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From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
That Wānaka Tree is world famous but the shark swimming around it may elevate it to new social media heights.
No-one knows where the shark, or to be precise the shark’s fin, came from and local social media posts have divided opinion in the small town.
… View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
That Wānaka Tree is world famous but the shark swimming around it may elevate it to new social media heights.
No-one knows where the shark, or to be precise the shark’s fin, came from and local social media posts have divided opinion in the small town.
Posting on Facebook on Monday, Joanne Young said April Fools was over and the stationary fin spoiled the lake's beauty.
“Can it be removed?” she asked.
But Jess B Clark called for the “weed tree” to be removed instead, while Kieran Kaiwai suggested someone jump in and tackle the shark.
Others suggested it would need Department of Conservation and Otago Regional Council involvement involving a lengthy report and an 80% rates rise.
Tony Vial suspected it might be the work of a random Sharks supporter, before adding his own “Go the Warriors”.
Todd Jeremy Owen said he had seen the fin in other spots, including Lake Hawea.
"That Taniwha is way older than that weedy willow,” he said.
Tracy Sarah Jones looked forward to seeing the next 20 million lonely tree shots accompanied by the great shark fin.
While Amanda Waldo had another ominous warning for regular lake users.
"If the duck itch doesn’t get you...” she wrote.
For now, the big questions are unanswered. Will the shark remain? And will it ruin the perfect shot of #thatwanakatree?
Bring out the best in your home.
Get 20% off Resene premium paints, stains, wallpapers and accessories, on now at Resene ColorShops!
Hurry Resene sale ends Tuesday 11th April.
Shop online at shop.resene.co.nz or visit your local Resene ColorShop.
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Happy Mother’s Day
Create art using Resene paint and your own breath.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
This Sunday we'll be putting our clocks back for the end of daylight saving. Despite the benefits of an extra hour of sun during daylight saving, these clock changes commonly bring disruptions to our households and sleep - some feel that it should be scrapped altogether. What do you think?
… View moreThis Sunday we'll be putting our clocks back for the end of daylight saving. Despite the benefits of an extra hour of sun during daylight saving, these clock changes commonly bring disruptions to our households and sleep - some feel that it should be scrapped altogether. What do you think?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Queenstown locals can make a big splash when Alpine Aqualand reopens on weekends once again from this Saturday (April 1).
To celebrate, the hydroslides will be free to use – you’ll just need to pay standard pool entry. The hydroslides will be in operation on both Saturday and Sunday from … View moreQueenstown locals can make a big splash when Alpine Aqualand reopens on weekends once again from this Saturday (April 1).
To celebrate, the hydroslides will be free to use – you’ll just need to pay standard pool entry. The hydroslides will be in operation on both Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am.
Queenstown Lakes District Council sport and recreation manager Simon Battrick said he was excited to welcome the community back on weekends after a successful campaign to recruit more lifeguards.
“It was a difficult decision to close in the first place and it’s fantastic to see our pool crew roster grow again. Swimming is such an essential skill and we appreciate how much families love coming here on the weekends to spend quality time together,” he said.
Alpine Aqualand has been closed for the previous six weekends.
The council is still experiencing staff shortages across several aquatic roles. Whilst the lifeguard shortage is still being felt there have been enough applications and trainees to fully staff the week ahead.
Anyone interested in applying should head online to www.qldc.govt.nz...
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A Cromwell whisky distillery and a Wānaka film studio proposal have been promised government support to help the region diversify beyond its reliance on tourism.
Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced a $2.9 million loan to help Scapegrace … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A Cromwell whisky distillery and a Wānaka film studio proposal have been promised government support to help the region diversify beyond its reliance on tourism.
Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced a $2.9 million loan to help Scapegrace Distillery expand to help meet growing national and international demand.
The government will also underwrite $4.5m of the Silverlight Studios’ film studio project.
“I love what you guys are doing ... the whole aspiration for us is to support our regions to grow,” she said.
