Latest news with #QueenstownLakes
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Central Otago Lakes patients forced to travel for hospital treatments
Southern Lakes Health Trust clinical advisor Dr Jez Leftley, health infrastructure specialist Helen Foot and Southland MP Joseph Mooney are among those pushing for a new publicly-run, privately-funded hospital in the region. Photo: SUPPLIED Decades of dramatically misjudged healthcare demand is forcing thousands to travel beyond Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes for hospital treatment each year, including for half of all births, a health group says. The Southern Lakes Health Trust, whose steering committee includes Otago and Central Lakes MPs, mayors and clinicians believed a recent shift in approach from Health NZ could result in a new, local, publicly run and privately financed hospital. The trust wanted public health chiefs to back its plan, acknowledging existing healthcare services were long outstripped by the region's booming growth. The trust's clinical advisor Dr Jez Leftley said Queenstown's Lakes District Hospital was built in 1988 for 4500 people, so its 12 inpatient beds and 10 emergency department beds were not enough for the nearly 80,000 people living in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes. "There's been a recognition amongst clinicians in the area for years the services are severely lacking and we're hugely under-resourced." More than 3000 Central Otago Lakes patients were admitted to Dunedin and Invercargill hospitals last year because of limited local services, the trust said. The trust said 49 percent of planned births in Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago happened outside of the region, not including urgent transfers. About 300 people were transferred from Lakes District Hospital to other hospitals by helicopter in 2024 at a cost of $6.3 million, including visitors injured skiing, biking and taking part in Queenstown's adventure tourism offerings, according to figures supplied by Southland MP Joseph Mooney. Mooney - also on the steering committee - said that could have flow on effects for people in other regions waiting for elective surgeries. "They get, effectively, bounced off the waiting list because of the urgent needs that are coming in from people who have bad injuries. So, it can mean people end up waiting a lot longer for health services in other parts of the broader southern region." Earlier this year the Southern Lakes Health Trust devised a plan to try to fix the region's healthcare woes. The trust wanted Health NZ and the government to consider a new, privately financed, but publicly run "Southern Lakes Hospital". Health infrastructure specialist Helen Foot said it was an outside-the-box solution to an urgent need. "It's partly about getting creative in how you use your workforce and using them in ways where we're not stealing off the public sector to then pay more in the private. "A lot of these private projects are being looked at anyway. People are talking about two potential private hospitals in Wānaka. The whole point of our project is to ensure that those are done in a co-ordinated way that doesn't affect the public system, and actually helps the public system." One of those hospitals was a $300 million, five level, 70-bed hospital proposed by property investor, Roa. The $300 million, five level, 70-bed hospital proposed by property investor, Roa. Photo: Supplied / Roa It said last year it would be seeking fast track consent for the build, east of Wānaka. Leftley said the trust was not talking about a "true" public-private partnership where it would be contracting private services, rather solely hospital infrastructure. Foot said Health NZ was too busy "in the throes of delivering health services" to investigate the opportunities for partnership. "It's not really on them to be doing the connecting and bringing parties to the table. So we decided that's work we could help with." Asked if it would consider a privately owned, publicly-run hospital for the region, Health NZ said it would not make any decisions until the completion of its clinical services planning. In July Health NZ announced it would work on a clinical services plan for the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts. Health NZ said it would study the region's current and projected health needs and report back by December. "This planning will help to determine what future publicly funded clinical services may be required in the area and how they will be delivered across the continuum of care," it said. Leftley said the plan was a long-awaited step forward because Health NZ had recognised Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago's needs separately to those of wider Otago and Southland. "We've needed them to be looking at the planning for the 14 years that I've been here, and they've always just been pushing it off, pushing it off, so to have made that step forward now, to actually committing to looking at this region and looking at what healthcare services we need in this region is huge," he said. Foot said the clinical services plan stopped short of a solution but might help to realise the group's vision. "Our leadership group will be looking at funding and resourcing the plan so that we can get this, keep the momentum going, get this moving," she said. Mooney said the discussion seemed to be shifting from "if" there should be a new hospital to "where and when". Foot said the health struggles of "ordinary New Zealanders" in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes region had long been overlooked. "There's often a lot of comparisons around whether there's deprivation here, whether the community are deserving of health services being close to home - and we do have access to health services - but they're at such distance that it's causing real hardship. "A couple of forums I've been in, clinicians have described the conditions here as 'Third World' in some areas." She