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Despite being priced as high as $7.50 a pop, cheese scones are flying out the door in Christchurch – but you could pay even more.
In Queenstown, punters looking for their baking fix at Piers Restaurant and Bar are forking out an eye-watering $10 per scone.
The item is included on the … View moreDespite being priced as high as $7.50 a pop, cheese scones are flying out the door in Christchurch – but you could pay even more.
In Queenstown, punters looking for their baking fix at Piers Restaurant and Bar are forking out an eye-watering $10 per scone.
The item is included on the ‘Small Bites’ section of the menu, alongside a $10 piece of carrot cake, and more expensive than a side of smoked salmon ($9) or pork sausages ($7).
Struggling to chew on that? Stuff reporter Debbie Jamieson tried the homemade scone, which she described as “very lovely” but had “nothing to distinguish it from one I would make from the Edmonds book at home”.
The famous Edmonds cookbook, a staple in many Kiwi kitchens, includes a scone recipe that only calls for five ingredients – flour, baking powder, milk, butter and salt – and five steps in the baking method.
On Tuesday, Stuff readers were divided over the price of Christchurch café South Town Club’s $7.50 gluten-free scones, with 76% of 5550 voters saying they wouldn’t be willing to front up that much cash for the baked good.
Even Kiwi culinary icon Allyson Gofton gave her two cents on the matter, saying “people are mad to buy a scone for $7.50, whether it’s cheese or date”.
Pier Restaurant and Bar declined to comment.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A landmark central Queenstown home with the town’s widest Lake Wakatipu frontage is for sale for the first time.
The Thomas House was designed and built for Australian businessman David Thomas and his late wife, Barbara.
The much-admired home sits on a … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A landmark central Queenstown home with the town’s widest Lake Wakatipu frontage is for sale for the first time.
The Thomas House was designed and built for Australian businessman David Thomas and his late wife, Barbara.
The much-admired home sits on a large site located in Queenstown’s Park St – a location sought after for its lake frontage, panoramic views, and 10-minute walk into town.
Designed by noted Australian architect Andrew Wiley and influenced by the prairie style made famous by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the house is subtle, yet grand.
Agent James O’Hagan, of Colliers Queenstown, said it was unusual for a property to offer so many unique and appealing attributes.
“The residence itself is a timeless architectural statement.
“I think it would be one of the most admired and photographed homes in Queenstown, and it’s on one of the most desirable addresses in the area.”
The expansive 2150m² site covers two titles and is zoned high density affording multiple future development options.
The 62m lake frontage was the widest lake frontage of any residential home in the Queenstown town centre area.
“We anticipate strong interest on the basis of this being a very special property offering,” O’Hagan said.
Interiors of the 451m² house were designed by the late George Freedman and the award-winning park-like gardens, planted exclusively in natives, were designed by landscape Ralf Krüger.
The main residence contains separate formal living zones designed to maximise lake and mountain views, a dedicated art gallery with separate art storage and a commercial-grade wine store.
There are three bedrooms in the main residence with a separate lake-facing self-contained studio with private patio and parterre garden.
The home is being offered for sale by deadline private treaty closing May 18.
The house was completed in 2000.
O’Hagan said it was difficult to estimate a sale price, but he anticipated there would be strong interest well above the 2021 CV of $11.59 million.
David and Barbara Thomas are amongst Australia’s largest environmental philanthropists, having donated more than $AUS40m to conservation projects through their Thomas Foundation.
The entrepreneurial couple started Cellarmaster Wines in Australia, in 1982, after buying wine from The Sunday Times Wine Club in London.
Over 14 years they launched 12 more wine clubs in Australia and New Zealand.
In 1996, they sold the business to Fosters for A$160 million, providing the capital to endow The Thomas Foundation.
Initially the foundation supported projects in education, the arts and conservation and in 2013 shifted focus to marine issues.
Telecommunications are an integral part of our lives, so when things go wrong it can be frustrating. Do you prefer to keep tight lipped, or are you willing to speak up?
The Telecommunications Dispute Resolution service, or TDR for short, is here to help. It’s ok to complain and we encourage … View moreTelecommunications are an integral part of our lives, so when things go wrong it can be frustrating. Do you prefer to keep tight lipped, or are you willing to speak up?
