Work in Southland to target wilding pines has taken a hit on the back of reduced funding from the government.The issue was highlighted in a recent Environment Southland chief executive report which said the Ministry of Primary Industries had reduced its budget for this year’s control programme.It was unlikely the programme would receive enough to maintain gains made in previous years, it said.Environment Southland biosecurity and biodiversity operations manager Ali Meade said wilding pine work had been ongoing since at least the 1990s, undertaken by both agencies and private landowners.“Wilding pines overwhelm our landscapes, killing native plants and forcing out native animals,” Meade said.“This is done by growing densely, using up the sun, water and nutrients other plants need to survive.”Pine seeds could spread up to 40 kilometres in the wind meaning they could increase rapidly across a wide area, she said.“Without adequate funding, wilding pine control work will go backwards, with cleared land prime for re-infestation and also further expansion across the region.”In Southland, control sites include the Eyre and Takitimu Mountains where private work has been undertaken, and Mid Dome where a trust has coordinated work since 2006.The Environment Southland report also warned a new species of wilding pine had recently been found in the region — Larch.Meade said Larch caused issues across many parts of the country, and tended to be an amenity or woodlot planting in Southland.None had been reported in the region until 23 December 2023, but biosecurity staff had since found three sites, she said.“The risk is similar to our other wilding species like Pinus contorta and douglas fir as it has a light seed that can travel a long distance.”The first site, in the Te Anau basin, had been addressed.Environment Southland was now working with landowners at another two sites to remove seedlings.Biosecurity New Zealand director of readiness and response John Walsh said the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme had received an increase in government funding from 2020 due to a “time-bound” $100 million allocation.The “front loaded” funding was tapered down to $10 million a year for 2023/24 and beyond, he said.“This is the first time the programme has had consistent baseline funding.”Since 2016, the government had invested $140 million into wilding control, supported by around $30 million from partners and land owners.The programme has made significant progress in some of the worst infestations - including at Mid Dome - working alongside Environment Southland and Mid Dome Trust, Walsh said.The National Wilding Conifer Control Programme has contributed around $12.5 million in control work funding in Southland since 2016, he said.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Melissa Lee has been booted from Cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle.Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee's spot in Cabinet.Simmonds was a minister outside of Cabinet.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the changes in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.He said Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith - currently overseas - would take over the Media and Broadcasting role, while Social Development Minister Louise Upston would pick up Disability Issues.Lee was under pressure after Warner Brothers Discovery announced it would stop producing local news through Newshub, and shutter the majority of its operations in New Zealand.Simmonds had also been in headlines over the handling of changes to disability-related funding.Luxon said it had "become clear in recent months that there are significant challenges in the media sector. Similarly, we have discovered major financial issues with programmes run by the Ministry of Disabled People"."I have come to the view it is important to have senior Cabinet Ministers considering these issues."He said there were "significant synergies" between Goldsmith's Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio and the media role he would be taking up.He said he had asked Upston to pick up the disability role because Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People, was a departmental agency within the Ministry of Social Development."This will free Penny Simmonds up to focus on the Environment portfolio and the major changes she is progressing to improve tertiary education," he said.Reproduced with permission

