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Speeding incidents down at Southland council
Speeding incidents down at Southland council

02 April 2025, 11:25 PM

Staff at a southern council appear to be slowing down on the roads after the organisation made headlines last year for speeding vehicles.An Environment Southland report prepared for a meeting this week showed that from October to December, 407 speeding events were recorded for cars travelling more than 10km/hr over the limit.That figure was less than half that of the previous quarter where 884 events were recorded.Environment Southland health, safety and risk manager Paul le Roux said the reduction was significant but still relatively high.“There seems to have been some progress since we have been regularly reporting to our managers on their staff’s driving behaviours, and that seems to have had an initial impact,” le Roux said.“The challenge is now to keep that constantly going down.”The total number of high speeding events where staff exceeded the speed limit by more than 20km/hr also dropped from 39 to just four between quartersCouncil cars are fitted with both a monitoring system and an audible alarm that goes off when the speed limit is exceeded.When that occurs, an event is created in the system.A total 240 harsh braking events were recorded in the last quarter, but le Roux said a major contributor was staff driver training at a track.Environment Southland serves one of the largest regions in the country by land area, which was reflected in the number of kms clocked up by staff over the three months — 215,652km.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Disabled people will be ‘further isolated’ if travel subsidy cut
Disabled people will be ‘further isolated’ if travel subsidy cut

02 April 2025, 11:21 PM

A council plan to disincentivise a mobility service amid ballooning costs has been criticised by a disability group.Demand has risen sharply in Invercargill for Total Mobility — a transport initiative for those who struggle to get around.The programme is co-funded by central and local government with 75 percent of each fare subsidised by the two parties, up to a limit.Invercargill's patronage has soared in recent years, jumping from 49,766 to 93,550 between 2020/21 and 2023/24.That led to a report being tabled on Tuesday in hopes to “balance need against financial sustainability”.But CCS Disability Action service manager Rachael Kooman said the scheme was essential for enabling disabled people access to the community, and limiting funding would reduce their ability to undertake everyday activities.“Limiting transport options for disabled people will negatively impact them and make them further isolated.”Council strategic asset planning manager Doug Rodgers said the growth of the scheme was uncontrollable because the council was restricted in limiting its use.The goal was to make it sustainable for both the council and users, he said.One issue affecting the organisation was the government’s decision to cease top-up funding, meaning a projected overspend of $809,000 loomed for the 2025/26 financial year.Other reasons for increased popularity included the overall subsidy increasing from 50 percent to 75 percent and some providers not charging on top of that amount.Mayor Nobby Clark said given some operators were providing rides for free to their clients, it made sense people would increase their trips.“That’s an ideal world, but it comes at a huge cost.”The council ultimately requested staff develop and implement a process to limit trip numbers, while considering cutting the subsidy to 50 percent as a disincentive.No final decision was made at the meeting as the organisation will consult with the disability community before reporting back with options.Any requested change to the subsidy level requires a three month notice period to NZTA Waka Kotahi.Patronage for the service is expected to exceed 125,000 in Invercargill for the current reporting year.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Ben's generosity set to save lives
Ben's generosity set to save lives

