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

Strong technical knowledge, organisation and willingness to learn have earned Sam Hoskins the title of Southern 2024 Registered Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year.Sam, who works for Dunlop Builders, took first place in the competition, which recognises excellence among carpentry apprentices and raises awareness of career opportunities in the building and construction industry.Being assessed included a written presentation, a two-hour practical challenge, an interview with four judges and, lastly, a site visit to Sam’s current project.Judges said Sam’s performance in the competition was “outstanding”.“Working with a solid team, Sam is on the path to becoming a well-rounded and skilled carpenter,” they said.It was Sam’s second time entering the competition: last year he came second and he said he had decided to enter to challenge himself despite finding it “really nerve wracking”.“I was happy to get second last year but the one thing I let myself down on was in the practical challenge as I was really nervous and made some silly mistakes,” he told the Wānaka App.“My main motivation was to go back to the practical challenge and improve on that element,” he said. “I was really happy as I felt like I did that.”Sam will head to Auckland in November to compete against the other top apprentices from each region, which will include a 45-minute interview with the national judging panel and a six-hour practical skills test. Competing in the regional competition over the past two years has built Sam’s confidence and he is looking forward to competing at a national level.“It’s nice to go in with confidence,” he said. “I’m feeling pretty good about it.”He said he has been impressed by the time, quality and care that the organisers put into the competition.Sam is also grateful to his employers, Dunlop Builders, who have been “incredible”.“They’re such a good company and really supportive,” he said.Sam will compete for the national Registered Master Builders CARTERS Apprentice of the Year title on November 7-8.PHOTO: Supplied

Holy Family Catholic School Wānaka principal Jo McKay has resigned.Jo has been the principal of the local year 0-8 school for the last ten years and she will depart at the end of term three.The school’s board shared the news of Jo’s departure with the school community in a letter yesterday (Wednesday August 21).“Jo has been an exceptional leader and a cornerstone of our school community, and her departure is a significant moment for all of us,” board chair Rebecca McElrea said.“We are incredibly proud that she has been headhunted for a national position in the education sector.”Jo has guided the school with “unwavering dedication” over the past ten years, Rebecca said.“She has consistently fostered the best possible educational environment for our children, always keeping their best interests at the forefront of every decision.”“Under her leadership, we have seen excellent results across the board, a true reflection of her commitment to our students' success.”Angela Scoullar has accepted the position of acting principal for the last school term of the year.“Angela’s experience and deep understanding of our school’s values and culture will ensure a smooth transition as we begin the process of finding Jo’s permanent successor,” Rebecca said.“While we are saddened by her departure, we are also filled with hope and confidence as we move forward, building on the strong foundation that Jo has laid.”Jo’s last day with Holy Family Catholic School Wānaka will be September 27.PHOTO: Holy Family Catholic School

A Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) student has been selected as one of eight New Zealand students who will travel to Brazil to develop their entrepreneurial skills.Alexis-Sofia Harvey-Wills (Year 13) will participate in LatAM Biz, a joint programme between the Latin American Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence and the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES).In Brazil, Alexis-Sofia will work with students from New Zealand and Sāo Paulo to pitch a solution to a business challenge relating to sustainable development goals.The aspiring businesswoman said she was excited to be selected and she is looking forward to developing her knowledge of business on a global, sustainable scale among like-minded people.“When I heard I’d been selected, my head filled with thoughts of colour, music, culture and food,” Alexis-Sofia said. “In addition to developing my business skills and knowledge, I am looking forward to making lifelong memories and connections, and exploring a new country.”Alexis-Sofia attended the Entrepreneurs in Action weekend in Wellington earlier this year through the YES programme as part of her Level 3 Business and Enterprise studies at MAC.“It was this experience, along with my passion for enterprise, that motivated me to apply for the LatAM Biz programme,” she said.She said the YES programme had helped her “become a more confident and curious individual who feels ready to face challenges and is optimistic about the world of business”.Alexis-Sofia will travel to Brazil on September 28 for LatAM Biz.“I can't express how excited and grateful I am for this incredible opportunity and I'm absolutely thrilled to represent the Young Enterprise Scheme and Mount Aspiring College in Brazil.”Alexis-Sofia is planning to study a Bachelor of Commerce at university.She said she aims to “positively contribute to our economy and environment, and to hold a senior leadership role in a New Zealand-based business, and also work overseas”.PHOTO: MAC

