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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.

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.

Queenstown’s multi-purpose community, arts and cultural space celebrated their second birthday on 15 May. The milestone was celebrated in the best way possible – with coffee and cake– as Te Atamira continues to organise amazing programmes for the region.

He’s best known as a quick-witted funnyman MC and broadcaster, but behind all the hilarity Grant Stewart also has an impressive serious side.

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.

Police have released the name of the man found dead in Invercargill on Sunday morning.

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.

Police are warning of a significant rise in the use and sale of cocaine in the region, with ongoing dealing and use of synthetic party drugs like MDMA and ketamine.

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.

Police have been dealing with drink driving, crashes due to driver inattention, some late-night aggression and an unusual night-time assault on a female walking home in which the perpetrator used her phone.

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?

You could say he was the Crocodile Dundee of the Wakatipu backcountry, spending much of his childhood at Skippers skinning goats and deer for big money, even walking away unscathed when his car careered off a 100-foot (30.4m) bluff into the canyon.

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.

Showbiz Queenstown is bringing Monty Python’s Spamalot from Broadway to the Memorial Centre stage this week. The show is known as a “musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Opening night for the company’s annual production is this Thursday with nine shows running until Saturday 25 May.

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.