A 40-year old kauri tree, reportedly rescued nearly 4 decades ago from Gore dump, has been relocated to Dolamore Park. Gore District Council staff and contractors removed the kauri, a species rarely found in the South Island, from a vacant section in Broughton Street using an excavator. The section will be developed into a stormwater infiltration basin as part of the town’s Elizabeth Street pipeline renewal project. 3 Waters project engineer Aaron Green said it was believed the kauri had been thrown out by a nursery 38 years ago. “We’ve been told Crosbie and Candice Grieve rescued it and planted it in their section, where it has remained until today.” The council sought specialist advice about the best option for the kauri. “We wanted to know if we could save the kauri given the threat the species is facing from kauri dieback in the North Island.”“It’s also listed on our District Plan’s significant tree register as a ‘rare specimen in Southland worthy of protection’,” says Green.Parks Manager Keith McRobie said the trickiest part of the operation was delicately lying the tree on the flat deck without damaging it. The tree's removal started with an excavator digging a circle outside its dripline – the area under the outer circumference of the branches. Two excavators and a hi-ab were then employed to scoop up the kauri and place it on the transporter. “We wrapped carpet around part of the trunk to protect the tree’s soft bark.”McRobie acknowledged the outstanding skills of the digger operators who had to work in unison to ensure the tree was safely lifted out of the ground and delivered to its new home. Kauri are normally found in the much warmer, temperate climate of Northland. The fact this kauri has survived Gore’s winter temperatures was a testament to the hardiness of the species outside its natural range, says McRobie.  “We have relocated it to a more sheltered spot among native plants, which should allow it to flourish,” he says. 

Invercargill has exceeded the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality for the first time in 2022, since Environment Southland (ES) winter monitoring began two months ago.  This Monday, the Pomona Street monitoring site recorded a 24-hour average PM10 concentration of 53 micrograms/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre of air), just over the standards’ threshold of 50 micrograms/m3. Environment Southland air quality scientist Owen West said readings for Invercargill had been increasing over the last two months. “With readings above the threshold or even just below, the smell of smoke can be really obvious and also quite visible.”“For many people, this makes the simple task of breathing more difficult, especially for those who are more susceptible to health complications, such as children, the elderly and others with respiratory conditions.” West says keeping the fire burning hot and bright, burning only dry wood, not banking your fire overnight and ensuring the chimney is swept and the burner maintained will all help reduce the volume of smoke, and is a big step to cleaner air this winter.  “Last winter, Southland made fantastic progress with Invercargill and Gore having their best air quality results on record over the winter period.” The Regional Air Plan includes rules to help improve air quality. Non-compliant burners are being progressively phased out. As of January 2022, any burner in Invercargill and Gore that was installed before 1 January 2001 must now be replaced by a compliant burner. Environment Southland operates a Good Wood approved suppliers scheme which firewood retailers voluntarily agree to be part of, details of which can be found online. For further information on what else you can do to improve air quality, go to www.BreatheEasySouthland.co.nz

Bluff will be buzzing this weekend with a series of community events to be held in town.The annual St John’s book sale will be held over the weekend, while Saturday will see an open day at the Bluff RSA, and Sunday a car boot sale at the Bluff Oyster Festival site. All members of the Bluff and Southland community are encouraged to visit the RSA for their open day, to learn about the organisation and some of their recent projects.These include a new bar leaner which displays memorabilia donated by family members of Bluff military personnel.Peter ‘Robbo’ Robertson of the Bluff RSA says the project was popular with the community.“Sixty-nine items were donated. They have been mounted on a macrocarpa top and covered in Doming, a resin that sets as clear glass. It is a real mix of military memorabilia and a wonderful tribute to those from Bluff who served.”Robertson will also speak on the RSA’s rediscovery and recovery of the McKenzie flagpole from Bluff Hill. The flagpole was erected on Bluff Hill by Alexander McKenzie, after his sons George and Ian were killed on the same day in World War 1, at the Battle of The Somme in France during September 1916. The flagpole was sited where the boys’ mother, Beatrice, would be able to see it from the kitchen window of the family home. However, the flagpole had not been sighted for approximately 50 years a search team was required to locate it. Upon it being rediscovered in November last year, it was taken from the hill and brought to the Te Rau Aroha Marae.Visitors can also visit the RSA museum – which includes items from the Boer War to the Vietnam War – and hear about future plans for the museum area. The St Johns Book Sale will be held at the Bluff Town Hall over the weekend, with fiction and non-fiction books available, as well as jigsaws, DVDs and videos. All proceeds from the sale go to St Johns Bluff.The car boot sale on Sunday, held at the Bluff Oyster Festival grounds on Barrow Steet, hopes to attract a wide range of items, including local produce, new and vintage clothes and artwork.Food will also be available on site. 

