Latest news with #Hoiho
Otago Daily Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Dunedin collective to take ownership of teams
Mystery group to the rescue. After weeks of uncertainty, there is positive news for the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho. In a statement released yesterday by the New Zealand National Basketball League, Sports Entertainment Group (SEN) says it intends to transfer ownership of the Nuggets and Hoiho "into the hands of a passionate collective of local Dunedin community supporters". It did not go further into the ownership structure or who was behind the passionate collective. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of next month. SEN's Australian sponsorship team will continue to support both teams through to September 2028, the statement said. General manager of the Nuggets and Hoiho Angela Ruske said it was "incredibly good news for basketball in Otago". "The Nuggets and Hoiho are more than just teams — they bring our community together through high-energy entertainment, inspire our youth, and create meaningful pathways for local players, coaches, and officials. They also contribute economically by drawing supporters and teams from around the country to Dunedin. "SEN has done a very good job in laying the foundation, and there's a real sense of passion and purpose to build on that legacy and take both teams to new heights. "Having local ownership brings a deeper connection and commitment to our region," she said. In the statement, SEN chief executive Craig Hutchison said his organisation was pleased to be able to provide some certainty for the clubs' players, staff, stakeholders and fans. "We flagged that our aim was to sell the teams to leaders motivated to maintain and grow them within the Otago region — a region that loves its basketball and takes great pride in its national teams, backed by an amazing and passionate fan base. "We believe both clubs are in the perfect hands, with strong local support and a deep understanding of what these teams mean to the community." Transfer of the ownership is subject to approval by the NBL's commission. — APL
Scoop
a day ago
- Business
- Scoop
New Era For Otago Nuggets, Southern Hoiho, Driven By Local Leadership
Sports Entertainment Group (operating as Sports Entertainment Network - SEN) is pleased to announce it has signed a Term Sheet to transfer ownership of the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho to the hands of a passionate collective of local Dunedin community supporters. The transaction is expected to be completed by 31 July 2025, with SEN's Australian sponsorship sales team continuing to support both teams through to September 2028. This move marks a major milestone for basketball in the South, with the teams now backed by those who know and love the region best. Rooted in community values, the new leadership brings a strong commitment to local engagement, long-term sustainability, and continued success on the national stage. Craig Hutchison, CEO of SEN, said his organisation was pleased to be able to provide some certainty to the future of the clubs for their players, staff, stakeholders and fans. 'We are delighted to hand over the long-term future of the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho to a locally-led group who are the perfect point guards for the continued success of both teams. 'We flagged that our aim was to sell the teams to leaders motivated to maintain and grow them within the Otago region—a region that loves its basketball and takes great pride in its national teams, backed by an amazing and passionate fan base. 'We believe both clubs are in the perfect hands, with strong local support and a deep understanding of what these teams mean to the community. 'As owners, we were proud to share in many successes in Dunedin, including the 2022 New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL) Championship for the Nuggets. 'We are excited to continue supporting both clubs as the sponsorship agency for the Australian region and look forward to cheering on the Hoiho and Nuggets as they move into a whole new era.' With the pride of Otago behind them, both the Nuggets and Hoiho are poised to grow stronger than ever, inspiring the next generation of basketball talent and continuing to unite fans across the region. Current General Manager of the Nuggets and Hoiho, Angela Ruske, said she was buoyed by the news the teams would be remaining at home in Dunedin. 'This is incredibly good news for basketball in Otago. The Nuggets and Hoiho are more than just teams - they bring our community together through high-energy entertainment, inspire our youth, and create meaningful pathways for local players, coaches and officials. They also contribute economically by drawing supporters and teams from around the country to Dunedin. 'SEN has done a very good job in laying the foundation, and there's a real sense of passion and purpose to build on that legacy and take both teams to new heights. Having local ownership brings a deeper connection and commitment to our region, and I'm really looking forward to what the future holds.' Maree Taylor, Basketball New Zealand 's General Manager of Leagues, overseeing the Sal's NBL, G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi and Sky Broadband Rapid League competitions, also welcomed the transition. 'We fully support the transfer of the Otago Nuggets and Southern Hoiho to local leadership. Community-based ownership is a vital part of each League's success, and we're confident that the new owners will bring renewed energy and long-term stability to both franchises. 'We thank SEN for their significant contribution to the growth of basketball in the South Island, and look forward to continuing with the momentum with the new team behind the clubs.' The transfer of license is now subject to approval by the NBL Commission at an upcoming scheduled Commission meeting.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
