With no further government support expected, 2022 is crunch point according to Brad Olsen, principal economist and director of leading New Zealand economic consultancy Infometrics."[In this year we] might see more businesses fall over," he said, before the disruption of Covid works its way through by 2024 or 2025.Olsen's message to Fiordland tourism and business owners on Friday (18th February) was sobering but expected.Many Fiordland's businesses, despite having pivoted, are still operating on just 30 - 60% of their pre-Covid revenues.Olsen said the tourism sector was currently 4 million visitors down and hospitality in a $2 billion hole. The primary sector [however] was doing well and had kept things going.Domestic tourism over the last 2 years had given the sector a good boost and was still important, but Covid had been longer and more drawn out than expected.This has changed Kiwis' habits, he said.While Kiwis' were more resilient, they were also more cautious.New Zealand now has a de facto [lockdown], Olsen said, with people more hesitant to go out and preferring to stick around home or maybe buy an e-bike.Those travelling are choosing destinations they can drive to, rather than fly to, and while generally happy to spend up on good food, they are more budget conscious when it comes to accommodation choices.Work expectations had also changed, he said, with people now more willing to move to smaller centres or work remotely.Olsen predicted international tourism could reach 70-80% (of pre-Covid levels) by 2026.However while noting New Zealand had a good name internationally for the way it had handled Covid, he suggested the longer the country remained closed to international travelers, the harder it might be to attract them.Olsen said businesses should expect interest rates to climb to pre-Covid levels (or maybe a little higher) and wages to continue to increase.He said inflation may spike to around 5.9% and hold for 1-1.5 years. However he did not see any signs of a recession, citing building consents still far outstripped the country's capacity to service them.He said it was important for businesses to keep a close eye on their expenses and have a plan. However he admitted revenue budgeting would be harder.Diversification and changing the way things are done would continue to remain important.Olsen noted an obvious resilience amongst operators, and said community spirit and businesses working together was a definite strength.Things hopefully will not be as dire in a few month's time, he said.The round table discussion was hosted by the Fiordland Business Association and Southland Business Chamber.

A big thank you to all those people who donated money to us during the Hospice Street Appeal on February 11. The Street Appeal is the main annual public fundraising event for all 33 hospices across the country, and it was touch and go whether we would continue with it locally as the more contagious Covid variant Omicron began to spread south.We decided to go ahead and that’s why you would have seen people with hospice vests seated outside your local supermarket and other shops on the Friday. We must also give a big thank you to those volunteers who manned the tables with their collection buckets. This year we also had eft-pos machines available making it easier for people with no coins in their pockets to donate. No excuses!As we operate seven hospice retail shops around the province including one in Te Anau, we empathise with business owners the dilemmas the Covid pandemic presents, such as trying to isolate team members into work bubbles to limit any potential spread.Now that Omicron is here, we must be even more careful how we handle customers in our shops and visitors to our In-Patient Unit in Invercargill. This includes community nurses visiting patients in their homes, with virtual consultations over the internet becoming more common.For our shops we are recommending entry for vaccinated and masked customers only. However, we have left this decision to each shop manager as to how best they can serve their communities. Family members are welcome to visit patients in the IPU with appropriate hand hygiene, masking and social distancing restrictions.On a brighter note, the Rotary Hospice Charity Cycle Challenge is rolling around again, to be held this year on Saturday, March 19. This fundraising event spearheaded by Rotary clubs throughout Southland involves a 160km ride from Te Anau to Invercargill. It’s not a race but more a challenge for both competitive and casual cyclists alike to raise money while riding for a good cause.You can enter by signing up at our website hospicesouthland.org.nz. If your legs aren’t up to it, you can sponsor someone who is. Flora GilkisonCEO, Hospice Southland

