Wānaka’s Ellesse Mote Andrews has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for services to cycling.Ellesse (Waitaha, Kāti Māmoe, Kāi Tahu) is a world champion cyclist and four-time Olympic medallist. She became the second New Zealander to win three medals in a single Olympic Games, and now ranks as New Zealand’s sixth most successful Olympian. Ellesse grew up in Luggate and attended Wānaka Primary School and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC, where her mother Angela taught music) until her final two years when she attended St Peter’s in Cambridge.“It was the right move for me and my family, but I was always gutted not to be a MAC survivor of all seven years,” Ellesse told the Wānaka App.Ellesse said she loved growing up in Wānaka, where she was “exposed to so many amazing sporting opportunities and amazing people along the way”. “I also loved my creative side and have so many amazing people in the community who played a part in influencing that side of my life too. Coming back to Wānaka feels like I’m coming home - the most special memories and very special people.”Ellesse set a new world youth record at the 2017 Junior Track Cycling World Championships and was recognised with the Halberg Emerging Talent Award. She went on to win three gold medals and a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and two golds and a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics. Ellesse Andrews in action. PHOTO: Cycling NZIn 2023, Ellesse became the first New Zealand female sprinter to claim a world title, winning gold at the World Championships. She was recognised as Cycling New Zealand Road and Track’s Female Track Cyclist of the Year in 2022 and 2023, and has been a top-five finalist in the High Performance Sport New Zealand Sportswoman of the Year category for three years running. “It is so special to be receiving this honour,” Ellesse told the Wānaka App this week. “But I think it’s important to acknowledge the amount of people who have influenced me in my cycling journey. I want to say thank you to all of them too as I would not be where I am today without them.”Through her role in the Athlete Leaders Group, Ellesse has been an important advocate for her teammates, and a key driver of applying tikanga Māori to Cycling New Zealand’s programme. She has given back to the community through speaking engagements, mental health awareness campaigns and voluntary roles at community events, including Cambridge’s Cycling Festival.Ellesse (centre) with her parents Angela and Jon at the World Champs in Italy, 2017. PHOTO: SuppliedSport and recreation minister Mark Mitchell said the 2025 Honours List recognises “the outstanding depth of talent, dedication, and leadership across New Zealand’s sport sector”.“My congratulations to all our sportspeople honoured this year. Your contributions continue to shape New Zealand’s sporting legacy and inspire us all,” he said.

Next month, Tanguy Nissou will take on a challenge to give back to Wānaka - the place he’s called home as a ‘working-holiday local’ - by biking over 600km to Christchurch to raise funds for local not-for-profit group WAI Wānaka.“The landscapes of Aotearoa, from the mountains to the rivers, have shaped so much of who I am,” Tanguy said.“Now, I’m taking on a big challenge to give back.”He’s not doing it the easy way - Tanguy will be riding an old, classic bike, without any specialist gear.“It will just be me, my legs and the open road,” he said. “It’s a reminder that sometimes, the simplest way is the most meaningful and that real change often comes through grit, resilience and connection to the land.”Tanguy has chosen to support WAI Wānaka because of its work protecting water health in the Upper Clutha, and he hopes to raise $5,000 via a Givealittle page. “WAI Wānaka empowers local communities to understand their environment, recognise their impact and take meaningful action to care for the lakes, rivers and land in our region,” Tanguy said.“They work with farmers, landowners, businesses, schools and volunteers to help build a future where ecosystems thrive and biodiversity can be restored.” WAI Wānaka CEO Cat Dillon said the organisation was honoured to be the recipient.“600kms is no easy feat, even on a high-spec bike, let alone a classic,” Cat said. “We love this idea, and why he’s doing it.”Tanguy plans to leave Wānaka the weekend of June 7-8 and hopes to arrive in Christchurch a week later.“This ride is about more than just the distance,” he said. “It’s about showing that with determination and collective effort, we can protect the precious natural resources that make Wānaka and the wider region so special.”Find Tanguy’s Givealittle page here.PHOTO: Supplied

