Southern (SDHB) hospitals have this evening (12 February) imposed much stricter safety measures as active COVID-19 cases in the district continue to rise.As well as all visitors now being screened for COVID-19, only those wearing a mask will be allowed entry. And only one person may now accompany or visit a patient (at a time).The full list of changes include:Staff in public and patient facing roles will be wearing N95 masks. Those that are in high-risk areas such as the emergency department and maternity, will also be wearing eye protection.Patients being admitted to wards will undergo a COVID-19 test on admission. Patients may be required to wear an N95 mask if this is deemed necessary by clinical staff. Increased focus on social distancing throughout all SDHB facilitiesRestricted entrances at all facilities with all entrances monitored by staff, visitors screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entry, and public health measures enforced (QR code scanned, wearing a surgical mask, hands sanitised).Visitors with mask exemptions will not be admitted entry. Only one visitor at a time will be able to visit patients on wards. Individual wards may impose further restrictions or close wards to visitors if they feel there is a heightened risk to the safety of their patients. Only one person may accompany someone who is attending an outpatient appointment or presenting at the emergency department for care. Children may accompany a parent or sibling if childcare is not available. Maternity services will have different restrictions. Patients and visitors should check with their lead maternity carer or the Southern Health website.The new rules apply to Dunedin, Southern, Clutha and Gore hospitals and are designed to decrease the spread of COVID-19.Lakes and Dunston hospitals have already implemented the new measures.There are currently 16 active COVID-19 cases in the Southern district.

The Southern Steel will host two pre season games next week, against the Tactix in Queenstown on Monday, followed by the Pulse in Dunedin on Thursday.Both Queenstown and Dunedin now have Covid-19 cases in the community. Games will be played to sold-out crowds of 100 spectators, in keeping with Red traffic light setting regulations. Fans can also watch the action online following the live stream on Steel’s Facebook page. Steel chief executive Lana Winders said the franchise was closely monitoring any developments with Covid-19 in the south, and plans could change if necessary. “We appreciate this is a fluid situation and we have the processes in place to pivot if we need to.”“With the opening games of the ANZ Premiership now just over a month away, we are working hard to ensure our players get some vital match play while respecting the need to create safe environment for everyone,” she says. 

The Ministry of Health reports 16 active cases of COVID-19 in the Southern District Health Board area, 13 of which are new over the last 24 hours.CLICK HERE to check locations of interest.CLICK HERE to find a Southland testing location.As at 12 February, Counties Manukau has the highest number of active cases (1433), while the West Coast has no current cases.Source: Ministry of Health 12/02/2022Source: Ministry of Health 12/02/2022

Southern District Health Board (SDHB) has now confirmed 2 positive cases of COVID-19 in Invercargill and Gore. Both cases are currently isolating at their respective homes and at this stage the COVID-19 variant has not been confirmed. Both had recently visited the Queenstown area.  If any locations of interest are identified they will be published on the Ministry of Health website: https://covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-tracing/locations-of-interest/  If you live in, or have visited, the Invercargill or Gore area recently please check this list. It is updated regularly.  The SDHB asks anyone with cold or flu like symptoms, no matter how mild, to get tested for COVID-19 and isolate at home until a negative test result is returned. This includes anyone who is vaccinated.  The most common early symptoms of the Omicron variant is a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose. If you have these symptoms, please get tested as soon as possible. These cases will be counted in today's Ministry of Health case numbers.  Investigation into the source of this case is ongoing.  Testing locationsTesting is available throughout the Southern district. Get tested if you have cold or flu like symptoms, even if they are mild, or if you have been at a location of interest. Stay home or at your accommodation until you return a negative COVID-19 test result, and you are symptom free. Covid-19 testing in free. Testing is available throughout the Southern district at many general practices. Please do not go to your general practice, after-hours/urgent care provider, or local emergency department if you need a COVID-19 test. Please call your GP first or the Southern Health phone number: 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719)You can find regional specific information about general practices offering testing on the WellSouth website: https://wellsouth.nz/community/covid-19/  Walk in and drive through testing is also available at the following sites.  InvercargillInvercargill Awarua Whānau Services and WellSouth Covid Community Testing CentreDrive Through/Walk In - No Appointment Required11am to 5pm Newfield Tavern, InvercargillCar park at the rear, entrance off Regent Street   For more information please visit the WellSouth website https://wellsouth.nz/community/covid-19/ or call 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719) If you are eligible, get your boosterThe discovery of COVID-19 in another area in the Southern district increases the need for people who are eligible to go and get their booster shots. Anyone over the age of 18, who received their last primary dose of the COVID-19 vaccination more than 3 months ago, is now eligible.  Remember: 2 doses for Delta, 3 for Omicron. Protect what you love and get boosted Southern!

