Discover the inspiring journey of the Tuatapere Predator Free Team as Tony Shore shares their remarkable conservation efforts since their inception in 2023.CLICK HERE to listen to Tony and the Tuatapere Predator Free Team's storyLearn about the profound ecological importance of totara and matai trees within their reserve and the transformative impact of their predator control initiatives.Tony sheds light on the impressive statistics of predators trapped, the revival of bird life, and forest regeneration, all thanks to the innovative use of automated AT220 traps.CLICK HERE READ THE FULL STORYUncover the thrilling discovery of long-tailed bats in the local reserve and their crucial role in ecosystem health.From Environment Southland's listening posts to community involvement spearheaded by local school children, hear about the essential strategies that have fostered a thriving environment for these vulnerable species.

Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark has been requested to make a “sincere” apology to the public after dodging an opportunity to present at a council meeting.The embattled mayor was a no-show at a Friday meeting held specifically to discuss an investigation into his behaviour on a television show.During his March appearance on New Zealand Today, Clark repeated the ‘n-word’, insisted host Guy Williams say it, used a homophobic slur, and featured a book titled Twisting the Treaty — A Tribal Grab for Wealth and Power.His behaviour was described by an independent investigator as “disrespectful, discourteous, insulting, degrading, offensive, and/or discriminatory”.No explanation was given for Clark’s absence on Friday, but deputy mayor Tom Campbell read out a written apology from the mayor.In it, Clark acknowledged he had discredited the city in an interview that was “not good”.“I fully accept that my behaviour in this TV interview brings both the mayoral role and council into disrepute,” Clark wrote.The apology — made up of four bullet points — was deemed by the council to satisfy the investigator’s recommendation for one.But Clark has also been instructed to give a “sincere apology” in public at an upcoming council meeting, and will be censured by letter for his actions.Elected members and mana whenua representatives did not hold back in their assessment of the mayor’s behaviour on Friday.Councillor Darren Ludlow said Clark’s letter “barely” met the requirement for what was suggested by the investigator.“I don’t get a sense of the level of remorse I would have appreciated reading from a community leader,” he said.This was followed by an impassioned speech from mana whenua representative Evelyn Cook, who said Clark’s apology did little to address the specific harm he had caused.“If you are a young person of colour who lives in this city, who is not sure of their gender identity, or is very sure of their gender identity, you’ve got two strikes against you in the eyes of the mayor, given the words that were said, or the inferences that were made in that interview," she said.“This is not an adequate apology . . . most specifically to people who are brown and queer.”Councillor Steve Broad called on Clark to resign, pointing out he had been given multiple opportunities to apologise for using the 'n-word' after being criticised for it as far back as March 2023.Instead, Clark had gone on to repeat the word in multiple media appearances.“I may be a minority voice around this table today but following this report and its findings I believe that any decision that is less than requesting our mayor to resign falls short of our duty as city councillors,” Broad said.Mana whenua representative Panie Coote said there was a “disturbing pattern of conduct” from the mayor, while councillor Alex Crackett also requested his resignation alongside a sincere apology.Friday’s meeting began with councillor Ian Pottinger — who lodged the code of conduct complaint alongside councillor Ria Bond — explaining the pair felt villainised for wasting council’s time and money in doing so."It has been a lonely place for us, but we are both proud to have fulfilled our roles as responsible councillors to the public."The code of conduct breach is Clark’s second in as many months.In June, he was censured for his March behaviour at a United Fire Brigades Association event.It was alleged Clark made derogatory comments to the female MC and called volunteer firefighters second class citizens.A formal motion calling for Clark's resignation was never made at Friday's meeting, but last month the council narrowly missed a majority vote on the matter — six votes to five.Of those who voted against, five entered the council chambers under Clark’s ‘Let’s Go Invercargill’ ticket — Tom Campbell, Allan Arnold, Grant Dermody, Peter Kett and Barry Stewart.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Changes have been made to this story on 26 July after feedback from Federated Farmers and the Ministry for Primary Industries.MPI staff are on Friday back at a farm where winter grazing practices were so bad seven cows had to be euthanised last month.Following a complaint about the Riverton farm, near Invercargill, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) animal welfare officers found about 2000 cows surrounded by mud with insufficient water.There are about 500 cows on the property now.MPI director of compliance and response Glen Burrell said the operation and investigation on the farm was continuing, and MPI's animal welfare team would be back on Friday."Three mobs are currently being moved to dry paddocks with good pasture. These cows had been grazing at the property and are being moved to these dry paddocks because of the mud they were in."The next step will be to transport them back to the dairy farms they came from."Burrell said MPI had hired a dairy farm consultant to help ensure the animals' welfare.An independent vet was also being used to help inform ongoing work.Burrell said while MPI's investigation was ongoing, and prosecution for animal welfare offences was likely, its top priority for now was ensuring the animals' well-being."In recent weeks, MPI has undertaken 20 proactive visits of farms across Southland to look at winter grazing practices, and the majority of farmers are doing well."Reproduced with permission

