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From reporter Olivia Caldwell:
Karen Peterson says there is a chance she is now the oldest living queen.
The 80-year-old was the first woman to be crowned Alexandra Blossom Queen in 1957, but says a lot has changed since the days of judging on beauty alone – and it had to.
“Put it … View moreFrom reporter Olivia Caldwell:
Karen Peterson says there is a chance she is now the oldest living queen.
The 80-year-old was the first woman to be crowned Alexandra Blossom Queen in 1957, but says a lot has changed since the days of judging on beauty alone – and it had to.
“Put it this way, it had to move somewhere. If they carried on running it the way they were, it wouldn't be here today,” Peterson said.
“Back then all the princesses on the float had to wear a white dress. Today you can't put any old person on the float. It is just so different - I am going to notice a big difference.”
Festival organiser Martin McPherson said the Blossom Queen competition has never been a beauty pageant – or at least the benchmark to become queen has shifted in the festival’s 65-year existence.
“Having these things in the 21st century may seem a bit archaic, but it’s not like that. The young women who volunteer put their hands up, there is never any shortage of them.”
The balance between living out a tradition and moving with modern day society has to be met, he said. Judges look at the entrants through a different lens now.
Contestants are still aged between 16-25, he said, but judges look at what they do for the community, rather than their physical appearance.
“It's never been a beauty pageant in the sense of Miss New Zealand. Princesses have always tended to be either on the winning float as judged by the public, or judged by a group of judges. It's definitely not a beauty pageant.”
In 2018, Timaru’s annual Caroline Bay Carnival’s traditional beauty pageant style competitions went under review amidst dwindling numbers and calls from the public saying it was inappropriate for the time.
Dianne Elliot, princess convenor of the Alexandra Blossom Festival, said the princesses are not judged on beauty. “The judges ask them all sorts of questions. It has never been a beauty contest, you wouldn't get girls putting their names forward.”
A few years back, the festival included a fashion parade and this put many of the contestants off, she said.
“It is surprising how much community involvement [the entrants] have - sport, community, extracurricular, hobbies and whatever they like about Alexandra. They are just local girls and most of them have been involved in some way.”
McPherson said a few men had entered the competition over the years, but there are none this year.
Peterson was excited to head back to her hometown for the event this weekend. She will be joined by 21 more former Blossom Queens.
She said she won by luck because her mother was part of Plunket, and she was on the Plunket float at the time.
After being crowned she walked into a hall where men were boxing in a ring (a festival event at the time) and the boxing match was stopped as all the men came over to shake her hand.
Peterson, now retired and living in a retirement village in Christchurch, was 14 when she was crowned, and says it is a point of pride even today.
“I am the oldest queen in the world now. I’ve even got my original sash and all the bits and bobs. I have an album of all the old paper clippings, that’s my pride and joy.”
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for new potato recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Sept 25, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable … 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 new potato recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Sept 25, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made Easy.
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From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Student workers as young as 12 are being snapped up by Queenstown employers facing critical staff shortages.
And despite there being no minimum wage for children under the age of 16, many are being paid over $20 an hour.
Trinity Jones, 14, started working at … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Student workers as young as 12 are being snapped up by Queenstown employers facing critical staff shortages.
And despite there being no minimum wage for children under the age of 16, many are being paid over $20 an hour.
Trinity Jones, 14, started working at Joe’s Garage Cafe in Frankton last December and has fast become a valued member of staff, co-owner and Joe’s Garage Five Mile restaurant manager Ryan Churchman said.
He employed about 20 students from nearby Wakatipu High School, and they now make up more than half of his employees – with the youngest 12 years old.
They started on a wage of $16 but many of the students were now above the adult minimum wage of $21.20, he said.
“[Employing students] started out of necessity, but it’s definitely something we would keep doing, even if we didn’t have to, because the students are really good.
“We make sure we’re paying them what they’re worth if they’re doing the same work as older staff.”
Queenstown businesses have been struggling with a critical worker shortage since international borders opened earlier this year, paving the way for the return of overseas visitors.
The key difficulty has been replacing the thousands of migrant workers who worked in hospitality and service industries but left New Zealand during Covid-19.
The pages of local newspapers are filled with hundreds of job vacancies and almost every restaurant, cafe and bar has a “staff wanted” sign in the window.
Most are closed two or three days a week, some are restricting their working hours and others are downsizing their menus to cope with the lack of staff.
For many, employing young people has helped fill that gap.
Skyline Queenstown general manager Wayne Rose said his company had always employed local teenagers but had significantly more students working during school holidays this year as they sought to fill roles.
Fourteen-year-olds were paid the same rate as adult workers, he said.
Queenstown Pak’nSave owner Michelle King said the supermarket had always employed local high school students but had recently noticed an increase in applicants.
“It’s not that we’ve necessarily gone looking for them, but it’s been really great timing.”