said decision-makers had not acknowledged the rapid population growth of Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts, instead relying on whole-of-New Zealand population projections. "The data being relied on was woefully inadequate, frankly," Foot said. She noted Health NZ's 10-year health infrastructure plan released in April did not mention any plans for Queenstown Lakes or Central Otago beyond committing to a new rural health hub in the wider "southern" region. Leftley said waiting a decade before planning a new public hospital could be catastrophic. "If we look at what the population of the Southern Lakes region would be at that stage - we would just fall over. It would be dangerous. There would definitely be some deaths related to not having the facilities in the region," he said. The trust said it was waiting for direct feedback from Health Minister Simeon Brown about the hospital plan and would seek an assurance he would investigate solutions. In a statement, Brown said ensuring health services kept up with population increases in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts was a priority for him. "Earlier this year at the NZ infrastructure investment summit, I made clear that the government was open to all funding and financing proposals that will help us catch up on the infrastructure backlog," he said. "I look forward to receiving Health New Zealand's clinical services plan for the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago once it's completed and reading through its recommendations." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Survey finds support for Queenstown Lakes mayor, councillors drops to 17%
Just 17 percent of respondents felt the council made decisions in the district's best interest. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd Support for the Queenstown Lakes mayor and councillors dropped to just 17 percent, down from 44 percent a year ago, according to a survey commissioned by the council. The district council's community insights survey results released on Wednesday revealed growing frustration among residents about traffic congestion, increasing tourism and infrastructure pressure. Key Research surveyed 405 people in February and March about the council's leadership, core services and communication. The lowest scoring question in the survey saw just 16 percent of respondents agree the council created long-term solutions and improvements that worked well for them. Just 17 percent of respondents felt the council made decisions in the district's best interest and just 23 percent were satisfied with core services like roading, water and waste. In a statement, the council's acting chief executive Dave Wallace said the feedback reinforced their understanding of community frustration. He said the council was trying to manage unprecedented growth. "QLDC does not hold all the levers, but we must influence and continue to plan for change. How we move forward will be key to a sustainable future," he said. The survey was carried out after the overturning of freedom camping restrictions and around a controversial decision to discharge treated wastewater into the Shotover River. Queenstown Lakes District mayor Glyn Lewers. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi In February councillors were warned that increasing tourist pressures could trigger protests and local hostility if there was not urgent intervention and investment. Residents also expressed dissatisfaction with the council's environmental efforts, with only 29 percent satisfied with efforts to reduce waste to landfill and 19 percent with preparations for climate change. Wallace said the council was trying to understand how to rebuild trust and engagement. "We have been working hard to build on these perceptions and have built our engagement through multiple forums, district-wide, including moving our workshops into the public domain," he said. The council scored well on community facilities, with 79 percent of respondents satisfied with local parks, reserves and gardens, and 85 percent happy with trails, walkways and cycleways. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
05-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
New report shows growth in some regions despite tough first quarter for hospitality industry
Several regions posted standout results including Nelson with a near 17 percent year-on-year increase in revenue, followed by Queenstown-Lakes at 13 percent. Photo: 123RF The hospitality industry has had a tough start to the year, with flat national sales growth, rising operating costs and workforce shortages. The Restaurant Association's Hospitality Industry Report for the first quarter ended March indicates total sales rose just one percent to $4 billion over the year earlier. Sales were also down 5.9 percent on the fourth quarter of 2024, which included the busy festive and function season. "The summer trading period was softer than expected for many operators, and long-standing challenges like high fixed costs, wage pressure and staff shortages continue to weigh heavily," Restaurant Association chief executive Marisa Bidois said. "While inflation may be easing on paper, our members are still feeling significant cost strain on the ground." However, several regions posted standout results including Nelson with a near 17 percent year-on-year increase in revenue, followed by Queenstown-Lakes at 13 percent. On the flip side, Auckland saw marginal growth of just 0.4 percent and other regions, including Marlborough and Hawke's Bay, reported declines. "This data reinforces the fact that a one-size-fits-all recovery approach won't work," Bidois said. "Tailored, regionally responsive strategies are vital." She said staffing also remained a challenge, particularly for senior roles, with 72 percent of businesses reporting difficulty in filling those positions. While entry-level roles were becoming easier to fill, she said workforce shortages and visa processing delays continued to constrain growth for many. In response, she said the Restaurant Association was progressing at pace with the 65-point sector action plan, which had a particular focus on workforce development, business sustainability and long-term competitiveness. "Hospitality businesses aren't standing still - they're adapting, innovating, and working hard to stay viable," she said. "To unlock the next phase of growth, we'll continue working with government and our partners to progress our action plan and ensure the value our sector brings - culturally, socially, and economically - is fully recognised." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