Construction of the Te Anau's Patience Bay - Boundary Creek trail section can now begin, after a Department of Conservation wildlife permit was issued on 11 July to trail creators, the Fiordland Trails Trust (FTT).The permit which includes a special lizard management plan, was required because the new section will traverse the habitat of Southland's threatened and nationally critical Green Skink.FTT Chair David Boniface said the Trust took its responsibilities seriously when it came to native flora and fauna which was evidenced by the ongoing planting, and predator and weed control programme alongside parts of existing trail network,Southland's nationally threatened Green Skink. Photo: Department of Conservation “We take the protection of endangered species very seriously and, as per our Wildlife Permit, will be taking important steps to ensure we continue this as we develop this next part of the trail.” Part of those steps would include a modified vegetation clearance method, including reducing the width of the trails formation width from an original 3m to no more than 2.2m.However Boniface said that despite the delays, the Trust was thrilled to finally be able to progress the new trail which would allow construction of a further 13km of multiuse trail.Work would initially start on the first 2km, from Patience Bay to Sinclair Road, and is expected to be completed by Christmas 2024, he said.After that the Trust would work through fundraising and other logistics to eventually complete 11 further kilometres and take the trail all the way to Boundary Creek, he said.The Trust's Upukerora Trail Bridge to Patience Bay trail extension is due to be officially opened on August 4th.Part of the Fiordland Trails Trust's new Upukerora Trail Bridge to Patience Bay trail extension. Photo: Fiordland Trails TrustBoniface said this section had already seen wonderful usage and positive comments."So we know the next 13km of trail will be a really positive addition,” he said.  “Once fully complete, this next piece of trail will make for a brilliant bike ride, walk, or run, from Boundary Creek to Te Anau, then connecting with the Lake2Lake Trail and heading all the way to Manapouri.”“We’ve seen, from the Impact Assessment we undertook in 2023, that the Lake2Lake Trail has a direct economic contribution to the Fiordland area exceeding $3million, so the more we can do to enhance the trail experience the better.”  Grand Opening - Upukerora - Patience Bay section: 2pm, Sunday 4th August (meet from just past Te Anau Boat Harbour)CLICK HERE to learn more about the Fiordland Trails TrustThe end of the trail. Fiordland Trail Trust's northern trail currently ends at Patience Bay. Photo: Fiordland Trails Trust

Please see below the areas of the Southland state highway network where you may experience delays this week due to programmed roadworks or third party works on the state highways. *Updated information regarding SH1 Bluff highway/Lake St work:There will be traffic lights in place on both SH1 Bluff Highway and on Lake St during this work from Monday 29th July to Friday August 2nd (5th – 9th August if weather delays work). For the few days that the crew are working in the intersection of Lake St, there will also be temporary turning restrictions and detours for heavy traffic into/out of Lake St.Highways South work with traffic management in place (all with temporary speed limits):SH1 Bluff highway at Lake St intersection, temporary traffic lights and turning restrictions for pavement repairsSH6 Centre Bush, temporary traffic lights for drainage workSH94 Te Anau Mossburn highway between Mossburn and Block Road, temporary traffic lights for drainage workSH94 Te Anau Mossburn highway near Chewings Road, temporary traffic lights for drainage workSH94 Te Anau Mossburn highway between Red Tussock Conservation area and The Key, temporary traffic lights for drainage workSH94 Te Anau Mossburn highway at the Mararoa River, temporary traffic lights for drainage workSH94 Te Anau Mossburn highway near Lagoon Creek Road, temporary traffic lights for drainage workSH94 Te Anau Mossburn highway at the Whitestone River, temporary traffic lights for drainage workSH96 Glencoe highway near Brydone-Glencoe Road, temporary traffic lights for drainage workSH97 Mossburn-Five Rivers Road near Lowther, temporary traffic lights for drainage work Third party work and events with traffic management in place this week (all with temporary speed limits):SH1 Bluff highway at Kew, stop/go for replacement of overhead power linesSH1 Main St Mataura, stop/go for water main workSH6 Dee St Invercargill, lane drop at Esk St for ducting workSH6 Winton-Lorneville highway, stop/go for replacement of transformerSH6, Lumsden-Dipton highway, stop/go for power pole installationSH94 Mossburn-Lumsden highway at Castlerock, stop/go for cycle race *Saturday 27th afternoon onlySH96 Glencoe highway, stop/go for power pole work Useful links:NZTA Journeys website - https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner Freight Impact Register - https://www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial-driving/trucks-and-tow-trucks/potential-restrictions-affecting-freight/ - download and filter the region for ‘Southland’. This will indicate any upcoming work in the next fortnight which have closures, detours or width restrictions for freight.

