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With rising sea-levels threatening many parts of the South Island, the environment is on the mind.
Some New Zealanders are trying to do their bit for climate change by considering sustainability - whether they are biking more, planting trees, trying Meat-Free Mondays or only purchasing used … View moreWith rising sea-levels threatening many parts of the South Island, the environment is on the mind.
Some New Zealanders are trying to do their bit for climate change by considering sustainability - whether they are biking more, planting trees, trying Meat-Free Mondays or only purchasing used clothing.
Vote in the poll and share any thoughts below - if you don't wish for your comments to be shared in the We Say You Say column of your local paper alongside your first name and suburb, simply add Not For Print.
The cost of living in New Zealand is rising rapidly fuelled by high interest rates and increasing food costs.
How does this affect your household for the most costly season?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Some may be used in our We Say You Say column in the local papers - add NFP … View moreThe cost of living in New Zealand is rising rapidly fuelled by high interest rates and increasing food costs.
How does this affect your household for the most costly season?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Some may be used in our We Say You Say column in the local papers - add NFP if you wish your reply to be excluded.
Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t … View moreShare a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t have a pet, that’s fine; we’d love to see your festive snaps too.
Ends 21 December 2022
Stunning glassware, jewellery and Summer clothing are hitting the racks this week.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A multimillion-dollar digital studio will be a cornerstone tenant in a $45 million Queenstown research and innovation facility.
The New Zealand arm of United Kingdom-based Target3D will construct its first studio on the ground floor of the building, director … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A multimillion-dollar digital studio will be a cornerstone tenant in a $45 million Queenstown research and innovation facility.
The New Zealand arm of United Kingdom-based Target3D will construct its first studio on the ground floor of the building, director Shannon Dowsing announced on Friday.
The company specialises in motion capture and virtual production used in film and television as well as high performance sport, robotics and biometrics.
Recent projects include Bjork’s music videos, an augmented reality performance by singer Liam Payne at the 2021 Bafta awards and Clays, a UK-string of virtual reality clay bird shooting themed bars.
After working with the company directors in London Dowsing established sister company Rāngai in his home town of Tairāwhiti Gisborne, to train students in virtual production, and enable the establishment of Target3D.
The Research and Innovation Queenstown hub developers approached him to consider basing the business there, which also enabled the company to secure a $2m government loan to get established.
The funding came from the $18m Queenstown Economic Transformation and Resilience Fund set up to diversify the local economy beyond tourism, increase economic resilience and develop high paying jobs.
Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash also announced a loan of up to $1.25m to Loaded Reports Ltd, a Queenstown-based software company that specialises in hospitality management, on Friday.
Founded by James Arnott and Richard McLeod in 2004, the company has 13 hospitality outlets across New Zealand and 900 software customers.
It is planning to enter the Australian market next year, having raised $3.25m of equity and debt including the government loan and support from investment fund Invest South.
Research and Innovation Queenstown is in the early stages of constructing a 5400sqm building as a base to attract, enable and facilitate research and innovation activities and companies to diversify Queenstown’s economy.
It includes office space, networking areas and complementary commercial uses such as recreation, film and visual presentation theatres.
The $45m building attracted a loan of up to $22.5m from the Government’s shovel ready infrastructure fund.
The idea of the digital studio project within the Queenstown hub was initially conceived by local technology entrepreneur Rod Drury, who said it was great to see it come to life.
“I'm very excited about the educational aspects of this facility and the opportunities it will create for learning providers in Southern Lakes,” he said.
Target3D co-founder Allan Rankin said it was exciting to bring the studio to New Zealand.
“Due to the boom in demand for virtual technology, we expect the space to be in strong demand from creatives and industry, but also as a centre for R&D and learning.”
Dowsing said the total project would cost about $6m and probably employ six people as core staff but up to 45 people during production periods.
It would be useful to educators, filmmakers, game designers, and content creators, he said.
He expected it would be operational early in 2024 with a full list of projects ready to go.
