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The people of Queenstown will celebrate the winter they hope will turn the tourist destination’s fortunes around after a lamentable two years of Covid-19.
The Welcome to Winter 2022 celebration will take place over four days starting on Thursday and include fireworks, live music, night skiing … View moreThe people of Queenstown will celebrate the winter they hope will turn the tourist destination’s fortunes around after a lamentable two years of Covid-19.
The Welcome to Winter 2022 celebration will take place over four days starting on Thursday and include fireworks, live music, night skiing and swimming in Lake Wakatipu for the enthusiastic.
Headline act Mitch James would play on the central Queenstown outdoor stage on Friday, followed by Stellar on Saturday.
Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat Woods said the celebration would be happening on one of the busiest weekends of winter when the Australian and New Zealand school holidays overlap.
Kiwi musician Mitch James will be performing in central Queenstown on Friday night.
Kiwi musician Mitch James will be performing in central Queenstown on Friday night.
While everyone would benefit, the celebrations would be focused on the local community, he said.
Since Covid-19 arrived in New Zealand in 2020 and borders closed, Queenstown’s tourism and hospitality businesses have been hit by a massive drop in customers.
Just in the year to January 2021 there was a 33% drop in visitor spending in the town, down to $610 million.
Even with borders open now, many businesses were running at less capacity due to critical staff shortages and staff being hit by winter illnesses and absences due to Covid-19.
However, the winter season had started with incredible snow, which attracted strong numbers of Australian visitors, Woods said.
Many direct trans-Tasman flights have been booked out and hotels were booked about 80%, the highest levels since 2019, Woods said.
“This is the boost we need. It’s great, but it’s going to be a long recovery.”
Future Hospitality Group co-owner Bert Haines said there were ten-fold more visitors in Queenstown in recent weeks compared to the last two years.
“We’re busy... we’re actually overwhelmed by the amount of people here combined with the lack of staff available to work.”
Like other businesses he was battling staff shortages and sickness across the company’s five central-Queenstown restaurants and bars.
Queenstown's latest boutique hotel is facing an unusual quandary as it prepares to welcome Australian tourists - it can't find any trained butlers.
“It’s been a very delicate line to navigate, trying to look after our team and look after our guests,” he said.
The company would not be able to continue operating all of its venues seven days a week, he said.
Woods said it would take some more time for the number of visitors to Queenstown to build up to 2019 levels and many hotels were restricting bookings due to the staff shortages.
Also, there were more beds in town than pre-Covid, including the 227-room Holiday Inn Express and Suites in central Queenstown and three new hotels with a total of about 340 rooms in the suburb of Frankton.
The Welcome to Winter celebration would also mark the return of large events to the district.
Paid for from the government’s $50 million Regional Events Fund, it marked the end of a horror run with events expected to generate $100 million cancelled in the first four months of the year.
“I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait,” Woods said.
From reporter Olivia Caldwell:
After years of frightening stories of mums giving birth on the side of the road or on office floors, Wānaka will finally get a birthing unit.
Te Whatu Ora Southern, formerly the Southland District Health Board, has purchased a property to house a primary birthing … View moreFrom reporter Olivia Caldwell:
After years of frightening stories of mums giving birth on the side of the road or on office floors, Wānaka will finally get a birthing unit.
Te Whatu Ora Southern, formerly the Southland District Health Board, has purchased a property to house a primary birthing unit in Wānaka, which will have one birthing room and three postnatal stay rooms.
The news of the new facility, due to open next year, comes after years of lobbying from mothers worried about being put in dangerous birth situations. In the past, local women have had to give birth on the side of the road, or had last-minute helicopter rides to Dunedin Hospital.
Read more here.
Shotover Jet has unveiled an electric jet boat it says is the first to be designed solely for tourism as owners Ngāi Tahu plans for a zero carbon future.
The iwi revealed its 88-point action plan to tackle the causes and effects of climate change and a host of other environmental issues at a … View moreShotover Jet has unveiled an electric jet boat it says is the first to be designed solely for tourism as owners Ngāi Tahu plans for a zero carbon future.
The iwi revealed its 88-point action plan to tackle the causes and effects of climate change and a host of other environmental issues at a ceremony in Queenstown on Wednesday.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai said the escalating effects of climate change across the Ngāi Tahu takiwā (tribal area) were having a profound impact on the iwi’s interests, activities and whānau.
“We need to rapidly evolve if we are to adapt and thrive in this brave new world.”
The iwi would take major steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions, embrace renewable energy, optimise resource use, and reduce water and ecosystem impacts over nine years.
