Eketāhuna shearer Hemi Braddick moved a step closer to a potential World Championships spot after claiming his first national title during a big two days of shearing competition in Southland on Friday and Saturday.Braddick was runner-up to veteran Southlander and former World teams champion Nathan Stratford in the New Zealand Long Wool Championships Open final in the Selbie family’s Lowther Downs woolshed near Lumsden on Friday and then won the New Zealand Crossbred lambs title at the Winton A and P Show’s Southland Shears on Saturday.Both events carried points in the World Championships New Zealand team selection series, and, with 17 of the maximum possible 18 points from the southern legs, a week before the last points round, Braddick is guaranteed a place in a final next month, just four weeks before the World titles are decided at the Golden Shears in Masterton.Northland shearer Toa Henderson, who included his first Golden Shears and New Zealand Shears wins among a haul of 44 points from the first five rounds of the year year-long series, has confirmed as one member as the top points-scorer in the series, and the next six face a February 7 final at the Rangitikei Shearing Sports in Marton to decide the second representative.Wairoa Shears organiser Paul Swann indicates the level of the silt which had covered the Wairoa Showgrounds shearing board after Cyclone Gabrielle three years ago. Despite the devastation, the shearing board was used for the first time since on Saturday, for one final show before an expected change of venue. Photo / SSNZ. .It was a particularly close near all-North Island six-man, 20-lambs final contest at Winton, where there was less than 0.6 of a point between Braddick, runner-up David Gordon, of Masterton, Jack Fagan, of Te Kuiti, in third place, and fourth placegetter, Hawke’s Bay shearer and 2014 World champion Rowland Smith.David Buick, of Pongaroa, was fifth, and lone South Island finalist Casey Bailey, of Riverton, was sixth, combating a major machinery breakdown after which the referee had to account for the time lost while repairs were effected.There had been similar tightness in the Lumsden result 24 hours earlier, with less than a point separating Stratford, Braddick, and third placegetter Brett Roberts, of Mataura.The big movers in the woolhandling selection series were Lumsden winner Pagan Rimene, of Alexandra and a teams title winner at the 2019 World championships in France, and Winton winner Tia Potae, of Milton, a former New Zealand transtasman series representative.Two-times World individual champion Joel Henare, of Motueka, has a one-point lead at the top of the circuit, which has similar final stages, the tightness highlighted by the fact that each of the five rounds to date has had a different top points-scorer.The two shows had what are thought to have been record entries, with 93 shearers and 51 woolhandlers at Lumsden and 89 shearers and 50 woolhandlers at Winton.Hogan said when numbers were in decline at competitions in recent years he had suggested a “bounce-back” with growing numbers of younger people taking to the shearing industry and its sport, and the hopes materialised on Friday and Saturday. The southern events were part of the biggest weekend on the Shearing Sports New Zealand calendar of almost 60 shows nationwide.Others were shearing-only events at Kaikohe, Wairoa, and Motueka on Saturday, and Levin on Sunday.A feature of the other events was the fourth Wairoa win, and a third in the last four years at the championships, for 2012 World champion and southern Hawke’s Bay farmer Gavin Mutch, who will again be representing his native Scotland in the World Championships, being held on March 4-7.Mutch has won the Wairoa title at three different venues amid the weather calamities that led to Saturday’s show being the last at the Wairoa Showgrounds, which will be used for a Wairoa River spillway in a new flood protection scheme. The southern events were part of the biggest weekend on the Shearing Sports New Zealand calendar of almost 60 shows nationwide.His first win in 2010 was at Ohuia Station, after the A and P show was washed-out by torrential rain, and the second was at the showgrounds in 2023, four weeks before the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, leading to a two-year shift of the Shears to Kauhouroa Station, where Mutch won in 2024.The show will be at a new venue in 2027.The flooding from the river three years ago left silt up to 30cm deep on the shearing board, more than a metre above ground level, and demolished an implement shed alongside.Mutch praised the volunteers who had worked so hard to get the facilities back into use, including the addition of a fifth shearing stand, and one show loyal, not involved with the shearing, said the organisers of the shearing had done an “exceptional” job inn running the event, including during another day of threatened rain.“It just about didn’t happen,” he said. “But it did, and it made our show.”Among the factors I bigger numbers this season is the influx of competitors from overseas for the World championships and the associated Golden Shears.At Levin on Sunday, three of the four in the Horowhenua Open final were from overseas, but it was won by first-time Open-final winner Clay Harris, of Piopio.

ILT Group has announced a further $500,000 contribution towards the development of Te Unua Museum of Southland, lifting its total funding commitment to $2 million.The additional funding was approved by the ILT Foundation board earlier last year, with board members and staff later hosted on site by Invercargill City Council and contractor Naylor Love for the final tour of 2025. The visit gave them a first-hand look at the significant progress being made on one of the region’s most important cultural facilities. ILT President Paddy O’Brien said the organisation was honoured to continue its strong support for this landmark community project. “We’re thrilled to further our commitment to Te Unua Museum of Southland. This project represents so much more than a building, it’s a celebration of our region’s heritage and identity, and our recent tour of the site reinforced just how significant this facility will be for Southlanders,” he said. “Contributing $2 million in funding for the museum reflects our continued support for projects that enrich our community and add to the vibrancy of our city.” Te Unua Museum of Southland Director Eloise Wallace said the support of community organisations such as ILT was vital in delivering the transformational and intergenerational project. “Projects like Te Unua simply wouldn’t be possible without the support of community organisations such as ILT. Its generosity is helping us create a facility that is a once-in-a-lifetime investment, which will benefit our region for decades to come.” During the visit, the ILT and ILT Foundation board members were shown key areas of the build and given updates on construction milestones, design elements, and the future visitor experience, Wallace said. Site visits for key community partners were valuable in showing funders the tangible progress being made, and illustrated the impact their investment would help to deliver, she said. “Seeing the building rise out of the ground really brings the vision to life. It’s a powerful reminder of the difference this facility will make as a place of learning and connection for the Southland community.” Construction on-site paused for the summer break and has resumed as the project continues to progress toward completion.

