Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardComments:Expect normal travel times - Please drive with care.  Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Showers clearing, remaining cloudy Tomorrow: Cloudy, showers developing later Sunday: Showers, turning to heavy rain later Monday: Showers

At the end of Term 1, the Commissioner, Dr Gabrielle Wall, was delighted to announce that a new Principal had been appointed for Lochiel School.Narelle Collie, currently at Heddon Bush School, will take up the position at the start of Term 3. Narelle is an experienced senior teacher and will spend 1 day a week at Lochiel this term to prepare her for her first role as a Principal.Lochiel School page is proudly supported by Wilsons Vege StallThe community is looking forward to formally welcoming her to the school on the first Monday of the new term.Our Year 6, 7 and 8 students finished Term 1 by attending a 4 day camp on Stewart Island. Walks, visits to places of interest (including Ulva Island), fishing trips and lots of recreation and wonderful food were enjoyed by all.The students really appreciated the great group of parents who accompanied them and shared, what was for many, their first visit to the unique environment of the Rakiura.The unique environment of the Rakiura. Photo: suppliedStudents enjoyed the club activities offered to our students during the first term each Friday afternoon. A range of clubs were offered, taken by staff and parent volunteers. These included baking, science, fishing, art, drama, sport, lego and Agrikids.A number of our students participated in the Winton Agrikids competition at the end of the term and, as always, enjoyed and learned from the event. We started this term with a very popular duck calling and duck shooting dress up day in the first week.Duck calling competition. Photo: suppliedThank you to Hunting and Fishing for helping with judging the duck calling and providing prizes. Three of our students represented us at the annual ANZAC parade in Winton and all our students have been studying the Anzac story over the last 2 weeks.ANZAC morning in Winton. Photo: suppliedWe have had a number of students taking the opportunities offered by the REAP extension programme in Winton. We greatly appreciate the courses run through the REAP organisation.Our classroom environments have been enhanced this term through getting new carpets laid. This has been made possible through the Ministry small and rural schools programme. Our staff, students and community are greatly appreciative of the huge support we enjoy from our wonderful PTA.Friday school lunches. Photo: suppliedThey work hard to raise significant funds and organise events to bring our community together. We enjoyed a “start of term” dinner together on the second Friday of the term. All our students enjoy the lunches provided every Friday.Through a parent initiated raffle organised to help fund the senior camp, the cost was reduced by $140 for each student attending. Lochiel is a vibrant, busy school and a great place to work and learn in.We have had a good start to Term 2 and are looking forward to the upcoming cross country events, the Central Cup competition for our senior classes and our participation in the Heart Foundation Jumping June event later in the term.

Environment Southland, Southland's regional council, has backed an investigation that could result in local authorities merging.Last year, Southland's mayor called for the four existing Southland councils to merge into two unitary authorities and requested the Local Government Commission look into it further.The commission asked other local councils whether they would be open to governance changes being explored.Southland's regional council chairman, Nicol Horrell, said councillors supported looking at all the options including shared services or reorganisation."It's important that we retain local governance while achieving cost savings for our communities," he said."There hasn't been significant change in local council representation in 40 years, and we know our community is looking for this. Southland could lead the way."The council agreed to ask the commission not to delay the investigation until after this year's local government elections.The commission was expected to decide on whether to investigate the proposal next month. The entire process would likely take three to five years.Published by permission

