Westport singer-songwriter Jaydin Shingleton took home the Senior Overall Winner award last night at the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards held in Gore. Mr Shingleton's prize package includes $3,000 in cash, a personalised Martin Guitar valued at $2,795, a produced single and Australian release publicity, an endorsement by Music Planet, and an invitation to the Tamworth Country Music Festival next January. It's the 46th years of the Mataura Licensing Trust's awards, which attracted entrants from all over New Zealand. According to organisers, Sunday evening had a "massive" and "enthusiastic" crowd turn out at the Gore Town and Country Club Stadium, seating over 1000 people as the finalists performed for the judges.On Saturday, Ashburton's Ocean Waitokia won Intermediate Overall Winner for her performance in the NZ Song Section, and Mosgiel's Caleb Croy won Junior Overall Winner for his Junior Vocal Solo performance.Some of Southland's own musicians took home the gold on Sunday afternoon in the ages 40+ and 60+ categories.Invercargill's Kylie McGinnis and Jacinta Kerepeti of "Kylie and Jacinta" won the 40 + Overall Winner title, while Gore's Heather Thacker took home the 60 + Overall Winner category.Full List of Winners of the Mataura Licensing Trust New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards 2019:2019 Senior Award winnersSenior Overall Winner: Jaydin Shingleton (Westport) (Singer Songwriter Performance); Senior Overall Winner Runner Up: Liv Cochrane (Invercargill); Highest Achieving Gore Country Music Club Member: Lana Stevens (Riversdale); Gospel: Jaydin Shingleton (Westport); Country Rock: Jaydin Shingleton (Westport); Duet: Ainslie & Jaydin (Porirua); Instrumental: Nick Brightwell (Auckland); Traditional: Valley Bluegrass (Dunedin); NZ Song: Liv Cochrane (Invercargill); Open Band: Harmony Hunters (Nelson); Open Vocal Group: Route 66 (Nelson); Open New Country: Jenny Harraway (Gore); Open Singer/Songwriter: Jaydin Shingleton (Westport); Female Vocal Solo: Emma Wollum (Auckland); Male Vocal Solo: Jaydin Shingleton (Westport)2019 Intermediate Award winnersIntermediate Overall Winner: Ocean Waitokia (Ashburton); Intermediate Overall Runner Up: Holly Muirhead (Invercargill); Section Winners — Highest Scoring Gore Country Music Club Member: Nicola Mitchell (Gore); Intermediate Vocal Solo: Ocean Waitokia (Ashburton); Intermediate Gospel: Holly Muirhead (Invercargill); Intermediate Country Rock: Ocean Waitokia (Ashburton); Intermediate Duet: Emelia & Michael (Invercargill); Intermediate Instrumental: Josh Keating (Pegasus); Intermediate Traditional: Ocean Waitokia (Ashburton); Intermediate NZ Song: Ocean Waitokia (Ashburton)2019 Junior Award winnersJunior Overall Winner: Caleb Croy (Mosgiel); Junior Overall Runner Up: Fiah Adams (Invercargill); Section Winners — Highest Scoring Gore Country Music Club Member: Gemma Bulleid (Gore); Junior Vocal Solo: Caleb Croy (Mosgiel); Junior Gospel: Fiah Adams (Invercargill); Junior Country Rock: Fiah Adams (Invercargill); Junior Duet: Maddison Connor & William Connor (Nelson)2019 40 + and 60 + Winners40 + Overall Winner: Kylie & Jacinta (Invercargill); Section Winners — Duet:Kylie & Jacinta (Invercargill); Traditional: Allie Pope (Ranui Heights); Gospel: Sue Smith (Otautau); Vocal Solo: Susanne Taylor (Patea); NZ Song: Shirley Gilmour (Lake Roxburgh); Country Rock: Kylie McGinnis (Invercargill)60 + Overall Winner: Heather Thacker (Gore); Section Winners — Traditional: Jean Barkman (Waimate); Gospel: Bill McColl (Dunedin); Vocal Solo: Heather Thacker (Gore); NZ Song: Heather Thacker (Gore)

There's no planned search activity today after Police reported yesterday a body had been located near Teal Bay at the southern end of Lake Hauroko.Invercargill Police were notified late on Friday (May 31) that a boat and its occupants were missing on the lake.A Police media spokesperson said yesterday's search recovered debris that is believed to be missing from the boat.A Search and Rescue team was assessing what next steps they would be taking, she said.A search of the lake was undertaken using a local boat operator yesterday. About midday police located a body.Police, using a helicopter and jet boat, searched the lake for the boat and the one remaining missing occupant yesterday.

