Mike Sanford

National is planning to launch a new scheme if elected into government that will offer cash incentives for New Zealanders who have lost their jobs due to Covid-19 to start their own businesses. The BusinessStart policy would give successful applicants $30,000 through KiwiSaver savings, tax credits a

Fiordland is facing up to 40 percent unemployment, with many tourism business saying they’re unsure about their future. This year the region has been hit by severe flooding that cut access to Milford Sound during peak season, before losing the Chinese tourist market, then all visitors due to Covid-1

Air New Zealand has ramped up its domestic schedule for August to 70 percent of pre-COVID-19 levels. The airline had planned to operate around 55 percent of its usual domestic capacity (compared to pre-COVID-19 levels) during August. Air New Zealand General Manager Networks Scott Carr says the airli

Hundreds more New Zealanders are rushing to sign up to the Army amid the Covid-19 pandemic. An extra 1000 or more recruits join the Army, Air Force and Navy each year to add extra muscle to the military, or plug gaps as people leave. But in recent months, the interest has been stronger, and one […]

An error with charges relating to consents processed during the past two years has been identified. There are cases where an additional $3 per hour was incorrectly applied and this could result in some applicants being due a refund. The error relates to an incorrectly applied inflation adjustment fo

Mud on roads is a potential hazard Southland motorists need to be aware of. Southland District Council roading contract manager Shaun Holland advised extra care should be taken when driving during winter as ice and mud on the roads could make conditions extremely slippery. He urged farmers to be con

The Returned and Services Association has been thrown an economic lifeline from the government. A one-off grant of $2.53 million has been approved so the RSA can continue to pay welfare grants, as well as offer support to veterans. The organisation’s annual poppy day usually collects between $1m and

Police are investigating a suspicious fire on Main Street, Mataura on Sunday 26 July. The fire was located burning among macrocarpa trees in the rear section of a residential property at around 3am. The fire was well involved and had destroyed a garden shed on the property. Police would like to hear