Southland District Council (SDC) Mayor Rob Scott's vision of just two councils governing Southland moved a step closer yesterday (8 Jul) after the Local Government Commission (LGC) announced it would be formally investigating the proposal.Southland is currently governed by three territorial councils - Southland District (SDC), Gore District (GDC) and Invercargill City (ICC), and one regional council - Environment Southland (ES).SDC Mayor Rob Scott made his initial proposal in August last year to reorganise local government in Southland into two unitary authorities – one rural based and one for Invercargill city.The proposal was subsequently formally lodged with the Local Government Commission (LGC) by the SDC.Yesterday's LGC announcement follows preliminary consultations with all four affected councils and Te Ao Mārama Incorporated, on behalf of Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku.Scott said he was pleased the Local Government Commission had seen merit in the proposal.“There’s definitely a need for change in local government in Southland.”“The people of Southland deserve relevant representation that is connected to their communities and is efficient and affordable."“I’m looking forward to working with the commission over the coming months,” he said.In April and May respectively, both ICC and ES councilors supported the further investigating the proposal, although ICC councilors preferred a single unitary authority.GDC Chief Executive Debbie Lascelles said in May that while there had been some interest from both the community and council to the current proposal, for Gore to give up its local voice and control the proposal would need to demonstrate considerably more financial benefits.She said the GDC believed a much bigger proposal needed to be explored.The commission said in its announcement that the initiative set out potential benefits for the Southland region, and some concerns of the other affected councils.“Each council and Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku will have the opportunity to feed into development of the investigation process document, which may assist in allaying some concerns,” the LGC decision said.The LGC process is expected to take between three and five years to complete.

The Local Government Commission is investigating the reorganisation of councils in the Southland region.Southland District Mayor Rob Scott last year proposed two authorities for the region - one rural-based and one for Invercargill city.The commission consulted with Gore District Council, Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Environment Southland, before deciding on the investigation.It also engaged with Te Ao Mārama Incorporated, on behalf of Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku.The commission said Southland District's initiative meets the aims of the Local Government Act, including improved local decision-making and better service delivery.Published by permission

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardRoad status:OPEN from Te Anau to Milford SoundComments:The road is open. We have completed the maintenance works earlier than expected, so there will not be any further tunnel closures this week.  Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Rain developing. Tomorrow: Periods of rain. Friday: Rain. Saturday: Periods of rain. Sunday: Showers.

