The altruism of one of Wānaka’s youngest volunteers was celebrated at the Kahu Youth Volunteer Awards last Friday (September 14).Sixteen-year-old Jessie McNeil has done nearly every type of volunteering, from planting trees to working with school volunteer committees and even travelling to Nepal to help with the construction of a school.Jessie was presented with the Supreme Award at Friday’s awards night, a long-running annual event designed to showcase the positive contributions of young people in the Upper Clutha.Jessie is also a member in the Rangatahi-Led Fund group with the Otago Community Trust, a long-serving Upper Clutha Youth Council member, a volunteer with Kahu Youth and a ranger with Wānaka Girl Guides.11-13 category winner Mia Reardon“Volunteering is a way of connecting with other people and making a difference no matter the size,” Jessie said. “For me there's a deep sense of fulfilment that comes from knowing you’re contributing to something bigger than yourself.”In addition to the Supreme Award, the Kahu Youth Volunteer Awards celebrate volunteers across three age categories.14-16 category winner Oscar SearleThey included 11-year-old Mia Reardon, who was the winner of the 11-13 age category, having completed 70 hours of voluntary work over the past eight months.She has volunteered with Te Kura O Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) in the library, helped with the mural project and Matariki celebrations at Kahu Youth, and supported a range of initiatives at St John. Fourteen-year-old Oscar Searle, who won the 14-16 age category, was recognised for extensive volunteer work on a wide range of multisport events and ski events, as well as with the Wānaka Football Club and Kahu Youth.In the 17-18 category, 17-year-old Ryan Enoka was the winner, having undertaken volunteering as a coach with Aspiring Athletes, at a range of other sport events, and a range of voluntary roles at MAC, among others.Kahu Youth volunteer manager Jo Lewis said she was blown away by the “sheer amount of volunteering” done by the winners, as well as many other nominees.17-18 category winner Ryan Enoka with Kahu Youth Trust chair Randal Dobbs“The interesting thing is that, for these kids, volunteering is not box ticking for them; it comes from a place of altruism,” she said. “They just love the rewards of what they get out of it.”Nominees, winners and supporters made up the 60-strong crowd who attended the awards at the Lake Wānaka Centre’s Armstrong Room, and included live music from MAC band ‘Superficial’.PHOTOS: Kahu Youth

Health minister Dr Shane Reti has announced Wānaka’s after-hours health service will finally open its doors in mid-October.The service will be provided by Central Otago Health Services Limited (COHSL) in collaboration with local GPs, St John and Ka Ora, funded by Health New Zealand.“The nurse-led service will be open overnight, seven days a week, from Monday 14 October,” the minister said.“Patients will call their normal healthcare provider and will be triaged over the phone before being referred to the in-person service.”In June the minister announced the service would be available from September, following calls from locals for better provision of healthcare services in Wānaka.A closer look at the new serviceCOHSL, which operates and manages Dunstan Hospital at Clyde, has received funding for a year from Health NZ, but there will also be a patient co-payment for the service.Consultation fees from 11pm for those enrolled with a WellSouth GP practice will be $140 (for those 14 years and over) and free for those under 14. For ACC injuries the fees will be $65 for those enrolled who are over 14, and free for those under 14.Fees are higher for New Zealand visitors ($280 for over 14) and overseas visitors and non residents ($650).Patients will be referred by Ka Ora or Hato Hone St John. Some patients may be transferred from the Wānaka Lakes Health Centre to the Wānaka Overnight Acute Care Service for ongoing observation overnight.After 11pm if people are unwell, they should call their usual medical centre and follow voice prompts to be transferred to Ka Ora (0800 252 672). The patient will then be triaged in consultation with the Dunstan Hospital overnight doctor to determine the best course of action, which may include presenting to the after hours service.An experienced clinical nurse specialist (CNS) will provide the same services as a general practice or a small emergency department with telehealth support from the Dunstan Hospital overnight senior doctor. These services may include (but are not limited to) assessment and observation, point of care blood testing, cardiac monitoring, fluids, pain medication, and minor suture and laceration repair.People should still call 111 in an emergency.Response to new serviceCommunity-led advocacy group Health Action Wānaka has said it was encouraged by the announcement of the after hours service but noted that it was a ‘stop gap’; the group will continue to advocate for a “sustainable after-hours service, such as a