Mike Sanford

Construction has started on a new headquarters for the Awarua Satellite Ground Station near Bluff — a $4.55 million project that will expand one of New Zealand's most quietly significant pieces of infrastructure. Space Operations New Zealand (SpaceOps NZ) is leading the build, which includes a multi-purpose headquarters,

A Southland dairy farmer is heading to New Plymouth next week to chase the same national farming title his father won 26 years ago. Tom Slee, 29, is one of seven grand finalists in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition, running July 2–4 in New Plymouth. The

Hospices across New Zealand are getting a $12 million funding boost, with Health Minister Simeon Brown confirming the uplift will take effect for 2026/27. The increase follows a review of hospice services conducted by Health New Zealand alongside Hospice New Zealand, which found wide variation in how much government

Te Anau's lakefront is finally taking shape — and construction could start by August. The Fiordland Community Board says detailed design work on the lakefront development is progressing well, with final design approval and tendering expected to be wrapped up in time for an August construction start. It'

Three separate roading and infrastructure projects are disrupting traffic across Invercargill this week, with more lane closures started Monday June 22. The most immediate change is on Bond Street, where the southbound lane will close from Monday for about a week. The closure is tied to final connection work at

A staff member's sharp eyes have turned up a new Old Man's Beard infestation near Dipton — and Environment Southland wants residents to start looking on their own properties. The invasive vine was spotted by an Environment Southland employee during routine work. The site has since been

Invercargill City Council has voted to develop a proposal for a single 'One Southland' council — and is now asking locals what they actually want before anything gets locked in. The push follows a Government announcement on 5 May, when Ministers Simon Watts and Chris Bishop launched a fast-track

Tuatapere's 110-year-old railway station is open again — this time as a café, bakery and visitor hub. The refurbished station was officially reopened on Saturday, with Southland District Mayor Rob Scott, Tuatapere Te Waewae Community Board chair Anne Horrell and Tuatapere Railway and Heritage Trust member Wayne Edgerton cutting