The winners of the New Zealand Mountain Film & Book Festival’s annual book awards have been announced ahead of next month’s festival, which will run from June 20-24 in Wānaka.Euan Macleod and Craig Potton have been selected as the winners of the premier prize, the 2025 Nankervis/Bamford NZ Mountain Book of the Year award, for their book ‘Look Out’. Look Out is an artistic collaboration that celebrates the sublimity of New Zealand’s Southern Alps by the two well-known New Zealand artists and friends; a painter and photographer respectively.“We have both gotten more than we will ever know from the Southern Alps and even at our advanced ages we find ourselves at Aoraki, in the throne room of the mountain gods, with the same awe, amazement and joy of the sublime that we have felt from our first trips there so long ago,” Craig said. “It was our hope that our art might convey something of that connection to the mountain wilderness and [the festival’s] nod to our book has vindicated that hope.”The Mountain Book Competition covers literature on the world’s remote places, and tales about people and their adventures. Submissions were invited for two categories: Mountain and Adventure Narrative for stories and accounts about specific adventures (non-fiction); and Mountain and Adventure Heritage for guidebooks, coffee table or picture books, history books, analyses, reflections on culture, environments or ethics and advocacy.The Heritage Award went to ‘Kahurangi’ by Dave Hansford - a book that celebrates the biodiversity of Kahurangi National Park, Northwest Nelson and Golden Bay.Judge Marjorie Cook said Dave was “simply a wonderful natural history writer”.“His first sentence, his first scene - detailing a paleolithic orgy of creatures forever fossilised in the act of getting it on - is startling and memorable… This book is big, meaty, dense and packed with knowledge and great images and photos.”Meanwhile, the Narrative Award went to Andrew Fagan for his book ‘Swirly World: Lost at Sea’, which Marjorie said was “a love story to a boat not much bigger than a bathtub, in which Fagan attempts to circumnavigate the globe”.“[It] weaves together past and present sailing adventure stories while having another go at ‘living the dream’, this time on a potent ocean of doubts”. Both Dave and Andrew will be guest speakers at next month’s festival, which will feature a wide range of events celebrating adventurous sports and lifestyles.Read the full 2025 New Zealand Mountain Film & Book Festival programme here.PHOTO: NZMFF

A young cross country skier with Olympic dreams has some key goals this winter as he weighs up his future in the sport. Lewis Briscall (16) spent two weeks training with the UK cross country ski team in Norway this past December, and he returned there alone to train in February.“My dream would be to compete in the Olympics and just follow my dream as far as I can,” Lewis told the Wānaka App.Lewis was introduced to cross country skiing at the Cardrona Valley’s Snow Farm - New Zealand’s only cross country ski area - at the age of 10. He took to it like a duck to water and became a regular feature speeding along the trails.Lewis Briscall (right) at the beginning of last year’s Snow Rake race. PHOTO: Wānaka AppUnlike fellow local cross country skier Campbell Wright, a biathlete, Lewis prefers to ski long distances with no rifle on his back.“I love being on the beautiful ski trails where there are no crowds,” he said. “You just get in a flow state and time kind of flies by… It’s just a great feeling.”Lewis met a coach in the UK cross country ski team when he was in London a few years ago; which led to the opportunity to train with the team in Norway.He worked hard to save the money to get there, and when he got to Sjusjoen he was taken aback by the popularity of the sport in Europe.“In Norway it was like playing rugby in New Zealand. Everyone was out on the ski track - all ages, all abilities, just going out for an afternoon ski.”Lewis is up-front about the challenges for young cross country skiers in this country, where there is nothing like the support and pathway to success provided in Europe and North America.Campbell now skis for the USA ski team, and Lewis as a British passport holder also has the potential to ski for the UK.“I would love to stay with New Zealand,” Lewis said. “I don’t think anyone would want to have to switch to another country on the other side of the world in order to be able to follow their dream just because there isn’t the same support in their home country.”He would love to see more young people take up cross country skiing, and more support for cross country athletes with international ambitions.“It’s not just about me, it’s about the whole next generation of skiers,” he said.Lewis is now roller skiing to keep fit while he waits for the Snow Farm to open. He plans to stay in the Southern Hemisphere this winter, with a goal to compete in the Snow Farm’s annual marathon event (the Merino Muster), the Kangaroo Hoppet (Australia’s cross country marathon), and the Australian nationals.At last year’s Merino Muster Lewis wasn’t old enough to compete in the main 42km race, but he won the 21km Snow Rake race in a time of 53:28:95. This year he plans to compete in the full marathon.“I don’t think coming first against Jessie Diggins [USA’s gold medal winner who trains at the Snow Farm] is possible,” he said.But, he said, his goal is “to come in the top five overall”. 

