Wanaka resident John Ombler, CNZM, QSO is appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the public service in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.John has had a 43-year career in the public service and was appointed a Companion of the Queen’s Service Order in 2013 for his services to the state.John’s career began close to his Wanaka home: in Makarora, as a park assistant. He became a ranger, and worked in national parks around the country before becoming a senior manager in the Department of Conservation.He then moved to a role in the former State Services Commission (now Public Service Commission).“One of the greatest things is actually being able to serve the public,” John told the Wanaka App. “I think we’re well blessed with a very dedicated public service in New Zealand, and being able to be a part of it is a privilege.”John pointed out that much of the work the public service does is not in isolation, but working with Iwi, NGOs, and community groups, among others.“A lot of these things are really a team effort,” he said. “I am working alongside some really amazing people, and that has been very, very rewarding.”Time to celebrate? See Dine | Drink in your Wanaka AppThe characterisation of New Zealand’s response to Covid-19 as the work of “a team of five million” sums up that team approach, he said.John noted how well New Zealand consistently ranks in the global democracy index as one of the least corrupt public services, and said one of the great things about New Zealanders is that they care about their public services, and when they feel they aren’t being well-served “they don’t hesitate to say”.Since his retirement in 2013, when he returned to his birthplace of Otago by moving to Wanaka, John has gone back twice to lead public service agencies in response to significant crises. He reprised his role as chief executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority from 2014 to 2016, the year CERA was disestablished. In 2020 he became All-of-Government Controller for the response to Covid-19, chairing the five-member National Response Leadership Team, made up of the Director-General of Health, Director of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, and the All-of-Government Operations and Strategy and Policy Leads. In this role, he had responsibility and oversight for coordinating the public service response at a strategic and operational level – from the National Crisis Management Centre, to cross-agency officials’ meetings, to on-the ground delivery. Meeting daily during the initial months of the pandemic outbreak, the team had a key role in advising the prime minister and cabinet on the complex breadth of Covid-19 matters, andensuring public service agencies were ready to turn executive decisions into practice. In November 2017 John was appointed to conduct an inquiry under the State Services Commissioner into financial irregularities at the Waikato District Health Board.John is now on a five person panel, commissioned by Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta, looking at the future of local government in NZ. He will be travelling a great deal, but always returning to Wanaka, and said while technology enables him to work remotely, “face to face is very important” in his role.John and his wife have a large property in Wanaka and are avid gardeners, and in the spirit of public service which marks his career, he also volunteers for the Matukituki Restoration Trust.“We are up the valley regularly clearing stoat traps, which we thoroughly enjoy contributing to,” he said.As for how much change in the public service John has observed during his career, he said: “The public service has modernised hugely, we’re able to operate in different ways, but the core value of serving the community hasn’t changed and I hope it never does.”John acknowledged his “supportive and accommodating” family during a time of “huge domestic disruption” during the past few years when he returned to the public service.See the full list of Queen's Birthday Honours here.PHOTO: Supplied

Community group Aspiring Rotary is selling ‘The Good Oil’ to help raise funds to buy a state of the art, supportive chair for Zoe Eyers, a young girl suffering with Rett Syndrome. The local child, who will turn four in November, has suffered from Rett Syndrome her whole life. The condition is a mutation in one gene and means that Zoe is unable to sit still and perform normal day-to-day functions.Zoe’s mother Adele Eyers said the chair will mean Zoe can “perform normal daily activities that we all take for granted”.It is specially designed with lateral supports, harness seat belt and a tray and the seating ensures comfort and good posture. “She will be able to sit with us at a family dinner without us having to hold her and be comfortable,” Adele said. Harry Briggs, an active member in Aspiring Rotary, said “we want to raise $3000 which means selling about 700-800 bottles. The chair costs $10,500, so anything extra will go to helping the family.” Zoe is also unable to speak, but a special eye-gaze software means she will be able to communicate when she is comfortable and maintains her posture, which the chair will help her to achieve. Zoe’s parents Adele and Sarah Eyers said the community support was “lovely”.  “We can only do fundraising to a certain point because we both work full time. It’s just such a kind gesture to help us to raise funds.” The Good Oil being sold are 100 per cent New Zealand made rapeseed oil and sunflower seed oils locally grown in Canterbury and cold pressed at Pure Oil New Zealand's modern crush plant in Canterbury. The link to buy the oil is available here. PHOTO: Supplied

