Hopes are high for the return of competitive shearing events after two years of Covid-19 restrictions saw all but 14 events abandoned last season.Organisers are confident they can go ahead with all 59 shearing sports competitions this season, which runs from October to April.New Zealand shearing legend Sir David Fagan, who's also the chairman of Shearing Sports NZ, said spots were also up for grabs to represent the country at the Royal Highland Show in Scotland next year."The places in the team up for grabs are two machine shearers, blades shearers and two woolhandlers in the Wools of New Zealand team," he said."And of course, the manager and the judges who will go over and get the team over to Scotland in June next year."So, it's pretty exciting for all of the competitors. They spend all year planning and trying to make that team, so it'll be good to have the competitions back on track."Sir David said being forced to axe many of last season's events because of Covid-19 took a toll on some rural communities. In some instances, the shearing competitions were postponed or cancelled for the first time in their 50-year history."It's huge, firstly for the competitors - you've got all the small rural events, which is where people get the good grounding and experience," Sir David said."Then the bigger events that were cancelled, like the Golden Shears and the New Zealand Shears, where pretty much every competitor, it doesn't matter whether they're in the lower junior grades or up in the open grades, that's their dream, to get on that stage at those big events and that's been taken away from them."We've seen it in lots of sports, but to have all of that back this season ... these big events bring a lot of money into the small towns and rural areas they're held in. There's a lot of people that have missed out in the rural sector in New Zealand."The Golden Shears in Masterton was founded in 1961 and ran every year until it was cancelled in 2021 and 2022. Photo: Supplied / Shearing Sports New Zealand / Peter NikolaisonSir David said all organisers were preparing for their events to be disrupted or cancelled again by Covid-19 restrictions.And he had some advice for any shearers hoping to make to the Royal Highland Show in Scotland."Go to competitions, because there's only one way to get better at it and that's going every weekend, competing, getting competition-ready."Not just physically, but with the equipment you use and mentally. Going every weekend and competing, you just get better and better each week."The calendar of shearing events is still to be confirmed, but the season will open with the New Zealand Merino Shears shearing and woolhandling championships in Alexandra on 30 September.Republished by Arrangement

The Balfour Big 3 hunting competition will take place this weekend, with a prize pool of over $10,000 up for grabs. Hunting opens this Friday, with weigh in starting at 11am on Sunday 22 May, at the town’s sports grounds. Entrants from across Southland are expected to attend, with teams competing in several categories including heaviest combined weight, fallow big 3 and best female animal trio.Solo entrants can also compete for the best individual wild pig, red deer, and fallow deer. Competitors pay an entry free, with proceeds going to Balfour Rugby Club. Balfour Big 3 committee member Ashley Gilkison says last year’s event raised over $10 000 for the club, and this year is looking to build on that success.“We’re really lucky to have some really great sponsors, and we seem to have lots of returning competitors, which is great to see.”“We are ahead of where we were this time last year with entrants. Last year we had over 25 teams and plenty of individuals.”  She says the weigh in day isn’t just for the hunters. “We’ve also got lots of food, pig carrying for the kids and also for the adults, and other entertainment for the kids. It’s definitely a great family day out for the family.”There are also several children's hunting categories to be entered, including best duck, hare and possum.Gilkison says previous events have drawn entrants from across Southland.“We have a lot of people come from a wide range of areas. The hunting area is very broad as the animals don’t have to be hunted in Southland, so it brings a few people from quite far away.” Weigh in day will conclude with a prize giving and auction. For more information on how to enter Balfour Big 3, or attend the weigh in day, visit: https://www.facebook.com/balfourbig3/ or email [email protected]

 The year is going well here at Heddon Bush School.Last term we completed our swimming programme, and held an athletics day at school as due to restrictions we were unable to have our Syndicate Athletics day as usual.           As always, our Home & School has been very supportive and have purchased a mud kitchen and new Hi Viz vests for all our students.                        Our journey towards being a Silver Enviro School continues.The students have worked very hard planning, designing and implementing our native walkway.We have held several planting days and our senior class are now creating informative signs to accompany the natives in this area of the school.We were also the grateful recipients of a tunnel house from Rabo bank and can’t wait to start using this to grow vegetables. Classes have also completed some great art projects.We are looking forward to a busy term two!Heddon Bush School is proudly supported by Wreys Bush Concrete

Southland Hospital has closed its medical, surgical and rehabilitation wards to all visitors following multiple COVID-19 exposures in the last 24 hours.In a statement issued tonight the hospital said that the new restrictions would come into effect at 6pm tonight (16 May) and were to protect vulnerable patients.The hospital said current visiting restrictions would remain for all other areas with patients to the Emergency Department and Outpatients allowed one support person.Visitors were asked to contact Maternity services and the Children’s Ward for specific instructions for these wards.Visiting is also available under compassionate grounds but visitors should contact the specific ward for information.

