Joie de vivre on display for national day
Joie de vivre on display for national day
Wakatipu's French community will invoke the cuisine, wine, song and dance of their homeland to celebrate Bastille Day, at Les Alpes restaurant tonight.
James Beech
Funding boost for rescue helicopter
Funding boost for rescue helicopter
Finance Minister and Clutha-Southland MP Bill English said he relished the chance to hand out money for a change yesterday, when he bolstered funds of the Lakes District Air Rescue Trust by almost $57,000.
Sale of shares in airport 'sneaky'
Sale of shares in airport 'sneaky'
Directors of the Queenstown Airport Corporation had been "very clever" in the process of creating and then selling shares in the community's strategic asset but, in the process of being clever, they had been "sly", mayoral aspirant Vanessa van Uden said yesterday.
Ministry yet to decide on school sites
Ministry yet to decide on school sites
The Ministry of Education says it is still assessing suitable sites for a new secondary and an additional primary school in the Wakatipu, almost one year since deciding to begin the search.
Toddler on a winning streak
Toddler on a winning streak
Queenstown toddler Diego Maddison ran around the Queenstown Memorial Hall yesterday morning waving a Spanish flag in jubilation after Spain claimed the World Cup with a 1-0 win over the Netherlands.
Biggest in Otago with diverse roll
Biggest in Otago with diverse roll
With 660 pupils, Queenstown Primary School is the largest in Otago. Reporter James Beech talks to principal John Western (pictured) about the challenges of overseeing such a big operation . . .
Airport needed 'options', says chairman
Airport needed 'options', says chairman
Capital expenditure of about $40 million over the next three years probably could not be generated by Queenstown Airport Corporation's own resources, so the board had needed to look at "wider options", QAC chairman Mark Taylor says.
Bastille Day revelry a la French locals
Bastille Day revelry a la French locals
In the first of a new series, James Beech talks to French citizens who now call Queenstown home.
Queenstown Airport time line
Queenstown Airport time line
August 14, 1935 - Frankton Aerodrome (later Queenstown Airport) is given a licence to operate by the Civil Aviation Authority. The Frankton Aerodrome Board is established.
Airport Corporation happy with price
Airport Corporation happy with price
The Queenstown Airport Corporation's board of directors chose not to offer airport shares on the open market because they were satisfied with the $27.7 million price agreed with Auckland International Airport Ltd for its 24.99% stake in Queenstown Airport.
Divided over airport sale
Divided over airport sale
Queenstown Lakes district councillors were divided into two camps yesterday as fallout continued from the surprise sale of a quarter of Queenstown Airport shares, worth $27.7 million, announced on Thursday.
Technology will reduce diversions
Technology will reduce diversions
Jetstar estimates the number of flight diversions into Queenstown Airport due to bad weather will reduce from more than 10% to less than 1%, following the installation of the latest Required Navigation Performance (RNP) equipment in its entire New Zealand fleet.
No rates relief from airport deal
No rates relief from airport deal
Proceeds from Auckland International Airport's $27.7 million investment in Queenstown Airport will not alleviate this year's average 7.7% rates rise for the Queenstown Lakes district, and nor should it, Mayor Clive Geddes said yesterday.
School hall, entrance plans
School hall, entrance plans
Plans to extend the hall and smarten up the entrance are on the drawing board at Queenstown Primary School.
Kitchen design conference this weekend
Kitchen design conference this weekend
About 120 manufacturers, suppliers and joiners from around New Zealand are expected to arrive in Queenstown today to join 53 designers already here, for the 2010 National Kitchen and Bathroom Association's conference and awards this weekend.
Airport store opening tomorrow
Airport store opening tomorrow
Global Culture will open a store in the Queenstown Airport terminal building tomorrow.
Mayor signs up for trail
Mayor signs up for trail
Southland Mayor Frana Cardno and Venture Southland say the latest three cycle trails approved for Otago could eventually inter-link with the Around the Mountains trail.
Golden arches bringing jobs
Golden arches bringing jobs
An equivalent of 50 to 60 full-time jobs will be created when the McDonald's restaurant opens in Frankton in December this year.
Change at top for FCA
Change at top for FCA
Frankton Community Association has a new president and four new committee members, in the association's first major action this year.
Busy lives help build character
Busy lives help build character
New mathematics teacher Oded Nathan brings nine years' experience to Wakatipu High School, both its classrooms and its board of trustees. Already in charge of basketball at the school, Mr Nathan tells James Beech he is ready to do whatever it takes to make WHS the best school it can be.