The Arrowtown Autumn Festival is now in its 40th year of celebrations, and while much has changed in that time, its heart remains the same. This is a festival built by the community, for the community - a celebration of local talent, local history, and the simple joy of coming together.
From its earliest days, the festival has reflected the character of Arrowtown itself. It’s not about big stages or headline acts. Instead, it’s about neighbours stepping up – musicians, performers, bakers, storytellers – all contributing in their own way. It’s the kind of event where you might see a friend on stage, a colleague pouring wine, or a local group sharing something they’ve quietly perfected over years.
That sense of making your own fun is deeply woven into the fabric of this place. It’s also beautifully captured in Roll Out The Barrel, a new book by local legend David Clarke, launching during this year’s festival. The book brings together tales from the Arrow Miners Band and the Buckingham Belles –groups who have long embodied the spirit of the festival. Their stories remind us that, long before organised events and packed programmes, people here found ways to connect, entertain, and create something memorable.
The Arrow Miners Band and the Buckingham Belles shared a great camaraderie and sense of fun, even touring together to perform at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival. Buckingham Belle Rosemary Chalmers recalls one trip where band member June Flint had a broken ankle. “She was hobbling on crutches,” she says. “On our first night we stayed at a motel in Greymouth. The owners put on a huge barbecue, the band played and we ended up in bed at 1am. The next night the girls went into town for dinner, thinking the band would be well asleep by the time we got back, but no! They were all crammed into Archie and June Flints’ room, with June sitting up in bed, foot propped up, playing music.”
On one of their tours, the group stopped at the Haast pub on the way home. The band began to play, the Belles changed into costume, and word quickly spread. Before long, the pub was packed as the Belles danced. As Peter Doyle remembers, it was a brilliant night - “We were thanked in the morning with a chilly bin full of whitebait to take home.”
As the 40th festival approaches, it’s a chance not only to enjoy the events on offer, but to reflect on what makes them possible. Behind every performance, workshop, and gathering is a network of volunteers, organisers, sponsors, and locals who give their time and energy to bring it all together. At its core is a passionate committee, working year-round and determined to keep the festival a true community event. That collective effort is worth celebrating in its own right.
So whether you’re attending for the first time or have been part of it for years, this is an invitation to support, participate, and be part of something that is, at its core, unmistakably Arrowtown.
Vanessa
Williams - Festival Coordinator
Aaron, Jim, Eugene and Hikari at the 100th year celebration of the White Horse Cup at the Event Centre on Saturday
ON THE APP THIS WEEK
Easter Sunday trading rules ‘confusing’, need overhaul, EMA says - by RNZ
A business association says Easter Sunday trading rules are confusing and need an overhaul.
Restrictions on alcohol sales have just been eased, so that venues that could already open over Easter can now sell alcohol to customers without the requirement they buy a meal.
Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) head of advocacy Alan McDonald told RNZ now was a good time to look at the Shop Trading Hours Act as well.
“Obviously they’ve eased up some of the alcohol laws to clarify them because they were very complex - the Easter ones are just as complex.
“It’s been time to look at them for a long time,” he added.
Easter Sunday was not a statutory public holiday and retailers should be able to decide for themselves whether they open on that day, McDonald said.
A 2016 change to the Shop Trading Hours Act also meant city and district councils could create their own Easter Sunday shopping policies for their respective territories, adding to the confusion, he said.
“You get all sorts of anomalies. Queenstown for example, I think, opens, Rotorua doesn’t. Parts of Parnell in Auckland are allowed to open, but other parts of Auckland aren’t allowed to open.
“You just end up with a multitude of confusing options.”
The AA has opened a Centre in Queenstown, bringing a full suite of licensing and insurance services to the region’s burgeoning population.
AA Head of Centre Network Julian Travaglia says the demand for in-person services has significantly increased in the Southern Lakes area over the last several years.
“Opening a full-service AA Centre in Queenstown allows us to better support our AA Members and customers locally and deliver a more connected experience.
“Visiting the AA has arguably never had a better view!”
Located in the Remarkables Park Town Centre in Frankton, the Centre brings together essential AA services in one location, including insurance, driver licensing, vehicle registration, identity services and general AA Membership support.
Julian says, “Our existing driver and vehicle licensing Agency has served the community well, but it’s evident we needed more space and more people for the number of customers we receive daily. The new Queenstown AA Centre is fully equipped to manage multiple visitors at once, including learner licence test bookings.”
Overseas licence conversions are expected to be a popular service at the new AA Centre due to the region’s tourist appeal. Queenstown airport recorded 1 million international visitor arrivals in 2025, up from 900,000 in 2024.
“Queenstown is a huge attraction for overseas visitors, who may decide to stay longer term and require a licence conversion. It can be a complex transaction, so having a dedicated in-person AA Centre where they access the service and ask any questions is a major bonus.”
The current AA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency located on Glenda Drive will be closed from April 2, with the new Queenstown AA Centre open for business from April 8.
“Our team is looking forward to supporting new and existing customers and welcoming the community to the new space.”
For further information and full opening hours, visit AA Centre Queenstown.