A new woodworkers’ workshop was unveiled on Friday (13 May) at the Fiordland Vintage Machinery Museum (FVMM).The brainchild of keen woodworker and long-time FVMM member, Max Slee, the 111m2 facility connects the museum’s blacksmith shop to its main building and is appropriately named “Max’s Woodwork Shed”.  It is hoped the new fully equipped workshop will not only be used to restore the many wooden items in the community, but also help attract younger members.Fiordland Vintage Machinery Museum president Kevin Christie cuts the ribbon on the club's new woodwork workshop. Photo: Supplied“Max is into woodworking and has a few bits of machinery for working with wood, as do other members of the museum. Up until now we’ve been focusing solely on working with metal, restoring old farm machinery and vehicles. Diversification to woodwork will create new opportunities for our members and for community involvement,” FVMM president, Kevin Christie said.“We hope that the opening of a working woodwork centre will facilitate community outreach where younger people can come to the museum and be tutored by experienced expert operator members. We see that as an important contribution we can make to the district,” Christie said. FVMM secretary/treasurer, Bob Anderson said that during the COVID-19 lockdown the museum had been reviewing its functionality and role.“We want to take our museum in a new direction to engage even more with the wider community and with younger people. Our membership is aging, albeit gracefully. We have a huge amount of experience and mentoring ability available. The idea of a fully equipped woodwork workshop has met with excellent feedback and enthusiasm from community stalwarts such as Te Anau’s youth worker Dale Wairau,” Anderson said.Located on the outskirts of Te Anau, the popular museum displays an extensive and growing collection of machinery including vintage tractors, trucks, farm machinery and road vehicles.The museum is open daily, between 9am – 5pm.

CongratulationsBetty Barnes of Invercargillwho is the winner of our book competitionThe Bookseller at the end of the WorldThank you to everyone who entered this Southland App competition.Visit Two Wee Bookshops, 1 Home Street, Manapouri or phone 03 249 6664 to purchase your own copy from the author.CLICK HERE to read our news story on the bookBe sure to check out our WIN page for more Southland App competitions.

For the first time there has been a mass bleaching of native sea sponges in Aotearoa, raising alarm about the impact climate change is having on marine ecosystems.The south of the South Island has been in the grip of an extreme ocean heatwave this summer, with April having the hottest ever water temperatures.Under the water in Fiordland's gorgeous Breaksea Sound schools of orange and pink fish nose among the green and crimson seaweed which waves gently in the swell.Nestled among the kina and molluscs are sponges which should be a healthy, velvety brown.Instead scores of the widespread and ecologically important species are bleached a shocking white.Victoria University of Wellington marine biology professor James Bell said the discovery last month was alarming.He said damage like this has never been seen in New Zealand, and there were few reports of it happening in cold waters internationally.The bleaching appears to have happened quickly, and could be widespread.Scientists have checked more than a dozen places near the Breaksea Sound, and in some areas up to 95 percent of the sponges are affected.The bleaching has also been spotted in Doubtful Sound.The discovery has shocked Dr Rebecca McLeod a marine ecologist and chair of the Fiordland Marine Guardians."We really worried, [the scientists] presented this information to us at our guardians meeting last week and [there was] ... stunned silence."It's big news."University of Otago oceanographer Rob Smith works with the government-funded Moana Project researching marine heatwaves - which have become increasingly common in recent years.Waters around the South Island have had the hottest April on record.Smith said there were extreme ocean temperatures in Fiordland - up to 5-degrees hotter than normal."What we've seen this summer is the strongest marine heatwave on the west coast of the South Island in 40 years."The warm waters have been a boon for anglers - with tuna and kingfish venturing much further south and being caught in decent numbers in Otago and Southland.But Smith said interlopers could displace local species, while the warm water could also lead to outbreaks of disease in scallops, mussels, oysters and clams.Bell said sea sponges were a crucial link in the food chain and there could be serious consequences for fish numbers if they were wiped out.The researchers are going back to Fiordland in a few weeks to look further at the spread of the bleaching and the cause.But Bell is worried."This could be the start of something really really bad for other ecosystems or the entire ecosystems in Fiordland, that's kind of where it potentially goes - it's pretty depressing," he said.An image of a healthy native sea sponge. Photo: Dr Valerio Micaroni and Francesca Strano / Victoria University of WellingtonMcLeod said the bleaching made what was happening to the sponges obvious - it was possible other species were being damaged but it was harder to tell."What we're hoping is that people will hear this story and think about what they're seeing under the water and notice changes and bring those to our attention."Because it is a very vast and precious area, and we need lots of eyes under the water helping us out as we start to navigate this crazy new world that we live in."Republished by Arrangement

