Lochiel School had a busy weekend showing off their talents and school spirit at the 2024 Winton Open Day.We had over half of our school show off their amazing line dancing skills on the centre stage, which the local crowd loved.Our line dancing skills are a flow off from our school production and pet day where we learned some great dance moves.We also had a 12 days of Christmas themed float which was definitely a winner with the crowd - best float on the day we say!Last but not least, we had a wheelbarrow raffle fundraising to help subsidise our 2025 school camps which was a winner and raised over $950 for our camps!We all held our breath in anticipation as the friendly police office drew the winner... which turned out to be one of the Lochiel school families.How amazing!Lochiel school is excited for the remaining few weeks of Term 4 as we have lots of fun activities planned for the children and community.We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday break, we look forward to showing off our awesome school in 2025.Lochiel School proudly supported by Fiordland Escapes

Milford Road OPENNO Avalanche HazardNo delays expected. Winter driving conditions. Please drive with care.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Snow showers clearing.Tomorrow: Cloudy with showers later.Saturday: Showers clearing.Sunday: Rain.Monday: Occasional rain

Continuing our Year of Action!Hedgehope School is a fabulously modern and truly up to date, future focussed environment bursting with resources and wonder.Our student whanau are curious, dazzled and hugely appreciative of our learning spaces and resources that the BOT and PTA have tirelessly supported.Student efficacy and agency gives powerful voices to students to lead their own learning.We have 3 classes of 53 students, who all love to learn! We all REACH for Greatness in everything we do!At Hedgehope School students are learning about citizenship, environment, their local area, community, collaboration, history, migration, planning, reflection, empathy, relationships with landowners, partners and interest groups, complexities involved with a sustainable compass.We are into our third year of suppression and advocacy at Sherwood Forest.Students are also developing a native plant nursery, launching businesses and have just enjoyed the premier of their documentary about the history of Hedgehope area through the lens of migration at St James Theatre, Gore.We are incredibly lucky to have received Creatives in Schools and Grants for Good funding to learn with professional film maker Samantha Robertson (REECE) and Jeromy Van Riel to create huge carvings of Matamata and his master Te Rakituaneke.We truly value the many partners that support our philosophy, projects and students so passionately.We are a proud Green Gold Enviro School.The Integrated curriculum learning areas included in this project are literacy, maths, science, technology, social studies/history, Health/PE, Visual Arts. We are proud of our integrated curriculum approach to our morning routines that are rich in literacy and numeracy skill and knowledge development.Science integration has been really engaging this term as Tui researched animal species through a biology lens and Kereru creating through a scaffold of biomimicry.The rich literacy Canva and poster presentations are truly authentic and full of student voice and interests.Green Gold Enviroschool AwardWeek 4 was a huge week, with a large amount of student preparation behind the scenes. For our Green Gold EnviroSchools Award Day, chefs created a menu, catered and cleaned, leaders dug the hangi pit, advertising, organisation of the stations to share their learning, projects and successes, speeches were written and practised and student designed signs were collected and erected on our driveway fence.The leadership and pride in our school and accomplishment of students was an absolute pleasure for all to enjoy during the day.Rain could not dampen the spirits!Once all of our visitors and community had been welcomed onto site, our new signage and Te Rakituaneke were unveiled and blessed, a very rare plant donated by Jesse Bythell was planted next to Matamata, haka and waiata were performed and then students facilitated their stations (Sherwood Forests suppression & advocacy, native nursery sewing seeds & repotting, heritage orchard maintenance, Matamata planting, vegetable garden care, Mōkohi design, movie set and kitchen for the chefs).A fabulous hangi and catering followed for lunch, which was delicious!Then came the speeches mainly from ex students now at high school and then our award from Councillor Ludlow and Josh.Wow what a day to celebrate our amazing students and community!Hedgehope School is a very proud Green Gold Enviroschool!Film PremierThat was not the end of a Hedgehope Style celebration of learning!In the evening we all headed to St James Theatre, Gore for our FILM PREMIER! The culmination of a year-long collaboration with Hōkonui Runanga and Samantha Robertson REECE.Our students wrote, created, produced, edited, animated their own film!The skills, knowledge and values they have gained this year has been exceptional!Our very own animated King K on the big screen!We may be small but we can achieve because we believe anything is possible with effort!Please get in touch if you would like to purchase any Native Seedlings!Hedgehope is full of energy!While we are adventurous and find learning everywhere in our community, we are passionate about creating literate, numerate, empathetic, critical thinking problem solvers that are proud of their community and environment.Our mornings are rich with literacy and numeracy in our 3 classes (meeting and exceeding the newly prescribed 1 hour a day reading, writing and maths) through engaging, relevant and integrated learning.Our students are coached by 4 incredibly talented and inspiring teachers and 3 learning supports.We are a happily connected whanau!We all REACH for Greatness in everything we do!Hedgehope School proudly supported by Fiordland Escapes