Scapegrace Distillery is a privately owned Central Otago business that produces whisky, gin and vodka, and aims to become New Zealand’s biggest distillery.
Founded by brothers-in-law Daniel McLaughlin and Mark Neal nine years ago, the company has more than 48 shareholders and exports to 35 markets.
McLaughlin said about 65% of its products are exported, but it was hoped that would increase to 80%.
The government loan would be used to help build a new distillery and temporary hospitality facility, creating 218 jobs during construction and 24 permanent roles once operational.
Ultimately, the Central Otago site will house four whisky barrel rooms, a world-class distillery and a full hospitality precinct with cellar door facilities, a bar and restaurant, and event spaces,
McLaughlin anticipated it would be completed in 2026 and would be New Zealand’s largest distillery, spanning 36 hectares of land and 4500m² of buildings.
Allan said the projected increase in capacity from 30,000 litres to 567,000 litres of product was a “game changer”.
“It’s an absolute privilege to stand alongside you as you embark on your new venture.”
Asked whether it was appropriate for taxpayers’ money to be used to support the alcohol industry, she said it was part of the food and beverage industry, an area identified for development in the region.
Speaking about the support for Silverlight Studios, Allan said the screen industry employed about 16,200 New Zealanders and contributed $3.3 billion to the economy every year.
It was a key component of Central Otago’s economic diversification initiatives, she said.
“Silverlight Studios will provide new opportunities for local talent to be at the forefront of an evolving industry in the region.”
Silverlight Studios chief executive Mike Wallis said concerns had been raised that the company’s $280m Wānaka plan, which includes 10 sound studios, was too much and too fast for the area.
The company had therefore “pivoted”, and will instead bring three fast-build modular sound stages to the site with auxiliary buildings.
The sound stages, which are fully sound-proofed and include lighting rigs, will come from Belgium and are already being used by the likes of Netflix and Amazon, Wallis said.
The government underwrite of $4.5m would provide confidence for investors in this stage of the project and enable the work to be completed in 12 to 14 months, he said.
“This gives them facilities with rain cover, and it’s big enough for an international large scale production, which is really our key market anyway, but also for the local market.”
The stages will be packed down and moved as the full studio development is completed.
It will ultimately include an 11ha artificial lake, film school, screening theatre, exhibition centre and up to 10 sound stages – making it the largest studio of its kind in New Zealand.
It will also include recreations of international film locations, including an Italian village, the canals and bridges of Venice, a generic seaside Hamptons-style village, blocks of New York City and a portion of New York’s Central Park.
MetService expects snow levels as low as 400 to 700 metres above sea level over the southern and eastern parts of the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says: “The Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago Districts may get noticeable snow accumulations from early morning… View moreMetService expects snow levels as low as 400 to 700 metres above sea level over the southern and eastern parts of the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says: “The Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago Districts may get noticeable snow accumulations from early morning Tuesday, where the first MetService Heavy Snow Watch of the year has been issued until midday Tuesday.”
These snowfalls may affect high country farms, as well as high-level roads and mountain passes. Road Snow Warnings have been issued for Lewis Pass, Porters Pass, Lindis Pass and the Crown Range Road for the potential of snow settling on the road.
Neighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.
For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....… View moreNeighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.
For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....
Please invite those on your street and in your neighbourhood who might be interested (it's not just for rural folk, although those of you in rural communities might be particularly interested).
Save up to $69 with an NZ House & Garden subscription. Subscribe today to get NZ’s favourite lifestyle magazine delivered straight to your home every month, plus you’ll receive ManukaRx’s Pro-Aging Skin Oil worth $44.95 absolutely free!
Achieve healthy and ageless skin with the … View moreSave up to $69 with an NZ House & Garden subscription. Subscribe today to get NZ’s favourite lifestyle magazine delivered straight to your home every month, plus you’ll receive ManukaRx’s Pro-Aging Skin Oil worth $44.95 absolutely free!
