Wanaka residents flee scrub fire
Wanaka residents flee scrub fire
Dozens of Mt Iron residents evacuated their houses about 4am this morning after a large vegetation fire took hold in a gully between Aubrey Rd and Bevan and Islington streets.
Marjorie Cook
Wanaka homes escape fire
Wanaka homes escape fire
Wanaka residents described a potentially disastrous vegetation fire early yesterday as "absolutely terrifying" and "frighteningly close" after up to 50 firefighters from the district's combined fire brigades saved several homes from the blaze.
Missing tramper sought near Wanaka
Missing tramper sought near Wanaka
Two search and rescue operations have been initiated today by Wanaka police - one to retrieve an injured woman from the Motatapu River and another to locate a male tramper reported overdue in the Mt Aspiring National Park in the upper Wilkin Valley near Mt Twilight.
Rescuers shattered to learn of teen's death
Rescuers shattered to learn of teen's death
Dion Latta's rescuers were among those "shattered" to learn the popular teenager they described as a "fighter" died in hospital yesterday after his dramatic rescue from a waterfall in the Motatapu Gorge, near Wanaka, on Sunday night.
Multisport: Young Kiwis inspiration for Whitfield
Multisport: Young Kiwis inspiration for Whitfield
Canadian triathlete Simon Whitfield hopes a season of training around Wanaka and racing in today's Contact Cup event will be the boost he needs in his campaign for a third Olympic medal in London.
Swimmers test course of challenge
Swimmers test course of challenge
The Challenge Wanaka Swim the Course event yesterday attracted at least 265 swimmers, believed to be the largest field to have participated in the fun swim in the event's six-year history.
Multisport: Dancing big part of Maier's strategy
Multisport: Dancing big part of Maier's strategy
Triathlete Simone Maier promises to be dancing on her bike during Saturday's 226km Challenge Wanaka and hopes locals will dance in the streets in support.
Conditions tough for triathletes
Conditions tough for triathletes
More than 270 junior triathletes triumphed over rough lake conditions yesterday morning and romped home in the Puzzling World Junior Challenge Wanaka.
Not quite ready to roll
Not quite ready to roll
Wanaka is abuzz with activity as junior triathletes prepare for the opening of the Challenge Wanaka festival tomorrow.
Multisport: Special incentive for Dodds at home
Multisport: Special incentive for Dodds at home
Wanaka triathlete Tony Dodds is ready to take on his New Zealand team-mates and internationals at the Contact Cup in Wanaka on Friday, but his competition is ramping up the (friendly) trash talk.
It's personal for swimmers
It's personal for swimmers
Wanaka swimmers Tane Duncan and Kenzie Findlay are on a mission for personal bests at the Otago championships in Dunedin this month.
Worming his way to a new lifestyle
Worming his way to a new lifestyle
A change of lifestyle has seen a former West Otago farmer swap deer for worms. Marjorie Cook finds out how going back to the good life has worked for Lloyd Thayer.
Cause of vegetation fire remains unknown
Cause of vegetation fire remains unknown
The cause of Thursday's early morning vegetation fire on Mt Iron is still being investigated, but the Department of Conservation believes it was not deliberately lit.
New Radio Wanaka owners get warm welcome
New Radio Wanaka owners get warm welcome
New Bevan St residents Jacque and Mike Regal say their neighbours gave them the "warmest welcome yet" to Wanaka at 4.30am Thursday as they stood shaking hands in the street in their underwear, while fire raged around them.
A 40-year family tradition at Albert Town
A 40-year family tradition at Albert Town
Izze Richardson (80) of Wakari, Dunedin has been holidaying in the Albert Town Recreational Reserve since 1971, when she and her late husband Stewart first created a caravan niche among rosehips and briar.
Freedom camping anger
Freedom camping anger
Freedom camping at Waterfall Creek, just 2km from Wanaka's town boundary and close to several commercial camping grounds, has angered Wanaka businessmen Richard Hutchison and Barry Bruce.
Total fire ban announced for Lakes District
Total fire ban announced for Lakes District
Tinder-dry conditions in the Queenstown Lakes district have prompted a total ban on all fires, including previously permitted fires, from midnight tomorrow.
Yachtsman's life jacket back to front: report
Yachtsman's life jacket back to front: report
A Maritime New Zealand report says Trevor Hawke was wearing an inflatable life jacket back to front and the carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinder was not positioned correctly inside the garment when he fell from his yacht into Lake Wanaka on November 17.
Canterbury campers glad to escape shakes
Canterbury campers glad to escape shakes
This summer, the Lake Hawea Holiday Park has been full of people escaping Christchurch earthquakes and liquefaction.
Tourists hurt when car rolls off road
Tourists hurt when car rolls off road
A single-car crash outside the Lone Star Restaurant on Cardrona Valley Rd yesterday caused minor injuries to the tourist occupants.