Pages 2-3 1 GOOD AS GODZone

illions of people around the around New Zealand and the world, “The incredible M world marvelled at Southland’s commenting on the awesome breathtaking natural scenery and scenery, he said. people’s spirit of generosity during imagery of the the GODZone adventure race. The successful hosting of an event the size of GODZone showed wider Fiordland area The gruelling 10-day race started what and the District was in Te Anau on 1 March with about capable of and put it in good stead and the amazing 370 competitors taking on the to host future events of a similar Southland hospitality 500km course running through the scale, Cr Kremer said. Fiordland National Park and other parts of southwest Southland. “The town was buzzing; the town on the course was was full.” Council Mararoa showcased around Waimea councillor Ebel Kremer Te Anau Community Board chair said the impact the event had on Rachel Cockburn said the event’s the world through Te Anau and many communities huge success generated many in southwest Southland was way inspiring stories from athletes social media.” beyond expectation. and supporters. - Rachel Cockburn While the race started and finished Te Anau was very proud to help in Te Anau, to see farmers in the host the event, which generated Destination Fiordland regional Lillburn Valley putting on barbecues massive national and international tourism manager Sharon Salmons and accommodating teams in interest – the GODZone website woolsheds was a true expression of said: “It has showcased to the world alone registered 2.1 million hits the that Fiordland has so much more the amazing community spirit in the night the first teams came home, District, he said. to offer than just the well-known she said. and that Te Anau “The community really got behind it The experiences competitors and or is a great base if you and got involved in it.” their supporters had while in Te are looking for an adventure off the The international exposure the Anau and Fiordland will be shared beaten tourist track. Many teams have event attracted was phenomenal with many other people and been heard saying they will definitely with many people at the event, encourage return visits and positive be back to explore some more, which and many more watching from word of mouth for the area. is great news for our members.” 2 Te Anau-based team Countdown to the Ranch crossing the finish line after completing the GODZone race.

- Rachel Cockburn

Cover art Magazine design Produced by Alex Socci/GODZone Chapter 7 Gloria Eno Southland District Council communications team 3 MAYOR GARY TONG e’re living in exciting and challenging times, and who knows what the future will bring?

WWe reckon we have some idea – thanks in no small part to what you’ve been telling us during the past year or so. Change is constant, but the rate of change in modern life can be staggering, and even a bit dizzying at times. We’re feeding what we’ve learned into our Ten Year Plan, which gives us an opportunity to look at the services and activities we will provide in the future. In the past month our consultation document, ‘We’re just getting started, Southland’, has been out for your feedback. I hope you had a look, and let us know whether you agree with the direction we’re proposing. Southland’s communities and their needs are changing: our population is ageing, in some places it is declining or staying static, and disposable incomes are getting smaller. In the meantime, costs keep increasing. Looking back 30 years we can see how much settlement patterns, population, demographics, socio-economic conditions and visitor trends have changed – and we need to use all the information we can get to try to predict where we will be in another 30 years. Weather patterns are changing too. The drought experienced during summer was a timely reminder of the need to plan and prepare $126,000 and would involve minor road construction work and our District for greater potential extremes the installation of structures including an emergency shelter, more of weather. Here in Southland we have been toilets and additional directional and safety signage. fortunate to have missed much of the cyclone- strength weather areas like the West Coast, Decisions around funding the future costs of the trail need to be Nelson and Taranaki have experienced, but made as well. there’s no room for complacency. Preparing for our future means our communities are better placed There’s some meaty stuff in the document for whatever comes our way. The value that lies in that shouldn’t around more targeted funding for key services be underestimated. such as roading, libraries, waste and water, and we’ve identified three key issues in addition to This is why we are proposing to invest more in planning for the the nuts and bolts stuff that councils provide. future of the District. Our ability to enjoy the great outdoors Some people might ask: shouldn’t we be thinking about the here and opportunities Southland offers is considered in now – rather than focusing on the future? the draft Long Term Plan. It’s a fair question – and the answer is that we are equally focused A co-ordinated District-wide plan to improve on the here and now through our many services and asset our open spaces is proposed and fits neatly management plans. The future focus is simply a recognition that with our mission to make Southland an even the things we know and hold to be true are changing rapidly – and more desirable place to live, work and play. we want to be prepared. There are some other, not entirely unrelated, We are going to face some hard decisions to ensure the District’s issues we need to get sorted. We want to dollars are spent wisely. put the finishing touches on the Around the We need to settle on the things we should do differently, what we Mountains Cycle Trail. need to do more of, and what we will have to stop doing. We are proposing to bring the existing Hard decisions can be daunting but there’s simply no room to section of trail to a point at Centre Hill Road just plod along: that is no legacy to leave for future generations using existing roads. This work would cost of Southlanders. 4 Councillor Ebel Kremer and I met with Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis Dear on his visit to the deep south earlier this year to chat about tourism opportunities Diary and challenges in our District. There’s an open invitation for the Excerpts from Mayor Gary Tong’s minister to visit any busy schedule … time and with the south home to so many tourism jewels, no doubt he’ll be back sooner rather Yes, minister! than later.

I marked Waitangi Day this year at Te Rau Aroha marae in Bluff, where the annual Ngāi Tahu Treaty Festival was hosted by Te Rūnanga o Awarua. What an incredible event. It was a great way to connect with the wider community who make up the fabric of the Southland District.

You can’t beat prime real estate. Te Anau’s wapiti statue was moved from its spot greeting visitors driving into the town, to a new patch right in the thick of things outside the Fiordland Events Centre. The statue was erected back in 2005 to mark 100 years since wapiti were first introduced into Fiordland as a gift from US President Theodore Roosevelt. I joined the Fiordland I had the honour of blowing the hooter for the Wapiti Foundation’s unveiling start of the Godzone race in Te Anau. Maybe next of the statue in its new home time I’ll put my hand up to compete against the – which by the sounds of things great Richie McCaw! What a fantastic community- has already proved a hit with run event and I take my hat off to everybody visitors to Te Anau. involved in its organisation – as well as those brave souls who entered.

My green thumb hasn’t I visited Guangdong, the most been put to much use populous province in China. My lately but it was trip was sponsored by the Chao fantastic to see Shan General Association of New dedication pay off Zealand – a group set up to for the prizewinners promote tourism, trade and other at a ceremony I benefits between the province officiated for the and our country. I gave several Flower presentations on Southland to and Quilting Club. government representatives and Everybody involved it was a great opportunity to really put their foster a relationship with one heart and soul into of New Zealand’s major trading tending to their partners. I also had a half day specimens, from of downtime: visiting the Great dahlias to cabbages. Brand ambassador Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing was pretty mindblowing. 5 CHIEF EXECUTIVE STEVE RURU

he submission period Affordability will always be a tough one of the tourism jewels in for our draft Long Term challenge we grapple with. Will we our District’s crown. Plan has closed but the be able to provide all the current title of the consultation services we provide in the future if Meanwhile, on Stewart document remains there are fewer working residents in Island Rakiura, Council’s valid: we’re just getting our District to help share the cost? community leadership started, Southland. The answer to that could well be no. planning strategy has reached a major milestone I hope you took the opportunity to have So what will we have to do after months of intensive yourT say. Consultation is a crucial part differently? What will we have community engagement. of the democratic process. It provides to stop doing? What will be the This process has resulted in a platform for you as residents to have District’s greatest needs? What will Stewart Islanders identifying some influence over the range and level the District even look like in 30 their own future priorities, of services Council provides to meet the years? including a need for long- needs of our communities. term strategic leadership To better understand these complex to help pull the diversity Southland District Council’s proposed plan issues we need a lot of information, of views which exist on for the next 10 years is about preparing for and doing the research work to get the Island together and the future, and the many changes that are that information is at the heart of work in a cohesive way either happening now or are yet to come. our draft Long Term Plan. with the range of business, These changes will be in many forms – community and public demographic, environmental, social and We see significant entities who contribute to economic – and the biggest challenge for us their community. This fits as an organisation, and you as a community, change ahead for neatly with Council’s own is how we collectively respond to and meet vision of how we all need these challenges. Council in the way to work together so that we end up with Southland being we do things, and we one community offering endless opportunities. Our know we are going strength will come with unity of thought and purpose, not to have to continue parochial divisions. to lead the way To achieve that Council must work with its individual to help all of our communities to encourage them to take a wider, whole- communities prepare of-District approach, where everyone has a stake in our and adapt. successes.

