PowerNet has been named Energy Distributor of the Year at the 2026 New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards — recognition built on one of the worst weeks in the company's history. The award was presented in Wellington on August 19, with judges citing PowerNet's response to the October

Sophie Ineson won a $50,000 for tertiary study and a trip to an international science fair in the United States — and she did it by never stopping asking questions. The Year 13 Southland Girls' High School student has spent her after-school hours designing medical products for space, simulating

The first residents have moved into Peacehaven Village's new villas, marking a tangible turning point in a redevelopment that has been more than a year in the making. Several owners shifted into their new homes this month, with all six completed villas either sold or under offer. Enliven

Splash Palace closed a pool nearly once a week over the past year — three times more often than the council's own target allows. A report to the finance and policy committee revealed 47 unplanned closures at the Invercargill facility in the year to June 2026, well above the

Southlanders are going all out for Daffodil Day this year, and the Cancer Society event has transformed into a month-long event over the years. Otago Southland Cancer Society southern community manager Gavin Booth said the great thing about Daffodil Day is that Southlanders get behind the cause every year. Cafes,

A national grid failure and a storm hit Southland at the same time on Sunday, knocking out power to around 25,000 customers for roughly two hours at midday. Transpower, which owns the national grid, experienced a significant issue at lunchtime that cut supply to most of Southland. That fault

Firefighters have been battling a large vegetation blaze on Oreti Beach since just after 3am. The fire stretches roughly 600 metres along the beachfront. Six pump trucks, two water tankers and additional support vehicles are on scene — a significant deployment for a fire that has now been burning for more

2pm Update from Powernet: The Transpower issue appears to be resolved, so many of you will have your power restored now and very soon. Please be aware that there will still be some people affected by storm damage, which may take longer to restore. We will update soon with further