An investigation is underway into the sinking of a Fiordland Jet commercial jetboat on the Waiau River, Maritime New Zealand says.It happened on Tuesday afternoon, and Maritime New Zealand staff are talking to people, examining the vessel and the scene of the incident, reviewing documents and gathering information.There were 13 people on board, including 11 passengers, a guide and the driver. No one was injured.Once assessments are completed, it will decide if action will be taken.Fiordland Jet did not want to comment.Published by Permission

Hospice Southland extends its thanks to Scott Whitaker for organising Par for Purpose, a charity golf day held on Friday, 13 February 2026, which united the local golfing and business community in support of a cause impacting countless Southland families.Par for Purpose was more than a day on the course. It was a powerful reminder that hospice care in Southland exists because of the community's generosity. Every entry, sponsorship, and contribution helps ensure free specialist palliative care remains available to those who need it most. Funds raised from the event are currently being tallied, with all proceeds going directly towards supporting Hospice Southland’s care services across the region. Event organiser Scott Whitaker said the cause was deeply personal. “Like many Southlanders, I have seen firsthand the huge impact hospice has on families during some of the toughest times in their lives,” Whitaker said. “I wanted to do something meaningful to support the incredible work they do. Bringing people together for a day of golf felt like a great way to raise funds, but also to raise awareness of just how important hospice care is in our community.” Also on the kitchen utensils today (Friday, 13 February 2026) were Margaret Hewett – In-patient Nurse at Hospice Southland, Suzanne Prentice – Events Co-ordinator, and Paddy O’Brien – President, ILT. Photo: Supplied.“We do what we do because our community helps us do it,” said Pete Thompson, Chief Executive of Hospice Southland. “Events like Par for Purpose are critical. They enable us to continue delivering compassionate care, supporting patients and families at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.” Hospice care is not fully funded, meaning Hospice Southland relies heavily on fundraising, donations, and community support to continue delivering care, dignity, and choice for Southlanders living with life-limiting illness. “Scott’s leadership in bringing this event together has had a real impact,” Thompson said. “When individuals and businesses choose to back hospice, they are directly supporting care that stays local and supports local families.” The event also attracted strong local support from familiar Southland identities, who generously gave their time to be part of the day and help keep the atmosphere upbeat and community focused. Supporters rolled up their sleeves to cook sausages on the barbecue and ensure players and guests were well looked after throughout the day. Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell attended the event and praised Hospice Southland for its role in caring for the region’s most vulnerable. “Hospice is one of those organisations that almost every family in Southland is connected to in some way, at some point,” Mayor Campbell said. “The work they do is extraordinary. It is fantastic to see the community come together behind an event like this and show their support for the care hospice provides.” The success of Par for Purpose reflects a wider culture of giving in Southland, where people understand the value of looking after one another and stepping up when it matters most. Hospice Southland extends heartfelt thanks to Scott Whitaker, the players, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who made Par for Purpose possible. Their support ensures hospice care can continue today and into the future. For those wanting to support Hospice Southland, whether through fundraising, donations, volunteering, or longer-term giving, every contribution helps keep hospice carefree and local.

Below is a list of programmed works on Southland state highways next week, and all known work on Southland state highways next week is mapped HERE.  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 minutes. Upcoming renewal workSH99 Wallacetown – road renewal and culvert work – mid February/March *Possible SH99 road closure at Wallacetown – details will be confirmed asapSH1 Waipahi Highway east of Pukerau – road renewal – late February/MarchSH6 North Road Waikiwi, Invercargill – road resurfacing – March/April  Highways South maintenance work:SH1 Edendale-Woodlands highway near Woodlands, stop/stop for tree clearingSH6 Winton-Lorneville highway near Thomsons Crossing Road, stop/got for chipseal resurfacingSH93 Old Coach Road at Doctors Road, lane diversion for watermain maintenanceSH93 Bridge St at River Street, lane diversion for watermain maintenanceSH93 Old Coach Road between Doctors Road and Ferndale Road, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH93 Old Coach Road between Heaps Road and Range Road, traffic lights for flax removalSH94 Lumsden-Riversdale highway at Waimea Stream 2, stop/go for bridge maintenanceSH94 Lumsden-Riversdale highway between Riversdale and Longridge, stop/got for chipseal resurfacingSH94 Te Anau-Mossburn highway at The Key, traffic lights for headwall work **18th February onlySH98 Lorne Dacre Road near Woodstock Road, stop/stop for tree clearingSH98 Lorne Dacre Road between Mill Road North and Lorneville roundabout, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH99 Riverton-Wallacetown highway near Wallacetown, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH99 between Orepuki and McCracken’s Rest, stop/got for chipseal resurfacing Roadmarking (taking place under mobile traffic management)SH1 Bluff RoadSH1/SH6 Invercargill 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.

