THE GUIDENEWCOMERS DISTRICTTO THE

Your guide to the Queenstown Lakes District IN THE BEGINNING THE DISTRICT WAS CREATED

8,467 KINGSTON square kilometres of diversity

You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mindbogglingly diverse it is. tourist centres, there is something for WELCOME TO everyone in the Queenstown Lakes YOUR NEW HOME District. Moving to a new area can be tough, but Welcome to your new home. Whether it can be a great adventure too. One you’re here for the short or long term, way to make things easier is to know we want to help you settle in and feel where to go to get accurate information like part of this unique community. about living here – a bit of good old local knowledge. So we’ve pulled together Our district is 8,467 square kilometres some great resources to point you in the of diversity. Queenstown, , right direction. , Glenorchy, Hawea, , Makarora and Kingston all have their Remember, if you have any questions own identities and things that make at any time your best point of call is the them special. From the small, close- Citizens Advice Bureau in Queenstown or knit communities to the bustling Community Networks Wanaka or QLDC.

Citizens Advice Bureau #1 44 Stanley Street, Queenstown P: 03 442 6799 GETTING HELP E: [email protected] WHEN YOU NEED IT www.cab.org.nz Community Networks Wanaka 73 Brownston Street, Wanaka Citizens Advice Bureau in Queenstown P: 03 443 7799 and Community Networks Wanaka E: [email protected] provide free and confidential advice www.communitynetworks.co.nz to everyone. Both agencies are a one-stop-hub, designed to empower you with the information, options and support that suits your needs.

They can help with things like tenancy, employment, immigration, family and personal issues, education, health, PROOF OF neighbourhood disputes, consumer ADDRESS YOUR ID rights, budgeting and finance, free legal advice and Justice of the Peace Don’t forget your ID and Proof of notary services. They can also assist address when setting up anything with accessing local services, groups official, like a bank account or and clubs. registering with a medical centre. #2 FINDING SOMEWHERE OTHER TIPS – try the supermarket noticeboards – there are often TO LIVE rooms advertised there. You can also try ‘rent-a-room’ on Facebook or couchsurfing.com

You may have already noticed that this district is busy. It’s a popular House sharing place for visitors and people It’s a great way to meet people in moving here to live. This means town and sometimes might be your accommodation can sometimes be best option for finding somewhere limited and more expensive than to live. Remember, everyone is in the some other parts of the country. same boat so look out for each other. It’s a good idea to have a ‘flatmates We recommend finding somewhere agreement’ – you can get the to live before moving here. Or at forms from CAB or Community least be prepared to stay in visitor Networks Wanaka. accommodation while you’re looking. Setting up your home There are many local rental Many rental properties in this District agencies that can help you find are already furnished. But if you do accommodation. Just google need to set up an unfurnished home, Queenstown or Wanaka Rental there are lots of options. Check out Accommodation and you’ll get lots Queenstown Trading or Upper Clutha of options for agencies to try. If you’d Trading Post on Facebook, the Trademe prefer to rent privately, check the local website, Lakes Weekly Bulletin or papers: Lakes Weekly Bulletin, Mirror Wanaka Messenger, the Salvation or Mountain Scene in Queenstown or Army, Happiness House or Wanaka the Messenger and Wanaka Sun Wastebusters for second hand gear. in Wanaka. There are a range of furniture shops too if you’d like to buy new. There are also some Facebook pages worth joining: Queenstown Trading or Understanding your rights Upper Clutha Trading Post often have It’s important to understand private rental options available or may your rights as a tenant. be helpful when setting up your home. Visit www.tenancytribunal.co.nz or WanakaAPP is also a good app to talk to Citizens Advice/Community download if you’re in the Wanaka area. Networks Wanaka. There are a range of local employment #3 or temporary work agencies, online job websites, local newspapers and Facebook pages mentioned above, or FINDING A JOB noticeboards available to help you in your search. Visiting local businesses with your CV can also be a good way to find work. If your visa entitles you to work in New Zealand, there are many Working in New Zealand options for finding work in this If you have any questions District. In fact at certain times about whether you’re eligible to of year, we tend to have worker work in New Zealand, try shortages in industries like www.immigration.co.nz. Remember hospitality, building trades and – if you work in New Zealand, you ski tourism. need a bank account and an IRD (tax) number. Visit www.ird.govt.nz if you need to get an IRD number.

If you can’t find a job or house straight away – something will come up – it can sometimes take a bit of time depending on the season. Just make sure you’re prepared. #4 YOUR TRANSPORT OWN CAR OPTIONS If you own a car please always follow the NZ road rules.