A Wanaka business owner is doing her bit to increase public awareness about plant-based eating. Olivia Faid, owner of Balance Me, has organised a second Meatless Monday event for this coming Monday (May 31).The first Meatless Monday Community Showcase was held at Alchemy at the end of March. It was an eating and cooking demonstration that allowed people to try food they'd never eaten before. Olivia organised the event and was joined by 10 other local, "successful, women-run" businesses. Welcome drinks were provided by Swig Kombucha and Borage and Bee, canapes were provided by The People’s Bread and Taste of Alps, and Balance Me gave a live cooking demonstration and served a canape dinner. After the main meal, attendees were treated to a tea show from Revology and sweet treats from Good Roots. Honest Wholefood Co identified simple changes that can be made in order to live a more sustainable life.The first Meatless Monday event in March. PHOTO: The People's BreadEverything was donated, and Olivia was overjoyed by the success of the evening, but what really impressed her was witnessing the "strong support system between women".  Olivia started to look at what she ate when she worked as a ski instructor in Canada. She noticed that people's performance changed after lunch: Half her clients would be "killing it" and the other half would be complaining about feeling tired, and wanting to stop early. She started wondering what they ate for lunch. "I knew there was something more to this. You're meant to be giving yourself energy and calories, and you're meant to be able to excel when they burn."She discovered it was people eating plant-based lunches who felt best. Now, adopting a plant-based diet is an experience she's helping others enjoy.Through her business, Olivia hopes to educate people about the options available and show them how to make use of what's available. She caters for events, provides weekly meal delivery, and offers in-home meal preparation that serves as a learning opportunity as well as a pathway to a delicious home-cooked meal.She sees Balance Me as a stepping stone for people who don't have the time, energy or space to even think about starting to cook food, but they don't want to order take-aways anymore. The second Meatless Monday Autumn Edition will take place at Alchemy on Monday (May 31) from 6-9pm. Tickets are available here.

Wanaka’s Jody Direen is in the running for Best Country Music Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards.Recorded Music New Zealand and APRA AMCOS NZ recognised outstanding contributions to the Aotearoa country music scene from the past year yesterday (Tuesday May 18).The finalists for Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist feature Jody for ‘Smokin’ Ashes’ and Tami Neilson for ‘CHICKABOOM’, as well as newcomer Ryan Fisherman for ‘Vibe’. Both Jody and Tami are previous winners."I'm grateful to be recognised in the industry by Recorded Music and APRA AMCOS and I'm looking forward to performing at the awards,” Jody said.“It's very clear to me that the country music culture in New Zealand is growing and evolving and I'm happy to be a part of it.” Since releasing her debut album five years ago, Jody has been hard at work making music for audiences in New Zealand and overseas.After winning the Tui for Best Country Music Artist in 2017 for her third album Shake Up, Jody continued to record and tour, headlining her own shows. She performed in Australia's first ever C2C Festival in 2019 with Tim McGraw and is a headline act for this year’s Top Paddock Music Festival in Gore. On June 3, finalists of the Aotearoa Music Awards will walk the red carpet at St James Theatre in Gore and perform to a sold out crowd before winners are announced.PHOTO: Supplied

A Wanaka nurse doing her bit to support rescue helicopters is heading off on her fifth year of a gruelling fundraiser.Rebecca Grant is taking part in the 250km Queenstown to Invercargill bike ride today (Friday May 7) as part of the Westpac Chopper Appeal.“I’m a nurse practitioner at Aspiring Medical Centre, so these helicopters are very near and dear to my heart,” she said.“We see one about once a week, and I had two in one day recently.”Rebecca said rescue helicopters are used for a lot of medical work these days, not just rescues, to get patients quickly to a tertiary hospital by saving time on the road.Helicopters fly from Queenstown to Wanaka in just 20 minutes, and from Wanaka to Dunedin in just 40 minutes, and they are all equipped with intensive care paramedics, Rebecca said.Riders and supporters at a previous Westpac Chopper Appeal ride.While Westpac Helicopters aren’t used locally, the Westpac Trust ensures that money raised in a region goes toward rescue helicopter services in that region: in the case of the Upper Clutha, the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust and Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust.While this is the fifth year Rebecca has been involved with the Queenstown to Invercargill ride, it’s only her third year riding in it (she drove one of the lead cars for two years).The cyclists will start at the Frankton Westpac and finish at the Kelvin Street Westpac in Invercargill, with a stop in Riversdale for lunch.Rebecca said she was most looking forward to “catching up with everyone because it’s been a bit lonely training up here by myself”.What she isn’t looking forward to are the hills: particularly the “big one” at Five Rivers, and the ride through the Waimumu Hills after Gore.Sir John Kirwan, one of Westpac’s ambassadors, will also be one of the 100 riders.Last year was meant to be the tenth anniversary of the fundraiser, which has raised $60,000 for the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust each year since its inception. Previously each rider aimed to raise $1000, with a cap of 60 riders, but this year it has been raised to 100 riders.Those who want to support Rebecca, and the rescue helicopter service, can do so via a Givealittle page.PHOTOS: Supplied

