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Dawn chorus returns to Fiordland's fertile Hollyford Valley
Dawn chorus returns to Fiordland's fertile Hollyford Valley

22 August 2023, 5:37 AM

The dawn chorus is returning to a remote Fiordland valley, considered one of the National Park's most fertile places, thanks to the efforts of the Hollyford Conservation Trust, its volunteers, supporters and local Rūnanga.LISTEN TO LINDSAY WILSONThe Hollyford Conservation Trust (Trust) was set up in June 2014 with the aim of establishing a 2,600 hectare 'mainland island' sanctuary in the lower Hollyford Valley.Trust manager Lindsay Wilson said the valley stood out because it offered a whole bunch of really productive ecosystems, all in the one place, which would have traditionally feed huge numbers of birds, invertebrates and lizards.Hollyford Conservation Trust manager Lindsay Wilson. Photo: Brent BeavenThe area, with its river, fertile podocarp forest, lagoons and large dune system, was also an important mahinga kai/food gathering area for early Māori who travelled the pounamu trail and had settlements at Martin's Bay.However when the Trust started its project 10 years ago, that same productivity was increasingly feeding very high numbers of rats, stoats and possoms, Wilson said."The birds have taken a hammering... Robins and Mohua and Kiwi had gone... and [possums] were starting to really impact on those vulnerable species like Rata, Mistletoe and Fuchsia.""[However] a lot of wetland birds like fernbirds and bittens were still there."Meanwhile heavy browsing by deer had reduced the understory to a very small number of species, with all the tasty things like five finger and broadleaf gone, he said."And what you don't see is regeneration of a lot of your canopy species... so you won't see a Rata or a kāmahi sort of knee high... it is a huge problem."Martins Bay/Lake McKerrow (Whakatipu Waitai) Photo: Satoshi Yamamoto"But there was [also] huge potential to restore it."Wilson said a lot of the landowners, who own sections within the national park, had seen the demise of bird life in their lifetime and were really enthusiastic about restoring it back to what it was.The Trust initially set up an intensive pest control programme, laying a network of stoat traps and rat bait stations over 3,000 hectares of the easiest and most fertile part of the valley.They also worked in partnership with the Department of Conservation (DoC) who conducted an aerial 1080 operation."[It was] very effective at actually knocking the possum down to low numbers... so that was a really big help.""Then we established this really intense 100x100 metre grid of killing devices," Wilson said.In 2021 the Trust used Jobs for Nature funding to add a further 100kms of track, effectively expanding the stoat control programme to around 12,000 hectares."So now we've had 10 years of intensive sustained control holding those bad guys down to low numbers, and the place has just bounced back phenomenally," Wilson said."I think we are in a really good place... we're probably at, I'd like to say, seven [out of ten].""Our Chairman had 46 Kaka in one tree by his house recently... [and] we've got flocks of Kererū back, so the transformation has just been phenomenal.""We've reintroduced [South Island] Robins/Kakaruai, they're doing really well.""People come through who haven't been there for 10-15 years, and they all comment, wow you've actually got a dawn chorus again.""And our big ambition is to reintroduce Kiwi, with Tokoeka in the future," Wilson said."We are also looking at expanding the Hollyford project up the Kaipo River further, to include some whio/Blue Duck habitat."The efforts of the neighbouring Big Bay Awarua Conservation Trust have also complimented the Trust's work.It now effectively mades 14,000 hectares of continuous managed forest, Wilson said.

Lawson cypress trees planted in 1800s felled despite protests
Lawson cypress trees planted in 1800s felled despite protests

22 August 2023, 12:51 AM

Southland protesters who chained themselves to historic trees say they are disappointed they could not save them from the chopping block.The group of Lawson cypress trees were planted on the grounds of the Lumsden Presbyterian Church in the late 1800s.They were earmarked to be cut down last year to make way for a new church, prompting protests, a petition and a temporary stay of execution.Lumsden Tree Lovers member Kim Spencer-McDonald said they have been campaigning since last year to save the trees and found out that they were due to be felled on Monday."It makes me really sad. I think it's just so short-sighted."The protesters arrived early in the morning and chained themselves to the trees, but were told they would be arrested for trespassing if they stayed.Instead, she said they watched and documented the felling of one tree and the delimbing of another."How do you replace something that's 130 years old? No matter what's planted now it's going to be another at least two or three generations before there's anything even that will resemble something like this."Police confirmed they attended a breach of the peace shortly after 9am but no arrests were made.Spencer-McDonald said they first found out about the plans to sell the church and remove the trees to make way for a new building last year."We don't want this to happen to any other trees without it being due process, and so for us it's now to really work on the Southland District Council and Invercargill City Council to bring back notable trees into their long term plans so that this doesn't happen again."She wanted the community to be consulted before historic trees were felled.The Southland District Council said there was no regulatory protection for the trees."There are no powers currently available to Southland District Council to prevent the landowners from disposing of the trees as they see fit."The Lumsden/Balfour/Kingston Presbyterian Church has been contacted for comment.Reproduced with permission

