As the weather warms up and Southlanders begin flocking to the beach, Police are reminding people of an important fact – beaches are roads and need to be treated as such. Senior Sergeant Scott MacKenzie, Southland Area Road Policing Manager, says while it is legal to drive on Oreti Beach, you still need to adhere to the road rules. “The beach has a speed limit of 30k/h – there is no excuse to be over this limit. “The days are getting warmer and with school holidays it can be expected that a lot of families with small children and animals will be heading to the beach to enjoy the sun. “Anyone driving on the beach needs to be mindful of this, and stay focused on your surroundings,” he says. The risks of injury or worse, to yourself or others, are just the same as on traditional roads. Senior Sergeant MacKenzie also reminds beach goers that any form of antisocial road-user behaviour will not be tolerated. “Some people seem to think that road rules don’t apply to you when on the beach – this is not the case. “Antisocial driving behaviour is unacceptable, on and off the beach, and we encourage the community to report the driving behaviour immediately. “It is best to make a report while the incident is occurring to allow our staff the opportunity to respond immediately and hopefully disrupt any offenders in the act. “Please take note of as much detail as possible, such as registration number of the vehicle, any identifying features of the vehicle and its driver, or even take a video of the driving behaviour if safe to do so,” he says. You can report information to us by calling 111 if it is happening now, or through 105 for non-emergencies. Alternatively, you can report information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Te Anau's Transfer Station is set to reopen tomorrow (17 Dec) after being closed a week ago by a Worksafe inspector after multiple risks were discovered.A Southland District Council (SDC) spokesman confirmed this afternoon (16 Dec) the health and safety issues had now been addressed.The SDC owned and WasteCo operated station was the scene of a fatal accident on 2nd May 2025.The facility has been closed twice by WorkSafe in the past 7-months.A WorkSafe spokesperson said an inspector visiting the station on 8th December, as part of their ongoing investigation, observed a range of health and safety risks including safe access, management of hazardous substances and falls from height risks."We understand that Southland District Council has temporarily closed the transfer station while improvements are made", they saidSouthland District mayor Rob Scott acknowledged in a social media post earlier today that the latest closure was incredibly frustrating for residents of the Southland tourist town, especially giving how fast the grass is growing at the moment and given it was the lead-up to Christmas.Scott said the council was acutely aware that a solution needed to be found to dispose of green waste and were working on a Plan B or C.Weekly kerbside red and yellow bin pickups remained unaffected by the transfer station's closure.

