Road ClosedHigh Avalanche HazardRoad status:CLOSED from East Gate (Hollyford) to Donne River (Westgate) all day WednesdayComments:The road is closed. The road will be closed all day Wednesday due to heavy warm rain throughout the day increasing the avalanche hazard to HIGH. Unsure at this stage what time reopening will happen on Thursday as a cold front with snow moves through Thursday morning. The rest of the week is looking unsettled with snow and heavy rain forecast, so further travel disruptions may be possible. Next update 2.00pm. Any queries please ring 03 249 7004.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Heavy and thundery rain. Tomorrow: Showers gradually easing, then clearing by evening. Snow possible above about 800 metres. Friday: Fine at first, but showers developing later with snow possible near the tunnel. Saturday: Periods of rain, possibly heavy. Snow possible about the tunnel at first. Sunday: Periods of rain, possibly heavy.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is planning to ramp up its predator control in South Island beech forests - including the use of the controversial 1080 poison - ahead of potentially the biggest masting (seeding) in the last 7-years.Beech forests naturally mast or seed every two to six years, providing a short-term windfall of free food - and a population spike - to introduced rats and stoats.However when optimal climatic conditions trigger a beech 'mega mast', predator numbers can explode, putting additional pressure on Aotearoa's native birds and other fauna once the beech seed has been consumed.DOC’s National Predator Control Programme Manager, Peter Morton, said the mega mast seeding would most likely be in western areas from Kahurangi at the top of the South Island to Fiordland.“We are planning a bigger predator control programme than usual over the next two years to protect our most vulnerable native species like mohua, rock wren and pekapeka from beech-seed fuelled plagues of rats and stoats.“Operations will be focused on the best surviving populations of endangered wildlife in Kahurangi, Mt Aspiring, Arthur’s Pass and Fiordland national parks.Mohua/Yellowhead. Photo: DOC“We know if we do nothing, native species will be decimated.""Some of our last surviving mohua populations are hanging on by a thread and there’s a risk with a surge in predators we could lose them,” Morton said.Morton said DOC's monitoring had shown that carefully timed aerial 1080 operations prevented large spikes in predator numbers, enabling birds and bats to survive and breed successfully.“Controlling predators is one of the most important actions we can take to protect nature.""People can do their bit of ‘naturing’ by setting traps in their backyards, joining a local trapping group or donating, as we work towards New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 goal,” Morton said.Beech mast response operations will be focussed in two rounds – later this year before seed falls in autumn and from late 2026, once seed has been eaten or germinated.Rock Wren. Photo: Digby Shaw/DOCThis avoids times when beech seed carpets the forest floor and rodents are less likely to eat toxic bait.Monitoring through a smaller beech mast in 2023 showed this timing led to the most effective control of predators and best outcomes for native wildlife.Planning is underway for 15 predator control operations over 650,000 ha at priority South Island sites from spring to early summer in 2025.This is in addition to DOC’s regular programme over another 150,000 ha. DOC is consulting with iwi and hapū, stakeholders and local communities about all proposed operations.The predator control programme for the second part of the beech mast response in 2026 and early 2027 will be determined by rat and stoat monitoring results from the sites DOC is protecting.If rodent numbers do not reach anticipated damaging levels in some areas, the programme will be scaled back.DOC has received $6.5 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy for its expanded programme to tackle invasive predators, Morton said.DOC uses climate modelling to predict beech masts a year in advance, and satellite imagery to monitor beech forest flowering across New Zealand.Profuse red flowering of beech trees this summer will be the first sign that the beech mast has started, he said.