L-R: Kerrie Ann Bailey, District Manager AA Queenstown Centre; Kath Woollard, Chief Experience Officer; Brett Flintoff, AA President
AA welcomes new Centre to service Queenstown community
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CRIMELINE
Australians warned – Sling shot fired
by Sue Fea
Aussie hunters rescued from South Wye Creek Valley
by Sue Fea
Rescuers and Police are urging, especially overseas visitors, to know what they’re heading into and ensure they have the right skills for local terrain after two Australian hunters got out of their depth and had to be rescued on Thursday, 9 April.
Two young Australian men were arrested for wilful damage and formally warned after Police received a report of what sounded like a possible shot being fired through a glass window at 9pm on Tuesday, 7 April, following a parking dispute at a downtown Queenstown Airbnb property. Sergeant Tracy Haggart says two Australian men, aged 26 and 30, were located by Police in the Lakeview Holiday Park camping ground, off Man Street, and allegedly admitted to using a sling shot and damaging a window. They were let off with a formal warning and ordered to pay for the damage, she says.
Subaru stolen – Security gates rammed at speed
A 35-year-old Queenstown man was arrested after allegedly stealing a Subaru station wagon parked inside a secure yard in Hawthorne Drive, then driving it at speed out through closed locked gates, damaging them, Haggart says. The man had allegedly been drinking with a group of friends behind the vehicle yard at 2.10am on Friday, 3 April. He then allegedly entered the secure yard without authority, she says. The man was later located and has been charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, unlawfully being in an enclosed yard, wilful damage and driving while forbidden. He will appear in court Thursday, 9 April.
Late night fighting, assaults
A 19-year-old Lowburn man has been charged with injures with intent to injure after allegedly knocking a person unconscious during a late-night fight between two groups in Queenstown Mall. Haggart says the Lowburn man had allegedly approached his victim from the back of the group and punched the victim once. The victim was allegedly unconscious for three minutes, she says. Two groups had been fighting just before 2am on Sunday, 5 April. The Lowburn man appears in court Thursday, 9 April.
A 26-year-old Invercargill man was arrested for allegedly punching a security officer in the jaw while being escorted from a downtown bar just before 3am on Sunday, 5 April. Haggart says the man and a 21-year-old Invercargill woman had been asked to leave the bar but refused. The woman was also arrested for obstructing Police and later released. The man faces court on 20 April.
A 44-year-old Queenstown man was arrested for allegedly breaching bail conditions after Police were called to Camp Street where a member of the public had reported a drunk male allegedly trying to fight people on the street. Haggart says Police arrived to find the alleged man leaving the scene.
Drink driving – Car rolls Gibbston Highway
A 20-year-old Alexandra man allegedly blew 808mcg after rolling his vehicle, carrying two passengers, onto its roof when miscalculating a bend on Gibbston Highway just before 10pm on Sunday, Haggart says.
The man had been driving towards Queenstown when he approached a bend and allegedly swerved and over-corrected, causing the vehicle to spin and roll, landing on its roof, she says. The driver was charged with driving with a breath alcohol level over 400mcg and careless driving and will appear in the Alexandra District Court Thursday, 9 April.
Spate of traffic crashes
Police are awaiting a blood alcohol analysis result after a 23-year-old Queenstown man crashed while allegedly driving at high speed along Lake Esplanade towards Fernhill just after midnight on Thursday, 2 April, Haggart says. The vehicle allegedly spun out and collided with two trees on the reserve. The man escaped uninjured, but the vehicle was extensively damaged. The man has been charged with dangerous driving and appears in court Thursday, 9 April.
Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team spokesman Karl Johnson says the two hunters became trapped up South Wye Creek after their path was blocked when they reached a very steep, rocky area on their way out from a four-day hunting trip.
“People who are used to our terrain are okay but it’s steep and rocky and Australians are used to hunting out of vehicles,” Johnson says. “They got to a steep section and couldn’t get down. They took on more than their ability,” he says.
The pair set off a personal locator beacon to call for help and Queenstown Police called in members of the specialist Alpine Cliff Rescue Team to assist. “We flew in and located them, putting several guys in on the ground above them who walked down and guided them out safely,” Johnson says. “They said they’d debated whether to try and continuing walking out or call for rescue. They did the right thing.”
He says the pair had arrived in the area originally intending to hunt up the Hollyford Valley in Fiordland, but the helicopter company had talked them out of it so they flew into South Wye Creek Valley instead where they’d been hunting for four days.
“They were well prepared with all the right camping gear and were only in difficulty for an hour or so before they called for help. It was more about their ability in that terrain,” Johnson says.
He’s urging others heading into local mountains and backcountry areas to ensure they don’t venture into areas and terrain that are outside of their ability. “Get the proper training and gain the right skills first.”
Johnson says this kind of information is readily available to hunters through the NZ Deerstalkers Association or Mountain Safety Council (www.deerstalkers.org.nz or www.mountainsafety.org.nz)
With the warm, daytime temperatures and late summer conditions being enjoyed this autumn, rescuers are also warning people to be aware that daylight hours are now shorter and nights much cooler.
“We’re now no longer in daylight saving and the seasons are changing. Nighttime temperatures are dropping so people should be aware that, especially if they’re in the trees or in a valley. It will get darker and colder more quickly, so don’t get caught out,” Johnson says.
A Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team member on his way to help the stranded Aussie hunters up South Wye Creek on Thursday, 9 April. Photo: Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team
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COMMUNITY NOTES
Vera Lynn Tribute Concert in Lower Shotover
There’s something quietly powerful about a song that everyone in the room already knows. That’s the spirit behind an upcoming Vera Lynn tribute concert, set to bring a touch of nostalgia, warmth, and shared memory to the local stage in a breathtaking Lower Shotover location.