Wanaka’s Festival of Colour 2021 has wrapped up with more than 9,000 tickets sold over 40 events across eight days.And for outgoing festival director Philip Tremewan, it was a relief to present the festival in full with no disruptions due to Covid-19.“We know we are so very lucky to have been able to share the experience of live performance on stage in venues with audiences with no physical distancing,” he said. “We are one of the only places in the world where this can happen and it was very special.”This festival, the ninth Festival of Colour, marked the end of an era with Philip retiring after being at the helm since the festival started in 2005.Lights at acrobatics at ‘The Air Between Us’. PHOTO: Ray Tiddy“This year was also special because due to Covid-19 we could only present New Zealand acts and that made this a celebration of home-grown talent.”The festival attracted new audiences in 2021, partly due to there being some hesitation by audiences to buying in advance, he said.“We’ve often sold out most shows a month or six weeks in advance of the festival,” Philip said.The Carnivorous Plant Society performing for a packed audience at the Pacific Crystal Palace. PHOTO: Ray Tiddy“This year that didn’t happen which meant there were tickets available to many shows during the festival dates and this opened up opportunities for those last-minute ticket purchasers. And this was reflected in a younger crowd coming along to many shows.” The festival featured three world premieres including sold-out performances of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Ultra Violet / The Autumn Ball, and new play The Hall.‘Rollicking Theatre’ brought hijinks and laughs to the busiest ever Street Theatre Day. PHOTO: Ray TiddyTwelve shows sold out and an extensive community programme with physical theatre, poetry, visual art, photography and ballet was the festival’s biggest yet.Sophie Kelly takes up the reins as artistic director for the Festival of Colour and her first festival will be in April 2023. Philip will organise the programme for Aspiring Conversations running April 1-3, 2022.See also: Festival hot takes: local talent, brain boosters and fake news 

The upcoming winter season will see two of Aspiring Avalanche Dogs’ four-legged members stepping down, with Rocket and Zeffer moving on to a well-deserved retirement.Rocket, a border collie, worked eight seasons as an operational search and rescue dog alongside his handler, Matt Gunn. "It's a sad day when you have to leave your best mate at home as he watches you drive off. This will be the case when I load the truck and head off to Treble Cone or Cardrona this winter for training or to be on standby after a storm with Wizzid, his successor,” Matt said.Zeffer will also be enjoying the quiet retirement life. Zeff's place by Callum Grant's side will be taken by his little brother-in-paw Ziggie, who is very excited about his first winter and his introduction to snow.“Zeffer has been a faithful companion and great company on the hill,” Callum said.“While travelling up with ski patrol, he would often break into song. Pink Floyd and The Who were some of his favourite artists to sing along to."Zeffer will enjoy his retirement at Valli winery, where he helps champion winemaker Jen Parr make a world-class pinot noir.Retiring a working dog is never easy, as their drive is often stronger than their body, Matt and Callum said. The transition period poses many organisational and emotional challenges to the handlers."Rocket will be aware that the alarm clock is going off way earlier than usual. He will recognise that I'm getting my snow clothes on and smell the familiar equipment. He will know where we are going and the fun and adventures he is now missing out on. Adventures that have been a huge part of his life for the past ten years, but now have come to an end," Matt said.Fans of Rocket and Zeffer will have a chance to thank them in person at an upcoming fundraiser on May 21 at Kai Whakapai. It will also be an opportunity to help the organisation, which relies entirely on volunteers and the support of the community.PHOTO: Supplied

Two well-known figures in Wanaka gymnastics have been recognised with accolades by Otago Gymnastics.The coach/gymnast team of Rae Paterson and Bella Soper, from Wanaka’s Aspiring Gymsports, were nominated for awards by coaches and officials from other clubs. Rae Paterson won the Nola Paterson Award for services to gymnastics in Otago, in particular for her coaching across the codes from pre-school, men’s and women’s competitive and recreational gymnastics, and her continuing work in promoting a new gymnastic facility in the area.“I was thrilled to receive the award,” Rae told the Wanaka App. “It was presented in honour of my late mother Nola Paterson. l’m the second recipient and it’s lovely to be recognised for 19 years of service to gymnastics in Wanaka and Otago, since we started on April 17 2002.”Bella Soper won two awards: the Top Otago Gymnast in Step 8 (for the second year running), and the Noeline Munro Award for the highest score by an Otago gymnast in a national competition. Bella started her gymnastic career at Mini Muscles (run by Aspiring Gymsports) and has been a club member for 15 years. She told the Wanaka App she was “very honoured” to have received the awards. “It was very exciting for me seeing all my hard work pay off and I can’t wait for the award to be won by a future Wanaka gymnast,” she said..Rae said Bella has retired from competitive gymnastics after “an amazing journey”.“She is the first gymnast from Wanaka to qualify at a national level and represent Otago three times at New Zealand Champs, and so far the only Wanaka gymnast to earn a gold and silver medal at Nationals.”Rae said the Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 “wiped Bella’s chance” of her first NZ team trial. Bella will continue her gymnastic journey as a club coach, Rae said.PHOTO: Supplied

