Wanaka Sun 3 - 9 Apr 2014

inside:

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Regional final

Double gold

Kayak champs

Minister retiresDiane Gilliam-Weeks has been working full-time for 45 years, apart from nine months when her daughter was born, so she’s looking forward to a change of pace when she retires after Easter. PAGE 3

The Environment Court has cancelled an interim enforcement order which required Hawea Flat farmer Dougal Innes to stop cultivating his land by the Clutha River. PAGE 2

THUR 03.04.14 - WED 09.04.14 WANAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER

Farmer cleared

Jessica MaddockWanaka Sun

PHOTO: WANAKA.TV

Story continues page 2...

Changes to the amount of water which can be taken from the Lindis River for irrigation were proposed at a meeting this week.

The Otago Regional Council proposed a minimum flow of 450 litres per second, to the approximately 50 farmers, businesspeople and environmentalists who attended the meeting at Tarras.

The council’s chief executive, Peter Bodeker, said at present ten to 15km stretches of the river dried up in summer and fish died when the small pools of water warmed in the sun.

The council had monitored the river for 30 years, including the amount of water taken from it and the seasonal variations. It had also consulted the

community, farmers and recreational users.

A minimum flow of 450 litres per second would ensure there was water in the river to the bridge on State Highway 8 year-round and that the pools were linked, enabling fish to swim upstream to deeper, cooler water.

“It won’t be a raging torrent, but it will be water in a riverbed.

“It’s a real balancing act, matching commercial needs as well as recreational and environmental needs, which have a commercial aspect too.”

At present there were “mining privileges” on the Lindis River, meaning water take permits given to goldminers had transferred to the landowners when goldmining ceased and were now used for irrigation.

Those permits would expire in 2021 and landowners would have to apply to take water from the river, on which a minimum flow would be imposed.

This meant that if the river flow reached the minimum level allowed, restrictions would be placed on the amount of water which could be taken for irrigation.

Peter Bodeker said signalling the minimum flow well in advance gave landowners time to consider how they would manage with less water, by using, for example, more efficient irrigation methods, such as sprayers instead of flooding, or looking for alternative sources, or creating storage.

The four local aquifers were also discussed, with the council informing meeting attendees three of them were

largely allocated and there was only a small amount of water available in the fourth.

Tarras farmer Peter Jolly said there was confusion about the implications of the proposed minimum flow, due to conflicting reports.

One report said a minimum flow of 450 litres per second would result in about 60 days per irrigating season on which landowners would not be able to irrigate. This would have “horrendous implications,” he said.

“It would probably be in January, February and March, when it’s most needed.”However, another report suggested that, if the river level dropped below

Lindis: less irrigation, more water

Wanaka Wastebusters’ Jeromy Bisson and Sue Coutts are pictured with Billy Matheson (centre, representing Auckland Council) during a tour of the facility yesterday. Story page 3.

THURSDAY 03.04.14 - WEDNESDAY 09.04.14PAGE 2 wanakasun

sunnews


Caroline HarkerWanaka Sun

Most public submissions on a proposed whisky distillery, perfumery and museum at Cardrona support the plans, saying the attraction will bring much-needed economic growth to the valley.

Ten people or organisations commented on the proposal, with seven in favour, two against and one neutral.

Wanaka woman Desiree Reid has applied for resource consent from the Queenstown Lakes District Council to build the complex near the corner of Cardrona Valley Road and the road to the Snow Farm, opposite the entrance to Cardrona Alpine Resort.

The seven supportive submitters included Cardrona entrepreneurs John and Mary Lee, valley resident Jenny Roberts and Cardrona Residents and Ratepayers Association Chairperson Barrie Morgan.

John Lee said Cardrona needed to grow to support essential services such as a school bus. He was part of a committee which had been trying for 16 years to get a school bus reinstated.

Barrie Morgan said the distillery would provide jobs in the valley and the museum would enable the history of the area to be preserved. “For small communities like Cardrona, businesses should be allowed, encouraged and supported to develop the valley. For the continued existence of the valley, this is paramount.”

A Wanaka-based submitter, Donald Lousley, anticipated the whisky distilled in Cardrona would become synonymous with the valley, as the Cardrona Gold brand of beer had, and be good marketing for the local tourism industry.

Another supportive submitter, retired doctor Dennis Pezaro, recalled Cardrona’s historic links with whisky. One of his predecessors, the late Dr Albert Blanc, used to take his visitors to Cardrona “to enjoy a dram of whisky because it tasted better with Cardrona

water,” Dennis Pezaro said.One of the development’s two opponents,

the Upper Clutha Environmental Society, agreed there was “considerable merit” in establishing a new and interesting business and attraction in Cardrona.

However, society president Julian Haworth said the proposed location was “obtrusive” and visible from roads, including those to Cardrona Alpine Resort and the Snow Farm, and from the Cardrona-Roaring Meg walking track.

He said the distillery should be built on a lower terrace, closer to the Cardrona River, where it would be less prominent from Cardrona Valley Road and then screened

by “extensive native planting.”The complex in its proposed location would

add to the “ribbon” development already apparent in the township. “The application…will set a precedent for obtrusive ad hoc development of commercial premises in the outstanding natural landscapes of the Cardrona Valley and the wider (Queenstown Lakes) District,” Julian Haworth said.

The other opponent, Mount Cardrona Station Director Chris Morton, was concerned about “smell and odour” emanating from

the distillery. “This could severely affect the proposed development of up to 1000 residential units within the Mount Cardrona Station zone on my land.”

The Southern District Health Board’s Public Health Service neither supported nor opposed the development, but urged

the council to impose conditions relating to drinking water and disposal of wastewater.

It was concerned the drinking water supply could be at risk of contamination from the development’s on-site wastewater treatment system, which included disposal of treated wastewater to land.

The council was currently investigating building a reticulated wastewater scheme in Cardrona, but the Public Health Service was concerned the distillery owners would be reluctant to join a new scheme if they had invested in an on-site system. It urged the council to make connection to the reticulated scheme, if it was built, a condition of consent.

Majority support Cardrona distillery

For a short while on Tuesday, Auckland Central climbed from the bottom of the Gigatown leader board to third place by gaining several hundred thousand gigapoints, before being relegated back to 19th place. The April 1 glitch – or April Fool’s joke – had no effect on Wanaka’s standing. Gigatown Wanaka has maintained its first place, with a lead of more than 200,000 points over Dunedin in second.

Gigafool

The Environment Court has cancelled an interim enforcement order which required Hawea Flat farmer Dougal Innes to stop cultivating his land by the Clutha River. The order came into effect on March 3 and was cancelled on March 27. The case was brought by Forest & Bird which said significant native vegetation was being destroyed by the cultivation of the land, and that resource consent should have been required under the Queenstown Lakes District Plan. Dougal had been advised by council staff that he did not require resource consent. It is not known yet whether Forest & Bird will appeal the case.Forest & Bird believes the enforcement order was cancelled because the remediation of the cleared land is not possible. It said the court found the land clearance breached the Queenstown Lakes District Plan, and that the remaining areas could not be developed without a resource consent. “If the Queenstown Lakes District Council had acted to stop the destruction as soon as Forest & Bird alerted it, we may not have lost one of the best and biggest remaining areas of short tussock grasslands, cushion fields, and dry land ecosystems in the Upper Clutha Basin,” Forest & Bird Southland Field Officer Sue Maturin said. “This case highlights the need for councils to be much better at advising landowners about their obligations under district plans; to have clear rules to protect biodiversity; and to strongly uphold the integrity of their plans.”

Daylight saving ends New Zealand Daylight Saving will end on Sunday April 6, when 3am becomes 2am. The daylight saving period runs from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April. This year daylight saving will recommence on September 28. As well as changing clocks, the end of daylight saving is a good time for people to check their household emergency plans and survival items and home smoke alarms.

Farmer cleared

the minimum flow rate, farmers’ water allocation would also drop, by a pro rata percentage, to maintain the river’s flow.

Peter Jolly said this was a more achievable scenario, but farmers would have to be assured of access to water throughout the irrigating season, even if it was a reduced amount at times, if they were to invest in pivot irrigator infrastructure.

“Obviously it wouldn’t be our first choice, but I think most people…can see every waterway in the country is going to have a minimum flow of some description imposed on it in the next few years.”

Fish and Game Otago manager, Niall Watson, said a minimum flow of 450 litres per second was inadequate.

It would mean the Lindis River would continue to be a “hostile environment” for aquatic life, which would have no “passage” as the Lindis River would not connect with the Clutha River.

Niall said recent research showed the council’s “refuge pool” hypothesis did not work in practice. “When the river gets very low, there are high levels of fish mortality – juvenile trout and native bullies – from high water temperatures, predation by birds and strandings.

