With two-thirds of the summer gone, Wānaka has experienced a cooler and wetter season than usual, prompting questions about whether February will bring a more settled finish - and more time at the beach or out on the lake.There are some encouraging signs, according to MetService, with warmer conditions returning this weekend and a more typical February pattern gradually taking shape.MetService meteorologist John Law said this weekend is shaping up to look “pretty decent”, with highs of 25-26 degrees expected.Things typically warm up in Wānaka in February - and around the country - with average daytime highs around 24 degrees, overnight lows near 11 degrees, and total rainfall of about 40mm.At this stage, temperatures are expected to track close to those averages, with rainfall also likely to sit around normal levels after a damp start to the month, John told the Wānaka App.“Early next week, on Monday and possibly Tuesday, there is some wetter weather coming through…but after that, it does look a bit drier as we head into the rest of February.”The unsettled feel of much of December and January has been driven by a run of easterly winds, which is less typical for Wānaka.“Most of the weather normally comes in from the west which means most of the weather stays on the other side of the Southern Alps from you,” John said. “But with the weather being more easterly, it’s pushed that cloud towards you. So it’s been a bit cloudier and a bit cooler.”In January 69mm of rain was recorded, compared with a monthly average of around 54mm. Nearly a third of that fell on New Year’s Day alone.In December there was a rainfall total of 63.2mm, also a bit above the average of 57-58mm, and the temperature - at 14.8 degrees on average - was under the December average of 15.6 degrees.“Because rainfall is quite low in Wānaka anyway - it is one of the driest places in the country - [a small increase on the average] can feel like a big difference,” John said.Looking more broadly, rainfall over the past 12 months has been close to average, with around 670mm recorded in 2025, compared with a climate average of about 617mm.While February may not bring wall-to-wall sunshine, John said there is good reason to be cautiously optimistic that conditions will settle closer to what’s typical for Wānaka at this time of year.PHOTO: Wānaka App

The Upper Clutha Wānaka Whānau Survey 2026 is about understanding what life is really like for rangatahi and their whānau in our community. This survey will help agency partners, caregivers, and locals better understand what’s going on for our youth, including learning, belonging, and where support networks are already working well. By taking a strengths-based approach, we primarily focus on what supports young people and their families to thrive here. We’ll still gather what’s needed to guide harm prevention and future wellbeing planning, to keep it aligned with the previous 2023 survey, so we can track change over timeFor this survey to genuinely reflect the lives of whānau in Wānaka | Upper Clutha, it is essential that our community voice is heard. That is why we are creating a space where real, in-person conversations take place.Why conversations matterAs we all turn to the written form in preference to verbal conversation, we seem to text more and talk less, we reduce the modelling and exposure benefits of rich conversations in our everyday lives. We’re losing our conversational skills, which means our children and everyone around us lose their skills too. The kind of rich, back-and-forth kōrero many of us grew up listening to around the table, which stimulated our speech and language development. Everyday conversations are how understanding grows, confidence builds, and stronger connections are formed across our parent and caregiver community.On Monday 23 February, 9.00–11.30am, we’re hosting a strengths-based workshop at the Wānaka Community Hub (34 McDougall Street), facilitated by Ali McCormick. This will be an interactive hui, where discussion flows both ways and the voices in the room genuinely matter.Thank you to our major funders: Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes Trust, QLDC, and Hāpai Hapori Community Matters (Lotteries NZ) for supporting this opportunity to gather authentic community voice in 2026.Get involved or find out more - Register your interest here Read the full 2023, ‘Our Youth Voice’ report here. 

