09 May 2026
5 months ago
1420 views
Construction will soon begin on a $12.6 million pedestrian and cycling bridge over State Highway 6 in Queenstown to improve safety for school children, cyclists, pedestrians, and tourists. The 50-meter-long bridge, named Pūāhuru by mana whenua, will connect key residential, retail, and trail areas, enhancing local connectivity and supporting Queenstown’s tourism sector. The project, led by the Whakatipu Transport Programme Alliance, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and features a slip-resistant, fibre-reinforced polymer deck with an 8-meter clearance over the highway.
31 Oct 2025
11 months ago
1185 views
Free blood testing is being introduced for nearly 24,000 residents in Te Anau and Wānaka, addressing the lack of local blood collection centers in rural South Island communities. Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey emphasize the importance of providing free blood tests to improve healthcare access and reduce inequities between rural and urban areas. The initiative aims to enable earlier diagnoses, eliminate travel and cost barriers, and ensure rural New Zealanders receive necessary care in their own communities, with support from local MPs and Health New Zealand's efforts for consistent free blood testing across the South Island.