At times the driving conditions in this district can be challenging. As we have CATCH many visitors from all over the world, THE BUS the best advice is to stay alert and be patient. And always drive on the left. Ritchies Connectabus offer a regular New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) bus service covering the main has put together a guide called ‘What’s suburbs of Queenstown, Arrowtown different about driving in New Zealand’ and twice daily to Wanaka. Visit – a great resource available in many www.connectabus.co.nz for the full different languages. www.nzta.govt.nz/ timetable and details about discount cards available for regular users. resources/driving-in-nz/ A large number of cars are dumped or abondoned in this District every year as people leave town. If you’re leaving and want to get rid of a car but it’s not CARPOOLING worth selling, please get in touch with Queenstown Wreckers, 0800 735 569 to have the car removed. They service the whole district. Carpooling is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than driving alone. You can cut your fuel and parking costs and help reduce congestion and harmful emissions. WALKING NZTA have some great info on their AND CYCLING website. Go to www.nzta.govt.nz and search for “carpooling”. We have an excellent trail network throughout the district, making it easy to walk and cycle to many areas. Keep in mind these are mixed use trails so always ‘share with care’. Remember, it’s the law to wear a helmet when riding a bike in NZ. HITCHHIKING WINTER CONDITIONS

Although NZ is a safe country Every winter there is ice and snow on the to travel in, hitchhiking carries roads. We recommend joining the QLDC risks. Unfortunately, as in every Facebook page for daily updates on winter country, there are a small number road conditions. The local radio stations people who may take advantage of 92.2 Radio Wanaka, 89.2 Glenorchy FM, hitchhikers given the opportunity. 92.0 MoreFM or 90.4 The Hits will also If you choose to hitchhike, please broadcast daily road reports. think about your personal safety – if possible, always travel with another Our top tips for winter driving: person and find a safe place to > Purchase some quality snow chains, hitch a ride from. always carry them and know how to use them. Always buy the right size chain for your car!

> Accelerate and brake smoothly.

> Allow extra time and double your following distance.

> If you feel uncomfortable, don’t drive.

WHEN DRIVING DURING WINTER, ALWAYS CARRY SNOW CHAINS AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM #5 BEING LIKE THE LIBRARY – We have CONNECTED TO seven Libraries in our district, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, THE COMMUNITY Hawea, Makarora, Kingston and Glenorchy. And by joining one of our libraries, you also get access to the seven Central District Join in – it’s the fastest way to feel Libraries. Libraries are the heart of at home. There are lots of ways the community and offer many free to contribute to the liveliness and and interesting events and services. heart of the community. Get in touch Stay in the loop with everything with Volunteering Central (www. happening at our libraries by ‘liking’ the Queenstown Lakes District volunteeringcentral.org.nz), join your Libraries facebook page. local library, one of the many local groups and clubs or religious groups.

A great place to meet people in an by liking the QLDC Facebook page informal environment is Happiness and making submissions on the House, located in Park Street, things that interest you. And don’t Queenstown. Happiness House runs forget, if you’re on a resident visa – regular activities or just pop in and you can vote! relax with a hot drink. Events The Council regularly consults with We are very lucky to have a full the community about issues affecting events calendar all year round. Check the district. You can stay in the loop out www.qldc.govt.nz/events

IF YOU WANNA SURVIVE OUT HERE DURING WINTER YOU’VE GOTTA KNOW WHERE YOUR JACKET IS #6 or emergency travel to get you back home.

LOOKING AFTER Healthline – 0800 611 116 Call Healthline any time for free advice YOURSELF from trained, registered nurses. Phone calls are free from anywhere within NZ, including from a mobile. Call We’re an active community, and we Healthline if: look out for each other. It gets very > You’re feeling unwell but not cold in the winter months and that can sure whether you need to go have an effect on your health. to a doctor.

