Malcolm Gayfer

Here we are at the end of 2025 — a time to pause, reflect, and remember some local legends who didn’t make it through to Christmas or the New Year. In no particular order, we honour them here. Bruce Chilton QSM Firstly, a man of music. Bruce Chilton QSM passed

The Invercargill - Southland Chess Club will be hosting the New Zealand Chess Congress from this Friday (Jan 2nd) Congress organiser Richie Christie told whatsoninvers the two Grandmasters who have confirmed attendance are Daniel Fernandez (England). Daniel has visited our shores before in 2020 when he won the NZ Championships

Southland has farewelled several well-known and much-loved figures over recent months, each leaving behind a legacy woven into the fabric of our community. From broadcasting and the arts to retail, racing and grassroots industry, these individuals helped shape the character of Invercargill and the wider region. JOHN HUSBAND The most

The Lexus Melbourne Cup – The Race That Stops a Nation – Make That Two , today (Tuesday) marks the 164th running of the iconic southern hemisphere horse race at Flemington Racecourse. This year, the stakes for The Great Race have risen to $10 million. After a stunning weekend, the weather could make

St John recognised several members at their annual awards presentation recently. The awards honoured members with between five and sixty years of service to the organisation. Three members — Annitta Michelle, Robyn Clarke, and Sandy McGillivary — were presented with the Queen Victoria Award for ten years of service. The Queen Victoria

This week is crunch week for one of Southland’s biggest businesses. Farmer shareholders of red meat processor The Alliance Group vote on whether the group accepts an offer from Irish-based meat processor Dawn Meats to take a 65% interest in the Invercargill-based co-operative. Initially, Dawn Meats offered a $250

KiwiRail has confirmed that the Ohai Line will be mothballed, although the section as far as Lorneville will remain in use. In a statement, the rail operator said much of the line between Invercargill and Ohai will be mothballed due to the planned closure of the coal mine near Nightcaps.

Four iconic clocks have returned to their platforms after a community-led restoration spanning two years. Local firms donated materials and specialist labour, keeping heritage skills alive for future generations. Their mechanisms are still being tuned off-site and are expected back in time for summer. Four historic railway clocks have been