publicly funded emergency department,” it said.Health minister Shane Reti said the new service was “an interim solution while Health New Zealand continues to look at alternate models of care that can be provided in the long-term across the region”.COHSL chief executive officer Hayley Anderson acknowledged “the hard work of the local general practice teams and Hato Hone St John in providing after hours and urgent care in the area”. Read more: ‘Overnight acute care service’ on trackThe service will be located at the Enliven Care Centre on Cardrona Valley Road. It will be available for 12 months.PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat says it’s more important than ever for locals to support local businesses.At least three businesses have either closed or announced their closure in the past few weeks.“We’re aware of some closures, including Soul Clothing, Revology, and Wānaka Interiors (retail store), but closures vary across businesses for different reasons, so it's hard to generalise,” Glenn said.“It’s difficult to say if this is a trend or an anomaly, as multiple factors like external economic pressures and consumer behaviour are at play.”Wānaka Business Chamber general manager Glenn Peat PHOTO: SuppliedGlenn said Wānaka’s retail sector, like many others across the country, has faced challenges due to changing economic conditions. Some retail businesses are adapting to the conditions and there is still “resilience” in the sector.“Several businesses [are] adapting through strategies like expanding their online presence, collaborating with other local businesses, and offering exclusive local products to attract both locals and visitors.”“We do empathise with the challenges retail businesses face, both here in Wānaka and across the country, and encourage everyone to support local where possible,” he said.“It’s now more important than ever for our community to support local businesses to help keep our town vibrant.”

Contact Energy is expecting to see the level of Lake Hāwea increase for summer, a spokesperson told the Wānaka App.Contact operates the Hāwea dam and control structure which regulates the flow out of and the level of Lake Hāwea. Lake Hawea is the only significant controlled hydro storage facility on the Clutha Mata Au River, providing water on an ‘on demand’ basis.“Following recent rainfall, Lake Hāwea is back at normal levels for this time of year,” a Contact spokesperson said.“Our teams are currently dealing with high flows and operating within consent conditions and regional flood rules.“Typically, we see lower electricity demand following winter, so we expect to reduce releases from the lakes from now into the spring and summer months.”Guardian of Lake Hāwea Don Robertson said Transpower had requested withdrawing water from hydro lakes in August, which in some cases would have reduced them below their low operating levels. A Transpower request to Contact Energy in early August would have reduced Hāwea’s lake level to two metres below its low operating level (338 metres above sea level/masl) if it had been implemented, Don said.“These requests were in response to low rainfall (low hydro lake levels), less wind than normal and reduction in gas availability for thermal power generation, all contributing to a potential drop in generation capability with concerns about the risk of likely widespread power cuts,” Don said.When the lake gets below a certain level concerns are raised about the risk of windblown silt from the exposed lake bed affecting lakeshore dwellings. Lake bed exposure below 338masl also has the potential to cause widespread mortality of submerged lake plants, aquatic invertebrates and possibly some fish, Don said.“Fortunately the lake level has risen steadily since mid-August,” he said.On Wednesday afternoon Lake Hāwea was at 341.018masl and rising, according to Otago Regional Council monitoring.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Locals can eat out while contributing to a worthwhile charity over the next month, with the ‘Plate Up For Love’ fundraiser now underway.Fifteen Wānaka eateries currently have a ‘Plate Up’ item or dish on their menu and every time a customer orders one, a portion of the purchase price will be donated to local food charity Food for Love.Offerings include doughnuts at Pembroke Patissiere, pitta at Big Fig, the bs burger at b.social, porridge at Scroggin, gnocchi at Francesca, soup of the day at Relishes, and many more.Food for Love general manager Jodie Stuart said this was the second year of the Plate Up For Love’ fundraiser, held in partnership with Bayleys Wānaka, and she was delighted that almost twice as many eateries had signed up to participate in 2024.Thanks to the support of funders, the community and fundraisers like this, the food charity has recently been able to relocate from a storage unit on Frederick Street to a new space on Gordon Road that is double the size, Jodie said.Read more: New home for Food for Love"We couldn't do what we do without the support of local businesses and