Locals have submitted their experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic to phase two of the national Royal Commission of Inquiry (Covid-19 Lessons), which focuses on vaccine mandates, vaccine safety, and lockdowns.Members of the public were able to submit to the inquiry until late April, with one such submission coming from Wānaka resident Chelsea Norman.Chelsea’s submission was on behalf of her sister Amanda Jade Smees, who died of sudden cardiac arrest on January 4, 2022, 17 days after taking her second Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine.“I want everyone to hear Amanda’s story,” Chelsea told the Wānaka App.Amanda (42), who worked as a barista in Wānaka, had to be double vaccinated in order to keep her job because of the government’s vaccine mandates.“Amanda was genuinely afraid and scared to get it,” Chelsea said in her submissionHer death from sudden cardiac arrest just over a fortnight after her second vaccination in January 2022 came as an enormous shock to her family, including her two school-age children (12 and 15).The autopsy delivered on September 15, 2022, attributed the direct cause of death to sudden cardiac arrest, with an antecedent cause of myocarditis and caffeine toxicity, and the underlying condition of “Post Covid-19 vaccination period”.Her death was flagged in November by the Covid-19 Vaccine Independent Safety Monitoring Board as a possible fourth death in New Zealand linked to the vaccine because it was determined that Amanda had myocarditis at the time of her death.“From here I wanted this documented on Amanda’s death certificate as her cause of death. It was incredibly important to me and our family.”Chelsea’s regular inquiries to the Coroner received “the same generic response”, that the Coroner was still waiting to hear from the pathologist, and they were still testing tissue samples.Then in December 2024 she received an email from the Coroner’s Office informing her that a formal inquiry would not be opened as Amanda’s death appeared to be from natural causes - despite the Covid vaccine having already been identified as a factor.The family was devastated, Chelsea said, and she was determined that Amanda’s death not be “swept under the carpet”. She replied to the Coroner that Amanda was a fit and healthy 42-year-old mother who had died as a result of the vaccine, and that the family planned to take action.On January 8, 2025, she received an apology from the Coroner’s Court.Amanda’s death certificate, issued in March 2025, reflects the original autopsy. It lists the direct cause of death as sudden cardiac arrest, with the antecedent cause as myocarditis and caffeine toxicity, and the underlying cause “Post Covid-19 vaccination period”.“No one should have been forced into getting the vaccine,” Chelsea said in her submission.Chelsea said she felt that no one had been held accountable for her sister’s death.She said she believed others in New Zealand had been harmed by the vaccines and had “absolutely no recognition”, but given Amanda’s family did receive that recognition: “I know she would want her story told.”Phase two of the Covid inquiry began in November 2024. Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden said it was “important that New Zealanders tell the inquiry about their experiences so we can be better prepared as a country for any future events”. “I look forward to seeing the final report and recommendations delivered to me in February 2026,” the minister said.PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka resident and businessman Craig Gasson has announced he will run for Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), saying he “believes it’s time to bring private sector thinking to local government delivery”. Craig said he will run for the Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward in the local government elections later this year.Craig is the general manager of Tapped Wines, which delivers New Zealand wine to bars and restaurants in reusable stainless steel kegs. He has lived in Wānaka for 24 years and has two young sons.He told the Wānaka App he has had “a successful career in the wine industry spanning Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand”. Craig said he is passionate about Wānaka “as a great place to live and do business and wants other likeminded people to consider offering themselves for election”. “Wānaka has attracted an energetic, talented population with diverse skillsets brimming with great ideas, but these people don’t necessarily think about putting themselves forward for public office,” he said.“I want to help change that.”  He said he would like other people in the community to “also step up and help bring about a change in what we can expect from our local authority”. “Ultimately, we will all get the representation we deserve. There is such a wealth of skill, knowledge and experience in this town that is largely untapped. My aim is to engage this resource to help make Wānaka an even better place to live.” He invited anyone who wants to share their “thoughts, vision or ambition for QLDC or the Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward” to contact him via [email protected] or LinkedIn.“I have the energy, commitment and drive to be a passionate advocate for this community. I’ll be working hard not just to earn your vote, but to keep earning it every day if I’m fortunate enough to succeed in being elected.” Local body elections will take place from September 22, 2025.PHOTO: Supplied

