The Southland Tribune; Edition #31
The 13-plus year museum embarrassment that's finally turning positive
The 13-plus year museum embarrassment that's finally turning positive
Today’s Poll…. What’s your favourite thing to do at Stewart Island?
Why Southland is a gem…. Reason #30 (Splash Palace hydro slides)
Out & About…. Roller derby at ILT Stadium Southland
Plus, Tribune Shoutout, our Quick Quiz and more
The 13-plus year museum embarrassment that's finally turning positive
The resources that have been thrown at sorting Southland’s main museum over the past decade or so - both staff time and outside consultant costs - to largely get nowhere, would hurt if it was added up properly. But it seems there’s now some momentum, and some positivity attached to the planned rebuild. (READ MORE HERE).
Tribune Shoutout….
Paul Heads of Chasing Nature Photography showed plenty of commitment when he woke up at 3am wake up Monday morning and travelled a few hours to capture the sunrise at the Nugget Point Lighthouse. It was worth the effort.
A bit of history. The light began operating in July 1870. It was originally powered by oil illumination. In 1948 the light was converted to diesel-generated electric power, and then later connected to mains electricity.
The lighthouse was automated, and the last keeper was withdrawn in 1989.
In May 2006, the original light was replaced with a LED beacon mounted externally. The new beacon is powered by mains electricity backed up by battery power, in the event of a mains failure. The original lens is still in place today.
The light is monitored remotely from Maritime New Zealand’s Wellington office.
Beyond 2025 project…
Message from Southland’s Beyond 2025 Project Lead Bobbi Brown:
Beyond 2025 is a comprehensive plan being developed in collaboration with a significant number of stakeholders including government agencies, councils, community groups, iwi, and businesses.
Its primary focus is to drive economic development, foster innovation, and create sustainable communities in Southland, all while acknowledging our changing climate and people.
The Beyond 2025 plan is being made for Southlanders, and we’ve been focussed on ensuring we have a clear understanding of what’s important now and what might be needed in the future.
We’ve been gaining these insights by working with key stakeholders, and through numerous surveys.
You may have already participated in some of these surveys last year - the Employer Workforce Survey, the Future of Tourism Survey, and the Housing Survey. We’ve been pleased with the high response rates.
This gives us confidence that we’ve got the right data and insights to input into the Beyond 2025 plan.
But we’re not finished and there are further opportunities for Southlanders to input into the plan and have a say, through the following survey.
CBD Rejuvenation Community Survey
It’s designed to understand what residents and businesses think about the redevelopments in Invercargill. Data collected will feed into the Beyond 2025 plan and support Invercargill City Council decision making.
For more information about Beyond 2025 and how you can participate in the surveys, please visit the official website at beyond2025southland.nz.
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Quick Quiz….
1. Where in Southland is the popular horse race meeting held at Easter?
2. Who is the former James Hargest College pupil who founded aerospace company Rocket Lab?
3. Which former tavern building did the ILT gift to the Southland Charity Hospital Trust?
4. Who are the Southland Stags co-coaches for 2023?
5. What was the population of Southland at the 2018 census? (Multi-choice: 93,342, 97,467 or 102,102).
(SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR ANSWERS)
Today’s Poll…
Why Southland is a gem…. Reason #31
(We think it’s worth reminding ourselves why Southland is such a special place, so that’s what we’ll do regularly)
Splash Palace hydro slides. Invercargill’s Splash Palace pool has a hydro slide complex that rivals most around New Zealand.
In 2021 the Invercargill City Council opened $3.2 million three-slide hydroslide development at Splash Palace.
At 13m tall, Splash Palace’s complex offers up a decent ride, popular with kids ad well as the older thrill seekers.
There’s three slides, differing in length, 69m, 79m, and a 101m raft slide.
Who’s keen?
Out & About….
Invercargill’s very first roller derby “can opener” - Saturday, March 11
Something different for you: Invercargill’s very first “can opener”.
The SouthernMost Skaters organisation is hosting a roller derby match up at ILT Stadium Southland which will include skaters from all over the South Island.
The public are encouraged to come along and check out the unique event. Have a read of The Southland Tribune story we put together on one of Saturday’s first time competitors, Helen Robinson. (READ MORE HERE).
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You can download the App here or head to your App Store and search Substack Reader.
In case you missed it….
Farmer to broadcaster: In 1994, with no experience in the radio industry, Jamie Mackay bought a radio station. It triggered a chain of events that has led him to grow a once-five-minute farming segment out of Gore into a nationwide hour-long show. A show that commands a regular slot with the Prime Minister. (READ MORE HERE).
Removing Threat: Mayor Nobby Clark has “bitten his lip” and signed off on a key part of the Invercargill City Council’s annual report. On Tuesday morning Clark had threatened to not sign the documents as tensions between the council and Audit New Zealand bubble away. (READ MORE HERE)
Quiz Answers….
Riverton 2. Peter Beck 3. Clifton Tavern 4. James Wilson & David Hall 5. 97,467