Southland award winning singer/song writer, Jenny Michell has signed a record deal with a Melbourne-based music company Cooking Vinyl Australia.Founded in 2013 by Leigh Gruppetta and Stu Harvey, Cooking Vinyl Australia is the home of artists including Grammy Award Winning Lucinda Williams and ARIA Award Winner Fanny Lumsden. With a variety of international and domestic label partners, joining Cooking Vinyl is a pivotal career step for Mitchell.  “I’ve been looking for a label for a while. I wanted to work with a team who could work with the vision I had, rather than imposing their version of me,” Mitchell said.The 22-year-old from Gore, winner of many music awards, including twice taking the Southland Entertainer of the year (2017 and 2019), has last week released a music video with her new single, titled “Somehow”. The video recorded in Dunedin features Mitchell’s dancer friend Natalie Exeter.“The song is about mental health. Someone close to me was having a hard time and I didn’t recognise the signs. Often there’s no easy solution for mental health, and sometimes all a person needs is to know there’s someone nearby to lean on,” she said.Jenny Mitchell has been singing all her life. Her first public performance, at the age of four was with her father, country singer Ron Mitchell, at the Gore Country Music Club, that she is still a member of to this day. Her sisters, twins Nicola and Maegan Mitchell are also singers who often perform with their big sister and their dad.Asked about the impact of Covid on her work, Mitchell said that entertainers all over the world have been hard hit, with travel restrictions and many events cancelled. Through these challenging times, she’s grateful to have recently joined The Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award team as a Digital Marketing Advisor.Before Covid, Mitchel recorded many songs and toured extensively in Australia, along with past tours through Ireland and Sweden. For now, her main focus is on New Zealand and Australia.She sees the partnership with Cooking Vinyl Australia as “a foot in the door to the Australian and international music scene, and a good opportunity to take her art to the next level.“A lot of it [being a performer] is business planning, marketing and admin, with the end goal of playing live and connecting with people. Working alongside Cooking Vinyl means I have access to the resources of a label, while still keeping all creative control in my court. It’s an amazing feeling to know there’s a team of people working to reach my goals, rather than just me,” she said.Visit jennymitchell.co.nz to learn more.

Police are seeking the public's help after a family harm incident in Winton on Tuesday (15th February).A report was received by Police about 9.30am that a man had been seen allegedly assaulting a woman holding a child at the intersection of Great North Road and Moore Road.Police are currently speaking with the parties involved and enquiries are ongoing, they said.However, we are interested to speak to anyone in the area at the time who may have witnessed the incident.Anyone who can help should call 105 and quote file number 220215/3069 or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Invercargill's Queens Park has won the Kiwi Choice award in the 2021 Keep New Zealand Beautiful awards.The Invercargill City Council offered a huge thank you to everyone who voted for the park, via it's social media page last night (17th February).This award not only represents Queens Park or the wonderful staff that nurture and help her grow. It represents you, the community of Invercargill, who allow the park to be a part of your everyday lives, they said.The Beautiful Awards are New Zealand’s longest-running sustainability awards and have run annually since 1972.The full list of winners and recipients of the Beautiful Awards 2021Towns & CitiesMost Beautiful Towns & Cities Supreme Award winnerWhakataneMost Beautiful Large CityWellingtonMost Beautiful Small CityHastingsMost Beautiful Large TownTaupō Most Beautiful Small TownKaitāiaPlacesBest LooLeith Place Toilet – TokoroaBest StreetMary Street – ThamesKiwis’ ChoiceQueens Park – InvercargillCommunityCommunity Group AwardRotary CambridgeSustainable SchoolsSolway College – MastertonIndividual recipientsTidy KiwiDavid Williams – OtorohangaKumar Kumareswaran – Lower HuttMichelle Stronach-Marsh – PetoneYoung LegendJemima Christie – Havelock NorthNora Quigley – MethvenSophie Weenink – NelsonLocal HeroAnna Petchell – HamiltonGary Mitchell – WellingtonMarshal Walia – Auckland

