Youth involvement increased in honour of Māori Queen
Young rangatahi were the stars of this year’s annual Wānaka Matariki celebration, as hundreds of locals gathered to enjoy the festivities.
Regions
More clarity on impacts of gold mining called for
More clarity on impacts of gold mining called for
About 180 people attended a meeting opposing Central Otago’s upcoming gold-mining project, as they called for more transparency on potential impacts.
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Wiping of phone ‘idiotic’, judge says
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Wiping of phone ‘idiotic’, judge says
A Wānaka woman committed an "act of unpardonable folly" by wiping the contents of her phone while under suspicion of importing psilocybin, a judge says.
‘Wheels’ brought in $30m to area, report shows
‘Wheels’ brought in $30m to area, report shows
After bringing in a record crowd of 65,000 for its final show at Easter, Wheels at Wanaka’s economic report reveals it brought in $30 million to retailers, hoteliers and Wānaka’s township.
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Porteous going in a new direction
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Porteous going in a new direction
Wānaka wonder Nico Porteous has no regrets as he closes the book on a big chapter in his life.
Friend doing honours as skifields open to blue skies
Friend doing honours as skifields open to blue skies
Alexa Macdonald had something more than her skifield pass giving her access to the opening weekend of the Queenstown and Wanaka ski season.
Lake Hāwea Station originals: ‘Don’t sing your own praises’
Lake Hāwea Station originals: ‘Don’t sing your own praises’
Brought up on Lake Hāwea Station, which the Rowley family farmed for more than a century, two rural sisters recall the "simple life" of their youth on what has since become the country’s first...
Preparing for disaster should be on your radar: emergency management
Preparing for disaster should be on your radar: emergency management
As the mountains gather snow and the roads get icy, being prepared for a disaster is a must for all households in the region.
International accolade for ring ‘huge honour’
International accolade for ring ‘huge honour’
Wānaka jeweller Alice Herald has been awarded a coveted second place at the "Oscars of the jewellery world'.
Students to take to stage
Students to take to stage
About 200 students from across the region will strap on their dance shoes and take to the stage to showcase their talents this weekend.
Photographer shares visual stories from rural communities
Photographer shares visual stories from rural communities
Wellington photographer Nick Netzler travelled to Wānaka earlier this year, as part of a nature residency.
Wānaka section sells for $3.5m
Wānaka section sells for $3.5m
A $3.5 million view on Wānaka’s Tiffany Lane has sold — and that is without a house.
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Negative impacts if lake lowered: expert
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Negative impacts if lake lowered: expert
Lake Hāwea will have dust issues and its water quality, fishery, plant life and ecology will degrade if Contact Energy’s fast-track approval to lower the lake goes ahead.
Scientists gather in Wānaka to shake up quake forecasting
Scientists gather in Wānaka to shake up quake forecasting
Leading earthquake researchers and modellers from four countries have convened in Wānaka to tackle a tough question in seismology.
ACC encouraging seniors to attend fall prevention classes
ACC encouraging seniors to attend fall prevention classes
A Wānaka local is helping advocate for the importance of strength and balance exercises as ACC launches a new campaign on the importance of classes for those aged 65 years and over.
New walking track formed with help from trust
New walking track formed with help from trust
Walking is not easy for Makarora landowner Gary Charteris.
‘Brand new’ event coming next year
‘Brand new’ event coming next year
Despite having to justify the Easter influx of 65,000 visitors, Wheels at Wānaka general manager Allan Dippie intends to bring to town another event in 2026.
Springing all the way to Barcelona
Springing all the way to Barcelona
After winning the New Zealand and Australia trampoline championships this year, Wānaka’s Blake Hartley is off to the world champs in Spain.
Health needs to be put to ministers
Health needs to be put to ministers
Wānaka’s most vocal health advocacy group will be demanding more publicly funded services for the region in upcoming meetings with health ministers.
Carving out a legacy
Carving out a legacy
Jacinda Ardern, Gordon Ramsay and a member of the Rothschild family all own one of his pounamu pendants, but Lake Hawea’s Jeromy van Riel is wanting to spread a simple message through his work.