Parts of southern Invercargill are desperate for more investment and public toilets, according to a group pushing for equity.For more than 10 years, community rejuvenation project South Alive has worked to boost its corner of the city by creating pride through various initiatives.On Friday, its community development and operations manager Courtney Ellison took the floor at council to share areas that needed addressing in the southern part of the city.“We still receive a lot of comments from the community about the equity of investment and that feeling of the south (of) Invercargill perhaps not having the same standard or levels of service that other parts of Invercargill get,” Ellison said.“We know that some of this may be historic, but we just want to ensure that that remains front of mind when the asset planning is done.”Ellison spoke about street beautification, saying the “green belt” which ran from Queens Park in the north of the city to Russell Square in the south highlighted the issue.Elizabeth Park in south Invercargill is lacking key features, such as good public toilets and rubbish bins. Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDRWhile garden beds and plantings could be found in the northern section, it turned into grass once it reached the south, she said.Public toilets were also a problem, with the group’s submission explaining it had been asking for one to be installed at the popular Russell Square for more than five years.“There is a real lack of public toilets in south Invercargill when you compare it with other parts of Invercargill,” Ellison said.That issue was also being felt at Elizabeth Park — a prominent city reserve which recently hosted more than 1000 people at a popular children’s day event.Despite the area being a prominent open space, it also had a lack of public toilets, drinking fountains, seating and rubbish bins.The existing toilet building was normally locked, and having received a key for the recent event, Ellison said she could see why.On the day Local Democracy Reporting visited the park, a wheelie bin was located next to the playground.Resident Destiny Reedy-Cooper said she attended the area regularly with her children, and supported potential upgrades."The littering around there is really bad usually, and the drinking fountain would be awesome too," she said.Other issues highlighted in the submission included upgrades to the South City shopping area, council intervention with neglected properties and dog park improvements.The public transport system also needed an overhaul, with some people unable to access the supermarket on existing routes, it said.Deputy mayor Tom Campbell thanked Ellison for her submission to the long term plan hearing, saying South Alive’s work was well-known to the council.“You do a really good job,” he said.South Alive was established in 2012 with the help of Invercargill City Council through a strategy in its 2012 - 2022 Long Term Plan.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Twenty-five southern rata have been planted at Bluff's Memorial Grove, ahead of this years ANZAC Day on 25th April, to commemorate 25 World War II servicemen who never returned.The native trees were a donation from the Invercargill City Council (ICC) nursery to the Bluff Returned Servicemen Association (RSA).Memorial Grove, at the base of Motupohue Bluff Hill, was established in 1946 as a commemoration to the areas fallen World War II servicemen.ICC Parks and Recreation Manager Caroline Rain said the area was a beautiful spot.“It has a lovely energy about it and is an ideal place for these trees to be planted.”Bluff RSA District Support Advisor Peter (Robbo) Robertson said that winds and fire over 80 years had led to several of the original trees planted for the servicemen in the aftermath of World War II to fall over.“This is perfect timing,” Robertson saidRobertson said the planting had been in the works for about five months.“The southern rata is red – like the red poppy – and we know that the southern rata grows well here in the coastal environment.”Southern Rata Photo: Jo Hiscock/DOCBluff Community Board Chair Ray Fife said the planting of the rata trees was an important tribute to the 25 men who lost their lives in World War II.“This is a beautiful way to honour the Bluff men who sacrificed their lives for the service of their country,” Fife said.“It also ensures this community stands by our promise: We will remember them.”Bluff's ANZAC Day services will be at 7am at Memorial Grove, and 11am at the waterfront memorial.