The owner of a longline tuna fishing company was fined $7,800 in the Dunedin District Court yesterday (16 February), after failing to take a Fisheries observer on a fishing trip.It is Tuna Fishing Company Ltd director Wayne David MacFarlane's (44) second conviction and sentence for offences under the Fisheries Act.In February last year he was fined $15,000 for not deploying tori lines (seabird scaring devices) while fishing as required, says MPI Regional Manager Fisheries Compliance Garreth Jay.“It’s disappointing to have to bring the same person before the courts for fisheries offending. Mr MacFarlane was required to carry an observer to monitor his fishing and adherence to the rules as he was operating in an area considered a high risk to seabirds.“Seabirds are a precious taonga and fishers need to do their part to help protect them. The majority of commercial fishers understand this and support the important role that Observers play in monitoring fishers at sea,” Jay says.On 9 April 2021, the Northern Odyssey left the Port of Dunedin with an observer aboard, and the vessel returned to unload its catch on 15 April. During the trip, the crew experienced mechanical problems with a refrigeration system, which urgently needed to be repaired.While in Port, the skipper of the fishing vessel assured the observer that they would not be returning to sea without the observer. However, by 19 April the Northern Odyssey left its berth to go fishing without an observer on board. Fishery Officers contacted MacFarlane to have the skipper return the vessel to Port and pick up the observer, but he refused. The vessel finally returned to port on 26 April 2021 and the catch from the fishing trip was seized by MPI valued at $64,264.27. Upon conviction, the Court ordered the proceeds of the sale of the catch be forfeited to the Crown along with the fishing vessel, Northern Odyssey, valued at about $1.1 million.

Invercargill's Surf to City is still on, however under the current COVID-19 restrictions there will be no crowds at this years event.Rebranded "Your Surf to City - Your way", the popular run, walk and cycle event has been reworked by organiser Active Southland (AS) so family and work bubbles can complete the course on their own and anytime between 12 - 20 March.“You can start from Oreti Beach and utilise the offroad trails and shared paths which lead into the city, or at any point in between. We've created 12km, 6km and 3km starting points as well as two alternative finishing areas, one to the north and one to the south, where you can get a great selfie. We hope having two finish areas will also make it easier for people to take part,” AS chief executive Brendon McDermott said. AS events manager Laura Faherty said participants will be able to go into the draw for a wide range of spot prizes by entering the ‘Your Surf to City’ photo competition. “We will have some more details about how to enter the competition closer to the time, but we are really looking forward to seeing how Invercargill people and the wider Southland community make the Surf to City their own in 2022,” she said. “There are plenty of opportunities during Your Surf to City for families, workplaces or community groups to take part. We are pleased we can still give the community an active experience, while working inside the Covid Protection Framework.” For more information on Surf to City click activesouthland.co.nz Meanwhile Southland's Relay for Life has also been rebranded to "Relay Your Way".Anyone wishing to participate can register for free and complete their relay anytime in March. For more information click https://www.relayforlife.org.nz/relayyourway 

Environment Southland (ES) will shortly be back on the road, and in the skies, checking farmers' winter fodder paddocks for potential water quality issues.They will be making sure critical source areas have been left uncultivated, buffer zones are in place by waterways, how feed crops are being used to keep vegetation between waterways and animals, and if the paddocks look like they could pose an increased risk of overland flow.Any farmers identified with higher risk paddocks will be visited by the ES land sustainability team, to ensure their is a plan in place, but also to offer advice on how best to manage any problem paddocks.Environment Southland chief executive Rob Phillips said he was keen to ensure farmers were supported and well prepared for winter grazing this season. “We appreciate the hard work farmers have put in improving their wintering practices over the last few years. There is a continued spotlight on Southland farmers’ wintering practices so they need to be prepared and vigilant through winter to ensure their wintering practices continue to improve,” Phillips said.Federated Farmers junior vice president, and intensive winter grazing spokesperson Jason Herrick agreed systems management around intensive winter grazing had improved immensely over the last 10 years ago."Everyone is understanding and using the tools a lot better," Herrick said.However he identified farmers understanding of critical source areas as a subject that still required some work."A critical source area is anywhere where water can flow and take nutrients and mud away, which then flows into a water source," Herrick said."[It was important] to identify those early before the big rain events happen', he said.Herrick expected similar numbers to last year with only a few farmers needing to be visited. He said all were easy to work with to help improve their systems.Poor intensive winter grazing practices can cause significant damage to Murihiku Southland’s freshwater quality through sediment and effluent runoff leading to excess nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria to waterways. It can also affect soil structure and health, and in some cases animal welfare.

