Mike Sanford

Childcare centres will get extra funding six months early after the Government brought forward a $40 million boost. Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced the 1.5 percent subsidy increase will now come in July 2026, instead of January 2027. "There are few things as important to Kiwi parents

New Zealand will return to budget surplus a year earlier than expected, with Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivering a disciplined Budget 2026 focused on getting the books back in order. Treasury now forecasts a $2.6 billion surplus in 2028-29 under the government's preferred measure, compared to a

Rio Tinto will restart a mothballed production line at Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, backed by a new wind farm deal with Contact Energy. The companies signed a letter of intent for a power purchase agreement to support restarting Line 4, which has been idle since 2020. The arrangement would see

An Invercargill lotto player has won more than $15,000 in Wednesday night's draw. The winner, who bought their ticket through the MyLotto app, was one of 21 players nationwide to win Lotto Second Division, each taking home $15,409. No one won Powerball First Division, sending the

Southland artist Danny Owen has been awarded the contract to replace the much-loved 25-year-old landmark with a new sculpture designed to stand proudly for the next 30 years. Latest News Loading... A treasured part of the town for more than two decades, the original statue had well exceeded its intended

A teenager has been arrested in Invercargill for sending bomb threats to organisations across New Zealand. Southland Police executed a search warrant at a residential address yesterday afternoon, acting on information from Auckland-based detectives. Latest News Loading... The teenage boy was taken into custody without incident and charged with two

Jill Bolger has been awarded the Sir Lance Cross Award for Exceptional Services to Basketball after more than 40 years shaping the sport in Southland and nationally. The veteran administrator helped establish the Southland Sharks in 2010 and has driven the franchise's operations ever since. Her fingerprints are

South Port has a new chief executive. Derek Nind will take over as CEO on July 27, replacing Nigel Gear who steps down at the end of May after 8.5 years leading the Bluff port company. Nind brings deep port experience to the role. He previously served as chief