Invercargill is down to a single parking warden as the city council works to plug the gap left by recent departures.Tensions were rising as food delivery drivers and goods trucks flout parking rules, a councillor warned.While three people normally patrolled the city’s streets, just one was left due to staff moving to other opportunities, Invercargill City Council environmental services manager Gillian Cavanagh said.The council had been shorthanded for more than four weeks.“We do have processes in place such as using other staff as appropriate and scheduling patrols to cover priority areas on a daily basis, as well as regular patrols through the week,” Cavanagh said.“This ensures we continue to have a presence in the community, cover areas of concern and requests for service, as we work to fill these two vacancies.”The issue came to light during a community wellbeing committee meeting last week where disruptive drivers in the CBD were discussed.Councillor Ria Bond said she had observed issues on Esk St where goods and services vehicles stopped to offload in unofficial parking spaces next to the mall, and food delivery drivers parked on the footpath.Bond said tensions were escalating between the public and those in breach of the rules.“How often are these breaches being monitored, and what can we do to ensure the safety of public comes first?” she asked.Cavanagh said the council was down to only had one parking officer which made it “a little bit more difficult”.When councillor Darren Ludlow suggested issuing infringements as a way of tackling the perpetrators, Bond pushed back.“But we can’t catch them because we’ve only got one person to monitor.”Councillor Alex Crackett said the council needed to adapt to obvious changes in community behaviour.Ride shares and delivery services weren’t going anywhere, and the council needed to develop services for them in the same way they did with taxis appeared, she said.The council currently managed a total of 831 metered parking spaces in the city.Cavanagh said the organisation was recruiting for the vacancies and expected to be fully staffed "very soon".LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

A code of conduct complaint has been made against Invercargill Mayor Nobby Clark as the result of his appearance on a television show.Last month, Clark made headlines when he appeared on comedian Guy Williams’ satirical news show New Zealand Today and used racially charged language.The show covered a March 2023 incident where Clark used the ’n-word’ at an Art Foundation Event.On Tuesday, two councillors confirmed they had lodged a code of conduct complaint against the mayor."It was based on the Guy Williams thing. I believe they’ve breached different parts of the code and went ahead with it (the complaint),” councillor Ian Pottinger said.Lodging a complaint was a complex process and required a level of satisfaction that there had been a breach, he said.“It’s part of our role, if we believe there is a breach, we should be strong if we do believe it.”Pottinger would not comment further, saying the process needed to be followed.Councillor Ria Bond confirmed she was the other party and had co-written a letter of complaint.She said an outside agency had picked up the complaint and was investigating it.“I can also confirm that until the complaint investigation has completed, I need to respect the process and not make any more further comment.”Mayor Clark was approached for comment but said he would not speak further until the issue had been investigated.Both Bond and Pottinger were critical of the mayor’s television appearance after it went to air, with the latter labelling it a “train wreck”.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Southland District Council will not reveal any details about a code of conduct matter discussed behind closed doors this week.The issue formed the sole item of an executive committee meeting on Monday, with Mayor Rob Scott later telling Local Democracy Reporting it was in its early stages.He could not give an indication of when more information would come to light.“It’ll end up coming out public later, but it’s nothing too serious,” Scott said.“Still in the very early stages, we can’t really release much at this stage for privacy reasons.”The executive committee is made up of three members — mayor Scott, deputy mayor Christine Menzies and external member Bruce Robertson.Menzies could not comment but said she would advise once she was in a position where she could speak further.A council spokesperson said the executive committee would investigate the alleged breach and prepare a report for council to consider in an open meeting.The potential breach could remain secret, however, if it was determined under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) that it should remain private.Reasons for that could include a breach which related to the misuse of confidential information, or impingement on privacy relating to staff or the general public.The council’s code of conduct is a 19 page document last updated in November 2022.It covers such topics as the roles and responsibilities of elected members and the chief executive, relationships and behaviours, conflicts of interests, and contact with media.Information on the potential breach was withheld under LGOIMA from the report prepared for Monday’s meeting.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Councils and voters around the country, like Invercargill, rejected Labour’s expensive and bureaucratic Three Waters regime, and earlier this year the Coalition Government repealed the policies. Now Cabinet has agreed on key steps to implement “Local Water Done Well” – the Government’s plan for financially sustainable, locally delivered water infrastructure and services. Local control was a key concern for Southern ratepayers last year, with many unhappy at the prospect of handing over local water assets built up over many decades. This Government has a clear plan to deliver better, financially sustainable, and affordable water services, while crucially retaining local control of water assets. Our plan recognises the importance of local decision making and flexibility for communities and councils. This is important because it will allow councils, like Invercargill, Southland and Gore, to determine how their water services will be delivered.  