Things to do around Wanaka - Summerdaze events!

Paper Plus Wanaka brings you Yoga at the Lakefront

Come and enjoy an outdoor yoga class with Stella Senior.

When: 7.30 am Wed 4 January, Mon 9 January and Wed 11 January
Where: On the lawn outside Ardmore Street cafe
Cost: Free of charge
Contact: Stella Senior, 021 065 5259

Kite making workshop – Wanaka

Get creative and design your own colourful kite under the guidance of a professional kite maker. Bring along your creation to the Summerdaze Grand Kite Display. The workshops are 90-minutes and numbers are limited, bookings recommended.

When: 10am, 12.30pm and 3pm Friday 6 January
Where: Lake Wanaka Centre
Cost: $5, materials provided
Contact: events@summerdaze.co.nz or 03 443 2700

The Summerdaze Grand Kite Display in association with Q92 More FM

Watch the spectacular display of dozens of kites swooping and swimming in the air, all sizes, shapes and formations from the world-renowned Peter Lynn Team. Bring your own kite and join in the fun.

When:from midday Saturday 7 January
Where: Pembroke Park, Wanaka (wind permitting!)
Cost: Free
Contact: events@summerdaze.co.nz or 03 443 2700

Wanaka Farmers and Gardeners Market

Fresh local foods from fab local foodies! Every Thursday is Market Day in Wanaka. Stop by the lakefront and enjoy the most beautiful farmers market in the world. Organic produce, free-range eggs, Merino lamb, breads, pastries, award-winning sausages, fruits, flowers, sauces, seedlings, sweets, treats and homestyle goodies.

When: Thursdays from 4:30pm
Where: Pembroke Park at the corner of Ardmore and Dungarvon Streets.
Cost: Free
Contact: wanakafarmersmarket@gmail.com, www.wanakafarmersmarket.org.nz

Wanaka Teddy Bears’ Picnic in association with Q92-MORE FM

An entertaining event for the young ones with games, story-telling, a bouncy castle, face painting, singing and much more. Don’t forget your teddies and sun hats.

Where: Wanaka Dinosaur Park
When: 11am – 1pm Saturday 28 January
Cost: Free, bring your picnic or bring some money to buy food/drink
Contact: events@summerdaze.co.nz or 03 443 2700

Tea Dance Wanaka

Come along to the Elmslie House Residential Home to enjoy an afternoon of pianist music, get the toes tapping or sing along. A light afternoon tea will be served, everyone is welcome!

Where: Elmslie House Residential Home, 81 Stone St, Wanaka
When: 2pm to 3pm Wednesday 25 January
Cost: Free
Contact: events@summerdaze.co.nz or 03 443 2700

Lake Wanaka Half

All the beauty of the legendary Challenge Wanaka course but at half the distance. The course follows the same spectacular route as Challenge Wanaka with a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21.1km run. For teams and individuals.

Where: Lake Wanaka and surrounds
When: 7.35am race start Saturday 21 January
Cost: Free to watch
Contact: www.lakewanakahalf.co.nz

Wanaka Craft Market

The Wanaka Sunday Craft Market features handmade arts and crafts direct from the artists. Pottery, paintings, wood, wool, carving and jewellery are just a few of the crafts available at Market Corner every Sunday over January.

Where: Pembroke Park, Market Corner
When: Sunday 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 January from 10am
Cost: Free
Contact: Susan Manson phone 03 443 7906, sundaymarkets@hotmail.com

‘KAHU YOUTH’S little DAY OUT’ in association with The Edge

Come on down for Wanaka’s very own little day out – A day full of fun and entertainment for young people and their families; brought to you by Kahu Youth.

There will be skate and BMX competitions on the skate park, DJs all day, awesome activities, bouncy castles, giant air bag, food stalls, face painting, ball games, competitions, spot prizes and much, much more.

