After 30 years of organising Wānaka’s Autumn Art School, Robyn van Reenen and Dennis Schwarz are hanging up their clipboards.The long term organisers were at the Mount Aspiring College campus each day last week, coordinating activities at the annual art school, which took place in spring after being postponed because of Covid-19 restrictions.When the Wānaka App attended the school’s open day on Friday (October 14), classes were buzzing with people talking about how much they had learned during the week.“The best thing has been hearing people enthusing about what they’ve learned,” Robyn said.”I’ve loved it, and I’ve made good friends.”Dennis SchwarzThe art school was set up in 1990 by Peter Mitchell, and Robyn and Dennis took over the organisation in 1992.“Robyn makes it all happen - all we have to do is show up,” said artist Laetitia Campe, who took part in the painting with cold wax class this year.Robyn estimates about 4,000 people have been through the school, and about 400 tutors.Some people have attended every year, and their names have become familiar to Robyn even though she may not know what they look like.Patience and diplomacy are required to coordinate the art school, she said. There may have been some occasions in the past 30 years when artistic temperaments have resulted in some drama, but Robyn is far too diplomatic to comment.Robyn with artist Laetitia Campe.Stepping down was bittersweet, she said.“It’s still buzzing away in my head. I’m always looking for potential tutors.”She plans to attend the school next year as a student, having attended classes each year except the first year and this year.“I’ve nearly always done book binding, but there are lots of things I’d like to do.“Painting classes are always popular. You could probably fill the whole school with painting classes.”Dennis said he will miss the “general vibe” of planning the school, but he also plans to attend classes in the future.Long term team member Susan Manson said Dennis’s “can do” attitude has saved the day many times, as has his efficiency with the art school’s accounts.Susan is half of the new organisation team, with Liz Hawker, and they have plans to upgrade the school’s booking system, which was designed in the 1990s, and take “a fresh approach” in general.The art school will continue to be held in autumn, when people are not as busy as they are in spring and when Wānaka’s autumn colours provide inspiration for the arts, especially painting and photography, Dennis said.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Former Cardrona Ski Resort and Treble Cone general manager Bridget Legnavsky has announced she is moving to California (USA) to take up a chief executive role at Sugar Bowl Resort.Bridget has lived in Wānaka for 30 years and is a former chair of Ignite Wānaka, the deputy chair of Mount Aspiring College board, chair of Queenstown District Council’s climate reference group, and is involved in industry transformation planning in the tourism sector.Bridget will move to California with her husband Peter and their children Gustav and Zora.“We all feel really sad about leaving,” Bridget said. “This is how we’ve lived our lives. I’ve been here 30 years, Pete’s been here 20 and the kids only know this place.”The opportunity to experience working in an international setting and stepping up to a CEO role was too much for Bridget to pass up.“It’s a massive step up for me,” she said.“There is a lot of development planned for the resort and leading that in another country will be a real challenge.”Sugar Bowl is the closest resort to San Francisco.Connection to Wānaka will not be lost and Bridget says it will always be home.“We are keeping our home here and Pete will be back to run the training programme at Cardrona in the winter,” she said.Sugar Bowl is an independently owned ski resort in Tahoe, Northern California, and was home to the state’s first chairlift.Sugar Bowl board chair David Tunnell said it was clear Bridget is a born leader and will bring a new perspective to the resort.The Legnavskys leave Wānaka on Thursday October 13.PHOTO: Supplied

New Zealand’s top sustainability organisation has shone a light on three Wānaka-based groups or individuals by naming them as finalists in this year’s awards.Wao co-founder Monique Kelly is a finalist in the ‘sustainability superstar’ category at the Sustainable Business Network’s (SBN) Sustainable Business Awards (SBA).“The SBN awards are the preeminent recognition of action towards a sustainable future by businesses, organisations and non-for-profits in Aotearoa,” Monique told the Wānaka App. “I am really humbled to be selected as a finalist alongside some incredible superstars.”Monique said the news was a surprise to her as her team had submitted a nomination on her behalf.“For myself, I feel like this is premature as there is so much more left to achieve yet. My list of what needs to be done still weighs heavier [than] what's been accomplished so far and I am really conscious that this has been a team effort and not just about one person.”“What I am really proud of is the movement we have helped create, along with others, in mainstreaming sustainable thinking. It's no longer a fringe idea, it's become central to all decision making and planning.”The other Wānaka finalists include WAI Wānaka, a water advocacy group, which is a finalist in the ‘regenerating nature’ category, and Anna Van Riel, who is a finalist for the ‘change maker’ award for her environmental advocacy work as ‘Waste Free Wanda’.SBN chief executive Rachel Brown said all 71 finalists show what is possible in a more sustainable economy.