Tracey Roxburgh

A tiny community in the Kawarau Gorge is in the running to be named the 2011 Community of the Year, part of the New Zealander of the Year awards.

Queenstown Airport Corporation has decided not to pursue night flights to and from the resort, chief executive Steve Sanderson said yesterday.

Jetstar's first transtasman flight from Melbourne will arrive in Queenstown today, representing an increase of more than 50% in capacity to Queenstown by the airline.

Without the Star Alliance, New Zealand would be a "poorer nation", Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe said yesterday.

Air New Zealand deputy chief executive Norm Thompson yesterday welcomed a move by the Queenstown Lakes District Council to seek independent commercial advice on the strategic alliance between Queenstown and Auckland airports.

Queenstown is bidding to attract many of the 85,000 new passengers flying into Auckland from China on a new air service.

Air New Zealand likes to do things a bit differently, and the 80 delegates from about 31 airlines, along with 24 international media representatives at the Star Alliance conference were treated to some of the best Queenstown has to offer last night.

A Wanaka accountant's photograph, which won first prize in Christchurch International Airport's competition to find the South Island's most scenic rugby field, will help the Otago Rugby Football Union "balance the books", ORFU vice-president Eion Edgar said yesterday.

Air New Zealand would wait "a couple of weeks" before deciding what to do about its in-flight safety video which made headlines across the country yesterday.

A hand-picked, designer-look collection of accessories is now available online, in a new business launched by two Queenstown women.

Air New Zealand and the Queenstown Airport Corporation yesterday briefly set aside their legal battles over the controversial strategic alliance with Auckland Airport as Queenstown's $4 million baggage-handling system was opened by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English.

Wellington man Kevin Patterson says he blames himself for the death of his partner and climbing companion Lynne Marie Osborne, of Dunedin, on Mitre Peak in April this year.

The new Mayor of the Queenstown Lakes District,  spent $16,419 on her election campaign, figures released by the council last night show.

Residential developments have resulted in sales at Queenstown's five-star Millbrook Resort totalling $7.6 million in the first two months of its financial year.

Queenstown has become a "battleground" over the controversial strategic alliance between Queenstown and Auckland Airports, Skyline Enterprises chairman Ken Matthews says.

Air New Zealand has added the Queenstown Airport Corporation directors to its claim in the High Court at Christchurch, alleging "unlawful conduct" in respect of the strategic alliance between Queenstown and Auckland Airports.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council will be asked this month to approve community consultation on the controversial strategic alliance between the Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC) and Auckland International Airport Ltd (AIAL).

Many budding firefighters got to see the inner workings of the Queenstown Fire Station on Saturday during the Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Open Day, which simultaneously raised money for Canterbury firefighters affected by the September earthquakes.