A newly-appointed KiwiRail board director is associated with a company which donated to NZ First.Scott O'Donnell is one of the four directors of Dynes Transport Tapanui, which donated $20,000 to NZ First in July 2024.The company is also involved in a project which recently received a government regional infrastructure loan of $8 million.Political scientist Bryce Edwards said even though party donations are not considered to be a conflict of interest, he believed it was a "perfect storm" of factors, which can erode trust in the political system."It's definitely this type of relationship that leads to, at the very least, a perception of a quid-pro-quo arrangement whereby donations give the donors special treatment in government."Minister for Rail Winston Peters' announcement of Scott O'Donnell's appointment to state-owned KiwiRail last week noted a conflict of interest plan was in place related to O'Donnell's business interests."The company's road freight operation is primarily south of Oamaru, and as such Mr O'Donnell will recuse himself from KiwiRail activities in this part of New Zealand," said Peters in the press statement.He said O'Donnell "brings actual experience to the role" and would bolster KiwiRail's freight expertise and that his commercial interests were disclosed during the appointment process.Information about the donation was not included in Peters' announcement."Dynes Transport is a company, not an individual, and its donation was declared to the Electoral Commission and in full public view while Mr O'Donnell's directorship was considered," said Peters.Dynes Transport was also a recipient of a government loan for a transport hub project in Mosgiel.The Southern Link Logistics Park received an $8 million loan towards creating an "inland port". The project would connect Dunedin's Port Chalmers to Mosgiel by track and potentially cut 19,000 truck trips through Dunedin streets a year.The hub would be developed by Southern Link Property Limited, which is owned by Port Otago and Dynes Transport.NZ First's Shane Jones announced the government loan for the project days after a competing project was revealed.Calder Stewart had plans for a 55-hectare development on heavy industrial-zoned land near Milton, which would be approximately 50 kilometres southwest of Dunedin. It would be connected to State Highway 1 and the South Island's main trunk line and its development would be privately funded.Jones told RNZ to the best of his knowledge he was not aware of another proposal for an inland port. He said five ministers were involved in making the decision regarding the Regional Infrastructure Fund loan, including National's Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop, Tama Potaka and Simon Watts.Conflicts of interest regarding donations were handled in a similar manner to Fast Track Applicants, said Jones, where only donations made to candidates directly were considered to be a conflict. "Just because someone contributes to the party doesn't necessarily mean that I, as a member of New Zealand First, one of five ministers would be in a conflict situation."KiwiRail's executive general manager freight markets supplied a letter of support to Dyne Transport's unsuccessful fast track proposal in April 2024.Are party donations a conflict of interest?A recent investigation regarding the handling of conflicts of interest and the Fast Track Approvals Act conducted by the Office of the Auditor General backed Jones' stance, that party donations are not currently considered to be a conflict of interest.The report, however, noted that further thought could be given to making decisions which tangibly benefit a party donor, rather than confer a generalised benefit, and recommended the Cabinet Manual could provide more guidance on the matter.The Auditor General stated: "These issues are beyond my mandate, but I note that the recent Independent Electoral Review considers that there is a need to protect against the perception that large political donations are a way to obtain undue access and influence."Edwards said he believed situations like this can dent public confidence in the coalition government, "especially because it's a donation to the party that has the two ministers that have been making these decisions".He would like to see some debate about reforms to the way donations and conflicts of interest are handled.He believed there was a case for more transparency around party donations when announcements about loans, or board appointments were made."We might even need to start talking about cooling off periods whereby, when companies make donations to political parties, especially those in government, they shouldn't be eligible for government contracts or funding for a period of time."He agreed with the Auditor General's suggestion that new conflict of interest procedures could be instituted when companies or people who have donated to a party may benefit from government decisions.RNZ has requested comment from Scott O'Donnell.Published by permission

A 10-year-old tourist died in Fiordland National Park due to "an accidental slip, during a happy family journey which had appalling consequences", a coroner says.Tegan Chen, of Lindfield, New South Wales, last year drowned in the fast-flowing Marian Creek, in the Hollyford Valley, after she fell in and was swept downstream.In findings released on Wednesday morning, Coroner Mary-Anne Borrowdale described Chen as "a very active and happy girl"."She was brave and expressive. She loved horse riding, dancing, and performing for her family and friends. She had written many song lyrics," Borrowdale said.The fall happened on Lake Marian Falls Track, in the company of Chen's two older brothers, parents, two grandparents and an aunt, the coroner said.The family were on holiday and were returning to Te Anau after an overnight cruise in Milford Sound.The track - a popular 20-minute, 360-metre walk - had been recommended to the family.At about 11am on 25 January, the group walked to the end of a boardwalk, where a large, smooth outcrop of rocks jutted into Marian Creek, Borrowdale said.Marian Creek was an alpine, very cold, fast-flowing river fed from Lake Marian - "not a 'creek' in the usual use of that term", she said.The three children walked onto the rocks, which were not separated from the boardwalk by any structures.Chen had been squatting by the river's edge when her father saw her try to stand up, slip and fall into the river.As she was carried downstream, she was initially able to hold onto a rock and raise herself up, but was quickly swept off the rock and out of sight, Borrowdale said.Other visitors helped the family to look for Chen and emergency services were called.She was found unresponsive by a logjam about 420 metres downstream.Chen could not be revived, despite bystanders performing CPR as well as a doctor, who was winched in by an emergency helicopter.A pathologist found Chen drowned and had also sustained bruises and abrasions consistent with being tumbled in a rocky river.Borrowdale said the track was on public conservation land managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).The department had "comprehensively investigated all factors within its control that may have been influential in the tragedy", she said.The track was well-maintained at the time of the accident and there was no prior history of serious reported incidents at the site where the boardwalk met the rocky outcrop.However, the department found storm damage in 2020 had subtly changed the track, and washed away some moss and ground cover that "may have been acting as a natural boundary between the walkway and the outcrop".Following the accident, DOC upgraded the track to include a platform that covered the rocks, with barriers on all sides and prominent signage warning of a drowning risk.It also internally reclassified the track to cater for less-experienced walkers and "short stop travellers".Borrowdale said in light of the significant safety improvements at the site, she had no further recommendations.Published by permission

