Southland new bites for October 17

Thursday, 17 October 2024

Planned protest put off

A group of 15 people gathered at Milford Sound on Wednesday to protest against the Diamond Princess cruise ship's arrival. The ship was due to dock in the Fiordland National Park port at 7am, but it never showed up and instead went straight to Melbourne – its next stop on the itinerary. A Princess Cruises spokesperson said the Milford Sound stop was cancelled because of bad weather. Climate Liberation Aotearoa protest organiser James Cockle said he was surprised the cruise ship did not come as it was a sunny day in Fiordland. Cockle said the group travelled in cars from Christchurch and Dunedin to Milford Sound for the planned protest. This week, protests against the Diamond Princess were held in Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Cockle said cruise ships had a big environmental impact on sensitive natural areas like Milford Sound. It also ruined the scenery for other visitors, he said.

New appointment at trust

Community Trust South has appointed Greg Houkamau as its first Pouārahi Māori - a newly created position which marks a step forward in the Trust's journey to embed Kaupapa Māori into its core operations and cultural framework. Houkamau’s connections within the Māori community are strong having previously been involved in kapa haka, Kā Taoka I Tuku Iho Charitable Trust (Māori Sports Trust) as the board chairperson, Active Southland as Rangatahi Active Recreation Advisor and as a te reo Māori teacher at Southland Boys High School. His focus will include raising the cultural capability and confidence of CTS Kaimahi (staff). This involves education and engagement, tailored to foster deeper understanding of te ao Māori me tōna tirohanga (the Māori world and perspective).