Otago Fish & Game has announced Cole Briggs as a new Fish & Game officer based in Central Otago - a role that sees the former professional cricketer swapping ‘Aces’ for spades and pads and pitches for waders and riverbanks.Cole played 43 professional matches for the Auckland Aces and spent seasons with clubs in the Netherlands and the UK but, while cricket took him around the world, it is New Zealand’s rivers, wetlands and wildlife that have long held his heart.“Sport has given me so much - discipline, resilience, and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life,” Cole said. “Now I’m looking forward to applying those same qualities to the environmental world, protecting the activities and wild places that shaped me.”Raised fly fishing the Tongariro River during holidays with family in Tūrangi, Cole brings a lifelong love of the outdoors and a strong conservation pedigree - his grandparents were early environmental advocates in South Africa, helping spark his own path into science and stewardship.Now living in Albert Town, Cole is spending his spare time exploring the Clutha River, learning the ins and outs of his new fishing backyard, and exploring his interest in New Zealand birds of prey.He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Environmental Science from the University of Auckland and he has worked in research and environmental monitoring, with projects ranging from studying polystyrene pollution in waterways to analysing the environmental footprint of building materials.“Being out in nature, working with sports fish and game birds, and helping people connect with these special places - that’s what drew me to Fish & Game,” Cole said.His role includes everything from ranging, access improvement, creel and spawning surveys to hatchery support, electric fishing, and event-based angler engagement. Operations manager Jamie Ward said Cole brought a dynamic mix of scientific knowledge, public engagement skills, and energy to the role.“Cole’s already hit the ground running — his first week included opening weekend of the duck hunting season. He’s a great fit for Otago and for the anglers and game bird hunters we serve.”

Wānaka’s ‘marathon woman’ Victoria Taylor will attempt to break the record for the time it takes to run the length of New Zealand later this year.This will be the fourth time Victoria has attempted to break the record (18 days, nine hours and one minute) set by Ziggy Bauer in 1975. To break the record she will have to run approximately 130 kilometres a day“I don’t think anything can stop me this time,” Victoria said.“I’m mentally tougher now.”Victoria gained local fame in 2023/2024 when she ran daily consecutive marathons around Wānaka’s streets for 498 days, stopping only when struck by influenza.Read more: ‘It was a mission’ - marathon run ends due to influenzaShe has just completed a run from Napier to New Plymouth (430km) and is organising other long distance training runs in preparation for her attempt to break the record for running the length of New Zealand.While in New Plymouth Victoria met 85-year-old Ziggy Bauer, who said he believes Victoria can break his record.Victoria Taylor with record holder Ziggy Bauer. PHOTO: Victoria Taylor“I’m chasing Ziggy’s record, he wants me to beat it,” Victoria said.When asked what advice Ziggy gave her, Victoria said “not to stop and eat the blackberries”.Victoria will attempt to break the record for the time it takes to run the length of New Zealand in spring this year (2025).

Aspiring Athletics Club (AAC) head coach Michael Beable has been recognised for his “outstanding impact” on athletics in Otago.Michael was awarded the Norrie Jefferson Trophy for contribution to coaching at the recent Athletics Otago awards ceremony.The organisation said Michael is “a true mentor and leader” who has made “an outstanding impact on athletics coaching, guiding 21 athletes over the past year”.Most of his squad come from Wānaka and are members of the AAC, but a few are pursuing university studies in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Auckland.“Michael has been instrumental in bridging the gap between junior and senior ranks, welcoming younger athletes (ages 10-13) into his training group to ensure a strong future for the sport,” Athletics Otago said. “Michael’s dedication to his athletes is shaping the future of athletics in Otago.”Michael’s athletes have had a phenomenal season, with standout performances including Shay Veitch, who won gold in the senior men’s long jump and 200m at the NZ Track & Field Champs, and a personal best in the 100m at Potts Classic.Michael also coaches Phoebe Laker, who has had a record-breaking season, shattering 18 Otago records in the 200m and 400m, including a 36-year-old record.Read more: Phoebe Laker: record breaker“It's a real honour to receive this recognition from the athletics fraternity in Otago,” Michael told the Wānaka App.“It is so gratifying to see that the value I can add is appreciated, with Barbara’s [his wife] support, not only to develop athletics in Wānaka and beyond, but also to improve the standards to national and international level.”Michael has previously been named Coach of the Year by Athletics Otago, in 2021 and 2023. He also won the Athletics New Zealand Arthur Eustace Award for Coaching (2022/23).