Police have formally named Jock Davies as the man who died while hunting on Stewart Island.The 21-year-old from Tapanui died near Lords River on 5 July.A search and rescue team was sent to the island but Davies was found dead.Police were investigating, including include speaking to people who were in the area at the time.Family and friends had posted tributes on social media, including his brother Tom Davies who said he was "dearly loved and always will be".A Child Cancer Foundation article published five years ago described how west Otago rallied around the family in 2013 and again in 2018 as Jock Davies had treatment for leukaemia and a bone marrow transplant.Back then Davies had celebrated his two-year post-transplant anniversary and was enjoying a "sporty, outdoorsy life just as every 16-year-old boy should be".Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said Davies' death would be felt far and wide among the country's hunters.Deerstalkers Association chief executive Gwyn Thurlow said fatal hunting accidents in New Zealand were rare."Our hearts go out to the family and the people involved in this tragedy. It's just so sad that it's it's happened to such a young person," he said.Published by permission

Southlander Neryda Duncan has been crowned New Zealand's top highland dancer, wining the overall title at the 2025 NZ Highland & National Dancing championships held on 5-6 July in Christchurch.Thirty-year-old Duncan competed against 23 of the country's top senior dancers, all of whom were between five and twelve years younger than her.New Zealand champion Neryda Duncan. Photo: Bret Watkins/SuppliedDuncan said her win had been a pretty overwhelming and humbling experience, but to be recognised had also been very cool.She admitted she had been dancing for quite a long time and estimated there had probably only been one or two others who had ever competed to the same level at her age.Duncan, who now lives in Christchurch, said she had had a good build-up to the championship."I went to quite a few competitions throughout the year with my dancing teacher Mrs Jacqueline Jones.""It's definitely been a huge help.""I got Most Points at most of the competitions," she said.Neryda Duncan at age 5, following her first competition in 2000 in Invercargill. Photo: SuppliedWith her mother a highland dancer and father a bagpiper - Duncan was always destined to follow in the family tradition, so at age 4 she began highland dancing lessons at Pukerau with Susan Harris.Following the family's move to Invercargill, 7-year-old Duncan continued her dancing under the tutorship of Dorothy Thomson, before eventually gaining her dancing diploma.When Duncan moved to Christchurch for university she also enrolled with JJs School of Dance - a studio she continues to attend to this day.Duncan credits her continued involvement in dance to her passion - which is still there - the enjoyment of still wanting to do it, and her involvement with the Highland Dance Company of New Zealand (HDCNZ)."We (HDCNZ) do a lot of performances overseas and within New Zealand""There's a really awesome group of dancers we get to travel with."Neryda Duncan, aged 12, winning her first Under 16 South Island Under Championship event at the 2007 Nelson NZ Championships. Photo: Supplied"I'm a mother-hen - which I really enjoy.""We have a [HDCNZ) Heart of the Highlands tour of the North Island in August and then we go to the Belgium Tattoo in October," she said.Duncan said taking on highland dancing's pinnacle award, the Solo Seal examination, was not on the radar for this year because of the HDCNZ overseas tour, but she didn't rule out looking at it for next year.When not dancing, Duncan works for a Christchurch medical device company. She also holds the rank of Captain in the New Zealand Army reserves.Other Southland highland dancers to be nationally ranked following the national competition last week were Invercargill's Rachel Checketts who placed 9th equal in the 18 years and over competition, and Alex Glover of Garston who got 7th in the under 18 competition. Arrowtown's Isla Couldstone placed fourth equal in the Under 16 championship.