02 April 2025, 10:18 PM

Saving lives in Fiordland likely got just a little bit easier after 7-year-old Ben Beatty - a competitor in the recent Te Anau Basin Trail Ride - decided to donate his prize money to the Southern Lakes Helicopters' rescue helicopter.7-year-old Ben (centre) tries out Southern Lakes Helicopters' rescue helicopter for comfort, while his sister Chloe acts as 'the doctor'. Southern Lakes Helicopters Safety Manager Richie Hunter looks on. Photo: Southland AppThe annual Te Anau Basin Trail Ride is based at Manapouri Station, covers nine farm properties and requires up to 80 volunteers.This year's trail ride (22 Feb) attracted 775 riders, the most in the event's 7-year history, however it was not without its mishaps - with three people requiring the services of the attending rescue helicopter and ambulance.Ben won $100 after featuring in the winning photograph, taken by the event's official photographer Chris Watson of Profocus - and chosen by public vote.Very keen on both motorbikes and machinery, Ben unexpectantly announced he was giving his prize money to the rescue helicopter "for saving people".Following Ben's donation trail organisers decided to top up the gift by adding an additional $500.Southern Lakes Helicopters Safety Manager Richie Hunter thanked Ben and trail ride organisers for their contributions and said the donations would most likely go towards carabiners and ribbing plates for the services' rescue nappies.Hunter assured Ben that the money would go towards saving lives.Ben and Chloe Beatty try out the rescue 'nappies'. Ben's donation will likely go towards equipment for this safety gear. Photo: Southland AppAbout the Te Anau Trail RideThe Te Anau Trail Ride is now considered one of the largest local events, by participants, in the basin, and has donated around $125,000 over its 7-year history.,Five groups including the Te Anau Fire Brigade, Mararoa School PTA, Mararoa Community Van, Fiordland Hockey Club and Fiordland College PTA all received donations from this year's event.The trail ride crossed nine properties including Manapouri Station, The Plains Station, Elmwood Station, Manapouri Downs, Mt Brown Station, Cheviot Downs, Lake View, The Ponds and Hillochs Ltd.7-year-old Ben Beatty presents Southern Lakes Helicopters Safety Manager Richie Hunter with his $100 donation "for saving people". Photo: Southland AppSponsorsPlatinum: GWD Hyundai SouthlandGold: Ewan Allan Honda Gore & Frys PlumbingSilver: Placemakers Te Anau; Te Anau Paper Plus; Northern Southland Vet Services; Northern Southland Transport Holdings; Te Anau Plumbing Ltd; Fiordland Aluminium & Joinery; Walsh Contracting; Fiordland Lobster; SouthTec Ltd; Silver Fern Farms; Te Anau Auto Services Ltd; Te Anau Homes Ltd; Lakeside Motels & Apartments; Pro-Focus Photography; Te Anau Trader; Hato Hone St John, Te Anau Events Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC), Fiordland Butchery, Advocate Communications, Te Anau Rugby Club.

Departing PowerNet CE reflects on past 13 years in south
Departing PowerNet CE reflects on past 13 years in south

02 April 2025, 1:49 AM

On the final day with the Southland electricity company before taking up a new role in the North Island with Powerco, PowerNet’s Chief Executive Jason Franklin has had time to reflect on his past 13 years.Franklin said one of his proudest achievements was the transformation in workplace safety.“Our industry is inherently hazardous, so ensuring that work is done safely is critical. Achieving this consistently requires the right culture, leadership, systems, and processes all working together. The entire PowerNet team has put in a huge effort, and they should be proud of where we are today,” Franklin said.Under Franklin’s leadership, PowerNet’s team grew from about 60 to approximately 300 staff.“With the significant electrification planned over the next few decades, PowerNet has a strong, well-equipped team ready to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead,” he noted.“The next five years will be a period of major upgrades and expansions to meet customer demand as we decarbonise and shift more energy use to electricity. PowerNet is in a prime position to help shape that future, which is an exciting opportunity.”Franklin said he would miss both the people and the region.“The region consistently punches above its weight, contributing more to New Zealand than you’d expect given its size.""There’s a highly connected business community, which makes getting things done and driving progress much easier than in many other regions.""I’ll definitely miss that." PowerNet’s General Manager of People, Safety and Communications, David Stevens, will step in as Interim Chief Executive while the company recruits a permanent replacement.

Petition for southern sealing proves too ambitious
Petition for southern sealing proves too ambitious