the community,” Jodie said.Food for Love, a registered charitable trust, was created in 2016 and its mission remains to provide home-cooked meals for families or individuals who are going through a challenging time.Demand has increased dramatically over that time, with Food for Love preparing over 9,000 meals in the last financial year.Whether people are facing physical or emotional challenges, the Food for Love meals allows people “to focus on their wellness and their families during those times,” Jodie said.More than 170 volunteers help prepare, cook and deliver the meals and everything in between and they are the “heart and soul” of the Food for Love operation, she said. ‘Plate Up For Love’ will run until October 15 and the Food for Love team is encouraging locals to give it a go.Anyone who purchase ‘Plate Up’ dish will “automatically be supporting someone else in the community,” Jodie said.Participating eateries include Amigos, Big Fig, b.social, Cardona Hotel, Devour Catering, Dripping Bowl, Federal Diner, Fedeli, Francesca's Italian Kitchen, Hāwea Hotel, Hello Ranger, Pembroke Patisserie, Relishes Cafe, Scroggin Coffee & Eatery, Treehouse, and Urban Grind.Read about each eatery’s ‘Plate Up’ item, or find out more about the initiative, here.Listen to Food for Love's Jodie and Bex on The Outlet Podcast.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Queenstown Lakes ratepayers will face an average rates increase of 15.8 percent for 2024/2025 if councillors adopt the Long-Term Plan at tomorrow’s (Thursday September 19) full council meeting.A report prepared by council staff recommends councillors adopt an average rates increase of 15.8 percent - a little above the proposed average increase of 15.6 percent in the draft LTP.However, there is a silver lining for Upper Clutha ratepayers, whose rates aren’t set to increase as significantly as that.The draft LTP rates proposal allowed for 3.5 percent growth in the rating database, and while actual growth of 3.3 percent lifts rates for some residents, the impact is not even across the district.“In Wānaka-Upper Clutha growth has been 4.3 percent meaning the actual rates increase will be lower than forecast,” the report said.Queenstown Lakes councillors will consider 11 agenda items at tomorrow’s full council meeting.The LTP sets out a council’s spending priorities - including all the services, projects and activities it plans to deliver - over the next ten years, as well as its cost to ratepayers.Presenting the LTP to councillors tomorrow is the culmination of a long process by the council, first preparing the draft LTP, then undertaking public consultation, holding hearings and amending the LTP to reflect the community input.A QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App last week that, while “there wasn’t a lot of ability to change what we’re able to deliver in the first three years of the draft programme, changes have been recommended as a result of submissions and deliberations…”“The consultation process was thorough and clearly outlined the challenges and uncertainty council faced while preparing the draft ten-year programme,” he said.Read more: LTP: Arts advocates disappointed, but council work continuesAs well as the LTP and the adoption of rates, councillors will consider another nine agenda items at tomorrow’s meeting.Among them is a review of the navigation safety bylaw, an update to the Longview Special Housing Area deed, and two public excluded items, including a performance review for QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen.The full council meeting will take place at the Council Chambers in Queenstown at 1pm.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Māori language (te reo Māori) is being given a local boost by the growth in Te Ao Māori at Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC), as well as the increasingly visible presence of the school’s kapa haka group.The role of Te Ao Māori and kapa haka is growing in the school community, and the school wharenui (meeting house, which was opened at the beginning of 2023) provides a focal point.The Wānaka App visited the wharenui ('Te Puna Wānaka') on Tuesday afternoon (September 17) - during the nationwide Māori Language Week (Te Wiki o te Reo Māori).“It’s really special to have this space here,” MAC Te Ao Māori teacher Candace Carroll said.Te Reo teacher Raihania Chadwick weaving flax baskets (kono) with year 13 students Sacha (left) and Tai.The wharenui is used for kapa haka practice, Māori performing arts, and language classes, and has been used to host visiting groups.Candace said the kapa haka group caters for students from year 7-13, and it performs five or six times a year at community events, such as the powhiri for new Cardrona staff, and the recent opening of the Snow Farm’s new base building. On Tuesday, the focus was on poi.Thirteen-year-old Alice Chaly said she “really enjoyed” being involved with kapa haka, adding the indigenous culture is “more celebrated here” than in her native Australia.Alice said the community aspect of kapa haka was a drawcard. “We’ve got a close bond,” she said.MAC has events running throughout Māori Language Week - including flax weaving and poi practice - organised by MAC’s student-led cultural committee.  