$3B Urea Plant To Be Built In Southland
New Zealand’s reliance on imported urea could soon be a thing of the past.
The Southland District Council is advising drivers in central Southland against unnecessary travel, due to widespread icy conditions.
Snow overnight has caused treacherous conditions on roads around the district, with many areas of black ice. A number of vehicles have already slid off the roads, say council officials.
The Edendale and Wyndham areas are also badly hit, with ice covered roads throughout the area. Te Anau escaped the snow, but had a very heavy frost, which has also left ice on the roads.
Roading asset management engineer Hartley Hare says people need to be extremely cautious, as the conditions could be very dangerous.
“The roads are very icy in places that have had snow. Our contractors are monitoring the situation but we are advising that people take extreme care and if they can, delay non-essential travel in worst hit areas.”
Heavy snow has closed the Southern Scenic Route detour via Tahakopa Valley Road. Anyone intending to travel via the Catlins is advised to instead use State Highway 1.
Colac Foreshore Rd also remains closed due to stretched resources caused by the weather.
The conditions have affected state highways in the district as well, State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound is closed and NZTA have closed the Edendale Hill section of State Highway 1, and advised caution in other areas.
Conditions are also expected to be dangerous tomorrow, with the possibility of freezing temperatures causing black ice on the roads.
Council staff and contractors will continue monitoring the roads.
Wool Impact and ASB have signed a new partnership with the bank set to provide financial backing to support the revitalisation of New Zealand's strong wool industry.
OPINION: Farmers have been clear: it is getting harder, not easier, to find and keep good people.
Last week marked New Zealand Sign Language Week and a South Canterbury tanker operator is sharing what it's like to be deaf in a busy Fonterra depot.
As fuel and fertiliser prices rise and with uncertainty in the future, farmers are being urged to go over their budgets with a fine-tooth comb.
Federated Farmers says reforms of local government announced last week will be music to farmers' ears.
Hinehou Timutimu, the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, says she feels privileged to have won the award.

OPINION: When Donald Trump returned to the White House, many people with half a brain could see the results for…
OPINION: Media trust has tanked because of what media's more woke members do and say.