Hokonui Culture Feast is gearing up to offer delicious food, music, dance and workshops with an international flavour at the end of the month.This year’s event will be held at the Gore Town and Country Club on Friday, June 28 from 6.00pm.Organisers say the free family-friendly event is growing in popularity each year, and there are now several events using the same name and format around the country.Event organiser Mihaela Erdelyi said it was flattering that other places like Balclutha and Hokitika were now using the event name as well as the event format.“We’re really happy with how the event is evolving but with the same ingredients, of food, performance and workshops to bring people together.”This year’s event will again feature international food stalls, a children’s corner and entertainment from various local community groups, as well as special guest performers on the night.Food will be available for purchase and there will be a cash bar again this year. The groups selling the food get to keep the profits, Ms Erdelyi said.The food stalls confirmed so far include Filipino, Asian fusion, Lebanese, Turkish, Fijian, and Malaysian.“If anyone else would like to perform or include a food stall it would be great to hear from them.”The event has received funding from the Ethnic Communities Development Fund for the first time this year.For more information or to take part in the event contact Mihaela Erdelyi email [email protected] or phone 027 652 6690.

Margaret Cook (Invercargill)Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the communityMargaret Cook says that being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit will not change her volunteering work moving forward."The work that I am involved in still needs volunteers involved in programmes to achieve change for people in need," she said.Mrs Cook's strong community connections have come from more than 20 years of work through organisations such as the National Council of Women of New Zealand and Habitat for Humanity.She served as vice president at the National Council of Women between 2000 and 2008, as well as the National Director and Chair of the Christchurch Board for Habitat for Humanity between 2009 and 2015.As part for role at Habitat for Humanity she established the volunteer programme, complete with policies and procedures, which is seen as a "pinnacle achievement".Since 2013 she has also served as a trustee and deputy chair of the South Invercargill Urban Rejuvenation Charitable Trust, otherwise known as South Alive, where she is currently the convener of the South Alive Housing Action Group and the lead on the Southland Community Housing Group which is responsible for progressing the Southland Community Housing Strategy.She has also lead a variety of community events including an annual trolley derby and family fun day, the South Alive Spring Flower Show and also served as a Cub Leader for Scouts New Zealand and chaired the Girls Brigade Area Council from 2001 to 2014.Mrs Cook said the award was very "humbling".

Ann-Marie Searle (Invercargill)Queen's Service Medal for services to badminton and the communityAnn-Marie Searle is "thrilled" to have been honoured with a Queen's Service Medal, saying that it has always been part of her to contribute strongly to the community.She said after receiving the first notice that she was nominated it was a nerve racking time in waiting for the final confirmation."Leading up to the middle of May I was getting very nervous and of course I couldn't tell anybody. Then the letter came at the end of May saying I had been accepted. It was amazing".The recognition comes from her strong connections to badminton in Southland, as well as a variety of community roles and dressmaking and craft work.During the 80s and 90s Mrs Searle coached a several award-winning junior badminton teams for the Southland Badminton Association as well as serving on the association’s committee and also receiving awards for her own badminton playing.From 2003 to 2008 Mrs Searle took over the leadership of ‘Table 4 Eight’, a voluntary organisation introducing people to one another who are in lonely environments.She also served as secretary for her local Playcentre as well as being actively involved in her local Plunket and Presbyterian Church where she occasionally judged and taught craft sewing and dressmaking, and voluntarily assisted other families with food, housework and dressmaking or knitting.Mrs Seale said she still enjoys dressmaking and craft work, and has sent several of her finished pieces to many notable people including to the royal family as well as legendary All Black Richie McCaw.She said a personal highlight was getting the opportunity to meet and talk to Princess Diana about her designs.Her family was set to join her in a celebratory lunch on Monday to help her celebrate the occasion, which she said she was looking forward to the most about being given the honour."(I'm) not sure what the future brings for me but this award has brought me a lot of joy and happiness".

