Community

Growing up, I remember two identical, unlabeled blue and white boxes in the ‘random’ cupboard in our home. Consider them the Indian equivalent of the Royal Dansk biscuit tins that contain anything but.

Few teachers, especially those who’ve managed 150 teenagers at once in the backcountry for 12 days straight, would say they “feel so blessed and incredibly grateful” to have been a teacher!

Mental Health by Katherine Froggatt

The highly anticipated Wakatipu Plunket Garden Tour is returning on Saturday, 21 November, offering a rare and exclusive opportunity to explore a diverse range of spectacular, private local gardens across the basin.

Organisers of a Kingston charity golf tournament to support former Kingston Fire Chief Pete Ottley, unable to work for almost two years, have had to close off already extended registrations after several weeks with demand exceeding expectations.

With Halloween lurking around the corner, Police are encouraging everyone to take a few simple steps to ensure the night is all treats and no tricks. Inspector Brett Callander, Manager of Community Prevention and Partnerships, says before the pirates and fairies go out and about, it is important to refresh about safety.

Queenstown will sparkle brighter than ever on Saturday, 31 October, as the Bhartiya Samaj Queenstown Charitable Trust hosts the annual Diwali – Festival of Lights.

The legacy of a Queenstown woman with a heart for underprivileged Nepalese kids, who left almost $1million in rare collectable Queenstown artworks to locally based Orphans Aid International, is being honoured this month.

MindJam returns this Labour Weekend, presented by Catalyst Trust and the University of Otago Division of Humanities | Te Kete Aronui. Tickle your brain as we tackle the big issues in a series of informal conversations, stitched together by some of New Zealand’s leading thinkers. 

Kiwi Park has welcomed three healthy kea chicks, the first ever born at the wildlife sanctuary in its 40-year history. Hatched just over three weeks ago, the chicks represent a significant milestone for the Park's conservation advocacy programme, with kea breeding in captivity having been tightly restricted across the country over the past 35 years!

Gather today. Shape tomorrow. This November, WAI Wānaka is inviting the community to take a seat at the table for a special milestone.

Queenstown is known for its energy — the buzz of visitors, the seasons, the constant movement of people, visiting, working, exploring, and building new lives.

The Skyline Charity Golf Classic raffle opened on 1 October 2026, giving the wider community a chance to win one of 15 prizes worth more than $60,000 while helping Wakatipu High School students attend Branches Camp.

We’ve come a long way in the Queenstown Lakes District. No one bats an eyelid when you offer up a reusable coffee cup in town and an increasing number of water stations have made reusable bottles the norm for locals and visitors alike.

NHR has rolled into town, bringing a range of moving trucks and cargo vans suitable for individuals and business hire. Their fleet includes diesel vehicles and our district’s first electric moving truck – all complete with handy tail lifts.

Queenstown’s Ide family has not only produced two dedicated local volunteer firefighters, but they’re a pretty good bunch of gold diggers too.

Mental Health by Katherine Froggatt

Combining community, creativity and curated compositions, At The World’s Edge (AWE) will once again tour the Central Lakes region, performing for over 2,000 students at multiple early childhood centres, primary schools and high schools.

A chat with a neighbour. A walk with friends. A chance to try something new.

The Wakatipu Anglers Club is based in Queenstown and meets on a regular basis.