The Wānaka Crag Fest will return this year, hosting the first ‘Golden Carabiner Hunt’ in New Zealand.The giant treasure hunt for climbers is a search for golden carabiners, exchangeable for a prize. “We are really excited to be the first host in New Zealand for the Golden Carabiner Hunt, a Black Diamond event which has been really popular overseas,” New Zealand Alpine Club general manager Karen Leacock said.“All entry fees go straight back to local crags, and with around 60 prizes - double the overseas versions - we’re starting with a bang.”As in previous years, the festival offers a range of clinics for all skill levels and a special focus on youth and family accessibility. Select clinics are partially sponsored, making them more affordable for those new to climbing, eager to upskill, or just starting out in the area. Ages 13–18 and their caregivers will be included, with dedicated youth clinics tailored to different competency levels.The weekend isn’t just about climbing - it includes non-climbing activities like yoga, cold water immersion, climbing-related games, and lots of time for socialising.Friday night kicks off with a vendor village featuring outdoor brands, climbing competitions, quizzes, films, and prizes from sponsors. Saturday night keeps the energy high with food, drinks and live local DJ at the festival base camp.The golden carabiner hunt will take place on Sunday.Sustainability is at the heart of Crag Fest, Karen said. “In partnership with the Wānaka Climbing Club, we’re hosting a sustainability working bee on Saturday afternoon, giving attendees the chance to earn their dinner by giving back to the local crags. Volunteers at the event will receive free food and drink as a thank-you for their efforts.”The Wānaka Crag Fest runs from Tuesday February 27 to - Sunday March 1. Find more information here.Karen thanked the festival sponsors Scarpa, Black Diamond, Petzl, and Inselberg; additional supporters Bivouac, Further Faster, and Aspiring Guides; and clinic sponsors Basecamp and Wānaka Mountain Guides.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Fire crews were called to a fully involved sleepout fire on Maude View Rd in Hāwea Flat this afternoon (January 30).Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) was alerted to the blaze at about 1.45pm, with crews from Luggate, Wānaka and Tarras responding.FENZ shift manager Blair Walklin said when crews arrived the sleepout was well ablaze. He said firefighters worked quickly to bring the fire under control and prevent it spreading to nearby structures.The fire has since been contained, with crews remaining on site to dampen down hotspots and ensure there is no risk of reignition, he said.A neighbour described the scene as “quite scary”, saying thick black smoke and large flames could be seen from nearby properties.They said they could also hear banging noises coming from the burning structure as the fire took hold.No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is not yet known.Crews were expected to remain on site for some time as a precaution.PHOTO: Mary-Louise Roulston

Cardrona residents are hopeful their concerns about the wildfire risk from uncontrolled gorse and broom near the village will soon be eased.A meeting was held in Cardrona on Tuesday (January 29) to address the concerns, which Cardrona Valley Residents and Ratepayers Society secretary Tim Allan called “a community safety issue”.He called the meeting out of frustration by what he said was a lack of action from Otago Regional Council (ORC) about the gorse and broom on properties adjacent to the village.He said it was a wildfire hazard, and “despite multiple approaches to the landowners over several years, nothing has been done and the problem grows”. The Cardrona Valley Residents and Ratepayers Society says the pests are a wildfire hazard.The properties are within a designated ORC gorse and broom free area (GABFA); aerial surveillance of Otago GABFAs was due to be completed by July last year, but surveillance of the Cardrona Valley was deferred. About 20 people attended the Tuesday meeting, including ORC chair Richard Saunders, and councillors Gary Kelliher, Neil Gillespie, and Matt Holyer.Richard said it was constructive and ORC was grateful to the residents who gave “firm feedback”.“ORC has committed to meeting with members of the community within a month to discuss an action plan which will begin to address some of the concerns raised,” Richard said. “In the interim ORC staff are undertaking further surveillance work in the area to identify gorse and broom infestations.”Tim told the Wānaka App he was “hopeful, but sceptical that it will create any real change”.“Our greatest frustration is that ORC don’t even follow their own rules,” he said, referencing both the lack of surveillance of gorse and broom, and the council’s response to written complaints.“The farmers are wonderful, but it’s the absentee landowners who are not doing anything and don’t care.” Richard said ORC had to prioritise its resources across a large biosecurity work programme, and resourcing of gorse and broom work in Cardrona had been limited.“... however we have heard the concerns from the residents and will now work closely with them to address the issues. “This will include compliance action where that is the best tool to achieve the desired outcome.”PHOTOS: Supplied

