Community Link Upper Clutha

15/06/2026

Did you catch last week’s Community Link newsletter?

Our latest newsletter shares what’s happening on the ground.
💛 Inside this issue:
• Updates on local support services and how to access them
• What’s happening across the Upper Clutha community
• Practical ways to stay connected and supported this season
• Opportunities to get involved, volunteer, or lend a hand
At Community Link, we’re here for anyone who needs a bit of extra support — whether that’s food, connection, or simply someone to talk to. And if you’re doing okay, checking in on a neighbour or sharing what’s available could make all the difference.
👉 Read the full newsletter here:
https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/608833/emails/189665509045700036

If you'd like to get our newsletters directly sign up here.
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13/06/2026

Big congrats to FreshChoice Hāwea
We’re celebrating an incredible achievement with FreshChoice Hāwea taking out a national small store award – so well deserved and a real reflection of the amazing team behind it.

We’re also hugely grateful that they’ve stepped up to support Community Link with weekly Foodbank donations. This will make a real difference to our Hāwea pop-up service, helping local whānau access essential kai when they need it most.

It’s support like this that shows the strength of our community

Thank you AND congratulations, FreshChoice Hāwea!

FreshChoice Lake Hāwea has been named the 2026 FreshChoice Small Store of the Year, recognized for its outstanding support of local suppliers and the community.

12/06/2026

Winter Warmth Tips – Tip #4 Insulation Matters

Good insulation is one of the most effective ways to keep your home warm and dry over winter. It helps trap heat inside, meaning your home stays warmer for longer and your heating works more efficiently.
If your home feels cold no matter how much you heat it, it could be a sign your insulation needs attention — especially in the ceiling and underfloor areas.

Upgrading insulation can make a noticeable difference to comfort and may help reduce power bills too.

Pop in and talk to the team at Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka about insulation options to suit your home. Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka

11/06/2026

Looking to keep your home warm without the big power bill?
This great article from RNZ breaks down what everyday appliances cost to run over winter, and there are some useful takeaways:
⚡ Hot water can make up around a third of your power bill
🛏️ Electric blankets are a low-cost way to stay warm compared to heating whole rooms
🏠 Running heaters or heat pumps all day isn’t always the most cost-effective option.

It’s a really helpful read if you’re trying to better understand your winter power use and find ways to save.
👉 Read it here:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/personal-finance/597729/how-much-does-that-electric-blanket-cost-to-run-and-other-winter-power-questions

We’re also working alongside Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka to share some practical winter warmth tips to help keep homes cosy and efficient. From simple draught-proofing to smart heating choices, there are lots of small changes that can make a big difference.
👉 Check out our local tips here:
https://www.communitylink.nz/community-blog/winter-warmth-tips-to-keep-your-home-cosy
Let’s stay warm, comfortable, and in control of energy costs this winter 💛 Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka

In partnership with Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka supporting the Cold Kids campaign As the temperatures drop, keeping your home warm, dry and healthy becomes a priority. The good news is that small, practical changes can make a big difference — improving comfort while helping manage energy costs. With sup

11/06/2026

End of Financial Year Support – IRD Appointments Available

With the end of the financial year approaching for many local businesses, now is a great time to get clear, up-to-date advice and support.

An Inland Revenue (IRD) representative is in Wanaka for face-to-face appointments on Wednesday 17 June, here at Community Link. Wānaka Business Chamber

If you have questions about your tax, obligations, or need help navigating anything IRD-related, this is a valuable opportunity to sit down and talk it through.
Available appointment times (30 mins):
• 10:30am
• 11:00am
• 12:00pm
• 12:30pm
Bookings are essential
👉 Book online: https://www.communitylink.nz/bookings
📞 Or call: 03 443 7799
Spaces are limited, so get in quick to secure a time that works for you.
Supporting our local business community to stay informed and confident.

Community Link is the Upper Clutha's one-stop community support and connection centre, supporting our growing community across the full wellbeing spectrum.

10/06/2026

🐾 Wonderful to see Pet Therapy in the spotlight!
It was fantastic to see this week’s Upper Clutha Messenger featuring the Pet Therapy Programme.
What a great reflection of the impact this initiative is already having in our community.
This programme is all about connection and bringing friendly dogs and their owners together with people who benefit from a little extra warmth and companionship. A wagging tail really can brighten someone’s day, help a child learning and it’s inspiring to see this growing in the Upper Clutha.

A big thank you to everyone involved, including the amazing volunteer dog owners who give their time (and their four-legged friends!) to support others.

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, there’s still room for more volunteers — both individuals and their canine companions — to help this programme continue to grow.

Read the story here. https://www.communitylink.nz/community-blog/paws-people-and-connection-pet-therapy-returns-to-lift-local-spirits Queenstown Lakes District Libraries Enliven residential aged care Otago Holy Family Catholic School Wanaka

06/06/2026

Winter Warmth Tips – Tip #3: The Right Heater for the Right Space

Not all heaters are designed for the same job! Choosing the right option for your space can make a big difference to both comfort and energy use.

A compact fan heater can work well in a small office or bathroom, while larger areas may be better suited to panel heaters, oil column heaters, or a properly sized heat pump.

The key is matching your heating option to the size of the room and how you use the space. It’s also worth thinking about energy efficiency — sometimes spending a little more upfront can save significantly on power bills over winter.

Pop in and chat with the team at Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka about what will work best for your home. Mitre 10 Mega Wanaka

05/06/2026

We’re feeling incredibly grateful (and a little humbled) to be one of this year’s recipients of the Queenstown Airport Community Fund.

Our grant is going towards the fit-out of a new Foodbank storage container—currently being built by our friends at Dunlop Builders and arriving behind the Community Hub in the next few weeks (yes, it’ll be craned in!).

This extra space will make a real difference. Right now things are pretty tight, so being able to store more food and work more efficiently means we can better support our community.

It’s also really special to be alongside so many amazing community organisations across the Upper Clutha, Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago.

A huge thank you to Queenstown Airport and 45South Foundation for backing community in action.
Queenstown Airport 45South Community Foundation

More than $50,000 from the ZQN Community Fund has been shared among 15 community organisations right across the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago districts.

04/06/2026

Day One at Lake Hāwea Pop-Up Foodbank

What a fantastic first day for our Lake Hāwea Pop-Up Foodbank, and even the sun came out to welcome us!

We were absolutely buzzed by the warm reception and so grateful for the lovely feedback from the community. Thank you, Hāwea, we felt incredibly welcomed.
Every Wednesday, 12–2pm, the Community Link Foodbank will be at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre with pre-ordered deliveries. It’s a bit like click and collect – but even more convenient, because we come to you!
A huge thank you to Dunlop Builders for making this possible by providing a vehicle to transport orders. We would also like to thank the Lake Hawea Community Centre. We couldn’t do it without this kind of support.

If you or someone you know could use Foodbank support, please get in touch:
📧 [email protected]
📞 03 443 7799
We’re really looking forward to week two!
Thanks again, Hāwea Hawea Community Association Hawea Playgroup Hawea Youth Club Hawea Church

04/06/2026

We're so pleased to share our lovely David getting surprised this morning on live Radio Wānaka
A well-deserved accolade for a much loved legend.