-Fiordland College proudly supported by Milford Road Alliance

-Image copyright Michael Bradley PhotographyThe Trident Homes Tactix have taken a crucial win with a stunning 61-56 result over the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in Christchurch. The absorbing match developed into a goal-for-goal encounter giving the Cantabrian crowd plenty of impact on proceedings. Tactix captain Kimiora Poi led the charge with 17 goal assists and 29 feeds - and two crucial interceptions when it mattered most. Karin Burger was a force with her athleticism and anticipation being one of many highlights for the Tactix on a day when they held their composure in the tense last quarter. Te Paea Selby-Rickit scored 18 goals from 20 attempts while doing a wealth of work bringing the ball into the circle. Ellie Bird did the majority of the shooting, securing 43 goals from 44 attempts for the Cantabrians. Through the first quarter there was nothing separating the teams with Steel building a four-goal lead by the end of the stanza. The teams headed into the changing rooms at half-time with two goals separating them on the scoreboard. With the game tied up at 45-all at three quarter time, the result came down to which side could effectively manage the pressure in the final 15 minutes. An intercept from Poi gave the Tactix the possession, confidence and belief they needed to break the goal-for-goal tussle wide open. For the Steel, George Fisher, Shannon Saunders and Kate Heffernan made solid contributions. Key wing defence Renee Savai’inaea was forced off the court in the first half through injury. Her defensive expertise and passing was sorely missed by her teammates. Shooting Stats - Tactix: Ellie Bird 43/44 (98%) Te Paea Selby-Rickit 18/20 (90%) Shooting Stats - Steel: George Fisher 41/46 (89%) Saviour Tui 8/11 (73%) Georgia Heffernan 7/11 (64%) MVP: Te Paea Selby-Rickit (Tactix) 

