News Desk

Golden Age Tavern in Bluff has dodged losing its liquor licence despite strong opposition from police, health officials and licensing inspectors. The Invercargill District Licensing Committee granted the tavern a shortened 12-month licence last month after a hearing that exposed poor staffing, no courtesy coach, inadequate systems and unidentifiable food

The Government has created a super-ministry to handle cities, housing and the environment. The new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport will absorb the Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Transport, and local government functions from Internal Affairs. Legislation passed this week clears

Needing extra time to find a winner, in a first for the season, Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel edged a gallant Avis Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic 56-53 in a drama-filled and intense outing in Dunedin on Saturday. With the scores tied 51-all at the end of regular time, extra

More than 650 secondary school students descended on Southern Institute of Technology last Friday to see what happens after school ends. The open day at Hansen Hall showcased SIT's 190-plus courses across everything from electrical and automotive to beauty therapy and nursing. Students from 30 schools across the

Former Labour Cabinet minister Stuart Nash has officially joined New Zealand First and will contest the Napier electorate seat in the 2026 general election. The announcement marks a dramatic political shift for Nash, who held Napier for Labour across three terms from 2014 to 2023 before being sacked from Cabinet

The Government has unveiled a $1.2 billion loan scheme to help thousands of New Zealand businesses move away from dwindling natural gas supplies while protecting local jobs. The Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme will see the Crown guarantee 80% of each supported loan, enabling banks to offer lower interest

The Government will pump an extra $79 million into wilding pine control over three years, nearly doubling current funding to tackle what farmers call an ecological disaster spreading across New Zealand's high country. The Budget 2026 commitment takes total wilding pine funding to $109 million — a significant increase

Local sports teams can win a poolside party with the SBS Bank Southland Sharks. Splash Palace has opened its annual competition for the third year, offering one team a meet-and-greet with Sharks players and catered party at the pool. Invercargill City Council Manager Aquatic Services Stephen Cook said more than