“The Lindis is a significant trout spawning and juvenile rearing tributary for the Upper Clutha and Lake Dunstan.”

Niall said it appeared the river connected at flows of 750 litres per second, but, to be healthy, a river required flows of over 1000 litres per second.

Landowners needed to seek alternative irrigation sources, such as water from the Clutha River or bores, or build storage for dry periods, he said.

The council would undertake public consultation on the proposed minimum flow rate mid-year.

Less irrigation, more water

Businesses should be allowed, encouraged and

supported to develop the valley.

Continued from page 1...

THURSDAY 03.04.14 - WEDNESDAY 09.04.14 PAGE 3wanakasun

sunnews




Step forward for facility

A contingent from Auckland Council visited Wanaka Wastebusters yesterday, as the super city considers setting up similar community recycling centres.Wanaka Wastebusters Manager Sue Coutts said Auckland Council was working towards “zero waste,” including establishing a city-wide resource recovery network.

“The council s t a f f h a d heard about Wastebusters over the years and they want t o s e e h o w it works for themselves, so they can get their network off on the right foot.

“They like the idea that Wastebusters has created practical ways for local people to reuse and recycle at the same time as we have stayed t r u e t o t h e original zero waste vision, by championing waste reduction out in the wider world through projects like Unpackit (Best and Worst Packaging Awards),” Sue said.

Representatives of Auckland Council’s waste and community development teams toured Wanaka Wastebusters to learn how the reuse shop and recycling services operate and about the community enterprise business model the organisation used.

“By taking a strategic approach, they hope to get more

Aucklanders eye up Wastebusters

Plans for a smaller stage one of the Wanaka sport facility have been unanimously supported by the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

The proposal will be released for public consultation mid-year, as part of the council’s annual plan.

The Wanaka Sport Facility Steering Group last week recommended the council reduce the scale of stage one, to fit its $16.84 million budget, following another round o f p u b l i c consultation on the community’s priorities.

Stage one, to be built at Three Parks, now included two indoor courts, an outdoor artificial surface, retractable seating, toilets, changing rooms, storage areas, “casual recreation” space and 128 car parks. It was estimated to cost $12.3 million.

Stage one would also include improvements to the existing swimming pool on Plantation Road, with a separate learner’s pool added, a new entrance area and changing rooms, and upgraded plant. The improvements were estimated to cost $2.1 million.

A Wanaka ward councillor, Calum MacLeod, who was also a member of the sport facility steering group , maintained his argument that council could get “better bang for its buck.”

Speaking after the meeting, he said the steering group had decided what would be included in stage one, but

had not had an opportunity to discuss the estimated costs in detail, before last week’s council meeting. Council staff had received the quantity surveyor’s estimates in February, but had not forwarded them to steering group members until March 14, he said.

His research showed councils in other South Island towns had built larger sport facilities than was being proposed

in Wanaka for significantly less money.

“We appear to be agreeing to pay twice the price for half the facility,”

he said.Also speaking after the meeting,

another Wanaka ward councillor, Lyal Cocks, said the sport facility steering group had made a “reasonable recommendation,” based on the information it had.

However, reducing the number of indoor courts from three, as was originally proposed, to two was “disappointing” and would be a “missed opportunity.” He hoped this would still be possible, once the design had been confirmed and the actual cost was known.

Lyal was also wary of spending too much on temporary improvements to the existing swimming pool, when the ultimate plan was to build a new aquatic centre at Three Parks, but said a “compromise” was necessary.

Diane Gilliam-Weeks has been working full-time for 45 years, apart from nine months when her daughter was born, so she’s looking forward to a change of pace when she retires after Easter. She was pictured with Wanaka church leaders last week, from left: Raewyn and Damon Plimmer (Anglican), Andrew Wells (Lighthouse), Wayne and Judy Ward (New Life), Diane, Father Paul Mahoney (Catholic), and Jim and Lois Patrick (Baptist).

She’s has been a minister for the Wanaka Presbyterian Church for 12 years. Prior to that, Diane was national director of communications for the Presbyterian Church for nearly eight years. This followed an 18-year career in television where she worked as a producer, director and journalist. Diane is soon turning 65 and she and her husband Reg Weeks, who is 12 years older, have decided they want some time off together.

“In the ministry you are available 24/7,”Diane said. “I’m looking forward to having more choice and some obligation-free days.”

Diane has been busy during her years in Wanaka. She has spearheaded the team who spent eight years overseeing the design and building of the new Wanaka Presbyterian Community Church Centre.

“What I’m most proud of is keeping the congregation multi-generational,” Diane said. “We need all the generations. Instead of splitting into two, we have the children at church with their parents and grandparents. One week the service is organ-led and

the alternate week is guitar-led. We’ve been doing that for five years now.” The parish has about 150 families attending church regularly, with about 600 people on the pastoral roll. But Diane’s work takes her well beyond the church.

“The most amazing thing I’ve done is mentoring a group of MAC children from when they were 11 years old until they graduated. It was amazing to spend eight years with them, being there for them no matter what happened.” The group members are now in their early 20s, and many are still in regular contact with Diane.

She has also run a non-denominational after-school group called YAK (Youth at Kai) which meets weekly for discussions. Then there are the three Sunday school classes she has started, Mainly Music (for pre-schoolers), which is now thriving in both Wanaka and Hawea, and the monthly interfaith lunches she organised for four years.

“We had people who were Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and New Age,” she said. “We got to know each other really well.

If we want the world to get along and be peaceful we have to have that here in Wanaka.”

Diane extends that philosophy to her congregation. She said three quarters of them have been living in Wanaka for less time than she has.

“The challenge is to make everyone feel welcome.” Since Diane came here in 2002 she has officiated at 130 weddings and 106 funerals. “Being let into people’s lives on an intimate level is a great privilege. When awful things happen the whole community comes together. That’s why I love living here.”

While she would love to stay on, Diane doesn’t think it would be fair on the new minister for her to stay in town. “I need to give the next person the keys to the city,” she said.

Reg and Diane plan to be gypsies in their caravan until January when they will move into a house they own in Eastbourne.

They both plan to do interim ministries (Reg is an ordained minister). Diane will continue to edit Refresh – the NZ Journal of Contemplative Spirituality, and retain her roles on various national committees and boards including the Presbyterian Church National Leadership subcommittee, the Knox Centre Advisory Board and the Spiritual Growth Ministries Board. She will also continue to train spiritual directors.

While she’s sad to be living Wanaka, she is happy about the timing.

“Twelve years in a parish is a decent length of time and you can do a lot. I feel I’m leaving the parish and community in good heart, and that’s a good way to go out.”

Diane looking forward to retirement

We appear to be agreeing to pay twice

the price for half the facility.

community and social enterprise happening right across the city. That way they’ll be recovering resources at the same time as they create jobs, train young people (and) feed money into their local economies,” Sue said. The delegation was in the region to attend the

annual WasteMINZ conference, being held in Queenstown t o d a y a n d tomorrow.

Sue was among the speakers at the conference, addressing why social enterprise was useful, how councils and governments o v e r s e a s w e r e supporting it, and what could be done to aid development of the initiative in New Zealand.

“Community and social enterprise is valued all over the world as a tool for solving tricky problems. In the U K , A u s t r a l i a and the USA, it is well supported by government,

councils and business. Here in New Zealand it is seen as something new.”

Sue said she would also be sharing Wanaka Wastebusters’ experiences and lessons with conference delegates, to help other communities which were considering setting up recycling centres.

PHOTO: WANAKA.TV

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inbrief

sunnews

PHOTO: GILBERT VAN REENEN

Staff ReporterWanaka Sun

There was local interest in the ANZ Young Farmer Contest, when former Wanaka woman, Erica van Reenen, competed in the recent Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Final.

Erica, who was the only female competitor, finished second overall against seven others from across the region, and won the Lincoln University Agrigrowth Challenge.

The regional final is a day-long competition which tests contestants on their technical, financial, practical and general knowledge skills. The day started with two exams, followed by practical modules which included boning out a Denver leg of

venison, cutting a scarf to show tree felling (pictured), and building a planter box as part of a head-to-head challenge. The agrisports competition, which is described as an agricultural decathlon, finished off the practical portion of the competition. Among the ten challenges was cooking and eating a worm burger and setting up a K-line irrigator. The day finished with seven rounds of general knowledge and agricultural questions.

Erica said it was a lot of hard work to get to the regional finals so she wanted to enjoy the day. “You have no idea what you’re going to have to do until the day so it’s hard to train and study, but I’d done a lot of training on different practical

challenges that I thought might come up. Once you get there, you just have to hope you’ve done enough and problem solve what you don’t know,” she said. “I was really nervous in the morning, but once I got going I had a blast, the time went surprisingly quickly.”