“[They] are all playing a crucial role in actively addressing the urgent issues of our time, including the climate emergency and our nature crisis,” Rachel said. “Our awards have been running for 20 years and continue to prove that our small nation can make a big difference to these challenges.”The winners for all SDA will be announced at a ceremony at the end of November. The ceremony will be held in Auckland and broadcast online.PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka’s Carter Guichard (15) has achieved a New Zealand road cycling first with his selection to a world junior reserve road cycling team.Carter’s selection to the AG2R under 19 team follows an impressive 2022 season where he recorded ten wins in his grade including the national road series CHB tour in Hawkes Bay and stage wins at the Tasman Tour. He also recorded wins and placings in highly competitive races in France during the European summer.“Joining the AG2R under 19 development team is a dream come true for me,” Carter said.“It’s a privilege to be selected, and I need to continue to get results.”The squad Carter is joining forms part of the AG2R-Citroen World Tour team in France.AG2R-Citroen is one of the oldest teams at the highest echelon of pro peloton, with an impressive roster of top level riders, including Tour de France stage winners Ben O’Connor and Bob Jungels, U23 World Champion Benoit Cosnefroy, and Olympic gold medallist Greg Van Avermaet.The junior team has selected 20 riders aged 16 and 17 from around the world, with a mix of French riders alongside overseas riders from Belgium, Norway, Australia - and now one from Wānaka.Carter will continue as a student at Mount Aspiring College in 2022 and race with the New Zealand based Southern Junior Development team under the guidance of AG2R. He will return to race in Europe with AG2R U19 from April to August next year.PHOTO: Supplied

A national campaign to address the disengagement of young women from sport and physical activity is being led by Wānaka local Luciana Garcia.Luciana is the Sport New Zealand women and girls lead and has been involved in developing the campaign’s strategy, creative development, resources, and content.“We have lots of national and international research that tells us during late teen years girls disengage from sport and physical activity at a steeper rate than boys,” Luciana said.“There is lots going on in young women’s lives, and when they find themselves in environments that are stressful, they don’t feel supported or safe and they feel judged for how they look or how good they are, many times they choose to step aside and disengage from this type of activity. “For many young women this is the case with competitive sport or structured ballet or dance classes.”   Luciana said the campaign is focused on encouraging and motivating young women to explore and engage in physical activity in a way that is fun, joyful and meaningful for them.Originally from Uruguay, Luciana moved to Wānaka in October 2021 after 11 years in Invercargill where she held various roles including community sport manager and general manager for regional sport trust Active Southland. She represented Uruguay in synchronised swimming and says sport and active recreation have been a big part of her life. “I completed a Bachelor of Physical Education in Uruguay and then moved to Spain to do a Master of High Performance and Talent Development,” she said. Luciana said the nature of her role means working remotely from Wānaka “works fine”.“I travel to our Wellington and Auckland offices often, but I’m lucky that the team at Snow Sports NZ has welcomed me into their office here in Wānaka as I really enjoy being around people,” she said.Luciana said that the world is very different now for young women than the one she grew up in. “If you are a provider of physical activity [sports club, school, council facility, community organisation, fitness business owner, active recreation provider] take the time to understand the young women you want to work with,” she said.  “Give them an opportunity to lead their own experiences and value what they have to say.  “Think about the environments you create and facilitate, how are they impacting their confidence and self-esteem?” Find out more about the #Itsmymove campaign here. PHOTO: Supplied

Taking life one day at a time has been a helpful approach to dealing with cancer for local man Andrew Thompson, who spoke to the Wānaka App on the eve of the Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Day appeal.The Wānaka resident was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in February 2020 and bluntly told he would be “dead in a year”.After an emotional evening, Andrew decided: “I’m going to roll with hope, even if there is no hope.”“I said I’ve tried the despair thing. It gives you nothing.”Andrew is an occupational therapist (OT) who works with people with chronic pain and head injuries, so he already knew that mental outlook plays a role in health outcomes.Andrew “We’re taught that what happens to your body just happens to your body. But how we think about our lives can also influence our bodies.”As soon as he was able to undertake voluntary work after his diagnosis, he did. He also got back to his OT work in August 2020.Despite the prognosis for people with pancreatic cancer being around 12 months, Andrew has mostly thrived for the past two and half years. He continues to go snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking and doing things with his kids.The doctor’s told him he’s an outlier - a statistical anomaly.