The number of native birds, including tūī , is on the rise around the Wakatipu, thanks to the sustained efforts of a range of volunteers and volunteer groups. PHOTO: BEN CARSONPossums are losing their grip near Arrowtown and native bird numbers are on the rise. Despite the increase in traps, though, the average number of possums has steadily declined — over the same time, native bird numbers have been on the rise. WWT was about to begin bird monitoring, which was hoped would confirm "native bird abundance", while SLS has recently installed acoustic monitoring devices to support that. "Hearing locals tell us they’re seeing more native birds in the area shows the real, positive impact of sustained predator control."

Fonterra organics general manager Andrew Henderson has tracked higher numbers than expected of South Island farmers willing to supply organic milk. Organics general manager Andrew Henderson said they appeared to have passed a target for a minimum volume of milk to expand organic milk production in the South Island. "With an organic milk price at $13.10/kg at the moment commercially it could be quite attractive so there are a number of drivers there... "From the South Island milk, we would look just to make the organic cheese at Stirling. Demand is also up for organic milk protein concentrate, whey protein concentrate and UHT into China.

Some former Syrian refugees living in Dunedin say they are struggling with overcrowded accommodation due to the city’s housing crisis. PHOTO: MARY WILLIAMSThe plight of former refugees living in overcrowded, ageing Dunedin houses is a symptom of the city’s housing crisis that government must solve, social leaders say. Ms Barker said that in 2015, when Dunedin was being considered as a place to settle refugees, concerns had been raised about Dunedin’s "lack of quality housing and old state housing stock". "Overcrowding is a problem we have found for the former refugee community, and people in general, in the private rental market as well. The figure is around 7% of the 1500 refugees New Zealand aims now to settle through the settlement programme annually.

The Ngā Ara Wai kapa haka group, consisting of high school students from the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago regions, perform at the Waitangi Day celebration at Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens yesterday. PHOTO: GUY WILLIAMSFood, music and fun were the key features of Queenstown’s community Waitangi Day celebration at Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens yesterday. The free event was organised for the fourth year by Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust, in partnership with the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. "What brings us together today is having a heap of fun, some great kai and some inspirational music." Food was a key feature of the day.

Californian Jeff Serota (fourth from left) and his Serota Birthday Football California team-mates celebrate his 60th birthday trip playing football at the Masters Games at Forsyth Barr Stadium. California footballer Jeff Serota gathered his best mates — who all play together back home in Manhattan Beach — for his 60th birthday bonanza, convincing them to pack their bags and head to New Zealand to play in the Masters Games. "New Zealand is great. "The fact that my friends all committed to come over is really nice — they gave up a lot of responsibilities." If there is one thing for sure, it has been a birthday trip to remember.

Ollie Sharpe at his Jillian Jardine Trophy presentation with, from left, Turn up The Music principal/brass teacher Emma Wilson, trophy donor Jillian Jardine and his first trumpet teacher Chris Stevens, who’s now a music school tutorA very promising Queenstown trumpeter has won the prestigious Jillian Jardine Trophy which Turn Up the Music (TuM) school presents to a talented young musician each year. Ollie Sharpe, 13, who recently passed Grade 5 Rockschool with a strong merit score, started playing at only 7. That’s when then-Remarkables Primary teacher Chris Stevens presented him with a plastic trumpet donated by the TuM trust — ironically he then learned his dad, Stu, also used to play the instrument. He’s been receiving tuition from WHS music teacher Alistair Monteith and TuM principal and brass tutor Emma Wilson. Wilson says Ollie’s ‘‘a delight to teach as he always gives his best effort’’, and she’s super-proud he’ll be first trumpet in WHS’s production of Legally Blonde next month.

Coronet Peak staffer and former NZ mountain biking rep Erin Greene will make the first ride of its new trailA new downhill mountain bike trail at Coronet Peak especially designed for beginners will be officially opened on Saturday. The 5km-long ‘Whakatipu View’ trail, which runs from the top of the lift to the ski area’s base building, is the Basin’s first-ever grade 2 trail. ‘‘It’s ideal for someone who has riding experience, but is looking to start riding some mountain bike trails.’’Ski area manager Nigel Kerr says Coronet Peak can seem ‘‘incredibly intimidating’’ for riders who haven’t tried downhill trails before. Built by local company Dirt Design since November, Whakatipu View provides a step between a riverside trail and a steeper downhill trail, Kerr says. Next in the pipeline is the grade 6 ‘World Cup’ trail — an extreme, top-to-bottom 1.9km run designed to test professional riders.