01 April 2025, 11:00 PM

Invercargill councillors have rejected a petition to seal two roads on the outskirts of the city due to competing demands.In February, a submission was made that Fowler Rd and Staunton Rd be sealed to address issues with dust and damage to cars.But a committee meeting on Tuesday which discussed the cost of the work proved the matter was a bridge too far — for now.Deputy mayor Tom Campbell began discussion by saying it was the wrong year to consider the task from a financial perspective.He believed a complete job was preferable to cheaper options but felt there was not enough money to do it.A report prepared by council staff showed it would cost $108,000 to complete Otta sealing on 1km Fowler Rd — a semi-permanent surface that would suppress dust for about five years.That was in comparison to a regular seal which would cost more than $466,000 to complete.The longer Staunton Rd, 3.3km in length, would cost $297,000 to Otta seal and more than $778,000 to fully seal.Mayor Nobby Clark said interim measures were undesirable while highlighting other roads also needed attention such as Omaui Rd, Huruhuru Rd and part of Black Rd.Lesley Soper was pleased submitters had raised the issue but said the council needed to prioritise.“My feeling would be addressing one isolated one at this time is not the way to proceed when we know we’ve got several to prioritise,” she said.Infrastructure and projects committee chair Grant Dermody summarised the sentiment of elected members as agreeing the work needed to be done while acknowledging there were competing demands amid a tough financial time.Ultimately, the committee decided it would look to place the road on a list for consideration alongside others at the next long-term plan review, which runs at a similar time to the National Land Transport Programme funding round.Contribution from residents as part of a joint-funding option would also be considered.The roads in question are in West Plains, about 15 minutes north-west of the city centre.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Class Action: Fiordland College off to a racing start!
Class Action: Fiordland College off to a racing start!

01 April 2025, 2:22 AM

Term 1 is always a busy term and 2025 has been no exception.The first big event of the year was the Academic Honours Assembly, for students who achieved to a very high standard in 2024.Hunter Ledington Year 12 Photo by student Wade Parkinson Year 12. Photo: supplied.The criteria to gain Fiordland College Academic Honours is:Year 11 - Criteria 18 Overall module grades at Merit/ExcellenceLevel 2 – Pre-requisite 60 Merit or Excellence NQF CreditsLevel 3 – Pre-requisite 60 Merit or Excellence NQF CreditsFergus MacPherson-Martin Year 9. Photo: supplied.Then we had a string of events including the school Athletics Champs, Swimming Champs and Kaiārahi Team Triathlon. Our first Autumn Co-Curricular Week involved each year level participating in school-based activities, water skills, tramping, camping, biking, kayaking and climbing to name but a few.Josh Newton & Morgan Adie - Year 7. Photo: supplied.Co-Curricular Week is a great time for students to excel in areas they are passionate about and spend a week learning outside of the classroom. We also held a Careers Expo with over 15 exhibitors coming to Te Anau to discuss career options with students.Fiordland College proudly supported by Ray White Te Anau - Shannelle Scott.Students have been competing in a wide range of sporting activities including Northern Primary School Athletics, South Island Secondary Schools Orienteering Champs, Southland Otago Secondary Schools Downhill Mountain Bike Champs, South Island Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Champs, Southland Secondary Schools Triathlon Champs, New Zealand Track and Field Champs.Year 8s learning to surf. Photo: supplied.Our students have excelled in some of these events. You can see all the results in our newsletter on the school website or Facebook page.Hamish Fuller dissecting a heart for Year 9 Science. Photo: supplied.In the junior Science class they have been learning about hearts and had the opportunity to dissect one.Definitely a busy term!

Class Action: Wallacetown School back with enthusiasm
Class Action: Wallacetown School back with enthusiasm

