Southland will get its new museum with all the trimmings.On Tuesday, councillors voted to progress with the final design for Te Unua Museum of Southland — the most expensive option available amid a looming overspend.A public consultation was recently undertaken on whether the council should pare back the project or cough up the additional $13 million required to progress with the plan, which would push the final bill to $87 million.The public gave their preference for the more expensive option ahead of removing Green Star sustainability accreditation, delaying the car park, or reducing the digital to static ratio of the experience.Much of Tuesday’s deliberation centred on the details of Green Star accreditation, before deputy mayor Tom Campbell moved the status quo.He said he had come to the meeting with the intention of cost saving, but had realised a lot of work had already gone into landing on the design.A mood of “just get on and do it” had come through in his discussions with the public, he said.Councillor Darren Ludlow said altering the project would only result in minimal savings.“We will actually have a generation of kids who have grown up in Invercargill without a museum.“And we owe it to them, their kids, and their parents to make sure we’re giving them something that is worth the wait.”In opting to stand by the more expensive option, the council has backtracked on the recommendation it gave during consultation to remove Green Star accreditation and delay the carpark.This point was highlighted by councillor Lesley Soper, who said the council had been responsible in handling the issue.“What we’ve got back from the public, and what I’m absolutely convinced by, is the ‘do it once and do it right’,” she said.Removing Green Star accreditation would have shaved $900,000 off the additional $13 million the council will now pay, while removing the accreditation as well as delaying the car park would have saved $2.4 million.On top of the additional $13 million for the project, the council is still working to secure $6.6 million of external funding which it has agreed to underwrite.Thirty-six percent of people who responded during consultation chose the original plan as their top choice, while dropping Green Star and delaying the carpark emerged as the favourite based on ranked preference.Tuesday's motion passed with just councillor Ria Bond voting against it.Councillor Ian Pottinger — who has been a vocal critic of the overspend — was absent.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

A heavy rain (Orange) warning is in place for Fiordland, north of Doubtful Sound, from 9am tomorrow (23 Oct) till 3pm on Thursday.Met Service says to expect 250 to 350 mm of rain, with peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected from Wednesday afternoon through to Thursday morning.Streams and rivers may rise rapidly, with surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.CLICK HERE for more information.