One lucky Tuatapere Lotto player scooped $21,677 last night when they won second division.The winning ticket was purchased from Tuatapere Four Square.There were seven other Lotto second division winners.

The Southland Conservation Board (SCB) warnings of a looming major ecosystem collapse if urgent action is not taken to control feral deer populations in Southland and particularly on Rakiura/Stewart Island.SCB chairperson Shona Sangster said that while deer presented a serious issue throughout Fiordland and Murihiku, the board was particularly concerned about the impact on Rakiura, where deer were destroying the understory of some of the most precious forest areas."It is having significantly negative implications for biodiversity, for carbon sequestration and the forest health in general,” she said.“The damage the deer are doing is especially clear when you compare mainland Rakiura with Ulva Island. We have heard many observations regarding the pristine state of the forest on Ulva and the amount of shrubs and ferns below the canopy when compared with the likes of the Rakiura track,” Sangster said.“We are very strongly advocating that action be taken around deer on Rakiura, in particular, but also in the wider Murihiku region, as soon as possible to avoid further depletion of the forest health and what could ultimately lead to major ecosystem collapse.”The SCB is hoping some of the government's budgeted $30million, allocated to deer and goat control over the next 4 years, will be spent in the south where the impact of deer could be devastating if not managed effectively.“Quite simply, a lot of this money allocated to deer control needs to make its way south – Rakiura is in desperate need of deer control measures and the sooner this is actioned, the better,” Sangster said.The SCB also held concerns about the Crown’s Te Tiriti obligation to protect indigenous biodiversity and our taonga species.“The lack of management of deer and other introduced species to Rakiura is a breach of these obligations and the Board, along with Ngāi Tahu, is very concerned about the mauri of Rakiura being lost to introduced species,” Sangster said.The SCB advocates for control of deer rather than eradication, and promotes a collaborative effort to manage the situation – for the benefit of both the forest health, and hunters.Western Southland Deerstalkers spokesman Lindsay Youngman said he was surprised to hear there was such a deer problem on Rakiura/Stewart Island as the island's blocks were very popular with hunters.However he admitted that in his 45-year hunting career, there had never been more deer in New Zealand than there were today.Youngman said while hunting was still as popular as ever, hunters were tending to just shoot one instead of trying to shoot as many as they could, because there was now no market for wild venison.He said it was noticeable that helicopter harvesting operations had also ceased.Youngman also said hunters reluctance to target hinds was contributing to the population problem.Actively shooting hinds would not only reduce overall numbers, but would also promote a much more active roar session for hunters, he said.

Southland farmer Murray Donald is to co-chair the Agri-Women's Development Trust (AWDT).The AWDT was set up to provide skills and support to woman, so they can accelerate change and progress within the primary sector and their rural communities.From just 11 participants in 2010, the AWDT programmes now caters for up to 1,000 participants per year.Graduates are not only increasing their own farm sustainability, productivity and profitability, and leading regional initiatives, but also contributing within governance roles, AWDT said.Donald has had a long association with the AWDT as well as holding lead governance positions with Alliance Group, Farmlands, Southern Institute of Technology and Mt Linton Station.He will co-chair the AWDT with fellow trustee Keri Johnston.CLICK HERE to learn more about the Agri-Women's Development Trust.

