Lucy Ibbotson

Mountain biking enthusiasts will soon have another Wanaka track at their disposal, this time right in the centre of town.

Renovations to Wanaka's former Catholic church in Brownston St have begun as the owners of Cinema Paradiso prepare to begin a gradual relocation process to the building.

Police in Wanaka are determined to "get to the bottom" of a series of incidents involving a naked man engaging in recreational pursuits in public places.

The Upper Clutha Environmental Society (UCES) has objected to a proposed ski lodge development below the Cardrona skifield access road and above a recently consented alpine village, saying it would have "significant and adverse" visual and amenity effects on natural landscape values.

No arrests have been made yet in relation to a home invasion-style incident in Wanaka last week, but some possible suspects have been identified, police said yesterday.

Kate Jerram, of Lake Hawea, celebrated with the winners' trophy as captain of the "town" team in the annual Waitangi weekend Hawea Town v Country Challenge yesterday, while "country" captain and event co-organiser Ray O'Brien, of Hawea Flat, and fellow co-organiser Colleen Carr, of Lake Hawea, look on.

Some of New Zealand's best musical acts performed to a well-behaved, sold-out crowd at the Rippon Music Festival on Saturday.

Old rivalries will resurface on Waitangi Day as the usually harmonious folk of Hawea draw a battle line down the middle of the district for the annual Town v Country Challenge.

Four former Mount Aspiring College pupils who make up electro-punk band Colour Classic are more nervous about taking to the stage in front of some of the biggest names in New Zealand music than performing for the more than 4000-strong crowd at today's Rippon Music Festival in Wanaka.

Organisers of tomorrow's sold-out Rippon Music Festival are prepared for all weather contingencies.