James Beech

About 20 new jobs are expected to be filled by the end of a recruitment drive today for Queenstown's latest bar and restaurant.

Everything that can go wrong at a wedding reception will go wrong in the one-man and 20-character theatrical comedy presented next week by the star of The Millen Baird Show.

Queenstown's first major live music event will not return next year because of issues to do with the tough economic climate, organisers say.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council will offset its $1.4 million operating deficit by borrowing the unbudgeted costs associated with setting up the United Water contract and look at transferring reserves from emergency works and depreciation funds.

Volunteers battling to restore the historic Frankton marina boatshed and slipways for the community's benefit will present their objectives and urge residents to get involved, at a public meeting on August 24.

Glenorchy volunteers are preparing to restore their 120-year-old, pioneer-era church this month, after $55,000 in community grants were pledged.

A booming Queenstown ski season means more day-trippers visiting Glenorchy, but business owners are looking forward to tourism demand increasing when the Great Walks season starts in earnest in October.

St John Wakatipu is urging more residents to sign up as youth leaders to cater for a growing waiting list of youngsters who are keen to join both of its youth programmes.

Queenstown snowboarder Ryan Manu Campbell, who died in an avalanche near Coronet Peak last Sunday, was yesterday celebrated for his fearlessness, creativity, competitive streak and for experiencing "more in 30 years than most do in a lifetime".

Arrowtown retailers say business is booming this winter, thanks to holidaying Australian and ex-pat New Zealanders visiting the village in droves.

Queenstown Times has lunch with a difference with Concord Dawn, also known as Matt Harvey.

Queenstown is often compared to Whistler, but a hotel on Fernhill Rd is standing in for the Canadian alpine ski resort in a big-budget commercial for Coca-Cola International.

Damage worth thousands of dollars to two Shotover Jet boats left outside at the tourist operators's base, in Arthurs Pt, was caused by thieves on Sunday night.

The Queenstown snowboarder who died in an avalanche near Coronet Peak will be remembered in a public service at City Impact Church tomorrow, in the town "where he made his dreams", his parents said yesterday.

Up to 50 extra children will be catered for in a new Arrowtown community preschool after a $720,000 grant was approved by the Government this week.

Amy-Clare Howey says she will best remember former fiance Ryan Campbell - who died in an avalanche on Sunday night - for teaching her to snowboard, for his superb dancing, for his tenacity and his zest for life.

One of the first rescuers to reach the scene of an avalanche on Sunday in which a Queenstown man was killed has told of the desperate search for any sign of life.

Celebrity chef Richard Till will demonstrate how to cook good food using only donated kitchenware at a Salvation Army outlet in Queenstown, on August 13.

Rescuers last night dug two and a-half metres into the snow to reach a Queenstown snowboarder buried in an avalanche near Coronet Peak, police said.