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Covid-19 advisor Ayesha Verrall to be candidate for Labour Party
Covid-19 advisor Ayesha Verrall to be candidate for Labour Party

15 June 2020, 1:19 AM

The Labour Party has unveiled its full list of candidates for the election and it includes one of the key voices advising the government during the Covid-19 crisis.Dr Ayesha Verrall, an infectious diseases specialist who grew up in Te Anau, is ranked number 18 - well above many of the party's sitting MPs.The Labour Party this afternoon unveiled its full line-up of candidates with the first 17 slots occupied by the party's Cabinet ministers and Speaker Trevor Mallard.Dr Verrall is ranked next at number 18, meaning she is almost certain to make into Parliament after September's election.Dr Verrall was vocal in her concerns about the country's initial preparedness when it came to contact tracing. She was brought in by the Ministry of Health to review the programme and make recommendations.Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Dr Verrall said she'd put her name forward to join the list on May 5 - the day before nominations closed."It was a scramble to put my nomination in in the week before," she said. "I was very busy in April."She rejected any suggestion of a conflict of interest in her role as a commentator or advisor."I have always sought for that work to be highly transparent," Dr Verrall said."The report that I've written has been made publicly available. It's been reviewed by other experts and, last week, I was asked to join the WHO in sharing it as an example of best practice."Asked whether she hoped to be health minister, Dr Verrall said that was a decision for the prime minister."I'm determined to use my skills and experience in health to make sure New Zealanders get the best healthcare that they deserve in any capacity I can."I'm focussed on campaigning for the party vote for Labour in the next three months."The Party's president Claire Szabó said she was thrilled Dr Verrall was joining the Labour Party's "very impressive line-up"."Covid-19 has changed everyone's plans... Covid-19 has changed the nature of our economy. It's changed the nature of our politics."And it's changed the minds of lots and lots of voters ... so it isn't unusual that somebody who has been working alongside and watching the government's health response has been inspired to join us."Other newcomers include human rights lawyer and senior manager at the Human Rights Commission Vanushi Walters, employment lawyer Camilla Belich, Naisi Chen who is the director of a business consultancy firm, unionist and community advocate Ibrahim Omer, and lawyer Rachel Brooking.Republished by arrangement

Wild venison and jobs for Kiwis in need
Wild venison and jobs for Kiwis in need

15 June 2020, 12:21 AM

The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, Game Animal Council, and Department of Conservation (DOC) are partnering to provide 18,000kg of free-range wild Fiordland venison to food banks and families in need.Fiordland Wapiti Foundation president Roy Sloan each year the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, working with DOC, conducted a deer cull in Fiordland National Park removing up to 1000 animals. “Weather permitting, by the end of next month, we will have removed 600 deer from Fiordland National Park for processing into 18,000 1kg wild venison mince packets. These are being distributed by a charitable supply chain distributor to food banks throughout the country. This will feed thousands of New Zealand families in need,” he said.Game Animal Council general manager Tim Gale said managing the impacts that deer have on Fiordland was a win-win for both recreation and conservation.With the loss of venison export markets, this will assist with keeping meat processing staff employed and help local helicopter operators while providing protein to Kiwi families in need."The project is jointly funded by the Department of Conservation and the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation with the Game Animal Council administering the programme. DOC Chief of Governance Mervyn English said this was a great example of organisations working together to achieve an outcome with multiple benefits.“Getting this project going was only possible because of the collaboration between the Game Animal Council, Fiordland Wapiti Foundation, DOC, and Fare Game Meat Processors,” Mr English says.   “Safari Club International (NZ), New Zealand Deerstalkers Association, Central North Island Sika Foundation, Tahr Foundation and NZ Hunter Magazine have come on board and are helping with transportation and promotion.”“Celebrity food writer Nadia Lim, leading Christchurch chef Richard Hingston and Ngāi Tahu have also designed some simple and tasty recipes to help inspire the recipient families to make the most out of the venison,” Mr Gale said . The recipes can be found HEREFiordland venison mince. PHOTO: SuppliedAs this project develops DOC and the Game Animal Council are starting to look at working with the recreational and commercial hunting sectors in other parts of the country to explore the possibility of expanding the programme to other parts of New Zealand.“This is a win-win for conservationists, hunters, our foodbanks and the public in general. Kiwis just like the idea of working together to help each other out,” Mr English said.About the Fiordland Venison Project:100 deer have already been removed from Fiordland National Park as part of a pilot project last month. Another five hundred deer will be removed and processed over the next four weeks.More than 3,500 families are already benefiting from the project. 3,500 1kg venison mince packets have been distributed to charities and foodbanks including the Southland Salvation Army, Koha Kai and Southland Food Bank. Meat from the pilot project has also been delivered to foodbanks within Westland, Otago and as far north as Christchurch.Another 15,000 families will benefit once the remaining 500 deer are recovered and processed. Most of this meat will be distributed throughout the main centres in the North Island.About the Fiordland Wapiti Foundation:Since 2007, the Fiordland National Park Management Plan has allowed for community groups to run animal control programmes alongside DOC. The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation signed a 10-year management agreement with DOC in 2013. The agreement allows the Foundation to manage the impacts that deer have on Fiordland. The Foundation is required to submit an annual animal control plan each July, subject to the approval of DOC. Up to 1000 deer are controlled annually.The Fiordland Wapiti Foundation also undertakes predator control in Fiordland National Park and supports a trapping programme to protect whio.About the Game Animal Council:The Game Animal Council is a statutory organisation representing the interests of the hunting sector with the objective to improve the management of hunting resources while contributing to positive conservation outcomes.