As a young Gore lawyer he tried the patience of legendary Southland judge Joe Anderson with his colourful criminal defences and courthouse antics, but retired southern District Court judge Kevin Phillips, 76, scored some amazing victories during his 50-plus-year legal career.As for the ones he lost, well, they made for some great media headlines and had the desired effect, catapulting his early legal practice to a new high.Born in Darfield – the middle of five kids, the family moved to Dunedin, where his dad was the assistant secretary for the Otago Hospital Board.At five, Kevin negotiated Railway platforms and crossings, making his way up Stuart Street to Christian Brothers School.“My new entrant year they were fully booked so five of us boys had to go to St Dominics with the girls.”They used this as their argument to get into a St Dominic’s reunion years later with 80 or 90 women.After a move to Balclutha, they shifted to Gore where Kevin went to Gore High.A successful lawyer for 33 years and judge for 18, Kevin missed School Certificate by one mark for not applying himself, passing the second year only to not be one of just five accredited UE by the strict Gore High School rector.He passed eventually and had admired legendary Gore lawyers like Tom Brydone and Ronald Bannerman, who made his mark in the town as a WWI hero flying fighter planes, so headed to Otago Uni to study law.Little Kevin, second right, with Mum Madge, Dad G.J. and two of his four siblings Ian and Susan - mid-1950s. Photo: SuppliedAquinas Hall and Castle Street flatting made for fun times, Kevin then heading to Groote Eylandt off Australia’s Northern Territory to drive construction site trucks for a summer before finishing his final year.He began 14 years as a lawyer in Gore in 1972 with Bannerman Brydone and Folster.“A new young lawyer, I found myself before Joe Anderson, the new, young judge.”He was thrown in the deep end when asked to represent a debtor.“Joe came in giving me very bad vibes and I got called for the judgment debtor just after another guy from our firm had announced he acted for the judgment creditor – a big no no,” Kevin recalls.“Joe exploded. It was my first appearance in court and a total disaster. I was 23.”Then there was the time Judge Anderson got a whiff of Kevin’s cigarette smoke in the old Gore courtroom.“The registrar couldn’t do much as there were lignite fires at either end of the courtroom and if the wind went the wrong way it filled with smoke,” he grins.Kevin and a female Gore registrar got in more strife when they ran a pyramid scheme over six months which made them a lot of money.Kevin, second left, with his Queenstown partners, John Troon, left, Alan Macalister and Graeme Todd in one of their much-anticipated annual Christmas skits. Photo: SuppliedThey then ran a pool system on court day, all counsel putting in $1.“She’d pick a word out in the morning tearoom and the first person to fit it in their submissions in court won the pool.”However, Stuart Lilee had to pay up when he bet Kevin that he couldn’t get ‘the naked truth’ and ‘the bare facts’ into his submission while representing a guy who’d streaked through the Wyndham Hotel Public Bar, but he did.The client, on a dare to raise $50 for the Gore Squash Club, was charged with indecent exposure.“We were both ordered into Judge Anderson’s chambers where we were told what he thought of people making a mockery of the law,” Kevin says.Despite all this Joe and Kevin became very close friends over the years.An original founder of the Gore Squash Club with Peter MacKenzie and others, the club courts were built from scratch with help from Gore Construction.“We’d play Southland Competition tournaments travelling as far as Tuatapere on Wednesday nights.”Kevin was the club president during the 1970s.Kevin, right, reminiscing with his old Macalister Todd Phillips partners, Alan Macalister, left, and Graeme Todd. Photo: SuppliedBetting was obviously rife in Gore, Kevin also on the Gore Racing Club committee for some years, racing several horses over the years.During a foray into politics, he unsuccessfully stood against Derek Angus for the Wallace National Party nomination.“So, I joined Bob Jones’ NZ Party.”Friends turned up to support a Garston meeting, concerned nobody would come.“They couldn’t fit into the hall. I had really good meetings. But I got a bit of flak from the old farmers in National territory who thought I was a radical left winger.”In 1981 Kevin headed to Queenstown hoping to open a wine bar.Unfortunately, impending licensing law changes were delayed, and he was forced to open a legal practice instead.“I used space in Dardy Wallace’s winter ski shop, covering up the ski planing table and using it as a desk,” Kevin recalls.“I had no clients, nothing to do, and was used to being busy. Alan Macalister (lawyer) gave me some council work, but I needed headlines.”Kevin's final sitting as a fulltime resident Dunedin judge in 2018 (prior to becoming an acting warranted judge around NZ for five years). Photo: SuppliedHe got those defending a guy charged with possessing magic mushrooms (psilocybin), who claimed he was of Native American extraction, and they were required for a sacred tribal ritual.“He said they went to where the rivers began, and they sat on a rock after taking psilocybin and the Manitou would come down and give them instructions for the year,” Kevin says.“So, I went to the Dunedin Library to research this and that’s exactly what they did,” he says.“I came back with all the information, and the Police couldn’t believe I was defending this guy,” Kevin grins.“Judge Anderson listened to my submissions for 15 minutes then said crossly, ‘I’m sick and tired of listening to this rubbish. Your client was using a Class A drug!’ But I got big headlines and my practice took off like a rocket.”Soon after he was offered a partnership in Macalister Todd where he worked for 21 years on some groundbreaking cases.“We were on a really good high, then the sharemarket crashed in 1987 and we went to nothing, living off our credit cards and borrowings.”Then in 1991 a Queenstown realtor needed their law firm to act for Asian clients buying a property.“They ended up buying half of downtown Queenstown. That reinvigorated our practice.”Former southern judge Kevin Phillips. Photo: SuppliedKevin even flew to London to represent them after an argument over a pipeline with Pakistan State Oil.“These were big companies and it went to arbitration in London, so I went over to act for them in Fleet Street – the boy from Gore.”There were the 15 Timaru Road Knights gang members who caused a riot in Queenstown Mall, Kevin assigned to represent all 15 at the Invercargill trial.“These Road Knights were all lined up behind me on benches, like at the rugby,” he recalls.“Crown solicitor Alistair Garland had employed a new, very young looking, bespeckled prosecutor with white, blonde hair, which prompted the Road Knights behind me to stand and cheer, ‘The Milky Bar Kid!’ Ronny Mansfield (KC) went on to be NZ’s leading criminal defence barrister.”Acting for the QLDC, its Airport Corporation and District Waterways Authority, Kevin drew up NZ’s first ever waterways bylaws.He also covered the council’s back when a huge slip threatened above Frankton Road, post 1999 floods.“If it wasn’t for the council CEO (Duncan Field) those floods would’ve been a bloody disaster,” he says.The transition to judge in 2006, commuting to Invercargill weekly, was a big one, mostly for wife Su (Chilton) and kids Georgia and Elliot, Kevin says.Kevin, left, with his family Georgia, Su and Elliot. Photo: SuppliedHe says marrying Southland-raised Su in 1991 was his “only unappealed decision”.Fresh from judge’s initiation, Kevin was dobbed in at the last minute to preside over a jury trial when the rostered judge found he had a conflict.“I’d been to Invercargill District Court but never behind the bench. I was scared shitless and no one told me there was a step up to the chair, so I tripped and disappeared behind the bench with the jury and public watching! Talk about embarrassing.”His circuit included Gore where Kevin recognised a few faces, including the grandson of a guy he’d acted for.“It was generational.”Now retired in Dunedin, he’d rather not be.Because of the rules Kevin had to retire in 2023, after applying for five more years as an acting warranted judge around the country.“I liked what I did. I wish I was still working.”Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardRoad status:CLOSING from Homer Tunnel (East Portal) to Homer Tunnel (West Portal) 7pm - 2am tonight.Comments:Homer Tunnel CLOSING tonight (Tuesday) from 7pm to 2am. Temporary opening at 9pm to allow waiting traffic through, otherwise no access due to heavy machinery operating for maintenance. Any queries, please call 03 249 7004.  Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Showers, possibly heavy & thundery at times, clearing later Tomorrow: Cloudy Thursday: Cloud increasing, rain developing later Friday: Rain, easing to showers later Saturday: Showers

