Nominations are closing soon, but Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) says there is still time for people to stand in the upcoming local elections. To date there are six for four spots on the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Wānaka Ward, including incumbent councillors Quentin Smith (current deputy mayor), Lyal Cocks, Barry Bruce, and Cody Tucker.In addition, long term Wānaka resident Craig Gasson announced his candidacy for council in May and a last-minute nomination for current Queenstown-Whakatipu Ward councillor Niki Gladding was announced this week. Niki is standing in Wānaka after a recent move here. There’s no shortage of mayoral candidates, however, with six current nominees, including incumbent Glyn Lewers, with Queenstown businessman Nik Kiddle, Shaping Our Future executive John Glover, Queenstown iwi consultant Darren Rewi, regular mayoral contestant Al Angus, and regular council aspirant Daniel Shand all vying for the top job.There are now more nominations for the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) than there are vacant seats, with incumbents Simon Telfer (the current chair), Chris Hadfield, John Wellington, and Linda Joll joined by local community leader Kathy Dedo and newcomer John Bache.Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Dunstan constituency, which this year has an extra (fourth) seat, has so far only received nominations from incumbent Gary Kelliher, former Central Otago District councillor Neil Gillespie, and Queenstown tourism manager Matt Hollyer.Candidate nominations close this Friday (August 1) at noon, with voting papers sent out from September 9-22 ahead of local elections on Saturday October 11.Your current choice of QLDC mayor: Glyn Lewers, John Glover, Nik Kiddle, Darren Rewi, Al Angus, Daniel Shand.LGNZ chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said the more candidates who stand at local elections, the more choice the community has on who represents their interests on councils. “Evidence tells us that the more candidates who contest a seat in an area, the higher the community’s interest will be in that election from a voting perspective. “It’s good democracy when people have a choice of who to vote for, so we welcome candidates putting up their hand to say ‘I want to be a voice for my community’.” She said past elections show that many candidates choose to wait until the final week to submit their nominations. “We strongly encourage candidates not to leave things to the last day, to allow time for information to be checked and any issues resolved.” More information is provided in LGNZ’s candidate guide and pre-election learning package.PHOTOS: Supplied/Jeannine Tuffin

Two more candidates have announced their intention to stand for the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board in the upcoming local body elections.They are Kathy Dedo and current board member Linda Joll, both professionals with substantial local involvement through years working with local charities.“I’ve been privileged to serve my community in a variety of roles over the past 23 years, and I’m excited to now put my hand up for local government,” Kathy said.“My experience in governance, business, and working at the heart of this community enables me to represent a wide range of views.”For the past 23 years, Kathy has worked and volunteered across a range of local community issues: serving on boards and committees of the Wānaka Business Chamber, Parenting4Life, Shaping our Future, Alpine Community Development Trust, Wānaka Area Youth Trust, Wānaka Alcohol Group, Holy Family School, and Montessori preschool. She is currently a board member of the Central Lakes Trust (deputy chair and Audit & Risk Committee chair) as well as chair of Sport Otago.She has recently completed a term on ministerial advisory group Kāpuia, advising the government on its response to the Christchurch mosque attacks.Her community roles have seen her play a strong part in local engagement and decision-making, including starting the community gardens that supply the Community Link foodbank, and accelerating public transport planning by leading the community shuttle trials. She also contributed to past iterations of the Wānaka Town Centre Masterplanning and Wānaka Airport Masterplanning, both of which will be refreshed soon.“Planning for the Upper Clutha’s future has been the focus of my work for years. I’d love the chance to continue that mahi on the Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board,” Kathy said.Meanwhile, Linda – a director at Reset Urban Design who has lived in Wānaka since 2015 – is proud of the progress made during her first term on the WUCCB and is looking forward to building on that work.“This term will be one for actioning the priorities made by this existing community board, therefore I am fully committed to ensuring these priorities are community based, [and] have the best possible outcomes for the environment, the community, our tamariki, our wai, and our visitors,” she said.During the current term she has been on the environment portfolio, working alongside the Friends of Bullock Creek, Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust, WAI Wānaka, the Cardona Ratepayers and Residents Association, and others.“My trustee position on the Lakes District Arts Trust will continue to support the use of art in the landscape, and support more sculpture in our public spaces for all to enjoy and have easy access to,” she said. “We are so blessed to have a piece of the late Paul Dibble’s work on our lakefront, placed within our outstanding natural landscape for everyone to enjoy.”Linda, who has three adult children, also gives her time to Food for Love and Warbirds Over Wānaka. She says she’s motivated to continue contributing to the place she’s proud to call home.Candidate nominations for local body elections close this Friday (August 1).PHOTOS: Supplied