Baby Mia slept peacefully in her Moses basket at her parents’ home in Northlake this afternoon (Monday August 19), unaware that she was the poster baby for Wānaka’s new primary birthing unit, Rākai Kahukura.Mia was the first baby born at the unit, a little over two weeks after Rākai Kahukura opened its doors to expecting families.She was delivered on Wednesday August 12 to parents Caroline Gray and Michael Warwick, with the help of midwife Peta Hosking and student midwife Emily.“It was so quick,” Caroline told the Wānaka App. “We just popped down the road, got settled in the centre, and did the breathing...” Caroline said labour had kicked in around 5pm at their home on August 12. Within three hours things had progressed and they made the call to travel five minutes along the road to Rākai Kahukura. By 11pm, Mia was in their arms.“I have to admit, this experience has been enjoyable. I’m incredibly grateful,” Caroline said. It was markedly different from the birth of their son Hayden, two, who was born in Dunedin Hospital after a three-week stay at a Dunedin AirBnB for Michael (and their dogs), and in hospital for Caroline, after it was found that the baby had moved into an unstable birthing position.“When Hayden was born we didn’t have continuity with our midwives,” Caroline said. “And it’s made just such a difference to this whole first week, and the birth, and the [family] bubble, to stay in Wānaka, be at home, have our actual midwife.”“I’m so excited for other mums to have that going forward, as someone who didn’t get it the first time.” This time around, Michael and Hayden stayed at home in Northlake and “bounced back and forwards” between home and the birthing unit, allowing Hayden’s routine to be maintained and making the transition easier.“It’s the best outcome we could have hoped for,” Michael said.Like many Wānaka parents, Michael and Caroline don’t have their own parents close by, which made the birthing unit even more valuable. Caroline said when she heard the opening date was to be July 29 she sat at the kitchen bench and wept with happiness.She acknowledged the “decades of rallying” by midwives and mothers to advocate for the unit, while women faced uncertainty around outcomes and options - including an hour’s drive to the Charlotte Jean birthing unit in Alexandra, or more than three hours’ to the base hospital in Dunedin.Caroline said Wānaka was fortunate to have experienced midwives and lots of services to support families. “Now the centre [has come in] - that one thing [will] lift it all up a level. I hope the other mums and dads can just lean into it. It’s finally come.”Caroline said it has been “a big year” for the couple, who returned to Wānaka after a few years away.“This is the little cherry on the top to be able to have our daughter here in town.”Rākai Kahukura, on Albert Town’s Monteith Street, is able to support “at least” 50 births and approximately 350-400 families each year, Te Whatu Ora Southern director of midwifery Karen Ferraccioli told the Wānaka App at a pre-opening event last month.The birthing unit supports low-risk, non-instrumental births; has options for post-natal stays closer to home; and provides early childhood services for 0-5 year olds including vaccinations. PHOTO: Wānaka App

OUT&about Wānaka will be launching a new charitable trust, community projects, and “next level” plans for Wānaka’s Pride Week 2024 at an event on Sunday August 25.In September last year the advocacy group organised Wānaka’s inaugural Pride Street Party, which attracted a strong community turnout of nearly 2,000 people.The celebration at the Lake Wānaka Centre featured everything from live music and DJs to spoken word and poetry, a craft market, food and beverage stalls, a ‘living library’, and an information market with LGBTQI+ resources.  Read more: Community comes out to support Pride Street PartyNow OUT&about is launching a charitable trust, with the key values of “respect and empathy, unity, empowerment, pride, and inclusion”, OUT&about media spokesperson Nisse Perry and festival director Ollie Harcus said.“By bringing people together, connecting, and embracing each other's differences, we aspire to create a more inclusive and understanding society in Wānaka, where every individual, regardless of their age, gender identity or sexual orientation, feels valued and celebrated,” they said. Nisse and Ollie said the group is building on the work of other local rainbow programmes (such as Queers & Beers and Queer Quarterly Reads) and is developing programmes to support parents and caregivers, and create wider support networks within the region.“We look forward to working with a range of community groups and to support them as our wonderfully diverse community grows.”The pair said that while Wānaka’s Pride Street Party 2023 was “one to remember”, this year’s event will take Pride “to the next level”.The week-long Pride festival (November 11-16) will culminate with the Pride Street Party at the Lake Wānaka Centre. “This exciting community event will have a range of activities, entertainers, and community groups involved,” Nisse and Ollie said.“We look forward to welcoming you on our journey to promote love and acceptance within the Wānaka and Upper Clutha community.”Everyone is invited for morning tea at the launch of the charitable trust and the community projects at the Wānaka Community Hub on Sunday August 25 at 11am. Please RSVP to [email protected] by Friday August 23. PHOTO: Wānaka App

