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

The victim of a dirt bike crash on the outskirts of Otautau on Monday 7th February has now been named.He was 27-year-old Jeremy Dowling.Police were alerted to the fatal motorcycle accident on Knutsford Road, Bald Hill just before 3.30pm yesterday.The person died at the scene.An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

A body was located and recovered from the Clutha River near Teviot yesterday afternoon.The body was initially seen by members of the public, who notified Police at about 4.30pm.While a post mortem and formal identification process is yet to be completed, it is believed to be that of missing man Rian Williamson.Police say Williamson’s family has been advised.

The pandemic has caused a setback for the new Southland Charity Hospital, but it is already offering colonoscopies, and organisers hope to have its doors open by mid-2022.The project is the brainchild of the late cancer care advocate Blair Vining and his wife Melissa.Vining, a 39-year-old Southland farmer, was best known for using his final months to fight for better cancer care for all New Zealanders following a diagnosis of terminal bowel cancer in 2018.During his fight against cancer Vining also dreamed big - including the dream of building a charity hospital for the people of Southland. His widow has driven that dream since he died in October 2019."At the time when Blair said 'You just need to get on and build a hospital babe', I actually thought he was maybe a little bit delusional from the drugs. But it's actually turned out to be a huge privilege and a blessing, and anyone that's involved with the project understands why," Melissa Vining told RNZ."When you see all these people just giving what they can - whether it's legal advice, whether it's building expertise, project management expertise, little kids at schools giving their money to help buy bricks - when you see it just touch so many parts of the community and for everybody to work together to achieve this, you just truly feel privileged to be part of it and to see it."It was originally hoped the Southland Charity Hospital would open in April 2022.The hospital building is being converted from an old pub donated by the Invercargill Licensing Trust. The building consent was granted in May 2021.But the Delta outbreak and the lockdown which followed set those plans back by a few months, and those behind the project now hope to open the hospital in July.Two fundraising events, the Charity Ball and Rockin' With the Stars, also had to be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions.The Southland Charity Hospital aims to cater to health needs of Otago and Southland residents when let down by the public health system, offering colonoscopies and dental treatment for free.Melissa said despite the setbacks, the project was progressing well."We're well into the build process, with the extension complete and local tradespeople and personnel have been generously donating their time and goods. That - combined with the donations we've received - means we have enough to complete the build."We are on the last phase - which is to raise a million dollars to kit out the hospital; a million dollars to go and then we'll be all up and running."She said it has been a massive community project."I don't even have words to express my gratitude to the project managers and the tradies that have jumped on board."There's such a big stress on the whole construction industry and people have generously donated us supplies and kept us fairly on track. So I've got nothing to complain about and I'm just incredibly grateful."Colonoscopies already on offerWhile they were not yet taking patient referrals for all services, she said they could already offer colonoscopies, thanks to the generosity of a private hospital and clinicians in the area."Our clinical committee, which is made up of doctors, nurses, dentists, they've also had an arrangement going with a private hospital which has allowed us to start helping patients."So big hearts here in the Southern region from Otago and Southland, getting that up and running with volunteers immediately, even though the hospital's not even built yet."If someone had been declined through the Southern DHB, their GP could refer them to the Southland Charity Hospital.Once the opening date is confirmed they will be able to start taking patients for other services.To think of what had been achieved in just two short years was jaw-dropping, Vining said."When I stop and think about what our community - and New Zealand really - has achieved, the government don't even build hospitals in two years," she said."It's just the power of the people. We've had everything from lawyers, accountants, builders, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians - every pocket of the community, even schools - people from Northland have bought bricks, Gisborne, Wellington - everyone is just behind us."That's why it's been achieved, because of all these incredible people from everywhere helping us. And to do it in such a short space of time is nothing short of miraculous."She was sure Blair would be proud."I often think about what he would think of what everyone has achieved to have ticked this off, and I think he'd just be so grateful to be making a difference for those people who are unable to access those services now."I know he was incredibly proud of the people of Southland and he loved his community, and to know those people were suffering because they couldn't access public healthcare."I just think he'd be stoked to know that all these people are prepared to get behind this vision to ease the burden and pain to those families. So, yeah, I think he'd be pretty proud."Vining had often been a critic of the public healthcare system - particularly in the space of cancer care - and she had no intentions of giving up that fight either."I have no doubt in my mind that the work from all these people and the generosity of the country will save lives," Vining said."Bowel cancer, if detected early, is curable. And to be a part of a huge team of people who are achieving this it goes a long way towards giving me comfort that we will be helping end that suffering in our region."And I'm not giving up on hoping that one day the politicians understand the harm that they're causing by not funding this adequately, and creating accountability of those DHBs. But hopefully we can do our bit and, hopefully, one day the politicians will do theirs."Republished by Arrangement