Whaikaha, the Ministry for Disabled People has done an inadequate job in conveying changes to disabled people's funding, Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds says.The ministry has unveiled changes to purchasing rules for disabled people's equipment and support services.The changes have caused widespread anguish within the disabled community and a petition opposing the changes has attracted more than 10,000 signatures in 24 hours.Labour's Disability Issues spokesperson Priyanca Radhakrishnan said funding was effectively being cut, the changes reduced flexibility and choice and took the sector back 20 years.Some feared they couldn't afford to pay for caregivers to travel with them for work and shopping.However, Simmonds clarified on Morning Report on Wednesday the cuts would not affect those travelling within their community.She realised there was concern disabled people were worried they wouldn't be able to pay mileage to carers taking them shopping or on other activities "but that's not the intention at all".The confusion arose because the ministry announced funding will no longer go towards domestic and international travel.She had spoken to some ministry staff on Tuesday about the need for better communication.The method - a Facebook post - was an attempt to convey information to everyone in the disabled sector at the same time."I absolutely accept that we haven't been clear enough and that people don't want to see things on Facebook to find out the information."It was a new ministry that had only existed for 18 months and was lacking "depth of experience", she said."We have to learn from this."The cutbacks announced this week were nothing to do with the government's calls for a reduction in public sector spending.She said the changes were necessary because there used to be no flexibility around individualised funding but during the Covid-19 pandemic flexibility was relaxed."Now we're saying we need to recalibrate that and bring it back so there are better guidelines, better criteria, better regulations."The budget had been overrun with more than $104 million spent on purchasing items so rules needed to be tightened."We do have to get rules in place that ensure that funding is going to the person with the disability. That is not diminishing in any way the role of the carers."While carers had been able to spend money on respite care that would no longer be allowed, she said.At this stage, she was not blaming the ministry's chief executive for the cost overruns.Simmonds said funding should not be cut for noise-cancelling headphones and iPads - despite many in the disabled sector now believing they have been excluded.She had also told reporters at Parliament the previous day that the money to pay for iPads for children with autism had been cut."WeIl, in the meantime it is, until we work out how it is going to be set up," she said.'A challenging set of circumstances'Paula Tesoriero Photo: PHOTOSPORTMinistry chief executive Paula Tesoriero said the relaxation in the flexibility rules that had applied since the pandemic had now been paused.Action needed to be taken because the budget had reached a point of not covering "core essential things", she told Nine to Noon.Affected areas included travel. While travel within the community could continue to be paid for there was "a pause" on domestic and international travel payments as the ministry's budget situation had deteriorated since December, she said.She refused to confirm equipment such as noise-cancelling headphones and iPads would be paid for despite the minister's claim they should be."We're in a situation now where costs are increasing, the number of people are rising and the pressure on this budget is significant."The ministry had an annual budget of $2.3 billion and was $65m in the red.Half of the budget is spent to support those in residential settings and spending on flexible payments has doubled to $550m in two years.Staff would work with the community to try and get the settings right for how spending rules for equipment and modification services would be applied in the future."And that's what we're now laser-focused on working with our community to do," Tesoriero said.An extra 3000 people became eligible for disabled funding each year but its budget was not being increased."This is a challenging set of circumstances."More information would be released on the changes this week before wider consultation started with the community.Autism New Zealand chief executive Dane Dougan said it was "appalling" there was no consultation with the wider disabled community, and people in the autistic community needed time to absorb the impact of the changes.While Dougan had expected some review of costs, he said those working in the sector were best placed to advise on how to save money."Let's work through this together and as a community, come up with a solution that's not going to negatively affect an entire population of people."'Simmonds should apologise' - HipkinsLabour leader Chris Hipkins hit back at Simmonds' comments about consulting with the disability community after implementing the changes.He told Morning Report those caring for disabled people did not deserve to be "kicked around by the government"."Penny Simmonds should apologise for some of the comments that she's made about the disability community in the last 24 hours. It's just wrong."Hipkins said the disability community had been under-supported for generations."The fact that we did something about that as a government is something that I'm very proud of."And if it is ending up costing more than we had originally budgeted, then the government do need to find a way of supporting that rather than trying to cut the support."Simmonds was informed about the funding shortfall in December, Hipkins said, and it was the government's fault."The disability support that we are talking about is far from generous," he said."If there is more demand for disability and the planning isn't there for the budgeting support because there are more people with disabilities and needing more support than initially estimated, then we have to find a way of paying for that."Simply saying that 'there are too many people ahead you in the queue, therefore you miss out', isn't actually right."Reproduced with permission