Staying Healthy > You need some urgent advice Eat well, exercise and stay warm. about a family member or friend Invest in a good jacket, warm blankets who is sick. and ensure you have good heating where you live. If your house is damp Your sexual health – try and air it out daily – it might Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) seem too cold but it will do the world are very common. The good news is, of good. most are curable and all are treatable. www.justthefacts.co.nz has some If you do get sick, a casual visit to great information about getting an the doctor can cost up to $160. We STI test, all the facts and myths about recommend getting health insurance. STIs and where to go for help if you There are several medical centres in need it. Above all, please practice the area, so shop around to get the safe sex, always wear a condom and best service and price and make sure look after your mates if you’re out on you register with your chosen medical the town. centre, before you need to use it. Often your local pharmacy can also Keeping Fit give you good advice on managing Look around you – the options to get winter bugs. outdoors are endless. But if you’re keen to get to the gym or play team If you’re from overseas and you hurt sport, there are a range of options yourself, ACC assists with treatment across the district. Queenstown and rehabilitation costs while you’re Events Centre is a great option, it here. ACC is a crown organisation, includes a pool facility, a full gym providing comprehensive, no-fault with group fitness classes and runs injury cover for New Zealander’s a range of sports leagues. In Wanaka and visitors. It’s not a replacement you’ve got a pool, a range of gyms for health insurance and doesn’t and sports clubs and a new sports cover illness, disrupted travel plans facility has recently opened. Getting social stress this enough, please plan for We do have a drinking culture in this your trip and be prepared before country (and you could say we’re heading out into the mountains, lakes known as a bit of a party district) or trails. And ALWAYS tell someone but that doesn’t mean you HAVE to where you’re going and when you drink a lot. If you want a drink, enjoy expect to be back. it – but drink responsibly and look after your mates. Jackets and coats There are a couple of great resources are the most frequently lost items in to help you plan for your adventures. bars around town, keep an eye on The Adventure Smart website yours and always check that your’re provides tips, links and advice for you leaving with the right one. Never leave to plan and prepare any activity safely, your drink unattended, and don’t put for any level of ability. yourself into a vulnerable situation. www.adventuresmart.org.nz And please, NEVER drive – there are plenty of taxis or have a sober Another great website is Adventure driver. If you’d like more information Buddy. This is a free online tool that about drugs and alcohol, this website allows you to sign in and register alcoholdrughelp.org.nz has some your trips. If you’re not back at your great guidelines and advice on effects. specified time, and you or your There’s also a free helpline available: contacts can’t confirm if you’re out 0800 797 787. and safe, they will notify the police. Sign up here www.adventurebuddy. Be Prepared co.nz/system/ This is an alpine environment. Weather conditions can change very quickly If you’re planning to get out on the and people get into trouble. We can’t water at any of our lakes make

BEING KIND TO YOURSELF AND If you are concerned about anxiety or OTHERS – Anyone can be affected by life’s depression, or are simply finding things challenges. The most important thing is hard there are support services available. to be aware, of yourself and others. We Your best bet is to contact Citizens Advice recommend the five ways to wellbeing: Bureau or Community Networks Wanaka in the first instance and they will point you in the right direction.

If you’re interested in trying some CONNECT BE self-help, there are things you can WITH OTHERS ACTIVE do to help you get through. Head to www.depression.org.nz and explore the fantastic online resources available.

TAKE GIVE KEEP NOTICE LEARNING sure you follow the safety tips and Wanaka guidelines at www.qldc.govt.nz/ 03 443 7272. leisure-and-culture/lakes-and- Like Wanaka Police on Facebook! boating/ facebook.com and search for “Wanaka Police”. Police / reporting crimes The police are there to help. Always Fire Service call 111 in an emergency or when a The New Zealand Fire Service is called serious crime has been committed. out to fires in homes - on average - If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, every 3 hours. Don’t let it happen to don’t be scared to call 111 – they will you. Please: still be able to point you in the right direction. > Ensure your house has working smoke detectors. For non-emergencies (a crime that > Don’t drink alcohol and fry food. has already happened and a response isn’t likely to change the outcome) > Store hot ashes appropriately, in a contact your local police station. metal container with a lid.

> Keep drying clothes at least 1 metre We have police stations in from a heater or fireplace. Queenstown and Wanaka: Many homes in this district have Queenstown woodburner fires. Check out this 03 441 1600 website for some tips on how to light a Like Queenstown Police on Facebook! fire safely and keep it going. facebook.com/QueenstownPolice jotul.com/uk/guides/how-to-light-a-fire

Know where to go #7 In the event of a civil defence emergency, if you can’t safely stay where you are, please go to your EMERGENCIES nearest civil defence centre. You’ll find a list of these at www.qldc.govt.nz/ services/emergency-management/ This district can be prone to civil-defence-centres/ earthquakes, floods, storms, snow events, wildfires, landslides and major How to be prepared transport crashes. These are all real If a disaster happened today, would threats and must be planned and you be prepared? Get everything you prepared for. need to know at www.getthru.govt.nz THANKSSO LONG AND READINGFOR ALL THE

Any resemblance to Douglas Adams’ Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is purely coincidental. Queenstown Lakes is not at imminent risk of Vogon destruction in the pursuit of an intergalactic highway construction project. Yet.

Private Bag 50072 Queenstown 9348, New Zealand

QUEENSTOWN WANAKA 10 Gorge Road 47 Ardmore Street [email protected]

+64 3 441 0499 +64 3 443 0024 www.qldc.govt.nz