Environment Southland (ES) councillors officially adopted their 2022/23 Annual Plan today, including sticking to a promised 5% average rates increase. The council says they have decided to honour their commitment to comparatively small rates increase from last year’s Long-term Plan, in spite of increasing financial pressures.Last year’s Annual Plan saw a 20% increase, toted as a one-off reset to balance the budget and undertake the increasing amount of work the council is required to do.Southland District Council confirmed on Wednesday that they would increase rates by 9.25% for the 2022/23 year. Gore District Council is increasing by 5.94% and Invercargill City Council are considering an increase of 7.15%. ES Chairman Nicol Horrell says the council has worked extremely hard to reprioritise work and find efficiencies within the organisation in order to stick to the planned rates increase.“We understand that Southlanders, like the rest of the country, are facing many increases in the cost of living and we are doing everything we can to keep rates down, while working towards the outcomes our community expects from us.”“At the same time, we are facing many similar cost pressures, particularly rising inflation and interest costs, and some ongoing uncertainties relating to income.”ES say despite the challenges of the last year, there have also been some highlights in terms of work programmes. A number of their climate resilience projects are underway, along with significant progress on our Jobs for Nature – Mahi mō te Taiao projects.“Two of our Fiordland-based projects are already making a difference, ridding the National Park of invasive plants, while supporting the economic wellbeing of the community. We are ready to build on these achievements in the 2022/23 year," says Horrell. With freshwater challenges a critical focus, he says there has been some good progress made in understanding the level of change Southland need to make as a region to meet our communities’ aspirations for freshwater.“There is still a lot of work to come in the freshwater space, but we have been sharing the information we have with our communities and the Regional Forum will soon present its report on options for achieving our freshwater goals."Council says some of the key differences in the Annual Plan from last year’s Long-term Plan include:increased operating costs and higher than expected inflation and interest rates.review of the climate resilience projects, including an additional $3 million contingency, which has been built into the budget to provide to provide for potential increased costs given cost increases being seen in the national construction sector.the introduction of a rabbit control rate in a specific area east of the Mataura River. This replaces a previous Southern Pest Eradication Society rate. The new rabbit control rate is higher to cover increased costs for the work, as well as costs associated with administering and monitoring the contract.

A recent survey of regional economic confidence across New Zealand has shown Southland drop by 30 points, the second-largest fall nationwide after Auckland. The drop reflects falling regional economic confidence across most of the country, caused by cost-of-living increases and falling house prices, says Westpac Acting Chief Economist Michael Gordon.“The impacts of rising costs of living and falling house prices were widespread – all regions across the country were in pessimistic territory over the quarter,” he says. The drop in Southland is especially notable, given the region was one of only two with positive growth in economic confidence at the last survey in March 2022. Graph showing Southland's regional economic confidence since 1988. Image: Westpac McDermott Miller/SuppliedWestpac McDermott Miller, who run the economic confidence survey, say the situation for Southland may improve later in the year. “We put the plunge down to the autumn drought hitting the region, with a medium scale adverse event declared at the end of March.”“A lack of processing capacity in the region’s meat processing facilities is likely to have also weighed on sentiment. Looking through the drought and the meat processing issues; the underlying picture of the region’s agriculture sector remains very healthy,” they say. “On this basis, we expect Southlanders’ outlook for their regional economy to improve over the remainder of the year.”The economic confidence of many other regions across the country may continue to fall, says Gordon.  “From here, we expect that the ongoing rises in the cost of living and further falls in house prices will continue to weigh on regional economic confidence in most regions over coming quarters.”Unlike Southland, Otago saw a grow in economic confidence of 17 points, put down to the return of domestic and international tourists.Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki/Manawatū-Whanganui saw moderate growth, while all other regions dropped.

Invercargill's Splash Palace is set to reopen on Monday (4 July) after a month out of action due to maintenance.To celebrate, the pool be offering a week of free hydroslide passes, free swim school lessons and discounted memberships.Splash Palace manager Stephen Cook said everyone was invited to the Splash Bash week-long party to both welcome back and thank the community for their patience over the past couple of years. “Between the hydroslides being temporarily closed, challenges during Covid and this planned maintenance we’ve had to ask for a lot of patience. This is our way of saying thank you to our loyal customers while showing off all of our hard work.”Celebrations will culminate at a pool party that will feature music, inflatable slides, a pop-a-manu competition and prizes on a fun-filled Friday night, he said.“There will be lots of giveaways and freebies and heaps of fun at the pool,” Cook said.“We can’t wait for everyone to see the work we’ve been doing and to see how busy we’ve been,” he said.For more information about the Splash Bash and the free class timetable, please visit Splash Palace.