Grant and Sharyn Stalker have opened their expansive gardens to the community, offering a relaxed space for people to come together after formal commemorations. A chance for locals to come together for a gentle journey back to a time when music carried people through uncertainty, distance, and longing.
Dame Vera Lynn’s voice became synonymous with connection during the Second World War. She was nicknamed ‘the forces sweetheart’ and visited countries including Egypt, India, and Burma, often performing in diffi cult and sometimes dangerous conditions.
Her songs weren’t just entertainment; they were reassurance. They reminded people of home, of loved ones, and of the idea that, somehow, things would be alright.
The event will feature locals Margaret O’Hanlon and Simon Green weaving together well-known classics alongside the accompaniment of the Queenstown ANZAC Orchestra. You can expect to hear the familiar strains of “Now is the hour” and “The White Cliffs of Dover”.
While many will come with a direct connection to the era, others will be drawn by curiosity or a simple appreciation for timeless songwriting. And perhaps that’s why these songs continue to endure. Not just because they are wellwritten or widely recognised, but because they remind us of something simple and steady:
that even in uncertain times, music has a way of bringing people together.
Please bring along a picnic and join us for a memorable day.
Lakes Weekly gives community organisations in Queenstown Lakes the chance to address our readers directly though our Community Notes page. If you’d like to take part, email Jess at info@qmg.co.nz
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GOINGS ON ABOUT
EVENTS - MUSIC - ART
THEATRE
- AT THE GALLERIES
EVENT
Chris Chase Lunch and Learn: Phone Photography Workshop
Join Chris Chase for a one-hour photography workshop focused on capturing the human connection. Chris is a photographer, filmmaker and teacher who creates HERO imagery for brands across the adventure and tourism industries, as well as commercial services and events. In this session you’ll learn practical photography skills you can take away immediately and put into action straight away, whether you’re creating content for work, social media, or personal projects.
When: Wednesday, 15 April, 12pm – 1pm
Where: Mountain Club Beach Street, 85 Beach Street, Queenstown
Routeburn Classic
The Routeburn Classic is an iconic ‘adventure run’ along New Zealand’s renowned Routeburn Track. This exclusive event, limited to 400 athletes, takes place annually in late April. Spanning 32 kilometres and reaching an impressive elevation of 1127 metres, it highlights the breathtaking beauty within a designated World Heritage Area in Fiordland National Park. With diverse terrains ranging from lush native bush to exposed alpine environments, athletes face demanding uphill climbs and challenging technical descents. The track’s rugged and intricate nature adds to the event’s appeal.
When: Saturday, 18 April, 8.30am
Where: From The Divide to Routeburn Shelter
Rock Tenors – Anthems Reloaded Tour
Get ready Queenstown for a seismic blast of power, nostalgia, and pure ‘ROCK’manship as the Rock Tenors detonate their pure rock energy. The Anthems Reloaded Tour is a full-throttle celebration of the greatest rock hits of all time, delivered with theatrical firepower and vocal brilliance by five of Aotearoa’s finest. Backed by a live, hard-hitting rock band, this is not just a concert – it’s a full-scale theatrical rock experience. Soaring harmonies, epic guitar solos, and anthems that defined generations, all reimagined with dramatic vocal flair and explosive energy.
When: Thursday, 23 April, 7.30pm – 9.15pm
Where: Queenstown Memorial Centre, 1 Memorial Drive, Queenstown
Arrowtown Market
A Sunday market set in the heart of historic Arrowtown. It’s the best place in Arrowtown to relax under the trees and stock up on all your local artisan goodies, grab a freshly roasted coffee, enjoy live entertainment and the wonderful boutique market vibe.
When: Sundays, 10am – 2pm, until April 26
Where: The Library Green, Arrowtown
More events available at WHAT’S ON on the Queenstown App Download the Queenstown App today
Arrowtown Autumn Festival
Celebrate the beauty, culture, and community spirit of Arrowtown at the 40th annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival. This much-loved festival offers something for everyone, with a mix of free and ticketed events, ensuring accessibility for all ages. Explore over 50 events including live music, street performances, workshops, and art exhibitions. Highlights include the flagship ASB Market Day and Bayleys Parade on Saturday 18 April, featuring three stages of entertainment, 120+ local stallholders, and interactive family activities. Don’t miss the ever popular Pie, Pint & Pinot on the Sunday, the Saturday party and the highly popular Quiz Night!
When: Wednesday, 15 to Sunday, 19 April, 9am – 11am
Where: Various locations in Arrowtown
Queenstown International Football Cup
Global Games is back with something brand new - the Queenstown International Football Cup, coming April 2026! They’ve teamed up with the legends at Queenstown Association Football Club to bring teams from across NZ and beyond together for an epic weekend of football, fun, and fresh alpine air. Register your interest here: form.jotform.com/251406697648873
When: Friday, 18 – Sunday, 19 April
Where: Queenstown Events Centre, Joe O’Connell Drive, Frankton
Every Bite
Wastebusters and Sustainable Queenstown are stoked to be bringing Every Bite back – their food waste prevention programme designed to help households cut back on their food waste, become more food resourceful, and save money in the process. This fourweek programme provides resources, support and loads of tips, tricks, and tasty recipes for keeping your kai in date and on your plates. With the average household throwing away more than $1300 worth of food a year, a few tweaks to your daily habits can make a big difference to your household food waste and your grocery bill. Head to Humanitix for more info and to sign up.