The 29 year-old, who has recently been appointed to the role of environment extension manager at Beef and Lamb New Zealand, said she hopes to compete next year and qualify for the grand final.

Sheep and beef farmer, Dwayne Cowin, who was competing in his fourth regional final, won the competition and will represent the Waikato/Bay of Plenty at the grand final in Christchurch in July.

Regional final for Erica

Enhanced access fundThis year $76,000 will be made available over four funding rounds through a contestable fund administered by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission (NZWAC), for projects designed to enhance access to New Zealand’s great outdoors.Groups can apply for funding through the Enhanced Access Fund 2014. Priority will be given to initiatives that obtain new access and projects such as the installation of signs that inform the public about access opportunities.NZWAC Chief Executive Mark Neeson said the shift away from a single annual application process would provide for more flexibility around project start dates, by making it easier for groups to seek funding throughout the year. “There are many hard-working community groups doing their bit to improve access in our country and this fund is designed to give them a helping hand,” he said. “More than 60 projects have received Enhanced Access Fund support over the past four years, and we expect demand for funding to remain strong.”The application deadline for the first 2014 funding round is May 31.


Party in the park

The fourth Albert Town Party in the Park will take place this Sunday, April 6, from 11am to 2pm at McMurdo Park off Dale Street. The community fun day aims to provide a space for old and new residents to come together, find out who lives in Albert Town and have fun. New this year are a bike race and bike dress-up competitions There will also be a bouncy castle, organised games (including egg and spoon races and sack races), food, drink and live music.

Hitch-hikers attackedWanaka Police assisted in the manhunt on Sunday March 30 for a male who severely injured two female hitch-hikers in an incident at Franz Joseph on the West Coast.A 38-year-old man was apprehended in relation to the incident at around 3am on March 31.He received injuries, including dog bites, during the apprehension on the West Coast and received medical treatment.The female tourists were in a stable condition in Grey Base Hospital, and were visited by Tasman District Commander Superintendent Richard Chambers on Monday.“Naturally they are very relieved to know we have apprehended this man, however, they are still extremely traumatised and upset after what they have been through, which is entirely understandable,” he said.Police intended to formally interview the women once their condition had improved.


sunnews


crimescene

Wanaka Police are still getting reports of i-phone thefts in local bars and advise people to look after their valuables.

Wanaka Police are asking for help from the public to identify the nude male reported swimming at the reserve in Albert Town where the Hawea River flows into the Clutha River. He was last seen wearing a red and white baseball cap on the March 28.

A local man was arrested when he breached his court bail conditions on March 28.

On March 31 a tradesman working locally had his drivers licence suspended for 28 days and his car impounded due to a serious driving offence and he will appear in court this month.

Senior Constable Ian Henderson attended two incidents in Cardrona Valley this week involving wandering stock.

Wanaka Police will be focussing on drivers using cell phones while driving, people not wearing seatbelts, speed and intersections, as well as cyclists riding without lights or helmets in the next few months.

The Wanaka Community Patrol meeting, organised by Constable Mike Thomas, was attended by a good number of locals. The initiative could be running by July 1.

Nude swimmer, phone thefts

New Zealand’s Southern Police District is one of the safest places in the country, according to District Commander Superintendent Andrew Coster.

Crime in Otago Rural was down by 6.1 percent last year, according to Statistics New Zealand. This includes the whole of the Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes districts. The crime resolution rate for the period was 57.5 percent.

Superintendent Andrew Coster said the latest figures reflect the steady reduction in crime that has occurred in the district since 2009.

“This is due to the hard work and professionalism of police and our partner agencies who work tirelessly to make our communities safer,” he said.

Acting Area Commander, Inspector Andrew Burns, said while most statistics were down, Operation Viking in Wanaka had resulted in a 3.3 percent increase in illicit drug offences. Sexual assault and related offences were up by nine offences for the year (64.3 percent) and robbery, extortion and related offences were up by two offences (66.7 percent).

Total recorded offences for Otago Rural

were down from 3210 in 2012 to 3013 in 2013.“These figures continue to build on the

crime reductions made over recent years across Otago Rural,” Inspector Burns said. “It reflects the Prevention First focus of our staff working in conjunction with our communities and our partner agencies.”

The number of offences classed as acts intending to cause injury has decreased to 365, and theft and related offences decreased to 804. Offences related to property damage were down to 497, from 539 in 2012.

Aurora Energy is planning to build a substation on Camp Hill Road, due to increased demand for electricity from farmers with irrigators and for residential growth at Hawea Flat.

A planning consultant for the Dunedin City Council-owned company, Don Anderson, said an application for designation had been lodged with the Queenstown Lakes District Council, which gave the council opportunity to have input into the development of community infrastructure.

The substation would be built on a 3000sqm site on the eastern side of the kayak playwave carpark. Aurora Energy would purchase the land from neighbouring dairy farmer, Jim Cooper.

The new substation would be closer to the areas which had increasing electricity demands, than the existing substation at the intersection of State Highway 6 and Maungawera Valley Road.

A new substation on Riverbank Road was

recently granted consent, despite strong opposition from nearby residents.

Don Anderson did not anticipate the same opposition to the proposed Camp Hill Road substation, saying there were no houses nearby and the closest homeowners were farmers who wanted the additional electricity to run their irrigators.

The Riverbank Road facility was also a “major switching substation” and therefore a much larger piece of infrastructure, he said.

Safest place to live in the country

New substation on Camp Hill RoadJessica MaddockWanaka Sun


sunnews


PHOTO: SUPPLIED

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

brief

Almost 100 people from the Cromwell community assisted students and teachers to transform an unused area of Cromwell Primary School’s field, into an educational and interactive space for the students to explore, during the school’s Treemendous makeover.

The makeover included constructing an amphitheatre-styled outdoor classroom and stage for students to attend lessons, and planting 300 native bushes and a kowhai grove, to provide food for bellbirds and tuis.

“The new outdoor classroom, surrounded by the native flora and fauna, will be a great learning environment for the students. We are especially excited

that we have laid the foundations for the development of a waharoa (entranceway) which will complete the makeover area,” CPS Principal Wendy Brooks said. “We had a great turn out and so much fantastic support from our local community including all those who kindly donated supplies and their valuable time to this project.”

The programme is a joint initiative between the Mazda Foundation and Project Crimson.

Special guest Ruud Kleinpaste , aka The Bugman, was pictured at the event educating Cromwell students on the bugs you can find in your back yard.

Makeover transforms outdoor space

“Creating a place where talent wants to live” was the theme of a workshop held in Wanaka on Monday. Attended by local body politicians and the public, the workshop was one of a nationwide series based on the late Sir Paul Callahan’s vision: the creation of a talent-based economy, focused on innovation, technology and a highly-skilled workforce, rather than traditional industries. It was led by Wellington-based McGuinness Institute (formerly the Sustainable Future Institute) think-tank founder Wendy McGuinness, who was a colleague of Sir Paul’s. “New Zealand came on to the world stage as an economy based on natural resources such as coal, gold and gum, which then evolved into an agricultural-based economy,” Wendy said. “This is how most developed countries grew their economy, but they then moved on to create economies based on providing services and intellectual property. New Zealand, as a whole, has not made this move.”

In 2013 Wendy and her staff put together a TalentNZ journal in which 30 New Zealanders discuss how the country could implement Sir Paul’s vision.

“From this work it became apparent the potential initiatives could be based on what we have called the four pillars: to grow, attract, retain and connect talent,” Wendy said. “If we do this well, we will be an example to the world.” Wendy said Sir Paul had shown that although New Zealand was the second hardest-working country in the OECD, it was the lowest in terms of productivity.

“We are poor because we choose to be poor,” he had said in 2011. “We choose to work in low-wage activities. What we’re good at is really weird stuff.” Wendy said Sir Paul came to the conclusion that talent was what we as a nation, should focus on, rather than jobs. “A strong correlation exists between talent, economic wealth and community well-being. A talent-based economy is people-based,” she said. Local councillor Ella Lawton, who used to work with Wendy, said she hoped the discussion would influence two Shaping Our Future forums – one on the future of tourism, which will be held in Wanaka on April 10 and another on the future of conservation, which will be in May.

