Latest news with #King'sBirthdayWeekend
Otago Daily Times
an hour ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Big 3 hunting competition nets 1500kg of meat
If it was a feral pest, then it was fair game for the freezer during Te Anau's King's Birthday Weekend hunting competition. Freezers overflowed with 1500kg of meat from the annual Te Anau Helicopter Services Fiordland Big 3 hunting competition. Te Anau events organiser Melissa Fletcher said hunters had the choice to donate their venison to the Southland community via Deer to Care Southland, which would distribute the meat to multiple food banks and social services in the region. There were many benefits to removing feral pests from the environment, she said. "Pigs are quite pesky. They can rip up a paddock overnight so the farmers are quite happy with getting rid of them." The team named Outdoors with Tom pretty much cleaned up most of the major categories with a massive stag. "That's what happens when you've got one really good animal ... " But Team Outdoors With Tom did not win all the prizes — they missed out on The Best Hunting Story, which was won by team Predator Patrol. Ms Fletcher said the wee boy in Predator Patrol had been confused about the entry field — mixing best "Pest" with "Pet". "He was willing to give up his dog — the dog is still alive — but that's dedication." Hunting began last Thursday evening amid heavy rain and severe gale force wind warnings. Hunters had to shoot a deer, a pig and one other feral animal to qualify for the Big 3. Entry numbers were down on previous years, but organisers suspected the severe weather might have influenced the turnout. Altogether, 32 four-member adult teams, (including six women's teams), eight Mums and Kids, six youth teams and 29 children's teams rolled up to Sunday's weigh-in, vying for a prize. Fiordland Big 3 contest results Major prize (barrel drawn): Hard Rated Heaviest combined weight: Outdoors with Tom Heaviest pig: Outdoors with Tom Heaviest deer: Outdoors with Tom Highest Douglas score (stag): Outdoors with Tom Most outstanding animal: Outdoors with Tom Best youth team: Summit Seekers Best mums and kids team: Thwaites Crew Pilot's choice: Blackmount Boys Best pig tusks: Fang and Rack Best female team: Win or Lose, On the Booze Team closest to overall avg: Up Da Gully PIG CARRY Men: Cameron Jarvie, 35.01s Women: Charlotte Clarke, 49.80s Adult & child: Ollie and Jack Jones, 41.23s Kids: Ollie Jones, 35.01s POSSUM THROW Men: Taylor Malzard, 20.35m Women: Renee Graham, 11.80m 13-16 years: Archie Jones, 14.17m 7-12 years: Josh Porteous, 8.74m 6 & under: Maggie Russell, 3.72m PHOTO COMPETITION Bucken Beauties KIDS Heaviest hare/rabbit: The Three Pests (4.35kg) Heaviest possum: Two Little Rascals (4.55kg) Best kids team: Hey Presto's Best hunting story: Predator Patrol Average weight: G Best team name: Two Little Ferrals Jock Armitage Memorial Trophy — Encouragement award: Silverstream Shooters By Toni McDonald
Scoop
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Honda Rider Basalaj Stretches His Advantage
South Islander Bailey Basalaj has leapt another huge step closer to winning his first national motorcycle racing title after another solid performance over King's Birthday Weekend. The Nelson rider won the opening round of the 2025 New Zealand Enduro Championships near Nelson in April and probably felt there was a target on his back when he arrived at round two in the lower North Island at the weekend. However, the Honda star continues to lead the way after also winning the second two-day round of competition near Whanganui at the weekend and he knows a 'steady as she goes approach may be enough to get the job done', with the third and final weekend of racing now less than seven days away. Bailey won the 'sprint' segment of the competition day on Sunday, but was forced to settle for third overall during the main enduro on Monday, although his 1-3 score for the two days was still enough to give him the overall edge over Masterton's Max Williams (who finished runner-up with 2-4 results over the two days), with Whangamata's Ethan Jamieson (third, 3-7), Owaka's Blake Affleck (fourth, 4-6) and Amberley's Nathan Hodge (fifth, 5-5) rounding out the top five in the premier Expert AA grade. New Plymouth's Josh Houghton finished sixth overall for the weekend, with a 16-1 score-card, and can only rue his lost opportunity to overshadow Basalaj. Houghton had a minor mechanic issue to deal with on Sunday and this obviously cost him dearly because he was certainly on fire on Monday, winning three of the five separate sections, ahead of Taupo's Wil Yeoman, and clinching overall honours for the day, with Basalaj third overall for day two, finishing just 10 seconds behind Yeoman. "It wasn't such a good day for me on Monday,' explained Basalaj afterwards. 