Social services meet big demand
Social services meet big demand
With Covid-19 generating increased unemployment rates in the Wakatipu Basin, social services in the region have never been busier.
Hugh Collins
Steering group chosen to shape community and economic task forces
Steering group chosen to shape community and economic task forces
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has assembled a steering group of illustrious residents who will work together to establish two task force groups aimed at guiding the region’s Covid-19 recovery.
Job losses ‘going to get worse’
Job losses ‘going to get worse’
A severe increase in the number of people claiming benefits is only the tip of the iceberg, community leaders say.
Southern skifields get dusting of snow
Southern skifields get dusting of snow
Snow has been falling on the hills around the Queenstown Lakes District overnight and this morning.
Cancer treatment travel disrupted
Cancer treatment travel disrupted
A man whose wife needs to travel from Queenstown to Wellington for medical treatment has said Air New Zealand is being disingenuous.
School choir dispersed but not dispirited
School choir dispersed but not dispirited
A global pandemic was never going to stop an Invercargill boys’ choir from collectively singing their lungs out.
Charity turns its focus to making meals
Charity turns its focus to making meals
A Wakatipu charity has been cooking up a storm during the national Covid-19 lockdown.
Relaxed visas for essential workers
Relaxed visas for essential workers
Many migrant workers employed in essential services have had visa conditions relaxed.
Moving image can spur recovery: film rep
Moving image can spur recovery: film rep
The new chairman of a regional film industry group is espousing a positive vision for Otago and Southland’s economic recovery from Covid-19. Hugh Collins catches up with Brad Hurndell.
Q'town travel agent working on charter flight
Q'town travel agent working on charter flight
With Covid-19 bringing an indefinite end to flights in and out of Queenstown, one travel agent wants to get people a small step closer to their front door. A bus service from the resort to Christchurch is also being offered if there's demand.
Preparing for life after lockdown
Preparing for life after lockdown
Cafes, bars and restaurants are reeling, scrambling to pay overheads that are still coming in with no revenue now and significantly reduced revenue for an unknown length of time to come. Queenstown reporter Hugh Collins and business reporter Jacob McSweeny talk to operators.
Glenorchy sends visitors message: turn back, please
Glenorchy sends visitors message: turn back, please
An anonymous Glenorchy resident has made it clear visitors are not welcome in their town for the foreseeable future.
School with digital strategy well placed to cope
School with digital strategy well placed to cope
Pupils at Wakatipu High School will struggle to find an excuse for late homework during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Far from family, trying to get home
Far from family, trying to get home
It is looking likely a stranded British tourist will miss his father’s funeral due to international travel disruption.
Four Covid-19 cases linked to resort conference confirmed
Four Covid-19 cases linked to resort conference confirmed
An international conference linked to four Covid-19 cases and held in Queenstown last week happened before the enormity of the crisis was apparent, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult says.
Arrowtown Autumn Festival cancelled
Arrowtown Autumn Festival cancelled
For the first time in its 36-year history, the Akarua Arrowtown Autumn Festival has been forced to cancel.
Council adopts roadmap to carbon neutrality in region
Council adopts roadmap to carbon neutrality in region
The day after approving a climate change action plan, the Queenstown Lakes District Council began measuring its own carbon emissions.
Allan to back up NZ Ironman at Motatapu
Allan to back up NZ Ironman at Motatapu
The phrase "no rest for the wicked" could certainly be applied to Wanaka athlete Dougal Allan.
A right rumble in the ring
A right rumble in the ring
Queenstown’s premier pro wrestling event’s back.
'Green fairy' dishing out medicinal marijuana
'Green fairy' dishing out medicinal marijuana in Queenstown
An illicitly-operating ‘green fairy’ is distributing medicinal marijuana to about 150 people in Queenstown.