Absorbing the early pressure, Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse maintained their clean sheet in the opening stages of the ANZ Premiership with their third straight win. Only a late injury to midcourter Maddy Gordon marred their performance at TSB Arena in Wellington as they netted a 54-46 win over the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel. Gordon was assisted from the court in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury which upset some of their flow up front, but the hard work done late in the third quarter – at both ends of the court – set the Pulse up for victory.It was again an improved performance from the Steel however and, despite still searching for their first win of the season, they will take the positives from another step up in play – the shooting combination of Grace Namana and Georgia Heffernan causing plenty of early problems for the fancied Pulse duo of Kelly Jackson and Parris Mason. They also got 45 minutes of court time from midcourter Shannon Saunders and a full game from Kate Heffernan, two of their most experienced players who are returning from injury. It was the Pulse set the defensive tone from the outset, pushing the Steel wide and forcing their shooters to put the ball up at range. But Steel’s patience, the backbone of the club’s netball history, came to the fore as they waited for space to open up, levelling the scores early on. Navigating the long reach of Jackson was going to be one of the Steel’s biggest asks of the day, the Pulse defender an imposing figure in the circle. The shooter-to-shooter play between Georgia Heffernan and Namana did enough to work the ball closer to the post as the Steel went on a four-goal run to lead by three goals. Opening up space on attack, the experience of Saunders and Kate Heffernan helped thread the ball in passed the hands of Jackson and Mason. In contrast, the Pulse looked for the quick feed into Amelia Walmsley with the height advantage over Taneisha Fifita. But errors crept into their attack as the Steel maintained their defensive pressure and the 14-11 scoreline in their favour at the break marked the first quarter the southerners have won this season. Play resumed with a shuffle in the Pulse shooting circle with Walmsley moving out to goal attack and Khiarna Williams picking up the shooter bib. It made an immediate impact for the hosts, but the Pulse continued to struggle to shut down the play of Namana and Georgia Heffernan. A footwork call on Namana gave the Pulse the opportunity to close the gap to just one goal mid-way through the spell. Coach Anna Andrews-Tasola went to her bench with five minutes left in the half injecting goal defence Kelea Iongi into the game. The patience and deception of Saunders’ feed into the attacking circle continued to confuse the Pulse’s defensive efforts however as the southerners clung to a 27-25 lead at halftime. Having had the better of their opponents in the first half, the big question was whether the Steel, looking to break a 20-game losing streak, could run out the game, knowing two of their most experienced players were on managed minutes. Steel defender Abby Lawson came off the bench to start the third quarter as their front line remained the same. Levelling the scores, the Pulse lifted in intensity with their through court defence while Mason, who returned to play, went low for turnovers around the Steel shooters. It sparked a change in momentum as the hosts turned the tables to go up by three with eight minutes to play. With both teams desperate to get on top, the physicality also lifted and a warning to Fifita forced a change to the Steel defensive line as the Pulse went on a five-goal run to extend their lead to 42-35 heading into the last turn.  Official Result and Stats: Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse: 54Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel: 46Shooting Stats - Pulse:Amelia Walmsley 44/51 (86%)Khiarna Williams 9/12 (75%)Kiana Pelasio 1/1 (100%)Shooting Stats - Steel:Grace Namana 27/35 (77%)Georgia Heffernan 19/25 (76%)ANZ Player of the Match:Georgia Heffernan

Five men in their late teens have been rescued after getting lost on the Makarewa Falls track in the Hokonui Hills last night (26 Apr).Hall Road leads to the start of the Makarewa Falls track in the Hokonui Hills. Photo: Google MapsThe Makarewa Falls loop track which opened in 2021 after a community effort by the Winton Rotary Club, is accessable off Hall and Mandeville Roads in the Otapiri Gorge and features a 24m waterfall - reportedly the highest in lowland Southland.Police were alerted around 8.15pm last night, via the SOS function on their cell phone, that the group had unexpectedly been caught out while walking, losing the track in failing light.After using the emergency function on their cell phone the group started a fire.Ten Southland Land Search and Rescue volunteers were deployed supported by Amateur Radio Emergency Communications (AREC) and located the group shortly after midnight.The group arrived in the car park at 2am in good health despite some miserable weather conditions.Police said they were grateful for the positive ending and thanked the team of dedicated volunteersPolice reminded outdoor enthusiasts to be mindful that a lack of light can change everything, especially since the summer hours has now come to an end.What may start as a day walk could turn into an overnight trip faster than you might realise if you lose sight of the track, they said.It’s essential to be prepared before you set out on your walk, some good tips before you think about heading:Before you go let family and/or friends know where you’re going, and when to expect you back.Have an emergency locator beacon, these can be purchased from outdoor stores or hired from your closest DOC centre.Take weather forecasts seriously and wear the correct clothing.Have enough food and water should you have to spend extra time outdoors.Remember, it’s never too early to turn back!

