Mike Sanford

* 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

* Two First Division winners from Wellington and Canterbury each took home $500,000 * Powerball jackpot rises to $17 million after no winning ticket was drawn * Southland region saw strong success in the Triple Dip Mother’s Day promotion What’s On Invers Funeral Notices - What’s On Invers whatsoninvers.

* Demolition of the earthquake-prone museum building will officially begin in early June * Collection was digitised to preserve historical items from the Wyndham and District Museum * Volunteers are actively raising funds to build a future museum on the same site Demolition work will soon begin on the Wyndham and District Historical