One person has died following a crash involving a dirt bike on Knutsford Road, Bald Hill, near Otautau.The crash was reported to Police just before 3.30pm.The person died at the scene.Police enquiries are underway to establish what occurred.More to come...

Only one entrance and exit will be in operation at Southland District hospital from 8 February. All patients and visitors entering the hospital will also be screened for COVID-19. The Southern District Health Board say this may add to some extra time when entering the hospital but appreciate the patience and consideration of the public around these changes. “These changes will continue to help keep our community safe and limit contact with other patients as much as possible,” says James Goodwin, SDHB Service Improvement Manager.  “If you are unwell, we encourage you to stay home and call Healthline or your GP in the first instance.”  These changes impact hospitals around the Southern DHB catchment, with all other entrances, excluding the main doors, closed for Dunedin Public Hospital, Wakari Hospital and Southland Hospital.  Everyone who enters the hospitals will be screened, expected to check in using QR codes (or paper sign in), sanitise their hands and wear a surgical mask (available at each entrance).  Southern DHB say the public should be prepared to produce an outpatient letter or text when asked.  

New Zealand has claimed its first ever gold medal at the Winter Olympics today, with Zoi Sadowski-Synnott winning the finals of the women's snowboard slopestyle event.Sadowski-Synnott has soared into history books, winning the women's slopestyle gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.The 20-year-old from Wanaka - who went in as the defending world champion - made an emphatic start in her opening ride at the Genting Snow Park and competed a stunning final run to win the gold as the last rider up.Cheers erupted in the stands after Sadowski-Synnott's run and two other medallists piled on top of her to congratulate her."Could not be more proud right now," the New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games Teams quickly tweeted after her win as she scored an impressive 92.88 on her final run.The skies were sunny but hard snow and coldness made the event challenging for boarders as air temperatures fell to -19.6 degrees Celsius.It was a sensational final run with elements of extreme difficulty by the Kiwi rider with Sadowski-Synnott saying afterwards that it took determination to come back from a fall during her second of three runs.The Secret Garden Olympic Slopestyle course is designed to resemble sections of the Great Wall of China. Boarders grind rails, jump over a replica of an ancient guard tower covered with snow and soar over massive jumps to attempt complex and extremely dangerous tricks.The New Zealander took the early lead with a score of 84.51 on her first run, but was overtaken by Julia Marino of the USA who scored 87.68 on her second run, before Sadowski-Synnott won the gold with a 92.88 in her final run.Australia's Tess Coady took bronze with a score of 84.15 from her final run.Sadowski-Synnott cruised into the finals of the women's snowboard slopestyle qualifiers yesterday, taking the top spot.Ahead of the finals, the New Zealander said her rivalry on the slopes with Jamie Anderson of the United States pushed her to elevate her snowboarding."She pushes you so hard," Sadowski-Synnott said before the contest.The reigning twice-gold medalist Anderson, however, ranked ninth at today's event."I blew it, I fell, it sucks," she said.Today's medal is only the fourth for New Zealand since it first competed at the Winter Olympics in 1952 in Oslo, with Sadowski-Synnott claiming half of them so far, after she and Nico Porteous won bronze medals in PyeongChang four years.New Zealand's first ever medal was skier Annelise Coberger's slalom silver medal in 1992.Sadowski-Synnott's next event at the Beijing Games, the big air, in which she won the bronze medal four years ago, starts in a week. Republished by Arrangement