Catholic churches in Otago and Southland are ditching traditional insurance policies due to skyrocketing premiums.It was going to cost the Catholic Diocese of Dunedin almost a quarter of a million dollars this year to insure about 50 churches, including Dunedin's St Joseph's Cathedral.The church now plans to establish a million-dollar trust fund, paying the equivalent of annual premiums directly to that fund to be used in case of disaster.But it is not actually enough to replace major churches should they be destroyed, and Catholic schools will continue to be covered by insurance companies.Father Gerard Ansley told Checkpoint the church had seen a steady rise in insurance premiums of about 25 percent a year, every year.In 2022, their premiums were $135,000. This year, they were predicted to be close to $250,000, he said."So, when do you stop?"The diocese's new plan of ditching insurance came when they looked at the numbers."We can't actually afford it. When people give money to the church they're really wanting the church to be doing its work, not to be paying insurance."Probably the main driver is that we realised we can't afford not to insure but there are other options."The church went through a lot of research about what to do. Ansley admits that even a million dollar fund would not be enough to cover all its assets."It's not really a self insurance fund," he said."The million dollar target is, we're working on the idea that if one of the priest's homes in an area was destroyed, then that would be enough to replace a priest's home."For most of our churches we would just look for other alternatives, and maybe the fund could be used for demolition costs."But in almost every case we would be looking at our church and saying we won't rebuild, we've got another option. A major disaster, of course, we would have to deal with that."Ansley said parishioners had reacted positively to the idea."The response we have had is almost enthusiastically in favour, and I was expecting a lot of backlash."Each parish independently made its own decision and had agreed, he said."I'm at St Mary's Basilica in Invercargill, magnificent church. Of course we'd be devastated if it fell down, but if it fell down we wouldn't be rebuilding it anyhow, even if it was insured."The church could find better uses for the money paid to insurance premiums, he said."In my parish here last year, the insurance was $26,000. That's a lot of money for a community to be paying and I think the people would see, we could spend that $26,000 doing other things."Catholic schools will not be part of the change, however."Personally I would love to do with it our schools but we are legally obliged by the government to insure our schools."The insurance paid for schools is even more than for the churches, around $300,000 a year, Ansley said.Reproduced with permission

A man with an infected open wound gave up waiting for medical help after seven hours at Southland Hospital's emergency department.By the time he was seen the next day, Binn Wharton was nauseous, shaking and needed intravenous antibiotics.His story comes after it was revealed that in the first eight months of 2023, 24 GP practices and clinics had to reduce hours or close their doors due to critical staff shortages and cost pressures.Medical professionals said that was putting more pressure on already strained A&Es.Wharton, a fisherman, grazed his wrist while jumping over a fence.It was "nothing serious", so he went away crayfishing for five or six days, he said."While I was away, she got pretty infected and I just told myself 'I'm going to hospital when I get back to get this checked out'," he told Checkpoint.He went to Southland Hospital and was triaged at reception, but was then left waiting for seven hours for treatment.He was given paracetamol and ibuprofen when he asked, but otherwise received no medication.The emergency department was busy that night, he said, and there were people waiting who had "a lot worse problems", like a woman with a blood clot."Her triage number was higher than mine and she still had a wait of, they reckon, another