The Telecommunications Dispute Resolution service, or TDR for short, is here to help. It’s ok to complain and we encourage you to speak up and raise issues early.
For phone and internet disputes, talk to your provider first and give them a chance to sort it. If it remains unresolved or if you need some extra help, you can talk to TDR – your free and independent complaint service.
To get in touch or find out more, visit www.tdr.org.nz or freephone 0508 98 98 98.
Sharing the joy with neighbours, family, and friends alike doesn’t have to be hard. HelloFresh makes mealtime easy, even for a crowd.
With HelloFresh you don’t have to think about meal planning or the hassle of going to the supermarket. Everything you need for a no-stress, … View moreSharing the joy with neighbours, family, and friends alike doesn’t have to be hard. HelloFresh makes mealtime easy, even for a crowd.
With HelloFresh you don’t have to think about meal planning or the hassle of going to the supermarket. Everything you need for a no-stress, delicious meal is delivered straight to your door with quality, pre-portioned ingredients.
Experience the variety and convenience HelloFresh has to offer with meals like Chipotle Beef & Black Bean Loaded Wedges with Radish Salsa & Mayonnaise by using the code NEIGHBOURLYHF to get up to $175 off HelloFresh.
Our Seniors newsletter is out today. We publish details on the annual increase to NZ Superannuation and Veterans pension payments, the start of the Winter Energy Payment and provide advice on travelling overseas while on Superannuation and what you need to be aware of. We also hear about MoneyTalks… View moreOur Seniors newsletter is out today. We publish details on the annual increase to NZ Superannuation and Veterans pension payments, the start of the Winter Energy Payment and provide advice on travelling overseas while on Superannuation and what you need to be aware of. We also hear about MoneyTalks and the free budget advice they provide. Plus so much more!
Dear neighbours, every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for onion recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by April 20, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the June issue of NZ Gardener.
Over 360 Household Heroes across the nation were nominated by you to win $350! This country is full of amazing Kiwis who are keeping things running at home no matter what! You’re all heroes!
BUT there can only be one winner, was it you? Find out who WON $350 towards their Broadband and Power … View moreOver 360 Household Heroes across the nation were nominated by you to win $350! This country is full of amazing Kiwis who are keeping things running at home no matter what! You’re all heroes!
BUT there can only be one winner, was it you? Find out who WON $350 towards their Broadband and Power bill!
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:L
A new five-star-plus Queenstown hotel building is for sale and the vendor will consider offers over $35 million.
Kevin Carlin built the seven-storey 14-suite Carlin Boutique Hotel and Oro restaurant near central Queenstown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:L
A new five-star-plus Queenstown hotel building is for sale and the vendor will consider offers over $35 million.
Kevin Carlin built the seven-storey 14-suite Carlin Boutique Hotel and Oro restaurant near central Queenstown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It opened in early 2022 and has since received several international awards including three Boutique Hotel Awards, such as the World's Best New Hotel in 2022.
Carlin operates the hotel and intends doing so for the next 30 years, but now wished to free up the capital involved in the building for other projects.
It was standard practice for hotels and other businesses to rent the buildings they operate from, he said.
”I was the rare person that’s a property developer and owned the building.
”I always intended to sell the real estate to get the cash back for another development,” he said.
He intended leasing the building back for 30 years and operating the hotel himself “if someone pays the price”.
“I’m not going anywhere. This is my retirement project.”
He declined to give details of other developments he sought capital for, though he is developing a five-star Radisson Hotel in Queenstown with Australia-based partner Centuria.
Despite a major staff shortage in Queenstown the Carlin Boutique Hotel was almost fully staffed with 38 employees on board.
Bookings were good going ahead, but he was looking forward to the return of European and wealthy Chinese travellers, he said.
Chinese visitors were struggling with visa issues in their own country while a lack of flights connecting Europe and New Zealand was deterring those visitors.
“I was there recently, and it took me four flights to get home to Queenstown,” he said.
Visitors to the hotel can book a room from $2219.50 a night, according to the website.
Each of the interconnected suites has views over central Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, its own outdoor fire and spa pool, and a kitchen where private chefs can whip up a meal.
“We don’t expect our guests are ever going to buy eggs and cook,” Carlin told Stuff on a tour when it first opened.