He may have never donned the All Black jersey but his white referee’s one reigned supreme on the field. Southlander Paddy O’Brien is renowned internationally as New Zealand’s greatest rugby referee - a rugby icon, despite having never scored a try or kicked a penalty for his country.Highly respected in the game the world over, Paddy reached the pinnacle of international rugby, selected to referee some of the world’s top test clashes, his calls seldom questioned.Appointed the world’s first professional rugby referee with the introduction of Super Rugby in 1996, Paddy, now 65, retired from the field in 2005.A young Paddy O'Brien. Photo: Supplied“I was doing provincial amateur games and then the game went professional,” he says.“The top players got contracted to Super Rugby and Colin Hawke and I became the first professional referees in the world,” Paddy says.“We’ve set the blueprint for professional refereeing ever since.”He refereed the world’s first ever professional match - the opening Super Rugby game between the Blues and the Hurricanes in 1996 in Palmerston North.“The fact we made history that day, that was big for me. It’s a milestone that can never be taken away from you.”In 10 years, he refereed at two World Cups (1999 and 2003), 38 international test matches and 218 first class games.Until last year he still held the NZ record.“I loved it. Every moment, good and bad. It’s all part of the show,” he says.While it was high pressure stuff, Paddy never let that get in the way.“I’d be standing out in the middle of Twickenham in front of a crowd of 75,000 and have to pinch myself and ask: ‘How did a little boy from Makarewa get here?’ Then you’d go out there and referee.”That ‘little boy’ grew up in a strong sporting community, the middle child of nine, all fiercely competitive.Paddy excelled at athletics, harriers, tennis, squash and rugby, eventually playing for Southland Bs and Senior club rugby.Photo: SuppliedHe represented Southland in age-group tennis and squash and still held the Southland high jump record – 2.04m – the first New Zealander to jump 2m off grass, until 10 years ago.“Our American Marist College teacher, Doug Wray, taught us the Fosbury flop,” Paddy recalls.“My cousin broke the record and me after him.”A trip to Hawera to compete in the NZ Age Grade Track and Field Championships, where he placed third, meant hard work to get there.It was Paddy’s first trip away at 16.“If we wanted a new tennis racquet, we did a paper run or worked at the tulip farm. We weren’t affluent.”No win tasted sweeter than beating the kids with the flash tennis racquets using his old one though.School wasn’t happening so Paddy worked as a clerk at Colyer Watson Hide factory until his mate said he was joining the Police.Paddy did too, unfortunately sent home ill after a month from his first recruit training, resuming at Trentham in 1979.Photo: SuppliedTwo years later he was a plain clothes cop at the Christchurch test during the controversial 1981 Springbok tour of NZ.“It was pretty unreal. My older sister was protesting in the front row, my older brother was yelling abuse at the protestors and there was me in the middle feeding information back to the Police,” he says.“If proof was ever needed that the tour split families then that was it.”At the height of his rugby career Paddy was rated among the top international rugby referees in the world, winning NZ Referee of the Year seven times.His 1999 World Cup pool game between France and Fiji was a real setback.“I refereed poorly and was off the international scene for 12 months.”He’s proud he had the resilience to overcome that, and referee the third and deciding international between the British and Irish Lions and Australia in 2001, and appointed to the 2003 World Cup semi-final between France and England.After retiring in 2005, he was World Rugby Referee manager for eight years, appointed Sevens Referee manager in 2012 – a position he still holds, managing the World’s Sevens referees and support staff on the World Series.“I just love being involved with these outstanding young men and women.”Photo: SuppliedPaddy is clearly equally as passionate about his 17 years in the NZ Police, appointed patron to Wing 370 at the Royal NZ Police College last year, which he really enjoys.His six years in the Invercargill CIB were the most challenging, but nothing equalled the pain of losing close younger brother Danny to suicide, aged just 25.“I was working at the time. I can count every minute of that day,” Paddy says.“That was a defining part of my life. It helped me deal with stress and pressure,” he says.“You realise nothing’s really that bad in life. Take some time out and things will be better the next day.”Just 19 when recruited for the Police, Paddy says he was far too young and immature.“I had to learn fast. It really made me grow up. Everything I do now reflects on my time with the Police though – management and dealing with trauma.”On the lighter side the “old school initiations” were fun.“One of the cops would lie under a blanket at the mortuary with a label on their bare toe, then suddenly sit up to the horror of the new recruits,” Paddy chuckles.Newbies could also be called at night to Coldstream Pool, where Police had night-time access for training, only to find ‘someone’ – another officer playing pranks, lying in the pool.“It was terrible, and you wouldn’t get away with it today, but all in good fun,” he says.“I just loved being in the Police. I have nothing but praise for them, the great camaraderie. Everybody is so loyal to each other."“It was different back then. You could help those with the right attitude, rather than lock them up, and there was total respect from the public.”By 1995 though he needed out.“The work was starting to affect me.”He worked in sports administration for a year before landing his professional refereeing role.Before long he’d been catapulted from one of the top five Southland, then top five NZ, referees straight “into people’s lounges” with Super Rugby and its huge TV audiences and match crowds.“Everyone knew you. It was a great life, and I loved every minute of it.”Southlanders were loyal and there was no social media back then.Upon retiring Paddy was awarded the ONZM – one of the first referees. “That was a huge honour.”World Rugby referee manager was one of his most stressful roles, managing when NZ lost the World Cup quarter final to France.In 2012 rugby was accepted into the 2016 Olympics and Paddy became Sevens manager.At one stage he moved the family to Dublin for 18 months for his World Rugby work.He still travels the world with the Sevens role and has just become citing manager after the sad loss of his colleague last year.Paddy O'Brien (left) on-site at Invercargill's new Hawthorndale Care Village. Photo: SuppliedAs if that’s not busy enough, Paddy’s also been on the ILT board for nine years, chairman for the last three, and he’s devoted to his volunteer work on the Board at Calvary Resthome and the new Hawthorndale Care Village – “an absolute legacy for Southland”.“Mum and Dad were in Calvary and just loved it. I promised Mum I’d go on the board.”Paddy’s in demand as an after dinner-motivational speaker and his life story, ‘Whistle While You Work’, written by Bob Howitt in 2004, has been a best-selling book, but there’s one thing Paddy would still like to improve on.“I’m the worst golfer in the Riverton club, but I love it.”