five hours or so, until she got seen, on top of the seven we were all waiting for."I just got sick of waiting, I suppose, because I thought maybe I could get into an emergency doctor the next day."Wharton said he was not registered with a GP because many were not taking new patients.An off-duty nurse - a family member of Wharton's partner - cleaned his wound the next day.But he ended up back at the hospital again that night after suffering swelling, nausea and "a real bad fever".He was "pretty worried", he said: "It takes a lot for me to kind of give in to those things, but the body started to shake and that."He was given intravenous antibiotics and a prescription.Wharton was glad he finally got checked out, but said his original seven-hour wait was "pretty ridiculous"."Nobody should have to wait that long to be seen."Patient advocate Melissa Vining told Checkpoint she called between 15 and 17 GPs to try and get after-hours care for Wharton after he left the hospital.However, she was told there was no after-hours service in Invercargill and he needed to return to the ED.She said his long wait showed an "underlying failure of there being enough staff to do the job".The entire healthcare system in the region was stretched, not just the hospital, she said."A lot of people in Southland are experiencing up to two weeks' wait to get into a GP. Poor Binn, he didn't have two weeks to wait to get an antibiotic."Vining had seen a photo of Wharton's injury and described it as a "pretty nasty" wound."He's a young guy, he's a fisherman, he's not someone who's going to be complaining for the sake of it - he clearly needed it cleaned and needed some medicine."If it was my 22-year-old I wouldn't want them at home with an infection where their body was starting to shake and feeling hot."The hospital has been approached for comment.Reproduced with permission

Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says she is looking forward to being able to put more energy into her other portfolios, in the wake of changes made this week.Prime Minister Chris Luxon announced on Wednesday that he had decided to ask Louise Upston to take responsibility for the Disabilities Issues portfolio.“This will free Penny Simmonds up to focus on the Environment portfolio and the major changes she is progressing to improve tertiary education,” he said.Ms Simmonds said she was supportive of the changes.“I’m looking forward to having more time to concentrate on the Tertiary Education and Skills, Environment and Associate Social Development and Employment portfolios - and to continue working hard for the people of the Invercargill electorate.“I admit that the workload has been heavy. I am pleased that I can now focus on the disestablishment of Te Pukenga, the Higher Education review and proceed with work around protecting and improving our environment.“I have the full support of Prime Minister Chris Luxon going forward and I am looking forward to working hard for him, the coalition Government and the Invercargill electorate - as we get our country back on track.”Published by arrangement

A New Zealand Defence Force Boeing P-8A Poseidon from the Airforce's No.5 Squadron is scheduled to make fly-overs of several Southland towns tomorrow (25 Apr) as communities around the south commerate Anzac Day.Approximate times Southlanders should look skyward for the P-8A Poseidon are;0917 Oban Waterfront, Stewart Island0923 Bluff Memorial Grove, Flagstaff Road0923 Bluff Cenotaph, Marine Parade0926 Waikiwi Gardens Rest Home, Invercargill 0937 Tuatapere RSA Hall, Tuatapere0941 Otautau Cenotaph, Otautau0945 ANZAC Oval, Winton0950 Mataura Cenotaph, Mataura0952 Gore RSA, GoreAll flights are subject to weather conditions and operational requirements. Other parts of the country may also see Airforce aircraft tomorrow, which include the A109 Light Utility helicopter, NH90 helicopter, C-130H (NZ) Hercules, T-6C Texan II, SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopter, and the Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand.CLICK HERE to view a full schedule of flyovers by the NZDF Airforce.

