Southland Farmers Given 18-Month Freshwater Farm Plan Reprieve
Southland farmers staring down a May deadline to submit freshwater farm plans under current regional plan rules have been given an 18-month reprieve by the Government.
Environment Southland are inviting people in the region to enter for the Environment Southland Community Awards. Photo Credit: Paul Sutherland Photography.
Nominations are now open for the 26th Environment Southland Community awards.
Recognising Southland’s environmental champions, the awards continue to uncover environmental leaders from throughout Murihiku Southland and celebrate these individuals, businesses, groups and organisations.
Environment Southland chairman Nicol Horrell says the Environment Southland Community Awards play an important role in recognising Southland’s environmental champions.
“We’re incredibly proud of these awards which not only celebrate environmental leadership, innovation and action but inspire it too.
“Last year we reflected on 25 years of our annual awards, with record entries and one of our most successful events yet, and I have no doubt 2022 will continue to recognise people from right across Southland who are going the extra mile for our environment.”
Seven different award categories cater for a range of environmental projects and actions.
The categories include individual, rural, education, community and business. The same project can be nominated in up to two categories.
Projects entered must be either located in Southland, have been developed in Southland or be of demonstrated benefit to the region. People can nominate their own project or another project that makes a positive contribution to the environment.
Winning entries receive a cash prize.
The 2022 winners will be announced at an awards dinner to be held in Invercargill on 10 November.
Nominations close on 29 July.
Forestry Minister Todd McClay has today congratulated the winners of the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards at Fieldays.
The Government has announced $60,000 to provide one-off grants of $1,000 to each of the 60 New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) clubs across the country.
New Zealand’s rural sector has once again demonstrated its generosity, with the second Rural Industry Leaders Dinner, Debate and Auction raising an impressive $400,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
There has been another twist to the Federated Farmers annual election fiasco.
Analysis of decades of research has revealed the implementation of good farming practices plays a critical role in reducing nutrient losses to improve freshwater outcomes.
Yesterday the Government used the opening of Fieldays to announce a major investment, as part of its Land Use Flexibility package, to support a more productive and sustainable future across six sectors including dairy.

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