Stars of golf, cricket and rugby to shine at free Queenstown community event

by February 17, 2020

Stars of golf, cricket and rugby to shine at free Queenstown community event

A star-studded team featuring legends of golf, rugby and cricket will line up against some of Queenstown’s best cricketers as a curtain raiser for this year’s 101st New Zealand Open.

The free community event kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday February 23 at the Millbrook Cricket Ground near Arrowtown, with families and sports lovers encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the atmosphere.

Held for the second year running and sponsored by Rebel Sport, sports ambassadors in Queenstown for the 101st New Zealand Open who will swap golf clubs for cricket bat or ball include Beauden Barrett, Israel Dagg, Stephen Fleming, Jeff Wilson, Chris Harris, Matt Guyatt and Peter O’Malley.

International cricket umpire and former New Zealand cricketer Chris Gaffeney is also picking up the bat again for the celebrity hit-out.

For the first time a handful of young up and coming Wakatipu High School cricketers get to play their heroes in the Queenstown All Stars team.

They include former All Black Justin Marshall’s cricketer son Lachlan and students Seth Mawhinney, Angus Herron, Gabe White and Jordan Gibbons, alongside six other players from the local T20 league.

Sir Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham, one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, and injured local golfer Ben Campbell will be coaches and non-playing captains, while the formidable brothers’ duo Glenn (cricket) and Greg (golf) Turner will umpire.

The match will be a T10 format with10 overs a side and is expected to last about two hours, come rain or shine. It will be MC’d by local sports personality and radio presenter Craig ‘Ferg’ Ferguson.

Rebel Sport will help keep it fun with activations and giveaways on the day.

The 101st New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport, will be held at Millbrook Resort and The Hills from 27 February to 1 March 2020.

Read More

Sudima Hotels to Open New Property in Queenstown’s Five Mile Precinct

by February 17, 2020

Sudima Hotels to Open New Property in Queenstown’s Five Mile Precinct

One of New Zealand’s most sought-after tourism and leisure hotspots is getting a brand-new hotel to meet increasing demand for high quality accommodation in Queenstown.

The 4.5-star hotel at Queenstown’s popular Five Mile precinct, set to open in the 2021-22 summer season, will operate as Sudima Queenstown and add to Sudima Hotels’ current portfolio of four hotels (Auckland Airport, Rotorua, Christchurch City and Christchurch Airport) and two more due to open in 2020-21, Auckland City and Kaikōura.

The property is owned by Clearmont Group, developer of the mixed-use Five Mile retail and business centre. Director Craig Greenwood says that after over four years in the planning they’re “delighted” construction has started on the signature four-storey ‘Armadillo’ building which completes the entrance to the Five Mile centre.

“In choosing a hotel operator we felt we needed a brand which delivered a quality experience at an affordable price, and we believe Sudima Hotels fulfils these brand values,” he says. “The hotel will also have a conference centre, meeting a need identified by our business customers, and there will be a further 2700m2 of retail on the ground floor.”

The building was designed by Queenstown’s JCY Architects director Richard Chambers and his team, inspired by the rugged geological strata of the area and developed in close collaboration with Clearmont Group and Sudima Hotels.

“The building will complete the retail loop of the centre with a lobby on the ground floor accessing the hotel above. The palette of materials developed from previous buildings on the site includes weathering steel, warm timber-like tones on the upper levels and board-marked concrete panels with timber soffits.”

Construction by Naylor Love began earlier this month, with the company’s regional manager Greg Boland saying they were proud to have worked with Five Mile from the start of the development.

“The design team has put a lot of time into making sure that the new hotel ties in with the look and feel of the rest of the development, and we’re looking forward to delivering a stunning building that fulfils their vision,” he says.

Sudima Queenstown at Five Mile is close to Queenstown Airport, major ski fields and main routes north and south. The hotel will feature 120 guest rooms (king, twin and family), a restaurant and bar with alfresco dining, four meeting and conference rooms and ski storage. The décor will have natural finishes throughout to complement the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Sudima Hotels is an award-winning leader in the New Zealand accommodation and hospitality sector. Last year it won three New Zealand Tourism Awards, taking home the Supreme Tourism Award, along with the Environmental and Employer of Choice awards.

