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From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
The owners of a popular Central Otago water park fear they won’t open this summer after being bogged down by bureaucracy.
The Kiwi Water Park opened in 2020 and is New Zealand’s largest water park, attracting 30,000 visitors last summer.
It’s based on a… View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
The owners of a popular Central Otago water park fear they won’t open this summer after being bogged down by bureaucracy.
The Kiwi Water Park opened in 2020 and is New Zealand’s largest water park, attracting 30,000 visitors last summer.
It’s based on a reserve shared by freedom campers and boaties off State Highway 8, near Cromwell.
The popularity of the area has led to a review of the entrance and a suggestion a right-turning bay is needed.
Land Information New Zealand (Linz), Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the Central Otago District Council are all involved, but progress has come to a standstill.
Now Kiwi Water Park co-owner and marketing manager Emily Rutherford says that after six months of fruitlessly waiting for decisions, the business may not be able to open this summer.
The requirements of the water park’s licence include that any changes are made by November 4.
“In the meantime, our business planning and recruitment of staff for this season hangs in the balance. We’ve got two months till we open and we need action urgently,” she said.
The park was originally granted a six-year consent by the council to operate at the Lowburn Reserve – an area frequented by campers and boaties as well as water park users.
Last season, they shifted the park to a more sheltered area at the reserve and had to apply for a variation to their consent.
At that time, Waka Kotahi raised concerns about the number of vehicles entering the reserve, so a temporary speed reduction along the stretch of road was installed.
An agreement was made between the government departments and the business to monitor the amount of traffic using the area and concluded the majority of traffic was caused by freedom campers and boaties – and that a right turning bay was needed.
In a statement a Waka Kotahi spokesperson said the review followed a serious crash at the access to the car park used by the water park in the 2020-21 season.
All the parties agreed a right-turning bay was necessary, but there was disagreement on who would pay for it.
“If no agreement is reached on the access upgrade requirement process the consent conditions stipulate that the final decision sits with [the council] as the consent authority,” the statement said.
It was now up to the business to get a detailed design and submit it to the department, the statement said.
However, Rutherford said the cost of the right-turning bay could be prohibitive for the business, particularly without a long-term lease.
“We’ve been put in an impossible position.
“It could cost $1 million, I don’t know, but we don’t even make that in a year. How would we pay for it?”
Linz was currently renewing the lease annually. Rutherford said she would need a 20 or 30-year lease to justify the investment.
It would also take at least 18 months to design and build, so it would not be ready for this year, Rutherford said.
Even more frustrating was that the bulk of traffic was generated by freedom campers, not water park users who tended to travel in buses or family groups.
Linz could decide to close the area to freedom campers, which would resolve the problem, she said.
Regardless, the company needed LINZ to confirm the lease would be renewed.
Linz Minister Damien O’Connor told the Rutherfords this month that the department was still considering the company’s application.
“This whole process has been incredibly frustrating,” Rutherford said.
She described the Kiwi Water Park as a Covid-19 success story, which received no public funding but phenomenal support from the local community.
“It’s now two months before we’re due to open, and we should be busy recruiting locals for another summer season and contributing to the local economy.”
Linz has been approached for comment.
The Cutest Pet Competition is back by popular demand! Show off your furry friend this October to see if you’ve got the cutest pet in the country. This year’s competition is sponsored by Wishbone, giving you the chance to win your share of $10,000 worth of pet food.
From 26 September, … View moreThe Cutest Pet Competition is back by popular demand! Show off your furry friend this October to see if you’ve got the cutest pet in the country. This year’s competition is sponsored by Wishbone, giving you the chance to win your share of $10,000 worth of pet food.
From 26 September, purchase a copy of your local Stuff newspaper, find our promo ad, and follow the link to submit a photo of your pet online. If your pet is selected, they’ll feature in our promotional adverts across all Stuff newspapers for a day, plus you will receive $50 worth of Wishbone pet food so you can spoil them rotten. For more information on the prizes and to view the T&Cs, click here!
The team at Stunday Star-Times
Dear neighbours, in the October issue of NZ Gardener, you'll see the five finalists for our 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year competition. They've all done amazing things for their communities. You can read about their wonderful work here, and then vote for your favourite.
Join the Lake Dunstan Charitable Trust and Te Tapu o Tāne to plant a portion of 10,000 native trees on the beautiful Lake Dunstan shoreline.
Be a part of restoring the native flora and fauna in this stunning location.
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 Oct 3, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing… 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 Oct 3, 2022.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made Easy.
Retirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little… View moreRetirement is an exciting time, filled with possibilities. Our fixed fee guarantee is one of the ways we provide financial certainty. Ryman residents love it as it helps them reduce rising living costs and surprise expenses.
Enjoy the quality amenities at every Ryman village and splurge a little on yourself if you feel like it! Take up that hobby you’ve dreamed of or plan a holiday somewhere warm.
It’s easy to live life your way when you have freedom to do the things you enjoy. It’s another example of how we’re pioneering retirement living.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown’s construction industry is stuck in a volatile labour market with staff leaving New Zealand or moving to other towns, and difficulties attracting new workers.