Milford Opportunities Project is facing a three to five-month slow down after struggling to find a director to lead their business planning phase. This third phase of the project has received $15 million of government funding, on top of over $3 million previously granted. The position of director has been advertised nationally with a recruitment agency, and applications were received from around the country, but a successful appointment has not been made. Project governance group chair Dr Keith Turner said the team had been searching for a suitable director for the past five months and had gotten close to appointing a leader for the next phase twice.“Unfortunately, the talks did not progress into a final agreement and so we are still looking. I am a bit frustrated as I had wanted to hit the ground running at the beginning of this year.” “However, it is crucial we have the right person in the position, so we are continuing the search.”Milford Opportunities Project says this means they cannot progress on the major business cases at the pace wanted until a director is appointed.Turner says he knows this is not the news people in Fiordland, in particular the tourism operators, are wanting to hear as they are eager for progress and certainty around the project. The Milford Opportunities Project’s masterplan was launched in Te Anau in July last year and makes recommendations to Government. Stage three – where the project has now stalled – is focus in creating detailed business plans on how the recommendations will become reality.Turner says the hard work is yet to come. “We were asked to come up with something innovative, something challenging, something that will change the way tourism interacts with environment and conservation. I feel we have done that and now the hard work of implementation and decision-making on how to implement it begins.” The project began in 2017, after concerns about the rapidly growing visitor numbers in Milford Sound Piopiotahi were raised by Southland District Council and the Department of Conservation.Numbers peaked at 870,000 visitors in 2019, up from 430,000 in 2013.

Southern District Health Board (SDHB) is urging people to get their booster shots, after three Covid-19 cases have been found in the region. Two positive cases have been confirmed in Queenstown and one in Dunedin. The Dunedin case also visited Wanaka, and Cromwell during their infectious period. SDHB COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Programme Lead Karl Metzler says people who are over 18, and who had their 2nd vaccination at least three months ago, need to get their booster now.  “With today’s confirmed Covid-19 cases in Southern, our community needs to band together to protect ourselves and each other. Some people may have been taking a ‘wait and see approach,’ however it takes about two weeks after vaccination or the body to build protection against COVID-19, so now is the time to act” He says those within the SDHB area did well in getting the initial vaccines and hopes to see this trend continue. “As a district, Southern did a fantastic job of getting our two shots, which provided us great protection against Delta. We need to do it again in February by getting our booster dose – because this is the best way to fight Omicron,” he says. SDHB say providers across the Southern region have added additional vaccination capacity to meet expected demand for Big Boost February.To avoid queues, people are encouraged to book online at bookmyvaccine or by calling 0800 28 29 26. Information about clinics with appointments available this weekend are listed at www.southernhealth.nz/COVID19/clinicsWhen locations of interest are identified they will be published on the Ministry of Health website:https://covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-tracing/locations-of-interest/SDHB asks all who live in, or have visited, the Dunedin, Wanaka, or Cromwell areas to check the list, and says anyone with cold or flu like symptoms, no matter how mild, to get tested and isolate at home until a negative test result is returned. The Dunedin case is currently isolating at home and at this stage the COVID-19 variant has not been confirmed. This will be confirmed once genome sequencing is completed. This case will be counted in tomorrow’s Ministry of Health case numbers, as will the two cases confirmed earlier in Queenstown. Investigation into the source of the Dunedin case is ongoing.

