'Old Towel' art winner
'Old Towel' art winner
The Wanaka Arts Society's annual Labour Weekend competition attracted 153 entries from more than 60 artists.
Marjorie Cook
Old school bell returns home
Old school bell returns home
After an absence of 55 years, the Cardrona School's bronze bell has finally returned to its rightful place, with the permission of Hawea Flat School, which acquired the bell about 1956.
Strong interest in new bike events
Strong interest in new bike events
Two new Wanaka cycling events are drawing strong entries, as people trade skis for wheels.
Crowd marches for Wastebusters
Crowd marches for Wastebusters
About 300 people marched in support of Wanaka Wastebusters yesterday afternoon, after the organisation's loss of a recycling contract with the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Fire investigation
Fire investigation
The Department of Conservation hopes to complete an investigation into a large fire in the Craig Burn Reserve, near Lake Hawea, by the end of this month.
Mayor says waste change 'done deal'
Mayor says waste change 'done deal'
A controversial Wanaka recycling contract decision is a "done deal" because letters of acceptance have already been forwarded to the successful tenderer, Smart Environmental Ltd, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden said yesterday.
Talks discretion
Talks discretion
Members of the Wanaka Rowing Club and the Stoney Creek Action Group are declining to discuss the outcome of a mediation meeting on Tuesday to discuss sites for a boat house.
Funds lacking for Dublin Bay appeal
Funds lacking for Dublin Bay appeal
The Upper Clutha Environmental Society lacks the resources to appeal a decision granting Aucklander Ted Hewetson resource consent for a building platform at Dublin Bay but intends to continue working on three other high-profile cases.
Wastebusters supporters query saving
Wastebusters supporters query saving
Wastebusters staff and supporters in Wanaka were yesterday calculating the financial and social costs of losing their kerbside recycling collection and processing contract to Auckland-owned Smart Environmental Ltd.
Wanakafest march in support
Wanakafest march in support
Wastebusters was the talk of the town yesterday, as supporters got to grips with the news their nationally recognised recycling centre has lost a major kerbside recycling contract to an Auckland-owned, Queenstown-based operator, Smart Environmental.
Smart company not 'ogre'
Smart company not 'ogre'
Auckland recycling and waste company Smart Environmental Ltd is "not the ogre from Auckland" and has a strong community and environmental ethos, director and shareholder Grahame Christian said yesterday.
Ballet, business proving a happy mix
Ballet, business proving a happy mix
Wanaka businesswoman Anna Thomas has taken over the town's largest dance studio, Dance Wanaka, and more than 150 dance students could not be happier.
Ski patroller goes into ice cream business
Ski patroller goes into ice cream business
Hawea Flat ski patroller Jon Mactaggart's back-to-back career in the ice business is not the usual kind - he's planning winters on snow and summers making ice creams and sorbets.
Son to donate a kidney to his father
Son to donate a kidney to his father
Snowboard instructor Richie Johnston (29) says the decision to donate a kidney to his father, Rob Johnston, next month was an easy one to make.
Reminder station legally controlling road
Reminder station legally controlling road
Hunters, anglers and Kidds Bush campers are being reminded the High Court has ruled Hunter Valley Station, at the northwest end of Lake Hawea, can control the opening and closing of Mead Rd during lambing season, until November 18.
Retirement time for hearty, happy Lees
Retirement time for hearty, happy Lees
John and Mary Lee developed the Cardrona skifield and have spent most of their lives fulfilling their vision of snow sport destinations on Central Otago's Pisa Range, but now it is time to move on. Marjorie Cook reports.
8000m speedfly bid aborted
8000m speedfly bid aborted
Wanaka adventurer Mal Haskins aborted his attempt in Nepal this week to become the first person to speedfly from an 8000m peak because of high winds and he does not plan another attempt this trip.
Models strutting stuff
Models strutting stuff
Wanaka models Ruth Coghill (78) and Elle Scurr (18) will take to the catwalk in the annual Passion for Fashion show next week, confident in the knowledge they have been schooled by a master.
Vandals strike overnight
Vandals strike overnight
Wanaka yarn bomber "Knitsy" has struck again, this time hanging several colourful rugby-ball shaped crocheted doilies on a wire-netting fence at the Upper Clutha Rugby Club and Wanaka Showgrounds.
Campaigns to encourage more summer visitors
Campaigns to encourage more summer visitors
Several campaigns are about to get under way aiming to encourage more summer visitors to Wanaka.