Unlock the keys to community and environmental resilience with our special guest, Monique Kelly, as she gives us an exclusive preview of the highly anticipated WAO Summit happening from October 29 to November 2.Discover the innovative themes that will shape this year's event, including food resilience, better business, and climate action. Monique also unveils the brand-new "Nature Fest," designed to reconnect communities through music, film, and workshops while supporting local not-for-profits. This episode is not just about learning; it’s about turning discussions into action, especially within the tourism and construction sectors.Join us as we delve into the essential structural changes needed at governmental and business levels to foster sustainable behaviour, using the successful plastic bag ban as a case study. Hear valuable insights from Sustainable Hawke's Bay on how communities can effectively respond to disasters and learn from each other's sustainability models. We also focus on the role of different generations, including youth, in driving positive environmental change.Listen here. 

Wānaka’s ‘marathon woman’ Victoria Taylor has ended her consecutive daily marathons after being struck down with a bad case of influenza.Victoria’s last run day - and her 498th consecutive daily marathon - was Monday July 29, leaving her just two days off her next target of 500.“I’ve been badly knocked down by influenza,” Victoria said.“I ran through Covid two months ago and that was hard.”Victoria began running consecutive daily marathons on March 13, 2023 to raise awareness for mental health. At that time her goal was to break the women's world record of 151 daily consecutive marathons.“The whole motivation behind it in the first place, I was doing it because a loved one died from suicide, so I was wanting to do it to raise awareness for mental health,” she said. “I figured if that happened to the nicest person I knew something needed to be done about it.“The run went on a lot longer than planned … I was just taking it day by day. Sickness could have knocked me out at any time, I was aware of that.”Victoria said her history in sports conditioned her both physically and mentally to manage the marathon challenge but it did come with many sacrifices.“There was a lot of sacrifice to be doing it for that long,” she said. “I didn’t have time to be having a social life or anything, or spending extra money. I was too busy running.”Carbohydrate-based foods like pasta were a staple in her diet and “quite a bit” of chocolate helped settle the sugar cravings.Victoria said she set several world records during the 498-day effort, including the most consecutive daily marathons by a woman, the first woman to run consecutive daily marathons for a year, and the most marathons pushing a pram (on 221 occasions Victoria completed the marathon pushing her son in a pram).“Running a pram marathon is hard,” Victoria said.“The actual prep to make that happen to ensure Brax [her son] was happy and content the whole time I was running was just about as hard as running the marathon. “It was a mission.”The next goal for Victoria is to complete her personal trainer certificate and she said she has been approved (by Guinness World Records) to run across Australia.Read more:‘It’ll be the hardest thing I’ve ever done’: Wānaka woman to attempt record-breaking runWānaka woman's marathon effortPHOTO: Wānaka App

The move to a new premises will allow long-running local food charity Food for Love to right-size for increasing demand.Food for Love has gone from preparing and delivering 1,700 meals a year in 2020-2021 to over 9,000 meals in the last financial year. Its new space on Gordon Road - which it will be operating out of by August 12 - has plenty of room for its cooking and storage needs, an office space, and even room for a volunteer lounge. Food for Love announced its move in an email to volunteers.“We are so excited and can’t wait to share this new space with you all,” Food for Love said in the email.It gave a “heartfelt thank you” to its previous landlord, as well as the people who assisted with negotiations, contracts, insurances, budgets and logistics and made the move possible.Food for Love, a registered charitable trust, was created in 2016 and its mission remains the same as it was then - to provide home-cooked meals for families or individuals going through a hard time, regardless of whether the need is financial or personal. At its recent annual general meeting, it said an average of 180 meals were made each week, the majority of which are given to new parents (28.6 percent) and those suffering illness (22.9 percent), post surgery (18.2 percent) and injury (13.9 percent).Its total expenses for the last financial year exceeded $185k.Most of its income is derived from grants and donations as well as fundraising efforts partnering with local businesses, organisations and events, such as Mitre10, the Wānaka Business Chamber, the Wānaka A&P Show and the Hirepool Trilogy Golf Tournament.Central Lakes Trust gave a grant of more than $98k to the charity last year. Food For Love is a registered charitable trust. Find out more here.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Former Wānaka resident Hank Bilous has made his directorial debut with ‘The War On Style’, which will tour around New Zealand as well as Sydney and Torquay in Australia. One of New Zealand’s top freeskiers, Hank finished the 2020 Freeride World Tour with multiple podium finishes. He took a hiatus from skiing to finish his nursing degree and more recently he has been working as a registered nurse in the emergency department of a small North Island community.Hank said ‘The War on Style’ is inspired by his love of skiing, nursing and other interests like surfing, but it’s not specifically about any of those things.“It is really about the idea that any technical skill gives you the opportunity to express yourself and that self-expression part, really, is worth striving for,” he said.“I hope the audience can apply that concept to their own life.”Watch the trailer:Creating the film was “a real test of the concepts explored in the film in my life personally”, Hank said. “Writing a script, co-producing and directing were all new skills to me before we started this project.” ‘The War on Style’ was filmed and edited by Chris Maunsell and Sam Wave created the original score and songs.“Working [with Chris and Sam] on this project has really solidified the idea for me that collaboration is much better than competition,” Hank said.‘The War on Style’ was filmed in Wānaka, Dunedin and Gisborne.The New Zealand tour for ‘The War on Style’ will begin on July 30 and the Wānaka screening, which will be presented by Hank, will take place on August 21.Tickets and more information are available here.PHOTO: Supplied

