Five climbers were injured, one critically, after a group got into trouble on Taranaki Maunga and needed rescue in a “significant search and rescue operation.”

Emergency services received reports of a group of climbers in trouble, with one under CPR, on the maunga at around 2.15pm on Sunday.

Acting Sergeant David Bentley said a search and rescue operation was stood up, with assistance from RCCNZ, LandSAR, Alpine Cliff Rescue and Civil Defence, and a number of helicopter companies.

Bentley said the group were lucky to be alive. “We were in and out very quickly and, had it not been for that break in the weather, there was a very good chance we would have been dealing with fatalities.”

Hato Hone St John said two people were taken to Taranaki Hospital by helicopter with another taken by ambulance. All three were in a serious condition, St John said. Two other members of the group received moderate injuries.

It was not yet known what trail the group had attempted, but footage taken by the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust showed rescuers were focused on a rugged area near the summit. Read more from One News.

Southland gears up for the MAGNIficent adventure race

Southland is preparing for a major surge in attention, both on the ground and online, as the 2026 MAGNIficent Adventure Race takes place from February 28 to March 7.

The event is set to attract international interest through the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS), with thousands expected to track the gruelling 500km race via live GPS “dot watching,” while locals turn out at key viewing points across the district.

Race Director Andy Magness said, “It’s go time for us here on the Magnificent crew in the final lead-up week to the race with thirty teams having entered.”

The MAGNIficent is renowned for drawing a passionate global following of endurance-sport fans, many of whom tune in throughout the week-long challenge to monitor teams’ progress through dense bush, high country, and wild coastlines in Southland and Otago.

In 2026, Gore steps into the spotlight as the official host town following the successful 2025 staging in Lumsden.

Gore Mayor Ben Bell said the district is poised for a powerful moment on the world stage, “Events like this highlight the beauty and spirit of Southland. We’re proud to welcome competitors and visitors to experience not only the race but everything our region has to offer.” 

Read more from the Southland Tribune.

DOC Community Fund will provide $9.2 million for community-led conservation

The DOC Community Fund opens for applications on 31 March, with $9.2m available for community-led projects protecting our most threatened species and ecosystems.

This new round of the DOC Community Fund will support local conservation activities to deliver tangible outcomes for biodiversity, promote collaboration, and enable meaningful Māori engagement.

Sia Aston, DOC Deputy Director-General Public Affairs and Partnerships, says the contributions of community groups enables greater outcomes for nature.

“Community groups play a pivotal role in protecting our native species and their habitats, and we know they bring a lot to table,” says Sia. “By drawing on the strengths and resources of these groups – like volunteer hours, expertise, or co funding – DOC can amplify the positive change they create.

Community groups, iwi and hapū, as well as private landowners throughout the country can apply for the funding. The DOC Community Fund (DOCCF) is a Crown fund established in 2014 that provides contestable funding for community-led biodiversity restoration projects on public and private land.

Details on how to apply are available on the DOC website. Successful applications will be announced from July 2026.

Meet the man who cycled around the world for four years

In April 2022, Andreas Graf set off on his bike from his home in Norway. His dream was to cycle to India. He was 31. Friends were settling down. Graf had a well-paid job in industrial engineering, but was still renting in a house share. “I had started to think about whether to make a financially reasonable and sensible decision, or do something else. I went for option two.”

“I wanted to chase some mountains and meet people. And I’ve always felt drawn to self-propelled ways of travel. I wanted to be independent and free,” he says. He thought it would take about nine months to get to India, but he didn’t obsess over routes and times. “I was never out to set a world record. It’s not an ambition I have. I had all the time in the world.”

After India he decided to keep going. He cycled through southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. He then flew to Chile and biked across Bolivia, Peru, and Colombia before flying to Senegal and biking back to Norway. He reached home on 23 December 2025, his trip taking three years and eight months covering five continents, 50 countries, 55,000km. 

“You ask yourself: if you had a year or two left to live, how would you want to spend your time? I took this leap of faith because that’s how I wanted to live my life. I want to be outside.” Read the full story of his journey from the Guardian. 

Central Otago fire ban issued

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has declared a prohibited fire season in Central Otago.

District manager Craig Gold said in a statement the ban might come as a surprise to many because of a slow start to summer and Central Otago not experiencing its usual hot summer days.

“However, it’s been quite deceptive. Our grasslands are now very dry, and the fire risk has been slowly but steadily increasing — notably in Cromwell, Lauder, Clyde and Butchers Dam.

“We have reached the threshold where we need to declare a prohibited fire season,” he said. Read more from the Otago Daily Times.