A minimum wage increase of $1.20, bringing it to $21.20 per hour has been confirmed for 1 April by the government.The starting-out and training minimum wage will also increase from $16 to $16.96 per hour.Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood confirmed the moves in a statement this morning, saying it would directly benefit about 300,000 workers, and help many households most impacted by Covid-19."For someone working a 40-hour week on the minimum wage, this increase will see them earning an extra $48 a week, and almost $2500 more each year," he said.He said the government was delivering on an election pledge with the increase, and remained committed to supporting employees and employers throughout the Omicron outbreak."The wage increase will also have a stimulatory effect on the economy as many workers will spend the extra money on goods and services, which in turn, will help support businesses," Wood said.In September, the Living Wage - the rate at which someone would need to afford the necessities of life and participate as an active citizen - increased to $22.75.It comes after inflation hit its highest level in 30 years, with an annual rate of 5.9 percent for 2021 and an increase of 1.4 percent in the three months ended December.Republished by Arrangement

Police are appealing for information following a crash on Thursday (10 February) evening in Winton.The accident occurred at the intersection of Park Street and Eglington Street intersection around 9:40pm.The incident involved a ute towing a trailer and a motorbike.Police are seeking anyone who may have seen either of the vehicles involved travelling prior to the crash or the persons involved before the crash.Anyone with relevant information can call 105 and quote event number P049604365.

A positive COVID-19 case has been confirmed in Dunedin, while a second case is now in Queenstown.The Dunedin case was infectious while in Dunedin, Wanaka, and Cromwell. Southern District Health Board are asking anyone who has been in these areas recently to check the Ministry of Heath's locations of interest websitehttps://covid19.govt.nz/testing-and-tracing/locations-of-interest/  This website will be continually updated as new information comes to hand.Anyone with cold or flu like symptoms, no matter how mild, should get tested for COVID-19 and isolate at home until a negative test result is returned.  The most common early symptoms of the Omicron variant is a sore or scratchy throat, and a runny nose.The second Queenstown case is a household contact of the first case reported yesterday.All cases are currently isolating at home.

The Shear4Blair shearathon last weekend raised over $130,000 for the Southland Charity Hospital.  The shearathon was held from 6am on Sunday through to 2pm on Monday at Wohelo Station woolshed in Moa Flat, West Otago.  Event organiser Jared Manihera says the event went better than anticipated, despite having to be postponed a day due to the weather.“It really blew us away with the level of support we received. It’s hard to believe how many people volunteered their time and supported the event with donations, sponsorships, and products to be auctioned.”Four shearers completed the full 24 hours, broken into 12 hour runs, with several supporting shearers rotated throughout the event.  Southland Charity Hospital board member Melissa Vining said there are no words to describe what was achieved.  A Shear4Blair shearathon shore 10,084 lambs and raised over $130,000 for the Southland Charity Hospital. Credit: Findlater Photography“It was an awesome event. It was emotional to watch the shearers and their support crew working, especially as they closed in on, and surpassed, their 10,000th lamb.” Manihera says he is proud of all those involved in the weekend and how hard they worked, particularly for the four 24-hour shearers.  “Now that it’s over everyone’s reflecting on the weekend and realising what we achieved.”“I’ve talked to [the 24-hour shearers] Brayden, Cole, Eru, and David and they all say they’re a bit sore, still a bit tired, but mostly just over the moon about what they’ve done. For them, it was all about the cause. They worked so hard and pushed their way through to the end.”“Everyone had their own reasons for being involved. Many of us have been touched by cancer in some way and this was a way of fighting back against that.”The total amount raised from the Shear4Blair will be confirmed in the coming weeks as sponsorships and auction sales are finalised. The money raised from this event will be used to purchase medical equipment for the hospital, which is expected to open later this year. 

Eastern Southland Gallery in Gore will open a new exhibition this Saturday, featuring the works of three Masters of Fine Arts graduates from the Dunedin School of Art.‘New Landscape’ will feature artworks by Robyn Bardas, Miranda Joseph and Sue Pearce. Each artist has focused on a specific species, from the red tussock of Gore to Japan’s cherry blossom, and the alpine ecosystems of New Zealand’s South Island.Eastern Southland Gallery Programmes Officer Marcella Geddes says the artwork also has a focus on sustainability, and the survival of the species and environments represented. Miranda Joseph with artwork. Photo: SuppliedThese three artists were part of a group exhibition, New Perspectives on Landscape, at the gallery in 2018.Geddes says the Gallery is excited to welcome them back.  “We are delighted to welcome Robyn, Sue and Miranda back for a second exhibition. Their show explores new ways of looking at the landscape and makes for compelling and reflective viewing.”The exhibition runs from 12 February to 27 March 2022.Admission is free and gallery hours are Monday to Friday 10am – 4.30pm, weekends and public holidays 1-4pm.