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has conceded his appearance on a television show was “not good” and discredited the city.In a letter dated July 22, and added late to an agenda for a Friday council meeting, he has apologised.“I fully accept that my behaviour in this TV interview brings both the mayoral role and council into disrepute,” Clark wrote.“I have undertaken many external presentations over the last 4 years and while most are well received, I am not perfect and I accept that this type of interview can not occur again.“I apologise to my colleagues for the impact on them and the Invercargill public.”Clark’s March appearance on Guy Williams’ show New Zealand Today saw him repeat the ‘n-word’, insist Williams say it, use a homophobic slur, and feature a book titled Twisting the Treaty — A Tribal Grab for Wealth and Power.His behaviour was described as “disrespectful, discourteous, insulting, degrading, offensive, and/or discriminatory,” by Wynn Williams — a law firm engaged by the council to investigate a complaint made by councillors Ian Pottinger and Ria Bond.In a report released this week, Wynn Williams found Clark to be in breach of the council’s code of conduct.An extraordinary meeting will be held on Friday afternoon to make a final decision on whether there was a material breach, and decide on possible next steps.Options include censuring Clark by letter, requesting he apologise, restricting his duties, issuing a vote of no confidence and inviting him to resign.In his letter, Clark said the penalties available to elected members under the council’s code of conduct did not include restricting public-facing duties as suggested by the investigator.He said he accepted the interview was “not good and brought discredit to the council and wider city”.Clark returned to work this week after a month off, saying he had come back too soon from open heart surgery earlier in the year.Friday’s meeting begins at 2pm.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Emergency Management Southland has issued an Orange heavy rain warning today (26 Jul) for Fiordland, from Bligh Sound to Resolution Island.The severe weather warning is from 8pm Friday (today) till 1pm Saturday.Forecasters expect rainfall of between 120 to 160 mm with peaks of between 10 - 20 mm/h on Saturday morning.Another period of heavy rain is possible Saturday night.Streams and rivers may rise rapidly, causing surface flooding and slips.Situation Forecast A front, preceded by a moist northerly flow, is expected to affect the lower South Island on Friday night and during Saturday.The front brings rain to the west and south of the South Island, with the heaviest falls likely in Fiordland.A Heavy Rain Warning has been issued for central Fiordland, and Rain Watches remain in force for northern and southern parts of Fiordland.People are advised to keep up to date with the latest forecasts.

Situations VacantMilford Sound Positions - RealNZCasual journalist/writer - Southland AppEventsMLT Hokonui Fashion Design Awards - Gore

Milford Road OPENNO Avalanche Hazard  Loose grit on the road.Please drive with care.Heavy rain forecast over the next 2 days.Photo taken yesterday morning 25-07-2024 from Sheerdown.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Rain, heavier at times from afternoon.Tomorrow: Rain with some heavy falls, easing in the evening then clearing at night.Sunday: Scattered rain developing in the afternoon.Monday: Snow or sleety showers about and south of Lake GunnTuesday: Snow or sleety showers clearing.

Hey there, its Tommy's Tummy here, and I’ve found a new delight to share with you!Sometimes you just feel like something home-made, something that reminds you of your mothers baking, perhaps your grandmothers or aunties.You know that family get-together or that pot-luck lunch on a Sunday.But here is the thing, its Thursday, its 9am and you're late for work.There aren’t too many options in a small town when it comes to finding a bakery with tasty treats or savoury delights.Herin lies the problem, or so you thought.Now, you may be passing by a petrol station, there could be an option or two in there.Perhaps you are lucky enough to have that bakery on your way to work and of course there is the corner store.I envy you, and I have for a long time!However, today that may have all changed. Night ‘n’ Day City in Invercargill... now I know what you might be saying here as I’ve probably said it before as well.But they sell a delicious wholesale pie that’s been baked fresh in Wanaka before being shipped out to sell across NZ.A bacon and egg pie from Kai Pai Pies gets a big tick from Tommy's tummy. Photo: SuppliedNow as a former baker I understand the logistics here in having your resellers heat and produce the quality product that you're hoping they will.I must give a shout out to Night ‘n’ Day City Invercargill for doing the pies from Kai Pai Pies supreme justice.The pie itself is delightful and today I have chosen the humble B n’ E or Bacon and Egg pie.You may remember as I said earlier that home-made pie from the pot-luck lunch?This pie is exactly that. It has a gorgeous top flaky pastry with the dry crumbling edges that as soon as it hits your lips starts to melt, those wee pockets of trapped air that has a slight crunch as you bite down through the layers of carefully folded pastry.Now the bottom paste is a little on the softer side, almost like it’s been sitting in the tin while traveling from one house to the next before being devoured by the hoards of people at the family get-together.One, two, three, four bites and its almost all gone, the filling with a whole full unbroken egg that isn’t dry and overdone, no, this egg is near perfection the yolk just melts away, the whites as soft and gentle as a cloud, wrapped in ‘real’ chunks of smoky bacon with slight hints of sweet onion trickle through before the flavour of a sprinkling of cheese delicately dances on your pallet, it also feels like there is a quiche sauce in there as well to hold it all together.  So, if you are ever in a hurry and just need something to tide you over, that brings back another happy memory as you wolf it back, head down to Invercargill City Night n’ Day. The team there will sort you out with a fresh Kai Pai Pie!FYI if there isn’t one in the warmer, they might just go sort one out and get it into their little oven for you.It will only take a few minutes and in my opinion, it was worth the wait! 