Communities across the Southern Lakes region will receive a boost this winter with more mental wellbeing initiatives to be funded by the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group. Round three of the Connecting Communities funds opens next week, offering Southern Lakes wellbeing groups a further opportunity for support. Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group’s fund is designed to support community-led activities and events across Te Anau, Fiordland, Queenstown, Wānaka and Cromwell which encourage wellbeing and community connection. Eligible not-for-profit organisations and groups can apply for up to $1,000 (GST inclusive) per round to assist with funding their activity or event. There are three funding rounds per year, with earlier rounds completed in March 2022 and December 2021.  Te Hau Toka say fifty-four not-for-profit groups were supported in the second funding round in March – almost double the number from the first round in December 2021.  This resulted in more than $50,000 being granted across the Southern Lakes region for mental wellbeing activities or events over the autumn months.  Round 2 funding recipients included MINT Trust Wānaka school holiday workshop for people with physical and intellectual disabilities, St John weekend drives for older people, Te Anau outdoor playgroups and garden mosaic workshops, and various Matariki community and cultural celebrations.   Te Hau Toka Group Chair Adell Cox says her team is looking forward to hearing from communities across the Southern Lakes region about what activities or events they think would help boost their mental wellbeing over the winter months. “Ultimately, the goal of our Connecting Communities funding is to enable people to improve mental wellbeing, connection and resilience in their own communities.” “Some areas are gearing up for a busy winter ski season and will have a different set of stresses to those communities who just need to get through the quiet months. Each community is different and they’re best placed to know what they need and how they can support each other.” “We’ve been blown away in every funding round to see such inspiring and innovative ideas coming from all corners of the community so we want to continue do whatever we can to help make them happen,” she says.  Te Hau Toka say they are looking for activities and events to fund, or contribute to, that:Engage positively with the local communitySupport mental wellbeingAlign with one or more of the Five Ways to Wellbeing and Te Whare Tapa WhaAre delivered in Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell, or Te Anau/FiordlandCan be adapted to comply with any COVID-19 restrictions.More details about the Connecting Communities fund, including the criteria and how to apply, can be found online at www.southernhealth.nz/tehautokaThe fund opens on Monday 4 July and closes on Thursday 14 July. 

The Eastern Southland Gallery will play host to a talk by Lizzie Bisley, Curator Modern Art at Te Papa, this Saturday.Bisley is the curator of Rita Angus: New Zealand Modernist He Ringatoi Hou o Aotearoa, pieces of which are currently displayed at the Gore gallery. She studied at Victoria University of Wellington and the Royal College of Art, London, before working as a Curator at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Rita Angus, Cleopatra, 1938, oil on canvas. Purchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. © Reproduced courtesy of the Estate of Rita Angus. Te Papa (1998-0028-2).Her research is focussed on histories of modernity, and she is interested in the close relationships between art, design and architecture in the twentieth century.While at the Victoria and Albert, Bisley curated a number of major exhibitions on modernism and twentieth century design. The exhibit currently displayed in Gore brings together 20 works by Rita Angus, considered to be one of New Zealand’s most iconic 20th- century artists.The paintings span Angus’s life and career as an artist, drawing out the themes of pacifism, feminism and nature that shaped so much of her work. This exhibition includes many of Angus’s most important works, including Rutu, 1951, Cleopatra, 1938, and Central Otago, 1953-56/1969. The event on Saturday will involve afternoon tea from 3pm at the Maruawai Centre, and then a talk by Bisley at the Eastern Southland Gallery at 4pm.Visitors to the exhibition throughout its stay in Gore also go in the draw to win two return Economy Class tickets to Singapore, courtesy of sponsors Singapore Airlines.

A new kind of carbon credit market has been launched in the country targeting the restoration of native biodiversity, with the hope people will turn away from pine trees.Carbonz, founded by climate change PhD student Finn Ross, has partnered with another New Zealand company to bring buyers and sellers of native carbon credits together into one place.Ross said a large portion of trees planted for carbon farming in New Zealand is pine, and people did not want the country to become one big pine forest."What we're trying to do at Carbonz is not so much make a political statement on pine forests and the future decision making around pine forests in New Zealand. But for the first time there is now a mechanism so that the market can determine an appropriate price for native forests over pine forests and that sellers will be able to obtain a premium and buyers will be able to buy at a premium for native forests."He said the country has native forest species that can provide long term benefits."A pine forest generates 30-40 years' worth of carbon returns before indefinitely plateauing."Aotearoa has exceptional native forest species that can provide long-term benefits of not just carbon sequestration, but selective high quality timber, increased biodiversity, soil, water rāonga, and other spiritual benefits," Ross said.He said Carbonz was the country's first voluntary carbon credit marketplace for tradable credits that could be traced right back to the source.Each credit was equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide.The company partnered with another local firm, CarbonCrop, which uses artificial intelligence to measure the carbon sequestration of regenerating native forest on private farmland.It had also launched Native CarbonCrop Units."Partnering with Carbonz means we can connect our landholders with buyers of carbon offsets who care about native forest and want confidence in the origin of the offsets they purchase," CarbonCrop chief executive Jo Blundell said.Republished by Arrangement