The mayor of Queenstown Lakes is describing news of a confirmed Covid-19 case in the district as a wake-up call for the community.Jim Boult said the Queenstown case was understood to have an address in the resort town and the Omicron variant.He was notified about the possibility of a case in Queenstown late on Wednesday night but it was confirmed on Thursday morning.He understood the individual was cooperating with health officials to identify any locations of interest and close contacts, while isolating at home.Boult encouraged everyone to keep a watchful eye on the Ministry of Health website for any notified locations of interest in the district.Anyone who caught a Queenstown to Auckland flight on Sunday morning is considered a close contact, and is urged to self-isolate, test immediately and on day five after exposure.Flight NZ614 left Queenstown at 9.19am and arrived at 11.03am in Auckland.Queenstown Airport in Frankton was listed as a location of interest between 8.45am and 9.15am on Sunday morning, while Skyline Gondola Queenstown is a location of interest between 3.30pm and 5.45pm on Saturday afternoon.Anyone in either locations at the specified times is asked to self monitor for symptoms for 10 days after exposure.If they develop symptoms, they are asked to get a test and stay at home until they receive a negative test result.Boult said it was important that people remained calm, supported each other and were kind."Whilst we've all done great work in getting vaccination and booster numbers up and following Covid Protection Framework red setting practice, it's time to double down and keep ourselves and each other safe and healthy," he said."This may feel confronting with our district having been free from Covid for so long, but we knew it was coming. Over the coming weeks and months, we are highly likely to see more cases pop up, so have a chat to your household about what you would do in case you had to isolate at home. Do you have enough groceries, pet food and medication, or do you have someone who can drop supplies at your door?"Boult said he was happy with the self-isolation capacity in place for his district.Locals and visitors alike are reminded to follow the public health measures.Investigations into the origins of the case are ongoing.The Southern District Health Board said testing is available throughout the southern district.People are urged to get tested if they have cold or flu like symptoms, even if they are mild or if they have been at a location of interest.Testing is available at the Queenstown Medical Centre with bookings, and a drive through and walk-in testing are available at the Engage Safety Covid-19 Testing Centre and Te Kāika Testing Centre in Frankton.Republished by Arrangement

Home and land owners across Southland District will soon receive a new rating value for their property.Southland District Council (SDC) say the average house has increased in value by 46% since the last valuation in 2018, with corresponding average land value increasing by 67%. Rating valuations are usually carried out every three years, to help local councils set rates for the next three year period.  They reflect the likely selling price of a property at the revaluation date, which was 1 August 2021, and do not include chattels.Valuations have been prepared for 19,948 properties and show the total rateable value for the district is now $25.5 billion (up 10.9%), with the land value of those properties now valued at $17.7 billion (up 9.9%).On average, the value of residential housing has increased to $441,000, while average land value is now sitting at $172,000. Table showing property (CV) and land (LV) value changes by location, compared to 2018. Image supplied. Quotable Value (QV) prepared the new valuations for SDC.  QV’s National Revaluation Manager Tim Gibson says the residential sector has seen significant growth since 2018.He says this has been fuelled by record low interest rates, a shortage of listings, and people relocating or returning to the district. “The highest percentage growth within the residential market has been observed within the smaller provincial townships of Southland, largely due to their low value base. The larger townships of Winton, Te Anau and Riverton have experienced more moderate value growth in comparison.”Meanwhile, the commercial and industrial sectors have had more moderate increases across the district. Commercial property values increased by 15% and property values in the industrial sector have increased by 21% since the Invercargill City’s last rating valuation in 2018.Commercial and industrial land values have increased by 38% and 64% respectively.Gibson says the exception to this is Te Anau’s commercial sector, where growth has been slow due to uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Table showing property (CV) and land (LV) value changes by category, compared to 2018. Image supplied. The rural sector in Southland District has seen no to moderate growth, depending upon the land use type. Dairy properties have, on average, seen a very slight reduction in property and land value of -0.2%. =Pastoral properties were on average showing a 4.4% increase in capital value and a 3.7% increase in land values. Within the rural sector, forestry was showing the largest increase with 35.6% increase to capital values and 37.2% increase to land values.Southland District Council say decisions about proposed rates from 1 July 2022 will be considered during the development of its Annual Plan 2022/2023.They say the updated rating valuations are independently audited by the Office of the Valuer General and need to meet rigorous quality standards before they are certified. They are not intended to be used as market valuations for raising finance with banks or as insurance valuations.New rating values will be posted to property owners after 16 February 2022. If owners do not agree with their rating valuation, they will have a right to object through the objection process before 24 March 2022. 