Talent in town


sunnews

PHOTO: WANAKA.TV


BACTERIA (E COLI) CLARITY (TURBIDITY) NITRITE-NITRATE NITROGEN DISSOLVED REACTIVE PHOSPHOROUS (DRP)

LOCATION STATE TREND STATE TREND STATE TREND STATE TREND

Lake Wanaka In the best 25% of like sites No trend In the best 25%

of like sites No trend In the best 25% of like sites Meaningful improvement In the best 25% of like

sites No trend

Lake Hawea In the best 25% of like sites No trend In the best 25%

of like sites No trend In the best 25% of like sites No trend In the best 50% of like

sites No trend

Hawea River (Camphill Bridge)

In the best 25% of like sites No trend In the best 25%


sites No trend

Clutha River (Luggate Bridge)


of like sites Meaningful degradation In the best 25% of like sites No trend In the best 25% of like

sites No trend

Matukituki River (West Wanaka)



sites No trend

Luggate Creek (SH6 Bridge)


of like sites No trend In the best 25% of like sites No trend In the worst 50% of like

sites No trend

A new website has gone live, dedicated to providing the public with information on the health of the country’s waterways.

The Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website has been developed by New Zealand’s 16 regional councils, the Environment Ministry, the Cawthron Institute and Massey University.

It provides information on the level of bacteria, nitrogen, phosphorous and acidity, and on the water clarity, of freshwater waterways. The data is gathered at 1100 monitoring sites throughout the country. The website enables users to gauge how a waterway’s health compares to similar sites around the country and states whether it is in a stable, degrading or improving state.

Local Government New Zealand Regional Council Sector Group Chairperson, Fran

Wilde, said, despite the importance of the health of waterways to New Zealanders, until now there had not been a dedicated information point.

“Never before has there been such a focus on the state of New Zealand’s freshwater…Freshwater is a vital asset to our country and it’s important that the public can see and understand for themselves the state of a particular river or catchment and how it may be affected by what’s going on around it.”

An Otago Regional Council spokesperson said monitoring showed Upper Clutha waterways were in “excellent” health.

The country’s largest independent science organisation, the Cawthron Institute, is involved with the new website to validate the way the data is collected, processed and analysed. The institute’s chief executive, Charles Eason, said this was to give the public

confidence in the accuracy of the information. “Many people can so often be put off by overly complex scientific information, but we believe LAWA has simplified the science and allows everyone to connect with what’s going on in their river.”

Work was underway to include information on water quantity and coastal water quality on the LAWA website. The national Suitability for Recreation Grade (SFRG) was also measured at 150 of 1100 sites and included on the LAWA website. However, the website administrators warned the SFRG was not always an indicator of the health of a waterway. It was an annual grade based on data collected over the past five years and did not indicate whether a waterway was safe for recreational use on any particular day.

Meanwhile, the Otago Regional Council has adopted new water quality discharge

rules – called Plan Change 6A - will come into force on May 1.

The council has set discharge thresholds for common contaminants entering waterways and discharges within those thresholds are permitted, as opposed to regulating the land use activities which create the contaminants. Council chairperson, Stephen Woodhead, said landholders’ feedback on the rule changes gave him confidence many would ensure their properties complied with the thresholds, which would come into effect from April 2020.

“The transition time gives farmers and foresters enough time to work together to assess the individual and joint effects of their operations on water quality in local catchment areas. If they find any adaptations are needed to comply, they have plenty of time to put them in place.”

New website details state of region’s rivers and lakes

Devon Hotop is retiring from the Alpine Community Development Trust (ADCT) after nine years, including six as the chair. The trust is the governing body of Community Networks which provides social services for the Upper Clutha. Devon said her role required about 20 hours work per week. “Community development is about local people dealing with local issues,” she said. “If you want services the government will provide some, but if you want them directly for your community you set up a trust and you go for it. Everyone on the trust plays a very active part,” she said. “I’m very proud to be leaving it with a strong skill base in the trust, great staff and a fantastic manager.”Devon will remain on the Wanaka Community House Trust and she is also secretary of the Wanaka Tennis Club.

Devon steps back


The Rotary Club of Wanaka president Richard Wallace presented a Paul Harris Fellowship Award to Bev Rudkin on Tuesday. Bev has been involved in establishing the Upper Clutha Hospice Trust and the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust, as well as being an active member of the Upper Clutha Cancer Society. In the Paul Harris Fellow citation the club stated it had “identified the unselfish contribution Bev has made to the Upper Clutha community and recognise Bev as a worthy recipient of this Paul Harris Fellowship Award.”

Award for Bev



sunsport

The Upper Clutha Hockey Club’s season got underway on Monday night when the men’s team faced defending champions Cromwell.

It was a fiercely competitive match with few clear cut chances. Cromwell had the better of the opening exchanges with Tristin Weastell in the Upper Clutha goal making some great saves to keep the score 0-0 at halftime.

Upper Clutha showed more attacking intent in the second half and the game opened up as players tired. However,

it was Cromwell who found the back of the net, scoring twice in five minutes halfway through the second period to take a decisive lead.

Upper Clutha could not capitalise on the only penalty corner of the match, nor could they convert a late chance that fell to Trev Cray. Next Monday the men take on Dunstan at 8pm in Cromwell.

The other teams in the club will continue pre-season training, with leagues starting in May.

In the summer tournament’s week, a Mount Aspiring College sailing team of Rick Sanders and Sean Dickey placed sixth overall in the South Island Secondary School Sunburst Regatta in Dunedin.

There were 21 sunbursts from eight Otago schools racing in the tenth annual regatta and it was the first time a MAC team had entered.

The pair had not sailed together before and it was their first experience in a spinnaker division on the unfamiliar boat. The team, with Rick on the helm, had several great starts and exciting close races. Having shown improvement during the week, they came second in handicap.

Sunburst debut

Hockey season begins

PHOTO: KAREN AND ALEC BRUCE

The Southern Lakes Multisport Club is reviving an old event on May 10: Tour De Femme, le Cromwell Edition.

The one-day, women only event is a two-stage road cycling race, which would be run on the Ardgour Loop circuit beginning and ending in Tarras. There would be four grade options of different competitive levels ranging in distance from 20km per stage to 60km per stage, and a relaxed, recreational cycle (which includes an optional wine tasting for the over 18s) would cater for the passive female cyclist.

The event has been run previously in Central Otago, and the organisers are intending to make it an annual fixture on the Central Otago calendar of women’s cycling. Entries close on May 7, and entry forms can be found on the club’s website.

Cromwell’s tour de femme

Wanaka’s Wild Cats, one of the two under-six local teams, had a strong start to the season playing their first games on Sunday in Cromwell. Pictured from left are Monti Cleugh Gibb, Jake Brewster, Hana Jones, Dougal McConnell, Zackary Alderson, Sky Watson and Dominic Plimmer.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Ten-year-old Samantha Traynor and her nine-year-old sister Bonnie competed at the Southern Districts Mixed Martial Arts Karate Championship in Tapanui on Saturday. The girls represented the Wanaka Kyokushinkai Dojo. Samantha was awarded bronze for kata, bronze for points sparring and gold for continuous semi contact sparring in her divisions. Bonnie also received a gold for points sparring and silver for continuous semi-contact sparring. Their next tournament is on June 28.

Karate sisters

PHOTO: SUPPLIED



sunsport


PHOTO: SUPPLIED

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

sport results

Story continues page 2...

Wanaka Bridge Club Results. Mt Iron Stakes 1. Silver Section. North/South:- Marion Furneaux, Laraine Shepherd 67.02% 1. Maggie Stratford, Deirdre Lynch 61.11% 2. Nan Ottrey, Kenneth Roberts 57.92% 3. East/West:- Joy Baxter, Karolyn Macandrew and Dorothy McDonald, John Lyness 59.11% 1= Georgie Roberts, Max Shepherd 57.97% 3. Bronze Section. North/South:- Marion Murphy, Kate Simmers, 60.42% 1. Morag Chisholm, Margaret Newell 53.33% 2. George Foreman, Jane Hawkey 52.08% 3. East/West:- Annette Clements, Shona Watt 61.67% 1. Pauline Davidson, Jane Hamilton, 54.58% 2. Lawrie & Margaret Stenhouse 51.25% 3. Friday Bridge 28 March. North/South:- Nan Ottrey, Kenneth Roberts 59.83% 1. Ena Leckie, Laraine Shepherd 55.56% 2. Fran Holmes, Jean Stokes 55.13% 3. East/West:- Gabby Marshall, Clarie Romerill 71.76% 1. Daphne Stewart, Deirdre Lynch 60.42% 2. Lynda Hodge, Barbara Water-worth 54.55% 3. Wilkin Pairs 2. Wednesday 26 March. North/South:- Tony Winters, Deirdre Lynch 61.31%. 1. Joy Baxter, Jean Stokes 53.86% 2. John Hogg, John Mercer 52.24% 3. East/West:- George Foreman, Jane Hawkey 60.79% 1. Lynda Hodge, Shona Watt 59.70% 2. Carolyn Field, Jan Wyn-Williams 57.70% 3