A worker based at a lodge on the Milford Track has tested positive for Covid-19.Guided walking business Ultimate Hikes has confirmed that one of its attendants at its lodge, Glade House, became unwell on Saturday and returned a positive rapid antigen test that night.On Tuesday, she returned a positive PCR test while isolating in Queenstown.General manager Noel Saxon said Glade House was closed while staff isolated and were tested.So far, they had returned negative rapid antigen tests but they would receive PCR tests on Thursday.He said lodge staff were separated from walkers - it meant roughly 100 guided walkers were considered casual contacts.But there did not appear to be any crossover with independent walkers, he said."Our staff members were generally going out on the evening boat on the way back so there's noone on those boats."The staff member concerned spent a day out of the lodge on a day off and looks like they've contracted that when they've been out on that day off and then they've come back in, and that's when they've become unwell."All guides needed to take a rapid antigen test before returning to the track if they had time away, he said.Ultimate Guides was able to continue operating before Glade House reopened."It's the first lodge on the Milford Track for us. It's just about a kilometre up the track from where you get off the boat at the start of the Milford Track."What we're doing in the meantime is we're going to spend a night in Te Anau and then get an early boat, and then those walkers will then bypass Glade and walk straight through to Pompolona, our second lodge."All Ultimate Hikes staff and walkers have been vaccinated.Republished by Arrangement

Rob Phillips, chief executive of Environment Southland (ES), is retiring.Over his two terms as the council's top executive, Phillips played a key role in initiating the Southland Regional Development Strategy (SORDS) - a plan to attract 10,000 more people to Southland by 2025. This ultimately lead to the creation of the Southland agency, Great South.He was also a key driver in the eradication of Southland's 2016 Velvetleaf infestation.Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell said "We have been fortunate to have a CE of Rob’s calibre leading the council for the past 10 years. His passion for Southland and his commitment to working with the community have been unwavering and he will be missed.""A key strength of Rob’s is his relationship skills. He has been instrumental in strengthening community partnerships, building relationships with industry organisations, Te Ao Marama, government ministers and departments and this has been an important factor in successfully progressing our work programmes. He has also steadfastly supported councillors and led the staff across a board range of work, which is often both complex and demanding," Horrell said.Phillips retires from ES in May 2022, but will continue with his governance roles, including as co-chair of the BioHeritage Challenge and as Environment Southland’s appointed representative on the board of Predator Free Rakiura.

