Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand (BCFNZ) say over 50,000 women are overdue for their mammograms, due to breast screenings being unable to occur during COVID-19 lockdowns.They say this means up to 300 breast cancer diagnoses have gone undiagnosed and untreated among Kiwi women, and without urgent action the catch-up could be too late for many.BCFNZ is now calling on central government to commit $15 million to urgently clear the mammogram backlog and prevent women being diagnosed too late.  Ah-Leen Rayner, chief executive of Breast Cancer Foundation NZ says breast cancer is already the leading cause of death for New Zealand women under 65, with Māori and Pacific women most at risk.“Mammograms are one of the most effective ways to reduce deaths from breast cancer, so it's absolutely vital that women can access timely mammograms.” That’s why we’re asking New Zealanders to join our call to the Government – please act now to stop more women from being diagnosed with breast cancer too late.”  The #GiveUsOurMammograms campaign, which began on 1st May, aims to put pressure on government to clear the mammogram backlog. People are being asked to take a photo of themselves holding a #GiveUsOurMammograms poster and upload it online.BCFNZ say they will collate as many photos as possible and deliver them to government. Coinciding with the campaign will be BCFNZ's biggest annual fundraising initative - Pink Ribbon Breakfast, in which members of the community host a breakfast and donate all proceeds to the charity.  However, BCFNZ say they are now facing a 50% drop in Pink Ribbon Breakfast registrations compared to last year.BCFNZ is non-government funded, and say the charity needs to increase registrations to hit its $2 million fundraising target.   “Covid has not only sent New Zealand’s world-class breast screening programme spiralling backwards, it’s also harmed our ability to serve the women impacted by this upheaval,” says Rayner.“The money raised from every Pink Ribbon Breakfast – no matter how small or simple – will help to support these women.”“The funds will also go towards our work to restore and transform breast screening in NZ, in our mission to reach zero deaths from breast cancer.”  People can sign up to host a Pink Ribbon Breakfast at www.pinkribbonbreakfast.co.nz 

Rugby Park's grandstand and media tower will both require earthquake strengthening to ensure the Invercargill venue remains safe, according to a number of Invercargill City Council (ICC) commissioned reports.The reports were presented on Friday (29 April) to the Invercargill City Charitable Trust (ICCT), who now has ownership of the popular sports facility.ICC Assistant Group Manager Leisure and Recreation Richard McWha said “These reports provide the first, truly comprehensive view on the condition and seismic performance of the entirety of these structures at Rugby Park.”“The results of the engineering assessments are not unexpected and the space is still able to be used by our community while we consider remedial action.”The media tower has been found to be at Importance Level 2 (IL2), considered to be 20-25 per cent of New Building Standards (NBS), while the grandstand complex is at Importance Level 3(IL3), considered to be 15-20 per cent NBS.“Council, alongside the ICCT, is now considering options and the approach to staging improvement works to ensure this facility is safe and to minimise the impact on planned events."“The work will likely be staged to best fit around established rugby season fixtures where possible to avoid disruption, and will focus first on the media tower,” he said.The ICC advised that work is already under way on detailed design and costings for the project and that they are working with Rugby Southland to manage any potential impacts.$4.9 million has been allocated in the ICC's Long-term Plan 2021-2031 for Rugby Park seismic work and maintenance.

The Government has announced changes to intensive winter grazing regulations, in an effort to make the rules more practical for councils and farmers to apply and comply with.Changes include an amendment to the definition of slope – from the mean slope across a paddock to the maximum slope – and replacement of default conditions around pugging and resowing with stand-alone duties to minimise effects.  Sub-surface drains are now exempt from the need to keep stock 5 metres away, and a new default condition has been included to keep critical source areas ungrazed and vegetated. Changes were made with input from the Southland Advisory Group, which was established by Environment Southland following a meeting with farmers and Ministers David Parker and Damien O’Connor in September 2020. The group included several farmers, and staff from Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, Fish and Game and Environment Southland, and was asked to look at the implementation of the intensive winter grazing rules within the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater.Their report was presented to Ministers in December 2020.Environment Southland (ES) chairman Nicol Horrell says the council is pleased with the announced changes. “We fully support the changes that have been made to the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater and can see the Government has carefully considered the recommendations from the Southland Advisory Group in making those changes.”“The advisory group’s recommendations around pugging, mean slope, and resowing dates have clearly been taken on board. We are glad the Government has taken these steps as they will provide practical solutions, not only for farmers to implement on the ground, but also for councils which monitor and enforce these regulations.” The updated regulations will come into effect from 1 November, 2022 and will not impact the 2022 winter grazing season.However, farmers planning intensive winter grazing operations for the 2023 season will need to be familiar with the new regulations and requirements. Existing use rights will not apply to the 2023 winter grazing season and practices will need to be adjusted to comply with the new regulations.“While we welcome these amendments, we still need to assess the changes in more detail to understand the implications,” says Horrell. 