Today (Wednesday September 18) MAC’s annual house haka competition will take place, and this evening the term’s whānau hui will be held. On Friday the kapa haka group will visit Te Kura Take Kārara, helping “build connections” between the schools.MAC head Te Reo Māori teacher Kaz Roberts said she had seen “a lot of positive change” during her time at MAC, and was grateful for a senior leadership team “that has supported kaupapa Māori initiatives”. “Te Reo Māori is a compulsory part of our junior curriculum and students are able to take Te Reo right through to NCEA Level 3,” she said.“We are fortunate to be able to introduce Māori Performing Arts into our junior modules and we are starting to see benefits school wide. For example, we are developing our cultural competency in upskilling our students and staff in how to welcome visitors with a mihi whakatau or pōwhiri.“It has been fabulous seeing other learning areas implementing different tasks and using Te Reo Māori such as a PE class that were using mau rakau at Lismore Park [on Wednesday morning]. All of this helps to normalise Te Reo Māori and weave it back into something that connects us all as New Zealanders.”Every year since 1975 New Zealand has marked Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate te reo Māori and to use more Māori phrases in everyday life. This year's theme (September 14-21) is 'Ake ake ake – A Forever Language’. PHOTOS: Wānaka App

It’s not as bad as a pub with no beer, but a supermarket with no alcohol for sale will be the case for nine spots around Otago next month - including Wānaka.Affected New World supermarkets will comply with a ruling to stop selling alcohol for 48 hours next month, as a result of an advertising breach.New World Wānaka is one of nine Otago supermarkets to be banned from selling alcohol after advertising a discount for DB Export 24 packs of beer.The online advertisement said the beer would be discounted by 26.1 percent for customers with a loyalty card, breaching the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, which says it is an offence to promote or advertise discounts on alcohol of 25 percent or more.A Foodstuffs spokesperson told the Wānaka App that the restriction, imposed by the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority (Arla), will be in place for New World Wānaka from 7am on Tuesday October 8 for 48 hours.“Foodstuffs South Island and its stores take their responsibility for the safe advertising, sale, and supply of alcohol very seriously,” the spokesperson said.They said the discount rate advertised was caused by an “inadvertent process failure”.“Since then, we’ve implemented stricter processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”While the supermarkets had argued against the booze ban because it would cause financial loss, Foodstuffs told the Wānaka App today (September 17) that it accepted the ruling.“We fully respect the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority’s process, and all affected New World stores will comply with the ruling,” Foodstuffs said.PHOTO: Supplied

Chief ombudsman Peter Boshier says he wants to hear from residents who have views to share on Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) commitment to openness and transparency.Peter announced last week he plans to investigate official information practices at QLDC, as well as two other councils and two council-controlled trading organisations (CCTOs).The investigations are part of a regular programme of looking at local authorities’ practice of and compliance with the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987.Peter said he will conduct surveys of staff at each organisation and members of the public as part of this work.As in all investigations, he will be looking for “examples of good practice and areas that can be improved”, including whether the leadership of each organisation has established a “culture of openness”.Peter will also look at whether staff responsible for responding to official information requests have been given the right training and guidance, and look at meeting practices including informal meetings and workshops where relevant.“Council is fully supportive of being one of the agencies participating in this latest round of a routine process,” a QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App. “[We] look forward to any insights or possible opportunities to improve our internal processes that result.”Queenstown Lakes residents who would like to complete a survey on the topic - which might be residents who have requested information from the council, or attended a public workshop, meeting or informal meeting organised by the council - can do so here.The QLDC spokesperson said the council will also promote the survey on its channels. Wellington City Council and Marlborough District Council will also be part of the investigation, as will CCTOs Auckland Transport and Wellington Water.Peter said he had investigated 18 councils since he started the work in 2018.PHOTO: Supplied