CLASS ACTION:  Hauroko Valley Primary School
CLASS ACTION: Hauroko Valley Primary School

14 June 2020, 10:37 PM

Kia ora and welcome to Hauroko Valley Primary School in class action where we have been… Term 1The Blackmount Trail Ride held on Saturday 7th March was an amazing fun-filled, family day out with perfect weather conditions within a stunning location with a variety of trails to suit all ages and abilities. To end our day we held the David Gray Memorial Hill Climb; this was a fitting tribute to a local man who loved motocross too! We are incredibly appreciative to each of our sponsors, your contributions made a BIG difference to our little school.Thanks to our school and wider community for assisting in this event by donating and preparing food, providing sponsorship, marking the track, manning registrations, preparing Health and Safety requirements, onsite First Aide nurses, Blackmount Volunteer Fire Brigade and of course to the landowners! Thanks to HVP’s Home and School Committee for taking up the challenge with a trail ride as a fundraiser and making it a huge success. We look forward to incorporating this as an annual event on Hauroko Valley School’s calendar.Our Year 4-8 students were provided with opportunities to learn a new skill, develop a talent or pursue a passion with HVP Clubs in Term 1.This initiative provided our tamariki with opportunities to golf, bake, craft, decorate cakes, graphic design, screen print, boot camp fitness and ag kids.Without the support of our parents with their time and talents we wouldn’t have been able to provide such a wide range of engaging activities – so thank you. We look forward to picking this up again in Term 4.During NZ’s lockdown our families stayed home, safely in their whanau bubble and made the most of the opportunities our community are fortunate to have at home. Lots of freedom and adventures found in the countryside! Digital Technology was utilised during this time where connections were maintained by class teachers with their students via online platforms. We are so proud of our response to this challenge and embracing distance learning. Our families commemorated Anzac Day by placing poppies or standing at dawn and Fiona Gray made a beautiful wreath to place at the Orawia Cenotaph on behalf of our school. Thank you.Term 2It's here and it has been a special reunion for us to be back at school together again. We welcomed our students back with bubbles to acknowledge their hard work and as a symbol of our freedom from self-isolation. Our annual duck calling challenge was held with a camo day. Lots of unique duck calling could be heard throughout the valley. Well done to our top performers – Jack Horrell and Sierra Bennett. Thanks to Kaylene and Jason Bennett for inspiring this event and thanks to our guest judge Nathan Parris for making some tough decisions.Our school joined in NZ’s Teddy Bears Picnic with a day for teddy bears to attend school and join in classroom programmes. At present we are focused on our in class learning making the most of being back at school! If you would like to follow our learning journey – join our Facebook page – Hauroko Valley Primary School. Until next time.  Nga mihi nui. Julia Waikato“Tonu to tatou pai/Always our best.”Hauroko School page proudly sponsored by

Early interest shown in Fiordland's Great Walks
Early interest shown in Fiordland's Great Walks

12 June 2020, 8:43 PM

On-line bookings for most of the country’s Great Walks for the 2020/21 season are now open, with the exception of the Milford and Routeburn Tracks that experienced severe flood damage earlier this year. However, Department of Conservation (DOC) Te Anau Operations Manager, Nedra Burns said both Milford and Routeburn Tracks would be open this summer season end to end, i.e. over the full length of the track. Currently only the southern end of the Milford Track is open from Glade Wharf to Mackinnon Pass, returning the same way. Similarly, the Routeburn Track is open on the Glenorchy side only, with The Divide to Harris Saddle section closed to walkers.Mrs Burns said that DOC Operations Director Southern South Island, Aaron Fleming, had deferred the opening of the on-line bookings for these two tracks because of the extent of work required to repair the damages. “We anticipate that the on-line bookings will open in July,” she said.Meanwhile the demand for the Kepler Track has increased for the coming season. Late December and early January were almost fully booked the day after the bookings opened.“On the opening day for on-line bookings (Thursday, 11 June) there was a 6% increase in reservations compared to last year, with 85% coming from New Zealanders and 15% from international visitors,” she said. Fiordland suffered a double whammy when first the February floods and landslides closed the Milford Road and two of the Great Walks, and later the Covid-19 lockdown, brought all tourism operators to their knees by closing the country borders and shutting businesses for two months.However, the government came to the rescue with $13.7 million of the recently announced 2020 Budget allocated to rebuilding vital visitor infrastructure in the Fiordland region.“Across Southern South Island we’re putting in additional resources to get our flood-damaged tracks, the Milford and Routeburn, up and running again to help support local economies and tourism operations,” Mr Fleming said.In July 2019 Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage made the announcement that the Hump Ridge Track near Tuatapere would become the country's 11th Great Walk. The government has allocated $5 million for upgrading the 61km circuit "to bring the track up to Great Walk standard and change it from a current two-night walk to a three-night experience," she said.But those who are keen to experience the Hump Ridge as a Great Walk may have to wait another year or two.“The Hump Ridge Great Walk Track development project has just passed its first milestone with the Indicative Business Case approved – which means the project can be developed further and prices sought to undertake the work,” Mr Fleming said. “From here, work on the next phase – the detailed business case – can be undertaken. Construction could start in 2021/22. However, a large amount of work needs to happen before construction can begin; easement negotiations, visitor experience design, infrastructure design, procurement of goods and services, and consultation with our partners and stakeholders. The current timeframe for completion of the works is 2023.”Until that work is completed, the Hump Ridge Track will continue to be operated by the Hump Ridge Track Charitable Trust. The track is closed this winter and will re-open on October 24.The Environment Minister Eugenie Sage is encouraging New Zealanders to go tramping this coming season.“For people who haven’t done a Great Walk previously, the 2020/21 season presents a fantastic opportunity to get out and experience nature in some of New Zealand’s most spectacular landscapes with iconic wildlife and rich history,” she said.