Mana whenua positions are yet to be filled at Invercargill City Council as processes are worked through behind the scenes.On 4 November, the council voted to extend two appointee positions which have been in place since 2021.But the council was still awaiting nominations for the upcoming term from Te Rūnaka o Awarua and Waihōpai Rūnaka, council manager governance and legal Michael Morris confirmed."Each of the rūnaka are working through their own processes and we look forward to an update soon," he said.Te Rūnaka o Awarua kaiwhakahaere Pania Coote said Awarua was considering the appointment as part of a wider review of all its external representative roles.An update about the process was intended for the New Year, she said.Waihōpai Rūnaka kaiwhakahaere Cyril Gilroy said the rūnaka had sought expressions of interest and was working through the appointment process with a goal of having representation in place early next year.Appointments for the previous term took place on 1 November 2022, within a month of the election.Morris noted the council had already received nominations from the rūnaka at that time, so the decision to continue with the roles and reappoint previous representatives was done simultaneously.The Awarua position has been held by Coote who unsuccessfully ran for council this election.Reverend Evelyn Cook held the Waihōpai position and delivered an impassioned valedictory speech in September.She was also vocal about the pay gap impacting the roles, clarifying Coote and Cook still technically hold the roles.Last month, the council voted to pay the representatives $49,275 for the upcoming term compared to $54,347 for councillors.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

We live in the best part of the country and the Government is committed to supporting economic growth in our province by fixing the basics and building the future.We have seen this in 2025 through millions of dollars in investment to create more jobs and more opportunities for local people.This includes $393,000 in funding for a new Southern tourism campaign, aimed at encouraging Australians to holiday in the South - and comes on top of another $350,000 coming South from the Government’s Regional Tourism Boost, last year.Five Southland events, including the Burt Munro Challenge and the Invercargill round of the NZ Premier Motorsport Summer Series, will also receive $93,000 in Government funding to boost visitor numbers in this province.While $38.31 million, for eight Southland projects, from the Government’s Regional Infrastructure Fund are also set to boost economic growth.This includes $2.2m to support the development of a Southland aquaculture business hub at Bluff, the first stage of a new solar farm and network upgrade on Stewart Island, with a $15.35m suspensory loan, and a $2.25m loan to create a regional space hub at the Awarua SpaceOps Satellite Station.Five local flood protection projects have also been boosted, including the Oreti River project ($3m), and the Aparima River, Otautau Stream, and the Te Anau Basin projects ($300,000 each).Almost $15m has also been pledged for Invercargill and Oreti Flood Resilience stop bank upgrades and improvements to the Mataura River Flood protection project.The Government has also backed the economy in Southland with one of the largest investments in our local rail network.The Rail Network Investment Programme will invest $1.36 billion over three years, across provincial New Zealand’s rail network.In Southland and Otago, that will include 21km of re-sleepering, 13km of re-railing and 10 turnout replacements, for the 2024/25-2026/27 period, along with bridge renewals and resealing of 24 level crossings.We’ve returned SIT to local control, empowering the local community, learners, employers and industry to take ownership. We’ve also reformed the RMA – meaning Southlanders will be able to do more with their properties without having to get a consent, while farmers will benefit from fewer rules and regulations.Strong Government support this year has been crucial in supporting our province, as we continue to grow our economy, improve opportunities, fix the basics and build the future.Funded by Parliamentary Services

Two climbers are dead following a climbing accident on Sabre Peak, south-east of Milford Sound, in Fiordland National Park on Saturday (13 Dec).Police were notified at around 7:40pm on Saturday that the pair were missing, following another climbing party activated a beacon after the pair failed to return from their intended route.Police said one of the pair was located deceased but access was difficult due to the deteriorating weather on Saturday evening.On Sunday, Police and Wakatipu Aline Cliff Rescue specialists returned to the scene and located the second person, also deceased.Both bodies were extracted in what was a difficult and technical rescue, Police said.The north buttress of Sabre Peak, where the bodies were located, is a 500-metre-long route and is on the bucket list of many climbers.One of the deceased was an Australian citizen, the second person was a dual citizen of New Zealand and Canada, residing in Australia.Sergeant Alun Griffiths wished to thank the Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue team, RCCNZ, Heliworks and Southern Lakes Helicopters in what was a complex and challenging recovery."This is a result nobody wanted, and our thoughts are with their families."“Police are in contact with the families and are offering the necessary support.”The formal identification process is underway, and the deaths have been referred to the Coroner.Meanwhile New Zealand Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley said the incident, along with a current search and rescue operation currently underway for two overdue climbers on Aoraki/Mount Cook, were a sobering reminder of the seriousness of New Zealand’s alpine environments.“Good conditions encourage more people into the mountains, but they do not remove the hazards. Glaciated terrain, rockfall, icefall and rapidly changing weather are constant risks, even during stable periods,” he says.“New Zealand’s alpine should never be underestimated. Sabre Peak and Aoraki/Mount Cook are among the country’s most complex and challenging alpine environments, where the consequences of a mistake are often severe.” The search for the missing climbers on Aoraki/Mount Cook is expected to be undertaken in the coming days.While the weather in the national park was mostly favourable over the weekend, it has since deteriorated, with rain and strong winds in the area today.Mike says Aoraki should only be attempted by climbers with appropriate experience and preparation.“This peak is not suitable for inexperienced climbers. It requires extensive alpine skills, sound decision-making and familiarity with New Zealand’s unique mountain conditions.”