Southlanders are among those benefitting from the Government’s new 24/7 digital health service.Since it was launched in July, more than 21,000 consultations have already been delivered across the country, with almost 20 percent of them in the South Island.This new digital health service gives local people faster access to care when they can’t see their usual GP, with online consultations with registered healthcare professionals available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Most people have used the service when a timely GP appointment hasn’t been available (72 percent), while another 12 percent of bookings were because a telehealth appointment was more convenient.One Southlander, who lives in a rural area and was ill with influenza, told me that she found it very helpful to be able to talk to a doctor, without having to leave home or drive several kilometres.Another young man said he didn’t want to take time off work to see a GP, and he was pleased to be able to use the telehealth service during his lunch hour.This shows that the service is making a real difference in the South, for those who might otherwise face long waits, or travel long distances to see a doctor.It’s convenient and its effective – and it’s also hopefully freeing up GP space for those who really need it.Working-age adults and parents are the biggest users, according to Health New Zealand, with strong uptake among 20 to 39 year-olds and children under 10.Our Government has committed $164.6 million over five years for new telehealth services and I believe it is money well spent because we are committed to ensuring every New Zealander can access timely, quality healthcare.Digital health solutions are a key part of this and it’s great to see them working well in the South.Funded by Parliamentary Services

Road OpenModerate Avalanche HazardRoad status:CLOSING from East Gate (Hollyford) to Donne River (Westgate) 5pmComments:The road is currently open and will close tonight at 5pm. This is a quick update to confirm that the road will be closed all day Wednesday due to warm heavy rain increasing the avalanche risk. The rest of the week is looking unsettled with snow and rain forecast, so further travel disruptions may be possible. Any queries please ring 03 249 7004.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Showers turning to rain later. Tomorrow: Heavy rain.Thursday: Showers clearing. Snow possible above about 700 metres.Friday: Fine at first, but showers developing later with snow possible near the tunnel.Saturday: Periods of rain, possibly heavy. Snow about the tunnel possible at first.

Threats to public safety have come to light in accidentally released material for Emergency Management Southland.A report prepared for a closed-door meeting last Friday has revealed the region does not have comprehensive evacuation mapping - important information should a tsunami strike.As a result, emergency management faced decisions without adequate data three times this year."This placed additional pressure on the controller and duty officer and exposed significant risk in terms of public safety, operational clarity, and community confidence," the report said.It noted the issue had been on the radar for several years, but progress had been "constrained" due to cost.A separate item relating to recruitment also appeared in the agenda and has since been confirmed as the replacement of Emergency Management Southland's top boss.2Environment Southland confirmed new group controller Aly Curd was stepping away after less than a year in the role.The council said she had resigned and would finish up at the end of October.Following Curd's arrival in December, Southland had faced at least two tsunami-related threats.On March 25, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake off the region's southwest coast prompted an emergency alert for potential danger near coastlines.An 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Russia on 30 July prompted warnings of tsunami activity around the country.The report said March and July events showed a lack of data could compromise public safety.But it also included a recommendation to exclude Fiordland from a proposed tsunami modeling package which would drop the ballpark bill from $550,000 to $440,000. A separate ministerial funding request was proposed for that section.Council general manager integrated catchment management Lucy Hicks confirmed meeting attendees did not accept leaving Fiordland out because a "whole of Murihuki Southland" approach was needed.Hicks said although national-level evacuation maps existed, the report looked at the need for comprehensive and localised versions.The Friday meeting related to Emergency Management Southland's co-ordinating executive group, which includes representatives from the region's four councils, emergency services, DOC, MSD, Te Whatu Ora, NEMA, mana whenua and St John.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Voting has opened for the highly anticipated Bird of the Year - but will it fall fowl to hijacking?Allegiances have already formed in the much-hyped and often controversial election - where people vote for their favourite native bird - with a group of 25 backing the kiwi to win the competition's 20th year.But according to Forest and Bird chief executive Nicola Toki, there is no such thing as bad publicity."There's always controversy in Bird of the Year."We had alleged Russian vote hacking a few years ago, I'm still in trouble for allowing John Oliver to apparently hijack Bird of the Year."But fundamentally the more noise about it, the better from our point of view."Takahe. Photo: Chris Watson/ProFocusIn 2023, Oliver - the host of US talk show Last Week Tonight - backed the pūteketeke Australasian crested grebe, which won in a landslide.The campaign saw ads in Paris, Mumbai, Tokyo and London, and a flying banner over Ipanema beach in Brazil. It also led to a record number of votes and donations to Forest and Bird.Toki said behind the huge amount of fun was a serious message."It's like a gateway drug to learning more about protecting our native wildlife, because it gives people access."What started with a fact about a bird, could see people discovering the species in their neighbourhood and getting involved in donating or pest trapping, she said.Toki said the competition had changed significantly over its 20 years, from a couple of hundred votes when it began, to its John Oliver peak of more 330,000.She said there were usually around 50,000 - 60,000 votes cast.She maintained the beauty of the competition was not in the number of votes, but in the way people "really leaned in" - enthusiam that she hoped would translate elsewhere."You know wouldn't it be great if New Zealanders... did the research and learnt more about voting for candidates in local and general elections the way that they do about their birds."She said they had gone "above and beyond" for the 20th anniversary, which included a book '20 Years of Ruffled Feathers', a scavenger hunt, and their take on the popular New York Times game, 'Wordle' - Birdle."Instead of a word, you're guessing a bird."I can tell you from experience it is quite addictive, and quite competitive."Voting for Bird of the Year closes on 28 September, with the winner announced the following day.CLICK HERE to vote.Published by permission