Ewen Pirie (Kapuka)Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to clay target shootingFor fifth generation dairy farmer Ewen Pirie, of Kapuka, receiving the letter telling him he would be appointed to be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit was one of "emotion" after a life-long passion and commitment to the sport of clay-target shooting. Mr Pirie said he followed the sport from his father, becoming a member of the New Zealand Clay Target Association in 1960 at the age of 13.Since then he found success as a competitive shooter, winning national titles, and later becoming extensively involved in the administrative side of the sport within New Zealand and globally.In the early 80s Mr Pirie was appointed the sole South Island Referees Examiner by the New Zealand Clay Target Association and has held roles in the NZCTA as an executive member, vice president, and president. He was involved in forming, and was president of, the International Clay Target Shooting Federation (ICTSF) and establishing a set of international rules for the hosting of this event. ICTSF World Championships are now hosted by member countries every two years. Mr Pirie has also been President of the New Zealand Shooting Federation (NZSF) since 2012, and became President of the Oceania Shooting Federation in 2017.But if told at the age of 13 he would go on to accomplish so much for the sport, his response would have been a simple "dream on".Looking back at a more than 50-year involvement with clay target shooting, Mr Pirie said one of his proudest moments was watching one of his sons win a national title, along with many treasured moments he said were hard to describe. In addition to clay target shooting, Mr Pirie also spent more than a decade in local government and is chairman of the Waituna Liaison Committee.

Ian Coard (Riverton)Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the CoastguardRiverton resident Ian Coard has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the Coastguard, an honour he said he was "blown away" by when he received the news in March.After more than three decades volunteering for Coastguard New Zealand, Mr Coard has one key message he's passionate about spreading: wear a lifejacket.He joined the Coastguard in his thirties and has been instrumental in the successful management of search and rescue for a number of major incidents in the Foveaux Strait. Within the Riverton Unit, he's held the positions of Safety Officer, Coxswain, Search and Rescue Coordinator, and President. For the last 15 years Mr Coard has been a Coastguard Boating Education tutor teaching a wide variety of courses including Boatmaster, VHF Certificate, Day Skipper, and inboard and outboard engineering.As an instructor, he said he enjoyed seeing people come out of their shells to become confident in their training. During his term as Coastguard New Zealand President, he oversaw the first-ever Government funding agreement for the Coastguard, which previously depended solely on fundraising.Mr Coard is currently the Independent Member representing the search and rescue volunteer sector on the New Zealand Search and Rescue Council and works at Environment Southland as its Deputy Harbourmaster.Mr Coard said if there was one final thing that he could do in the rest of his time in the Coastguard, he would like to see a national policy instigated by the Government to make it mandatory for every person in vessels under six metres to wear a lifejacket. "Lifejackets are a must. If you could achieve that, it would be absolutely magic."

Joyce-Rewa Kolk (Tuatapere)Queen's Service Medal for services to conservationJoyce-Rewa Kolk of Tuatapere has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for her services to conservation, an honour she claims she didn't deserve because her clean-up efforts along coastal Southland have always been a group effort. A long-time trustee of the Southern Coastal Charitable Trust, Ms Kolk said their massive rubbish clean-ups she's helped to organise in Fiordland and the west coast of Stewart Island has never been short of volunteers. In fact, the success of these operations has attracted volunteers from around the country to participate. When people saw how much rubbish landed on Southland shores, it got people to spread the word about severity of the problem.The trust's 2018 beach clean-up from East Ruggedy to Doughboy on Stewart Island collected 16.5 tonnes of rubbish and was featured in the final episode of the television programme ‘Ocean Bounty’. "People want to do good," Ms Kolk said. In an effort to keep costs low, Ms Kolk plays a hands-on role in procuring stores, pre-cooking meals and catering for volunteers during clean-up operations.Back on shore, she is heavily involved with running a sponsored network of hundreds traps along the Wairaurahiri River and Hump Ridge Track to Port Craig. An updated tally of the stoats, rats, weasels (and one hedgehog) caught in these traps is kept on the Wairaurahiri Jet website, a business she runs with her husband, Johan Groters. More than 1600 rats and stoats combined have been removed thus far.