One vital element was protecting whānau by powering marae with solar energy to make them more resilient and self-sufficient, as well as identifying jobs for Ngāi Tahu whānau in the green economy.
“We don’t claim to have all the answers, but our size and influence gives us the freedom to innovate.
“This jetboat prototype is an exciting expression of what that innovation can achieve,” Tumahai said.
Ngāi Tahu Tourism general manager Jolanda Cave said that once the jetboat prototype was put into service, the experience would be quieter and more environmentally sound, running on rechargeable electric batteries rather than fossil fuels.
The prototype project began in 2019 when Ngāi Tahu Tourism entered a co-founding agreement with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and was awarded up to $200,000 to convert one of their petrol-powered jet boats to run on electricity.
It would take several years to confirm the commercialisation of the electric prototype, Cave said.
The tourism arm of the company aimed to make all its operations carbon-neutral by 2050.
“We all have a role to play in ensuring our world is healthier for future generations and while there is a long road to travel, the electrification of our jet boat fleet is an incredible step,” Cave said.
Tumahai said that as mana whenua the iwi were putting into action the core principles of kaitiakitanga and rangatiratanga.
“We look after our whenua, we care for our whānau and we take ethical actions and decisions for the future of our mokopuna.”
Key targets:
- A 17% methane reduction from farm animals by 2035.
- By 2030, all marae and Papatipu Rūnanga facilities to be supported to upgrade to technologies that ensure long-term resilience in energy, water and resource optimisation.
- By 2030, agri-tech solutions to be in place in specific Ngāi Tahu Farming sites to reduce water use.
- From 2022, a year-on-year reduction in synthetic fertiliser with paddock by paddock soil testing.
- By 2030, Ngāi Tahu to be actively exercising rangatiratanga over freshwater.
- By 2030, all new developments to have ecosystem enhancement plans to protect wai and mahinga kai sites.
See all the targets here.
Have you read our June Seniors newsletter? In this issue we discuss the Older Workers Employment Action Plan, Budget 2022 and hear from Equal Employment Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo. Read it here now: bit.ly...
The chilly, gum boot wearing, kettle on, soup season has moved into town! Don’t get stung by your winter power bill neighbours, start shopping around now - even if you’re on a contract.
We asked neighbours why they’re not switching power providers and found out for many it feels a bit … View moreThe chilly, gum boot wearing, kettle on, soup season has moved into town! Don’t get stung by your winter power bill neighbours, start shopping around now - even if you’re on a contract.
We asked neighbours why they’re not switching power providers and found out for many it feels a bit baffling with so many options and not enough help. Read why Kiwis aren’t switching and the easy steps to get your power sorted before bill shock hits.
Need to keep it stress free? Call our NZ based team on 0508 226 672, it’s free!
We’re here to help you compare, save and smile!
Help Kiwis in need this winter by giving through the Trade Me Kindness Store. Trade Me has teamed up with three awesome Kiwi charities - KidsCan, RainbowYOUTH and Women’s Refuge. The Kindness Store’s virtual shelves are stocked with small things that make a big difference to the Kiwis these … View moreHelp Kiwis in need this winter by giving through the Trade Me Kindness Store. Trade Me has teamed up with three awesome Kiwi charities - KidsCan, RainbowYOUTH and Women’s Refuge. The Kindness Store’s virtual shelves are stocked with small things that make a big difference to the Kiwis these charities help.
Giving is easy – just pick, click and ‘Give Now’. Trade Me takes care of the rest. 100% of the donations go to the charities – Trade Me doesn’t take a cut.
Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View moreAre you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a beautiful view, or something that makes you smile. You could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!
The owners of Lake Hawea Station are dismissing criticism of their ‘woke’ farming practices after they featured on the TV show Country Calendar.
Geoff and Justine Ross run Australasia's first certified carbon zero farm on the shores of Lake Hawea in Central Otago. They appeared on the … View moreThe owners of Lake Hawea Station are dismissing criticism of their ‘woke’ farming practices after they featured on the TV show Country Calendar.
Geoff and Justine Ross run Australasia's first certified carbon zero farm on the shores of Lake Hawea in Central Otago. They appeared on the TVNZ rural magazine show on Sunday and have been the subject of online vitriol since.
One segment of the show covered sheep shearing at the station. Viewers labelled the Ross’ practices in the shearing shed, intended to keep the sheep calm, "woke," and "PC BS". The Ross' painted the shearing board white to show any blood on the sheep, they also had mattresses placed at the bottom of the chute sheep are fed through after being shorn, to protect the animals from bruising. Classical music was played and progress monitored based on sheep experience rather than each shearer’s tally.