A tugboat has reached an oil and chemical tanker stuck off the coast of Stewart Island.Maritime NZ said the Golden Mind lost steering west of the island on Wednesday, and the ship and its crew had been waiting there since.In an update on Monday morning, it said the ocean-going tug MMA Vision - which set off from Wellington on Thursday - was now alongside.However it said weather conditions would determine when the two boats could connect.Weather stations on Rakiura were recording gale-force winds on Monday.Maritime NZ said the plan was to tow the tanker to Timaru."Towage arrangements are made between the commercial parties involved - in this case, Golden Mind's owners and MMA Vision."Maritime NZ said the crew was safe, and no distress calls had been made.It said its Rescue Coordination Centre would continue to keep watch, but it would not be issuing any further statements about the situation on Monday.Published by permission

Police have named of the young man who died following a crash near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Kew Road on Thursday 11 September.He was Caleb Wilson Moss, 19, of Invercargill.Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

Todd & Co Realty, Southland’s longest-standing locally owned real estate firm, is celebrating 160 years of continuous service to the region this month (Sept).Founded in 1865 when William Todd, great-grandfather of the current William (Bill) Todd, was first issued his auctioneer’s licence, the company has been a cornerstone of Southland’s property landscape for generations.In 2011 the real estate business was sold to Mike and Helen McCurdy.Photo: SuppliedTodd & Co Realty general manager Charlotte Murch, who is also the McCurdy's daughter, said the company was proud to continue to be a family business.The team now covers not only Invercargill, but also communities right across the province, including Te Anau, Winton and Stewart Island, she said.Murch said the company had been proud to stand alongside Southlanders through decades of change, growth, and opportunity.Kathryn Hishon, the company’s Fiordland-based salesperson, said it was a privilege to be part of a brand with 160 years of history in Southland.“Living and working in Te Anau, I see every day how special this region is.""This milestone isn’t just about looking back — it’s about carrying that legacy forward and continuing to serve our communities with the same dedication and pride.”Todd & Co Realty as it is today. Photo: SuppliedTo mark 160-years of business, Todd & Co Realty is running a Supreme Southland Giveaway, which includes some of the region’s finest goodies.Prizes include a night’s accommodation in Te Anau, Stag Family pass and a selection of some of Southland's finest produce including Stewart Island salmon, Seriously Good chocolate and Southland honey, lamb, sausages and pies.CLICK HERE to enter.Entries close at 9:00am on Friday, September 26, with winners announced later that day.Photo: Supplied

