No wallabies have been found in the Te Anau area despite an extensive search by Environment Southland using dogs, trail cameras and thermal camera drones.South Island wallabies are found in the Waimate area of South Canterbury. They are an introduced pest which can seriously impact the environment, biodiversity, and economy.The ES investigation was prompted after a reported wallaby sighting by a member of the public near Te Anau's control gates in report in mid-September.This followed two earlier reports of wallaby near Te Anau, and three reports on the Te Anau - Mossburn highway since 2022, which all turned out to be negative.An initial investigation of the latest sighting identified possible wallaby scat and a detector dog indicated the possible presence of an animal.Environment Southland biosecurity and biodiversity operations manager Ali Meade said the scat was sent away for DNA sampling and the results have come back inconclusive, likely due to the age of the sample and the weather prior to the period it had been collected.The next stage of the investigation involved specialists working with trained wallaby scat and indicator dogs, trail cameras and thermal camera drones, working from the Te Anau township, along the Lake Te Anau foreshore to the Waiau River and down to Supply Bay Road.“No indications of a wallaby presence were found during this stage.""Undertaking such a comprehensive search allows us to reassure the public that it is highly unlikely that a wallaby population has established in the area,” Meade said.“We appreciate the support the public has shown to keeping Te Anau wallaby-free.”The search will now be closed off unless further credible reports are received, she said.Wallabies are a pest because they can cause significant economic and environmental impacts as they eat grass, native shrubs and trees. They can damage pasture and fences, add to erosion issues and damage young tree seedlings.“We really want to thank the public for being alert about this threat and reporting. It would be devastating for a population of wallabies to establish in the region," Meade said.“We’d also like to thank the landowners who allowed us to search their properties and ask that they continue to be our eyes on the ground so we can respond rapidly to any incursion.”The Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme is working nationally to contain wallabies to the known core population areas, remove wallabies found outside them and over time to reduce wallaby numbers and the sizes of the areas they populate.CLICK HERE to report all sightings or signs of wallabies.

NoticesFiordland Trails Trust AGMMossburn Rugby Club AGMEventsHokonui Culture Feast

Milford Road OPENAvalanche Hazard LOWNo significant road delays envisaged from now until at least Monday. Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Cloudy, late showers.Tomorrow: Cloudy, a few showers.Sunday: Cloudy, a few showers.Monday: Occasional rain.Tuesday: Occasional rain.

Eight Southland businesses and groups, and one individual were honoured at the 28th Environment Southland Community Awards, held this evening (17 Oct) in Invercargill.The awards provide a platform for environmental leaders throughout Murihiku Southland to be celebrated and for their stories to be told.Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said he and his fellow councillors are proud to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding environmental achievements and the people driving them.“This is my seventeenth awards and I can’t help but reflect on the power of positive action.""Each year a new group of environmental leaders uplift, empower and encourage so many others to do more.""Their stories are amazing and inspiring, and their mahi benefits not only us, but those who come after us, too,” he said.Winners of the 2024 Environment Southland Community AwardsEnvironmental Action in Biodiversity and BiosecuritySponsored by Invercargill Licensing TrustWinner: Aparima River Restoration ProjectEnvironmental Leadership and Innovation in BusinessSponsored by Aon New ZealandWinner: Kiwi SkipsHighly commended: Fonterra EdendaleEnvironmental Action in the CommunitySponsored by WM EnvironmentalWinner: Otatara Landcare GroupHighly commended: Makarewa Headwaters Catchment GroupEnvironmental Action in EducationSponsored by FonterraWinner: Heddon Bush SchoolEnvironmental Leadership in FarmingSponsored by Wynn WilliamsWinner: Blair & Jody DrysdaleIndividual Environmental Leadership or ActionSponsored by ANZWinner: Shona SangsterEnvironmental Action in Water Quality ImprovementSponsored by Southland Fish & GameWinner: Balfour Catchment Group Councillors’ AwardThe Department of Conservation Pukunui Southern NZ Dotterel Recovery TeamKaitiaki Tohu Pai AwardWinner: Alan Watson (posthumous)Celebrated with, and presented to, his daughter Natalie Rosel for Alan’s tireless work with Sunrise Rotary to raise public awareness about what goes down stormwater drains ends up in our streams, rivers and estuaries.

