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Otago Daily Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Clubs share titles, demonstrating depth of talent
Otago's rising runners get under way in the Lovelock Relays at the University Oval on Saturday. PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAWBIN The depth of Otago's middle-distance talent was demonstrated at the Lovelock Relays on Saturday. Nearly every local club picked up a title across the 11 races at the 88th edition of the event at the University Oval. Hill City-University, who organised the 1500m relay event, edged Leith to win the senior men's race. Matt Bolter, Harry Witt — who had the fastest time of 4min 13sec — Alex Witt, Giles Witt, Ruie Hyslo and Jake Owen finished the six-person relay in 26min 32sec to snatch the win. Stephen Johnson, Graham Fisher, James Davies, Jude Deaker, Finbar Chesney and Nathan Hill were not far off the pace for Leith with 27min 23sec. Leith made a clean sweep of the top three spots in the senior women's race. The club lived up to the hype of being pre-race favourites, after a long era of dominance from Hill City, amid a huge downpour. Stephanie Wilson, Caitlin O'Donnell, Claudia Sole and Alice Cuthbert finished the four-person relay in 21min 29sec, ahead of club-mates Jessica Bray, Izzy Macdonald, Martha Vickers and Laura Bungard with 22min 34sec. Caversham Panthers runner Becky de la Harpe was the only woman to go under the five-minute mark and produced the fastest time of 4min 57sec in her team's fourth-place finish. Studholme won back-to-back titles in the residential college mixed relay race. The race, which was introduced two years ago, has become a popular edition to the historic relays and strengthened the relationship between athletics and the University of Otago. Studholme runners Tamihana Toni, Eve Tonascia, Sophie Whiteman and Lyon Rogers won in 23min 25sec. Hill City held off a strong contest from Ariki in the masters men's over 35 race. Oliver O'Sullivan, Mark Geddes, Jeff Leckie and Neil Broom finished in 20min 24sec, 10sec ahead of Ariki's Hamish Dobson, Xaviour Walker, Eddie Smith and Aaron Poter. Hill City also won the women's over 35 edition, with Aly Craigie, Georgy Pakeho, Lia Bezett and Taryn McLean finishing in 22.16sec, nearly one minute ahead of Leith. Caversham won the under-18 mixed event and Hill City won the under-16, under-14 and under-12 mixed races. Ariki won the men's over 50 race and the mixed social race.
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Grimaldi rounds off brilliant year with top Otago award
Paralympic champion Anna Grimaldi has capped off a breakthrough season on the track by being named athlete of the year at the Athletics Otago awards last night. It was a dream season for the 28-year-old, who was crowned the T47 200m champion in Paris after soaring home in a personal best 24.72sec to set an Oceania record. She also won bronze with a personal best, and Oceania record, of 12.20sec in the 100m and finished fourth in the long jump in Paris. Grimaldi, who was named para athlete of the year at the Halberg Awards, had earlier won silver in the long jump, and bronze in the 100m, at the world para athletics championships in May. Grimaldi, who was the flag bearer for the Paralympics opening ceremony, also won Otago para athlete of the year, while her coach, Michael Jacobs, was named elite coach of the year. Ultramarathon superstar John Bayne won male winter athlete of the year for his efforts in the gruelling discipline. He finished sixth at the IAU 24hr race in Australia and was the second-last Kiwi standing in the backyard ultra world team championships in Otematata, where Bayne ran 72 laps, beating his personal best by 21 laps. Long-distance runner Catherine Lund was named female winter athlete of the year and junior summer athlete of the year. Among her highlights, Lund competed in the 5000m at the world under-20 championships in Peru, where she finished 16th. Ariki athlete Shay Veitch won senior summer athlete of the year after a return to form after injury in early 2024. Veitch laid down the sixth-fastest time in New Zealand history with 10.34sec in the 100m at the Potts Classic, lowering his previous best of 10.64sec to win the event. He was also part of the Otago 4x100m relay team that won gold at the national track and field championships and won the national long jump title. Veitch's coach, Michael Beable, was named development coach of the year for his work with Veitch and his Wanaka athletes. Raylene Bates was recognised for her contribution to athletics, having served as the Paralympics chef de mission and was head of the local organising committee for the national track and field championships. Bates also coaches several Otago athletes, including Paralympian Holly Robinson, who won bronze in the shot put in Paris, and Dunstan seated thrower Mac Denniston, who landed on the podium at the Oceania championships. Joan Merrilees was named official of the year for her tireless work behind the scenes. She also put in countless hours upskilling polytechnic students to be officials at the national track and field championships.