There were already projects being discussed, but he could not give details of those due to commercial sensitivities.
Nash said the studio would provide diversification within the screen industry in a district better known for location shoots than in-studio screen production.
“The studio will include infrastructure to support virtual production which includes LED screens, motion capture, game engine servers, lighting, production equipment and staging.
“This will provide access for filmmakers, game designers and television producers to the latest technology.
“It also aims to encourage screen production companies to remain in the district for longer periods, therefore increasing district and regional spend,” he said.
Nationally the screen industry employs about 16,200 New Zealanders and contributes $3.3 billion to the economy annually.
Research and Innovation Queenstown director Johnathan Chen said the studio would be a key tenant and a focal point for collaboration.
“This studio creates multidisciplinary collaboration to provide innovative solutions across a number of industries, such as film, gaming, IT, tourism and even future cities.”
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Plans for a spectacular link in the Queenstown to Central Otago cycle trail are proceeding after a cup of coffee led to developer Dave Henderson withdrawing his opposition.
Henderson had threatened to go to the Environment Court over a resource consent … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Plans for a spectacular link in the Queenstown to Central Otago cycle trail are proceeding after a cup of coffee led to developer Dave Henderson withdrawing his opposition.
Henderson had threatened to go to the Environment Court over a resource consent allowing the trail to be built.
In March, he said it crossed land owned by his company The Cardrona Cattle Company.
“My sole purpose was to try to sort out some of the other landowners to reduce the cost of construction and create a better experience,” he said following the resolution with the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust.
The trail no longer crossed his land but would travel past the Victoria Flats Landfill.
“It’s very close to the rubbish dump, which I didn’t think was ideal, but everybody else was comfortable with it.”
He had some concerns about reverse sensitivity too – cycle trail users complaining about existing activity and development in the area – but that had been resolved, he said.
“At the end of the day we had a cup of coffee and got it sorted.”
He would be an enthusiastic user of the trail, which would link his home to a development he was working on in the area, he said.
Former Christchurch mayor Sir Bob Parker and his wife, Lady Joanna Nicholls-Parker were shareholders in The Cardrona Cattle Company until April, this year.
The Kawarau Gorge Trail is part of a $26 million project connecting five Great Rides in the region.
It will include an underground tunnel near the Nevis Bluff and follow the Kawarau River to Bannockburn where it will connect with the widely acclaimed Lake Dunstan Trail, to Clyde.
Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust chairperson Stephen Jeffery said before construction could begin, the trust had to finalise some details – including creating a plan for managing lizards – for sections of the trail that passed through Department of Conservation Land.
It was hoped that approval would be in place in early 2023.
The complete 500km route will also require a route connecting Wānaka to Cromwell and the missing 13km on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail to be complete.
Jeffery said the network of trails would reinforce the profile of the region as a growing international cycling destination.
“We have already seen the outstanding success of the Lake Dunstan Trail and with the added investment into new trails the future looks particularly bright for cycling tourism in Central Otago.”
Earlier this week, the Queenstown Lakes District Council was awarded $11.8m in funding from the Government’s Transport Choices programme to progress trail improvements in the region.
It included $10.3m for an Arthurs Point to Queenstown route and $1.5m to look at more options for active travel links in Wānaka.
Transform a plain bag into a summery tote with this pretty monstera leaf motif. Whether you use it as a beach bag, shopping bag or grocery bag, this simple stencilled tote is a fun and quick project you can do within an hour using your favourite Resene testpots.
Find out how to create your own… View moreTransform a plain bag into a summery tote with this pretty monstera leaf motif. Whether you use it as a beach bag, shopping bag or grocery bag, this simple stencilled tote is a fun and quick project you can do within an hour using your favourite Resene testpots.
Find out how to create your own.
Hello Otago and Southland!
We want to know about incredible groups, individuals and organisations doing amazing things for others in our communities over the festive season. Simply share the details of their excellent work in below, and we'll help spread the word on Stuff!
Calling all house and garden lovers!
