6 Dec - 12 Dec
LOCALLY OWNED SINCE FOREVER
No 880
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
JO
BS
21 IN 0 SI
D
E
Wow factor remains
For the past month, I’ve seen Queenstown through the eyes of a visitor, which has been a refreshing way to remember how incredible it is to live here. It’s pretty easy to become fixated on the tangle of problems the town has, from affordable housing, to staffing, burnout, the maze of cones, bus cancellations, traffic, rising living costs, fights over property development and the future of the airport, etc. etc. all angrily debated online. Despite some of these problems making international headlines, as soon as the borders reopened, our family overseas were keen to visit and booked flights when Covid restrictions eased and prices were no longer stratospheric. First up was my mother, who picked a good month to see Queenstown and its community at its best. In November, she managed to cram in our citizenship ceremony, two birthdays, the Queenstown Marathon, a trip to Riverton and Milford Sound, iFly, and enough restaurant lunches and dinners to disappoint the Reserve Bank. I know from talking to business owners, staff and attending Chamber of Commerce functions, that the majority of hospo and tourism businesses are massively understaffed and exhausted. But they appear to be hiding it well. The restaurants were generally flawless and in tourism experiences staff still seem to be going above and beyond.
Jo Anderson and Maree Aoake were honoured by Victim Support NZ last week for their outstanding service as volunteers. Jo was awarded a special Outstanding Service Award and Maree was recognised for 17 years serving Victim Support in the Wakatipu. See story on page 12.
Take iFly, for example, an early Christmas present from grandma for my daughters. Our six-year-old was reluctant, then wanted to give it a go, but then once airborne, decided it wasn’t for her. This could have easily turned into a negative experience for everyone but the staff were so patient and positive. They tried to make it work, shuffling things around, and then when it didn’t, offered us the option of a refund or our other daughter using the minutes. Queenstown Marathon was the same, even the guy on the carpark at Warren Park was jolly. The Rifters Gin was a hit, as was Ferg’s commentary, and the general organisation and vibe. Pure Milford delivered too, on a wet and windy day. Mum even went for a solo walk around downtown, and despite being nearly 70, with sight issues and using a cane, managed to navigate around the cones. Downtown appeared much more spacious, she said, thanks to the new pedestrianised zones, such as Lower Beach St, although she did notice a lot of the restaurants were closed at lunchtime. There might have been more negatives had she been staying in a hotel or using public transport but for now, coming after a long winter season when there were more than a million ski visitors, the town appears to be coping well, at least from a visitors’ viewpoint. A busy summer will be another huge test but I’m sure Queenstown will rise to the challenge, and ultimately get through the pandemic-hangover without any reputational damage. Paul Taylor | Queenstown Media Group
Come celebrate NYE with us! +64 3 442 4600
WATERFRONT | STEAMER WHARF WATERFRONT | STEAMER WHARF
Open +64 Christmas 3 442 4600 Day +64 3 442 4600