Zero fees petition gets over 2000 signatures
Zero fees petition gets over 2000 signatures

21 August 2023, 9:56 PM

A 2349 signature petition calling on zero fees to be retained was presented to Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds yesterday (21 Aug).Petition organiser Bharat Guha, a former Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) chief financial officer, and current SIT student, said he was very happy with the response.“In just three weeks to get 2349 signatures is excellent and reflects to me the level of concern there is around retaining the zero fees scheme.”Despite a decision last week from Te Pukenga to continue the scheme for another 12 months, Guha said more certainty was needed.“Students make a commitment to come and study here in Invercargill for up to 3 years, so a 12 month reprieve means very little.”Simmonds agreed and said she was happy to receive the petition, which she would pass on to National’s education, spokesperson Erica Stanford.“This community invested $7.5 million into zero fees. It’s an affront that we now have some bureaucrat in Auckland telling Southlanders they can continue the scheme for one more year, rather than allowing the local community the freedom to make its own decision."“The zero fees scheme is critical to Southland and if lost could cost the province millions of dollars, while cutting off a valuable workforce pipeline."“An independent report, published last year, showed that zero fees contributed about $157 million to the region’s economy annually, while 40 percent of graduates ended up working in Southland."“In the current climate we cannot afford to lose this scheme - it really makes no economic sense to cut a it."Simmonds said a National government would allow SIT to make its own decisions about keeping Zero Fees.

Steel's Kate Burley picked for Silver Ferns
Steel's Kate Burley picked for Silver Ferns

21 August 2023, 9:41 PM

Southern Steel's Kate Burley has been picked for the 2023-24 Silver Ferns squad.She will join fellow Steel player Kate Hefferman.Meanwhile Steel's Shannon Saunders has been selected for the Silver Ferns Development Squad.Burley's elevation into the Silver Ferns Squad follows her time in the Silver Ferns Development Squad and another strong season for the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel in the ANZ Premiership where she was recognised for her aerial game. Other newcomers include shooter Amelia Walmsley and Paric Lokotui.Netball New Zealand’s national selectors also confirmed a Silver Ferns Development Squad which features a number of new faces, along with some experienced campaigners making a return. Silver Ferns head coach Dame Noeline Taurua said it was exciting to finalise the Silver Ferns Squad and Silver Ferns Development Squad for 2023/24 season, particularly moving into a new cycle following the Netball World Cup."Amelia and Kate have earned their spots in the Silver Ferns Squad through their consistency on the ANZ Premiership court this year. Paris was identified as a future Silver Fern prior to her ACL injury. Her ability to get back out on court for Tactix after that particular injury shows testament to her character and work ethic. ""It's exciting to know most of these current squad members have the potential to be around for a few Netball World Cup cycles. These squads are demonstrating the new generation of players coming through and the depth we have been building over numerous years. This is our opportunity to bring them together to work towards a common goal."Silver Ferns SquadShooters:Ameliaranne EkenasioTiana MetuarauGrace NwekeAmelia WalmsleyMaia WilsonMidcourters:Maddy GordonKate HeffernanMila Reuelu-BuchananWhitney SounessPeta ToeavaDefenders:Karin BurgerKate BurleyKelly JuryPhoenix KarakaParis LokotuiJane WatsonSilver Ferns Development SquadTayla EarleGeorgia HeffernanFa’amu IoaneAmorangi MalesalaParris MasonKimiora PoiShannon SaundersMichaela Sokolich-BeatsonCarys Stythe*Elle Temu*Contracted until 31 December, 2023 as per international eligibility criteria

Community Trust South commits $5M to Invercargill museum
Community Trust South commits $5M to Invercargill museum