From Auckland’s own Mustang Sally to Southland’s Mustang Stan, more than 300 Mustang lovers have been rolling and roaring into Invercargill in the past few days sporting an impressive line-up of 150 Mustangs from around the country.It’s the Southern Mustang Club’s turn to host the Annual National Mustang Convention – the 45th, and committee member Tony Forde says members from throughout Otago and Southland have been fundraising and preparing to stage the event for seven years.This year’s convention celebrates the 60th birthday of the Mustang, first produced in the United States by Ford in 1964. Forde says the first Mustang was seen in New Zealand the following year – 1965.SMC member and 2020 RTR Fastback owner, Donna, has her orange Mustang beauty all spruced up and ready for show. Photo: SuppliedHe says there’s been “quite a convoy” progressively making its way south down State Highway 1 and through Central Otago.And it’s not just the boys who like to get behind that full throttle. An Auckland woman has driven her black, 1000horsepower Mustang, dubbed ‘Evil’, south, just for the event, her car expected to be quite a drawcard. Forde says even 500horsepower is considered extremely powerful.While brand new, righthand drive Mustangs arrived in NZ in 2015, Forde says the “true believers” will be sporting their left-hand drive originals.It’s seven years since Southern club members hosted the event and they’re going all out with a massive Mustang Car Show at the ILT Stadium from 10am until 4pm on Saturday (19 October), which is open to the public for $10 entry.Ascot Park Hotel will host a social function tomorrow night (Friday, 18 October) and a 1960s-themed Mustang Party on Saturday night, before Sunday’s Mustang Car Run to Holt Park in Otautau for lunch followed by a few laps at Teretonga. Bill Richardson Transport World is hosting Sunday night’s Gala Dinner Prizegiving Night with judges awarding trophies and prizes across all classes and models throughout the 60 years with a People’s Choice vote going to the favourite car. Immaculate presentation will be key from convertibles to sedans.Forde says there will be a farewell breakfast on Monday before all 150 cars roll on out of town.With the club working towards staging this prestigious event since 2017, he says it’s a great thrill to have such a great turnout and to be able to show Mustang lovers from around the country some true southern hospitality.The club is very grateful for the strong support from sponsors and community funders, which has been a great help in staging the event.

On behalf of NZ Transport Agency, Highways South will be starting the renewal of two more stretches of state highway in northern Southland over the next few months:West of MossburnThe team are beginning reconstruction of a section of highway west of Mossburn township from October 21st for approximately 4-5 weeks.Temporary traffic lights will be in place between 6am and 8pm Monday – Saturday and a temporary speed limit will be in place throughout the 4-5 weeks. For those travelling to Milford/Doubtful Sound and Te Anau, please make sure you build enough time into your journeys to accommodate delays - approximately 15 minutes.Balfour The team will also be starting the reconstruction of a section of highway west of Balfour from about October 28th for approximately 2-3 weeks.Temporary traffic lights will be in place between 6am and 8pm Monday – Saturday and a temporary speed limit will be in place throughout the 2-3 weeks.Please allow extra time for your journey, we expect delays of approximately 10-15 minutes.The dates and timing of this work is subject to favourable weather and conditions.A notification on the NZ Transport Agency’s Journey planner and our Facebook page will give up to date information over the duration of the work.We appreciate your patience and tolerance for our crews while we improve the condition of state highway 94 in these areas.** Please note that the previously communicated closure of SH94 between Mossburn and Lumsden for work which is currently underway is no longer happening, the site will continue to run temporary traffic lights.