Nominations have now opened for the 2022 Environment Southland (ES) Community awards. The awards have been run for 26 years and recognise the region’s environmental leaders – whether they be individuals, businesses, or community groups.  Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell says the ES Community Awards play an important role in recognising Southland’s environmental champions. “We’re incredibly proud of these awards which not only celebrate environmental leadership, innovation and action but inspire it too.”“Last year we reflected on 25 years of our annual awards, with record entries and one of our most successful events yet, and I have no doubt 2022 will continue to recognise people from right across Southland who are going the extra mile for our environment.”Seven different award categories cater for a range of environmental projects and actions. The categories include individual, rural, education, community and business. The same project can be nominated in up to two categories. Projects entered must be either located in Southland, have been developed in Southland or be of demonstrated benefit to the region. People can nominate their own project or another project that makes a positive contribution to the environment.The 2022 winners will be announced at an awards dinner to be held in Invercargill on November 10. Nominations can be made online at: www.haveyoursay.es.govt.nz/2022-community-awardsAward nominations close on 29 July. 

Invercargill City (ICC) Libraries and Archives are scrapping fines for late books.And all existing fines will also be wiped.The library's new policy comes into effect on 1st July.ICC Libraries Manager Marianne Foster said statistics from both Aotearoa and overseas showed library fines were a barrier to people accessing library services.“Our community deserves to have access to the information, reading, learning and connection our library provides. If overdue fines are a barrier to people coming to or returning to our spaces then we simply have to remove them,” Foster said.It has also been shown that overdue fines do not ensure a book is returned, she said.“In fact, when fines are no longer applied it’s been found that return rates actually increase.”Overdue fees for children’s books at the library were scrapped in 2020, she said.At least 12 councils from throughout Aotearoa, including Auckland, Nelson and Christchurch have already scrapped overdue fines.However some charges will remain at the library, such as if a book is lost, destroyed or damaged or the fees for hot picks and reserve items, she said.“We are so thrilled to be able to do this for our community. We’ve heard of so many people who simply never come back to the library because of fines and we are looking forward to welcoming them back with open arms and then filling their arms with books.”For more information on fees and charges at the library, please visit ilibrary.co.nz.

Children will be able to get a free flu vaccine from Friday in a move to reduce hospital admissions, and more New Zealanders will now be eligible for a second Covid-19 booster dose.Health Minister Andrew Little said the government was expanding access to the flu vaccine after noticing an increase in pre-schoolers hospitalised with the illness."We're making free flu shots available to another 800,000 New Zealanders, including children, more of whom are having to go to hospital," Little said."Free flu shots are already available for everyone over the age of 65 and those at risk of becoming seriously ill or who have underlying conditions."This season we ordered 40 per cent more vaccines. We've already seen more than one million New Zealanders get a flu shot, but with significant pressure on our health system we're ramping up efforts to get as many people vaccinated as possible."The vaccine will be free for children aged 3 to 12 and to people with serious mental health or addiction needs.From Tuesday, a second Covid-19 booster dose will also be available to anyone over 50, and health, aged-care and disability-care workers over the age of 30, with a six-month gap between doses.Covid-19 Response Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall said a second booster was available for everyone over the age of 50 and recommended for anyone over the age of 65, as well as Māori and Pacific peoples older than 50 and people who are severely immunocompromised."The availability of the second booster has also been extended to health, aged-care and disability workers over the age of 30," Dr Verrall said."For those not at risk of severe illness from Covid-19, a two-dose primary course and one booster continues to provide very good protection. So, for those who haven't had a first booster, please act now."The second booster dose should be offered six months after the previous dose, and postponed for three months after a Covid-19 infection.A second booster dose is not recommended for anyone who is pregnant and is healthy, including those with no underlying health conditions which could increase the risk of severe Covid-19."Staying up-to-date with the recommended Covid-19 vaccinations will continue to protect you from the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation or death," Dr Verrall said."The combination of Omicron and flu is making this winter more challenging than normal."The best thing New Zealanders can do to ensure they and their families don't end up in hospital is to be up-to-date with their flu and Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters."Anyone who is eligible for a second booster can get one without a prescription from a range of places, including walk-in and drive-through vaccination centres, booking online using Book My Vaccine or by calling the Covid Vaccination Healthline on 0800 282926.Flu shots are available by booking with GPs or local pharmacies.Republished by Arrangement