Sudima Queenstown is set to open as a single-use plastic free property, built to a standard that will enable certification to carboNZero status as soon as possible. This will further bolster Sudima Hotels’ reputation as a leader in sustainability, diversity and accessibility.

Sudima Hotels CEO Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala says, “We’re thrilled to be announcing a new property in Queenstown, and proud to be chosen by the Clearmont Group as their hotel partner as they further augment the already successful Five Mile precinct.

“We set out to provide exceptional customer service in a welcoming and unpretentious manner and strive to be industry leaders in social and environmental responsibility. We look forward to progressing our mission and pushing ourselves forward with the opening of two new hotels this year and Queenstown a couple of summers from now.”

About Sudima Hotels

Sudima Hotels is a New Zealand hotel brand that is passionate about and committed to delivering environmentally friendly and accessible hotels in New Zealand. It is an industry leader in setting sustainability benchmarks, having achieved the first carboNZero certification for a New Zealand hotel, and initiating a movement within its group of hotels to become single-use plastic free by 2020. All its hotels are accessible and have been rated between Bronze and Platinum for accessibility by Be. Lab.

Underpinned by strong values that centre on caring, doing the right thing and working together, Sudima Hotels focuses on helping guests make the most of their day. Both corporate and leisure travellers will feel welcome and be greeted with a smile at Sudima Hotels.

Sudima Hotels current locations include Auckland Airport, Rotorua, Christchurch Airport and Christchurch City. It has hotels under development in Kaikōura, Auckland City and Queenstown.

Sudima Hotels is owned and managed by Auckland-based entrepreneur and property investor Sudesh Jhunjhnuwala.

Read More

Medigrowth New Zealand plans Central Otago medicinal cannabis business

by February 17, 2020

Medigrowth New Zealand plans Central Otago medicinal cannabis business

A Central Otago-based company is forging ahead with plans to develop a medicinal cannabis cultivation, research and manufacturing business in the heart of wine country.

Medigrowth New Zealand, based in Cromwell, plans to provide pure and safe New Zealand-grown cannabinoid medicines to a market that recent research shows is “crying out” for alternatives to existing pain medications.

Queenstown businessman Aaron Murphy has been joined by Medigrowth Australia directors Todd McClellan and Adam Guskich in the New Zealand venture.

The Australian company was established in 2017 and brings its invaluable expertise, IP and experience to the local operation, established last year.

Aaron Murphy, who operates award-winning accommodation and property management services in Queenstown, says “the time is right” for Medigrowth’s launch.

“A law change in December 2018 paved the way for a regulated medicinal cannabis industry in New Zealand, with licences to be issued by a new Medical Cannabis Agency, application submissions from April 1,” he says.

“We’ve been working closely with New Zealand GPs on education initiatives, many of whom we know are being asked by increasing numbers of patients to prescribe medicinal cannabis but don’t currently have the training or knowledge to do so.

“Myself, Todd and Adam are all firm believers in the benefits of medicinal cannabis and the opportunity to deliver substantial improvements in patient health and wellbeing.

“We’ve identified a site for a world-class research and development facility on the outskirts of Cromwell which we already know is a fertile and fantastic growing region.”

The facility will offer state-of-the-art technology in extraction and manufacturing, cultivation, laboratory services, genetics supply and University-led research.

“There are many opportunities to partner with like-minded businesses in the region and utilise the skillsets of existing horticultural experts to create more jobs and opportunities for the area,” says Mr Murphy.

“We’re offering a genuine ‘seed to solution’ commitment to New Zealand patients and industry partners, and are working on licencing for the Ministry of Health on licences to cultivate medicinal cannabis and manufacture medicinal cannabis products.”

Current partners include specialist medical device and pharmaceutical consultancy Pharmout, experts in manufacturing practice.

“We’re currently raising capital for the business and are already talking to a number of businesses and individuals keen to invest in Medigrowth New Zealand,” says Mr Murphy.

“We’re also excited  to hear from potential partners intending to cultivate medicinal cannabis to meet projected demand and who require extraction and manufacturing services.”

