Latest news with #RealNZ
Otago Daily Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Best in business to be celebrated
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Good sorts, top-notch small businesses and the best employer have been added to the categories for this year's 2degrees Queenstown Business Awards — entries for which have opened. Organised by the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce, the awards, held every second year, highlight the innovation, resilience and community spirit that define the Queenstown business landscape. Chamber CEO Sharon Fifieldsays they're also a chance for businesses to reflect, recharge and revel in their achievements. "This year's awards are all about celebrating the incredible journey our local businesses have been on. "We've seen remarkable growth, creativity and grit — and now it's time to shine a light on that." There are 10 categories this year, including three new ones — small business of the year, sponsored by Queenstown Airport, employer of the year (RealNZ) and the 'good sort' award (Hamish Walker, of Walker & Co Realty). The latter category recognises individuals who go above and beyond in business standards, ethics, community involvement and helping others. Good sorts can be nominated by the public — a judging panel will select the finalists, and a winner. Returning categories are: Excellence in sustainability and environmental business practice (Destination Queenstown) Excellence in innovation (Polestar) Excellence in marketing (Shotover Creative) Excellence in community contribution (SkyCity Queenstown) Excellence in professional services & business solutions (Lane Neave Lawyers) Excellence in customer experience (Kingpin Queenstown) Judges will select winners of those categories, and the Supreme Award winner, while the public gets to choose the winner of the Mountain Scene People's Choice Award. Entries are open until September 15 and are available to all businesses and non-profits in the Whakatipu — chamber membership isn't required. Finalists will be announced on October 16, and winners revealed at a gala dinner in Queenstown's CBD on November 8. For more info, or to enter, see
Otago Daily Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Voting campaign aspires to new heights
Democracy is reaching new heights in the Queenstown Lakes district. Nominations are now officially open for the 2025 local elections and residents are being encouraged to put their names forward to stand as mayor, councillor or community board member, as part of a new campaign designed to engage voters across the region. Dubbed "The Highest Vote", this year's campaign puts an alpine spin on civic participation, with high-altitude ballot boxes set to appear at some of the region's best-known mountaintop locations. The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), in partnership with RealNZ, will have voting stations at Cardrona Alpine Resort (1670m) and Treble Cone (1260m), giving residents the chance to cast their vote while surrounded by the Southern Alps. A special one-day voting box will also be available at the Crown Range lookout on Friday, October 10, providing what may be New Zealand's most scenic polling booth. The council's aim is clear: boost voter turnout beyond previous levels. In the last local election in 2022, just 43.05% of eligible voters in the district had their say, slightly below the national average of 44.5%. Council chief executive Mike Theelen said the council was aiming higher this year, both figuratively and literally. "Voting isn't just about ticking a box — it's about showing how much we care about the future of our environment and our community. "Turnout in our last local election was 43%. This time we're setting our sights higher, to exceed that and top the national average," Mr Theelen said. Nominations opened last Friday and close at noon on Friday, August 1. To stand, candidates must be enrolled to vote and nominated by two voters from the ward or area they wish to represent. No prior experience is necessary, and the council is encouraging people from all backgrounds to consider running. Mr Theelen said how the district moved forward involved everyone who lived there. "It's important that our elected officials reflect the values and ideas of our diverse community. "Now is a great time to learn more about the challenges and rewards — either for yourself or for friends and family who you think would make great local leaders." Voting takes place from Tuesday, September 9, through to election day on Saturday, October 11. Voting papers will be delivered between September 9 and September 22. Residents can vote by post, at local ballot boxes or at the special alpine voting stations. — APL
Scoop
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Cardrona Drops In On Bondi As Thinkerbell Launches First Work For RealNZ
New Zealand's Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone hit Bondi Beach last week, inviting surfers to trade the sand for snow in a one-morning-only Board Swap - the first piece of work from RealNZ and its newly appointed earned agency, Thinkerbell. The activation landed after the highly anticipated opening of Cardrona's 2025 winter season and the launch of Soho Basin: a 150-hectare terrain expansion, and the resort's biggest milestone in over a decade. With fresh ground to explore, it was the perfect moment to tempt Aussies off the sand and onto the slopes. From first light, a crew of surfers - joined by Aussie pro, Olympian and two-time world champ Tyler Wright - were offered snowboards and lift passes in exchange for surfboards and the chance to win three-day passes to Cardrona or Treble Cone. Each swapped board was donated to the Bondi Surf Club. The work marks the start of Thinkerbell's remit as RealNZ's earned agency of record across New Zealand and Australia. RealNZ is New Zealand's leading tourism and conservation operator, offering some of the South Island's most iconic experiences - including Walter Peak High Country Farm, Pātea Doubtful Sound, Piopiotahi Milford Sound, Cardrona Alpine Resort, and Treble Cone - all part of a broader mission to help people fall in love with conservation. Jessica Allison, General Manager at Thinkerbell Aotearoa says, 'Board Swap is a brilliant expression of what this collaboration is all about: using creative earned ideas to bring RealNZ's story to unexpected places. Landing snowboards at Bondi is attention-grabbing, but it also captures something deeper: the thrill of discovery, and the invitation to experience Aotearoa's wild side. We're proud to kick things off with work that's as imaginative as it is purposeful.' Alesha Stefanissin, General Manager of Marketing at RealNZ says, 'This work is a bold start to our partnership with Thinkerbell. We've got world-class experiences and a big story to tell. Thinkerbell brings the energy, creativity and reach to help us do that across both sides of the Tasman.'