Work in Southland to target wilding pines has taken a hit on the back of reduced funding from the government.The issue was highlighted in a recent Environment Southland chief executive report which said the Ministry of Primary Industries had reduced its budget for this year’s control programme.It was unlikely the programme would receive enough to maintain gains made in previous years, it said.Environment Southland biosecurity and biodiversity operations manager Ali Meade said wilding pine work had been ongoing since at least the 1990s, undertaken by both agencies and private landowners.“Wilding pines overwhelm our landscapes, killing native plants and forcing out native animals,” Meade said.“This is done by growing densely, using up the sun, water and nutrients other plants need to survive.”Pine seeds could spread up to 40 kilometres in the wind meaning they could increase rapidly across a wide area, she said.“Without adequate funding, wilding pine control work will go backwards, with cleared land prime for re-infestation and also further expansion across the region.”In Southland, control sites include the Eyre and Takitimu Mountains where private work has been undertaken, and Mid Dome where a trust has coordinated work since 2006.The Environment Southland report also warned a new species of wilding pine had recently been found in the region — Larch.Meade said Larch caused issues across many parts of the country, and tended to be an amenity or woodlot planting in Southland.None had been reported in the region until 23 December 2023, but biosecurity staff had since found three sites, she said.“The risk is similar to our other wilding species like Pinus contorta and douglas fir as it has a light seed that can travel a long distance.”The first site, in the Te Anau basin, had been addressed.Environment Southland was now working with landowners at another two sites to remove seedlings.Biosecurity New Zealand director of readiness and response John Walsh said the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme had received an increase in government funding from 2020 due to a “time-bound” $100 million allocation.The “front loaded” funding was tapered down to $10 million a year for 2023/24 and beyond, he said.“This is the first time the programme has had consistent baseline funding.”Since 2016, the government had invested $140 million into wilding control, supported by around $30 million from partners and land owners.The programme has made significant progress in some of the worst infestations - including at Mid Dome - working alongside Environment Southland and Mid Dome Trust, Walsh said.The National Wilding Conifer Control Programme has contributed around $12.5 million in control work funding in Southland since 2016, he said.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Melissa Lee has been booted from Cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle.Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee's spot in Cabinet.Simmonds was a minister outside of Cabinet.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the changes in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.He said Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith - currently overseas - would take over the Media and Broadcasting role, while Social Development Minister Louise Upston would pick up Disability Issues.Lee was under pressure after Warner Brothers Discovery announced it would stop producing local news through Newshub, and shutter the majority of its operations in New Zealand.Simmonds had also been in headlines over the handling of changes to disability-related funding.Luxon said it had "become clear in recent months that there are significant challenges in the media sector. Similarly, we have discovered major financial issues with programmes run by the Ministry of Disabled People"."I have come to the view it is important to have senior Cabinet Ministers considering these issues."He said there were "significant synergies" between Goldsmith's Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio and the media role he would be taking up.He said he had asked Upston to pick up the disability role because Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People, was a departmental agency within the Ministry of Social Development."This will free Penny Simmonds up to focus on the Environment portfolio and the major changes she is progressing to improve tertiary education," he said.Reproduced with permission

Whaikaha, the Ministry for Disabled People has done an inadequate job in conveying changes to disabled people's funding, Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds says.The ministry has unveiled changes to purchasing rules for disabled people's equipment and support services.The changes have caused widespread anguish within the disabled community and a petition opposing the changes has attracted more than 10,000 signatures in 24 hours.Labour's Disability Issues spokesperson Priyanca Radhakrishnan said funding was effectively being cut, the changes reduced flexibility and choice and took the sector back 20 years.Some feared they couldn't afford to pay for caregivers to travel with them for work and shopping.However, Simmonds clarified on Morning Report on Wednesday the cuts would not affect those travelling within their community.She realised there was concern disabled people were worried they wouldn't be able to pay mileage to carers taking them shopping or on other activities "but that's not the intention at all".The confusion arose because the ministry announced funding will no longer go towards domestic and international travel.She had spoken to some ministry staff on Tuesday about the need for better communication.The method - a Facebook post - was an attempt to convey information to everyone in the disabled sector at the same time."I absolutely accept that we haven't been clear enough and that people