Medigrowth is hosting two, free, workshops to help educate medical professionals on why and how to prescribe medical cannabis. The first will be on March 9 in Auckland and the second on March 14 at the Bannockburn Polytechnic’ main campus.

The workshops are open to GPs, registered nurses and specialist doctors.

The ‘Practical Skills in Prescribing Medicinal Cannabis’ workshop has been endorsed by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and approved for up to 6 CME credits.

The workshops will be co-hosted by Australian based GP Dr Teresa Towpik, who has been advocating for medical cannabis since it became legalised. She will be accompanied by well-respected Auckland-based GP Dr Graham Gulbransen – who is also a strong advocate for medical cannabis.

Register online here: https://medihuanna.com/practical-skills-in-prescribing-medicinal-cannabis-workshop-new-zealand/

Further information about Medigrowth can be found at www.medigrowth.co.nz

Read More

Central Otago Pinot Celebration raises $15,000 for local trust

by February 17, 2020

Central Otago Pinot Celebration raises $15,000 for local trust

The legendary Central Otago Pinot Celebration, which attracts wine lovers from across the globe, has given back to its local community.

The three-day 2020 celebration raised $15,000 for the Mokihi Restoration Trust.

A sensational line up of Central Otago wines immersed 150 ethusiasts in wine tastings, panel discussions, lunches and dinners. 

They were hosted in breathtaking winery and vineyard settings around the region including Wanaka, Cardrona, Bannockburn and Gibbston Valley.

Pinot Celebration Chairman Chris Keys was rapt with how the event went.

“It was insanely cool. Visitors were shown the special side of this area. Central Otago is stunning, visually, but for me the event was made by the spirit of the people I’m proud to call colleagues,” he says.

“We showed our region with honesty, revealed ourselves without artifice. That made for deep, funny, cool times, and meaningful connections all over the place.

“Wine is a crucial part of this – but it’s all part of a bigger story. The celebration helps develop our cultural and ecological heritage.”

The auction was a key part of the celebration with wine and wine experiences in hot demand, kindly donated by local wineries.

Central Otago Pinot Noir Charitable Trust chairman, Alistair King says he is thrilled the money will go to such a good cause.

“The Trust’s goals of promoting hands-on community land care and native habitat restoration are a good fit with Central Otago Winegrowers’ values of being responsible custodians of their land,” he says.

“We’re pleased to be able to support the trust and enable them to continue their valuable work.”

The Mokihi Trust was established in 2016 and to date has planted 4000 native plants of local origin at three sites around Cromwell and adjacent to Lake Dunstan.

After a spectacular opening event at Rippon Vineyard in Wanaka, other highlights of the Central Otago PinotCelebration included lunch at Peregrine Winery with guest chef Monique Fiso, renowned for her NZ-Maori cuisine. 

An evening cruise to Walter Peak Station with a ‘big bottle’ tasting of Central Otago Pinot Noir Magnums and Jeroboams was another hit.

Finally, hosted by wineries in Bannockburn, guests toured through wineries on e-bikes, trailers, tractors and an electric bus, before the final long lunch.

Attendees included wine-loving consumers, trade, sommeliers, wine and leisure media, and Central Otagowineries.

Read More

TESTIMONIALS

what our clients say

“Southern PR were great to work with, and they got some great results during the launch of our Cardrona Cabin. We’ve found using local representatives very successful, and Southern PR are one of the best.”

Founder Daniel Gudsell – Abodo Wood Ltd 

“The team at Southern PR is absolutely top notch. For general PR, social media expertise or crisis management, you want Fiona and her professional team in your corner.  Working with them is always a pleasure and I cannot recommend them highly enough.”

Director Gavin Taylor – GFORCE Paragliding

what our clients say

“I am very proud to have worked with Southern PR for nearly a decade. I love working with them, not only for their creative and thorough briefs and clear communication on shot requirements but also their enthusiasm on the shoot days.  If you want a positive, focused and creative team to get your brand out to your target market – Southern PR are your team!”

Photographer & Director Jackie Gay – Still Vision Photography