COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
FROM THE WHARF IN THIS ISSUE: Commmunity engagement survey results bluff hill MOTUPOHUE ENVIRONMENT trust farewell to the "oreti"
2023 community scholarship VOLUME 2 - ISSUE 2 - december 2022
MAI I TE WAPU
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to the second and final edition of the South Port Community Newsletter â Mai i te WÄpu (from the Wharf) - for 2022. As always, we are pleased to inform you about infrastructure projects, news, events, and general information about the Port.
In August, we went to you, the Bluff community, to ask for your feedback on our performance. We were thrilled with the number of responses we received, and the variety of feedback gave us a great starting point to ensure we're going the extra mile - not only in the community engagement space, but also in other areas of the Company and around the Port. You'll read about the results and what action we are taking further in this newsletter.
You'll also find information on recruitment, and our latest staff profile, which features Zaul Pirangi, who has been with South Port since 2012.
Conservation Week was from 5 to 11 September. The team across the board at South Port enjoyed putting in some hard mahi, planting native bush alongside the Bluff Hill MotupĆhue Environment Trust (BHMET), which we're proud to tell you about. This also ties in with us further building on our relationship with BHMET, to help them preserve our iconic and unique piece of New Zealand, by restoring and protecting the natural environment around Bluff Hill.
We thoroughly hope that you enjoy the read.
NgÄ mihi, Charlotte Scoles
CHANGINGGEARS
TÄnÄkoutoukatoa,
AsthisisourfinaleditionofMaiiteWÄpufortheyear,itisappropriatethatwe lookatthepastyearandsomeofourmostnotableachievements.
Firstly,wecompletedthedevelopmentoftheTownWharfaccessway,pipeline corridor,anddischargeplatformafterfiveyearsofdesignandplanning.This projectwaswellmanagedfromwithintheorganisationandwascompletedon timeandwithinbudget.However,therewassomedisruptionduringtheconstructionperiod,withthe closureoftheForeshoreRoadandthewalkway.Therefore,wethankthecommunityforyourpatience duringthisperiod.ThroughthisprocesswecouldsharesomeoftheAustralianhardwoodremovedfrom theoldtownwharfstructurewithcommunitygroups,whichhasbeenputtogooduse.
On31August2022,theCompanywasissuedresourceconsenttodeepenthechannel,swingingbasin,and berthpockets.ThiswasanimportantmilestonefortheCompanyandanexcitingopportunitytoimprove ourcurrentofferingtoshippingcompaniestransitingthroughthePortofBluff.Duringthisprocess,weheld âcoffeeandchatsessionsâinthecommunityandconsultedwithallthemajorstakeholders.TheCompany wasveryhumbledandthankfulforthesupportatthesesessionsandthewrittensubmissionsreceivedfor theconsentingprocess.
Inasimilarbreath,wewelcomedHeronContractingtothePortinAugust2022tocarryoutsomedredging inthechannelunderanexistingcoastalpermit.Thisexerciseprovedverysuccessful,withasignificant amountoffracturedrock(fromdrillandblastcampaignsinthe70âsand80âs)beingremovedfromthe channel.Althoughthecontractorswereherelongerthananticipated,theythoroughlyenjoyedthe hospitalityofthesouthernregionandwouldenjoycomingbackifpresentedtheopportunityinthefuture. ItwasalsogreattoseelocalresidentsemployedbyHeronContractingtoworkonthisprojectwhilethey wereinPort.
Weheldourfirstcommunitysurveythisyearandwerepleasantlysurprisedbythenumberofrespondents andthefeedbackreceived(notemoreinformationcontainedwithinthisnewsletter).Again,abigthankyou toallwhomadeanefforttorespond,asthistypeoffeedbackwillhelpusimprovehowweinteractwithour community.
Lookingaheadto2023,alotishappeningintheSouthernRegion.NZAS,asignificantcustomerofSouth Port,isworkingthroughitsremediationprocessandrenegotiatingwiththepowercompaniestokeep operatingafterDecember2024.SouthPortwilllooktocarryoutdredginginthechannel,swingingbasin, andberthpocketstocompletetheworkunderournewconsent.MeridianEnergyisworkingalongside WoodsideEnergytodetermineifthereisapathwayaheadfordevelopingaregionalhydrogenplant.The SouthlandJustTransitiongrouphasbeenworkingdiligentlyinseveralareastoprovideopportunitiesforthe regionshouldNZASclose.EvenifNZASremainsopen,thisisessentialworkasmostofthesepathwayscan stillbeprogressed,oneofwhichisopenoceanaquaculturethatisanimportantopportunityfortheBluff township.Hopefully,wewillalsofitinaPortopendayin2023,aswehaverecentlyhadafewrecentsetbacks duetoacertainpandemic!