Environment Southland (ES) say more investment is needed from central government to support Southland’s flood protection schemes, with the risk of flooding rising due to climate change. ES has today endorsed a report urging Central Government to prioritise sustained co-investment in flood protection across New Zealand.The Central Government Co-investment in Flood Protection Schemes Supplementary Report states that New Zealanders’ lives and livelihoods are in danger from increasingly severe and frequent flood risks arising from climate change.ES say Southland's flood protection schemes work to protect the regional airport in Invercargill, main highways and rail links, and communities' lives and livelihoods throughout the region.However, maintenance and upgrades to these schemes are funded principally by Southland ratepayers.Te Uru Kahika, representing sixteen regional and unitary councils throughout New Zealand, released the report on 6 April 2022. It urges Central Government to provide supporting investment to fund critical flood protection infrastructure across New Zealand.Environment Southland's chairman Nicol Horrell said the time for Central Government to commit to a long term, co-investment approach for flood protection is now."Science shows us that we will get more extreme weather patterns, so while we have had an exceptionally dry period in Southland, severe flooding is highly likely to affect our region again.""The three years of climate resilience funding announced in July 2020 has enabled us to bring forward critical upgrades to our region's flood protection schemes and was very welcome.""For the long-term, ongoing Central Government funding would give certainty that an appropriate level of protection can be maintained in the face of increasing climate change impacts in the future," he saysTe Uru Kahika’s report strengthens the findings of an earlier report in 2019, which revealed that the combined $200m regional and unitary council investment in flood protection schemes each year was falling short of what is required to meet flood protection needs by $150m per annum. ES says over the ten years considered, that would be $1.5b of under-investment in critical flood protection schemes.The report documents the scale of Crown assets protected by flood protection schemes, and states that the efficient functioning of the economy and our communities is a responsibility that must be shared between regional councils and Central Government.“Regional councils are a proven reliable partner for the Government when it comes to delivering flood risk management. However, we do support the call for a prudent and realistic financial partnership that will ultimately pay dividends for central and regional government and protect the communities we serve," says Horrell.

Southlanders are being urged to donate generously to their local rescue helicopter crews this May as part of Westpac NZ's annual Chopper Appeal Month, following a record-breaking year for rescues in 2021.  More than 9,500 missions were flown nationwide last year, including 551 missions in the Southland Lakes region.Lakes District Air Rescue Trust Chairman Jules Tapper, who’s crew covers most of the lower South Island, says the public’s generosity has helped the trust keep improving the capabilities of its aircraft and crew. “It’s great to see people out exploring our own beautiful country at every opportunity, but it does mean we’ve seen an increase in people needing our assistance,” he says.“The amount of accident and medical emergency work has increased markedly in recent years and with more people venturing into remote areas, beacon assistance work is increasing.”He says the trust relies on public donations to keep the Lakes District Rescue Helicopters in the sky, and that they are hugely grateful to everyone who is able to donate over the month of May. “The Otago Rescue Helicopter has attended several serious jetboat crashes over past years, which were particularly challenging due to the remoteness of the accident sites. Being on scene and providing critical care within a short space of time has led to much better health outcomes for the patients treated.” This Friday, Westpac staff around the country will be out and about raising funds for their local rescue helicopter service in the annual fundraising street appeal.The bank funds the marketing and administration costs of the Chopper Appeal, as well as distributing all funds raised back to donors’ local rescue helicopter trust. Westpac NZ Chief Executive Catherine McGrath says the rescue helicopter crews are working harder than ever to save lives. “Accident and illness can affect any of us at any time.”  “Knowing help could be only minutes away even in some of our most remote locations is so important in a country as diverse as ours. And when we've learned over the last couple of years that we can live, work and explore from almost anywhere, knowing the chopper crews are there for you when you need them is so important." “We know that living is getting more expensive, so every dollar donated is incredibly appreciated. All money donated in your region goes straight to your local chopper service, so you know that your donation is supporting your community.” People wishing to make a donation or find out more information can visit www.chopperappeal.co.nz