21 August 2023, 12:31 AM

Invercargill’s new museum has this week (21 Aug) been given a $5 million funding boost by the Community Trust South.The museum redevelopment, named Project 1225, is projected to cost $35.4 million once it is completed and also includes a collection storage facility in Tisbury and a dedicated tuatara enclosure in Queens Park.Completion date is December 2025.Community Trust South Heamana/Chair Kirsty Pickett. Photo: Community Trust SouthTrust Heamana/Chair Kirsty Pickett said the Trust was pleased to be able to support such a meaningful project for the community.“We know the rebuild of the museum is a regionally significant project that is close to people’s hearts."“We can see strong links to the Community Trust’s strategy and priorities, particularly those of arts, heritage and culture, and we are excited by the vision for the new museum and what it will mean to our community."“It’s a privilege to be able to contribute to enhancing Southland’s legacy and to the long-term positive social, environmental and economic outcomes that are so important to ensuring a thriving region.""We’re really looking forward to seeing it come to life.”Invercargill City and Project 1225 Lead Councillor Grant Dermody said he was grateful for the support of the trust.“Project 1225 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our community to create something that not only is a reflection of us and our place in the world but it is also a commitment to ensuring future generations of Southlanders have the opportunity to be enriched by our region’s taonga and stories,” Dermody said.“We are grateful that the trust has affirmed our vision to create a wonderful asset for our city and region."Last week (16 Aug) the Invercargill Licensing Trust increased their contribution towards the project to $1 million.CLICK HERE for more information.

Lake2Lake trail may finally go 100% off-road
Lake2Lake trail may finally go 100% off-road

20 August 2023, 10:21 PM

A 100% off-road trail between Te Anau and Manapouri could finally become a reality if a new section of the current Lake2Lake trail gets the go-ahead.The brainchild of the community led Fiordland Trails Trust (FTT), the popular 28km multipurpose track follows the east side of the Upper Waiau River and connects Te Anau with Manapouri.However until now trail users have had to detour 2km via State Highway 95, to avoid a small area of Fiordland National Park on the east side of the river where biking remains prohibited.FTT Chair David Boniface said when the project was first started back in 2016, the Trust had expected that changes to the National Park management plan would have allowed the trail to proceed through the small section of park.The 10-year Fiordland National Park management plan was due for review in 2017.While FTT had continually lobbied government and the Department of Conservation (DoC), Boniface said he didn't now anticipate any changes to the management plan before 2030."We have a duty of care and respect to the trail users.""At some stage we've got to complete this trail and it's got to be totally off-road.""We'll have to settle for a route that's not as good as the other one. It's going to cost us more as well. That's frustrating... but that's reality."Investigations and scoping into the new proposed route, known as Leg 5, is now underway.Running from Balloon Loop to Supply Bay Road, Leg 5 would successfully skirt around the national park.The new section would however require Resource Consent, DoC and landowner permissions.“Completing the Lake2Lake trail is a priority for the Fiordland Trails Trust along with extending our trail network," Boniface said.“The recent impact assessment report highlighted significant positive economic and social impacts of the Lake2Lake Trail, and we have no doubt those benefits will only increase once the trail is complete.”

Images of New Dunedin Hospital Inpatient building released
Images of New Dunedin Hospital Inpatient building released

19 August 2023, 5:16 AM

Images of Dunedin Hospital's Inpatient building have been released.The Inpatient Building will have 410 inpatient beds in total and feature a 53 bed Emergency Department, an Operating Theatre Suite, a Short Stay Surgical Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and a dedicated Primary Birthing Unit.Monique Fouwler, Director – Delivery, Infrastructure and Investment said the NDH would benefit generations of people across the Southern region by providing a fit for purpose, modern, and patient-centred hospital.“The project team has worked incredibly hard to get to this point and we are really excited to be able to share these images with the community.” “An application for Resource Consent for the NDH Inpatient Building has now been lodged. The internal design planning will continue for approximately another 18 months."“We are continuing to work with Aukaha on ensuring the aspirations and narratives of mana whenua are reflected in the design and landscaping of the hospital complex."“We are also working towards five Green Star sustainability rating through both the building's design and the use of latest technology."“Ground works are continuing on site and the Inpatient Building is due to open in 2029.”Meanwhile, construction of the Outpatient Building has hit an exciting milestone, going above-ground with the first structural steel columns now in place.Over the next year, 1600 units of fabricated steel will create the main structural support system of the building, while the concrete flooring system will also start being installed soon. 