IwanttosignoffbythankingourincrediblestaffatthePort.Wedonâtalwaysgetitright,butweendeavour tomakeSouthPortagreatplacetowork,learnandhopefullyenjoyeachotherâscompany.
Finally,theteamatSouthPortwouldliketoofferyouaMerryChristmas,andhopefully,weallgettoshare somequalitytimewithfriendsandwhÄnau.
NgÄmihinui, NigelGear
2022 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SURVEY
Back in August, we reached out to the Bluff community by way of a mail drop, forms at the Bluff Service Centre, and targeted advertising on social media, to find out how we were doing and what we might need to improve on.
After two weeks, we received almost 120 completed forms - primarily through our online survey, with a small handful completed with a traditional hand-written form.
We said we would share the relevant results with you and our journey along the way as we look to put this feedback into play. Below is a cross-section outlining some of the questions we asked, and a small portion of the responses.
What kind of information would you like to see included in the community newsletter?
Theylookafter theirandcarefor workers.
QUESTIONNINE
QUESTION TEN
Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
We received over 60 comments within this section, of which was evidently broken down into the following categories: Can you tell us why South Port is a good or bad employer?
becauseIknowfirsthandTheyIworkthere!significantprovidetraining opportunitiesopportunities,for advancement,improvementandandI believegenuinelycare abouttheir employees.
They're good because I have family and friends there.
Many employees have been at South Port for years, showing conditions and relationships must be good.
COMMUNITY FOCUS
TRANSPORT
POSITIVITY
OPERATIONS ON PORT
HEALTH AND SAFETY
RUBBISH
All feedback received in our first Community Engagement Survey was compiled and reported on, with a presentation submitted to South Port's Board of Directors. Critical feedback areas were identified and will be a focal point for the months and years to come.
As we review the feedback suggested by the community, we will ensure to reciprocate and provide feedback to you all as we progress. In line with this, we are proud to share the feedback we received about this newsletter not being printed on recycled paper - alas, this has since been changed!
We will look to hold our follow-up survey in approximately 18 - 24 months.
NOISE AND LIGHT POLLUTION Photos of our $100 Prezzy Card
CELEBRATING RETIREMENT
After 43 years with South Port, Blair Cousins is closing the chapter on a long and impressive career.
Turn back the clock to 1979, and a 19-year-old Blair applied for the Engineering Technician/Cadet position with the Southland Harbour Board. Blair found it âvirtually impossibleâ to gain a job in the engineering field in Nelson (his home then), so he decided to venture further afield and set up in the deep south.
Blair was also an integral part of the social club committee. In the early days, the social club included work colleagues and their partners, who were always looking at ways to get staff connecting outside of the typical workday. Blair was always in the thick of organising events, especially the annual picnic and Christmas function, which had a heavy focus on family and were a great tradition for many years.
A lot has changed since Blair first started! The Island Harbour was only in stage 2 of its development, a significant project that kept Blair and other engineers busy into the early eighties. After this, he moved into the role of Port Services Engineer, supervising contractors as they completed capital works, repairs, and maintenance.
Blair has been responsible for the operation
and maintenance of the Syncrolift facility since 2018 and was a qualified Dockmaster at the time of his retirement. Over the past couple of years, Blair has spent time training and transitioning Rob Dixon to ensure the facility is in safe hands as he departs.
Bluff is home now, and his youngest son Phillip still lives here with his three children. His eldest son Bryce lives in Rotorua with his family (including a baby on the way), and his daughter Renee lives in Christchurch with two children.
Outside of work, Blair enjoys reading, constructing models of ships, and DIY around the house. The Bluff Volunteer Fire Brigade was a big part of his life for 20 years, with lots of socialising in the early days resulting in lifelong friendships. Blair appreciated that South Port supported him and other fire and ambulance volunteers when they needed time off for emergency callouts.
