James Beech

Hobbit fans from Queenstown have flown to Wellington to cultivate business contacts and be a part of history when The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has its world premiere tomorrow.

Remarkables Primary School pupils brought Queenstown Airport to a standstill on Friday with a surprise performance of their Jump Jam skills to the sound of Greased Lightning, before they boarded an aircraft to compete in Christchurch.

A new lifeline for Wakatipu residents and visitors needing to keep their medical appointments in Southland Hospital begins today.

An experienced and accomplished mountaineer was not wearing a helmet when he slipped and fell to his death in Fiordland National Park.

Song of the Kauri, a self-produced feature documentary by a debut Queenstown director, has been selected to screen at the 2013 Environmental Film Festival, run by National Geographic magazine, in Washington DC.

Ah, Mr Bond, we've been expecting you, but your latest adventure has been one of the longest waits in your 50-year career. Thankfully, after your previous misfiring Quantum of Solace in 2008, the wait has been worth it.

The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust and Ngai Tahu Tourism will discuss with the Queenstown Lakes District Council the master plan for 4ha of prime strategic Queenstown land worth more than $14 million.

Queenstown demonstrated to millions of Chinese it can host a world-class wedding after the veil of secrecy surrounding the union of Chinese star Yao Chen lifted on Saturday.

Queenstown had it comin' - the sensual, satiric and subversive musical hit Chicago will next year be the 38th production by Showbiz Queenstown and a free workshop is being held tomorrow to prepare those auditioning.

Mahnoosh Dordahan, of Frankton, (left) and Katrina Allan, of Queenstown, model clothes by Ricochet, one of the top New Zealand designers who will be represented at the DT Carter Memorial Hall Fashion Fundraiser in Queenstown Motor Group, Frankton, on Wednesday, at 7pm.

The Queenstown trust set up to bolster health services for rural communities sent the first recipient of its independent scholarship to Nepal on Monday to further her education.

Queenstown has the beauty and serenity craved by Chinese tourists, but the challenge is to tell those millions of travellers that what they can do in the Wakatipu they cannot do anywhere else.

Sticking to his guns to reach the DVD release date of Good For Nothing today, after six epic years of writing, producing, directing and promoting his "pavlova western", is "really great", former Queenstown resident Mike Wallis says.

About $266,000 still needs to be raised for the ongoing $3.1 million upgrade of the Queenstown Memorial Hall, but the revamp is on track, a fashion fundraiser will be held next week and hall bookings are increasing for next year.

Hiring a family support worker for the ballooning population of Queenstown is the aim of the Wakatipu Anglican Parish and proceeds from its popular market day on November 24 will be go towards funding the position.

If the Otago Regional Council and the Otago Conservation Board do not join forces with Otago authorities to wage war against wilding conifer infestations, "our children are not going to look at anything but pine trees", Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden says.