When: 12:30pm - 5pm Sunday 29 January
Where: Pembroke Park
Cost: Free
Contact: 04 443 5880 or 0275 709268, Kahu.youth@xtra.co.nz

Puzzling World Junior Challenge Wanaka

For new and budding triathletes aged between 6 and 15, take on the Puzzling World Junior Challenge Wanaka. Different courses tailored for each age group, based around the lake and Pembroke Park. Heaps of fun for individuals and teams

Where: Pembroke Park, Wanaka
When: Registration from 8.30am Sunday 15 January, racing starts at 10.00am
Cost: $18 for an individual ($25 on day), $38 for a team ($48 on day)
Contact: Challenge Wanaka, enter on-line at www.challenge-wanaka.com/junior.html

Wanaka Holiday Gala sponsored by the Upper Clutha Presbyterian Parish

An event for all the family. Stalls of homemade produce, cakes, preserves, pavlova & raspberries, barbecues, pies, sandwiches, sweets & treats, silent auctions & white elephant stalls. Sideshows, face painting, bouncy castle, rides, multiple activities and live entertainment.

When: 11:00am to 2pm Saturday 7 January
Where: Wanaka Show Grounds, Corner of Aspiring Rd and McDougal St
Cost: Free entry
Contact: Tracey Mayhew 03 443 7887, u.c.pres.church@xtra.co.nz

Cinema Paradiso Drive-in & Outdoor Movies

Wanaka’s legendary movie theatre moves outdoors presenting free outdoor and drive-in movies for the whole family to enjoy. Bring a blanket, bean bag or couch and enjoy an evening under the stars or tune into your car radio and enjoy the ol’ favourites.

Choose you sit outside on a bean bag or enjoy the comfort of the car.

Where: Wanaka Showgrounds, access from McDougall Street
When: on dark 9.30pm (ish) 7, 14, 27 and 28 January
Cost: Gold Coin Donation. Drinks & snacks available to purchase.
Contact: events@summerdaze.co.nz or 03 443 2700

Screenings are weather permitting.

PROGRAMME:
Friday 7th: tbc
Saturday 14th: tbc
Friday 27th: tbc
Saturday 28th: tbc

New Year’s Eve Celebration – Wanaka

Join friends and family to celebrate the New Year with live music and a stunning firework display. Enjoy the sounds from locals The Station Agents and upbeat group Mercury Crowe from Wellington.

Where: Ardmore Street waterfront, Wanaka CBD
When: 8.30pm – 1.00 am Saturday 31 December
Cost: Free
Contact: events@summerdaze.co.nz or 03 443 2700

Road Closures and Liquor bans:
Road Closures: Ardmore Street from Dungarvon Street to the Lakeside Road/Ardmore Street intersection. Helwick Street from Ardmore Street to Dunmore Street.
Period of Closure: 5.30 pm Saturday 31st December 2011 to 2.00 am Sunday 1st January 2012.
Extended Liquor Ban: From 06.00am on Monday 26th of December 2011 to 06.00am Thursday 5th January 2012 there will be a liquor ban enforced within the areas specified by the QLDC, including the following:

(i)The whole of the Lake Wanaka foreshore area from Sunrise Bay/ Edgewater to Penrith Park; and

(ii) The area from the foreshore to an outer boundary formed by and including the following streets and road reserves: Meadowstone Drive, Stone St, Golf Course Road, Macpherson St, State Highway 84, Ardmore St.

Licensed Premises
Closing times on New Year’s Eve will remain as usual unless the District Licensing Agency has granted the premises a Special License. Also note that to comply with the Sales of Liquor Act patrons must not leave licensed premises with glass receptacles and drinks.

Off License Sales
Licensees within the liquor ban area need to notify their customers that any liquor purchased from them must be immediately taken out of the liquor ban area without being opened.