The new way of doing things It also requires a more is manifesting itself already in inclusive governance collaborative partnerships we are framework in which every forming with other stakeholders person in the District has and communities at Milford, and on an equitable level of access Stewart Island. to the leadership and representation that they Significant work has been done need for their community in those areas. The Milford to proactively plan for the Opportunities Project is virtually future, which is not the a template for how major multi- case at the moment. That agency planning projects might is why we’re proposing be done in the future. This some changes in the dynamic piece of work is Representation Review that pooling the resources and we’ll be presenting for your knowledge of Southland feedback in May. District Council, local businesses, the Ministry of We don’t think it’s fair Business, Innovation and that about a third of the Employment, NZ Transport 29,000-plus people in our Agency and the Department of District aren’t represented Conservation to develop a plan by a community board or for how we might best enhance community development area and protect the conservation subcommittee, and we’ll be estate while increasing the value talking more about that with that we derive from the visitors to you soon.

6

FOR andWORK SERVICE

Mayor Gary Tong, with Ian Sinclair (centre) and his partner Lorna Hitchcock at the surprise community service award presentation. Photo: MARGARET HOPKINS

tireless servant of Stewart Island has received a Southland District Council Mr Sinclair, a keen golfer, was A Community Service Award. a founding member of the Ian Sinclair, known to many by the nickname “Sinky”, received the honour after Ringaringa Golf Club and helped the official opening of a recent project he was involved in, building a cemetery to construct the course. He still shelter to house a new display of burial records. spends a considerable amount of his time mowing and doing The award was presented by Southland District Council in conjunction with the general greenkeeper chores. Stewart Island Rakiura Community Board. He is the also the grounds Mr Sinclair has been involved with the Stewart Island Lions Club for many years, custodian at Halfmoon Bay volunteering to help with many of the projects and services the club has provided School and does a lot of odd for the Island. jobs at the community garden. He has regularly cut firewood, along with other club members, to be sold as a Mayor Gary Tong and Stewart fundraiser for Lions, with the wood often provided to seniors in need. Mr Sinclair Island Rakiura District has also enjoyed delivering Lions Christmas cakes to senior citizens. councillor Bruce Ford both He was formerly employed by SouthRoads, and as a sole employee on the Island spoke at the presentation he became well known for carrying out a wide range of projects. On many ceremony. Mr Tong said: occasions he was called on for his block-laying and concreting skills, both in his “Sinky’s one of those people work and as a volunteer for community projects. who quietly gets on and achieves things for their community.” Fishing is also in his blood.

7 A matter of PRIORITY Building Amendment Act comes into force July 2017 A meeting that aims to give the public a better understanding of what new earthquake-prone building standards mean for their community will be held in Te Anau soon. Council’s team leader building solutions Michael Marron met with elected members from Te Anau, Manapouri and Milford Council has five in March to discuss the changes introduced by the government years to identify following the Christchurch earthquake in February 2011. potentially earthquake-prone The next step is to meet with members of the public, to tap buildings into their local knowledge to determine which buildings are significant to their community’s wellbeing, Mr Marron says. The new legislation introduced the concept of priority buildings Council writes to – determined by a number of factors including seismic risk, use affected building of the building, and the type of construction used. owners “It is really important the Owners have public are part of the discussion one year to get an engineer’s to help us determine priority assessment (and can apply buildings in their community.” for a one-year extension)

Three seismic risk areas have been identified in the Southland Council classifies District: high, medium and low – the further the building is building: earthquake- from the Alpine Fault, the lower the risk. Some buildings will prone 0 – 20 percent, be considered high priority because of their risk to public or 20 – 33 percent. safety, or their potential to close access routes in the event of an earthquake. High-priority buildings in high-risk areas will need to be upgraded first. Te Anau, Milford, and Manapouri are considered higher risk because of their proximity to the fault line. Earthquake-prone A key point discussed at the March meeting was the need building notice to identify buildings that would play a significant role, or on issued: A letter streets that would be important strategic routes, in the event of advising the an earthquake. required timeframe to undertake Work is under way to host a meeting for members of the strengthening work public in Te Anau. Details on the meeting will be released is sent to the owner soon by Council. by Council. Meetings to go over the legislative changes to earthquake-prone Owner completes the building standards will be held in other communities over the work required to bring coming years, depending on their seismic risk. it up to standard

8 Back on TRACK fter a 15-year break from athletics, Scott Belesky is back on track and burning up the record book. The Southland District Council building solutions officer A enjoyed a stunning run of form at the Oceania Masters athletics championships in January, winning three golds and a silver. His three golds came in the men’s 35-39 years sprints: 60m, 100m and 200m, where he achieved age group personal best times in the 60 metres (7.62 seconds) and the 200 (24.91). He also won silver in the trans-Tasman relay, running the first leg for New Zealand against Australia. Athletes aged over 30 compete at the biennial Oceania masters games. This year’s event was staged at the Caledonia Ground in Dunedin from 20 to 27 January. Scott competes for the Fiordland Athletic Club, based in Te Anau. Scott’s parents live there and Te Anau police constable Dwight Grieve invited him to join the Fiordland club. “We’re actually quite a strong masters athletics club,” Scott says. He competed to a high level as a teenager, being ranked No 2 in New Zealand in the under-20s for the 100m, but he gave the sport away for 15 years when he was 19, only getting the bug again when he was 35. His best time for the 100m as a junior was 10.60sec, and 22.04 for the 200m. While he says he’s “a bit slower now” he’s still got some serious gas in the tank, as his results in Dunedin prove. His time of 12.06sec was good enough to win him the Oceania 100m title, but a couple of weeks later he ran an 11.89 at a club meet at Surrey Park in . “It quite often happens. You’ll try and peak for a meet and then you go the next weekend and run faster. It is what it is.” Scott is a disciplined self-trainer, continuing the programme set for him by coach Lorne Singer who has recently moved away from Southland. During winter he maintains his stamina by running harriers events and working out on the beaches and sand dunes around Daffodil Bay to keep in shape, before going hard with four days of training a week during athletics season. “Monday and Wednesday will be speed work, Tuesday will be speed endurance and Thursday is usually a recovery session from the three days before.” In season he’ll do eight hours of training a week. He also coaches another masters athlete. Scott is enjoying his fruitful return to form and is fizzing about the prospects as he steps up to the next age division when he turns 40. “There are a couple of New Zealand records that are pretty close. “Getting back into it I’m running faster now than I was four Southland District Council sprint ace years ago, because the body’s starting to adjust and get used to Scott Belesky. it. Obviously I’m going to hit a plateau where I’m not going to improve and start getting slower but I haven’t hit that yet.”

9 COMMUNITY ENGINEERS A tribute to Sealed Manapouri’s with a history smile

newly laid footpath in Wyndham has the Acommunity buzzing. Wyndham Primary School and Menzies College are connected by a footpath that runs along Florence Street, at the town’s entrance. The Edendale-Wyndham Community Board had been approached by the principals of both schools asking for a tidy-up of the unsealed footpath. Southland District Council community engineer Shaun Holland worked with McDonough Contracting and sub-contractors Downer to arrange the project and a Downer crew got to work in the blazing February heat during term break, to minimise disruption to students. They brought the job in on time and under budget. “We’re absolutely delighted,” says Wyndham Community engineer Nick Lewis with Manapouri CDA chair Shirley Mouat Primary School principal Kim Scott. “It looks and committee member Lyn Pearson at the turbine runner memorial. stunning, and it’s safe.” Menzies College principal Gerry Ward says “it’s anapouri’s memorial rock area now includes another tidied up the area no end”. slice of the town’s history: an original turbine runner from the nearby power station. The Wyndham footpath project had been in the M pipeline for some years. Southland District Council community engineer Nick Lewis says he had heard several years ago that Meridian, the energy The area has a lot of foot traffic and is a busy company that owns the nearby Manapouri hydroelectric power focal point of Wyndham. station, had a ‘spare’ original Scottish-manufactured turbine Community board chair Pam Yorke says they runner from the late 1960s in storage. He set about figuring out debated what type of surface to put down, and a way to make use of a slice of Manapouri’s history. in the end opted for a widened section of asphalt Originally destined to be part of a revamped entrance to for better access and a longer-lasting finish. Manapouri, discussions between members of the local “It was a co-ordinated effort by the community development area subcommittee and himself community,” Mrs Yorke says. “It was a case of resulted in the decision to add the turbine to the memorial rock ‘if you want something done, tell us’. area, a central spot in the town and a popular stop for visitors. “The schools are really important to the area. “The Manapouri township and the power station have a long- The college serves the whole area. We want the standing history and relationship together, so it is fitting to schools to survive, and we want the community showcase this part of the town’s history,” Mr Lewis says. to survive.” “It’s about highlighting a meaningful part of the town’s story.” Up to 13 buses stop at the site, and children E-Type Engineering, a subcontractor to Meridian, was involved arrive at school on bikes, scooters and in the turbine’s placement as part of the agreement that skateboards, so having a nice smooth surface is Meridian would shift it to its new site. The area was excavated going to be enjoyed and appreciated by many in and the 18-tonne turbine runner was lifted into position. The the community for years to come. runner was placed onto pedestals, then welded to them and Mrs Yorke is delighted with the positive buzz the pad under and around it was concreted. The runner was following completion of the project. “It’s then painted. Meridian has also agreed to provide information actually great that people are excited about signage at a later date, Mr Lewis says. something like a footpath.”

