 2024 runners up Coastal Spirit in Christchurch.Wānaka’s next home match is on ANZAC Day against Selwyn United at the Wānaka Recreation Centre. Kick off is 2pm.PHOTOS: Wānaka FC

The government wants to "turbocharge" global marketing to international visitors, with a new $13.5 million investment in Tourism New Zealand.Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston made the announcement with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland this afternoon (Monday April 14), where the pair visited the Weta Workshop Unleashed exhibitionThe service sector in New Zealand - which includes tourism, retail and hospitality - has been struggling to recover and gain traction in recent months.Upston said the government was relentlessly focused on economic growth and data showed tourism would play a leading role in this going forward."Today I'm delighted to announce a $13.5 million investment for Tourism New Zealand to encourage more international visitors across multiple markets."Encouraging more visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our cafés, spending in our shops and visiting our attractions, creating jobs and driving economic growth."The initial investment would focus on encouraging visitors from China, Australia, the United States, India, Germany and South Korea, Upston said."We know international marketing works, with around 14 percent of international holiday visitors already being directly influenced by Tourism NZ's marketing activity."We have encouraging signs coming through from our 'Everyone Must Go!' campaign focused on Australia, but we won't stop there."2025 is our chance to reinforce the value of tourism and show what our humming, vibrant country has on show. New Zealand tourism is open for business."Upston said it was estimated the $13.5 million investment would result in an extra 23,000 international visitors by the end of March 2026, bringing an additional $100 million.In February, the government announced a $30 million spend on tourism infrastructure and biodiversity projects in the country.Specific campaigns will be announced as they are developed over the course of this year.

Wānaka's real estate market continues to show resilience and stability amidst global economic uncertainty, with the latest statistics for March revealing promising trends.The recent fourth consecutive Official Cash Rate (OCR) drop of 25 basis points has injected further confidence into the market, stimulating both buyer activity and property listings. This reduction in interest rates has been a critical driver of market momentum, allowing buyers tosecure properties with greater financial certainty.March statistics reveal a robust market with 36 house sales completed during the month, matching February's strong performance.The median price has held steady at $1,475,000, demonstrating Wānaka's ability to maintain its value proposition even as other markets fluctuate.While property values remain consistent, the increased sales volume is particularly encouraging given the higher-than-normal inventory levels currently available. This steady clearing of stock indicates a healthy market adjustment process, albeit one that will take time to return tohistorical norms - a pattern consistent with real estate markets nationwide.What makes Wānaka particularly noteworthy in the current economic climate is its proven track record of stability through turbulent times. Over the past decade, the local property market has weathered numerous global crises - from the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical conflicts inEurope and beyond - while consistently maintaining or appreciating in value.This makes Wānaka an attractive proposition for investors seeking safe harbours amid stock market volatility and economic uncertainty.The banking environment has also evolved favourably for prospective buyers. Financial institutions now have capital available for lending, though compliance requirements remain stringent.This more flexible lending landscape represents a significant improvement compared to the restrictive conditions of recent years and provides additional support for continued market activity.The autumn period presents a prime opportunity for property viewing and purchasing in Wānaka. The current inventory levels mean that buyers have excellent selection and potential negotiating leverage, making this an opportune time to secure property ahead of the winter.Ray White Wānaka is situated at Sir Tim Wallis Drive Wānaka. Find out more here.PHOTO: Ray White Wānaka

The Pacific Crystal Palace is a major drawcard and venue for the Wānaka Festival of Colour, which finished its 2025 season last week, but the costs associated with bringing it here pose a “significant financial challenge”, the festival says.Festival of Colour executive director Ruth Heath said the palace is co-owned by the New Zealand festival consortia (festivals from Wānaka, Taranaki, Tauranga, and Hamilton), and based at Port Tauranga.“Bringing it to Wānaka remains a significant financial challenge due to high freight, labour, and ongoing operational costs,” Ruth said.“We’ve explored alternative venues and cost-saving options, but none offer meaningful savings - and all fall short in terms of adaptability and audience experience.”The special character of the palace makes the cost worthwhile, even though it is not without its challenges, Ruth said.“A venue like the palace is essential to delivering a festival of this scale and ambition for our community. The unique character and atmosphere of the palace also creates something special that’s not easily replicated.”Ruth said the ongoing logistical and financial challenge adds to the Festival of Colour’s fundraising efforts, and “strengthens the case for a purpose-built performing arts centre in Wānaka”.The Wānaka Arts and Cultural Charitable Trust (WACT) was established in 2021 to advocate for a state-of-the-art performance and visual arts facility.WACT is considering its future after the proposed arts facility was not included in Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Long Term Plan (LTP) last year.Ruth said if anyone would like to support the Crystal Palace they should get in touch with the Festival of Colour.Read more: LTP: Arts advocates disappointed, but council work continues 

A three-week waste-prevention programme beginning soon will help local households cut down on food waste.‘Every Bite’ is a programme providing in-person events plus tools, tips and industry tricks to help participants become more resourceful with their food and save money at the checkout.The programme, led locally by Wastebusters, coincides with May’s Food Appreciation Month.Wastebusters is welcoming chef Evelyn Vallillee, who sees potential in every peel, stem and leftover scrap, back at Every Bite this year.“Reducing food waste doesn’t mean giving up delicious meals,” Evelyn said. “In fact, with a bit of creativity, a few tricks and some flexible recipes, it’s easy to make meals go that bit further while saving you time and money.”This ethos is “what Every Bite is all about”, she said.Evelyn and the Wastebusters team will get the Every Bite programme underway on Tuesday May 6 at the Lake Wānaka Centre. Participants will get to enjoy a delicious dinner cooked by Evelyn, hear more about Every Bite, learn practical tips to keep on top of grocery shopping with minimal waste, and receive the resources to make a start at home.The programme costs $10 per person, including dinner, drinks and all the resources. All proceeds go to Wānaka Food Bank.Registrations for Every Bite can be made here.Every Bite is part of the Ministry for the Environment’s National Food Waste Reduction programme. The collaborative programme is being designed and delivered by Wastebusters and Zero Waste Aotearoa, with the support of members from both Zero Waste Aotearoa and Environment Hubs Aotearoa.PHOTO: Supplied