Mike Sanford

* Invercargill Airport celebrated the opening of CAA’s permanent AvSec office for long-term jet operations. * The modern base strengthens Southland’s role in New Zealand’s growing national aviation network. * Local leaders say the development signals strong confidence in the region’s future connectivity and growth. Invercargill Airport has officially

More community hubs, warmer homes and greener programmes are on the way after Rio Tinto New Zealand Aluminium Smelter and Ngāi Tahu awarded $500,000 to ten Southland projects in the third Community Development Fund round. The partnership between the smelter and iwi, signed in 2022, centres on remediation, energy

* Over one hundred leg hold traps were removed by Parks staff yesterday. * Council urges public to report any traps rather than touching or moving them. * Alternative pest control methods are in place to protect pets and community safety. The Invercargill City Council has raised concerns after more than one hundred

Homeowners tired of wrestling with consent paperwork to erect a modest garden shed or hobby room are set to receive welcome relief. Cabinet has signed off new setback rules that scrap the mandatory distance between a boundary and single-storey buildings smaller than ten square metres, and shrink the distance to

• Police discovered multiple illicit drugs and cash hidden inside a high value motorhome near Invercargill. • Accused fifty one year old allegedly supplied methamphetamine and illegally possessed ammunition alongside other narcotics. • Officers now seek forfeiture of the two hundred thousand dollar vehicle through Proceeds of Crime. Police across Southland have closed

The Southland Business Chamber has revealed 33 finalists across 12 hotly‑contested categories in the 2025 Datagrid Southland Business Excellence Awards. After a record 135 entries, judges spent six weeks poring over submissions that showcased the strength, resilience and innovation of our region’s enterprises. “This year’s entries reflect

* Planned closure of Takitimu Mine removes most freight need, prompting rail line mothballing decision * KiwiRail says repairing storm damage then upgrading bridges would cost many millions over five years * First nine kilometres stay open to serve Lorneville meat works, coal switches fully to trucks Bathurst Coal Ltd’s decision to

• Invercargill sees its first open mayoral race without an incumbent in decades. • Twenty-seven council hopefuls join the election alongside board and trust candidates. • Voting begins in early September with several opportunities to cast ballots across the city. Invercargill is set for a competitive election season with eight candidates entering the