Matthew Haggart

Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie says Wanaka should host a national conference of New Zealand's chamber executives next year.

Broom-infested gravel being used on walking tracks alongside Lake Wanaka could result in an outbreak of the invasive noxious weed, an Otago Conservation Board member says.

Cardrona Alpine Resort announced its "early bird" ski pass prices yesterday, and Wanaka skiers, unlike those at Queenstown, will not face a $100 price increase for their passes.

The possibility of mining in Mt Aspiring National Park is one of the issues the Otago Conservation Board will discuss at a meeting in Tarras today.

Triathlon New Zealand will conduct a review of its commitment to Wanaka in the wake of a backlash from retailers in the resort who oppose road closures for the annual Contact Tri Series Cup race.

The 2010 Rippon Music Festival will go down in history as one of the hottest.

"Irresponsible" behaviour by swimmers has reached a tipping point, resulting in the removal of a pontoon from Lake Wanaka yesterday, by order of the council harbourmaster.

Got your groove on for the Rippon Music Festival? Wanaka reporter Matthew Haggart gives a rundown on the homegrown bands lining up for today's Waitangi Day concert.

A select group of grand skinks living in the Lindis Pass is at the centre of a Department of Conservation breeding programme to preserve the endangered New Zealand lizard species.

Wanaka's burgeoning baby population is being targeted by the developers of a proposed new preschool who want to build in the new suburb of Peninsula Bay.

Challenge Wanaka had its first pair of New Zealand champions on Saturday when Gina Crawford held on to claim her third title in a row after Richard Ussher had earlier smashed the men's course record by two minutes in his first appearance at the event.

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean is preparing to take another private members' Bill to Parliament to try to get Wanaka retailers a right to legally trade over Easter.