Sensory delights offer wintry highlight
Photo: Nina Tapu
The Illuminate Light and Sound Experience show lit up Queens Park in Invercargill despite the cold and rain last night.
Photo: Nina Tapu
Hundreds of Southlanders braved the wintry conditions to experience the popular light show, which included flamingoes, a spaceman and a dragon.
Photo: Nina Tapu
Illuminate will run its Invercargill show until June 15.
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Otago Daily Times
17-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Illuminate light, sound installation success ‘makes it all worthwhile'
A mushroom installation and water feature installation at Illuminate Light and Sound Experience at Queens Park in Invercargill. The show will not be coming to Dunedin as a suitable location could not be decided on. PHOTO: NINA TAPU One of Illuminate Light and Sound Experience's most successful shows finished its Southland run this month. But it will not be heading to Dunedin after a site in the city could not be agreed on. The event's Invercargill tour ran from June 6-15, attracting 20,000 visitors through the Queens Park gates. Illuminate Light and Sound Experience creative director Phil Anderson said he was humbled by how many locals supported the 10-day show. "People really appreciated that [we've] brought something that they often don't get, and they've really showed that appreciation by actually turning up and enjoying the event," Mr Anderson said. "It just makes it all worthwhile, which is really cool." Illuminate is an interactive light and sound installation show. There are 20 key light features included in the show, created out of thousands of lights. Mr Anderson said he initially approached the Dunedin City Council to put the Illuminate event on in that city but was declined. PHOTO: NINA TAPU "Someone from their events [team] said [they] wouldn't allow that kind of activity on their grounds. "They said the council had different priorities." Council events team leader Dan Hendra confirmed the council was approached by a promoter late last year about a proposal to host the event at the Dunedin Botanic Garden this winter. "We reviewed the proposal but concluded the event wasn't a suitable fit for the location," he said. "This was due to a range of factors, including concerns the large increase in foot traffic during winter conditions would damage the garden. "We also had concerns about traffic congestion in the area, and the commercial nature of the event, and wanted to avoid any negative impact on other established Dunedin seasonal events, including the Midwinter Carnival and Matariki celebrations." The council team did offer to suggest other potential locations for the event, but this was not taken up by event organisers, he said. Mr Anderson said he believed everything "happened for a reason" and Illuminate "was always destined to come to Invercargill". Illuminate will return to Invercargill next year.
Otago Daily Times
08-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Avoid slip-sliding into winter injuries: ACC
ODT GRAPHIC Winter has arrived and with it come the inevitable hazardous conditions that cause injury. During the 2024 winter season, more than 11,800 Otago residents made claims to the Accident Compensation Corporation for injuries that occurred around their homes and a further 4458 Southlanders also claimed, costing a total of nearly $20 million to help them recover. ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said as temperatures dropped outside, New Zealanders started to spend more time inside. But ACC statistics showed people were more likely to get injured around their home than anywhere else. "This is because we spend a lot of time at home and are probably more laid back than we might be in a work environment, which probably has a lot of safety measures in place." Winter conditions were also more hazardous, he said. Nationwide last year, ACC received 237,007 claims for injuries that occurred around the home during winter, costing $290 million to help people recover. Most injury claims in 2024 were from people aged 50-64. "It's important to be extra cautious around any potentially icy or slippery surfaces outside. "A nasty fall can have serious implications on your own physical and mental health, as well as on those around you. "If you hurt yourself slipping over, you might not be able to be as involved with your kids or grandchildren and your workmates may need to take on some of your tasks." Mr Whitaker said the most prevalent accident cause last winter was loss of balance/personal control (65,310), followed by lifting/carrying/strain (45,365), and slipping and skidding on foot (18,618). Most injury claims were for soft tissue injuries (150,738), followed by lacerations/punctures/stings (42,667) and fractures/dislocations (14,541). "The second-biggest danger in the home is moving stuff around — lifting, carrying and straining account for around 18% of all home-related injuries. "Too often we're trying to lift things that are way too heavy, way too bulky and awkward and we're doing it in ways that hurt. "Think — is this the best way to carry in my firewood? Could I do it in a few smaller loads or with a wheelbarrow to stay injury free? "The same goes with washing. Moving a few lighter loads is far better than piling everything into a basket all at once. "Regardless of what you're moving, have a nice straight back, avoid twisting and try to keep it as light as possible."
Otago Daily Times
06-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Sensory delights offer wintry highlight
Photo: Nina Tapu The Illuminate Light and Sound Experience show lit up Queens Park in Invercargill despite the cold and rain last night. Photo: Nina Tapu Hundreds of Southlanders braved the wintry conditions to experience the popular light show, which included flamingoes, a spaceman and a dragon. Photo: Nina Tapu Illuminate will run its Invercargill show until June 15.
