Hamish MacLean

Recreational hunters can't compete with commercial aerial operations and there's a ''huge concern'' among some hunters valuable recreational hunting areas could be opened up to Wild Animal Recovery Operations as Doc refreshes its 2015 maps.

The yellow-eyed penguin population at Katiki Point isn't the only species at risk due to ''uncontrolled tourism'' - the number of NZ fur seal pups dropped 80% last year, Penguin Rescue says.

The Mackenzie District Council has issued a warning to would-be visitor accommodation providers ''so they don't get a fright'' when they apply for a building consent and learn a financial contribution is required.

The New Zealand Whisky Company's plans to develop a $3 million distillery in Oamaru could be in jeopardy.

Though he says he has learned about "large-scale disappointment", Oamaru’s Sam Henehan still smiles when talking about his 26-day journey to the Rolwaling Valley on the Nepal-Tibet border.

Changes coming up at Wanaka Airport and the possibility of a flight school at Oamaru should prompt the Omarama Airfield board of directors to broaden the objectives of the airfield, Waitaki District Council says.