It is unacceptable the government has pushed ahead with its three waters reforms before checking if the numbers stack up on debt financing, opposition parties say.National says it means the reforms will not be fit for purpose, and ACT says if they fail to solve the funding problem they solve nothing.The government last week confirmed it was accepting the vast majority of 47 changes recommended by its working group to address governance, accountability and ownership concerns.The reforms would see management of drinking, waste and storm water infrastructure across New Zealand shifted from councils and consolidated into four large independent entities, with strategic direction provided by regional representative groups (RRG) combining equal council and mana whenua representation.The entities themselves would have operational independence, led by a board appointed to meet competency requirements by a subgroup of the RRG.Questions remain, however, about whether the reforms will be able to achieve their main goal: raising enough capital to fund the infrastructure improvements needed to meet new drinking water quality standards, and prepare for growth and climate change.The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) estimated the entities would be able to raise between six and eight times their revenue in debt for infrastructure investment, compared to just two to three times for councils.Other models have been rejected by the government for failing to achieve the kind of borrowing required to do this, and it has kept "balance sheet separation" - a financial term for the separation of ownership and control over assets being borrowed against - as a core requirement for the reforms.This put the working group in a difficult position however, after draft legislation included changes which would appear to put the government's prized balance sheet separation at risk.The working group's solution was a combination of asking the government to help guarantee the debt, and seeking further confirmation from global ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P) that balance sheet separation would be maintained.The government on Friday confirmed it would provide a Crown liquidity facility to help support entities' creditworthiness and balance sheet separation, but the details on this are as yet unclear.While it confirmed in March its new model would be subject to further analysis by S&P before the Bill was introduced in the middle of this year, its response to the working group also shows that analysis has not yet been completed.National's Local Government Spokesperson Simon Watts said it was not acceptable for the government to be pushing ahead."Absolutely not ... what we're seeing here is a masterclass of how reforms should not be undertaken, and this government at every corner failing to take on board feedback, consider alternative options and actually listen to the people that understand this best."Failing to listen to Standard and Poors' advice means that the entity structure is not going to be fit for purpose for what it needs to achieve in terms of outcomes, and that's why National have been opposed to this reform model right from the start and continue to be so."He said National did believe reform was needed but its approach would be to work with local councils on area-specific solutions."We don't believe a one-size-fits-all model will achieve the outcomes required. We don't believe that a four-entities structure will allow local voice to be maintained."ACT leader David Seymour suggested if the financials did not stack up, the reforms would be pointless."The whole premise of this reform is that it will allow councils to have enough room on their balance sheets, having removed their requirement to fund three waters."If they can't solve the funding problem, with these reforms, they've solved no problem at all - except, sadly, one will suspect they've managed to get through a de facto Treaty settlement masquerading as an infrastructure policy that doesn't actually work."Regardless, the government has been pushing ahead with the reform programme, having appointed a transition unit to oversee the change and ensure the new entities are ready to begin operations in July 2024.Finance Minister Grant Robertson was confident, however, that the entities would be able to raise the capital required."One of the reasons we worked so hard to make sure that balance sheet separation continued is because that's what enables the entities to borrow and be able to achieve a much greater level of debt financing than any individual council could," he said."The whole point of this is to aggregate up the assets that are there. We believe once we do that they'll certainly have the working capital they need to get on with the job of improving water infrastructure, that's the very point of the exercise."He said the working group had been in contact with S&P throughout the process."Throughout this process actually the working group have been talking to Standard & Poor's around what arrangements we might have and how that might affect the ability to do the debt financing. I'm very confident that we will be in a position to be in that ballpark. Whether it's exactly that number or not will obviously depend as we do the final analysis."It raises the question however of how much the government will be on the hook for, and whether financial failure of the entities would see taxpayers forking out.While the agency's formal analysis had not yet been returned, DIA's response to the working group shows the Ministers of Finance and Local Government, and the Prime Minister, will consider the findings and confirm the final design of the entities.Points of contention remainWhile the government said it was agreeing with 44 of the working group's 47 recommendations, not all of those were agreed to in full, and some were expanded upon:Recommendation 1: While the working group urged the government to "undertake a positive communications campaign with the nation to explain the universally agreed 'need for change' to serve the needs of the communities", the DIA response did not commit to such a campaign. It merely said it was "committed to ensuring that the public is well informed about the case for change".Recommendation 18: The working group called for bi-annual board performance reviews to be included in the legislation. The government agrees it is important to provide for that, but instead of putting it in the Bill would leave requirements up to individual entities' constitutions.Recommendation 20: The government prefers requirements for a mix of urban, provincial and rural representatives on the RRG to be set down in the entities' constitutions, rather than the legislation.Recommendation 21: Instead of the legislation setting out a mix of RRG iwi representatives appointed on a tikanga basis through waka groupings and Entity D (the South Island apart from Marlborough) through hapū groupings, the government would instead define 'mana whenua' in the bill. Tikanga-based appointments through waka groupings and - for Entity D - hapū groupings, would be set out in entity constitutions.Recommendation 23: Instead of the Crown providing funding to enable councils (and mana whenua) to fulfil their RRG roles, this would be provided for by the water service entities. This also aligns with Recommendation 9 which calls for administrative costs to be funded by the entities.Recommendation 27: The Local Government minister will consult with councils and mana whenua on drafting the individual constitutions of the entities, rather than with the working group. However, the minister will consider options for this engagement, which could include the working group or new groups for each entity.Recommendation 30: While the government agrees with the need for a consumer-protection framework, Cabinet has not yet decided whether this will be in the form of a Water Services Ombudsman with a tikanga-based resolution process. The Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs will present options to Cabinet before the Bill is introduced.Recommendation 33: Instead of a provision in legislation confirming that "nothing in legislation creates or transfers a proprietary interest in water or limits, extinguishes, or otherwise adversely affects or constrains iwi or hapū authority over, or rights and interests in, water", the government simply notes nothing in the Bill creates or transfers ownership rights in water. Clauses will be added, however, preserving the "status quo iwi and hapū customary rights and interests in water", and "the status quo for ownership in, and iwi and hapū customary rights relating to, water". The wording of these clauses is yet to be finalised by ministers.Recommendation 35: The government has not yet confirmed how resourcing for iwi and hapū to engage with the three waters regime will be supported, but announcements are expected "shortly". The government also agrees the entities themselves - not the taxpayer - should be required to adequately resource the RRGs.Recommendation 40: Government Policy Statements on water services will rely on consultation processes to avoid the national perspective conflicting with local priorities, rather than stronger provisions being included in the legislation.Recommendation 42: Provision for a non-voting Crown liaison to the RRG will not be included in legislation, although the government notes the legislation would not prevent it, and would also allow a Crown Observer.Recommendation 44: The government has rejected this recommendation for further confirmation of the size of investment required, saying equipping the entities to address all future investment requirements is a fundamental part of the rationale for the reforms.Recommendation 45: The recommendation that the Crown maintain an going role in support and investment in water services was rejected, although it will have ongoing oversight, stewardship and regulatory roles in the new system, and will continue to review any need for Crown support for water services infrastructure, including monitoring the effectiveness of the reforms.Recommendation 46: In addition to an interim review of the system after five years, a more comprehensive review will be undertaken within 10 years of the entities' establishment.Republished by Arrangement