Tane Davis (Invercargill)Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to conservationTane Davis has dedicated his Queen's Birthday honour to his late mother Jane, saying that "her Taonga of knowledge and ability to combine Matauranga Maori and western science and the people" helped contribute to the honour he has received.An "emotionally honoured and humbled" Mr Davis said he was still committed to conducting the important conservation work he has remained so passionate about for more than 20 years. "Conservation is full of important moments. Representing Ngai Tahu, working in partnership with Nga Iwi, and the Treaty Partner to better the whenua is ultimately the important moment".Mr Davis has helped contribute to the conservation efforts and Maori interests throughout New Zealand, particularly through his work on the appropriate management of Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, a nature reserve off the north-eastern coast of Rakiura/Stewart Island.He was instrumental in establishing an access policy and operational plan for Whenua Hou, which is the subject of a Deed of Recognition under the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1988. He has been the chairman of Whenua Hou Committee since its inception and was the principal Murihiku Maori representative in the major archaeological excavations on Whenua Hou in 2007.Mr Davis has strongly supported scientific and scholarly researching concerning Whenua Hou and has assisted in the development of numerous research applications and since 2006 has been a member of the Kaka Recovery Group and has participated in the conservation efforts through engagement on discussion genetics, breeding events and sponsorship.He has also led efforts to promote bio-security on the Titi Islands and successfully negotiated an agreement between Titi islanders to use a conservation dog trained to detect rodents.Mr Davis said he would use the day to celebrate his recognition by visiting and acknowledging his whanau resting at the Aparima Urupa.

