Articles tagged with Queenstown
Government Invests $3.8M to Upgrade Public Toilets in NZ Visitor Hotspots
2 weeks ago | 182 viewsThe Government is investing $3.8 million from the International Visitor Levy to upgrade public toilet facilities in the Mackenzie and Queenstown Lakes districts, two of New Zealand’s busiest visitor destinations. This funding aims to alleviate the financial burden on local communities by adopting a user-pays approach, ensuring visitors contribute to the maintenance of public amenities. The investment supports tourism's role in sustaining jobs and local businesses while providing cleaner, more reliable infrastructure for both residents and visitors.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand International Visitor Levy Mackenzie Queenstown Lakes Tourism Hospitality Government investment Public toilets Visitor destinationsNew Clyde Primary Maternity Unit to Bring Quality Care Closer to Home by 2027
1 month ago | 287 viewsThe new $5 million Clyde Primary Maternity Unit in Central Otago will provide modern, comprehensive maternity care closer to home, replacing the existing Alexandra facility and opening in mid-2027. Designed with families and healthcare professionals in mind, it features private ensuite rooms, a birthing pool, flexible clinical spaces, and strong connections to existing health services. This investment supports the Government’s commitment to strengthening regional maternity services, ensuring quality care for families while integrating with specialist services as needed.
Tags: Simeon Brown Central Otago Clyde Primary Maternity Unit Alexandra Queenstown Wānaka Health New Zealand Dunstan Hospital Queenstown Lakes New Zealand$62.5M Investment to Build 59 New Classrooms Across South Island Schools
2 months ago | 457 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $62.5 million to build 59 new classrooms and upgrade others across the South Island, focusing on rapidly growing communities like Canterbury and Christchurch’s western suburbs. This investment includes new classrooms at multiple schools, learning support facilities, and funding for future school sites, while emphasizing cost-effective modular builds to accelerate delivery and support local jobs. Additionally, funding is allocated to address long-standing condition issues at select schools, with further property portfolio investments planned to ensure schools are fit for the future.
Tags: Erica Stanford Darfield High School Canterbury Lincoln South Rolleston College Fiordland College Maitai School Queenstown Logan Park High School Southland Boys High School$62.5M Boost for South Island Schools: 59 New Classrooms & Upgrades
2 months ago | 497 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing $62.5 million to build 59 new classrooms and upgrade others across the South Island, particularly in rapidly growing areas like Canterbury, to ensure safe and fit-for-purpose learning environments. This funding includes new classrooms at multiple schools, support for learning facilities, and plans for a future high school site in Queenstown, with a focus on cost-effective modular construction to accelerate delivery. Additionally, four schools will receive funding to address long-standing condition issues as part of a broader strategy to expand and modernize the school property portfolio.
Tags: Erica Stanford Darfield High School Canterbury Lincoln South Rolleston College Maitai School Queenstown Amuri Area School Logan Park High School Southland Boys High SchoolNew $12.6M Walking and Cycling Bridge to Boost Safety on Queenstown SH6
3 months ago | 853 viewsConstruction 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.
Tags: Chris Bishop Joseph Mooney NZ Transport Agency Whakatipu Transport Programme Alliance Kā Huanui a Tāhuna Queenstown SH6 Pūāhuru Kāi Tahu Queenstown Trails TrustExpanding Healthcare Services Closer to Home in Otago Central Lakes Region
3 months ago | 548 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to expand healthcare services in Wānaka, Cromwell, Queenstown, and the wider Otago Central Lakes area, focusing on primary care, diagnostics, mental health, maternity, and outpatient services to meet growing demand. Health New Zealand has developed the Central Lakes Clinical Services Plan, backed by $25 million in new operating funding from 2027/28 and $52 million in capital funding, aiming to bring more care closer to home and reduce the need for long-distance travel. The plan also includes modernizing facilities and digital systems, with a key emphasis on creating a new, locally responsive maternity care model in collaboration with health professionals.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Otago Central Lakes Wānaka Cromwell Queenstown Dunedin Invercargill New Zealand Health MinisterFast-Track Approval Granted for Ayrburn Screen Hub Film Village in Queenstown
3 months ago | 732 viewsFast-track approval has been granted for the Ayrburn Screen Hub, a 7,200m² film and television production village in Queenstown, expected to inject $280 million into the local economy and support around 370 local jobs annually. The expert panel assessed environmental, cultural, and infrastructural impacts, finding manageable landscape effects and significant regional environmental benefits, including improved water quality. This project is the second in Otago to gain fast-track approval, part of a broader initiative with numerous infrastructure and development projects progressing under the Fast-track Approvals Act.
Tags: Mr Bishop Waterfall Park Developments Limited Ayrburn Screen Hub Queenstown Otago Region New Zealand Mill Creek Lake Hayes Minister for InfrastructureFast-Track Approval Boosts Queenstown with 2,800 New Homes and Jobs
5 months ago | 872 viewsInfrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has approved a Fast-track application by RCL Homestead Bay Limited to build 2,800 homes and a commercial precinct in Queenstown, addressing the region's severe housing shortage and high prices. The project is expected to contribute $720.3 million to GDP and create approximately 4,420 construction jobs, while minimizing pressure on existing infrastructure through independent wastewater systems. This approval marks the 10th successful Fast-track project, demonstrating the system's effectiveness in accelerating essential infrastructure developments across New Zealand.
