Queenstown news and more...

04 Mar 2010
Posted: Raggy says:    The freedom campers tag is unfair. Myself and my now wife arrived in Queenstown five years ago as freedom campers staying only two nights outside of town before moving into a campground. Whilst we were travelling round NZ we always very mindful of litter and where we camped as was the rest of our three-van convoy. We never left anything behind except footprints. Since then I have found the people who »»
23 Dec 2009
On course: Margaret and Raymond McClure play a round at the Frankton Golf Club yesterday. Following the recent article in Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Scuttlebutt, it may be helpful to clarify Queenstown Golf Club’s view on where things are at with the Frankton golf course. »»
03 Dec 2009
I’m writing about the “Gentleman of the Rails” – the mighty Kingston Flyer – now about to be sold and at risk of being lost to Queenstown. What happened to all the imaginative and progressive people who love the Wakatipu, and its surrounding partners? Somebody, anybody, Real Journeys, whoever, whatever – help. Just remember our lovely “Lady of the Lake”, the vintage steamship Earnslaw, »»
26 Nov 2009
Take control: Southland District Health Board’s Lakes District Hospital at Frankton
Take control: Southland District Health Board’s Lakes District Hospital at Frankton Now is our healthcare hour   After decades of disillusion, suddenly it’s the hour of opportunity to start sorting out healthcare in the Wakatipu. But if we locals don’t move fast, we may face further years on the back foot. »»
29 Oct 2009
In criticising the Wakatipu Health Trust’s “needs assessment” of Queenstown’s Lakes District Hospital, Otago-Southland District Health Board boss Brian Rousseau admits the number of aged-care beds is tight, and access to local outpatient clinics requires further investigation. »»
22 Oct 2009
I was very disappointed to read last week the negative slant taken by writer Ryan Keen in your story on Snow Sports NZ – and inparticular, trying to haul up dirt on SSNZ boss Ross Palmer. What’s Mountain Scene trying to do exactly? Under Palmer’s leadership, SSNZ has gone in a very short time from non-existence to finally giving direction to all New Zealand snow sports disciplines in a unified and coherent manner. This »»
08 Oct 2009
A 10-minute wait in the extreme sports booking office – read reception – and lack of lake views immediately alerted us that Queenstown Lake View Holiday Park promises much but delivers little. Of 13 campervan sites we stayed at in New Zealand, this has the most expensive site fees. In addition, shower fees are imposed and washing machine/dryer fees are double everywhere else we stayed. Not only that, campervans are crammed in, »»
10 Sep 2009
 Airport security just nonsense Terrorists 1, Queenstown residents 0 – as citizens of New Zealand, we’ll have lost again. What bureaucratic nonsense the proposed security arrangements for Queenstown Airport will be for a small country airfield like ours (MS Aug 27). The outcome will change our day-to-day lives for the worse and forever – for no real gain in total security. There will also probably be another »»
20 Aug 2009
Please start saving lives, SDHB – not just money I’m writing this because I too am concerned about the state of Frankton’s Lakes District Hospital. Twenty years ago I was an apprentice carpenter helping build our hospital, which at the time I thought would be a great asset to our community. However, in the last 10 years all I’ve heard aboutLDH is complaints. But I didn’t take too much notice »»
20 Aug 2009
 
  When I first came to Queenstown 50 years ago, there was one doctor, one lawyer and one policeman – today we have over 40 police, almost as many lawyers and over 20 doctors. The population then would have been one-tenth of what it is today. »»