New Zealand’s red meat exports reached a record high of $10 billion in 2021, according to figures from the Meat Industry Association (MIA).Despite the continued disruption caused by Covid-19, exports represented a nine per cent increase on 2020. The value of red meat and related products exported in December 2021 was also up 22 per cent compared to the previous year, at just over $1 billion. Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of MIA, said the red meat sector has worked tirelessly in the face of ongoing global logistical challenges to continue to achieve the best possible results.  “Despite all the disruptions and labour shortages, we were able to make the most of the global demand for red meat and generate record export revenue. “The sector is continuing to perform for New Zealand in the most difficult conditions. However, supply chain challenges will significantly disrupt exports for some time to come and we do not yet know what impact that will have on the Easter chilled trade.”  Overall, both sheep meat and beef exports increased by five per cent and nine per cent respectively, with both worth more than $4 billion for the year.Co-product exports also increased by 19 per cent, to almost $2 billion.  China remained the largest overall importer (4 per cent), followed by the US (20 per cent), the UK (4 per cent) and Japan (4 per cent). 

I’ve often thought that coming up with a winning school lunchbox can be a bit like picking the winner of a horse race.Today’s sure bet is often tomorrow’s also-ran.your kids’ sometimes fickle tastes mean you have to provide a variety of different treats.And it’s important to provide a balanced diet to energise them through the day. Fruits and vegetables hit the vitamin and mineral trifecta when it comes to nutrition.And if you can include a good selection, your kids will benefit from enjoying some nutritious winners. Fats are often thought of as bad bets, and often are.But the fat in cheese, eggs, nuts and meat is beneficial when consumed in moderation.For example, meat and eggs are jam-packed with quality protein which keeps your kids hunger pangs at bay — a bonus in any school lunchbox.Cheese provides calcium as well as protein, and nuts contain antioxidants. Many ethnic dishes are top picks with today’s kids: think pasta salad with satay sauce; tacos with kidney or black beans and salad veggies; chicken kebabs; lettuce cups with Thai larb; stir-fried rice; pizza; wontons with dip; and sushi – winners that tickle their taste buds. PASTA SALAD WITH SATAY DRESSING Chopped hard-boiled eggs or nuts could be swapped for the chicken. Pack the salad into small containers with lids. I used Asian slaw from the vegetables section of my supermarket. Dressing: 2 tablespoons each: peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice1 teaspoon finely grated root ginger1 clove garlic, crushedSalad: 1/2 cup macaroni or small shell pasta2 cups prepared slaw3/4 cup chopped cooked chicken, optional Whisk the ingredients for the dressing together in a bowl, until smooth. Boil the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain again. Cool. Combine with the slaw in a large bowl. Add the chicken, if using. Toss together with the dressing. Serves 2. SOFT TACOS WITH CHICKEN If preferred, add grated cheese or drained and roughly mashed cooked kidney beans. Crisp taco shells could replace the tortillas. 2 mini soft tortillas1 cup shredded lettuce1/2-3/4 cup shredded chickenplain or chipotle mayonnaise to taste1/2 small avocado, diced2 teaspoons lemon juicecherry tomatoes Place the tortillas on a paper towel and microwave for 15 seconds. This helps soften them and takes away any raw flavour. Cool. Divide the lettuce over the tortillas and top with the chicken and mayo. Roll up or fold and fit into a lunchbox. Sprinkle the avo with lemon juice and place in a small container with a lid. Add the cherry tomatoes to the lunchbox. Serves 1.  VEGETABLE STICKS WITH YOGHURT DIP Cut the vegetables into sticks about 1cm thick and 4-5cm long. 1/2 cup plain Greek-style yoghurt1 tablespoon peanut butter1-2 teaspoons mango or other fruit chutneycucumber, carrot and/or celery stickscrisp crackers  Place the yoghurt, peanut butter and chutney in a bowl stirring until well combined. Pour into a small container. Seal with a lid. Place the vegetable sticks in a lunchbox with the dip container and the crackers. Serves 1.  RANCH SALAD This salad is an ideal side at dinner with the leftovers enjoyed in the lunchbox the next day. 400g baby potatoes 1 cup fresh or frozen whole kernel corn250g thickly sliced ham, cubed3 spring onions, diced1/2 cup each: parsley and mint leaves, slicedsalt and freshly ground black pepper to taste1/2-2/3 cup Ranch dressing Boil or steam the potatoes, until tender. Cool a little then peel. Halve if large. Microwave the corn for 1-2 minutes, until hot. Cool. Combine the potatoes and corn with the ham, spring onions and herbs. Season. Mix gently. Spoon the dressing over the salad and mix to combine. Serves 4-6