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Weeks before ski field lifts usually start spinning, Queenstown's Coronet Peak has flipped the switch on a $2 million "snow factory" to lay down the first coat in Autumn. Crews have started producing snow from a high-tech fridge-like machine housed in shipping containers that can operate in temperatures of up to 20 degrees.

Showbiz Queenstown are bringing 9 to 5 the Musical to the Memorial Centre this week. The show features music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie.

The fast-track referral of a sprawling gondola and housing proposal - despite council warnings about missing details and limited benefit - is being described by a Queenstown councillor as a real disappointment.

He may not have taken out the official ‘Queenstown Top Bloke’ crown, but Junior Apolosi - one of the iconic contest’s most celebrated contestants, wins the unofficial title hands down, according to his mates.

An expansion to Lakes District Hospital's emergency department in Queenstown will begin within months as part of a $180 million boost to healthcare in the Otago Central Lakes area.

The Wakatipu Toy Library — a beloved community-run service lending quality toys, games and play equipment to hundreds of local families — is facing its most urgent challenge yet.

Local hot sauce company Hell Cat Hot Sauce has taken home a win at the prestigious Mr. Chilli awards. The awards are the authority on the hottest hot sauces here and across the ditch - the competition is open to New Zealand and Australia.

The Big Bike Film Night celebrates cycling in all its different shapes and forms. The programme aims to inspire, featuring a great mix of short films designed for two-wheel enthusiasts.

Emergency services are warning motorists to take extra care heading into the season of “frosty mornings and slippery roads” after a concerning number of traffic crashes around the Wakatipu recently before winter even arrives.

It only took 11 years for retired engineer Mark Hosie to make his mark in his beloved Arrowtown, celebrated recently for his role in motivating the local troops to victory in the battle to retain the quaint, historic town’s gold-rush era charm.

Kia ora, neighbours! We are thrilled to announce that LitFest is back, marking our second year running this district-wide celebration of literacy, and thanks to your incredible support, the festival is growing!

Born out of Queenstown’s events sector, a new battery system is changing how outdoor productions are powered - without the noise, fumes or fuel.

Remarkables Theatre will bring their Pint-Sized Plays to the Crown next week.

Amongst Queenstown-Lakes’ world-class wide-open spaces is a passionate community grappling with growing pains.

From speeds clocked at up to 140km/hr to festival-going drink drivers allegedly well over the legal limit, some driving only a short distance to get home, Police say they were out in force “with a razor-sharp focus” these past few weeks.

Funny woman Harriet Moir will bring her bold and brave new solo comedy show, Just Eat the Damn Sausage, to Sherwood in May.

Becky Osmond is the Cancer Society’s expert Prosthetics Service Coordinator, and she will be coming to Queenstown for free fittings on May 14.

He was one of Queenstown most loved hospitality characters, everybody’s mate, during his 30 years owning and running the then Chico’s Restaurant and Nightclub – a popular, late night Queenstown venue.

After five weeks of steady progress, the Women’s Shed in Queenstown is nearing completion, with its long-awaited permanent home set to open to the community in May.

In 2016, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy, endured chemotherapy so severe my oncologist recommended I stop early, and came out the other side looking, to everyone around me, completely fine. “Oh, you look fantastic!” people said. I could not bear it.