Seven different car classes will line up for the Mobil 1 Classic SpeedFest, this weekend at Teretonga Park near Invercargill.The Archibalds Historic Touring Car grid will feature many superb machines from the not too distance past with Scott O’Donnell of Invercargill sure to be one of the pacesetters on his home circuit in his Ford Mondeo ST. O’Donnell won two of the four races for the category at last year’s SpeedFest. His main opposition will come from his uncle, Lindsay O’Donnell of Christchurch, in a Volvo S40 Super Tourer and Arron Black of Dunedin in a BMW E30 among others.The Ricoh Historic & Classic Saloons Pre 78 bring a varied and large field of machinery to Teretonga Park supplemented by some invited cars from the Historic & Vintage Racing Association such as John McKechnie’s Holden Monaro, making its second appearance at Teretonga Park, 52 years on from its first, Leon Hallett of Mosgiel on debut in his Boss Mustang and Stacy Lines of Invercargill who is taking the wheel of Hallett’s other Mustang. Watch out for Roy MacDonald of Dunedin and Rodger Cunninghame of Te Anau also in Ford Mustang’s. Steve Ross should be to the fore in the Southland Tyre Centre Classic Saloon races in an iconic New Zealand race car, the PDL 1 Mustang, while Frank Ryan of Ashburton (Chev Camaro) Guy Stewart of Christchurch (Porsche 911 IROC) Stuart Black of Dunedin (Porsche 944T) and Richard Quin of Tauranga in the ex- Rodger Freeth Starlet are other factors in the field.Guy Stewart also backs up in the Downer Sports & GT field where he will be up against Invercargill driver Barry Leitch in a Leitch Super Sprint and several others who have done well at the circuit in the past.Paul Coghill of Dunedin in his Jaguar Special is always tough to beat in the i-Hire Vintage Racing Car class with his chief rivals expected to be fellow Dunedinite Jim Bennett in a Furi Impulse, Mark Barrett of Christchurch in a Lotus 23B Replica and Paul Coory of Mosgiel in a Chevrolet Cae Sprintcar.Steve Ross of Dunedin in PDL 1 Mustang setting a great pace at the 2021 Mobil 1 Classic SpeedFest at Teretonga Park in Invercargill. Photo: Ron VeintJohn Williams of Christchurch looks to be a favourite for the Formula Libre races in his Crossle FF 2000 while the Noel McIntyre Drainage Club Saloons also have an outing at the event with some great driver and car combinations on the grid including Liam MacDonald in his Ford Falcon, Jordan Michels in his Ford Focus V8, Pierre Neame of Winton in his Mustang, Kyle Dawson of Invercargill in a Nissan Skyline, Robert Ralston in a Nissan Bluebird and Brian Scott of Dunedin in a Porsche 997.2. Rachael Beck will be at the wheel of her Mustang while son Alex Crosbie, currently fourth in the South Island Formula 1600 Series, takes over the Fiat 850 his mother has run previously.The Mobil 1 Classic SpeedFest will be held at Teretonga Park over the weekend of 19/20 February within the rules and guidelines to comply with the restrictions set out in the Covid-19 Protection Framework (Red Traffic Light setting). Tickets are on sale at Auto Centre, Tweed Street, Invercargill, E Hayes & Sons, Dee Street, Invercargill and Harrisons Supplies, Mersey Street, Gore. Gate sales will be dependent on pre-sales and vaccine passports are required for admission to the event. Spectators will not be permitted on the infield and we are unable to provide food vendors for the event so please bring your own food. Qualifying commences at 9am on Saturday with racing from late morning and a full day of racing with seventeen races scheduled start from 9.30am.

A Southland student is one of seven recipients of this years Meat Industry Association (MIA) scholarships.Lily Brankin from Otautau is in her second year of a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Agriculture) at Lincoln University.The Meat Industry Association (MIA) awards its annual scholarships to seven young New Zealanders considering careers in the red meat processing and exporting sector.This year’s new scholars are studying subjects ranging from food science to agribusiness, food marketing and supply chain management. Undergraduates receive $5,000 (per year) while post-graduates receive $10,000 (per year) scholarships. Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of MIA, said the range of subjects being studied by the new and returning scholars reflects the many different career opportunities across the red meat processing and export sector.“A number of our scholars are already contributing through their research. For instance, one of our returning scholars, Hennie Pienaar from Invercargill, is researching musculo skeletal injuries in red meat processing for his PhD, with the aim of making his thesis a manual for best practice in the industry."“There were more than 40 applicants for the 2022 scholarship programme. We are very pleased with the high calibre of applicants and the knowledge and interest they have about the red meat sector," Karapeeva said.The 2022 Meat Industry Association scholars are: • Chloe Lennox from Waverley, third year B.AgriBusiness and Food Marketing double major in Supply Chain Management at Lincoln University• Emma Yorke from Whangarei, first year B.Agricultural Science at Massey University• Josh Tatham from Masterton, first year B.Marketing major, Agricultural Innovation minor at Otago University• Lily Brankin from Otautau, second year B.Commerce (Agriculture) at Lincoln University• Molly Goodisson from Havelock North, fourth year BSc(Hons) majoring in Food Science, minor in Marketing at Otago University• Nicola Schroeder from National Park, first year B.Agribusiness and Food Marketing majoring in Supply Chain Management at Lincoln University• Angus Grant from Christchurch, second year B.Commerce (Agriculture and Professional Accounting) at Lincoln University. The MIA also runs a mentoring programme for its scholars, including a networking and educational event during the year, with presentations from key figures from across the industry. The organisation currently has a total of 21 scholars, with 14 existing scholars also continuing to receive support under the scheme.