In terms of staff numbers, students now make up about 10% of the supermarket’s workforce.
Queenstown’s only secondary school, Wakatipu High School, moved to Frankton, close to the supermarket, in 2018, and that had been an advantage, King said.
The supermarket paid all staff members, including students, above the minimum wage from their start with the company.
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside general manager Jim Moore said he would love to have more students working in housekeeping, and suggested the students had their choice of jobs in the current market.
“If my kids are anything to go by, cleaning their room is not one of their strengths,” he said.
Sharlene Inch said daughter Amber started working in housekeeping at a hotel last year when she was 14, and recently switched to restaurant work.
She was getting at least the adult minimum wage in both jobs.
New Zealand’s employment laws do not provide a minimum wage for children under the age of 16 but do stipulate that their employment cannot interfere with them attending school, and they cannot work between 10pm and 6am on any day.
While most employers respected the importance of school work, one mother said her son had been asked to take a day off school to work in his retail job, to ensure the store could open that day.
Another father said his child left a job because of pressure to work longer hours.
Mother-of-three Nikki Jones said all of her children were working in cafes, including 12-year-old Jett, a year 8 student who recently started work at the Airspresso Cafe at Queenstown Airport, on $16 an hour.
“I always joke that the children are holding up the tourism industry in Queenstown,” she said.
Her daughter, Trinity Jones, said she enjoyed having her own money but also working with the friendly staff at Joe’s Garage.
“My confidence has definitely grown,” she said.
Daniel Davies, 15, was employed at Joe’s Garage after he walked in and asked for a job.
He’s now saving for a car for when he is 16.
“There are a lot of jobs available. You could walk in anywhere,” he said.
Wakatipu High School principal Steve Hall said he had received a lot of positive feedback from the business community after the staff shortage during the July school holidays.
“They were telling me what great employees the students were and talking about their contribution to the community. People have recognised that’s what’s been happening.”
Working students needed to balance their school work, academic goals and extracurricular activities.
“But working is often really good for young people. There’s so much to learn. If the balance is right it’s a fantastic thing for them,” he said.
You've likely already heard, but this week is Māori Language Week - Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - and we'd like nothing more than to encourage your kōrero with some kai.
We have some delicious Whittaker's tiakarete (chocolate) to give away, so whether it's naming the days of … View moreYou've likely already heard, but this week is Māori Language Week - Te Wiki o te Reo Māori - and we'd like nothing more than to encourage your kōrero with some kai.
We have some delicious Whittaker's tiakarete (chocolate) to give away, so whether it's naming the days of the week, sharing your pepeha, or just a cheery kia ora - it's all about giving it a go.
Share any kōrero or kupu in the comments below to be in to win. Kia kaha!
Become part of our online community for over 60s, and get to know others who appreciate that the good times are just getting started!
PLUS — To celebrate the launch of our new Facebook group, Better Than Ever - each new member will go in the draw to WIN an iPad!
There's still time to sign up for this month's great offer. Our subscribers pay less than retail buyers, and this month, new subscribers also get a $25 voucher for Awapuni Nurseries. Pick from their amazing range of plants, and have them delivered straight to your door with their … View moreThere's still time to sign up for this month's great offer. Our subscribers pay less than retail buyers, and this month, new subscribers also get a $25 voucher for Awapuni Nurseries. Pick from their amazing range of plants, and have them delivered straight to your door with their nationwide delivery. $25 voucher valid from Sept 1-25, 2022.
The chairperson of a body corporate claiming $163 million for leaky building repairs from the Queenstown Lakes District Council says they only want a fair outcome.
The council has said the Oaks Shore claim could result in each ratepayer having to pay $305 more in rates each year for 30 years.
… View moreThe chairperson of a body corporate claiming $163 million for leaky building repairs from the Queenstown Lakes District Council says they only want a fair outcome.
The council has said the Oaks Shore claim could result in each ratepayer having to pay $305 more in rates each year for 30 years.
Oaks Shore is an 84-unit apartment block developed by well-known Southland developer Ross Wensley and opened in 2005.
About 74 owners launched legal action against the council and parties including architects and structural engineers in 2015 when extensive water and structural issues were discovered – including to balconies, roofs, cladding and bathrooms.
Wensley – who was responsible for hundreds of new upmarket apartments in Queenstown before the global financial crisis hit in 2008 – could not be sued as six of his companies were placed in liquidation.
His daughter-in-law, Olivia Wensley, is a mayoral candidate for the Queenstown Lakes District this year.
The apartment owners were in a “horrific” situation, body corporate chairman Graeme Kruger said.
“All we want is our building to be fixed as it was meant to be in the first place.
“It’s broken owners’ hearts.”
A High Court hearing date had been set for February 2023, but he hoped the case would be resolved earlier through mediation.
Kruger said the owners of the apartments were mostly New Zealanders purchasing a holiday home or investment property.
