Marjorie Cook

Endurance sports coach and former Dunedin resident Val Burke has returned to New Zealand after spending seven fruitful years in Canada whipping Whistler's triathlon scene into shape. Now she hopes to do the same in Wanaka.

Wealthy Arrowtown developer Eamon Cleary's plan for a 52-lot leasehold sub-division beside the Clutha River opposite Wanaka Airport has been thwarted by neighbours for a third time, following a decision by the Supreme Court, released yesterday, to decline an appeal by Mr Cleary.

"It is just ridiculous..."said the mother of one of two young people killed near Wanaka last November, after the driver of the car involved was yesterday sentenced to 12 months' home detention.

Gina Ferguson, of Christchurch, and Merryn Greenwood, of Wanaka, gave New Zealand's best performances in wet and cold conditions at the Quelle Challenge iron distance triathlon in Germany yesterday, finishing third and 15th respectively in the elite women's category.

New Zealand triathletes Keiran Doe and Gina Ferguson got off to a quick start at the Challenge Roth long-distance triathlon in Germany last night, with both high on the leaderboard.

Dingleburn Station owners Guy and Davida Mead have failed to get resource consent for a four-lot subdivision, to be held in two certificates of title.

Wanaka triathlete Merryn Greenwood feels she is in tip-top shape as she goes into the biggest race of her life tomorrow in the Quelle Challenge Roth long-distance triathlon in Germany.

Ronaldo and Rooney first equal, the All Blacks next: that's how 6-year-old football striker Tyler-Joe (TJ) Lilly, of Lake Hawea, rates his heroes.

Claire Davis (18), of Wanaka, returned to her former stamping ground of Mt Aspiring College on Tuesday to receive a $5000 scholarship from Aurora Energy, for academic excellence in 2007.

Two Wanaka women are calling for a national investigation of rest-home care and changes to ACC laws following the death of their 90-year-old grandmother in Dunedin.

Presbyterian Support Otago chief executive Gillian Bremner has defended caregivers at the centre of a complaint about the standard of care given to Mary May (90).

The Government must bite the bullet and tell the nation to make a 10% savings on power or endure public shame if it is not achieved, the Lake Hawea Community Association chairman Errol Carr says.

Wanaka's skiers and snowboarders defied this weekend's changeable weather and headed for the hills in large numbers to celebrate the official start of the ski season.

Prime Minister Helen Clark was in a laid-back mood yesterday as she enjoyed the slopes of Cardrona Alpine Ski Resort for the second time in four years.

Former Polish professional dancer Kasha Szot (29) loves dance but until this month never allowed herself to dream she might have her own studio.