Snow far, snow good for skifield openings
Snow far, snow good for skifield openings
More than 600 staff members spread across Wanaka's three main skifields are preparing for the start of the winter season next week.
Matthew Haggart
MP continues Easter crusade
MP continues Easter crusade
Another attempt to change Easter trading laws is poised to come before Parliament as Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean continues a quest to allow Wanaka retailers to open their shops legally on the religious holiday.
First home cup match today
First home cup match today
The Upper Clutha rugby team kicks off at Tarras today, aiming to clinch the first of three home game victories it needs to put the club's name on the White Horse Cup for the first time since 1972.
Games funding 'close'
Games funding 'close'
Winter Games New Zealand organisers are still banking on securing key funding for the event next year, but have turned their immediate focus to the Junior Snowboard and Freestyle World Championships to be hosted in Wanaka in August.
Trust hard at work restoring vegetation
Trust hard at work restoring vegetation
A native revegetation project to restore Wanaka's lakeside reserves, trails, and waterways is continuing to grow through the efforts of Te Kakano Trust and its seedling nursery.
Mediation may resolve Three Parks appeals
Mediation may resolve Three Parks appeals
Talks to resolve legal appeals holding back the planned Three Parks development have moved behind closed doors as negotiating parties try to avoid an Environment Court hearing.
Haast Pass driver escapes injury
Haast Pass driver escapes injury
Police said driver error appeared to be the cause of a car crash involving a 25-year-old South Korean man near the Haast Pass on State Highway 6 yesterday.
'Big Air' added to World Heli Challenge
'Big Air' added to World Heli Challenge
World Heli Challenge director Tony Harrington has added a "Big Air" component to the extreme back-country ski and snowboarding event - now confirmed for a July 30 start date.
Snowsports body seeking directors
Snowsports body seeking directors
Snowsports New Zealand is seeking two new directors to add to its executive board and wants an applicant with links to North Island skifields.
Icy roads prove treacherous for drivers
Icy roads prove treacherous for drivers
"Treacherous" driving conditions on the Haast Pass continue to create havoc for some motorists struggling with New Zealand's wintry roads, Makarora's emergency response chief says.
Board questions action on algae
Board questions action on algae
Queenstown Lakes District Council water contractors are scheduled to meet Wanaka plumbers to try to formulate solutions to problematic algae continuing to contaminate the town's water supplies.
Increasing Wanaka flight capacity still a priority
Increasing Wanaka flight capacity still a priority
Lake Wanaka Tourism hopes that boosting flight capacity to Wanaka Airport will remain attractive to other air operators, despite the collapse of holiday charter service FlyDirect.
Council to study sports events fees
Council to study sports events fees
The Queenstown Lakes District Council will consider a new fee structure to charge event operators using council reserves and land for commercial sporting ventures.
Support for new welcome
Support for new welcome
Gateway signs flanking Wanaka's main highway entrance could be used to reflect the resort's new lifestyle reserve visitor branding, Community Board chairman Lyal Cocks says.
Councillors considering mayoralty bids
Councillors considering mayoralty bids
Two Wanaka councillors are poised to put their hands up for the mayoralty of the Queenstown Lakes district, should incumbent Clive Geddes choose not to stand for re-election.
Snowboarder wins travel guide award
Snowboarder wins travel guide award
Wanaka snowboarder Keith Stubbs is hoping his Snow-search Japan book becomes a "lonely planet-style" prototype for a travel series on the world's premier winter tourism destinations.
Shock as planned charter service crumples
Shock as planned charter service crumples
Tourism operators in Wanaka yesterday were left reeling at the announcement holiday package provider flyDirect has been placed into liquidation, forcing the cancellation of a planned winter flight charter service to the resort.
Forum to address drinking culture
Forum to address drinking culture
A forum targeting drinking-culture issues will be formed in Wanaka at the behest of the town's secondary school principal, pupil representatives and civic leaders after a meeting of the Wanaka Community Board yesterday.
Wells looks destined for Hall of Fame
Wells looks destined for Hall of Fame
World champion freeskier Jossi Wells is poised to be the second Wanaka Hall of Fame recipient, as Wanaka Community Board members deliberate criteria for the new civic awards scheme.
Boy's shooting injuries serious
Boy's shooting injuries serious
Central Otago police are calling for more firearms safety awareness, after a second duck-shooting incident at Tarras has left a 10-year-old boy with serious hand injuries.