He’s helped retrieve bodies after the 1968 Wahine disaster, outsmarted thugs and bikies descending on Te Anau and delivered the good and the bad news to families around the globe in his 32-year Police career, also clocking hundreds of mostly voluntary Search and Rescue missions.A valued member of the Southern Lakes Helicopters team managing compliance for the past 20 years, at 75, former longtime Te Anau Police Sergeant Lloyd Matheson is finally retiring soon.“When the now Sir Richard (Hayes) finally convinced me to work for him I said I’d give him five years and 20 years later I’m still here,” he grins.That aviation compliance career has seen him travel overseas on a voluntary basis representing not only Southern Lakes Helicopters at conferences for the Aviation Industry Association Helicopter Division, but more recently as national president for 10 years, now a Life Member of that organisation.Prior to that, after leaving the Police in 2002 Lloyd was heavily involved with the Police Association in Southland for 30 years.Chairperson of the Otago branch and 12 years as Southland delegate, he was honoured to be made a Life Member in 2002.Lloyd addressing the Aviation Industry Association Helicopter Division awards as their president. Photo: Supplied“I find the welfare programme more appealing and enjoyable than fighting crime,” he says.Search and Rescue has been his passion though – “it’s the better aspect of policing”, and the highlight of his career has been working in a “really supportive community”.“You’re only as good as your community and they’re really receptive, not much serious crime,” he says.While he may be retiring to focus on the family microgreen business with son Glenn Matheson, also a former cop just moved back as winchman like Dad for Southern Lakes Helicopters, Lloyd won’t ever really retire.There have been one too many unsolved tragedies in Fiordland during his time that remain a mystery, including two plane crashes in which the wreckages have never been found.“There was a massive search for Father Crosbie, who’d been the Police Chaplain in Dunedin, and was flying with his farming friends from Big Bay,” Lloyd recalls.Seven on board a flight to Milford on Christmas Day also disappeared without trace, both accidents in the late 1980s or 90s.“I’d like to solve those before I pass on,” he says.Starting out in a two-man station, with his wife Linda - the local volunteer ambulance paramedic, they’ve often had to go beyond the call of duty in small, friendly Te Anau.When a young Aussie barmaid fell about 5 metres over an abutment and into the Cascade Creek suffering head injuries the Mathesons took her in for three weeks after she was released from Dunedin Hospital. “We became a bit of a mental health halfway house too at times.”It was all a far cry from what a young, Dunedin-raised 17-year-old Lloyd had imagined when he enquired about joining the Police in 1967.“I was really into artwork and was in the early stages of a signwriting career when I stupidly applied for some information about joining the Police cadetship programme,” he grins.Lloyd Matheson and fellow Police officer Tim. Photo: Supplied“Next thing the Green Island policeman was knocking on my door urging me to join up.”At 18 he was off to Trentham for the 19-month course. “It was my first time away from home – a new adventure, with three other Dunedin guys and we became lifelong friends.”Lloyd was about to come home for his first term break when the Wahine sank in Wellington Harbour on 10 April 1968.“That was my first search and rescue. I always remember that day. You just do what you’ve been taught,” he says.“We didn’t have any flash SAR gear like now, just old trenchcoats and a blue uniform.”Welington Police had called in the cadets to retrieve survivors and bodies from the shoreline.There were a few runs to the Water Tower for sleeping in and College exams were held every Saturday morning, Lloyd graduating near the top of his wing class.He was keen on dog handling, but back then single policemen weren’t allowed to have dog.“You had to be married and a settled, family man to have a dog so I always got teased that when I got married it was only so I could have a dog,” Lloyd grins.He got his choice of first posting to Dunedin in 1969, transferring in 1970 to the National Headquarters Information Centre in Wellington where he worked in the Police Information Section, manually entering criminal histories, typing them up into card systems, and searching histories for Police clearance.“We’d get messages to check via a gas tube shute from the Teleprinter Section – no computers in those days, then check through alphabetical order drawers.”Staff were pulled in from around NZ for three-month stints, but as the only single cop, at 20 Lloyd had to stay a year.Lloyd Matheson has had a long association with Southern Lakes Helicopters. Photo: Supplied“We did checks for some serious murders that were headline news at the time, like the Crew murders, a lot of support work and extra name checks. It was massive.”In 1971 Lloyd was called to help break up a Springbok Rugby sit in protest in Wellington’s Cuba Street, while during 1981’s Springbok Tour of NZ he crewed on an Air Force Bell 47 used as an aerial surveillance platform based out of Invercargill Police Station.“I learned later that Bruce McLeod and I were instructed by Sergeant Warwick Maloney to draw matches to see who worked on that tour but Bruce, being older, didn’t tell me that and said he had to go!”Lloyd had met wife of 53 years Linda on the beat back working in Dunedin – Linda then working at Dawson’s Jewellers and part-time nursing, and they married in 1972.There was a lot of relieving at one-man stations like Waikouaiti Palmerston, Alexandra and Roxburgh: “It was the heyday of riots with bikie gangs at the Blossom Festival.”Then the adventure began when, as a dad of two kids under five, Lloyd scored a job at the two-man Te Anau Station. And yes, police dog Kent came too, a “choice pup” now buried at Te Anau Station.They loved the small, friendly community, de facto Nana, Narnie, over the fence becoming part of the family.“I replaced Don Wisely who said it was quiet, but we had something like 19 fatalities in the first six months, multiple car and helicopter accidents and deer shooters getting killed. It was definitely a SAR station.”Here began a 13-year partnership with fellow cop Tim Henderson, both awarded a QSM in the mid-80s for their services to SAR and the community.“Lloyd’s been called to too many serous road accidents involving tourists, especially on the Milford Road, and rescued many more tourists after heart attacks and accidents on the Milford and Routeburn Tracks.“It’s been a bit of a League of Nations,” he says.Wet days were most strenuous back in the peak deer recovery years – when live venison recovery boys, local fishermen and East Coast shearing gangs all earning big money would congregate at the THC public bar.Lloyd lending a helping hand as a volunteer at Camp Quality. Photo: Supplied“We needed help from the fire brigade on a number of occasions to help quell the fighting.”On his first day on call, he and Tim hadn’t had time to don their uniforms when the call came that a fight had broken out at the bottle store, grabbing the dog and their jackets instead.“We arrived and this big, burly guy, who was Hannibal’s (Sir Richard Hayes) shooter said, ‘Who the hella you representing the Queen dressed like that,” Lloyd chuckles.“Colin Yates, who was later tragically killed in a helicopter crash, taught us how to dress more appropriately to represent the Queen.”There was another big fight involving an Aussie Rugby tour and the venison boys the day of a local helicopter pilot’s funeral.“Sometimes we had callouts that involved Linda in the ambulance too!”There was a shooting in a shearer’s quarters, and the Invercargill CIB guys borrowed Lloyd’s private car during the chase in that inquiry.“The offender rammed my car, and the Police told me to claim my personal insurance, but no one would pay. The offender paid me a minute amount over a number of years.”Lloyd had the last laugh though during the late 80’s Invercargill floods.Lloyd with the latest addition to their family - Hazel, aged 4 months. Photo: Supplied“Tim had arrested a guy in Manapouri headed for Te Anau when I got a call to say a posse of renegades (his friends) were coming to the station to release him.”Also a local Fire Brigade volunteer for years, Lloyd called the fire guys for help.“We were shuffling a prisoner out from the back cell ready when they met us at the front door and the prisoner said,” I think I’ll stay,” Lloyd grins.Some good “strategic manoeuvring managed to pick them off quietly”.With all that experience you’re just best not to mess with Lloyd.Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.