More than 40 clinical directors across the southern region have written to the government warning it of the risks in changing the Dunedin Hospital rebuild.The very senior doctors have each signed a letter to Christopher Luxon, and his ministers of health, finance and infrastructure, warning services could be left in a "precarious" state.The ministers are considering changing what is built, and when, after costs escalated to over $1.8 billion.But the letter says the current design for the New Dunedin Hospital (NDH) was the culmination of numerous clinicians giving extensive input.44 clinical directors across the southern region have written to the government warning it of the risks in changing the Dunedin Hospital rebuild. Photo: Supplied"Each square metre ... has been carefully considered, including embedding expectations of higher efficiency, standardisation of spaces, and future flexibility, all while keeping patient safety front of mind," they wrote on Tuesday."We are concerned that the proposals to achieve cost savings at this late and time-pressured stage risk leaving the NDH in a clinically and operationally precarious state, and we will fail to realise those savings."Their letter called for "extreme caution" and for any changes to satisfy the same clinical standard.Clinical directors from Dunedin, Balclutha, Gore, Dunstan, Southland, Oamaru and the Queenstown areas all signed the letter, to Luxon, Shane Reti, Nicola Willis and Chris Bishop.Last year, National promised to fully fund the hospital build, and earlier this year it said it aimed to reinstate parts of the project cut under Labour to save money.The Ministers now say new costings show several hundred million dollars would be added on top of the budget that they put an extra $290m into in May, to get to $1.88 billion.One option they are now looking at is refurbishment of the old ward block, but the doctors' letter warned: "Recent experiences with even modest refurbishments resulted in a cascade of knock-on adverse clinical ramifications and patient risk across multiple floors of the hospital."Tens of thousands of people marched in protest in Dunedin late last month.The clinical directors in the new letter said they had "a deep understanding of our services and relationships with the community we serve", and people needed a strong regional tertiary (advanced) service that also provided clinical training. Dunedin recently lost its ability to train oncologists due to staff shortages."We believe that the proposed changes to the New Dunedin Hospital pose a significant threat to achieving these goals," they said.Redesigns had already cut back on its size, to a bare minimum, not factoring in extra pressure from the growing Queenstown-Lakes area, according to peer reviews, the letter said. A major review two years ago had led to an "unacceptably small" design for pathology services "and now a disproportional cost required to mitigate this decision".They remained open to cost management and "thoughtful" changes "providing that these demonstrate equal clinical integrity, equal focus on patient safety, embrace flexibility and standardisation, include appropriate redundancy, minimise impact to the programme, and provide meaningful capital and operational cost savings"."We call on the government to satisfy itself that all these conditions have been met before accepting any proposals for change to the NDH design."In response to the letter, Reti said ministers met twice with clinical and health team leads when they visited Dunedin last month to announce their response to a cost blowout."We recognise and value the commitment and dedication of clinicians around this project," he said."Their insight and inputs will continue to be valued as the process moves forward."Ministers had no choice, he said, because if Dunedin continued to go "so far over budget, it puts hospital builds in Nelson, Whangārei, Hawke's Bay, Palmerston North and Tauranga at risk".The government had put an extra $290m into the build already, "but as you're aware, an independent review has shown that the project has now become so troubled that this still isn't enough".That May review was followed by other cost assessments, which RNZ has sought copies of."I want to assure the people of Dunedin and the south, clinicians and health workers, that Health New Zealand and ministers are fully committed to making sure we deliver long overdue solutions to their region's health infrastructure," Reti said.'We're going to listen' - RetiAsked at Parliament if he is concerned at the warning about a "precarious" state, Reti said, "Look, that would be a concern but that's what we're working through, obviously with the options that are in front of us, the two options, so we'll take that into account."Course we're going to listen to what they said to us."The two options are:Changing the project's specs and scope, such as reducing the number of floors, delaying the fit-out of some areas or keeping services on the existing hospital siteBuilding a new clinical services building and refurbishing the existing ward tower on the old hospital siteReti said the doctors could follow up their concerns through a clinical transformation group attached to the project, whose chair Dr Sheila Barnett, signed the letter.Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop had yet to read the letter sent on Tuesday but said it was being considered."The officials from Health New Zealand will be working through that as part of the advice they are giving to Cabinet around reducing the cost of the new Dunedin hospital project. We've asked for urgent advice."Bishop said the government stood by its decision a month ago that the new Dunedin Hospital as it was, was undeliverable within an affordability threshold the government was comfortable with.Mayor supportive of clinicians' stanceDunedin's mayor Jules Radich was not surprised by the letter and supported the clinicians' call."They've been involved in this painstaking exercise over many years to get that hospital figured out and the right size," Radich said."For goodness sake, Prime Minister, listen to what the experts are saying to you. They are imploring you to build this hospital the right size."He believed Dr Reti was driven to build the hospital to the right size, but said, "the forces of finance are pressing on him".Radich urged the government not to make a short-term capital expense saving that would cost far more in operational expenses for years to come."It's a false economy. The clinicians know that and I believe the Minister of Health knows that."The government needed to build the hospital once and build it right for the job it was designed for, he said.Published with permission