Asbestos has been found on the outside wall of the Manapouri Hall, prompting the Southland District Council (SDC) to temporarily close the public building.SDC chief executive Cameron McIntosh said the hall was being prepared for painting when contractors noticed what they thought was asbestos on the cladding under the windows.“The contractors contacted us, put up fencing to keep people away and we called in official testers to determine if it was asbestos,” McIntosh said.Test results received by the council late on Tuesday (20 May) were positive.McIntosh said the hall was being closed for a week as a precautionary measure, while additional air monitoring would be done around the hall and the clean-up started.Council staff are working with WorkSafe for a timeline to start the remediation of the site, with the asbestos to be removed completely when this happens, he said.

Te reo Māori street names are on track for a boost in Invercargill as the council takes steps to ensure they are more readily available. In March, an Invercargill City Council meeting revealed confusion around its policy for street names, after a developer failed to bring a single te reo option for consideration.It was revealed that their inclusion was “highly recommended” but not compulsory. On Tuesday, the council looked to fix that issue by suggesting an amendment to its policy meaning one of three names brought to the table would need to be in te reo Māori.The council’s mana whenua representatives would also be involved in the process, ensuring the Whakapapa of an area was considered in naming. Council manager strategy, policy and engagement Rhiannon Suter said the process enabled the council to support developers by connecting them with mana whenua representatives for feedback.In the rare circumstance a Māori name could not be provided within 20 working days, three English names could be presented, she said. “We’ve agreed that this pragmatic approach should result hopefully in the outcome that everybody is wanting to see.“Certainly, that has been the steering provided to us from previous committees, that we would like to see more te reo Māori names ultimately utilised through the district.” The change in policy relates to new name applications and is being made under a scheduled review.It is yet to be approved at full council, with Tuesday’s decision being a recommendation at committee level. A report prepared for the committee noted it was not appropriate to create a list of pre-selected names because Whakapapa meant the location needed to be considered.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardComments:The Homer Tunnel will close tonight (Thursday 22nd May) between 6pm & 3am. No public access due to heavy equipment operating in tunnel. Any queries, please call 03 249 7004.  Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Showers Tomorrow: Showers, clearing later Saturday: Cloudy, showers developing later Sunday: Showers, turning to rain