Marshall Erwood was planning to sleep alongside the SBS Bank Tour of Southland's orange jersey overnight before going out to defend it on the first open road stage from Invercargill to Gore tomorrow.The proud Southlander and member of the New Zealand’s men’s track endurance squad was stoked to take an early lead in his home event after some furious racing on the opening day of the rescheduled 2025 tour.It was a successful day for Erwood’s Creation Signs-MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project team after they won the team time trial prologue on a new 4.2km circuit in north Invercargill, before the under 23 rider finished second in the 42km stage one street race on the same course to take the overall lead in the general classification.Southland's Marshall Erwood is presented with the tour leader's orange jersey and the field of 96 riders competes in the the 42km street race in Invercargill. Photo: Supplied“I would have loved to have put the arms in the air and pulled (the stage win) off, but second is leaving me wanting something more for the tour,” Erwood said.Being presented with the leader’s orange jersey was a big moment, he said.“It was pretty special. Nick Kergozou has been in the jersey, Josh Burnett has been in the jersey, to be among some world class Southlanders is pretty special.”Hamilton’s Zakk Patterson (Quality Foods Southland-Gough Brothers) produced a classy sprint at the front of the 96-strong peloton to win the opening stage from Erwood and PowerNet’s Kiaan Watts. Earlier in the stage he had also won the sprint points to take an early lead in the Sprint Ace classification.It was a great reward for a rider who has twice won the Te Anau stage in Southland, but was in doubt to even make it to the start line this year due to a recent throat infection.“I had no expectations coming into this,” Patterson said.“I was pretty sick a few weeks ago and didn’t even know if I’d be able to race. I came good the week before the tour, had a couple of rides and a club race. With one lap to go I was in a good position and the legs were feeling good.”Creation Signs-MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project lead the teams classification, with Ben Dyball the leading over 35 rider.Erwood leads by 4sec overall from a group of six riders, including Watts. Defending champion Josh Burnett (PowerNet) featured at the front of the street race at times and finished day one safely, 6sec in arrears.Erwood was relishing the chance to be the rider everyone was watching ahead of tomorrow’s 151km stage from Invercargill to Gore.“It’s going to be hard. There’s a pretty class field and to be going head to head with them is pretty special.”