Dux 2025 - Elan HillThe parents of Elan are Kerri-Anne Edge and Gerard Hill of Te Anau.In 2026, Elan plans to study Law, Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Otago.Photo: Supplied.Elan is an outstanding student who received First in Year 13 Mathematics with Statistics, First in Year 13 Physical Education, First in Year 13 History, Second in Year 13 English, Cantwell Cup for Excellence in Senior Mathematics with Statistics, Verrall Cup for Excellence in Senior English, Etheredge Trophy for The Humanities in Senior Social Sciences, and the Meridian Energy Excellence Award and Manapouri District High School Memorial Trophy for Dux.Proxime Accessit 2025 - Riley ChapmanThe parents of Riley are Grant and Tess Chapman of Te Anau.In 2026, Riley is going to study Engineering at the University of Canterbury.Photo: Supplied.Riley is an outstanding student who received First in Year 13 Mathematics with Calculus, First in Year 13 Chemistry, First in Year 13 Physics, Second in Year 13, Mathematics with Statistics, Newcombe Cup for Excellence in Senior Mathematics with Calculus, Science Cup for Excellence in Senior Science, Rotary Club of Fiordland Prize & Principal’s Award for Leadership, and Fiordland College Board Award for Proxime Accessit.

Summer holiday travel can be fraught with frustration and unwelcome surprises and New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is doing its part to make journeys smoother around the South Island. As is the Kiwi tradition from pre-Christmas onward, thousands are expected to hit the state highways to travel to holiday destinations. With that comes potential for delays on the roads and accidents as people get tired, rush to get to their destinations, or are distracted by all that is going on around them. “If you are travelling, especially for long distances, there are some basic things you can do to help ensure you and your family get to your holiday location safely,” says NZTA system manager for the central South Island, Mark Pinner. “Make sure you plan ahead, using our Journey Planner site so you know of any issues you are likely to strike along the way. We’ve removed all planned roadworks and restrictions to journeys to ensure that at the busiest time of year, people can travel with the least disruption. Temporary speed limits and traffic management have been removed over the Christmas-New Year period (20 December to 5 January). There are a few sites that will remain under a lower speed limit, and/or with cones to define the lane edge, where rockfall hazards or river or coastal erosion repairs remain incomplete after storms earlier in the year.” “Certain sections of state highway will be busy with traffic, and that’s why it is good to give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. A good tool is our Holiday Journey Planner, which provides estimates of busy and peak traffic times on state highways based on previous measures of traffic volumes.” “Make sure you get enough rest before travelling, and that you stop and take a break if fatigue sets in, and drive to the conditions that are in front of you. While we expect good driving conditions in summer, there is always the potential for weather events like thunderstorms, heavy rain and high winds that can make travel treacherous.” NZTA journey manager for Otago and Southland, Nicole Felts, says while NZTA contractors in Otago and Southland will also be downing tools at worksites over the holiday period, they will be ready to respond to any situations that arise on the highways to keep traffic flowing. The age-old safety messages apply this holiday season as much as ever, she says. “Watch your speed and be patient when stuck in traffic or behind slower vehicles. Making a bad decision out of frustration can have terrible consequences. Avoiding drink-driving and ensuring you wear a seatbelt can be the difference between enjoying a great summer holiday and a tragedy that has long-lasting impacts on families.” “People should be able to enjoy the holidays and have a drink and be merry if they wish, but if you know you are going to need to drive, a simple rule of thumb is not to drink at all and save it for when you are done travelling.” “Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of being killed or seriously injured in a road crash by about 40 per cent. If everyone wore their seatbelts, an estimated 20 lives could be saved from road crashes each year. So, it’s a no-brainer to buckle up yourself and make sure those travelling with you are also buckled in.” “From NZTA, we wish everyone happy holidays and good travels this festive season.” The Ministry of Transport will be providing daily updates on the holiday road toll throughout the break. Further background and historical crash data for the holiday period can also be found here.NZTA’s new drink-driving campaign with police can be viewed here.Getting there safely – top tips for safe holiday drivingPlan ahead. Get your vehicle checked before you head out, plan to avoid peak traffic where you can and give yourself enough time to take plenty of rest or sightseeing breaks along the way. It’s your holiday after all, so why not make the journey an enjoyable part of it?Drive to the conditions. Check the weather forecast before leaving home, as well as our real-time traffic updates for any incidents or closures. This isn’t just about weather conditions — it’s about the road you’re on, the traffic, your vehicle and load, your speed, your following distance, and adjusting your driving for wet and windy conditions.Watch out for fatigue. Long trips are tiring and fatigue can be deadly behind the wheel. Get a good night’s sleep beforehand, plan in advance where you’ll take breaks along the way, and be aware of any medication you’re taking that might affect your driving.Keep your cool. Holiday driving can be frustrating with busy roads, stifling heat and restless kids in the car. So please, be courteous and patient while on the roads. Don’t get provoked by other drivers’ aggressive behaviour, and wait to overtake until you get to a passing lane or can see enough clear road ahead of you to do it safely. And be sure to take enough games, books, or electronics to keep the kids occupied along the way.Buckle up. Don’t let your family holiday be marred by tragedy simply because someone didn’t buckle up. If you’re the driver, you are legally responsible for making sure all passengers under the age of 15 are securely restrained with either a safety belt or child restraint. Children must be properly restrained by an approved child restraint until their 7th birthday.Don’t drink and drive. Your judgement and reaction times begin to deteriorate after even one drink. Keep it simple – if you’re going to drink, don’t drive.