Transmission pricing likely to have little effect on power bills
Transmission pricing likely to have little effect on power bills

12 June 2020, 8:00 PM

Transmission pricing changes are likely to have little effect on Southlanders’ power bills, with some forecast to pay slightly more and some slightly less from 2023, PowerNet chief executive Jason Franklin says.The Electricity Authority this week (June 10) announced new guidelines for transmission pricing.However, the exception was the 2000 customers on New Zealand’s smallest electricity distribution network in the Frankton area in Queenstown – Electricity Southland Ltd, also known as the Lakeland Network. They were projected to receive an overall percentage decrease of $80 a year, he said.Franklin said there appeared to be a significant misunderstanding in the media yesterday around Electricity Southland – with some media assuming it was a network that covered the whole Southland region.“Electricity Southland is a small electricity distribution network that supplies parts of Frankton and Wanaka. It makes up less than 10% of the customer base in the Queenstown – Lakes Region,” he said.PowerNet is the electricity network management company delivering power to Invercargill City, Southland, West Otago, parts of Central Otago and Stewart Island. Electricity networks it manages include The Power Company Ltd, Electricity Invercargill Ltd and Electricity Southland Ltd.Franklin said The Power Company Ltd supplied 37,000 customers in Southland, whose charges were projected to go up, by slightly less than $10 a year.Electricity Invercargill Ltd supplied 17,000 customers, and their charges were projected to decrease by slightly more than $20 per annum, he said.The Electricity Authority also said the new guidelines will not increase charges overall.For the PowerNet managed networks, the proposed overall distribution pricing change was very modest, Franklin said.“Overall, the transmission price reduction is 0.5%. Of the current $18.4 million in Transmission Charges, the proposed methodology will result in charges reducing to $18.3 million.”The guidelines include a cap on charges to protect consumers and directly connected businesses from big price increases.

Street Smart programme for young Southland drivers
Street Smart programme for young Southland drivers

12 June 2020, 3:52 AM

An innovative road safety initiative will be available to young Southland drivers for the first time next month.Road Safety Southland has secured Street Smart, a world-class, cognitive based driver programme that aims to positively influence the lives of young kiwis across the country.“This is such an awesome programme that equips young Southlanders with the tools needed to help be a safer and more aware driver on our roads. And ultimately that’s something which everyone reaps the benefits from,” Road Safety Southland road user safety advisor Maureen Deuchrass said.“We are really excited to have the opportunity to host this here in Southland.”Limited to 30 places each day, the one-day programme will be staged at Teretonga on July 18 and 19. Registrations can be completed via the Street Smart website - www.streetsmart.nzDeveloped with the involvement of world-renowned road safety expert Peter Sheppard, Street Smart is endorsed by New Zealand motor racing legend and passionate road safety advocate Greg Murphy as ambassador.“This provides a natural training progression for those that have their licence and need something positive to continue on with to further develop their skills,” Deuchrass said.“It’s such a practical course with really tangible benefits for our young drivers.”Offering a hands-on learning experience, the Street Smart event provides young drivers and their parents or caregivers the opportunity to undertake supervised driving practice. There is a focus on developing good decision-making strategies for safe driving, including assessing themselves, reading the road environment, resisting peer pressure, managing or eliminating distractions and planning ahead. “What’s cool about this is the ripple effect. It’s intergenerational and often the adults accompanying them learn as much as the kids do,” Deuchrass said. Street Smart takes place in safe, controlled, off-the-road environments, under the watchful eye of qualified coaches plus the parent/caregiver. This provides the parent the opportunity to also assess themselves, in order to be a better coach and mentor to their teen.

