Payback time for lack siglets in trnstasman shearing test The New Zealand shearing team reclaimed transtasman supremacy with a win by almost six points over pre-post TAB favourites Australia at the 60th anniversary Southern Shears shearing and woohandling championships in Gore on Saturday night.Australia had won the three-most recent tests, in West Australia in October 2024, Masterton in March last year and South Australia four months ago, and had won 15 of the last 20 home-and-away matches since 2014.New Zealand had the experience all-round, with Pongaroa shearer David Buick teaming with the South Island pair of Angus Moore, of Seddon, and merinos specialist Chris Vickers, of Shag Point, North Otago.Australia had series legend Daniel McIntyre, from Glen Innes, NSW, with 17 wins in 22 transtasman tests behind him, but two new teammates in Sam Bacon, of Jamestown, South Australia, and Sam Byers, of Ross, Tasmania.The star of the night was Moore, who shore the six merino ewes, three long-wooled strong wool ewes and three second-shears in 15min 3.44sec, almost 1min 24sec quicker than next-man-off McIntyre.Marlborough shearer Angus Moore at national anthem time before dominating the transtasman shearing test match in which New Zealand beat Australia in Gore on Saturday. Photo / Barbara Newton.Moore and had the second-best overall quality points, to claim individual honours by just over seven points from teammate Buick, who had the best quality points, including the best pen, and was second-to-last on time.Vickers was last to finish in 17min 40.34sec, and had special reason for celebrating, after being on the losing end in all his three previous tests.It completed a cleansweep of three home transtasman tests for the Shearing Sports New Zealand teams, following a blades win in Waimate in October and a wooolhandling win at the Otago Shears last week. In other events in Gore, New Zealand’s hopes for the 20th Golden Shears World Championships in Masterton on March 4-7 soared when championships team members claimed the two major Southern Shears titles.Reigning Golden Shears and New Zealand Shears champion Toa Henderson, from Northland, won the open shearing final, and Joel Henare, of Motueka, claimed the Open woolhandling title, the 150th Open win of his career.Leon Samuels, of Roxburgh, won the South Island Shearer of the Year final, and a North Island team of Buick, Jack Fagan and John Kirkpatrick won the South Island leg of a annual two-match inter-island shearing.Angus Moore shears to the lead and an ultimate win for New Zealand in Saturday's transtasman shearing test match in Gore. Photo / Barbara Newton.The anniversary was a huge success with 219 entries, including numerous shearers and woolhandlers from overseas ahead of the World championships.It was most stark in the Junior shearing final, with five of the six being from the Northern Hemisphere, including winner Tane Maguire, from Wales.The competitors comprised 140 shearers (Open 49, Senior 31, Intermediate 22, Junior 24, Novice 14) and 79 woolhandling entries (Open 37, Senior 15, Junior 28, Novice 9).Results from the 60th Anniversary Southern Shears shearing and woolhandling championships at Gore on Friday-Saturday, February 20-21, 2026:Transtasman Shearing Test (12 sheep - 6 merino ewes, 2 long strong wool, 3 second-shear): New Zealand (Angus Moore 15m 3.44s, 60.0053pts; David Buick 17m 27.37s, 67.0352pts; Chris Vickers 17m 40.34s, 75.9337pts) 202.9742pts beat Australia (Daniel McIntyre 16m 27.37s, 67.4515pts; Sam Byers 16m 58.88s, 68.6107pts; Sam Bacon 17m 18.09s, 72.7378pts) 208.8pts. Inter-island shearing (15 sheep): North Island (Jack Fagan 14m 3.02s, 50.0177pts; John Kirkpatrick 15m 1.81s, 51.4238pts; David Buick 15m 12.07s, 53.2035pts) 154.645pts, beat South Island (Corey Palmer 15m 7.5s, 51.9083pts; Casey Bailey 15m 30.94s, 52.4137pts; Angus Moore 14m 33.34s, 53.5337pts) 157.8557pts. Open final; (20 sheep): Toa Henderson (Kaiwaka) 17m 14.44s, 57.122pts, 1; Leon Samuels (Roxburgh) 17m 24.07s, 58.8535pts, 2; Jack Fagan (Te Kuiti) 17m 15.57s, 59.3285pts, 3; Nathan Stratford (Invercargill) 18m 25.56s, 60.178pts, 4; Casey Bailey (Riverton) 18m 50.84s, 60.492pts, 5; John Kirkpatrick (Pakipaki) 18m 46.97s, 61.4985pts, 6. South Island Shearer of the Year final (20 sheep): Leon Samuels (Roxburgh) 17m 45.12s, 61.156pts, 1; to Henderson (Kaiwaka) 17m 41.21s, 61.2105pts, 2; David Buick (Pongaroa) 18m 30.15s, 62.5575pts, 3; Nathan Stratford (Invercargill) 19m 14.09s, 62.7045pts, 4; Casey Bailey (Riverton) 19m 24.97s, 63.4485pts, 5; Angus Moore (Seddon) 17m 42.47s, 64.1235pts, 6. Senior final (12 sheep): Dre Roberts (Mataura) 13m 40.15s, 47.1742pts, 1; Cody Waiape (Gore) 13m 40.12s, 48.8393pts, 2; Keahrey Manson (Piopio) 14m 8.18s, 50.659pts, 3; Richard Lancaster (Clitheroe, England) 14m 41.5s, 50.9917pts, 4; James Wilson (Winton) 16m 28.35s, 50.0008pts, 5; Jimmy Napier (Gore) 17m 46.54s, 59.827pts, 6.  Intermediate final (6 sheep): Tye Meikle (Oamaru) 8m 7.04s, 28.852pts, 1; Michel Buick (Pongaroa) 8m 11.44s, 31.7387pts, 2; Mitchell Yates (Kimba, South Australia) 8m 45.9s, 32.295pts, 3; Joseph Scahill (Mayo, Ireland) 7m 38.34s, 32.5837pts, 4; Conor Wilkinson (Wyndham) 9m 27.06s, 36.353prs, 5; paddy Hudson (Hokonui) 8m 13.41s, 39.6705pts, 6.Junior final (4 sheep): Tane Maguire (Powys, Wales) 7m 49.38s, 33.469pts, 1; Sean Dunne (Wicklow, Ireland) 7m 42.47s, 34.3735pts, 2; Reuben Wilkinson (Wyndham) 7m 40.04s, 35.752pts, 3; Jess Parkhouse (Devon, England) 9m 14.47s, 37.4735pts, 4; James Hopkins (Westport, Ireland) 10m 7.66s, 37.883pts, 5; Maureen Cadet (Brittany, France) 9m 45.93s, 42.7695pts, 6.Novice (1 sheep): Charis Morrell (Alexandra) 3m 45.31s, 18.27pts, 1; Dylan Holland (Gore) 4m 53.16s, 18.66pts, 2; Brooklyn Frazer (Invercargill) 3m 47.75s, 20.39pts, 3; Jake Anderson (Taihape) 4m 18.85s, 20.94pts, 4; Ffion Haf Jones (Corwen, Wales) 4m 26.19s, 21.31pts, 5; Noah Monson (Methven) 5m 6.53s, 24.33pts, 6.         WoolhandlingOpen final: Joel Henare (Gisborne/Motueka) 131.318pts, 1; Pagan Rimene (Alexandra) 190.5pts, 2; Vinniye Phillips (Taumarunui) 225.08pts, 3; Foonie Waihape (Alexandra) 4. Senior final: Tre Sciascia (Taihape) 108.832pts, 1; Lucy Elers (Mataura) 113.844pts, 2; Ashley Clarke (Gore) 117.27pts, 3; Terri Lee Walker (Taihape) 148.818pts, 4.  Junior final: Shahni Whitu (Roxburgh) 96.594pts, 1; Mady Little (Alexandra) 110.096pts, 2; Brooklyn Frazer (Invercargill) 113.95pts, 3; Peighton Kimura-Boyes (Gore) 117.05pts, 4.Novice: Jayda White (Milton) 56.562pts, 1; Law Kawenga (Mataura) 82.75pts, 2; Sophie Newby (Gore) 86.57pts, 3; Maureen Cadet (Brittany, France) 89.81pts, 4.