The postal services at Albert Town Four Square will be ending soon, one of many similar services which NZ Post announced this week would close from May.Albert Town Four Square is one of 142 ‘retail partner stores’ on the cutting block - a move which will “rebalance” the NZ Post network.“A lot has changed since the 1980s, when our minimum store requirements were last set,” NZ Post general manager consumer Sarah Sandoval said.“Customers now rely far more on NZ Post stores for collecting and sending parcels compared to letters.”She said NZ Post had “carefully assessed customer and network data” to ensure it provides “the right mix of services in communities”.Albert Town Four Square is one of nine retail partner stores set to close its postal services. The others are seven in Dunedin and one in Oamaru.NZ Post’s four other Upper Clutha retail partner stores (Hāwea Store & Kitchen, Paper Plus Wānaka, Tarras Country Store and Wonderland Makarora Lodge) will continue to operate.Newly updated minimum store requirements (in an agreement between NZ Post and the government) enable NZ Post to adapt to changing demand, Sarah said.“The retail network needs to be rebalanced to better suit the way customers use our products and services today and into the future.”PHOTO: Supplied

Luggate residents may have access to local tennis courts by the end of the year if a local developer’s proposal goes to plan.Lake McKay developer Murray Frost told the Wānaka App he hopes to provide two tennis courts and a pump track on the new reserve at the subdivision.“We are close to finalising arrangements with [Queenstown Lakes District Council] and [the Department of Conservation,” he said.The reserve is being developed close to the Luggate Creek in the Lake McKay subdivision.The arrival of the temporary hall for Luggate damaged one of the tennis courts.Luggate Community Association chair Judy Thomas said progress on the new courts was “very exciting”.The previous tennis courts were dug up in 2021 to make way for a temporary hall and eventually the new memorial hall, Whare Mahana.Luggate’s new $5.56M hall was opened in 2022 after a lengthy construction period. Read more: Whare Mahana: Luggate’s warm community spaceWhen Luggate’s new playground was opened in 2024, then-LCA chair Rod Anderson reminded elected representatives and council staff there was still a promise to replace Luggate’s former tennis courts with a much needed replacement hard court area.He said now the playground was finished the council “should not lose sight of this project”.A QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App this week there was $410,000 allocated in year 2029-2030 of the current Long Term Plan to deliver tennis courts for Luggate. “However, they may be delivered sooner by the developer of Lake McKay Station who is proposing to use reserve contributions to fund two tennis courts on the council reserve within this development,” the spokesperson said.PHOTOS: Supplied

