Former Wanaka bank teller Shelley Anne Williamson was sentenced to nine months' home detention in the Queenstown District Court earlier this week for stealing $135,000 from the Bank of New Zealand. Reporter Marjorie Cook backgrounds the case.
A vocal group of Central Otago high country musterers takes on a tuneful team of Paekakariki surf lifesavers today in a televised singing contest that provides the winners with $10,000 for their favourite cause.
Wanaka is full of stuffed Santa stuntmen at this time of year, courtesy of resident Liz Hall, who has been decorating the town and organising annual Christmas lights competitions for several years.
Albert Town residents may be able to get their mail delivered to letterboxes outside their homes by NZ Post in about a year's time, the Wanaka Community Board learned yesterday.
Critics of Wanaka's sports and recreational facilities strategy should be able to have all the information they seek before Christmas, Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive officer Duncan Field said yesterday.
A group of Meadowstone residents strongly opposed to a proposed retirement village in their neighbourhood confronted the Wanaka Community Board yesterday with their objections and asked for the board to support them in fighting the development.
The removal of the Glenfinnan training works, a flood protection structure in the Matukituki River, is unlikely before March, Wanaka service centre manager Barbara East told Wanaka Community Board members yesterday.
The Wanaka Ladies Lions Club wants to install an electric barbecue at Bremner Bay but four Aubrey Rd residents are opposing the project, fearing it will encourage rubbish, noise, late night parties, broken glass and create traffic risks.
Wanaka swimming coach Stacey Wells is devastated her business may be forced to close from January 5, after learning this week Lakes Leisure Ltd would be running all learn-to-swim classes at the Wanaka pool from next month, including those usually conducted by clubs and schools.
The race is on for the big bucks in Challenge Wanaka, following the announcement of two major incentives aimed at unleashing exceptional performances from professional athletes and further igniting the burgeoning rivalry among local athletes in the long-distance triathlon on January 17.
The $20 million Treble Cone gondola has been formally approved by the Queenstown Lakes District Council but developer Snowline Holdings Ltd has put construction on hold until the economic climate improves.
Two very different arts meet in the "Fine Lines" exhibition in Dunedin next week, Marjorie Cook reports.
The Central Otago Whitewater Club has taken another step towards its goal of building a whitewater course on the Hawea River by applying for Queenstown Lakes District Council consents recently.
Auckland developers Chong Du Cheng and Travis Coffey aim to begin construction of a 40-unit visitor accommodation apartment complex early next year on a vacant lot at 121-129 Mt Aspiring Rd, next to the Altamont Lodge.
Little pig Toot has had a hoot all over the world, but now he has gone missing on a simple trip between Hawea Flat and Dunedin, to the dismay of owner Luke Dyer.
Wanaka ratepayers' recycling efforts were praised but Wakatipu ratepayers' were pooh-poohed by Wanaka Community Board members yesterday when it was discovered Wakatipu was not meeting its landfill diversion goal of 35%.
Most retailers in the upper section of Ardmore St were opposed a proposed change to the 60-minute parking time limit outside their shops, the Wanaka Community Board heard yesterday.
When Cromwell businessman Toby Templeton reeled in the biggest fish he had ever caught on Saturday, his first thought was "holy mackerel".
Challenge Wanaka organisers are still seeking applicants for the annual donation.
Georgina Galloway had a dream. Dave Varney had a boat. Together, the unlikely pair formed a partnership that in one year propelled the 16-year-old Wanaka schoolgirl into the Otago under-20 women's rowing team this year. Marjorie Cook reports.