Access to a walking track at an internationally recognised lagoon has been blocked due to bad weather and ongoing issues with water levels.Located about half an hour southeast of Invercargill, the Waituna Lagoon is home to several tracks, notably the 5km Wetland Loop Track which crosses manuka wetland and bog tarns.The Lagoon forms part of the much larger Awarua Wetland, which is deemed one of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.But access to the tracks is frequently blocked — including at the present time — due to road closure from high lagoon levels.Southland District Council strategic manager transport Hartley Hare said flooding has always been an issue at the site.“It has been closed for substantial periods over recent times due to high water levels with the exception of when work was carried out to upgrade the bridge in February and March,” Hare said.The extent and severity of flooding was dependent on a number of factors including time of year, weather events and whether the lagoon had been opened to the sea, he said.The council had no way of knowing when the road would re-open because of those variables.Meanwhile, the organisation has revealed how much it spent earlier this year on upgrading the road bridge leading to the tracks — $246,582.Southland District Council cannot say how long the road will be closed due to factors outside of its control. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDRBut if the work was not carried out, the only alternative was to close the bridge, Hare said.DoC is yet to update its website notifying of the lack of access to tracks at Waituna, with the district council saying it had not been specifically notified.Both the department and adjacent landowners were aware the road was closed from time to time, Hare said.Earlier this year, the lagoon made headlines after a toxic algae outbreak forced an emergency opening in January.Environment Southland strategic regulatory advisor Bruce Halligan said no significant ecological concerns had been signalled from recent monitoring results.Lagoon levels were “relatively elevated” over the last month in the 2.3m - 2.4m range, he said.A new consent application for emergency openings of the lagoon was lodged on July 5, with public notification likely to begin soon.Spanning an area of 3500 hectares, the Waituna Lagoon and its immediate surrounding area forms part of the Awarua Wetland, which clocks in at 20,000 hectares.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Te Anau’s polar plunge is back for a 14th year with more than a hundred people expected to brave the chilly water of Lake Te Anau on August 4.The annual icy dip at Marakura Wharf is a fundraiser for Te Anau School’s senior camp in Dunedin.Te Anau School deputy principal Mark Hunter says the polar plunge is organised by families of year six students and the money raised by the event usually pays for about half the cost of a week-long camp.During the primary school camp, students will visit The University of Otago Marine Studies Centre, Otago Museum, and have a training session with the Beach Education programme run by Surf Lifesaving NZ.“We are hoping the event will again be well-supported by Te Anau and surrounding communities because it will be the largest group of students that we have ever taken to Dunedin,” says Mr Hunter.“We have 59 students enrolled in Year 6 but by the time November rolls around and tourism operators’ ramp-up and more families move to the area we expect to have more than 60 students on the camp, he says.Te Anau student Max Meffan, 5, eyes up a lolly jar that has been prepared for the school's polar plunge fundraiser on August 4. Photo: Tiffany CaldwellThe polar plunge, although held near the end of winter, is not for the faint-hearted with the lake’s water temperature expected to be around 8 or 9 degrees, says Mr Hunter.Fancy dress is encouraged with prizes for the best dressed polar plunger as well as for the best “birdman” and best bomb off the wharf.On the day people can still support the fundraiser without getting wet by buying a coffee or a sausage or raffle ticket or guessing the number of lollies in a jar.Mr Hunter’s advice for first times plungers is to choose your attire carefully.“The secret to a good polar plunge is being able to get out of wet clothes and warmed-up as quickly as possible so it’s a matter of deciding whether wrestling a wetsuit is worth it or wearing something less insulated but easier to get out of is a better option,” he says.The polar plunge is held the day after The Meridian Hydro Half Marathon, which starts near Manapouri and finishes at Te Anau so organisers are hoping the event might attract some runners who need some “cold water therapy,” says Mr Hunter.Local businesses give the event amazing support through prizes or cash donations, he says.“Our School is grateful for the support of many business owners that include George and Michelle Batchelor from Fiordland Community Pharmacy and Diane and Phil Holmes from Lakeside RD who have sponsored the polar plunge for a number of years,” says Mr Hunter.What: Te Anau Polar Plunge. Starts with the Birdman competition followed by a bomb competition off the wharf and ends with the polar plunge from the beach.Where: Steamers Beach, Marakura Wharf, Te AnauWhen: Sunday 4 August 2024, 11am start. Finishes about 12:30pm.

