James Beech

More than a dozen ''high quality'' applications were received from New Zealand and abroad for the role of principal of Queenstown Primary School.

The Queenstown Trail Trust says it backs national findings which show cycle trails boost economic activity and encourage more visitors to trail regions.

Dogs have long been man's best friend, but a specially trained ''super sleuth'' canine named Hoki is proving to be a life-saver for rare blue ducks in the Queenstown area.

The Queenstown entrepreneur fronting the proposed $10 million marina development in Frankton says he and his fellow company directors are ''ecstatic to have reached this milestone'' of lodging their resource consent application after four years of planning.

A pair of contemporary artists, one from the North Island and one from the South attended the opening of their exhibitions in Kapa Design Gallery and Toi o Tahuna art gallery on Friday.

Laid-back Australian comedian Carl Barron returns to Queenstown after five years on February 4 as part of his New Zealand tour called A One Ended Stick. The stand-up comic tells James Beech exactly what Kiwis and Aussies have in common.

A building incorporating a 140-year-old stable, believed to be the second-oldest stone building in Queenstown, and converted for guest accommodation, goes under the hammer in mid-February.

Arrowtown is getting into the spirit of Chinese New Year with t'ai chi and brush painting classes, a screening of a Chinese-inspired New Zealand film and fun activities for young people.

Queenstown Airport staff (from left) finance executive Kylie Sutherland, company accountant Darren Auld, land side operations officer Orla Nic Carthaigh, terminal services manager Chin Paisley, communications manager Jen Andrews, property general manager Sean Thompson and terminal services officer Andi Rapley, stand beside one of the main decorations celebrating Chinese New Year in the airport terminal on Tuesday.

The newest state primary school in Otago is on course to open in 2015.

The decision by Qantas to increase the number of flights between Sydney and Queenstown and run a daily service during the Easter school holidays and peak ski season makes the resort an impulse family weekend getaway, Destination Queenstown says.

Queenstown residents and visitors woke up to an unseasonal sight this morning - a dusting of snow on the peaks of the Wakatipu basin, including the Remarkables.

The stories of Edmund Hillary's ascent of Mt Everest and an all-Aboriginal girl pop group that entertains troops in Vietnam will be screened outdoors as part of the Summerdaze Festival.

The $5 million construction of a section of the eastern access road near Remarkables Park Town Centre will pause on Saturdays to allow safe public access to the Remarkables Market, the developer says.