Wanaka Bowls Results Friday Progressive 28:03:14 Skip: 1stGeorge Rus-sell 2nd Betty Russell 3rd Don McLeay Third: 1st David Byers 2nd Bruce Hamilton 3rd Robyn Chartres Lead: 1st Beaton Marr 2nd Tony Price 3rd Mike Ryder Lake Hawea Golf Club Results Bisque Par and Matchplay Club Champs N Matchett bt A Clifford 1up 19th hole B Burgess bt S Burt 2 & 1 T Hale bt J Cotter 2 & 1 C Hanson bt N Roberts 1up 20th hole J Cotter bt J Carnie 6 & 4 D Sullivan bt B Rowley 1ip 21st hole Bisque Par Men 1st Peter Hart +6 1st = Red Stevenson +6 3rd Ashley Hale +4 3rd = Rick Johnston +4 Non handicap 1st Daniel Edwards +9 Ladies 1st Bernie Raffe +9 Closest to the Pin No1 N Matchett No5 Jimmy Cotter Twos: No1 N Matchett

Kayak slalom championship results: Freestyle: Veteran men 1 Aidan Haig, Oamaru, 2 Grant Norbury, Alexandra, 3 Alan Hoffmann, Waikouaiti. Open men 1 Stephen Bartlett, Queenstown, 2 Jason Searle, Cromwell, 3 Mike Hoffman, Gore. Open women 1 Courtney Kierin, Oamaru, 2 Mary Haig, Oamaru, 3 Anna Eade, Oamaru. Under 18 men 1 Max Rayner, Alexandra, 2 Jeremy Norbury, Alexandra, 3 Jack Paulin, Alexandra. Under 15 men 1 Otis Rayner, Alexandra, 2 Max Collier, Alexandra, 3 Tim McGimpsey, Moa Flat. Under 18 women 1 Lotte Rayner, Alexandra, 2= Paloma Kelly and Annie Wardle, Alexandra.CSNZ National Championships Hawea 2014 K1 U14W: 1 Maddie Wilson 2 Annie Wardle 3 Imi Blance. K1 U14 M: 1 Will Nelson 2 Tim McGimpsey 3 Ben Tubbs. K1 U16W: 1 Kensa Randle 2 Claudia Paterson 3 Mia Kelly. K1 U16 M: 1 Jack Dangen 2 Daniel Tuiraviravi 3 Jack Paulin. K1 U18 W: 1 Kaydi O’Connor-Stratton 2 Suzy Cumming 3 Kate Pascoe. K1 U18 M: 1 Callum Gilbert 2 Sam McCulloch 3 Theo Pepper. K1 U23 W: 1 Haylee Dangen 2 Jane Nicholas 3 Anna Higgins. K1 U23 M: 1 Finn Butcher 2 Malcolm Gibson 3 Shaun Travers K1 Open W: 1 Ella Nicholas. K1 M Mas-ters: 1 Shane Quinlivan 2 Alan Hoffman 3 Richard Parsons. C2 Open W: 1 Kate Pascoe/Paloma Kelly 2 Imi Blance/Annie Wardle 3 Mia Kelly/Sunaina Born. C2 U16 M: 1 Tom Johnson/Jack Wilson 2 Jack Canham/Levi Offner 3 Caleb Peterson/Callum Aitken C2 U18 M: 1 Dan Munro/Luke Robinson 2 Blake O’Loughlin/James Thwaites 3 Alex Radford/Tom Guest. C1 U14 W: 1 Imi Blance 2 Lotte Rayner 3 Annie Wardle. C1 U16 M: 1 Jack Dangen 2 Jeremy Norbury 3 Jack Wilson. C1 U18 W: 1 Claudia Paterson 2 Kaydi O’Connor-Stratton 3 Courtney Williams. C1 U18 M: 1 Patrick Washer 2 Tommy McDowell 3 James Thwaite. C1 U23 W: 1 Haylee Dangen 2 Kelly Travers 3 Jane Nicholas C1 U23 M: 1 Ben Gibb 2 Marcus Norbury 3 Shaun Travers. C1 Open M:1 Jan Havlicek 2 Kacha Hoskova. C1 Open W:1 Ella Nicholas.Teams K1 U16 M T: 1 Jack Wilson/Daniel Tuiraviravi/Callum Aitken 2 Caleb Peterson/ Jack Canham/ Levi Offner 3 Finn Riordan/Tom Johnson/Zac Jacobs K1 U18 W T: 1 Lotte Rayner/Annie Wardle /Imi Blance 2 Kate Pascoe/Mia Kelly /Paloma Kelly K1 U18 M T: 1 Callum Gilbert/Alex Hawthorne/Theo Pepper 2 Max Rayner/Daniel Arnott/Sam McCulloch 3 Archer McLeay/Fergus Bramley/Hamish MacKay K1 U23 M T: 1 Malcolm Gibson/Finn Butcher/Jack Dangen 2 Ella Nicholas/Jane Nicholas/Anna Higgins 3 Courtney Williams/Chelsie Williams/Haylee Dangen C Teams C1 U23 M T: 1 Max Rayner/Jeremy Norbury/Sam McCulloch 2 Marcus Norbury/Ben Gibb/Tommy McDowell 3 Callum Gilbert /Patrick Washer/James Thwaite

The Hawea Whitewater Park was pumping last week with two national events: the New Zealand kayak freestyle and slalom championships.

This was the first time the park had been used for a national slalom event and Central Otago Whitewater chair Gordy Rainer said it was very successful.

“ T h e p a r k w a s b u i l t f o r m u l t i p l e u s e r s , b u t p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r k a y a k surfing,” he said. “Running a slalom event there is like running an alpine ski race through a half pipe. The fastest competitors took 100 seconds to go through 21 gates, and the sequence through the wave was very challenging. The freestyle competitors had 45 seconds to do tricks on the wave.”

A total of 77 competitors came from all around the country to compete in the events.

Pictured is Otis Rayner of Alexandra in the under-16 boys slalom event. Otis won the under-15 men’s freestyle event, his brother Max won the under-18 men’s freestyle

and their 11-year-old sister Lotte won under-18 women’s freestyle. Max and Lotte also won their respective team slalom events.

Alexandra’s Finn Butcher was named men’s National Slalom Champion and the women’s National Slalom C h a m p i o n w a s H a y l e e Dangen from the Bay of Plenty.

“ I t ’ s a v e r y s p e c i a l achievement for Central Otago Whitewater (COW) to have a local boy, Finn Butcher of Alexandra, as National Men’s Champion,” Gordy said.

Wanaka’s Jessica Bailey has been the national women’s champion in the past.

Gordy said he was surprised no Wanaka kayakers entered the nationals this year. A former Wanaka family, the Hoffmans, did compete. Alan Hoffmann (who now lives in Waikouaiti) came third in the veteran men’s freestyle and his son Mike (Gore) came third in the open men’s freestyle.

The championships attracted a good crowd of spectators who were never short on entertainment, Gordy said.

National champs at whitewater park

See full results »

Erik Vaafusuaga and John Leslie (pictured left and right) hosted a coaching session in Wanaka on Saturday for the Upper Clutha Rugby junior coaches. Twenty-four junior coaches attended the training day, with the under-11 rugby players helping out at the session as Erik and John went through new skills and drills, as well as illustrating new teaching ideas.

The junior division of the club has grown by one team this year and now caters for about 240 players. Five under-7 ripper teams are included in the 16 teams. The juniors will play pre-season fixtures this weekend against Cromwell, ahead of a seven-a-side tournament in Alexandra on April 12.

Coaches coached


Al BertiniWanaka Sun

sunclassifieds

Last Saturday’s Central Otago league derby match between Wanaka A (pictured) and Wanaka Braves kicked off at the slightly earlier time of 11am.

With both teams having had two good training sessions together midweek, mouths were watering at the prospect of going up against each other on match day.

The outcome was a slightly one-sided affair with Wanaka A proving a little bit too strong.

A first half hat-trick by Allan Carmichael and two goals from Pauly Hodgson meant Wanaka A could relax in the second half.

Jiffy Griffiths bagged his first of the season, as did Tim Zeestraten driving a rocket into the top corner for the pick of the day’s goals.

Tommy Parker, who has played for the club for a number of years, is leaving Wanaka. The club thanks him for his services over the last couple of seasons. He helped the club to the championship last season, was a regular at training and a great team member.

Wanaka A too strong for BravesPHOTO: SUPPLIED

A record 720 people have signed up for the Hawea Epic mountain bike event with more than 100 registering on the last day (March 31) - which came as no surprise to event, director Danielle Nicholson. She has been running the event since its inception in 2008, and has noticed definite patterns emerging, including an increase in numbers every year.

