Aviation is a major part of Queenstown’s adventure tourism and in the wake of a few major airborne disasters in other parts of the country, the Civil Aviation Authority have started taking their job of regulating this industry much more seriously.

A year ago when Queenstown first hosted TRENZ there was a major buzz and plenty of optimism that this major tourism expo will not only create a bit of extra business in the quietest month of the year but also have long lasting tourism benefits. And the tourism expo was a roaring success receiving a big thumbs up from delegates and exhibitors. But the announcement that the event would return this year, and the fact it is taking place this week has hardly raised a ripple of interest in the wider community.

Only a week ago the morning sun was rising from such a low angle in the sky it was rudely blocked from entering my window by a pesky tree. Then in the afternoon it sunk behind a hill at 4pm -a whole three hours earlier than a month ago when it seemed to hang in the sky forever. Move forward to this morning. The sun was streaming in though the kitchen window as the tree now stands bare, having lost all of its golden leaves. And in only seven days the afternoon sun is disappearing behind that hill at 3pm. This could mean only one thing. It is May.

It’s all about Arrowtown this week as the town celebrates another successful Autumn Festival, 150 years since the discovery of gold in the Arrow River set the Wakatipu on a path towards prosperity. However there are dark clouds on the horizon as QLDC manoeuvre to do away with Arrowtown’s independent seat at the council table.