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and Ocean Beach Aquaculture Hub have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost aquaculture innovation and build regional capability in Southland.The agreement recognises the growing importance of aquaculture to the regional economy and positions SIT at the centre of developing the skills, knowledge, and applied learning needed to support the sector’s long-term success. Southland is well-suited to aquaculture development, with the necessary attributes in water quality, ocean currents and water temperature. Ocean Beach’s coastal location, access to primary production and its cool, clean sea water made it ideal for development, with scope to add more products, such as oysters, kina, shellfish, salmon, and other farmed fish, as well as seaweed for human consumption, horticulture and agriculture, and other innovations. SIT Chief Executive Bharat Guha says the partnership reflects SIT’s commitment to industry-aligned education that delivers meaningful outcomes for students and the wider region. “This Memorandum of Understanding is about creating strong, practical connections between education and industry,” Guha says. “Aquaculture is a sector with significant opportunity for Southland, and this partnership helps ensure our students are gaining real-world experience that supports both learning and regional capability building.” Guha says the agreement reinforces SIT’s role as a cornerstone institution supporting regional development, as outlined in Southland Aquaculture Pathway 2025, Great South’s collaborative road map, designed to align iwi, industry, and government on infrastructure, workforce training, and sustainable growth. “SIT has a long history of working alongside industry to support Southland’s growth,” Guha says. “This partnership strengthens those relationships and reflects a shared commitment to innovation, skills development, and a resilient regional economy.” Invercargill National MP and Minister for Vocational Education, Penny Simmonds, says partnerships between education providers and industry are critical to regional success. “This Memorandum of Understanding highlights the importance of collaboration in building strong regional economies,” Simmonds says. “SIT plays a vital role in developing the skills and capability that underpin Southland’s industries, and partnerships like this support innovation, and long-term growth.” Kaumatua Michael Skerrett of Ngãi Tahu says the partnership reflects a shared responsibility to support education and development that is grounded in place and people. “Aquaculture is closely connected to our environment and our communities,” Skerrett says. “This agreement supports learning that is respectful of the environment and focused on long-term outcomes for the region. It is encouraging to see education and industry working together in this way.” Ocean Beach General Manager, Blair Wolfgram, says the partnership is focused on enabling education and applied learning outcomes. “Ocean Beach was established to support aquaculture innovation and excellence,” Wolfgram says. “Working alongside SIT allows us to contribute to research, and skills development in a way that supports the future of the sector and the region.”

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardWeather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Heavy rain eases later this morning. Tomorrow: Mainly fine. Possible showers south of Lake Gunn. Sunday: Mainly fine. Possible showers south of Lake Gunn. Monday: Mainly fine. Possible showers south of Lake Gunn. Tuesday: Mainly fine. Possible showers south of Lake Gunn.

Long-term Department of Conservation concessions have been granted today (12 Feb) to three iconic southern tourism locations by the Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka.The concessions include a 38-year concession to NZSki for The Remarkables Ski Area, a 30-year guided walking concession to Tourism Milford Limited (Ultimate Hikes) on the Milford Track and a 25-year concession to RealNZ for the Te Ana-au Caves.Potaka said the long-term tourism concessions would support jobs, strengthen regional economies, and keep visitor access open at key South Island destinations.Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said the decision would provide important confidence for the tourism sector and the regional economies that depend on it.MP for Southland Joseph Mooney said he was delighted at the announcement which was great news for Southland and Otago and would strengthen both provinces' economies and keep visitor access open at key South Island destinations.“I have been strongly advocating for concessions in our region to be processed in order to bring certainty and confidence to these areas which attract so many and mean so much to the South."“These attractions are incredibly well-managed, and it is a massive confidence boost for the South to know their future is certain."“With a secure future these operators can now continue hiring, training and investing in these world-class visitor attractions."“The flow-on effect of this decision is vast, with supporting industries such as transport, accommodation, hospitality and construction all part of the community of businesses connected to these attractions."“I will continue working with local tourism operators to support further confidence in our world class southern regions,” Mooney said.