This is a unique opportunity to step inside the pages of the iconic New Zealand House & Garden magazine and experience a captivating mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Simply enquire online and be in to win:
- Return flights for two to the NZ … View moreCalling all house and garden lovers!
This is a unique opportunity to step inside the pages of the iconic New Zealand House & Garden magazine and experience a captivating mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Simply enquire online and be in to win:
- Return flights for two to the NZ House & Garden Tours location of your choice
- Tickets for two to the NZ House & Garden Tours
- Two nights accommodation
- Rental car
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
It has been protecting Arrowtown’s treasures for nearly 150 years, now the former Bank of New Zealand building has been on the receiving end of community care.
The 1875 building that sits on a prominent corner site in the Central Otago town has been part of … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
It has been protecting Arrowtown’s treasures for nearly 150 years, now the former Bank of New Zealand building has been on the receiving end of community care.
The 1875 building that sits on a prominent corner site in the Central Otago town has been part of the Lakes District Museum since 1953.
It was identified as an earthquake risk in 2018 and with a seismic strengthening bill of about $3.5 million to complete the work before 2025, the future was looking bleak, long time director David Clarke said.
“We tried to the put the word about amongst the community and hoped some benefactors would come to the party, but had limited success.
Without the funding, the bank building and attached stables, which form up to half of the museum space, would have closed down.
It was only with the arrival of Covid-19 in the community and the implementation of the government’s Provincial Growth Fund that the museum was able to secure the funds it needed.
It received $2m from the fund, $1.04m from the Queenstown Lakes District Council and a grant of $456,000 from the Central Lakes Trust to upgrade internal displays.
It took three years to complete the work, which included reinstating a parapet and six chimneys, which were part of the original design in 1875 by architect Robert Lawson.
While it is the museum for the Queenstown Lakes District, which includes the larger centres of Queenstown and Wānaka, the building is also part of the distinctive Arrowtown heritage zone.
Opposite the building sit the historic Arrowtown Post Office, which still operates as a modern post shop, and another earthquake-strengthened historic building, the Fork and Tap pub.
Clarke said it was “amazing” to finish the project, which will officially open on Friday.
“It is the realisation of a lot of hard work from the staff and museum board. Of course, there’s been three years of noise and dust and all the anxiety of wondering what the future is.”
Unlike the many council-owned museums around New Zealand, the Lakes District Museum is owned and operated by a trust.
While it does receive regular council funding, it is constantly looking for the funds to survive and keep paying its staff of three fulltime and ten part-time workers.
“Covid made us realise we’re reliant on tourism dollars, but we are a museum for the community,” Clarke said.
There was also a shortfall of about $70,000 to be found from the project, he said.
Have you read our December Seniors Newsletter? Do you have a Community Services Card or know someone who does? From 1 February 2023 Community Services Card holders are eligible for a continued 50% discount on public transport. You can read more in this issue.
This newsletter also includes some … View moreHave you read our December Seniors Newsletter? Do you have a Community Services Card or know someone who does? From 1 February 2023 Community Services Card holders are eligible for a continued 50% discount on public transport. You can read more in this issue.
This newsletter also includes some good advice on how to keep up your hydration and stay safe and cool this summer.
Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.
We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, … View moreMeeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.
We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, it will create a lasting impact that goes beyond a treat at Christmas.
For only $40 you can donate a Christmas Box to a family in need, providing not just practical help, but much deserved hope too.
A report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.
The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled … View moreA report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.
The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled ‘‘On The Brink’’ outlines the urgent need to address pay parity for GP nurses and doctors, beef up workforce numbers and improve funding allocations for practices with the hopes that this makes heatlhcare more accessible in the community.
Are you noticing delays in getting GP appointments or long waits at after-hours care?
Any comments below may be shared in your local paper's We Say You Say column.
How to make your own Christmas terrarium painted in Resene.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Breathe new life into an old children’s toy with a fun new look using only Resene testpots! Find out how to create your own.
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