Mike Sanford

* Sophie Steel wins Southern Apprentice of the Year at 2024 HITO ceremony in Christchurch. * She receives a $2,500 prize and represents Southland's hairdressing industry on a national platform. * Steel also attended the Davines Pro Worldwide Hair Tour in Berlin this October. Invercargill hairdresser Sophie Steel was honoured

* Sixty-five Invercargill students receive ILT scholarships for tertiary studies in 2025. * Each scholarship provides $2,000 annually, supporting academic growth over three years. * ILT celebrates funding over 900 scholarships, valuing more than $5 million to date. Sixty-five Invercargill students have been awarded ILT Tertiary Scholarships, recognising their potential and supporting

* ILT and St John celebrate 80 AEDs installed across Invercargill. * Ascot Four Square’s new AED enhances community access and health shuttle support. * Ongoing partnership ensures AED maintenance and offers public awareness training. The installation of the 80th Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in Invercargill highlights a major milestone in a

* Coalition Government invests $2.2 million to develop Southland’s aquaculture centre of excellence. * Ocean Beach expansion includes farming pods, training facilities, and workforce accommodation. * Project aligns with New Zealand's $3 billion aquaculture sales target by 2035. Ocean Beach is celebrating a $2.2 million loan from the

* Government receives record-breaking submissions on proposed changes to build granny flats more easily. * Homeowners and industry workers highlight council processes as barriers to affordable housing growth. * Next steps include detailed policy design with legislation expected by 2025. Nearly 2,000 submissions have been received on the Government’s proposals to

* Researchers recorded earthquakes as deep as 40km in Southland's continental crust. * Study revealed unusually deep seismic activity due to unique crust composition with iron-rich minerals. * Findings improve understanding of hidden faults and future earthquake risks in Southland. University of Otago researchers have detected earthquakes as deep as 40

* Watermain upgrades begin 21 November, lasting approximately three weeks near Clyde St roundabout. * North and south traffic on SH1 Clyde St remains unaffected during the works. * Detours required for east-west roundabout travel; delays expected, plan journeys accordingly. SouthRoads will begin watermain upgrades near the State Highway 1 Clyde Street and

* Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track opens as New Zealand’s eleventh Great Walk. * Track upgrades support conservation, recreation, and economic benefits for the region. * New installations enhance storytelling of the area’s cultural and natural heritage. New Zealand’s Conservation Minister, Tama Potaka, joined representatives from Ngāi Tahu and the local