What a busy and rewarding term it has been at Lochiel School! We have packed a lot into these weeks, and it has been wonderful to see so much learning, fun, and community spirit shining through.We began the term by welcoming our new principal, Mrs Narelle Collie, which marked an exciting fresh start for the school. Mrs Collie has quickly become part of our Lochiel whānau, getting to know the students, staff, and building strong connections with the community.Baz Janssen Building and Engineering proud sponsor of Lochiel School.Our PTA once again worked their magic to organise a very successful school disco. It was a fun-filled evening that was not only well attended but also brilliantly run, and we are so grateful for the PTA’s efforts and the support from our wider school community.Another standout experience this term was our ski trip, giving students the chance to develop new skills, challenge themselves, and enjoy a fantastic day on the slopes.Skiing adventures for the students. Photo: Supplied.Book Week created a real buzz around reading, with a wide variety of activities to engage students and families. A highlight was inviting families into classrooms to share stories with the children, which made for some very special moments.The week finished with our much-loved Book Character Dress-Up Day, where creativity and enthusiasm were on full display as students and staff arrived in an array of colourful costumes.Fun and dress ups with Book week. Photo: Supplied.Back in the classrooms, teaching and learning have been rich and engaging, with a particular focus on space. Students have loved exploring this topic in different ways, deepening their curiosity and knowledge of the universe.Students also proudly represented Lochiel at a number of events. At Netty Fest in Winton, our children displayed their great sportsmanship and teamwork on the court. Two teams also took part in the EIS Technology Challenge, where they faced problem-solving tasks with determination, positivity, and excellent teamwork.Netty Fest. Photo: Supplied.Additionally, our students showcased their energy, coordination, and team spirit at the Jump Jam competition, with the junior group taking away third place. Their behaviour and effort at these events always make us proud.Jump Jam action. Photo: Supplied.As we round off the term, the spotlight turns to our very own Lochiel’s Got Talent show, a celebration of the incredible range of skills and confidence among our students. It’s the perfect way to finish on a high note, enjoying the creativity and spirit that makes our school such a special place.We wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing holiday break before we return, refreshed and ready to tackle Term 4!

An emergency set net fishing ban is being put into place around the Otago Peninsula to protect a threatened penguin population, following urgent calls from conservation groups who fear one of the world's rarest penguins are on the brink of extinction.The three-month ban would be in place from 5pm on Tuesday.Department of Conservation (DOC) data showed the northern hoiho population (South Island and Rakiura/Stewart Island) had collapsed by 80 percent since 2008, from 739 breeding pairs to just 143, a drop of 80 percent from 2008 numbers.Conservation groups including the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust/Te Tautiaki Hoiho and the Environmental Law Initiative had urged the government to put an emergency ban in place for the penguins' breeding season, which began last month.At the time, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka both said they were awaiting further advice, including a long awaited "scientific multi-threat risk assessment", which had been commissioned in September 2022.In a statement on Monday morning, Jones said he would use his ministerial powers to implement "an immediate emergency closure of the set net fishery around the Otago Peninsula for a period of three months.Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii"As the self-proclaimed champion of the fisheries industry, I do not make this decision lightly."Jones was "deeply conscious" of the effect this would have on the livelihoods of fishers in the area, and said people should not be under the misapprehension he was softening his pro-industry stance.A four nautical mile set net ban already existed along the Otago coast, but conservation groups had previously argued this did not go far enough as hoiho foraged up to 20 nautical miles off the coast.Hoiho faced multiple threats, including disease, introduced predators, human disturbance, a shift in diet, fisheries by-catch, marine predation and the impacts of climate change.There were currently fewer than 100 yellow-eyed penguin chicks on Stewart Island and mainland New Zealand, with few expected to survive to breeding ageFigures from Seafood NZ and the Ministry of Primary Industries showed 17 birds were killed in fishery incidents between October 2019 and June 2025, primarily as by-catch in set nets."A new scientific assessment commissioned by Fisheries New Zealand, which will be publicly released shortly, shows the greatest threats to the northern hoiho are starvation and predation, followed by fishing and disease," Jones said.Published by permission

Road OpenLow Avalanche Hazard Road status:CLOSING from East Gate (Hollyford) to Donne River (Westgate) 5pmComments:Challenging Fiordland Spring weather continues this week. The road is closing tonight at 5pm due to warm rain increasing the avalanche hazard. Expected reopening 9am Tuesday after assessments are completed. It is highly likely that the road will close on Tuesday night and with the amount of rain forecast could potentially be closed all day Wednesday. Any queries, please call 03 249 7004.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Showers turning to rain. Tomorrow: Showers turning to rain. Wednesday: Heavy rain. Thursday: Showers clearing. Snow possible. Friday: Showers developing with snow possible.