10 Road in rehab oad works are under way on Ferry Road/ REdendale Wyndham Road. Contractors are working on a pavement rehabilitation and some widening of the existing road. About 2.1 kilometres of road will be affected by the project, which includes drainage works, pavement reconstruction and sealing. The project should be finished by May, depending on the weather. It is being carried out because the road surface had reached the end of its natural life and was no longer economical to resurface. During the work temporary traffic management including speed restrictions will be in place. Residents’ and road users’ patience is appreciated during the project.

From left, Wyndham Primary School principal Kim Scott, Menzies College principal Gerry Ward, Edendale-Wyndham Community Board chair Pam Yorke and Southland District Council community engineer Shaun Holland on the new asphalt in Wyndham.

1111 ROADING

Council’s road maintenance alliance partners signed new long-term contracts in February. Pictured (back row, from left), Hartley Hare (SDC strategic manager transport), David Connell (Fulton Hogan), Craig Stewart (Fulton Hogan general manager-), Grant Isaacs (SouthRoads regional manager)and Danny Shayler (SouthRoads); (front row, from left), Alan Peacock (Fulton Hogan), Council chief executive Steve Ruru, Mayor Gary Tong and Bruce Fox (HWR contracting general manager).

give our alliance partners confidence to invest in machinery and plant. It’s CONTRACTS BRING not cheap buying graders and trucks. “We get the benefit of that because we get to have that newer technology working on our network, bringing CONFIDENCE greater efficiencies.” It’s good for the alliance partners outhland District Council contracts we’ve put in place.” too, he says. “From a contractor’s has locked in three long-term perspective it gives them the roading maintenance contracts. The benefits of having nine-year opportunity to hold on to key staff.” S contracts in place are substantial, Mr After a tendering process, new Hare says. In 2015 a review of SDC’s roading contracts with Fulton Hogan (Foveaux service delivery by Morrison Low region) and SouthRoads (Waimea and They give Council certainty of found that Council’s “innovative Central regions) were awarded for a maintenance service delivery, and approach” was “highly effective term of up to nine years, subject to save a lot of money that would in providing best value for its the alliance partners meeting required otherwise be spent repeating the investment and had the flexibility levels of performance. tendering process. required to readily adjust programmes to target network needs Hartley Hare, Council’s strategic “Those savings often don’t get recognised, not just for Council but in the face of rapidly changing heavy manager transport, says it’s a traffic loadings”. great outcome. the whole industry. Every time they tender and don’t win these guys have The new maintenance contracts “Obviously there was a lot of work to make that money back somewhere. were signed in Council chambers on done by everybody in the team to 9 February. get to this point. From a roading “The beauty of long-term perspective they’re the longest maintenance contracts is that they

12 Drivers on Ramparts Road, on the outskirts of Te Anau, are asked to stick to the temporary speed restrictions while its new surface settles in. The road had a dust-suppressing OTTA Seal treatment laid on it in early February, and it takes some months to cure. OTTA Seal is a bituminous product that binds the road surface, in time reducing dust and corrugation issues. It was applied to the road surface from the highway intersection up to An aerial view of a Fulton Hogan truck laying OTTA Seal on Ramparts Road. the Te Anau lookout. Photo: JAMES McCALLUM/SOUTHLAND DISTRICT COUNCIL The OTTA treatment on Ramparts Road is an experiment by Southland District Council to see whether the product could Take it easy on be used as a cheaper option to reduce maintenance hot spots such as corrugations on longer stretches of unsealed road throughout the District, or on Ramparts Road patches of road where there are isolated problems. SDC’s roading team is keeping “It will be interesting to see how it goes on the really steep sections of the road,” a close eye on it to see how it Council strategic manager transport Hartley Hare says. “Typically, corrugations will responds to a variety of traffic happen there as people accelerate and brake.” use on Ramparts Road, which The temporary speed restrictions are in place to try to minimise the likelihood of is used by residents and visitors that occurring, and to give the treatment the best chance of success. who access the popular lookout. There will be a long-term watching brief on Ramparts Road, Mr Hare says. At 2.8km it is the longest stretch of road that Council has applied “I would say that after a year we would have a good feel for whether it’s going OTTA Seal to, and also one of to be a success or not, but if we got five or six years down the track and it’s not the steepest. showing any visible signs of issues then we would know we’ve had a good result.”

Mr Hare says the extended dry spell did create some challenges. Pavements required moisture to help bind the base material when being CATLINS ACR constructed, and water was in short supply Alternative Coastal Route is looking very different after a during summer. Generally, though, he was successful season of reconstruction. delighted with the rate of progress. Strategic manager transport Hartley Hare says work has progressed Stage one, the 5.4km-long Slope Point Road, well, with the massive project more than two-thirds complete. is fully sealed, with road markings and signage “From the get-go it’s been a very optimistic and ambitious in place. programme to get everything done,” Mr Hare says. Stage two, the 13km main route from near The contractors, The Roading Company, had done a great job Otara to , was expected to be fully pushing ahead with the job, helped by favourable weather conditions. constructed and sealed by the end of April. Work started on 24 April 2017 and continued largely uninterrupted The final stage of the project, upgrading through a mild winter and hot summer, with only a few brief the 4.2km Waipapa Point Road, will be well weather-enforced breaks along the way. advanced before the end of the current construction season, in either April or May, with earthworks and drainage crews now on site and under way. However, it is unlikely that Waipapa Point Road will be sealed until the beginning of the next construction season, in September or October, as the approach of winter makes it too risky. With favourable weather, and all going well, the entire project should be completed by November this year.

13

Happy trails

anapouri was host to a very special event M celebrating Poland-New Zealand relations. Mayor Gary Tong and Poland’s New Zealand Ambassador Zbigniew Gniatkowski officially unveiled a plaque commemorating the achievements of father-and- son scientists duo Johann Reinhold Forster and J Georg Forster, who arrived in New Zealand on board Captain James Cook’s second voyage to the Pacific in 1772-1775. The event in December drew a good crowd with many Polish people from within the District and beyond attending. Among the guests were Mrs Winsome Dormer, Honorary Consul of Poland; Mrs Cecylia Klobukowski , president of the Federation of the Polish Organisations in New Zealand; and Dr Joanna Bramley, historian and author. While in New Zealand, the Forsters discovered 119 plants and 38 bird species in both Dusky Sound, Fiordland, and Queen Charlotte Sound in the Marlborough Sounds. The Polish Trails in New Zealand project was started in 2013 by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Wellington. Mayor Gary Tong, Polish Ambassador Zbigniew It was one of several projects to celebrate the 40th Gniatkowski and anniversary of Poland-New Zealand diplomatic relations. community partnership Ten plaques issued in memory of famous Polish people leader Simon Moran were unveiled around New Zealand that year. The (bottom right). Forsters’ plaque is a continuation of that historical trail. Ambassador Gniatkowski says it was an excellent choice to place the plaque in Pearl Harbour, Manapouri, by the Real Journeys wharf. It was “a starting point of boat departures to Doubtful and Dusky Sound where the Forsters made a whole range of magnificent scientific findings”. More than 7000 Poles live in New Zealand.

