Jude Gillies

A 37-year mission to protect and preserve Wakatipu's unique character and environment has ground to a halt, with the Wakatipu Environmental Society Inc (Wesi) announcing it will take a break.

Ever fancied swapping your day job for one in the great outdoors?

Eight months after they took a case to the Environment Court, five objectors have lost their battle to stop a road closure in the tiny township of Kinloch, at the head of Lake Wakatipu.

Years after the partial closure of two roads in the tiny township of Kinloch, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, was first mooted and six months since the issue was heard in the Environment Court, five appellants and the Queenstown Lakes District Council have chalked up tens of thousands of dollars in costs.

Arrowtown trailblazer John Mowatt says "bureaucracy gone mad" will not make him give up on his mission to extend an all-weather track to Macetown after the Department of Conservation told him he could build another bridge, no matter how small, over the last creek on the historic route.

Gibbston wine growers received a brisk wake-up call yesterday morning when a frosty start to the day made wind machines kick into action.

The standard of students among the first intake to graduate with a Diploma of Adventure Tourism Management on Saturday reflects the status of Queenstown as the adventure capital of the world, course tutor Dr John Cossens says.

Queenstown Resort College plays a special role in the education system, graduates and their families were told by the Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Clutha Southland Bill English when he spoke at the graduation ceremony at the Millennium Hotel on Saturday.

Arrowtown parent and architect of a proposed preschool in the town Juliet Pope says her group will go ahead with an application for funding from the Ministry of Education next month after a "fantastic" meeting with MP for Clutha-Southland and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English.

A crowd of about 1800 enjoyed fine weather and wines at the annual Gibbston Harvest Festival on Saturday where several wine companies released their latest vintages.