The BIG EASY

Big Easy Mountain Bike and Mountain Marathon starts at the Snow Farm (1500m above sea level) rides over Mt Pisa (1900m) through Lake McKay Station finishing at the Albert Town Tavern (300m). Lil’ Easy family option also available.

Where: Pisa range
When: Saturday 28th January
Cost: $85 Adult/$50 Junior or $90 full family (2 adults + kids)
Contact: 027 445 1091 – Ed, www.highlandevents.co.nz

Challenge Wanaka

The world’s most scenic iron distance triathlon. Thousands of spectators will watch the swim, bike and run sections, cheering on over 1,200 remarkable athletes on their 226km journey. Join the finish line party in the heart of Lake Wanaka with music and fireworks. Be a part of the action; cheer on the athletes or get involved as a volunteer

Where: Lake Wanaka and surrounds
When: 6:30am race start Saturday 21 January
Cost: Free to watch
Contact: www.challenge-wanaka.com

Tri NZ Contact Tri Series

Experience the excitement of cycling and running around downtown Wanaka after a dip in the Lake, as you are cheered on by the holiday crowds. For the kids a new event the 1:2:1; for beginners the 3:9:3; for the more experienced triathlete the Trophy Sprint and the Cup Sprint for the super-star elites. Participate in your event then cheer on local boy Tony Dodds as he looks to claim his first ever elite title in Wanaka.

Where: Lake Wanaka CBD
When: 2.30pm start Friday 20 Januar
Contact: Triathlon New Zealand, www.triseries.co.nz

Radio Wanaka 5km Charity Fun Run/Walk

Dress up and get active during the Challenge Wanaka Triathlon Festival with an easy 5km run along the lakefront and through the spectacular Rippon Vineyard with proceeds going to the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust. Prizes for best fancy dress.

Where: Lake Wanaka foreshore, opposite the show grounds
When: Registration 5:30pm, run starts at 6:30pm Monday 16 January.
Cost: $10 for non-Challenge Wanaka athletes
Contact: www.challenge-wanaka.com

The Frontrunner Sky Run & Outside Sports Sky Ride

The race is held on the Snow Farm’s cross country trails. There will be a 5km, 10km and half marathon run as well as a 21km and 30km mountain bike races for everyone to participate and have fun – also thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to be won. What better way to start the New Year!!!

Where: Snow Farm, Cardrona Valley
When: 3 January
Contact: Adrian Bailey 021 991 899 or www.activeqt.co.nz

Wanaka Rodeo

Enjoy the best in rodeo action, good food and a great atmosphere. Great family day out.

Where: Wanaka Rodeo Club Grounds, SH6 (Lake Hawea – Albert Town Road) on the Hawea side of the Albert Town Bridge
When: January 2nd, 11am onwards
Contact: www.wanakarodeo.co.nz

Unwanted presents emerge on Trade Me

Thousands of items have appeared on Trade Me in the past 24 hours as Kiwis seek to sell items that missed the mark on Christmas Day.

More than 18,000 items had been added to Trade Me since lunchtime yesterday, and Trade Me spokesman Paul Ford said there had been a surge in listings between 7pm and 11pm last night.

“Lots of New Zealanders kicked back at the end of the day and worked out what they had two or three of, what didn’t fit, what they didn’t like, then spent some time listing these items online before they went to bed,” he said.

He said gift items most likely to be on-sold included linen, stationery, electric shavers, DVDs, ties, chocolates and kitchen appliances. “Items intended as thoughtful gifts for women are also regular contenders, and this year we’re seeing plenty of clothing, sunglasses and handbags that were off the mark.”

He said “clearing the decks” of unwanted gifts is something many people would not talk about openly. “People don’t want to offend the giver, but selling on Trade Me reduces that awkwardness factor as you’re getting it in front of a much wider national audience, not just the handful of people in your social sphere.”

Earlier this month, a poll by research house TNS found that 29% of New Zealanders thought it was acceptable to regift a Christmas present.