don't want to see things on Facebook to find out the information."It was a new ministry that had only existed for 18 months and was lacking "depth of experience", she said."We have to learn from this."The cutbacks announced this week were nothing to do with the government's calls for a reduction in public sector spending.She said the changes were necessary because there used to be no flexibility around individualised funding but during the Covid-19 pandemic flexibility was relaxed."Now we're saying we need to recalibrate that and bring it back so there are better guidelines, better criteria, better regulations."The budget had been overrun with more than $104 million spent on purchasing items so rules needed to be tightened."We do have to get rules in place that ensure that funding is going to the person with the disability. That is not diminishing in any way the role of the carers."While carers had been able to spend money on respite care that would no longer be allowed, she said.At this stage, she was not blaming the ministry's chief executive for the cost overruns.Simmonds said funding should not be cut for noise-cancelling headphones and iPads - despite many in the disabled sector now believing they have been excluded.She had also told reporters at Parliament the previous day that the money to pay for iPads for children with autism had been cut."WeIl, in the meantime it is, until we work out how it is going to be set up," she said.'A challenging set of circumstances'Paula Tesoriero Photo: PHOTOSPORTMinistry chief executive Paula Tesoriero said the relaxation in the flexibility rules that had applied since the pandemic had now been paused.Action needed to be taken because the budget had reached a point of not covering "core essential things", she told Nine to Noon.Affected areas included travel. While travel within the community could continue to be paid for there was "a pause" on domestic and international travel payments as the ministry's budget situation had deteriorated since December, she said.She refused to confirm equipment such as noise-cancelling headphones and iPads would be paid for despite the minister's claim they should be."We're in a situation now where costs are increasing, the number of people are rising and the pressure on this budget is significant."The ministry had an annual budget of $2.3 billion and was $65m in the red.Half of the budget is spent to support those in residential settings and spending on flexible payments has doubled to $550m in two years.Staff would work with the community to try and get the settings right for how spending rules for equipment and modification services would be applied in the future."And that's what we're now laser-focused on working with our community to do," Tesoriero said.An extra 3000 people became eligible for disabled funding each year but its budget was not being increased."This is a challenging set of circumstances."More information would be released on the changes this week before wider consultation started with the community.Autism New Zealand chief executive Dane Dougan said it was "appalling" there was no consultation with the wider disabled community, and people in the autistic community needed time to absorb the impact of the changes.While Dougan had expected some review of costs, he said those working in the sector were best placed to advise on how to save money."Let's work through this together and as a community, come up with a solution that's not going to negatively affect an entire population of people."'Simmonds should apologise' - HipkinsLabour leader Chris Hipkins hit back at Simmonds' comments about consulting with the disability community after implementing the changes.He told Morning Report those caring for disabled people did not deserve to be "kicked around by the government"."Penny Simmonds should apologise for some of the comments that she's made about the disability community in the last 24 hours. It's just wrong."Hipkins said the disability community had been under-supported for generations."The fact that we did something about that as a government is something that I'm very proud of."And if it is ending up costing more than we had originally budgeted, then the government do need to find a way of supporting that rather than trying to cut the support."Simmonds was informed about the funding shortfall in December, Hipkins said, and it was the government's fault."The disability support that we are talking about is far from generous," he said."If there is more demand for disability and the planning isn't there for the budgeting support because there are more people with disabilities and needing more support than initially estimated, then we have to find a way of paying for that."Simply saying that 'there are too many people ahead you in the queue, therefore you miss out', isn't actually right."Reproduced with permission

Dylan Schmidt, the first Kiwi to win an Olympic medal in gymnastics, hopes to carry his current good form into the Paris Olympics.The 2022 trampoline world champion won bronze in Tokyo in 2021 and will be looking to better that in Paris.Maddie Davidson, who was also named in the team today, was the first woman to compete in the trampoline in New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing in 10th place."It's crazy that it's my third Olympics, it's flown by," Schmidt said."To go to my third Games and have the chance to do something special is pretty amazing and I really love being part of the wider New Zealand team."Schmidt proudly displays his bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: Steve McArthur/Photosport Ltd 2021Schmidt said he felt he was in good form, with a recent fourth at the recent World Cup in Cottbus, Germany."Performing at my peak should get me right up top in Paris."If I can do that it puts me in the mix for the podium and even the top spot. Ultimately, I'm there to be happy with my performance and if I'm happy I'll be in the mix. I really just want to enjoy it have fun and put out a performance I'm proud of."Schmidt - who was raised in Te Anau in Southland but is now based in Auckland - said his world championship title two years ago was special."It's a great one to look back on but right now I'm focused on the job ahead and doing everything I can to prepare for Paris."Maddie Davidson has been selected to compete at her second Olympic Games. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nzChristchurch-based Davidson, 25, said she was thrilled to be going to her second Olympics."It's pretty special, the first time was a real whirlwind so to do it a second time is great."I'd love to make the final in Paris, things are going really well in training so we're definitely heading in the right direction."The trampoline competition at Paris will be held on 2 August.Reproduced with permission

Recreational fishing for finfish and shellfish on Fiordland's coast and in the fiords is set to change with new reduced daily catch limits coming into effect from tomorrow (25 Apr).The changes, designed to keep the fisheries healthy and sustainable, were announced today (24 Apr) by Ocean and Fisheries Shane Jones and apply to both the Fiordland Marine Area and the Chatham Islands.Jones thanked the Fiordland Marine Guardians (FMG), an advisory group which operates under the Fiordland Marine Management Act, for developing the proposal.“Fiordland is a unique and treasured part of New Zealand and is home to many fish species. I want to keep it that way," he said.FMG chairperson Dr Rebecca McLeod welcomed the changes and said the Guardians wanted future generations to be able to enjoy the same experience that the current generation had been fortunate to have."This isn’t simply a case of holding the line.""In several instances, fish stocks need to be rebuilt, and the only way to achieve that is to significantly reduce the overall level of fishing pressure in the fiords.”However McLeod acknowledged that while there is widespread acceptance of the issues, people may feel aggrieved by the scale of the changes.“During this process we have drawn heavily on accounts from people that have been fishing the area for decades.""They speak of the days when they could catch groper in the fiords with ease and be so confident in catching blue cod for dinner that they wouldn’t take any meat in with them.""That’s what we’re aiming for with these changes.""We can turn these fisheries around by treading a little lighter for a while,” she said.McLeod said there would now be higher bag limits for finfish on the more productive open coast (20 per fisher) while just 10 per fisher inside the fiords.For example on the open coast the daily limit for blue cod is 10, compared to a limit of 1 inside the fiords, and the daily limit for pāua is 5 on the open coast and 2 inside the fiords, she said.Looking to the future McLeod said the Guardians were encouraged by the development of recreational fishing apps like Mainland Catch that would help with monitoring stocks.“If the fishing community gets onboard and reports their catch, we will be in a strong position to review these rules in five years’ time,” she said.The main changes to the current limits include;Reductions in mixed bag and single species limits for most species of shellfish and finfishEstablishing a new zone called “the Fiords” within each fiord, that begins at a boundary across the entrance headlands of each fiordTiered mixed bag and single species limits (lower in the Fiords) to incentivise fishing in the more productive open coast areasClosure of scallop and oyster fisheries throughout the Fiordland Marine AreaClosure of hāpuku/groper/bass fishing in the innermost parts (Internal Waters) of all fiordsRock lobster limits have not changedCLICK HERE to view the new rules for the Fiordland Marine Area.

Te Anau's i-Site is set to move from its host of 30+ years, RealNZ (fomerly Real Journeys), to rival tourism operator Southern Discoveries on 1st May.Te Anau's i-Site in RealNZ's (formally Real Journeys) lakefront building. Photo: Southland AppRealNZ announced its release of the Te Anau i-Site, following the pandemic, citing an intention to focus on its core business.Established in 1990, i-Site New Zealand is a nationwide network of more than 50 official information centres tasked with giving unbiased information to visitors. They also work closely with the Department of Conservation's Visitor Centres.The network is owned by Visitor Information Network (VIN), a subsidiary of Tourism New Zealand, and is supported in Southland by the regional development agency Great South.Southern Discoveries General Manager Sales Ben Hulance said they had been working in the tourism industry for a long time and had run several information centres, including one in Te Anau.He said one of the main drivers Southern Discoveries applied for the i-Site was to keep it in the community."I think it was just really important for us that the i-Site was kept within the community in Te Anau."Hulance said the company's current booking centre on Lake Front Drive would have new signage by 1st May and also an interior update sometime in the next 12 months."We are just going through all of our concept designs at the moment, which we need to have approved by VIN and also Great South."Hulance said they would keep staffing in-house for now, but would take on extra staff - possibly over the summer - if that was required."There's definitely certain aspects of the region that we would like to promote, that being Great Walks, Local Information and the World Heritage areas," he said.There are currently three i-Sites and DOC Visitor Centres in Southland. They are in Te Anau and Stewart Island.Invercargill's i-Site, originally located at Southland Museum, moved to Wachner Place in 2018 before subsequently closing in December 2020.

