Originally from Taranaki, Jack grew up on a strict diet of hard work and adrenaline. "We lived on a goat farm in New Plymouth, where there was only one mountain super close with a little T-Bar. I started snowboarding when I was 12; my family would come down to Queenstown and Wānaka for as many trips…
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From the southern surf to the Southern Alps Born in Christchurch, Finn started his career in sports. “I got into kayaking through surf lifesaving, represented New Zealand for 10 years and went to the Olympics. After I finished racing, I moved to Dunedin to help my father with his business building…
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Born in Ohio, and after travelling all over the world making wine, Anika decided to make Queenstown home. “People here are extremely down to earth. Locals like to get outside every single day and appreciate the natural beauty around them. They spend their time doing things that bring them joy and…
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If you’ve dined at Blue Kanu, it’s likely one of the most memorable restaurants you’ve been to. From the moment you walk in the door, you’re greeted with a warm Kia ora. After dining on share plates of Polynasia soul food, a flavourful, exciting combination of Asian cuisine with a Pacific influence…
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Frances Piacun spends her days curating three art galleries on Marine Parade and coaching locals to paddle traditional Waka Ama canoes on the lake. “Queenstown is home... it’s almost like it wraps itself around you. I’m so fortunate to get to meet incredible people here every day. Families and…
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Every day, ski patrolling couple Charlotte and Sam are up at Coronet Peak managing potential avalanches, patrolling the mountain for hazards, helping people in trouble, and learning more skills to keep people safer while they ski. Falling for life in the ski patrol Sam and Charlotte first met on…
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Returning to her happy place Sheena was born in Dunedin and her family came to Queenstown to ski on the weekend. She says, “I learned to ski at Coronet Peak. I was very fortunate that my parents put me in lessons early so I learned to ski well. I loved skiing. It was my happy place and my…
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Lifting her eyes to the mountains “I came to Queenstown, and within a day I thought, this feels like home. It felt really comfortable. The energy here is safe. Everyone's really calm and chill. And my favourite thing is everything is on your doorstep. In Australia, I would have to travel for hours…
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The call of the peaks Hamish’s love for the wild places started young. He says, “I was always into the mountains. Ever since I was a kid, nature appealed. I did my first multi-day race when I was 15. I left on Friday after school, spent the whole weekend in the mountains, and came back on Monday…
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