Southland's Awarua Satellite Ground Station is set to boom, after the government announced today (12 Feb) it was raising New Zealand's limit on permitted rocket launches from 100 to 1000.The Awarua station currently provides telemetry, tracking and command services for a wide range of satellites, as well as hosting antennas for global commercial operators and space agencies.The announcement follows a review of space vehicle launch debris regulations.Invercargill MP & Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, who made the announcement along with Space Minister Judith Collins, said it was great news for Southland and would now enable the province's space sector to grow. “Southland is an ideal location for a satellite ground station given its proximity to the South Pole, low horizon and limited radio interference, with this latest increase in the number of space launches allowed a huge boost to this project."Simmonds said Southland’s space sector, anchored by the Awarua Satellite Ground Station and driven by Space Operations NZ (SpaceOps), was experiencing rapid growth.“The sector is expanding its satellite, launch support, and data analytics services with a $4.55 million project supported by $2.25 million from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund."“The space sector in NZ is experiencing significant growth, with revenues reaching $2.68 billion in 2024, and Southland is a key contributor to this, supporting high value jobs and innovation in our province.”Simmonds said that without lifting the limit, every additional launch after the current cap was reached would have been required to apply for a fully notified marine consent. “That would slow innovation in our province, add unnecessary cost, and undermine the Government’s commitment to investment certainty for a sector that is rapidly growing and supporting regional economies."

The drive to integrate sustainability from the ground up at Te Unua Museum of Southland has earned provisional certification under Australasia’s top voluntary environmental rating scheme for commercial developments.The project was provisionally awarded a 4 Star Green Star NZ Design & As Built Design Review Certified rating, in recognition of its commitment to deliver a high-quality, sustainable facility for generations of Southlanders to enjoy. Te Unua Museum of Southland Director Eloise Wallace said achieving Green Star certification demonstrated its commitment to both people and place. Green Star certification assessed environmental performance across categories including energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, material selection, waste management, and carbon emissions reduction. “Te Unua Museum of Southland is about celebrating the legacy of our region. That goes beyond being a space where the stories of Murihiku are shared, and our taoka are taken care of – it also includes thinking about the kind of asset we want to create today, for the enjoyment of our community tomorrow,” she said. Attaining provisional Green Star certification meant the facility was on track to be the first museum in the country to receive the accolade, she said. “Green Star certification aligns with Invercargill City Council’s long-term vision to create a future-proof, sustainable cultural asset that can be enjoyed for generations to come.” The community had been overwhelmingly supportive of the process to seek Green Star certification during previous public consultation periods, Wallace said. Invercargill City Council Senior Project Manager Haydyn Taylor said Green Star certification reflected efforts to embed environmental sustainability throughout the project – from the build, to its long-term operational practices. “The process looks across the entire project, from considering the sustainability of the materials you select for the structure, to the healthiness of the indoor spaces you’re creating – how much natural air and light you have coming in, how you’re mitigating noise pollution,” he said. The development of Te Unua Museum of Southland reflected a strong performance in fundamental areas of sustainable design. The museum would have a 60 percent reduction in operational energy consumption, in comparison to ‘like’ builds, and a whopping 80 percent reduction in associated greenhouse gas emissions, Taylor said. Among the sustainable materials used in the construction of Te Unua was Ecrete, a concrete engineered here in New Zealand using recycled materials such as fly ash and slag or lowercarbon cement, as well as sustainably-sourced steel from Indonesia, and higher R-value insulation for greater thermal efficiency. “Being the first museum in the country to attain Green Star certification is a really impressive achievement, and reflects the value the museum will add to our community not just from a cultural and social point of view, but from an environmental perspective as well,” he said. The next step would be to have the completed As-Built plans reassessed at the end of the project, to confirm that construction aligned with the Green Star design parameters, he said. Trustees and staff from Community Trust South, which in 2023 had contributed a significant $5 million to the project, visited the site to see progress firsthand. Community Trust South Chief Executive Jackie Flutey said the organisation’s contribution represented investment in the museum’s vision ,and its commitment to sustainability. “Supporting this development means contributing to a thriving south and creating a space for connection and celebration for generations to come,” she said.

