James Beech

War veterans and volunteers collecting money in Queenstown for Poppy Day have been verbally abused by people who believe the poppies are made in China.

A force of 30 Returned and Services' Association (RSA) members and supporters took to the streets of Wakatipu to offer 8000 fundraising New Zealand-made poppies before Anzac Day.

Murder, blackmail and infidelity are splashed on the silver screen when the Queenstown Film Society launches its new season with the classic film noir thriller The Postman Always Rings Twice.

The family from last year's Cribbies show twist and shout again in a new original play inspired by the Beatles' visit to Dunedin.

The hip-hop crew credited with releasing New Zealand's first rap song E Tu in 1988 is preparing to play in Queenstown for the very first time next week.

"Cool, happy to be on the ground," was a weary American paraglider's response yesterday when rescued after almost four hours stuck dangling high in a pine above Queenstown.

Expansion of air services from China and a pledge from Indonesia for a future air service to Auckland International Airport will mean more visitors for Queenstown and the South, resort tourism and airport chiefs say.

A senior member of China's ruling elite, his delegation and 17 Chinese media delegates have experienced Queenstown and Arrowtown first-hand, as part of a whirlwind trip to New Zealand.

Ann Bain has helped display 23 of the 28 annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival Art Exhibitions, and she says the quality of this year's collection has surpassed expectations.

Where China's fourth most powerful politician leads, millions of Chinese tourists could follow, Queenstown and Arrowtown tourism operators hope.

Top alpine climbers from around New Zealand and overseas will descend on Queenstown this winter for three days of modern mixed climbing on the Remarkables mountain range.

Queenstown tourism operators Art Adventure, Guided Walks New Zealand and Peppers Beacon Resort will unveil some of the 78 new tourism products on the market at Trenz next month.

Queenstown revellers will try to Save the Titanic by finding its saboteur on board the historic steamship Earnslaw on Saturday, 100 years to the day after the "unsinkable" luxury passenger liner struck an iceberg and later sank in the North Atlantic Ocean.

North Carolina-born cotton picker turned United States soldier turned world-touring bluesman Big Daddy Wilson plays from the heart in both Queenstown and Arrowtown this month.

Identifying the "gold in the sand" of the lucrative Chinese tourism market, while operators bolster hospitality with basic Chinese knowledge, were aims declared at the latest Destination Queenstown industry update this week.

A trio of Kingston artists is keeping it in the family for the latest exhibition in Artbay Gallery.

Subculture and the Queenstown Times have joined forces to give away a double pass to Krafty Kuts in Queenstown.