Cabinet has agreed to a streamlined decision-making process for the establishment of council-controlled organisations (CCOs) for water services, as part of “Local Water Done Well.” The transitional legislation to enable this is expected to be passed by mid-2024 and this will make it easier for early movers to shift the delivery of water services into council-controlled organisations - as a first step, setting the foundations for more financially sustainable and transparent services. Transitional provisions will also include the requirement for councils to prepare Water Services Delivery Plans within 12 months.  This will demonstrate their commitment to deliver water services that are financially sustainable, meet regulatory standards for water infrastructure quality, and unlock housing growth. As we move forward, the Government will provide further details in mid-2024 on the broader range of structural and financing tools which will be available to councils. This will ensure councils, like those in the South, can make the required investment in water services infrastructure. This legislation will be passed by the middle of 2025.Funded by Parliamentary ServicesPublished by arrangement

A call for a dedicated migrant community event space in Invercargill has been made by a group struggling to find suitable venues.Southland Migrant Walking Together Organisation said it was getting more difficult to access places amid high demand and costs.“If there is a place where actually the migrant community can come together and celebrate their culture, it would be really helpful,” advisory board member Krunal Patel said.“Many of the venues are getting really busy. There are so many events going around, so sometimes it is really difficult to access those venues.”Patel said it would be good to have a “cultural centre” where migrant people could not only host events, but also celebrate their culture.“Our mission is to foster integration and celebrate the cultural diversity in our community.”The comments were made at an Invercargill City Council long term plan hearing where groups and individuals were given the opportunity to make submissions on the city’s roadmap for the future.Presenting alongside Patel was chairperson Himani Mishra Galbraith, who said the past two years had seen rental prices hit levels which were out of reach for many.Many migrant events also required an indoor-outdoor flow, she said, which had proven a challenge.Galbraith later told Local Democracy Reporting that a new space would allow for immersion, inclusion, diversity and respect.“We need to create those spaces, we need to create those opportunities, where we can showcase that.”A tight deadline allowed for only two questions at Friday’s meeting, with mana whenua representative Pania Coote asking Patel and Galbraith if they had heard of the migrant group who had purchased the community hall in Dacre for the purpose of hosting events.Councillor Leslie Soper wanted to clarify that the presenters were asking for a permanent, dedicated space.Galbraith said something similar to “container halls” used for SIT students would be suitable, so long as it had a kitchen, electricity and toilets.Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell, who was chairing the hearing, said there was a queue of people wanting to ask questions — more than for any previous presentation.“You’ve created a lot of interest,” he said.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

Invercargill needs to fulfil promises about being smoke-free in its CBD.That was a key message from the National Public Health Service all polices advisor Laura Pope on Friday, when she presented to Invercargill City Council during its long-term plan hearing.In June 2020, the council approved a policy to make a number of public areas smoke-free in hopes it would promote a healthier environment and reduce young people’s exposure to the activity.That included the CBD, where the council said it would target signage.But Pope said that had appeared to go by the wayside in the wake of recent upgrades.“You have worked hard to create an environment in the city centre that promotes healthy behaviours and attitudes towards smoking and vaping, to create a space that is safe for whānau,” Pope said.“We feel the smoke free, vape-free CBD is no longer well-recognised in Invercargill, and feel the messaging needs to be better promoted.Pope said the council should implement signage throughout the CBD, and strongly suggested promotional work be undertaken to make the community aware.“Since the council have improved the landscape of Esk St, it appears there is no smoke-free, vape-free signage by council.”Other areas including the South City shopping centre should be considered for a smoke-free status when the council reviewed its policy, she said.Mana whenua representative Pania Coote supported the smoke-free stance, but asked how it could be policed.Pope responded that while the policy was not enforceable, signage and promotional work created awareness.“(For) a majority of people that smoke nowadays, it’s an addiction, and we don’t think it should be policed.”Areas covered by the council’s current smoke-free policy include all council owned parks and reserves, playgrounds, sports fields, Splash Palace (including its car park) and Queens Park aviary and animal reserve.According to Te Whatu Ora’s website, the National Public Health Service works alongside communities to deliver national, regional and local programmes for achieving pae ora (healthy futures).LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