Kiwi cycling star Corbin Strong had an ideal lead-in to the Paris Olympic Games Road Race with a brilliant sprint finish to claim the stage 2 win of the Tour de Wallonie in Belgium.Strong, who will contest the men’s road race in Paris with Laurence Pithie on August 3, produced an impeccable performance with his Israel – Premier Tech teammates.The kiwi rider was powerful in the uphill finish into the town of Ouffet with his teammates providing the ideal leadout after they earlier kept the breakaway in check.“I’ve been thinking about this week here for a couple of months now,” said Strong. “Training went really well, I’m really happy with how the form is, and it’s nice to come here and get the win.“I think if you watched the stage, it was such a privilege to be a part of this team today. They were all behind me – I even thought to myself in the last 3kms with the work my teammates did, that I better pull this one off! “I had a lot of confidence in myself today.”Strong has now won races in each of his three professional seasons with Israel Premier Tech comprising the opening stage of the Tour of Britain in 2022, a stage of the Tour de Luxembourg in 2023, and now this success in Belgium.With three more days of punchy terrain, Strong says he will do all he can to keep hold of the leader’s orange jersey.Then he can turn his attention to Paris and swapping into the all-black New Zealand jersey.

Six Southlanders will represent New Zealand on the world stage as part of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games which get underway in Paris on July 26.A total of 195 athletics will travel from New Zealand to compete at this year's summer Olympics in Paris.Cyclists Nicole Shields and Tom Sexton will be making their Olympic debuts alongside javelin thrower Tori Peeters, while road cyclist Corbin Strong will be attending his second Games and Black Ferns sevens player Alena Saili will be hoping to add another medal to the gold she won in Tokyo three years ago. And Te Anau born Lulu Sun will be representing New Zealand in tennis.As well as their respective sporting codes, all five athletes have been supported over the years by SBS Bank Academy Southland, which provides strength and conditioning, athlete life, mental skills and nutrition advice to prepare Southland’s best young athletes for the national and international stage.This is the biggest representation of Academy Southland programme graduates at an Olympics. Interestingly Corbin, Tom, Alena and Nicole were all in the programme in 2016 with Tori joining in 2012.The five Southland’s Olympic representatives (and when they are competing (NZ times)) are;Alena SailiAge: 25NZ Olympian #1488Event: sevensTime: Monday, July 29, 4am Black Ferns v China, 7.30am Black Ferns v CanadaTime: Tuesday, July 30, 2.30am Black Ferns v Fiji.First selected for the Black Ferns Sevens team in 2017 - her first year after leaving Southland Girls’ High School - Alena has made more than 120 appearances and scored more than 40 tries for the New Zealand women’s sevens team.She was included as an injury replacement for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, winning a gold medal as the Black Ferns started a run which has seen them regularly dominate at the international level.After being inspired by the Black Ferns’ silver medal in Rio in 2016, she was part of the gold medal-winning team in Tokyo in 2021, just the second Southlander (and first female athlete) after Nathan Cohen to win an Olympic gold. In 2022 she was part of the team which won silver at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town and bronze at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.Alena played 24 games for the Black Ferns in their most recent world circuit, where they won the final four tournaments to top the standings before finishing third overall at the Grand Finale event in Madrid.The Black Ferns lost their semi-final to eventual winners Australia, before beating Canada to earn the bronze medal.Corbin Strong. Photo: Israel Premier TechCorbin StrongAge: 24NZ Olympian #1502Event: road raceTime: Saturday, August 3, 11am - men’s road raceAfter making his Olympic debut on the track with a ninth-placed finish in the madison in Tokyo three years ago, Corbin will join teammate Laurence Pithie to contest the road race in Paris.Corbin won bronze in the team pursuit at the junior worlds in 2017 before winning the title the following year.He became a senior world champion when he won the points race in 2020, as well as silver in the team pursuit, and in 2022 he won gold in the scratch race at the Commonwealth Games and silver in the elimination event at the world championships.He joined a World Tour professional road team in 2022, making his Tour de France debut last year and has seven wins as a professional including the NZ Cycle Classic title, second place in Tour Down Under and stage wins in the Tours of Britain and Luxembourg.The men’s and women’s road races in Paris will start and finish in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, with the men’s course taking in 273km with 2,800 metres of climbing and 13 named ascents including the Côte de la butte Montmartre.Tom SextonAge: 25Events: team pursuit, madisonTime: Monday, August 5, 5.27pm - men’s team pursuit qualifyingWhile Paris will be Tom’s first Olympic Games, he is a veteran of Cycling NZ’s endurance programme - even at the tender age of 25.A junior world champion in the team pursuit in 2016, where he also won silver in the two-person madison, Tom has a string of World Cup team pursuit and madison titles to his credit.He won bronze in