The relocation of an iconic Southland pāua shell has undergone a robust consultation, but not everyone is happy with the end result.Last November, Southland District Council asked the public where they wanted Riverton’s town icon to be shifted following the sale of its previous site.More than 400 people responded, with almost half opting for Koi Koi Park, next to the skatepark.But Ōraka Aparima Community Board chair Michael Weusten said he had copped flack about the new location following a recent television appearance.“I ended up on TV, it must have been a quiet week . . . talking about pāua relocation,” Weusten said.“And ever since then, people have been saying “you can’t put it there!”“The amount of effort that went into surveying … there’s always a tyre kicker somewhere.”Weusten made the comments at a recent Southland District Council meeting, adding that the board would proceed with the new location.He later told Local Democracy Reporting that while the task of restoring the shell was now complete — including a new paint job — it would still be some time before it was installed.“The pāua’s refurbished, it’s still in the factory in Invercargill that repainted it and everything. But we then have to prepare the site works, put in a concrete plinth, and then erect it.“It’s gonna be two or three months before it’s up, I think.”The road to restoration has not been smooth for the Riverton shell.At one point, it almost ended up for public sale when its former owners, Fiordland Souvenirs, looked to part ways with it.The community board stepped in, finalising payments of $30,000 last year to take over the statue.The shell featured as one of ten stamps in the 1998 Town Icons series. Photo: NZ Post Collectables/SuppliedA total 431 votes were received as part of the shell’s consultation, with the Koi Koi Park site receiving 203 votes.Other options included the intersection of Napier St and Bath Rd, Palmerston St playground, Taramea Bay playground and Pilots Reserve Lookout by the whale.In 1998, the shell featured in the Town Icons stamp series alongside other landmarks such as Paeroa’s L&P bottle and Ohakune’s carrot.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Invercargill deputy mayor Tom Campbell has confirmed he almost stepped aside from his role over a misunderstanding with Mayor Nobby Clark.The incident involved an email sent by the mayor which talked about an investigation into a combined Three Waters entity for Otago and Southland.Campbell said his position was well-known that he opposed the idea of a combined entity with the other region because of how large it would be.“I think Invercargill will suffer from being too far away from the centre," he said."My view is that we need a Southland entity.”The incident was cleared up within a few hours once Campbell realised he had misunderstood Clark.“I replied to him that I thought that if he was going to pursue that, then it was inappropriate for me to be deputy mayor because he knew that I opposed it.“He sent me an email back saying ‘no, look you’ve misunderstood, basically. It’s only an investigation that I’m doing’.”Campbell said Clark told him the option of a stand-alone Southland entity was also being investigated.He said there must be a “mole” in the council who was sharing what was happening.Local Democracy Reporting approached Mayor Clark but was told he did not wish to comment further.In February, Clark was broadly supportive about where the government landed in replacing controversial Three Waters legislation.He said he would oppose a scheme where Invercargill might be asked to sacrifice for "the greater regional good".Under the previous Government's plans, the Affordable Water Reforms - earlier called Three Waters - would have created new water entities responsible for water assets.The Government repealed those water reforms in February and is developing new water reform policy - Local Water Done Well.An advisory board will work on the replacement legislation, which would allow neighbouring councils to voluntarily band together to form council-controlled organisations (CCOs).LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Courtney Dempster of Invercargill was the big winner of the Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s major promotion at their annual Diamonds Day race meeting at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Sunday (21 Apr).Dempster left the course with a Diamond Ring valued at $7400 courtesy of Coats & Schuck Jewellers and the Invercargill Harness Racing Club after a coupon bearing her name was drawn from the entries received after ladies were given a coupon each time they placed a bet of $5.The win brought about a lovely coincidence for Dempster, a Legal Secretary at Walker Murdoch Law in Invercargill, as her mum’s engagement ring was purchased from Coats & Schuck Jewellers around 25 years ago.Dempster was delighted with the win.“I come to the races often but my bets were a little up and down today, so this makes up for it. I am very lucky.""Thank you to the sponsors of this prize, Coats & Schuck Jewellers and the Invercargill Harness Racing Club. It is great to get females to the races and there were lots of young faces here today which is great for the industry too.”Dempster has another connection to harness racing as she helps at Murray Brown’s Findlay Road stables - Murray and his wife Marilyn are her godparents - most Saturday’s..Meanwhile on the track the ten races provided exceptional racing for the large crowd with plenty of close finishes including one dead heat.Favourite Rubira won the $110,000 Group 1 Diamond Creek 2YO Classic after a strong challenge from Always Dreaming on the run home while Flying Ellie took out the final of the $60,000 Group 2 Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks and Built For Glory, the $60,000 Group 2 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final. Beach Flybye was the other feature race winner in the $40,000 Regent Car Court Southern Cups Final

Public NoticesAnzac Day Rubbish CollectionsTrustee Roles - Rural Support SouthlandProtecting Southern Fiordland tokoeka kiwi with pest control in the Seaforth & Grebe catchmentsON SALE NOW: Fiordland Medical Centre - a historyHost an Exchange StudentSituations VacantCasual journalist/writer - Southland AppEventsAutumn Adventure - April School Holiday Programme - Invercargill

Milford Road OPENNO Avalanche Hazard Homer Tunnel closures continue from Monday through Saturday nights between 6.15pm – 6am.15-minute openings for traffic clearance will occur between 7pm - 7.15pm & 8pm - 8.15pm.Passage may be possible after 12am with delays, otherwise no public access will be available.  Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Showers from late morning, turning to rain.Tomorrow: Rain easing to showers during the day.Thursday: Heavy rain.Friday: Showers clearing, snow at tunnel possible.Saturday: Fine.

