Content

James (Jim) Boult (CNZM) has been appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local government, tourism and the community in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list.

With nightly rates ranging from $2000 to $25,000 for private suite, in-room chef, butler and chauffeur, the super high-end ROKI Queenstown Hotel may exceed most budgets, but bookings for next year are already rolling in. General manager Stephen McAteer says they’re slightly ahead of schedule, aiming to open the $70m project in April next year, and there’s strong interest from the international market, particularly the US, with good New Zealand and Australian bookings too. He’s hoping to convert those first guests into regular returns. “We are tourism ambassadors. We want to show off Queenstown to our visitors,” McAteer says.

30 May 2024 The downtown winter party season may not have even begun yet, but Police are already dealing with their usual fair share of late-night assaults and altercations.

When a young 22-year-old South Otago farm boy bought the very rough 1.214ha (3000-acre) Queenstown Hill farm high above Lake Wakatipu he had no idea it might one day become a highly sought after goldmine – and one he’s preferred not to cash in.

The Wao Queenstown Film Festival will come to Te Atamira next week. It will feature award-winning films and documentaries with the aim to inspire a deep connection with the natural world. It will also showcase a series of Queenstown-based short films dedicated to local sustainable business efforts.

AS THE WINTER DRAWS IN AND THE NIGHTS GET LONGER, THOUGHTS TURN TO MULLED WINE, GOOD FOOD, CATCHING UP WITH YOUR BUDDIES AND GOING ON THE HUNT FOR SOME NEW STORIES.

Queenstown, known for its stunning landscapes and adventure sports, is home to an expansive network of trails that offer both recreation and a chance to connect with nature.

Serious concern continues to grow across the Southland and Otago regions after a further 64 paradise shelducks have been discovered mysteriously dead on the fore-shore of Lake Te Anau, just weeks after an initial 100 birds were collected from Dub-lin Bay, at Lake Wānaka, last month.

Most Wakatipu High School students have adapted to the government’s new ban on cellphone use in schools, and while the toilet cubicles seem to be very popular for some at break times, the majority of students haven’t skipped a beat, principal Oded Nathan says.

The Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment staff will keeping a sharp eye on employers and landlords in the Queenstown Lakes District this ski season to ensure workers are being treated fairly and within the law, with a large influx of temporary migrant visa workers anticipated.

Drivers between Cromwell and Queenstown, on SH6, will need to build in at least an extra hour next Wednesday afternoon, 29 May.

A heartfelt tribute to a "southwestern gentleman" has earned singer-songwriter Holly Arrowsmith the 2024 APRA Best Country Music Song award.

Queenstown Lakes Mayor Glyn Lewers and Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan have jointly written to New Zealand’s primary health agency to advocate for much needed health services for inland Otago.

Two hundred local women are giving $201,000 to the Wakatipu community this year via Impact100’s charity grant.

Vandalism, assault, drink driving and volunteers needed

Casi tres millones de personas se han visto afectadas por la catástrofe climática más grande en la historia de Brasil. Por eso, un grupo de la comunidad está haciendo un llamado a la solidaridad, organizando una rifa para enviar ayuda monetaria al país.

Queenstown Trails has offered a unique opportunity for Trail Lovers to stamp their mark on their very own piece of the trail with ‘The Great Kimi-ākau Bridge Plank Challenge’.

A bunch of furry felines have been warming hearts as well as laps with a Frankton woman, who’s been through one of life’s greatest challenges herself, inundated with demand for her free ‘cat therapy’.

A daring mid-winter, night-time rescue in atrocious weather, extreme gale-force winds and high avalanche risk has earned Wakatipu LandSAR’s Alpine Cliff Rescue Team high honours at the 2023 New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards in Parliament’s Grand Hall tonight.

May has brought us some beautiful weather here in the Wakatipu basin. It’s also a big month in politics with this Government’s first Budget being delivered May 30th.