Nine Southlanders have joined 8 other New Zealanders on the ultimate adventure, a 14-day climb to the base camp (5364m above sea level) of the world's highest peak - Mt Everest.Six are members of Te Anau's Meskauskas family - Jason and Vicki (Mum and Dad) and Aidan, Hallum, Miller and Alice.They will be joined by fellow Southlanders - Wilsons Vege owner Kathy Wilson, Southland Hospital ED nurse manager Barb Ellison and Orphan Aid CEO Sue van Schreven.Te Anau's Meskauskas family have been training on Fiordland's alpine tracks in preparation for their accent to Mt Everest's base camp. Photo: SuppliedThe adventure will be not only be a personal challenge but will also act as a fundraiser for locally based charity Orphans Aid International.Orphans Aid International was started in Invercargill in 2004 by Sue van Schreven and has now gone on to feed around 2000 children a week and reach over 5000 extreme needs children around the world annually.The charity's “What’s Your Everest” fundraiser aims to raise $150,000 for projects to feed and educate homeless children in India.The Meskauskas', Te Anau locals since 2018, have been training all year for the event and have made countless treks to Fiordland's Luxmore hut and around the Mavora Lakes.Vicki, the accounts manager for the charity, knows only too well what the family is fundraising for having seen first-hand the slums of India and Nepal.The rest of the family will be taking time off work to tackle to climb - Jason works for Te Anau Earthworks while Aiden and Millar both work for Paul Young Builder.Members of Orphan Aid International pause on the banks of India's Ganges River, before their trek to Mt Everest's base camp. Photo: SuppliedAlice, a student at Fiordland College, has also been working casually at both the Fat Duck and Annies to help pay for her trip.The family's eldest child, Hallum will join them from Australia - where he now works.The group remains confident of success, despite recent severe flooding in Kathmandu and washed out roads which they will have to navigate in a convoy of jeeps.van Schreven, who now bases her charity from Queenstown, said the kind of support and dedication shown by locals was a massive help."It’s been a 20-year journey with many challenges over that time, and many lives changed.""When a family pulls together like this to really help make a difference for some of the world's poorest and those in extreme need, we applaud them and are extremely thankful," she said.All team members will be personally covering their own expenses, van Schreven said.CLICK HERE to support the Meskauskas family.CLICK HERE to support Barb Ellison.CLICK HERE to support Kathy Wilson.CLICK HERE to support Sue van Schreven.

Milford Road OPENAvalanche Hazard LOWA relatively good week of weather.No significant road delays envisaged from now until at least Monday. Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Fine apart from some evening cloud.Tomorrow: Cloudy. Afternoon showers.Saturday: Cloudy, possible showers.Sunday: Cloudy.Monday: Cloudy, rain developing.

Southland Police have commended the bravery of women who came forward in a recent court case, which resulted in a guilty plea and sentencing of a 54-year-old man.The man, charged with making numerous intimate visual recordings of several victims over a five-year period, was sentenced on 9 October to 10.5 months home detention and ordered to pay $3000 emotional harm payment to each of the victims.Detective Senior Sergeant Nicholas Leigh says Police were able to hold this serious offending to account largely thanks to the help of the victims.“The bravery of the women who came forward to assist in the prosecution of this offender cannot be overstated."“While we are pleased with the guilty plea and sentencing in this instance, we are also mindful that offending around intimate visual recordings, blackmail and sextortion continues to be rife around the country."“We often see younger victims being coerced into sharing photos or videos of themselves, their school friends or their family.""In time, these images can be used by offenders as blackmail with threats to post online, or share them with people close to the victim.”Leigh urges parents and caregivers to discuss online safety with young people, and the importance of reporting any online offending. “It pays to be vigilant with people you don’t know – whether that’s meeting online or in person."“Save any online chat, and immediately take screenshots.""This is important for making a report to the Police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.”To report this type of offending, please contact Police on 105, or an online report through Netsafe at netsafe.org.nz/report.