Southern students ready to pitch business ideas
Southern students ready to pitch business ideas

12 June 2020, 3:46 AM

Southern high school business students from Southland Girls’ High School, Aparima College, James Hargest College, Southland Boys’ High School and Mount Aspiring College will pitch their business ideas this month as part of The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES). Southern Institute of Technology will host The Pitch event at the SIT Invercargill campus on Wednesday 24th June, and on Friday 19th June in Central Otago. YES businesses will pitch their business to a panel of Judges who will have up to $1500 to invest in these new businesses. The judging panel includes Chami Abeysinghe from Southern Institute of Technology, Louise Evans from Coin South, Tanya Hope from Findex, Mike Sanford from Whats On Invers, Dave Anderson from Westpac, and Sheree Carey from Southland Chamber of Commerce. Last year’s regional champions were business ‘Head First’ from James Hargest College with their wellness box containing thoughtful items to help with people with their mental health.Southland Chamber of Commerce Regional Coordinator Joanne O’Çonnor said this year was the ultimate learning opportunity for YES students as they started a new business while navigating the challenges of COVID-19. “Resilience, and how to use digital technologies to help support (or drive) business will be key to the students success this year.” SIT Chief Executive, Penny Simmonds said SIT was happy to extend ‘Zero Fees’ to most participants of the programme again this year, helping with registration fees through SIT’s sponsorship. “It is important for us (SIT) to be able to encourage innovation and business enterprise within the region, now more so than ever before. We are dealing with a global economic shift that has changed the way we work, study and carry out business. It will be interesting to see how the YES businesses will rise to the new challenges we are facing today,” she said.“YES is a great opportunity for secondary school students to learn about the mechanics of business, and we can’t wait to see the outcomes of the pitches and the business ideas they will put forward.” 

Southland Police urge drivers to take extra care on the roads
Southland Police urge drivers to take extra care on the roads

12 June 2020, 2:06 AM

Southland Police are reminding drivers to stay vigilant now wintry conditions have settled in. With morning temperatures again dropping below zero and heavy fog on the roads, it's a timely reminder for motorists to remember to de-ice the windows on vehicles and turn your headlights on in the morning. Whilst you may be able to see the road ahead of you without your headlights on, other motorists might not see you.When driving in the morning and evening please remember that you are required to have your headlights on from 30 minutes prior to sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise.If you have a smart phone, the weather “app” should advise you of these times otherwise they can be found in your local newspaper in the weather section.We'd also like to remind motorists to be mindful that the automatic light setting on your car may not be active in fog, so do not rely on this function for the safety of yourself and others.Drivers should allow more time for their journey and exercise caution when experiencing rain, ice, or snow. Often, adverse weather will reduce visibility and increase stopping distances, so please remember to increase your following distances when in traffic. It’s important to slow down and drive to the conditions, which may be slower than the posted speed limit.We all have a part to play in making our roads safe and reducing any unwanted tragedy. With your help we can make our roads a safer place to be.Be conscious of driving to the unpredictable winter driving conditions. We can all drive in a manner and at a speed that enables us to safely respond to the unexpected, be that another road user making a mistake in front of us or something unexpected in the road environment. If we all do this consistently we can avoid mistakes leading to tragic outcomes.

Agricultural redeployment expo proves popular
Agricultural redeployment expo proves popular

11 June 2020, 8:58 AM

An agricultural redeployment expo held in Te Anau today generated strong interest from tourism workers who have lost their jobs.The day was organised by the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), along with its agricultural faculty Telford, in collaboration with agricultural and forestry industry groups, some of whom brought an assortment of large tractors and machinery to demonstrate.With skilled driver shortages looming for agricultural contractors and significant job losses in hospitality, tourism and retail, SIT saw the need to support newly redundant workers into agricultural and forestry jobs with a six-week training course run in conjunction with the industry.The first expo was held in Queenstown yesterday and at both, some attendees chose to sign up for the six-week course on the spot.A popular exhibit at today’s expo was a simulated tractor, giving people an opportunity to test-drive a big machine. Telford student Curtis Whyte, who was assisting with the demonstration, said some people who had taken the controls had never been near a tractor before. He said they had also appreciated getting a student’s perspective on what Telford had to offer. SIT International Department and Marketing Manager Chami Abeysinghe said around 60 people had pre-registered to attend the Te Anau expo, with more than a dozen walk-ins also turning up before lunchtime.“Our aim was the give people who had already lost their job or facing redundancies an opportunity to look at a different career prospect.”There are 20 places available on each of the short training courses to allow people who may have lost their employment to quickly retrain for agricultural and forestry positions. The first starts at Telford on Monday (15th June) with five intakes every two weeks thereafter. The first two weeks are spent at Telford in Balclutha offering basic health and safety and first aid instruction along with a foundational understanding of what the job is. The course is free and accommodation, meals and personal protective equipment are provided at no charge.The next two weeks are at spent at the Invercargill SIT campus and involves driver training through HW Richardson Group. Accommodation is provided (not meals). The final two weeks are spent on work placement with contractors.

