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WAI Wānaka, in partnership with the University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka and Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University, has launched an ambitious new studentship programme to support emerging researchers working to protect and enhance freshwater health.

Whilst the nature of politics can lead to debate and a contest of ideas, it has been pleasing to see both Labour and the Greens broadly endorsing the National Infrastructure Plan this week.

Two strong local climbers in their mid-20s had to be rescued on Tuesday night (30 June) after becoming lost and abseiling down onto a vertical ice slope high on Mount Aspiring, sparking a long, tricky and technical helicopter rescue.

He’s rubbed shoulders internationally with horse racing greats, shouted the head of the CIA and FBI a few late-night quiets in his upmarket Arthur’s Point restaurant, even harboured undercover hobbits with hairy feet while hosting a private Peter Jackson unveiling.

In total there were 14 one-star restaurants including: Inati in Christchurch, led by chef Simon Levy, Ben Bayly's Ahi, seafood led Ortega in Wellington, The Estate on Auckland's Waiheke Island, Rātā in Queenstown, Logan Brown in Wellington, Jano Bistro also in Wellington, lunch-only spot Tussock Hill in Christchurch, Kika in Wānaka, Auckland's Paris Butter, Mudbrick on Waiheke Island and Sherwood and Amisfield in Queenstown.

Local rescuers are concerned that an increasing number of hunters from overseas or out of town are needing to be rescued after getting caught out in the Wakatipu’s challenging alpine terrain and finding themselves beyond their capabilities.

A much-loved fixture on the lakefront is Queenstown Market. Stalls are full of goodies – hand crafted and made with love – it’s a vibrant celebration of creativity where visual and performing arts come alive for locals and visitors alike.

Future Hospitality Group’s Odd Saint and Little Blackwood have been crowned New Zealand’s Best Café and Best Bar at the 2026 LION Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence.

The deafening dawn chorus from native birds in our forests and backyards. The health of Wai Whakaata - Lake Hayes. The native bat population in Glenorchy.

A Queenstown local charity, Happiness House, recently received a refit of their op shop using diverted construction materials.

Police are working to identify a group of men after a driver was allegedly assaulted when forced to stop his car on Gorge Road at 3.50am on Sunday, 21 June. Constable Amanda Shute says three men had been stopped in the middle of the road causing the vehicle to slow down and stop.

She does a mean Southland cheese roll, but retired nurse Elaine Wells is probably best known locally for her compassionate heart and pitching in in the community wherever she can to get the job done.

Lisa Walker’s stitched, padded, beaded and intuitively assembled (not quite) heads will be on display at Te Atamira until April. The works by one of Aotearoa’s most influential contemporary jewellers, begin life in the recognisable shape of the human head before shifting into something familiar, but uniquely unsettled.

Queenstown Arts Society (QAS) has been part of the Whakatipu creative community for nearly 65 years.

Sixteen volunteer firefighters from Frankton, Queenstown and Arrowtown took part in what was a tricky rescue after a young woman in her 30s or 40s fell about 6m down a steep bank off a walking trail above the Kawarau River on Saturday night (13 June).

While other 50-something mums endure night sweats at home after a long day at work, longtime Queenstown dance teacher Theresa Swain is out working up a night sweat of a different kind, moonlighting as a drag queen and nightclub DJ.

A new annual survey aimed at understanding how people across the Queenstown Lakes District and Aotearoa find, interpret and trust information has been launched by Wānaka-based consultancy Scope Communications.

Now in its 24th year, NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival will return this week and next. It features 63 awe-inspiring films – including 18 NZ-made productions and 17 world premieres – and 11 speakers. It kicks off this Friday in Wānaka before heading to Queenstown.

Police have arrested eight people and seized cash and drugs following search warrants in the Queenstown area.

Quick thinking by an onsite manager saved Arrowtown restaurant Slow Cuts and neighbouring businesses in the Royal Oak building from being burnt to the ground last Thursday, 4 June as did prompt action by local firefighters, FENZ Otago Lakes Group assistant commander Nic McQuillan says.