Invercargill will lose the services of two long-serving councillors following the October election.Peter Kett and Lesley Soper have ruled out returning to the table after serving seven terms and three terms respectively.Their decisions come at a time when the majority of current councillors are putting their hands up for another stint.Kett made up his mind three years ago that this would be his last and said that wouldn't change.“I’d always go out in person and talk to the people that called me, so I’ll miss all that.“I’ll miss most of the councillors,” he added with a laugh.It had been a difficult 2024 for the councillor who faced both the death of his wife and numerous health difficulties.Multiple knee operations late last year and two heart attacks under anesthetic forced him to step aside from council duties while he recovered.Despite the setbacks, he was now feeling “bloody good” and was sad to be leaving.“With all my health issues since October, it’s a wise decision,” he said.Also finishing up is Soper, whose nine years at council ends a long political career.Soper spent time on the district health board and had two stints in Parliament as a Labour MP — first in 2005 and again from 2007 - 2008.She said she made the decision to finish up at council “some time ago” and wanted to leave with dignity.“Very early in my career I discovered you can help individuals, but if you want to make really lasting changes for large groups of the population, then get involved where the power actually is,” Soper said.Her highlights on council included fighting to keep the children’s library in its current location, the council's credit rating, and supporting the appointment of mana whenua representatives.Mayor Nobby Clark's recent use of his casting vote to not update council's procurement policy in support of Palestine was a lowlight for the councillor.“It was a definite low point. It was a very straightforward, principled decision for council to make.”Soper said she would likely do more travel alongside her husband, David, once she had finished up.Four current councillors have put their name forward to become Invercargill's next mayor. Credit: ODT/SuppliedWHO IS STANDING AGAIN?Invercargill will be in for a new mayor with Nobby Clark repeatedly ruling out the possibility of a second term.The mayoral race includes four current councillors: Tom Campbell, Alex Crackett, Ria Bond and Ian Pottinger.Deputy mayor Campbell is all-in with his bid having ruled out running for council, while Crackett is also leaning in that direction while keeping her options open.Crackett recently quit her job to focus on her campaign.Town crier Lynley McKerrow and TikTok enthusiast Tom Morton are also throwing their hats in the ring for mayoralty.Other councillors standing again include Grant Dermody, Trish Boyle, Steve Broad, Barry Stewart and Darren Ludlow.Allan Arnold could not be reached for comment.Nominations officially opened on Friday and candidates have until 1 August to put their name forward.Voting documents will be sent out in September ahead of election day on 11 October.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

The government is celebrating faster processing of applications for the use of conservation land, including by using AI.In a statement, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said the application backlog had dropped from 1300 last September, to 550 now - with processing times improved by 180 percent.He said AI had been used to help scan documents, and one-off drone permits now took just five working days, compared to the previous "weeks"."We're achieving these results through a data-driven approach and smarter, more efficient systems and processes, including new technology such as AI tools helping to scan statutory documents," he said."Processing applications quicker means businesses get certainty faster. DOC is enabling a wide range of activities that connect people with nature and support local economies, while more quickly declining proposals where the effects on nature or heritage cannot be avoided, remedied, or mitigated."Around a third of the applications DOC has processed since February are related to tourism, the country's second-largest export earner, where more than 380 tourism related applications in the last three months were processed, including guiding activities in Fiordland and Heli hunt and fish concessions for helicopter landings in the North Island."Most applications for use of conservation land are for tourism operations, but the Department of Conservation this month also approved Kokiri Lime's application to quarry 1ha of rock needed for critical roading and flood protection infrastructure projects in South Westland.Published by permission

Over a thousand people have reported feeling a 6.0 magnitude earthquake off the lower South Island in the early hours of Tuesday morning (8 Jul).The earthquake hit 115km north-west of Snares Islands at 12.53am, but was felt around much of Southland and Otago regions, and as far as Nelson and Wellington.Almost 1200 people have reportedly felt the quake, with GeoNet marking it at a depth of 12km.In March, another 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Snares Islands, causing strong currents to South Island's shore.Published by permission

SH 6 Lowther to Parawa, near Bixter Road, both directionsDue to a crash, there is a Stop/Go traffic management with 30 km/hr temporary speed restriction in place. Take extra care along this route.Caution in place until further notice.

