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Man dies after patient notes go missing at Southland Hospital
Man dies after patient notes go missing at Southland Hospital

04 November 2024, 1:25 AM

The Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner has found Te Whatu Ora Southern and a registrar breached a man's rights under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights, after he died of a brain haemorrhage.The man had an unwitnessed fall at his care home and was taken to Southland Hospital emergency department.A yellow envelope containing patient information was misplaced which meant that hospital staff who were treating the man were not aware that he was on anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners.The man had his initial observations taken by a registered nurse about six hours after his arrival at hospital. He was first seen by the registrar around nine hours after his arrival.The registrar noted it was usual practice for her to review the information in the yellow envelope but there was not one and the registrar did not order a CT scan because she was not aware he was on anticoagulants.The man was kept under observation and was discharged back to the care home the next day.He became increasingly ill and was taken back to Southland Hospital where a CT showed he had experienced an intracranial haemorrhage and he later died.Deborah James said Health NZ breached the Code by not providing services with reasonable care and skill."Health NZ did not have a clear or well understood process in place for ambulance staff to hand over the yellow envelope when there were no available beds in ED, resulting in the man's yellow envelope being misplaced," she said.She added that the man was not assessed for initial observations until around six hours after his arrival and that several clinicians had failed to identify he was on warfarin.James said those factors combined meant Health NZ did not provide the appropriate standard of care.She also noted that due to the man's age, fragility and because he had suffered a head injury, a CT scan should have been completed, regardless of whether or not he was on anticoagulants.James recommended both parties formally apologise to the man's family and that Health NZ standardise its process for yellow envelopes to cover when there are no beds available.Te Whatu Ora has since increased the number of nurses on at night shift and made sure there is always a medical imaging technologist on site to take scans.The registrar has also made a number of changes.Published by permission

Roadworks Update 4/11/24
Roadworks Update 4/11/24

03 November 2024, 7:44 PM

Below is a list of planned roadwork sites on Southland state highways this week where you may experience delays. Highways South work with temporary traffic lights and temporary speed limits:SH1 Gore St Bluff at the Shannon St intersection, lane shift, access/turning restrictions for digoutsSH1 Bluff highway at Nichol St, traffic lights for digoutsSH1 Gore-Mataura highway between Cardigan Bay Road and Charlton Siding Road, traffic lights for drainageSH6 North Road near West Plains Road (northbound), lane drop for digoutsSH6 Winton-Lorneville highway south of North Makarewa-Grove Bush Road, traffic lights for pavement repairsSH6 Winton-Lorneville highway north of North Makarewa-Grove Bush Road, traffic lights for pavement repairsSH6, Limehills, traffic lights for pavement renewal (last week)SH6 Jollies hill, stop/go for digoutsSH94 west of Mossburn, traffic lights for pavement repairs SH96 Winton-Wreys Bush highway near Drummond Oreti Road, traffic lights for pavement repairsSH96 Winton-Wreys Bush highway between Transmission Line Road and Otautau Wreys Bush Road, traffic lights for pavement repairsSH98 Lorne Dacre Road - Dacre end, traffic lights for digoutsThird party work and events with traffic management in place this week:SH1 Bluff highway at Appleby, lane closed for replacement of sumpSH1 Clyde St Invercargill, lane drop for watermains workSH1 Clyde St Invercargill, lane drop for replacement of pipeSH1 Dacre, stop/go for tree trimmingSH6 Dee St Invercargill inner city, lane drop for power pole maintenanceSH6 Dee St at the Esk St intersection, lane drop and Esk St access closure (nightworks) for trenchingSH6 Dee St at Leet St, lane drop for trenchingSH6 Winton, road closure for Tour of Southland (see info above)SH6 Dipton-Winton highway, stop/go for trenchingSH6 Diana St Lumsden, road closure for Tour of Southland (see info above)SH94 Hokonui Drive Gore, road closure for Tour of Southland (see info above)SH95 Manapouri-Te Anau highway, stop/go for tree fellingSH99 Riverton, stop/go for hedge trimmingSH99 Orepuki-Riverton highway, stop/go for seal wideningSH99 Orepuki-Riverton highway, stop/go for power pole replacementSH99 Colac bay, stop/go for vehicle crossingPlease 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 November – SH94 west of Balfour, pavement renewal Mid November – SH6 Winton, northbound closure for eventLate November, SH99 Lorneville overbridge, pavement renewalJanuary/February – SH1/SH6 inner city Invercargill asphalt renewalJanuary – SH6 Jollies hill, pavement renewalJanuary – SH96 Glencoe, pavement renewalFebruary – SH1 Bluff highway, pavement renewalFebruary – SH99 Tuatapere, 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.