“For some reason or other it’s not happened to me yet,” he said.“The term cancer is such a powerful, emotive word in our society and often has many negative connotations.“I have a few mantras I say to myself to bat it all away. I have a faith in a higher power, a belief that we’re spiritual beings. If you look at research on whether a belief system helps, it does.”Andrew has had “some proper ups and downs” too, including losing about 17kg before having an operation which enabled him to build up some nutrition and start chemotherapy.At the end of September 2020 an important health marker was high and Andrew’s doctor told him: “it’s just a matter of time”. Andrew spent the weekend praying and crying, and the following week his health marker dropped significantly.In April this year he started to lose weight again and has suffered stomach pain. He has gone back into chemotherapy and started to put weight back on.“I refuse to let it dominate my life. Bugger that,” he said.Andrew continues to focus on family, taking care of his usual clients, and voluntary service.“I’m certain I’ve grown from it. I’m more open to other people, less judgemental, more accepting. I listen to my 16-year-old daughter now.“My approach is to lead with hope even when there seems to be none, and this gives me courage and relative peace of mind.”Andrew will be at Mitre 10 today (Friday August 26) from 11.30am to 12.30pm collecting for the Cancer Society Daffodil Day appeal.The Cancer Society helped his wife in the early days, he said, and it offers access to a psychologist or someone to talk to.Andrew has also raised money for the society by taking part in the Relay for Life in March last year; he also jumped out of an airplane in May to fundraise. Donations to the Cancer Society help fund vital research, education and a range of support services for the one in three New Zealanders affected by cancer.You can also donate online.PHOTOS: Supplied

A life serving others has been recognised with the awarding of a Paul Harris Fellowship Award to Coastguard Wānaka Lakes (CWL) president Jonathan Walmisley.The award was bestowed on Jonathan by the Rotary Club of Wānaka for his contribution to the community and to the Rotary organisation.“The members of the Rotary Club of Wānaka acknowledge the wonderful leadership, dedication and contribution that Jonathan has brought to the local Wānaka community and for the contribution he has made to the Rotary Club of Wānaka,” Rotary Club of Wānaka president Richard Wallace said.Jonathan joined CWL in 2012 as secretary and became the unit training officer and president in 2014. Jonathan Walmisley PHOTO: Wānaka AppHis knowledge and expertise saw him teaching and upskilling coastguard crews and skippers around the country as well as serving on national and regional coastguard boards.In 2014 he was named Coastguard Volunteer of the Year and nominated as a Kiwibank New Zealander of the year.Jonathan has been the driving force behind a number of CWL initiatives to improve local services but his biggest challenge was finding a home for the unit from where it can train and store equipment.In 2019 the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) issued CWL a 33-year lease for a base building at Eely Point and granted resource consent in 2020.Under Jonathan’s leadership fundraising was completed through the Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes Trust, Coastguard New Zealand and local fundraising efforts. Construction of the building is now underway.“It has been a long four years to get to this point, but we are now making real progress in ensuring we have a permanent coordination centre with effective communications which will enhance the safety of all lake users and our coastguard volunteers,” Jonathan said.Born in Greece, Jonathan grew up in North Africa and Turkey due to his father’s role as a director of the British American Tobacco company.He finished his education in 1970 at St Edward’s School in Oxford and began training at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. Jonathan served in the Armoured Engineers and obtained his Civil Engineering qualifications at the Royal School of Military Engineering.He went on to become a chartered engineer with the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom and served in military engineering and training, and later in logistics.Jonathan led a 20-person team carrying out disaster relief in El Salvador following the 1986 earthquake and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his efforts.He became Commanding Officer in the 48 Field Squadron England and took part in active service tours in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Germany, Cyprus and short stints in Norway and France during his 28-years in the British Military.Jonathan met his New Zealand wife Dorice while she was on her OE. They married in 1990 and arrived in New Zealand in 1998.His first job was as campus manager with the Southern Institute of Technology in Christchurch with the campus growing to four times its size when he left in 2002.A position of chief executive officer followed in 2002 at Telford Rural Polytechnic and nine years later he became the director of the Telford Division at Lincoln University. That same year (2011) Jonathan and Dorice moved to Wānaka.It was in 1905 that an American, Paul Harris, founded the Rotary Organisation. An award in his name, the Paul Harris Fellowship Award is recognition for outstanding work and contribution both to Rotary and to the community.Jonathan continues to serve the Upper Clutha community in his role as president of Coastguard Wānaka Lakes.

