What’s Clean Water Worth to You This World Water Day?

She helped deliver hundreds of babies in almost 15 years as a midwife, starting at the old Sydney Street Queenstown Maternity Home, (later Bungi Backpackers), during the boom times of the 1980s and 90s, up to eight mums often packed into the five-bed home.

All outdoor fires are banned in the Wakatipu and entire Lakes Fire Zone from today (Thursday, 12 March) amid serious concerns about the fire risks in the current dry conditions with three significant vegetation fires in the Wakatipu alone in the last fortnight.

Jack’s Point residents say traffic has “dramatically increased” exiting Jack’s Point during peak hour with neighbouring Hanley’s Farm residents diverting there to use Jack’s Point’s safer and normally less clogged exit onto the State Highway.

As World Water Day approaches, WAI Wānaka is encouraging residents and visitors to pause and consider a simple but powerful question: What would you pay to keep your favourite swimming spots clean and safe?

If you want to know the benefits of “Buddying” Ask Big Buddy Darren Ryan and his Buddy Jett Ketchel.