The Southland App invited the region’s elected local government leaders to reflect on 2020 and muse on the year ahead.

Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell, Gore mayor Gary Tony, and Southland mayor Gary Tong have praised the resilience of Southlanders for rising to multiple challenges.

They will now take time out to read a book or go fishing before returning to tackle 2021 head on.

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But before we read their New Year's messages, here's a quick walk down memory lane from our files.

January

Australia burned, with the massive bush fires affecting the South Island climate, and Southland firefighters travelled over the ditch to lend a hand. Southland Mayor Gary Tong was recovering from a heart attack, house prices jumped astronomically, and Invercargill began demolishing its CBD. The Covid-19 pandemic had closed borders to many tourists by end of the month.

February

Some felt Southland’s stars were beginning to align when Air NZ announced its new schedule of direct flights from Auckland to Invercargill but then the region flooded and shut down. Government support and a mayoral relief fund was announced.

March

Life was sort of returning to normal, an elusive moose was spotted in Fiordland and tracks were reopening when Covid-19 made its presence felt and the entire nation shut down. There were 59 cases in Southland District Health Board area by the end of the month.

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April

This month marked the rise and rise of Fiordland public health specialist Ayesha Verrall, now a Labour MP. A Bluff wedding made national news as a Covid-19 spreader.

May

Covid-19 continued to rule the world and the resulting loss of tourism business, wage cuts, job losses and business closures were sinking in around Southland. Environment Southland unveiled some central Government-funded shovel ready projects and district councils published multi-million dollar wish lists.

June

Covid-19 had weakened so Southerners geared up for the delayed duck hunting season, our attention turned to politics and the National Party began opening the exit door for several MPs.

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July

Councils reduced their spending but central government continued to increase support for the regions, with multi-million handouts from various funds.

August

Invercargill won $10 million from central Government for the city centre rebuild and direct jet services from Auckland resumed. The Jobs for Nature fund cranked into gear but Rio Tinto decided to pull the pin on the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, causing a massive blow to Southland’s economic confidence. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern promised to "stand together" with Southland and work on a fair transition. Meanwhile, the fractious nature of the Invercargill City Council came to a head and a governance review was launched. Proposed new freshwater regulations began to cause friction with Southland farmers.

September

Public agitation increased over the long-standing ouvea premix storage issue at the former Mataura Mill. Southland mourned when the Gulf Livestock 1 cattle export ship was lost at sea near Japan, taking with it Te Anau stockman Lochie Bellerby. 

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October

Labour won the New Zealand election. In the United States, the President and First Lady, Donald and Melania Trump, got Covid-19 and later lost the election. Invercargill deputy mayor Toni Biddle stepped down, forcing a by-election in February 2021.

November

Two of Southland’s biggest sports events, the Tour of Southland and the Kepler Challenge, successfully went ahead. Air New Zealand flew 73 Southland tuatara to their ancestral home in Marlborough.

December

Despite the Environment Court’s hope that Mataura’s hazardous stash of ouvea premix would be “gone by Christmas”, it was not, though work will continue to get it shipped overseas in 2021. Flood ravaged tramping tracks opened before the Christmas holidays. Datagrid and Meridian announced a proposed hyperscale data centre as a potential economic boost to the region, Southlanders’ economic confidence lifted slightly, house prices were still running hot and Jupiter and Saturn briefly merged (visually) in what has been described as the greatest conjunction of planets in our lifetime.

Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell. PHOTO: Supplied

Nicol Horrell, Environment Southland chairman

1: What activity will you and your nearest and dearest be doing at New Year to relax and unwind?

NH: Anne and I are likely to see the New Year in at home on the farm this year. If the weather is fine we will continue a long standing tradition of seeing the New Year in, on one our hills, hopefully with some of our friends who have been with us in past years. The holiday break is the one time of the year I get time to read a couple of novels. Some usually turn up as Christmas presents (often the latest John Grisham). We also hope to spend some time in early January in Te Anau. 

2. What are your reflections on 2020?  

NH: 2020 has been a challenging year. The February floods followed by the COVID-19 lockdown meant our emergency management team were activated for a long time supporting the people of Southland. We discovered “Zoom” and still achieved a great deal during the year, but the highlight of the year has got to be how New Zealand has coped with COVID-19. 

3. What learnings from 2020 will you be carrying forward to 2021?  

NH: The resilience of our communities in times of adversity and that the majority of people will do the right thing if given clear, consistent messages. 

4. What is your vision for 2021?  

NH: While there are some huge challenges to deal with going forward, there are also some exciting opportunities. My vision is to continue working collaboratively with the people of Southland and our leaders, because we know the power of a united approach. 

Southland Mayor Gary Tong. PHOTO: Supplied

Gary Tong, Southland District Mayor

1: What activity will you and your nearest and dearest be doing at New Year to relax and unwind? 

GT: As long as the weather behaves I will be taking a casual stroll with my fly rod along the Upper Mataura River looking for a trout or two - and if the weather misbehaves then . . . 

2: What are your reflections on 2020?  

GT: 2020 was an interesting year with changes a plenty that have affected everyone’s life in some way. It has made people stronger in their relationship with others and long may that last. The challenging moments have been around dealing with those that have not wanted to conform with the needs of this country during Covid.

3: What learnings from 2020 will you be carrying forward to 2021?  

GT: That it takes a crisis to bring people together and people are the most important part of identifying a solution. Walking out of Dunedin Hospital on New Year’s morning 2020 after heart surgery made me think of the short time we have together and one’s health is important.

4: What is your vision for 2021?  

GT: To have a year of progress, while playing catchup post Covid, with the projects identified during public consultation to ensure levels of service are retained for those living and visiting the Southland District.

Gore District Council mayor Tracy Hicks. PHOTO: Supplied

1: What activity will you and your nearest and dearest be doing at New Year to relax and unwind? 

TH: Taking time, mostly at home to catch up on the myriad of jobs that didn’t quite get to the top of the list through the year, but always finding time for family, friends and hopefully time to explore a couple of good books that have my name on them. 

2: What are your reflections on 2020?  

TH: While it certainly was a challenge, and not what anyone expected I think 2021 has actually highlighted just how well we as a community, both locally and nationally work together to look out for those in need. 

3: What learnings from 2020 will you be carrying forward to 2021?  

TH: Always expect the unexpected and make sure that kindness is front and centre at all times. 

4: What is your vision for 2021?  

TH: To make the most of each day and to cement in place the opportunities that have been delivered via Covid19 by way of unexpected government investment in local communities. Oh and of course to hopefully get to 2022 in one piece.