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-Mossburn School Proudly Supported by Fiordland Escapes

Milford Road OPENNO Avalanche HazardNo delays expected today.Overnight snow forecast near the tunnel tomorrow (Wednesday) night. Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Showers turning to rain.Tomorrow: Showers with possible snow overnight.Thursday: Showers clearing.Friday: Mainly fine.Saturday: Main

A community advocate fears an old dumpsite next to a crumbling coastal road in Southland will be eaten away by the sea while she waits for council action.The area in question at Colac Bay/Ōraka — about 40 minutes from Invercargill — has been a point of contention for locals who claim it contains hazardous waste.But the council charged with monitoring the area says there is no imminent threat, despite it being potentially vulnerable to erosion.It also admitted it was “unsure” if the area in front of the dump has been measured for erosion in recent years.Deen McKay has spearheaded efforts to protect the dump from the ocean and believes the site has about two years before a major weather event washes it away.“The rate of erosion needs to be prioritised and actively calculated to assess the current level of risk.”McKay said it was important to secure the site in order to save the marine environment.“During the summer, this place swells. You've got the surfers, you've got the fishing, you've got the families just wanting to enjoy the beach.“We've got two companies that use the seawater, they use the ramp over there for their live lobster export.”The landfill in question was managed by the now-defunct Wallace County Council and is situated behind a crumbling coastal road which has been closed to traffic since 2015.Affidavits signed by past and present residents in 2021 claimed the site was home to a range of hazards including buried car bodies, batteries, plastics, oil, tyres, herbicides and paint.But Southland District Council still believes time is on its side, as evidenced by a response to a recent LGOIMA request.“We still have approximately a 80 metre buffer until the physical landfill site is at risk of erosion so not one of our most critical sites to erosion but [it] is included in routine monitoring of the site to keep an eye on,” it said.The unattributed response said the dump was potentially vulnerable to erosion in the long-term but was currently low risk.While some leachate had been recorded in the area, similar readings had also been taken outside of the landfill indicating waste was not the sole contributor.McKay has fought the council on the matter for 10 years and has been buoyed by recent interest from Southland mayor Rob Scott.On 18 September, the council held its meeting at the Colac Bay Community Centre and McKay was in attendance as a speaker on the day.Her message now is for key stakeholders to join forces and find a solution.“I just hope that the council aren't going to be the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff and rely on emergency central government funding.”The historic landfill sits on land now owned by Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka, which was contacted for comment.In 2021, the council made headlines for monitoring erosion on the crumbling coastal road with aerial photography but failing to include the area in front of the dumpsite.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Southland motorcycle racer Cormac Buchanan has made history as the first New Zealander contracted to compete in the FIM Moto3 World Championship.A successful season in Europe has earned the 18-year-old a coveted spot on the BOE Motorsports team to contest the championship, which features 22 grand prix races across 18 countries.He is the first full-time Kiwi racer in the MotoGP ranks since the legendary Simon Crafar nearly 25 years ago in 1999."It's definitely an honour and doesn't quite feel real to be honest. Coming from a small country like New Zealand, where motorcycle racing is a passion but not a major sport like it is in Europe, it feels really special to achieve this," Buchanan said.Crafar, who will next year take on the prestigious role of chairman of the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel, said it was "amazing news".'It's wonderful for Cormac to reach his personal goal of becoming a fulltime world championship rider, but it's also exciting news for us proud, sport-loving Kiwis," he said."Becoming a full time grand prix rider is a rare and special achievement. Cormac has dedicated most of his young life to achieving it and his family have sacrificed more than we will know, but this is only the beginning"Making it to the world championship is like getting selected for a national team. The hardest test starts now. The highs and lows of brutal competition over the next couple of years will forge Cormac into a new, tougher version of himself. Let's all let him know that we are behind him."Buchanan was rapt to be taking the next vital step in his racing career."My goal for this year was to earn my place in the 2025 Moto3 World Championship and to be able to step up into those elite ranks with a team the calibre of BOE Motorsports is a great privilege."It's a crucial stage in my career and one step closer to my ultimate dream, so I'm really excited to get 2025 underway. There are plenty of things I want to tick off as I learn in my rookie year but, most importantly, I want to make sure I'm constantly improving - it's a big step up with lots of challenges like new tracks, a new bike, a new team."Those are all things I'm going to have to contend with so the focus will be on fighting for points consistently and making sure I continue to progress as a racer."Buchanan's evolution in the sport has been swift since his debut race in 2019. He already has six New Zealand championships to his credit and has spent the past four years competing against the world's best young talents in Europe as part of Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and the FIM JuniorGP World Championship.This year with AGR Racing he has secured two podiums, a pole position and five top-five finishes. With one round remaining in Portugal from 25-27 November, he sits eighth and was still in the hunt for second overall, just 16 points adrift.Published by permission