In the latest episode of The Outlet, we dive into the trailblazing journey of Amy Eason, who recently became the first woman to referee a Central Otago premier men's rugby game. Amy's story is not just about breaking barriers but also about resilience, determination, and the power of goals. This episode offers a wealth of inspiration for anyone facing adversity in their endeavours, especially women pursuing roles in sports.Amy shares humorous anecdotes about the challenges referees face on the field, including the idea of consulting their phones for the latest rules. Despite these challenges, Amy's passion for refereeing remains strong, and she continues to work hard to improve her skills.Listen to The Outlet Wānaka.

The new chair of Wānaka Search and Rescue (SAR) says the outgoing chair has left the organisation well prepared for the future.Raewyn Calhaem has stepped into the chair role this week, replacing Bill Day, who spent around five years as chair, first until the end of 2022, and more recently coming back at short notice after his successor Aaron Nicholson had to leave due to illness.“Bill was a visionary, an ideas man and a safe pair of hands,” Raewyn told the Wānaka App.“He has left the group in an exceptional position.”Raewyn said she was also happy to report that Aaron was now back on board, serving as the incident management team coordinator on the SAR committee. Wānaka SAR members, pictured during a training exercise, are “exceptionally skilled”, Raewyn said. PHOTO: Geoff MarksWānaka SAR is one of the busiest SARs in the country and it is entirely volunteer-run.Its specialist teams - comprising bush, river, marine and alpine - undertake search and rescue operations in Mt Aspiring National Park and the Wānaka Lakes area.There are approximately 90 Wānaka SAR members and 70 active members at any given time.Raewyn has five years experience on the Wānaka SAR committee and she said the members were “exceptionally skilled” at what they do.In the past 12 months search and rescue call-out numbers reached pre-Covid levels again for the first time, she said.Wānaka SAR members’ efforts were highlighted at the annual AGM and awards event on Tuesday night (July 9).Raewyn said SAR members are recognised with awards in five year increments and on Tuesday “there were a number of people who received awards for 20 years of service”.“That shows what a great group it is and how good the culture is.” She also thanked Wānaka Police for the “fantastic teamwork” between the two.Wānaka Police Senior Sergeant Fiona (Fi) Roberts attended the AGM, which celebrated the “great work” Wānaka SAR does in the community.“To all the members who received certificates last night, a big thank you from Police for your efforts and contributions spanning many years,” she said.Fi gave a special mention to Wānaka Police Senior Constable Phil Vink, who was presented with a 10-year appreciation certificate for his services to Wānaka SAR.She also thanked both Bill and Raewyn.“Thank you Bill for all that you do. You are an infectiously positive man who is so well thought of by the group,” she said. “We are very much looking forward to working with the new chair Raewyn Calhaem and continuing our great relationship.”Learn more about Wānaka SAR here.PHOTOS: Supplied