The property is listed with Bayleys Real Estate and expressions of interest are sought.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
That Wānaka Tree is world famous but the shark swimming around it may elevate it to new social media heights.
No-one knows where the shark, or to be precise the shark’s fin, came from and local social media posts have divided opinion in the small town.
… View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
That Wānaka Tree is world famous but the shark swimming around it may elevate it to new social media heights.
No-one knows where the shark, or to be precise the shark’s fin, came from and local social media posts have divided opinion in the small town.
Posting on Facebook on Monday, Joanne Young said April Fools was over and the stationary fin spoiled the lake's beauty.
“Can it be removed?” she asked.
But Jess B Clark called for the “weed tree” to be removed instead, while Kieran Kaiwai suggested someone jump in and tackle the shark.
Others suggested it would need Department of Conservation and Otago Regional Council involvement involving a lengthy report and an 80% rates rise.
Tony Vial suspected it might be the work of a random Sharks supporter, before adding his own “Go the Warriors”.
Todd Jeremy Owen said he had seen the fin in other spots, including Lake Hawea.
"That Taniwha is way older than that weedy willow,” he said.
Tracy Sarah Jones looked forward to seeing the next 20 million lonely tree shots accompanied by the great shark fin.
While Amanda Waldo had another ominous warning for regular lake users.
"If the duck itch doesn’t get you...” she wrote.
For now, the big questions are unanswered. Will the shark remain? And will it ruin the perfect shot of #thatwanakatree?
Spoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.
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Happy Mother’s Day
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A Cromwell whisky distillery and a Wānaka film studio proposal have been promised government support to help the region diversify beyond its reliance on tourism.
Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced a $2.9 million loan to help Scapegrace … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
A Cromwell whisky distillery and a Wānaka film studio proposal have been promised government support to help the region diversify beyond its reliance on tourism.
Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced a $2.9 million loan to help Scapegrace Distillery expand to help meet growing national and international demand.
The government will also underwrite $4.5m of the Silverlight Studios’ film studio project.
“I love what you guys are doing ... the whole aspiration for us is to support our regions to grow,” she said.
Scapegrace Distillery is a privately owned Central Otago business that produces whisky, gin and vodka, and aims to become New Zealand’s biggest distillery.
Founded by brothers-in-law Daniel McLaughlin and Mark Neal nine years ago, the company has more than 48 shareholders and exports to 35 markets.
McLaughlin said about 65% of its products are exported, but it was hoped that would increase to 80%.
The government loan would be used to help build a new distillery and temporary hospitality facility, creating 218 jobs during construction and 24 permanent roles once operational.
Ultimately, the Central Otago site will house four whisky barrel rooms, a world-class distillery and a full hospitality precinct with cellar door facilities, a bar and restaurant, and event spaces,
McLaughlin anticipated it would be completed in 2026 and would be New Zealand’s largest distillery, spanning 36 hectares of land and 4500m² of buildings.
Allan said the projected increase in capacity from 30,000 litres to 567,000 litres of product was a “game changer”.
“It’s an absolute privilege to stand alongside you as you embark on your new venture.”
Asked whether it was appropriate for taxpayers’ money to be used to support the alcohol industry, she said it was part of the food and beverage industry, an area identified for development in the region.
Speaking about the support for Silverlight Studios, Allan said the screen industry employed about 16,200 New Zealanders and contributed $3.3 billion to the economy every year.
It was a key component of Central Otago’s economic diversification initiatives, she said.
“Silverlight Studios will provide new opportunities for local talent to be at the forefront of an evolving industry in the region.”
Silverlight Studios chief executive Mike Wallis said concerns had been raised that the company’s $280m Wānaka plan, which includes 10 sound studios, was too much and too fast for the area.
The company had therefore “pivoted”, and will instead bring three fast-build modular sound stages to the site with auxiliary buildings.
The sound stages, which are fully sound-proofed and include lighting rigs, will come from Belgium and are already being used by the likes of Netflix and Amazon, Wallis said.
The government underwrite of $4.5m would provide confidence for investors in this stage of the project and enable the work to be completed in 12 to 14 months, he said.