01 April 2025, 12:41 AM

Hi EverybodyWe are well and truly back into the swing of school life! It’s been great to catch up with everyone about their holidays, what they are looking forward to this year and hear some of the ideas students have come up with over the holidays that they think would work here at school.There is a nice ‘hum’ around the school and our students are back in the rhythm of work and learning.On Monday classes had their first Kiwi Kaha (Kiwi Can has had a name change) session for the year with our leaders.Back into the swing of school life. Photo: supplied.In week 1 we welcome some new faces and families to Wallacetown School: Arlo and Rosemary have both joined Room 1, and we have welcomed Amelia to Room 2. We hope you enjoy your time at Wallacetown School and all the awesome opportunities and experiences that come with being part of a small school. Arlo and Rosemary have both joined Room 1. Photo: supplied.We have also welcomed Arnika Thompson – Whaea Arnika who is joining us in Room 4. Arnika is in her third and final year of her teacher training at the University of Otago. Arnika will be in for blocks of time throughout the year on placement as well as a number of Mondays.On Fridays we hold our whole school assembly – We also live stream our assemblies on our school Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/wallacetownschool/.This is great for whānau and extended family members who can’t make it/live away etc.Life Walk - This year we continue our partnership with the service Life Walk – and have Glenys Fairhurst onsite on a Tuesday as our Life Walk Chaplain. Life Walk Chaplains are dedicated volunteers and we are proud to be one of 250 schools in New Zealand to establish a partnership with them.Glenys’s role is to help us to support our students when they may be having a tough time and a listening ear to share their thoughts/worries with or maybe are wanting to talk to someone.Wallacetown School proudly supported by Pypers Produce.A number of schools in Southland employ counsellors through private providers or make use of the ChatBus South service that provides free counselling to students. In the past when we have been asked by families about counselling services on offer in Invercargill for support, a number of these services are under pressure, have long wait lists or are costly.Knowing that tough things/times happen for some of our kids, being able to support them is important to us as a school team. Glenys is a regular face around school each week and she enjoys coming out to join in the different events we have at school; craft days, pet day etc.Athletics - Winton. Photo: supplied.Glenys is on site from 10:15am on a Tuesday each week and is out and about in break times. She has a wee box in the office so if students want to chat to her when she is in on a Tuesday, they leave her a note and she will make time to catch-up with them while she is here. If you are wanting to read a bit more about Life Walk their website is www.lifewalk.org.nz.Athletics – Monday 3rd March in Winton - despite it being a wet start to the day, we all arrived at Winton , and had a fun day.A big congrats to the following students who have made it through to Central on Friday 7th March: Max, Axton, Harry, Archie, Pyper, Bethany, Jacob, Ryder, Jack, Cody, Henry, Rowan, William, Eden, Georgia S, Eliza, Nixie, Sienna & Olivia.Central Athletics 2025 Friday 7th March.Upcoming 160th Celebrations. Photo: supplied.An absolute pleasure to spend the day cheering on and watching our athletes in action at Central Athletics! A number of our students made it into the finals for their track events and we had some top 2 spot finishes in the field events - with some students being selected for Southland Athletics coming up on Saturday 22nd March!Nikau and Amelia wearing olden day school clothes, and carrying their school bags. Austin and Louie sitting on one of the tractors! Photo: supplied.‘Olden Time’ – this is in place of our normal Golden Time for Term 1 and the start of Term 2. With our upcoming 160th Celebrations we decided to use our Golden Time slot to take part in a range of activities that school students in the late 1800’s early 1900’s would have experienced! Everyone has chosen an activity and over the 6 different ‘Olden Time’ sessions students will get to take part in each one! There even has been ice-cream made the old-fashioned way – with a hand beater!!Hokonui Pioneer Museum 10 & 11 March.Lilly, Eliza and Mitchell checking out the different artefacts and the old bank. Photo: supplied.What a great start to the week we’ve had with each class getting to visit the Hokonui Pioneer Museum in Gore to experience what school/life was like back in the day. We all really enjoyed looking at all the old artefacts and experiencing a classroom lesson – oh how times have changed! Thank you to the parent helpers that came along both days and to Miss McDonald for organising such an awesome opportunity for our students. Thank you to the Fundraising Group for covering the cost of the buses.Spencer trying one of the old phones!! Photo: supplied .We have had a very busy start to the year, and time has flown. We still have a packed few weeks coming up to finish off term 1, so keep an eye out on our School Facebook page , and our website https://www.wallacetown.school.nz/home.

Class Action: 240 Attend Mataura Schools 150th Jubilee.
Class Action: 240 Attend Mataura Schools 150th Jubilee.

31 March 2025, 11:51 PM

This year Mataura School celebrated our 150th Jubilee on the 15th of March. We had over 240 attendees ranging from past students, staff, friends, family and community members (our oldest attendee was 99 and our youngest had not yet turned 1).Students performance of waiata and haka. Photo: suppliedOur students put on a wonderful performance of waiata and haka, we unveiled our new school mural and planted an Oak tree just like they did during the 1975 Jubilee. Oak tree ready for planting. Photo: supplied.New school mural unveiled. Photo: suppliedOur students have spent the lead up to the Jubilee learning about our school's rich history and creating beautiful work to be displayed throughout the school.Mataura School page kindly supported by Mataura Licensing Trust.Paul McLaughlin did an amazing job completing our new mural with the help of many of our students. We had our new tukutuku panels blessed by Matu Coleman-Clark, these panels were completed at the end of last year and were made by every student and staff member in the school, each doing at least 1 stitch. Thank you to our house leaders for their mahi in this area.New tukutuku panels blessed by Matu Coleman-Clark. Photo: suppliedThis has been an amazing start to our school year and we are excited for all of the wonderful things we have planned for the rest of the year including swimming this week, discos, camps, bike rides and more!.150th celebrations. Photo: supplied.Website: https://www.mataura.school.nz/homeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/matauraschool/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matauraschool/Linkedin: https://nz.linkedin.com/company/mataura-school