Wanaka Search and Rescue has received $4,500 from proceeds of the OXFORD Land Rover Rally 2021, which was held in conjunction with Wheels at Wanaka 2021.The rally, organised by Anne and Rod Corbett, comprised three one-day safaris over local high country stations.Each safari was limited to 80 vehicles - all Land Rovers, and each driver donated $20 per safari.The star of the show was OXFORD, a 1955 Series 1 Land Rover. The 66-year-old veteran was one of the two original Land Rovers that completed the first overland expedition from London to Singapore.Although commonplace now, a vehicle overland trip from west to east had never been completed then, fewer than 10 years after World War II. Seven months after leaving London, OXFORD and its companion, CAMBRIDGE, rolled into Singapore, having driven over 12,000 miles through three continents of deserts, jungles and mountains.The Festival of Colour has a music lovers' package to give away ... see Win Stuff in your Wanaka AppLake Hāwea resident Gemma Nott was a special attendee at the rally this past week. Her father Henry Nott was one of six Oxford and Cambridge University students who achieved the first overland journey in 1955/56.Henry was the designated mechanic who kept wheels turning to ensure both vehicles got there - and back. The rally was the first opportunity Gemma had to view and ride in OXFORD, as it led the afternoon parade of more than 120 Land Rovers at Wheels at Wanaka.Wanaka SAR’s Aaron Nicholson (right) accepts the donation from Rod and Anne Corbett. Rally organiser Rod Corbett is well acquainted with the story of the First Overland and the re-discovery of OXFORD on St Helena Island in the South Atlantic. He also knew that OXFORD was touring the USA, and contacted owner Adam Bennett to investigate the possibility of getting it to New Zealand. Adam was agreeable to the idea if a few tricky details like transportation and insurance could be worked out.Ian Jenner, of Jenners Worldwide Freight NZ, offered to help with transport, and STAR Insurance provided insurance. When Jaguar Land Rover NZ agreed to display OXFORD at all JLR Dealerships in New Zealand, the deal was sealed. OXFORD was shipped to New Zealand, arriving in Auckland late January 2021.Since then, OXFORD has joined Land Rover owner rallies and events throughout the country, one of which was the National Land Rover Owners Rally, held here in conjunction with Wheels at Wanaka this Easter. On March 31, the first safari of the rally travelled from the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds over Mt Pisa and then south along the Pisa Range, exiting via Lowburn Station. The second safari the following day (April 1) traversed Forest Range Station to Mt Grand before descending Grandview Station to Lake Hāwea. The third safari on Good Friday (April 2) was a traverse up to a high point on Hillend Station to experience magnificent views over the lake before returning to Wanaka.Highlights of the event were captured by film crews from TVNZ’s Seven Sharp programme. While in Wanaka, the Corbetts looked after OXFORD, and also generously shared the privilege of driving it across the Central Otago landscape. Kevin and Mike Scurr drove it over Hillend Station for the Seven Sharp filming.In 2019 a return journey from Singapore back to London was undertaken by OXFORD. Land Rover UK sponsored the journey, simply called “The Last Overland”.PHOTOS: Supplied

Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) chief executive Colin Keel has resigned, the QAC board of directors has announced.Colin has had the top job at QAC for the past five years.He will continue in his role until the end of the current financial year to complete the stabilisation of the business and position it for recovery following what has been “the most challenging period in the company’s history” due to the impacts of Covid-19, the board said in a statement.  Colin will then relocate to Auckland to “pursue other opportunities”, the board said.QAC chair Adrienne Young-Cooper recognised Colin’s contribution to the business and its shareholders over many years, through both a time of exponential regional growth and more recently the challenges of Covid-19.  “Colin has demonstrated the agility and courage required of a leader in two very different and extreme operating environments. He has been unfailing in his commitment to the success of QAC, and the broader airport community as well as the place of Queenstown and Wanaka airports in the region,” she said.Colin said it had been a privilege leading the business over a period of change. “The QAC team and all those who work at the airports are hard-working, dedicated members of the community and committed to its wellbeing. Despite the current challenges, the future is full of tremendous opportunities for the business, airports and region,” he said.The board of directors will now begin a formal search process to select Colin’s successor.PHOTO: Supplied