Nine Lake Hāwea fire fighters are preparing to climb 51 flights of stairs in full firefighting kit - and they’ve all completed the Auckland Sky Tower Challenge before.Lorne Capell, Teresa Cotter, Lily Graham, John Cooper, Phoenix Cooper, Africa Barker, Sam Hensley, Benn Cash, and Amie Cotter are all “repeat offenders” in the annual fundraising challenge.This is the third time a group from the Lake Hāwea Volunteer Fire Brigade has competed, and there are just two weeks’ of training left before the team heads to Auckland, Amie said.“Training schedules are up to the individual, but Snap Fitness have very kindly sponsored us gym memberships, so the stair machine has been getting a good workout,” she said.“Our local mountainous terrain is also always a bonus.” The event is a fundraiser for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.Every day, eight Kiwis are diagnosed with blood cancer or a related blood condition. It can affect anyone, at any age and any time in life. Last year the event raised nearly $2M, with the Lake Hāwea brigade contributing $11,000, Amie said.“This year we are on track to donate even more,” she said. A hundred percent of the proceeds from a quiz night and auction on Friday (May 9) went directly to the cause. People can also donate here.The challenge will take place in Auckland on Saturday May 24. PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka athletes shone at the 2025 Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards, held on Thursday night (May 8) at the Lake Wānaka Centre.Snowboarding star Zoi-Sadowski-Synnott was named sportswoman of the year while sportsman of the year was also scooped by a local - Luke Harrold (freeski halfpipe).Other local winners included alpine skier Adam Hall who won para athlete of the year and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College senior student Ryan Enoka (athletics, karate and rugby) who won the junior spirit of Central Otago award.The annual awards, hosted by Sport Central, bring together 200 people from the region’s sporting whānau to celebrate sporting excellence as well as the spirit, passion, and people who make Central Otago a powerhouse of sporting talent, Sport Central sport and active recreation advisor Jo Knight said.“The judges had an incredibly tough job this year, which reflects the calibre of talent in Central Otago,” Jo said. “The finalists seem to raise the bar every year.” “All categories were hotly contested, with so many national and international champions and multiple athletes breaking local, international and world records.”Sport Central celebrated the 2025 Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards with athletes, supporters, coaches and more on Thursday night."As Dale Butcher said - the Central Otago recipe for growing great athletes is a winning one.” Jo said Sport Central extends its congratulations to all award winners, nominees, and those who continue to give their time, energy, and passion to sport in Central Otago. “We would also like to sincerely thank our generous event sponsors, whose support makes this celebration possible,” she said.Full list of winners: Gary Anderson Sound and Vision Sportswoman of the Year: Zoi Sadowski-Synnott (Snowboard Big Air & Slopestyle)Central Lakes Construction Sportsman of the Year: Finn Butcher (Kayak Cross)Gallaway Cook Allan Junior Sportsman of the Year: Luke Harrold (Freeski Halfpipe)Health 2000 Wānaka Junior Sportswoman of the Year: Heidi Winter (Ice Swimming) Jennian Homes Team of the Year: Sky City Stampede (Ice Hockey)Workplace First Aid Coach of the Year: Nils Coberger (Alpine Ski Racing)Otago Polytechnic Para Athlete of the Year: Adam Hall (Skiing)Ray White Wānaka Junior Spirit of Central Otago Award: Ryan Enoka (Athletics, Karate & Rugby)Wānaka Physiotherapy Senior Spirit of Central Otago Award: Shane Norton (Football)Findex Official of the Year: Adam Nagy (Ice Hockey)John Fitzharris Trophy for Services to Sport: Flick Wallace (Snow Sports)Forsyth Barr Supreme Award - Bruce Grant Memorial Trophy: Finn ButcherPHOTOS: Image Central