As the cold weather sets in, more people are turning to Community Link for a helping hand - and the organisation is ready to respond.Over the past two months, Community Link has provided 218 food parcels to local residents and food bank demand has risen 25 percent since the end of summer.Demand for the one-stop support and connection centre’s other services are also rising, Community Link manager Kate Murray says.“Winter is a tough time for many people,” Kate said, with ‘cold and flu’ season leading to time off work, reduced work hours in some industries, and other issues in play.“All those things have ramifications for families,” she said. “You don’t have to lose a lot of hours for it to impact your finances.”And for families already stretched, the added costs of winter heating can be tough - but targeted support is available.Community Link’s successful Cold Kids fundraising campaign means it is well stocked with support to help people stay warm this winter, with energy bill support, firewood and the like available.Read more: Cold Kids campaign surpasses $60,000 goal“We’ve got an incredible array of resources that if people are in need can come in.”Kate said they had already been made aware of at least one person who couldn’t afford to stay warm but didn’t know support was available - a reminder of why Community Link is keen to get the word out. “Everyone who comes in [for heating support] will see our occupational therapist to go through what support they need,” Kate said. “You can email her directly at [email protected] or phone up.”Community Link also provides a range of other support year-round. Learn more here or call (03) 443 7799.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) senior students celebrated a Midnight Masquerade for their formal event at the Lake Wānaka Centre on Saturday night (July 19).“The MAC formal was a night to remember, with students lighting up the evening in a celebration filled with smiles, laughter, dancing, and countless photo moments,” Simone Handtschoewercker, MAC English teacher and teacher in charge of the formal this year, told the Wānaka App. She said the event “transformed the Lake Wānaka Centre into a scene of elegance and mystery”. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the parents, staff, and local community vendors whose support made the night such a success,” Simone said. The event’s theme was Midnight Masquerade. PHOTO: Oscar Searle/Creative Wave Media“Their contributions helped create a magical evening our students will treasure."Suppliers for the event included tables donated for hire by Wheels at Wānaka and Allan Dippie, catering by Raspberry Creek, lighting by Entertainment Solutions, and photography by Gravity Events and Oscar Searle.The organisers also thanked Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Lake Wānaka Centre, Sub Alpine Security, and New World Wānaka.Dancing and photo opportunities were a highlight. PHOTO: Oscar Searle/Creative Wave MediaIt was “a magical evening” for the senior students, said teacher-in-charge Simone Handtschoewercker. PHOTO: Oscar Searle/Creative Wave Media

Central Otago will soon have another ‘farm park,’ after the Clutha Plains Trust was granted consent to develop its 133ha land at Tarras into 16 lots for residential use.The Trevathan family has owned the land at Maori Point Road since 1914, after it was subdivided off the larger Morven Station. The land is currently used for grazing cattle.Farm parks are becoming popular across the district, including Wānaka’s Hillend Station, Bendemeer Estate at Lake Hayes, and another in Tarras at Jolly Road.A ‘farm park’ development enables residents to live amongst an operational farm, and initially Central Otago District Council (CODC) planner Kirstyn Royce recommended the Trevathans’ application be declined.Under the CODC District Plan a subdivision needs to have an average size of no fewer than eight hectares (ha) and a minimum lot size of no fewer than 2ha within the Rural Resource Area.Each lot in the current development would be only 2,000sqm - making it non-complying, but out of 18 submissions received only five were in opposition.Those against the developments raised concerns regarding the adverse effects of the proposal on the rural landscape. They considered the configuration of the subdivision meant the strip of houses would be clearly visible from the Clutha River/Mata Au, parts of Bowman Road and the submitters’ property.Prior to the hearing in April, the applicant modified the application and introduced building platforms for Lots 1-16.A new rural residential subdivision at Tarras has been approved by Central Otago District Council.Numerous revisions were also made to the scheme plan to feature two distinct clusters of development, rather than a continuous or semi-continuous row as originally proposed. It was made up of a northern cluster situated along the northern boundary of the terrace/property and a southern cluster comprising six lots near the terrace edge (with generous setbacks), and four additional lots located further inland.In a decision released on July 15 the hearings panel said, while the lots of the subdivision fell well below the minimum size envisioned by the District Plan (being 2000m2 instead of 2ha), the ownership of Lot 100 split evenly between Lots 1-16 meant an underlying average of 7.8ha was achieved.“The farm park style configuration will largely maintain the integrity of the productive capacity of the land and the proposal is an appropriate response to avoiding land fragmentation.“While a somewhat unorthodox approach within Central Otago, the proposed farm park style subdivision only marginally exceeds the anticipated residential carrying capacity of the land in terms of residential development and provides for cohesive productive management of the balance lot.”The panel noted that the shared ownership model with the larger farm (through a body corporate type arrangement, managed by Jonny Trevathan), along with the volunteered conditions of consent, will adequately manage reverse sensitivity effects.The Trevathans will manage and maintain the productive Lot 100, the mitigation landscaping within Lot 100, the centralised wastewater and water systems and the access network within the site, “which places the infrastructure responsibility clearly with the owners of the site”, the panel said.PHOTOS: Supplied