the scratch race at the 2019 world championships and claimed gold in the team pursuit at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, also winning silver in the individual pursuit behind teammate Aaron Gate.The retirement of Regan Gough created the opportunity for Tom to make the crucial starting position his own.Tom was part of the team pursuit squad which won bronze at last year’s world championships, marking the New Zealand team, which includes Gate, Campbell Stewart and Keegan Hornblow, as genuine medal contenders in Paris.Nicole ShieldsAge: 24Events: team pursuit, madison, omniumTime: Tuesday, August 6, 5.30pm - women’s team pursuit qualifyingNicole was born in Invercargill and got her start on the SIT Velodrome when she was 9-years-old.When her family shifted to Clyde a year later her cycling focus shifted to the road, but after winning the national under 19 individual pursuit title in 2016 she was selected for the New Zealand team for the UCI world junior track cycling championships.She was part of the team pursuit squad which claimed silver at the world champs in 2016 and 2017, beaten narrowly both times by Italy.After moving to Cambridge to study a Bachelor of Business at Waikato University, Shields rode for a professional road team from 2020 to 2022 and was a travelling reserve for the pursuit team at the Tokyo Olympics.She then returned to the Cycling NZ endurance track programme to stake a claim for what will be her Olympic debut in Paris.Shields is part of a women’s endurance women’s quartet which also includes Bryony Botha, Ally Wollaston, and Emily Shearman who are the top ranked women’s team pursuit, second on Olympic rankings in the two-rider madison and third in the omnium.Their performances have been outstanding this year, with a new national record in the team pursuit.Javelin thrower Tori Peeters in action at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: Michael Dawson/Athletics NZTori PeetersAge: 30Event: javelinTime: Wednesday, August 7, 10.25am - women’s javelin qualifying Group ACambridge-based Tori Peeters grew up on a dairy farm near Gore and first picked up a javelin after watching older sister Stacey throwing at a St Peters athletics day.She broke the New Zealand record for the first time in 2014 and has dominated the sport nationally for more than a decade.Over the past few years she has started to turn that promise into international performances, throwing her way into a top-16 world ranking which earned her qualification for Paris.Peeters put together an impressive series last year, reaching the podium in five European meets, along with the prestigious Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Yokohama, where she extended her New Zealand record to 63.26m.A highlight last year was a silver medal at the Diamond League final in Oregon.She was sixth at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and missed out on the final at last year’s world championships in Budapest by just 7cm, finishing 13th overall.Lulu Sun.Lulu SunAge: 22NZ Olympian #1488Event: Tennis (womens doubles)Time: Sunday, July 27, 28 and potentially 29, 30, 31, August 1, 4Te Anau born, Lulu moved to Switzerland when she was 5. She has also lived in Florida, USA.She is New Zealand's highest ranked (No.151) singles tennis player, having reached the women's single quarter-finals at Wimbledon earlier this year (2024).Sun has qualified for a number of major tournaments including the Australian Open singles as well as winning her first WTA 1000 level match in Dubai.Sun will compete in the women's doubles at this years Olympics with Erin Routliffe.Southlanders at past OlympicsNathan Cohen went down in history after winning gold alongside Joseph Sullivan in the men's double sculls at the 2012 London Olympics.It was the first time a Southland athlete had won an Olympic gold - or a medal of any colour. Cohen and Sullivan were in fifth place at the halfway stage of the final but powered home over the last 500m of the race to overtake the Italian and Slovenian crews to claim gold.Just 48 hours after Cohen's gold medal row, Storm Uru secured Southland's second Olympic medal, winning bronze in the men's lightweight double sculls with Peter Taylor.It was a great achievement for the Kiwi duo, considering they had an unfavourable lane draw and the race had to be re- run, after an early equipment failure on the British boat.The pair were welcomed home with a ticker tape parade in Invercargill, alongside fellow Southland Olympians Louise Ayling, Eddie Dawkins, Natalie Wiegersma and Natasha Hansen.Four years later, Genevieve Behrent, who didn’t even take up rowing until after high school, won silver in Rio de Janeiro as part of the coxless pair with Rebecca Scown. The pair were also part of the women’s eight, the first New Zealand rowers to contest more than one event at an Olympic Games.Incredibly, the same street in Invercargill would produce a second Games medal in Rio, with Wellesley Ave also the home of cyclist Eddie Dawkins. Dawkins, along with Sam Webster and Ethan Mitchell won silver in the men’s team sprint behind Great Britain.With the Tokyo 2020 Games delayed by a year due to the Covid pandemic, Southland would have to wait five years to add a fifth medal to the trophy cabinet, with Alena Saili a member of the champion Black Ferns Sevens team.Saili, who had to force her way into the team after suffering a fractured shoulder during a training session just two months before the Games, had been inspired by sitting in the gym at Southland Girls’ High School and watching the Black Ferns winning silver in Rio in 2016.

Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark has breached his council’s code of conduct for his "insulting, degrading" behaviour during a television interview.It is his second code of conduct breach in as many months.On Tuesday afternoon, the council released findings from an independent investigation into Clark’s appearance on satirical news show New Zealand Today in March.It described the mayor’s behaviour as “disrespectful, discourteous, insulting, degrading, offensive, and/or discriminatory”.Clark failed to treat members of the public in a respectful and courteous manner, did not uphold the reputation of the council and fell short of required leadership standards as mayor, law firm Wynn Williams found.The investigation came on the heels of an April complaint from councillors Ria Bond and Ian Pottinger who took exception to the mayor’s behaviour on the show.During the television interview, Clark repeated the ‘n-word’, insisted host Guy Williams say it, used a homophobic slur, and featured a book titled ‘Twisting the Treaty – A Tribal Grab for Wealth and Power’ — the latter described as ‘gratuitous’ by the investigators.Wynn Williams said the breaches were “serious” and recommended minimum steps of censuring Clark by letter and requesting he publicly apologise.It also recommended council consider other penalties, including steps to restrict Clark’s duties, a vote of no confidence and inviting the mayor to consider tendering his resignation.On Friday, an extraordinary council meeting will be held to make a final decision on whether Clark did breach the code, and decide on the next steps.It follows a similar meeting on June 21 when calls were made for the mayor to step down over his behaviour at a private event earlier in the year.A complaint lodged by council chief executive Michael Day on behalf of the United Fire Brigades’ Association prompted an investigation, which found Clark to be in breach of the code at that time too.In March, Clark was a guest at an association event, where it was alleged he made derogatory remarks towards the female MC from the lectern, including an unfounded claim she was having an affair with the association president.He also referred to volunteer firefighters as second class citizens.“All in attendance were horrified and appalled by the mayor’s hateful and disrespectful rhetoric,” association chief executive William Butzbach wrote in a letter to the council.The mayor blamed his actions on a “brain fade” following open heart surgery in January, but remained resolute in his decision to stay on as mayor despite multiple requests to resign.Clark has now breached the council’s code of conduct three times since entering the chambers as a first-term councillor in 2019, with his first occurring in 2020.At that time, an independent report found he breached the code for questioning the truthfulness of then-chief executive Clare Hadley at a public meeting.Clark did not participate in the most recent code of conduct investigation, listing a series of reasons including neither complainant seeking to discuss the matter with him directly, and an apology he’d already made in the media for “any unease caused”.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

The Department of Conservation has given a written warning Race to Survive: New Zealand after contestants ate a protected bird.In the reality show, participants race each other over hundreds of kilometres of harsh terrain with only what they can carry.US white water river guides Spencer "Corry" Jones and team-mate Oliver Dev were disqualified after the incident.In a clip from the show, Jones apologised on camera and said it did not sit lightly with him. He said he was desperate and hungry,but he knew he was breaking the rule when he did it.In a statement, the Department of Conservation said it was clear with the production company that protected species could not be harvested or consumed. It said the company had alerted it about the incident shortly after it occurred.DOC team lead of investigations Dylan Swain said the company was "on notice" about the need for programme participants to follow to conservation rules.He said there was a unique set of circumstances at play, that cast members were fatigued and suffering from significant hunger with an unusual group dynamic. He said this led the department to decide a warning letter was prudent.The show airs on USA Network which said in an article on on its website the pair were disqualified from the competition.Weka are native birds and protected in New Zealand.Reproduced with permission

Colin Macnicol doesn't like to sit idle, so when he and wife Jean supposedly 'semi-retired' from their Southland farm to Arrowtown in 2006, Colin got busy.A former Southland Deer Farmers Association chairman and national selection panelist, long time Rotarian and talented musician, Colin's probably best known locally for his jive - churning out old favorites on the piano accordion on the back of the Arrow Miners Band truck.His warm, friendly farmer smile has also calmed many a first day nerve on the Arrowtown and Wakatipu High school buses for almost 20 years.His farmer skills soon had him driving for Gibbston deer farmer Murray McWhirter and then carting grapes in the truck for local wine growers.Colin has emotional ties to Arrowtown, his dad the brother of Mount Aurum Station's legendary Archie Macnicol."My dad, Duncan, was born in Arrowtown - the first of seven kids, taken home to Skippers on a horse with his mother, aged three weeks."He managed Mount Aurum Station from the age of 16 or 17 until he was 21.He then managed southern stations, eventually farming in Woodlands.Colin Macnicol on piano accordion and long-time band mate Wayne Sinclair on lead guitar. Photo: SuppliedAt 15, Colin discovered a love of music after taking up the piano accordion - "an excuse to drive the car to Kennington on the outskirts of Invercargill for lessons."A natural, he was quickly invited into an adult band with renowned musician 'Mrs Lemin'.Colin and his high school mates formed a teenage dance band - The Naughty Knights, played dances and parties at almost every hall in Southland for some thirty years.Eventually Colin graduated to the electric organ.A farm boy at heart, he was heavily involved in Young Farmers and later Federated Farmers.He soon met his match in Jean, a farmer's daughter from Mokoreta, and well-travelled, champion debater."Don't argue!" he grins.When they married in 1968 Colin's dad helped them into a 400-acre (161ha) dairy and sheep farm."We milked our own cows and made our own butter in those early days", he says.Colin in the deer shed. Photo: SuppliedThey've always been a team so when Colin, ever the innovator, wanted to try the new craze of deer farming in 1978 Jean was right behind him.Lamb prices had been low, so they bought three live capture hinds for a hefty sum, borrowing the money from "The Firm".Always up for a challenge, Colin was then the first to host a young French agriculture exchange student."We'd be driving around the farm sorting out a lot of swear words", he chuckles.At 62, Colin had a heart attack, also losing his sister around the same time."I thought, 'I've got things to do before I finish up'."With no family keen to take over, they sold the farm near Dacre and moved to Arrowtown where Colin, stent in place, had a new lease on life.Colin, left, and the family, from left, Kirsty, Lynette and Paul, with Jean in front, before leaving Lone Gum farm. Photo: Supplied"My first job was driving the Arrowtown School bus," he says."I love the kids. They're great."On his first day the first stop was Hogan Gully Road."I was being very careful, and I picked up a boy who could recite all the Roman Generals. I asked him to help me with the stops as it was my first day," Colin says."He said, 'Yes I know, cos you went so slow down the hill and around the corner'," Colin grins.On another occasion a first-day newcomer quietly hung on until the last stop at Gibbston, last one on the bus, where he finally asked, 'Is this Jack's Point?'Colin's served as valued Rotarian for almost 40 years - Invercargill East and Queenstown, including a stint as president down south.As chairman of the Southland Deer Farmers Association, he oversaw one thousand members and is now a life member, also representing Southland on the National Selection and Appointments Panel in Wellington.In Queenstown he landed the dream job, carting millions of dollars' worth of deer for high profile, ex-Otautau deer farmer Murray (McWhiter), who dealt in trophy stags.Colin is a well-known foundation member of Arrowtown MenzShed, has served on the Arrowtown Village Association, Queenstown Districts Historical Society and Arrowtown RSA, somehow fitting in time to help Jean with Meals on Wheels.However, Colin's probably best known for his lively renditions and beaming smile radiating from the back of that unmistakable old Arrow Miners Band truck."I've done that since I arrived. There are only three or four of us left now," he grins, just a few months from his 80th birthday.Reporter: Sue FeaRepublished with permission from the Lakes Weekly Bulletin and the Queenstown App

A 40-year-old Matura man is due to reappear in Invercargill District Court on multiple charges after failing to stop for Police in Avenal, Invercargill in the early hours of Sunday morning (21 Jul).The man, who was allegedly driving with no lights on, failed to stop when signalled to do so on Wellesley Avenue around 12:55am.Southland Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman said Police initiated a pursuit, following the vehicle south onto Dee Street.During this initial pursuit the offender rammed a Police vehicle, with the Police vehicle sustaining very minor damage.The pursuit was subsequently abandoned due to safety concerns.Later that same morning the vehicle was located travelling south on Kelvin Street and Police followed maintaining long-range observations.Thanks to a well-coordinated approach by all staff in the south Invercargill area, the vehicle was successfully spiked and brought to a stop on John Street, Bowman said.The man was taken into custody around 6am.A 40-year-old Mataura man was taken into custody around 6am.He has been been remanded in custody and due to reappear in the Invercargill District Court on Tuesday 13 August.The man faces charges of failing to stop, driving while disqualified, resisting police, assaulting police, dangerous driving, and wilful damage.Luckily, there were no injuries sustained to officers or members of the community during this incident, Bowman said.There is no place for this activity in our community. Southland Police will continue to target unlawful behaviour, particularly involving gangs and organised crime groups, and especially that which brings the public and Police staff in harm’s way, he said.Anyone witnessing an unlawful activity should contact Police on 111 if there is an immediate risk to people or property.Alternatively, you can report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A longstanding battle to tar seal a section of a Southland town's main road is rolling on, as one woman continues her fight.Riverton resident Leah Boniface wants Southland District Council to seal the 300m northern section of Palmerston St where she has lived for about 30 years.The gravel road is technically part of the town's main street, but is home to just four houses, sheds, horse stables and land.With her rates bill currently sitting at $3000 a year, Boniface wanted “a little bit more” for her investment.She first contacted the council in 1992 with concerns related to the width of the road and asked them to seal it in subsequent years.That included going public in 2021 with her frustration, where she said she'd had to push her late husband in a wheelchair over gravel due to a lack of footpaths.This month, Boniface told the council in a submission for its long term plan consultation that she was once again asking for improvements to the carriageway.“Even a footpath surfaced with dunite (stone surface) would be an improvement for those who walk. Grass verges are always wet and unpleasant for pedestrians.”Requests for potholes repairs were generally addressed promptly, but reappeared quickly after rain, she said.Boniface says her street is dusty in the summer and muddy in the winter. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDRPonding was also an issue on one side of the street where there was no kerb or channel.Boniface told Local Democracy Reporting the street had been “overlooked for too long”, and questioned if it would ever be sealed.The council has provided little to no light at the end of the tunnel for Boniface.In response to questions, council strategic manager transport Hartley Hare said “nothing has changed since the previous report”, when Boniface went public three years ago.At that time, then-mayor Gary Tong said the street only serviced two or three residents, and had been deemed not cost-effective to address.The dollars weren’t there for doing such jobs, he said.According to the council’s website, it manages nearly 5000km of roads throughout Southland.The network comprises all roads, streets and bridges in the district except highways and national park roads.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air