You have to hand it to Mother Nature. It may be cold and miserable outside, but she fronts up with colourful fresh fruit that is packed with the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help ward off winter illnesses. Kiwifruit, citrus and tamarillos are chockful of vitamin C as well as other nutrients, and of course we have apples and pears for cheerful chomping. These delights are great snacks and they contribute to the ‘five plus a day’ servings of fruit and veg mantra promoted by health professionals. They also add interest to meals. Kiwifruit is a refreshing accompaniment to curries. With chopped mint it’s perfect with roast lamb and with chillies it packs a punch with seafood and grills. Sliced orange gives seafood dishes a lift and the juice makes a tasty glaze for poultry, a great drizzle for steamed greens and adds fab flavour to hummus. The grated peel adds depth to savoury sauces. And where would we be without lemons? Chop them, freeze them, then add to your gin or sauces. Add a dash of juice and peel to risottos or mix the juice with melted butter to enhance fish, or halve and grill with pork or poultry.    ZINGY THAI-STYLE KIWIFRUIT RELISH For extra zing, leave the seeds in the chillies. Best enjoyed within 3 hours of preparation. 4 green kiwifruit, peeled and diced3 tablespoons fresh lime juice4-5cm knob root ginger, peeled and diced4 green chillies, seeded and dicedpinch brown sugar1/2 cup each: mint leaves, coriander leaves and stalks, finely chopped Place the kiwifruit in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Serve with grilled meats or seafood. Serves 4.  SUMAC CHICKEN, PEAR & POTATO TRAYBAKE Sumac is a slightly astringent, lemon-flavoured reddish-purple berry which is finely crushed. 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon each: sumac, oregano2 cloves garlic, crushed1 lemon cut into 4 wedges4 large skinned and boned chicken thighs4 medium potatoes, cut into 2cm rounds3 firm but ripe pears, quartered, peeled and cored 8 x 3cm broccoli floretsExtra olive oil1/4 cup chopped parsley Preheat the oven to fan-forced 200°C. Lightly oil a large roasting pan. Combine the olive oil, sumac, oregano, garlic and the juice of 1 lemon wedge. Brush over the chicken and place in the oven pan. Place the potato slices evenly on a microwave-proof plate. Cover with damp paper towels. Microwave for 3 minutes. Pat dry and add to the pan with the pear wedges. Brush with the remaining sumac mixture. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn the potato and pears over. Meanwhile, toss the broccoli florets in a little olive oil. Add to the pan and continue roasting for 15 minutes or until cooked. Scatter with the parsley and serve. Serves 4.  MOROCCAN PILAF 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 each: medium onion, carrot, garlic clove, diced1 tablespoon grated root ginger 1/2 teaspoon each: ground cinnamon, coriander, turmeric, grated orange rind, grated lemon rind1 cup long grain rice 3 cups chicken stock1/2 cup each: currants, sultanas, quartered dried apricots, peeled and diced orange, roasted unsalted cashew nuts 2 cups sliced, cooked chicken  Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy, non-stick frying pan. Add the onion, carrot and seasonings. Stir well. Cook on low heat for 3-4 minutes. Add the rice to the pan, stirring to ensure all the grains are coated with oil. Cook for 1 minute. Heat the stock in the microwave, until boiling. Add to the rice with the dried fruits and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the rice is cooked. Add the diced orange, cashew nuts and chicken and heat through. Excellent garnished with mint leaves. Serves 4. GINGER & LEMON STEAMED FISH 500g skinned and boned white fish or salmonlemon juice8 thin slices root ginger2 spring onions, sliced2 teaspoons soy sauce1/4 cup each: finely chopped parsley, coriander4 thin slices lemon Divide the fish into four servings. Cut four squares of baking paper large enough to wrap around each fish portion. Place the fish in the centre of each square. Top with a squeeze of lemon juice, the ginger, spring onions, soy sauce, herbs and lemon slices. Fold the paper to enclose the fish and seasonings. Place in a microwave pan. Microwave on high for 4-5 minutes. Stand for 2 minutes before serving. Great served with rice and a salad. Serves 4. 