14 A safe set of wheels etting staff home to their loved ones safely is G Southland District Council’s main objective. Several committees of Council staff keep a constant Building solutions team members Will Palmer and Scott watch on different areas of workplace health and safety Belesky with two of the new Mitsubishi Triton utes. and some key initiatives have come about as a result of their recommendations. Each vehicle in the Southland District Council fleet now carries a crash pack, a bright yellow bag full of first aid One of the most high-profile is SDC’s vehicle and supplies that will be useful in an emergency. That procurement plan and the rollout of new vehicles which initiative was carried out in conjunction with Road Safety are safer and smarter. Southland. Roving museum officer Jo Massey was the first to get “I am really pleased to see our highly valued team members a new car when her much-loved and long-serving 1999 in vehicles which are safer,” Council group manager Toyota Fun Cargo was retired. She now drives a Toyota environmental services Bruce Halligan said. Corolla station wagon. “They haven’t got heavy gear in the back which could Next up was the building solutions team, who have been move in a sudden stop, and they have modern safety handed the keys to three Mitsubishi Triton utes. These features. They’re better fit for purpose, and present a very sleek silver beasts look sharp in their new Council- professional image for SDC, proudly showing our new branded livery, and have modern features which combine brand supporting the Southland Story.” to keep the building team drivers safe when they’re on the road or on site.

The back seats remained folded down for her 10 years of service. I could fit an awful lot in the back and still see out the wide back window. I even managed to get an A1 metal My little plan cabinet in the back. As she was bright red she was distinctive and people would recognise her and that I was in town. You’d get lots of waves as she travelled up and down. The only place she Fun Cargo never got to was Stewart Island. She was just past 225,000km. When I got her she was By Johanna Massey just over 80,000km. Bits were starting to fall off and Roving museum officer her air-conditioning failed just when Southland was in the midst of a bit of a heatwave, but for all that she was a really good car. The new car has a lot of safety features in comparison but I must admit I find it harder to find it in a sea of silver so I’ve had to put a pink pig in the windscreen :-).

often referred to her as the Postman Pat car, although I she could have been a Patricia. I found her myself. I was sent out to pick a car and I’d say that it was ideal for the kind of work that I do – wide door that opened sideways with low entry. Roving museum officer Jo Massey with her new 15 Toyota Corolla wagon. OUR SOUTHLANDER

DYLAN’S

Long-distance cyclist Dylan Rabbidge on the home stretch down the Awarua straight EPIC RIDE heading towards Bluff.

f riding a bike more than “When I got to Bluff, it was like Road Safety Southland’s mascot 3000km in less than 18 days ‘wow, it was over so quick’.” Glo Bro joins Dylan Rabbidge at sounds like mission impossible, the finish line at Stirling Point. then Dylan Rabbidge has Dylan set off from Ninety Mile Beach achieved the impossible. on 12 February, one of 659 riders who started in stages over six days. IBut as the Southland District Council Seventeen and a half days later, on roading team commercial lead 1 March, he got off his Specialized reflects on his herculean effort in Sequoia adventure bike at Stirling the Tour Aotearoa 2018 cycle ultra- Point to a welcoming party of family, marathon, he still can’t quite believe friends and Council work colleagues. how quickly it went. Riding in Road Safety Southland’s Share the Road colours, Dylan conquered what is billed as one of “It was quite the world’s great bikepacking trips. He says he never got dead legs, but bizarre. You’re definitely felt it when the gas tank was running on empty. quite pumped In fact, he says, over time he found himself riding stronger. and it’s only Tour Aotearoa riders had two buy two books which gave them detailed directions. He didn’t have a GPS so quite a wee way he navigated the turns by distance travelled off his cycle computer. afterwards that Riding times per day depended on the terrain. One morning he it sinks in that had breakfast at 7 and it took five and a half hours to ride 40km before he came to a place to have you’ve ridden lunch. Generally, stops were brief. Everything was geared around getting that far.”- Dylan Rabbidge to the next place to eat, or sleep, or to

16 catch the interisland ferry. The entry fee for Tour Aotearoa was $100, which “There may not be food in a couple went to charity, and riders had of sections,” he says. “You had to to offset their carbon credits. start thinking a couple of days ahead Dylan’s total cost was around ... because if you didn’t get the food $2000, mostly spent on food, you could be a day and a half from accommodation and ferry getting more.” tickets. About $500 of that He ran out of food only once, on went on bike repairs. He had to the Timber Trail in the central North replace all his wheel bearings Island, “so by the time I got to after sand got into them on Taumarunui I was absolutely starving. Ninety Mile Beach. Brake pads, I went into McDonald’s and just a chain and an entire rear wheel hoovered whatever I could get. also had to be replaced along the way. “Your body just knew. I guess you’d recognise more of the signs as you It wasn’t all hardship. went along if you weren’t eating Showering and personal enough. I started off eating every maintenance was a high hour on the hour but it got to the priority. About a week in point where you’d just end up having Dylan started taking every a massive feed and shovel in as much opportunity to stop at as you could. backpacker lodges, or with family and friends, to have a DYLAN’S “I couldn’t get over how much I shower, wash his clothes and could eat on the ride. You couldn’t get a good night’s sleep, and eat enough calories to replace what even occasionally down a few you were expending. And the type of well-deserved beers, but on food – your body just craved junk.” one occasion exhaustion was EPIC RIDE During his ride, Dylan lost 5kg. the winner. The Tour Aotearoa isn’t a race, it’s It was the day after his longest a brevet – a long-distance ride with ride, 263km, coming from Ross checkpoints along the way. There on the West Coast through the were 30 control points on the Haast Pass. Just past Makarora, journey, usually scenic landmarks he started yawning. He was so where the riders had to stop and tired he pulled off the side of be photographed. the road, lay down, used his helmet as a pillow and slept for The challenge is purely personal. 20 minutes while cars drove Riders have a maximum of 30 days past and sandflies ate him alive. to ride the more than 3000km from Cape Reinga to Stirling Point at Bluff. Dylan thanks Maureen Some extreme riders, who Dylan calls Deuchrass from Road Safety the “Forrest Gumps” because they Southland for supporting his just kept going, covered the distance ride and posting his progress in 10 days. reports on social media. Dylan says he enjoyed the scenery as He says it’s almost ironic that he took a more than respectable 17 foreign drivers were generally and a half days to cover the distance. much better at sharing the road with cyclists than New While it was a largely solitary Zealand drivers. experience, riders did interact along the way, sometimes buddying up for Dylan says he’d do it all a stretch to “yak for 10 minutes” again, but differently. He’d before they separated and returned to take more money next time their own journeys. and use the full 30 days to do some exploring in the He tried not to ride in the dark and “awesome wee towns” he’d had only one terrifying moment when never been to before. he was passed by a truck and trailer unit coming down a hill on a narrow Post script: After Tour stretch of State Highway 6 outside Aotearoa 2018, Dylan gave Springs Junction. He estimates the himself 12 days off before he truck was within “an inch and a half ” got back on his bike for his of the end of his handlebars while daily lunchtime ride. he was riding at 50kmh while another truck was coming up the hill towards Dylan at a photo checkpoint on them. He gritted his teeth and held day two, in front of the mighty kauri tree Tane Mahuta in the his line. Waipoua Forest, Northland.

17 ANIMAL CONTROL

There will be no penalties for coming forward before 5pm on 13 April. We’re offering free registration of unregistered dogs in the Southland District until 30 June 2018. From 1 July you will need to pay the registration fees for registered dogs. We will also microchip your dogs for no charge. As well, you can have menacing breeds desexed for free. In New Zealand, there are five breeds which automatically have menacing dog status: American pit bull terrier types, the Brazilian fila, dogo argentino, 12 FEBRUARY - 13 APRIL Japanese tosa and perro de presa canario. 2018 We’re particularly interested in getting unregistered farm dogs into our system. In Southland District there is an average of one reported dog bite per week, mostly on SDC Dog other animals – chicken, sheep and dogs. Council’s records show that there is a link between unregistered dogs and dog attacks, and so we want to reduce the number of Amnesty unregistered dogs in the District. To take advantage of the amnesty, owners will need to fill out a registration form before Southland District Council’s amnesty for owners 5pm on Friday 13 April. of unregistered dogs ends at 5pm on Friday 13 April 2018. Owners should be aware that if your dog is found unregistered after the amnesty is Dogs that are ordinarily kept in the District are completed, you’re up for an instant fine of eligible for this amnesty. $300 per dog. Southland District Council would like to have all Get in touch with Southland District Council dogs in the District registered, so we’ve been offering by phoning us on 0800 732 732 or visit one owners of unregistered dogs some incentives. of our area offices.