There’s a whole lot of lovin’ going on in the south where Invercargill boasts one of the largest and most popular Therapy Pet programmes, with family pooches, large and small, administering canine cuddles to young and old in rest homes and schools.Daisy shares the love with the kids at Sacred Heart Primary School. Photo: SuppliedThe programme, coordinated by St John Ambulance staff, now has 33 dogs and 28 owners in hot demand throughout Invercargill, with very visible benefits and results for everyone from lonely and withdrawn elderly to kids struggling with learning difficulties.A local men’s Cancer Society support group is the latest to benefit and St John’s Community Engagement Co-Ordinator for Southland Tracy Kilkelly says if volunteers miss a week there’s quite a furor.Elderly residents at the likes of Vickery Court wait in great anticipation for their twice-weekly doggy visits, some known to sit by the front door awaiting their favourite pooch’s arrival.This story is brought to you with the kind support of Avenal Park Funeral HomeThe dogs, all specially vetted and checked by a dog trainer, are swarmed by delighted children when they turn up at 14 Invercargill schools.The programme’s recently been expanded to include Southland Girls High where the dogs are working with the school counsellor and producing incredible results.Winton School is also now benefiting from the programme.Kay and her dog, Alfie, bring joy to the children at Windsor North School. Photo: Supplied“There have been so many beautiful stories,” Kilkelly says.“An elderly dementia unit patient was walking to the door to farewell a volunteer with his beautifully placid rescue dog when the elderly man tripped on a mat and fell to the floor.”Staff were rushing to help while the dog nestled under the man’s arm and snuggled tightly beside his chest, lying down beside him.“That dog had been tethered and severely beaten prior to rescue. The owner said his heart was so full that day.”Volunteer Jan Feaver shares a beautiful story of an elderly lady, 92, who wouldn’t come out of her flat and within two weeks was waiting at her front gate for Yabba, one of three beautiful chocolate Border Collies.“She cried the first time she met him, and he hopped up on her lap, leaning his weight on the chair rather than on her,” Feaver says.Border Collies Wilma Yabba and Rubble with Neil at the Cancer Society. Photo: Supplied“She’s now in a rest home and we still go to see her every week.”Yabba was the first therapy dog to visit a person in their home.“It’s very rewarding.""We go to Calvary Hospital and the dogs hop up onto the beds for a cuddle,” Feaver says.“The residents open up and tell you all their happy memories about their own pets and dogs, and the dogs just love going, lining up for their pats.”“If we don’t go, we get told off,” she laughs.Dementia patients don’t often remember the owner, but they remember the dog’s name, Kilkelly says.Now retired from his rest home duties Merlin still works his magic at Invercargill's Avenal Park Funeral Home. Photo: Nigel EdwardsHe’s now retired from Ascot Bupa rest home duties, but 13-year-old Samoyed, Merlin is still healing the broken hearted, welcoming bereaved loved ones with his loving warmth at Avenal Park Funeral Home.Owners Christine and Nigel Edwards adopted Merlin from the SPCA nine years ago.He’s very gentle and comforting and people come in especially to see him, says Nigel"We have had requests from familes for Merlin to attend services and he has accompanied in the hearse with the deceased."This story is brought to you with the kind support of Avenal Park Funeral Home"After a service children and adults come to see him and spend time with him."While there are more than 550 elderly Invercargill rest home residents receiving the Therapy Pets love, more than 50 schoolchildren are too.Research has shown that reading to pets can greatly assist with learning difficulties.“A dog doesn’t judge so kids who are struggling can lie on, or beside, the dog while they’re reading to it in the school library. It’s a safe environment,” Kilkelly says.Staff even pitched in at Donovan Primary School buying a big dog bed for ‘Shelby’ the Golden Retriever to snuggle in while she’s read to in the school library.Shelby, all dressed up for Halloween, enjoys a story at Donovan Primary School. Photo: SuppliedAnother dog arrives at a school on a bike in a cane basket, all dressed up for the occasion.One school has been successfully using the programme to help kids with social anxieties, while it’s also greatly benefited kids handling grief and bereavement, illness or divorce.“They just have that quiet time out to hang out with a dog. It’s so therapeutic,” Kilkelly says.One young boy, who constantly sat under his desk, had ventured out to see the dog within a term, and by the following term was sitting reading with the dog.This story is brought to you with the kind support of Avenal Park Funeral Park“He really came out of his shell.”Yak - an acronym for ‘You Are Kidding’, named by owner Anna Robertson’s husband when she arrived with two not one rescue dog, and also Minnie, share the chihuahua love at Vickery Court.“Residents love them because they can sit on their laps and stroke them,” Robertson says.“One lady was quite confused and was convinced her room wasn’t hers until we walked in."She said, ‘Thank goodness! Now I know it’s my room as the dogs come in to visit.”Yabba gets up close and personal with her favourite Vickery Court resident Jean Bulmer, who turns 95 soon. Photo: SuppliedThe whole thing hasn’t been good for Yak’s diet though.“They get a wee doggy treat every time they sit nicely on people’s laps,” Robertson says.Photographs of Yak and Minnie adorn some residents’ walls.“I just love the interaction. It’s like a big family. Everybody makes you feel so welcome.”Laminated paw prints are stuck to the door to show the dogs are welcome and Kilkelly says there are few rooms where they’re not.St John staff say the Therapy Pets programme has experienced considerable growth nationally, increasing from 120 volunteer dogs in 2020 through to 550 this year. It’s so popular that no additional volunteers are required at this stage.However, Kilkelly says with a few dogs passing away in Invercargill they will recruit for some replacements early next year.

Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark says he will no longer “contribute” to some media outlets on the back of stories about his costly behaviour.On Friday, Local Democracy Reporting released figures on the cost of code of conduct complaints at Invercargill City Council for the past five years.It showed that of the five complaints recorded for that time, the three most-expensive belonged to Clark, with two of those coming in 2024.Clark said the story left him “no option” regarding his contributions to the Otago Daily Times, Southland Express and Stuff.“The lesson for me is that there are some media that care way more about some of the positive and good things I'm delivering in our city,” he wrote in an email.“There are some very serious issues within council over the next month but I am no longer prepared to contribute to your news outlet.”Clark was contacted by Local Democracy Reporting for further comment but did not respond. His email did not provide further details on what he meant by contribution.He said the code of conduct matters were a regurgitation, while outlining what he had “saved and delivered” for Invercargill.That included taking an older car from the council fleet over a $56,000 option, keeping accommodation low-cost when travelling, a single-digit rate increase, and a “futuristic” museum.Code of conduct breaches related to Clark’s behaviour have cost the council more than $79,000 since 2020.This year alone he was found to be in breach of the code twice.On 16 March, Clark attended a United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) event which resulted in a complaint being lodged against him for his behaviour.He was alleged to have verbally attacked the female MC and called volunteer firefighters second-class citizens.The following week, Clark appeared on television show New Zealand Today where he drew criticism for his use of a homophobic slur and the ‘n-word’.Clark's earlier breach relates to a 2020 incident where he questioned the truthfulness of remarks by former council chief executive Clare Hadley.He has publicly apologised for all three breaches.The council’s code of conduct was last updated in 2022 and covers a range of topics, from relationships to media protocols.Deputy mayor Tom Campbell did not wish to comment without further information and Invercargill City Council did not respond by deadline.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

NoticesFiordland Trails Trust AGMMossburn Rugby Club AGMEventsQuilts and Cake - Winton

Milford Road OPENAvalanche Hazard LOWCLOSING from East Gate (Hollyford) to Donne River (Westgate) around midday Wednesday. Intense rain forecast from around midday Wednesday through until Thursday evening will elevate the avalanche hazard, likely resulting in a road closure from noon Wednesday.Exact timing of frontal passage will be carefully monitored to determine closure time. Current forecasts indicate reopening will only be possible Friday morning.Please drive with care, especially through road works & around mobile operations.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Cloudy drizzle, becoming fineTomorrow: Rain, turning heavyThursday: Heavy rain, easing laterFriday: Showers

Milford Road OPENAvalanche Hazard LOWToday’s weather forecast has retreated, with a low chance of travel disruption as brief intense rain passes.Heavy rain forecast from late Wednesday into Thursday which may elevate the avalanche hazard, potentially resulting in disruption or delays along the highway.Update as forecast develops.Please drive with careWeather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Rain, easing tonightTomorrow: Rain clearing, becoming fineWednesday: Rain developing, possibly heavy laterThursday: Heavy rain, easing later

Thirty-six vehicles have been ordered off Southland roads by Invercargill Police on Friday and Saturday nights (18-19 Oct).Police used the weekend to target antisocial road users and illegally modified vehicles as part of an operation codenamed 'Operation Hoon'.A car fleeing Police at around 1.30am on Sunday morning resulted in a two-car crash that resulted in two people being critically injured, two others receiving seriously injuries and one minor injuries.Police used VTNZ to inspect vehicles over the two nights, making use of legislation under the Land Transport Act which allows for vehicles stopped within five kilometres of a specified testing site to be directed there for an immediate inspection.Road Policing Officer Senior Constable Paul Moylan said the operation had targeted vehicles and individuals that have been identified as belonging to a group organising ‘skid meets’ in rural locations around Invercargill.“These drivers regularly congregate and ‘lap’ the Invercargill CBD area before heading out into rural areas."“Aside from examples of extremely risky driving behaviour, many of these vehicles are illegally modified to the point where they are a danger to the drivers and every other motorist they share the road with.”Operation Hoon certainly highlighted this, with 36 vehicles receiving pink or green stickers through the testing station.One extreme example of illegal and unsafe modification seen by the team was the use of a pair of jandals as suspension bump stops, Moylan said.Southern District Road Policing Manager Inspector Craig Brown says the results of the operation had shown Police’s intent in dealing with the ongoing issue of antisocial road use in Invercargill.“These drivers pose an unnecessary risk to everyone on the road through their behaviour and the state of their vehicles."“To get this many unsafe cars off the roads over just two evenings is a great success for our teams, and goes a long way in making sure we can keep the roads safer, and help other motorists feel safer too.”

