Southland

Six crews have been working hard on the Awarua fire ground today, with the support of six helicopters. Today’s weather forecast predicts light showers with possible wind from the afternoon. The fire has not increased significantly and remains around 1370ha in size with a perimeter of 26km. Incident

Two crews have been monitoring the Awarua fire ground throughout the day. Firefighters stopped activity on the fire ground around 10am this morning, and helicopters were unable to fly, due to unfavourable weather conditions. Incident Controller Mark Mawhinney says a few hotspots remain with no visib

Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes revealed Bloomfield’s decision in a statement this morning. Bloomfield had signalled to the commissioner late last year he intended to step down before his term officially ended on 11 June 2023, Hughes said. He said Bloomfield had done an outstanding job lead

Heavy rain for western parts of central New Zealand. Southwest gales along the coast from Southland to Dunedin. A complex trough of low pressure moves eastwards across the country today, preceded by a moist northwest flow that delivers periods of heavy rain to western parts of central New Zealand. T

Two hunters who have been missing in Fiordland since Saturday have been found. The pair were found walking out of the bush near Lilliburn Valley Road. The police say they are being flown to Southland Hospital to be assessed as a precaution. They were reported overdue by fellow hunters on Sunday afte

Extra fire crews are being brought in today to try and contain a large blaze on conservation wetlands at Awarua, south of Invercargill. The fire which started on Saturday and extends from the head of Awarua Bay to the Waituna Wetlands has burnt through about 1000 hectares containing peat. Fire and E

The Water Shortage Direction issued yesterday has been amended to exclude the water takes from the upper Mataura River catchment where the serious temporary shortage of water is less critical, at this time. The area that is being excluded from the water shortage direction is the part of the Mataura

A search is underway for two hunters missing in the Rowallan Forest near Lake Hauroko, Fiordland. The pair were reported overdue by fellow hunters on Sunday afternoon, after they failed to return from a hunt on Saturday. Police are concerned for the welfare of the hunters as it is believed they were