When: Wednesday, 29 April, 6pm – 8pm
Where: Lake Hayes Pavilion, 719 Lake Hayes-Arrow Junction Highway, Lake Hayes Estate
Bone is Bone
Horses bring us connection. Hāwea Flat-based artist Robyn Bardas (MFA) brings together sculpture, video, and words presented via the horse. Robyn Bardas’s practice is rooted in connectedness and the sublime in nature. Her long contemporary landscapes of the last ten years now give way to classical focused representational studies. Since 2019, Robyn has been studying classical methodology at the great classical schools of Europe, and recently she returned from a month at the Barcelona Academy of Art learning classical sculpture and painting. Looking to continue the process, the horse skull in her studio provided a perfectly still model. The living horses became moving models, while Linda Kohanov’s book The Tao of Equus brought the Horse Ancestors into the room.
When: Wednesday, 15 April – Sunday, 14 June, daily
Where: Te Atamira, 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton
Pint-Sized Plays
Pint-Sized Plays is short format theatre that brings a play writing competition to life. It’s live short-format theatre performed in pubs or small venues featuring a small cast and using minimal set, props and tech support. The audience votes for their favourite play. Always popular get your tickets before they sell out!
When: Wednesday, 6 and Thursday, 7 May, 7pm
Where: The Crown, 3 Murchison Road, Frankton
Arts+Culture
Classic rock comes to town
by Jessica Allen
Rock Tenors will bring their new show to Queenstown next week, performing a celebration of some of the greatest rock hits. The highenergy full-scale theatrical rock experience will feature five strong voices backed by a hardhitting rock band.
Founder, director and producer Doug Kamo is excited to bring the show to Queenstown –he’s produced and directed shows for Showbiz Queenstown and is looking forward to heading back our way. He explains the Rock Tenor show all started in 2022 as a result of Covid disruption. He was directing the Queen musical, We Will Rock You, in Dunedin when it unfortunately grounded to a halt. He approached the five lead men of the production with his idea for the Rock Tenors show.
“We chucked the show on sale and we sold three shows out before we even marketed it, and we went ‘Oh, there’s something in this’,” Kamo says. “We toured that season – touring the South Island, we’ve done multiple corporate functions and festivals up and down the country, and we’ve had another couple of big seasons here
in Dunedin, so we’ve decided to go national and take it on tour.”
Expect to hear a myriad of rock anthems from artists such as Queen, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, U2, Radiohead and more.
To squeeze the most into the show, they’ve included a range of mash ups and people are encouraged to sing along and get involved.
“The boys spend quite a bit of time in the audience, so it’s not just about them being on stage. They do get into the audience and they do really rock the crowd – it’s immersive and interactive in that sense.”
Now in its fifth year, the show has been seen by around 20,000 people and received a great response. Whether you’re a die-hard rocker or a first-time Tenors fan, the show promises to be an entertaining rock spectacle.
“There’s clearly an interest in that nostalgic rock music. We haven’t changed arrangements – everyone that comes along to it will know all of the songs because they are still the standard rock classics.”
Each of the singers come from a background in national or international musical theatre – from thrash metal to opera, their range is diverse. This scope means they have the ability to perform a wide range of songs.
“We take these really well-known rock classics and we’ve reorchestrated them so that the
vocal arrangements for them are quite different and dynamic, then we’ve wrapped a pretty full on production around that in terms of sound, lighting and vision. So it’s a theatrical rock performance.”
“There’s clearly an interest in that nostalgic rock music. We haven’t changed arrangements – everyone that comes along to it will know all of the songs because they are still the standard rock classics.”
The audience at the shows is diverse, ranging from 12 to 60. The set list is full of nostalgic classics that we’ve all listened to for the past 30+ years – not hardcore rock and thrash. Think Stairway to Heaven, Jump, Africa. They regularly ask the audience if there was a song in the show that they didn’t know and the response is always the same – they knew them all.
“It’s very accessible, it’s very much families, and it’s very much come in, sit down, then stand up and dance and sing and have a good time. We make it very immersive, it’s about the boys getting out into the audience and giving license to the audience to party and have a good time in a really safe environment that people know all the songs.”
Rock Tenors will play at Queenstown Memorial Centre on Thursday, 23 April at 7.30pm. Tickets and more information can be found at rocktenors.nz
HOSPOGUIDE
$15 Bao Buns
Taco Tuesday 2 tacos & a beer for $30* *on selected beers and drinks
Tuesday Pizza Night
$15 Rump Steak
Live music with John 4pm DJ Aidan 7pm $15 Parmi
Burger & Beer
Enjoy a burger & a beer for $30* *on selected beers and drinks
DJ Stubacca 8pm $15 Burger &
Now Pouring @ Atlas Brewery: Sawmill Brewing Company Beer: Hefeweizen 4.8%
A Sawmill classic. A cloudy German wheat beer with notes of banana and clove and a bready malt base. Dry and refreshing! QTMBC COMBO
Atlas Nachos & A Pint*
$2 from every combo sold donated to QTMBC *Choose from 1812, Ginger Bear or Queenstown Lager
Supported by Altitude Brewing, Crimson Badger Brewing & Emerson’s Brewery
15% off large pizzas, dine in or takeaway* Wednesday
Tight A$$ Tuesday with DJ Grizzly
Quiz at 7pm!
