Our Community

ONE of the biggest challenges sisters Robyn and Janis McNaught had growing up was trying to find a beer for Christmas or a birthday their father did not already have. Southlander Les McNaught spent the better part of 20 years, before his death late last year, searching, sourcing and collecting beer and beer-related items from around the globe. What he left...

FOR Edendale dairy farmer Mike Henderson, land quality has become a major concern after his 250ha property was submerged with water about a metre and a half high during last week's Southland-wide floods. Like many other farmers, he now had to bear the brunt of the damage. "It definitely will knock us for a full round of grazing. We're feeding a...

AN evacuation by an air force helicopter proved to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a group of elderly Wyndham residents caught up in Southland's flooding emergency last week. However, the experience was nerve-wracking rather than exciting for at least one of the residents who had never flown in a helicopter before. Wyndham Rest Home resident Betty Gray (83) said she did...

SOUTHLAND grandfather Eion McKenzie and his brother Allan are about to embark on an epic personal challenge, one which will also benefit a special group of Southland children. The brothers are among 1100 cyclists taking part in the Tour Aotearoa Brevet Challenge, cycling 3000km from Cape Reinga to Bluff within 30 days. They set off on Monday. Neither had any previous...

"OPEN for business" is the post-storm message from Fiordland. Destination Fiordland manager Madeleine Peacock said the affects of the storm to Fiordland-based companies had been mixed. "The recent events have had an impact on operations in Fiordland, Milford Sound in particular." She said some companies were able to put in contingencies, and there were still many tourism opportunities in Fiordland. "Doubtful Sound is...

NGA KETE Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust (NKMP) is a Southland success story. A success in terms of its effective business model, the continually expanding range of services offered to the community, and of the far-reaching positive impact its services have made during the past 20 years, and continue to have in the community. NKMP chief executive Tracey Wright-Tawha credited its success...

AS the need for support for those in need continues to grow in the region, Southland woman Melissa Aitken is doing her bit. She is organising the ninth Free Haircuts and Other Services for Those in Need event in Invercargill next weekend, and is putting the call out to the community to help. The event, held twice a year, provided people...

SOUTHLAND welcomed 16 new citizens at the district council's citizenship ceremony last week. Among them was a Winton man who now holds three nationalities. Yousef Fayiz Ahmad Wshah (36) was born in Brazil, and lived most of his life in Jordan before moving to New Zealand eight years ago in pursuit of a better quality of life for his family. He now...

THE annual Bluff St John Book Sale is being held at the Bluff Town Hall on Gore St next weekend. Held to raise much-needed funds for the Bluff St John Ambulance, co-ordinator Roy Horwell said there would be something for all ages and interests. Books, including fiction and non-fiction, magazines, jigsaw puzzles, DVDs and much more were already being stockpiled and...

THE former Garage and Car Boot Sales held next to The Pantry in South Invercargill have proved so popular, they have been rebranded to the Village Markets with five planned throughout the year. Hosted by The Pantry, 133 Grace St, a retail shop which sells wholefoods and specialty groceries, barista coffee, and a range of specialty ingredients for baking, almost...