Many local workers are living in cars, vans, or temporary camping arrangements because they cannot access or afford rentals, says Upper Clutha social services hub Community Link.Community Link general manager Kate Murray told the Wānaka App the community is under “very real pressure”, especially workers in service, hospitality, and accommodation.“Everyone deserves a safe place to live, and for some people in Upper Clutha, campgrounds are the only option left in an extremely tight and expensive housing market,” she said.High costs, limited rentals make camping an optionShe said the increase in permanent or semi-permanent campground residents is a direct result of the area’s high housing costs - around double the national average - and limited rental supply. “Campgrounds provide a visible, safer alternative to people sleeping rough, but this also shows why we urgently need more affordable housing and properly funded support services to keep everyone safe and supported.“Most locals would prefer that vulnerable people at least have the option of staying in a campground rather than being pushed onto the streets.”High housing costs and a limited rental supply are squeezing workers into campgrounds or vans.Kate said even when accommodation is available it is often not suitable, and there is no social housing available. “Much of the housing stock in Wānaka consists of large four to five bedroom homes, and Hāwea is largely three to four bedroom houses, which are out of reach for individuals, couples, and low-income households.”‘Challenging residents’ at campground One place known to attract long-term residents is the Albert Town Campground, particularly the area near the Hāwea River swingbridge.Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), which owns the campground, estimates there are 14 permanent residents at the site - which has reduced by five in the past year.“The facilities are not set up for permanent residents," a council spokesperson told the Wānaka App, saying the campground “is intended to provide a Kiwi camping experience with simple facilities”. Wānaka Police area response manager Sergeant Darren Cranfield said there are permanent residents in both parts of the campground (on either side of SH8).“I think if you have a look at the rules, there shouldn’t be,” he said.QLDC said it was confident the campground was being well managed. “Hampshire [Holiday Parks] have been proactive in dealing with issues at Albert Town campground as they have arisen,” the council spokesperson said.He said when there have been concerns about behaviour Hampshire Holiday Parks (the manager) has engaged with health services from Dunstan Hospital and the police.“The health service undertakes regular visits to assess individual needs and provide guidance and direction to those in need.”During the holiday period, a visiting camper at the site reported being kept awake for six hours one night by a resident on a “loud ranting rage”. “We ended up in the Albert Town camping ground which has portaloos, no drinking water available, and some pretty challenging permanent residents,” she said.The woman, who was camping with her children, said she felt unsafe all night.Kate said many challenging situations “sit at the intersection of housing stress, mental health, and substance use, where prevention and support - not enforcement - are the most effective tools”.“Police involvement may be limited unless a law is being broken. “This situation highlights the urgent need for more affordable, appropriate housing and properly funded support services in Upper Clutha, to ensure safety for everyone in the community.” Read more:Freedom Campers Grateful as NZTA Moves to Restrict SH84 SiteWinter in a van: ‘Not too bad’Camping facilities for long-term residents questionedPHOTOS: Wānaka App

School bags are being packed, lunchboxes unearthed, and alarm clocks reluctantly reset as Upper Clutha students prepare to enter the 2026 school year.From the Upper Clutha’s smallest school - Makarora School, with just 13 students - to the largest - Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC), with a roll of 1,330, schools are getting ready to reopen their doors over the next week.Roll numbers show modest growth in some schools, with several entering 2026 with slightly larger rolls than they began last year. At MAC, the roll has increased by 10 students, with new enrolments spread across all year levels rather than concentrated solely in year seven. The school has just celebrated strong provisional NCEA results for 2025.Read more: MAC performs strongly in NCEAIn 2026, MAC aims to maintain consistently strong NCEA results while strengthening its focus on student wellbeing, principal Nicola Jacobsen said.Te Kura o Take Kārara is also starting the year with a growing roll. The school will begin 2025 with 327 students, an increase of 10 compared to the same time last year, principal Jodie Howard said.At Wānaka Primary School, principal Rob Rush - entering his second year in the role - said the school expects to start the year with 460 students across 20 classrooms, three fewer than in 2025.Holy Family Catholic School will begin the year with approximately 200 students, principal Jane Rush said, while at Makarora School, the roll has increased by two students to 13.MAC’s new students will step through the gates first, starting tomorrow (Friday January 30) before the rest of the student body returns on Monday. As for primary schools, the majority will begin on Tuesday (February 3), aside from Makarora School, which will welcome back students the following Monday (February 9).Tarras School was approached for comment.PHOTO: Wānaka App

