Lake Wanaka Tourism reports positive TRENZ feedback

Lake Wanaka Tourism is reporting strong positive feedback from the influential travel trade buyers and media who visited the region during TRENZ, which was recently held in Queenstown.

James Helmore, Lake Wanaka Tourism general manager said hosting TRENZ in the Southern Lakes region had significantly increased awareness of Lake Wanaka as a destination. This was compounded by the opportunity to host over 80 international representatives before and after TRENZ, allowing them to enjoy the Wanaka experience first hand.

“In an increasingly impersonal world, visitors are seeking a more genuine experience and the feedback from the buyers strongly shows that Wanaka is delivering this,” said Helmore. “People are increasingly after an authentic, real, pure experience, which is what Wanaka is all about. So in today's environment visitors want open places, tranquility, something very raw and simple. People are looking for clarity and something bonded to community. Something with meaning. Caryn Young, product manager from wholesale travel company, Adventure World, reported that, “It was a great opportunity to experience the amazing product Wanaka has to offer first hand. What really blew me away was the people - the owner operators. They are truly genuine passionate people. I came away from TRENZ bursting with ideas on how we can shape our itineraries to include more Wanaka.”

The important role the region’s operators play was also highlighted by James Helmore who said the success of Lake Wanaka’s results from TRENZ was largely due to the support of the region’s operators who freely gave their time and resources to host the buyers and media.

Mark Orbell of Wanaka’s Ridgeline Adventures said participating in TRENZ was a very valuable exercise. “It was wonderful to see the international travel agents that visited Lake Wanaka embrace the passion of the people here and really understand the value of the experiences available for their clients – a combination of the people, passion and landscape,” he said. “This is Wanaka’s point of difference over other destinations and something which we are fiercely proud of. From an owner-operator’s perspective, TRENZ was an extremely valuable exercise. Whilst it was relatively expensive to attend TRENZ for a small business, the return on investment is huge. It would cost 10 times the conference fee to travel across the world to meet the variety and number of international travel agents who attended TRENZ.”

Helmore went on to say that Lake Wanaka’s growing profile in the international marketplace was well illustrated by the number of industry accolades the resort town has recently received.

Earlier this year National Geographic voted Lake Wanaka as one of the top 25 ski towns in the world, the only New Zealand destination to be included in this prestigious list. In addition, Outside Magazine voted Lake Wanaka the “world’s best new adventure hub” while Lonely Planet rated Lake Wanaka, along with the Southern Lakes region, as one of the world’s top 10 places to visit in 2012.

For further information, visit www.lakewanaka.co.nz.

Tuesday, 29 May 2012, 11:15 am Press Release: Lake Wanaka Tourism

Found Fiddy!

BAGS OF MONEY: Painters Jaime Stephens and Tane Stevenson came across the coins while driving on Rossall St, in Merivale.

Two Christchurch painters were shocked to find almost $60,000 worth of coins lying on the road this morning.

Jaime Stephens and Tane Stevenson came across the coins while driving on Rossall St, in Merivale, about 10.30am.

"My worker said to me, stop go back, there's money on the road," Stephens said.

From a distance the money bags and broken pallet "looked like rubbish", but there was no mistaking what they had found when they got close, she said.

"It was like 'oh my god, there's all this money'."

A packing slip found nearby revealed the total amount on the pallet had been $58,088.

It was believed the pellet may have come from vending machines in Invercargill.

Stephens said they had not been tempted to take any of the money, and quickly reported their discovery to police.

"The thought's always there, but you'd never actually do it. They were really, really happy we were good Samaritans."

"Two little painters finding sixty grand on the ground isn't too bad," she said.

Published on Stuff.co.nz NICOLE MATHEWSON 31/5/2012

NZ Mountain Film Festival is Coming Up!

The 2012 New Zealand Mountain Film Festival is a combination of events over the six days July 6th to 11th in NZ’s premier alpine village of Wanaka (to learn about Wanaka click here) and also Queenstown on July 8th.

Activities scheduled include

• International and NZ made adventure film competition (US$1000 and NZ$1000 first prizes)
• Viewing of the film finalist
• NEW for 2012, Replay Evening; of the best films in the past 10 years
• Awards night with films, winning film previews and live Music
• NZ & International Guest speakers
• Workshops
• Adventure gear trade show
• Art exhibition
• The Dyno Competition
• Film Editing Competition (US$500 first prize)
• Heaps of giveaways
• And of course, lots of general socialising

Dog Groomers Run Into Trademark Hassles

Nelson business owners Todd Padgett and Shirley McEwan are kicking themselves for not checking the trademark register when setting up their dog grooming business four years ago.

They moved to Nelson from the United States in 2008 and set up a pet grooming business called Precious Paws.

They hired an accountant to help set up the business, but Mr Padgett said the accountant must not have checked the name on the trademark register.

"We were new here and we didn't know all the processes. I could have done all the work, but I trusted a professional to do it," he said.

The pair decided to expand their business this year and Mr Padgett set up a business website, which is when things started to unravel.

Mr Padgett said they got a "fairly stiff" email from a Tauranga pet care company called Absolutely Precious Paws, telling them to change their name.

That company opened in 2002, operating under the trademarked name Precious Paws and the owners changed its name to Absolutely Precious Paws in 2007.

Mr Padgett said: `She gave up the company name [in 2007], but she had trademarked the words in it."