Deep Cove Hostel accommodation closes because of potential landslide risk
Deep Cove Hostel accommodation closes because of potential landslide risk

17 August 2023, 9:18 AM

Fiordland's Deep Cove hostel has been closed to overnight accommodation until further notice, after a preliminary report has found the site to be potentially at risk.The report, commissioned by the Department of Conservation, followed a heavy rainstorm in the area on 1st June which sent water, trees and debris down a valley, washing out a section of the Wilmot Pass Road, demolishing part of the hostel's shed and damaged their hydro electric intake.Debris blocks a section of Wilmont Pass Road after a heavy rain event near the Deep Cove hostel in June this year. Photo: SuppliedTrust chairman Mike Macmanus said that while DOC had judged the immediate risk tolerable to fix the road, the report looking at the general area had been "quite sobering" to read.MacManus said the report highlighted the possibility that in a similar event, where logs jammed in different places, the entire site could be at risk."We've got maybe approximately $4 million worth of buildings.""Someone's got to do the calculation and go what's the likelihood," he said."Without those numbers we're all just playing guesses, and nobody wants to play guesses with children and people's safety."MacManus said that while he hoped it won't be a long and drawn out process, the hostel's facilities could still be used during the day.Visitors and volunteers would however have to stay either on a boat or possibly at West Arm."We have probably on average had about 20 [volunteers] every weekend for the last nine weeks," he said.MacManus said the Deep Cove Outdoor Education Trust had considered what the report could mean and if there were alternative positions buildings could be put."We're certainly looking at those options.. [but] to put some mitigation in place is going to be a lot easier," MacManus said.St Peter's College in Gore had been due to send their Year 8s to the hostel.College Principal Tara Quinney said students had been studying Deep Cove as part of their social study classes, and while really disappointed for their students, they understood that health and safety had to come first.She said the camps were hugely important for students bonding and growth."Most of the kids have never been on a boat or out in a lake [or] experienced that kind of beautiful natural habitat.""It's just such a fantastic experience.""Having an overnight in a far away place, away from their parents, and how they learn to work together - we actually see the benefits of Deep Cove for the next five years," Quinney said.Quinney said they had experienced similar cancellations with COVID so knew how to adapt, and were already looking at alternative camp places for Term 4.The Deep Cove Hostel has a full time manager and caters to around 2,500 children every year, with most coming from Southland and Otago.

New $7M channel promises better flushes for Lower Waiau River
New $7M channel promises better flushes for Lower Waiau River

17 August 2023, 2:35 AM

A $5-$7 million plan to significantly realign Lake Manapouri's Waiau Arm outlet above the Mararoa Weir, in an attempt to provide more reliable flows down the Lower Waiau River, is being proposed by the operators of the Manapouri underground hydro electric power station - Meridian Energy (Meridian).Meridian Energy's proposal to redirect water through a new channel above the Mararoa Weir. Photo: Meridian EnergyMeridian Statutory Advocacy Strategy Manager Andrew Feierabend said effective flows to the Lower Waiau River had been a concern to stakeholders for a number of years and the Meridian proposal was in response to that."The depth of the channel and its current alignment isn't really conducive to providing the types of flows that are needed to, amongst other things, manage nuisance periphyton."Feierabend said nuisance periphytons (material growing on submerged surfaces in freshwater such as toxic algal bloom and Didymo) had only been considered since about 2000 with Didymo first becoming apparent in 2004."The need to provide flows to manage [periphytons] wasn't even in frame... but over time, the way to manage that organism is through providing regular flushing flows, which we haven't been able to do."Feierabend said Meridian would be lodging a resource consent application, which included a protocol to provide four or five flushing flows a year, with Environment Southland.If successful, a new 1km channel would be constructed parallel to the current river that would be better shaped and aligned to allow flushing flows, even at low lake levels, through the Mararoa Weir.Projected to start in January 2024 or 2025, work would involve up to 225,000m3 of gravel being excavated and relocated onsite, in an around-the-clock operation that is expected to take four to five months.Once operational the channel would carry 70% of Lake Manapouri's Lower Waiau Arm outflow and provide significant improvement and reliability to flows, Meridian said.Fish and Game Southland manager Zane Moss said he supported the intent to provide better and more consistent flushing flows down the lower Waiau River."At the moment the ecosystem is challenged by excessive periphyton growth when we have long periods of stable flows," Moss said."The ability to provide those flushing flows is better able to mimic a more natural flow regime, which would flush off and displace that Didymo and algal growth in a more natural environment.""Creating the alternate channel will provide more certainty and consistency, and being able to provide those flushing flows should improve the ecosystem health on the lower river."Moss said the ecosystem was inherently dynamic and variable and should respond quite rapidly if the prevalence of Didymo in particular was reduced."We'll see a response in macroinvertebrate communities, which drive the small fish communities, which drive the big fish communities," Moss said.However, Waiau Rivercare Group (WRG) Co-chair Paul Marshall said Meridian's proposal was deserving of both bouquets and brick bats."The bouquet is that Meridian has acknowledged what the local community has known for a long time - that the flushing flow regime that's in place for the lower Waiau, and that Meridian was directed to implement, has fallen well short of the mark.""In fact, we understand that over the last nine years only 30% of the agreed flushing flows have actually been delivered," Marshall said."What that means is that the river more often than not, through the summer, is choked with extensive Didymo blooms.""And what's worse, from a recreational perspective, with instances of toxic cyanobacteria blooms from immediately below the Mararoa Weir at Excelsior Creek, right down as far as Tuatapere."However, Marshall was critical of the consultation that Meridian had embarked upon, saying it had been highly selective."In spite of assurances in the media that Meridian was prepared to talk with the Waiau Rivercare Group, Meridian has chosen not to and from our point of view that's really disappointing.""It means that we can't tell whether Meridian's proposal will actually improve the reliability of the flushing flows into the Lower Waiau or not," Marshall said.Marshall said the group was still open to meeting with Meridian.In response, Feierabend said Meridian had spoken with the Waiau Working Party, which had captured all the key stakeholders."Members of the Rivercare Group were at that session," he said.