The Upper Clutha Rams are the 2025 Central Otago Premier Rugby Competition champions, defeating Wakatipu 35-7 in a dominant home-ground performance on Saturday (July 19).The match was played under sunny skies at the Upper Clutha Rugby Club in front of a large and vocal crowd. “So proud, they played such good rugby, so good,” Rams head coach Alex Dickson said.“We used the whole width of the field and scored some really nice tries.”A crowd of more than 1,200 cheered on the home side.Wakatipu started strong, pinning the Rams deep in their half with a series of penalties, but the hosts grew into the contest and took control.Trailing early, the Rams turned the tide late in the first half and went into the break up 10-7. From there, it was all Upper Clutha.The second half saw the Rams pile on 25 unanswered points, thanks to dominant set piece work, especially at the lineout. Captain Lachie Garrick was instrumental in stealing Wakatipu’s throws and generating attacking platforms.“We worked hard on that [defensive lineout] all week,” Alex said. “We knew we could put them under pressure there, and it paid dividends.”Upper Clutha captain Lachie Garrick accepting the trophy.Ball carriers Jake Burtenshaw and Andrew Horne kept the momentum going with powerful runs, while hooker Scott Cunningham delivered pinpoint lineout throws and contributed strongly in open play.The midfield pairing of Oliver Stirling and Milan Martinovich were defensively sound and linked well on attack, capitalising on the space their forwards created.Speedster wing Jack East crossed for two second-half tries, including a superb solo effort that set the tone just after halftime.But it was halfback Brodie Flannery who pulled the strings. His calm control at the base, excellent game management, and sharp kicking kept the Rams on the front foot and the scoreboard moving.First five Angus Faulks was also influential, with his ability to punt off both feet a feature throughout the finals.The win capped a stellar season for the Rams, who have built steadily across the competition and saved their best rugby for the title decider. They end the season with a full trophy cabinet including the Championship, the Vincent Shield (first round winners), and the White Horse Cup (challenge trophy).“It’s a great day for the club,” Alex said. “Happy for the boys - they’ve worked hard for this.”Points:Tries: Jack East (2), Jake Burtenshaw, Dan O’Shea, Caleb DixonConversions: Brodie Flannery (2)Penalties: Brodie Flannery (2)PHOTOS: Wānaka App

Wānaka Rowing Club (WRC) has celebrated a successful year “both on and off the water” at its annual prizegiving, the club says.Held on Sunday (July 13), the prizegiving brought together the local club’s coaches, crews, supporters, and backers - and awards were given out for a range of categories.Lola Ritchie received the prestigious Rower of the Year award and Chelsea Lodge received the President’s Award.The Most Improved Master award went to Keely Buick; Master of the Year to Victoria Schutte; Most Improved Male to MacKenzie Hay; and the Most Improved Female to Lily Garrett.Angus Todd was honoured with the Coach of the Year award while Lizie Ritchie received the Community Supporter of the Year and Shane Gibson received the Otago Rowing Association Volunteer Recognition Award.Coxswain of the Year went to Emily Hunt; Novice of the Year went to Lachlan Hay; and Member of the Year went to Sandra Binney.Crews were celebrated with a pair of awards: The Best Crew Spirit (Girls’ Novice Quad of Emma Throne, Milly Stuart, Casey Howard, Chantel Thurston, and Emily Hunt, the Coxswain); and the Crew of the Year (Boys’ Novice Quad of Lachlan Hay, Douglas Wise, Mackenzie Hay, Tyler Gawn, and Emily Hunt, Coxswain).Master rowers (from left) Victoria Schutte, Chelsea Lodge, Lizzie Ritchie, and Keely Buick.Lastly the UP Award - for ‘Unlimited Potential’ - went to Milly Stuart; and the ‘Awwr’ Award went to Douglas Wise.“Learn to Row coaches AJ Humphries, Max Maines, Grainne Power were thanked for their volunteer hours with rowers new to the sport as were Rob Bruce, Matt Rickard, Shane Gibson and Tristan Hughes for their continued support of novice and experienced rowers,” a statement from WRC said.“And huge thanks go to club supporters Ian Farrant, Alpine Group, Silver Fern Farms, Butchers Block, the Bruce Family, [and] Stay Mackenzie who provide regatta accommodation, transport and protein.”Wānaka Rowing Club will be running both Junior and Masters Learn to Row Programmes again. Anyone who is interested can contact the club.PHOTOS: Supplied