AREA APRIL MAY JUNE Invercargill Wednesday 11th None Wednesday 6th Office car park 11.30am – 12pm 11.30am – 12pm Lumsden None Wednesday 9th None Railway Station 11.30am – 12pm Otautau Office Thursday 19th None Tuesday 12th (at rear) 11.30am – 12pm 11.30am – 12pm Riverton Office None Tuesday 1st None 11.30am – 12pm Te Anau Office None Thursday 3rd None (at rear) 11.30am – 12pm Wyndham Office Tuesday 17th None Tuesday 5th (at rear) 2 – 2.30pm 2 – 2.30pm Winton Thursday 12th None Thursday 14th Opposite SDC Office 11.30am – 12pm 11.30am – 12pm TIMETABLE

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL DOGS MUST BE CURRENTLY REGISTERED WITH SDC AND WEARING THEIR TAGS TO BE MICROCHIPPED.

MICROCHIPPING MICROCHIPPING ALL dogs must be registered by 3 months of age

18 WATER SERVICES

LONG DRY No water in the Whitestone River during the summer dry spell. Photo: SUMMER ADVOCATE SOUTH outhland’s summer drought Long-time residents and other Sbrought water and waste planning local authorities had told him it and readiness into the spotlight. was the longest dry spell anyone could remember. Council’s strategic manager water and waste Ian Evans said that while the Southland District Council publicises District’s infrastructure coped well, conservation tips each spring and it it brought home the need to plan for was important people were mindful future dry spells and for everyone to about water use at all times – not just be mindful about water use. in times of shortages, he said. Southland District Council is Climate change impacts were highly responsible for public water and waste relevant to future infrastructure infrastructure in the District. It owns planning and Mr Evans said there and runs 12 drinking water, eight was some money in Council’s Long stock water supplies and 18 sewerage Term Plan for research into possible schemes throughout Southland. impacts in Southland. Mr Evans said the drought put Key water and waste infrastructure some pressure on domestic and could be significantly affected by sea- stock water supplies as well as level rise, he said. wastewater discharges, largely due to low levels in receiving waters. Data around rainfall, return periods Council implemented low-level water of storms and periods of drought restrictions to help conserve water. would also need to be studied closely. These involved restrictions on the A collaborative approach across use of unattended garden sprinklers authorities and agencies was required, rather than a full-blown hosing ban. Mr Evans said. “It was fortunate significant rainfall Nationally, water supplies are also arrived in time, meaning further under the microscope. water restrictions, and possible The Government’s inquiry waste discharge restrictions, were into the Havelock North not needed.” water contamination outbreak Planning for extended dry spells for recommended mandatory industrial discharge consent-holders chlorination of all public drinking had also been brought into focus water supplies, and has called for a as low river levels could potentially dedicated drinking water regulator trigger discharge restrictions, he said. to be established. In Te Anau, it was reported that the All drinking water supplies in Whitestone River had largely dried up, Southland District were already which impacted on a rural scheme in chlorinated, Mr Evans said. the area. Water supplies on Stewart The future management of water Island, which are not controlled by supplies is another issue that will be Council, were also reportedly very low, addressed by the inquiry. Mr Evans said.

19 VENTURE SOUTHLAND A BOOST FROM BURT

he rolling thunder returned The move was a successful one with the record All events were supported south when hundreds of crowds attending, encouraging the Burt Munro by large crowds with T motorcyclists converged in organising committee to confirm a permanent the exception of the Southland for the 12th edition of the move to February for future events. street races, which were Burt Munro Challenge. With Burt Munro being an avid drag racer the cancelled after qualifying races due to an oil spill. Historically held in November, the addition of drag racing to this year’s challenge challenge was this year moved to was very well received. The programme also Venture Southland event February in an attempt to secure included traditional challenge favourites such as co-ordinator Claire Blau better weather for both riders and the Bluff hill climb, beach racing, circuit races, said the challenge really spectators alike. speedway and the Invercargill street races. put Southland on the map as New Zealand’s classic motoring capital and provided a reason for people to visit and BUSINESS ACCELERATOR explore the region. With 80% of attendees from outside the Southland region, the PROGRAMME challenge also provided enture Southland has partnered Participants who enlist in the programme will a boost to the local with Creative HQ, New Zealand’s develop their innovative idea through a series economy with Southland innovation base, to run a business of weekly sessions over three months. In accommodation providers V and local businesses accelerator programme in Southland. these sessions agile methods will be applied to build a business model that will establish a reaping the benefits of The programme will work with start-ups winning pitch for potential investors. the bikes being in town. and entrepreneurs, giving them the tools and resources they need to succeed in Venture Southland will work closely with The challenge has grown Southland’s business climate. Creative HQ, which is funded by Callaghan immensely since its Innovation, to ensure that a Southland inaugural event was held Dunedin tech pioneer Stewart Fleming business innovation platform is established in 2006 and will continue has been contracted as the business that is tailored to the needs of local businesses. to promote Southland accelerator programme manager to to motor enthusiasts and develop the programme’s framework. If you have an idea for a business start-up, honour the ingenuity and Mr Fleming will take the best parts new product or spinoff from an existing determination of Southland of successful accelerator programmes business, get in touch with Venture Southland hero Burt Munro. around New Zealand and fold them into who will be able to help. a regional package specific for Southland.

20 he Southland Arts Festival is celebrating its 10th towns around the District, including expat Southlander year by bringing some of the best of New Zealand Rachel France with Sans Souci, the beautiful puppetry of T arts to the region. Kokako’s Song and klezmer band The Kugels. With a range of theatre, storytelling, dance, comedy, Alongside spreading its wings to all corners of Southland, the music and interactive events, the 2018 festival has festival is also promoting inclusive and family-friendly shows something for everyone. that will allow the best of the arts to be enjoyed by all. The 2018 festival embraces a richly diverse and Don’t miss out, get your tickets today! sophisticated programme that will be sure to delight Southland audiences with a combination of engaging SHOW TOWN TIME and edgy new shows. Sans Souci Stewart Island Friday 27 April 7.30pm Festival director Angela Newell believes the festival has Sans Souci Te Anau Club Saturday 28 April 7.30pm lured some of the best creativity from around New Zealand that will ignite Southlanders’ imagination and Toru James Cumming Sunday 13 May 3pm appreciation for the arts. Theatre Gore “Pablo Picasso said that the purpose of art was to wash Kokako’s Song Winton Memorial Tuesday 15 May 1pm the dust of daily life off our soul, and this year’s festival Hall will definitely do this,” Ms Newell said. Kokako’s Song Fiordland Events Wednesday 16 May 10am So everyone can enjoy the brilliance that the festival has Centre to offer, she has confirmed nine shows to perform in Kokako’s Song Lumsden School Wednesday 16 May 2pm Kokako’s Song Otautau Sports Friday 18 May 10.30am Pavilion Kokako’s Song Waiau Area Friday 18 May 2pm School, The Kugels Te Hikoi Riverton Sunday 20 May 4.30pm

21 CPL HEADING

Monkey Creek, Milford. Photo: JORDAN McINALLY UNDERSOUL PHOTOGRAPHY LEADING THE WAY

Key projects in two of Southland’s multiple workshops around the The project aims to develop a most scenic destinations are District with elected members plan that will ensure the Milford coming together as part of the and key stakeholders. The next experience is outstanding for years to Council’s Community Leadership phase involving wider community come and continues to create benefit Planning Project. engagement will get under way for Fiordland National Park, the mid-year. southern regions and the whole of Council’s community partnership New Zealand. leaders each look after a geographical It is envisaged that phase three may area of the District. involve a Council “fete” similar to In August 2017, the Ministry the one held on Stewart Island in of Business, Innovation and Michelle Stevenson works in Employment (MBIE) approached southern and central Southland November 2017 as part of the Stewart Island community planning process. Council, to lead a programme of and Stewart Island, Simon Moran development and consultation covers western Southland and This would involve community around opportunities and planning Fiordland up to Milford, and Kelly partnership leaders, other staff and for the future of Stewart Island. Tagg works from Otautau across key stakeholders such as sports, northern Southland. health and education agencies, basing The catalyst behind this was the Bonamia ostreae parasite that has They work alongside elected themselves in strategic locations around the area to engage with devastated oyster production on members of Council community Stewart Island. boards and community development and gain feedback from residents area subcommittees (CDAs), and and ratepayers on the future of the The purpose of the project is to various community interest groups, Southland District. determine the short, medium and to help develop long-term priorities The significance of youth input long-term community vision for the and projects that will benefit their into this process was also identified future sustainability and growth of respective communities. as being important and staff are Stewart Island Rakiura. One of the CPLs’ big projects in currently investigating options for Through funding provided by MBIE recent months was to launch a engaging with the District’s youth. there is a further opportunity to District-wide Community Leadership On the ground, the Milford investigate one or two investment Plan. It’s part of a process to help Opportunities project has advanced plans for future development on prepare the District for the future. with Opus/Xyst announced recently Stewart Island. To date the project has comprised as project managers.