Naylor Love Central Otago director Greg Boland said the labour shortage was a nationwide … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown’s construction industry is stuck in a volatile labour market with staff leaving New Zealand or moving to other towns, and difficulties attracting new workers.
Naylor Love Central Otago director Greg Boland said the labour shortage was a nationwide problem affecting highly skilled positions in the construction industry as much as carpenters and labourers.
It was particularly felt in Queenstown due to the high cost of living and the town being less enjoyable, with closures and queues at restaurants and bars due to worker shortages in hospitality, he said.
“People are going off to Whistler, they’re going off to Auckland. They’re going to Christchurch because they believe it’s cheaper to live there.”
Larger projects such as the new $1.4 billion Dunedin Hospital and a $683 million stadium in Christchurch would also attract people, he said.
He could easily increase his worker numbers by 10%, but there was no-one to fill the roles.
“The labour market is volatile at the moment,” he said.
There was also frustration with Immigration NZ’s handling of applications, he said.
In one instance the company applied for two separate project manager positions based in Auckland with exactly the same details and salary. One was accepted and one was declined.
Naylor Love chief executive Rick Herd, backed up Boland’s comments saying it was a struggle to get any workers, including professional people such as engineers, surveyors and project engineers.
“Some of these people are paid over $200,000 a year,” he said.
Naylor Love lost up to 12 good staff during Covid-19 due to the difficulties of getting their families into New Zealand.
“The government needs to be not only opening the door but actively encouraging them. It’s not only our industry,” he said.
Staff turnover at Naylor Love was lower than other companies as they put effort into looking after their people, he said.
However, with 10% less staff than they wanted, they had to be careful not to overcommit to projects.
“That means we turn work away and that in itself drives costs up.”
It also put strain on existing staff working to deadlines if others quit halfway through a job.
The company is working on a large project to upgrade the Skyline Terminal in Queenstown and an upgrade of Mt Aspiring College, in nearby Wānaka.
It is also signed up to work on the billion dollar Lakeview, Tamata project on Queenstown’s former Lakeview camping ground.
“The heavy part of the construction for that is really two years away so we’ll make sure we’ve not taken on other jobs.
“We’ll probably have to bring in other people from other centres,” he said.
Cook Brothers Construction business development manager Simon Glass said they were also looking for more staff.
“It’s a real mix of roles – project managers and quantity surveyors right through to builders – all trades.”
There was higher than usual turn round at the moment due to the change in seasons, he said.
Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Mike Theelen said the cost of housing in the district was one of its biggest challenges.
The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust had about 700 households on its waiting list.
Kāinga Ora had only 12 social housing units in the district.
The district had the highest average house cost in New Zealand at $1.7m but a below average per-person income of around $52,000.
It also had the fourth-highest building consent numbers in the country but was serving a wider New Zealand and Australasian market, he said.
Recent figures showed about 40% of all new house builds in Wānaka were for holiday homes, he said.
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Find out how to create your own.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A new Central Otago airport based in Tarras would be reliant on mass inbound tourism to be viable, Queenstown Airport chief executive Glen Sowry says.
“Do the communities of Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago want that level of mass inbound tourism … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A new Central Otago airport based in Tarras would be reliant on mass inbound tourism to be viable, Queenstown Airport chief executive Glen Sowry says.
“Do the communities of Queenstown Lakes District and Central Otago want that level of mass inbound tourism that is required to justify that airport?” he asked.
“Every conversation I’ve been part of and privy to, the answer to that is ‘no’.”
Sowry was talking as Queenstown Airport Corporation prepared to publicly launch its first 10-year plan.
The plan recognises that Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL) is investigating the feasibility and establishment of an international airport at Tarras but assumes it will not be developed before 2032
Sowry said travellers saw enormous value in being able to fly in and out of Queenstown.
“It is close and convenient. The location and amenity Queenstown Airport offers are very attractive.”
Despite the recent resignation of CIAL chief executive Malcolm Johns, CIAL chairperson Catherine Drayton said the organisation would focus on growth including “intergenerational projects such as the Central Otago airport project”.
CIAL project director Michael Singleton said demand to and from Central Otago would continue to grow.
“Central Otago’s need for new airport infrastructure has been talked about for decades – and not just by us.
“Covid-19 has not taken away the limits on the area’s airport capacity – it’s just changed the timeframe on when they will be reached,” he said.
The 10-year Queenstown plan precedes the preparation of a 30-year masterplan, which will provide more specifics on how the airport will achieve its goals.
The masterplan process will include public input and would replace a 2018 plan, which resulted in a huge backlash from the public that owns three-quarters of the airport via the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
The corporation has since pulled back on contentious issues within the 2018 plan.
It’s intention to introduce more flights to Wānaka Airport was quashed when a High Court Judicial Review found the corporation’s 100-year lease of Wānaka report was unlawful.
The plan to increase noise levels and more than double the number of passenger movements at the airport to over five million by 2031 was so unpopular it was dumped by Sowry soon after he started in the role.
The slow-down in international tourism from Covid-19 has reduced pressure on Queenstown Airport, and the 10-year plan shows capacity to continue growing within current noise boundaries.