McIvor Plumbers & Gasfitters Wanaka founder Stu McIvor and apprentice Brent Ewing have scooped top accolades at the New Zealand Plumbing Awards.Stu was awarded the Graeme Victor Smith contribution to the industry award at the national awards last Friday evening (March 26) in Blenheim.The award recognises commitment to master plumbers, to the industry, to running a successful business and to developing young and future plumbers.Stu told the Wanaka App he had no idea he was in the running for the award. “I was very humbled. It was a wee bit special for sure,” he said.Stu started his trade in the early 1970s in Dunedin and moved to Wanaka more than 20 years ago to set up McIvor Plumbers. He has been a member of Master Plumbers Otago Southland throughout.Brent and Stu with Stu’s contribution to the industry award, which was awarded by namesake Graeme Smith.“I do love the plumbing industry,” Stu said. “I’ve always loved the fact someone trained me, and we try to pass that on.”His business usually has about four apprentices on board at any given time, and they have just taken on a young woman apprentice.“Apprentices are the lifeblood of the industry,” Stu said.McIvor’s apprentice Brent Ewing won the national NZ apprentice of the year (the James Douglas Medallion) and the Otago Southland apprentice of the year in 2020, but was unable to be presented with the awards because of the Covid-19 restrictions. He received both awards at last week’s event.“Ever since day one his work ethic has been fantastic,” Stu said of Brent, who has been with McIvor for almost six years.The James Douglas Medallion recognises outstanding recently qualified tradespersons who have demonstrated hard work, commitment and determination to achieve industry success. PHOTOS: Wanaka App

A little red, hand-painted food truck houses one of Wanaka’s best kept food secrets and a woman determined to share her love for food and people with every meal she serves.  Isan Zahra was born and grew up in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh where, at her grandmother’s side, she developed a passion for the magic of cooking.“She is my inspiration,” Isan told the Wanaka App. “She often used very minimal ingredients but what I would see is she would invest a lot into cooking - giving attention, love, time and care to a meal. That transforms a dish to a different level.” Isan has also adopted her grandmother’s love of spices to create mouthwatering food - learning from her how to toast, fry or combine them to release amazing scents and flavours. Isan’s dishes included up to 20 different spices, and through asking her customers for feedback, she has found the sweet spot that incorporates the best of her traditional cuisine with flavours that are adapted to also suit a Western palate.  At her little Brownston Street food truck, dishes like ‘chaat’ are proving to be customer favourites; it’s the type of dish sold on every street corner in BangladeshFind places to Dine | Drink in your Wanaka AppThe dish is vibrant in colour, with a mix of hot and cold ingredients and punchy flavours that are light and comforting: “It includes two fried samosas with chickpea gravy on top, and yoghurt raita, chutney, masala, and salad.” “Every corner of the community [in Bangladesh] will have one little stall and every one will be a little different.” Continuing her Bangladeshi cooking helps keep her food tradition alive for Isan’s family of four, who have lived in the UK and Australia since leaving Bangladesh. They landed in Wanaka two and a half years ago. Until her serendipitous move to Wanaka, Isan had only lived in big cities, but she has since discovered she is at home in the small town.  “We were blown away with how fortunate we are to be here surrounded by this beautiful scenery; the mountains and the lake; we got a lot of help finding a house and settling here; the community has so much love,” Isan said. “It is so special to be somewhere I can finally say is a home away from home.”That community spirit rallied for Isan when she feared her eponymous food truck might have to close after finally turning her love of cooking into a career in November 2019. Isan had worked a variety of jobs, from airline work to aged care, before she finally decided to take the plunge, buy a second-hand truck and give the Isan food truck a shot. “My brother is very fond of my food and he said to me that I am the happiest when I am cooking; and I should make a living out of it,” Isan said. “I decided to try.” When the economic impacts of Covid-19 hit, a team of supporters showed up to lend help. “They told me if I closed then they would be showing up at my house to eat my food,” she said. Customers offered assistance with social media, photography and online promotion, as well as spreading the word among friends and family. “My customers believed in me; they wanted my food and they wanted me to stick around. That made me feel so lucky. I am so grateful.” Isan said that even if she has lost money creating the Isan food truck, she has gained much in the connection, love and support she’s received from Wanaka locals.  “What I will take away from this is the love I have got from the customers,” she said. Isan’s goal is to keep afloat this year and survive through the Covid-19 pandemic to pay back the support she’s received from many of the Wanaka community. PHOTO: Wanaka App