Simon Telfer, the current chair of the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB), has announced he will stand again for the board at this year’s local body elections.“It has been a privilege to chair the community board over the past three years, but there is plenty of unfinished business,” he said.“We need continued strong leadership to ensure Wānaka and the Upper Clutha receive an equitable share of [Queenstown Lakes District Council] QLDC funding and prioritisation.”Simon said priority projects for the ward include increased sports fields and facilities, safer pedestrian crossing points in the town centre, a clearer future for Wānaka Airport, a new roundabout at the Golf Course/Ballantyne Road intersection, and protection of our natural environment, especially our two lakes“I’d also like the $5M+ languishing in the Wānaka Asset Sales (Scurr Heights) Reserve to be invested into community infrastructure as soon as possible,” he said.“The idea of a community facility in Albert Town has my support.”Simon said the highlights from his three years on the board included “leading last year’s community health public meeting, completing Mt Iron’s reserve management plan, expanding our walking and biking network, commencing Wānaka Airport’s future review and empowering the community to invest the Scurr Heights Fund”. As a trustee of the Armstrong Trust he was also proud of championing large donations to Te Kura o Titiea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) Foundation, Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust, and After Hours Urgent Care service, he said.“I’ve been fully committed to my elected role over the past three years, attending 200 community engagements, making hundreds of phone calls and sending 4,900 emails.“If re-elected I commit to ensuring QLDC gives the Upper Clutha its equitable share of resources and prioritisation; Developing more sports fields and facilities; Acting as a guardian for our beautiful natural environment; People being at the heart of Wānaka’s town centre redevelopment; and supporting our not for profit community, especially Health Action Wānaka.” Over the past 25 years Simon has acted as a director and advisor to privately owned businesses across New Zealand. He is a patron of the Festival of Colour and supporter of a number of local artists. He lives in Wānaka with his wife, Jo Shearer, and two daughters who attend MAC.

A Wānaka real estate agent and his wife, who had no children, have left a legacy of generosity to the Wānaka community over the past 34 years, worth many thousands of dollars.The Elsie and Ray Armstrong Charitable Trust closed down in March 2025, after all its remaining funds were divested to community groups.Trust chair Robin Patterson told the Wānaka App the trust was originally established in 1991 with $200,000 from the Armstrongs.The couple left their money to the community under the proviso it would go to applicants from the Wānaka Ward of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) for “the purpose of providing assistance and relief to the sick, frail and disadvantaged persons and any other charitable purpose beneficial to the community in the area”.Robin said the trustees distributed grants to approximately ten applicants a year, some of which were Kahu Youth, Riding for the Disabled, Otago Plunket Society, Mint Charitable Trust, Wānaka Preschool, and Mt Aspiring Netball Club.“The decision to wind up the trust was taken because the trustees felt that the purpose of the trust was better served by giving a substantial amount to some specific organisations rather than, over a few years, distributing the capital until we reached a point where all the money was gone,” he said.Robin, who has been a trustee for almost ten years, estimated that the trust would have distributed approximately five to six thousand dollars a year for some time, and the final divestment was of $360,000.Organisations which received larger amounts in the winding up process were the Stroke Foundation of NZ (to be spent in the Upper Clutha), Rad Community Trust, the Mount Aspiring College Foundation, the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust (to assist with the establishment of housing units for seniors), Central Otago Health Services Ltd (for a LifePac 35 system for the Upper Clutha area), and the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust.“Elsie and Ray's generosity has helped so many Upper Clutha residents over the last 30 years, particularly tamariki,” trustee Simon Telfer said.“The substantial grants we recently made to the Mt Aspiring College Foundation, Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust and the Central Otago Health Services will ensure their legacy lives on for many decades yet.“We are very fortunate that those who have benefited from living in the Wānaka community often choose to give back so generously.”The deed to set up the trust, along with other records, was lost in a fire at a local law firm, Robin said. Unfortunately the trust didn’t have any photographs of the Armstrongs.PHOTO: Supplied