Bagpipes sounded and tributes flowed at today's (16 Jan) service in the Civic Theatre, for Invercargill longest serving mayor and kiwi icon Sir Tim Shadbolt.Sir Tim passed away on Thursday 8th January, aged 78.In a service interspersed with poetry, waiata, and sometime laughter, mourners heard tributes from Sir Tim’s sons, Declan Lawton-Dutt, and Ben and Robert Shadbolt, his brother Rodney Shadbolt, as well as guest speakers including Māori activist and artist Tāme Iti, Invercargill Member of Parliament, Hon. Penny Simmonds, and Sir Tim’s partner of many decades, Asha Dutt.Following the service, Sir Tim was farewelled with a rousing haka performed by rōpu Mana Tuakiri, before the funeral cortege travelled along Tay and Clyde streets to Invercargill Airport – home to the Sir Tim Shadbolt Terminal – before a private interment at the city’s Eastern Cemetery.Along the way, members of the public lined the streets of Invercargill to bid Sir Tim a final farewell.Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell said the funeral service reiterated Sir Tim’s genuine warmth, and his lifelong commitment to civic service.“Today, the Invercargill community came together to farewell Sir Tim with gratitude and deep respect. Sir Tim was a force of nature, whose belief in people, place, and possibility was unmistakable, and whose unwavering belief in our city left an enduring legacy that will be felt for generations,” he said.“Sir Tim was a true champion of Invercargill, and he did so with courage and heart. It was a privilege to pay tribute to a man who always urged us to aim higher and think bigger about what our community could be.“Our thoughts will remain with Sir Tim’s whānau and friends as they grieve,” Campbell said.Bluff Community Board Chair Ray Fife also paid tribute to the city’s former mayor.“Sir Tim Shadbolt always spoke of Bluff as the jewel in our community’s crown. He was an unwavering advocate for our town and its people, and his presence will be deeply missed throughout our community.“Year after year, Sir Tim attended our ANZAC Day parades – rain, hail, or shine, standing alongside locals to honour service and sacrifice. Afterwards, he would make his way to the RSA, taking the time to share in conversation with the community he cared so deeplyabout,” he said.“Sir Tim’s genuine warmth and belief in our town will not be forgotten. On behalf of the whole Bluff community, the Bluff Community Board honours Sir Tim’s extraordinary contribution and many years of dedicated service. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his whānau, friends, and all those who mourn his passing,” Fife said.Sir Tim, who was awarded the Knight Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2019 New Year’s Honours List, served nine terms as Invercargill Mayor (between 1993 – 1995, and again between 1998 – 2022), and two terms as Waitematā (Auckland) Mayor, between 1983 - 1989: making him one of the longest-serving mayors in New Zealand.

Invercargill has bid farewell to the "absolutely extraordinary" late Sir Tim Shadbolt in a service marked by humour and reflection, but a stinging rebuke of his final term in office.Hundreds of friends, family, community members and political leaders gathered at the Civic Theatre for the public funeral on Friday afternoon, while thousands of others watched on an online livestream.Tributes at the service moved between Sir Tim's capacity for mischief to his powerful advocacy and leadership, tracing Sir Tim's life from activism to public office, as the Waitematā and Invercargill mayor.However, partner Asha Dutt said she could not speak without raising an "truly awful" time in Sir Tim's life - which was his final term as Mayor of Invercargill.The Invercargill City Council of 2019 should be ashamed of how Sir Tim exited his career, she said."I made the promise to Tim that I'd raise these points," she said.During that term, Sir Tim walked into the council chambers each day with no friends, she said."Let me clearly state, it wasn't Tim who ailed and wasn't capable of doing his job. It was the extreme stresses that were placed upon him by people that should have supported him, that turned his health, and turned my own," she said."The council of 2019 have blood on their hands. That's the shot I want to fire, Tim would be proud."She said she was staggered by the number of people who had come forward with "Tim stories" following his death - who had been touched or moved by him."He was receptive to everyone. He gave everyone the time of day," she said."He was a unique person at a time when the world needs more unique people to propel themselves from the mould."Sister Tui Shadbolt recalled Sir Tim's ability to communicate, lift spirits and mobilise people.He devoted himself to making communities stronger with warmth, wit and humanity, she said."He spent his life fighting the apathy. He just wanted people to vote," she said."He was always, always happy to serve."Son Robert Shadbolt recalled his father's relentless honesty, work ethic, and can-do attitude."Dad - he was an ideas man, and planning was never something to slow him down," he said."We miss you - your empathy, humour, warmth - and we come together today to celebrate someone who really, really lived."Family friend Sue Roswell described an "amazing friendship, through many life changes" with Tim, while lifelong friends, "Tim's Team" - consisting of John Bower, Margaret Evans, Doug Owen and John Bower, paid tribute to a "truth-seeker" and "change maker".A haka performed by Mana Tuakiri Photo: Katie Todd/RNZ"I'm actually a little bit envious that we don't have more people around like Tim that can inspire and get people moving. Invercargill is a model for the rest of New Zealand," Owen said."He had this immense ability to put the spotlight on stuff that was really important to New Zealanders...he was an aggressive reformer, but it was filled with love," Evans said."May the name of Tim Shadbolt stay forever."Sir Tim first came into the national spotlight as a student activist in the 1960s, drawing attention to issues including apartheid and the Vietnam War.Māori activist and artist Tame Iti recalled working with Sir Tim at the Bastion Point occupation in 1977.Sir Tim was proof that "even the establishment surrenders if you shout at it enthusiastically for a long time", he said."Tim did not just attend protests. He was the protest," he said.Māori artist and activist Tame Iti speaking at Sir Tim Shadbolt's funeral. Photo: Katie ToddLong-time friend Pita Turei recalled uniting with Sir Tim over a shared belief in the working man.Both came from violent and rugged homes, and neither grew up with their fathers, he said.They talked about the idea of revolution, he said."We were going to change the world - he did."During his time as Invercargill's leader, Sir Tim championed the Zero Fees scheme at the Southland Institute of Technology, in a bid to attract more to the south and keep more young people in the region.Major buildings including Stadium Southland were built during his term, and others including the Civic Theatre were refurbished.Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds described Sir Tim as "unconventional, unexpected...hilarious and deeply loved."An "immense" capacity for compassion underscored his leadership, and his decision to advocate for zero-fees was part because he saw an economic opportunity, but also because he saw its power to open tertiary education to those long-excluded, she said."Today...we mourn the loss of an absolutely extraordinary man," she said.The spirit of Sir Tim will live through his community for a long time, son Ben Shadbolt said."I'll always feel so much love for this bugger," he said.Pastor Graeme Pope thanked mourners who had come from near and far.He described Sir Tim as humble and generous with his time, attention and love.Attention was often put on what Sir Tim achieved, but what truly mattered was who he was, he said.Sir Tim was made a Knight Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2019 New Year's Honours List for his services to local government and the community.Sir Tim's cortège heading through the main streets of Invercargill. Photo: Katie Todd/RNZHe died on 8 January, aged 78.The funeral was followed by a cortege through the city out to Invercargill Airport's Sir Tim Shadbolt Terminal, and to Eastern Cemetery for a private interment.The Invercargill City Council has been approached for comment.Katie Todd, Otago/Southland reporterPublished by permission