The Miller family of Roslyn Downs in Glencoe has been named the Regional Supreme Winner at the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards in Invercargill last week (11 Apr). The Ballance Farm Environment Awards are run annually by the NZ Farm Environment Trust.The Supreme Winner from each of the eleven regions involved in the awards travel to Hamilton in June where they will go into the running to win the Gordon Stephenson Trophy and become National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.The Miller's 1,034ha dairy, sheep and beef operation is led by brothers Jason and Quentin Miller, along with Jason’s son Andrew.The original 149ha farm has been in the Miller family since 1960, with the dairy farm added to the operation when Andrew and his wife Rachel joined the business in 2019. Roslyn Downs is predominately sheep farming with a focus on achieving high levels of production efficiency.Along with running an average of 4,000 ewes, it hosts a stud sheep-breeding programme and provides dairy support for the dairy farm – Claymore Dairies. At Claymore, the team is striving toward a five-year target of achieving 500kg of milk solids per cow. The judges were impressed with the overall health of the cows and how the Millers have increased in-calf rate gains over a short period of time. The use of independent consultants is crucial to helping the team achieve strategic outcomes. Since 2020, they’ve tripled business revenue and doubled their asset base. Over the years the Millers have significantly increased native species and planting across the property, adding new areas and connecting and enhancing existing sites.By fencing off large areas for retirement and amenity planting and creating several wetlands and sediment traps, they have actively contributed to biodiversity preservation.In awarding the Regional Supreme Award, the judges noted that the Millers have created a thriving ecosystem that supports native species and reduces erosion through careful consideration of environmental mitigations.They also commended the Miller’s data-driven approach to farming, observing that it enables them to make informed decisions that enhance both environmental stewardship and profitability.“The use of sound science, monitoring and measurement, alongside an in-depth understanding of the physical landscape, its attributes and limitations has led to careful consideration when implementing and adapting management practices. As a result, outstanding outcomes in both production and the environment have been achieved across the property.”The Millers also won the following awards:• Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award• Hill Labs Agri-Science Award• Rabobank Agri-Business Management Award• NZFET Innovation Award• Environment Southland Water Quality and Biodiversity AwardOther Southland Ballance Farm Environment Award winners include:Mike and Kirsty Bodle — Braintra Farms, Hokonui• DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award• NZFET Biodiversity Award• NZFET Climate Recognition AwardTracey and Steve Henderson — Legendaries, Awarua• Bayleys People in Primary Sector AwardJames and Tanya Goodwin — Kelvin Grove, Waimumu• Norwood Farming Efficiency AwardPhilip and Katherine McCallum — Rockley Farm, Belfour• Beef + Lamb New Zealand Livestock Farm AwardThe awards also served to showcase the farmer led and community driven Greater Dipton Catchment Group which is spear heading a project that is focused on helping both rural and urban dwellers offset carbon emissions.Established in 2020, the group initially ran a series of community initiatives to identify the most pressing environmental issues, ultimately leading to the launch of Carbon Neutral Dipton.Supported by funding from Thriving Southland, Carbon Neutral Dipton is focused on exploring different ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on farms and in the wider community.The Supreme Winner from each of the eleven regions involved in the awards will go through to be considered for the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the Trust’s National Showcase in Hamilton in June.The recipients of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy then become 2024’s National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing.

Despite recent hard times, the Te Anau community is pulling together with a charity concert on 10th May, to raise much needed funds for Hospice Southland.In a combined effort, the town’s three service clubs, Te Anau Lions, Fiordland Rotary and Te Anau Kepler Lions, have pooled their resources to produce the fundraising concert.Headlining the evening will be Southland’s own internationally recognised singer, Suzanne Prentice with local Te Anau ukulele band, From the Top, stepping up to open the first half of the concert.Internationally known with hits such as ‘When I Dream’, ‘One Day at a Time’ and ‘Funny Face’ and as an inductee of the Australian Country Music Hands of Fame, Prentice was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to music in 1994.While still performing professionally on regular basis she also donates a lot of her time to charitable entities.More recently she has been involved in local politics and community projects including being a member of the Invercargill Licensing Trust and Foundation and the Otago/Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust.Prentice, as the events coordinator for Hospice Southland’s funding arm, has a vested interest in making sure the vital care facility reaches its funding targets.“The work of Hospice Southland, which covers Southland and Wakatipu Basin, has never been more needed than now with increasing numbers of patients needing the palliative care and respite offered. Hospice Southland gets about 42% of its funding from the government and it’s clearly not enough and the organisation needs to raise a further four million dollars annually to operate effectively”.Prentice said, “I am very excited to perform in Te Anau and very happy to be part of this fundraising effort”.A spokesman for the combined service clubs, Trevor Lyall, said they were extremely fortunate to have an entertainer of Ms Prentice’s standing and he hoped the community would jump at the chance to hear the renown singer in their own town.“Not only do you get a great concert with an international entertainer, but you get to support such a worthwhile cause which is constantly in demand”.“Practically every aspect of putting on this concert has been donated, from the performers and the venue to a large part of the cost of the sound and lighting, and we expect to be able donate all the money from the concert.""Te Anau’s businesses have again stepped up and provided accommodation and meals, have heavily discounted costs that cannot be avoided while others have offered to cover any shortfall so that the full cost of each ticket will end up in Hospice coffers”.The concert is at the RealNZ Fiordland Community Events Centre on Friday May 10 and is being promoted as ‘An Evening with Suzanne and Friends’.Te Anau band 'From the Top. Photo: SuppliedMs Prentice will be supported in the first half of the evening with local ukulele band ‘From the Top’.CLICK HERE for more information.CLICK HERE to purchased tickets online.