A couple of good blokes are being hailed as heroes by a delighted Queenstown bride-to-be – one of them her fiancé, after her precious engagement ring was miraculously located under ice at the top of the Crown Range.Remarkables Primary teacher Abby Cavanagh, who moved to Queenstown from Auckland earlier this year with fiancé of four years Dan Weafer, noticed her engagement ring missing on June 29.She’d been walking the Kelvin Heights Track during the weekend, but a search there and post on the Queenstown Community social media page turned up no leads.“I retraced my steps, and we searched everywhere, tipping the bedroom upside down,” Abby said.She’d all but given up hope when Dan started checking videos he’d taken of Abby playing in the snow on top of the Crown Range. “He just had a feeling he should check the videos,” Abby said.Dan and Abby celebrate Ryan’s miraculous find on Thursday night.Incredibly, Dan spotted the ring flying through the air in a video of Abby shaking snow off her freezing hands after a fun snow fight.On Thuersday (July 10) Dan finished work early and the pair went up the Crown Range for a search.“We looked for an hour and a half. I was way too cold, and it was getting dark,” Abby said.Abby posted on the community page asking for a metal detector and was overwhelmed by the response, about half a dozen detectors offered straight away, one from Wānaka.One offer took the prize – Arrowtown man Ryan Domenico de Dominicis, who was keen to try out his new metal detector, not only offered to help but insisted on heading up there well after dark on Thursday night rather than waiting until the next day as Abby suggested.A delighted Abby Cavanagh celebrates being reunited with her precious engagement ring.“We’d only just got home, and Dan went back up to help him. By the time he got there Ryan had already found the ring. He was frothing, so keen to help,” a very grateful Abby said.“Miraculously, it wasn’t damaged or scratched at all and had been sitting there untouched for 11 days,” she said.“The snow it fell in had melted to the ground and it was just sitting in a puddle under a piece of ice.“I’d been throwing snow up into the air and I’ve lost weight lately, so it must’ve flung off while I was shaking my hands out in front of me.“I was just overwhelmingly grateful. I had tears in my eyes and was jumping up and down, so happy.”Abby offered a cash reward which Ryan didn’t want to take but the couple insisted, giving him $100.Abby said she’s hugely grateful to those who offered to help and was blown away by all of those like Ryan offering to go out of their way to help.“This is such an amazing community. People really look after each other,” she said.To top off the tale Ryan just happens to be a wedding photographer, so guess who’s first in line to take the wedding photos next year? And yes, Abby reckons they’d better choose the top of the Crown Range as the photo location.“I think this is a sign. It’s prompted us to finally get married. We always planned to get married when we moved to Queenstown, so this has given us a bit of a kick along,” Abby said, adding that they will be “very careful with the rings”.PHOTOS: Supplied

KiwiHarvest’s 'Souperheroes' campaign has provided over a tonne of soup, stews, and curries to charities in Queenstown Lakes - including three in Wānaka - since launching in May. The food charity collects surplus food and delivers it to those in need, and ‘Souperheros’ started as a small side initiative, KiwiHarvest Queenstown Lakes branch manager Gary Hough says.“What began as a simple idea - aligned with KiwiHarvest’s mission to reduce food waste and support those in need - has grown into something that fills me with pride and hope.”Gary said KiwiHarvest started by collaborating with students from Queenstown's Liger Leadership Academy, working together to find a new way to feed people facing tough times.It soon expanded into a district-wide mission, with primary schools collecting surplus containers (like ice cream tubs and yoghurt pots) and teaming up with chefs at hotels and restaurants to turn excess food into a stockpile of frozen soups, stews, and curries.“The ‘Souperheroes’ campaign has exceeded expectations with over one tonne of food contributed,” Gary said.‘Souperheroes now delivers these meals to 13 charities, including Food for Love, Community Link’s food bank and Kahu Youth Trust.“Over 550 kilograms of nutritious, heartwarming soups and stews have been prepared, with local chefs transforming excess produce from KiwiHarvest and local kitchens into comforting winter meals.“In addition, we’ve received over 450 kilos of canned soups and stews that have generously been donated by our community…”Wānaka Primary School has been involved this year, during the ‘pilot’, but “next year we hope to include all Wānaka primary schools and some Wānaka hospitality businesses”, Gary said.On the back of the success of ‘Souperheroes’, Kiwiharvest has launched its major fundraiser of the year, ‘Cruise for a Cause’: an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound with RealNZ.“We have come along with local grant support etc in the last couple of years but [we are] still operationally in a deficit of around $20K for the next two years,” Gary told the Wānaka App.“This event we hope will help to bridge that gap for next year and make our operation more secure and sustainable, which has a massive ripple effect for the community.”Find out more about the Doubtful Sound cruise here and more about KiwiHarvest here.PHOTO: Wānaka App

Wānaka Festival of Colour executive director Ruth Heath has been named as the new director of Queenstown’s arts and cultural centre, Te Atamira.The Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust Board said Ruth will step down from the role in early August.The board thanked Ruth for being “an exceptional steward of the trust” during her tenure as executive director.“Her collaborative approach and genuine passion for the arts have strengthened our organisation - from modernising systems and seeing us through tough periods while keeping our festivals strong and vibrant, to nurturing our incredible community of audiences, artists, supporters, sponsors, volunteers and staff,” they said.Ruth Heath PHOTO: Deanna GerlachRuth said the Wānaka Festival of Colour and Aspiring Conversations are “extraordinary festivals and it has been a privilege to serve the trust and this community in bringing these to life”.“A wonderful opportunity now exists for a new leader to carry the vision forward and further strengthen arts leadership in our region.”Ruth said she was “delighted to be joining a special team at a special place”. She is part of the inaugural cohort of Creative New Zealand’s New Leaders Programme, alongside 25 arts leaders from across the country. The Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust Board said the recruitment process for a new executive director is underway.