Book your team on 03 442 5555 or info@lokalqt.co.nz
Monday/Tuesday Karaoke with “WOLFE” 9pm
$12 Classic Pizzas
Gourmet Pizzas, BBQ platter & ribs, burgers Dine in & takeaway.
Friday Spice Bag & a Pint for $26 ALL DAY GF/Veg Available
$3 slices from 8-10pm Friday
deals from 5pm
EVERYDAY 5PM - 10PM HAPPY HOUR
Tuesday Dave Arnold from 8.30pm Wednesday Tiago from 8.30pm Thursday Trad Band from 8.30pm Friday Matte Orange from 9pm Saturday Sean Tinker from 9pm
$6 Beer handles 7 days a week
Open 12pm to Late Everyday EVERYDAY 3PM - 5PM - HAPPY HOUR
Monday Madness
All you can eat pizza from 6pm
Sunday Dave Bell from 7.30pm
Monday Peti Seiuli from 8.30pm
8am - 9am Coffee Happy Hour 50% off when you byo keep cup Happy Hour - 3-5pm
Nick Shea from 6pm
Je Marco from 5pm
Uplift music from 8pm
HOSPOGUIDE
Thursday DJ Stubacca 9pm Friday DJ Aidan 9pm
Happy Hour 4pm – 6pm
$10 House beer & wine
$16 Cocktails R20 Venue. Drink Responsibly
Live Music with Je Marco 9pm $15 Burger Special Southern Bell
Live Music with Blake 9pm $15 Burger Special Bacon Me Crazy
Saturday Beyond 30’s Day Time Party from 4pm DJ Mad 9pm
5 DRAFT BEERS TO CHOOSE FROM
$10 Jagerbombs | $10 Coronas |
$7 Jack Daniels & Coca-Cola & Absolut & Sprite RTDS
$9 FROZEN DAIQUIRI $9 FROZEN MARGARITA
$16 Cocktail of the Week R20 Venue. Drink Responsibly
Live Music with Vicky-Leigh Duo 9.30pm $15 Burger Special O’Fish Al
Live Music with Danny Atkinson 9.30pm $15 Burger Special Classic Cheese
Daily
$20
Lunch Special
Chicken parmy, chips, & salad | $25 from 11am Live music from 5pm Karaoke | 9pm
Hangry As has taken over the Rhinos Kitchen – Check out the menu on insta @hangryas_ queenstown
Something new is coming to SkyCity Queenstown… Follow us at @skycityqtn for more information
An elevated experience is on its way!
Live DJ with Shay’s Band 9.30pm
Live Music with Brett 9pm
Live Music with TJ 9pm $15 Burger Special Streaky Cow
Happy hour 3.30pm-5pm Everyday on house wine and beer Also serving Lamb Shanks, Blue Cod and other delicious southern classics
& chips $22 from 11am Live music 5pm Pubble 7pm
Live music 5pm Auckland Blues vs Otago Highlanders | 7:05pm
Live music from 5pm NZ Warriors vs Gold Coast Titans | 5pm
roast Live music from 2pm Monday 200g wagyu rump, chips, salad & sauce | $25 from 11am Hospo Night
Live DJ every Saturday from 8pm ‘til late
$3 Bluff Oysters, $10 Bloody Marys & Mimosas!
by Sue Fea
My Life story
DARRYL TATOM
A good deal
He’s been a trader from a young age, not the big-time stock exchange kind, more of the downhome big-hearted Darryl kind - a man with a huge heart for his community, always keen to share his great love of the outdoors.
Entrepreneurial blood and an enterprising spirit run thick in Darryl Tatom’s veins – his parents both well-known as traders in Christchurch’s New Brighton, where they opened and operated Mollett Street Market.
Darryl’s first job at 16 was on the road around the South Island selling for his parent’s leather belts and bags business. By the mid-1980s when he moved to Queenstown, Darryl’s Tongan mother, by then remarried as Henrietta Rutherford-Jones, had become renowned locally for her handcrafted soaps store.
For the past 30 years Darryl’s been the face of popular downtown outdoors store Small Planet – a mix of near-new and new ski, snowboard, climbing and other outdoor gear and equipment.
He’s been in the repurposing trade for 45 years, long before it became a thing, Darryl and a mate starting out in Dunedin, with Recycled Recreation, which became R & R Sports.
He’d moved there in the early 1980s, from Sumner where he grew up, to run the beachside saltwater pool – Heaven of sorts for a keen, young surfer. Here he began buying and selling boards on the beach, running a little sideline store.
“We took over an old leaky, second-hand store adding floorboards over the floor and set up tables where we sold rugby and soccer boots,” Darryl says. “Parents brought in their old pairs and handed over $10 to choose another pair. That’s how R & R Sports got started.”
By the mid-80s he and a mate door-knocked around homes with cash asking to buy any secondhand sports gear. “Slowly we filled the shop.”
They then bought two old Holden utes and hit the road all over New Zealand doing the same thing with businesses. “Once I bought 10,000 old
pocketknives – one in every 10 had rusty blades, so I cleaned them up and spent five years onselling them for $2 each.”