Young Southland racing driver, Jacob Begg, launched his 2024/2025 motor racing campaign at the George Begg Bunker at Classic Motorcycle Mecca in Invercargill on Tuesday evening. It was a very appropriate venue for Begg to announce his plans and unveil his car for this season, a Mygale SJ08, surrounded by the racing cars constructed at Drummond by his great uncle George Begg. The recently turned seventeen-year-old, a Year 12 student at Central Southland College, pulled the covers off the Mygale along with his father David in front of family, sponsors and supporters at the launch and detailed his plans to contest Class 1 in both the New Zealand and South Island Formula Ford Championship’s after a stellar debut season in Class 2 of the South Island Championship last season. Begg will run the Mygale under the Racing Projects banner, the car already having won multiple New Zealand titles including one in the hands of Formula 1 bound kiwi, Liam Lawson. Begg has only had a short shakedown in the car so far but says he would “love to win the championships.” “However, I will go into the season with hardly any seat time, so realistically race wins and pole positions would be ideal.”The step into a Class 1 car is a significant one for Begg as he is still very much in the very early stages of his motor racing career. From a karting background his first foray into cars came in Class 2 of last year’s South Island Championship. Mechanical issues hampered his early season results but as the series came to his home circuit at Teretonga Park he overcame those to finish second in his class for the round before the next round at Timaru where he took pole and won the round with two race wins and two third placings.At the final round of the series at Euromarque Motorsport Park he qualified on pole for the class and won the first two races to take a 41-point lead into the final, double points, race only for a broken driveshaft to cost him the championship. While the driveshaft breakage left him runner-up in the championship it was a stunning result in his rookie season.“The Formula Ford was definitely different to karts. I didn’t get much seat time before the championship started and I hadn’t driven a car at all. I didn’t know how to change gears. I had to learn to drive a manual. I did a lot of learning in a short time. It was very character building.“ At season’s end Jacob was selected to participate in the Elite Motorsport Academy in Dunedin, recognition of a fine rookie season, where he finished third of the eight young drivers present. Jacob’s first outing in the Mygale will be at the first round of the South Island Championship at Timaru International Motor Raceway over the weekend of 2/3 November. Jacob is grateful for the support he receives including that of his family, Lennon Motorsport & Performance, Steph at NRG Health and Fitness and that of his large group of sponsors which stands at forty-four and climbing.

A southern council is taking a no-prisoners approach to those flouting the rules with dog ownership.The number of infringements issued by Southland District Council for the past reporting year — ending June 2024 — has risen by almost 50 percent.Council manager regulatory services Adrian Humphries said his organisation was targeting repeat rule-breakers.“So we are focusing on the bad dog owners and saying, ‘you’re not getting more chances’,” Humphries said.“By the time we’ve issued an infringement notice for registration, they’ve been contacted by us at least five times.“That’s not reasonable conduct on their part if they don’t want to pay it.”A total of 150 infringements were issued for the 2023/24 period, up from 103 for the previous reporting year.Of those infringements, a large bump related to unregistered dogs, which rose from 75 to 114 between periods.Biting dogs was another issue that had arisen lately, he said.“More recently, we’ve got dogs biting everybody for fun it seems. We don’t know why, we’re trying to work that out.”With the council’s dog bylaw set to be reviewed in early 2025, the council had already undertaken some pre-analysis.Humphries said it had revealed a desire for dog parks to be built in certain areas, along with positive feedback for the council's control officers.A total 665 complaints were received for the 2023/24 reporting year, up from 659 the previous year.Dog impoundments had decreased from 57 to 33 between periods.Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

A man sought by Police is believed to be in the Invercargill area.Lennon Auckram, 36, has a Warrant to Arrest and is Wanted by Police.Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts.Members of the public are urged not to approach him, but to contact Police immediately on 111 if he is sighted.If you have information that could assist Police, then please contact them online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or call 105, using the reference number 240816/5257.