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS 2019DNZM: To be Dames Companion of the said OrderDr Susan Nicola Bagshaw, CNZMFor services to youth healthMrs Yvette Winifred Corlett, CNZM, MBEDeceased. Her Majesty’s approval of this award took effect on 12 April 2019, prior to the date of decease.For services to athleticsMrs Areta Koopu, CBEFor services to Māori and the communityMs Frances Rosemary Walsh, MNZMFor services to filmKNZM: To be Knights Companion of the said OrderMr Paul Hunter Adams, CNZMFor services to philanthropy and the communityMr Roger Leighton Hall, CNZM, QSOFor services to theatreMr Graham Michael Lowe, ONZM, QSMFor services to youth and educationCNZM: To be Companions of the said OrderDr Judith Estranna Aitken, QSOFor services to local government, the community and educationMs Roma Cherry Balzer, QSOFor services to family violence preventionMr Scott Ronald Dixon, MNZMFor services to motorsportProfessor Charles Thomas Eason For services to science and wildlife conservationThe Reverend John Alexander Marsden, QSO, JPFor services to Māori and the communityMrs Elizabeth Jane Prichard, QSOFor services to womenMr Ewan Francis Smith For services to Cook Islands business and tourismAssociate Professor Susan Margaret St John, QSOFor services to social policyMr Gary Vernon Taylor, QSOFor services to the environment and resource managementMs Yvonne Mignon Willering, ONZMFor services to netballONZM: To be Officers of the said OrderMr Arthur Robert Ashan Amputch For services to engineeringMs Beryl Jean Anderson For services to womenMrs Dorothea Ashbridge For services to balletMr Kenneth Charles Clearwater For services to male survivors of sexual abuseMr Jeffrey Edward Connell For services to conservationDr Candy Louise Ramarihi Hera Cox For services to health, particularly suicide preventionMr David John Gapes For services to broadcastingMajor General Peter Te Aroha Emile Kelly, MNZM (Rtd.)For services to the New Zealand Defence ForceMr Michael King For services to mental health awareness and suicide preventionMr Ivan Kwok For services to the StateProfessor Charles Ninian McGhee For services to ophthalmologyMr Gordon William McLauchlan For services to historical researchDr Marie Claire McLintock For services to haematology and obstetricsMr Rodney Bruce Morris For services to documentary filmmaking, natural history and conservationMr Cletus Maanu Paul, JPFor services to MāoriDr Christine Mary Roke For services to sexual and reproductive healthDr Lynn Christine Sadler For services to maternal and perinatal healthMr Donald Hewitt Thompson For services to people with intellectual disabilitiesMr David Geoffrey Trubridge For services to designMr Mafaufau Sita Tua (David Tua), MNZMFor services to youth, boxing and the communityMNZM: To be Members of the said OrderSenior Sergeant Bruce Robert Adams For services to the New Zealand Police and the communityMs Claire Elizabeth Aitken For services to rehabilitative programmesMrs Edith Amituanai For services to photography and the communityMs Phylesha Brown-Acton For services to the Pacific and LGBTQI+ communitiesMs Ruth Busch For services to domestic violence prevention and the StateMr Ian William Coard For services to the CoastguardMrs Margaret Gwenneth Cook For services to the communityDr Fiona May Cram For services to Māori health and educationDr Robert John Mackay Crawford For services to mental health and addiction servicesMrs Patricia Jane Dance For services to the New Zealand Kennel ClubMr James Columba Davis For services to Māori art, the Catholic Church and the communityMr Tane Craig Davis For services to conservationMrs Rachael Kathleen Dean For services to governance and the communityMs Allison Muriel Dobbie For services to library and information management and the artsMrs Jan Elizabeth Dowland For services to people with intellectual disabilitiesDr Hinemoa Elder For services to psychiatry and MāoriMr Tunumafono Avaula Colenso Fa'amoe For services to the Pacific community and healthMs Marie Jane Fitzpatrick For services to the communityMs Susan Leigh Gardiner For services to the artsDr Briar Elizabeth Roycroft Gordon For services to the law and the StateMr Laurence Roy Gordon For services to wildlife conservationMrs Sarah Hirini For services to rugbyMrs Faye Claire James For services to the New Zealand Cancer SocietyMs Stephanie Patricia Johnson For services to literatureMrs Janet Joye Kelly For services to educationMrs Yvonne Margaret Loader For services to the sport of glidingMrs Allyson Sarah Lock For services to people with rare health disordersMs Robyn Jane Malcolm For services to television and theatreDr Jacqueline Diane Miller (Jackie Blue)For services to women and the StateMs Rose Mary Hine Wairangi Morgan For services to victim supportMr Jonathan William Mosen For services to the blind communityMs Nicole Dione Murray For services to the communityMs Shila Nair For services to ethnic communities and womenMr Neville Ernest Phillips For services to youthMr Ewen Robert Pirie For services to clay target shootingMs Pango Mary-Anne Pitman For services to Māori and family violence preventionProfessor Devon Leigh Logan Polaschek For services to criminal psychologyMs Anjum Rahman For services to ethnic communities and womenMr John Spencer Russell For services to educationMs Naomi Kathleen Shaw For services to softballMr Evan Trevor Smith For services to the communityProfessor Karen Alison Smith For services to education and volunteeringMs Celia Ann Stewart For services to music educationMrs Linda Dawn Surtees For services to children and the StateMrs Laine Leata Tipi, JPFor services to Pacific communities and educationMrs Janice Ann Tofia For services to educationMrs Beverley Turner For services to women, particularly Pacific womenMr Bryan Alexander Waddle For services as a sports broadcasterDr Benjamin Williams For services to theology and the communityMs Nicola Jean Williams For services to arts governanceDr Andrea Maxine Wilson For services to wildlife conservationMrs Margaret Alison