Two people have sustained critical injuries, with another receiving seriously injures and a fourth minor injuries, after a driver fleeing from Police collided with a second vehicle in Invercargill overnight (20 Oct).About 1.40am, a driver of a vehicle failed to stop for Police on Venus Street, Georgetown.Invercargill Police were at the time also targeting antisocial road users and illegally modified vehicles as part of an operation codenamed 'Operation Hoon'.Southern District Commander Superintendent Jason Guthrie said Police did not engage in a pursuit due to the manner of driving.Shortly afterwards the vehicle, travelling through the intersection of Janet and Ness Streets, collided with a second vehicle.One occupant of the fleeing vehicle sustained critical injuries while a second sustained serious injuries, Guthrie said.An occupant from the second vehicle also sustained critical injuries while another sustained minor injuries, he saidThe Serious Crash Unit has now examined the scene.The road currently remains closed while staff work at the scene and motorists are asked to avoid the area unless you are a resident, Guthrie said.As standard practice the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority under the Memorandum of Understanding between Police and the Authority, he said.Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or who might have dashcam or CCTV footage from the crash area the time of the crash.Or call 105 with any other information.Please use the reference number P060341410.

A Lotto player at Windsor Stationery & Lotto, and another at Fresh Choice Te Anau are each $12,910 richer after winning Lotto second division this evening (19 Oct).Thirty-one players nationwide won Lotto's second division tonight.One player also scored $40,985 after winning tonight's Powerball second division.