A Queenstown hotelier made a string of false claims, after the business's luxury "heli-crayfish experience" caught the attention of fisheries officers, documents show.Rees Management Limited, which trades as The Rees Hotel, was fined $22,000 in July for illegally selling recreationally caught crayfish and failing to keep records.Company chief executive Mark Rose was discharged without conviction.Guests paid between $4650-7750 to fly to a remote location in Fiordland or the West Coast, and watch a diver, who had been paid $800 cash, take the maximum recreational limit of six crayfish, while they were entertained with crayfish facts and photo opportunities.Back at the hotel, for another $100 each, the guests would enjoy the crayfish as part of a two, three or four-course evening meal.According to a summary of facts released to RNZ by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) under an Official Information Act request, the hotel organised at least six heli-crayfishing trips in 2021 and 2022, after it was warned that the experience breached the Fisheries Act.Rose falsely told Fisheries New Zealand that divers were not paid for the trips, that they dined alongside guests and that three uninvoiced crayfish tails found in the hotel's freezer were a gift dropped off by a "mate".Both Rose and Fisheries New Zealand declined to comment to RNZ.Repeated warnings disregardedAccording to the summary of facts, the heli-crayfish experience first caught the attention of Fisheries New Zealand in 2021.District team leader and fishery officer Ian Henderson wrote to Rose on 29 November, warning him the hotel needed a commercial fishing permit to sell fish."I therefore require you to cease offering and advertising 'The Rees Ultimate Heli-Crayfish Dining Experience' package, as it is currently presented," he said.Rose called Henderson the next day, stating he could not see what his company was doing wrong.He told Henderson that divers went with guests on the excursions "to take crayfish on their behalf" and then had dinner with them, with "no charge for this".Henderson re-iterated the requirements, telling Rose that any use of fish in commercial premises was deemed to be a "sale" under the Fisheries Act.Fisheries New Zealand later found that, "contrary to what the director advised", the divers were paid $800 cash to take their daily recreational entitlement.It also found the crayfish had been prepared by chefs and served to guests at the hotel, without the divers being present.Missing recordsIn December 2021, Rose wrote to Henderson, agreeing to make the trips legally compliant, but Fisheries New Zealand said the hotel "persisted with its actions" and failed to keep any required records of the crayfish.Ten days after Rose's email, the hotel provided another heli-crayfish experience to three guests at a total cost of $7750 and did not keep any invoices.Fisheries officers who inspected the hotel in January 2022 did not find any "non-compliance" and were assured any future crayfish would be bought from legitimate sources.After the hotel sold five more heli-crayfish experiences without invoices - two of which Rose joined - fisheries officers conducted another inspection in December 2022.The summary of facts showed the officers unearthed three uninvoiced crayfish tails in a freezer, two of which were labelled "crayfish-heli crayfish".Rose claimed they were a personal gift from a friend for a barbecue, saying, "I actually get given quite a bit of produce by mates", but Fisheries New Zealand said the friend denied that was the case.Rose made one known attempt to source crayfish legally, instructing the chef to buy crayfish before an intended heli-crayfish trip in December 2022.In an email about that time, Rose told Fisheries New Zealand: "You are putting a lot of time and energy into this investigation, so there is obviously something going on."Legal bill landsIn July 2025, the court convicted and fined Rees Management Ltd $3000 on each of four charges under the Fisheries Act for unlawfully possessing fish for sale.The court also convicted and fined the company $10,000 on one representative charge of being a dealer in fish and failing to keep invoices of all fish acquired.MPI said the lack of records made it hard to quantify the scale of the offending, but in the summary of facts, it said the rules were made for a reason."Those who take fish commercially outside of this framework undermine the sustainable management of the fishery, [and] avoid the compliance costs, reporting obligations and monitoring oversight that lawfully authorised commercial fishers operate under."It said illicitly sourced crayfish gave offenders an economic edge over licensed operators and deprived legitimate dealers of market opportunities.Published by permission