Herald Sun
23-06-2025
- Herald Sun
This food cruise finally convinced me Queenstown is worth visiting
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Freefalling from bridges and hurtling atop whitewash waters – whisper the name 'Queenstown' to me and my mind collects these stomach-churning images as I cement my long-held belief that New Zealand's adrenaline hub probably isn't for me. Then an email about the TSS Earnslaw, a 1912 steamer that cruises glacier-fed Lake Wakatipu between the city's Steamer Wharf and Walter Peak, lands in my inbox and what do you know? I'm Queenstown-bound for a scenic RealNZ journey within days. Conditions are far from postcard-perfect when my 11-year-old daughter and I arrive at RealNZ's visitor centre to board our four-hour Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining cruise. Heavy fog has settled in across the city and a cold rain is coming in from every which way. Despite arriving half an hour early, we realise we've underestimated the popularity of this 250-capacity cruise on the last remaining commercial passenger-carrying coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere – and the queue is already snaking its way around the building and down the street. Although all are heading to Walter Peak High Country Farm at the base of Walter Peak mountain, some are holding tickets for a Farm Tour or an Eco Tour, while others are clutching passes to go horse trekking. The picturesque Lake Wakatipu offers stunning scenery. Me? Since I'm always led by my stomach, the mix of experiences included within the Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining package (a scenic 45-minute cruise each way, a barbecue buffet of local and homegrown produce at the Homestead Restaurant, and a farm-dog demonstration post-dessert) sounds perfect to me. Boarding the TSS Earnslaw feels like a high-stakes version of nautical musical chairs: people are racing across the native kauri timber decks like crazed Supermarket Sweep contestants as they try to grab the best seats in the house. The upper Promenade, with its bar and café selling all manner of snacks, proves to be a hit but the main deck below is where you'd prefer to be if you're into watching the stokers at work to keep the fires burning as we cruise along at 11 knots. The historic TSS Earnslaw cruises Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown to Walter Peak. The 11km journey complete with commentary may be 45 minutes, but it passes in the blink of an eye, and the chorus of oohs and aahs alerts us to our arrival at Walter Peak Country Farm, a scene which looks straight out of a fairytale, all lush lawns and bright pops of hybrid tea roses surrounded by alpine peaks. Although it was once one of New Zealand's most-famous working farms, covering 170,000ha and running some 40,000 sheep, today the station is split in two: the Walter Peak High Country Farm, a 155ha property focused on tourism, and the working farm which still runs 20,000 Merino sheep as well as some Angus cattle. Lunch is the first order of the day and what a meal it is. I'm seated by the window overlooking the lake, with mountains of beef, lamb, pork and chicken laid out for the taking, while salad, vegetable, cheese and dessert stations are just as busy as guests keep depleting and refilling their plates. Buffet offering on RealNZ's Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining cruise. The best way to emerge from a food coma? With a dog show courtesy of our guide, Corey, and his cheeky border collie, Echo, who leads us over to the demonstration area and shows us how he effortlessly rounds up the somewhat terrified-looking sheep. There's time to stop in a gift shop, of course, and before we know it, we're back on the Earnslaw for the return trip to Steamer Wharf. This time the fog has lifted and, wow, it seems Queenstown really is for everyone. The writer travelled as a guest of RealNZ. A farm dog demonstration on RealNZ's Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining cruise. When to do a Queenstown food cruise The Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining tour is priced from $NZ149 (about $135) per person, with the option to cruise during summer months on the TSS Earnslaw or year-round on the Spirit of Queenstown catamaran. How to get to Queenstown, New Zealand from Australia Air New Zealand has daily flights to Queenstown from Sydney and Melbourne. Where to stay in Queenstown Located in the Five Mile retail precinct (and right by the airport), Sudima Queenstown Five Mile offers a range of Superior and Alpine View rooms, in both king and twin-share configurations. Originally published as I'd never bothered going to Queenstown, then I found the perfect cruise
Otago Daily Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Lake ‘sharks' ready to go
A Hydro Attack submersible in Queenstown Bay. Photo: Gregor Richardson An American Silicon Valley entrepreneur has added what has been billed as "Queenstown's most unique water activity" to his increasing stable of Lake Wakatipu-based businesses. Iraj Barabi last week settled on Queenstown Bay-based thrill ride "Hydro Attack", the world's first commercial operator of semi-submersible "sharks". Mr Barabi, who developed Queenstown Marina, has been on an "acquisition binge" to bring more life to the lake for both commuting — hence his purchase of Queenstown Ferries — and watersports. He said he wanted the resort to become a "watersports capital" to complement its reputation as the world's adventure capital. Mr Barabi recently bought RealNZ's jetboat company, Queenstown Jet Boat (formerly Thunder Jet), Queenstown Paraflights and Queenstown Boat Charters. The Hydro Attack attraction will continue to operate from the council-owned Lapsley-Butson wharf, even though Mr Barabi owns the neighbouring Convelle Wharf. Last month, Hydro Attack Ltd went to the Environment Court to appeal the Queenstown Lakes District Council's decision to refuse consent for a proposed 42m-long wharf accessed from St Omer Park, further along Queenstown Bay. The council had also declined the company's request to review the reserve management plan for the bay, which does not permit commercial activity on the proposed wharf site. The company was seeking an alternative wharf after the council increased the rent on its current wharf from $36,000 a year to nearly $120,000.