“My
most fulfilling memories are those of young kids who’ve either worked for me, or I’ve helped, going on to become professional guides. If they did an outdoors course, I’d pay half while they worked for me.”
The business expanded from eight to 12 stores around NZ – mates joining as partners. They’d fly to Australia and fill containers of used surfboards and wetsuits, shipping them home to sell.
Darryl’s was an idyllic beachside upbringing surfing and surf lifesaving in summer, skiing in winter, helping his parents, who also had a candle factory, at craft markets.
“It was pretty special being on those market stalls as a kid. It was never competitive, even now. I do it all from the heart.”
His first leather salesman job taught him to be self-reliant, communicate well with people and deliver on his word. “That’s what I’ve taught my three kids – what you say is what you do,” he says.
As youngsters they’d ski from a young age at Canterbury’s Craigieburn Skifield, local Surf Club captain Fraser Sloane waiting at the school gate on Friday nights in winter. “We’d all pile into his big old car and head to Craigieburn where he was custodian,” Darryl says. “We helped get the generator going for the rope tows on Friday night. In summer he’d take us all around NZ for Surf Club Championships.”
At 18, already an experienced young salesman, Darryl took a year off to work on a prawn boat off
Southport on the Gold Coast. “We’d head out at 4pm and work all night.”
By the 1990s he’d sold his shares in R & R and moved to Queenstown.
Here he launched The Snowboard Shop in winter with partners, and Alpine Cycles during summer. He soon met wife of 30 years, Maree. “I gave Revell Buckham an old split cane trout rod and he gave us Thurlby Domain for the day for our wedding in the late 1980s.” Graeme Glass played the pipes, and they wore Darryl’s Skein family tartan.
Darryl sold his other business interests and together he and Maree launched Small Planet in Athol Street, buying 20 acres at Gibbston Valley where they lived in a caravan for the first year with their first two kids. “We built the first solarpowered house here. There was many a bleak winter’s day when the kids would be waiting after school for me to get home to start the generator up,” he grins.
Later it was Dad who’d take them, and a big crew of other Wakatipu High School students, up ski touring at dawn before school and drop them back down, loaning them all the gear from Small Planet.
“My most fulfilling memories are those of young kids who’ve either worked for me, or I’ve helped, going on to become professional guides. If they did an outdoors course, I’d pay half while they worked for me.”
Family holidays were spent fishing, diving and camping, dropped by boat to remote parts of Fiordland, and off Stewart Island.
Work-life balance is not a new concept for Darryl, despite being open seven days.
“Kaikoura is my soul place.” It’s where he and his surfing mates learned to cook with jaffle irons over the fire at 15.
“To this day I go in my van surfing and camp out at the likes of Murderers Bay or Karitane in Otago, or Colac Bay or Riverton, or mountain biking with Maree. I’ve been doing it all my life. It’s my balance.”
Granddaddy Darryl with little Zinnia, 3 months
Darryl and Maree on their wedding day at Thurlby Domain sporting Darryl’s Skein family tartan
Darryl and Maree with their young family back in the day - from left, Holly, Louie and Oscar
Darryl, ready to kick back a little and hand the Small Planet reins over to partners Russ Wilson and Yan Lassuer
LWB QUIZ
1. What is the largest species of big cat?
2. Which sport uses the terms love, deuce, and ace?
3. Which New Zealand island lies directly south of the South Island and is accessible by ferry from Bluff?
4. What is the Māori name for the South Island of New Zealand?
5. What is the chemical symbol for gold?
6. Which New Zealand city is home to the Larnach Castle?
7. Which instrument is used to measure temperature?
8. What is the tallest animal in the world?
9. What is the name of the annual international rugby competition between New Zealand and Australia?
10. Who was the first man to step on the Moon?
LOST & FOUND
Lost & Found
UNCLAIMED ITEMS SITTING AT THE Police Station, at 11 Camp Street, this week include:
- IPAD IN DELTA CASE, found at the Airport
- WHITE CRASH HELMET, LOCATED in Cow Lane
- REALME PHONE IN CLEAR case with stickers
- MICHELE FOLEY – WALLET
- OPPO PHONE, GREEN, PHOTO of couple under case
- BLACK BAG CONTAINING CLOTHING, owner possibly KEIR BELL
- FIONN MEANEY, WALLET
- EMBROIDERED PURSE CONTAINING LIP balm
- JUSTIN LONGBOAN WALLET
- OPPO PHONE, CLEAR CASE, cracked screen
- MATTHEW PATON WALLET
- APPLE IPAD, SILVER IN grey case, located at the Airport
- YOENSEO HONG, IPHONE, HELLO kitty cover
- IPHONE WITH ISLAND SCREEN saver
- SAMSUNG PHONE, BLACK WITH cracked screen
- JAMES MCKENZIE WALLET
- LAPTOP IN BLACK LAPTOP bag, located at the Airport
- FITLETIC ARMBAND PHONE HOLDER containing ANZ bank card
- ADDRESS BOOK POSSIBLY BELONGS to CHRIS BLOOM
- SILVER RING WITH INITIALS and 2025 inscribed
- DYNABOOK TABLET AND BLACK case, located at the Airport
WHAKATIPU BEEKEEPERS SUPPORTING LOCAL BEEKEEPERS with sharing knowledge, mentoring and maintaining best practice. Most importantly a group of likeminded individuals who love bees. Meeting regularly, for more info or to join us whakatipubeekeepers@gmail.com
NEW TO THE AREA OR got more time on your hands & looking to give back to your community? Altrusa International Qtwn is looking for volunteers just like you to join our women’s charitable & service organisation supporting our local community. Want to know more? Email: president.queenstown@altrusa.org.nz or message us on Facebook.com/AltrusaQueenstown
WHAKATIPU DRIVE MY LIFE ARE seeking volunteers to become mentor buddies to help our vulnerable people achieve their drivers licence. If you are interested or have any questions contact Louise Ward louise@reap.co.nz
SPCA OP SHOP – 51 GORGE RD. Open 7 days a week 9am- 5pm. Pre-loved goods and clothing at great prices. Help support the ongoing work done by the SPCA. Accepting donations now. Call into store now to enquire about Volunteering. Your old goods, or your time, could help save a life.