New Invercargill museum design unveiled
New Invercargill museum design unveiled

16 August 2023, 8:31 PM

Draft concept designs for Invercargill’s new museum, which now include an outdoor amphitheatre, have been revealed today (17 Aug) by the Invercargill City Council (ICC).In April, Australian architects fjcstudio, together with Auckland firms Evatt Martin Architects and design Tribe, were selected to design the new building as part of Invercargill City Council’s Project 1225.As well as a museum, Project 1225 will also deliver a museum collection storage facility and a dedicated tuatara facility in Queens Park.The designs include spaces for the museum experience, a cafe, retail space, and education areas.Council will receive the concept designs for final approval, as well as deciding on whether to use Te Unua Museum of Southland or Te Unua Southland Museum as the name of the new museum, at the full Council meeting on 22 August.ICC Group Manager Infrastructure Erin Moogan said she was blown away by the unique design of the building.“They have delivered well above the brief. This building has the ‘wow’ factor we were looking for when we started imagining the new museum.“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to get things right and they have well and truly hit the nail on the head.”Both Council and the architects recognised how much having an iconic building meant to the community, and this had absolutely been created with the designs, she said.The architects spent time exploring the region and got to know its history and environment, which has been reflected in the design of the new building, Moogan said.The design has been guided by a cultural compass that looks to incorporate Southland’s natural features into it. The design has been influenced by the environment, which includes a natural flow from the city to the museum to the park, reflecting the waterways of Southland.The building also faces the Takitimu mountain ranges and glass features will connect it to the park and CBD.“The current building is very closed off from the park and lacked a connection. With play and event areas included in the design, it will ensure a free flow from building to natural spaces.”The amphitheatre that can be used to view Southland landmarks in the daytime and the Southern Lights at night, can also be utilised as an area for performances, markets, and moonlight cinemas.“The amphitheatre steps represent what the designers have called Tāwhaki Ascension, or the Pursuit of Higher Knowledge.”Linking the south and north entrances of the building is a double-hulled waka, or te unua, that reflects several dualities – mana whenua and tauiwi, arts and museum, and coast and urban, Moogan said.Inside will be plenty of exhibition space, as well as retail and café spaces, staff areas and a great focus on play.fjcstudio Principal Head Annie Hensley said she and the team were delighted to be developing the concept for the new museum.“Our experience to date has been incredibly inspiring, discovering the richness of culture, landscape and history in this region."“We are very fortunate to have been offered significant stories to celebrate in the design of the building and to begin to understand the cultural landscape of Murihiku, Rakiura, Ruapuke, Motu Maha and Motu Ihupuku.”The concept was based on Invercargill’s place in a wider regional context, which includes its relationship to the northern Takitimu Ranges, southern islands and Southern Lights, Ngā Kurakura Hinenuitepō, she said.They had also considered regional stories shared by local rūnaka as part of the design, including Te Ara a Kiwa and the lashing together of hulls celebrating the first bicultural communities of Māori and Pākehā.“We are grateful for the generous time given to the design team by stakeholders, Councillors, and Council officers to date, and look forward to many more conversations with the Southland community.”The new museum was a long-term investment that would set our future generations up for decades to come, Moogan said.“The architects have delivered outcomes we didn’t see ourselves. That’s what makes a great design – showing things that we didn’t know we could or should do."“We are really excited to have these designs in front of us and ready to share with the community, and we are absolutely sure this will make a great addition to Invercargill,” she said.Councillors had already seen an early draft of the designs and given their feedback to go into this final concept design.“They were really impressed with what they saw and believe this spectacular building will make a great addition to the city and the region."“We are really looking forward to hearing what the community has to say about these designs.”Council is set to endorse the design at the Council meeting on 22 August at which time the budget for Project 1225 will be confirmed and museum name will be considered.