A new group of creatives and organisers within the Upper Clutha region has named themselves Creatives of Wanaka (CoW). The group was formed following a hui led by Three Lakes Cultural Trust and QLDC in May.Read more: Ambitious new strategy for the arts in Queenstown LakesThe group aims to connect local creatives from every culture and arts background within the Wānaka region.“We are lucky to be part of an incredible region which draws in musicians, artists, innovators, writers, producers and performing artists,” CoW director Andrea Beryl said.CoW director Andrea Beryl PHOTO: Supplied“Add in to that the promoters and event managers and it seemed a no-brainer to connect these creatives for the benefit of the community.”Three meetings in, the group has plans in place to deliver a Fringe-style event (TaokaWānaka) to be held in and around the Lake Wānaka Centre next December 2025.“Unifying different representatives from every arts background is a tremendous opportunity,” facilitator Lynne Christie said. “We’d love to welcome any creatives and arts supporters to connect with CoW.”Wānaka Pride’s Ollie Harcus said the planned event was “a chance to link all the arts in a phenomenal place and show the community and the world the talent that is right in their front yard”.The next Creatives of Wānaka meeting will be held at the Wānaka Community Hub Meeting Room on August 7, at 6pm. Anyone wanting to communicate with the new group can do so via email ([email protected]).

A local man has set up a range of social activities - including a run club - aimed at creating a “safe community” for locals.Builder’s apprentice Tim Douglas started ‘After Laughter’ in 2022, organising a few events during that first year.“The idea for After Laughter came from seeing the mental health struggles of my friends, family, and myself,” he told the Wānaka App.“I noticed that people are often shy about discussing mental health, even though it's an issue for over a quarter of Kiwis.”Without any formal mental health qualifications, Tim decided the best way he could help was “creating a safe community for people” by organising events that people would want to attend, using them as a way to spread a message.“I wanted to focus on those who haven't dealt with mental health issues themselves because, in my experience, the stigma usually comes from people who don't understand what it's like, making it difficult for those struggling to talk about it.” Tim said people who haven't faced mental health challenges often don't learn about the topic on their own.“Whether it's music, art, sports, or any other distraction locals are into at the moment, I wanted to get everyone together. These events became a space for people to meet new friends, discuss how to have those tougher conversations, and support each other. “As a result, I've created a little community of regulars and it’s been incredibly fun and rewarding to do.”Last year one of Tim’s friends trained for and ran the Queenstown Half-Marathon, and told Tim how much it helped with their mental health. That led Tim to the idea of setting up a run club which would take people “from couch to marathon” by November.Tim said the “saviour” of the run club was the help and support of friends Alice and Fionn from the outdoor lifestyle store Heatwave.  “In a sport which can often be intimidating, we wanted to create a really open and supportive environment where people didn’t feel like they had to be at any specific level to join.”Eighty-four people have already signed up for the run club, Tim said.“We’ve got runners from all stages in their journey and ages from about 20 to 60. It really is such a cool opportunity to be able to work with everyone.”There are other After Laughter social events planned for the next few months, including yoga, a group hike, and more. Events so far have included a Heatwave Alleycat race and a group gym seminar put together by Pure Performance. Rhyme x Reason and Bao have also offered membership deals and the Queenstown Marathon has offered 20 percent off entry. Tim said he hopes that everyone involved in the run club will achieve their goals, “whether it’s breaking a time, meeting friends, trying something new or even overcoming a current battle they are having”. “At its core, the run club is something people can rely on, it’s a welcoming and supportive space and we’ve made it clear we’ll be there for members rain, snow, shine, whatever gets thrown at us,” he said. Find more information about After Laughter here, or on Instagram @afterlaughter.nz and @it's.heatwave. The website is afterlaughter.co.nz, and people can sign up for the marathon here. PHOTO: Supplied