Wilson For services to womenMrs Sally Ann Wilson For services to midwiferyMs Philippa Anne Evelyn Wright For services to the wool industry and sustainabilityMrs Susan Jean Wynyard For services to midwiferyThe Queen's Service OrderQSO: To be Companions of the said OrderMs Helene Elizabeth Quilter For services to the StateMrs Patricia Anne Seymour, OBEFor services to local government and the communityQSM: The Queen's Service MedalMr Gary Mathew Aitken, JPFor services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the communityMr Roger Alexander For services to conservation and the communityMrs Pare Anderson For services to Māori language educationMr Tiwana Riwai Aranui For services to Māori and educationMr Robert William Bartley For services to the communityMrs Joanna Margaret Beetham For services to the community and the artsMrs Adrienne Elizabeth Begg For services to sport and the communityMrs Maree Helen Bernasconi For services to netballMr Andrew Paul Bicknell For services to musicMr Eric William Bodell For services to broadcastingMs Janferié Bryce-Chapman, JPFor services to seniorsMr Roy James Buckley For services to the craft of woodturningMrs Christine Carol Bygrave For services to the communityMr Fraser Logan Cameron For services to the community and theatreMrs Diane Marcelle Celliers For services to the communityMrs Dorothy May Charles For services to the communityMrs Shirley Lorraine Christie, JPFor services to the communityMr Garth William Cowley For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the communityMr Peter Antony Cox For services to sport, particularly hockeyMr Mervyn John Cranefield For services to Scouting and the communityMrs Carol Anne Dickson For services to the communityMrs Bronwyn Tracey Dobson For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the communityMr Edward Colban Fawcett For services to the sport of woodchoppingMs Fala Haulangi For services to the Pacific community and worker's rightsMr Leonard Russell Hoggard For services to athleticsMrs Valmai Joyce Horlor For services to the communityMrs Anne Lorraine Howell For services to the community and educationMr Neville Thomas Jack For services to the communityMr Sydney Tamou Kershaw For services to Māori performing arts and the communityMs Joyce-Rewa Kolk For services to conservationMr Bak Fong Lee For services to horticulture and the communityMr Dugald Ian Dunlop MacTavish For services to conservation and the environmentMrs Sagaa Malua For services to the Tuvaluan communityMr Christopher Bailey Marjoribanks, JPFor services to youth and the communityMs Deborah Jane Martin For services to conservationMr Alastair Gordon Mason For services to philanthropy and the communityMrs Tina Mataiti For services to the Pacific community and healthMr Roderick Andrew McLeay For services to music and educationMs Julia Margaret Milne For services to the communityMrs Josephine Hinehou Mortensen, JPFor services to Māori and the artsMr Martyn John Norrie For services to the communityMr Gary Joseph O'Brien For services to youth and the communityMs Kathryn Jane Orbell For services to musicMrs Marjorie Elizabeth Orwin For services to the communityMrs Lynette Pellow For services to netballMs Lois Lee Perry For services to art and governanceMrs Hilda Lorraine Mary Pipes For services to the communityMrs Dawn Frances Preston-Thomas, JPFor services to counselling and victim supportMr Lyndsay Neill Price, QFSM, JPFor services to the communityMr Lyndsay Arthur Rackley For services to broadcastingMrs Evelyn Nukumai-te-Mangai Ratima For services to Māori and the communityMr Philip Ivan Redmond For services to the communityMr Graeme William Reid For services to mental health supportMs Kathryn Lesley Reid For services to palliative careMr Michael George Rutherford For services to philanthropy and the communityMr Ernest Patrick Sansom For services to the community and engineeringMrs Ann-Marie Searle For services to badminton and the communityMr Mupopo Siaosi, JPFor services to health and the Pacific communityMr Martin Sloman For services to mental healthMs Christine Puarata Smith For services to Māori artMrs Edith Carolyn Smith For services to conservationReverend Tui Fakafotu Sopoaga For services to the Tokelauan communityMr Grant Bruce Stevenson For services to the artsMrs Rae Elizabeth Storey For services to folk dancing and the artsMr Bryan Edward Styles For services to the United Fire Brigades Association and the communityMrs Margaret Joan Swinburn For services to athleticsMr Alan Charles Tapp For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the communityMiss Rose Mary Mailee Kuluimotu Tauetule For services to women and the Niuean communityMrs Elizabeth Barbara Thomas For services to equestrian sports and the communityMs Juanita Whitiaera Timutimu For services to criminal justice programmes and the communityMrs Martha Mahuri Tipene For services to MāoriMr Kenneth Henry Tobin For services to pipe bandsMr Vaha Tuielu For services to the Tokelauan communityMrs Rachel Ada Underwood For services to the communityMr Allan Leonardie Francis Va'a For services to youth and sportMrs Leutu Vaovasa For services to the Tokelauan communityMrs Gaylene Marie Vivian For services to family support and healthMr Nigel Edward Weeks For services to musicMrs Ida Willamina White For services to Māori artMr David Findon Wight For services to the communityMrs Sonia Wilson For services to victim support and the communityMr Grant Albert Windsor For services to broadcasting and sportMrs Susan Maureen Winters For services to educationMrs Denise Mary Veronica Wood For services to the communityMr Peter John Woodward For services to the CoastguardHONORARYMr Perenise Tapu For services to education and the Samoan communityDSD: The New Zealand Distinguished Service DecorationMr Daniel Lawrence Broughton, MNZMFor services to the New Zealand Defence ForceDr Peter Rodd Hurly, OStJFor services to the New Zealand Defence Force and aviation medicineCaptain Richard Alan Walker For services to the New Zealand Defence Force