A bus, part of a Chinese tour group heading to Milford Sound, has crashed at Lowther, on the Athol Five Rivers Highway (SH6) this morning (8 Jul).Police said emergency services were alerted at 8.26am, with Fire and Emergency NZ crews from Lumsden, Garston, Mossburn and Athol attending.Hato Hone St John said two operations managers, three ambulances, one PRIME responder, and one first response unit also attended.12 patients in total were assessed at the scene, with four being transported to Invercargill Hospital, one in a serious condition, two in moderate condition and one in minor condition.The remaining 8 patients were in minor condition and did not require transportation to hospital, they said.The south-bound lane remains closed and Police have ask drivers to avoid the area and take alternative routes where possible.Police said there was reports of black ice in the area and they urged people to drive to the conditions and consider black ice during cold times of the day.

Surfacing repairs being completed by Downer on SH1 Tay St at David St and Lindisfarne St intersections were to be completed tonight under night shift. However due to circumstances beyond their control, this work now needs to happen during the day. So tomorrow Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th between 10am and 4pm, the following traffic management will be in place: SH1 Tay St/David St:SH1 Tay St will be closed to westbound traffic from Inglewood Road to David St. Detours:Light vehicles – use Inglewood Road/Otepuni Ave/Lindisfarne StreetHeavy vehicles – use Inglewood Road/Tweed St SH1 Tay St/Lindisfarne St:A lane shift will be in place on SH1 Tay St at the Lindisfarne St intersection, so expect a narrowed lane width at this location. Thanks for your patience while this work is completed.

A young male is set to appear in front of the Youth Court today (7 Jul) after he was arrested in relation to two aggravated robberies in Invercargill on Saturday morning (5 Jul).At around 6am on Saturday, Police responded to two robberies at commercial premises on Tay Street and Dee Street.The youth fled from the scene of the second robbery in a stolen vehicle, however was located and arrested by Police a short time later near Otepuni Ave.Southern District Police's Area Investigations Manager Sean Cairns said inquiries into the two incidents remained ongoing, however Police were not seeking anybody else in relation to them.We’d also like to thank the members of the public who assisted Police with information at the time, he said.

26-year-old sheep and beef farmer Hugh Jackson beat off six other finalists from throughout New Zealand, including 28-year-old Southland young farmer Cameron Smith, to win the New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year title in Invercargill on Saturday night (5 Jul).Jackson, who represented Waikato Bay of Plenty, said he was “over the moon."The FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition is now in its 57th year and is the pinnacle of the young farmers' calendar with more than $90,000 in prizes up for grabs.Friday's practical section was held at the Winton Racecourse with events like shearing sheep, building bridges, filleting fish and making haybales, to show off finalists' diverse practical farming skills.The competition concluded on Saturday night at Stadium Southland where contestants went head-to-head in an attempt to gain a point-scoring advantage over their competition.Fourteen FMG Junior Young Farmers of the Year teams also competed for their national title, with Rangiora High School taking out the junior title.And the Oinks from Seddon School beat out 21 other AgriKidsNZ teams to become grand champions of their competition.