After teaching generations of children at Fiordland Kindergarten, Claire Maley-Shaw is retiring.She began at the kindergarten in 1978, when she was 21 years old. “Fiordland Kindergarten has some of my soul in its walls. I have loved working in such a beautiful place with such a supportive community,” she says. “It has been a privilege to work with and then watch the many children I have taught grow into beautiful adults. Then there was the plus side of being the kindergarten ‘Nanni’, teaching some of their children, and in one case a third-generation child.”Maley-Shaw's year ground at Kindergarten Teacher’s college in Dunedin, 1974. Photo: SuppliedA lot has changed since she took up the role, says Maley-Shaw. “I arrived in Te Anau with instruction to go to the Headmaster of the Primary School’s home. I duly arrived to be met by his wife Mrs Richmond who gave me the keys and a lecture about the rules of the teachers’ flats. ‘It is a teachers’ flat with teacher’s rules: no boys allowed, not even cousins, only immediate family. Fathers and brothers allowed’ [she said].”Maley-Shaw built a close working relationship, and friendship, with Frana Cardno, who was head teacher when Maley-Shaw arrived at Fiordland Kindergarten. Cardno went on to become Mayor of Southland, while Maley-Shaw took on the head teacher mantle herself.“She was an amazing woman and teacher, way ahead of her times. We thought very much alike and made a great team, we had very much the same ideals when it came to teaching.”Maley-Shaw says she is proud of her and Cardno’s pioneering environmental programme, before it was the done thing.  “We ran a very environmental programme, an Enviroschool before they were thought of. We had recycling, composting, a worm farm and excursions to farms and into the local National Park on a regular basis.”“The achievement I am most proud of is starting one of the first, if not the first kindergarten in New Zealand to set up an outdoor programme which we call ‘Nature Discovery’, in 2009, which to my delight has snowballed around the country.”Shaw was awarded a National Excellence in Teaching (NEITA) award in 2010. Photo: Supplied.For her efforts, Maley-Shaw has been featured in national news media, run workshops on the ‘Nature Discovery’ programme and spoken at several conferences. In 2010 she was awarded a National Leadership in Teaching (NEITA) award at Parliament.Under her leadership, the kindergarten has received several accolades: 2 Environment South school awards, the Kindergartens’ Presidents Trophy, along with other environmental awards, art awards, and visits from dignitaries, teachers, and academics from around New Zealand and abroad. Maley-Shaw also brought her passions for gardening and native plants to the job and has given back to the community of Te Anau. “Alongside teaching I have a love of gardening. With the children we have propagated hundreds of native trees over the years, giving them away to families and visitors and making our own native forest at Ivon Wilson Park.” Maley-Shaw says she is forever grateful to the senior teachers who guided her as she was starting out, and shaped her into the teacher she became. “I have been fortunate to teach with some amazing teachers who have all brought their knowledge and skills to the kindergarten programme, who didn't flinch too much when I said, ‘I have been thinking, what do you think?’” She was farewelled by the kindergarten at Ivon Wilson Park in Te Anau on Wednesday in a ceremony that included cake and a tree planting."Everyone was gathered around and some of the children were holding up a wooden sign made by a kindy parent with 'Mrs Shaw’s Lane' carved into it, which brought tears to my eyes." Maley-Shaw is farewelled by her students with a specially made sign. Photo: Supplied.She says while she has cherished her role, it is now time to relax and tend to her garden. “I will miss my snuggles and the excited voices, but my garden is calling me and it's time to slow down.”“Thank you to all that have helped me along the way and most of all thank you to all the children who I have had the pleasure to teach.”

An extremely rare species of sea slug or ‘gravel maggot’ has been discovered on a remote beach in South Westland.Named Smeagol, after Gollum from Lord of the Rings, the nationally critical species was discovered at the Hautai Marine Reserve by a group of University of Canterbury scientists and marine rangers, who used a new technology called eDNA.Smeagol, an extremely rare sea slug. Photo: Wildwind, iNaturalisteDNA works by passing a litre of seawater through a very fine filter. DNA fragments are left in the water by plants and animals that have been in the area recently. These fragments collected in the filter are sent to Wilderlab in Wellington to be analysed. About 500 different species were detected from the eDNA samples from Hautai Marine Reserve, ranging from bacteria to dolphins. “We were incredibly shocked and delighted that the results came back confirming the presence of Smeagol within the sample that was taken” says Don Neale, Marine Ranger for the West Coast. Neale said the gravel maggot lives up to 30cm down under the gravel beach surface which makes it very hard to find and study, but the eDNA method is one way to do that.The species had previously only been known to exist in New Zealand on a small coastal beach in Wellington and in Kaikoura."It’s not yet known whether this new population at Hautai Marine Reserve is its own species or related to one of the two known populations, which are 750km and 950km away, respectively.” “To figure this out would be a pretty major undertaking,” said Neale.“We would need to go back in to Hautai and spend some time digging carefully around gravel or under boulders to see if we can find any live gravel maggots there.” “Although they’re very small and inconspicuous, coastal animals like Smeagol likely have some role to play in recycling nutrients from beachcast kelp back into the thriving ecosystems of the surrounding oceans.”  “Their name, ecology, and threat status all give Smeagol a bit of an iconic status” says researcher Don. “And it goes to show how much more there is to learn about our marine environments, with dozens of new species discovered in New Zealand every year.” 