The Southland District Health Board (SDHB) has further strengthened its protocols around hospital entry, as local cases of COVID-19 rise to 72.Changes include:All patients and staff involved in planned hospital care (elective operations and procedures) to have had a COVID-19 test 48-72 hours prior to surgery.Visitors are required to wear medical masks and other PPE as required. Visitors with mask exemptions are not able to enter our hospitals. Patients in the wards may have a maximum of two registered visitors during their entire admission. Only one of the registered visitors may visit each day. Exceptions may be made in time-sensitive palliative care situations and or when people need interpreters or other equity-related support. One support person, who has been screened and approved by the relevant area, may attend outpatient appointments and ambulatory care (walk-ins). Maternity services: Where there is no suspicion of COVID-19 contact or symptoms for either the patient or support person, one key support person (one partner OR one birthing partner) can accompany patients into the assessment room and birthing suite.For more information visit the Southern Health website. Current Cases in the SDHBThere are now 72 active COVID-19 cases in the SDHB district today (15 February) and 450 close contacts.As of 1pm Tuesday 15th February there are 450 close contacts isolating throughout the Southern district. 332 of these are in the Queenstown-Lakes district. 

Winton's volunteer fire brigade has been cleared to resume duties from today (15 February) after most have now received their negative COVID-19 PCR tests.Just one member is still awaiting their results to come through.Neighbouring brigades who were on standby for Winton have now been stood down.Winton Business Association chairperson Daphne Fairbairn said everyone is relieved that the brigade was resuming their normal activities.It would also be a huge relief for all the [firefighter] volunteers and their families, she said.

Winton's volunteer fire brigade remains out of action after 31 of their 34 firefighters were identified as close contacts at the weekend, and told to isolate and get a COVID-19 test.Fire and Emergency Southland District Manager Julian Tohiariki said "Only the original person [has tested positive for COVID-19] at this stage.""From the middle of Monday we have been progressively getting results back from PCR testing. The test results received so far have been negative. We are currently awaiting further results before we formulate a brigade response plan – most likely on Tuesday," he said.In the meantime neighbouring volunteer brigades including Browns, Dipton, Wallacetown and career firefighters from Invercargill are providing support until Winton’s fire trucks are back in service."We always have backup plans for all brigades, that is bringing in neighbouring brigades on pre-determined plans already in place," Tohiariki said.However Tohiariki admits geographically isolated brigades present greater challenges."Te Anau, Milford and Oban do pose issues for response with their isolation. We look at contingencies if neighbouring brigades cannot respond. For example, during Omicron, this could involve task force teams strategically placed across the district where resources permit," he said. Some rural brigades have already adapted in order to mitigate the impact of operating in a COVID environment.Mossburn's chief fire officer Lance Hellewell said his brigade had, two weeks ago, split into three [teams] in order to minimise contact with each other.They have reduced the manning on their fire truck and tanker, and all firefighters would now be wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) and masks, he said.

Campbell Leckie as been appointed project director of the Predator Free Rakiura project.This ambitious project to eradicate pests from Rakiura/Stewart Island is spearheaded by the Te Puka Rakiura Trust.Originally formed in 2014, the group is an alliance of interested groups including iwi, government, business, organisations and local community representatives.Te Puka Rakiura trustee Paul Norris says all trust members and project stakeholders are delighted that Mr Leckie has taken on the role and are looking forward to him commencing on 28 February 2022. “It’s a real coup for us to have secured someone of Campbell’s calibre as he has an impressive background in leading large-scale pest and ecological restoration programmes in the Hawke’s Bay region and brings extensive knowledge of biodiversity and biosecurity to our eradication project.”Leckie says he is looking forward to returning to his South Island roots when he picks up the lead on the Predator Free Rakiura project.“I was born in Palmerston and then spent the first 10 years of my life living in different parts of the South Island as my father worked on regional pest control boards and for the New Zealand Forest Service.”When his family shifted to the central North Island, Leckie says he spent most of his teenage years hunting and fishing before starting his career as a Department of Conservation goat culler and possum trapper.“This work led to biosecurity roles in regional councils, where at times I also led forestry and catchment management teams, and then to management roles for the Cape to City, Poutiri Ao ō Tāne, and Whakatipu Mahia projects.”Leckie says that innovation, transformation at scale, and a focus on people all played critical parts in the success of these projects, and he is really looking forward to seeing how they can each be applied to the Predator Free Rakiura project.“Individually and collectively, everyone supporting the project has laid a great foundation to take it into its next phase and I am keen to add my skills and experience to build together on the work done to date.” Leckie's first task will be to lead the design and feasibility stage of the project.