A local man has completed the trip of a lifetime, cycling a huge 6,500km all the way from Nairobi, Kenya to Cape Town, South Africa. Seventy-three-year-old Tony Harris and his son Richard returned to New Zealand earlier this month after completing the cross-country epic with Tour D’Afrique.On the 50-day trip they biked an average of 130km each day with the shortest travel day coming in at around 80km and the longest at 220km. Just ten rest days broke up the routine, which usually saw the bikers on the road by 6.30am.Some of the elephants Tony encountered on ‘Elephant Highway’ in Botswana.Africa is home to some of the earth’s most stunning landscapes, and the trip transited everything from lush rainforests to endless savannahs and soaring mountains.“The average daily ascent was 800m but that ranged from almost zero to 2,000m,” Tony said. Botswana was Tony’s favourite of the seven countries he travelled through, and a highlight was biking along the country’s famous ‘Elephant Highway’ and seeing elephants, giraffes and zebras.While Namibia’s arid desert landscapes were stunning “the sand in Namibia is never going to be a biker’s friend”, Tony said, citing the long stretches of dry sand as some of the toughest of the trip.Locals they met during the journey helped keep the riders’ spirits high.“The local people often seemed like they were expecting us,” Tony said. “In some places the whole school was out on the side of the road. The kids were just so excited.”“They jumped up and down and waved and ran alongside us.”Locals were excited to see the riders as they passed through rural areas.Tony said the Tour D’Afrique staff, who provided food, water, medical support and much more “couldn’t have been better”, but the riders still lived simply, spending their nights camping.“We had a number of what they call ‘bush camps’ which are basically right out in the bush but sometimes those bush camps consisted of a soccer field and a school and we would camp on the sports fields,” Tony said.Tony slept well, tired from the physical challenge, the “intense focus” of the long days on the bike and the many concerns - from navigation to punctures and the fear of bodily or mechanical failure.He said emotions that developed during the long days could be very intense.“When you are extremely tired, small things become issues which are really only issues in a tired man’s head,” he said.Arriving in Cape Town after so many weeks on the bike was a surreal feeling, Tony said.He was “dangerously close” to the end of his tether by that time but seeing the city, first in the distance, then getting closer and closer, came with a huge sense of accomplishment.One of many ‘bush camps’ during the trip.Tony said the trip came with a “whole lot of soul searching” and he has returned with a different perspective.“You reset your values to some extent - it happens for you.”After being home for a few weeks, Tony is getting used to being back in a normal routine - and starting to think about his next adventure.“I was warned it would become addictive and at the time I couldn’t believe it,” Tony said.“Now I’m all for trying something along those lines again.”PHOTOS: Supplied

Red Frog volunteers, a regular sight at Wānaka’s New Year events, are being celebrated this week as part of National Volunteer Week (June 16-22).The young volunteers have been on hand across New Zealand since 2008, helping people stay safe at various events and festivals by offering ‘chill-out’ zones, free food and water and first response teams.Last year, through a range of programmes and activations, 350 Red Frogs volunteers helped safeguard more than 275,000 young people. In Wānaka alone the Red Frogs attended three nights of New Year’s events in the CBD, and two nights at the Cardrona Valley’s Rhythm & Alps festival.Red Frogs volunteers handed out more than 3,000 pancakes in the Wānaka area while safeguarding young people last year.Red Frogs NZ national director Ray Thomson told the Wānaka App the volunteers supported 28,000 young people in Wānaka during that period, contributing 793 volunteer hours.They had 8,820 interactions with young people, and provided extra care and support to 69 of those.Forty-eight kilograms of Red Frog lollies (which the volunteers are named after) were handed out, he said, as well as 5,817 cups of water and more than 3,000 pancakes.“The Red Froggers themselves are the key to the organisation's ability to serve young Kiwis for the past 16 years,” he said.“Red Frogs volunteers are the backbone of what we do. They can flip thousands of pancakes for hours on end, hand out litres of water without complaint, rack up thousands of steps walking people to safety and their vomit-catching skills will put any ninja to shame.”National Volunteer Week’s theme this year is Whiria te tangata, which means ‘weave the people together’.“That's what Red Frogs volunteers do. Without them our work would not be possible,” Ray said.PHOTOS: Shannon Thomson/Red Frogs NZ