Dylan Schmidt, the first Kiwi to win an Olympic medal in gymnastics, hopes to carry his current good form into the Paris Olympics.The 2022 trampoline world champion won bronze in Tokyo in 2021 and will be looking to better that in Paris.Maddie Davidson, who was also named in the team today, was the first woman to compete in the trampoline in New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing in 10th place."It's crazy that it's my third Olympics, it's flown by," Schmidt said."To go to my third Games and have the chance to do something special is pretty amazing and I really love being part of the wider New Zealand team."Schmidt proudly displays his bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Steve McArthur/Photosport Ltd 2021Schmidt said he felt he was in good form, with a recent fourth at the recent World Cup in Cottbus, Germany."Performing at my peak should get me right up top in Paris."If I can do that it puts me in the mix for the podium and even the top spot. Ultimately, I'm there to be happy with my performance and if I'm happy I'll be in the mix. I really just want to enjoy it have fun and put out a performance I'm proud of."Schmidt - who was raised in Te Anau in Southland but is now based in Auckland - said his world championship title two years ago was special."It's a great one to look back on but right now I'm focused on the job ahead and doing everything I can to prepare for Paris."Maddie Davidson has been selected to compete at her second Olympic Games. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nzChristchurch-based Davidson, 25, said she was thrilled to be going to her second Olympics."It's pretty special, the first time was a real whirlwind so to do it a second time is great."I'd love to make the final in Paris, things are going really well in training so we're definitely heading in the right direction."The trampoline competition at Paris will be held on 2 August.Reproduced with permission

Recreational fishing for finfish and shellfish on Fiordland's coast and in the fiords is set to change with new reduced daily catch limits coming into effect from tomorrow (25 Apr).The changes, designed to keep the fisheries healthy and sustainable, were announced today (24 Apr) by Ocean and Fisheries Shane Jones and apply to both the Fiordland Marine Area and the Chatham Islands.Jones thanked the Fiordland Marine Guardians (FMG), an advisory group which operates under the Fiordland Marine Management Act, for developing the proposal.“Fiordland is a unique and treasured part of New Zealand and is home to many fish species. I want to keep it that way," he said.FMG chairperson Dr Rebecca McLeod welcomed the changes and said the Guardians wanted future generations to be able to enjoy the same experience that the current generation had been fortunate to have."This isn’t simply a case of holding the line.""In several instances, fish stocks need to be rebuilt, and the only way to achieve that is to significantly reduce the overall level of fishing pressure in the fiords.”However McLeod acknowledged that while there is widespread acceptance of the issues, people may feel aggrieved by the scale of the changes.“During this process we have drawn heavily on accounts from people that have been fishing the area for decades.""They speak of the days when they could catch groper in the fiords with ease and be so confident in catching blue cod for dinner that they wouldn’t take any meat in with them.""That’s what we’re aiming for with these changes.""We can turn these fisheries around by treading a little lighter for a while,” she said.McLeod said there would now be higher bag limits for finfish on the more productive open coast (20 per fisher) while just 10 per fisher inside the fiords.For example on the open coast the daily limit for blue cod is 10, compared to a limit of 1 inside the fiords, and the daily limit for pāua is 5 on the open coast and 2 inside the fiords, she said.Looking to the future McLeod said the Guardians were encouraged by the development of recreational fishing apps like Mainland Catch that would help with monitoring stocks.“If the fishing community gets onboard and reports their catch, we will be in a strong position to review these rules in five years’ time,” she said.The main changes to the current limits include;Reductions in mixed bag and single species limits for most species of shellfish and finfishEstablishing a new zone called “the Fiords” within each fiord, that begins at a boundary across the entrance headlands of each fiordTiered mixed bag and single species limits (lower in the Fiords) to incentivise fishing in the more productive open coast areasClosure of scallop and oyster fisheries throughout the Fiordland Marine AreaClosure of hāpuku/groper/bass fishing in the innermost parts (Internal Waters) of all fiordsRock lobster limits have not changedCLICK HERE to view the new rules for the Fiordland Marine Area.

