Mark Price

Residents of Franz Josef are torn over how to manage risks posed by the Alpine Fault running through the centre of the town, judging by submissions made to the Westland District Council and released at the weekend.

The Civil Aviation Authority has called for a report from the pilot of a helicopter that took off without him, at Tarras.

New irrigation schemes for the Upper Clutha could mean $15 million of investment in the region's electricity network.

South Westland's two most remotely-located celebrities have voiced their opposition to a road being built between Haast and the Hollyford Valley in Fiordland.

The engine from a Royal New Zealand Air Force Harvard that crashed in Mt Aspiring National Park 60 years ago, killing one of the two men on board, has been discovered.

The invitations have gone out to air forces around the world and now Warbirds Over Wanaka is awaiting the replies.

Time is running out for hunters who want to pursue game animals by helicopter on the South Island's conservation estate. Planned legislation is likely to end the practice known as ''heli-hunting'' by February. Mark Price reports.

As the Queenstown Lakes District Council moves to lease its four holiday parks to private operators, figures have emerged showing the Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka and Glendhu Bay sites should produce a cash surplus of $452,000 for the council in the 2012-13 year.

A group of about 10 protesters greeted Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Adam Feeley as he arrived to deliver a speech on democracy at the New Zealand Community Boards conference in Wanaka yesterday.

A new, circular, car-testing track on the Pisa Range high above the Cardrona Valley is almost ready.

Queenstown climber Ben Dare spent 22 hours helping injured companion Scott Scheele descend 500m down the side of Himalayan mountain Anidesha Chuli, or White Wave (6800m), earlier this week.

''No comment,'' they all said.

Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Adam Feeley says he is unable to say how many people will lose their jobs with the council through the current restructuring.

A Ttsunami siren sounded over the Little Mt Iron suburb of Wanaka last night.

The new swing bridge across the Matukituki River to the Roy Roy Glacier in the Mt Aspiring National Park is due to be load-tested this week in readiness for opening to the public.

Dozens of centre-pivot irrigation machines installed in the past couple of years are turning the dry plains of Central Otago into lush meadows. But, as Mark Price reports, this is just the beginning.

No-one had more reason to be in the front row at Wanaka's Anzac service yesterday than Avis Munro, who was wearing a selection of her family's medals.