The government has set aside close to 9000 hectares for Ngāi Tahu and the Crown to assess for offshore aquaculture in Southland.Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced the five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas in Invercargill on Friday, saying they include areas suitable for salmon, mussel, and seaweed farming.They are offshore from Port Pegasus, Rarotoka South, Rarotoka North, Ruapuke, and Port Adventure, in the Foveaux Strait, near Rakiura and Invercargill.Iwi are promised the equivalent of 20 percent of all consented aquaculture space under the Māori Commercial Aquaculture Claims Settlement Act 2004.Jones said the government was committed to its goal of aquaculture becoming a $3 billion industry by 2035."Making space for this kind of exploration with Ngāi Tahu today will bring the certainty needed for jobs, opportunities and export dollars tomorrow," he said.A map of the Southland's proposed Aquaculture Settlement Areas. Photo: Supplied / Office for Minister Shane JonesAll current fishing within the zones could continue during the exploration phase and any space Ngāi Tahu wanted to develop into aquaculture ventures would be subject to the resource consent process, he said.Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa said they were keen to explore sustainable aquaculture for food security and to ensure a healthy environment.Six Aquaculture Settlement Areas were recently declared in Otago, including three offshore zones north of Dunedin, two onshore sites near Moeraki and another close to Karitāne."When we approach these opportunities, we are thinking of the generations to come after us," Tipa said."Oceans are warming, and the world population is growing. Aquaculture is becoming essential to providing people with healthy protein, while reducing the pressure on wild fish. The technology makes it possible for farms to thrive in the open ocean."Aquaculture - when done well and in the right places - had big potential, creating jobs and boosting the economy, Tipa said.The next steps included detailed surveying of each site.Published by permission

Invercargill Police are appealing for information in their search for missing Invercargill teen.Skylah was reported missing from the Glengarry area and Police have concerns for her welfare.She was last seen on Friday 8 November.If you have seen her or have any information that might help with our enquiries, please get in touch via 105, quoting reference number 241110/2277