She’s been a whistleblower the world over, exposing foul play and making tough calls. Colleen Bond’s done herself and New Zealand proud and she wouldn’t have it any other way.Colleen might be married to James Bond – a real one, but she’s pretty famous in her own right.A highly acclaimed and sought after international netball umpire for some 50 years, Colleen may have retired from the world stage, but she’s still top of her game, mentoring and inspiring young proteges rising through the ranks.This Local Legend story is brought to you with the kind support of AWS LegalShe’s been appointed to call the shots at dozens of the world’s top netball clashes and test matches during her time, touring everywhere from Scotland and England to Jamaica, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.It's an honour she doesn’t take lightly and a role she takes very seriously.“You have to really work hard on your fitness and skills, to be your best, as you just can’t get it wrong,” she says.NZ Umpire Colleen Bond at the 1982 England vs Wales test match. Photo: SuppliedIt’s involved countless hours of commitment, Colleen driving from the home farm near Mataura to Dunedin every Wednesday night during Coca Cola Cup days.“I had to do that. It was my job to build on that experience and prepare,” she says. “You aim to be the best you can.”Things don’t always go smoothly, especially when there are big titles at stake.Colleen once found herself surrounded by an angry Jamaican team on court in Sydney, televised live, after calling out one of their players with a warning for being offside.Even their angry coach chimed in, threatening a mass team walk off, but Colleen stood her ground. Often travelling to strange countries alone, she’s found herself in some compromising situations.“It was a real education at times.”She may supposedly be retired but regular Zoom meetings are the norm and as an international testing panel member, Colleen has just returned from Umpire Panel duties at the Netball Smart NNZ Open Championships.Born in Tapanui, Colleen’s dad managed a farm at Edievale, where she walked 1.5 miles to school. Times were tough then and her mum washed with a copper and worked a butter churn, while raising four kids.Colleen in 1970 with the horse 'Airfare'. Photo: SuppliedSeveral moves to farms outside Gore saw Colleen develop a love of farming and animals and after scoring an admin job at Bannerman Brydone & Folster in Gore, at 16, she was allowed to leave school.A Southland Country and age-group rep netballer from her mid-teens, Colleen was a talented Wing Attack and Centre in her youth, also versatile enough to star when needed as Goal Attack.Colleen played for Southland Country from 1965 to 1968 and was vice captain one year.After marrying her James Bond at 20 they moved to Pukekohe to further his horse training career, and Colleen worked in an accountant’s office, playing for South Auckland/Counties in the Opens for two years and achieving zone level in umpiring.In 1971 they moved back to Mataura where they’d purchased a property.Colleen played and umpired Southland netball, quickly passing her qualifications up to her NZ theory badge.This Local Legend story is brought to you with the kind support of AWS Legal“Violet Lynch (Anderson), my Ex High Club coach, was responsible for me taking the whistle,” she says.“We’d run from Wigan Street in Gore up to the old netball courts in Preston Street, about two miles, for training. She never let me off shuttles either,” grins Colleen.“Violet was a NZ umpire and always encouraged me to work through the qualification levels to achieve my NZ Practical level. I worked my way through, and I enjoyed it.”Colleen’s also umpired at 28 NZ Nationals and after many trips overseas with the Silver Ferns as one of NZ’s top umpires, she’s now retired.“It makes you feel very humble when you get an appointment with the Silver Ferns,” she says.Dame Lois Muir would always ensure Colleen felt part of the team, her first trip out of NZ with the Ferns to England and Wales in the early 1980s.“For me it was quite daunting, but she was amazing.”Colleen being recognised at NZ Nationals by NZ Umpire President Fay Freeman. Photo: SuppliedIt was also Rhonda Meads’ first trip with the Ferns and the overseas media only wanted to interview her because she was Colin Meads’ daughter.“Lois wouldn’t allow her to go on her own, so she’d have the captain attend with her, where the interview, supposedly about netball, turned out more about rugby,” Colleen says."Lois was very inclusive, even with me.”Dame Lois, Lyn Gunson, Yvonne Willering, Wai Taumaunu were among the wonderful names she worked with.Colleen umpiring the Australia v's Jamaica test match. Photo: SuppliedShe had been reserve for the World Championships three times and was about to give it up in 2003 when she was appointed to her first World Tournament in Jamaica. Colleen, a Kiwi household name umpiring the National Bank Cup, went on to the World Games in Germany and Holland and appointments in Fiji and Samoa before retiring.Colleen still treasures those memories, the James Bond bolts and chains hanging on her hotel door when one player prankster was at work and the little clogs team manager Lady Sheryl Wells gave her in Holland.In Germany once Colleen was concentrating hard on the goal line controlling a shooter when the players all roared with laughter. “I thought, ‘What have I done? I hadn’t seen that the pole had slipped down from 10 foot to 3 foot.”Colleen brings prestige to the game and strives to maintain that high standard. It’s imperative that umpires present with high level standards and rules knowledge for games and dress smartly in whites.Colleen Bond coaching the Southland Smokefree Champs. Photo: SuppliedUnfortunately, two new hips prevent her from running at her old pace, but she’s coached the Ex High Premier team for more than 20 years.She’s pretty chuffed that they won the Eastern Premier Competition and the (new) Centre’s Premiership Competition this season.“I did help umpire one game this season and I’d never normally lower myself to wear track pants, but I told them I’m not getting dressed in whites or tanning my legs,” she laughs.Colleen presenting her trophy to umpires Sasha McLeod and Kristie Simpson. Photo: SuppliedFor many years Colleen’s been inspiring new umpires and coaching for Netball South, covering Otago and Southland, mentoring many southern international successes.She’s even entertained the entire Namibian netball team at home.“They each had a ride in a sulky driving a horse around our home race training track, also fascinated with climbing our haystack.”Colleen receives her Member of the NZ Order of Merit Honour from former Governor General Jerry Mateparae. Photo: SuppliedProudly displayed in her kitchen is her Member of the NZ Order of Merit Honour, awarded by former Governor General Jerry Mateparae, and Gore District Civic Award.You won’t catch her skiting about them though, quite the opposite, just like you won’t catch her giving out her age. “You’re only as old as you feel,” she grins.Colleen’s a dab hand with the reins too, now an accomplished harness horse driver and stable hand for husband Jimmy’s trotters, her workouts on the home racetrack keeping her looking ripped.“Horse driving is part of life now. It keeps me fit.”But Colleen clearly gets the most joy from helping grow new quality umpiring stars, and seeing southerners reach international ranking.“They don’t come along every day, but to work with the ones that really want it, for me, that’s just so exciting.”