Lucinda Williams continues her remarkable recovery from a stroke with a new album. Photo: The ObserverBorn in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 1953 to American poet Miller Williams and pianist Lucille Fern Day, Lucinda Williams is a multiple Grammy-winning singer-songwriter. I find that if I’m angry, it’s good to write about stuff through the eyes of regular, everyday people. Inevitably, she’ll bring up Bob Dylan’s name and say: "Well, I just saw Bob the other day, he’s doing such and such." Q Your breakthrough came on the English label Rough Trade, which you signed to in 1987, when it was home to the Smiths.

Even more uniquely, we have unmatched opportunities to behaviourally shield ourselves from heat stress, e.g., by reducing clothing, using shelter, and accessing fans and water. Most of our heat stress even on the hottest days comes from inside us — our metabolism — rather than the environment (especially if shaded). Yet, warm and wet skin make us believe it is hot air, sun or high humidity. These realities of heat stress raise several issues. We are the single species that is increasingly and knowingly responsible for rising levels of heat and humidity.

The Post reports:The Wellington City Council’s latest budget blowout has been revealed ‒ a $56 million shortfall between what was budgeted and reality. But during a councillor briefing it was revealed that one vital number was missing: The 15% GST bill, which the council could not recover. If only any of the 1,800 staff at WCC had accountancy degrees, where you would be expected to know about GST. This is the third error in as many months revealed by WCC. Of course people make errors, but you are meant to have systems for checking so that errors are discovered before final decisions are made.

The first official water-quality test results following the Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant breakdown show that parts of Wellington’s south coast remain unsafe for swimming due to high bacteria levels. Moa Point is continuing to discharge untreated wastewater,” Wellington Water said in a statement, as quoted by Stuff. Wellington Water said partial repairs have been completed on the long outfall pipe that failed during the incident. While this handles most daily wastewater flow, untreated sewage may still be discharged during peak periods using the short outfall pipe. “The team are working carefully throughout the weekend to increase the volume of flow through the long outfall pipe as much as possible, to reduce the use of the short outfall pipe,” Wellington Water said.

Sund told the Herald he’s sleeping in his store over fears it will be targeted again. The owner of a Stirling Sports store in Upper Hutt is sleeping in the shop over fears it could be targeted again after it was targeted for the third time since opening. Photo / Supplied“I started at 9am yesterday and then I spent a whole night and day working yesterday,” Sund said. “I’m very much struggling at the moment,” Sund told the Herald. “It’s a very hard time being a small business owner and I’m trying to survive, trying to put food for my family, you know?

The technique – attaching tiny radio transmitters to worker hornets and tracking them back to their nests – had quickly become a core part of MPI’s response. “Once we have a transmitter attached to a hornet, we are typically locating the nest within a few hours,” Inglis said. He said the transmitters were deployed as soon as worker hornets reached more than 300mg in weight. Photo / Biosecurity New ZealandMPI’s Technical Advisory Group, which includes international experts, advised that queen hornets do not travel far when food is abundant. Former Northland beekeeper and current biosecurity worker Brad Windust.

A group of five tried to break into an Upper Hutt store around 12.40am. Upper Hutt Main St store burglary foiled as police arrest fiveA group of five tried to break into an Upper Hutt store around 12.40am. Photo / NZMEAn Upper-Hutt store was the target of an overnight burglary by a group of four youths and a 20-year-old man. Police were notified of an attempt to break into a Main St store around 12.40am, said Hutt Valley Area Commander, Inspector Wade Jennings. “The alleged offenders made multiple attempts to gain access to the store, however those attempts were unsuccessful.

This Government is systematically cutting funding used to pay teacher aides to support neurodivergent students. Consequently, schools are supporting students who, despite severe learning and behaviour challenges, do not qualify for ORS. Funding, formerly available for students in Years 11-13 and used for teacher aide salaries, has been discontinued. Funding applications made to the ministry to support students who present behaviour or learning challenges have been reduced. Every time a kick at goal is done during the game, they kick the ball so very, very high that it always goes way over the top of the goals, resulting in a defender’s goal kick.