The first planting day to improve an area of damaged historic wetland in Dublin Bay took place last Saturday (May 3).WAI Wānaka urban facilitator Trudie Hirst said passionate residents who had been working towards a restoration project within the Dublin Bay reserve joined in 2024 to officially form the Dublin Bay Restoration Group.“With the support of WAI Wānaka, the group gained permission from [the Department of Conservation] to establish a planting project to restore an area of damaged historic wetland within the reserve,” Trudie said.Members of the group (alongside volunteers from WAI Wānaka, Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust and Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group) made excellent progress on Saturday.Close to 350 plants were planted before a truckload of mulch was applied around newly planted trees; invasive weed control was undertaken; and rabbit netting was attached to perimeter fencing which the Dublin Bay Restoration Group had installed at an earlier date. “The primary objective of this group is to restore and enhance native biodiversity - both flora and fauna - within the reserve and create a safe and inclusive space for the whole community to enjoy and use for recreation,” Trudie said.PHOTO: WAI Wanaka

A Wānaka teenager who has been deemed ‘the fastest girl in Australasia’ has been lauded for breaking 22 Otago records during the 2024/2025 summer athletics season.The achievement of Aspiring Athletics Club (AAC) member and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) student Phoebe Laker (16) was announced at the Athletics Otago awards night last Friday (May 2).Phoebe now holds all seven female Otago records for the 400m from ages 13 to 19.Further, she also holds the Otago records for women aged 16, 17 and 18 (for which the previous record was set 36 years ago) in the 200m – her secondary event.AAC head coach Michael Beable said, in more than 50 years in athletics, he had “not come across anything like this before”.Last month Phoebe won a gold medal at the Australian National Athletics Championships in Perth.“We can rightly say that she is now the fastest 400m [runner] of girls aged 16 and under in Australasia,” Michael said at the time.“Phoebe is now unbeaten in all her 400m races, across New Zealand and Australia, for the last 27 months, and by very significant margins this season.”Read more: Gold medal for Phoebe LakerPHOTO: Supplied

The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (QLCHT) has announced the appointments of Wānaka resident Dave Lindsay and Queenstown resident Jimmy Sygrove as trustees.They replace long-serving trustee Ray Key, who recently retired from his position after nine years serving on the board, as well as filling a new spot on the QLCHT board table.Southland-raised Dave Lindsay followed a 23-year cycle in the world of business and entrepreneurship, during which he founded, led, and ultimately exited a data and technology consultancy in the world of global finance.“Now I’m firmly living in Wānaka, I couldn’t be more excited at the chance to apply my skills and experience to supporting QLCHT’s mission of providing secure affordable homes for residents of our district, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” he said.Jimmy Sygrove, principal advisor and shareholder at Rationale consultancy, has lived in the Wakatipu basin since 2013.  Queenstown trustee Jimmy Sygrove“Bringing up our two young boys in the Queenstown Lakes, I understand the challenges of the housing market, as well as the higher cost of living that families in our district face,” he said.“I feel very fortunate to be able to raise my family here, and being able to help other people make their homes in the district is something I’m really proud to be a part of.”QLCHT chair Richard Thomas said the trust was delighted with both appointments and acknowledged Ray Key’s contribution to the board. “We owe our appreciation to the valuable contribution from Ray, who was a trustee since 2016... While we’re sad to see him leave, we look forward to utilising Dave and Jimmy’s own skillsets,” he said.PHOTOS: Supplied

