Jessica Allen, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

Storytelling at its best

3 days ago | lwb.co.nz | Jessica Allen

Neighbourhood Story Slam (NSS) is a monthly event organised by Claire Murphy Barnhart and Amanda Hayes. The community event features a changing theme, which storytellers will share based on. You can head along as a storyteller or audience member – either way the night will evoke emotion. Story slams are a safe place to share and listen to true, personal stories from those within our community. NSS celebrates human connection and the art of storytelling.
Australia’s latest emissions data reveal we still have a giant fossil fuel problem

3 weeks ago | unsw.edu.au | Emma Lovell |Jessica Allen

According to Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, the latest emissions data show “we are on track to reach our 2030 targets” under the Paris Agreement. In 2024, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions were “27% below 2005 levels”. That’s great news, right? Well, yes and no. Australia continues to rely on changes in land use to compensate for emissions released into the atmosphere.
Natural preventative medicine

1 month ago | lwb.co.nz | Jessica Allen

Emma Pearce is an experienced Naturopath who has been treating Otago locals since 2004. Her Country Lane clinic provides a range of services including allergy testing, hemaview, and stress management. With winter just around the corner, she’s got plenty of tips to keep your immunity up. Pearce is passionate about natural health and has always had an interest in food and nutrition.
Surf’s Up " Lakes Weekly Bulletin

Mar 26, 2025 | lwb.co.nz | Jessica Allen

The Aotearoa Surf Film Festival (ASFF) is rolling into Queenstown and Wānaka this week. It’s the 13th annual festival, which celebrates the best of surf culture and cinema, as well as connections to the environment. A curated selection of 12 local and international surf feature films, documentaries and short films will be showcased.
Dancing in the street

Mar 19, 2025 | lwb.co.nz | Jessica Allen

The streets of Wānaka are about to be taken over by a troupe of inspirational dance luminaries. Tōrua, a show part of this year’s Festival of Colour, has celebrated choreographer and director Malia Johnston bring together seven incredible independent dance artists from across Aotearoa and Australia for the immersive experience. The show is a celebration of movement and place.
The world of wine

Feb 12, 2025 | lwb.co.nz | Jessica Allen

This week is a big one for local wineries as they host Roam Central 2025, an unforgettable weekend celebrating the best of Central Otago’s wine and food, set among Central’s stunning landscapes. There are a range of events to suit all levels of wine enthusiasts across the jam-packed programme, including opportunities to expand your palette and your knowledge.
Music inspired by art

Jan 22, 2025 | lwb.co.nz | Jessica Allen

Queenstown's renowned producer and director Margaret O’Hanlon has curated Canvas to Composition, a showcase of local musical artists taking place at the end of this month. Each musician has been tasked with composing an original piece or adapting existing works to complement specific visual artworks in Te Atamira’s Lyrics and Lines exhibition.
Sun and supporting local

Nov 11, 2024 | lwb.co.nz | Jessica Allen

Summer is (mostly) on its way and market season is upon us. We’re lucky to live in a town full of creative and talented people, offering artisan wares. Many of the markets in the region offer handmade goods or food straight from the source, meaning you’ll get to pick up something unique. There are a lot of markets in the region, but highlights include the Queenstown Market on the lakefront, which is on every Saturday and a couple of Fridays a month.
Lakes District Museum & Gallery is digitising its archives

Oct 16, 2024 | lwb.co.nz | Jessica Allen

Preservation of collections for museums is crucial. One way this can be achieved is through digitising the archives. The Lakes District Museum & Gallery is undertaking this large task currently with thanks to Impact100 Wakatipu. The archival collection includes photographs, manuscripts, heritage publications, oral history recordings, maps, plans and ephemera.
Supporting young entrepreneurs

Oct 15, 2024 | lwb.co.nz | Jessica Allen

There’s a new market in town and its focus is on supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. Queenstown Youth Market runs around once a month and is organised by MyFundAction Youth Development Centre (MYDC). The next opportunity to support up-and-coming business owners is at the start of November. The team at MYDC focus on three key areas; entrepreneurship, leadership and volunteerism. The first market was held in June and feedback has been good at each event.