Mike Sanford

UPDATE: 8pm. State Highway 94 near Deer flat has fully reopened following a serious crash earlier today. Police would like to thank motorists for their patience. UPDATE: 3pm. One lane of State Highway 94 near Deer Flat has reopened following a serious crash earlier today involving a van rollover. The

* Crash on State Highway 6 closes road between Orion and Flora Roads. * Emergency crews work to rescue two people trapped in vehicles. * Motorists warned to steer clear of the crash site. UPDATE: 4:50pm. SH6 Makarewa is now OPEN State Highway 6 in Makarewa is currently closed between Orion Road

* Southland Woodworkers Guild showcases handcrafted wooden toys and gifts in annual exhibition. * Event runs across multiple dates, featuring free entry at Mary Street clubrooms. * Visitors can explore woodworking skills, toy assembly and buy handcrafted Christmas gifts. The Southland Woodworkers Guild has transformed into a hive of activity this festive season,

* 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