Investigations into Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark's code of conduct breaches were the council’s most expensive in the past five years.The two complaints about Clark's behaviour cost ratepayers more than $60,000 this year.On 16 March, Clark attended a United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) event where he received a complaint for verbally attacking the female MC and calling volunteer firefighters second-class citizens.The following week, he appeared on comedian Guy Williams’ show New Zealand Today and drew criticism for using a homophobic slur and the ‘n-word’.Both incidents saw Clark in breach of the council’s code of conduct after complaints were brought against him and upheld.In September, Local Democracy Reporting revealed the investigation into Clark’s actions at the UFBA event cost $42,330, while his behaviour on television cost $20,146.Figures released by Invercargill City Council under LGOIMA this week have now detailed the cost of other breaches in the past five years, revealing the recent incidents were the most expensive.It also showed a complaint against Clark in 2020 - who was then deputy mayor - was the third most expensive investigation in the past five years.At the time, councillor Ian Pottinger challenged Clark for questioning the truthfulness of remarks by former chief executive Clare Hadley.The cost of investigating that complaint came in at $16,979 and resulted in Clark making a public apology.He has also made public apologies for his more-recent breaches of the code.In 2019, councillor Lesley Soper laid a complaint against former-mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt over comments he made about a group of people that included one of her family members.A report found a breach had occurred but council did not pass a resolution making findings or requiring action.The exercise cost a total of $1225.In 2020, a complaint was laid against former councillor Toni Biddle by former chief executive Clare Hadley after Biddle made comments about her performance and conduct in a meeting.Biddle resigned before its conclusion, but the matter still cost the council $12,410.Clark is in his first term as mayor but has ruled out standing again. In January, he underwent heart surgery following a cardiac event.Council chief executive Michael Day said a code of conduct was a statutory obligation under legislation, and should promote “effective working relationships”.“A code of conduct represents a commitment from all elected members to maintain high standards of behaviour, which is important for their credibility as city leaders and for the reputation of Invercargill,” he said.The council's version is a 25 page document, last updated in 2022.It covers a range of topics including relationships, media protocols and conflicts of interest.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Below is a list of planned roadworks on Southland state highways next week where you may experience delays.  Highways South work with temporary traffic management and temporary speed limits:SH1 Gore-Mataura highway between Cardigan Bay Road and Charlton Siding Road, temporary traffic lights for drainage workSH6 North Road between Bainfield Road and West Plains Road (northbound), lane drop for pavement repairs **multiple locationsSH6 Centre Bush, temporary traffic lights for pavement renewal work *ongoing until late next weekSH93 near Heaps Road Ferndale, stop/go for culvert workSH94 east of Mossburn, temporary traffic lights for pavement renewal work *ongoing for 5-6 weeksSH94 west of Mossburn, temporary traffic lights for pavement renewal work *ongoing for 4-5 weeksSH94 Te Anau-Mossburn highway at The Key, temporary traffic lights for culvert investigationSH99 Wallacetown-Lorneville Road east of Wallacetown, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsThird party work and events with traffic management in place this week:SH1 Clyde St Invercargill, lane drop for watermains workSH1 Tay St Invercargill, lane drop for trenchingSH1 Dacre, stop/go for tree maintenanceSH6 Dee St Invercargill inner city, lane drop for power pole maintenanceSH6 Dee St Invercargill, lane drop for replacing counting loopsSH6 North Road (southbound), lane drop for power pole workSH6 north of Lorneville, lane drop for pavement repairsSH96 near Glencoe, stop/go for power pole replacementSH96 near Hedgehope, stop/go for power pole maintenanceSH99 Riverton, stop/go for seal wideningSH99 near Colac Bay, stop/go for vehicle crossingSH99 near Tihaka, stop/go for power pole replacementPlease observe the speed limits on our worksites, both when teams are working and when the sites are unattended, for the safety of our crew, other road users and to protect the road surface. Upcoming work/eventsMid-late October – SH94 west of Balfour, traffic lights and temporary speed limit for pavement renewal *continues for 2-3 weeks3-9 November, Tour of SouthlandEarly to mid-November, SH6 at the Jollies Hill north of Five Rivers, traffic lights and temporary speed limit for pavement renewal *continues for 4-5 weeksLate November, SH99 Lorneville overbridge, pavement renewal Useful links:NZTA Journeys website - https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-plannerFreight Impact Register - https://www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial-driving/trucks-and-tow-trucks/potential-restrictions-affecting-freight/ - download and filter the region for ‘Southland’. This will indicate any upcoming work in the next fortnight which have closures, detours or width restrictions for freight.

Environmental activist organisation Greenpeace has waded in to support Fish and Game Southland (F&G), after it was threatened with a boycott by Southland Federated Farmers (SFF).FFS has blamed F&G for their part in an appeal - original won in the Environmental Court and subsquently upheld in both the High Court and Court of Appeal, which could potentially see farmers having to apply for a resource consent to continue to operate.Southland Fish and Game manager Zane Moss said the Court had concluded Southland rivers were significantly degraded by diffuse discharges, and the rules in the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan weren't sufficiently robust to ensure that it didn't continue. "Environment Southland should put effective rules in place around the riskiest practices so all farmers are not required to seek consents".MP calls for calm after Southland Federated Farmers threaten to boycott Fish & GameGreenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Will Appelbe said freshwater in Aotearoa had been in decline for decades and Fish & Game Southland had acted in the interest of all New Zealanders by challenging Environment Southland’s anti-nature legislation."Federated Farmers seem to think they have a right to pollute the water, and now that it has been proven in the courts that they do not, they’re throwing their toys out of the cot.""The intensive dairy industry has been allowed to pollute people’s water for too long and we’re seeing the consequences of that with unswimmable lakes and rivers and elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water," says Appelbe."Christopher Luxon’s Government is pushing ahead with reckless plans to rollback freshwater protections and their list of damaging Fast Track Projects.""We all need to resist Luxon’s war on nature, and Fish & Game Southland should be praised for doing so," he said.Environment Southland CE Wilma Falconer said her council (who had led the legal appeals) had effectively exhausted their options through the courts so were now taking the matter up with the government.Invercargill MP, and Environment Minister Penny Simmonds said it was the government's intention to address the situation through Resource Management Act amendments over the coming months."This is not what the RMA is about and we cannot have farmers left to deal with these unworkable rules," Simmonds said.