22 FUNDING SPOTLIGHT ON FOR VOLUNTEERS ARTS

Nominations are now open for awards recognising volunteers making a Southland concerts, festivals, plays, difference in their communities. exhibitions and workshops have Now in their 25th year, the Trustpower Community Awards aim to shine all benefited from the Creative a spotlight on the volunteers who keep their communities thriving. Communities scheme, and artists and groups are encouraged to consider Invercargill City Council community development manager Mary applying for a grant to assist them in Napper, who co-ordinates the Invercargill Southland awards, says it their artistic endeavors. is important volunteers are acknowledged for the time they spend helping others. Each year Creative New Zealand provides funding to city and district “Volunteers are the framework for communities, providing visible and councils for distributing in their area behind-the-scenes ideas and action to make things happen,” she says. with the scheme supporting more than Monkey Creek, Milford. 1,800 projects nationwide every year. Photo: JORDAN McINALLY This year the prizemoney for a Trustpower Community Award has UNDERSOUL PHOTOGRAPHY doubled to $1000, while regional supreme winners will receive $2000 Chair of the Southland District Creative plus a trip for two to the national awards later in the year. Communities committee Cr Julie Keast Any group with a voluntary component is eligible, and anybody can nominate says the fund supports local communities a group for the awards – including members of the group themselves. to engage with art by encouraging local performances and exhibitions, along The awards also include the Youth Spirit Category, which recognise with providing funding to allow people the efforts of 17 and 18-year-olds volunteering in their communities. to participate in art of all forms – from Entrants for this award are required to include a two-minute video about performing arts such as choirs, dance and what they are doing in their community, theatre, to weaving, carving, writing and print making. Southland District Mayor Gary Tong is also a member of the judging panel for the Invercargill Southland region this year. The regional awards There are some guidelines and criteria ceremony will be held in October. that must be met; the project must For more information on the awards and to submit a nomination, visit either encourage participation, support trustpower.co.nz/communityawards diversity or enable young people and benefit the district. Nominations for the awards close on 31 May. The criteria are straightforward, however, and the Creative Communities website makes it relatively easy to work out whether or not a group or individual is eligible to apply. Applications are administered by a committee of Southland arts practitioners who get together at the close of each of the two funding rounds per year to consider applications, which close on 31 March and 30 September. “I encourage anyone who has an idea to share their artistic flair or passion with others or who wants to learn more about a particular form of art by arranging a tutor for lessons for their community to apply,” Cr Keast said. Hopeful applicants can contact either Angela Newell or Bronwyn Affleck at Venture Southland to discuss access to the fund.

The Winton Skate Park Committee, represented by Maria Scammell and Dawn Brocks, won the sport and leisure section of the 2017 Trustpower Community Awards. 23 SOUTHERN FIELD DAYS

Chef Karl Robinson makes some magic at Waimumu.

here was more than the smell of sausages in T the air at Southland District Council’s tent at Southern Field Days. Southland District Although 1000 Riversdale Butchery Council has a wide range sausages and many bags of sliced of roles in the production and onions were barbecued outside SDC’s provision of food and hospitality site number 125 during the three days in Southland. They include of field days at Waimumu in February, developing food safety plans to it was the more delicate smells coming protect businesses and consumers, from inside the tent that sparked the maintaining roads to get food most interest. to markets, providing safe water Southland District Council’s theme supplies, and alcohol licensing. for Southern Field Days was Taste of Council environmental health officer Southland, and to help illustrate that the Veena Lal-Boon says the District region is a fine producer of beautiful has an abundance of great produce food three chefs from the District were which she gets to see being prepared enlisted for cooking demonstrations. and cooked in kitchens throughout Guest chefs Glenn Andrews (Fortrose the south. Café, The Grille), Lewis Beattie The beauty of it is that all the ( Beach Café, Aparima produce she sees is fresh and Tavern) and Karl Robinson (Rocket there are some really talented and Hospitality) wowed appreciative adventurous chefs and restaurants in audiences with their cooking the region. There’s a lot of diversity technique and use of fine Southland too, as Veena told the audience ingredients including lamb, paua, at Waimumu. Exotic crops like salmon, venison and duck. saffron are now being commercially

Southland District councillor Darren Frazer, publications specialist Chris Chilton and chief executive Steve Ruru man the barbie.

24 BACK IN SOUTHERN FIELD DAYS SYNCH

o-one could ever accuse Steve Manaena of being N uncompetitive. The Southland District Council community engineers team leader wound back the clock emphatically when he combined with daughter Ayesha to win the Jack and Jill sawing event at the Southland A&P Show in March. Steve, a former competitive national and international axeman in the early 2000s, had not combined with his daughter grown in Southland as the region’s in a sawing event for eight years. production base diversifies. They formed a lethal duo for Issues up for consultation in Council’s a few years from 2007 but Ayesha and Steve Manaena with Long Term Plan also featured prominently Ayesha put the sport on hold Australian wood chopping legend in the tent, including investment in future to go travelling. David Foster at the Southland A&P Show. Foster was world champion for planning and the Representation Review, The Southland A&P Show was 21 consecutive years and in his career which is going out for separate consultation the first time she’d picked up a has won a staggering 1000 titles. in May. saw since 2010. There was no Mayor Gary Tong, chief executive Steve warm-up, no training and no Ruru, councillors, community partnership tears – just do it. leaders and various staff were on hand over “There’s a thing in sawing, the three days to talk to ratepayers and take without a spoken word, there’s turns on the barbecue. a rhythm and you’re in synch,” Council’s mobile bookbus was on site for Steve says. “We had that right people to peruse the latest reads, and Sue from the outset. French’s Cube Coffee cart kept hundreds “Ayesha just picked up the saw of people fuelled. (in Invercargill) and it was like it was eight years ago.” Steve has formerly represented Southland and the South Island at events in New Zealand and Australia. He got into wood chopping by chance. He was a salesman for an oil company when he was asked to provide some Steve and Ayesha Manaena after sponsors’ prizes for a wood winning the Jack and Jill sawing title chopping event at Tuatapere. at the Southland A&P Show. There was a sponsors’ sawing competition. “I got on the end of the saw with my cousin Craig Unahi and smoked them. So then I thought I’ll give it a crack.” His main event is sawing, both singles and doubles. The Manaena father-and-daughter combination are planning a serious attempt at winning the country’s premiere sawing title at the Canterbury show in November. There’s talk they might do some training for it. Southland District councillors Julie Keast, George Harpur (back to camera) and Paul Duffy in deep discussion. 25 LIBRARY SERVICES Bridging the digital divide

