If the government won’t do something about housing, then Queenstown mayor Jim Boult will – or at least, that’s the plan. Peter Newport finds out how he proposes to fix the town’s affordable housing crisis – now officially worse than Auckland’s – and why he’s calling on Wellington to loosen its iron grip on local … Read more
In the second of our occasional series of reports of literary activity in provincial towns, Taumarunui writer Antony Millen – a runner-up in last year’s Surrey Hotel writers residency award – describes what goes on in the King Country. It’s nearly 3am, sometime in December of 2012, and I’ve just completed the draft of my first novel … Read more
The fast-growing Southern Lakes district – Queenstown, Wanaka and surrounds – currently faces enormous challenges. But the bigger problem? The body in charge is three hours’ drive away and seems reluctant to spend the money needed to fix them. Peter Newport explains how an upcoming by-election could become a referendum on the future of Otago. … Read more
Lumsden Maternity Centre in rural Southland, where Bill English was born, is in imminent danger of closure. Southerner Victoria Crockford explains why it would be a devastating loss for the community. I must admit, I really questioned myself the day that the pigs broke into a multi-million dollar building site down the road. Pinky and … Read more
Bulls was an unexceptional country town until a chance discovery of a secondhand book of bovine puns changed the course of history. Jess McAllen uncovers the remarka-bull story. Like many great artists, the person who roused the small town of Bulls to paint the streets with puns will never know how iconic his work was. … Read more
Amelia Dunbar and Emma Newborn have spent the last few years touring their show The Bitches’ Box around the country’s woolsheds, but now they’re back in the city with their new show: Sons of a Bitch. Comedy co-editor Sam Brooks had a chat with the pair about their touring experiences, and what keeps people coming back to their … Read more
A passionate, intense essay by Taupo writer Chris Eyes, in answer to our innocent question: what kind of literary scene is there in the lake city? Images courtesy of Ben Horgan (@aotearoller). Can I be perfectly honest with you? There isn’t a literary scene here. No-one in Taupo, outside of my friends and family, gives … Read more
The NIMBYs are out in force in Whanganui – though it’s not houses for people the locals are objecting to, but homes for bees. Jess McAllen investigates the apian scandal threatening to engulf the city. It’s been a tough few years for the bees of Whanganui. Last year 375 hives were stolen, in 2015 their … Read more
Residents of rural towns are facing astronomical bills to support basic infrastructure. In Glenorchy, a mecca for film and tourism, they’re mad as hell and not going to take it any more, writes Peter Newport. User pays. Sounds fair doesn’t it? You use – you pay. But for many small towns around New Zealand being … Read more
This year thousands of people priced out of Auckland – or just looking to escape the big city rat race – will pack up and move to regions like the Queenstown Lakes District, where Peter Newport calls home. But if they’re hoping to be welcomed with open arms, he says, they may just be in … Read more