ILT give additional $500,000 to museum project
ILT give additional $500,000 to museum project

15 August 2023, 10:59 PM

Invercargill’s new museum has been given another funding boost of $500,000 from ILT, bringing the organisation’s total funding commitment to $1 million.ILT Group originally announced funding support of $500,000 for the Invercargill City Council’s project to rebuild Invercargill’s museum in April, and this month announced its further support.The project, dubbed Project 1225 to reflect Council’s intention to deliver the base build of the new museum by December 2025, also includes the build of collection storage facility in Tisbury and a dedicated tuatara facility in Queens Park.ILT chair Paddy O’Brien said he was pleased to be able to offer further support to the project.“We share the community’s enthusiasm for this project and are thrilled to approve an additional $500,000 of funding, on top of the $500,000 already committed earlier this year.“Given the significance of this project to our city, ILT will do everything within our ability to support it.”Council Chief Executive Michael Day said he was grateful for the ongoing support of ILT.“We are thrilled that this project is being so well supported by the local community. It cements for us that this museum is going to be a great asset for the city and region.“I’d like to once again thank the Board for choosing to support this once-in-a-lifetime project with a second round of funding.”Council Group Manager Infrastructure Erin Moogan said the funding came at a time when the project was really beginning to ramp up.“This is a really exciting time with the tuatara concept designs out and the concepts for the museum coming out this week. This funding is really helping bring this exciting project to life and we really appreciate the faith that is being shown in this project.”

Community Service award for Waiau Riverecare Group
Community Service award for Waiau Riverecare Group

15 August 2023, 2:35 AM

The Waiau Rivercare Group (WRG) has been recognised for its enormous dedication and hard work with a Community Service Award.Members of WRG were presented with the award by Tuatapere Te Waewae Community Board chair Anne Horrell at the Waiau Town and Country Club, in Tuatapere, on Tuesday 8 August 2023.The aim of the group is to gain back the Waiau River and improve the ongoing environmental, cultural and social effects affecting the waterway.In July of this year the group, along with students from Waiau Area School and Hauroko Valley School, won an Environment Court case against Meridian Energy. Due to 95% of the Waiau’s flow being diverted out to the sea, the community is left with just 5%. Now there will be closer monitoring of the river flows in order to improve the wellbeing of the Waiau. WRG was founded in 2018 and became the Waiau Rivercare Group Incorporated Society in 2019, initially with the sole purpose of stopping algal bloom and returning the river to a state of ecological health.Paul Marshall and Christina Vaughan (Co-Chairs of Waiau Rivercare Group) with Tuatapere Te Waewae Community Board Chair, Anne Horrell.The group has worked hard with the community, local schools and playgroups to create an awareness of the Waiau River, the issues it’s facing and the potential state of the river in years to come if nothing changed. This includes a T-shirt design competition and the creation of a children’s book, their kaitiaki project ‘A collection of works and words from our tamariki about the Waiau. Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au. I am the river and the river is me’. The book has been created to educate tamariki.Senior students from Waiau Area School have undertaken investigations about where their water ends up and the importance of being environmentally aware.The group has been petitioning since 2020 for the wellness of the Waiau to be improved, and in 2022 students from both Waiau Area School and Hauroko Valley School, their teachers, and WRG committee members travelled to Parliament to present their case to the Environment Select Committee. It is believed to be a New Zealand first for children to speak and be heard by a select committee at Parliament. Anne Horrell acknowledged that “the WRG’s work has been generous and selfless as the Waiau is all of ours; it defines us, as a community, in many ways. It is a beautiful, continuous life force which is part of our whakapapa, along with the Takitimu Mountains and the native bush.” Paul Marshall, co-chair and one of the founding members of WRG, spoke of the journey to date and said it was wonderful that their presentations to the Environment Court were successful.