It appears scientists' fears about the mass bleaching of sea sponges in Fiordland have been confirmed, with it likely the largest event of its type anywhere in the world.And there is emerging evidence that an ongoing marine heatwave is also causing damage in Hauraki Gulf.Striking images emerged last month of thousands of a species of sea sponge that is usually a health velvety brown, bleached bone white.It shocked scientists, raising alarm about the impact climate change is having on marine ecosystems.Initial estimates were that hundreds of thousands of the sponges were affected in Fiordland sounds, but findings from a new scientific research trip indicate the damage is far worse.Unbleached and bleached sponges seen side-by-side. Photo: Supplied.Victoria University of Wellington marine biology professor James Bell was part of the latest investigation into sponge damage at six new sites in Fiordland."At least millions of sponges have been bleached in those environments, maybe even tens of millions - this is one of the most abundant sponges in Fiordland and so it's a really wide scale event."This is the largest reported, as far as I'm aware, temperate sponge bleaching event that's been reported anywhere in the world," he said.Professor Bell said bleaching was affecting between two thirds and nearly all of that species of sponge.The Hauraki Gulf, together with much of the west and east coasts north of Auckland, have experienced a moderate to severe marine heatwave. The Hauraki Gulf, together with much of the west and east coasts north of Auckland, have experienced a moderate to severe marine heatwave. Photo: SuppliedUniversity of Otago oceanographer Rob Smith said an ongoing marine heatwave in many parts of the country was causing record temperatures - five degrees hotter than usual in places in Fiordland.Bell said preliminary experiments conducted during the latest trip confirmed warmer water was a likely cause of the bleaching.It seems to affect microscopic organisms that live in the sponges which photosynthesise and produce food, and also make a chemical which fish do not like.In a small mercy, it appears the bleaching is not killing the sea sponges outright - but it is making them edible to fish which could ultimately finish many off.The Hauraki Gulf, together with much of the west and east coasts north of Auckland, have experienced a moderate to severe marine heatwave.The Hauraki Gulf, together with much of the west and east coasts north of Auckland, have experienced a moderate to severe marine heatwave. Photo: SuppliedDr Kerri-Anne Edge from Fiordland Marine Guardians said she was very worried."It's a massive event that's taken place, and when you look at the role that these sponges play in the ecosystem system there in terms of how important their role and function is."The sponges pump and filter large volumes of water, and are vital to the food chain because they supply carbon to the sea floor, which other species need to survive.Both Westland and Southland have seen a moderate to extreme marine heatwave. Photo: SuppliedShe said the environment was already under pressure from marine pests and depleting fish stocks and the bleaching was bad news.Bell said the bleaching got worse as you got deeper into the fiord - and based on ocean temperature data it looked likely it was happening throughout Fiordland.So far it has been recorded in Dusky, Breaksea, and Doubtful Sounds.Both Westland and Southland have seen a moderate to extreme marine heatwave. Both Westland and Southland have seen a moderate to extreme marine heatwave. Photo: SuppliedSponges in Hauraki appear to be melting amid record ocean heatwaveMeanwhile, there are reports of damage to sponges in the Hauraki Gulf, which is in the midst of its longest marine heatwave ever - more than 200 days.Scientists from the University of Auckland's temperate marine reef lab led by Nick Shears have noticed swathes of dead patches and tissue loss on some species of sea sponge.Researcher fellow Arie Spyksma said some large sponges, which play an important structural role on the reef, appeared to be melting off their holds on the cliffs.A marine heatwave in the Hauraki Gulf has caused seas sponges to become fouled by microalgae and show signs of bleaching, while in extreme cases some large sponges appear to be melting off the reef. In extreme cases of a marine heatwave in the Hauraki Gulf some large sponges appear to be melting off the reef. Photo: Screengrab / Nick Shears YouTube"It's pretty sad I mean this is a big marine organism that's essentially in its death throws and it is likely that human produced climate, well ocean warming is playing a role in what we're seeing."So it is not a particularly pleasant experience to come across one of these sponges in that melting phase."Spyksma said they were finding large pieces of detached rotting sponge on the reef and nearby beaches, as well as covered in algae.He said there was evidence of damage throughout the entire Hauraki Gulf, with the hypothesis being that ocean warming was the cause.A marine heatwave in the Hauraki Gulf has caused seas sponges to become fouled by microalgae and show signs of bleaching, while in extreme cases some large sponges appear to be melting off the reef.A marine heatwave in the Hauraki Gulf has caused seas sponges to become fouled by microalgae and show signs of bleaching. Photo: Screengrab / Nick Shears YouTubeThe La Niña weather pattern is also likely playing a role in the marine warming.Spyksma said it was too early to tell what the long-term impact would be, and he hoped some sponges would recover as the water temperatures cooled in the coming months.'Any rich listers out there there who would like to support us?'One of the most worrying things was that damage was only noticed in Fiordland and Hauraki because the effect on the sponges was so visible.Professor Bell feared the warm water could be damaging other species and was just not being noticed.He said the Department of Conservation needed more funding for marine monitoring, conservation and management in the large Fiordland region."Like most academics my first thing I'll be doing for the next few months is [try] to secure some money to get back and [do] work in the fiords."So ... any rich-listers out there who would like to support us we'd like to chat to you."The warming globe makes a repeat of the severe ocean temperatures more likely.Republished by Arrangement

