Events

Sumaria is the General Manager of Awarua Energy. She founded Bluff Healthy Homes Research & Education Project which developed into Awarua Synergy serving Southland delivering insulation, heating, hot water solutions, LED lighting solar PV systems, wind turbines. The company employs 15-22 staff seasonally, 14 sub-contractors, and business working relationships with local councils, social services, local & national, and private funders.

Brendan is a proud Southlander and a dedicated professional with over 25 years of experience in civil contracting, local government, and project management. As the General Manager of Engage, Brendan plays a pivotal role in supporting, innovating, and growing the engineering and manufacturing industry in Southland. His focus is on collaboration, connection, new industry, and export opportunities to support the region's economic growth and development.
A family man at heart, Brendan's commitment to Southland is evident in his work and personal life. He is passionate about fostering long-term opportunities for the engineering and manufacturing sector, ensuring that Southland businesses have the support and resources they need to thrive in an evolving landscape.

James is the Research Manager at the Southern Institute of Technology, and in this role he supports staff research activity across the institution,

and provides advice and training on a variety of topics including the challenges and opportunities of generative AI.

James' research background is behavioural ecology and conservation, and he sits on the National Committee on Data in Research and on the Technical Advisory Board of the International Research Data Alliance.

Greetings! I am the new manager at Citizens Advice Bureau Invercargill, having been in the position for one year. Previously I spent most of my working life in education. I was brought up on a farm near Te Anau and have lived most of my life in Southland. I look forward to sharing with you the services our wonderful volunteers provide for the Southland community.

Kia ora, I’m Krista Farley, the Community Activation Manager at Youthline Southland. Our organisation is dedicated to strengthening the Hauora of Southland rangatahi through connection, engagement, and support.

We provide locally trained volunteers who contribute to the national 24/7 helpline, education programmes, mental health resources, and community events to empower young people and ensure they have the tools to thrive."

Hi, my name is Nell and I’m a student at Southland Girls' High School. I was lucky enough to be sponsored by the Invercargill Rotary club to attend the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum 2025.In January, we spent two action packed weeks in Auckland, learning, meeting new people and having a lot of fun!

Hi, I’m Kimberly, a student at Menzies College who was lucky enough to be sponsored by the Invercargill Rotary Club to attend the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum 2025. Earlier this year, we spent two full-on fun and educational weeks in Auckland. Learning lots about science and technology courses on offer in Auckland, meeting heaps of new people and trying fun new things! 

Haylee-Chanel Simeon (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa) is the owner of Hayz at the Anchorage in Bluff, where she showcases the rich flavours of Murihiku Southland. Her work has earned national and international acclaim, including being named among Cuisine magazine’s 2024 Top 50 Women in Food & Drink and winning the RWNZ1 Bountiful Table Award 2023/24. Hayz at the Anchorage was also recognised in the prestigious Cuisine Good Food Guide 2024/25. Haylee’s story and kai have been featured globally in Elle Gourmet (Canada), The Financial Review (Australia), and Croatia’s Iće&piće. She has proudly cooked for international guests such as Shaun Wallace (The Chase UK) and comedian Iliza Shlesinger, continuing to put Bluff and Southland on the world stage.

John Collins is Chair of the Omaui Landcare Charitable Trust, which has been a winner and finalist in recent Environment Southland Community Awards.

These awards are designed to celebrate individuals and groups in the community who are taking a leading role in making a significant difference in supporting and enhancing the environment.

The Omaui Landcare Charitable Trust, led by John, has been responsible for "bringing birdsong back to the picturequse coastal location of Omaui." #

# Environment Southland - es.govt.nz

Peter Laurie, Chair, and Christine Dallas, Board Member of Jubilee Budget Advisory Services will be joining us for lunch as the 2025 Book Sale major recipient.

Jubilee Budget Advisory Service offers face-to-face, non-judgmental, confidential and free advice to clients from trained and competent advisors.

The service also offers advocacy, education courses and presentations to help those in need of budgeting skills and financial techniques.

Bobbi has over 20 years’ experience in strategic and operational roles and is currently the GM Regional Strategy at Great South (Southland’s Regional Development Agency).  She has recently facilitated the development of the region’s long-term plan (Beyond 2025 Southland) in partnership with the Government and the region’s Iwi, businesses and communities.  This Plan aims to create a shared future vision and pathway for Murihiku Southland acknowledging the need to diversify the economy while also looking after its people and environment. A proud Southlander born and bred, Bobbi has dairy farmed in South Otago with her husband and son for the past 25 years while also balancing a 15-year career as an international netball umpire.

Unashamedly passionate about the Murihiku Southland region, Mr Fraser grew up on a farm at Heddon Bush before spending a decade in Dunedin where he studied and then worked in the electrical industry before returning to Invercargill. The owner of Miele Apiaries Premium Honey and co-founder of the Southland Food Hub, he has led the development of the Bluff Distillery Company and its iconic gin products.

Bluff Distillery's London Dry Gin recently achieved significant international recognition, winning multiple awards at The Gin Guide Awards in London. Along with many other awards, the gin was named "Product of the Year 2025", a title given to the gin that best combines award-winning design and branding with an exceptional spirit. 

(With acknowledgement to Southland Times)