Weekday meals can be easy and economical.And there are some cuisines that fit the bill every time.Asian flavours appeal to most people — think curries, stir-fries and dumplings.These meals are speedy and special.Just keep a selection of economical, multi-purpose spices and herbs in your pantry.  Another fave cuisine with flavour is Mexican.I keep soft tortillas in the freezer so I can whip up a treat even if the traditional ingredients are not on hand.There are always good substitutes: eg, swap canned sliced peaches for tomatoes or plum sauce for salsa. My family also love Japanese pancakes — okonomiyaki — because they can include just about anything in your fridge. Okonomi translates to ‘as you like it’ and yaki to ‘grilled’.Traditionally these pancakes are prepared from flour, eggs and a flavoured stock, and filled with cabbage — maybe carrot and corn — plus pork or shrimp. In Japan, this classic street food dish is available at markets and specialty okonomiyaki restaurants where it’s cooked on a large hot plate in the centre of the table.It’s also a popular meal Japanese families will cook at home, usually tweaking the recipe to suit their own tastes and to use ingredients they have on hand. SICHUAN CHICKEN Four small wedges of green cabbage could replace the Shanghai cabbage. Prepare all the ingredients ahead and cook just before serving. 500g skinned and boned chicken thighs, halved1 teaspoon five-spice powder2 tablespoons canola oil3cm piece root ginger, peeled and julienned or grated1/2-1 teaspoon each: crushed Sichuan peppercorns, chilli bean paste2 tablespoons each: soy sauce, rice wine vinegar1/2 cup water 4 small Shanghai cabbages, trimmed and halved lengthwise Sprinkle the chicken thighs all over with the five-spice. Heat half the oil in a non-stick pan on medium-high. Add the chicken and cook for 2 minutes each side. Place aside. Add the ginger to the pan and stir for 30 seconds. Add the peppercorns and chilli bean paste. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and the water. Cover loosely and simmer for about 10 minutes. Place the Shanghai cabbage on top, cover and simmer for another 3-4 minutes, until tender. Serve with rice or noodles. Serves 4.   MYO OKONOMIYAKI Japanese vegetable pancakes. Great drizzled with Japanese mayo eg Kewpie, and okonomiyaki sauce. To make your own: 2 tablespoons tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon each of Worcestershire and soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sugar, combined. I’ve used bacon in place of cooked pork. Batter: 2 eggs1/2 cup cold water1/4 cup each: plain flour, cornflour1/2 teaspoon each: baking powder, saltFilling: 2 rashers rindless bacon, chopped2 cups very thinly sliced cabbage1/2 cup each: frozen whole kernel corn, thinly sliced beans, thawed2 spring onions, diced 2 tablespoons canola oil To make the batter, whisk the eggs and cold water together in large bowl. Add the flour, cornflour, baking powder and salt. Whisk until smooth. This batter can stand for an hour if necessary. Panfry the bacon until crisp. Remove from the pan. Combine the vegetables in a bowl. Add to the batter. Stir until well combined. Pour 1 tablespoon of the oil into a 20cm frying pan and heat. Place half the bacon in the centre of the pan. Spoon half the batter mixture on top to make a 10cm diameter pancake. Reduce the heat to low and flatten the pancake. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes. When brown underneath flip over to cook the other side, until golden. Remove and keep warm. Repeat with the remaining mixture.  For extra zing, add a garnish of pink pickled ginger. Serves 2.  SALMON TACOS Drained canned salmon is a good sub for the hot-smoked salmon. 4-5 soft taco shells 250g hot smoked salmon, broken into chunks1/2-3/4 cup plum sauce1 cup each: grated tasty cheese, thinly sliced cabbage 2 tablespoons plain or chipotle mayo6-8 thin canned peach slices, well drained1 small avocado, stoned, peeled and diced1-2 tablespoons lemon juice Heat the taco shells briefly in the microwave or according to the packet instructions. Combine the salmon with the plum sauce. Heat through gently. Fill the warm taco shells with the cheese, then the cabbage mixed with the mayo. Top with the peach slices, salmon and avocado. Drizzle with a little lemon juice. Serves 2.  GREEN CURRIED KUMARA Excellent served as a main or as an accompaniment. 500g purple-skinned kumara1 large carrot, diced1 medium onion, diced1 tablespoon rice-bran oil1-2 tablespoons green curry spice paste1 cup coconut milk1 cup frozen peas, thawed slightly1-2 tablespoons lemon juice2 tablespoons chopped parsley Peel and cut the kumara into 2.5cm cubes. Steam or microwave together with the carrot until just tender. Meanwhile, sauté the onion in the oil until softened. Add the curry paste, coconut milk, cooked kumara and carrot and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add the peas and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Season with the lemon juice. Serve topped with the parsley. Serves 4-6.  

