Anzac 25: Spoils of war - how the dining spots and dessert shops of WWII changed the way NZers eat
As Anzac Day approaches, Listener writers reflect on the enduring influence of war on New Zealand. Today, food historian David Burton writes about his father, Fred, who returned from World War II Egypt with a taste for new foods to become one of Nelson's leading caterers.
As students in the 1970s, our only nightlife option was the pub. Designed by the breweries purely for their own convenience, it's no wonder these places were so forlorn and dismally ugly.
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Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Skifields on schedule to open: CEO
For once, it is white on time. Snowguns at Queenstown's Coronet Peak and The Remarkables skifields fired up last night, and they will keep cranking for as long as possible to bolster the natural snowfall arriving in a perfectly timed polar blast, ahead of the scheduled season opening on June 14. NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson expected up to 30cm of snow could be on the way, but more importantly, bitterly cold temperatures forecast would enable "solid snow-making" over the next five or six days which should mean Coronet could open top to bottom next week. "We are confident that we will be open on the 14th, as advertised." Mr Anderson said the plan was for both Queenstown skifields to open on the same day. "The reason we've done that, I noticed this last year, as soon as we opened, town got busy. "I think it's really important that we send a really strong signal to the market that Queenstown is open for business." He believed last month was "one of the most sudden shoulder seasons we've had for a few years", but questioned if it was just more noticeable because of the huge influx of people to the Wakatipu between Easter and Anzac Day. NZSki employs about 1300 people across its three mountains including Mt Hutt. Of those, 900 are in Queenstown. Mr Anderson said the company had a staff return rate of more than 50% and a record 6000-plus applications for about 600 remaining jobs. Accommodation-wise, some of the heat had been taken out of the market through a 90-bed CBD hostel, a new apartment development off Fryer St, comprising six two-bedroom units, and four or five houses NZSki owned near Gorge Rd, all of which were full. "Then you'll have staff that are returning that already know where they're going — they kind of work out their flats and flatting situations, year to year — so we're focused on the new people coming in." Transport to and from The Remarkables would be similar to last year. Those who did not have a full car would be in carpark 4 and get a shuttle "right up to the door" of the ski area, ensuring families and those with full cars got the closest parks. Cardrona Alpine Resort, owned by RealNZ, was also targeting a June 14 opening. Treble Cone has a tentative opening date of June 27.
NZ Herald
28-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Bribie Island escape: Beaches, wildlife and small-town Australian delights
10am: It might not be bougie, but small-town baking really is unbeatable. Kenilworth Country Bakery was established in 1924 in the namesake town west of the Sunshine Coast and now has outposts on Bribie and in Mooloolaba. It's told that people travel an hour from Brisbane just to nab their famed doughnuts and sausage rolls, some of which are offered in 1kg portions. Queuing, I eye up a cabinet of tempting flavours (caramel pistachio, biscoff, Tim Tam, mint slice). Someone ahead orders a coffee doughnut - a house specialty in which a freshly baked doughnut is hollowed out, lined with Nutella, then filled with a shot of espresso and frothed milk. 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Brown's unforgettable beach experiences take you first down, and then off the beaten path, through the raw beauty of Bribie Island National Park, which opens up to an expanse of pristine surf beach stretching over 30km. Perfect for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike, this guided tour offers a unique way to discover one of Queensland's best-kept coastal treasures. We climb into his custom 4x4 van, and Brown primes me to keep an eye out for wildlife. 'See there!' he soon says, pointing to a chiselled rock jutting out where the sand dunes meet the grassland. 'Uh, huh', I say quizzically, just as the stone moves and I realise it was the angular shoulders of a kangaroo nibbling on grass. Tyson Beckett got up close to multiple kangroos with G'day Adventure Tours on Bribie Island in Queensland. Image / Supplied. I spot and get up close to countless roos and wallabies over a 3.5-hour tour, which also takes in breathtaking views of the bushland and coastal flora. There's an option to swim or kayak through lagoons of tranquil water coloured like tea by tannins leached from the surrounding melaleuca forests. As we cruise north towards Caloundra, Brown shares local stories about the island's geography and ecology, and we park up close to what remains of some concrete World War II bunkers, now collapsing into the ocean. Driving back, Brown says humpback whales are spotted between August and November and dolphins are another frequent sighting year-round. We see the nesting areas of endangered loggerhead turtles that return to lay their eggs in the dunes. Bribie Island's On the Beach Resort. Image / Supplied. 3pm: In the afternoon, it's time to check into On the Beach Resort, located (you guessed it) right on the coastline. Guests can choose from spacious, self-contained apartments or two and three-bedroom ensuite units that have plenty of room to unfurl and rooftop decks with BBQS and spa pools. 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Scoop
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- Scoop
King's Birthday Rail Closure – Passengers Encouraged To Plan Ahead And Expect Delays
Press Release – Greater Wellington Te Pane Matua Taiao Buses will replace all trains from Saturday 31 May to Monday 2 June, with rail services resuming on Tuesday morning, 3 June. Works include bridge repairs, track replacement, and level crossing safety upgrades. Buses will replace trains over King's Birthday weekend, as KiwiRail carry out planned infrastructure upgrades and rail improvements across all rail lines. Buses will replace all trains from Saturday 31 May to Monday 2 June, with rail services resuming on Tuesday morning, 3 June. Works include bridge repairs, track replacement, and level crossing safety upgrades. King's Birthday is also a big weekend for rugby fans, with Hurricanes playing Moana Pacific on Saturday night; additional bus replacements will help fans get to and from the game. This work builds on major upgrades completed over the Easter and Anzac Day holidays, continuing the progress being made to address overdue rail renewals. New infrastructure can take a day or two to settle or 'bed in' which can affect travel times. Metlink passengers are advised to plan ahead using the latest travel information on the Metlink website, app, or by calling 0800 801 700.