In her latest collection, local designer Ruby Urquhart continues to illustrate how waste products can be transformed into beautiful, useful things, instead of going straight to landfill. No New Material Needed (NNMN) is a collection of puffer jackets made from salvaged and second-hand products: the majority of the materials come from tents discarded after Rhythm and Alps music festival. Ruby has combined materials from tents and decommissioned parachutes with second-hand cotton lining to create the new collection, which will launch at Wānaka store 56Rocket next weekend.Ruby salvaged abandoned tents from Rhythm and Alps and combined them with materials from decommissioned parachutes and second-hand cotton to create the jackets.“Now the tents have become loud, fun and cosy jackets,” Ruby said, “but I can't help but think about the other 10 skips full that got thrown out the years that I was collecting them.”Ruby, who grew up in Wānaka and is currently based in Christchurch, studied art at The Learning Collection and was a painter before starting her business Broken.  The second collection from the 27-year old’s emerging brand continues to build on its founding ethos - that no new material is needed because so much that already exists is thrown out every day.“As it goes with most of the materials I collect, it took time for a good use for the tents to reveal itself,” Ruby said.Ruby collected the tents for two consecutive years before the idea to create puffer jackets with them came to her. Then came the long process of finding complementary materials and the intricate work of creating the garments.The collection will launch at 56Rocket in Wānaka on July 23 before select pieces are sent to Wellington to feature at boutique store The Service Depot.The final collection features a mix of unique ‘one off’ jackets as well as some simpler styles which will be available in a range of sizes.Ruby is proud of the end result, in which 98 percent of the materials are salvaged: “The only new component is the zip.” Still, she says she’d rather the tents had been taken home and reused by their owners: “The best use for a tent is as a tent."Ruby’s first collection under Broken transformed bike tyres’ inner tubes into handbags and NNMN, similarly, gives new life to waste.They both build on Broken’s overarching goal: “We are aiming to reduce the demand for new materials being produced by reusing materials that would otherwise go into landfills,” Ruby said.Collections like this, Ruby hopes, will help connect people to the life cycle of the things they buy, own and discard.Broken’s latest collection, No New Material Needed, will launch at 56Rocket at 18 Dunmore Street on July 23 with opening drinks and nibbles from 6pm-8pm.  The collection will remain in-store until July 25 before select pieces are sent to Wellington to be featured at boutique The Service Depot. PHOTOS: Ruby Urquhart

Wānaka officially has its first consulate now that a Wānaka resident has been appointed as Honorary Consul for Luxembourg.Frauke Oddone, who lives in Far Horizons, has just recently received the approval of the New Zealand Government for her appointment.“I am very excited and motivated,” Frauke told the Wānaka App. “I have many ideas for what we can do for our region.”Frauke and her Italian husband travelled to New Zealand in 2013 and fell in love with the South Island. The following year they began planning to move to New Zealand to retire, and were granted visas in 2019.She still can’t believe their luck: They flew to New Zealand the day the borders closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, on March 20, 2020.The couple had planned to fly here in April but while watching the pandemic take hold they accelerated their plan by a month.“It was just incredible timing,” she said.Frauke has more than enough qualifications for the role of Honorary Consul. A chartered accountant, she spent the past four years of her career as chief strategist for KPMG Luxembourg.Luxembourg’s population is around 600,000, Frauke said, which allows its inhabitants to “get to know one another” and network with government, business, and technology.Luxembourg is a landlocked country bordered by Belgium, Germany, and France, and at 2,586 km2 it is one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe. It was one of the founding members of the European Union.Yet Frauke appreciates the similarities between Luxembourg and her new home of New Zealand.“New Zealand is a very dynamic, small, entrepreneurial country where you can achieve something quickly - there are not so many layers of bureaucracy.“We see the same dynamic: Small is beautiful.”The request signed by the Grand Duke of Luxembourg to consider Frauke for the role of Honorary Consul was officially approved in March by the Embassy of New Zealand in Brussels and the Government of New Zealand.“It was a nice surprise,” she said. “I didn’t expect the New Zealand government would accept the consulate being based in Wānaka.”Frauke is enthusiastic about the opportunities to promote Otago goods after the free trade agreement signed by prime minister Jacinda Ardern in Brussels last week. She said she hopes for a “stronger exchange” between the two countries.Luxembourg has one of the biggest turnovers of cargo flying into Europe, and it serves as a clearing house for Western Europe.“I am very excited about reconnecting and I can see big opportunities between the two countries, in start-up, fresh exchange, and digital.”She said when it comes to the ‘green agenda’, “there are many good ideas here and a strong dynamic in Europe.”“I’m hoping to connect some more dots and try to make New Zealand more visible to Europe.”Frauke is flying back to Europe next week for the first time in two and a half years, and plans to meet some of the representatives of the Luxembourg government which promote the #GoInternational Agenda, the Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, and Kiwis she knows who head large businesses in the Grand Duchy.“Luxembourg is in the centre of Europe and has such an international culture,” she said.“There will be some ideas I can pick up in Europe and bring back to the community.”Frauke and her husband do a lot of hiking and “enjoying nature” around Wānaka, and she is equally enthusiastic about Otago’s agriculture, wineries, and tourism.“People in Luxembourg are very keen to go overseas. That can be revitalised.“And the Grand Duke might be interested in coming to Wānaka.”PHOTO: Wānaka App