Close finishes were prevalent throughout two days of motor racing action at the Ascot Park Hotel Classic SpeedFest at Teretonga Park over the weekend. Saturday’s races were held in dry conditions while there was some rain on Sunday morning before track conditions dried again. As well as two days of racing the iconic TKR All Black V8 Supercar, the Commodore that Jason Richards and Angus Fogg first raced at Bathurst in 2000, was on track for laps during the lunch break on both days. Leon Hallett of Mosgiel won two of the four HVRA races in his Falcon. The first on Saturday saw him head off Paul Burnet of Auckland in a Ford Mustang and Brent Findlay of Timaru in a Datsun 1200. Saturday’s second race was a handicap event which saw Marvin Turton of Porirua in a Leyland Mini greet the flag from Findlay with Jamie Greene of Dunedin in another Datsun 1200 third. Hallett won Sunday morning’s race by .059 of a second from Trev Lines of Amberley in a Leyland Mini with Stacy Lines of Invercargill third in his Austin Mini before Burnet won the last from Ken Williams of Auckland in a Mercedes Benz and Hallett.Mike Baker of Picton in a Porsche 964 leads the way in one of the Classic Saloon races at the Ascot Park Hotel Classic SpeedFest at Teretonga Park this weekend. Credit: Dave Loudon. The large contingent of international drivers in the Formula Junior races took all the spoils in some very close races. Robin Longdon of Great Britain in a Lola won two of the four contests with a second and a third in the other two while Geoff Underwood of Great Britain took the other two wins in a Brabham BT2 and added a third place. Others to the fore were Robert Hoemke of the United States in another Lola with two seconds and a third while Adrian Russell of the United Kingdom in a Lotus 22 scored a third and a second. On Saturday Graeme Fraser of Tauranga in a BMW M3 won the first Classic Saloon race from Mike Baker of Picton in a Porsche 964 with Marcus Stewart of Christchurch third in a similar Porsche. Baker won the second from Stewart and Harry Wilson of Invercargill in a Falcon. On Sunday Baker won the first from Fraser and Wilson before Stewart won the finale from Baker and Fraser. Ben Stiles of Mount Somers in his Formula Renault made a clean sweep of the Formula Libre races. Karting star, twelve-year-old Nixon Cripps of Edendale, in his first motor race event was second in all four races with 1974/75 NZ Formula Ford Champion, Grant Walker, now resident in Australia, driving the Titan that he won that title in was third in three of the four races. He failed to finish one of Saturday’s races, local driver Rachael Beck taking third on that occasion. The Vintage Racing Car clashes featured some close finishes. Royce Bayer of Rangiora (Beowulf) and Paul Coory of Mosgiel (CAE Sprintcar) shared Saturday’s wins before Coory and Tracey Barrett of Christchurch (Lotus 23C) took a win apiece on Sunday. Barrett also took two second places while Coory had a second and third. Roger Greaney of Napier (Lotus 20/22) took a second and third while Bill Cowie of Blenheim (Spangeralli) and Mick Toll of Mapua (Bealtie LT16) took a third place each. Mini 7 South and the Mazda MX5 Heritage Cup ran together throughout the weekend. In the Mini’s Justin Neill of Christchurch won three of the races with Adam Box of Rolleston winning the other. Box also scored two second places while Paul Hughes gained a second and third with Christchurch drivers, Lachie Penrose, Paul Bennison and Chris Armitage also taking a third place apiece. In the MX5 Class Matthew Smith of Christchurch won the first two races before Dom Fransen of Lower Hutt and Jamie Hannah of Wakefield won the next two. Smith also scored a third and a second while Hannah added two second placings to his win. Fransen had two thirds and Everard Petrie of Rolleston had a third and a second. Steve Ross of Dunedin won three of the four Noel McIntyre Drainage Club Saloon races in his Ligier JSP3 with Arron Black of Dunedin winning the other in the wet. Mike Baker took two seconds and a third and Marcus Stewart two thirds. Honda Civic drivers Warren Walker of Dunedin and Lynden Prebble of Dipton were second and third in the race won by Black while Jason Crosbie of Invercargill scored a second place in his Mustang in the Flying Farwell. The next race meeting at Teretonga Park is the annual Southern Thunder event featuring NZ Super Trucks and Mainland Muscle Cars plus plenty more over the weekend of 14/15 March.