Uncertain future for foreign nationals
Uncertain future for foreign nationals

11 June 2020, 2:30 AM

Foreign nationals holding temporary work visas in Te Anau turned up at a meeting in the town yesterday (10th June) to find out what help is available to enable them to stay in New Zealand.The meeting, facilitated by Fiordland Community Board chairwoman, Sarah Greaney, attracted more than 60 migrant workers representing about 28 different nationalities, and brought together a range of agencies with advice and the latest information available.Representatives from Civil Defence Emergency Southland Management (CDSEM), Immigration New Zealand, Great South and Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) were on hand, some via video conference, to answer questions and provide potential pathways to those wanting to stay in New Zealand.According to Tony McNeil from Immigration New Zealand, the department had tended to be lenient, while the country was in lockdown, on visa holders who had work hours reduced to below that the required conditions of their visa, but that would not continue. If the conditions were not met – for example, working a minimum of 30 hours a week – then the visa conditions would be considered broken and they would have to leave the country.Also, those who had valid work visas and were not in breach of the visa’s condition, but who needed to temporarily leave the country, would be not to be allowed to re-enter on their current visa. Mr McNeil said there could be exceptions based on humanitarian reasons but any cases would be decided on an individual basis and there was a very high threshold.He said anyone wanting to transfer their visa to another job, would have to prove they were actively looking for a job, and there was no other real solution to allow deviation from their current visa conditions.Mrs Greaney told the meeting that winter time in Te Anau was normally quiet (for business) and jobs were traditionally scarce at this time of year. However, looking forward the situation was not likely to improve anytime soon (while the borders remained closed).She emphasised to the meeting how important it was to communicate with Immigration NZ before their visa was due to expire. Mrs Greaney also suggested to affected visa holders that now would be a good time to register with travel agents so they could get the latest information regarding opening up of international flights out of New Zealand.CDSEM Group Manager/Group Controller, Angus McKay, assured the meeting that his agency would continue to support foreign nationals without any resources, “no job, no income, no food” but unfortunately this would come to an end soon.He said while there were about 80 registered foreign workers in the Te Anau area, there were thousands more in Queenstown and foreign nationals were not eligible to access welfare benefits in New Zealand.His agency’s resources should be regarded as a last resort, he said. It was likely that other agencies would step in when they had to withdraw but was unable to comment further.In the meantime, Mr McKay said anyone in need should ring 0800 890 127 for assistance with food parcels.Today, (11th June) SIT is hosting an Agricultural Redeployment Expo in Te Anau.SIT representative, Anna Midhun, told last night’s meeting the institute had responded quickly to the COVID-19 crisis and, through research within the agricultural sector, had identified 120 job vacancies within that industry in Otago and Southland. She said these jobs would normally go to migrants coming into the country but as the closed border did not allow that now, the jobs were available to workers already here and wanting to stay.Ms Midhun said jobs in the agriculture sector required specialised skills and SIT had produced a new fee-free 6-week skills redeployment programme in response.Qualifying candidates would be required to spend two weeks at SIT’s Telford farm facility, undertake two weeks of specialised driving training and then two weeks on work placement. Great South skills placement coordinator, Liz Clark, advised she would be at the Te Anau library on Monday (15th June) where she would welcome any job seekers to drop in between 10.30am and 2.30pm to discuss the latest job opportunities.