Business advisor and active transport advocate Simon Telfer has announced he will stand for the Wānaka Community Board (WCB) at the October local body elections.“The Wānaka Community Board has an opportunity to reclaim its influence and respect. To lead our town in a future focused, positive and inspiring way,” Simon said.“We need more energy on the board to champion initiatives on behalf of Wānaka, rather than just reactively responding to whatever is presented by [Queenstown Lakes District Council] QLDC staff. “If elected, I will bring a fresh energy and a proactive attitude to the board, plus a track record of both working with, and challenging, QLDC.”Simon has acted as a director and advisor to privately owned businesses across New Zealand for the past 20 years.Since 2016 he’s served as a Bike Wānaka committee member, lobbying for the QLDC to purchase Sticky Forest from its Maori owners. He also leads Active Transport Wānaka’s advocacy to build a network of safe cycleways, including Aubrey Rd, Lakeside Rd, Ballantyne Rd and the SH84 underpass to date.In 2020, as part of QLDC’s Covid-19 recovery, Simon chaired the district wide Regenerative Recovery Advisory Group which helped to re-imagine a diversified local economy and better community wellbeing over the medium and longer term. Simon said he is committed to ensuring QLDC gives Wānaka its fair share of resources and prioritisation.Some of his priorities are ensuring people are at the “heart” of the Wānaka town centre redesign; constructing a network of safe and protected cycleways as quickly as possible; supporting local businesses; and empowering local volunteers. “The next three years will see significant decisions around the future of Wānaka Airport, creation of the Mt Iron Reserve and rejuvenation of our town centre.  He said he believes he is well placed to represent the community and contribute meaningfully to these discussions. “I have an ‘environment first’ approach to further airport development, balanced with a need for the Wānaka community and businesses to have good connections with the rest of the country,” he said.Simon lives in Wānaka with his wife, Jo Shearer, and two daughters who attend Mt Aspiring College.Find more information on Simon here. PHOTO: Supplied

Two Mount Aspiring College (MAC) students placed well at the 2022 Māori speech competition Ngā Manu Kōrero in Invercargill last week after delivering strong and passionate speeches.Ngā Manu Kōrero is regarded as the most significant event on the Māori education calendar for nurturing the oratory skills and developing the confidence of Māori students in speaking English and te reo Māori.Year 12 student Melia Brett competed in the Korimako (Senior English) section which includes both impromptu and prepared speeches. She placed third for her prepared speech and second overall in Korimako, MAC te reo Māori teacher Kaz Roberts said.Melia’s speech, ‘You don’t just wake up one day and have resilience’, talked about her great grandfather growing up surrounded by te reo but being beaten at school for speaking it; and how her parents went to MAC when there was no support for learning te reo.She talked about the progress over the past 25 years and how “slowly but surely” te ao Māori (the Māori way or world view) is being integrated back into society: “A long and difficult journey that would not have been possible without resilience”.Year 10 student Ryan Enoka competed at the competition for the second time, and MAC principal Nicola Jabobsen said he has “gone from strength to strength”, as attested to by his first place in the Junior Boys' English category. Ryan competed in the Sir Turi Carroll section with his speech, ‘My journey to reclaim my reo starts with me’.He talked about the challenges of learning te reo in “the heavily pakeha Wānaka region”, a long way away from his iwi and other cultural opportunities, where the nearest marae is more than three hours away.While MAC has been very supportive, Ryan said there are still areas that need work, noting that Māori can only be taken as a half year subject in year 10, unlike Spanish.“[Te reo] needs to be held much higher in the eyes of kura and prioritised within the education system,” he said.Ryan’s mother Mandy told the Wānaka App that Ryan started learning te reo through kapa haka at Wānaka Primary School, and continued at MAC.“It’s his absolute desire and passion to learn as much as possible about his culture,” she said.“Both students put in a great deal of personal time to prepare for the competition, and as a college, we are very proud of how they represented themselves, their culture, whānau and their school,” Nicola said.The speeches are available on the event’s livestream here. Melia’s speech begins at 1.11.30, and Ryan’s at 1.22.30.PHOTO: Supplied

Mayor Jim Boult says he is disappointed only one person has signalled they will stand for the role of councillor in the upcoming election.Lisa Guy has confirmed she will be standing in the Arrowtown-Kawarau ward but, with a handful of existing councillors planning their departure, Jim says he is disappointed there are not more candidates.“A strong council is vital for the district’s recovery and again I strongly encourage community-minded people to consider their availability,” he said.Jim said he was pleased there were already three good candidates who have announced they will contest the mayoralty. He said this was “a good sign for the future of the district”.The candidates announced so far include councillor Glyn Lewers, Labour Party general election candidate Jon Mitchell and Startup Queenstown Lakes CEO and former lawyer Olivia Wensley.In April Jim confirmed he would not contest this year’s mayoralty and he said this week he has no plans to endorse any individuals. “It is up to the community to decide who will lead the district for the next three years and it would be completely improper of me to influence that in any way.”Candidate nominations for the local body elections officially open on Friday July 15 and close on August 12.This year Wānaka/Upper Clutha Ward voters can vote for a new mayor, and - for the first time - four rather than three Wānaka councillors. Members of the Upper Clutha community won the fight to retain the Wānaka Community Board (WCB) this year, so there will also be four seats on the board to vote for.