Police are calling on the public to help identify and locate a man who assaulted a woman in Invercargill around 8pm on Friday (31st May).The victim had parked her car on Lindisfarne Street and was walking along the footpath towards the Curry Guru Malabar Kitchen Restaurant on Tay Street when she was grabbed from behind and pulled backwards.Constable Brendan Howe said the victim was able to shake free from the man and make her escape by running onto the road and back to her car.“This area is a main route into Invercargill," Mr Howe said. "If you were travelling in the Turnbull Thompson Park area at this time and saw this assault take place or any other suspicious behaviour we would like to hear from you.”Anyone with information can contact the Invercargill Police Station on 03 211 0400 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Clouds and rain did nothing to dampen attendance at the 2019 Fiordland Big 3 hunting competition with crowds flocking to see the prize kills as well as take part in a variety of activities.33 teams with a total of 121 people took on the challenge of bagging a deer, pig and fish in just three days, with 28 teams coming back with all three.The overall winning team from the weekend were 'Speight's Officials', who walked away with an epic prize pack from the event's major sponsor Te Anau Helicopter Services which included a half day fishing trip, a scenic flight and an accommodation package.A variety of other prizes were also handed out on the day, including for the heaviest possum (weighing 4.5kg), biggest pig tusks (measuring 13 6/8 inches), heaviest deer (weighing 142kg) as well as both senior and junior categories in possum throwing and pig carry.Mel Thompson and her daughter Liv (7) take part in the pig carry event at the Fiordland Big 3 hunting competition. PHOTO: Ben WaterworthEvent committee member Steph Jones was thrilled with the turnout as well as the support the event continued to receive from volunteers and sponsors in the community.She said the event continued to be a highlight on the Te Anau events calendar."We're absolutely rapt. We were concerned about the attendance with the weather but to have as many teams enter as we did we're pretty pumped and to have such a good turnout today with attendees that hung around to do all the activities and things we are just stoked."Competitors in the event could choose to take their kill home with them or donate them to the local rugby club where they would be turned into meat for barbecues.