The Ignite Wanaka Chamber of Commerce board has appointed experienced retail and HR manager Andrew ‘Howie’ Howard as its new chair, replacing interim chair Bridget Legnavsky.Howie is the people, culture and capability manager at Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka, and he is also the current board chair of Wanaka Primary School.He was elected to the board at the AGM last November along with fellow new board members Emma Kenny, Jo Learmonth and Bronwyn McCarthy. At that time Bridget stepped back into the chair role – as an interim measure – after Pete Eastwood resigned from the board.“We have already done some great work as a chamber in focusing our business plan and reviewing our strategic position and vision over the past few months,” Howie said. “I would like to thank Bridget for enabling the transition to a new board and leading our work up to now.”Looking for a local business? See Trades/Services and Health/Beauty in your Wanaka AppHowie is a former owner of an outdoor equipment importing business and also previously worked for outdoor retailers Racers Edge and Mt Outdoors. In his current role at Mitre 10, he is responsible for human resources, health and safety and learning and development for the business.Howard’s appointment took place at last week’s board meeting and he said he was looking forward to a busy year with Ignite Wanaka.Snow“We have some very exciting events coming up this year and are looking forward to building on past success and reaching for an exciting future,” Howie said.“We will continue to deliver our key, successful events and programmes but there are two new aspects to our plan. “We have included a diversified economy as part of our strategy: the past year has shown us that diversified economies are successful economies. This is key to building resilience and future success in our district.”The full board is now: Andrew ‘Howie’ Howard, Celia Crosbie (vice chair), Claire Dooney, Emma Kenny, Jo Learmonth, Bridget Legnavksy, John Metzger and Bronwyn McCarthy. QLDC deputy mayor Calum McLeod is ex-officio.PHOTO: Supplied

Growing up gay is not for sissies. Wanaka’s Michael Metzger knew this in 1970s rural Otago, and he knows it still holds true, so he is gratified his one-man play, The Changing Shed, about overcoming the long-term effects of bullying, is touching a chord.Michael’s ‘day job’ is business writing, but he has managed to complete a Masters degree and PhD in the past seven years. “I had a corporate career but retained an interest in theatre,” Michael told the Wanaka App. “I went back to university and did my masters then my PhD - it’s amazing what you can do from Wanaka.”His childhood memories, woven together with the present-day experience of training for and running a marathon, formed the creative component for his PhD, and The Changing Shed is the theatrical result.Michael practiced some of the on-stage challenges at Wanaka gym The Fit Collective.Michael presented a 20-minute excerpt from the play at the UNESCO Cities of Literature Short Play Festival in Dunedin in 2019, which was nominated for Outstanding Performance at that year’s Dunedin Theatre Awards. The Dunedin Fringe Festival this coming weekend will be the first public performance of the full-length work.After struggling during the first year of his PhD to work out what he should focus on, Michael hit on the idea of exploring his experiences at school, and “it just all came together”.“I was what you’d probably describe as an effeminate boy - not interested in doing traditional boys’ activities. I stood out,” he said.The consequences were being bullied and excluded“I missed out on the opportunity to enjoy physical activity, but I was so terrified of the changing shed and that whole experience that I avoided sport as much as possible.”“The changing shed is an unregulated space. It’s designed for privacy - there’s no supervision, so you end up with a Lord of the Flies scenario, where boys will be boys - and boys can be horrid.Michael on stage.“That’s why the changing shed has become the central metaphor of the piece,” he said.Michael has been heartened by the reaction to the play. People find it moving, and he has even received emails from strangers about it. “I have interesting conversations with people afterwards. I feel it is touching a chord.”His reading for his PhD highlighted that homophobic bullying remains an issue in schools.“I would love to perform it in a school gym for 15 to 17-year-olds,” he said. “When you’re at school it’s your entire world and it feels like it will never end. It isn't forever, and if you survive it you have the opportunity to find your community.”After missing out on sport at school, later in life Michael (now in his 50s) did a couple of marathons in Queenstown and got involved in a running group.“People came together on the course and supported each other - it was a very different experience of sport.” He believes the overlay of the marathon experience in the play brings a hopeful element.The show has been a three year process, and while Michael wrote, directed, produced and will perform in it, he said he has had a lot of input from others along the way.Wanaka gym The Fit Collective has been “wonderfully supportive”, he said, and provides a space for him to practice some of the technical on-stage challenges such as boxing and running while talking.“I’m the crazy guy who runs on the treadmill talking all the time,” he said.There are four opportunities to see The Changing Shed at the Dunedin Fringe Festival.PHOTOS: Jordan Wichman

A Lake Hāwea landscaper has won New Zealand Young Landscaper of the Year.Tama Ritter, operations manager for Queenstown landscaping company Southern Landmarx, collected his award at the Landscapes of Distinction Awards in Christchurch over the weekend.Southern Landmarx directors Jaye and Joe Nutting paid tribute to the “hard work and determination” Tama showed in winning the national title.“We’re all extremely proud of him after he came to us seven years ago knowing nothing about landscaping, but he’s worked his way up from an apprentice to the top,” Jaye said.Tama, 28, said he loved the transformative effect of landscaping and the variety of the job.“I love landscaping because it isn’t just one skillset, it’s such a wide variety of work. Each project has new and interesting challenges. “You take a ‘blank’ landscape around some awesome houses and then the visual aspect of what we add is huge. It’s like dressing the house so it’s shown off to its full advantage, maximising the landscape and its surrounds.”Tama said the competition, which included a day of practical tests, a speech and interviews, up against 12 other competitors, was “a bit nerve wracking and daunting.”He won two Outstanding Achievement awards in Career Development and Communications before being named the overall winner at the gala dinner presentation.“It was such a surprise to hear my name being called out and it still hasn’t really sunk in, to be honest,” he said. “But I see it as confirmation of how far I have come in the industry, and it’s the cherry on top of all the hard work over the years.”Southern Landmarx won two gold medals in landscape construction and landscape horticulture for its Clutha River Views entry, as well as a silver for design. It also earned a gold medal in landscape construction for its Dunstan Vista residence along with two silvers for design and horticulture.The annual Landscapes of Distinction Awards, hosted by the Registered Master Landscapers New Zealand, showcase the very best in professional landscaping practices in the country.PHOTO: Supplied

In a remarkable show of stamina and skill, four local golfers played 72-holes (four rounds) in one day to raise over $4,300 for St John recently.The four women, Nora Hastings, Nikki Shaw, Wendy Borrius Broek, and Suzie Baillie, teed off at 6:45am on Sunday morning (February 28) with glow-in-the-dark golf balls, and 10 hours and 15 minutes later finished the last of 72 holes.The conditions were perfect, they said, and they thanked their caddies for keeping up their spirits, and enabling fast play, as well as the many supporters who joined them in the last round to give them “a great boost when we needed it most”. They also thanked the Wanaka Golf Club’s pro shop team who assisted with tee bookings and advised other players of the challenge, “allowing us to pass a number of groups on the course with ease, including those playing in a match; thank you all for letting us play through”.Prior to this big day the four women had played 54 consecutive holes just for fun but were overwhelmed by the support they received from club members, friends and family when they proposed the 72-hole challenge as a fundraising effort.They said they were touched by the support as well as the amazing contribution everyone made to the Wanaka St John.PHOTO: Supplied

A nurse with a passion for family support and postnatal care has been appointed to the role of mental wellbeing navigator for the Central Lakes area, which includes both the Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago District.Lisa Gear has taken on the newly created role following a career in mental health, paediatric and neonatal nursing.“I have seen first-hand the real challenges that some people can experience navigating their way to the services that are available to them,” Lisa said. “When this position was advertised, I could immediately see the value of it and was keen to make a difference in this area.”The mental wellbeing navigator role was established by the Central-Lakes Wellbeing Recovery Group, which formed following the COVID-19 lockdown to provide a connection point for agencies seeking to support the community.A number of initiatives have been established in the past year in the area (including the Kia Kaha Hub and health improvement practitioners working in general practices), but the group also identified the need for a role that could help ‘join the dots’. The role’s aim is to help build awareness of the services that are available, and connect people with the support they may need.“COVID-19 has challenged us all, and Central Lakes has been specifically impacted by the disruption to our economy and international communities,” Central-Lakes Wellbeing Recovery Group chair Adell Cox said. “We are excited to have someone with Lisa’s experience join us in supporting this part of New Zealand through this challenging time in our history.”The mental wellbeing navigator role is a two year position, reporting to Central Lakes Family Services. It has been made possible by funding from Central Lakes Trust, Wakatipu Greatest Needs Fund, Community Trust South and Lotteries New Zealand.

