Community

This year for Conservation Week we are asking Aotearoa to take action for nature.

New Zealand is making significant changes to its visa policies, affecting different categories of visa holders. These changes aim to streamline the immigration process, attract skilled workers, and ensure a fair and balanced approach to visa applications.

The daughter of an illegal Dutch wartime immigrant, Toni Okkerse grew up in Wellington where her grandfather was a well-known importer of cars and classic motorcycles.

It’s been a highlight of Queenstown’s ski season for 21 years, delighting many a weary, homesick skifield worker longing for Mum’ s hearty home cooking, but Wakatipu Presbyterian Church’s annual free-for-all Pasta Café is just as much a hit with the locals.

Year 13 Wakatipu High School student Marley Smith has been selected for the New Zealand under 19 Men’s 4x Rowing Crew and will be competing for the World Championship in Paris this month. He’s the first Whakatipu Rowing Club member to win the New Zealand selection since the 70s – he and his family are currently over there for the event.

Queenstown Lakes needs more direct infrastructure funding before locals will fall in love with tourism again, says councillor Matt Wong.

The Cancer Society is calling for urgent help from the government to fund its support services after a 44 percent increase in Central Lakes patients seeking support in the past year.

If you’re strolling along Queenstown’s picturesque waterfront any day of the week, you’ll get to enjoy a sweet show from one of the many street performers dotted around. From opera singers and jugglers to singing dogs, hula hoopists, talented musicians and dancers – there’s much to see and enjoy.

Local dog experts are calling for local dog owners to take the lead - literally, and respect other walkway users, dogs on leads included, and to pick up their dogs poop.

When applying for a visa, there are several common mistakes that people make which can result in declines or delays with processing.

Arrowtown School is leading the way, officially launching its dedicated hangi area – Nga Hau e Wha – Four Winds, a place for the school whanau to congregate and celebrate, the first of its kind for a local school.

Youth Search and Rescue (YSAR) NZ is expecting a huge response when it launches its three-year programme for 14 to 18-year-olds in the Wakatipu next year.

An enterprising Wakatipu 14-year-old has raised $8500 for the much-needed Wakatipu Search and Rescue base after launching a bold initiative last year to boost Search and Rescue (SAR) coffers.

Craig ‘Ferg’ Ferguson enjoyed spending the afternoon alongside some of Queenstown’s senior citizens recently, when he volunteered his time to help at their weekly Friday social session in the heart of the town.

Interviews with WAO's Julia Blackford on the surprising results of its food resilience survey, and with Southern Lakes Sanctuary's Paul Kavanagh on using technology to enhance conservation efforts, including trialling new techniques like environmental DNA and AI monitoring.

National’s recent policies have potential to bring significant positive change to Queenstown. National will focus on transitioning to a low-emissions, high-growth economy, great infrastructure and sustainable housing and accommodation for all in the region.

National Volunteer Week is running between the 18th and 24th of June and honours the collective energies and mana of volunteers across the country.