Mike Sanford

Rugby Southland has confirmed the popular ILT Fireworks Spectacular will return in 2025, lighting up the sky after the SBS Bank Southland Stags’ home game against Manawatū at Rugby Park Stadium. Scheduled for Friday, August 15, the match begins at 7.10pm, with the fireworks set to launch around 8.

Police in Gore are making steady progress in their investigation of a suspicious house fire in Waikaia that occurred earlier this year. Emergency services were called to the scene on Elswick Street shortly after midnight on Wednesday 21 February. Although no one was hurt, the fire caused serious damage to

* Budget 2025 brings KiwiSaver benefits to younger workers and boosts family income support. * New investment tax write-offs and healthcare improvements aim to grow jobs and lift wages. * High-income earners and young jobseekers lose out due to tighter benefit and KiwiSaver rules. Budget 2025 has delivered a mixed bag, offering gains

* SIT Nurse Educators Aica Rivero and Stacey Porter received top honours at recent awards. * Rivero’s research work has influenced clinical practice and inspired nursing students and colleagues. * Porter’s teaching approach was praised for creativity, student mentorship and long-lasting workforce impact. Two Nurse Educators from the Southern Institute of

* Telford launched a new scholarship to support students in the Diploma in Agriculture programme * First recipient Katelin Perkins plans to use the funds to help cover accommodation costs * The award recognises academic success, farming commitment, and community involvement Telford student Katelin (Kate) Perkins has become the first recipient of the

* Legislation aims to return education decisions to regional polytechnics and industry leaders * Industry Skills Boards to replace Workforce Development Councils from January 2026 * Te Pūkenga to be phased out as changes roll out over two years The government has started a major overhaul of New Zealand’s vocational education and

* invercargill and Southland to receive new urgent and after-hours healthcare services expansion * Rural areas including Stewart Island and Tuatapere will get 24/7 clinical support and urgent medicines * Invercargill to get new daytime urgent care service available seven days each week Access to urgent and after-hours healthcare is set to

* Farmers fear methane tools risk harming New Zealand’s natural meat and dairy product reputation. * Most farmers believe reducing methane emissions won’t significantly influence global climate change at all. * Farmers feel industry methane decisions are completely out of touch with grassroots agricultural values and needs. A new independent survey