Queenstown resident Darren Rewi (Ngati Mamoe and Waitaha, Ngati Kahungungu ki Te Wairoa, Rongowhakaata, Ngati Porou) has announced he will stand for mayor of Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).He joins incumbent mayor Glyn Lewers, Shaping Our Future executive John Glover, and businessman Nik Kiddle in the mayoral race.Darren (62), who has lived in the district for 32 years, has been involved in a wide range of community and governance roles.“Enabling and empowering all communities from Makarora to Tahuna Glenorchy is a passion,” he said.QLDC voters need to consider leadership, governance and engagement when they choose their mayor and councillors, Darren said.He said he has over 20 years of senior level leadership and governance experience on local, regional and national boards, and has qualifications and experience in strategic and change management.“Along with the wider Queenstown Lakes District community we the elected councillors need to come together to articulate a strategic vision for the next 30 years, not the next election cycle.” Darren said he supports “an open and transparent working relationship” between mayor and CEO, with a “no surprises” policy for the mayor and elected councillors.“There has been a lack of accountability recently which has led to a removal of community support. The councillors and the staff need to focus on reducing costs that have ballooned beyond our need.”He said there is “no point creating reviews and investigations; it’s obvious that there has been poor decision making and now its for the new council and mayor to create an expectation of accountability and that’s a conversation with the CEO”.“We need to look forward and get moving: let’s revisit issues like single designated authority and what contractors are and are not adding value. If they are not, then they are gone. We need with urgency to reduce and remove our reliance on contractors.”Darren said progress on the Regional Deal with central government comes with opportunities and expectations. The government wants to enable growth through productivity, but while Queenstown Lakes is projected to be the biggest population centre for Otago, its productivity rate is 10 percent lower than the rest of New Zealand, he said.“When we work with developers and private investors, once due diligence is done and we agree to move forward, can we enable their projects; we need to unlock the bureaucracy for us to achieve.”“Leadership is key”, he added.Read more: Local ‘regional deal’ progresses to next stage“Part of enabling the community is to utilise iwi and Maori business and the capability they have… The recent investment of Totara Energy to acquire 30 percent of Pioneer Energy is a great example of bringing the capability of nine iwi to the table for the benefit of New Zealand.”As part of the Māori community Darren provided support to the wider community during the Covid-19 pandemic, from which the Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust emerged. Darren has been chair of the trust since it was founded in 2020.He is a trustee of the Sky City Queenstown Community Foundation, vice chair of the Victim Support national board, a ministerial appointee on the board of Herenga a Nuku the Outdoor Access Commission, and Ngai Tahu ki Murihiku representative on the Otago Regional Council Upper Lakes Freshwater Catchment Working Group. Darren is also a local business owner (cultural support company Take Tuia), and was recently the vice chair of the Arts Culture and Heritage Strategy Committee. He was the mayoral appointee as chair of the Welcoming Communities Steering Group.Darren has also been involved with Scouts, football, supporting schools, iwi roles, and contributed for nine years as a volunteer fire fighter. He has led the ongoing restoration of Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes. PHOTO: Supplied

Two of New Zealand’s most decorated winter Para athletes have been named to represent Aotearoa at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.Adam Hall and Corey Peters were officially selected this week, with Adam set to become the first New Zealand Para athlete to compete at six Winter Paralympics – equalling the national record for most Paralympic appearances.“Winning selection for my sixth Paralympic Winter Games is an immense honour,” he said.Adam made his Paralympic debut at Torino 2006, winning gold in Vancouver 2010, another gold and a bronze at PyeongChang 2018, and two more bronzes in Beijing 2022.The Wānaka skier, who was born with spina bifida, will compete in the Men’s Slalom Standing and Men’s Giant Slalom Standing events in 2026.Corey, a three-time medallist, returns for his fourth Games after a brief break to welcome daughter Valentina in 2022, and recover from injury.“Being selected for my fourth Paralympic Games is more than an honour - it’s a testament to years of resilience, growth, and unwavering passion,” he said.Corey, a sit skier from New Plymouth, won silver at Sochi 2014, bronze at PyeongChang 2018, and gold and silver at Beijing 2022. He’s been named for the Men’s Downhill Sitting, Super-G Sitting and Giant Slalom Sitting events.Paralympics New Zealand chief executive Greg Warnecke said the pair’s selection reflects their continued success and legacy.“Both Para alpine skiing legends have consistently delivered on the biggest stage banking an incredible nine Paralympic Winter Games medals between them,” he said.A second team announcement may be made in February 2026. The Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games will run from March 6-15, 2026.PHOTOS: Paralympics NZ