Fifteen–year old Invercargill racing driver, Alex Crosbie, is the 2022 New Zealand Formula Ford Champion.Crosbie, a Year 11 student at Southland Boys High School, sealed the title in the last race of the championship at Mike Pero Motorsport Park at Ruapuna in Christchurch on Sunday.The NAPA Auto Parts New Zealand Formula Ford Championship was held over two rounds this season, the first at Taupo International Motorsport Park in March, where Crosbie took four third placings on his first ever visit to the circuit to leave the round third overall in his Ray GR21.The second round took place in Christchurch on Sunday with qualifying and four races all on the same day. Crosbie qualified second and went on to place second in the first of the four races. He then took his first race win in the class in the second race of the round before a third in the third race. Alex went to the start line for the final race second in the points and crossed the line in second place, the result good enough to seal the title in just his second season in the class and his first attempt at the National title.Alex Crosbie (Ray GR21) leads Bree Morris during the action at the final round of the NAPA Auto Parts New Zealand Formula Ford Championship at Mike Pero Motorsport Park at Ruapuna in Christchurch on Sunday. Photo: Terry MarshallCrosbie not only became the New Zealand Champion but also won Class 1 in the championship and took the Rookie Of The Year title.As his success sunk in at the conclusion of racing Alex said he was “quite excited” by the success. “I had no problems on the day and all went well. I have to thank Mum and Dad, Motorsport Solutions, NAPA Auto Parts and the Hampton Downs Motorsport Academy for their support of the series.”Winning the title opens up some exciting opportunities for Crosbie. He will receive a test in a Toyota Racing Series FT-60 chassis courtesy of Toyota GAZOO Racing and he also receives free entry to the annual Formula Ford Festival at the famous Brands Hatch circuit in the UK.Prior to tackling the national series Crosbie had secured third place in the 2021/2022 South Island F1600 Championship.Crosbie has a varied motorsport background having successfully competed in karts, taking a third place at the Nationals and a second at the National Schools Kartsport Championship while also competing across the Tasman in the past.He also competes in speedway, recently winning the Pits Media Trophy with six wins, two seconds and a third placing after rounds at Invercargill, Dunedin and Cromwell.He has also had the occasional saloon car outings at Teretonga Park.