05-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Weather: South Island prepares for heavy snow, sub-zero temperatures to strike
Lake Tekapo has already been hit by heavy snow. Photo: Supplied / Tanja Clauberg A fresh surge of winter weather is set to descend on the South Island on Friday, bringing snow, sub-zero temperatures and the risk of travel disruption. Authorities are urging caution as road conditions turn slippery and alpine areas brace for heavy snowfall. Metservice issued weather warnings covering most of Te Waipounamu on Friday. Meteorologist Lewis Ferris said the heaviest snowfall was expected in high, inland areas. A snow warning was in place for Central Otago and areas of Canterbury south of the Rangitata River for 9am Friday until midnight. "These areas do look most likely to see some heavy snow throughout Friday, running into the night time and maybe just tipping over into Saturday as well," he said. MetService said 15-25 centimetres of snow could accumulate above 500 metres elevation - and that could mean travel disruption and possible damage to trees and powerlines. In Queenstown Lakes District a heavy snow watch was in place between 9am and 9pm Friday, with snow possible down to 400 metres. A heavy snow watch was also issued for Canterbury north of the Rangitata River and southern Marlborough from 4pm on Friday until 8am on Saturday. Temperatures across the southern half of the South Island were expected to dive into the negatives, and remain low for most of the weekend. "A lot of people will have noticed a real chill to the air," Ferris said. "It looks like the South Island, even parts of the North Island, will feel the chills through the weekend. Some places even into the middle of next week, especially around Central Otago, places like Alexandra, might be fighting to get out of those negatives even through the daytime," he said. Lake Tekapo after overnight snow dump. Photo: Supplied / Tanja Clauberg Authorities urged drivers to factor in the wild weather, and prepare for potential road closures. Ferris said Metservice had issued road snowfall warnings for a number of alpine passes. "Conditions could be quite treacherous, so it's going to be one of those things to check in with the Transport Agency, see if there are any road closures," he said. Metservice said snow could accumulate on the Crown Range, the Lindis Pass, the Haast Pass and on the Dunedin to Waitati Highway. In Canterbury, snow was also expected to settle on Porters Pass, Lewis Pass and Arthurs Pass. Civil Defence Emergency Management Canterbury said people who needed to travel should carry snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing and emergency items. "If driving, please remember to switch your headlights on, increase your following distance and be prepared for unexpected hazards," it said. Ferris said people should exercise caution even in areas where there was no snow expected. "Plenty of frosts will be forecast around the South Island. So it could just be a case of taking a little bit easier if you have to be doing any morning travel through the weekend," he said. The warnings follow two highway closures in inland Canterbury on Thursday. Both State Highway 8, between Lake Pukaki and Fairlie, and State Highway 80, between Lake Pukaki and Aoraki-Mount Cook, were closed due to heavy snow. New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said both closures were short-lived and the impact was not widespread. The agency said it would be working with its partners to keep a close eye on the State Highway network around the south and would be responding with its crews as required. It also noted a risk of potential severe gale force southeast winds in Westland on Friday afternoon, and encouraged motorists to be prepared. Central Otago and inland Canterbury, from the Rangitata River southwards are under an orange heavy snow warning. Photo: MetService/Supplied The sub-zero temperatures and potential snow are bringing added stress to farmers and their livestock. In Tapanui - near Gore - Federated Farmers' Otago president Luke Kane has been getting his farm and animals ready. He told Morning Report the drop in temperatures and heavy snow didn't come as a surprise for this time of the year. "It is winter after all. We normally would anticipate two to three of these storms for us throughout the winter and this may be the first one." Preparation was key when these types of snow storms hit, including putting out few extra hay bails, utilising shelter and making sure staff were safe and well feed, Kane said. "We make sure that we have got everything for the next few days pretty well prepared for the cows so we are not having to run tractors around in the mud or snow if it does come. "Most people are pretty well climatised to this type of thing down here." Kane said most farmers had mostly recovered going into winter after a "horrendous spring in the lower South". "Ground conditions are pretty fantastic really and it's shaping up to be okay at this point." He said he hoped people would use their common sense as the chill moved in. "There's always a hope for common sense but it doesn't always prevail right," he laughed. The cold snap could bring a welcome coating of snow for ski areas approaching their winter opening dates. The forecast showed Canterbury's Mt Hutt ski field, which abandoned plans to open early last month , could have a 50 centimetre top up. It was aiming for an opening date of 13 June. There was more than 50 centimetres of snow in Friday's forecast for some Arthurs Pass ski areas, such as Porters and Mount Cheeseman, and for Mackenzie Basin ski areas including Mount Dobson and Roundhill - all set to open later this month, or in early July. Ski fields in the Queenstown Lakes Area - set to open on 14 June - were all in line for a smaller dusting of about 10 - 15 centimetres on Friday. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