‘Stand Up Wānaka’ is a new group aims to support Upper Clutha residents who are interested in standing for council or the WCB.See also: ‘New group offers support for local body candidates’.QLDC also has resources available for anyone considering standing at the election and plans to hold a candidate information session soon. “A strong council is vital for the district’s recovery and again I strongly encourage community-minded people to consider their availability,” Jim said.The local body elections will be held on October 8.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Newly minted senior sergeant Christopher (Chris) Brooks has had his feet under his new desk in the Wānaka police station for just two weeks, and he’s full of ideas for how to deal with the challenges facing the Wānaka community.A “Christchurch boy”, Chris has served 35 years in the police force in Canterbury, Auckland, the North Island Lakes district, and most recently six years in Queenstown.He has always worked as a frontline officer, he told the Wānaka App, including as a rural police officer, and an alcohol and drug prevention officer.“You can’t police without the community on your side,” he said.Chris has been working on drug and alcohol prevention in Queenstown, collaborating with the hospitality industry and community groups to reduce assaults and “try to stop people getting hurt as much”.New Year’s eve is already a focus for Wānaka’s new senior sergeant.He knows Wānaka from policing at events here, and said he and his team are already planning for New Year’s eve.Chris is concerned about the way young women in particular can be treated over the New Year period, and said his goal is that “everyone that comes here on holiday should go home safely”.There is an increase in the number of events now the border is open, and Chris wants to work with the community to find ways of impressing this community’s values on visitors. “The good news is we have a fantastic relationship with bar owners,” he said.“We’re trying to work with the community about how we tell these people who come to festivals and New Year’s eve: don’t leave your values at home.”Chris has already met with the Wānaka Alcohol Group to discuss this challenge.While the Wānaka police do a good job with community engagement, he believes they can do even more.“I’m really excited to finally get my feet under the desk. I’m enthusiastic and I’ve got some ideas for being more involved in the community,” he said.Chris said the main challenge here continues to be keeping our roads safe.“We have big roads, and we want to keep people from hurting themselves.”He warned that Wānaka police are planning a road policing safety operation in June, focusing on speed, safety belts, and cell phones. “Do the basics well, because you don’t know who’s coming around the corner,” he said.Chris said the police have already started seeing crashes on the district’s roads from visiting drivers.Another challenge for Wānaka is dealing with the impact of the drugs that follow summer festivals and events.While Wānaka’s drug problem in general is no worse than in other places, Chris said, he thinks it may be more visible than in a city.“But we as a smaller place can do more about it.”Wānaka is fortunate to have “some very experienced officers” among the team of 20 or so in the station, Chris said, and we also have a new rural liaison officer, Constable Ben Wallbank, whose role is to work with our smaller rural communities, for example regarding theft and road safety.“That’s great for this station - someone to support farmers and people with lifestyle blocks.” Chris is a rowing coach, and a “sportsperson in general”, he said.“I’m passionate about rowing and I’m really excited to contribute to the rowing community here.”He will be moving his family to Wānaka and two of his children will start at Mount Aspiring College next year.PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Olive Blyth, one of Mount Aspiring College’s (MAC) head students last year, has been awarded the New Zealand Top Student Scholar for Drama for 2021. “It is a very significant achievement for any student to receive the top award in their subject domain,” MAC head of arts Emily McRae told the Wānaka App.“We have a number of students who have successfully achieved external scholarship exams in our Arts and Performing Arts programmes over years but this is the first time we have had a student achieve the top for their cohort in New Zealand award.”Emily explained that for students to tackle the drama exam they must first build a diverse range of practical skills and achieve mastery in a range of styles of performance. The students then commit to a regular tutorial programme across the year to develop a programme of work to fit the tight conditions of the exam. She said drama has conditions not found in any other external exam on the schedule: It is a live practical performance presented to two examination supervisors who record the work on camera; the student must present three sections of work in a short space of time; and the student must speak flawlessly about the theoretical approaches to their work; all under specific time pressure.Olive is studying in Wellington in the New Zealand Jazz Music programme and continuing with some drama studies. “It is a true test of the ability to perform with excellence practically under high stakes live conditions,” she said.. Olive (who uses the gender pronouns they/them/theirs) received full marks of 24 out of 24. Olive also passed the music scholarship exam. “[It was] a huge work undertaking all round by Olive with incredible drive and focus required to get there,” Emily said.Olive is currently studying in Wellington in the New Zealand Jazz Music programme. They are also continuing with some drama studies as part of their overall learning.  In 2020 Olive was selected to represent New Zealand in the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand (SGCNZ) Young Shakespeare Company in England in 2021.Read more: MAC performing arts student London-bound“It was an utter pleasure to teach and mentor such a dedicated student over four years in drama classes,” Emily said.“Olive is an incredibly brave, determined and focused student who will continue to break ground and do exciting things in the professional music and performing arts arena.”Find more about MAC's Arts programme here.PHOTOS: Supplied

