Community

The Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Brigade’s specially trained medic team responded to 60% more medical emergencies, compared with the same period last year, amid a significant jump in callout rates.

Alarming increases in numbers of cancer patients, and particularly in younger age groups, in the Queenstown Lakes - Central Otago region has cancer community agencies pushing for greater support services.

Eichardts has launched a new luxury 90-minute Mulled Wine Cruise on picturesque Lake Wakatipu. You will find the Pacific Jemm docked at O’Regan’s Wharf ready to set sail twice a day. Included in your cruise is two glasses of locally made mulled wine and hot nibbles.

A membership organisation for independent electrician and plumber trades, Level Group ANZ, is rolling up its sleeves to lend a hand to a community group in Queenstown this September.

The Wao Film Festival is coming to Queenstown after an overwhelmingly successful run in Wānaka. The festival, running in its second year, is dedicated to showcasing films about our wonderful world, that inspire climate thoughtfulness and promote behavioural shifts.

A crisis respite facility providing short term care and support is now available to locals who are struggling with their mental health.

Tech is the way of a smarter tourism future, but Queenstown tourism development specialist Brad Rowe says that doesn’t mean robots at the helm of our jetboats and delivering meals in our fine dining restaurants.

Have you ever wondered why that homeless guy is homeless or some people are unemployed long-term? Why some people react to stress with violence, or can’t handle close relationships?

Queenstown and Central Otago house values appear to be bucking the national trend with house prices still rising and continued demand, especially from Australian and Auckland buyers.

With Ministry of Education plans to purchase land for a second high school seemingly on hold, Wakatipu High School’s board needs to “get creative” with an anticipated influx of new Year 9s students in 2026 likely to put the current six-year-old school near capacity.

Applications are open for Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Waste Minimisation Community Fund (WMCF). Started in 2018, the initiative supports projects that will help move our community towards zero waste. They’re looking for anything that will complement and enhance existing programmes, address gaps or create opportunities.

“These are so great! When’s the next one?” “Do you hold these every month? You totally should!” These are common refrains heard by the events team at every Repair Cafe hosted by Sustainable Queenstown as part of their Resourceful Communities program. Our answer, we hold 4 events a year, but it doesn’t have to stop there!

Bus patronage in Queenstown and Dunedin is at a six-year high.

International student numbers are on the rise at local language schools amid a renewed interest to study English in beautiful surrounds.

There’s growing frustration in local health circles with no firm decisions being made on the future use of the current 34-bed Lake Wakatipu Care Centre rest-home located next to the Lakes District Hospital, which will be vacated later this year.

The first few days of a week-long trial closing off traffic to Arrowtown’s quaint main street Buckingham Street and prioritising greater pedestrian use have drawn a mixed, in some cases strong, response.

Arrowtown’s own hometown, folk, ‘alt country’ style songwriter Holly Arrowsmith is still making powerful music waves with her single Desert Dove, now named one of just four finalists for Best Country Music Song in New Zealand’s top country awards Country Music Honours.

She’s been the bright and shining frontline star of Queenstown’s tourism industry for 65 years, greeting visitors from around the world with her unique effervescence and style.

Queenstown's latest stunning bike trail is set to open on 25 May.