21-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
First stand-alone liquor store to open in Lake Hāwea, but community not consulted
Lisa Riley and her son on the site of the proposed Super Liquor store. Photo: Supplied/Lisa Riley People in the small township of Lake Hāwea near Wānaka are objecting to plans for its first stand-alone bottle shop. Queenstown Lakes District Council approved a non-notified resource consent application for a Super Liquor store in the Longview subdivision earlier this month. The retailer has now applied for a liquor licence. Lisa Riley, whose family moved from Wellington to Lake Hāwea 18 months ago, said the store would be too close to a children's playground and a school bus stop. "It is going to be just metres away from where my son catches his school bus and in close proximity to the playground where he plays. "He rides his bike around the neighbourhood, we walk our dog nearby, and it's right at the gateway of our neighbourhood," she said. "That raises huge red flags for me. It's not about opposing alcohol in general, it is about how close this is to our children every day and how it exposes them to that." A public notice of an application for a liquor licence at the proposed site. Photo: Supplied/Lisa Riley Local Warren Chinn said the bottle shop was unnecessary because three businesses already sold alcohol in Lake Hāwea - Hāwea Store & Kitchen, Lake Hāwea Hotel and Fresh Choice supermarket. "If people want higher-strength alcohol they can go to Wānaka where there are at least three hard-liquor shops," he said. "We could do with more useful shops - certainly not a shop that encourages getting boozed." The public had until 23 June to lodge any objections to the liquor licence application. Queenstown Lakes District Council said the Super Liquor store was approved in accordance with the Resource Management Act and district plan provisions that zoned the site as a local shopping centre. "This zoning permits retail activities - defined as the direct sale or hire of goods to the public - as of right, provided the development meets the relevant planning rules," a spokesperson said. "It is important to clarify that under the PDP (proposed district plan), council cannot regulate or prioritise types of retail activity (eg. groceries vs liquor) within such a zone as long as the activity falls within the defined and permitted use. "In this case, the proposed development met the retail activity definition." A Super Liquor spokesperson said each liquor licence application process was an opportunity for the prospective franchisee and the community to be heard. "In this case, the operator making the application at Lake Hāwea is one our most experienced franchisees with a great reputation for the stores they already operate throughout Central Otago," they said. The council said minor district plan rule breaches meant resource consent was required, including the size of the building, signs and access, but the application did not need to be publicly notified. Public notices about the liquor licence application were published on the council website and would be placed on fences or boardings surrounding the proposed site and advertised in local newspapers, the council said. The site of the proposed liquor store on Longview Drive. Photo: Supplied/Lisa Riley Resident Kim Knight said she was surprised the council had not consulted the public about the resource consent. "I don't understand why the community wasn't consulted first as to what shops and facilities they would like and need. Wouldn't that be the sensible thing to do?" she said. "This is a whole cultural, societal issue in the country at large. It's indicative of a society that says it is okay to have a liquor store in a place like Hāwea and not even consult the community first." Communities Against Alcohol Harm spokesperson Liz Gordon said it was common for liquor stores to be included in developments and for resource consent to be granted without being publicly notified. She said Super Liquor would sell a wider range of alcohol compared to existing stores and could be problematic for the popular holiday destination. "It is going to lead to an increase in alcohol-related litter, alcohol-related harm late at night and so on, perhaps in the New Year and perhaps where people are camping," she said. "The other issue is the subdivision itself has got hundreds of tiny sections and includes a significant area where people can buy lower-cost housing. "We are not talking here about a huge lake-side development, we're talking about a pokey little subdivision with hundreds and eventually a couple thousand houses that aren't built yet, having its own liquor store." District councillor Cody Tucker, who lived in Lake Hāwea, said he had been approached by a number of people concerned about the bottle shop and its proximity to the playground. "A lot of people for a long time have been asking for commercial facilities out in Hāwea, its been a long time coming, and I think it has been a bit of surprise this is the first cab off the rank," he said. "Council as a consenting authority has an obligation to follow its statutory responsibilities. I appreciate that an alcohol store feels like a high area of interest, but there are still the roles and responsibilities of being a consenting authority in a free market economy." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