SH 99 Lorneville to Wallacetown - Both directionsDue to culvert strengthening and highway renewal works, this section of road will be closed in both directions at all times from Monday 23rd February at 6:30am to Monday 9th March at 7pm. In addition, there will be traffic signals in operation on site from Tuesday 10th March to approximately early April between 7am and 6pm each day. Plan your journey accordingly allowing extra time for your travel. Please note these works are weather dependent and may be postponed at short notice.Road Closed - 23 February 6:30amDuring closures, detour via Ryal Bush-Wallacetown Road, Collinson Road, and SH6/Winton-Lorneville Highway. During traffic signal operations, expect up to 20 minute delays.Expected Resolution - 17/04/2026 18:00pm

Weekend shears double for Henderson as World Champs loom Northland shearer Toa Henderson is hitting the ground running with two big Open final wins at the weekend as he builds up to the World shearing and woolhandling championships in Masterton next week.Reigning Golden Shears champion Henderson won the titles at the 60th anniversary Southern Shears in Gore on Saturday and the Counties Shears on Sunday in Pukekohe, where he was also the top individual as New Zealand beat Wales to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match Wools of New Zealand series.Toa Henderson (right) pictured celebrating his latest open final win. At left is Counties Shears organiser Sam Welch, Photo /Ange Bridson.Shearing 20 sheep in 15min 29s he won Sunday’s Open final by almost three points from runner-up and Te Kuiti shearer Jack Fagan, with third place going to Welsh shearer Llyr Jones.Henderson and Fagan then beat Jones and reigning World champion Gwion Evans by 7.35 points in the test match.The test followed a separate New Zealand team’s win over Australia in Gore on Saturday, a match of three-a-side and including merino sheep.The last test between New Zealand and Wales will be shorn at the Taumarunui Shears on Friday, the start of a big weekend leading into the 20th World championships, with 27 countries competing for machine shearing, blades shearing, and woolhandling individual and teams titles in Masterton on March 4-7.  In the Senior final on Sunday, Napier shearer Kaivah Cooper beat Dylan Young, of Gisborne, by just 0.25 points, Luke Marsden, of Taumarunui, scored just his second win by claiming Intermediate honours, Kingston Pue, of Raetihi, won the Junior final, and Mali Jones, from Wales, won a Novice event in which 2025 national Young Farmer of the Year Hugh Jackson, of Te Akau, was third. RESULTS from the Counties Shears at the Franklin A&P Show on Sunday, February 22, 2026:Wools of New Zealand International Shearing Series Second Test (15 sheep): New Zealand (Toa Henderson 11m 22s, 41.7pts; Jack Fagan 11m 51s, 43.95pts) 85.65pts, beat Wales (Gwion Evans 12m 22s, 45.63pts; Llyr Jones 12m 26s, 47.37pts) 93pts. New Zealand won by 7.35pts and lead the two-test series 2-0.Open final (20 sheep): Toa Henderson (Kaiwaka) 15m 29s, 52.75pts, 1; Jack Fagan (Te Kuiti) 15m 56s, 55.7pts, 2; Llyr Jones (Wales) 15m 38s, 56.8pts, 3; Rowland Smith (Maraekaskaho) 17m 21s, 57.4pts, 4; Digger Balme (Te Kuiti) 17m 12s, 62.8pts, 5. Senior final (10 sheep): Kaivah Cooper (Napier) 10m 26s, 40pts, 1; Dylan Young (Gisborne) 10m 17s, 40.25pts, 2; Duncan Adams (Banchory, Scotland) 11m 29s, 40.65pts, 3; Sarah Bryant (Arohena) 12m 11s, 43.65pts, 4; Atawhai Hadfield (Wairoa) 12m 58s, 49pts, 5.Intermediate final (6 sheep): Luke Marsden (Taumarunui) 6m 58s, 28.4pts, 1; Tom Charnley (North Yorkshire, England) 7m 58s, 30.73pts, 2; Peter Hogarth (Tain, Scotland) 8m 55s, 33.75pts, 3; Kevin Noome (Donegal, Ireland) 8m 50s, 34.5pts, 4; Baska Erdenetsogt (Mongolia) 8m 21s, 36.38s, 5.Junior final (4 sheep): Kingston Pue (Raetihi) 6m 7s, 23.6pts, 1; Ashlin Swann (Wairoa) 7m 31s, 27.3pts, 2; Shawna Swann (Wairoa) 8gm 39s, 31.7pts, 3; James Anderson (Pukeatua) 8m 34s, 35.7pts, 4; Kathryn MacPherson (Scotland) 9m 30s, 37.5pts, 5.Novice (1 sheep): Mali Jones (Bala, Wales) 3m 39s, 21.95pts, 1; Cleveland Pue (Raetihi) 5m 4s, 23.23pts, 2; Hugh Jackson (Te Akau) 4m 20s, 33pts, 3; Alexis Young (Gisborne) 3m 30s, 33.5pts, 4; Bazza Ganbaatar (Mongolia) 4m 32s, 46.6pts, 5.Veterans: Peter McCabe (Katikati) 37.6pts, 1; Lee Cheyne (Te Kauwhata) 45.6pts, 2; David Hodge (Te Puke) 47.8pts, 3; Barry Jones (Pukekohe) 51.1pts, 4; Jeff Wood (Ruawai) 51.3pts, 5.  