Local volunteers have been celebrated for their contributions to our community during National Volunteer Week/Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu, which ended yesterday (June 22).“Volunteers are found everywhere in our communities,” Volunteer South Queenstown Lakes community connector Carol Morgan told the Wānaka App.“They are first responders in emergencies, coaches of sports teams, cleaners of our lakes and restorers of our native habitats, providers of baking and meals for those in need, mentors for tamariki and rangatahi, and supporters of those going through tough times.”Volunteer South has collected more than 50 celebration stories from across the region to showcase the impact of volunteering. These include the Cardrona Adaptive Snow Sports Programme, which has been running successfully for more than 20 years.Adaptive supervisor Katharina Mueller said the programme “couldn’t operate without the help of passionate volunteers who provide on-snow support for people with various physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities”.“Each morning … volunteers assist, encourage, provide a safe environment, and help each guest have a great time up the mountain,” Katharina said. “Whether guiding a sit-ski or offering hands-on support, the volunteers’ impact is profound.”Volunteers include Dylan, a backpacker from the US, who spends her days helping participants in group lessons feel included and supported; retired nurse Ali, who helps participants navigate the bustle of the slopes; and long-standing volunteer Dean, who is known for his skill with the sit-ski.“It’s not just about skiing or snowboarding - it’s about creating possibilities, joy, and connection,” Katharina said.Community Link foodbank coordinator Nicola Plumridge shared her comments about Wānaka Community Workshop’s “quiet champion and community hero”, Barry.“He might prefer to stay out of the spotlight, but Barry’s generosity and quiet dedication speak volumes. He’s the kind of person who doesn’t look for recognition - yet everything he does helps our community thrive,” Nicola said.Barry: the “heart and soul” of the community BBQ.Barry is a volunteer at the Community Workshop; the “heart and soul” of the community BBQ; a talented craftsman who donates his work to the Hospice Shop; a generous provider of boxes of kindling; and a gardener who donates fruit and vegetables to the foodbank, Nicola said.This year’s theme for Volunteer Week was ‘Whiria te Tangata - Weaving the people together’, and Carol said volunteer work “strengthens our communities and truly ‘weaves the people together’ and it should be recognised and celebrated”.Volunteer South supports, promotes, and strengthens volunteering across the southern region, building stronger, more connected communities.PHOTOS: Supplied

Year 12 Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) student Mikayla Botting was awarded first place in the New Zealand Lions Young Speechmaker Contest district final in Gore last weekend.Mikayla - along with Xander Maguire (year 13), Ruby Smith (year 12), and Dani Maguire (year 12) - each presented a five-to-six minute prepared speech, and a one-to-two minute impromptu speech (with one minute's preparation).Mikayla won the event from a field of 18 students from across Otago and Southland, delivering a powerful speech on global gender equality, with a focus on the injustices faced by women in Afghanistan."I chose the protection of equality as my speech topic as it is a very important message to be speaking on in our current world climate,” Mikayla said. “My speech centres around women and girl's rights in Afghanistan and how their equality is destroyed.”She said the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan has “continuously gone unnoticed”, which is “heartbreaking”.From left: Colleen Carr from the Wānaka Upper Clutha Lions Club, Ruby Smith (Y12), Xander Maguire (Y13), Dani Maguire (Y12), Mikayla Botting (Y12), and Joanne Waide (MAC head of learning area English).“This shaped my speech into a plea for awareness, that we all need to remember how lucky we have it in New Zealand and remember how important it is to protect equality. It is equality that protects diversity. It is diversity that allows for human connection." Mikayla said she had undertaken months of research for the competition.“The impromptu speech was scary, but I gained valuable experience from it,” she said.Mikayla will proceed to the national final in New Plymouth on August 2, along with students from Southland Girls and Central Southland who placed second and third respectively.PHOTOS: Supplied