Young Aussie claims early lead in SBS Bank Tour of Southland
Young Aussie claims early lead in SBS Bank Tour of Southland

03 November 2024, 6:02 AM

Ten days ago young Australian Nate Hadden didn’t even know he was going to be riding in the SBS Bank Tour of Southland, but he’ll start the first open road stage of this year’s race in the orange jersey.Hadden answered a late call up from team mate Kiaan Watts into the PowerNet team and he’s pleased he did after a third-placed finish in the stage one street race around Invercargill’s Queens Park was enough to give him a slim lead in both the general classification and under 23 categories.Riders make their way around the first corner during a frenetic opening 42km street race around Invercargill's Queens Park. Photo: Supplied“It’s my first time here, I’ve heard lots about the tour and how great it is, so it’s a privilege to be here and to be in the lead,” Hadden said.“We had high hopes for the (team time trial) this morning, but just missed out so we came in with lots of confidence that we could do well in the crit and we executed well.”Dunedin’s James Gardner (Creation Signs-MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project) claimed stage one honours for the second time in two years, the big under 23 rider getting into the decisive break alongside Hadden and second-placed Samuel Jenner (Central Benchmakers-Willbike) midway through the 10 lap stage.Earlier, the pace was set by New Zealand endurance rider Tom Sexton (Macaulay Ford-GoodTech) in front of his home Invercargill crowd, alongside Timaru’s James Wilson.Once Sexton had secured the early sprint points on offer, the race powered its way to the finish, with the breakaway trio of Gardner, Jenner and Hadden doing well to hold a 20sec almost all the way to the finish line.“I saw two guys go up the road and I knew they’d be quite dangerous, so I jumped across as quickly as possible and fortunately we made it to the line,” Hadden, who is in the early stages of his professional career in Europe, said.SBS Bank Tour of Southland leader after day one, Nate Hadden, of Australia. Photo: Supplied“There's a lot of racing to come and some hard stages, definitely, the tour is only young so we’ll see what we can do.”Creation Signs-MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project, with 2022 winner Josh Burnett in the lineup, put the peloton on notice early with a strong ride in the prologue team time trial, finishing six seconds clear of PowerNet, with Transport Engineering Southland-Deep South third.Gardner did not finish with the top four riders from his team, otherwise he would have been able to add the orange and pink jerseys to the wardrobe ahead of tomorrow’s 166km stage two from Invercargill to Lumsden.Glenn Haden (Couplands-Cycling Tom) leads the over 35 classification, which has been dedicated to the late Ken Lasenby.

Health NZ to bolster non-surgical cancer services in southern districts
Health NZ to bolster non-surgical cancer services in southern districts