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardComments:Tunnel & highway maintenance scheduled during evenings between 7pm to midnight, from tonight (Monday) through to Friday 27th February. Expect up to 30-minute delays between Homer Tunnel & Donne River Bridge. Please call 03 249 7004 with any queries.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Mainly fine before rain developing later, heavy at times Tomorrow: Showers clearing, becoming fine Wednesday: Cloud increasing, rain developing later Thursday: Rain, heavy at times, easing later Friday: Early showers, becoming fine

Te Anau Police, who’ve recently voiced concerns that there’s a tragedy waiting to happen on their patch as drivers speed in and out of Milford from Queenstown, say they attend crashes, mostly involving overseas tourists in rental vehicles, every day.A Swiss tourist driving a rental campervan allegedly pulled out in front of a fully loaded truck and trailer unit carrying septic waste right above the Upukerora River on Wednesday, 18 February, which Sergeant Dave Leach says could’ve been “absolutely disastrous”.Thankfully, nobody was injured but he says the situation would’ve been very different but for a half a metre that saw the front of the campervan, which was extensively damaged, taking most of the impact.Two children were in the campervan.“The truck driver, who was travelling downhill, held his line but if he’d swerved to avoid the campervan and tipped over then the full contents of his load could’ve potentially flowed in the Upukerora River,” Leach says.The middle-aged Swiss driver had allegedly pulled straight out from a campground site and into the path of the truck, coming from Milford into Te Anau, and was issued with an infringement notice for allegedly failing to give way.Driver fatigue and falling asleep at the wheel was also a problem with another overseas tourist rolling a car into a paddock near Mossburn after allegedly dozing off.Speeding is an issue every day, along with drivers not driving to wet conditions, falling asleep at the wheel and drifting left off the road, Leach says.Queenstown Police attended two separate accidents in two days earlier this week after drivers fell asleep at the wheel.A 58-year-old Australian tourist was charged with three counts of careless driving causing injury after a rental vehicle with four Australian tourists travelling east on a normally busy stretch of State Highway 6 at Lake Hayes allegedly veered off the road and hit a tree just after 4.30pm on Sunday, 15 February.Three people were injured, two seriously with one – a woman, airlifted to Dunedin Hospital by the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter. That vehicle was extensively damaged.Just over 48 hours later another driver crashed on Gibbston Highway after allegedly falling asleep at the wheel just after 6.20pm and colliding with an Aurora power transformer, Queenstown Constable Amanda Shute says.The vehicle then allegedly continued on hitting a fence before coming to a stop rolled onto its left side, she says.The driver had allegedly approached a long sweeping left turn and fallen asleep, she says. Enquiries are continuing.Leach says a driver rolled a car recently in a 45km/hr speed advisory in wet conditions on the Milford side of the Homer Tunnel and another campervan rolled on a descent down that side.Police also attended a four-car pile-up on the Te Anau-Milford Highway around 12.25pm on Saturday, 14 February, after it’s understood three vehicles driven by overseas visitors had stopped due to a mob of sheep moving along the road.Leach says a fourth vehicle allegedly failed to stop short, rear-ending the third vehicle, which subsequently pushed each vehicle into the other in a nose-to-tail.Leach says Police are also targeting roadworks sites after complete disregard lately, especially from overseas drivers, for the speed restriction advisories through these, which has also caused accidents this past week or so.“We had two crashes in the weekend in the roadworks on the Athol to Five Rivers highway.”In one a driver hit loose metal and braked, losing control while in the other a driver was understood to have landed a vehicle in a ditch.“People need to observe the speed limits through roadworks. They’re not sticking to the speed restrictions,” he says.Leach says this is also putting roadworks crews and other road users at risk, which will not be tolerated.“We will be targeting these areas, and these people will be dealt with, so drivers will be ignoring these restrictions at their own peril,” he says.Police also attended another accident today, 20 February, involving a Kiwi driver and an overseas driver at the Mavora Lakes turnoff on the Te Anau-Mossburn Road. Investigations are continuing.It’s the busy Chinese New Year period at present with a lot of traffic on the roads and all drivers need to take extra care.St John Ambulance responders treated two patients at the scene for minor injuries after two separate accidents on Saturday, 14 February – one on the Te Anau-Mossburn Highway just after 2pm and the other on the State Highway 6-Lowther Road just before 6pm.They didn’t need to be transported for further treatment, a spokesperson says.*Police urge motorists to continue to report unsafe driving to them immediately on 111.