The recently formed Creatives of Wānaka group (CoW) will take a close look at musical theatre next month.The group has met several times since its formation in May, with a regular meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the Wānaka Community Hub (with the support of Queenstown Lakes District Council).Read more: Creatives of Wānaka band together with new groupCoW member Kathy Dedo told the Wānaka App the first four meetings brought together creative individuals from many different disciplines, including visual art, music, theatre, events, and festivals.“Many ideas have emerged, often event-oriented with some energy around planning a multidisciplinary fringe festival at some point in the future,” she said.“More than anything, Creatives of Wānaka has been a useful platform for kōrero and sharing among the wide range of creatives.”The group has also focused the next few monthly hui on specific topics, welcoming anyone who may be interested in that specific creative area.This month (September) local artist Sonia Kiki Jones welcomed new members and the group focused on visual arts. The meeting included the prospects of holding more exhibitions and the importance of connecting with other artists, Kathy said.October’s focus will be musical theatre, with an open invitation for people who have an interest in producing, directing, singing, acting, dancing.“There is a history of successful theatrical societies in the Upper Clutha in years gone by, but with no current society local thespians have gone further afield to perform or direct in neighbouring communities’ productions,” Kathy said.“The musical theatre buffs in Creatives of Wānaka are keen to test the appetite for locals to consider our own community-led production, and warmly welcome anyone to come along for the kōrero.”The meeting will be held on Wednesday October 2 at the Wānaka Community Hub from 6-8pm.Anyone with an interest who can’t attend may contribute their ideas via email ([email protected]).People can follow the group’s Facebook page for updates.

This Friday (September 20) marks the beginning of Clean Up Week, which encourages people to collect litter in their local area.Clean Up Week is an annual, nationwide event organised by Keep New Zealand Beautiful (KNZB) and it runs until next Friday (September 27).KNZB mobilises as many as 70,000 volunteers for Clean Up Week each year - cleaning up beaches, picking up litter, removing graffiti, planting trees and much more.“In 2023, we had 67,200 volunteers register to take part in 627 clean up events across Aotearoa,” KNZB said in a statement. “Volunteers collected a total of 652 tonnes of waste over an area equivalent to 5,728 rugby fields.”Wānaka has a strong clean up week track record, with schools, youth clubs, community associations, service clubs and more getting involved.One of the local clean-ups this year will take place on Friday at Bremner Bay, where locals can enjoy a sausage sizzle after the event (3pm-5pm).As in previous years, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) will support the event by offering free disposal of litter collected during Clean Up Week at its Wānaka and Frankton transfer stations. “We just ask that the person dropping off the litter is the same person stated in the event registration form, that they have ID, and bring the digital token provided as part of the registration process with them to show to the transfer station staff,” a QLDC spokesperson said. “We’re also encouraging people to use reusable and sustainable clean-up kits using everyday items like buckets and gardening gloves. For those without, we offer loanable litter kits from Queenstown, Frankton and Wānaka libraries. Each kit includes a pickup tool, high-vis vest, cut-resistant gloves and a reusable bag.” The Keep New Zealand Beautiful website also has a list of events that people can join, or they can create their own event.Clean Up Week is sponsored by Waste Management, Enviro NZ and Mars Wrigley.PHOTO: Supplied

Fixed-term contracts can be a good way of hiring someone if you don’t need a permanent staff member. For instance, there might be a special project or an event that you need help with for a certain time. They’re ideal for businesses that need seasonal workers in the agriculture or tourism sector and for covering parental leave.Watch out though, they come with specific requirements that must be complied with.Like all contracts, a fixed-term employment agreement must set out the expectations clearly and there must be genuine business reasons. Failing to get this right at the beginning could get you in hot water with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) if it considers the termination of the employment to be unjustified.What needs to be in a fixed-term employment agreement? The employer and employee must agree how the