James Beech

Glaswegian comedian Billy Connolly rides his High Horse Tour to Queenstown tomorrow and Dunedin...

Full houses for Big Yin

Scottish comedian and actor Billy Connolly's first stand-up shows in Otago in five years are on course to be a sell-out in Queenstown, with ticket sales ''extremely heavy and only a handful left'', while Dunedin has already sold out.

Commissioner aid to local film scene

Kevin Jennings says his recent accreditation as the only certified film commissioner in the southern hemisphere will help bring more co-productions to Otago and Southland.

'Extremely lucky' to survive plunge

The Toyota Highlander SUV which left Kingston Rd, crashed through the road barrier and scrub and...

'Extremely lucky' to survive plunge

Two young British men living in Queenstown are ''extremely lucky'' to have survived when their SUV plunged 30m from Kingston Rd into a ravine in an area known as the Devil's Staircase.

Arrowtown pair 'stoked' to be in grand final

Arrowtown friends Bec Stanley (left) and Jaimie Stodler, pictured on Sunday during the Arrowtown...

Arrowtown pair 'stoked' to be in grand final

Arrowtown pair Bec Stanley and Jaimie Stodler are ''absolutely stoked'' to be in this Sunday's Masterchef New Zealand final, but are remaining tight lipped about its outcome.

Cool start for resort as snow blankets hills

Snow on the hills is making for a cool day in Queenstown today. Photo James Beech

Cool start for resort as snow blankets hills

Queenstown awoke to a wintry blast today with the heaviest snowfall seen on mountain peaks so far this year.

Touch of winter

Touch of winter

Queenstown and Wanaka awoke to a wintry blast yesterday with the heaviest snowfall seen on mountain peaks so far this year.

Seniors celebrate

Wakatipu Senior Citizens Association life membership award winners (from left) Karen Bouley,...

Seniors celebrate

The Wakatipu Senior Citizens Association was congratulated on 45 years of ''great community service and enjoyment'' by Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden last week.

Heading south for the winter

Julia Deans (left) and Anika Moa play Wanaka in early May. Photo supplied.

Heading south for the winter

Chart-topping New Zealand pop and rock stars Julia Deans and Anika Moa embark on their ''New Hearts Tourette'' together, the first chapter in a tour to be played over 12 months.

Director no stranger to 'Superstar'

Director Marty Newell felt the time was right for Showbiz Queenstown to revisit Jesus Christ...

Director no stranger to 'Superstar'

Playing the Son of God in Jesus Christ Superstar can be a cross to bear, but it is a challenge director Marty Newell is familiar with, having played the lead role in Queenstown 15 years ago.

TLC for 'queen of steam'

Twin Screw Steamship Earnslaw shows no sign of slowing down in her 102nd year and continues to...

TLC for 'queen of steam'

Decades-old steel plates will be replaced as needed on the hull of TSS Earnslaw in a two-year project set to begin during the historic steamship's annual survey this winter.

Hope Trenz will return South

More than 40 tourism operators from the Southern Lakes are bound for Trenz 2014, but it is not known yet if New Zealand's biggest travel trade show will be held in Queenstown next year.

Grandfather's story sobering and poignant

Arrowtown RSA president John Lindsay lays a wreath at the Arrowtown and District War Memorial ...

Grandfather's story sobering and poignant

A pilgrimage to the killing fields of Europe, where tens of thousands of New Zealanders made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of freedom, was recalled during the Arrowtown Anzac Day Memorial Service.

Survey time for 'Lady of the Lake'

Real Journeys Queenstown operations manager Luke Taylor stands yesterday in the sweltering engine room of TSS Earnslaw, which will be inspected for preventive maintenance during the annual survey of the steamship from next month.

Otago lauded in Hobbit featurette

Paradise near Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu. Photo by Andy Peskett.

Otago lauded in Hobbit featurette

Two of Otago's best-kept secrets have been given global exposure by the stars of The Hobbit in the worldwide home entertainment release of The Desolation of Smaug this week.

February big month for tourism

February big month for tourism

February was a blockbuster month for tourism in Queenstown with more domestic and international tourists visiting the Wakatipu basin and staying longer.

Getting it in the gallery was challenging

Multifaceted designer and sculptor Dan Kelly, of Glenorchy, presents The Haast Eagle (2014), his...

Getting it in the gallery was challenging

The eagle has landed in Queenstown - a huge $55,000 sculpture created by a Glenorchy artist from century-old fencing standards recovered from Otago high country stations.

Jetstar adds winter flights

Jetstar has added 15,000 extra international seats between Australia and Queenstown this winter, in addition to the increase in winter flights announced by parent airline Qantas two months ago.

Convention centre rates plan targets commercial properties

Convention centre rates plan targets commercial properties

Commercial properties in central Queenstown could pay more in rates and Wanaka homeowners could pay the least if a recommended rating model for the $55.5 million Queenstown Convention Centre is approved.

Plunket book goes hi-tech with new app to collate babies' data

A $15 million world-leading tablet application to collate real-time diagnostics of children's development is being supported in Otago by Queenstown businessman Sir Eion Edgar.

Bar patrons sprint to help St John

Wakatipu residents and visitors were so keen to give money to St John during the collection held around bars some people chased volunteers down the street to drop cash into their buckets.

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James Beech