Danielle doesn’t know if they will eventually have to cap numbers, but said the sense of isolation and adventure is a big part of the event. “We wouldn’t want people to have to be ringing their bells to get past each other,” she said. “That feeling of being in the middle of nowhere is important.” The race goes around Lake Hawea, passing through two high country runs – Hunter Valley Station, owned by the Cochrane family, and Dingle Burn Station, owned by the Meads.

Danielle said another distinct trend in the event is that about 90 percent of entries in the Epic category (125km right around Lake Hawea) are male, as are 75 percent in the Classic category (95km starting at Kidd’s Bush).

“It’s an endurance event so it attracts more men,” Danielle said. “They love the idea of circumnavigating the lake. It’s a male thing - that need to conquer.”

Last year Danielle added a third option which appeals to women more than men. It’s called the Traverse and is being held again this year. Like the Epic it starts at the Hawea Dam, but the Traverse heads south across farmland, passes both the Hawea and Clutha rivers and finishes at the pub - and it’s just 35km. This year 100 people have enrolled for that – 58 women and 42 men.

“There was one woman who had been watching her partner do the Epic for three years. When we started the Traverse she said ‘I’m going to do this’

and when she crossed the finish line she was more stoked than anyone who did the full,” Danielle said. “The Traverse is a great challenge. People doing it are a mixture of true cyclists who haven’t trained for the classic or the full, and those for whom 35km is their own Epic.”

Some riders can’t get enough of the full Epic, in fact, for the first five years, half the entrants came back for another go. Then in 2013 it dropped to a quarter (40 people), and this year 30 of the originals are competing for the seventh time. About half those are locals, including Andrew McLeod (who rode the course twice in 2012), Alex Dodds, Chris Pearce, Mike Plimmer, Grant Fyfe, Dutchy Vermeulen, John Burke, Darren Clay, Bruce Thomson and Tony Culshaw. There are also three women (not locals) in the group of 30 who could all end up as the LMS (“last man standing” or the only remaining person to have done every single Epic).

“One guy came back early from an overseas holiday so he could stay in the running [for LMS],” Danielle said.

Other trends she has noticed over the years include a “handful” of Aussies coming over the ditch to compete, about 20 from overseas, around 20 percent of entrants coming from the North Island and an ever-increasing number from Christchurch.

Danielle said the event is more an adventure than a race. “The course is not littered with signage and support people, it is left as untouched as possible. With this comes some personal responsibility, which is a big part of the event ethos. We are taking the bubble-wrapping away and letting people take on the event knowing they will need motivation, common sense and tenacity to get to the finish line. Good luck to them all.”

Doing their own EpicCaroline HarkerWanaka Sun

Available exclusively at Wanaka Pharmacy, Top of Helwick streetWanaka


The sports facility process

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EDITORIAL

Issue 655 Thursday April 03, 2014

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Wanaka central business district and to drop boxes in Wanaka and Cromwell.

CONGRATULATIONS MR & MRS (TO BE) BAILEY! LOOKING FORWARD TO CELEBRATING THE BIG DAY WITH YOU XXX

HOLY HECK! THE OLD TRUCKIES RIP DOWN BROWNSTON ST AT NIGHT! MITE GET SKITTLED ON ME WAY HOME FROM THE PUB!! ALL GOOD TRUCKIES! ;-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKO, YOU ROCK, HAVE A GOOD ONE

A HOSPICE IS MORE THAN AN OP SHOP. WE ALREADY HAVE AN AMAZING PALLIATIVE CARE SERVICE HERE IN WANAKA. WHY DO PEOPLE THINK WE NEED ANOTHER? OTAGO COMMUNITY HOSPICE U R DOING A GREAT JOB MY DONATIONS GO TO YOU GUYS.

SO I’M GONNA SLOW DOWN AND WAIT FOR DUCKS TO CROSS THE ROAD NOW BECAUSE OF THE SIGNS BUT COME DUCK SHOOTING SEASON I’M GONNA BLOW THEM ALL AWAY!!

PERHAPS DRIVERS SHOULD REMOVE THEIR FANCY DARK SUNGLASSES BEFORE APPROACHING BALLANTYNE / RIVERBANK JUNCTION!

IDIOT OF THE WEEK AWARD GOES TO FRIDAY 4WD DRIVER OVERTAKING 2 CARS ON RIVERBANK RD WITH LESS THAN 300M BEFORE HIGHWAY INTERSECTION - 18 COPS HERE? YEAH RIGHT!

IS IT NOW LEGAL TO USE YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING IF YOUR CAR IS WORTH MORE THAN 50K? OR DOES THE LOCAL CONSTABULARY JUST TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE DEVELOPERS, AGENTS AND LOCAL LADIES WHO REGULARLY DO WHILE DRIVING THRU TOWN.

COUNCIL SPEND MONEY ON DUCK SIGN BUT CAN’T FIX THE POOL SWIM PLATFORM SO TINY UNDER 5`S CAN LEARN TO SWIM 5 METRES AND THEN PUT THEIR FEET DOWN AND FEEL SAFE WITHOUT GOING UNDER. SHOCKING! YOU`VE PROBABLY SPENT MORE THAN $500 CREATING WEBSITE QUESTIONNAIRE TOGETHER FOR EVERYONE’S OPINIONS ON NEW POOL. ACT NOW AND HELP THE LITTLE PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

A FEW PEOPLE IN WANAKA ARE DANGEROUS BACK STABBERS!!! LET`S HAVE A LOVELY COMMUNITY. WHY DO SOME PEOPLE WANT TO STIR?

CAN`T HUMANS LOOK LEFT TO RIGHT TO CROSS A ROAD? DEAR GOD. SAVE THE DUCKS! HOW ABOUT MAKING ONE HUMP ON THE WATERFRONT AS A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING? PAINT WHITE STRIPES ON ONE. EASY PEASY!

WHY SPEND LESS ON THE WANAKA SPORT FACILITY NOW JUST TO SPEND MORE LATER ON WHEN THE COUNCIL REALISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER AND MORE COST EFFECTIVE TO DO ALL AT ONCE. PERHAPS ALL THE INCREASED REVENUE GATHERED FROM INCREASED RATES PAYABLE BY HOME OWNERS REGISTERING THEIR HOLIDAY HOMES COULD BE USED? AFTER ALL THE COUNCIL HAVE DONE WITHOUT IT FOR THIS LONG.

What a debacle. Before purchasing a block of land on the Clutha River, a farmer asks the council if he can cultivate it. He is told, yes, he can, and he pays a substantial deposit. He begins ploughing. An environmental group says the farmer is destroying significant native vegetation and that he is not allowed to do this, according to the District Plan. (The “significant native vegetation” is only apparent to a well-trained eye, as the beauty of dryland ecosystems is subtle, at best. )The group takes the issue to the Environment Court. The court orders the farmer to stop cultivation of the land.The farmer, through no fault of his own, faces financial ruin. He is a young married man with two small children. The case goes to court. The judge concludes it is “most unfortunate that due to the council’s system error” records of the presence of native vegetation were not provided.The court finds in the farmer’s favour. Financial ruin is averted.The environment group considers appealing.The farmer prays for rain so he can continue cultivation.The council, perhaps, looks at its systems.Someone, one hopes, takes responsibility.The rest of us talk to each other, listen and learn.

Hello steering committee, councillors and community board members (and Wanaka Sun letter to the editor). I have taken a number of days to dwell on this (Wanaka Sports Facility) before responding to avoid an emotive response but still find it necessary to voice my complete disappointment in the outcome of this process. While I appreciate and respect your input, the constraints you are working with and the scope of your mandate, I am amazed and shocked by the outcome. I believe we now find ourselves with a compromised solution that doesn’t meet anyone’s priorities or wish list nor does it provide what Wanaka needs in a timely or cost-effective manner nor a manner that is sustainable. I will attempt to outline the reasons for my disappointment and the reasons I believe we got to this point. Presumptions on budget - The decision is largely contained by restriction of budget. However we fail to understand exactly (or have failed to communicate) what sources of external funding contribute to that figure or how the business model of the centre will contribute to the budget picture.Presumptions on cost - The estimates of cost are ridiculous and misleading. Why is it possible for Gore or any multitude of places to construct more for less? The media reports suggest that the Gore facility cost $3.x million to build and has the equivalent of four indoor courts and we are after two for $12 million. It doesn’t add up. Diversion of funds - Throwing $2 million at the old pool only serves to delay the construction of the needed pool facility. Has the sale of the land at the Plantation Road site or the sale of the remaining stages of Scurr Heights been considered to offset the budget limits/costs? Business model - No one has been able to explain to me how it will be possible to operate a centre and make it available to the community seven days a week daytime and evenings on the basis of two indoor courts. Critical size demands - I am told by the netball club two courts are insufficient for them to host a netball tournament, whereas three indoor and some outdoor courts would allow them to do this. Surely, the ability to host such events increases use and revenue for the centre.This centre is really important to Wanaka and will be a major legacy for all involved and my concern is we are failing to get it right on the basis of presumption. As they say “presumption is the mother of all stuff-ups”. While I appreciate the need to keep it moving is what is driving the current decision making by councillors we still need to make the right decisions.