They’re Fiordland’s version of snow groomers, although there’s much more riding on it than a happy snowboarder if this crew gets it wrong.A skilled team of 27 from digger drivers and specialist weather forecasters to engineers and avalanche explosives experts work 24/7 through winter in an effort to keep open winter access to one of New Zealand’s tourism icons – Milford Sound.View a triggered avalanche above the Milford Road. Photo: NZTA/SuppliedThey’ve done that since 1983 when the road and Homer Tunnel was first kept open during winter, with the Milford Road notoriously subjected to huge snow dumps and very high avalanche risk.The job’s a lot more sophisticated and full on these days with a specialist team staff based in Te Anau working for the Milford Road Alliance, an alliance between New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and Downer, formed to manage the safe operation of the road.A Milford Road Alliance loader sweeps snow from the Milford Road. Photo: SuppliedIt’s their job to keep the road from Te Anau to Milford through Homer Tunnel open and safe in what’s a harsh and extreme winter environment, closely monitoring and managing any avalanche risk and managing any incident response.It's internationally recognised work and Milford Road Alliance manager Kevin Thompson says the team takes “very seriously the responsibility to keep visitors to Milford safe”.In 2023 the Milford Alliance avalanche programme won the International Road Federation’s Global Road Achievement Award for Programme Management.However, they’re not looking for any accolades.“We’d rather people look at the scenery and enjoy their cruise and not know we’re even there.”Milford Road Alliance manager Kevin Thompson briefs crew members on the Milford Road. Photo: SuppliedRoad closures are probably only necessary eight to 15 days a year after all other options are exhausted and Thompson and his team deem it unsafe to allow traffic through.The spring months of September, October and November pose the greatest avalanche threat when temperatures warm and more rain usually arrives.However, so do the tourists.“The tourism season ramps up dramatically at the time and everybody’s excited about getting to this much talked about destination in coaches, campervans and other vehicles,” he says.There’s a great deal of pressure on the team to deliver with so much pent-up anticipation and while most people are understanding if the road has to close and they’re turned back, they’re clearly “extremely upset”.“This is the one real highlight they’ve been looking forward to in New Zealand – a Bucket List location, and they’ve usually got really tight itineraries so can’t come back, he says.Just another day at the office as crew members carry out avalanche protection work high above the Milford Road. Photo: SuppliedThat sign indicating: ‘Avalanche Hazard – low, medium or high’ at the Hollyford Road can make or break a visitor’s day, although the road reports are always up to date online.“They’re so upset that they can’t get to the end and see their dream if there’s a problem or bad weather.”Most motorists are amazingly obliging.“They mostly understand. Even if they’re turned back, when you tell them and it’s snowing and bad weather they give you a chocolate biscuit,” Thompson grins.With helicopters required to drop what can be as many as thirty 25-kilo bags of explosives onto risky spots on a winter morning weather is key.It’s also key in monitoring any perceived natural avalanche risk high above the rocky overhangs and outcrops bordering the narrow road.Milford Road Alliance manager Kevin Thompson on the job managing safety on the Milford Road. Photo: Supplied“Helicopters are the only way to get into the big paths of avalanches."“We’re a maritime avalanche programme, right by the sea with lots of heavy, wet snow coming in off the Southern Ocean,” Thompson says.“There’s not a lot of forewarning, so we need to be mobile.""We usually only know 24 to 48 hours out at the most and decisions need to be made in a short time.”The team is totally dependent on weather and relies heavily on those forecasts to predict avalanche conditions.This recent surprise return of winter is likely to continue for a few more weeks, he says.A Milford Road Alliance truck sweeps snow from the Milford Road. Photo: Supplied“We’re noticing the winter is moving later in the year.""We used to get a lot of snow in June, July and August, now it’s more like August, September and October,” he says.“Fiordland is very vast and big in scale and size, particularly above the Homer Tunnel.""Most avalanche scenes aren’t visible from the road.""There are some big basins up there that fill up deeper and deeper until eventually gravity, sun, rain gets stuff moving,” he says.“We have to predict beforehand or bring it down with explosives.”Avalanche protection work being carried out by crew members, above the Milford Road. Photo: SuppliedThings become difficult if the weather keeps the choppers grounded, or there’s exceptionally low cloud.“That’s challenging and the avalanche risk increases. We become nervous and the road closes while we wait for it to fall or nature does it itself.”MetService provides specialist short range, two-day forecasts just for the Milford Road and the Alliance operates seven of its own weather stations on mountain peaks down the valley, with a large number of cameras running off sensors.It takes a lot of specialist people. Everybody here has more than one job.”Thompson’s proud that in his 10 winters on the job they’ve only closed when they’ve absolutely had to.It’s vital to ensure the livelihoods of the tourism industry with everyone from mechanics and tour guides living in there, reliant on that road.Metres of snow can accumulate at the Milford Alliance's base on the Milford Road. Photo: Supplied“People need to get in and out. They also need supplies,” he says.But if there’s up to half a metre of snow dumped on some 20kms of road the big taste doesn’t always get through.“We do our best to get it open as soon as possible but that’s a lot of snow.”Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.