A public toilet block in a small Southland town is battling ongoing vandalism, forcing the council to explore new solutions.Since October 2023, Lumsden’s toilets have been vandalised on at least five separate occasions.The stop is popular with people travelling through the region.Northern Community Board chair Greg Tither said security cameras were now being considered for identification and deterrent purposes.“(They have) absolutely gone berzerk in there, and just been a menace,” Tither said.Hand dryers, basins, bowls and dispensers had all been targeted, with graffiti emerging as an issue last month.The toilets had been upgraded several years ago and were a popular stopover for people, Tither said.“It’s very seldom there’s not vehicles parked there . . . so they are well-used toilets.“When they’ve been done up, they’re in good shape, as long as the vandals stay out of it.”The issue was highlighted at a Southland District Council meeting last week where community board chairs presented to councillors.Mayor Rob Scott said a lot of signs had also been vandalised throughout the region, adding that the Lumsden damage could be linked to the “needless, wanton” destruction of ratepayer property.Ōraka Aparima Board chair Michael Weusten said it was interesting to hear cameras mentioned because of the swell of support for them at Riverton.“Local Police and community patrol both want to see some cameras in Riverton at both ends of the town.”A council spokesperson said the cost of vandalism at the Lumsden facility was estimated to be about $11,000 so far.Hand dryers alone cost $1800 each and had been replaced three times.Cages were now being made for those, featuring special bolts which made their removal difficult.The toilets were last hit on April 15, when dispensers were targeted.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Southlanders are being urged to be on the lookout after three rook - classified as a pest birds in Murihiku Southland - were reported on farmland between Mossburn and Five Rivers.Rooks are a large black bird with a purple gloss, are slightly larger than a magpie and have a distinctive repeated “caw” as their call.They were first introduced to New Zealand from their native Great Britian/Europe in 1862 but are now classified an exclusion pest under the Southland Regional Pest Management Plan, because of the serious damage they can cause to most types of farm crops and the negative impact on soil invertebrate populations (their main food source).If confirmed, this sighting could be the first time rook have been seen in Southland since 2019 when a rook, thought to be a transient from Otago, was sighted in the Kaiwere/Pekerau area.Populations did exist up untill the early 2000s in the Balfour, Eastern Bush and the Motu Valley areas but were subsequently wiped out in pest control operations.Environment Southland (ES) Biosecurity and biodiversity operations manager Ali Meade said the public play a vital role in helping keep rooks out of the province, and people are encouraged to report all potential rook sightings to Environment Southland.“Rooks are pest birds in Murihiku Southland, and it is essential that sightings of any number are met with a swift response.” “We are grateful that a vigilant member of the public reported the sighting of three rooks in northern Southland so that our biosecurity team could take action,” Meade said.ES asks the public not to attempt to shoot or disturb rooks but instead report sightings immediately, so that a rook control specialist can be called in.There is no cost to the landowner, she said.In recent decades, both Environment Southland and the Otago Regional Council have worked together to eradicate the pest bird. Sightings of rooks can be reported to Environment Southland by:Web: pesthub.es.govt.nzEmail: mailing [email protected]: 0800 76 88 45CLICK HERE to view a video on rooks.