The Rental Vehicle Association of NZ is meeting with the NZ Transport Agency and asking for urgent action amid serious concerns about the dangers of mostly overseas drivers speeding to and from Milford, not obeying the rules, and the number of crashes and near misses.Rental Vehicle Association of NZ CEO Ben McFadgen says he met with NZTA officials on Tuesday, 17 February, to discuss road safety and the issues around Milford and he will be meeting them again next Friday. (27 Feb)“I laid it out and said we need to sort this out,” he says. McFadgen says the problem is urgent and, like Police, he’s concerned there’s a bad accident waiting to happen.He’s also been in touch with Southland MP Joseph Mooney who says he's long advocated for pull over and passing bays between Queenstown and Milford with what’s become an increasing problem.McFadgen is also keen to meet with the Te Anau community, which has also long advocated for safe pull over bays or passing lanes to help prevent accidents.He says some rental companies using GPS monitoring have clocked rental vehicle drivers at 140km/hr and even more “horrendous” speeds, ringing to warn them if they don’t slow down that the car will be taken off them.It’s understood one driver was clocked in recent times at 170km/hr by the police.Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.

20 February, 2026  There is still time for people to have their say on proposed changes to speed limits on sections of state highways in Canterbury, Southland and on the West Coast (more detail in the earlier release in December). So far, there have been 818 total submissions, from 766 contributors, on the targeted proposals across the affected areas that have been the subject of community concern. Consultation on these changes is open until 5pm on 6 March 2026. People can view the various proposals and have their say in short surveys here.The proposed speed limit changes include the following: State Highway 1 (SH1) at both ends of Temuka, South Canterbury – northern section 70km/h to 50km/h, southern section 80km/h to 60km/h.SH1 south of Amberley (North Canterbury) – 80km/h to 60km/h.SH1 south of Rolleston (near Christchurch) – 100km/h to 80km/h.SH75 north of Halswell (Christchurch) – 60km/h to 50km/h.SH73 Kirwee and Sheffield (Central Canterbury) – 70km/h to 50km/h.SH67 and SH67A Westport south including Buller Bridge (West Coast) – 100km/h to 60km/h.SH7 at Blacks Point (West Coast) – 70km/h to 60km/h.Introduction of Intersection Speed Zones* on SH1 at Norwood and SH73 at Waddington (Central Canterbury), and SH6 at Five Rivers (Southland) – 100km/h to 100/60km/h variable. *Intersection Speed Zones (ISZs) feature electronic signage that temporarily lower the speed limit when a vehicle approaches to turn from or onto a side road. “These proposed changes are highly targeted, covering just 12 kilometres of the South Island’s 5000km state highway network, but they will make a real difference where it matters most,” says NZTA director of regional relationships for the central and lower South Island, James Caygill. “We’re focused on saving lives and reducing serious injuries without adding unnecessary delays for drivers.” Each proposal meets the requirements of the Government’s Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024, which mandates six weeks of public consultation before decisions are finalised. New limits will become legally enforceable once signs are installed and uncovered. NZTA’s targeted approach to state highway speed management under the 2024 Rule prioritises:Schools Variable Speed Limits (VSLs)ISZs for high-risk rural intersectionsSpeed changes and new speed limits needed for projects and seasonal speed limitsA small number of community requests that meet strict criteria.

Southern District Police urge people in rural areas of Clutha and Gore to keep an eye out after reports of multiple burglaries. A number of burglaries in the heart of Southland are under investigation.Offenders have targeted fuel and equipment on farming properties in the Clutha and Gore districts. Sergeant Tim Coudret, from Southern District Police, urges people to help Police by reporting suspicious behaviour. “If you see something, say something. “Look around you and let us know if you notice something, or someone, out of the ordinary.” Suspicious or illegal activity should be reported by calling 111 immediately if it’s happening now, or via 105 if it’s afterwards. “We’ve had an increase in reports of burglaries lately. “Update your inventory of farm equipment, including model and serial numbers. “Lock up, even if you’re still on the property, and call 111 if you see something happening.” Sergeant Coudret says there are crime prevention actions you can take to secure your home and buildings.He recommends that you keep an eye out, reduce the risk of theft, keep in touch with neighbours and report anything that you find suspicious. “If it looks dodgy it probably is dodgy, no matter how minor, we want to know.” 