Te Anau's i-Site is set to move from its host of 30+ years, RealNZ (fomerly Real Journeys), to rival tourism operator Southern Discoveries on 1st May.Te Anau's i-Site in RealNZ's (formally Real Journeys) lakefront building. Photo: Southland AppRealNZ announced its release of the Te Anau i-Site, following the pandemic, citing an intention to focus on its core business.Established in 1990, i-Site New Zealand is a nationwide network of more than 50 official information centres tasked with giving unbiased information to visitors. They also work closely with the Department of Conservation's Visitor Centres.The network is owned by Visitor Information Network (VIN), a subsidiary of Tourism New Zealand, and is supported in Southland by the regional development agency Great South.Southern Discoveries General Manager Sales Ben Hulance said they had been working in the tourism industry for a long time and had run several information centres, including one in Te Anau.He said one of the main drivers Southern Discoveries applied for the i-Site was to keep it in the community."I think it was just really important for us that the i-Site was kept within the community in Te Anau."Hulance said the company's current booking centre on Lake Front Drive would have new signage by 1st May and also an interior update sometime in the next 12 months."We are just going through all of our concept designs at the moment, which we need to have approved by VIN and also Great South."Hulance said they would keep staffing in-house for now, but would take on extra staff - possibly over the summer - if that was required."There's definitely certain aspects of the region that we would like to promote, that being Great Walks, Local Information and the World Heritage areas," he said.There are currently three i-Sites and DOC Visitor Centres in Southland. They are in Te Anau and Stewart Island.Invercargill's i-Site, originally located at Southland Museum, moved to Wachner Place in 2018 before subsequently closing in December 2020.

The relocation of an iconic Southland pāua shell has undergone a robust consultation, but not everyone is happy with the end result.Last November, Southland District Council asked the public where they wanted Riverton’s town icon to be shifted following the sale of its previous site.More than 400 people responded, with almost half opting for Koi Koi Park, next to the skatepark.But Ōraka Aparima Community Board chair Michael Weusten said he had copped flack about the new location following a recent television appearance.“I ended up on TV, it must have been a quiet week . . . talking about pāua relocation,” Weusten said.“And ever since then, people have been saying “you can’t put it there!”“The amount of effort that went into surveying … there’s always a tyre kicker somewhere.”Weusten made the comments at a recent Southland District Council meeting, adding that the board would proceed with the new location.He later told Local Democracy Reporting that while the task of restoring the shell was now complete — including a new paint job — it would still be some time before it was installed.“The pāua’s refurbished, it’s still in the factory in Invercargill that repainted it and everything. But we then have to prepare the site works, put in a concrete plinth, and then erect it.“It’s gonna be two or three months before it’s up, I think.”The road to restoration has not been smooth for the Riverton shell.At one point, it almost ended up for public sale when its former owners, Fiordland Souvenirs, looked to part ways with it.The community board stepped in, finalising payments of $30,000 last year to take over the statue.The shell featured as one of ten stamps in the 1998 Town Icons series. Photo: NZ Post Collectables/SuppliedA total 431 votes were received as part of the shell’s consultation, with the Koi Koi Park site receiving 203 votes.Other options included the intersection of Napier St and Bath Rd, Palmerston St playground, Taramea Bay playground and Pilots Reserve Lookout by the whale.In 1998, the shell featured in the Town Icons stamp series alongside other landmarks such as Paeroa’s L&P bottle and Ohakune’s carrot.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Invercargill deputy mayor Tom Campbell has confirmed he almost stepped aside from his role over a misunderstanding with Mayor Nobby Clark.The incident involved an email sent by the mayor which talked about an investigation into a combined Three Waters entity for Otago and Southland.Campbell said his position was well-known that he opposed the idea of a combined entity with the other region because of how large it would be.