Tracey Roxburgh

Amy Carr (4), of Queenstown, concentrates during the Queenstown Ice Skating Club's demonstration performance on the Queenstown Winter Festival Winter Wonderland Ice Rink in the resort yesterday.

The Southern Stampede ice hockey team will work on its defence for its doubleheader against the Swarm in Queenstown this weekend, following two close losses to the Canterbury Red Devils in the resort over the weekend.

Only the staunchest of Wakatipu rugby supporters braved the cold on Saturday afternoon to watch the 2012 champion side take apart Cromwell B in the final game of the first round of the 2013 tournament.

If there is a weather god, he came to the party in Queenstown last night, ensuring the 39th annual Queenstown Winter Festival began with several thousand bangs.

A man who briefly experienced international fame recently for his oratory skills was back in action in Queenstown last week.

The New Zealand Transport Agency will review recommendations from Otago-Southland Coroner David Crerar, who is calling for tighter regulations for overseas drivers in New Zealand.

As the first round of the 2013 Central Otago Premier rugby championship draws to a close, the fight is on for teams hoping for a top six placing, ensuring the remaining fortnight will provide plenty of on-field entertainment.

Conservation Minister Nick Smith is under no illusion about the gravity of the decision he must make in determining whether to approve a concession application for the construction of a commercial bus tunnel through two national parks.

If the opening weekend of the New Zealand ski season was anything to go by, Queenstown is in for a great winter.

Members of Glenorchy's Stop the Tunnel group rallied quickly yesterday morning, after learning Conservation Minister Nick Smith was making an unannounced visit to the Fiordland National Park, part of his decision-making process regarding the contentious Milford Dart Tunnel concession application.

Two multipurpose sports courts for Kelvin Heights are one step closer after the Central Lakes Trust granted $60,000 towards the project in its latest funding round.

Thirty-two Dunedin residents rode in style to Queenstown on Sunday, on the first Mount Cook Denning Jumboliner, made in 1977.

Wakatipu had another hard-fought win on Saturday at the Queenstown Rec Ground, beating Cromwell A 11-8. The home side scored all its points in the second half and retained the White Horse Cup.