“Our take on that is it seems pretty low,” Mr Ford said. “We did a poll online in 2009 and 65% of people said it was OK to sell unwanted gifts. Maybe wrapping it up and passing it along to someone else is less acceptable than simply selling it?”

People listing unwanted presents should make it easy for buyers who were looking for a post-Christmas bargain. “Last December, ‘unwanted gift’ ended up being one of the most popular searches on Trade Me so consider adding those words into the text of your listing.”

Regifting: 3 hot tips

1. Only sell new items, accompanied by as much of the undamaged original packaging as you can muster.
2. Remove the Christmas card.
3. Don't sell items with inscriptions or personal messages.

Monday, 26 December 2011, 10:36 am Press Release: Trademe

A year in New Zealand business resilience

A year ago our nation was reeling following the Pike River Mine disaster and the first earthquake in Christchurch. One year on Christchurch has suffered another devastating quake with tragic loss of life and major property damage; the Hawke’s Bay has been hit by a huge storm that washed out large areas of productive farm land; across NZ gold kiwifruit crops have been decimated by the Psa virus (with infection confirmed to green crops also). Most recently the Bay of Plenty’s beaches were polluted by oil and debris from the Rena grounded on Astrolabe Reef.

These critical events apart, businesses have to cope with localised crises, such as losing a contract, a major bad debt or a key staff member leaving. How to cope when adversity strikes? Dr Sven Hansen of the Resilience Institute succinctly advises ‘be calm, advance steadily, prevail.’ We expand on this approach.

Be calm, a clear head will deliver decisive, thoughtful action. Mayor Bob Parker’s calm strength in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes is a classic example. When a business crisis hits don’t be afraid to communicate with your staff, customers, suppliers, advisors, and bank manager! The load gets shared and a solution may come from any quarter.

Advance Steadily, focus on the basics and mobilise the resources you need to plan your recovery. Plant and Food Research are doing just that in developing Psa resistant strains of kiwifruit and when oil spilled from the Rena, thousands of volunteers were marshalled in the clean-up.

Look for innovative bounce back solutions to stem the loss. The newly opened Cashel Street ‘pop-up’ Mall has bought retailing back to central Christchurch in a vibrant way.

Prevail, recovery from business crises can be slow and frustrating but a relentless approach will get you there…

Our isolation has made us a resilient nation. When the chips are down we’re generous and supportive towards each other. As 2011 comes to a close, be uplifted by our amazing 2011 Rugby World Cup win (24 years in the making) - when an All Black team troubled by injury, securing scraps of possession and facing an impassioned French Les Bleus, stoically won the final. They remained calm, advanced steadily and prevailed.

Wanaka Food Bank Drive!!

Tuesday 20th December......tomorrow everybody!!!

The annual Wanaka Sun Food Bank Drive is happening on Tuesday night. Sirens will start to be heard between 6pm and 6.30pm around the district – Wanaka, Luggate and Hawea.

When you hear the sirens don’t panic just head out to your gate with your contribution.

Along with food supplies for the food bank people are also urged to contribute festive Christmas food, tasty treats and even small gifts.

If you’re not going to be home then maybe leave your contribution with your neighbours or put it out before you go out.

Xero Snipers

Sniper release

Published in Xero Business on 19 December 2011 by Andrew Tokeley

Over the last few months we’ve formed a new team that we’ve called the Sniper Team – and today’s release is a great example of their work.

Left to right: Vicky, Ming, Simon, Hannah (Uli was on assignment and missed photo shoot)

While the rest of the team work on larger headline features, the Sniper team are focused on taking aim at smaller enhancements and fixes.

And it’s amazing how big the impact can be. Take a look at what the team’s been up to.