CLASS ACTION: Lochiel School
CLASS ACTION: Lochiel School

14 August 2023, 9:40 PM

This term has certainly been a highlight for our school gaining top results in external events. Eis Technology ChallengeThe Lochiel School staff, students and community were extremely proud of the Lochiel School Year 7 and 8 team who competed against 15 other Southland teams in Term 3 to win the eis Technology Challenge.The eis Technology Challenge consists of two tasks and encourages students to be innovative, which this team certainly displayed.The team's ability to work together and support each other was more than evident.Young Einstein Competition At the recent annual Young Einsteins competition held at Winton Primary School our senior team of Year 7 and 8 students placed second equal.We were very proud of the students' effort and their ability to support each other to be the best they could be. -Social Science Fair Results Room 5 students worked hard on their topics that held interest to them, with their writing and research skills stretched and extended, resulting in some great displays.Lloyd Esler said that Lochiel School has not won this many awards before - yeah!!Well done, Room 5!More importantly though, is the knowledge gained, and shared with a wide audience.For those that managed to pop along and visit the displays, there was definitely a range of interesting and complex topics!Our Lochiel School Results were:Genealogy - First Place - Lucas White for 'Robert Crawford', and Merit Awards - Zoe Brinkworth for 'My Great Grandfather Ronald Oliver Horn', - Nisha Dore for 'History of the Dores'.Biography - Second Place - Lucas White for 'Robert Crawford', and Merit Award - George Fairbairn for 'Ken McConachie'Transport - Merit Award - Olivia Anderson for 'Tarras Airport'Room 1 Netball Stars A few of our Lochiel students were lucky enough to meet Irene van Dyk on Monday! During Term Two, students from local schools were given the opportunity to join Future Ferns netball sessions, held by the Central Southland Netball Club in Winton.While these young ladies in the photos were part of the Year 1-2 group, we also had students in the Year 3-4 group, and there was a Year 5-6 group, and a Year 7-8 group! For an end of season celebration, the netball groups had the privilege of a training session with Silver Fern, Irene van Dyk, and a dress up theme of bright colours!Thanks to the fun and experienced coaches that work so hard with all our kids! Lochiel Skiing With wonderful luck the Lochiel children headed up the Remarkable mountain following a good dumping of snow.The children loved their day and enjoyed heading up the slopes to practice their skills following their ski lessons.Lochiel School proudly supported by Frew Engineering 

Wikitoria Room provides new space and place at theatre
Wikitoria Room provides new space and place at theatre

11 August 2023, 9:38 PM

Artists and audiences will now have a new venue to enjoy at Invercargill's Civic Theatre.The first floor, the Victoria Room, of the theatre has always been home to a large reception room, but now has one end transformed into a new theatrette renamed the Wikitoria Room.Invercargill City Council venues manager Jason Wade said the space meant the grand old dame of Invercargill theatre would be more accessible to many for whom the Civic’s main stage and seating would be too large.“It means the Civic Theatre will be more flexible in the kinds of performances we can accommodate, while also meaning we can run two shows on the same evening,” Wade said.Seating about 100, this space is perfect for smaller performances and offers a more intimate space with cabaret-style seating available. It has also been designed for use of lecture-style meetings, food and product demonstrations and launches, and small cinema events.Stunning curtains grace the windows while theatre-style curtains sit along one end, providing the ideal staging space for a musical performance, play or speaker, he said.The Wikitoria Room is now also split in two, with the eastern end being available for conferences or large meetings.“We want the Civic Theatre to be a real community hub and being able to present different styles of use is going to be hugely beneficial.”People are welcome to come and have a look at the newly refurbished space and let their imaginations run wild.The Wikitoria Room will be used for the first time in the upcoming event Upstage: Invercargill Festival of Cabaret, which starts this week.The use of this room begins on Saturday night with Ladylike and continues with other performances including, Late Night Comedy, Michael Kuresa, and Double Act. “We’re so excited just thinking about the kinds of entertainment we’ll be able to see here,” Wade said.

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