Southlander John Gordon, retired rural radio and television presenter, director and author, has died.Gordon was best known for his appearances in the popular TV series Country Calendar (1976-84) and as the voice behind the iconic dog-trial series A Dog's Show (1977-94).He also directed and wrote The Southlanders, a series of one-hour documentaries about Southland places and identities.Growing up in Invercargill, Gordon spent time on the family's Gorge Road farm before studying at Lincoln College. This lead to various farming positions before he embarked on a broadcasting career that would span 24 years.After leaving broadcasting in 1997 Gordon wrote several books including - People Places And Paddocks, Mountains of the South, Three Sheep and a Dog, Out of Town, What's Its Name, Fresh Fields and Going There.At various times Gordon also worked for both the New Zealand Red Cross and Volunteer Service Abroad, which involved him travelling to South Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia to pass on his agricultural knowledge.Gordon moved to Otautau in 2010. He died on Tuesday 26th April, aged 78 years.

Congratulations toPenny Sutherland from Waikawawho is the winner of our book competitionDownriver NomadThank you to everyone who entered this Southland App competition.Remember just email [email protected] to purchase your own copy from the author.CLICK HERE to read more about Rob HutchingsBe sure to check out our WIN page for more Southland App competitions.

An Invercargill speed camera operator has been seriously assaulted.The incident happened just before 8.20pm on Friday (29 April).The camera operator was sitting in a red-coloured van, parked in the northbound lane on Dee Street, Invercargill, near Thames Street."Our investigation has established that a person riding a motorcycle has stopped a short distance away from the van before approaching it," said Inspector Jon Bisset."The person, who was not known to the camera operator, has then used a metal object to smash one of the van's windows which resulted in the victim being struck and receiving moderate injuries."This was an extremely serious and distressing incident for our Police employee and he was fortunate not to have received more serious injuries."The camera operator is now recovering at home.Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the assault or observed a motorcycle in the area at this time. Anyone with information should contact Police on 105 and quote file number 220403/0506.Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Plans for a world-leading Health and Education Precinct in central Dunedin, named Te Whakaari, have been released by the Southern District Health Board (SDHB).Occupying much of the Dunedin CBD area between the current hospital and Lower Stuart Street, the precinct is set to revitalise Dunedin's city central.“The Health and Education Precinct will be a thriving hub for healthcare, learning and mahi. Along with our new hospital, it will offer greenspaces, additional healthcare services, and vibrant retail. Te Whakaari promotes an exciting vision for Dunedin that will support equitable healthcare and the mauri ora of our communities,” SDHB Chief Executive Chris Fleming said.The masterplan supports the Dunedin City Council’s Central City Plan, with the Health and Education Precinct providing a link between the Tertiary Precinct to the north and the Cultural and Entertainment Quarter to the south. “It will also strengthen the hospital’s existing bonds with local rūnaka, the University of Otago, and Otago Polytechnic,” Fleming says. Phase one of SDHB's ambitious three phase plan will be completed by mid-2030. Graphic: SDHBThe precinct design features three phases of development: short-term (until 2030), medium-term (until 2040) and long-term (until 2080).The short-term plan includes the completion of the New Dunedin Hospital, a 500-car parking facility also suitable for electric vehicles and cycles, the development of an Interprofessional Learning Centre for student learning, and a Translational Research Centre. During this phase, it is hoped that developers will provide retail activity in the precinct. The medium-term plan sees Southern Blood and Cancer Services moving south of the New Dunedin Hospital, where it could be a comprehensive standalone centre. Additionally, the existing ‘Dairy Building’ could be repurposed as a Cancer Support Centre and/or Health Rehabilitation Centre. The long-term plan allows room for the development of future services. Spaces between buildings are set aside for a ‘green spine’ to encourage pedestrian and social activity at the heart of the precinct. The ‘green spine’ forms part of a larger ‘greenway loop,’ and works in tandem with planned upgrades to Dunedin’s retail quarter. As the SDHB transitions to Health New Zealand, the Site Masterplan will help inform future infrastructure decisions for Dunedin and, more broadly, the Southern District.“Te Whakaari is a vision and a roadmap for the stakeholders of the future,” Mr Fleming says.“It will enhance Dunedin’s reputation as a centre for health, innovation and education.” 

Emergency Management Southland has issued a Severe Weather Warning for Fiordland.They advise a slow moving front preceded by a strong and moist north to northwest flow is expected to move northwards across the lower South Island on Sunday and Monday.The front is forecast to deliver heavy rain and possible severe gale north to northwesterlies to parts of the lower South Island.Area: Fiordland about and north of Doubtful SoundValid: 6:00am Sunday to 6:00pm SundayExpect 100 to 130 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h from late Sunday morning.People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case any changes are made, or further areas are added.