When British driver Lando Norris clinched the F1 World Championship at Abu Dhabi last Monday (NZT) he became the tenth Formula 1 World Champion to have raced at Teretonga Park in Invercargill. It is an unsurpassed record of world class sports stars coming to our region which dates back to the early days of the circuit and continues to this day.In those early days F1 drivers used to spend summer racing in New Zealand and Australia. 3World Champions to come to our city in those days were Jack Brabham and Jackie Stewart, both three-time champs, two-time champions Jim Clark and Graham Hill plus American Phil Hill, John Surtees (also a seven-time World Motorcycle Champion), kiwi Denny Hulme and Austrian Jochen Rindt. It wasn’t just World Champions either. It was all the big names of the day including Stirling Moss and Bruce McLaren and many more. At the end of the 1960’s Formula 1 changed, it became more commercial and the days of the current superstars racing in the Antipodes in the off-season ended. It did not mean the end of seeing some of the best though. In 1977 and 1978 Finnish driver Keke Rosberg raced here before going on to become World Champion in 1982. Now Norris, who raced here in 2016, when he won the Spirit Of A Nation Trophy, is the tenth World F1 Champion to have graced Teretonga Park.Ony thirty-five different drivers have won the World Championship in its 75-year history so that is a healthy percentage that have raced here. The ten we have seen in the south account for sixteen World Championship titles.It is not only F1 champions but also Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans 24 Hour winners that have raced at the circuit operated by the Southland Sports Car Club.On the grid alongside Norris in Abu Dhabi were others to have come to Teretonga Park - Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, Franco Colapinto, and Lance Stroll. Next year Arvid Lindblad, a winner at Teretonga Park less than twelve months ago, will also join the F1 grid.And what awaits us over the weekend of 24/25 January next year is more of the same when Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy Series visits us.With it will come a field of up-and-coming international racing drivers all vying to follow in the wheel tracks of Norris and others who have gone onto stardom.Already drivers from Ireland, Japan, Sri Lanka, China, Australia, Great Britain, the United States and of course New Zealand are entered and adding to the star power of the grid is a Finnish driver who is already a World Champion, in fact a two-time one in rallying. At just twenty-five years of age Kalle Rovanperä has retired from rallying to pursue a single seater journey which he hopes will take him to the top of that discipline.If you are trackside at Teretonga Park over the weekend when the Repco NextGen NZ Championship brings the Ascot Park Hotel Teretonga International meeting to our circuit you could just be watching another future World Champion!

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardRoad status:CLOSING from The Divide to East Gate (Hollyford) 7pm - 2am Monday only.CLOSING from Homer Tunnel (East Portal) to Homer Tunnel (West Portal) 7pm - 2am Mon & Tues.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Rain, becoming heavy, easing to showers this afternoon. Heavy & thundery falls possible overnight Tomorrow: Showers, possibly heavy & thundery, clearing later Wednesday: Cloudy Thursday: Cloudy Friday: Rain, easing to showers, then clearing 

One person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Mataura late last night (13 Dec).Police said they were called to the crash on Oakland Street about 10.05pm.Sadly, the sole occupant died at the scene.Police said the Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene, and the death will be referred to the Coroner.

Even if they have a prescription or medical note, drivers refusing roadside drug testing may face significant fines, police warn, days before the new testing starts.For the first time in New Zealand, drivers in the Wellington police district can be asked to take a drug test from Monday, with plans for the tests to be rolled out to the rest of the country next year.All drivers chosen for testing will be asked to swipe their tongue on an oral-fluid screening device to test for four drugs - THC (present in cannabis), methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy and molly) and cocaine.Drivers could not use a prescription or medical note to escape testing, Superintendent Steve Greally said, and any driver who refused the roadside drug test could be issued an infringement notice, which included a $400 fine, 75 licence demerit points and a 12-hour stand-down from driving.The initial test was expected to take about 10 minutes, but if the first result was positive, further roadside testing would be carried out.Officers would also still use a behavioural test called the Compulsory Impairment Test (CIT) to assess whether they suspect a driver was impaired by drugs.Once a saliva test was carried out, prescriptions or medical notes may not be used to dispute a positive test result, Greally said. Instead anyone with a prescription must go through the testing process and would be forbidden for driving for 12 hours, and could only dispute the finding, after the results of the third test were returned from the laboratory.Information about the process to seek a medical defence after a positive result was not yet available, but would be on the police website from Monday, he said.Drug Driving Tests: How can you test for impairment?What happens if you are chosen for testing?First testDrivers being tested "must wipe the drug screening device's pads on their tongue... the testing process will take about 10 minutes... if no drugs are detected, the driver is free to go".Second and third test togetherIf drugs are detected in the first test, two more tests are then carried out.A second test exactly the same as the first test is carried out. If this is also positive for the presence of drugs, the driver is forbidden from driving for 12 hours.If it is negative, the driver can go, after the third test sample is taken.The third test - the driver must "provide a saliva sample by holding an absorbent collection pad under their tongue", police said. "The saliva sample is sent for laboratory analysis."Lab testing:The third test sample is sent to the laboratory to check for 25 drugs."An infringement notice is issued, if the sample tests positive for one or more of these drugs."Police could not immediately say how long the final laboratory-submitted test would take.Medical defence:"If an infringement is issued after laboratory testing, drivers will have the ability to apply for medical defence, if it is for a drug that has been prescribed to them," police said.Concerns raised over roadside drug testsThe four substances police would screen for were impairing drugs, said Greally, who is the director of road policing, and the new tests would deter people from drug-driving and enable officers to catch people who did.Critics of the new drug-testing system have expressed wide-ranging fears about the testing, including that it was not consistent with the Bill of Rights Act, that it could return positive results in the presence of prescription medicines, and that it casts a net that is too wide - with concerns it would generate positive test results long after drugs would impair driving ability.(file photo) Photo: RNZ / Alexander RobertsonOthers have said the time needed to carry out drug tests and wait for a result would create difficulty for drivers, and that drivers required to undergo further testing could be forbidden from driving for 12 hours time, despite the earlier tests being only an initial stage. Research from overseas has shown worries about roadside drug testing could lead people to stop taking prescribed medicines.Greally said drivers using prescription medicines were advised to continue taking them as directed by their health practitioner and to consider any impairing effects the medicine could cause, but drivers should talk it over with their "practitioner for medical advice" and ultimate responsibility lay with the driver."If they are experiencing any impairing effects, they should not drive," he said."Similar to testing for alcohol levels, there are thresholds for each drug that are set to indicate the recent use of one or more drugs, rather than historical use, passive exposure or accidental ingestion, which would be unlikely to cause impairment."About 30 percent of all road fatalities involved an impairing drug, Minister of Transport Chris Bishop has said."Police has worked vigourously alongside agencies to identify and clarify any ongoing matters this significant change will bring for road users, Greally said."The introduction of roadside drug-driving testing is a positive step in our collective effort to reduce harm by drivers who get behind the wheel impaired by drugs."Our focus remains the same - to keep everyone safe on our roads. If you intend to get behind the wheel after consuming impairing drugs, you will be caught."Published by permission