One lucky Lotto player has won $21,080 in last night's Lotto draw (13 Apr).The player, who bought their ticket at Four Square Newfield, joined 26 other second division Lotto winners from throughout the country.

A proposal to help solve Fiordland's immediate worker accommodation crisis as early as this Spring, was presented at two meetings in Te Anau today (12 Apr) by the Fiordland Business Association (FBA) and Timaru's Genius Homes.Genius Homes' Kiwi 1 and 2 bedroom range of housing is part of a FBA proposal to solve Fiordland's worker accommodation crisis. Graphic: Genius Homes/SuppliedIf successful, up to 30 - one to three bedroom - low cost prefabricated homes could be built at Genius Homes' south Canterbury factory before being transported and erected on an Alpine Drive site in Te Anau.The ambitious proposal could see the first homes delivered by November 2024.The proposed Te Anau site of low-cost housing for worker accommodation. Graphic: SuppliedHowever it is envisaged the site will only remain occupied for up to 10 years, after which time the homes may need to be relocated.FBA spokesperson Nathan Benfell said today's meetings were about getting feedback, seeing if there was interest in the proposal and if it was "the right thing for the community".While happy with the turnout, feedback and new ideas, he acknowledged there was still a lot of work to be done.Benfell said that a survey carried out last year by the FBA had shown 56% of respondents required between one and five staff but were hampered to do so because of a lack of accommodation.While the concept has been on the table since late December, the current proposal developed after a chance meeting between Genius Homes and a member of the trust that owns the Alpine Drive site, at the Southern Fielddays, Benfell said.The proposal hinges on investors or businesses purchasing the finished and installed homes, valued at between $159,000 and $187,000, and paying their share of rental on the land.Benfell envisaged the completed facility would be run by a body corporate, be landscaped and include play areas and possibly a garden.Genius Accommodation Chief Executive Kingsley Smith said the concept had been done a lot in Australia.Genius Homes had been involved with similar projects in both Queenstown and the McKenzie District, however both involved a single investor, Smith said.Smith said the current proposal had been designed with affordability and speed in mind.Southland District Council councillor and local business owner Sarah Greaney said she was encouraged by the way the FBA was looking for a solution to the problem.However she said there was still a lot of questions to be answered and exploring to be done.Ray White Real Estate Te Anau owner Don McFarlene said there would be a lot of work still to be done, with resource consents being the biggest battle.However he said it was a positive move and he could fill 12 of the houses tomorrow with people who already have jobs.

An new $18 million tourism development, designed and led by Te Rūnaka o Awarua, is planned for Motupōhue (Bluff Hill).The Te Taurapa o Te Waka – Motupōhue Visitor Experience will include a 25m tall Taurapa (canoe sternpost) sculpture on Motupōhue (Bluff Hill) - visible from the Bluff township - along with an interpretation centre, sculpture trail, a walking track - using of digital, location-based storytelling - and a new car park. The project is part of the Bluff Motupōhue 2020 Tourism Master Plan, which was facilitated by Great South in partnership with Te Rūnaka o Awarua and the Invercargill City Council. Te Rūnaka o Awarua trustee Dean Whaanga said for mana whenua south is up and north is down, meaning Motupōhue is the true top of the country. “It’s only fitting that we have a world-class visitor experience here,” Whaanga said. The proposed plan for the site shows two pou representing tūpuna (ancestors) flanking the existing roadway to the summit, conveying the significance of the site.Proposed interpretation centre for Motupōhue (Bluff Hill). Graphic: Supplied Te Taurapa o Te Waka would have a sculpture trail, including a larger-than-life-size puka (anchor), which relates to several kōrero such as Te Waka o Aoraki and the oral tradition of Te Ara a Kiwa.The rope of the puka (anchor) would wind its way to the summit, where the broken waka of Aoraki would be represented.Great South chief executive Chami Abeysinghe said Te Taurapa o Te Waka was an outcome of the master plan, which recognised the strategic importance of Bluff and its potential to be a vibrant hub for the community, as well as visitors. “It’s part of a long-held vision to highlight the cultural importance of Motupōhue. It will add real depth to what is currently on offer for locals and visitors alike.” A coordinated plan for Bluff was identified as being crucial within the Murihiku Southland Destination Strategy 2023-2029 and aligns with the New Zealand Aotearoa Government Tourism Strategy.Funding to support Awarua Rūnaka with the development of the concept plans came from the Government’s Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme.The next step in the process was to create a business feasibility and fundraising strategy.