Two vital super shots helped the Northern Mystics grab a tense 56-52 win in a momentum-swinging spectacle against a gallant Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in front of a sold-out crowd in Auckland on Sunday.Both teams had everything to play for, with the Mystics chasing the hosting rights for the Grand Final and the Steel chasing a spot in the Series Finals, the tense atmosphere sitting heavily throughout.Both coaches called tactical timeouts during the final five minutes after the Steel, showing their all their renowned spirit and grit, turned a three-goal three-quarter time deficit into a one-goal lead with just over five minutes to play.The Mystics timeout worked in their favour, with their efforts to limit penalties and retain the ball paying dividends, while super shot specialist Filda Vui stepped up in the heat of the moment to calmly nail two double-pointers.With time running out, the Steel lost any opportunity with panicky play as they desperately sought a miracle change in fortunes but deservedly came away with a bonus point.With their season hanging, the Steel also had milestone celebrations to add to the mix with midcourter Kate Heffernan lining up for 100th national league match and Carys Stythe her 50th.Umpire Cory Nicholls added to the game’s special moments when taking charge of his 50th ANZ Premiership match.In an exciting opening, the lead changed hands several times, both teams taking time to settle into the match where defence played a big part. The Mystics all-smothering unit defence proved effective while the Steel employed a zone defence which was as equally valuable.Respective rising young goalkeepers Catherine Hall, for the home side, and Stythe picked off the spoils as both sides traded turnovers. A late rally, iced by a super shot with five seconds remaining gave the Mystics a 16-12 buffer at the first break.The second stanza followed a similar trend, the Steel getting off to the best of starts before being reeled in by the home side.The visitors did a terrific job of shutting down the Mystics attacking options to force the hosts into error while eating into the deficit early in the piece. On the other hand, the Steel showed resolute patience on attack with Georgia Heffernan and Dunn all composure under the hoop before momentum swung the other way.With the Steel momentarily hitting the lead, the introduction of Katie Te Ao at centre for the Mystics and the defensive work of Hall, Holly Rae and Michaela Sokolich-Beatson helped turn the tide.Te Ao and Peta Toeava found their connections with strike shooter Donnell Wallam in building an impressive attacking unit while continued pressure at the other end put the squeeze on the Steel.Enjoying more possession, the Mystics finished with a strong surge to build a 30-24 lead at the main break.With both sides taking great care of their possession, the pair traded goals through the opening five minutes of the third stanza.Wallam, who at times was unstoppable and finishing with the striking figures of 45 from 49, remained the steadying rock under the Mystics hoop but the Steel were far from done in delivering a threatening response. Showing creativity on attack and defensive ability to create turnover opportunities, momentum once again took another swing.With a big lift in energy after denying the Mystics in the attacking third and picking off valuable ball, through Kimiora Poi, Renee Savai’inaea, Abby Lawson and Stythe, the southerners cut into the deficit.The ice-cool Dunn, who delivered an impressive 38 from 38 return from the match, played the perfect role in the Steel circle with her poise, positioning and pin-point accuracy as the Steel went on to win the quarter 16-13. That left the match delicately-poised and up for grabs when the Mystics led 43-40 at the last turn.

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardRoad status:OPEN from Te Anau to Milford Sound Drive with careComments:No delays expected today. The Homer Tunnel is closing Monday to Thursday nights this week (7th July - through 10th July) between 6.30pm & 1.30am. This is for maintenance work to be undertaken, with no public access due to heavy machinery operating. Any queries, please call 03 249 7004.  Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Mainly fine. Tomorrow: Cloudy with possible showers. Wednesday: Rain developing.Thursday: Rain.Friday: Rain.

