
In a world where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the news, it’s often the small acts of kindness and community spirit that remind us of the good in the world.

Being part of positive change is one of the key drivers for me as your local MP and there have been some satisfying recent developments for the Queenstown Lakes.

July marks the global movement of Plastic Free July, encouraging individuals to be part of the solution to plastic pollution and refuse single-use plastic items for the entire month (and beyond). Why? So we can have cleaner lakes, rivers, oceans, and communities.

This winter, Remarkables Park Town Centre is proud to introduce a new community initiative designed specifically for the men of the Wakatipu.

What if just $1500 could bring joy to hundreds of local children, support families doing it tough, and promote sustainability all at once?

Nestled in the heart of Hanley’s Farm, the Hanley’s Farm Community Garden has quickly become a vibrant hub for connection, sustainability, and fresh produce.

Parenting is definitely no walk in the park. For many, the early years are full of challenges, adjusting to the new normal and learning on the fly.

From 15-22 June, 2025, Aotearoa will come together to celebrate National Volunteer Week – a time to honour the incredible contributions of volunteers who weave the threads of connection and compassion throughout our communities.

Winter brings a sharp rise in food insecurity across the region, with our recipient charities reporting a more than 50% increase in demand for food support programmes last year.

Last Friday, 16 May, marked three years since Te Atamira opened as a dedicated space for creativity and connection in the Whakatipu region. Since then, it has welcomed more than 2,500 visitors each week, growing into one of the most active venues in Aotearoa’s second most creative town.

Join us for an inspiring evening of kōrero, ideas, and practical solutions at the Electrify Queenstown Community Evening Sessions — a free public event designed to spark meaningful conversations about how we can power a cleaner, more resilient future together.

A delicious dinner cooked by a local chef, clever kitchen tips and tricks that you never knew you needed, plus fantastic recipes and resources, all designed to help you and your household reduce food waste and save money in the process.
The Whakatipu Reforestation Trust (WRT) has been operating since 2013, working to grow and plant native trees and shrubs throughout the Whakatipu Basin, with 125,000 plants in the ground to date, the impact is starting to add up.

She’s acted the clown, cleaned up squid ink-coloured vomit in a remote hut, been called ‘the Mrs’ by five-year-old boys, while another tiny tot secretly assured her his brother was home “printing real money”.

In times of hardship, a little kindness can go a long way. That’s exactly what Queenstown’s volunteer-driven organisation, Baskets of Blessing, strives to provide.
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The Lakes Weekly is hand delivered to every business in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Frankton, Five Mile Remarkables Park and Glenda Drive on Tuesday. Copies are available in service stations, libraries and drop boxes throughout the region and every supermarket throughout the Queenstown basin and Wanaka.
Online the issue is available Monday afternoon, on lwb.co.nz and the Qtn App.
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