The main arterial road linking Otatara to Invercargill city is to reopen to two lanes next week.Stead Street was reduced to one lane, one-way traffic in November 2021 to allow the installation of a sheet pile wall along the stopbank, as part of a key climate resilience project.Invercargill City Council (ICC) Manager Engineering Services Jeremy Rees said he was pleased to be able to confirm the road would reopen to two-way, 30kmh traffic from Friday 6 May.“An exact time for the road reopening would be determined on the day as the crews work to clear the way, so Otatara residents can prepare to access the city via Stead St from Friday afternoon.”ICC has been upgrading both the Stead St and Cobbe Rd stopbanks with a sheet pile wall and earthen embankment to protect the city, the Invercargill Airport and critical infrastructure from extreme weather events, sea level rise and further effects of climate change.“The Stead St Stopbank Upgrade has been a major piece of infrastructure that paves the way for Murihiku to become a climate-resilient city of the future,” he said.“We are pleased to be making progress on this significant project, including the completion of the sheet pile wall, which was completed ahead of time and budget, and allowed us to undertake some extra drainage work.”Landscaping, planting and footpath works will continue in the coming months, meaning the current temporary pedestrian and cycle path arrangement will remain in place while work continues on the upgraded stopbank cycleway, he said.Works are due to finish up in July.The ICC is investing $4.7 million in the project with additional funding of $10.8m from Kānoa – the Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, as part of a wider focus on the region’s flood protection and river management schemes, with support for several ‘shovel-ready’ projects in Southland announced in 2020.Earlier this month the projects contractors, subcontractors and staff decided to set aside some time to help clean up the estuary and clear rubbish that had accumulated in the space.“We understand the importance of the estuary to mana whenua and to kaitiakitaka, and so our teams wanted to put in some effort to tidy up and honour the area,” Mr Rees said.For more information, visit icc.govt.nz/steadstreet.

This year our kids will be at opposite ends of the country, so I won’t be able to enjoy their company or culinary skills on Mother’s Day.I would be happy though to receive a restaurant voucher — it would help both me and the hospitality industry.However, I suspect my husband will cook up his amazing spaghetti bolognese for Mother’s Day dinner.He uses minced venison which is the same price as prime minced beef in our local supermarket.But it’s venison that makes a million dollar bolognese. Mother’s Day has a place in my heart.My mum was a fantastic cook and she really enjoyed catering for a crowd.I guess her passion was instilled in me from an early age, but I didn’t realise it at the time.It’s something I have belatedly thanked her for over the years and especially on Mother’s Day. Mother's Day originated with the ancient Greeks and Romans but the celebrations as we know them are only about 100 hundred years old.The day is celebrated in over 40 countries although the dates can differ, and honours mothers and their influence on society.It has quickly become very commercialised — May’s retail sales boom.  ROCKY ROAD CAKE Kids, whip up this amazing cake for your mum. If an 18cm x 9cm pan is not available use a 20cm one — the cake will just sit lower. I sprinkled dried rose petals on top of the cake. Base: 250g packet malt biscuits1/2 cup desiccated coconut100g butter1/2 cup sweetened condensed milkTopping: 75g sliced almonds250g marshmallows1 cup red glace cherries300g dark chocolate, chopped Crush the biscuits very finely in a food processor or with a rolling pin. Combine with the coconut in a mixing bowl. Melt the butter in a microwave-proof bowl, about 1 minute 20 seconds on medium (50%) power. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk stir well to combine. Line a 18cm round x 9cm deep loose-based cake pan with baking paper. Press the mixture evenly into the pan and refrigerate to set. Meanwhile, lightly toast the almonds in a non-stick frying pan on medium heat. Cool. Cut the marshmallows and cherries in half with scissors. Combine with the almonds. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in short burst. Mix well. Spread a little over the cake base. Pile half the marshmallows, cherries and almonds evenly on top. Drizzle with about 1/3 of the remaining chocolate so the ingredients stick together. Top with the remaining marshmallow mix. Drizzle the last of the chocolate evenly over the top. Refrigerate to set. Serve the cake at room temperature. Use a large, heavy, serrated knife (eg a bread knife) to cut the cake into wedges. Run the knife under hot water for a few seconds then dry before cutting. Serves about 16.  10-HOUR PANCAKES Whisk the ingredients together in a bowl the night before, cover and refrigerate. 1 cup each: plain flour, wholemeal flour1 tablespoon each: baking powder, caster sugar1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1/2 cup each: milk, plain yoghurt2 large eggs1 cup warm waterbutter or canola oil for cooking Combine the flours, baking powder, caster sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Beat the milk, yoghurt and eggs together. Stir into the flour mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 10 hours or overnight. In the morning, add the warm water. Stir well. Melt the butter in a heavy, non-stick frying pan. Add about a 1/4 cup of the batter. Cook until bubbles appear on the top. Flip over and cook the other side. Keep warm in a 100°C oven. Repeat until all the mixture is used. Great served with microwaved or grilled bacon, poached or fried eggs and fresh fruit (eg sliced banana and kiwifruit) or fruit, yoghurt and maple syrup. Makes about 16 pancakes.   FRYPAN ROASTED CHICKEN An electric frypan meal. 1.5kg chickensalt and pepper to taste2-3 tablespoons canola oil1 large onion, diced1 tablespoon each: chopped fresh parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme1 cup fresh breadcrumbs1 egg, beatenassorted vegetables, optional Wipe the chicken inside and out and sprinkle with salt and pepper. To make stuffing, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in an electric frypan. Sauté the onion, until soft. Combine with the herbs, breadcrumbs and egg. Fill the cavity of the chicken with the stuffing. Tie the bird neatly with string. Heat the remaining oil in the frypan. Add the chicken and lightly brown all over on medium heat. Cover and cook for about 1 1/2 hours on medium-low heat, breast-side up.  Peeled potatoes, kumara, pumpkin, parsnip and/or quartered red onions could be added about 45 minutes before the end of cooking. Turn the veg over occasionally. Serves 4-5.  INSTANT BERRY ICE CREAM Work quickly to keep the fruit frozen. Great topped with brandy snaps filled with whipped cream. 2 cups frozen berries eg raspberries, strawberries or a mix1/2 cup each: icing sugar, chilled cream Tip the berries into a food processor or blender. Process until the berries are finely chopped. Add the icing sugar, and process until well combined. Gradually pour in the cream adding enough to make a smooth ice cream. Clean down the sides once or twice using a spatula. Serve immediately. Serves 4. 