Petition to protect Waiau River
Petition to protect Waiau River

10 June 2020, 10:11 PM

More than 740 people have now signed Waiau Rivercare Group co-chair Paul Marshall’s petition with the House of Representatives calling for more protection of the Waiau River.The petition asks the Government to remove Manapouri Power Scheme from a list of exceptions from new national freshwater management policies due to take effect in about three months time.As of 7pm June 10, the petition had been signed by 744 people.It was published on the House of Representatives website on Friday June 5 and closes on June 28.Mr Marshall said the Waiau River had been “condemned to another 50 years of abuse’’ because the New Zealand Government was keeping the Manapouri Power Scheme on a list of five exceptions from the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), also known as the “Action for Healthy Waterways package”.The exemption “effectively sounds the death knell for a river already choking to stay alive,” he said.It “removes our community's voice for the Waiau River for the next 50 years. To be heard, hydro must not be exempt,” Mr Marshall said.Otago-Clutha MP Hamish Walker said last week the exception was “disappointing” and “unfair”.It was “yet another example from this Government of one rule for one business, which is 51% Government-owned, and another for the many other people who will have to meet the regulations of this policy,” Mr Walker said.Minister for Environment David Parker respondsMinister for the Environment David Parker told the Southland App yesterday (June 10) that hydro power schemes had not been “exempted” from the NPS-FM “nor from the requirement to maintain and improve water quality”.“[Regional] Councils will still have to set targets for ecosystem health attributes, but their decision is guided by the NPS-FM which requires that they take the importance of the schemes into account. “This policy aims to achieve a pragmatic balance between meeting New Zealand’s climate change obligations, securing its electricity supply and improving the quality of its freshwater,” Mr Parker said.Mr Parker also said of Mr Walker’s criticism about different rules for different people: “He is wrong.”“We are doing this to ensure New Zealand’s ability to produce hydroelectricity is not jeopardised. This policy balances New Zealand’s climate change obligations, security of electricity supply in a dry year and improving the quality of our freshwater,’’ Mr Parker said.Asked how the Waiau Rivercare Group could have their voices heard if the scheme was excepted from the NPS-FM, Mr Parker said Environment South would have to consult.“The council will still have to set targets for ecosystem health attributes in consultation with the communities that maintain or improve these rivers. However, the council will also have to take into account the importance of the Manapouri Power Scheme,” Mr Parker said.The Government had originally listed six power schemes, including the Meridian-owned Manapouri Power Scheme on the Waiau River, as “exceptions” to the NPS-FM. An advisory panel chaired by former Principal Environment Court Judge Shepherd last year recommended the Waikaremoana scheme in the North Island be removed from the list but that Manapouri should remain.That means in the Waiau River’s case, Environment Southland could, in certain situations, decide to maintain freshwater quality below national bottom lines to protect generation capacity, storage and operational flexibility of the scheme.Manapouri Power Station background The Manapouri Power Station is owned by Meridian Energy and is New Zealand’s largest hydro station. Built between 1964 and 1971, with a second tail race completed in 2002, it generates enough electricity to power about 619,000 homes.Mr Marshall said the scheme’s water take had reduced the Waiau River to “little more than a drainage channel", with non-hydro users left with “a mere 5%” of the original flow.The river was often highly sedimented, infested with toxic algal blooms and didymo, unsafe to swim in and “rapidly reaching a point where the river will simply not recover if it doesn’t get more water from upstream,” Mr Marshall said. Returning just 3% of Meridian’s water take would transform the river, Mr Marshall said.The Waiau Rivercare Group formed in 2017, became an incorporated society in 2019 and now has more than 400 members. Members gave feedback to the Government last year on the NPS-FM.Mr Walker said Waiau Rivercare Group members had done all they could to have their voices heard and it was “disappointing they had not been listened to”.“The Waiau Rivercare Group advocated for all Waiau River users, with the science to support its argument, that the Meridian hydro scheme on the Waiau River should not be exempt from regulations... While we are still yet to have the full policy released, we wait with bated breath to see what it contains, and hope our concerns have been listened to,” Mr Walker said.Changes likely before September 19 electionA date has not been set for the NPS-FM to take effect but it is likely to happen within the next three months.Mr Parker told the Southland App the documents, including new National Environmental Standards, were still being drafted.“The intent is for them to be completed, published and in effect before the [September 19] election,” Mr Parker said.Changes had to be made to the policy in response to feedback received during consultation and in light of COVID-19. “They reduced some costs and changed the phasing of some policies to allow central and local government more time to put their systems in place,” Mr Parker said.The public was consulted on the policy package in September and October 2019.The Government received approximately 17,500 submissions and hundreds of people attended public meetings and hui around the country.Environment Southland acting policy and planning manager Alex Morgan said the regional council was preparing to adapt its work to meet the new standards.Mr Morgan could not answer the Southland App’s questions about how the regional council would specifically change its practices relating to the Waiau River, because the council was still waiting for more details to be released.However, he said Environment Southland was “well placed to deal with the changes”.“[They] will mean that we will need to adapt our work, particularly in the regulatory space, to meet the new standards.“Our role as a regional council means that we give effect to this national document through our local plans, like the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan. “Further work to improve water quality in Southland has been well underway for several years. “We’re nearing the completion of work to determine Southlanders’ values, objectives and limits to improve water quality, as is required by all previous versions of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater. “Through this work, members of the public, community groups and businesses alike all have an opportunity for formal and information consultation, whether it be through the Regional Forum, talking to councillors and staff or making submissions.“While we don’t have the full detail of the policy statement, the Freshwater Independent Advisory panel’s report on Essential Freshwater notes that the requirement on councils to maintain or improve water quality applies even where an exception is granted. “This suggests that while limits for water quality could be set below national bottom lines, water quality must still maintained or improved,” Mr Morgan said. Find the online petition HERE 

Invercargill lawyer doing her bit to "kick-start" local economy
Invercargill lawyer doing her bit to "kick-start" local economy