Four local men were caught illegally whitebaiting at the Waiau River mouth last night (15 Oct).Officers discovered the men were discovered fishing outside of the regulated hours, while conducting compliance checks as part of Operation Inaka - a joint operation between Police, the Department of Conservation, Fisheries New Zealand, and Te Rūnaka o Ōraka-Aparima.Western Southland Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Pete Graham said the men's nets were seized, and they would now face enforcement by the Department of Conservation.Penalties for people found illegally fishing whitebait can include having their fishing equipment seized and possibly destructed, while any whitebait caught would be returned to the river. They can also face a $400 fine or court prosecution.Graham said the aim of the operation was to target and apprehend offenders who were partaking in illegal activity by fishing outside the legal fishing hours, participating in anti-social behaviours, or driving impaired.“Although this is a disappointing result, previous compliance checks on Sunday 18 August resulted in no issues and Police did not observe anyone illegally fishing before the beginning of the whitebaiting season on 1 September."“To avoid any confusion, we encourage all whitebaiters to educate themselves on the rules and regulations to ensure their 2024 whitebaiting season goes swimmingly,” he said.Department of Conservation Operations Manager, Murihiku District John McCarroll said it was important for all whitebaiters to comply with the whitebait fishing regulations as this would help sustainably manage this precious taonga.Police and the Department of Conservation will continue to work together over the whitebaiting season to monitor any unlawful fishing, or antisocial behaviour.The whitebaiting fishing season for New Zealand, the fishing season is between 1 September and 30 October.For the Chatham Islands, it is from 1 December to the last day of February.Whitebaiting is only permitted on these days between 5am to 8pm, or 6am to 9pm during New Zealand daylight saving.Any whitebaiting outside of these times is illegal.Any illegal or suspicious activity this whitebaiting season should be immediately reported to Police on 111 or call 105 if after the fact. Reports can also be given anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.CLICK HERE for more information on whitebaiting.

-Lochiel School has had a busy Term 3 with preparing for our school production 'Music Mania' which is taking place on Friday, 27th September at the CSC Hall.The production takes you back through a world of music from some all time favourite movies - it is a must see!Alongside preparing for our production, our school PTA have been super busy organising our 2024 Pet Day, which takes place on Friday, 25th October, 2024.This event is open to the community to come and see our beloved pets, arts, crafts and even learn how to line dance!We will also be holding our Scholastic Book Fair on the day - so pop along to purchase some awesome goodies at a great price!Last week we took part in Wig Wednesday to raise funds for child cancer and what a turn out we had!!Lochiel school raised just under $200.00 to go towards this amazing charity which has supported one of our own students in recent years.We were super lucky to have some amazing judges come out - thank you to Maree from Hospice, Howie from Fire & Emergency and Josh, Alannah & Damian from the Police.Our kids loved to meet Dozer the Police Pup in training - he was so cute!Lochiel school wishes everyone a safe and happy Term 3/4 break and look forward to a busy and fun Term 4.Lochiel School proudly supported by Fiordland Escapes

Milford Road OPENAvalanche Hazard LOWA relatively good week of weather.No significant road delays envisaged from now until Monday.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Fine with light winds.Sunday: Cloudy.Tomorrow: Fine apart from areas of morning and evening cloud.Friday: Cloudy, afternoon showers.Saturday: Possible showers.