The Riversdale Arts Exhibition is nearly here with the Gala Opening on Friday 1st July at 7pm.Riversdale Arts is excited to be hosting its 49th exhibition.With over 80 exhibitors from throughout New Zealand and a wide variety of art mediums, including painting, photography, textiles, sculpture, jewellery, pottery and ceramics, there will definitely be something to suit everyone’s taste in art.Riversdale Arts President Kerryn Miller and Committee Member Rachael Nicholson admiring some of the exhibition pieces. Photo: SuppliedThe unique aspect to the Riversdale mixed media exhibition is that they are able to showcase art from all over New Zealand.All of the artists are invited to exhibit and the arts committee try each year to get art showcased that people in Otago and Southland won’t necessarily have had the opportunity to view before.This year the guest artist is Tanith Norton who specialises in mixed media.Guest artist is Tanith Norton from Christchurch. Photo: SuppliedTanith is a Christchurch artist that started on her journey to find her individual art medium over 20 years ago.She believes everyone should find their own path, and that is what she has been doing.Her art has been the result of a life changing moment, where she had the choice to stay with the status quo or be true to her authentic self.Her reclamation series is about Tanith reclaiming herself at the same time she is reclaiming each and every treasure that she uses to create her art pieces."A Moment in Time" by Tania Norton. Photo: SuppliedIn this ever changing, uncertain and complicated world Tanith seeks solace in beautiful, cherished treasures from her past that she rearranges and reclaims to give them a new meaning.Honouring the past while moving forward to the future.Riversdale Arts is delighted to be exhibiting these exquisite artworks.Riversdale Arts is also running a number of art workshops during the two weekends of the exhibition.These include Wire Creations with Lee van der Geest, Watercolour Card Making with Jo Jago, Earring Making with Ruth Napper, Macrame with Aleisha Eden, Floral Wreaths with Anna King and Creative picture making with Andrea Sexton.All workshops can be booked via the Riversdale Arts facebook page or through their website www.riversdalearts.co.nz.

Another district health board (DHB), this time in the South Island, is offering patients vouchers to get them out of its emergency department and into GP clinics for free.Southland Hospital is triaging and diverting patients from its emergency department to medical clinics as 104 patients on average show up there each day.Southern DHB says the influx of winter illnesses is intensifying pressure on its ED, which can increase patient wait times.Southland Hospital will digitally transfer patients who do not need to be in ED to two medical centres in Invercargill, He Puna Waiora Wellness Centre and Invercargill Medical Centre.The DHB will cover the entire cost of appointments, which can be around $80. It did not have projections for how many appointments it could end up funding."We have not set a figure that we are anticipating, this trial which will help to inform this answer to the question," Southland Hospital general manager Simon Donlevy said."This initiative supports patients to get the care that they need in the most appropriate location and allows us to provide treatment to patients who need the Emergency Department in a more timely manner," Donlevy said.There are further calls to make doctor's appointments more affordable so people go to GPs rather than the hospital.WellSouth Primary Health Network chief executive Andrew Swanson-Dobbs wants more public funding to break down the cost barrier."I would love to see the cost of general practice decrease, the workforce increase, and the reliance on hospitals as a free general practice decrease so we really do need to see the investment," he said.Swanson-Dobbs said primary health in Invercargill is under pressure too."We've still got Covid, we've got winter flus, other winter ailments, and then we have got normal everyday general practice presentations that we are working with those practices to help achieve," he said.Hospitals in the Wellington region are also covering doctor appointments for patients who do not need to be in under-pressure EDs.In South Auckland, 27 general practices offered free appointments over two weekends at the request of Counties Manukau Health Board because Middlemore Hospital's ED has been overwhelmed.Republished by Arrangement