Achieve healthy and ageless skin with the Pro-Aging Skin Oil. This face oil features the powerful essential oil blend of East Cape mānuka oil and rosehip oil. Offer is valid until 16 April 2023. Offer applies for 1-year and 2-year subscriptions only. For full T&Cs click here.
Restore antique furniture with Resene Aquaclear.
Find out how with these easy step by step instructions.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown ratepayers are facing more leaky homes claims but none as large as those behind a proposed average 13.6% rate rise this year.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council – which covers Queenstown and Wānaka and surrounding areas – settled last year … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown ratepayers are facing more leaky homes claims but none as large as those behind a proposed average 13.6% rate rise this year.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council – which covers Queenstown and Wānaka and surrounding areas – settled last year with the body corporate of the Oaks Shore apartments, which claimed $163 million for leaky building repairs.
The exact settlement figure was confidential, but the council was taking out a loan to pay the claim.
It was covering other claims also, including one for the neighbouring property Oaks Club Resort, thought to be about $50m.
The impact of the interest costs meant the claims contributed to nearly a third of the massive rates increase for the coming financial year, documents show.
If the claim was paid in a single year the rates increase would be “horrendous” and in the “hundreds of percents”, council finance manager Stewart Burns said during a council meeting on Thursday.
Councillor Esther Whitehead asked what assurances the council could provide that ratepayers would not face another increase due to leaky home claims.
Burns said the council was currently facing three or four claims, but none were on the scale of the two Oaks properties.
Properties caught in the leaky home legislation were built between 15 and 20 years ago.
Claims had to be made within 10 years of a property’s completion.
The council was reaching the end of that period, he said.
Council standards for building inspections and consents have improved in the last 20 years.
The building inspection and consent processes at the time of the construction of the affected buildings was also a contributing factor, he said.
“The standard we have to meet these days compared to 20 years ago is quite different, and we are audited regularly on those services.
“We certainly have got a lot of confidence that the way we operate now is appropriate.”
Draft annual plan documents show how increases in interest rates, depreciation expenses and record-high inflation have also contributed to the region’s rates increase.
To lessen the rates rise, the council is planning to defer $106.7m in projects, including a Wānaka water treatment plant, a new reservoir at Quail Rise, and a Queenstown water treatment plant at Two Mile.
Increases in some user fees such as building consents, animal registration, and sport and recreational services are also proposed.
The council is undertaking public consultation on the draft annual plan.
Our 2023 Local Business Hero Awards nomination phase closes on Sunday. Neighbours - you only have a few more days to nominate a favourite local business to give them a chance to win an incredible $10,000 package.
Show your support for your local today by nominating them to be this year's … View moreOur 2023 Local Business Hero Awards nomination phase closes on Sunday. Neighbours - you only have a few more days to nominate a favourite local business to give them a chance to win an incredible $10,000 package.
Show your support for your local today by nominating them to be this year's Prospa Local Business Hero!
Nothing is less predictable than the weather.
Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens, we prepare for adverse events, so you don’t have to. In an emergency, we’ll take care of everything, to ensure sure that you and those you treasure most have exactly what you need.
Rest assured, … View moreNothing is less predictable than the weather.
Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens, we prepare for adverse events, so you don’t have to. In an emergency, we’ll take care of everything, to ensure sure that you and those you treasure most have exactly what you need.
Rest assured, you’re in safe hands.
Increase your chances to win this brand-new, fully-furnished home located just north of Auckland in the stunning beachside town of Mangawhai.
Valued at over $1.4 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand-new home features three-bedrooms, two-bathrooms and boasts an open-plan … View moreIncrease your chances to win this brand-new, fully-furnished home located just north of Auckland in the stunning beachside town of Mangawhai.
Valued at over $1.4 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand-new home features three-bedrooms, two-bathrooms and boasts an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental or even sell it. Tickets only $15 – get in quick and purchase more tickets today.
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