Initial tests of algae at Lake Te Anau near South Arm Drive show mostly harmless species, with some potentially toxic strains. Much of the growth has since disappeared, and larger patches further up the shore are aquatic plants rather than algae. Because some toxic algae have been detected, further testing is underway. Please continue to avoid this section of the lake. We’ll share updates when results are available. Thanks for your patience as we complete this investigation.

Police have confirmed the death of a man who fell overboard from a New Zealand-registered fishing vessel southeast of the Catlins coast early on Wednesday (14 January) is not being treated as suspicious.The incident sparked a Search and Rescue callout coordinated by Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre, involving the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter, Police, and other vessels.Police said yesterday (Thursday 15 January) they were investigating after a man died when he fell overboard from a fishing vessel southeast of the Catlins coast early on Wednesday.They were notified at around 8.30am.“Police are now working with Maritime NZ to understand the circumstances of the incident,” a Police spokesperson said today (Friday, 16 Jan).A spokesperson for the Rescue Coordination Centre says they received the emergency radio call soon after 7.30am (NZ time) that a person had gone overboard from a fishing vessel 40 nautical miles southeast of the Catlins coast.“Vessels of interest and the Heli Otago (Otago Southland) rescue helicopter were tasked to assist,” she says.“The person who went overboard was recovered.” The matter was handed over to the Police.Police were notified that a person had fallen overboard from a fishing vessel just before 8.30am when the rescue helicopter was sent to the scene, a Police spokesperson says.“Sadly, the person was recovered deceased.”The deceased remained on the vessel until the vessel was able to dock at Dunedin around 10pm on Wednesday night. (14 January)The matter is being investigated by Police on behalf of the coroner.Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.