Mr Padgett and Ms McEwan decided a trademark dispute was not worth the cost or hassle, so they were in the process of changing their business' name to Paws R Precious.

Mr Padgett said they had not run the new name past the owners of the Tauranga business, but the Intellection Property Office has said it was OK.

"It is annoying to have to go through and change everything around. We're in a different kind of business, we're in a different island and we have been using it for four years," he said.

"It's a nuisance more than anything else and I feel pretty stupid, because I could have checked it."

The couple's story echoes The House of Brown Sugar trademark saga, where the owner of the Wakatu Square cafe was forced to change its name by the owners of a Taihape cafe.

Kara Healey gave in to legal pressures put on her by the owners of The Brown Sugar Cafe, who registered "brown sugar" as a trademark more than 18 years ago. Her Nelson cafe is now called The Strawberry Bakehouse.

Fairfax News published 5/5/2012 Anna Pearson

Having a baby?

Sorted website has provided this check list which offers some great things to consider when expecting...


Having a baby is an exciting time so you don’t want money worries spoiling things. But the new arrival is likely to mean some big changes to your family finances. With a bit of planning you can keep your finances under control and enjoy all the great things about parenting.

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  Budget for reduced income

  If you’re a working mother, having a baby will mean time off work and less income for your family. So you will need to plan for living on a reduced budget. Start by taking a good look at your household’s current income and expenses. Make your current budget using our money planner.
  Then adjust it to see what life will be like after baby comes. For example, see the impact of going down to a single income.
  Save your changes as a new baby budget in My Sorted.
  See if your current budget allows you to set some savings aside each pay. It’s good to have some money saved up to cover all the things you will need to care for your baby.
  If you have any high-interest debt like credit cards or hire purchase, try to pay that off first. Getting rid of dumb debt will give you one less thing to worry about.
  Back to top

  Paid Parental Leave

  Paid Parental Leave is a government-funded payment that helps cover working mothers’ loss of income when they take parental leave to care for a newborn baby or an adopted child under six. Mothers may also be able to transfer all or part of their entitlement to their partner. You can claim paid parental peave for up to 14 weeks. See if you’re eligible for paid parental leave and find out how much you could get on the Department of Labour website.
  If you are a KiwiSaver member – find out what happens to your Kiwisaver contributionsand your employers on the Inland Revenue’s KiwiSaver website.
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  Other government help

  If you’re not eligible for paid parental leave, you may be able to get the parental tax credit. This is paid for the first 8 weeks. Find out more about the parental tax credit on the Inland Revenue website.
  Inland Revenue also have a helpful booklet that explains the differences between the two types of payments. Working for Families is a government programme aimed at helping low and middle income families cope with the costs of raising children. It offers tax credits, accommodation and childcare assistance. Find out more on the Working for Families website.
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  Budget for baby expenses

  As an expectant parent you may be tempted to spend lots of money on baby gear. But before you hit the shops, talk to experienced parents about what you really need.
  You can save a lot by buying secondhand goods online and getting nappies in bulk, or using cloth nappies. Better still – let your friends and family know what’s on your still-to-get list. Most will welcome the opportunity to clear out their unused baby gear or offer to help you with a gift you really need.
  Plunket offers a car seat rental service, toy libraries and other services aimed at making your job as a parent easier and more affordable. They also have an online baby budget calculator that can help you work out the costs of your baby’s first year.
  Or you can use our event planner to make your own list of items and add up the costs.
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  Childcare and home help

  Childcare will be one of your biggest expenses if you or your partner returns to work. This is when supportive family members are worth their weight in gold! Costs and conditions vary widely among childcare centres. Shop around for one that will suit your family.
  Work and Income’s childcare subsidy helps cover the cost of childcare for children under five.
  If you’ve had a multiple birth or have a domestic emergency you may be able to get help with the cost of things like laundry, housework and cooking as well as childcare. Find out more about financial assistance when you're having a baby on the Work and Income website.
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  Protecting your new family

  You may not have seen a need for life insurance before but now is the time to consider it. If you or your partner died, how would your family cope financially?
  If you already have life insurance, it’s a good idea to check your policy before your baby is born. You may need to increase it.
  Other types of insurance may also be worth considering, such as income protection for the working parent. However this can be expensive so check your budget first.
  If you haven’t already, now is the time to make a will or update your existing one. It’s never nice to think about, but it is important to nominate a legal guardian for your child in case you and your partner die. If you have a more complex personal or financial situation – for example you own your own business or are recently separated, you may need to consider other types of asset protection such as a family trust. Start your budget planning now, don’t leave it until the last minute.
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  Returning to work

  The Department of Labour website has information about your options when you return to the workforce after parental leave - including your right to request flexible working hours.
  Parents Centres New Zealand also runs a return to work programme for parents considering re-entering the paid workforce.
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  Where to go for help

  • Work and Income: Financial assistance when you're having a baby
  • Department of Labour: Paid parental leave
  • Inland Revenue: Parental tax credit
  • Plunket: Baby budget calculator and car seat rental service
  • Department of Labour: Returning to the workforce and flexible working hours
  • Parents Centres: Return to work programme
  • Work and Income: Childcare subsidy

Rugby Report

Well the boys had the most amazing trip to Aussie for the Upper Clutha Junior Rugby team. The team members were billeted out amongst the home team and a challenging tournament played out. The results were not as we would have hoped but a fantastic time was had by all. We will get them next year!