10 June 2020, 5:52 PM

An Invercargill lawyer has been purchasing vouchers at local businesses to help them get back on their feet after COVID-19, and then re-gifting the vouchers to her staff; her only ask is that they spend it all and spend it within 60 days. Liz Henry, of Mee and Henry Law, said she felt she needed to do what she could to help revitalise the local economy, support local business owners and say thank you to her staff who had worked hard as the company navigated its way out of lockdown and into the 'new normal'. As a business owner, she's seen first-hand the drastic effects COVID-19 has had on local businesses, saying her practice saw an 82% drop in revenue in April this year, compared to last.  However, this has not stopped her wanting to help and she has been buying up vouchers with her savings."We're putting the income back in from last year... and I've forfeited [some] of my income to do this… but you have to start somewhere," she said. So, she sat down with her staff and together they drew up a list of local businesses that they wanted to help out. Mrs Henry then visited those businesses and purchased vouchers from them, which she then gifted to each of her 13 staff members. So far, the 'Level 2 Kickstart Local' project had been a big hit with local businesses since it started."A couple of examples are the Shoe Clinic, Skelts Jewellers, ComplEat Wellness in Windsor, so we just went in a told them what we're doing and then we followed up with a letter so they knew what we were doing," she said. Mee and Henry receptionist Maree Jenkins said she and the other staff were over the moon about being treated to the shopping trips."She's just been so generous – and we're reaping the benefits."Mrs Henry said the biggest message behind doing this was to "spend local to keep businesses paying wages".She said by spending local, this not only helped local businesses get back up and running, it also kept more money in the local economy, which would attract more investment from other business owners. "If we increase our local spend, we look like a more attractive proposition to bring in some of those chain stores and things who are currently leaving us in droves," she said.Just this week, H&J Smith announced it was closing its Te Anau and Balclutha stores as well as downsizing its Gore department store. She said the maths was simple; "If every employed person in Southland spent or re-directed $50 of their weekly (discretionary) income per month at a local business, this would create a further two and a half million [dollars] into the economy just like that."She said local spending created buoyancy in the local market, by keeping our dollars circling around the economy more times than they would have."Every time we re-direct our money to non-local providers that dollar drops, that money's gone, and it doesn't get reinvested in the local economy.”Mrs Henry said attracting new business with local spending was also vital to ensure projects like the City Block development, which she said would have higher rent prices, was successfully tenanted in the future.As well as the Level 2 Kickstart Local project, Mrs Henry also started the 'Level 3 Kickstart' fund, where she spent $500 at several local businesses during Alert Level 3 and then donated the purchased product, with the help of the businesses, to local community groups and members who needed it."The idea was to get some money into those businesses’ pockets to help kick start their venture into Level 3," she said as well as provide benefit to the community.Once she bought the product from each business, she then found a home for it to go to.Pita Pit delivered their food to Spirit Army volunteers. Good Fix Cafe prepared and delivered 63 meals to Southland health workers on the front lines during Level 3. And South City Pharmacy put together 'COVID packs' with their purchased product made up of items like hand sanitiser, vitamin C, Panadol, masks, which were then given to Age Concern Southland to deliver to vulnerable people who needed it.

Power price shuffle means fairer prices, lower emissions - Electricity Authority
Power price shuffle means fairer prices, lower emissions - Electricity Authority

10 June 2020, 6:30 AM

Power consumers in Southland, the lower North Island, and some big industrial users stand to benefit the most from proposed changes to transmission costs.The Electricity Authority plans to make user-pays the basis of pricing power distribution, putting the cost of upgrades on to consumers who gain the most benefit.Consumers in Southand might save as much as $80 a year, while users in the central North Island and parts of the South Island might see their bills rise by up to $40 a year.Authority chair James Stevenson-Wallace said the new approach, which had been on the drawing board for more than a decade, would lead to fairer prices, better investment decisions, and encourage renewable energy projects to reduce carbon emissions.He said the current system unfairly spread the cost of the national grid across all consumers around the country."The current transmission pricing methodology is based on a peak charge which is often too high. Some consumers end up paying a premium when power is most valuable to them - even when there is plenty of transmission capacity available," Stevenson-Wallace said."This creates perverse results - you've got customers investing in alternative generation, including diesel generators, just to avoid using the grid at peak times despite there being plenty of supply. This behaviour just shifts costs to others and in some cases increases carbon emissions."The authority said the average rise or fall in retail power bills would be about $19 a year, and there would be a cap on price moves to limit their effect. The changes would come into effect in April 2023.Lifeline for aluminium smelter?The new pricing system would offer the chance of some relief for the Tiwai aluminium smelter at Bluff, which has long complained that crippling transmission costs have undermined its financial viability.The Electricity Authority said there would be a new prudent discount policy, which would allow the national grid operator, Transpower, to cut transmission prices to businesses not gaining any benefit from system upgrades or which might be forced to close and quit the country.The smelter, which employs more than 800 people, has long complained that it pays too much for transmission, estimating the extra cost at around $200 million over a decade.The majority owner of Tiwai Point, Rio Tinto, is still doing a strategic review, which was supposed to be finished by the end of March. A spokesperson for the company last week was unable to say when it would be finished.Power suppliers Meridian and Contact are understood to have offered further price cuts to try to induce the smelter to stay.Stevenson-Wallace said the new pricing method would also encourage better investment decisions on new renewable generation, which would help the move to a low carbon economy.Meanwhile, a group of disaffected lines companies and big power users has been quick damn the authority's plan and called on the government to stop it.The Transmission Pricing Group (TPM) said the move to push through such major changes would hurt vulnerable households and businesses.It said the authority had not listened to objectors and alternate analysis and the government needed to force the authority to reconsider, especially the impact on local communities facing energy poverty.TPM said with such uncertainty about the economy and the future of major users such as the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, now was not the time to push through major changes to the energy sector."We are facing a once-in-a-generation economic crisis. It beggars belief the authority would choose now to make these changes, when so many households and businesses are facing such uncertainty."Progressing with reforms that separate New Zealanders into winners and losers, without materially benefiting the country overall, cannot be justified," it said.The group includes generator/retailer Trustpower, several lines companies, including Auckland's Vector, and big paper makers Norske Skog and Oji Fibre.Republished by arrangement

Finalists announced for 2020 ILT Southland Sports Awards
Finalists announced for 2020 ILT Southland Sports Awards