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More rain is forecast to fall on the West Coast overnight and orange heavy rain warnings remain in place for Buller, Westland and Southland, as of Thursday night.MetService said heavy rain and strong north to northeast winds were forecast for many places.Large waves were expected to affect the West Coast of the South Island and heavy rain was forecast for the far south of the South Island, MetService said.It continued to be a significant weather event for Westland, MetService said in its latest update.The bad weather is also now hitting the North Island, with orange level heavy rain warnings in place for Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and Coromandel Peninsula.MetService meteorologist Heath Gullery told the Nights programme Westland's orange rain warning was in place until 6am on Friday."There's going to be improvements in weather across the South Island, so those areas like Southland and Fiordland, up the West Coast through Westland Buller, and the top of the south Island which has also seen some significant rain around Tasman and northern Marlborough - all of those areas will see an improvement throughout tomorrow, rain becoming patchy and light."More than 800mm of rain has fallen in parts of Westland over the last two and a half days, and there was concern about how high two major rivers would get.Hokitika and Waiho Rivers peaked over their warning level on Thursday night, but have since been dropping, and were being closely monitored by emergency officials.These are the South Island areas under an orange level heavy rain alert, note that the rain amounts are in addition to what has already fallen in the area.Westland District south of Hokitika up to 80mm of rain is expected from 8pm Thursday to 5am FridayBuller up to 45mm of rain from 8pm Thursday to 2am FridaySouthland up to 40mm of rain from 8pm Thursday to 3am FridayNelson up to 80mm of rain from 8pm Thursday to 2am FridayMarlborough, Nelson in the Bryant Range, also inland Marlborough west of Blenheim and north of the Awatere River up to 120mm from 8pm Thursday to 9am FridayCanterbury High Country up to 80mm within 20km east of the main divide from 8pm Thursday to 5am FridaySouthern Lakes up to 50mm of rain east of the main divide from 8pm Thursday to 7am FridayGullery said the front was forecast to move across central and upper North Island overnight and then eastwards through those areas on Friday."We do have a series of heavy rain watches and warnings, extending down from Northland down to Taupo and across the Bay of Plenty and with that rain there is the possibility of localised downpours."In the North Island, there are three areas under an orange level alert, although several other areas are under severe thunderstorm watches and heavy rain watches.Coromandel Peninsula up to 120mm from 3am Friday to 3pm FridayBay of Plenty, Rotorua up to 160mm of rain from 4am Friday to 11pm FridayTaranaki at Mount Taranaki up to 180mm from 8pm Thursday to 11am FridayRNZ is New Zealand's statutory civil defence lifeline radio broadcaster, providing vital information and updates as they come to hand.The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) advises that in times of crisis or civil defence emergency a battery powered radio or a car radio remain essential lifelines if power is out and other forms of communication are unavailable.More than half a metre of rain with more to comeSome parts of the West Coast had already recorded 800mm of rain by Thursday evening, with more set to come before the orange level heavy rain warning expires on Friday.Motorists were being urged to stay off the roads in the Westland District on Thursday evening and to only travel if necessary.West Coast Emergency Management said the roading network across the district had been affected by the bad weather and trees were down, a number of roads were closed and slips and surface water were making driving hazardous.Marlborough Civil Defence is asking 70 households in the township of Spring Creek near Blenheim to evacuate their homes by 9am on Friday due to the risk that a river stopbank might fail.Heavy rain moving through from the upper Wairau catchment is expected to raise the Wairau River level significantly on Friday.Twenty Civil Defence and iwi volunteers were door knocking and leafletting the 70 homes on Thursday evening. Residents were told they could evacuate on Thursday night if they wished.A power outage at Hannahs Clearing was worse than originally thought, and the area remains disconnected due to the loss of several power poles.Westland Emergency Management said areas south of Hannahs Clearing, including Arawhata, Jackson Bay and Neils Beach, were likely to be without power for several days. An update on the timeframe for it being restored was expected at midday on Friday.On Thursday evening, the bad weather cancelled or delayed about 60 domestic arrivals and departures at Auckland Airport as strong winds buffeted the region.Fire and Emergency said it had had about 18 callouts in the Auckland region, relating to trees coming down and powerlines lifting and there were isolated power outages.There is a severe thunderstorm watch in place for Auckland until 2pm on Friday.Reproduced with permission