“This gives them facilities with rain cover, and it’s big enough for an international large scale production, which is really our key market anyway, but also for the local market.”
The stages will be packed down and moved as the full studio development is completed.
It will ultimately include an 11ha artificial lake, film school, screening theatre, exhibition centre and up to 10 sound stages – making it the largest studio of its kind in New Zealand.
It will also include recreations of international film locations, including an Italian village, the canals and bridges of Venice, a generic seaside Hamptons-style village, blocks of New York City and a portion of New York’s Central Park.
MetService expects snow levels as low as 400 to 700 metres above sea level over the southern and eastern parts of the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says: “The Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago Districts may get noticeable snow accumulations from early morning… View moreMetService expects snow levels as low as 400 to 700 metres above sea level over the southern and eastern parts of the South Island.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane says: “The Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago Districts may get noticeable snow accumulations from early morning Tuesday, where the first MetService Heavy Snow Watch of the year has been issued until midday Tuesday.”
These snowfalls may affect high country farms, as well as high-level roads and mountain passes. Road Snow Warnings have been issued for Lewis Pass, Porters Pass, Lindis Pass and the Crown Range Road for the potential of snow settling on the road.
Neighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.
For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....… View moreNeighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.
For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....
Please invite those on your street and in your neighbourhood who might be interested (it's not just for rural folk, although those of you in rural communities might be particularly interested).
Save up to $69 with an NZ House & Garden subscription. Subscribe today to get NZ’s favourite lifestyle magazine delivered straight to your home every month, plus you’ll receive ManukaRx’s Pro-Aging Skin Oil worth $44.95 absolutely free!
Achieve healthy and ageless skin with the … View moreSave up to $69 with an NZ House & Garden subscription. Subscribe today to get NZ’s favourite lifestyle magazine delivered straight to your home every month, plus you’ll receive ManukaRx’s Pro-Aging Skin Oil worth $44.95 absolutely free!
Achieve healthy and ageless skin with the Pro-Aging Skin Oil. This face oil features the powerful essential oil blend of East Cape mānuka oil and rosehip oil. Offer is valid until 16 April 2023. Offer applies for 1-year and 2-year subscriptions only. For full T&Cs click here.
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown ratepayers are facing more leaky homes claims but none as large as those behind a proposed average 13.6% rate rise this year.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council – which covers Queenstown and Wānaka and surrounding areas – settled last year … View moreFrom reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Queenstown ratepayers are facing more leaky homes claims but none as large as those behind a proposed average 13.6% rate rise this year.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council – which covers Queenstown and Wānaka and surrounding areas – settled last year with the body corporate of the Oaks Shore apartments, which claimed $163 million for leaky building repairs.
The exact settlement figure was confidential, but the council was taking out a loan to pay the claim.
It was covering other claims also, including one for the neighbouring property Oaks Club Resort, thought to be about $50m.
The impact of the interest costs meant the claims contributed to nearly a third of the massive rates increase for the coming financial year, documents show.
If the claim was paid in a single year the rates increase would be “horrendous” and in the “hundreds of percents”, council finance manager Stewart Burns said during a council meeting on Thursday.
Councillor Esther Whitehead asked what assurances the council could provide that ratepayers would not face another increase due to leaky home claims.
Burns said the council was currently facing three or four claims, but none were on the scale of the two Oaks properties.
Properties caught in the leaky home legislation were built between 15 and 20 years ago.
Claims had to be made within 10 years of a property’s completion.
The council was reaching the end of that period, he said.
Council standards for building inspections and consents have improved in the last 20 years.
The building inspection and consent processes at the time of the construction of the affected buildings was also a contributing factor, he said.
“The standard we have to meet these days compared to 20 years ago is quite different, and we are audited regularly on those services.
“We certainly have got a lot of confidence that the way we operate now is appropriate.”
Draft annual plan documents show how increases in interest rates, depreciation expenses and record-high inflation have also contributed to the region’s rates increase.
To lessen the rates rise, the council is planning to defer $106.7m in projects, including a Wānaka water treatment plant, a new reservoir at Quail Rise, and a Queenstown water treatment plant at Two Mile.
Increases in some user fees such as building consents, animal registration, and sport and recreational services are also proposed.
The council is undertaking public consultation on the draft annual plan.
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