Latest news with #SouthlandPolice
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Charity using wild game to feed those in need
A new charity initiative in Southland is turning wild game into a lifeline for retired emergency services workers, local charities and others in need by delivering free-range venison directly to their homes. Deer to Care, founded by southern hunters Stu O'Neill, Southland Police senior detective Tim Cook, and Niagara manager Wesley Baratcart, aims to tackle food insecurity by donating high-quality, locally sourced venison. The non-profit's unique model combines hunting, pest control and community support to create a reliable supply chain of nutritious meat. The process begins with hunting deer on Southland farms and forests, helping to control pest populations and also providing a sustainable source of free-range wild game. The meat is then processed through certified butchers, thorough inspection ensuring safety and quality before being distributed weekly to recipients across the region. Deer to Care organisers said it had built a supply chain to distribute venison to its surrounding doorsteps that benefited both the environment and the community. The hunting charity had already been providing a steady supply of frozen venison mince to local charities in Gore such as Gore & Clutha Whānau Refuge and the Salvation Army. But Mr O'Neill said the three had been hunting most nights and weekends to produce, in 2025 alone, over 500 deer or about 13 tonnes of venison, to feed the community. "Now we have the ability to 100% guarantee a delivery every week." The inititiative was also made possible through funds from the Mataura Licensing Trust and a donation of 50 deer from the Balfour Big 3 Hunting Competition. Mataura Licensing Trust board member Vince Aynsley said his organisation was happy to fund the idea as it gave back to the community constructively. He said Deer to Care was not "the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" but stopping the issue at the top. Whānau Refuge manager Talia Marshall agreed, saying her organisation was more into preventive measures, like donating proteins to their clients. "Our stats for the last few years would show that when we do the preventive stuff, like giving food parcels or Christmas gifts, all that stuff that relieves the financial pressure, then there's less people in our safe housing," she said. Mr O'Neill said Deer to Care was already making a difference in Southland, weekly deliveries reaching retired emergency workers and local charities. He said if hunters had an excess of deer, they could go to the non-profit's website to make contact, or to locate donation freezers which had been set up in businesses across Southland. Mr O'Neill said one deer recovered by Deer to Care could provide 30kg of mince, or 50 packs.
Otago Daily Times
02-07-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Charity using wild game to feed in need
A new charity initiative in Southland is turning wild game into a lifeline for retired emergency services workers, local charities and others in need by delivering free-range venison directly to their homes. Deer to Care, founded by southern hunters Stu O'Neill, Southland Police senior detective Tim Cook, and Niagara manager Wesley Baratcart, aims to tackle food insecurity by donating high-quality, locally sourced venison. The non-profit's unique model combines hunting, pest control and community support to create a reliable supply chain of nutritious meat. The process begins with hunting deer on Southland farms and forests, helping to control pest populations and also providing a sustainable source of free-range wild game. The meat is then processed through certified butchers, thorough inspection ensuring safety and quality before being distributed weekly to recipients across the region. Deer to Care organisers said it had built a supply chain to distribute venison to its surrounding doorsteps that benefited both the environment and the community. The hunting charity had already been providing a steady supply of frozen venison mince to local charities in Gore such as Gore & Clutha Whānau Refuge and the Salvation Army. But Mr O'Neill said the three had been hunting most nights and weekends to produce, in 2025 alone, over 500 deer or about 13 tonnes of venison, to feed the community. "Now we have the ability to 100% guarantee a delivery every week." The inititiative was also made possible through funds from the Mataura Licensing Trust and a donation of 50 deer from the Balfour Big 3 Hunting Competition. Mataura Licensing Trust board member Vince Aynsley said his organisation was happy to fund the idea as it gave back to the community constructively. He said Deer to Care was not "the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" but stopping the issue at the top. Whānau Refuge manager Talia Marshall agreed, saying her organisation was more into preventive measures, like donating proteins to their clients. "Our stats for the last few years would show that when we do the preventive stuff, like giving food parcels or Christmas gifts, all that stuff that relieves the financial pressure, then there's less people in our safe housing," she said. Mr O'Neill said Deer to Care was already making a difference in Southland, weekly deliveries reaching retired emergency workers and local charities. He said if hunters had an excess of deer, they could go to the non-profit's website to make contact, or to locate donation freezers which had been set up in businesses across Southland. Mr O'Neill said one deer recovered by Deer to Care could provide 30kg of mince, or 50 packs.
Scoop
26-06-2025
- Scoop
More Drugs Off Southern Streets
Southland Police is continuing to shut down drug dealers' operations as part of an ongoing investigation. Just this week, an Invercargill woman was visited by the Southland Police Organised Crime Group. During the search warrant on Tuesday, Police located LSD, MDMA and cannabis, as well as a shotgun at the Mabel Bush address. It comes as Operation Strata continues to primarily target drug dealers with gang connections. The warrant adds to the additional 15 warrants and 10 arrests that were made last week in the Southern district. 'We have a pretty simple message - if you sell drugs, expect Police to be in touch,' says Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Baird. 'We simply will not tolerate drug dealers profiting from the suffering and harm of others.' A 40-year-old woman was arrested and has been charged with offering to supply LSD, possession for supply of LSD, and possession of MDMA and cannabis. The woman appeared in court and was remanded on bail. Further investigations are continuing. Operation Strata involves over 30 staff from a number of Police groups across the Southern District and South Island, including the Te Waipounamu Gang Disruption Unit based in Christchurch. If you have any information about the supply of illicit drugs, please contact us through 105, either online or via phone. Information can also be reported to your local Police station, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111. We encourage anyone affected by drug addiction to seek help through Alcohol and Drug helpline on 0800 787 797, or free text 8681.