Scoop
02-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
‘Critical Milestone': Ruapehu Mayor Rallies Support For Whakapapa Comeback
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter He said the decision has brought fresh hope for the regions tourism industry. But tensions linger among iwi as the Crown pushes ahead with the deal. The Ruapehu mayor is urging unity over the Government's new Ruapehu ski field lease. Mayor Weston Kirton is calling on 'all stakeholders' to back Whakapapa Holdings Limited as the new operator of the troubled Whakapapa ski field on the northern side of Mt Ruapehu. He said the decision has brought fresh hope for the region's tourism industry. But tensions linger among iwi as the Crown pushes ahead with the deal. The Department of Conservation this week granted a 10-year concession allowing Whakapapa Holdings Ltd (WHL) to run the ski field and use Whakapapa village buildings for accommodation. In October 2022, ski company Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) went into insolvency, leaving uncertainty over the future of Whakapapa amid concerns the ski field was not commercially sustainable. The Government committed to a series of bailouts – a reported $50 million of public funds – to keep the ski field going. Tūroa ski slopes on the southern side of the mountain are being run by new company Pure Tūroa, also under a 10-year DOC concession. The Ruapehu mayor welcomed the Whakapapa decision, describing it as a critical milestone in securing the future of skiing on Mt Ruapehu. 'This is a hugely significant step that provides much-needed certainty for our communities, our businesses, and the thousands of people who rely on the mountain for employment and recreation,' said Kirton. 'It gives confidence to the Ruapehu tourism sector, underpins regional economic stability, and sends a clear signal that skiing at Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu has a future.' Kirton said the concession allows WHL to go ahead with preparations for the 2025 season, bringing fresh momentum and investment to the area. 'It's now time for all stakeholders to come together behind this solution and give Whakapapa Holdings the best chance for success,' Kirton said. 'By collaborating and embracing a shared vision, we can ensure the long-term success of the Mt Ruapehu snow industry and secure a thriving future for this cherished place and the communities that surround it.' Kirton said Ruapehu District Council had worked tirelessly to support a solution that ensured continued access to the mountain while protecting the values and aspirations of the wider community. 'Our goal has always been to see a long-term, viable future for the Ruapehu ski industry and its $100m-plus contribution to the national and regional economy,' he said. 'Retreat from the maunga' However, central North Island iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa has told the Government it is time to discuss the Crown's 'retreat from the maunga'. Newsroom reported the iwi would not support new concessions or development until that discussion happened. According to Newsroom, paramount chief Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu has written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, Paul Goldsmith and Nicola Willis, saying his people had been treated as 'a mere afterthought'. The letter, ahead of DOC's concession announcement on Wednesday, said the Government had neglected opportunities for partnership and collaboration and sought to create division among local iwi. 'The Government's tactics of creating division between Ngāti Tūwharetoa entities as well as inappropriate disruption between us and our whanaunga iwi is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,' Te Heuheu wrote.