Southland Police are asking for the public's help after an assault in the Eastern Southland area on Wednesday, which left two men seriously injured.Police were notified of the incident after the men presented to Gore hospital about 6pm. They remain in hospital in a serious condition.Initial enquiries suggest the incident occurred in the Mataura area earlier that day, and involved a group of people known to each other.Police investigating the incident have today executed three search warrants in the Mataura area, and have seized several items of interest.Investigators are still working to establish exactly what has occurred and identify all those involved, and are asking for the public's help with any information that may assist our enquiries.Specifically Police are appealing for sightings or dashcam footage of a white early model single cab Nissan flat deck ute, travelling between Mataura and Gore on SH1 between 4.30pm and 6pm.Anyone with information should call Police on 105, quoting file number 220427/2910.You can also share information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Invercargill Police investigating the death of Chad Parekura on Don Street last week are asking those in the Richmond area to please check their properties.Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Baird says it is thought an item of interest may have been disposed of in this area."Specifically, we're hoping to locate a knife, which is thought to be 20-30cm long."Finding this item would greatly assist our investigation, so if you live on the block bound by Lorn St, Yarrow St, Tay St and Lithgow St, please do take a look."Anyone using the sports fields and facilities in this area is also asked to keep an eye out."Anyone who finds a knife matching this description should not touch it and instead call Police immediately on 105 and quote file number 220429/9172.The second victim has now been discharged from hospital and continues to recover at home.

Environment Southland (ES) is to hold this years general rate increase to an average of 5%.The 2022-2023 increase is in line with ES's long term plan. It follows last years 20% increase which was toted as a one-off reset to balance the budget and undertake the increasing amount of work the council is required to do.ES Chairman Nicol Horrell said councillors were committed to keeping the increase to a maximum of 5%, despite an increasing number of financial challenges and many other councils around the country being forced to introduce rates increases higher than those set in their Long-term Plans.“We are operating in a really challenging environment and it’s difficult to make decisions with any level of certainty, but we agreed last year that our ratepayers need some clarity about rate increases and we’re determined to stick to that,” Horrell said.“In the past year, we’ve only seen things become more challenging with a range of increasing costs, including construction costs, fuel and inflation.  “We understand that our ratepayers are also facing a big increase in general costs of living and we are trying to keep rates increases to the absolute minimum.”The council doesn’t expect to consult on this year’s Annual Plan, as there are no significant changes which trigger the need for consultation, he said.A huge amount of work went into the 2021-31 Long-term Plan, which sets out the work programme and costs for the next 10 years, with a particular focus on the first three.The Long-term Plan was developed during a time of uncertainty due to Covid and its impact on things like cruise ship revenue and investment income.“We still have no certainty about when cruise ships will return and to what level they will return, so we have to budget without this significant income stream.”The war in Ukraine and global disruption as a result of Covid continue to contribute to uncertainty with investment income.The Southland District Council recently announced a 9.22% increase in rates for the 2022-2023 year, which was almost 11% higher than their long-term plan had forecast for this year. They have no plans to conduct a public consultation.

