Mike Sanford

The number of couples getting married in New Zealand continued to decline in 2025, with new Statistics New Zealand figures showing a 3 percent drop from the previous year. A total of 17,481 marriages and civil unions were celebrated in 2025, down from 18,033 in 2024, maintaining a

Environment Southland has adopted new rules requiring farmers to get approval before grazing stock on flood banks during winter months. The new Flood Control and Drainage Management Bylaw introduces stricter controls on stock grazing between June 1 and August 31, when wet conditions increase the risk of damage to flood

Invercargill City Council is looking to introduce number plate recognition technology for parking enforcement, following concerns about public behaviour towards parking wardens. The council has put out a tender for vehicle-mounted technology that would work alongside handheld devices to "improve parking accessibility and safety for our officers". The

Two new trustees of the Southland Warm Homes Trust visited local delivery partner Awarua Synergy this week as part of their induction programme. Councillor Lisa TouMcNaughton from Invercargill City Council and Councillor Donna Bruce from Gore District Council toured the Awarua Synergy office to see firsthand how warm homes programmes

Southland Police are urging users of dating apps to take steps to protect themselves when meeting up with people they’ve only spoken to online. Southland Area Prevention Manager acting Inspector Mel Robertson says Police have been made aware of two incidents in the last week where people have been

A Southland farming couple has claimed top honours at New Zealand's premier dairy industry awards, taking home more than $28,000 in prizes and cementing their reputation as leaders in the sector. Scott and Stacey Mackereth from the Southland/Otago region were named 2026 New Zealand Share Farmers

Vehicle inspection requirements are set to change dramatically, with most cars moving to two-yearly Warrant of Fitness checks instead of annual inspections, saving Southland motorists hundreds of dollars each year. Transport Ministers Chris Bishop and James Meager announced the reforms yesterday, saying New Zealand's current inspection system is

The husband-and-wife team behind popular mobile food business The Saucy Chook have taken over the main campus café at Southern Institute of Technology, bringing fresh energy and expanded menu options to the student hub. Emmanuel and Inov Listiarto have rebranded the café as Between Classes, introducing their signature chicken dishes