The Wakatipu rural heartland had its annual time in the sun with the "sexist" home brew sideshow failing to distract more than 6000 residents and visitors from competitions, entertainment and vendors at the 97th annual Lake Hayes Agricultural and Pastoral Show on Saturday.
Southwesterlies dragged the mercury down to single digits on Saturday night, which caused an unusual summertime dusting of snow by yesterday morning on the Remarkables, Coronet Peak and other peaks in the Wakatipu.
More than 100 of the world's finest minds are battling for glory and cash prizes totalling $30,000 in the 2012 Queenstown Chess Classic, which began yesterday and continues until January 23.
Auckland has overtaken Central Otago Lakes as the least affordable place to buy a house, but this is unlikely to bring relief to earners of low and moderate incomes in Queenstown, the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust says.
The community has been given an extra 15 working days to give their views on the proposed Dart Passage and Riverstone monorail concessions to transport tourists between Queenstown and Fiordland because of the huge public interest and the need for more time to understand the complex issues, the Department of Conservation says.
The pain of a "ferocious" divorce compelled an Australian lawyer and mother to change her life and walk a spiritual path, which spurred her to her lead an inspirational retreat in Queenstown this week.
The laid-back atmosphere and beautiful surroundings of the Winehouse at Gibbston and the rare chance to visit Queenstown prompted pop troubadour Greg Johnson to agree to perform at the Gibbston winery's debut Summer Playground concert on Sunday.
The fact Auckland has replaced the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts as the least affordable region to buy a house is "a positive", a Central Otago Lakes real estate spokesman said.
A chief executive described as being experienced in building relationships with government, businesses and the community has taken the top job at Queenstown Airport.
St John Wakatipu ambulance officer Nikki McFadgen (left), Glenorchy first responder Pam Henderson and team collected $2830 towards a new ambulance for the Glenorchy township at the Glenorchy Races on Sunday.
British turntable artist DJ Yoda will deliver a dancefloor-igniting DJ and audio-visual set in the World Bar on Thursday, January 19, from about 10pm.
The largest toxic waste problem of the 21st century is failing to be arrested by Queenstown residents, with increasing numbers of residents choosing to dump their old electronics in the landfill rather than pay recycling fees.
Rules aimed at preventing another outbreak of "mower rage" will be in force for the annual lawnmower race at the 97th annual Lake Hayes Agricultural and Pastoral Show on Saturday.
A young Queenstown man sparked a police and coastguard search and rescue operation early yesterday after he fell over a cliff, recovered and reported he had heard someone cry for help among dense vegetation above Sunshine Bay.
Misconceptions about a Queenstown Christian school and the condition of its building may have stymied its enrolment growth in the Wakatipu basin, where other schools' rolls are fit to burst, the principal says.
A backdrop to a Women's Institute flower show in Arrowtown almost 50 years ago and forgotten since 1976, was discovered by chance to be an original painting by a master Otago artist, worth $17,500.
Tantalising glimpses of Otago landscapes used by the film-makers shooting The Hobbit appear in another production video presented by Sir Peter Jackson.
A Gibbston winery's cellar door in a historic church celebrated 10 years of business by turning the clock back on its prices.
Progressive battling turntablists Primecuts and Tony Vegas tour the world and maintain a residency at Fabric in their home city.
A sextet of students and graduates of the New Zealand School of Music's prestigious jazz performance course in Wellington will embark on their debut South Island tour, which takes in Queenstown, in January.