A senior member of the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) executive leadership team has been appointed as interim chief executive.Michelle Morss has been at QLDC for ten years and been general manager strategy and policy for the past three.QLDC mayor John Glover said her appointment “ensures the organisation and community have consistency and stability while work continues to recruit a chief executive”.He said the appointment (the decision was made by councillors last week) followed a robust process led by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ). “The most important decision that this council will make is to appoint the substantive replacement for Mike Theelen,” John said.“Michelle brings the knowledge and experience needed to lead the organisation as it faces the reforms and challenges over the coming months pending that appointment, and it is wonderful that we will have an interim who can hit the ground running.” Michelle has been a leader in the development of the regional deal, the Spatial Plan and the Destination Management Plan. She has been a key member of the Emergency Operations Centre for a number of years and is currently the district’s recovery manager.  “It’s going to be a busy period as we work on the development of the Long Term Plan, the establishment of the Water Services CCO and understand the implications of a broad range of central government reforms for the sector,” she said. John acknowledged Mike Theelen for ten years of leadership and service at QLDC, including “his commitment to public service and in particular his belief in the purpose of local government”.“His retirement marks the end of a significant chapter for QLDC and I am sure will open a new one for Mike and his family,” he said. Recruitment for a chief executive is expected to begin in the coming months, led by the QLDC CEO relationship and recruitment committee. Read more: Next step for appointment of interim council CEO

A sparse and weedy roundabout at the entrance to Wānaka is causing frustration for both community members and elected members.The Mt Iron Junction roundabout, which is managed by the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), is planted with some shrubs but these are largely outnumbered by weeds.Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Association chair Simon Telfer said the roundabout is “an eyesore” which frustrates him every time he drives through it.“If it was designed as wild, natural landscaping then so be it, but it's actually been planted in a way that needs upkeep,” he said.“Contractors completed work at this roundabout just prior to Christmas – including weeding the roundabout and associated plantings in the area,” an NZTA spokesperson told the Wānaka App. “In general terms though, NZTA is funded for maintenance to ensure the safety of road users, and not for amenity/aesthetic value.”Simon wondered if residents “should .. take it into our own hands”.“I'm just concerned about the safety implications of volunteers in an 80kmh zone,” he said.Simon said Queenstown Lakes District Council will probably end up having to weed the roundabout, “with the cost burden falling on the ratepayer/community”.A local service group, Aspiring Rotary, has approached NZTA asking if it is allowed to weed the roundabout, but has not yet heard back.A club member told the Wānaka App members were concerned about the safety risks of undertaking the work in a busy intersection.Last month in Cromwell a community board member took matters into his own hands following frustration over a weedy roundabout at the entrance to the town (at the intersection of State Highway 6 and SH8B).The Central App reported in December that Wally Sanford spent days pulling weeds at the roundabout before encouraging others to join him during a weekend. “Pulling weeds and grass is hands down a more effective approach than emailing and squabbling over whose job it is,” he said.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) students have achieved excellent NCEA results, exceeding national pass rates and performing strongly against schools in the same equity band in 2025, principal Nicola Jacobsen says.NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) is the national qualification framework for secondary school students in years 11-13, and provisional 2024 results have now been released.“I am incredibly proud of our students for their effort, commitment and resilience, and very grateful to our staff whose skill and dedication provide our students with exceptional support,” Nicola said.Eighty-four percent of MAC’s level one students passed, compared to 72 percent nationally and 82 percent in the same equity band (categorised by socio-economic barriers). Thirty-eight percent of those students achieved merit or excellence endorsements (nationally 37 percent, same equity band 51 percent).At level two, 89 percent of MAC students passed. Nationally this figure was 73 percent, and in the same equity band it was 86 percent. Forty-eight percent of those students achieved endorsements (nationally 41 percent, same equity band 51 percent).At the third level, 85 percent of MAC students passed, compared to 70 percent nationally and 84 percent in the same equity band. Fifty-three percent of level three students achieved endorsements (nationally 41 percent, same equity band 50 percent).The provisional MAC results for 2024, compared to national averages and other schools in the same equity band. IMAGE: MACNicola said the school’s strong numeracy and literacy results at NCEA level one, which 92 percent of MAC students passed in 2025, demonstrated that students were building a solid foundation in reading, writing and maths.“To gain an NCEA qualification at levels one, two or three, students must meet the literacy and numeracy requirements. “Our results show that students are well prepared for the increasingly demanding learning they will encounter in their senior years.”She said the school continued to place a strong emphasis on improving endorsement outcomes, particularly at NCEA levels two and three.“These endorsements reflect students’ sustained high achievement through the attainment of excellence-level credits so it’s encouraging to see continued success in this area.”The 2025 MAC pass rates were a little lower than 2024, when 88 percent passed level one, 90 percent passed level two and 89 percent passed level three. Nicola said student wellbeing remains a priority due to its important role in the engagement, learning and social and emotional development of students.“We want every student to be supported to achieve their personal best and to be well prepared for their future tertiary and vocational pathways.”The final, non-provisional results will be made public at the end of February.