Local Legend: Shona Sangster - Stewart Island gets under your skin
Local Legend: Shona Sangster - Stewart Island gets under your skin

31 March 2025, 6:54 AM

A born and bred ‘Westie’ growing up at remote Anawhata near Auckland’s Piha Beach, the Waitakere Ranges at her doorstep, Shona Sangster was always bound to end up in the bush, by the sea, protecting the planet, and saving rare species.Instead of Sunday drives, Shona grew up roaming West Coast beaches with her avid Forest and Bird conservationist parents looking for dead birds and documenting their finds.As a child conservation was already instilled in Shona – a member of Forest and Bird’s Kiwi Conservation Club for kids.With a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Auckland University you’d think Stewart Island and its wild coastal spaces were a long way from home.But for the past 10 years they’ve been home, and you won’t catch Shona – a passionate tramper, diver, fisherwoman, beekeeper, conservationist and community advocate leaving any time soon. “Stewart Island gets under your skin,” she smiles.Within a few years of moving to the Island to be with partner Ben Hopkins – a fifth generation Islander, Shona had been co-opted onto a myriad of conservation trusts and groups.She’s now chair of the Stewart Island-Rakiura Community and Environment Trust (SIRCET) which controls predators on 310ha of land on Acker’s Point and Horseshoe Peninsulas.Five years ago, she was appointed chair of the Southland Conservation Board which meets around the province six times a year.Stretching from the Sub-Antarctic Islands and Stewart Island through to Slope Point in the Catlins, and including Fiordland National Park, Southland’s area is the biggest of all of NZ’s conservation boards.Thrown in the deep end, after outgoing chairman John Whitehead approached her to take over at 41, Shona says it’s been “very full on” but extremely rewarding.“My leadership is a different style to others. I believe you’ve just got to be yourself,” she says.A young Shona, with her father, at Anawhata, near Auckland. Photo: SuppliedWhen you live on Stewart Island you’ve got to adopt a bit of Kiwi No.8 wire, ‘can do’ mentality.“There’s no point in wishing you had something you haven’t got so you get on with it and make the best of what you do have,” Shona says.Also volunteering as cook for DOC’s Kākāpō Recovery Programme, mostly on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, Shona assures she can rustle up a feed in the bush no problem.Even the kākāpō eat macadamia nuts from her hand.She’s also volunteered for DOC on its Southern NZ Dotterel/Pukunui Recovery Project at Mason Bay on the Island and Awarua Bay and was also a strong advocate on the Southland Aquaculture Reference Group when islanders opposed a salmon farm proposed at Port Pegasus, and won.“I suppose I’m a voice for the community,” she laughs.“They poke me with a stick and send me out front.”Shona’s also a huge supporter of Predator Free Rakiura, which is aiming to rid the island of rats, possums and cats – an extension of the work SIRCET has been doing for 22 years, Shona often there on the frontline setting traps.Shona and her father at her university graduation. Photo: Supplied“You can’t let your foot off the gas with these programmes,” she says.It’s all stuff her grandparents and parents would be, and are, proud of. Shona, an only child, recalls having to stay with her grandmother once, aged five, while her parents did a stint volunteering on the Chathams, working to save one of NZ’s rarest birds, the taiko (magenta petrel).The third musketeer wasn’t impressed at being left behind.Growing up amongst the Bohemian West Auckland artist community, Shona’s schooling was in Oratia then Henderson High where she developed a love of writing and literature.She had a forward-thinking principal for the 90s, her school running a Māori language immersion unit, Pasifika language nests and a teenage mums’ education programme, complete with creche.“I learned a lot about understanding the diversity of people’s experiences and creating a structure to meet people’s needs, rather than telling them what they need,” Shona says.At uni her activist muscle was flexed, Shona joining political movements and protests.“Many of the campus student politicians from my day are now actual politicians.”Shona Sangster with one of her nieces. Photo: SuppliedUni was so good that she ended up working there in admin for a few years.The OE had partially been achieved – Shona’s dad was an Air NZ avionics engineer so the family flew for free, holidaying in the USA, UK, Aussie and Canada.“Dad was a ham radio enthusiast, so we’d end up in random places like Boise, Idaho, at ham radio meets, Mum guiding us with her large road map and no sense of direction.”Shona’s Scottish grandmother had travelled widely with her university professor husband, but hadn’t been permitted into the Soviet Union with him.“She’d always wanted to go and maybe that piqued my curiosity,” Shona says.At 26, Shona set off for two years teaching English in Russia, having already done two short uni exchanges to Moscow.“The Rule of Law there was a bit of a shock,” she says.“We take for granted how honest our Police system is.”Shona and her parents. Photo: SuppliedThe internal visa system meant her documents were regularly checked as she moved between locations.“I’d keep a 100 Ruble note hidden in my passport then when they checked it they’d take the 100 Rubles and nothing was said,” she says.“It was pretty shocking for a little Kiwi girl, but once you got to know the Russians they were very kind.”She missed the ocean, the warmth and openness of Kiwis, and the safety of home, so it was back to Auckland to teach English where she met Stewart Islander Ben, then in the Merchant Navy, his father a fourth-generation fisherman.It didn’t take long to convince Shona to move south and before long she was co-editing the Stewart Island News.Her co-editor Jess Kany got press accreditation for Prince Harry’s visit in 2005.While the old hacks from the notorious British tabloids, The Mirror and The Sun, looked down their noses at their small-town colleagues, Harry came to the pub with the locals and won the weekly quiz.Shona even got to share her environmental interests with him in the community hall.Shona Sangster. Photo Laire Purik/SuppliedPrince Harry’s Land Rover had been pulled apart for the two-day visit, then put back together, just to ensure nobody had planted explosives in it on the boat over.“It was all quite surreal,” Shona recalls.“A bloke stepped outside a function at the community hall for a pee, looked up and his eyes locked with a security sniper. Iroquois were flying about everywhere.”Since then, she’s worked at the local council office-library and Glowing Sky Merino.Regularly gathering paua, scallops, mussels and blue cod, Shona had thought she didn’t like fishing.“That was sitting in a boat in the Hauraki Gulf for four hours catching nothing, but this is not like Auckland,” she says.“You can go out and get a feed and be home in an hour.”Just as well, as she’s still got to make time for her beekeeping, print making art, which she exhibits, and tramping with the girls.And when it’s time to wind down, there’s always a homegrown Third Island gin, infused with local botanicals, courtesy of Ben and his Rakiura Distilling Company business partners.Life really is a beach.