Pack up your tent and dust off your air mattress, a new camping ground is coming to Southland.Construction is underway in Otautau, about 40 minutes from Invercargill, on a project which still holds some uncertainty around what it will include.So far, Southland District Council has confirmed the $425,000 project will have an amenities block with cooking and laundry facilities, plus showers.“There will be both powered and non-powered camp sites and it is hoped to include two non-self contained cabins,” the council said.Initial work began on site before Christmas with completion scheduled for the end of April, it said.The cabins remain something of a mystery, however, as the council opted to discuss construction behind closed doors at a January meeting.Completion of the campground is scheduled for the end of April. (File photo). Credit: Ruth Kuo/RNZ.Discussion about construction and an operating model was also handled in private at a Wallace Takitimu Community Board meeting in December.“The building and resource consents allow for cabins to be included but this has yet to be decided,” the council said.An overview of Otautau’s camping ground history was provided by the council, which said the original version was built by the Otautau Jaycees group and opened in the 1960s or 1970s.A need for improved facilities was highlighted over the years and a project to upgrade the former campground was included in the council's long term plan for 2015 - 2025.That did not go ahead after the building was found to be structurally unsound, and was demolished in 2019.Funding for the new project was made up of $275,000 from Three Waters Better Off Funding received in 2023 by the community board, plus $150,000 from local reserves which was earmarked in the council's 2024 - 2034 long term plan.Tender information from 2024 shows a communal facility building of approximately 40 square metres was desired for the first stage, with cabins being a possibility in the second stage.The new camping ground will be located at the same place as its predecessor, Holt Park, and will be operated by the council.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

Below is a list of programmed work on Southland state highways next week, and this is also mapped HERE.  **ROAD CLOSURE OF SH99 AT WALLACETOWN; FEB 23rd to MARCH 9TH – see below and attached for further details. Key renewal site in Southland currently underway:SH90 Waikaka Valley highway between Waikaka Road and Cunningham Road – Construction work will continue until late March. Delays of 5-10 minutesSH99 Wallacetown – culvert strengthening – 2-week FULL ROAD CLOSURE from 6.30am on February 23rd to 7pm on March 9th. All vehicles (HPMV including 58tonne) to detour via Ryal Bush-Wallacetown Road/Collinson Road/SH6 Winton-Lorneville highway – detour adds approx. 10 minutes to your journey. Following the completion of the culvert strengthening, the road renewal will take place for 4 weeks. Traffic management will be one lane with temporary traffic lights – expect delays of 15-20 minutes during this time. Upcoming renewal workSH1 Waipahi Highway east of Pukerau – road renewal – MarchSH6 North Road Waikiwi, Invercargill – road resurfacing – March/April  Highways South maintenance work:SH1 Edendale Woodlands highway at Woodlands, stop/stop for tree clearingSH1 Pioneer highway at Ota Creek Road, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH1 Pioneer highway at Brydone, stop/go for chipseal resurfacingSH6 Athol-Five Rivers highway near Bixter Road, stop/go for chipseal resurfacingSH93 Old Coach Road near Clinton, traffic lights for drainageSH93 Old Coach Road near Jeff Road, stop/go for bridge repairsSH96 Glencoe highway at Glencoe, stop/go for chipseal resurfacingSH96 Glencoe highway at Dunsdale Valley Rd, stop/go for chipseal resurfacingSH96 Glencoe highway near Terrace Road, stop/go for chipseal resurfacingSH96 Nightcaps-Ohai highway at Ohai, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH99 Tuatapere-Orepuki highway south of Tuatapere, stop/go for chipseal resurfacingSH98 Lorne Dacre Road near Lorneville roundabout, stop/stop for tree clearingSH99 Wallacetown-Lorneville Road at Alliance Lorneville, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH99 Clifden Highway at Clifden-Blackmount Road, stop/go for chipseal resurfacingSH99 Tuatapere-Orepuki highway near Te Tumutu Road, stop/go for chipseal resurfacingSH99 Tuatapere-Orepuki highway at Waihoaka, stop/go for chipseal resurfacing Roadmarking (taking place under mobile traffic management)SH1 Bluff RoadSH1&SH6 Invercargill UrbanSH6 Winton UrbanSH93 Mataura to Clinton SH96 Mataura to Ohai **Programmed work may be delayed due to weather/other factors. More information at:NZTA Journeys website - https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-plannerFreight Impact Register - https://www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial-driving/trucks-and-tow-trucks/potential-restrictions-affecting-freight/ - download and filter the region for ‘Southland’. This will indicate any upcoming work in the next fortnight which have closures, detours or width restrictions for freight.

Invercargill City Council (ICC) has revealed, following an official information request, it contributed almost $30,000 of services in kind and financial contributions towards the public funeral of the city's late mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt.Sir Tim was Invercargill’s longest-serving mayor, having served nine terms (between between 1993 and 1995, and again between 1998 and 2022). In 2019 he was awarded the Knight Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit.Sir Tim died on Thursday 8th January, aged 78.In a statement ICC said that in recognition of Sir Tim’s longstanding service to the community, and given the council had the resources such as an appropriate venue and staff available, it was felt appropriate to offer the family this support. A break-down of costs include:Venue hire and services $23,603.55Signage $232.00Truck hire $265.29Condolence books $741.42Internment costs $4,643.48TOTAL $29,485.74 (GST exclusive)

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardComments:SH94 closing Homer Tunnel to Donne River bridge for tunnel & highway maintenance, Monday 23rd to Friday 27th evenings – from 7pm to midnight. A temporary opening for waiting traffic will be provided every 30 minutes allowing traffic through closure points, otherwise no access during closures due to heavy equipment operating. Please call 03 249 7004 with any queries.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Cold showers clearing late. Strong westerly wind. Tomorrow: Showers turning to afternoon rain. Sunday: Showers clearing. Monday: Cloud, afternoon rain. Tuesday: Rain clearing.