SH99 Clifden Highway is now open – the tree has been removedA large tree has fallen from the Tuatapere Scenic Reserve across SH99 Clifden highway. Due to this, SH99 is closed just north of Tuatapere township.A road closure is in place until this can be safely removed.Update to follow.

A former mayor-turned water specialist has offered some humorous advice on dealing with complaints — just ask people how much contamination they’re comfortable with.On Wednesday, water regulator Taumata Arowai specialist Tim Cadogan dialed in from Wellington to share safety insights with Southland district councillors.The former Central Otago mayor's presentation was upbeat but also included some sobering details, such as results from recent testing showing 43 E. Coli notifications around the country.“So that’s 43 times that water supplies in New Zealand were essentially infiltrated by faeces. And two of those last week were council supplies.”Cadogan said it was common in New Zealand for people to think their water was fine, or the best in the country.“Most of our water’s good most of the time, but not all of our water is good all of the time.“And if there’s one thing I want councillors to take away, it’s that fact. That it can go wrong. It does go wrong. And when it goes wrong, people can get really sick. People can die, and have.”Taumata Arowai Water Services Authority was set up in 2021 following the Havelock North contamination event which was linked to the deaths of four people and left more than 5000 ill.Cadogan offered some sage advice for dealing with members of the public who were critical about water standards being too high, or costing too much money.“Say to them … ‘hey, what level of E Coli., or what level of Giardia, or what level of Norovirus is actually okay?“And generally people will agree that zero’s the number that they want.”There were four ways of protecting against unsafe water, he explained — protecting the source, filtration, disinfection and secure distribution.Good source water had benefits because it was cheaper to treat, while disinfection included methods such as chlorine and UV.The final step was secure distribution, or making sure water got to the final tap in the network safely. Residual chlorine in the pipe network played a role in that.“Because if you have a break in the pipe, bugs can get in as easily as water can get out,” Cadogan said.Cadogan served as Central Otago mayor from 2016 to 2024 before stepping aside to take up the role of local government engagement specialist at Taumata Arowai.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

Credit: The ConversationHydrogen is emerging as a critical part of the low-carbon transition for industries where electrification is not a straightforward solution.This includes the production of steel, fertiliser and methanol as well as long-haul transport. In New Zealand, these industries account for about 17 percent of total emissions.Hydrogen could replace these emissions but this would require annual production of 600,000 to one million tonnes. The cost of producing low-carbon hydrogen is a critical factor.Currently, "green" hydrogen - made by splitting water with renewable electricity - costs more than $12 per kilogram.Long-haul transport companies have already invested in green hydrogen, but it remains too expensive for heavy industry or large-scale chemical production. For these industries, the tipping point for economic viability is closer to $4-5 per kilogram.But New Zealand could be uniquely placed to explore a potentially cheaper option - "natural" or geological hydrogen which the Earth produces and, in some cases, traps in underground reservoirs.The promise of natural hydrogenAround the world, researchers and companies are already turning their attention to natural hydrogen.Near-pure hydrogen has been extracted at a single gas field in Mali, attracting interest from governments in the United States, Canada and Australia.There is also interest from major international resource companies. By the end of 2023, 40 companies were exploring natural hydrogen globally.One key process in the accumulation of natural hydrogen is "serpentinisation" - a reaction between water and iron-rich ultramafic rocks. When water alters these minerals, it converts ferrous iron to ferric iron, releasing hydrogen in the process.The richer the rock is in iron, the more hydrogen is produced. Under the right conditions, these rocks can generate hydrogen at potentially economic scales.Laboratory-based research shows that at the right temperature and pressure conditions, up to 0.6 kilograms of hydrogen can be released from a cubic metre of ultramafic rock (if it contains the right iron-rich minerals).New Zealand's turbulent geological history provides an unusual advantage.The landscape has been shaped by major episodes of tectonic collision.Rapid and complex uplift of mountain ranges, active plate subduction and regular ruptures of faults that penetrate through the crust create exactly the kinds of geological settings where natural hydrogen can potentially form and accumulate.Four promising geological situations stand out.1. Belts of ancient ultramafic rock have been pushed up from deep in the Earth's crust on both islands. In the North Island, many of these rocks lie beneath major industrial centres, raising the possibility of local "on-demand" hydrogen production close to where it would be used.2. High-temperature geothermal systems drive powerful circulations of groundwater, enabling the generation and transport of hydrogen from magma.3. Off the east coast of the North Island, the Pacific plate is being forced under New Zealand in a region known as the Hikurangi subduction zone. As it sinks, chemical reactions including serpentinisation produce methane and hydrogen.Observed phenomena of this process include the presence of methane hydrates and seeps as well as plume emissions, mud volcanoes, hot springs and localised seeps of hydrogen.4. Major faults in the South Island, including the Alpine Fault, act as deep conduits, allowing water to interact with ultramafic rocks.In Fiordland, a remarkable site has vented gas that is 76 percent hydrogen for at least 40 years. This is one of the more notable seeps of natural hydrogen known worldwide.These factors make New Zealand unusually well suited to natural hydrogen exploration. The country's active geology, often thought of as a hazard, could also be a critical resource.Researchers and industry are beginning to investigate whether these sources could provide hydrogen at $4-5 per kilogram or less. If natural hydrogen proves viable, New Zealand's unique geology could put the country at the forefront of a new global energy frontier.Published by Permission