employment will end, either: at the close of a specific date or periodon the occurrence of a specified eventat the conclusion of a specified project.It must be genuineThe Employment Relations Act requires employers to have genuine reasons, based on reasonable grounds, for employing someone on a fixed-term basis. These contracts cannot be used for trial or probationary periods – that’s what the 90-day trial period is used for.What happens if the need changes?Despite best efforts, projects can take longer to complete than initially thought: seasons can run longer; permanent employees can stay away longer; and businesses can decide they have an ongoing need for a particular role. If your business decides to keep your employee beyond the initial term, there are several ways you can do this. Vary the terms by consulting with your employee and providing a letter of variation additional to the original employment agreement.Renew the term – by creating a new employment agreement with a new fixed term period. Offer your employee a permanent role. The key takeaway here is, you must decide what you want to do before the employment comes to the end of its term, and you must communicate with your employee. If the fixed term ends and you do nothing, and the employee continues working for you, they will automatically become a permanent employee. Key takeoutsThe reason for the fixed term must be genuine and reasonable. The reason for the fixed term must be explained in the employment agreement. The employment agreement must state the date or event on which the term comes to an end; or the term for which the agreement will run. If the term comes to an end, but the employee keeps working, they automatically become a permanent employee. 

Otago Regional Council (ORC) has released its response to the minister for the environment, following concerns she raised about the impact of its Land and Water Plan.Minister Penny Simmonds wrote to ORC last month, asking the council to supply information on the impact of the plan on various industries, citing concern about the potential for high costs.“My colleagues and I have all heard concerns from a range of Otago ratepayers that there will be an astronomical cost associated with the achievement of Te Mana o te Wai through your soon to be notified Land and Regional Water Plan (LWRP),” the Minister wrote to ORC chair Gretchen Robertson.Read more: ‘Astronomical cost’ - concerns raised about Land & Water PlanThe plan sets policies around the use, development and protection of Otago’s freshwater resources, including the beds and margins of waterbodies. Te Mana o te Wai, part of the National Policy Statement for Fresh Water, asks authorities to consider the health of freshwater ecosystems before allowing any proposed development. Gretchen Robertson released a copy of ORC’s response to the minister late last week, and ORC also met with the minister on Thursday (September 12) in Wellington.The council said ratepayers raised concerns about costs (particularly to the farming community), and in response ORC “sought to reduce costs but still hold to the commitment to maintain water quality and quantity”.ORC said the updated plan “is less costly, more workable and is pragmatic in allowing time to make change”, citing a range of changes which were recommended in response to concerns. “The Te Mana o te Wai hierarchy of obligations introduced in 2020 has never been interpreted by Otago Regional Council or other regional councils as protecting the environment at all costs, rather they are used as a tool to ensure that the appropriate balance between activities and the environment is considered,” ORC said.“Councils see water quality improvements as a long-term journey that must be based on what communities can realistically achieve over time without undue hardship or disruption.”ORC also said the plan was “the first step” in moving the region towards stopping further degradation of waterways.“Because we do not intend to fully implement visions in this plan, costs are reasonable and in line with pragmatism and that which arises from the RMA itself. More significant changes such as increased minimum flows are staged to enable further discussion and planning to take place.”Gretchen said ORC had committed to providing further information to the minister.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Over the next 12 months Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) plans to look for levers to influence housing affordability and identify underutilised land which could be repurposed for housing.Those are two of the top priorities for the next stage of the Joint Housing Action Plan (JHAP), which aims to ensure community members can access secure, stable, and affordable housing.Approved last April, the JHAP aims to improve housing affordability across 34 ‘key actions’.They range from influencing and incentivising developers to provide affordable housing; working with the community to find solutions to rental shortage with a focus on workforce housing; and finding opportunities to purchase land for the provision of affordable housing.Council staff provided an update on the implementation of the JHAP to the planning and strategy committee earlier this month, around 18 months after it was approved.