• Xero will now remember the sort order on the accounts receivables/payables screens
• The total amount due/owed of selected invoices will now display
• Two new reports – customer and supplier invoice summaries
• Budget manager updates – fixed column headings, row totals and full screen support
• Bank rules allow matching on any field
• There’s the option to register an asset and add another one immediately after

And the rest of the team worked on a couple of things too:

• Two new partner feeds for CRT Co-operative and Bartercard (NZ)
• Report Pack updates for New Zealand accountants

Now we know that one man’s sniper rifle is another man’s bazooka, but if you’ve got a small feature you’d love to see, let us know. Check it out here

Holiday Survival Advice

1. Stock up!

On everything, the best way to stay sane is to avoid the shops, get double everything in this next shop. Check you have enough gas in BBQ, gas in tank and gas for the house. Buy more champagne than you think you'll need, buy heaps of beers and 20 bags of potato chips.

2. Taxi!

Store the local taxi cabs number in your phone and don't drink and drive, ever!

3. Pre-empt a hangover!

Get a survival kit together, panadol, sachet rehydrate packets, easy freezer food and apparently, pickle juice!

4. Slip, slop, slap.

Wear sunscreen, chapstick, zinc, sun hat, sunglasses and get in the shade.

5. Exercise

See if you can fit in a couple more runs than usual this week, ready to blob out post Christmas Turkey

5. Library

Get books and magazines at the ready, read the reviews or check out the recommended reads at the library....get ready to lie around.

6. Games and fun

Get fun things for the kids to do ready for the odd rainy day. Plan some activities, walks, visits to the park, fishing or bike rides.

7. Be careful in the water

Swim between the flags, be sensible and look after your mates.

8. Drive safe

Be patient and drive below the speed limit, be in mantrol

9. Have fun, rest and relax

Most of all have fun, shake off 2011, see your friends, eat, drink, be safe and merry!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Book out your bach, avoid a tax headache!

Recent years have seen a surge in popularity in the short-stay rental of holiday homes. The internet has made it easier to list, book and review baches and cribs which are available when owners aren’t in residence.

Inland Revenue have recently issued a paper proposing new rules on mixed-use assets (including holiday homes) where there is a mixture of business and personal use, with revised criteria that should be adhered to when booking out the bach. But until the rules are formally changed, the current policies still apply.

Firstly, it’s vital that your intentions are bona fide. You must market the holiday home in a commercial manner such as setting up and using a website for the property, registering the property with a reputable holiday home website or listing the property for short stay rental with local real estate agencies. These efforts cannot be seen to be ‘token’, you should be accepting offers from suitable renters.

Secondly, your own (plus family and friends’) use of the property must be diarised so you can determine the days in a year that the property was available for renting out.
If the property is owned by an individual or a family trust the expenses relating to the property including the utilities (power, rates, insurance), maintenance and interest on debt will be apportioned according to the number of days in a year the house was available for rent.

There are GST issues too. Short stay accommodation is a taxable supply for GST purposes so if the annual rent you are receiving exceeds $60,000, the owning entity (individual, partnership, company or trust) is required to register for GST and return GST on the outputs (rent) and inputs (expenses and improvements) made and received. This threshold may seem high but some do have more than one holiday home in the same entity! This threshold includes the market value of free or cheap use of the bach by persons associated to the owner.

The value of the property becomes a taxable supply when registration occurs and when the property is sold or the entity de-registered. Both the income tax and GST issues can be quite tricky so we recommend consulting us to make sure all the tax bases are covered correctly.

Sponsor a child in NZ

Would you believe that one in six children in New Zealand are living in poverty? An amazing programme set up by Kids Can means that you can sponsor a NZ child for $15 a month. This will ensure that they have shoes, a raincoat and enough food to eat. With this basic set up these kids can get to school and be ready to learn- Kids Can believes that with education comes opportunity. Kids Can is a registered Charitable Trust that was set up in 2005 with support from Guardian Trust, they receive help with their ‘Food for Kids’ programme from the government but rely on individual givers, community trusts, key partners and foundations to run this amazing programme in NZ. It is easy, jump online at www.kidscan.org.nz and set up an automatic payment of $15 per week. This is good, get on board!

