Student likely fell into river
Student likely fell into river
Severe weather, fatigue and lack of tramping experience were highlighted as factors in the death of American exchange student Allison Willen in the Mt Aspiring National Park in April.
Guy Williams
Lack of tramping experience proved fatal
Lack of tramping experience proved fatal
Severe weather, fatigue and lack of tramping experience have been highlighted as factors in the death of a US exchange student in the Mt Aspiring National Park in the Southern Alps.
Tramper's decision to leave group factor in death
Tramper's decision to leave group factor in death
An inexperienced tramper broke the "golden rule'' of tramping by splitting with his companions to continue along a river, an inquest heard in Queenstown today.
Chute, footage for scrutiny
Chute, footage for scrutiny
A parachute and camera footage are among items that will be examined during an investigation into a skydiving accident that left an employee of Queenstown tourism operation NZONE Skydive seriously injured on Sunday.
Crowdfund plan works
Crowdfund plan works
Best-selling children's author and musician Craig Smith has already sold enough copies of his latest book to cover his investment - well before its official launch next weekend.
Skydiver 'stabilised' after having surgery
Skydiver 'stabilised' after having surgery
A skydiving cameraman seriously injured in a hard landing near Queenstown on Sunday has ''stabilised'' after surgery, his employer says.
Injured skydiver flown to hospital
Injured skydiver flown to hospital
A skydiving cameraman working for Queenstown tourist operation NZONE Skydive remains in Dunedin Hospital with serious ‘‘multiple injuries'' after an accident near Jack's Point.
Storm catches boaties out
Storm catches boaties out
Queenstown's harbourmaster says two men caught in stormy conditions in a dinghy on Lake Wakatipu on Friday were fortunate to not ''end up a statistic''.
Housing trust says the Charities Act needs rewriting
Housing trust says the Charities Act needs rewriting
Queenstown's community housing trust says the Charities Act needs rewriting so community housing providers can get on with their work.
Consent near Nevis Bluff blast zone opposed
Consent near Nevis Bluff blast zone opposed
Blasting on the Nevis Bluff is among grounds for opposition to a consent application for a building platform in the Gibbston Valley.
Pubs' cup screenings start quietly
Pubs' cup screenings start quietly
It was a low-key start for Queenstown and Wanaka bars screening the All Blacks' first Rugby World Cup match yesterday.
Visa check 'overdue' – lawyer
Visa check 'overdue' – lawyer
A brutal attack by a British working holiday maker with criminal convictions on a tourist in Queenstown highlights a ''leak'' in New Zealand's border protection system, a resort barrister says.
Encouraging others
Encouraging others
All passion, no limits. That was William Pike's message to Queenstown Primary pupils during a visit to the school yesterday.
Uneasy truce in battle for the high ground
Uneasy truce in battle for the high ground
Simmering tensions between Queenstown's outdoor enthusiasts and leaseholders of alpine land have boiled over more than once this year. Following a public meeting called last month to solve the issues, Guy Williams looks at whether it has succeeded.
Barry blasts ORC on wilding pines
Barry blasts ORC on wilding pines
Conservation Minister Maggie Barry yesterday told the Otago Regional Council to ''step up to the plate'' and take action on wilding trees.
Underwater facility consent oversight
Underwater facility consent oversight
An underwater observatory has been operating in Queenstown Bay for the past 30 years without a land use consent.
Queenstown trail back on track
Queenstown trail back on track
A key section of the Queenstown Trails cycle network has reopened after repairs to rain damage.
Driver's novel way to pass the time
Driver's novel way to pass the time
Queenstown taxi driver Jon Whitfield gets some of his best ideas between fares.
NZTA awards contract for bridge
NZTA awards contract for bridge
The contract for a controversial replacement for the Kawarau Falls Bridge near Queenstown has been awarded.
Ferry could ease Queenstown congestion
Ferry could ease Queenstown congestion
A scaled-up lake ferry service could ease congestion on Frankton Rd and downtown parking hassles, Sir Eion Edgar says.