Wao Aotearoa is starting a weekly ‘Bike Bus’ in Albert Town as part of its six-month Ride for Change programme, aiming to reduce transport emissions and make school commutes healthier and more fun.Transport is the largest source of emissions in the Upper Clutha, driven by thousands of short car trips during school drop-off and pick-up. The Bike Bus offers a practical, community-led solution: supervised group rides that replace short car journeys while building confidence and road skills in young riders, Ride for Change programme lead Rob Barry said.Departing McMurdo Park at 8am every Friday during term one, the Bike Bus will follow a set route that can be joined at key points, with drop-offs at Holy Family Catholic School and Wānaka Primary School.Children ride together in a safe, supported group, with lead and tail riders, managed crossings, and a “no rider left behind” approach, Rob said.“This programme is designed around repetition and confidence,” he said. “When students ride together regularly, supported by adults and their peers, they don’t just get fitter - they develop road awareness, independence, and a sense of belonging.“That’s what leads to lasting behaviour change.”The Bike Bus builds on Wao Aotearoa’s Bike for Books campaign, which last year saw children complete over 5,400 trips, ride more than 12,000km, and avoid an estimated four tonnes of carbon dioxide- motivated by earning points to go in the draw for new books.Barry said the programme brought immediate benefits beyond cutting emissions“Parents report calmer mornings and improved mood, schools see students arriving more settled and ready to learn, and neighbourhoods benefit from fewer cars on the road during peak times.”Parents register for the Bike Bus once and can join any Friday. Impact is tracked throughout the term, including kilometres ridden, emissions avoided, and changes in travel behaviour.“This is about creating everyday change,” Barry said. “Small rides, repeated week after week, add up to healthier kids, more connected communities, and real climate impact.”Find registration info, dates and full safety information at the Wao website. PHOTO: Wao Aotearoa

Wānaka skier Ben Richards has claimed back-to-back wins on the 2026 Freeride World Tour, taking out the men’s ski title at the Val Thorens Pro in France yesterday (January 27).The 25-year-old followed his victory at the Baqueira Beret Pro in Spain with another dominant performance, dropping in last on the challenging Pointe de Thorens face and posting a winning score of 92.00.Ben’s run featured two clean 360s and a double, executed with speed and control on a slope that had already caught out a number of competitors.“Dropping last played into Ben’s favour,” Freeride coach and team manager Blake Marshall said.“He was able to watch the riders before him and was ready to change his line if needed.”Unpredictable weather earlier in the week forced organisers to carefully manage the competition window, with 10–15cm of fresh powder overnight covering rocks but also contributing to a series of heavy crashes.Despite a field that included five former world tour champions, none reached the podium. Rookie Joey Leonardo (USA) placed second and Ross Tester (USA) third.Ben now turns his attention to the FIS World Championships in Andorra in early February.PHOTO: Supplied