Scoop
02-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
‘Critical Milestone': Ruapehu Mayor Rallies Support For Whakapapa Comeback
The Ruapehu mayor is urging unity over the Government's new Ruapehu ski field lease. Mayor Weston Kirton is calling on 'all stakeholders' to back Whakapapa Holdings Limited as the new operator of the troubled Whakapapa ski field on the northern side of Mt Ruapehu. He said the decision has brought fresh hope for the region's tourism industry. But tensions linger among iwi as the Crown pushes ahead with the deal. The Department of Conservation this week granted a 10-year concession allowing Whakapapa Holdings Ltd (WHL) to run the ski field and use Whakapapa village buildings for accommodation. In October 2022, ski company Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) went into insolvency, leaving uncertainty over the future of Whakapapa amid concerns the ski field was not commercially sustainable. The Government committed to a series of bailouts – a reported $50 million of public funds – to keep the ski field going. Tūroa ski slopes on the southern side of the mountain are being run by new company Pure Tūroa, also under a 10-year DOC concession. The Ruapehu mayor welcomed the Whakapapa decision, describing it as a critical milestone in securing the future of skiing on Mt Ruapehu. 'This is a hugely significant step that provides much-needed certainty for our communities, our businesses, and the thousands of people who rely on the mountain for employment and recreation,' said Kirton. 'It gives confidence to the Ruapehu tourism sector, underpins regional economic stability, and sends a clear signal that skiing at Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu has a future.' Kirton said the concession allows WHL to go ahead with preparations for the 2025 season, bringing fresh momentum and investment to the area. 'It's now time for all stakeholders to come together behind this solution and give Whakapapa Holdings the best chance for success,' Kirton said. 'By collaborating and embracing a shared vision, we can ensure the long-term success of the Mt Ruapehu snow industry and secure a thriving future for this cherished place and the communities that surround it.' Kirton said Ruapehu District Council had worked tirelessly to support a solution that ensured continued access to the mountain while protecting the values and aspirations of the wider community. 'Our goal has always been to see a long-term, viable future for the Ruapehu ski industry and its $100m-plus contribution to the national and regional economy,' he said. 'Retreat from the maunga' However, central North Island iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa has told the Government it is time to discuss the Crown's 'retreat from the maunga'. Newsroom reported the iwi would not support new concessions or development until that discussion happened. According to Newsroom, paramount chief Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu has written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, Paul Goldsmith and Nicola Willis, saying his people had been treated as 'a mere afterthought'. The letter, ahead of DOC's concession announcement on Wednesday, said the Government had neglected opportunities for partnership and collaboration and sought to create division among local iwi. 'The Government's tactics of creating division between Ngāti Tūwharetoa entities as well as inappropriate disruption between us and our whanaunga iwi is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,' Te Heuheu wrote.
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
‘Critical milestone': Mayor rallies support for ski field comeback
Whakapapa ski field at Mt Ruapehu. Photo: Supplied/ Ruapehu Alpine Lifts The Ruapehu mayor is urging unity over the government's new Ruapehu ski field lease. Weston Kirton is calling on "all stakeholders" to back Whakapapa Holdings Ltd as the new operator of the troubled Whakapapa ski field on the northern side of Mt Ruapehu in the central North Island. The decision has brought fresh hope for the region's tourism industry, he said. But tensions linger among iwi as the Crown pushes ahead with the deal. The Department of Conservation this week granted a 10-year concession allowing Whakapapa Holdings Ltd (WHL) to run the ski field and use Whakapapa village buildings for accommodation. In October 2022, ski company Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) went into insolvency, leaving uncertainty over the future of Whakapapa amid concerns the ski field was not commercially sustainable. The government committed to a series of bailouts - a reported $50 million of public funds - to keep the ski field going. Tūroa ski slopes on the southern side of the mountain are being run by new company, Pure Tūroa, also under a 10-year Doc concession. Kirton welcomed the Whakapapa decision, describing it as a critical milestone in securing the future of skiing on Mt Ruapehu. "This is a hugely significant step that provides much-needed certainty for our communities, our businesses and the thousands of people who rely on the mountain for employment and recreation. "It gives confidence to the Ruapehu tourism sector, underpins regional economic stability and sends a clear signal that skiing at Whakapapa on Mt Ruapehu has a future." The mayor said the concession allowed WHL to go ahead with preparations for the 2025 season, bringing fresh momentum and investment to the area. "It's now time for all stakeholders to come together behind this solution and give Whakapapa Holdings the best chance for success. "By collaborating and embracing a shared vision, we can ensure the long-term success of the Mt Ruapehu snow industry and secure a thriving future for this cherished place and the communities that surround it." Kirton said Ruapehu District Council had worked tirelessly to support a solution that ensured continued access to the mountain while protecting the values and aspirations of the wider community. "Our goal has always been to see a long-term, viable future for the Ruapehu ski industry and its $100m-plus contribution to the national and regional economy," he said. 'Retreat from the maunga' However, central North Island iwi Ngāti Tūwharetoa told the government it was time to discuss the Crown's "retreat from the maunga". Newsroom reported the iwi would not support new concessions or development until that discussion happened. According to Newsroom, paramount chief Ariki Sir Tumu Te Heuheu had written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Finance Minister Nicola Willis, saying his people had been treated as "a mere afterthought". The letter, ahead of Doc's concession announcement yesterday said the coalition government had neglected opportunities for partnership and collaboration and sought to create division among local iwi. "The government's tactics of creating division between Ngāti Tūwharetoa entities as well as inappropriate disruption between us and our whanaunga iwi is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Te Heuheu wrote. - By Moana Ellis Local Democracy Reporter