Community Trust South has given a funding boost of $10 000 each to the Southern Steel, Southland Sharks and Southland Stags, to combat the financial blow of Covid-19. The one-off payment was given in addition to the approval of their three-year funding applications.Community Trust South general manager Jackie Flutey said trustees acknowledged the continuing challenges the franchises faced operating within the Covid environment, together with each being impacted by the loss of SIT sponsorship.“We understand that because of alert level changes, there have been restricted crowd numbers resulting in reduced revenue and there has been increased costs in ongoing adaptation to operate within Covid guidelines.” “The recently announced loss of major sponsorship is untimely with opportunities to secure new sponsorship difficult in a struggling business community. While the Trust is not in a position to plug the gaps in sponsorship, this additional one-off grant will go some way towards mitigating the situation.”Netball South chief executive Lana Winders said the organisation was delighted to have funding approved with a ‘cherry on top’ for the Steel and community netball in Southland and Wakatipu.“As a franchise, we have been taking some blows to our revenue with Covid restricting the number of people we can have at games and SIT pulling back from their major sponsorship of the Steel.” “We have had some amazing help from our partners and we have been working overtime to cut our cloth to the reduced revenue. There have been a lot of sobering conversations about what we can and can’t do. So, getting the news from Community Trust South that there was an extra $10,000 of assistance blew us away,” she says. “It is so good to have the pendulum swing our way a little. We will stretch that $10,000 a long way to help us keep our head above water.”It was an important boost for Steel’s quest to secure a third ANZ Premiership title.“Our players need a performance environment that meets their needs and helps them compete and represent the south with pride. Apart from a much-needed morale boost for the team behind the team, it will help us keep essential elements of that performance environment in place,” says Winders.The Southland Sharks basketball team. Photo: SuppliedRugby Southland general manager Steve Mitchell said the organisation appreciated the ongoing support from Community Trust South.“An increase this season for the major codes to acknowledge the difficulties faced due to Covid is further appreciated and shows how committed and connected to the community Community Trust South is” Southland Sharks general manager Jill Bolger said the organisation was very thankful for Community Trust South's additional support."Right from day one they have been a massive supporter of the Sharks, both from a funding point of view but just as importantly, generally in the community. To have them step up like this means so much and really does show how committed they are to our region and organisations like the Sharks, Steel and Stags,” she says. 

A Southland company has been fined $10,400 for failing to keep a record of sales for seafood it was moving between its two Te Anau restaurants.Chan Farther and Son Limited pleaded guilty to two charges under the Fisheries Act and were sentenced in the Invercargill District Court on 12 May following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). MPI Regional Manager Fish Compliance, Garreth Jay says a lack of proper paperwork had raised questions. “When a seafood supplier lacks the proper invoices, it creates questions over the legitimacy of what they’re doing – in this case, providing fish meals in restaurants.”“Most people in the hospitality business do the right thing so that consumers can be assured the seafood in the meals they’re buying is safe and comes from a sustainable source.”The company has two restaurants based in Te Anau and both received warnings about moving seafood between the businesses without the appropriate invoices as early as 2016 and 2018.As a result, the company was issued a direction by MPI in 2019 requiring it to keep and maintain a fish sales system along with being provided education by fishery officers.However, in 2020, an inspection by MPI of the two restaurants, China City and Ming Garden Chinese Restaurant in Te Anau found six kilos of frozen pāua between both businesses with the last invoice at China City having a purchase date of 2 November 2019.During the inspection, live blue cod, rock lobster and pacific oysters were discovered. There was also frozen stargazer fin fish, rock lobster, wrasse fin fish and school shark, along with frozen blue cod and hoki. The company was unable to provide invoices for any of this seafood.“To prevent this kind of illicit trade in seafood, robust record keeping is a required under fisheries law so that Fishery Officers can ensure it comes from a legitimate, sustainable, and hygienic source.”  “A lack of good record keeping can undermine our quota management system and catch limits which are set to ensure sustainable fisheries. When MPI finds evidence of these important rules being ignored – it will investigate and hold people and businesses to account where there is evidence of deliberate offending,” says Jay. If you become aware of any suspicious fishing activity, call MPI on 0800 4 POACHER (0800 47 62 24) or email [email protected].