After a record December and January, another upswing of visitors to Piopiotahi Milford Sound is expected over Chinese New Year (17 February to 3 March). Market intelligence from Great South suggests the Chinese market, which has been slower to rebound since COVID, has swung strongly back this summer - particularly for Chinese New Year. Great South General Manager Tourism and Events Mark Frood says there has been continued growth in FIT (free independent traveller) demand, meaning more rental cars and self-drive visitors than in recent years. “Chinese New Year is longer than usual this year – a 9-day holiday period – which is spreading demand and sustaining higher volumes. Air capacity into Auckland from Chinese gateways is up 18% for the Chinese New Year period, and Christchurch capacity is particularly strong, with China Southern having 29% increase for summer Dec to March period,” Mark Frood says. The Department of Conservation (DOC) is working alongside Great South, Milford Sound Tourism Limited (MSTL), and the Milford Road Alliance to look after Piopiotahi, support peak periods and promote safe travel. “Located within a remote World Heritage Area with limited infrastructure, managing the peaks of Milford Sound’s visitation is key to protecting both the environment and the visitor experience,” says DOC Operations Manager John Lucas. “Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, come well prepared, and uphold New Zealand’s Tiaki Promise by travelling safely and caring for the environment. “The Milford Road is stunning but it can be slow, challenging and stressful to drive, particularly at peak times. Drivers should check weather and road conditions before setting out, allow extra travel and parking time, take care, and be considerate of others,” John Lucas says. “With high traffic volumes putting pressure on the national park, taking a guided tour or coach is a great way to reduce your footprint, travel stress-free and enjoy the incredible scenery with insights from trained guides. “Visitor facilities are kept to a minimum in this remote, natural location. People should be prepared to take out all they bring into the park including rubbish and ensure they use the available toilet facilities. “These small acts of naturing help protect Piopiotahi so it can be enjoyed now and into the future.” MSTL CEO Haylee Preston says the summer season has been exceptionally busy so far, with December day cruise passenger numbers up 12,117 (13%) and overall visitation 6% higher than peak pre-COVID levels. “Indications are that this could be Milford Sound’s busiest summer on record, although we won’t know for sure until the end of February,” Haylee Preston says. “We’re expecting Chinese New Year to be another peak so MSTL will have extra parking attendants on the ground to help guide traffic and visitors. “Visitors are advised onsite parking is limited and fills quickly. Those with cruise tour bookings should allow at least two hours to travel from Te Anau and 45 minutes for parking and walking to the terminal.” DOC continues to work with Ngāi Tahu, community and key stakeholders to deliver short and long-term improvements for conservation and sustainable tourism on the Milford journey, building on recommendations from the Milford Opportunities Project.