Skyrocketing butter prices have forced a commercial bakery in the dairy heartland of Southland to scour the global market for cheaper alternatives.Kaye's Bakery in Invercargill sells belgian biscuits, afghans and other sweet treats in supermarkets and dairies nationwide, often using butter from Australia to make its products.Luella Penniall owns the family business started by her parents Lois and Evan in the 1970s. She orders in 10 tonnes of butter at a time.If the bakery is making large quantities of butter shortbread to order that increases the requirements.She said it was too expensive for the bakery to buy butter directly from dairy companies in New Zealand, despite being located in the centre of one of the country's biggest dairy producing regions.Kaye's instead uses an Australian broker to buy all its butter wholesale which Penniall described as "crazy"."I work with a company out of Australia. It seems crazy but it's too hard to buy off New Zealand butter companies, you need to be buying more than 10 tonnes to get a reasonable price," Penniall said."I'll get supplied either Australian or New Zealand butter but out of an Australian broker."Kaye's commercial bakery owner Luella Penniall (centre) with her parents Lois & Evan Penniall who founded the Invercargill company in the 1970s. Photo: suppliedPenniall preferred to support New Zealand farmers but when Australian butter cost less, that's what she used."There's no difference from New Zealand and Australian butter from a manufacturing perspective, the texture, the taste, the performance, it's all good."In a quest to lower its ingredient costs, Kaye's recently put butter from America on the table in a trial."We were offered butter out of America. We checked the specs and it was really a lot cheaper like $3 a kilo. But it turned out the water content was actually a lot higher which would have been a disaster for us in manufacturing," Penniall said.And while others might swap out margarine for butter, customers buy Kaye's biscuits for their buttery quality.The company is now grappling with price rises for all its key ingredients which will need to be passed on soon."We do struggle with the cost of butter," Penniall said."Go back to 2022, only three years ago we were paying around $11 per kilo, and now we're paying $14 if not $15 dollars a kilo," she said."We do thousands and thousands of butter shortbreads for our brand and for other brands and it makes it expensive because the customer wants the quality."She doesn't see the cost of butter coming down anytime soon."I think it's the new way of that particular dairy product," she said.At last night's global dairy trade auction the price of butter fell 1.5 percent to US$7821 dollars a tonne, after hitting a record high of US$7992 dollars at the previous auction earlier this month.The strength of world prices means dairy farmers are poised to receive record payouts of at least 10 dollars per kilo of milk solids.Stats NZ data shows butter prices have increased significantly over the past year, with prices up over 65 percent in the 12 months to April.Published with permission

Meridian Energy will have to replace five transformers at Manapōuri Power Station due to concerns about elevated gassing.In a stock exchange announcement, Meridian said the Southland power station's transformer fleet is currently made up of six transformers from Australia's Wilson Transformer Company (WTC).It initially received seven from WTC in 2015 and 2018, but two were removed in 2023 due to gassing issues. Another WTC transformer was supplied at the end of last year.Meridian said it received independent advice that the five older WTC transformers would likely have similar problems to the two removed from service.Meridian planned to replace the older WTC transformers over the next two-and-a-half years."We are moving quickly to replace the five transformers supplied by WTC in 2015 and 2018 and are confident this will result in limited to no impact on generation capacity," its general manager for generation, Tania Palmer said.Manapōuri is the largest hydropower station in the country, located at Lake Manapōuri in Fiordland National Park, and primarily supplies electricity to the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.Meridian said it was "important the company takes swift action".Palmer said the company was "working hard" to ensure there would be no generation impact.The company expects to receive two Indonesian-made transformers early next year.Meridian did not outline any financial impact, but said it was in "discussions with WTC on a resolution"."At the current time a resolution has not been reached," it said.Published with permission

Te reo Māori street names are on track for a boost in Invercargill as the council takes steps to ensure they are more readily available.In March, an Invercargill City Council meeting revealed confusion around its policy for street names, after a developer failed to bring a single te reo option for consideration.It was revealed that their inclusion was "highly recommended" but not compulsory.On Tuesday, the council looked to fix that issue by suggesting an amendment to its policy meaning one of three names brought to the table would need to be in te reo Māori.The council's mana whenua representatives would also be involved in the process, ensuring the Whakapapa of an area was considered in naming.Council manager strategy, policy and engagement Rhiannon Suter said the process enabled the council to support developers by connecting them with mana whenua representatives for feedback.In the rare circumstance a Māori name could not be provided within 20 working days, three English names could be presented, she said."We've agreed that this pragmatic approach should result hopefully in the outcome that everybody is wanting to see."Certainly, that has been the steering provided to us from previous committees, that we would like to see more te reo Māori names ultimately utilised through the district."The change in policy relates to new name applications and is being made under a scheduled review.It is yet to be approved at full council, with Tuesday's decision being a recommendation at committee level.A report prepared for the committee noted it was not appropriate to create a list of pre-selected names because Whakapapa meant the location needed to be considered.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

SouthRoads will be completing guardrail repair work on SH93 Old Coach Road at the Kuriwao Stream in the Clinton gorge tomorrow and Friday between 7am and 7pm. Please expect delays of up to ten minutes. During this time, we suggest that road users use SH1 between Clinton and Mataura instead of SH93 for their journey.Thanks for your patience and support of our team while they complete this work.