Two fires that tore through sensitive peat wetlands in 2022 released more than half a million tonnes of carbon dioxide, pushing emissions from New Zealand's peat soils as a whole to a level comparable with BP or Mobil in this country.Scientists have tallied the climate damage from fires at Kaimaumau and Awarua peatlands for the Department of Conservation, two years after fire-fighters struggled to contain the blazes using helicopters and ground crews.The ecologically significant wetlands caught fire separately in 2022 - Awarua (in Southland) from suspected arson, and Kaimaumau (in Northland) when a legal fire to clear gorse to establish avocado orchards spread out of control.The rare, intact peat wetlands are mainly on land managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and are home to rare native species.They also hold deep stores of underground carbon built up over thousands of years.A new report by Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research for DOC said severe drought and drainage of nearby lands made natural wetlands much more flammable, and urged better care of New Zealand's remaining intact peat wetlands to prevent fires taking hold.The carbon naturally stored in peatlands is not covered by New Zealand's Emissions Trading Scheme, but if it was, the report estimated the fires would have cost $32 million in carbon losses based on the current carbon price of about $50 a tonne.Each fire also cost millions to extinguish, with the Kaimaumau fire forcing 30 families to be evacuated.Manaaki Whenua said its best estimates of more than 515,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions from Kaimaumau and more than 104,000 tonnes from Awarua were likely underestimates, and all of the carbon was released into the atmosphere.In addition to those 2022 fires in intact peatlands, deliberate draining of peatlands that have been converted to farming - mainly dairying - produces an estimated 4.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.Adding the impact of the 2022 fires pushes greenhouse gases from peat soil in that year to more than 4.8 million tonnes - above what oil company Mobil produced from all its New Zealand fuel sales in the year to June 2022 (4.7 million), and just shy of BP's tally of 4.9 million tonnes.DOC freshwater scientist Hugh Robertson said calculating the carbon loss "really brings home the impact of wetland fires on New Zealand's stores of carbon".He said peat soils were highly flammable, particularly when they were dried out.He said reducing drainage and protecting wetlands was an important nature-based solution to climate changes, reducing emissions and making peatlands less likely to burn during future droughts.Manaaki Whenua scientist Jack Pronger said the loss of carbon due to the two fires alone represented about 5 percent of New Zealand's total annual emissions target for 2026-2030.Published by permission

Southland clay target shooter Jack Heslip learnt a lot from his first taste of international competition, including the fact he’s not a fan of chicken gizzards.The Te Anau-based Northern Southland College student made his New Zealand debut as part of a seven-strong team at the ISSF junior world championships in Lima, the capital of Peru.The SBS Bank Academy Southland foundation year athlete finished middle of the pack in the Olympic trap event, shooting 105 of the 125 targets he attempted over two days.Experiences were racked up thick and fast during the trip in Lima’s muggy weather. Negotiating the busy and noisy traffic of the nation’s capital was a far cry from Lake Front Drive in Te Anau, and ordering off a foreign menu was also an eye opener.“We went out for an evening meal which looked good on the menu. I got Google translate out and it said steak and chips. It looked like steak so I had a bite and it was very chewy.“In the end it turned out to be chicken gizzards - if you do not know, it is the muscle which moves the stomach to digest the food. Turns out I don’t like chicken gizzards.”Jack did enjoy two days of practice in the competition arena, which provided him with his first experience of shooting in an enclosed range, with green false walls on each side.He hit the first target of his international career on day one, but was a little disappointed to shoot 20 from 25, however he also managed to come back from consecutive misses to shoot 10 targets in a row. His next two rounds returned identical scores of 20 from 25.After a good nights’ sleep he missed his first target on day two, but then shot 24 in a row for his best round of the competition. His final round returned 21 from 25.“I was a little disappointed as this is below what I normally shoot, I was a few targets off my usual numbers,” he said.“I got to talk to different competitors from different nations, which is really eye-opening, and to understand how they go about their study, work and shooting. They have invited me to go and shoot in their country one day. I would like to thank (everyone) for your support and help with sponsorship and support of my fundraising efforts. It was such an amazing experience.”Jack’s next big competition is at the Australian nationals in Sydney in January.