Southland’s top leaders have given a cautiously optimistic response to major resource management reform.On Tuesday, the Government revealed its plan to replace the Resource Management Act with two new bills which would boost infrastructure, simplify consents and make life easier for farmers.RMA reform minister Chris Bishop claimed the proposed changes were projected to save $13.3 billion over the next 30 years.Invercargill mayor Tom Campbell’s first reaction was that it seemed to meet the government’s goal of faster growth and faster delivery, particularly of housing.“I think we would give it probably at this point, a fairly guarded tick. It’s probably fit for purpose,” Campbell said.“But our job is just to go through it and make sure there’s nothing in it that’s going to catch us out down the track.”Campbell said it would be looked through with a fine-tooth comb to check for fatal flaws, or unintended consequences.Southland mayor Rob Scott felt the changes were positive, saying the existing legislation was not doing its job.He wondered how elements such as heritage status compensation would be worked out, but believed the reform was a good move on the whole.In a statement, Environment Southland chair Jeremy McPhail said there were a lot of promises riding on the bills.“We all want a streamlined, fit-for-purpose alternative to the cumbersome RMA, which we’ve had to work within for so long.”Southland had been able to demonstrate that environmental sustainability and economic progress could go hand in hand, he said.Otago leaders have already given a range of responses to the reform.Queenstown Lakes District mayor John Glover warned the timeframes for implementation would be challenging, while Dunedin mayor Sophie Barker had concerns about protection of the city’s special features.Central Otago District mayor Tamah Alley expected that fewer delays for held-up projects would be welcomed.The government aims to pass the bills into law in 2026, although the public will get a chance to have their say through the select committee process.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Big bright and bold things are planned for Te Anau from Tuesday (16 Dec) as some of New Zealand’s top street and mural artists descend on the Southland tourist town for this year's South Sea Spray Festival.Invercargill artist ‘Deow’ (Danny Owen), who founded the festival in 2018, says 15 of New Zealand's best street artists would spending five days in the town telling their visual stories on assigned walls and buildings across three blocks in the central part of the town.Street artist and South Sea Spray Festival founder Deow at work. Photo: Southland App“We give the artists 100% freedom, but they usually create artwork and designs that reflect the area where they’re working. Fiordland will likely reflect wildlife, native birdlife, the outdoors and nature.”When not creating their artwork, artists will also be participating in interactive exhibitions, workshops and community events, Deow said.Te Anau festival's organiser Margie Ruddenklau said the event would be a celebration of Fiordland."It will capture the essence of our landscape and tell our stories.""It puts towns on the national and international stage,” she says.Photo: SuppliedHowever both Ruddenklau and South Sea Trust chairperson Pauline Smith admitted funding had been tough to secure, with the videographer for this years event cut "to make the budget work."But the Te Anau community had been amazing, responding by digging deep to top up the grant funding used for the festivals, Ruddenklau said."A local café has offered to deliver coffee orders to the artists while they’re working every day,” Smith added, with several other cafes offering funding and the local pharmacy supplying sunscreen and insect repellent.The festival, which began in 2018, has already been a hit in other Southland towns, including Invercargill, Bluff, Gore, Winton and Riverton, where beautiful stories and positive impacts have emerged.Prominent Bluff restaurateur Haylee (Hayz) Simeon says artwork from Bluff's festival had proved to be a great drawcard to the town, with people travelling there just to check out the murals.“It’s been a big drawcard, definitely well received. It’s beautified our local community,” she says.Photo: SuppliedThe artists all told their own version of Buff’s story from a wharf featuring the story of Māori settlers to Bluff’s oyster history and a mural on the Eagle Hotel honouring a late local with connections to the Tītī Islands – that artwork created by his own whanau, she says.“We have a ship and sailor that won our People’s Choice Award.“We have a shark cage diving experience here attracting people from all over the world and the visitors just love the murals,” Simeon says.“It’s definitely a great opportunity for our southern towns to have South Sea Spray artists of this calibre come down.”The locals love to follow their journeys and immerse in the tour of the works too, always within walking distance.Photo: SuppliedRuddenklau was equally enthusiastic about the positive benefits of the festival in her home base of Winton.“It injected pride, colour and energy into our town and created spaces that locals are genuinely excited about,” she says.“We’ve had incredible feedback from families, visitors and businesses. It’s been overwhelmingly positive. It shows how powerful the arts can be in a rural community.”The Winton festival was so enthusiastically received by the students at Central Southland College that funding was secured for a special mural there afterwards.Principal Grant Dick says students loved watching the large mural - of a New Zealand falcon - unfold on concrete slabs at the school and the artists talked their curious onlookers through every move.“It’s vibrant and colourful and builds a connection with the school for all the kids who were present at the time. It’s awesome,” Dick says.Photo: SuppliedSmith says artwork in her hometown of Riverton had also been a huge lift and definitely attracted destination visitors.“I met overseas visitors in Te Anau last week who’d just spent two days travelling around the Southland murals taking photographs.""They just couldn’t believe it,” she says.Photo: Supplied1000 maps have been printed for the Te Anau festival and these will be delivered around town so people can walk the trail, Deow said.South Sea Spray Trust also publish a book featuring the artworks to help fund the festivals.Anyone wanting to donate can email: [email protected] or ph: Margie Ruddenklau - 0272667421Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.

