The majority of Queenstown Lakes district councillors voted yesterday to reduce the district's three wards to two by abolishing the Arrowtown ward and councillor and establishing an Arrowtown community board.
A visitor tax, amending general and roading rates and introducing new targeted rates were approved by the Queenstown Lakes District Council at a meeting in Wanaka yesterday.
The Warbirds Volunteer Army of at least 400 people is about to swing into action, undertaking the many tasks that go towards making the huge event run smoothly, writes Marjorie Cook.
When an elderly Australian who, in the 1990s, flew a 1930s vintage aircraft from Australia to Haast, was asked by a television reporter why he did it, the ageing adventurer responded "I want to have memories not dreams".
Wanaka multisporter Ailsa Rollinson (26) is looking forward to this weekend's 375km Gold Rush adventure race, even though she has not seen the course.
Participants in this year's Gold Rush three-day multisport race around Central Otago have increased by 20% over last year, with 91 entries (206 participants) registered.
The powerful grade four Citroen rapid on the Kawarau River proved a challenge to many of the 48 kayakers on Saturday as they battled for line honours in the extreme race and overall New Zealand championship titles.
The North Three Parks zone change needs one final tick from the Queenstown Lakes District Council strategy committee next week before it is notified for public submissions.
Prime Minister John Key enjoyed a taste of rural life at the 75th Upper Clutha A and P Show in Wanaka yesterday, admiring home produce, eating bacon and lamb and test-riding lawnmowers.
Visitors flocked to Wanaka at the weekend to enjoy the 75th Upper Clutha Agricultural and Pastoral Show, which was celebrated on Friday and Saturday in calm, clement conditions.
The Upper Clutha Rugby Club and Luggate Albion Cricket Club yesterday won Wanaka Community Board support for new long-term leases over reserves to future-proof their sports.
Wanaka's leaders are plugging on with more town centre traffic-calming measures.
A decision released by Environment Court judge Jon Jackson this week criticises evidence presented by the Upper Clutha Environmental Society in the Parkins Bay case, but says society witness Julian Haworth and other appellants should not be blamed for a resource consent delay.
Bob and Pam McRae's seven-year dream finally come true yesterday when they learned a Sir Bob Charles-designed 18-hole championship golf course and 42 luxury homes had been approved for Glendhu Station.
The Wanaka Community Board - advised by chairman Lyal Cocks in January not to get too excited about the proposed June 30 completion date for the long-awaited $630,000 Ardmore-Brownston roundabout - now has three more roundabouts in gestation.
Continuing conflict between Lake Wanaka users has prompted the Wanaka Yacht Club to suggest that either power boat activity be prohibited in Roys Bay or a 5 knot speed limit be extended over the bay.
The Shaping Our Futures public forum has endorsed a proposal for a one-stop shop district events office for Queenstown and is recommending the Queenstown Lakes District Council increases its annual events budget from $380,000 to $1.6 million over four to five years.
New Zealand's extreme white water kayaking champions will be decided on the grade four-plus Citroen Rapid in the Kawarau River on March 10.
Invercargill golfer Robyn Boniface (56) triumphed over Ann Braithwaite of New Plymouth yesterday to win the national women's senior match play championship for the third year in the row.
Another site dilemma has emerged in the Wanaka Rowing Club's battle for a lakeside boat shed, after not one member supported Eely Point in the latest round of submissions to the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