A Wānaka teenager who was gifted a set of golf clubs worth $5,000 is already using them “nearly every day”.Monty Brown (16) missed out on a major prize by millimetres during this year’s New Zealand Open but his sportsmanship was rewarded a month later.His attempt in the ‘Closest to the Pin’ fundraiser initiative at the New Zealand Open was just 830mm from the pin until he was beaten to the prize in the last ten minutes of the day.His grace in missing out on the $5,000 prize was noticed by Craigs Investment Partners, who teamed up with golf club supplier Ping and the Wānaka Golf Club Pro Shop and last week they presented Monty with a brand new set of Ping clubs.Monty told the Wānaka App the new clubs are “definitely” a big improvement on his old clubs.The keen golfer picked up the sport around two years ago.He now plays at Wānaka Golf Club two or three times a week and he is currently aiming to get his handicap of 15.1 down to “single digits” by the end of summer.Monty told the Wānaka App he was attending the New Zealand Open for the first time when he came across ‘Closest to the Pin’ and thought to himself “let’s give this a crack”.Even though he didn’t win, Monty said he was stoked with his result, and he was “blown away” when he was given the new clubs a couple of months later.Monty said it would be “pretty cool” to go pro one day, but for now golf is “just for fun”.Craigs Investment Partners adviser Paul Gardner said through the company’s support for the Closest to the Pin and a second New Zealand Open Initiative, Birdies for Charity, $25,000 was raised for Cure Kids and the Wakatipu Community Foundation.“Craigs also wants to recognise up-and-coming young Kiwi golfers in their journey to the top, and supporting Monty is one way we can do this given his achievement and attitude on the day.”PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka snow sports stalwart Mary Lee has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to snow sports and tourism in this year’s King’s Honours List.Mary and her husband John Lee developed Cardrona Ski Field, Snow Park, the beginnings of the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground, and the Snow Farm - New Zealand’s only dedicatedNordic/cross-country ski area.Mary told the Wānaka App she was proud to be involved in the foundation of the ski areas and Nordic sports in New Zealand and was honoured to be recognised.“It has been and still is a very rewarding journey,” she said.The honour had “rekindled a truck load of wonderful memories” from the partners who helped Mary and John realise their dreams to “all the wonderful people we have met”. There had been plenty of challenges along the way too, but Mary said those were “a distant memory”.Mary Lee in action during the Snow Farm’s annual Merino Muster. PHOTO: Garrick CameronWhile Mary credits the support of family, friends, and the Nordic skiing community in the success of the Snow Farm, she (who embodies ‘perpetual motion’) may have been the perfect person to help develop and introduce the sport of Nordic skiing to New Zealand. A keen alpine skier from a young age, she was inspired to become a physiotherapist as a teenager by her volunteer work with disabled children. She told the Wānaka App she had never tried Nordic skiing until John began developing the Pisa area.“It’s a special sport,” Mary said, recalling an afternoon in those early days on what is now The Snow Farm. She stopped skiing and looked at the view, and thought: “This is such a mind-blowing, relaxing mental health day.”It was a learning experience developing the Snow Farm, Mary said, and while the international Nordic instructors were expert skiers, their approach of taking beginner skiers to the top of the Pisa on the first day often meant it was also their last day of Nordic skiing.“This is where my physio training kicked in and with John, we tackled the challenge of getting return visits,” Mary said.Nordic skiing took “a lot longer” to be accepted as a sport than the couple had anticipated. A youth trip Mary organised to Australia’s World Loppet ski race helped grow awareness and was the foundation for the Waiorau Nordic Sports club and subsequently the Nordic Youth Development group. The Lees also founded Biathlon NZ and the Wānaka Biathlon club. Building the lodge at the Snow Farm was a huge achievement, Mary said, and it attracted international athletes (who still come to the Snow Farm to train each winter). Mary also worked hard to have the Snow Farm’s Merino Muster race (established in 1995) accepted by the traditional Nordic countries, and it is now one of 20 Worldloppet races in the world.From 1987 to 2008, Mary managed and developed Snow Farm, and she continues to take on voluntary roles. Her efforts have provided employment opportunities and attracted national and international ski tourists, with trails providing off season business. Mary said she always saw her role as “behind the scenes”, but she developed something of John’s visionary perspective over the years working beside him.The Lees sold Snow Farm in 2008 and formed the Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust to ensure it remained a recreational area in perpetuity. Mary remains New Zealand representative for the Worldloppet Ski Federation, and director and secretary of the Merino Muster. She founded Snow Girls, a cross country skiing and social network for women of all ages. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020 the Snow Farm was left without international ski instructors and Mary was asked to mentor members of the Snow Girls as instructors, which enabled her to implement her own ideas to promote skiing with the local women. In 2022 Mary was the first person to receive the NZQA Snowsports Instructor Award – Cross Country Skiing Level 4. Mary continues to be motivated by the young skiers in the Snow Farm youth programme. She said a big challenge is promoting the sport (which has a low injury rate compared to other winter activities) for the younger generation. “Nordic sports are not just for retired alpine skiers,” she said. Mary also volunteers with SeniorNet and the Cardrona Heritage Trust, and recently completed a marathon (throughout May) with her two-year-old grandson Archie, to raise funds for the Heart Foundation.John Lee was appointed a Companion to the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to business and Tourism, in 2016. In 2021 Mary received the John Fitzharris Award for Service to Sports. Mary said the honours complete the circle for their family legacy, giving the couple’s grandchildren “a greater understanding of the partnership John and I had to establish the ski areas and other projects”.