A sports event that has woven itself into the fabric of a small Southland town is wrapping up after 116 years.Tūātapere Sports Day organiser and commentator Peter Templeton says the upcoming New Year's Day outing will be the last.“It’s a sign of the times, but there’s nothing you can do about it. As I said, everything’s changed," he said.Peter Templeton is one of the event's organisers. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDR“They’re more interested in just eating hot chips and walking around with their cell phones in their hands.”The small-town family event has shrunk over the years, in part due to losing elements such as clay bird shooting, cycling, Highland dancing and a pipe band.Another factor was Riverton Racing Club now holding races on the same day — something which was outside of the club’s control.Templeton, 78, had been involved in Tūātapere Sports Day for many moons, including as its commentator for more than 30 years.It was mostly run by older people as younger ones were not interested in “stepping up and looking after it”, he said.A recent meeting to explain what was happening and see if people could step up only attracted two people.Cycling races, athletics, bush craft and clay bird shooting were all features of the Tūātapere Sports Day. Photo: Southland AppAs for the events on the day, they were now down to just wood chopping and athletics.“People aren’t going to come all the way out from Invercargill to watch something and there's just two things happening, you know."It wasn’t all bad news, however. Templeton thought some cyclists might turn up for the finale, and said the bushcraft aspect would continue at the back of the Waiau Town & Country Club in Tūātapere.Southland mayor Rob Scott said Tūātapere Sports Day had been going for many years and was well supported and enjoyed by the community.More people needed to put their hand up and help with running if they wanted to see such things continue, he said.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