ibrary users are encouraged Lto take advantage of free classes designed to bridge the digital divide. Ryan and Bella McRitchie- King, from Stewart Island, The Stepping Up digital successfully completed literacy sessions are run out the Summer Reading of the Winton and Lumsden Challenge. Photo: libraries, thanks to the support HALFMOON BAY SCHOOL of the 20/20 Trust, which aims to help New Zealanders fully participate in the digital world. Community services librarian SUMMER READING A HIT Raewyn Patton says the courses are ideal for those who do programme aiming to continue “It’s great because it helps not have much experience in A good reading habits during summer children see that they don’t just using computers, as well as proved popular with Southland use their school library – it’s about people who want to add to youngsters once again. encouraging that connection to their skill base or simply keep The annual Summer Reading public libraries as well,” she says. up in a world that has become Challenge is all about encouraging Each child who completed the increasingly digital-based. children to continue reading during challenge received a $15 book This year’s nationwide census their school holidays. voucher and random prizes were was a prime example of the This time around, 133 District children also drawn. role technology now played in completed the challenge to read 12 Children taking part were also day-to-day life, she says. books and share their responses with encouraged to get creative in craft There are around 30 modules the Council’s librarian/customer challenges – recreating book covers on offer, ranging from learning support partners. out of play dough, writing mini book to use software, managing Community services librarian Raewyn reports, and recreating scenes from digital photos, and tablet basics. Patton says the number of children books at district parks. Feedback has been participating was up from last year. overwhelmingly positive, Mrs Patton says. “The people who attend absolutely love the courses and they continue to come back, which really does show that In with the new it is needed, it is wanted, and outhland District Libraries will be “All of our libraries will still be open they are getting something out Sgoing back to an old-school pen but we will be using a pen-and-paper of it.” and paper system soon: but the retro system on those days, so that we can Sessions are free but registration move will be just temporary. get all of the data moved over. People won’t be getting receipts on those is essential. Laptops are provided In early May libraries across the but in modules using tablets, days, but the work will still be getting District will transfer to new system done,” she says. those attending needed to bring Kōtui, joining 37 other councils their own device. For more using the same platform. The advantages of the new Kōtui information, contact the library. library management system include District libraries manager Lynda When? predictable long-term costs for Council Hodge says while the move will and its ratepayers, better support when Lumsden: 10 – 12pm mean relatively big changes for staff, technical issues arise, and enhanced every Monday customers should not notice too cataloguing with the ability to link in much of a difference – except on 1 Winton: 10 – 12pm to other library catalogues around the and 2 May, when data migrates from country, she says. every Tuesday the old software to the new. 26 Mobile Library Timetable Jan - May 2018 May - Aug 2018 Athol Shop Noon-1pm Tues 15-May 12-Jun 10-Jul 7-Aug Balfour Tavern 4.30-6.30pm Tues 1-May 29-May 26-Jun 24-Jul 21-Aug Tavern 1.30-3.00pm Thurs 17-May 14-Jun 12-Jul 9-Aug Blackmount Wairaki Station 11.30am-12.15pm Mon 14-May 11-Jun 9-Jul 6-Aug Dacre Hall 9-10am Fri 4-May 1-Jun 29-Jun 27-Jul 24-Aug Dipton School 11-Noon Tues 1-May 29-May 26-Jun 24-Jul 21-Aug Drummond School 10.30-Noon Wed 2-May 30-May 27-Jun 25-Jul 22-Aug Edendale Car park 1-4pm Fri 18-May 15-Jun 13-Jul 10-Aug School 10.30-Noon Fri 4-May 1-Jun 29-Jun 27-Jul 24-Aug Fortrose Picnic Area 3-4pm Fri 4-May 1-Jun 29-Jun 27-Jul 24-Aug Garston School 1.30-2.30pm Tues 15-May 12-Jun 10-Jul 7-Aug Village 2.30-3.30pm Tues 15-May 12-Jun 10-Jul 7-Aug Glenham School 1-2pm Fri 4-May 1-Jun 29-Jun 27-Jul 24-Aug Gorge Rd Hall 11am-12.30pm Tues 8-May 5-Jun 3-Jul 31-Jul Hauroko Valley School 1.00-1.30pm Mon 14-May 11-Jun 9-Jul 6-Aug Heddon Bush School 1.30-2.30pm Wed 2-May 30-May 27-Jun 25-Jul 22-Aug Hedgehope School 11am-12.30pm Fri 25-May 22-Jun 20-Jul 17-Aug SUMMER READING A HIT Hillside School School 11am-12.30pm Thurs 24-May 21-Jun 19-Jul 16-Aug Invercargill SDC Office 9.30-11.30am Thurs 10-May 7-Jun 5-Jul 2-Aug Isla Bank School 9-10am Wed 2-May 30-May 27-Jun 25-Jul 22-Aug Limehills School 9.15am-10.30am Thurs 24-May 21-Jun 19-Jul 16-Aug Longbush Kindergarten 9-10am Fri 18-May 15-Jun 13-Jul 10-Aug RSA 9.30-10.30am Tues 15-May 12-Jun 10-Jul 7-Aug School 1.30-3.30pm Tues 1-May 29-May 26-Jun 24-Jul 21-Aug Nightcaps Johnson Rd 9.30-10.30am Mon 14-May 11-Jun 9-Jul 6-Aug Com Centre 2-4pm Thurs 24-May 21-Jun 19-Jul 16-Aug Orepuki Main St 3-4pm Mon 14-May 11-Jun 9-Jul 6-Aug Otara Hall 2.30-4pm Wed 9-May 6-Jun 4-Jul 1-Aug Pukerau School 9.30-11.30am Wed 16-May 13-Jun 11-Jul 8-Aug Rimu School 10.30-11.30am Fri 18-May 15-Jun 13-Jul 10-Aug Riversdale Com Centre 11am-12.30pm Thurs 17-May 14-Jun 12-Jul 9-Aug Com Centre 2-4.30pm Thurs 3-May 31-May 28-Jun 26-Jul 23-Aug Riverton BUPA Village 2-4pm Thurs 10-May 7-Jun 5-Jul 2-Aug Playcentre 9.15-10am Tues 8-May 5-Jun 3-Jul 31-Jul Ryal Bush Com Centre 2.30-4pm Fri 25-May 22-Jun 20-Jul 17-Aug School 9.30-10.30am Fri 25-May 22-Jun 20-Jul 17-Aug Thornbury Hall 3-4pm Wed 23-May 20-Jun 18-Jul 15-Aug Tokanui Main St 1.30-4pm Fri 11-May 8-Jun 6-Jul 3-Aug School 9.30-11am Mon 30-Apr 28-May 25-Jun 23-Jul 20-Aug Hall 1-2pm Wed 23-May 20-Jun 18-Jul 15-Aug School 9-10.30am Thurs 17-May 14-Jun 12-Jul 9-Aug Com Centre 10.15-11.30am Thurs 3-May 31-May 28-Jun 26-Jul 23-Aug Waikaka Com Centre 2-4pm Wed 16-May 13-Jun 11-Jul 8-Aug Waikawa Hall 10am-Noon Fri 11-May 8-Jun 6-Jul 3-Aug School 11.30am-1pm Wed 9-May 6-Jun 4-Jul 1-Aug Com Centre 9am-Noon Wed 23-May 20-Jun 18-Jul 15-Aug Wendon Hall Noon-12.30pm Thurs 3-May 31-May 28-Jun 26-Jul 23-Aug Wendonside Hall 9.30-10am Thurs 3-May 31-May 28-Jun 26-Jul 23-Aug Woodlands Shop 2-4pm Tues 8-May 5-Jun 3-Jul 31-Jul School 2-4pm Mon 30-Apr 28-May 25-Jun 23-Jul 20-Aug Southland District Libraries Ph: 0800 732 542 Email: [email protected] 27 A Te Anau event has celebrated 50 years in a blaze of colour. The Fiordland Community Events Centre was transformed into a sea of colour and crafts for the 50th annual Autumn Flower Show on 16-17 March. The show started in 1968 as a fundraiser for Te Anau Primary School, under the watch of organiser Betty Dodds. However, in the early 1990s it became too big for the school to host and transformed into a standalone event, run by a small organising committee made up of about six volunteers. Mrs Dodds passed the torch to current organiser Judy Matthews 10 years ago, but she was still on hand at the 50th anniversary show to help make sure the event went off without a hitch. Mrs Matthews said it certainly did that. “Dahlias and cut flowers were down but all the other categories were up,” she said. “And there were good numbers through the door. “There were over 50 exhibitors and it was well supported.” She said there had been some lovely visitors through the door over the two days, including from Australia and the UK, where flower shows are still very much in evidence. Some visitors had remarked that they were pleasantly surprised to discover that flower shows were still held, but Mrs Matthews said such events were still relevant and enjoyed by all ages in the community. There were many exhibits from local children in the show, with craft-making categories popular with kids. “We need people getting out doing things rather than sitting on their little iPads,” Mrs Matthews said. “It’s still good for the community to do these things.” She invited locals and visitors to support the next event the organising committee is working on, hosting the National Chrysanthemum Show on 5 and 6 May. The significance of the date is not lost on Mrs Matthews. “It’s duckshooting weekend. Perhaps we can entice the women to come along for something completely different.”