02 November 2024, 12:57 AM

Health New Zealand is continuing to bolster its specialist capacity for non-surgical cancer services in the southern districts.The agency said two new radiation oncologists and a medical oncologist have been appointed in the last year, with a radiation oncologist relocating from South Africa in the next few weeks.Two further radiation oncologists are also due to join Dunedin Hospital next year.Health NZ Southern acting group director of operations Craig Ashton said the recent additions would continue to improve the delivery of cancer services for the southern population.The news comes less than a week after cancer advocate Melissa Vining slammed the wait times faced by Southland cancer patients.The cancer care advocate made the revelation to Susie Ferguson on Saturday Morning in October while describing the almost weekly correspondence she has with patients facing longer than expected wait times to cancer diagnostic services at Southern District Health Board, now Te Whatu Ora Southern.Vining said patients who contacted her were being told they will be seen within six to eight weeks by a specialist after receiving a cancer diagnosis, compared to the nationally recommended target of four."People's disease progresses, and in some cases, people die before they get seen by the medical oncologist," she said.Her husband Blair, 39, died in October 2019 of bowel cancer after receiving his diagnosis - and a letter of his own which said he would have to wait 12 weeks to see an oncologist, when he was given even less time to live.Ashton said work was under way with Te Aho o Te Kahu | The Cancer Control Agency to implement the government's increased access to cancer medicines.The first new medicines were released in October, with further new treatments made available on 1 November.Cancer services across the motu were currently actively recruiting additional staff to support this change, he said.NZ oncologist appointed director for Union for International Cancer ControlLocal oncologist Professor Chris Jackson has been selected as a board director for the Union for International Cancer Control.He becomes the first New Zealand-based clinician to be nominated or selected for the UICC - he has also been appointed as the co-lead for cancer on Health New Zealand's National Clinical Network."It's a huge honour to have been elected to the board of directors of the UICC, which will help us connect better with cancer leaders worldwide, learn from other countries, and share some of the things that we do well," Professor Jackson said."The newly formed National Clinical Network is a fantastic opportunity to help improve the quality of cancer care, and work towards our goal of better, faster cancer care, closer to home."The disestablishment of district health boards has presented us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get rid of the postcode lottery of cancer care. I can't wait to get stuck in." Jackson said.Published by permission

Southlands most beautiful garden and premier fete!
Southlands most beautiful garden and premier fete!

01 November 2024, 11:00 PM

Boutique-style shopping in the stunning garden setting of the Hideaway 201 is what the popular Southern Artisan Christmas Fête is all about.‘Come and make a day of it’ says event organiser Jane Gilchrist - ‘there will be an amazing array of quality artisan stallholders in a fabulous garden setting so it’s a fantastic day out’.CLICK HERE TO WIN DOUBLE TICKETS (AND A GOURMET LUNCHBOX) TO THIS YEAR'S CHRISTMAS FETEThis year marks the 16th anniversary of the annual fete, an event which attracts visitors from far and wide each year.Mrs Gilchrist said shoppers told her what they enjoyed most about the event was the great atmosphere within the garden, exciting new stalls, supporting local businesses, the opportunity to spend time with friends and to find something different for Christmas presents.There will be more than 160 gorgeous stallholders at the Southern Artisan Christmas Fete this year, including 20 new exhibitors showcasing womens and childrens clothing & accessories, art, jewellery, home accessories & decor, skincare, plants and garden furniture and more.There will also be a selection of food stalls selling tasty morsels to eat on the day, such as burgers, paella, cupcakes, steamed buns & dumplings, butter chicken, woodfired pizza, fried chicken skewers, Hungarian fried bread with delicious toppings, and cakes, slices and truffles along with Pimms, local gin and whiskey, port, coffee, smoothies & iced tea.CLICK HERE TO WIN DOUBLE TICKETS (AND A GOURMET LUNCHBOX) TO THIS YEAR'S CHRISTMAS FETEStallholders will also be able to buy gourmet food treats to take home such as pesto, biltong, pickles, honey, whiskey, seasonings & rubs, cheese, chocolate, muesli and fresh flowers.The Hideaway restaurant and bar will be open on-site for lunch, cocktails and coffee.While shopping or indulging in some tasty treats, visitors will be able to enjoy listening to live music provided by Little Egypt so come along and soak it all in!Breastfeeding Support Southland will have a mothers' tent available for changing and feeding little ones or as a place to have a bit of down time on a busy day.The Southern Artisan Christmas Fete supports Southland community group fundraising efforts each year.CLICK HERE TO WIN DOUBLE TICKETS (AND A GOURMET LUNCHBOX) TO THIS YEAR'S CHRISTMAS FETEThis year the fete is supporting the Winton Lions Club, Hospice Southland and Ronald McDonald House South Island.With boutique, NZ made quality gifts, live music, and delicious artisan food all set in the heart of rural Southland, the Southern Artisan Christmas Fete is the perfect way start to your Christmas shopping or just enjoy a day out in the country.Southern Artisan Christmas Fête, The Hideaway 201, Saturday, November 23rd 2024, 10am-4pm.$50 pre-purchased gourmet lunch box tickets with a glass of bubbles or $20 gate entry on the day, cash only.www.southernfete.co.nzContact Jane at [email protected] or 021 355850