We wish Blair all the best and can not thank him enough for his 43 years of devoted, loyal service to South Port.
2022 DROP FOR YOUTH
On 26 November, Warren Topi (Ratbag), South Port's Marine Operator - Tugs, took the leap off AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy in Queenstown for the 2022 Drop for Youth fundraising event, organised by the Graham Dingle Foundation. When asked why he was keen to participate, Warren said that "our southern youth face many challenges in this ever-changing world, and I am passionate about supporting this charity which believes that every child is owed the opportunity to thrive, belong, and live a fulfilling life."
Warren raised a whopping $5,515 - taking out the Southern fundraising leaderboard. Ka pai!
Blair Cousins October 2022
STAFF PROFILE: ZAUL PIRANGI
Zaul Pirangi began his career at South Port as a Cold Stores casual while at high school in 2012, gaining a permanent position as a forklift/store operator in 2014. Zaul transferred to General Cargo in 2018 where he has continued to grow his knowledge and skill on machinery, often stepping into other departments and working on container exchanges.
In his current role, Zaul operates the Portâs array of heavy machinery, including container handlers and mobile harbour cranes. Acknowledged by the Company, and his peers, as a âquiet shining star,â Zaul has continued to grow with South Port and is an experienced, valuable member of the Team.
Zaulâs favourite part of the job is operating cranes. Another enjoyable part of his role is the chance to work in other Container Division teams and learning what their jobs entail.
Zaul and his partner Makareta are both Bluffies but have recently bought a home in Invercargill, where Makareta practices as a lawyer. As if buying a house wasnât exciting enough, the two are expecting their first child in 2023!
In his spare time, Zaul enjoys getting on the footy field, playing union for Bluff Rugby Club, and league for the Cowboys. Zaul played all his junior rugby for Bluff, and since returning to the club to play senior, has notched the impressive milestone of 100 games.
WANT TO JOIN THE SOUTH PORT TEAM?
ADMINISTRATOR
We're after someone with previous office administration experience - a friendly, super-organised, solutions-focused administrative professional, who enjoys working as part of a team but can also work autonomously and use initiative. The role involves a lot of variety!
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ADVISOR
As part of our long term strategy of positioning our business for the future, we have established an exciting new role in our Commercial Team, reporting to our Commercial Manager. This is a fantastic career opportunity that involves oversight of the portâs commercial property portfolio.
Don't miss out on these golden opportunities - reach out to find out more! Contact Thomas Lewis: Telephone: (03) 212 8159
Email: tlewis@southport.co.nz
Congratulations to Raymond Tull, Tugmaster and Pilot here at South Port, who recently completed his Class A Pilot Licence.
Zaul Pirangi December 2022
BLUFF CHANNEL DEEPENING PROJECT
Earlier this year, South Port contracted Heron Construction Company Ltd to remove the fractured or fragmented rock in the Port entrance channel from previous dredging campaigns.
The aim was to remove any already blasted or fragmented rock that remained in the channel from previous âcapital dredgingâ campaigns over 40 years ago. Blasting of the channel, which started in the 1970's and finished in the late 1980's, saw some fragmented rock unable to be retrieved due to the engineering limitations of dredging machinery available at the time.
These limitations were highlighted in October, toward the end of the project, when the team at Heron Construction retrieved an old bucket that originated off the âMurihikuâ - South Portâs old resident bucket dredge vessel, that was most certainly among the most powerful and up-todate dredges in the Southern Hemisphere at the time. The âMurihikuâ was purpose-built in Scotland, in 1904, specifically for Bluff. It spent its 73-year working life in the region, before being decommissioned in 1978.
The latest project commenced on 21 August 2022 and was projected to end in late September; however, it officially ended on 14 October. There were several variables associated with a project such as this, foremost of which, was the uncertainty of the extent of the fragmented rock and therefore the timeline was subject to change.
Much to the delight of South Port, the campaign achieved a 9.2m chart datum (CD) in the harbour entrance channel.
Kia Whakaƫ is a project to dredge and remove seabed materials to 9.7m CD in the harbour entrance channel, which includes drilling and blasting as required, 10.7m CD in the Island Harbour berth basins, and 9.45m CD in the swinging basin. It is likely that a backhoe dredge will be engaged to continue dredging the channel, until the desired 9.7m CD target is achieved.