Two new trucks helping drive Kiwiskips’ waste reduction mission
Two new trucks helping drive Kiwiskips’ waste reduction mission

31 March 2025, 6:10 AM

One of Southland’s favourite family-owned businesses is expanding further with two new trucks. The only issue now is finding people to drive them. Kiwiskips managing director Dan Butterfield, who runs the company with wife Kereana, has added two shiny new six-tonne trucks to the Invercargill-based fleet this month as the company continues to expand its share of the Southland waste collection market. “We are definitely putting in the hard yards, and we are planning to expand further,” Dan said. Since Kiwiskips started in 2017, with one truck, it has grown rapidly, now numbering 14 trucks and 14 team members. The company’s success was built on great service and some consolidation among local waste collection businesses that had seen a lot of new customers come their way, Dan said. “Southlanders have embraced Kiwiskips and trust us to do the right thing with their waste as much as we can.” It remained a very competitive market and Kiwiskips would continue to work hard to cement its place, he said. One of the biggest issue facing them was having enough drivers. “We’ve got eight truck divers, nine including myself. We’re really trying to encourage more people into our industry.” They have a strong emphasis on waste reduction and work hard to find markets for seperated waste such as textiles. “We still haven’t found a home for textiles. We’ve been knocking on doors, because we get tonnes of clothes every day.” Kiwiskips plan to set up several different bunkers for wood, concrete, metal, and window glass. They have one team member whose full-time role is seperating waste. “We’re big believers in reduce and reuse. If you can avoid buying something, or find new uses for materials, that’s great.” Kiwiskips were working with Naylor Love at the Te Unua Museum of Southland building site and the waste minismisation efforts were inspiring, Dan said.“They’re the best to work with on this, because their approach to waste managment is so good. They’re so efficient.” Seperation of waste on site was encouraging reuse of materials where possible, he said. “We’ve got more and more people talking about waste diversion. Everyone wants to do better.” The KiwiEnviro brand, set up in 2024, was also going really well, Dan said. “My main driver was to give Southlanders another option down here for liquid waste and hydro excavating,” he said.