Below is a list of planned roadwork sites on Southland state highways next week where you may experience delays.** Partial road closure for event on Saturday 16th November, 7am – 5pm, SH6 Great North Road, for the northbound lanes only. Detour for light vehicles via Bute/Park/Grange Streets. Heavy vehicle detour via Gap Rd West/Winton Substation Rd/Winton Wreys Bush highway.Highways South work with temporary traffic lights and temporary speed limits:SH6 Jollies hill, digouts/pavement renewalSH93 Old Coach Road near Hurst Road, pavement repair               SH93 Old Coach Road east of Hurst Road, pavement repair          SH93 Old Coach Road near Waikana Road, pavement repair        SH93 Old Coach Road east of Jeff Road, pavement repair              SH94 near Balfour, pavement renewalSH94 west of Mossburn, pavement renewal SH96 Winton-Hedgehope highway near Norman Road, pavement repair SH96 Winton-Hedgehope highway at Browns, pavement repair SH96 Winton-Wreys Bush highway from Transmission Line Road to Bayswater Road, pavement repair     SH98 Lorne Dacre Road near Kennington-Roslyn Bush Road, pavement repair     Roadmarking - There will also be a team completing roadmarking on SH1 between Edendale & Bluff, working under mobile traffic management.Third party work and events with traffic management in place this week:SH1 Gore St Bluff, lane shift for pole replacementSH1 Bluff Highway at Ocean Beach, stop/go for powerline workSH1 Clyde St Invercargill, lane drop for watermain RenewalSH1 Clyde St Invercargill, lane drop for replacement of foul sewerSH1 Tay St Invercargill, westbound lane drop and turning restrictions at Nith St for watermain RenewalSH6 Dee St Invercargill, southbound lane drop for watermain renewal (nightworks)SH6 Dee St at Leet St Invercargill, lane drop and detour for open trenchingSH6 Great North Road Winton, northbound lanes closure with detour for event **Saturday 16th only – see aboveSH97 Mossburn, stop/go for powerline maintenanceSH99 Wrights Bush, stop/go for trenchingUpcoming work/eventsMid-Late November, SH1 Clyde St at Tweed St roundabout, watermain work with roundabout access restrictions Late November, SH99 Lorneville overbridge, pavement renewalLate November, SH1 Bluff highway, digouts30th November - Invercargill Santa Parade, SH6 Dee St closure8th December - Gore Christmas Parade, SH1 Main St closure24th December - Riverton Santa Parade, SH99 Palmerston St closureJanuary/February – SH1/SH6 inner city Invercargill asphalt renewalJanuary – SH6 Jollies hill, pavement renewalJanuary – SH96 Glencoe, pavement renewalFebruary – SH1 Bluff highway, pavement renewalFebruary – SH99 Tuatapere, pavement renewal Useful links:NZTA Journeys website - https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-plannerFreight Impact Register - https://www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial-driving/trucks-and-tow-trucks/potential-restrictions-affecting-freight/ - download and filter the region for ‘Southland’. This will indicate any upcoming work in the next fortnight which have closures, detours or width restrictions for freight.Thanks for following the traffic management on our worksites, both when teams are working and when the sites are unattended, for the safety of our crew, other road users and to protect the road surface. 

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Otautau born Brittany Smith has won the Senior woolhanding title while Amy Ferguson has taken out the Open woolhanding title, on the first day (14 Nov) of the Canterbury Shears’ national Corriedale shearing and woolhandling championships held in Christchurch.This is just the second competition Smith has entered. Her first competition was 12-months ago when she won junior national title at the same event.Smith started life on a family sheep and deer farm around Otautau before moving to Christchurch - where she is now based and studying for a Masters in Landscape Architecture.However she has never lost her interest in wool and continues to work part-time as a woolhandler for Christchurch contractor Pullin Shearing.Smith said she had been encouraged by many woolhandlers who have taken the time to teach me well.“I would like to travel to more shows this season.""I'd like to try another show at some point. Depends on the season here,” she said.Fellow Southland woolhandler Amy Ferguson's Open section win now gives the experienced woolhander - whose career spans 25 finals over 14 years - three national titles to her name.Amy Ferguson. Photo: Thomas LambertShe previously won the junior national title in 2008 before going on to win the senior title in 2009.The championships finish today (15 Nov) with the national Open, Senior, Intermediate and Junior Corriedale shearing championships, with the Open heats attracting a strong field as the third leg in the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit.Day One Results of the Canterbury Shears in Christchurch (Nov 14)Shearing - Donaghys Canterbury Circuit final (14 sheep)Hugh De Lacy (Rangiora) 16m 28.5s, 59.71pts, 1Willy McSkimming (Kurow) 16m17.91s, 63.4pts, 2Shaun Burgess (Rakaia) 18m 27.72s, 67.53pts, 3Thomas Lambert (Christchurch) 18m 53s, 68.44pts, 4Dave Brooker (Cust) 19m 8.78s, 69.08pts, 5Alex Smith (Rakaia) 20m 48.78s, 73.51pts, 6New Zealand Corriedale Woolhandling Championships - Open finalAmy Ferguson (Invercargill/Alexandra) 130.106pts, 1Joel Henare (Gisborne/Motueka) 134.024pts, 2Cushla Abraham (Masterton) 139.418pts, 3Charis Morrell (Alexandra) 4New Zealand Corriedale Woolhandling Championships - Senior finalBrittany Smith (Christchurch) 104.626pts, 1Nadine Smith (Christchurch) 156.58pts, 2Hemi Paniora (Christchurch) 238.124pts, 3.New Zealand Corriedale Woolhandling Championships - Junior finalJayda Malanta (Te Kaha) 72.844pts, 1Richanna Clarke (Seddon) 77.268pts, 2Tessa Kirdy (Ashburton) 88.782pts, 3Miriama Thompson (-) 4

Milford Road OPENNO Avalanche HazardNo delays expected for the next few days. Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Patchy showers.Tomorrow: Fine, morning showers south of Lake Gunn.Sunday: Fine.Monday: Cloud.Tuesday: Showers / rain.