A free pop-up community concert will showcase some of Southland’s young musical talent this Friday. South Alive and Southern District Health Board have organised the concert to celebrate Smokefree May, Youth Week and New Zealand Music Month. The free event will be held from 3.15pm at South Alive Community Park on Ness Street, Invercargill. Jo Grimwood of Public Health South, who helped organise the event, says the concert is a great way to celebrate the coinciding of the smokefree, youth and New Zealand music initiatives.“It’s aligned really nicely. The students who we have performing are preparing for the Smokefree Rock Quest, which is held in Invercargill next month. These amazing rangitahi (young people) are really open to sharing with the community, with people coming along.”“We’ve tried to do this twice before, but the weather just hasn’t been good. It’s looking good for Friday though, 15 degrees on overcast, but that’ll do.”The concert will be promoting the Smokefree ‘We’re Backing You’ campaign, which puts a positive and supportive spin on people’s journey to quit smoking, says Grimwood.  “90 per cent of New Zealanders don’t smoke, and we are working towards the goal of smoke free by 2025.”“We need to keep engaging with the rangitahi. We need to remember it’s a new generation we are dealing with and we need to keep message strong.” Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket, some healthy snacks and a drink bottle. Food and drinks will also be available. Featured musicians include The Terrace, Tahla Ward, Cloud Nine, Jorja Glassey, Brianna Loan, and Meadow Bodkin-Allen.The event is smokefree and vapefree,See South Alive’s website for more details: https://www.southalive.org.nz/southalive-events/ 

Southlanders are being reminded to play their part in maintaining the region’s air quality, as cold winter temperatures hit. With the arrival of cooler weather and the use of fires for home heating increasing, both smoke and pollutant PM10 (the measurement of particles in the air) increase. Measurements of air quality began on May 1.Environment Southland air quality scientist Owen West says readings from this first week for both Invercargill and Gore have been slightly elevated.“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.”Over the winter period from 1 May through to 31 August, outdoor burning is prohibited within the Invercargill and Gore airsheds. Those outside the airsheds can continue to burn but must adhere to rules such as not burning a number of prohibited items including baleage wrap and treated timber.“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,” says West. 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 live PM10 readings for Invercargill and Gore, and further information on what else you can do to improve air quality, go to www.BreatheEasySouthland.co.nz

Programmes training rural people to manage pressure and adapt to change will received renewed funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).Piloted across 2020 and 2021, the two programmes run by the Agri-Women’s Development Trust (AWDT) have now been allocated a further $339,000 to continue, and expand their reach. ‘Know Your Mindset. Do What Matters’ and ‘Our Resilient Farming Business’ have been attended by more than 300 rural women and men and include training on how to better manage stress, prioritise wellbeing, and cultivate financial resilience in the face of change.  MPI’s acting director of rural communities and farming support Andrew Spelman says disruptions and supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are one of the many challenges facing farmers, growers and Māori land owners.  “This training has helped boost people’s ability and confidence to cope, along with strengthening the resilience of their businesses to get through hard times.” The two programmes are designed specifically for people living and working in rural communities. The funding boost will enable them to be run again over the next year, starting in June. AWDT general manager Lisa Sims says skills learns on the programmes improved their wellbeing and connection to others, supported business decisions and communication, and drove positive changes in their lives and businesses. “MPI’s support will enable our team to work directly with more than 700 people, and our experience has shown that the ripple effect of the new skills and confidence they gain extends far more widely into rural families, businesses and communities.” The ‘Know Your Mindset. Do What Matters’ programme focuses on managing multiple pressures, prioritising wellbeing, and building realistic action plans.  The ‘Our Resilient Farming Business’ programme focuses on building personal and financial resilience. “The support provided by MPI is part of the Government and sector's Fit for a Better World roadmap. The success of New Zealand’s primary sector hinges on having strong, thriving and sustainable rural communities,” says Spelman.  More information and details about how to register are available on the AWDT website.  