“I think Invercargill will suffer from being too far away from the centre," he said."My view is that we need a Southland entity.”The incident was cleared up within a few hours once Campbell realised he had misunderstood Clark.“I replied to him that I thought that if he was going to pursue that, then it was inappropriate for me to be deputy mayor because he knew that I opposed it.“He sent me an email back saying ‘no, look you’ve misunderstood, basically. It’s only an investigation that I’m doing’.”Campbell said Clark told him the option of a stand-alone Southland entity was also being investigated.He said there must be a “mole” in the council who was sharing what was happening.Local Democracy Reporting approached Mayor Clark but was told he did not wish to comment further.In February, Clark was broadly supportive about where the government landed in replacing controversial Three Waters legislation.He said he would oppose a scheme where Invercargill might be asked to sacrifice for "the greater regional good".Under the previous Government's plans, the Affordable Water Reforms - earlier called Three Waters - would have created new water entities responsible for water assets.The Government repealed those water reforms in February and is developing new water reform policy - Local Water Done Well.An advisory board will work on the replacement legislation, which would allow neighbouring councils to voluntarily band together to form council-controlled organisations (CCOs).LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Courtney Dempster of Invercargill was the big winner of the Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s major promotion at their annual Diamonds Day race meeting at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Sunday (21 Apr).Dempster left the course with a Diamond Ring valued at $7400 courtesy of Coats & Schuck Jewellers and the Invercargill Harness Racing Club after a coupon bearing her name was drawn from the entries received after ladies were given a coupon each time they placed a bet of $5.The win brought about a lovely coincidence for Dempster, a Legal Secretary at Walker Murdoch Law in Invercargill, as her mum’s engagement ring was purchased from Coats & Schuck Jewellers around 25 years ago.Dempster was delighted with the win.“I come to the races often but my bets were a little up and down today, so this makes up for it. I am very lucky.""Thank you to the sponsors of this prize, Coats & Schuck Jewellers and the Invercargill Harness Racing Club. It is great to get females to the races and there were lots of young faces here today which is great for the industry too.”Dempster has another connection to harness racing as she helps at Murray Brown’s Findlay Road stables - Murray and his wife Marilyn are her godparents - most Saturday’s..Meanwhile on the track the ten races provided exceptional racing for the large crowd with plenty of close finishes including one dead heat.Favourite Rubira won the $110,000 Group 1 Diamond Creek 2YO Classic after a strong challenge from Always Dreaming on the run home while Flying Ellie took out the final of the $60,000 Group 2 Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks and Built For Glory, the $60,000 Group 2 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final. Beach Flybye was the other feature race winner in the $40,000 Regent Car Court Southern Cups Final

Public NoticesAnzac Day Rubbish CollectionsTrustee Roles - Rural Support SouthlandProtecting Southern Fiordland tokoeka kiwi with pest control in the Seaforth & Grebe catchmentsON SALE NOW: Fiordland Medical Centre - a historyHost an Exchange StudentSituations VacantCasual journalist/writer - Southland AppEventsAutumn Adventure - April School Holiday Programme - Invercargill

Milford Road OPENNO Avalanche Hazard Homer Tunnel closures continue from Monday through Saturday nights between 6.15pm – 6am.15-minute openings for traffic clearance will occur between 7pm - 7.15pm & 8pm - 8.15pm.Passage may be possible after 12am with delays, otherwise no public access will be available.  Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Showers from late morning, turning to rain.Tomorrow: Rain easing to showers during the day.Thursday: Heavy rain.Friday: Showers clearing, snow at tunnel possible.Saturday: Fine.