After 14 years as the National MP for Waitaki, Jacqui Dean has announced she will retire at the 2023 election.Waitaki, which includes the Upper Clutha, is one of the largest electorates in the country.“It’s a vast electorate and I have loved representing every inch of it,” Jacqui said. “The reality is that I’ve spent the past 25 years in public service – first in local government and then as a Member of Parliament. “It’s a long time by anyone’s standards so now feels like the right time to signal my intention to move on.”Jacqui said she has advised National Party leader Christopher Luxon she will not put her name forward at the upcoming election, which she says gives the party plenty of time to select an “excellent candidate” to stand in the electorate.“I feel proud of the contribution I’ve been able to make over my 17 years as an MP,” Jacqui said.She has served under PM Sir John Key, as commerce and consumer affairs minister under Sir Bill English, and more recently in opposition as National’s spokesperson for conservation and as assistant speaker.Jacqui has taken an interest in local issues like the future of Wānaka Airport and in a previous interview told the Wānaka App that Wānaka has a special place in her heart.“I haven’t missed a Wanaka A&P Show in over a decade, enjoyed Warbirds over Wānaka, the occasional walk up Mount Iron to blow away the cobwebs, and bike rides around the Outlet Track when the autumn leaves are falling.” Jacqui said she believed New Zealand needs the National Party to win the next election and she believes Christopher Luxon would make an “excellent” PM.“National is in a fantastic position and I will do everything I can in the next 18 months to support Christopher Luxon, Nicola Willis and my caucus colleagues to ensure National wins the 2023 election.”PHOTO: Supplied

A local businessman who has helped grow some of Wānaka’s top tourism assets has been hired as Destination Queenstown’s chief executive.Mat Woods, known for his distinctive glasses, passion for all things snowsports, and business acumen, will take the reins at Destination Queenstown on June 20, company chair Richard Thomas confirmed yesterday (Thursday May 19).“The DQ Board were impressed with Mat’s energetic approach and his understanding of the issues, the sector and his involvement in the development of the region’s destination management plan,” Richard said. “He brings strong leadership and commercial skills and a deep focus and understanding of revenue generation. He is entrepreneurial and has a solid history of building businesses.”Mat is also currently the chair of Lake Wānaka Tourism and a member of the Snow Sports NZ Board.Most recently he held the role of general manager at NZ Fine Touring and prior to that he was GM of Queenstown Experience at RealNZ and head of sales and services at Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone. Before entering tourism, Mat had run operations for Torpedo7 and been a managing director of R&R Sport. The Wānaka App profiled Matt in 2020, learning about his unconventional path, his love of the snow and his views on local tourism. See also: Sunday Profile: Mat Woods - Opportunity knocks Former Destination Queenstown chief executive Paul Abbott resigned earlier this year.Mat’s strong stakeholder management skills and his experience with Lake Wānaka Tourism mean he will be able to “hit the ground running,” Richard said.Mat said he is excited to take on the role and looking forward to getting started next month.PHOTO: Supplied

Otago Regional Council (ORC) chief executive Sarah Gardner announced this week that she is leaving the organisation.Sarah had held the chief executive position since January 2018 and ORC chair Andrew Noone said she had been a “well-respected and highly thought of chief executive”. “It has been an absolute privilege to lead such a special organisation full of talented people who care about their region,” Sarah said.Highlights of her time with the organisation include the new programmes for biosecurity and catchment management in Otago; the development of a “fit for purpose organisation with the budget and staff to do its best work”; the extensive progress made on planning for land and water management; and the development of partnership with treaty partners that has become significant in many aspects of ORC’s work, Sarah said.“While often misunderstood, the work of regional councils is vital to the future of regions like Otago,” she said. “Management of natural and physical resources, building resilience to natural hazards and climate change, and facilitating community work for environmental benefit, pest management and landowner led outcomes is imperative for future generations.”Sarah said regional council staff are special people who work hard and sacrifice more lucrative careers for the public good.Andrew said Sarah had made a considerable contribution in her time at ORC.“She has raised the practice and performance of the organisation…Her legacy will be evident in several areas, particularly with the strength of the team she has built in the organisation, with the greater role council is playing in projects making a difference on the ground across Otago, with the fit for purpose freshwater policy in progress and in the exciting new headquarters development that the organisation expects to relocate to next year,” he said.“Mrs Gardner will be sorely missed and we wish her every success for her future.”PHOTO: Supplied