Gore's famous giant brown trout statue is angling for an official name.The sculpture - designed by local artist Erroll Allison and built by a local engineering firm - has proudly stood in Gore for almost 40 years.The statue, capturing a trout mid-leap, is finally getting a name as part of a competition to promote the Southland town's On The Fly Festival on the Mataura River later this month.Gore District Council senior events co-ordinator Florine Potts told Checkpoint that there had been "heaps" of suggestions, with Trouty McTroutface one of the first to come through - "Someone had to do it."Potts said the list of initial names had been slimmed down to five finalists - Trixie, Scout, Trevor, Gordon or Finn."Voting has only opened on Monday, so people still have a lot of time to vote."Everyone can vote, they can go on our socials or text our local radio station. If you come to Gore, you can have an opinion on it."Potts said they were hoping other towns with giant statues of local animals and produce will follow suit and name their own statues.She said locals were looking forward to being able to stop referring to it as just "the trout", but said whatever the name, it would always be a true Gore icon."People come and visit and take photos with the trout. Everyone knows the trout."Published by Permission

Freddie Slater of the UK has just given Southlanders another reminder of the fact that when the internationally renowned Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT) series visits Teretonga Park in Invercargill we are seeing some of the best young racing drivers from around the world, including some who are Formula 1 bound. The current Formula 1 grid features kiwi Liam Lawson, Argentinian Franco Colapinto, Canadian Lance Stroll and of course the current Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris from the UK who have all raced at Teretonga Park. This year they will be joined by another from the UK, Arvid Lindblad who just twelve months ago was racing, and winning, at Teretonga Park. Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda raced in the south in 2020 and just twelve months later was entering F1. Commentators are convinced this year’s CTFROT grid also contained some F1 stars of the future and one who has a foot in the door is UK driver Freddie Slater who was at Teretonga just last month, winning two of the three races held including the prestigious Spirit Of A Nation Cup where his name joined those of Norris and Lawson. Just days after racing here in Southland it was announced that Slater was the first driver signed to the fledging Audi F1 team’s Driver Development Programme. While it is no guarantee of graduating to F1 it does mean that Slater has been identified as a talent capable of reaching F1. He will race Formula 3 in Europe this season against many of the grid that lined up at Teretonga Park last month. Prior to his New Zealand campaign he had won the Formula Regional European Championship and before that both the UAE and Italian F4 titles. Before that he had taken karting titles including the 2020 Junior World Karting Championship and FIA Karting European Karting Championships in 2021 and 2023. Will Slater be the next F1 star we have seen compete here?

A successful fisheries patrol around Stewart Island and Foveaux Strait has been completed by the Royal New Zealand Navy, working alongside Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ).Last week, Inshore Patrol Vessel HMNZS Taupo conducted the patrol with FNZ fishery officers aboard, providing a visible presence to commercial fishing vessels operating out of ports including Half Moon Bay, Bluff and Riverton. For the Commanding officer of HMNZS Taupo, Lieutenant Commander Toby Mara, working with FNZ is an important task that is looked forward to. “Both organisations share a similar commitment to protecting New Zealand’s valuable marine resources so conducting this compliance operation provides that critical visibility,” he said. Fisheries New Zealand and the Navy jointly conduct patrols throughout New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), says Garreth Jay, FNZ’s Compliance Manager South. “Working with our Navy partners gives us greater capacity to inspect commercial fishing vessel operations further out to sea and helps provide a greater picture of fishing operations throughout the EEZ.” During last week’s patrol, fishery officers inspected vessels’ electronic reporting, paperwork, and fishing practices. “Our officers found a generally good response from crew on board the vessels they inspected, and the majority of the vessels were following the rules,” Mr Jay said. “Of the 14 inspections conducted on commercial fishing vessels and one amateur charter vessel, three instances of alleged non-compliance were detected, and we are making further enquiries into these.”Stewart Island bound. HMNZS Taupo begins a southern fishery compliance patrol in partnership with Fisheries New Zealand. Photo: Supplied. The 55-metre long Taupo can accommodate 37 personnel and is more commonly utilised for RNZN Officer of the Watch training and to test the navigation skills of newly qualified sailors, Lieutenant Commander Mara said. An operational tasking, however, provides the most valuable training of all as it’s a practical way for the ship’s company to demonstrate what they’ve learned in a challenging and dynamic working environment. “The situation can change within minutes at sea, and our people need to pivot accordingly to achieve the required result. The value this offers them early in their career is immense,” he said. Following the patrol, Taupo visited Dunedin before sailing up the east coast to Devonport, with a scheduled port visit in Lyttelton.