Australian street stuntman and visual artist Chayne ('The Space Cowboy') Hultgren's augmented reality (AR) artwork promises to be a major drawcard at this year's Riversdale Arts 52nd Mixed Media Exhibition, to be held from 18th - 26th July in the Riversdale Community Centre.The popular northern Southland exhibition is one of the highlights of the Southland arts calendar and draws mixed media artists from throughout New Zealand to show and sell around 500 pieces at the exhibition and in the gift shop.Riversdale Arts 52nd Mixed Media Exhibition's guest artist The Space Cowboy. Photo: SuppliedThe Space Cowboy is this year's exhibition guest artist, but he is better known for his daring street and freak-show performances, swallowing swords, juggling chainsaws and other extreme stunts, which have entertained crowds in over 40 countries and gained more than 20 million YouTube views. His extreme feats have also earned him 55-Guinness World records.The Space Cowboy's move into visual art, while more recent has been no less dramatic, with his first exhibition held in his own Byron Bay gallery last December (2024) including the artist creating art while using a Tesla coil to pass over one million volts of electricity through his body.His AR art, characterized by vibrant colors and dynamic brushwork, has been described as bold, vivid and immersive, and is aimed at inspiring audiences to push their boundaries.Riversdale Arts administrator Lucy Leti said that while The Space Cowboy couldn't attend in person, they were privileged to unveil his unique AR artworks at this year's exhibition.Waka with Celtic Dogs "The Voyage" by Mike Cameron of Whangarei. Photo: Supplied"Looking at his pieces at face value, the artwork appears two dimensional- very vibrant, colourful paintings... while the quality & technique are unbelievable."'Then viewing the artwork through an app on your phone or tablet, the paintings come to life, each in their own unique way, with the characters, words & layers moving & evolving.''The artwork is fun & spirited, with the innovative style capturing the viewer's attention by requiring them to stop & interact with each piece, to fully appreciate the techniques The Space Cowboy has used.'  Other invited artists to this year's exhibition included the return of 51st Exhibition Guest Artist Linda Hannan, as well as Parksy Boy, Tasha Waterson, Natalie Salisbury, Gina Te Hira, Jackie Hancock, Vicki Hawkins, Jessie Bishell and Nicola Garlick.Shell #52, constructed from Kahikatea, meranti plywood & cardboard, by Richard Neighbour of Ruranga. Photo: SuppliedAnother regular highlight of the exhibition was the emerging artists' competition, where young Southland-resident artists, aged between 13 and 25 (as at the 18 July) vied for a top prize of $1000.This year has seen the highest amount of entries the award has received, with the ten finalists' artworks put on display in the exhibition & the overall winner announced at the Opening Evening.A series of workshops led by expert tutors, from Southland & Otago are held over the first weekend of the exhibition, the variety of workshops has something for everyone.A Decoy Flocking workshop led by Corey Carston, creates customised, true to life decoys using old decoys which have lost their markings, a Flax Weaving workshop held by Sarah Geary educates attendees in the tikanga surrounding traditional Maori weaving & the techniques of the art.'Spirited" a stainless steel sculpture by Nicholas Rumore of Metal Works of Wanaka. Photo: SuppliedInvercargill based Papa's Art Room will be hosting a Textured Floral Art workshop in a fun, relaxed class with all materials supplied.Anna King's bespoke mid winter Christmas Tree workshop will host one morning session & one afternoon session, & Rachel Hirabayashi's Wire Work class shares the popular artists skill & knowledge in combining a variety of materials in the wire wrapping technique.Children from the local schools & preschools display their artwork in the Mavor Room of the Riversdale Community Centre throughout the exhibition, this year's theme being 'Art Into the Future'.The Riversdale Arts committee members host the school groups throughout the week, giving each participating school a tour of the exhibition & the opportunity to see their exhibits on display.A gift shop, stocking a wide variety of art & craft items, sourced from throughout New Zealand, will be running during the exhibition, alongside food and drink from Lisa's Kitchen Cafe.2025 Riversdale Arts Exhibition ProgrammeThe 52nd annual Mixed Media Arts Exhibition opens at 7pm on Friday, Jul 18th with a gala evening in the Riversdale Community Centre, where guests can mix and mingle with invited and local artists and celebrate the presentation of the Emerging Artist award & Best Local Artist award.Thereafter the exhibition will be open daily to the public from 11am to 4pm.The exhibition closes at 4pm on Saturday 26th July.CLICK HERE for more information.

A man has died following a hunting incident near Lords River, Rakiura Stewart Island yesterday (5 Jul).Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy said Police were notified of the incident at around midday.A Search and Rescue team was deployed to the island via helicopter, and located the man deceased.Investigations are underway, which include speaking to those who were in the area at the time, he said.The Coroner has been advised.