The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) has appointed local businessman Richard Thomas as chair.QLCHT is a not-for-profit social enterprise created to manage and deliver affordable housing solutions to those essential to the community who cannot afford it.Richard’s appointment follows the resignation of previous chair Andrew Blair, who had been in the role since October 2018 and retired at the end of April.  Richard said he is looking forward to progressing the trust’s work further as chair and a trustee. “I believe I’m well connected to the community and plugged into the issues people in our region face,” he said. “The importance of wellbeing and community have never been greater in this very trying and uncertain Covid-19 environment. The stress and pressure on business owners, employers, employees, and families is real. It has significantly ramped up as the pandemic has taken hold and it will have a long tail.“On top of that, inflationary pressure and the region’s housing affordability are putting home ownership even further out of reach for families wanting to call the Queenstown Lakes region home. I look forward to being part of the housing solution for many local residents in both the short- and long-term future.”QLCHT deputy chair Joanne Conroy said Richard is a welcome addition to the trust.“His intimate knowledge and understanding of local community issues, along with his extensive business acumen, means he’s well placed to steer the trust on the next phase of its journey.”Richard has a commercial background and has been involved in businesses throughout New Zealand and overseas. After returning home from the UK in 2002 to take over a family-owned business, he’s now a director of Skyline Enterprises Ltd amongst other local entities. He is also involved in other facets of the Queenstown Lakes District, including Snow Sports NZ and is the chair of Destination Queenstown. Joanne acknowledged the valuable contribution from outgoing chair Andrew Blair, who led QLCHT for more than three years. “We feel privileged to have had Andrew at the table and wish him all the best,” she said.PHOTO: Supplied

Christan Long’s unconventional childhood in remote Gorge River has trained him well for a lifetime of adventure in some of the world’s most demanding environments, and now the Wānaka resident has written an account of his life.Chris (30), who attended Mount Aspiring College (MAC) for his final year of schooling, is the son of Robert Long and Catherine Stewart, who live in isolation at Gorge River, two days’ walk south of Haast.The family (including Chris’s sister Robin) has come to be known as “New Zealand’s remotest family”. Chris has now visited 60 countries on six continents, spent time in Antarctica and the High Arctic, and “had quite a good look at the world”.He has taken care of 300 huskies in Norway, led a trip to Cape Adair (Antarctica) with three scientists to collect penguin poo, cooked on a Russian icebreaker, and learned to sail on the Northwest Passage.“Growing up I learned how to be self-sufficient and reliant. You learn to live in harmony and balance with nature.”Chris said the skills he learned can be applied anywhere.“I’m now comfortable living anywhere on earth.”Chris credits his upbringing; his Outdoor Pursuits instruction at MAC with Dave Cassaidy; and his completion of an outdoor leadership and management course at Otago Polytech, with making him “hireable” for outdoor jobs.After Polytech he set off to learn and explore as much about the world - and himself - as he could.“Pretty much my first job was working in the kitchen of a Russian icebreaker ship in Antarctica,” he said.Luckily, he doesn’t fear learning something new, or being thrown in at the deep end. Christan with his parents and their books.Despite never having sailed before, and knowing he got seasick, he hitched a berth on a yacht sailing the Northwest Passage (the sea route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean).“We set off in the remains of a tropical hurricane in New York: Thunder and lightning and five to 10 metre waves; 45 knots of wind. We learned in the process. It was like a crash course.“When you push your comfort zone, that’s when you learn the most about yourself and the place you’re in.”Chris’s father Robert, who has lived at Gorge River for more than 30 years, wrote A Life On Gorge River in 2010; his mother Catherine followed in 2012 with her own book, A Wife on Gorge River.Chris told the Wānaka App he always expected to one day be asked “what happened to the kids who grew up in Gorge River?”.The Boy From Gorge River is his answer.  In June 2020 he was commissioned by Harper Collins to write the book, and took advantage of the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic to do it.He was living in Norway looking after the 300 huskies at the time. After returning to New Zealand, he spent his MIQ time writing, and another month at Gorge River to finish. After a few months’ editing, the book went to print in December 2021.Chris hopes the book (with a 50/50 focus on his childhood and his adult life) will “inspire anyone to get off the couch”, either to go on an adventure or maybe plant a vegetable garden in the backyard.“Younger people, whoever they are, want to go and explore the world. And it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can achieve that.“People will teach you anything as long as you’ve got personality and are keen to give things a go.”Meanwhile Chris is staying in Wānaka for the winter and enjoying being “a bit settled”. After that, there are many places he’d like to explore, and he’s not sure which one will be next. Perhaps the Himalayas, he said.“If you see me around town, tap me on the shoulder,” he said. “I love talking to people.”The Boy From Gorge River is available from Wānaka Paper Plus and The Next Chapter. You can learn more about Chris and his adventures by following @wildkiwiadventurer on YouTube and Instagram.Chris will also be speaking at the New Zealand Mountain Film and Book Festival in Wānaka in late June.PHOTOS: Supplied