Queenstown news and more...

  I attended my first political meeting in 1946. Fred Jones, Labour’s wartime Defence Minister, was speaking at the Coronation Hall in St Kilda, Dunedin. Having walked there, as a 13-year-old I was by far the youngest in the hall, sitting very small at the back behind mainly cloth-capped working men. It was my first encounter with the “favourites”. »»

  Labour throws the dirt at National in the Two Johns advertisements but I’m amused by the two Helens who have become apparent over this election campaign. Trust me, says a young, beautified Helen on her Labour roadside hoardings. Trust me, says a middle-aged, overly made-up, Sarah Palin-esque dressed Helen on TV. Labour would have us believe the hoardings are the true Helen. »»

  The longest, most expensive political campaign – and one of the nastiest – in United States history hurtles toward a finale on November 4. The outcome appears more certain with each passing moment: barring a sudden game-changing event, a significant victory for Illinois senator Barack Obama and his running mate, Delaware senator Joseph Biden. »»

  Our physical surroundings are a gift of nature, spectacularly beautiful and pristine, but is the Wakatipu as clean and green as Queenstown Lakes District Council would have us believe? »»

  Imagine Queenstown’s council chambers morphing into something resembling the New York Stock Exchange. The image isn’t totally farcical. Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel plans to amend the Securities Act so local bodies can float bonds for long-term borrowing. The Nats could well adopt the idea, too. »»

  Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages – Roll Up, Roll Up to the QLDC Big Top! That’s right – Queenstown Lakes District Council’s determination to build a maintenance depot in Queenstown Gardens has become a three-ring circus. The good news is that QLDC withdrew its application to designate 1125sq m of Queenstown Gardens for a public works depot. »»

  Willing workers are important in any tourist town, but in a busy place like Queenstown they’re essential. From restaurant wait-staff to retail assistants and hotel cleaners, it’s these people who keep the town ticking and support local businesses as they strive to succeed. »»

  Think of the Nevis River and consider William James’s observation: “The most significant characteristic of modern civilization is the sacrifice of the future for the present – and all the power of science has been prostituted to that purpose. »»

  If you say ‘Queenstown’ to anyone in New Zealand, it immediately conjures up a vision of a village in a beautiful lakeside setting, offering a range of exhilarating outdoor activities amidst a stunning alpine backdrop. It’s an image shared by many overseas visitors too, thanks to international marketing. »»

  History lesson: This 1860s photo of Queenstown Bay shows the natural low level of Lake Wakatipu I’m fascinated by the latest prognostications regarding Queenstown flooding. It’s nearly nine years since the 1999 flood. »»