Te Anau's tartan festival has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.The three day Easter festival, which was to have hosted the internationally acclaimed New Zealand Highland Dance Company along with a string of other guests, was expected to have attracted thousands to the tourist town.Committee chairman Chris Watson said the group had been excited about the events planned for this year and the huge numbers of people it would have brought to the town, which has been suffering from a lack of tourists since the borders closed in 2020.However, after exploring all possible options, the committee determined there was just no way the festival could go ahead with the COVID-19 Protection Framework at Red and a predicted surge in Omicron cases still to come.“We will be working very hard in the coming months to resecure our special guests, and look forward to offering the same, if not better, programme at Easter weekend next year (7th-10th April 2023),” Watson said.“We have had an overwhelmingly positive response from those we have contacted already, but we’re also mindful of the blow this will deal the local accommodation and hospitality industry which were looking forward to the economic injection the festival promised,” he said.Full refunds will be offered to those who had already entered competitions or purchased show tickets.“If you have booked accommodation, we would urge you to consider coming anyway, supporting our local operators, and exploring Fiordland and everything we have to offer,” Watson said.

The Riverton Trotting Club’s 32nd Riverton Cup race will be held at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill this Saturday, despite the challenges of the Red traffic light setting.  Participants, workers, and ticket holders who can be housed in separate bubbles of under 100 people can attend, while members of the public must stay in areas on course which will be advertised on the day.  Vaccine passes, social distancing and mask wearing while moving around the course will also be required.  The Cup, won last year by star pacer U May Cullect, features a stake of $20,000 and will be run over a distance of 2700m.  Several other titles and prizes will be given out on the day. The NZ Trotting Annuals currently being auctioned. Photo: Bruce Stewart   The race day of 12 February coincides with the closing of an online auction run by the club for a full set of New Zealand Trotting Annuals, from the first edition in 1972 through to the final edition in 1998. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Team Teal Campaign, run by Harness Racing New Zealand from 1 February to 15 March to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer research.  

Home kill butchers have noticed an increase in people growing their own meat. Southland Butcher Craig Hamilton is spending more time on the road than you'd expect for a man in white gumboots.He says he's noticing more people are taking great care to grow their own beef with the type of nurturing akin to pruninig prized roses. He talks to Jesse about what he's seeing in his line of work.CLICK HERE TO LISTENRepublished by Arrangement

A new regional strategy has been launched to improve Southlanders’ access to sporting and recreation facilities. The Southland Regional Spaces and Places Strategy includes all local councils and several community funding agencies, and is coordinated by Active Southland.The collaborative approach intends to build a framework to improve Southlander’s access to recreational facilities and their experience at these places, through tackling challenges with upkeep and maintenance for many aging and under-utilised buildings.The strategy aims provide more clarity for those seeking investment and support for facilities and spaces in Southland, particularly regional sporting organisations.Active Southland say the strategy is required as resources and funding streams for these facilities are currently under pressure, while the number of projects and the cost of development is increasing. The strategy has been endorsed by Active Southland, Sport New Zealand, Invercargill City Council, Gore District Council, Southland District Council, Invercargill Licensing Trust (ILT), ILT Foundation, Community Trust South and the Mataura Licensing Trust.The group of representatives will meet regularly to prioritise the strategy’s next steps.A workshop with regional sports organisations will be held in the first quarter of 2022. The workshop will be an opportunity to introduce the strategy, and explain how sporting organisations can work alongside the community and other partners. 