Tags: Chris Bishop RCL Homestead Bay Limited Queenstown New Zealand Homestead Bay Infrastructure Minister Queenstown Lakes Housing Development Economic BoostLong-Term Tourism Concessions Boost Jobs and Economy in South Island Destinations
5 months ago | 860 viewsConservation Minister Tama Potaka announced long-term tourism concessions in the South Island, including a 38-year concession for The Remarkables Ski Area and multi-decade agreements for the Milford Track and Te Ana-au Caves, aimed at supporting jobs and regional economies. These concessions provide operators with investment certainty while maintaining public access and enforcing environmental and safety standards. Tourism Minister Louise Upston emphasized that such stability helps businesses retain staff, deliver quality visitor experiences, and sustain local communities.
Tags: Tama Potaka Louise Upston The Remarkables Milford Track NZSki Tourism Milford Limited South Island Fiordland Te Rua o te Moko QueenstownSouthern Way Campaign Boosts Lower South Island Tourism with $459K Funding
6 months ago | 1014 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $459,250 in the Southern Way campaign to promote the lower South Island to Australian visitors, highlighting unique local attractions and hospitality. The campaign, running from April to June 2026, involves collaboration among regional tourism organizations to offer themed itineraries and travel deals that support local businesses and communities. This funding is part of a larger $3.69 million initiative aimed at boosting regional tourism during the autumn and early winter seasons.
Tags: Louise Upston Southern Way Great South Tourism Waitaki Enterprise Dunedin Clutha Development Tourism Central Otago Destination Queenstown Lake Wanaka Tourism Regional Tourism Boost Fund$848K Government Grants Boost Maritime Safety for Kiwi Boaties This Summer
7 months ago | 1014 viewsThe New Zealand government is investing $848,000 in grants to support community-led safety programs and compliance checks aimed at reducing harm in high-risk recreational maritime environments this summer. Funding includes $773,000 for 30 education initiatives targeting small craft users and vulnerable groups, and $75,000 for 11 regional authorities to conduct on-water compliance checks nationwide. With an average of 37 drowning deaths each summer, officials emphasize the importance of wearing lifejackets and promoting water safety to prevent these tragedies.
Tags: James Meager Cameron Brewer Maritime NZ Watersafe Auckland Inc Queenstown Lakes District Council Associate Transport Minister National MP New Zealand boating safety drowning preventionNew Visa-Free Pathway Boosts New Zealand Tourism with 13,000+ Visitors
8 months ago | 845 viewsNew Zealand’s new visa-free pathway for Chinese and Pacific travellers with eligible Australian visas has attracted over 13,000 visitors in just one month, boosting the economy and benefiting Kiwi businesses. Tourism Minister Louise Upston highlights the positive impact on regional tourism, especially in Christchurch and Queenstown, with increased bookings and job opportunities. The initiative supports New Zealand’s vital tourism sector, encouraging more visitors to experience the country’s hospitality and attractions, particularly during the Chinese New Year.
Tags: New Zealand Chinese travellers Pacific travellers Australian visas Erica Stanford Louise Upston NZeTA tourism Christchurch Queenstown66 of 67 NZ Building Consent Authorities Meet New 3-Day Inspection Target
8 months ago | 777 viewsNew regulations require Building Consent Authorities (BCAs) in New Zealand to complete at least 80% of building inspections within three working days, with 66 out of 67 BCAs meeting this target and 97.3% of 67,000 inspections completed on time in Q3. Some BCAs use inspection availability data as an alternative measure, showing 96.2% of inspection slots available within three days, while building consent applications were processed within statutory timeframes at a rate of 95.7%, up from 93% previously. These improvements reflect increased accountability and productivity, reducing delays and costs in construction as part of the government’s efforts to enhance the building consent system.
Tags: Chris Penk Building Consent Authorities BCAs Queenstown Lakes District Council Kāinga Ora BCAL Limited MBIE New Zealand building inspections building consentVictory Achieved: Lake Wānaka Shoreline Cleared of Invasive Weed
8 months ago | 933 viewsA 20-year campaign to clear Lake Wānaka of an invasive aquatic weed has achieved a major victory, with 40 kilometers of shoreline now weed-free. The success is attributed to collaborative efforts involving various agencies and the community, with innovative control methods like hessian mats proving effective. While progress has been made in shifting the containment line, ongoing vigilance from lake users is crucial to prevent reinfestation and continue pushing towards the ultimate goal of eradicating the weed near the Wānaka township.
Tags: Lake Wānaka Chris Penk LINZ lagarosiphon freshwater ecosystems hessian mats Roys Bay Queenstown Lakes District Council Otago Regional Council Kāi TahuLuxon and Albanese Forge Strong Trans-Tasman Partnership in Queenstown
12 months ago | 1135 viewsPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met in Queenstown to discuss shared challenges and opportunities between New Zealand and Australia. They focused on economic cooperation, particularly aligning New Zealand's Going for Growth agenda with Australia's productivity agenda. The leaders announced a new partnership to harmonize national standards, aiming to facilitate trade, reduce costs, and support economic growth across both countries.
Tags: Christopher Luxon Anthony Albanese Queenstown New Zealand Australia economic plans partnership trade cooperation opportunities