Well-known Wānaka resident Ralph Feagan has been appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community in the King’s Birthday Honours List.Ralph Feagan, ONZM, JP, has volunteered in the Wānaka and West Coast communities since 1973 in a range of capacities, including 40 years with the fire service.He told the Wānaka App he thought hard about accepting the honour before agreeing. “I carry it for all the people I’ve been involved with all these years,” he said.Ralph’s motivation for community service is “the old story”, he said. “It’s the people, the people, the people.”Ralph said while he was a rebel who didn’t listen much to his parents, his father’s message (and role modelling) that “you’ll get more pleasure from giving than taking” stuck with him.Ralph modelling the fire brigade’s mini tractor.Ralph volunteered with Franz Josef Volunteer Fire Brigade for 22 years, becoming chief fire officer from 1977 to 1996, and initiating the formation of a Rural Fire Party. He “saw the need” in the small but growing town, where the nearest fire station was “663 bends in the road” away in Fox Glacier. He and wife Lyn also ran the local supermarket where their staff would expand from about eight in the off-season to almost 50 during peak season.While Ralph always planned to retire to Wānaka (he grew up in Milton and spent his summers here since he was six-years-old), Lyn wasn’t so keen. Ralph moved here first while Lyn kept running the supermarket, and - not one to sit around - Ralph took over ferrying people between Wānaka and Queenstown in a Toyota Hiace van. The service took off (becoming Wānaka Connections) and Ralph was kept busy for the next few years before the Franz Josef store sold and Lyn joined him in Wānaka.His contribution to the tourism industry dates back to the 1970s: he was on the Westland Promotion Board for three years, and four years each with West Coast Tourism Development and West Coast Tourism Council. He was also director of the South Island Promotion Association from 1987 to 1994. He has also been chair of Lake Wānaka Tourism, and has served for 17 years with the Wānaka Fire Brigade. After 22 years with the Franz brigade he took a “nine year break” doing victim support before joining the Wānaka brigade.He’s been brigade secretary since 2013, and has been involved with the United Fire Brigade Association as president of the Central Otago Fire Brigade’s sub-association from 2021 to 2023 and became senior vice president of the Otago/Southland Gold Star Association in 2023. Ralph has volunteered with a range of other organisations including the New Zealand Fighter Pilots’ Foundation Trust, Wānaka Airport, Upper Clutha RSA, the Wānaka A&P Show, and Food for Love.  He was a Westland District Councillor from 1989 to 1995 and a civil defence controller for Franz Josef from 1979 to 1995. When the Wānaka App met Ralph this weekend he was weeding the garden at the fire station, saying “If I don’t do it no other bugger will”.“I’ll do it as long as I can. I’ll get booted out eventually,” he said.Ralph spoke about the “absolutely bloody amazing” job done by local emergency services, who all work well together - with families as a very important part of the team.“We have a wonderful mix with female and male members in the brigade in which all are very highly skilled in protecting our community,” he said.The highlight of his time in Wānaka, he said, has been helping bring NASA to the airport.“I bent a lot of number 8 wire doing it,” he said. Ralph’s role at Wānaka Airport began when he was employed to do 10-15 hours of maintenance a week, and ended up becoming the airport operations manager for 12 years. Around 10 years ago NASA contacted then-Queenstown Lakes District councillor Jude Battson. Jude phoned Ralph, saying: “I’ve had a weird phone call from space.” She gave NASA Ralph's contact details, which sparked a long process to bring the space agency to Wānaka as part of its balloon programme (which provides high-altitude scientific balloon platforms for scientific and technological investigations, including fundamental scientific discoveries that contribute to our understanding of the universe).Wānaka is now one of just seven NASA balloon launch sites in the world.Ralph recalled an early clandestine visit from three NASA engineers who he showed around then remained in touch with. He and Lyn were also hosted by NASA on a memorable USA trip in 2019 where they were treated as VIPs. Ralph also acknowledged the late Sir Tim Wallis was a “great mentor” whom he always enjoyed spending time with.“It’s been a great ride,” he said.Ralph acknowledged the “pivotal” support from his family, saying they “always understood” his community service, despite him missing school events, meals, and more.“Without that family support you can’t do it.”Ralph received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal and was awarded Westland District Council Person of the Year in 1996.This is the first time appointments have been made to the “King’s Service Order” (formerly the Queen’s Service Order), acknowledging the new sovereign.PHOTOS: Wānaka App