Mountain Scene Poll

The cost of abiding by council regulations has forced the organisers of Arrowtown's Matariki celebrations to hand the event back to Arrowtown Preschool

Mountain Scene's revealed plans for a funicular - or cable railway - rising from Queenstown's One Mile roundabout towards Fernhill, Ben Lomond and Bowen Peak.  The fast-track consent application also includes retail and hospitality venues around the bottom terminal, chalet-style housing above Fernhill and possibly a skifield on Bowen Peak.

Since the High Court last year ruled Queenstown council's 2021 Freedom Camping Bylaw was invalid, this summer hordes of freedom campers are parking up by picturesque Lake Wakatipu, which they're using as a bath, while nearby reserves and bushes are being used as their loos - leaving dogs coming out covered in human faeces. 

In the wake of 'Carmageddon' hitting the Frankton-Ladies Mile Highway last week, an active transport advocate is encouraging Queenstown residents to share their car with family, neighbours or workmates at least once a week.

Planning is well advanced for a Southern Lakes base hospital in Queenstown, the building of which would be funded by private interests, then leased long-term to Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, to help address the lack of a decent-sized, well-resourced public hospital in the fastest-growing district in the country.

Two Queenstown retailers who open until 10pm are questioning why so many other CBD shops are missing out on lucrative night-time trade.

Queenstown's council's refused to allow residents concerned about proposed fast-track proposals at Gibbston and at the base of Coronet Peak to speak during public forum, deciding it's not "an admissable topic" because the council has no rule or influence in fast-track proposals.

The promoter of Queenstown's Snow Machine music festival admits his event's at risk of being canned, but claims it'd be more viable if it was staged at the downtown Recreation Ground instead of at Frankton

Organisers of Queenstown's Luma lights show, held in the Queenstown Gardens over King's Birthday Weekend, have pulled the plug on next year's event.