This year we participated in the Epro8 challenge at school and two teams went to the interschool challenge held at Jame Hargest Campus.The Epro8 Challenge is a science and engineering challenge for students.Myross Bush School page is proudly supported by PDL Kitchens and Joinery.Within each challenge the group chooses, they will need some science and engineering skills along with problem solving and perseverance.Our students did very well, with one team making it to the finals.Student now in the finals for Epro8 Challenge. Photo: supplied.This term we have hit the ground running with school swimming.We are getting ready for our swimming showcase where we will show-off our learning from all of our sessions.Every student has made great progress throughout the lessons.The senior school will also compete in our school swimming sports and house race.We would like to thank all the parents who come along and support our swimming sessions each afternoon..Training for students swimming showcase. Photos: supplied.We are also training for our Cross Country events which are coming up quickly on the calendar.Each day the classes run their way around Tetai Park and track how far they have run in a set time.For this event we join together with other schools from our zone to participate.This event is a highlight for Term 2 with our students traditionally performing very well.We look forward to racing our way around the course and to see if our senior students will compete at the Southland Event in June.Getting ready for Cross Country events. Photo: supplied.

Cycling Southland has secured the hosting rights for the 2026 New Zealand Criterium Championships.This follows Invercargill's successfully hosting of this year’s event.Set for Saturday, 17 January, the championships will bring the nation’s top cyclists — including Olympians and emerging junior talent — back to the city’s streets for a high-speed, action-packed race.Cycling Southland President Julian Ineson said they were thrilled to be hosting next year's champs.Ineson said the public would once again be able to enjoy the thrills of fast-paced racing around the streets of Invercargill — up close and personal."It’s also an incredible opportunity for many of our junior riders to mix it with some of New Zealand’s top cyclists, including Olympians.”Ineson said their sponsors, supporters and the public had also been a key factor in securing their successful 2025 bid.The weekend will also feature the Custom Canvas Watson Gore to Invercargill Classic and the ILT New Year Carnival track racing, promising a festival of cycling for fans and families alike.

The iconic Bluff Oyster is the star of the show at the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival each year but the supporting cast is always pretty darn good as well.Bluff Oysters will be plentiful with both cooked and raw oysters available as well as oyster shots and live oysters served on the shell and there is little doubt that the reason so many travel from all around New Zealand and beyond for the event is those succulent molluscs.However, a perusal of the many other food choices available at this year’s festival provides a mouth-watering array of treats. Seafood is obviously prominent with offerings such as pāua wontons, pāua sausages, whole kina, crayfish, chowder, blue cod sliders, bacon wrapped mussel kebabs, smoked blue cod, whitebait patties, pāua patties, shrimp salad, marinated mussels, blue cod, chips and teriyaki salmon wings. For the meat lovers, pork belly and beef served in a turkish bun will be a favourite, meaning there is certainly something for everyone.The 2025 Festival will be held at the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival site in Lee Street, Bluff and will feature the same successful recipe - plentiful seafood including the Bluff Oyster, other food selections, a wide choice of beverages, a full programme of musical entertainment and the unique oyster opening and eating events.

