Online Editor

Wanaka volunteers from the Queenstown Lakes district's Salvation Army senior services programme have been thanked for making a difference in the lives of older people at a special morning tea.

Demolition of one of the few remaining residential properties in Wanaka's central business district began yesterday, making way for a new multi-level commercial development at the lakefront site.

Recent speed sessions provided Alex Gorrie (Canterbury University) with all the gas he needed to cruise to victory in the 3000m at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday.

Wanaka's business and tourism leaders will continue to push for increased flights to Wanaka Airport despite Air New Zealand subsidiary Eagle Air cancelling extra scheduled flights into the resort.

"Reluctant heroes" Lionel Clay and Davie Robinson, of Wanaka, have received national recognition for their part in a search and rescue operation in April.

Victory took away the pain of competition for Dunedin's Victoria Beck when she won the open women's section of the Kepler Challenge on Saturday.

Glen Dene Station owner Richard Burdon said while he was still "horrified" about the extent of damage to reserve land caused by a permitted burn-off on his property two months ago, some positives had come out of the fire that would benefit the district in the future.

A couple who braved thick smoke and flying embers to escape a fast-moving "inferno" coming towards their Far North bach have spoken of the terrifying moments when they thought they were going to die.

Wanaka police are planning to crack down on the illegal supply of alcohol to minors this weekend as senior pupils from Mount Aspiring College prepare to celebrate the end of school for the year.

Brave Wanaka fox terrier Grizz has earned a reputation as a real "deer-devil" after inadvertently hitching a ride to a Dunedin meat works with a truck load of yearling deer this week.

The body of Wanaka Yacht Club member Trevor Hawke (70) was recovered from Lake Wanaka yesterday, 10 days after he fell from his yacht while sailing with a friend.

The Wanaka Rodeo Club's new ground at Albert Town will have its debut run this weekend.