From Statues to Stadiums: Celebrating Invercargill and ILT’s journey
From Statues to Stadiums: Celebrating Invercargill and ILT’s journey

31 October 2024, 11:28 PM

ILT has a rich history of supporting Invercargill’s growth and vibrancy, starting back in 1956. That was the year we gifted the beloved Peter Pan statue to Queens Park for the city’s centennial and made our first big splash into community funding with the Conon Street learners’ pool.By 1969, we were planning to unveil the fountain at the Feldwick Gates for ILT’s 25th birthday… but things didn’t go to plan and delays meant it wasn’t completed until closer to our 30th anniversary. Oops!Fast forward to the 2000s, and our support for community facilities really gained momentum. One of the key facilities was ILT Stadium Southland, this was originally opened in 2000, but as many of you know, it required a rebuild in 2014. The redeveloped stadium was a community effort, and we were thrilled to play a part in it. We continue to support this wonderful venue that serves as a buzzing hub for sports and a versatile space for events.In 2004, the Velodrome was a welcome addition to this facility, it has been a driving force behind Southland’s cycling success.That same year, Splash Palace opened its door, and whether you’ve taken a dip or just cheered someone on from the sidelines, it’s become a community staple. More recently, our funding has helped support the Learn to Swim programme, with 40,113 pool admissions in the past financial year. That’s a lot of little people gaining essential water safety skills.But it’s not just about sports. We’ve had the honour of contributing towards the grand Civic Theatre renovation, the SIT Zero Fees Scheme and the Murihiku Marae redevelopment.We’ve even gifted a pub so it could be turned into a lifesaving hospital! Like so many other supporters, we’re looking forward to the Southland Charity Hospital opening its doors. This isn’t the first time we’ve repurposed one of our buildings for a good cause – Enrich@ILT, the one-day school we solely fund, is flourishing at the old Elmwood Gardens site.As a group, we’ve been fortunate to support several key community projects set to be completed over the coming years.We’ve contributed $1 million towards Te Unua Museum of Southland, which will be a tremendous asset for our community. The Grace Street Project is another exciting initiative that has received $500,000 in funding for an all-weather community space in South Invercargill.Additionally, we’ve provided close to $1 million to the Hawthorndale Care Village, which is on track to open next year. This facility will have a lasting, positive impact on those in our community affected by dementia.Community is at the heart of everything we do but none of this would be possible without your support, and for that, we’re incredibly grateful. Together, we’re building a vibrant Invercargill!Published by arrangement

Mayor at odds with council over Bluff wastewater changes
Mayor at odds with council over Bluff wastewater changes

31 October 2024, 4:27 AM

Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark says he would rather operate Bluff’s wastewater network on an expired consent than “gallop ahead” of water reforms.The comments were made at a council meeting this week where the small town’s impending wastewater changes were discussed.Treated discharge is currently released into Foveaux Strait through an outfall pipe, but the consent for that operation expires in December 2025.Moving forward, the preferred option is to continue discharging into the sea with an additional step of passing waste through a wetland.Clark has been a dissident voice during discussions about the consent, and this week issued a warning about moving too quickly.“It is my intention that we should not be galloping ahead of advice that's coming from the water regulator (Taumata Arowai) in March next year,” Clark said.“I think it would be reckless for us to jump ahead.”Clark claimed there were about 50 plants around the country operating on expiring consents, and said it was “not the end of the world” to do so.Council chief executive Michael Day warned the council against delaying decision on committee recommendations beyond November because doing so would leave the council in a race against time.Operating the plant outside of consent would be unprecedented, he said.Council group manager infrastructure Erin Moogan said she had been in contact with Te Mata Arowai and the Department of Internal Affairs, and although new standards were expected to be released in March, they would likely not be finalised until August next year.Deputy mayor Tom Campbell and councillor Lesley Soper both expressed a desire for the wastewater issue to be discussed further in November.Clark was agreeable to that, but said he wanted to make it clear a decision would not be made next month.Changes to the way wastewater is delivered into Foveaux Strait have been backed by the Bluff Community Board, Te Ao Marama and Te Rūnaka o Awarua. In an October 7 letter penned by the rūnaka to the council, manager Gail Thompson wrote that discussions had reaffirmed a preference for discharge onto land instead of the ocean.However, with the cost of doing so being outside budget, the rūnaka backed the working group’s recommendation of discharging to the ocean via a wetland.The rūnaka's support was dependent on several conditions, including a feasibility assessment, compliance assurance, assessment on the state of mahinga kai/kaimoana at Ocean Beach and extending the 50 metre discharge pipe.The whole-of-life cost for the wetland option has been listed at more than $15 million.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Giant transformer set to regain Manapouri's electricity capacity
Giant transformer set to regain Manapouri's electricity capacity