Otago Regional Council (ORC) is encouraging ratepayers contacted by letter to take part in its latest community survey – which will help shape the future of services to the public.The Community Survey 2026 will start appearing in the mailboxes of more than 14,000 randomly selected ratepayers from this week, ORC chair Hilary Calvert said.She said it is important for the regional council to know as much as it can about what people in Otago feel the ORC is doing well and what we can do better.“This will help us be the very best council we can be in the time we have left.”Read more: Local mayors respond to reform proposalsORC hopes for more responses by switching from cold calling phone numbers to the hard-copy, mail-out format.The survey will also be available online, where people who complete it can go in the draw for one of six $100 supermarket vouchers.ORC’s regular community surveys aim to understand how people across Otago view the council, its role and work, and their perceptions of environmental factors, ORC general manager strategy and customer Amanda Vercoe said.“The survey results will help inform decision-making, improve services, and meet accountability and transparency expectations,” Amanda saidShe said the most recent community surveys some clear patterns and key issues:Most people know ORC manages Otago’s natural resources, but awareness is lower among younger people and non-ratepayersWater quality remains the biggest environmental concern across OtagoClimate change is becoming a more important issue for more peopleViews of ORC improve most when work is visible, such as flood protection projectsMany people still want clearer communication about what ORC does and why Read more: Lake Wānaka guardian calls for more funding“The surveys help track changes over time, highlight what matters most to communities throughout Otago, and show us where projects, programmes or monitoring are working well or need improvement,” she said.Otago residents can take the Community Survey 2026 online until February 22.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Adventure filmmakers and writers are being invited to submit their work to the annual NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival, with entries now open for both the film and book competitions.The 24th edition of the popular seven-day event will take place in Wānaka from June 19–23, with two nights in Queenstown later in the month, before the online film festival launches.The festival exists not only to entertain and inspire audiences, but also to spark adventure, deepen appreciation for the natural world, and nurture the next generation of outdoor storytellers, festival director Whitney Oliver said.New Zealand filmmakers receiving awards at the 2025 festival. PHOTO: Deanna Gerlach The opening of entries is always a highlight in the annual calendar, she said."There is always great anticipation when the competitions open each year. Adventures are evolving in new and exciting ways, and so are the ways these stories are shared through films and books.“This year's programme is bound to raise the bar once again.”A long-standing member of the International Alliance for Mountain Film, the festival has attracted world-class films for two decades as well as being a launchpad for up-and-coming talent.A total of $9,500 in prize money will be awarded across the categories, with the Grand Prize–winning film and Best NZ-Made Film each eligible for $2,500, and the Nankervis/Bamford Award for Book of the Year taking home $2,000. The festival welcomes a wide range of creative interpretations, so long as the work connects to adventurous sports or people, or is set among the world’s mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans or skies, or explores cultural or environmental themes.“We love being able to encourage new voices, as well, not only as a place to share work with a stoked and supportive outdoor audience, but through our efforts to provide opportunities at the festival for filmmakers to learn, network, and develop their skills,” Whitney said.The festival is also opening entries to the two-day Adventure Film School, which gives aspiring filmmakers hands-on instruction from industry-leading professionals.Find more information about the competitions and the Adventure Film School, including detailed criteria, dates and more, here.

Wānaka biathlete Campbell Wright, who now skis for Team USA, has won silver in the final World Cup race before the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games in Czech Republic.He came second by just nine seconds to top biathlete Eric Perrot (France).The win is Campbell’s first World Cup medal and third silver medal (he won two at the 2025 World Championships).“It was a great race,” he said after the race, US Biathlon reported. "I enjoyed it a lot.”The 15km mass-start second place will give Campbell “a ton of confidence, as well as boost the whole American team”, one biathlon commentator said.“Feel the energy he brings to the entire sport,” he said.Campbell with one of his silver medals from 2025. PHOTO: SuppliedThe silver medal will take Campbell into the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games. The Olympic biathlon competition will begin on February 8.