A Mount Aspiring College (MAC) Year 13 student has made a splash with an opinion piece on the school’s new mufti guidelines, which was published on national news website The Spinoff this week.Nevada Wolfgramm, 17, wrote the column “to start a conversation” about the mufti guidelines, which were put in place this year for Year 12 and 13 students.In the column she questions the need for the new guidelines; debates the notion of modesty and what that means for both girls and boys; and talks about how being censured for breaching the dress code has been shaming.Following a three-year uniform review, and because the new MAC uniform was not available at the beginning of this year, senior students can wear mufti this year for this last time. The new mufti rules ban shabby or worn-out jeans, brief shorts, “see-through, low-cut, halter, thin-strapped tops on dresses or as separates, or revealing a bare midriff”, and singlets with gaping arm holes.The rationale given by the school is that while the policy “is designed to respect an individual's autonomy, individual dignity and right to freedom of expression”, students must “respect that MAC is a learning institution with a diverse range of students and staff, and must take that into consideration when making clothing choices”. Nevada had already written most of her opinion piece after being told off for breaching the dress-code previously.“The reason I wrote it is because I wanted to start a conversation - and that needs to include students too,” she told the Wanaka App.Nevada believes the mufti rules should be open to discussion. She believes the current rules are about “covering up the female body”.“There are maybe one or two rules that affect boys,” she said.She is also aware of a female teacher who has told a few girls their clothing is distracting boys. “Most of the clothes I wear are not very provocative but I still get dress-coded all the time,” she said. When she has been censured, it has mostly been because part of her stomach is visible.“If you can’t give me an adequate reason as to why I should dress modestly, then I won’t. I’m not in a professional environment - I’m at school. I’m not getting paid to be here, and I don’t have a choice of another school to go to.”“I can’t tell you where the line is - I’m 17-years-old. I just don’t want the line to be where we have to wear a full shirt and pants in 30 degree weather.”Nevada said clothes have always been an important part of her life, and she is thinking about studying fashion after school.“I think talking about this stuff will always be a big deal for me, I’m super, super passionate about it.”She said the school should want to encourage students to think critically and push boundaries, which will help prepare them to go out into the world.MAC principal Nicola Jacobsen said, while privacy law precludes the school from commenting on individuals or individual situations: “Critical thinking skills are something I really value as an important part of education.”“...given that society has certain unwritten expectations and narratives around dress code and gender, critical thought in this area is something to be valued. Inquiring into issues, from all perspectives in a respectful manner is a good thing,” she said. Because the school serves the whole community it is conservative in its approach to matters such as dress code, Nicola said, “mostly from a health and safety perspective as well as supporting a generally tidy standard of dress”. “There are a large number of subjects available for students which have different health and safety requirements in terms of dress, and our general statement around dress code needs to ensure that we cover all subject requirements.”Nicola said the school has a concerns and complaints policy in place if a member of the community wishes to raise an issue, “... and this process helps to ensure that there is a process for dialogue to take place”.Nevada has also been interviewed by MORE FM, which will be aired tomorrow (Monday March 1) around 10am.Read Nevada’s Spinoff article here.PHOTO: Supplied

Former Mount Aspiring College (MAC) student Joshua Perry has successfully campaigned for changes to improve the process for housing modifications for people with disabilities. As a result of his petition to the government, the Ministry of Health is introducing monitoring for applications for housing modifications that have not been completed within six months of a service request being submitted.Joshua, who has cerebral palsy, waited over two years for modifications to his Dunedin home to make the bathroom suitable for his needs. He required a new door, and a wheelchair-accessible shower, toilet and basin for the safety of himself and his carers, and called the modification process “convoluted and slow”.A health select committee report released earlier this month in response to Joshua’s petition thanked him for “bringing this important issue to our attention”.The Ministry of Health provides funding for housing modifications to eligible people with physical, sensory, intellectual, or age-related disabilities who meet certain criteria but in Josh’s case, even after enlisting the support of Dunedin MP Michael Woodhouse, the process took more than 24 months, 13 steps and at least five forms.“We agree the housing modification process needs to be more streamlined, with a focus on ensuring the system is faster and easier for people with disabilities to use and navigate,” the committee said.As well as introducing monitoring for applications, the Ministry of Health will now also work with housing assessors and equipment and modification service providers to ensure disabled people are kept up to date with progress on their housing modifications. The committee agreed and endorsed Josh’s view that the changes should go further: asking that the six-month timeframe is calculated from the service user’s rather than assessor’s point of view. It also encouraged the ministry to keep in contact with Josh and other affected parties.Josh said that after he began his petition, others contacted him about how they had been affected by the inefficient housing modification process, and emphasised that this was a nationwide issue.Josh is an advocate for people with disabilities: He hopes to be an MP one day, and he is the CEO of Enabling Love, an inclusive dating service that caters for people with disabilities.PHOTO: Supplied