30 October 2024, 9:55 PM

A giant 104-tonne electrical transformer, imported from Australia and transported across Southland, is set to help regain some of Meridian Manapōuri Power Station's lost capacity.The 55-year-old Manapōuri Power Station, the largest hydroelectric station in New Zealand, has been operating at reduced capacity for around two years after faults were discovered in two of its seven transformers.The 135 MVA transformer was unloaded from a ship in Bluff before making the 170km journey overland to Supply Bay in Manapōuri.Meridian staff delicately reverse the 104-tonne transformer down 2km of tunnel to the Manapōuri power station's machine hall. Photo: SuppliedFrom there it was transferred to a barge - the first time Meridian has moved a load of this weight by barge - before completing its journey across Lake Manapōuri to the station.A Meridian spokesperson said the aquation of a higher load capacity barge meant Lake Manapōuri, instead of Doubtful Sound and Wilmont Pass, could now be used for heavy loads.Once docked at West Arm, the transformer was delicately reversed down a two-kilometre road access tunnel into the underground power station's cavernous machine hall.Meridian acting GM Generation Yanosh Irani said the operation had required plenty of early starts and late finishes.“This has been months of work, planning, and coordination, and the specialist skills on display have been amazing - Meisters for barge operations, Move Logistics for transportation from Bluff to Supply Bay and then again at West Arm, and E-Type for fabricating and installing two unloading wedges for the delivery.""A real – and world class – team effort,” he said.“We saw this winter just how important every single megawatt is, so this transformer has landed at a brilliant time.”The new transformer is maneuvered into position in the power station machine room. Photo: Supplied“Getting our biggest power station closer to full capacity will boost security of electricity supply next winter and, in the meantime, give us the ability to ease off generation in the Waitaki to help restore storage levels in Lake Pūkaki,” Irani said.The new transformer will increase generation capacity at Manapōuri from the current restricted limit of 640 MW to around 768 MW – close to the maximum 800 MW allowed under its consent conditions.Work to commission it is expected to be completed by Christmas, and the second replacement transformer (along with a spare) is due to arrive in late 2025.

Crosbie prepares for Circuit of the Americas Challenge
Crosbie prepares for Circuit of the Americas Challenge