'After winning round one of the series, I knew I didn't need to ride over my head and I'm still in a good position anyway with now just one round to go. 'My Honda CRF250R bike performed brilliantly and didn't miss a beat, although I made a few human errors, silly mistakes that cost me time on Monday. I tried to hop over a log and messed that up. It was hard to get back into a rhythm after that. 'Thankfully, the pressure is off for me a little bit in terms of winning the title and perhaps I won't need to push too hard at the final round. I still have to be careful though, because I could still lose it all from here.' Best of the intermediate (A grade) riders at the weekend was Masterton's George Callaghan, followed by Whanganui's Jason Wakeling and Stratford's Megan Collins. Leading rider in the B–Trail class was Wakefield's Cam Clarke, with Palmerston North's Jarrod Amey topping the B-Junior class. The third and final round of the series is set for farmland near Masterton next weekend, on June 7-8. 2025 NZ Enduro Champs calendar: Round 1: April 25-26, Nelson. Day 1, 725 Dovedale Road, Day 2 Moutere Highway, 3.8km west of the Redwood Valley Hall. Round 2: June 1-2, near Whanganui.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Nelson Rider Continues To Lead After Round Two
South Islander Bailey Basalaj continues to lead the way, but the pressure may be on for him with the third and final weekend of racing now less than seven days away. He won the opening round of the 2025 Yamaha New Zealand Enduro Championships near Nelson in April and probably felt there was a target on his back when he arrived at round two near Whanganui over King's Birthday Weekend. The Honda rider from Nelson was in his element as the first of three-rounds of the 2025 series was raced near home turf in the South Island, but he showed he could still produce the goods after crossing Cook Strait and heading three hours' north to Whanganui for two days of racing on Sunday and Monday. Bailey won the 'sprint' segment of the competition day on Sunday, but was forced to settle for third overall during the main enduro on Monday, although his 1-3 score for the two days was still enough to give him the overall edge over Masterton's Max Williams (who finished runner-up with 2-4 results over the two days), Whangamata's Ethan Jamieson (third, 3-7), Owaka's Blake Affleck (fourth, 4-6) and Amberley's Nathan Hodge (fifth, 5-5). The unluckiest rider in the premier Expert AA grade was perhaps New Plymouth's Josh Houghton (sixth overall for the weekend, with a 16-1 score-card). Houghton had a minor mechanic issue to deal with on Sunday and this obviously cost him dearly because he was certainly on fire on Monday, winning three of the five tightly-timed sections, ahead of Taupo's Wil Yeoman, and clinching overall honours for the day. "It was a fantastic course and the weather conditions perfect, testing for all riders, but still a lot of fun,' said acting Motorcycling New Zealand enduro commissioner Justin Stevenson. 'It was just damp enough to keep the dust down and we really could not have asked for better. 'Josh Houghton was really on the pace on Monday and Wil Yeoman and Bailey Basalaj were too.' Best of the intermediate (A grade) riders at the weekend was Masterton's George Callaghan, followed by Whanganui's Jason Wakeling and Stratford's Megan Collins. Leading rider in the B–Trail class was Wakefield's Cam Clarke, with Palmerston North's Jarrod Amey topping the B-Junior class. The third and final round of the series is set for farmland near Masterton, next weekend, on June 7-8. In addition to Yamaha-Motor New Zealand, the 2025 Yamaha NZ Enduro Championships are supported by Motorcycling New Zealand, Tasman Pine Forests Ltd, Macaulay Metals, Best Build Construction, Silver-bullet web site and Kiwi Rider magazine. 2025 Yamaha NZ Enduro Champs calendar: Round 1: April 25-26, Nelson. Day 1, 725 Dovedale Road, Day 2 Moutere Highway, 3.8km west of the Redwood Valley Hall. Round 2: June 1-2, near Whanganui.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
MetService issues gale warnings for much of the South