Environment and recreation groups are warning the proposed cuts to Department of Conservation staff could cause long-term consequences and losses of flora and fauna as well as backcountry huts.The Department of Conservation (DOC) is proposing to cut 130 roles to meet the government's mandated 6.5 percent reduction in spending."We have tried to find options that would have the least impact overall on people and on conservation outcomes," DOC said in a statement.It will not know the exact number of job losses until it has consulted with staff.Forest and Bird said DOC's budget was about the same as Christchurch City Council's, but it was expected to look after nearly a third of New Zealand's total land area.The 6.5 percent reduction in spending overall comes on top of a 21 percent fall in funding due to the end of the Jobs for Nature and other time-limited funded programmes.DOC’s funding overall was due to drop from $880m this year 2023/2024 to $728m in 2026/27.Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) president Megan Dimozantos told Checkpoint they were concerned about the effect job cuts would have on the mahi on the frontlines."DOC already has the impossible task of managing a third of the landmass of New Zealand on less than half a percent of the government budget."We're incredibly concerned about the budget cuts, that there's not a lot of fat there for the department as it is, and that we're really concerned about the the conservation outcomes that we're going to see under these cuts and the loss of skills and experience in the department that may occur."The department's plight to protect the conservation estate was highlighted in a DOC briefing to Conservation Minister Tama Potaka late last year: "Despite all we are doing to try to protect and restore habitats and assist species, nearly 4000 native species are either at risk or threatened with extinction. When species are lost from New Zealand, they are often lost from the whole world, and many are only holding on in small numbers because of intensive management".The Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk is surrounded by native bush. Photo: RNZ/Sally RoundLikewise, Dimozantos was worried for the future of New Zealand's flora and fauna."I mean, there's 4000 species that we're at risk of losing, isn't there? So, you know, I think that that's probably going to be the primary concern is that we'll lose things that we can't get back."And I suppose from FMC's perspective as well, you know, that also applies to the to the places that people are recreating. We don't want to lose our backcountry huts network either."The smaller, more basic huts that sit sort of a bit further out of the reach of the crowds ... those are probably the ones that we're most concerned about. They are looked after largely by volunteers at the moment, but obviously they could well be in the firing line with budget cuts."Potaka told reporters the government had been consistent in its messaging about preserving the frontline workers for essential services."I have worked with the CEO and had discussions about the processes being undertaken but they're following their own internal guidelines, but as I say we're in the proposal stage and all things will be confirmed in due course."[I have] had couple of conversations with the director-general to make sure that it's done in a respectful and mana-enhancing and judicious manner and I think she's been very deliberate and the agency has been very focused."Cut costs with more modest huts - FMCDimozantos acknowledged the work of volunteers, who she said the department already relied heavily on to pick up gaps in conservation efforts."Those people are really engaged with DOC and we work alongside DOC as partners. But obviously there's going to be a lot more pressure on even those resources now."A shift to more basic facilities on public conservation land could help ease cost pressures, she believed."I think probably a lot of our Great Walks are looking a bit posh these days, and certainly if you look at the likes of Mintaro Hut, I think that costs over $4 million to build, whereas if you were to build a basic backcountry hut, a little six-bunker on the backcountry, you're probably looking at about 150 grand."There's certainly places that that we could be a little more modest in the backcountry and still we're providing an awesome experience for people who want to go there."The new Mintaro Hut under construction on the Milford Track.The Mintaro Hut on the Milford Track, pictured under construction in 2020. Photo: RNZMany of DOC's 967 backcountry huts were ageing and in poor repair, while the length of track being maintained has grown from 11,000km to 15,000km over the last 14 years.The 2023 briefing to the minister also stated the current visitor network was "not sustainable" and taking staff and cash from biodiversity efforts.But Dimozantos did not believe raising fees for visitors would be wise; the more people paid, the more they expected from the public facilities, which would again mean higher costs on the department.Losing a tourism drawcard?A leading environmentalist said the job cuts at DOC risk damaging New Zealand's most valuable asset - nature.Environmental Defence Society