30 October 2024, 4:13 AM

Invercargill racing driver Alex Crosbie was more interested than most while watching television coverage of the recent Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. That is because the 17-year-old Southlander will be racing at the iconic venue himself from 31 October until 3 November as he contests the final round of the F4 US Championship. There is little doubt that Crosbie is one of the fastest drivers in the series. After a difficult start at the opening round at Road America in Wisconsin in May he had fought back to be third in the championship, just two points off second place heading into the penultimate round at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park two months ago. However, at that round he did not start the first race after an engine failure which cost him dearly and consequently, he arrives at the final round fourth in the championship standings albeit just 6 ½ points behind American Connor Roberts. Crosbie has taken one win and five podiums in his ten race starts in the championship to date. There has been a two-month break since the last round so Crosbie has done some laps in his Tatuus FT-50 chassis at his home circuit Teretonga Park in New Zealand as well as some at Hampton Downs in a current FT-60 chassis to ensure he is race ready for the weekend. “I’m excited to get back in the car,” he said before travelling back to the States. “I have done some simulator work preparing for the track and COTA has a different feeling from all the other tracks. Being a Formula 1 circuit it has so much more room than the other circuits. It is a cool track and it will be tough learning it. There are so many corners, about twenty, but it will be fun to learn it.” “My goal is to get on the podium and take wins. It would be ideal to pull some more points back after our last outing,” says Alex. Australian’s Nicholas Stati and Daniel Quimby are first and second in the championship with Roberts and Crosbie third and fourth. Testing is available to competitors on Wednesday 30 October with two practice sessions followed by qualifying and the first race on Thursday 31 October. Race 2 is on Friday with Race 3 on Saturday. All F4 US Championship races are thirty minutes long. Alex competes in the F4 US Championship with Crosslink / Kiwi Motorsport and his American campaign is supported by Golden Homes in the Southern Lakes. He acknowledges the support of his parents for his racing and appreciates all those watching and supporting his efforts back home in New Zealand during his campaign.SCHEDULE - F4 US CHAMPIONSHIP16-19 May 2024: Road America, Plymouth, Wisconsin20-23 June 2024: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio25-28 July 2024: New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville, New Jersey29 August–1 September 2024: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Bowmanville, Ontario31 October-3 November 2024: Circuit Of The Americas, Austin, Texas

Council sets flag flying rules after rise in requests
Council sets flag flying rules after rise in requests

30 October 2024, 4:11 AM

An increase in requests to fly flags at Invercargill City Council has led to a new policy detailing rules and protocols.But its creation raised concern with the deputy mayor, who says flying some international flags could be contentious.On Tuesday, councillors discussed the new policy which clarifies which flags can be flown on council poles as well as giving guidance for things like raising and lowering.It follows a number of requests from communities to fly the flags of their home country on national days.The policy determined only flags belonging to countries recognised by New Zealand as sovereign states could be flown.Deputy mayor Tom Campbell expressed concern the policy could open the door for displaying flags which were politically contentious.“I have doubts about flying flags on national days of countries that are recognised,” he said.“The problem is, for me, there's 195 countries in the world, all of which have national days."“How do we feel about the flag of Russia being flown? The flag of Israel being flown at the moment?”Councillor Allan Arnold shared those concerns, saying the only time an overseas flag should be flown was when a government minister was visiting from that country.Mayor Nobby Clark pointed out the policy allowed the chief executive to make a final decision on whether a flag would be flown, while council manager governance and legal Michael Morris said the policy was worded in such a way that it gave options.The new policy — a 10 page document — was ultimately adopted.Included in its instructions were that no flag could fly higher than New Zealand’s, and should that flag be half-masted, all others must be removed.For flags to be flown at half-mast on council and government-related buildings, direction needed to be given by the chief executive of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, the policy said.However, a flag could be flown at half-mast if directed by the council’s chief executive, so long as it was a council flag.A flag being brought to half-mast first needed to be taken to the top of the pole first, then slowly lowered.The council has two flags: one displaying its coat of arms and the other its logo.The policy also covered the organisation's coat of arms and emblems.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Over 1500 anglers compete in Te Anau Fishing Competition
Over 1500 anglers compete in Te Anau Fishing Competition