28 Rates scam! Scheme extended Southland residents are being urged to A wood burner free building be cautious about a rates scam reported consent incentives scheme in some parts of the District. Chief in Winton is being extended executive Steve Ruru says Council has until December 2020. ! been made aware of some residents being visited by a person claiming rates In December, Council for their properties are overdue, and demanding they pay approved a recommendation in cash immediately. which came out of the Winton Air Quality Survey to extend “We have been made aware of this happening in some parts of our District and we would encourage residents to the scheme from its planned end date of report anything that sounds dodgy to both Council and December 2017, through to December 2020. police immediately,” Mr Ruru says. The Winton Community Board is concerned If rates payments are overdue, Council will send a letter with the level of smoke emissions in the town, to residents. as the emissions are close to the national standard. The August survey, which had 207 Council has heard of the scam happening in Otautau, respondents, found solid support (73%) for Nightcaps and Ohai. Anybody who notices this action to reduce smoke pollution in Winton. behaviour should contact the police and Southland District Council immediately. Winton Community Board chairman Brian Somerville says the board wants to be proactive around protecting and improving public health, encourage continued compliance with the national air quality Managing risk standard, and reduce the likelihood of the town becoming a “polluted airshed”. Southland District Council contractors are taking Winton residents had responded positively all practical measures to to the approach and had made a lot of prevent the spread of cattle good suggestions in survey comments, Mr disease Mycoplasma bovis. Somerville said. The bacterial disease, which has “It’s obviously important to people.” been found on several Southland farms, can cause serious conditions Southland District Council environmental in cattle including mastitis, pneumonia, arthritis and late health manager Michael Sarfaiti says they are abortions. Mycoplasma bovis does not infect humans also working with Environment Southland and presents no food safety risk. It is an animal welfare to increase awareness of subsidies available, and productivity issue. The risk of contractors, or their promote free home health checks and vehicles, spreading the disease is extremely low, but is complete educational initiatives. still a risk. All infected properties are under quarantine set under the Biosecurity Act. This means access to these farms will not be granted unless supervised by Ministry of Primary Industry staff. Wherever possible the best option to prevent the spread of the disease is to avoid direct contact with cattle. If this cannot be avoided, a thorough decontamination procedure for contractors has been put introduced – in addition to stringent on-farm measures already in place. * Gypsy Day is on 1 June and we remind farmers that a Stock Droving Permit is required for all stock movement over 10km or through urban areas. If stock is moving along or across a state highway then a Traffic Management Plan is also required to be signed off by NZ Transport Agency. Because of the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak, the Ministry of Primary Industries recommends that stock be kept away from all boundary fences along the route. Winton Community Board chairman Brian Somerville checks For more information go to: https://www.southlanddc. out the air quality monitoring station at Centennial Park. govt.nz/my-southland/roading/roading-forms/ Photo: ENVIRONMENT SOUTHLAND

29 ART and ABOUT

outhland artists have spent our long, hot summer creating beautiful artwork on Chorus cabinets S throughout the District. Images evoking beloved southern businesses, rural scenes and a love of the great outdoors have all been painted onto the cabinets by Southland artists. Venture Southland community development planner Kathryn Cowie and Southland District Council community partnership leader Michelle Stevenson co-ordinated the painting of the cabinets – from Emma Maxx’s beautiful images of trampers, Tony Bishop’s rural scenes, and a colourful yet serene cow painted by Menzies College students under the tutelage of Bianca Gibbs. Keep an eye out for them!

30 Southland District Council has a range of scholarships and grants available for residents of Southland district. SDC GRANT FUNDING Full details, criteria and application forms are available on our website: Community District Heritage Fund southlanddc.govt.nz > My Council Available to support the conservation of > Funding & Grants Initiatives Fund heritage collections and encourage the development and application of professional For more information on any of Available for community facilities or amenities. museum standards. Applications close 31 these funds and scholarships, March and 30 September. call Bronwyn Affleck at Venture Applications close 31 March Southland 03 2111 426 and 30 September. Creative Communities Sport NZ – Rural Travel Fund Available for arts and cultural projects and initiatives which stimulate and Available to assist with transport expenses associated with strengthen local arts activity participating in regular local competitions. Ages 5-19. and participation. Applications close 31 March and 30 September. Applications close 31 March and 30 September. SDC SCHOLARSHIPS/BURSARIES

SDC Eric Hawkes Valmai Robertson Centennial Bursary Memorial Outward Arts Scholarship Two scholarships valued at Bound Scholarship Contestable fund of up to $2,000 each, awarded annually. $2,500 annually. Applications close 20 December. Two scholarships in this category: one for 18 to 26 years and one for Applications 27 years and over. Applications close 20 close 20 December. December.

OTHER Stewart Island/Rakiura Visitor Levy Fund Available to support activities and facilities for the benefit of visitors to Stewart OPPORTUNITIES Island; and activities and facilities that mitigate the adverse effects of visitors on the environment. Applications close 31 March each year. Community Housing Southland District Council has community

housing in Edendale, Lumsden, Otautau, Ohai, Northern Southland Ohai Railway Fund Nightcaps, Riversdale, Riverton, Tuatapere, Development Fund Available for residents of the Winton and Wyndham. former Ohai Railway Board area, for Available for the development the development of community While priority is given to senior citizens, of initiatives which benefit the facilities, programmes and other you may still be eligible. residents of the Northern Southland activities, tertiary education and To find out more or to make Development Fund area (represented employment training. an application, visit any by the Southland District Council Applications close 31 March and Southland District Five Rivers ward and the Dipton 30 September. Council office or Community Levy area). Applications call 0800 732 732. close 31 March and 30 September. Contact us All offices: 0800 732 732 0800 732 329 District Libraries: 0800 732 542 @ [email protected] Rural Fire Permits: 0800 773 363 southlanddc.govt.nz 31 “There’s a pretty massive reward in doing this job. We see people making amazing gains, gains they often didn’t think they would ever be able to achieve, so to be a ERIN EYES small part of their journey is a pretty incredible feeling,” she says. Erin is just one of several THE FUTURE dozen past winners of the Southland District Council Centennial Bursary, elping people whose lives have been irrevocably introduced in 1976 to commemorate 100 years of local H changed drew Erin Hughes into physiotherapy. government in Southland. The former James Hargest College student graduated from Her job involves working with not just patients the University of Otago last year. She finished second in who have suffered from stroke, but also those with her graduating class of more than 100, and after receiving neurological and musculoskeletal conditions. With each her Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Distinction she patient she assesses their function and mobility, before headed north to work for the Canterbury District Health figuring out a plan to aid their recovery. Board and is currently based in the acute stroke unit at “These are people who have undergone really life- Christchurch Hospital. changing medical events, and there’s a real variety of severity in their conditions. We treat people based around their goals – what they really want to be able to achieve. It’s about helping them in an exercise-based setting so that they can attain those goals,” she says. “I really love it. It’s a really nice team environment here and there are 50-plus physios in (the public hospital) so there’s a wealth of knowledge I can soak up. Every day is different; every day is about someone else’s story.” Soon Erin will have an opportunity to ‘rotate out’ for a stint at Burwood Hospital, which caters for patients from throughout the South Island. “That’s where my love lies: in acute rehabilitation.” - Erin Hughes Though her career has only just begun, Erin has her eye firmly on the future. She is keen to do a postgraduate diploma in neurological rehabilitation, which she could undertake long-distance while working. “I’d love to work as a physio specialising in neurological rehab. It covers things from working with people with Parkinson’s, people who have had strokes, and people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries – these massive life-changing events. The ultimate goal would be working in spinal cord rehabilitation. When you’re working with people like that, you have much longer contact times with them, which means you can build relationships and really make a difference.” Southland District Council awards two centennial bursary scholarships every year, with successful applicants receiving up to $2000 each. Applicants must qualify for admission to a tertiary institution, but there is no restriction on their chosen field of study. To be eligible, applicants must be about to enter their first year of tertiary study. Applicants and/or their parents or guardians must live in the Southland District Council area and must have done so for at least two consecutive years. Applications close in December each year. Do you know a former bursary scholarship winner now doing amazing things in their career? We’d love to hear from you. Contact [email protected] Southland District Council Centennial Bursary 32 winner Erin Hughes is making a difference.