WSCA – ROOMS FOR HIRE - Spacious, sunny rooms are available for hire to Queenstown Community Groups. The rooms hold up to 90 people, with seated dining for 40. Located on the 1st floor of Malaghan House, 10 Memorial Street, Queenstown with lift access. There are kitchen facilities, toilets, Wi-Fi, media equipment for projection onto large screen plus large screen TV. Contact us on 03 4429214 or info@wsca.org.nz for more details.
EVERYTHING ELSE
BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL WORLD Tour returns to Queenstown Memorial Centre 29 and 30 April. Don’t miss out on some of the worlds best mountain and adventure films, tickets selling fast at Eventbrite. Queenstown Banff Film Fest on Facebook for more info.
QUEENSTOWN DHARMA CENTRE, 12 LAKE ST
Teachings with Lama Mark Webber (Lama Yongdu Chokyi Gyaltsen)
Are you organized, punctual, and possess a "can-do" attitude? We are looking for a versatile Clinical and Administrative Assistant to join our dynamic, high-tech practice.
This is a nearly full-time, flexible role perfect for someone who loves variety. Whether you are assisting chair-side or welcoming patients at the front desk, you’ll be a vital part of our patients' transformation journeys.
Why Join Us?
• Modern Environment: Work with the latest dental technology.
• Grow Your Career: We offer ongoing learning and clear paths for advancement.
• Amazing Culture: We work hard but have fun! Join us for team events and community/charity support initiatives.
The Role:
• Supporting our Specialist Orthodontists with chair-side assisting.
• Sterilization, equipment prep, and lab work management.
• Ensuring patients feel comfortable and well-informed.
• Managing stock, ordering, and front-desk scheduling.
About You:
You don’t need specific orthodontic experience (we provide full training!), but you must have a great eye for detail and strong English communication skills. If you are a team player who takes initiative, we want to meet you!
How to Apply:
Send your resume to management@fineortho.co.nz
“Garage Door Installer”
We require a new garage door installer/technician to service our growing business in Queenstown and Central Otago Area.
This will be a waged position, and duties involve the installation and servicing of garage doors and automatic openers to both new and existing homes. Training will be provided.
To be successful in this role, you must:
• be professional in interactions with customers and fellow staff members
• have the ability to work quickly and efficiently
• be physically fit and have the ability to lift heavy objects
• be a fast and competent learner
• have the ability to work unsupervised or as part of a small team dependent on the job
• be reliable and honest
• be punctual and hardworking
• have an eye for detail
• have a clean full drivers licence with experience of driving with a trailer
• preferably have knowledge and experience using power tools (e.g. grinders, drills etc.)
This is a permanent full time position Monday to Friday 7:30am – 4:30pm
We offer a competitive wage and use of a company vehicle. All tools are supplied.
If this sounds like you, please email your covering letter and CV including your visa status to: sales@dominatorcentral.com
DOMINATOR GARAGE DOORS – QUEENSTOWN
Ph: 03 409 2800
JOBS. JOBS. JOBS.JOBS.
enquiries@qmg.co.nz jobfix.co.nz
Want to work less and earn more?
Queenstown’s only escort agency, is seeking a select number of women to join our team.
If you’re over 20, based in the Queenstown area, confident, adventurous, enjoy fitness and intimacy, this could be for you. Set your own hours, earn in one booking what you might make in a week elsewhere. All enquiries are confidential and obligation-free. Contact Jennifer on 021 895 131 | www.bonton.co.nz
POLISHED PROPERTY QUEENSTOWN
requires part-time permanent cleaner
Working every Weds & Thurs (+ Tues optional) approx 5hrs per day between 8:30am–4pm
Cleaning beautiful homes around Queenstown
Must be energetic & reliable, with strong attention to detail
Full driver’s licence & valid working visa required (no sponsorships)
Minimum 6-month commitment
Email CV and two current references to: info@ppqt.co.nz
CASUAL AND FULL TIME ROLES
• LABOURERS
• LANDSCAPERS
• HAMMERHANDS & CARPENTERS
• TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS
• ADMINISTRATORS
• SKILLED TRADES
• DRIVERS
• MACHINE OPERATORS
• ROOFERS & SCAFFOLDERS
Hours to suit you | Weekly pay | Exclusive discount at Barmuda | Earn extra when you Refer a Friend.
Whether you’re looking for short-term work or your next career move, we’re here to help.
Taxi Driver / Owner Operator –Flexible Hours
We’re looking for reliable Taxi Drivers or Owner Operators to join our friendly team.