Forget about wearing a hat today — you are likely to lose it. The severe overnight gales are expected to peak this morning, reaching speeds of up to 130kmh in exposed areas around the Otago and Southland coastlines. MetService has upgraded its earlier strong wind watch to an Orange warning for southern Fiordland, Southland, Stewart Island, Clutha and Dunedin, and there is a possibility it may be upgraded further to a Red warning. "The strongest winds are expected overnight Friday and Saturday morning and spreading over inland areas," a MetService spokesman said. "Squally thunderstorms are also possible near the coast." Moderate to moderately high storm tides were also expected until this evening, on the Otago coast. He said the wind could cause damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures, and driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles. The wind warning would remain in place until at least 3pm today. MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said the gales were being caused by a strong west-to-southwest flow which was affecting the entire country. But for the lower South Island, the winds were also dragging cooler temperatures, showers, and snow falling as low as 600m. "This will be welcome news for avid skiers and snowboarders, but is likely to affect alpine roads in the South Island." NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesman Jarrod Booker said those planning on going to another destination this morning for a King's Birthday Weekend holiday should take extra care when driving. As well as the severe gales, snow was affecting some of the higher roads inland. "Road snowfall warnings have been issued for Lindis Pass, Crown Range Rd and Milford Rd, with 10cm-15cm potentially settling on Milford Rd above 800m. "Motorists are urged to adjust their speeds and following distances to the conditions, and to plan ahead and be prepared for any delays." Yesterday, Naseby got an early taste of the wintry conditions when snow settled on the streets of the Central Otago town and covered roads on the outskirts. The snow closed the Danseys Pass Rd to all but four-wheel drive vehicles, from the gates past the Danseys Pass Hotel. That followed rain and sub-zero temperatures around the Maniototo and Ida Valley areas. Fulton Hogan said drivers should continue to be wary of road conditions in the area, slow down and be cautious on bridge decks and shaded areas, where ice may have formed. The weather is forecast to be calmer and clearer tomorrow, but still cool.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Luma in a new light
Queenstown's Kiwi Park's hosting 'Luma Enchanted' from tomorrow night till the end of winter. PHOTO: SUPPLIED A nature park by day, Queenstown's Kiwi Park's hosting from tomorrow night a "whimsical" iteration of the popular Luma light show which ran in the Gardens for the past 10 years. Formerly staged over King's Birthday Weekend, it returns again this same holiday weekend as 'Luma Enchanted' — from 5.30pm tomorrow — but this time runs nightly till the end of winter. Local Screentime New Zealand CEO Philly de Lacey filmed the penultimate murder in her first A Remarkable Place to Die TV murder mystery series during last year's Luma. "I approached them and said, 'look, I would love to get my hands on Luma because I would love to see if we can do something different with it'." As it happens, Luma's organisers soon after decided to pull pin due to funding constraints. De Lacey says "I did a deal with them to kind of give myself six months to find a property where we could host it, but obviously to run it for a whole winter it couldn't go in the Gardens". A Luma organiser, Luke Baldock, put her in touch with new Kiwi Park boss Richard Wilson, "and he was like, 'Ireally want to do something with the park, and this is exactly the sort of thing I've been thinking about"'. She says they've appropriately lent into the theme of NZ native animals, both extinct and living, "and then we've gone completely off-piste, but generally it sits within that natural world". For her first off-screen production, De Lacey's tapped about 40 creative brains from both her film world and Luma's. Her guiding light, as it were, is "people feeling like the minute they walk into Kiwi Park they've entered a wonderland, and until they leave they're in this wonderland". De Lacey also thinks it provides locals and visitors with a much-needed family-friendly nighttime attraction. She adds the voiceovers from Queenstown Alpine Ski Team youngsters and two Arrowtown School kids "sound absolutely incredible". She's also thrilled with the finger food local restaurant Momentos by the Lake has created "in kind of weird colours and things". Luma Enchanted tickets are for sale via