Lochiel Primary School has enjoyed a wonderful start to 2026. It has been fantastic to welcome back our students — both familiar faces and those new to our school — along with their families.Wilson's Vege Stall proud sponsors of Lochiel SchoolClassrooms have quickly come to life, with students and teachers settling into routines, practising for athletics and enthusiastically engaging in their learning.We have also celebrated two memorable events outside the classroom. The first was the Otago/Southland AgriKids competition, where three Lochiel teams competed against schools from across the region.Practising for athletics. Photo: SuppliedStudents put their teamwork and practical skills to the test, tackling a range of challenges. Every team represented our school with pride, showing our Lochiel values throughout the day.We are extremely proud of their attitudes and achievements. A special thank you goes to our talented teaching assistant, Norah Thomson, whose encouragement and support helped make the experience so successful.Teamwork. Photo: SuppliedOur next big event was the 5th annual Forest Hill Trail Run fundraiser — and what a day it was! With sunshine overhead, a clear (though slightly muddy) track, and participants ready to go, the atmosphere was buzzing.With 5km, 15km and 25km options available, there was something for everyone. It was wonderful to see so many of our own students and whānau out on the course, and the smiles at the finish line said it all. Trail Running. Photo: SuppliedEvents like this are only possible because of the incredible support from our Trail Run committee, PTA and parent helpers. We are very fortunate to be part of such a strong and supportive community.Looking ahead, we have athletics, Life Education visits and plenty of busy learning still to come in our classrooms.We are super excited for the year ahead at Lochiel Primary School.A super exciting year ahead. Photo: Supplied

The search for missing 62-year-old Kevin Belling continues as Detective Sergeant John Kean of Southland Police conducts searches in waterways in the Motu Rimu area.Kevin was last seen at his Motu Rimu farm on Friday 9 January and was reported missing on 18 January.Police Search and Rescue and Land Search and Rescue teams have conducted extensive searches, including at Kevin's Caeser Road property in Kapuka.Southland Police are now proceeding to examine effluent ponds and other waterways on the Motu Rimu farm owned by Kevin.Unfortunately, Kevin has not been found, and Police continue to appeal for any information that could help us find him.Police urge the community to be vigilant and check their rural properties for any signs of Kevin.If you have information that can assist in the search to locate Kevin, please contact Police online at 105 or call 105.Please use the reference number 260118/6964.Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Options for an outdoor stadium in Invercargill are set for further discussion as question marks hang over the city’s current offering.Invercargill city councillors gathered on Tuesday for a meeting of the community and regulatory committee to discuss a lengthy report by group manager Rex Capil about Rugby Park — the home of the Southland Stags.Issues facing the park have been well documented in recent years, including structural integrity and problems with the roof.Capil put the cost of demolishing the site at about $7 million and developing it as a multifunctional venue at up to $18 million.Robust discussion lasted almost two hours, during which Mayor Tom Campbell pointed out there were other needs facing the city such as an emergency water supply and rehabilitation work at Queens Park.“We’re going to have to balance what we must do against what we’d like to do,” he said.Grant Dermody feared the event circuit was getting more competitive and said a hole had been left in Dunedin by Christchurch’s new stadium.He lacked confidence about the future of rugby in New Zealand and said a decision weighted towards that sport should be approached cautiously.Andrea de Vries wanted to look at how a facility could serve the community.“There may not be a huge commercial return in that, but how it improves the livability and the regional pride and connection that our residents have is just as important as the financial cost of the final product,” de Vries said.Trish Boyle was strongly opposed to spending $18 million, as she felt it was unfair to prioritise rugby over other sports which paid their own way.Ian Pottinger said the facility was as important as the swimming pool or library, while Marcus Lush highlighted the importance of rugby to the region.“The rugby stadiums are our cathedrals,” Lush said.Committee chair Darren Ludlow clarified to councillors that the meeting was not about agreeing to an $18 million spend, or rugby, but about seeking direction on an outdoor stadium.He also noted a range of different events had been held at Rugby Park over the years, and that a site was not pre-determined.Pending confirmation at the next meeting of council, the matter is now set for public consultation in March 2027 as part of the council’s long-term plan ahead of a final decision in June 2027.In 2024, the council opted to continue with $1.2 million worth of work at the park but halted a scheduled spend of $2.8 million for the following year.Frankton has been raised as a possible new home for the Stags if the Invercargill ground were demolished, despite it being out of the region.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Entertainment and Info with the Southland App – Where Southlanders Stay Connected!Looking for what’s happening around our region - or wanting to share something of your own? The Southland App is your one-stop destination for everything local, from major events to everyday community news.🎉 Events: Stay up to date with Southland’s biggest occasions - concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and more. Don’t miss out on the moments that bring our region together. Have an event to promote? Feature it here and reach thousands of locals.A taste of upcoming Events:Race Ride and Slide + Colour RunSPW Fight for GoldWensley's Cycles Surf to CityMenopause The Musical📢 Public Notices: Find what’s happening closer to home - fundraisers, club meetings, school fairs, and community updates. It’s the perfect place to advertise your smaller events or share important local information.📲 Be Seen. Be Heard. Get Involved. Explore Events and Public Notices on the Southland App today - or advertise with us to make sure your message reaches every corner of Southland!💌 Want to advertise? We’d love to help spread the word for you. Email us at [email protected] to find out more.