(Abridged)Quentin Smith

THURSDAY 03.04.14 - WEDNESDAY 09.04.14PAGE 14 wanakasun20 word limit - deadline Tuesday 4pm - standard network rates apply

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Body & mind

AYURVEDIC THERAPY with carmen. lake hawea. Massage: consultations: au-tumn cleansing: women’s health: yoga: 02102215409 www.thesadhanastudio.co

ANGEL INTUITIVE in Wanaka - certified by Doreen Virtue. Call Linda on 0211468041 to arrange an angel card reading.

ANTENATAL MUMS N BUBS YOGA! BRING your new blessing with. Each THURS 1:30 PM. 181 Cemetery Rd. $17 classes. Jen 022 097 4596

ASPIRING MASSAGE WANAKA. Est 2004. Trevor Bailey. Full time massage since 1994. Ph 4432993 or 0274222455. www.aspiringmassagewanaka.co.nz

AUTUMN REVIVE RETREAT - 5 OR 3 NIGHT Revive Stay - Awareness, Find Balance and Vitality! www.nirvanaretreat.co.nz/retreats/ or call 4432252 for details.

BOWEN THERAPIST Cathy Rodgers 0210201898/ 443 7907 www.lakesbowen-therapy.com. gentle, fast & effective results

DETOX AT Wanaka Wellness With BioPulse Ionic Detox unit. 50% off 1st visit. Phone 4434668

DOCUMENTARY EVENING @ Wanaka Wellness. Wed 9th, 7pm. Cereal Killers. $5. Phone 4434668

EXPERIENCED HOMEOPATH and Healer at Wanaka Wellness Centre. Visit www.in-telligenthealth.com for details or call Linda on 0211468041 for an appointment.

GENTLE YOGA connecting movement with breath, & You. 9:30 EA WEDS. 557 Aubrey Rd. $12 classes. Mats available. Jen 0220974596

GUT DISORDERS, Detoxification, Weightloss? Call Holistic Healthcare 4435991. Www.holistic-healthcare.co.nz

HU SONG at Wanaka Wellness Centre this thursday 3rd April 5.30pm to 6pm All welcome. Koha Info pls Ph 4437388 www.eckankar.husong.org

LOCALS SPECIAL. Free far infra red sau-na with every massage booked in April and May. Book now @ Massage in Wanaka. Ph 03 443 8448.

LYMPHATIC CLEARANCE: Support im-mune system, relieve lymphoedema, swell-ing, pain. Gentle therapeutic treatment. Ph Maryann 4436463, 021 1101160

LYN BROWN BOWEN and JSJ Practitioner treating out of Wanaka Wellness Centre. For appts/info pls ph Lyn 4437388 www.naturalhealthwanaka.co.nz

MASSAGE THERAPY. Sports-,Deep tissue-,Relaxation-,Pregnancy massage. Effective and rejuvenating. Ursula Krebs, Dip. Massage Therapist CH/NZ. Phone: 027 6602271.

MASSAGE: LOMI LOMI (THERAPEUTIC Hawaiian) relaxing, nurturing, peaceful space. Ph Maryann 4436463, 021 1101160

PRENATAL GENTLE YOGA. Connecting with the miracle inside you! Weds 7pm at 181 Cemetery Rd Hawea. $17 classes. Jen 022 097 4596

QUARTZ CRYSTAL singing bowl ses-sions for deep relaxation/energy balancing. 1.30PM each Mon. $25 pp. 181 Cemetery Rd HAWEA Jen 022 097 4596

RECONNECT WITH a sense of deep peace and love for FREE! View 15 min film The Message at WWW.LIVING-PRESENCE.ORG

VASECTOMYS AVAILABLE here in Wanaka with Dr Simon Brebner at Aspiring Medical Centre.Ph 443 1226 for an appoint-ment to discuss.

YOGA IN HAWEA! Gentle movement with breath instruction. 181 Cemetery Rd ea Mon, Tues & Thurs at 9:30AM! $12. Jen 022 097 4596

YOGA SESSIONS with carmen resumed. Ongoing mon 6pm/wed. 9:30am/sun 10. Pregnancy sessions. Lake hawea. Txt to confirm. 02102215409

YOGA FOR Your Wellbeing: Small class-es in peaceful setting. Contact Jill at 443 7655 or [email protected] for more information.

Services

ANYTHING MASONRY, Brick, Block, Or Stonework. phone 021-1890036 or 443-1229 free quotes THANKS :-)

CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE restoration – for all motorcycle maintenance. Tyres, oil, bat-teries, chains and brakes. Top brands, top service, pick-up and delivery. Contact John Holgate 0274322917

DRIVING LESSONS available. Call Nicky at Aspiring Drivers to book your lesson and become a confident and safe driver. 0210607310

GREEN CLEAN! Want a bit of help to get your home sparkling? Organise me us-ing earth friendly products & smile! $30/hr 0220974596

INLAND REVENUE are at Community Networks Wednesday 9 April 9am - 1pm,For help with personal or business tax,child support,student loans or family tax credits call 4437799 to make an appointment.

JP SERVICES at Community Networks Tuesdays1pm and Fridays 10.30.For ap-pointments call 4437799

SEWING REPAIRS and alterations. Personal or commercial. Please phone to discuss. Sue 0272472181 or 4432008

TERRA SERVICES: Earthmoving, tree transplanting, hard landscaping, section clearing. $85/hour, travel costs may apply. Steve 027 222 6600

VINTAGE CAR restoration, mechanical & electrical, MOTOR HOME & CARAVAN repair and restoration. Steve Rumore 443.8854 or 027 222 6600

WHEELS TO DUNSTAN:Free daily trans-port to Dunstan Hospital & Alexandra spe-cialist appointments,Bookings call 4437799

WINTER COLLEGE uniforms ready to go? Sewing repairs to kilts? Hemline adjustment needed? Phone 0272472181 or 4432008

YR 12 student available for night time ba-bysitting. Experienced with references and St.John certified first aider. Call Aoife Baker on 0210755677 or 4436492

For sale

FOR SALE. Oak welsh dresser with back-ing and shelves. Light mahogany carving or dressing table. King size bed and mattress in good condition. 443 9355.

2008 BRIFORD TANDEM SHUTTLE TRAILER , 8 by 5 good condition , $3500 , ph Paul 0274724262

4 SALE. RAV 4L, 2005. Great vehicle. Tow bar, roof rack etc. Regretfully having to sell. $14,500. Ph/txt: 0273496174

BEAUTIFUL CHINA tea cup bird feeders, great for attracting wax eyes and bell birds to your garden. Make the perfect presents $25 ph or txt 021 680 110

BRAND NEW RAMSEY WINCH for sale. 12 volt, 15,000 pound capacity $1,100 o.n.o. 027 222 6600

FOR SALE Rover 820SE Sedan 1991. Rego on hold needs starter motor.Great Project for mechanically minded. Offers Ph/Txt 0273066120EVANTAIR WDH520HB Dehumidifier - qui-et running $40 txt 0274544229

ROLEX BY Woods RW20 Dehumidifier - turbo & normal running options $50 txt 0274544229

GALVANISED STEEL mesh sheets 2.4 m x 1.2 m (50mm sq) $35/sheet good condition 30 stacked ready to go txt 0274544229

TATTERSFIELD ELITE Torquezone Backmaster King Single bed $450 (near new - 3 months in a furnished rental) $1100 new price. Txt 0274544229”

FOR SALE. Double mattress and base, good condition $100 phone 0224134436

FOR SALE. F.P Clothes Dryer. Tangle Free. In good working. Order. $75.00. o.n.o. Ph 0276318445

FOR SALE. New. Green Patagonia Nano puffa jacket. Large. $130. Jane 0210691967

FOR SALE: 4x4 FORD COURIER 1993. Double cab, current rego & wof. $7000. ono. Ph 0274333058

FOR SALE-HUGGIES Dry Nites PJ Pants or Pull Ups Boys Jnr $5 Pkt or 3 Pkts $10 Ph Txt Debs 0273066120

GOLDEN LEMON butter from Pirate Pickles at the Wanaka farmers market, 3-6PM every Thursday Pembroke Park

GOOD ROTATIONS Bicycle Shop Autumn opening hours: Wednesday 2-7pm and Thursday & Friday 11am to 6pm, or by ap-pointment 03 4434349.