No wallabies have been found in the Te Anau area despite an extensive search by Environment Southland using dogs, trail cameras and thermal camera drones.South Island wallabies are found in the Waimate area of South Canterbury. They are an introduced pest which can seriously impact the environment, biodiversity, and economy.The ES investigation was prompted after a reported wallaby sighting by a member of the public near Te Anau's control gates in report in mid-September.This followed two earlier reports of wallaby near Te Anau, and three reports on the Te Anau - Mossburn highway since 2022, which all turned out to be negative.An initial investigation of the latest sighting identified possible wallaby scat and a detector dog indicated the possible presence of an animal.Environment Southland biosecurity and biodiversity operations manager Ali Meade said the scat was sent away for DNA sampling and the results have come back inconclusive, likely due to the age of the sample and the weather prior to the period it had been collected.The next stage of the investigation involved specialists working with trained wallaby scat and indicator dogs, trail cameras and thermal camera drones, working from the Te Anau township, along the Lake Te Anau foreshore to the Waiau River and down to Supply Bay Road.“No indications of a wallaby presence were found during this stage.""Undertaking such a comprehensive search allows us to reassure the public that it is highly unlikely that a wallaby population has established in the area,” Meade said.“We appreciate the support the public has shown to keeping Te Anau wallaby-free.”The search will now be closed off unless further credible reports are received, she said.Wallabies are a pest because they can cause significant economic and environmental impacts as they eat grass, native shrubs and trees. They can damage pasture and fences, add to erosion issues and damage young tree seedlings.“We really want to thank the public for being alert about this threat and reporting. It would be devastating for a population of wallabies to establish in the region," Meade said.“We’d also like to thank the landowners who allowed us to search their properties and ask that they continue to be our eyes on the ground so we can respond rapidly to any incursion.”The Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme is working nationally to contain wallabies to the known core population areas, remove wallabies found outside them and over time to reduce wallaby numbers and the sizes of the areas they populate.CLICK HERE to report all sightings or signs of wallabies.

NoticesFiordland Trails Trust AGMMossburn Rugby Club AGMEventsHokonui Culture Feast

Milford Road OPENAvalanche Hazard LOWNo significant road delays envisaged from now until at least Monday. Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Cloudy, late showers.Tomorrow: Cloudy, a few showers.Sunday: Cloudy, a few showers.Monday: Occasional rain.Tuesday: Occasional rain.

Eight Southland businesses and groups, and one individual were honoured at the 28th Environment Southland Community Awards, held this evening (17 Oct) in Invercargill.The awards provide a platform for environmental leaders throughout Murihiku Southland to be celebrated and for their stories to be told.Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said he and his fellow councillors are proud to acknowledge and celebrate outstanding environmental achievements and the people driving them.“This is my seventeenth awards and I can’t help but reflect on the power of positive action.""Each year a new group of environmental leaders uplift, empower and encourage so many others to do more.""Their stories are amazing and inspiring, and their mahi benefits not only us, but those who come after us, too,” he said.Winners of the 2024 Environment Southland Community AwardsEnvironmental Action in Biodiversity and BiosecuritySponsored by Invercargill Licensing TrustWinner: Aparima River Restoration ProjectEnvironmental Leadership and Innovation in BusinessSponsored by Aon New ZealandWinner: Kiwi SkipsHighly commended: Fonterra EdendaleEnvironmental Action in the CommunitySponsored by WM EnvironmentalWinner: Otatara Landcare GroupHighly commended: Makarewa Headwaters Catchment GroupEnvironmental Action in EducationSponsored by FonterraWinner: Heddon Bush SchoolEnvironmental Leadership in FarmingSponsored by Wynn WilliamsWinner: Blair & Jody DrysdaleIndividual Environmental Leadership or ActionSponsored by ANZWinner: Shona SangsterEnvironmental Action in Water Quality ImprovementSponsored by Southland Fish & GameWinner: Balfour Catchment Group Councillors’ AwardThe Department of Conservation Pukunui Southern NZ Dotterel Recovery TeamKaitiaki Tohu Pai AwardWinner: Alan Watson (posthumous)Celebrated with, and presented to, his daughter Natalie Rosel for Alan’s tireless work with Sunrise Rotary to raise public awareness about what goes down stormwater drains ends up in our streams, rivers and estuaries.