Allan and Cathie Brown of Otautau have been married for 60 years and celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Waitangi Day with forty family members and friends at the Otautau Golf Club last Sunday.Having both come from Scottish stock, they passed their love of Scotland and all things Scottish onto their children.So, it was no surprise that their oldest son Royden, a skilled bagpipe player, piped in the haggis and recited the Address to a Haggis at the celebrations. Allan James Brown was born 4 November 1937 at Otautau as the third child of nine to Thomas and May Brown.His ancestors came from Scotland to Tasmania in 1840, before moving to Dunedin, New Zealand in 1886.A fifth generation New Zealander, Allan was raised at Strathvale, Otautau on the family farm which he still owns today.He attended Otautau Primary School and then Southland Technical College.Having completed his secondary education, Allan worked on various farms in Western Southland, learning many skills which he stills uses today. Allan and Cathie Brown on the day of their wedding on 7 February 1962. Photo: SuppliedCatherine Grant Thompson, a daughter of Robert and Edith Thompson, was born on 9 October 1940 in Invercargill as the third of five children.Cathie’s family moved from Invercargill to Orawia when she was in her early childhood.She attended Orawia Primary School then Southland Technical College for her secondary education. Allan and Cathie met while they were both working on Jean and Bill Scott’s farm in Eastern Bush.Allan worked as a farm labourer and Cathie was housekeeping for the Scotts. They married at First Church, Invercargill, on 7 February 1962.Soon their oldest son, Royden was born in 1963, followed by daughter Joanne in 1965, and twins Michael and Jeffrey in 1969. Mr Brown says that the births of each of their four children were highlights of their family life.Allan and Cathie Brown with Elva Bickley who was a bridesmaid at their wedding. On the left is the dress Cathie wore to her wedding. Photo: Faye BrownAnother major highlight of the couple’s life was buying Allan’s family Strathvale farm, having leased it for two years prior.Allan’s father, Thomas Brown, was a WWI veteran, who was granted the Strathvale farm as part of the government’s soldier-settler scheme.Allan remembers those first years as hard work.“The first 10-15 years it was head down and get rid of the mortgage. We milked 45 cows back then,” he says.Later he bought two neighbouring farms to add to his existing land.Several decades on, history repeated itself when in 2021 Allan’s son, Michael leased the farm from his father with the intention to buy it in the future. This allowed Allan to retire from farming.Both Allan and Cathie have been very active in various community groups and clubs.Mr Brown’s very first club involvement was with the Tuatapere Young Farmers Club, he was also a director of the Otautau Dairy Factory and Otautau Vet Club. He is a life member of the Otautau Jaycees. Allan is involved in Otautau RSA, Thornbury Vintage Tractor Club and Otautau Golf. His wife, Cathie has been equally busy in a number of Otautau clubs and community groups including Otautau Badminton, Scout Group, Lioness Club, Golf Club and Garden Club. Asked about his advice for a long-lasting relationship, Mr Brown said that all you need is “Just a bit of give and take and to realise that you are not always right.”The Browns obviously had plenty of that. With a total of 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren they are kept busy, happy and young at heart.

The Tiwai Point aluminium smelter wants to keep operating past its previously signalled closure date in 2024.In a statement issued by the smelter's majority owner, Rio Tinto, it said it believed there was a long-term future for the Bluff operation."With a global strategy focused on decarbonisation and growth (released in October last year) Rio Tinto does see a positive pathway for New Zealand's Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) to continue operating and contributing to the local and national economies beyond 2024," NZAS chief executive Chris Blenkiron said."We are working closely with Ngāi Tahu, Southland and key industry leaders to find the best way to achieve this."The comments come as aluminium prices climbed to new highs, eclipsing the $4300 per tonne mark in January, according to a research note from Forsyth Barr.The upward pressure on prices was the result of China's decision to reduce carbon emissions by scaling down some of its coal-powered plants and high electricity prices curbing European production.About 85 percent of the power consumed by Tiwai Point is renewably generated, with most of that supply coming from the Manapouri hydroelectric power station which is owned by Meridian Energy.Blenkiron said as a producer of some of the highest purity, lowest carbon aluminium in the world, NZAS was well placed to supply economies focused on decarbonisation.In a statement to the stock exchange, Meridian Energy said it had not had discussions with the smelter's owner about a new power contract beyond 2024.The future of Tiwai Point was in jeopardy in 2020 after Rio Tinto announced plans to shut the smelter down in 2021, citing expensive electricity costs.However, in 2021 it announced it had secured a cut-price power deal from Meridian and Contact Energy to keep it open for another four years.Meridian Energy chief executive Neal Barclay later said it would not give the smelter any more rock bottom price deals once the current contract expired, even if it wanted to stay.Republished by Arrangement