30 October 2024, 12:00 AM

A wild weather forecast couldn't put off over 1500 keen anglers - mainly from Otago and Southland - turning out for this year's annual Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, held at Labour weekend (26-27 Oct).Now in its 17th year, the Te Anau based event is reputed to have the biggest prize pool of any fishing competition in New Zealand, with this year's top prize being a Stabicraft 1850 Fisher with a 115hp Yamaha outboard package - valued at over $90,000.The fishing competition is run over Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri, as well as the Upper Waiau River.Lance Gill with his 65.5cm winning 'fish for length'. Photo: Glory PhotoCompetition organiser Don McFarlane said he was pretty happy with the weekend and especially rapt with the weather and turned out on Sunday."It was a good crowd and everybody was pretty happy."McFarlane said while entries were down, the actual fish caught was on a par with last year.The catch and release app was also getting better and better with more people using it all the time, he said.One of the surprise moments was when both mother (Donna Kelly) and daughter (Lauren James) were called to the stage for the major prize draw, he said.Kelly, from Waianiwa, went on to win the $90,000 boat package.Major prize winner Donna Kelly with her daughter Lauren James. Photo: Wade ParkinsonFish and Game's Bill Jarvie said the high point for him had been the Take a Kid Fishing event at McGregors Pond, with kids rugging up, keeping on fishing and enjoying themselves.This was despite fears for the junior competition earlier in the week, after flood waters from a swollen Whitestone River had back-flowed into the pond, potentially providing an escape route for some of the 600 newly released salmon, he said."As it turned out, fish were getting caught and then caught quite regularly through the first three quarters of the day."Jarvie said that over the 17-years the competition had been going he hadn't seen any reduction in lake fish numbers."I think it's an important factor that New Zealanders - Kiwis - can get out and get some sustainably sourced food from the wild""The quality of the fish is just superb for down here [and] the condition is great," he said.Max Cracknell and Nellie Lawson with their catch at McGregors Pond. Photo: Bill JarvieMcFarlane said they were now working towards the competition's 20-year milestone and hoped it might include an even bigger major prize."There's a bit of an attraction now to get to the [twenty] years so Stocky and I [are] both pretty keen to hang in there.""We've said we're retiring after the 20 years. We'll see what happens," McFarlane said.McFarlane, along with fellow locals Stephen (Stocky) Stock and Te Anau Events manager Shevaun Taberner are the only members of the original fishing committee still involved in the competition.2024 Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic ResultsTotal entries for both 2024 competitions1569 (1758 last year).Entries into the Stabicraft 2024 Te Anau Manapouri Fishing ClassicMen: 905 (1090 last year)Female: 307 (381 last year)Junior: 138 (153 last year)Child: 228 (297 last year)Total 1426 (1578 last year)Total fish weighed in – 760 (867 last year)516 entrants registered their catch on the Catch & Release AppEntries into the 2024 Cruise Milford Take a Kid Fishing competitionTotal: 143 (180 last year)Total fish weighed in at McGregor Pond - 57 (32 last year)Total Number of Fish weighed in:Te Anau 557Manapouri 117Upper Waiau 86Main comp total 760McGregor Pond 57Anglers were from:Overseas 6North Island 18Westland 2Canterbury/Nelson 23Otago 599Southland 673Fiordland 248Competition ResultsCruise Milford Take a Kid Fishing competitionRanked in order of condition factor (a formula of weight & length)BEST CONDITION FACTOR FISH CAUGHT AT MCGREGOR POND1st Lochie Young2nd Austin Moynihan3rd Harry Fletcher4th Ernie Haugh5th Sefton Kinsey6th Max O’Sullivan7th Max Moynihan8th Finlay Kincaid9th Marcel Brun10th Kayla HendersonKids Colouring Competition4 & Under: Izzy Hunter (3)5 – 7 years: Violet Moore (7)8 & Over: Ana Hodson (9)Furthest travelled was Charles HayHeaviest Perch – Gary Buchanan (1.170)Heaviest Salmon – no salmon caught this yearCatch & Release App results(longest fish entered via App)Child1st: Clare Wilson (55.5cm)2nd: George Borges (53cm)Junior1st: Radek King (64cm)2nd: Mali Vivian (60cm)Female1st: Catharina Jefferson (58cm)2nd: Jeanette MacDonald (57.5cm)Male1st: Lance Gill (65.5cm)2nd: Ethan McPherson (61.5cm)Weigh in winnersRanking is by condition factor (a formula of fish weight & length) – NOT by heaviest fish.Child Lake1st: Elsie Gray (44.11)2nd: Sophie Mitchell (40.47 CF)3rd: Wren Wallis (40.23 CF)Men1st: Cody Molloy (41.04CF)2nd: Seth Affleck (40.52CF)3rd: Amelia McKay (40.46CF)Women1st: Nihara Huck (43.75CF)2nd: Leanne Sutherland (42.97CF)3rd: Marion Dawson (41.43CF)Junior1st: Greg Cockburn (48.39CF)2nd: Quinton Jones (48.03CF)3rd: Kieran Anderson (45.43CF)Shoot Out5 names are drawn out of the barrel from the adults that weighed in a fish5th Bryce Fieten4th Lauren James3rd Peter Hogg2nd Myah Popham1st and winner of the Stabicraft Boat Winner: Donna Kelly from Waianiwa

