From living on noodles to selling a $6m business
Thirty years after visiting Wānaka on the cheap as a backpacker, Dave Brown is selling a business in the centre of town worth more than $6 million.
Regions
Proposed new Maccas site more to some people's taste
Proposed new Maccas site more to some people's taste
McDonald's latest Wānaka proposal is serving up split opinions - with some residents seeing it as a more palatable offer, and others concerned they will not get a say about it.
One in serious condition after car-bicycle crash
One in serious condition after car-bicycle crash
One person was airlifted to hospital in a serious condition after a collision between a car and bicycle on State Highway6 in the Gibbston Valley.
‘Gardening guru’ celebrates 20 years
‘Gardening guru’ celebrates 20 years
When Yvonne Laukens was deciding what career to embark on as a young woman back in the Netherlands, she wanted plants, gardens and agriculture.
World’s smallest jet to feature in Warbirds 2026
World’s smallest jet to feature in Warbirds 2026
The world’s smallest jet — the Bede BD-5 — is set to appear at the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow next Easter for the first time.
MAC student’s app helping teens find jobs
MAC student’s app helping teens find jobs
A 13-year-old with dreams of buying a new fishing rod has developed a web app to help local teenagers find odd jobs.
Foundation aims to improve healthcare
Foundation aims to improve healthcare
Private funding from a new hospital foundation will keep healthcare "local and accessible" for people in Central Otago and Upper Clutha, Dunstan Hospital’s chief executive says.
Banger a sizzling hot winner at national sausage awards
Banger a sizzling hot winner at national sausage awards
Wānaka butcher Simon Tiefenbach praised his team’s efforts after their sausage won a silver medal at the Great New Zealand Sausage Competition awards held in Auckland earlier this month.
Upper Clutha Farmers’ Market makes a return to Luggate
Upper Clutha Farmers’ Market makes a return to Luggate
The Upper Clutha Farmers’ Market is set to return to Luggate in December with three more dates to follow.
MAC Blues recognise dedication and skill
MAC Blues recognise dedication and skill
Te Kura o Tititea Mount Aspiring College celebrated commitment and achievement of its students in sport and the arts last week.
Olympians gifted pounamu pendant as symbol of strength
Olympians gifted pounamu pendant as symbol of strength
The New Zealand team have received their ‘Manawaroa’ pounamu, a special koha from Ngāi Tahu Pounamu to carry with them on their journey to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in February.
Wānaka athlete named in world champs team
Wānaka athlete named in world champs team
A four-strong New Zealand team has been named for the inaugural FIS freeride world championships in Andorra in February, with a Wānaka athlete in the mix.
Honeymoon from hell: Tourist ordered to pay $40k for crash that left four hurt
Honeymoon from hell: Tourist ordered to pay $40k for crash that left four hurt
A honeymooner from Hong Kong who caused a serious crash in Wānaka which left four people in hospital, including his new wife, will pay his victims $40,000.
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Area relatively unscathed by weekend’s bad weather
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Area relatively unscathed by weekend’s bad weather
Overnight sub-zero temperatures could be the final blast for the Upper Clutha after a blitz of bad weather over Labour Weekend.
Man accused of ‘mindless’ arson attacks on towers
Man accused of ‘mindless’ arson attacks on towers
An Albert Town man has been accused of a series of "mindless" arson attacks on cellphone towers in the region over the past few months.
McDonald’s makes Three Parks bid
McDonald’s makes Three Parks bid
McDonald's has confirmed the chain has applied for another consent to build at Three Parks in Wānaka
Man charged over Wānaka cell tower attacks
Man charged over Wānaka cell tower attacks
A 41-year-old man has been charged in relation to a series of cellphone tower arsons in Wānaka in recent months.
Mohua returned to West Matukituki Valley
Mohua returned to West Matukituki Valley
With fewer than 5000 mohua (yellowhead) birds remaining, 50 have been returned to the West Matukituki Valley in Mt Aspiring National Park.
Diverse range of interests catered for at 2025 summit
Diverse range of interests catered for at 2025 summit
Hundreds from across the region are set to attend one of Wānaka’s biggest sustainability events of the year.
Lovin' it this time? Maccas in new bid
Lovin' it this time? Maccas in new bid for Wānaka restaurant
McDonald's is back for round two in Wānaka after strong community opposition scuppered its first bid to build a restaurant in the lakeside hotspot.