Some Southland Hospital staff have been told they could only talk to each other for a maximum of five minutes a day, complaints to a union show.The staff were also instructed not to take their breaks together.The complaints arose among staff at Southern Clinical Records and Coding, where a source told RNZ there had been tensions for five years.The staff "literally cannot talk to each other" as soon as they walk through the office door, the source said.Health NZ Southern said it did not have a 'no talking' policy, but the issue has still not been sorted out, despite Health NZ holding an "amicable" meeting in March."The PSA has not resolved the issues here," the union told RNZ on Tuesday."This is an issue between members and management."Emails between the Public Service Association and Health New Zealand's southern district - released under the Official Information Act - detail what the union organiser said were five "significant" concerns."Requirements that there be no talking during the day - other than for five minutes in the morning," said a PSA email in February."This prevents members supporting each other when difficult or upsetting things arise in their work, but it also feels very uncomfortable, unnatural and unduly restrictive."We would be interested in discussing with you, what the intention and aim of this direction is, with a view to agreeing on a more nuanced approach."Other complaints were about leave applications, career progression and an outdated bonding agreement.Breaks were also an issue."We understand that members are not allowed to take their breaks together."Again, this seems unduly restrictive and uncomfortable - and we would like to discuss alternative approaches with you."The source told RNZ: "It may seem hard to believe, but this is the reality."HNZ 'does not have a "no talking" policy'Asked by RNZ for evidence of any 'no talking policy' in the hospital department - and who imposed it and why - Health New Zealand said: "Health NZ Southern does not have a 'no talking' policy, as such, this part of your request is refused... as this information does not exist."The emails released under the OIA show that after a meeting with the PSA in early March, southern district team leader Sue Clark told the director of quality and clinical governance solutions Hywel Lloyd that they talked through the issues and "the meeting ended amicably".The union wanted to meet on a quarterly basis, Clark said.A PSA email in March reflected that. "Normally I would not start management engagement with such a list of issues," wrote the organiser, "and I am sorry that that is how it worked out in this case. I do think it would be useful to keep meeting regularly."But the complaints have still not been sorted out, according to the PSA on Tuesday, while HNZ told RNZ back in March: "We can advise that discussions/actions relating to the matters raised are ongoing."The PSA said it "understands this is a localised issue and we are working through it with our members affected".It worked with all members and "many employers" to promote a healthy workplace culture, it said.Lloyd told RNZ there had been no personal grievances or formal complaints from records and coding staff about management in the past year."There have not been any other concerns raised with HR in relation to Southern Clinical Records and Coding staff for the past five years".It was "standard practice and part of our effective working relationships policy" to encourage staff to raise any concerns with their managers, either directly or through their union representative "to enable the resolution of matters at the earliest stage and at the lowest level possible", Lloyd's statement in March to RNZ said.Published by permission

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardComments:Expect ice & grit, particularly in Alpine Area - Please slow down & take extra care. The Homer Tunnel will close Wednesday & Thursday nights (21st & 22nd May) between 6pm & 3am. No public access due to heavy equipment operating in tunnel. Any queries, please call 03 249 7004.  Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Fine at first, cloud & showers developing later Tomorrow: Showers Friday: Showers, clearing later Saturday: Showers developing

Nearly 400 tamariki and 105 volunteers have recently planted 1,600 native trees at three sites in the Te Anau Basin as part of a “Planting Trees with Kids” programme, spearheaded by the Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust.The Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust is based at Redcliff, below Manapouri, and promotes reconnecting people back to the land by restoring and working with the food resources in the Waiau catchment.Y3 classes from Te Anau School planting trees in Ivon Wilson Park. Photo: SuppliedThe large-scale environmental initiative involved 22 planting sessions in April and May and included children from Te Anau Primary School, Fiordland College, Mararoa School, John McGlashan College, Te Anau Scouting Group, Fiordland Kindergarten, Fiordland Outdoor Playgroup, and Southern Stars Early Learning Centre.Te Waiau Mahika Kai Trust manager Vanessa Horwell said the project was all about reconnecting tamariki with te taiao and giving them a real sense of being kaitiaki — guardians of the land.“They weren’t just planting trees — they were taking action, learning about their role in protecting the whenua, and making a meaningful contribution to the health of their local environment.”The trees were planted at three key restoration sites: Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu in Jericho Valley, Home Creek in Manapouri (in partnership with Environment Southland and the Department of Conservation), and Ivon Wilson Park, supported by the Southland District Council.Additional plantings also took place on school grounds to reinforce the project’s educational mission.Horwell said the community’s response to the iniative was inspiring.Mararoa School planting natives at their school. Photo: Supplied“One young boy missed his school’s planting day, so he asked if we could save some trees for him — he didn’t want to miss out."At Ivon Wilson Park, 3- and 4-year-olds from Fiordland Kindergarten and Southern Stars Early Learning Centre carefully planted trees together.“It was amazing to see them take such care to make sure the trees were planted well and had the best start,” she added.At Mararoa School, students proudly gave their principal a tour of the planting site, confidently naming the native species they had helped establish.“That kind of enthusiasm and knowledge shows that this project really planted more than just trees — it planted confidence and connection,” Horwell said.The initiative was made possible through funding from Trees That Count and collaboration with Environment Southland, the Southland District Council, and the Department of Conservation.Fiordland College Y7 students. Photo: Supplied“All in all, this has been a beautiful example of how environmental restoration can go hand in hand with education,” Horwell said.“These children are the future of kaitiakitanga.""We’re proud to support them to connect with the whenua and help shape a healthier landscape for generations to come.”