A Fiordland amateur fishing charter company has been fined for illegally catching and serving an estimated close to $250,000 worth of crayfish to customers.Fiordland Cruises Limited has been sentenced and fined $60,000 on one charge under the Fisheries Act in the Invercargill District Court after being prosecuted by the Ministry for Primary Industries.The company will not have to forfeit its vessel, Southern Secret, if it pays a redemption fee of $47,000. The ministry received several complaints about charter vessels working in the Fiordland Marine Area including allegations that seafood meals were used to encourage paying passengers to take part.An investigation found Fiordland Cruises Limited took and served 1630 crayfish onboard the 162 amateur fishing charters it ran between January and October 2023.They would have cost an estimated $239,610 to $244,500 on the domestic market. Fisheries New Zealand compliance regional manager south Garreth Jay said all charter operators were given clear information on the rules.That included only passengers who caught fish recreationally could have it served to them on the vessel as a commercial business could not catch fish recreationally to serve to customers, he said.When fishery officers boarded the Southern Secret, they found that passengers were served crayfish for lunch despite not taking part in fishing, and guests saw crew members clearing cray pots. "The skipper told us that along with the chef, they would lift the craypots while passengers watched.""This is illegal behaviour from a company that does not hold a commercial fishing licence and is not a Licensed Fish Receiver," Jay said."We expect those rules to be followed."

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:Bluff Garden ShowDrawn TogetherSummer Sounds Bluff Music Fesitival in FebruaryETC presents Michele AÇourtThe Shepherdess Muster📢 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.

An Invercargill man says he and his wife were left ‘dumbfounded’ after finding out they were millionaires just before bedtime on Saturday.The man usually only buys a ticket when the jackpot is high, and remembers the last time he purchased a ticket was during November’s $55 million Must Be Won draw.“Last week I got an email saying I had $16 in my MyLotto account, so I logged in and bought a ticket for last Wednesday’s draw.“On Saturday night I checked that ticket, which wasn’t a winner. I looked at the clock and it was 7:20pm so I made a split-second decision to buy another ticket for that night – which turned out to be a pretty good decision,” he said.Later, while winding down for bed, he spotted an article saying someone from Invercargill had won $1 million, and decided to check his ticket.“I opened the app and skipped the virtual draw, expecting to see ‘better luck next time’, but this time it was different. I stared at the screen, and then closed and reopened the app a few times to make sure it wasn’t some kind of glitch,” he said.Still unsure, he handed the phone to his wife.“She thought I was joking and didn’t believe me at first. We sat up for a while – both a bit dumbfounded – it still hasn’t really sunk in.”“It’s a nice amount for us… not enough to get silly and start buying private jets and the likes,” he joked, “but enough that it really helps us reach our goals that bit quicker.”The couple are planning to pay off their mortgage, finish some home renovations, and invest the rest of the money for their family’s future.The winning Lotto First Division ticket was sold on MyLotto for the draw on Saturday 7 February 2026.

Southern councils have raised a host of issues with proposed rates capping including deferred maintenance and higher costs in the future.In December, the government announced a plan to cap annual rates increase at 2 - 4 percent, saying it would lighten the load for households.But the move has received push-back from some authorities, including Environment Southland which raised issues with biosecurity and flood protection.The regional council told the Department of Internal Affairs earlier this month it supported the intent behind the proposed model, and a rate target was preferable to a hard rate cap or cap on council revenue.However, it was concerned about how a targeted model could weaken statutory mandates around flood infrastructure, hazard management, environmental monitoring, compliance, biosecurity and regulatory services.“Environment Southland is concerned the rates target model could perpetuate existing assets being run-down. Our primary concern is in relation to flood-infrastructure,” it added.Southland District Council also held concerns, saying a uniform cap risked deferring work in ways which increased costs over time.“A uniform rate cap produces inequitable outcomes, forcing smaller councils to absorb disproportionately higher costs without the flexibility needed to maintain essential services and infrastructure,” it said.The council warned that underinvestment could be an unintended outcome because rates capping could potentially result in deferred maintenance or asset renewals.It recommended a rates cap not be introduced, but said if a target was retained, the upper limit should be increased.Invercargill mayor Tom Campbell’s letter on the subject said the council faced a bow wave of infrastructure renewals amid an historical lack of depreciation funding.He pointed out a range of council spending would not be possible under the proposed target range, including for regional development agency Great South and Stadium Southland.The council’s elderly housing service would be affected, as would support for the resettlement of refugees.The government is consulting with stakeholders until this month. New law is proposed for January 2027, starting with a transition period.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air