Twenty-three Wānaka Snowsports Club (WSC) members have each been awarded $500 - taking the amount the club has distributed to year 2-8 “grassroots athletes” to $165,000 since 2013. The money will be deducted from the cost of the young athletes’ 2025 snowsports programmes at Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone Ski Area this season.WSC executive committee member Bonny Teat said many aspiring young snowsports athletes applied for the club's 2025 grassroots programme, following an “amazing northern hemisphere” season for local snow sports athletes - which included a Crystal Globe, X Games’ medals, World Championship medals, Freeride top spots and FIS alpine medals.The club celebrated recently with a pizza party at the Cardrona-Treble Cone headquarters, where members heard from alpine athletes Mathilda and Isabel Watterson and freeride athletes Eva Small and Nico Burrowes, who had all travelled to the northern hemisphere this past season.The speakers were joined by MCs Harry Rowden and Aiden Fitzpatrick, who had both competed in freeride events in Europe.Coach Peter Legnavsky also introduced the new alpine head coach Grant Stockman, as well as Sam Lee (freeride head coach) and Matt Lister (alpine U16 coach).The 2025 recipients of the grassroots awards are: Max Blatch, Jackson Blatch, Elliot Blatch, William Beech, Patrick Beech, Eneko Mazet Brown, Kobi Small, Silas King, Caspar King, Izaac Wu, Axel Chandler, Jimmy Dolan, Kiri Dolan, Dylan Hedley Dunbar, Otto Walshe, Lachie Stevens, Emmie Wyatt, Charlise Wyatt, Spencer Bunbury, Hazel Hardman, Sam Millar, Harriet Millar, and Nico Burrowes.The list includes two snowboarders, six alpine ski racers, seven freeskiers and eight freeride skiers.“Some of the young athletes have aspirations to represent New Zealand like many previous grassroots recipients and others who wish to get enough skills to enjoy our beautiful mountain environment with their families and friends,” Bonny said.Bonny said the regular WSC functions are open to family members, and the next function will be open to the public (from 7pm on Saturday June 21 at Apres, 50 Cardrona Valley Rd). She said this will be an opportunity to meet successful athletes; freerider Ben Richards, freeskier Ben Barclay, alpine athletes Mathilda and Isabel Watterson, and freeski coach Hamish McDougall, who will share footage and talk about their experiences in the northern hemisphere. PHOTO: Supplied

Wānaka organisations have received more than $1M in grant support from Central Lakes Trust (CLT) in its last two funding rounds, with around a dozen local groups benefitting from funding.Most of the funding in April and May went to multi-year operational grants, CLT chief executive Barbara Bridger said."We believe in building long-term relationships with our grantees, and offering multi-year grants towards operational costs is one way we support that,” she said.“Multi-year grants provide greater certainty around funding and enable more confident long-term planning for organisations."Seven Wānaka organisations received operational grants totalling more than $800K.WAI Wānaka received $125,000; Wānaka Search and Rescue received $55,000; Community Link received $192,606; Food for Love received $123,934; Kahu Youth received $267,509; M!NT received $45,290; and Wānaka Riding for the Disabled received $12,840.Local groups also secured project grants during the same period.Snow Farm NZ received $42,000 for its base building ablution and water facility; Tarras School received $35,000 for its playground update; and the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust received $97,466 for its new Hāwea River trail. Read more: Progress on river track upgradesWānaka Tennis Club also received $35,000 for its court resurfacing and clubroom upgrade; Youth Search and Rescue Trust received $40,000 for equipment for its new Wānaka branch; and Onstage Wānaka received $19,080 towards its upcoming Blood Brothers production.Read more: Funding to support busy tennis club  Across Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes, more than $8M was granted in the two funding rounds.PHOTO: Supplied

A Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College (MAC) band took first place in the band category at the Central Otago Regional final of Smokefreerockquest on Saturday (June 14).The ‘Superficial’ band members - Alex Kettle, Tommy Cotter, Harrison Eastwood, Archie Bruce, and Jayden Robertson - will now film a 15-minute music video to be considered for the national top 30, with the goal of reaching the Smokefree Rockquest National Final in Auckland this September. The band is following in the footsteps of MAC band ‘Spoken’, which reached the national finals in 2023.Forty-seven MAC students took part in the event at the Lake Wānaka Centre along with student bands from across Central Otago.Kasey Brooks from ‘Third Party’ received the Musicianship Award. PHOTO: Gareth HodgesMAC co-head of arts Mat Doyle said the students had been rehearsing for months to prepare for the event, with many of them performing songs developed as part of their NCEA coursework.Other MAC musicians were recognised with awards at the regional final: Juno Gerlach ('Juno') received the ZM Lyric Award; Kasey Brooks from ‘Third Party’ received the Musicianship Award; and ‘Superficial’ also won Best Use of Electronic Assistance.Juno Gerlach ('Juno') received the ZM Lyric Award. PHOTO: Gareth HodgesSmokefreerockquest is New Zealand's live, original music, youth event which gives young musicians the opportunity to perform live in a professional setting. The event aims to motivate young musicians to strive for success, to realise the opportunities available in music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand Music.Full results of the Central Otago Regional Final 2025:Band category:1st – Superficial – MAC2nd – Stolen Rings – Dunstan High School3rd – 10:37 – Wakatipu High SchoolSolo/duo:1st – George Newhouse – Wakatipu High School2nd – Mala – Wakatipu High SchoolAdditional Awards:Best Vocalist – Singer from Offshore (Cromwell College)Musicianship Award – Drummer from Bad Haircuts (Cromwell College)Musicianship Award – Kasey Brooks from Third Party (MAC)Best Song – Little Road – Wakatipu High SchoolZM Lyric Award – Juno (MAC)Best Use of Electronic Assistance – Superficial (MAC)