Otautau is set to celebrate 60-years of local ambulance service next month (7-8 Jun).Until the mid-1960's the small western Southland farming and milling town relied on private vehicles, or in the case of forestry workers - the 'Mill Truck', to transport the injured or sick to the town's local doctor.However after two separate but serious forestry accidents involving bushmen Herbert (Bert) Smitties and George Templer, Otautau GP, Lindsay Moffat, sought to find a better way to transport the wounded - 'instead of on the back of a lorry'.In April 1964 Dr Moffatt, with the support of local builder (and volunteer rugby medic) Bill Anderson, called a meeting that was supported by twenty-five locals and included three St John members from Invercargill.By 5th May 1964 the Otautau St John Brigade was officially established.Many of those who attended the first meeting would go on to become life-long supporters. This included Muriel Brown would received a royal award, becoming a Member of the Order of St John in 2000.The Otautau brigade flourished and would subsequently produce five Grand Priors, an award equivalent to a Queens Guide or Scout award.Otautau's very first ambulance, with local Nursing Officer May Flett (centre) and local Superintendent Cam Sutherland (right). Photo: SuppliedUp until 1984 the brigade used various buildings within the town for its meetings, however following a significant $80,000 bequest from Scotts Gap farmer James (Jamie) Potts, the group finally had the funds to seek a permanent home.A building at 199 Main Street, originally relocated from Beggs Engineering at Drummond, proved a game-changer allowing space for not only ambulances, and latterly a health shuttle, but also facilities for volunteers to train and comfortably stay overnight.In 1988 the brigade saw an influx of new younger members, including Vic Keen, Peter Ayson and Fred Dalley, from the local Lions Club.Ayson, who went on to be chairman for 30 years, recalls that their greatest crisis occurred in the 1990s when a severe shortage of volunteer ambulance officers threatened the station losing its ambulance and being downgraded to a first response unit.1970's Otautau St John Ambulance chair Barry Carleton accepts the keys to a new Dodge ambulance from Hart Motors rep Ted Sharbourne, while (L-R) Fred Eason, Frances Dorricott and Graeme Froude look on.A public meeting was called where the Otautau committee pleaded to the invited St John South Island representatives for a paid ambulance officer.Ayson recalls that after a lot of discussion, the meeting's chairperson Southland District Council Mayor Frana Cardno said "are you going to do something or aren't you? Or are you just going to leave us out here as second-rate citizens?"The next morning St John had found the funds to supply a paid person for one-day a week, Ayson said."And from there it has just grown and today we now have the ambulance manned by paid people throughout the week."In March 2021 the station moved from solely volunteers servicing the local area to becoming a St John community hub, manned by paid officers with volunteer support, and covering wherever in Southland they are needed.Today the station boasts four fulltime paid ambulance officers working in shifts, 7-days a week, along with five volunteers who cover evenings and night shifts.Ambulance calls at the Otautau station average two to three a day and can take the local crew from Castlerock to Bluff, Tuatapere to Gore.The station also now boosts a health shuttle. Funded by donations and crewed by a roster of 8 volunteers, the shuttle takes people from across western Southland to and from hospital appointments.Otautau St John station today. Photo: SuppliedSt John Otautau ambulance team leader, a Member of the Order of St John recipient and the 60th celebration spokesperson, Anna Nicolson, said next month's event had attracted a wonderful response with around 85 people expected to attend.St John Otautau 60th reunionTo be held at the Otautau Sports Complex on 7th & 8th June 2025, from 3pm. Dinner to follow from 5pmPast and current sponsors, supporters, cadets, committee members, shuttle drivers and ambulance officers all welcome.RSVP: [email protected]

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardComments:The Homer tunnel will close Tuesday to Thursday nights (20th - 22nd May) between 6pm & 3am. No public access due to heavy equipment operating in tunnel.Any queries, please call 03 249 7004.Weather:Today: Rain clearingTomorrow: Showers developing laterThursday: Showers, turning to rain laterFriday: Rain clearing