“The indicators show there has been some improvement to housing affordability over the last 12 months, although housing is still very unaffordable in the district,” QLDC strategic planner housing Emily Irwin said.“[Local affordability housing provider Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT)] now supports an additional 29 households, however their waiting list has increased from 980 to 1,289.”QLDC had made progress on all 34 actions, and some of the highlights of the past year include facilitating more than $10M in contributions to the QLCHT, and helping to facilitate another $20M in investment and loans for the QLCHT from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Emily said.Council staff have met with developers, Kainga Ora, iwi and central government to identify opportunities for affordable housing; they are working with Tiny Homes NZ to create a seminar about tiny homes; and they are “building insights and evidence” by monitoring key indicators and undertaking targeted research and expert analysis.When the JHAP was approved mayor Glyn Lewers said it focused on the less-visible, but-vital levers and regulations that influence the building and availability of housing.He said it is not a silver bullet for the district’s housing challenges, but a broad, multi-agency plan (created with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Kāinga Ora and the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust) to help influence housing outcomes.QLDC staff will present the full Joint Housing Action Plan update to councillors at a meeting on September 19.PHOTO: Supplied

The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation (FWF) will visit Wānaka at the end of the month as one of the last stops on its national roadshow.The fundraising event will include a screening of ‘Beyond the Odds’, about the work of the FWF, a presentation by FWF general manager Roy Sloan, and a raffle.The wapiti (North American elk) is the largest of the country’s wild deer species and it was originally released in Fiordland in 1905.FWF have had a long-running agreement with the Department of Conservation to manage the effects of wapiti deer in Fiordland National Park with control work and by supporting conservation projects.Earlier this year Forest & Bird applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the agreement, saying it doesn’t comply with the National Parks Act.By May, the three organisations had agreed to pause legal proceedings and begin talks.“The Department of Conservation, Forest & Bird, and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation and all three legal teams are currently in talks and we are hoping for some common sense,” Roy said.The FWF hopes to have the wapiti declared a ‘herd of special interest’.Roy said the Wānaka event (on September 25) would help to answer the question ‘what does the future look like for the FWF and hunting in NZ?’, as well as raise money for possible legal action.The event will be held at 6.30pm at the Upper Clutha Rugby Club. Find more information here. PHOTO: Supplied

Mountain Safety Council (MSC) is encouraging backcountry snow enthusiasts to stay informed and stay safe this weekend, with increased avalanche danger in many parts of the South Island.“We’re urging backcountry skiers, snowboarders and climbers to exercise extreme caution this weekend, and to check the NZ Avalanche Advisory before making any decisions about heading out,” MSC chief executive Mike Daisley said.The NZ Avalanche Advisory (NZAA), operated by MSC, is currently forecasting high avalanche danger in Wānaka and the Aspiring regions, Queenstown, Arthur’s Pass, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and Ohau.This follows significant snowfall combined with unstable weather conditions that are set to continue over the weekend.“A high rating signals very dangerous avalanche conditions, where naturally occurring avalanches are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely,” Mike said.“In these conditions, travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended. As the storm clears, a conservative approach will be critical for keeping safe.”Mike reminded backcountry enthusiasts to check the latest NZAA avalanche forecast, so they can stay up to date with the current avalanche danger and to understand the specific avalanche problems that are likely in their local alpine area.The continuing poor weather forecast, including low visibility and strong winds, also means adventurers must be prepared for challenging conditions, he said.“Even experienced backcountry users need to be cautious, plan their trips thoroughly, and be ready to adapt to changing conditions. Safety must be the top priority. Equip yourself with the necessary gear and be ready to turn back if conditions deteriorate.”

WAI Wānaka’s ‘Adopt a Drain’ initiative is going nationwide.The programme gives households, businesses and community groups the opportunity to ‘adopt’ a storm drain in their neighbourhood, making a pledge to reduce stormwater pollution.The local organisation is now working with the national organisation the Endangered Species Foundation on its own stormwater outreach programme.“It’s been amazing to work with Jose from WAI Wānaka and share this wonderful project with the rest of Aotearoa,” Endangered Species Foundation general manager Natalie Jessup said.WAI Wānaka has sent 100 steel fish (which decorate local drains to remind users of where the stormwater goes) to the Endangered Species Foundation’s North Island office.Natalie said the foundation was “really looking forward to engaging communities across the motu about the endangered freshwater fish species that urgently need our help, and what they can do to help”.The steel fish were first created by freshwater scientist Chris Arbuckle and the community group Touchstone and the latest batch (comprising longfin eel/ tuna and climbing galaxias /kōaro steel fish) was produced by local business Wai Innovation using off-cuts of steel from previous projects. “We especially love that these ika (fish) signs are made from scrap steel,” Natalie said.Endangered Species Foundation general manager Natalie Jessup and intern Lesedi with their new steel fish.WAI Wānaka communications co-ordinator and education support Jaylene Harper said the organisation was “thrilled to see our Adopt a Drain initiative taking off in other parts of the country”.“Stormwater pollution is a nation-wide challenge,” she said. “Many residents are unaware that what enters our storm drains flows untreated into our waterways, affecting the health of our drinking water and the fish species that call our lakes and rivers home.” Twenty-one Upper Clutha neighbourhoods have ‘adopted their drains’ since the initiative began, including six early education centres and schools.Jaylene encouraged locals to consider adopting a drain.The latest batch of steel fish, which were produced by local business Wai Innovation using off-cuts of steel from previous projects. She said WAI Wānaka’s Adopt a Drain sessions are a “fun and easy way to get involved”.“These 30-minute sessions are family-friendly and free of charge. Best of all – we come to you.” Learn more about WAI’s Adopt a Drain programme here or get in touch to support the initiative or adopt a drain by emailing [email protected]. PHOTOS: WAI Wānaka

A Wānaka country artist will headline this year’s Alexandra Blossom Festival (September 27-28).The jam-packed, weekend-long festival - an annual tradition - will feature entertainment, races, a grand parade and more, and country artist Jody Direen will be the headlining act.The Blossom Festival favourite said she was “so excited to be returning to the Blossom Festival stage this year”.“My band and I have a really fun, high energy set lined up and can’t wait to get back out there.”Jody was born and raised in Wānaka and now lives in Franz Joseph, but she travels all over the world with her music.The 2024 Blossom Festival will mark the 67th year of the festival, Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPherson said.People and performers travel from all over to attend, and last year the festival attracted a record 15,000 people.“We are so excited to once again be bringing a stellar lineup of bands and entertainment to Alexandra for this year’s festival - there is something for everyone from the little ones right through to the adults,’’ Martin said.On Friday September 27 the Fulton Hogan Mardi Gras will kick off the weekend with the annual Round the Clock Race - where competitors race across the river and up the hill to the Alexandra Clock and back.Into the evening there will be food stalls, street performers and FMX displays, and blues/rock guitarist Paul Foulds will deliver a set before the night ends with a fireworks display.The festivities will continue the next day (Saturday September 27) with thousands of people expected to attend the Grand Parade, a colourful display of floats, florreys, marching bands, vintage vehicles, street performers and more.Alexandra’s Pioneer Park will host carnival rides, wood chopping, gold panning, and two stages (a children’s stage and a main stage).In addition to Jody’s set, festival-goers can expect music from The QFO Experiment, with original jazz-funk arrangements, and Simon Green’s ‘Solitary Man’, a tribute to Neil Diamond.There will also be the crowning of the 2024 Alexandra Blossom Festival princess, winning float announcements, craft market stalls and more, Martin said.“It’s going to be a great weekend - so make sure you lock it in to be here so you don’t miss out on all the fun.’’Find more information and book tickets here.PHOTO: Supplied

A total of 82 customers living in West Wānaka have been impacted by an unplanned power outage this morning (Friday September 13) Aurora Energy has reported.Residents on the Wānaka-Mt Aspiring Road lost power at 1.52am which Aurora Energy said was caused by a weather-related event.Heavy rainfall overnight turned to snow at approximately 7am.Aurora Energy said it has a crew investigating the outage and at 8am power had been restored to the majority of homes.For more information see Power Outages.PHOTO: Aurora Energy.