A clear split has emerged over how quickly the proposed Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project should be assessed, with government agencies and councils pushing for a significantly longer decision-making period than the default setting under fast-track legislation.The divide follows the release of documents and video footage from a panel convener conference late last week, where attendees also challenged what they described as slow information-sharing and a lack of meaningful engagement by the mining company ahead of the application being lodged.Otago Regional Council principal consents planner Shay McDonald told the conference it would require “no less than 140 working days” to properly assess the 9,400-page application.“The application is substantial in scale and is technically complex,” Shay said.“There are likely to be a relatively large number of principal issues in contention.”Central Otago District Council also supported an extended timeframe, recommending a minimum of 120 working days.Legal counsel Jayne Macdonald said the council considered a longer timeframe was required given both the scale of the proposal and the state of engagement between the applicant and other parties.She said pre-lodgement engagement had been “limited and fragmented”, with repeated requests made for a description of the proposal, draft application and draft Assessment of Environmental Effects to help inform the council's own experts.Jayne said technical information was released progressively, but represented only a subset of the documents ultimately submitted, while some requests for expert site visits “could not be accommodated”.Representatives of DOC echoed these concerns, citing requested information from the mining company was slow to come and some site visits cancelled.In its memorandum, DOC said the scale of potential ecological effects was “potentially unprecedented”.“For example, more than 100,000 absolutely protected lizards are likely to be impacted, with the majority expected to be killed and the remainder disturbed and/or translocated,” DOC said.The department also said proposals to relocate rare plants at that scale were untested in the local environment, while Central Otago’s dry conditions posed additional challenges for water management and the mitigation of adverse effects on aquifers and aquatic ecosystems.Representing local Māori interests, Kā Rūnaka expressed “deep and immutable concern” about the breadth and longevity of the project’s effects, including long-term risks associated with hazardous substance storage."For Kā Rūnaka, effects on their cultural values or te taiao are incapable of being 'offset' or being otherwise mitigated – those effects are there, regardless of the wording which may be placed around them to make them appear less. In Kā Rūnaka’s view, the effects arising from this application are significant, and permanent," the group said.Kā Rūnaka also said the developer’s engagement to date had fallen short of consultation expectations.“Kā Rūnaka considers the approach taken by the applicant does not fulfil consultation requirements, and any efforts made are insufficient gestures taken in order to ostensibly fulfil legislative requirements, ” it said.Matakanui Gold, the applicant and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Santana Minerals, offered a different view during the conference, with legal counsel saying the company had “extensively engaged and consulted with relevant administering authorities, iwi, key stakeholders and the community, and continues to do so”.In the cases of CODC and DOC, they said regular meetings had been happening since 2017.They said prior to lodging its application the mining company had undertaken 56 community drop-in sessions and presented its plans to more than 25 local organisations and businesses.However, community group Sustainable Tarras said the newly released documents reflected its own experience of the process.“We are not at all surprised, but remain highly concerned,” a spokesperson said.The proposal is being considered under the Fast-track Consenting Act.Santana Minerals initially sought a 30-working-day decision period, later indicating it would accept 60 working days for its proposed underground and open-cast gold mine above Cromwell.

Wānaka skier Finley Melville Ives has claimed gold at the X Games in Aspen, winning the Men’s Ski Superpipe today (January 26) and helping deliver New Zealand’s most successful winter X Games.The 19-year-old dominated the final, landing three huge runs to take the top spot in challenging snowy and windy conditions. His victory lifted New Zealand’s overall haul to two gold and four silver medals.“It’s been super surreal,” Finley said.“The conditions were tricky, but the crowd vibe was electric. I’m just so grateful to have put down these runs in front of all the fans.”Finley led from the outset, posting scores of 89.33 and 93.33 before sealing the win with a fearless final run that earned 95.00 from the judges.Snow Sports NZ high performance park and pipe head coach Tom Willmott said the conditions made the win even more impressive.“A blizzard rolled in during warm-ups and gusty winds lingered into the finals,” he said. The victory continues a remarkable rise for the young skier, who won silver at the 2024 Youth Winter Olympics and was crowned FIS Freeski Halfpipe world champion last year.Lake Hāwea’s Luke Harrold finished sixth.Also competing today was Wānaka’s Rocco Jamieson, who finished fourth in Men’s Knuckle Huck.PHOTO: Supplied