Air New Zealand flight NZ1209 from Auckland lands in Queenstown, welcomed by Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult, Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker, and Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Colin Keel.
In 2018 and using pre-Covid-19 growth rates, previous airport chief executive Colin Keel estimated the airport would reach capacity in its noise boundaries around 2022.
However, the number of passenger movements peaked in the year ended June 2019 when there was 2.3m passenger movements (or 1.15m arriving) passengers.
That dipped to 1.1 million in the last year. Forecasts now project 3.2 million passenger movements in the financial year ending June 2032.
The plan anticipates these numbers will be achievable within the current noise boundaries.
Airlines use of “new engine option” (neo) planes could increase capacity at the airport by another 25%, Sowry said.
Air New Zealand and Qantas are already including the planes in their fleets. They use 15% less fuel, are quieter and carry more passengers.
Sowry said the 10-year plan was written to reflect the “sensitivities and concerns” of the community, but also apply a responsible view of the biggest economic asset the region owns.
Increasingly that was about delivering those principles in an environmentally sensitive manner, he said.
The plan includes an intention to achieve carbon neutrality in the coming year, and net-zero by 2040, within the airport.
With the bulk of carbon emissions coming from aircraft, the airport would look to support the “highly motivated” airlines and aircraft manufacturers looking to run electric aircraft and those operated by alternative fuels.
It also contains an intention to develop airport owned land to diversify revenue, including moving the general aviation hub and creating commercial and industrial developments around Queenstown Airport.
The corporation also owned 148.5 hectares of land surrounding Wānaka Airport, which was leased for farming activities and to NASA for their superpressure balloon launches.
There were no plans to further develop that land.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Mel Gazzard enjoyed hosting visitors, but he could barely sit still chatting for 20 minutes, son Nick said.
“He was just always doing stuff. He didn’t slow down. He was definitely an inspiration for how to live a retirement,” he said.
It was while he … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Mel Gazzard enjoyed hosting visitors, but he could barely sit still chatting for 20 minutes, son Nick said.
“He was just always doing stuff. He didn’t slow down. He was definitely an inspiration for how to live a retirement,” he said.
It was while he was busy fitting a new mast to his yacht Applejack on Sunday that the 77-year-old died of a suspected heart attack.
A former commodore of the Wakatipu Yacht Club, he was preparing for the annual Donald Hay Classic regatta between Kingston and Queenstown, to be held in February, Nick said.
Born in Otautau in Southland, Gazzard and wife Sylvia were teachers who lived and worked all around the South Island and in Australia. But it was Queenstown that captured their hearts when they moved there in 1987.
Gazzard became the principal at Queenstown Primary School, remaining there until his retirement in 2005.
“He just genuinely loved working with kids. He had a passion for getting the best out of them. He knew the name of every kid who came through the school,” Nick said.
There were many. Under his leadership the school roll grew from 200 children to 500.
Many students may remember him for his collection of about 75 colourful ties, which started with a Winnie the Pooh tie gifted by an American school dad.
Queenstown was the perfect environment for an active man who loved the outdoors.
“He was always dragging us around skifields, jet-boating up rivers, climbing mountains and hills. We had a very active childhood,” Nick said.
Until recent years when he had problems with his knees, Mel ran for 30 minutes at 6.30am every day.
“That was every day of the week. He even went on Christmas morning, in the snow or frost, always in his shorts. He might wear a hat in winter.”
He continued skiing and snowboarding with his grandchildren and had a trip planned into the mountains this weekend, Nick said.
Gazzard was also a stalwart of the Wakatipu Rugby Club, including serving time as the president, despite not playing himself since he was a schoolboy.
He just enjoyed being involved in the community, Nick said.
“He was just that kind of guy. They needed a person, so he just stepped into the role. It was the same when he became commodore at the yacht club. That was what he did.”
After retiring from work he served three terms on the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Former mayor and councillor Vanessa van Uden said he was always one of the highest polling, if not the highest polling councillor at the table.
“Everybody knew Mr Gazzard. He’s such a part of this community,” she said.
At the council table he was a wise head and gave a lot of time and energy to making things work for the community, she said.
Current Queenstown Lakes mayor Jim Boult said he knew Gazzard well, particularly because of his role as principal at the school Boult’s children attended.
“I would describe him as the loveliest bloke you could ever meet. He was just a nice man,” he said.
About two months ago the men caught up at the final of the Central Otago premier club competition, when Wakatipu beat Cromwell.
Once retired, Gazzard and Sylvia spent time boating, fishing and travelling through Europe and America.
“When I look back over the years at all the things we’ve done it’s been quite amazing. We’ve been so lucky,” Sylvia said.
Gazzard did not enjoy being centre stage, preferring to get things done without making a fuss.
“He loved his family. They were the most important thing to him,” she said.
Nick said his father was proud of the way he lived his life.
“He built two houses, was always active and just tried to be a decent human being.”
Gazzard is survived by Sylvia, sons Nick and David, and grandchildren Arnica, 16, and Remus, 15. A funeral date is yet to be set.
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.
Brighten up a tired concrete wall with Resene Lumbersider. Find out how to brighten up your wall.
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!
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