User safety top priority for Tainui Reserve

The enjoyment and safety of the community in Hastings District Council’s parks and reserves is a top priority, and some changes are being made at Tainui Reserve to encourage people to use it safely.

Nevis Bluff rock blasting means travelling delays this week - NZTA

People who drive between Cromwell and Queenstown should factor in some half-hour long, late morning delays at the Nevis Bluff starting Thursday this week.

Abseilers on the Nevis Bluff, above the Kawarau River, preparing for rock blasting in past spring seasons:

Media Alert - NZMA declares climate change a health emergency

The New Zealand Medical Association declares climate change a serious and leading threat to health and health equity, both in New Zealand and worldwide.

Drivers urged to slow down on Whangarata Rd through work site

Counties Power is urging caution to all drivers on Whangarata Road over the next couple of days while they complete works. In particular, drivers heading westbound towards Tuakau from Pokeno should take particular care due to temporary plates on the road to cover excavations.

More work needs to be done to improve our waterways - ES

Water quality monitoring results for Southland rivers have similar trends to the national picture with some indicators showing encouraging signs and some showing degrading trends.

Clean-up continues after flooding at Kuaotunu

Our Council is working with Waikato Regional Council to get onto remedial works at Black Jack Reserve in Kuaotunu following the flood damage earlier this month.

Most of the work is expected to be completed before the end of next week and includes:

Pike River families invited to go underground to 170m barrier

The Pike River Recovery Agency has invited families of the Pike 29 to go underground to the 170m barrier - set for Thursday 3 October (weather permitting).

Rain, strong winds and snow in store for the coming week

After a week of settled weather over Aotearoa we head into the start of this week with a change to more Spring-like conditions.

Road renewals on Southland highways underway - NZTA

With spring bringing warmer weather, alongside comes the beginning of renewal works on Southland state highways by Highways South, for the NZ Transport Agency.

Cold snap next week in the south

Spring chaos continues next week and while temperatures this weekend are several degrees above average in many regions it will be a very different story next Wednesday and Thursday.