From Auckland’s own Mustang Sally to Southland’s Mustang Stan, more than 300 Mustang lovers have been rolling and roaring into Invercargill in the past few days sporting an impressive line-up of 150 Mustangs from around the country.It’s the Southern Mustang Club’s turn to host the Annual National Mustang Convention – the 45th, and committee member Tony Forde says members from throughout Otago and Southland have been fundraising and preparing to stage the event for seven years.This year’s convention celebrates the 60th birthday of the Mustang, first produced in the United States by Ford in 1964. Forde says the first Mustang was seen in New Zealand the following year – 1965.SMC member and 2020 RTR Fastback owner, Donna, has her orange Mustang beauty all spruced up and ready for show. Photo: SuppliedHe says there’s been “quite a convoy” progressively making its way south down State Highway 1 and through Central Otago.And it’s not just the boys who like to get behind that full throttle. An Auckland woman has driven her black, 1000horsepower Mustang, dubbed ‘Evil’, south, just for the event, her car expected to be quite a drawcard. Forde says even 500horsepower is considered extremely powerful.While brand new, righthand drive Mustangs arrived in NZ in 2015, Forde says the “true believers” will be sporting their left-hand drive originals.It’s seven years since Southern club members hosted the event and they’re going all out with a massive Mustang Car Show at the ILT Stadium from 10am until 4pm on Saturday (19 October), which is open to the public for $10 entry.Ascot Park Hotel will host a social function tomorrow night (Friday, 18 October) and a 1960s-themed Mustang Party on Saturday night, before Sunday’s Mustang Car Run to Holt Park in Otautau for lunch followed by a few laps at Teretonga. Bill Richardson Transport World is hosting Sunday night’s Gala Dinner Prizegiving Night with judges awarding trophies and prizes across all classes and models throughout the 60 years with a People’s Choice vote going to the favourite car. Immaculate presentation will be key from convertibles to sedans.Forde says there will be a farewell breakfast on Monday before all 150 cars roll on out of town.With the club working towards staging this prestigious event since 2017, he says it’s a great thrill to have such a great turnout and to be able to show Mustang lovers from around the country some true southern hospitality.The club is very grateful for the strong support from sponsors and community funders, which has been a great help in staging the event.

On behalf of NZ Transport Agency, Highways South will be starting the renewal of two more stretches of state highway in northern Southland over the next few months:West of MossburnThe team are beginning reconstruction of a section of highway west of Mossburn township from October 21st for approximately 4-5 weeks.Temporary traffic lights will be in place between 6am and 8pm Monday – Saturday and a temporary speed limit will be in place throughout the 4-5 weeks. For those travelling to Milford/Doubtful Sound and Te Anau, please make sure you build enough time into your journeys to accommodate delays - approximately 15 minutes.Balfour The team will also be starting the reconstruction of a section of highway west of Balfour from about October 28th for approximately 2-3 weeks.Temporary traffic lights will be in place between 6am and 8pm Monday – Saturday and a temporary speed limit will be in place throughout the 2-3 weeks.Please allow extra time for your journey, we expect delays of approximately 10-15 minutes.The dates and timing of this work is subject to favourable weather and conditions.A notification on the NZ Transport Agency’s Journey planner and our Facebook page will give up to date information over the duration of the work.We appreciate your patience and tolerance for our crews while we improve the condition of state highway 94 in these areas.** Please note that the previously communicated closure of SH94 between Mossburn and Lumsden for work which is currently underway is no longer happening, the site will continue to run temporary traffic lights.