One person is dead and another still unaccounted for after a boat went missing on Lake Hauroko on Friday.Police reported today that a body had been located near Teal Bay at the southern end of Lake Hauroko.Invercargill Police had been notified late on Friday (31st May) that a boat and its occupants were missing on the lake.A search of the lake was undertaken using a local boat operator yesterday. About midday police located a body.Police, using a helicopter and jet boat, are continuing to search Lake Hauroko today for boat and the one remaining missing occupant.

More than 40 buskers have braved wet and chilly conditions to compete in the annual Freeze Ya Bits Off busking competition in Gore this weekend.Auditions took part on the Friday, with finals taking place during a special street party on Saturday with a large turnout seeing standing room only to witness the winning performances.Gore District Council Events and Promotions Coordinator Emma Carle said there was an increase in groups entering this year and with increased demand they included nine groups on the final rather than the usual six.She said there was an eclectic mixture of genres of music, with one of the stand outs being Invercargill based band Oickn Mix Ukulele Band who played a mixture of country and eastern music.The winner of the open individual competition was Charlie de Woep, with The Angelettas taking out the People's Choice award as well as the under-14 group category.Cameron Dixon won the Peter Reid encouragement Award, Route 66 were declared the winner of the open group category while Aimee Baird won the under-14 individual prize.The event is part of a big musical week for Gore, with the 46th running of the New Zealand Gold Guitar Awards taking place across the weekend.

Invercargill-based plumbing apprentice Jesse Dodd has won a Plumbing World Scholarship at the national New Zealand Plumbing awards in Australia overnight.Five Plumbing World Scholarships were presented to top apprentices completing their qualifications through the Master Plumbers-owned Masterlink mentored training scheme.Mr Dodd, who is a second-year plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying apprentice at Baxter and Neilson Plumbers Ltd, was entered for the scholarship by his Masterlink mentor Brendan Parker, who described him as "hard working" and "mature beyond his 19 years"."Jesse loves what he does, wants to make a real impact and has already done so with everyone he meets," Mr Parker said.A keen hockey player, hunter, tramper and surfer, Mr Dodd recently signed up for the 10km Queenstown Marathon in November to help raise funds for mental health.Following a report on poor mental health in construction by independent construction research organisation BRANZ, the industry has put strong focus on addressing the issue.Mr Dodd's recognition of the need to raise awareness was to be admired, Mr Parker said.

An upgrade to Vodafone's tower in Winton is causing some minor disruptions to customers in the area.Numerous complains have been made on Facebook about Vodafone coverage over the last week, with several readers contacting the Advocate South to raise concerns over the issue.One reader described the coverage as turning to "custard" and that it had caused issues with both cell and internet connections.A Vodafone spokeswoman confirmed that work had been taking place at Winton since the beginning of last month and said minor interruptions were necessary for the work to be finished."There has been extensive upgrade work ongoing at our Winton site from the beginning of May. Unfortunately while the work is being carried out, service is intermittently interrupted to ensure the safety of staff on site,"The spokeswoman said work was expected to be finished by June 10, weather permitting, and that customers "will have a noticeably improved service' when the work is completed.

1800 Invercargill residents were without power last night after an equipment failure at Stadium Southland caused a power outage.According to a statement from PowerNet, the outage occurred at approximately 7.30pm.Power supply was lost for 35 minutes, and nine customers are still without power in the Richmond/Glengarry suburbs.PowerNet teams are still working on site at Stadium Southland to fix the failure and reconnect the nine customers as well as determining the full cause of the outage.

Jenny Mitchell has continued her stellar 2019 by taking out the Recorded Music NZ Best Country Music Artist at the 2019 New Zealand Country Music Awards last night.Mitchell added the award to her already expanding trophy cabinet after taking out four trophies at the Southland Entertainer of the Year awards earlier this year as well as previously winning the MLT Songwriting Award at the NZ Country Music Awards in 2016.The 20-year-old from Gore has been spreading her music globally over the last 18 months and her latest album Wildfires reached number one on the New Zealand Alternative Charts on iTunes as well as number four on the official New Zealand Music Charts within a week of being released.Speaking to The Southland App earlier in the week, Mitchell said being nominated for the award was an honour.She said it was a "happy tears moment" and she was looking forward to celebrating the occasion at the awards night.Mitchell will now continue to tour across New Zealand with her Troubadour Tour already proving extremely successful so far."I’m really looking forward to taking my tunes further North than I have before & to see parts of NZ that I haven’t explored before," she said.

Two men have appeared in court following a dairy burglary in Lumsden last week.Police conducted search warrants at a number of Southland addresses on Wednesday in relation to the incident at Junction Café and Dairy on Flora Road on Saturday 25 May.The men, aged 26 and 32, were arrested and charged with burglary.They were also charged in relation to a recent burglary at the Gorge Road Country Club in Invercargill.Following an appearance in Invercargill District Court yesterday, both men were remanded until Thursday 27 June.Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the Lumsden burglary and would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter.