James Beech

A trio of Wakatipu mums are taking on showbusiness tonight when they launch their all-singing and all-dancing alter egos in a riot of music and colour.

Thousands of international visitors will be greeted by Department of Conservation hut wardens on the popular Routeburn Track this summer and eight wardens began work this week for the new Great Walks season.

The Black Seeds are energised after their first official tour of the United States and their latest tour of Europe, and intend to bring that energy to Queenstown, co-vocalist and percussionist Daniel Weetman says.

Queenstown welcomed the first fundraising flight by the Australia-based Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) to New Zealand on Saturday.

The newly elected Queenstown-based trustee on the board of Film New Zealand says he wants to develop the strong working relationship between the national body and the seven regional film offices.

A "fair percentage" of the 200 visitors who had their first look at the new Lakes Leisure community gym signed up for membership during the open day on Saturday.

Rockburn director Chris James drove the ball closest to the 13th hole at Millbrook, but the $100,000 prize for a hole-in-one went unclaimed on Saturday.

Fifteen Queenstown film-makers have been hired to work on an action thriller starring Temuera Morrison and Ray Winstone in Queenstown next month.

Queenstown's newest gym is to open tomorrow, offering a one-stop fitness shop for the whole family.

Harrison Rogers (3), of Queenstown, was helped into a life-jacket by the Alpine Aqualand water safety mascot he named in a competition this week.

Celebrated chanteuse Caitlin Smith says she cannot wait to play her songs at the ASB Queenstown JazzFest and help singers find their voice in her masterclass this weekend.

Top New Zealand performers Tim Finn, Bic Runga and Dave Dobbyn will share the stage for the first time in a decade on the 2010 More FM Winery Tour, which visits Milbrook on February 15.

Emerging Bannockburn artist Megan Huffadine will share her knowledge, influences and ideas with the public when she introduces her new work at Milford Galleries Queenstown tomorrow.

Jacks Point resort's Clubhouse is poised to capitalise on walkers and cyclists attracted to the $150,000 upgraded trail between the resort and Jardine Park, which opens this weekend.

A Douglas fir estimated to be more than a century old lost its dominance over Stanley St on Monday.

Teenage Arrowtown golfer Shani Arona, who has dominated Southern Lakes and Otago women's competitions this year, is to tackle the men this weekend.

Members of the winning band in the 2009 Ultimate Battle of the Musos competition said their first experience in a recording studio was "real intense" but a valuable insight into the music industry.