EDS Report Highlights Need To Better Manage Cumulative Impacts On The Otago Coast
Press Release – Environmental Defence Society The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) today released a report on the Otago Coast titled Oceans Management in a Changing Climate. The case study is part of EDS's Oceans Project which is developing concrete recommendations for oceans management reform. 'The Otago coastal area has extraordinary marine biodiversity as a result of its unique biophysical characteristics,' said case study author and EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart. 'It features abundant krill, extensive kelp forests and rare bryozoan thickets. 'However, the area is subject to some of the most intense ocean warming experienced anywhere in the country. Keystone species such as bull and bladder kelp are suffering badly with cascading impacts on other marine life. 'The effects of climate change on the Otago coast are more extreme than would otherwise be the case, because they overlay existing pressures on the marine environment including sedimentation and the impacts of fishing activity. 'Wildlife tourism is an important component of the Otago economy but endemic species such as the Hector's dolphin, Hoiho and Otago shag are now threatened with extinction. This is thought to be partly due to depletion of their preferred fish prey. 'Exotic plantation forests, which have been identified as a major cause of sedimentation along the coast, are increasing in extent. But the Otago Regional Council's attempts to apply more rigorous rules to the sector have been stymied by recent amendments to the Resource Management Act. 'Spatial protection efforts in the marine area have been exceedingly slow and have yet reached fruition. Although the Fisheries Act has contained a requirement to protect habitats of significance to fisheries management since 1996, Fisheries New Zealand only this year released guidance on the topic, and it has yet to identify (let alone protect) significant habitats on the Otago coast. 'The revised New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, which came into force in 2010, contains a strong directive for councils to protect significant indigenous biological diversity in the marine area, but the Otago Regional Council has yet to do so. The Council recently identified more than 100 significant marine areas, but it does not plan to notify provisions to protect them before mid 2028. 'It is over a decade since the South-East Marine Protection Forum was first established to identify a network of marine reserves along the Otago coast. Although six marine reserves were recently approved by government, implementation has now stalled due to legal proceedings. 'The East Otago Taiāpure provides an excellent example of how of how rūnanga and local communities can work together to better manage their local marine areas. Such initiatives need to be more strongly supported. 'The future health of Otago's coastal marine area will depend on the implementation of an integrated strategy that effectively deals with cumulative pressures on the marine environment. 'This could be achieved through the development of an integrated marine spatial plan or similar. Such a collaborative exercise could be undertaken under the auspices of the Otago Biosphere Reserve, should that initiative proceed,' concluded Ms Peart. Limited hard copies of the report will be available at EDS's Auckland Oceans Symposium next week (12 May). An online version is available here.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
EDS Report Highlights Need To Better Manage Cumulative Impacts On The Otago Coast
The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) today released a report on the Otago Coast titled Oceans Management in a Changing Climate. The case study is part of EDS's Oceans Project which is developing concrete recommendations for oceans management reform. 'The Otago coastal area has extraordinary marine biodiversity as a result of its unique biophysical characteristics,' said case study author and EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart. 'It features abundant krill, extensive kelp forests and rare bryozoan thickets. 'However, the area is subject to some of the most intense ocean warming experienced anywhere in the country. Keystone species such as bull and bladder kelp are suffering badly with cascading impacts on other marine life. 'The effects of climate change on the Otago coast are more extreme than would otherwise be the case, because they overlay existing pressures on the marine environment including sedimentation and the impacts of fishing activity. 'Wildlife tourism is an important component of the Otago economy but endemic species such as the Hector's dolphin, Hoiho and Otago shag are now threatened with extinction. This is thought to be partly due to depletion of their preferred fish prey. 'Exotic plantation forests, which have been identified as a major cause of sedimentation along the coast, are increasing in extent. But the Otago Regional Council's attempts to apply more rigorous rules to the sector have been stymied by recent amendments to the Resource Management Act. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading 'Spatial protection efforts in the marine area have been exceedingly slow and have yet reached fruition. Although the Fisheries Act has contained a requirement to protect habitats of significance to fisheries management since 1996, Fisheries New Zealand only this year released guidance on the topic, and it has yet to identify (let alone protect) significant habitats on the Otago coast. 'The revised New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, which came into force in 2010, contains a strong directive for councils to protect significant indigenous biological diversity in the marine area, but the Otago Regional Council has yet to do so. The Council recently identified more than 100 significant marine areas, but it does not plan to notify provisions to protect them before mid 2028. 'It is over a decade since the South-East Marine Protection Forum was first established to identify a network of marine reserves along the Otago coast. Although six marine reserves were recently approved by government, implementation has now stalled due to legal proceedings. 'The East Otago Taiāpure provides an excellent example of how of how rūnanga and local communities can work together to better manage their local marine areas. Such initiatives need to be more strongly supported. 'The future health of Otago's coastal marine area will depend on the implementation of an integrated strategy that effectively deals with cumulative pressures on the marine environment. 'This could be achieved through the development of an integrated marine spatial plan or similar. Such a collaborative exercise could be undertaken under the auspices of the Otago Biosphere Reserve, should that initiative proceed,' concluded Ms Peart. Limited hard copies of the report will be available at EDS's Auckland Oceans Symposium next week (12 May). An online version is available here. Environmental Defence Society EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence. Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes. EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement. EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference. EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
RNZ News
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Catlins resident calls for beach bylaw changes after car salesmen race, do 'doughnuts'
Papatowai Beach the day after Ford salesmen raced each other. Photo: SUPPLIED A resident along the Otago coast is calling for beach bylaw changes after she saw a group of car salesmen contest races and do "doughnuts" where endangered wildlife reside. Mary Sutherland lives in the Catlins settlement of Papatowai and said she was greeted by representatives of car company Ford last month. It comes after a string of instances in which the behaviour of motorists at beaches within the scenic Catlins coastline have sparked the ire of the community, including the district's mayor. On the morning of 19 March, several Ford Rangers drove onto the beach prompting to Sutherland to wander down to inspect what was going on. Several Ford car dealers gathered at Papatowai Beach last month. Photo: SUPPLIED / MARY SUTHERLAND Although the community had been met with hostility by beach-dwelling motorists previously, the group comprising of Ford representatives from New Zealand and Australia were good-natured, Sutherland said. "They had a picnic table out and they were having a morning tea," she said. "They offered me banana bread." When Sutherland asked what the group were doing, a senior staff member told her they were having their "annual treat for having great sales". "While people were having their picnics, one truck after another would race along the extended beach and do their doughnuts and then come back," she said. "It seemed like they were recording their times." She then raised concerns about the trucks driving at speed near sea lions and birds on the beach. The Catlins is home to one of the world's rarest sea lion species the Whakahao (Hooker's Sea Lion), and other endangered wildlife such as the Hoiho (Yellow Eyed Penguin). "They told me they'd been briefed and knew not to run over sea lions." Despite Ford's reassurances, both Sutherland and other beach-goers decided not to walk along the beach while the group was there. She said although the beach was dug up for days afterwards until it was swept up by a storm, the beach had been left in a better condition than previous episodes. The Clutha District's Vehicles on Beaches bylaw only prohibits vehicles from sand dunes, except to access the beach; and above the high-water mark, except in emergencies. It also requires people driving on beaches to "do so in a way that does not threaten the safety of people, plants or native animals". Sutherland said it would be simpler to implement a "blanket ban" on vehicles on beaches, unless there was an emergency. "This particular one because of the wildlife that comes, there is no need to drive onto the beach, there is a perfectly good car park and a track to walk out onto the beach," she said. "And certainly if there's a need, if there's a rescue needed or [fire-fighters] needing to go onto the beach. "But people just joy riding on beaches. I think it's time for that to stop." Potential changes to the rules, including a ban on vehicles, will not happen until after October's local government elections. Last month mayor Bryan Cadogan hit out at the ongoing mistreatment of wildlife, after a group of motorists were seen in January at Tautuku beach, provoking a sea lion for two consecutive days. Both Ford New Zealand and the Clutha District Council have been approached for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