chairperson Gary Taylor said the proposal was the latest move in the government's war on nature."Not only are they introducing regressive laws to de-prioritise environmental criteria when making decisions about projects, they are now cutting funding for our core agency that manages one-third of our country."New Zealand's conservation estate was the main drawcard in one of its biggest exports - tourism - while agriculture also relied on the country's clean green image, Taylor said.The Kōhanga Atawhai - Manson Nicholls Hut has been rebuilt at Lake Daniell in the Maruia Valley. Photo: Supplied / DOCForest and Bird also warned of "long-term consequences for nature and the economy" from the proposed job losses.Advocacy manager Richard Capie noted this came on top of cuts at other government agencies involved in protecting New Zealand's natural environment, including the Ministry for the Environment, Biosecurity New Zealand and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Resarch."The same day that the government released a report saying that New Zealand communities and economy are at risk if we do not protect our natural ecosystems and landscapes, it announced it was cutting jobs and the budget of the agency that leads Government conservation work," Capie said."New Zealand cannot afford to lose highly skilled and dedicated Kiwis who are charged with protecting our threatened species and their habitats."Not only do we have a government axing environmental protections through its fast-track reforms we now have the prospect of these cuts during a climate and biodiversity crisis. It makes no sense - not environmentally nor economically."According to the Sustainable Business Council, 70 percent of New Zealand's exports depended on natural resources."We know that investing in nature-based solutions, increasing wetland protection, and controlling browsing mammals reduces the impacts of climate events and improves our ability to reduce emissions. A strong environment is the backbone of a strong economy," Capie said.Reproduced with permission

A milk tanker is reported to have crashed on Glenkenich Road, Maitland, near Gardyne Road around 12pm. The vehicle is blocking both lanes and the road is expected to be closed for some time until it can be righted. The sole occupant is being assessed by Ambulance at the scene. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes. 

Queenstown's congested Frankton intersection is about to get traffic lights as part of a $250 million dollar NZTA Waka Kotahi redesign.The transports agency says the work, which is expected to start in September and take 12-18 months to complete, will not only help ease congestion on the main arterial route into Queenstown and to Cromwell, but also provide greater capacity for buses, as well as improving safety.Traffic lights will also be installed at the adjacent SH6/Hansen Road/Joe O’Connell Drive intersection.The Bus Hub will also be extended, with traffic lights at its entry and exit points.New bus stops, cycle lanes, a walking and cycling path as well as a roundabout at the SH6 and Howards Drive intersection will also be completed as part of the planNZTA Waka Kotahi said there will also be work to be done with utilities and services to get them across SH6 and through the golf course, as well as move the golf course entrance. CLICK HERE for more information.

Vandalism in a small Southland town has prompted fresh measures to keep perpetrators out.Tūātapere Domain is set for a new gate in hopes it will stop people tearing up the local field.It follows the installation of CCTV cameras at the site last year in a trial to reduce wilful damage and boost security for the nearby pump station.With several incidents occurring after the cameras' installation, Southland District Council determined they had not eliminated the problem.That included one in June 2023 where the grounds were ripped up by a vehicle which also crashed into a storage building, causing significant damage.When Police requested to review footage from the reported incident, the council could not pull identifying features because of camera quality, security lighting and poor weather.The cameras had also proven impractical due to the fact council staff had to travel to the domain to obtain footage, and only once the privacy officer had approved a request by Police.Tūātapere Te Waewae Community Board chair Anne Horrell said Police expressed a preference for a gate which they would likely take responsibility for managing.“We’re a bit sad about it, because we like to think that our domain is accessible to all people,” Horrell said.“Sadly, when you get to the winter and you have a car ripping up the oval, they can do an incredible amount of damage, because it’s damaged anyway.”Horrell said the vandalism so far had “been enough that it’s been annoying”, adding the domain was taken care of by volunteers.Although the $1000 camera trial had been ineffective in preventing damage to the domain, it would remain in place.A possible memorandum of understanding between Police and the district council would also be discussed to allow direct access to footage, Horrell said.Council staff would now arrange quotes for the new gate.LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air