A new Community Wellbeing co-ordinator has been appointed for Te Anau.Te Anau local Anna Star has been appointed to the part-time role and will focus on sharing information about wellbeing concerns, monitoring the capacity of mental health services, and coordinatingwellbeing initiatives in the district.Created through a partnership between the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group and Great South, it is hoped the role will better connect the Fiordland community with mental health and wellbeing support as it continues to deal with the effects of COVID-19.The position is based on a similar role established in the Queenstown Lakes District last year.Te Hau Toka Group chair, Adell Cox, who is also the Southern DHB’s Allied Health Director for Mental Health, says Star will be critical in helping to “connect the dots”.“We saw a real need for a role in Fiordland to improve community wellbeing and, with the generous support of Great South, we’re delighted to welcome Anna to the team."“Anna is a passionate local advocate with a strong wellbeing focus and a background in community development. Having lived in Te Anau for 10 years, she has deep links into the community and is probably best known for her work with Fiordland Family Network and local breastfeeding groups.”Star is delighted to step into the new role and believes that it’s a huge opportunity to help her community and influence what’s happening in the health and wellbeing space at a regional level.“It’s been a tough few years and COVID has amplified some of the pre-existing challenges of living in a more remote area as well as introducing new ones. I’m really happy that I’ll be able to help people navigate these challenges and look after themselves and others. I’ll be working closely with the Te Hau Toka group and its Fiordland representative Sarah Greaney, as well as building a strong network of relationships with local community leaders, groups and social agencies,” she said.Ben Lewis, Great South’s General Manager Business Services Development, is delighted to be able to offer on-the-ground wellbeing assistance to the local community.“Fiordland has been one of the hardest hit communities by a lack of international tourists and with most businesses in Fiordland relying on tourism that has had a significant impact on our community.“To rebuild and prosper, businesses need to be well supported with information and resources. Having this role work alongside Great South staff with knowledge about support and funding available as well asother business resources will be a huge help,” he said.The role will be funded by Te Hau Toka and Starph will work alongside the Great South team in its Te Anau office.

It takes a lot to rattle the usually unflappable Reinga Bloxham but she admits the past couple of weeks have certainly tested her resolve. Facing the prospect of just two fully-fit players available for Saturday’s round 8 match against the Trident Homes Tactix at ILT Stadium Southland, the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel head coach has been forced to seek a reprieve under the ANZ Premiership’s Covid-19 Postponement Policy. Covid has ruled out the rest of the team who are either isolating or still to meet return to play protocols after recovering from the virus. Therefore, the game has now been rescheduled to Wednesday, 4 May, at 7.10pm. “At this rate, Jo (assistant coach Jo Morrison) and I might have to get our sneakers on,” Bloxham quipped. “We always knew this season was going to be challenging but even then it has, unfortunately, exceeded our expectations. “Initially we managed to avoid any infections while other teams battled with it but now it has well and truly made its way to the deep south. “It’s a tough gig at the moment. Absolutely we have some talented fringe players who are capable of stepping into the void as replacements, but we simply don’t have enough manpower to cover 80 percent of our team.” The Steel’s two games against the Splice Construction Magic were postponed last week, taking the tally of rescheduled games to four. “It does add a huge amount of pressure at the end of the season, both physically and mentally, to play catch up but our main priority is ensuring our players return to the court safely and their wellbeing is paramount,” Bloxham said. “I have every confidence our players will step up to the challenge and we are focusing on ensuring they have all the support needed to perform at their best under these circumstances. “We are incredibly fortunate the ANZ Premiership initiated a robust policy around Covid which has allowed all teams a degree of flexibility when needed. “Logistically it has been a nightmare but we aren’t the only parties impacted – it’s everyone from our loyal fans to our venues, broadcasters and officials who help make these games a reality.” Bloxham has been impressed by her team’s ability to adapt to the “fluid” nature of this year’s ANZ Premiership. “There is a strong degree of unity which stems from adversity and I think we will continue to see that out on court from the Steel as the season progresses.”