Owing to the success of this most recent project, the drilling and blasting activity required for project Kia Whakaƫ is unlikely to be required under the new consent granted. This is a very exciting development for the Port and will have the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the project going forward.
South Port will now contract a suction dredge to deepen the swinging basin and berth pockets under the new resource consent, which is expected to be completed in the second half of 2023, to allow for larger cargo volumes and vessels to transit through the Port.
The majority of the dredged rock and material was relocated not far from the mouth of the Bluff Channel; however, some rock was taken and has been stored on land as it was identified that it could be processed into gravel for use in Port pavement projects.
The team at Heron Construction Company Ltd worked around the clock, and we thank the entire team for their efforts, along with the Bluff community for their support throughout this project.
BLUFF HILL MOTUPOHUE
ENVIRONMENT
TRUST DONATION
In August this year, South Port partnered up with the Bluff Hill MotupĆhue Environment Trust, with the aim of improving the Little Blue Penguin habitat around the region.
South Port donated $30,000 over the next three years, which will allow the Trust team to intensify their trap networks and continue to plant native species where the penguins nest.
CONSERVATION WEEK PLANTING
Conservation week took place from 5 to 11 September, 2022. The Bluff Hill MotupĆhue Environment Trust aimed to get 20,000 native plants into the ground, so, naturally, South Port wanted to get involved and help them reach their goal!
The priority was to have native plants in the 20m fringe around the Bluff township. The purpose of this is to prevent gorse from growing, and to bring native plants closer to backyards - bringing a profound change to the town of Bluff, that is only going to get better over time.
Planting events took place every day during the week, on multiple sites around Bluff. One team from South Port planned ahead - they knew they'd be busy the week of the planting, so they organised to get amongst it at the end of August.
Other South Port teams participated over four days, often braving four seasons in one day.
With the help of 18 businesses from around the region, along with dozens of individuals, the Trust smashed their 20,000 plant target - which shows a community coming together, having fun and working hard. Ka pai!
SOUTH PORT COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
Applications for a scholarship to undertake apprenticeship training, tertiary or university education are invited from eligible students and individuals who have resided in the Bluff Ward for three or more years.
Further details and application forms are available upon request from: Charlotte Scoles
Telephone: (03) 212 6050
Email: cscoles@southport.co.nz
Applications close on Friday, 6 January 2023. Late applications will not be considered.
"TE MATUA" GETS A WOF
In October, South Port's tug "Te Matua" was lifted up on the Syncrolift for its five-yearly survey. During the survey, the tug received a hydro blast, a sand blast, and a new coat of paint.
The hull was closely inspected from stem to stern, to ensure it is in the best condition and is fit for purpose. Work also included inspecting, replacing and overhauling internal and external mechanisms and functions.
TE PUKOROKORO O MURIHIKU SOUTH PORT NZ
Those of you that can see the Port from home may have noticed that we've been updating our signage.
Our modified logo and new motto, which was incorporated in 2021, was designed to reflect Bluff's distinctive characteristics, along with South Port's aspirations.
OUR PURPOSE: "To facilitate the best logistic solutions for the region."
FAREWELL TO THE "ORETI"
At the beginning of August, we farewelled the "Oreti" as she departed for her new home in Auckland.
Built in 1980 as "Corio," she relocated to Bluff from her namesake location, Corio Bay, Australia, in early 1991.
The "Oreti" came from five sister ships, was 11.38m x 4.05m x 1.64m in size, and was fitted with a Detroit Diesel running 172kW. The "Oreti" was used to tow the barge out to the spoil ground behind Tiwai to dump dredgings, for maintenance of navigation marks, and as a general work boat.
We wish the "Oreti" well in her future endeavors.
BLUFF SCHOOL VISIT
CHANGESAMONGSTTHERANKS
In September, our Infrastructure and Enviromental Manager, Frank O'Boyle, Project Engineer, Jason Paul, and Communications Advisor, Charlotte Scoles, visited Bluff School to talk about the dredging project in the harbour.
Many children from St Teresa's School and Bluff School thoroughly enjoyed learning about how the equipment works, with a hands-on example of why the dredging is taking place, and what it means for vessels visiting in the future.