Stewart Island's visitor levy is expected to treble - but it will be phased in.The $5 levy has been in place since 2013 and was aimed at easing the burden of tourism on the community.But figures from the Southland District Council suggested it would fall significantly short of covering forecast costs, prompting councillors to vote for a levy increase.For the Southland District Council, the vote to raise the levy has been a long time coming.They first started to suggest trebling the levy back in 2018.Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward councillor Bruce Ford said the community was concerned if the levy rose to $15, it would scare off visitors."The community is genuinely concerned whilst we've been busy recently, we're not sure how long that's going to go, and we've been very lucky in that respect."The numbers have held pretty good. But I would be concerned myself that we will lose some numbers as the borders open."Councillor Margie Ruddenklau did not agree. "Don't undersell that place. It's stunning."Given the next review could be six years away, she did not believe increasing the fee to $10 or $15 was excessive and would help "to future proof the island".Councillor Christine Menzies suggested an amendment - increasing the levy to $10 next October and raising it to $15 in October 2025."If it's left at six years, I'd be pretty uncomfortable if we vote for $10 today," she said.That was due to the expected shortfall between the levy collected and the amount that was needed to cover visitor related costs, she said.The councillors hit pause on the levy discussions by mid-morning, opting for a break and different agenda items while council staff discussed whether a phased approach could work.When it was given a green light, the phased approach received full support and councillors expressed some relief - even though it won't be formally passed until next month.Worry over impact on transport companiesOver on Rakiura, Ulva Goodwillie from Ulva's Guided Walks was concerned about the impact on transport companies who add the levy onto their fares."People don't really notice a $5 [fee]. But when they increase it another $10, it doesn't allow our transport companies to put on their own cost of living increase."It's a very big jump when people look at the fare coming to Stewart Island, and then they're going to put a $10 increase on top of that, and then a few years later, a $15 increase on top of that."She wanted to see the council take a different approach instead of increasing the levy."So what I would like to see is the removal of quite a few of those highly priced projects and bring it down to every day living projects that you can save for."Aaron Joy from Stewart Island Backpackers believed the council always planned to push the increase through.He wanted to know exactly where the funds were going."If you start putting money from the visitor levy - which they will do - into other projects then I'm sorry. This is where we, as residents, will draw a line."He wanted more community consultation before the levy was hiked to $15."Will it affect the visitors coming here? If it does, then I guarantee a few accommodation providers will start sending an account to the council for loss of income. We don't know, but that's an option."The Stewart Island visitor levy will be back on the council's agenda next month when it is expected to be approved.Republished by Arrangement

More than 3,000 New Zealanders have signed a petition calling for a requirement for imported pork to meet the same animal welfare standards as New Zealand pork.Over 60 per cent of pork consumed in the country is imported, with most of it being produced in countries that farm pigs using practices that are illegal in this country.The petition was presented to National MP Barbara Kuriger, the party’s agriculture spokeswoman at Parliament on 10th May.Brent Kleiss, chief executive of NZPork, which represents New Zealand pig farmers, says New Zealand’s pork sector has high welfare standards compared to many other countries. “New Zealand pig farmers deserve a fair go so we believe it’s time that imported pork is required to meet our high standards.”The call for pork imports to meet New Zealand’s standards coincides with the Government recently releasing a draft code of welfare for pigs, which goes well beyond the welfare requirements in other countries, endangers the viability of New Zealand’s pork industry and threatens to put the price of local pork out of the reach of many Kiwis.“Our standards are already much higher than the rest of the world,” says Kleiss.“The proposed code would widen that gap even further. It’s more important than ever that we support our farmers to be the best in the world.”“Even a report commissioned by the Government has calculated that the draft code will result in a 18.8% increase in the price of all New Zealand produced pork, a tsunami of imported pork undercutting local farmers and a reduction in the sales of born and raised New Zealand pork.”New Zealand imports pork from a range of countries including the United States, Spain, Canada and Poland. Overseas, some pig farmers routinely castrate all male piglets, often without pain relief.  In New Zealand, this procedure is rarely ever carried out, and if it is, only a veterinarian can do so and mandatory pain relief is required.Gestation stalls for pregnant sows are also banned in New Zealand. The EU allows the stalls for the first 28 days of pregnancy and most states in the US allow them for the entirety of a sow’s pregnancy.Unlike other countries, antibiotics are not used as growth promotants by New Zealand pig farmers. Porcine somatotropin, a pig growth hormone, is also not used in NZ.“New Zealand’s commercial pig herd also has a high health status and is not affected by the diseases that are having a very serious impact on pork industries in many other countries,” says Kleiss.