Our team is back into our summer renewal programme in Southland; below is a list of programmed works on Southland state highways next week, and all known work on Southland state highways next week is mapped HERE.  Thank you!Thank for your patience on SH96 Winton-Hedgehope highway while our team rebuilt a section of highway. This has now been sealed, and the disruptive work is completed.  Tour of SouthlandA reminder that the postponed Tour of Southland takes place on local roads and highways across Southland from this Sunday - 18th – 24th January. Please expect delays. Information regarding Tour routes and dates can be found on their website here Key renewal sites in Southland currently underway/beginning next week:SH90 Waikaka Valley highway between Waikaka Road and Cunningham Road – Construction work has begun and will continue over the next few months. Delays of 5-10 minutes.SH94 at Sinclair Road Te Anau – Construction works underway, delays of 5-10 minutes. Weather permitting, we anticipate this may be sealed by the end of next week.SH96 Winton-Wreys Bush highway near Transmission Line Road - Construction works underway, delays of 5-10 minutes. Weather permitting, we anticipate this may be sealed by the end of next week. Other maintenance work underway next week is listed below: Highways South/SouthRoads maintenance work:SH1 Woodlands-Invercargill highway between Kennington and Longbush, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH1 Woodlands-Invercargill highway near Longbush, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH1 Woodlands-Invercargill highway near Woodlands, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH1 Edendale-Woodlands highway near Woodlands, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH1 Pioneer highway at Brydone, stop/go for resurfacingSH1 Waipahi highway near Pukerau, stop/go for resurfacingSH1 Waipahi highway near Landslip Road, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH1 Waipahi highway near Webb Road, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH1 Waipahi highway at McNabb, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH6 Winton-Lorneville highway near Wilson's Crossing Road, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH6 Athol-Five Rivers highway at Jollies Hill, stop/go for resurfacingSH93 Old Coach Road between Waikana Road & Kaiwera Road, stop/go for resurfacingSH93 Old Coach Road near Jeff Road, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH93 Old Coach Road between Jeff Road and Hurst Road, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH93 Old Coach Road near Hurst Road, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH93 Old Coach Road near Elliot Road, stop/stop for vegetation clearingSH93 Old Coach Road at Three Stones Road, stop/go for resurfacingSH93 Old Coach Road near River Road, stop/go for resurfacingSH93 Old Coach Road near Kaiwera Road, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH94 Milford Highway near Lower Hollyford Road, stop/go for resurfacingSH96 Glencoe highway near Glencoe, temporary traffic lights for pavement repairsSH99 Orepuki-Riverton highway near Pahia, temporary traffic lights for vegetation removalSH99 Orepuki-Riverton highway at Pahia-Wakapatu Road, temporary traffic lights for vegetation removalSH99 Orepuki-Riverton highway between Pahia and Orepuki, temporary traffic lights for vegetation removalSH99 Orepuki-Riverton highway near Frentz Road, temporary traffic lights for vegetation removalSH99 Tuatapere-Orepuki highway near Te Tumutu Road, temporary traffic lights for vegetation removal Roadmarking taking place under mobile traffic management:SH1 Gore urban areaSH1 Mataura urban areaSH1 Invercargill urban areaSH1 Bluff highway **Programmed work may be delayed due to weather/other factors. Upcoming renewal workSH99 Wallacetown – road renewal and bridge work – February/MarchSH1 Waipahi Highway east of Pukerau – road renewal – dates to be confirmed  NZTA Journeys website - https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-plannerFreight Impact Register - https://www.nzta.govt.nz/commercial-driving/trucks-and-tow-trucks/potential-restrictions-affecting-freight/ - download and filter the region for ‘Southland’. This will indicate any upcoming work in the next fortnight which have closures, detours or width restrictions for freight.

Livestream for Sir Tim Shadbolt's funeral HEREA funeral service to publicly mark Sir Tim Shadbolt's life and legacy will be held in Invercargill this afternoon.Tributes have been flowing in for the former mayor of Waitematā and Invercargill since he died last week, describing him as a colourful and charismatic character who championed local politics and his city.Sir Tim was made a Knight Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2019 New Year's Honours List for his services to local government and the community.The funeral service will be held at Invercargill's Civic Theatre from 2pm with doors open from 1pm.The service will also be livestreamed on the Invercargill City Council's website.After the service, the funeral procession would leave for the Invercargill Airport - home to the Sir Tim Shadbolt Terminal, via Tay Street and Clyde Street, before making its way to Eastern Cemetery for a private interment.Mayor Shadbolt stands in front of his portrait in November, a piece that is titled Seriously. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery / ODT.Anyone who wants to pay their respects is invited to line the streets for the procession.Sir Tim first came into the national spotlight as a student activist in the 1960s, drawing attention to issues including apartheid and the Vietnam War.He donned the mayoral chains for the first time in Waitematā in 1983, holding them for six years.He tried his luck again in 1992, standing for mayor in Auckland, Waitākere and Dunedin.While he was unsuccessful in those races, he breezed into the top job the following year during a by-election in Invercargill.He also dabbled in national politics, becoming the New Zealand First candidate for the Selwyn by-election in 1994 - less than a day after joining the party.Sir Tim served in Invercargill until 1995, but was re-elected in 1998 and held onto the mayoral chains until an unsuccessful tilt in 2022..Tim Shadbolt with a group of protesters outside the Auckland Town Hall in 1973 Photo: Te Ara / Public Domain.With the city in decline, he championed the Zero Fees scheme at the Southland Institute of Technology, in a bid to attract more to the south and keep more young people in the region.Major buildings including Stadium Southland were built during his term, and others including the Civic Theatre were refurbished.On the screen, he competed on Dancing with the Stars, broke the world record for the longest television interview - just over 26 hours - and made cameo appearances in the 2017 remake of Goodbye Pork Pie and The World's Fastest Indian.He became known as the man who put Invercargill on the map, with Invercargill Airport officially naming the Sir Tim Shadbolt Terminal last year to mark his legacy.In a statement announcing his passing, his partner Asha Dutt said they lost the cornerstone of their family and the man who devoted himself to promoting Invercargill for almost 30 years."Tim was a kind-hearted man who cared deeply about the people around him.He was a champion for the underdog and an active political campaigner from his student days of anti-war protest, his activism for Māori rights, and his fight to keep the Southern Institute of Technology and Zero Fees autonomous."Tim will be remembered with gratitude, respect, and affection for his commitment to the south and his passion for life."Published by Permission

Entertainment and Info with the Southland App – Where Southlanders Stay Connected!Looking for what’s happening around our region - or wanting to share something of your own?The Southland App is your one-stop destination for everything local, from major events to everyday community news.🎉 Events:Stay up to date with Southland’s biggest occasions - concerts, exhibitions, festivals, and more. Don’t miss out on the moments that bring our region together. Have an event to promote? Feature it here and reach thousands of locals.A taste of upcoming Events:LINE DANCING CourseEdendale Crank UpBurt Munro ChallengeBest of the Bee Gees "Greatest" Show📢 Public Notices:Find what’s happening closer to home - fundraisers, club meetings, school fairs, and community updates. It’s the perfect place to advertise your smaller events or share important local information.📲 Be Seen. Be Heard. Get Involved.Explore Events and Public Notices on the Southland App today - or advertise with us to make sure your message reaches every corner of Southland!💌 Want to advertise?We’d love to help spread the word for you.Email us at [email protected] to find out more.