A public toilet block in a small Southland town is battling ongoing vandalism, forcing the council to explore new solutions.Since October 2023, Lumsden’s toilets have been vandalised on at least five separate occasions.The stop is popular with people travelling through the region.Northern Community Board chair Greg Tither said security cameras were now being considered for identification and deterrent purposes.“(They have) absolutely gone berzerk in there, and just been a menace,” Tither said.Hand dryers, basins, bowls and dispensers had all been targeted, with graffiti emerging as an issue last month.The toilets had been upgraded several years ago and were a popular stopover for people, Tither said.“It’s very seldom there’s not vehicles parked there . . . so they are well-used toilets.“When they’ve been done up, they’re in good shape, as long as the vandals stay out of it.”The issue was highlighted at a Southland District Council meeting last week where community board chairs presented to councillors.Mayor Rob Scott said a lot of signs had also been vandalised throughout the region, adding that the Lumsden damage could be linked to the “needless, wanton” destruction of ratepayer property.Ōraka Aparima Board chair Michael Weusten said it was interesting to hear cameras mentioned because of the swell of support for them at Riverton.“Local Police and community patrol both want to see some cameras in Riverton at both ends of the town.”A council spokesperson said the cost of vandalism at the Lumsden facility was estimated to be about $11,000 so far.Hand dryers alone cost $1800 each and had been replaced three times.Cages were now being made for those, featuring special bolts which made their removal difficult.The toilets were last hit on April 15, when dispensers were targeted.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Southlanders are being urged to be on the lookout after three rook - classified as a pest birds in Murihiku Southland - were reported on farmland between Mossburn and Five Rivers.Rooks are a large black bird with a purple gloss, are slightly larger than a magpie and have a distinctive repeated “caw” as their call.They were first introduced to New Zealand from their native Great Britian/Europe in 1862 but are now classified an exclusion pest under the Southland Regional Pest Management Plan, because of the serious damage they can cause to most types of farm crops and the negative impact on soil invertebrate populations (their main food source).If confirmed, this sighting could be the first time rook have been seen in Southland since 2019 when a rook, thought to be a transient from Otago, was sighted in the Kaiwere/Pekerau area.Populations did exist up untill the early 2000s in the Balfour, Eastern Bush and the Motu Valley areas but were subsequently wiped out in pest control operations.Environment Southland (ES) Biosecurity and biodiversity operations manager Ali Meade said the public play a vital role in helping keep rooks out of the province, and people are encouraged to report all potential rook sightings to Environment Southland.“Rooks are pest birds in Murihiku Southland, and it is essential that sightings of any number are met with a swift response.” “We are grateful that a vigilant member of the public reported the sighting of three rooks in northern Southland so that our biosecurity team could take action,” Meade said.ES asks the public not to attempt to shoot or disturb rooks but instead report sightings immediately, so that a rook control specialist can be called in.There is no cost to the landowner, she said.In recent decades, both Environment Southland and the Otago Regional Council have worked together to eradicate the pest bird. Sightings of rooks can be reported to Environment Southland by:Web: pesthub.es.govt.nzEmail: mailing [email protected]: 0800 76 88 45CLICK HERE to view a video on rooks.

Please see the areas of the Southland state highway network where you are likely to experience delays this coming week due to programmed works. Note that due to the ANZAC Day public holiday, no work will take place on state highways in Southland from noon on Wednesday 24th April until midnight Thursday 25th April.There will also be two short road closures in place while ANZAC Day parades take place:SH6 Dee St Invercargill, northbound lane closure from Gala Street to Victoria Ave from 6am – 9amSH99 Palmerston St Riverton, both lanes closed between Princess and Jetty Streets from 10am – 11amHighways South work with traffic management in place (all with temporary speed limits):SH1 Bluff highway between Avon road and Bayview Road, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH1 Bluff highway between Awarua and Greenhills, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairs (multiple locations)SH1 Clyde St between Earn and Nith streets, lanes closed in both directions (see above) *ongoing for 3-4 weeksSH1 Tay St between Inglewood Road and Carnarvon Street, stop/go for surfacing repairsSH6 Athol-Five Rivers highway near Bixter Road, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH93 Old Coach Road near Kaiwera Road, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH93 Old Coach Road near Ferndale, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH99 Orepuki-Riverton highway near Colac Bay, temporary traffic lights for surfacing repairsSH99 Tuatapere-Orepuki highway near McInerney Road, temporary traffic lights for surfacing repairsSH99 Clifden highway near Tuatapere, temporary traffic lights for surfacing repairsThird party work and events with traffic management in place this week (all with temporary speed limits):SH1 Gore St Bluff, northbound lane closed with detour via Lee/Barrow/Palmer for demolition workSH1 Gore St Bluff between Shannon and Suir streets, traffic lights for cycle path work SH6 Dee St Invercargill, road closure and detour for parade Thursday 25th April morning only (see above)SH6 Lumsden-Dipton highway north of Caroline, stop/go for tree removalSH6 Garston-Athol highway at Nokomai, stop/go for access constructionSH93 Old Coach road near Boundary road, stop/go for tree maintenanceSH98 Lorne Dacre Road near Aerodrome Road, stop/go for pole replacementSH99 Palmerston St Riverton, road closure and detour for parade Thursday 25th April morning only (see above) Useful links:NZTA Journeys website - https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner Freight 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.