09 June 2020, 8:00 AM

Thirteen sporting codes ranging from mountainbiking to motorbike racing are represented amongst this year’s ILT Southland Sports Awards finalists.And despite a year when sport was significantly disrupted due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Southlanders were still able to achieve outstanding feats at national and international level.Southland Amateur Sports Trust chairman Tom Pryde said the level of achievement had made the judging process very difficult this year.“These Awards are amongst the longest-running sports awards in the country and every year the judging panel are in awe of the impact Southlanders have in sport on the national and world stage, and this year is no different.”Sport Southland hosts the annual Awards on behalf of the Southland Amateur Sports Trust and had opted to create a virtual event in 2020, Sport Southland chief executive Brendon McDermott said.“The ongoing ramifications of the pandemic, particularly the financial impact, is challenging everyone to think differently. In terms of this year’s Awards, it’s really important the Southland community has that opportunity to reflect on great success across the board, but we are also mindful of doing so in a way that’s appropriate for these difficult times,” McDermott said.“Creating a virtual event has also given us the opportunity to show some loyalty back to our sponsors who all have a long association with the Awards.”Along with media partner the Southland Times, the category winners will be unveiled online over five nights at 7pm from June 29 on the Southland Times website and Facebook page, along with the ILT and Sport Southland social media platforms.“One of the positives of going ‘virtual’ is that potentially a much larger audience will be able to take part in the Awards this year by accessing it online,” McDermott said.As well as the seven category winners, the Southland Times Story of the Year will be confirmed after a public vote, the Mike Piper Trophy for commitment and excellence amongst Academy Southland’s programme will be awarded and up to four Services to Sport honours will be presented.FINALISTS:ILT SENIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEARGina Crampton (Netball) Patricia Hopcroft (Touch)Nick Kergozou (Cycling)Hannah Miller (Athletics)Alena Saili (Rugby)Corbin Strong (Cycling)VODAFONE JUNIOR SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEARCormac Buchanan (Motorcycle racing)Josh Burnett (Mountainbiking)Quinn Hartley (Athletics)Liam Hewitt (Golf)Shakira Mirfin (Rowing)Emily Paterson (Cycling)Conor Shearing (Cycling)Ella Smith (Badminton)SOUTHLAND KIA TEAM OF THE YEAREastern Southland senior netball team (Netball)Southland B rugby team (Rugby)Southland elite men’s team sprint (Cycling)NZME MASTERS ACHIEVEMENTNeil Familton (Cycling)Dwight Grieve (Athletics)Geertien Venter (Cycling)RICOH SOUTH COACH OF THE YEARSid Cumming (Cycling)Chris Knight (Athletics)Chris Telfer (Softball)CREATION SIGNS OFFICIAL OF THE YEARErin Criglington (Cycling)Ian Densie (Cycling)Yvonette Fox (Swimming)Corina Ngatuere (Netball)Karl McDonald (Rugby)BDO ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEARPhil Hartley (Athletics)Bruce Ross (Cycling)Greg Sheppard (Tennis)

Borland Lodge saved for winter but "not out of the woods yet"
Borland Lodge saved for winter but "not out of the woods yet"

09 June 2020, 2:42 AM

Long-time trustee of Borland Lodge John McHugh said he is confident the lodge will be able to survive through the quieter winter months after receiving donations from the community and having the ability to apply for the extended government wage subsidy – but more funds are still needed to guarantee its permanent safety. A month ago, Borland Lodge made an urgent plea for donations after being forced to close in March due to COVID-19 restrictions. As the lodge is a not-for-profit accommodation provider, it relies heavily on income generated through bookings to cover its operational costs.It started a Givealittle page with a target of $35,000 and the page closed on Sunday night having raised almost $13,000 but Mr McHugh said donations were being made directly to the lodge. "With the Givealittle page and the funds we've received from private donors... we've raised approximately $28,000 and we've got more [donations] coming in," he said."It's very positive. We're not out of the woods yet but we're in a much better position than we were two months ago."The lodge budgets for lower bookings from June to August but when it had to close its doors for April and most of May, it threw a big spanner in the works.Mr McHugh said many of the private donations made directly to the lodge had come from various Rotary and Lions clubs throughout Southland; such as the Winton Lions Club, which donated $6000 last month. Mr McHugh said as donations were ongoing, he was still in the process of collating a full list of people to thank so, for now, he expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone. "We are very grateful for all donations... we had another $1000 just this morning," he said.However, he urged the community to not let the foot of the gas early."Whilst the Givealittle page has run its time, the fundraising is not over to secure the future of Borland Lodge," he said. The funds would see the lodge through the winter, but more funds would need to be raised to keep Borland Lodge serving the Southland community for many years to come. He said one of the best ways to help for those note in a position to donate was to simply book a stay at the lodge and enjoy the wonders of Fiordland. "We're right on the doorstep of the largest national park of New Zealand... If you've been thinking of getting away, now's a great time to support us and see what we've got out here."Borland Lodge has provided a unique opportunity for people wanting to experience the outdoors for around 50 years and has been extremely popular with hunters, trampers and especially Southland schools.Mr McHugh said Southlanders and people from further abroad all hade their own "Borland Story" story or memory to share. 

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