Road OpenNo Avalanche HazardComments:Roadworks near Sinclair Road - plan for short delays (up to 10min) Monday to Saturdays between 7am and 6pm till 31st January.Weather forecast for the Homer Tunnel area:Today: Cloud, possible light afternoon showers. Tomorrow: Showers. Sunday: Fine. Monday: Fine. Tuesday: Fine.

A person has died following a crash in Winton yesterday afternoon.The two-vehicle crash on State Highway 6/Great North Road was reported just after 3pm.One person died at the scene and three other people were injured in the crash.One person sustained moderate injuries while two people were treated for minor injuries.Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.

Police are investigating after a man died when he fell overboard from a fishing vessel southeast of the Catlins coast early yesterday (14 Jan), sparking an emergency search and rescue operation.A spokesperson for the Rescue Coordination Centre says they were the coordinating authority for the search after receiving the emergency radio call soon after 7.30am (NZ time) that a person had gone overboard from a fishing vessel 40 nautical miles southeast of the Catlins coast.“Vessels of interest and the Heli Otago (Otago Southland) rescue helicopter were tasked to assist,” she says.“The person who went overboard was recovered.”The matter was handed over to the Police.Police were notified that a person had fallen overboard from a fishing vessel just before 8.30am when the rescue helicopter was sent to the scene, a Police spokesperson says.A paramedic on board the helicopter confirmed that, sadly, the person had died, she says.“The deceased remained on the vessel until the vessel was able to dock at Dunedin around 10pm last night (Wednesday, 14 Jan).No further details were available tonight as to the circumstances surrounding the death.The matter is now being investigated by Police on behalf of the coroner.Sue Fea is a senior journalist with more than 40-years experience covering police, social and general news in the southern regions.

UPDATE: 8.15pm – SH6 in Winton reopened after crash State Highway 6/Great North Road in Winton has reopened following a serious crash this afternoon. Following the work of emergency services at the scene, the section of SH6 between Eglinton Street and Dejoux Road is now clear.   A detour is available after State Highway 6/Great North Road in the Southland town of Winton has been closed because of a crash.Police say the two-vehicle crash was reported just after 3pm and initial indications are that there are serious injuries.SH6/Great North Road is closed between Eglinton Street and Dejoux Road.The detour for northbound traffic is turning left onto Dejoux Road, right on Park Street and right on to Eglinton Street.The reverse applies for southbound traffic. Stay up to date at our Journey Planner site.

New Zealand’s top shearers and woolhandlers are descending on Southland for two competitions on Friday and Saturday set to have significant impacts in deciding who represents New Zealand in the machine shearing and woolhandling at the 20th  Golden Shears World championships in seven weeks’ time.The latest legs will be on Friday at the Northern Southland Community Shears’ New Zealand Full Wool Crossbred Shearing Championships at Selbie’s Woolshed, Lowther, near Lumsden, and at the Winton A and P Show’s Southland Shears and New Zealand Crossbred Lambs Championships on Saturday.The year-long selection series’, based on performances in Open-class competitions, started at the Southern Shears in Gore last February, aiming to decide two machine shearers and two woolhandlers for the World championships being held in association with the 64th annual Golden Shears in Masterton on March 4-7.They will complete the makeup of the New Zealand team with blades shearers Tony Dobbs, of Fairlie, and Allan Oldfield, from Geraldine, having secured their places in November, setting them on target to try to regain the teams title they won in France in 2019, when Oldfield was also the individual blades shearing champion.Joel Henare, who won World individual and teams titles at the 2012 championships in Masterton and 2017 championships in Inverecargill, pictured winning his latesty Golden Shears Open title in Masterton last March. Photo / Pete Nikolaison. .The machine shearing and woolhandling teams will be named at the Rangitikei Shearing Sports in Marton on February 7, and become part of an amassing of representatives from 28 countries at the World Championships.The Lumsden and Winton competitions are in all classes from Junior to Open, and part of the biggest weekend on the Shearing Sports New Zealand Calendar, with events at six venues nationwide.The others are all shearing-only A and P show events at Kaikohe, Wairoa and Takaka on Saturday, and on Sunday in Levin.It’s also part of a big few days in the south, with a four-stand women’s lambshearing record for eight hours taking place on Tuesday at Melrose Station, Owaka, South Otago.On January 31, a three-stand men’s record will be attempted at Waihelo Station, Moa Flat, West Otago.

State Highway 6/Great North Road is closed near Eglinton Street following a crash.The two-vehicle crash was reported just after 3pm.Initial indications are that there are serious injuries.Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.Detours are in place.