An open ocean tugboat is on its way to rescue an oil and chemical tanker stuck off the coast of Stewart Island.Maritime NZ said the Golden Mind tanker got into steering difficulties west of the island on Wednesday, and the ship and crew had remained there since then."We have been informed that the owners of Golden Mind has contracted the ocean-going tug MMA Vision to provide towage assistance," Maritime NZ said."Towage arrangements are made between the commercial parties involved - in this case, Golden Mind's owners and MMA Vision."MMA Vision set off from Wellington on Thursday and was expected to reach the stuck tanker Sunday afternoon.MMA Vision (marked in blue) set off from Wellington on Thursday and was expected to reach the stuck tanker (marked in red) Sunday afternoon. Photo: Marine TrafficThe plan was to tow the vessel to Timaru.No distress calls had been issued and its Rescue Coordination Centre continued to monitor the situation, Maritime NZ said.The MMA Vision tugboat had been contracted by the government as a standby tug for the Cook Strait ferries.Published by permission

Updated: the road is now open (2pm, 13 Sep).A crash at Fishing Camp Road, Te Wae Wae Bay, closed State Highway 99The road has since reopened.

MetService have issued a severe 'Orange' weather warnings for Southland, from 10am till 5pm today (13 Sept).Graphic: MetServiceThe service has forecast severe gale west to southwest winds of up to 120km/hr in exposed places.The area extends from Gore south and Stewart Island.Dunedin southeast of Middlemarch and Clutha southeast of Tapanui are also likely to be affected.MetService said that damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures was possible. They also warned motorists that driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.A strong 'Yellow" wind watch was also issued, for the same period, for North Otago, Central Otago south of Cromwell, Southern Lakes south of Arrowtown, and remaining parts of Dunedin Clutha and Southland outside the Warning area.Meanwhile the Milford Road, SH94, remains closed due to an increased avalanche hazard and overnight snow.As at 7,30am, NZTA said assessments of avalanche conditions were presently taking place at present and then snow clearing would begin.The highway is expected to reopen around midday but close again at 5pm for more snowfall.Indications are that once the road opens on Sunday morning it will remain open until Monday, they said.