A staff member at an Invercargill aged care facility has tested positive for COVID-19.However no residents are symptomatic and all have returned negative Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT).The Southern District Health Board (SDHB) has advised all residents and their families, and the staff member concerned and close contacts are now all isolating at home.Case numbers in the Southern district have risen dramatically to 51 active cases (up from 16 yesterday).Active COVID-19 Cases in the SDHB (as at 11.59pm, 13 Feb 2022)The latest figures are yet to include a Dunedin student has now also tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating. As of 1pm today (14 February) 306 close contacts were isolating throughout the Southern district. 239 of these are in the Queenstown-Lakes district.The SDHB has warned that COVID-19 is now circulating within our community and urge the continued wearing of masks, following physical distancing and hand hygiene measures. They advise that bars, restaurants or parties are now high risk settings, and urge anyone who develops cold or flu like symptoms to isolate and get a COVID-19 test immediately.

What happened to a pilot and four passengers aboard an ill-fated flight that went missing between Christchurch and Milford Sound 60 years ago is still a mystery.On 12 February 1962, pilot Brian Chadwick and the group took off on a scenic flight in his Dragonfly aircraft, never to be seen again.The four passengers - Louis Rowan, Darrell Shiels and newly-wed couple Elwyn and Valerie Saville - were all Australian.Despite one of the most extensive aerial searches in New Zealand history, the plane was never found.Richard Waugh, whose father was good friends with the pilot, documented the flight and the mystery surrounding it in a book, Lost Without Trace: Brian Chadwick & the Missing Dragonfly.He said people are still searching the West Coast for the plane wreckage."I still receive at least monthly e-mails and phone calls from a range of people who have either found items, have theories of where the aircraft wreckage is located, or have undertaken their own private searches in 'hot spot' areas," he said."For example, before Christmas an aircraft seatbelt buckle was found on a South Westland beach and has been investigated by the police."Waugh said Covid-19 had scuppered plans to commemorate the anniversary - which included an airworthy Dragonfly ZK-AYR flying to join a gathering hosted by the Canterbury Aero Club, joined by relatives from Australia and New Zealand.Filmmaker Bobby Reeve and his family have been looking for the Dragonfly since 2008 - most summers they tramp up the Huxley River deep into the Brodrick Pass on the South Island's Main Divide.Reeve told RNZ last year that after speaking to witnesses and friends of the pilot, Brian Chadwick, he believed the wreckage was in that area."He would have known roughly whereabouts he was and probably entered the cloud thinking he was high enough to get through the pass and he's been off to one side or the other."When you look at the area up there, it's an area where nobody would go, no-one would just stumble across it."This women's fashion shoe was found hours from the nearest town. Photo: SUPPLIEDReeve said the discovery of a woman's boot in the remote location has led them to believe the plane was about 8000 feet up, deep in the permanent snow."I think if it had been in the bush the whole time it would be covered in moss - but it wasn't which is why I think it's come down off the snow."Republished by Arrangement

Winton residents are without their volunteer fire brigade after its firefighters were identified yesterday (12 February) as close contacts to a positive COVID-19 case.Southland Fire and Emergency (SFE) advise all the brigade's fire trucks will be out of action until the town's firefighters get tested and come out of isolation.In the meantime neighbouring volunteer brigades including Browns, Dipton, Wallacetown and career firefighters from Invercargill, will provide support until Winton’s fire trucks are back in service.The Winton Volunteer Fire Brigade's Chief Fire Officer Stephen Milne declined to comment.It is unknown how many local businesses are affected by the brigade's lockdown. The local brigade had 99 callouts in 2019.Fire and Emergency assured the Winton community on its social media page that the organisation has contingency plans in place and will always respond when needed.The Ministry of Health advises there are currently 16 active case of COVID-19 in the Southern District Health Board area.