I’m often surprised by how many people are still discovering what Community Link does. I regularly get asked versions of the same question."If someone can’t afford to live in Wānaka, why don’t they move?" or "I don’t know anyone who’s struggling here—is there really a need for Community Link?"It's not asked unkindly—usually it comes from a place of genuine curiosity. But it points to a deeper disconnect between perception and reality in our community.We see the statistics every month through our foodbank, and more recently I’ve been struck by the findings of the Queenstown Lakes District Council Quality of Life Survey.The number that leapt off the page? Nearly 1 in 3 people in our region either have no disposable income after paying their bills, or can’t even meet their basic costs.Even more sobering: in just one year, the proportion of people with no disposable income has risen from 17% to 25%—a staggering 47% increase. That’s one in four people in our community, and it’s only getting worse.At Community Link, we’re seeing this play out in real time—more families needing help with food, heating, and medical costs. The numbers are one thing. What they don’t capture is the mental strain, the quiet shame, and how incredibly difficult it is for families to reach out and ask for help.Recently, I bumped into a neighbour wearing a beautiful, thick winter coat. I complimented her on how great she looked. Later, she told me she wears multiple layers at home because she can’t afford to heat her house—and she’s started attending church more often because it’s warm.Let’s put this in perspective: Wānaka has roughly 4,000 households. If one in four are under serious financial pressure, that’s potentially 1,000 households who are one unexpected bill away from crisis. And in the current climate, that’s deeply concerning.So when someone says, “If you can’t afford to live here, maybe you should move,” I ask: Why should people be forced to leave a place they love—especially if they’ve lived here for years? Where would they go? And more importantly, what kind of community do we want to be?If everyone who struggles quietly packed up and left, who would teach at our schools? Who’d be at the medical centre, the café, or our emergency services?The good news is, Wānaka is a caring community. Many of us who are fortunate enough to live comfortably are aware that not all our neighbours are in the same position—and they give what they can.I don’t have all the answers, and it’s clear that cost of living pressures aren’t going away any time soon. But we must work together to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive—not just survive.This winter, Community Link is running its Cold Kids fundraising campaign to ensure no family has to remain cold. We can’t do it without you.Let’s keep looking out for each other. It’s what strong communities do.Make a donation to Cold Kids, to help ensure local families can stay warm this winter, at the Community Link website.PHOTO: Community Link

Wānaka’s new theatrical society, Onstage Wānaka, has finalised the cast for its upcoming production of Blood Brothers.Eight Wānaka residents will take up the various roles in the acclaimed Willy Russell musical.Onstage Wānaka secretary Andrea Beryl said the society was thrilled with the “turnout [and] depth of local talent and the number of new faces” during auditions. “It’s amazing to see how much talent is right here in our community,” she said. “We’re excited to bring together a dynamic cast and crew to create something truly special.”Blood Brothers revolves around twin boys Mickey and Edward, who are separated at birth and brought up in completely different environments. Mickey will be played by Tatum Montecastillio and Edward by Aidan Butler.Natasha Kay Senior, Sophie Omar-McWalter and Maegan Young will lend their names to the roles of Linda, Mrs J and Mrs Lyons, respectively, while Brent Pihama will be the narrator.Chris Winstanley will be Mr Lyons and Greg Ferguson will be Sammy, with both of them also serving in the ensemble alongside seven others: Tana Hansen, Marion Low, Andrea Beryl, Andrew Logie, Katy Rowden, Lindsey Schofield and Kasey Brooks.Andrea said Onstage Wānaka had received a generous grant from Central Lakes Trust, “an incredible boost for our debut production”. “With their support, it’s full steam ahead as our cast and crew dive into rehearsals to bring Blood Brothers to life on stage.”Onstage Wānaka - which was formed to fill a need for a dedicated theatre society in Wānaka - officially launched in March.See also: New theatre group to launch.Blood Brothers, Onstage Wānaka’s inaugural show, will open in August at the Lake Wānaka Centre.PHOTO: Onstage Wānaka