“No matter what the outcome is we’re going to have to contribute to it.
“We just want natural justice and fairness for all parties.”
This month, the council made a submission to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) urging it to include risk, liability and insurance in the scope of its review of the building consent system.
The existing rule meant if one party was insolvent or had no insurance, other parties remained responsible.
The council was often the only party left to compensate homeowners when building defects arose.
Under the current system, the council had experienced an increase in the number of claims by property owners for weather tightness and other building defects, the submissions says.
In the 2021-22 year, the council spent about $40m defending and/or resolving claims, which led to a median $50 rate increase for every property.
The council was disproportionately exposed to claims due to its small ratepayer base and large number of developments, it says.
Between 2003 and 2006, Queenstown Lakes issued the highest proportion of new dwelling consents per ratepayer in New Zealand, with 31.7 new dwelling consents per 1000 residents – about four times the national average.
The next closest district was Thames-Coromandel, issuing 18.9 per 1000 residents.
If successful, the Oak Shores claim would be one of the largest single claims in New Zealand.
“This would increase rates by an average of 9.6% and would cost $305 per property every year for 30 years,” the council’s submission says.
That could result in a loss in borrowing capacity for the council and would mean less investment in community assets such as parks, libraries, performing arts and recreation facilities.
The submissions also urge MBIE to consider funding support for the council.
“It is council’s position that requiring ratepayers to pay compensation where defendants are missing is unjust,” it says.
Kruger said the interest of ratepayers needed to be protected.
“It’s unfortunate that around the country the last party standing is the council or building authority.”
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The team at NZ Gardener
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Simply enter your details online and you're … View moreHey Neighbours, add a touch of luxury to your home and lose yourself in the pages of NZ's favourite home & lifestyle magazine. Between now and 2 October, we have your chance to win 1 of 10 NZ House & Garden subscriptions worth $101.
Simply enter your details online and you're in the draw.
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So when it comes to choosing a new phone, it’s important to find one that meets your needs, including your budget. Don’t spend hours going from … View moreWe use our mobiles in almost every part of our life right?! They keep us up to date and connected with loved ones. They need to be fit for purpose!
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… View moreFor delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo.
An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world. Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked.
We partner with many Kiwi farmers who produce our beef, including those at the world-class Whangara Farms.
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Kora is the Kiwi fuel payment card that saves you 10c a litre every day at Mobil and Waitomo.… View moreKora saves the day with 13c off a litre!
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Looking down from the top of Queenstown’s Cecil Peak, drinking gin infused with thyme plucked from bushes in Arrowtown, Stu Clark admits to feeling proud of his award-winning drink.
Clark and his mate Hamish Bourke were working as builders in Arrowtown when they one day got “yarning” about… View moreLooking down from the top of Queenstown’s Cecil Peak, drinking gin infused with thyme plucked from bushes in Arrowtown, Stu Clark admits to feeling proud of his award-winning drink.
Clark and his mate Hamish Bourke were working as builders in Arrowtown when they one day got “yarning” about how good it’d be to own their own gin distillery, a dream not uncommon for the Kiwi bloke.
In 2018, the mates had been doing some building work on Clark’s shed, which wasinitially intended to be a workshop, but became a distillery where the friends now make their Rifters Gin.
By 2020, the pair had bagged a gold medal at the San Fran Spirit Awards, followed by a silver the year after.
They have also won medals at the London and New Zealand Spirits competitions.
“We just got on really well and both love gin and wanted to try this thing. We haven’t balanced [the books] out yet, but it is about going for it. We are proud of what we’ve done so far,” Clark says.
Rifters are makers of small-batch premium gin, which uses botanicals and local herbs like thyme, mānuka honey, coriander and mint.
They started trialling recipes for their mates and after loads of good feedback, Clark says they “gave it a crack”.
The men are passionate about bringing people back to their region after a tough couple of years for hospitality during the pandemic.
Clark says lockdowns and low visitor numbers to the region affected sales, but numbers are on the way back up with the help of local tourism.
On Saturday, the company took two competition winners from Mt Maunganui up to Cecil Peak in a helicopter to taste their gin at height.
They wanted to showcase the area that initially inspired them to make gin.
Clark says the dream is to one day open up a public distillery allowing people to visit and have a taste of what their region has to offer, and perhaps link up more with tourism operators like they did over the weekend.
The inspiration behind the name “Rifters” and their bottles, comes from Arrowtown’s gold mining history, he says.
A visit to the local museum showed a connection between Arrowtown's gold mining history and gin, a drop the foragers made for themselves while panning for gold 150 years ago.
“Our bottle is a representation of this Arrowtown history and the land that surrounds us, coloured to match the lakes and rivers that flow through Central Otago,” Clark says.
"The mountains, lakes and rivers that surround us have captured our imagination for years. They provide the purest ingredients used to make our gin.”
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