He’s gained a reputation as a good horseman during the past 20 years and if anyone’s going to rein them in its Ant Logan.Together with wife Michelle - a vet specialising in equine medicine, they do a lot of horsing around.Ant was raised in Ruatoria and kind of “fell into horses” as a country boy.“You grow up pretty capable in most things on a farm, and I rode a bit as a kid,” he says.“I’ve been around animals all my life.”Ant’s father wanted his kids to grow up learning how to ride bareback.“A saddle was a luxury.""We only had one for our family, so I got the basics back there in that early training.""Dad was pretty handy with a horse."Ant was a skilled horseman from a young age. Photo: Supplied"Our whole family rode but it was not something I ever loved. It was work,” Ant says.It wasn’t until 25 years ago when he was fencing for a client with a mate.“She ran out of fencing work for us and had a heap of horses she wanted broken in so asked if we’d be interested.""My mate Tojo Maaka was already an experienced horse breaker, so we broke them all in – 12 in a month,” Ant says.“I developed an interest in it then. It was fun.""Seeing a horse graduate from nothing to something that’s useful, that was the coolest part, developing that trust.""Ever since I’ve been dealing with young horses,” he says.“I’m 50 now and absolutely loving it. It keeps me young and fit.”A shearer all his life, Ant grew up around shearing sheds with his mum a rousie and cook for shearing gangs.Michelle and Ant in their early days working in a shearing gang in Australia on their way back to New Zealand. Photo: Supplied“In the holidays I just had to tag along.”Ant travelled widely picking up work shearing in Wales where he met wife Michelle – a Welsh vet, in 2002 at a nightclub holding a school uniform, fancy dress disco.“My friend, Charles, said he’d buy me a drink if I went over and talked to the Kiwi guy. I thought Charles knew him, but he didn’t,” she grins.“Ant had an Around the World ticket which he gave up and stayed on.”Michelle travelled back with him via some shearing work in Australia, where she worked as a rousie.“I loved New Zealand and so I stayed, she says.”“I was working in a mixed vet practice in Wales when I met Ant and worked as a vet in Gisborne back here, travelling to clients up the East Coast.""It was amazing to me, shepherds mustering on horseback with a team of dogs.""I loved it."Michelle enjoying her love of horses. Photo: SuppliedMichelle then gained more experience by moving south and working for Invercargill equine specialist Brendon Bell.Ant also moved south and they lived in Riversdale for a while where Michelle developed a love of breeding horses when working at what is now Macca Lodge Horse Stud for Northern Southland Veterinary Services.She then completed a three-year residency in Massey Veterinary School, Palmerston North, becoming a specialist in equine medicine.They married in 2011 and initially lived in Omakau in Central Otago, Ant working on Matakanui Station before being offered a farm manager’s position in Southland.Michelle worked as a vet in Alexandra before returning to Riversdale with Ant.After some time in Riversdale, they settled on a small farm at Pukerau, near Gore – complementing each other with their two horse-loving careers.Michelle’s had her moments despite her love of horses.The boys aren’t keen on being castrated and she was badly bitten by a 7-year-old stallion as she was about to inject the anesthetic.“He got hold of my arm and dragged me across the paddock, then ran past me and I thought, ‘This is it!’” she says.Ant coming back from a spot of pig hunting. Photo: SuppliedAnother vet eventually gave him three more injections through a fence before she could get near.As for Ant: “I’ve had too many close calls to remember. I’ve been tipped out that many times,” he says.He’d eyed up a beautiful horse once on a horse trek which a mate was selling.“It had ‘For Sale’ marked on its bum so I inquired, thinking Michelle would love that horse.""I brought him home proud as punch and was riding him up the driveway to surprise her when the bloody thing bucked me off!”“I was watching and I wasn’t going to get on him after that,” Michelle laughs.Ant reckons that horse is now his best mate, named Tom Fleming after the guy who bred him.“But every time when he’s fresh and I jump on he puts in a wee buck,” he grins.“With horses when everything’s going right they’ll be on your side until they’re not."Ant working his miracles. Photo: Supplied"At the end of the day, it’s about showing leadership.""If you gain their trust and show that leadership, they’ll be your mate.""If you show faith they’ll show it back,” he says.Word gets out when someone with Ant’s skills becomes renowned and in 2015 Ant was asked by a horse contact if he’d be interested in transporting a whole herd of wild horses south from Arcadia Station at the head of Lake Wakatipu, near Glenorchy.Station owner Jim Veint was giving them away to a good home.“I was asked if I’d be interested in going halves and getting the whole herd out,” Ant says.“When I saw them they were quite unique, like old school stock horses.""I knew when I saw them that I had to be involved with them.""They were very difficult to break in, basically big ponies, very nimble with good strong legs, good healthy stock horses."Michelle giving a talk at Equifest. Photo: Supplied"You need something quick like that on a hill.""They’re strong and can go all day.”The pair found two good truckies – Jock Sharpe and Jamie Coote, from Switzers Valley Transport to help load and move them south.It was no mean feat.“Michelle was away working at Massey, and I got home with all these trucks and trailers loaded with 31 wild adult horses, plus about nine foals – about 40 all up, that we’d rounded up from Jim’s yards,” Ant grins.“It was a big mission – 200kms, but when they got off at the other end they were magnificent.”That was until he tried to keep a rope on them.“It took two days to get a rope on 31 horses, but the next time it took me one day,” he says.“We were farming fulltime. It was a massive challenge.”Equine specialist Michelle offers a spot of pampering. Photo: SuppliedSome were broken in and sold as were some of the foals and Michelle says they’ve had amazing feedback.“People loved them. They’ve gone all over the South Island.""People bought them for kids and families and it’s all credit to Jim and his breeding. They’re so loyal.”“I call them ‘street kids’,” Ant says.“Michelle breeds Hanoverians, originally from Germany, and not that bright in a farm environment, but the Arcadia ones never get into trouble,” he says."They know where to put their feet. They’re born street wise.”Michelle now works for the Veterinarian Council of NZ as a veterinary advisory.She is also running online Horse First Aid courses through their business Logan Equine, teaching the basics such as taking a horse’s pulse, checking temperatures, bandaging, wound care, colic and the likes.“It’s what to do until the vet arrives aimed at all levels - Pony Club members or their parents, absolutely anyone with a horse,” she says.Michelle with the orphaned foal they raised - Esbelli. Photo: SuppliedShe’s also recently been involved in developing online learning resources for Massey University where she gained a higher education teaching qualification and has also done research into Equine Metabolic Syndrome.The Logans moved with their two kids to Moa Flat in West Otago in 2022, but they still have strong connections and a great reputation in horse circles around Southland breeding some first class show jumping horses, as well as the loyal, athletic Arcadia stationbreds.Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.

Waihopai River Bridge, on State Highway 1 at Kennington, near Invercargill, is due to close for two days next week to allow roading teams to carry out essential maintenance. The bridge is scheduled to be closed in both directions from 5am to 9pm, on Tuesday 16 December and Wednesday 17 December. Road users should plan their journeys accordingly and allow extra time for travel. Detours will be available: Light vehicles travelling eastbound should turn left from SH1/East Road into Mill Road North, right onto Fairweather Road, right onto Kennington Roslyn Bush Road, and left back onto SH1/East Road.Westbound light vehicle traffic should turn left onto Kennington Road, right onto Clapham Road, and then left back onto SH1. Heavy vehicles/HPMV travelling eastbound should also detour via Mill Road North, Fairweather Road and Kennington Roslyn Bush Road. The reverse applies for westbound heavy vehicle traffic. This work depends on various factors and may be amended or rescheduled. If it is, notification will be provided through NZTA channels. Stay up to date at our Journey Planner site. We thank people in advance for their patience as this important work is carried out.Photo: NZTA.Plan for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/trafficJourney planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nzPhone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

Looking for what’s happening around our region - or wanting to share something of your own?The Southland App is your one-stop destination for everything local, from major events to everyday community news.🎉 Events:Stay up to date with Southland’s biggest occasions - concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and more. Don’t miss out on the moments that bring our region together. Have an event to promote? Feature it here and reach thousands of locals.A taste of upcoming Events:The Merry Little Christmas ConcertThe Shack Christmas PartyNew Year's Eve Street Food Market📢 Public Notices:Find what’s happening closer to home - fundraisers, club meetings, school fairs, and community updates. It’s the perfect place to advertise your smaller events or share important local information.📲 Be Seen. Be Heard. Get Involved.Explore Events and Public Notices on the Southland App today - or advertise with us to make sure your message reaches every corner of Southland!💌 Want to advertise?We’d love to help spread the word for you.Email us at [email protected] to find out more.