Latest news with #Southlanders
Otago Daily Times
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Off to Oz and maybe the US
Wakatipu High's Siena Mackley and James Weber. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Sensational performances at the recent NZ secondary school cross country champs in Whangarei have earned Wakatipu High students Siena Mackley and James Weber spots in the NZ XC team to compete in Australia in September. Siena, 17, won the senior girls' title, using her strength and skillsto power up the hills and pull away from her rivals in the 4km race. James, 16, in a field billed as the most stacked ever, staved off late challengers to finish 5th in his 6km race. The training buddies — who'd both won South Island titles a month earlier — the following day banded together with two Southlanders to win the 4x2km mixed senior cross country relay race. Their coach Neville Britton notes secondary schools XC is one of the most prestigious sports events in NZ — many previous winners have gained full athletics scholarships to top United States universities. Siena and James are also on the short qualifying list to make the NZ under-20 team to contest the world cross country champs in Florida next year.
Otago Daily Times
19-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
‘In Need' event giving back for nine years
Melissa Aitken is looking forward to meeting new people at the 18th Southlanders In Need event in Invercargill. PHOTO: NINA TAPU A passion to give is once again bringing people together to help those most in need. For nine years Melissa Aitken, driven by her desire to help others, has been organising an annual Southlanders in Need day. This year's event, planned for next month, will once again see dozens of Southlanders provide free services to up to 1000 vulnerable people. "All of my helpers [say] . . . it's their most favourite day of the year, [because] they get to give back to [their] community, " she said. Ms Aitken said she had always had a passion for helping people and was grateful to her helpers for volunteering their services and time for the initiative. Free haircuts, massages and health checks would be among services available on the day. Fire and Emergency Invercargill staff would be taking registrations for free smoke alarm installations. The Zonta Women's Club and a mobile dental service led by dentist Manu Aroha Walker would be on site. Southlanders are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items for grocery bag gifts. This week, people can start dropping off donations of food and clothing to the Southland Express office at 5 The Crescent, Invercargill until, noon, Friday, July 25. Southlanders In Need will be held from 1pm-3.30pm, Sunday, July 27, at Aurora College gymnasium, Tramway Rd, Invercargill. For more information view Ms Aitken's social media page Free Haircuts/Services For Southlanders In Need or call her on 027 533-3600.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Celebrating Local Impact: Volunteer Week Expo Coming To Invercargill
Press Release – Southland Regional Development Agency Held in support of National Volunteer Week – Te Wiki Tao -Motu, the free event will showcase community-focused organisations that rely on volunteers to deliver vital services across the region. Southlanders are being invited to discover the power of volunteering and connect with local organisations making a real difference at the Volunteer Week Expo, taking place on Saturday 21 June at Invercargill Central Mall. Held in support of National Volunteer Week – Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu, the free event will showcase community-focused organisations that rely on volunteers to deliver vital services across the region. From emergency services and environmental groups to social support and arts organisations, the expo is a chance for locals to explore how they can get involved – whether they have an hour a month or a day a week to give. Great South General Manager Tourism and Events Mark Frood said the event was about celebrating the impact volunteers had in our community and showing people how easy it is to take that first step into volunteering. 'There are so many ways to make a difference, and this expo gives people a chance to talk directly with the organisations doing the mahi – no pressure, just friendly conversations about how you might be able to help,' he said. Great South is delivering the expo as part of the region's contribution to National Volunteer Week – Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu, using the national campaign's branding and messaging to amplify local efforts and celebrate the power of volunteering across Southland. The expo will run from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 21 June on the Ground Floor of Invercargill Central Mall. No registration is needed, and everyone is welcome. 'Whether you're new to the area, have recently retired, or just want to give back in a way that suits your lifestyle – there's a place for everyone in Southland's volunteer network,' Frood said.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Celebrating Local Impact: Volunteer Week Expo Coming To Invercargill
Southlanders are being invited to discover the power of volunteering and connect with local organisations making a real difference at the Volunteer Week Expo, taking place on Saturday 21 June at Invercargill Central Mall. Held in support of National Volunteer Week - Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu, the free event will showcase community-focused organisations that rely on volunteers to deliver vital services across the region. From emergency services and environmental groups to social support and arts organisations, the expo is a chance for locals to explore how they can get involved - whether they have an hour a month or a day a week to give. Great South General Manager Tourism and Events Mark Frood said the event was about celebrating the impact volunteers had in our community and showing people how easy it is to take that first step into volunteering. 'There are so many ways to make a difference, and this expo gives people a chance to talk directly with the organisations doing the mahi - no pressure, just friendly conversations about how you might be able to help,' he said. Great South is delivering the expo as part of the region's contribution to National Volunteer Week - Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu, using the national campaign's branding and messaging to amplify local efforts and celebrate the power of volunteering across Southland. The expo will run from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 21 June on the Ground Floor of Invercargill Central Mall. No registration is needed, and everyone is welcome. 'Whether you're new to the area, have recently retired, or just want to give back in a way that suits your lifestyle - there's a place for everyone in Southland's volunteer network,' Frood said.
Otago Daily Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
SDC votes unanimously to keep water services in-house
Southlanders have made their voices heard on how they want the district council to deal with its water assets. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A southern council has opted to keep its water services in-house following strong community feedback. Southland district councillors yesterday voted unanimously to run with an "adjusted status quo model" for Three Waters services which allows it to retain responsibility while meeting new requirements. It comes at a time when councils all over the country are responding to government reform on how they want to deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater. More than 97% of Southland respondents preferred an adjusted status quo option instead of a standalone council-controlled organisation (CCO). Reasons for the overwhelming vote included local control, accountability, affordability, cost efficiency and a feeling of "reform fatigue". If the council had opted to go down the CCO route, estimated costs of $750,000 would have been required for setup in addition to about $625,000 a year for operating. Mayor Rob Scott attended several meetings during consultation. "It was really good engagement everywhere we went, even with the smaller numbers," he said. The adjusted status quo model will form part of the council's water services delivery plan, as required under legislation. That plan needs to show how the council will be compliant in delivering a satisfactory and financially sustainable service by mid-2028, and must be submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) by September 3. The council was also involved in a DIA case study looking at how new standards would impact rural councils. Results from the study were received yesterday, but the staff report had already been prepared for the meeting. Community consultation in Southland ran from April 3 to May 21. In May, the Invercargill City Council also voted to keep its delivery in-house. Consultation has just ended on a proposal in which Gore would join forces with Clutha, Central Otago and Waitaki. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