A serious crash has closed the Mossburn - Five Rivers Road (SH97) near Mossburn this evening (19 Apr).Police, Mossburn and Lumsden Fire Brigades are at the scene of a serious crash which was reported about 6.15pm and occurred between Hillas and Ellis roads. One person has received serious injuries and two people have moderate injuries.The Serious Crash Unit will be investigating, and the road is expected to be closed for some time. Traffic management is being arranged and motorists should expect delays.Detour:Northbound traffic turn left onto State Highway 94, right onto State Highway 97 and then back onto State highway 6. Reverse for southbound. Please note this detour is suitable for heavy vehicles.

Concern for native animal species has prompted a Southland council to monitor online pet sales, with a particular focus on Bengal cats.But both the SPCA and a breeder say they are no more dangerous than other varieties.This week, an Environment Southland chief executive report said staff were checking retail outlets and online sales sites for Bengal cats and other “high risk” pet sales.Ownership of the breed requires a special permit in Southland, with a complete ban on Stewart Island/Rakiura.In response to questions from Local Democracy Reporting, the council said Bengal cats were the main “high risk” pet it monitored.“Bengal cats have a specific rule in Southland because they have genetic traits that make them dangerous predators to our native species,” Environment Southland biosecurity and biodiversity operations manager Ali Meade said. Damian Vaughan is the owner of Bengal cat breeding business Pride of Eire in Parakai, north of Auckland. He says the variety is unfairly vilified because of its appearance. Photo: Pride of Eire/Supplied“If Bengal cats were to breed with the feral cat population, they could have a major impact.”The strong stance has received pushback, however, with an SPCA spokesperson saying Bengal cats were no more of a threat to native wildlife than other breeds of companion, stray or feral cats.Parakai-based Bengal breeder Damian Vaughan agrees, slamming the council’s view of the leopard-looking creatures. Parakai is north of Auckland.Vaughan said while all cats were predators by nature, Bengals had gained an unfair reputation.“They’re just being picked on because they did come from wild origins being the Asian Leopard Cat, and they look wild because of their leopard markings. So it’s purely unjustified,” he said.In order for a Bengal to be let into the country, it had to be five generations removed from the Asian Leopard Cat.Those in New Zealand were now at least 10 generations removed, and were no more skilled at hunting than a “normal domestic cat”, Vaughan said.“The real problem is feral cats, with wildlife.“They’re going around with empty bellies, and they have to hunt to survive and eat.“So they would be the ones that would decimate wildlife, not a Bengal that’s walking around with a big full belly.”Vaughan said he had been breeding Bengals for 15 years.Females could reach up to 6kg and males up to 8kg, with a lifespan similar to that of other domestic cats — around 16 years.“I also have free range chickens running around and my cats have never touched one.”Included in the list of websites monitored by the council was TradeMe, with staff contacting sellers directly to ensure they were compliant with regional rulesThe council also monitored other pets such as birds and turtles because of the impact they could have on the ecosystem if released, Meade said.“If the council receives a permit application for a Bengal cat, the permit process is followed and if appropriate, the owners will receive approval.”The council had been monitoring "high risk" pet sales for many years, Meade said.There are currently 24 exemptions issued for the ownership of Bengal cats in Southland, with people unable to apply for ownership on Stewart Island/Rakiura and other offshore islands.According to the council report, there had been no new or concerning sales identified and no new applications for Bengal cat permits.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