Twelve young athletes join Academy for its 20th Year
Twelve young athletes join Academy for its 20th Year

31 March 2025, 4:30 AM

ILT Academy Southland will welcome in a new cohort of Foundation Year athletes this week as the successful programme brings up a significant milestone.Fiona Van der Poel (Central Southland College) rugby. Photo: suppliedThe programme, which provides a range of support for many of Southland’s most promising young sportspeople, will celebrate its 20th birthday in 2025.Jacob Anderson (Central Southland College) trampoline gymnastics. Photo: suppliedManager Jason McKenzie said the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the role the Academy has played in helping young Southlanders reach their potential across two decades.“Along with their families, coaches, schools and sports it’s been a privilege to walk alongside these young people as they branch out in life,” McKenzie said.Katy Brown (Southland Girls’ High School) tennis. Photo: supplied“We always say, this isn’t just about getting young people onto podiums, it’s about helping to grow good people who are ready to achieve in all walks of life.”ILT Academy Southland provides development across a two year period in mental skills, athlete life, strength and conditioning and nutrition, amongst other support for talented athletes who have the potential to compete at a high level in their chosen sport.Sarah North. Photo: suppliedFive graduates of the programme competed for New Zealand at last year’s Paris Olympics, including cyclists Nicole Shields, Tom Sexton, and Corbin Strong, Black Ferns sevens player Alena Saili, and javelin thrower Tori Peeters.Programme coordinator Carly Anderson said the 2025 Foundation Year intake had involved a challenging selection process.Joanna Ellenden (Southland Girls’ High School) netball. Photo: supplied“After receiving applications we talk to regional sports organisations and, where applicable, the national sports organisation, to understand where an athlete sits. We also have a relationship with a number of athletes who are already utilising the Mike Piper Training Centre,” Anderson said.William Jack (James Hargest College) basketball. Photo: supplied“It’s an exciting group for 2025, but I’d also encourage those who missed out to apply again next year because not all of our athletes do get in the first time.”This year’s intake features a diverse range of sports, with 11 codes across the 12 athletes, and five high schools from across Southland.Millie McFadzien (St Peter’s College) athletics. Photo: suppliedThe Foundation Year intake gets underway from this week with an introduction to the programme’s service providers, including Commonwealth Games badminton representative and physiotherapist Anna Rankin, and Youth Olympic triathlon gold medallist and chiropractor Aaron Barclay, both successful graduates of the programme.Hector O’Rourke (James Hargest College) athletics. Photo: supplied2025 Foundation Year ILT Academy Southland:Jacob Anderson (Central Southland College) trampoline gymnasticsKaty Brown (Southland Girls’ High School) tennisEmmerson Dickson (Southland Girls’ High School) artistic swimmingJoanna Ellenden (Southland Girls’ High School) netballLilah Jack (James Hargest College) rowingWilliam Jack (James Hargest College) basketballDani Kramers (Southland Girls’ High School) sport aerobicsMillie McFadzien (St Peter’s College) athleticsTarryn McLatchie (Southland Girls’ High School) rugby leagueHector O’Rourke (James Hargest College) athleticsAlex Smith (Menzies College) clay target shootingFiona Van der Poel (Central Southland College) rugby