Wānaka’s Community Link says it is seeing an increase in demand for its services from a range of locals including two-parent working families, with a lot of locals “living week to week”.Community Link general manager Kate Murray said the increase in demand raises the question of what sort of community we want to create.“Do we want kids in the community to grow up [going cold],” she said.The local non-profit hopes to raise $60,000 with its ‘Cold Kids’ campaign, which is how much it estimates it will need this year to help the increasing number of local families unable to steadily cover winter heating costsIt’s not just about warm layers: WHO recommends a minimum temperature of 18 degrees within the home. PHOTO: SuppliedKate said the health effects of being cold put stress on the body, which can affect children’s ability to learn at school, among other negative effects. It’s not just about providing warm layers either - the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 18 degrees inside the home for physical health.Community Link has projected $60,000 for this year’s heating cost needs following a $45,000 spend last year and early signs of increased demand this winter.The organisation is keenly aware of the increasing number of people struggling to fund the cost of basic necessities.Use of the Community Link food bank, a helpful measure for need in the community, went up 21 percent this March compared to March 2024.More than 100 food parcels from Wānaka’s Food Bank were provided last month, demonstrating an increase in demand - and need - across multiple services. PHOTO: Community LinkThirteen new families who had never before needed the food bank’s services signed up in March and 111 food parcels were provided across the month - a “huge” number, Kate said.Kate said with a lot of locals in difficult financial positions the increase in demand for Community Link’s services “will likely keep on happening”.“We’re not out of the woods. With the cost of living, people are really struggling.”Community Link is not government-funded and it is calling on the local community to contribute to Cold Kids to help ensure every local family has a warm home this winter.All money donated to Cold Kids will go to households who have been assessed to have demonstrable need for support, which is provided either via firewood or a contribution to gas or electricity costs.Make a financial donation at the Community Link website or get in touch at 03 443 7749 if you would like to donate firewood or support the campaign in another way.PHOTO: Wānaka App

A Wānaka teenager is the fastest girl in Australasia thanks to her winning a gold medal at the Australian National Athletics Championships this week.Aspiring Athletics Club member and Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) student Phoebe Laker (16) travelled with her mother Rebecca to Perth for the event on April 6-7.Phoebe won her first heat comfortably, easing up 60m out from the finish yet still recording a faster time (56.44s) than she did in winning the New Zealand National Champs in Dunedin in March.   In the final she won the Women’s U17 race in 53.87s - a personal best (PB) by 1.47s - and significantly ahead of the rest of the field (1.48s ahead of second place).Phoebe’s time was also 0.32s faster than the WU18 time.“We can rightly say that she is now the fastest 400m of girls aged 16 and under in Australasia,” AAC head coach Michael Beable said.“Phoebe is now unbeaten in all her 400m races, across New Zealand and Australia, for the last 27 months, and by very significant margins this season.”Michael said she ran the race “superbly well”.  “Basically, she ran the whole race on her own from the 50m mark, not seeing anybody else in the race from then onwards. That was the plan, of course, but it was so good to see her execute it so well, including her running posture and nice striding down the back straight, kicking for home at the right time, keeping her form to the finish.”Her new 400m time sets Otago records for girls aged 16-19. She now owns all the Otago 400m records for girls aged 13-19. She also has the Otago records for the 200m, for girls aged 16-18.Michael said it was "remarkable" that Phoebe had achieved this without access to a nearby all-weather surface to train on. Phoebe will now take a well-deserved rest after beginning her competition campaign back in October 2024.PHOTO: Supplied

Former Wānaka resident Don Grant has recently survived an aircraft crash, but he had made it a priority to get a message to the children of Wānaka primary school Te Kura o Take Karara, for whom he was a bus driver.Don’s wife Nicky told the Wānaka App this week that Don wants to let all the students know he’s OK.“He sends his love and wants to let them know he will come right eventually,” Nicky said.“He’s in the best place.”Don (60) is currently in ICU at Dunedin Hospital, where he has undergone a range of surgeries following the aircraft crash in the Dingle Burn Valley (near Lake Hāwea) on Saturday March 29.“He’s improving each day,” Nicky said.“He was beginning to talk yesterday and giving the nurses a hard time. It’s going to be a long haul for him.”Nicky said Don is “gutted” about his friend Ivan van de Water, who died in the crash.Don was cut from the wreckage of the aircraft and flown to Dunedin Hospital.Nicky said she had been “just amazed” at the support Don has had from the Wānaka community, including the Wānaka Airport. Don is chair of the Wānaka Airport Users Group.“So many people have been absolutely incredible, offering their help,” Nicky said.Warbirds Over Wānaka general manager Ed Taylor told the Wānaka App that Don had been volunteer manager at the 2024 airshow.“He was a great volunteer manager because he loves people - and he has aviation knowledge in spades.”Don is also a “relentlessly positive” person, Ed said.“If having a relentlessly positive attitude counts for anything then Don will pull through.”PHOTO: Supplied