Online Editor

It might be a favoured holiday resort for many, but for a new wave of sporting elite, Wanaka has fast become the Mecca of multisport.

Biathlon New Zealand has been further incensed by news the Olympic spot New Zealander Sarah Murphy missed out on may have gone to an Australian of lesser ability.

New Zealand's party town has its share of alcohol-related crime, but Queenstown's top police officer says the resort's streets are still safe.

Felix McDonald and Adriana Mawhinney featured in a strong performance by Otago athletes in the 14-18 South Island teams championship, held at the Caledonian Ground on Saturday.

The freeskiing Wells family of Wanaka has made New Zealand Olympic history after three of its members were selected to represent New Zealand at next month's Winter Olympics in Sochi.

James Cook is probably the world's greatest navigator.

Record numbers of entrants will compete in tomorrow's Big Easy mountain marathon near Wanaka - billed as the highest event of its kind in the country.

Discord among those governing Wanaka Primary School has reached an ''impasse'', the Ministry of Education representative tasked with ironing out issues at the school says.

New Zealand's ''laughable'' selection criteria for the Winter Olympics has biathlon administrators lobbying the New Zealand Olympic Committee for policy change.

Recently, I've expressed an opinion that it's unethical to explore for additional fossil fuels, in the light of climate science and in the absence of an international agreement that limits carbon emissions.

Multisporter Dougal Allan's long-distance triathlon debut at Challenge Wanaka on Saturday could signal the beginning of a promising career in the sport after the hometown hero clinched third place in the men's elite field.

Challenge Wanaka would be held a month later than its traditional race weekend next year, organisers announced yesterday.

A near-perfect race for Dylan McNeice at Challenge Wanaka on Saturday secured him the event's first male back-to-back victories, while first-time female champion Candice Hammond was ''shocked'' to hold on for first place in a hard-fought women's race.

Among the many athletic achievements at today's Challenge Wanaka, crossing the finish line will mark a bigger milestone than most for Jonathan Simpson and Mark Smoothy, who hope to complete their 40th long-distance triathlon.

Conquering Challenge Wanaka a second time has remained firmly on multisport legend Richard Ussher's radar since he broke the course record in 2010.

As the annual Challenge Wanaka festival of sporting events began yesterday, organisers issued an appeal for more volunteers at this weekend's flagship race.