Bowls of Weet-Bix. Loaves of bread. Packs of noodle. Is it actually necessary?You can imagine - or recall - the boasting in the school playground."How many Weet-Bix can you eat?" one teenage boy asks his mates. "I ate six in one go yesterday.""I ate eight the other day.""Well, I ate 11 after rugby training.""Yeah, right."Actually, 11 Weet-Bix isn't so crazy for a teenage boy. They total 583 calories, plus some more for milk, and that's only 25 percent of the 2800 calories a 16-year-old teenage boy might need every day.Yes, most teenage boys really do need to eat a lot of food - and that amount is significantly more than the energy requirements of a teenage girl."The reason that the energy requirements are lower for girls is that they've got smaller bodies essentially. Their weight and height differs from boys, " Professor Carol Wham from the NZ Nutrition Foundation says.Teenage boys are busy being active with sport and play. They're also growing their skeletons and putting on muscle mass, particularly towards their late teenage years when their height growth starts to slow, according to Rachel Scrivin, a sports dietitian who has three teenage boys aged 15, 16 and 19."It's not uncommon for them to come home and have two packets of noodles and a milkshake and still eat dinner," she says.As a dietitian, she isn't too happy about her kids eating a lot of instant noodles, but it's a snack that is balanced with whole foods elsewhere.Calorie needs: Teen boys vs teen girlsWhile not everyone will identify with the binary of boy or girl, this is the dividing line that scientific research makes, even though ultimately everyone will have unique needs. A GP will help you with those individual needs.Typically, the daily calorie needs of girls is stable at about 2000 from age 12 to 18. However, for boys their calorie requirements increase from 2200 at age 12 to 2800 by age 16.But those calories are general. An individual teen boy's calorie needs will be a complex calculation determined by their activity level and if they are in the midst of a growth spurt.National guidelines put recommended activity at about an hour of moderate activity four days a week (like walking to school) and strenuous activity (as in sweating and elevated heart rate) three times a week for an hour. Those involved in sports will do much more."Swimmers do a lot of training," Scrivin says. "So they could be doing another two hours a day."Scrivin's teens are playing a sport some mornings and most afternoons after school so their daily calorie needs easily hit 3000, she says. One son is trying to build muscle and is aiming for 3200 daily calories, but bulking up is difficult when a teenage boy is still growing.What macronutrients do they need?Macronutrients are the fats, proteins and carbohydrates that make up our daily caloric intake and the recommended guidelines are similar across sexes and age groups, Wham says."Half of your total energy is coming from carbohydrates, preferably whole grains, and about a maximum of 35 percent from fat and around 15 percent from protein."Scrivin has found the protein needs of her boys to be much higher than the recommendation. Generally, males need about one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. Her teenage boys are eating 1.5 to 2 grams per kilo of body weight."So, almost double the recommendations," Scrivin says.What does a teen boy eat in one day?For breakfast, Scrivin's youngest is at about eight Weet-Bix with a heap of yogurt and some fruit. Toast with an egg or peanut butter is another carb and protein combo.Lunch could be something like canned tuna or a peanut butter sandwich for a mix of carbs and protein. Scrivin encourages nuts and fruit for a snack at school and a smoothie when they get home in the afternoons (and there's those instant noodles for extra hungry days).Dinner will likely have a pasta or rice base with veggie-stuffed sauce (think blitzed celery in almost everything) and a protein like chicken or beef mince.With the cost of living constantly going up, Wham and Scrivin both recommend extending meals like bolognese sauce with legumes."It's delicious and you're adding plant-based protein," Wham says.Bread is surprisingly a major source of protein in the New Zealand diet. Wholegrain is always preferred but "if people can't afford those whole grains then white bread is okay", Wham says.Government guidelines recommend five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit every day, two servings of protein (or three servings of plant-based protein if a teen is vegetarian), three servings of milk products and at least seven servings of breads and cereals.When is a lot of food too much?"Most boys gain about 20 kilograms in the four years of high school," Scrivin says. "That's absolutely normal."And, allowances need to be made for genetics. Some families have larger frames than others.However, ultimately someone who is eating too much at any age will likely put on body fat."The energy will go into growing first and then any excess will be stored just like [adults]," Scrivin says.Published by Permission

A 63-year-old Southland man has sped his way into court after allegedly travelling at high speeds in Edendale.On Wednesday 24 December, Police received multiple reports from members of the public of a black sports car speeding within the community.Constable Julie Russell says it is alleged the man returned to the area multiple times, and in some instances took several people for rides in the vehicle.“Thanks to information provided by the public, and through our initial enquiries, we identified the vehicle and its driver.”The black 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was found to have allegedly travelled over four times the posted speed limit, as well as doing burnouts in the area.“Not only is this a ridiculously dangerous speed, but this reckless driving may have had the potential to cause serious harm to a number of people.”On Tuesday 13 January, Police executed a search warrant at a nearby property where the man was suspended from driving for 28 days and summonsed to court.The Chevrolet Corvette, worth $160,000, was seized and impounded for 28 days.Police would like to thank the members of the public who contacted Police at the time of the offending.“This real time information is crucial in helping us know where to be and assists in our investigations, allowing us to take action like seizing vehicles and holding those responsible to account.”“We appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has CCTV or dashcam footage and is yet to contact us to please do so.”If you have information that can assist in our enquiries, you can contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking ‘Update Report’, using the reference number 251227/2052.The 63-year-old man is due to appear in Gore District Court on 11 February charged with sustained loss of traction and reckless driving.