Business News

Just like that – another year has flashed by and we’re getting excited to meet some incredible female leaders from around the country to inspire us at this year’s Westpac Women’s conference on Friday, 14 June.

One of Queenstown Airport’s key pieces of work in 2023 was the completion of its Master Plan. The document will guide considerable investment in infrastructure at the airport over the coming decade, while enabling and supporting lower-emission aviation.

Pic’s Peanut Butter CEO Aimee McCammon knows the power of a feel-good business with a great product and an authentic origin story.

Natalie Ferguson and Kristen Lunman’s first mission was to put investing at everyone’s finger tips.

Innovative Wānaka based outdoor gear brand KEA Outdoors is aiming to raise $500k in growth capital this month via an equity crowdfunding campaign.

The Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust has a new Trustee with the appointment of local finance professional Kate Skeggs.

One winter morning in 2017 Eddie Spearing woke up with an epiphany. “I thought, ‘I’m gonna make a wetsuit’,” the hardy, Kiwi Brit – a forerunner in Wanaka Lake Swimmers Club, says.

My journey as a business owner began around 15 years ago with a franchise in Queenstown, and later transitioned into owning and operating a tourism business in Nelson. Along the way, I’ve also ventured into construction projects, offering me a diverse range of experiences across various business models and industries.

A changing of the guard is underway at one of Queenstown’s most popular health clinics. Highly regarded chiropractor Neki Patel is selling Queenstown Health, which he opened 1993, passing the business baton to colleague and protégé Cole Mackie.

Broken Heart Spirits are distilled in Queenstown and the business was created by Joerg Henkenhaf and Bernd Schnabel. The origin story of the distillery is one of friendship and tragedy, as Bernd sadly fell ill and passed away suddenly in 2012. Joerg, on his own path of healing, realised that as much as a broken heart hurts, it’s also a space to be filled with new beginnings – he decided to share the gin with the world and call it Broken Heart for him.

Tucked discreetly in rural tranquility off Speargrass Flat Road, one of New Zealand’s most successful film production and risk management companies is quietly doing its stuff, interacting with global film heavyweights on a daily basis.

Luxury accessories brand Deadly Ponies is moving south. The Auckland-based design house opens its first South Island store in Queenstown next month, on the corner of Rees and Beach Streets, in the heart of downtown’s new pedestrianised area.

Thirteen years or so ago, James Ace and Bert Haines knew each other socially when a chance meeting in the street changed everything. “We got chatting, and James offered me the job of Operations Manager which I jumped at,” says Bert. Every now and again the pair – now co-owners -- look over their shoulders and reflect on the serendipity of that moment.

Henry Brain is at the helm of Shotover Street’s Gents Barbershop. The traditional and stylish barber also offers a whisky bar and lounge in addition to the array of services you’d expect. Brain’s been on this business journey for three years and has grown the shop to where it is now – over 350 clients a week walk through the doors – and he has desires to open more stores in the region in the next few years.

The Warehouse Group has sold its struggling outdoor brand Torpedo7 for $1.

Fiordland businesses are calling for urgent action to address a critical housing shortage they say is limiting the region's economy.

Confidence appears to be returning to the Queenstown Lakes business community following the General Election.

Active Adventures took home Supreme Business of the Year at the 2023 Queenstown Business Chamber Awards at Walter Peak High Country Farm on Saturday 4 November.

Queenstown’s Broken Heart Spirits has notched up a kiwi ‘first’ with the launch of the country’s first fully recyclable eco-refill pouches.

Some of the world’s wealthiest people will be jetting into Queenstown over the next six months with most luxury lodges and five-star accommodation already either booked out or heavily booked until early April.