A new accelerator programme, run by Queenstown’s Grit Works, will help entrepreneurs turn cycling-related product ideas into realityIt's another spoke in the wheel of Queenstown’s diversification plans. Grit Works has just launched the Queenstown Cycling Hardware Accelerator, an 11-week programme to help entrepreneurs turn cycling-related product ideas into manufacturing-ready businesses. During the course, which covers everything from prototyping to supply-chain thinking, participants will also leverage Queenstown’s cycling community and outdoor industry as a real-world testbed. Its executive chair, Dr Martin Schlegel, says by extending networks and specialist expertise across Australasia, ‘‘we are continuing to help founders accelerate their journey from prototype production and into global markets’’. Part of a global movement to help rider-driven innovation thrive, Professor Tom Campbell, a leading academic in Scottish mountain biking innovation, notes the fit with global product journeys.

Waitaki Art Trail founder and convener Joan Edridge in her home studio. PHOTOS: SUPPLIEDThe Waitaki Art Trail invites you to visit artists in their studios and enjoy the colourful and sometimes quirky atmosphere created within our community, convener Joan Edridge says. Waitaki Art Trail founder Joan Edridge leads a paintand-sip class. In addition, we have invited junior guest artists to send in work for display over the Open Studio Weekend. The Pottery Painting Shop is one of the venues for the Waitaki Art Trail.

Helen FortuneOamaru accountant Helen Fortune has been appointed a trustee of the Waitaki Power Trust, following the resignation of Gary Kircher due to a change in personal circumstances. Under the trust deed, the trust may appoint one trustee when a vacancy occurs between elections. Through this process, Ms Fortune was confirmed. Trust chairwoman Lichelle Guyan said the trustees were pleased to welcome Ms Fortune, who brought strong governance experience, along with her experience in the accounting industry. “Helen’s experience and insight will be valuable as we continue to represent the interests of consumers across the Waitaki region.

At its core, the proposal would replace regional councillors with a board of local mayors, known as a Combined Territories Board (CTB). Mrs Tavendale said that while there was a need to find the most ‘‘cost-effective processes’’ they wanted the best version of local government for the district. The council’s draft proposal submits that any meaningful reform of local government must begin with a clear definition of outcomes. The third question asked whether the council agreed with replacing regional councillors with a CTB. ‘‘Trying to have a group of mayors govern their own councils, manage the regional organisation plan, and then also govern regional councils as a group is a distraction and it’s too much.

Maritime New Zealand is not taking action against Skippers Canyon Jet in relation to a jet boat incident near Queenstown a year ago that left four passengers injured. The agency’s general regulatory operations manager, John Drury, tells Mountain Scene it completed its investigation of the incident in September. ‘‘A decision was made, based on the evidence gathered, not to take compliance action against the operator or any other party.’’Two helicopters were called to the scene of the incident on the Shotover River about 5pm on February 25 last year. A St John spokesperson said at the time one passenger was flown to Dunedin Hospital with moderate injuries, and three others were treated for minor injuries.

A highly infectious virus and bacteria affecting the respiratory system have led to the deaths of dozens of tigers at an animal park in Thailand. Photo / Mladen Antonov, AFPA highly infectious virus and bacteria affecting the respiratory system have led to the deaths of dozens of tigers at an animal park in Thailand. Photo / Mladen Antonov, AFPA deadly virus and bacterial infection have killed at least 72 tigers at a private animal park in Thailand’s north in recent weeks, authorities said. The provincial livestock office in Chiang Mai said in a statement on Friday that testing detected the highly infectious canine distemper virus as well as bacteria affecting the respiratory system. The park where the deaths occurred, Tiger Kingdom, could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Figures released to RNZ reveal the number of head injuries suffered by Oranga Tamariki staff while at work had increased by 80 percent in the past five years. Oranga Tamariki said there were 157 work-related concussions between January 2021 and December 2025, suffered by 146 staff members. The association would be seeking assurance from Oranga Tamariki on what action would be taken, he said. Public Service Association national secretary Fleur Fitzsimmons said concussions suffered by Oranga Tamariki staff were a symptom of youth residences under too much pressure. "Oranga Tamariki needs to look into all these factors and others to make sure that this aggression towards Oranga Tamariki workers stops."

Close relations Now Watch Me and Just Like Jagger lifted late to boost their family’s record with wins at Cromwell on Friday. Now Watch Me is by Always B Miki from the standout producer Mach N Elle. Mach N Elle is the dam of the Group One winner and New Zealand record-breaking mare Watch Me Now. McIntyre bred the matriarch of the family of successful pacers Mach N Elle with Steve and Claire Sloan, who raced Watch Me Now. The four-year-old is by Vincent from a daughter of Mach N Elle in Machjagger who won five races for her breeder-owners.

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The split screen between talk of peace in Washington and drumbeats of war in the Middle East struck some analysts and former officials as incongruous, if not incoherent. Diplomacy works best when it’s backed by credible deterrence,” said Jason Greenblatt, a lawyer who served as White House envoy to the Middle East during Trump’s first term. Iran has been told by US President Donald Trump to submit a nuclear proposal within two weeks or risk war. Tehran has long been a backer of Hamas, as well as other proxies in the Middle East that threaten Israel and US interests. Trump has often tried to split the difference between war and peace with short, sharp military action.

John Lee pushed boundaries to the limit and moved mountains — literally — to create a sustainable future for his beloved Cardrona Valley. The Cardrona Ski Area was officially opened to the public in 1980 and the skifield’s first fully commercial year was 1982. Fourteen years after John and Mary’s purchase of Mt Cardrona, Cardrona Ski Area was profitable. When he was developing the Snow Farm access road, he took Sam with him to watch the blasting. John Lee was once asked what he would like to be remembered for.

Emergency services at a house in Bryndwr, Christchurch. Photo: RNZEmergency services are at an address in the Christchurch suburb of Bryndwr, where a number of people have been hurt after being attacked by dogs. Several police cars and ambulances were at the scene on Bevin Place, as well as a Christchurch City Council animal management vehicle. "There is no ongoing risk to the public, and a scene examination will be carried out," Inspector Ash Tabb said. Police said they were notified about 2.45pm, and there was no ongoing risk to the public.

Police were called about 7.55pm, after the male reportedly fell from a vehicle. Man in critical condition after falling from car in KingslandPolice were called about 7.55pm, after the male reportedly fell from a vehicle. Photo / NZMEA man has been rushed to hospital in a critical condition after falling from a vehicle in an inner Auckland suburb. Police said the man was in a critical condition after an incident on New North Rd in Kingsland tonight. Police were called about 7.55pm, after the man reportedly fell from a vehicle between Ace Pl and Mostyn St.

The sport is greyhound racing. It will be New Zealand’s first complete ban of a sport, and of any organised civic pastime. For an alternative view, click here: Emily Robertson: How Greyhound racing lost its social licenceThe bill ends the working lives of 2500 greyhounds and 1000 people employed to work for them and their owners. Greyhound racing is a test case. If our sport is closed, the right to a fair go is closed for your sport or community group.

Cherish every moment.”Eric Dane shared an emotional message to his daughters in a Netflix special released one day after his death. That love eventually got me through my darkest hours, my darkest days, my darkest year. I still love my work, I still look forward to it, I still want to get in front of a camera and play my part. They will entertain you, guide you, help you, support you, and some will save you.”Eric Dane urged his daughters Billie Beatrice Dane and Georgia Dane to fight challenges with dignity, emphasising resilience and love. Photo / Getty ImagesAnd finally, Dane, who announced his ALS diagnosis 10 months ago, urged his daughters to “fight with every ounce of your being and with dignity”.