Mike Sanford

* Cabinet has agreed to scrap all hairdressing regulations introduced under the 1980 Health Act * Industry rules like banning refreshments and dogs in salons will no longer apply from July * Government expects the changes will save the hair and barbering sector about $1 million annually Separate hairdressing regulations dating back to

Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick has thrown his full support behind a proposal to merge Southland’s four existing councils into two unitary authorities. “It’s high time for rural Southlanders to have a system that puts their needs first. “We’re 100% behind this idea of having two

Six new homes will provide warm and dry housing for vulnerable elderly residents Council continues housing improvement plan with focus on sustainability and accessibility Construction follows community support and $7.7 million funding for future housing upgrades A new stage of Invercargill City Council’s Housing Innovation Project is now

Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, SOS: Save Our Sheep, calling for urgent action to halt the collapse of New Zealand’s sheep industry. “Once the backbone of New Zealand’s economy, sheep are fast becoming an endangered species in this country,” Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby

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