Former teammates go head-to-head in SBS Bank Tour of Southland
Former teammates go head-to-head in SBS Bank Tour of Southland

29 October 2024, 6:29 PM

Two-time national road champion James Fouche and home town hero Josh Burnett shape as the pre-race favourites for the 68th edition of the SBS Bank Tour of Southland.First contested in 1956, New Zealand’s most enduring multi-stage cycle race gets underway on Sunday, November 3 and concludes back in Invercargill’s Gala St six days later.Fouche, 26, who rides for Spanish UCI Pro Team Euskaltel–Euskadi, and 24-year-old Josh Burnett, who starts a two-year deal with Spanish Pro Continental team Burgos BH this summer, will line up for Central Benchmakers-Willbike and Creation Signs-MitoQ-NZ Cycling project, respectively.Both were formerly members of the now-defunct Black Spoke team, with Burnett launching himself onto the national stage when he became the first local since Doug Bath in 1994 to win the Southland tour in 2022.Burnett is excited to be back racing his home event after conflicting commitments meant he was a spectator last year.“My first tour no one really knew who I was, the second one I was being marked, but this one I know I’ll be fully marked and the expectations will be on our team. It’s something we’ve talked about a lot already and we know what we are going to have to do,” he said.“It definitely changes how we are going to race, but we’ve got a team which is built to race that way so I think we should be ready for it.”A key aspect of this year’s race is the extension of the gruelling fourth stage, which has had its Remarkables hill climb extended to 10km, with a section of gravel to finish.For Burnett, who won the Gravel and Tar UCI event last summer, going uphill and going offroad does not faze him.“It fits me really well. We’ve been up there and checked it out and it’s a long way up there. I think it’s definitely going to shock some people about how hard that climb is. I’ve got my eyes open and I’m very aware of how hard it is.“You’ve got to be a bit more mindful about where to use your energy. It’s definitely trickier than a climb like Bluff which is relatively short and you can go full gas. You’ve got to monitor and pace yourself a bit more on a climb like the Remarkables.”Race director Glen Thomson is excited to see how the peloton copes with the extended climb, which is a full 4km longer than last year.“I feel like the riders are ready for it. This race is dictated by the environment and we haven’t seen that (weather) in the last couple of years so stretching a bit deeper into that climb and hopefully we do get some more wind to mix it up as well. Fingers crossed we’ll get some roaring southerlies,” he said.“It’s going to be awesome to have Josh Burnett racing and on a rival team to him, is James Fouche who this race really suits because he’s a terror for always wanting to get down the road, he’s just an attacking rider. Fortune favours the brave in this race.”This year’s race sees a return of the Japanese national endurance team, this time with a full six-rider contingent. They recently raced for bronze in the team pursuit at the world track championships and continue to make massive improvements under legendary Swiss cyclist Daniel Gisiger.In a nod to the past, the Japanese team and C Brown Builders-Olphert Contracting will be based in the central Southland township of Winton, the base from which tour legends Brian Fowler and Graeme Miller once launched successful campaigns.This year’s race will also remember one of the great characters of New Zealand cycling, Ken “Laz” Lasenby, from Timaru.Lasenby passed away earlier this year and his Geraldine Cheese employers have opted to sponsor the Over 35 category and feature his face on the jersey.“I think it was going to be Laz’s 25th tour in a row, and he’d ridden the tour back in ‘68 I believe,” Thomson said.“To give Laz a lap around Southland is special. He was always out there to help everyone, he wasn’t ruthlessly worried about who was going to win all the time.”CLICK HERE for more information on the 2024 SBS Bank Tour of Southland.

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