A new partnership between Alliance Group and the Southland Stags rugby side brings together two well-established southern organisations with deep regional ties.Under the partnership, the Alliance farm-gate brand will feature on the Stags’ players’ team kit and shorts as well as on replica jerseys available for fans to purchase. “Like Alliance, the Southland Stags has a long history and deep roots in the Southland community,” says Niall Browne, Chief Executive of Alliance Group. “Southland is the spiritual home of Alliance Group. Many of our suppliers are based in the region, we are the province’s largest employer, and our people are passionate Stags supporters. Our values such as courage and team are also embedded in the Southland Stags culture. “As a business, we are passionate about providing our global customers with the highest quality red meat, and we are also passionate about great rugby.” Dawn Meats, which owns 65 per cent of Alliance, sponsors its local team Waterpark Rugby Football Club in Waterford, Ireland. “We will be equally proud to see the Southland Stags players running out sporting the Alliance logo,” says Niall. “I’m really looking forward to cheering the team on from the stands and I know there will be a lot of members of the Alliance family doing the same. Let’s hope we see the Ranfurly Shield back in Southland hands.” Rugby Southland CEO Hua Tamariki says the partnership is a natural fit. “Alliance Group is an iconic Southland business with strong rural roots and a deep connection to our community, just like the Southland Stags. “Many of our players, members, volunteers, and supporters come from farming backgrounds or have close ties to the red meat sector, so this partnership reflects our people and the industry that underpins our region. “We’re proud to have the Alliance brand alongside us on the Stags playing kit and replica jerseys. Their commitment to quality, teamwork, and the Southland community aligns strongly with the values that our organisation has for our Stags team. “We’re looking forward to building a partnership that not only supports the pathway and performance part of the Southland rugby eco-system, but one that also celebrates the strong connection between our hardworking rural communities and the Stags jersey.”

Set to compete at the 60th anniversary Southern Shears shearing and woolhandling championships in Gore this week, the New Zealand shearing team is likely to enter the Trans-Tasman test match as the outsider.The TAB has Australia as $1.50 favourite, despite the presence of two newcomers in the three-man team, while New Zealand was on Monday quoted at $2.40.Australia, with veteran Daniel McIntyre at the helm, will be going for a fourth consecutive win in the annual home-and-away matches, having won in Katanning, West Australia, in October 2024, the Golden Shears in Masterton last March, and Jamestown, South Australia, in October.Australian shearing legend Daniel McIntyre, pictured in a transtasman test mtch at the Golden Shears in Masterton. On Saturday he shears the next test match, at the Southern Shears in Gore. Phooto / Pete Nikolaison.McIntyre, from Glen Innes, NSW, is joined by 2025 Australian champion Sam Bacon, from Jamestown, SA, and Sam Byers, from Ross, Tas, while the New Zealand team comprises veteran international David Buick, of Pongaroa, three-times national shearing circuit champion Angus Moore, from Marlborough, and finewool merino specialist Chris Vickers.Of the 74 tests since the first home-and-away series in 1974-1975, Australia has won 41, being particularly dominant in more recent years with 15 wins in the last 20 tests dating back to a match at Errowanbang, NSW, in 2014, when McIntyre and Buick were both in the teams. Of McIntyre’s 22 tests, Australia has won 17.Merino wethers have in recent New Zealand tests comprised half the contest’s 12 sheep for each shearer, along with six new Zealand cross reds (three longwool and three second-shear).The merinos have generally taken 65-70 per cent of the time, but in Gore each shearer will shear 14 sheep, comprising six merino ewes, four crossbred long wool and four crossbred second-shear, which could even-up the time points, calculated at a point for every 20 seconds.But Buick said during the week he hadn’t shorn a merino in the four months since the test in Australia, and he might not have any practice on merinos before Saturday’s match.David Buick, who has shorn more than 20 tests for New Zealand and faces another transtasman match in Gore on Saturday, pictured at the Wairarapa A&P Show in November. PHOTO / SSNZ.He’s putting his faith in gear borrowed from a more merino-expert shearer in Otago-Southland, and the finewool capabilities of his South Island teammates.Buick is going for more than just a test win in Gore, where he will also shear for the North Island against the South Island and chase the South Island Shearer of the Year and Southern Shears Open titles.An anniversary dinner will be held on Thursday night and over 150 shearers and woolhandlers will compete over the next two days.On Sunday, at Pukekohe, a New Zealand team of Northland shearer Toa Henderson and Jack Fagan, of Te Kuiti, will shear against the Wales team of Gwion Evans and Llyr Jones in the second test of three tests in the Wools of New Zealand Series. New Zealand won the first narrowly at Aria on Waitangi Day.