Flexible hours – work more, earn more
Airport and local fares
Supportive, established company
You’ll need:
• NZ Class 1 Licence with P Endorsement
• Late model white van, COF, security camera in pristine condition for Owner Operator option
• Clean criminal record
• Excellent English and customer service skills
• Professional presentation
• Flexibility for mornings, evenings & weekends
• Legal right to work in NZ
Email your application to: kirsty@greencabs.co.nz
Full and Part time positions available
Amazing individuals required to join our fun team as:
• New Build & Commercial cleaning experts
• Air b n b & residential cleaning professionals
• Full training given! Great Pay Rates!
• Travel and vehicles provided!
Email us for full details and a trial! slithytoves33@gmail.com and check out our website www.slithytoves.nz
Committed to a healthy work/life balance!
Smiths Craft Beer House requires CHEFS & DUTY MANAGERS
The successful candidate must have: A VALID NZ LCQ certificate/the ability to obtain one, a VALID WORK VISA good for at least 6 months and be prepared to start within a week or two.
Please pop up in person or email your CV to Chris@smithscraftbeer.co.nz
Alternative Ventures Ltd is looking for a STONEMASON to join their team.
Experience in all types of stonework required. Immediate start with competitive meter rate based on experience.
Please contact Dave for further details. No sponsorship available. Dave 021548315
STORM Queenstown Part-Time Stylist
Love fashion and working with customers? Join our boutique team on Beach St
Accommodation available.
Email: stm16@stormnz.com
Looking for casual, temporary or long term work??
Queenstown Personnel and Labour Hire are looking for labourers for a variety of jobs around Queenstown with an immediate start.
Contact Sharleen - 027 778 7377 or email sharleen@qtplabour.co.nz
enquiries@qmg.co.nz jobfix.co.nz
People Like Us LTD Is a hospitality company based in Arrowtown. Our company was established in 2012 and has enjoyed contributing in the world- class, good vibes that Arrowtown has become internationally renowned for.
We are currently looking for the following positions that will be based across our 2 venues with flexible daytime and evening shifts. Both full time and part time positions are available.
- CHEF DE PARTIE
- KITCHEN HAND
If you have a passion for personal development and enjoy a nurturing workplace that provides unrivalled support and coaching for business training, we would love to hear from you.
Please send CV and cover letter to sam@peoplelikeus.co.nz
FRONT OF HOUSE & BACK OF HOUSE LEGENDS WANTED!
Join Queenstown’s largest hospitality group and work across 12 awesome venues! Experience is great — but if you’ve got the right attitude, we’ll teach you the rest.
We are hiring:
- Wait Sta - Bar Sta - Baristas -
- Duty Managers - Senior Waitsta - Chefs of All Levels
What you’ll get:
• Join an awesome team of over 250 sta
• Sta perks across all our venues
• Incentives and bene ts
Fun teams, epic venues, and plenty of opportunities to grow!
Apply now and join the crew that keeps Queenstown buzzing at hr@wolfgroup.nz
RETAIL DUTY MANAGERS FULL TIME
We are a locally owned and operated liquor retailer and we’re on the hunt for warm, welcoming, customer focused, self-motivated individuals to join our friendly teams in Queenstown and Arrowtown.
What sort of people are we looking for:
• 20 years of age or over
• Happy, positive, full of energy, a real people person
• Understand the fundamentals of working in retail
• A self-starter capable of working well by yourself
• Passionate and knowledgeable (or keen to learn) about local wine and beer
• Willing to obtain an LCQ and Managers Certificate
• Committed to Queenstown/Arrowtown for the foreseeable future
The role:
• Look after our customers in a sole-charge position
• Maintain a clean, well-stocked, beautiful looking store
• Engage with customers, ask questions, and drive sales
• Comply with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act and Host Responsibility policies
• Support the store manager with an array of operational tasks and projects, including stock ordering, stocktakes, banking, cash handling, merchandising, and much more!
What you get:
• A starting rate of $25 per hour (more if you already have your LCQ and Managers Certificate)
• Work and play in one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand
• Work with a great bunch of people who love what they do
• Fixed hours right through the year
• Staff discounts and product training
• The opportunity to learn and grow in the industry
If you already have your LCQ and Managers Certificate and you love your current job but want to earn extra money, our casual positions let you accept shifts as they become available.
If this sounds like you please send a copy of your CV and a short email telling us about yourself to deva@bettys.co.nz
OFFICE MANAGER/ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR
We are looking for a capable and professional person to manage the administration and finance aspects for our office.
You must have experience in a similar role as an Office Manager or Accounts Administrator and be confident in your abilities, be familiar with bookkeeping (Xero, Reckon, Project Works or similar), payroll (ACE or similar), and general office administration practices. Previous experience in a professional services or consulting environment is an advantage. Training in specialist software can be provided if relevant.
You must demonstrate initiative and have a bright personality with outstanding client service skills together with sound knowledge of professional office systems and practices. This is an exciting role where you will be exposed to all aspects of the business, providing significant career growth and learning prospects for the right candidate.
You must have excellent computer skills (MS Office Suite) along with strong written and oral communication skills. If this sounds like you, please contact us to find out more or apply to:
Hadley Consultants Ltd PO Box 1356 Queenstown Ph: 03 450 2140 or email: jobs@hadleys.co.nz
Remuneration will be appropriate to experience. Applications will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Applications close on Friday, 24 April 2026.