Roadworks Update 31/3/25
Roadworks Update 31/3/25

30 March 2025, 8:31 PM

ROAD CLOSURESBridge Inn Road: 10 March-1 MayClosing Bridge Inn Road from Clark Road to O’Rourke Road between 7am Monday 10 March and 5pm Thursday 1 May. The closure is to replace the bridge over the Waikiwi Stream. A detour will be available via O’Rourke Road, King Road, Caulfield Road, Rakahouka Grove Bush Road, North Makarewa Grove Bush Road, Macadam Road and Coveney Road. Residents will have access to properties on either side of the bridge.Derby Road (Limehills): 11 March-30 AprilClosing Derby Road from Pisa Road to Dipton Winton highway to through traffic from 6.30am Tuesday 11 March until 6pm Wednesday 30 April. The closure is to enable pavement rehabilitation. A detour will be available via Dipton Winton highway, Pisa Road and Ayr Street. Residents will have managed access to properties.Rowley Road (Tuatapere): 24 March-4 AprilClosing Rowley Road from Te Tua Road to Block Road to through traffic between 7am on Monday 24 March and 6pm Friday 4 April 2025. Alternative dates are Monday 31 March to Friday 11 April. The closure is to replace two culverts. A detour will be available via Tuatapere Orepuki highway and Block Road.McDonald Road (Dipton West): 31 March-4 AprilClosing McDonald Road from Break Neck Road to Lang Road between 7am and 6pm, Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025. The closure is to carry out repairs to the bridge approach just past #45. A detour will be available via English Road and Lang Road. Residents will have access to either side of the bridge.Otautau Tuatapere Road: 7-11 AprilClosing Otautau Tuatapere Road from Carlyle Street (Tuatapere) to Devery Road (Merrivale) will be closed between 6am Monday 7 April and 8pm Friday 11 April 2025. This is to replace a culvert. A detour will be available for vehicles from Otautau via Devery Road, Ohai Clifden Highway, Clifden Highway (SH99) and Bridge Street (SH99) and vehicles from Tuatapere via Bridge Street (SH99). The detour will be signposted. PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGLeamington Street, Waikaia: 14-28 AprilA new pedestrian crossing will be installed on Leamington Street, Waikaia, outside the Waikaia School. Work is scheduled to begin on 14 April with the aim of being completed two weeks. It may take longer depending on the weather. The road will not be closed during this work but will be controlled by single-lane traffic management. RESEALS (Downer)The Downer sealing team are programmed to be working on the following district road sites this week (weather dependent):Reseals:Thornbury Waimatuku RoadHomestead Road (Te Tipua ward)Lady Barkly Road/Forrester Road/Devereux Road intersectionWoodfield Street (Wrights Bush area) Repairs:Dacre Mortain Mains Road remedial scab repairsWyndham Road scab repairsSandston Kingston Crossing repairs STATE HIGHWAYS (Highways South)Highways South work with temporary traffic lights or stop/go and temporary speed limits in the district this week (weather dependent): SH6 Winton-Lorneville highway at Lochiel Bridge Road for chip seal resurfacingSH96 Winton-Wreys Bush highway at Transmission Line Road for pavement repairsSH99 Riverton-Wallacetown highway at Webb Road for chip seal resurfacing Road marking:SH6 Winton to Invercargill – mobile operationSH93 Mataura to Clinton– mobile operationSH99 Invercargill to Tuatapere – mobile operationSH97– mobile operation Third-party work and events with traffic management in place this week:SH1 Edendale-Woodlands highway between Woodlands and Forbes Road, stop/go for tree workSH6 Lumsden-Dipton highway north of Dipton, stop/go for tree workSH96 at Tinkertown, stop/go for tree workSH96 at Winton, stop/go for tree workSH96 Winton-Wreys Bush highway at Winton, stop/go for tree workSH99 Tuatapere-Orepuki highway at Orepuki, stop/go for powerlines maintenance Upcoming work/eventsApril – SH99 at Lorneville, asphalt resurfacing Useful linksNZTA 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.  WATER SHUTDOWNSTe Anau, Tuesday 1 April: Water will be shut down on Kepler Place, Te Anau, between 9am and 2pm on Tuesday 1 April, to carry out repairs on the reticulation network. Properties affected are: 5-15 Kepler Place. The timeframe is an indication only. Water supply will be resumed without further notification. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.To get notifications about road closures or water shutdowns in your area, download Antenno here: https://www.southlanddc.govt.nz/home/antenno/

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