GUINEA PIGS for sale, mixture of colours 4437562

HOUSE FOR sale Albert Town $445000. 4bdrms, 2 living. Sunny, warm and views. TM: DUE236. Open home Sunday 11-12 or 027 2158851 to view.

NISSAN TERRANO 1996 R3M -Auto , needs repairs , rego on hold , no wof $ 1500 . Phone Paul 03 4437211 or 0274724262

OFFICE CHAIR for sale, architectural/high desk option with high lift and chrome foot-ing. Great condition. $150. Ring 021 163 4936.

POTATOES 20 kg SACKS - spray free , lo-cally grown , Heather and Desiree , Orders taken now . 20kg $34.00 , 10kg $20.00 . Phone 034437211 or 0273241121

RAB OUTERWEAR, lightweight and warm, exclusively in Wanaka at MT Outdoors on Dunmore Street. Be prepared. Buy on line www.mtoutdoors.co.nz

GET PREPARED for The Contact Epic bike race. CamelBak & Osprey packs, Gu gels - all at great prices at MT Outdoors on Dunmore Street. SCAFFOLDING - EASY ACCESS ALUMINIUM . 4.5m mobile tower, good con-dition $2250 ph 03 4437211 , 0274724262

SOLID RIMU blayco table six setting navy seats. Also a matching rimu entertainment unit. Both in very good condition. Txt or call 0274715121

SURLYBIKES.COM: FATBIKES, tour-ing bikes, hauling or trail bikes. At Good Rotations in Wanaka! 34 Anderson Rd, 03.443.4349, www.goodrotations.co

TOYOTA ESTIMA for sale 2001 8 seater great condition phone 0278244284

WANAKA SCOUTS sheep manure for sale. $10.00 a bag or $30.00 for 4. Phone Baz 443 1662.

FOR SALE: Double mattress, dark green leather lounge suite with swivel rocker chairs, pine table, 6 chairs and matching hutch dresser. All excellent condition. I have photos of all. Phone 021 221 1733.

notice

ATTENTION TRADIES: The Body Garage special just for you - 2 massages and 3 pri-vate pilates sessions. Over $100 off at just $240. Book @ 0212078486

CONGRATULATIONS TO every local competing in last weekends MT Outdoors Southern Lakes Half Marathon. We hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as we did!!”

BECOMING SKILFULL AT CONDUCTING INTERTIEWS. Workshop for NFP organi-satìons & their volunteers, Monday 14 April 9.30-12.30am. Call 4437799 to register.

BOAT / vehicle storage available in wanaka. large fully enclosed individual units. call for more details 021 0222 0 863

COFFEE AND cake,glass of wine and risotto,beside the lake.Cromwell Heritage Precinct.Cafes,galleries,gift shops.Open daily.

DISCOVER THE beautiful Cromwell Heritage Precinct.Shops,galleries,cafTs.Lakeside,Melmore Tce,Cromwell.Open daily.www.oldcromwell.co.nz

FREE BUDGET ADVICE at Community Networks Wednesday 9 April .For appoint-ments call 4437799.

LALALAND WANAKA. Great drinks on our outdoor deck with lake views. Open daily 4pm – late. Level 1, 99 Ardmore Street

LIFE STORIES writing and book design. Memoirs, histories, letters, diaries - tran-scribed and published. www.timeofyourlife.co.nz. Contact [email protected] or 443 4629.

NZ JETSPRINT Champs Easter Friday 18th April Gates open from 4pm. Oxbow Adventures Aqua Track 995 Wanaka Luggate Highway. Details Facebook Wanaka Jetsprints

SHARE RIDE to Alex, Mon - Fri from Luggate area. Leaving 7am and returning from Alex 5pm. Ph/txt: 0273496174.

WANAKA FARMERS Market on Pembroke Park every Thursday from 3-6 pm

WANAKA FC are also recruiting for new squad members, who have experience play-ing 11-a-side, training is held on Tuesdays at 6pm on Pembroke Park Thanks

CROMWELL PRIMARY School and Project Crimson would like to acknowl-edge the local business that supported this Treemendous Makeover; Fulton Hogan, Cromwell New World, McNulty’s Transport, Cromwell Placemakers, Irrigation Services, Delta, Envirobark and Otago Polytechnic (The Horticulture Department).

CRUZ MORLAND, NZ Wakeboard U10 champion, would like to thank his sponsors The Boardhouse, Capitahl, and Ronix.

THANK YOU to the Graham and Olive West Trust for their support of Wanaka Breastfeeding Support

WANAKA SKI and Snowsports club thanks all applicants for their 5 primary schools 2014 Grassroots awards. All applicants will be notified of the winners personally. Ph Bonny 021 881263 for further club info.

wanted

ACAPPELLA WOMEN’S choir seeking a conductor. Please make enquiries to Kirsty at 0272005111.BOOKCASES (WOODEN) wanted. One tall and one for large books. Call paolo 4432420GRUBBER FOR garden jobs wanted. Call paolo 4432420

WANTED WINDOW cleaner. Flexible hours. Must be wanaka resident, reliable & hard working. Good pay for right person. Call Paolo 4432420 eves

WANTED: BIG screen projection TVs. Dead, obsolete or unwanted. For educa-tional science project. Free pick-up. Steve 027 222 6600

WANTED:2 BEDRM house 4 single mum,10 month old son and 2 dogs. Txt or call 0278841983


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PHOTO: SCOTTY STEPHENSON


Eight-year-old Cruz Morland won the under-ten division at the New Zealand Wakeboard National Championships 2014 last weekend. The Wanaka Primary School student (pictured) started wakeboarding in December 2012 and has been training all summer to compete in the competition.Cruz’s dad Reon Morland, who came third in the veteran’s division, said Cruz had worked hard to get the title.

Cruz takes the title

Beau-James Wells won the Freeski Halfpipe Junior World Championships in Valmalenco, Italy, over the weekend. He qualified in first place with a score of 86.2. In his first run of the finals, he scored 94.2, which included a right double 900, to beat Joel Gisler who scored 90.8 on his first run, and Kalle Hilden who finished third with a score of 84.2.

“I am stoked to win the Junior World Champion title,” Beau James said. “It is one of my best competition results.”

Team-mate Finn Bilous landed a right 1080 for the first time in competition, in his first run to score 75.00. He scored 77.8 in his second run, adding a left 720, to finish in fifth place. Miguel Porteous scored 72.4 with back-to-back flairs and finished in seventh place. Jackson Wells did not complete a clean run in the final and finished in 11th position.

“It has been an excellent day for Snow

Sports NZ with some fantastic performances across the board,” Junior Worlds Head Coach Peter Legnavsky said. “It was great to see Beau claim New Zealand’s first Junior World Championship title and for some new talent to demonstrate their skills in international competition. We are excited about the potential of these youngsters and to see what they can achieve in the next few years.”

Junior world title for Beau James

Double rowing gold at MaadiFifteen-year-old Riley Bruce successfully defended his under-16 single sculls Maadi Cup title at Lake Ruataniwha last week.

Riley won gold by six seconds over second-placed Thomas Cummack from Wellington College and Gisborne Boys High School sculler James Brott in third place. Riley led the race from soon after the start and, from 500m, held a one-length advantage which he extended to his final margin. Nathan Redai placed seventh in the same final.

Riley and Nathan teamed up to compete in the under-16 double sculls. The teenagers had a half way lead of one-third of a boat length but in the final quarter the North Island champions, Whakatane, took back the deficit and gained one-metre advantage. A final sprint to the line earned a gold for Riley and Nathan who finished 0.7 seconds ahead of Whakatane. Dunedin’s John McGlashan finished in third place.

Riley also placed fourth in the under-17 A final. Riley now has a South Island trial for the under-18

team for the annual North versus South championship regatta held at Lake Karapiro.

Six girls also attended the regatta for Mount Aspiring College.

Olivia Pearce had a great performance leading from the stroke seat, she placed seventh in the D final of the under-16 single. Olivia, teaming up with Bridie Hurley in the under-16 double sculls, placed third in the C final. In the under-16 quad sculls, teamed with Maddie Ball, Helena Crawford and coxswain Alex Mitchell, they placed seventh in the B final.

Beth Gale posted a personal best in the heats of the under-16 single. She teamed up with Helena Crawford in the lightweight double sculls and rowed through to the second round of the regatta.

Wanaka Sun 3 - 9 Apr 2014

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