News

Farm plan solution for Southland

Environment Southland welcomes the Government’s announcement to support Southland farmers and growers with farm plans.

Waituna farmer fined

Marshall Road Farm Trustees Ltd and company owner Reza Abdul-Jabbar were fined a total of $71,500 under the Resource Management Act.

New study confirms ‘long and strong’ tsunami message

A University of Otago paper examining tsunami risk in the south confirms what Southlanders need to do in the event of an earthquake: If it is long or strong, get gone.

Wettest spring on record but hope on the horizon

NIWA’s latest seasonal climate outlook for November – January provides some hope for rural communities who have been managing well despite the wet conditions.

Ōtautau flood protection work to start

​Work will begin this week to enhance the flood protection for the Ōtautau community.

Report highlights continued priority on local solutions

Environment Southland has continued to prioritise regional solutions, delivering a number of successes in the past year.

No wallaby presence confirmed in Te Anau hunt

Following an extensive search of the wider Te Anau area no wallabies have been positively identified.

Environmental achievers celebrated at 2024 Community Awards

Murihiku local government agencies align on climate change response

A Regional Climate Change Strategy for Murihiku Southland aligning local government efforts in the region has passed its final hurdle.

Statement from Environment Southland Chief Executive Wilma Falconer

Environment Southland is taking its concerns about a recent decision in the Court of Appeal (4/10/2024) to the Government.

Harbourmaster warns boaties to be aware of river conditions

​The Southland harbourmaster is warning boaties to be aware of changing river conditions and their skills after two accidents on the Oreti River within a fortnight.

Plan your travel tomorrow as flooding to impact roads and farmland

​Further surface flooding across Southland is expected tomorrow with the MetService issuing a Heavy Rainfall Watch across our already saturated catchments.

Southern Discovery update

The Southern Discovery observatory in Milford Sound has been safely towed to shallow waters where it will undergo repairs after being damaged in a storm.

Waituna Lagoon open to the sea

The Waituna Lagoon was mechanically opened to the sea yesterday afternoon at Walkers Bay.

Environment Southland to use emergency powers to open Waituna Lagoon

Environment Southland has decided to use its emergency powers under the Resource Management Act to mechanically open the Waituna Lagoon to the sea.

Air quality exceedances on the rise for Southland this winter

​Invercargill and Gore recorded seven air quality exceedances between them for our 2024 monitoring season (1 May – 31 August).

Potential wallaby sighting near Te Anau prompts investigation

Following a wallaby report this week, Environment Southland is undertaking initial investigations have indicated the possible presence of the pest near Te Anau.

​High water levels at Waituna Lagoon causes concern

Environment Southland is continuing to actively monitor elevated water levels in the Waituna Lagoon.

Feedback sought on release of weed killing creepy-crawlies

Environment Southland is seeking public feedback on a proposal to introduce two new biocontrol agents.

Environment Southland confirms freshwater approach

Environment Southland has confirmed its approach to improving freshwater and it involves a focus on working with communities and delaying the plan change to set limits.