Christmas Hours

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the team at Findlay & Co
Our offices will be closed from 5pm on Friday 23 December 2011, reopening Monday 16 January 2012

Challenge Wanaka, coming to a town near you, if you live in Wanaka!

What gifts are tax deductible?

Let’s look at the tax treatment of saying thanks to customers and staff typically with gifts, wining and dining.
Inland Revenue’s IR268 guide gives the following examples of where entertainment expenses are 50% deductible:

• Taking customers, suppliers and business associates out for dinner or putting on a function for them
• The traditional Christmas party for staff
• Shouting customers, suppliers and staff to an event, e.g. a rugby game or a show
• Taking them on a jaunt in your launch (running/hireage costs and food and alcohol)
• Giving them the use of your bach or time share apartment as a thank you gesture (the occupancy costs)

We’ve been asked ‘why only 50% deductible?’ Apparently it’s because we get some personal enjoyment or benefit from quaffing a wine and tucking into a steak (too right!).

In lieu of a Christmas party you may give your employees restaurant vouchers to use at their discretion. This cost is fully deductible but is subject to fringe benefit tax (FBT), although there is an exemption of $300 per employee per quarter (a maximum exemption can apply). The same treatment applies to staff gifts, again fully deductible but subject to FBT under the ‘other benefits’ category.

As a thank you gesture many firms give their customers gifts during the festive season. The cost of the gifts is fully tax deductible as marketing and promotion expenditure.

Many firms pay their staff a Christmas cash bonus. These payments are classed as ‘extra emoluments’ and are fully deductible but have PAYE deducted at the employee’s marginal tax rate e.g. 33% if earning over $70,000 per annum.

If in doubt about where you stand tax deductibility-wise with your generosity to customers and staff, check with us and we’ll help you get it right.

Calculating Annual Holiday Pay

Kiwi businesses, especially those involved in contracting and service industries, often close for annual holidays just prior to Christmas and re-open in the New Year. Many businesses encourage their staff to take leave over the festive season ‘when things are quiet’. Staff employment agreements will include provision for staff to take at least part of their annual leave during this close-down period. The calculation of holiday pay is an integral part of employees’ final pay for the calendar year. Employees are entitled to receive their pay for annual leave before they commence their leave. This provision provides an employee with money to pay for travel and accommodation.

The employer and employee can agree to leave the normal pay cycle undisturbed by the time off work. If so, it’s recommended that the employees’ employment agreements reflect this.

Calculating annual holiday pay

Whichever of the following is the larger becomes the rate of the weekly holiday pay.

1. ‘Average weekly earnings’: Calculate ‘total gross earnings’ for the 12 months before the end of the last pay period before the annual holiday and divide this figure by 52.

2. ‘Ordinary weekly pay’: Multiply the ordinary hourly rate of the employee’s pay as at the start of the holiday by the number of hours worked in a ‘normal’ week.

Calculating pay for statutory (public) holidays

1. ‘Relevant daily pay’: Find the amount of pay that the employee would have received if he or she had worked on the day concerned.

2. ‘Average daily pay’ is used when using relevant daily pay is not possible or practicable or there is variation in the daily pay during the pay period when the holiday occurs. Calculate gross earnings for the 52 weeks before the end of the immediately preceding pay period and divide by the number of whole or part days during which the employee earned those earnings including days of paid holiday or leave.

In the case of employees who have commenced employment during the year, their average weekly earnings are calculated by taking the amount of their gross earnings from starting work until the last pay period before the holiday and dividing that amount by the number of weeks worked. For examples on holiday pay please visit the Department of Labour’s website: http://www.dol.govt.nz/

Pay calculations can be complex especially when employees receive allowances, (e.g. travel) and have deductions made (e.g. KiwiSaver, student loan) so contact us if you need assistance in getting these important calculations right.