Invercargill City Council has decided to financially support a Waitangi Day event outside of the region — but there’s a catch.Its contribution will depend on other southern councils coming to the party and lending a hand too.Queenstown Lakes District Council will host the event next February in lieu of there being no marae in the area to do so.Ahead of the big day, Queenstown mayor Glyn Lewers has requested the four Southland councils give a total $40,000 to match the contribution of Otago councils.A report prepared for an Invercargill City Council committee meeting on Tuesday said there was “shared concern” amongst southern mayors that their councils were not in a position to make a financial contribution.With questions raised at the meeting about whether Queenstown was hosting an official Waitangi Day event, mana whenua representative Panie Coote provided some clarity.Coote said the Treaty had been signed in four places in the South Island, and two of those sat within the local catchment — Ruapuke and Otago Heads.Queenstown was now being treated as a shared area between Southland and Otago, she said.“Just to be clear, a koha is a gift. It’s what people can afford, it’s not a set amount.“And knowing that this is outside our area, I think it would be generous to provide any kind of contribution, but I still think that ten (thousand) is a bit high.”Councillor Alex Crackett said Waitangi Day was important for all New Zealanders and people would still make the trip to Queenstown.For councillor Darren Ludlow, priority needed to go to local events, although he supported an offer that matched neighbouring councils.Mayor Nobby Clark said he had already given tentative support for making a contribution, but pointed out Otago was home to more councils than Southland, which spread their costs out.Ultimately, it was decided that a lesser amount of $5000 would be given, so long as it was matched by the other Southland councils. Clark would be given authority to confirm the amount.The money would be used to help with traffic management, catering, performance, transport and waste management.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Southland aquaculture has just received a major boost after it was announced today (14 Nov) that Bluff based company Ocean Beach NZ is to receive a $2.2 million loan from the Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF).Ocean Beach NZ has established itself as a centre of excellence and innovation, fostering economic growth and sustainable industry practices that benefit the entire community.Managing Director of Ocean Beach, Blair Wolfgram said the investment would allow Ocean Beach to enhance its site with key infrastructure developments, including expanded land-based farming pods, robust biosecurity facilities, essential electrical network upgrades, and repairs to the historic site’s buildings.The expansion of the site would also help Southland tap into global demand while preserving its rich, unspoiled marine environment, creating an aquaculture site that stands for both excellence and sustainability.Wolfgram also expressed excitement for what this development would mean to Southland’s communities and industries.“This is a remarkable opportunity for Southland to lead the way in land-based aquaculture excellence.”“With the RIF support, we’ll be able to reinforce Ocean Beach’s position as a centre where emerging aquaculture businesses can grow, learn, and sell their product from the heart of Bluff.""This site’s expansion means creating more local jobs, attracting further investment, and generating a platform for future-proofing aquaculture in the region."Great South CEO Chami Abeysinghe said the expansion of Ocean Beach represented a critical step forward in positioning Southland as a leader in aquaculture and aligns with our vision of a thriving, sustainable regional economy."The investment by Ocean Beach, supported by central government, lays a strong foundation for Southland’s goal to make aquaculture a $1 billion industry by 2035.""There will be innovation, new jobs and new business opportunities.""We’re optimistic about the positive ripple effects this growth will have on our region, creating a pathway to sustained economic development,” Abeysinghe said.

