Penny Simmonds MP

By Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for Vocational Education Vocational education is one of the most important tools we have to grow our economy, support local jobs, and give New Zealanders practical pathways into meaningful work. That’s why this Government is making big, necessary changes to rebuild a system that

Getting a GP appointment in Invercargill, and across parts of Southland, has been a major concern for local people — but that's about to change. The National-led Government is boosting General Practice funding by $175 million this year. This is the largest funding boost for GPs in our country’

Five great Southland events are set to receive $93,000 in Government funding aimed at supporting them and driving economic growth across the province. The events to receive support are the Burt Munro Challenge 2026 ($16,000), the New Zealand Premier Motorsport Summer Series – Next Gen Round 4 ($20,000)

• Southland’s two refuges will benefit from funding for mental health and addiction training • 250 advocates across the country will be upskilled through specialist clinical support and training • Funding aims to improve local service access and ease mental health referral challenges Southland Women’s Refuges in Invercargill and Gore will

Editors Note: The original article was published in complete and has been updated. Retail crime continues to be an issue in the South, as it is in many other parts of the country, with Government moves to clamp down on crime an important boost. Last year I attended a public

The eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in Wellington this year, allowing young people from across the country – including Southland – to make their voices heard. This is a wonderful opportunity for a young person living in the Invercargill electorate to learn first-hand how democracy works and to represent their

OPINION: Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds Minister for the Environment and Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills. As we approach the end of the year, I’d like to take the time to thank you all for your support. I value your contribution and appreciate your ongoing commitment to me, to

Opinion: Aquaculture has the potential to transform Southland’s economy, and I am a keen advocate of this new and exciting sector. It’s important for this province’s economic future that we boost export industries and create new jobs, and aquaculture has the potential to achieve this. In the