The Te Anau Bowling Club celebrated the official opening of its new $400,000 artificial turf green at a ceremony in Te Anau yesterday (18 Apr).An aging membership, struggles to find a replacement for long-time greenkeeper Graeme Whatson, and a way to attract new members were all reasons behind the club's decision to replace its traditional grass with artificial carpet.President Brian McCandless said while the club had only decided on the new green about two-and-a-half years ago, they had been quietly saving for "the next step" for the past 10 years.However the project almost ground to a halt before it started when it was discovered that the green's topsoil, that needed to be removed before the artificial carpet was laid, was classified on the Hazardous Activities and Industries List (H.A.I.L.) as hazardous due to the chemicals used over the years to maintain the grass green."Unbeknown to anyone every bowling club in the country is a H.A.I.L. site, because of the toxic chemicals, pesticides and fungicides, that have been sprayed over the turf over many, many years," McCandless said. "We would have had to spend about $20,000 on environmental consultancy fees and the thick end of $100,000 to dispose of the soil."Te Anau Bowling Club members try out their new green. Photo: Southland AppHowever the club was finally granted permission to dispose of the topsoil in a nearby Southland District Council waste storage area, which put the project back on track.McCandless said the new Tiger Turf carpet offered significiant benefits over the traditional grass surface."The bowling season which was about five to six months long, [will now be] 12 months long.""We can play all winter if the weather is half decent and that has a huge impact on the social aspect of what this club is all about.""Elderly people need to maintain good strong social networks, not six months of the year, but 12 months, and his will contribute towards that."The club would now also be running Sunday team tournaments throughout the winter to compliment their already popular tradies and farmers' twiglight bowling sessions.McCandless thanked the project's sponsors including Community Trust South, Meridian, Pub Charities, local businesses and the community for all their support.The new carpet green, one of only 3 in Southland, has a guaranteed life of eight years but if managed properly could last up to 15 years, McCandless said.He said the club had already started saving to replace the carpet, which was expected to cost around half the price of the initial outlay.

Milford Road OPENNO Avalanche HazardTunnel closures have been cancelled for this week .Homer Tunnel Closures continue from Monday 22nd through Saturday nights between 6.15pm – 6am. 15-minute openings for traffic clearance will occur between 7pm - 7.15pm & 8pm - 8.15pm. Passage may be possible after 12am with delays, otherwise no public access will be available.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today:Rain clearing this eveningTomorrow: FineSunday: ShowersMonday: ShowersTuesday: Showers

The two councillors who lodged a code of conduct complaint against Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark will not comment on his recent apology.Last month, Clark made headlines when he appeared on satirical news show New Zealand Today and repeated a racial slur he had drawn criticism for in 2023.The appearance prompted councillors Ian Pottinger and Ria Bond to lodge a code of conduct complaint against the mayorThis week, Clark told Stuff he thought he was appearing on a comedy show and apologised to “anybody who felt offended”.Local Democracy Reporting approached Clark after the apology, but he responded he had “no further comment to make”.Both Pottinger and Bond remainied tight-lipped also.Pottinger said he couldn’t comment – not because he didn’t want to, but because the code of conduct process was underway.“Things are happening, so that’s all I can say.”Bond was also unwilling to talk about the unfolding situation.“We’ve still got to follow a process, so I don’t really want to comment on it at this stage, including the apology,” she said.Earlier this week, Bond said an outside agency had picked up the complaint and was investigating it.Both councillors were critical of the mayor’s television appearance at the time it aired in March, with Pottinger labelling it a “train wreck”.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air