Repertory Invercargill is heralding the festive season yet again with its Annual Christmas Pantomime - oh yes it is!Thirteen cast members are hard at work rehearsing for the classic pantomime Cinderella and her Ugly Sisters, by Ben Crocker.Directed by Repertory past president Nigel Edwards and Peter Thwaites, Cinderella tells the story of a waif, bullied by her stepmother and two incredibly ugly stepsisters, who is loved by two men and befriended by her Fairy Godmother, Buttons and a Mouse.Seasons sell out every year for these funny, silly and endearing plays, Edwards says.“We put Pantomimes on for the sheer joy they bring to families, cast and crew,” he says.“Pantos are for all the family, young and old, and audiences are part of the show with interaction with the cast, booing the baddies and cheering for the goodies.”Performed by city theatre stalwarts Lyndal and Darren Ludlow and Sebastien Fabre along with many familiar faces, Repertory’s annual Panto is held at a time of year when families are ready for a break and to have some fun, Edwards says.“We keep ticket prices low so all families can come and enjoy the show and then have pictures taken with the cast afterwards. It’s heaps of very silly fun.”Cinderella and her Ugly StepsistersBy Ben CrockerRepertory House, InvercargillWednesday 27 November to Sunday 1 December, evening and matinee shows.Adults $18, Children $8, Two adults and 3 children $45Tickets via Repertory website www.invercargillrepertory.co.nz

A southern council has taken a step towards freeing up land for development despite pushback from the community.Thirty-seven hectares of Invercargill’s Donovan Park have been earmarked for potential alternate use, but there are a number of hoops to jump through before it gets the green light.That includes creation of a proposal for revocation and sale, consultation with mana whenua and DOC, approval from full council, public consultation, a hearing, as well as a ministerial sign-off.On Tuesday, the council’s community wellbeing and regulatory committee agreed a revocation process - which would remove the reserve status- could begin after the area’s reserve management plan is approved in May.A number of issues were raised about the land in question during debate, including where funds from a potential sale would end up and whether it was suitable to build on.Mayor Nobby Clark said he had been approached by about 15 developers in the past 18 months who were interested in farmland at the park.Donovan Park is a 79-hectare area located at the northern end of Invercargill. It includes farmland, a rugby field and even a restaurant. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDRThat included interest from aged care and retirement developers who said they would be willing to pay $1 million a hectare, he said.“We should be brave enough to take the chance that we get turned back on this, because the alternative is we just graze a few sheep on it at the moment, which is hardly productive use of such high value land.”But a report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting noted a decision to not progress the revocation would show the council was listening to the community because people had voiced opposition during consultation on the park's masterplan and management plan.It also noted the matter had not been specifically addressed and another public notification would be required if the council decided to push on.Donovan Park is a 79-hectare area at the northern end of Invercargill home to farmland and a number of groups including a rugby club, nursery and organic garden.The council has identified the agriculture and events areas of the park as those with the most potential for alternate land use, which includes housing.If a portion of the land is sold, funds would likely be put aside by the council for the purpose of other reserves in the city.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Experienced cyclists will soon find it easier to travel between Central Otago and Southland's Great Rides, with the formal opening on Friday (15 Nov) of the new 77km Nevis Valley Heartland Ride.The ride follows an existing 4-wheel-drive track and links Central Otago's Lake Dunstan cycle trail - at Bannockburn - with Northland Southland's Around the Mountain cycle trail - at Garston.While the route promises spectacular views and a chance to see relics of the gold-mining era, its gravel tracks, multiple fords and challenging 1275 metre elevations justify its advanced grade-4 status.Southland District Council's Around the Mountain Cycle Trail manager Susan Mackenzie said the new ride was really exciting because it linked the two regions and showed people that there was also cycle trails in Southland that they could enjoy."We're always trying to draw those people who have completed those cycle trails in Otago, down to Southland, and we see it as a good link between the two."Heartland Rides are seen as links between New Zealand's Great Rides, which included both the Lake Dunstan and Around the Mountain cycle trails, Mackenzie said.Climb to Duffers. Photo: J KennettHowever the new Nevis cycle trail would be challenging and may not suit the average cycle trail rider."I guess you need to be quite sort of courageous and ready to go through fords and over big mountains and be really fit," Mackenzie said.The Nevis route is already used by participants in the annual Sound to Sound bikepacking ride, a 1500km cycle journey involving up to 25 riders who travel from Marlborough's Queen Charlotte Sound to Milford Sound, she said.It is hoped his addition to the existing Otago and Southland cycle trails network will encouraging longer visits and economic benefits for local communities.The trail has had new signage erected but limited cell phone coverage. It will also be subject to seasonal closures due to weather or farming activities.