”Tonight was a load of woke bollocks,” one viewer commented on Twitter, “If everyone farmed like that the world would starve.”
Geoff Ross rejected the criticism. “Doing nothing will not advance our sector,” he said.
“Whilst some may see it as PC BS, we see it as ways to generate premiums. In farming we should be investing ways to increase returns. Which this is."
Ross said the farm will keep pursuing environmentally sustainable practices.
“In any sector, advancement only happens through trialling new methods. Agriculture currently faces multiple challenges across climate change and consumer perception.
“We believe that New Zealand has an opportunity to be a global leader in the growing of food and fibre. And in doing so, generate premiums for our farmers.”
The criticism was so fierce, Country Calendar responded on its Facebook page.
"We've had a huge response to the show about carbon reduction and animal welfare at Lake Hawea Station. And although it was our highest-rating episode of the year, most of your comments are negative!"
Some believe the segment showcased an unrealistic version of farming in New Zealand. One called for "real farming" to be depicted, featuring "real people with real mortgages and real challenges".
Not all the feedback was negative.
Justine Ross said she had received 1000s of positive messages since the show aired on Sunday night. As well as some negative feedback, which she understood as farmers were doing it tough.
“Good on them for thinking outside the box and trialling things that they are passionate about,” one commenter posted on the Country Calendar Facebook page.
“And good on them for working towards improving the land for future generations, good on them for taking pride in their branding and their farm as a business also.
“I enjoyed seeing something different on the show and a farm that's not your 'traditional' way of doing things.”
“Well done to their conservation measures and thinking outside the box,” another viewer commented.
Ross said the aim was to educate overseas consumers who believe shearing is harmful to sheep.
“We will continue to trial new methods and open source our learnings with all.
“We are seeing higher earnings from customers for climate positive farming and are achieving similar with our animal welfare programmes.
The Ross’ started the successful 42 Below vodka company. They sold to Bacardi in 2006 as part of a $138 million investment. They also are investors in companies Ecoya and Trilogy.
Geoff Ross is a third generation farmer and said he is passionate for the agriculture sector. The couple went back farming in 2019, buying the 6500ha high country station and converting it into a carbon zero certified farm, where they now run 10,000 merino sheep.
Unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go … View moreUnleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go all out! Check out some of the previous entires here.
Take part in the 2022 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
As partners of the Elemental festival, Stuff Travel is giving away 2 amazing packages! For each you'll win 2 nights of luxury stay at Fable Auckland with a welcome dinner and daily breakfasts. You'll also get tickets to either the Takurua - Nafanua, The War Goddess or the Auckland Fried … View moreAs partners of the Elemental festival, Stuff Travel is giving away 2 amazing packages! For each you'll win 2 nights of luxury stay at Fable Auckland with a welcome dinner and daily breakfasts. You'll also get tickets to either the Takurua - Nafanua, The War Goddess or the Auckland Fried Chicken Festival.
Flights included for those out of Auckland.
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for tamarillo recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before July 8, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown … View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for tamarillo recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before July 8, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.
Dear neighbours,
You have just a few more days to send your entries for our Houseplant Hero competition. You could win some great prizes and of course, more houseplanst!
We're planting native trees to restore the Tūmai Beach waterways! Sixteen families co-own 39 hectares of retired farmland alongside Te Hakapupu (Pleasant River Estuary) in northern Otago.
They're busy facilitating and managing the … View moreWe're planting native trees to restore the Tūmai Beach waterways! Sixteen families co-own 39 hectares of retired farmland alongside Te Hakapupu (Pleasant River Estuary) in northern Otago.
They're busy facilitating and managing the restoration of the ecological systems and native flora and fauna within the Tūmai Beach Farm Park. To date they have planted 21,467 plants into retired pasture—and they'd love your help to plant the next 3,500!
What to do for a warm home when the frost of winter and the cost of living are both on the rise? Click on over or come see us at The Warehouse.
You don’t need to spend big to create a healthy home, and you can start with good curtains. Open them during the day to let the warmth in, then close … View moreWhat to do for a warm home when the frost of winter and the cost of living are both on the rise? Click on over or come see us at The Warehouse.
You don’t need to spend big to create a healthy home, and you can start with good curtains. Open them during the day to let the warmth in, then close them at night to keep cold air out. A low-cost heater will keep your air warm at night while you snuggle under blankets and flannelette sheets.
Keep your whānau cosy this winter with us.
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