Details from a private meeting about an embattled bird sanctuary in Southland will remain secret for now, despite strong community interest.Uncertainty has surrounded Te Anau Bird Sanctuary/Punanga Manu o Te Anau since earlier this year when DOC announced it was “exploring alternatives” to its management and later revealed it would rehome birds.The sanctuary, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, is home to a range of native birds including takahē.The Te Anau bird sanctuary is home to a range of native birds, but many are set to depart. Photo: SuppliedOn Tuesday, the department met with Fiordland Community Board chair Diane Holmes following receipt of an impassioned letter supporting the site.Holmes was optimistic after the meeting that the sanctuary’s next steps would be positive as key stakeholders worked together.“I will say after that meeting yesterday we are satisfied that they’re (DOC) considering all their options.”But she would not divulge what was discussed, and DOC has remained equally tight-lipped.“We had a really positive meeting with the board chair where they outlined their concerns and we spoke about the challenges we face,” DOC operations manager Te Anau John Lucas said.Lucas confirmed his organisation had made a "tough decision" early in the year to transition out of management.DOC announced in July it would begin reducing hours and rehoming birds — despite a public consultation still being in progress — because it needed to redirect resources to other work such as infrastructure on predator-free islands.Takahē will stay, but kōwhiowhio/whio had already been rehomed, DOC said. Pāteke/brown teal and Antipodes Island kākāriki would follow at a later date.Following the July announcement, Holmes wrote that the pace and approach of bird removals had caused community unease and also expressed concern about potential tourism impact.A kākā known as "Charlie girl" was shifted from the Te Anau sanctuary in 2024 after spending more than two decades there. Photo: SuppliedThe site is owned by Southland Fish & Game which has enlisted the help of Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka to help create a vision for it; the rūnaka in turn got regional development agency Great South onboard.Great South general manager regional strategy Bobbi Brown said 90 submissions were received during a three-week consultation ending 3 August and hoped the next steps could be shared soon.Rūnaka deputy chair Sue Crengle said in an earlier statement that the sanctuary was a taonga: “a treasure for our people and our region”.According to background information provided by DOC, the department became involved with the sanctuary in 1987.DOC said it was thought the site was set up by the Southern Acclimatisation Society before becoming a Department of Internal Affairs hatchery in 1945.Southland Fish & Game said it received ownership of the site from DOC in 2005.DOC's February announcement about managing the sanctuary followed a 2024 review which assessed its condition, purpose and sustainability.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Invercargill’s Queens Park has a new attraction that’s turning heads—and minds. A giant outdoor chess board has been unveiled at the park’s playground, offering visitors a chance to enjoy fresh air while sharpening their logic and problem-solving skills.The installation, completed earlier this week by the Invercargill City Council’s Parks and Recreation team, was quickly put to use by members of the Invercargill-Southland Chess Club.President Gary McLean and Treasurer Richard Christie were the first to test out the oversized set.“It’s a dream come true for us,” said McLean.Manager Parks and Recreation Caroline Rain, Invercargill-Southland Chess Club Treasurer Richard Christie and President Gary McLean set up the new chess board. Photo: Supplied.“We always wanted an outdoor chess set somewhere in the city, and we couldn’t have asked for a better location than in the middle of Queens Park.”The idea was inspired by similar setups seen around the country, according to Caroline Rain, Manager of Parks and Recreation.“As soon as we took down the construction fences and had the pieces set up on our new board, we had people walking past and wanting to play,” Rain said.“It’s a simple addition, built by our staff for very little cost, but adds a lot of value to the playground and Queens Park.”To protect the pieces from damage or being blown away, they will be stored indoors each evening.A sign explaining the rules of chess will also be placed nearby to help newcomers get started.Christie, an internationally accredited chess official and trainer, sees the board as more than just a game—it’s a teaching tool.“The large board will be a useful tool for demonstrating different techniques to groups, and it could be the focal point of an outdoor chess tournament,” he said.Chess has deep roots in Southland, with the region’s first club dating back to the 1860s.The current Invercargill-Southland Chess Club was re-established in 2017 and meets weekly on Friday nights for social games and tournaments, open to all.McLean hopes the new installation will raise awareness and encourage broader participation.“Chess is accessible to anyone, regardless of gender, age or culture,” he said.“The outdoor board is an open invitation to anyone visiting the park to give it a go.”The giant chess board is located beside the Cheeky Llama Café and is available for public use during the café’s opening hours, typically from 9am or 10am until 4.30pm daily.